I have heard that the CCTV cameras around Vientiane were apparently set up with the support of the Chinese government, for promoting security during the 2009 ASEAN Games.
Security camera footage can sometimes be used in unexpected ways, and capture events not intended for public knowledge.
The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the UN in Geneva, Yong Chanthalangsy, on Thursday sent a letter clarifying the issue of the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone in response to the queries raised by the UN Special Procedures.
The content of the letter is as follows: As a Member of the United Nations, Laos has always cooperated with the international community, particularly in the promotion and protection of human rights, which is reflected in the country’s implementation of its international obligations and commitments on human rights with achievements being progressively made. Laos is State party to 7 core UN Human Rights Conventions and 2 Optional Protocols. In addition, Laos is also a signatory to the Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Being the fourth nation in Asia to sign this important Convention Laos is currently in the process of preparations for its ratification. In the implementation of its human rights obligations and commitments the Lao PDR has the Constitution and laws which are in conformity with the treaties to which the Lao PDR is party. Furthermore, Laos has adopted the Legal Sector Master Plan on the Rule of Law by 2020 in order to create enabling conditions for the Lao people to fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Lao government is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone and attaches importance to the investigations underway in order to find out the truth of this incident. According to the information from the authorities concerned which was based on the CCTV footage, on the day of the incident, the traffic police were conducting their routine random checks on vehicles at the police post on Thadeua Road in the vicinity of Vatnak village in Sisattanak district, Vientiane. At 6pm the traffic police stopped Mr Sombath’s jeep in order to check his driving licence and car documents as normal procedures.
Being stopped, Mr Sombath walked out from his car to present his documents to the police. Contrary to the information the UN Special Procedures received, Mr Sombath was not taken by the police to the police post. After the police checked the documents they returned them to Mr Sombath and continued their duty of checking other vehicles.
Then, a man came on a motorbike, parked it on the side road near Mr Sombath’s jeep and moved quickly in the police post direction. Later, the same person walked to Mr Sombath’s car and drove it away slowly.
About 10 minutes later, a pickup truck came with hazard lights flashing and stopped near the police post. One man entered the pickup truck and shortly after that another person got on, then got off and then entered the pickup truck again as the vehicle was driving away to an unknown destination.
From the CCTV footage it cannot be confirmed that it was Mr Sombath who entered the pickup truck. The two persons who got into the truck were not forced to do so. This fact is different from the information the UN Special Procedures received which alleged that Mr Sombath was forced to get into the pickup truck.
Following the preliminary assessment of the incident from the CCTV footage, the authorities concerned viewed that it may be possible Mr Sombath has been kidnapped perhaps because of a personal conflict or a conflict in business or some other reasons and at this stage the authorities are not in a position to say exactly what has actually happened, why Mr Sombath has gone missing and who might have been involved in the incident
On this incident, the concerned authority as the law protection agency that protects and maintains social order has the legal duty to find out the truth in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure justice to Mr Sombath and his family according to the law.
Based on their legal duty, the concerned authority is accelerating the investigations, collecting evidence in order to reach a conclusion of the incident.
The point of the link is not to validate any ebb of flow of Tamadaw vs KIA.
IF EITHER SIDE HURT, ALL CITIZENRY HURT AS WELL.
This divisiveness b/t Kachin and Bamar, as well as among other ethnic group created etirely by the British Colonists MUST not be propagated neither through cheering for the Bamar nor incessant lamenting of eventuality.
Doing so will just continue the yoke of the colonial legacy which all citizenry of Myanmar still bear.
Only A Lord Buddha, impervious to all temptation, can truly be a ‘Committed Socialist’.
You must then be the foretold, 5th or is it 6th anointed one to be!
Confusing Freedom with Democracy again.
Only through Education, being Healthy and an Economy with potential will truly allow any citizenry to acquire real Freedom to every individually chosen limitation.
Freedom then to have even oneself immerse in The Dhamma instead of the other way around that you suggested.
Some people can never tell a bogus Socialist from a sincere committed one. I guess in your book anyone calling themselves democratic has to be taken for their word. Peace awards, any warmonger?
