China plans major oil, gas pipeline across Myanmar
November 19, 2008
China today announced revival of its plan to build a giant $2.9 bn oil and gas pipeline across Myanmar, in a major move to get a toehold on emerging Asian energy markets.
China, which has outbid Indian oil companies in a number of major contracts in Myanmar, said the work on the new pipeline connecting Myanmar with its Yunnan province would begin early next year, the China Daily newspaper reported today.
Quoting Chinese oil companies' officials, it said that the project, a joint venture between China and Myanmar, was being undertaken to reduce Beijing's over-dependence on energy transportation from the Gulf through the straits of Malacca.
The project includes constructing two separate pipelines one worth $1.5 bn oil pipeline and the other $1.4 bn gas pipeline, with the country's major China Natural Petroleum Corporation holding a 50.9% stake in the project.
The remaining stake would be held by Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprises.
Once completed, the pipeline is expected to provide an alternative route for China's crude import from West Asia and Africa through the straits of Malacca.
Currently, 80% of China's crude imports of 200 mn tonne pass through the straits of Malacca. According to international energy agencies projections, China and India are going to be world's leading importers of oil and gas in next 10 years.
China plans to extend its oil and gas pipelines by 60% by 2010. It has already made operational the first West-East gas pipeline in 2004 and the work on the second such project has already began in February this year.
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) should wage war again on Burma's ruling junta in Kachin state, was a suggestion made by a Kachin resident at a meeting between delegates in the KIO-led Kachin state Interim Committee (KSIC) and Kachin residents of Hpakant (Phakant) jade mining city on November 6, local sources said.
A Hpakant resident voiced his feelings in front of a group of KSIC delegates led by the committee chairman and Vice-president of KIO Dr. Manam Tu Ja, "The Burmese (junta) will never grant rights of Kachins without a war. Don't you (KIO leaders) be happy in your cars? Walk. Your (KIO leaders) bellies have swelled too much."
According to participants, the meeting was organized by the KSIC at the KIO-owned Buga Company in Maw One quarter in Hpakant city and it was attended by about 50 invited local people including jade miners, jade traders, church leaders and young people.
The meeting was meant mainly to garner support of the Kachin majority in the 2010 elections in the country where a future political party derived from the KSIC will represent Kachin state and contest the elections against the junta-backed political party, added KSIC sources.
The same resident of Hpakant also alleged that Kachin state was sold out by former deposed KIO chairman Gen. Malizup Zau Mai and Rev. Dr. Lahtaw Saboi Jum, former general secretary of Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) and founder of Shalom Foundation (SF), a Church-based national NGO for peace.
Currently given Burma's political situation created by the junta's seven-step roadmap, the KIO has two political options. One is to obtain state autonomy (which has been ignored by the junta) or the KIO can indirectly participate in the 2010 elections as a party derived from the KSIC where KIO will not surrender weapons and try and initiate direct political talks with a new Kachin state government after the 2010 elections, said KIO leaders.
The KIO is the strongest Kachin armed group based in both Kachin state and northeast Shan state in northern Burma and it signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese ruling junta in 1994.
The KIO has a history of 47 years of struggle to obtain the rights of Kachin people in northern Burma by both armed struggle and ceasefire methods.
Myanmar: UN rights experts demand new fair trials for jailed political prisoners
November 18, 2008
Tomas Ojea Quintana, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
18 November 2008 - Five independent United Nations experts on human rights today demanded that authorities in Myanmar hold fair and open re-trials for dozens of prisoners of conscience sentenced to lengthy prison terms and immediately release their jailed defence counsels.
Last week a dozen detainees, including several women, arrested last year in connection with peaceful demonstrations, were each jailed for 65 years and more than 20 others, including five monks, were recently sentenced to up to 24 years. Many others still await sentencing.
"The closed-door hearings are being held inside prisons by courts which lack independence and impartiality," the five experts said in a joint statement, noting that three defence lawyers had been sentenced to several months of imprisonment for contempt of court after they transmitted their clients' complaints of unfair trials. Since early November several other defence lawyers have been barred from representing their clients.
"The UN experts strongly urge the Myanmar authorities to cease harassing and arresting individuals for peacefully exercising their internationally recognized human rights," the statement added. "They further demand that all detainees be retried in open hearings respecting fair trial standards and the immediate release of their defence counsels."
The statement followed a call last week by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar.
Reiterating previous calls to initiate reforms for a transition to a multiparty democratic and civil government, as envisaged by the new Constitution, the experts strongly urged the authorities to immediately commence work on ensuring the indispensable pre-conditions for free and fair general elections to be held in 2010.
These include a comprehensive review of national legislation to ensure its compliance with international human rights standards, the release of political prisoners of conscience, and reform of the armed forces and the judicial system.
The five experts are: Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana; Special Rapporteur for the independence of judges and lawyers Leandro Despouy; Special Rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression Frank La Rue; Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders Margaret Sekaggya; and Special Rapporteur for freedom of religion or belief Asma Jahangir.
The special rapporteurs, who serve in an independent unpaid capacity, report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Burmese activists say a court in that military-ruled country has sentenced three ethnic minority activists and two Buddhist monks to prison, in the latest crackdown on pro-democracy supporters.
Employees of the notorious Insein prison make their way out through the main entrance of the facility in Burma's biggest city, Rangoon, 23 Sep 2008
An ethnic minority leader, Chin Sian Thang, told VOA Burmese service Tuesday that a court inside Rangoon's Insein Prison sentenced his son, nephew and another student to 33 years in prison.
The three had formed an ethnic minority branch of the prominent dissident group the 88 Generation Students. They were convicted of inciting public unrest under Burma's emergency act.
The ethnic minority leader who reported their sentencing won a parliamentary seat in the 1990 elections, but he has never served because the military government ignored the election results.
Another pro-democracy activist told VOA two monks also were convicted Tuesday for joining last year's rare pro-democracy demonstrations.
One of the monks, Ashin Gambira, was a prominent leader of the demonstrations. VOA's source says Ashin Gambira was sentenced to 12 years in prison and still faces more charges.
Activists tell VOA the other monk, U Kalatha, received a 35-year sentence.
Burma's courts have sentenced at least 86 other pro-democracy activists to lengthy prison terms in recent weeks.
The United Nations human rights envoy to Burma and other U.N. experts are calling for the activists' retrial.
In a statement Tuesday, U.N. envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana urged Burmese authorities to stop harassing and arresting individuals for peacefully exercising their internationally recognized human rights.
He and other U.N. experts demanded that Burma stop trying activists inside prisons and hold fair and open trials for all of the detainees. They also called for the release of several defense lawyers who were jailed while defending political detainees.
Astronauts have attached the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the International Space Station, which holds equipment to expand the living quarters on the space station and carry out other improvements. VOA's Jessica Berman has more.
