BurmaNet News: March 21, 2001

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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
         March 21, 2001   Issue # 1761
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________

INSIDE BURMA _______
*Bangkok Post: Salween project dusted off 
*Jane's Defence Weekly: Myanmar stocks up on ammunition
*KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Without porters, 
Burma Army cannot survive
*DVB: Workers arrested following protest over compensation claims 

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Reuters: U.S., EU keep heat on Myanmar over forced labour
*Reuters: US hopes for Thai-Myanmar cooperation on drug issue
*Kyodo: Thai police suspect Myanmar monks of spying 
*Daily Californian: Activist speaks at UC-Berkeley about experiences as 
student leader in Burma
*Mizzima: Petition for release of Burmese fishermen to go to other bench 


ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA): Regent thinks investments should be 
reviewed
*Xinhua: Myanmar Earns Less From Annual Gems Emporium
*Myanmar Times: Trade minister says ?buy our cars?

OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*ITGLWF: Triumph accused of double-speak over refusal to quit Burma
*The New Light of Myanmar (SPDC): What Really Should Be

OTHER______
*Burma Studies Group: Change of program at the AAS
*Ham Productions: New Documentary Film??A Refugee and Me?


__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________




Bangkok Post: Salween project dusted off 

March 21, 2001 


The Salween project, a 20-year-old water diversion scheme, is being 
dusted off with an eye on public right to information and participation, 
as well as sensitive international relations along the Burmese border. 

Siriporn Sailasuta, director-general of the Department of Energy 
Development and Promotion, said the agency was taking up the project to 
find ways to fight drought and fill up the drying Bhumibol reservoir in 
Tak province. 

She said the project would not go ahead if the public was against it and 
environmental impact management proved unattainable. The diversion 
course would likely go through precious reserved watershed areas and 
forest reserves in the North. 

Ms Siriporn said every effort would be taken to avoid harming sensitive 
Thai-Burmese relations. 

Initiated more than 20 years ago, the project has been under the 
responsibility of first the Electricity Generating Authority and then 
the Irrigational Department. 

It was recently passed on to the Department of Energy Development and 
Promotion. 



___________________________________________________



Jane's Defence Weekly: Myanmar stocks up on ammunition


March 21, 2001 

Robert Karniol JDW Asia-Pacific Editor 

Bangkok 



Myanmar is obtaining through international dealers a significant 
quantity of 82mm smoothbore mortar ammunition, apparently intending 
to replenish its supplies in the face of continuing border tension 
with Thailand. 
  
The shipment involves some 50,000 to 100,000 mortar bombs that 
should cost Yangon around $2 million. It originates from Vietnam, 
although Hanoi may be unaware of its ultimate destination. 
  
A Vietnamese-flagged ship was due to land the ammunition in Thailand 
in mid-March for covert trans-shipment to Myanmar, Bangkok- 
based intelligence sources informed Jane's Defence Weekly. 
  
Bangkok and Yangon are at odds over a series of border-related 
problems that recently produced some skirmishing and exchanges of 
artillery fire, along with a build-up of forces. 
  
Myanmar accuses Thailand of providing covert support to ethnic Shan 
and Karen rebels, while Thailand holds Yangon responsible for the 
growing cross-border flow of illicit methamphetamines. 
  
A broad range of issues should be addressed in a forthcoming meeting 
of the regional border committee, co-chaired by Thai 3rd Army 
commander chief Lt Gen Wattanachai Chaimuanwong and Myanmar's 
Southwest Army commander Maj Gen Than Sein. 
  
Some reports say these may be supplemented by bilateral talks at a 
more senior level. 

___________________________________________________



KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Without porters, Burma 
Army cannot survive

Karen National Union

21 March, 2001

[Abridged]

 Ten Thousand  civilians forced to be porter, monthly.  
 
According to a porter who escaped to the Thai-Burma border, a porter 
died of exhaustion while forced to labor by the Burma Army. U Ba Han, a 
prisoner and other porters were forced to carry military supplies from 
Maw Hta to Min Htine Hta in Tenasserim River region, Tenasserim division 
on March 8, 2001.

The Burma Army used to use two kinds of forced portering. One is call 
'Won Htan' (villagers) and 'Won Hsaung Taat Tha' (prisoner).   

