The BurmaNet News: June 12, 1998 (r)

[maungt@xxxxxxxxxx]

Dear Editor,
    Could you please explain why Burnanet account has been closed down?

MMT
Sydney

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To: Recipients of burmanet-l <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Saturday, June 13, 1998 1:53 AM
Subject: The BurmaNet News: June 12, 1998


>------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
> "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
>----------------------------------------------------------
>
>The BurmaNet News: June 12, 1998
>Issue #1025
>
>HEADLINES:
>==========
>BKK POST: SUU KYI APPEAL
>BKK POST: PROTECTION COURSE
>NATION: UNHCR GIVEN ROLE
>BKK POST: REGIONAL SITUATION WORSENED BY SLUMP
>BKK POST: THE PARTY NEEDS FUNDS
>XINHUA: CHI HAOTIAN MEETS BURMA'S AIR FORCE CHIEF
>KA HSAW WA: STATEMENT AT UNOCAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING
>IHT: BURMA'S HEALTH (LETTER)
>****************************************************************
>
>The Bangkok Post: Suu Kyi Appeal
>11 June, 1998
>
>Manila -- Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to
>Philippine President elect Joseph Estrada to take the lead in supporting
>the pro-democracy movement in Rangoon, a non-government group said
yesterday.
>
>Merci Ferrer of the Free Burma Coalition said Mrs Suu Kyi made the appeal
>in a taped message handed to her during a meeting June 5 in the Burmese
>capital.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>The Bangkok Post: Protection Course
>12 June, 1998
>
>Burma's Social Welfare Ministry opened the country's first course on
>protecting women against violence, a government statement said yesterday.
>
>The three-day course would instruct an undisclosed number of ministry
>workers on how to collect data relating to violence against women.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>The Nation: UNHCR Given Role
>11 June, 1998 by Marisa Chimprabha
>
>The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will be allowed
>to participate in the administration of all 12 border camps for displaced
>Burmese as a "co-partner", a senior government source said yesterday.
>
>However, because of the UNHCR's shortage of staff, it will adopt a rotation
>monitoring team so they can effectively provide assistance for the Burmese,
>the source said.
>
>A proposal detailing the role of the UN agency in the camps has been
>drafted by Thai authorities and the UNHCR and submitted to the National
>Security Council for final endorsement.
>
>The NSC is expected to approve the proposal soon, the source said.
>
>"The UNHCR will work as a co-partner with Thai authorities from the
>beginning, starting with deciding whether the Burmese should be received
>into the camps, screening them to determine their status and registering
>them," the source said.
>
>"Importantly, the UNHCR will cooperate with Thai authorities in deciding
>whether to repatriate the Burmese. The agency and Thailand will decide
>whether it is timely to sand them back, but repatriation will not be
>against the will of the Burmese. The joint mission will also determine
>whether the areas where the Burmese will be repatriated are safe," the
>source said.
>
>Thailand changed its policy stance earlier this year when Prime Minister
>Chuan Leekpai publicly announced that he agreed in principle to the UNHCR
>playing a greater role in the camps for displaced Burmese.
>
>Previously, the UN agency was refused any role in the camps. Due to the
>international organisation's absence, Thai authorities have often been
>criticised for their handling of the camps and for forcibly repatriating
>the Burmese.
>
>"Thailand has to accept the UNHCR's role in the camps because we need
>financial assistance as the country has suffered from the economic crisis.
>We cannot handle it by ourselves," the source said.
>
>The proposal under consideration by the NSC does not include the budget the
>UNHCR will provide for the camps' administration.
>
>At present there are 12 Burmese camps situated in four provinces -- Tak,
>Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi --housing about 96,000 Burmese.
>The large number of displaced people has caused problems for Thailand in
>terms of national security, public health and social and economic issues.
>
>"In granting the UNHCR a role in the camps we have to recognise that all
>the procedures will require more time as it is different from in the past
>when Thailand could run everything in the camps itself," the source said.
>
>The source added that the UNHCR will not be authorised to provide security
>for the camps or refugees, leaving those duties to voluntary forces, border
>patrol police and soldiers.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>The Bangkok Post: Regional Situation Worsened by Slump
>11 June, 1998 by Achara Ashayagachat
>
>The economic slump has worsened the region's migration situation, and
>Thailand faces a humanitarian dilemma in accommodating international
>responsibilities and at the same time addressing the needs of its people,
>Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said.
>
>He said Thailand's rising unemployment is compounded by its special status
>as a sending, receiving and transit country for migrant workers, being home
