http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/ Posts for soc.culture.asean Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:11:50 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/ http://www.nnseek.com/img/64.png 64 64 NNSeek http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/beautiful_relaxation_music_81620432t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/beautiful_relaxation_music_81620432t.html
Rexsy is curently offering free download on several Albums of
Romantic
Symphonic Piano Music, which is about Love, Romance, and Beauty!


The music is Great for Relaxation and Meditation!


http://www.rexsy.com/rexsy_music


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Rexsy
Rexsy.com
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Lexsie2008


"The sunlight reflected indescribable joys over the ocean of beauty,
where the sea birds glided freely under the calm blue skies. Peaceful
state of being exists when the mind and feelings merge into the
Universe's reality as One. In this state, there is no energy
differential between the mind and the constant changing reality,
thus,
the manifestation of life has transgressed into quiet state of
existence. The sunset traveled towards of the deep blue sea's
horizon,
as the Earth rested quietly in the profound Universe." -Rexsy

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]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:11:50 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/asking_private_donors_to_stop_distributing_food_to_81617616t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/asking_private_donors_to_stop_distributing_food_to_81617616t.html
Asking private donors to stop distributing food to survivors of the Cyclone
Nargis?

What kind of government is this?


3 months ago: This photo taken on May 24, 2008 near Yangon shows a leaflet
written by the township Peace and Development council (part of SPDC - State
Peace and Development Council) delivered to local people at a Yangon exit
check point, asking private donaters to stop distibuting food to survivors
of the Cyclone Nargis. Cyclone disaster workers said on May 24 they still
had no word on when they would get the promised full access to Myanmar,
which wants the world to donate 11 billion dollars for reconstruction.


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09FddCYg4kfbJ/340x...

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]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:28:48 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/s_korean_fleet_visits_japan_for_friendly_military_81584080t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/s_korean_fleet_visits_japan_for_friendly_military_81584080t.html http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/03/content_9762382.htm

{EXCERPT} Xinhua, China - During the four-day stay in Japan, the fleet, carrying
some 620 crew members, will conduct a series of military exchange activities
with Japan's Maritime...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/03/content_9762382.htm

Naval Service Discussion/News/Info Exchange Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all-things-navy

The Korean War Discussion/News/Info Exchange Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the-forgotten-war

Korea Service Medal (United States) Issue Regulations
http://www.amervets.com/replacement/ko.htm#isr

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today at the supplied URL. The subject/content of
this report is not necessarily the viewpoint of
the distributing Library. This report is provided
for your information and discussion.

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Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
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]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:28:05 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/thai_military_won_t_enforce_state_of_emergency_army_81508048t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/thai_military_won_t_enforce_state_of_emergency_army_81508048t.html http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/09/02/thailand.html

{EXCERPT} CBC.ca, Canada - Just hours later, Paochinda told a news conference
that if the military needs to get involved in the country's political crisis,
its soldiers will not have...

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/09/02/thailand.html

War Correspondents/Photo Journalists Discussion/News/Info Exchange Forum
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U.S. and friendly nation laws prohibit fully
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with our laws this report cannot be provided in
its entirety. However, you can read it in full
today at the supplied URL. The subject/content of
this report is not necessarily the viewpoint of
the distributing Library. This report is provided
for your information and discussion.

-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
1-310-532-0634

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]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:56:28 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/enc_the_will_of_the_people_to_decide_legitimacy_of_81475536t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/enc_the_will_of_the_people_to_decide_legitimacy_of_81475536t.html
ENC: The Will of The People To Decide Legitimacy of Burmese Government


Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
02 September, 2008


The Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) held a three-day conference last
week, saying it can not endorse the SPDC's 'Road Map' or the 2010 General
Elections unless the process becomes more inclusive and responsive to the
needs of all the peoples of the Union of Burma.

The statement by the 5th ENC conference said: "The will of the people must
be the basis for deciding the legitimacy of a government. Unless and until
the people of Burma can freely and fairly express their true will, there can
be no legitimate government."

"True legitimacy can not be bought by coercion, trickery or bribery. A truly
legitimate government must be of the people, elected by the people, and work
for the people," continued the statement of the border-based ENC.

