Vodafone, China Mobile pull out of telecoms race

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1 HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION 1200 Ks. ISSUE 680 JUNE 3-9, 2013 Vodafone, China Mobile pull out of telecoms race One consortium exits race for two highly prized telecoms licences, leaving 11 groups to submit their final bids by the June 3 deadline. The decision appeared to have been prompted by the high anticipated cost of setting up a network in Myanmar and Vodafone s tumbling profits in European markets. NEWS 3 Myitkyina talks yield seven-point agreement The government and Kachin Independence Organisation inked an agreement on May 30 that observers hope could lead to the end of a conflict set to enter its third year this week. The deal commits both sides to take steps to reduce armed clashes and engage in political dialogue. Lieutenant General Myint Soe (left) and Kachin Independence Army deputy chief General Sumlut Gun Maw shake hands in Myitkyina on May 30. Photo: Boothee NEWS 6 Lashio violence under control: govt More than 50 people have been detained and 1000 displaced, the government says, following days rioting in Lashio last week that was sparked by a visious attack on a Buddhist woman. ANALYSIS 14 What do teachers want from reform? A groundbreaking survey of more than 400 teachers from the state an should feed into the government s education reform plans. BUSINESS Brand Myanmar grabs spotlight Buoyed by the lifting or more sanctions, Western garment and footwear firms are doing due diligence ahead into factories in Myanmar. PAGE 03 PHOTO BY BOOTHEE

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3 Vodafone and China Mobile exit mobile licence auction YANGON Vodafone and China Mobile said last week they were dropping out of the race to enter Myanmar, one of the world s last unexplored mobile telephone frontiers. They were one of 12 foreign consortiums short-listed by the tender selection committee to bid for two licences to build, own and operate a nationwide network for an initial term of 15 years. The two companies said in a statement on May 31 that they had decided to pull out because the opportunity does not meet the strict internal investment criteria to which both Vodafone and China Kachin community leaders back involvement of UN adviser Nambiar EI EI TOE LWIN eieitoelwin@gmail.com MEMBERS of the Kachin community have asked Vijay Nambiar to help increase international involvement in Myanmar s peace process during a meeting in Myitkyina last week. Kachin representatives met Mr Nambiar, the special adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Myanmar, on May 29, during the rest day in peace talks between the government and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO). Mr Nambiar was an observer at the talks, which concluded with the signing of a seven-point agreement on May 30. At the meeting Myitkyina resident Daw Jar Sai Khum said international help was needed to resolve the conflict in Kachin State. I think you can understand very well that this conflict has been running since the country became independent more than 64 years ago, she said. Ethnic groups around Myanmar are trying to solve the problems within our communities and Mobile adhere. Vodafone and China Mobile will continue to watch Myanmar s progress with interest and will give due consideration to any future opportunities that would meet the companies investment criteria, they added. British-based Vodafone this month reported a 90-percent plunge in annual net profit after taking a vast impairment charge relating to poor business in debtladen eurozone nations Italy and Spain. One bidder has estimated the required spending to develop a Myanmar network at about US$2 billion. regions but we cannot manage all of this ourselves. It is clear to me that the international community needs to play a role in solving these conflicts. Kachin people urged Mr Nambiar to monitor the conflict until a fair solution was found. They also asked him to raise the issue of Myanmar s ethnic conflicts in the UN Security Council and encourage other members of the international community to take part in the peace process. Representatives also told Mr Nambiar that the KIO and Kachin communities are one. We want the UN to help as much as it can, said 81-year-old Daw Innfan Jar Yar. The government and KIO have held peace talks many times but so far there has not been any positive outcome. We suffer the terrible impacts of the conflict, she said, adding that a political solution was needed. We want to get [a] federal [system] at once. We don t want to wait any more to get it. The Kachin National Consultative Assembly (KNCA) published a Applicants also face a list of requirements, including to provide mobile voice services to 75pc of the country geographically within 60 months. Less than 10pc of Myanmar s population has access to a telephone a figure the government hopes to boost to more than 50pc by Other companies on the shortlist include Orange, KDDI, SingTel and a consortium backed by an investment fund linked to billionaire George Soros. A decision on the winning bidders is expected on June 27. AFP See related coverage pages 8-9 Vijay Nambiar, a special adviser on Myanmar to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaks during a meeting with members of the Kachin community in Myitkyina on May 29. Photo: AFP statement before Mr Nambiar s visit and this was presented to him at the meeting. The statement included nine points on the conflict and alleged that the government consistently ignores the ethnic rights that ethnic nationalities have been demanding, or intentionally stalls and gives excuses. The statement said that past meetings have not been successful in part because international monitoring groups have not been involved and called for these groups to be involved in future talks. Mr Nambiar said at the meeting that the UN is supporting and facilitating peace talks and that those talks were being watched closely around the world. Every one of you has an aspiration, an expectation and an experience. But any political solution that comes will not satisfy everybody in all respects, Mr Nambiar said. I have no doubt that the UN and KIO, as well as the Kachin people and Myanmar people, will see the peace process move forward, he said. NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean tdkean@gmail.com THE government and the Kachin Independence Organisation have committed to scaling back fighting in northern Myanmar, in what appears to be a breakthrough in the two-year-old conflict. The seven-point agreement was signed on May 30, at the end of three days of talks in the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina. Leaders from both sides said they were satisfied with the progress made and promised to honour the contents of the agreement. Minister for the President s Office U Aung Min led the government delegation, while General Sumlut Gun Maw, deputy chief of the Kachin Independence Army, led the Kachin team at the talks, which also included observers from China, the United Nations and the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). Even though we didn t sign a ceasefire agreement we have got a successful result, said Lieutenant General Myint Soe, who was representing Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the talks. The Tatmadaw has never broken promises we gave. We stand by our commitments firmly but there are sometimes problems on the ground. That s why at the talks we have made a commitment to try to decrease fighting between both sides. We want to say again that we must maintain our commitments, Lt Gen Myint Soe said. Gen Sumlut Gun Maw said the Kachin wanted to quickly progress to more substantial dialogue. We will continue to take action depending on the outcome of this agreement. But it doesn t mean that we must keep this agreement for a long time we must move forward to get genuine peace through this agreement, he told The Myanmar Times. U Aung Min said he believed a ceasefire is not far away and the two sides would be able to keep in close contact at all times through a technical team that will be formed under the agreement. We have agreed to establish a technical team in order to effectively undertake measures necessary for the peace process, U Aung Min said. The agreement comes as the war in northern Myanmar is about to enter its third year, and after several rounds of talks that yielded seemingly no result. Under the seven-point agreement, both sides have committed to holding political dialogue, to undertake efforts to achieve de-escalation and cessation of hostilities and to continue discussions on military issues related to repositioning of troops. They will News 3 KIO and govt agree to scale back fighting EI EI TOE LWIN eieitoelwin@gmail.com also form joint monitoring committees and a technical team, while the KIO will appoint a representative in Myitkyina. They agreed to consult over the resettlement of people displaced by the conflict. On the issue of international observers, both the government and KIO agreed to continue to allow the participation of all groups that attended last week s talks. If either wishes to invited additional observers, the parties also agreed to invite these additional observers in consultation with each other, he said. Vijay Nambiar, the special adviser on Myanmar to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, represented the UN at the talks, while Lu Zhi, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Yangon, also attended. Representative from eight ethnic armed groups and 10 Kachin community leaders also took part as observers. In an effort to ensure transparency, most of the talks took place in front of the observers. However, on some sensitive military issues, the two delegations retreated behind closed doors. While we have faced many difficulties over the past two years, we re moving in the right direction. Lieutenant General Myint Soe Senior General Min Aung Hlaing s representative at the Myitkyina talks We want to say to everyone that there will be better conditions soon. While we have faced many difficulties over the past two years, we re moving in the right direction, said Lt-General Myint Soe. I have nothing else to say. I support [what the] Lieutenant General said, Gen Sumlut Gun Maw said. The agreement was widely praised in the international community, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describing it as a significant achievement that could lay the basis for a genuine process of national reconciliation in the country. Mr Ban said in a statement that he commends the leaders of both delegations for their courage and perseverance. The United States embassy in Yangon said it was encouraged by the agreement and looks forward to continued progress in building trust and delivering lasting peace. [W]e support dialogue as the best and only way to address the root causes of longstanding conflict, it said.

4 4 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief (MTE) Ross Dunkley Chief Executive Officer & Editor-in-Chief (MTM) Dr Tin Tun Oo Chief Operating Officer Wendy Madrigal EDITORIAL Editor MTE Thomas Kean Editor MTM Zaw Myint Chief of Staff Zaw Win Than Editor Special Publications Myo Lwin Jessica Mudditt - jess.mudditt@gmail.com Deputy Editor MTM Sann Oo sannoo@gmail.com Business Editor MTE Vincent MacIsaac biz.news.myanmar@gmail.com Business Editor MTM Tin Moe Aung Property Editor MTM Htar Htar Khin property@myanmartimes.com.mm World Editor MTE Geoffrey Goddard geoffrey@myanmartimes.com.mm The Pulse Editor MTE Manny Maung manny.maung@gmail.com Timeout Editor MTM Moh Moh Thaw mohthaw@gmail.com Online Editor Kayleigh Long kayleighelong@gmail.com Sports Editor Tim McLaughlin timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com Deputy News Editor Kyaw Hsu Mon Chief Political Reporter Soe Than Lynn Head of Translation Dept Ko Ko Head of Photographics Kau ng Htet Photographers Boothee, Aung Htay Hlaing, Thiri Book Publishing Consultant Editor Col Hla Moe (Retd) Editor Win Tun Nay Pyi Taw Bureau Chief Soe Than Lynn soethanlynn@gmail.com PRODUCTION production@myanmartimes.com.mm Head of Production & Press Scrutiny Liaison Aung Kyaw Oo (1) Head of Graphic Design Tin Zaw Htway MCM PRINTING printing@myanmartimes.com.mm Head of Department Htay Maung Warehouse Manager Ye Linn Htay Factory Administrator Aung Kyaw Oo (3) Factory Foreman Tin Win ADVERTISING advertising@myanmartimes.com.mm National Sales Director Khin Thandar Htay sales-director@myanmartimes.com.mm Account Director Nyi Nyi Tun Classifieds Manager Khin Mon Mon Yi classified@myanmartimes.com.mm ADMIN & FINANCE Finance Manager Mon Mon Tha Saing finance@myanmartimes.com.mm HR Manager Nang Maisy administration@myanmartimes.com.mm Publisher Dr Tin Tun Oo, Permit No: Systems Manager Khin Maung Thaw webmaster@myanmartimes.com.mm DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Circulation & Distribution Director Jesse Gage distmgr@myanmartimes.com.mm circulation@myanmartimes.com.mm ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Telephone: (01) , Facsimile: (01) administration@myanmartimes.com.mm The Myanmar Times is owned by Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by MCM Commercial Printing (licence provided by Swesone Media (08102) with approval from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Zin Press (0368) with approval from MCM Ltd). The title The Myanmar Times, in either English or Myanmar languages, its associated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the Managing Director of Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd. Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd. Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Telephone: (01) , Facsimile: (01) Mandalay Bureau: No.178, 74 th Street, (Bet. 31 st & 32 nd streets) Chan Aye Thar San Township, Mandalay. Tel: (02) 24450, 24460, 65391, Fax: (02) mdybranch@myanmartimes.com.mm Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No. 10/72 Bo Tauk Htein St, Yan Aung (1) Quarter, Nay Pyi Taw-Pyinmana. Tel: (067) 23064, capitalbureau@myanmartimes.com.mm THE INSIDER The local lowdown & best of the web WITH ONLINE EDITOR Kayleigh Long Al-Qaeda HR A letter discovered by the Associated Press in a Timbuktu building has lent a fascinating insight to the inner workings of Al- Qaeda, with international terrorist Moktar Belmoktar receiving an apparent dressing-down for failing to answer his phone, not filing expenses and missing important meetings. The letter, dated October 3, 2012, predates Belmoktar s split from the organisation in order to form his own autonomous jihadist unit. Third international band bound for Myanmar in August British-Australian soft rock duo Air Supply are coming to Myanmar, with negotiations in the final stages for an event hosted by Bagan Entertainment and the Htoo Group. The show is to be held in the middle of August. The original singers of Making Love (Out of Nothing At All), Air Supply, will be the third international act to perform in Myanmar, after Jason Mraz and Michael Learns To Rock. Pitch-perfect A sound familiar to most is Facebook s ping, the four-note noise that alerts users to new notifications. Recently on Quora, an online question-and-answer platform, a user posed the question: How much research has gone into developing the Facebook ping sound? A former Facebook employee named Everett Katigbak was able to provide a comprehensive answer, having designed most of the audio associated with the social networking site. The chords are an F Major 7, followed by an A, a C and an E. Katigbak said the fact that the perfect ping sound also spelled F-A- C-E was a serendipitous discovery while playing with notes. REGIONAL INSIDER PEOPLE get absurdly excited by flags. They wave their national banner at every opportunity and often use the design for home accoutrements and clothing, even their underwear. At sporting events, they wave their nation s bandana in fits of wild animation as if they are doing something constructively patriotic rather than behaving like vain, attentiongrabbing adolescents. Such nonsense is especially pronounced in the United States where people fly the Stars and Stripes from poles on their front lawns and work in offices with the flag draped from their windows. This faux patriotic affectation has been copied by some countries in this region, particularly Singapore and Brunei, and is a measure of a nation that lacks a solid harmonious cohesion among its people. It is one reason why the regional government of Aceh, in the north of Indonesia s island of Sumatra, is seeking to change its flag to that of the former rebel Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, or GAM). The move by the Islamist Partai Aceh is irresponsible and needlessly Style Statement Model and actress Thinzar Nwe Win was born on April 6, 1991 in Taunggyi. She studied law at the University of West Yangon and began modelling in Since then, her career has well and truly taken off she now has 20 movie credits to her name and a reputation as an up-and-coming star. By Ei Ei Thu Photo: Htet Aung Kyaw (Studio HAK) If you'd like to be involved in a NOW! Magazine photo shoot us at editorial@now.com.mm What s in a flag? Partai Aceh presses Jakarta ROGER MITTON roger.mitton@gmail.com provocative at a time when democracy is still seeking to consolidate its roots in the region s biggest nation. Indeed, the proposal is like a splinter in the heel of the central government in Jakarta, which is trying to contain another breakaway movement in Papua, whose advocates relish flying their own separatist flag. So why is Partai Aceh, the political party set up by former GAM fighters, doing this now? Well, there is a canny logic to the way they have handed this knotty dish to Jakarta just as the country is gearing up for contentious presidential elections next year. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, popularly known as SBY, is wrapping up his second two-year term and cannot stand again. But he, as well as the contenders to replace him in 2014, must now take a stand on this tricky matter before the elections or else look weak and wishy-washy. So the cunning Acehenese have put all the Jakarta decision-makers in a difficult position. If they act forcefully and reject the flag change, it will only embolden Partai Aceh to proceed with its new separatist banner, because defying the central government is always a vote-winner in the independence-minded province. If Jakarta compromises and allows the flag change, then Partai Aceh wins and it will be able to use the emotive power of the new flag to galvanise voters in next year s elections. Either way, Partai Aceh wins. So it s a tough decision for Jakarta and one which cannot be dodged and which must be taken in a sophisticated and calm way or else there will be fears of violence at next year s polls. Currently, the central government s view is that the new flag violates a law banning separatist symbols and so cannot be permitted. However, Partai Aceh argues that the flag cannot be separatist since it signed a peace agreement with Jakarta eight years ago that acknowledged Indonesian sovereignty. But if Jakarta buys this line and accepts the new flag, Partai Aceh will know that playing tough pays off and its leaders may well press for even more authority and eventually for full independence. Already, Partai Aceh is exploiting the weakness of SBY s lame-duck administration to continue entrenching its own control over the province, while reducing the scope for any democratic opposition challengers. It already controls the executive and legislative branches in the provincial government and is exerting influence over the civil service and local election commission. Indeed, instead of Partai Aceh improving the welfare of its relatively poor rural people, many of whom still bear the scars of the 2004 tsunami, it is cementing the hold on power of its own fundamentalist clique. So this is no small matter. And it is fair to say that as things are going, Aceh is beginning to look more and more like a one-party state.

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6 6 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Lashio riots under control: minister At least one dead and four injured following riots that were sparked by a vicious attack on a Buddhist woman in the northern Shan State town WIN KO KO LATT winkolatt2012@gmail.com SI THU LWIN sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com CONFLICT prevention teams have been formed in each ward in Lashio to ensure there are no further outbreaks of violence, following rioting last week that left one dead and saw dozens of buildings torched. Minister for Religious Affairs U San Sint said at a meeting with religious leaders of different faiths in Pyin Oo Lwin on May 31 that the government had brought the violence under control but was concerned about it recurring. He said at least 50 people have been detained over their role in the rioting, which also left at least four people injured. U San Sint said the conflict prevention teams include religious leaders and government officials, such as firefighters and policemen. He said 1369 people have taken refuge in Mann Su Monastery and the government is planning to open We will try our best to resettle people in their original places as soon as possible. U San Sint Minister for Religious Affairs a camp for them in the township football stadium. We will try our best to resettle people in their original places as soon as possible, U San Sint said. The outbreak of communal unrest in the northern Shan State town on May 28 again exposed the inability of local security forces including police to contain fast-moving conflict. The violence broke out after a Muslim man allegedly doused a Buddhist woman in fuel and set her alight. Within hours a mosque, an Islamic school and hundreds of houses and businesses owned by Muslims had been torched. The government said five houses, three religious buildings, four warehouses, one cinema, 34 shops, two cars and 11 motorbikes were burned in the violence. Ko Saung Oo Latt, a 30-year-old Lashio resident, said the violence had shocked many in the town. We are surprised at the violence because we are not interested in religious issues. Mostly Lashio people are only interested in business. I really wonder how this violence broke out, he said. The government imposed martial law in Lashio at 9pm on May 29 under a section 144 order, laying down a curfew in the township from 7pm to 5am. By that stage the town had been flooded with troops. But only areas that had already been targeted by rioters were under heavy security, with many parts of the town left unguarded, residents said. A Lashio resident who did not A soldier carries a child to a monastery in Lashio on May 30, following a fresh outbreak in violence that left one dead and at least four injured. Photo: AFP want to be named said groups of people were riding around the town on motorcycles with sticks and knives and setting fire to buildings. Just a few minutes ago, a group of 200 people destroyed the Thida Aye Cinema, the resident said at 3pm on May 29. We are seeing groups of three or four men carrying weapons all over the place the only areas that are safe are the mosques and places that have been torched because there are security forces there. But U San Sint told The Myanmar Times on May 29 that the government had the situation under control. There will not be any further fatalities because security is tight, he said. This problem is caused by short-tempered youths and was started when a Buddhist woman was burned by a Muslim. But I don t think this incident was a religious incitement. Hundreds of people sought refuge in Mann Su Monastery. One of these people, Daw Zai Nat Thi, from ward No 7, told The Myanmar Times on May 30 that her neighbour had been killed. His name is U Win Myint. The mob burned his car and hacked him with knives. His wife managed to escape, she said. We feel safe now at this monastery. I am really thankful to Mann Su Sayadaw for protecting us from the mob and providing us with food and water, she said. Mann Su Sayadaw said he had opened the relief camp at the request of U San Sint. We have already received more than 600 refugees, mostly Muslims, and there is also another refugee camp that has almost 30 Burmese refugees, he said on May 30. The outbreak of communal violence occurred after 48-year-old Ko Nay Win allegedly doused Ma Aye Aye Win, 29, in fuel and set her alight. Ko Nay Win arrived in Lashio from Kengtung on May 26. He had a conversation with fuel sellers on the morning of May 28 and in the evening he had an argument with Ma Aye Aye Win when she was selling petrol, said U Kyaw Khine Oo, Lashio district administrator. U Kyaw Khine Oo said Ko Nay Win has a history of alcohol abuse and received medical treatment for two months in 2012 to treat his alcoholism. He has been detained and charged over the incident, the Ministry of Information said. Translated by Zar Zar Soe

7 News 7 Govt backtracks on two-child order Rakhine State Government spokesman says order lapsed on January 1 A Muslim woman walks past shelters in an IDP camp in Sittwe last month. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing Order highlights human rights abuses in Rakhine, say NGOs botoole12@gmail.com BILL O'TOOLE HUMAN rights groups have decried government restrictions placed upon the families and children of the Rohingya group, amid confusion over an apparent ban in northern Rakhine State on Muslim families having more than two children. A Rakhine State government spokesman last week retracted an earlier statement that a two-child policy had been put in place in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. But rights groups and non-government organisations said existing restrictions on marriage and family planning do great harm to members of the Rohingya community, who are normally referred to as Bengalis in Myanmar. Local government authorities and the Na Sa Ka [border security force] oversee a web of tight regulations governing Rohingya, Human Rights Watch said in a statement last week. These include restrictions on travel, birth, death, immigration, migration, marriage and land ownership. Citing the need for population control, Muslim couples are sometimes forced to wait years for their marriage licence to be approved and are often forced to pay bribes to make it happen. Several sources said that when marriage applications are rejected, Na Sa Ka officials use this as an opportunity to extort bribes from the unregistered couple. But criticism of the government s policies in northern Rakhine State has not only come from abroad. The Rakhine Investigation Commission said in its report released on April 29 that the requirement to get permission to marry provide[d] a loophole for corruption and has had little practical impact. The majority of the Bengali population marry in secret without the necessary administrative approval and children born under these circumstances remain unregistered, the report said, adding that about 60,000 children in Rakhine State are unregistered as a result. The United Nations Refugee Agency s representative in Myanmar, Hans ten Feld, said these unregistered children have no access to even the most basic civil documents, such as identity cards and marriage certificates. In Rakhine State and elsewhere, a National Registration Card is needed to enrol in primary school and travel between states and regions. In short, given the pervasive administrative restrictions in day-to-day life, such as the need to present the [national registration card] pass [at] checkpoints, to access the market, to visit another state and as a vital proof of age in case of arrest/detention, unregistered children are [being] deprived of their basic rights, Mr ten Feld told The Myanmar Times. As with unregistered couples, families with unregistered children find themselves targets of extortion by the Na Sa Ka. Vickie Hawkins, the Yangon representative for Médecins Sans Frontières in Yangon, said that in addition to harming the livelihoods of children and families the policies have ruinous effects on the health and safety of women in the region. We do see patients coming into our clinics with [illnesses] that are the consequence of unsafe abortions.... We feel there is a link between these cases and the restrictive laws concerning [family planning], she said, adding that the organisation s doctors in Rakhine State have seen these types of cases consistently since it started working there 14 years ago. U Shwe Maung, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Buthidaung, said policies that persecute a single group can have consequences for the entire country. These laws only incite hatred.... This kind of violence and discrimination will hold back the process of reforming the country. AUNG SHIN koshumgtha@gmail.com AN ORDER restricting Muslim families in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in northern Rakhine State to only two children has not been renewed for 2013, government officials in the state said last week. The order, which government officials said was introduced in 1992 and is renewed annually on January 1, has attracted significant media attention in recent weeks and drawn criticism from human rights organisations, as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Media reports said the policy had been put in place in the third week of May but several officials told The Myanmar Times this was incorrect. The order has in the past been reaffirmed by the Maungdaw District General Administration Department a Ministry of Home Affairs body and is enforced by the border security force known as Na Sa Ka. However, Rakhine State Government spokesman U Win Myaing said on May 30 that the policy was only under discussion and had not been renewed this year. When asked why he had told other publications earlier last week that the order was in place, he said he had received incorrect information on the status of the order. A Na Sa Ka official also confirmed that the order was introduced in 1992 and has not yet been reaffirmed this year. This order needs to be reimposed. U Win Myaing Rakhine government official However, both U Win Myaing and the Na Sa Ka official rejected human rights concerns over the policy, saying the measure was needed to control population growth among Muslim families in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. This order needs to be reimposed in those areas in order to balance the population. The local Rakhine people also requested that the policy be continued as they are fearful of the growing Bengali population. It is mentioned in the report of the Rakhine Investigation Commission; the commission identified the extreme increase in population as an issue, U Win Myaing said. We have heard that human right groups are criticising [the government] over the policy. It is not a human rights violation. The order is not very detailed so, for example, we don t know what action we can take if it is violated.... We just count people as illegal or unregistered if they don t follow the order, said the Na Sa Ka official, who asked not to be named. Rakhine State Attorney General U Hla Thein said he was unaware of whether the order was in place. It is supposed to be managed by the Maungdaw District General Administration Department. I haven t received any notice about it yet, said U Hla Thein. Speaking at a press conference in Yangon on May 27, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi described the order as discriminatory and a violation of human rights. I can t confirm that this [policy] is in place, but the law shouldn t be one-sided, she said.

8 8 Special: The mobile moment of truth Airtel KDDI Qtel Group Orange Millicom MTN Uncertainty over law clouds tender Experts have been impressed with the transparency of the licence tender process but questions remain over the legal framework and the role of state-owned and local telecoms players, writes Thomas Kean CONSORTIUMS submitting final bids this week for two telecoms licences are grappling with a number of uncertainties, particularly over the legislative framework for telecoms liberalisation. Analysts said these uncertainties could have a dampening effect on how much contenders are willing to offer as a licence fee but have broadly praised the government s handling of the tender. The most important factor is the telecoms law and clarity on the law is really quite important, said Paul Wilson, the managing director of Myanmar Capital Advisers. But I m actually quite bullish on the government s approach to this, Mr Wilson said. For someone who has been working with [Myanma Post and Telecommunication] since 1998 I can appreciate how new and different this is. I m very impressed. There are uncertainties and so on but the pace of reform and the openness with which the government has been hosting delegations, answering questions and sharing information it s hard for me to find a negative. The consortiums that are really committed to the country will factor in some of the uncertainties and I think there is a general appreciation for the complexities of the process. The 12 consortiums and companies have to submit their final tender bids by June 3, with the two winners to be announced on June 27. The bids will be ranked out of 1500 points based on both their technical proposal, which is worth 1000 points, and the licence fee offer, worth 500 points. But the legal environment for the two winning consortiums is far from clear. A new telecommunications law has been drafted but not yet submitted to parliament. With parliament due to meet in late June, the earliest it could conceivably be enacted is the middle of July, although that appears unlikely. The companies will factor in the uncertainties, said Roger Barlow, an independent telecoms analyst and chief executive officer of Hong Kongbased RJB Consultants Ltd. The lack of telecoms law is a concern but it s not necessarily unusual; a number of other Southeast Asian countries have done the same with less rigorous legal frameworks. After the two winners are selected, there is likely to be a further negotiation process, as some details of the licence will need to be settled once the telecommunications law is finalised, Mr Barlow said. Andrew Wood, an Asia analyst at Business Monitor International, said the lack of a legal and regulatory framework certainly presents a more complicated risk outlook for bidders. With an independent regulator set to be formed only in 2015, there is a risk that processes will remain somewhat opaque. Andrew Wood Asia analyst, Business Monitor International That being said, foreign ownership restrictions were somewhat cleared up by the adoption of the new Foreign Investment Law in November. Additionally, with news that operators will be granted 15-year licences with the option of 10-year extensions, and that licences will afford the right to offer a full range of telecommunications services, we believe that the regulatory environment appears to have the proper pillars in place at this stage, he said. But the law is not the only issue for consortiums, several of which declined to comment on the tender process last week. The government has said the two licence holders will compete with a privatised MPT and a second local operator, likely Yadanarpon Teleport, which is majority state owned. But recently army-owned MECTel burst onto the scene, selling K1500 CDMA 800MHz SIM cards and K5000 and K10,000 top-up cards. The company appears to be what is known as a mobile virtual network operator; rather than build its own network it rents spectrum from a wholesaler, in this case MPT. The sudden emergence of MECTel took many by surprise and their future role in Myanmar s telecoms sector is far from clear. But whether the two foreign operators compete with a state-run or privatised MPT, the playing field is not quite level, Mr Barlow said. MPT will not only have far more spectrum but it will be at lower frequencies, which will enable it to place its base stations further apart. The impact is MPT will be able to install potentially a more efficient network, with more customers using fewer base stations and less congestion than the foreign operators, he said. The two new entrants have recently been given slightly more spectrum but it is still not enough at the lower frequencies MPT will have a distinct advantage. This could prove crucial as the operators roll out infrastructure to meet challenging targets on voice and data coverage. Under the licence terms, the two operators must be able to offer calling services in 25 percent of the country, and data services in 10pc. After five years, this needs to have risen to 75pc and 50pc. Mr Barlow said meeting these targets will be a challenge, and prospective foreign operators, which have already started buying up land for base towers in anticipation of licences being awarded, will likely end up sharing infrastructure. It will be expensive in terms of rolling out infrastructure in relatively unpopulated areas, he said. Mr Wood agreed that there were concerns over how exactly the government will look to promote a level playing field between all operators. Additionally, with an independent regulator set to be formed only in 2015, there is a risk that processes remain somewhat opaque over the next two years, he said. But Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Set Aung said the shortlisted firms understood the risks when they entered the tender process. If a company is risk averse they do not enter the country, he said. Foreign investment never waited until everything was ready. Customers test Huawei phones at a shop in Yangon in May. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing The tender: eleven conso ELEVEN consortiums remain in the running for two telecommunications licences for foreign operators, including some of the largest operators in the world. The deadline for final tender offers is June 3 and the two winners will be announced on June 27. The granting of licences will be finalised between July and September. Ninety-one companies and consortiums responded to a call for expressions of interest, with a deadline of February 8. Twenty-two were invited to submit prequalification documents, of which 12 were approved. The Vodafone-China Mobile consortium has since announced it is pulling out the race, leaving 11 consortiums. The final decision will be made through a comparative analysis method, which will be fully transparent and pre-determined, the Telecommunications Operator Tender Evaluation and Selection Committee said in a May 13 statement. The Technical Submission component of the application will be given a weighting of 1000 points (67 percent), while the Spectrum Licence Fee Offer how much the company is willing to pay for the licence is worth 500 additional points, or 33pc of the total. Applicants that fail to meet the minimum standards for the technical submission will be automatically disqualified, as will those whose li-

9 Special: The mobile moment of truth 9 Viettel SingTel axiata telenor Digicel Liberalisation can spur economic progress: experts rtiums, two licences botoole12@gmail.com BILL O'TOOLE LIBERALISATION of the telecoms sector has the potential to not only generate large profits for private firms but also to spur economic progress, analysts said last week. Myanmar is coming of age in the digital era, said Fraser Thompson, a senior fellow at the McKinsey Global Institute. If it uses technology fully and innovatively in banking, government, health care, agriculture, education, and retail Myanmar could leapfrog interim development phases to become one of the world s fastest growing economies. Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Set Aung was similarly bullish about the possibilities. Name a sector and I could go on all day about the benefits of improved access to telecommunications services, he said. The groups that receive the licences are committed to rolling out large networks within five years, including ensuring 50 percent of Myanmar in terms of area, not population has access to data, or mobile internet, services. As a result, tens of millions of people will be given the opportunity to connect to the internet for the first time. Paul Wilson, managing director at Myanmar Capital Advisors, said the liberalisation of the sector would create opportunities across the spectrum. Most exciting, he said, was the impact it could have on Myanmar s nascent IT sector. It s going to spark an exciting time for local companies who know the market well. I m very impressed It s going to spark an exciting time for local companies who know the market. Paul Wilson Myanmar Capital Advisers with the technical capabilities of young Myanmar [people], Mr Wilson said. Everyone is focused on the network and infrastructure, but it s going to unleash the potential for educational services, rural healthcare services and so on as well. The bigger story [around telecommunications liberalisation is that] it s going to be creating jobs, rural connectivity and access to the internet. However, some analysts have cautioned that the optimism needs to be tempered. Andrew Wood, an analyst at Singapore-based Business Monitor International, said rapid growth in a country s telecommunications sector could also be destabilising, particularly for telecoms providers. Generally speaking, the potential for a price war is probably one of the biggest risks for an operator entering into what will likely be a low-margin, high-volume market, Mr Wood said last week. He cited the example of India, where strong competition has prompted network providers to cut prices in a race to the bottom. In 2010, companies like Bharti Airtel, which is one of the shortlisted firms in Myanmar s telecommunications tender, sold prepaid cell phone cards with call rates of just a few cents a minute. While the market has stabilised to some extent since then, the war continues and earlier this month Bharti Airtel reported its net profit had dropped by US$94.7 million to nearly half what it was a year earlier. While it can be temporarily beneficial for the consumer, who will enjoy lower rates, a price war can destroy profit margins, depress the overall value of the industry and generally does not end well for the providers, Mr Wood said. There are also questions over the government s ability to manage the sector, he said. As always, operators continue to face somewhat considerable political risks in Myanmar and the government s ability to promote and maintain a sound business environment is still largely untested. On May 19, Human Rights Watch released a report in which it cautioned foreign companies against investing in the sector because they could be forced to monitor their users activities. A version of the [telecommunications] law Human Rights Watch reviewed in March contains troubling provisions that could preserve or introduce new mechanisms for surveillance and censorship, with scant safeguards against government abuse, the report said. Telecom companies that rush into Burma before rights protections are in place risk complicity in illegal surveillance, censorship and other repression, said Cynthia Wong, a senior researcher with the human rights group. U Set Aung said that while the concerns have some merit there was no reason to halt or alter the tender process. Time is a luxury we do not have, he said. We cannot ensure [immediate] results for the people unless we have a competitive environment. cence fee offer is below the floor price. The committee will evaluate the technical submission based on the applicant s capacity in eight categories: network roll-out, infrastructure and coverage commitment; robustness of technical plan; quality of marketing plan, value added services and distribution commitment; tariff commitment for mobile voice services, mobile data services and handsets; human resources management, organisation and capabilities, including the applicant s commitment to recruit, develop and promote citizens of Myanmar; quality of customer care and billing plan; corporate social responsibility, including the commitment of the applicant to contribute to the development of ICT or the local inclusion development plan; and soundness of business plan and financing strategy. The two winners will be required to conduct a commercial launch within nine months of the effective date of the licence. Within 12 months of launch they will be required to have 25pc geographic coverage for voice services and 10pc coverage for data services, rising to 75pc for voice services and 50pc for data services within five years. There are also quality of service requirements, such as having call dropout rates of less than 2pc. Staff Writers THE FIRST 11: The pre-qualified firms still in the race Company (main operator in bold) Head office location Revenues of main operator (US$ billion) France Telecom Orange + Marubeni France, Japan ~57.5 KDDI + Sumitomo + MICTDC + A1 Japan, Myanmar ~43.5 Telenor Mobile Communications Norway ~18.2 Singtel + Royal Myanmar Transport (KBZ) + M Tel Singapore, Myanmar ~15.4 MTN (Dubai) + M1 Telecom + Amara Communications S-Africa, Lebanon, Myanmar ~14.3 Bharti Airtel + Palazio Ventrues India, Cyprus ~13.0 QTel ( Ooredoo ) Qatar ~9.3 Viettel Group Vietnam ~6.7 Axiata Group Malaysia ~5.8 Millicom International Cellular Luxembourg ~4.8 Digicel Group + Quantum Strategic Partners + YSH Finance Jamaica ~2.4

10 10 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Fears over growth in land concessions Figures show size of government and commercial land concessions rose 76 percent between January 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 BILL O TOOLE botoole12@gmail.com ACTIVISTS have raised concerns about continued growth in large-scale land concessions to agribusinesses, warning that small-scale landholders are being left without a source of income. Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture s Myanmar Agriculture in Brief 2012 publication show that land concessions rose 76 percent between January 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, from a total of 1.94 million acres to 3.42 million acres. The figures include concessions awarded to both private companies and government bodies. If this trend continues, more people will be displaced and livelihoods will be destroyed. Tobias Jackson Coordinator, Land Core Group Tobias Jackson, a coordinator at the Land Core Group, a network of NGOs and civil society groups focused on land rights, said the sharp increase was a concern. A large increase in a 12-month period is a worrying trend. Many, if not all, of those grants will displace rural communities.... If it continues, more people will be displaced, livelihoods will be destroyed and rural areas will be even more disrupted, Mr Jackson said. Ministry of Agriculture director general U Kyaw Win said he was unable to verify the figures but said industrial-scale farming had expanded significantly in recent years, largely because of his ministry s policies. Large-scale farming increases crop yields and gives farmers easier access to markets.... We need to develop the sector, he told The Myanmar Times. Land awarded in a concession is generally classified as vacant, although in practice it is often being used by communities and not properly registered with the Settlements and Land Records Department. Communities in mountainous or upland areas, mostly ethnic minorities, are particularly likely to be cultivating vacant land. New farmland laws, particularly the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Management Law, are designed to encourage investment in large-scale agriculture projects, including from foreign companies. However, in a report released on May 20, the Transnational Institute wrote that the new legislation is that agricultural communities, particularly in upland areas, have no legal land rights and land tenure security. This immediately puts ethnic upland communities under the real threat of losing their lands, which are precisely the areas heavily targeted by resource extraction and industrial agricultural concessions, the institute said in the report, Access Denied: Land Rights and Ethnic conflict in Burma. Kachin State has the largest land concessions in terms of area, with 1.39 million acres, and also saw the largest increase in concessions between January 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, with around 800,000 acres added. Tanintharyi Region has almost 1 million acres and saw an increase of more than 322,000 acres in the same period, while Sagaing Region also saw a significant increase, from around 100,000 acres to almost 260,000 acres. One of the country s most wellknown land disputes involves a concession awarded to Yuzana Company in the Hukawng Valley in Kachin State. Among those who lost their land to the company was Daw Bawk Ja, a A farmer sows paddy fields in Pathein township, Ayeyarwady Region. Photo: Ko Taik coordinator with the Kachin Women s Peace Network. No one knew what was happening. [The construction crews] just came and started building, she said, adding that residents in her village were unaware that their land could potentially be given away to a company. Daw Bawk Ja said Yuzana promised higher yields when it began cultivating the land and improved livelihoods for residents in the area. However, the plantation only generated employment at the beginning, when residents were given jobs digging ditches on the construction site, she said. She said many of the people in the region are now unemployed and survive on money sent by relatives working in Yangon and Mandalay. Yuzana did not respond to requests for comment U Kyaw Win conceded that the system is not perfect but said he believes it is mostly positive for farmers, whom the ministry encourages to work on the industrial farms. There they can learn new skills and get better wages, he said. If [problems] are brought to my department, we will do our best to fix them. He said large-scale agriculture was being encouraged because traditional farming methods in rural communities are often wasteful. He said he had visited villages in the Ayeyarwady delta where communities were losing 20 to 40 percent of their yield to rot and animals because of outdated methods used for storage and harvesting. But Mr Jackson said these inefficiencies are a direct result of government agriculture policy rather than smallholder farming. There is definitely room for improving storage, efficiency, and harvesting... but the main reason [farmers] are in that position is the lack of investment in small-holder farming, he said. It needs investment like any other sector; there needs to be some effort from the government. The next set of data on land concessions, from April 1, 2012 to March 31, is due to be released in the coming weeks, U Kyaw Win and Mr Jackson said. Ministry of Home Affairs, YCDC top public complaint list SANDAR LWIN newsroom@mmtimes.com.mm THE Ministry of Home Affairs has been the subject of almost one in five complaints about government departments submitted to the Centre for Economic and Social Development, an official from the centre said last week. The next largest number of complaints concerned Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC), with a rate of about one in eight. The 12-member centre is a part of the Myanmar Development Research Institute. It was established in late February and started accepting public complaints on March 1. The centre received complaints from 112 people in March and April, said U Aung Myat Kyaw, who handles the complaints section at CESD. The ministry that got the largest number of public suggestions was the Ministry of Home Affairs with 22 complaints, or 19.6 percent of the total. Most of the suggestions focused on the lack of transparency in appointing village and ward administrative officers and the lack of transparency in township and district level officers, he said by . YCDC received the next largest number of complaints with 14, or 12.5pc of the total. Most of these concerned the issuing of licences and illegal fees for YCDC services. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue received 12 complaints, followed by the Ministry of Immigration and Population, most of which were about the issuing of National Registration Cards. The Ministry of Education received seven complaints, followed by the Ministry of Transport. About 9pc of complaints were general suggestions about ways to improve service delivery. Around 10pc were submitted by public servants, while the remainder was from members of the public. U Aung Myat Kyaw said the Ministry of Finance and Revenue had replied to the complaints through the Centre for Economic and Social Development and accepted a suggestion to consider preparatory periods when issuing new instructions and orders. The Ministry of Immigration and Population, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Energy also replied to complaints, U Aung Myat Kyaw said, while the Ministry of Home Affairs, YCDC, the Ministry of Electric Power and the Ministry Agriculture and Irrigation are yet to respond.

