Obama breaks with Aung San Suu Kyi, lifts investment ban

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/07/11/obama_breaks_with_aung_san_suu_kyi_lifts_burmese_investment_ban

American novelist runs into Aung San Suu Kyi's entourage at Mandalay Airport on April 1

http://catchingdays.cynthianewberrymartin.com/2012/04/01/how-we-spend-our-days-william-lychack/

Why racial purism theories (in Burma) are bunk

http://www.tuninst.net/Myanmar/Folk-elements/ancient-Pyu/Pyu-homeland.htm here's the archaeological evidence on Indian and Chinese influence since time of Pyu in Burma see also note on DNA. FYI, this compilation was made inside Burma - a lot by Myanmar Historical Commission researchers and also international researchers such as Bob Hudson and Janice Stargardt. Tun Aung Chain was/is the mentor of Ne Win Mrs/widow Daw Ni Ni Myint. -*

Ne Win's obit from Dec 2002 by Martin Smith

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/dec/06/guardianobituaries The man who founded Burmese Army Inc. --

Photos from 50s Burma and derelict university

http://www.asterism.info/photos/old/ Is this sad or is this what? And who is responsible? We know the answers. kmk

FBI's Freer Report on Penn State Jerry Sandusky, serial child molestor

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/images/07/12/freeh.report.pdf?hpt=hp_c1

U S oil and gas will work with MOGE in Burma

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/8933

Nora Ephron's samizdat recipes distributed at memorial service

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/dining/nora-ephrons-memorial-service-dish-by-dish.html?_r=1&ref=arts

This is how much a book review costs

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/indie/about/ as it could take about a week or more to read the book, and at least 2 days or one to write the review and that magazine publishers hardly pay for anything these days, this sounds reasonable enough. It is about 1/2 of the real costs. And one has to like the book, or hate it, in the first place. At least read it. One editor thought I'd love the book, in fact it had such a bad odor I regretted buying it at hard cover price and never finished reading it, did not feel like it. Don't know now where to chuck the much lauded but useless book. Maybe I should use it as a door stop. On principle I don't review fiction set in Burma because find it limp and unconvincing. And sometimes I decline because I just don't have time - for e.g. to download a whole 2 hour documentary or because I had other things to do, like look after myself. For those of you who thought my book review led to a certain book being made into a movie, you flatter me. Optioned books may never see the silver screen, but the option is bought already (one famous area writer and writing teacher regular tells us in class how his book was made into a movie without his knowledge - he is now suing the movie makers) the book I had not reviewed yet at the time, was liked by a famous actor due to the efforts of the author's agent and marketing PR. And sometimes, to be frank, some people get too pushy and I hate being pushed, so I push back. How dare you say you will call me at 8 PM tomorrow and would I please have the book review ready by then. And you left a message! This does not apply to those of you who sent me books, but which I can't review yet either because 1. They are very heavy books that are hard to read, even for me, i.e. heavy technically, and then events move fast so I get to writing other things 2. Logistical reasons in that the book maybe somewhere else from where I am. 3. However if you are over 80 and spent 19 years in prison, I would make an exception for you. Maybe I could take a plane to go get the book back, yes? 4. This reminds me of the former friend who got her nose out of joint because I did not review her book (self-published) as I was in process of being pushed out of one job. She did not give me a free book. As the book was self-published, I'd have to order her book sight unseen at the bookstore, it was not displayed on the shelves. So I can understand the friend who could not give me a review copy, as she had given away too many already, she said. And I believe her. But as I was too poor to buy the book so I never got to read it. However, another mutual friend came to see me, and spent time with me, even though I told her my review would be broadcast in Burma in Burmese and probably would raise her sales zero %. She even patiently recalled from memory the first paragraph of her bestselling book and recited it for me, can you beat that. The story I love best was of a German-born woman who was asked to review a book in German, and again, "I'll call you tomorrow for your ideas." kmk

Balloon floats over 11th century temple in Bagan, Burma. Frame grab.

