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BurmaNet News: September 2, 2001
- Subject: BurmaNet News: September 2, 2001
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 02 Sep 2001 10:31:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
September 2, 2001 Issue # 1875
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Reuters: All sides in Myanmar want reconciliation -UN envoy
AFP: UN envoy meets with Suu Kyi, diplomats, ethnic leaders in Myanmar
AP: NLD credits U.N. envoy with ``working hard'' for success of talks
Times of India: Myanmar Oppn hopes for prisoner releases after envoy's
visit
MONEY _______
*Xinhua: Myanmar's Rice Export Up Sharply in First Four Months
*Xinhua: Myanmar to Hold Mid-Year Gems Emporium
AFP: Myanmar to buy bridge infrastructure from China
GUNS______
*AFP: Rebels surrender in Myanmar
DRUGS______
AP: Local Myanmar firm to build new Yangon wharf
AP: Police: Myanmar drug money laundered on Thai stock market
AFP: Myanmar forces make major drug bust in Golden Triangle region
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Activist groups to protest visit by Myanmar's number-three
AP: Myanmar general Khin Nyunt declines to fly on Thai helicopter
North East Sun Magazine (India): Chin's Uncertain Tomorrow
AFP: France hails easing of restrictions on Myanmar opposition
EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA________
*The Irrawaddy: Training: For Whose Sake?
*Letter: Ten Reasons [Derik Tonkin replies to Asiaweek?s Roger Mitton]
OTHER______
*Internews: Journalism training position
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Reuters: All sides in Myanmar want reconciliation -UN envoy
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Razali Ismail ended a four day
visit to Myanmar this week hopeful of progress in landmark talks between
the military government and opposition, the United Nations said in a
statement.
Razali left Myanmar on Thursday after a series of meetings with
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling generals refusing
to comment on progress in the confidential talks, which have now been
continuing in secret for 10 months.
``I can only say that I'm satisfied. I should not say anything more as
negotiations are still under way,'' Razali told Malaysia's Bernama news
agency.
The United Nations said in a statement Razali believed both sides
involved in the talks wanted reconciliation.
``A United Nations envoy today confirmed that all parties to the
conflict in Myanmar remained committed to the process of national
reconciliation and expressed hope about the possibility of further
progress in the ongoing talks between the government and the National
League for Democracy (NLD),'' the statement said.
Suu Kui's NLD won Maynmar's last elections in 1990 by a landslide but
has never been allowed to govern.
Instead, its members have been detained and harassed.
Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, has been under de facto
house arrest for almost a year.
Diplomats in Yangon who were briefed by Razali have said the political
dialogue in Myanmar has reached a sensitive stage.
POLITICAL PRISONERS
Tensions between the two sides have eased in recent months and the
military has released more than 150 political prisoners including two
top NLD leaders.
NLD Chairman Aung Shwe and Vice Chairman Tin Oo were both released from
de facto house arrest on the eve of Razali's arrival in Yangon in a move
widely seen as a goodwill gesture by the military.
But there has been persistent speculation that the talks have hit an
impasse.
Suu Kyi's refusal to attend an important official ceremony last month
was interpreted by some diplomats as a signal that the talks had run
into problems.
Despite the releases of NLD members, Amnesty International estimates
there are still 1,500 political prisoners in Myanmar.
The government insists it is committed to moving towards democracy, but
that too fast a transition would risk anarchy and national
disintegration.
Razali held talks with leaders of Myanmar's ethnic minorities, whose
support for any transition in Myanmar would be vital.
Khun Tun Oo, leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
(SNLD), said Razali had appeared positive over the talks between Suu Kyi
and the military.
``Mr Razali is becoming more optimistic about the ongoing talks,'' he
told Reuters after meeting the U.N. envoy.
The SNLD came in second in the 1990 elections.
The U.N. statement said Razali would report the results of his mission
to Myanmar to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan when he visits New York
in September.
___________________________________________________
AFP: UN envoy meets with Suu Kyi, diplomats, ethnic leaders in Myanmar
YANGON, Aug 29 (AFP) - UN envoy Razali Ismail met with democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi and top members of her party Wednesday, and scheduled
talks with diplomats and ethnic leaders as he worked to speed democratic
reform in Myanmar.
The Malaysian diplomat, whose fifth trip to the military-run country
ends Thursday, consulted widely among the groups whose support will be
crucial in any transition to civil government.
He made a return visit to Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside residence where
he spent almost two hours the previous day discussing her landmark
dialogue with the junta which began 10 months ago.
On the eve of Razali's arrival Monday the regime released two top
members of the opposition National League Democracy (NLD), but the
party's figurehead remains under loose house arrest restrictions imposed
last September.
Razali visited the NLD's downtown headquarters earlier Wednesday for
meetings with its decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee,
as he tried to accelerate the pace of the political thaw.