At the same time, on March 8, 2001 Burma Army's Infantry Battalion 101 
headed by Lt. Col. Lat Htoo captured some villagers in Tenasserim 
Township, Mergui district and forced them to serve as porters. The 
troops captured 110 villagers from Nyaungbingwin village, and 80 
villagers from Shwekyingon village. The villagers were forced to carry 
military food supplies from Nyaungbingwin to Thai border, Modaung camp. 
According to our field reporter, the Burma Army had planned to capture 
500 porters from that area.  

The Burma Army forced at least 10,000 people as porter every month in 
Tenasserim division. The porters have to carry military food supplies 
and ammunition to frontline military camps in the east, along Thai 
border and Tenasserim Riverside.   
 
Forced Portering in February 2001
 
According to a porter who escaped to Karen National Liberation Army 
(KNLA) control area, Major Yeh Htun Naing, Column Commander of Burma 
Army Light Infantry Battalion 375, Column No.1 forced 170 villagers to 
carry 222 sacks of rice (1 sack = 50 keg), 35 sack of yellow beans (1 
sack = 50 keg), 175 tins of cooking oil (1 tin = 15 keg), 395 fish cans, 
448 meat cans and 313 bean cans within four days. The villagers have to 
carry t hose from Burma Army camp Mawhta to Htaw Ma Pyo camp in the east 
of Tenasserim River region from February 26 to March 1, 2001. From 
Mawhta to Htaw Ma Pyo take half a day walk by foot.   

On March 2, Burma Army forced villagers from Hto Ler (Kyaukhton) and 
Katawnni village in the east of Theyetchaung Township, Tavoy district, 
Tenasserim Division to carry 170 sacks of rice and other food supplies. 
One person per family has to go, and the villagers have to carry food 
supply from Pawndaw to Burma Army's camp in Katawnni village. From 
Pawndaw to Katawnni the villagers had to walk two days.   

On February 26, 2001 Burma Army captured 178 villagers from Nat E Taung 
village, 181 from south of Nat E Taung in the eastern of Tavoy district 
in Yadanan gas pipeline area. It was leant that Burma Army plan to 
capture 800 porters in that area to transport their military supplies 
including ammunition to their frontline military camp on the Thai 
border, which were assigned for Yadana gas pipeline security.   

Starting from the end of February Burma Army forced 600 villagers to 
carry their food and ammunition supplies from Myitta village (Tavoy 
township, Tavoy district) to Their frontline camps on the Thai border 
Htee Hkee, Nyaplahkee, Nawrauthkee, and Thuka. The villagers have to 
walk more than two days to these camps.   




___________________________________________________




DVB: Workers arrested following protest over compensation claims 

20 March

DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has broadcast the news that workers from 
a motorcar tyre factory at Kanthayar Village in Thaton Township staged a 
protest on 9 March to seek compensation. The workers dispersed after the 
authorities told them they can submit their grievances to relevant 
ministries. Before the workers are able to present their petitions, 
members of No. 5 Military Intelligence Unit [MI-5] have begun arresting 
the leaders of the workers' protest. DVB correspondent Myint Maung Maung 
filed this report.

[Myint Maung Maung] The MI-5 and Myanmar Police Force Special Branch 
members began arresting the 19 grade-2 skilled workers who participated 
in the protest on 9 and 10 March night. As they were continuing the 
arrest on 11 March most workers have been absconding. All work have been 
stopped at the factory and two companies from LIB [Light Infantry 
Battalion] No 24 are posted at the factory for security. A sign was 
installed at the top of the lane leading to the factory that anyone who 
passes through the factory lane from 1800 to 0600 is liable to be shot. 
The authorities from Thaton District Police Battalion and MI-5 had 
previously told the protesting workers that they could submit their 
petitions to the relevant ministries but they were all arrested before 
they are able to submit anything. 

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 20 Mar 01 


___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
				


Reuters: U.S., EU keep heat on Myanmar over forced labour

GENEVA, March 20 (Reuters) - The United States and European Union back 
tough measures, including possible trade sanctions, against Myanmar to 
bring an end to forced labour, a report by the International Labour 
Organisation said on Tuesday. 
 The report will be discussed by the ILO's governing body next week and 
is a follow up to the organisation's call last November for countries to 
take measures against Yangon to ensure the military government ended 
forced labour. 

 The United States said in a letter to the ILO dated January 19, the 
last day of the Clinton administration, it had imposed diplomatic and 
economic sanctions on Burma but there was no evidence suggesting forced 
labour had ended. 

 Stressing the need for reconciliation between Myanmar's authorities and 
the opposition, the U.S. government said that ``in the absence of 
significant and measurable progress, ILO members, including the United 
States, should be prepared to consider additional measures, including 
trade sanctions...'' 

