Prisoners freed in Myanmar ahead of Obama visit

Myanmar released prisoners on Thursday in a goodwill gesture ahead of a historic visit to the former military state by U.S. President Barack Obama, but activists and the main opposition party said there seemed to be no political detainees among them.

State media said early in the day that 452 prisoners would be freed with the "intent to help promote goodwill and the bilateral relationship". A Home Ministry official said some "prisoners of conscience" would be among them.

However, the National League for Democracy party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said that was not the case.

"It's so disappointing that none of those freed today are political prisoners," said senior party official Naing Naing, himself a former detainee.

Myanmar has released about 800 political prisoners as part of a dramatic reform program over the past year and a half but it is believed to be still holding several hundred.

The prisoners released on Thursday included people who had been jailed for deserting the army or committing some other military offence, Naing Naing said. "Maybe these people are political prisoners by their yardstick."

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) had not heard of any political prisoners being among the 144 people it said had been released by mid-afternoon.

Families are often told by the authorities to prepare for the release of prisoners who can be in jails in distant provinces, but AAPP representative Bo Kyi said he was not aware of any being given such notice on this occasion.

Obama will become the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar when he travels there during a November 17-20 tour of Southeast Asia that will also take in Thailand and Cambodia. He is due to meet President Thein Sein on Monday

Lawmakers, including John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, unite to present Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi with Congress' highest civilian honor in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

However, the BBC reported that Obama has been criticized by some who say it is too early to reward Myanmar’s regime.

"The manipulative use of prisoner releases just before key international moments is getting more blatant than ever," said Mark Farmaner of the London-based advocacy group Burma Campaign UK.

Over the past year, Myanmar, also known as Burma, has introduced the most sweeping reforms in the former British colony since a 1962 military coup. A semi-civilian government stacked with former generals has allowed elections, eased rules on protests, relaxed censorship and freed some dissidents.

Up to a dozen people were killed by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Myanmar on Sunday. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.

The United States eased sanctions on Myanmar this year in recognition of the political and economic change, and many U.S. companies are looking at starting operations in the country located between China and India, with its abundant resources and low-cost labor.

Obama has sought to consolidate ties and reinforce U.S. influence across Asia in what officials have described as a policy "pivot" toward the region as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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THINKINGOUTOFTHEBOXFOROURWORLD

"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" (Short Film Script)




Opening Scene;


We see the Outside of the United Nations Building next we see a man dressed in a suite carrying a brief case walking into the building he approaches the Desk of the Chairman of the United Nations, pulls out a very large manila envelope and hands it to the Chairman. The Chairman opens the envelope, reads the paper work and scratches his head, looks up at the Special Carrier with a bewildered look on his face and says; Wow this is an Extremely Unusual Request and it comes from very unusual sources this is a First for me.


Carrier

What do you mean unusual request, who sent the letter ?

Chairman

Did you notice the Post Marks on this letter ?

Carrier

Yes I did, and it also has so many different kinds of stamps on it from around the World.
I have never seen so many Stamps on one envelope in my life, so who is it from and what are they want ?

Chairman

It appears that they are following up on an idea that originated from a Film Script Writer in America who came up with an Idea of writing a short Film Script he Calls "Children Seeking World Peace" The writer posted it on line and some of the Country Leaders around the World liked the idea so that they implemented it.

Carrier


Implement what ?

Chairman


Every Country in the World picked two Young Students from one of their schools a boy and a girl to represent their Country and are asking for a "SPECIAL UNITED NATION'S MEETING" that will be attended by all of the Leaders in the World but this is the Catch.

The adults are not to speak at this meeting, only the Children will be allowed to speak at this Special meeting called"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE"


Carrier


Wow, I see what you mean when you said an unusual request and that is comes from an unusual source you were right about that.


Chairman


There's more this request gets even more stranger they are requesting that we install a large garden area next to the United Nation Building before this meeting takes place that we don't plant anything in the garden area just leave it bare dirt, there are to be small signs placed every two feet next to the rows in this garden area with the names of each Country in the World next to each one of these signs there will also be a watering can containing water.


Carrier


Do you think that the Board will consider this bizarr & unusual request ?


Chairman


Yes I do after all these are the Children of the World, the next Generation seeking the opportunity for them to be part of the Peace Process from their Generation and we should give them the opportunity to do so.




Scene Two;

We see the inside of the United Nations building where many young children are standing paired off one boy and one girl facing all of the Adult Leaders from around the World these Children are from all walks of life all different nationalities and all dressed differently.


