BurmaNet News: February 14, 2000

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

=========== The BurmaNet News ===========
Monday, February 14, 2000
Issue # 1462
=========================================

NOTED IN PASSING:

"The [Thai] authorities must make the distinction between genuine 
political refugees and violent groups. In fact, the Thai government 
should learn from him [Ediger] and praise his non-violent approach." 

Somchai Homla-or on the arrest of Max Ediger of Burma Issues  (See 
NATION: AMERICAN PEACE ACTIVIST ARRESTED AS ILLEGAL ALIEN)


=========
Headlines
=========

Burma Today in Brief--

===

Inside Burma--
ASIAWEEK: READ THIS, YOU DINOSAURS!
DPA: CHINESE SMUGGLER ARRESTED 
AP/THE INDEPENDENT BANGLADESH: REBELS FACE TOUGH DEAL FOR PEACE WITH 
MYANMAR JUNTA

===

International--

NATION: AMERICAN PEACE ACTIVIST ARRESTED AS ILLEGAL ALIEN
FNS DAYBOOK: NEWS BRIEFING - CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS 
MIC: MALAYSIAN FM TO VISIT MYANMAR

===

Opinion/Editorial--

===

Other--

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*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
BURMANET: BURMA TODAY IN BRIEF--February 14, 2000
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Regime allows new business paper to start, arrests Chinese businessman.  
AP says ethnics under siege, may have to surrender.  Thai police arrest 
American Mennonite for helping Burmese.  US Congress to hold hearing on 
religious persecution in Burma and SE Asia. Regime says Malaysian FM 
coming to visit, reader asks how to spot regime viruses.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 INSIDE BURMA
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ASIAWEEK: READ THIS, YOU DINOSAURS!

18, 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 6

A new journal that will rattle the hardliners

By ROGER MITTON Yangon


When is a newspaper not a newspaper? When it is published in Yangon 
without government approval but with military permission. Huh? Bear with 
us and we'll try to explain. Anyone wishing to publish a newspaper in 
Myanmar must get a license from the ministry of information, run by 
Maj.-Gen. Kyi Aung, who thinks draconian restrictions and one-sided news 
presentation is just fine, thanks. But over at the information division 
of the elite Office of
Strategic Studies, they see things rather differently. Run by the 
articulate and outward-looking Col. Thein Swe and Lt.-Col. Hla Min,  the 
division, like the rest of the OSS, reports to the regime's strategist, 
Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt.

Thein Swe and Hla Min have been quietly fuming over the way the nation's 
flagship paper, the stalinist New Light of Myanmar, undermines their 
efforts to win greater international acceptance for Yangon's point of 
view. So they authorized the launch of a new paper, The Myanmar Times & 
Business Weekly, part of a radical attempt to revamp the regime's image. 
The move represents a daring and risky internal powerplay by that 
consummate survivor Khin Nyunt. Launching The Myanmar Times, as it is 
known, is flagrantly against the wishes of the hardliners and could come 
back to scorch him.

Khin Nyunt's boys have not even bothered to apply to the ministry of 
information for a license. How are they getting away with that? By 
playing the old game of semantics. Thein Swe explains: "Only the 
ministry can approve a newspaper. So it will be a journal, not a paper." 
Yes, but it will look and feel like an upmarket tabloid. It will carry 
local and foreign news about politics, business, social affairs and 
sports.

Scheduled for a soft launch Feb. 12, the new paper - oops, journal - is 
bankrolled by local entrepreneur Pyone Maung Maung, who is close to Khin 
Nyunt and whose business already includes the distribution of foreign 
publications.

The Myanmar Times will be managed and edited by expatriate professionals 
headed by Australian Ross Dunkley, 42, and will be published by Yangon's 
Ava Printing House. Dunkley has a successful track record in this sort 
of venture. In 1991 he helped set up and run the Vietnam Investment 
Review in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is as mediaphobic as Myanmar. So 
since the forthright Dunkley succeeded there, perhaps he can in Yangon.