 An ILO inquiry in 1998 found forced labour ``widespread and 
systematic.'' The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions says 
more than a million people in Myanmar are subjected to forced labour, 
toiling on construction sites for roads, railways, military 
installations and tourism. 

 Myanmar's labour minister, Major-General Tin Ngwe, said in a letter to 
the ILO that the country was continuing efforts to eliminate forced 
labour, which was ``illegal...both in law and in practice.'' 

 The European Union said it had suspended trade privileges in 1997 due 
to Myanmar's use of forced labour. It acknowledged Yangon had taken some 
steps to ending the practice but called for a complete end and for 
practitioners to be punished. 

 ``The European Union was monitoring the situation closely and, should 
the authorities in Myanmar fail to take the necessary action in this 
respect, the European Union stood ready to take further measures,'' it 
added. 

 Japan was notably absent among countries replying to a letter from ILO 
director-general Juan Somavia to member states drawing attention to the 
call for measures. 

 Thailand assured the ILO that ``no Thai investment in Myanmar 
contributed, directly or indirectly'' to forced labour. 

 Singapore and the Philippines said they had no relations with Myanmar 
that abetted the practice. But Singapore said that technical assistance 
would be ``more appropriate and effective'' than sanctions in addressing 
the issue, the ILO report said. 




___________________________________________________



Reuters: US hopes for Thai-Myanmar cooperation on drug issue

By Sonya Hepinstall 

 WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - The United States hopes the new Thai 
government will be able to use its connections to work with Myanmar on 
the neighboring country's drug problem, the U.S. ambassador to Thailand 
said on Tuesday. 

 Ambassador Richard Hecklinger told a breakfast of businessmen and 
diplomats in Washington that the government of Prime Minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra would devote a great deal of attention to relations with its 
northwestern neighbor, known widely by its former name, Burma. 

 ``A number of people in the government have connections,'' Hecklinger 
said. With that in mind, he added: ``We certainly hope that the new 
government will be able to establish some type of cooperation with Burma 
(on the drug issue). 

 ``And we hope the Burmese government will respond, which it has not yet 
done.'' 
 Myanmar is the source of several problems for Thailand, including 
illegal workers seeking greater economic opportunity over the border 
dividing the two countries and political refugees fleeing the repressive 
military rulers in Yangon. 

 ``The Golden Triangle'' where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet has long 
been a source of opium and its derivative, heroin, but in recent years 
has diversified into the production of methamphetamines. 

 The Thai army has said 700 million methamphetamine pills -- a stimulant 
that costs just $1.14 a pill on the street -- will come into Thailand 
this year, an increase of 40 percent over the year before. 

 Thai army chief of staff Boonrawd Somtas told reporters outside a 
closed-door conference on Thailand's drug problem earlier this month 
that at least 85 percent of production was getting through to about 2 
million addicts around the country. 

 The growing problem has had a ``devastating impact on Thai society,'' 
Hecklinger said in Washington. 

 Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh says 
he can boost ties through his good relationships with some of Yangon's 
ruling generals, and Thaksin himself has said he is looking for 
``sincere'' discussions with Myanmar following his January election. 

 But relations have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks since 
fighting between Myanmar troops, backed by their allies in the Wa ethnic 
minority, and ethnic Shan rebels spilled over into Thai territory. 

 Thai army sources suggest the fighting is linked to the drugs trade. 
They believe the United Wa State Army is the biggest producer of 
methamphetamines. 

 The United States will continue to work with Bangkok on drug issues, 
focusing on interdiction, police training and the role of the courts, as 
well as how to treat addicts and reduce demand, Hecklinger said. 

 More staff in the U.S. embassy in Thailand are dealing with narcotics 
than any other single issue, Hecklinger said. 




___________________________________________________




Kyodo: Thai police suspect Myanmar monks of spying 

MAE HONG SON, Thailand, March 21 Kyodo 




Thai police said Wednesday they have put more than 200 Buddhist monks 
from Myanmar in the northern border province of Mae Hong Son on a watch 
list over suspicions they are military spies. 

Most of the monks belong to Myanmar's ethnic Shan minority and have been 
in Thailand for years trying to win followers, they said. 

Many of them are closely watched since they often cross the border 
between the two countries, according to the chief of a Mae Hong Son 
district police station, Col. Tinnapat Pumarin. 

'Some monks are moving around the border areas seeking to make friends 
with Thai military officers guarding the areas,' he said. 

