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BurmaNet News: June 8, 2001
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
June 8, 2001 Issue # 1920
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Deutsche Presse-Agentur: Shan people become refugees in their own state
*New light of Myanmar (SPDC): Secretary-3 attends Myanmar War Veterans
Organization Conference (2001)
MONEY _______
*Far Eastern Economic Review: Court to Hear Burma Brewery Case
*Asahi Shinbun (Tokyo): Creating a Stir with 3 Billion Yen-- Aid to
Burma
GUNS______
*Bangkok Post: Inside Politics--Burmese Daze
DRUGS______
*Deutsche Presse-Agentur: Myanmar reclaims crown as world's opium king
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Bangkok Post: Foreign media driving wedge, says Gen Chavalit
*Bangkok Post: 'Explanation' to be offered on textbook
*The Nation: Historical Enmities--little Love Crosses Region's Borders
Academics Say Nationalism, Bias Common in Southeast Asia
*soc.culture.burma: [Posting on defection of SPDC's Dep-UN
representative in New York]
EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA________
*Naew Na (Thailand): Enlist help with Burmese
*The Nation: Burmese are just rattling our cage
*Burma Peace Foundations: Concerns Regarding The Report of the ILO
Mission to Yangon
*The New light of Myanmar (SPDC): It is now all clear, isn't it?
OTHER______
*BurmaNet Kachin: Translation of headlines in current issue
*BurmaNet Karen: Translation of headlines in current issue
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Deutsche Presse-Agentur: Shan people become refugees in their own state
June 7, 2001, Thursday,
By Peter Janssen, dpa
Piang Phra Camp, Thai-Myanmar border
Nan Thaw fled to this border enclave last month with his wife and two
small children to escape the Wa, a people in search of a new homeland.
"They took our farms and stole our pigs, chickens and even our clothes,"
said Nan Thaw of the Wa, a Myanmar (Burmese) ethnic minority group of
Mon-Khmer origin whose traditional lands are in the Eastern Shan State,
a barren mountainous terrain that borders Yunnan province of southern
China.
"We had to run away or starve," said Nan Thaw, a former resident of Mong
Klan village, about 15 kilometres to the west. Like 300 other Shans, his
small family has erected a bamboo hut in Piang Phra, a hilltop camp just
across the border from Hintek village, in Chiang Rai province of
northern Thailand.
Some 50,000 Wa families, or about 200,000 men, women and children, have
been settled along the border of Chiang Rai province since late 1999 as
part of the Myanmar government's mass migration policy.
The Wa, whose capital is Pang Sang, Shan State, have been opium farmers
for decades, partly because their traditional lands in the mountainous
eastern part of the Shan State are too barren and inclement for other
crops.
Myanmar's military junta in late 1999 announced plans to relocate
hundreds of thousands of Wa opium farmers to the Thai-Myanmar border
area as part of their commitment to eradicate opium growing by the year
2014.
Most of the Wa migrants have settled in new border towns, such as Mong
Yawn and Mong Mai, but others have moved into villages and farms once
occupied by Shan, such as Mong Klan, Mong Thon and Mong Hsat.
At least 15 Shan village headmen and civilian leaders from the three
Shan villages have been arrested by the Myanmar army, and imprisoned in
Mong Hsat jail since October last year, said Shan State Army (SSA)
Lieutenant Colonel Gon Chin.
"They are using every way to drive the Shan out," said Gon Chin. "They
accuse the Shan headmen of breaking the law and imprison them
indefinitely."
The SSA, which six years ago was a faction within the Mong Tai Army of
notorious drug warlord Khun Sa, claims to have cleaned up its act and
denies any involvement now in the lucrative narcotics trade.
While such claims need to be taken with a grain of salt along the
drug-infested border, what seems clear is that the SSA's open military
opposition to Myanmar's junta has made the Shan people an easy target
for the Myanmar army and their ally, the 7,000-strong United Wa State
Army (UWSA).
"The Burmese are worried about the Shan movement," said Sai Aung Mak, a
spokesman for the Shan Restoration Council. "If the SSA movement gathers
momentum, the border can be controlled by the Shan, then we will have
the border trade."
Aung Mak estimates that some 400,000 Shans have been displaced by the
Myanmar army and Wa since 1996, shortly after their combined forces
defeated Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) and became the chief force in the
Golden Triangle.
The migration of the Wa to the border area, and their heavy involvement
in the illicit production of methamphetamines and heroin, has already
severely strained Thai-Myanmar relations.
Since February the Thai and Myanmar armies have engaged in several
cross-border artillery clashes and an even fiercer war of words has
ensued between the two governments.
While the Thais accuse the Myanmar military of turning a blind eye to
the Wa's lucrative drug trade, which will pump an estimated 600 million
methamphetamine pills into the Thai market this year, the Burmese accuse
Thailand of supporting the Shan rebellion against them.
Yangon has pledged to stop all drug production in the Wa areas along the
border by the year 2005.
"The Myanmar government said they would take five years to stop this
business, but we cannot wait that long," said Thailand's commander of
the Third Army Region, Lieutenant General Wattanachai Chaimuenwong.
Besides the current drug problem, Wattanachai and many other observers
foresee an escalation of ethnic fighting as a result of the Wa
migration.
"There will be a big problem in the future, because this is the Shan
area," predicted Wattanachai. "But now the Wa have used their influence
with the Burmese to use land that did not belong to them in the past."
When the Wa move into Shan territory, they tell the displaced Shan
families that they have been given permission from Lieutenant General
Khin Nyunt, First Secretary of the ruling junta in Yangon, to claim
their lands.
Khin Nyunt is the military leader who engineered Yangon's alliance with
the UWSA in the early 1990s, which others within the Myanmar military
reportedly oppose.
"I don't think the Wa can remain here comfortably," said SSA Lieutenant
Colonel Gon Chin. "If the Myanmar army stopped helping them the Wa could
not remain here.
___________________________________________________
New light of Myanmar (SPDC): Secretary-3 attends Myanmar War Veterans
Organization Conference (2001)
[BurmaNet adds--The following article from the New Light is little more
than a list of names and makes for dry reading. In light of wire
service accounts indicating that the regime may be building up the
Myanmar War Veterans Organization as a political entity to contest a
future election, the names in this article take on some significance as
a who is who of the regime?s preferred political network.]
Yangon, 6 June- The preliminary meeting of Myanmar War Veterans
Organization Conference (2001) was held at Hsinbyushin Hall of Defence
Services Orthopaedic Hospital (500-bed) in Mingaladon Township on 1
June.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of MWVO Central Organizing
Committee Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council
Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint and COC members and delegates of
States and Divisions to the conference. Vice-Chairman of the MWVOCOC
Maj-Gen Saw Tun presided over the conference together with Chairman of
Putao District WVO Lt-Col Maung Myo and Chairman of Sagaing Township
WVO Lt-Col Soe Myint (Retd).