But it will be tough, especially when reporting domestic issues. 
"Naturally in the beginning we have to be very careful," says Thein Swe. 
"But The Myanmar Times will be different, more flexible." Isn't there a 
risk that Dunkley will carry anti-regime stories? "The government need 
not fear us," replies the editor. "We are not here to create political 
problems. I want professional objective reporters. I'm not looking for 
people who want to push a political wheelbarrow." While the new journal 
(circulation: 30,000) will sell mostly in Yangon, Dunkley also aims to 
circulate in other urban centers like Mandalay, as well as to countries 
like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. "Up to now," he says, "most of 
the reportage on Myanmar has been biased, totally lacking in balance and 
often filled with misinformation."

He aims to put that right and he is confident most people, especially in 
the business community, will support him. "This is an 
information-starved society so it should succeed," says a diplomat in 
Yangon. "But it will be a long way from independent." Dunkley 
experienced heavy censorship at the start in Vietnam but says over the 
years authorities became more lenient. He hopes the same will happen in 
Myanmar. "Allowing this journal to start up is a very good step 
forward," says Dunkley.

Yes, but surely the ministry of information won't see it that way? 
"Well, because it's a journal they can't say anything," says Thein Swe. 
Remember, this is one of Khin Nyunt's inner coterie talking about a key 
ministry, headed by a fellow general. That's not all. Recently, there 
has been overt criticism by Khin Nyunt's allies of how the New Light 
reports on Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy. On 
Feb. 4, a newsletter edited by Thein Swe's colleague Hla Min reprinted 
an Internet article that referred to the New Light carrying "articles 
and cartoons on the NLD [that] are so vicious that people reading them 
cannot go past the vitriol to get at any grains of truth."

The newsletter went on to state: "The high authorities may think it is 
not necessary, but in the modern world there is a need to give a good 
impression." The Myanmar Times is theoretically a crucial start in that 
direction. Like the regime's decision to fly in journalists to view 
anti-drug programs and allowing the Red Cross to visit prisons, the 
launch of the journal marks a major break with the mindset of the past.

"Our policies should be - will be - more liberal," says Thein Swe. "We 
cannot go backwards. So please be patient and wait for the changes." 
While The Myanmar Times may be a small part of that process, it may also 
herald an internal battle between Yangon's young modernisers and the 
rump isolationists. How that plays out may decide the future direction 
of Myanmar.


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DPA: CHINESE SMUGGLER ARRESTED 


Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa)
14. Februar, 2000

(dpa) Hong Kong - the main figure in the so far largest corruption 
scandal of China was arrested in Burma (Myanmar). After a report of a 
Hong Kong newspaper Lai Changxing was discovered by civil policemen in a 
hotel, where he had taken refuge since his escape in autumn. 

Its enterprise, the Yuanhua group, is accused to have smuggled large 
quantities of oil, auto, computers and other goods to China since middle 
of the 90's with the help of local authorities. 

Lai Changxing fled to Burma with its Hong Kong passport. In accompanied 
by police officers he was deported back to the People's Republic, where 
the death penalty or life-long imprisonment threatens him, the newspaper 
reported. About 200 functionaries should be involved into the scandal.


*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

AP/THE INDEPENDENT BANGLADESH: REBELS FACE TOUGH DEAL FOR PEACE WITH 
MYANMAR JUNTA

YANGON, Feb 11: Myanmar's military regime shows little sign of making 
concessions to remaining ethnic Shan and Karen insurgents to make peace, 
reports AP. Lt. Col. Hla Min, a government spokesman, said the Shan 
State Army (South) would have to lay down its weapons in surrender and 
effectively ruled out the political settlement sought by the Karen 
National Union.The Shan and Karen are Myanmar's largest ethnic 
minorities and have waged rebellions through various small armies for 
independence or more autonomy against the central government for 
decades. 

These rebel armies have long operated on the fringes of Thai territory 
as safe rear areas, but after, two
hostage taking in four months in Thailand by fringe rebel groups, the 
days of Thai tolerance appear over, leaving Yangon in a stronger 
position. Thailand sent a chill to insurgents along the border by ending 
the latest siege in uncompromising fashion, killing 10 gunmen who had 
seized hundreds of hostages Jan. 24 at a provincial hospital.The gunmen 
were from a fringe Karen group, God's Army, led by 12-year-old twin boys 
and a radical student group that had taken hostages at the Myanmar 
embassy in Bangkok in October.Days after the hospital siege ended in 
bloodshed, the main Shan and Karen rebel armies said they wanted to 
start peace negotiations. 