The Thai Royal Police ordered all stations in border areas to beef up 
their control of the movement of Buddhist monks from neighboring Myanmar 
following border disputes between the two countries last month. 

Some 40 Myanmar people suspected of spying have been detained by Thai 
authorities since the February clash. 

The Thai military estimated earlier that hundreds of people from Myanmar 
are spying in Thailand and mix in all sorts of groups, such as migrant 
laborers, businessmen and fortune tellers. 

Monks and fortune tellers are difficult to control since some senior 
Thai officials and their wives are followers, Tinnapat said. 

Sour relations between Thailand and Myanmar intensified last month when 
both sides clashed in several border areas. At least four Myanmar 
soldiers died and many Thai soldiers were wounded, while five civilians 
were also killed and more than a dozen wounded. 




___________________________________________________



Daily Californian: Activist speaks at UC-Berkeley about experiences as 
student leader in Burma


March 19, 2001 

By Xima Avalos, Daily Californian 

U. California-Berkeley 

Berkeley, Calif. 

Former Burmese student leader Koko Lay spoke about his country's 
struggle for liberation from its current single-party government at a 
Free Burma Berkeley meeting Friday. 

Lay, who migrated to the U.S. in 1993 and is currently taking classes at 
University of California at Berkeley Extension, was involved in the 1988 
student-led uprising. 

"People are getting poorer and poorer," he said. "Before 1962 (when the 
current military dictatorship took over) Burma was one of the richest 
Southeast Asian countries, and now it is the poorest country in the 
world. In 1988 there were many poor people and no clinics, no schools. 
It was a really bad situation." 

Lay also gave an account of more personal experiences, which he said 
were typical of student organizers. 

"In 1974, my father was arrested because I was involved in the student 
movement," he said. "They tortured him. In 1988, the military 
intelligence captured him and tortured him again. Last month, I heard he 
had a stroke and is in the hospital. I have no opportunity to meet with 
him. I cannot go there and he cannot come here, but this is what I chose 
for my life. It's not only me who is in this position." 

Lay's speech was a part of Free Burma Berkeley's efforts to urge the UC 
Board of Regents to divest in companies, including Unocal 76, which are 
investing in a pipeline that is being built through rural regions of 
Burma, said Teddy Miller, head of the group. 

"It's environmental racism that is typical of oil companies around the 
world," he said. "The UC Regents have billions of dollars invested. Our 
goal is to get these billions of dollars of Berkeley funds out because 
the military regime is propped up by them." 

Tony Cirella, Oakland resident and stock market investor, said the 
information would definitely affect his market strategy. 

"It was informative to know who is investing in what," Cirella said. "It 
will affect me as an investor most immediately." 



___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________




Mizzima: Petition for release of Burmese fishermen to go to other bench 

March 20, 2001 
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com) 

A two judges bench of the Supreme Court of India yesterday directed a 
petition for release of 54 Burmese fishermen from Calcutta jails to be 
heard by other bench at another date.  

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by a Calcutta 
based legal activist in the Supreme Court, the two judges bench 
consisting of Justice G. B. Pattanaik and Justice U. C. Banerjee 
released the petition to be heard by other bench to which Justice 
Banerjee is not a member. The petition is likely to be heard by the next 
2-3 weeks.  

On 12th February this year, Deepak Prahladka filed a petition seeking 
action report taken from the government of India on the ôcontinued 
illegal detentionö of 54 Burmese fishermen in two Calcutta jails.  

The Burmese fishermen were arrested from Thai-owned fishing boats in 
1997 from the Sunderbans in West Bengal after they crossed the Indian 
territorial water. They are currently lodged in Alipore Central Jail and 
Presidency Jail.  

Meanwhile, the Burmese authorities are expediting the process of taking 
these fishermen back to Burma.  

(For related news, please see www.mizzima.comOctober 21 & 22, 2000 and 
March 10, 2001)  
 






_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
 


Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA): Regent thinks investments should be 
reviewed


March 20, 2001, Tuesday 




IOWA CITY (AP) - Investments by the Board of Regents should be reviewed 
regularly to ensure that they don't include stocks or bonds in companies 
with questionable business practices, a board member said. 

"We ought to take a look at this," said David Neil, a regent from La 
Porte City. 

At issue are bonds held by the University of Iowa and Iowa State 
University with companies that do business in Burma, against which the 
United States imposed trade sanctions in 1997 because of its poor 
human-rights record. 