Extremism, and I am not referring to Islamic radicals in particular but to all forms and shades of extremism, is inexorably on the rise everywhere . . . in poor or rich, in developed or underdeveloped regions. Globalisation and unstoppable emigrations could be the catalyst. But the main cause(s) are the very disturbing rapidly growing inequality of incomes everywhere … and the blight of poverty around us anywhere. Under such dismal and dire circumstances, it is very easy for prejudices and discontent to swell among those who had not succeeded to increase their share of the national wealth (while extravagant spendings are visibly glorified) and whose lot may have worsened (more debts!) because of non-stop media barrage encouraging consumption (sufficiency economy is for wimps eh!). Unfortunately there will never be a shortage of malicious charlatans who exploit and nurture prejudices.
Relating to the subject, the true community spirit and help, financial and physical, from Burmese ex-pats in Singapore- most of whom are not that well of themselves- is heart-warming and commendable.
It was fun read as usual with Hla oo in the cloud. His take is though at divergence with that of other comic Zaw Htay.
It does remind one of that jet episode though. It was true event. Two Thai jets flew low and two regiments went awry thinking they were being bombed. That was what triggered vain Maung Aye to waste huge amount of public money (who said Burma is so,so poor?) to buy large number of those run down Mig29’s via Belarus and Tay Za.
To be fair they then did not know about jets and they were F16’s. Then again now the Yanks are so desperate to get to know Than Shwe and get a land base closer to China as well as out of fractious/ customarily chaotic Thailand, it is only days before our Brave and Distinguished Bamar Tatmadaw would get those cool Sunglasses and leather jackets.
“self reliance. Our strength is within our own borders, not constantly looking to your bogeyman cum saviour the useless careless west”
Ko Moe Aung
Sound like Ne Win’s speech to BSPP b/f embarking on disastrous isolationist Burmese way to socialism (BWTS) circa 1972.
With the well proven West hegemony over world economy is this deja vu longing for ‘a back to the future’ BWTS wise?
As for Chinese, the 3rd biggest debtor to USA also has committed substantial resources within Myanmar, guaranteed a return only by your hated Generals.
The West, China and the Generals all mutually beholden, global politics does strange bedfellow make.
DASSK/ASSK who?
Present concerns must be direct and immediate benefits to all citizenry not outdated Marxist/BSPP based empty rhetoric.
You might find that is exactly the point – self reliance. Our strength is within our own borders, not constantly looking to your bogeyman cum saviour the useless careless west now following the roadmap for mutual profiteering in partnership with the regime aided and abetted by your erstwhile hate object and obstacle to progress ASSK, with containing China as a juicy bonus.
“Army sources have already openly admitted that the continuous shelling from their heavy 105 mm Howitzers will continue on as, instead of costing a fortune firing expensive shells, Burmese army has been making approximately US$ 14.5 for each shell fired as the shells used are from the Singapore Armed Forces and these shells are expired shells needed to be destroyed.”
This is the kind of news that should perturb anyone with anything to do with dividing “Brothers against Brothers”.
Look upon the EVIL that divisiveness started only under the British colonialists has wrought.
Where now The Tamadaw/Bamar boasting of ‘making a profit killing KIA/ Kachin and Shan’.
Will the Chinese now consider giving similar support to the Kachin as they did to BCP and repeat the new cycle of destruction seen since after independence that justified the continual existence of the military government?
Ohn & Moe need to stop selling their BMW (Bitching Moaning & Whining) of ongoing changes to reflect on these historical realities.
The % of aid given within Myanmar through individuals and Civil Based Organizations (CBOs), during the world 2nd (or is it 3rd) most devastating Cyclone: NARGIS is
estimated to be, an unheard of, at least over 80%.
A fact that has never been mentioned by the West and its Man Fridays for reasons of:
1) a shameful paltry amount of aid, still not fully delivered, compared to for example Aceh
2) sole intend then was ONLY to vilify and hope for the down fall of then SPDC, all at the expense of
1)150,000 dead within 24 h and the associating tragic consequences.