The conference accused the SPDC of consistently excluding the winners of the
1990 general elections, ignoring constitutional recommendations made by the
ethnic nationalities and having no independent judiciary.

Given the coercive nature of the SPDC, the people will have no option but to
participate in the 2010 elections, the conference of 26-28 August believed.
It urged the people of the Union of Burma to organise themselves to be able
to effectively express their true will in the 2010 elections.

The ENC's statement also said that the military's constitution,
concentrating power in the hands of the President and the army chief, will
not lead to a democracy, 'disciplined' or otherwise.

The 5th Ethnic Nationalities Conference called on the SPDC to initiate
dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic nationalities leaders, and the
United Nations to ensure that the people of Burma express their will without
intimidation and fear.

And the conference also called for multi-party talks on Burma with
neighbouring countries and other key nations under the auspices of the UN.

The Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) with newly elected Hte Bu Hpe as its
Chairman and Duwa Mahkaw Hkun Hsa as General Secretary, was originally
established as the "Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation
Committee" (ENSCC) in August 2001. It was entrusted with the task of
fostering unity and cooperation between all ethnic nationalities in
preparation for a 'Tripartite Dialogue" and a transition to democracy.


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http://www.chinlandguardian.com/index.php/Home/341
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]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:28:49 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/rule_of_the_generals_81475280t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/rule_of_the_generals_81475280t.html
Rule of the generals



The term military-industrial complex was used by US President Eisenhower in
his farewell address in 1961. He warned against "the acquisition of
unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the
military-industrial complex". According to an analysis of this factor in US
politics, Eisenhower's comment did not include "a third member of the potent
group: the politicians who sit in both houses of the Congress and enjoy
their full share of the Pentagon's business" (The Money Lords by Matthew
Josephson,1972). The book described the dynamics of this linkage during the
Cold War.

Eisenhower's comment relates mostly to Europe during the Cold War. In
contemporary forms in 'modern' settings in Asia, the military-industrial
complex often coexists with feudal patterns associated with pre-modern
cultural influences. Politics can be formally modern using voting and
constitutions and operating modern-style industrial and military activities
but these aspects of politics in most Third World countries are controlled
by old elites.

In contemporary times, the military-industrial-political complex operates
globally taking various forms. In the Asian context, it often takes crude
forms wearing mantles of democracy. In the US context, it may take subtle,
structural forms occasionally exposed in the free press.

In Pakistan, a well-known author, Ayesha Siddiqa, published a book entitled,
Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy last year, which presented
documentary details about the army's control of Pakistan's economy.
Pakistani army personnel, according to the book, own hundreds of businesses
and millions of acres of land. According to her, the army has turned into an
independent class. She described this relationship as "Milbus" or military
business. According to her, it operates in all three sectors ~ agriculture,
manufacturing and service. The military's empire in Pakistan is worth
billions of dollars, she wrote, but it is run with virtually no transparency
or accountability. So-called free elections are unlikely to change this
infrastructure of politics in Pakistan.

Political instability has marked Pakistan's history since 1953 when Governor
General Ghumam Muhammad dismissed the country's first civilian government.
Since then army chiefs and political leaders have dismissed 10 civilian
governments that ruled for 27 years. The remaining 33 years were ruled by
the military often in conjunction with political parties.

According to an article in Guardian Weekly last year, one of the reasons
democracy did not thrive in Pakistan is because of the power of the
landowning class which remains the social base from which politicians
emerge. In many backward areas, the local zamindar exerts political
influence expecting his people to vote for his chosen candidate. Such
loyalty can be enforced. Many big zamindars have private prisons and private
armies.

Sectarian diversity in rural areas is marked by militants who were financed
by the ISI for 25 years for deployment in Afghanistan and then Kashmir to
fight proxy wars for the army. Twenty-nine years after the Soviet invasion
of Afghanistan, Pakistani army-supported militants ~ thousands of armed,
unemployed jihadis with modern weapons ~ have created mayhem.