STS-126 crew members participate in interviews with WXIA-TV and WAGA-TV in Atlanta and WHDH-TV in Boston, 17 Nov 2008
A day after the space shuttle Endeavour docked with the space station, astronauts successfully linked the giant cargo container to the International Space Station.
Kirk Shireman is deputy program manager for the space station with the U.S. space agency, NASA. Shireman says the operation went extremely smoothly.
"The docking was fantastic," said Kirk Shireman. "It's always beautiful to see two large space vehicles come together so gracefully. And the crews, both ISS and shuttle crews, performed flawlessly in that docking."
Space shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station, 16 Nov 2008
The crews will soon begin unloading extra bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchenette, as NASA prepares to double the number of astronauts living and working aboard the space station to six some time next year.
Also in the cargo container is a water recycling system that will convert urine into drinkable water.
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the International Space Station program, which began with the launching of the first element of the International Space Station, the Russian-built Zarya space module.
Again, NASA deputy program manager Kirk Shireman:
"On Thursday, we will have completed our 57,509 orbit of the Earth," he said. "So, quite a lot of hardware, quite a lot of work and quite a lot of distance traveled by the ISS so far."
On Tuesday, two of Endeavour's astronauts will perform the first of four complicated space walks to repair and lubricate massive joints that turn the space station's giant solar panels toward the Sun. One of the joints has been stuck with metal shavings. The joints must work properly for the solar arrays to track the sun for maximum power. The astronauts also will perform preventive maintenance on the second joint.
Yangon pressed for equidistance method (243-degree line), which he said, is unacceptable to Bangladesh
Tuesday November 18 2008 08:56:41 AM BDT
The two day long Bangladesh and Myanmar maritime boundary talks ended yesterday inconclusively amid sharp disagreement on drawing the dividing line over the waters of the Bay of Bengal.(The New Nation )
However, the two sides decided to continue the talks and placed two proposals on the methodology of delimitation but disagreed to adopt either.
As such, they decided to continue the current negotiations that got off hot on the heels of a near-confrontation over gas exploration by Myanmar in the waters claimed by Bangladesh.
The next round of talks will be held in Myanmar in January. The date will be decided at a time convenient to both sides.
Bangladesh team leader Additional Foreign Secretary MAK Mahmood briefing newsmen said Dhaka proposed principle of equity (180-degree line) following the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea).
But Yangon pressed for equidistance method (243-degree line), which he said, is unacceptable to Bangladesh, as it would turn into "block zone." Myanmar proposed to give a corridor to Bangladesh, but "we have rejected the proposal" he noted.
Mahmood said both the sides would discuss each other's proposal at the next meeting to find out a common formula out of it.
In reply to a question, Mahmood said he also requested the Myanmar side not to conduct survey or exploratory work within the disputed waters (East of 180-degree line) until an agreement is reached.
But, he said, Myanmar objected it and claimed that the area is close to their coastline.
The two sides signed agreed minutes at the end of their two-day meeting agreeing to carry on the technical-level negotiations.
Earlier, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, "This is a complex negotiation...This cannot be resolved today or tomorrow. We will continue our talks in the future to arrive at peaceful settlement."
He made the remarks to reporters after a meeting with Myanmar delegation leader and Deputy Foreign Minister Maung U Myint at the Foreign Ministry.
Iftekhar said the two sides explained their respective positions regarding the methodology of delimitation and tried to find out a common formula.
Asked about the outcome of the talks, Iftekhar said, "Outcome is continued talks."
The negotiations took off against the backdrop of a war-cry from both sides over the oil-exploration bid by Myanmar early this month. Myanmar stopped exploration in the wake of intense diplomatic efforts.
This was the third round of technical experts' negotiations on maritime boundary in last eight months. Earlier, the two neighbours held two technical-level talks in Dhaka and Bagan (Myanmar) in April and September this year on the matter.
Maritime Boundary-Bangladesh, Myanmar talk focuses on method of delimitation
November 17, 2008
Image: The New Nation
No progress so far
Monday November 17 2008 02:10:00 AM BDT Experts of Bangladesh and Myanmar began talks in Dhaka Sunday on the critical issue of drawing their maritime boundary through the Bay of Bengal, but to no breakthrough so far, as the two sides stuck to their guns on methodology of the delimitation(The News Today)
Talking to reporters after the first day''s discussions at technical level, Bangladesh delegation leader and Additional Foreign Secretary MAK Mahmood said Dhaka placed logic of the principle of equity (180 degree line) in delimitating the sea border while Yangon stressed equidistance (243 degree line) principle, " which is not acceptable to us".
He noted that application of equidistant line as a method of delimitation frustrates the very purpose of maritime delimitation, that is, equitable result.
Mahmood said according to UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea) 1982, no method should dictate the result; rather the result would justify the method. Since the outcome generated through the method of equidistance is obviously inequitable to Bangladesh, it is incumbent on both the states to examine other options and reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Officials said the Myanmar side, led by their Deputy Foreign Minister U Myint, was rigid on their arguments. The negotiations--taking place hot on the heels of a near-confrontation over oil exploration in the disputed part of the Bay waters--will continue tomorrow (Monday) for a negotiated solution.
The two neighbours held two technical-level talks in Dhaka and Bagan in April and September this year.
In his opening remarks, Mahmood referred to the tense situation that prevailed in the Bay of Bengal in the first week of November, saying that the unfortunate development took place because of misunderstanding of the Myanmar authorities on a proposal made by Bangladesh in 1976.
He said that the proposal hinged on a package deal under which Myanmar was supposed to officially accept Bangladesh''s baseline, particularly base-point 8, and the North-South direction of Bangladesh''s natural prolongation.
Mahmood said this pre-UNCLOS proposal died its natural death since Myanmar never accepted it. Because this misunderstanding has resulted in a heightened situation, he said, "we would like to clarify that our maritime zone as declared in 1974 along the 092 degree 17 minute 30 second line (commonly referred to as 180-degree line) is the line we are bound to follow until a final delimitation is attained between the two states on the basis of ''equity'' principle".
He said the host side would like to categorically state that until a final agreement between the two states on maritime delimitation is signed, Myanmar should restrict its survey and exploratory activities to the East of 1800 line which was confirmed through exchange of various notes and communications from 2006 to date.
Ban welcomes global leaders' call for joint action on financial crisis
November 17, 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
16 November 2008 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the commitment made by world leaders to take joint measures to tackle the global financial crisis.
The Declaration of the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy, issued by the heads of the so-called Group of 20 (G-20) nations yesterday in Washington, includes an agreement on coordinated stimulus packages, a move Mr. Ban had called for in his remarks at the White House.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, he also welcomed the leaders' agreement on new market regulation to avert future crises, greater inclusivity in economic governance, and the need to reduce trade and investment protectionism.
