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01/25/2008: "Venomous attack on communal line by unification forces- Nagaland Post"


Venomous attack on communal line by unification forces- Nagaland Post

To the Nagas, unification call has come as a cruel deception, because in the name of Naga unification the forces behind the unification initiative never speak the language of unification other than uttering venomous attack on communal line. That was the beginning of the downfall and the premature damnation of the false preachers of unification. Because the Nagas are no longer naïve to be fooled by such sweet sounding slogan of Naga unification without finding any reflection in the ground reality. The ground reality shows nothing more than parochialism and communalism, and that too in a very belligerent manner. But the Nagas are no fool, not to question the hypocrisy and the diabolic program behind the façade of Naga unification. Because as much as the communal sentiments the forces behind the unification have, the greater is the national sentiments of the Nagas who voiced their stand against unification on communal line and away from the concept of Nagalim. This is the crux of the issue. Otherwise, there is no single group of Nagas who is against Naga unification. This also goes to show that for the love of Nagalim, the Nagas are so obsessed with unification. But for the wrong approach or exploitation of this obsession, this sensitive national agenda remains elusive.
Motivated by the spirit of goodness for the society they represent there is no reason why Nagas civil societies like Naga Hoho, ENPO, NBCC, Nagaland GBs and DBs forum including the Sumi Hoho should not be obsessed with Naga unification if carried out in good spirit. Nagas should never undermine the role of these civil societies and NSCN attached special place of importance to them because people's movement should respect people's representative bodies. But one should not go to the extent of misguiding them on such issue of national magnitude. Tracking their names in the wrong course will only boomerang in due course of time.
There is no denying of the fact about the Nagas having suffered enough in the post many years. But the pain and hardship does not mean selling our right and making a mockery of our principle. The Nagas have earned respect and honor in the national and international for tenaciously defending the Naga national principle.
Issued by: MIP/GPRN, NSCN (IM)
Who is responsible for imposition of PR?- Nagaland Post
Much has been talked about, debated, argued, attacked and counter attacked through the media as to who is responsible for imposition of the President's Rule in Nagaland. I assume by now every true Naga citizen has come to the conclusion as to who is actually responsible.
Being a legislature myself during those NNO days and in the Congress, I have had my own share of experience, events and shortcomings. Unfortunately, I had to leave the Congress party, as I could not compromise myself seeing the lock horns of greedy power mongers, infighting among the party members with suspicions, jealousy, greed etc.
The Congress had its own way continuously for about fifteen years without any hiccup in running the state government. What did they give to the people of Nagaland? Well, nothing, instead the Congress government has drained the public money/grants into their own pockets. It is a shame that the party which is supposed to serve the people have cheated surpassing the oath they have taken and their accountability. To be precise, there was complete lack of development and progress which is contrary to when I used to see on the banners and posters as their election manifesto of the Congress.
In spite of attending to the public grievances, it is always priority first of cleansing their hands by knocking on the door of Delhi as their savior, what they call as 'high command'. If one cannot solve his family problem at home and seek others to settle the same, it is a shame. My conscious as a Konyak Naga do not permit me nor could I compromise with such evil designs. When the party itself and its leaders cannot compromise with one another in the interest of the people in general, it is indeed doomed. You will confirm and agree with me immediately within a week once the so called party tickets is allotted, don't surprised if there is hue and cry and even beyond the limit of control, because their quarrel will be in the court of high command. That will be the day they disintegrated themselves.
Perhaps, Nagaland being a Christian dominated state; it is God's miracle to change the mindset of the Naga people in the 2003 general election that a change in the form of government took place. The Naga people gave their mandate to form a government of the people by the people, for the people. Accordingly, the optimistic approach of the people was rewarded positively by the NPF led DAN coalition government with transparency, progress and development throughout the state in a short span of time. I am sure each and every lay person will agree as the truth is already executed in front of our naked eye. Well, it is a proof and a system of government. We the people are looking for. Hence, I would like to give this clarion call to all fellow Nagas to come forward and join hands together to provide good governance for the people by the NPF led DAN coalition
Tingnei Wangsha, Ex-MLA 46th A/C Mon town and Ex-president, Konyak Union.
NSCN(K) ask `other tribes` to leave Zeliangrong region The Imphal Free Press