Every Girl is holding a small pot containing a different flower in it in one hand and a small shovel in their other hand.


Each Boy is holding a small pot containing a different kind of plant in one hand and a small shovel in his other hand.


(all of these flowers and plants are beautiful and very colorful)


Every Boy & Girl from their Country are wearing Name tags with their Countries names on the tags. The Children are just standing there in silence.


The inside of this building is silent at first then we hear whispers coming from the Adult Leaders, what is this all about, what do they want, this is strange.


Next we see a girl step forward from the row of children following behind her is another girl and a boy they are all three standing there for a minute and the room gets silent.


Then the boy speaks,


I have been chosen to speak on behalf of all of the Children in this room. We are standing here before all of you representing the Worlds Next Generation, Your Worlds Next Generation. We only have a few words to say to all of you here today.


All of us had several things that we wanted to say to all of you today but we all decided that words are not enough without all of Our WORLD LEADERS making a Solid Commitment to end all Wars in Our World Today ! ! !


So, we only have three words to say to all of you here today... " PLEASE JUST STOP"


(one of the girls standing next to this young boy translates this message in all languages)


The three young children stand there for a minute in silence then one of the two girls step forward she says, we only have one more request to ask from all of you in this building today, please follow us to the garden area located just outside this building.


(the other girl translates this request in all languages)


The other children in the building follow the three children exiting the building followed by the Adults.


Third Scene;


We see all of the children lined up still holding their flowers and plants in one hand and their shovels in their other hand they are paired off one boy and one girl standing along side of the garden rows facing their Countries signs that are placed in two foot sections of their Special Garden.


(we see all of the Adult Leaders standing around this garden in groups whispering to each other we can't make out what they are saying to each other but they have a confused look on their faces)


Next the same Girl that spoke earlier in the building is holding a flower in one hand and a small shovel in her other hand says, I would like all of the Adult Leaders from their Countries to stand in front of their Countries signs facing each of us. (translated by the girl standing next to this girl)


The Adult Leaders line up in front of their Countries garden signs facing these children then every child bends down at the same time and digs a small hole in the ground in their two foot section of this Special Garden. (each two foot garden section now has two small holes dug in them and everyone is silent)


Next we see the same girl that spoke earlier stand up after digging her hole in the garden she hands her Adult Counter Part Leader her Potted Flower and says, each one of these Flowers that all of us has brought here today Represent WORLD PEACE for Our Future.

she continues..


All of the Children Around the World requested this SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS MEETING to beg all of the Leaders of Our world to help us Plant our Flowers here today to end all Wars in our World Immediately and all of the Plants that the Boys brought here today represent Commitment To Do So.
(translated again by the girl standing next to her)


Next we see the Boy that spoke earlier at the meeting hand his Adult Counter Part his potted plant then the Girl that is speaking looks over at all of the other Children that are still standing next to their garden and she nodes her head.


Then, All of the Children say the words together, in their own languages in a loud & begging tone."PLEASE JUST STOP"


Next, We see all of the Children reach in their pockets, pull out a small bag and pour out a few of seeds into each of their Adult Counter Parts hands.


The Girl speaker then says,


we are giving all of you our seeds to take home with you so you can plant them in your gardens as a reminder of your Commitment all of you made here today to; END ALL WARS In Our World IMMEDIATELY..THESE SEEDS ALSO REPRESENT FORGIVENESS for without forgiveness there can be no PEACE, so please pass these seeds on to your transgressor so the Peace Process can begin. (translated by the girl standing next to her)


Last Scene


We see all of the Adult Leaders bent down next to the Children planting the Children's Flowers & Plants together in their"Special World Peace Garden" Located in Front Of the "UNITED NATIONS BUILDING"


Fade Out..


Written by, Michael V. Caldwell, Always Striving To Be Part Of The Solution, Using Respect & Common Sense As My Guidelines To Follow At All Times...


Respectfully,Thank all of You, for taking the time to read this IMPORTANT & Very Badly Needed message.


"DREAM BIG DO BIG"




________________________________________________________________________________________


All Countries Have A Choice Of What Kind Of Road They Build Together & What Kind Of Road They Build Will Determine Where That Road Takes Them.