Since then, such companies as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Jordache and Nautica 
helped boost Burma's garment industry exports to the United States by 
372 percent, according to State Department data released last week by 
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. 

The United States imported $ 403 million worth of apparel from Burma 
last year, up from $ 168 million in 1999, Harkin's office reported. 

The University of Iowa and Iowa State University own $ 2.2 million worth 
of corporate bonds in Wal-Mart. Company officials say they have not 
imported clothing from Burma to their U.S. stores in three years. 

ISU and Iowa also have bonds worth $ 522,000 in Unocal, which holds 
one-third interest in a natural gas pipeline in Burma. The Free Burma 
Coalition has reported that Unocal knowingly uses slave labor on 
projects related to the pipeline. 



___________________________________________________




Xinhua: Myanmar Earns Less From Annual Gems Emporium


YANGON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar fetched a total of 10.12 million 
U.S. dollars through sale of locally-produced gems, jade, pearl and 
jewelry at the country's 38th annual gems emporium which ended here 
Sunday evening, 58.1 percent less than that earned from the year-ago 
annual event. 

The eight-day state-sponsored gems emporium, which began on March 11, 
attracted a total of 674 merchants from 15 countries and regions, and 
local companies. 

The foreign gems traders were mostly from China's Hong Kong Special 
Administrative Region, Thailand and China's mainland. 

At the 37th annual Myanma gems emporium, a total of 24.17 million 
dollars were earned, breaking the highest record of 1990's 27th emporium 
which fetched 14.839 million. 

Myanmar, a well-known producer of jade, ruby and sapphire in the world, 
has been holding gems emporiums annually since 1964 with additional 
mid-year ones being introduced in 1992. 

The country has earned over 330 million dollars from its 38 annual and 
nine mid-year gems emporiums, according to official statistics. 


___________________________________________________




Myanmar Times: Trade minister says ?buy our cars?

MALAYSIA?s visiting Minister for International Trade and Industry, 
Rafidah Aziz, has made clear her countryÆs intentions to aggressively 
market regional exports from its automobile manufacturing industry, 
proposing at a business forum in Yangon that Myanmar begin importing her 
country?s Proton cars.Ms Rafidah?s visit to Yangon coincided with the 
application of increasing pressure on her country û particularly from 
Thailand û to open up its protected car manufacturing industry to 
regional competitors as part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) 
process. 

Ms Rafidah delivered the unexpected Proton proposal during the question 
and answer session at the end of the Malaysia-Myanmar Business 
Opportunities Seminar, held at Traders Hotel on March 14.She began by 
asking how much consideration the idea was being given in Government 
circles.ôIs there any plan (for) selling MalaysiaÆs national car, 
Proton, in Myanmar?ö Ms Rafidah asked.ôSecondly, are there any 
negotiations (within) the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar for importing 
Proton?ö she said during part of her statement.The most senior Myanmar 
official at the seminar, Brig Gen Abel, the Minister for the Office of 
the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), said 
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed had offered Myanmar 
preferential trading status if the country wanted to import Proton cars. 


However, he said, the importation of any make of vehicle would require 
the approval of the Central Purchasing Council.Under the current 
situation, the rules and regulations governing car imports would 
prohibit the import of Proton cars, he said.The Malay-Myanmar seminar 
was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce 
and Industry. ôBeing a trading nation, Malaysia always seeks ways and 
means to expand its trade with other countries and facilitate efforts of 
its companies to venture overseas, especially to new and emerging 
markets,ö Ms Rafidah told attendees.ôMalaysiaÆs trade with Myanmar, 
though still relatively low, accounts for  US$300.5 million (and) has 
potential to increase.

Malaysia?s main export items to Myanmar include petroleum products, 
vegetable fats, crude and refined oils, plastics, glass, margarine and 
shortening, to a value last year of 

US$231million.Myanmar exports to Malaysia were mainly vegetables, 
rubber, timber and seafood worth US$69.5m.During the seminar, private 
business operators from the Malaysian delegation held discussions with 
their Myanmar counterparts to explore a range of economic issues and 
business opportunities. 


_______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________



ITGLWF: Triumph accused of double-speak over refusal to quit Burma

INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE, GARMENT AND LEATHER WORKERS' FEDERATION 
 
March 9 2001
 
 
TRIUMPH ACCUSED OF DOUBLE-SPEAK  OVER REFUSAL TO QUIT BURMA

Lingerie giant Triumph has been slammed over its refusal to pull out of 
Burma following a campaign by unions and rights organisations to urge 
the multinational to sever its links with the slave nation. 

Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the Brussels-based International 
Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation, today dismissed as 
double-speak a statement issued by the multinational defending its 
position not to close its Rangoon factory. In a letter to the head of 
Triumph International Overseas, Gunther Spiesshofer, the ITGLWF rebutted 
the company s arguments, and warned that international pressure would 
continue to mount until Triumph pulls out of Burma. 

"Triumph claims that it is not providing resources to members of the 
government, and is therefore not affected by the sanctions imposed by 
the Swiss government", says Kearney. "But in reality, the army s 
tentacles reach into all areas of foreign investment, and it is 
therefore virtually impossible for any foreign company to produce goods 
in Burma without providing direct or indirect support to the regime". 

"In the case of Triumph, the factory is located on an Industrial Estate 
rented from the Mingaladon military brigade, just north of Rangoon's 
airport. The leasing arrangements are no doubt handled through the Union 
of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEH), a company which controls all 
investment in the industry, and whose major shareholder is the 
department of the Ministry of Defense responsible for purchasing arms 
for the junta. Then there is the 5% tax levied on exports. But the full 
extent of the army s control over the industry is not known. For 
instance, in 1997, a BBC report filmed with a hidden camera showed 
workers being forced to pay half their daily wages to the army in order 
to keep their jobs". 

Kearney points out that in November, the International Labour 
Organisation (ILO) adopted a Resolution calling on other organisations, 
as well as on national governments and private companies, to review 
their relations with Burma, in order to ensure their relations do not 
serve to perpetuate or extend the widespread system of forced labour. 
"This Resolution affects Triumph", says Kearney. "The garment industry 
provides support to the military, mainly to its most senior members. And 
it is precisely these senior members who responsible for the massive 
forced labour problem affecting the civilian population. In addition, 
the garment industry relies on the country s infrastructure, which is 
being built with forced labour".  
"And of course, as a member of EURATEX, Triumph subscribes to the code 
of conduct negotiated between EURATEX and the ETUC/TCL which prohibts 
the use of forced labour".

According to Triumph, the campaign is a purely a political one aimed at 
a private company. "This is disingenuous", counters the international 
labour leader: "Triumph is purposefully ignoring the fact that this 
effort is spearheaded by Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of 
the National League for Democracy Party (NLD), who won 82% of the seats 
in 1990 elections". 

Kearney scorns the company s claim that its sense of responsibility to 
the 1,000 workers it employs prevents it from closing the factory. "The 
company s concern for its workers is touching", he comments. "But what 
about the 13 million people living below subsistence levels and the 40% 
of children suffering from malnutrition as a result of the junta s 
misrule ? Or the two million men, women and children pressed into forced 
labour on construction projects or as porters in the army ? Or the 
300,000 who have been forced to flee the country ? Or the 800,000 people 
displaced either by the government s relocation policy or because of 
fighting ? Or the 1,500 political prisoners held behind bars in 
horrendous conditions and routinely tortured ?  
"The fate of a population of forty million people, condemned to live in 
poverty and fear by an odious regime, outweighs the limited benefits 
afforded by 1,000 low-paid jobs. While the 1,000 workers who lose their 
jobs might suffer in the short-term, by hastening the regime s demise 
the move would provide longer-term benefits for them and their families. 
Only a transition to democracy will give these workers the fundamental 
right to form independent unions and to engage in collective 
bargaining". 

Kearney suggests that the company s refusal to close its Burmese factory 
probably has more to do with the total lack of freedom in the country 
than its concern for the workers it employs. Workers are denied 
sometimes at gunpoint - the right to organise and bargain collectively. 
Not surprisingly, conditions in the garment industry are appalling. 
Working hours in the industry are said to approach 60 hours a week. 
Average shopfloor wages, said to be about 8 US cents an hour, are among 
the lowest in the world. 

According to Triumph, parts of the political opposition in Burma itself 
are against a boycott, and Tin Htun Maung, a former member of parliament 
and politician of the opposition, says that "sanctions are only damaging 
the people".

"This is the regime s propaganda", retorts Kearney. "The fact is the 
military fears the withdrawal of investment and has reacted to the ILO s 
sanctions with a campaign of disinformation, including a open letter 
from the workers of Myanmar warning that the ILO s decision has 
jeopardized the livelihood of 18 million workers . In reality, the 
people will not be hurt by sanctions, because they are not being helped 
by investment. Foreign investment only helps perpetuate the rule of a 
repressive, unelected junta". 

