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Nyunt Shwe
For Nyunt Shwe's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
COMMENTARY / World
May 2, 2010
Life or death for Suu Kyi's party?
The incumbent regime in Myanmar is asking all interest groups, until Thursday, to form political parties and register within 60 days. All unregistered parties will cease to exist under the new election laws. The National League for Democracy (NLD) party has openly boycotted the election laws, and has decided to pursue civil action when the regime abolishes it. Some people view this as courageous, but this decision is shortsighted and irresponsible.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 29, 2004
A new dawn for Myanmar?
Many Myanmar watchers might have been surprised when they got news of the pending release of nearly 4,000 prisoners who had been inappropriately jailed by the notorious Military Intelligence (MI) wing of former Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt's regime.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 28, 2004
Bleak outlook for Myanmar democracy
After days of speculation over the fate of Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, the country's official media announced that he was permitted to retire for health reasons. The reasons given were usual for someone who had been removed from the inner circle.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 20, 2004
Broken promises a blot on Myanmar's regime
A s Myanmar's government prepares to take over the chairmanship of ASEAN for 1996, opposition groups have stepped up their campaign for reform in the country by appealing to the bloc's leaders, reminding them that the regime in Yangon has violated all its promises, including human rights reform, better economic management and measures to combat drug production.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 28, 2004
People of Myanmar need Asia's help
Myanmar's stubborn military regime has decided to carry on with its controversial constitutional convention even as National League of Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her lieutenant, U Tin U, remain under house arrest. The last time a free and fair election was held -- in 1990 -- the NLD won a landslide victory, taking 395 of 485 parliamentary seats.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 16, 2004
Alternative road map to launch Myanmar's democratic future
T he ruling States Peace and Development Council of Myanmar (SPDC) has raised hopes that it will hold a national constitutional convention before the end of this year after its March 30 announcement that it would convene one on May 17. It had also hinted that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi could be freed by that date.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2004
Myanmar doesn't need new constitution
Myanmar (also known as Burma) is celebrating what could be the most auspicious anniversary in its 56 years of independence, which was declared at 4:20 a.m. on Jan. 4, 1948. Interestingly, the British government had agreed to grant independence on Jan. 1, but superstitious elements within the newly formed government would not accept it because revered astrologers considered the timing less auspicious or even bad.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 4, 2003
Only recourse is to negotiate
Will Myanmar (also known as Burma) be banned from the summit meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next week? That's not likely, but Myanmar's new prime minister, Gen. Khin Nyunt, could utterly lose face unless the regime frees prodemocracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi before the summit convenes.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 2, 2003
Myanmar's regime must embrace change
"We are confident that change will come -- not as quickly as most of us would wish it to come -- but it will come. And I think the more we all try to make change come instead of wondering when change will come, the quicker it will come."
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 16, 2003
Democracy in Myanmar going nowhere
Myanmar has no formal greeting words. A surprise? But we have variations that are more practical to our lives, depending on the time and circumstances. If you meet someone along the way, the most common words are: Where do you come from? Where are you going? Or, how are your father's, mother's or your own children?
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 8, 2002
Myanmar's generals allergic to dialogue
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and many world leaders have welcomed the recent release of 115 political prisoners from various prisons in Myanmar. At the same time, many leaders have voiced concerns about the more than 1,000 remaining political prisoners, human rights abuses and the lack of dialogue between top generals and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 21, 2002
Myanmar's SPDC must honor its word
Visits to Myanmar by United Nations Special Envoy Ismail Razali and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi ended in hopes that change would take place. Unfortunately, however, Myanmar's generals have shown no sign of turning their words into action, and the country's situation continues to deteriorate. If the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC, fails to honor its commitments, it will be exposed as deceitful and untrustworthy.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 4, 2002
Japan playing a vital role in Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi has completed two successful and delightful long-distance inland political journeys since her release from a second house arrest about 10 weeks ago. The State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC, the military regime, has provided full security for her travels in Mandalay and Mon states. Several thousands of people came out to greet and listen to her.
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2002
Learn the lessons, then let go of the past
The first step of Myanmar's democratization has begun following the bold step of the military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), to free Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday. Though it was a small step, it was a giant leap for the victimized people of Myanmar, who will now be able to live more peaceful lives.
COMMENTARY / World / GUEST FORUM
Dec 15, 2001
Image of reconciliation for Myanmar
With the confidence-building period between Myanmar's military regime and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (Daw Suu) now past the one-year mark, most dissidents have grown more suspicious of the military regime as the country's economy deteriorates and the cost of living rises.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2001
More than words are needed in Myanmar
Myanmar is no longer a closed-door country and people who have an interest in it and its people now enjoy much greater access than in the past. Information that would have remained secret in the past quickly becomes public knowledge in today's global village. The old adage "Honesty is the best policy" is more important than ever for those who would like to maintain their dignity.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2001
Myanmar's best hope lies in reconciliation
"To those who have visited even briefly, Myanmar is one of the most attractive and intriguing places in Asia. It has vast potential for economic growth thanks to its natural resources. And its human resources are equally promising. Indeed, it was expected that after independence the country would do as well as most countries and better than those less endowed."

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