May 21 - 27, 2012

myanmartimes
Myanmars first international weekly Volume 32, No. 627 1200 Kyats
U Win Myint announced on May 7 that any Myanmar citizen with a foreign currency account at selected state-run banks would be able to import a vehicle made in 2007 or later. There are so many people coming to open new bank accounts because they want to import cars that weve had to set up a special section, said an employee at the Myanma Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) office on Mahabandoola Garden Street in downtown Yangon. We are doing our best to open new accounts for clients and its possible to set one up within a day if you arrive early, she said, adding that otherwise the customer needed to return the next day to open the account. While details of the program are still unclear, the ministry has indicated that any vehicle made after 2006 can be imported under the program but has reduced taxes on vehicles with smaller engine sizes. A vehicle with an engine less than 1350 cubic centimetres (cc) will incur tax and customs duties equivalent to 105 percent of its cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value. The importer of a car with an engine between 1350cc and 2000cc will be required to pay 145pc of its CIF value in tax, while a vehicle with a larger engine will incur 165pc tax. More page 4

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Car import rule changes spark rush at state-run banks

By Aung Kyi RECENT changes to car import rules have sparked a surge in applications for foreign currency bank accounts, bank officials and customers said last week. Minister for Commerce

New best friends

Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton share a moment as they participate in a joint news conference in Washington DC on May 17. Pic: AFP

Obama nominates ambassador

By Zaw Win Than with AFP UNITED States President Barack Obama has nominated Derek Mitchell to become the first US ambassador to Myanmar in 22 years and announced an easing of financial sanctions. In a statement released on May 17, Mr Obama said the measures had been taken in response to Myanmars significant progress along the path to democracy. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the United States and Burma, Mr Obama said. He said the US was living up to its pledge to respond to positive developments in Burma and to clearly demonstrate Americas commitment to the future of an extraordinary country, a courageous people and universal values. As an iron fist has unclenched in Burma, we have extended our hand, and are entering a new phase in our engagement on behalf of a more democratic and prosperous future for the Burmese people, he said. The president announced the ambassadorial nomination of Mr Mitchell, whose work has been instrumental in bringing about this new phase in US-Myanmar ties. Mr Mitchell has been serving as the State Departments special representative to Myanmar. However, his appointment to the ambassador post requires confirmation by the US Senate. The US government will now license certain types of investment in financial services and allow US businesses to work in Myanmar, although it says it will ensure that those who abuse human rights and seek to slow progress do not benefit. More page 4

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Its time to show some respect for each other

By Lian Kual Sang IN Myanmar, we talk a great deal about respect, forgiveness, development, hard work, and many other virtuous deeds, beliefs and attitudes. Sometimes I think we are inundated with these topics, mostly thanks to our respected writers, political leaders and seniors. However, I rarely hear of us Myanmar talk about the importance of having or showing respect for our fellow citizens, whether they are Bamar, Myanmar Chinese or Indian, or our ethnic brothers and sisters. Allow me to share my views on the attitudes I think we need to re-examine what is common to almost all of us. To begin with, I notice that we treat foreigners better then locals in our own country. Whether at a workplace or a marketplace, we seem to show more respect towards foreigners than we do to our fellow Myanmar citizens. From a social and human development point of view I think this attitude is undesirable. This attitude makes us feel that we are less capable than others. For example, there have been many foreign expatriates working in Myanmar for years. After completing their projects or contracts, I have never heard any of them say that they were not treated properly during their stay, although they may have had to give up some of the modern facilities and infrastructure of neighbouring and Western countries. Most expatriates and visitors with whom I have spoken say that people in Myanmar are quiet, cooperative and helpful. Working in Myanmar, they say, compares favourably with other parts of the world. It might seem good that we are seen as helpful and cooperative and never causing trouble. Sadly, however, when it comes to dealing with our own people it is altogether a different story. We do not pay the same level of respect to fellow citizens as we do to foreigners living in or visiting Myanmar. Consider employment in the private or international non-government organisation sectors. With the country opening up and liberalising its economy, many new local companies and other international organisations are setting up. Of course, some foreign professionals are hired but most employees are Myanmar citizens. There are many differences between local staff and foreign professionals in terms of salary, social benefits and recognition. In fact, I am puzzled by a number of organisations that appoint foreign professionals in very senior positions. Our own people, who are equally capable, know the local context and in most cases have years of work experience, are often assigned to work under foreign professionals who have equivalent skills, less work experience and very limited knowledge of Myanmar. Sadly, this indicates that we are not willing to pay due respect to and show appreciation for our own people. We are indeed very slow to exactly the same tasks with equal capacity. Why do Myanmar companies and international organisations pay a lower salary to Myanmar professionals who are equally capable and doing the same job as their expatriate colleagues? Foreigners whom Ive met in Myanmar say they rarely experience difficult relationships with Myanmar people with whom they worked or are associated. No wonder they love Myanmar. In contrast, we are very courageous in attacking our fellow citizens. We show neither hesitation nor shame in causing trouble for each other. It is a sad reality that we should all admit. We are very fond of criticising our countrymen, whether its in our neighbourhood, workplace or somewhere else. We are all experts in how to belittle the success or achievement of our fellow Myanmar. This is extremely detrimental not only for each of us as individuals but for the country as a whole. How do will deal with this undesirable mentality? Is this a sign of an inferiority complex? The first step is simply to appreciate who we are as Myanmar citizens. We must believe that we are equally capable if not better at doing things than our foreign counterparts. At the same time, foreigners here should be viewed as though they are just like us. Secondly, lets appreciate and sincerely show respect for the achievements of our fellow citizens. Lets stop criticising and belittling ourselves. Lets be willing to recognise our own achievements and reward them properly. Unless we appreciate and respect our own people, how can we expect other people to respect us? As Confucius said, Respect yourself and others will respect you. Doing so will lead to us gaining respect and high regard from our friends from other countries for the right reasons. (Lian Kual Sang, a Chin, is a freelance business consultant and entrepreneur from Yangon who works for Myanmar Survey Research. He has studied in Myanmar, Australia and the Philippines and can be reached at naolian@gmail.com.)

The Mail Box

Dear Editor, Everybody agrees that freedom of press is a most crucial ingredient: as the Myanmar saying goes, dar thaw htat kalaung thaw ka htet tae The pen is sharper than the blade of a sword. A lot of people in Myanmars journalism industry once did their work very well. The Guardian and Nation were famous English newspapers in Yangon. But some did not work properly. Some pleased the authorities to get favours, fame and fortune, and rewards, while other selfesteemed journalists went against the authorities without caring much for the wishes of people. This is how freedom of the press was jeopardised half a century ago. During the first decade after independence in Myanmar, there were several newspapers, not only in English and Myanmar but also in Indian and Chinese. Those newspaper covered politics, economics and social issues for the different and various residents of Yangon at that time. Real freedom of the press flourished widely. There were also several newspapers that represented the biases and leanings of political parties both the extreme right and left and this resulted in debates between opposing editors running on the pages for weeks and months. Later, this led to personal attacks. Now the media has regained some of its freedom and journalists and editors should learn from the lessons of half a century ago. Additionally, it is the duty of all journalists, especially the younger generation, to understand the issues that matter to their audience. In this respect I would like to see newspapers published in local ethnic dialects as well as the Chinese and Indian languages that once flourished because our two neighbours are no less important to us today. I agree with country director of ActionAid Myanmar Shihab Uddin Ahamad, who recently pointed out that media is the best tool [to act as] an ear for the government; media ought to take as a rule to shape the democracy system. Here, I would like to add eye next to ear to recognise the age of information technology that we are in. In this regard I want to convey a message to the media, although it may sound a little out of date. If the definition of democracy is government by the people for the people, today journalists should also carry out a similar duty, acting as the real voice of the people and working on behalf of the people, rather than hoping and looking for fame and fortune, as it was this that put freedom at risk in the past. Thank you, Perry Han Shin

are very Weattacking courageous in our fellow citizens. We show neither hesitation nor shame in causing trouble for each other. It is a sad reality we should all admit.

acknowledge and offer proper rewards to our own people who achieve great results and are capable of doing many things. A comparison of Myanmar professionals working abroad and inside the country is a good example of how we do not appreciate ourselves. The reality is that in many cases Myanmar professionals and their colleagues in the host country are equally capable and doing exactly the same job. However, as we all know, Myanmar professionals are required to work longer hours with a lower salary. To me it is very logical; you look after your own citizens better than others. But when those same Myanmar professionals return to work in their own country, they are paid lower salaries compared to their colleagues from abroad who are doing

Got something to say? We want to hear from you. Address all correspondence to the Editor, The Myanmar Times (English). We endeavour to respond to all correspondence in a timely manner. Address: 379-383, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada township. Telephone: (+951) 392-928, 253-642, Fax: (+951) 392-706 Email: your.myanmar.times@gmail.com

Vietnam dodges responsibilities on rare wildlife

ONE splendid thing about Vietnam is the way they treat dogs. They eat them. If only Thailand, England and elsewhere did the same, wed avoid the spectre of mangy pariah dogs prowling and fouling the streets. The subject became topical last month when United States President Barack Obama recalled eating dog meat as a child in Indonesia. Riffing on the difference between a pit bull dog and a hockey mum, he joked that a pit bull is delicious. Actually, consuming dog meat is legal in most American states, as it is in countries as diverse as China, East Timor, Switzerland, Nigeria and Tonga. Few, however, consume it with as much gluttonous relish as the Vietnamese. When living in Hanoi, I often walked to the nearby 1912 market to buy fruit and there I would behold the unloading of great stacks of roasted canine carcasses. Puzzled by how they were all the same size, I was told it was because they were farmed, not plucked off the streets partly, of course, because there were none left on the streets. On Phan Boi Chau, the street where I lived, there was a restaurant renowned for bow wow dishes, as well as those of various exotic wild animals. The place was popular with police officers and military men, who would crowd in at the end of the lunar month when it was viewed as lucky to eat dog meat. They would sit upstairs and share heaped plates of grilled pooch and drink copious amounts of booze before heading off for some other fun. Vietnamese men believe their sexual prowess is heightened by eating dog meat. Viagra, though much cheaper, is not rated as highly. Well, scoff not, for they may be right. Anyway who cares? They love eating it and it does keep the mutts off the streets. As one Hanoi-based diplomat told me: Im fine with eating dog meat, its a totally sustainable practice. But eating endangered wild animals is not. Regrettably, most Vietnamese regard wild animal flesh as a five-star version of dog meat, believing it to be not only more delicious, but more therapeutic and efficacious in enhancing libido. A cynical joke among environmentalists is that in Vietnam the acronym PETA does not mean People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as it does elsewhere, but instead stands for People Eating Tasty Animals. A man holds a piece of rhino horn in Hanoi. Pic: AFP up the price. Already, the soaring black market trade in wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth up to US$20 billion a year and has been linked to organised crime syndicates. In theory, Vietnamese law requires permits to hunt, import and sell wildlife products, but enforcement is woeful, partly because the police and military also love their monthly animal feasts and rarely take action. That is Vietnams tragedy. Its government could, if it had the mettle, stamp out this scourge once and for all. But the regime is so deeply unpopular on many fronts that it dare not risk alienating the masses even more. Still, a start could be made by actively encouraging the production and consumption of more delicious dog meat as a substitute for wild animals. After all, it did Obama no harm.

Hanoi is the nations largest market for illegal wildlife meat and the most popular dishes are deer, bears, civets, porcupines, pangolins, monkeys, forest pigs and turtles. An advance order and a fat wallet will get you tiger meat, wild bear bile and even rhino horn Vietnam having now overtaken China as the worlds biggest consumer of this useless blob of hard dry keratin.

The constant craving for wild meat has devastated Vietnams once-abundant wildlife and caused naturalists to warn of a silent forest syndrome national parks with plants but no animals. Already most of Vietnams forests have been denuded of bears, tigers and other wildlife, so that poachers have to move into Cambodia and Laos to catch their prey. That, of course, has driven

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Concerns over national press council role ahead of June 30

Ministry announces that news journals will shift to self-censorship from the end of June
By Nyein Ei Ei Htwe DECADES of pre-publication censorship of news journals is set to end from next month, the Ministry of Information announced last week. From June 30, news journals will no longer be required to submit all content to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD) before publication, director U Myo Myint Maung said on May 15. Content will instead be monitored by a National Press Council, a body whose composition and responsibilities remain largely unclear. The formation of the press council is included in the Printers and Publishers Law that has been drafted by the Ministry of Information. While the draft law has not yet been submitted to parliament for approval, the ministry said last week that the council would be formed before the law is promulgated so that news publications can transition to self-censorship as soon as possible. U Myo Myint Maung was speaking at a press conference held to announce that all books, except for the politics and religion genres, would no longer be subject to pre-censorship, effective immediately. Journalists and editors have cautiously welcomed the change but said much will depend on whether the council is truly independent of the government. Ko Zaw Thet Htwe, leader of the recently formed Myanmar Journalists Union, said the move did not necessarily represent greater freedom for publications. We cant say it is press freedom because some responsibilities of PSRD are simply taken over by the National Press Council. Also the Printing and Publishing the censorship board. In December, business, crime and legal publications were released, while in March educational publications no longer had to submit content for pre-publication censorship. Journalist Maung Wuntha said he believed the relaxation of censorship would lead to more competition in the media industry and so establishing a workable code of ethics would be one of the press councils most important tasks. He said that journalism ethics and standards should not be allowed to fall by the wayside in the quest to get news first or to make content more sensational. Although now there is some big news that urgently needs to be published in the papers, we need to submit all [of it] to PSB and wait for permission. When we get more freedom, the public will know all the news immediately but we need to make sure the news can be trusted, he said. There are a lot of rules for reporters to follow. For example, if a child is involved in a crime, the reporter cant name the child or put their photo in the paper. He said the National Press Council must have members who can effectively solve disputes that arise between journalists and the government, the public and business interests. The leaders of the press council will have to talk with journalists and draw up a journalism code of ethics. After that they will need to ensure all journalists obey those ethics. But if the members of the council just work according to the governments orders or misuse their authority, no one will have any faith in them.

Briefs
President recovering from illness: official
YANGON President U Thein Sein was on May 18 recuperating at his private home in Yangon after feeling unwell, officials said, denying rumours of a more serious illness. He has a cold but he is well now, said an official at the presidential office who did not want to be named. The 67-year-old former general, who has overseen dramatic political changes in Myanmar since coming to power on March 30, 2011, has a heart condition and uses a pacemaker. AFP

Society tries to change pain attitudes

THE Myanmar Society for the Study of Pain is seeking to change attitudes among the countrys doctors and nurses, who it says show too little concern for the discomfort of medical patients. Society president Professor Myint Thaung said it was essential that medical professionals adopt a more patient-centred approach. He said this would take some time to achieve and would require improved education and monitoring of medical professionals. Patients were losing faith in doctors and nurses because they failed to pay enough attention to their pain, particularly after surgery. This was partly occurring because medical professionals received poor training on the topic, he said at a roundtable meeting on use of medication to treat acute osteoarthritis late last month. We studied about pain at university but some of the teachings are not in line with international standard and guidelines. And in Myanmar there are still no guidelines or protocols for pain alleviation, Professor Myint Thaung said. Shwe Yee Saw Myint

Yangon residents read a newspaper on April 2. Pic: AFP Law that will be submitted [to the hluttaw] in July but some sections [are] based on the 1962 Printers and Publishers Law, Ko Zaw Thet Htwe told The Myanmar Times last week. He said he would welcome the formation of the National Press Council if its members were selected by a popular vote. We are not sure who will organise that council yet and we hope it will comprise those selected by the public. We need to watch whether it is just members chosen by the government, he said. He also said that the restrictions on publications after June 30, along with the punishments for infractions, needed to be fair. If censorship laws are suspended completely then we will have to take responsibility for the contents of our publications as per the constitution. If we make a mistake or break the law, we will face the consequences but it needs to be fair. If not, it will hinder freedom of expression. U Myo Myint Maung from PSRD said the changes were in line with the 2008 constitution, which grants all citizens the right to speak out, write and publish their thoughts and beliefs freely. He reinforced that the new freedoms would come with added responsibility. Deputy director general U Tint Swe said the ministry had been planning to relax censorship since 2008. Now we are releasing all novels except politics and religion [from precensorship]. And for political and news journals, we plan to organise a press council that matches with the 2008 constitution before finishing our print [media] law. But all journals will be released on June 30, U Tint Swe said. To accompany last weeks relaxation, the ministry released guidelines for book publishers that warn them not to publish material against the fundamental laws, that reveals state secrets, is obscene, insults other religions, or stimulates crises or rumours. If they break our rules, the main person responsible will be the publisher because all citizens have the right to write what they believe and think but not necessarily to distribute it, U Tint Swe said. The relaxation is the divisions fourth since June 10, 2011 when it allowed lifestyle, health, childrens, technology and sports publications to bypass

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Stability of the State, community peace and tranquillity, prevalence of law and order Strengthening of national solidarity Building and strengthening of disciplineflourishing democracy system Building of a new modern developed nation in accord with the Constitution

Four political objectives

Building of modern industrialized nation through the agricultural development, and all-round development of other sectors of the economy Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investment from sources inside the country and abroad initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands The of the State and the national peoples

Four economic objectives

Uplift of the morale and morality of the entire nation of national prestige and integrity and preservation Uplift and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character Flourishing of Union Spirit, the true patriotism Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation

Four social objectives

Free remaining political prisoners, urges Clinton

WASHINGTON US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appealed to the Myanmar government last week to free all remaining political prisoners. We also would like to see the release of any continued political prisoners, Ms Clinton asid during a press conference with Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin on May 17. The government freed more than 300 political prisoners in an amnesty in January, a move that prompted the United States to pledge to restore full diplomatic ties. About 200 others were let out in October 2011 and estimates of the number still behind bars vary. From page 1 U Wunna Maung Lwin said most of the people on lists received from the European Union and the US have been released but some left in prison have committed criminal Barack Obama eased investment curbs on Myanmar and named the first US ambassador to the country in more than 20 years. Ms Clinton also said the pleased to hear about new mechanisms, both official and non-governmental, to encourage meaningful dialogue. Conflict between the Tatmadaw and Kachin Independence Army has raged for a year, displacing about 50,000 civilians and casting a shadow over hard-won government ceasefires in other parts of the country. She also discussed concerns about military cooperation between nuclear-armed North Korea and Myanmar. Im encouraged by reports that President Thein Sein has stated he will end the military relationship with North Korea, Ms Clinton added. AFP

very committed to The United States isthe ethnic conflicts. supporting the end of
offences or are linked to terrorist activities. But he said President U Thein Sein will further grant amnesties when appropriate. Ms Clintons remarks came the same day that President United States is very committed to supporting the end of the ethnic conflicts in the country as she expressed concern about recent violence in Kachin State. But she said: I was very

Mitchell nominated
The decision could usher in the first major trade and investment between the US and Myanmar for years, and help pry open a backward economy left behind by speeding Southeast Asian development. It is a recognition of progress, it is a recognition that opening up greater economic engagement between our two countries is important to support reformers, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. But Mr Obama, seeking maximum leverage on Myanmars quasi-civilian government and to preserve his options in case of backsliding, maintained wider US sanctions on Myanmar and figures linked to the former junta. Mr Obama also said that the sanctions law would stay on the books to encourage further reform and to allow a speedy reimposition if needed. Burma has made important strides but the political opening is nascent and we continue to have concerns, including remaining political prisoners, ongoing conflict, and serious human rights abuses in ethnic areas, he said. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made a historic trip to Myanmar in December, also pressed the authorities to release more political prisoners after meeting Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin the same day. The US government will maintain restrictions on investment with the military, which has deep commercial interests in the countrys economy. What we are doing is easing [sanctions] on society at large and carefully looking to target what we call the spoilers, the bad actors within the system, said another senior US official. US law currently requires the president to restrict imports from Myanmar and bans US investment and export of financial services to the country.

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It also blocks property and assets of certain members of the Myanmar ruling class and senior officials linked to the former junta. Mr Obama said the US was also seeking to enhance peopleto-people ties with Myanmar through student, professional and cultural exchanges. Opening up greater economic engagement between our two countries is critical to supporting reformers in government and civil society, facilitating broad-based economic development, and bringing Burma out of isolation and into the international community. A statement from Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell and his party colleague Senator John McCain pointed to strong bipartisan support for Mr Obamas approach on Capitol Hill. Todays announcements strike an appropriate balance between encouraging the process of reform now unfolding in Burma, while maintaining sufficient leverage to continue pressing the Burmese government for additional progress, the two senators said. They noted the move did not amount to lifting sanctions but was a conditional suspension of some measures, and that punishments for those who steal Myanmars resources and abuse human rights would remain in place. But Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Obama was mov ing prematurely. We know so little about the actual impact of political changes made by the ruling junta in the past year, she said. Until we see more evidence of change, I am adamantly opposed to rolling back the only leverage that we possess in that country. But Dr Maung Maung Lay, vice president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the

announcement was very positive news. It will lead to better relations between the governments of Myanmar and US. This announcement will encourage future business development in our country in terms of US investment and trade with Myanmar, Dr Maung Maung Lay said.

Rush to open accounts

Many of those opening accounts last week said they were hoping to take advantage of the lower taxes on smaller cars. Daw Aye Aye Win, a textile stall owner from Theingyi Market, said she had visited MFTB for one reason to become a car owner. I came to open a foreign currency bank account to apply for a licence to import a car. I expect that Ill be able to get a car with a 1350cc engine for about K10 million, she said. I have tried to buy a good Japanese car for K10 million but have been unable to find one. And I also tried to buy a Chinese Chery QQ3 car when the Ministry of Industry imported and sold them but I was too late. U Aung Linn, a medical assistant from Yankin township, said: Now it is our turn to apply for a permit to buy a good condition car from Japan. Ive been jealous of the foreign workers and sailors who were allowed to apply for import permits and I thought I should also have the right too, since Im a civil servant. An MFTB employee said people interested in opening a foreign currency bank account needed to bring at least US$100 and their national registration card. Application forms are available over the counter for K600. The state-run Kyemon (Mirror) newspaper reported on May 14 that people who wanted to import a car under the program had to open a bank account at either MFTB in Yangon, Myanma Economic Bank in Nay Pyi Taw or the Myanma Investment and

Commercial Bank (MICB) in Yangon or Mandalay. The rush to open foreign currency accounts has increased demand for US dollars and seemingly weakened the exchange value of the kyat, banking sources said. A clerk at Innwa Banks foreign currency exchange counter on Thein Byu Road in Yangon said the number of customers had risen significantly in the past week. Before the car import announcement [on May 7] most people came here to sell dollars and other foreign currencies to buy kyat and we had to limit sales, he said. But now there are no limits and we are selling a lot of dollars. An employee at the Myawaddy Bank exchange counter on Thein Byu Road said: Myawaddy Banks head office on Sule Pagoda Road also provides bank transfers but at the moment we have stopped buying dollars because we have too many. The Central Bank of Myanmar announced that the exchange counters could set the rates for buying and selling at plus or minus 0.8 percent the daily rate it sets based on the results of currency auctions. On May 16, the buying rate at the Thein Byu exchange counters was K826 to the dollar or FEC, while the selling rate was K838. The Central Banks rate was K835 to the dollar on May 18. Meanwhile, the overage car import substitution program, which allowed people to hand in cars with older number plate prefixes in return for a permit to import a car made between 1995 and 2006, was suspended on May 7, although permit holders are still able to use them. However, the value of the permits had declined about 50 percent, to K7-8 million, following the partial liberalisation of car imports. Brokers said last week that nearly all vehicles in the market were down K5-10 million on their pre-May 7 value. related story page 10.

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MyanMar tiMes May 21 - 27, 2012

U Thein Sein makes pledge on North Korea military ties

By Zaw Win Than PRESIDENT U Thein Sein last week promised South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak that Myanmar would not buy any more weapons from North Korea. U Thein Sein told the South Korean president during a landmark two-day visit that Myanmar has never had nuclear cooperation with North Korea but had done deals with Pyongyang for conventional weapons, Mr Lees office said in a statement released on May 15. U Thein Sein assured Mr Lee that Myanmar would honour United Nations Security Council resolutions and no longer buy weapons from North Korea, the statement said. I pointed out during my conversation with President Thein [Sein] that I hope that the government will refrain from engagement in any activities with North Korea considered as violating various United Nations Security Council resolutions and that request was formally made to President U Thein Sein yesterday during my summit meeting, Mr Lee said at a joint press conference with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Yangons Sedona Hotel on May 15. Mr Lee is the first South Korean president to visit Myanmar since 1983, when North Korean agents attempted to assassinate then-South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan during a visit to Yangon. President Chun narrowly escaped the attack at Martyrs Mausoleum but 17 South Koreans, including cabinet ministers, and four Myanmar officials were killed. During their meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on May 14, Mr Lee and U Thein Sein also discussed ways to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, and the South Korean leader also offered to expand loans and aid. Talks touched on a variety of areas of potential cooperation, including human resource development, education, infrastructure, industrial development, environmental conservation, tourism transportation, communications, science and technology, energy and mining, Mr Lees office said. Discussions with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 15 included a strong focus on education, he said at a press conference after their meeting. I just pointed out the reasons why Korea was able to become a democracy and a prosperous nation [was] because we are so committed and passionate about providing an education to our next generation of leaders, Mr Lee said. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that economic development should not come at the expense of justice, freedom and prosperity President Lee understands perfectly that prosperity is no substitute for democracy. Moreover, we are agreed on the importance of education. He himself benefited from the education that his parents worked so hard to give him. We would like the children of Burma to have access to the kind of education that will enable them to construct the future of this country in the way that they would want, she said. It is not enough to be secure. We need human dignity to be protected by the government I have spoken to the president of the need to empower the people. Dr Maung Maung Lay, vice president of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), said Myanmar had much to gain from closer economic and political ties with South Korea. By engaging with South Korea, we will have more cooperation on economic issues and more education and investment opportunities, Dr Maung Maung Lay said. We need to learn a lot of things from South Korea, not only in terms of the economy but also politics. He also welcomed the presidents promise on ties with North Korea. North Koreas government is very unpredictable and Myanmar will benefit in the future from the [decision]. Dr Maung Aung, an economic adviser to the president, agreed that U Thein Sein had made the right decision on North Korea. For South Korea, Myanmar engagement with North Korea is an important issue, he said.

President U Thein Sein and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak walk past a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw on May 14. Pic: AFP

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May 21 - 27, 2012
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The government must change its attitude towards media

Mr Larry Jagan, a Bangkok-based freelance journalist and Southeast Asia who has covered events in Myanmar for more than 30 years, on the changes in Myanmars media industry
By Nan Tin Htwe How important is press freedom for Myanmar when it is transitioning to democracy? Real press freedom is critical for any democracy and any society in transition. One of the key things that needs to be done is all authorities need to be accountable and transparent. Thats the government, opposition parties, businesspeople and even religious leaders, and the only independent way of doing this is by having a free press. I think only [professional] journalists tend to be able to make all authorities accountable. What has been your experience working in Myanmar as a journalist? Im an international journalist who worked for the BBC for nearly 20 years. While I was reporting in Burma, I reported for the BBC. Therefore, I was not subject to any kind of censorship. However, it means the authorities didnt like what I wrote. There were much more restrictions [on] access. They only allowed me [to visit] for a limited amount of time. Over the past 20 years, I have been allowed [to report in Myanmar] for only two years. Authorities still do not understand how to deal with journalists. They are not forthcoming, they are not frank, and they do not welcome being questioned by journalists. Until the authorities are able to respond more professionally with journalists, we are not going to see a free press there will be a free press only when the attitude of government changes. Whats your assessment of the quality of Myanmars media? There is no question of the standard of Burmese journalists. It has improved dramatically over the last 10 years. Im also convinced that one of the reasons that started this change was the launch of The Myanmar Times. [It has] given an incentive and umbrella to independent magazines and newspapers in Burmese language. They have flourished. There is no question [the industry] has improved dramatically. We are on the cusp of having more change. But its not here yet and I think Burmese journalists are still a long way from being truly professional. What is it like to be freelance? As a freelance journalist, its very hard. I dont make a living as a journalist. I make a living by teaching journalism and communications to nongovernment organisations and diplomats. Its not easy. Its inconsistent. But being a freelance [journalist] working for BBC is great. While I was at the BBC, I spent many hours in meetings. [As a freelance journalist] I have great job satisfaction and a lot less money. But I make my decisions; what I want to write, not the funny stories that the editor wants. The way to go is you have to contact people. Now is the time theres going to be a lot of interest in freelance contribution and it depends on what is your specialty. That maybe not be what your oganisation wants, like politics. [But] there are a lot more stories than politics. What you have to develop what is your beat. The [best] areas for freelance [journalists] are investigating corruption, environmental damage and the impact of economic policy. Being freelance means you work for yourself. You are self employed and earn income by selling your stories. The pressure on freelancers is to be sensational. I think its important in any media landscape that you have government media, opposition and independent media. Its also good to have journalists who work freelance. We do not see many freelance journalists here. Do you think this will change in the future? If the media law is as progressive as the people in the Ministry of Information say it is going to be, then inevitably there will be more freelance journalists. One of the reasons for the lack of freelance journalists here is its so difficult to work the restrictions and the government. The other is an economic matter. How do you get currency if you work for international newspapers? This is going to change. Things are going to get better and inevitably there will be more freelance journalists. There will be more international freelance journalists who want to set up in Yangon. I want to transfer to Yangon but this is my first time here in nine years.

Beached sampans near the Setsan terminal in Kyeemyindaing. Pic: Noe Noe Aung

Sampan ban leaves villagers jobless

no other source of income to rely on so are waiting for when [the terminal] reopens. Boat driver U Than Aung Htwe said the sampan operators were initially informed by a clerk from the township administration office and the administrator for Setsan, Aukyone and Ahlatchaung villages that they would need to take a short break to upgrade the safety of our boats from March 25. But, on March 26, an order was issued to stop all 108 sampans from the village from operating. The sampan that was involved in the accident is still in the police lock-up and the other 107 are all banned. It has been one month and eight days now. Following a meeting of township administration officials on May 4, the authorities announced that the Setsan terminal would remain closed for a minimum of two months, after which operators could submit an appeal for it to reopen, said Ko Thaw Zin, secretary of the Setsan Sampans Association. They [officials] said it was the order of the Yangon Region Chief Minister. They also showed us the order letter, Ko Thaw Zin said. The order from the township department of administration reads: Because the sampan driven by U Hla Shwe from Setsan sampan terminal capsized under a cargo boat carrying logs on March 21, the Yangon Region Government has decided to close the sampan terminal. Forty-five sampans from the neighbouring villages Setkalay, Aukyone and Balotnyunt have been allowed to operate in their place, said Ko Win Naing, another Setsan driver. He said the government decision to close of the whole terminal was an unprecedented step. [Accidents] happen in other villages as well but only the driver of the sampan involved is normally punished. I have never heard of the closure of the whole terminal before. For now 107 boatmen are out of work and more than 600 people have no source of income. Some have had to take their belongings, like the sampan motor and clothing, to the pawnbroker, Ko Win Naing said. When The Myanmar Times asked U Kyaw Ye Thwe, an administrator from the Kyeemyindaing Township General Administrative Department, why the whole village had been banned from operating their sampans he said he did not have permission to speak to the media about the case. Translated by Thit Lwin

By Noe Noe Aung A TEMPORARY ban on sampans in the Kyeemyindaing township area of the Yangon River has left more than 100 people jobless and struggling to find alternative income sources, area residents say. The minimum two-month ban applies to all sampans small flat-bottomed boats with a propeller that operate from the Setsan terminal in Kyeemyindaing and was introduced after a sampan from Setsan village carrying five passengers capsized following a collision with a boat towing two barges. One passenger, Aye Chan Maung, drowned in the March 21 incident. Sampan drivers said they were worried that the ban would not be rescinded. Previously I earned K4500K5000 a day. Now I have no income so it is difficult for me to even enrol my children in school, boat driver U Thein Tun said on May 4. I cant afford to renew the roofing of our house. We are living hand-to-mouth each day. Now it has been more than one month [without operating] and the sampans have been damaged because they are out of the water. We can only afford to repair them if we are sure that they will reopen the terminal. We have

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Bangladesh, China, Australia, the United States, Indonesia and Thailand, and been able to reconnect 22 families. Australian Red Cross is providing financial and technical support for the service, which is free of charge and confidential. Ms Samadhi Seiena Marr, a program adviser for Myanmar at Australian Red Cross, said the service was part of her organisations ongoing partnership with MRCS. We see the relationship as ongoing so we would like to provide support [for the service] as long as possible we dont see an end date at this point, she said. Myanmar is such a large country, some areas are difficult to travel to, but MRCS has a very impressive network of 650 volunteers that will help send messages across the whole country. It is a very unique service; we need to have partners in countries all over the world, so it is a service only Red Cross can provide. Those seeking more information can contact their township MRCS office or contact Ms Su Su Lynn at the services head office, at No 42, fourth floor, Strand Road, Botahtaung township, on (01) 383-684 or 392-029.