11 U Tay Za makes study trip to Mount Everest MAUNG AUNG NAING newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm LOCAL tycoon U Tay Za and about 20 members of his business empire, Htoo Group, have gone to Nepal on a study trip aimed at identifying ways to encourage tourism in Myanmar s remote northern mountain areas. The group arrived in Kathmandu on May 28 by charter flight. The following day they travelled to Mt Everest base camp, from where they planned to tour the region by helicopter. The purpose of the trip is to get ideas for tourism ventures in the mountains around Putao, in Kachin State, where U Tay Za s company runs the exclusive Malikha Lodge resort. Senior pilots U Ye Myint and U Myat Tun Lwin from Yangon Airport Group Co, Ltd have accompanied U Tay Za on the trip with two Eurocopter helicopters, which can fly at altitudes of up to 6900 metres. The trip is an opportunity for them to practice flying at high altitudes, company officials said. U Tay Za said he plans to offer helicopter tours of Myanmar s snow-capped northern mountains to tourists visiting Putao. U Tay Za s passion for Myanmar s remote mountainous regions is well known. In February 2011, he narrowly survived when his helicopter crashed on a mountain in northern Kachin State. The Htoo Group team visiting Nepal features three others who survived that crash, including pilot U Maung Maung Than, who lost a leg to frostbite. U Tay Za said he planned to skydive with U Maung Maung Than from an altitude of 6300 metres during the Nepal trip. Translated by Thit Lwin NLD preparing proposal on constitution amendments Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at a press conference in Yangon on May 29. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing THE National League for Democracy will soon unveil its proposals to revise the country s constitution, central executive committee members said on May 27. Party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told journalists at the meeting at Yangon s Royal Rose Restaurant that the government had not done enough to improve people s lives since coming to power in March Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chair of Pyithu Hluttaw s Rule of Law, Stability and Peace Committee, said the constitution needed to be amended. She also said domestic peace and respect for the rule of law had not improved as much as they should have. Speaking of drug abuse, she said: This very much relates to the rule of law. What we should ask is why the problem of narcotic drugs has deteriorated during these three years. Is it because of the authorities inefficiency and weakness? Asked about internal conflicts, she said representatives of ethnic minorities agreed that there was no equality, adding: In the end, what s of prime importance in reversing [the lack of equality] is that our constitution should embrace equality. NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win said the party was preparing to release its proposals on amending the constitution and would make a statement soon. The central executive committee meeting was the party s first since its national assembly in March, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi noted it was being held on the anniversary of the 1990 election, which NLD won by a landslide, triggering a military clampdown. News 11 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi criticises U Thein Sein s government for lack of progress on reform agenda NAW SAY PHAW WAA nawsayphawwaa@gmail.com She recalled that the party has had the right to campaign legally for only one year. Today we have to work out how to build the party into one that benefits the country, she said. Translated by Thit Lwin

12 12 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Ye Deight bailed after Church protest NANDAR AUNG ACTOR Ye Deight has been charged with blasphemy and bailed following a bizarre solo protest at St Mary s Cathedral last week. The actor was arrested at about 3:30pm on May 28, two hours after entering the church compound holding a placard covered in red text that said: Heart also hurt letter, I love to kneel down in front of JC, but someone from this church defined me, You are a fool. I believe in justice. The actor also painted red tears under his eyes. He refused to leave when approached by church officials and at one point made as though to punch a person who approached him but backed down. If he accepts he made a mistake and apologises we will withdraw the case. U Khin Maung Win St Mary s Cathedral He was charged under section 295A of the Penal Code, for allegedly committing a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious belief. He was bailed on May 31 after paying a surety of K500,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10. Church official U Khin Maung Win said Ye Deight had visited the church three times the day he was arrested. The first time, at 10:20am, he had tried to pray in a place that is off limits to the public and was asked to leave by an official. Then he tried to go to another place that is only for monks. At midday he came for the second time and tried to enter the back door, which is always shut from midday to 2pm. He told us we needed to keep the door open all the time and then tried to go into the relic room. In there he prayed with his back to the relics. One of our people saw it and tried to stop him, U Khin Maung Win said. Then he also tried to pray to the statue of the Mother of God with his back to her. It looked like he was trying to insult our religion. The third time he came he had the board and started protesting. Parish priest U Tin Oo said he asked Ye Deight to leave after he prayed improperly in the relic room. There were two people who were praying properly but he did the opposite. After that I told him, You need to go. But he ran in front of the Mother of God statue and did the same. He did not look at all like on the TV. He wore torn jeans and a red singlet. I think his behaviour is so rude and he insulted our religion, U Tin Oo said. U Khin Maung Win said he had not wanted Ye Deight to be arrested, even after the police arrived. I don t want to prosecute him, I just want to stay peacefully. When the policeman came I tried to tell him to stay cool and go peacefully but instead he confessed to the police and let himself be arrested. Honestly I don t know what he was thinking. From our side, if he accepts he made a mistake and apologises we will withdraw the case, he said. A friend of Ye Deight, Ko Maung Soe, said the actor had visited Bo Aung Kyaw Street to get his car cleaned. It took a long time so he went to the church to pray. He went and came back and went again with a board because he wasn t satisfied with what someone in the church said to him, Ko Maung Soe said. The man who washed Ye Deight s car said: He wanted to go into the church and then when he came back he looked so angry. Then he went and painted some words on a signboard near the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw and Merchant roads. Actor Ye Deight gestures during his protest at St Mary s Cathedral on May 28. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing Ministry of Health to provide emergency care during SEA Games YAMON PHU THIT yamon89@gmail.com EMERGENCY medical care will be available at all venues during the Southeast Asian Games in December, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said last week. Dr Zaw Wai Soe from the Orthopaedics and Traumatology department of Yangon General Hospital said emergency medical services, including ambulance and on-the-spot care, will be provided in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung where all events will be held. Many athletes, tourists and spectators will watch the events, he said. Therefore, we aim to provide immediate response to those who have emergency health problems. We are only focusing on the SEA Games. The number of ambulance and human resources we have cannot give nationwide coverage. The free-of-charge medical service will be organised by the ministry, which has received technical support from Australia, Japan, China and Thailand. The Ministry of Health has trained about 1000 doctors on emergency care and treatment. The doctors will occupy stations near sports venues. The ministry is also training an additional 500 nurses and volunteers, and plans to train paramedics and ambulance drivers in future. We are trying to set up a three-digit telephone hotline that is easy for users to remember, he said. In emergencies people will be able to call the number and we aim to have ambulances on the spot within 30 minutes. The ministry has a fleet of about 70 ambulances for the SEA Games. Crews will also patrol near events to provide pre-hospital care and ambulance service. Ambulance services provided in Myanmar are organised by the Ministry of Health, private hospitals and clinics, non-governmental organisations, selfhelp groups and others.

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14 14 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 ANALYSIS Reforming education: What do teachers want? Fears over IDP access NGOs, donors work with regional government to ensure thousands of IDPs MARIE LALL IN Myanmar s reform process, the government s focus has mostly been on national reconciliation, ethnic peace and economic reform. More recently, however, education has also been high on the agenda. In mid-2012 the Ministry of Education embarked on the Comprehensive Education Sector Review. The review is expected to prepare a national education plan by the middle of While the aim is to review state education and the formal sector from primary levels to higher and vocational education, issues pertaining to the informal sector are also being discussed. In order to feed into the debate on what needs to change, a team of Myanmar researchers conducted a groundbreaking study: They asked 407 teachers in and around Yangon what the priorities of education reforms should be and what they perceived as the institutional challenges schools and the government face. Despite the high level of respect they command, the average teacher leads a difficult life. The study focused on primary, middle and high school teachers most of whom were employed in government schools as they are the pillars of the national education system. Despite the high level of respect they command, the average teacher in Myanmar leads a difficult life, with low pay, long hours, overcrowded classrooms and few, if any, teaching aids. In rural areas and monastic schools the situation is even more difficult. While education policy for the whole country is made by the government, the voice of the ordinary teacher should feed into the process, as they are best placed to give advice to those preparing the new education plan. The research found that the main issue faced by the practitioners was the deep incompatibility between the child-centric teaching and learning approach (CCA, also known as the child-centred approach), which is the official Myanmar education policy, and the exam system. The all pass exam system means that teachers do not fail students because there is no time to help them retake the exams. The lack of physical space in the classrooms and time available to get through the curriculum reduces their ability to use the CCA method. Capacity constraints, related to both infrastructure and curriculum, were the second issue. There were too many students in classrooms, leading to teaching attention deficit and rote learning methods. Teachers ideally wanted to see between 30 and 40 students in a class. However, in many schools, especially in poorer areas and the monastic sector, classrooms will routinely hold between 60 and 100 students. Government schools in middle-class areas are better off. However, even these lower ratios are still perceived as problematic. As one teacher explained: Here we have 40 students per class though private schools have only students per class. So CCA is not appropriate for public schools. The solution to inappropriate studentteacher ratios is to train and hire more teachers. However, for this to happen, the profession needs to be made more attractive. Currently teaching does not draw enough young people. Other countries have faced similar problems and programs have been put in place to encourage bright young graduates to enter the teaching profession. Policy changes are needed to give teachers better training, a clearer career path and salary increases. Many who were interviewed felt that teaching as a profession also needed increased professional pride and modernisation. This, of course, would require changes to the teacher training system. Of the teachers surveyed, only 14 percent held a Bachelor of Education degree and 40pc had received some form of education from an NGO. Older teachers compared the education they had received to today s pre-service training and found the modern system lacking. The researchers also interviewed head teachers at each school that was visited. The leadership of head teachers is crucial for ensuring a school functions smoothly and many principals complained that they spent most of their time dealing with administrative issues, building problems and trying to make up shortfalls in funding. Some principals suggested that increased government support to deal with such problems would be helpful, while others said leadership training would help them progress. Education reforms usually include an overhaul of the curriculum. It was interesting to note that the teachers surveyed thought that the curriculum did not need to be totally reformed but rather individual subjects need updating and textbooks need to be made more student-friendly. Given the time pressure mentioned above, some reorganisation of the content would help teachers do a better job. There is a lot of good practice in Myanmar schools not everything needs to be changed. However, the teachers surveyed were clear that reforms are indeed needed in order to improve the system as a whole. Their voices have proved to be an invaluable window into the state system s classroom and these voices need to be taken into account in education reform. Marie Lall is a reader in education and South Asian studies at the Institute of Education, University of London, and the education adviser to Myanmar Egress. The Teachers voice report was issued by Myanmar Egress and a copy can be requested by ing the author. koshumgtha@gmail.com AUNG SHIN THE Indonesian government has donated US$1 million to build basic education schools in Rakhine State for both the Rakhine and Muslim communities, amid concerns that a significant number of children displaced by violence in 2012 could miss another year of schooling. The United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) is also supporting the construction and staffing of temporary schools in Muslim IDP camps ahead of the opening of the school year this week, officials in the state said. The Indonesian embassy transferred $1 million to the Ministry of Border Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw on May 13 for the building of the three schools. The donation follows the visit of the Indonesian foreign minister to Rakhine State in January, state media said on May 15. U Hla Sein Tun, deputy director of Rakhine State s education office, told The Myanmar Times his office had proposed three priority and three alternative sites for the schools. The regional government will build three child-friendly schools for both Rakhine and [Muslim] children, he said. The regional state government will make the final decision [on the locations]. The Rakhine State Government will spend K300 million on each school. The three first-priority sites proposed are Thinbonetone in Sittwe, Sinoochai village in Rakhine children play in Mingan IDP camp in Sittwe township in May. Photo Kyauktaw township and Myaungbway village in Mrauk Oo township, and the alternative sites are Thechaung in Sittwe, Apaukwa village in Kyauktaw and Panmyaung village in Minbya township, said U Hla Sein Tun. At the moment, I m only worried about food and accommodation. U Sulaman Muslim IDP with four school-age children The regional government will also build 33 temporary schools in Muslim IDP camps with the help of UNICEF in Sittwe, Pauktaw, Minbya, Kyauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Ramree townships. UNICEF will fund the buildings, and has already started teacher training for the temporary schools. The trainees will teach at the temporary schools with other staff from the government education department, said U Hla Sein Tun. He added that the government had instituted special measures for Muslim students in Rakhine State, including conducting matriculation exams in separate exam centres. In its report into communal conflict in Rakhine State released on April 29, the Rakhine Investigation Commission said that while the majority of the schools closed amid sectarian violence last year have been reopened for the Rakhine IDPs, the schools for the children living in Bengali IDP camps remained closed for the school year. Schools should be reopened and access to educa- Multinational Tetra Pak to provide milk to 45,000 students PYAE THET PHYO pyaethetphyo87@gmail.com FOOD packaging multinational Tetra Pak is teaming up with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to provide heat-treated milk to about 45,000 students in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay. The three-year, US$8 million campaign is being launched in more than 200 schools on June 18, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Ohn Myint said last week. But the purpose is not only to provide students with a healthy drink; researchers will also study how increased milk consumption affects their mental and physical development The program was initiated in January, when Tetra Pak signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry. Under the agreement, Tetra Pak will provide milk to 10,000 students in 28 schools in Nay Pyi Taw, 17,500 students in 110 schools in Yangon Region and 17,500 students in 73 schools in Mandalay Region. Tatmadaw schools and a monastic school in the Nay Pyi Taw area are also being included in the project, U Ohn Myint said. The project will monitor changes in height, growth, health status and school attendance. The Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development is helping with the import of the milk packaging, U Ohn Myint said. The Ministry of Education chose the schools to be included in the study and will provide information to students and teachers, while the Ministry of Health will examine the fitness, growth and intelligence of students. Prior to launching the campaign, Tetra Pak conducted a pilot project with 10,000 students at schools in Nay Pyi Taw from January 14 to February 18. The company could not be contacted for comment last week. Tetra Pak is a privately owned multinational company with head offices in Sweden and Switzerland. It had sales of more than US$14 billion in 2012 across more than 170 countries, along with more than 23,000 employees. U Ohn Myint said a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group is also interested in participating in a similar program. Translated by Thit Lwin

15 to education who missed classes last year get back to school More of the same for parents, teachers as school year begins News 15 : Aung Htay Hlaing EI THAE THAE NAING newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm DESPITE a number of recent policy changes in the education sector, parents and teachers in Yangon say they expect conditions in classrooms to change little for the school year, which begins this week. Schools around the country will open on June 3, with enrolment taking place over the past few weeks. As in previous years, the government has said that students do not need to pay school fees, and that textbooks and exercise books will be provided free of charge. I haven t seen any evidence of new policies this year, said Daw Soe Sandar Aung, a teacher at a primary school in Yangon s Shwe Pyi Thar township. I just want to see children continue to work hard and parents cooperate with us for the sake of their children s education. One change, however, is that the government has said it will pay K1000 to the parents of every enrolled student. A number of parents said that the payment has not yet been distributed in Yangon Region. We didn t get K1000 when I went to the school to enrol my children. Maybe they will give us the money on school opening day. I don t know what else will change this academic year, said a parent from Thaketa township. At our school we didn t give K The number of graduates hired as assistant teachers in on school enrolment day but I think it will be given out on school opening day, agreed Daw Ei Ei Khine, a teacher at Basic Education High School 4 Ahlone. Deputy Minister for Education U Aye Kyu said the impact of the ministry s policy changes would be most felt in rural areas, where schools struggle to attract and hold on to teachers. One major change is the appointment of graduates as teaching assistants in primary schools. Of the 12,000 that the ministry planned to appoint, only 8000 have so far been found because of the job criteria, he said. They only have to work in their native town. After three years we will give them a primary distance teaching certificate and they can then be a proper teacher, he said. Daw May May Aung from Basic Education High School 4 Ahlone said that getting teachers to go and then stay in rural schools was a challenge. Most of the teachers want to come and teach in urban areas so rural areas are facing a shortage of teachers, she said. She said that ahead of the start of the school year some teachers were sent to a summer program on how to use a child-centred approach to teaching. I still don t know how this method will be used in the classroom this year. But we have been told that people from the ministry will come and check us when we are teaching, she said. Daw Kay Nwe Zar Khine, a teacher at Basic Education High School 14 Chanayetarzan in Mandalay, said teachers at state schools were under pressure to lift their game because children are switching to newly established private schools. As The Myanmar Times reported last month, the number of registered private schools in Mandalay has doubled because of demand from parents looking for alternatives to the state system. Because private schools have officially opened all teachers have to work harder to improve their skills. The principal at our school has reminded us to be aware of the need to improve our teaching methods, Daw Kay Nwe Zar Khine said. But there aren t really any other changes this academic year. We don t need more teachers in our school because we are in a downtown area but most rural areas need teachers. tion provided for students living in Muslim IDP camps, the commission recommended. The commission also found that there had been a sharp drop in attendance at mixed schools and teachers in mixed schools or those with mostly Muslim students were afraid of returning to work, and said it was critical that the government establish and maintain security at these schools. But U Hla Sein Tun said parents of Muslim students also need material support to encourage them to keep their children in school. We have found that in some [Muslim] camps there is not much enthusiasm for schooling because of poverty, he said. If they don t get enough provisions then [parents] are likely to ask their children to work instead of going to school so this kind of support is also important. U Sulaman, a 68-year-old Muslim IDP from Owntawgyi camp, said he was unsure how the four school-age children in his family would be able to go to school. I don t know what I can do for their schooling. At the moment, I m only worried about food and accommodation, he said. Ma Thae Khin, 28, said Rakhine IDPs faced similar difficulties. I have three children and the older ones need schooling but I m not sure yet where I can send them, said the Mingan camp resident My husband is a trishaw driver. I have no job. We used to live far from here and I m not sure whether to try and send my kids to school back there. The schools were temporarily closed during last year s fighting. A total of 502,761 students were attending 2828 basic education schools of primary, middle and high school level in Rakhine State last year.

16 16 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Forum to attract 900 delegates KAYLEIGH LONG MORE than 900 delegates from 55 countries are set to converge on Nay Pyi Taw this week as the capital plays host to the 22 nd World Economic Forum on East Asia. Senior director of WEF Asia, Sushant Palakurthi Rao, said at a press conference in Yangon on May 31 that the June 5-7 event would be historic by many measures. This year s forum is the largest in its 22-year history and will see key figures from industry, government, academia and civil society take part in discussions centred on three main themes: inspiring inclusive transformation, realising regional integration and finding regional solutions for global resilience. Leading global political and business figures are expected to attend the event, including Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. President U Thein Sein will inaugurate the event, while United Nations Development Program administrator Helen Clark, AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes and General Electric vice chairman John Rice are among the co-chairs. Minister for the President s Office U Soe Thein said the forum would be an opportunity for Myanmar to showcase its economic potential to the outside world. He said he believed that drawing attention to the government s reform DAEHAN Co.,Ltd. # 1213,12-A Floor,Sakura Tower,339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,Kyauktada Township,Yangon,Union of Myanmar Tel: , daehan.myanmar@gmail.com Background DAEHAN Co.,Ltd is a company involved in vehicle service business including parts,after sale service,manufacturing & distribution and overseas investment.we,currently,have opened our office in Myanmar in order to launch the business. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Myanmar national to fill the following positions. Duration : Open- ended contract 1. Marketing Manager M/F (1) Post - Qualification :Ability to communicate clearly in English both in verbal and written forms - Extensive (at least 2-3 year preferred)working experience in vehicle service business or similar field - Advertising & Planing,Event & Promotion must be able doing well - Car importing and logistics experience is must, and sale & marketing experience is preferred 2. A/S(After Service Manager) M/F (1) Post - Education: University Graduate or any car engineering training Course - Qualification :Ability to communicate clearly in English both in verbal and written forms. - At least 5 years experience in Mechanic and at least 3 years in the management of a work shop for cars and trucks maintenance and repair - High levels of customer sevice & solving the complain 3. Sale Manager M/F (1) Post - Education: University Graduate or higher - Qualification :Ability to communicate clearly in English both in verbal and written forms - Computer literate (MS Words,Excel,PowerPoint,etc;) - Direct and coordinate activities involving sales products, services,commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale. Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. - Car importing and logistics experience is must, and sale experience is preferred 4. Secretary for the president F (1) Post process would encourage more foreign investment. The event would also promote Myanmar s growing tourism industry, he said. This potential was highlighted in a report released last week by the McKinsey Global Institute think tank, which said the economy has the capacity to grow by 8 percent a year if the country is able to more than double its labour-productivity growth rate to 7pc. The report pointed to a number of - Age:Under 30,University Graduate or higher with ability to communicate and work in English - Computer literate,entry level to approximately 2 year of experience in secretarial work is plus 5. Financial Manager / Assistant Manager M/F (1) Post - Education:University Graduate or higher with related major - Qualification : Ability to communicate clearly in English both in verbal and written forms Ability to handle financial statement,billing,invoicing,etc; - Computer literate (MS Words,Excel,PowerPoint,etc;) - Extensive (at least 1year preferred)working experience in finance,accounting or similar field Minister for the President s Office U Soe Thein speaks at a press conference in Yangon on May 31. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing key factors that, if managed properly, will drive Myanmar s economic expansion, including harnessing digital technology, supporting a structural shift toward manufacturing, preparing for urbanisation and forging strong regional and international relationships. Mr Rao told The Myanmar Times that the forum will seek to highlight the need for greater trust-building and cooperation between different stakeholders in Myanmar s transition to democracy. Although the process has been largely top-down, it has allowed many more actors from diverse backgrounds and opinions to participate in national debates and to express their opinions. This is a positive step in the right direction, but reforms cannot end here. There must be reconciliation with the past and building of trust toward a future which is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable, he said. Confusion as YCDC still in charge of taxi registration AYE NYEIN WIN ayenyeinwin.mcm@gmail.com MAYBE it was just an April Fool s Day story after all. Critics who scoffed at the idea, announced last March, that Yangon bus service regulator Ma Hta Tha was taking over control of the city s taxis from YCDC scoffed, apparently, correctly. Two months on, no action has been taken to effect the transfer of authority, Ma Hta Tha secretary U Ba Myint said last week. There is no change in the taxi registration system. Yangon City Development Committee is not saying anything, so we are not doing anything. The situation is in limbo. YCDC said they would carry on as before. We will help them as much as we can, said U Ba Myint. Ma Hta Tha is the Myanmarlanguage acronym for the Supervisory Committee for Motor Vehicles. In March, Yangon s central Ma Hta Tha body announced that it would take over processing taxi registrations from April 1, which prompted sceptical comments to the effect that Ma Hta Tha should start properly regulating bus services before they take on Yangon s taxi fleet. But what is being called the delay in carrying out the transfer is not related to those concerns, said YCDC official U Nyi Nyi Oo. However, he could offer no A taxi driver stands next to his car outside a hotel in Yangon. Photo: Archive other reason. It s not as if the transfer to Ma Hta Tha will never take place. I think higher-level people are still finalising the plans. He said no reason had been given for the hold-up. A legal directive will come out, he said. As of December there were about 24,000 registered taxis in Yangon, government figures show. BRIEFS Nay Pyi Taw China returns victims of human trafficking The Chinese government has repatriated 26 women who were sold to Chinese husbands back to Myanmar this year, an anti-trafficking task force said last week. The women were repatriated under a regional agreement, said Police Colonel Win Naing Tun, the deputy chief of the antitrafficking force. As part of the 2004 agreement on the suppression of human trafficking among Mekong s six countries Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China the countries concerned established border liaison offices. As a result, we can save victims of human trafficking and we can also unveil human traffickers. Between January and May, China transferred 26 victims who were sold into China back to Myanmar, he said. A total of 118 women were sent back from China in 2012, said Col Win Naing Tun. Than Naing Soe and Hlaing Kyaw Soe Mandalay Train kils two people Authorities in Mandalay say a man and a woman found dead beside a railway line in the centre of town were hit by a train. The bodies of Ko Soe Min Thu, 20, and a woman, who was also in her 20s, were found near the Chan Mya Wady rail bridge near 42 nd Street in Mandalay at about 5am on May 26. Police say the woman had sustained injuries to her head, left ankle and left knee. Ko Soe Min Thu was found beside Mingalar Canal, below the railroad track, with injuries to the back of his head and abrasions on his face, a spokesperson from Mandalay Region s police office said. When police searched the body of Ko Soe Min Thu, from Kyaukse township, they found a letter showing he had recently been released from prison, an official from Mahar Aung Myay police station said. Si Thu Lwin, translated by Zar Zar Soe Mandalay Alleged scammer arrested A former police officer has been arrested for allegedly posing as a policeman and trying to extort money from a Mandalay resident, officials said. A spokesperson from the Mandalay Region police force said it was the second time in a month that Ko Min Htike, also known as Kaung Htet, pretended to be a policeman for financial gain. The 25-year-old man allegedly told Chan Myar Tharsi township resident Daw Khin Mar Aye that he was a police lieutenant from Mandalay Region and asked her for money so he could attend an officer training program. The woman contacted police, who then arrested Ko Min Htike, of Maha Aung Myay township. The spokesperson said police launched an investigation and found that Ko Min Ktike had allegedly committed a similar offence two weeks ago when he asked someone for money at Ko Lar Lar restaurant on Mandalay s 56 th Street. Ko Min Htike served as a police officer but was fired and sentenced to one-and-a-half year prison for breaking the police discipline code. Si Thu Lwin, translated by Zar Zar Soe

17 Public transport body abolished AYE NYEIN WIN THIHA TOE PLANS to straighten out Yangon s traffic snarls have hit the buffers as the newly created Yangon City Public Transport Authority (YCPTA) was abruptly abolished on May 29. The abolition was announced by the president s office and in stateowned newspapers on May 30. The 10-member body was created in January to improve the safety and comfort of commuters, and only last week announced ambitious short- and long-term schemes to relieve congestion and enforce order on the city s congested streets. Plans included installing computerised traffic control systems, a bus rapid transport line, improved traffic lights, a park-and-ride system and better water and rail transport. The future of those initiatives is now unclear. The president s office contacted us last night and faxed the announcement abolishing YCPTA. I don t know exactly why yet, said U Kyi Thein, who served as chairman. As recently as May 7, President U Thein Sein instructed the group to pursue its projects. The projects to be carried out in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are to go on. JICA started surveying and making plans to upgrade the Yangon transportation system even before our group was formed, said U Kyi Thein. He added that the government would continue the implementation of the other projects. Despite the abolition order, YCPTA members met with JICA on May 30 to discuss upgrading the Yangon transportation system. The President s Office declined to comment on the decision. Workers lay bricks for drying at a brick factory on the outskirts of Yangon on May 10, Photo: AFP New report highlights growth potential, risks botoole12@gmail.com BILL O'TOOLE MYANMAR S economy could quadruple to US$200 billion by 2030 but risks still remain for both investors and the nation, McKinsey Global Institute said in a report released last week. This growth could create 10 million jobs and lift 18 million people out of poverty and would be led mostly by the manufacturing sector, with a shift away from agriculture, the report said. The McKinsey team spent four months in Myanmar researching the 126-page report, which was released to the public on May 30. The researchers interviewed more than 200 academics, economists and business owners and employed statistics from the United Nations and the Chinese government to compile the report, which covers seven sectors of the economy. Myanmar is a very unusual case: a large country with a rich history that remains an underdeveloped agrarian economy in the heart of the world s fastest growing regional economy, the report said. McKinsey Global Institute director Richard Dobbs said at a press conference on May 30 that the report was written for academics, policy makers and business people. He said the report is mainly to help investors understand this new and unique market. The McKinsey team said at the launch that its robust predictions for economic growth appear reasonable when compared with the previous experiences of other ASEAN members. The recent experiences of other emerging economies suggest that such an acceleration of growth in Myanmar would be challenging, but possible. Indonesia quadrupled its per capita GDP from the level in Myanmar today in just 14 years and Thailand did it in 13 years. China quadrupled its per capita GDP in just 12 years, the report said. The writers freely admit, however, that very little reliable data exists on Myanmar s economy. [Economic data is] generally lacking and/or of questionable accuracy. Nevertheless, we have tried to build as strong a fact base for our analysis as possible under the circumstances. However, the authors stress that there is a major risk that the reform process could lead to disappointment and cautioned both citizens and investors about the challenges that still remain. Much uncertainty remains. Many want reassurance that the government can resolve ethnic and communal violence, maintain its momentum toward political and economic reform and ease constraints on doing business. These political and economic choices will determine the sustainability of change, it said. Mr Dobbs said Myanmar is on three different but related journeys economic, political, and social. If any single one is neglected, they will all fail, he said. The McKinsey team will present its findings this week at the World Economic Forum for East Asia in Nay Pyi Taw, which is expected to draw around 1000 delegates to the capital. IMMEDIATE VACANCIES Diplomatic Mission of Norway, Yangon The Diplomatic Mission of Norway, Yangon is part of the Norwegian Foreign Service s world-wide network of more than 100 Posts representing Norwegian political, economic, developing aid, visa and consular interests. The Yangon office is at present under the authority of the Norwegian ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, p.t. Bangkok, having responsibilities regarding the bilateral relationship with the Government of Myanmar and development aid programs. From the same offices administered by the Norwegian mission, representatives of the other Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Sweden will operate as well. The staff will work for and in close cooperation with all the representatives from the three Scandinavian countries. We are currently looking to recruit Myanmar nationals to one possibly two administrative support positions to join our dynamic Myanmar and Scandinavian teams at these recently established offices. The positions should be taken up as soon as possible. Position 1 Administrative/Accounting Assistant (Clerk) Position 2 Receptionist, administrative support For more information and details on how to apply, please visit the following links: Deadline for submission of applications will be: 12 June 2013 ANALYSIS News 17 The future of our cities THANT MYINT-U name@myanmartimes.com.mm OF all the important issues facing Myanmar at the moment from the peace process to telecoms liberalisation and electricity supply the one critical issue that has not received much attention is urban planning. The future of our cities and in particular Yangon will determine so much about the future of the country. It will determine the speed of Myanmar s development, shape the daily lives of the millions of Myanmar people, structure our economy and set the stage for politics and relations between ethnic and religious communities for generations to come. Getting the future of our cities right means planning now. McKinsey s new study on the future of Myanmar s economy makes exactly this point. The report paints an exciting picture of Myanmar s potential between now and 2030 and holds out the possibility, if good choices are taken now, of quadrupling the economy to US$300 billion a year. One of the keys to unlocking Myanmar s potential, it says, is urban planning. The worldwide trend toward urbanisation is set to continue through the 21 st century. Asian cities are growing fast and will soon be home to 2.5 billion people, more than half of all people globally who live in urban areas. As economies advance they become more urban and Myanmar will be no exception. What this means is that in 10 or 20 years, Yangon and other large cities in Myanmar will be actively competing with their regional counterparts to attract investment and talent. The cities with the best physical and legal infrastructure will have a leg up on everybody else but those that can also foster creativity and entrepreneurship will come out on top. Myanmar is overwhelmingly rural, with only eight million people living in urban areas. There are only three really large cities Yangon, Mandalay and Mawlamyine and a handful of smaller ones. But this picture could change extremely quickly. McKinsey s study predicts that as Myanmar s economy grows, the urban population could expand to 18 million by That means 10 million more people in Yangon and elsewhere. As the study says, well-managed urbanisation can rapidly boost living standards and act as a driver for overall development. About 54 percent of total GDP from now to 2030 could come from Myanmar s growing cities. If new and enforced systems of taxation are put in place, cities could account for more than half of all government revenue. But as we have seen in many other countries, if it is poorly managed urbanisation can become a huge economic drag and lead to unmanageable political and social ills. Already in Yangon we see problems related to affordable housing and public transport. A Yangon with twice as many people would be a disaster if not properly planned. The scale of the challenge is enormous. The McKinsey study estimates that $150 billion will be needed for new urban infrastructure. Yangon, Mandalay and other large cities will require no less than 10,000 kilometres of new roads, 113 million square feet of residential buildings, 27 million square feet of commercial floor space and 140 hospitals all within 17 years. Meeting this challenge will require facilitating investments but also ensuring that government authority is rationalised and is able to make decisions as effectively and efficiently as possible. Right now a plethora of different ministries and government bodies are involved in issues related to urban planning, often through their ownership of land and buildings. There needs to be new thinking on the governance structure of the larger cities in particular. Constitutional or other changes may be needed so that local bodies have the authority and money required to manage urban growth properly. The McKinsey report also echoes the views of the Yangon Heritage Trust when it states that maintaining its urban heritage should be a priority for Myanmar. As we have argued, Yangon has an exceptional opportunity to become the most livable city in the region and its urban heritage this will be a priceless asset If it is poorly managed, urbanisation can become a huge economic drag. for the country as a whole. The tourism potential is enormous but so is the value in creating an environment that mixes old and new and maintains its unique character. Heritage conservation can easily create thousands of new jobs and revitalise downtown Yangon. The Yangon Region Government under Chief Minister U Myint Swe has taken invaluable steps in the right direction and these should be emulated. Together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Yangon government has been preparing a new master plan for the long-term development of Yangon s infrastructure. At the request of the president, Yangon Heritage Trust has been reviewing parts of this plan from a conservation perspective. We are also working with the city on new zoning regulations, supporting training programs and helping bring in experts from around the world to strengthen Yangon City Development Committee s new urban planning department. Much more however needs to be done. We should see urban planning as one of our most important challenges, ensure that proper resources and high-level attention are given and begin an informed public debate on what we want our cities to become in the 21 st century. Thant Myint-U is founder of the Yangon Heritage Trust and author of The River of Lost Footsteps: A Personal History of Burma.

