[burmanet2-l] Burma Related News - Dec 27, 2002.

["TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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BURMA RELATED NEWS - December  27, 2002.
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HEADLINES
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Reuters - U.S. hears witness accounts of Myanmar army rapes
AFP - Thai-Myanmar joint cabinet meeting delayed by border security fears
AP - Myanmar reiterates denials of using rape as weapon of war
AP - Myanmar government confirms Japan to cancel debt as goodwill
IB - Post Editorial - Myanmar-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline
WP - Editorial - An Opportunity in Burma
Bkk Post - Editorial  - Appeasement can go only so far
Asian Tribune - Mega dam project for Shan State

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Friday December 27, 7:41 AM
U.S. hears witness accounts of Myanmar army rapes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday victim
accounts corroborated local reports that Myanmar soldiers systematically
raped minority women and girls and called for a full, independent
investigation.

U.S. officials said a State Department official in August interviewed
minority Shan women and girls, who gave accounts of mistreatment "along the
lines" of reports by local groups -- the Shan Human Rights Foundation and
the Shan Women's Action Network -- which have described dozens of such
attacks.

"We sent a working level person ... out there to look into this," said State
Department spokesman Philip Reeker. "She conducted a number of interviews
and found similar (accounts) backing up the other reports."

"We are appalled by the reports. We vehemently condemn rape and all other
forms of sexual violence," he added.

A U.N. human rights envoy, Paulo Pinheiro, has called for an independent
investigation into claims Myanmar's army used rape as a weapon against
ethnic minority separatists in the eastern state of Shan. Myanmar was
formerly known as Burma.

The State Department released a "fact sheet" on December 17 describing the
work of the U.S. official who carried out the "preliminary investigation"
into the matter in August, interviewing women who said they had been raped
by soldiers.

"Of the 12 rape victims interviewed, all stated that they had been
gang-raped by Burmese soldiers sometime over the past five years," it said.
The most recent incident was reported by a 13-year old girl who said she had
been raped two months earlier in June 2002.

"All of the victims under 15 appeared severely traumatized by their
experiences, were disturbed mentally, and spoke in whispers, if at all," the
State Department fact sheet said. "The older women sobbed violently as they
recalled horrific incidents of their own rapes as well as brutal rapes,
torture and execution of family members."

State Department officials said the U.S. official had interviewed some of
the victims in Thailand, where they had fled, and they said Washington
continued to support a full and independent investigation into the matter.

"The department continues to call for an international investigation of the
report and fully supports the efforts of United Nations Special Rapporteur
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to organize such an investigation," said one U.S.
official.

In the December 17 fact sheet, the State Department called on Myanmar's
military government to cooperate with an independent investigation and to
punish those found responsible.



Friday December 27, 2:49 PM
Thai-Myanmar joint cabinet meeting delayed by border security fears

BANGKOK, Dec 27 (AFP) - Thailand's planned joint cabinet meeting with
Myanmar will be delayed due to concerns over security along their common
border, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday.

Thaksin said the meeting would be the last in a series of get-togethers with
the leaders of neighbouring countries.

A meeting with Malaysia's cabinet in the southern city of Hat Yai earlier
this month was marred by a violent clash between police and protesters
demonstrating over a planned Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline.

After the trouble which broke out on the eve of the December 22 meeting, an
unprecedented security operation involving 5,000 police, army and air force
was rolled out in Hat Yai.

Thaksin said the Myanmar talks would be held last after meetings with the
cabinets of Singapore, Cambodia and Laos early next year.

"The planned joint cabinet meeting with Myanmar probably will be last among
our neighbouring countries due to border security concern," he told AFP.

Several rebel armies operate on the Thai-Myanmar border, many of them
involved in the opium and methamphetamines trafficking trade.

Clashes between these groups and the Thai and Myanmar armies flare up
frequently and are the source of constant diplomatic rows between the
neighbours.

Thaksin also said that the joint cabinet meeting with Cambodia is expected
to be held in March in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket.