He was characteristically tight-lipped after the talks, saying he had
"no statement to make", but a senior party spokesman confirmed that a
mood of cautious optimism continued to prevail.
"We did have many problems to talk about and we are satisfied he
understood them. His main function here is to mediate and facilitate and
he said he would do everything in his power to achieve success," said
party spokesman U Lwin.
The NLD secretary sidestepped suggestions that Aung San Suu Kyi had
become frustrated over the slow pace of prisoner releases which form a
vital part of the confidence-building process set in motion by Razali.
"We have already called for the release of all political prisoners and
we will continue to do so," he said.
"We have our speed and they have their speed," he said when asked
whether the release of almost 200 of Myanmar's estimated 1,800 political
prisoners over recent months had been enough to satisfy the party.
With the release of top NLD members Tin Oo and Aung Shwe over the
weekend, rumours are beginning to swirl that another development may be
in the offing, such as a statement on the content and progress of the
secret dialogue.
But U Lwin said it was impossible to say what the next move would be in
the reconciliation process which has moved painfully slowly since
starting late last year.
"I'm not a fortune teller and I can't foresee the future," he said.
As well as seeing Aung San Suu Kyi Wednesday Razali is due to hold a
session with diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
His packed schedule includes talks with non-governmental organisations
as well as the ethnic political parties who have expressed frustration
over their exclusion from the dialogue between the democratic opposition
and the military government.
In the evening he will hold a dinner meeting with diplomats from the
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) nations.
___________________________________________________
AP: NLD credits U.N. envoy with ``working hard'' for success of talks
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ U.N. special envoy Razali Ismail met with senior
members of the opposition National League for Democracy Wednesday, who
credited him with ``working hard'' for the success of reconciliation
talks with the ruling military.
Eight members of the NLD's central executive committee sat with Razali
for an hour at the party's humble headquarters in Yangon _ among them
chairman Aung Shwe and vice chairman Tin Oo, both released from a year
of house arrest on the eve of Razali's visit.
Detained party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who met with the envoy the
previous day, was not present.
The U.N. envoy is on his fifth visit to Myanmar to help broker a
resolution to the military state's political deadlock. He is credited
with bringing Suu Kyi and the regime together for their most significant
talks in a decade.
U Lwin, the NLD secretary, expressed satisfaction with Wednesday's
meeting.
Asked when the junta-Suu Kyi talks are likely to achieve success, U
Lwin said: ``I'm not a fortune teller and I cannot predict. But Mr.
Razali is working very hard to achieve success (with the talks).''
He added that Razali would meet Suu Kyi for a second time before
leaving Myanmar Thursday, and would visit the country again in two
months time.
On Tuesday, Razali met with Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, the No. 3 in the junta
command, and then with Suu Kyi, who has been kept under de facto house
arrest since Sept. 22 after she defied restrictions by trying to travel
outside Yangon.
Later Wednesday, Razali, a Malaysian, was due to meet separately with
Southeast Asian ambassadors and leaders of political parties
representing ethnic groups in Myanmar such as the Shan, Karen, Mon and
Arakan.
Since his four-day visit began Monday, the U.N. envoy has declined
comment to reporters. His mission has gone unreported in the
state-dominated media and Myanmar officials have revealed nothing.
A diplomat who met Razali reported him as saying that ``things are
moving but we need to give them some time.'' The U.N. envoy further
cautioned against expecting immediate results from the talks.
``Mr. Razali wouldn't go into specifics. He's careful and playing it
properly,'' the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
Suu Kyi, who won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful democracy
struggle, has been holding confidential talks with the junta in her home
since October. Scant details have emerged.
But as a result, since January the government has freed nearly 160
political prisoners from jails and 32 NLD elected representatives from
state 'guest houses.'
In her first reported comments in a year, Suu Kyi expressed in a
statement issued by the NLD on Monday ``extreme satisfaction'' with the
release Sunday of Aung Shwe and Tin Oo, her two top associates.
Suu Kyi also pledged to strive for democracy in the country and urged
NLD members to work with senior leaders ``in the interest of the people
of Myanmar.'' Myanmar is also known as Burma.
The current group of generals came to power in 1988 after a bloody
crackdown against a democracy uprising. They called general elections in
1990 but ignored the results, which had given a resounding victory to
the NLD.
The subsequent suppression of the NLD and its political activities have
attracted widespread Western criticism of the military junta, which is
also widely condemned for its human rights record.
2001-08-29
___________________________________________________
Times of India: Myanmar Oppn hopes for prisoner releases after envoy's
visit
YANGON: Myanmar's democratic Opposition said on Friday it was hopeful
that more political prisoners would be released soon to mark a
successful mission by UN envoy Razali Ismail to the military-run nation.
During the four-day trip which ended on Thursday, Razali pushed the
junta to release 29 elected MPs from the opposition National League for
Democracywho remain in jail.