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19 Ye migrant workers file Nay Pyi Taw petition SU HLAING TUN DISPLACED migrant workers unhappy that their homes in Mon State were demolished to make way for a school arrived in Nay Pyi Taw last month to submit complaints to the president and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The workers from Myoma 3 ward in Ye township s Lamine have given letters to President U Thein Sein and National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also chair of the Rule of Law, Peace and Stability Committee, which investigates complaints from the public. Even in a time when the rule of law supposedly prevails, we do not feel secure. Working class [people] like us are being threatened and forced to move so we have come to submit the matter to the president, U Than Lwin, one of the workers who travelled to Nay Pyi Taw to appeal their eviction, said in late May. Of the 40 destroyed houses, 21 were on land that had been donated to build a primary school. The houses were built there with the permission of the ward administrator shortly after the migrants arrived in the area from other parts of Myanmar mostly Bago and Magwe regions in The migrants work as vendors and labourers on construction sites and rubber plantations. However, officials rejected the workers complaints, saying they had been given the opportunity to object when the decision was being made to begin construction at the school site. Myoma 3 ward s administrator, U Moe Myint Oo, who had previously given permission for the workers to stay on the site, said the workers were given adequate warning of the move, as well as options for new housing, before their homes were demolished on May 12. This action stemmed from the resolution agreed on at the Lamine Pagoda by the school building committee, town elders and the sayadaws. [The workers] were given one month to prepare for moving and also a place to move to, U Moe Myint Oo said by phone last week. U Moe Myint Oo said the migrant workers have been offered 600-square-foot replacement plots for K100,000 and loans to cover the cost. Workers who cannot afford to buy the land can choose to lease it for K5000 a month, he said. The proposal on replacement land was already agreed on by all, U Moe Myint Oo said. We knocked down the houses because the deadline passed and everybody [had already] agreed [to move]. When demolishing the houses, we did it in presence of the authorities. U Soe Win Aung, an education officer from Lamine, said the construction work had been planned for some time. Many years ago, [the land] was put aside for the school. [Construction] was delayed because of the lack of participation by the local public and security [concerns], he said. Not all of the displaced migrant workers supported the complaint letter. U Bayluwa said the resentment stemmed from the fact that the workers have lived there for a long time, [so] they don t want to move. But U Bayluwa said he had taken up the offer of new housing. I have already applied for two pieces of land at the new site, he said. Translated by Thit Lwin THE Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) is aiming to have two more wetlands sites protected under the Ramsar Convention by next year, a spokesperson said. BANCA has already helped get one protected wetlands area, Moeyingyi in Bago Region, on the list of Ramsar sites. I think Inle Lake could become a designated Ramsar site area, as could the Gulf of Mottama, maybe by next year, a spokesperson from BANCA told The Myanmar Times. The Gulf of Mottama, while less well-known as a travel destination than Inle Lake, is home to at least half of the world s population of spoon-billed sandpiper. The Gulf of Mottama is one of the world s most important wetlands, the spokesperson said. The physical features of the estuary produce one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, the basis of rich biodiversity. He said BANCA is already at work in the gulf, carrying out surveys and environmental education as part of efforts to preserve the site. We already are running the spoonbilled sandpiper survey and conservation project in the Gulf of Mottama. Myanmar has about 30 wetlands areas and the spokesperson said many more could potentially qualify for protection. Ramsar sites are named in honour of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Pakistan. To be designated as a Ramsar site, an area must contain a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type. News 19 NGO targets two sites for Ramsar listing KHIN SU WAI jasminekhin@gmail.com A spoon-billed sandpiper in the Gulf of Mottama. Photo: Supplied Myanmar s only Ramsar site is Moeyingyi wetlands, situated in Bago Division, about two hours north of Yangon. The site boasts 100 square kilometres (40 square miles) of wetlands, 2.56 square km of which are now Ramsar-protected, making it a safe haven for vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species

20 20 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 SPECIAL REPORT Autonomy and the development gap As a step towards greater ethnic autonomy, the 2008 constitution created six self-administered regions, one each for the Naga, Danu, Pa-O, Palaung, Kokang and Wa. The Myanmar Times Sandar Lwin recently met U Maung Kyaw, the chairman of the government of the Palaung Self-administered Zone, on the sidelines of a constitutional reform workshop in Yangon to find out what impact the creation of the zone has had on the lives of people in Namhsan and Manton townships in Shan State How does it feel to be serving as the first leader of the Palaung Selfadministered Zone? I m happy. Ethnic minority groups like us have never had an opportunity like this before. We didn t hold arms and rebel against the government to wipe out the government; rather, we wanted to get equal rights with other ethnic groups and equal status as a state like other ethnic groups. During the era of the saopha (when Shan State was ruled by hereditary leaders) our area was known as Taung Pai Nal and in English it was called Palaung State on the map. Since 1962, there has no longer been a Palaung State or Taung Pai Nal. It was only [under the 2008 constitution] that we got a Palaung Self-administered Zone. We are so happy about it. What do you mean by equal rights with other ethnic groups? Has there been any progress towards that since the zone was established? We live in the country of Myanmar and within Shan State. We want minority ethnic groups like us, such as the Pa-O, Danu and Wa, to have the same rights in proportion. We want political, economic, social and all other rights. What barriers are you facing to enjoy those rights? Since we have got our own self-administered zone there has been much improvement [in our area]. We never had roads connecting the villages and now the government has built them. Road transportation was always bad before but now the road leading to Namhsam is mostly good, although there are still some parts that need to be improved. Previously, many villages suffered from water shortages but during we started improving water supplies. Even before the new constitution came into effect, the military government built hospitals and instaleld 66kV transformers and power lines. Now Namhsam township gets 24-hour electricity, although only eight out of 124 villages are connected. The government will gradually increase connections. So what you are saying is that you want the Palaung area to have the same socio-economic development as other parts of the country and that self administration is important for achieving that? That s right. What about the judiciary in your area? We do not have a court for our A Palaung woman in Shan State. Photo: Douglas Long self-administered zone yet. The court still exists only on paper. It is an important requirement. But also the administration of the zone has not been completely realised. The constitution states that the leading body of the self-administered zone and the General Administration Department are to be separate, and the leading body is to contact the Shan State Government and Union Government directly. But in practice that s not what is happening yet. At the moment our workflow is from the leading body to the township and then the district administration department before reaching the state government and then Union Government. The amount of authority distributed to us so far is suitable given our current capacity. U Maung Kyaw Chairman of the Leading Body of the Palaung Self-Administered Zone I heard you say that the leading bodies of the self-administered zones do not even have the authority to appoint a clerk in a school. Yes, yes. We cannot appoint them but the state government can so we regularly push them to ensure that we have enough staff at schools in our area. Currently, all educational staff are appointed by the Directorate of Basic Education. The directorate then sends the staff [to our area] but it takes a long time. It seems all ethnic minority-based political organisations are calling for federalism. Do you support that? I am not thoroughly knowledgable about federalism. Every system has its good points and bad points. [In regards to federalism] I do not know them all so I can t comment on it. But I think it is good to distribute more authority under the current decentralisation process. To distribute more authority? I mean that I want more of the tasks that are listed [in the constitution] as the responsibility of the Union Government to be delegated to state governments and then to selfadministered zones. As we do not have administrative experience, the amount of authority that has been distributed to us so far is suitable given our current administrative capacity. [But later on] if the state governments are given more authority then selfadministered zones like ours will also get more. [Initially] our budget was prepared by the Shan State Government but it is likely that we will take responsibility for our own budget this year. We have no experience in administration or budgeting so we need a year or two to learn and get prepared. By attending meetings organised by the Union Government and workshops like this, we will gain more knowledge about what we should do in our area. I have read reports that people in some villages in the Palaung Self-administered Zone have been forced to flee their homes because of Tatmadaw activities. Do you have any information on this? No villagers have had to move. But an armed group relies on its weapons in the way animals with sharp claws rely on their claws, animals with fangs rely on their fangs and animals with poison rely on their poison. In any armed group, the behaviour of the highest officers and lowest troops is different. Although various rules are set by the officials at the top, the troops have their own behavior. [These problems] occur not only in the Tatmadaw but in every armed group. If the Tatmadaw does something unacceptable, we inform the military representative in our selfadministered zone leading body and he solves these problems. What is your view on the Ta Aung Nationality Liberation Army (TNLA)? A peace offer has been sent [by the government] to the TNLA and I believe peace negotiations will begin very soon. [The Palaung people] also had a public assembly [in early 2012] and announced [that we want] to solve [the conflict] with dialogue instead of guns and bullets. The TNLA replied that it will follow the people s wishes. Now a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw, U Maung Maung Swe, has been assigned to lead the negotiations and he has sent another peace offer to the TNLA. I believe that the situation can be resolved quickly. Job Vacancy Verybest Law Offices is one of the most fast-growing law firms in Japan. We are looking for ambitious and experienced lawyers for our Yangon office to work as adviser to foreign companies especially Japanese. The ideal candidate shall be a lawyer with extensive experience of corporate cases and/or contract cases. Candidates with excellent business-level English skills are preferable. We seek proactive candidates who can excel under our truly global and expanding work environment. Eager and ambitious and applicants without relevant and satisfying work experience however with respectful english language skills can also apply. Please download the application form from the following URL, fill it up in English and send it to the following address. recruit-info@vbest.jp Verybest Myanmar Company Limited. BRIEFS Guide shortage in Mandalay Tour operators in Mandalay have reported a shortage of tour guides with Thai and Korean language skills. Tour operator Ko Win Zaw Oo said there are only 20 Koreanspeaking guides in Myanmar. Tour guides who can speak either Thai or Korean are rare in Mandalay, confirmed guide Ko Thaung Naing Oo, who conducts tours in Japanese. Many people can speak Korean or Thai but they do not become tour guides. Shwe War Lwin, translated by Zar Zar Soe

21 Congress holding back US businesses, says GE News 21 Residents submit complaint over village administrator HLAING KYAW SOE US firms at a disadvantage because of ban on government agencies that support business growth TIM MCLAUGHLIN timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com A SENIOR official from General Electric has warned that US businesses could lose out to their global rivals unless Congress allows US government agencies that support business development to operate in Myanmar. Stuart Dean, GE s chief executive officer for Southeast Asia, told The Myanmar Times last month that while the business environment is very pro US, firms from Europe and Japan will be better placed to capitalise on opportunities in Myanmar unless changes to US policy are enacted soon. While trade sanctions have garnered most of the headlines, Mr Dean said it is the absence of US agencies the Overseas The frustrating this is that all three agencies are biting at the bit to get started here. Stuart Dean GE CEO for Southeast Asia Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Export-Import Bank of the United States and Trade and Development Agency that is hindering trade. The agencies assist American companies with finance, insurance and feasibility studies. The frustrating thing is that all three are biting at the bit to get started here but they need Congressional approval to get involved, Mr Dean said, adding that the Export-Import Bank, which does not loan to Myanmar, is not considering entering Myanmar until 2014, a date he said in his personal opinion was late. OPIC, a development finance group had its operations suspended Myanmar in the 1990s due to concerns over human rights issues, took its first step towards resuming operations on May 21 when Deputy Minister for Commerce Dr Pwint San signed an Investment Incentive Agreement with the group during President U Thein Sein s visit to Washington. GE became the first major US company to re-enter Myanmar following the easing of US sanctions in July The company s first deal was to provide medical equipment to two Yangon hospitals through local partner Sea Lion. In September the group s aviation branch, GE Capital Aviation Services Limited, leased two Embraer aircraft to state-owned Myanma Airways. Two months later GE entered Myanmar s energy sector, signing a deal with TOYO Thai Power Corp concerning a natural gas-fired power plant in Yangon s Ahlone township. The company opened its Yangon office on May 23 and at a ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw the previous day GE announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with lighting firm Lighting Co Specialists. As The Myanmar Times reported last week, GE generated revenues of US$50 million in Myanmar last year and Mr Dean said he expects this figure to double in We see huge potential and are currently in discussions to deepen our local partnerships, Mr Dean said. Mr Dean downplayed the difficulty of working around the Treasury Department s Specially Designated Nationals List but said the GE office opening had been delayed because names of those invited to the ceremony needed to be checked against those on the list. The process of clearing about 400 individuals, both Mr Dean and chief country representative Andrew Lee said, took far longer than expected. US companies are barred from engaging in business with individuals and companies tthat Stuart Dean speaks at a press conference in Yangon. Photo: Boothee appear on the SDN list. After quickly establishing its first relationship with Sea Lion in 2012, Mr Dean said that finding more local partners had proven more difficult than initially anticipated. We thought it might be easier after that. But it was much more challenging finding other distributors, he said. He added that the electric power sector was particularly difficult because many companies hoping to work with GE had also worked under the former military government, which put them in a grey area. We have to be extremely careful, he added. RESIDENTS of a village in Mandalay Region s Thabeikkyin township have filed a complaint against their local administrator, alleging that he misused funds from an electricity supply project. The administrator has denied the allegations and said they are based on a personal dispute and said he no longer wanted to hold the position. But residents of Nyaung Pin Thar village said the administrator collected K1000 from each household to light up the village for five years but then kept the money for himself. He started collecting money in 2005 to receive electric power. He monopolised a village hydropower turbine for his own benefit, said resident U Aung Kyaw Myint. We submitted a complaint about him to the township administrator but didn t receive a response so now we sent complaint letters to all relevant government departments. U Aung Kyaw Myint said the administrator even sold electricity from the village turbine to other residents. Residents also allege he forced them to build a drainage ditch to irrigate his plantation and plan to ask police to file charges. But the village administrator, U Zaw Naing, denied the accusations. I ve been working as administrator in my spare time as a volunteer. I have no intention to bully other people in the village, U Zaw Naing said. Who would accept me if I was actually committing the things they allege? I have been selected by the villagers three times [as administrators] and there are many people who support me. U Zaw Naing said he no longer wants to serve as administrator. The accusations are not true and I have already explained about the electricity issue, he said. Nyaung Pin Thar village has 110 households. A hydropower project was launched in 1990 but was not established until Translated by Zar Zar Soe TRADE MARK CAUTION NOVO NORDISK A/S, a company organized under the laws of Denmark, of Novo Alle, DK-2880, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- NOVOMIX Reg. No. 4557/1998 in respect of Anti-diabetic preparations (Int l Class 05). 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 NOVO NORDISK A/S P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 June 2013

22 22 News THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Wirathu condemns both sides over Lashio rioting PHYO WAI KYAW SI THU LWIN A MANDALAY committee formed to mediate intercommunal strife has called for better understanding between Buddhists and Muslims in the wake of a fresh outbreak of conflict in Lashio. The Committee for the Prevention of the Creation of Riots was formed in March to bring together representatives of the two faiths against the background of violent clashes in Rakhine State last year, and in Meiktila in March. Its patron is the controversial Buddhist monk Sayadaw Wirathu, who has been accused of making anti-muslim comments. Sayadaw Wirathu told a press conference on May 29 that conflict would not arise if there was a sufficient level of sympathy between the two groups. He said members of both communities were responsible for the violence and leading monks condemned any action that violated the law. He said the committee was currently mediating an issue in which a Buddhist man had been jailed following a complaint of trespass by the parents of his Muslim girlfriend. In another case, a Muslim man TRADE MARK CAUTION Photo: Phyo Wai Kyaw had run into a monk on a motorcycle and the committee was able to show it was an accident. A similar incident sparked anti- Muslim riots in Yangon in April. Committee member Galon Ni Sayadaw U Karwiya said both sides had to cooperate to prevent outbreaks of conflict. Daw Win Mya May, representing the National League for Democracy, said Mandalay had avoided conflict because of the role played by monks. Only monks can cope with these Arrandco Investments Limited, of 6 th Floor, 25 Farringdon Street, London, United Kingdom EC4A 4AB, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- Reg. No /2012 BAKER TILLY Reg. No /2012 in respect of Class 35: Chartered accountancy business services; management consultancy; auditing, accountancy, accounting; preparation of accounts; business accounts management; business advice relating to accountancy; preparation and maintenance of computerized accounting; management accounting; preparation of statements of accounts; provision of information relating to accounts; provision of reports relating to accounting information; school fee accounting services and school fee costs accounting services; compilation and provision of commercial and business information and advice; tax advice and assessments; preparation of tax assessments; taxation advice, planning and consultancy; book-keeping; business insolvency services; business management advisory services; research and information services relating to accountancy; professional advice relating to audit, accountancy, VAT, personal and corporate taxation and corporate finance and corporate recovery; management consultancy relating to business; preparation of reports relating to all the aforesaid services; secretarial services; provision of initial company secretarial services on company formation; payroll advisory services; company secretarial services; payroll processing services; personnel recruitment services; recruitment and human resource services; strategic business consultancy; provision of nominee company directors; provision of non-executive company directors. Class 36: Provision of services of independent financial advisers; financial services; financial planning, management, consultancy and administration; financial brokerage; insurance brokering; commercial brokering; business Sayadaw Wirathu (left) speaks to a monk at a press conference in Mandalay on May 29. issues here. During one recent incident, they acted to calm a crowd and persuaded them to disperse, she said, calling for the rapid deployment of security forces to trouble spots to maintain order. A Muslim member of the committee, U Mg Mg, thanked the monks and urged them to continue working for public order in Mandalay. Mandalay suffered no great damage in the 1988 uprising because the power of monks in Mandalay, he said. and personal insurance brokering services; financial analysis; investment advice and planning; pensions services; pensions advice and planning; taxation advice and planning; actuarial services; insurance services; insurance consultancy; insurance brokerage; provision of insurance and financial information; management consultancy relating to insurance; insolvency services; financial services, relating to business insolvency and personal insolvency; management of property; real estate management; financial risk management; asset management; mutual fund establishment; investment management and investment strategies; investment advice; fund investment; fund management; investment trusts; unit trusts; financing of loans; lending on mortgages; services relating to residential and commercial mortgages; provision of advice relating to pensions, investments, insurance, life insurance, school fees schemes and mortgages; inheritance tax advice; compilation and provision of financial information and analysis for business purposes by telephone, computer, electronic mail, electronic means and by means of printed matter and periodical publications; provision of trustee and executorships services; trustee services; information and advisory services, all relating to the aforesaid services. Class 42: Legal services; computer software design and programming services, professional (non-business) consultancy; professional consultancy services relating to financial, investment, insurance, auditing, taxation, corporate recovery and accountancy matters; preparation of reports; provision of access to computer databases, all containing financial information; company formation services; litigation advice; litigation support services; forensic accounting; expert witness services; consultancy services relating to information technology; legal services relating to administration and receivership; professional consultancy services relating to administration and receivership. 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 Arrandco Investments Limited P.O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 Chinese tourism agents look to boost business in Myanmar YU YU MAW newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm CHINESE tour companies are looking for ways to attract Chinese tourists to visit Myanmar. Though China was the second-largest country of origin for visitors to Myanmar last year, the travel professionals see potential for much larger numbers. On May 25, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism met representatives of Chinese tour companies to discuss how to expand advertising to increase Chinese arrivals. Most Chinese people know Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in the world. We know many Chinese visit Myanmar on business. But Myanmar should promote the idea of luxury tourism to the country, said one participant. Fifty tour company representatives, from Shanghai, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Chongqing, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, attended the discussion as part of a one-week trip. During the discussion, they pointed out that advertising about Myanmar as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors is scanty. Some urged Myanmar to open the Muse border gate to encourage more cross-border visitors. U Aye Thein, vice general manager of the tourism ministry for Yangon Region, said the ministry has arranged to broadcast the World Economic Forum directly on CNN to promote the country. More than 70,000 Chinese visited Myanmar last year, the second-largest number from any single country, according to ministry data. One participant, a professional photographer, praised Myanmar people for their warm welcome and praised the country s natural beauty. On his return to China he would encourage his friends to visit Myanmar, he said. Myanmar tourism would benefit from wider advertising, he added. Other agents suggested improving telecommunications and increasing direct air links. Bagan zone entrance fee increased to US$15 TOURIST entrance fees in Bagan rose from US$10 to $15 from June 1, the deputy chairman of the Bagan branch of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association, U Zaw Weik, said last week. The increase comes after the Ministry of Culture awarded the rights to collect entrance fees to the Myanmar Tourism Federation. The federation will be required to give either $2 million or 85 percent of earnings to the ministry each year for the rights to collect the fees. Federation treasurer U Myanmar should promote the idea of luxury tourism. Than Swe said profits from the entrance fee would be used for tourism promotion. We raised the fee to get more funding for the federation. We are a non-government organisation and don t receive any funding from the government, he said. Travellers who visit Bagan s archaeological museum or tower will have to pay an extra $5 at each site. The increase at Bagan comes after entry fees at Inle Lake doubled last month to $10 a person. Yu Yu Maw Geographical Indication CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Bureau National Interprofessionnel Du Cognac a company organized under the laws of France and having its principal office at 23 allées Bernard Guionnet - BP Cognac Cedex, France is the owner and sole proprietor of the following geographical indication:- COGNAC (Reg: No. IV/3359/2013) in respect of :- Wine Spirit - Class: 33 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said geographical indication or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Bureau National Interprofessionnel Du Cognac P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 3 rd June, 2013

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24 24 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Business Brand Myanmar grabs the gl The country s garment industry is poised for rapid expansion as the Western brands that fled a decade ago make a cautious return MYAT MAY ZIN myatmayzin@gmail.com A non-profitable company does not employ staff... so we have to make sure companies are competitive. Steve Marshall Liason Officer International Labour Organisation A sewer stitches accessories at Dear Garment factory last month. Garment exports are expected to exceed WESTERN garment and footwear brands are conducting due diligence on individual Myanmar factories, the industry as a whole and the government s political and reform process, industry representatives and officials say. The brands are drawn by the easing of sanctions, dutyfree access to new markets, a new legal framework that establishes basic workers rights and nascent efforts to improve working conditions at factories. Recent disasters at factories in Bangladesh also have them looking for new countries to source from. I don t think we have seen the fallout from Bangladesh yet, said Steve Marshall, the liaison officer of the International Labour Organisation in Myanmar. Several global brands have contacted his office as part of their research. Obviously they are concerned about reputational risk, he said, adding that they are doing their due diligence, seeking reports on broader human rights and also specifically on labour market issues. Expectations that production costs in Myanmar will fall as access to electricity increases and economic reforms reduce freight, telecom and financial transactions costs are also perking up their interest. Mr Fong Ngai, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for ASEAN, said Hong Kong garment manufacturers are shifting to Southeast Asia from mainland China due to rising production costs and labour shortages in coastal areas of China. Cambodia has been a major beneficiary of this move, with 56 Hong Kongowned factories employing 35,000 workers in the country. There is no reason why we cannot duplicate that in Myanmar, Mr Fong said. Mr Marshall said he would not be surprised if global brands started sourcing from Myanmar fairly quickly. International brands fled Myanmar a decade ago due to widespread reports of human rights abuses and the imposition of sanctions by western governments. According to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association this cost 80,000 jobs. The sector has rebounded and exports primarily to Japan, South Korea and China exceeded US$900 million in 2012, according to U Aung Win, vice president of the association. He expects garment exports to surpass $1 billion this year. Steps are also being taken to prepare the legal basis for the implementation of a Better Factories program here, which will allow ILO monitors to assess factories for compliance with labour laws and ILO conventions. This will provide Western brands some confidence that their images will not be tarnished if they outsource production to Myanmar factories. Essentially what everybody has agreed is that at this stage it is too early to introduce a Better Work type scheme here because the legal structures do not exist for it, Mr Marshall said, citing the absence of a minimum wage law and another covering occupational health and safety as examples. These laws are, however, expected to be tabled during parliament s next session, which begins on June 25. Besides input from the ILO, the labour ministry is also receiving technical assistance on developing labour laws as well as the garment industry as a whole from the European Union, trade-related agencies of Western governments seeking bilateral deals with Myanmar, and global buyers, industry representatives and officials said. The ILO is helping develop a legal framework for the industry, enforcement mechanisms, and a more nimble association for factory owners as well as trade unions. A m ajor goal, according to Mr Marshall, is a labour market that is cooperative rather than confrontational. He s betting that this can be achieved by ensuring constructive social dialogue between factory owners and workers so that the interests of both sides are taken into account in the decision-making process. It is a goal he acknowledges will be tricky to pull off in a country that recently emerged from 50 years of military rule. This country has basically been an orders-based environment. Orders were issued,

25 BUSINESS EDITOR: Vincent MacIsaac 25 Clinton puts CSR on the agenda BUSINESS 27 Solving Myanmar s Catch 22 BUSINESS 28 Exchange Rates (May 31 close) Currency Euro Malay Ringitt SG Dollar Thai Baht US Dollar Buying K1113 K304 K745 K30.90 K938 Selling K1235 K309 K756 K32.20 K948 obal spotlight HK s rush to Southeast Asia is gaining speed NOE NOE AUNG noenoeag@gmail.com HONG KONG s Financial Secretary John C Tsang will lead a delegation of business leaders from the Special Administrative Region of China to Myanmar later this month to deepen economic and cultural ties with Myanmar, Hong Kong officials said. The sixth HK delegation in one year will comprise chief executive officers and other business leaders from the financial services, logistics and trade industries, among others. They will arrive in Yangon on June 26 for a four-day visit. The move is part of Hong Kong s strategy to reduce its reliance on mainland China as a manufacturing base and re-establish a strong presence in Southeast Asia, Mr Fong Ngai, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, told The Myanmar Times on May 28. Its members will meet Myanmar business leaders in Yangon and ministers in the capital. A meeting between Mr Tsang, the third-highest official in HK s government, and President U Thein Sein or Vice President U Nyan Tun is likely, business sources said. Dr Mg Mg Lay, vice president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said there has been an upsurge in visits by Hong Kong executives as well as delegations and that the federation is helping arrange meetings with ministers for the next delegation. It will be the highest-level visit so far as Hong Kong s financial services industry makes a move to attract Myanmar businesses to use its banks for international transactions made in China s currency, the renminbi, Mr Fong said. Mr Fong described Hong Kong s push into Southeast Asia as a return, saying it had been very active in the region prior to China s opening to the global economy 30 years ago. Manufacturers based in Hong Kong subsequently shifted to mainland China due to its proximity and inexpensive labour market, but are now returning to Southeast Asia because its rapid economic development is increasing demand for trading, financial service and logistics expertise, all of which Hong Kong is renowned for. Trade between Myanmar and Hong Kong rose swiftly last year to US$132 million, a 24 percent increase from 2011, according to official figures. The average annual growth rate was 8pc for the previous three years. Mr Fong said growth is likely to be exponential in the future, particularly in the garment industry, because it is starting from a low base. Like South Korea, Hong Kong s cultural assets, such as films and Cantonese pop, will be part of its strategic re-engagement with the region. Mr Fong s office is also preparing a summer internship program that will place hundreds of Hong Kong university students in government agencies, non-governmental organisations, media outlets and private businesses throughout Southeast Asia beginning next year. Mr Fong described Hong Kong s strategic expansion in Southeast Asia as investment with a human touch due to its stress on cultural and people-to people exchanges. Additional reporting by Vincent MacIsaac Chemical giant set for arrival $1 billion next year, industry executives say. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing orders were received, orders were passed on and orders were obeyed, Mr Marshall said. This applied in all environments, including the workplace. An attitude shift is needed among employers as well as workers, he added. A non-profitable company does not employ staff so we have make sure that companies can be competitive and maintain profitability, and that is achieved not on the back of low wages but on high productivity, high quality, low waste and less rework. Mr Marshall believes that Myanmar s advantage is that it is starting from scratch, and that this allows the formation of effective unions and industry associations as well as a collaborative approach to creating a garment sector that benefits both. I actually believe [starting from scratch] creates opportunities, which if we are all clever we could actually use for very useful ends in terms of developing not just the economy but society, he said, adding that what goes on in the workplace is a microcosm of what goes on outside. Although Myanmar s garment industry is close to gaining direct access to western markets, it does face several hurdles. US-based Human Rights Watch is already calling for more reforms before Washington includes Myanmar in its Generalised System of Preferences, which allows duty-free access to its market. If the US moves too fast on easing sanctions on Myanmar it will undermine the ability of the US government to push for improved respect for labour rights, it said in a press release in late April. Mr Marshall said the biggest risk is the failure of the peace process. The peace process is absolutely critical. Everything is contingent on it. His woke with both non-sate armies and the government makes him confident all sides want peace, though he is quick to add that the non-state armies are not just going to roll over and accept everything. The government also understands that having a semidemocratic semi-developed Myanmar with eight civil wars going on the outside is not the model they are looking to achieve, he said. The future of Myanmar s garment industry, and the country itself, may hinge on stitching together a peace deal, but the reforms already undertaken have caught the eye of global brands. The opportunities are huge, Mr Marshall said. Additional reporting by Vincent MacIsaac MYAT MAY ZIN myatmayzin@gmail.com SINGAPORE-BASED BASF is planning to start selling its agricultural and construction chemicals in Myanmar next year. Raman Ramachandran, the company s senior vice president of crop protection for Asia Pacific, told The Myanmar Times last week that BASF has finished its market research and is gearing up for business. We will start rolling out our business in Myanmar by 2014, he said at press conference in Singapore. We see significant market potential in Myanmar. We will distribute not only agricultural chemical products but construction chemicals. BASF is in talks with three potential partners here, including Diamond Star and Myanma Awba, to overcome its key hurdle: reaching farmers. Our main challenge is that we don t know how to get to farmers. Infrastructure in Myanmar is a big problem for distribution, Mr Ramachandran said.

26 26 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Economic zones switched back on NOE NOE AUNG THE Ministry of Electric Power announced on May 30 that it will resume supplying five hours a day of electricity to 18 industrial zones in Yangon Region, but told small- and medium-sized enterprises outside the zones to remain off the national grid and rely solely on generators. The supply will be either from 7am to 12pm or from 12pm to 5pm, depending on the zone, officials said. Yangon Region Minister for Electric Power and Industry U Nyan Tun Oo said cold-storage operators would be given priority because they need electricity 24 hours a day. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe agreed, saying these factories primarily food-processing plants have the greatest need because their raw materials and finished products rely on refrigeration. Industrial zones in Yangon and Mandalay regions lost their statesupplied power in early May, with an official announcement made on May 6, but factory owners said cuts began in late April, forcing them to rely solely on diesel-powered generator. U Myint Swe said the regional government had been pushing the ministry to resupply economic zones and requested that they receive state-supplied power 24 hours a day by the end of May. If they couldn t do that we asked them to provide as much electricity as possible, he said, adding that state-owned factories will be shut temporarily and electricity diverted from them to economic zones. U Nyan Tun Oo said on May 28 that power depended on rainfall. It depends on the amount of rainfall. Hydropower relies on water in the [reservoirs of] dams if there is not enough rain then we cannot generate enough power. U Myint Swe said demand for electricity is rising faster than the amount the ministry can supply. Every year we strive to meet rising demand but cannot. We will keep trying and build more power stations we cannot let this electricity-shortage situation continue, he added. Electricity supply is at its lowest from March until May because most state-supplied power is generated We cannot let this electricity-shortage situation continue. U Myint Swe Yangon Region Chief Minister by hydroelectric projects, which require rainfall to fill their reservoirs. Demand also peaks during these months as homes and offices use more power for air conditioning. When industrial zones were removed from the grid manufacturing slumped. Some factories shut while others reduced operating hours because of the high cost of diesel to run generators. Some factory owners said surging diesel prices doubled the cost of production. It is impossible for factories to operate without state-supplied electricity, Hlaing Tharyar Industrial chairman Zone U Myat Thin Aung said. Even two hours of electricity a day makes a difference because factories run for at least eight hours a day. It s impossible to run a factory for eight hours a day on generators all the time, he added. He said higher production costs reduced competitiveness as well as salaries because factories either shut or reduced shifts, which meant they could not pay bonuses or overtime. Six generating plants are being built to generate more electricity for the national grid, which is also being expanded, U Myint Swe said. Combined, they will generate an additional 1360 megawatts of electricity when they are completed in October, he added. Translated by Thit Lwin Fish-processing plants, like the one above, will be prioritised as the state supply of electricity returns to economic zones. Photo: Staff BRIEFS Insurance monopoly ends Myanma Insurance s monopoly on the industry ended last month when five private firms were give licenses to sell insurance. U Maung Maung Thein, deputy minister for Ministry of Finance and Revenue, said on May 25 that seven more licenses were in the pipeline. We can t monopolise the insurance market because Myanmar s economy is developing. We have to give a chance to others, U Maung Maung Thein said. Myanma Insurance is a unit of his ministry. Five companies received licenses: Aung Myintmo Min, Aung Thitsar Oo, IKBZ Insurance, Citizen Business Public Limited and Grand Guardian Insurance Public. Seven others will receive licenses after they have finished the application process, which includes depositing paid-up capital of K46 billion each at Myanma Economic Bank. The five companies will sell several products, including life, vehicle and fire insurance. Despite interest from international insurance companies the domestic industry will remain closed them until it is strong enough to compete with international firms, officials said. - Shwegu Thitsar and Aye Thidar Kyaw WB to launch power project The World Bank will launch four new projects in Myanmar over the next year, with the first one starting in September, its vice president for East Asia, Axel van Trotsenburg, said on May 31. The first and most important one is electricity, he said. The US$140 million project will expand access to electricity in Mon State. Three other projects financial management, ICT and education will follow. - Aye Thidar Kyaw

27 Business 27 Clinton s template for CSR is saving lives SAN YAMIN AUNG sanyaminaung@gmail.com SU PHYO WIN suphyo1990@gmail.com WHEN Chelsea Clinton took the podium at the Sedona Hotel on May 27 to congratulate Procter & Gamble for its effort in implementing a safe-drinking water project in Myanmar she underscored how beneficial it can be when corporations assume more responsibility for ensuring the health and welfare of communities. The daughter of former US President Bill Clinton explained how the Clinton Global Initiative as worked with the multinational to reduce the number of deaths from water-borne diseases in Myanmar by providing water purification systems. She noted that 40,000 children die from diarrhoea, often caused by drinking unsafe water, in Myanmar each year. Many people don t want to talk about diarrhoea because it makes them feel squeamish. But what we should really be squeamish about is that in the 21 st century, 2,000 children perish from dehydration due to diarrhoeal diseases caused by unsafe water every single day, she said. Providing water filters or purification systems to impoverished families will dramatically reduce this grim, and unnecessary, figure, speakers at the press conference said. It s unconscionable not only for scores of people to die from a disease that is completely preventable, but also to stand on the sidelines when we have the knowledge and the means to really do something about it, Ms Clinton added. The press conference showed how corporate social responsibility (CSR) benefits communities, international agencies, multinational corporations and governments. It drew attention to a major public health problem in Myanmar that has received scant attention in English-language media. Ms Clinton s effort also provides a template for Myanmar, just one week ahead of the launch of a report by Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia that, the organisation says, will provide a framework for the sustainable development of Myanmar, while protecting businesses from financial, legal and reputational risks. CRR Asia will launch the report at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry on June 3. The seminar will draw leaders from business, government and civil society. Panellists will include Steve Marshall, the International Labour Organisation s liaison officer in Myanmar; Andreas List, head of the European Union delegation to Myanmar; U Zaw Naing, the managing director of Myanmar Credent Technologies; and Ross Dunkley, managing director and editor-in-chief of The Myanmar Times. Chelsea Clinton explains how corporate social responsibility works, at a press conference in Yangon on May 27. Photo: Thirilu TRADE MARK CAUTION Notice is hereby given that our client, Digicel Holdings B.V., incorporated, organized under the laws of the Netherlands, having its principal office located at Claude Debussylaan 18, 1082 MD Amsterdam, is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:- Reg No. 4/4392/2013 That the said trade mark consists of word(s) Myanmar Tower Company. To be used in respect of following goods/services, that is to say electrical and scientific apparatus (Class 9), paper goods and printed matter (Class 16) and telecommunications (Class 38), being used, proposed to be used the above-mentioned trade mark in any color or combination of colors and claims the exclusive right of trade mark by or on behalf of the Company in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Our abovementioned client has instructed us and wishes us to bring to the notice of the trade and public that they attach singular importance to their abovementioned trade mark and that legal action will be taken against any person or persons who act in infringement of the rights of our client. Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trade mark or infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. Any inquiry relative thereto may be referred to ourselves being their agent. Soe Win Advocate #0502 / 5, Sakura Tower Ph: / For Digicel Holdings B.V. Dated: 3 rd June, 2013

28 28 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 UNFPA Vacancy Notice No.2013/006 Position Title (Re-advertisement) Grade : SC - 5 Duty Station : Project Assistant (Census) : Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Issue Date : 03 June 2013 Closing Date Duration of Appointment Job watch : 17 June 2013 (5:00pm) : 1 Year (possible extensions) Applications are invited from interested Myanmar nationals for the post of Project Assistant (Census). Applications should be addressed to UNFPA Representative. Attention : International Operations Manager RoomA07, UNFPA, No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon. myanmar.office@unfpa.org For details on duties and responsibilities, educational and other requirements, please see the vacancy announcement posted at UNDP billboard. No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon and also at UNFPA website ( Applications will be considered only when meeting all requirements set in detailed vacancy announcement. Solving Myanmar s Catch 22 Japan s approach of investing in infrastructure and human resources paves the way for the private sector LAU SIM YEE AND TAN KIM SONG JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe s visit to Myanmar late last month was a milestone. While Japan has been a quiet but strong supporter of Myanmar over the years, the first visit by a Japanese prime minister since 1977 elevated bilateral relationships to a new level and reaffirmed Japan s commitment to playing a major role in Myanmar s long-term economic development. With more than 140 business executive accompanying him, Mr Abe demonstrated that he intends to create a Japanese public-and-private sector nexus to support economic development in Myanmar. Japan s government will take the lead by providing a massive amount of official development assistance. In addition to debt forgiveness of 200 billion yen (US$2 billion), Tokyo is providing 90 billion yen in 2013 to support development in three key areas: agriculture, human resources and infrastructure. Mr Abe s expects that Japanese companies will increase investment as infrastructure is upgraded or built. His decision to focus on infrastructure and human resources is both timely and practical. Despite Myanmar s obvious attractiveness as a new frontier market, many foreign investors continue to be deterred by bottlenecks in infrastructure and human resources, but without sufficient foreign investment the pace of upgrading infrastructure will remain slow. Mr Abe aims to solve this Catch 22 with his two-pronged approach. Indeed, if the plan works Myanmar will see a large and sustained flow of private-sector investment from Japan. Investments from Japanese businesses lag those from other countries, particularly China and Thailand. However, as a result of strains in Sino-Japanese relations, many Japanese companies and investors are shifting their focus from from China to ASEAN countries, with Myanmar receiving special attention. Development driven by external funding does not, however, ensure success. The host government s management of funding is crucial, as other countries that have embraced this model ANALYSIS Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and First Lady Akie Abe arrive at Yangon International Airport on May 24 for a three-day state visit. Photo: Boothee Foreign investors continue to be deterred by bottlenecks in infrastructure... but without sufficient FDI the pace of upgrading infrastructure will remain slow. Lau Sim Yee and Tan Kim Song Directors Myanmar Economic Resources International have found. Without a careful development framework and a clear roadmap to implement it, there is no guarantee that external funds will be used efficiently to upgrade the infrastructure and human resources needed for sustainable development. Many promising frontier economies squandered their opportunities through a combination of poor planning, resource misallocation, rentseeking, the impact of Dutch disease the overexploitation of natural resources at the expense of manufacturing and other factors. Fuelled by strong external funding, these countries went through a brief period of rapid but often unbalanced economic growth. The short-term booms were typically accompanied by soaring real-estate prices. The lack of a realistic development plan supported by adequate infrastructure saw growth grind to a halt. Some of these countries were overwhelmed by severe inflation and subsequently tumbled after a succession of currency and financial crises. Initial euphoria did not lead to a sustainable economic growth. Hope eventually turned into disappointment. Nay Pyi Taw should take steps to avoid such mistakes. Questioning have already be raised about the amount of capital inflows that will materialise. Myanmar should avoid being trapped in a situation where, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, foreign investment [in Myanmar] is increasing more in theory than in actual fact. The comfort level for donors and foreign investors alike will rise significantly if the government publiscises its long-term development plan, clearly spelling out its vision, its roadmap for implementation and its intensions for managing external funding. The plan should make clear the milestones to be achieved at various stages: short-term (one year), medium-term (five years) and longterm (10 years). It should also clearly articulate how external funding will be used, how priorities will be set and how various development projects will be sequenced. For example, the plan could explain how the Thilawa Special Economic Zone will fit into the long-term development plan and how it might affect the overall use of external funding. While development of human resources and capacity building may be a long-term process, administrative reforms can be made quickly to speed up the government s decision-making process and facilitate a smoother flow of external funding to appropriate sectors and projects. Decentralisation and a clear delegation processes could make the governmetn more efficient. Being a latecomer to economic development, Myanmar has the luxury of drawing on the experiences of successful East Asian economies. These countries benefitted greatly from the help of external funding, both official and private. Finding out how they managed such external funding, and what pitfalls they encountered, could provide useful for Myanmar. Nay Pyi Taw should consider tapping into the wide range of expertise available in the region in a more structured manner. It could start the process by formulating a comprehensive plan for long-term development and management of external funding. Lau Sim Yee and Tan Kim Song are directors of Myanmar Economic Resources International, an independent think tank based in Yangon. TOKYO Japan pledges US$14 billion in aid to Africa JAPAN said on May 31 it would give US$14 billion in aid to Africa over the next five years, as Tokyo scrambles to grab a share of resources and the potentially vast marketplace on offer. Around half of the money will go to infrastructure development, with Tokyo seeking to match its desire to export transport systems and power grids with the gaping needs of the continent. Japan s overseas development aid will be The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Myanmar is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the following positions: Sr. Title and level Duty Station Position Deadline 1. Senior Assistant to Director (LICA4) Yangon National 09-June Web Developer (LICA 6) Yangon National 13 June Health Data Quality Assurance (DQA) Yangon National 28-June-2013 Specialist (LICA7) about 1.4 trillion yen (US$14 billion) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at the start of a three-day conference in Tokyo involving the leaders of more than 40 African countries. Including this aid, Japan will offer up to 3.2 trillion yen in support to Africa s growth via public and private sector investment, he said. Japanese firms are keen to develop their presence in Africa s growing market, and the country For details please visit UNOPS website viewvacancy/valisting.aspx and click on the post you are interested in applying for. All applications must be made through UNOPS E-recruitment system. as a whole needs access to its resources. Despite relatively long-standing connections, Japan s importance to Africa has slipped behind that of China, whose more aggressive approach has given it five times the trading volume and eight times the direct investment. The five-yearly Tokyo International Conference on African Development, a get-together of political leaders from across Africa, is Japan s two decade old effort to boost links. Ahead of this year s forum, Japanese officials stressed that Tokyo wants to transform its relationship with Africa from that of donor-recipient to a business partnership. That theme was taken up by Mr Abe. What Africa needs now is privatesector investment, he told delegates. Tokyo s commitment to Africa differed from that of other nations, he said, in remarks that appeared to have been a reference to China. Beijing is criticised in some corners for what is sometimes seen as prosecuting little more than a resources grab and for not linking investment with demands for improved human rights or more transparent governance in recipient countries. The focus on shifting the relationship was welcomed by delegates, with South African President Jacob Zuma saying the continent s economy had to develop. Africa must move from a path driven by commodities export to one led by industrialisation and diversification, he said. AFP