The meeting in Washington saw the participation of the leaders of the 20 countries that account for nearly 80 per cent of global production, trade and investment, with more than 170 other nations - comprising one-third of the world's population - not in attendance.
Addressing the G-20 summit - the first-ever at the heads of State level and the first time the United Nations Secretary-General has been invited to attend - yesterday, Mr. Ban underscored the importance of a wide-ranging form of multilateralism which includes all countries not represented at the gathering.
"He stressed the need for international coordination of stimulus packages and the importance of meeting aid commitments to avoid global economic slowdown, adversely affecting global security, stability and the wellbeing of poor countries and poor people," according to his spokesperson.
The Secretary-General called for furthering "green" economic growth - including bolstered support for renewable energy and switching to more carbon-friendly systems - as part of the fiscal stimulus.
He expressed appreciation for the Declaration's recognition of the importance of the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and previous aid commitments, "particularly in view of the impact of the current crisis on developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable."
Mr. Ban also welcomed the leaders' commitment both to the development principles agreed at the landmark 2002 landmark agreement known as the Monterrey Consensus. Strong participation at the upcoming conference in Doha, Qatar, to review that accord is essential, he said.
In an op-ed appearing this weekend in the Brunei Times and the Guatemala Times, among other publications, he wrote that addressing the current global financial turmoil must not come at the expense of solving other critical problems, such as hunger, the food crisis and climate change.
Invoking Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Ban said there is a need to recognize the "fierce urgency of now" to protect the livelihoods of millions around the world.
His greatest concern, he said, is that the financial crisis of today could spiral into "tomorrow's human crisis," warning that the clock is ticking on finding solutions.
Overlooking poverty and global warming will "only exacerbate the already fragile political and security situation in many countries that are hardest hit," the Secretary-General said.
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama meets with John McCain Monday - their first face-to-face talks since Mr. Obama defeated the Arizona senator in the presidential election November 4.
The incoming president's transition office says the former rivals for the presidency will discuss ways to bring about a "more effective and efficient" government.
Mr. Obama has said he wants to work with both Democrats and Republicans to find answers to the country's problems.
In a television interview broadcast late Sunday on the CBS news program "60 Minutes," Mr. Obama said he intends to do whatever it takes to stabilize the economy, restore consumer confidence and create jobs.
The president-elect said it is important to restore faith in financial markets to allow the economy to move forward in a strong way.
Mr. Obama also said he will make the selection of his national security team a top priority because transition periods are times of vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
The next U.S. president reaffirmed his campaign pledges to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and to work with military commanders to draw down U.S. troops in Iraq.
Welcome to Arakanese Special Dinner Party in Japan
November 15, 2008
2nd annual friendship meeting and special dinner party will be held at Seiryu Lzakaya, Sakae Dori (TAKADANOBABA) in Japan on Sunday, November 23, 2008. This event has been held deal with the best purpose as goodwill by Arakanese Community in Japan (ALD (Exile-Japan), ASA (Japan), WAO (Japan) individual (Marriage with other) and Special Guest).
The essence of event's objectives mention as all Arakanese, who are living in Japan, get to good relationship and friendship, and more obtaining to provide each other among the Arakanese and its community like big being had long live. And lets to know about the Arakanese custom, culture and tradition to the Arakanese community including other nationals who are marrianged with Arakanese in Japan.
Every Arakanese are warmly welcome to attend in this community event to link as below ;
Religion can never justify terrorism or killing of innocents, General Assembly declares
November 14, 2008
General Assembly Hall
13 November 2008 - A high-level meeting of the General Assembly today decried the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and terrorist acts and voiced concern that serious instances of intolerance, discrimination and harassment persist between people of different faiths and cultures.
The two-day "Culture of Peace" gathering, convened on the initiative of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, called for mutual understanding through dialogue, and respect for human rights among proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations.
"Concerned about serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, hatred expressions, and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths, participating States underlined the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding, and tolerance among human beings, as well as respect for all their diverse religions, cultures and beliefs," according to a declaration read out at a news conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the meeting concluded.
"Participating States affirmed their rejection of the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and actions of terrorism, violence and coercion, which directly contradict the commitment of all religions to peace, justice and equality," it added. Mr. Ban said the challenge now was to move beyond "powerful, positive words" to "dialogue that delivers."
Heads of State, ambassadors and senior officials from some 70 countries addressed the meeting including King Abdullah, United States President George W. Bush, United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Jordan's King Abdullah and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
In the declaration, the General Assembly reiterated its call for "promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding through dialogue, and supporting the initiatives of religious leaders, civil society, and states seeking to entrench the culture of peace, understanding, tolerance, and respect for human rights among the proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations."
Participating States expressed their commitment to strengthening existing mechanisms within the United Nations for "promoting tolerance and human rights, preserving the institution of the family, protecting the environment, spreading education, eradicating poverty, and fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism, noting the positive role of religions, beliefs and moral humanitarian principles in tackling these challenges."
Mr. Ban voiced deep gratitude to the Saudi leader. "King Abdullah's initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations has never been greater. It has brought together people who might not otherwise have a chance to interact. Along with other initiatives, it will contribute to building a more harmonious world.
"The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, positive words we have heard these past two days. I pledge my full support to this effort. It may take time to see results, but I am convinced that this meeting was an important step forward."
Yesterday, at the opening of the high-level event, General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto told participants that the world was facing its most difficult period since the founding of the UN.
He urged global leaders to use their "moral strength" to find solutions to some of the greatest problems plaguing the planet, including poverty, hunger and climate change
9 Monks Sentenced To Jail After Myanmar Protests - Opposition
November 14, 2008
YANGON (AFP)--Nine Buddhist monks were sentenced to between six and eight years in jail by courts in Myanmar this week for taking part in last year's anti-junta protests, an opposition party spokesman said Friday.
At least 14 members of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party were also given prison terms of between four and 10 years, said party spokesman Nyan Win.
Rights groups say Myanmar has intensified efforts to curb dissent ahead of elections in 2010 with a series of heavy sentences on pro-democracy activists this week.
An uneasy calm prevailed along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as of yesterday due to presence of huge forces on both sides of the frontier over Myanmar's attempt to explore oil and gas in Bangladesh's territorial waters in the Bay.
The crisis that developed last week apparently ended following withdrawal of the fossil fuel exploration rig of Korean company Daewoo on Saturday. But tension grew as Myanmar mobilised forces on the land border a few days ago.
The authorities in Naikhong-chhari yesterday made announcement through loud-speakers asking locals not to go near the no-man's land or cross the border.
Sources said the move was taken as precautionary measures after getting information that Myanmar border forces Nasaka might have planted landmines along the borders.
Naikhongchhari upazila Chairman Tofail Ahmed and Ghundhum upazila Chairman Dipak Barua have said the situation remained calm as the forces remained in their position on both sides of the border.
Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Aslam Habib said the locals were advised not to cross the border to avert any untoward incident.
BDR sources said General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Chittagong Major General Shamim Chowdhury visited Naikhongchhari and held a meeting with senior BDR officials yesterday.
A correspondent from Cox's Bazar reports: Myanmar continued mobilising its forces and intensified patrol in the border areas creating a sense of fear among the people living there.
Sources said Myanmar forces also took position in jungles and mountainous regions with heavy weapons and canons, apparently creating a war-like situation.
BDR officials said they were also on alert and on a round-the-clock patrol to face any situation.
Commander of Teknaf 42 Rifles Battalion Lt Col Abdul Khaleq said they were observing the border situation.
"We have also taken defensive measures and no untoward incident took place so far," he added.
Bangladesh population reaches 16.13 crore ( 160. Million ) : UNFPA report
November 14, 2008
population with the present growth rate will reach 25.41 crore ( 250. 4 million ) in 2050 Thursday November 13 2008 11:59:34 AM BDT The population of Bangladesh has reached 16.13 crore marking a 1.7 per cent growth in the last one year, according to the latest global population report released by the United Nations Population Fund in Dhaka on Wednesday.(The New Age BD )
The Bangladesh population with the present growth rate will reach 25.41 crore in 2050, says the report, released simultaneously in other countries of the world. The country's population in 2007 was 14.71 crore.
The total fertility rate has, however, decreased to 2.81 in 2008 compared to 2.98 in 2007, says the report.
It said the per capita gross national income dropped to $1,230 in 2008 from $2090 in 2007. The GNI of Bangladesh lies far below than other countries of the subcontinent like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka where the per capita income is $4,000, $2,410 and $3,730 respectively. The Bangladesh's GNI is slightly better than Nepal where it is $1,010.
Unveiling the report on the State of World Population 2008 at the National Press Club, UNFPA acting representative Pornchai Suchitta said this year's report was focused on culture, gender and human rights.
‘This year is the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the report calls for culturally sensitive approaches to development, promote human rights in general and women rights in particular,' he said.
Gender inequality remains widespread and deep-rooted in many cultures and the report calls for action to increase cultural knowledge, Pornchai added.
‘Men are primary decision makers about child bearing, contraceptive use while women themselves have no power to decide issues of their reproductive health,' the UNFPA official said.
He said the denial of women's right to take decision on reproductive life along with malnutrition, early marriage and violence are the reasons of incredibly high population growth, maternal mortality and child mortality and key impediments to achieve the millennium development goals.
‘It is a striking fact that women and girls are three fifths of the world's one billion poorest people, women are two thirds of 960 million adults who cannot read and girls are 70 per cent of the 130 million children who are out of school,' he said portraying the global situation.
The UNFPA executive, quoting the report, said cultural constraints rather than poverty held women back from using family planning and programmes could succeed even if there had been little economic development.
‘In Bangladesh, some laws are not women friendly and therefore they do not enjoy equal rights to marriage, divorce, guardianship and inheritance although the constitution provides equal rights to men and women in public life,' he observed.
Despite Bangladesh's commitment to the Beijing platform for action to enact and periodically review domestic legislation to punish and redress violence against women in the home, workplace, community and society, very little is progressed in amending discriminatory laws and some of the provision of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, he said.
In all stages of life, women suffer from malnutrition more than men and lack access to healthcare, the UNFPA executive said.
‘The UNFPA is committed to contribute towards achieving the goals of international conference on population and development and the millennium development goals.'
Other demographic, social and economic indicators of the report show that the energy consumption per capita is very much low in Bangladesh, which is 158 units compared to 491, 490, 338 and 477 units respectively in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Additional director general of health services Hosne Ara Tahmin and UNFPA's programme officers Noor Mohammad and Mozaharul Islam Khan were also present.
The New Age BD population with the present growth rate will reach 25.41 crore ( 250. 4 million ) in 2050 Thursday November 13 2008 11:59:34 AM BDT The population of Bangladesh has reached 16.13 crore marking a 1.7 per cent growth in the last one year, according to the latest global population report released by the United Nations Population Fund in Dhaka on Wednesday.(The New Age BD )
The Bangladesh population with the present growth rate will reach 25.41 crore in 2050, says the report, released simultaneously in other countries of the world. The country's population in 2007 was 14.71 crore.
The total fertility rate has, however, decreased to 2.81 in 2008 compared to 2.98 in 2007, says the report.
It said the per capita gross national income dropped to $1,230 in 2008 from $2090 in 2007. The GNI of Bangladesh lies far below than other countries of the subcontinent like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka where the per capita income is $4,000, $2,410 and $3,730 respectively. The Bangladesh's GNI is slightly better than Nepal where it is $1,010.
Unveiling the report on the State of World Population 2008 at the National Press Club, UNFPA acting representative Pornchai Suchitta said this year's report was focused on culture, gender and human rights.
‘This year is the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the report calls for culturally sensitive approaches to development, promote human rights in general and women rights in particular,' he said.
Gender inequality remains widespread and deep-rooted in many cultures and the report calls for action to increase cultural knowledge, Pornchai added.
‘Men are primary decision makers about child bearing, contraceptive use while women themselves have no power to decide issues of their reproductive health,' the UNFPA official said.
He said the denial of women's right to take decision on reproductive life along with malnutrition, early marriage and violence are the reasons of incredibly high population growth, maternal mortality and child mortality and key impediments to achieve the millennium development goals.
‘It is a striking fact that women and girls are three fifths of the world's one billion poorest people, women are two thirds of 960 million adults who cannot read and girls are 70 per cent of the 130 million children who are out of school,' he said portraying the global situation.
The UNFPA executive, quoting the report, said cultural constraints rather than poverty held women back from using family planning and programmes could succeed even if there had been little economic development.
‘In Bangladesh, some laws are not women friendly and therefore they do not enjoy equal rights to marriage, divorce, guardianship and inheritance although the constitution provides equal rights to men and women in public life,' he observed.
Despite Bangladesh's commitment to the Beijing platform for action to enact and periodically review domestic legislation to punish and redress violence against women in the home, workplace, community and society, very little is progressed in amending discriminatory laws and some of the provision of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, he said.
In all stages of life, women suffer from malnutrition more than men and lack access to healthcare, the UNFPA executive said.
‘The UNFPA is committed to contribute towards achieving the goals of international conference on population and development and the millennium development goals.'
Other demographic, social and economic indicators of the report show that the energy consumption per capita is very much low in Bangladesh, which is 158 units compared to 491, 490, 338 and 477 units respectively in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Additional director general of health services Hosne Ara Tahmin and UNFPA's programme officers Noor Mohammad and Mozaharul Islam Khan were also present.