The master of ceremonies announced the commencement of the conference
because 435 delegates out of 437 or 99.31 per cent attended the
conference. First, Chairman of MWVOCOC Secretary-3 Adjutant-General
Lt-Gen Win Myint extended greetings. Member of COC U Aung Thaung
explained matters related to the conference.
The master of ceremonies read out the lists of delegates who would
participiate in five groups for discussions in respective sectors. After
the priliminary conference, the delegates of the group-1 discussed the
National Politics Sector; the group-2 the Defence and Security of the
State Sector; the group-3 the Economic Sector; the group-4 the
Community Welfare Service Sector; and the group-5 the Social Activities
and Welfare Sector.
Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Tun presided over the National Politics
Sector discussion together with COC members Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe,
Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Col Thaik Tun, Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint and
Lt-Col Chit Naing (Retd). In the Defence and Security of the State
Sector, COC member Col Tin Hlaing presided over the discussions
together with COC Secretary Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, COC members Col
Soe Win, Col Myint Tun (Retd) and Col Aung Nwe (Retd). In the Economic
Sector, COC member U Aung Thaung presided over the discussions together
with COC members U Thaung, Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Brig-Gen Kyaw
Myint.
In the Community Welfare Service Sector, COC member Brig-Gen Pyi Sone
presided over the discussions together with COC members Brig-Gen Win
Sein, Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Col Maung Pa and Maj Saw Ngwe (Retd). In the
Social Activities and Welfare Sector, COC (See page 6) member Col Thein
Nyunt presided over the discussion together with COC members Col Myo
Myint (Retd) and Col Sit Myaing (Retd).
The conference chairmen gave speeches at their groups. Then, delegates
were selected for the second-day session of the conference. Next,
sector-wise proposals were compiled. On 2 June, the second-day session
of the conference continued at the same place. Present were Chairman of
MWVOCOC Secretary-3 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint and COC members
and delegates. Before the conference, they signed in the record book of
the conference.
The Secretary-3 presided over the second-day session of the conference
together with COC members U Thaung and Col Tin Hlaing. The master of
ceremonies announced for beginning the conference because 340 delegates
out of 437 or 98.40 per cent attended the conference.
The Secretary-3 delivered an opening address. (The address of the
Secretary-3 was reported separately.) Then, COC member U Aung Thaung
presided over the conference together with COC members U Thaung and Col
Tin Hlaing. COC Secretary Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung submitted the
MWVCOC report to the conference.
Chairman of Myitkyina District WVOSC Lt-Col Hla Thaung, Chairman of
Loikaw District WVOSC Lt-Col Tin Tun, Chairman of Kayin State District
WVOSC Lt-Col Kyaw Win Maung, Chairman of Chin State District WVOSC
Lt-Col Win Naing, Chairman of Sagaing Division WVOSC Lt-Col Ye Htut,
Chairman of Taninthayi Division WVOSC Lt-Col Khin Maug Nyo, Chairman of
Thegon Township WV Organizing Committee Lt-Col Hla Wai (Retd), Chairman
of DaikU Township WVO Lt-Col Tin Myint (Retd) and Chairman of Magway
Division WVOSC Lt-Col Myo Aung submitted implementation of tasks in one
year in respective States and Divisions.
In the afternoon, COC member Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint presided over the
conference together with Chairman of Myawady Township WVO Capt Han Tin
(Retd) and Chairman of Thingangyun Township WVO Col Aung Myint (Retd).
Chairman of Mandalay Division (MCDC outside area) WVOSC Lt-Col Tin Ohn,
Chairman of Mon State WVOSC Lt-Col Aung Maw Maw, Chairman of Rakhine
State WVOSC Lt-Col Thein Kyaing, Chairman of Dagon Township WVO Maj
Maung Win (Retd), Chairman of Taunggyi District WVOSC Lt-Col Ye Tun
Sein, Chairman of Muse District WVOSC Lt-Col Myint Thein, Chairman of
Shan State (East) WVOSC Lt-Col Thet Hnin Oo (Retd) and Chairman of
Ayeyawady Division WVOSC Lt-Col Sein Maung submitted implementation of
tasks in one year in respective States and Divisions.
The second-day session of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Conference
(2001) continued at respective places and Hsinbyushin Hall at Defence
Services Orthopaedic Hospital (500-bed) in Mingaladon Township on 3 June
morning. The delegates of group-1 discussed the National Politics
Sector at Hsinbyushin Hall. Vice-Chairman of MWVO Central Organizing
Committee Maj-Gen Saw Tun presided over the discussions with COC
members of MWVO Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Col
Thaik Tun and Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint. Chairman of Dagon Township WVO
Maj Maung Win (Retired) acted as master of ceremonies with Chairman of
Mayangon WVO Lt-Col Min Han as joint MC. Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Tun
made a speech on the occasion.
Then, the delegates Captain Than Htwe (Retired) of Kachin State, Lt-Col
Naing Win of Kayah State, Lt-Col Soe Myint Aung of Kayin State, Lt-Col
Win Naing of Chin State,ÊMaj Aung Min (Retired) of Sagaing Division,
Captain Hla Thaung (Retired) of Taninthayi Division , Maj Maung Maung
Lay (Retired) of Bago Division (West), Maj Thein Htay of Bago Division
(East), Lt-Col Htay Oo of Magway Division, Lt-Col Tin Tun of Mandalay,
Lt-Col Aung Maw Maw of Mon State, Captain Khin Maung Myint (Retired) of
Rakhine State, Lt-Col Lt-Col Aung Pyi of Yangon Division, Captain Chit
Aye (Retired) of Shan State (South), Maj Soe Win Kyaw of Shan State
(North),ÊLt-Col Thet Hnin Oo (Retired) of Shan State (East) and Lt-Col
Maung Pyone of Ayeyawady Division reported on thier reports on National
Politics sector.
The members of panel of Patron selected a person who will reports on
national politics sector to the conference. Then, Maj-Gen Saw Tun made a
concluding speech. The delegates of group-2 discussed the Defence and
Security of the State Sector at messing hall. COC member Col Tin Hlaing
presided over the discussions with COC Secretary Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Maung and COC members Col Soe Win, Col Myint Tun (Retired) and Col Aung
Nwe (Retired) Col Tin Hlaing made a speech on the occasion.
