BurmaNet News: October 8, 2000

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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
_________October 8, 2000   Issue # 1635__________

INSIDE BURMA _______
*DVB : Cease-fire groups drug trafficking exploiting deal with Khin 
Nyunt
*AP: Myanmar Military Vows To Crush All Opponents - Paper
*Reuters: Myanmar Accuses the West of United Nations Plot 
*KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Up Date Tenasserim 
Situation Report

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: UN envoy faces up hill task in breaking Myanmar deadlock
*The Nation: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Japan's dilemma on Burma grows 
sharper
*Daily Yomiuri : Intl peace group urges Japan to step up role in 
conflicts

ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Xinhua: Myanmar's Fertilizer Production Falls in Six Months
		
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__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
	

DVB : Cease-fire groups drug trafficking exploiting deal with Khin Nyunt

Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 4th October

The UWSA [United Wa State Army] Wa group, the Kokang group, and the 
Palaung Liberation group, which have signed peace agreements with the 
SPDC [State Peace and Development Council], have opened offices in 
Pa-an, Kawkareik, and Myawadi in Karen State and are engaging in border 
trade activities with approval from Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt [SPDC 
Secretary-1].

These cease-fire groups, which hold Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's signed approval, 
are rude to regional military units and are exploiting Khin Nyunt's 
signature to traffic in drugs. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] 
correspondent Maung Tu filed this report.

[Maung Tu] It has been learned that each cease-fire group has been 
sanctioned 10 10-wheel trucks and 10m kyat [Burmese currency unit] by 
the secretary-1 early this year. When these groups export goods to 
Thailand by car no military, police, or militia checkpoints has the 
authority to check their goods. Eyewitnesses say whenever any attempt is 
made to check the cars they would say that they would not talk to 
ordinary soldiers but would only deal directly with the secretary-1 and 
showed the document signed by Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

One ex-policeman said the cease-fire groups including the UWSA Wa group 
and the Kokang group have been trafficking in drugs under the guise of 
border trade and shielded by Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's signature so much so 
that Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's signature has become a drug trafficking permit. 


The LID [Light Infantry Division] No 44, which was in charge of border 
security in the region from Paung to Myawadi was transferred because of 
the problem between the LID 44 divisional commander and the Wa group. 
The problem arose when one LID 44 column checked the drug-carrying cars 
of the Kokang and the UWSA and a quarrel ensued. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt 
supposedly sided with the Wa group.

Observers believe the secretary-1 is trying to manipulate the situation 
by allowing the cease-fire groups to engage freely in economic 
enterprises because of the fear of the groups breaking the cease-fire 
and exploiting the standoff between the National League for Democracy 
and the SPDC. 

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 4 Oct 00 







____________________________________________________


AP: Myanmar Military Vows To Crush All Opponents - Paper

Oct 8, 2000

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)--Anyone confronting the military government in 
Myanmar is committing what amounts to high treason, an official 
newspaper warned Sunday.  
A commentary in the Myanma Alin newspaper said the ruling military, 
remaining unconcerned about internal or foreign threats, would 
annihilate any danger to national independence and sovereignty.
  
"The present Tatmadaw (military) government is a military government 
that has taken power temporarily but will do what is necessary when the 
appropriate time comes. Anyone engaged in confrontational activities 
amounts to committing high treason and defying authority," the article 
said. 

No group or person was mentioned, but the opposition National League for 
Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi has often been accused of 
being confrontational and relying on Western nations, particularly the 
United States and Britain. 

Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel peace laureate, and other leaders of her party 
have been under virtual house arrest since Sept. 22 - when her second 
attempt in a month to travel outside Yangon was blocked by authorities.  
 The regime's actions have drawn international criticism and the 
imposition of sanctions by a number of countries. 

Myanmar's military junta has refused to hand over power to Suu Kyi's 
party, which swept the 1990 general elections. It kept Suu Kyi under 
formal house arrest from 1989 to 1995. Even after being freed, her 
movements have remained heavily restricted. Hundreds of her followers 
have been jailed. 

