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Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: May 30, 2000
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
May 30, 2000
Issue # 1540
*Inside Burma
KNU: BURMA ARMY HAS FORCIBLY SOLD THE CARDS OF HEALTH CARE FOR
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FOR THEIR MILITARY FUND
MIZZIMA: STATE OF FEAR: THE FOURTH ESTATE IN BURMA
DVB : SOLDIERS KILL THREE DESERTERS IN CLASH
NATION: A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR THE SHAN
KNU: KAREN FAMILY KILLED
ICFTU: REPORT ON BURMA FROM THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF VIOLATIONS OF TRADE
UNION RIGHTS
WALL STREET JOURNAL: UNOCAL CEO DENIES ABUSES DURING PIPELINE
CONSTRUCTION IN MYANMAR
MIC: SECRETARY-1 INSPECTS BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT AND NARCOTIC DRUG
ERADICATION IN SHAN STATE (EAST)
*International
MIC: MYANMAR DELEGATION LEAVES FOR GENEVA
AFP: FORCED LABOUR IN MYANMAR, AIDS AT WORK, MAIN ISSUES AT GENEVA
FORUM
NATION: EU TURNING UP THE HEAT ON BURMESE LEADERSHIP
THE NATION: COVERT FUND BEING SOUGHT
LE SOIR (Belgium): BELGIUM LAUNCHES AN ASSAULT AGAINST THE BURMESE
JUNTA
BURMA ACTION GROUP (SEATTLE): BAG MEETS JAPANESE CONSUL ON SUPPORT
FOR BURMA FORCED LABOR
*Economy/Business
MIZZIMA: GOVT. SHOULD WORK FOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH BURMA, SAYS
FBCCI CHIEF
*Opinion/Editorials
NATION: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: THAILAND MUST PUT PRESSURE ON THE JUNTA
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS FEDERATION: CALL TO SUPPORT ILO BURMA
SANCTIONS
MIZZIMA: VOICES FROM BURMA: JUNTA RULES THE PEOPLE WITH TERROR
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
KNU: BURMA ARMY HAS FORCIBLY SOLD THE CARDS OF HEALTH CARE FOR
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FOR THEIR MILITARY FUND
KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department
May 29, 2000
In the beginning of May 2000, Burma army's Light Infantry Battalion
406, 407, 408, 409, 410 forcibly sold the cards of health care for
mothers and children to the local villagers in Yebyu Township, Tavoy
District, Tenasserim Division, Burma. One card cost 100 Kyat, and
every family forced to buy this card without fail.
According to the information, Burma army's Operation Commanding HQ
No. 8 which base in Kanbauk village, in Yebyu township has ordered
it's under controlled battalions LIB 406, 407, 408, 409, 410 to sell
the card of health care for mothers and children to the local
villagers for their military fund.
On March 24, 2000, Associate Press (AP) has reported that Japan has
donated dollars 5.5 million for a UNICEF program to improve health
care services for mothers and children in Myanmar (Burma).
According to AP, UNICEF deputy director for the East Asia and the
Pacific, Carroll Long said that with the new grant, 319 townships in
Myanmar would receive essential drugs and basic medical equipment, to
be distributed to township hospitals and rural clinics with the help
of the Myanmar government
Last year, Japan gave dollars 2.7 million for the same project.
____________________________________________________
MIZZIMA: STATE OF FEAR: THE FOURTH ESTATE IN BURMA
New Delhi, May 26, 2000
Mizzima News Group
A group of writers and novelists in Burma said that military rulers
have stepped up surveillance over the writers and persecution of the
intellectuals after they secretly formed an association in Rangoon in
February this year.
In the first week of this month, Major Aye Tun, a director in the
Home Ministry summoned editors and publishers of magazines and
journals and threatened that those periodicals which publish
materials that violate the policies of the military junta would be
closed and the author, editor and the publisher would be sentenced
minimum one year and maximum seven years of prison term, the
Litterateurs Association said in a statement received in New Delhi.
Major Aye Tun is also the Chairman of Press Scrutiny Board (PSB)
which was formed in 1962 by the then military regime as official body
responsible for censorship.
According to the statement, the editors and publishers were forced to
fill up the forms in the meeting itself giving their bio-data in
details, undertaking not to print or publish articles, poems, and
cartoons critical to the military government and even pledging to
disclose the bio-data and activities of those authors wanted by the
military intelligence.
The Litterateurs Association has accused the junta of trying
a "sinister attempt" to break the fraternity of the writers in the
country.
The statement further said that since after news of the formation of
their organization is leaked out, the publishing industry in the
country has been facing ever-increasing surveillance from the
powerful military intelligence.
It has to secure clearance not only from Press Scrutiny Board but
also from the military intelligence causing heavy expenditure,
harassment and delays. Even after obtaining clearance from the censor
board, books and magazines are subjected to cuts of entire paragraphs
by the military intelligence if they feel that they contain materials
critical to the government.