Then, the delegates Captain Myo Naing Aung (Retired) of Kachin State,
Lt-Col Tin Tun of Kayah State, Lt-Col Ko Ko Gyi of Kayin State, Lt-Col
Aung Moe Myint of Chin State, Captain Than Myint (Retired) of Sagaing
Division, Lt-Col Myo Nyunt of Taninthayi Division , Captain Thaung Tin
(Retired) of Bago Division (West), Maj Khin Maung Nyunt of Bago
Division (East), Lt-Col Kyee Myint (Retired) of Magway Division, Lt-Col
Kyaw Win (Retired) of Mandalay, Lt-Col Thaw Zin of Mon State, Captain
Myo Min Soe (Retired) of Rakhine State, Col Tin Soe (Retired) of Yangon
Division, Captain Ba Aye (Retired) of Shan State (South), Lt-Col Soe
Win (Retired) of Shan State (North),ÊLt-Col Myo Nyunt of Shan State
(East) and Maj Yin Sein of Ayeyawady Division reported on their reports
on Defence and Security of the State sector. The members of panel of
Patron selected a delegate who will reports on Defence and Security of
the State sector to the conference. Col Tin Hlaing made a concluding
speech on the occasion. The delegates of group-3 discussed the Economic
Sector at the cinema of the hospital. COC member U Aung Thaung presided
over the discussions with COC members U Thaung, Brig-Gen Maung Maung
Thein, Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and Lt-Col Tin Aung Myint (Retired). U Aung
Thaung made a speech on the occasion.
Then, the delegates Lt-Col Myo Swe of Kachin State, Maj Thein Lwin
(Retired) of Kayah State, Captain Han Tin (Retired) of Kayin State, Cpl
Nan Khan Lian (Retired) of Chin State,ÊMaj Aung Khin (Retired) of
Sagaing Division, Captain Sein Win (Retired) of Taninthayi Division ,
Captain Phone Lwin (Retired) of Bago Division (West), Lt-Col Tin Myint
(Retired) of Bago Division (East), Lt-Col Tin Myint Aung (Retired) of
Magway Division, Lt-Col Myo Myint of Mandalay Division, Lt-Col Nyo Win
Myint (Retired) of Mon State, Maj Aung Hlaing (Retired) of Rakhine
State, Maj Hlaing Win (Retired) of Yangon Division, Maj Pe Tin
(Retired) of Shan State (South), Capt Kyaw Oo (Retired) of Shan State
(North),ÊLt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw of Shan State (East) and Lt-Col Nay Win
of Ayeyawady Division reported on their reports on the economic sector.
The members of panel of Patron selected a delegate who will reports on
economic sector to the conference. U Aung Thaung made a concluding
speech on the occasion. The delegates of group-4 discussed the
community welfare services sector at the cinema of the hospital. COC
member Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presided over the discussions with COC members
Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Col Maung Pa and Maj Saw Ngwe (Retired). Brig-Gen
Pyi Sone made a speech on the occasion.
Then, the delegates Capt Cho Tun (Retired) of Kachin State, Maj Thein
Myint (Retired) of Kayah State, Maj Thet Naung (Retired) of Kayin
State, Maj Maung Toe (Retired) of Chin State, Cpl Aung Thein (Retired)
of Sagaing Division, Maj Aung Myint (Retired) of Taninthayi Division ,
WO II Maung Shwe (Retired) of Bago Division (West), Maj Tin Win
(Retired) of Bago Division (East), Maj Tin Ko (Retired) of Magway
Division, Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo of Mandalay Division, Lt-Col Tin Aung of
Mon State, Maj Than Aye of Rakhine State, Maj Myint Swe (Retired) of
Yangon Division, Capt Than Win (Retired) of Shan State (South), Maj Ko
Ko Naing(East) and Capt Tint Lwin Oo of Ayeyawady Division reported on
their reports on the economic sector.
The members of panel of Patron selected a delegate who will reports on
community welfare service sector to the conference. In the Social
Activities and Welfare Sector of the group-5, COC member Col Thein
Nyunt presided over the discussion together with COC members Col Myo
Myint (Retd) and Col Sit Myaing (Retd). Conference chairman COC member
Col Thein Nyunt gave a speech.
Lt-Col Maung Myo of Kachin State, Lt-Col Win Myint of Kayah State,
Lt-Col Kyaw Win Maung of Kayin State, Sgt Khin Maung San of Chin State
(Retd), WOII Myint Lwin (Retd) of Sagaing Division, Maj Soe Lwin (Retd)
of Taninthayi Division, Capt Than Aye (Retd) of Bago Division (West),
Capt Kyaw Naing (Retd) of Bago Division (East), Maj Saw Tun (Retd) of
Magway Division, Lt-Col Ye Swe of Mandalay Division, Maj Win Maung
(Retd) of Mon State, Maj Than Soe Naing (Retd) of Rakhine State, Capt
Aye Myint (Retd) of Yangon Division, Capt Khaing Htoo (Retd) of Shan
State (South), Mja Myint Kyi (Retd) of Shan State (North), Lt-Col Aung
Htey of Shan State (East) and Maj Nyi Nyi Tin of Ayeyawdy Division took
part in the discussion.
Then, one delegate was selected for submitting findings of the Social
Activities and Welfare Sector to the third-day session of the
conference. Afterwards, Col Thein Nyunt gave the concluding remarks. In
the afternoon, delegates compiled the papers in the respective sectors
at the designated places.
_____________________MONEY_______________________
Far Eastern Economic Review: Court to Hear Burma Brewery Case
June 07, 2001
The International Court of Justice has decided to hear the controversial
case of the Burmese government's 1998 nationalization of Mandalay
Brewery. On May 16, the court, which is the United Nations' principal
judicial organ and has its seat in The Hague, appointed a three-member
tribunal of international law experts from the United States, Britain
and France. The case is scheduled to open later this month. Yaung Chi Oo
Trading, the Singapore-based company that invested $6.3 million in the
Mandalay Brewery joint venture with the government, had vainly attempted
to get its case heard by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations'
dispute-settlement mechanism. The ICJ's willingness to hear the case
appears to have made certain quarters of Burma's ruling junta skittish.
On May 31, military intelligence official Gen. Kyaw Min, recently
assigned the task of striking a settlement, made Yaung Chi Oo's managing
director, Win Win Nu, a do-or-die offer: Return to Burma and present her
case in person to intelligence chief Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt, or be banished
permanently. Until it was nationalized, Mandalay Brewery was Burma's
largest taxpayer.
___________________________________________________
Asahi Shinbun (Tokyo): Creating a Stir with 3 Billion Yen-- Aid to Burma
5 June 2001 (Tuesday) Page 13
[Unofficial Translation from Japanese original]
Creating a Stir with 3 Billion Yen: Aid to Burma
Japan sunshine policy to promote talks
US/EU due to human rights concerns, ill-timed
The aid Japan has promised to Myanmar (Burma) is creating a stir.