"Neo-colonialists, foreign broadcasting stations, and internal 
power-crazy people are attacking the ruling military government from all 
sides with allegations of violating human rights, workers' rights, 
women's rights and failure to hold dialogue with Daw Suu Kyi and failure 
to combat narcotic drugs," the article said. 

The newspaper, which has published several strident attacks on Suu Kyi 
recently, said the Myanmar military liberated the country from British 
rule, defeated the Japanese in World War II and survived an internal 
communist insurgency. 

The military has exercised a grip on power since 1962 and brutally put 
down a pro-democracy uprising in 1988 which brought Suu Kyi to the fore 
of the democracy movement.

____________________________________________________

Reuters: Myanmar Accuses the West of United Nations Plot 

Sunday October 8 7:24 AM ET


YANGON, Myanmar (Reuters) - A state-run Myanmar newspaper accused the 
West of using support for democracy and human rights as a pretext to 
pressure its government Sunday, a day before an official U.N. visit to 
the country. 

Razali Ismail, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy to 
Myanmar, was due to arrive Monday on his second visit since he was 
appointed to the post by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan last April 
with a mandate to promote human rights and restore democracy.
 
A Myanmar foreign ministry official has said he expected the government 
to give Ismail access to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has 
been locked in her house since September 22. 

The official Myanmar language paper Myanmar Alin issued the hard-line 
commentary Sunday saying the United States, Britain and other western 
states were plotting against Myanmar. 

``The Western group knows that what they are saying does not produce any 
effect,'' the newspaper said. ``That is why they are plotting for the 
U.N. and international organizations to apply pressure on (Myanmar).'' 

Myanmar has faced mounting international condemnation this year over its 
treatment of Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD), which 
won elections in 1990 by a landslide but has never been allowed to 
govern. 

The Nobel peace laureate has been under de facto house arrest following 
her forcible removal from Yangon's main railway station last month after 
the authorities blocked her latest attempt to travel outside the city. 

The newspaper said Sunday that Suu Kyi's motive for travel out of Yangon 
was to ``incite and instigate unrest and riots.'' 

``Traveling to incite riots is neither democracy nor human rights,'' it 
said.  



____________________________________________________



KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Up Date Tenasserim 
Situation Report

Date: October 8, 2000.

 

Report on Human Right Abuses by Burma Army, in Tenasserim Township, and 
Eastern Mergui Township, (Mergui District, Tenasserim Division) in June 
to August 2000.  
 

1. Extra Judicial Killing

2. Burning

3. Torture

4. Looting

5. Forced Labour

6. Extortion

_________________________________________________________________ 
1. Extra Judicial Killing
 

A troop from Burma Army's Light Infantry Battalion 557 entered to Pawat 
Htee area in 5.6.2000. They saw a Pawat Htee Thoo Day villager Maung Pan 
Aung 20 years, son of Oo Ohm Nyut and Ma Htah and captured him. The 
troop killed Maung Pan Aung on their way back to their camp by the 
jungle path because he is a Christian. (Tenasserim Township, Mergui 
District) 
 

A troop from Burma Army's Infantry Battalion 262 which was headed by 
battalion comdr. Lt. Col. Kyaw Myint arrived to Pawat village in 
24.6.2000. They accused a villager Saw Wa Khu, 21 year as a spy of 
resistance force and shoot him to death between Htaw Ma and Mee Laung 
Gwin villagers. (Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
 

On 15.7.2000, a troop of 30 Pyithusit (SPDC's people militia) from Le 
Thit village tract which was headed d by Khin Maung Tint entered the 
compound of Saw Hpo Nu's house and shot the house where Saw Hpo Nus' 
wife was in the house. After entering the house and learn that Saw Hpo 
Nu was not there, they said to Saw Hpo Nu wife that her husband is an 
informer for the rebel and they shot Saw Nu's son (one year old) to 
death. (Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
 