MRCS launches family link-up service

By Shwe Yee Saw Myint MYANMAR Red Cross Society earlier this month launched a family link restoration service at a ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw to mark World Red Cross Day. MRCS has previously assisted families separated as a result disasters like Cyclone Nargis and Cyclone Giri to reconnect but the new service will operate at all times and can link people across national borders. It allows us to assist families and reduce their stress and suffering when family members are lost or disconnected. We have already had some preliminary good results and we look forward to reconnecting more Myanmar families in the future, Daw Su Su Lynn, coordinator of the Restoring Family Links Unit at MRCS, said on May 8. MRCS has 330 branches in Myanmar across all states and regions with a 650-strong volunteer network that enables it to send messages throughout the country. The service also uses the global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent movement partners and so far MRCS has received 30 requests from abroad, including Malaysia,

VP has become a monk: govt official

YANGON Vice President Thiha Thura suggests that reform-minded members U Tin Aung Myint Oo has become a of the current government are continuing monk, officials said last week, in a move to gain the ascendancy, Dr Farrelly observers believe could strengthen the added. President U Thein Sein, a former hand of the countrys reformers. Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo, who general, has instigated a series of is seen as one of the members of the quasi- sweeping reforms since coming to power civilian government, entered a monastery last year following the end of decades of on May 3, a Myanmar government official direct military rule, prompting the West said on May 16, without giving details of to begin to lift sanctions. In the event of how long he planned his resignation, to stay there. a Th r Another official The departure suggests T ihni hA u n g uM a i nU T y t confirmed he Oos replacement remained in the that reform-minded would be chosen by monkhood. Hes still a monk. members of the current unelected military personnel who hold We didnt know about his resignation, he government are continuing one quarter of the seats in parliament, said. The government to gain the ascendancy. noted independent itself has remained analyst Mr Richard silent on the matter. Horsey. Thiha Thura U Tin Dr Farrelly said the president would Aung Myint Oos sudden absence has stoked speculation that he has stepped be likely to have some influence over the down, raising questions over whether appointment, but added that the situation he will be replaced by a more moderate could provide observers with clues as to who among the military legislators and figure. Dr Nicholas Farrelly, research fellow at army figures calls the shots. Leading former junta figures were the Australian National University, said Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo, who clearly in the running for the post, he is one of two vice presidents and seen as said, but there was a chance President a close ally of U Than Shwe, could still U Thein Sein really shakes up political expectations with a more radical return to his post. But I doubt it I think he has resigned, choice. This is uncharted territory, to my he said. If he has stepped down, the departure mind, he added. AFP

Qatar to resume flights on October 3

QATAR Airways will launch flights between Yangon and Doha by October 3, state media reported last week. Qatar will initially offer three flights a week on the route using Airbus A-319 and A-320 aircraft but will introduce daily services from October 28. The airlines senior vice president for East Asia and the south west Pacific, Mr Robert Yang, and other company officials met Minister for Transport U Nyan Tun Aung in Nay Pyi Taw on May 9 to discuss the schedule for YangonDoha flights and further expansion plans. Under the bilateral agreement, the airline is able to fly up to 14 times a week between the two countries. Industry sources said that the flight resumption will provide easier access to Myanmar from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Qatar Airways operated a Doha-Yangon-Doha service four times a week from January 2005 but it was halted in January 2008. Zaw Win Than

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The hluttaw flexes its muscles

Clashes between government, parliament over 2012-13 budget and hluttaw committees dominate third session
Party. But the final result appears to be better mutual understanding, said U Ye Tun, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Hsipaw. The manner in which the government submitted its [budget] bills was weak in prudence and accuracy. Most representatives said they looked more like reports than bills. They were also submitted at such short notice that there was not enough time to assess them. U Sai Thiha Kyaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Mong Yai in Shan State, also complained of the short notice given to MPs over the submission of budget bills. Three bags of booklets arrived shortly before the [budget] discussion days and there was not sufficient time left so we couldnt assess them in depth, he said, adding that it was a problem for nearly all bills. For a bill that is submitted today, those who want to discuss it have to give their name [to the hluttaw office] tomorrow. There is too little time to discuss a bill and definitely no time to learn it. For some bills we need to study a lot and this takes time. For some we also need to get the publics opinion about the issue so as to avoid amendments after promulgation. U Ye Tun conceded that many representatives lacked the skills to properly assess budget bills. A handful of MPs, who he said were well-versed in financial matters, including U Aye Mauk, U Maung Toe and U Thurein Zaw, had played an important role in shaping WHEN the first Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session concluded in late March 2011, it was difficult to foresee what role the body and its members would play in Myanmars political development. Fast forward barely 12 months and the picture has become much clearer, representatives and other observers say. The third parliament session, which concluded with the swearing in of National League for Democracy representatives on May 2, saw the hluttaw vigorously assert its independence from the government and became a forum for relatively vibrant debates on a wide range of issues. At times the exchanges between the two institutions bordered on outright conflict: representatives took a knife to some ministry budgets, refused to pass the budget until a pay rise was given to civil servants and vigorously opposed a Constitutional Tribunal ruling requested by the government on the status of parliamentary committees. In a further indication of the tension, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Myint Hlaing was forced to make an embarrassing apology to parliament on April 30 following comments to a local publication in which he said representatives had no brains and had assessed the value of his ministrys projects like shoppers in the market. The comments were made after representatives significantly cut his ministrys budget for 201213, particularly funding for irrigation projects. N e v e r t h e l e s s , representatives and analysts agreed the third session had been an important milestone in the parliaments development. There were differences of opinion over the budget between hluttaw representatives and the Union Government, as well as among the representatives, including those from the Union Solidarity and Development

A National League for Democracy member attends a Pyithu Hluttaw session on May 2. Pic: AFP we are at without Thura U Shwe Mann encouraging us to do things that are in the public interest. He always encourages experts to speak out on issues in the hluttaw we are acting as a check and balance because of his encouragement and [when debating the budget] could find ways to avoid wastage in the executive, U Ye Tun said. But issues with the capacity and experience of parliamentarians were to be expected given Myanmars lack of recent experience with when there is so much that needs to be done, he said in an email. Increasingly, the parliament is gaining international recognition for its work. On April 30 the penultimate sitting day United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon became the first foreign dignitary to address a hluttaw session in five decades. He hailed the hluttaw as the very centre of your countrys democratic transition but cautioned that it must (USDP). Where ethnic and opposition representatives had dominated earlier discussions, some members of the white chinthe (lion) party came to the fore in recent months, perhaps because of their greater familiarity with fiscal and administrative issues. In contrast to the parliaments conflict with the government, the third session brought MPs from the USDP, which holds about three-quarters of all elected seats, closer to their counterparts from ethnic and opposition parties, and health ministries in particular. The third session also saw a shake-up of appointed military personnel, with the substitution of 59 military representatives for higherranking personnel on April 23. Mr Horsey said that while the substitutions were recognition of the important role that the legislature has assumed, they also suggested that military representatives may continue to have the latitude to study the issues and vote on an individual basis, rather than as a bloc. But the ruling over the status of parliamentary committees continues to rile MPs. At the request of the president, earlier this year the attorney-general asked the Constitutional Tribunal to decide whether the bodies were union-level and it subsequently ruled they were not. However, representatives argue the committees can only work smoothly if they are considered union-level organisations on a par with ministries and have even floated the possibility of changing the constitution in order to override the tribunals decision. U Ye Tun said he believed the issue had been raised as a response to the parliaments willingness to question decisions made by members of the governments. Some union ministers could not accept the hluttaws checks and balances on the government and complained to the president, he said. As the checks and balances are in conformity with the law, if the government is carrying out its duties in conformity with the law, theres nothing to fear. Translated by Thit Lwin

the right balance and the quality of Findingongoing challenge between speedso much that needslawmaking will be an when there is to be done.
the parliaments response to the governments proposed budget. Their input and the leadership of Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann had contributed to what U Ye Tun said was the success of the third session. It would have been impossible to reach the stage parliamentary democracy, said independent analyst Richard Horsey. In general the quality and vibrancy of debate and lawmaking have exceeded most peoples expectations, I think. But finding the right balance between speed and quality of lawmaking will be an ongoing challenge for a new inexperienced system be representative of the countrys diversity. I have no doubt that Myanmar will quickly catch up with its Asian neighbours and our fastchanging world, he said. The road before you is exciting. But it will not always be easy. Eventual success will rest largely with this assembly. This parliament can transform peoples aspirations for democracy and a better life into concrete change. Two days after Mr Bans appearance, an equally momentous event took place with the swearing in of 38 National League for Democracy representatives, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. While these two moments captured much attention from observers, another important feature of the third session that differentiated it from the previous two was the increased participation of representatives from the Union Solidarity and Development Party representatives said. In this session many USDP MPs joined discussion and the topics they discussed were satisfactory, suggesting that all MPs are willing to participate in the process of democratisation, U Sai Thiha Kyaw of Mong Yai said. U Khine Maung Yi, Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Ahlone, said the debate over the 2012-13 budget had been a learning experience for MPs that would stand them in good stead for the fourth session, which is expected to open at the end of June or early July, as well as the 2013-14 budget. We could not cut as much as we should [from the ministry budgets]. Although some extra allowance was given to civil servants after cutting a certain amount from the budget, we still havent fulfilled our original aim to make the basic pay K120,000 [a month], said the National Democratic Force representative. We also need to give greater support to the education

Africa shakes up B&P market

By Myat May Zin

TiMESbusiness
By Sandar Lwin THE signing of an agreement between the Central Bank of Myanmar and Tokyo Stock Exchange later this month will bring the country a step closer to the formation of a capital market, sources say. The Central Bank of Myanmar [CBM] will sign a memorandum of understanding with Tokyo Stock Exchange [TSE] and Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd at the end of this month regarding the establishment of a securities exchange and capital market. The signing will take place around May 29, said a source close to the process. TSE announced in April that it had reached an agreement with the Central Bank to sign the agreement. Myanmar started developing a capital market in the 1990s as part of its transition to a marketoriented economy but the process quickly stalled for a number of reasons, most of which were related to the lack of a legal framework. However, the source said that under the agreement TSE would help the government establish rules and regulations to govern the stock exchange. TSE will also help train local people on things like operating a stock exchange, formation of market design and the share trading system, he said. U Soe Thein, the executive director of Myanmar Securities Exchange, a joint venture between Daiwa Institute of Research and Myanmar Economic Bank, said that while the technical support of foreign partners was necessary there were still many issues that the country needed to address on its own. For example, we must finish enacting the Securities Exchange Law, its by-laws and other necessary rules and regulations. We must drive the formation of public companies; these are the core of a securities market, he said. Private companies have started considering going public. But in practical terms, the current situation and business atmosphere are not favourable enough for going public. The mechanism for business company supervision is lax, he said, adding that loose accounting standards led to widespread tax avoidance. Companies like this have no chance to go public. The majority of our businesses are still also weak in terms of corporate governance and corporate culture. We must start solving these barriers. The TSEs official website announced on April 12 that it would cooperate with the Central Bank to establish a securities exchange and support the cultivation of a capital market in the country. TSE will participate

May 21 - 27, 2012

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Central Bank adds further effort to securities exchange formation

in the establishment of Myanmars first securities exchange, utilising its knowledge as a securities exchange with the worlds top-level of listed companies and trading volume. By providing its experience and technological expertise regarding the operation of a securities exchange market, TSE will work to create a fund-raising venue which is vital to corporate growth, while also focusing on investor education to promote market depth, and aiming to develop the securities market overall, a message on the website said. President and chief executive officer of Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Mr Atsushi Saito, was quoted as saying: Myanmar is a country with high prospects for capital market development and economic growth. We take great pleasure in concluding this MOU with CBM and beginning our support of the formation of a capital

MyanMar tiMes

MYANMARS beans and pulses farmers are facing competition from Africa for the lucrative Indian market, an official at the Bayintnaung Wholesale Commodities Exchange Centre said last week. Dr Myan Linn, a central executive committee member at the market, said in the past two years African farmers have begun cropping beans and pulses with the aim of selling them to India, the worlds largest beans and pulses market. He added that the farmers have also received Indian assistance. India supports African farmers by teaching them growing techniques and providing high-yield varieties, he said. Land is cheap in Africa and the program was not particularly successful when it started exports amounted to about 5000 tonnes a year. But in the past two years that has increased to about 200,000 tonnes a year, which is almost as much as Myanmar produces. India is also a major beans and pulses producer but in most years there is a shortfall that is made up by imports from Canada, Australia and Myanmar. Prices for crops in Myanmar depend strongly on demand from India because domestic consumption of most varieties is low. Crops traditionally cultivated in Africa include maize, tea, cocoa, rubber, groundnuts, tobacco and sugarcane, the Nyasa Times newspaper of Malawi reported in April. The report said 70 percent of the countrys exports are earned by tobacco, sugarcane and tea. The African countries investigating beans and pulses production include Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and are growing soya, pigeon pea, chick pea, green gram, white cow peas and red beans, the Nyasa Times reported. Dr Myan Linn said Myanmars production of pigeon peas and green gram had fallen from a high of about 400,000 tonnes several years ago to 250,000 tonnes in the past two years as a result of poor weather and low prices. In future we will have to share the market with Africa, he said. Myanmar is the second largest exporter of pulses after Canada. Myanmars main export crops are pigeon pea and green gram. Myanmar exported about 130,000 tonnes of pigeon peas for about US$605-610 a tonne (fixed on board price) to India from December 15 to March 15, data provided by the Bayintnaung market shows.

market. TSE will cooperate in the endeavour with Daiwa Institute of Research, which has been running an over the counter market in Yangon with state-run Myanmar Economic Bank since 1996. Mr Takashi Fukai, p r e s i d e n t a n d representative director of Daiwa Institute of Research, said: With our 15- year history of supporting Myanmar, we are delighted to have the help of TSE and CBM as we enter a new stage in the formation of the Myanmar capital market. DIR hopes to continue contributing to the establishment and future development of a capital market, utilising its strengths as the Daiwa Securities Groups core information-generating arm, while also modernising Myanmars financial systems and promoting the spread of IT throughout the country.

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Job watch
Diplomatic Mission seeks Economic Assistant
Qualifications Required: 1. Bachelors degree in economics, commerce, public policy, business or public administration, mathematics, statistics. 2. Experience in economic research, policy or program analysis or journalism. 3. Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing in English and Myanmar. 4. Must have solid working knowledge of micro and macroeconomic principles and working knowledge of the formal and informal structures of the Myanmars economy and government. 5. Must have working knowledge of the Myanmar governments foreign and domestic economic policy; and functional knowledge of U.S. Government policy toward the Myanmar. 6. Basic knowledge of MS Office applications such as Word, Excel and MS outlook and proficiency in using web-based research tools. Eligible candidate may submit application to Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 521, GPO, Yangon not later than May 25, 2012.

Dodgy car dealers are winding back odometers to fetch higher prices for their stock, industry sources warned last week. Pic: Kaung Htet

Buyers warned on odometer fraud

By Aung Kyi CHANGES to car import rules that wiped thousands of dollars off the value of newly imported vehicles have sparked a spate of odometer fixing, market sources said last week. Cars with fewer miles on the odometer are generally graded higher and fetch higher prices, w i t h buyer s i n M yanm ar preferring vehicles with less than 100,000 kilometres. Traders warn that car buyers should carefully check the mileage of vehicles before going ahead with any deal, as some dealers are tampering with odometers, documents and service history stickers. Most car dealers have been losing money since the government gave permission for all citizens with a foreign currency bank account to import a car. The value of almost all used cars has fallen by K5 million to K10 million following the announcement on May 7, broker U Aung Soe said. If youre thinking about buying you should take along a person with good knowledge of secondhand vehicles. If you dont, theres a greater chance that youll be tricked, he said. Used cars are graded according to six classes: grade five is the highest, while at the lower end an R grade means reconditioned, RA reconditioned after accident and X is given to damaged, un-repaired vehicles. Reducing the mileage often results in a car being graded more highly, brokers said. Dealers are employing these tricks because the grading of a used car depends a lot on its mileage. Sometimes, the price difference between a grade can be K5 million, said U Aung Myin Moe. So some dealers are trying to cheat the buyers by changing not only the numbers, codes and words on imported cars documents but also the number of miles on the odometer of the cars, he said. Mayangone township businessman U Nyi Soe told The Myanmar Times last week he only found out hed been cheated when he took his newly purchased 2002-model Toyota Mark II known colloquially as shwe nga (goldfish) to a service centre. Staff at the centre noticed that the odometer reading did not match with the cars service history. When I went back to the car sales centre to complain, the sales manager and sales staff turned a deaf ear and they just replied that it was not their fault, he said. I was also one of the victims, U Thein Win, who bought a 1999-model Toyota Harrier. The odometer on my car was fixed to only 50,000 kilometres. The number and the grade on the document had also been altered. I only became aware of this when the service technician showed me the records on the maintenance belt sticker on the engine bay. U Ah Nga Lay, a car service technician at Ko Yar Jar car service centre in Thingangyun township, said buyers were being cheated because they had little knowledge about second-hand vehicles and potential scams. While changing the odometer reading on imported cars requires some technical knowledge and equipment, he said it was not difficult. Devices to alter odometer readings can be bought for K700,000, while some technicians are charging about K60,000 to change the readings. For pre-1996 models it was easy to change the number on the odometer as it was mechanical. Because odometers on cars from 1996 or later use digital mileage, some dealers are using computerised devices to change the number and cheat the buyers, he said. The devices are supposed to be used when a faulty odometer is replaced to put the previous reading on the new odometer. We found that odometer on some imported second-hand cars have been reduced because the mileage records on the maintenance stickers in the engine showed more miles than on the odometer, said U Ah Nga Lay. However, there are several ways to check whether the odometer reading on a newly imported car is genuine. In Japan, where most cars are imported from, major maintenance work and the date it was performed is usually recorded on stickers in the engine bay. But some dealers are also removing the maintenance stickers after changing the odometer so buyers need to be extra careful if they cant see any stickers around the engine. Even the records for engine oil substitution are marked on these stickers, U Ah Nga Lay said. It is also often possible to check the odometer reading of the newly imported cars on the internet, he added. If you can get the auction lot number of the imported car and the name of the auction house, you can easily check the history of the car. But the records are only available for three months after it is sold, he said. If the history of the secondhand car is not available, U Ah Nga Lay said the wear and tear visible in the cars interior, especially the seats and door handles, usually provided an indication of how many miles it had done.

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Sales and Marketing manager (pharmaceutical) Brand manager Sales manager Tour operation Manager Tour operation Assistant Tour Sales manager Sales girl - 30 staff (Fresher) Sales boy- 30 staff (Fresher) Engineers (BE/ME/) Accountants Secretary Human Resources Manager No.851/853, 3rd Floor, Bogyke Aung San Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon. Tel: 222963/ 229406/ 229437/ 728261 E-mail: esearch@yangon.net.mm

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Business
May 21 - 27, 2012
I invested a lot of money in that pond and bought thousands of one-year-old fish for K50 each, he said. And I also had to buy extra feed for the fish but now all of my work and investment have been stolen by others, who caught fish of all sizes from the pond, he said. He added that last year market demand was for large fish and smaller fish were thrown back into the pond. I was confident that I would manage the pond for the next two years but Ive lost everything. And so many people stole fish from the pond so I cant take any action against them. I have just asked for assistance from the Fisheries Department in this matter, he said. U Win Kyaing, general secretary of Myanmar Fisheries Federation, said regional governments were now responsible for managing fish ponds, not the ministry. The owner had not even had the pond for a year the contract only started in the middle of June, he added. The federation will continue reporting on this issue to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, he added. U Myo Aung, the regional manager of Yangon Regions Fisheries Department, said similar incidents had occurred in the past 12 months and been solved by negotiation between the farmer and the villagers who took the fish. We cant go and put more than 100 people into jail. But the owner can file law suits at the police station regarding destroyed property, he said. A fish farmer in Ayeyarwady Region has appealed to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation after the loss of his stock from a pond following a government error. Pic: Myanmar Times Archive

MyanMar tiMes

Fish farmer ruined after tender bungle

By Soe Sandar Oo THE owner of a 1000-acre fish breeding pond in Ayeyarwady Region recently stripped bare by locals following a misunderstanding between the Department of Fisheries and the Yangon Region government has appealed to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation for help. The incident surrounds a breeding pond in Hinthada township managed by U Hla Maung, who leased it from the department, which is under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, under a three-year contract in 2011.

So many people stole fish from

the pond so I cant take any action against them.

However, when the pond was wrongly put back out to tender by the Yangon Region governments fisheries department, nearby villagers emptied it of fish, said a Myanmar Fresh Water Capture Fisheries Association spokesperson. This incident was reported to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation on May 7, he said. This event could halt fish farming in the area because it will deter people who might otherwise be interested in farming, he said. U Hla Maung won the tender to manage the pond from the Department of Fisheries in June 2011.

TRADE MARK CAUTION

KRONOS TITAN GmbH, a Company incorporated in Germany, of 51373 Leverkusen, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:-

Reg. No. 815/1970

Reg. No. 816/1970 in respect of Pigments + Titan-Compounds. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for KRONOS TITAN GmbH P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 21st May, 2012

ProPerty
May 21 - 27, 2012
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Agents hit out over misuse of company names

By Htar Htar Khin LICENCED real estate agents say they are suffering from copycat brokers who misuse their company names and logos. U Sai Khung Noung, the managing director of Sai Khung Noung real estate agency in Tarmwe township, said a key part of the problem is the rising number of small brokers or agents in the industry. Previous employees have repeatedly tried to use my company name after theyve left and our reputation suffers when this happens, he said. Weve been in the industry for almost a decade and its painful for us to see former employees behave like this. Some have even been audacious enough to collect real estate data and agent fees for successful property deals in our name, said U Sai Khung Noung. As a big agent in the industry, being trustworthy is hugely important for us, he said. Weve spent years developing a good reputation This is our backbone, he added. U Sai Khung Noung said he had been forced to print announcements in state-run newspapers three weeks And we cant take lower fees than the brokers because we have to pay tax to the government, whereas they do not, U Aung Myint said. He said he became aware that brokers were misusing his companys name about a year ago, with the misuse cutting into the firms profits. We pay from K1.7 million to K2 million a year in tax and this copycat issue is hurting our margins. Our profits in the past year have fallen by about 30 percent, he said. Im not complaining because our profit margins have been reduced but I do believe that brokers need to be more ethical. Weve been in the real estate business for 15 years and many of the people who are misusing our name are ex-employees, said U Aung Myint. The spokesperson for another real estate business who asked not to identify the company said the best way to stamp out copycat operators would be to allow the Myanmar Real Estate Entrepreneurs Association to act as an industry regulator. I think an industry body would be able to stop unscrupulous people from using the names and reputations of other companies, he said.

Sai Khung Noung real estate agency employees work at the companys office in Tarmwe township. Pic: Ko Taik ago to protect the companys reputation. The notices said the company would sue anybody wrongfully using either the companys name or logo. We will issue a strong verbal warning on the first occasion but if the company fails to stop then we will have no choice but to sue them, he said. He added that some ex-employees had also disparaged the company. U Sai Khung Noung said he hoped the government would grant the Myanmar Real Estate Entrepreneurs Association the right to act as an industry body in future. We look forward to the day when the Myanmar Real Estate Entrepreneurs Association is a licensed body able to intervene in and solve disputes like this, U Sai Khung Noung said. U Aung Myint, 45, the general manager of Aung Thamadi real estate service in Kamaryut township, said his agency had suffered from similar copycats. There are not more than 20 licensed agents in the industry but so many smaller, illegal agents who bring a bad name on the industry, he said. We take on a lot of responsibility in property transactions and if there is ever a problem the clients can possibly sue us. But smaller brokers dont take any responsibility at all or any risk.

Showroom demand drives rentals

By Noe Noe Aung DEMAND for large plots of land along main roads for use as car showrooms is running hot, real estate agents said last week. Many businesspeople have been looking to find places to open car showrooms, especially since early April, said Ko Min Min Soe, a real estate agent for Mya Pan Thakhin real estate agency in Lanmadaw township. Many customers both locals and locals are seeking plots at least 10,000 square feet in size for showrooms. I can find plots but those in good locations are really difficult, he said. Ko Min Min Soe said the most sought-after areas were on Pyay and Kabar Aye Pagoda roads. Customers want empty plots of land or small houses that can be used for an office, with Mayangone township a popular choice. But Bayintnaung Road and the area surrounding the Thirimingalar Market are also good locations, he said. He said plots on Pyay and Kabar Aye Pagoda roads are renting for at least K6 million a month. A real estate agent based in Hlaing township said: Land rentals greatly increased in April, with most to be used to open showrooms. We have not done many land rentals in recent years. He added that big companies were also renting or buying both land plots and apartments for offices. The agent said that plots on Pyay and Kabar Aye Pagoda roads were renting for K4.5- to K6.5 million a month. U Win Maung, a manager of Koe Kant Huakwe real estate agency in Hlaing Tharyar township, said his firm had received many requests for land plots in late April. Inquiries for land are on the up but purchases are decreasing. Many of our recent rentals have been to foreign companies looking to start car showrooms, he said, adding that South Korean and firms from other Asian countries had been searching for sites.

YCDC ups contractor deposit fee

DEVELOPERS are split on the Yangon City Development Committees late-April decision to increase building contractor deposit fees by 500 percent to K50 million. U Lazarus, the managing director of Yadanar Shwe Htun Construction in Botahtaung township, said the move to increase the deposits was a good move for the industry. I think this will move will reduce the number of projects that are handled by subcontractors, which should be good for the industry, he said. This should also help to limit the number of delays caused by insufficiently funded contractors, who are forced to stop working because they dont have enough cash. But he said the increase would also add to the cost of construction. U Aung Htun, the managing director of Myanmar Top Power Construction, said the YCDC had made a wise move at a time when the construction industry was expected to boom. I think this will bring positives and negatives. On the positive side Id expect a lot of the weaker contractors to disappear but it will also add financial pressure onto legitimate contractors too, many of whom are already under severe stress, he said. However, U Ko Ko Lay, a director of Three Friends Construction in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, said developers had not been consulted about the change. YCDC should consult with developers before they announce something like this, he said. We have no choice but to accept the increase but we are not happy to see YCDC always increasing the cost of doing business, he said, adding that the increased costs would be passed to consumers. The deposit fee increase will probably also prevent new contractors from entering the industry as well, he said. Htar Htar Khin

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After six-year decline, US housing prices a cause for optimism

By John Gittelsohn and Prashant Gopal WASHINGTON The US housing market is showing more signs of stabilisation as price declines ease and home demand improves, spurring several economists to call a bottom to the worst real estate collapse since the 1930s. The crash is over, said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moodys Analytics in Pennsylvania. Home sales, both new and existing, and housing starts are now off the bottom. Data released in late April showing better-thanestimated new-home sales and a slowdown in price declines are bolstering optimism that the market is poised for a sustainable recovery. Economists such as Bank of TokyoMitsubishis Chris Rupkey, Bank of Americas Michelle Meyer and Mark Fleming of CoreLogic also predict that prices are close to a trough after a 35 percent slump from a July 2006 peak, even as the threat of more foreclosures loom to boost supply. Values in 20 US cities fell 3.5pc in February, the smallest 12-month drop since February 2011, the S&P/ Case-Shiller index showed on April 25. The Federal Housing Finance Agencys home-price index, which measures properties with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, had a 0.4pc rise for the same period. New homes sold at an annual pace of 328,000 in March, up 7.5pc from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said. The median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey forecast a rate of 319,000. The pace of sales for February was revised upward to 353,000, a twoyear high. A report on consumer confidence on April 25 showed the most important signal that housing can only go up, said Rupkey, chief financial economist for Bank of TokyoMitsubishi in New York. The Conference Board said its confidence index was at 69.2 in April, compared with a revised 69.5 in March. Todays consumer confidence shows labour markets recovering and that confidence is going to allow consumers to go out and buy homes, Rupkey said on April 25. The National Association of Realtors said on May 3 that the number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes rose 1pc in March, according to the median estimate of 43 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. That would put the pending home-sales index close to a two-year high. While the volume of sales has increased, prices still have a way to fall because as many as six million homes with delinquent mortgages and in the foreclosure process are likely to come to the market, Scott Simon, head of mortgage- and asset-backed debt at Newport Beach, California-based Pacific Investment Management Co, said on April 25 on Bloomberg Television. We think wed go down another 3 or 4pc over the next 12 months, probably bottoming sometime next year, Simon said. One month doesnt change anything. Robert Shiller, a Yale University economics professor and co-creator of the home-price index, also said prices may fall further. Im more concerned about the downside than most people, Shiller said on April 24 on Bloomberg Radio. US foreclosure filings fell in the first quarter to their lowest level in more than four years after lenders under legal scrutiny slowed actions against delinquent homeowners, according to RealtyTrac. Home seizures will increase as banks work through the backlog following a settlement by loan servicers over faulty mortgage practices, the Irvine, California-based data firm forecasts. Meyer, senior economist with Bank of America in New York, said the recovery will be led by the parts of the country with fewer foreclosures and more job growth. She estimated that US prices will reach bottom this year and stay little changed until 2014, when they may gain about 2.5pc. Home values in more than half of major US markets will probably reach a bottom by the end of the year, according to Seattle-based Zillow. Signs that the market is close to a trough include improving home sales and rising prices in some areas, said chief economist Stan Humphries. The market, which has been bolstered by investors, second-home buyers, and retirees, will need more traditional first-time and trade-up buyers to return for a rebound, he said. I characterise 2012 as a year in which the market is healing and the bottoming process is playing out, Humphries said. Median prices averaged 5.8pc higher in March than a year earlier in 53 metro areas surveyed for a monthly housing report by Re/Max, the Denverbased company said this month. It was the second consecutive month that home prices increased yearover-year and the ninth straight month of higher sales volume, according to the report. This years selling season is shaping up to be the strongest weve seen in years, Margaret Kelly, Re/Maxs chief executive officer, said in a statement. Although we dont expect home prices to rise in every market at the same rate, the worst is definitely behind us, and a slow, steady recovery is taking hold. Bloomberg

Mogadishu enjoys building boom after decades of war

By Mustafa Haji Abdi MOGADISHU Somalias last president before the country erupted into decades of war made an ominous warning: force him from power, and he would leave Mogadishu as he found it, with only one road. The rest he would destroy. The threat came true: President Siad Barre was ousted in a 1991 coup, and the once elegant, Italian colonial-era seaside town was reduced to a wasteland of ruined buildings in years of bloody battles between rival militias. Now, 21 years later and eight months after AlQaeda-allied insurgents abandoned much of the city following pressure from the African Union and government forces, the capital is showing signs of life, with reconstruction underway and land prices soaring. Security is still not reliable, but people decided they wanted to return life to normal, trader Ahmed Sheikh Gure said. People are rebuilding their destroyed buildings, he added, waving at a newly repaired shop and a busy construction site. Though Somalias war is far from over, a regional offensive did force Islamist Shebab insurgents from many strongholds and they abandoned the city in August. The scars of war remain clear, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in and around Mogadishu, many in basic rag-and-plastic shelters, some in the crumbling ruins of roofless houses. In Bakara market, the capitals war-torn economic heart, the signs of battle are fading slowly. You dont even think that war has ever taken place here, Gure said. Thanks to God, because people have the opportunity to rebuild. Bakara for many months was the epicentre of violence in one of the worlds most dangerous capitals, forcing residents and businesses to flee. Despite an ongoing regional offensive with Ethiopian troops fighting in the west, AU troops in Mogadishu and Kenyan troops with the AU battling in the south, many Somalis are returning, bringing back capital earned abroad. People are rebuilding their homes, government spokesman Abdurahman Omar Osman said. The Somali diaspora are coming back to help ... businesses are reopening. Fighting erupted in Somalia in the late 1980s against Barres dictatorship, escalating into a brutal civil war following a 1991 coup, with rival militias, warlords and Islamist fighters battling ever since for control of the lawless nation. Somali construction workers renovating a bombed-out building in the capital of Mogadishu on April 20. Pic: AFP

Less than a year ago, troops and insurgents exchanged daily mortar fire along frontlines, before Shebab fighters abandoned fixed positions and quit the city. Now it is the construction industry that is busy. We are not jobless these days, construction is booming, painter Adan Sharif said. Every four or five weeks we are called for a new construction job.

grocer in Mogadishus Maka Al-Mukarama Road, said there was no way to claim compensation for property damage. You cannot imagine how much money we have spent, he said as he watched builders repair his shop. Among the ruined buildings is a dramatic Catholic cathedral, built during Italian colonial days. Its stonework was used as target practice by Islamist

We are not jobless these days, construction is booming.

Reconstruction is expensive but those who can are repairing their homes, plastering and painting over bullet-pocked walls, and blocking up holes punched into masonry by rocketpropelled grenades. Most of the buildings in our neighbourhood were renovated in recent weeks and are looking good, the area is no longer looking like the aftermath of war, said Fadumo Moalim, a mother of eight living in the citys Wardhigley district. Abdulkadir Saleban, a fighters and now houses displaced people fleeing fighting outside the city. Mogadishus rebuilding has also sparked land speculation, with some fearful that reconstruction efforts may be wasted if the dark days of war return. Buying land is very hard these days because of the rising prices, security is a major concern ... traders are also thinking about what could happen next, as the war does not seem to be over yet, said Abdukadir Bashir, a trader.