Myanmar is a case of the crudest form of military-industrial-political
complex. Since the military coup in 1962, the army has controlled the
politics and economy directly. The military junta uses forced labour to
construct projects for the army. Its opposition leader, Nobel Laureate Aung
San Suu Kyi, has spent over 12 years under house arrest. When we look at
Myanmar's political history, we see how Washington shows a discriminatory
approach to democracy and human rights. It condemned Saddam Hussein's
autocracy and overthrew him, but did not act strongly against the military
autocracy in Myanmar. According to a report in the Guardian magazine, an
estimated 95,000 people teeter on the brink of starvation, hiding in the
jungles. The ranks of refugees in camps in Thailand have swelled to 153,000.

The military junta in Myanmar built a new capital city in the northern part
of the state where high-class residential facilities for army officers and
their families were built at a cost of over $200 million, according to a
report by the International Monetary Fund. Over half of the annual budget is
spent for the benefit of the 400,000-strong military shelling out billions
of dollars on military equipment.

Leading Asian countries like India and China do not officially criticise and
act to change Myanmar's military rule. China once vetoed a UN Security
Council resolution requiring the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. India
and China along with Thailand, another neighbour, are motivated by economic
interests in their relationships with one of the worst military
dictatorships in recent history. A Chinese firm and the state-owned electric
company of Thailand are interested in building a hydro-power plant on the
Salween river on the border with Thailand. Beijing has also established
strategic facilities for blue water naval operations and installed a
technical network in Mynamar's southern coastal belt bordering India.

India is a rare Asian country where politics is not crudely influenced by
the military-industrial complex. But as its policy to Myanmar shows, it
supports the military-industrial complex when geo-strategic and geo-economic
interests are served. India showed interest in participating in the massive
Swe gas project with a pipeline to India. According to a recent report,
India has agreed to build a multimillion dollar seaport and transportation
system in Myanmar.

If we look at the political history of China, Indonesia and Thailand, we
find the operation of military-industrial complexes in these countries too.
In China, military influence on politics developed during Mao's regime. In
Indonesia, under Sukarno the army was a part of the ruling elite. Later,
when Suharto took over in 1965 after the massacre of the communists, the
military became part of the political and economic elite. According to the
history of this takeover of politics in The Army and Politics in Indonesia
by Harold Crouch (1978), the army became more powerful in the economic and
political arena. The President of Indonesia once was a former army general.

Thailand is, also dominated by the military. One can describe it as a
monarchy-military-industrial complex since Thailand is ruled by a monarch.
The overthrow of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year and the
takeover of power by the military with the monarch's approval is a dramatic
case of this type of complex.

If we extend analysis of this factor to other parts of the world, we can
find different forms of the operation of this complex. According to a report
in the British media, the British government paid over a billion pounds to
Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia following UK's biggest arms deal with the
country.

Saudi Arabia is a rare monarchy where the country it rules is named after a
family dynasty which profits from its oil industry links with the Western
world.

(The author is Professor Emeritus, California State University, Sacramento)

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http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=4&theme=&usrsess=1&id=220550
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]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:19:55 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/zomi_chin_medical_student_sasa_gives_free_treatment_81426384t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/zomi_chin_medical_student_sasa_gives_free_treatment_81426384t.html Comment:
The mighty miltary of Burma has done nothing to help famine victims, but one
young man has been doing a lot.
=====


Zomi (Chin) Medical Student, Sasa, Gives Free Treatment To Thousands Of Chin
Famine Victims

Van Biak Thang
Chinland Guardian
30 August, 2008


Thousands of Zomi (Chin) patients from the most famine-affected areas in
Zomi (Chin) State have travelled on foot across the mountains to the
Indian-Burmese border to receive free medical treatment from a village
clinic opened by Zomi (Chin) medical student, Sasa.

Five other MA students, who ask not to be named for security reasons are
also volunteering in this dangerous yet worthy life-saving mission with
Sasa, a final year medical student at Armenian University.

"As an individual, I have the privilege of giving medical treatment for 3757
patients who came to the border village clinic. I am so thankful to Prince
Charles and his charity, and International Health Partners for the medical
help," a doctor-to-be, Sasa, told Chinland Guardian.

"I wish all the Zomi (Chin) people across the world know that our people are
dying due to this ongoing famine. We need not words but actions. This is not
the time for playing political game by putting on the face of the famine but
for standing together to face the reality and help the life to be saved,"
added Sasa.

Sasa said 759 rice bags have been delivered directly to 61 villages and some
more are on their way to the villages as he thanked an unnamed mother and
other friends who lent a helping hand to make this operation possible.

