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BurmaNet News: December 3, 2000
- Subject: BurmaNet News: December 3, 2000
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 03 Dec 2000 00:52:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
________December 3, 2000 Issue # 1674_________
NOTED IN PASSING:
"In the past, governments and companies [hid] behind the absence of a
global and binding decision on Burma to justify their inaction, now
there is a global decision by a UN body which gives them legitimate
grounds to take action.?
Bill Jordan, of the Intl Confed. of Free Trades Unions calling for
sanctions on Burma for using forced labor. See AFP: International trade
unions threaten action against Myanmar investors
INSIDE BURMA _______
*AFP: Prominent Myanmar writer flees to Thailand
*AP: Myanmar free some leaders of pro-democracy party, but not Suu Kyi
*Ananova.com: Rebels 'kill three Myanmar soldiers'
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Local populace against expected Shan-Wa
war
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Wa deploying along border with Thailand
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Times Higher Educational Supplement: Scholar attacked for links to
junta
*The Japan Times: Tokyo slates meeting with Burma
*AFP: International trade unions threaten action against Myanmar
investors
*The Bangkok Post: Drug arrests
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*The Business Times (Singapore): Ong Beng Seng buys 49% of Myanmar
Airways
*People's Daily (PRC): China, Myanmar Sign MOU on Tourism Cooperation
OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright: Remarks on Burma at the 2000
U.S. Agency For International Development (USAID) Democracy and
Governance Partners Conference
*Times Higher Educational Supplement: Why I believe academics should be
wary of dealing with repressive regimes
The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
AFP: Prominent Myanmar writer flees to Thailand
Saturday, December 2 3:59 PM SGT
YANGON, Dec 2 (APF) - Prominent Myanmar writer Tin Maung Than has fled
to Thailand and may be seeking asylum in the West to escape increasing
pressure from the country's military government, sources said Saturday.
Tin Maung Than, a noted intellectual and social commentator, is believed
to have left Myanmar with his family about two weeks ago.
Friends of the Harvard-educated writer told AFP that the junta had
refused him permission to travel to the United States to begin a PhD,
and that he decided to skip the country so he could continue his
studies.
He initially travelled to the Thai capital Bangkok but it was not known
whether he had already left for a third country.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangkok was not available for
comment Saturday but the office has a blanket ban on commenting on
individual applications for political asylum.
Tin Maung Than, a medical doctor by training, has had several brushes
with Myanmar's censors, particularly in his capacity as editor of a
private magazine entitled "Thinbawa", or "Your Life".
An article where he described the deterioration of Myanmar's education
system since the days of British colonial rule was famously completely
censored from the publication.
But his latest run-in with the junta came several months ago when he
became instrumental in releasing an explosive speech by a government
minister who made a rare public criticism of the junta's economic
policies.
Deputy minister for national planning and economic development Zaw Htun
was forced to stand down after he accused the government of gross
economic mismanagement.
Sources in Yangon said Tin Maung Than was one of a small group of people
who disseminated the speech and finally managed to have it loaded onto
the Internet.
His writings also include several books including novels and educational
works, but his output dropped off in recent months as he came under
increasing pressure from the authorities.
____________________________________________________
AP: Myanmar free some leaders of pro-democracy party, but not Suu Kyi
Dec. 2, 2000
YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar's military government freed six top members of
the opposition National League for Democracy from house arrest on
Friday, but said party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her two top
lieutenants would remain in confinement.
Party Chairman Aung Shwe, Vice Chairman Tin Oo and Suu Kyi, the
secretary-general, are the most outspoken as well as most senior party
executives.
The opposition members have been held virtually incommunicado and
allowed visits only by close relatives since Sept. 21, after a dispute
with the government in Myanmar, also known as Burma. It began Aug. 24,
when Suu Kyi tried to drive out of Yangon. Stopped by authorities, she
spent nine days camping on the roadside, then was forcibly brought back
to the capital. Her ordeal brought worldwide sympathy and harsh Western
criticism of the military junta.