Thai artist's wire drawings a la Alexander Calder

http://www.mizzima.com/edop/features/7457-thai-artist-shows-kinship-to-burmese-artists.html

40 !! monasteries torched in Naypyitaw (new Burmese capital) to make way for "new development"

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/8584 time for reform touters to wake up.

Watpad, on line story telling -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/wattpad-gives-writers-a-place-online-to-tell-their-stories/2012/06/28/gJQAZFvgBW_story.html

Jean Anouilh's play The Lark - with Julie Harris playing Joan of Arc

http://bookhaven.stanford.edu/2012/01/happy-600th-birthday-jeanne-darc/

Piano woman who was in Rangoon in 1947 when Aung San, father of Aung San Suu Kyi was assassinated -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-18696960

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi invited to light Olympic torch in London -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9374258/London-2012-Olympics-Muhammad-Ali-and-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-considered-for-opening-ceremony.html

The Magic Flute by Mozart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlhbFk2GbcY&feature=related

Peru and the Incas - Spanish slash and burn - Peter Shaffer's famous play - Royal Hunt for the Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwoplZTmog entire play spliced together one hour and 36 minutes.

final draft of script Amadeus by Peter Shaffer

http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/amadeus.html

Kathleen Battle sings Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) - Mozart's Coronation Mass - K 317

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXahJYGkYX4&feature=related conducted by Hebert von Karajian

Engelbert Humperdink to sing in Rangoon, Burma

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7442-humperdinck-to-appear-in-rangoon.html

Glimpse Correspondents' Program - 10 weeks

http://glimpse.org/category/editorial-blog/

100 $ weekend in Oslo

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/a-100-weekend-in-oslo/ a little late to try this this summer, but this guy actually saw Daw Suu giving her Nobel Lecture. -- this is strictly advice for only summer visits. - it could still be cold. I was in Helsinki in June in a hotel, and it was cold. *

Oxbridge student essay on nations and nationalism

http://www.oxbridgewriters.com/essays/international-relations/theories-and-theorists-in-nationalism-studies.php

Art -- moving giant Henry Moore sculptures indoors to Gagosian Gallery

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2012/may/22/henry-moore-gagosian

Dr. Aung San Suu Kyi arrives home in Burma

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/718054.shtml

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi looking at Monet's water lilies and other pictures -

http://www.mizzima.com/gallery/photo-news/7236-photo-news-june-2012.html

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's acceptance speech for Citizen of Paris Award in French

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrt0h3_la-birmane-aung-san-suu-kyi-celebree-par-paris_news?start=43 Bravo Daw Suu

Rangoon bookseller under the stairs

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/7868

Interview of Aung San Suu Kyi in French

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxWEPPC4Q3c She answers mostly in English.

USA - baby boomers need health care reform

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/27/opinion/ai-jen-poo-health-workers/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Poem in Burmese by Sit Way - A Monk Meditates

http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/yatha-bank/poem/6154-2010-09-28-03-33-21.html

Aung San Suu Kyi in Paris says France inspired her, she learned French and studied French literature, especially Victor Hugo while in detention

http://news.yahoo.com/french-spirit-inspired-aung-san-suu-kyi-says-190640498.html

Aung San Suu Kyi goes by train from London to Paris

http://www.voanews.com/content/aung_san_suu_kyi_europe_france_tour/1252739.html

Buddhism and history of the Swat Valley

http://www.khyber.org/pashtoplaces/swathistory.shtml

Old colonial buildings in Rangoon on the auction block

http://www.mizzima.com/business/7388-more-old-rangoon-buildings-on-the-market.html

Leeds piano competition medal will be named after Aung San Suu Kyi

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/25/leeds-international-piano-competition?newsfeed=true

Mizzima Burmese photo essay/poem - The Urban City

http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/ Informal translation/summary.

For someone from the village the city is too tight, too dark. There must be a way out. There must be a hole somewhere.

Translation Kyi May Kaung I like the blocks and abstract quality of this essay.