When asked about completing his education, Sasa, who is due to continue his
remaining study in the middle of September, said: "Actually, I haven't
finished my study. But the time has come for me to do this. I have heard our
people crying with my own ears, I have seen their sufferings with my own
eyes and I have felt the brokenness and the pain in my heart. I will serve
them with all I could. What is the use for me to come back to my native
place when the famine has finished our people's lives? This is the time our
people need us most."

Meanwhile, a series of concerts to raise awareness and fund for the famine
victims is organised in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore with well-known
singers, Zam Nu, Sang Pi and Sung Tin Par from Burma, and Mimi Lalzamliani
and Malsawm Tluangi (SP) from Mizoram State of India.

A doctor-to-be, 27, urged all the Zomi (Chin) communities across the world
including Zomi (Chin) political parties, religious and social leaders to put
all their political, religious and social differences away but to come
together to save the lives of the Zomi (Chin) people who have been suffering
from all kinds of famine-related illness starting from malnutrition to
hunger to death.

A Mara-Chin from Southern Zomi (Chin) State went to the Indian-Burmese
border in July, 2008 after meeting Britain's Prince Charles, government
ministers and International organisations in the UK as a member of the Zomi
(Chin) degelation that made an advocacy trip, raising awareness and relief
aids for Zomi (Chin) victims of the devastating food crisis in Zomi (Chin)
State, Burma.


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http://www.chinlandguardian.com:80/index.php/Home/339
=====

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]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:54:45 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/people_are_dying_what_are_the_generals_doing_nothing_81403856t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/people_are_dying_what_are_the_generals_doing_nothing_81403856t.html What are the generals doing?

Shoot and kill, confiscate and rob, rape and assault. These are the only
things the generals are doing.


"labor" iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:48bbebf9$0$7597$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> August 27, Irrawaddy
> More deaths reported from famine in Chin State - Lawi Weng
>
> Famine deaths are still being reported from a region of Burma's
> northwestern Chin State, where inhabitants of 45 villages are being forced
> to forage for food in the jungle because their rice stocks have been lost
> to a plague of rats.
>
> The villages are in the State's Tlangtlang Township, the worst-hit area.
>
> More than 40 children have already died in the famine, according to Chin
> humanitarian groups in exile.
>
> Many of the children died from food poisoning as a result of eating plants
> foraged in the jungle.
>
> "The people are hungry, so they are eating whatever they can find in the
> forest," said a Christian missionary in Vawng Tu village.
>
> Exiled Chin groups say the famine is affecting about 20 percent of the
> state's population, or at least 100,000 people. Many are leaving for Chin
> State towns or even neighboring Bangladesh in search of food and
> assistance.
>
> Several UN agencies and international non-government organizations are
> working on a relief program for the region. They hope to launch the
> six-month program in early September.
>
>

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]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:57:29 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/thais_should_protest_against_thaksin_selling_off_his_81400784t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/thais_should_protest_against_thaksin_selling_off_his_81400784t.html the Thai people should have a cause for jealousy and accuse Thaksin for
selling off Thai's national property. The transaction should be view as
illegal by these jealous Thai people. They should hijack several Thai
Airways Planes and bring all their ruffians to England to protest.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20080901-85397.htm...

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]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:07:17 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/the_fourth_estate_alluring_though_dangerous_81371088t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/soc.culture.asean/the_fourth_estate_alluring_though_dangerous_81371088t.html
The Fourth Estate, Alluring though Dangerous



New America Media, Commentary, Mark Schurmann, Posted: Aug 31, 2008



Editor's note: On the eve of his trip to Myanmar, NAM contributing writer
wonders if he has to courage to go after a good stories, like Reuters
cameraman Fadel Shana did, even if at the risk of losing life and limb.


BANGKOK, Thailand -- A few nights ago, I saw a profile of Fadel Shana, a
young Reuters cameraman, on Al Jazeera TV, in a segment called "Shooting the
Messenger," a four-part series about the risks faced by reporters.

"I can't give up journalism," said the 24-year-old Palestinian in one
interview. "Only two things can stop me." Death or losing his legs.