The 1991 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, she has been stopped several
times in the past as well.
Myanmar's ruling military, which kept Suu Kyi under formal house arrest
from 1989 to 1995, refused to hand over power after her party
overwhelmingly won a general election in 1990. It has harassed and
arrested hundreds of NLD members since the vote.
U.N. envoy Razali Ismail was able to meet with Suu Kyi twice at her
house during his visit to Myanmar in October. The United Nations is
trying to start a dialogue between the government and the opposition.
"The temporary restriction on six NLD central executive committee
members has been lifted since 5:30 p.m. today and (they) are resuming
their normal activities," the government said Friday. Aung Shwe, Tin Oo
and Kyi "are requested to continue their stay in the present position
for the time being." (AP)
____________________________________________________
Ananova.com: Rebels 'kill three Myanmar soldiers'
Fighting has flared up along the Thai-Myanmar border, with Karen rebels
claiming to have killed three Myanmar soldiers and wounded three others.
The Myanmar (Burmase) army has been stepping up attacks recently against
the Karen National Union, the last major ethnic insurgency group still
fighting the central government.
A KNU spokesman said rebel troops attacked a Myanmar light infantry
column opposite the Thai province of Kanchanaburi, inflicting the
casualties and capturing three rifles, ammunition and a compass.
One Karen soldier was seriously wounded in the clash, said the
spokesman, who demanded anonymity.
The military activity stopped a group of foreign and Thai light airplane
enthusiasts from entering Myanmar, also known as Burma, across the
Friendship Bridge from Mae Sot.
The 26-member group, flying in 20 small private planes, were taking part
in the Winter Tour Rally 2000. They included Thais, Malaysians,
Singaporeans, British and Americans.
____________________________________________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Local populace against expected Shan-Wa war
30 November 2000
Reporter: Saeng Khao Haeng
People in Mongton township of southern Shan State have expressed their
opposition against the probable war between the Shan State Army and the
United Wa State Army, said sources coming across the border recently.
"I thought the war between Wa and Shans fighting for the benefits of
Rangoon was over with Khun Sa's surrender (in 1996)", said a trader
coming from Mongton. "Now for whose good are they going to war against
each other again?"
Several agreed with the trader.
"We've been risking ourselves and our family's lives by supporting the
SSA all through these years," said another. "I hope Sao Yawdserk
doesn't let us down".
Many voiced a dialogue between the two "before things go out of
control".
Since mid-November, units of the UWSA had been pouring into Mongton
township, stopping and spotchecking both travelers and vehicles along
the Mongton - BP1 road.
The SSA also reported 5 battalions of the UWSA's 171st Division of Wei
Xiaokang moving in to set up bases in Nakawngmu, Mongtaw, Monghta,
Khailong and Namkad. The first three locations are opposite Chiangmai
Province and the remaining two opposite Maehongson Province.
Shan elder, Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, meanwhile commented: "In terms of
strategy, it is totally disadvantageous for Sao Yawdserk and the Shan
State... (but) I guess he has to do what he has to do, in order to
survive, if only for immediate survival... He is involved in a game
where he has no leverage"
____________________________________________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Wa deploying along border with Thailand
Reporter: Saeng Khao Haeng
Sources across the border told S.H.A.N. yesterday Wa troops were taking
positions along the border opposite Chiangmai.
Units from the United Wa State Amy's 171st Division arrived in Monghta
(west of Mongton) on Thursday (30 November) afternoon in 45 Tiger Toyota
offroaders. 17 of them reached Hueyyao (6-km north of Piangluang,
Wianghaeng District, Chiangmai Province) yesterday at 15:00, carrying
140 tough Wa fighters. "We saw soldiers of IB 225 (Mongton) piling up
on the vehicles after the Wa disembarked and took off to some unknown
location", said one source.