Message from French President Francois Hollande on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Nobel Ceremony

Ms Aung San Suu Kyi has just received the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to her in 1991. On France’s behalf, I would like to express my admiration for the courage, clear-sightedness and determination constantly shown by this lady, who – despite the personal ordeals, the crackdown and the humiliations of her detention – has never stopped favouring dialogue over confrontation and reconciliation over revenge. She has taught the finest possible lesson in democracy. Today all my thoughts and my support go to Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as to her children, other family members and close friends, who have always supported her in her commitment to a democratic Burma respectful of fundamental rights. France and the French will have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to Aung San Suu Kyi from 26 to 29 June, when she comes to France. I shall have the pleasure of welcoming her to the Elysée Palace and telling her that France hopes the democratic transition process in Burma will continue and be expanded./.

Aung San Suu Kyi asks for nations' help in Burma transition -

http://triblive.com/usworld/world/2073550-73/kyi-suu-address-british-burma-decades-opportunity-audience-aung-known

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in UK-

http://www.channel4.com/news/aung-san-suu-kyi-help-bring-reforms-to-burma

UN Human Rights Rapporteur Tomas Quintana says there are still 500-600 political prisoners in Burma and Rule of Law is essential

http://www.dvb.no/interview/tomas-ojea-quintana-the-rule-of-law-for-any-system-is-crucial-it-is-a-human-right/22335

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says Burma needs a UK type Foreign Service/Civil Service

http://www.mizzima.com/ instead we have some clowns and some goons.

Burma's so-called reforms - a little bird told me --

it's all about Sr Gen Than Shwe's favorite grandson wanting to study in the west. - gossip heard recently. * Gun store sign in USA. Photo copyright Kyi May Kaung

18 Burmese oil blocks auction

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/7421 China is objecting to fast opening up (to west)

All gone cway zee - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in UK

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jun/21/aung-san-suu-kyi-uk-pictures?newsfeed=true#/?picture=391995099&index=13 My talk on Friday went very well. Very gratified to learn my ideas are very similar to hers. kmk She also met the Dalai Lama for the first time. Frame grab of His Holiness.

Gene Sharp - Non-violence and Burma

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/23/world/gene-sharp-revolutionary/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Interview on Burma of David Scott Mathiessen of Human Rights Watch

http://www.france24.com/en/20120621-burma-aung-san-suu-kyi-ethnic-conflict

Al Jazeera report - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Oslo - The Nobel Speech

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/06/201261610252337322.html

My IFA Round Table discussion - Burma: Reforms? What Reforms? went very well -

http://kmkroundtable.eventbrite.com/ Thank you everyone who came, Burma Restaurant - the food is delicious, and Harreld Dinkins for the planning and publicity. I never had a more attentive and engaged audience. Kyi May Kaung Here for you is my home made spring roll in process. Will it work or fall apart when deep fried in a wok? - photo and text copyright Kyi May Kaung

Staggering reforms or just plain staggering - Zoe Daniels on the road to Mandalay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR6dSGr-C9w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says we need watchdogs, not cheerleaders for "reform process"

I told you so. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/myanmar-opposition-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-to-address-british-parliament-meet-prince-charles/2012/06/21/gJQAOt8KsV_story.html For those of you who came to my talk last night, thank you, kmk

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, meet in London

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dalai-lama-myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-meet-london-article-1.1099272

Bono on welcoming Daw Suu to Ireland -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m4raJW3XBY "these military juntas,you'd think they don't check their email - but these boos and hisses do matter to them. . . . She was acutely aware that Amnesty International was keeping her alive."

Video version of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Rule of Law presentation at LSE on Tuesday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5myaBEV9Wk&feature=youtu.be

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Dr Maung Zarni and All - on Rule of Law - at LSE

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/videoAndAudio/channels/publicLecturesAndEvents/player.aspx?id=1516 Highly recommended.

Julian Assange seeks asylum in Ecuador Embassy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/9343227/Julian-Assange-WikiLeaks-founder-seeks-asylum-in-Ecuador.html

Burma number 18th failed state

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7354-burma-18th-on-failed-state-ranking.html

Bono and the Greats

http://www.chron.com/news/article/AP-PHOTOS-Bono-s-many-brushes-with-greatness-3641869.php#photo-3083255

Goodbye Adrienne Rich - Poet

http://luisjrodriguez.com/blog/

Rodney King, who was beaten almost to death, dies in pool.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/17/us/obit-rodney-king/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Pablo Neruda's Poem - Enigmas (The Sea)

http://bryantmcgill.com/wiki/poetry/pablo_neruda/enigmas in English, Spanish, French and German.