Shebab fighters carry out guerrilla attacks including car bombs and mortar strikes. Analysts warn that the rebels, Somalias most brutal, remain a serious threat to international efforts to stabilise the nation. What you build today could be easily destroyed tomorrow, Bashir added. But the March reopening of Mogadishus ruined national theatre was hailed as a symbolic step forward for the city, shortly after a suicide bomber killed six people there, narrowly missing the prime minister. As land prices increase and repairs are made, the cost of living rises too, a problem for many in this grossly impoverished city. Many borrow money to pay for renovations, then pay off the loans by renting out rooms to those returning to Mogadishu. Houses have become very, very expensive a room that used to cost US$10 [a month] to rent ... today, you will not get a room like that for $40, estate agent Mohamed Abdullahi said. God willing, I hope people return and rebuild the country. AFP

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Facebook share fall flat in market debut

By Charlotte Raab NEW YORK Facebook stumbled on its first trading day on May 18 as shares ended barely above the starting price after a glitchplagued market debut on the Nasdaq that failed to live up to its enormous hype. The stock, priced at US$38 on May 17 in the largestever initial public offering (IPO) for a technology firm, eked out a gain of just 0.61 percent to end at $38.23, amid record volume of more than 575 million shares traded. Shares in the social network titan saw rollercoaster action in what was one of most keenly awaited stock issues in history. The day began with a 30-minute delay in trade, an incident which regulators are still reviewing. Shares jumped 12pc to $42.55 in opening trade but within minutes fell back to the offering price. A midday rally failed to sustain its momentum and the price tailed off before the close. The negativity in the market overall has put a damper on the IPO, said Darren Hayes, a Pace University professor and former investment banker. Its not uncommon in an IPO to see a big rise and then for the price to come back down, but Im a bit surprised after all the hype to see such a small gain. A report on the Business Insider financial blog said the price held at $38 because of a large number of standing orders at the offering price. The Wall Street Journal said the underwriting investment banks stepped in to support the price. Its hard to know what would have happened if the banks hadnt stepped in, said Lou Kerner of the Social Internet Fund, raising questions about what will happen to Facebooks share price when the Nasdaq reopens on May 21. James Hughes, chief market analyst at Londons Alpari, said the real value of Facebook is not likely to be known until the hype of the IPO has died away and investors have been able to digest how the company is going evolve to be the money-making machine many expect it to be. Investors were expected to be hungry to get a piece of Facebook, which has become a global phenomenon since its humble beginnings in 2004 as a project of then-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and his classmates. Zuckerberg, 28, wearing his trademark hooded sweatshirt, remotely rang the bell to open the Nasdaq, marking the start of trade. He told the crowd at the companys new campus in Menlo Park, California, that going public is a milestone but added: Our mission isnt to be a public company. Our mission is to make a dizzying value of $104 billion at its market debut. It raised more than $16 billion, making it the richest after that of financial giant Visa in 2008, according to Renaissance Capital. The addition of a possible stock over-allotment could boost the total to $18.4 billion. With its current market value, Facebook is now among the most valuable US companies, ahead of sector giants Amazon ($96 billion) and Cisco ($89 billion), and more than twice the value of Ford Motor Co ($38 billion). But it remains behind Google ($196 billion) and Apple ($496 billion). Under the share plan, Zuckerberg holds 55.8pc of the voting power of Facebook shares, and over 18pc of the value of the company. Despite the lingering concerns, some still see huge potential for growth. Facebook is a business that can succeed with far fewer employees than the technology behemoths of old, said Victor Basta of London-based Magister Advisors. Facebooks IPO filing implies a value per employee for its own business of $33 million. Microsoft, by contrast, has a value per employee of $3 million, reflecting the fundamental structural differences between the businesses. Facebook posted a profit of $668 million last year as revenue vaulted to $1.06 billion. AFP

An employee walks past one of the many graffiti walls at the Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California on May 15. Pic: AFP the world more open and connected. The market debut was disappointing compared with some recent tech IPOs. LinkedIn, a businessoriented social network, doubled its share price on its first day, and Groupon, a discount deal aggregator, jumped 30pc. Others have not fared so well. Pandora, an internet radio site, rose a more modest 8.9pc and online gaming site Zynga lost 5pc on its first day. Trip Chowdhry, who follows Facebook for Global Equities Research, said the lacklustre opening was because the company had failed to answer crucial questions about how it will boost revenues and adapt to the mobile internet. Management cannot sing and dance around the key issues, he said. There are concerns about Facebooks longterm ability to generate ad revenues, fuelled by General Motors decision earlier this week to pull its advertising. GM had been spending about $10 million on paid advertising and $30 million on unpaid marketing on Facebook. Another shadow hanging over Facebook is privacy. Some consumer and privacy advocates say Facebook has been too loose with user data and hope that as a publicly traded company it may change its tune. The IPO gave Facebook

By Glenn Chapman

Yahoo chief executive resigns President U Thein Sein set to operate a personal website?
shareholders meeting as originally planned, according to Yahoo. The board is pleased to announce these changes and the settlement with Third Point, and is confident that they will serve the best interests of our shareholders, Amoroso said in a statement. Levinsohns background includes running Fox Interactive Media when the News Corporation property bought then-flourishing social networking star MySpace for US$580 million and cut a lucrative search deal with Google. Levinsohn recently ran Yahoo advertising sales in the Americas. Yahoo a fortnight ago began investigating a charge levelled by Loeb that Thompson misstated academic credentials by claiming on his CV a computer science degree that he never earned. Yahoo acknowledged an inadvertent error in the CEOs online bio. Third Point, which owns 5.8 percent of the struggling tech giant, wanted Thompson fired. Thompson was named Yahoo chief in January, four months after the company sacked his predecessor Carol Bartz over her unsuccessful efforts to turn the company around. To get another CEO is as hard as it is ever going to be for that company, said independent analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. Anyone with the ability to do the job is probably too smart to take it. Bartz was fired after less than three years in the job. She blasted her overseers as the worst board in the country after being pushed out the door. Thompson left a job as head of online payments firm PayPal, a key unit of internet auction powerhouse eBay, to take the Yahoo helm. Under Thompson, Yahoo dumped products along with workers in a quest to put the company back on course. Yahoo said in April that it would slash some 2000 jobs in a purge aimed at becoming a smaller, nimbler, more profitable company. The 17-year-old firm had more than 14,000 employees at the end of 2011. Yahoo has been trying to reinvent itself as a premier digital media company since the once-flowering internet search service found itself withering in Googles shadow. Yahoos share of overall US online ad revenue dropped from 15.7pc in 2009 to just 9.5pc last year, according to industry tracker eMarketer. While the online advertising market is expected to grow 23.3pc to $39.5 billion this year, Yahoos share of revenues will fall to 7.4pc, eMarketer forecast. AFP By Htoo Aung PRESIDENT U Thein Sein is set to launch his own website e-President Portal covering news of his daily activities and to communicate with the public. The website address was activated on May 9 but without functions enabling users to email or post comments. On May 10 the site was temporarily closed, showing a simple message: e-President Portal is currently under maintenance. We should be back shortly. Thank you for your patience. The site will be operated by the presidents office information department and will trial in both Myanmar and English. But when contacted by The Myanmar Times, the presidents office declined to comment on whether the website was genuine. U Thaung Su Nyein, secretary of the Myanmar Computer Professionals Association, however, confirmed the website was real and that it showed a positive signal from the top of government. I am pleased [about the setting up of the website] because in other countries, not only presidents, but also township administers have their own websites and social network accounts. I look forward to other ministers setting up their own websites, he said. Other computer industry experts expressed support but were quick to highlight potential dangers. If it is correct, I think it is a positive move but there may be certain difficulties as well, said U Zaw Min Oo, secretary of the Myanmar Computer Industry Association. There could be technical problems as many other websites and even the White Houses official site receive attacks, he said. The move was also commended for its potential to engage the public in the political process and facilitate greater awareness. If the president sets up this website, he will use it to post official announcements and information from government media, said U Zaw Min Oo. U Wuntha, chief editor of Peoples Age journal welcomed the move, saying it would help the media industry cover political developments. I saw the website yesterday [May 9] and it is very good. The site offers a means of communication between the public and president as the public can upload comments on the site. It is also good for people who want to know what the president is doing and his movements, he said. Professor Aung Tun Thet, Senior Advisor at the UN Resident Coordinators office added that it would improve government public relations. If the site is more interactive, it will be good for both the president and the public. It helps the president and public become closer. We always talk about greater transparency and this shows that to the public. In other countries, governments have their own websites to show that they are accountable, he said. I would suggest that all government offices have their own websites. The website can be accessed on: http://203.81.81.136/e-President.

SAN FRANCISCO Yahoo boss Scott Thompson stepped down on May 14 in the face of controversy about his allegedly inflated resume, leaving the struggling internet pioneer seeking its sixth chief executive officer in five years. As part of a truce in a proxy war with mutinous shareholder Daniel Loeb, Ross Levinsohn became interim Yahoo chief and Fred Amoroso took charge of the board of directors. Yahoo has been struggling over recent years and this new incident only makes matters worse for the company, said technology industry analyst Jeff Kagan. Yahoo rode the wave up during the last decade, but during the last several years has crossed over the top and has been heading down the other side. The changes are part of a settlement with Loebs hedge fund Third Point, which is waging a proxy battle at the Sunnyvale, California-based firm. Loeb and two of his picks Harry Wilson and Michael Wolf took seats on the Yahoo board on May 16. Five current board members, including director Roy Bostock and Patti Hart, will step down immediately and not end their terms at this years annual

Whites overtaken by minorities in US birth figures

WASHINGTON For the first time, white births in the United States are no longer in the majority, showed US Census Bureau estimates on May 17 that underscored the growth of the Hispanic population. Hispanics, blacks, Asians, indigenous peoples and those of mixed ethnicity or race accounted for 50.4 percent of births in the 12 months to July 2011, the federal agency said in a statement. That compares to 49.5pc from the last national census taken in April 2010. Leading the trend were Hispanics, who remained the biggest (52 million) and fastest-growing (up 3.1pc from 2010) of all groups. This boosted the Hispanic share of the nations total population (of 311,592,000) to 16.7 percent in 2011, up from 16.3 percent in 2010, the Census Bureau said. Whites still comprised the largest single share of the total births, at 49.6pc. They also constituted a majority of the overall population of the United States at 63.4pc. But as the Census Bureau projected in 2008, they will no longer be in the majority by 2042. I think it is historic, both literally and figuratively, said Isabel Sawhill, co-director of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, commenting on Thursdays data. It means we are going to have to work harder to make sure that all children get a good education, regardless of their racial or ethnic background, so that we can remain a strong country, Sawhill told AFP. William Frey, also at the Brookings Institution, told the New York Times the estimates reflected a transformation from a mostly white baby boomer culture to the more globalised multi-ethnic country that we are becoming. In absolute numbers, the Census Bureau put the national Hispanic population at 52 million, followed by African Americans at 43.9 million and Asians the second fastest growing minority group at 18.2 million. California had the largest Asian population of any state at 5.8 million. AFP

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Cameron issues call for decisive action by eurozone leaders

LONDON British Prime Minister David Cameron last week renewed his call for eurozone leaders to take decisive action or face the break-up of the single currency over the Greek debt crisis. In a speech in the northwestern city of Manchester on May 17, Cameron urged core countries in the 17-member eurozone, of which Britain is not a member, and the European Central Bank to support demand and cut deficits. Cameron admitted that his message would be unpopular in Europe where he angered many leaders by delaying a fiscal treaty last year, but said his priority was to protect Britain. The eurozone is at a crossroads, Cameron said in the speech to business leaders. It either has to make up or it is looking at a potential break-up, he said. Either Europe has a committed, stable, successful eurozone with an effective firewall, well capitalised and regulated banks, a system of fiscal burden sharing, and supportive monetary policy across the eurozone or we are in uncharted territory which carries huge risks for everybody. Fears of a Greek exit from the eurozone have spiked after voters on May 6 supported anti-austerity parties that want to tear up an EU-International Monetary Fund bailout agreement and reverse harsh austerity measures. Cameron said he was open to new ideas for ensuring European stability. I welcome the opportunity to explore new options for such monetary activism at a European level, for example through President Hollandes ideas for project bonds, he said. But he urged the eurozone to become more competitive, support demand through loose monetary policy and cut its deficits. I realise that countries inside the eurozone may not relish advice from countries outside the eurozone especially from countries, such as Britain, that have debts and difficulties of their own. But this affects us too, he said. Cameron, whose Conservative party is largely sceptical on Britains European Union membership, infuriated many European leaders in November last year when he vetoed a new EU fiscal treaty. The rest of the bloc eventually went ahead without Britain. AFP Related reports, P. 16, 17.

UN chief suspects al-Qaeda behind Syrian terror blasts

UNITED NATIONS UN leader Ban Ki-moon said last week he believes al-Qaeda committed a major bomb attack in Damascus that left dozens dead, and that up to 10,000 people have now been killed in Syria. Ban said President Bashar al-Assad has still not implemented a peace plan agreed with UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. Very alarmingly and surprisingly, a few days ago, there was a huge serious massive terrorist attack. I believe that there must be al-Qaeda behind it. This has created again very serious problems, Ban said at a youth event at the UN headquarters on May 17. Suicide attackers detonated huge bombs in Damascus on May 10, killing at least 55 people and wounding nearly 400. Syria has accused al-Qaeda of orchestrating attacks in the country in recent weeks, adding to the strife caused by the uprising against Assad. More than 9000, at least, maybe 10,000 people have been killed during the last 15 months. It has reached an intolerable situation now, Ban said. US and Russian officials have also said they believe al-Qaeda and other violent militants are now operating in the country.

An image taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on May 15 which is said to show a Syrian man who opposition activists said was killed by pro-regime thugs at Tafas, in the flashpoint northern region of Daraa. Pic: AFP/YouTube This month, Syria sent the United Nations the names of 26 mainly Tunisian and Libyan nationals it said had been detained. About 20 had confessed they were members of al-Qaeda, according to a letter sent with the list. Ban also highlighted two bomb attacks against convoys of UN ceasefire monitors in Syria. The UN secretary-general said that apart from the deployment of the monitors, no part of the six-point Annan plan has been implemented. We are trying our best efforts to protect the civilian population, Ban said. The deployment of the monitors has had a dampening effect and reduced the violence, but not enough, not all the violence has stopped. So we will continue, as much as we can, to protect the civilian population, he added. Russia, a key ally of Assads regime, cautioned Western powers on May 17 against launching hasty wars that could lead to the rise of radical Islamist factions and all-out regional war. The consequence of hasty military operations in foreign states usually means that radicals come to power, Russias premier and former president Dmitry Medvedev told a televised forum in Saint Petersburg. And sometimes these actions which undermine state sovereignty could result in a fully-fledged regional war, he said, in clear reference to Moscows current standoff with the West over the situation in Syria. AFP Related report, P. 17.

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Rain, lightning drama, crisis talksand just sworn in

BERLIN Francois Hollande had quite a first day as French president on May 15: swearing in, Champs Elysees parade in torrential rain, then a lightning strike to his plane en route to meet the worlds most powerful woman. Hollande could already consider himself unlucky with the one-ina-million lightning strike that delayed his visit to Berlin to see Chancellor Angela Merkel and his luck with the weather did not improve as he arrived in Germany. Where two hours before there was sunshine, unseasonal drizzle ensured Hollande suffered his second dousing of the day as he arrived at Merkels chancellery for crunch talks on the eurozone debt crisis. Merkel was all smiles as she greeted the new president and appeared relaxed throughout. Hollande, on his first foreign trip as Frances leader, seemed stiffer and less at ease, only sometimes cracking a smile. The leaders of Europes two powerhouses engaged in a brief handshake gone the kisses on the cheeks Merkel had with Hollandes predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy then squelched onto the red carpet, flanked by a military band. The journey across the Rhine was anything other than auspicious, with Hollandes presidential Falcon forced to return to Paris for safety reasons and as a precaution after being hit by lightning. At the highly awaited news conference, Merkel said the fact he made it to Berlin despite the unlikely event of a lightning strike was maybe a good omen for our co-operation. They made the most of what they could agree on, but Hollande warned ominously that everything was on the table concerning EU economic policy, ahead of a meeting of European leaders in Brussels on May 23. This meeting wasnt intended to answer all the questions that have been asked, but was mainly meant for us to get to know each other better, to establish ties, a working method, to find a solution together to the crisis, said Hollande. AFP

Eurozone drama dominates first Hollande, Merkel talks

BERLIN French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed their desire to keep the eurozone together in key talks on May 15 just hours after Frances new leader was inaugurated. In their first talks, the two leaders also vowed that the two European powerhouses were aware of their responsibilities and ready to help find solutions to the eurozone crisis. Hanging over the meeting was the grim news from Athens, which was set to hold another round of elections likely on June 17 after efforts to form a government following inclusive polls foundered, setting up yet another month of brinkmanship at the crippled heart of the eurozone. But the eurozones two biggest economies want Greece to stay in the single currency, Merkel said at a joint news conference with Hollande. Paris and Berlin were prepared to study the possibility of additional growth measures in Greece if Athens said they needed them, she added. Hollande for his part called for balanced and respectful relations with Germany, while adding he was prepared to put everything on the table at an informal EU summit this week, including eurobonds, a point of friction with the Germans. The anti-austerity message sent by Greek voters

German chancellor laments bitter loss in regional election

BERLIN German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged on May 14 that her partys heavy loss in a key regional vote was a bitter, painful defeat, but stressed it had no bearing on her belt-tightening policy in Europe. The work in Europe is not affected by the historic defeat suffered by her Christian Democrats (CDU) in the snap election on May 13 in Germanys most populous state of North RhineWestphalia (NRW), Merkel told a news conference. And she insisted that she saw no conflict between solid budgetary policy and growth after some questioned whether the crushing poll result was down to Merkels tough stance on austerity. Nobody on our side has anything against growth but the question is what it means for budgetary policy, Merkel said. The vote saw Merkels CDU score its worst result in NRW of 26.3 percent, compared with 39.1pc for the main Social Democratic Party (SPD) opposition, showed official preliminary results. The CDU had been hoping to capture the powerhouse state from a coalition comprising the centre-left SPD and ecologist Greens. Merkel underscored the vote had been regional. People knew that it was a regional legislative election and I was not up for election, she said. But the defeat marks a setback for Merkel, 16 months ahead of general elections in which she will seek a third term at the helm of Europes top economy during a time of financial turmoil. The SPD has called for more emphasis on growth in a fiscal pact, a Germaninspired accord agreed in March and signed by 25 of the 27 EU members for tighter budgetary rigour. Merkel, who needs a twothirds majority in parliament to ratify the fiscal pact and will therefore require opposition support, also said she would hold discussions on it with opposition parties after this weeks informal EU summit. We will speak to each other and we will see what the mutual expectations are, she told reporters. Newspapers on May 14 were scathing about the CDUs regional defeat. Catastrophe for the CDU, said the mass circulation Bild while Die Welt newspaper suggested that Merkels CDU is trembling. The SPD, under its popular NRW state premier Hannelore Kraft, was expected to renew its coalition government with the Greens. Although her current coalition ally at the national level, the pro-business Free Democrats, confirmed a reversal in its fortunes after a string of humiliating regional defeats, it took just 8.6pc of the NRW vote. The vote was the third regional election in Germany in eight weeks and came a week after Merkels centreright coalition lost power in the state of SchleswigHolstein. AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the newly-inaugurated French President, Francois Hollande, at their news conference in Berlin on May 15. Pic: AFP has made the future of the deal for a massive EU-IMF bailout to rescue Greeces finances uncertain. International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde raised the possibility on May 15 that Greece could leave the currency union in the clearest sign yet that leaders are preparing the ground for the exit. If the countrys budgetary commitments are not honoured, there are appropriate revisions to do ... which in this case must be an orderly exit, Lagarde told France 24 television. Hollande has vowed to make economic growth a key component of eurozone austerity efforts to reduce debts, and he got a timely boost from US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. We should welcome this new debate about growth in Europe, Geithner said at a conference in Washington. After talks with Hollande, conservative Merkel, a proponent of austerity measures to rein in debt, said she had points in common with the new French leader on the way to boost growth in the eurozone. In Greece, at imminent risk of being forced from the eurozone if a new government rejects tough debt rescue conditions, political leaders failed in a last-hope effort to form a government of non-political experts, as in Italy. We are going again towards elections, in a few days, under very bad conditions, socialist Pasok party leader Evangelos Venizelos said. The Greek people must now make the right decisions for the good of the country, said Venizelos. The precarious financial situation was also highlighted when President Carolos Papoulias reported that 700 million euros (US$894 million) were withdrawn from Greek banks on May 14. Stock markets worldwide fell on May 15, in large part because of the dire situation in Greece and the uncertainty it is generating over the future of policy in the eurozone. AFP

We won, he lost, rampage victim tells Oslo court

OSLO Young Norwegians wounded in Anders Behring Breiviks shooting rampage testified for the first time on May 14 about how he coldly hunted them down, and used the trial to taunt the selfconfessed killer. We won, he lost. Young Norwegians know how to swim, Frida Holm Skoglund, 20, told Oslo district court when asked if she had anything she wanted to say to Breivik. In a change from the sobs that have so often filled Courtroom 250 since the 33-year-old right-wing extremists trial began on April 16 over the killing of 77 people, Skoglunds words drew discreet laughter from the audience. Visibly nervous, she told the court how she had been shot in the thigh during Breiviks killing spree on the island of Utoeya on July 22, and how she herself had pulled out the bullet. At her request, Breivik watched her testimony by video link from a separate room. To escape Breivik, the young woman and several friends dived into the icy water around the small heart-shaped island, and she recalled seeing the killer, dressed as a police officer, standing on shore shooting at the people swimming away as he shouted: Stop! Come back! Breivik has been charged with committing terrorist acts when he bombed a government building in Oslo, there were in their teens, the youngest having just celebrated her 14th birthday. Breivik has confessed to the acts but has refused to plead guilty, insisting they had found himself trapped on the island with his best friend Andreas despite wanting to leave. He described how he was forced to jump over one body after the other as he fled before hiding on the ledge of a cliff and suddenly seeing Andreas lose his grip and plunge to his death. Hoft told how he had been in deep shock and had been incapable of expressing any emotion when he was finally rescued. I was totally indifferent, not happy, not sad, he said, before stepping down from the stand as he stared intently at Breivik, who was in the courtroom for his testimony. While Breivik is expected to be found guilty, his 10-week trial will help determine the question of his sanity and whether he will be sent to prison or to a mental institution. If the court finds him sane, Breivik will face Norways maximum 21-year prison sentence, but that term can be extended for as long as he is considered a threat to society. If he is found criminally insane, he will be sent to a closed psychiatric care unit for treatment, a fate Breivik, has described as worse than death. AFP

Young Norwegians know how to swim.

killing eight people, before shooting dead another 69 in the July 22 rampage on Utoeya, where the ruling Labour Partys youth wing was hosting a summer camp. Most of the victims were cruel but necessary to stop the Labour Partys multicultural experiment and the Muslim invasion of Norway and other European countries. On May 14, Marius Hoft, 19, also told the court how he

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Briefs
Never, says Tehran
TEHRAN Iran rejects Western pressures over its nuclear activities and will never give up its rights, Tehrans chief nuclear negotiator said on May 17 ahead of crunch talks with world powers in Baghdad this week. The Iranian people will never give up even an iota of their rights, Saeed Jalili said in a televised speech, referring to Irans nuclear drive which the West suspects is hiding a weapons program. Tehran vehemently denies the charge. Iran and the P5+1 powers Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany held their first talks in 15 months in Istanbul in midApril, and agreed to more in-depth discussions in Baghdad on May 23.

Caretaker govt for Greece as new polls loom

ATHENS Greece on May 17 named a caretaker cabinet of technocrats tasked with organising the cash-strapped countrys second elections just six weeks after an inconclusive vote sent jitters across the eurozone. The temporary team, led by Panagiotis Pikrammenos, 67, the head of Greeces top administrative court, comprises university professors, a retired general and a respected diplomat. Greeces political limbo has sent the euro and European stock markets plunging, with little guarantee that the new vote set for June 17 will produce a viable government that will implement a massive EU-IMF rescue package. Officials from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, which are all that stands between Greece and a disorderly debt default and a possible exit from the euro currency zone have warned that no new funds will be released if progress on pledged reforms falters. The caretaker administration was appointed after Greeces political parties failed to form a coalition after the May 6 elections which saw a voter backlash against austerity and in which no clear victor emerged. Radical left-wing party Syriza, which is vehemently opposed to what it calls barbaric austerity measures and has threatened to tear up the bailout deal, is a favourite to win next months election. Syrizas leader Alexis Tsipras, 37, on May 16 accused the EU and Chancellor Angela Merkel of European paymaster Germany of playing poker with European peoples lives. Tsipras told the BBC that if the disease of austerity destroys Greece, it will spread to the rest of Europe. The Greek turmoil has raised fears among the countrys international creditors that structural reforms pledged in return for the latest 240billion euro (US$300 billion) bailout will delayed or even abandoned. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble reiterated on May 16 that it was not possible to renegotiate the EU-IMF deal, the second in two years aimed at averting bankruptcy. Greece must be ready to accept the (EU-IMF) aid, he said. AFP

Assad is doomed: Israel

Israeli and the United States are basically ... on the same page over Tehran, he said. We say loud and clear, the Americans say the same, the president says the same, a nuclear military Iran is unacceptable. We are determined to prevent them from turning nuclear. And that no option except for containment, no option should be removed off the table in order to achieve this objective. Toppling Assad would be a serious setback for Tehran, he said. It will

Mass rally in Cairo

CAIRO Egypts Muslim Brotherhood organised a massive rally in Cairo on May 17 to support its candidate in this weeks presidential election, displaying the potent network of activists it counts on to win. Islamist activists stood side by side for kilometres through Cairo and north of the capital holding posters of Mohammed Mursi, who polls suggest is trailing other candidates in the May 23-24 election.

Pay cut for new team

PARIS French leader Francois Hollandes new Socialist government got down to work on May 17 with the first order of business a symbolic 30 percent pay cut for the president and ministers. After the cabinets inaugural meeting, spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said the salary reduction was to set an example as the government looks to tackle Frances troubled public finances. AFP

International Space Station crew members US astronaut Joseph Acaba (centre) and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka (bottom) and Sergei Revin prepare to board a Soyuz capsule at the Baikonur cosmodrone in Kazakhstan on May 15. The capsule, Russias first manned space launch for nearly five months, docked at the ISS on May 17, where the arriving team joined a Russian cosmonaut and astronauts from the US and Holland. The first private cargo vessel to supply the ISS the SpaceX companys Dragon craft was due to lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 19. Pic: AFP

LOS ANGELES Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is doomed, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on May 16, urging the international community to increase pressure on his embattled regime. Assads departure would be a major blow to Iran as well as Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, he said, while stressing the importance of Russias role in finding a way out of the crisis. Im quite frustrated for the slowness of its collapse. I believe that he (Assad) is doomed anyhow. I believe that there is a need to raise our voices both for moral reasons and practical ... much more loudly, he told CNN. He said it was important that every possible step is taken by world community, by NATO, by the United States, by the Russians, Turkey could have a special role in it, to accelerate the whole thing. I think that a way should be foundto change (the regime) in Syria, preferably (using) the Yemenite example, namely to let Assad and his group go out and ... not to dismantle the party, the intelligence, the armed forces. Barak was speaking during his third visit to the United States in as many months, as world powers prepared for fresh talks with Iran on its nuclear program.

It will be major blow Iran whenaAssad fallsto

be a major blow to Iran when Assad falls, they are now supporting him very actively. It will be a weakening blow to the Hezbollah and probably Islamic Jihad. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported on May 16 that the United States was helping to make more and better weapons available to the rebels fighting Assads regime. President Barack Obamas administration insisted it was not directly supplying the weapons or providing funding, with Gulf states

paying for the new arms, the Post said, citing US and foreign officials. But Washington is playing a role in the rebels foreign support network, said the report. We are increasing our non lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition, and we continue to coordinate our efforts with friends and allies in the region and beyond in order to have the biggest impact on what we are collectively doing, a senior State Department official told the Post. If true, the US administrations move to increase contact with the rebels and boost information-sharing with Gulf states who back them would mark a shift in policy for the Obama administration, which has so far resisted overt support for the armed groups. But US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland insisted US policy had not changed, saying the Post had stretched its sourcing. The United States has made a decision to provide non lethal support to civilian members of the opposition, she said, referring to shipments of medical and communications equipment. But with regard to any assertions with regard to lethal (aid), we are not involved in that, Nuland added. We dont think that adding fuel to this fire is the right way to go. AFP

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Kraft Foods Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Australia and having its principal place of business at Level 6, South Wharf Tower, 30 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Victoria, 3006, AUSTRALIA, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademark:-

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that H. J. Heinz Company of One PPG Place, Suite 3100, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, USA is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks: -

TRADE MARK CAUTION

ED Enterprises AG, of Ludwig-Ganghofer-Str. 6, D-82031 Grunwald, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

Reg. No. 1537/1982 in respect of Television sets, radios, grammophones, tape recorders, radio equipment, communication equipment. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for ED Enterprises AG P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 21st May, 2012

Reg. Nos. 637/2008, 2359/2011 Used in respect of:Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; vegetable extracts; jellies; jams; eggs; milk and other dairy products; edible oils and fats; spreads; preserves, pickles. Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice tapioca, sago, coffee substitutes; flour, and preparations made from cereals; bread, biscuits, cakes, pastry and confectionery, ices; honey, treacle; yeast; concentrated yeast extract; spreads; baking powder; salt, mustard; pepper, vinegar, sauces, spices; ice. Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said Trademark will be dealt with according to law. U Nyunt Tin Associates, Intellectual Property Law Firm P.O. Box 952, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 951- 375754, Fax: 951- 254321, Email: info@untlaw.com For Kraft Foods Limited Dated: 21th May, 2012

VEGEMITE

(Reg: Nos. IV/1032/1952 & IV/6200/2009) in respect of:- Foods and ingredients of foods

(Reg: Nos. IV/897/1971 & IV/6201/2009)

(Reg: Nos. IV/727/1962 & IV/6202/2009) The above two trademarks are in respect of:Foods and beverages and ingredients of foods and beverages Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for H. J. Heinz Company P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 21st May, 2012

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FBI launches probe into leaks about plot to blow up jet

WASHINGTON The FBI has launched a probe into leaks about a plot to blow up a US-bound jet, the agencys chief Robert Mueller said on May 16, warning such tip-offs endanger lives and may harm ties with allies. Leaks such as this have... a huge impact on our ability to do our business. Not just on a particular source and the threat to the particular source, but your ability to recruit sources is severely hampered, Mueller told lawmakers. Talks were under way with US partners to try to minimise any fallout over the leaks to the US media, he said. But such illicit disclosures threaten ongoing operations, puts at risk the lives of sources. Makes it much more difficult to recruit sources and damages our relationships with our foreign partners. Key details of the disrupted bomb plot were reported by US media earlier this month only hours after a drone strike on a key al-Qaeda figure and as FBI experts examined an explosive meant to bring down a US-bound airliner. We have initiated an investigation into this leak, Mueller told the Senate judiciary committee. Such leaks have some long-term effects, which is why it is so important to make certain that the persons who are responsible for the leak are brought to justice, he said. He added that discussions are going on with partners overseas to make certain that whatever impact there is, is minimised and precautions put into place so that in the future, it does not happen again. CNN has reported that the spy was sent by Saudi counterterrorism agents into Yemen as a mole after it was learned that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was developing an updated model of the underwear bomb that failed to explode in a Christmas Day 2009 attempt to blow up a US-bound plane. It added that the agent also had a British passport. When he learned of the terror plot, the man contacted Saudi counterterrorism officials from Yemen. The Saudis then told the Americans of the plot and let them know that they had succeeded in infiltrating the group, CNN reported. There has been little official US confirmation of the details of the plot and how the information was relayed to the United States. Mueller also called on Congress to renew the intelligence budget saying it was absolutely essential to prevent terror attacks. We cannot wait until the attackers are on the shores of the United States to preempt plots, such as the plot that was preempted last week. We cannot wait until that person gets on the plane and is over US territory in order to try to stop that plot. AFP

Relatives of Palestinians held in Israeli jails celebrate in Gaza City on May 14 after the signing of the agreement to end the hunger strike. Pic: AFP

Prisoners hunger strike wins deal for improved conditions

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike agreed with Israel on May 15 to end their fast in return for improved conditions, officials on both sides said. All of the factions signed an agreement to end the strike, Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, told AFP after several hours of negotiations between prison officials and senior detainees at Ashkelon jail. Israel Prisons Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman confirmed an agreement had been reached. Palestinian lawyer Jawad Bulus, who represents several of the hunger-strikers, said he visited hardcore strikers Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahla, who have been fasting for 76 days, and told them of the decision. The pair, both members of Islamic Jihad, also decided to end their fast, their supporters said later. Most of the 1550 prisoners had stopped eating for up to four weeks to demand better conditions, while another six prisoners had been refusing food for between 53 and 76 days in protest at being held in administrative detention. The procedure allows suspects to be held without charge for renewable periods of up to six months. Israels Shin Bet internal security agency said prisoners leaders had signed a commitment to totally cease terror activity from inside the prisons, while Israel agreed to return those in solitary confinement to the general prison population and permit family visits from both the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Former British prime minister Tony Blair, the Middle East special envoy for the international Quartet the EU, US, UN and Russia welcomed the deal, after expressing increasing concern on May 13 about the deteriorating health of the hunger strikers. The deal was reached after talks mediated by Egypt and the Palestinian Authority and made possible by the agreement of Palestinian groups outside the prisons, a Shin Bet statement said. Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, said that the agreement proves the power of non-violent resistance against Israels illegal occupation of Palestine. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the deal was agreed at the request of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. It is our hope that this gesture will serve to build confidence between the parties, and further peace, Regev added. News of the deal to end the strike was confirmed by Gazas Hamas rulers, who described it as a victory for human dignity. The hunger strike had attracted widespread support among Palestinians, with hundreds turning out daily to join marches and sit-in protests. There are 4699 Palestinians being held in Israeli jails, of whom 319 are in administrative detention, showed Prisoners Club figures. AFP

Mladic goes on trial for war crimes

THE HAGUE Former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic went on trial on May 16 accused of carrying out a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing and Europes worst massacre since World War II. Mladics trial opened at the Yugoslav war crimes court in The Hague. It was also watched in a live broadcast in Sarajevo by widows and other relatives of victims of the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica where almost 8000 Muslim men and boys were allegedly murdered by Mladics forces. Ratko Mladic assumed the mantle of the criminal goal of ethnically cleansing Bosnia, prosecutor Dermot Groome told International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Mladic, 70, has been indicted on 11 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Balkan countrys brutal 1992-95 war that killed 100,000 people and left 2.2 million homeless. The prosecution will present evidence that will show without reasonable doubt the hand of Mr Mladic in each of these crimes, Groome said. Prosecutors also hold Mladic responsible for the 44-month siege of Sarajevo where his forces waged a terror campaign of sniping and shelling that left an estimated 10,000 people dead, most of them civilians. After the war, Mladic continued his military career but went into hiding in 2000 after the fall of his ally in Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic. Indicted for war crimes, he was on the run until May 2011 when he was arrested in northeastern Serbia and flown to a prison in The Hague several days later. The trial could take three years before a judgment is handed down. AFP

Diamond with a royal history sells for $9.7m Court postpones hearing
GENEVA A centuries-old diamond passed down through generations of European royalty fetched nine million Swiss francs (US$9.7 million) at auction in Geneva on May 15. The 35-carat Beau Sancy diamond was worn by Marie de Medici, Queen consort of Henry IV, at her coronation in 1610. Five bidders spanning three continents competed for the historic jewel at a Sothebys auction where there was little evidence of the current global financial woes. An anonymous telephone bidder bought the jewel, put on the market by the House of Prussia and described by Sothebys as one of the most fascinating and romantic gems ever to come to auction. The buyer paid 9,042,500 Swiss francs ($9,699,618) including the buyers premium for the pear-shaped, double rose cut diamond more than double the $2 million to $4 million estimate. about the buyer. The diamonds royal connections date to 1604 when it was bought for Henri IV of France at the insistence of his wife Marie de Medici who wore it atop her crown at her coronation. Later that century it was acquired by the Dutch and used to seal the wedding of Willem II of Orange Nassau to Mary Stuart, daughter of Charles I of England. Stuart pawned the rose-cut gem to finance her brother Charles IIs fight for the throne. In 1702, the first king of Prussia gave it pride of place in the new royal crown and it has passed through generations of the House of Prussia until today. Weve sold much larger diamonds but it has this wonderful romantic history, an unparalleled royal history it has never been in non-royal hands, said David Bennett, co-chairman of Sothebys Switzerland, ahead of the sale. AFP

on Tymoshenkos appeal
KIEV The Ukrainian high court on May 15 postponed until June 26 hearing the appeal of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko against her seven year jail term on abuse of power charges. The Kiev court, Ukraines highest judicial body, made the decision after a motion brought by prosecutors but vehemently contested by defence lawyers, who angrily accused the authorities of dragging out the process. The long delay marks a new complication in the legal controversy surrounding Tymoshenkos conviction, which is threatening to overshadow its hosting of the Euro 2012 football.

