BurmaNet News: December 21, 2000

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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
________December 21, 2000   Issue # 1691_________

INSIDE BURMA _______
*BBC: NLD activists imprisoned
*International Crisis Group: Burma/Myanmar: Is There a Way Forward?
*KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Burma army 
confiscated thousands baskets of rice from displaced villagers in the 
east of Theyetchaung

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*European Uniion: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the 
European Union concerning the next visit of the Troika to Rangoon
*Bangkok Post: Drug War Transcends Borders, Leaders Say
*Mizzima: American School students joined Burma refugee children in 
X'mas in Delhi
*Burmese Womens Union: SPDC Sends Two Women Police Officers from the 
State Peace and  Development Council to Dr. Cynthia Maung

ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Free Burma Coalition: Victory in Battle Against Burma Rag 
Trade--Kenneth Cole to Announce End to Sourcing from Junta

OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*Bangkok Post: It's Politics as Usual
*Free Burma Coalition: Take Action to Support Global Labor Rights!!

The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com


__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________


BBC: NLD activists imprisoned

Wednesday, 20 December, 2000, 16:12 GMT 


Reports from Burma say that five activists from Aung San Suu Kyi's 
National League for Democracy have been sentenced to twenty-one years in 
prison each.  
Those imprisoned include a member of parliament, Saw Naing Naing, and a 
well-known poet, Pyapon Neelon Oo. 
 
Sources from within the pro-democracy party say that the activists were 
sentenced under the emergency act and an act outlawing the printing of 
illegal documents.  
A sixth activist was sentenced to seven years in jail. 



____________________________________________________


International Crisis Group: Burma/Myanmar: Is There a Way Forward?

http://www.intl-crisis-group.org

21 December 2000

ICG releases today a new 44-page report, Burma/Myanmar: How Strong is 
the Military Regime?, assessing the current strengths and 
vulnerabilities of Burma/Myanmar's governing military regime, the State 
Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The regime rules the country with an iron fist, and appears on the face 
of it as strong as ever. The democratic opposition under Aung San Suu 
Kyi's leadership remains oppressed, and great discontent continues - 
notwithstanding negotiated ceasefires - among ethnic minorities in 
border areas. Attempts at international isolation have so far had little 
impact. 

But the military regime is not without its vulnerabilities. A crumbling 
rural sector, some evidence of overstretch in areas previously 
controlled by ethnic insurgents, and intensified disaffection within the 
ranks of the armed forces are potentially the most significant.

"The challenge for the international community is to find ways to 
intensify the pressure upon Burma/Myanmar's military regime to 
accommodate peaceful democratic transition," said Gareth Evans, 
President of the International Crisis Group. "In pursuing that peaceful 
transition, there is a clear need to support the democratic opposition 
forces within the country in ways that are not counterproductive."

"The necessary starting point for understanding likely mechanisms for 
change is a comprehensive accounting of the strengths and weaknesses of 
the regime, and that is the task we have begun here," Mr Evans said.

The report is the first in a new ICG series, and will be followed by 
others more specifically addressing policy options.



___________________________________________________


KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Burma army confiscated 
thousands baskets of rice from displaced villagers in the east of 
Theyetchaung

Karen National Union

21 December, 2000

A troop of Burma Army has destroyed at least 11 acres of paddy 
plantation, and loot more than 100 baskets of paddy, chickens and ducks 
from displaced villagers in Mount Myitmoleka area, in the east of 
Theyetchaung township, Tenasserim division, on November 21, 2000. 
 

On November 21, 2000, a column of Burma Army from Light Infantry 
Battalion 408 (under controlled of Operation Commanding HQ No. 8) led by 
Major Myo Win arrived to a villagers' hiding site, when they were 
searching to destroy villagers' hiding site in the jungle. That troop 
has destroyed at least 11 acres of villagers' paddy plantation, burnt 
down more than 100 basket s of villager paddy and took way 15 chicken 
and 10 ducks. That villagers' hiding site located in Myintmolekka Mount 
area, in the east of Theyetchaung Township, Tavoy District.  
 

In the beginning of November Burma Army's OC HQ No.8 has ordered its 
troop to search for hiding villagers in their responsible area and 
destroy paddy and paddy plantation or take for their troops. This is a 
season the villagers are harvesting. Burma Army has practiced such 
strategy to search and destroy villagers' paddy plantation on every 
harvest season, with the intention for the villager not to have a chance 
to survive. 
 

