Russian company to explore gold in Myanmar

IANS : Yangon, Feb 16 (Xinhua) A Russian company will conduct gold exploration in Myanmar’s northernmost Kachin state and northwestern Sagaing division with the cooperation of Myanmar’s mining authorities, the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Saturday.

Myanmar warns against more blasts

IANS : Yangon, Feb 16 (Xinhua) Authorities in Myanmar have warned against more sabotage in the country in the wake of a series of bomb blasts early this year, reported the state-run New Light of Myanmar Saturday.

‘Internal and external destructive elements are scheming together to detonate bombs again in some important places and busy places in the nation and they are sending trained destructionists into the nation,’ said the newspaper, calling on people to expose the saboteurs and explosives.

More Leaders Targeted for Assassination

Irrawaddy – Saw Yan Naing : Two more senior military leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) are on Karen splinter groups’ hit lists, according to KNU sources.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy by phone on Friday and Saturday, a KNU senior officer said that Gen Mu Tu, commander in chief of the KNU’s military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and Brig-Gen Jonny, commander of KNLA Brigade 7, were targets for assassination by both the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council.

Don’t Push NLD into a Corner

Irrawaddy News – Min Zin : The present political crisis in Burma could be a model from William L. Ury and Richard Smoke’s political science thesis, “Anatomy of a Crisis”—a situation of “high stakes, short time, high uncertainty and narrowing options.”In the pragmatic world of realpolitik, it means the opposition movement in Burma is now facing a serious predicament.

Rangoon Zoo Animals Relocating to Naypyidaw

The Associated Press : First, the civil servants were trucked to Burma’s newly built capital in Naypyidaw. Now, it’s the rhinos’ and elephants’ turn.Using cranes and trucks, the military government this week began relocating scores of animals—including elephants, monkeys, birds, rhinos, bears and deer—from Rangoon’s Zoological Garden to the new capital, Naypyidaw, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the north, zoo officials said.

Ma-Kyay-Nat Taung: The Mountain of Vengeance [Beyond 1988—Reflections]

Irrawaddy – Aung Naing Oo : 1988: The mountainous trek to the “liberated area” near the Thai border took us three days. Born and raised in the plains—in “white areas” where no rebels operated, we were exhausted from the unaccustomed trekking on mountain trails. Along the way, we saw unfamiliar scenery, people and traces of conflict. None however was more memorable than our encounter with Major Gaba Sein.

Japan to send police, Foreign Ministry officials to Myanmar

keralanext.com : TOKYO — Japan will send National Police Agency and Foreign Ministry officials to Myanmar next week to discuss the state of investigations by Myanmar authorities into the fatal shooting of Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai in September, government sources said Friday. The Myanmar junta has accepted a request from Japan that the two countries set up a framework for official discussions by experts to uncover the facts of the shooting incident.

Russian firm wins gold exploration concession in Myanmar

earthtimes.org : Yangon – Myanmar’s military regime has agreed to let Russia’s Glory International Pte Ltd search for gold and other minerals in the country’s northern Kachin State, which borders China, state media said Saturday.

Ban Ki-moon Briefs Bush on Burma

Irrawaddy News - LALIT K JHA / UNITED NATIONS : The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed US President George W Bush on Friday on the latest developments in Burma following the military government’s announcement of a constitutional referendum and general elections in the country.