In many cases, the printing of the book has to be repeated and
clearance again sought from the military intelligence as the cuts
were so badly made that the books cannot appear without torn pages
and pasting. This process results in delays by weeks and months, said
the statement.
Moreover, it said that Burmese literature fraternity is in the worst
era in history, being struggling hard for survival "against the
ruthless aggression, strict and draconian rules laid down and the
verbal or written decrees issued by the junta from time to time".
Mizzima News has learnt that some writers, poets and novelists met in
Rangoon in February and formed the Litterateurs Association to resist
the junta's persecution of the intellectuals in the country.
Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) on Thursday issued a
release condemning the junta for depriving the Burmese people of any
objective news and violating the rights of Burmese and foreign
journalists to practice their profession freely. It said Burma is
still the country, which is keeping the most journalists in prison.
Four journalists have died in prison in the last ten years and more
than 20 journalists are still imprisoned.
"No criticism of the army or the junta is tolerated. The government
aims to control journalists right down to the words they writeà",
said RSF.
____________________________________________________
DVB : SOLDIERS KILL THREE DESERTERS IN CLASH
26.05.00 BURMA: SOLDIERS KILL THREE DESERTERS IN CLASH.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 24 May
00 Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 24th May
Three defectors who fled with weapons from Tavoy-based SPDC's [State
Peace and Development Council] 280th Light Infantry Battalion [LIB]
in southern Burma had been killed in a clash with soldiers who
pursued them. Those killed were Lance Corporal Soe Wai and Privates
Aung Ko Oo and Myint Thu from the 280th LIB based in Zayetni in Tavoy
Township near the Thai-Burma border.
The three fled along with three G-3 rifles because they could no
longer tolerate the abuse by their superiors on 17th May. The clash
between the defectors and the SPDC troops pursuingburma them lasted
for some time. Lance Corporal Soe Wai and Pvt. Aung Ko were killed
during the clash and Myint Thu, who was wounded, was captured. Later,
he was shot dead on the spot by the SPDC troops.
Translation by BBC
____________________________________________________
NATION: A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR THE SHAN
May 28, 2000
Loi Tailang, Burma - On the peak of a misty mountain last Sunday,
Shan people of all ages gathered to remember the day 42 years' ago
when they first stood up to whom they called "the oppressor".
Though the ceremony was short on extravaganza, the atmosphere was
charged with emotion. The remembrance ceremonies started in the
chill of the early morning, with the newly-graduated soldiers of
the Shan State Army taking an oath before a spirit house, vowing to
fight until their last breath to liberate their beloved homeland from
the evil force.
This was followed by blessings from the monks and then a military
parade.
Alongside the soldiers, stood lines of Shan women dressed in
colourful traditional garb. They had joined their male compatriots
to commemorate what to them is a very special day.
Every year, hundreds of young Shan men join the armed resistance
group to fight for their homeland.
Most are recruited from villages. Many of them are orphans, whose
parents have either been killed by the Burmese Army or forced to
work as army porters.
"The SSA often finds these youngsters hiding in the jungle because
their parents are either captured or killed by the tatmadaw
[Burmese Army]," said a leading member of the movement. "The SSA
has no choice but to help them"
He insisted that the movement has no policy of sending these
youngsters to fight on the frontline before they turn 18.
For these often-bereaved youngsters, joining the SSA is a noble
deed as well as being their patriotic duty. Above all, it is the
only way they can think of to exact revenge and heal the wounds
inside their hearts.
Among this year's crops of graduates is Sai Sai, who used to be a
teacher at Kae See township in central Shan State. At 28, he is
considered a little overage in an army whose members usually become
fully-fledged soldiers before they turn 20.
So what inspired him to swap his chalk and blackboard for a rifle
and grenades? His answer is brief and to the point: "It is for our
Tai people, our nation, and our religion."
His answer may seem simple but his reasons for it are not. Sai Sai
has witnessed unspeakable cruelty and suffering, such as extra-
judicial killings, houses being burned, routine extortion,
arbitrary punishments and unpaid forced labour. This was more than
enough to motivate the former teacher to trek for three days and
three nights through the jungle to join the SSA.
He and his fellow recruits know full well that one day they will be
sent deep inside the rugged valley of the Shan State where a bloody
war has been going on for almost half a century. He may not survive
to return to the base, but he considers that a sacrifice worth
making. At present, the SSA is one of the few remaining major armed
ethnic minority groups still fighting against Rangoon for the right
to self-determination in accordance with the spirit of the 1947
Panglong Agreement.
The agreement, which was made between Burmese nationalist leader
Aung San and representatives of the Shan, Kachin and chin before
the country gained independence, guaranteed the ritghts of ethnic
minorities in return for their agreement to stay within the Union
of Burma at that time.