>to 1.3 million migrants, 809,000 of them illegal, and 700,000 of them from
>Burma.
>
>Mr Saroj was speaking at the third meeting of a conference entitled
>"Asia-Pacific International Governmental Consultations on Regional
>Approaches to Refugees and Displaced Persons", hosted by the United Nations
>High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for
>Migration.
>
>He said the financial crisis in Thailand has had a tremendous social
>impact, particularly in terms of rising unemployment, and the number of
>unemployed would reach 2.3 million by the end of this year.
>
>Burma has so far responded positively and is cooperating with Thailand to
>resolve the problem, he said.
>
>Burma's deputy minister of immigration and population, U Maung Aung told
>the Bangkok Post that he did not think the issue was too difficult or too
>delicate to be resolved between neighbours.
>
>"It's just how to start the talks, but we may have to do something about
>immigration procedures like opening more checkpoints, perhaps in the
>Myawaddy area," said the Burmese minister.
>
>Mr Saroj said that even though more checkpoints were open, the porous
>Thai-Burmese border could not prevent migratory flows.
>
>"It is one of various means, and we are working on how to structure the
>talks," he said.
>
>While the Thai government is enhancing the role of the UNHCR in dealing
>with the issue, Burma has yet to embrace the UNHCR role.
>
>Burma seems to prefer bilateral dealing before allowing international
>organisations to step in, Foreign Ministry sources said.
>
>"Cooperation between Thailand and the UNHCR has already started.
>Burma-Thailand is beginning but the Burma-UNHCR circle of cooperation has
>yet to start," he said.
>
>Apart from the repatriation of illegal migrant workers, the Thai government
>has examined carefully the linkage between the crisis and internal
>migration, and the match between the skills of newly unemployed local
>labour and what is required to substitute for foreign illegal labour.
>
>"We have to minimise the negative aspects of irregular migration by
>promoting orderly and regular migration to support sustainable
>development," Mr Saroj said.
>
>The Foreign Ministry is now planning to organise an international symposium
>on migration by early next year to focus international awareness on the
>impact of the issue of transnational migration, particularly in this
>region, and to search for international cooperation towards a more
>manageable flow of migration including combating transborder crime, drug
>trafficking, and human trafficking, he said.
>
>Francois Fouinat, head of the UNHCR Bureau for Asia & the Pacific, said the
>migratory dimensions of the economic crisis in the region will be the
>predominant concern, and asylum and refugee issues cannot be ignored.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>The Bangkok Post: The Party Needs Funds
>11 June, 1998
>
>Burma's Thachilek province opposite Chiang Rai is attracting a lot of Thai
>investment baht of late, with one major project the effort of a group
>closely associated with the New Aspiration Party.
>
>The 6,000-million-baht golf course, first-class hotel and shopping complex
>on 1,000 rai is headed by Siri Thiwaphan, an adviser to the NAP, a former
>commander of the third army region commander and a three-time MP, and Adul
>Boonsert, who has represented Pichit for the NAP in the House in the past.
>
>Of course the project would not be complete without the mandatory casino,
>and it is scheduled to open later this year with earnings put at some 1,000
>million baht each month. The profit-sharing agreement between the Burmese
>government and the project investors is said to be a 40/60 split.
>
>Pol Lt-Col Adul is said to be the driving force behind the project under
>the name of NYM Group Ltd, which has entered into a joint venture with
>Burmese businessman U Aung La's MY Enterprise Ltd.
>
>Khint Tun, an economic adviser to the Thachilek governor, told us the
>Burmese authorities had granted the concession to U Aung La.
>
>The setting up of MY Enterprise by U Aung La reached fruition during a
>meeting of Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's mobile cabinet last year in Chiang Rai.
>
>"Burma will benefit from this Thai investment because it will bring a small
>boom to the area," boasted Khint Tun.
>
>But the benefits are not all Burma's. This is in no philanthropic gesture
>on behalf of the Thai partners and the rewards are expected to find their
>way into the NAP's war-chest in time for the next election.
>
>Another group tied to a Thai political party that has been sinking baht
>into Burma is headed by Prasit Phosuthon, the elder brother of Prapat
>Phosuthon, the Chart Thai Party's deputy interior minister.
>
>Mr Prasit's Vitawat International Co Ltd is investing in the Golden
>Triangle Paradise and Resort Project on 2,500 rai in the Burmese divide of
>that fittingly notorious piece of real estate overlapping Thailand, Burma
>and Laos.
>
>Yes, this project too will combine a casino, a hotel and a golf course. And
>as a bonus, there's a health park.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>Xinxua (China State-run English Language Paper): Chi Haotian Meets Burma's
>Air Force Chief
