Dr Aye Kyaw's funeral service will take place at following address:
Location:
Tian Fook Funeral Services 6920 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11228-1102
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012
Time: 12:30 to 2:30pm
Condolence Message of the Buddhist Missionary SocietyWe all members of the Buddhist Missionary Society were shocked to know about great loss of Dr Aye Kyaw who enlightened the heart of many, will remain in our memories forever. We share in grief and extend our deepest sympathy to the family.
We feel that his loss is a loss to all the people who know him.His spirit lives within our community, and forever in heart of younger generations, and he will be relentless and uncompromisingly missed. We will always remember his life and his works he left behind. He is in our thoughts and our prayers.
Peace
Ven. NayakaBuddhist Missionary Society
New York
January 20, 2012
May you be full of bliss.
Dr. Aye Kyaw (Ph.D) was a professor in Cornel University, New York
Dear Ashun Nayaka and Ko Kyaw Tha Hla,
First of all, thanks for informing me.I am so sad to hear that Saragree Dr. Aye Kyaw passed away.May I send my condolences through you to Saragree Dr. Aye Kyaw's family.We, Arakanese, lost two Rakhaing scholars within a few months.First Saragree U Shwe Zan and now Saragree Dr. Aye Kyaw!It is a big tragedy for all of us.
Well on one hand, it is a big loss for the Arakanese community that we lost Saragree, but on the other hand, we all are Buddhists and we knew that nobody can escape "Annissa" and therefore we all have to die one day!Saragree time has come and we don't know when our time will be!Sooner or later?
Best regards,
KMS
We are very sad to hear that Dr. Aye Kyaw was passed away on 19-1-2012. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolence to his bereaved family.Please see attached file.Sincerely,
Myanmar: UN rights expert welcomes release of prisoners of conscience
January 18, 2012
ARAKANLAND
Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana. UN Photo/Pierre-Michel Virot
16 January 2012 – The United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in Myanmar today welcomed the recent decision by President Thein Sein to grant another amnesty and set free a significant number of prisoners of conscience.
“I welcome the release of many prisoners of conscience, individuals who have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental human rights or whose fair trial or due process rights have been denied,” said Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana.
“This is an important and necessary development to advance national reconciliation and deepen Myanmar’s transition to democracy,” he added in a press release.
While the exact number of prisoners of conscience released has yet to be confirmed, among those released last Friday were prominent figures whose cases have been previously addressed by Mr. Ojea Quintana, as well as individuals he visited in jail.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday also commended the authorities in Myanmar on the long-awaited release of the political prisoners, as well as other important efforts being made to advance democracy and national reconciliation. He described the release – reportedly of 651 prisoners – as “the most significant release to date.”
Mr. Ojea Quintana termed the developments in Myanmar, coming in the lead-up to by-elections slated for April, as “critical.”
“It is fundamental that all citizens, including those just released from prison, are allowed to play an active and constructive role in political and public life,” he said.
The Special Rapporteur also voiced concern that a number of prisoners of conscience remain in detention and urged the Government to immediately release all of them without conditions.
Separately, Mr. Ojea Quintana took note of preliminary agreements that have been reached between the Government and the Karen National Union, and with other ethnic groups. He expressed hope that there would be further progress in resolving conflicts with armed ethnic groups throughout Myanmar and called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law.
“I renew my call on the Government to develop a comprehensive plan to officially engage ethnic minority groups in an inclusive dialogue to resolve long-standing grievances and deep-rooted concerns,” he added. “All parties to this dialogue must ensure that investigations and accountability for past gross and systematic human rights violations are on the agenda.
“Ending discrimination and ensuring fundamental rights for Myanmar’s ethnic minorities is essential for national reconciliation and will contribute to Myanmar’s long-term political and social stability,” he said.
ARAKAN-01/16/2012-Arakanese Activists known as “RakhaLightning Youth Organization (Internal)” send an open letter to U Hla Maung Tin, Prime Minister of Arakan, to get the gain both some electricity and benefit from Shwe GasProject , demanding for Arakanese people and Arakan.