Xinhua: Myanmar saves $8 million by substituting fuel with gas monthly
November 13, 2008
Myanmar has saved nearly 8 million U.S. dollars per month by substituting imported fuel with domestically-produced natural gas in operating motor vehicles, the local 7-Day News reported Thursday.
It was able to cut import of 2.26 million gallons of diesel and999,620 gallons of petrol monthly, the report said, quoting the disclosure of a recent paper reading session dealing with traffic rule education.
According to official statistics published in October, there was a total of 22,821 petrol- or diesel-run motor vehicles so far converted into compressed-natural-gas (CNG)-operated ones as part of the country's effort to save fuel and reduce import of crude oil.
Of the CNG-converted motor vehicles, passenger buses accounted for the majority, followed by school buses and taxis. Others went to trucks, departmental cars and private ones.
Myanmar has worked to ultimately change all motor vehicles in the country into CNG-operated's starting from bus and truck down to private-owned saloon car under a plan to modify all vehicles gradually in the country in terms of fuel operation.
To facilitate the conversion, Myanmar has allowed over a dozen private industries to carry out the undertakings on buses, trucks, taxis and saloons in addition to the Ministry of Energy.
Myanmar began the move amid sustained rise of crude oil prices in the world and the plan was introduced due partly to the abundance of natural gas in the country.
The country encourages import of CNG-run cars rather than petrol- or diesel-consumed ones.
According to the State Customs Department, Myanmar imported 374.06 million dollars' fuel in the fiscal year 2007-08 which ended in March.
The fuel imports accounted for 13.2 percent of the total imports of 2.818 billion dollars, the department's figures show.
Other official statistics also indicate that Myanmar produced 7.62 million barrels of crude oil and 13.393 billion cubic-meters of natural gas in 2007-08.
Natural gas topped Myanmar's exports in the year with 2.594 billion dollars representing 42.9 percent of the total exports during the year.
Ban voices deep concern at ‘severe’ prison terms for Myanmar demonstrators
November 13, 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
12 November 2008 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his deep concern at reports this week that authorities in Myanmar have issued lengthy jail terms to some participants in last year's peaceful demonstrations in the Asian country.
Media reports say some pro-democracy advocates have been jailed for 65 years, and in a statement issued by his spokesperson Mr. Ban referred to "severe prison terms" imposed in Myanmar recently.
"He calls once again for all political prisoners to be released and for all citizens of Myanmar to be allowed to freely participate in their country's political future as part of an inclusive national reconciliation process," the statement noted.
Members of ARAC and Mr. Bazalar Rahman- Social Counselor of RCSU
November 10, 2008
Cox's Bazar - 10 November 2008: - According to an EC member of Arakanese Refugees Affair Committee - ARAC, Mr. Bazalar Rahman- Social Counselor of RCSU ( UNHCR, Dhaka branch side) and members of ARAC have held a meeting at Sun Moon hotel in Cox'sBazar.
Meeting was start around the 11: 30 AM. And they have discussed like surrounding sides, survival, children educational, health, resettlement, etc. upon the facing difficulties of Arakanese (Burmese citizenship) urban refugees.
According to mentioned member of ARAC, participated members of ARAC were as following:
1. U Pho Hla 2. Ko Pray Thein 3. Ko Khine Soe 4. U San Mra Aung 5. And Ko Aung Zaw Khine
Member of ARAC said, meeting was cordially and frankly end around 3 PM. And he has continued that they can hope from this meeting as a first step, and in coming January, they are going to meet with protection officer of UNHCR. -------------------
Some detail result of meeting was as a following:
Consultantation of UNHCR's side were;
1) Firstly UNHCR would like to appreciate to have discussed with committee members.
2) UNHCR will go on co-operate with ARAC committee in order to solve urban refugees' facing problems.
3) UNHCR hope that ARAC committee will come forward and work together with them.
4) To study in International schools for the urban refugees' children, UNHCR will not be able to allow urban refugees' children, due to the lack of budget financial.
5) UNHCR hope the committee will sit a meeting and make comment on UNHCR's statement laid out recently for the urban refugees and submit it after 10 days of published.
6) Before finalizing any policy upon the Arakanese (Burmese citizen) urban refugees, UNHCR would try to negotiate with committee.
7) Social Counselor will report to UNHCR that to take interview for new asylum seekers in Cox'sbazar because of the have no money to go to Dhaka.
8) Despiting one time project, UNHCR will consider to provide loan for the refugees who like to stand on own feet. But project must go through the recommendation of the committee that mean UNHCR hope that committee will also work with UNHCR during giving loan to a refugee, as a part of taking responsibility.
10) UNHCR will try to develop loan giving program by the consultation with committee. 11) UNHCR will give continuous of SA to those who are involve in the list they have drawn are 1.Female family (who has had no husband) 2.Elderly woman 3.Woman who is suffering from Cronical disease 4.Single woman
12) Mr. Jelvas Musau, protection Officer of UNHCR will meet with the committee in coming January 2009.
13) Any newly recognized refugee will get three to six months of Subsistence Allowance. After giving SA to that refugee he or she will be given project.
Arakan Refugees' Affair Committee (ARAC)'s demands are as follow.
1) As health is most essential part a human's life we request your honor to consider emergency patient in Cox'sbazar.
2) We request to pay salary within first week of every month for refugees who are entitled to pay salary.
3) Committee has requested UNHCR to interview new asylum seekers in Cox'sbazar, UNHCR branch office for those who cannot go to Dhaka UNHCR for facing with financial difficulty.
4) Monks should be given permanently SA like in the UNHCR decision numbers 11 . Because in our religion monks cannot dwelt like people. A monk cannot sing, kill a life, wander like a man, enjoy and listen song, marry. It will be no use of providing lump sum or self-reliance to stand on own feet.
5) Only they had to flee from home land for tyranny rule of military junta. But Bangladesh Buddhist temples do not let them stay in the temple. So they have no way except living under the shelter of UNHCR.
6) According to previous experience, given lump sum plan have failed for small invest, lack of cooperate from local people, lack of vocational training and lack of language skill.
7) Support for newly bourn our generation without ignoring even for their facing health problems. 8)Even for own citizenships are being bulled by local miscreants, so not need to say for us upon the alien refugees.
9) On the other hand, it is to inform you that Anti-Burmese activities are increasing in Bangladesh. We feel insecure surviving in this country.
10) Our over all claim is either for the continuous giving of Subsistance Allowance. If it were not provided we pray to make us resettle in third country, etc were members of ARAC have demanded, he said.
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Myanmar retreats from exploration site Three-pronged diplomacy involving Myanmar, China and Korea defuses tension Monday November 10 2008 00:10:05 AM BDT Myanmar yesterday wrapped up its exploration mission from the Bangladesh waters in the Bay of Bengal in the face of strong protest by Bangladesh Navy, an ISPR release said. However, official media in Myanmar presented this as a technical move and said the South Korean(The New Nation)
company undertaking the exploration work had simply moved to another block after a successful seismic survey and the Daewoo will continue exploration.