29 Business 29 Political divide splits national association of farmers Farmers, like the one harvesting paddy above, are facing a split in the associaiton that represents them nationally. Photo: Aung Kyaw Nyunt MYAT MAY ZIN myatmayzin@gmail.com THE former general secretary of the Myanmar Farmers Association has formed a rival organisation, saying the MFA does not represent the interests of farmers because it is losing touch with its roots and getting too close to political parties. U Thein Aung, a farmer from Danubyu township in Ayeyarwady Region, set up the Independent Farmers Association last month saying that no longer trusts the MFA because it is losing its independence. His new association will not cooperate with it, he added. This is not a personal dispute, but I don t want to work with upper-class people who live in the city and can t understand the real feelings and situation of farmers. They only want to control us, U Thein Aung said. We have different opinions on the development of the agricultural sector. The MFA is working under the umbrella of the Myanmar Rice Federation as an association, but it should be farmers working for the development I don t want to work with upper-class people who... can t understand the real situation of farmers. U Thein Aung Founder Independent Farmers Association of the sector for other farmers [rather than business people]. The MFA held talks on draft legislation to protect farmers with Opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the speaker of parliament s lower house, U Thura Shwe Man, a member of the ruling party, in Nay Pyi Daw in April. The legislation will be tabled in the next session of parliament, which begins on June 25. We don t want to work with the opposition party, or any political party, which is why I resigned from the association on May 11 and started a new one, U Thein Aung said. Dr Soe Tun, MFA chairman and MRF central executive committee member, said the new association could weaken the MFA and that he was saddened by U Thein Aung s resignation. I believe he will do his best for his new association, but I wish he had not left. U Soe Tun said he had offered U Thein Aung the chair of the MFA and that the association will hold elections for positions on its central executive committee once it has been registered. The President s Office has already given the MFA the green light to register. Thura U Shwe Mann has also said he will support the MFA s effort to register as an official association. Soe Tun remains willing to compromise with his former colleague. We all have the same aim, to develop the nation s agriculture sector, he said. U Thein Aung, however, expects half of the MFA s members to join his association. I will appoint two representatives to handle each township and have started the paperwork to make the association official, he said. Asia currencies have worst month in a year on US Fed bets, capital outflows ASIAN currencies had their biggest monthly decline in a year as investors pulled money from regional assets after the US Federal Reserve said it could taper its stimulus if the economy shows sustained improvement. The Bloomberg-JPMorgan Asia Dollar Index dropped by the most since May 2012 as US consumer confidence rose to a five-year high. Foreign funds were net sellers of stocks in Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines last week after a report indicated Chinese manufacturing shrank in May. Global investors pulled US$224 million from emergingmarket bond funds in the week through May 29, Morgan Stanley said in a report. The Fed could actually tighten as the recovery in the US is looking good and sustainable, said Suresh Kumar Ramanathan, a currency strategist at CIMB Investment Bank in Kuala Lumpur. The sentiment is shifting in favour of the dollar and local bonds got sold off. India s rupee slumped 4.8 percent to per dollar from April 30, touching an 11-month low on May 30. Thailand s baht fell 3.2pc to and the Philippine peso declined 2.6pc to , reaching an 11-month low on May 30. The Asia Dollar Index dropped 1.3pc to The MSCI Asia Pacific Index of shares has lost 5.8pc since May 22, the day Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said the monetary authority could reduce its $85 billion a month of bond buying. The weekly outflow from emerging-market debt funds was the first in almost a year. Asian policymakers made efforts to shore up growth last month, with South Korea and Thailand cutting their benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.5pc. Taiwan s government announced stimulus measures to boost domestic demand to counter a slowdown in exports. The rupee declined the most since May 2012 after central bank Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said retail inflation was still high and the nation s balance of payments is under stress. The economy grew 4.8pc in the first quarter, the Indian government said on May 30. The baht slumped for a sixth straight week on concern policy makers will stem inflows. Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said on May 29 that an amended regulation will allow the central bank to set conditions or collect fees on money coming in or out of the country. Overseas investors sold $801 million more Thai government debt than they bought in May after pumping a net $12 billion into the securities in the first four months of this year, Thai Bond Market Association data show. I am sure the Thai government is very cautious on whether or not to use the measures, said Tsutomu Soma, manager of Rakuten Securities s fixed-income business unit in Tokyo. If it s introduced, it will hurt investor sentiment for Thailand a lot. Elsewhere, South Korea s won fell 2.5pc to 1, per dollar in May. Malaysia s ringgit depreciated 1.7 pc to , Taiwan s dollar declined 1.5pc to NT$30.06 and Indonesia s rupiah dropped 0.7pc to 9,795. China s yuan rose for a third month, strengthening 0.5pc to and touching a 19-year high of on May 27. Bloomberg Yangon aims for cleaner streets with new trucks MYAT NYEIN AYE myatnyeinaye11092@gmail.com YANGON s waste management is about to improve, with 42 more high-tech vehicles from Japan arriving in the last week of this month, Yangon City Development Committee said. The 42 trucks include two watering trucks, two vacuum trucks and 38 hydraulic garbage trucks. U Ye Moe Kyaw, deputy department head of the Pollution Control and Cleansing Department, said the new trucks would be swifter and more efficient than the dilapidated ones the city currently uses. Each truck requires just two staff to operate it because they are automated. They can gather three times more trash than before and can clean more easily, which will save time, he said. YCDC started buying new garbage trucks from Japan during fiscal year It bought 60 that year, and 106 the next year. We plan on buying more new trucks this year. We don t know yet how many, but we will keep buying until we have enough, U Ye Moe Kyaw said. The city has only 312 garbage trucks at present.

30 30 Business Property THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 HOUSE OF THE WEEK All about space Just a single storey, but it is nestled in a wide and tidy compound near Yangon International Airport. Not that close that you can hear the planes land or take off though. It s a home for people who value privacy and spotlessness. Much of the ground is tiled, but there are two small gardens and a gazebo for outdoor dining. The gardens are at opposite sides of the compound, creating a hedged in feel, while the water fountain at the entrance and the stone steps leading to the front door add a eventfulness as you approach. The home feels very personal, though an affection for tiles is a prerequisite as they cover both floors and walls. A guest room and shrine room are just inside the door. There is one master bed room and a smaller one tucked at the back, making the dwelling suitable for a small family. The house was built for those who love to dine. It has two kitchens and an expansive dining room. It is fully furnished and has four air conditioners. Location : Airport Avenue Road, Mingalardone township Price : K5.2 million (for sale) Contact : Phoenix Real Estate and General Service Phone : NEW YORK Landmark IPO around the corner EMPIRE State Building Realty Trust Inc has received the votes needed from investors in the tower for an initial public offering, indicating the approval process is close to an end after dissension from some holders. As of May 27, more than the required 80 percent supermajority of Empire State Building Associates holders have approved the consolidation of the building and 20 other properties into a real estate investment trust, Malkin Holdings, which controls the tower, said in a regulatory filing on May 28. Voting for the plan remains open, said Hugh Burns, a spokesman for Malkin Holdings. We are pleased to deliver to our investors a proposal which has received such support, Mr Burns said. We will terminate the solicitation in due course. We urge all investors who have not yet voted in favor of the proposed consolidation and IPO to do so immediately. The approval marks a victory for Malkin Holdings Chairman Peter Malkin, 79, and his son, Malkin Holdings President Anthony Malkin, 50, who for more than a year have been battling a minority of investors who argue that the IPO plan sells them short. Under the agreements that established the Empire State Building syndication more than 50 years ago, unanimity is required among the 2,800-plus unit holders before a sale or refinancing can proceed. The dissident holders have said that too much of the Empire State Building s estimated US$2.5 billion value was assigned to a sublease holder, which is majority-owned by the estate of Leona Helmsley, and that the Malkins were taking too large a stake under rules that treat the REIT conversion as a sale, among other objections. Investors favouring the plan said it offered liquidity by allowing them to sell their shares if needed. The Malkins also said that the Manhattan tower has been hamstrung by an archaic governance structure, and that as part of a REIT it would be able to raise debt and equity to boost growth prospects. Holders of another office building slated to be part of the REIT, 60 East 42nd St, formerly known as the Lincoln Building, have mostly approved the IPO, according to the Malkin filing. Six of the seven groups into which that building s investors are divided have provided the necessary supermajority, which is 90pc. The REIT can proceed without the completion of that vote, according to the filings. Once the Malkins declare the voting closed, holdout investors in the Empire State Building will have 10 days after receiving official notice to reverse their votes, or else receive $100 for each share, estimated to be worth more than $300,000 apiece. The Malkins may be keeping voting open to avoid having to offer the buyouts to too many investors, said David Kaufman, a partner at the Chicago law firm Thompson Coburn. They could close this thing tomorrow, said Mr Kaufman. The calculus must be that once you got over that threshold, a bunch of the dissenters will now just fall in line. A group of Empire State Building investors, including Grand Central Terminal owner Andrew Penson, were rejected last month in New York State Supreme Court when they sought to have the $100 provision declared illegal under the state s limited liability law. They argued that the provision unfairly coerces them into voting for the transaction. The group has appealed the decision, and has filed a motion for a stay. They were denied interim relief. The decision of the appellate court on whether the vote was conducted illegally is what investors in the Empire State Building are waiting for, Richard Edelman, a leader of the dissenting group, said. Judges in robes are the deciding vote. - Bloomberg An aerial view of New York s iconic Empire State Building. Empire State Building Realty Trust Inc has received the votes needed from investors in the tower for an initial public offering. Photo: Bloomberg Confidence rises in Europe ECONOMIC confidence in the euro area increased last month, adding to signs the region is beginning to emerge from the longest recession in the single-currency era. An index of executive and consumer sentiment rose to 89.4 from 88.6 in April, the European Commission in Brussels said on May 29. The 17-nation economy s contraction has left the European Central Bank to try to mitigate the damage by cutting interest rates and exploring unconventional ways of channeling money to needy companies, especially in the south. The ECB this month cut its benchmark rate to a record low of 0.5 percent. Our measures gave breathing space from markets driven by panic, which were forcing the economy into a position where inappropriately high interest rates would make default a self- fulfilling prophecy, ECB President Mario Draghi said in early May. Today we are seeing some encouraging signs of tangible improvements in financial conditions. Spreads in sovereign and corporate debt markets have narrowed considerably. Bloomberg

31 BRIEFS SYDNEY Actress lacked credibility in home purchase, judge rules Movie star Toni Collette was ordered on May 31 to pay more than US$770,000 in damages after being sued for failing to complete the purchase of a multi-million dollar home in Sydney. Clothing brand founders Nick and Susan Kelly sued the Oscar-nominated Australian actress and her husband and the Supreme Court in Sydney ruled in their favour. The court heard that Ms Collette, best known for her role in The Sixth Sense, agreed to buy the nearly $6 million home in September But on the settlement day in December that year she and her husband backed out, claiming not to have enough cash after failing to sell another property in Sydney. The Kellys ultimately sold the house to another party and sought damages for the fall in value of the property as well as the costs of resale and interest. Ms Collette charged that the Kellys did not make a reasonable effort to get the best price for the property after their deal fell through, but Acting Justice William Windeyer disagreed. He also found there was a clear, continuing act of repudiation by Ms Collette and Mr Galafassi, who he said had no intention of completing the sale. AFP The new Myint and Associates headquarters is using the latest structural engineering techniques for the foundation of the 17-floor building on Pyay Road. Photo: Supplied SAFER foundations are vital for new office towers in Yangon as the influx of international investment creates demand for higher office towers, engineers say. Safe construction begins on the ground, under it and above it, they told a May 25 seminar on new strutting techniques for reinforcing foundations. It drew the president of the Myanmar Engineering Society, the construction ministry s committee for quality control of high-rise building projects, as well as structural engineers. The quality control committee set new regulations on construction in February, including rules on reinforcing underground construction to ensure buildings are safe and that these new towers do not damage adjacent buildings and roads nearby. The latest strutting techniques, which use concrete retaining walls and pillars to reinforce foundations, were the focus of the seminar, which was organised by Myint and Associates, an oil and gas company that is building its new headquarters on Pyay Road. Property Business 31 As Yangon rises, engineers are strutting underground htar29@gmail.com HTAR HTAR KHIN $700,000 Extra cost of strutting techniques used to reinforce the foundation of a new high rise on Pyay Road Chief executive officer U Moe Myint said the latest strutting techniques were used despite the extra cost. We used these techniques in the two basement levels, even though it increased the cost of the project by US$700,000, he said, adding that the benefit reduced the risk that the tower will cause cracking on the road. U Soe Thein, a project manager at the company, said caution in underground construction is especially important in areas where traffic is heavy. If you have to dig down two or three levels in the downtown area to make basements or car parks, you have to plan very carefully. Otherwise, you risk damaging roads and adjacent buildings, which is why we opted to use strutting techniques, he said. Construction of the $40 million project a 17-floor office and residential tower and an adjacent six-storey car park started in February 2013 and is scheduled to be finished by December of next year. U Than Myint, president of the committee for quality control of high-rise building projects, said the tower will set a new safety standard. New high-rises that include basements must use strutting techniques, he added, warning that those that failed to do so ran the risk of collapse. WASHINGTON Citigroup settles lawsuit over lies about mortgages Citigroup has settled a lawsuit by the US Federal Housing Finance Agency over the sale of home mortgage-backed securities to governmentbacked lenders. According to a New York court filing on May 29, Judge Denise Cote said that both sides had reached an agreement ending the lawsuit. The agency sued Citigroup and 16 other financial institutions in September 2011 for violating federal securities laws in the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In its complaint against Citigroup, it accused the New York-based bank of providing materially false information about the quality of US$3.5 billion in residential mortgagebacked securities sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A Citigroup spokeswoman declined to reveal the terms of the settlement, saying: We are pleased to put the matter behind us. AFP NEW YORK American Realty snaps up CapLease for US$2.2 billion American Realty Capital Properties agreed to buy CapLease in a deal valued at US$2.2 billion, including debt, as it seeks to expand its holdings of singletenant commercial properties. American Realty agreed to pay $8.50 a share for CapLease s common stock, or about $755 million, according to a regulatory filing on May 28 from the New York-based real estate investment trust. That is 20 percent higher than the closing price of $7.10 on May 24. CapLease preferred shares will be converted into the right to receive $25 a share in cash plus accrued dividends. CapLease owns real estate across the US ranging from single-tenant offices to distribution centres. Bloomberg

32 32 Technology THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 WASHINGTON US eases sanctions on Iranian telecoms PAUL HANDLEY THE United States on 30 May lifted a ban on sales of communications equipment to Iranians and opened access to internet services and social media, aiming to help the Iranian people circumvent tough government controls. The decision immediately allowed US companies to begin selling computers, tablets, mobile phones, software, satellite receivers and other equipment for personal use to Iranians, after such sales had been tightly restricted under sweeping sanctions on the country. Also allowed were the sale and free provision of Internet communications like instant messaging, chat, , social networking, sharing of photos and movies, web browsing and blogging. The move came just two weeks before Iran s national elections, with the ballot lists dominated by conservatives loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini while many challengers were blocked from running. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the action would allow Iranians to skirt the government s attempts to silence its people and exercise the right to freedom of expression. Iranians will be able to obtain safer, more sophisticated personal communications equipment to communicate with each other and the outside world, she said in a statement. We will use all the tools at our disposal, including licences that facilitate communication and designations to target those responsible for human rights abuses, to help the Iranian people exercise these basic rights, said Treasury Department Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen. Iranians use computers at a cybercafe in the centre of the Iranian capital Tehran on May 14. Photo: AFP The move sought to ease some of the negative impact of sweeping, blunt sanctions by the US and its allies aimed at forcing Iran to rein in its alleged program to develop nuclear weapons capability. And it aims to help Iranians protect themselves from cyberattacks by people working for the Tehran regime to stifle dissent. Our hope is... this will help make some hardware and software, including things like antivirus software or software that helps protect from malware, more available to them and make them more able to protect themselves against government hackers, a senior US administration official said. We will use all the tools at our disposal to target those responsible for human rights abuses, to help the Iranian people exercise these basic rights. The move was not timed to the June 14 elections, the official said. This is a response to their efforts to deprive their citizens of their rights David Cohen Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence... The timing is really driven by the continued crackdown within Iran. The US Treasury issued a general licence allowing the sale of personal communications equipment and services by Americans. But a ban remained in place on selling to the Iranian government or any entity or individual specifically designated for US sanctions. Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, cheered the lifting of the ban as a move toward intelligent sanctions. We finally put an end to one of the worst examples of sanctions that hurt ordinary Iranians, undermine civil society and human rights and empower the regime, Parsi said in an to supporters. We now have an opening to address the other broad sanctions that are causing medicine shortages. We welcome this smart move, said Delphine Hagland, US director of Reporters Without Borders. But we have to be careful that this general license will not open the door for US companies to sell filtering technology to the Iranian authorities. That was a reference to the Tehran authorities ability in earlier years to buy US technology that allowed them to censor the internet and spy on their citizens online activities. The Treasury also put sanctions on Asghar Mir-Hejazi, the deputy chief of staff for the supreme leader, and on the government censor, the Committee to Determine Instances of Criminal Content, for contributing to serious human rights abuses... including through the use of communications technology to silence and intimidate the Iranian people. In addition, the State Department announced it had placed visa restrictions on nearly 60 Iranians, mainly from the government, for their role in the ongoing repression of students, human rights defenders, lawyers, artists and others. AFP Winners of technology contest announced HTOO AUNG alexanderhtoo.aung@gmail.com THE three winners of the 2013 Technopreneurship awards were announced last week by the president of the Myanmar Computer Federation said. The three winners are Voice System in the Mobile Phone group, Universal Software in the Production group and MTDC in the Mobile Phone Repairing Service group. The Voice System on Mobile group leader Ko Kyaw Kyaw Zin said his team was already developing the program before they heard of the competition. When we heard about the competition I knew we could submit something and entered, he said. We ll use the prize to support our work, he told The Myanmar Times on May 26. He added that the program uses the Android operating platform and works using speech recognition and touch-to-speak engines that have been developed in other languages and modified. Normally it s easy to borrow from a developed application and then translate it into Myanmar, he added. The winners received engineer salaries for the next 6 months, as well as K500,000 for an advisory agent fee to set up a company and K1.5 million for company registration. A total of 17 submissions were made for the contest, with six submissions shortlisted on May 18. U Khun Oo, MCF president, said the competition would be held again next year. Don t be depressed if you didn t win this year, he said at the awards ceremony. Myanmar Computer Federation and a Korean organisation have an agreement to hold the contest again next year. Don t be depressed if you didn t win this year... [we] have an agreement to hold the contest again next year. U Khun Oo MCF president The competition was sponsored by Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Myanmar-Korean IT Centre cooperation program, itself a collaboration between MCF and the Korea Aerospace University, to nurture creativity, innovation, technology and management in young IT professionals. ROME Eureka! Unique exhibition in Italy honours Archimedes FRANÇOISE KADRI THE great inventor of Antiquity, Archimedes, is the star of an unprecedented exhibition opening in Rome which includes modern applications of some of his best known discoveries. We owe him some revolutionary inventions, Umberto Broccoli, head of cultural heritage in the Italian capital, said at a press presentation of the show. He was a precursor to Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein an inventive genius par excellence. Archimedes: Art and Science of Invention at the Capitoline Museums opens Friday and runs until January 12. There has never been an exhibition on Archimedes, said Paolo Galluzzi, head of the Galileo museum in Florence, one of the organisers along with the museum of the history of science in Florence and the Max-Planck Institute in Berlin. He managed to combine mathematical reasoning and the formulation of theories that are still taught in our schools 2,300 years later with concrete solutions like the ones to defend his hometown of Syracuse against a siege by the Romans, he said. The exhibition is divided up into eight sections, accompanied by videos of some of his experiments. After Rome, the exhibition will definitely go to Germany and why not to China, Japan and some countries of the Arab world, said Jurgen Renn, director of the Max-Planck Institute, emphasising the global resonance of the inventor s discoveries. He is the example of the synthesis between apparent complexity of initial needs and the amazing simplicity of the solutions, he said. Thanks to the archaeological collections of the Paolo Orsi Museum in Syracuse in Sicily, the show illustrates the splendour of the city in the third century BC when it was part of Ancient Greece. It places Archimedes in the rich context of Mediterranean culture, exploring his contacts with Alexandria where he studied sciences and with geographer and astronomer Eratosthenes. During a period of peace that lasted half a century, Archimedes became one of the closest collaborators of the king of Syracuse, Hiero II. Archimedes was a brilliant physicist, who invented the screw pump that is still used to irrigate farmland and drag ships into dry dock today. He was also the inventor of the water clock and the theory of levers used to lift heavy weights. But his most famous discovery, which is also shown in the exhibition, was the method to calculate mass based on the displacement of water. After being asked by the king to verify the amount of gold in his crown, Archimedes was initially non-plussed, but as he was taking a bath and saw the water spilling over he realised he could do so by calculating the volume of water it displaced. Eureka! ( I found it! ), he is said to have exclaimed, before running naked in the streets to announce his famous discovery. In a long siege of Syracuse by the Romans between 215 and 212 BC, Archimedes perfected the use of catapults and is credited with inventing burning mirrors that set fire to the Roman fleet by harnessing the power of the sun s rays. The exhibition also shows that the myth of Archimedes took root shortly after he was assassinated by a Roman soldier, thanks to the emperor Marcellus and the writings of the architect Vetruvius and the historian Plutarch. Forgotten for centuries, the inventor was re-discovered in the Middle Ages by Islamic civilisation and then again during the Renaissance. His teachings were the basis for discoveries by Galileo Galilei and Leonardo Da Vinci a fact highlighted at the exhibition through their writings and the reproduction of a cannon that Archimedes is said to have invented. The exhibition ends in a hall where visitors can try out machines based on discoveries made by Archimedes a kind of satellite dish that projects sound, a steelyard balance and a tool for designing spirals used in sewing machines. AFP

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34 34 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 World MIRANSHAH Pakistani Taliban withdraws talks offer after leader killed HASBANULLAH KHAN Pakistani protesters from the United Citizen Action shout slogans during a protest in Multan on May 30 against US drone attacks in Pakistani tribal areas. Photo: AFP THE Pakistani Taliban on May 30 withdrew their offer of peace talks with the government after confirming the death of their second in command in a drone strike by the United States. Waliur Rehman was killed when an unmanned US aircraft attacked a house in North Waziristan tribal district, a Taliban and Al-Qaeda haven on the Afghan border, early on May 29. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hailed Rehman, who had a US$5 million US bounty on his head, as a martyr and vowed to avenge his death, saying they held the Pakistani government responsible for the attack. Our six men including Waliur Rehman were killed in this attack, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said, officially confirming the death of the key commander for the first time. Analysts said the death of such a senior commander would come as a serious blow to the TTP, which has waged a bloody campaign of bombings against the Pakistani state in recent years. But Ehsan insisted the death would strengthen the militants resolve, and said they would strike back in response. We will take revenge of these killings from the Pakistani government and the establishment, Ehsan said. Establishment in Pakistan usually refers to the military and security services. Washington had accused Rehman of organising attacks against US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and also wanted him in connection with a suicide attack on an American base in Afghanistan in 2009 that killed seven CIA agents. The 42-year-old had been a key figure in the TTP since its inception in 2007 and was second-in-command of the national hierarchy behind Hakimullah Mehsud, as well as leading the group in South Waziristan. TTP supremo Mehsud made an offer of talks to the government in December but imposed demanding conditions and said his men would never lay down their arms. Rehman was seen as a more moderate force than Mehsud and there had been the impression he could have a role to play in any possible negotiations, but Ehsan said the TTP were withdrawing their offer of talks after the killing. We will fulfill his mission. We withdraw our offer for dialogue with the government of Pakistan because [the government] are also equally responsible for this attack, he said. Incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif had said he was open to the idea of dialogue but no substantive work on the process appears to have been done and in any event the powerful military appears reluctant about the idea. Washington had refused to confirm Rehman s death in the hours after the strike, though a White House spokesman said his demise, if true, would deprive the TTP of its chief military strategist. The strike that killed Rehman was the first drone attack since President Barack Obama laid out new stricter guidelines for the use of the unmanned aircraft. Washington says they have been an effective tool in eliminating important Taliban and Al-Qaeda figures in the militant-infested badlands along the Afghan border. But they have been unpopular in Pakistan, where the government publicly denounces them as illegal and a violation of sovereignty. AFP IN PICTURES BEIRUT Very confident Assad talks of new front with Israel SYRIAN President Bashar al- Assad threatened Israel with renewed fighting in the Golan Heights and said Russia was committed to supplying him with advanced missiles, in an interview broadcast on May 30. Washington warned that any such weapon deliveries from Moscow would only prolong the conflict between government forces and Assad s foes in Syria, where activists say more than 94,000 people have been killed since March There is clear popular pressure to open a new front of resistance in the Golan, Mr Assad told Al-Manar television, run by his close ally, the Lebanonbased Shiite movement Hezbollah, which has been fighting alongside his forces. There are several factors, including repeated Israeli aggression, he said, referring to reported Israeli air strikes on Syria. We have informed all the parties who have contacted us that we will respond to any Israeli aggression next time. Mr Assad, whose forces are battling alongside Hezbollah fighters to recapture the key town of Qusayr near the border with Lebanon, said he was very confident of victory. There is a world war being waged against Syria and the policy of [anti-israeli] resistance [but] we are very confident of victory, he said. Lebanese Prime Minister Tamman Salam said his country should stay out of the Syrian conflict, in an interview published in the May 31edition of the French daily Le Figaro. We must at all price preserve national unity, he added. And obviously, Hezbollah s military involvement is not helping matters. Mr Assad appeared to imply in the interview that Russia had already delivered some of the promised ground-to-air S-300 missile systems. All the agreements with Russia will be honoured and some already have been recently, he said. Moscow said last week that it would honour the contract to deliver S-300s to Syria. But Russia s Vedomosti and Kommersant newspapers said Moscow may not deliver the missile systems to Damascus this year and rejected claims the weapons had already arrived in the country. US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said that providing additional weapons to Assad including air defence systems will only prolong the violence in Syria and incite regional destabilisation. Israeli Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom indicated that the Jewish state would only act to prevent the missiles being used against it. Israel has already launched several air raids inside Syria this year, reportedly targeting convoys transporting weapons to its arch-foe Hezbollah. A monitoring group meanwhile reported that Syrian troops had killed three Westerners, including a US woman and a British man near the border with Turkey on May 29. They had apparently been taking photos of military positions on the road between Harim, near the border with Turkey, and the town of Idlib further south, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. AFP BRIEFS Sydney Australian PM survives salami attack AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard was forced to dodge a flying sandwich for the second time last month when someone s salami lunch was flung at her during a school visit on May 30. Gillard was greeting children at Lyneham High School in Canberra when the sandwich narrowly missed her. The incident came after a student earlier last month threw a sandwich covered with Australia s favourite yeast-based lunch spread, Vegemite, at her during another school trip. The student who threw the Vegemite sandwich was suspended from school for 15 days despite denying he was responsible. There were no immediate suspects in the May 30 salami incident. AFP Ostromechevo Beaver kills fisherman in Belarus The fisherman wanted his photo shot with a beaver. The beaver had other ideas: It attacked the 60-year-old man with razor-sharp teeth, slicing an artery and causing him to bleed to death. It was the most serious in a string of beaver attacks on humans in Belarus, as the rodents have turned aggressive when confronted by humans after wandering near homes, shops and schools. The fisherman, who has not been named at the request of his family, was driving with friends toward the Shestakovskoye Lake west of the Minsk when he spotted the beaver along the side of the road and stopped the car. As he tried to grab the animal, it bit him several times. One of the bites hit a major artery in the leg, according to village doctor Leonty Sulim. The man s friends were unable to stop the blood from spouting, and he was pronounced dead when he arrived at Sulim s clinic in the village of Ostromechevo. AP New York Suspected poison letter sent to NY mayor Letters suspected of being laced with the deadly poison ricin were sent last week to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and to an official with the gun law lobby that he supports, police said on May 29. The letters were opened in New York on May 24 and by the director of the Bloomberg-supported Mayors Against Illegal Guns in Washington on May 26. The letters contained anonymous threats and when tested locally, preliminarily indicated the presence of ricin, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said in a statement. Members of the New York police emergency service unit who came into contact with the letter at a Manhattan mail facility had minor symptoms of ricin exposure on May 25 that have since abated, according to Browne. AFP Johannesburg Fresh oil spill from Turkish tanker off Cape Town Fresh oil has begun pouring from a Turkish tanker that ran aground four years ago off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa s premier tourist destination, an official said on May 29. An attempted controlled explosion damaged the vessel during cleanup operations, city disaster management spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said. One of the tanks ruptured in the explosion releasing oil that was onboard the wreck, Solomons-Johannes said. Conservation officials were monitoring the spill, which hadn t put the environment in immediate danger, he added.

35 35 France marks first gay marriage WORLD 36 Singapore warns foreigners to obey laws ASIA-PACIFIC 43 Repatriation of North Korean refugees condemned ASIA-PACIFIC US defence chief accuses Beijing of cyber spying Cambodian students reenact torture executed by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s to mark the annual Day of Anger at Choeung Ek, a former killing field dotted with mass graves near Phnom Penh, on May 20. The Khmer Rouge s former number two, 86-year-old Nuon Chea, admitted on May 30 that he shared responsibility for the actions of the regime. Full story on page 42. Photo: AP US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on June 1 accused Beijing of involvement in cyber espionage against Washington in a speech at a Singapore security forum attended by Chinese military officials. Stepping up US pressure on China over electronic espionage ahead of a summit between their leaders this week, Hagel pointedly blamed the Chinese government and military for repeated intrusions into sensitive US information systems. The United States has expressed our concerns about the growing threat of cyber intrusions, some of which appear to be tied to the Chinese government and military, Mr Hagel told an annual Singapore conference known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. As the world s two largest economies, the US and China have many areas of common interest and concern, and the establishment of a cyber working group is a positive step in fostering US-China dialogue on cyber issues, the Pentagon chief said. We are determined to work more vigorously with China and other partners to establish international norms of responsible behaviour in cyberspace. The Chinese delegation to the conference was led by Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People s Liberation Army. The Singapore forum came ahead of the June 7 to 8 meeting between US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in California, the two leaders first meeting since Xi took office in March. Two days before Hagel s speech, China s defence ministry dismissed a Pentagon report released in early May accusing Chinese hackers of accessing US weapons designs. In a statement posted on the ministry s website, spokesman Geng Yansheng said: There are misjudgements in the US claims. The United States has expressed our concerns about the growing threat of cyber intrusions. Chuck Hegel US Defence Secretary First they underestimate the security defence capabilities of the Pentagon and second they underestimate the intelligence of the Chinese people. China is fully capable of building the weapons and equipment needed to defend national security. The Pentagon report to the US Congress said China has engaged in widespread cyber espionage in a bid to extract information about the US government s foreign policy and military plans. AFP This was the second spill from the wreck in a year. In September, it leaked oil onto the city s beaches after breaking up into three pieces. AFP Washington Tea Party darling Bachmann will not seek fifth term US congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a favorite of the ultraconservative Tea Party Movement who ran for president last year, said on May 29 she will not seek re-election in The Minnesota representative insisted her decision was unrelated to an ethics probe of her former presidential campaign and appeared to leave the door open to a future run for national office. I have decided next year I will not seek a fifth congressional term, Bachmann, 57, said in a video posted on her campaign website. My decision was not in any way influenced by any concerns about my being re-elected to Congress. US media reported in March that the Office of Congressional Ethics had launched an investigation into the possible misuse of 2012 campaign funds, but Bachmann herself has faced no allegations of wrongdoing. AFP

36 36 World International THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 JERUSALEM Israel plans new homes in Jerusalem ISRAEL is preparing to build more than 1000 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem as the United States strives to revive dormant Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, an NGO said on May 29. Danny Seidemann, director of Jerusalem settlement watchdog Terrestrial Jerusalem, said contracts for 300 homes in the northeastern settlement of Ramot were signed and another 797 plots were to be offered for sale in the southern Jerusalem settlement of Gilo, near the West bank city of Jerusalem. Both are in mainly Arab areas of the holy city which were occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day war then annexed, in a move still unrecognised by the international community. Mr Seidemann said that the plans were approved last year, before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly ordered a settlement freeze, but the latest steps in their implementation were leaked to media by the office of hard-line Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel. This does not mean that the freeze is over, it does mean that Netanyahu s minister of construction is trying to achieve that, Mr Seidemann said. Mr Ariel is himself a settler and number two in the pro-settlement Jewish Home party, which joined Mr Netanyahu s coalition government in the wake of January s general election. Although the freeze was never officially confirmed, NGOs said that Mr Netanyahu did not want to be seen as hampering US Secretary of State John Kerry s initiative to breathe fresh life into moribund peace efforts. There is a de facto freeze at the moment, there have been no new units since the elections, Seidemann said. He said that by publicising the fact that building approved in the past is moving ahead Mr Ariel was seeking to force Mr Netanyahu into either giving his blessing or halting the work. The news came less than a week after Mr Kerry s latest round of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on his fourth visit to the region since he took office in February. AFP MONTPELLIER Vincent and Bruno say I do in France s first gay marriage REMY ZAKA VINCENT Autin and Bruno Boileau said I do on May 29 at an emotional ceremony celebrating France s first official gay marriage after months of sometimes violent protests. It is a great honour to tell you that you are united in marriage by law, Helene Mandroux, the visibly moved mayor of the southern city of Montpellier, told the couple as Frank Sinatra s song Love and Marriage filled the room. The high-profile ceremony, also attended by the Socialist government s spokeswoman Najat Vallaud- Belkacem, is the apex of months of huge divisions in France over a bill allowing same-sex marriage and adoption. The bill was finally signed into law on May 18 to cheers from supporters, but opponents have vowed to fight on and tens of thousands converged on Paris on May 26 for a demonstration that ended in violence. Wearing black suits complete with a tie for one, a bow tie for the other Mr Autin, 40, and Mr Boileau, 30, walked into the town hall room before the ceremony to the sound of Nat King Cole s song Love. They sat in front of Ms Mandroux, flanked to her right by a portrait of President Francois Hollande who had made a law allowing gay marriage and adoption a centrepiece pledge in his election campaign last year. Holding hands, they listened to the Socialist mayor saying their marriage was historic, that the law was a law of equality, of fraternity and that their union was a symbol for all of France. After exchanging wedding rings, they kissed to general applause. Mr Autin a gay rights activist later If there are so many journalists maybe it is because they were surprised by the reaction of opponents. They were astonished that there could be such violence in the country of human rights. Vincent Autin (right) and Bruno Boileau pose on a balcony after their marriage, France s first official gay marriage, in the city hall in Montpellier on May 29. Photo: AFP Helene Mandroux Mayor of Montpellier made a short speech peppered with pauses as he wiped away tears, thanking supporters and his family. Solidarity always has the upper hand over hate, he later said in front of television cameras from around the world. Ms Mandroux also read out a letter by Jack Lang, a former culture and education minister who is gay. Your happiness delights me. Here s to love, here s to life. The ceremony took place under strong police surveillance following months of protests by supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage some violent but no major incidents were reported. Supporters had gathered outside the town hall where the marriage took place, as had a few troublemakers who let off a flare. But the happy couple addressed the crowd after the ceremony on a balcony without any problem. Up to 100 police were called in to monitor the marriage in Montpellier known as the French San Francisco for its gay-friendly reputation with another 80 in reserve. Hundreds of guests attended, as did more than 230 journalists and technicians working for over 100 media outlets from around the world, including China. We are the 14 th country to recognise gay marriage, Ms Mandroux said earlier. If there are so many journalists maybe it is because they were surprised by the reaction of opponents. They were astonished that there could be such violence in the country of human rights. The marriage caused consternation among opponents of the law, with the conservative Catholic group Civitas saying it opened up Pandora s box. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Astellas Pharma Inc. a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 3-11, Nihonbashi-Honcho, 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:- ASTELLAS (Reg: Nos. IV/646/2010 & IV/3363/2013) In respect of: - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations, oiled paper for medical purposes, sanitary masks, pharmaceutical wafer, gauze for dressings, empty capsules for pharmaceuticals, eye patches, ear bandages, menstruation bandages, menstruation tampons, sanitary napkins, sanitary panties, absorbent cotton, adhesive plasters, bandages for dressings, collodion, breast-nursing pads, dental materials, bracelets for medical purposes, incontinence diapers, fly catching paper, mothproofing paper, lactose (milk sugar), powder milk for babies, semen for artificial insemination. - Class: 5 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 Astellas Pharma Inc. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that L OREAL, a company organized and existing under the laws of France, with offices at 14, rue Royale, F Paris, France, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trade mark: MAYBELLINE (Reg: Nos. IV/638/2010 & IV/3365/2013) In respect of Perfume, eau de toilette; gels, salts for the bath and the shower not for medical purpose; toilet soaps, body deodorants; cosmetics namely creams, milks, lotions, gels and powders for the face, the body and the hands; sun care preparations (cosmetic products); make-up preparations; shampoos; gels, sprays, mousses and balms for the hair styling and hair care; hair lacquers; hair colouring and hair decolorant preparations; permanent waving and curling preparations; essential oils for personal use. - Class: 3 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 L OREAL P.O. Box 26, Yangon Phone Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 MOSCOW Russian NGO deemed foreign agent, fined A JUDGE in the Russian city of Kostroma ruled on May 29 that a local civic organisation, which earlier this year held a roundtable discussion with a diplomat from the United States, was a foreign agent and found it guilty of failing to register as such. The organisation, the Kostroma Centre for the Support of Public Initiatives, was fined the equivalent of nearly US$10,000, a large sum for a small group that said it had received only minor grants from the International Republican Institute and the US embassy. It was the second organisation found guilty of violating the law that requires nongovernmental organisations receiving funds from abroad to register as foreign agents if they are involved in political activity. The first was Golos, an independent election monitor fined at the end of April. Golos, which was formed 13 years ago with help from the National Democratic Institute and National Endowment for Democracy, said it was not engaged in political activity and had not accepted any money from abroad after the law went into effect in November. Human rights activists say the law, passed with the backing of President Vladimir Putin, is meant to stifle development of groups that help build democracy. In Kostroma, a city of 268,000 about 325 kilometres (200 miles) northeast of Moscow, the prosecutor accused the centre as acting as a foreign agent because of the roundtable it held at the end of February, said Ramil Akhmetgaliyev, an Agora lawyer. A variety of citizens discussed US-Russian relations at the forum, along with a political officer from the US embassy in Moscow. The centre did not receive foreign financing after the law on NGOs/foreign agents came into effect, and the law is not retroactive, Mr Akhmetgaliyev said. The Washington Post