Though aimed at promoting the talks between the democracy movement
leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the military regime, which began last
October, in the west, where more concern is placed on the human rights
problems under the military regime, ll-timed is the stronger
impression. UN Special Envoy Rosali, a go-between in the talks, was
visiting again in Myanmar until the 4th to confirm the current status of
the talks.
In April, Japan promised to the deputy foreign minister visiting Japan,
to give 3-3.5 billion yen in grant aid to repair the aging Baluchaung
Hydropower Plant. As Myanmar electricity shortage is severe, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) came to the conclusion that f the
hydropower plant ceases functioning, it will impact the lives of
approximately 20% of the population.
A MOFA official said, e are aware that there are differing opinions in
the international community, but in order to promote the talks, Japan
will use a unshine policy. This is perhaps a rare case of strategic
aid. The grant will be divided up over several years, so that if the
situation worsens, stopping it would be possible.
Since the political changes in 1988, Japan assistance to Myanmar has
essentially stopped. In 1995, cooperation was expanded to continuing
projects and things concerning basic needs, to include support for
expansion of a nursing college (1.6 billion yen) and repair of the
Yangon International Airport (approx 2.5 billion yen).
It appears that Japanese aid, which comprises 60% of the aid Myanmar
receives, backs up Japanese industries, as well as provides a check on
the no-interest loans, provision of weapons, and military training which
have been provided by China.
Regarding the scale and delicate timing of this controversial aid from
Japan, and considering that there have been no confirmed results from
the talks, the west has cautioned that o invest in this regime at this
time is not appropriate (Secretary of State Powell). The International
Labor Organization (ILO) also called for member countries to implement
sanctions due to forced labor and other human rights abuses.
Domestically, movement has been seen by RENGO and others calling on the
foreign ministry to review its aid.
Associate Professor Kei Nemoto of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
points out that if Burma military budget, which comprises half the
national budget, were used, it would be sufficient to repair the dam.
But the current electricity shortages are a reality. If this grant is
to be implemented, it is imperative that Japan prepare to dispatch staff
by themselves or from an international organization to monitor the
situation for forced labor.
______________________GUNS_______________________
Bangkok Post: Inside Politics--Burmese Daze
June 7, 2001
Whatever you do, don't mention the pagoda, or those pesky Shan, or those
newspaper reports, or... But, otherwise, things could not be better.
Where things could be better is at home where the man who would be
everything to everybody has been denied a cherished command. And things
could definitely be better for the permanent parliament staff being
asked to give way.
Reports that the Shan State Army is planning a series of military
attacks on Burmese outposts along the border have some people very
worried that this might cause serious harm to our relations with Burma
at a time when Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is planning a visit to
Rangoon to present his credentials.
One who walks the Government House corridors said Mr Thaksin would
probably make the trip before Burma's foreign minister, Win Aung, visits
us in about a fortnight's time.
The prime minister also plans to tack on a Laos leg to his tour, and he
would have us believe that the timing of his visit has nothing to do
with U Win Aung popping in to see us.
"If everything is settled as swiftly as planned, then the premier's trip
could start next week," said one cabinet minister.
"Under the present circumstances, once a chance opens for talks then we
should snatch the opportunity if it can help resolve misunderstandings
and strengthen bilateral ties," said a security officer.
The officer accepted that there were differences in thinking among the
prime minister's battalion of advisers over the advisability and the
timing of the trip.
Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, deputy prime minister and defence minister,
favours Mr Thaksin getting over to Rangoon as soon as his billionaire
housemaid can pack his valise. The minister thinks there is real urgency
as there are elements out there wanting to hurt any chances of close
ties between ourselves and the Burmese.
Apparently this elderly gentleman was beside himself with the news that
the state-managed New Light of Myanmar newspaper ran a May 31 article
which softened criticisms of Thailand and the monarchy which had
appeared earlier in its pages.
"It is Gen Chavalit's genuine desire to see peace and stability along
our border with Burma since neither side can benefit from the tense
situation," said one chap at Defence.
He said a team led by one of Gen Chavalit's close lieutenants was
already in Rangoon working out details of Mr Thaksin's visit.
The defence minister himself had been planning to pop across to Rangoon
to rub epaulettes with his fellow generals there from June 18-20, but
there might now be changes in the itinerary. The Foreign Ministry is
working with Defence to work out a schedule for the prime minister.
Meanwhile, much closer to the action, Lt-Gen Watanachai Chaimuanwong,
commander of the Third Army which keeps a watch on things along the
border, has been told to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with the
Burmese, according to one army leak.
He said people in Bangkok were very worried that events along the border
could spoil the Thaksin does Rangoon tour and relations between our two
countries generally.
This explains the trepidation within the Chavalit camp over reports that
the Shan wanted to blacken the eye of the Burmese government forces and
that our own Third Army planned to protest to Rangoon about the building
of a pagoda in the disputed area of Koo Teng Na Yong.
______________________DRUGS______________________
Deutsche Presse-Agentur: Myanmar reclaims crown as world's opium king
June 7, 2001, Thursday,
By Peter Janssen, dpa
Chiang Rai, Thailand
With the destruction of Afghanistan's poppy crop earlier this year,
Myanmar (Burma) has reclaimed its crown as the world's leading producer
of opium and heroin, albeit by default.
The country already holds the dubious distinction of being Asia's top
producer of amphetamine type stimulants (ATSs).
With the Taliban's enforced eradication of 100,000 hectares of poppy
fields in the Golden Crescent this year, world attention is likely to
shift to opium output from the Golden Triangle, the tri-border area
between Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.
The overwhelming bulk of the triangle's opium has traditionally been
grown in the Shan State of Myanmar.
Compared with Afghanistan, Myanmar's efforts to eradicate poppy growing
have been slow-paced and success has been largely weather-related.
"The yields have been terrible for the past three years because of the
weather, something to do with the El Nino," said one Western drug
enforcement agent based in northern Thailand.
According to U.S. State Department estimates, Myanmar's opium production
reached 1,085 tons last year, less than half of its peak output in 1989
of 2,400 tons.
For the U.S. market the Golden Triangle stopped being its major supplier
of heroin in 1996, after the surrender of former drug kingpin Khun Sa to
Myanmar troops, leading to a temporary disruption in the heroin trade.
Nowadays, heroin from the Golden Triangle accounts for only 25 per cent
of the U.S. market and a similar percentage of Europe's.
The United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), which
launched a crop substitution programme in the Wa territory of the Shan
State in 1997, claims some of the credit for Myanmar's reduction of its
opium growing area by 35 per cent over the past three years.