Ban welcomes prisoner release and other important moves by Myanmar authorities
January 13, 2012
ARAKANLAND
An elderly man and former prisoner in Myanmar is released from Yangon's Insein prison on 12 October 2011. Photo: IRIN/Lynn Maung
13 January 2012 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the authorities in Myanmar on the long-awaited release of political prisoners today, as well as other important efforts being made to advance democracy and national reconciliation.
Mr. Ban called the release – reportedly of 651 prisoners in all, including a number of key, prominent figures – “the most significant release to date” in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General commends the Myanmar leadership for this important development and hopes that all those released will now be able to freely contribute to the process of national reconciliation, as well as to the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law within Myanmar,” said the statement.
Mr. Ban also noted the important efforts being made by the Myanmar authorities for renewed peace with the armed ethnic groups, including yesterday’s preliminary ceasefire between the authorities and the Karen National Union as well as the initial peace agreements with other groups.
“He welcomes these efforts and encourages all concerned to build on recent progress and to work, through an all-inclusive dialogue, for an end to hostilities throughout the country, national reconciliation, stability and development for all the people of Myanmar,” the statement added.
The latest moves by the authorities of the South-east Asian nation are the continuation of reform efforts begun last year by President Thein Sein following the establishment of a new Government. These include an ongoing dialogue between the Government and pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the release in October of a significant number of detainees.
So-called Rohingya Chittagongnian Bengalis are Terrorist
January 12, 2012
ARAKANLAND
Rohingya militants get freshly united
The Somokal Sunday, Dhaka 8 January 2012
Abu Taher, Cox’s Bazar
The divided Rohingya militants are freshly getting united. According to a reliable source, they are collecting a fund of taka 500 (five hundred) million for buying arms and ammunitions.
According to the source, Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), Arakan Movement, Arakan People’s Freedom Party, Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), and some other parties including Harkatul Zihad have decided to group into alliance and work together. Top leaders including RSO President Dr Muhammad Yunus, Rohingya leader Dr Wakar Uddin, Abul Fayaz Zilani, Nurul Islam, Salamat Ullah, Muhammad Shafi Ullah, Nazmul Alam, have attended a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In the meeting decision was reached to wage activities under the banner of ‘the Arakan Rohingya Union’ (ARU) consisting of divided Rohingya militant outfits. The responsibility of the new outfit was given to Dr Muhammad Yunus, Abul Fayaz Zilani, and Nurul Islam. Shortly after the meeting the top leaders have made moves for collecting fund. The source has ensured that arms and ammunitions will be bought with the fund.
The top leader Salamat Ullah returned from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh last month for newly organizing the Rohingya militants. At present he is residing at Chunoti of Chittagong in Bangladesh. On the other hand Nazmul Alam went back to Bangkok from Riyadh. Abu Siddiq Arman has been given new responsibility as coordinator in Cox’s Bazar area. Besides that some top Rohingya militant leaders are in Cox’s Bazar now. A Rohingya militant leader, Nur Muhammad, was spotted a few days ago in Cox’s Bazar.
The source said, in recent years the Rohingya groups got split into a number of smaller groups because of internal feud. In this circumstance they have united under one banner and got engaged in collecting fund. They are also engaged in various forms of illegal traffic, including drugs, human trafficking, and illegal arms. Last week an arms dealer was arrested from Gorzonia area with an AK-47 assault rifle. The detained said that he bought the rifle for 3.5 lakh taka and was meant for selling at 4 lakh taka, when he was nabbed in the trap.
From more than one source it has been confirmed that the Rohingya militants are collecting fund through operation of NGOs. They have already collected about taka 250 (two hundred and fifty) million in the name of some NGOs in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban, including, among others, “Muslim Aid,’ ‘Karuna,’ ‘Imam Muslim,’ ‘Darul Ansar,’ ‘Samannito Manabik Uddyog,’etc.