Triumph also claims that dialogue, not economic sanctions, is the way to 
embarrass a government into changing its policies. "Forced labour has 
existed for many decades in Burma. The ILO has exhausted itself trying 
to persuade the regime to respect fundamental freedoms, but to no avail. 
The generals have simply become very good at making cosmetic gestures 
just before they are due to receive important foreign delegations".  

Concludes Kearney: "An international trade union conference entitled 
"Democracy for Burma and the ILO Resolution: Trade Unions in support" 
held in Tokyo last week resolved to keep up the pressure on 
multinationals still trading or investing in Burma. That includes 
Triumph. The company should know that pressure will not abate as long as 
it continues to support the illegal, corrupt and undemocratic regime in 
Rangoon". 

-end-

The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation is an 
International Trade Secretariat bringing together 220 affiliated 
organisations in 110 countries with a combined membership of 10 million 
workers. 



___________________________________________________




The New Light of Myanmar (SPDC): What Really Should Be


Tuesday, 20 March, 2001

Khwa: Bagyi Phyo, have you watched Thai TV these days?

Phyo: Why do I have to watch it, Pho Khwa? I watch only Myanma 
Television and Myawady TV. I do not have enough free time at my disposal 
to watch their TV. 
Khwa: It is not what I mean. I just want you to know the non-sensical 
news broadcast by their TV. Phyo: What have they broadcast?

Khwa: You know, very recently their side shelled Tachilek. Even 
civilians were wounded and killed and cars and buildings hit and 
damaged. 

Phyo: Aye, I know it. It is their inhuman act. It is clear that they are 
supporting SURA insurgents overtly or covertly with money, manpower and 
arms and ammunition. 
Khwa: ThatÆs right, Bagyi Phyo. At that time, without rhyme or reason, 
they closed Tachilek-Maesai Friendship Bridge. 

Phyo: As the Friendship Bridge is concerned with the two nations, if 
they want to do something, they need to discuss that matter with 
regional authorities. We have our own view and they have theirs. They 
should not have done anything on the basis of their own view. At that 
time, they did not send any information to or discussed anything with 
the Myanmar side. 

Khwa: During those days, I happened to see on their TV that monks were 
invited at the top of the Friendship Bridge, and they were reciting 
Parittas, sprinkling water and saying prayers. 

Phyo: They spread the news with the use of media. They closed the bridge 
unilaterally and they were reciting Parittas on their own. It had 
nothing to do with us. Our country bear no grudge against any nations. 
We entertain goodwill. We never harbour ill will, nor does we hold 
negative view. 

Khwa: ThatÆs the point I am talking about. We nurture goodwill, but we 
canÆt let ourselves be duped. 

Phyo: The military commander on their side met with merchants, and 
banned them from exporting rice, medicines, fuel oils and spare parts of 
vehicles to the Myanmar side. 

Khwa: How laughable it is! Our side doesn?t care about it. It is only 
they who have to depend on us. Phyo: Yes, at the time when terrorists 
seized Myanmar embassy, it is as obvious as an elephant tramping in the 
field that they are not the citizens of a big nation. 

Khwa: I have heard through media the news about when Tachilek-Maesai 
Bridge will be opened. It was seen on their TV the other day that at the 
top of Maesai Bridge, there were invited media persons and many people 
who were gathering there for the occasion of opening the bridge. On our 
side, everything was peaceful and tranquil. Later, they went back in 
shame and disgrace. 

Phyo: ThatÆs what I am driving at. Our Myanmar stands with its own 
sovereignty. They canÆt do anything they like with the attitude that "We 
will open our side and you will have to open your side." The way they 
are behaving is like giving an order. They should not have behaved in 
this way. 

Khwa: ThatÆs right. I support what you are talking about. Our country 
paddles its own canoe and stands with dignity. Unlike them, we are not 
relying on another nation. 

Phyo: I have to tell you the facts included in the letter sent by the 
chairman of Township Border Committee of their side. They are : members 
of TBCs from both sides are to meet in the middle of the Friendship 
Bridge; to suspend the traffic temporarily but pedestrians can go on 
foot after re-opening of the bridge from 6 am to 6 pm; to suspend entry 
for foreign tourists in order to avoid unnecessary problems; to permit 
transport of foodstuff on a manageable scale except various kinds of 
fuel, rice, medicines and vehicles and spare parts; to permit return of 
vehicles left in Thailand and Myanmar sides under the inspection of 
officials from both sides. Look at that letter. There are many 
conditions for the re-opening of the bridge. They can make these 
conditions inside their country and can order only their people. They 
just need to control their people. It is not acceptable to give an order 
to our side. 

