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BurmaNet News: August 20, 2001
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
August 20, 2001 Issue # 1868
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Financial Times: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's voice of dissent
MONEY _______
*People's Daily: China, Myanmar Sign Agricultural Factory Project
Agreement
*Mizzima: Burmese arrested with Indian faked currency notes but released
later
GUNS______
*DVB: Deserters form anti-junta "Patriotic Burmese Army"
DRUGS______
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Drug traffickers win road construction
contracts
*ITN: Burma rebels: 'army smuggles drugs'
*Reuters: Burma warlord says he's fighting drugs
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*The Irrawaddy: Thai Film Stirs Concerns About Burma Relations
*Burma Media Association: Junta article blasts award nomination for
jailed journalists
OTHER______
*Conference announcement: Burma-Myanma(r) research and its future:
Implications for scholars and policymakers'
EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA________
*Bangkok Post: Wa, triads speed drugs to Europe
*SPDC: Findings of the inquiry into the allegations made by SHRF in Dec
2000
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Financial Times: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's voice of dissent
Fri, 17 August 2001
By Prue Clarke
In March 1999, leading Himalayan scholar Michael Aris lay dying of
prostate cancer in London. He had not seen his wife - Aung San Suu Kyi,
the Nobel Laureate and Burmese pro-democracy leader - in three years.
She was 5,000 miles away. It was just one of the monumental sacrifices
she would make for democracy in her native country.
More than a decade after she took on the country's military rulers, the
struggle continues for 56-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced
Ahn-Sahn-Sue-Chee).
Growing economic hardship in the isolated Southeast Asian country has
forced the ruling military junta to begin talks with her opposition
National League for Democracy (NLD) in an attempt to win international
aid. (Most major donors have had informal sanctions against Burma in
place since the regime seized control in 1988 following a bloody
military crackdown against a nationwide democracy uprising. The military
renamed the country Myanmar in 1989.)
Noone has been more physically and spiritually tied to Burma's struggle
for democracy than Aung San Suu Kyi. Born in Rangoon Burma's capital,
(later renamed Yangon) in 1945, her father, General Aung San was the
hero of Burma's independence from Britain. When Ms Suu Kyi was just two
years old, he was gunned down during the transition in July 1947, just
six months before independence.
In 1960, Ms Suu Kyi accompanied her mother, Daw Khin Kyi to India where
the older woman served as Burma's ambassador. In Delhi, Ms Suu Kyi lived
the life of a diplomat's child and had a wide circle of Indian friends,
including Indira Ghandi's sons Rajiv and Sanjay.
In 1964 she left India to study philosophy, politics and economics at St
Hugh's College, Oxford University, where she met her future husband.
After marrying in 1972, they lived briefly in Bhutan, where Ms Suu Kyi
worked for the ministry of foreign affairs. On their return to England,
Ms Suu Kyi lived a normal life, raising the couple's two children. She
often told her husband that a time would come when she would have to
return to Burma.
That time came in 1988, when Ms Suu Kyi went home to nurse her ailing
mother, who died later that year. Within weeks of her return, she was
swept up in a student-led democracy uprising and became leader of the
National League for Democracy, the opposition party. After months of
confrontation, the army launched a crackdown in which thousands were
killed. By July 1989, Ms Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest without
charge.
The following year, the NLD won a landslide victory, capturing more than
80 per cent of the vote - a result the military still refuses to
acknowledge.
At the same time she has won international support for her struggle
along with a string of honours, including the 1991 Nobel Peace prize for
her non-violent political pro-democracy activities. She was unable to
collect the prize in person. Her sons collected it it in her place.
She remained under house arrest until 1995, when the military junta
released her. But she faced severe restrictions on her movements. She
was prevented from giving public speeches and was confined to the
capital.
In 1999, knowing he was terminally ill, Ms Suu Kyi's husband applied for
a visa to say goodbye to his wife. The junta refused, saying she should
visit him in Britain instead. It was an offer she could not accept. Ms
Suu Kyirefused to leave Burma for fear the military would not allow her
to return. Michael Aris died in March of that year in Oxford.
In 2000, Ms Suu Kyi was placed under virtual house arrest again, after
she defied government restrictions on her movement and tried to travel
by train to the northern city of Mandalay to visit members of her
embattled National League for Democracy.
But by the end of 2000, with UN agencies warning that Burma was on the
brink of humanitarian crisis as malnourishment and HIV/Aids infection
rates skyrocketed, the regime finally turned to Ms Suu Kyi in a bid to
appease int ernational donors.
The closed-door talks are now reportedly focussing on the release of
2000 political prisoners in the country (the regime has so far released
159 prisoners in a series of gestures to the NLD), which Ms Suu Kyi has
made a prerequisite to any lifting of sanctions. There has been no sign
of any progress in negotiations.
The magnitude of Aung San Suu Kyi's sacrifices has turned the former
stay-at-home mother into a formidable opponent that looks increasingly
likely to wear the regime down. She has vowed to continue her struggle
until the democracy won by her father 54 years ago is restored.
______________________MONEY________________________
Mizzima: Indian companies still to have a foot in Burma
August 18, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
Despite the active efforts of some business groups in India,
Indian big business is still to go to Burma because they are yet to be
confident that their business would not be "nationalized" in future, an
experience that many of their country fellowmen faced in the 1960s.
For some years now, a Mumbai-based Indo-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce &
Industries has been actively lobbying both governments for the promoting
of bilateral business and Indian investments in Burma. Recently, an
Indian think thank, the Bengal Initiative, comprising of industrialists,
businessmen, academicians and social workers visited the military-rule
Burma on a track II diplomacy but with an aim for the increase of
business relationship between the two neighboring countries. However,
the results are yet to come out.
According to an Indian business study, Burma offers opportunity for a
wide range of Indian products such as iron and steel products, drug &
pharmaceuticals, agro-chemicals, cotton garments, construction
materials, auto components, software, machinery and spare parts.
