USDA enjoys favors from junta

Irrawaddy - Violet Cho : Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association’s (USDA) may apply for cellular phone licenses as government officials, according to sources.The Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT) plans to issue 70,000 GMS telephone licenses in Burma.

New rumors of ill health in Burma’s top family

Irrawaddy - Min Lwin : Reports that relatives of Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife have been taken to the regime’s remote capital of Naypyidaw have fueled rumors of serious health problems within the family of Burma’s top general.

Slow response by ethnic groups to NLD’s invitation

Irrawaddy - Wai Moe : A Chin ethnic leader, Cin Sian Thang, has welcomed the invitation extended by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) to opponents among Burma’s ethnic minority groups to discuss their political differences.

Karen state civilians appeals to international community to save them from Burmese army before being decimated

Asian Tribune : Karen civilians facing continuing attacks from the Burma Army are urgently appealing to the world for assistance, telling the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) that “If the Burma Army is not stopped, or we do not get help, when you come to Karen State in the future, there will no longer be Karen people. Please tell the rest of the world to help us.”

Doing business with Myanmar

The Nelson Mail : Most of the time, Myanmar is a tiny mole on the back of the world’s conscience: we’re aware that the country formerly known as Burma exists, but plenty of weightier issues clamour for attention, says the Nelson Mail in an editorial.

Activists call for release of jailed rebels in India

DVB – Thet Naing : Burmese democracy activists living in exile in India staged a demonstration in Kolkata on Monday to call for the release of 34 Burmese rebels who have been detained since 1998.

Mae La villagers fear attack

Irrawaddy – Saw Yan Naing : Villagers in Mae La refugee camp near Thailand’s Mae Sot border town fear a potential attack by the newest Karen National Union (KNU) breakaway army.