80 of the Wa fighters then marched off to Kiu Zangkup and Kawng Hermin,
2 outposts along the border that connects with the strategic Loihtwe
mountain already occupied by them since mid June. The remaining troops
with their commander (yet to be identified) were billeted at Pang
Surtao, a former training camp during SURA-MTA days.
The border checkpoint between Thailand Piangluang and Pang Maisoong on
the opposite side was still guarded by soldiers from IB 43 (Mong
piang).
It is not immediately known where the rest of the convoy have gone, but
some of them might sitll be in Monghta while some might continue their
way to Sankarng-Khailong, near the Shan State Army's Loi Taileng
stronghold, they said.
They also said it would be premature to foretell what to expect from the
event.
"But one thing is sure", one said. "We must be ready to bear 3 burdens
from now on, namely, the Burmese military, the SSA and now the UWSA".
Another source expressed fear of ill-treatment by the newcomers. "People
from Nakawngmu (between Mongton and BP1) and even Wa from other units
said the 171st is quite unruly", she said.
A different view was also voiced by one trader who shuttled between
Mongtaw-Monghta and Tachilek, opposite Chiangrai Province. "In the past,
we could only use the motor-road from Nakawngmu to Tachilek during the
dry season", he said. "But since over a year ago, we have been able to
travel by car even during the rainy season. At present, it takes only 5
hours to reach there".
He predicted that local people could now expect better road conditions
in the area.
Yet another source said he was worried from now on there would be
divisions among the local community. "In the past, it was generally us
against the Burmese. But now some of us who are more business and
profit minded will probably side with the Wa", he said.
Meanwhile, a Thai Burma-watcher told S.H.A.N., "It is a plot by Rangoon
not only to profit both materially and militarily from the expected
Shan-Wa conflict, but also to use the Thais to destroy the Wa".
Thai security officials are reportedly incensed by the Burmese move that
comes at the wrong time, when Thais are busy with preparations and
security for the General Elections to be held on 6 January, said
another Thai source.
____________________________________________________
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
Times Higher Educational Supplement: Scholar attacked for links to junta
1 December 2000, No. 1, 464, page 3 www.thes.co.uk
Phil Baty
01 December 2000
Extensive cooperation between the military dictatorship of Burma and a
senior London University academic has sparked international controversy
over academic ethics.
Elizabeth Moore, head of the arts and archaeology department at the
university's School of Oriental and African Studies, has close links
with the Burmese government's Office of Strategic Studies. International
academics have said her links with a regime notorious for some of the
worst human rights abuses and the suppression of dissent or academic
freedom raise important questions for scholars.
One London-based Burma specialist said Dr Moore's presence in the
country, officially known as Myanmar since 1989, could be considered
unethical, with her presence and her work capable of being exploited to
"legitimise" and bolster the dictatorship.
The Myanmar regime is led by minister of defence and self-styled prime
minister General Than Shwe, despite a 1990 popular vote for democracy.
The regime is subject to US sanctions and the withdrawal of trade
privileges by the European Union for human rights abuses, including the
use of forced labour, which have been condemned by the United Nations as
"crimes against humanity".
Dr Moore was formally "received" by the head of the OSS, General Nhin
Nyunt, in 1998. Later that year she met the Burmese minister for
education, to "discuss cooperation in education and research". She is on
a year's sabbatical in Burma and has recently worked on OSS-funded
archaeological projects.
"I am surprised Elizabeth Moore should wish to associate herself so
closely with the regime," said Gustaaf Houtman, deputy director of the
UK's Royal Anthropological Institute and an expert on Burma. "The regime
has taken upon itself the right to take over and manage all ancient
sites, whatever cultural or religious claims might be made on these by
other ethnic groups in dispute with the regime," he said. Some
archaeologists do not study in Burma because access to resources is so
closely controlled.
Controversy has focused on Dr Moore's work with the OSS on the famous
Shwedagon pagoda, where the country's Nobel peace prize-winning
democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who was incarcerated for five
years, launched her political career. In a 1999 paper on the pagoda, Dr
Moore wrote: "The support of the Office of Strategic Studies has been
invaluable in coordinating this research."