On 20.7.2000, Burma Army's IB 262 entered to Pawat village tract Htee 
Thu Day village and captured a villager named Saw Thwe Swe, 37 year, son 
of Saw Hpo Toke and Naw Ka Maying. Accusing Saw Thwe Swe as cooperated 
with the resistance force they brought him to a place called Kamalay and 
shot him to death.(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
2. Burning
 

On 22.7.2000, Burma Army LIB 263 arrived to Ta Hpo Hki village. They saw 
a villager Saw Ka Ree running out from them and shoot at that villager. 
Missing the runaway villager the troop burnt down four houses with it 
all utensils in the houses.(Eastern Mergui Township, Mergui District) 
3. Torture
 

On 14.7.2000, Burma Army LIB 561 arrived to Ta Hpo Hki area and captured 
a villager Saw Nya accusing him as he has a firearm. The troop tied him 
by a tree, beaten and tortured him and left him by the tree without 
giving food and water for one day. (Eastern Mergui Township, Mergui 
District) 
 

On 8.7.2000, IB 372 that operate along Tat Moo, Kawut Hta and Ta Nay Ler 
Hko villages have captured a villager Hset Than Shwe and his family. The 
troop ordered them to go and get an automatic riffle. When the family 
fails to get such that weapon they do not let the family eat anything 
and confined the family head Hset Than Shwe in a confinement. On 
28.8.2000 SPDC's LIB 560 2nd commander Maj. Htay Win summoned a captured 
villager Saw Tee Tu Baw who was in confinement and demanded 200,000 kyat 
for his release.  (Easter Mergui Township, Mergui District) 
 

On 22.8.2000, a column of Burma Army from LIB 560, which was led by 2nd 
battalion commander Maj. Htay Win, combined with IB 101 and Taung Nge 
village militia (totally about 200 men) arrived to Manorone area. They 
captured a villager called Tee Thu Baw from Hto Hsa Hkee (name of the 
place) and they beat and kicked that villager severely. After that they 
ordered that villager to show them the place of rebel and later on they 
dragged that villager to Taung Nge village. There they again beat him 
severely and put him into confinement.  
(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District)

 

On 26.8.2000, LIB 563 led by 2nd battalion commander Maj. Htun Htun Oo 
went to Mazaw village, forced the villagers to call back their relatives 
who work in resistance forces. If no one come back the villagers must 
face more restriction said the commander.(Eastern Mergui Township, 
Mergui District) 
4. Looting
 

On 2.7.2000 some troops from Burma Army, Division 99 arrived to a place 
called Hsaw Hay Hki and captured a villager named Saw Khin Win and asked 
for a firearm. When Saw Khin Win unable to give, they called along him 
back to their camp. That troop has looted all the household utensils, 
cloths and other belonging from the house there. (Tenasserim Township, 
Mergui District) 
 

On 15.7.2000, troop from LIB 561 led by battalion commander Lt. Col. Min 
Din and Nyaungbingwin village militia led by Ja-pan arrived to a cattle 
trading route and waiting the traders covertly at Yanmachaung in 
Kyeinchaung area. That day they manage to loot 75 cattle and some cash 
from the traders and went back to their battalion headquarter. 
(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
 

On 10.8.2000, 60 men from Pawwat Hta village militia and Le Thit village 
militia arrived to Pawat village area and shoot at the villagers who are 
plowing their field and knowing that no one were hurt they took away two 
oxen from the yoke and went back. (Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 

 

On 13.8.2000, SPDC's village militia from Let Thit grouped up their 30 
men and went to Gyo Daung village. They met Saw Bee Hpo and his family 
and rob off 3 gold necklaces from Saw Bee Hpo's wife, which cost more 
than 100,000 kyats.(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
5. Forced Labour
 

On 2.7.2000, SPDC's LIB 561 commander Lt. Col. Min Din ordered villages 
from Thagyet, Nyaungbingwin and Thebotleik village tracts for road 
construction between Taninthayi town and Naungbwa. Every day 3 persons 
from each village must go and work on this road construction in turns. 
This road was a part of Mergui (Burma coastal on the east bank of 
Andaman Sea) to Prakuabkirikan (Thailand coastal town on the west bank 
of Thai gulf) inside Burma territory. On 17.7.2000, the same battalion 
commander ordered Hti Hpo Wah villagers to go and work for a military 
building construction at Hit Hpo Wah village. (Tenasserim Township, 
Mergui District) 
 