But, until now, Indian goods have not placed themselves between cheap
and ample Chinese goods and neat and small Japanese and Singapore goods
in the Burmese markets.
A car tyre businessman from Mandalay said that he has been trying to get
the representative job particularly from Indian companies but he is
getting no where as the Indian business persons are not certain about
the political uncertainties in Burma.
"Chinese tyres are cheaper than the Indian tyres in Burma. But, quality
of Indian tyres is much higher than the Chinese ones. It is four times
better than the Chinese tyres in quality", he said. "But, we cannot get
Indian tyres easily in Burma while we get Chinese tyres everywhere.
__________________________________________________
People's Daily: China, Myanmar Sign Agricultural Factory Project
Agreement
Saturday, August 18, 2001, updated at 11:12(GMT+8)
China and Myanmar signed an agreement Friday in Yangon on China's
assistance to an agricultural machinery factory project in Myanmar's
northern Mandalay division.
According to the agreement, the factory, to be built in Ingon, Kyaukse
township, will produce annually 10,000 sets of walking tractor and 5,000
sets of reaper.
___________________________________________________
Mizzima: Burmese arrested with Indian faked currency notes but released
later
Aizawl, August 15, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
Two Burmese nationals were caught with faked currency notes in an
Indo-Burma border end of last month but later released by the local
police, according to intelligence sources here.
Mr. Maung Maung and Mr. Tin Maung who are residents of Tahan in Kalaymyo
township of Sagaing Division in Burma were arrested by Assam Rifles
Battalion No. 19 in Chhungte Bawk, which is about four miles far from
Champhai in Mizoram State.
The duo were arrested with Indian faked 500-currency notes worth seven
and half lakhs Rupees on 28th July. The two were handed over to local
police the next day.
However, the Burmese were released by the police on the same day.
Contrary to the army, one of the Champhai police officer claimed that
the seized currency notes were, in fact, not faked currency and that is
why the duo were released.
_______________________GUNS________________________
DVB: Deserters form anti-junta "Patriotic Burmese Army"
16 August
DVB has learned that army deserters from the SPDC Defence Services have
formed a new, armed group at the Burma-Thai border on 13 August. A
spokesperson said the group is called the Patriotic Burmese Army [PBA]
and it will take up arms to fight the SPDC military government. DVB
correspondent Ma Sandar filed this report from a location near the
Burma-Thai border.
[Ma Sandar] Ko Kyaw Kyaw Oo, the person in charge, explained the
formation and objectives of this army.
[Kyaw Kyaw Oo] The raison d'etre is that armed forces personnel, who
changed sides because they were unable to endure SPDC's suppression and
who wanted to see the demise of military dictatorship, got together and
formed the PBA. Although the Burmese armed forces' duty is to defend the
country they have taken over the responsibility of the State, which is
not their concern, and have committed many atrocities such as using
civilians as porters for their military operations, extortion,
confiscation of farmlands, false imprisonment, and rape. These
atrocities could not be accepted and tolerated. They also forcibly
recruit 13, 14-year-olds to join the army and fight for them in order to
sustain their grip on power. Thus, the nationalist army formed by Gen
Aung San with good intentions and noble traditions was not embraced but
despised by the people. Furthermore, the reputation of the armed forces
is also waning. That is why we formed the PBA.
[Ma Sandar] The PBA will use political and military means to try and
eliminate the Burmese military dictatorship and also call upon the
comrades in the SPDC armed forces who are subjected to oppression to
join hands and fight for Burma's democracy.
That was Ma Sandar's report on the formation of a new anti-Burmese junta
armed group. According to latest reports, the PBA was formed with army
deserters from Karenni region. They also plan to organize other regions
as well. The spokesperson said since the PBA is in an embryonic stage
they are unable to disclose their leader and strength of the army.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Aug 01
________________________DRUGS______________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Drug traffickers win road construction
contracts
Law and Wei in road construction contracts
August 19, 2001
Law Hsing han's Asia World and Wei Hsiaokang's Hongpang have recently
been contracted by Rangoon to upgrade the roads in Shan State, reported
sources from the border.
While Asia World is to improve the road from Taunggyi, Shan State's
capital to Meikthila, 100 miles in the west plus the Lashio-Nawngkhio
road (100 miles) and repairing the 110-mile long highway between Lashio
and Muse that it had built 5 years ago, Hongpang's job will be in
eastern Shan State totalling 375 miles (600 km). The roads will be for
all seasons.
Hongpang is due to begin i0ts work on the Kengtung-Tachilek road (102
miles) as soon as the monsoons end in October. It aims to complete a
tarred highway by the end of March, said sources.
Since late last month, no trucks from Taunggyi have reached Kengtung
because of landslides.It also takes even 4-wheelers 9-10 hours to travel
between Kengtung and Tachilek.
It is not yet known however which company, Asia World or Hongpang, will
win the contract to upgrade the road between Taunggyi-Takaw, the
crossing over the Salween (110 miles).
Both Law and Wei are reputed as Burma's drug lords, the "honor" that
both, especially the former, have refused to accept.
___________________________________________________
ITN: Burma rebels: 'army smuggles drugs'
A Burmese rebel army claims to have ambushed a government convoy
carrying thousands of amphetamine tablets bound for Thailand.
Fighting erupted between Shan State Army (SSA) rebels and Burmese
(Myanmar) troops after the reported seizure.
During recent months clashes between SSA rebels, who fighting for an
independent homeland, and regular troops have intensified along the
mountainous border with Thailand.
Thailand accuses Burma of using border unrest as a cover for its
involvement in the production and distribution of amphetamines and
ecstasy to Thailand and beyond.
Main drugs route
Thailand is the main market for amphetamine pills in southeast Asia and
an important route to other markets for drug traffickers based in
neighbouring Burma.
SSA leaders say they are looking to safeguard their future and to keep
their children away from drugs.
SSA leader Yod Suk explained: "The reason why we are focused on
intercepting drugs at the moment is because narcotics are not only
affecting Thailand and the outside world.
"It is directly threatening and affecting our own Shan people as well.