He said the meeting may be followed by dinner at Preah Vihear, an important
1,000-year-old temple set on a high ridge on Cambodian territory, which is
only accessible from Thailand.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, a dispute over the ownership of the temple
seriously strained relations between the two countries. The World Court
ruled in 1962 that the temple, consecrated to the Hindu god Shiva, belonged
to Cambodia.

The next joint cabinet meeting will be with Singaporean ministers on January
10-12.



Dec 27 7:46 AM ET
Myanmar reiterates denials of using rape as weapon of war

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Stung by criticism from the U.S. State Department,
Myanmar's military government issued a new denial of charges that its army
uses rape as an instrument of war.

``The notion of rape as a systematic national policy is abhorrent to the
Government of Myanmar, which has never ordered, supported or condoned rape
in any form,'' read a statement issued in Washington on Thursday by a U.S.
company that lobbies for the military regime.

The government ``stands with the rest of the world in denouncing rape of any
kind, especially as an instrument of government policy or war,'' the
statement said.

The State Department said on Dec. 17 that its own investigation backed up
allegations by two Thai-based human rights groups that Myanmar's military
was conducting a campaign of sexual violence against females from the Shan
ethnic minority.

The Shan is one of several minorities that have been fighting for decades
for autonomy from Myanmar's central government.

The State Department said that its ``short, preliminary investigation'' in
August located many victims whose stories were similar to those disseminated
in a report by the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women's Action
Network.

It said all 12 rape victims interviewed stated that they had been gang-raped
by Myanmar soldiers sometime over the past five years, and most also
reported knowing several other women or girls who had been raped or killed.

``All of the victims under 15 appeared severely traumatized by their
experiences, were disturbed mentally, and spoke in whispers if at all,'' it
said. ``The older women sobbed violently as they recalled horrific incidents
of their own rapes as well as brutal rapes, torture and execution of family
members.''

The report issued in June by the Shan human rights groups claimed to
document 173 cases of rape and sexual violence. It received widespread
publicity in July when the State Department said it would raise the issue
with Myanmar officials.

On several occasions since then, Myanmar's government has denied the
accusation and questioned the credibility of the two Shan organizations that
produced the reports. Both have loose ties to Shan anti-government groups.

In its latest denial, Myanmar government spokesman Hla Min was quoted saying
that rape ``is not, nor has it ever been an instrument of government
policy.''

``Prompt legal actions have been taken against servicemen as well as
civilians in isolated cases which occurred not only in the Shan State but
else where in the country,'' he was quoted saying. ``We are committed to
finding and severely punishing the individuals guilty of committing these
heinous crimes, if the allegations are true.''

Hla Min said his government was ready ``to assist and fully cooperate with
any independent international organization,'' and had agreed to let the
International Committee of the Red Cross carry out its humanitarian work in
the areas where the rapes allegedly took place.

A statement from Myanmar's Foreign Affairs Ministry charged that the rape
allegations ``are being repeated with ulterior motives and are aimed at
tarnishing the image of the country and its armed forces.

``It is not uncommon for insurgent groups and their supporters to propagate
falsehoods whenever possible.''

It said the government ``places the highest priority on national unity.
Therefore, it is completely illogical to allege that it could commit acts
that would result in discord among the national races.''



Dec 27 8:30 PM ET
Myanmar government confirms Japan to cancel debt as goodwill

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Myanmar confirmed Friday that Japan has decided to
cancel 158.5 billion yen (US$1.32 billion) in debt owed by Myanmar as a
goodwill, people-to-people, gesture.

Tokyo recently decided to write off the debt _ one third of the total
Myanmar owes Japan _ in April 2003, according to Japanese foreign ministry
sources.

``Myanmar and Japan can effectively benefit each other through economic and
trade co-operation,'' said a Myanmar government spokesman when asked how
Yangon could reciprocate.

``Myanmar has already extended an invitation to the Japanese government as
well as the Japanese business community to invest in Myanmar for mutual
benefit.'' He spoke on customary condition of anonymity.

A Japanese diplomat who also asked not to be named said it is the biggest
amount of debt Tokyo has ever agreed to cancel.

``Japan did not attach any conditions to the debt cancellation but hopes to
see Myanmar's government advance the effort in reforming several areas,''
the diplomat added. He did not elaborate.