The release of the 29 and other leading NLD figures, particularly those
who are elderly or infirm, is believed to be a top priority of democracy
leader Aung San Suu Kyi who began talks with the ruling junta in
October.
An NLD source said the party was hopeful the military government, which
has freed nearly 200 dissidents since the talks began, will release
another three MPs who have been hospitalised.
"We are quite worried about U Win Tin, who is a trusted lieutenant of
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi serving an extended jail term at Insein jail, and
also U Win Myint and Thu Way, who we understand are presently being
treated at the Guard Ward of the Yangon General Hospital," the source
said.
"Quite a number of the other MPs have also passed 60 ... some are
suffering from heart ailments and other conditions such as arthritis and
lumbago ... we're hoping that they will be the first ones to be
released."
All the NLD MPs -- elected in 1990 elections which the junta refused to
recognise -- who were being held at government "guest houses" have been
released during the political thaw of this year.
Some of the prominent figures now expected to be freed include Aye Tha
Aung, a representative of ethnic parties and Than Nyein, brother of
Myanmar's powerful chief of military intelligence Lieutenant-General
Khin Nyunt.
The NLD source said there are also some 20 student activists including
the well-known Min Ko Naing, whose terms have expired but who are being
kept in jail under a law which protects the state against "destructive
elements."
Razali said little about the progress of his mission while in Yangon,
but after he departed UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said his efforts
to promote national reconciliation and democratic reform remained on
track.
"Razali was pleased to confirm that all parties remain committed to the
process of national reconciliation," Annan said in a statement.
"He hopes that further progress in the ongoing talks between the
government and the NLD will be possible."
Razali's fifth visit was surrounded by a buzz of expectations,
especially when the junta released two top NLD members from house arrest
on the eve of his arrival in a significant goodwill gesture.
A UN source said the mood of the visit was "much more relaxed" than
before, but observers said it was hard to know when the talks, which
have been held under tight secrecy, will make a public step forward.
There are hopes, particularly among groups excluded from the dialogue
such as ethnic minorities, that Aung San Suu Kyi will make a statement
on the progress and content of the talks -- perhaps when the 29 NLD MPs
and a handful of other top opposition figures are freed.
"I think a statement would be useful but I don't think any of us should
say it is essential," said one diplomat.
"Anything could happen and something could happen quite quickly, one
never knows."
( AFP )
______________________MONEY________________________
Xinhua: Myanmar's Rice Export Up Sharply in First Four Months
YANGON, September 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar exported 155,600 tons of rice in
the first four months of this year, earning 18.27 million U.S. dollars,
the country's Central Statistical Organization said in its latest data.
The export volume and foreign exchange earning during the four- month
period were respectively up 496 percent and 321.93 percent compared with
the same period of 2000. Although Myanmar's rice export had dropped from
111,700 tons in 1998 to 63,700 tons in 1999, it picked up to 141,600
tons in 2000. To meet its food demand and to export, Myanmar has since
November 1998 leased out 467,370 hectares of vacant, virgin, fallow and
wetlands for cultivation by private entrepreneurs. At the same time, it
has also exempted the import customs duties levied on agricultural
implements including pesticide, fertilizer, improved variety and
machinery. Myanmar's cultivable land stretches 18.225 million hectares,
of which 10.125 million have been put under crops, while 8.1 million
remain to be utilized. The country's agriculture accounts for 37 percent
of the gross domestic product and 25 percent of the export value.
2001-09-02
___________________________________________________
Xinhua: Myanmar to Hold Mid-Year Gems Emporium
YANGON, August 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will hold a mid-year gems emporium
here on October 7 to 14 in addition to annual one, putting on sale
locally-produced quality gems, pearl and jewelry through competitive
biddings, according to sources at the country' s Ministry of Mines
Thursday. Arrangements have also being made to enable national gem
merchants to sold their gems at the 10th mid-year gems emporium, it
said.
At the last annual Myanmar gems emporium, which was the 38th held in
March this year, a total of 10.12 million U.S. dollars were earned. The
March gems emporium attracted a total of 674 merchants from 15 countries
and regions, mostly from China's Hong Kong, Thailand and China's
mainland. Myanmar, a well-known producer of jade, ruby and sapphire in
the world, has been holding gems emporiums annually since 1964 with
additional mid-year ones being introduced in 1992. The country has
fetched over 330 million dollars from its 38 annual and nine mid-year
gems emporiums, according to official statistics.
2001-08-30
___________________________________________________
AFP: Myanmar to buy bridge infrastructure from China
BANGKOK, Aug 31 (AFP) - Myanmar military authorities Friday signed an
agreement with a leading Chinese industrial firm in Yangon to buy iron
frames to build a major brigde, state-run television reported.
The contract to supply steel trusses for the Thanlwin bridge over the
Salween river in southern Myanmar was signed with China National Heavy
Machinery Cooperation, the report said in a dispatch monitored here.