2)Thousands of most vulnerable/children in orphanages continue to suffer to this day .
3)Characteristics of a region changed forever but not for the better.
CBOs are a plenty within Myanmar that has toiled silently with almost no help from the West.
These apolitical CBOs mostly religious based have and will continue to uphold the spirit and well beings of Myanmar Citizenry,now during this period, as they have through out the history of modern MYANMAR.
As long as their resources are not again depleted unnecessarily by any useless careless policy of yesteryear which Ohn and Moe obviously seem to miss terribly by their BMW.
Might I also be so rude as to say that your romantic and nostalgic view of traditional society is touching but regressive? I fear that development and progress is universally desired, the more backward a society the keener. People would rather drive around in pickup trucks and use electricity and power tools, not stick to buffaloes and bullock carts.
But you are right how they go about achieving it does matter, provided that’s what the country’s political masters really wish to achieve. And the prevailing orthodoxy for the last three decades only widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots, sadly evident all around us except to those who are comfortable with it, their mantra in its defence – a rising tide raises all boats, even if some of them will admit to a mere trickle down.
Prosperity for some has never required democratic freedoms or even peace, and progress/modernisation can come with a price tag that the majority can ill afford including basic utilities, let alone health and education.
Australian journalist Greg Shekelton reporting the plea of the Timorese for the world to care is resonant with this vey day Kachin.
The world now is inhabited by such selfish and low morality beasts so that the Kachin being slaughtered under the eye is simply looked upon or tacitly encouraged as if by the packs of hyena watching the lion riing the wildebeest apart ready to grab the bones and carcass later. Soros himself dealing epithets the internal affair of Burma is indeed symbolic of the “reform” everyone is crowing about. Soros being Aung San Suu Kyi’s guardian ange and most visible member of the Rothschilds, Kachin issue is more than filthy Chinese.
If the Burmese public resists the Dam and Pipe, the world (people like Soris will scheme, people like Aung Zaw will propagandise, and then it is so easy as in Syria now to find groups to kill each other. All it requires is
to appeal to peope’s greed and pride.) will happily kill them all. Nowadays there is not even a need for excuse niceties.
I would disagree with Chomsky about my “third” and most important group. Chomsky feels this group is mislead itself. They do definitely mislead the fundamental second group of rightful owners of land and labour. I would charge their selfishness, conceit and ruthlessness is the problem. Until they become human the second group is on its own against almost impossible oppression and deceit. Almost.
I am very sure the natural healthy cynicism of Burmese populace will wake people up and unite. Rothschilds have a battle on heir hands, with or without their mojo Aung San Suu Kyi.
A new website has been developed to call attention to the abduction of Sombath Somphone, “one of the most
respected and influential voices for sustainable people-centred and just economic and social development in Laos.”
“Sombath Somphone was last seen in Vientiane on the evening of Saturday 15th December when he was driving home in his jeep. His family and friends immediately contacted the police, visited hospitals, and informed Embassies, but nobody knew where Sombath had gone.
Two days later, CCTV footage became available that showed Sombath being stopped by police and then abducted. The video can be seen here.
Sombath is a friend, colleague and a visionary who has spent his life working for his people and country. This website hopes to facilitate his return to his family and work.”
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Distressing developments in Laos
CCTV footage of Sombath’s disappearance/abduction is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSZzzk3Ay1M
I have heard that the CCTV cameras around Vientiane were apparently set up with the support of the Chinese government, for promoting security during the 2009 ASEAN Games.
Security camera footage can sometimes be used in unexpected ways, and capture events not intended for public knowledge.
Distressing developments in Laos
“Govt clarifies disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone”
Vientiane Times
Jan 4, 2013
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Govt_clarifies.htm
The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the UN in Geneva, Yong Chanthalangsy, on Thursday sent a letter clarifying the issue of the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone in response to the queries raised by the UN Special Procedures.