The last thing Shana captured on his camera was the Israeli shell that
shattered his jeep and his body in early August while on assignment in the
Gaza strip.

Sitting in the comfort of my hotel, I asked myself, "Can I do this?"

Watching the footage of Shana's camera going black as the shell explodes
overhead was eerie. It felt as if weeks later, far from the Gaza Strip, and
in the darkness of my room, I'm being told: 'Turn away viewer. This conflict
is none of your affair.'

Re-enforcing this sense is the list Al Jazeera runs at the end of the
segment of journalists killed worldwide since January 2007. Like rolling
credits in a movie, the names of the dead seem endless. Most of them, by
far, are Arabic.

On the plane from Hong Kong to Thailand, I decided to list my occupation as
teacher, rather than journalist, on my customs form. I wanted to avoid any
complications while going through Bangkok customs.

I had gone into the closet because I couldn't shake the feeling that
journalists, foreign correspondents in particular, are often seen as
meddlers. rather than objective observers. I still can't shake the feeling.

Case in point. As I write this, hundreds of anti-government protesters have
stormed Thailand's NBT, a state owned news agency in Bangkok, ransacking
offices and forcing out employees, a prelude to occupying the government
offices of prime minister Samak Sudaravej.

Anchormen and reporters are roughly escorted through the mob, with one
reportedly having been punched in the face. Surrounded by angry protesters,
they look scared and thoroughly miserable.

It isn't hard to see why the media have become a target for mistrust and
resentment. They are often accused --sometimes deservedly -- of carrying
agendas and having biases. Papers take sides in their editorials, and often
reflect conservative or liberal angles and national interests in reporting
and opinion. Reporters have been known to exaggerate, or even lie outright.

Even when doing their jobs right, journalists open closets, air out dirty
laundry and tell secrets. Someone is always bound to be upset.

A few weeks ago reporters for news outlets like CNN and the BBC were
harassed and threatened by Russian soldiers and Ossetian irregulars while
looking for access into Georgia. Weeks later, details are still emerging on
the damage and casualties committed by both sides in the conflict.

In places like Iraq and Afghanistan, Russia, Mexico and Zimbabwe,
journalists are heavily regulated, threatened or denied access at all. Those
who are embedded risk much. Those that aren?'t, risk more. Cross the lines
in pursuit of a story, and you are subject to detention, kidnapping and
death, as was the case with New York Time?s reporter Stephen Vincent while
pursuing a story in Basra, Iraq.

The United States is no exception. Last year reporter Chauncey Bailey was
shot and killed in downtown Oakland, Calif., in broad daylight while
investigating a story on local corruption.

Given the stereotypes and the risks, I ask myself, "Why be a journalist?"

Because I was a fish-monger on the docks of San Francisco when Katrina
struck New Orleans and ruptured the levees. I felt helpless as two friends,
reporters and future colleagues, made their way down to the gulf while I
went home to bed.

I was compelled to document the neglect that caused the flood and act as
witness to the suffering, survival and heroism of people down on the gulf.
Four years later, I'm living abroad as a journalist and the risks of
reporting scare me, largely because it seems to have become so much more
dangerous.

In a few days, I'll travel to Myanmar, ostensibly to renew my visa for
Thailand but also to pay my respects to slain journalist Kenji Nagai, the
Japanese photographer shot to death by a Burmese soldier while covering the
military crackdown in Myanmar last year.

These are the places no one wants to go, but some one has to go, said Nagai
to his publisher at APF news agency in Tokyo before leaving for Yangon, the
Burmese capital.

Printing, which comes necessarily out of writing, is equivalent to
democracy, wrote essayist Thomas Carlyle. But before printing or writing,
and perhaps democracy, there have to be Nagais willingness to go. Without
it, there's only rumor and silence -- as there was during the Holocaust.

I confess that I struggled to hold back the tears when I watched the profile
on Fadel Shana. It seems a cruel irony when a journalist is killed while
covering a story, especially when the killing is intentional. Media
credentials are no longer a shield. Shana's jeep was clearly marked "Press."

After the moment of impact that takes his life and the black screen that
follows, an anonymous reporter captures footage of Fadel?'s broken body.
Someone has already taken his place.


I admire his courage. I hope I have it.

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]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:11:25 PDT