The signing ceremony was presided over by Myanmar ministers and
Yangon-based Chinese diplomats, it said.
The report did not mention figures for the value of the contract.
China is one of the largest foreign investors in Myanmar and a main
arms supplier for the junta.
_______________________GUNS________________________
AFP: Rebels surrender in Myanmar
BANGKOK, Aug 28 (AFP) - Nineteen anti-government guerrillas have
surrendered to the military junta in Myanmar, the defence ministry said
Tuesday.
The rebels surrendered separately over the past month to regional army
commanders and gave up their weapons, according to the ministry's
monthly report carried by state-run TV Myanmar monitored here.
The guerrillas included members of the ethnic Karen, Chin, Shan and
Arakan minority groups as well as the militant All Burma Students'
Democratic Front (ABSDF), the report said.
They surrendered after "realising the true situation in the country and
understanding the junta's activities for them", it said.
The ABSDF was set up in the jungles along the Thai-Myanmar border by
pro-democracy students who fled Yangon and other major cities after the
current regime took power in a bloody coup in 1988.
________________________DRUGS______________________
AP: Local Myanmar firm to build new Yangon wharf
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Asia World Port Management Co. is to build a new
wharf to handle general cargo and containers at Yangon's port, the
biggest such project taken on by a local company, the official press
reported Sunday.
The deal with the state Myanma Port Authority Saturday was signed in
the presence of Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, No.3 in the Myanmar military
regime, the New Light of Myanmar daily reported.
Asia World will build and operate No. 3 Ahlone Wharf on a 0.8 hectare
(2 acre) plot in the west of the Myanmar capital. The wharf will be
equipped with modern cranes and machinery. The report did not mention
the amount of investment.
Asia World is already handling cargo at two nearby wharfs. With
completion of the third, it will have capacity for four big ships or
five medium-sized ships, the report said.
Transport Minister Maj. Gen. Hla Myint Swe said the ministry has drawn
up a 30-year plan to extend and modernize its ports amid an expansion in
cargo handled.
Asia World, which has worked on several infrastructure projects in
Myanmar, is run by the family of Lo Hsing Han, who has been accused by
international narcotics officials of previously being the leading heroin
trafficker in the Golden Triangle. His son Tun Myint Naing, also known
as Steven Lao, is the company's managing director.
Lo Hsing Han, was jailed in Myanmar between 1973 and 1980 for rebellion
but was released on amnesty. He is now a mainstream businessman in the
struggling economy of Myanmar, also known as Burma.
2001-09-02
AP: Police: Myanmar drug money laundered on Thai stock market
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Police have cracked a drug ring that laundered
at least 70 million baht (dlrs 1.5 million) on the Stock Exchange of
Thailand, officials said Wednesday.
Five Thai suspects were arrested and more than one million
methamphetamine pills seized in sting operations in the cities of
Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday.
Police Col. Vichai Saengprapai, chief investigator for the case, told
The Associated Press that one of the suspects, Chadaporn Euachua, had
laundered at least 70 million baht (dlrs 1.5 million) of money through
Adkinson Securities Co. on the Thai stock market.
Police believed the cash was linked to the United Wa State Army, an
ethnic army in neighboring Myanmar thought by narcotics experts to be
the main producer of illegal drugs in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle.
Huge quantities of heroin and methamphetamines are smuggled from
Myanmar, also known as Burma, to Thailand.
Thai narcotic suppression police and the Anti-Money Laundering
Commission say they have launched a nationwide crackdown against drug
money as part of a concerted attempt by Thailand to control the drugs
menace.
``This is the first case that we discovered drugs money laundered
through a securities company,'' Vichai said.
The five suspects were detained on charges of conspiring to traffic
drugs and violating the money laundering act, he said.
A spokeswoman for Adkinson Securities Co said that the company was
shocked by the allegation of money laundering and was investigating. It
would issue a statement later, she said, on customary condition of
anonymity.
Police said the 70 million baht (dlrs 1.5 million) were transferred
from two Thai companies, Siam Power 1999 Co. and Chanayon Import-Export
Co. for investment in stocks through Adkinson Securities
.
A spokeswoman for the Stock Exchange of Thailand, or SET, said it was
not the duty of the SET to investigate the case, but the anti-money
laundering commission. She spoke on customary condition of anonymity.
2001-08-29
__________________________________________________
AFP: Myanmar forces make major drug bust in Golden Triangle region
YANGON, Sept 1 (AFP) - Myanmar security forces arrested 26 people and
seized enough chemicals to make 800,000 amphetamine pills in a raid on a
drug factory in the heart of the Golden Triangle region, officials said
Saturday.
The raid, by a combined anti-narcotics force of army, police and
military intelligence officers, was carried out on August 24 in the
township of Tachilek near the Thai and Laotian borders.
A military spokesman said it was the first time that Myanmar security
forces had captured a factory that was not only well hidden but also
surrounded by a security cordon.