Tamenglong, Jan 24: The Zeliangrong regional authority of National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by Khaplang of the NSCN(K) today strongly warned the other tribes who are working and living in the Zeliangrong region to leave the place by themselves at once. According to Kamsuan, secretary, Zeliangrong region NSCN(K) there are many other tribes who are working and living in the Zeliangrong region. They should leave the Zeliangrong region immediately and the outfits will not remain silent in this regard, said Kamsuan.

Kamsuan appealed to all Zeliangrong people to use the motherland properly. If the land owners want to sell or mortgage their lands it should be done only within Zeliangrong tribes. He also strongly asked the timber traders to stop immediately.

Modernity has brought many changes in Zeliangrong region, including fighting for chairmanship or Khunbuship of a village, Kamsuan said adding Zeliangrong people have Khunbu or the land owner for their respective villages since time immemorial. Hence, the land owner or the Khunbu of that village has the rights to become the chairman of that particular village and hence no question of dispute for chairmanship arises, he added.

PM, Sonia to hit campaign trail in NE Our Spl Correspondent Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, Jan 24 – Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would campaign for a day in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, while Congress president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi are also scheduled to hit the campaign trail for two days. Disclosing this the AICC general secretary in-charge for Nagaland and Meghalaya, Margaret Alva, said that they have reserved two days for the Congress president and Rahul Gandhi and a day for the Prime Minister. The exact date of campaigning is yet to be worked out,” she said.

The two States have also been asked to kickstart the poll campaign with the local Congress leaders of the North-east, while senior leaders would join the campaign once its gathers steam.

“The Congress Party has decided to prepare a chargesheet against the DAN Government listing out its failures, corruptions and Rio’s misdeeds,” said the AICC general secretary.

The Congress Party is defending its turf in Meghalaya, while in Nagaland, currently under President’s Rule, it is going to be straight fight between it and Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).

Alva said imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland would not lead to any sympathy wave in favour of Rio. “People in Nagaland are happy and villages after villages are rejoicing his dismissal because people were fed up with his government,” she claimed.

Meanwhile, security of the candidates and as well as Congress workers and visiting AICC leaders seems have become an area of outmost concern. Alva said they have asked for strengthening of personal security, particularly of the AICC leaders.

This is because of reports of rival factions of the Naga insurgents arming themselves ahead of the polls. However, she did not specify whether the AICC was expecting major violence in the run-up to the polls.

The AICC leader was also silent on the role of Goa Governor SC Jamir. The Opposition BJP has alleged that Jamir has been pulling the strings sitting in Goa. His hands were seen behind dismissal of the Rio Government.
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM Ministry of Information and Publicity

PRESS RELEASE 25th Jan 2008

Personality matters in carrying a weight of national movement. Sixty (60) years of Naga resistance against the Mighty Armed Forces of India is a matter of national personality built over defending the national principle. For the charismatic leadership of Isak Chishi Swu, Khodao Yanthan and Th. Muivah the principle that guided the Naga movement survived and refused to be cowed down, much to the chagrin of the government of India. The question of how to bring all the different groups under one banner is a serious question. It is not as easy as some civil societies think. The recent experience of Western Sumi Hoho and Sumi Hoho is a pointer to the fact that Naga unification is a sensitive issue and when handled the wrong way they will face brickbat and thrown out of the scene with their finger burnt, because no one can make rough-shod of the national principle while initiating Naga unification. The history of the national movement cannot be cut short just to fulfill the interest of certain sectarian group.

