Myanmar Opposition, Activists to Launch Charter Reform Campaign

Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) and the 88 Generation Students group have agreed to launch a nationwide campaign this month to push for constitutional reforms ahead of general elections next year.They said Monday that they had formed a joint central committee to lead the campaign, which will feature rallies led by NLD chief Aung San Suu Kyi and 88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing beginning May 17 in the largest city Yangon and May 18 in the second largest city Mandalay.

The joint central committee consists of NLD members Win Htein, Nyan Win, Ohn Kyaing, Win Myint, Hantha Myint and Tun Tun Hein, and Min Ko Naing and other 88 Generation leaders Ko Ko Gyi, Mya Aye, Jimmy Kyaw Min Yu and Pyone Cho, the groups said in a statement.The campaign will also include a petition drive from May 27 to June 19, gathering signatures from the public in support of amending the 2008 junta-backed charter, which critics have slammed as undemocratic and which gives the military a key role in the country’s legislature.

The NLD and 88 Generation will specifically focus on informing the public about Article 436 of Chapter 12 of the constitution, which says that any charter reforms can only take place with the support of more than 75 percent of lawmakers.The article effectively gives the powerful military bloc a veto over any charter amendments based on its 25 percent control of parliament.

The campaign will effectively test public opinion on the need to amend the constitution, which senior 88 Generation leader Ko Ko Gyi told RFA’s Myanmar Service was “essential to democratic reform.”“We will be discussing Article 436 and why we want to amend it,” he said.“There are some people in parliament who don’t want to amend it, but they need to explain why they don’t want to.”

Ko Ko Gyi called the clause “totally opposite from the democratic standard” and said it “harms the country and the dignity of the people” as Myanmar embraces political reform under President Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government, which took power following elections in 2011.“We have to organize honestly and explain to the public what we are planning to do. We also have to listen to any disagreements, if they have them,” he said.

“We will be pleased if people can choose and decide what they want freely.”

Ethnic groups

The NLD and 88 Generation are also looking to reach out to Myanmar’s diverse ethnic groups, Ko Ko Gyi said, many of which have been mired in conflict with the military for years as part of a bid to carve out more autonomy for their people.But as the government moves to sign a nationwide ceasefire agreement with the country’s armed ethnic groups they must be made aware of how important amending the charter is to ensure that they are given full political representation in rapidly changing Myanmar, he said.

“For ethnic groups, several problems exist, including ensuring equal rights, power sharing agreements, and rights to natural resources, which have to be solved within the constitutional framework,” Ko Ko Gyi said.“We hope that the people will collaborate and participate in amending Article 436 if they better understand and accept why we must do this, and why we need to do it before 2015,” he said.

“If we don’t amend Article 436, we can only amend other parts of the constitution if all military representatives in parliament agree [with us].”Ko Ko Gyi said that the military and the people are “divided” on how to proceed with reforms in Myanmar, but he urged all citizens—including soldiers—to take part in the bid to amend the constitution as “all people … have a stake in politics.”

Earlier efforts

Last year, Aung San Suu Kyi, who a clause in the charter blocks from becoming president because her sons are foreign citizens, began to publicly push for constitutional reform and had held talks with the ruling Union Development and Solidarity Party (USDP).But the USDP, which is largely comprised of former junta generals, has been slow to accept reforms to the charter and the military is reluctant to give up its political privileges.

Suu Kyi has become increasingly vocal about amending the constitution since November and had teamed up with 88 Generation activists in February to push the issue. Recent months have seen several small rallies calling for reform around the country.According to the Irrawaddy online journal, Thein Sein issued a secret directive in February, warning top government officials about the possibility of mass protests and violence this year caused by disagreements over constitutional reform.

After soliciting proposals from the public last year, a 31-member constitutional amendment implementation committee within parliament has been charged with completing a review of possible charter changes at least six months before the 2015 polls.Eleven of the 31 seats in the implementation committee are held by the USDP, while the military has seven and the NLD has two. The remaining seats are held by either smaller opposition or ethnic parties.