He said however that there was no exchange of fire between the
government troops and the drug producers although a number of arms and
assorted ammunition were seized.
Along with the weapons the raid yielded two pill-making machines, a
mixer, 83 kilos (182 pounds) of ready-mixed amphetamine powder, four
kilos of ephedrine, 35 kilos of caffeine powder and six kilos of
coloring powder.
"It was enough to make 800,000 stimulant pills," the spokesman told a
press conference.
Deputy chief of military intelligence, Major General Kyaw Win, told
reporters that none of those arrested were from the Wa ethnic group.
The United Wa State Army militia are accused by the international
community of controlling much of Myanmar's drug trade, but are defended
by Myanmar's junta, which has signed a ceasefire agreement with the
group.
"The Wa have been widely publicized as being amphetamine producers in
this region and that they were totally responsible for all the stimulant
tablets finding their way into Thailand," said Kyaw Win.
"This raid has proven that the Wa do not deserve the reputation they
have."
Both Thai and Myanmar security forces have made major drug seizures in
the tri-border region. Fighting between the Wa and a rival ethnic
militia in March sparked a half-day clash between the two national
armies.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: Activist groups to protest visit by Myanmar's number-three
BANGKOK, Sept 2 (AFP) - An alliance of Thai and Myanmar activist groups
Sunday said an official three-day visit this week by Myanmar's
intelligence chief was "against the will of Thai people."
The Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma and nearly a dozen
democracy, labour and student organisations said they would protest
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt's visit Monday, calling on Thailand to
"reconsider its relationship with the regime."
"Khin Nyunt's arrival should not be welcomed in a democratic country
like Thailand, which has passed through a long fight against
dictatorship," the groups said in a joint statement.
"It not only goes against the will of the Thai people, who
democratically elected this government, but also wrongfully approves the
existence of oppressive tyranny."
Khin Nyunt is scheduled to meet with Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra
during his September 3-5 visit, which is to improve relations after a
bitter six-month-long row between the two neighbours.
The historically tense relationship with Myanmar erupted into open
hostility in February when the two national armies staged a half-day
clash sparked by skirmishes between rival ethnic militias on the border.
In a list of demands released Sunday, the protest groups demanded that
the Thai government halt all business deals with the junta until the
military-run nation restores "democracy and a legitimate government."
The activists urged Thailand to focus talks on the problem of illegal
migrant workers fleeing Myanmar, encouraging talks between the junta and
the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and the freeing of
political prisoners.
The groups said they would convene at Bangkok's Government House at
mid-day
2001-09-02
___________________________________________________
AP: Myanmar general Khin Nyunt declines to fly on Thai helicopter
BANGKOK, Thailand, (AP) _ Myanmar junta's No.3 leader, Lt. Gen. Khin
Nyunt, does not want to fly in a Thai helicopter when he makes a rare
visit to neighboring Thailand next month amid tight security, Thai
security sources said Friday.
Myanmar officials have requested that Thailand keep the program of the
Monday-to-Wednesday visit a secret until the last minute, including the
time and place of arrival, the sources said.
Khin Nyunt, Myanmar's military intelligence chief and Secretary One of
the ruling military council, will lead a 30-strong delegation. It will
be a rare trip by a top Myanmar general to Thailand and is seen as a
step forward for often shaky bilateral relations.
A senior military official told The Associated Press that Myanmar has
informed Thailand that Khin Nyunt does not want to fly in a helicopter
during his travels within Thailand.
Khin Nyunt is due to travel Tuesday to the beach town of Hua Hin, 200
kilometers (125 miles) south of Bangkok, for an audience with King
Bhumibol Adulyadej at his seaside palace. Most visiting dignitaries make
that trip by helicopter.
The source said the military had arranged a bulletproof motorcade for
him instead. The source said it was not clear whether Khin Nyunt was
concerned about security on the helicopter.
Khin Nyunt will also hold talks with Thai generals and a working lunch
with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok. The issues to be
discussed include drug suppression and the endorsement of an agreement
to post a narcotic official in each other's country, Foreign Minister
Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters.
Controlling an influx of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand and
resumption of fishing concessions in Myanmar waters will also be
discussed, he said.
Developments in Myanmar after the recent visit of a U.N. special envoy
trying to mediate between detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
and the regime would be touched upon, Thai officials said.
The talks are the most significant move in a decade in breaking the
country's political deadlock.
A Thai Special Branch police officer said agents are monitoring the
movement of Myanmar dissidents and opposition groups living in Thailand,
but was confident there would be no anti-Myanmar protest during Khin
Nyunt's visit.
Sonny Mahinder of the Thai-based All Burma Students' Democratic Front,
the main group for exiled student dissidents, said it will not cause any
trouble in respect of Thai laws. Myanmar is also known as Burma.
The group also does not want to harm reconciliation talks in Myanmar,
he said.