The money brought through HUNDI (illegal financial operation) goes to various religious institutions and the rest to militants’ pockets. In a recent investigation it has been found that Imam Muslim Islamic Centre at Zhilongza, Cox’s Bazar, has been running by militant funding. The director of the institution, Hafez Sala-ul Islam, is the chief coordinator of the military wing of the RSO. From the investigation it has become clear that, militancy has been up in Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar, due to the activities of the top Rohingya militants in the areas through madrasas (Muslim seminaries), religious institutions, and NGOs.
The former secretary of the Central Executive Committee of RSO, Salamat Ullah, established a madrasah named as Adarsha Shikkha Niketon at Kalatali, in Cox’s Bazar.
Two more militants, Muhammad Zaber and Nur Muhammad are working here. Zaber is the vice president of the Central Executive Committee of RSO, and Nur Muhammad is a member. The Rohingya militants have been utilizing two refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar as their network. Many illegal militants have been illegally staying in the camps and conducting terrorist activities from inside the camps; mentionable among them are, Ali Zohar, Haji Fazal, Rafiq Ahmad, Hafiz Nayan, Lalu Daktar, Shamsu Majhi, Hafiz Zalal, Moulana Shafiullah, Nurul Haque Mazhi, Nur Mohammad, Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Sayed, Abu Qader, Abu Yahiya, Hamid, Ruhul Amin, and Abdullah Mohammad.
The source said that more than three hundred of these militants have been working as Imam or Muezzins across the country (Bangladesh). Many of them are Afghan-returnee militants.
Assistant Police Super of Cox’s Bazar, Chatradhor Tripura has said, “the police is maintaining law and order situation in the camps with limited number of forces. The refugee camps are very sensitive areas. There is a watch by international organizations inside the camps. The police do not conduct raids without specific information. This ‘advantage’ may have been exploited by the Rohingya terrorists.”
WAO-USA- Eight Central Executive member attended WAO USA monthly telephone conference held on Sunday January 8th, 2012. The meeting through conference phone called as usual. The meeting schedule and agenda were as follows:
Date of Meeting: January 8th, 2012
Time of Meeting: 9 PM (US Eastern Time)
Agenda:
1. Review of current activities set by last meetings such as assistance for fire victims and the awards for outstanding Arakanese 10th Standard passing students.
2. General Discussions for future activities
WAO, one of the social organizations of Arakanese , already made donation USD, 1,000 for 68 small scale shopkeepers whose shops fired in November last year in Mum Pra Market. So far, some donation amount of $ 1,500 will offer to fire victims who live in Sittra Village in Mre Pone Township. And WAO has already arranged to awards for outstanding 10th Standard passed Arakanese students on February 16, 2012. Recently, WAO has fund ready to donate for Law Ka Mizzu Buddha Statue in Mrauk U.
As the upcoming activities, all attendees have made decision to plan which build to pools and wells in both Mre Pone Township and Kyauk Pru Township where Cyclone Giri path hit on October22-23, 2010.
Arakanese Strongly Denounce Miss Nan Cherry's Insult Report
January 6, 2012
ARAKANLAND
Arakanese scholar Dr. Aye Chan and Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) strongly disagree and denounce Miss Nan Cherry Khan reported and used a lair story and her insulating information on Burma.
Dear Colleague: On the broadcast of BBC Burmese in the evening news of January 5, 2012, Nan Cherry Kham from Bangkok used "Rohingya Party" in her report. The Electorate Commission of Union of Myanmar does not recognize that party. What kind of right does she have to report in such a distorted form? It is clear that she has been bribed. Why was not the RNDP there in the meeting with the British Secretary of State for Forign Affairs. I think they boycotted for the presence of these illegal representatives. Down with Wily Reporter Nan Cherry Kham! Aye Chan
BBC ျမန္မာပိုင္းအစီအစဥ္မွ တိုင္းရင္းသားမ်ားကို ေစာ္ကားသည့္ သတင္းလိမ္အား တိုက္ဖ်က္ၾကပါ
Currently, Burmese army is attacking Kachin homeland to occupy land to lay (Than) Shwe gas and oil pipelines for China. Kachin soldiers felt sick inhaling smokes from exploded Burmese mortar shells. At least, the author used satellite imageries posted on Google Earth, and identified chemical factories located in a complex of Burma’s DI near Htonbo village near Padaung (town).
