BRIEFLY NOTED (December 2010)

The Mrauk U temples of Arakan State (Photo: AFP)

The ongoing construction of the Sittwe-Amm-Minbu railroad is damaging important cultural heritage sites in Mrauk U, a well-known site of ancient pagodas and buildings in Arakan State, according to concerned local residents. “Although we have called for an end to this project, they haven’t complied,” said a Mrauk U resident. The construction project has resulted in damage or destruction of ancient pagodas, stupas, walls, strongholds, religious libraries, moats and city walls, said local sources. Influential residents, monks and members of the public have submitted a formal request to local authorities to stop the construction. Late reports indicate that Burma’s Ministry of Culture has considered rerouting the railway. 

Crew members work on the deck of the USS George Washington during a joint Navy exercise with South Korea in the Yellow Sea. (Photo: AFP)

A US supercarrier and South Korean destroyer took up position in the Yellow Sea for joint military exercises just days after a deadly North Korean artillery attack. As tensions escalated across the region, China belatedly jumped into the fray, calling for an emergency meeting in early December among regional powers involved in nuclear disarmament talks, including North Korea. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who has come under heavy criticism for what opponents have called lapses in South Korea’s response to the attack, said, “If the North commits any additional provocations against the South, we will make sure that it pays a dear price without fail.”

Free Speech to be Restricted in Burmese Parliament

Freedom of speech will be restricted for members of parliament in Burma. The new laws, signed by junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, stipulate that parliamentarians will be allowed freedom of expression unless their speeches endanger national security, the unity of the country or violate the Constitution. The curbs also provide a two-year prison term for those who stage protests in the parliament compound or physically assault a lawmaker on its premises. In addition, anyone other than lawmakers who enters the parliament hall when the body is in session faces a one-year prison term and a fine.

Khin Nyunt (Photo: AP)

A video has circulated on the Internet of a meeting between Burma’s former spymaster Gen Khin Nyunt and the country’s current police chief. The 16-minute video, which first appeared with no audio on the social networking website Facebook, shows Khin Nyunt in discussion with a group of police officers led by police chief Khin Yi at two separate locations. The video was believed to have been taken just a few months ago, at a time when it was widely rumored that Khin Nyunt had been brought to Naypyidaw for his advice on dealing with armed ethnic groups.