A model with the Beau Sancy diamond at a Sothebys auction press preview in Geneva on May 10. Pic: AFP You are buying an historic work of art you are not buying a diamond, said Philipp Herzog von Wuerttenberg, chairman of Sothebys Europe, after the sale. I fell in love with it when I saw it. Its the cut, its the history, he said. The Beau Sancy attracted bids from North America, Europe and Asia, he said, refusing to give further details

Judge Stanislav Mishchenko said that the delay was needed to give the court extra time to study new material, to shouts of shame the defence. The delay means that the appeal by the High Specialised Court of Ukraine for Civil and Criminal Cases whose decisions cannot be appealed will come just before the semi-finals of the Euro football tournament. Tymoshenko, 51, was arrested in August before being convicted in October and at the end of 2011 sent to a penal colony in the eastern city of Kharkiv, one of four Ukrainian cities cohosting Euro football with Poland. AFP

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equivalent of eight murder squads, working on this; so it doesnt surprise me that the pressure is on to prosecute, no matter how weak the cases will be, he added in a statement. The charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and are a stunning fall from grace for the woman who was once dubbed media tycoon Murdochs fifth daughter. They are also a political headache for Prime Minister David Cameron, whose close friendship with the Brooks couple was probed the previous week by a judge-led inquiry into the ethics of the British press. Senior prosecutor Alison Levitt said Brooks allegedly hid material including computers and other electronic devices from police, and that there was sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction. The others to be charged are Cheryl Carter, 48, Brookss personal assistant; Mark Hanna, head of security at NI; her chauffeur Paul Edwards, 47, who was employed by NI, and Daryl Jorsling, 39, who provided security for Brooks that was supplied by NI. friends for years, having met at the elite Eton college and the prime minister attended the Brooks wedding in 2009. Camerons spokesman refused to discuss the charges, saying: Its an ongoing investigation and it would be completely improper for me to comment. Levitt said Brooks was charged with conspiring to conceal material from police between July 6 and July 19, 2011. Brooks and Carter were also charged with conspiring to remove seven boxes of material from News International archives during the same period. All five except Carter were also charged with conspiring to conceal documents, computers and other electronic equipment from officers between July 15 and 19, 2011. Carter said in a statement that she vigorously denies the charges, while Hanna said he would be totally exonerated. The charges are the first since Scotland Yard opened a huge new investigation into hacking and bribery in which more than 40 people have been arrested. AFP

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Charges laid against Brooks, five others

LONDON Former Rupert Murdoch aide Rebekah Brooks, her husband and four others were charged on May 15 with trying to conceal evidence in the first prosecutions to emerge from Britains phone hacking scandal. In an angry public appearance, the former News International chief executive and editor of the News of the World said she was baffled by the charges, while her racehorse trainer spouse Charlie branded the case a witch-hunt. I cant express my anger enough that those closest to me have been dragged into this unfairly, the flamehaired 43-year-old told reporters, standing beside her husband outside their lawyers office. One day the details of the case will emerge and people will see today as nothing more than an expensive sideshow, and a waste of public money as a result of a weak and unjust decision. Charlie Brooks claimed his wife had been made a scapegoat and doubted she would receive a fair trial given the volume of biased commentary which she has been subject to. There are 172 police officers, about the

As her husband Charlie looks on, Rebekah Brooks addresses the media outside their lawyers office in London on May 15 after they were charged along with four others with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Pic: AFP Police said they were due to appear at a London magistrates court on June 13. A seventh person arrested was released without charge. The charges all relate to early July 2011, a frantic period during which Murdoch closed down the News of the World in disgrace after it emerged that it had hacked the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered schoolgirl. Brooks was arrested on charges of phone hacking and bribery days after Britains biggest-selling newspaper shut down, and subsequently quit News International, the British newspaper wing of Murdochs US-based News Corp. She remains on police bail on those charges. Her career began on the bottom rung of Murdochs empire more than two decades ago but she rose quickly and edited the News of the World from 2000 to 2003, and The Sun, its daily sister tabloid. Brooks also moved in the highest circles of British politics, and testified to the press ethics inquiry the previous week about her close relationship with Cameron. Cameron and Charlie Brooks have been family

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Economists list cheapest ways to save the world

COPENHAGEN Leading economists have ranked how to best and most costeffectively invest to solve many of the worlds seemingly insurmountable problems, a Danish think-tank said on May 14, calling for a shift in global priorities. It may not sound sexy, but solving the problems of diarrhoea, worms and malnutrition will do good for more of the worlds poor than other more grandiose interventions, Bjoern Lomborg, who heads the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, said in a statement. His think-tank on May 14 presented the results of its third global Copenhagen Consensus, in which it asked prominent economists working within 10 of the worlds top problem fields to propose the best investments to fix those problems. A panel of experts, including four Nobel laureates, then went through the proposals and ranked the ones they believed would have the biggest impact and where we can get the most mileage for our money, Lomborg told AFP. The Dane, who shot to fame with his book The Skeptical Environmentalist in 2001, insisted the list was necessary since policymakers and humanitarian organisations often allow irrational emotions to dictate how they spend money earmarked for fighting poverty, declining biodiversity or natural disasters. to tackle this, for instance by investing in research and development on green energy, or looking into geoengineering, he said Its really just about focusing on what works rather than on what feels good, he said, adding that especially in light of the economic crisis, it has become very clear that we need to spend our money in the best possible way. The Copenhagen Consensus economists were asked how the world should best spend US$75 billion over a four-year period, which Lomborg says is only 15 percent more than the global aid spending today. Malnutrition topped the list of 10 proposals, with the expert panel suggesting annual spending of $3.0 billion to solve the problem that affects more than 100 million children worldwide, stressing that each dollar spent reducing chronic under-nutrition has more than a $30-pay-off. This was because better nutrition improves cognitive functions and thereby also an individuals education and income prospects as well, they said. The economists also proposed investing about $1.0 billion a year in early warning systems for natural disasters, which Lomborg said was a far better way to spend money than to throw most resources into the clean-up after the disaster. AFP

Over-consumption threatens planet, warns WWF report

GENEVA The spiralling subsidising the lifestyles of global population and over- wealthier countries, said consumption are threatening WWF. Globally, about13 million the future health of the planet, conservation group hectares of forest were lost each year between 2000 WWF warned on May 15. The demand on natural and 2010. An ever-growing demand resources has become unsustainable and is putting for resources by a growing tremendous pressure on p o p u l a t i o n i s p u t t i n g the planets biodiversity, the tremendous pressures on our planets biodiversity and body said. In its latest survey of is threatening our future the Earths health, WWF security, health and wellnamed Qatar as the country being, said the group. The report comes ahead with the largest ecological footprint, followed by its of Junes Rio+20 gathering, Middle Eastern neighbours the fourth major summit on Kuwait and the United Arab sustainable development since 1972. Emirates. The summit will bring Denmark and the United States made up together more than 100 the remaining top five, global leaders who will seek calculated by comparing to outline a path towards an the renewable resources economy that can balance consumed against the earths economic growth, poverty eradication and protection regenerative capacity. o f t h e The Living environment. Planet Report The W found that We are living wants to W F see high-income countries have as if we have an more efficient production an ecological footprint on extra planet at s y s t e m s that would average five our disposal. reduce human times that of demand for low-income land, water ones. Throughout the globe the and energy and a change footprint has doubled since in government policies that would measure a countrys 1966. We are living as if we success beyond its GDP have an extra planet at our figure. But the immediate focus disposal, said Jim Leape, WWF International director must be on drastically shrinking the ecological general. We are using 50 percent footprint of high-income more resources that the countries, particularly their Earth can sustainably carbon footprint, the WWF produce and unless we said. Rio+20 can and must be change course, that number will grow fast by 2030 the moment for governments even two planets will not to set a new course towards sustainability, said Leape. be enough. This report is like a The survey, compiled every two years, reported an planetary check-up and average 30 percent decrease the results indicate we in biodiversity since 1970, have a very sick planet, rising to 60pc in the hardest- said Jonathan Baillie, conservation program hit tropical regions. The decline has been director of the Zoological most rapid in lower income Society of London, which cocountries, demonstrating produced the report along how the poorest and most with the Global Footprint vulnerable nations are Network. AFP

Poor Pakistanis eat free food provided by a charity in Karachi. Leading economists say a shift in priorities is needed to deal more effectively with poverty and other problems confronting our planet. Pic: AFP He said that focussing on creating nature reserves and making large swathes of forest off-limits to development was a nice idea, but the problem is that it often doesnt happen. Instead, the Copenhagen Consensus economists proposed investing heavily in agricultural research and development to make food production more efficient, which they said would reduce world hunger and also protect biodiversity by reducing the need for forest land to be converted into agricultural land. Lomborg, who adamantly rejects the climate changedenier label sometimes thrown at him, also criticised the heavy focus on curbing carbon dioxide emissions in the battle against global warming. While such efforts could make a little difference, Lomborg said they are often not followed through. There are smarter ways

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Reg. No. 2993/1995 in respect of Banking, insurance, financial and stockbroking services; all other services in class 36 Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for HSBC Holdings plc. P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 21st May, 2012

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The struggle to save the rhino

PRETORIA Petty hunters, corrupt wildlife officials and Asian traffickers have all been snared in South Africas crackdown on rhino poaching as special prosecutors battle syndicates feeding the trade in horns. More than 160 people are before the courts, exposing the complex supply chain stretching from South African parks to Southeast Asian consumers, said Joanie Spies, a prosecutor with the Rhino Project. Slowly but surely were moving upwards and getting higher people who did not pull the trigger, Spies told AFP earlier this month. The National Prosecuting Authority set up the team to help combat the dramatic surge in poaching that has seen more than 200 rhinos killed so far this year. The cases have exposed corruption within the systems meant to protect the animals. Private game owners, national park rangers and veterinarians have been arrested. Authorities have also caught pilots who flew helicopters to spot and dart the rhinos, and both small-time and professional hunters who shot them. There is a great level of organisation involved, Spies said. Some rhinos are shot by smalltime hunters hoping for a lucky break by capturing a horn that sells for more than its weight in gold in Asia, where it is used in traditional medicine. Not all of these hunters know what theyre doing. One man in April sawed off a horn from a fiberglass rhino serving as decor at a safari lodge. Other rhinos are killed by professionals who have helicopter support in tracking and darting the animals before hunters shoot and de-horn them. Whoever does the shooting, the horns can end up in the hands of the same Asian kingpins, Spies said. Vietnamese and Thai nationals have been arrested for trying to smuggle horns abroad. In one case, Thai national Authorities say he bought horns at around 65,000 rand (US$8400) a kilogram and resold them for up to $55,000 a kilo. Horns typically leave the country through Johannesburgs international airport, or through the port of Beira in neighbouring Mozambique, where oversight is lax. The horns may transit in shipping containers or air travelers hand luggage in Asian cities like Hong Kong. Customs officials in Hong Kong say they have seized 52 horns during the past five years. Last November 33 horns were found in a single container marked as carrying scrap plastic. It had come from Cape Town. Watchdogs say the biggest market for the horns is Vietnam, where many people are under the illusion that rhino horn has miracle healing properties. This is despite medical studies proving that rhino horn has no medical benefits. The resources that you would require to coordinate getting poached horns from South Africa to Vietnam means there is little doubt there are large, organised syndicates involved in that, Naomi Doak of conservation group TRAFFIC told AFP in Vietnam. So far, prosecuting the top levels of such syndicates has been an elusive goal. Cracking a syndicate requires piercing through three or four layers of crime, Spies said. Cases that have gone to trial in South Africa have landed stiff penalties. Three Mozambican poachers were handed 25-year sentences in January after they were detained with fresh horns, rifles and an axe in the world-famous Kruger National Park, where much of the poaching happens. Spies said South Africa is stepping up its efforts by creating a combined task force of police, military, prosecutors and environmentalists. You get better convictions, better sentences, Spies said. AFP

Chumlong Lemtongthai faces trial for colluding with a South African game farm owner to stage legal trophy hunts.

He is accused of hiring Thai strippers and prostitutes as hunters who posed with the massive beasts carcasses to

document the kills to obtain some of the handful of legitimate export licenses for mounted rhino horns.

Community groups help keep poachers at bay in Nepal

KATHMANDU In a nation where a civil war and years of political deadlock have stunted prosperity and development, the burgeoning rhino population is one of Nepals rare success stories. The Himalayan countrys endangered one-horned rhinoceros has increased its numbers significantly in recent years thanks to tightened security against poachers and community conservation programs. Wildlife experts spent a month last year conducting an exhaustive survey and counted 534 rhinos in Nepals southern forests 99 more than when the last such census was held in 2008. Despite all the hardship during the unrest in the country, w e c o n t i n u e d our support to the fullest extent to control poaching of rhinos and we are glad that our efforts have yielded positive results, said Diwakar Chapagain of WWF Nepals wildlife trade control program. The wildlife organisation, which has been involved in anti-poaching and antitrafficking programs as well as habitat research for more than 30 years, expects numbers to keep improving. The picture was not always so positive. Thousands of greater onehorned rhinos, also known as the Indian rhinoceros, once roamed Nepal and northern India but their numbers plunged during the last century due to poaching and human encroachment on their habitat. The animals are killed for their horns, which are prized for their reputed medicinal qualities in China and southeast Asia. A single horn can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the international black market, and impoverished Nepals porous borders, weak law enforcement and proximity to China have made the country a hub for the illegal trade. The population decline the government decided to enlist community groups to protect the animals, Dhakal said. We started to exchange information and create awareness campaigns in the local areas. We enlisted a group of local volunteers who would go on patrol in the jungle, he said. It boosted the morale of the local people. We also developed a network of committees under our office to make our efforts more coordinated. This new approach yielded remarkable results last year, the first since records began in which no deaths of rhinos at the hands of poachers were recorded in Nepal. On the one hand, the Nepalese Armys patrolling was becoming more effective, and the police also arrested several poachers, on the other, said Dhakal. These campaigns were instrumental in the rise of numbers of rhinos and the decline in the illegal trade of their organs. AFP

An Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and its calf in Nepals Maghauli Chitwin forest, in a file photo taken on November 30 last year. Pic: AFP was particularly dramatic during Nepals 1996-2006 civil war, when soldiers on anti-poaching details were re-deployed to fight a Maoist guerrilla insurgency. Because the security forces had to engage in other national security issues, priority to park security and wildlife protection was weakened, said Chapagain. Similarly, park guard posts were decreased to a few posts in a single location, which left a security vacuum in the habitats of the rhino and other wildlife. Poachers could go to parks without any fear of arrest. When the conflict ended, the government made a priority of rebuilding its wildlife protection apparatus, said Maheshwar Dhakal, an ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. But it took some time for the results to appear because the poachers had changed their strategies. They waited for the rains or night time so that the guards wouldnt be there, Dhakal told AFP. They entered the conservation areas from the bushes and during festivals when the security was at a minimum. A key turning point in the fight to save the rhino occurred in 2009, when

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29 fishermen seized off North Korea

BEIJING Twenty-nine Chinese fishermen have been kidnapped at sea by unidentified North Koreans who have demanded 1.2 million yuan (US$190,000) in ransom, fellow sailors and media said on May 17. The men were fishing in three vessels on May 8 when gunmen boarded their boats and forcibly took them over, said a boat owner surnamed Sun who has been in touch with the captives. Foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was maintaining close contact with North Korea in order to find an early solution to the case. Chinese state media reports said the men were fishing off the countrys northeast coast, in waters between China and North Korea, when they were snatched. Media reports say the three vessels were taken to North Korean waters, but Sun who declined to give his full name said he was 100 percent sure there were Chinese people among the hijackers. AFP

NATOs pullout strategy from Briefs Afghanistan comes under fire

KABUL NATOs rush to get out of a claims that the transition strategy can for cooperation until 2024. Britain, France and India have already signed quagmire in Afghanistan risks the succeed is a delusion, she wrote. Going head regardless, increases their own bilateral agreements, collapse of the state and a strategic failure for the Western alliance in its the risk of the Afghan states collapse Badura said. NATOs senior civilian representative decade-long war, a former EU adviser and with it, the prospect of strategic in Afghanistan, Simon Gass, said failure for NATO. has warned. N A T O a n d i t s I n t e r n a t i o n a l transition has been one of the success The intervention veered from too little too late in its crucial early years, Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in stories of the last 10 years growing Afghan National Security Forces to one of too much too late, said Afghanistan, rejected the analysis. C l e a r l y t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l ready and able to protect Afghans, Barbara Stapleton, who was deputy to the EU special representative for community is doing anything but with ISAF support. As more of the country enters retreating from Afghanistan, an ISAF Afghanistan, in a report. The report for the independent spokesman, Lieutenant Commander transition the Afghan people will feel the benefits of NATO and Afghanistan Analysts Afghanistan working Network, entitled together. After 2014 such Beating a Retreat, came The international community is doing a partnership can only be ahead of a NATO summit in Chicago on May 20 and anything but retreating from Afghanistan. strengthened. States The United 21 that will hammer out led an invasion of details of the withdrawal Afghanistan to topple of some 130,000 troops by the Taliban regime for harbouring Brian Badura, told AFP. the end of 2014. The evidence of the long-term Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden Stapleton criticises the inflexibility of the deadline, saying the transition commitment to Afghanistan, particularly after the 9/11 attacks and has been of security to Afghan control cannot in this past month, overwhelmingly fighting an insurgency by the hardline be divorced from actual conditions on shows the Afghan people that the Islamists ever since. With the long war increasingly the ground with respect to security, nations comprising the ISAF coalition have an interest in long-term success unpopular in the West, NATO set governance and development. 2014 as the deadline for pulling its The idea that the official transition for Afghanistan and the region. Germany and the United States combat troops out, while training some timeline can generate even minimally conducive conditions on the Afghan have just signed strategic agreements 350,000 Afghan security forces to take ground that would substantiate with the Afghan government to allow over the fight. AFP

Fonseka to be freed: official

COLOMBO Sri Lankas president on May 17 secured cabinet approval to free jailed former army chief and defeated opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, a senior official said. President Mahinda Rajapakses spokesman said Fonseka, who unsuccessfully challenged Rajapakse in January 2010 elections, could be released within days. The move came ahead of talks in Washington between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sri Lankas Foreign Minister, G.L. Peiris.

Shippers welcome attack on pirates

SINGAPORE Singapores ship owners association on May 16 welcomed the first foreign strike against a pirate stronghold in Somalia. Daniel Tan, executive director of the Singapore Shipping Association, said that while the strike was long overdue, it was certainly a step in the right direction. On May 15, a helicopter from a European Union armada blasted pirate skiffs on a beach in Somalias Galmudug region, officials said. It was the first attack by the international naval force on pirate assets on land.

Passports settled: Chen

BEIJING Blind activist Chen Guangcheng said on May 17 that China had agreed to issue him a passport within 15 days, allowing him to go to the United States after a bitter row between Beijing and Washington. It was the first indication of when Chen would be allowed to leave the country since he left the US embassy more than two weeks earlier after seeking refuge there following his dramatic escape from house arrest. Officials visited yesterday, we filled out passport application forms for myself, my wife and children, said the 40year-old legal campaigner, who triggered a diplomatic crisis when he fled to the US embassy last month. They said the passports should be issued within 15 days, added Chen, who was speaking to AFP by telephone from the hospital where he is being treated. The couple has a nine-yearold son and a six-year-old daughter. The May 16 meeting with government officials was his first since May 7, when they told Chen they were processing papers for him to leave for the US, where he has been offered fellowships to study law. AFP Danish couple Andrees Rosch and Emily Jorcensen recover at a hospital in Pokhara on May 15 after surviving a small plane crash near a treacherous high-altitude airport in northern Nepal the previous day. The couple was among six people who survived the crash near Jomsom, gateway to the Annapurna mountain range, in which 15 people were killed. Pic: AFP

Tiger parts seized in Bangkok raid

BANGKOK Thai police on found the frozen body parts of several tigers and other big cats thought to be destined for buyers in Vietnam and China in a raid on a suburban Bangkok house on May 16. A Thai and a Vietnamese were arrested after police found a freezer containing the parts of at least three tigers, one panther and a wild cat. The two suspects face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges relating to the illegal possession of wildlife.

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Girl shot in land row protest

PHNOM PENH A Cambodian girl was shot dead on May 16 when security forces clashed with protesters demonstrating over an alleged land grab, an official said, in the latest territorial dispute to end in violence. The teenager was killed as hundreds of villagers involved in a long-running conflict with a private firm squared off against military officers and police in the eastern province of Kratie. The authorities fired shots and a bullet ricocheted and killed a 15-year-old girl, acting Kratie governor Sar Chamrong told AFP. The Cambodian government has faced mounting criticism this year from the UN and campaigners over a string of violent land conflicts, with security forces accused of using live rounds against activists in at least four other cases. Last month, high-profile environmental activist Chhut Vuthy was killed by a military policeman as he tried to document illegal logging. The United Nations human rights office in Phnom Penh confirmed the death of the teenage girl. The Kompong Domrey residents have long been embroiled in a disagreement with the Casotim company, which owns a concession to produce rubber in the area, with both sides laying claim to the forest land. Government security forces on May 16 fought back after being confronted by villagers wielding axes and bows and arrows as they tried to illegally occupy the contested land, said Sar Chamrong. But rights groups accused over one hundred armed police and military officers of opening fire on residents being forcibly evicted from their homes. Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 7 announced a temporary suspension of land grants to companies for private development in an attempt to rein in forced evictions and rampant deforestation. Land titles are a murky issue in Cambodia where land ownership was abolished during the 19751979 rule of the communist Khmer Rouge and many legal documents were lost. AFP

Obey islands laws, Chinese expats told

SINGAPORE China last week urged its citizens to respect Singapores laws following a deadly car crash caused by a Chinese expatriate driving a Ferrari who ran a red light. We hope that Chinese citizens living in Singapore will respect life...abide by its laws and regulations, and live responsibly and gracefully, Wen Penghui, first secretary of the Chinese embassy in Singapore said in a letter in the Straits Times on May 17. The Chinese Ferrari driver, a Singaporean taxi driver and a Japanese passenger in the cab were killed in the May 12 crash. AFP

(Reg: Nos. IV/7091/2006 & IV/6536/2009) in respect of: - Artists colours, chanks, painting articles, painter brushes, paper and paper articles, printed matter, stationery, inks of all kinds, writing utensils, rubber erasers, adhesive materials (stationery), carbon paper, typewriter ribbons, stamp pads, typewriters, and office requisites (other than furniture), instructional and teaching material (other than apparatus), games and playthings Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for PELIKAN VERTRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT MBH & Co. KG P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 21st May, 2012

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is usually severely punished. The letter, which is dated May 4 and can be seen at http://canyu. org/n48532c6.aspx, accuses Zhou of giving active support to Bo. Zhao Zhengrong, a retired anti-corruption official from the southwestern province of Yunnan, told AFP on May 16 he and 15 other party members from the same province had sent the proposal advocating Zhous removal to higher authorities. Zhou is expected to step down from the nine-member Standing Committee, and as head of the partys Politics and Law Commission which oversees Chinas judiciary, prosecution and police at the party congress later this year. But removing him earlier would send a signal to the people on which direction the nation was heading, the open letter said. We are demanding this because Zhou Yongkang directed the Chongqing model and supported Bo Xilai. They are liars, they are of the same ilk, Zhao said. Two other signatories also confirmed the authenticity of the letter to AFP. Zhao was referring to Bos rule of the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, which included an anti-mafia crackdown that many say involved widespread use of torture, and a leftist revival that saw residents sing Maoist songs. During his five years in the position, Zhou, who oversees a budget this year of US $111.6 billion -- higher than Chinas declared military budget -- has gained a reputation as a hardliner willing to use force to quell unrest. He has overseen the quelling of riots in Tibet in 2008 and in Xinjiang in 2009, as well as a crackdown on democracy and rights activists. Analysts say Bos March removal as Chongqing head and his subsequent suspension in April from the partys 25-member Politburo are indicative of a major split between hardliners and reformers at the helm of the ruling party. The scandal is a huge embarrassment for the government, which had been keen to project an image of unity as it gears up for the sensitive handover to a new leadership later this year. On May 15, state media gave prominent coverage to a May 9 speech in which Zhou pledged allegiance to President Hu Jintao and the rule of law, in a possible attempt to quell rumours that he had already been stripped of his responsibilities. AFP

MyanMar tiMes

Party elders urge Chinese security officials removal

BEIJING A group of Communist Party veterans has written a daring open letter calling for the removal of Chinas top security official, in the latest sign of disunity ahead of a once-a-decade leadership transition. Security chief Zhou Yongkang, one of Chinas top nine rulers, is viewed as a hardliner and is linked to Bo Xilai, the charismatic party leader whose downfall earlier this year triggered the nations biggest political scandal in decades. The letter, published on some overseas websites, is an audacious step in China, where open dissent or organised criticism of top leaders

RP protesters call off trip to South China Sea shoal

MANILA Philippine President Benigno Aquino told protesters to abandon plans to sail on May 18 to a disputed South China Sea shoal also claimed by China, the leader of the group said. A group of about 20 people, led by outspoken former Philippine Marine officer Nicanor Faeldon and including television crews, was set to depart to Scarborough Shoal from the northern coastal town of Masinloc. China claims the shoal along with most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its Asian neighbours, while the Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Cranking up tensions, both countries have had ships posted around the shoal since April 10, after Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship from arresting Chinese fishermen. China and the Philippines have imposed separate fishing bans around the disputed area that came into effect on May 16, moves that were seen by some observers as a facesaving way for both claimants to back away from the row. Aquinos last-minute telephone call on May 18 led to the protesters calling off their trip, protest leader Faeldon told reporters after speaking to the president on his mobile phone. I received a call from the president requesting the postponement of this voyage.... I consulted the group and we agreed to concur with the wisdom of the government to postpone it, he added. Faeldon said earlier the trip aimed to galvanise global support for Philippine governments efforts to bring a peaceful solution to the maritime stand-off with its giant neighbour. The foreign department on May 17 said it did not want the trip to go ahead but Faeldon initially ignored the call, dismissing fears China would see it as provocative. But as the group started loading their equipment onto two fishing boats for a planned mid-morning launch on May 18, Faeldon said he received a series of telephone calls, one from the coastguard and the last of them from Aquino. He said the president told him Philippine government representatives were in China to negotiate over the maritime dispute. He said that he believed the postponement of this activity may do better for the resolution of this dispute, said Faeldon. Scarborough Shoal is about 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the Philippines main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1200 kilometres northwest of the shoal, according to Philippine navy maps. Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on May 17 he expected modest economic fallout from the territorial dispute. China had imposed stricter quarantine restrictions on key Filipino fruit exports, the Philippine government said, and warned its citizens about travel safety in the Philippines. Philippine resorts were hit with Chinese tourist cancellations, while a Chinese airline cut flight frequencies to Manila. AFP

An undated image of the Free China, said to be the worlds oldest surviving Chinese junk, which returned home to Taiwan on May 17, nearly 60 years after it left the island on an historic voyage to the United States. The vessel, which arrived in the northern port of Keelung aboard a cargo ship from San Francisco, will be restored and displayed in a maritime museum in the city, said L.S. Lwo, who heads the restoration project. The 100-year-old boat is believed to be the oldest surviving wooden Chinese sailing ship, or junk, in existence and the last of its kind, said the Taipei-based Chinese Junk Preservation group. The boat and its six crew left Keelung in 1955 to cross the Pacific during a yacht race and arrived in San Francisco after a 112-day voyage, the organisation said. Pic: AFP/ The Collection of the Reno Chen Family/Chinese Junk Preservation

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NOTICE is hereby given Kao Kabushiki Kaisha (also trading as Kao Corporation) a joint-stock company duly organized under the laws of Japan, Manufactures and Merchants of 14-10, Nihonbashi Kayabacho 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the Owner and proprietor of the following trademark: (Reg: No. IV/1047/2012) in respect of:- soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions - Class:3 Household or kitchen utensils and containers (not of precious metal or coated therewith); combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes), perfume atomizers (containers), cosmetic brushes, eye brow brushes, hair brushes, nail brushes, shaving brushes, hair combs, powder compacts not of precious metals (containers), dispensers for liquid soap, soap holders, sponge holders, powder puffs- Class: 21 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Kao Kabushiki Kaisha (also trading as Kao Corporation) P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 21th May, 2012

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( Reg: No. IV/11777/2011 ) in respect of:Hotel services; restaurant, catering, bar and lounge services; resort and lodging services; provision of general purpose facilities for meetings conferences and exhibitions; provision of banquet and social function facilities for special occasions; and reservation services for hotel accommodations Class: 43 Any fraudulent imitations or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Marriott Worldwide Corp. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 21st May, 2012

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Time out
Dictator invades Cannes Filmfest
CANNES, France British comic Sacha Baron Cohen sparked minor chaos on Cannes fabled Croisette beachfront on May 16 as his zany alter ego Admiral General Aladeen took a morning stroll on his camel Osama. The star of The Dictator ordered his mini-skirted Amazonian bodyguards to point their assault rifles at the press pack outside the ritzy Carlton Hotel before he straddled his humped beast and headed for a nearby caf. Baron Cohen has already premiered his movie and was in Cannes simply to cause a stir as the Riviera resort launched its annual film festival. The media scrum that followed him on the chic promenade clogged traffic as the fictional Middle Eastern dictator shared his thoughts on Frances new President Francois Hollande and the unrest in Syria. H o l l a n d a i s e ? Ye s , I supported his campaign. I gave him 500,000 euros, he quipped. But when asked if he had sent the lightning bolt that struck Hollandes plane as it flew to Berlin on May 15, he denied any involvement. There was a lightning? It was not me, stated the general, who was dressed for the occasion in a multicoloured jockeys outfit and brandished a riding crop. Then he sat at a cafe terrace where he ordered two coffees one for the camel who refused to drink it before moving on to a Ralph Lauren store from which he emerged with an orange scarf that he wrapped around his mounts neck. The Ali G, Borat and Bruno star turned up in full military regalia at the Oscars in February and pretended to pour late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Ils ashes onto an interviewer. Baron Cohen made a previous appearance in Cannes in 2006 when he turned up on the beach to strut his stuff in a mankini to publicise Borat. In The Dictator he plays the lead role in the heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed, according to the films publicists. The fictional dictator modelled on strongmen such as Moamer Kadhafi and Saddam Hussein goes to New York to make a speech at the United Nations, gets abducted and ends up working at a Brooklyn food co-op. AFP

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The Myanmar Times May 21 - 27, 2012

Artist Zeyar Aye poses on May 10 in front of one of his paintings on display at the Big Bigger Biggest exhibition at KZL Studio and Art Gallery in Yangon. Pic: Zon Pann Pwint

Making it big in Yangon

By Zon Pann Pwint AN exhibition of large canvas paintings by Khin Zaw Latt, Zeyar Aye and Pann Kyi, entitled Big Bigger Biggest, is being held at KZL Studio and Art Gallery in Yangon through June 10. While Khin Zaw Latt is most famous for his paintings of Buddha images, his artwork at KZL features portraits of young beggar boys rendered in muted colours. The artist said he met the boys when he went on a pilgrimage tour to Mandalay last month. While I was waiting for my family at the foot of a pagoda in Mandalay, the boys approached me to beg for money. They caught my attention, and I asked whether they attended school and what work their parents did, Khin Zaw Latt said. They had bags slung on their shoulders, and inside the bags was money instead of school books. That touched my heart. I just photographed them with my hand phone but I didnt intend to draw them. But Khin Zaw Latt said that after he returned to Yangon he could not stop thinking about the boys. When I started thinking about my next exhibition, I decided to paint the boys to share my feelings about them with others, he said. One of the resulting paintings, titled Street Boy, was done with acrylic paint on a 200 by 250 centimetre canvas. I like to work in monochrome, and I used this technique with these paintings because it matches the lives of the subjects. There is a vague suggestion of colour in the paintings, but it is faint and cant be noticed easily. The boys lives also have colour but it isnt obvious to see, he said. The exhibition also includes paintings by Zeyar Aye, portraying tiered pagodas whose upper reaches are curved and bent back towards the ground. The artist said he loves traditional objects and images, and he often includes these themes in his paintings but adds new perspectives. I imagined how it would look if the tops of the pagodas were curled, and then I drew what I had imagined. I named one of the paintings Rhythm to show how we have to live in rhythm and equilibrium, Zeyar Aye said. Artist Pann Kyis paintings, meanwhile, depict lush bamboo forests in green and gold. I love nature. I feel peaceful when I enter a forest. I want the viewers to feel serene when they see my paintings, Pann Kyi said. KZL Studio and Art Gallery is located at No 184/84 (A) Golden Hill (near Pandita Rama Monastery), Golden Valley, Bahan township. The gallery is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

British actor Sacha Baron Cohen (C) dressed as Admiral General Aladeen poses during a photocall to promote the film The Dictator in front of the Carlton Hotel at the 65th Cannes Film Festival on May 16. Pic: AFP

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May 21 - 27, 2012
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Sculptors afraid of losing their wood

By Zon Pann Pwint ANYONE who travels along N e w U n i v e r s i t y Av e n u e Road in Yangon will notice the cluttered collection of wood sculptures at Sayasan Plaza. The art work comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, depicting everything from giraffes and lions, to mythical chinthe and women in traditional Myanmar dress. These objects are among the 50,000 or so sculptures that have been created out of trees salvaged from Yangon Region after Cyclone Nargis devastated areas of lower Myanmar in May 2008, said U Tin Oo, an artist and assistant general manager of the Craft Department at Kaung Myanmar Associates, where the sculptures are displayed. Had the trees not been salvaged, they would have been used for firewood. Instead, 300 sculptors from Dar Pein in Hlegu township, Bago, Rakhine State, Mandalay and Yangon used their skills to turn the damaged tree trunks into artwork, he said. He said the project of turning cyclone-damaged t re e s i n t o a rtwork has helped raise the value and importance of sculptors in Myanmar. Every February we hold an exhibition and contest for sculptors to improve their lives, U Tin Oo said. Sculptor U Kyaw Myint, a former assistant secretary at the Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Organisation, said that before Nargis, sculptors suffered from a scarcity of wood. Some sculptors in rural areas were arrested in the past for buying teak for their work because they were unaware that they needed a licence to do so. But problems with wood scarcity were solved by Nargis. Now they have abundant material for making sculptures, he said. However, he added that this bounty in material has not necessarily translated into more creativity on the part of the artists, who tend to repeat traditional designs rather than seeking to break new ground. The trouble is that most sculptors work in a realist vein. Imagination and originality have been weak in their artwork, said U Kyaw Myint said. Most of the sculptures they create dont represent thoughts and ideas. They are afraid to revolutionise the traditional fashion. This is because there are so few exhibitions and contests. If they were invited to compete, they would come up with something new that would represent their thoughts, he said. He said the artists receive regular income from the sales of traditional figures, so they are content to continue making them. Even when they make sculptures that have market demand they still struggle to earn a living, so they cant devote much time to what they want to create. And if they make what they want to make, they cant be sure whether buyers will want them. If they cant earn money, its hard to survive, U Kyaw Myint said. On the other hand, people dont want to see the same figures again and again. They can appreciate realism and modernism at the same lower quality than teak. As a result, sculptures made from koako sold at lower prices. He said that in the past, a contest was held every year during Armed Forces Day, for which sculptors were provided a large space to create their work as well as teakwood at a special price. The geography of Myanmar is weighted towards sculptors. We remain unrivalled in the possession of teak but such wood is no longer provided to us. We should be granted at least a tonne of teak each month to be divided among all sculptors, he said. U Kyaw Myint added that the ready availability of high-quality teak would prolong the survival of the art of sculpture. Otherwise, they will use wax, concrete and plaster instead, and the art of wood sculpture will fade, he said. Professor U Myint San from the Sculpture Department at the National University of Art and Culture said that in Myanmar, sculpture seems to hold the status of a craft rather than an art. Veteran sculptors show their designs, and then young sculptors try to learn very quickly how to copy these designs. They end up using their skills to make sculptures they learned from others, and they earn their living selling them. When they start getting regular income from the sale of their artwork, they stop learning, he said.