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38 38 World International THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 LOS ANGELES US soldier to admit Afghan killings to escape death PARIS Police snare French most wanted six weeks after escape MICHAEL THURSTON A US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers last year will plead guilty in exchange for escaping the death penalty, his lawyers said in remarks reported on May 29. Sergeant Robert Bales faces charges including 16 counts of murder, six of attempted murder and seven of assault over the massacre in southern Afghanistan in March last year. Seventeen of the 22 victims were women or children and almost all were shot in the head. Prosecutors called in November for him to face the death penalty, setting a provisional date for courtmartial in September. His lawyer John Browne was cited by The New York Times and other media as saying military prosecutors had agreed to the guilty plea deal, which could be made before a military judge this week. Attorney Emma Scanlan, who works with Browne on the case, told USA Today that Bales will be entering a plea of guilty to the charges this week. He is ready to accept responsibility for what he has done. The plea has been accepted by the commanding general. A hearing is scheduled for June 5 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the northwestern US state of Washington, where Bales is being held. Afghanistan US soldier on trial for massacre KANDAHAR Panjwayi district KABUL 200 km Sergeant Robert Bales is accused of shooting 22 villagers on March 11, 2012, killing 16 of them TRADE MARK CAUTION Bales is expected to enter a plea during this hearing, JBLM spokesman Gary Dangerfield said in a statement. If the plea deal is accepted Bales could avoid a full court-martial, in what would likely anger families of the victims who originally wanted him to face justice, and potentially a death penalty, in Afghanistan. The 39-year-old allegedly left his base in the Panjwayi district of southern Kandahar province on the night of March 11, 2012, to commit the killings, which included nine children. Bales allegedly set several of their bodies on fire. At a pretrial hearing in November, Bales s family insisted he was innocent until proven guilty, calling him courageous and honourable, while his lawyer raised questions about the role of alcohol, drugs and stress in the tragedy. But prosecutors lashed the heinous and despicable alleged massacre during an eight-day hearing, details of which were given at the military base south of Seattle. Prosecutors at the so-called Article 32 pretrial hearing alleged that Bales NOTICE is hereby given that Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai (Bandai Co., Ltd) a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 4-8, Komagata 1-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:- This file photograph obtained from the Defence Video and Imagery Distribution System shows Staff Sergeant Robert Bales (right) at the National Training Centre in Fort Irwin, California, on August 23, Photo: AFP left the base twice to carry out the killings, returning in between and even telling a colleague what he had done. The hearing included three evening sessions daytime in Afghanistan to hear testimony by video conference from Afghan victims and relatives of those who died. In a statement read out by the soldier s sister Stephanie Tandberg after last year s hearing, the family said it had yet to learn the how, why and what of the incident. Much of the testimony was painful, even heartbreaking, but we are not convinced the government has shown us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about what happened that night, it said. As a family, we all grieve deeply for the Afghani families who lost their loved ones on March 11, but we must all not rush to judgment. In America, due process means innocence is always presumed unless and until a trial proves otherwise. There has been no trial yet, and our family member is presumed by law, and by us, to be innocent. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Astellas Pharma Inc. a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 3-11, Nihonbashi-Honcho, 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:- FRENCH police on May 29 captured the country s most-wanted man in a hotel outside Paris six weeks after he dynamited his way out of prison in a spectacular jailbreak. Redoine Faid, a famed 41-year-old career thief who had been serving time for robbery and risked a heavy new sentence over the 2010 death of a policewoman, was arrested in the early hours at a hotel in Pontault-Combault, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of central Paris. Police said he was arrested with a 29-year-old accomplice and that weapons were seized in his room and in his car, suggesting Mr Faid may have been preparing another heist. Interior Minister Manuel Valls hailed police for the thorough and effective investigation that led to Mr Faid s capture. Mr Faid appeared before a judge on May 29 in the northern city of Lille, not far from where he escaped. He was charged on nine counts and sent to a Paris prison. Lille prosecutor Fredreic Fevre said he risked a life sentence now and hinted that he may have run out of cash. When one is on the run, one must have lots of money and one must separate oneself from all those who one is close to. I think these two conditions were not fulfilled, he said. I am not at all surprised he was arrested in the Paris region. It was highly probable, given his attachments. Mr Faid used explosives to blast his way out of the Sequedin penitentiary during his April 13 jailbreak and, armed with a pistol, briefly took four guards hostage before escaping in a waiting getaway car. All the hostages were released unharmed. The penitentiary was just 15 kilometres (10 miles) from the Belgian border and a Europewide arrest warrant was issued as French authorities had believed he may have fled the country. Mr Valls told i-tele news channel that it appeared Mr Faid had changed locations repeatedly during his time on the run and that he benefited from the help of a certain number of accomplices. Clients at the hotel a shabby one-storey building with some 50 rooms each costing 60 euros (US$66) a day reported hearing a lot of noise around 3am when police swooped in. A woman working at the hotel, in an industrial area on the outskirts of Paris, said Mr Faid s accomplice had paid for the room in cash and that the two men had been there for several days. Christian Lothion, the head of the national judicial police charged with investigating and fighting serious crime, said the force had tracked him down on May 28. When we were sure that he had returned and was in his room, we decided to strike in the dead of night, he said. The hotel is located at the entry to the town, sandwiched between a warehouse and a steak house and is close to a ring road. French officials had warned that Mr Faid, who grew up in tough immigrant suburbs outside Paris, was considered armed and especially dangerous. When we were sure that he had returned and was in his room, we decided to strike in the dead of night. Christian Lothion Head of France s national judicial police He had been in prison since mid-2011 for breaking the terms of his parole over past convictions for bank robberies and heists of cash-in-transit vehicles. He is suspected of masterminding a May 2010 armed robbery that turned into a gunfight in which a policewoman, 26-year-old Aurelie Fouquet, was killed. Mr Faid had been released from a previous stint of a decade behind bars after convincing parole officials that he regretted his criminal past and was determined to start his life afresh. He made several television appearances and co-authored two books about his delinquent youth and rise as a criminal in the Paris suburbs, saying his life of crime was inspired by American films such as Scarface and Heat. AFP (Reg: No. IV/3360/2013) in respect of: - Action figure toys; model kit toys; dolls; toys; playing cards; board games; games; conjuring apparatus; balls for games; fishing tackle; electricallydriven toys; hand-held games with liquid crystal displays - Class: 28 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 Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai (Bandai Co., Ltd) P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 (Reg: Nos. IV/285/1983 & IV/3362/2013) In respect of: - Pharmaceutical veterinary and sanitary substances; infants and invalids foods; plaster material for bandaging; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparation for killing weeds and destroying vermin - Class:5 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 Astellas Pharma Inc. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 A picture taken on April 15, 2013 on Interpol internet site shows the Interpol notice issued for Redoine Faid, France s mosted-wanted man. Photo: AFP

39 Special World 39 TIMBUKTU Stealth operation saves Mali s heritage When jihadist invaders took control of Timbuktu, Mali, in April 2012, a small group of dedicated residents risked their own lives to save the city s collection of priceless manuscripts from destruction, writes Sudarsan Raghavan IT was 7pm on a hot night in August, and Hassine Traore was nervous. Behind him were 10 donkeys, each strapped with two large rice bags filled with ancient manuscripts. The bags were covered in plastic to shield them from a light rain. Radical Islamists had entered Timbuktu four months earlier, and they had set about destroying everything they deemed a sin. They had demolished the tombs of Sufi saints. They had beaten up women for not covering their faces and flogged men for smoking or drinking. They most certainly would have burned the manuscripts nearly 300,000 pages on a variety of subjects, including the teachings of Islam, law, medicine, mathematics and astronomy housed in public and private libraries across the city. The scholarly documents depicted Islam as a historically moderate and intellectual religion and were considered cultural treasures by Western institutions reasons enough for the ultraconservative jihadists to destroy them. But a secret operation had been set in motion within weeks of the jihadist takeover. It included donkeys, safe houses and smugglers, all deployed to protect the manuscripts by sneaking them out of town. This is the story of how nearly all the documents were saved, based on interviews with an unlikely cast of characters who detailed their roles for the first time. They included Traore, a 30-year-old, part-time janitor, and his grandfather, a guard. We knew that if we attracted any attention, the Islamists would arrest us, Traore recalled. The New York based Ford Foundation, the German and Dutch governments, and an Islamic centre in Dubai provided most of the funds for the operation, which cost about US$1 million. We took a big risk to save our heritage, said Abdel Kader Haidara, a prominent preservationist who once loaned 16 th and 18 th century manuscripts from his family s private collection to the Library of Congress. This is not only the city s heritage, it is the heritage of all humanity. The jihadists who took control of Timbuktu in April 2012 quickly chose as their headquarters the Ahmed Baba Institute, a state-run library and research centre named after a 17 th century Timbuktu scholar. The centre, painted in tan and pink hues, was built in 2009 to replace an older library with the same name in another part of the city. The militants kicked out the employees and scrawled the name of their organisation on a wall in Arabic: Ansar al-dine, or Defenders of the Faith. The jihadists, along with fighters from al-qaida s affiliate in West and North Africa, had piggybacked on a Tuareg separatist rebellion that had taken advantage of a military coup in March to overrun the north. Within weeks, the radicals pushed out the Tuareg rebels and asserted control over Timbuktu and other cities in the north. In the 15 th and 16 th centuries, Timbuktu was a centre of Islamic culture This is not only the city s heritage, it is the heritage of all humanity. Abdel Kader Haidara Preservationist Ahmed Baba Institute employee Alkamiss Cisse searches among emptied boxes and burned manuscripts inside the institute in Timbuktu, Mali, on April 27. Photo: The Washington Post under several African empires. It had a university and many Islamic schools that attracted scholars and students from Cairo, Baghdad and other corners of the Middle East. Some brought along sacred Muslim texts. Others produced several hundred thousand manuscripts, handwritten in Arabic and African languages, sometimes in gold lettering. The jihadists initially appeared not to know the value of the manuscripts kept in Timbuktu or didn t seem to care. But after local television reports about the manuscripts, some Islamists, clutching guns, came by the old Ahmed Baba Institute and asked the employees whether any documents were inside. We told them the centre was empty and that all the manuscripts had been transferred to the new centre, said Abba al-hadi, the 72-year-old guard and Traore s grandfather, who had the keys to the place. But in reality, most of the institute s manuscripts, about 24,500 pages, were inside. The workers knew that it was only a matter of time before the militants would force their way in. The Islamists were destroying everything. We knew that once they heard of the manuscripts importance to the world, they would destroy them, said Alkamiss Cisse, who worked in the restoration department of the institute. The director of the Ahmed Baba Institute was worried. As a government official, Abdoulkadri Maiga knew that the jihadists would target him. So he fled to Bamako, the capital. By June, his employees in Timbuktu had informed him of the threat to the manuscripts. Even before they contacted him, Maiga had begun to meet with private collectors from Timbuktu, including Haidara, who also had fled to Bamako to find a way to save the manuscripts. We didn t know if the Islamists one day would take the manuscripts hostage, Maiga recalled. We had to move fast. There was another concern: The rainy season was nearing, and it was time for annual repairs to the roof of the old centre to protect the manuscripts from dampness. That was no longer possible because it could draw the attention of the jihadists. After hearing from his employees, Maiga sent a reconnaissance mission to Timbuktu. The group returned to Bamako with the computer hard drive containing the institute s records of the manuscripts. In late July, Maiga sent a second mission to Timbuktu. The goal was to take out some of the manuscripts, to test whether it was possible to evade the Islamists. During the day, members of the team stayed with relatives and friends and never stepped out. At night, they worked in the old centre, putting as many manuscripts as they could into two metal trunks. Such boxes were widely used by people to pack clothes and would not attract attention. The team placed the two trunks in a truck and drove about 1000 kilometres (600 miles) to Bamako without incident. But tens of thousands of pages still needed to be sneaked out. It could take weeks or months if they took them one or two boxes at a time, increasing the chances of being caught. Maiga needed a different solution, and so he turned to Haidara, the collector, for help. From the moment the Islamists seized Timbuktu, Haidara, too, had been seeking a way to save the manuscripts. His family s collection was housed in a private library, Mamma Haidara, named after his father. It was one of the city s largest private libraries, its collection accumulated over the past 400 years by his ancestors. The oldest document was a 10 th century manuscript on Islamic law. This was not the first time that his family and other private collectors had to find a way to protect their manuscripts. Whenever foreigners invaded Timbuktu, such as the Moroccans in the 16 th century or the French colonialists in the 19 th century, people hid the manuscripts in caves and secret rooms or transferred them out of the city. For more than 60 years under It was clear that manuscripts were in danger. The narrative of the manuscripts, their focus on science, culture, law, contradicted the ideological position of the groups who took over northern Mali. Joseph Gitari senior Ford Foundation employee French rule, Haidara s family had buried their manuscripts in deep pits and in metal trunks, fearing that the documents would be seized and sent to Europe. It wasn t until 1960, when Mali became independent again, that his family could freely show them again. Now, it was time to hide the manuscripts once more. Haidara bought several hundred metal trunks, which he and his employees packed with manuscripts and began to secretly transfer at night. By May, his team had moved tens of thousands of pages of manuscripts from the libraries to safe houses elsewhere in Timbuktu. We locked them inside rooms, and then we fled to Bamako, he said. Haidara alone owned an estimated 45,000 pages of manuscripts, so he travelled to Dubai to seek funding from an Islamic centre there. He first approached the Dutch and German governments and later flew to Lagos, Nigeria, to meet with the Ford Foundation. The Dutch government gave 278,000 Pages of manuscripts saved during the secret operation $425,000, while the Ford Foundation donated $236,000. The German embassy in Mali and the Dubai centre did not respond to s for comment. It was clear that manuscripts were in danger, Joseph Gitari, a senior Ford Foundation employee in Lagos, said in a telephone interview. The narrative of the manuscripts, their focus on science, culture, law, contradicted the ideological position of the groups who took over northern Mali. By August, Haidara said, he had secured some of the necessary funds to pay for fuel and transportation. To pay the smugglers, he borrowed money or promised to pay later. The manuscripts of the old Ahmed Baba Institute, the most prominent of the repositories, would be the first to leave Timbuktu. It was the first stage of that mission that brought Traore and his donkey caravan to the old-city streets of Timbuktu on that August night. His grandfather had helped him load the donkeys, but he stayed behind as Traore and three other men set out with the manuscripts. The rain, in the end, helped them. The jihadists were not at their checkpoints, preferring to stay indoors. The caravan arrived at a safe house. Traore gave the cargo to a trader working for Haidara. Over the next two weeks, the donkey caravans would make the trip six more times until all the manuscripts were out of the centre, Traore recalled. The documents were placed in metal trunks hidden under cargo on several trucks. Within days, the manuscripts reached Bamako. Over the next few months, Haidara s people took out the rest of the manuscripts from the safe houses. Some were carried on carts pulled by donkey. Others were carried out on canoes on the Niger River, before reaching a safe area where they could be placed on trucks. Most of the trunks were taken out in batches of three to five, until all finally reached Bamako safely. The evacuation was still ongoing in late January as French troops closed in on Timbuktu. The operation continues, wrote Gitari to his colleagues in New York in an . An Indiana Jones moment in real life! Touch wood. In the end, a total of 2453 trunks were evacuated containing about 278,000 pages of manuscripts, Haidara said. In Bamako, the manuscripts are being kept in a safe place. Neither Maiga nor Haidara would disclose the location. But Haidara and his allies could do nothing about the 16,000 pages of manuscripts in the new Ahmed Baba centre, where the jihadists lived. There, Maiga s worst fears came true. Days before French forces entered Timbuktu, the fleeing jihadists burned about 4000 pages of manuscripts that they found in the restoration room. But the jihadists never headed to the basement, where about 12,000 pages were stacked on metal shelves. They didn t know the documents were down below, said Abdoulaye Cisse, the institute s interim director. How else can you explain why they weren t burned? The Washington Post

40 40 World International THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 PESHAWAR Gunmen kill WHO polio worker in north Pakistan TUNIS Suspended sentences for attackers of US embassy in Tunisia GUNMEN killed a female health worker taking part in a World Health Organisation-supported anti-polio drive in northwest Pakistan on May 28, police said, the latest in a series of deadly attacks on vaccination teams. Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on the team on the edge of the city of Peshawar, near the restive Khyber tribal region where the military has been battling home-grown insurgents with links to the Taliban. One lady worker was killed and another wounded in the attack on the first day of a three-day campaign meant for areas on the outskirts of Peshawar, local police official Shafi Ullah said. An official in the city s Lady Reading hospital confirmed the death. The authorities suspended the vaccination campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province for a few days, senior government official Imtiaz Khan said. It is just a pause to express solidarity with the family of the dead health worker, Khan said. The campaign was scheduled to resume from June 1, he added. Earlier the WHO condemned the attack and said it would consult local authorities about whether to continue the campaign. We are working closely with the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and are looking at the situation evolving after the attack on the polio team in Peshawar, the WHO said in a statement. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack, saying such cowardly acts of the militants and extremists cannot deter the strong resolve of the government to eradicate polio. Relatives mourn the killing of a polio health worker at a hospital following an attack by gunmen in Peshawar on May 28. Photo: AFP No one has claimed responsibility for the killing, but last year the Pakistani Taliban banned polio vaccinations in the tribal region of Waziristan, 198 The number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2011 alleging the campaign was a cover for espionage. Polio teams came under attack in Karachi and in the northwest last year, with the killing of nine health workers carrying out vaccinations. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries where polio is endemic. Polio cases in Pakistan hit 198 in 2011, the highest figure for more than a decade and the most of any country in the world, according to the UN. UN officials say there are about 161,000 children in North Waziristan district alone who have not received a polio vaccine since June last year. AFP TWENTY people received a two-year suspended prison sentence on May 28 for their part in a deadly attack on the US embassy in Tunisia last year, their lawyer said. They all got a two-year suspended sentence, said lawyer Anouar Ouled Ali. We will see with their families if they want to appeal. If they want to, we will do it. The verdict, which was not made public, came after only half a day, an unusually short trial in the north African country. Hundreds of angry Islamist protesters attacked the US mission in Tunis on September 14 after an Americanmade film mocking their religion was published on the internet. Four of the assailants were killed and dozens wounded in the violence, which saw protesters storm the embassy and torch a neighbouring American school. Questioned individually by the judge, the accused denied having taken part in the protest or attacking the embassy and the police. Tunisian judicial rulings are not usually announced in court. Defence lawyers strongly criticised the trial and the main charges, including premeditated attacks organised by an armed gang, with sentences ranging from five These protests were part of a spontaneous reaction throughout the Muslim world against attacks on our sacred symbols. Slah Barakati Defence lawyer years in jail to possible death penalties. These protests were part of a spontaneous reaction throughout the Muslim world against attacks on our sacred symbols, said one of the defence lawyers, Slah Barakati. He demanded that charges be dropped, saying that the trial was a result of the Tunisian judiciary bowing to pressure from the West. These Tunisians are in court to please the United States and the European Union, Barakati told the judge. Another lawyer criticised the confessions extracted by the police under pressure and threats. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION WASHINGTON NOTICE is hereby given that JECO PTE LTD of 315 Outram Road #09-09, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: - (Reg: No. IV/14836/2012) in respect of: - Creams for leather, leather care products; leather softening preparation; leather waxes; leather preservatives [polishes] - Class: 3 Jewellery; costume jewellery; clocks; watches; watchbands and straps; watch cases, key rings [trinkets or fobs]; tie pins and clips - Class: 14 Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, photograph frames, stationery, pens, artist s materials, paint brushes, office requisites, playing cards - Class: 16 Leather and imitations of leather, and articles made from these materials, and not included in other classes; leather bags, travelling bags; suitcases; school bags; satchels; briefcases; handbags; wallets (pockets); purses; leather shoulder belts and leather shoulder straps; belts made of leather and imitation leather; belts pouches - Class: 18 Footwear; belts (clothing); headgear; ready-made clothings Class: 25 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for JECO PTE LTD P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 3 rd June, 2013 US Senator John McCain (centre left) poses for a picture with Syrian rebel leader General Salim Idris (centre right) and other members of the Syrian opposition in the Syrian border town of Bab al-salam on May 27. Photo: AFP US senator McCain visits Syria UNITED States Senator John McCain crossed from Turkey into Syria on May 27 to meet with rebel leaders in the wartorn nation, according to a spokesman for the top lawmaker who advocates arming the Syrian opposition. McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, slipped across the border in an unannounced visit lasting several hours before he returned to Turkey. I can confirm the trip. It was today, aide Brian Rogers said, confirming a report that first appeared on The Daily Beast, adding that no other lawmakers traveled with Mc- Cain into Syria. The visit came as US Secretary of State John Kerry met his Russian counterpart in Paris for talks aimed at breathing life into a peace conference on ending the conflict in Syria, where tens of thousands of people have been killed since March The Daily Beast, a US news website, said that McCain entered the country with General Salem Idris, leader of the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army. During the talks, rebel leaders asked for increased US support to the Syrian opposition by providing heavy weapons, establishing a nofly zone and carrying out air strikes on Syrian regime forces, The Daily Beast reported. The visit of Senator Mc- Cain to Syria is very important and very useful especially at this time, the report quoted Idris as saying. We need American help to have change on the ground; we are now in a very critical situation. McCain is among the sharpest critics of the Syria policy of US President Barack Obama, who has signed off on Washington providing nonlethal and humanitarian aid to the rebels but has so far refused to provide arms. Syrian President Bashar al-assad s forces have mounted intense assaults on the rebels over the past month, particularly in the insurgent bastion of Qusayr, in central Syria. Last month, US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford who was recalled from Damascus in October 2011 over concerns for his safety met with a Syrian rebel chief at a border crossing with Turkey. AFP

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42 42 World Asia-Pacific THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 PHNOM PENH Khmer Rouge suspect admits responsibility THE Khmer Rouge s former number two admitted for the first time on May 30 that he shared responsibility for the actions of a regime blamed for the deaths of up to two million people in the late 1970s. I am not trying to evade my responsibility, Nuon Chea, 86, who has denied charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, said during his trial at a UN-backed court in Phnom Penh. As a leader, I must take responsibility for the damage, the danger to my nation, he said, expressing his deepest condolences to witnesses testifying at the tribunal who lost relatives under the regime. At the same time Nuon Chea said that he was not aware of all of the Khmer Rouge s actions in his role overseeing propaganda and education. As for the executive branch, I had no power whatsoever. So about what happened during the Khmer Rouge period certain things I was aware of, but other things I was not aware of, he added. Nuon Chea, the most senior surviving leader of the Killing Fields era, is currently on trial alongside former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan, 81, who has also denied charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Khieu Samphan told the court on May 30 that he was not aware at the time of the great suffering of the Cambodian people during the Khmer Rouge s rule. He also expressed a sincere apology to the victims as he tried to distance himself from the regime s actions. Led by Brother Number One Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge from wiped out nearly a quarter of Cambodia s population through starvation, overwork or execution in a bid to create an agrarian utopia. Regime co-founder Ieng Sary died in March at the age of 87, escaping a court judgment over his role in the regime s reign of terror. AFP BEIJING China toilet baby leaves hospital FRAN WANG A NEWBORN boy who was rescued from a toilet pipe in China has been released from hospital, the director of the facility said on May 30, five days after an ordeal that captured worldwide interest. The child, from Jinhua in the eastern province of Zhejiang, and dubbed Baby No 59 by nurses after the number of his incubator, become lodged in the pipe after his mother gave birth. The boy was picked up yesterday, said Wu Xinhong, chief of Pujiang People s Hospital, where he was treated,. He did not specify who collected him, but said they were accompanied by police. The boy will be cared for by his mother, grandparents and the man believed to be his father, China s state news agency Xinhua cited local officials as saying, adding that the man plans to contest his paternity. Details of the case were not entirely clear, with the Jinhua Daily, a local newspaper, saying on May 30 that police were still looking for the father. The mother will not face prosecution as she did not drop the boy on purpose, police previously said. Users of China s hugely popular Sina Weibo, a social networking service similar to Twitter, condemned the parents while expressing good wishes for the boy. The poor baby, hope the child can grow up healthy, one user wrote. This frame grab taken from AFPTV footage received on May 28 shows rescue workers breaking away bits of a pipe in the city of Jinhua to remove a newborn baby boy stuck inside. Photo: AFP The mother, 22 and unmarried, had kept her pregnancy secret and gave birth unexpectedly when she went to the toilet on May 25, police and state-run media said. She tried to grab the newborn before it fell into the toilet, but its body was too slippery, Xinhua reported, citing police records. The boy fell into the squat toilet and became stuck in a 10-centimetre (4-inch) tube, which firefighters spent an hour taking apart before they could rescue him. The 2.3-kilogram (5-pound) baby was trapped for at least three hours, authorities and media reports said, and suffered some cuts to his face and limbs. AFP An activist holds up a placard during a rally outside the Foreign Ministry Korean defectors. Photo: AFP SEOUL Repatriation refugees spar Nine young North Koreans captured in Laos have b human rights activists that the refugees might face TRADE MARK CAUTION Merck KGaA, (a Corporation with general partners) of Darmstadt, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- MERCK Reg. No. 8907/2010 in respect of Class 07: Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than handoperated; incubators for eggs. Class 11: Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes. Class 40: Treatment of materials. Class 42: Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software. Class 44: Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services. 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 Merck KGaA P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 June 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION Kao Kabushiki Kaisha (also trading as Kao Corporation), of 14-10, Nihonbashi Kayabacho 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- Reg. No. 3859/2010 GRANMULA Reg. No. 3860/2010 in respect of Int l Class 3: Soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions. Int l Class 21: Household or kitchen utensils and containers (not of precious metal or coated therewith); combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes), perfume atomizers (containers), cosmetic brushes, eye brow brushes, hair brushes, nail brushes, shaving brushes, hair combs, powder compacts not of precious metals (containers), dispensers for liquid soap, soap holders, sponge holders, powder puffs. 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 Kao Kabushiki Kaisha P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 June 2013 PARK CHAN-KYONG HUMAN rights monitors and North Korean defector groups voiced anger and concern on May 30 over the forced repatriation to Pyongyang of nine young refugees captured in Laos. The case has aroused strong public feeling in South Korea. Some have accused the foreign ministry, which has declined to comment on the issue in any detail, of failing in its duty to protect the refugees once they got to Laos. Most North Korean refugees begin their escape by crossing into China and then try to make it to third countries often in Southeast Asia where they seek permission to resettle in South Korea. If they are caught and returned to the North they can face severe punishment. The nine arrested in Laos around three weeks ago were returned to China on May 27 and then flown back to Pyongyang the next day. Laos had previously been seen as a relatively safe and popular transit point, and its decision in this case to return the nine refugees aged between 15 and 23 prompted strong expressions of concern. Laos and China demonstrated their disregard for human rights by allowing the North Korean government to forcibly return these nine people without fulfilling their obligations to allow refugee status determination, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director Laos and China demonstrated their disregard for human rights by allowing the North Korean government to forcibly return these nine people without fulfilling their obligations to allow refugee status determination. Phil Robertson Deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch

43 in Seoul, South Korea, on May 29 urging China to stop repatriating North of N Korean ks anger een returned to Pyongyang, sparking fears among punishment at the hands of their government for Human Rights Watch. These three governments will share the blame if further harm comes to these people, he said. In South Korea, the foreign ministry came under fire after it emerged that its embassy in Vientiane had been aware of the refugees arrest but had been unable to prevent their return to China. The South Korean embassy in Laos should be held accountable for their tragic journey home, the Joong Ang Daily said in an editorial. It seems the embassy simply watched them be repatriated. The Seoul-based North Korea Refugees Human Rights Association was equally scathing in its assessment. This happened because of the South Korean foreign ministry s lack of care for North Korean refugees, said association president Kim Yong-Hwa. In a regular press briefing on May 30, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Tai-Young suggested Seoul was reluctant to comment for fear of worsening the situation for the repatriated refugees. We re not trying to cover things up. We are doing this because the safety of these people are our top priority, Cho said. He did note that the foreign ministry had conveyed its feelings on the matter to Laos and had raised the issue with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. In a further development, South Korea s Dong-A Ilbo newspaper on May 30 quoted an unidentified diplomatic source as saying one of the repatriated refugees was the son of a Japanese woman abducted to North Korea in the 1970s. North Korea s abduction of Japanese people decades ago to train its spies is a running sore in relations between the two countries. Human Rights Watch urged North Korea to reveal the whereabouts of the nine returnees and to demonstrate they were not being ill-treated. North Korea has to come clean on where these nine refugees are and publicly guarantee that they will not be harmed or retaliated against for having fled the country, said Mr Robertson. Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, some 25,000 North Koreans have escaped most after a deadly famine in the mid-1990s and settled in the South. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is believed to have tightened border controls since he came to power after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December The number of refugees arriving in South Korea plunged more than 40 percent to 1508 last year. AFP SINGAPORE S pore warns foreigners to obey its laws SINGAPORE on May 29 issued a stern warning to foreigners to abide by its laws, after Malaysians arrested for staging an illegal protest had appealed for leniency. Foreigners who break the law in Singapore should be prepared to face the consequences, including having their visas or work passes revoked, the foreign and interior ministries said in a joint statement. Twenty-one Malaysians in the city-state were arrested on May 11 after they staged an illegal protest in Singapore following disputed elections in their neighbouring homeland. They had gone ahead with the protest at a park along Singapore s popular Marina Bay promenade despite police warnings not to repeat a demonstration held on the same spot three days earlier by some 100 Malaysians. That initial rally coincided with a mammoth protest in Kuala Lumpur by the Malaysian opposition, which claims it was robbed of victory in the May 5 parliamentary elections through fraud. The protesters were subsequently released on bail, but three of them had their work and visit passes revoked by the Singapore authorities. Police said the work passes of the 18 others were also being reviewed. It is clear that some of the Malaysians who participated in the two illegal gatherings at Merlion Park deliberately ignored repeated warnings that the protests were illegal, said the government statement on May 29. It also criticised the protesters for approaching opposition lawmakers in Malaysia to petition for leniency on their behalf. Their actions to involve foreign parties are attempts to seek special treatment and to Singapore is within its rights to take actions against the protesters, according to its own rules and regulations. Hussin Nayan Malaysia s high commissioner to Singapore further politicise what is essentially a domestic law and order issue in Singapore, the statement said. Singapore does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries. In turn Singapore will not tolerate outside forces interfering in our internal affairs. Under Singapore s Public Order Act, organisers of illegal protests can be jailed for up to six months or fined S$10,000 (US$7900). They can also be both jailed and fined. Participants can be fined up to S$5000 (US$3950). Malaysia s high commissioner to Singapore Hussin Nayan said after the arrests that it expected Malaysians overseas to abide by the laws of their host countries. Singapore is within its rights to take actions against the protesters, according to its own rules and regulations, he said. Singapore was ejected from the Malaysian federation in 1965 after a brief union between the two former British colonies, but they are bound by strong economic, political, cultural and family links. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION SANOFI PASTEUR, a French Societe Anonyme of 2, Avenue Pont Pasteur, LYON, France, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- AVAXIM Reg. No. 3922/2003 MENINGO A+C Reg. No. 6491/2004 PENTAXIM Reg. No. 6490/2004 TETRAct-HIB Reg. No. 3923/2003 in respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical products, vaccines. 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 SANOFI PASTEUR P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 June 2013 BRIEFS Jakarta Indonesian mosques ordered to reduce volume Indonesian mosques have been ordered to cut down on their use of loudspeakers, an Islamic group said on May 29. There are some 800,000 mosques in Indonesia, and many use speakers to blast out the call to prayer and Koranic verses. But the Indonesian Mosques Council ordered that loudspeakers facing into surrounding neighbourhoods should broadcast only the call to prayer, which is often relatively quiet and short, said Masdar Masudi, deputy head of the council. Previous attempts to get mosques to lower their volume have met with extreme opposition. Washington Uighur group faults China on Islam practice China has imposed a bewildering array of regulations on the practice of Islam by its minority Uighur population that have severely impeded religious freedom, an advocacy group warned on May 29. The US-based Uighur Human Rights Project, in a study based on witness interviews, said China has pursued an unrelenting drive of everrepressive measures against the mostly Muslim people in the Xinjiang region. The study said China has progressively narrowed the scope of legal activity through national regulations on religion imposed in The report called for China to end its array of restrictions and to allow an independent Islamic clergy, and to include Asia-Pacific World 43 Uighur representatives on bodies that govern religion. Beijing Obama surfs internet from Chinese cafe US President Barack Obama appears to be a regular customer of a Chinese internet cafe, the official sdnews.com. cn website reported on May 29, after the manager forged an identity card in the US leader s name to help surfers avoid China s web rules. The card has a picture of Obama, lists his correct birthday and gives his address as White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. The manager of the shop in Jinan, Shandong Province, created the card by printing out Obama s personal details and sticking them on a genuine ID lost by its holder in Doing so allowed him to give customers without documentation easy access to the internet. Bangkok Thai soldiers likely shot Italian journalist Thai soldiers are believed to have shot an Italian photographer who was killed during mass opposition street protests in Bangkok in 2010, an official inquest found on May 29. The probe by a criminal court in the Thai capital was unable to identify the individual who fired the bullet that struck Fabio Polenghi, a freelance photographer who was covering the twomonth-long demonstrations. Polenghi was killed on May 19, 2010, the day when soldiers firing live ammunition stormed the Red Shirt protest movement s sprawling rally base in the centre of Bangkok. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION N.V. Organon, a Company incorporated in the Netherlands, of Kloosterstraat 6, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- CERAZETTE Reg. No. 1736/2001 MERCILON Reg. No. 1734/2001 in respect of medicines and pharmaceutical preparations for human use; oral contraceptives. PREGNYL Reg. No. 1733/2001 in respect of medicines and pharmaceutical preparations for human use; medicines and pharmaceutical preparations for stimulating human fertility. RISELLE Reg. No. 1732/2001 in respect of medicines and pharmaceutical preparations for hormone replacement therapy. 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 N.V. Organon P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 3 June 2013

44 44 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 THE PULSE EDITOR: E G T Y O U R F I N G E R S O N I T Cover so irksome WASHINGTON Khaled Hosseini grapples with love and loss in his new novel MANUEL ROIG-FRANZIA THE little girls were beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful, with the brightest of green eyes. Their home was in an Afghan village that could hardly be called a village, more like a collection of shacks out on the windy Shomali Plain, north of Kabul. What fascinated Khaled Hosseini on that day in 2009, what has made him go back to that moment in his mind over and over, was how those two girls, sisters dressed in torn rags, interacted. When Hosseini handed an apple to the eldest - she couldn t have been more than six or seven - she instinctively passed it to her sister, who was two or three years younger. Others might have seen misery that day; Hosseini saw something sublime. Love. They guilelessly loved each other, Hosseini says in a tuckedaway booth at a downtown Washington hotel. Hosseini kept returning to those girls in his mind in the months that followed as he was writing And the And the Mountains Echoed is a novel that draws considerable emotional power from the tug of sibling love and devotion. Photo: Penguin Group Mountains Echoed, a novel that draws considerable emotional power from the tug of sibling love and devotion. The multigenerational saga, which was released this week, is the third and most fully realised novel by Hosseini, whose previous works, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, have sold more than 38 million copies worldwide. In the decade since the 2003 debut of The Kite Runner, Hosseini has become one of the publishing world s biggest sensations. But the 48-year-old author walks into the hotel lobby without being noticed. He quietly and politely introduces himself. He is a compactly built man with a close-cropped beard, a man with a soft voice and a serious, reserved manner. He is not one for making grand entrances. He doesn t glad hand. It s as if Khaled Hosseini, the famous author, threatens to get in the way of Khaled Hosseini, the observer who wants to melt into the scenery. Hosseini was born in Afghanistan, but his father was a diplomat and the family moved abroad in 1976 when he was 11. They became exiles after the 1978 Afghan coup and were eventually granted political asylum in the United States. He became a doctor, a profession that didn t feel right to him and that he escaped by writing fiction. On his trips to Afghanistan as an adult, he says, he often found himself hesitating. He wanted to understand the place and the people, but he felt conflicting emotions - Afghan, but not exactly one of them. I was never quite sure how to approach people, he says. He wasn t sure how he fit in, whether he was entitled to ask them questions. Hosseini s literary success has given him an extraordinary platform, one that he s leveraged as a goodwill envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and through his Khaled Hosseini Foundation, which focuses on humanitarian projects, such as providing shelter for the displaced. Here is where philanthropy and artistry meet. At their core, both grapple with the effects of displacement and separation. There s this primal desire to want to reconnect, to reunite, Hosseini says. In And the Mountains Echoed, Hosseini tells the story of Abdullah and Pari, a brother and sister wrenched apart when Pari is sold by their impoverished father to a wealthy family. Pari means fairy in Farsi. In later years, she will recall the words of a Farsi song: I know a sad little fairy/ Who was blown away by the wind one night. Pari grows up abroad in wealth and privilege, becoming a college professor; Abdullah must eventually flee war-ravaged Afghanistan for the United States, where he opens Abe s Kabob House in California. Memory keeps alive the sister he lost. He even gives his daughter the same name. The daughter constructs an imaginary sister for herself from the scraps of her father s memories. I saw her in the bathroom mirror when we brushed our teeth side-by-side, Abdullah s daughter muses. Abdullah s daughter forms a deep friendship with a neighbor boy who becomes a Marine. He returns from the war in Afghanistan in a wheelchair after being hit by a roadside bomb. Last month, Hosseini went to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He met young men who, much like Pari s friend, came back from Afghanistan in wheelchairs. They were still boys, really, but boys with an arm or leg torn off. He felt a tug. A human impulse. Like Pari, he wondered whether he should apologise. But he wasn t sure. It s not as if he represented Afghanistan in some official way. But still there was that pull, that desire to make amends for what happened in the place of his birth. He resisted the impulse, but he kept turning it over in his mind, sifting through the reasoning. I know it makes no sense, he says, almost as if he s talking to himself there in the hotel lobby s hidden corner. I know it s not rational. Washington Post LOS ANGELES RYAN NAKASHIMA T HERE are about 600 versions of Adele s Oscarwinning song Skyfall on the Spotify subscription music service. Not one of them features Adele. Adele s label, XL Recordings, keeps her music off of all-you-can-listen subscription plans until download sales peter out. In the meantime, copycat artists fill the void, racking up royalty revenue, often before customers realise they ve been listening to someone else. Alice Bonde Nissen found that out the hard way. She once paid 99 krone (US$17) a month for Spotify s premium service in Denmark. Bonde found a version of Skyfall and mistakenly clicked on a follow button to become a fan of GMPresents and Jocelyn Scofield, the name for a cover-song specialist with some 4600 Spotify followers. Scofield, who 'New technology, from affordable digital recording equipment and sound-mixing programs to convenient online services are making home-made covers an easy and profitable endeavour.' didn t respond to a message seeking comment for this story, has the most listened-to cover of Skyfall on the service.