As presented by the group behind the flopped unification effort, the unification initiative is not a new thing for the Nagas. It is not a matter of somebody in the person of NSCN General Secretary Th. Muivah standing as a stumbling block. The issue was honouring the national principle in order to pursue the unification agenda. The issue of sixty years standing to be discussed by sidelining the national principle is unthinkable. Unification at the cost of our avowed principle is totally incomprehensible. This is all about the reason why the past records show failure after failure. There are many among the Nagas who came with a serious meaning to face the reality of Naga unification. But when encountered on the crucial question of defending the principle they showed their true colour.

In defense of national principle, how many can be counted as worthy national worker willing to drop their allegiance to the Indian security forces for conducting covert operation against NSCN and how many are willing to work in the true spirit of Naga integration under Nagalim. How many are willing to stop spitting venom of tribal line. How many are willing to depart from their alliance with Meiteis and some Kuki groups who are deadly against Naga unity and Naga - Kuki unity. And most of all how many are willing to resist the persistent effort of the government of India to pressurize the Nagas to seek solution under the Indian constitution. The prize of sixty years resistant and a loss of over 2,50,000 (two lacs fifty thousand) persons cannot be compromised for a prize that does not match our historical value.

Issued by: MIP/GPRN

Nagas reconciliation and unification- Nagaland Post
The ongoing unification move is the renewal and continuing process of series of such moves that were stagnated earlier for one reason or the other.
The present imitative is not a culmination of a particular event or incident as detractors in certain camp are trying to portray for reason best known, but in line with earlier efforts and with mandated authority of the Naga people, the Naga Hoho, ENPO, Churches (NBCC), respective tribal Hohos, the Chairmen of NSCN, Isak Swu and S.S Khaplang and NNC/FGN Kedage, Brig. (Rtd.) Singya.
To ascertain and clarify what, who and why? caused failure of not only earlier unification moves but also desperately trying to curtail the present initiative, let us dwell on facts and figures pertinent to this issue.
During 1996-97 the Sumi Hoho, Tangkhul Long and Konyak union initiated the Naga unification and later in the year 1999 the two NSCN in principle agreed to unify, in pursuance of this, the three tribal Hohos took necessary steps and met leaders from all the groups and were responded with positive note Muivah expressed his opinion on unification move saying-"We recognize unification move and we shall agree to accept the proposal of merger but no condition should be imposed".
In the month of May and August 2000, Isak Swu and Muivah deputed their emissaries and after series of joint consultations with counterparts, Zunheboto town was declared "Peace Zone" with the same effort to be pursued in all parts of Naga country. The move gained significant momentum and was supported by all sections of the Nagas including collective leaders of both the NSCN groups. Had this peace deal not been undermined later by Muivah, Nagas would have been unified by then. Without any valid reason Muivah unilaterally nullified the deal. The Nagas were shocked and dismayed and blood of the Nagas once again continued to flow in the land.
In the year 2004, Naga unification was renewed jointly through the initiative of Sumi Hoho, Konyak Union and Tangkhul Long, while the move was on the verge of success, V. S. Atem, emissary of IM collective leaders on order from Muivah forged a signature of Isak Swu and dispatched a letter asking Gen. Kholi, the Army Chief of NSCN to desert his camp and surrender immediately to IM camp, Naga unification was thus scuttled once again by Muivah and V.S. Atem and bloodshed continued.