After the Burma Army frontline troop started their activities around the 
area in the east of Theyetchaung township, it was learnt that on 
November 11 two columns of LIB 410 led by Lt. Col. Yen Thein Ha has 
confiscated more than 600 basket of paddy in the area of Kun Chaung Gyi 
village. From November 13th to 30th LIB 410 has confiscated at least 
3000 baskets of paddy from villagers who finish their harvest in the 
areas of Kawtawni, Htuler (Kyaukhtoo), Kun Chaung Glay, and Kun Chaung 
Gyi.  
 

Many villagers are hiding in Myintmolekka Mountain area to escape from 
Burma Army's forced relocation program, and military persecution. They 
are displaced in the jungle and live in constant fear of Burma Army's 
search, destroy and kill operation against them. The Burma Army 
recognized them as enemy. 


___________________________________________________






___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
				

European Uniion: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European 
Union concerning the next visit of the Troika to Rangoon


Brussels, 15 December 2000

At the 13th EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting (Vientiane, 11 and 12 December 
2000), Mr Win Aung, the Burmese Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced 
in the plenary session that the European Troika was invited to go to 
Rangoon in January 2001. At the request of the French Presidency, he 
stated that the Troika would have the same opportunities as on its first 
mission in July 1999.

The Presidency of the European Union takes note of this announcement and 
reaffirms the Union's willingness to pursue its dialogue with all the 
parties concerned, as it did at the time of the Troika's first mission 
to Burma in July 1999.

The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European 
Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA 
countries members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with 
this declaration.



___________________________________________________


Bangkok Post: Drug War Transcends Borders, Leaders Say

 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2000



Co-operation with neighbours essential 

Co-operation with neighbouring countries is essential in the fight 
against drugs, the leaders of four parties said yesterday.  
Outlining their policies in a discussion organised by PollWatch, the 
leaders of the Thai Rak Thai, Democrat, Chart Thai and Chart Pattana 
parties agreed any such approach must stop short of interference.  
Thaksin Shinawatra, Banharn Silpa-archa and Korn Dabbaransi said they 
would stress contacts with Rangoon, but Chuan Leekpai chose to refer 
only to neighbouring countries.  

Mr Thaksin said contacts with Laos were also needed since 80% of drugs 
entered from there and Burma.  

Building trust with the neighbours was needed to ensure success of the 
talks, said Mr Thaksin, who also favours changes to the law to treat 
addicts rather than jail them.  

Democrat leader Chuan said methamphetamines remained a serious threat 
requiring emphasis on prevention, suppression and rehabilitation.  

Chart Pattana leader Korn said that the prime minister must become 
directly involved in anti-drug operations so officials could work 
without fear.  

Chart Thai leader Banharn agreed on the need for the prime minister to 
oversee operations directly but took a stern line on offenders, saying 
any jail sentence should be preceded by a caning.  

However, he said the best approach was to eradicate poverty and provide 
addicts with treatment.  

Gen Surayud Chulanont, the army chief, ruled out cross-border drug 
raids, saying the military will monitor border movements and gather 
intelligence from local people. 


___________________________________________________


Mizzima: American School students joined Burma refugee children in X'mas 
in Delhi


December 21, 2000 


International students from the American School in New Delhi joined with 
Burma refugee children yesterday evening in celebrating Christmas in 
West Delhi where majority of Burmese refugees live. The students from 
the American School visited Burmese Community Resource Centre (BCRC) in 
Vikas Puri and celebrated Christmas with music and dance together with 
more than a hundred children from Burma.
  
The American School students gave cakes, fruits, and soft drinks and 
warm clothes as Christmas gifts for the Burmese children. ôI heard there 
is Burmese community living in exile in India due to the political 
repression in Burma. As members of Amnesty International Club in our 
school, we are supposed to protect the human rights and it is our work 
to help the Burmese refugeesö, said a high-school Japanese student from 
the American School. ôOur aim is to bring more friends for the Burmese 
refugees in New Delhi. I feel that friendship is what Burmese refugees 
in New Delhi need the most, apart from material assistanceö, said Ms. 
Neya Munk, a Brazilian who organized the celebration.  

About 800 refugees from Burma have been living in Delhi. They have come 
to India since 1988 after the popular uprising for democracy and human 
rights in Burma. Out of 800, there are about a hundred and fifty 
children. Majority of them is Chin ethnic nationalities, who are 
Christians. ôWe celebrate Christmas every year when we were in Burma. 
But here we donÆt have enough money for celebrationsö, said one of the 
Chins. Most of the Burma refugees living in Delhi are recognized by the 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which provides 
Indian Rupees 1,400 (about US $ 31) per month per person. They 
established the Burmese Community Resource Center (BCRC) in New Delhi 
two years ago to support each other and to strengthen their activities 
for the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.  