Dr Houtman said: "The regime's pagoda renovation projects serve to
bolster its legitimacy and to root out dissent. I believe Dr Moore is
involved in what is an unambiguously political project greatly disliked
by the Burmese."
An official OSS document proclaims archaeological work "to be of the
highest national importance". Because of this the OSS "sponsored and
organised scholars and experts of various institutes and departments to
undertake research". The same document later describes an OSS team on an
excavation that "met and held discussions with Dr Moore".
Georgetown University's David Steinberg, one of the world's leading
experts on Burma, avoided direct comment on Dr Moore's activities, but
said all academics should be cautious. "There is a legitimate role for
appropriate academic interchange of ideas and relations," he said. But
such relationships must help build Burmese universities for a future
under new leadership. They should develop scholarship of international
standing and provide more knowledge of Burma for the external world. "In
undertaking such relationships," he said, "each foreign academic and
foreign institution should consider whether their actions do this, or
whether they support the propaganda mechanisms of the state. This is the
critical test."
Donald Seekins, professor of Southeast Asian politics and history at
Meio University in Okinawa, Japan, said: "Elizabeth Moore and anyone
else is free to publish what they want (most evidently not the case for
scholars in Burma). But their audiences should at least be aware of the
circumstances under which they obtain their information."
Dr Moore was on a dig in Burma and unobtainable as we went to press. A
Soas spokesman said: "Your communication has been brought to the
attention of the school secretary and the pro-director for taught
courses IThe school is not able to make any comment on the points
raised."
____________________________________________________
The Japan Times: Tokyo slates meeting with Burma
By HISANE MASAKI , Staff writer
Dec. 1, 2000
In defiance of mounting international pressure, Japan appears firmly
determined to go ahead with technical assistance for Burma. A fledgling
joint panel of Japanese and Burmese military regime officials and
private-sector experts will meet in Tokyo as early as next week to
discuss ways to resolve structural problems that have hobbled the
impoverished Southeast Asian country's economic development, informed
sources said Thursday.
It will be the second time for the joint economic panel to meet; the
panel was inaugurated earlier this year and held its first meeting in
Rangoon in June.
Japan's decision to host a second meeting is expected to draw flak from
the United States and other industrialized countries in Europe as well
as from human-rights activists both at home and abroad.
The meeting comes amid escalating international criticism of Burma's
military regime for its violations of human rights and democratic
principles.
At its board meeting in Geneva on Nov. 16, the International Labor
Organization, a key body of the United Nations, decided to impose
sanctions on Burma over its widespread use of forced labor. The
sanctions, applied under an article of the ILO constitution that had
never been used, took effect Thursday.
Burmese military regime has long denied the existence of forced labor,
insisting that civilians work voluntarily to promote the development of
the country, especially its poorer rural areas.
Unlike U.N. Security Council sanctions, which spell out limits on trade
and other punishments, the ILO is leaving it to the some 170 individual
member governments to determine specific measures to take against Burma
.
A senior government official said there is no conflict between the ILO
action and Japan's going forward with its policy of "constructive
engagement."
"Japan's technical assistance for Burma's economic reforms does not run
counter to the ILO decision, because the ILO sanctions call on its
member governments to stop any economic aid that may encourage the use
of forced labor in Burma," the official said, requesting anonymity.
The meeting also comes amid a continuing tug-of-war in Burma. The
military regime has recently entered into a showdown with prodemocracy
leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National League
for Democracy.
The junta -- which now refers to itself as the State Peace and
Development Council -- and Suu Kyi's NLD began knocking heads in early
September. That's when the SPDC forced Suu Kyi to end a nine-day
roadside protest just outside the Burma capital of Rangoon, forcibly
returned her to her Rangoon home and confined her there.
Although she was released from effective house arrest 13 days later, she
was again placed under effective incarceration after she made another
failed attempt to travel outside Rangoon.