Myanmar is one of the region's poorest countries, and efforts to liberalize
the economy after decades of socialism have so far failed to spur
significant economic growth and investment.

Japan is the largest aid donor to Myanmar. Tokyo suspended Official
Development Assistance grants for major projects in Myanmar after the
military took power in 1988 by crushing pro-democracy demonstrations, but
has given aid under a Grassroots Grant Assistance program for small projects
in rural areas.



Independent-Bangladesh - (27-12-2002.)
Post Editorial - Myanmar-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline
The subject needs a closer look
Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain

It has been observed that whenever the issue of our gas export comes it is
always considered that export should be made through pipeline. Considering
the geopolitical scenario obtaining in the north-eastern region of India the
people have got some serious misgivings and fear about gas pipeline. The
common citizens have the right to know whether there is any alternative to
pipeline and if so what would be the size of cost involvement. This
important disclosure can dispel doubts, misgivings, misunderstandings and
confusions. Very recently The Independent published a detailed report on a
proposal for Myanmar-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline, a 1 billion dollar
project. Interestingly the proposal coincides with the issue of exportation
of Bangladesh gas through a separate pipeline to India. A couple of years
back the increasing demand of Indian energy market had forced Delhi to look
for cheaper alternative sources in countries likes Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Coincidentally, favourable for India, that Unocal, the prim-mover of
Bangladesh gas export, holds its bigger stake in exportable quantity of gas
in Bangladesh and it partnered with neighbouring Myanmar's state owned
company. The US Company had to withdraw its investment by selling off its
share to MOGC (Myanmar Oil and Gas Company) under pressure from Clinton
administration, yet the IOC is in favourable terms with Myanmar authority.
Under increasing domestic pressure the then US President Clinton had to
enact presidential ban on further US investment in Myanmar on the ground of
human rights abuse by the ruling military regime. Unocal then operating
Yadana natural gas field off shore Myanmar with more than 5 tcf world class
gas ready for export. The company also faced couple of lawsuits in the US on
alleged human rights violation while constructing 1.5 billion dollar
pipeline up to Thailand.

Incidentally, the proposal that was submitted by Unocal Bangladesh to
Petrobangla for export of gas targets the same market i.e. North India.
Before we discuss the Myanmar-India pipeline it would not be out of context
to discuss in brief the Unocal proposal to Bangladesh government.

The project named Bangladesh Natural Gas Pipeline Project (BNGPP) is
targeted to export 500 million cubic meters per day for 20 years. The
experts in Bangladesh are yet to be specific as regards the exact reserve
that the country has. The conservative estimate is 12-15 Tcf proven reserve
in 4 large fields that are considered to be economically viable. Meanwhile
Unocal had obtained "letter of intentions" (LOIs) from prospective buyers in
India. The report insisted that Bangladesh government must take quick
decision to seize the "window of opportunity" that now exists in Indian
market. Many analysts felt that the IOC was using pressure tactics on
Bangladesh government. Would the latest move create more pressure on the
pro-export lobby within the government? One has to wait for that result.

However, as reported earlier, Delhi has concluded gas import agreement with
Myanmar for North Indian market and the shortest route possible for the
market would be through Bangladesh, connecting the proposed Habiganj-India
pipeline. Unocal that had 31 percent of share in a joint venture with Total
of France, that had 28 percent stock, have already completed the pipeline
from Myanmar's Yadana field, 70 kilometres off the Andaman Sea. The project
aimed to carry natural gas to Thailand for 2,800-megawatt capacity power
plant operated by Electric Generating Authority of Thailand at Ratchbury.
Remaining share was owned by Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

Total (French oil company) withdrew under pressure selling their stock to
Unocal and in 1998 while withdrawing its commitment after US embargo Unocal
sold the entire share to MOGE. The project was completed with estimates cost
of 1.2 billion dollars. Along with other fields Yadana has surplus gas to be
sold to India that needs safer, shorter and secured route to the mainland
India. Thus Delhi funds the export proposal safer to use Bangladesh as the
probable India-Myanmar pipeline corridor as North-eastern States of India
are in a state of ceaseless insurgency. Though Delhi is in a reconciliatory
mood to negotiate with separatist NSCNL (National Socialist Council of
Nagaland) leader Muhiva but it is hard to predict the outcome. Naga
insurgency is 54 years old that influences insurgency movement elsewhere.
The route suggested reduces distance around Bangladesh through Indian
territories to a larger extend that would reduce the total expenditure of
the project.