But the their prospects for getting a better deal than outright 
surrender appear bleak. Hla Min said neither group has yet made contact 
with the government, although the "door was open" for talks.The once 
powerful KNU was giving "mixed signals" on reaching a deal, although its 
never-say-die general, Bo Mya, has just been demoted as leader after 24 
years."I think the new chairman said that he wanted to solve this issue 
in a more peaceful way," Hla Min said."But we are also reading in the 
media Bo Mya saying that nothing is going to change; that they have been 
fighting central government for 50 years and can continue to go on 
fighting," Hla Min said.Some 17 ethnic insurgent groups have reached 
ceasefires with the government since 1989, enabling the burgeoning 
Myanmar army to consolidate its grip on the country it has ruled since 
1962.The KNU has vowed to fight on until it gets a share of political 
power denied so far to other ethnic groups, many of whom still hold 
their weapons in exchange for making peace. 

But Hla Min said ethnic minorities wanting a stake in government would 
have to await a long-delayed national constitution. Drafting began seven 
years ago and shows no sign of completion.The process has been partly 
delayed by a boycott led by the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 
winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who says the drafting is a charade to 
extend military rule.Suu Kyi's party won general elections the military 
allowed in 1990 but was never permitted to take power. Hla Min said the 
KNU's desire to keep its weapons after a cease-fire would have to be 
discussed but intimated they had lost their
chance."If they had come back into the fold like other groups did in the 
earlier time, that could have been accommodated," Hla Min said. He 
estimated that the KNU had no more than 1,500 armed men, compared with  
ndependent estimates of 3,000 to 4,000.Hla Min said the 3,000 to 4,000 
troops of the Shan State Army (South) leader Yawd Serk, who are former 
fighters of drugs warlord Khun Sa, would have no choice but to 
disarm."It's my personal opinion that if he wants to make peace, he'll 
have to take the same stanceas Khun Sa," Hla Min said.Most of Khun Sa's 
15,000 troops surrendered in
1996. Khun Sa, formerly behind much of the heroin smuggled to the United 
States, has retired to Yangon and Myanmar has resisted calls for his 
extradition.



*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 INTERNATIONAL
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NATION: AMERICAN PEACE ACTIVIST ARRESTED AS ILLEGAL ALIEN


Feb 14, 2000.


AN American peace activist who has worked with prostitutes, slum 
dwellers, drug addicts and refugees is scheduled to stand trial tomorrow 
on charges of harbouring illegal aliens and working in the country 
without proper permit.

Norman Max Ediger, 53, who was arrested on Friday along with eight other 
people who did not have proper travel documents, is likely to be 
deported for his crime, police said. Human rights organisations have 
said those arrested are genuine political refugees, and not illegal 
aliens as charged. Ediger has been living in Thailand since 1979. His 
work permit expired last August.

His lawyer, Somchai Homla-or, a leading human rights activist from the 
Law Society of Thailand, blasted the police over the charges, accusing 
the authorities of conducting a witch-hunt by arresting Ediger.

"The authorities must make the distinction between genuine political 
refugees and violent groups. In fact, the Thai government should learn 
from him [Ediger] and praise his non-violent approach," Somchai said.

Ediger, 53, who is well known in the non-governmental organisation 
circles, has worked with Empower, an NGO that provides help to Thai 
prostitutes through education and skills training. He has also worked on 
a number of development projects in several slums in Bangkok, as well as 
on drug rehabilitation with addicts at the Thanyarak Hospital. He worked 
with mine victims during the Indochina War and has spoken out against 
both the military regime in Burma and some of the ethnic rebels fighting 
the junta.

Ediger started his work with Burmese refugees in 1988 after the military 
junta in Rangoon launched a bloody nationwide crackdown on pro-democracy 
activists and students.

