Myanmar Newsletter

February 3, 2016

Welcome to the Myanmar News Digest, a bi-weekly newsletter from the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Washington, DC. Through this newsletter, we aim to keep readers apprised of important developments in Myanmar, such as the country’s “historic” Feb. 1 session of parliament featuring newly-elected MPs, Senator Tom Cotton’s view on why the US should continue to support Myanmar, President Sein’s recent pardon of more than 100 prisoners and why traditional tattoos in Myanmar are all the rage. Please visit our website to learn more about the recent general elections, including information on an elections timeline, resources and FAQs.

Myanmar's 'historic' new parliament begins

President Sein hails 'triumph' of democratic transition

Sen. Cotton: Why US should back change in Myanmar

Myanmar's outgoing Thein Sein promises to help new government

Myanmar frees 102 prisoners in amnesty

Michigan State report highlights Myanmar's aquaculture potential

Video: Beautiful Myanmar - 26 revealing moments caught on video

Traditional tattoos in Myanmar are all the rage

Myanmar's 'historic' new parliament begins
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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Myanmar's first regular session of the second Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) convened in Nay Pyi Taw on Feb. 1, electing U Win Myint as speaker and U T Khun Myat as deputy speaker of parliament. Following an oath-taking ceremony, newly elected Speaker Myint gave remarks, hailing the day as "Myanmar’s historic day, which brings pride in the democratic transition." He also pledged to work toward creating democratic opportunities in the country and eliminating corruption. The second Amyotha Hluttaw's (Upper House) first session takes place on Feb. 3.

President Sein hails 'triumph' of democratic transition
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Myanmar's President Thein Sein hailed the "triumph" of the country's transition of power in a final address to parliament before it makes way for a historic new legislature led by Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party. "Even though there were difficulties and challenges, we were able to bring a democratic transformation eventually," Thein Sein said. "This is a triumph for all Myanmar's people.”

Sen. Cotton: Why US should back change in Myanmar
CNN
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Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) recently wrote about Myanmar’s democratic progress and why the United States should continue to support the Southeast Asian nation: “After holding historic elections in November, Myanmar, also known as Burma, is undergoing a remarkable transition to constitutional democratic governance. I recently led a congressional delegation to the country to evaluate this sweeping change firsthand and gauge how the United States can continue to support Myanmar's movement toward the free world.” (Image courtesy of Flickr/Gage Skidmore)

Myanmar's outgoing Thein Sein promises to help new government
Reuters
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Myanmar President Thein Sein on Jan. 28 called on political parties to work together for the national interest and said he would help the new government of democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi. The soft-spoken, bespectacled president, who came to power in 2011, stunned the world with an ambitious program of political and economic change that transformed the impoverished nation of 51.5 million people from pariah state into one of the world's fastest-growing economies. (Image courtesy of the Malaysian Times)

Myanmar frees 102 prisoners in amnesty
The Guardian

Myanmar’s president has declared an amnesty for 102 prisoners including Philip Blackwood, a dual British-New Zealand citizen held in the country’s most notorious jail for nearly a year. A director at the president’s office, Zaw Htay, said in a statement posted on Facebook that 102 prisoners would be freed. He added that 77 people on death row would be given life in prison.

Michigan State report highlights Myanmar's aquaculture potential
The Myanmar Times
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A new report from the Centre for Economic and Social Development, Michigan State University and the International Food Policy Research Institute found that despite rapid growth in Myanmar’s freshwater fish farming, the industry holds much more potential for growth. Fish farming output from the delta, or around 90 percent of farmed fish in Myanmar, rose around 250 percent over the past 10 years. The report found that small and medium enterprises are springing up across every aspect of the supply chain, from ice manufacturers, to boat and truck drivers, fish traders and urban wholesale markets.

Video: Beautiful Myanmar - 26 revealing moments caught on video
SmarterTravel

Myanmar is a country of golden temples, of incredible sunrises, of quotidian monks—a place where traditions hold strong and nearly everyone still wears the traditional longyi skirts (and manage to make the flattering garb look both ultra-masculine and hyper-feminine). And where most women—whether they're from the smallest village or the big city—still eschew makeup in favor of thanaka, a yellowish paste made from bark that's revered as both a cheek adornment and a cure-all.

Traditional tattoos in Myanmar are all the rage
Agence France-Presse
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There's a long history of inking up in Myanmar, where the country's myriad ethnic minority groups donned tattoos as spiritual protection, signs of social status and antidotes to ward off disease. Now tattoo artists are reviving historic images and patterns using modern tattoo guns, which are considered safer than traditional tools.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Tel: +1 (202) 332 3344
Fax: +1 (202) 332 4351
Email: pyi.thayar@verizon.net
Web: mewashingtondc.com

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