Unocal Bangladesh, thus exerting pressure on its recommended sale of gas
through pipeline that would ultimately facilitate joining with Indo-Myanmar
pipeline as and when needed. In such event of the paramount question of the
security of the pipeline, Bangladesh portion needs a closer look,
notwithstanding the implied far- reaching strategic consequences that the
arrangement may associate. One has to take all aspects into account
especially in a region where mistrust is hard to be wished away.

Meanwhile, according to an agency report, to construct
Myanmar-Bangladesh-India natural gas pipeline an international consortium
proposes to set up a gas pipeline over Bangladesh connecting Myanmar with
the Indian states of Tripura and West Bengal. Sources said the Indian Energy
Ministry had put forward the proposal of "Trans Myanmar-Bangladesh Gas
Pipeline" to Bangladesh Prime Minister for getting her approval in
principle. It was said to have been discussed with Indian National Security
Adviser, Brijesh Mishara when he made a low profile visit soon after the
present government in Bangladesh was installed. The consortium claimed that
it had already got 'no objection' letters for the proposed gas pipeline from
the governments of Myanmar and India as well as those of Tripura and West
Bengal. According to the proposal Bangladesh government would not make any
investment in pipeline construction. The entire investment would be met from
foreign private sources, including payment for land acquisition. Land
acquisition and the compensation may give rise to social economic problems
in already shrinking arable land in a thickly populated country like
Bangladesh. Be it as it may, Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), a
subsidiary of Petrobangla, has been proposed as the authority for inspecting
pipeline construction and maintenance that will bring foreign exchange.

The said report published in a leading Indian daily further adds that "it
categorically states that the proposed line would not be an alternative or
competitor to the proposal of gas pipeline between Bangladesh and India of
Unocal or any other international oil company. The proposed
Trans-Myanmar-Bangladesh gas pipeline would also not be connected with any
local gas field, but it could be used in future if gas import seemed to be
necessary for the country. If the pipeline is constructed, Bangladesh would
also get a gas line connection up to Thailand". The news item titled "
Myanmar gas for India through Bangladesh" was published on 18, 2002.

As discussed, Unocal is the largest investor and main operative in Myanmar.
The company had to face two law suit in the district court of California for
alleged human rights violation and environment pillage while constructing
the pipeline. A serious charge was brought against the company alleging that
Unocal resorted to bonded labour, the charge that was denied by the company
lawyer. The charge also mentioned forceful eviction of villagers without
adequate compensation en route the pipeline to Thailand. The lawsuit had
embarrassed the leading IOCs around the world.

It may not be out of place to mention that it was Unocal that entered into
Central Asia in almost the corresponding year of re-entry into Bangladesh
and Myanmar. Unocal's entry into Central Asia was not smooth; it had to
compete with Argentinean Company Birdas in Afghanistan. Unocal- Birdas
tussle over Trans Afghan Pipeline (TAP) is now part of the turbulent history
of Central Asian Oil and Gas Pipeline Project, Centgas. The tussle saw the
culmination of Taliban regime in Afghanistan and un-ceremonial exit of
Birdas from the TAP race. The project remains dormant now. Many analysts of
international repute are of the opinion that it was Central Asian natural
resources that brought the misery that many are still going through.

All said and done, it seems that Bangladesh would soon enter into
international energy diplomacy, that is now in the focus elsewhere in
Central and South Asia. The aim of this article is not what Bangladesh
government should do on the question of gas export but is to discuss the
regional scenario on the issue of gas and oil that is now taking the center
stage world over. The government of Bangladesh must weigh all pros and cons,
that includes the security environment now prevailing in South Asia, before
taking any decision on the issue of gas export.