Pakokku Literary winners named

By May Sandy W I N N E R S o f t h e 1 9 th Pakokku Literary Awards were announced at Chatrium Hotel in Yangon on May 16, with 18 prizes and scholarships given to outstanding writers and students for works published in 2011. The prestigious Pakokku U Ohn Pe Lifelong Literary Award, given to writers who have dedicated their lives to literature, was taken by U Maung Muang Khin (Tekkatho Muang Muang Khin). The Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Book Award was won by Khin Maung Mying for his book Democracy Nation and the Fourth Pillar. Other categories for which awards were given included collected poems, novels, collected short stories, research papers and treatises. The awards have been given since 1993. The winners works are published by Yangon-based Sarpay Beikman each year. Starting from this year, the awards ceremony will alternate between Yangon a n d Pa k o k k u i n M a g w e Region each year. 2012 will be held in Mandalay on May 31. Applications are available at BB Cake, Rain Photo Studio125, Meru Photo Studio and Casabella in Mandalay and must be submitted by May 25.

A wood sculpture on display at Sayasan Plaza in Yangon. Pic: Zon Pann Pwint time. If the sculptors can get high-quality teak at a reasonable price, and if there is a market for their artwork, they will devote more time to thinking. He also pointed out that the trees salvaged after Nargis were koako, a type of banyan tree, which was of

MMPO presents list of grievances

By Nyein Ei Ei Htwe MEMBERS of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organisation (MMPO) met with Minister of Information and Culture U Kyaw Hsan in Yangon on May 14, presenting a list of eight points they would like to see addressed to improve the film industry in Myanmar. At the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise (MMPE) in Bahan township, recently elected MMPO chairman U Zin Wine said discussions with U Kyaw Hsan were aimed at building the MMPO with dignity. We want the minister to guide the MMPO and MMPE to work together with open minds and as siblings, he said. The first point on the agenda was a request for reconsideration of an order, issued in April by the MMPE, for the MMPO to vacate Waziya Cinemas (1) and (2), which the organisation had been renting for the past 30 years to showcase local films. According to our records, there were 238 cinemas throughout Myanmar in 1988 but now there are only 65, including mini-theatres [seating 200 or fewer people] at new shopping centres. Cinemas are essential to keeping our film industry alive, and all people from the industry hope that MMPO screenings at the Waziya Cinemas will not be suspended, U Zin Wine said. U Kyaw Hsan responded by saying that there are specific regulations for renting cinemas, and when a rental contract expires the cinema owner must invite new bids from potential renters. However, this did not address the complaint by the MMPO that when its contract with Waziya Cinemas expired in September 2011, the MMPE never responded to requests from the organisation to extend the contract. Last month, several days after the MMPO restructured itself according to more democratic principles that gave all members voting rights, the organisation was told it had to vacate the cinemas. After complaints by the MMPO, the organisation was granted a three month grace period. U Kyaw Hsan continued his response by saying that the MMPE has already stipulated that there must be a cinema in every town, and if the owner can no longer run it he can switch to another business but must make provisions for the construction of another cinema to replace the old one. But it is also important to maintain and raise the standards of our cinemas. If the sound system is bad, if the seats are uncomfortable and the cinema smells, how can the audience appreciate the efforts of the actors and directors? he said. Another point made by the MMPO was a request to re-evaluate films and videos that had been rejected by censors in the past, to determine whether they were suitable for public viewing under current, less restrictive censorship regulations. We understand that it would not be easy to go all the way back to 1988, so we want to start with films made since 2000. This will help filmmakers recoup investments they have made in the film industry and earn more income, U Zin Wine said. U Kyaw Hsan said the censorship board has already permitted 29 previously censored films made since 2001 to be shown, and they are in the process of re-checking 41 more films from that period. U Zin Wine also asked that anti-piracy laws be enforced in rural areas, and complained that some vendors held licences given out by the government in 2005 allowing them to sell pirated material. U Kyaw Hsan responded that some poor people had indeed been given permission to sell pirated DVDs as a source of income, adding that they would be allowed to continue doing so for the time being but the policy would be reviewed at a later date. Among the other points was a request to allow scenes of poverty and corruption to be shown in movies, so directors can tell more realistic stories. U Kyaw Hsan said the censors were already considering allowing such scenes, but wanted directors to change plots that can reduce the dignity of our country. For example, we see a lot of poor families in Korean movies and drama series, but they are shot in reasonable rooms, in neat and tidy houses that show how the people are trying to overcome their problems, he said. But in our country, we see scenes with tiny huts covered in dirty plastic, so I want to suggest that art can show people in difficulty but it needs to be fair to both sides, including in corruption films. U Zin Wine concluded the meeting by thanking the MMPE for dropping the tax that DVD producers used to have to pay to show the mandatory political objectives before each film. The tax was introduced in 2004 at a rate K1 per DVD, and it was raised in 2006 to K3 per DVD. The tax was dropped earlier this year.

Events Flash
with ...

Nuam Bawi

Car expo
The Yangon Trade Exhibition and Car Expo 2012 will be held at the Myanmar Convention Centre, Mindama Road, from June 1 to 4.

Free art classes

New Zero Artspace is offering free art classes to anyone who is interested, with a new topic covered each month. Classes will be taught by famous artists from Myanmar and overseas. The gallery is located at No 54 (1-E), Bo Yar Nyut Street, Dagon township, Yangon.

Photo contest
Submissions are being sought for a photography contest on the theme of Myanmar traditions and culture. Each contestant can enter up to 10 photos, which must be printed on Kodak photo paper and submitted to the Myanmar Hotelier Association (Yangon Zone), Myanmar Photographers Association or YMCA by June 29 at 4pm. The top three prizes are K1 million, K500,000 and K300,000 respectively.

Song contest
FM Bagan is inviting contestants to show their singing talent in a contest featuring songs by Sai Kham Leih. Contestants must record themselves singing one song by the composer and send the tape or CD to FM Bagan, No A (2), Mindama Housing, Mindama Road, Yangon, or to any Elite Mobile Shop. The deadline is May 31.

Male models
The Manhunt (Mandalay) Myanmar Male Model Contest

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Lady Gaga too sexy for Indonesia: police

By Angela Dewan JAKARTA Indonesian police last week refused to allow pop phenomenon Lady Gaga to perform in Jakarta after Islamic hardliners vowed to mobilise thousands of supporters against the devils messenger. The show planned for June 3 in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country will have to be cancelled, said national police spokesman Saud Usman Nasution. We will not issue a permit for the Lady Gaga concert in Jakarta, he said. Indonesias hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) had mounted protests in the capital, vowing to intercept the Poker Face singer at the airport and ensure she does not enter the country. Were very glad the police stopped this moral destroyer from coming to this country, where we believe in God. Of course we stand against her she only wears panties and a bra, FPI Jakarta chairman Habib Salim Alatas said. She is very dangerous for our young generation. She has even said herself that shes the devils messenger, he said after the FPI had threatened to bring thousands onto the streets. Alatas said he had seen Lady Gaga refer to herself as the devils messenger on Twitter and Facebook, although no reference to the devil was sighted on either of her accounts as of May 15 when Alatas was speaking. There was no immediate reaction from Lady Gaga, who has the worlds biggest following on Twitter, but her fans, known as little monsters, took to social media in their thousands. Theithooker tweeted: The only one that needs to be banned is FPI itself. Theyre embarrassing this country on a daily basis. Fans set up a new Twitter hashtag called #IndonesiaSavesGaga to try to get the police decision overturned. But another little monster, DanielZiv, wrote: Its not a matter of #IndonesiaSavesGaga, its more like whether Gaga can save Indonesia. Big Daddy Productions, the promoters, have already sold more than 50,000 tickets and declined to confirm whether the show, part of Lady Gagas Born This Way Ball world tour, had been officially cancelled. Another national police spokesman said the force had no problem with Lady Gaga but could not issue a permit without a letter of recommendation from the Jakarta police, who have decided not to do that. The Jakarta city police said it received objections to the show by the National Ulema Council, Indonesias top Islamic body, and other community leaders saying the star doesnt deserve the attention of so many people. They said her outfits are too sexy, indulgent and erotic, said Jakarta police spokesman Rikwanto, who goes by one name. Ninety percent of Indonesias 240 million people identify themselves as Muslim, but the vast majority practise a moderate form of Islam. Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said the police did the right thing to protect Indonesia. There would be more negatives than positive in allowing her to perform here, he said. So I respect the police decision as the right move. But Ahmad Basarah of parliaments legal commission, which has the authority to question police decisions, said that while he supported preserving Indonesian values,

Habib Salim Alatas, chairman of Indonesias hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), pontificates during an interview at his residence in Jakarta on May 15. Pic: AFP the decision to withhold a permit was discriminatory. The police must also have the courage to stand up to other groups that want to display vulgar culture, like some from the Middle East who want Islamic law here that goes against our state ideology and democracy, he said. Lady Gaga has faced opposition elsewhere on the Asia leg of her tour. The Korean Association of Church Communication vowed in March to take concerted action to stop young people from being infected with homosexuality and pornography during the stars concert in Seoul. But she has not toned down her performances. In Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo, she rode on to the stage on a mechanical horse, wearing a black bodysuit and an enormous black metal headpiece. Lady Gaga performed in Taipei on May 17 and 18, and will then head to Manila, Bangkok and Singapore. She was due to play in Jakarta after that, before flying south to New Zealand and Australia. In the past, performers such as Beyonce and the Pussycat Dolls have been allowed to perform in Indonesia provided they dressed more conservatively. Concerts by Western artists in Indonesias fellow Islamic neighbour Malaysia have also stirred controversy. Beyonce was forced to cancel a 2007 event there after conservative Muslim groups threatened protests. AFP

New Delhi jailhouse inmates rock to live music therapy

By Ben Sheppard NEW DELHI Strutting across the stage wearing red stilettos, red lipstick and a flower in her hat, Samara Chopra was always going to be a hit with the inmates of Tihar high-security jail in New Delhi. The audience of about 1000 male prisoners whooped with delight as Chopra, lead singer of the Ska Vengers, ran through a high-energy one-hour set at an afternoon concert inside the prison grounds. Clapping her hands high in the air, and belting out ska, reggae and soul classics, she soon had the prison guards as well as the captive audience moving to the music. The event was an unusual break from the daily routine at Tihar jail, a vast complex in the west of the Indian capital where 12,000 inmates ranging from trial suspects to convicted murderers are incarcerated. Music is a force for good, Chopra, 28, said during a warm-up act by prison band The Flying Souls. It has the power to change people and is fundamental to all lives, including those inside prisons, she said. The interaction we have had with the people here has been great and I want to come back and teach here. The Ska Vengers, a popular Delhi band, have developed links with Jail 4 at Tihar, and they held the gig to celebrate arranging for and we are trying to reform them through music, he said, adding that one female inmate had been suicidal until she had access to music instruments. We have done this for one year now, including for Bengali music, Hindi classical and Western classical, but [Bollywood] film music is the most popular. Kumar said he was pleasantly surprised by the depth of talent among prisoners and that he had recently started a Tihar Idol competition to select inmates who will make a commercially produced album. The idea of providing Tihar with better music facilities came from Stefan Kaye, the London-born keyboard player of the Ska Vengers who found very little equipment on offer when he held music workshops in the jail late last year. Working with inmates is no different to working with anyone else, he said. They do usually want to tell me what crimes or charges they are in jail for, but I have never felt at all threatened. In fact, they are just very keen to learn, desperate for anything to distract them from the monotony and negative thoughts of jail life. They take music very seriously and often display extraordinary abilities. Among the kit donated to Tihar were drum sets, tabla Indian drums, keyboards, amplifiers and crucial smaller items such as scores of guitar strings. It helps so much, and perhaps the skills will be useful when they leave the prison, said Kaye. When I spoke to [Delhi music shop] Furtados, they gave us everything we asked for free. Tihar jail has a record of innovative rehabilitation schemes for prisoners including yoga, meditation, art classes and a shop selling products made by inmates. Guards even allowed a handful of the jails best dancers to squeeze out of the crowd to show off their wildest moves in front of the stage, triggering the biggest cheers of the day from their delighted comrades. Support act The Flying Souls, a band formed in Tihar last year by three convicts and seven remand prisoners, struck a more poignant chord with their songs about loss, longing and the pain of separation. Were all stressed. Were all away from our homes and we miss our families. There are problems with our cases, they get so delayed, said lead singer Amit Saxena, 35, who has spent nine years in jail as his murder trial drags on. Its only when were in the music room that we dont remember or think about all these things, he said. Everyone really loves their wife or their family. Some peoples girlfriends are still waiting for them on the outside. We remember them, thats why we write more romantic songs. AFP

An inmate dances in front of other prisoners to music being performed on a nearby stage during a concert at the Tihar jail in New Delhi on April 26. Pic: AFP 300,000 rupees (US$5700) of music equipment to be donated to the prison by a music store. Jail 4, one of 10 separate facilities within the prison, houses 1615 inmates including 160 foreigners and 230 convicts, four of whom are on death row, according to an official register at the entrance gate. One of the convicted murders, Ashish Nandwana, 26, from Jaipur, was among the raucous concert crowd gathered in the prison gardens. He is serving a life sentence for stabbing a trainee flight attendant to death in a Delhi guesthouse in April 2008 after she refused to marry him. It is good to have music here. The prison is ok but we want to have events like this, he said before the concert. Such grim personal stories seem at odds with the cheerful atmosphere at the concert, which was attended by guest of honour Neeraj Kumar, the director general of Delhi prisons and a keen advocate of music for inmates. We have been introducing music rooms and we are very happy to say that the response has been tremendous, he said. It is therapeutic. Prisoners vent and give release to creative energies,

entertainment news
May 21 - 27, 2012
YSL Welding Supply Company Dinner
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Lee Cooper New Branch Opening

SOCIALITE has been swamped with office work lately, so she started her party-hopping later than usual. She was finally able to U Maung Maung Lwin break free on May 10 to attend the opening U Khin Maung Oo and Mr Toshihiko Hama ceremony of Myanmar Apex Bank. The next day she joined The Face Shops top girls at Myanmar Apex Bank Opening their new branch opening at Junction Square. It was a busy day for Socialite, as she also squeezed in visits to the Ginsetin lucky draw program, YSL welding supply dinner party and Fashion Galleria Yangon 2012 at Traders Hotel. Socialite enjoyed a great Mothers Day with her mom, but didnt miss the chance to attend the OSIM healthy Mothers Day program and Lee Cooper branch opening at Junction Square.
U Mg Mg Gyi and U Aung Shwe

Ye Aung

Ko Jhon

M Seng Lu U Thein Khine U Chit Khine

U Myint Thein

U Tin Shwe

U Kyaw Soe Min

The Face Shop Branch Opening

Ko Hein

June Mo Mo Ko Phyu Nwe Khaing Ma Hnin Moe Tun Phyo Ngwe Soe, Ma Thidar and Zin Zin Thandar Hlaing

Fashion Galleria Yangon 2012

Ma Aye Aye Than Noe Noe K

May Myint

Vo D Kar and friends

Thet Hnin Aye (Dozo)

Han Thi San Thit La Madam Moria Fonica and Daw Lae Lae Tin Arial Thu Ta and Moe Pike Soe

Ma Mie Mie

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May 21 - 27, 2012
Happy Mothers Day by OSIM

MyanMar tiMes

Help Age Dinner Party

U Aung Tun Khine Mr Eduardo Klien and Mr Richard Blewitt

Sales associate with customer Ma Ei Thanda Htaik, Ma May Phu Pwint Soe, Ma Phyu That Paing and Ma Naw Lay

Ma Thet Su, Ma Thuzar and Ko Aung Than Moe

Holika Holika Lucky Draw

Ginsetin Lucky Draw

Ko Sithu Swe Phway Phway Daw Soe Soe Ye Ko Thuya Zaw Ma Myat Thar Gie Ma Hinn Hinn Khine, Dr Kyaw Thein Zan and Ma Khin Mar Kyi

Nay Chi Lin Lat

Ye Deik

Chit Thu Wai and Ma Nu Myat Theingi Oo

Chan Chan Nan Su Ya Ti Soe

Bunny Phyo

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May 21 - 27, 2012

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Crowds flock to S Korea expo

MyanMar tiMes

AIRLINE OFFICES
Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)

YEOSU, South Korea Tens of thousands of people flocked to South Koreas 2012 international expo on May 12 on the first day of the three-month show with the theme of The Living Ocean and Coast. The southern coastal city of Yeosu opened Expo 2012 to the public after four years of preparation and US$10 billion investment, with 104 participating nations showcasing their oceanic culture and science. Ten international organisations and eight firms are also staging exhibitions at the 25hectare (60-acre) seafront area, which features pavilions, a giant aquarium and a floating stage for performances. Organisers said they expected a total of 10 million visitors by the end of the expo in August, including up to 800,000 foreigners, mostly from China and Japan. Theres no rush our goal is drawing genuine visitors by word of mouth, not trying to boost attendance with usual free tickets and other artificial measures, Cho Yong-Hwan, an organising committee spokesman, told reporters. Expo 2012 Yeosu is being held between the headline World Expos, which are staged every five years. The last was in Shanghai in 2010. Tourism in Yeosu home to 300,000 people has been limited due to poor transport links and outdated infrastructure despite a scenic coastline

56, Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102 Air Asia (FD) 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Ground Flr, Parkroyal Hotel, Yangon. Tel: 251 885, 251 886.

Air China (CA)

Building (2), corner of Pyay Rd and Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Hotel Yangon, 8 miles, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 666112, 655882.

Bangkok Airways (PG)

Yangon. Tel: 255122, 255 265, Fax: 255119

#0305, 3rd Fl, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp,

Air India

75, Shwe Bon Thar St, Pabedan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 253597~98, 254758. Fax: 248175

Myanmar Airways International(8M)

08-02, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Ygn. Tel : 255260, Fax: 255305

A visitor takes a picture at an aquarium at Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea, on May 12. Pic: AFP and hundreds of nearby islands. The government has poured in billions of dollars to build new roads and economic benefits worth 19 trillion won ($17 billion) outweighing the massive spending. On May 12, the site, The US exhibition featured a water screen display showing President Barack Obama expressing a commitment to protecting allowing people to see underwater scenes of the worlds biggest coral reef site and chat with divers. Its far smaller than the Shanghai expo in scale, but its impressive enough, said Chinese tourist Jenny Gao, walking under a 218metre-long (715-foot-long) gallery twice as long as a football pitch displaying LED images of the ocean. Chinese visitors have snapped up more than half of the tickets on advance sale and organisers have filled some 1000 of the 13,000 volunteer helper posts with Chinese living in South Korea to better serve them. More Chinese have become interested in expos since the Shanghai event. I will be happy to recommend my friends and parents to visit, Gao said. AFP
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
335/357, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 387648, 241007 ext : 120, 121, 122 Fax : 241124 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, 2nd Floor, Sakura Tower, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 255 287~9 , Fax: 255 290

Silk Air(MI)

Theres no rush our goal is drawing genuine visitors by word of mouth, not trying to boost attendance with usual free tickets and other artificial measures.

railways since the port city won its expo bid in 2007. Organisers predict the event will create some 80,000 jobs and bring

formerly a dusty cement terminal, was teeming with tourists mostly South Korean with long queues forming at major exhibitions by countries including the US, Japan and China. Japan focused on the deadly quake-tsunami disaster that hit its northeastern coast last year, playing an animated film about people trying to rebuild their lives while protecting sea life.

maritime ecosystems and resources. Singapore showcased how the city state transformed itself into a lush green metropolis, displaying miniature versions of its urban gardens and its ecofriendly offshore landfill that is home to hundreds of animals and plants. Australia, the worlds largest island continent, played a live video from the Great Barrier Reef,

Thai Airways (TG)

#11-01, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Ygn. Tel : 255499 Fax : 255490

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

#1702, Sakura Tower 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Fax 255086. Tel 255066/ 255088/ 255068.

Domestic Airlines
Yangon Airways(YH)

Singapore Girl can now fly well into her 50s

SINGAPORE Singapore Airlines stewardesses will now be able to fly well into their 50s after the airline agreed to add up to three years to their careers, the company said last week. Under the new agreement signed by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Singapore Airlines Staff Union, junior stewardesses who usually start working at 23 can fly for up to 20 years from 17 years previously, SIA said. Those promoted to leading and chief stewardess rank can serve for up to 25 and 30 years respectively, up from 23 and 28 years previously. The new rules also apply to male cabin crew who joined after 2004. Men who signed up before 2004 are allowed to work until they are 62. The new agreement, which came into effect on May 9, allows us to offer longer employment terms for all our employees, the airline said. At the same time, it will also help us to retain experienced cabin crew. The airlines flight attendants, who it has referred to as Singapore Girls since the 1970s, have long played a central role in the airlines advertising campaigns, despite critics labelling the marketing as outdated and sexist. Frequent winners of travel industry awards for cabin crew service, the flight attendants are recruited from several Asian countries and wear distinctive uniforms with batik prints. People are living longer and starting families later, so the aim is to make sure our people stay employed longer, the Straits Times newspaper quoted SIA staff union president Tony Sim as saying. Sim also stated that the move was in line with the Singapore governments push to get people to extend their working lives. SIA is under pressure from competitors in the high end of the market and is being buffeted by high fuel prices, global economic woes and budget carriers offering cheaper, no-frills flight. The airline, considered a bellwether for the industry, announced earlier this month that its full-year profit for 2011 slumped 69 percent year-on-year in only its third quarterly loss in the history of the company. Net profit for the year to March plunged to S$336 million (US$268 million) on group revenues of S$14.86 billion, the carrier reported. AFP

166, MMB Tower, Level 5, Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taungnyunt Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (+95-1) 383 100, 383 107, 700 264, Fax: 652 533.

Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)

56, Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102

AIR KBZ (K7)

33-49,Corner of Bank Street & Maha Bandoola Garden Street, Kyauktada Tsp,Yangon, Myanmar Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport) Fax: 372983

Air Mandalay (6T)

146, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon Tel : 501520, 525488 (Head Office) 720309, 652753, 652754 (Airport Office), Fax: 525 937

Asian Wings (AW)

No.34(A-1), Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan Township,Yangon.Myanmar. Tel: 951 516654, 532253, 09-73135991~3.Fax: 951 532333

31
the

travel
May 21 - 27, 2012

MyanMar tiMes

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

DAYS Flight
MON AW 891 6T 405 AW 911 6T 401 K7 222 W9 011 6T 801 AW 761 6T 351 K7 824 AW 791 K7 224 6T 501 K7 228 YH 909 6T 405 AW 891 AW 901 W9 251 6T 401 6T 801 YH 729 AW 761 K7 622 K7 224 6T 501 AW 891 AW 911 6T 401 6T 331 K7 222 6T 801 AW 751 YH 737 K7 824 K7 622 W9 261 AW 791 YH 731 6T 501 YH 909 AW 891 AW 901 6T 401 W9 255 6T 331 YH 729 AW 201 K7 226 K7 224 6T 501 YH 731 AW 891 W9 251 6T 401 YH 917 6T 331 K7 222 AW 751 AW 211 K7 824 6T 501 YH 731 W9 271 6T 403 YH 909 AW 891 AW 911 6T 401 YH 729 6T 801 AW 601 K7 622 K7 224 6T 501 AW 891 YH 909 AW 891 6T 401 W9 255 K7 222 6T 801 AW 211 AW 751 K7 622 6T 501 YH 634 AW 892 6T 402 K7 223 W9 262 6T 802 W9 021 YH 728 AW 762 K7 224 6T 502 K7 825 W9 009 AW 902 AW 892 6T 402 YH 910 W9 011 YH 812 6T 802 W9 251 W9 150 AW 762 K7 224 YH 730 6T 502

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES

DAYS Flight
MON W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 W9 011 6T 402 K7 223 AW 792 K7 225 AW 892 YH 918 W9 011 6T 402 W9 116 K7 827 K7 225 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 827 K7 225 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 AW 911 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 827 AW 752 K7 225 AW SPL AW 892 YH 918 W9 011 6T 402 K7 223 AW 752 W9 116 YH 738 6T 611 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 6T 607 W9 309 K7 426 6T 611 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 K7 426 6T 612 W9 310 6T 612 W9 310 6T 612 W9 310 6T 612 W9 310 6T 608 W9 310 K7 427 6T 612 W9 310 6T 612 K7 427 K7 319 6T 707 AW 301 K7 313 6T 707 K7 313 6T 707 K7 319 6T 707 AW 301 AW 301 K7 319 6T 707 K7 319 6T 707 K7 319 6T 707 AW 301 K7 320 6T 708 K7 314 6T 708 AW 302 K7 314 6T 708 AW 302 K7 320 6T 708 K7 320 6T 708 K7 320 6T 708 K7 320 6T 708 AW 302

Dep
06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:30 11:00 11:30 12:30 14:30 15:00 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 08:00 11:00 11:00 13:30 15:00 15:00 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 07:00 10:45 11:00 11:00 12:30 13:30 13:30 14:30 15:00 15:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 07:00 10:30 11:00 13:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 07:00 07:00 11:00 11:00 12:30 15:00 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 10:30 10:45 11:30 13:30 15:00 15:00 16:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 08:00 11:00 11:00 13:30 15:00 08:35 08:35 08:55 09:35 10:50 13:20 14:10 16:30 16:35 16:45 17:20 18:20 08:30 08:35 08:35 08:55 09:25 09:25 13:25 13:30 13:35 16:20 16:35 16:45 17:20 17:20

Arr
08:20 08:20 07:55 08:35 09:15 08:30 09:55 12:55 12:55 13:55 15:55 16:25 17:00 07:25 07:55 08:20 08:20 08:20 07:55 08:35 09:25 12:40 12:55 14:55 16:25 17:00 08:20 07:50 08:35 08:25 09:15 12:10 12:10 13:10 13:55 14:55 14:55 16:25 17:10 17:00 07:55 08:20 08:35 08:35 08:55 08:25 13:30 12:55 14:55 16:25 17:00 17:10 08:20 07:55 08:35 08:50 08:25 09:15 12:25 12:55 13:55 17:00 17:10 07:25 07:40 07:55 08:20 07:50 07:50 13:30 12:10 12:55 14:55 16:25 17:00 08:20 08:30 08:20 08:35 08:55 09:15 09:25 12:25 12:25 14:55 17:00 10:00 10:30 10:55 11:45 12:15 14:45 15:10 17:55 18:00 20:00 19:25 19:45 09:30 10:00 10:30 10:55 10:50 11:10 14:50 14:55 15:00 17:45 18:40 20:00 18:45 19:25

DAYS Flight
WED W9 009 AW 892 6T 332 6T 402 K7 223 W9 021 6T 802 AW 792 YH 738 AW 752 6T 502 K7 825 W9 009 AW 892 6T 332 AW 902 6T 402 YH 812 W9 021 AW 202 K7 224 YH 730 6T 502 W9 009 AW 892 6T 332 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 W9 251 AW 212 YH 731 6T 502 W9 232 YH 728 K7 825 6T 404 AW 892 6T 402 W9 011 W9 262 YH 812 6T 802 AW 602 K7 224 YH 730 6T 502 W9 009 YH 910 AW 892 6T 402 W9 011 K7 223 W9 256 YH 812 6T 802 AW 212 YH 738 6T 502 W9 143 AW 891 YH 633 6T 401 YH 917 K7 222 K7 224 W9 143 AW 901 AW 891 6T 401 YH 917 K7 224 W9 143 AW 891 6T 401 K7 222 YH 917 AW 781 AW 891 W9 009 AW 901 6T 401 YH 917 K7 224 AW 891 W9 009 6T 401 YH 917 K7 222 AW 891 6T 403 W9 009 6T 401 YH 917 6T 801 K7 224 W9 143 AW 891 YH 909 W9 009 6T 401 YH 917 K7 222 K7 222 AW 792 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 K7 225

Dep
08:30 08:35 08:45 08:55 09:35 14:10 15:35 16:40 17:10 17:50 17:20 18:20 08:30 08:35 08:45 08:50 08:55 13:10 14:10 16:00 16:45 17:15 17:20 08:30 08:35 08:45 08:50 08:55 09:35 13:35 16:30 17:10 17:20 17:35 17:45 18:20 08:00 08:35 08:55 09:25 10:50 13:10 15:35 16:40 16:45 17:15 17:20 08:30 08:35 08:35 08:55 09:25 09:35 11:20 13:10 13:30 16:00 17:10 17:20 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:30 07:00 06:30 15:00 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 15:00 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 07:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 10:30 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 07:00 08:40 17:50 17:25 17:55 18:05 18:40

Arr
09:30 10:30 10:10 10:55 11:45 15:10 17:00 18:45 18:35 19:15 19:25 19:45 09:30 10:30 10:10 10:15 10:55 14:35 15:10 17:25 20:00 18:45 19:25 09:30 10:30 10:10 10:45 10:55 11:45 15:00 17:55 19:25 19:25 19:00 19:10 19:45 10:05 10:30 10:55 11:10 12:15 14:35 17:00 18:05 20:00 18:45 19:25 09:30 10:00 10:30 10:55 11:10 11:45 12:45 14:35 14:55 17:25 18:35 19:25 07:20 07:35 07:50 07:50 08:05 08:20 18:20 07:20 07:35 07:35 07:50 08:05 18:20 07:20 07:35 07:50 08:20 08:05 17:10 07:35 07:25 07:50 07:50 08:05 18:20 07:35 07:25 07:50 08:05 08:20 07:35 08:30 07:25 07:50 08:05 11:50 18:20 07:20 07:35 07:50 07:25 07:50 08:05 08:20 11:45 19:10 18:20 19:15 19:25 20:00

DAYS Flight
TUE YH 910 AW 762 W9 109 AW 792 6T 502 YH 732 K7 225 K7 222 W9 109 AW 792 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 K7 225 K7 222 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 6T 404 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 K7 225 K7 222 YH 910 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 W9 255 W9 251 K7 622 K7 622 AW 201 W9 255 W9 251 K7 622 AW 211 W9 255 K7 622 W9 256 W9 252 K7 623 K7 623 AW 202 W9 256 W9 252 K7 623 W9 256 K7 623 K7 222 W9 119 AW 761 YH 727 6T 501 YH 731 K7 224 K7 826 6T 801 W9 115 AW 761 YH 811 6T 501 YH 731 K7 224 AW 911 K7 222 W9 119 YH 737 AW 791 6T 501 YH 731 K7 826 AW 761 AW 201 YH 811 W9 109 6T 501 YH 731 K7 224 K7 222 AW 211 W9 109 6T 501 YH 731 K7 826 AW 751 W9 119 YH 811 6T 501 YH 731 K7 224 K7 222 AW SPL AW 751 W9 115 YH 811 6T 501 YH 731 YH 737