Even Myanmar's military junta, which has relocated an estimated 50,000
Wa families from the poppy-growing terrain of the northern Shan state to
the Thai-Myanmar border, has contributed to the reduction, Western
diplomats in Yangon admit.
Myanmar was overtaken by Afghanistan as the world's main supplier of
opium and heroin during the past decade, but this year, with Afghanistan
out of the picture and heroin prices already soaring in Pakistan and
Yangon, Myanmar's efforts to wipe out opium growing will be put to the
test.
"In terms of opium production, Myanmar is number one again,"
acknowledged UNDCP regional representative Sandro Calvani.
Calvani warned a drug conference in Yangon last month, "The latest news
from Bolivia and Afghanistan of a complete illicit crop elimination are
certainly good news, however, they also bring the obvious risk that the
problem will migrate to another angle of the world and it is very likely
that it will be our corner."
In fact, there is plenty of evidence that the Golden Triangle's heroin
trade never went away, although it has certainly been overshadowed by a
boom in Myanmar's methamphetamine trafficking.
"We haven't seen heroin shipments from this area diminish, although they
tend to be smaller in size, about 20 kilograms each," said William
Snipes, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Bangkok.
There is also evidence that with the Thai military's more vigilant
crackdowns on drug traffickers along the Thai-Myanmar border this year,
shipments have shifted to other routes through Yangon (Rangoon), India
and China.
For instance, a shipment of 56 kilograms of heroin was stopped at Yangon
port this January, with the assistance of Myanmar authorities.
Myanmar's military regime, however, claims to have little control over
the Shan State, where both heroin and methamphetamine production
continue to flourish in illicit labs along the Thai-Myanmar border.
If anything, Myanmar's recent policy of relocating the Wa, a Mon-Khmer
ethnic minority group whose capital is Pang Sang, eastern Shan State, to
the border areas is exacerbating the drug problem.
An estimated 50,000 Wa families, or 200,000 people, have been moved to
the border area since late 1999.
"The reason these Wa have been moved is to prevent them from growing
opium up there, but in reality when they come close to Thailand they are
still planting opium in the mountainous areas," said Lieutenant General
Wattanachai Chaimuenwong in an interview with Deutsche Presse Agentur
dpa.
Sources along the Thai-Myanmar border say drug traders are going into
the areas controlled by the Wa families and encouraging them to grow
more opium. There are even reports of double-cropping, or two crops a
year, to boost production.
All the Golden Triangle needs now is a good opium growing season, which
the area hasn't enjoyed for the past four years, for the heroin industry
to take off, anti-narcotic officials concur.
"It depends on how high the price is and what the Myanmar government's
policy on eradication will be this year," said UNDCP's Calvani. "The
demand is still high because the heroin users are not taking orders from
the Taliban."
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
Bangkok post: Foreign media driving wedge, says Gen Chavalit
June 8, 2001
By Wassana Nanuam
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday accused the foreign media of driving a
wedge between Thailand and Burma, as an advance team left for Rangoon to
lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit on June
17.
The team included Gen Sommai Wichaworn, armed forces chief-of-staff, Gen
Wichit Yathip, the defence minister's chief-of-staff, and the prime
minister's staff.
The defence minister, who will accompany Mr Thaksin, was asked to
comment on reports by foreign news agencies about harsh Burmese
criticism of Thailand. The foreign media had been "meddling" in issues
they did not understand, said Gen Chavalit, also deputy prime minister.
"On issues they don't really understand, they should adhere to
journalistic ethics. Our media, although said to be backwards, is much
better because at least it is aware of what would affect the majority,"
he said.
Mr Thaksin, responding to the same question, said foreign media might
not want Thailand to be on good terms with Burma.
"We have to accept that many people are not happy with Burma," he said.
Gen Sampao Chusri, the supreme commander, said the advance team would
co-ordinate with Burmese leaders on topics for talks.
Gen Sommai, a former Third Army commander, has close ties with Burmese
military leaders. He will meet Gen Maung Aye, the Burmese army
commander, and Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling State
Peace and Development Council. A memorandum of understanding on drug
suppression is one task the advance team must finish.
A source said the team would also propose that Burma and Thailand stop
attacking each other. The Burmese government would be asked to tell its
media, which is under state control, to refrain from publishing news or
articles attacking Thailand, particularly the monarchy.
At the same time, the Thai media would be asked to avoid making negative
reports about Burma.
High-level Thai authorities, including Third Army chief Lt-Gen
Watanachai Chaimuanwong, would be more careful in giving interviews, the
source said.
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: 'Explanation' to be offered on textbook
June 8, 2001
By Bhanravee Tansubhapol
The Thai ambassador in Rangoon has been told to "explain" to the Burmese
Education Ministry that a Burmese school textbook has created a
misunderstanding about Thais.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai made the point after making clear
on Wednesday that no official protest would be lodged with the Burmese
government.
According to a news agency report from Rangoon, the textbook, made
mandatory reading for fourth graders, describes Thais as "given to fun
and appreciation of beauty" and "disinclined to self-reliance and hard
work.
"Mr Surakiart said he had asked the ambassador, Oum Maolanon, to obtain
a copy of the textbook as the Education Ministry wanted to check the
accuracy of the news agency's translation, and the date of the
textbook's publication. "We have to be steadfast and proud of being
Thais," the minister said.
"We will protest [only] when the content clearly has [adverse]
repercussions on a high-level institution. Experts would be asked to
determine the level of Thai people affected by the analysis. Thailand
also has to review its own textbooks to see if they depict inaccuracies
about other nations", he said.
__________________________________________
The Nation: Historical Enmities--little Love Crosses Region's Borders
Academics Say Nationalism, Bias Common in Southeast Asia
June 07, 2001.
Thai academics and historians yesterday offered slightly differing views
about Burma's latest anti-Thai textbook - some said historical bias
towards neighbours existed in all Southeast Asian textbooks, while
others said Burma was unusually harsh in its recent portrayal of Thais.
The 12-page history textbook, which is supplementary reading for fourth
graders in Burma who began a new academic year Monday, portrays Thais as
servile and lazy.
One section of the book says: "Thai people are given to fun and
appreciation of beauty. They are disinclined to self-reliance and hard
work."
It also says Thailand has consistently throughout history launched
anti-Burmese campaigns, and those who grew up during such campaigns have
a deep-rooted hatred for people from Burma.
Chulalongkorn University history lecturer Sunait Chutintaranond said the
textbook could have a lasting impact on Thai-Burmese relations,
particularly if young people in Burma were taught to hate Thais.
Sunait said the Burmese had never generally thought of Thais as their
enemies.
The Burmese expert said, however, that Thailand should set its own house
in order and stop portraying its neighbours in a negative light in its
own textbooks and movies.