Myanmar's prime minister and military chief Gen. Than Shwe visited
northern Thailand in 1999 and met with then Thai premier Chuan Leekpai,
but did not visit Bangkok.
___________________________________________________
North East Sun Magazine (India): Chin's Uncertain Tomorrow
Nearly 50,000 Chin nationals from Myanmar, taking refuge at various
places in Mizoram are an exploited lot. They are at the mercy of the
hosts and have no political future.
Shantanu Nandan Sharma
Around 50,000 Chins of Myanmar, taking refuge at various places in
Mizoram for years now are in utter uncertainty and without any
direction. A year has passed by of what they call the Mizoram
Government's highhandedness in arresting one thousand of them and even
deporting 181 beyond the Tio river border. A few came back, but the
remaining 23 fell into the hands of the authoritarian military
government of Myanmar.
The Chins, residing in Mizoram and living on the professions like
woodcutting, road construction, handloom weaving, domestic help,
roadside vendors, brew making etc., have often complained that they are
underpaid, harassed and being exploited by the locals. More than that,
they do not know their political future, even as some of them have
allegedly enrolled themselves in the voter's list of Mizoram.
In fact, the nationals of Myanmar, trying to get political rights in
that North-Eastern state has been considered as one of the main reasons,
why the Mizos have started suspecting them and putting pressure on the
administration to take harsher steps against them. Another accusation
against the Chins is their involvement in preparing Zu, the country
liquor that extremely popular in Mizoram. Interestingly, Mizoram happens
to be a dry state like Nagaland, and that explains why the country
liquor, prepared by the Chins in particular has become an instant hit.
But the more serious allegation against this foreign lot is their
so-called involvement in drugs trafficking, which their leaders refuge
blatantly. So far as the brew making is concerned, they agree doing
that, but the argue that the locals are invariably the owners of the
factories and they are the consumers as well. The issue came up once
again, when five persons died after taking country liquor, prepared at
Sairang village, 20 km from Aizawl in March 2001.
Though the refugees from Myanmar, the Chins in particular, are
complaining of the excess of the Mizoram Government machinery and have
at times lodged complaints even to the National Human Rights Commission
and the United Nations human rights bodies, they know the life across
the border. After all, the repressive regime in Myanmar is deadlier than
that of the Mizoram administration. But what the Chins wish to get from
the Mizos is a friendly attitude because of their clan kinship.
The Mizos and the Chins are originated from the same stock and the
contemporary history has shown how cross border movement of the Mizos
and Chins has been taking place for decades now. Both the Chins of
Myanmar and Mizos and Kukis from India celebrate the same harvest
festival Kut. Also, the similarity of the Mizo and the Chin language is
of 80 percent or even more.
When Burma was separated from the Indian administration under the
British regime in 1935, the Chin territory became two parts. One within
India, which came to be known as Lushai Hills, was put under the
administration of Assam and the other in the Burma side was named as the
Chin Hills. During the post-Independence time, the migration was
eastward as thousands of people of Lushai Hills migrated to the land of
their brothers in Chin tract. The economic prosperity of Burma in the
early fifties led many a Mizo crossing over to Burma and started life
there.
Moreover, when the Lushai Hills or the present day Mizoram faced the
biggest ever famines, called Mautam in 1957-58, it was almost an exodus
for the people there to migrate to Burma. However, the military
dictatorship led by General Ne Win from 1962, led to the reversal of the
influx and the people from Burma started entering the Lushai Hills in
search for peace and settlement.
Many a time, the migration was driven purely by the economic reasons and
political overtones were absent altogether. For example, Mizoram
witnessed a shortage of science graduate to teach in schools and it was
precisely the reason why quite a lot of Chins from Myanmar got the
opportunity to serve in the Mizoram schools. But gradually, things have
changed and the Mizos started considering the Chins as the unwelcome
guests.
After last year's massive arrest drive by the Mizoram authority, which
almost bred a xenophobic atmosphere there, a joint action committee,
comprising two Chin leaders, Salai Za Bik and Dr. Ro Ding prepared a
report, narrating minute details of the Mizo-Chin equation.
The report said, "The local people refer Chin refugees as 'Burma Mi' and
regard them of low standard, starved, and of bad character. The
exploitation by employers, rape by male employers and extortion by the
police are daily experience of the Chin refugee... The state authorities
occasionally launch arrests and deportation of Chin/Burman refugees. In
1994 and 1995, the state authorities did massive arrests of the
Chin/Burman refugees and some were sentenced short jail terms and fines.
Some were deported to border. The police harassment and arrest for cash
are happening very now and then and everywhere in the state."
Narrating the incident of 23 Chin people being taken away by the Burmese
authority on August last year, the committee report says that Burmese
authority detained 23 of them, 19 men and 4 women. It says, "All men
were put in a lock-up and women were detained at the immigration office
as lock-up for women was not available. The local people were made to
feed them during their detention. They were then taken with their hands
tied to Falam by jeeps after three days of lock-up."