"They have been fighting for nearly 50 years with no end in sight. 
However, I believe there are opportunities to come up with a non-violent 
approach so the displaced people can return to their homeland," Ediger 
said.

His "Burma Issue" publications and other documentaries on the plight of 
the Burmese people are sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee, a 
US-based Christian organisation.

The raid on Ediger's office, as well as other aid organisations that 
deal with Burma issues, was deemed to be part of measures by Thai 
authorities to ensure a trouble-free UN Conference on Trade and 
Development.

Ediger denied any connection with armed groups along the Thai-Burmese 
border.

"Our goal is to see that the violence diminishes so people can survive 
and build. We believe that this can best be done through non-violent 
means," he said.

Police arrested five Karen, one Shan, one Thai hill-tribe woman and one 
man from Burma holding an Indian passport. All but the hill-tribe woman 
would be deported, while Ediger was freed on a bail of Bt50,000 
(US$1,350) on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, eight leading human rights organisations yesterday issued a 
statement to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, urging him to understand the 
work of aid organisations dealing with Burma issues and dissidents, and 
to make the distinction between armed groups and humanitarian 
organisations.

BY Subhatra Bhumiprabhas



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FNS DAYBOOK: NEWS BRIEFING - CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS 

February 15, 2000 
 

NEWS BRIEFING - CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS BRIEFING 
TIME: 9:30 am 
 

Congressional Human Rights Caucus Briefing holds a news briefing on 
""Current Religious Liberty Violations in Burma, Laos, Vietnam and 
Indonesia." 

LOCATION: 2212 Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill -- February 
15, 2000 
CONTACT: Jeanette Windon, 202-225-4835; Hans Hogrefe, 202-225-3531 or 
Karin Finkler, 225-2411 

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MIC: MALAYSIAN FM TO VISIT MYANMAR

Myanmar Information Committee [regime]
Feb. 13, 2000


     At the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of 
Myanmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia His Excellency Datuk 
Seri Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar will pay an official visit to the 
Union of Myanmar in the near future.


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 OTHER
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LETTER: QUESTION ABOUT DDSI VIRUSES

13.02.2000
Alexander von Vietinghoff


Dear friends,

I read this news:

  Far Eastern Economic Review: Burmese Flu
  For several years, the DDSI's "cyber-warfare 
  department" has been active on the Internet, 
  posting messages on Web  sites run by Burmese
  dissidents overseas and trying to identify 
  critics who are active on-line.  Now, many 
  activists are receiving email messages from 
  DDSI agents with attachments containing 
  viruses.  The move comes in the wake of the 
  closure of Burma's only two unofficial e-mail 
  servers 


Please can you tell me how I can recognize such e-mails in case it 
arrive my mailbox.

Alexander (activist)

***

Response from BurmaNet Editor:  Viruses are so common on the Internet 
that precautions one should take in response to alleged attempt by DDSI 
to send viruses to activists are no different than what you ought to be 
doing anyway.

Most (but not all) of the viruses now circulating on the Internet are 
Microsoft Word macro viruses.  The virus infects your computer when you 
open an attached MS Word file that is infected.

One low-tech way of avoiding viruses on the Internet is to never open an 
attached file.  If that is not practical for you, do this--


Get a virus checking program that has the ability to scan downloads from 
the Internet.  If your current program cannot scan files as they are 
downloading, throw it away.  It does not protect you and gives a false 
sense of security.  Once you have the virus checking program installed, 
make sure it is set to check files as they are downloading.  Finally, 
get the updated virus definition files on a regular basis--say every 
30-60 days.  The updated definitions are generally available for free.  
One programs that works well is McAfee Antivirus with Internet scanner 
(http://www.mcafee.com).  Norton has a similar product.  There is little 
real difference between the products but make sure whatever you get has 
an Internet scanning capability.

You can also check your PC for viruses free via the web at:

http://housecall.antivirus.com/

This program will not prevent you from getting a virus, but it can help 
you clean your computer for the moment.


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Email: strider@xxxxxxx
Voice mail:  +1 (435) 304-9274
Fax: +1 (810)454-4740 

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