After an interval of two years, peace deal was reached between two NSCN groups at Zunheboto on May 29' 2006. Like earlier agreement Zunheboto was again declared "Peace Zone" with approval from both the respective Chairmen of NSCN.
Most appallingly, in less than a month IM cadres attacked the People's Army stationed at Sutemi village under Zunheboto district, killed one and injured one. Muivah justified the attack saying that the agreement was without his consent and demoted Shikato Chishi the then Dy. Kilonser (Home) regardless of the fact that Shikato Chishi was officially authorized by Isak Swu at Bangkok and later endorsed by National Security Council to append the agreement. Since then, killings and bloodshed loomed its ugly head in the Naga country until the renewal of the present unification effort.
Despite road blocks to Naga unification process at various stages by anti-Naga elements and mostly at the behest of anti-National activists at Hebron, the Nagas in general and true national workers in particular were never deterred from peaceful pursuit of peace and unification among the Nagas Irrespective of party affiliations or artificial boundaries.
Thus far, Naga unification despite numerous hurdles cannot be sidelined or overlooked if Nagas are to achieve political settlement for Naga unification and political settlement are two in-separable components. The immediate factor that accelerated the present unification process is attributed to Isak Swu's National proclamation for peace and reconciliation at Hebron on January 13' 2007 followed by three days prayer fasting with Sumi churches comprising of SBAK'S, WSBAK, SABAK on August 21' 2007 where Isak Swu appealed to the Sumis to unify and pave way for unification of all the Nagas at large. Following this clarion call of Isak Swu, joint session of Sumi National workers comprising of both the civil and military officials was held on September 17' 2007 and the Sumis further re-affirmed to take forward the call of the Nagas for unification.
It is thus clear that the current Naga unification is being pursued with proper authorization and mandate of not only the Nagas at large but with consent of Isak Swu and S. S. Khaplang.
To further augment unification of all the Nagas across party, group or boundaries, GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN signed MOD on January 11' 2008 at Vihokhu and affirmed to take forward on going unification process concertedly.
Earlier, Cease-fire agreement for six months between NSCN and 1M was signed on anuary7' 2008 at Kohima and was witnessed by Nagaland GBs and DBs forum, whereby it was agreed to cease any form of hostilities or killing in Nagaland between the two groups.
However on January 14' 2008 IM cadres in a blatant violation of Ceasefire Agreement, abducted three GPRN/NSCN workers namely Capt. Imliyanger, RCM Imnasangba and Rajapeyu Temsusashi and killed them in cold blooded at Longmisa under Mokokchung District.
As usual, these anti-Naga activists is averse to Naga unification and thus resorting to every possible tirade of accusation and provocative senseless killings of Nag a National workers, even as the Nagas call for unification is being heralded on the rooftop of every Naga home and hearth.
We question thus, is killing and bloodshed the National principle or the front door policy for Naga unification as being advocated by anti-unification group? Could there be solution to our struggle without reconciliation and unification? How longer should the Nagas succumb to the dictates of such forces that bestow killings, bloodsheds, hatred, divisions and destruction among the Nagas? In union, let us defeat anti-unification forces and build our Nation on the basis of brotherhood, love, respect, forgiveness and reconciliation. Let us not pass on to the posterity, the legacy of killings and bloodsheds.