Kim Andrew Elliot on Broadcasting Board of Governors, VOA and RFA & Burma

http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=13351

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi tries to recall how she felt when she heard she had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991

http://www.daylife.com/topic/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi She was then under her first bout of house arrest and would not be released till 1995.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Nobel Acceptance speech - 21 years late but still potent

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/9335921/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-Nobel-Prize-opened-up-a-door-in-my-heart.html

Port of Bangkok data and history

http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/THA_Port_of_Bangkok_1538.php

Nobel Prize moments - as Aung San Suu Kyi finally gets to give her Nobel Acceptance Speech after 21 years

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/flowers-and-tears-of-joy-for-suu-kyi/story-fn3dxity-1226397624145 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5ToctbuBtc&feature=related John Nash's Nobel Acceptance Speech -- it looks like it's out of the movie, but it is the real moment. Nobel ceremony flowers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiGSIoguuIM

Sunday dinner recipe - crispy roasted pork shoulder -

http://www.youtube.com/user/breville?v=1lo6VFSBeBU&feature=pyv&ad=11480602831&kw=pork%20sholder I think he's wrong about the flower petals though - dahlia is poisonous it must be chrysanthemum. k

Aung San Suu Kyi's remarks regarding military's "excessive power" which might derail the democratization process

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0615/burma-suukyi-visit.html

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Oslo

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/16/aung-san-suu-kyi-oslo-nobel

Complete coverage Aung San Suu Kyi at ILO, Geneva and Time Magazine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FagItclMnsM http://world.time.com/2012/06/15/aung-san-suu-kyi-travels-abroad-for-the-first-time-in-24-years/#003-2012-06-15t130637z_29087832 Kudos, Daw Suu, we all love you.

Aung San Suu Kyi feels ill in Berne - Coco Cola entering Burma

http://www.irrawaddy.org/ see RFA TV in Burmese 6-15-2012

Persian activist Nazanin Afshin Jam calls for United Peoples

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRRm9X6xG34&feature=related

Beautiful Persian activist/singer/songwriter/model who will be on stage with Aung San Suu Kyi in Dublin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazanin_Afshin-Jam

U2 & Bono's Electric Burma Concert - in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi

http://www.electricburma.com/#section-3

Aung San Suu Kyi's speech at the ILO

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/9331237/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-calls-for-foreign-investment-in-Burma.html

U2's Bono will lend Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi his private jet to fly from Oslo to Ireland

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/14/aung-san-suu-kyi-european-tour

Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Geneva on her European tour -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/13/aung-san-suu-kyi-switzerland

Full text of address made at memorial ceremony for Dr Michael Aris, late husband of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Dr Aris died in 1999

http://cdburma.tripod.com/Files/memorial.html

India and Burma bus by Arjit Singh

http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/arijitsen/148/63591/how-india-missed-the-burma-bus.html

New Burmese 10,000 kyat note

http://www.mizzima.com/business/7284-burma-to-issue-10000-kyat-banknote.html equivalent to only about $12 That's "development". km Obamas with Chinese leader - frame grab

Tribute concert for Aung San Suu Kyi by U2 and Bono sells out in 20 minutes -

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/6236 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the day she was released - Nov 13, 2010. TV frame grab

Take a break time - the rooftop gardens of NY City

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2139899/New-Yorks-secret-skyline-Amazing-aerial-shots-rare-glimpse-hidden-rooftop-world.html

Reza Kahlili (pseudonym)'s book A Time to Betray, will be made into a mini-series by Billy Baldwin

http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/07/billy-baldwin-to-adapt-a-time-to-betray-for-tv-beautiful-human-story/

The Tiresome Burma vs M word "debate"

Just left this on SEA-Globe site, where it is awaiting moderation: The name change was to hoodwink the world into thinking it's not the junta which committed all these human rights abuses. It's the new disciplined democracy. I personally can't stand Myanmaring and Yangoning people. They are so often business people going there for profit. As for the "Myanmar/Burma" people, sitting on the fence you are likely to slash yourself where it counts most. Enough said. Kyi May Kaung Re-enactment of Burmese monarchy in Mandalay - from photographer's site. When a poet friend saw this, he laughed, "ha ha ha."