Dep
08:40 17:20 17:25 17:25 18:05 18:10 18:40 08:40 17:25 17:25 17:55 18:05 08:40 17:25 17:55 18:05 18:40 08:40 17:25 17:55 18:05 08:40 08:45 17:25 17:55 18:05 18:40 08:40 08:40 17:25 17:55 18:05 06:30 06:30 13:30 13:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 13:30 06:00 06:30 13:30 09:45 12:05 16:50 16:50 09:35 09:45 12:05 16:50 09:45 16:50 07:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 07:00 08:00 11:00 11:00 11:15 15:00 15:00 15:00 06:30 07:00 11:00 11:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 07:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 07:00 11:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 07:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 07:00 07:30 10:30 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:00 11:00

Arr
10:00 18:40 18:20 18:45 19:25 19:30 20:00 11:45 18:20 18:45 19:15 19:25 10:00 18:20 19:15 19:25 20:00 11:45 18:20 19:15 19:25 10:00 10:05 18:20 19:15 19:25 20:00 11:45 10:00 18:20 19:15 19:25 09:25 09:25 16:30 16:30 09:20 09:25 09:25 16:30 08:50 09:25 16:30 12:40 15:00 19:50 19:50 12:25 12:40 15:00 19:50 12:40 19:50 10:10 12:10 12:10 12:25 16:10 16:25 17:20 08:15 10:20 12:10 12:10 12:40 16:10 16:25 17:20 08:40 10:10 12:10 12:25 15:40 16:10 16:25 08:15 12:10 12:10 12:25 15:25 16:10 16:25 17:20 10:10 12:10 15:25 16:10 16:25 08:15 12:10 12:10 12:25 16:10 16:25 17:20 10:10 08:40 11:40 12:10 12:25 16:10 16:25 12:25

Dep
09:05 09:20 09:35 09:40 09:45 10:30 16:55 17:40 09:20 09:35 09:40 09:45 16:45 11:15 17:40 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 10:30 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 11:15 17:40 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 10:30 08:55 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 11:15 17:15 17:40 08:55 09:20 09:35 09:40 09:45 10:30 16:45 16:45 17:20 11:15 13:00 11:15 13:00 09:00 13:00 11:15 13:00 11:15 13:00 15:00 11:15 13:00 11:15 13:00 15:00 12:55 15:00 12:55 15:00 10:40 15:00 12:55 15:00 12:55 15:00 16:40 12:55 15:00 12:55 16:40 07:00 11:30 07:00 07:00 11:30 07:00 11:30 07:00 11:30 12:45 07:00 07:00 11:30 07:00 08:00 07:00 11:30 12:45 11:50 15:55 09:30 15:55 17:15 09:30 15:55 11:30 11:50 15:55 11:50 15:55 11:50 12:25 11:50 15:55 17:15

Arr
10:15 10:30 10:45 10:35 10:55 11:45 19:10 20:00 10:30 10:45 10:35 10:55 17:55 12:30 20:00 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 11:45 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 12:30 20:00 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 11:45 11:05 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 12:30 18:25 20:00 10:05 10:30 10:45 10:35 10:55 11:45 17:55 17:55 18:35 12:40 14:45 12:40 14:45 10:25 14:45 12:40 14:45 12:40 14:45 16:20 12:40 14:45 12:40 14:45 16:20 14:20 16:45 14:20 16:45 12:05 16:45 14:20 16:45 14:55 16:45 18:00 14:20 16:45 14:20 18:00 09:10 13:30 09:05 09:10 13:30 09:10 13:30 09:10 13:30 14:50 09:05 09:10 13:30 09:10 10:00 09:10 13:30 14:50 14:00 17:55 11:40 17:55 19:20 11:40 17:55 13:35 14:00 17:55 14:00 17:55 14:00 14:25 14:00 17:55 19:20

DAYS Flight
MON FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 TUE FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 WED FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 THUR FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 FRI FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 SAT FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 SUN FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306

Dep Arr
08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40 08:30 10:15 08:50 10:35 09:50 11:45 10:55 12:50 16:30 18:15 16:40 18:35 17:40 19:25 19:45 21:40

DAYS Flight
SAT 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517 SUN 8M 231 MI 511

Dep Arr
08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45 11:25 15:50 16:40 21:15 08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45

DAYS Flight
MON 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 TUE 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 WED 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 THUR 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 FRI 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 FD 3772 PG 703 TG 305 8M 332 SAT 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 SUN 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332

Dep Arr
07:10 07:55 07:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 09:15 10:05 15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:55 07:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 09:15 10:05 15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05

DAYS Flight
SAT MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520 SUN MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520

Dep Arr
07:55 09:20 09:10 10:35 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40 07:55 09:20 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40

YANGON TO MANDALAY

HEHO TO YANGON

YANGON TO BANGKOK

BANGKOK TO YANGON

WED

TUE

THUR

8M 233
MI 517

14:15 18:40
16:40 21:15

THUR

TUE

YANGON TO SIEM REAP

WED 8M 401 SAT 8M 401 08:50 11:25 08:50 11:25

FRI

WED

8M 234

19:40 21:05

KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON

MON MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 TUE MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 WED MH 740 AK 850 THU MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 FRI MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 SAT MH 740 AK 850 SUN MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45

FRI

SAT

YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR

MON 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 TUE 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 WED MH 741 AK 851 THU 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 FRI 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 SAT SUN MH 741 AK 851 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 WED CZ 3056 THUR 8M 711 SAT CZ 3056 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 18:50 23:05 11:20 15:50 08:45 13:15 11:20 15:50 08:45 13:15

THUR

WED

SUN

FRI

YANGON TO MYITKYINA
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN

SAT

SAT

15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05

THUR

SUN

SUN

MYITKYINA TO YANGON
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN

15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05

FRI

YANGON TO SITTWE
MON TUE WED THUR FRI

YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU

GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
WED CZ 3055 THUR 8M 712 SAT CZ 3055 08:50 10:30 14:15 15:45 08:50 10:30 14:15 15:45

YANGON TO NYAUNG U
MON

SAT

YANGON TO HEHO
MON

16:25 17:10 15:00 15:50 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05

SAT SUN

SUN 8M 711

SUN 8M 712

TUE

YANGON TO TAIPEI
MON CI 7916 WED CI 7916 FRI CI 7916 14:00 19:25 14:00 19:25 14:00 19:25

TAIPEI TO YANGON
MON CI 7915 WED CI 7915 FRI CI 7915 09:55 12:45 09:55 12:45 09:55 12:45

TUE

SITTWE TO YANGON
MON TUE WED THUR FRI

WED

SUN

YANGON TO KUNMING
TUE CA 906 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35

15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10 07:10 07:55 07:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 09:15 10:05 15:00 15:50 16:25 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 20:10

KUNMING TO YANGON
TUE CA 905 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15

THUR

WED

WED CA 906 THUR CA 906 SAT SUN CA 906 CA 906

WED CA 905 THUR CA 905 SAT SUN CA 905 CA 905

MANDALAY TO YANGON
MON

FRI

THUR

SAT SUN

YANGON TO KOLKATA
Mon FRI IC734 IC734 13:30 16:40 13:30 16:40

KOLKATA TO YANGON
Mon FRI IC733 IC728 10:00 14:55 15:50 16:40

SAT

YANGON TO MYEIK
MON TUE

FRI

YANGON TO CHIANG MAI

THUR W9 9607 SUN W9 9607 12:00 13:30 12:00 13:30

SINGAPORE TO YANGON
MON MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 07:55 09:20 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45

CHIANG MAI TO YANGON

THUR W9 9608 SUN W9 9608 14:30 15:00 14:30 15:00

SUN

YANGON TO SINGAPORE
MON 8M 231 MI 511 08:40 13:05 10:10 14:45

SAT

WED THUR

TUE

8M 233
MI 517 TUE 8M 231 MI 511

14:15 18:40
16:40 21:15 08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45

YANGON TO HANOI
MON VN 956 WED VN 956 FRI SAT VN 956 VN 956 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30

8M 234
TUE MI 512 8M 232 MI 518

19:40 21:05
07:55 09:20 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45

HANOI TO YANGON
MON VN 957 WED VN 957 FRI SAT VN 957 VN 957 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10

FRI

NYAUNG U TO YANGON
MON

SUN

SAT SUN

8M 233
MI 517 WED 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517 THUR 8M 231 MI 511

14:15 18:40
16:40 21:15 08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45 11:25 15:50 16:40 21:15 08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45

8M 234
WED MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 THUR MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520

19:40 21:05
07:55 09:20 09:10 10:35 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 07:55 09:20 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40

Domestic
6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan AW = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways FD & AK = Air Asia TG = Thai Airways

International
8M = Myanmar Airways International PG = Bangkok Airways MI = Silk Air VN = Vietnam Airline MH = Malaysia Airlines CZ = China Southern CI = China Airlines CA = Air China IC = Indian Airlines Limited W9 = Air Bagan 3K = Jet Star

MYEIK TO YANGON
MON TUE

YANGON TO CHI MINH

TUE VN 942 14:25 17:10 14:25 17:10 14:25 17:10

HO CHI MINH TO YANGON

TUE VN 943 11:40 13:25 11:40 13:25 11:40 13:25

THUR VN 942 SUN VN 942

THUR VN 943 SUN VN 943

WED THUR

YANGON TO PHNOM PENH

WED 8M 401 SAT 8M 401 08:50 12:50 08:50 12:50 FRI

PHNOM PENH TO YANGON

WED 8M 402 SAT 8M 402 13:50 15:15 13:50 15:15

8M 233
MI 517 FRI 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517

14:15 18:40
16:40 21:15 08:00 12:25 10:10 14:45 11:25 15:50 16:40 21:15

8M 234
MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520

19:40 21:05
07:55 09:20 09:10 10:35 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40

Subject to change without notice

FRI SAT SUN

YANGON TO GAYA
WED 8M 601 SAT 8M 601 09:00 10:30 09:00 10:30

GAYA TO YANGON
WED 8M 602 SAT 8M 602 11:30 15:00 11:30 15:00

tea Break
May 21 - 27, 2012
the

32
MyanMar tiMes

Flavours of the world merge in New Delhi

By Tom Sietsema THE chef behind some of the most thrilling food in New Delhi grew up in a nogarlic, no-onion home in a small town in eastern India. The family roost was ruled by a meat-averse father who was also so insistent about what was consumed indoors that his wife had to cook eggs for the children in separate cookware and outdoors on the terrace. It was a very strict house, remembers Manish Mehrotra, 38, but nobody stopped us from eating anything outside. Luckily for his countrymen, the young Mehrotra summered with relatives in New Delhi and Mumbai who ate widely. And fortunately for anyone who reserves at Indian Accent the chefs three-year-old, 45-seat jewel box tucked into the Manor hotel in south New Delhi theres nothing that he wants to deny his diners. Soft-shell crabs are often exported from India. But here they are at Indian Accent, featured as golden nuggets in a paper cone with roasted coconut. Alongside the seafood, spiked with curry leaves and dried red chillies, is a pale pink dip coaxed from tomato pickle. Diners also get tweezers for extricating the hot crab from its pliant vase. Butter chicken, ubiquitous on restaurant menus in the Indian capital, gets a rich lift from crushed roasted peanuts and peanut butter, a texture combination that demonstrates the chefs pan-Asian culinary training. The entree is sandwiched between fenugreek crackers and served with a vivid salad of onion, mint, beet and carrot by a waiter who playfully upends a chai glass over the plate. Ive had Indian breads stuffed countless ways over the years, but it wasnt until a spring dinner at Indian Accent that I encountered quarter-size nan sharpened with blue cheese and larger pillows of bread plumped with pumpkin and cheddar cheese. Mehrotra refers to his style as Indian food with an international accent, or the other way around. However you view his elegant and entertaining cooking, the chef comes from an unlikely background and is doing something that few of his peers have attempted, says Vir Sanghvi, a respected Indian print and television journalist and my recent guide to the countrys dining scene. According to Sanghvi, most Indian chefs are steeped in the ways of the French; Mehrotra, by contrast, was schooled in pan-Asian techniques by Thai master chefs in London.

YOUR STARS
By Astrologer Aung Myin Kyaw Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18
Your reasoning powers will become sharper with age, as long as you continue to strengthen your mind by seeking out new and surprising challenges. This approach will also help you become wise in the ways of divine life. Some words, such as cant or must, are like problems that can be cut out of your life.

Pisces

Character cant be counterfeited; nor can it be put on and cast off like a costume. On the contrary, it requires long-term nurturing for growth and development. Concentration is the key to effective decision-making, and will be required to keep money matters on the track to success.

Feb 19 - Mar 20

Aries

Focus on developing self-esteem as well as your self-image. Listening and verbalising will help shape your lifestyle, and you should avoid indulging in unnecessary criticism of others as much as possible. Keep yourself up to date, and create a vision that will transform you for the better. It is time to use introspection to analyse your work methods.

March 21 - April 19

Taurus

Be an ideal man rather than an alibi expert. Success coupled with integrity, self-esteem and self-respect has a certain aura about it. Now the question arises: What can you do to deal with the situation? The answer lies in improving your thinking from the negative to the positive. You must change and command your subconscious mind by auto-suggestion.

April 20 - May 20

Gemini Chef Manish Mehrotra blends Indian and international staples in imaginative ways at Indian Accent in New Delhi. Pic: Washington Post/Tom Sietsema Even the venue for his creaminess of the lamb. ashes of the restaurants cooking is uncommon. Most Even the palate-cleanser tandoor. high-end Indian restaurants comes with a nostalgic Indian Accents in New Delhi are found note. Mehrotra punctuates contemporary approach in large hotels that are his meals with the chewy extends to its Westerndesigned to appeal to Indian ice cream called s t y l e m a r k e t i n g . T h e foreigners who want to kulfi, flavoured on my visit e s t a b l i s h m e n t w a s o n e enjoy a good Indian meal with traditional mango and of a handful in the city without venturing too far, unexpected cranberries, t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e says Sanghvi, who gave a flavour combination the relatively new-to-India idea Mehrotra his namesake chef chef picked up in London of Restaurant Week this of the year award in 2010. while drinking a smoothie. spring. Mehrotra filled his Flanked by an expansive The intermezzo is served in dining room by offering a lawn visible from the serene a toy-size pressure cooker three-course menu for a dining room, the Manor that plays to his Indian mere 1000 rupees (US$19). houses a mere 15 guest clienteles sense of home. Not that he needs extra rooms in a part of the city Rich or poor, he explains, attention after emerging where ambassadors and everyone has a pressure in March as the victor in an titans of industry reside. eight-week long Top Chefcooker in their kitchen. Indian Accent was Bite-size sweets, including style reality television show preceded in its space by pralines made chewy with called Foodistan. Mehrotra a r e s t a u r a n t f r o m t h e cashews and fragrant with bested 15 other chefs (half Michelin-starred London rose petals, arrive on what were Indian, half were chef Vineet Bhatia. That l o o k s l i k e a m i n i a t u r e Pakistani). The 20 percent concept foundered. Says cot with colourful yarn bump in business and the Sanghvi, Delhiites were not crisscrossing the frame. demand for the dishes he ready for Vineets style of Indians recognise the four- made on-air resulted in a modern Indian cooking. legged display as a shrunken special Foodistan menu. Theyve since warmed version of a charpai, or I hadnt planned to to Indian Accent. To win bed. introduce myself to the confidence of what T h e c o n f e c t i o n s a r e Mehrotra until dinner was Mehrotra calls his toughest i n t e r l u d e s t o g r a n d e r finished and the bill was a u d i e n c e h i s f e l l o w d e s s e r t s , i n c l u d i n g a settled, but he greeted my middle-class Indians he pyramid of crisp cannoli party while we were sipping never mixes two styles of with centres of sweetened cocktails, and I rose from regional Indian cooking on yogurt, and a thin slice my chair to shake his hand. the same plate. Also, if I of banana cake set off When the chef returned can give a reason why Im with a little log of banana, to the kitchen, a dashing doing something different glinting with gold leaf, and stranger at the next table with a traditional dish, he ginger-veined ice cream motioned to me. says, fusion is successful. that doubles as a support Are you in the food I a p p r e c i a t e t h e l i t t l e for a candy cigarette. The t r a d e ? a s k e d M a y u r story that accompanies last detail is politically Sharma, co-host of the most dishes, especially if incorrect, concedes the popular Indian road food Mehrotra is the dispenser chef, but it also reminds TV series Highway on My of the tale. certain Indian customers Plate. Only someone in A specialty of northern o f t h e Ph a n t o m b r a n d the industry, he explained, India, galawat kebab is sweet cigarettes of their would stand up for a chef made with ground lamb childhood. in India. Hes wworth tenderised with raw papaya Dal, says Mehrotra, is standing up for. and smoked with cloves. the only dish on the menu Updated with a strawberry that doesnt come with a Indian Accent at the and green chilli chutney, twist. The secret to good Manor, 77 Friends Colony the kebab I get is a small lentils is tasting them just (West), New Delhi; (91cake as smooth and soft as before serving; tomatoes, 1 1 ) 4 3 2 3 - 5 1 5 1 ; w w w. a pat. Why? The texture which he uses in his dal, t h e m a n o r d e l h i . c o m . was appreciated by 18 th vary in sweetness, the chef Seven-course tasting menu century kings who loved explains. Surely it doesnt c o s t s b e t w e e n U S $ 4 2 meat but might have had hurt that his lentils, rich (vegetarian) and $44 (with trouble chewing. A garnish with butter and cream, also meat). The Washington Post of foie gras reinforces the simmer overnight on the

You must set limits not only for yourself but also for your family and friends. Remaining fixated on your goals will supply its own motivation for moving forward. A useful method is to divide your big goals into smaller sub-goals and then target the small goals with enthusiasm. Beware that love can be terminated with no advance warning to signal the end.

May 21 - June 20

Cancer

Life is very short, so dont waste it by being stupid, or by chasing after excessive material wealth and sensuality. Instead, challenge yourself to struggle for what it right and for what will help others. Social communication can be very effective this week, but remember to manage yourself properly because a careless verbal mistake on your part can cause problems later.

June 22 - July 22

Leo

Act with virtue and leave behind good deeds that the storm of time can never destroy. Understand that evil is rooted in ignorance and misuse of the minds power. Treading on the path of righteousness will open up new opportunities for making positive change and forging peace. Now is a favourable time to start looking for true love.

July 23 - Aug 22

Virgo

What sunshine is to flowers, your smiles are to your fellow humans. Nobody is perfect but everybody can learn from others. You cannot be great at your profession until you develop empathy for those with whom you work. Paying attention to your conscience will help you improve your quality of life. Remember and give thanks for the blessing of the day, and dont neglect to search for love within yourself.

Aug 23 - Sept 22

Libra

Imagine that your fundamental dissatisfaction is a form of discontent, not a mark of your failure or a consequence of the absurdity of life. True liberation is like having a beautiful garden all to yourself, with you alone and no one else inside. To deepen the love between you and your partner, give your understanding freely as a gift.

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Scorpio

Professional education and useful connections are indispensable to achieving success. Loyalty is also a vital ingredient. You can become autonomous and successful only by accepting the responsibility. Condition yourself for focusing your energy, concentration and zeal on the tasks at hand.

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Sagittarius

Accessibility leads to wealth and success. Next to being available is the ability to cultivate the habit of happiness, as it forms outgoing and generous personalities. You should be not only a loveable person but also loving. You can emphasise your integrity by the way you live your life, and doing so will also enable you to work towards achieving your goals. Love will slowly come into focus.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Capricorn

Giving a smile costs nothing but it can create many new opportunities. Show respect for the other persons opinion. Use prime time for prime work and be quick to offer compliments. As a dynamic person, you dont have the time to be negative or respond negatively. Your deepest hearts desire is to feel the joy and companionship of real love. For a personal reading contact Aung Myin Kyaw, 4th Floor, 113 Thamain Bayan Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon. Tel: 0973135632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com

Dec 22 - Jan 19

Business
INSURANCE Business! I have more than 10 years experiences in Insurance Business from Singapore. Looking for Investors & Business Partners for liberalization in Myanmar Insurance Sector. Yeo Po Min, LLB, FMSA, CLU/S, ChFC/S, Yangon (HP): 09 4200 82606, Singapore (HP): +65 9852 7516, E-mail: yeopomin@yahoo.com. sg

Computer
ClICk (Computer System). Window Installation, Software Installation, virus cleaning, Game Installation, Network Installation, wire & wireless Installation, Configuration, server Installation Contract for factory, office, Company & Internet shop (weekly & Monthly) We will offer training & services everywhere. Ph: 09-73248398, 09-493-21642. ACtIvE Computer Systems : Computerized Software System (Data Application) Computer Networking System (Office / Home), Computer Hardware & Maintenance Service (Office/Home), Computer Training (Basic / Advance), Home Service etc .. Contact: 09-730-75931 , email: zinmyintzx@gmail.com dYNAStY: Computer Designing & Training Centre. I-Office-18000, Advanced Course25000, Business in Excel Special-15000, DTP-20000, A+-25000, A+ Advanced Course30000, Photoshop Only25000, Professio-nal Graphic Design-30000, Auto CAD (2D/ 3D) Intermediate-40000, Internet & E-mail-5000, Networking-50000, Ph: 09-431-54613. SAI PON PON Computer Services (On Call) Networking & CCTV installation ph :09-43052564, 09-730-85511. R.v Networking & computer ainte-nances m Windows installation , software, game, internet, net-work, virus cleaning, Ph :09-420-033781. dd: A 75 (d), Thitsar Rd, 13 Block, Yankin, Yangon HIGH Performances Computer System. Computer and Network service/ Operation System, Application Software, Virus cleaning, Internet services, Microsoft Server Configuration, Wire & Wireless Network Installation, Configuration, Ph: 09-43182486. I.C.S system solution (Online services) Computer Maintenance, Wireless Router Configuration, Window OS & Software Installation, Netowrk services direct to the Company , Office & Home. Available contract service. Antivirus Software (License) : 8,500 Ks. Ph: 09 540 9712

Education
StUdY GUIdE for Secondary Students (International School) Ph : 09 4200 31866 SCHOlAR tEACHING and Guide Association founded with Me, Be & Master with 12 years experience in teaching and guide field. Role & Responsibility:Making

the students develop problem solving skill, critical thinking skill and I.Q & E.Q enriching skill. Student who can contact : from Public & International School (Total, ILBC, CISM, YIUS, Horizon, ISM) Teacher Min Aung ph: 09-490-070692 nEw WORld English School. KG to Gr-8, Mon to Fri 9 am to 3 pm, IELTS, SAT (Eng), SAT (Maths). 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Tuition+Guide, 25-A, Ywama Kyaung St (Hlaing), Ph: 09-8620094, 09-515-6310. EXPERIENCEd Myanmar Teacher of Foreign Students If you would like to be fluent in Myanmar language, contact Saya , Min Thu on Email : luckyboy.star@ gmail.com (or) ph : 01-7313 8659. Saya Min Thu has 3 years experience teaching Myanmar to foreign students from over 10 different countries. References are available upon request. StUdY GUIdE for Secondary Students (International School) Ph : 09 4200 31866 INtEREStEd in studying abroad? Kant Kaw Education Centre is now accepting applications for its June university foundation classes. Limited fee waivers are available so apply now! Available courses Academic Reading and Writing English Foundation General Education (development studies) IELTS Preparation Deadline for applications: May 16, 2012. Add: (605/A), San Yeik Nyein 6th St, Kamaryut. Ph: 01 502 884, Email: info@ gmail.com WOUld you like to apply for scholarships? College admission essay and personal statement writing. U Thu Ya 09-5066913 I N t E R N At I O N A l Schools Subjects : English, Maths, Science, Hindi & Social. Will coach your MAtHEMAtICS : If your child (Kg to Sec-3) from any international schools, is very weak in Mathematics, pls contact : 09-500-4993, 544594. StUdY GUIdES for Grade 10, 11 & Intl school (ISY, MISY,ILBC, Total, PISM, Crane, MLA, Diplomatic, RV) GCSE, SAT , IELTS, TOEFL, Teachers who have got Teaching experience in Singapore, Now back to Myanmar/ Teaching combination of Foreign & Myanmar Style/ Skillful Teachers, Saya Bryan M.E(IT) 09-2150075 , Tr. Ahme B.Sc ( IC) Ph: 09-730-592 65, Saya Htet B.E(IT) Ph: 09-215-0075, 09730- 35744, Saya Thet (MBBS) 09-731-11782, Korean Native English Teacher Tr. Kim (after 6 p.m) 655647 , Tr. Phyu 09-430-83117 , Sayar Min Aung 09-492-80 490 SPARE just a few hours every week. With steady pace you can achieve, See for yourself at ease! (Home tuition avail-able) Teacher Moe (Retired Lecturer) Ph: 09-5600747. ABC PRESCHOOl, Subjects : English 4 skills, Science, Basis Mathematics, Concepts,

Myanmar, Hand Work, Drawing & Colouring, Performing Art, Social Studies, Poems , Songs & Rhymes, Excursion. Time Duration ; School hour:9:00~15:00(Close only Sat & Sun). English, Chinese language, Computer course : Sat & Sun. 17, Kamarkyi Rd, Thuwunna .Email : preschoolabc@gmail. com SUMMER and regular English Classes: Four skills and grammar will be taught by an experienced teacher with int'l exposure: An ideal home tutor & will guide your children with special care and attention: Teacher Maw Maw:ph 09-431-97513 maw. san@gmail.com

Please visit us at: www.eainsearch.com or call: 09 732 493 78 wE provide:(1) Buying vehicle One stop service for Scrapped-earowners & tax-payers. (2)Courier service for documents & goods to Singapore. (3) Applying Licence in Nay Pyi Taw. (4) Arranging Bank documents. (5) Arrang-ing shipping docu-ments & transportation. (6) Distribution services. (7) Finding oversea custo-mers. (8) Air Cargo & Sea Cargo services. (9) Services for Trading, Banking and Shipping to any country via Singapore. Winner Ocean Trading Co., Ltd :75/B, 15 St, Middle Block, Lanmadaw. Ph:

ph : 09-430-57719, 09- 730-21435. MYANMAR for foreigners. Ph: 09-731-61269. GUIdE (For Embassy family and others) When you stay in Myanmar,do you want to ask to your children to learn Myanmar language ? Call-09-732-23668 (ko soe thi aung)

Training
kO ZAW NGE : Guitor Shop & Training. Add : Aung Zaya 1 St, Thuwunna Zay, Yangon Thit Quarter, Thingangyun. Ph: 09-421072045. PC MUSIC Creation & Sound Design (Teach To Home) Ph: 09-73194925 SMARt Body Fitness: We need to care for our parents at home. Also, we want to care for your health. Please, come to visit our fitness center. To get smart and healthy body. Teach in systematically. Ph: 09730-177209. SINGING Lessons: Professionally trained singing teacher for students of all levels. Please contact 665648. GUItAR Class To Home Ph-09-731-94925 .NEt Programming : Home (1) C#.Net, (2) Asp.Net, (3) Sql Server, (4) Other Programming Concept with project contact me:Thanda 09731-63643 MAkEUP Artist from Bangkok is in Yangon for 2 months and avaliable to give private makeup classes in both English and Burmese in request. Availiable subjects are Basic Makeup Application, Products Information & Usageof Know-ledge, Highlighting & Contouring, Film/TV makeup, Photography makeup, Events make-up, Bridal makeup, Male grooming and so on for both Pro and Begginer level. My works can be seen on www. facebook. com/ Makeup.Flora and you can contact me directly at 01 80 10 912. Flora (Thet Thet )

PROPERTY
HousingforRent
vIRtUAl OFFICE Have your office at the prestigious Central Towers for only 39,000 kyats a month. Pls call 09-516-6859, 09-49247013, 01-377151 Ext: 80643 for more details about the facilities and services offered. HOtEl in new Bagan Spacious compound good locality reason-able price 3 star standards. Ph: 09-512-3186. kAMAYUt, Attia Rd, Big compound, 2 Storey, 4MB, 2 Living room, .027 acre land, Foreigners welcome, call. Ph: 389706, 09-200-4467. BAHAN, Apartment along New University Ave Rd, Good electricity & water essential. Fully furnished with 2-3 rooms with attached toilet. Rent Rate - USD500 to USD700 per month. (6 month advance rental). Rental period 1 to 3 years. Pls contact : 09512-8095 - Ma Thinzar Oo BAHAN: Golden Valley, Two Story Building, Storey, 2MBR, 7BR, garden, ph line, US$ 3200 per month, Pls call 09-503-4954

Housing for Sale

NAYPYIdAW, 15 acres of land near Naypyidaw Highway 20 miles. Ph: 09-512-3186. NGAPAlI: Land and Building in Ngapali near beach 2 plots of land near Sandaway main road to Mazin airport. Ph: 09-430-65789. HlAINGtHARYAR,Large sewing factory ideally located in Hlaing Thar Yar industrial zone one is available for rental ,the factory is well equipped with boilers, generator, large cutting, packing and material storage areas, plus 500 sewing machines all ready and set to run, well suited for someone who is interested in starting a garment factory. Pls contact Bill on 525746, 09-550-5220 or email gthreds33@gmail. com,all inquiries are welcome.

For Sale
ElECtRONIC Piano, Roland MII, With Stand & Stool. Ph: 09-43141889. BlACk PlAYStAtION 3 slim 160GB. Bought in the USA. Used very lightly. About 6 months old. In great condition - almost new. 1 controller, HDMI cable, HDMI to DVI converter cable, AV cable, USB cable and one original game included (PES 2012). Owner is moving abroad. Serious buyers only. Call 095454554 HONdA ACCORd, 88model. 1A/8... ,Auto Gear, CA1 engine,dark green colour, power window, CD player, Aircon, good condition, 135Lakhs Ph: 09-5015200, 09-731-222 11 HD GAME, app (install) iPhone, iPod touch 6000ks, iPad 8000ks, iTunes account open (free game, app download), All iDevices iOS 5.0.1 version upgrade full untethered jailbreak (power off) 3gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPad 2. contact : 09514-7480 nissAn AD Van [2007 Model] [ABS Airbag, AC, PS, PW] Contact : 09-492-75744 FAMOUS PIZZA Restaurant for sale Siem Reap, Cambodia. Profitable & popular restaurant in great downtown location near Old market. All equipment & inventory included. Est. 2001. 4 years remaining on lease. Low monthly rent. Turn-key operation. USD$ 96,000. For details, contact: E-mail: cs_clark@yahoo.com Tel: +855-11-590463 ZtE C-R 750 (CDMA 800 + GSM) Handset ph : 09-428-125107 NEW IPAd (white) 16gb, Razer Starcraft 2 Headphone, Apple superdrive new Ph: 09-730-48374 tAIWAN use Generator Sale : 60 KVA 400V Mitsubishi 7500 US$ 60 KVA 400V Iveco 7500 US$ 60 KVA 400V johndeere 8100 US$ 30 KVA 400V Mitsubishi 5500 US$ 25 KVA 400V Mitsubishi/Nissan 4200 US$ contact number 09-510-3439

Expert Service
GENERAtOR: 24 hour Services. MESS Engineering. Ph: 09-73058252, 09-507-8426. ENGlISH to MYANMAR, is available...Ph : 09420-070692. REAl EStAtE Agent If youre an expatriate needing to find an apartment or house in Yangon, Min Thu can help. He has experience and is very reliable. Call Min hu n 9-731-38659 T o 0 or email :thecleverson@ gmail.com REAl EStAtE or Landhousing investment in Myanmar. We coor-dinately invite Myanmar citizens or nons to cooperate with us as w will take responsibilities with our citizenship scrutiny For those who interest & want to cooperate with us may contact Bryan (Bryan) 09-420-07 0692, Htet Oo Lwin (Engineer) 09-2150075. CONStRUCtION: We have skilled civil Construction workers and Engineers. (R.C.C. & Steel Structure) S Civil Engineering (Science 1990) Ph: 09500-5817. lICENSEd Tour Guide English - Italian - Malay. Khine Tint (O) Gianni. No.11, 5th Flr (Left), Kyun Taw Kyaung St, Kyun Taw Ward (South), Sanchaung, Yangon. Ph: 09-420-030798. IOlAR Translation Service Ph : 09-73172792, 229301 Email: iolar.translation@gmail. com IP CCtv Camera , IP Video Door Phone, IP Finger Print Time Access Control System, IP Video Door Phone, Car DVR, Car GPS Tracking System, IP PABX Device Sales, Services & Renter. Ph: 09-537-3222,09-43067778 SEARCH PROPERtY Online : Are you looking to buy, rent, sell or rent out your property?

01-03450030, 212985, 09-430-88422, 09-5161716.

Language
ENGlISH study with reading literature and short stories can be learnt here. ESL study for beginner and intermediate students are available. The student treat with film for the listening practice, academic essay writing , biography writing etc & also Critical reading, If you had tried as much as you can to follow the lesson & with skill you got good experiences. This program will help you capability and fill your luck of knowledge... Academic Spanish can also be inquired here. U Thant Zin : ph 09- 5035350 , 547442. No: 28 - 3 B, Thatipahtan St, Tamwe. RUSSIAN : speaking , reading, writing. ph; 09731-61269. PRIvAtE Myanmar Language classes for foreigners who live in Myanmar. Progressive and effective teaching systems are available. For details, pls contact to keencentre @gmail. com. HOME tUtION japanese language regular course (basic, inter) jpn going course, myanmar language for japanese, japanese language for kids 09-7303-2296 GRACES SPEECH and Drama Academy. Class available for Business Communication Course , Speech and Drama , Effective Reading class, and Ballet class. For more information , please contact to Graces Academy, Tel : + 730 97836, Email : annie. san@graces-studio. net. ENGlISH language at your home. Interested persons kindly contact

Travel
CHAUNG tHA vacation stay at a wooden house for a family for a very cheap price. 3 nigths, 4 days - 30,000 kyats per night Maximum 5 people. Need to bring your own beddings and kitchen wares. Contact - 561899 ext-119. Additional fee of 5000 - 10,000 kyats involved for cleaning fee. Only house and compound with a fence offered.