Burmese Military’s Hidden Chemical Weapon Factories: Catch me if you can?
According to news from the war zone on October 30,2011, a series of fighting between KachinIndependence Army (KIA) and Burmese army at Garayan, Shwe-nyaung-pin, Lon-zut-kon villages, and In-thut hill near Laizer KIA headquarters.(See map below) Due to the higher causalities with the government troops, it appeared to be that the military has started using chemical weapons which is restricted in the internal warfare by the UN.According to the KIA sources, soldiers got dizzy, vomited and collapsed after breathing the smoke from exploded shells from Burmese (military) mortar shells.The chemical shells must have been used with 81 mm and 120 mm mortars, according to some local analysts.(source: http://photayokeking.org/hot-news/787-daduleknet in Burmese)
Mortars made in Burma Defense Industry (DI) Sites
Certainly, Burma Defense Industry sites (DI) have produced shells of 105mm artillery, 120mm, 81mm, and 60mm mortars.Former Major Aung Lynn Htut (Burmese military attaché at Washington D.C.) noted that those kinds of shells have been produced at No (2) Defense Industry, Malun Village, Upper Min Hla Township, Magwe Division; No (3) Defense Industry, Sinte Village, Pantaung (Padaung) Township, Bago Division, and No (12) DI, near Sakhangyi village, Thayet Township, Magwe Division. (http://photayokeking.org/hot-news/109-19-january-hot-article)
Defense Industries (DIs) where rockets and mortars produced
Using a series of 2009 satellite imageries posted on Google Earth™ , the DIs mentioned above were able to identify along the western side of Irrawaddy River.Since under the rule of late dictator Ne Win, many of the DIs were established, but after Than Shwe seized power in1992, more DI installations were expanded inside rugged mountains located eastern edges of Arakan Yoma (Ranges).
No (2)DI Complexes (Minhla/Malun)
This DI has been designed by experts from Singapore Government Technology Company.It’s a site for testing weapons coming from Singapore.DI #2 has produced 105mm artillery, 120mm, 81mm, 60mm mortars and MA-5 machine guns.
DI #2 complexes have been spread out in Upper Minhla District.The newest establishment was located at a place in rugged mountains, one and a half mile south of Lebingyin village and eight miles west of Minhla (town).In comparison to 2007, this DI was still expanding in 2010.
This DI complex was found at a flatter basin surrounded by rugged mountains, located five miles west of Minhla (town).Most of the structures appeared to be warehouse type of factory or storage.
Malun (town) is located three miles south of Minhla (town).The military factories were well established since the dictator Ne Win’s era.The factories were built on the foothills on the southern rim of the town.There were no traces of established chemical structures in there.
No (12) DI Complexes(Thayet)
No (12) DI is located near Sakhangyi village, Thayet Township, Magwe Division.Shells of 105mm artillery, 120mm,81mm, 60mm mortars have been produced here. Weapon technology here was introduced by Daewoo Company of South Korea for body of the shells.The internal parts of the shell was taught by a company from Czech Republic which then left after Czech became a NATO member.
This DI #12 Complex is located 6 miles west of Thayet (town) located specifically in the rugged maintains.The structures appeared more of a warehouse or storage type of factories.
No (3) DI Complexes (Sinde, Pegu Division)
Since the dictator Ne Win era, DI #3 complex was built at Sinde Village, Pantaung Township, Bago Division.Its primary responsibility is to manufacture for ammunition that it produces 40,000 shells monthly for 105 mm artillery gun, 120 mm, 81 mm and 60 mm mortars. Sinde is a village located on the west bank across the Irrawaddy River from Prome.It is one of the oldest DI establishments.The factory buildings in 2008 appeared to be the same shape as those seen in 2003 satellite photos.
(No) 6DI Complexes(Padaung, Pegu Division)
The DI structures near Padaung (village) are about the same age of those in Sinde.DI #6 was responsible for producing bullets shells and copper plates for small arms.It was designed and built by Chinese.