"By this time they (Myanmar) are leaving our territory, and (we) hope they won't resume exploration unless both sides finalise the demarcation (of boundary claims) in the Bay of Bengal," Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters yesterday.
The ISPR release said the South Korean rig 'Trans Ocean Legend" backed by Myanmar warships was pulled back from the site.
On November 1, Bangla-deshi naval ship "Nirvoy" detected four drilling vessels and a tug with the support of Myanmar warship doing exploration with a huge rig within the Bangladesh deep-sea waters.
The release said "in view of the situation, the Bangladesh Navy reinforced its strength in the deep sea" alongside the diplomatic offensive.
Bangladesh dispatched a high-power delegation led by Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain to Yangon to discuss the matter with the Myanmar authorities on diplomatic plane. The delegation returned on Saturday without a fruitful outcome.
According to the ISPR, the crew of the civilian foreign company ship were informed about Bangladesh's clear position and her claim on the Bay waters. As a result, the foreign company ship engaged in installing the rig and crew realised the danger of the consequences.
In the wake of diplomatic efforts and strong presence of Bangladesh naval force in the deep sea, the foreign company with the rig and Myanmar warships were withdrawn.
The ISPR release said, "The dispute over the maritime zone between Bangladesh and Myanmar is a long-running one. Despite such situation having surfaced in the past, presently it took a complicated shape for the prospects for finding gas in the disputed waters."
But Myanmar's official media said Myanmar had rejected "the mistakenly made demand of Bangladesh".
The New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Sunday that exploration work had moved from Block AD-7 in the Bay of Bengal to another offshore block, A-3.
The newspaper said South Korea's Daewoo International Corp had drilled an exploration well down to the targeted depth in Block AD-between October 17 and November 5 and the necessary survey was completed.
"Further tasks would be carried out according to the work programme," it said.
Informed sources said despite withdrawal of the exploration equipment from the disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal both Bangladesh and Myanmar still continued to reinforce troops along common borders and put them on high alert since early Saturday.
BDR sources said it is still increasing the number of troops in border areas in Naikhongchhari upazila and more troops has been called from the capital as Myanmar continues to do the same.
The border remained tense but there had been no untoward incident, security officials said on Sunday.
"We are on high alert to face any circumstances," BDR Major Sajjadul Kabir told Reuters in the Cox's Bazar frontier district.
Bangladesh and Myanmar share a 320 km (200 mile) border, partly demarcated by the Naf river.
The two neighbouring nations are engaged in long-standing talks to agree on their maritime border, with the next session scheduled for November 16 and 17 in Dhaka.
UNB adds: An imminent confrontation between Bangladesh and Myanmar over controversial oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal could be averted following a three-pronged diplomatic manoeuvring approaching China and South Korea.
Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain, who returned home after a troubleshooting mission to Yangon, told a crowded media conference on Sunday evening that a buildup of tensions over Myanmar's controversial oil and gas exploration in the contested waters in the Bay of Bengal was apparently defused Sunday.
He said that, before his departure for Myanmar, he had meetings with the Ambassadors of China and South Korea in Dhaka and informed them of Bangladesh's position on the disputed waters as well as stance on a peaceful solution "instead of any confrontation or war".
He informed the Chinese envoy that Bangladesh wants peaceful solution while requested the Korean envoy to remove Daewoo company's exploration vessel. The Korean Ambassador had told him that Daewoo started dismantling their equipment from the disputed waters.
Touhid, however, told a correspondent that Bangladesh did not seek engagement or mediation into the matter of bilateral dispute.
On his Myanmar mission Touhid said he made three proposals during his meeting with Myanmar Deputy Ministers Maung Moyint and Kyaw Thu for resolving the dispute peacefully.
The proposals include removal of the drilling rig as the Korean company's exploration vessels crossed the 1974 maritime boundary claimed by Bangladesh and withdrawal of naval ships by the two countries from the site.
Touhid admitted that the Myanmar side did not agree to remove the rig during the talks as Maung Moyit said he needed discussion with his higher authority.
He said the Myanmar side also claimed that they had conducted the exploration on the eastern side of so-called 'friendship line' which does not exist.
Touhid said the Korean vessels removed the oil- exploration rig from the disputed waters by 12 noon today, although UNB reports from the frontier districts said tensions were brewing along the land border following troop buildups on both sides.
When his attention was drawn to Myanmar authorities' claim that they removed the rig after completion of the exploration and they entered the area in September, Touhid said he is not a technical expert, but "it sounds unusual".
He observed that it would have required at least three months for completing the exploration deep in the sea.
He said support ships from Myanmar might have been there in September but the rig was not installed in September as claimed by Myanmar.
The Foreign Ministry took the steps as soon as Bangladesh Navy informed them of the matter, said the FS.
He agreed with a correspondent that the rig may be shifted into another gas-exploration block.
Replying to a question on tense situation along the land border between the two countries, he hoped that it would gradually die down.
The Foreign Secretary said despite the incident in the Bay of Bengal, the scheduled meeting on maritime boundary on November 16-17 would be held in Dhaka. Myanmar deputy minister Maung Moyit will lead his country's delegation.
Apart from maritime boundary, the talks will also cover the construction of the connecting road between Bangladesh and Myanmar for trans-border communications.
Daewoo International Corp. has completed its oil and gas exploration in contested waters in the Bay of Bengal and will drill elsewhere, Myanmar state-controlled media said Sunday, disputing Bangladesh's claim that the company backed out after it complained about the activities.
Tension flared between the two countries a week ago when Bangladesh accused Myanmar of sending several ships _ apparently for prospecting _ into a contested area believed to contain hydrocarbon reserves.
The dispute surfaced after South Korea's Daewoo, which was awarded exploration rights by Myanmar, started formal explorations in September. Bangladesh protested the move, saying Myanmar was intruding into its waters.
Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry said Friday it had received a letter from Daewoo saying the company had started dismantling its oil and gas equipment.
The Myanmar government, which often makes official announcements in state-controlled media, appeared to issue a rebuttal through the Myanma Ahlin and other newspapers on Sunday.
The reports said Daewoo had "successfully conducted oil and gas exploration" in the disputed area known as block AD-7 and moved its equipment when the work was done. Drilling machinery was shifted on Saturday to another block, called A-3, that is estimated to hold 6 trillion cubic feet (170 billion cubic meters) of gas, the Myanma Ahlin said.
The Myanmar government has given the South Korean company exploration rights for a total of three areas in the Bay of Bengal and the activities will "continue as planned," the newspaper said.
Attempts to contact Daewoo International offices in Seoul and Myanmar were not immediately successful Sunday.