Foreign diplomats stationed in the Burma capital have not been allowed
to visit Suu Kyi.
The military has been in power since 1988, when it staged a coup. Two
years later, it nullified the results of an election that handed Suu
Kyi's NLD a landslide victory. The NLD leader was then placed under
house arrest until the summer of 1995.
The U.S. and other industrialized countries in Europe have toughened
economic and other sanctions against Burma during the past decade, and
since the coup Japan has frozen large-scale economic aid for new
projects.
But while joining the U.S. and Europe in calling for improvements in
human rights and democratic principles, Japan has taken a much softer
approach toward Burmese military regime.
Tokyo has argued for "constructive engagement" with the junta instead of
ostracizing it from the international community.
But the U.S. is becoming increasingly critical of this policy. At a
meeting with her Japanese counterpart, Yohei Kono, in New York in
mid-September, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright implicitly urged
Japan to abandon its policy toward Burma and fall into line with the
U.S. and Europe.
The U.S. has also objected to the joint economic panel, claiming that it
will only spoil the SPDC by signaling that Japan condones its lack of
progress on democratization and human-rights.
____________________________________________________
AFP: International trade unions threaten action against Myanmar
investors
BANGKOK, Dec 1 (AFP) - Trade unions called Friday for governments,
companies and international organisations to re-examine their relations
with Myanmar's junta or face strong sanctions.
The warning followed a recommendation by the International Labour
Organization (ILO) to its members -- which include employers and trade
unions as well as countries -- to reconsider their relations with
Myanmar because of its continued use of forced labour.
An unprecedented move which opens the way to sanctions, the
recommendation, adopted on November 16 by the ILO in Geneva, came into
affect on November 30.
In an official statement received in Bangkok, the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), based in Brussels and which
groups 221 national trade unions from 148 countries, confirmed it
planned to obtain the "rapid withdrawal of foreign investors whose
presence has the direct or indirect effect of aiding or abetting forced
labour."
Companies involved in the oil and gas, timber, rice, textile, tobacco
and tourism, about 300 companies from 30 countries, are among the first
who will be targeted for trade union pressure.
According to ICFTU, nearly one million people are currently subjected
to forced labour in Myanmar, particularly in building of roads, railways
and military installations.
The army has been singled out as a main offender, due to its practice
of using villagers as "porters".
Bill Jordan, ICFTU general secretary, said in the statement: "In the
past, governments and companies were hiding behind the absence of a
global and binding decision on Burma (Myanmar) to justify their
inaction, now there is a global decision by a UN body which gives them
legitimate grounds to take action."
The ICTU had requested last month that travel agencies and Western
multinationals in Myanmar adopt the ILO recommendation.
Several western conglomerates invest in Myanmar but have always
maintained that they are not involved in using forced labour.
The Myanmar ministry of foreign affairs lambasted the "completely
unjust" decision by the ILO and announced that Yangon would not
cooperate any more with it on the question of forced labour.
____________________________________________________
The Bangkok Post: Drug arrests
[Abridged]
Dec 02, 2000.
Four Burmese were charged with trafficking in 8,000 speed pills in Suan
Luang district yesterday following the arrest of a gang member in the
Ramkhamhaeng area.
Ah Ming sae Chen, a suspected major dealer, and three aides were
arrested in a raid on a room in Future hotel, in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 44.
Earlier, Pi Kham, a Burmese gang member, was charged with trafficking in
6,000 pills at The Mall, Ramkhamhaeng.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
The Business Times (Singapore): Ong Beng Seng buys 49% of Myanmar
Airways
2 Dec 2000
By Kalpana Rashiwala
ONG Beng Seng's Region Air has clinched a 49 per cent stake in Myanmar
Airways International (MAI) and will help with the management of the
airline from Jan 1.
Sources did not reveal the price the Singapore businessman paid. Under
the deal, Region Air will not only take a stake in MAI but will also
provide management, marketing, accounting, cost control, technical and
operations management of the airline.