"If many of our people become addicted to drugs, we won't be able to
achieve what we want and are fighting for, so eradicating drugs is our
priority," he continued.
Cross-border skirmishes
Relations between Thailand and Burma have soured in recent months,
almost boiling over at one point in February into full-blown warfare.
Burmese regular troops ventured across the border, briefly capturing a
Thai military outpost and shelling the nearby Thai town of Mae Sai.
The Thai army retaliated by reinforcing the border and pounding Burma's
troops with artillery.
The situation has calmed down, but is still tense with both sides
trading accusations of cross-border violations.
Rebel army
Although Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has
made peace with 17 anti-government groups, the SSA is determined to
continue its armed struggle.
The Yangon government has vehemently denied any involvement in the
narcotics trade.
The SSA has been fighting for independence from Burma for more than 40
years and is the most powerful antigovernment force in the country.
The group wants freedom for ethnic minorities in Burma and has spent the
past few years trying to prove that it is not involved in drug
production and trafficking.
Despite pressures from the international community, Burma's military
government has turned a deaf ear to calls for an end to its repression
of opposition groups.
The European Union has suspended aid to Burma and the United States has
imposed economic and trade sanctions.
__________________________________________________
Reuters: Burma warlord says he's fighting drugs
TONGKYI, Burma,(Reuters), Aug. 16 - Yod Suk, commander of an ethnic
militia battling the Burma military in remote jungles near the Thai
border, has been branded a criminal and narcotics trafficker, but he
insists he is fighting to stamp out drugs.
The Shan State Army (SSA) leader told Reuters at his headquarters in
Burma that his soldiers were doing their best to intercept drug convoys
bound for Thailand, where hundreds of millions of methamphetamine pills
are sold every year. ''
The reason why we are focused on intercepting drugs at the moment is
because narcotics are not only affecting Thailand and the outside world.
It is directly threatening and affecting our own Shan people as well,''
Yod Suk said.
''If many of our people become addicted to drugs, we won't be able to
achieve the goals we are fighting for, so eradicating drugs is our
priority.''
Thai anti-drugs officials say the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic
army allied with the Rangoon junta, is the main producer of the
methamphetamine pills flooding Thailand. Methamphetamines are
increasingly supplanting heroin as the main drug produced in the
infamous Golden Triangle region where the borders of Thailand, Burma and
Laos converge.
The Burma junta insists the UWSA is not involved in drug production or
trafficking, and says Yod Suk and the SSA are the main culprits. It has
accused the Thai military of siding with the SSA and of profiting from
the drugs trade.
Yod Suk was formerly part of the Mong Tai Army of drug warlord Khun Sa,
who surrendered to Burma troops in 1996 and now lives in Rangoon under
junta protection. Yod Suk says there are some 20,000 soldiers in
his army, including thousands of new recruits. The SSA, which has been
fighting for independence from Burma for more than 40 years, is the most
powerful anti-junta militia in the country.
Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has made peace
with 17 ethnic militia groups in recent years, allowing many of them,
like the UWSA, considerable autonomy in return for dropping their
struggle against Rangoon.
But the SSA, as well as the Karen National Union (KNU), are still
fighting the junta, saying they want independence for their people.
During recent months clashes between the SSA and soldiers of the UWSA
and Burma military have intensified along the mountainous border with
Thailand.
Relations between two countries have soured this year, boiling over in
February when Thai and Burma soldiers clashed and dozens were killed.
Since then, the two countries have tried to patch up ties. Yod Suk said
the detente was unlikely to last for long.
''I see relations between Thailand and Burma as on and off. Whenever the
relationship has improved, it didn't last for long and was always
fragile,'' he said.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
The Irrawaddy: Thai Film Stirs Concerns About Burma Relations
August 18, 2001
By Maung Maung Oo
Suriyothai, the most expensive movie in Thai film history, was released
on Friday in theaters throughout Thailand. The movie, which tells the
story of a queen who died defending the ancient Thai capital of
Ayutthaya against an invading Burmese army, has raised concerns about
its possible impact on Thai-Burma relations.
Filmed over a period of five years, at a cost of nearly US $10 million,
the movie was released to coincide with the Queen of Thailand's 69th
birthday. It is widely believed that the Queen was behind the idea of
making the film.
Directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, a renowned director who is also a
member of the Thai Royal Family, Suriyothai tells the story of an
eponymous consort of King Maha Chakkraphat (1548-1569) who sacrificed
her life in a battle with Burmese troops.
There are plans to sell the movie to Hollywood film distributors for US$
20 million. A number of foreign distributors, including Warner Brothers,
New Line Cinema and Miramax, are reportedly interested in obtaining the
rights. Film distributors in some Asian countries have also shown an
interest in the movie.
According to the Bangkok-based Nation newspaper, advanced ticket sales
have already reached the 100,000 mark. Long queues have been appearing
at theatres screening the film, and Suriyothai t-shirts, posters and
phone cards sold at booths near ticket counters have been doing a brisk
business. Tickets for the debut showing of Suriyothai are priced 20
percent higher than those for other films.
While the movie has excited Thai audiences, it has also attracted
attention from academics and other experts, who question its historical
accuracy. The story is, in fact, based on just a few lines that appear
in a Thai chronicle of the Ayutthaya era.
An even more sensitive issue is how the film portrays Burmese, who came
off looking very badly in another Thai film released earlier this year.
Bangrajan, about a group of Thai villagers who fought to the death
against an invading Burmese army, was widely criticized for playing on
highly negative stereotypes of Burma.
Chatrichalerm said he tried to be sensitive to such concerns. "I did
show this film to Burmese artists and film makers, and they did enjoy
it," the director said in a pre-release interview on CNN television.
In an earlier interview, he hinted that he took some liberties in his
treatment of his subject. "It is an historical film, but it's my
interpretation of history. I didn't make this movie to make people
believe it. My aim was to make people more aware of Thai history," the
director said. Concerning the films portrayal of Burmese, he added: "We
do not show them as baddies, but as warriors and a great nation."