The report has shown another interesting aspect. According to it, Chief
Minister Zoramthanga expressed his personal concerns and sympathy to the
Burmese people and even added that the two of his uncles were in Burma
and he maintained regular contact with them. But according to the
report, "His government had to take this action because his government
was not in a position to ignore the pressure of the people and the Young
Mizo Association."
But how long will the Chin people staying in Mizoram continue their
uncertain life? No one doubts India's persistent support to the
pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. But its recent shift in the Myanmar
policy in terms of extending hands of friendship to the military junta
there, has been a major cause of concern for the pro-democracy Burmese
leaders, taking refuge in India. A Dr. Ro Ding told this magazine, "We
understand the domestic compulsions of the NDA government, which force
it to come close to the military junta of Burma. But, we want India to
support us wholeheartedly in establishing democracy in our country."
___________________________________________________
AFP: France hails easing of restrictions on Myanmar opposition
PARIS, Sept 1 (AFP) - The French foreign ministry on Saturday hailed
Myanmar's decision to ease restrictions on two senior opposition
figures.
The lifting of restrictions on the president and vice president of the
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung Shwe and Tin Oo,
was "an encouraging gesture", ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau
said.
Like NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the two men had been kept under house
arrest since September.
"This gesture, following on the heels of the release of a certain
number of political prisoners and the reopening of NLD offices in the
Myanmar capital, could encourage the dialogue begun last year between
Aung San Suu Kyi ... and the authorities," Rivasseau said.
"France hopes that the process of dialogue will continue and will yield
real progress toward national reconciliation," he added.
The NLD won general elections in 1990 but was not allowed to take
office and its leaders were jailed or placed under house arrest by the
ruling military junta.
___________EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA__________
The Irrawaddy: Training: For Whose Sake?
September 2001
Over the past thirteen years, many Burmese exiles based in Thailand,
India and other neighboring countries have received training in various
fields. In most cases, trainers from Western countries have come to
border areas to teach Burmese about political defiance, human rights,
diplomacy, international law, health, women?s issues, environmental
issues, and so on. Sometimes, exiles are sent abroad to receive
training.
Training is indeed helpful for Burmese who plan to one day return to
their homeland and contribute their expertise to the development of a
free and democratic Burma. It is a reasonable idea to encourage exiles,
who are usually forced to remain within small, marginalized communities,
to attend training programs where they can learn new ideas and share
their views with others.
As with all forms of assistance, however, it is worthwhile to
occasionally examine the effectiveness of such programs, and to consider
whether there have been any problems that need to be addressed.
Concerning the effectiveness of most training programs, a few
observations can be made. First of all, it must be recognized that, due
to their status in their host countries, most Burmese exiles face
serious constraints on their ability to participate fully in the
programs made available to them. This is especially true in the case of
large-scale workshops and seminars with international guests, which tend
to attract the attention of local authorities. In some instances,
Burmese participants have even been arrested while taking part in these
events. While it is often impossible to avoid such problems, it is clear
that organizers need to be more sensitive to the actual conditions under
which exiles live. Any project or program that does not acknowledge the
realities of life in exile (and there have been a few) stands little
chance of serving the interests of the communities they seek to assist.
Another factor hampering the effectiveness of training programs is the
attitude of some participants. For a privileged few, access to
opportunities for further education is simply taken for granted.
Generally, the worst offenders are those with the best connections: Too
often, participants are chosen solely on the basis of their political
affiliations, rather than their competence or even genuine interest in
the subjects they study.
Recently, members of opposition groups based in Burma?s neighboring
countries took part in a month-long management course in a Western
country. According to some trainees, a number of instructors expressed
disappointment at the lack of commitment demonstrated by a few
unqualified participants who seemed to treat the whole thing as a paid
excursion. This is not the first time that problems of this nature have
arisen, and it will not be the last, unless clear criteria are
established to judge who ought to be given the chance to study abroad.
This is a decision that should be based on qualifications, competence
and commitment?not petty nepotism.
At a more fundamental level, we may even ask whether some training
programs exist purely for political reasons?that is, as a channel for
funding to supporters of particular leaders, rather than as a response
to the genuine needs of people at the grassroots level. If this is the
case, then there is a very real risk that worthier projects will suffer
in the long run, as funding groups become wary of supporting new
proposals.
Then there is the question of the agendas of the supporting groups
themselves. Over the years, there has been concern among exiles about
the tendency of some foreign organizations to emphasize divisive issues.
There have even been complaints of discrimination against ethnic
Burmans, who are presumed to enjoy greater opportunities than members of
ethnic minorities. While this may be true inside Burma, it certainly
does not reflect the situation outside of the country, where ethnicity
is less a determinant of social status.