Publicity Cell GPRN/NSCN
A new dream for economic growth of Nagaland Nagapage
"ONLY IDIOTS DO AGRICULTURE", wrote a woman Padmashri-decorated Free lance Writer from a Northeastern State boldly in the News Paper recently; I was so delighted to read it that I would have jumped up very hard high in joyousness like a Massai hunter in preparation dance for a Lion Hunt in Africa had not saner discretion prevented me from doing so because the ceiling in my modest house is very, ...very low! I would however add, at the risk of being considered intemperate in language, that: 'ONLY AN IDIOTIC GOVERNMENT IN THE HILL STATES OF THE NORTH EAST WOULD FAITHFULLY TOE THE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA OF MAKING AGRICULTURE THE CORNER STONE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE MOUNTAIN STATES'.
No Community in the Mountain has ever lasted with Agriculture as its Economic Base and for a Hill State like Nagaland to dream of an ECONOMIC FUTURE from Agriculture with precarious Jhum Cultivation, based on power of an acute shortage of weak Homo sapien Backbone, using ancient Daoh, primitive bamboo-handled Hoe in this 21st Century, on steep mountain slopes of one of the heaviest rainfall areas of the World, is the height of UNCONSCIONABLE FOLLY. Any mountainous State, dreaming of making Agriculture the Backbone of the State's Economic Growth in this and in any future technological age must be an Idiot engaged in blissful 'Day Dreaming'.
Let us not quarrel over this: Agriculture is very, very important to rural Villagers in Nagaland today because there simply is no other alternatives and the overwhelming majority of the rural Villagers in Nagaland have no other opportunity of urban technological Trade Skill to earn their livelihood other than the subsistent jhum cultivation. But let us be realist: Can a Naga become rich by selling the Rice produced from his Kheti?
Lakshman, is an expert House Tile layer from Bihar working in Nagaland, surprisingly he is an Agriculture Farmer basically and fundamentally in his native rural Bihar; you talk to him curiously and he will teach you all the intricacies of Wheat Cultivation; -where to procure the good seed, when to sow, how much sow, the cost of the seeds, when to water, how much, at what proper frequency otherwise the subsidized Electricity
Charges would exceed Rs 700/- and the total Sale Proceeds of some 27000/- from the Yield of the field would give less relief to the whole family after cutting the annual 19000/- Expenditure. "The income from the Agriculture barely keeps "bhukka" outside our stomach", he says. "We come here to "Kamai" some amount so that with the money we can buy more land and construct our houses with Bricks in our Village", he said.
Lakshman and his race have been cultivating the fertile Gangetic Plain for thousands of years before even Jesus was born; yet even today he is still barely above the low Poverty Line of India; thanks perhaps only because he could earn some extra income from Nagaland. If such a thing happens to an Agriculture Farmer in the fertile Gangetic Plain Alexander the great Greek Conqueror coveted but his battle weary Army refused to go any further, can stony mountains fare better?
Even before Lakshman and his Aryan race settled in the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the dim past, the original inhabitants were doing Agriculture, yet today Farmers commit Suicide unable to bear the humiliation they get from Agriculture and a touched Prime Minister had to fly to visit them even leaving the Budget Papers to be presented to the Parliament in a few day's time unread!
Oh God, forgive me if you are an Atheist, give our Leaders a 'New Dream'.
Thepfulhouvi Solo