___________________________________________________


Burmese Womens Union: SPDC Sends Two Women Police Officers from the 
State Peace and  Development Council to Dr. Cynthia Maung

Dec. 18, 2000

[Edited/abridged]

     On December 16, 2000, two women police officers who had been 
assigned  by the State Peace and Development Council went to Dr. Cynthia 
Maung's  clinic posing as patients, and told Dr. Cynthia Maung to come 
back to Burma nonetheless it has already restored democracy and 
developed  some transportation infrastructure. Dr. Cynthia Maung, in 
fact, is a  Karen lady and a physician who settled down and treated the 
majority of  refugees and illegal migrant workers along the Thai-Burmese 
border since the 1988 pro-democracy  uprising.

      Dr. Cynthia Maung has been honored by the international community 
for her involvement in peace and medical aid processes.  Nevertheless, 
the State Peace and Development  Council which has sough to smash the 
democracy movements  has become annoyed by Dr. Cynthia Maung's 
activities and has campaigned against her in its media.


_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________

 
Free Burma Coalition: Victory in Battle Against Burma Rag Trade--Kenneth 
Cole to Announce End to Sourcing from Junta

December 20, 2000 

Free Burma Coalition Jeremy Woodrum, Washington Director (202) 547-5985 
For Kenneth Cole, contact Michael Colosi, General Counsel 212-513-8239  

New York City, New York, December 19, 2000, - In a sudden victory, 
supporters of democracy and labor rights in Burma pressured Kenneth Cole 
stores to stop sourcing apparel from Burma's military regime after one 
simple demonstration. Leafleters had only just gathered in front of 
Kenneth Cole's new store in downtown New York when a representative of 
the company approached them.  

"It is clear from the quick reaction that Kenneth Cole, like JanSport, 
realizes that buying from Burma is bad for business," says Jeremy 
Woodrum, Director of the Washington Office of the Free Burma Coalition. 
"The company claims that a licensee is responsible for the Burmese 
items, and that they will inform that licensee to cease these orders."  

Kenneth Cole stores has announced that they will be releasing a 
statement today proclaiming the company's decision to cut its ties to 
the Burmese junta. The company is also considering pulling Burmese-made 
items from its shelves. Kenneth Cole is not alone - JanSport, and 
Nautica have also ceased buying from Burma in the past several months.  

The military junta in Rangoon has been widely condemned for its 
systematic and rampant use of forced labor. In an unprecedented move, 
the International Labor Organization has called for its members to 
review their relations with Burma to ensure that they are not aiding the 
system of forced labor there. A coalition of organizations and concerned 
citizens, including the AFL-CIO and the Union of Needletrades, 
Industrial and Textile ! Employees, have called for President Clinton to 
ban imports from Burma altogether. This idea also has support in 
Congress, and Senators Helms, Harkin, McConnell, and Leahy have written 
to the President urging him to take this step.  

To urge the restoration of democracy in Burma, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 
Aung San Suu Kyi has called for foreign companies to stay away. The U.S. 
responded by banning new investment in the country in 1997, but the 
junta has steadily made profits from apparel sales to the U.S. According 
to the National Labor Committee, the U.S. will import $400 million worth 
of goods from Burma this year, an 800% increase over 1995.  

"Kenneth Cole made the right decision," says Sandi Aung, a Burmese 
dissident in the U.S. "Now President Clinton needs to make the right 
decision and ban imports from Burma."  



______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________


Bangkok Post: It's Politics as Usual

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2000



It hurts when you can't get what you want, especially when this is 
because of a reputation of doing whatever it takes to get what you want 
in life. u Now be fair; would a close-cropped, well-dressed man of the 
people possibly demean himself by handing out goodies in exchange for 
votes? u It's enough to make you want to throw up your arms in 
exasperation and just say 'no more'. 

Senator Intarat Yodbangtoei of Chiang Mai had lusted after the post of 
chairman of the senate local administration committee, but he had to 
give way to mounting pressure against him among those who feared his 
poor public image might damage the committee's credibility. 

The senator is widely recognised among members of the underworld in the 
upper North. 

Maj-Gen Intarat's trip to Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district last week to 
warn the area's hard man not to use violence to settle political 
disputes between political party canvassers pointed to his continuing 
influence among low-lifes. 

It was during his decade as a rural development officer with the 3rd 
Army and the Supreme Command that he made such an impression with the 
decidedly dodgy classes in the northwest border regions. 

