The United Nations has welcomed Burma’s latest efforts to bring peace to rebel-controlled areas in northeastern Kachin state. A UN statement Sunday said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been following various reports from the ground on the implementation of a cease-fire that was supposed to have gone into effect on Saturday. The statement said Mr. […]
Burma Says Troops Ordered Not to Attack Kachin Rebel HQ
Posted January 20th, 2013 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Burmese President Thein Sein says he is trying to create conditions for peace talks with ethnic-minority Kachin rebels. In a speech in Rangoon, Mr. Thein Sein said government forces are within an “arm’s length” of the main Kachin Independence Army base in the town of Laiza, on the border with China. He said he has […]
Rebels Accuse Burma Army of Ignoring Cease-Fire Order
Posted January 20th, 2013 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Burma say government troops are ignoring a cease-fire order that was supposed to go into effect Saturday. President Thein Sein issued the order Friday to troops in northeastern Kachin state near the border with China. However, the rebel Kachin Independence Army said Sunday that attacks involving artillery and troops are […]
Burma Seeks Help to Promote Long-Term Development
Posted January 19th, 2013 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s leader has urged international donor nations to help in the development of the country’s battered economy and in improving the living standards of its impoverished population. Speaking Saturday at the first Development and Cooperation Forum in the administrative capital of Naypyitaw, President Thein Sein told delegates that Burma would fulfill those goals more successfully […]
Burma to End Offensive Against Kachin Rebels
Posted January 18th, 2013 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
Burma says it will end its offensive against ethnic minority rebels in the northern state of Kachin, in light of growing international criticism. The government’s information ministry on Friday announced a halt to military operations in the area. The move comes as fighting between Kachin rebels and Burmese forces has moved closer to rebel headquarters […]
Kachin Rebels Say Burma Military Kills 3 Civilians in Artillery Attack
Posted January 14th, 2013 at 2:15 am (UTC-5)
Ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Burma say government forces shelled the town they use as their headquarters, killing three civilians and wounding three others. A member of the Kachin Independence Army said the attack on the town of Laiza, near Burma’s northeast border with China occurred early Monday morning. He said one of those killed […]
In New Year’s Speech, Burma’s President Vows More Transparent Communication
Posted January 1st, 2013 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
Burmese President Thein Sein has vowed to do a better job of communicating with the nation, as he delivered his first ever New Year’s speech on Tuesday. In a five-minute radio address, the reformist leader promised a new campaign of more direct, transparent communication with the people, saying mutual trust was key to the country’s […]
Malaysia Detains Asylum Seekers from Burma
Posted December 31st, 2012 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
Malaysian police say they have detained around 450 asylum seekers from Burma after they illegally landed in Malaysia. A police official on Malaysia’s northern Langkawi island said Rohingya Muslims arrived Sunday after nearly two weeks in a wooden boat. The official said he does not know whether the group will be allowed to stay. The […]
Deadly Passenger Jet Crash in Burma
Posted December 25th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
Two people are dead after a Burmese passenger jet crash landed Tuesday morning in eastern Shan state. The Air Bagan plane, carrying 65 passengers and six crew members on a flight from Rangoon, landed on a road about three kilometers from Heho airport. Shan state is home to Inle Lake, a popular tourist destination. The […]
Deadly Passenger Jet Crash in Burma
Posted December 25th, 2012 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
Two people are dead after a Burmese passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing Tuesday morning in eastern Shan state. The Air Bagan plane, carrying 65 passengers and six crew members on a flight from Rangoon, landed on a road about three kilometers from Heho airport. Shan state is home to Inle Lake, […]
