Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a poor country with an economy in terrible shape and a population in poverty. Its junta, in collaboration with North Korea’s Kim Jong-il regime, is trying to develop nuclear weapons and long-range missiles that, if successful, will dramatically alter Asia’s strategic dynamic.In the footsteps of North Korea, the Myanmar regime is pushing ahead with ambitions to become a nuclear power. The ruling generals in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s new capital, are working on a secret program to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, according to confidential documents smuggled out of Myanmar by high-ranking military defectors.

“They really want a bomb, that is their main objective,” said former Myanmar army major Sai Thein Win, who also served as the deputy commander of the Myanmar army’s nuclear battalion.

North Korea is assisting Myanmar generals with their nuclear weapon programs. According to Brian McCartan of Asia Times, “Two nuclear reactors are believed to be under construction in Myanmar. One, at Naung Laing in central Mandalay Division, is being constructed with North Korean help. Several hundred Myanmar military personnel have undergone nuclear training in North Korea in recent years.” Desmond Ball, a defense analyst at Australia National University, thinks the reactor could be online in 2012 and a deliverable weapon could be developed before 2020. Read the rest of this entry »

August 21, 2009

The 6th Conference of the Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) was successfully held from
August 17- 21, 2009 on the Thai-Burma Border hosting 44 representatives from SYCB’s 16 member
organisations. Reports on the current political situation in Burma were given, followed by financial and
narrative updates. Attendees were also presented with proposed changes to the SYCB constitution, leading to an active and energetic discussion which ended with unanimous approval for the changes. Finally, a new presidium and secretariat were elected by the membership.

All the representatives at the conference actively discussed many topics including how to develop SYCB into a strong and efficient student and youth force, how to make positive changes, current politics, organisational strategies under the current political situation both inside and outside of Burma. All those present unanimously agreed to oppose the SPDC’s 2008 sham constitution and the upcoming 2010 elections that will officially legalise the current military rule. SYCB member organizations will do this by a number of legal and extra-legal actions. Read the rest of this entry »