"In Thai history textbooks, we talk about our neighbours as our enemies.
We only tell stories of wars that we won and [how we] made people of
neighbouring countries our slaves," said Sunait.
"From now on we should put other aspects in our textbooks," he said.
Ramkhamhaeng University's Professor Pornchai Dheppanya said he saw
nothing wrong with Rangoon writing such a textbook.
"It is normal, because history texts in several other countries were
mostly written to glorify their countries, while cursing on others," the
political scientist said.
Pornchai said he wondered why Thailand was paying attention to the
Burmese textbook now - considering the fact they had always been written
like that, particularly when regarding ancient Thai-Burmese relations.
He said the government should act sensibly and avoid "dancing to the
Burmese tune".
"We cannot stop Burma from doing this," he said. "Nor do I think we
should protest. It is better not to pay much attention to it."
Professor Charnvit Kasetsiri, president of Thammasat University's
Southeast Asian studies programme, said that most textbooks in Southeast
Asian countries that touched on historic relations with neighbours tried
to instil nationalism among youths, and provoke a hatred of their
neighbours.
However the latest Burmese effort was far too lopsided, and explicitly
targeted Thai people.
Charnvit said the release of the anti-Thai textbook was a spin-off
related to the current problems between the two countries.
He said it was a ploy to incite hatred among the Burmese people against
Thais and divert people's attention from the ruling military junta's
failures.
__________________________________________
soc.culture.burma: [Posting on defection of SPDC's Dep-UN representative
in New York]
[BurmaNet adds: The following is the text of a posting to the
soc.culture.burma newsgroup regarding the defection of U Ko Ko, the
regime's deputy representative to the United Nations in New York.
BurmaNet rarely (almost never) runs material
from newsgroups like SCB because it is all but impossible to verify the
source to say nothing of the content. We make an exception here because
no better
source of information is available. The defection was real but neither
the Americans nor the regime seem willing to talk about it. This SCP
posting is consistent with what little is publicly known and adds
details that, if true, are at least interesting.]
Subject: SPDC,UN representative defected in US.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.burma
View complete thread (4 articles)
Date: 2001-05-27 17:53:23 PST
U Ko Ko, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Permanent Representative of the
Permanent Mission of the Union of
Myanmar to the United Nations in New York for SPDC defected to US on
the May 18. His assignment was over and planed to leave for Burma with
his wife, daughter and son on Saturday May 19 but instead he did not
showed up on the date and left the apartment he stayed opened .He left
the gifts and parcels from the SPDC embassy staffs for their relatives
in Burma and disappeared.
Before he left to a safe area, U Ko Ko sent a fax to the Embassy that
he resigned due to the military corruption and destruction of the Union
Of Burma. It ws a shock to all the staff at the Embassy who saw the fax
before the Embassador .
U Ko Ko is the son of retired Colonel Maung Maung from
Navy and brother of Colonel Nyi Nyi of the Burma Border
Development.
Former SPDC Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw also escaped to
Australia. He and his family applied for passports as
though they were going to India for pilgrimage and left
the country and now under the Australian Gov. protection.
His escaped cost the famous Burma passport signature
Colonel Ba Heine his job..
___________EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA__________
Naew Na (Thailand): Enlist help with Burmese
[Naew Na is a Thai language newspaper published in Bangkok. This
translation was run in The Bangkok Post on June 8, 2001]
Rather than pay a visit to Burma, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
should ask the world community to put pressure on Rangoon to stamp out
narcotics production along its border with Thailand.
Mr Thaksin announced recently that he would visit Rangoon this month to
discuss long-standing problems with the Burmese military junta. The
announcement was greeted with discouraging news from Burma.
The introduction of a supplementary 12-page textbook for Burmese
fourth-grade pupils, which describes Thai people as lazy, has upset Thai
academics, politicians and some members of the public.
When Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai was in Rangoon last month to
discuss border problems with Burmese leaders, official announcements
were made attacking Thailand for supporting ethnic groups fighting
against the Burmese government.
Later in the month, an article appeared in the official New Light of
Myanmar criticising a 19th century Thai king.
Based on these incidents, we cannot see how Prime Minister Thaksin can
expect to solve the long-standing dispute with Burma. Thailand's pride
will be hurt by his presence in Rangoon.
The Thai-Burmese dispute is complex. Apart from the problem of poor
border demarcation, Thailand has had to bear the brunt of
methamphetamine pills flooding across the border from Burma. These pills
are produced by the United Wa State Army, which is backed by the Rangoon
government.
Also, Burma believes that Thailand is backing the Shan State Army, an
ethnic minority group fighting against Rangoon. The Shans have used
sophisticated weapons to attack and destroy the Wa's drug laboratories
along the border.
While the border remains so tense, it is useless for Prime Minister
Thaksin to go to Rangoon. Instead, he should ask the world community to
apply pressure on Burma to stamp out the drug production within its
borders.
Editorial from Naew Na
The Nation: Burmese are just rattling our cage
June 8, 2001
The revelation that a Burmese history book has portrayed the Thai people
as servile and lazy has caused much commotion inside Thailand, whose
citizens, ironically enough, see themselves as funloving and khee kiart.
The word khee kiart, which translates literally as lazy, in fact conveys
the sense of a lackadaisical attitude. When a Thai wants to say he does
not want to go someplace, he will say that he is too lazy. But it is
more of a kind of languidity or indolence, which we are used to.
Certainly, this is not the first time that the Thai people have been
portrayed this way by foreigners or, for that matter, in Burmese
textbooks and media. Such a theme has often arisen given the long
history of ThaiBurmese relations. In the past, nobody would bother with
such selfserving judgements in whatever form. But suddenly, the history
book has made all the difference. Why?
Definitely, there is a different mindset among Thais, whose sense of
national identity has been strengthened following the economic and
financial crisis in 1997. This growing selfawareness is somehow related
to the living conditions they are encountering. The stringent economic
measures imposed by foreign lending institutions in the past three years
have also created a siege mentality among Thais they must stand up or
they will be taken over.
This prevailing mentality has given rise to the current
pseudonationalism that is so common among businessmen with nonperforming
loans. A much stronger feeling of selfprotection also occurs among
disadvantaged groups of Thai people who have been marginalised by
globalisation and the economic crisis.
Then theres the fact that in an era of peace and cooperation, both Burma
and Thailand are in search of a new enemy. They have found within
themselves that past hostilities can be revived and replayed to keep the
flame of vengeance alive. So, the Thai side keeps producing popular
literature and audiovisual materials that portray Burma and the Burmese
people in the most negative light. In the past year, antiBurmese
sentiment reached its peaked with Bang Rachan, an epic film about the
cruelty of ancient Burmese invaders. Another Thai-Burmese historic epic,
Suriyothai, the most expensive Thai film ever made and which will
premier in August, will certainly add fuel to the fire of Thai
nationalism.