The content of the letter is as follows: As a Member of the United Nations, Laos has always cooperated with the international community, particularly in the promotion and protection of human rights, which is reflected in the country’s implementation of its international obligations and commitments on human rights with achievements being progressively made. Laos is State party to 7 core UN Human Rights Conventions and 2 Optional Protocols. In addition, Laos is also a signatory to the Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Being the fourth nation in Asia to sign this important Convention Laos is currently in the process of preparations for its ratification. In the implementation of its human rights obligations and commitments the Lao PDR has the Constitution and laws which are in conformity with the treaties to which the Lao PDR is party. Furthermore, Laos has adopted the Legal Sector Master Plan on the Rule of Law by 2020 in order to create enabling conditions for the Lao people to fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Lao government is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone and attaches importance to the investigations underway in order to find out the truth of this incident. According to the information from the authorities concerned which was based on the CCTV footage, on the day of the incident, the traffic police were conducting their routine random checks on vehicles at the police post on Thadeua Road in the vicinity of Vatnak village in Sisattanak district, Vientiane. At 6pm the traffic police stopped Mr Sombath’s jeep in order to check his driving licence and car documents as normal procedures.
Being stopped, Mr Sombath walked out from his car to present his documents to the police. Contrary to the information the UN Special Procedures received, Mr Sombath was not taken by the police to the police post. After the police checked the documents they returned them to Mr Sombath and continued their duty of checking other vehicles.
Then, a man came on a motorbike, parked it on the side road near Mr Sombath’s jeep and moved quickly in the police post direction. Later, the same person walked to Mr Sombath’s car and drove it away slowly.
About 10 minutes later, a pickup truck came with hazard lights flashing and stopped near the police post. One man entered the pickup truck and shortly after that another person got on, then got off and then entered the pickup truck again as the vehicle was driving away to an unknown destination.
From the CCTV footage it cannot be confirmed that it was Mr Sombath who entered the pickup truck. The two persons who got into the truck were not forced to do so. This fact is different from the information the UN Special Procedures received which alleged that Mr Sombath was forced to get into the pickup truck.
Following the preliminary assessment of the incident from the CCTV footage, the authorities concerned viewed that it may be possible Mr Sombath has been kidnapped perhaps because of a personal conflict or a conflict in business or some other reasons and at this stage the authorities are not in a position to say exactly what has actually happened, why Mr Sombath has gone missing and who might have been involved in the incident
On this incident, the concerned authority as the law protection agency that protects and maintains social order has the legal duty to find out the truth in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure justice to Mr Sombath and his family according to the law.
Based on their legal duty, the concerned authority is accelerating the investigations, collecting evidence in order to reach a conclusion of the incident.
By Times Reporters
Next stop? Laiza?
The point of the link is not to validate any ebb of flow of Tamadaw vs KIA.
IF EITHER SIDE HURT, ALL CITIZENRY HURT AS WELL.
This divisiveness b/t Kachin and Bamar, as well as among other ethnic group created etirely by the British Colonists MUST not be propagated neither through cheering for the Bamar nor incessant lamenting of eventuality.
Doing so will just continue the yoke of the colonial legacy which all citizenry of Myanmar still bear.
The Company in Dawei
Only A Lord Buddha, impervious to all temptation, can truly be a ‘Committed Socialist’.
You must then be the foretold, 5th or is it 6th anointed one to be!
Confusing Freedom with Democracy again.
Only through Education, being Healthy and an Economy with potential will truly allow any citizenry to acquire real Freedom to every individually chosen limitation.
Freedom then to have even oneself immerse in The Dhamma instead of the other way around that you suggested.
The Company in Dawei
Some people can never tell a bogus Socialist from a sincere committed one. I guess in your book anyone calling themselves democratic has to be taken for their word. Peace awards, any warmonger?
The inexorable pursuit of an Islamic State
Extremism, and I am not referring to Islamic radicals in particular but to all forms and shades of extremism, is inexorably on the rise everywhere . . . in poor or rich, in developed or underdeveloped regions. Globalisation and unstoppable emigrations could be the catalyst. But the main cause(s) are the very disturbing rapidly growing inequality of incomes everywhere … and the blight of poverty around us anywhere. Under such dismal and dire circumstances, it is very easy for prejudices and discontent to swell among those who had not succeeded to increase their share of the national wealth (while extravagant spendings are visibly glorified) and whose lot may have worsened (more debts!) because of non-stop media barrage encouraging consumption (sufficiency economy is for wimps eh!). Unfortunately there will never be a shortage of malicious charlatans who exploit and nurture prejudices.