Ko Myo, a Burmese man in his 20s, rushed to buy tickets to the
three-hour-long movie. "It was quite fair," he said.
It is unclear, however, how well the movie will be received by Burma's
ruling generals, who went on record as being displeased by Bangrajan's
"biased" depiction of history. Shortly after the movie's release, a
serious border skirmish broke out between Thai and Burmese troops, and
relations spiraled to their lowest level in years.
Recently, the Burmese junta announced plans to shoot a historical movie
of its own. The film will be about Bayint Naung Kyaw Htin Nawyahta, a
famous Burmese warrior, and is expected to cost 150-200 million kyat (US
$ 220,000-294,000) to make. It will be the most expensive movie ever
made in Burmese film history.
___________________________________________________
Burma Media Association: Junta article blasts award nomination for
jailed journalists
[Abridged]
By Tin Maung Htoo
Burma Media Association (www.bma-online.net)
August 16, 2001
An article published in the state-run New Light of Myanmar on August 13
and 14 sharply criticizes the nomination of a "media group" consisting
of 24 journalists and dissidents in Insein Prison, saying those nominees
are "lawbreakers" and no way to deserve the "International Press Freedom
Award.
The article states that Burma Media Association (BMA) compiled a list of
24 persons serving prison terms for committing crimes or breaking laws
and recommended them as journalists to be worthy of the Canadian press
freedom prizes. But BMA's president Maung Maung Myint said the
nomination is to focus on the movement of press freedom in prison for
that they were given additional sentences ranging from 5 to 12 years.
"We nominated them for their wonderful media movement including magazine
publishing inside prison, smuggling out the report to UN special
rapporteur Yozo Yokota and a prisoner's shirt on which prisoners of
conscience put their signatures to the UNHRC [United Nations Human
Rights Commission] annual meeting in 1995," said Norway-based president.
A two series of the article titled "They Dare not Show Their Faces -24,"
also labels the nominator exiled Burma Media Association (BMA) as a
colonialist informer and Paris-based Reporters without borders (RSF) as
a collaborator, putting one more international media advocate group into
their targeted spot.
"The so-called RSF or the unruly reporters group in France, hand in
glove with the informer group of Myanmar [Burma] fugitives, announced
that it demanded continued international punitive action against Myanmar
[Burma] government until it released the '18 journalists'," asserted in
the article..
Paris-based international media watchdog group, RSF, released reports
about the imprisoned journalists last month, decrying Burma as the
country with the most journalists detained in Asia and urging the EU,
U.S. and international community to keep pressure on the Burmese
military regime unless journalists are released soon.
______________________OTHER______________________
Conference announcement: Burma-Myanma(r) research and its future:
Implications for scholars and policymakers'
6-8 Sep 2002 [tentative dates, venue t.b.a.]. An open international
conference on 'Burma-Myanma(r) research and its future: Implications for
scholars and policymakers'. Academic (strictly) papers welcomed from
scholars and research students with an interest in Burma-Myanmar,
irrespective of political persuasion. Academics from Myanmar-Burma
heartily invited and welcomed.
Contact: gustaafhoutman@xxxxxxxx
Website: http://www.therai.org.uk/anthcal/myanmarburma2002.html.
___________EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA__________
Bangkok Post: Wa, triads speed drugs to Europe
Monday 20 August 2001
Switzerland made a major drug sweep last week. More Golden Triangle
methamphetamines were seized than in any raid outside Thailand. The
entry of the burma-based gangs into such a far-away market confirms the
urgent need for increased efforts against transnational crime.
To his credit and despite his focus on local and populist policies,
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra understands that Thailand is deeply
involved in a world that gets increasingly smaller. The prime minister
has supported and led efforts to involve the country in regional efforts
to combat regional problems. Last week's record seizure of speed tablets
in Switzerland should cause the government to re-double efforts against
transnational criminals who have globalised crime and corruption.
Authorities across Switzerland seized 450,000 methamphetamine tablets
made in the Burmese pill factories of the United Wa State Army. They
arrested 102 dealers across Switzerland, but apparently no major
traffickers. Most of those arrested were Asian. Andrea Canonica of the
Swiss customs service said brothels and individual prostitutes were the
biggest group of dealers _ which raises suspicion of involvement by
Thais. Evidence from the investigation that led to the drug sweep
indicates a major and highly profitable ring of international
traffickers remains at large in Switzerland.
In our region, the smuggling ring includes the Wa and their Burmese
government enablers. The 14K Chinese criminal syndicate reportedly
exports both speed pills and heroin for the Wa. A number of Thai-based
smugglers pack and ship the drugs to Europe by air, hidden among
legitimate exports of clothing, canned food and children's toys among
other items.
The Swiss investigation covered five countries. Thai police co-operated,
according to senior officials in Switzerland. So did the forces of
Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, where drugs were sent after being
stockpiled by the Swiss-based gangs. Profits were astounding. Street
dealers in Swiss cities charged users the equivalent of 400 to 530 baht
per pill, according to authorities _ roughly eight to 10 times the
hugely inflated street price in Bangkok.
The Swiss bust provided the first major confirmation that the drug
trafficking of the United Wa State Army has grown to include
methamphetamines. The Wa continue to expand their drug business. Since
moving into the former territory of wanted drug warlord Khun Sa, the
former ``Red Wa'' have renewed his old opium and heroin traffic. They
have formed a trafficking alliance with the 14K triads. Now, they have
hugely expanded their ya ba market into Europe.
Mr Thaksin last week authorised the Foreign Ministry to take policemen
into foreign embassies to help fight transnational crime. The timing was
a coincidence, but the Swiss drug bust proved the point. Some western
countries began to include a police post in their embassy staff a decade
ago. The officers can provide direct contact between and among police
forces and work on international crime such as the drug trafficking to
Switzerland and the rest of Europe.