Admittedly, Thai nationalistic feelings against Burma are the strongest
because Burmese troops overran Ayudhya twice. Knowing this is a sore
point, the Burmese junta has mercilessly exploited it to reinforce a
sense of superiority over the Thais. Of late, the junta has intensified
this effort to agitate its neighbour. Burmas attack on King Rama IV and
the textbook controversy must be viewed as an integrated ploy to imbue a
new sense of superiority among the younger generation of Burmese who
have suffered under the oppressive rule of the military. By picking on
the Thais and portraying them as the enemy, the regime hopes to draw its
oppressed to its side and shift the focus from their daily misery onto
Thailand.
Will it work? Thailand should be mature enough to view history with
objectivity and come to terms with its weaknesses. In fact, it is a time
for all of us to reflect on our attitudes towards our neighbours and our
treatment of them. Maybe the best way to start is to treat with humanity
the millions of Burmese who have escaped political oppression and
poverty in their country. One day a future generation of Burmese people
will have a different view of Thailand and a harsh view of the Burmese
junta.
Burma Peace Foundations: Concerns Regarding
The Report of the ILO Mission to Yangon
Regarding the ILO report Developments since the 280th Session of the
Governing Body (March 2001): Arrangements for an objective assessment of
the situation of forced labour following measures taken by the Myanmar
Government (Mission to Yangon 17-19 May 2001) -- URL and text of the
Agreement encl. below, Annex 1 -- there are several issues which, in
the view of the Burma Peace Foundation (BPF), bear on the credibility of
the proposed mission by an ILO High Level Team (HLT) to Burma in
September:
1) Security of witnesses
Neither the report nor the Agreement with the Chairman of the Myanmar
Negotiating Team (Appendix 5, encl) contains any reference to guarantees
by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that interviews
will be in confidence, without the physical presence of government
agents, or that people who have been in contact with the HLT will be
immune from reprisals if their testimony is "incorrect", "false" etc.
Such guarantees are particularly vital for fact-finding visits to Burma
where, according to a recent report by Amnesty International ("Myanmar:
Prisoners of Political Repression" of 18 April 2001) at least 12
prisoners of conscience are serving sentences of from 7 to 20 years for
having, among other crimes, provided "false" information to the United
Nations, including the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar. Some of these
prisoners have serious health problems and some have, allegedly, been
tortured.
Obtaining guarantees of immunity from reprisal is standard practice for
fact-finding missions of the Commission on Human Rights. These include:
"Assurance by the Government that no persons, official or private
individuals, who have been in contact with the Special
Rapporteur/Representative in relation to the mandate will for this
reason suffer threats, harassment or punishment or be subjected to
judicial proceedings"; (see Annex 2, below, for the full text of "Terms
of reference for fact-finding missions...")
For the Special Rapporteur on Torture, for instance, the acceptance by
the Government of
the terms of reference is crucial and he will refuse to go to a country
where he has
not received assurances that the terms will be respected.
The ICRC and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture employ
similar terms of reference. See also Visits under Public International
Law: Theory and Practice published in November 2000 by the Association
for the Prevention of Torture.
The Commission of Inquiry on Forced Labour in Myanmar (Burma) gave
serious thought
to the question of protection of witnesses both at the Geneva hearings
in 1997 and for its
field trips (see, for example, the Report of the Commission of Inquiry,
pg 9, para 25;
pg 21, para 82; pg 121, para 465; pg 137, para 517; and pg 190, "Rules
for the hearing
of witnesses").
The complainants also highlighted the importance of ensuring the
security of witnesses:
"The complainants consider that the security of witnesses testifying
before the Commission of Inquiry is of paramount importance. It should
be ensured that any witnesses, whether testifying on their own
initiative or upon request of any party, are protected from and held
safe against any harm, reprisal or discrimination on the basis of their
statements to the Commission of Inquiry. The same safeguards should be
required for witnesses' families and next of kin." (ibid pg 182, para
4)
Clearly, the people who speak to the HLT will not be giving testimony of
quite the same
nature as was given to the Commissioners, and the physical situation
will be quite different, since the commissioners did not enter Burma .
Even with publicly-promulgated guarantees of immunity, people are likely
to be afraid to say that forced labour continues. Without them, the
chances of the Team hearing "incorrect" views sink to zero.
2) Composition of the HLT
is also concerned by the Mission's interpretation to its interlocutors
(page3, para 4 of the Report) that "the qualifications required of
members of the HLT" [appointed by the Director-General ..."on the basis
of their recognised impartiality, experience and technical competence"]
"would have to be recognized by all, including the Myanmar authorities;
that interpretation was subsequently confirmed in writing, at the
latter's request". BPF is not alone is thinking that the obvious
candidates for membership of the HLT are the three eminent jurists who
made up the Commission of Inquiry, and the SPDC is on record as denying
the impartiality of their report:
"The Report of the Commission and its recommendations issued in July
1998 were one-sided, biased and based on unfounded allegations made by
dissidents and insurgent groups." (The New Light of Myanmar", 17 June
1999 -- see Annex 3, below, for full text.)
There is a strong possibility that the SPDC would refuse to recognise
the impartiality of the former Commissioners if the Director-General
were to appoint them as members of the HLT. Being aware of this
possibility, the D-G might be tempted to choose people of lesser
qualifications.
3) Access
Will the HLT be given access to the areas where most forced labour is
used, namely the border regions where the Burma Army is deployed in
strength. The SPDC could claim "valid" security problems in any areas it
did not want the team to visit, though the visit is planned for
September, when the rains have stopped, but the fighting has not yet
started.
4) Rank of interlocutors in Rangoon
e Mission does not appear to have met any senior military people in
Rangoon
This must cast some doubt on the commitment of the SPDC to the process.
The New light of Myanmar (SPDC): It is now all clear, isn't it?
Thursday, 7 June, 2001
Po Khwa: Oh, that's what I like! I like the way of making the rebuttal!
Uncle Phyo: Hey! What's all about?
Khwa: Didn't you watch the TV last night?
Phyo: You mean, Justice Pao? People's Justice? Which programme?
Khwa: I am not referring to any of the Chinese or martial arts video
plays. Why you are so slow to apprehend, Uncle?
Phyo: Slow or quick to apprehend, that's not your business. Tell me what
you are here for.
Khwa: A visit to Mongyun by a team of ambassadors, military attaches and
local and foreign journalists was shown on TV Myanmar as well as on
Myawady TV last night.
Phyo: I had seen it too. But you have cut into the matter from the
middle.