Dissidents campaign to oust Ibobi enters crucial stage, Ibobi proposes EK’s name for CM, rebel MLAs dispose By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express

Ibobi, the proposal and EK the proposed man for the CM’s chair
IMPHAL, Jan 24 : The campaign launched by the dissident Congress MLAs to remove Chief Minister O Ibobi has entered a crucial phase with the Chief Minister himself proposing that Yaiskul Assembly Constituency MLA Elangbam Kunjeshore replace him.
Literally throwing in the towel, Chief Minister O Ibobi reportedly submitted a proposal to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithiviraj Chauhan yesterday to anoint Kunje-shore as his successor and returned to Imphal today.
However the move of the Chief Minister is unlikely to appease the dissident MLAs as they have already projected Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra as the man to replace Ibobi.It is however still unclear whether the Chief Minister will be replaced or who will replace him, as the matter lies with the AICC high command, said a well placed source, while talking to The Sangai Express today.
Some of the dissident MLAs who are still camping at Delhi, when contacted today by The Sangai Express, said that Chief Minister O Ibobi was closeted with Prithiviraj Chau- han at the latter’s office for about an hour yesterday.
Speaking to The Sangai Express a prominent member of the dissident camp said that the proposal of the Chief Minister was conveyed to them by Chauhan himself.
Giving details of what transpired during the meeting between Ibobi and Chauhan, the dissident Congress MLA disclosed that at first, the Chief Minister urged the AICC North East in-charge to let him continue as the CM with some changes in the Council of Ministers.
Quoting Chauhan, the dissident MLA said that Ibobi was told in no uncertain terms, “It is too late. Moreover the unfair means used earlier has come to the knowledge of the AICC high command.”
Adding to the urgency of the matter is the point that Th Debendra, who is being projected as the dissidents’ choice, has been summoned to Delhi on January 27. A final decision on the change of leadership is therefore likely to be taken by January 28, said the dissident MLA.
Against the latest political development, Chief Minister O Ibobi who returned to Imphal today from Delhi convened a meeting with the Congress Ministers and MLAs who are loyal to him.
During the course of the meeting at Delhi, Chauhan is reported to have made it clear that the removal of O Ibobi was at hand because of the revolt raised by some Congress MLAs, claimed the dissidents and added that the Chief Minister was given the grace of naming an MLA who he would like to succeed him.
Faced with no other choice, the Chief Minister then proposed the name of Yaiskul MLA and close confidante E Kunjeshore as his choice, said the rebel MLAs.
Clearly making their stand known against the proposal of the Chief Minister, the dissident MLAs recalled that Chauhan had come to Imphal and personally met all the Congress legislators, MPs and party functionaries over the internal turmoil of the CLP.
Even in Delhi the opinion of the Congress MLAs was sought, they reminded.
The dissident MLAs stressed that they have been camping at Delhi for over two months even at the cost of neglecting their respective constituencies and in the backdrop of the enormous efforts made, they would not settle for anyone proposed by O Ibobi. The one line resolution adopted by the dissident MLAs to propose Th Debendra as the Chief Minister still stands, they asserted.
“The very fact that O Ibobi has proposed the name of E Kunjeshore to replace is damning proof that the Chief Minister has realised that his days are numbered,” said the dissident MLAs.
“This is something satisfying,” they asserted.
The dissident MLAs are still in constant touch with Chauhan, they said and claimed that out of the 31 Congress MLAs in the State Assembly, 19 are still with the rebels and they have not flinched from their decision to project Th Debendra as the next Chief Minister.
Obviously elated with the developments, the dissidents said that a new Chief Minister will be in place before the Budget session gets underway.
A change in leadership is expected soon as the dissident MLAs had submitted an ultimatum to the AICC high command to settle the matter by January 22, said the dissident MLAs further. If the stand of the dissidents is not respected then the possibility of floating a new political party cannot be ruled, they threatened in a veiled tone. The MPCC president Gaikhangam as well as the vice president of the party T Mangibabu who will issue the whip for the Congress MLAs for the Budget session are eyeing the po-litical scenario seriously. Gaikhangam who is presently in Delhi will return tomorrow to be in time for the Republic Day function when he will unveil the flag at Congress Bhawan.
Junta continues to arrest activists despite counterclaims Nay Thwin Mizzima News
Chiang Mai, Thailand - Despite the Burmese junta's assurance to the United Nations that it would cease arresting and detaining dissidents, Amnesty International, a global human rights group, says the detention of activists continues unabated.
Earlier in November Burmese Prime Minister Lt-Gen. Thein Sein told visiting United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari that the govenment had ceased arresting political activists, instead releasing several people detained in connection to the September protests.
However, a new report released by London-based Amnesty International says the Burmese military regime continues to arrest dissidents, with at least 96 activists arrested since November.
Catherine Baber, director of the Amnesty International Asia-Pacific program, said, "Four months on from the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, rather than stop its unlawful arrests the Myanmar government has actually accelerated them."
The report says at least 15 protesters and their supporters have been sentenced to prison terms since last November. Further, in December and January, the junta targeted people who have attempted to send evidence of the crackdown to the international community, clearly showing that the government's chief priority is to silence citizens who would hold them to account.
The report says, to date, the junta have arrested at least 700 people during and since the September protests, while 1,150 political prisoners held prior to the protests have yet to be released.