Phyo: It is more than that. On the morning of 12 March, a delegation 
from Thai Immigration Department arrived at Myanmar bank and explained 
the six points concerning the opening of the bridge. Khwa: What are 
they? Could you please tell me?

Phyo: Well, these points are :

(1) The Friendship Bridge will be opened on 12 March at 11.45 am; 
(2) No vehicle will be allowed to cross the bridge and all arrivals must 
be on foot; 
(3) The bridge will be opened only from 6 am to 6 pm daily; 
(4) Arrival and departure at the border gate will be permitted only to 
Thai and Myanmar citizens. No foreigner will be permitted for arrival or 
departure. 
(5) All arrivals or departures will be permitted only one dayÆs stay and 
overstays will be dealt with legal action; and 
(6) Complete papers and documents are required for all arrivals and 
departures. These conditions were not the points discussed with our 
side. They prescribed these points one-sidedly. The two neighbouring 
nations should be on good terms. They should have mutual respect. They 
prescribed these points, not in accord with formal rules. They do not 
treasure friendly ties. 

Khwa: I think that at first they laid emphasis on the spreading of news 
that Myanmar was intruding the territory of Thailand and attempting to 
pick up a fight. Contrary to their expectation, no one took much 
interest in that matter. So what they are now doing is that Thailand is 
putting on an air of dealing with Myanmar in the friendly atmosphere and 
attempting to maintain friendly ties and mutual relationship for not 
wanting to close the border. 

Phyo: The way you think is not bad. ThatÆs right, Pho Khwa. If they 
wanted to open the border, members of TBCs of both nations would discuss 
that matter. Now they have not attempted to hold any talks, but it seems 
as if they are trying to open the border one-sidedly. I think that as 
they donÆt want to admit their wrong, they are attempting to open the 
border in this way and that way. If they truly want to open the border 
in consideration of friendly relations, they have to discuss the matter 
frankly, intimately and correctly. Surely, Myanmar will accept it. If 
they assume the overbearing air and behave as though they are giving an 
ultimatum, I would like to say sorry to them. ThatÆs all. See you again. 


Author : U Pho Khwa 


______________________OTHER______________________



Burma Studies Group: Change of program at the AAS
  
  The Burma Studies Group business meeting will take place on Friday 
from 9 to   11 pm in the Ontario room.  The AAS program failed to note 
this scheduled   event at which newcomers and old hands are welcome.



___________________________________________________





Ham Productions: New Documentary Film??A Refugee and Me?


                                          
  New York, NY (April 1st, 2001) -- Ham Productions announces the New 
York premier of Kevin   Leadingham's documentary feature film "A Refugee 
and Me".           
  What do...
  
  Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi  a pack of vagrant dogs  a 
retired freedom   fighter  a Thailand identification card  a dead snake  
a blind flute player  a poster of   Phoebe Cates  Lorena Bobbitt a 
cockfight  and an American filmmaker    
  ... have in common?
  
  They're all part of Kevin Leadingham's documentary feature film A 
Refugee and Me.   
  WHEN:
  
  Sunday, April 1st, 2001 at 6:00PM.  TRT: 57 minutes.
  
  WHERE:
  
  NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL   
  Sunday, April 1st, 2001 - 6:00 PM
  Theater 303 - 873 Broadway
  (Between 18th & 19th)
  
  Tickets are free.   Seating is limited 
  
  Visit www.nitestar.com/refugee.html for more information.   
                              
 
  
  SYNOPSIS:
  
  In the fall of 1996, an American filmmaker, while traveling in 
Thailand, began an unusual, but   genuine friendship with a 
Burmese-Karen Buddhist monk named Tway Thongdee.   
  A year later, Tway was arrested by the Thai police for attempting to 
illegally acquire a Thailand   identification card (a card which would 
allow this Burmese refugee to leave the monkhood, and   still enable him 
to live and work legally in Thailand).
  
  Upon Tway's release from prison, the American filmmaker returned to 
Thailand in order to   document his friend's life, and help him in his 
continued pursuit of this illusive Thailand   identification card.  
  
  From the monasteries of Bangkok, to the refugee camps along the 
Thailand-Burma border, their   unique friendship takes you on a journey 
into the tragic, yet inspiring world of the Burmese-   Karen refugee.






________________


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