Region Air Myanmar chairman George Yin Soon noted that MAI is a
"lesser-known but good airline" which the tie-up aims to improve.
The airline's fleet currently comprises only two 146-seater Boeing
737-400s leased from
Malaysian Airline System. It flies to regional destinations such as
Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hongkong.
Among other things, Region Air will help upgrade MAI's systems and
procedures and introduce new technology to improve aircraft management,
yields and load factors.
In October, SIA Engineering Company bagged a five-year, $40 million
aircraft maintenance contract from Region Air.
Mr Ong, who controls Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Ltd (HPL) with
his in-laws, was hit badly during the regional financial crisis between
1997 and 1998.
He had to sell off a string of assets, including stakes in the Four
Seasons hotels in Milan and London, Hotel Pennsylvania in New York, a
prime site at Surfers Paradise on Australia's Gold Coast -- and even his
personal jet.
Market watchers note that he appears to be coming under siege at HPL by
the dynamic cousin-duo of Quek Leng Chan and Kwek Leng Beng, who have
been raising their stake in the company gradually.
However, Mr Ong seems to be expanding again. Last month, an associate
company of HPL snapped up a Bangkok youth hostel, YMCA Collins
International House, for 340 million baht (S$13.6 million). It plans to
convert it into an upmarket hotel.
His wife, Christina, has also begun to spread her wings in the fashion
world after having seen them clipped during the crisis years.
____________________________________________________
People's Daily (PRC): China, Myanmar Sign MOU on Tourism Cooperation
Dec. 2, 2000
China and Myanmar reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Saturday,
December 2, on the implementation plan for outbound travel by Chinese
citizens to Myanmar.
The MOU between the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the
Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism was signed by visiting Vice
Chairman of CNTA Sun Gang and Myanmar Deputy Minister of Hotels and
Tourism Brigadier General Aye Myint Kyu.
Attending the MOU signing ceremony were Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar
Liang Dong and Myanmar Minister of Hotels and Tourism Major General Saw
Lwin.
According to the MOU, both sides agreed that the approval of Myanmar as
an official outbound destination country for Chinese citizens travelling
abroad at their own expense by the Chinese Government is the result of
the joint concern and encouragement from the state leaders of both
countries.
The relevant departments of both countries must conduct this business in
a meticulous way to ensure that the business will develop in a healthy
and orderly direction from the very beginning, the MOU said.
On the Chinese side, the business of outbound travel by Chinese citizens
to Myanmar will be handled by the 66 designated travel agencies, which
have been authorized by CNTA to conduct outbound travel by Chinese
citizens, and the Myanmar side will recommend to the Chinese side an
appropriate number of law abiding, creditable and competent travel
agencies as land operators for handling Chinese tour groups to Myanmar,
the MOU stated.
The tourism administrative departments of both countries will be
responsible for the management and supervision of their respective
travel agencies, and for protecting the legal rights of tourists, and
severe punishment should be applied to travel agencies violating tourist
interests, the MOU stressed.
The cross-border travel by Chinese citizens to Myanmar will be managed
according to this MOU as of the date when the outbound travel by Chinese
citizens to Myanmar at their own expense is officially started, it
added.
Sun Gang, who led a five-member China National Tourism Administration
delegation, arrived here Friday evening for a four-day visit to Myanmar.
According to official statistics, there are 492 hotels, motels and inns
with nearly 14,000 rooms in Myanmar, earning over 30 million U.S.
dollars annually.
A total of 151,970 foreign tourists visited Myanmar in the first eight
months of this year, of which 1,938 were from China.
________________OPINION/EDITORIAL___________________
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright: Remarks on Burma at the 2000
U.S. Agency For International Development (USAID) Democracy and
Governance Partners Conference
[Abridged]
November 30, 2000
Arlington, Virginia
..... We must also support efforts by the democratic opposition in Burma
to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the authorities there and to
improve respect for basic civil and human and political rights. The
world knows that Burma had elections in 1990 and that the National
League for Democracy lead by Aung San Suu Kyi won an overwhelming
victory. We know as well that the military responded by arresting the
winners and crushing dissent.
