TheIrrawaddy

The Irrawaddy magazine has covered Myanmar, its neighbors and Southeast Asia since 1993.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Aung Zaw

EDITOR (English Edition): Kyaw Zwa Moe

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Sandy Barron

COPY DESK: Paul Vrieze; Andrew D. Kaspar; David Kay; Feliz Solomon; Sean Gleeson

CONTRIBUTORS to this issue: Aung Zaw; Kyaw Zwa

Moe; Kyaw Phyo Tha; Yan Pai; San Yamin Aung; Yen Snaing; Thuzar; Nobel Zaw; Zarni Mann; Kyaw

Hsu Mon; Bertil Lintner; Aung Naing Oo, David Hopkins; Simon Lewis; Nyein Nyein; Brennan

O’Connor; Timo Jaworr; Claudia Sosa.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: JPaing; Sai Zaw; Hein Htet; Teza Hlaing; Steve Tickner; Timo Jaworr

LAYOUT DESIGNER: Banjong Banriankit

SENIOR MANAGER : Win Thu (Regional Office)

MANAGER: Phyo Thu Htet (Yangon Bureau)

REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS MAILING ADDRESS: The Irrawaddy, P.O. Box 242, CMU Post Office, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

YANGON BUREAU : Building No

170/175, Room No

806, MGW Tower, Bo Aung Kyaw Street (Middle Block), Botataung Township, Yangon, Myanmar.

TEL: 01 388521, 01 389762

EMAIL: editors@irrawaddy.org

SALES&ADVERTISING: advertising@irrawaddy.org

SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscriptions@irrawaddy.org

PRINTER: Chotana Printing (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

PUBLISHER LICENSE : 13215047701213

14 | COVER Draft Signed, Its Destiny Awaits

Government and ethnic peace negotiators have signed a draft nationwide ceasefire agreement. But what does it really mean—and what’s next?

Features

24 | Society: Neighborhood Watch

A determined group of Kachin youth face an uphill battle to eradicate drugs from their community

26 |

History: Operation Dracula

Seventy years ago this month, Allied forces retook Yangon from the Japanese

30 | Interview: ‘We Must Try to Make Things Better’

34 | Photo Feature: The Lonely Capital Venturing through Naypyitaw

Business

41 | Dairy: The Cows That Keep On Giving

A childhood passion for cattle has turned into a thriving dairy business for U Than Myint

46 | Interview: Gold Demand ‘Remains High’

49 | Food: Fresh Market Gains Fans

Chemical-free fruits and vegetables attract health-conscious consumers

50 | Signposts: FDI Soars

Regional

52 | Counting Tigers

India’s rising number of big cats may be a victory only on paper

How d o you feel about being named Myanmar’s first Catholic cardinal?

I did not expect to be chosen; cardinals are usually chosen from places like the Philippines and Italy where the majority of people are Catholic Christians. But the Pope of his own volition chose a cardinal from Myanmar,where the Catholic population is small. He did so with the intention of encouraging the international community to give assistance to poor, undeveloped and troubled countries. Though I am happy to be appointed as a cardinal, I also take it as an important responsibility. The sense of responsibility I feel, that I have to try and be an example for my country and my people, is stronger than the happiness the position has brought me.

What do you plan to do to improve the future of the country?

Firstly, we can’t turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to difficulties, racial and religious conflicts, the wishes of the people and particularly the recent student protests Myanmar has faced in marching toward democracy. We have to make sure we all face [these issues] in good faith. Though the majority of Myanmar’s population is Buddhist, it is a multi-faith country and I therefore want to offer my services to ensure peaceful co-existence between people of different faiths and peace between ethnic groups and the government.

Are you now closely involved in settling