On 27.7.2000, SPDC's LIBs 557 and 558 had ordered villagers from Thagyet 
and Kyeinchaung village tracts to work for military oil palm plantation 
at Kyeinchaung area. 70 persons from Thagyet, 50 from Nyaungbingwin, 30 
from Thebotleik, 50 from Kamukru, 30 from Kyauktalone villages were 
demanded to go and work in turn. That oil palm plantation was about 
55500 acres and it was led by Ko Aung and Ko Soe Naing as managers. 
(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
 

On 5.8.2000, Lt. Col. Min Din from LIB 561 ordered his troop to join 
with village militia and to capture villagers as military porter. That 
combined troop captured 30 people from Kywe Htein Gon, 40 from 
Moseikkwin and brought them back to Nyaungbingwin village where the 
troop stationed. (Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 
6. Extortion
 

On 3.8.2000 SPDC's village militia from Lethit village grouped up 
themselves, went to a villager Saw Bee Hpo at the same village and 
extorted 50,000 kyat. They told Saw Bee Hpo that they need that money to 
feed the patrolling government troop while arriving their village. 
(Tenasserim Township, Mergui District) 





___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________


AFP: UN envoy faces up hill task in breaking Myanmar deadlock					
Sunday, October 8 3:17 PM SGT 



BANGKOK, Oct 8 (AFP) - United Nations special envoy Razali Ismail, 
starting a four-day visit to Myanmar Monday, has the mammoth task of 
trying to break the deadlock between the military junta and the 
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). 

The veteran Malaysian diplomat's visit comes against the backdrop of the 
junta's renewed crackdown on the NLD despite fierce international 
criticism. 

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other party elders remain under de facto 
house arrest since they were prevented from travelling to the northern 
city of Mandalay on September 22. 

The junta has not publicly said whether Razali will be able to meet Aung 
San Suu Kyi, but observers said it was highly unlikely he would make the 
trip without being guaranteed a meeting with the Nobel Peace prize 
laureate. 

"If he comes and does not see her, he would certainly discredit 
himself," an analyst in Yangon said. 

Razali will discuss "continuing violations of human rights in Myanmar," 
and report back to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, UN spokesman Fred 
Eckhard announced Friday. 

Myanmar's stubborn insistence of non-interference in its internal 
affairs does not bode well for Razali's second visit under UN auspices. 
During his first trip in July he apparently made little headway in 
restarting relations between the NLD and the junta. 

Neither does the junta's cancellation of a visit by an European Union 
delegation scheduled for the end of this month. 

Over the past week state media has fiercely defended Myanmar's 
sovereignty, saying any change must come without bullying by western 
powers, who it said, were in league with the NLD to destroy "peace and 
stability" in the country. 

But some diplomats and analysts say cautiously that the junta might be 
more receptive during the October 9-12 talks because of the mounting 
external pressure. 

In particular they believe Razali's nationality could be crucial if he 
is to persuade the junta to soften their stance. 

Malaysian prime minister Mathathir Mohammed was the driving force behind 
ASEAN's decision to admit Myanmar as its ninth member state in 1997. 

"Razali is the best option because he understands their sensitivity and 
way of thinking," said Laxanachantorn Laohaphan, head of the 
international organizations department at Thailand's foreign ministry. 

A political scientist and longtime Myanmar watcher in Bangkok, who asked 
not to be named, added: "There is a real chance this time of a 
breakthrough ... because at the moment the junta is faced with a lot of 
concerns, in particular the threat of ILO sanctions." 

In an unprecedented move, the International Labour Organization voted in 
June to call for diplomatic sanctions by all 175 members states against 
the junta if use of forced labour did not show signs of abating by 
November 30. 