He reportedly established close ties with senior Burmese army officers 
and also Wei Hsueh-Kang, the unsavoury head of the United Wa State Army. 
Mr Wei boasts an international reputation as the Golden Triangle's 
biggest drug warlord. He is suspected of working closely with the 
Burmese military junta to flood Thailand with hundreds of millions of 
speed pills which are causing such havoc among so many of our youth. 

"He [Maj-Gen Intarat] is quite aware of his negative image. He agreed 
that the time was not right to take the[senate] post," said one of his 
go-fors. 

The senator in the end agreed to back Anukul Suphachaiyakij of 
Phatthalung to head the committee and had to be content with being his 
deputy. 

The go-for said his master could have won the chair had he really been 
determined as the word doing the rounds was that Sanit Worapanya, the 
senate speaker, was firmly in his corner. Maj-Gen Intarat, let us not 
forget, had played a crucial role in securing the upper house's most 
prestigious post for the Lop Buri senator and our man Sanit emerged a 
clear winner in a second round of voting over Maj-Gen Manoonkrit 
Roopkachorn of Saraburi. 

Maj-Gen Intarat had drummed up support for former fellow officer Maj-Gen 
Manoonkrit in the hope that this would lead to a showdown with Mr Sanit. 


Senate regulations call for a second round of voting for the two 
candidates who receive the most votes in the first round if the lead 
candidate does not receive at least 50% of the vote. 

Maj-Gen Intarat, so we are told, believed Mr Sanit might be beaten in a 
second round if he had to go up against Chumpol Silpa-archa of Bangkok, 
a popular former education minister, so he made sure the race was with 
Maj-Gen Manoonkrit, the serial failed coup-meister. 

Maj-Gen Intarat was best known to media-watchers before he ventured into 
civilian politics for his suspected role in a Chiang Mai night bazaar 
extortion scandal. 

Those with an inkling of an idea say he still harbours hopes of chairing 
the powerful senate local administration committee, even to the point of 
trying to put on a presentable face before the public. 

Last week's trip to Mae Sai to tell the thugs to pull their heads in was 
all part of this tidying-up campaign. 

___________________________________________________


Free Burma Coalition: Take Action to Support Global Labor Rights!!


Dec. 21, 2000

END U.S. SUPPORT FOR BURMA?S FORCED LABOR ECONOMY!!

In what could be a huge blow to the Burmese junta?s use of forced labor, 
 the outgoing Clinton Administration is poised on the brink of a 
historic  decision in its closing days. This is whether, in the wake of 
the  International Labor Organization's unprecedented call for sanctions 
against  the brutal military dictatorship in Burma, Clinton will sign an 
executive  order to bar imports from Burma to the United States.

With a single stroke of a pen, Clinton could cut off more than a quarter 
of  the dictatorship's foreign exchange earnings. This would have the 
effect of  extending the consumer boycott of Burmese goods to the entire 
United States  -- something that would otherwise take years of 
organizing.
 
If Clinton signs the order, it will send a shock wave around the world 
on  the issue of labor rights in the global economy. The ILO decision 
was based  on the regime's refusal to end the use of slave labor, 
universally  recognized as one of the most egregious abuses of 
internationally  recognized core labor standards. But the ILO by itself 
has no enforcement  power: like all UN bodies, it relies on governments 
-- like the government  of the United States -- to implement its 
decisions.

If Clinton signs the order -- as he has been called on to do by the  
democratically elected Burmese government in exile and the AFL-CIO ¡ it  
would be the first government act after events in Seattle on the issue 
of  labor rights in the global economy which would actually have a real, 
 immediate impact on the ground.

January 4 is Burma's Independence Day. Thus, Burma democracy activists 
are  calling for a National Day of Action on January 4 to pressure the 
Clinton  Administration to act.

Things you can do:

-Call the White House Comment line on January 4 (and before): 
202-456-1111.  Tell Clinton to cut off the Burmese military dictatorship 
by acting  immediately to ban imports from Burma.

-Call your Member of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor bill [HR5603 in 
 the House, or S3246 in the Senate]. The Congressional switchboard is 
(202)  224-3121 for the Senate, (202) 225-3121 for the House. This is a  
long-distance call, but a VERY IMPORTANT long-distance call. Of course, 
you  can also contact your Congressperson in their home district. 
-Ask your union, church group, or political group to endorse and  
participate in the National Day of Action for Burmese Freedom on January 
4.  Send endorsements to the Free Burma Coalition at  
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, (202) 547-5985 (ph), (202) 544-6118 (fax). 
-Organize demonstrations on January 4 at Congressional offices, customs  
offices, federal offices, and U.S. ports. Send news of planned actions 
to  info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



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