It has been observed that whenever the question of gas export comes it is
always considered that export should be made through pipeline. Considering
the geopolitical scenario obtaining in the north-eastern region of India the
people have got some serious misgivings and fear about gas pipeline. The
common citizens have the right to know whether there is any alternative to
pipeline and if so what would be the size of cost involvement. This
important disclosure can dispel doubts, misgivings, misunderstandings and
confusions If that decision is in favour of export, then the cause of the
difference of views amongst the national and foreign experts, about reserve
position should be, or else a gap between the government and the people
would be created.

Again, the question of keeping a portion of it for own consumption does not
arise unless the actual reserve position is known. What is surprising is
that our national experts and the experts who like us to believe that gas
reserve in Bangladesh is abundant and as such the country should immediately
opt for exporting gas greatly differ about the actual reserve position. Two
committees set up by the government recently, one for assessment and the
other for utilization of natural gas, submitted their reports. According to
the report of the assessment committee the actual gas reserve is far less
than what is estimated by the experts working for the International Oil
Companies.



The Washington Post
Editorial - An Opportunity in Burma
Friday, December 27, 2002; Page A24

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES for those seeking to promote democracy in tyrannies
around the world is the frequent absence of a peaceful opposition to work
with. In Iraq, the reception exiles might receive upon return is uncertain,
and Saddam Hussein's secret police have quashed any possibility of civil
society inside the nation. North Korea's people are beaten into submission
and starvation. In Iran, to complete the tour of President Bush's "axis of
evil," there is a vibrant opposition, but America's checkered history in
that country means that any support must be offered with delicate
sensitivity.

All of which makes Burma all the more remarkable as an exception to the
rule. It's a lush and potentially wealthy nation with a population of close
to 50 million, but its despotic regime (which calls the country Myanmar)
would fit comfortably on Mr. Bush's axis. The ruling generals enrich
themselves, protect drug lords and have imprisoned more than 1,000 people
who peacefully expressed a desire for freedom. And yet, amazingly, a
pro-democracy party survives. Led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League
for Democracy enjoys legitimacy rare in a dictatorship because it
overwhelmingly won an election in 1990; the junta, having wildly mistaken
its own popularity, annulled the results. Aung San Suu Kyi, though under
house arrest for most of the past dozen years, continues to enjoy enormous
respect and popularity, judging by reports of crowds that turn out to see
her when she travels the provinces -- even though her party is not permitted
to publish any kind of newspaper and the state-controlled press never
reports on her travels.

You would think this rare circumstance would be seized upon by the Bush
administration as an opportunity. Some officials do in fact seek to support
the democrats. But others are inexplicably tempted to consort with the
dictators. There was lately a misguided move to increase cooperation on drug
control that was derailed with difficulty, thanks in part to pressure from
pro-democracy Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), incoming chairman of the
Appropriations Committee's foreign operations subcommittee. More recently,
America's highest-ranking diplomat in Burma gave a cheery interview to the
junta's stooge newspaper. What could she have been thinking?

Under pressure from U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and others, the junta
released Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel peace laureate, from house arrest
on May 6 and promised to initiate a dialogue with her party. But no dialogue
is taking place; in fact, things seem to be moving in the wrong direction. A
crowd of 20,000 people who gathered to hear their democracy leader in a
provincial city recently was threatened with fire hoses; she climbed aboard
a fire engine to block such abuse, then persuaded the crowd to peacefully
disperse. President Bush should make clear that dialogue must begin; a
number of levers, including a possible import ban, remain at his disposal.
He'll rarely have a more unqualified chance to show U.S. support for
nonviolent democrats.



Bangkok Post - Friday 27 December 2002
Editorial  - Appeasement can go only so far

Pandering to Burma appears to take priority over much else under this
administration. When the Third Army commander said recently that a billion
methamphetamine pills were expected to be smuggled across the border next
year, an estimate the Burmese military heatedly rejected, the Royal Thai
Army took the unprecedented step of calling a press conference to say it had
no such official estimate and the figure given was a personal one. The Thai
army helped the Burmese junta to undermine the credibility of one of its own
top officers.