A lodge in Kachin State Burma belonging to Tayza

http://www.sea-globe.com/Culture-Travel/roughing-it-in-myanmar.html

Plea for inter-religious harmony - death scene from Verdi's I Lombardi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXrX6vE7P6k

Aung San Suu Kyi talks to Hamish McDonald about sanctions -

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/world/world/general/suu-kyi-pleads-for-beneficial-trade-ties-to-boost-economy/2582868.aspx

Get real about Burma's development - by Ko Ko Thett

http://www.mizzima.com/edop/commentary/7267-getting-real-about-burmas-development.html

wow factor - an image of the Hindu Rig Veda - in Sanskrit - 19th century manuscript

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rigveda_MS2097.jpg

Wow factor - Venus transits the sun

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/gallery/2012/jun/06/venus-astronomy#/?picture=391167976&index=10

Quote of the day - Bono of U2 soon to meet Aung San Suu Kyi in person -

Bono devoted a series of U2's 2009 concerts to Suu Kyi, demanding her release from house arrest, and unveiled the Amnesty award at one of the band's Dublin concerts that year. He said the June 18 event would be the first time he's ever met the 66-year-old pro-democracy activist. "It's so rare to see grace trump military might, and when it happens we should make the most joyful noise we can,'' Bono said in a prepared statement. "Aung San Suu Kyi's grace and courage have tilted a wobbly world further in the direction of democracy. We all feel we know her, but it will be such a thrill to meet her in person."

Veteran journalist Kavi Chongkittavorn compares the lady (Yingluck) and The Lady, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

http://www.mizzima.com/edop/commentary/7250-thailand-in-disarray-as-wef-underway.html

Cup half empty or half full? Who knows better - The Burmese demcracy leader or a Nobel economist?

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Laureate-Myanmar-is-bad-bet-3603721.php

CNN's Sara Sidner at Mae Hla Camp with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/03/world/asia/thailand-suu-kyi-refugee-camp/index.html

Initiative for Asia- June 22 - Kyi May Kaung: Burma - Reforms? What Reforms?

http://kmkroundtable.eventbrite.com/?ref=enivtefor&invite=MjEwMjMxMi9rb2xvcmFtYUB5YWhvby5jb20vMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformal&utm_term=eventpage June 22 - 6-9 PM 740 6th St. NW DC Details on Event Brite link

Hpakhant Jade Mine - frame grab.

President Thein Sein with Chinese counterpart. frame grab

Karen plowing ceremony in Thailand - frame grab

The Politics of Style

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/05/29/fashion/29iht-fdiamonds29-slide.html?ref=fashion

Hpakhant Jade Mine - in N. Burma - lest you forget the cost of diamonds. Frame grab. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/fashion/queen-elizabeth-ii-sets-a-style-standard.html?pagewanted=1&ref=fashion 2 links

Thai, and now Westminster, try to "de-star" Aung San Suu Kyi

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/world/asia/burmese-opposition-leader-visits-thailand.html

Burmese or Indian egg curry - photo copyright Kyi May Kaung http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2153765/Hagues-fury-bid-downgrade-Burmas-steel-butterfly-Squabble-breaks-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-faces-Westminster-Hall-Ban.html?ito=feeds-newsxml 2 links. --

Myth vs reality of Burma's reforms

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/commentary/myth-vs-reality-burma-s-reforms

Full text Aung San Suu Kyi at World Economic Forum - in English

http://www.mizzima.com/ 30 minutes video on right. *

Wikipedia reference for Naing Win Swe mentions Moe Ma Kha Plant, which Kyi May Kaung translated - published in Foreign Policy in Focus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naing_Win_Swe