>9 June, 1998
>
>Beijing -- Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chi Haotian said here today that
>China is ready to further develop the friendly and cooperative relations
>between the armed forces of China and Myanmar. Chi, also vice-chairman of
>the Central Military Commission and State Councillor, made the remarks when
>meeting with Major Gen. Kyaw Than, commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Air
>Force, and his party.
>
>Despite of the changing international situation, China and Myanmar have
>always enjoyed a healthy and stable relationship, which has stood the test
>of time, he said.
>
>China treasures its ties with Myanmar and hopes the friendship between the
>two nations and two peoples will pass from generation to generation, he
said.
>
>He expressed his belief that Kyaw Than's visit would promote the
>development of relations between the two armed forces, especially their air
>forces.
>
>Kyaw Than said Myanmar leaders have pointed out many times that China is
>the most reliable friend of Myanmar, because it helped his country in the
>most difficult times.
>
>He noted that the Myanmar government, armed forces and people are willing
>to further develop the friendship between the two sides, and expressed his
>belief that the cooperation between the two armed forces would be
>strengthened.
>
>The Myanmar guests arrived here at the invitation of Lieut. Gen. Liu
>Shunyao, commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation
Army.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>Ka Hsaw Wa: Statement at Unocal Shareholder Meeting
>1 June, 1998 from <bfla@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
>Good morning.  My name is Ka Hsaw Wa, and I am the Director of Earth Rights
>International.  For three years, I have documented the abuses that are
>happening because of Unocal's Yadana Gas Pipeline in Burma.  I want to
>thank you for letting me speak today about the suffering that your pipeline
>is causing my people.   In Burma, anyone who criticizes your pipeline faces
>torture and even death.
>
>I have traveled to your pipeline.  I have interviewed hundreds of villagers
>who have connected to your pipeline.   Even now, men, women, and children
>must go for forced labor on the pipeline route.  I have interviewed dozens
>of people who now refer to themselves as "pipeline porters."   They are
>forced to carry the heavy loads of the SLORC soldiers you have sent to
>patrol your pipeline.
>
>You say that Unocal's presence has improved the lives of my people.  I ask
>you -- if that is true, then why are so many of the villagers living in
>refugee camps now, instead of enjoying the great benefits that you say you
>bring?    SLORC have shot and killed villagers who they think are trying to
>flee to Thailand.   The villagers would still rather risk their lives to
>escape than to stay in Burma living in fear.
>
>We have all heard your praise your development projects.   Do you know what
>the people in the villages say?   They told me: "These projects are like
>when the man throws leftover bones to the dog, so that the dog won't bite
>the man."   The villagers know that your projects are not generous gifts --
>they are just another part of your security plan that has already ruined
>their lives.
>
>I would like to end today with a plea:  Right now, as I speak to you, your
>security guards in the pipeline area are forcing [villagers] to carry their
>weapons as they hunt wild elephants -- including one very rare while
>elephant.  These are troops from LIB 282, 409, 410, 404 and 405 -- troops
>[that] are there specifically to guard your pipeline.  I have heard you say
>that you are committed to protecting the environment and the people near
>your project. If that is true, please, for once, use your influence now to
>stop your SLORC soldiers from enslaving these villagers and hunting these
>elephants.
>
>I will be happy to speak to anyone about this in more detail at any time.
>
>****************************************************************
>
>International Herald Tribune: Burma's Health
>10 June, 1998
>
>Letter to the Editor
>
>Since assuming power in 1988, the Burmese military junta has transformed
>the country into one of the most backward and repressive in Asia. The
>continuing deterioration of the economy, and a leadership more interested
>in holding on to its privileges than in the welfare of its people, have
>significantly hurt the health of the Burmese people, particularly women and
>children.
>
>According to UNICEF, the national infant mortality rate in 1996 was 105 per
>1,000 live births, compared with 33 in Vietnam, 31 in Thailand and 11 in
>Malaysia. One million Burmese children are reported to be malnourished, 9
>to 12 percent of them severely.
>
>The health of the population can not be isolated from the political
>situation in the country. Under present conditions, it is possible that the
>people's health will continue to deteriorate. The only way to reverse this
>situation is for the government to revise its priorities and set the health
>and well-being of the people above its military concerns.
>
>Cesar Chelala, New York  (The writer is an international medical
consultant)
>
>****************************************************************
>
>