Bangladesh placed its border guards on alert Saturday because of reports that neighboring Myanmar was amassing troops following the breakdown of talks on the oil and gas exploration dispute, said A.K.M. Nurul Bahar, a top border guard official. He would not give further details.
Bangladesh shares a 170-mile (275-kilometer) land border with Myanmar.
Military-ruled Myanmar has rejected demands by Bangladesh that it halt exploration in disputed areas of the Bay of Bengal as "unlawful and wrong."
The two sides are engaged in long-standing talks to agree on their maritime border, with the next session scheduled for Nov. 16-17 in Dhaka.
Bangladesh alerts border forces over gas row with Myanmar
November 8, 2008
Reported troop movement near the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar, apparently resulting from a disagreement over offshore oil and gas rights, has ramped up tension in the area.
Border forces along the Bangladeshi border with Myanmar's Rakhain state were put on red alert Saturday after reports of troop deployment by Myanmar on the border.
The move comes after talks between the two nations over disputed offshore oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal ended inconclusively Thursday. Those talks, in turn, started after Myanmar set up oil and gas exploration and deployed warships alongside civil installations last week on a stretch of the sea claimed by both countries.
The talks may resume in Dhaka in mid-November.
Bangladeshi residents of the border area were asked to remain alert and take appropriate action whenever needed.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury reiterated Dhaka's calls for a peaceful solution.
'But we will take every possible steps to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity if needed,' Chowdhury said, calling upon the Myanmar authorities to withdraw from the disputed area.
On Nov 3, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry summoned Myanmar's ambassador in Dhaka to protest Myanmar's alleged intrusion into Bangladesh's territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal. Dhaka called upon Yangon to immediately withdraw its ships and stop exploration until the maritime boundary dispute was resolved.
Myanmar has dismissed Bangladesh's claims to the area and vowed to continue exploration. Bangladesh has said it continues to seek a 'peaceful solution' but has also deployed naval vessels to the area.
Chowdhury said South Korea's Daewoo International Corp, which was drilling for oil and gas in the Bay waters, earlier told the Bangladeshi authorities that they had suspended their work and would start removing their equipment.
Myanmar to export more than 60,000 tons of rice, paper says
November 8, 2008
YANGON, Nov. 8 (AP) - (Kyodo)-Myanmar issued its first batch of rice-export licenses to local private companies recently, after it lifted a ban last month, a local weekly newspaper reported Saturday.
The government has given a green light to several private companies to export more than 60,000 tons of rice after it lifted the ban imposed in May this year following the deadly cyclone Nargis, The Voice reported quoting industry sources.
"The licenses were issued starting Oct. 25, and it is easier to get export permissions from the government this time," the paper quoted an unidentified rice trader as saying.
Myanmar's junta imposed a rice ban in May after Nargis struck the country's rice-growing Irrawaddy delta in the southwest of the country, officially leaving nearly 140,000 dead or missing.
Before the ban, Myanmar had exported 107,600 tons of rice during the current fiscal year, according to official figures.
It exported 358,500 tons of rice the previous fiscal year, ended March 31 2008, earning more than $100 million dollars, the same figures show.
Myanmar expects to produce a surplus of about 3 million tons of rice in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, according to the Myanmar Rice Millers Association.
Myanmar refuses to withdraw in dispute with Bangladesh
November 7, 2008
YANGON, Nov. 7 (AP) - (Kyodo)-Myanmar on Thursday rejected the recent accusation by Bangladesh that its ships were drilling in waters inside the Bangladesh territorial sea, saying it will continue to complete the task, state radio reported Thursday.
"Myanmar will continue to complete the necessary task to be undertaken at offshore Block AD-7, as a gesture of safeguarding the national interest, in accordance with the international norms and rules," Naypyitaw Myanmar Radio said.
This marked Myanmar's first official reaction since its dispute with Bangladesh over their maritime boundary started in the Bay of Bengal last Sunday.
The report said Myanmar's western neighbor Bangladesh has "wrongfully and unlawfully demanded" that Myanmar's drilling activities be halted, claiming the area is within the Bangladesh territorial sea.
"The Union of Myanmar is carrying out territorial issues according to international norms and rules and has rejected the wrongful demand of Bangladesh," the report added.
Source:BREITBART.COM
South Korea's Daewoo International, which has won a contract from Myanmar to explore oil and gas in the Block AD-7 area located at Myanmar's western offshore, was conducting drilling activities at the block.
Tensions intensified when Myanmar sent warships to support the South Korean firm. Bangladesh immediately deployed warships to the area Sunday.
Myanmar's state radio said the Block AD-7 is inside Myanmar's exclusive economic zone.
In further signs of economic difficulties President-elect Barack Obama will deal with as he takes over the White House in January, the U.S. jobless rate climbed to a 14-year high, another indication the economy is in recession. Major U.S. automakers also delivered more bad news. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, the economic situation was the primary focus of Mr. Obama's first news conference in Chicago Friday, after he met with a team of economic experts.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, 7 Nov. 2008
At the end of Friday trading in New York, the key Dow Jones Industrial average had a small rally, closing up just over 248 points, after swings in positive territory throughout the day.
End of week results followed two straight declines of 929 points, the worst consecutive day point losses since 1987, and the worst post-Election Day declines in the history of the Dow.
Friday brought more pessimistic news about the economy. In the month of October 240,000 jobs were lost in the month of October, pushing unemployment to 6.5 percent.
That is the highest since 1994, nearly a half percentage point increase from September, all but erasing remaining doubts that the economy is in recession.
In October 10.1 million people were unemployed, a 2.8 million increase over the past year. At the same time, in 2007, the unemployment rate stood at 4.8 percent.
Other dismal news included a decline in retail sales, and disturbing reports from the U.S. auto industry. Ford Motor Company announced a $129 million third quarter loss, and cuts of more than 2,200 U.S. jobs. General Motors reported third-quarter operating losses of $4.2 billion.
President-elect Barack Obama answers a question during a news conference in Chicago, 7 Nov. 2008
President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden met in Chicago Friday with a team of economic experts and advisors. In a news conference, Mr. Obama called for an economic rescue plan for Americans, saying he intends to act strongly once he takes office.
"We need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provides relief to families that are watching their pay checks shrink and their life savings disappear," he said.
He said a priority should be extending unemployment benefits for those unable to find work, and efforts to address the spreading impact on small businesses and state and local governments facing budget difficulties.
On Friday, President Bush again pointed to what he called aggressive and decisive measures his administration has taken to stabilize markets, adding it will take some time for various measures to have an impact on the economy.
Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto said the president understands the burdens Americans face, but avoided putting a recession label on the economic situation.
"He understands that Americans are deeply concerned about the challenges our economy is facing, but we have overcome these challenges in the past and he is confident that with the actions that we're taking we will be able to do so again," he said.