45 the pulse 45 ngs: Homage or marketing ploy? Singer Adele performs Skyfall during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on February 24.Photo: AP When I found out that I couldn t find the original Skyfall (and some other hits) I decided to quit Spotify, Nissen says. Thousands of cover songs crowd digital music services such as Spotify and Rhapsody and listeners are getting annoyed. The phenomenon threatens the growth of these services which have millions of paying subscribers and could hold back the tepid recovery of a music industry still reeling from the decline of the CD. Streaming services put a world of music at listeners fingertips with millions of tracks, everything from the latest pop hits to age-old violin concertos. For a flat fee usually about $10 a month in the United States users can listen to as many songs as they wish. The music resides on the provider s servers and gets transmitted, or streamed, to subscribers as they listen on smartphones, tablet computers and PCs. The services allow users to store songs on their devices as long as they keep paying. But because such a vast selection can be stored online in the so-called cloud, when listeners search for popular songs, they often find oddball renditions. Today anyone with a computer, a microphone and an internet connection can create and distribute a cover. New technology, from affordable digital recording equipment and sound-mixing programs to convenient online services are making homemade covers an easy and profitable endeavour. And sing-it-yourself shows such as American Idol, The Voice and The X Factor are fuelling the notion that anyone with a decent voice can be a star. Spotify s head of development and analysis, Sachin Doshi, acknowledges that finding covers instead of originals can be frustrating. We recognise it s a problem we haven t fully solved yet, Doshi says. Jon Maples, Rhapsody s vice president of product management, says customers have asked that cover songs be removed and the company has targeted 10,000 for deletion. It just clutters the experience, he says. Some independent artists insist cover songs are a fast way to achieve fame. Kina Grannis says covers are helping her build a fan base. US copyright law says cover artists don t require the original artist s permission, as long as they get a license, pay royalties and let the original songwriters release their version first. Streaming services like Spotify are obligated by law to handle songwriting royalties on behalf of cover artists. Obtaining a license to record a cover is easy and inexpensive. Services like Google Inc s Limelight, which launched in late 2009, offer commercial song licenses to anyone who fills out a form. For each song they cover, artists pay a $15 fee. By law, Limelight also charges $9.10 in advance for every 100 downloads the artists may sell. TuneCore, which launched in 2006, distributes songs on outlets like itunes for $10 per track. Selling a couple hundred tracks because of consumer confusion or otherwise can earn cover artists enough money to pay the bills. The hurdle is so low for the average amateur that once a hit song comes out, it s covered quickly. Take Suit & Tie, a Justin Timberlake song released by RCA Records in January. There are already around 180 covers on Spotify in addition to Timberlake s version. Since Adele s Skyfall was released in October, it has sold more than 1.9 million copies in the US. Cover artists sold more than 54,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The top-selling cover was produced by Movie Sounds Unlimited, a subsidiary of German music publisher BMG, and sold over 9800 units. The singer on the Movie Sounds Unlimited version of Skyfall imitates Adele s official version down to the brassy intro and the unique way the British diva rolls over the sound L like an O when she sings Let the sky fall when it crum-bows. On itunes, 35 people have reviewed the album containing Movie Sounds Unlimited s version of Skyfall. Half of them felt the purchase was a dud, giving the album a one-star rating, the lowest in the electronic store. Adele s voice is perfect for this song, not whoever sung it for this album, writes one reviewer. AP

46 46 the pulse local THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 A decade of rock from Nine Planets BLACK-CLAD fans braved drizzle to rock with their favourite bands on May 29 at the People s Square Park in Yangon to celebrate the 10 th Anniversary of Nine Planets Entertainment. Big Bag, Wanted, Idiots, Reason, Drive and Fever 109 were the headlined acts. Fears about the danger of electric shock caused by damp cables helped delay the proceedings for 90 minutes, until 7.30pm, when Fever 109 took the stage with four opening numbers. Then along came Idiots, whose lead singer Raymond kept fans minds off the wet weather. For many of them, their black accessories didn t include umbrellas. The concert played out in two parts, with each band performing eight songs. Hottest act of the night was Wanted, which set off yells and screams throughout the park. But unlike some other gigs, no fighting broke out. Just a lot of jumping up and down and singing. By midnight the concert was over. But the jumping and the singing continued into the small hours, elsewhere. Lwin Mar Htun Raymond from Idiots at the Nine Planets Entertainment. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing Six years of silence broken AFTER six years of silence, Myanmar Music Association (Central) school is to reopen, teaching current and traditional Myanmar music ws well as singing, piano and computer-assisted composition. Fees for the three-month course are K30,000. Class supervisor U Soe Htut Khaing said the first intake would be 40 students. The school was closed down six years ago because of the situation at Bass Ninja stars in Myanmar JAPANESE bassist Quagero Imazawa played at the Excel Tower on May 31 as part of an exchange program with Myanmar musicians.. Known as Bass Ninja, Imazawa has been attracting international attention since launching his career in Tokyo in His tour was organised by Myat Poe Nwe and Hein Media group. When they told me I was going to perform with him, I watched his solos on the website. What he does with that time. Now we re looking forward to making music again, said U Soe Htut Khaing. Daw Tin Tin Win and Daw Hlaing will teach Myanmar traditional music. U Thet Swe will teach music theory. Other instructors include pianist U Tin Maung Kyi and gold medallist U Ba Zaw Hein, and Thar Min Thit. The current president of Myanmar Music Association is U Tin Oo. Nandar Aung just a single bass guitar is amazing. His creativity is wonderful. He plays backing while he is playing solos, said Ma Sai, who will play alongside the bassist at the concert. A visit from a talented musician like him shows the world is not ignoring us, and they are trying to give us a hand. It makes me very proud, she said. Imazawa has released 15 albums and plays about 250 gigs a year. Nuam Bawi Double winners at the Shwe Amyu Tay literature awards YANGON S literary lights packed into an invitation-only awards ceremony at Traders Hotel last week to watch as more than K8 million in prizes were handed out to writers. The day of the eighth Shwe Amyu Tay literature awards ceremony, May 24, was also the 69 th birthday of U Win Nyein, founder of Shwe Amyu Tay magazine and A Lin Tan weekly journal. On a stage set designed by Myint Maung Kyaw depicting the freedom of the press against a background reminiscent of Tatmadaw propaganda, dancers from Stars & Models Agency performed as the winners waited to collect their prizes. U Tin Khine, a member of the awards committee, said all winning entries had appeared in local publications over the past 12 months. NYEIN EI EI HTWE nyeineieihtwe23@gmail.com We judged pieces under six headings: artistry, technique, simplicity of description, creativity, merit and contemporary feeling, he said. The judges included scriptwriters, poets, writers and editors. The poetry award was won by Moe Thit Wai s The Magic Show by Mr David Python, published in Yanant Thit magazine last February. The features award went to Zaw Win for his The Technique of Cola War, which appeared in Yanant Thit last November. Zaw Win won the same award Mg Hnin Pan s Pointing to took the prize for aesthetic literature, published in Shwe Amyu Tay last November. The short novel award was won by Ngway Zin Yaw Oo s Low Tide, which appeared in Shwe Amyu Tay magazine in April. The new face of Shwe Amyu Tay award was judged to be Zay Oo Yar, author of Chest Which Lightens the New Star published in January, and the prize for the long novel was won by Aung Phyo Kyaw s Velvet Curtain from May s Shwe Amyu Tay. The award for the episodic novel went to Suu Ngaht s When the Golden Dove Escapes from the Cage, published from February to April in Shwe Amyu Tay. The total prize money awarded was K8,210,000, with a highest single prize of K1,480, 000. U Win Nyein receiveds a birthday gift at the Shwe Amyu Tay literature awards. Photo: Supplied by awards organisers Zarganar to release a fourth book MYANMAR s best known comedian, Zarganar, will this month release his fourth book about his experiences of being jailed as a political prisoner in a Myitkyina prison in northern Kachin state. Zarganar s satirical writing attracts many fans, but the comedian says it s not due to his talents as a writer. I think I am popular mainly because people want to know what it is like to go to jail, said Zarganar. I don t think it s because of my writing skills. His fourth book titled Third and Fourth is about the third and fourth time he was jailed and the hardships he and his family faced. Prisoners often rely on their families to bring food and sanitary products to where they are incarcerated. At the time, for Zaganar and his family, it was particularly difficult because his family were based in Yangon, far away from Myitkyina. The artist says he prefers to write non-fiction and biographies about people he admires. Apart from the fourth book to be released soon, he has also working on a biography about three former neighbours who were also jailed as political prisoners. I want people to know about them, to know their story. Ei Ei Thu

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48 48 the pulse tea break THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Laugh all the way to the bank when you rent this space. The tea break page is being re-formatted in readiness for our move to a daily cycle. It may look something like this in the future. Our market research shows that a page like this attracts a large number of readers, who loyally read it every day. Ring Khin Thandar Htay our National Sales Director to book this space permanently and laugh all the way to the bank with the extra business coming in your door. Telephone us now on

49 the pulse local 49 Singapore and Myanmar developing foreign relations through film LWIN MAR HTUN S INGAPOREANS will get a chance to view the best of Myanmar film-making at what is being billed as the first-ever Singapore-Myanmar Film Festival on July 7. Five Myanmar films from among those submitted by more than 30 directors have already been selected for screening at Singapore s Golden Village theatre. This year s festival is dedicated to Myanmar filmmakers living in or outside of the country. We want to give them a chance to shine, festival director Mr Benoit Schaack, told The Myanmar Times office on May 27. The event is being organised and funded by the Singapore Myanmar Exchange Organisation with the theme Behind Closed Doors. We received mostly short films, plus one or two longer features, said Daw Marlar Tun, director of the organisation and coordinator of the festival. She added: The short films were very good and we hope next year to have more long features. This looks like a chance to gain valuable experience, said Maung Maung Tha Myint, whose film Floating Bliss features young artists in Myanmar. On the day of the festival we will showcase the five best films, and the prize-winner will be announced on that day, said Mr Schaack. Judges for the one-day festival include a creative director, an educator, a producer and an award-winning director of photography. We re also organising a workshop [in Singapore] for the winners. From this trip, they can get exposure, useful tips, contacts and ideas from other filmmakers, said Mr Schaack. We believe Myanmar has a lot of talent. We want to show we re capable of world-class standards, said Daw Marlar Tun. The Singapore Myanmar Exchange Organisation will fly the five competitors to Singapore. It is a non-profit organisation that aims to support and develop ties between Myanmar and Singapore through educational, artistic, trade and technological opportunities. We believe exchanges between the two countries will benefit both, said Mr Schaak. The first Singapore and Myanmar film festival is set to open doors for young Myanmar filmmakers. Photo: Supplied

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51 the pulse food and drink51 Mmm... more mango mania PHYO'S COOKING ADVENTURE I m still enjoying mango season and eating lots of scrumptious mango salads, mango pickles, mango cakes and now, drinking mango lassi. Lassi is a traditional Indian natural yoghurt drink but it s also popular in Myanmar. One of the best ways to use up overripe mangoes is to blend them into a lassi. You can pick up natural yoghurt at any good supermarket. It s usually stored in either plastic containers or clay pots in the refrigerated section. A mango lassi is a healthy alternative to a soft drink, easy to make and kids also love it, although for them, I recommend using less sugar. My little one has recently been enjoying ice-pop mango lassi leftovers. CLASSIC MANGO LASSI (4 SERVINGS) INGREDIENTS 3 ripe mangoes 400 grams yoghurt 3 tablespoons sugar (or less) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup water 2 cups ice PREPARATION Cut the tops off the mangoes and wash well. Scoop the mango flesh out. Mix the mango, yoghurt, sugar, salt and water into blender and blend until smooth. If the blender can crush the ice, add the ice cubes as well. If the blender can t crush the ice, chill the mango lassi for minutes and serve with ice. SPICY MANGO LASSI 3 ripe mangoes 400 grams yoghurt 3 tablespoons sugar (or less) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup water 2 cups ice 10 grams ginger (peeled and grated) ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom 1 cup milk 6 mint leaves PREPARATION Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix blend until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Pour the lassi into chilled glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with mint leaves. TIPS Chill the serving glasses for half an hour before making the lassi. Freeze any leftover portions in an ice-pop tray to enjoy later. Use sein ta lone mango for its natural sweetness. For the spiced mango lassi: If ground cardamom is not available, grind 2 cardamom seeds. FOODIE QUOTE Food is our common ground, a universal experience. - James Beard NEXT WEEK Chilli and crab pasta with pear and rocket salad. WINE REVIEW Aung San sushi house still one of the best in town Red Wine Marchesi Antinori Pèppoli 2010 If you could liquefy and bottle Mogok rubies, they might look like this Italian sangiovese (90pc) and merlot (10pc) blend, which is characterised by silky-smooth tannins and a spicy, pleasantly lingering flavour. K21,000 White Wine Calvet Prestige Semillon Sauvignon 2008 No surprises here, which in this case is a good thing: The sauvignon grapes lend a typically snappy, fruity tang to this white Bordeaux. Pop the cork and drink away a rainy day. Score K12,700 Score 8/10 7/10 dlong125@gmail.com DOUGLAS LONG IT S always a good sign when you enter a Japanese restaurant and most of the tables are already occupied by sushi-scoffing and sake-sipping patrons, all of them Japanese. Such has been my experience during each of my visits to Ichiban-Kan at Aung San Stadium, a long-standing favourite among the growing number of Japanese restaurants in Yangon. The dining room is fairly small, with tables and chairs in the middle, and cosy booths with Japanese-style floor seating along the northern wall. Soft Japanese music floats in the air, adding to the homey atmosphere. Once seated, warm towels are delivered promptly to the table, and orders are taken as soon as you re ready (the limited size of the dining area means the waiters have nowhere to hide from customers). On my most recent visit I ordered the katsudon (deep-fried pork cutlet and egg over a bowl of rice K7500), which came with miso soup and a minuscule ginger salad. Katsudon has always been one of my preferred choices here many other restaurants add too much salt to the pork, but Ichiban-Kan gets the balance of flavours just right. I also ordered the tekka maki (tuna roll, K8000), which comes with 12 pieces of sushi. You will likely be asked whether you want wasabi included in the roll or delivered to the table as a side condiment. Choose the first option only if you re a big fan of wasabi; the robust dose will set your nose a- twitching, though will not overwhelm the taste of the tuna. Local and Japanese beers are available on the menu, but for me a Japanese meal on a rainy, early-monsoon evening requires warm sake as an accompaniment (K5000 for a small decanter). The Japanese have perfected the art of making alcoholic beverages from fermented rice. Having recently returned from a trip to Shan State, where the local rice wine is heady enough to topple a mastodon, I can appreciate Japan s less-potency-ismore approach when it comes to creating a palatable and enjoyable alcoholic drink. Ichiban-Kan Japanese Restaurant Aung San Stadium (North Wing), Gyophyu Road, Yangon Food: 9 Drink: 9 Service: 9 Atmosphere: 8 X factor: 8 Value for money: 9 Score: 9/10 Katsudon. Photo: Douglas Long Tekka maki. Photo: Douglas Long

52 52 the pulse socialite THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Vista Bar Tais-toi & dance! Happy Japanese restaurant opening Ma Nilar and Thar Thar DJ Jeni U Myat Moe Aung Ko Min Ko, Ko Thiha Zaw and Ko Pyae Thu Khine Toyota new car showroom opening U Mya Lwin, Daw Khin Mya Sandar Win and Uno Flemex new products launch Daw Khin Mya Sandar and Ma Nwe Yee Mon Takashi Komiyama, Hisayuki Sugano, Toshinao Hirno Glasslock new products launch Dr Shwe Sin Ma Yee Yee Aung and Ma Nandar Aung Ko Aung Pyae Soe and Ma Khine Nyein Chan s wedding reception Ko Aung Pyae Soe and Ma Khine Nyein Chan Melody Daw Mar Lar Win and U Kyaw Kyaw Win Ma Mee Mee Hnin Khine and Ma Thin Lae Lae Khine U Kyaw Kyaw Aung and Hla Saw Tun Alex Kim and Ko Han Win Htut

53 the pulse socialite 53 NYEIN EI EI HTWE Hitachi new products launch UNDETERRED by the onslaught of rainy season, Socialite diligently carried out her socialising duties last week. She started her outings with the Hitachi new products launch at the Traders Hotel on May 20. The next day, she was off to the Glasslock products launch at Sein Gay Har Super Centre. On May 22, Socialite was there for the Pandoit new product and she managed to pop into the wedding reception of Ko Pyae Soe and Ma Khine Nyein Chan at Hnin Zi Gone Home for the Aged. May 25 kept her scrambling around town as she travelled to 8 Miles for the Fresh Thai restaurant opening, and then back into the city centre for the KATE Goldish Eyes cosmetic launch at Junction Square. Later, she made an appearance at the Lolane lucky draw at Orchid Hotel, but alas did not win anything. Finally, Socialite ended her week at the Happy Japanese restaurant opening at Thuwunna Township and the Toyota car showroom opening in Bahan Township on May 26. Hiroki Nakano Ma Su Htet Aung Fresh Thai Restaurant opening Ko Nay Myo Ma Nan Kham Mon Kuramoto, Lam Chee Wei and Ricky Rang Mainbo Guest KATE Goldish Eyes product launch Models Myu Lin Ko Ko Nyan Lin Aung Panduit new products launch Joena, Eric, Gilbert Lee, Judith Lee and Eaknarong Jitkum Lolane Hair Care s lucky draw Ko Ye Thuya, Ko Sai Sai and Ko Win Kyaw Oo Ma Yin Yin Tint Ma Chit Phoo Wai Ko Myo Min Han, U Maung Maung Ma Nan and Daw Hla Win

54 54 the pulse travel THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW MON 6T 401 7:00 7:55 UB-A1 7:30 8:30 UB-B1 11:30 12:30 YH 731/732 13:30 14:35 UB-C1 16:30 17:30 TUE UB-A1 7:30 8:30 UB-B1 11:30 12:30 UB-C1 16:30 17:30 WED UB-A1 7:30 8:30 UB-B1 11:30 12:30 UB-C1 16:30 17:30 THUR UB-A1 7:30 8:30 UB-B1 11:30 12:30 UB-C1 16:30 17:30 FRI UB-A1 7:30 8:30 UB-B1 11:30 12:30 6T :30 16:25 UB-C1 16:30 17:30 SAT UB-A1 8:00 9:00 SUN UB-A1 15:30 16:30 NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON MON UB-A2 8:50 9:50 UB-B2 13:00 14:00 YH 731/732 14:35 17:25 UB-C2 18:00 19:00 TUE UB-A2 8:50 9:50 UB-B2 13:00 14:00 UB-C2 18:00 19:00 WED UB-A2 8:50 9:50 UB-B2 13:00 14:00 UB-C2 18:00 19:00 THUR UB-A2 8:50 9:50 UB-B2 13:00 14:00 UB-C2 18:00 19:00 FRI UB-A2 8:50 9:50 UB-B2 13:00 14:00 6T :00 17:55 UB-C2 18:00 19:00 SAT UB-A2 10:00 11:00 SUN UB-A2 17:00 18:00 YANGON TO MANDALAY MON YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 7:00 9:40 K :30 8:40 YJ 201 6:30 9:05 YJ 001 8:00 8:55 K :00 9:25 YJ :00 12:55 YH :15 13:25 K :00 13:25 YH :30 16:05 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 YH :00 17:10 TUE YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 K :30 8:40 K :45 8:10 YJ 201 6:10 8:15 8M :00 10:10 K :00 13:45 YJ 143/W :00 9:05 YJ :30 13:25 YH :15 14:15 K :00 13:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 WED YJ 891 6:10 8:15 YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 K :30 8:40 YJ 143/W :00 9:05 K :30 9:35 YJ 001 8:00 8:55 K :00 9:25 YJ 751/W :00 12:55 YH :15 13:25 YJ :30 12:55 K :00 13:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 THUR YJ 201 6:00 8:25 YJ 891 6:10 8:15 YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 K :30 8:40 K :45 8:10 YJ 143/W :00 9:05 8M :00 10:10 YJ :00 12:55 YH :15 14:15 K :00 13:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 FRI YJ 891 6:10 8:15 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 YJ :30 12:55 YH 917 6:30 9:50 K :30 8:40 YJ 143/W :00 9:05 K :30 9:35 K :00 9:25 YJ 751/W :00 12:55 YH :15 13:25 K :00 13:25 K :00 14:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 SAT YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 K :30 8:40 YJ 761 7:00 8:55 YJ 143/W :00 9:05 YJ 001 8:00 8:55 K :00 13:45 YJ 601/W :00 11:25 YH :15 14:15 K :00 13:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 SUN YH 917 6:10 8:40 Y :15 7:30 6T 401 6:30 8:35 K :30 8:40 YJ 761 7:00 8:55 YJ143/W :00 9:05 K :30 9:35 YJ 001 8:00 8:55 K :00 9:25 8M :00 10:10 YJ 601/W :00 11:25 YH :15 13:25 K :00 13:25 K :30 16:35 6T 501/K :30 16:35 MANDALAY TO YANGON MON Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 6T :00 12:00 K :55 11:00 YJ :00 11:55 YJ :10 13:35 K :40 16:05 YJ :00 18:05 6T 502/K :50 19:00 K :40 18:05 YH :45 18:10 K :50 19:00 YH :05 17:25 TUE Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 YJ :20 12:45 K :40 18:05 K :50 19:00 6T 502/K :50 19:00 YJ :05 18:30 8M :20 18:30 YH :00 19:25 K :00 19:25 WED Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 YJ 892 8:30 10:25 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 Y :30 10:30 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 YJ :00 11:55 K :40 16:05 YJ :00 17:55 K :40 18:05 K :50 19:00 6T 502/K :50 19:00 YH :25 18:50 YJ 752/W :50 19:15 THUR Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 YJ 892 8:30 10:25 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 YJ :30 12:55 K :40 18:05 YJ :35 18:00 6T 502/K :50 19:00 K :50 19:00 8M :20 18:30 FRI Y :10 9:25 YJ 892 8:30 10:25 YH 918 9:50 11:15 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 Y :30 10:30 YJ :30 17:55 YH :45 18:10 K :40 18:05 K :50 19:00 6T 502/K :50 19:00 K :40 19:05 YJ 752/W :50 19:15 SAT Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 Y :30 10:30 YJ :00 11:55 YJ :00 13:55 YJ 602/W :20 18:15 K :40 18:05 K :50 19:00 6T 502/K :50 19:00 YH :00 19:25 SUN Y :10 9:25 YH 918 8:40 10:45 YJ 143/W :20 11:15 6T 402/K :55 10:55 K :55 11:00 Y :30 10:30 YJ :10 13:35 YJ 725/W :50 18:15 6T 502/K :50 19:00 K :40 18:05 K :50 19:00 8M :20 18:30 YH :25 18:50 YANGON TO NYAUNG U MON YJ 201 6:30 8:20 YH 917 6:10 7:45 6T 401 7:00 8:55 K :30 7:50 YH 909 6:30 8:55 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :30 17:25 YH :00 17:55 TUE YH 917 6:10 7:45 YJ 201 6:10 7:45 6T 401/K :30 7:50 K :30 7:50 6T 501/K :30 17:20 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 K :30 17:25 WED YH 917 6:10 7:45 YJ 891 6:10 7:30 6T 401/K :30 7:50 K :30 7:50 K :45 8:05 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :30 17:25 THUR YJ 891 6:10 7:30 YH 917 6:10 7:45 6T 401/K :30 7:50 K :30 7:50 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :30 17:25 FRI YJ 891 6:10 7:30 YH 917 6:30 8:05 6T 401/K :30 7:50 K :30 7:50 K :45 8:05 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :30 17:25 SAT YH 917 6:10 7:45 6T 401/K :30 7:50 K :30 7:50 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :30 17:25 SUN YH 917 6:10 7:45 6T 401/K :30 7:50 YJ 211 6:30 7:50 K :30 7:50 YJ 143/W :00 8:20 6T 501/K :30 17:20 K :15 16:25 K :30 17:25 NYAUNG U TO YANGON MON YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401 9:10 12:00 YH 910 8:55 10:15 K :05 11:00 YJ :45 18:05 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 YH :55 19:15 TUE YJ 143/W :35 11:15 YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 WED YJ 891 7:45 10:25 YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 YJ 143/W :35 11:15 K :40 18:00 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 THUR YJ 891 7:45 10:25 YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 YJ 143/W :35 11:15 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 FRI YJ 891 7:45 10:25 YH 917 8:05 11:15 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 YJ 143/W :35 11:15 K :40 18:00 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 SAT YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 YJ 143/W :35 11:15 K :40 18:00 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 SUN YH 917 7:45 10:45 6T 401/K7222 8:05 10:55 K :05 11:00 YJ 143/W :35 11:15 6T 502/K :40 19:00 K :45 19:00 YANGON TO MYITKYINA MON YJ 201 6:30 10:30 K :00 10:55 K :00 14:55 TUE YJ 201 6:10 9:40 K :30 11:05 K :00 14:55 WED K :00 10:55 YJ :30 14:20 K :00 14:55 THUR K :30 11:05 YJ 201 6:30 9:50 K :00 14:55 FRI YJ :30 14:20 K :00 11:30 K :00 14:55 SUN YJ 211 6:30 10:00 K :00 11:30 K :00 14:55 MYITKYINA TO YANGON MON YJ :45 13:35 K :10 16:05 K :10 18:05 TUE YJ 202 9:55 12:45 K :20 16:00 K :10 18:05 WED K :10 16:05 K :10 18:05 YJ :35 17:55 THUR K :20 16:00 K :10 18:05 YJ :05 12:55 FRI K :45 15:15 YJ :35 17:55 K :10 18:05 SAT K :10 18:05 SUN YJ :15 13:35 K :45 15:15 K :10 18:05 YANGON TO HEHO MON YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401 7:00 10:35 K :30 9:30 K :30 8:45 YJ :00 12:10 YH :15 12:40 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 YH :30 15:20 Domestic 6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan YJ = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways UB = FMI UB Charter Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines TUE YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :00 11:15 YJ :30 12:40 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 WED YJ 891 6:10 9:00 YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :30 8:45 YJ 751/W :00 12:10 YH :15 12:40 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 THUR YJ 891 6:10 9:00 YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ :00 12:10 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :30 8:45 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 FRI YJ 891 6:10 9:00 YH 917 6:30 9:05 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :30 8:45 YJ 751/W :00 12:10 YH :15 12:40 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 SAT YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ 761 7:00 8:10 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :30 8:45 K :00 11:15 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 SUN YH 917 6:10 9:35 6T 401/K7222 6:30 9:30 K :30 9:30 YJ 143/W :00 9:50 K :30 8:45 YJ 751/W :00 11:10 YH :15 12:40 6T 501/K :30 15:40 K :30 15:45 HEHO TO YANGON MON YH 918 9:35 10:45 K :30 8:45 K :45 11:00 6T :50 12:00 K :50 15:05 YH :20 17:25 YH :00 18:10 6T 501/K :00 19:00 K :00 19:00 TUE YH 918 9:35 10:45 YJ :20 18:30 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 6T 501/K :00 19:00 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 K :50 16:05 K :00 19:00 WED YH 918 9:35 10:45 YJ 892 9:15 10:25 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 6T 501/K :00 19:00 YH :40 18:50 K :40 14:55 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 K :00 19:00 THUR YJ 892 9:15 10:25 YH 918 9:35 10:45 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 K :50 15:05 YJ :50 18:00 6T 501/K :00 19:00 K :00 19:00 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 Subject to change without notice FRI YH 918 9:05 11:15 YJ 892 9:15 10:25 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 K :40 14:55 YH :00 18:10 6T 501/K :00 19:00 K :00 19:00 SAT YH 918 9:35 10:45 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 YJ :45 13:55 K :40 14:55 K :50 16:05 6T 501/K :00 19:00 K :00 19:00 YJ 602/W :05 18:15 SUN YH 918 9:35 10:45 6T 402/K7223 9:45 10:55 K :45 11:00 YJ 143/W :05 11:15 K :40 14:55 6T 501/K :00 19:00 K :00 19:00 YH :40 18:50 YANGON TO SITTWE MON W9 501/YJ :45 12:10 6T :30 13:55 TUE K :00 14:20 6T :30 15:55 WED W9 501/YJ :45 12:10 6T :30 15:55 THRU K :00 14:20 6T :30 15:55 FRI W9 501/YJ :45 12:10 6T :15 13:15 SAT K :00 14:20 6T :30 15:55 SUN 6T :30 12:55 SITTWE TO YANGON MON 6T :15 16:15 W9 502/YJ :25 13:50 TUE K :35 15:55 6T :15 17:40 WED 6T :15 17:40 W9 502/YJ :25 13:50 THUR K :35 15:55 6T :15 17:40 Domestic Airlines Air Bagan Ltd.(W9) Tel : , , , Fax : Air KBZ (K7) Tel: ~80, ~39 (Airport), Fax: Air Mandalay (6T) Tel : (Head Office) , , Fax: Airport: ~3, Fax: Asian Wings (AW) Tel: , , 09- International Airlines Air Asia (FD) Tel: , Air Bagan Ltd.(W9) Tel : , , , Fax : Air China (CA) Tel : , Air India Tel : ~98, Fax: Bangkok Airways (PG) Tel: , , Fax: Condor (DE) Tel: up to 39 (ext : 810) Dragonair (KA) Tel: , , Fax : Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) FRI 6T :35 15:00 W9 502/YJ :25 13:50 SAT K :35 15:55 6T :15 17:40 SUN K :55 10:50 6T :15 14:40 YANGON TO MYEIK MON K :00 9:05 TUE K :00 9:05 YJ 301 7:00 9:10 6T 707 7:30 9:30 WED K :00 9:05 6T :15 13:15 YJ301 11:30 13:40 THUR K :00 9:05 YJ 301 7:00 9:10 FRI K :00 9:05 YJ 301 7:00 9:10 SAT K :00 9:05 YJ 301 7:00 9:10 6T :15 13:15 SUN K :00 9:05 YJ 301 7:00 9:10 6T 707 7:30 9:30 MYEIK TO YANGON MON K :30 13:35 TUE YJ :25 13:35 K :30 13:35 6T :55 13:55 WED YJ :25 13:35 K :30 13:35 6T :40 17:40 THUR YJ :55 18:05 K :30 13:35 FRI YJ :25 13:35 K :30 13:35 SAT K :30 13:35 YJ :25 18:35 6T :40 17:40 SUN K :30 13:35 6T :55 13:55 YJ :25 18:35 YANGON TO THANDWE MON 6T :30 15:05 6T :15 12:10 THANDWE TO YANGON MON 6T :20 16:15 FRI 6T :25 15: ~3.Fax: Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) Tel: , , Mobile: , Fax: Yangon Airways(YH) Tel: (+95-1) , , , Fax: FMI Air Charter - Sales & Reservations Tel: (95-1) , / (+95-9) Tel: , , Mobile: , Fax: Malaysia Airlines (MH) Tel : , ext : 120, 121, 122 Fax : Myanmar Airways International(8M) Tel : , Fax: Silk Air(MI) Tel: ~9, Fax: Thai Airways (TG) Tel : ~6, Fax : Vietnam Airlines (VN) Fax : Tel / / Qatar Airways (Temporary Office) Tel: , (ext: 8142, 8210)