Opposition defies ban again

 
Hundreds of opposition supporters once again defied a ban on public assembly yesterday by rallying through the streets of Phnom Penh – and once again their event remained free from the type of government-inflicted violence seen last week.A motorcade set off from the Cambodia National Rescue Party headquarters in the capital’s Meanchey district for the second day running at about 3:30pm yesterday, leading supporters around the city.

While the activity defied a newly reinforced ban on public assembly – which will remain in place for the duration of the council election campaign – and follows the violent suppression of CNRP supporters on Thursday and Friday, those joining the march said they were not afraid.
“They can hit the protesters, but we want a change in government, so we will keep coming back. There is too much corruption. We need to change that,” 45-year-old Hor Leksmey said. “We want justice, we want freedom.”

Another supporter, 28-year-old Oun Sitha, agreed.
“We want this to be a real election,” he said, referring to the disputed results of the national polls in July.“We still want to change the current government but we will try to make a change now in the [local] elections,” he said.As the motorcade drove through the city, dozens of supporters stopped what they were doing to their show support for the party.Speaking to the crowd last night, CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha said the success of the rally was proof the Cambodian people did not need the current government.

“I think that the show of congratulation by people who live along these roads is enough to tell the current leaders to be aware . . . that people do not need them anymore,” he said.
“Today . . . in our march through the Tuol Kork area, where the villas of CPP high-ranking officials are, [they] have opened their doors to congratulate [the CNRP].”City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said that while such rallies create “traffic blocks [and] damage public order”, as well as go against the ban on assembly, City Hall had been asked by the Interior Ministry not to intervene.

“The Ministry of Interior has instructed our authorities to compromise to avoid tension,” he said.
Speaking earlier in the day at a rally in Kratie, CNRP leader Sam Rainsy hit out at what he claimed was the government’s tolerance of “yuon” – a term for Vietnamese that can be considered derogatory – encroaching on Cambodian territory.“Our country’s leaders . . . do not dare to fight against yuon, so there is only the Cambodia National Rescue Party that does not owe a favour to yuon or dare to fight against yuon to defend our territory.”The CNRP’s next rally in Phnom Penh is set to take place on Wednesday.

Egypt's Sisi vows Muslim Brotherhood 'will not exist'

 
In his first interview with Egyptian TV, he added that two assassination plots against him had been uncovered.Mr Sisi removed Egypt's first democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi from power last July.He is widely expected to win the presidential election on 26-27 May.
Mr Sisi had denied he had any political ambitions when he ousted President Morsi and launched a crackdown on the Brotherhood - which supported him - last year.In a joint interview with Egypt's privately owned CBC and ONTV television channels on Monday, he said: "I want to tell you that it is not me that finished (the Brotherhood). You, the Egyptians, are the ones who finished it."
Asked whether the Brotherhood would cease to exist if he should gain the presidency, the former military leader - dressed in a suit - answered: "Yes. That's right."

Egyptians gathered in the streets in parts of Cairo to watch the pre-recorded interview

He said there had been two attempts to assassinate him, but added: "I believe in fate, I am not afraid."
He did not provide details of who was behind the alleged plots or how advanced they were.
Mr Sisi also denied being the candidate of the army, saying "the army would not have a role in ruling Egypt", and he defended a controversial new law that puts severe restrictions on the right to protest.
A second part of the interview is due to be broadcast on Tuesday.
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says power cuts in parts of the capital interrupted Mr Sisi's lengthy broadcast.

