Burmese army begins to use chemical weapons?

There are reports that the Burmese Army has been supplied with mortar rounds laced with chemical weapons. This equipment is reported (according to alleged Burmese AZrmy sources) to come from North Korea.

Rebel sources report a test firing of one of these chemical rounds:

During the clash between Burmese troops and Kokang rebels also called the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) from August 27 to 29, in rebel territory in Northeast Shan State, the Burmese Army fired the mortar once, said sources close to the MNDAA.

So far I have only seen these reports on the TaiFreedom website, but I hope that International journalists will investigate, as the Burmese regime has a history of flirting with chemical weapons.

Vernacular Resources for Local Communities

This is the second part of my Digital Faith presentation. In this part I describe a possible application of digital audio technologies to provide a simple cheap answer to the problem of providing vernacular resources: approximate oral translation. This idea is scalable, uses appropriate, rugged technology and as far as possible existing resources.

Digital audio and ‘reading’ the Bible

A short 8 mins summary of the first part of my presentation to the Digital Faith meetings at the University of Auckland. Discusses how digital audio changes how we relate to the Bible.

Selling arms to violent criminals

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Ky (whose party was elected by a landslide in the last free elections in Burma aka Myanmar) has been convicted of not expelling an visitor that her junta appointed jailors allowed to invade her home.
The ethnic opposition to these military dictators in Burma is being chased into exile by armed force or has been bribed into silence.

Yet the junta plan “elections” next year. It is time to speak out. At the very least we can oppose selling more arms to these thugs! Please sign up

Dengue fever

According to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma there is a dengue fever outbreak in Mae La camp. Although dengue is common in the area at this time of year in such confined quarters it highlights the need for more mozzie nets. Although the authorities  do their best to protect residents by rigorous spraying to kill mosquitos in and around the camp nets are still the best protection against the spread of such diseases.

Mosquito control at Mae La

New refugees to be shifted to Mae La?

There is a full and detailed report on the Aiya Burma Fund site (which though I have not seen corroborated elsewhere sounds accurate) which says that the 3,000 new refugees will not be housed in a new camp in an abandoned school but moved to Mae La (They fled Burma during the recent surge by the Myanmar and their DKBA surrogate forces when these troops torched their villages.) Mae La was already the largest camp on Thailand’s border. Following an ambush on the Moei River (which forms the border) which killed a DKBA commander Colonel San Pyone they write:

Site of Eden Valley Academy, Tha Song Yang region - Photo: TBBC

Attacks on civilians are anticipated in retribution for the DKBA commander’s death.

Because of the precarious security at Ti Nu Koh agencies responsible for critical infrastructure, food and clothing had asked the Thai Army to post armed guards around the old school should it be used as a temporary camp.

Thai security forces said they were undermanned, could not ensure security and recommended another site be considered.

All parties agreed to move the dislocated people into the massive Mae La refugee camp.

Anyone who wants to return home may do so, but Thai authorities will ask them to sign a form saying they have rejected refuge in Thailand of their own accord and have not been forced to leave.

This is to counter recent allegations of soldiers forcing those fleeing back across the border and to prove Thailand is willing to offer safe haven in a time of need.

Please pray

The Irawaddy reports:

Burmese refugees at Mae La refugee camp are on alert due to a threat of attack by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), according to the vice chairman of the camp.

“The DKBA said they will destroy our camp,” said Vice-Chairman Htun Htun, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Many of the refugees have packed clothing and belongings in preparation for a military assault, sources in nearby Mae Sot said. Camp authorities have imposed a curfew of 9 p.m. On all refugee residents.

The DKBA threatened to attack Mae La camp after one of their influential commanders, San Pyote (aka Soe Myint), the head of Battalion 7, was ambushed and killed by an unknown armed group while traveling by longtail boat on the Moei River on June 26.

UN Sec Gen to Burma on Friday

(STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Aung San Suu Kyi meeting diplomats before her trial

The Times reports that

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, will visit Burma on Friday in a diplomatically risky effort to win concessions from the country’s military dictatorship.

Mr Ban hopes to persuade the Burmese junta to release political prisoners, including the country’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in advance of an election next year, denounced by opposition groups as fraudulent and meaningless.

But if he comes away without a significant compromise by the regime, he will further undermine the UN’s authority in a country where neither punitive sanctions nor diplomatic engagement have brought any obvious improvements.

Please pray that his visit will be useful, and not merely a propaganda opportunity for the regime. It comes at a time when the clamp down on ethnic opposition is particularly intense, with the Burmese opposition (esp. Aung San Suu Kyi) also under attack Ban Ki Moon’s visit could be critical…

Relief supplies needed

Following the call for prayer, as the Burma Army and its allied forces begins to drive villagers out of yet another area, Partners have asked for money to provide relief supplies for the affected villagers:

Partners staff are rapidly working with ethnic leaders to provide critical assistance.

More than 60 families have arrived seeking aid and refugee. Food and emergency supplies are being distributed. Additional help is on the way.

Many at risk families have fled other Burma Army attacks. As recently as last week, Partners staff assisted 40 families with essential provisions, such as mosquito nets, blankets, clothes, pots, pans, and bowls.

If you want to give so innocent people can survive.  Here are the donation pages for:

• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Canada
• USA

Donations are usually tax deductible!

Call for prayer

Partners in the UK have issued this call for prayer:

2nd June 2009 – Prayer for Ler Ber Her and 22 Battalion, Karen State

We have just received information that the Burma Army and the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) are planning to attack Ler Ber Her, an IDP camp on the border and 22 Battalion close by in Karen State.

Our sources have told us that armed troops of hundreds of soldiers are only 2 days walk away.

The Burma Army and DKBA have arrested civilians whom they are using as porters for the operation. These people come from inside Pa-an district and Myawaddi Township.

Please pray – there are many innocents who today have nowhere else to run and are in fear for their lives.