And since the September demonstrations, more than 80 persons are estimated to be victims of enforced disappearance, the report added. However, Tate Naing, secretary of the Thailand-based Assistance Association of Political Prisoners - Burma (AAPPB), said the Amnesty International report excludes those arrested recently, believing the number of arrests to be even higher.
"In recent days, after the report had been written, the Burmese authorities have arrested at least 8 more people. Most of them are members of the NLD. The last person to be arrested is poet Saw Wai. He is charged with a disrespectful act against the government," Tate Naing said.
He added that the junta is continuing to keep close watch over political activists and former political prisoners and is continuing to arrest them. "Former political prisoners are required to report their movements to the authorities, without which they cannot move or go out anywhere," Tate Naing said. Following the September demonstrations, former NLD member Naw Ohn Hla, who had led the Tuesday prayers for the release of Burmese pro-democracy leaders and other political prisoners, has been restricted from leaving her home in Hmawbe Township in Rangoon.
The Amnesty International report details the names of those arrested since November, including poet Saw Wai, members of the NLD, 8 members of the Kachin Independence Army, monks and labor rights activists.
In a joint statement issued yesterday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, foreign ministers of the United States, United Kingdom and French urged the Burmese junta to respect human rights and allow the early return of the United Nations Special Envoy to promote dialogue between the junta and opposition.
China hedges its position on Burma Mungpi Mizzima News
Delhi - Burma's main opposition party – National League for Democracy – says China's recent move in urging the Burmese military regime to allow the early return of United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, is a significant shift in its policy towards Burma.
Nyan Win, spokesperson of the NLD, said China, the ruling junta's closest ally, finally seems to be yielding to the calls of the international community to pressure the generals toward implementing political reforms.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference in Beijing that China supports Gambari's efforts on Burma and hopes that both Gambari and the Burmese government can set a date for his return to the country.
"We think that, as China is one of the emerging economic powers of the world, it does not want to openly defy the international community's call anymore," Nyan Win said.
During a meeting with Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint on Monday, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said China is paying close attention to the situation in Burma and is pushing for democratic reforms.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a statement released after the meeting, said: "Tang noted that China pays close attention to the situation in Burma and sincerely hopes Burma enjoys political stability, economic development and that the Burmese people live and work in peace and contentment."
"The Chinese side encourages the Burmese government and people to push the domestic political process forward through consultations, and achieve democracy and development at the earliest date possible," the statement added.
Possible reasons for a change in posture While China, which maintains a close relationship with Burma and is one of the few countries that has leverage with the ruling generals, has voiced its support for the initiative of the United Nations Special Envoy on Burma, it has avoided using pressure on the ruling generals. Win Min, a Burmese analyst in Thailand, said China's recent calls indicate a significant shift in their policy towards Burma and believes that it could be the result of international pressure or a genuine drive to see a stable Burma.
"China has always wanted a stable Burma, as it shares a long border. Besides, there has been an enormous international campaign urging the Chinese to deliver a clear message to the junta," Win Min said.
"China is concerned of the situation in Burma, and has quietly urged the Burmese junta to reform its economy, though the junta has ignored their suggestions," Win Min added.
While China has been supportive of Gambari's mission in Burma since it started in May 2006, it is significant that China is urging the Burmese junta to again host Gambari soon, when the generals made clear Gambari is unwelcome until mid-April, Win Min said. The Nigerian diplomat, who visited Burma twice after the junta brutally suppressed protestors in September, told reporters last week that while he has asked to return to Burma this month, the Burmese junta said they prefer him returning in mid-April. One of the few countries that has leverage on Burma, China been urged by the international community, including Western countries, the United Nations and special interest groups, to pressure the Burmese junta for changes.
The traditional stance While China has publicly urged the Burmese junta to allow the early return of Gambari and to implement political dialogue with the opposition, it has rejected United States demands to further increase pressure on the Burmese junta to implement reforms.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu, on Tuesday, said while China wants to see stability, democracy and development in Burma, it opposes sanctions and unconstructive pressure against the Burmese junta. Jiang added that instead of sanctions and pressure the international community should objectively view the Burmese situation and provide "constructive assistance".
Jiang's comments followed the United States' call, on Monday, for the international community to step-up pressure against the Burmese generals over its failure to implement political reforms.
Following the bloody crackdown on monk-led protests in September, the United States and European Union have taken the lead in stepping-up economic sanctions against Burma's generals.
However China, which sees Burma as a provider of valuable resources, continues exploring business ventures and strengthening economic links with the Southeast Asian country, including the development of a vast natural gas deposit in the Bay of Bengal.



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