Want To Buy
USEd lAPtOP, Desktop, Notebook , Netbook, MacbookPro, Samsung Galaxy Tablet, Digital Camera, External Hardisk,Used Phone Nokia Blackberry Motorola LG HTC SonyEricssonSamsung Galaxy S2 Galaxy Note Galaxy Nexus, (Huawei CDMA800 latest Handset) Apple Ipod Touch 4G Iphone 3gs iphone 4, 4s handset Ipad Ipad2 ipad3 All kind of electronic device can buy and sell at resonable price. Ph: 09-517-8391

General
ClARION International - Sandar@Sonia : Managing Partner : Ph: 09-43122557. ISO 90012008 certification Event Management, Travel & Tourism, Matrimony Services, Training & Placement, Education.

Fully Furnished, Fully Furniture, 2MB, 2SB, Ph,A/C,GoodNeighborhood, 20 Lakhs, Foreigners welcome. Call - 09-432-00669 BAHAN, Takathoyeik mon condo, 7F, 1500 Sqft , Fully Furnished, Fully Furniture, 3 A/C, 1 MBR, 2 SBR ,1PH, 6 Lakhs, Ph : 09-731-35900 tHINGANGYUN, 40 x 60 3RC ThuMinGaLar Rd, Good location for car show room & business. ph: 09-430-80638. BAHAN, Golden Valley, 0.35 acre Land, big garden, 2 storey, ph line, semi-furnished, 4 MBR, US$ 3000 per month, Ph: 09-502-0969 CHINA tOWN apartment, lift, 17x 59', Ph line, 2AC, 2MBR, Jacuzzi, Funished Room, water heater, US$ 1000 / 8 Lakhs per month, Ph: 09-502-0969 MAYANGONE, Pyay Rd, 0.5acre land, 2RC Storey new house, 5 master bed rooms, ph, Fully furnished, big garden, US$ 3500 Per month, Ph: 09-503-4954 kAMAYUt , Inya Rd 0.3acre land, 2.2RC

BAHAN, (1) Pho Sein Rd, 100' x 80' Land (2) Shwegondine Rd, 30 x 90' Land, Kabaaye Pagoda Rd, 30 x 90' Land. Ph: 09-731-05296, 09-540-5482. HlAING, Aye Yeik Mon Sakawar St, 74' x 96', RC 2 storey, 4 MB, Ph, AC, Ph; 684936, 09-5120747. PWIN OO lWIN, 170' x 70', 1 RC, price : 2300 Lakhs. Ph: 09-5055522 MAYANGONE, 9 mile, 50' x 60', 2 RC, 3 MBR, 4500 Lakhs. Ph: 09-505-5522

Rent / Sale
BAHAN, Moe Myint San Condo, 2400 sqft, 2 MB, 1 BR, newly apartment f.f or no furn. 3 A/C, Lift, 15 Lakhs for rent, 3000 Lakhs for sale. Owner Maureen : 09- 518-8320. No agents pls.

Want To Hire
NEW ZEAlANd businessman seeking apartment/condo/house sharing arrangement with one or two other people. Ph: 09-41011547.

Employment
UN Position
tHE UNItEd Nations World Food Programme Myanmar WFP Myanmar is seeking (1) Programme Assistant. (Laokai) Grade - GS-5. Duty Station - Laokai. 1 post : A University degree holder with experience in related field will be advantag-ed. 4 years of progres-sively responsible support or secretarial work experience including at least 2 years in the field of accounting, transport, insurance, statistics, operations or other related field. At least o1 year at G4 level or equivalent. (2) Sr. Programme Assistant (School Feeding). Grade - SC-6. Duty Station - Yangon. 1 post : A University degree holder with experience in related field will be advantaged. 5 years of progressively responsi-ble experience, of which at least one year was closely related to post required functions. At least one year at the G5 level or equivalent. Pls send applications with UN P-11 form to HR Unit, World Food Programme, 3rd Flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yangon, P.O. Box 650 (or) email to Myanmar. vacancy@ wfp. org Closing date : 24 May 2012. in DRR an advantage. Experience in the design of simple M&E tools with project staff & community leaders. Experience in training and mentoring staff and community leaders, facilitating develop-ment of simple -M&E tools by staff and community leaders to collect qualitative and quantitative information on project progress. Demonstrated English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking), and competency in database establishment and management. Working experience with communities in rural Myanmar an advantage. Job Title: Field Facilitators /Community development Workers (2 Posts located in Pathein) Location: To be based in the project townships with regular visit to project villages. Qualifications and competencies. Minimum BEHS level of education . Experience in community facilitation/ community organising using participatory PLA methods. Experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and working on disaster preparedness and mitigation.At least 3 years community mobilization/ facilitat-ion work with INGO at the community level or equivalent experience is helpful. Strong familiarity with participatory development approaches and cross cutting issues including children, gender, disability, older people. Good problem solving and organizational skills. Understanding of village level problems. Interested & qualified candidates are requested to send a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to the Human Resources Unit of HelpAge Int'l Myanmar Country Office, No 10 Kanbawza Avenue, Shwe-taun-gya Ward No. 1, Bahan Township, Yangon OR by email to hr.helpagemyanmar@ gmail. com no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, 22 May 2012. Candidates interested in receiving full JD, pls contact HelpAge Int'l Myanmar Country Office OR send your request to hr. helpagemyanmar@ gmail. com Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interview. A CONSORtIUM of international and national organizations comprising HelpAge International, The Leprosy Mission International, Network Activity Group, Myanmar YMCA and Golden Plain has received funding from Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) for a 3-year livelihood /food security project entitled REVEAL Reducing Economic Vulnerabili-ty through an Equitable /Inclusive Approach to Livelihoods to be implemented in 30 villages in Ayartaw Township in Sagaing Region and Mahlaing Township in Mandalay Region. We are seeking qualified & experience Myanmar nationals for the following positions: Job Title: Field Office Administration Officer Location: Project office in Mahlaing Township with regular visit to project villages Qualifications and competencies: Bachelors degree in relevant field. At least five years experience in similar position with INGOs and/or other international organisations. Proven track records in coordination with government and nongovernmental stakeholders. At least three years experience managing junior staff, office management, etc. A good team player with flexibility and adoptability, willing-ness to learn and ability to work to high professional manner. Good management , strong facilitation and reporting skills. Strong ability in prioritising world load, to meet thedeadlines in a certain timeframe and able to work under stressful condition. Basic computer proficiency. Proficiency in both oral and written English and Myanmar languages. Job Title: Field Facilitator Location: Project office in Mahlaing Township with regular visit to project villages Qualifications and competencies. Minimum BEHS level of education . Experience in community facilitation/ community organising using participatory methods. A sincere desire to help small scale farmers, livestock farmers and landless families. At least 3 years community mobilizat-ion/facilitation work with INGO at the community level or equivalent experience is helpful. Strong familiarity with participatory development approaches. Good problem solving and organizational skills. Understanding of village level problems. Knowledge about agriculture, fisheries, livestock/small scale income generation activities helpful. Interested & qualified candidates are requested to send a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to the Human Resources Unit of HelpAge International Myanmar Country Office, No 10 Kanbawza Avenue, Shwetaungaya Ward No. 1, Bahan, Yangon OR by email to hr.helpagemyanmar@ gmail. com Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. BURNEt Institute Myanmar (BI-MM) is seeking Finance & Accounting Manager & technical Specialist for Maternal & Child Health Program. Finance Manager position is responsible for the overall mainte-nance of a transparent & accurate financial management system and running of office financial matters. Technical Specialist position is responsible for providing technical expertise in area of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program across Burnet Institute Myanmar & collaborating with technical working group of relevant Government agencies, UN, INGOs & NGOs. Detailed infor-mation could be seen at the notice board of Burnet office. Pls submit an application letter & CV to the HR Depart-ment at Burnet Institute office : 226, 2nd flr, Wizaya Plaza, U Wisara Rd, Bahan or by email to burnet. myanmar @ gmail.com Closing date: 28 May 2012. MAltESER Int'l is looking for a ICt Officer / database Administrator for Maungdaw, Northern Rakhine State : Bachelor degree or Bachelor of Computer Science/Technology or Int'l Certified in related field. Excellent skills in designing & managing databases. Excellent in Microsoft Access, SQL, VB and/or other relevant database applications. Good in English, Myanmar. Pls submit application incl. CV, 2 photos, copies of educational certificate, National ID, & references to the Malteser Maungdaw Office: Myo Thit, Ward 4, Maungdaw Email: hr.malteser. nrs01@gmail. com (or) Malteser Buthi-daung Office: Oggar Pyan St, Ward (4), Buthidaung (or) Malteser Int'l Country Office: # 14-15 (6F), Pyi Taw Aye Yeik Thar St, Yankin , Yangon. Email: hr.co.malteser@ gmail. com Closing date: 22nd May, 2012. MEdECINS du Monde (MDM) is looking (1) Project officer - 1 Post in Pyapon : H.A/ M.B.,B.S. Advance diploma/ degree in public health would be advantage. Experience working in PHC and MCH project, preferably with 2 years experience in int'l organization. Excellent skills in Myanmar. Fluent in English especially speaking & writing. Fluent in English 4 skills . Knowledge of the rural areas of Pyapon tsp. (2) Field Nurse 1 Post in Pyapon: Nursing Diploma or midwife. B.N.Sc or degree in Public Health (Health Assistant). Experience working in position field nurse preferably with an int'l organization. Fair listening, spoken and writing skill English is preferable. Computer knowledge. Pls submit CV and a cover letter to MDM Country Coordination Office : 47-B, Po Sein St, Bahan, Yangon, Ph: 542830, Email: hr.mdm myanmar@ gmail. com SOlIdARItES is looking for (1) Administrative & Finance Manager in Kanpelet, Chin State: University level or equivalent in accounting/ management/ administration.Previous experience: 2 years in a similar position with NGO. Excellent knowledge of word & excel, knowledge of accounting software SAGA & HR software HOMERE is a plus. Knowledge of logistics procedures. Fluent spoken & written English and Myanmar. Duty station will be in Kanpelet with frequent field visit/ support to sub-offices & projects intervention area. (2) Administrative & Finance supervisor in Kanpelet, Chin State: University level or equivalent in accounting/ management/ administration.Previous experience: 1 year in a similar position with NGO or private sector. Excellent knowledge of word & excel. Working knowledge in English & Myanmar. Good writing & communication skills. Duty station will be in Kyein Dwe with possible field visits in the projects intervent-ion area. Pls submit application (CV, cover letter, references) by email : hr.solidarites. mm@gmail. com. Closing date: 30 May 2012 The benefits will be satisfactory Forward your C.V Attention Chris Karageorges with a photo and contact telephone number: email : asiadairies@ yahoo.com, SKYPE doncristo6 kElvIN CHIA Yangon Ltd., a foreign legal consultancy firm based in Yangon, is looking for lawyers who will work on a variety of corporate & commercial matters & transactions in Myanmar. If you are a Myanmar-qualified lawyer with strong English language skills, you are invited to apply to join our Myanmar practice group. Myanmar nationals admitted to int'l bars are also welcome to apply. Training will be provided. Applicants may email csg@ kcyangon.com and submit their curriculum vitae. (2) Corporate Affairs Managers: We are also searching for highly motivated and dedicated individuals to work as corporate affairs managers for Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd. As a corporate affairs manager, you will be involved with business development, networking, market research and liaison work. Applicants should be proficient in English, energetic and self-moitvated. All nationalities are welcome (Myanmar, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, etcetera). If you are interested, then please email your application and curriculum vitae to csg@ kcyangon.com. Only shortlisted applicants will contacted. INt'l tRAvEl Agency : Due to increasing business, the ICS Travel Group is looking for new colleagues to support our operations and reservation departments in our office in Yangon (Sanchaung): Good communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in spoken & written English. Travel business experience. Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet & Email). Must possess ability to work under pressure. Highly motivated & outgoing personality. Pls submit CV with photo & other certificates personally or per e-mail. ICS Travel Gourp. 11(A), Maharmyaing St, Sanchaung, Yangon. Tel: 511658, 511701, Email: zinzin @is-myanmar. com. vACANCY for local Air Cargo Staff <Operation Staff-Myanmar.doc> <Accountant.doc> <Cargo Sales Manager- Myanmar.doc> Please log below to the websites for further information and application. Alternatively, you can email your resumes to info@ bewelllimited. com or call 01-377151, 01-389524 ext:80643 AnnAMMyanmarCo.,Ltd is seeking Accountant, Brand/Sales / Marketing Manager - French Cosmetic, Senior Sales Manager - Beverage, logistic (Import) Manager, Sales & Marketing Executive - Beverage, Sales & Marketing Executive - Cosmetic, Email: maythu. annam @ gmail. com Ph: 09 504 3929 WE ARE an International School in Yangon urgently looking for : (1) Admin Officer- F 1 post: Any graduate or higher, preferably with education back-ground, Age 40 ~ 50, excellent knowledge in English 4 skills (2) Admin assistants - F 2 posts : Any graduate, age 23 ~ 30, good command in English, previous experience in administration required (3) Receptionist - F 1 post : Age 20 ~ 30, good command in English and have good oral communication skills. All the candidates must have a good knowledge to use Microsoft office applications (word, excel & power point). Pls submit C.V together with a covering letter and scanned copies of academic certificates by e-mail to gkl1950 @ gmail.com COMPANY Dealing in Foreign Brand Product is looking for sales & Marketing Manager & staff - M/F 3 posts: Graduate. At least 2 years experience. Age between 25 - 30 years. Experience preferred. Pls, send application together with update CV, Photo & other data reference to gimperial @myanmar. com.mm, PH:523536, 0973008077 HORIZON Int'l School is looking (1).teacher for Secondary & High School: IGSCE Chemistry and Maths teachers; Near-native English speaking teachers with a university degree in relevant subjects. 5 years experience in IGCSE classes (IGCSE teachers) The successful applicant should be enthusiastic, have excellent subject knowledge, be supportive of their students and offer challenging but fun lessons. Strong Classroom Management skills (2). Assistant teacher - F 5 posts : Age 20 ~ 25, University graduate , Must be proficient in English, Computer & Microsoft Office literacy, Comfor-table working with young learners, Able to devote oneself to teaching, Friendly, enthusiastic & patient , Have thorough knowledge & experience with related fields. All candidates should have good communication & interpersonal skills. Pls submit a cover letter, a resume/CV, a copy of relevant diploma (certificate) & a current photo to Horizon Po Sein campus, 25, Po Sein Rd, Bahan , Yangon. Closing date : May 28, 2012. Ph: 551795, 551796. (1)BUSINESS development Manager - M 1 post : 7 years direct experience in a business develop-ment fields & activities, Knowledge in tender project (2) logistics Manager - M 1 post : Knowledge in timber business, More than 10 yrs experiences and Exgovernment official are encourage to apply. (3) Chief Accountant - F 1 Post : B.Com (CPA), LCCI (Diploma), At least 5 Years experiences with manufacturing. (4) Business development Executive - M/F 3 post : 3 years direct experience,Knowledge in tender project, Can travel to Nay Pyi Daw, domestic and aboard. (5) Business Analyst - M/F 4 posts : Market analysis & establishing market trends, Strong presentation, documen tation & reporting skills, Must be able to travel local / Abroad hr.ayarswanah@gmail. com NAtURE tRAvElS & Tours, is seeking sales & Reservations Consultants : Excellent English language skills & interpersonal communication. PC literate with Outlook, Excel and Word skills . Attention to detail. 1 to 2 years experience in the travel industry, preferably with experience of working for a tour operator. Passion for travel and sharing Myanmar culture . Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines for requests. This is a full time role and salary will be commensurate with experience. Pls apply via email with an updated resume, which should include current and expected salaries, date of availability and a recent photograph to:email: admin@ myanmarnaturetour. com, & adm. trails. myanmar @gmail.com Ph: 01-255620. INtERNAtIONAl law firm seeking qualified lawyers as well as legal assistants. Lawyers would hold LLB, LLM and possibly foreign law degree. Legal assistant would have business experience and be able to act autonomously. Strong command of English required due to significant interaction with foreign clients. Outstandingopportunity with competitive salary package. Submit CV to suhlaing07@gmail.com Tel: 540995, 556692. dRIvER (For Foreign Company): More than 5 years driving experience of the company and delivery of the products. Can speak English. Maintenance of vehicles knowledge is required. Age under 45 Place of residence: near Aung San Stadium, Mingalar Taung Nyunt, Yankin, Bahan, Tarmwe, Latha, Lanmadaw, Tharketa. Add: F-13~15, Aung San Stadium (North Wing), Mingalar Taung Nyunt, Ph: 393051, 394824. SAvOY HOtEl is urgently looking for (1) Electrical Officer - 1 post : must have at least 5 years related experience. (2) Electricians - 2 posts: must have at least 2 years related experience with good attitude. (3) Receptionists - 2 posts (4) Waiter/Waitress - 2 posts. For Position 3 & 4 must have at least 1 year experience in hotel fields. Application letter by email to operations @ savoyhotel-yangon. com or 129, Dhammazedi Rd, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) 526298, 526289. CHINA HARBOR Engineering Company Ltd., (CHEC) is looking for (1) Marketing Manager - M 1 post: Master Degree in Business Management. Native English speaker prevail. 4 or 5 years experience in similar position with civil works background. Age 30 ~ 40. (2) Commercial Assistant - M/F 1 post: Bachelor of LLB. Speaking & writing perfect English. (3) Senior Interpreter - M/F 1 post: Bachelor Degree in any Major. Speaking & writing good English & Chinese. Age under 35. (4) Civil Engineer - M 2 posts: Bachelor Degree in Civil works or Marine Engineering. 2 or more experience in similar fields. Language: Trilingual Chinese, Myanmar & English. Pls email resumes enclosed with recent personal colorful photos to eingyin. chec@ gmail. com or deliver to 40, Natmauk Rd, Chatrium Hotel, Rm 617/626 Tamwe, Yangon within 20 days Ph: 09-49342921. ENERGEtIC lAWYER (M/F) With LLB, LLM degree qualified as higher grade pleader Foreign Law degree is preferred Strong command of English for working in international firm specializing in business law Expect significant interaction with foreign clients Computer skills (Microsoft office) required Outstanding opportunity with competitive salary package Submit CV to suhlaing07@ gmail.com Tel: 540995, 556692. A nEw Inbound company is looking for (1) OperationsManager - M/F 1 post : Age 30 ~ 50. Computer literate. Holder of a Bachelor degree. Must have good knowledge about the tour destinations in Myanmar. Must have good leadership skills. 5 years experience in Tourism field. (2) Sales Person M/F 2 post : Age 20 ~ 35. Computer literate. Must be able to corresponds with foreign tour operator in English. (3) Reservat-ions Staff - M/F 2 post : Age 20 ~ 35. Computer literate. Pls send CV with expected salary to: Unit 230, Summit Parkview Hotel, Ahlone Rd, Yangon. Closing date: 25 May 2012. tHE CHINtHE Track: is a young, dynamic and fast-growing inbound tour open in Yangon is is looking (1) Sales Reservations Manager- M/F, 30 years old. Fluent in English (spoken/written): any other foreign language is a benefit. Well organized. Able to take initiative and to work together in a team On-the-job experience in operations of at least 1 years required: (2) Reservation & Operations Staff- M/ F, 22 years. Good know-ledge of English (spoken & written): any other foreign language is a benefit. Well organized. Able to work together in a team. On-the-job experience in reservations of at least 2 years in similar position preferred; candidates with less practice experience can also apply; Pls send along with a full and updated resume including a recent passport photo to The Chinthe Track, C/O Daw Thin Thin Htaik, Finance & HR Manager, Sedona Hotel, Level 2, Latha Rm 1, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin . A HIGH-ENd Prestige Cafe in the middle of Yangon is looking for capable and diligent team with premium s a l a r y. E x p e r i e n c e s and extra languages are welcomed to fill in the position as follows: Welcoming staff 2 posts at 150,000 ks/mth Service staff 10 posts at 35,000 ks/mth sue chef 5 posts at 50,000 ks/mth Cleaning staff 2 posts at 30,000 ks/ mth Security 2 posts at 50,000 ks/mth. Ph : 09- 4200 52478 , 09-5250936 E-mail : khamla9 @gmail.com EStABlISHEd Multi National Company looking for Office Manager/Assistant to set up office in Yangon. Good pay. Requirements: Excellent english required. At least 4 yrs exp. College degree. Self motivated. Good in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Pls email CV to netorres@ mpic. com. ph or call +95.951.70204 (1) RESERvAtION for hotel flight 1 post Female - 2 year experience in travel agency. (2) Admin & Guest relation staff 1 post M/F- Who can speak English very well, two-year experience in travel agency. Pls contact AZURE SKY Travel. Rm No (02-01) Asia Plaza Complex. Seikkan Thar St, Kyauktada, Ph: 379304, 703526.

INGO Position
HelpAge International will receive funding from DIPECHO to work with a consortium for a 17 month project on Safer Coastal and Urban Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction in Myanmar. HelpAge is now seeking qualified and experience Myanmar nationals for the following positions: Job Title: national Project Manager (1 Post) Location: Yangon with frequent travel (minimum 50%) to the project location in Pathein Qualifications/ competencies : Masters degree preferably in social work, community development or related fields with 3- 5 years Disaster Risk Reduction project management experience with INGOs/ international agencies. Professional experience in project cycle management includ-ing participatory planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. Experience in integration of ageing/gender/ crosscutting issues with DRR. Strategic, transpa rent, and flexible in thinking and working process. Experience in budget planning and financial management. Strong familiarity with networking with government, and other national and international agencies. Solid experience in managing staff, and working with expatriates. Proven track record of quality performance in remote locations and high pressure environments. Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Myanmar. Experience in facilitating training workshops and coaching. High degree of initiative and problem solving skills. Basic computer skill essential. Advanced written and spoken English and Myanmar language skills. Job Title: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (1 post) Location: Yangon with regular field visits to the project location in Pathein. Qualificat-ions : University degree, at least 3 years experience in M&E. Strong familiarity with monitoring and evaluation. Experience

Embassy
WE ARE seeking for a personal driver for diplomat, who can drive very well and non-drinker. Its preferable who live in near Pun Hlaing Golf Estate. For more detail informat-ion, please feel free to call 527142~4 in office hour.

Local Position
FOREIGN company will establish a milk dairy production in Myanmar and is looking for a young dynamic market-ing sales manager. Also a executive secretary both fluent English speaking with good knowledge and skills in computers lady or gents,who is willing to work hard and grow with the company.

The Essentials
EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. tel : 251810, 251797, 251798, 251809, 246462, 246463, fax: 246159 Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. tel: 515275, 526144, fax: 515273, email: bdootygn@mptmail.net. mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. tel: 507225, 507251, 507482. fax: 507483. email: Administ.yangon@ itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 317/319, U Wizara Road, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. tel: 526985, 524285, fax: 512854 email: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb.com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 549609, 540964, fax: 541462, email: RECYANGON @mptmail. net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 221280, 221281, 224025, 224097, 221926, fax: 227019, 228319 Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 222886, 222887, fax: 222865, email: egye mbyangon@mptmail. net.mm France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 212178, 212520, 212523, 212528, 212532, fax: 212527, email: ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 548951, 548952, fax: 548899 email: info@rangun. diplo.de India 545-547, Merchant Street, Yangon. tel: 391219, 388412, 243972, fax: 254086, 250164, 388414, email: indiaembassy @mptmail. net.mm Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 254465, 254469, 229750, fax: 254468, email: kukygn @indonesia.com.mm Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. tel: 515115, fax: 515116, email: info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. tel: 527100, 527101, fax: 514565, email: ambyang.mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Road, Yangon. tel: 549644-8, 540399, 540400, 540411, 545988, fax: 549643 Embassy of the State of Kuwait Chatrium Hotel, Rm: No.416, 418, 420, 422, 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe Tsp, Tel: 544500. North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. tel: 512642, 510205, fax: 510206 South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 527142-4, 515190, fax: 513286, email: myanmar@mofat.go.kr Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. tel: 222482, fax: 227446, email: Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 220248, 220249, 220251, 220230, fax: 221840, email: mwkyangon@mptmail. net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. tel: 545880, 557168, fax: 549803, email: nepemb @mptmail.net.mm Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Road, Yangon. tel: 222881 (Chancery Exchange) fax: 221147, email: pakistan@ myanmar. com.mm Philippines 50, Sayasan Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 558149-151, fax: 558154, email: p.e. yangon@gmail.com Russian 38, Sagawa Road, Yangon. tel: 241955, 254161, fax: 241953, email: rusinmyan@mptmail .net.mm Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Road, P.O.Box No. 943Yangon. tel: 515282, 515283, fax: 504274, email: serbemb@ yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 559001, fax: 559002, 559922, email: singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. tel: 222812, fax: 221509, email: slembassy. yangon@gmail.com, info@slembyangon.org, www.slembyangon.org Thailand 94 Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon. tel: 226721, 226728, 226824, fax: 221713 United Kingdom 80 Kanna Road, Yangon. tel: 370867, 380322, 371852, 371853, 256438, 370863, 370864, 370865, fax: 370866 United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Yangon. tel: 536509, 535756, 538038, fax: 650306 Vietnam Building No. 72, Thanlwin Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. tel: 511305, fax: 514897, email: vnemb myr@ cybertech.net.mm Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. tel : 01-536153, 516952, fax : 01-516951 UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison Officer Rm (M1212~1220), 12 Fl-A, Traders Hotel. 223, tel: 242 393, 242811. fax: 242594. IOM 12th Flr, Traders Hotel, 223, tel: 252560 ext. 5002 UNAIDS Rm: (1223~1231), 12 Fl, Traders Hotel. tel: 252361, 252362, 252498. fax: 252364. UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. tel: 666903, 664539. fax: 651334. UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739. UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: 546029. UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. tel: 524022, 524024. fax 524031. UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel.tel: 254852, 254853. UNIC 6, Natmauk St., BHN tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, KTDA. tel: 375527~32, fax: 375552 email: unicef.yangon@unicef. org, www.unicef.org/myanmar. UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, MYGN. tel: 666903, 660556, 660538, 660398, 664539, fax: 651334. email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org www. unodc.org./myanmar/ UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 951657281~7. Fax: 657279. UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE tel: 542911~19, 292637 (Resident Coordinator), fax: 292739, 544531. WFP 3rd-flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 657011~6 (6-lines) Ext: 2000. WHO 12A Fl, Traders Hotel. tel:250583. ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Township. Ph: 225258. FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: 641672, 641673. fax: 641561.

General Listing
ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS
Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: 544500. fax: 544400. Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. fax: 227995. Thamada Hotel 5, Alan Pya Phaya Rd, Dagon. tel: 243639, 243640, 243641. Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: 242828. fax: 242838. Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 535205, 524387. email: winnerinnmyanmar @gmail.com Yangon YMCA 263, Mahabandoola Rd, Botataung Tsp. tel: 294128, Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600, 543367 Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : 01-248944

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

Charted Certified, Certified Public Accountants. tel: 09-5010563. drtinlatt@matglobal.com

AIR CONDITION
Chigo No. 216, 38 Street (Upper), Kyauktada Tsp, tel : 373472

No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) 546313, 430245. 09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01) 546313. www.cloverhotel.asia. info@cloverhotel.asia Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: 525781, 526872 Golden Aye Yeik Mon Hotel 4, Padauk Lane, 4th Word, Aye Yeik Mon Housing, Hlaing. tel: 681706. Hotel Yangon No. 91/93, 8th Mile Junction, Mayangone. tel : 01-667708, 667688. Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 662866. fax: 665537. Orchid Hotel 91, Anawrahta street, Pazundaung Township, Yangon, . Tel: 399930, 704740, 293261. E-mail: orchidhotel@myanmar. com. mm.

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (NAy PyI TAw)

The First Air conditioning systems designed to keep you fresh all day GUNKUL Engineer supply Co., Ltd. No.437 (A), Pyay Road, Kamayut. P., O 11041 Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) 502016-18, Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933. Nay Pyi Taw- Tel: 067-420778, E-mail : sales.ac@freshaircon. com. URL: http://www. freshaircon.com General 83-91, G-F, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Tsp, tel : 706223, 371906

Reservation Office (Yangon) 262-264, Pyay Road, Dagon Centre, A# 03-01, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 95-1-501937, 536255, 09-520-0926.
The Oasis Hotel (Nay Pyi Taw)

ASTROLOGER
Saya Min Thoun Dara Astrologer No(2), Maha Wizaya Pagoda North Stairway, Dagon Tsp. tel: 296184

Tel: 95-67-422088, 422099

ACCOMMODATION LONG TERM

No. 205, Corner of Wadan Street & Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar. Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3, 229358 ~ 61, Fax: (95-1) 212854. info@myanmarpandahotel .com http://www. myanmarpandahotel.com Panorama Hotel 294-300, Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Tsp. tel: 253077. PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 250388. fax: 252478. email: enquiry.prygn@ parkroyalhotels.com Website: parkroyalhotels. com. Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: 526289, 526298, Seasons of Yangon Yangon Intl Airport Compound. tel: 666699. Sweet Hotel 73, Damazedi Road, San Chaung Tsp, Ph: 539152 Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: 666900. Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377. fax: 289880. Easy Expat Accommodation Specialist in Yangon. Tel: 09-730-33776. Eco-Apartment Fully Furnished Ga 21, Pearl Centre (Pearl Condo), Bahan Tsp. Tel: 557488. Espace Avenir No 523, Pyay Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 505213-222. Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 558556. ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630. MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: 650933. fax: 650960. Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 525001. fax: 525002. The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residence 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel 951-256355 (25 lines). fax: 951-256360. email: gmer@ mptmail.net.mm, www. grandmeeyahta.com Yangon City Villa (Residence) Pyay Rd, 8 Mile Junction, MYGN, tel: 513101

BARS
50th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160.

Green Garden Beer Gallery Mini Zoo, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar.

Emergency Numbers
Ambulance tel: 295133. Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022. Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764. Red Cross tel:682600, 682368 Traffic Control Branch tel:298651 Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384, 591387. Immigration tel: 286434. Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390 Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605 Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037. Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067407007. Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: 254563, 370768. Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344. Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9. Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112. HOSPITALS Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811. Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807 Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888. Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096. Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811. Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809. Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837. Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494, 384495, 379109. Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861, 220416. Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123, 281443, 256131. ELECTRICITY Power Station tel:414235 POST OFFICE General Post Office 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: 285499. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: 662811. YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722 RAILWAYS Railways information tel: 274027, 202175-8.

INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com

Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 243377.fax: 243393, sales@thestrand.com.mm www.ghmhotels.com

Lobby Bar PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388.

mt QuiCk guide
May 21 - 27, 2012
ADvERTISING
WE StARtEd tHE AdvERtISING INdUStRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991

36
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MyanMar tiMes

Inya Day Spa 16/2, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 537907, 503375.

SAIL Marketing & Communications Suite 403, Danathiha Center 790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd & Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 211870, 224820, 2301195. Email: admin@ advertising-myanmar.com www.advertising-myanmar. com

Room - 4021, 3rd Floor, Taw Win Centre. Ph: 8600111 (Ext:4021), 09-803-2581. Qi Foot Spa At Inya Lake Hotel, Yangon. Tel: +951-662866, 662857 Ext: 1725 Zen Wellness Care No.62 (A), Rm-3, Yaw Min Gyi St, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: +951-252939.

MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: 212 409, 221 271. 214708 fax: 524580. email: info@ myanmarbook.com

CONSTRUCTION

ENTERTAINMENT

GAS COOKER & COOKER HOODS

24 hours Cancer centre No. 330, Yangon International Hotel, Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 218388, 218292 Fax: (951) 218389

CAFS

Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7 miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) 652502~04. Fax: (95-1) 650306. Email: zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm

Dance Lessons Mon-Fri 12:00 to 23:00. Sat-Sun 10 am to 8 pm Fun dancing Friday nights with Filipino musicians 4, U Tun Myat St, Tamwe. Tel: 01-541 550 The Uranium Dance Studio Pearl condo Bldg (C), 2nd flr, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 09731-42624, 09-514-0404.

DOMAIN
La Brasserie (International) PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel : 250388. Cafe de Angel Always Pure & Fresh No.24, Baho Rd, Ahlone Tsp. tel : 703449 Opening Hour: 9 am to 11 pm

Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : 245543, 09-730-37772. Mandalay : Room No.(B,C) (National Gas), 35th St, Btw 80th & 81st, Chanayetharzan Tsp. Tel : 09-6803505, 02 34455, 36748, 71878.

GEMS & JEWELLERIES

ARCHITECH

.biz.mm .per.mm .com.mm .org.mm

FITNESS CENTRE
Espace Avenir 523, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Tel : 505214, 505222 FIT Club - Rm 101~3, Marina Residence, 8, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 650634, 650651 Ext:102 Parkroyal Fitness & Spa Parkroyal Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. Tel: 250388.

Architecture 3 Construction Co, Ltd. No. 154, 39th Street, Between Maha Bandoola & Anawratha Road, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Contact: Ma Khaing Tun Business Development 09-502-5782

La Source Beauty Spa 80(A), Inya Rd, Kamayut. tel: 512 380, 511 252. Sedona Hotel, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 666 900 My Way Diamond Condo, Bldg(A), Rm (G-02), Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 52717, 09 51 70528

No. (8), Panchan Tower, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 951-516891~3 sm@mtg.biz.mm, www.mtg. biz.mm, www.mmnic.biz.mm.

DUTY FREE
INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com Traders Caf Traders Hotel, Yangon. #223, Sule Pagoda Rd. Tel: 242828 ext: 6519

Natural Gems of Myanmar No. 30 (A), Pyay Road (7 mile), Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 01-660397, 654398, 654399.

24 hours Medical centre No. 330, Ground Flr, Yangon Intl Hotel, Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. 24 hour Call Centre : (951) 218 445 Clinic : (959) 4921 8159 Office : (951) 218 446 Fax : (951) 218 389 www.leomedicare.com
Shimmering Gold Services Co., Ltd.
vICtORY FOR lIFE

GENERATORS

BANGKOK, THAILAND

BEAUTY & MASSAGE

BATTERY

CHOCOLATE
A Little Dayspa No. 475 C, Pyi Road, Kamayut, Yangon. Tel: 09-431-28831.
ISO 9001:2008 (QMS)

Duty Free Airport Shopping Yangon International Airport Arrival/Departure Tel: 662676 (Airport) Office: 17, 2nd street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.