Thailand and Mr Thaksin also have become the leaders of the effort to
increase regional co-operation against drug trafficking. China has
assumed a prime role in some ways, including financing. But it has
become clear that the Thaksin government must come up with both the
motivation and means to move the effort. Laos and Burma may be willing
to help. But Rangoon, in particular, remains one of the biggest drags on
advances against drug trafficking in the entire world.
Swiss authorities were honest, even as they took congratulations for
last week's big bust of Wa-made methamphetamines. They removed some
tentacles from the trafficking monster, but the head remained intact. It
remains to be seen if the drug gangs consider their market test in
Switzerland to be successful, or if they will look for different weak
spots in their next trafficking venture. The exact, next step by the
criminals is unknown but the lesson is clear.: Only cross-border
co-operation stands a chance against cross-border crime.
___________________________________________________
SPDC: Findings of the inquiry into the allegations made by SHRF in Dec
2000
[Net posted, August 18, 2001]
1. The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) is an overseas organization
of expatriate Shan extremists in the United States of America. Its
leader Khun Kyar Oo was once head of an armed Shan insurgent group that
was active from 1958 to 1975. Later due to a power struggle and dispute
over ideology within the organization, Khun Kyar Oo (son of Khun Kyar
Nu) absconded to Thailand and resided there till 1988 after which he
left for America. Father and son together have also been instrumental
in forming the Shan State Organization (SSO) USA to oppose the present
Myanmar Government. Khun Kyar Oo also founded the Shan Human Rights
Foundation and the Shan Refugee Organization, which are agitating
through propaganda pamphlets for the emergence of an autonomous Shan
State, Shan independence and the founding of a New Union. Before U Khun
Sa exchanged arms for peace to rejoin the legal community, Khun Kyar Oo
met and held discussions with U Khun Sa at Homong and distributed
anti-government leaflets among the local populace. In April 1996 he
formed a committee to convene a Conference on Shan Unity with the
purpose of recruiting and setting up a Shan Army to fight for Shan
independence.
2. The Shan Human Rights Foundation has often levelled false charges
against Myanmar Army troops combating the Ywet Sitt Shan insurgent group
in military operational areas in the Shan State and on the Myanmar
?Thai border making false accusations that they commit murder, rape,
and physical violence against the ethnic races living in the villages,
and that they also conscript villagers for forced labour and extort
money from them. The December 2000 report that they have issued made 15
such allegations against Myanmar troops serving in operational columns
in the regions of Kunheng, Mongpan, Kyaingtong, Montong, Monghpyat,
Monghsat and Mongyawng. Of these charges three are of murder, two of
rape, one of battery, one of forced labour, three of extortion and
one of teasing and frightening the local girls who according to rural
custom in the region bathe in the nude.
3. The Shan Human Rights Foundation led by extremist Shan nationalists
have deliberately ignored the fact that the Shan insurgencies have come
to an end and that former armed national groups have opted for peace
and are engaged in development programs, and that even in the once
isolated and remote regions peace now prevails and vast progress has
been made. The false allegations they make are for the sole purpose of
hurting the prestige and status of the Government and the Armed Forces.
4. A careful review of and inquiries held concerning the 15 allegations
made in the Shan Human Rights Foundation has found that these
allegations are false and that they had invented out of thin air the
following falsehoods:
(a) The names of officers mentioned in the report do not correspond to
any officer who have served or are serving now in the units and
regiments mentioned.
(b) The villages in the report exist nowhere in the regions mentioned.
(c) The incidents mentioned in the report did not take place at all.
(d) The names of the male and female villagers mentioned in the report
are neither natives nor residents of the village-tracts in the region.
(e) A deliberate attempt was made to distort facts and present the
positive incident, which actually took place, in a false light.
(f) That the overall purpose of this report was to disrupt harmony and
destroy national unity.
5. In order to refute with firm evidence the slander and false
accusations made by the Shan Human Rights foundations the findings after
careful investigation and inquiry have now been presented for perusal
in The Truth, Volume 10.
Col. Than Tun
Head of Department
Office of Strategic Studies
Dated: 14- 3 - 2001
The Allegations Made By The Shan Human Rights Foundation Against
Military Servicemen On Operational Duty and the Actual Facts Of The
Situation
Allegation
1. It was alleged that a column of troops of the No.4 Company of the
Myanmar Light Infantry Regiment No. 524 led by Capt. Maung Myint on
10-10-2000 seized 11 civilian porters at a new settlement on the
outskirts of Kunheng and that later the bodies of 6 of the porters were
found by their relatives while 5 are still reported missing. The report
goes on to state that local populace in the region believed that they
had been killed by Myanmar Army troops.
Fact
2. In the first place no officer by the name of Capt. Maung Myint has
ever served in the Light Infantry Regiment No. 524. Inquiries were made
in Ward 3/5 and other wards located on the outskirts of Kunheng and it
was found that all who had gone to work as military porters had
returned home safe and sound and that none were missing. No cases were
reported of villagers who had discovered the bodies of their relatives
and no such incidents had occurred according to inquiries made at the
wards concerned. The report of the SHRF was found to be a mere
invention with not a shred of truth.
Allegation
3. According to this allegation, on 13-9-2000 a patrol consisting of 12
men of No. 221 Light Infantry Regiment based in the town of Mongphyat,
while going past Nam Tip Creek in Monghpyat Township had shot dead Aa
Pae, age 26, of Paang Kaw village, of Mong Tin village tract, while he
was fishing on the banks of the creek.
Fact
4. There is no village by the name of Paang Kaw in the Mong Tin village
tract of Monhpyat Township. There is a village called the old Paang Kaw
in the Lan Hsat village tract as well as a new Paang Kaw village. The
old village of Paang Kaw consists only of three households with a
population of 12 among whom there is no one known as Aa Pae, age 26.
Likewise, inquiries at the new Paang Kaw village also revealed that
there was no one by the name of Aa Pae. The villagers also confirmed
that no shooting of villagers by military troops had taken place.
The No. 221 Light Infantry Regiment with headquarters at Monghpyat has
also never been on operational duty in the Mong Tin nor the Lan Hsat
village-tracts. These villages are not in their area of operations. This
proves that the allegation in this case is also false.