Keeping the lights on will be one of the first challenges if - as is widely forecast - he is elected president later this month, she adds.Military rulersIf he does become president, Mr Sisi will be the latest in a line of Egyptian rulers drawn from the military, going back to the 1950s - a line only briefly broken during President Morsi's year in office.Human rights groups say the military-backed authorities have displayed increasing hostility to independent media and to political opponents.
Since Mr Morsi's overthrow more than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands of members of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood detained by the interim authorities, who have designated the Islamist movement a terrorist group.Mr Sisi's supporters, however, view him as a strong figure who can stabilise a country plagued by protests and political violence since the army-backed popular uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The largest temple in Southeast Asia viewed from flying cameras

About Vesak Day
Siddhartha Gautama, also commonly known as Buddha (enlightened one), lived in Nepal between the sixth and fourth century BCE. His teachings focused on messages about compassion, peace and goodwill. Millions around the world follow the teachings of the Buddha today. The Day of Vesak commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.
In 1999 the UN recognized internationally Vesak Day to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over 2500 years. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices and missions.

Bai Dinh Temple was built in 2003. It is located in Ninh Binh Province, in the Gia Sinh Commune of Gia Vien District. The Bai Dinh pagoda complex is situated in an area of 539 hectares, and includes 27 hectares occupied by the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda and 80 hectares devoted to the new Bai Dinh Pagoda. Many other works are under construction.
 
Bai Dinh is the largest temple in Southeast Asia. On May 7, the Vesak 2014 will be held here. Currently, the flags of nearly 100 participating countries are flying outside the entrance.
 
A 4-star hotel with 56 rooms for monks and heads of state (on the left of the main temple) is ready to welcome guests.
 
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Ninh Binh’s Party Secretary, said the scale of Vesak 2014 is much larger than that of the Vesak 2008 in Hanoi, in terms of participants, participating countries and duration (4 days).
 
The opening ceremony will have the participation of many leaders, heads of state, ambassadors and senior monks from many countries.
 
The opening ceremony will have the participation of many leaders, heads of state, ambassadors and senior monks from many countries.
 
Chosen as the place to host the world's largest Vesak in May 2014, Ninh Binh is rushing to complete the last steps to welcome delegations.
 
During the celebration, many cultural activities will be organized here. Many other cultural activities will also be held in Hanoi, Ha Nam and Thanh Hoa.
 
Vesak 2014 is an opportunity to promote the image of Ninh Binh in particular and Vietnam in general.
 
 A meeting hall with 3,500 seats was built in one month.

Military parade on the streets of Dien Bien

On the morning of 3/5, the armed forces performed their first parade rehearsal on the streets of the city of Dien Bien to prepare for the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Dien Bien ready for its celebration of 60 years of victory

Leading the parade is the symbol of Dien Bien Phu Victory and the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, along with the flag carriers and guards of honor.   The five military flags representing the five brigades in the Dien Bien Phu campaign go first, followed by the victorious army.   The uniforms and weapons of the Dien Bien Phu campaign army are exactly the same as those used by the army of 60 years ago.   The guards of honors.     The land forces.   The Special Forces.   The marine police. This is the newest of the armed forces of Vietnam, responsible for security at sea and the continental shelf of the country.   The female information soldiers.       Mobile police also participated in the parade, representing the People's Police force.   Female ethnic minority militia members.   Southern female militia members. Thousands of people stood along the roadside to watch the parade rehearsal.

Migrants die as two boats capsize off Greek island

 

At least 22 people have drowned and 10 more are missing after two boats carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Samos, a coast guard official said Monday.Thirty-six survivors have been rescued from the Aegean Sea, and the search is continuing, Katherine Tenta of the Greek coast guard told CNN by phone.The two vessels foundered about 4 nautical miles off Samos, Tenta said, adding that authorities did not yet know their nationalities.

Thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East pack into often unsafe boats to get into the European Union through Greece, Italy, Malta and other coastal states. The numbers have increased since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings triggered unrest across North Africa and civil war in Syria.

"A 3-year-old child, in a bad condition, has been transferred to a hospital in Athens," Tenta said.

Two search and rescue helicopters -- with help from two coast guard vessels, a navy warship and a cruise liner -- were searching for the missing.Tenta said the coast guard towed the vessels -- a 10-meter long boat and a smaller vessel -- to Samos. She said 18 bodies were on one: 10 women, five men and three children.It is not yet clear what caused the boats to capsize, she said.