"ROAD TO PEACE" (film short story)

Opening Scene: (filmed in black & white, silent film)
We see an old Soldier walking down a dirt road with a machine gun under his arm
and carrying his young son on his shoulders.
The young boy and his father are dressed in their combat clothing and the boy
also has a machine gun gun tucked under his arm, suddenly they stop.
(our camera pans to a person sitting on a large rock on the side of the road)
We see the back of this person only, the person is wearing a black hooded robe
with their hood raised up.
(we pan back to the old soldier and his son)
The old soldier places his son on the road then pushes him in the direction
of the hooded stranger.
The young boy walks cautiously up to the stranger with his gun drawn
upwards as he gets closer we notice the person is small in stature then the boy
points
the gun at the back of the strangers head.
The stranger turns around slowly then we see it is a young girl, the girl
is the same age as the boy.
The young girl places a daisy in the barrel of the boy's gun.
(at that instant our film changes to color and remains in color)
Next, we see they young boy standing there with a blank look on his face he
then drops the gun on the ground, the gun vanishes and where the gun was we see
three books there instead.
The boy picks up the books curiously, then turns and looks in the direction
where his father was with an astonishment look.
(we show a close-up on boys face then we pan our camera to the father)
The boy's father is now standing there dressed in a white shirt and slacks and
holding sets of plans tucked under his arm in the place of a gun.
(we pan back to boy and girl)
We see the boy standing there dressed in the same attire as his father, with
three books tucked under his arm in place of his gun staring at the girl that
is still sitting on the rock, the girl has long curly brown hair and is now
wearing white clothing, she also has three books sitting next to her.
Closing Scene:
We see the backs of all three of them walking down the road towards the setting
sun, the boy and the girl are holding hands both of them carrying three books
tucked under their arms.
The father has three sets of building plans tucked under his arm and is walking
with his head up high..

Fade Out End...Or Beginning Of A Brighter Badly Needed Future For Our World.

    Reply#1 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:39 AM EST

    Will Obama get another Nobel Peace Prize again for his second term? Surely he will earn it if only for his speeches and the aura of his magnanimous presence and sense of peaceful tranquility throughout the world when he speaks.

    Forward! to President Joe Biden in 2013!

      Reply#2 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:50 AM EST

      2013? Did you get your election year math wrong, or are you hoping he gets killed somehow?

      I'm thinking you meant the latter, since that's the only way I could imagine Biden ever being president.

        #2.1 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:47 PM EST
        Reply

        Oblamo returning to the motherland?

          Reply#3 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:21 PM EST

          Well, that was nice of them... though I'm not sure why releasing non-political prisoners is supposed to endear them to us. I believe that deserters are jailed in all modern nations (and in the less modern ones, sometimes executed on the spot).

          Still, it's progress. I'm amazed to see a wretched country like Myanmar reform so dramatically and honestly in my lifetime, especially since it's happening without a violent removal of the current batch of elites. I certainly hope for Myanmar's continued advancements toward democracy and acceptance by the world community, so that other countries with authoritarian regimes might see the benefits of a peaceful transition of power.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#4 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:52 PM EST

          Alls hell in D.C.

          fire up the Jet.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#5 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 7:30 PM EST

          Here's to Barack Hussein,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, falling down a flight of stairs.

            Reply#6 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 7:34 PM EST

            Forward

            Hope

            Laser focus

            Fair

            shovel ready

            change

            all in

              Reply#7 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 7:35 PM EST

              Come to Asia and see what is really happening in Myanmar...

              While things are opening-up due to NON-ENFORCEMENT of current regulations. The regulations have not and are not being CHANGED...

              The National League for Democracy party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi only won about 50 seats out of over 500 seats. The majority are still military and most are appointments, not elected offices...

              The Foreign Media is still on very short leashes with very restrictive visas & travel permits...

              The Foreign Investor is still the MINORITY Owner with one-year property leases from the Government...

              The Ethic Violence is continuing in both the north and southern areas...

              Hundreds of thousands are still undocumented & unable to obtain work or travel permits...

              Electrical power & other utilities are unreliable and Medical care is 'Stone Age' at best...

              A modern Banking system is still years away, and ATMs are almost non-existent...

              The Northern Thai & Myanmar border check-points are still controlled by the Myanmar Drug Gangs...

                Reply#8 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:35 PM EST

                kill them all, baghhhhhhhh

                • 1 vote
                Reply#9 - Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:12 AM EST

                sorry wrong page

                  Reply#10 - Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:17 AM EST

                  give our president a chance to proove what he is promising, go obama

                    Reply#11 - Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:32 AM EST
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