Allegation
5. On 20-9-2000, a 7-member patrol of the No. 245 Myanmar Regiment
arrived at Huay Koi village and conscripted a villager Ai Sai, age 21,
to act as guide for the patrol. They then proceeded in the direction of
Nant Kan village, but just before they reached the village, Aa Koi, age
19, of the same village emerged from the surrounding forest carrying a
musket. The troops shot him dead on sight without telling him to halt
or giving any form of warning. Afterwards, the patrol feigning
ignorance turned back from Nant Kan and changed direction to Wan Aan
village of Mong Khun village tract.
Fact
6. In Kyaingtong Township there is no village tract by the name of Huay
Koi, nor a village called Nant Kan. There is only a village tract with a
similar sounding name Hwe Kwai. In this village tract there is only one
Akhar village, that is, Wan Maing village. In this village there is no
one by the name of Aa Koi age 19, nor did any shooting incident take
place in its vicinity. Moreover, there is no one by the name of Ai Sai,
age 21, in Hwe Kwai village of Hwe Kwai village tract. On the day of
the so-called incident, 20th September 2000, the No. 245 Regiment was
on operational duties in the front-line areas of Lwe Lan/ Hopan/Ho Tet
regions and was nowhere in the vicinity of Hwe Kwai village. It is
obvious that this report of the SHRF is also without substance.
Allegation
7. It was alleged that No.3 Company of No.332 Light Infantry Regiment
led by Capt. Hla Pe seized one Zaai Mae Tha, his wife Naang Pa and their
16-year old daughter Naang Nun who lived in a farm hut in a cultivation
plot near Ho Lin village of Nar Lawt village-tract, Mongpan Township,
on 5-11-2000. Capt. Hla Pe then ordered some of his troops to
interrogate Zaai Mae Tha and Sgt. Thar Maung to interrogate Naang Pa,
while he himself took Naan Nun to a nearly hut and sexually assaulted
her. Sgt. Thar Maung was also said to have raped Naang Pa. The troops
interrogating Zaai Mae Tha are said to have brutally beaten him when
they did not get the information they wanted. This company reportedly
left soon after, seizing five chickens and two ducks from Zaai Mae
Tha?s farm.
Fact
8. Since the time of the formation of No.332 Light Infantry Regiment to
this day, there has been no one named Capt. Hla Pe or a Sergeant named
Thar Maung on its regimental record. No such persons have ever served
in the regiment. Moreover in November 2000, the regiment was on
operations in Maukmai Township and after that it returned to regimental
headquarters in November/December. Inquiries made have confirmed that
the regiment in question did not operate in the Mongpan Township area.
The accusation made in the SHRF report is therefore entirely groundless
and is an outright lie.
Allegation
9. On 18-9-2000, the SHRF report alleged that one village girl Naang Sao
age 18, of Wan Nawng Nur village of Nawng Long village tract was
accosted by 3 soldiers of the No.313 Light Infantry Regiment while on
her way to visit relatives in Wan Laa-o village and taken to a nearby
wood and raped. It stated moreover that this regiment had commandeered
many acres of cultivation plots owned by the villagers and on which
they had been forced to plant paddy and other seasonal crops for the
regiment. The regiment was so harsh in its treatment of the villagers
that no one had dared to protest according to this allegation.
Fact
10. There is no village tract known as Nawng Long. There is only a
village tract called Lwe Lon and there are no villages by the name Waang
Nawng Nur or Wan Laa-o in this village tract. No incident where a
soldier of the No.314 Light Infantry Regiment sexually assaulted a girl
has ever occurred. Nor does this regiment own cultivation plots outside
its regimental perimeters in Kyaingtong Township. The only land
cultivated by No.314 Light Infantry Regiment are in accordance with
orders issued by the Triangle Region Command Headquarters and on plots
allotted to it where its troops plant summer paddy, beans, sugar cane
and corn. Furthermore these plots of land are not in the Lwe Long
village-tract. The summer paddy cultivation plot is near the Kyaing
Phaung village in Yan Law village-tract, Kyaingtong Township; the sugar
cane field is in Kat Taung / Kat Hpa village, Kyaingtong Township; the
corn field is near the Lwe Mwe village and the Pesinngon pea cultivation
plot is within the perimeters of the regiment. The No.314 LIR has not
commandeered any land in Lwe Lon village-tract either for the state or
for the regiment. No villagers, either men or women, have ever been
forced to work on these cultivation plots. The work is done entirely by
the men of the regiment. The results of the inquiries show that the
SHRF allegations are a series of lies.
Allegation
11. According to this allegation, it so happened on 6-10-2000, that 3
girls from Sali Mon village of Wan Maan village-tract, Nang Kham Pan,
age 18, Nang La Lon age 19 and Nang Kawng Kwee age 18, had been
foraging in the woods near their village for edible leaves and fruit
when on their return at about 1500 hours, they arrived at their usual
bathing place at Nant Man Kham Creek near their village. So they
decided to take a dip and bathe. As is the Shan rural custom, they
bathed in the rude since they were in a secluded spot. While bathing
thus, a 12-member patrol of the No.334 Light Infantry Regiment arrived
on the scene. These soldiers, it said, proceeded to frighten the girls
forcing them to stand up in the nude while jeering at them and aiming
their guns towards the girls.
Fact
12. In the Sali Mon village of Won Man village tract in Mong Yawng
Township, there are only 15 households with a population of about 50
Inquiries made in the village showed that no young women, named Nan Kham
Pan, age 18, Nan La Lon, age 19 and Nan Kaung Kwee existed. Nor was
there any incident of young women bathing in the nude and soldiers
mocking them. It can therefore be concluded that the SHRF allegation is
without any foundation and is a mere fabricated story with intent to
make trouble.
