"Biofuel by Decree: Unmasking Burma's bio-energy fiasco"

I haven't posted much about Burma - except the border runs - because what I did hear from people working with Burmese organizations in Thailand wasn't sharable. Thai officials can look away if nothing is explicitly out in the open, but if it is in their face they have to take action. That doesn't mean the new government isn't making nice to the Burmese government, but they also aren't fanatic about dealing with Burmese refugees in Thailand. Though I did hear stories about police having quotas for how many illegal Burmese they had to round up per day in one town. All this is word of mouth from people I don't know all that well. But I heard similar stories from different people.

But this was emailed to me and so it is a little more official, though I note that the location will be announced at the last minute. I don't think it's because they haven't found a place. I don't know if I'm being overly cautious, but I left out the name, phone numbers, and email as well.


INVITATION

Date: April 29, 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

A warm greeting from ECDF

Ethnic Community Development Forum is cordially invite you to join us on the special event of launching our report "Biofuel by Decree: Unmasking Burma's bio-energy fiasco" on May 1 at (10:00) am to (12:00) am. For the conference place we will informing you on (30 April 2008).

Why we are launching the report on Labor Day, May first because in the implementation of SPDC Jet Suu plantation project is using forced labor, land confiscation and other human rights abuses,

During launching the report we will have some VIDEO show about SPDC forced to the people and including the video clips of interviewing from who are refugees by SPDC Jet Suu project.

However ECDF would like you to join our press conference and if you have any question, you can contact with the spokesperson as below address please.

XXXXXXXXXX

Phone: XXXXXXXX (Thailand call)

+XXXXXXX (International call)

Email:XXXXXXXXXXXX

Note: we will send the press release as soon as

With best regards,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ethnic Community Development Forum of Burma