As a result, Burma today is an economic basket case. It has become
notorious as a source of opium, it is being overrun by HIV/AIDS and its
government has been sanctioned by the ILO for encouraging forced labor
and slavery. As the rest of Asia strides boldly into the 21st century,
the people of Burma may be sent to jail for owning a computer modem or
sending e-mail.
Our friends in Burma may be impeded from communicating directly with us,
but the message sent by their ballots a decade ago will never be deleted
from our minds. Every nation that loves liberty should press the leaders
in Rangoon, peacefully and relentlessly, to open their country and free
their people.
____________________________________________________
Times Higher Educational Supplement: Why I believe academics should be
wary of dealing with repressive regimes
1 December 2000, No. 1, 464, page 18
Gustaaf Houtman
01 December 2000
On its website, the Burmese regime describes Burma as "historical", with
a civilisation dating back many centuries, and stresses its own role in
uncovering Burmese history. Over the past decade it has rebuilt all the
Burmese palaces (but not, of course, those of the Shan and other ethnic
groups), restored all major pagodas that symbolise the wealth of the
kings and built about two dozen new museums.
It also draws attention to primate fossils found in the Pondaung region
of central Burma, suggesting that these "may qualify Myanmar as the
region where mankind originated" and that they "indicate the existence
of Myanmar culture and traditions since time immemorial".
This urge to historicise Burma by reducing its civilisation and culture
to a series of historical objects is a result of the generals' difficult
relationship with the peoples of Burma (there are more than 135 ethnic
groups). Historical figures, including Aung San, the father of Burmese
independence and of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, are much harder
to control than inanimate objects.
In 1962, Burma came under the yoke of military socialism. This lasted
until the 1990 elections, which were won decisively by Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy, but the military refused to cede power.
Today, having ditched socialism, it is still desperately seeking some
sort of legitimacy to retain power. The answer, since 1997, has been not
only to rebuild pagodas and palaces, but to delve into Burma's past.
Imagine the delight of General Khin Nyunt, de facto chief of government,
at learning of the discovery of some extremely useful fossils in 1997.
An archaeology department was set up and several international teams
were attracted to validate the discovery. However, the 40
million-year-old primate fossils, older than the most ancient Egyptian
fossils, have been taken well beyond the realms of science by the regime
and are routinely used to support its ideology and achievements.
Some national scientific bodies have said they "lend support to the idea
that the ancestor of all monkeys and apes lived in Asia instead of
Africa", which could mean that "anthropoids migrated from Asia to Africa
at some point". These bodies say the fossils could also "mean that the
anthropoid group has its roots stretching far back into time, possibly
even into the late Paleocene period (58-55 million years ago)". They
conclude that the whole story of mankind's origins may need to be
reviewed as a result.
However, much more work is needed to back this up and the generals might
be better off paying attention to the enormous economic and social
difficulties faced by living Burmese people rather than to dead fossils.
Archaeology seems to have given the military a new lease of life. Some
scholars, delighted at the invitation to do research in a country that
has been closed for 30 years, are clambering on the bandwagon and giving
the regime the credibility it craves.
Unfortunately, it tends to be those who have most to gain who pander to
the regime. But even if the more responsible foreign palaeontologists
exercise some caution when writing about the origin of anthropoids in
Asia, their work can still be manipulated by the regime.
Of course, this balancing of access to material and political
manipulation happens elsewhere - for example, in China. However,
scholars from all disciplines should be aware of the ludicrous use to
which their discoveries may be put. Academics who fall for the
temptations of being showered with privileges by repressive heads of
state should be forced to hang their heads in shame.
Gustaaf Houtman
Editor of Anthropology Today and deputy director of
the Royal Anthropological Institute
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