55 the pulse travel 55 YANGON TO BANGKOK MON PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 PG :20 20:15 Y :05 19:50 TG :45 21:40 TUE PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 WED PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 THUR PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 FRI PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 SAT PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 SUN PG 706 7:15 9:30 8M 335 9:00 10:45 TG 304 9:50 11:45 PG :30 12:25 TG :55 16:50 8M :30 18:15 Y :05 19:50 PG :20 20:15 TG :45 21:40 YANGON TO DON MUENG MON FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 TUE FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 WED FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 THUR FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 FRI FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 SAT FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 SUN FD :30 10:20 FD :50 14:05 FD :50 19:35 YANGON TO SINGAPORE MON MI 509 0:25 5:00 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 8M 6232/3K :30 16:05 3K :30 16:05 MI :40 21:15 TUE MI 509 0:25 5:00 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 3K :30 16:05 8M 6232/3K :15 15:50 VN :25 17:10 MI :40 21:15 WED 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 8M 6232/3K :30 16:05 3K :30 16:05 MI :40 21:15 THUR 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 3K :30 16:05 8M 6232/3K :15 15:50 VN :25 17:10 MI :40 21:15 FRI 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 3K :30 16:05 8M 6232/3K :30 16:05 8M :05 19:30 MI :40 21:15 SAT MI 509 0:25 5:00 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 8M 6232/3K :30 16:05 3K :30 16:05 8M :05 19:30 MI :40 21:15 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr Days Flight Dep Arr SUN MI 509 0:25 5:00 8M 231 8:00 12:25 Y :10 14:40 SQ :25 14:45 3K :30 16:05 8M 6232/3K :15 15:50 VN :25 17:10 8M :05 19:30 MI :40 21:15 YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR MON 8M 501 7:50 11:50 AK :30 12:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 TUE AK :30 12:50 8M 501 7:50 11:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 MH :55 21:10 WED AK :30 12:50 8M 501 7:50 11:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 THUR AK :30 12:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 FRI AK :30 12:50 8M 501 7:50 11:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 MH :55 21:10 SAT AK :30 12:50 8M 501 7:50 11:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 SUN AK :30 12:50 MH :15 16:30 AK :45 21:00 MH :55 21:10 YANGON TO BEIJING TUE CA :15 21:55 WED CA :15 21:55 THUR CA :15 21:55 SAT CA :15 21:55 SUN CA :15 21:55 YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU MON CZ :40 22:15 TUE 8M 711 8:40 13:15 WED CZ :20 15:50 THUR 8M 711 8:40 13:15 FRI CZ :40 22:15 SAT CZ :20 15:50 SUN 8M 711 8:40 13:15 YANGON TO TAIPEI MON CI :50 16:10 TUE CI :50 16:10 BR :35 17:20 WED CI :50 16:10 THUR CI :50 16:10 FRI CI :50 16:10 BR :35 17:20 SAT BR :35 17:20 SUN CI :50 16:10 YANGON TO KUNMING MON MU :40 18:00 TUE CA :15 17:35 MU :40 18:00 WED MU :20 18:10 CA :15 17:35 THUR CA :15 17:35 MU :40 18:00 FRI MU :40 18:00 SAT CA :15 17:35 MU :40 18:00 SUN CA :15 17:35 MU :40 18:00 YANGON TO KOLKATA MON AI :05 15:05 FRI AI :05 15:05 YANGON TO CHIANG MAI THUR W :20 16:10 SUN W :20 16:10 YANGON TO HANOI MON VN :10 21:30 WED VN :10 21:30 FRI VN :10 21:30 SAT VN :10 21:30 SUN VN :10 21:30 YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY TUE VN :25 17:10 THUR VN :25 17:10 SUN VN :25 17:10 YANGON TO GAYA MON 8M 601 7:00 8:20 WED 8M 601 7:00 8:20 FRI 8M 601 7:00 8:20 SAT 8M 601 7:00 8:20 YANGON TO DOHA MON QR 619 8:15 11:15 THUR QR 619 8:15 11:15 FRI QR 619 8:15 11:15 YANGON TO PHNOM PENH WED 8M :50 19:15 SAT 8M :50 19:15 YANGON TO SEOUL MON KE :45 8:05+1:00 TUE KE :40 8:05+1:00 WED KE :40 8:05+1:00 THUR KE :40 8:05+1:00 0Z 770 0:35 9:10 FRI KE :40 8:05+1:00 SAT KE :40 8:05+1:00 SUN KE :40 8:05+1:00 0Z :35 9:10 YANGON TO HONG KONG MON KA 251 1:10 6:00 TUE KA 251 1:10 5:45 THUR KA 251 1:10 5:45 SAT KA 251 1:10 5:45 YANGON TO TOKYO MON NH :30 06:40+1 WED NH :30 06:40+1 SAT NH :30 06:40+1 MANDALAY TO BANGKOK MON 8M 335 8:25 10:45 TUE 8M 335 8:25 10:45 TG 782 9:30 11:55 WED 8M 335 8:25 10:45 THUR 8M 335 8:25 10:45 FRI 8M 335 8:25 10:45 TG 782 9:30 11:55 SAT 8M 335 8:25 10:45 TG 782 9:30 11:55 SUN 8M 335 8:25 10:45 TG 782 9:30 11:55 MANDALAY TO SINGAPORE MON 8M 335 8:25 15:15 TUE 8M 335 8:25 15:15 WED 8M 335 8:25 15:15 THUR 8M 335 8:25 15:15 FRI 8M 335 8:25 15:15 SAT 8M 335 8:25 15:15 SUN 8M 335 8:25 15:15 MANDALAY TO DON MUENG MON FD :45 15:00 TUE FD :45 15:00 WED FD :45 15:00 THUR FD :45 15:00 FRI FD :45 15:00 SAT FD :45 15:00 SUN FD :45 15:00 MANDALAY TO KUNMING MON MU :40 17:20 TUE MU :40 17:20 WED MU :40 17:20 THUR MU :40 17:20 FRI MU :40 17:20 SAT MU :40 17:20 SUN MU :40 17:20 MANDALAY TO GAYA TUE 8M :10 12:15 THUR 8M :10 12:15 SUN 8M :10 12:15 BANGKOK TO YANGON MON 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 Tue 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 WED 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 THUR 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 FRI 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 SAT 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 SUN 8M 336 6:15 7:00 FD :15 8:00 TG 303 7:55 8:50 PG 701 8:50 9:40 TG :00 13:45 PG :45 17:35 FD :50 17:35 TG :50 18:45 8M :15 20:00 PG :15 21:30 Y :10 21:55 DON MUENG TO YANGON MON FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 TUE FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 WED FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 THUR FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 FRI FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 SAT FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 SUN FD :15 8:00 FD :10 11:45 FD :35 17:20 SINGAPORE TO YANGON MON SQ 998 7:55 9:20 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M 6231/3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :10 23:35 Y :35 17:05 MI :20 15:45 TUE SQ 998 7:55 9:20 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M 6231/3K 585 8:55 10:25 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 WED SQ 998 7:55 9:20 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M 6231/3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 THUR SQ 998 7:55 9:20 8M 6231/3K 585 8:55 10:25 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 FRI SQ 998 7:55 9:20 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M 6231/3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 8M :30 21:55 MI :10 23:35 SAT SQ 998 7:55 9:20 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M 6231/3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 8M :30 21:55 MI :10 23:35 SUN SQ 998 7:55 9:20 8M 6231/3K 585 8:55 10:25 3K 585 9:10 10:40 8M :25 14:50 MI :20 15:45 Y :35 17:05 8M :30 21:55 MI :10 23:35 BEIJING TO YANGON TUE CA 905 8:05 13:15 WED CA 905 8:05 13:15 THUR CA 905 8:05 13:15 SAT CA 905 8:05 13:15 SUN CA 905 8:05 13:15 KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON MON AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 8M :50 13:50 AK :05 16:15 TUE AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 8M :50 13:50 MH :45 15:55 AK :05 16:15 WED AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 8M :50 13:50 AK :05 16:15 THUR AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 AK :05 16:15 FRI AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 8M :50 13:50 MH :45 15:55 AK :05 16:15 SAT AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 8M :50 13:50 AK :05 16:15 SUN AK :55 8:00 MH :05 11:15 MH :45 15:55 AK :05 16:15 GUANGZHOU TO YANGON MON CZ :45 16:35 TUE 8M :15 15:50 WED CZ :40 10:30 THUR 8M :15 15:50 FRI CZ :45 16:35 SAT CZ :40 10:30 SUN 8M :15 15:50 TAIPEI TO YANGON MON CI :00 9:50 TUE CI :00 9:50 BR 287 7:45 10:35 WED CI :00 9:50 THUR CI :00 9:50 FRI CI :00 9:50 BR 287 7:45 10:35 SAT BR 287 7:45 10:35 SUN CI :00 9:50 KUNMING TO YANGON MON MU :30 13:55 TUE CA :40 13:15 MU :30 13:55 WED CA :40 13:15 MU :20 11:30 THUR CA :40 13:15 MU :30 13:55 FRI MU :30 13:55 SAT CA :40 13:15 MU :30 13:55 SUN CA :40 13:15 MU :30 13:55 KOLKATA TO YANGON MON AI :35 13:20 FRI AI :35 13:20 CHIANG MAI TO YANGON THUR W :20 18:10 SUN W :20 18:10 HANOI TO YANGON MON VN :35 18:10 WED VN :35 18:10 FRI VN :35 18:10 SAT VN :35 18:10 SUN VN :35 18:10 HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON TUE VN :40 13:25 THUR VN :40 13:25 SUN VN :40 13:25 GAYA TO YANGON MON 8M 602 9:20 12:30 WED 8M 602 9:20 12:30 FRI 8M 602 9:20 12:30 SAT 8M 602 9:20 12:30 BANGKOK TO MANDALAY MON 8M 336 6:15 7:35 TUE 8M 336 6:15 7:35 TG 781 7:25 8:50 WED 8M 336 6:15 7:35 THUR 8M 336 6:15 7:35 FRI 8M 336 6:15 7:35 TG 781 7:25 8:50 SAT 8M 336 6:15 7:35 TG 781 7:25 8:50 SUN 8M 336 6:15 7:35 TG 781 7:25 8:50 SINGAPORE TO MANDALAY MON 8M :05 7:35:00+1 TUE 8M :05 7:35:00+1 WED 8M :05 7:35:00+1 THUR 8M :05 7:35:00+1 FRI 8M :05 7:35:00+1 SAT 8M :05 7:35:00+1 SUN 8M :05 7:35:00+1 GAYA TO MANDALAY TUE 8M :15 16:20 THUR 8M :15 16:20 SUN 8M :15 16:20 DOHA TO YANGON WED QR :05 07:00+1 THUR QR :05 07:00+1 SUN QR :05 07:00+1 PHNOM PENH TO YANGON WED 8M :15 21:40 SAT 8M :15 21:40 SEOUL TO YANGON MON KE :40 22:55 TUE KE :40 22:55 WED KE :40 22:55 0Z :50 23:25 THUR KE :40 22:55 FRI KE :40 22:55 SAT KE :40 22:55 0Z :50 23:25 SUN KE :40 22:55 TOKYO TO YANGON MON NH :30 15:30 WED NH :10 17:05 SAT NH :10 17:05 HONG KONG TO YANGON MON KA :45 23:30 WED KA :45 23:30 FRI KA :45 23:30 SUN KA :45 23:30 DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY MON FD :50 12:15 TUE FD :50 12:15 WED FD :50 12:15 THUR FD :50 12:15 FRI FD :50 12:15 SAT FD :50 12:15 SUN FD :50 12:15 KUNMING TO MANDALAY MON MU :55 13:50 TUE MU :55 13:50 WED MU :55 13:50 THUR MU :55 13:50 FRI MU :55 13:50 SAT MU :55 13:50 SUN MU :55 13:50 International FD & AK = Air Asia IC = Indian Airlines Limited TG = Thai Airways W9 = Air Bagan 8M = Myanmar Airways International 3K = Jet Star Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines AI = Air India PG = Bangkok Airways QR = Qatar Airways MI = Silk Air KE = Korea Airlines VN = Vietnam Airline NH = All Nippon Airways MH = Malaysia Airlines SQ = Singapore Airways CZ = China Southern DE = Condor Airlines CI = China Airlines MU=China Eastern Airlines CA = Air China BR = Eva Airlines KA = Dragonair DE = Condor Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines Subject to change without notice BERLIN Anish Kapoor in: Apocalypse as art CATHERINE HICKLEY OUR hands fly to our ears as a deafening blast reverberates through the halls of the Martin Gropius Bau. A cannon is firing heavy bullets of burgundy wax into a corner in test runs before the opening of an exhibition of the sculptor Anish Kapoor. They splat against a pristine white wall and form a slimy pile on the polished floorboards. A child who created this kind of noise and mess at home would be in trouble. But a license to play is part of the process of coming to meaning, Kapoor, 59, told a group of art critics during a break from putting finishing touches to the show. At his latest playground, visitors will be offered ear plugs before contemplating Shooting Into the Corner. The cannon must be loaded manually and will fire about every 40 minutes. It is extremely loud. Red wax and pigments, mirrors and machines, movement and sculptures that develop and change are recurring themes in this spectacular - and playful - exhibition. Kapoor in Berlin comprises about 70 works and runs until November 24. The centerpiece is Symphony for a Beloved Sun, which takes over the sky-lighted central courtyard of the Martin Gropius Bau, a 19th-century museum. A flat, wine-red disc on a stand reaches 18 meters (59 feet) high, surrounded by four conveyor belts tipped up toward it, as though in salutation. Slabs of burgundy wax move slowly up the chutes, pitch over the edge, and land on the floor with a thud. Lit only by the real sun shining through the skylights, the work struck me as more of a requiem than a symphony, almost apocalyptic. The color suggests a dying sun, a dark reflection of the real thing. The work must also allude to Olafur Eliasson s Weather Project, a giant yellow sun that the Danish- Icelandic artist installed in Tate Modern s Turbine Hall in 2003 and encouraged millions of visitors to bathe in its light. (Eliasson also exhibited in the Martin Gropius Bau in 2010, building a palace of mirrors and light in the hall.) Kapoor said he is much more interested in darkness where others are more interested in light. His sun reflects stormier, more crisis-ridden times than Eliasson s. It refuses to invite or enchant; instead it unsettles and asks questions. The Death of Leviathan is a huge, largely deflated pile of brown PVC that sprawls from one room to another. Leviathan is a biblical monster that the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes used as a metaphor for the power of the state. A child who created this kind of noise and mess at home would be in trouble. But a license to play is part of the process of coming to meaning. Anish Kapoor Artist Here Kapoor is referencing his own work: His Leviathan in the Grand Palais in Paris in 2011 was a walk-in balloon whose reddish interior suggested a human belly. He dedicated that work to Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist who was at that time in custody without having been charged with any offense. Kapoor refuses to interpret his work. Do I know what I am trying to say? he asked. No. Do I want to know what I am trying to say? No. He realises, he said, that his outsize PVC sculpture proposes the idea of the death of the state. I didn t set out to do that, he said. Bloomberg Paint and muck as art, at the Martin Gropius Bau in Berlin. Photo: Washington Post

56 56 the pulse review THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Guidebook obscures modern Myanmar under retro patina Myanmar: Burma in Style by Caroline Courtauld, Odyssey, 2013 DOUGLAS LONG MOST travel guidebooks are not intended to be read cover-to-cover, but instead dipped into whenever information is needed on a specific region or aspect of the country in question. Caroline Courtauld s awkwardly titled Myanmar: Burma in Style, a guidebook released earlier this year by Hong Kong based Odyssey Books, aims to offer a more complete, and more literary, reading experience for those planning to visit the so-called Golden Land. The book immediately stands out for the effort put into the visual presentation: It s printed on heavy, glossy paper, and the pages are peppered with dozens of colourful, high-quality photographs of people and places around the country. But does the content of Burma in Style deliver on the promise of the surface sheen? The book s basic structure holds few surprises. The introduction includes sections on history, geography, people of Myanmar, religion and society, and festival and theatre. There are also facts for the traveller (getting around, visas, health, food, shopping), practical information (travel agencies, hotels, restaurants), Sunset near Hpa-an in Karen State. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing reading recommendations, maps and a glossary. As for destinations, the focus remains on the main tourist circuit Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake while information on secondary sites such as Nay Pyi Taw, Mrauk Oo, Mawlamyine and Kachin State is kept very brief. As such, Burma in Style is best suited for readers who have never been to Myanmar. However, even those who have lived in-country for a while might find it handy to read the Special Topic sections on nats, lacquerware, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and more, as well as Literary Excerpts by authors ranging from George Orwell to Norman Lewis. Burma in Style is not without its problems. For starters, the text seems quickly written. The sentence structure is often awkward, even sloppy at times, and there are occasional irreconcilable, and inexcusable, contradictions within the same paragraph. To give just two examples:the brief section on Setse Beach begins: Before starting the hot return journey to Mawlamyine, pause at Setse Beach for a refreshing swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Mottama (formerly Martaban). Three sentences later we read, in reference to the same beach: As this beach is south of the Ayeyarwady Delta the sea water here is brown, so not so inviting for a swim. Concerning Thatbinnyu Temple in Bagan, we are told that its main attraction is the view from its terraces, spectacular both at dawn and dusk and that owing to its central position it is the most popular vantage point in Bagan. But then: Sadly, due to the Mount Zwegabin in Karen State. The guidebook promotes travel around Myanmar. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing erosion of the brick it is now no longer possible to climb this temple. There is also a disappointing lack of specificity concerning recent events, which might point to a lack of up-to-date primary research. Strangely, precise years are given for remote historical events, such as the construction of specific temples at Bagan, but pretty much everything that has occurred during the past two decades is lost in temporal ambiguity. For example, the National Museum is said to have moved to a new building in Yangon a few years ago (it moved in 1996), while Chaung Tha Beach lacks adequate accommodation because it only opened to foreigners fairly recently (also 1996). In fact, the word recent recurred so frequently in lieu of precise dates that its repeated appearance soon became very noticeable and very grating. The author s focus on the distant past rather than more recent developments fits comfortably within Courtauld s tendency to over-romanticise Myanmar. Any form of development is apparently felt to be an inconvenient and inconsequential assault on the quaintness that foreign visitors hold so dear. For sure, the old-school description of Thingyan Water Festival won t come close to preparing visitors for the chaos that rules the streets of Yangon and Mandalay during the holiday, and Courtauld even claims that festival-goers will wait politely while you put your camera away before splashing you. (I hope the publishers have a good team of lawyers on hand to deal with readers who follow this poor advice and, as a result, find themselves in possession of broken, waterlogged cameras.) Other examples abound. In one The old-school description of Thingyan Water Festival won t come close to preparing visits for the chaos that rules the streets of Yangon and Mandalay. photo caption, Inle Lake is erroneously described as unpolluted (there are, in reality, big problems with pesticides, chemical fertilisers, siltation and untreated sewage from villages), and Mandalay is rather bizarrely portrayed as a city of wooden houses and grand colonial mansions (although in recent years the city landscape has started to change in ways unspecified by the author). This charming picture seems, at least in part, the result of an odd reliance on severely dated secondary sources. George Scott s 1882 volume The Burman: His Life and Notions is used as one of the author s main resources throughout the book, when it probably should have been relegated to a single Literary Excerpt sidebar. Despite these problems, Burma in Style especially the first-rate photography will succeed in infecting most readers with the travel bug. I ve been to nearly all the destinations covered in the book on multiple occasions but perusing it gave me a strong urge to lock up the house and head upcountry for a few days of exploration. What the publishers have created, in effect, is an undersized coffee-table book. Those considering a trip to Myanmar will likely be inspired certainly by the photographs and maps, and possibly even by some of the text to start booking their travel plans right away. But Burma in Style will have limited utility out in the field, and therefore probably won t make the cut when you re deciding what to pack in your suitcase or backpack. Bring along your much more useful Lonely Planet guide instead. WEEKLY PREDICTIONS JUNE 03-09, 2013 AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Although you are disciplined and reasonably serious by nature, you can sometimes find it difficult to take life seriously. Don t wait until it s too late to enjoy the good things around you. Spread some good vibes and also consider changes in your personal life. You know what to do. PISCES Feb 19 - March 20 Working to transform one s nature from self-centred, self-indulgent and selfrighteous to a harmonious personality will make everything easier and open new possibilities. Strengthen family relations and accept that by taking individual responsibility of your role in the family structure. Be careful to keep an eye out for the unexpected. ARIES Mar 21 - April 19 Goal-setting is essential to developing your potential. Life is looking up and up. Turn your ideas into practical reality. True intimacy may be within in your reach but you will have to learn how to be vulnerable. Start your enthusiasm with effective questions and looks. A positive approach is possible in seeking love. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Putting up barriers does not maintain healthy relationships. To keep love alive, you must remember that it requires sensuality and emotional investment. Once you take an honourable and honest approach, love will flow into your arms of warm care and responsibility. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Listen to your dreams for guidance but don t mistake them for reality. Recognising the difference between fact and fiction will help you better manifest your imagination. A demand for reviving the past results in disregarding more pressing (and current) circumstances. CANCER June 21 - July 20 Discover truths about yourself that will help you feel happier and more interesting both to you and your loved ones. Selfconfidence without an action plan gains nothing. It is time to apply your skills more intelligently. LEO Jul 23 - Aug 22 Here comes a freight train, so get onboard. There is a purpose behind all the madness. Listen with an open mind for the criticism that will soon follow. Suck it up. Use intuition when involved with other people, and take your time observing and sensing the atmosphere. Don t make waves in love matters. VIRGO Aug 23 Sep 22 You re always doing the right thing Virgo. Ask yourself if this is really making you happy. Break free if you need to. Selfdiscipline and moderation can come later but endurance will be required to make it through the daily grind. LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22 You are going to find yourself in some demanding situations soon. Follow a process and keep your dignity. This is not the time to experiment or be lazy. Also, remember to remain flexible and don t blow your lid over things you can t control. You are cool, you are calm. SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Wake up with the knowledge that you re going to kick a heap of goals this week. Set out to streamline your plans and achieve the impossible. Remember that people in power are watching your new enthusiasm and this may bring material rewards. With this in mind, it will be a memorable week. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Make sure to plan social commitments with people who you can gain experience and knowledge from. Other people have good intentions in the advice they give you, so don t get stirred up if you hear something you don t like. They mean well. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 Take a break from external responsibilities and take the time to nurture yourself a bit. Keep a serene attitude when dealing with people who test your patience. Money and practical fulfillment will come if you are not aggressive and retrogressive. AUNG MYIN KYAW 4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel: williameaste@gmail.com

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Interested parties pls contact SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab (16GB) With Original Box & Accessories (6 Month Warranty Card) Price : Ph : (1)MAZDA DEMIO 2007 model 1300 Cc W,AC,Navi,TV,DVD) BB/----Price: 97 lakhs (2)Toyota Corolla Van 1997 model 1500 Cc BB/---- price: 70 lakhs +slip(3)toyota Mark II 2004 model 2000 Cc 35th Anniversary S,PW,AC,Navi,TV,Back Camera) Price: 170 lakhs + slip (4)(AC, Navi,TV,Back Camera) Price: 170 lakhs + slip. Ph: MCWILL [ 1MB, CPE Wifi with external antenna]ph: CAR Make of Car : Toyota Fortuner. Model : Colour : White. Condition: fairly good. Interested person may contact Ms.Thazin - Tel: IPHONE 4G 16GB Japan Lock No Phone Call Price : Ph : LENOVO G360 Intel Core i3 Ram 4GB H.D.D 500GB Graphics 1GB Display 14" Red Colour ( Like New). Price : Ph : i IPHONE 5 64GB Black, iphone 5 32GB Black, iphone 5 16GB White, Ph : SAMSUNG Galaxy S4 Black With Original Box & Accessories. Price : Ph : SONY VAIO VGN-CR35 Intel Core 2 Duo Ram 3GB H.D.D 250GB Graphics 256MB. Display 14" Black Colour ( Like New). Price : Ph : General SAFARI Phone Software & Hardware Service, Ph: HTET, Jade & Jewellery Shop, Ph: , Language MYANMAR : Within 24 hours can make you get confident in Myanmar language speaking & scripts. Teacher Phyu Phyu Khin: phyuporcupine@ gmail.com JAPANESE LANGUAGE center : Tokyo School, Learn Japanese Language & Bisiness Centre : Rm 707, 7 Flr, Yuzana Tower, Shwe Gone Dine, Bahan. Ph: actualtokyomax@ gmail.com ENGLISH Classes: English for Young Learners & Adult. General English (4 skills). Foundation English Course. Business English Course. One to One, Special class & Home. Sa Ya Zaw Myo Win, Ph: TEACHING Myanmar language (4 Skills) for foreigners Near Myay Ni Gone City Mart Ph: Training FOR TENNIS learners & trainees, the most talent and experienced tennis trainer of the holder of international tennis licensed trainer will guide and train you at your convenient time. The training fee is 2,500 Ks. per hour excluding other cost like ball picker and court fee. Contact : Phoe Htaung Travel ASIANA AIRLINES Promotion : Yangon to Seoul(ICN) Round - Trip $ 765 ( 1year validity, additional 10 kg Baggage, etc). Remark : Applicable on May & June. Flight Schdules :Yangon - Incheon OZ :50/08:50 Every Thursday & Sunday. Incheon - Yangon OZ :30/23:40 Every Wednesday, Saturday. Myankor Travel Service Co., Ltd. Representative : U Thura Tun. Ph: M&S Car Rental Service 146, L(2) Shwe Hnin Si St, Ward (5), 8(1/2) Mile, Mayangone, Yangon. Ph: mnscarrentalservice@ gmail.com. NYAN MYINT THU Car Rental Service : Ko Nyan Myint Win Kyi (MD) - No 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph : (+95) , Hp: (+95) il:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, nmt@ nyanmyintthucarrental. com, colwinkyi@ gmail.com. Web:www. nyanmyintthucarrental. com NATTHMEE Classical Travels Taunggyi-Inly- Kalaw-Pindaya 2 star rate hotels + Transportation + breakfast,lunch,dinner Package Trip for 4 night 5 days kyats for one person. Chaungtha Beach HotelMax,Belle Resort + Transportation + breakfast,lunch,dinner kyats for 1 person. (1 night ) kyats for one person (2 night) Ph: SHAN YOMA Travels & Tours Co., Ltd : Winner of Tourism Alliance Awards for 2011 & Arranging all tourism related services.124/126, 50th St, , com TO FOREIGNERS, TAXI service with an English speaker. Feel free to ask by yourself. Ph: Public Notices I, AJAY ADVANI, S/o. Anand Bashomal Advani, resident of 50/1601, Seawoods Estates, Sector-54/56/58, Nerul, Navi Mumbai in India and 118, Tower 'E', Pearl Condominium, Bahan Township, Yangon in Myanmar, have changed my name to AJJAAY ADVANI for all purposes. Want To Buy USED MACBOOK Pro, Macbook Air, imac, Mac Mini Sony Vaio, Dell, HP, Asus, Lenovo, MSI, Acer, Toshiba, Sing Tech, Samsung, Intel Core i3, i5, i7, B970, B960 B940, DualCore Core 2 Duo Laptop Notebook Netbook. Ph: IPHONE 5/4S /4 ipad 4/3/2/ Mini ipod 5/4/ Macbook Pro Macbook Air Samsung Note 1/2 S2 /S3/S4& Any Laptop. Ph: IPHONE 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G ipod 5, 4, ipad 4, 3, 2, Mini Wifi & Wifi+3G Samsung S2, S3, S4, Grand, Note 1, Note 2, Note 8.0, Any Samsung Tablet Sony Xperia Z, T, TX, Ion, S, SL, Acro S, J, P, U, E, V, Sola HTC Butterfly, One, One X, One X Plus, XL, XE, Desire VC HUAWEI Ascend D2, P1, U9508, U8951D, U8950, U8812D, U8825D, Mac book Pro, Macbook Air, imac, Any Laptop. Ph: HousingforRent PEARL CONDO (D), 15th Flr, 1500ft2,Corner Room, Fully furnished, 4 Air-con, 2BR, 1MBR, Suitable for foreigner, reasonable price, 1'350 US$ per month. contact no: Burmese: ; English: (1)NEAR AUNG SAN CITY MART, condo 1500 Sqft 2 MBR, 1SR, US$ 2222 (2)Hletan, Diamond condo, 1200 Sqft, 2 bed room,us$ 1111 (3) New University avenue condo, 2300 Sqft,3 bed room. US$ 2500(4) Chaung Tar condo,with swimming pool Sqft, 2 bed room, fully furnish, US$ 2777 (5)Strand Rd, near Strand Hotel, condo 2300 Sqft, 3 bed room, US$ 2134 (6) 9 Mile, U Mg Mg Soe St, 4200 Sqft 2 RC, 4 bed room, US$ Ph:, (1)PANSODAN ST condo, near Ruby Mart, 1250 Sqft.2 bed room, fully furnish.us$ 1667 (2) Bo Myat Tun St condo, good place.1500sqft, 2 bed room, fully furnish US$2000 (3)Shwe gon dine St condo, good place 1200 Sqft, 1 MBR, fully furnish US$ 900.(4) Near Taw win shopping mall condo, 1500 Sqft, 2 MBR, US$1667 (5) Near Park Royal hotel, Bo yar nyunt condo,1200 Sqft, 1MBR,1SR.US$1111. Ph: BAHAN,University Avenue, compound 85 by 120, 3 MB, 1 reading room, living room, dinning room, kitchen, servant quarter, BBQ house in the garden, ph, 3AC. $ Contact info , MAYANGONE, Kabaaye Gamonepwint Condo, 1850 sqft, 1 MBR, 2BR, 4 AC, Fully furniture, 4 Flr, Lift, Car parking, internet line. Teak Parquet, Teak cabinet, Cold/Hot water, Ph: (English), Pls contact directly, No broker. YANKIN CENTER, 1450 Sqft, 1 MB, 2 SB, 1 Landline Telephone, 4 A/C, 1 Washing M/C, 1 Fridge, 1 gas stove, 1 heater, fully furnished, satellite. Contact : APARTMENT in pearl condo, 2BR, 1 study room, 1300 Sqft. 3 air cons /fully furnished. No Agent Fees. Price/ 2200 usd / month. contact / Ma Thida : Ph: YANKIN, Yankin Centre, 3 bed rooms, tile floor, 1560 Sqft, fully furnished, satellite, generator, (Foreigner only) Contact: (1)THEIN PHYU ST (For show room or Office) 2500 Sqft. for 2 Flr. USD (2)Inya Rd (Near American club) (45' x 50') 2RC, 3MBR,1SR. USD (3)Inya Rd (Near Sakura Residence) (50' x 100') 6 MBR. 3 RC. USD (4)Golden Valley, 90' x 110', 2 RC. 4MBR. USD (5) Golden Valley, Than Lwin small lane, 60' x 100', 3RC. USD Ph : KYAUKTADA, (1)Panso dan St (Condo) 1500 Sqft, 1 MBR, 2SR USD. (2)Pansodan St (Condo) Near City Mark Sqft, 1MBR, 2SR, 2300 USD. (3)Diamond Condo (Near Hlae Tan Bridge) 1200 Sqft, 1MBR, 1SR USD (4)Near UNDP Office (750 Sqft) (3+4) Flr.Hall Type. USD 800. (5)Near Taw Win Shapping Mall.(Condo) Sqft, 2MBR, 1SR, Very good location USD 1800.Ph : BAHAN, (1)New University Rd, 80' x 60', 2 storey new house. Ks 45 lakhs. (2)Moe Myint San Condo, 2400 sqft, f f, 5 A/C, 30 Lakhs (3) Pearl Condo, 1750 sqft, 1 MB, 2 BR, 5 A/C, f f, 25 lakhs. Call Maureen: YANKIN, Moe Kaung Rd, 50' x 90' RC, 1 storey house. 25 lakhs. Maureen : HLAING, (647),# 8-C, Inya View Condominium, Pyay Rd. Ph: , (No Agents). HousingforSale MINGARDONG Garden, Kantkaw Yeik Tha. 100' x 100' x 4 pics (closed with beside and back side) Price : Kyats 2,475 lakh/100 ' x 100 ' x 1 pics. (can negotiate) contact person & ph : BAHAN, Pearl Condo (D), 15th Flr, 1500sqft, Corner Room, Fully furnished, 4 Air-con, 2BR, 1MBR. Suitable for foreigner, reasonable price, 1'350 US$. contact no: Burmese: ; English: MAYANGONE, 9 miles, Bonyarna Lane (50 x 70 x 65 ) garden with including house. (3700 Lakhs) House for Sales by Owner no agent pls. Ph: BAGAN, 5.13 acre Land for hotel development min from the Bangan airport.ph: SANCHAUNG, 12.5 x 55, 2 Flr, 1 A/C. 1 ine ph. 350 Lakhs. Negotiable. Ph: , MAYANGONE, 9 miles Bonyarna Lane, 50'x 70' garden with including house (3700 Lakhs) no agent pls. Ph: ,