But the political scientist warned not to expect immediate or 
significant change: "The junta has always spoken toughly and it won't 
stop now. But you have to look behind the scenes and look at what is not 
said." 
"They (the junta) are looking for opportunities to change but in their 
own style and without losing face," she added. 


However diplomats in Yangon cautioned against predicting the junta's 
response. 
"You never know which way the junta will jump," said one diplomat. 

"If the junta feel they are being pressured into making a deal that 
could blow his chances," said another referring to the rejection of a 
previous UN quid pro quo offer of a one billion dollar humanitarian aid 
package -- condemned by the junta as "bananas for monkeys." 

The NLD won a landslide general election victory in 1990, but the junta 
has never recognised the result and is accused by foreign critics and 
human rights groups of severe repression of its opponents. 



  


____________________________________________________



The Nation: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Japan's dilemma on Burma grows sharper

 Oct 8, 2000.


 BY KAVI CONGKITTAVORN 

Japan is feeling the heat on its Burmese policy. Since last month, as 
international pressure has intensified, expectation has increased that 
Tokyo's generous approach towards Rangoon would produce better results 
in breaking the political impasse and instituting the reforms that Tokyo 
has hoped for.  

Tokyo indeed is betting on its Burmese policy, arguing that by being one 
of the few countries that have close contacts with the Rangoon regime, 
its approach has so far allowed Japan to engage Burma in ways that will 
promote future reform and liberalisation.  

The US and Europe have been pressuring Japan to tighten the screws on 
Burma, but for the time being Japan is not ready to abandon its 
position.  

One reason is that policy-makers in Tokyo have not seen any political 
dynamism inside Burma that would propel further changes. While they 
support the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and recognise her popularity 
and legitimacy, they see the junta leaders as the power-holders who can 
make or break the opposition.
  
Japan has sought to work with the junta leaders as such, believing that, 
given time, they will take up reform and halt further suppressive 
measures against the opposition. Early last month Japanese Foreign 
Minister Yohei Kono wrote to the State Peace and Development Council 
stressing that the travel restriction on Suu Kyi and her colleagues in 
the National League for Democracy (NLD) was not acceptable. Any 
additional restrictive measures could have ramifications on Japan's 
policy on the junta, the letter warned.  

But that much was clear. Japan is increasingly worried about the 
deteriorating political conditions in Burma after Suu Kyi's announcement 
that the NLD will draft an alternative national constitution. The NLD's 
decision would challenge the ongoing work of the National Constitutional 
Convention established by the junta leaders. The junta says that the 
convention represents views from all walks of life. The NLD walked out 
in 1995. Tokyo fears that the junta leaders will use drastic retaliatory 
means to annihilate Suu Kyi and the NLD.  

If that worse-case scenario happens, it would literally ruin the raison 
d'Ùtre of Japan's Burmese policy. Since the 1988 crack-down on the 
pro-democracy movement, Japan has been ambivalent in its position, 
shifting its position between the Western and Asean views. 
 
Japan has reiterated that its Burmese policy is based on a desire to 
move the national reconciliation process forward and not on economic 
interests as is alleged. Japan's investment ranks ninth among top 
investors in Burma, after Singapore, Britain, France, Thailand and 
others. Tokyo has for years provided generous humanitarian assistance to 
the junta leaders. Last year the aid was worth about 700 to 800 million 
yen (about Bt3 billion).  

Second, the absence of strong domestic pressure on Burma also 
contributes to Tokyo's benign policy. Although there are 
non-governmental organisations and citizens' groups in Japan which are 
opposed to the junta leaders, their voices mean very little to the 
Japanese bureaucracy.  

Given the great casualties suffered by Japan during World War II when 
approximately 180,000 Japanese troops were killed inside Burma, the 
Japanese war veterans and some quarters of the public have very 
sympathetic views towards Burma. They are less politically inclined and 
wish their government to provide additional assistance. Their support 
for Burma has also prevented Japan from toughening its policy. 
 