Allegation
13. According to this allegation, on 15-9-2000, while an Akhar villager
Ah Koo Par of Nam Zi village in Pa Khaa village tract, was weeding his
cultivation plot with his wife and two children, a seven-member patrol
of No.327 Light Infantry Regiment arrived on the scene and asked him
for directions to the short-cut pathway to Mohnyin village. When Ah Koo
Par replied that he did not know he was beaten and kicked. The report
further charged that these soldiers were looking for the trail used by
drug traffickers in order to extort money from them.
Fact
14. The village known as Nan Zee village of the Pa Khaa village tract in
Mongkhat Township does not exist. In this region there are many paths
to Mohnyin village that can be easily found, and because there are so
few villages in the area. Any path chosen would lead directly to
Mohnyin and there is no way one can get lost. Government military
troops have been stationed in the area for many years and knowing the
topography of the area so well they need no scouts to show them the
way. Moreover to say that the patrol was on the lookout for drug
traffickers to extort money is pure speculation. It is therefore
obvious that this also is a trumped-up charge by the SHRF.
Allegation
15. It is alleged that on 6-11-2000, the No.524 Light Infantry Regiment,
conscripted 450 people from Kunheng Township and conveyed them in 31
trucks to force them to labour on road repairs from a location near
Kyaingtong right up to Kunheng. These people were obliged to bring
their own food, drinking water and tools and implements. This road was
being repaired to convey timber extracted by Armed Forces troops to
China for sale. And it alleged that the people were being pressed into
labour without payment for this purpose.
Fact
16. Inquiries have revealed that up to the present, no battalion or
regiment, including the No.524 Light Infantry Regiment, has ever taken
part in road repairs in Kunheng Township. This allegation is a pure
figment of the imagination of the SHRF.
Allegation
17. The SHRF report has made the charge that during the period
27-10-2000 to 7-11-2000 the No.2 Company of the No.225 Light Infantry
Regiment led by Capt. Aung Soe conscripted 100 people aged 15 years and
above of Mongton Township and forced them to work on cultivation plots
owned by the regiment. He was also accused of commandeering private
motor vehicles for regimental transportation duties.
Fact
18. There is and has never been an officer by the name of Capt. Aung Soe
on the regimental roll of the No.225 Light Infantry Regiment. In the
Tactical Command Base (Mongton) there used to be a General Staff
Officer Grade II (Operations) by the name of Major Aung Soe but he was
posted a long time ago to No.553 Light Infantry Regiment. In accordance
with orders issued by the Triangle Region Command Headquarter each
regiment or battalion is obliged to cultivate at least 20 acres each of
Pesinngon peas. Following these orders, the No.225 LIR in June 2000,
taking on loan a tractor from the Mongton Township Agriculture Office
started to plough the field and prepare the ground. Then in July 2000,
the men of the regiment together with members of their families sowed
the seeds. No civilian was recruited to do this work at all. In October
and November 2000, is the season for sowing winter crops such as
soybean and peanut. But the No.225 LIR did not grow these crops at all.
The above is an actual account of what actually took place, which
clearly refutes the accusations made by the SHRF in this matter.
Allegation
19. In this case it is alleged that Government troops in Mongpan rounded
up 65 men and women each day to force then to work without payment on
their garlic cultivation plot from 1-11-2000 to 5-11-2000; and that
during this period, the people also had to prepare the ground in paddy
fields already harvested and owned by the people for the cultivation of
a 1000 viss of garlic for the military. They were also made to tend the
fields sown with garlic and buy at their own expense, organic
fertilizers such as cow dung and 50 bags of chemical fertilizers at the
rate of K 165 per bag for fertilizing the soil of the garlic
cultivation plot. For each viss of seed garlic they were expected to
produce 7/8 viss of garlic and if this quota was not fulfilled they
had to supplement it by purchasing garlic on the market. The Military
had targeted a garlic harvest of 1000 viss but each household working
for them was not permitted to plant garlic to produce a yield of more
than 10 viss. If the yield exceeded more than 10 viss, the extra produce
was confiscated, according to the allegations in the report.
Fact
20. Military regiments stationed in Mongpan Township have not cultivated
any garlic at all leave alone such a large cultivation that would yield
1000 viss of garlic. Neither have controls been imposed on the civilian
populace in the region in the cultivation of garlic. Moreover,
whatever crops and vegetables grown on land owned by the various
regiments, are cultivated entirely by the families of servicemen for
their own consumption and there is sufficient manpower to do this
effectively. The regiments have never asked the local populace help
because there is simply no need. So the charges made by the SHRF are
entirely false.
Allegation
21. This allegation states that on 4-10-2000, two soldiers, reportedly
from the No.227 Myanmar Regiment arrived at Wan Phai Tai and Wan Phai
Nur villages in the Mongpan village tract of Mongkhat Township and
delivered a written message to the village headmen concerned. The
message contained orders for each household to dispatch one person each
on 5-10-2000 for the purpose of working in regimental owned land to
cultivate peanuts. On that day, one person from each household of the
two villages had to work on the peanut cultivation plot from 7 in the
morning till 5 p.m. bringing along their own food. They were made to
work the whole day with only a short break for lunch. While at work 5
or 6 soldiers guarded them with guns as if they were convicted
prisoners, according to the report. The report added the same thing
occurred in other villages and that the local populace was being forced
to work on regimental land without payment.
Fact
22. In the Mongpan village-tract of Mongkhat Township, the two villages
mentioned, Wan Phai Tai and Wan Phai Nur really do exist. But inquiries
have revealed that no villagers of the two villages mentioned nor
villagers from other villages have ever been forced to work on peanut
cultivation plots own by the No.227 Myanmar Regiment. So this
allegation is false and one made up by SHRH with ulterior motives.
Allegation
23. According to this allegation on 28-9-2000, 3 soldiers of No.224
Myanmar Regiment arrived in Naung Pet village of Phuay Hung
village-tract of Kyaingtong Township and delivered an order to the
village headman and told him. ?All villagers are to report for work at
the Regimental Headquarters on the day after tomorrow. If you arrive
late the job will not be finished in the two days required. Each one is
to bring his own food, but drinking water will be supplied by the
regiment.? On the first day the villagers were made to dig and prepare
the ground and on the second day they had to sow peanut seeds till the
job was done. They were made to toil hard from early in the morning
till 7 o?clock in the evening. The report goes on to say that Naung Pet
village consists only of 24 or 25 households and that the villagers were
being forced to give many hours to work for the military with little
time left to do their own work.