The Company in Dawei
Relating to the subject, the true community spirit and help, financial and physical, from Burmese ex-pats in Singapore- most of whom are not that well of themselves- is heart-warming and commendable.
Next stop? Laiza?
Thanks Plan B for the link.
It was fun read as usual with Hla oo in the cloud. His take is though at divergence with that of other comic Zaw Htay.
It does remind one of that jet episode though. It was true event. Two Thai jets flew low and two regiments went awry thinking they were being bombed. That was what triggered vain Maung Aye to waste huge amount of public money (who said Burma is so,so poor?) to buy large number of those run down Mig29’s via Belarus and Tay Za.
To be fair they then did not know about jets and they were F16’s. Then again now the Yanks are so desperate to get to know Than Shwe and get a land base closer to China as well as out of fractious/ customarily chaotic Thailand, it is only days before our Brave and Distinguished Bamar Tatmadaw would get those cool Sunglasses and leather jackets.
The Company in Dawei
“self reliance. Our strength is within our own borders, not constantly looking to your bogeyman cum saviour the useless careless west”
Ko Moe Aung
Sound like Ne Win’s speech to BSPP b/f embarking on disastrous isolationist Burmese way to socialism (BWTS) circa 1972.
With the well proven West hegemony over world economy is this deja vu longing for ‘a back to the future’ BWTS wise?
As for Chinese, the 3rd biggest debtor to USA also has committed substantial resources within Myanmar, guaranteed a return only by your hated Generals.
The West, China and the Generals all mutually beholden, global politics does strange bedfellow make.
DASSK/ASSK who?
Present concerns must be direct and immediate benefits to all citizenry not outdated Marxist/BSPP based empty rhetoric.
Myanmar tourism after the boycott
“what did ‘your ilk’ do? you tell me.”
It is easier to wake a comatose one than one who aspired to be comatose.
“2 weeks ago (my 5th visit in 2012 only).”
Res ipsa loquitur.
The Company in Dawei
You might find that is exactly the point – self reliance. Our strength is within our own borders, not constantly looking to your bogeyman cum saviour the useless careless west now following the roadmap for mutual profiteering in partnership with the regime aided and abetted by your erstwhile hate object and obstacle to progress ASSK, with containing China as a juicy bonus.
Next stop? Laiza?
“Army sources have already openly admitted that the continuous shelling from their heavy 105 mm Howitzers will continue on as, instead of costing a fortune firing expensive shells, Burmese army has been making approximately US$ 14.5 for each shell fired as the shells used are from the Singapore Armed Forces and these shells are expired shells needed to be destroyed.”
http://hlaoo1980.blogspot.com/2013/01/lajaryan-fell-and-laiza-surrounded-by.html
This is the kind of news that should perturb anyone with anything to do with dividing “Brothers against Brothers”.
Look upon the EVIL that divisiveness started only under the British colonialists has wrought.
Where now The Tamadaw/Bamar boasting of ‘making a profit killing KIA/ Kachin and Shan’.
Will the Chinese now consider giving similar support to the Kachin as they did to BCP and repeat the new cycle of destruction seen since after independence that justified the continual existence of the military government?
Distressing developments in Laos
I’m Sombath Somphone.
The Company in Dawei
Ohn & Moe need to stop selling their BMW (Bitching Moaning & Whining) of ongoing changes to reflect on these historical realities.
The % of aid given within Myanmar through individuals and Civil Based Organizations (CBOs), during the world 2nd (or is it 3rd) most devastating Cyclone: NARGIS is
estimated to be, an unheard of, at least over 80%.
