The Leaderboard: Nyan Tun – The Leaderboard profiles the people behind the policies of the Asia-Pacific.
This post features Nyan Tun the recently sworn in Vice President of the Union of Myanmar. Who is he? Admiral Nyan Tun was previously named commander-in-chief of the navy in 2008, and is seen as a moderate and pro-reform. He is a graduate of Myanmar’s elite Defense Services Academy, and was noted for traveling abroad as the head of the navy. Why is he in the news? Mr. What can we expect from him? Vice President Nyan Tun was nominated by military appointed parliamentarians, who make up 25 percent of the legislature and have the right to nominate one of Myanmar’s two vice presidents. If he is a moderate and pro-reform, his appointment should be a boon to President Thein Sein as he continues to restructure Myanmar.
It was previously believed that retired general and Yangon Region Chief Minister Myint Swe would receive the nomination.
Myanmar 2015 elections. The Irrawaddy sur Twitter : "Thingyan satirists in #Yangon set to defy government censorship order. Aung San Suu Kyi. Il faut maintenir la pression sur le régime birman. Burma's parliament opens new session. 31 January 2011Last updated at 12:28 More than 1,000 deputies will gather for the session Parliament has convened in Burma for the first time in more than two decades, following elections late last year.
The first sitting of the two-chambered national parliament brings into effect a new constitution and officially ends nearly 50 years of military rule. But critics say the real power will remain in the hands of top generals. A quarter of seats in parliament are reserved for serving members of the armed forces. The vast majority of contested seats are occupied by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is backed by the current military government. The main Aung San Suu Kyi-led opposition party has no seats because it boycotted the 7 November election - a poll widely criticised by Western governments and by democracy activists within Burma.
New president Continue reading the main story Analysis Rachel Harvey BBC South East Asia Correspondent. Factbox: Myanmar's new political structure.
China sticks its oars, Wa leader off to meet junta rep - Firefox. Thursday, 25 February 2010 14:40 S.H.A.N.
Bowing to pressure from China, ailing United Wa State Army (UWSA) leader Bao Youxiang is at last on his way to Tangyan, 83 miles south of Shan State North capital Lashio, for a “final meeting” with Naypyitaw’s chief negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint tomorrow, according to a source close to the Wa leadership. 7 other members are on the Wa delegation but their identities have not been disclosed except for U Aung Myint aka Li Julieh, who will act as his interpreter. “Suffice to say his closest aide Zhao Zhongdang has been left behind to keep house,” he said. Bao, who has for years been suffering from a chronic case of trichinosis, was “advised” by a Chinese official on Monday, 22 February, to accept the invitation from Naypyitaw for the meeting, according to him. Bao Youxiang and U Aung Myint photo: UWSA Its southern ally, Mongla, meanwhile, has been quiet. Both Gaifa and Pangfa are currently based at Wanhai, Kehsi township, Shan State South.
Expert hopes to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in upcoming trip - Fi. 11 February 2010 – A United Nations independent human rights expert today voiced hope that he will be able to hold talks with pro-democracy leader and Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi when he visits Myanmar next week.
“It would be important for me to meet with political party leaders in the context of this year’s landmark elections,” said Tomás Ojea Quintana, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, ahead of his 15-19 February visit to the country – his third – at the invitation of the Government. This year’s national elections – the first in over two decades – are the fifth step in its seven-step roadmap to democracy, according to the Government. Mr. Quintana, who will wrap up his mission with a press conference at the Yangon airport, called 2010 “a critical time for the people of Myanmar.” Last October, the Special Rapporteur called on the Government to release all political prisoners before this year’s polls so that they can be as inclusive as possible. Mr. UN envoy visits Burma in 'critical year' - Firefox. A special UN Human Rights envoy has met lawyers for Burma's opposition party on the first day of a five-day visit to the country.
Tomas Ojea Quintana has said that with elections due sometime in 2010, Burma is facing a critical year. Opposition groups welcomed the UN visit, with one activist saying human rights in Burma were "at the abyss". It comes two days after pro-democracy leader Tin Oo was released following seven years in prison. UN envoy leaves Burma with very modest gains / The Christian Sci.
Wen Jiabao visits Burma. Selth-Regional-Outlook-25.pdf (Objet application/pdf)