The real concern here is not merely the loss of opportunities for
training; it is the danger that the mistrust that already exists among
various ethnic groups?and between Burmese and foreigners?could actually
deepen, rather than heal, as a result of apparently discriminatory
policies. While it is perfectly appropriate to target particular groups
for certain types of training, every effort must be made to avoid
creating misunderstandings that could complicate the task of national
reconciliation in the years ahead.
A more immediate concern facing many who have taken part in training
programs is the lack of opportunity to actually apply what they have
learned. This has led many to ask if "empowerment"?a term frequently
used in training sessions?simply means employment by an NGO (often the
one that provided the training in the first place). Many former trainees
especially resent the fact that they tend to be given only the most
menial tasks, such as making coffee for guests. Denied any real
responsibilities, these people often end up feeling that they were
trained merely to assist in the more "important" work of foreigners.
These are just some of the problems. If there are others, we invite our
readers to share them with us. As always, we believe that it is our
responsibility to air issues that might otherwise be allowed to fester
because people fear that, under the present political circumstances, we
cannot afford to be more open about our problems.
Finally, lest we appear to err on the side of taking too critical a view
of training efforts to date, we would like to add that many programs
have been highly successful, and many trainees have done the democracy
movement proud, both through their work in their own communities and
their efforts to inform the rest of the world of conditions inside
Burma. There is no doubt that they will continue to make an invaluable
contribution to our country?s development.
___________________________________________________
Letter: Ten Reasons [Derik Tonkin replies to Asiaweek?s Roger Mitton]
For BurmaNet News
I see that Roger Mitton is miffed (BurmaNet News 28 August 2001),
possibly because I took him to task about his opposition to the visit to
Rangoon by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ten weeks ago. BurmaNet
News readers might be interested in my letter at the time to Asiaweek,
which was not published. I wonder why. I attach a copy.
Personally, I am delighted that the British Foreign Office have at last
recognised the importance of direct dialogue. I would equally be
delighted if Daw Suu Kyi, whom I met in Rangoon 18 months ago, can reach
an accommodation with the Generals. But I remain very cautious about the
prospects for anything like a definitive settlement this year. Not
cynicism, Roger, just realism. I hope I am wrong.
Derek Tonkin
The Editor
Asiaweek
Sir,
Roger Mitton gave ten good reasons (Asiaweek 31 May) why the Thai Prime
Minister should not visit Myanmar at the present time.
In fact, each reason Roger Mitton gave was a very good reason why Khun
Thaksin should visit Myanmar as soon as possible.
1. Anyone who knows anything about Thailand knows that the Thais are
very proud of both names Thailand and Siam. Siam is still the only word
used in Royal Titles in Thailand. There is absolutely no political
controversy nowadays over Thailand vs. Siam as there is over Myanmar vs.
Burma.
2. There is every need for a summit meeting when relations are fraught
and mutual animosities high. It will take generations for Thai attitudes
towards the Burmese and Burmese attitudes towards the Thai to change.
3. Khun Chuan may have been right for domestic political reasons to stay
away, but Khun Thaksin is more courageous in wishing to visit. That is
why Khun Thalsin won the elections and Khun Chuan lost.
4. The very serious problem over drugs in Thailand can only be resolved
at source, which is Myanmar. That must be the major target, despite the
need to clean up at home.
5. The "buffer zone" policy was phased out some time ago and is no
longer an impediment to a visit by Khun Thaksin.
6. The "rot" in the 3rd Army is more myth than reality. In fact, the 3rd
Army is one of the best in Thailand.
7. Leaders in Rangoon and Bangkok know that their respective presses
write a lot of rubbish about each others' countries, which can be turned
on and off like a tap. To wait for a political settlement which might
resolve these problems could mean waiting for eternity.
8. It makes every sense for Khun Thaksin to try to break the impasse in
Thai-Burmese relations, and the sooner the better.
9. Heaven preserve us if Thailand is to retain the mindset of 1765 in
its relations with Myanmar! (In fact, Ayudhya was finally sacked on 7
April 1767.)
10. There is nothing wrong with both critical engagement (ASEAN) and
sanctions (US and Europe) as policies towards Myanmar. Either or both
may help. Khun Thaksin would be well advised to go to Rangoon before it
is too late.
Finally, Roger Mitton argues that it is at present hot and steamy in
Rangoon and better to wait until the end of the year "when a settlement
will have been reached between the government and Aung San Suu Kyi". Oh
yeah?
In any case, the more serious problem in Myanmar at the present time is
narcotics and the ethnic cauldron rather than the struggle for democracy
among the Burmans themselves, which will take years to resolve.
QED. A visit by Khun Thaksin to Rangoon ASAP is clearly a must.
Derek Tonkin
British Ambassador to Thailand 1986-89
Chairman Beta Mekong Fund 1994-2000
Heathfields
Berry Lane
Worplesdon
Guildford
Surrey GU3 3PU
UK
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