While President-elect Obama said there is only one presidential administration in charge at the moment, he called a new fiscal stimulus plan long overdue, adding he wants to see Congress pass a package sooner rather than later.
But whether a so-called 'lame duck' session of Congress to approve legislation will occur at all is in doubt. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said that, aside from an effort to help the auto industry, trying to push it through without cooperation from Senate Republicans and the White House would not be useful.
Fratto said the White House is open to ideas about what form a stimulus effort would take, but added that until Congress clarifies its intentions, the administration will focus on steps it is already taking.
Mr. Obama said, among his priorities is a review of the Bush administration's implementation of its financial program to ensure that it is achieving the goal of stabilizing financial markets, while protecting taxpayers and helping homeowners.
Republicans fired more preemptive shots at Democratic stimulus proposals, and indirectly at President-elect Obama's stated intentions for the economy.
House Minority Leader John Boehner criticized Democrats' plans to spend as much as $100 billion more, saying Congress should be cutting business and individual taxes, rather than increasing spending on government programs.
Yangon to continue exploration in Bay Friday November 07 2008 10:31:20 AM BDT Nazrul Islam Dhaka has reasserted its firmness to protect its maritime territorial integrity as Myanmar authorities vowed to go on with its exploration work in the bay, virtually ignoring the multi-pronged diplomatic efforts initiated by Bangladesh.( The New Ager BD)
A high-level meeting Thursday reviewed the latest situation of Myanmar's gas exploration work in Bangladesh waters and affirmed the government's strong resolve to protect the country's maritime territories, officials said.
Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed chaired the meeting amid diplomatic efforts to persuade Myanmar into withdrawing its warships reportedly guarding oil and gas exploration work in Bangladesh's territories in the Bay of Bengal since Saturday.
Authorities concerned told the meeting that the South Korean company Daewoo started leaving the exploration site.
Foreign ministry officials, however, said there was no sign yet that Myanmar was withdrawing its warships.
Instead, the Myanmar authorities in a statement broadcast by the state-run television Thursday termed Dhaka's claim wrongful and asserted that they would continue exploration work in their territories.
The meting, which was attended by top officials of the army, navy and air force, and senior officials from the home and foreign affairs ministries, reviewed the situation in the Bay of Bengal.
According to a foreign ministry statement issued in the evening, foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said Dhaka wanted a peaceful solution to the current issue with Myanmar, while remaining firm on protecting the country's territorial waters.
The diplomatic row began after reports that Myanmar sent warships to support gas drilling in Bangladesh territories in the Bay, breaching the previous agreements not to carry out any exploration work until boundary disputes are cleared at the UN level.
Both the neighbours in January initiated maritime boundary talks and the next round talks are scheduled in Dhaka in December.
Dhaka earlier lodged official protests against the exploration work to Myanmar ambassador, summoning him twice at the foreign ministry, and sent foreign secretary Touhid Hossain Wednesday as special envoy to Yangon in a bid to defuse the problem amicably.
It also involved Beijing and Seoul in its diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter. The foreign adviser said he communicated with a few foreign diplomats in Dhaka and some Bangladeshi envoys abroad as part of his efforts to defuse the tension through diplomatic channels.
Bangladesh also deployed warships and intensified naval patrol in the Bay waters.
Asked for comment on the situation, a senior official at the foreign ministry said there had been hardly any change in the situation. Asked whether Myanmar authorities withdrew warships from the site, the official replied in the negative.
But Korean company Daewoo, which was awarded the exploration work by Myanmar, has initiated the process of withdrawal.
The foreign ministry received a letter from the company stating that the dismantling process had begun which might take a few days to complete.
‘This is indeed a good news, if true, and would mean that our initiatives have paid off,' foreign adviser said.
Meanwhile, China on Thursday suggested that Bangladesh and Myanmar should settle their dispute in the Bay of Bengal through negotiations.
‘We hope the countries will settle it through equal and friendly negotiations and maintain a stable bilateral relationship,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a press conference in Beijing.
‘As their friend, China will contribute in an appropriate manner,' he added.
Bangladesh and Myanmar failed to reach a consensus on their maritime boundary although they held several rounds of talks on the matter.
Myanmar had assured Bangladesh in September that it would not go for oil and gas exploration in the disputed territory unless they settle the issue.
Under UN rules, Myanmar is supposed to delimit maritime territories before 2009 while Bangladesh will have to do it by 2011.
Bangladesh, Burma to Hold Talks Over Territorial Dispute
November 5, 2008
By VOA News 05 November 2008
Bangladesh's foreign secretary, Toheid Hossain, is scheduled to travel to Burma Wednesday in a bid to defuse a dispute over oil- and gas-rich waters in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh's Additional Foreign Secretary, M.A.K. Mehmood, said Tuesday that Burma should halt all activity in the Bay of Bengal.
But Burmese officials say they will continue to explore for oil and gas in areas of the Bay of Bengal that Bangladesh claims as its territory.
A senior Burmese Foreign Ministry official told reporters there is no reason to stop the exploration, since the area is located in Burma's exclusive economic zone.
On Sunday, Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Hossain summoned Burma's ambassador to Dhaka to protest the reported intrusion.
The Bangladeshi navy has also sent vessels to patrol the area.
Over the past year, the two sides have held talks to resolve their dispute over the maritime boundary, as well as possible energy cooperation.
The area of the Bay of Bengal is believed to have abundant reserves of oil and gas.
Earlier this year, Dhaka auctioned off offshore oil and gas exploration blocks to international oil companies.
Bangladesh is facing a gas shortage, and has not made any new gas discoveries since the late 1990s.
Americans are marking the election of Barack Obama as the country's 44th president, and the first African-American to reach the summit of U.S. politics. VOA's Dan Robinson reports.
President-elect Barack Obama stands on stage along with his wife Michelle and daughters during election night gathering in Grant Park, Chicago, 04 Nov 2008
No longer just a first-term senator from Illinois, now President-elect Obama appeared with his wife Michelle and their two daughters, along with family members and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden before tens of thousands of people in Chicago's Grant Park.
Amid thunderous cheers, Senator Obama said the outcome shows that change has come to America and should prove to any who doubt that all things are possible in America's Democratic system.
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy. Tonight is your answer," he said.
Saying he was never the likeliest candidate to seek the presidency, he said Americans of every background showed they can unite and reject cynicism to bring about change.
President-elect Obama called his former opponent John McCain a brave and selfless leader. In his concession speech, McCain called Senator Obama's victory a historic moment for Americans and African-Americans in particular, one that moves the country farther from a past marked by intolerance.
Sen. John McCain with wife Cindy, delivers remarks during an election night rally in Phoenix 4 Nov. 2008
McCain pledged his support to the president-elect.
"I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger better country than we inherited," said McCain.
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