Topping that this week, Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, the defence
minister, announced that Task Force 399, the army's elite drug fighting
unit, would be relieved of its drug suppression role because Rangoon regards
it with suspicion. Designed as an intelligence gathering and rapid
deployment force, Task Force 399 is a key instrument in tracking the
movement of drugs and taking the fight against traffickers to the border
before they can get their deadly merchandise to the streets of Thailand.
That, sadly, does not seem to be as important to the government as not
upsetting Rangoon.

Has this unofficial policy to appease Burma at all cost now finally taken
priority over even the government's own much touted war on drugs? While the
Burmese military junta does nothing to dissuade the United Wa State Army, an
ally it conveniently claims to have no influence over, from pouring a
billion speed pills into Thailand, the Thaksin Shinawatra government is
dismantling one of its most effective tools against drug trafficking.

Though Gen Somdhat Attanand, the army chief hand-picked by Mr Thaksin,
stressed that the task force had not been disbanded and would be used for
intelligence gathering, make no mistake: Task Force 399 is history in all
but name. The authorities just do not want to admit it for fear of being
seen as yielding to Burma.

The elite force of 200 troops from the special forces, infantry and border
patrol police has been regarded with suspicion by Burma, and China as well,
since its formation early last year. The force was trained by US military
advisers and officers of the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The unit is
equipped with five Black Hawk helicopters and night operations equipment,
and reportedly gets intelligence from the Americans in the form of satellite
surveillance photos. The US has also pledged $2.3 million a year from DEA
coffers to fund the operations of the task force.

Rangoon has charged that Task Force 399 was sent across the border in May
this year to attack Wa positions, an allegation denied by then army
commander Gen Surayud Chulanont. But since he was kicked upstairs to become
supreme commander in August, the operations of the force have come to a
virtual standstill. Plans to upgrade it to a centre to oversee all drug
operations were also shelved.

Though the super secret task force does not make public any information on
its operations, drug suppression sources rate it very highly. It gathered
accurate and valuable intelligence and coordinated field operations with
other police and military forces. It has been responsible for the seizure of
millions of methamphetamine pills, two million of which were seized in
operations conducted by it alone.

Improving relations with our neighbours is certainly desirable. Relations
with Rangoon plummeted to an all time low last year and there was the real
danger of a border conflict. Presenting the junta with incentives to come to
the negotiating table is fine, even if it takes a little appeasing. But this
should not be pursued at all cost. The line must be drawn where our own
national interest is at stake. And the effectiveness of our drugs
suppression effort is as good a line as any.



Asian Tribune
Date : 2002-12-27
Mega dam project for Shan State
By Win Kyaw Oo

A Thai company has reached agreement with the Myanmar government to build a
massive hydro-electric dam on the Than Lwin River in southern Shan State.

The dam, expected to cost up to US$4 billion, will be the biggest of its
kind in Southeast Asia, said Mr Swarng Champa, managing director of the
Bangkok-based MDX Group, after the agreement was signed with the Department
of Hydro-electric Power in Yangon on December 20.<

The MDX Group will finance the 4600-megawatt project through its own
resources and loans raised in Thailand, Swarng told Myanmar Times in a
telephone interview. Most of the electricity generated by the dam will be
sold to Thailand.

The company will build the dam across the Than Lwin River near Tasam
Township, about 300 miles northeast of Yangon. It will be a build, operate
and transfer project, providing for the dam to be eventually returned to the
government, though these details and those surrounding the sale of
electricity to Thailand are yet to be finalised. Swarng said a preliminary
study carried out seven years ago had resulted in plans for dam 800 meters
long and about 220 metres high. He said the first phase of the project, due
to be completed in 2007, involved the installation of 200-megawatt turbine
to provide power for construction purposes and to supply nearby communities.

The second phase of the project involves the installation of another three
turbines capable of Measures taken by the committee to improve road safety
have included educational campaigns and heavy fines for those caught
violating traffic regulations.

The committee has also installed road signs urging safer driving and has
broadcast traffic safety measures on television. The Yangon City Development
Committee is also working to reduce the accident rate.

U Aung Zin, the deputy head of the YCDC痴 engineering department (roads and
bridges) said road safety projects included the installation of yellow
flashing lights at some pedestrian crossings and 祖at eye・reflectors in some
areas to make center lines more visible at night. - Myanmar Times.