Khwa: In his clarifications to the visitors during the tour, liaison
officer of Wa peace group U Khin Maung Myint said " I would like to
invite the persons, who are making irresponsible accusations, to visit
Mongyun". In reality, it is our way of challenging the irresponsible
accusers.
Phyo: Yes it is. A friend of mine was also included in the team.
Khwa: Oh, he was so lucky. I am so desirous of visiting such places.
Tell me about his experiences during the tour, please.
Phyo: As soon as members of the study team arrived at Mongyun, U Khin
Maung Myint explained to them about the history of Mongyun,
accomplishments in conducting regional development undertakings and
future programmes at the briefing hall of Mongyun Development Project.
Khwa: Did he rebut the Siamese (Thai) slanders?
Phyo: Why not? He clarified that the news reports of the Siamese news
agencies and the statements made by some Siamese military officials were
all slanderous accusations. They said that some buildings photographed
by the satellite were drug refineries. He invited the guests to visit
any place they wish to to know the truth.
Khwa: The host should have shown the guests around the places which are
included in the accusations.
Phyo: Why are you so eager about this matter? Please here me out.
Khwa: Oh, as a citizen of Myanmar, I can't stand their accusations.
Phyo: The host conducted the guests around the hydroelectric power
plant, the rice mill and the rice warehouses which the Siamese media
said were drug refineries. The team members were also shown around the
opium substitute crop fields such as lychee plantations, summer paddy
fields, etc.
Khwa: Ah, that's a proper way of rebutting the accusations. There will
be plenty of opium substitute crop fields in the region.
Phyo: As an opium substitute crop, 20,000 lychee trees have been planted
on 1,000 acres in Mongyun.
Khwa: There will be other opium substitute crop fields.
Phyo: U Khin Maung Myint also explained to them about the opium
substitute crop cultivation project in Lawsansaw region and putting of
land under 240,000 lychee, 50,000 honey orange, 2,000 pomelo and coffee
at Wanhon model farm
Khwa: It's so encouraging to hear about the plantation business.
Phyo: Moreover, when the visiting team members arrived at Kengtung, the
hosts shown them around Minezin pig farm near the town. Many pigs were
raised at the farm. Over 8,500 pigs were being raised systematically
there.
Khwa: They have done a lot of farming.
Phyo: There is also a wonder. Khwa: What's that?
Phyo: When the team members visited Mongyun Market, they saw a signboard
at a shop, which read " No Siamese goods sold here'.
Khwa: Oh, good! They have witnessed the patriotism of Myanmars in times
of emergency.
Phyo: Before the visit of the team, delegates to the Meetings of
Signatory Countries to 1993 Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control
in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region, which was hosted in Yangon,
and journalists also visited the area.
Khwa: Great! The visitors had witnessed our true efforts to wipe out the
narcotic drugs and to conduct regional development undertakings in a
proper way as already explained by the responsible personnel.
Phyo: Liaison officer U Khin Maung Myint of the Wa Special Region 2 had
explained to them about the Mongyun region.
Khwa: May I interrupt, Uncle? It is said that there are five star
hotels.
Phyo: Rubbish! A hall where the News Briefing took place was alleged as
a five star hotel.
Khwa: It's so funny. The Siamese news agencies are matchless in making
fabrications.
Phyo: That's why the MoU delegates were invited to witness and discover
the truth. It is a right action to prove with firm evidence that
accusations made by some Siamese media and some Siamese army officials
were wrong. We have clarified about the matter not for any political
gains. We just want the mankind to know about our true efforts launched
with humanitarian spirit. We are not telling lies with wicked
intention. The members of the visiting group who have real wish to wipe
out narcotic drugs accepted our objective endeavours.
Khwa: It's an appropriate measure. At a time when the other side is
making slanderous accusations against us, we have been able to prove
with firm evidence to all that all such slanders are wrong.
Phyo: The picture is getting clearer. But there are many things still
left to be done. As it is true that our nation is striving to eliminate
narcotic drugs in the region, we should also urge the neighbour to join
hands in the task, instead of making arguments. But it is easier said
than done. The other side also should have the real wish to eliminate
the drugs. At least, Siam (Thailand) should not raise the drug bandit,
Ywet Sit, if it really wants to end the problem of narcotic drugs. If
it has the desire to build confidence between the two countries, it
should not support or encourage Ywet Sit.
Khwa: But Siam said that it was using Ywet Sit group as the Shan State
Independence Army.
Phyo: As Siam is not sincere, all its efforts to hide its slanders are
in vain. I don't want to make my conversation long. And to make it
short, let's talk about Khun Sa. He was stated as a Shan State freedom
fighter and also accused as a drug culprit. But which one is more
serious, the statement or the accusation?
Khwa: The big countries branded Khun Sa as a drug culprit.
Phyo: That's the point. Now, Khun Sa has realized the truth. But his
one-time follower, Ywet Sit, cannot see the truth and is still engaging
in the drug business. What's the answer? If Ywet Sit is branded " the
drug culprit " as in the case of Khun Sa or his background history and
practical deeds are assessed, the answer is quite clear. " A drug
bandit is just a drug bandit" . It is quite clear why the ethnic people
living in Shan State are trying to wipe him out despite his words that
he is working for the freedom of the Shan State.
Khwa: As you have said so Uncle Phyo, I would like to ask the Siamese
and the other persons who are launching accusations against Myanmar
concerning narcotic drugs a question, " It is now all clear, isn't it?"
Author : Pho Khwa
______________________OTHER______________________
BurmaNet Kachin: Translation of headlines in current issue
Issue of June 8, 2001
BurmaNet: Article on Historical Manau Festival to be held in Myitkyina
in Dec. 2001-Jan 2002
BurmaNet: KIO Central Committee announces new members
BurmaNet: Regime Confiscates land for army barracks in Danai, a City in
Kachin State
BurmaNet: Burma army on pagoda building spree in Kachinland
BurmaNet: Since cease-fire, Kachins must pay just to enter Hpakant,
(Jade Area in Kachin State)
BurmaNet: Company Vehicles Commandeered in Myitkyina for use by Regional
Commander
BurmaNet: Use of Kachin girls as prostitutes in military and Chinese
owned Karaoke and Night Clubs in Myitkyina increases
Pan Kachin: Working report issued
BurmaNet Karen: Translation of headlines in current issue
Issue of June 7, 2001
Thul Lei Kawwei: Article on Salween Dam
KIC News: Drugs came into Thailand through Ler Hay District
Thul Lei Kawwei: Ivanhoe Myanmar operator agrees to pay 30 million for
spill in US
Thul Lei Kawwei: SPDC relocates villagers to make way for Salween Dam
KNU-IDP: Battles & Human Rights News
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