As the review of labour conditions in Burma comes up in mid-November, 
Japan is hoping that the SPDC will seriously respond to the 
recommendations made by the International Labour Organisation. According 
to Rangoon-based diplomats, the SPDC has already completed a draft plan 
of action to ameliorate the labour situation in Burma. Because of 
differences in the junta's top echelons, the plan has not yet been 
approved.  
Rangoon has agreed to welcome the ILO technical team but remains 
uncommitted whether it will take up ILO recommendations, which include 
halting all forms of forced labour.  

Related to Japan's future policy is the visit to Rangoon by UN special 
envoy for Burma Dato Ismail Razali from today until Thursday. The 
outcome of his visit will have an impact on Japan's position as well as 
on that of the international community. Razali, who has recently 
consulted with the Japanese and Thai foreign ministries, views Japan's 
assistance as leverage to encourage the junta leaders to loosen their 
grip on power. He is optimistic that Japan can positively influence 
events inside Burma.  

Razali's trip has been closely followed by the international community, 
which has pinned its hopes on him for a breakthrough. After his visit he 
will stop over in Bangkok.  
Like it or not, without concrete progress in Burma over the next few 
months, it would be extremely difficult for the Japanese government to 
justify its present policy. 


____________________________________________________


Daily Yomiuri : Intl peace group urges Japan to step up role in 
conflicts

Saturday  October 7, 2000

By Ikuko Higuchhi (Daily Yomiuri staff Writer)

The president of the International Crisis Group (IGC), an international 
non-governmental organization working to prevent regional conflicts, 
urged Japan to play a more active role in conflict prevention through 
methods such as building democratic institutions in potentially volatile 
areas. In an interview with The Daily Yomiuri on Friday, ICG President 
Gareth Evans, formerly an Australian foreign minister, praised Japan's 
increased contribution to build peace in conflict-stricken areas such as 
Kosovo and East Timor, particularly in the form of economic assistance. 

However, he said that Japan should focus its efforts more on specific 
steps to prevent conflicts - rather than simply offering development aid 
- by, for example, establishing democratic institutions. "So many 
conflicts are caused by people having a grievance because the existing 
government is not properly protecting their interests, and there are 
lots of things you can do to strengthen the quality of democracy," Evans 
said.

He emphasized the necessity for Japan to continue making such efforts, 
however remote the problems may appear to Japanese. "Regional conflicts 
could often have very serious consequences, such as the spread of 
terrorism and narcotics, not to mention refugee problems, so the 
international community has an interest in preventing conflicts even in 
a small country far away, " he said.

There are also several areas in Asia to which Evans is paying special 
attention: Indonesia, Central Asia, Cambodia, and most of all Myanmar, 
which is "potentially explosive" for conflict in the future.

"Sometimes I think Japan is a little unnecessarily cautious in getting 
involved because it fears criticism or backlash, but people know the 
difference between selfish and unselfish interest,"
Evans said.

The ICG is based in Brussels, and is currently operating in areas such 
as Bosnia, Yugoslavia and Central Africa. The organization's board 
comprises 53 trustees, including George Soros, known by many as a famous 
hedge fund tycoon.



____________________________________________________



_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
 

Xinhua: Myanmar's Fertilizer Production Falls in Six Months

Xinhua, Rangoon, 1 October 2000.Myanmar produced 72,330 tons of chemical 
fertilizer in the first six months of this year, down6.9 percent 
compared with the same period of 1999, according to the latest figures 
of the country'sCentral Statistical Organization ( CSO).  During the 
six-month period, the country increased import of fertilizer, spending 
28.16 million U.S. dollars, to help meet the domestic demand. During the 
same period of last year it spent only 12.75 million dollars to import 
fertilizer.

The country has only three fertilizer plants, producing annually a total 
of about 130,000 tons of urea.

Myanmar needs over 800,000 tons of chemical fertilizer annually and its 
domestic production is far from meeting the demand.

According to the CSO, the country has still to spend 34.7 million U.S. 
dollars of foreign exchange annually to import fertilizer.

Fertilizer, along with pesticide, improved variety and machinery, is 
among agricultural implements on which import duties are exempted by the 
government as part of its bid to promote agricultural development.







____________________________________________________

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