There are two DI factories built in the spurs of the hills located one to two miles west of Okshittpin village.(See left above)A new establishment has begun at a place in the hills located four miles south of Okshittpin.(See right above)
(No) 5 DI Complex -- Chemical Production in Htonbo
This site is located 6 miles west of Htonbo village on the west bank of Irrawaddy.This DI complex has been built on a hilly terrain, but not in rugged maintains like the other complexes.It must have been built in the 1990s.More structures had sprawled between 2004 and 2009.There was no documentation on this DI. The author now exposed its existence by interpreting satellite imageries on Google Earth.The following photos will show significant structures revealing the production of chemicals inside Htonbo DI.
The evidence that the existence of chemical factories in this DI can be seen on the photos above, now. After previewing the photos, Mr. Robert Kelley (SIPRI) who has examined satellite imageries throughout his career, confirmed that there were chemical factories. Maj. Sai Thein Win (a defector Burmese military engineer) confirmed that explosives were produced in DI #5 while he was visiting this complex once. He was informed that HCl acid chemical production has been stopped. Ex-major Aung Lynn Htut (a defector Burmese senior intelligence officer) believes that those who were working in this complex may not know if the chemicals would be used for weapons.
KIA sources reported that some rocket shells exploded in the air, and the others on the ground. Major Sai Thein Win, in his analysis on the possible production of Burma’s chemical weapon in http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/18626, explained that air-born explosive could be possible to make by using chemical agent instead of smoking agent, placing inside the shell of 84 mm rockets. But he still believes that it is still too delicate to install chemical agents inside the 81 mm rocket propelling grenades produced at the DI facilities.
Catch me if you can!
The 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention bans the production and use of chemical weapons. (http://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/) Burma is accustomed to using chemical weapons during the battles against MTA Khun-sa arms forces, and Karens. Once, Maj. Aung Lynn Htut was at the battle field during Burmese soldiers heavily lost by Karen resistance. His attempt to investigate the use of chemical planted shells by Gen Maung Aye's plan who was inspecting the battle field, failed. Maj. Htut explained that those soldiers or the commanders might not even notice that they were using chemical weapons because the shells (rockets/projectiles) installed with chemical agent looked the same as the regular conventional shells, and they were all mixed together in the shell cases (boxes).
Production of chemical weapons has been a top most secret even within military apparatus. Once, the military intelligence service (MIS) branch had to back out of the attempted investigation inside the DI facility where explosives were produced (near Aung San Suu Kyi was house-arrested). The MIS’s effort to get access to the site was denied by the Infantry Branch. (http://photayokeking.org/hot-news/791-dadoleknet) Burmese military normally use mild mustard gas, so that the effect is not fatal but effective; and the gas disperses in a few minutes. They leave no smoking gun.
The Burmese army would say, “Well, catch me if you (the OPCW - Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) can?
Conclusion
Interestingly, a video link came to me with a report on another allegation of the use of Burma army's chemical weapons against karenni resistance soldiers in Kayah state. This British Channel 4 report revealed that there were medical doctors from California, USA, at the fallen Burmese camp site, and that the doctors were examining victims to prove the use of chemical weapons. The readers may view this video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rfScFveZU&feature=share
It sounds funny for so-called President Thein Sein and Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing for being able to use sneaky tactics of using chemical weapons. Burma has signed in CWC that it's no joke using chemical weapons against minorities, or anyone because it is a violation of war crime act. Currently, it is about to appointing an official Commission of Inquiryto investigate alleged war crimes perpetrated by the military rulers of Burma. No doubt, so-called retired Sr Gen Than Shwe who is still pulling the strings to Thein Sein and Min Aung Hlaing, will be enlisted as the number one war criminal. Probably, Mr. President of Burma and Mr. Senior General of Burma should now realize that who would be next in line in war ciminal list after the god father of Burmese military?
Note: This observation is based on the interpretation of satellite imageries taken in 2009 and before that were posted on Google Earth. Once 2011 photos are available on Google, more expanded military weapon factories can be identified.