Fact
24. In Kyaingtong Township there is no village-tract known as Phuay Hung
or a village called Naung Pet. Moreover the Regiment in the township is
the No. 244 Myanmar Regiment and not the No.224 as alleged. Neverthe-
less, the Regiment in the township did not have any peanuts sown or
cultivated in September 2000. Nor were villagers ever conscripted to
work on any cultivation plot of the Regiment. This is another false
story fabricated by the SHRF.
Allegation
25. It is said that on 4-4-2000, Lt. Myint Aung, officer in command of
the No.99 Myanmar Regiment checkpoint at the Nam Taeng Bridge summoned
headmen Lung Kan-Tha of Hut Mai village and head man Lung Mai-Tha of
Teng Kwan village of the Naung Lon village tract and arrested them for
failing to report insurgent movements across the Nang Taeng river. On
5-4-2000 another arrest was made of Naung Lon village-tract headman Lon
Saw Ya of Hut Mai village. These three villagers were kept captive
with little to eat and drink for many days until village elders come to
plead to Lt. Myint Aung on their behalf. The commander then demanded
Kyat 250,000 for their release. After releasing the prisoners he
warned the villagers that if they failed to immediately report any
insurgent movement in the area in future, it would be punishable by
death. On 6-5-2000 when villagers from Hut Mai village went to the Nam
Taeng Bridge checkpoint report insurgent movements near their village
and to give information that the insurgents had crossed the Nam Taing
Creek, Lt. Myint Aung blamed them for being one hour late in making the
report and as punishment demanded cooking oil and chickens which they
had to deliver.
Fact
26. What actually occurred was that on 2-4-2000 about 60 insurgents
belonging to the Ywet Sitt Shan insurgent group had passed by Teng Kwan
village and crossed the Nam Taing creek. But no report of the insurgent
movement was made to security forces in the area. So responsible village
officials, including the village council chairman of Hut Mai village
in Naung Lon village tract of Lin Khai Township, U Sai Kan Hta, age 32
and village headman of Taing Kwan village U Lon Mai Ta, age 48, were
summoned on 3-4-2000 and Naung-Lon village-tract chairman U Lon Saw Ya
on 4-4-2000 to make inquiries about the actual situation in their
locations and they were allowed to go as soon as relevant information
was obtained to keep track of insurgent movements. But they were asked
to report future insurgent movements in their localities as soon as
possible. No cash demands were made nor is it true that the villagers
had to give cooking oil and chickens as compensation and punishment.
The inquiries into the matter show that the SHRF accusations are
unfounded and entirely false.
Allegation
27. According to this allegation, on 9-9-2000 the Mon Hpyat Township
authorities are said to have extorted K 30,000 each from Wan Ngern and
Kaw Pa Law villages in Lang Saat village tract. The reason given was
that these two villages had failed to heed the order issued by the Mong
Hpyat Township authorities for villagers of Laang Sat and Mong Tin
village-tracts to march in columns to greet the Regional Commander when
he came on an operational tour of his command. The villagers of Wan
Ngern and Kaw Pa Lao villages of Lang Saat village tract had not turned
out to greet the regional commander as instructed, so they were obliged
to pay Kyat 30,000 each for their failure. The villagers were said to
have pleaded that it was very difficult for them to collect such a
large sum of money but it was of no avail. So fearing severe punishment
in retribution they had with great difficulty collected the required
sum of money, which was paid to the authorities on 9-9-2000. On receipt
of the money, the authorities are supposed to have warned the villagers
that they had got off lightly this time, but that next time they would
have to pay a sum of money many times larger.
Fact
28. In the Mon Hpyat Region no villagers have ever been summoned to
greet the regional commander on his operational tour. Such an order is
contrary to military practice and tradition especially in an operational
area of command. However inquiries were made into the matter and it was
found that the township authorities had not made any such arrangement
for greeting the regional commander and that they had neither mad any
demands of cash from any one. This is nothing but a wild accusation
made by the SHRH.
Allegation
29. It is said that according to the SHRF report, that on 9-8-2000 a
patrol led by one Capt. Maung Hpwe with five members of the No.224
Myanmar Regiment extorted money from villagers of Mong Lan
village-tract in Kyaingtong Township. The villagers, that afternoon had
returned after making some purchases in town when this patrol stopped
them at the head of Yan Khaik village and said they were collecting
revenue, and took K 300 from each villager by force. Likewise,
villagers from Wan Sang, Wan Oi, Wan Wo, Wan Zaai, Wan Loi and Wan Nguk
of Mong Lan village tract were stopped on their way back from market
in town at the same spot and each was forced to pay a sum of K 300
each.
Fact
30. As stated earlier, No.224 Myanmar Regiment does not exist in
Kyaingtong. There is only the No.244 Myanmar Regiment. There is a
village-tract by the name of Mong Lan village tract, which has Wan San,
Wan Yi, Wan Kyaing, Wan Hoi and Wan Nok villages within its
jurisdiction. When villagers from this village tract come marketing to
Kyaingtong they have to make a detour of the Kyaingtong Airport. But
some villagers, not wishing to make a detour, often trespass and cut
across the airfield. The military airport security guards often have to
shout warnings to these villagers, as there is much danger, especially
in times of take-off and landing of aircraft. They have also had to be
warned that the airport is a secure area, which is off-limits. This is
what really occurred and the results of inquiries into whether there
have been cases of extortion have all turned out negative. No one has
ever extorted money from these villagers nor have they ever been fined.
This allegation and all the rest are trumped-up charges made by the
SHRF with no foundation at all.
Translated by Daw Kyi Kyi Hla
(Myanmar Perspectives)
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