The Irrawaddy
Friday, July 23, 2010
Today's Newsletter
Burma Upgrades Military with NKorean Advice
By WAI MOE
North Korean advisers have helped the Burmese military junta upgrade its strategic motor vehicle forces, form its Missile Force and improve the operation of its people's militias.
NEWS ANALYSIS
US's Burma Policy Seems to be Floundering
By SIMON ROUGHNEEN
Despite the US Senate vote to renew sanctions, America's Burma policy seems to be floundering as Washington tries to address challenges throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Burmese FM's Conflicting Messages
By BA KAUNG
Burma's Foreign Minister said the election will be "soon" but leaves Asean foreign ministers with no clear idea what he meant.
One home, One Snake: No Rats?
By KO HTWE
Rangoon residents are buying harmless, colorful snakes to rid homes and businesses of rats, as rodents in the city increase.
US Senate Renews Burma Sanctions Act
By LALIT K JHA
The US Senate extends the ban on imports from Burma by another year, a week after the House of Representatives passed the bill.
NKorean FM to Visit Burma
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
North Korea's foreign minister will make a four-day trip to Burma as part of his current four-nation tour.
Business
Owners of New Private Banks Can't Raid the Till
By NAYEE LIN LATT
The soon-to-be opened new private banks in Burma will not be allowed to lend money to business enterprises belonging to the bank owners, according to the regulations of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
Sugar Trade's Sweet Spot Turns Sour in Thailand
By ALEX ALPER / AP WRITER
Bangkok's ubiquitous street food vendors who feed millions of the Thai capital's residents each day are being hit by surging costs for sugar.
Regional
Bangkok By-election a Referendum on Redshirt Protests?
By SIMON ROUGHNEEN
With a government-party candidate facing off against a jailed member of the Redshirt opposition, the Bangkok by-election could be viewed as a referendum on the recent Redshirt protests and crackdown.
New Zealander in Cambodia for Khmer Rouge Verdict
By JERRY HARMER / AP WRITER
The brother of one of a handful of Westerners killed by the Khmer Rouge returned to Cambodia for a landmark verdict in a war crimes tribunal.
Opinion
CONTRIBUTOR
The Price of Privatization and Crony Capitalism
By KO KO THETT
Burma is a pariah state that did not participate in the wave of democratization in the late 1980s. Yet the attendant wave of economic globalization has not spared the country.
CONTRIBUTOR
The Shortcomings of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
By POKPONG LAWANSIRI
Questions linger as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal prepares to deliver its judgment on 'torturer-in-chief' Duch.