DISSENT IN THE RANKS "...Defectors from the Burmese army haven?t often had a voice, those in the past that have made it out of Burma and across the borders are few and far between, their stories and voices effectively silenced by a Burmese military that fears the sounds of emission those voices can produce..."...NO LONGER YOUR MOTHER (The following is taken from an interview with a defector from the Burmese Army undertaken by Burma Issues in September 2002.)...WORSE THAN DEATH...THE LIFE OF THE IDP?S "...The situation of the IDP?s in Burma still goes largely unrecognised by the international community. They are typically in areas that have little accessibility to outside groups and NGO?s, their existence one of constant fear, movement and lack of access to the basic necessities of life."...THE DAWNNA DIVIDE (2)"...Last month Burma Issues reported on the social and political conditions of the predominantly KNU controlled East Dawnna Mountain area. This week we will focus on the West Dawnna area, a Burmese controlled area, and the different living conditions this entails to those living there. The purpose of these reports is to give people a greater understanding of the living conditions and daily issues facing the villagers in the ethnic areas. While human rights violations are well documented we sometimes forget that there are human faces behind those numbers, with human stories of courage, perserverance and community togetherness, despite the overwhelming odds that state otherwise..." EDUCATION; COMMUNITY UNITY; FORCED LABOUR...News Briefs: Clarke facing embarrassment over burma link; Armed fighting between DKBA groups; Thailand eyes hydro scheme