Heavy Equipments & Genset

Mr. Betchang No.(272), Pyay Rd, DNH Tower, Rm No.(503), 5th flr, Sanchaung Tsp, Tel: 095041216 The Yangon GYM Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. Traders Health Club. Level 5, Traders Hotel Yangon#223 Sule Pagoda Rd, Tel: 951 242828 Ext: 6561

Traders Hotel, 5th Floor Tel: 242828,Ext: Coreana. Sedona Hotel, Mandalay Ground Fl. Tel: 02-36488, Ext: Coreana

Proven Technology Industry Co., Ltd. No. FS 14, Bayintnaung Rd, Shwe Sabai Yeik Mon, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 951-951-701719~20, 527667, 531030, 531041, 530694. Fax: 527667, 531030. http//www. toyobatterymyanmar.com.

EDUCATION CENTRE
MHR Business & Management Institute 905, 9th floor, Modern Iron Market(Thanzay Condo) Lanmadaw St. Tel: 707822. NLEC 82 Anawrahta Rd, Corner of 39 St, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel: 250225.

Winning Way No. 589-592, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Thayar Tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax: 951-645211, 545278. e-mail: mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm

VEJTHANI MYANMAR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE No.125(C), West Shwe Gon Dine Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar. 01-3449977. Hot Line: 09-507-1111, 01-555448, 555998. vejthani@myanmar.com.mm www.vejthani.com

HOME FURNISHING

HEALTH SERvICES
22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 660769, 664363.

G-A, Ground Floor, Pearl Center, Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Yangon. Tel: 09 500 6880 Email: chocolateheaven. sale@gmail.com

FLORAL SERvICES

BOOK STORES

COLD STORAGE

ELECTRICAL

Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476. E.mail: lemondayspa.2011 @gmail.com

Innwa Book Store No. 246, Rm.201/301, GF, Pansodan Street (Upper Block), Kyauktada Tsp. Tel. 389838, 243216, 374324, 514387

Est. 1992 in Myanmar Cold Storage Specialist, Solar Hot Water Storage Solutions. Tel: 09-504-2196, 09-73194828. E-mail: gei.ygn2@ gmail.com, glover2812@ gmail.com

Est. 1992 in Myanmar Electrical & Mechanical Contractors, Designers, Consultants. Tel: 09-504-2196, 09-73194828. E-mail: gei.ygn2@ gmail.com, glover2812@ gmail.com

Floral Service & Gift Shop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: 541217, 559011, 09-860-2292. Market Place By City Mart Tel: 523840~43, 523845~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: 067-421617~18 422012~15, Ext: 235. Res: 067-414813, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@ mptmail.net.mm

81, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 548022, 542979, 553783, 09-8030847, 09-730-56079. Email: asiapacific. myanmar@gmail.com.

HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Agent Office, 5th Floor, Junction Centre (Maw Tin), Lanmadaw Township, Yangon. Myanmar. Ph: 09-731-56770, 09-5117584, Fax: 01-516313, myanmarmeditour@gmail. com

Hotel ManagementConsultants (Singapore) Yangon Office Tel. : 09-516-6400 Email: info@univel.com.sg

LEGAL SERvICE
U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: 253 273. uminsein@mptmail.net.mm

Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142 Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173 fax: 535376.email: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm.

MARINE COMMUNICATION & NAvIGATION

Acupuncture, Medicine Massage, Foot Spa Add:No,27(A),Ywa Ma Kyaung Street, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 01-511122, 526765. Piyavate Hospital (Bangkok) Myanmar Represent ative (Head office) Grand Mee Yahta Executive Residences. No.372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, PBDN. Ph: 256355, Ext: 3206. Hotline: 09-73777799. Email: piyavate@cnt. com.mm, piyavate.cnt@ gmail.com, Website: www. piyavate.com PHIH-Specialist Clinic FMI Centre (4th Floor) #380, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan Tsp. tel: 243 010, 243 012, 243 013

Foral Service & Gifts shop No.2, Corner of Khay Mar St & Baho Rd (Near Asia Royal Hospital), Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. email: yangonflorist@ myanmar.com.mm. Tel: 01-510406, 09-73184714.

Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597

Media & Advertising

FOAM SPRAY INSULATION

Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazuntaung Road, Pazuntaung Tsp, Yangon. Telefax : 01-203743, 09730-26245, 09-500-7681. Hot Line-09-730-30825.

FURNITURE
NatRay Co., Ltd. Rm 807, La Pyayt Wun Plaza. tel : 01-370833, 370836

24 hours Laboratory & X-ray No. 330, Ground Flr, Yangon Intl Hotel, Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 218388, (951) 218292 Fax: (951) 218389

Intuitive Design, Advertising, Interior Decoration Corporate logo/Identity/ Branding, Brochure/ Profile Booklet/ Catalogue/ Billboard, Corporate diary/ email newsletter/ annual reports, Magazine, journal advertisement and 3D presentation and detailed planning for any interior decoration works. Talk to us: (951) 430-897, 553-918 www.medialane.com.au 58B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing, Than Thu Mar Road, Tamwe, Yangon.

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May 21 - 27, 2012
SCHOOLS
Phoenix Court (Chinese) PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388. ASIA Language & Business Academy (All classes are taught by native English-speaking teachers), No-66, Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel:+95-1376236, 376314, 384055. Streamline Education 24, Myasabai Rd, Parami, Myangone Tsp. tel: 662304, 09-500-6916. No.35(b), Tatkatho Yeik Mon Housing, New University Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 951-549451, 557219, 540730. www.yangon-academy.org Myanmar. Tel: 95-1-535783, 527705, 501429. Fax: 95-1-527705. Email: salesikon@myanmar.com.mm Junction Mawtin Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Cor of Wadan St. Lanmadaw Tsp. Tel: Junction Square Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: Ocean Supercentre (North Point ), 9th Mile, Mayangone Tsp. Tel: 651 200, 652963. Pick n Pay Hyper Market Bldg (A,B,C), (14~16), Shwe Mya Yar Housing, Mya Yar Gone St, Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel: 206001~3, Fax: 9000199 Sein Gay Har 44, Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp. Tel: 383812, 379823. Super 1 (Kyaikkasan) 65, Lay Daunt Kan St, Tel: 545871~73 Super 1 (Shwe Bonthar) 397, Bogyoke Aung San St, Pabedan. Tel: 250268~29 Victoria Shwe Pone Nyet Yeik Mon, Bayint Naung Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. Tel : 515136. Legendary Myanmar Intl Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 516827, 523653, 516795. Mobile. 09-512-3049. Email: legandarymyr@ mptmail.net .mm www.LMSL-shipping.com Kan Yeik Tha Road Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp. Yangon, Myamar.

MyanMar tiMes

MARKET RESEARCH

MMRD Research BLDG C, New Mingalar Market, 10-story BLDG, 8 & 9 flr, Coner of Mill St & Banyardala Rd, Mingalar Taungnyunt Tsp. Tel: 200326, 200846, 201350. Fax: 202425.

OFFICE FURNITURE

French Restaurant Tel: 299255~9, Ext: 7776 Fax: 382917 reception@ kandawgyipalace-hotel. com www.kandawgyipalacehotel.com

Monday to Saturday (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303 sales.centuremyanmar@ gmail.com www.centure.in.th

No. 105/107, Kha-Yae-Bin Road. between Pyi Daung Su Yeik Tha (Halpin) and Manawhari Road/Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp. Tel/Fax: 538895, Tel: 09730-29973, 09-540-9469.
padonmar.restaurant@ gmail.com. www.myanmarrestaurantpadonmar.com

Horizon Intl School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795, 551796, 450396~7. fax : 543926, email : contact@horizonmyanmar. com, www.horizon.com ILBC 180, Thunandar 9th Lane, Thumingalar Housing, Thingungyung.tel: 562401.

SOLAR SYSTEM
The Brightest AC CFL Bulb 21, 9th St, Lanmadaw Tsp. Ph: 212243, 216861, 216864. spsolarstation@ gmail.com. www. spsolarstation.com

Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel: 377263, 250582, 250032, 09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.

STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Kan Yeik Tha Road Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp. Yangon, Myamar.

PLEASURE CRUISES

RESTAURANTS

Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 4 Days, 6 Days, 8 Days Trips Tel: 95 1 202063, 202064 E-mail: mobydicktours@ gmail.com. Website: www. moby-dick-adventures.com

24 hours open. 5, Alan Pya Phaya Rd, Dagon Tsp, inside Thamada Hotel. tel 243640, 243047, Ext: 32.

Tel: 299255~9, Ext: 7801, 7802 Fax: 382917 reception@ kandawgyipalace-hotel. com www.kandawgyipalacehotel.com

The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: 544500 Ext 6243, 6244

ILBC IGCSE SCHOOL No.(34), Laydauntkan Road, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 542982, 545720, 549106,545736,400156 Fax: 541040 Email: info@ilbc.net.mm www.ilbcedu.com ISM Intl School W 22/24, Mya Kan Thar Housing, Hlaing Tsp. tel:530082, 530083. International School Yangon 20, Shwe Taung Kyar St, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 512793.

PEB Steel Buildings 60 (A), Halpin Road, Yangon. Tel: 01-218223, 218224. Fax: 218224. marketing@pebsteel.com. mm www.pebsteel.com.mm

SUPERMARKETS
Asia Light 106, Set Yone Rd.tel: 294074, 294083. Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136. City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: 253022, 294765. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (47th St Branch) tel: 200026, 298746. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Junction 8 Branch) tel: 650778. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: 682323. City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: 400284. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Myaynigone Branch) tel: 510697. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel:564532. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar Branch) tel: 294063. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Chinatown Point Branch) tel: 215560~63. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Junction Maw Tin Branch) tel: 218159. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Marketplace) tel: 523840~43. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (78th Brahch-Mandalay) tel: 02-71467~9. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) IKON Mart IKON Trading Co., Ltd. No.332, Pyay Rd, San Chaung P.O (11111), Yangon,

TRAvEL AGENTS

Lunch/Dinner/Catering 555539, 536174 Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governors Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 229860 fax: (951) 217361. email: RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm www.orient-express.com Black Canyon Coffee & International Thai Cuisine 330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. Tel: 0980 21691, 395052. email: blackcanyon@ yangon. net.mm.

Kan Yeik Tha Road Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp. Yangon, Myamar. Taste Paradise Chinese Restaurant

Tiger Hill Chinese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6253 Traders Gourmet Corner Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel : 242828 ext : 6503 Traders Gallery Bar Level 2, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: 242 828. ext: 6433 Traders Lobby Lounge Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: 242 828. ext: 6456

Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 211212, 223262. fax: 211670. email: res@ asiantrails.com.mm Htoo Travels 209/c, first flr, Shwe Gonedaing Rd, Bahan. Tel: 548554, 548039. Sun Far Travels & Tours 27, Ground flr, 38th st, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel: 380888.

PAINT
No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-523840(Ext-309), 09-73208079.

Tel: 299255~9, Ext: 7778 Fax: 382917 reception@ kandawgyipalace-hotel. com www.kandawgyipalacehotel.com

Admissions Office: No. 44, Than Lwin Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 535433, 09-850-3073. Email: rviacademygn@ rvcentre.com.sg

WATER HEATERS

TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 09-851-5202

95, Anawrahta Rd. Tel:296552, 293754. 336, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. Tel: 526456. New University Avenue, 551521, 551951, 553896. U Wisara Rd, Tel: 524599, 501976.

The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: 251033, 09-730-25281.

RELOCATION
Italian delicatesse & Ice-cream No.150, Dhamazadi Rd, Bahan Tsp. (Monunent Book Shop) Open Daily 9:00am to 7:00pm. Italian Ice-cream, Pasta, Pizza & Bar (2) G/F, City Mart, Myaynigone Centre. tel : 508469, 508470 ext. 113 Open Daily 9:00am to 10:00pm.

Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6231

Relocation Specialist Rm 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 250290, 252313. Mail : info@asiantigersmyanmar.com

Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon Tel. 01 665 516, 660976 Mob. 09-512-7795 operayangon@gmail.com www.operayangon.com

1. WASABI : No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; 666781,09-503-9139 2. WASABI SUSHI : Market Place by City Mart (1st Floor). Tel; 09-430-67440 Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) Junction Mawtin (City Mart)

REMOvALISTS

Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288, 210 670, 227650. ext: 702. Fax: 229212. email: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm

INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel 541997. email: leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. http://leplanteur.net

House of Memories Piano Bar & Restaurant Myanmar Cuisine & International Food 290, U Wizara Rd, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. tel: 525 195, 534 242. e-mail: houseofmemories 9@gmail.com

Yangon International School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon. Tel: 578171, 573149 www.yismyanmar.net Yangon International School New Early Childhood Center Pan Hlaing Golf Estate Housing & U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. Tel: 687701, 687702 Kangaroo Child Care 55, Aung Min Gaung 1st Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 501 568, 09 504 7732.

Same as Rinnai Gas cooker and cooker Hood Showroom Address

Water Heater

WEB SERvICES

World-class Web Services Tailor-made design, Professional research & writing for Brochure/ Catalogue/e-Commerce website, Customised business web apps, online advertisement and anything online. Talk to us: (951) 430-897, 553-918 www.medialane.com.au 58B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing. Than Thu Mar Road, Tamwe, Yangon.

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May 21 - 27, 2012
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Racing team crews try to extinguish a fire in the Williams racing pit stand at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 13. Pic: AFP

Martial arts Olympic hope competes for peace

By Joris Fioriti KABUL The taekwondo star who became Afghanistans first ever Olympic medallist at the Beijing Games in 2008 wants to repeat the feat in London in the hope of bringing peace to his troubled homeland. Rohullah Nikpas story is something of a fairytale in a warravaged country with few happy endings. As a 10-year-old obsessed with Bruce Lee and martial arts movies, he followed his brother to the taekwondo club while civil war raged in Afghanistan. I was crazy about taekwondo from the day I started it. I remember the first day I arrived at the club to practise, I was already able to do it well. I already had the mentality of being determined to reach the top, he said. Now 25, he was 14 when the Taliban regime fell at the end of 2001 and began training in Kabul in earnest while a bloody insurgency against the government and its NATO allies raged throughout the country. Nikpa overcame tremendous problems, not least financial, to qualify for Beijing, where he claimed a life-changing bronze in the under-58 kilogram division. Four years later, the moment is still fresh in his memory. I was so happy because throughout the history of my country Afghanistan, no one has ever won an Olympic medal before. I was so happy that I cried right there in the arena, he said. Its something priceless for our country. With this medal, I can help bring peace to our country. It shows that our people must walk away from all this war and conflict, and look towards the future generation and use sports to help lift our country up. His friend and training partner Nesar Ahmad Bahawi Afghanistans other great taekwondo hope in London shares his view of sport as a means of inspiring change in society. Taekwondo Ive done for my country and my people, not so that I could myself become famous, just so that I can let the world hear the name of Afghanistan in a good way and make our people happy, said Bahawi, who took silver at the 2007 world championships but came away from Beijing empty-handed. Theres always been fighting in our country, I want to show the world that we are not people who love war, but we want peace. Bashir Taraki, the Afghan teams coach, agrees. The Olympic logo with its five rings shows that the world is unified. Yes, so the sport of taekwondo can show the world that we asking for peace and we dont want war, we want to live as one with the rest of the world, he said. Thanks to Nikpa and Bahawi, taekwondo has become one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan. Around 25,000 competitors up to 38,000 according to Bahawi practise in hundreds of clubs around the country, though facilities are sometimes basic. The elite Afghan squad, paid around US$15 a month, train in proper facilities at the Ghazi Olympic stadium in Kabul, where the Taliban used to hold public stonings a marked improvement on the fourth floor building site where they prepared for Beijing. But Nikpa and Bahawi dont care about the training setup they are dreaming of Olympic gold. AFP

Maldonado wins Spain, turns hero in blaze

By Gordon Howard BARCELONA Pastor Maldonado became the first Venezuelan to win a Formula One race by triumphing at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 13 before going on to play an heroic role in a dramatic blaze in his Williams teams garage. Maldonados win, in just his 24th race, was also the teams first victory since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix and came on the weekend of team founder Sir Frank Williams 70th birthday. But on a dramatic day for the Venezuelan driver, he was later pictured on Twitter carrying his young cousin to safety after the team garage was engulfed by flames. A total of 16 people were injured, one with severe burns, when the fire believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in a fuel rig broke out. Maldonado was forced to carry his 12-year-old cousin Manuel, who was wearing a protective boot on a broken right foot, to safety as thick, black smoke billowed down the pit lane at the Catalunya Circuit. After todays Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the teams garage which originated from the fuel area, said a Williams team statement. Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical centre. Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released. The Catalan regional government said that one person was airlifted to hospital with serious burns, while five others were taken to a local hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation. Ten more were treated at the circuits medical centre. The Caterham team said four of their mechanics were among those taken to the medical centre, one with a minor hand injury and three for smoke inhalation. On the track, Maldonado held off a challenge by two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari to win. Its a wonderful day for me and the team. An unforgettable race, said Maldonado, who was hoisted onto the shoulders of Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, who finished third, when the drivers appeared on the podium. Driving with huge self-control, the Venezuelan produced a flawless race for the Williams team, delivering their first win since Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya won in Brazil eight years ago. Maldonado had also become the first driver from his country to take a pole position when he was elevated from second place on the grid on the evening of May 12, following Lewis Hamiltons disqualification for fuel irregularities. Maldonado drove with great composure in the closing stages to make the most of his teams clever strategy by holding off two-time champion and local hero Alonso. After last year, we have worked and worked, and pushed so hard, and I knew this was going to be a tough race, but to have my first podium and my first win you can just imagine the emotions, said the winner. Alonso said: It was a fantastic start and it was close into turn one, but we had the better side and we had the momentum to lead for the first part. But Williams anticipated the first stop better and as the race went on, we lost grip and maybe some aero and in the end I was in the battle with Kimi for third. Raikkonen, who was third for Lotus, said: I expected to be a bit stronger in the race, especially at the beginning. At end of the race, we were good, but it was too late. Romain Grosjean came home fourth in the second Lotus ahead of fifth-place Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber and sixth for defending double world champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull on a day when Maldonado became the fifth different winner in five races so far this year; the first time this has happened since 1983. Vettels late push enabled him to maintain his position at the top of the drivers standings, where he shares the lead, on 61 points, with Alonso, eight points ahead of Hamilton. AFP

Afghan Taekwondo player Rohullah Nikpai is assisted with equipment as he takes part in a training session in Kabul on April 4. Pic: AFP

Half of 2014 World Cup stadiums a concern: FIFA consultant

SAO PAULO Footballs world governing body FIFA believes that six of 12 Brazilian stadiums that are to host the 2014 World Cup may not be ready in time, the daily Folha de Sao Paulo reported on May 15. The paper cited a study by a FIFA consultant on the stadium construction or renovation program pointing to various degrees of risk for arenas in Manaus, Cuiaba, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Sao Paulo. But the biggest concern is for the stadium in the northeastern city of Natal because of a tight schedule that left no margin for problems, it added. Manaus and Cuiaba have medium risk while Curitiba and Porto Alegre have low risk, with a greater chance of being ready in time. The report indicated that two years before the World Cup gets underway, work on the 12 stadiums have progressed on average by 34.4 percent. The outlook for the 2013 Confederations Cup is even more critical. FIFA reports delays in three of the four venues for the competition, Folha said. In a statement, FIFA however said the document cited by Folha was an internal monitoring report developed at the end of April for stadium experts. This document is for the stadium experts and can be easily misinterpreted without the respective background information on the various evaluation criteria and parameters, it noted. What is important though is the significant progress which has been made at the venues for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, particularly Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, footballs world governing body said. The Confederations Cup, seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, will be held from June 15 to 30 next year in four confirmed cities: Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza. Recife and Salvador could be added depending on progress on the work. But the FIFA report said challenges facing the Recife arena will be hard to overcome, complaining about the bureaucracy and excessive politicization in the country while acknowledging President Dilma Rousseffs determination to speed things up. Earlier this month, FIFA and the Brazilian government agreed they would each have a representative on Brazils Local Organizing Committee for the World Cup. Brasilia will be represented on the committee by Luis Fernandes, a trusted Rousseff lieutenant, whose appointment was seen by analysts as necessary to avoid a collapse of the tournament and to speed up the preparatory work. Brazil plans to spend billions of dollars to build or modernise stadiums, airports, road and public transport for the World Cup. But costs for temporary installations such as space for fans, the media and guests were not factored in, which will drive up overall costs. FIFA has for months complained about delays in renovation or construction of stadiums as well as infrastructure projects for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950. AFP

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May 21 - 27, 2012
athletes are simple: no facilities, few competitions, and the weather is too hot. Plus, the people are too short, he says. Even in the Southeast Asian Games we cant get medals from swimming and athletics because if compared to the morphology of more talented people, we are short! Shorter than the others, says Kasem. While such problems are not easy to fix, more money would help. However, with Laos aiddependent and short of major industry, grants and sponsorship are not forthcoming. Laos students have sports on their curriculum, but many schools have no facilities. And there are few opportunities for athletes just the national, military, police and university games which are held in rotation, one per year. Kasem has been ever-present in Laoss Olympic campaigns since he went to Moscow 1980 as a coach. But when asked to describe the countrys best moment at a Games, he is at a loss. We just like to participate, we dont expect to get a medal, he shrugs. If we cant develop to the top ranking, we cant compete. If only petanque were an Olympic sport, things might be different. Laos is a gold medal winner at Southeast Asian Games level in the popular bowling game, a legacy of French colonialism. Until that day, the Laoss Olympic dream rests largely with Kilakone, Lealy, Chaleunsouk and their home-made weights in the sweaty, crowded Vientiane stadium. Next to the paint-tin barbell, which weighs about 20 kilos (40 pounds), lies a heavier challenge: another scaffolding pole, but this one attached with two concretefilled car wheels. The coach and athletes shake their heads. We hope we can get more equipment, says Chaleunsouk. AFP

MyanMar tiMes

Pumping concrete with Team Laos

By Talek Harris VIENTIANE The sun is setting over the scruffy outdoor stadium as Kilakone Siphonexay, the fastest man in Laos, lies on the homemade, wooden weights bench, raises both arms and grips the scaffolding pole above. On either end of the metal spar, paint-tins filled with concrete serve as weights, forming a makeshift barbell to hone the muscles of the poor, Southeast Asian countrys leading Olympic hope. Theres no weights room, says the thin, bespectacled 100 metres sprinter with an apologetic smile, before pumping some quick benchpresses aided by his coach. When it comes to the Olympics, there are the strong nations, the less good, the weak and the abject. Communist Laos is in the last category. But with facilities like this, its hardly a surprise. The landlocked country, which was extensively bombed during the war in neighbouring Vietnam and ranks as one of the worlds poorest states, has not only never won an Olympic medal Laotion athletes Kilakone Siphonexay (left) and Lealy Phoukhavont during a training session at the it hasnt even come close. In an Olympic history stretching stadium in Vientiane on May 4. Pic: AFP Kilakone, 23, clings to this hope noisily chase a football as Kilakone 11.30 sec a time he still remembers back to Moscow 1980, no Laotian competitor has ever made it past after missing the 100m qualifying jostles for space on the track with with a rueful shake of the head. Now he trains Kilakone and the first round, where required. time of 10.24 seconds, already snail- dozens of other amateur enthusiasts Lealy as a part-time volunteer, in Success at the coming Games in like compared to Usain Bolts world on a warm, sticky evening. For Kilakone, and female 100m between the demands of looking London would be easily defined: not record of 9.58 sec. The personal best of Kilakone, Laoss national hopeful Lealy Phoukhavont, 16, after his newborn daughter and finishing last. its a simple routine consisting helping run a small business at a Were not strong like the USA or champion, is 10.73 sec. I like to train hard, he says. In mainly of sprinting and acceleration Vientiane market. the British, chef de mission Kasem I take standard training courses Inthara said, as he sits in a dingy London, I would like to try my best work. Weight training is minimal, stadium office. Were in a group to beat my personal record. But were and specialist nutrition is non- and modify some parts of them, explains Chaleunsouk, who has like Brunei or East Timor. Were a still lacking weight training. I need existent. They dont eat anything special. coaching qualifications with weight training and equipment. small country. Kilakone, wearing an Arsenal They eat with their families, says the International Association of If we can beat only one country in the first heat, that would be a football team shirt and tight running coach Chaleunsouk Aoudomphanh, Athletics Federations (IAAF). Because we dont have the trousers, trains for three hours each who seems surprised at the question. success. Even getting to London would evening in Chao Anouvong Stadium, Kilakone says he eats local food equipment, and you have to take into account the individuals everythings be a victory after not one Laotian an ageing facility in the heart of the sticky rice and vegetables. Chaleunsouk himself shouldered different, but I modify the training so qualified for the 2012 Games by right, capital, Vientiane, which dates back the hopes of Laos at the 2004 its suitable for Laos people. leaving them waiting for special to pre-communist 1961. According to chef de mission Vandalised advertising hoardings Olympics in Athens, where he ran dispensations to compete in athletics, are strewn on the floor and children his 100m heat in a disappointing Kasem, the challenges facing Laoss swimming and taekwondo.

Football bridges religious divide in Thailands restive south

By Carol Isoux PATTANI, Thailand A shared passion for football is uniting Buddhists and Muslims in Thailands restive south, where grassroots efforts to find elusive peace are gaining ground after years of bloodshed. Unmissable in their bright orange shirts, the players of local side Pattani FC exchange banter almost as fast as their passes around the training pitch. It is a scene familiar to football clubs across the world. But Pattani play in far from ordinary circumstances. The Division Two teams hometown is in the heart of an area riven by a raging insurgency that has claimed more than 5000 lives since 2004 in near-daily bomb or gun attacks against both Buddhists and Muslims. Despite the violence off the pitch, for Pattanis players all that matters is scoring goals. We are not divided, whether Muslim, Buddhist or Christian. We are all friends, said Samae Samak, a young Muslim. As Thailands government struggles for answers to end the seemingly intractable conflict, local peace moves are gathering pace. The nations obsession with football comes second only to Thai boxing, except in the deep south where it is even more popular and provides a rare space for often-divided communities to come together. In Pattani, no matter how far away people live or if there have been incidents, they come to watch football matches, said Pitsarok Rujakat, a Buddhist player, originally from the north of the country. Recent attacks have seen tensions rise across the troubled region: on March 31, bomb blasts left 15 dead and hundreds wounded in the cities of Yala and Hat Yai. The explosions, which targeted civilians, appeared to mark an escalation in the campaign by the Muslim militants, who often target soldiers with makeshift roadside bombs. Monks and teachers seen as a symbol of the Thai state are also sometimes attacked while out collecting alms or travelling to work. Human rights groups accuse the army of carrying out reprisals in villages Where the government struggles, localised efforts at peace are gaining traction. In the village of Bangma in Pattani, soldiers started a month ago to visit a mosque every week to discuss about the conflict with its imam and learn the basics of Islam and the local language, Yawi. They also share ideas on the regions economic problems and distribute medicine for the elderly. They do not know much about Islam, said the Imam Kono Samae. They come to study local traditions and are trying to understand them. But for many on both sides, true reconciliation seems a long way off. Recent reports of affairs between local Muslim women and Buddhist soldiers sparked anger among villagers, highlighting the divide that needs to be bridged for peace to take root. Our cultures are very different, women, family ... it takes a long, long time to understand those differences, says Thai army Captain Worayuth Boonyakait after a meeting with the Bangma imam. AFP

Captains of the Pattani FC football club (left) and Narathiwat FC team exchange flags ahead of a match at the Rainbow stadium in Pattani on May 6. Pic: AFP suspected of harbouring the suspects, perpetuating the cycle of violence. On the campaign trail last year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised greater autonomy for the worst-affected southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. But those pledges have remained unfulfilled and most of the three provinces have been under a state of emergency since 2005, with locals subject to deeply unpopular laws allowing 30-day detention without evidence. Governors and senior army officers are mostly Buddhist and appointed from outside the region, fuelling resentment among the Muslim-majority local population. Despite recent conciliatory overtures, the government has failed to find a path out of the chaos. In late April, Yingluck met local religious leaders and military officials, promising an injection of money for education, sports clubs and small businesses in the hope of easing tensions, but activists are sceptical. The main problem is martial law and the massive army presence, said Huda Longdewaa, president of the Southern Association of Women for Peace. The prime minister talked about sending more troops, but this cant solve anything.

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Ferdinand gutted as Hodgson opts for Terry
LONDON Veteran defender Rio Ferdinand was the highest-profile casualty on May 16 as England manager Roy Hodgson unveiled his squad for the European Championships. After intense speculation about whether Hodgson would risk picking Ferdinand and Chelsea captain John Terry in the same squad, an announcement confirmed that it was the Manchester United centre-half who had been left out. Terry had previously been tipped to miss out with Hodgson questioning whether the centre-half could exist happily in the same squad as Ferdinand, who has accumulated 81 caps since making his debut in 1997. Terry is facing a July court case on allegations he racially abused Ferdinands younger brother Anton during Chelseas Premier League clash with Queens Park Rangers last October, accusations he strongly denies. However Ferdinands ability to withstand the rigours of a tournament campaign were called into doubt by his Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson last week, who questioned whether the defender could play two games in four days. Hodgson later told reporters that Ferdinands omission was made purely on footballing grounds. Its purely a footballing decision, Hodgson said. Hes a player I respect as a person and a man. But I had to make a footballing decision I had to decide on the basis of what Ive seen in recent months. Ferdinand later responded to the setback on micro-blogging site Twitter. Absolutely loved playing for England ... Ferdinand wrote. to say Im gutted is an understatement of the highest order... Hodgson defended his decision to pick Terry, saying his looming court case had not figured in his calculations. If we take the court case first of all we must emphasise at first that hes an innocent man until such time as hes been proven guilty, Hodgson said. I realised when I selected him [Terry] there would be people who would raise their eyebrows. But I think hes played well Im hoping he will help us win matches. Hodgson also confirmed Liverpools Steven Gerrard would captain England at the Euros. I will be counting on him to help me as much as he can, to build the team unity, and build the type of environment to give us a chance to thrive at this tournament, Hodgson said of Gerrard. He merits this distinction. I know him as a person, a player, I know how committed he is to England. Other notable selections on May 16 saw Arsenal teenager Alex OxladeChamberlain earn his first senior call-up after a promising first season with the Premier League giants. Liverpool striker Andy Carrolls reward for a strong finish to the season is a place among the pool of four strikers, alongside Manchester Uniteds W a y n e R o o n ey, Danny Welbeck and Tottenhams Jermain Defoe. With Wayne Rooney suspended for Englands opening two Group D games, Carroll is now a strong candidate to lead the attack in the Three Lions opening game against France in Donetsk on June 11. In midfield Hodgson has opted for an experienced pool of players with several veterans of Englands illfated 2010 World Cup campaign in the frame, including Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner and Gareth Barry. AFP By Rob Woollard LONDON Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish was sacked as manager of the club on May 16 in a dramatic move by the clubs owners following a disappointing Premier League campaign. The 61-year-old Scot, who had returned for a second stint as manager at Anfield in January last year, paid the price for a dismal season which saw Liverpool finish 37 points behind champions Manchester City. The Merseyside clubs American owners the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had given Dalglish more than 100 million (US$159 million) to spend in the transfer market since he took over from the sacked Roy Hodgson in 2011. But expensive signings such as Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have largely flopped, with Liverpools eighth place finish their worst seasonending position for nearly two decades. Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club announce that Kenny Dalglish is to leave his post today as manager after having his contract terminated, a joint statement said. After a careful and deliberative review of the season the club came to the decision that a change was appropriate. It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily. The search for a new manager will begin immediately. Dalglish said in a statement he was honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to manage the club for a second time. I greatly appreciate the work that Steve [Clarke], Kevin [Keen], the players and all of the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the clubs first trophy in six years, winning the [League] Cup, and came close to a second trophy in the

May 21 - 27, 2012

King Kenny dethroned

Liverpool owner John W Henry (right) looks on as manager Kenny Dalglish collects his losers medal after Liverpools 1-2 loss against Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 5, 2012. Pic: AFP FA Cup final, he said. Of course I am disappointed with results in the league but I would not have swapped the League Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies. I said when first approached about coming back as manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same. Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpools fans, who have always given me and the club their unwavering support. Without them neither the club nor I would have achieved anything. Dalglish remains an iconic figure amongst Liverpools supporters following an association with the club that straddles five decades. He was a key figure in the clubs 1970s and 1980s glory years, a spell that saw him win eight league titles as player and manager between 1979 and 1990, as well as three European Cups in 1978, 1981 and 1984. Dalglish is also revered for leading Liverpool through the dark days following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, attending many of the funerals of the 96 fans who perished in the tragedy, including four in one day. But his second spell at Anfield was less harmonious, and he suffered a critical mauling for his handling of the Luis Suarez racism affair this season. Dalglishs steadfast support of the Uruguayan striker, who had been found guilty by an independent FA tribunal of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, was widely perceived as a public relations disaster. Although Dalglish ended Liverpools six-year trophy drought this season with victory in the League Cup, the club were comfortably beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup final earlier this month. Liverpool lifted the gloom with a 4-1 win over Chelsea in their final home game of the season, but a 14th loss against Swansea in their last game of the campaign on May 13 was the last straw. The defeat against the newly promoted Swans, whose squad cost a fraction of Liverpools to assemble, left Liverpool in eighth their worst finish for 18 years, with their lowest points tally since 1953/54. Dalglish had flown to the United States on May 13 to present his end-of-season review to principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner, who had only last month given the Liverpool legend his backing. However the failure of the FSG to issue a swift statement in support of Dalglish prompted speculation his days may be numbered. British media reports have already linked several younger up-and-coming managers to the vacancy at Anfield, with Wigans Roberto Martinez, Swanseas Brendan Rodgers and Norwichs Paul Lambert all mentioned as possible candidates to succeed Dalglish. AFP