58 FREE THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 Employment UN Positions WFP Myanmar is seeking (1) Programme Assistant (SC-5) 1 post : in Sittwe 6 months (Extendable) (Food/ Cash for Asset Engineer) (2) Programme Assistant (SSA-5) 1 post in Hakha Two months (Extendable) (Food/ Cash for Asset Engineer) Qualifications: Bachelor degree in majoring Civil engineering and/ or equivalent degree/ diploma in a field related to Civil engineering. 4 years of progressively responsible in rural infrastructure development projects & at least 1 year at level 4 or equivalent. Experience utilising computers including word processing, spreadsheet and other software packages. Fluency in both oral & written English and Myanmar. Pls send the applications with UN P-11 form to Human Resources Unit, World Food Programme, 3rd Flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yangon, Myanmar,P.O. Box 650(or) to Myanmar.vacancy@wfp. org COB 12 June 2013 IOM Int'l Organization for Migration is seeking Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant in Yangon : Myanmar National. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (Public Health, Epidemiology, Computer science, Statistics, Social science, or a related field). Well experience in the usage of computers and office software packages & advance knowledge of spread sheet & database packages, statistics analysis experience on evaluation of data, as well as, experience in updating data indicator in web system. Pls submit CV to IOM Mission in Myanmar - Yangon, 12 th Flr, Traders Hotel, No.223, Sule Pagoda Rd, Yangon. iomyangon@iom.int, Website: iom.int Ingo Positions HelpAge International Myanmar is seeking qualified and experience Myanmar National for the following position for one year (renewable based on performance):- Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (post based in Yangon with frequent visits to the fields: Kayin and Mon States) The M&E Officer is responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluation of the project; in particular, he/she will develop the Project M&E framework, build the monitoring plan, make the data collection and analysis and build the capacity of project staff and partners with regards to monitoring and evaluation. Responsibilities: Develop M&E framework and monitoring plan of the project. Develop monitoring tools. Collect and analyse data and report findings to other project staff and senior management of HelpAge and YWCA. Acts as the focal point for data collection and data updating. Train partner and field staff on M&E, use of M&E tools, etc. Regular Monitoring Field Visit to the project location according to the Work Plan. Develop Village Profile for each village according to the guideline of M&E Coordinator. Develop the Database of OPSHG and regularly update the information. Assist in the design of a resultoriented monitoring plan to measure progress towards realizing the outputs. Ensure that appropriate data collection procedures are developed for realistic, accurate tracking of performance indicators, ensure all data collected meets the specified performance indicators. Develop guidelines for streamlining and improving the quality and reliability of analysis and reporting procedures. Deliver M&E training to staff and community, as well as guidance and instruction in the gathering and integrity of field data. In collaboration with communities and technical staff, design a M&E system which uses a process of community self-assessment, knowledge generation and collective action to collaboratively define evaluation issues, determine indicators/ benchmarks, and collect and analyze data. Assist communities to take action as a result of what they learn through the M&E process. Support the team with qualitative and quantitative information on the project s progress. Meet all reporting requirements which include monthly, quarterly, annual reports, and any special on-demand reporting requests. Contribute to the development of a HelpAge Myanmar M&E framework by working in close collaboration with other M&E Staff as well as Project Managers. Qualifications and competencies : University degree, at least 2 years experience in M&E. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation of community-based project. Experience in the design of simple M&E tools with project staff and community leaders. Experience in training and mentoring staff and community leaders, facilitating development of simple -M&E tools by staff and community leaders to collect qualitative and quantitative information on project progress. Demonstrated English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking), and competency in database establishment and management. Working experience with communities in rural Myanmar an advantage. Competency in database establishment and management. Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send a Cover Letter and updated CV including three referees to the HR Unit of HelpAge International Myanmar Country Office, HelpAge International, no. 25 (A/1), New University Avenue Road, Saya San Ward, Kokkine, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar OR to hr.helpagemyanmar@ gmail.com to and Cc to tony.san@ helpagemyanmar.org no later than 5 p.m., Sunday, the 16th of June Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview that will take place on the last week of June in Yangon. HelpAge International (Myanmar) is seeking qualified and experience Myanmar nationals for the following positions :Position: Finance Manager (1 Post) Job Purpose: To ensure effective implementation of financial systems and control ensuring compliance with HelpAge International internal policies and procedures and donor contracts, production of timely management information and donor reports. This includes training and briefings for all staff and partners on procedures and ensuring that financial systems are adhered to by all. Key responsibilities Financial Accounting : To implement and maintain effective procedures and systems for financial management and control, ensuring compliance with corporate requirements and donor requirements. To implement and maintain effective accounting systems established by HelpAge for the recording of all financial information for the Myanmar office. To collaborate with regional office on the year-end procedure, ensuring that all financial returns are completed accurately and to the required timescale. To produce monthly accounts and donor financial reports to Regional office and donors in accordance with the organisation/ donor s requirements and timetable. To manage cash flow, ensuring that regular and accurate transfer requests are made. To liase with Audit staff (internal and external) ensuring that any recommendations and changes are fully implemented. To be a team player and work closely with colleagues in the office and the partner staff to be abreast of our activities as well as to share financial information that is relevant and useful to the programme staff. Management Accounting. To coordinate and oversee the budgeting, forecasting and End of Year Financial Report processes, liasing with APRDC. To support Programmes staff in the production of project budgets and proposals, advising on assumptions, risks and opportunities contained within the budgets. To provide advice to the Country Programme Manager on the validity of proposed budgets. To review and ensure that the financial processes including monitoring, accounting and reporting of all projects meet HelpAge standards and requirements. To ensure that thorough and effective budgetary control is undertaken. Presenting to SMT (Senior Management Team) every month a report highlighting the key variances reasons for these and any remedial action that is required. To identify the financial information needs of the country office and to set up systems to ensure that these needs are met. To advise the Country Director on all aspects of strategic financial management for the Country office, maintaining an overview of the key financial issues including the financial viability of the office and its work. To carry out all banking activities including a close monitoring of the exchange rate fluctuations and its impact on our work. Training, Support & Advice. To identify and assist in meeting the financial training needs of partners, staff and community organisations. To work with partners to ensure accounting systems and procedures are appropriate for donor requirements, and to provide monitoring and advice on improvement on adherence to systems and procedures Management : To line manage the Project Finance Officers / Account Assistants offering direction and support ensuring that their professional development need are identified and met. To represent the financial views and needs of the country office when liasing with Regional Office. Procurement : Be fully knowledgeable about HelpAge and donor procurement guidelines to ensure strict compliance. Support partner agencies and monitor compliance of the procurement guidelines. Qualifications and competencies : B.Com. CPA/ACCA. At least 5 years finance management experience in similar position with international agencies/ UN or equivalent. Experience in producing budgets, financial monitoring and donor reports. Solid experience in developing internal finance control systems. Experience in building staff capacity in accounting, controls, budgeting and project financial management. Experience in working as part of multi-disciplinary teams. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Advance computer skills particularly in Excel/ financial management software. Good command of spoken and written English. Ability to deliver under pressure and willingness to travel in the field. Position : Office Secretary (1 Post) Knowledge and experience: Graduate with at least 2-3 yrs experience in secretarial or administration field and fluent in English both written and spoken with good interpersonal skills; ability to work for long hours; computer literate in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet, Skills in maintain and updating filing system, experience in organizing international/domestic travel & strong familiarity with typing skills using both Myanmar (especially Zawgyi and Myanamar 2, 3 ) and English. Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae with at least three referees' and their address to the Human Resources Unit of HelpAge International Myanmar Country Office, No. 25-A-1, New University Avenue Road, Kokkine, Bahan Township, (Phone ,) Yangon OR by to hr.helpagemyanmar@ gmail.com no later than 5 p.m., 14th June Only short listed candidates will be invited for interview WORLD Vision Myanmar is seeking (1)Field Accountant (Strengthening Community and Health System Project) (Re- Open) in Kawthaung, Tanintharyi Region. (2) Program Finance Coordinator -2 posts in Konkyan, Shan (North) State and Kyaing Tong, Shan (East) State. For all posts : Bachelor University Degree in Accounting/ Finance or related subject. 3 years experience in the field of finance in commercial or public institutions. Good knowledge of computerize accounting as well as Microsoft Word and Excel. Ability to communicate in English and Myanmar effectively. Pls submit resume (clearly identify the post you apply) by post to HR Department, World Vision Myanmar or in person to application drop-box at 18, Shin Saw Pu Rd; Ahlone, Sanchaung PO or send to myajobapps@wvi.org Closing date : June 3, org.mm WORLD Vision Myanmar is seeking (1) Credit Facilitator (Micro Finance Program) Re- Open in Myaungmya, Ayeyarwady Region. University Degree in any discipline with some desired focus in Finance, Accounting and/or Development studies. (2)Branch Manager (Micro Finance Program) (Re-Open) in Hpa-an, Kayin State. University Bachelor Degree in any discipline & business management or finance and banking is preferable. Good communication skills in English & Myanmar. Must be computer literacy. (3) Zonal Health Specialist (Re-Open) 2 posts in Pathein, Ayeyarwaddy Region & Mawlamyine, Mon State. Must have Bachelor or Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Community Health. High level of knowledge and skills in specific issues regarding Maternal, Newborn, Child Health issues. Must have considerable degree of knowledge & skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel & Power Point. Must have considerable degree of written & oral communication skills in English and Myanmar. Pls submit resume (clearly identify the post you apply) by post to HR Department, World Vision Myanmar or in person to application drop-box at 18, Shin Saw Pu Rd; Ahlone, Sanchaung PO or send myajobapps@wvi.org Closing date :June 4, org.mm MYANMAR Red Cross Society is seeking Admin & Finance Assistant 1 post in Matupe: Relevant education background (accounting, finance, administration or equivalent). 2 years experience, preferably with a local or international organization. Know ledge of English in speaking & writing is an advantage. Computer literate. Pls submit: a letter of application, relevant documents & CV, 1 passport photo (Cover letter CV documents only need to be sent via ) to mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com before 7 th June 2013, www. myanmarredcrosssociety.org. MEDECINS Sans Frontiers - Holland (AZG) is seeking Translator 3 posts in Sittwe: Good command of English & Myanmar. Good computer skill. Pls send application letter, CV & passport photo, copies of education qualifications & references to: MSF- Holland/ AZG (Yangon Coordination) : 62A, Bawdiyeiktha-Thanlwin Rd, Bahan, Yangon. or through msfh.myanmar. recruitment@gmail, Closing date: 3 rd June, ACTION CONTRE la Faim Myanmar (ACF- Myanmar) is seeking (1) Programme Manager (Food security / Livelihoods / WaSH) for Maungdaw/Buthidaung, Rakhine State. Basic skills in Agronomy and/or economy and/or WASH, 4 years professional experiences(in Program me Management of Rural Development activities (Agriculture and/or social sciences or engineering),analytical capacity, Capacity to supervise a team, Good human relations, Good knowledge of projects implementation & command of PCM tools, Computer knowledge, Good command in English. Pls send application (cover letter, CV, references) to ACF Office, No 78(D), Than Lwin Rd, Bahan, Yangon OR Via an jobs. acf.mya@gmail.com Local Position MEL Services Co. is seeking Business Executive (Int'l Trading) : University graduate. Male. Age 25 ~ 30 years First sales experience for Machinery/ Technical products. 3 years relevant experience in Int'l Trading.Good command of written & spoken English. Willing to travel up country. Computer/ proper skills for overseas communication. Pls submit application in English together with C.V., copies of certificates, copy labour registration card, expected salary, recent photo & contact phone to 47 C, Inya Myaing Rd, Shwe Taung Kyar, Bahan, Yangon. Closing date : 7 June SENIOR Web Developer : 3 years professional experience in web development, Expert knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Jquery, PHP & MySQL required. Good knowledge of Unix/ Linux shell & the LAMP stack. Experience with CMS is a plus. Highly motivated to constantly learn & improve skills. Pls contact to mspiral creative media : 4011,11 Flr, Pinlone Htake Htar Condo, 246, Pansodan Rd, Kyauktada. www. mspiral.com CPL Aromas is a UK based progressive and fast growing fragrance house in the industry is seeking Sales Manager/ Sales Executive - M/F 1 post: Age 25 ~ 35. University graduate. A science degree holder will have an advantage. No experience is required. A good command of English. Incumbent who can converse in Mandarin will have an advantage. To the successful candidate, a fulfilling career in sales management with a bountiful commission scheme can be expected with the company. We are a very lean organization with a culture that promotes personal growth and lots of room to work freely and independently within the framework of team effort. We strive to have a professional and fun working environment while achieving our corporate goals and bottom lines. Pls resume to cheng.hy@ cplaromas.com before SANYO ENGINEERING & Construction Inc. Myanmar Branch,Yangon. # 505, Building 'C', Delta Plaza, Bahan, Yangon. Tel : (95) Fax : (95) (1) Electrical Engineer 3 Posts (2) Mechanical Engineer 3 Posts. Candidates must possess at least AGTI, B.Tech. or B.E. At least 5 years experience in Construction Site.Good interpersonal skill and willing to work under pressure.involve in site co-ordination among sub-contractors. Ensure that the Project Schedule is being met.to ensure that the work-men ship of the sub-contractors are acceptable standard requirements.willing to travel and work throughout the country in Myanmar. Excellent in leader-ship skill and strong communication skill. Able to communicate in Japanese language and English language is in advantage. Computer literate. Auto-cad drawing and estimation experience is preferable. Salary and benefits are negotiable and will be based on related work-experiences and abilities. Pls send CV, covering letter & related documents by not later than 14th,June,2013. TWJS Co., Ltd is seeking a few sales and marketing to be trained in abroad and make contract. We need English 4 skills. Good pay - commission and co.'s benefits. And office secretary and director assistant. Salaries are negotiable, dollars or kyats. Please submit in person your CV ASAP. We make interview in the same day. Office : 23, Bayint Naung Rd, Cross St. is Parami St., Hlaing, Yangon. Tel: , WE are seeking HR & Admin Manager - M 1 post : Any graduate with diploma/ degree/ professional qualification in Management. Age 35 ~ years experience in related HR & Admin field. Must have working experience at Senior Management Level. Must be able to responsible for Planning, Implementation& Reporting. Good personality communi cation & leadership skills. Pls submit CV detailing your experience, knowledge and skills with a recent photo, copies of NRC, Labour registration card and Education certificate to - No.B/7, Taw Win Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangone, hr.ho@pristine myanmar.com, Closing Date: 2 June, RESOURCE Integrated Services is seeking (1) BE Civil - M 3 posts: 3 years experience in Steel Building construction Field. Can Stay at site [2 time/ month (mostly Sunday)] can back to home By own cost.. (2) Pharmacist - M/F 3 posts. (3) Chief Account - F 2 posts. (4) Senior Account - F 2 posts. (5) Receptionist - F 5 posts. (6) Office Staff - M/F 5 posts. Above for staffs must be expert for each field. 2 years experience for any field. 219/2b Botahtaung Pagoda Rd, Middle. Near Orchid Hotel, Yangon, Ph: , (1)ASSISTANCE - F 5 posts : Must be speak English fluently, Age 25 ~ 30 (2) Computer - F 2 posts :word, Excel, photo editor, 2 years experience. (3) Driver- - M 2 posts :Age 35 ~ 55. Ph: MALE LIVE-IN HELPER - Expat single father with 2 boys, one 6 and the other 9 years old, living in a 3 bedroom condo on New University avenue, looking for male live-in helper (stay at home) to do house work, taking kids to school and running errands. Salary 180,000 per month. Pls send to voirlemonde@ hotmail.com with CV & references. Must speak enough English, be honest and reliable, good with children and have some related experience. Start date immediately. Ben (1)SOFTWARE/ Web Developer-2 post (2) Network/ Service Technician - 2 post (3)Junior Computer Network Technician- 2 post. Ph: , WE ARE currently seeing Sales Manager - M/F 1 post : Any Graduate, (MBA/DMA Degree is preferable). 5 years experience in Building materials & Sanitary wares. Excellent command of English Manage the productivity of the marketing plans and products. Monitor, review and report on all sales & marketing activity & results. Work Place : Rm.902, 9th Flr, Ahlone Tower, Ahlone. Working week: 5 ½ days Tel: , Ctc : Ms.Nway Nway. Pls submit application letter with personal details, qualification details, along with copies of related documents, 1 passport photo to above address not later than 7 June 2013 WE ARE currently seeking (1). Assistant Sales & Marketing Manager - M/F 1 Post : DMA or any graduate with 5 years sales experience in management level at reputed FMCG company. eadership skills. Good command of English & Software skills (Word, Excel, , internet ) (2). Sales Supervisor - M1 Post: Any graduate with 3 years experience with relevant position in FMCG. Responsible supervising sales team and sales activities. Age 25 ~ 30, Independent, well-organized, selfmotivated & team-player; Collaborative, hands on & dynamic personalities (3). Sales & Marketing Executive - M/F 2 Posts: Any Graduate, Certificate in Sales & Marketing Course is preferable, Customer oriented and highly motivated, Strong negotiation skills, Software skills (Word, Excel, , internet), Good command in English (4) Driver - M 1 post : Age 25 ~ 50, Pls submit application letter with personal details, qualification details, along with copies of related documents, 1 passport photo to Work Place : Rm.902, 9th Flr, Ahlone Tower, Ahlone. Working week :5 ½ days. Contact person: Ms. Nway Nway. Ph: , Closing date : 7 June, WE ARE looking for a Junior Sales Executive - M/F 1 post: Any graduate, but any diploma in Marketing or Business is preferred, Good acquisition skills, Fair level in English language, Can go out for sales and marketing case, Age 20 ~ 30. Have good teamworking & can work under pressure, Pls send CV to Rocket Internet Myanmar (we recommend to upload your CV and apply via Work.com.mm)! Pls send CV to theingi.oo@ work.com.mm or call for more info. Rocket Internet Co., Ltd: 512, 5th Flr, Hledan Centre, Kamaryut, Yangon SHAN YOMA Travel & Tours is looking for efficient, energetic and motivated individuals who can work for the positions stated as below: (1).Outbound Manager 1 Post (2).Sales & Marketing/ Operation staff 3 Posts (3).Web Developer & Designer -1 Post. Shan Yoma Travel & Tours Co., Ltd.: 124/126, 50th St, Pazundaung, Yangon, Ph: (951) , , , , INTERNATIONAL law firm seeking qualified lawyers. Lawyers should have 5 years of experience in International Firm. Strong command of English required due to significant interaction with foreign clients. Outstanding opportunity with competitive salary package Submit CV to suhlaing07@gmail.com Tel: , WE ARE well known International Law Firm looking for Senior Lawyers - M/F : LLB/ LLM, Age 40~50, at least higher grade pleader over 10 years experience, At least over 3 ~ 5 years in International Firm. Must have good English skills (Intermediate Level) for Foreign firm specializing in business law Computer Skills (Microsoft office). Submit CV to susu.hlaing@ myanmarthanlwin.com Tel: COATING company is seeking Sales Representative with 1 ~ 2 years experience in building materials. Basic skill in English. Able to stay & work in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw or Mandalay. Please submit CV with 2 photos & other required certificates/ document to Block 8, MICT Park, #06-01, Universitie s Hlaing Campus, Hlaing Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Contact person Ma Thein Thein Aye ( ).

59 EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. Tel : , , , , , , fax: Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , bdootygn@mptmail.net. mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6 th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: Administ.yangon@ itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 17, Kanbawza Avenue, Golden Velly (1), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb. com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: , Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , egye mbyangon@mptmail. net.mm France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: , ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: info@rangun. diplo.de India , Merchant Street, Yangon. Tel: , , , fax: , , , net.mm Ambulance tel: Fire tel: 191, , Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: , Red Cross tel:682600, Traffic Control Branch tel: Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: , Immigration tel: Ministry of Education tel:545500m Ministry of Sports tel: , Ministry of Communications tel: Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: , Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: , Ministry of Health tel: Yangon City Development Committee tel: HOSPITALS Central Women s Hospital tel: , Children Hospital tel: , Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: Worker s Hospital tel: , , The Essentials Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , , fax: , Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , ambyang.mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Road, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: Embassy of the State of Kuwait Chatrium Hotel, Rm: No.416, 418, 420, 422, 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe Tsp, Tel: North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , myanmar@mofat.go.kr Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , , , fax: , mwkyangon@mptmail. net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Road, Yangon. Tel: (Chancery Exchange) fax: , pakistan@ myanmar. com.mm Philippines 50, Sayasan Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , p.e. yangon@gmail.com Russian 38, Sagawa Road, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , rusinmyan@mptmail.net.mm Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Road, P.O.Box No. 943-Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , serbemb@ yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , slembassy. yangon@gmail.com The Embassy of Switzerland No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5 ½ mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Fax: , Ext: 110 Thailand 94 Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , United Kingdom 80 Strand Rd, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , , fax: Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: vnemb myr@ cybertech.net.mm Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. Tel : , , fax : Emergency Numbers Yangon Children Hospital tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: , , , Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: , , , ELECTRICITY Power Station tel: POST OFFICE General Post Office 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: RAILWAYS Railways information tel: , UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison Officer Rm (M1212~1220), 12 Fl-A, Traders Hotel. 223, tel: , fax: IOM 12th Flr, Traders Hotel, 223, tel: ext UNAIDS Rm: (1223~1231), 12 Fl, Traders Hotel. tel: , , fax: UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. tel: , fax: UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: fax: UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. tel: , fax UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel.tel: , UNIC 6, Natmauk St., BHN tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, KTDA. tel: ~32, fax: unicef.yangon@unicef. org, UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, MYGN. tel: , , , , , fax: fo.myanmar@unodc.org www. unodc.org./myanmar/ UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3 rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: ~7. Fax: UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE tel: ~19, (Resident Coordinator), fax: , WFP 3 rd -flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: ~6 (6-lines) Ext: WHO 12A Fl, Traders Hotel. tel: ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Township. Ph: FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: , fax: No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) , ~4. Fax : (01) info@cloverhotel.asia Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: , No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan Rd, Tamwe Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: , Fax: reservation@ edenpalacehotel.com Hotel Yangon 91/93, 8 th Mile Junction, Mayangone. tel : , Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: fax: MGM Hotel No (160), Warden Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar ~9. www. hotel-mgm.com No. 205, Corner of Wadan Street & Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar. Tel: (95-1) ~ 3, ~ 61, Fax: (95-1) info@myanmarpandahotel.com myanmarpandahotel.com PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: fax: enquiry.prygn@ parkroyalhotels.com Website: parkroyalhotels. com. Royal White Elephant Hotel No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar. (+95-1) , Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: , , Seasons of Yangon Yangon Int l Airport Compound. tel: General Listing Sweet Hotel 73, Damazedi Road, San Chaung Tsp, Ph: Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: fax: Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: , Thamada Hotel 5, Alan Pya Phaya Rd, Dagon. tel: , , Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: fax: Windsor Hotel No.31, Shin Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung. Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: ~8, www. hotelwindsoryangon.com Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: , reservation@winner innmyanmar.com Yangon YMCA 263, Mahabandoola Rd, Botataung Tsp. tel: , Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : , Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : ACCOMMODATION- HOTELS Avenue 64 Hotel No. 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon , Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: fax: ACCOMMODATION- HOTELS (Nay Pyi Taw) ACCOMMODATION ACCOMMODATION LONG TERM (Nay Pyi Taw) Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township Tel : ~838 Royal Kumudra Hotel, (Nay Pyi Taw) Tel : , reservation@ maxhotelsgroup.com Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township Tel : ~838 Hotel Max (Chaung Tha Beach) Tel : ~9, , reservation@ maxhotelsgroup.com HAPPY HOMES REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Tel: , aahappyhomes@ gmail.com, happyhomesyangon.com Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: ~4. fax: MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: fax: Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: fax: The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residence 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel (25 lines). AIR CONDITION Chigo 216, 38 St (Upper), Kyauktada Tsp, tel : 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 Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) , Mandalay- Tel: Nay Pyi Taw- Tel: , sales.ac@freshaircon. com. URL: freshaircon.com General 83-91, G-F, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Tsp, tel : , BARS 50 th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel Green Garden Beer Gallery Mini Zoo, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar. No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: inyaone@gmail.com Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: fax: , sales@thestrand.com.mm Lobby Bar PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel:

60 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 ADVERTISING WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS A D V E R T I S I N G SAIL Marketing & Communications Suite 403, Danathiha Center 790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd & Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) , , admin@ advertising-myanmar.com com BEAUTY & MASSAGE Marina Residence, Yangon Ph: ~4, Ext: 109 Beauty Plan, Corner of 77th St & 31st St, Mandalay Ph: Aesthetic Medical Spa 5 (C), Race Course Condo, South Race Course Street, Tarmwe, Yangon. Mobile: dr.face.aesthetic@gmail.com LS Salon Junction Square, 3rd floor. Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel , ext 4001 La Source Beauty Spa ~80(A), Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, tel: , Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , E.mail: A Little Dayspa No. 475 C, Pyi Road, Kamayut, Yangon. Tel: Spa & Boutique Fashion No. 24, Inya Road, Kamaryut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: , theredscarf99@gmail.com BOOK STORES Innwa Book Store No. 246, Rm.201/301, GF, Pansodan Street (Upper Block), Kyauktada Tsp. Tel , , , Dhamazedi Rd., Bahan T/S, Yangon. Tel: , Room 308, 3rd Flr., Junction Center (Maw Tin), Lanmadaw T/S, Yangon. Tel: , Ext (B), Departure Lounge, Yangon Int l Airport. 45B, Corner of 26th & 68th Sts., Mandalay. Tel: (02) yangon@monumentbooks.com MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: , fax: info@ myanmarbook.com CAFÈS La Brasserie (International) PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel : Acacia Tea Salon 52, Sayar San Rd, Bahan Tsp, Tel : Cafe47 47-A, Pyay Rd, 7½ miles, Mayangone Tsp, Tel : Traders Café Traders Hotel, Yangon. #223, Sule Pagoda Rd. Tel: ext: 6519 COLD STORAGE Est in Myanmar Cold Storage Specialist, Solar Hot Water Storage Solutions. Tel: , gei.ygn2@ gmail.com, glover2812@ gmail.com CONSTRUCTION Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7½ miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) ~04. Fax: (95-1) zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm CONSULTING Myanmar Research Consulting Technology Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2 Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon. Tel: +95 (0) info@thuraswiss.com DUTY FREE Duty Free Shops Yangon International Airport, Arrival/Departure Tel: (Ext: 206/155) Office: 17, 2 nd street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: , , EDUCATION CENTRE MHR 905, 9 th floor, Modern Iron Market(Thanzay Condo) Lanmadaw St. Tel: NLEC 82 Anawrahta Rd, Corner of 39 St, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel: ELECTRICAL Est in Myanmar Electrical & Mechanical Contractors, Designers, Consultants. Tel: , gei.ygn2@ gmail.com, glover2812@ gmail.com ENGINEERING 193/197, Shu Khin Thar Street, North Okkalapa Industrial Zone, Yangon. Tel: ~5, , Fax: supermega97@ gmail.com. www. supermega-engg.com ENTERTAINMENT Dance Club & Bar No.94, Ground Floor, Bogalay Zay Street, Botataung Tsp, Yangon.Tel: , danceclub. hola@gmail.com (Except Sunday) The Uranium Dance Studio Pearl condo Bldg (C), 2 nd flr, Bahan Tsp. Tel: , FASHION & TAILOR Sein Shwe Tailor, No.797 (003-A), Bogyoke Aung San Road, Corner of Wardan Street, MAC Tower 2, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Ph: , ~4 Ext: 146, 147, uthetlwin@gmail.com FITNESS CENTRE Traders Health Club. Level 5, Traders Hotel Yangon#223 Sule Pagoda Rd, Tel: Ext: 6561 Balance Fitnesss No 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon , info@ balancefitnessyangon.com Life Fitness Bldg A1, Rm No. 001, Shwekabar Housing, Mindhamma Rd, Ph: , Fax: , Hot line: , natraysports@ gmail.com Mr. Betchang No.(272), Pyay Rd, DNH Tower, Rm No.(503), 5th flr, Sanchaung Tsp, Tel: The Yangon GYM Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: , FLORAL SERVICES Floral Service & Gift Shop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: , , Market Place By City Mart Tel: ~43, ~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: ~ ~15, Ext: 235. Res: , eternal@ mptmail.net.mm Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: , ext. 173 fax: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm. Foral Service & Gifts shop No.2, Corner of Khay Mar St & Baho Rd (Near Asia Royal Hospital), Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. yangonflorist@ myanmar.com.mm. Tel: , FOAM SPRAY INSULATION Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazuntaung Road, Pazuntaung Tsp, Yangon. Telefax : , , Hot Line GAS COOKER & COOKER HOODS Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : , Mandalay : Room No.(B,C) (National Gas), 35th St, Btw 80th & 81st, Chanayetharzan Tsp. Tel : , , 36748, GEMS & JEWELLERIES Diamond Queen 75, Oo Yin Lane, New University Avenue Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel : , Diamond & Me Junction Square, Ground Floor, Kamayut Tsp. Tel : , (Ext : 1082) Ruby & Rare Gems of Myanamar No. 527, New University Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon. sales@manawmaya.com.mm Tel: , Fax : Natural Gems of Myanmar No. 30 (A), Pyay Road (7 mile), Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: , ~9. GENERATORS No , Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Tharyar tsp. Tel: , , Fax: , mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm HEALTH SERVICES 98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: , , , Fax: asiapacific. myanmar@gmail.com. Acupuncture, Medicine Massage, Foot Spa Add:No,27(A),Ywa Ma Kyaung Street, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: , Piyavate Hospital (Bangkok) Myanmar Represent ative (Head office) Grand Mee Yahta Executive Residences. No.372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, PBDN. Ph: , Ext: Hotline: piyavate@cnt.com. mm, piyavate.cnt@gmail. com, Website: www. piyavate.com 24 hours Laboratory & X-ray No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) hours Cancer centre No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) Hour International Medical Victoria Hospital No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar Tel: , Fax: /7 on duty doctor: Website: One Stop Solution for Quality Health Care PHIH-Specialist Clinic FMI Centre (4th Floor) #380, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan Tsp. tel: , , No st Floor-Right, Waizayanter Road, Thingangyun Tsp, Yangon. Website: myanmar.php. Hot line: , , HOME FURNISHING 22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: , Franzo Living Mall 15 (A/5), Pyay Rd, A-1, 9 Miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Ph: European Quality & Designs Furniture Suitable for Outdoor or Indoor Use No , FJVC Centre, Ground Floor, Room No. 4, Strand Road (Corner of Botahtaung Pagoda Road), Botahtaung Township, Yangon 11161, Myanmar. Tel: , H.P: Fax: contact@ smartdesignstrading.com Website: www. wovenfurnituredesigns.com LEGAL SERVICE U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: uminsein@mptmail.net.mm

61 JUNE 3-9, 2013 THE MYANMAR TIMES MARINE COMMUNICATION & NAVIGATION Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: , Media & Advertising Intuitive Design, Advertising, Interior Decoration Corporate logo/identity/ Branding, Brochure/ Profile Booklet/ Catalogue/ Billboard, Corporate diary/ newsletter/ annual reports, Magazine, journal advertisement and 3D presentation and detailed planning for any interior decoration works. Talk to us: (951) , B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing, Than Thu Mar Road, Tamwe, Yangon. OFFICE FURNITURE Open Daily (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) Ext: 303 gmail.com Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. myanmar.com.mm Ph: , Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. myanmar.com.mm Ph: , PAINT World s No.1 Paints & Coatings Company Sole Distributor For the Union of Myanmar Since 1995 Myanmar Golden Rock International Co.,Ltd. #06-01, Bldg (8), Myanmar ICT Park, University Hlaing Campus, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: ~17. TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: PLEASURE CRUISES Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 4 Days, 6 Days, 8 Days Trips Tel: , info@islandsafari mergui.com. Website: www. islandsafarimergui.com Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governor s Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) fax: (951) RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm REAL ESTATE FREE House-Hunting Service with English Speaking Expert. Tel : robinsawnaing@gmail.com Win Real Estate Agency Our Services - Office, House & Land (For Rent) (Agent Fees Free) Tel: , realwin2012@gmail.com REMOVALISTS Relocation Specialist Rm 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: , Mail : info@asiantigersmyanmar.com Legendary Myanmar Int l Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3 rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Mobile legandarymyr@ mptmail.net.mm Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7 th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: , , ext: 702. Fax: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: , fax: sche nker@mptmail.net.mm. Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel: , , , , RESTAURANTS Lunch/Dinner/Catering , No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (Ext-309), Heaven Pizza 38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St. Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township. Tel: No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: inyaone@gmail.com World famous Kobe Beef Near Thuka Kabar Hospital on Pyay Rd, Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp. Tel: , Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: Ext 6231 Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon Tel , Mob operayangon@gmail.com Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: , Pansweltaw Express Cafe: 228, Ahlone Rd, Ahlone Tsp. Tel: (1)-Rm-309, 3 rd flr, Ocean, East Point Shopping Center, Pazundaung Tsp. Tel: Ext: 309. (2) G-Flr, Ocean North Point Shopping Center. Tel:652959, , Ext: 133. Spicy Forest Thai, Korean and European Food Rm-051/Basement-1 (B1), Taw Win Center, Pyay Rd. Tel : , (1151) Summer Palace (Chinese) Restaurant Level 2, Traders Hotel, #223, Sule Pagoda Road. tel: ext:6483 The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: Ext 6243, 6244 The Emporia Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp. Lobby Level, Tel: Ext 6294 Traders Gourmet Corner Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel : ext : 6503 Traders Gallery Bar Level 2, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: ext: 6433 Traders Lobby Lounge Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: ext: WASABI : No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; , WASABI SUSHI : Market Place by City Mart (1 st Floor). Tel; Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) Junction Mawtin (City Mart) SANITARY WARE Grohe 79-B3/B3, East Shwe Gone Dine, Near SSC Women s Center, Bahan Tsp. Tel : , SCHOOLS Horizon Int l School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : , , , ~7. fax : , contact@horizonmyanmar. com, ILBC 180, Thunandar 9th Lane, Thumingalar Housing, Thingungyung.tel: ILBC IGCSE SCHOOL No.(34), Laydauntkan Road, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , ,545736, Fax: info@ilbc.net.mm International School Yangon 20, Shwe Taung Kyar St, Bahan Tsp. Tel: Admissions Office: Than Lwin Campus: 44, Than Lwin Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , rviacademygn@ rvcentre.com.sg Website: com.sg Yangon International School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon. Tel: , Yangon International School New Early Childhood Center Pan Hlaing Golf Estate Housing & U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. Tel: , Streamline Education 24, Myasabai Rd, Parami, Myangone Tsp. tel: , No.35(b), Tatkatho Yeik Mon Housing, New University Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: , , SUPERMARKETS Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: , (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (47 th St Branch) tel: , (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Junction 8 Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Myaynigone Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Chinatown Point Branch) tel: ~63. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Junction Maw Tin Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Marketplace) tel: ~43. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (78 th Brahch-Mandalay) tel: ~9. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) IKON Mart IKON Trading Co., Ltd. No.332, Pyay Rd, San Chaung P.O (11111), Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: , , Fax: salesikon@myanmar.com.mm Junction Mawtin Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Cor of Wadan St. Lanmadaw. 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62 62 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 BRIEFS Los Angeles Rogers in Galaxy debut as openly gay player Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay sportsman to play in a major US professional-team league on May 26 when he made his debut for Major League Soccer s LA Galaxy in a 4-0 win over Seattle. Los Angeles were already leading the Sounders 4-0 when Rogers, 26, entered the contest in the 77th minute to an ovation from the crowd at the Galaxy s Home Depot Center ground. Rogers revealed his sexual orientation in February in a blog posting in which he also announced his retirement from football. Robbie Rogers. Photo: AP Addis Ababa Ethiopian marathon runner honours Boston victims The winner of the men s race at the Boston Marathon says he is returning his winner s medal to honor the city and those killed and injured in the terrorist bombings near the finish line of one of the world s top running events. Lelisa Desisa says sport should be a pleasure and never a battlefield. He made the announcement on at a ceremony with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry also honoured the woman s runner-up and the men s third place finisher. All three athletes are from Ethiopia. The April 15 explosions killed three people and injured more than 260 others. Kerry was in Ethiopia May 24 to 26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the African Union. Wellington All Blacks Smith to miss European tour All Blacks centre Conrad Smith announced last week he will sit out New Zealand s European tour in November, instead taking a long break aimed at extending his career through to the next World Cup. The 31-year-old said the New Zealand Rugby Union was keen for him to participate in the All Blacks World Cup defence in England in 2015, but he felt the goal could only be achieved if he eased back on international commitments. The decision means the 66-Test veteran will miss the All Blacks Tests against France, England and Ireland in November. He will be available for the upcoming home series against France, which begins on June 8, and the Rugby Championship, which runs from August to October. Belek Woods to return to Turkey for European event Golfer Tiger Woods is returning to Turkey in November to play a European Tour event, this time over 72 holes of stroke play. Organisers of the Turkish Airlines Open said last week the No. 1 player in the world will be part of the 77- man field during the November 7-10 tournament at the Maxx Royal course. Woods played in Turkey last year when it was an unofficial event of medal-match play. He lost in the semifinals to Justin Rose, who went on to win. The Turkish event will be the third of four straight tournaments culminating with the European Tour finale in Dubai. It will have a US$7 million purse. AP FRANKFURT What s next? Germany sets its sights on the 2014 World Cup title Bayern Munich s Arjen Robben reacts after the final whistle as his team wins the Champions League Final soccer match against Borussia Dortmund, 2-1, at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25. Photo: AP WITH Bayern Munich capturing the Champions League trophy over another Bundesliga club in a pulsating final, Germany s next ambition on the international football stage is to win the World Cup. Bayern s fifth triumph had been 12 years in the waiting; Germany s last World Cup title was in Its last major title also came in Wembley, when it won the European Championship in Germany s football has dramatically changed for the better since those days, but Die Mannschaft, the national team, has finished its last four major tournaments empty-handed despite entertaining with its flowing, attacking game. Now, with the football Made in Germany not only enthralling fans around the world but also producing winners and dominating club football, the nation will want the ultimate prize: the World Cup title in Brazil in The formula looks simple: Put together the stars of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the team Bayern beat 2-1 in the final on May 25, add the two Real Madrid midfielders Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira, and you should have a national team and bench more than capable of winning the World Cup. The quality is high. This constellation gives our players enormous confidence for their job in the national team, Germany coach Joachim Loew said after watching the Wembley final. Loew watched in Miami, where his rump side is preparing for friendlies against Ecuador and the United States. The Germans are Naturally, our goal has to be the World Cup winner. We ll do everything to achieve that. Oliver Bierhoff German natioanl team manager using an understrength side because players from Munich, Dortmund and Madrid are unavailable. In Wembley, 11 Germany players were in the two starting lineups. It was nice to see what world class players we have in Germany, Loew s assistant Hansi Flick commented, according to the DPA news agency. IN PICTURES Interstella F1: Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of the French electro duo Daft Punk watches the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo on May 26. Photo: AFP Germany s revival began with the 2006 World Cup at home, but the team only managed a thirdplace finish after losing to Italy in the semifinals. Two years later, Spain beat Germany in the European Championship final. At the 2010 World Cup, Spain stopped Germany in the semifinal before winning the title. Perhaps the most stinging defeat came last year at the Europeans, when Italy again stopped Germany in the semifinals. A lot of soul-searching came after that defeat. Bayern had lost two Champions League finals in three years and the doubters said players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm did not have the mental toughness to win big matches. They have now shed that image and tasted success after one of the most remarkable seasons in the club s history. Bayern outclassed Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semifinals. Dortmund knocked out Real Madrid. Of course, one notices, German football is on the rise, national team manager Oliver Bierhoff told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. Naturally, our goal has to be the World Cup winner. We ll do everything to achieve that, said Bierhoff. AP TAIPEI TAIWAN S basketball association said on May 28 it has decided not to invite the Philippines to an international tournament in July in the wake of a recent diplomatic row. The Chinese Taipei Basketball Association, which hosts the annual William Jones Cup, said it was following a government instruction due to tense relations over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coastguards. It s a pity as the Philippines had participated in 24 out of 35 tournaments in the past and the box office for games featuring the Philippines MELBOURNE AFL club president adds to racism row PROMINENT television commentator and Collingwood club president Eddie McGuire has become embroiled in a racism controversy only days after a 13-year-old fan of the club racially abused Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes during an Australian Football League match. McGuire, who went into the Swans dressing room after the match to apologise to Goodes on behalf of the Collingwood club, suggested during a Melbourne radio programme on May 29 that Goodes would be a good person to promote the musical King Kong. Goodes, an Australian Aboriginal, was upset last week after being called an ape by the teenage girl during the AFL match. The girl was escorted out of the stadium by security. On May 29 Goodes tweeted: Morning Australia this is what I have woken up to, along with the hashtag #racismstopswithme. He also posted a link to a story about McGuire s comments. Former player Luke Darcy, a co-host on the Triple M breakfast show, had described a promotional item for the musical and McGuire replied: Get Adam Goodes down for it do you reckon? Darcy replied he wouldn t have thought so. But McGuire added: You can see them doing that can t you? Goodsey. You know with the ape thing, the whole thing, I m just saying the pumping him up and mucking around, all that sort of stuff. Later McGuire clarified his comment and apologised on air. Imagine the old days of trying to get people in for publicity and I ve mumbled my way through that, so anyone who thought I was having a go or being a smart alec, I take that back, he said. McGuire, who said Goodes accepted his apology when he telephoned him later on May 29, will not face any disciplinary action by the AFL. He s punishing himself this morning, I ve got no doubt, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said. It s very uncharacteristic for Eddie. He knows he s said the wrong thing because he s apologised. He just got it wrong this morning. On May 25, Goodes left the Melbourne Cricket Ground shaking his head late in the match after pointing to the girl in a Collingwood jumper. To come to the boundary line and to hear a 13-year-old girl call me an ape, and it s not the first time on the footy field I ve been referred to as a monkey or an ape it was shattering, Goodes said then. She s 13 years old, still so innocent. I don t put any blame on her, Goodes added. Unfortunately it s what she hears, and the environment that she s grown up in has made her think that it s OK to call people names. AP Politics hits bball tourney was pretty good, said Michael Lee, a spokesman for the association. However, we have to abide by the government s decision because we need government support to organise the tournament, Lee told AFP. Tensions mounted after a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman was killed on May 9 by Philippine coastguards who claimed his vessel had intruded into their territorial waters and tried to ram them. Taiwan has rejected claims that the shooting took place in Philippine waters and that the killing was unintended. AFP

63

64 64 THE MYANMAR TIMES JUNE 3-9, 2013 SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin Sport Germany turns focus to World Cup glory SPORT 62 MADRID Barca signs Neymar Club bids to end Messi dependence BARCELONA announced on May 26 that after a transfer saga lasting some 18 months they have finally landed Brazilian international Neymar from Santos on a fiveyear deal that is expected to cost the Catalan club around 50 million euros (US$65m). Even at his tender age, Neymar has already shown glimpses of his brilliance on the big stage with 20 goals while his incredible return of 156 goals in 256 games for Santos at such a young age has seen him inevitably compared to Pele. However, it is the potential to combine with another of the all-time greats that Barca are interested in as they look for someone to ease the goal scoring and creative burden on Lionel Messi. Barca s reliance on Messi was particularly exposed in this season s Champions League when the Argentine was called into action while clearly carrying a hamstring injury to get them across the line against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. Messi ended up playing only 75 minutes of the 180 in that tie. The period he was on the pitch Barca won 2-0, the time he was on the sidelines they lost 3-1. Worse was to come for the Catalans, though, in the humiliation at the hands of Bayern. Again a hobbling Messi was forced into action in the first leg as the Germans romped to a 4-0 victory, and with the four-time World Player of the Year consigned to the bench for the return, a Barca side devoid of creation and belief were again picked off 3-0. Questions still remain over how Neymar will adapt to the European game. His effectiveness has been tempered in big Copa Libertadores and international fixtures when forced to play in reduced spaces, something which Barca are faced with on a weekly basis as they have to weave themselves through the parked bus in front of the opposition s goal. However, unlike some other big money Barca signings in recent seasons such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fabregas, Neymar fits into the current Barca style and formation. His ability to cut in from the left side will not only pose a goal threat and allow him to combine with Messi, but also allow the ever-adventurous Jordi Alba to surge forward on the overlap. He is a great player, makes the difference and is very good in one against one situations, Messi told reporters earlier this week. For us I suppose it would be a marvelous addition. He is a type of player that offers very different individual solutions to the rest. It is that variety that the bosses at Camp Nou are hoping will reignite the spark in an attack that has faded into a one-man show over the past two years. AFP Neymar takes control of the ball during the Brazilian Championship football match against Flamengo, at Brasilia s National Stadium on May 26. Photo: AFP SINGAPORE Singapore backs kampung sports for 2015 SINGAPORE s 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games organising chief Wednesday rebuffed calls to standardise the tournament s ever-changing list of sports and backed its strong regional character. Lim Teck Yin acknowledged that the Southeast Asian event had been derided as the Kampung (village) Games, owing to its inclusion of home-grown disciplines like sepak takraw and vovinam, which often mystify outsiders. But he said it was important to maintain Southeast Asian traditions, to engage local communities and develop sport in the emerging region. I ve heard this argument before, that without some level of control like the Olympic Games, some of you have written that this became the Kampung Games, Lim told reporters at a briefing. I don t know whether my opinion matters or not... I would say as a participant in many SEA Games in the past, the SEA Games has its own flavour. The list has previously proved controversial as it changes each edition, with local organisers often including obscure events in which they can win more medals. Philippine Sports Commission Richie Garcia has threatened to boycott this year s tournament in Myanmar in protest at what he calls manipulation of the events to favour local athletes, according to a local report. Lim would not discuss which sports are shortlisted for 2015, but he said there would be more than 30 disciplines with dragon-boating, netball and floorball a form of hockey among those under discussion. Some of the sports that you see in the SEA Games are very much sports that are centred around Southeast Asia. World champions are in Southeast Asia, said Lim. Dragon-boating is an example. It s not an Olympic sport but in Singapore, it s big. He also pledged to bring in the tournament on budget, avoiding the AFP

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