A fact that has never been mentioned by the West and its Man Fridays for reasons of:
1) a shameful paltry amount of aid, still not fully delivered, compared to for example Aceh
2) sole intend then was ONLY to vilify and hope for the down fall of then SPDC, all at the expense of
1)150,000 dead within 24 h and the associating tragic consequences.
2)Thousands of most vulnerable/children in orphanages continue to suffer to this day .
3)Characteristics of a region changed forever but not for the better.
CBOs are a plenty within Myanmar that has toiled silently with almost no help from the West.
These apolitical CBOs mostly religious based have and will continue to uphold the spirit and well beings of Myanmar Citizenry,now during this period, as they have through out the history of modern MYANMAR.
As long as their resources are not again depleted unnecessarily by any useless careless policy of yesteryear which Ohn and Moe obviously seem to miss terribly by their BMW.
Myanmar tourism after the boycott
sure, the english ensubsogated myanmar ages ago, i’d never deny that. question remains: what did ‘your ilk’ do? you tell me.
last time i was in MM? 2 weeks ago (my 5th visit in 2012 only).
The Company in Dawei
Ohn,
Might I also be so rude as to say that your romantic and nostalgic view of traditional society is touching but regressive? I fear that development and progress is universally desired, the more backward a society the keener. People would rather drive around in pickup trucks and use electricity and power tools, not stick to buffaloes and bullock carts.
But you are right how they go about achieving it does matter, provided that’s what the country’s political masters really wish to achieve. And the prevailing orthodoxy for the last three decades only widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots, sadly evident all around us except to those who are comfortable with it, their mantra in its defence – a rising tide raises all boats, even if some of them will admit to a mere trickle down.
Prosperity for some has never required democratic freedoms or even peace, and progress/modernisation can come with a price tag that the majority can ill afford including basic utilities, let alone health and education.
PEACE, LAND and FOOD!
The Company in Dawei
U Moe Aung,
Caught up with your Chomsky ref. saw the long but rewarding clip.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PQhEBCWMe44
Australian journalist Greg Shekelton reporting the plea of the Timorese for the world to care is resonant with this vey day Kachin.
The world now is inhabited by such selfish and low morality beasts so that the Kachin being slaughtered under the eye is simply looked upon or tacitly encouraged as if by the packs of hyena watching the lion riing the wildebeest apart ready to grab the bones and carcass later. Soros himself dealing epithets the internal affair of Burma is indeed symbolic of the “reform” everyone is crowing about. Soros being Aung San Suu Kyi’s guardian ange and most visible member of the Rothschilds, Kachin issue is more than filthy Chinese.
If the Burmese public resists the Dam and Pipe, the world (people like Soris will scheme, people like Aung Zaw will propagandise, and then it is so easy as in Syria now to find groups to kill each other. All it requires is
to appeal to peope’s greed and pride.) will happily kill them all. Nowadays there is not even a need for excuse niceties.
I would disagree with Chomsky about my “third” and most important group. Chomsky feels this group is mislead itself. They do definitely mislead the fundamental second group of rightful owners of land and labour. I would charge their selfishness, conceit and ruthlessness is the problem. Until they become human the second group is on its own against almost impossible oppression and deceit. Almost.
I am very sure the natural healthy cynicism of Burmese populace will wake people up and unite. Rothschilds have a battle on heir hands, with or without their mojo Aung San Suu Kyi.
Distressing developments in Laos
So, you absconded to Thailand also?
Distressing developments in Laos
… no, I’m Sombath Somphone.
Distressing developments in Laos
A new website has been developed to call attention to the abduction of Sombath Somphone, “one of the most
respected and influential voices for sustainable people-centred and just economic and social development in Laos.”
http://sombath.org
“Sombath Somphone was last seen in Vientiane on the evening of Saturday 15th December when he was driving home in his jeep. His family and friends immediately contacted the police, visited hospitals, and informed Embassies, but nobody knew where Sombath had gone.
Two days later, CCTV footage became available that showed Sombath being stopped by police and then abducted. The video can be seen here.
Sombath is a friend, colleague and a visionary who has spent his life working for his people and country. This website hopes to facilitate his return to his family and work.”