Acknowledgement: Google Earth™, Rober Kelley (Austria), Sai Thein Win, Aung Lynn Htut, The Power of Fraternity website, DVB, Kachin News Group
New York City, NY-12/31/2011- “Free, Free, Arakan”“Burma’s Colonization, Down, Down”, the voice of Arakanese was carried out by Arakanese in United States of America hold as 227th mark of Arakan Independence Lost Day. Nearly 100 Arakaneses have demanded the decolonization from Burmese rule in front of the United Nations.
The ceremony opened with Arakanese National Anthem and they saluted one minute all the Arakanese heroes or martyrs who sacrificed their live for Arakanese National Independence Movement. They sent the letters to United Nations Trusteeship Council, State Department of United State, Embassy of United Kingdom, Chinese Embassy and India Embassy according to U Kyaw Won’s report.
Similarly, Arakanese Community also successfully hold the 227th Anniversary of Arakanese Sovereignty fallen Day at the City of Liberal in Kansas State. There were attending 40 people from Kansas and Texas State. Further, Arakan League for Democracy (Exile-Japan) http://www.arakanforward.com/p/blog-page_29.html , Arakanese in Bangladesh, India, Malysia and Thailand hold the day of down fall of Arakan Independence. They honored all of those who fought to protect Arakan independence –and- sacrificed for independence.
Arakan was an independent land and sovereign country throughout over 5,000 years. Traditionally, over 200 Arakanese Buddhist Kings ruled with the ten laws incumbent on Kings to practice. Arakanese was a highly civilized nation and proudly hoisting their National Flag.
The early Arakanese Kingdom was Dhanyawady and followed by Kingdom known as Wethali, Lemore and Mrauk U. In the 16th and 17th centuries, ports along the cost began receiving Arab, Central Asia, Danish, and Dutch and Portuguese traders. Growing international trade enabled Mrauk U to break free and Arakanese came to rule the entire coastline from Bay of Bangle to Adman Sea.
Unfortunately, Arakan was occupied by the Burmese in 1784 under the King Maung Wying, who sent the crown prince and a force of 30,000 to kill the Arakanese as slogan “The ‘Kyu’ reed, unless stubbed up, grows again.” Arakanese chronicle recorded 7,452,755 (Ton Wa Pam Khaine Ta Mring Mring Rakhine Lu Ko Thant) people was annihilated as genocide and Arakanese Royal Palace, 33 Major Buddhist Monasteries and 3700 Minor Monasteries were set fireby Burmese infamous King. Arakanese talismanic Mahamuni image, three grand divisions of the Buddhistic scriptures (Three Baskets), and 64 various kind of books including religious books , art and science books, written by Arakanese script, were captured- and- brought to Amara Pura, a capital city of Burmese Kingdom.
The British annexed the Arakan in 1824 after Arakanese refugees in adjacent Raj territories were attacked by the Burmese soldiers. The British ruled in Arakan 121 years through a policy of “Divide and Rule” by colonial powers. And Japanese fascist also controlled 3 years (1942-1945) in Arakan.
On 4 January 1948, at an auspicious middle-of-the-night hour, Burma became independent state from Great Britain and Arakan has been colonized by Burmese successive government. The policy of Burmese ruler U Nu, U Ne Win, Gen. Saw Maung , Senior General Than Shwe and President U Thein Sein absolutely oppressed the Arakanese people without “rule of law.” Their system or policy maintains to govern and order politically suppresses, economically exploit and socially subject base in Burmese extra-chauvinism.
The people of Arakan are being hunger, poorness and neurosis due to Burmese government brutal rule by principles of fascism constantly. There has no free and fair election, the right to vote, freedom of expression, freedom of press, and freedom of association. Arakanese people have been suffered by the Burmese government has treated and committed "murder; extermination; torture; rape, political, racial, or religious persecution and other inhumane.
Burmese authorities have systematically neglected to fulfill the basic infrastructure as roads, schools, power plants, and transportation and communication systems for Arakan since 1948. Burmese government does not respect the basic rights of Arakanese people and denied the basis of the right of self-determination. This led to the United Nations’ General Assembly adopting in 1960, a “Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and People” (Resolution 1514 (XV)).
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