It also stipulated that after being a part of the union for 10
years these groups would have the right to pull out if they were
not happy. But the Burmese government's apparent refusal to honour
the Panglong agreement prompted the Shans to take up arms in 1958.
From then till now, it has been an uphill battle in which the Shan
rebels have had to fight against great odds. Despite this, the
rebels have always made it clear that the word "surrender" does not
figure in their vocabulary and that laying down their arms is not
an option.
This does not rule out a ceasefire, however.
The current SSA leader, Colonely Yawd Serk, recently stated his
willingness to enter formal ceasefire negotiation with Burma's
ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). But, he says, so
far there has not been a single sign of goodwill from the generals
in Rangoon.
And so Shan State Continues to reverberate to the sound of the
endless fighting between those trying to uphold what they see as
territorial integrity and those struggling to free themselves from
the yoke what they see as their oppressors.
In the light of such complexity, it is sad that political middle
ground has been found in this predominantly Buddhist land. Instead,
blood-for-blood is the name of the brutal game.
Nobody knows how many lives will be lost, how many houses torched
and how much blood will soak into the soil before genuine peace is
achieved in this pristine land.
The situation in the Shan State appears to be deteriorating day by
day, with numerous reports of humanrights violtions.
Many people live in a permanent state of fear, having known little
else, and spend most of their time praying and making merit. By
doing so, according to Buddhist belief in reincarnation, they can
avoid suffering in their next life.
"So long as the Burmese are here, we can never live in peace," said
28-year-old Nang Wa from Lai Kha. She, like a multitude of others,
was displaced after Burmese troops razed her village to the ground
and rounded up the people living there to be used as porters. "If I
went back now, the Burmese would kill me for sure," she said.
The practice of forced labour goes hand in hand with the policy of
forcible relocation of ethnic minority civilians. This is aimed at
depriving the insurgency groups of their grassroots support.
Once people are moved into a designated vieng, or town, they find
themselves with nothing to do, and become sitting targets for
Burmese military who force them to work on infrastructure projects
or as porters for the troops. In several cases, such victims have
included women, children and those too disabled to fight.
Many countries and international organisations have condemned
Rangoon for allowing such violations of human rights and urged the
junta to put a stop to the violations. But their pleas have fallen
on deaf ears.
Shan people just want to live happily without the fear that the
Burmese military will come to repress them, said Nang Wa who
carried her three little children for 10 days through the jungle
before seeking refuge with the SSA.
Asked what he expected of the SSA in the future, Sai Sai said
emphatically: "We want to be like East Timor."
But only time will tell what will transpire in this land of
uncertainty ruled by a group of grim-looking men in green uniforms.
The Nation (May 28, 2000)
____________________________________________________
KNU: KAREN FAMILY KILLED
KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department
5/25/00
On the 9th of May 2000, a Burmese patrol from Light Infantry
Battalion 377, under the command of No. 9 Operational Commanding Head
Quarter's No.1 Tactical command, met a Karen family at 8 AM while the
troop was patrolling the surrounding area of their Tactical Command
Headquarter.
Spotting the family 500 yards from the headquarter as the family was
heading to work on their rice field, the troops accused the family of
attempting to supply food to the rebels and killed all of them on the
spot.
The family was from the village of Kataungni where the No.1 Tactical
command had set up its headquarter in the east of Tavoy Township.
The victims were:
(1) Saw Wah Htoo, 25 years: Son of Saw Sanet
(2) Naw Spider, 20 years: Wife of Saw Wah Htoo with 4 months
pregnant. (3) Saw John, 3 years: son of Saw Wah Htoo.
(4) Saw Joy, 2 years: son of Saw Wah Htoo.
They were shot to death and abandoned on the footpath to their
plantation. Though knowing that the family was killed and abandoned
on the path, their relatives from the Kataungni village were afraid
to retrieve the bodies because of the Burmese soldiers.
Kataungni is a village east of Tavoy on the bank of Banchaung River.
In February 1997, the village was deserted as the SPDC troops
launched a massive offensive against KNU Mergui/Tavoy district (KNLA
4 Brigade area). Due to difficult living conditions in the jungle
brought on mostly by the incessant Burmese ArmyÆs search and destroy
operations against them, the villagers eventually returned to their
deserted village. There the SPDC troops grouped them up and ordered
them to live at the center of the village along with other relocated
people.
The villagers have to live under strict rules arranged by the
military. They are forbidden to leave the relocation site without
permission from the troops there (No.1 Tactical Command Headquarter).
Those who attempt to leave are shot on sight.
According to one Kataungni villager who escaped the relocation center
and arrived at the border on May 21st, at least 70 of his fellow
villagers have been killed or have disappeared over a stretch of 4
years while serving as porters. Some of those victims were also from
nearby villages including Maw Ma Tru, Kyauk Hton, Thebyuchaung, Maw
Ler Kay, and Myintmolekka.
____________________________________________________
ICFTU: REPORT ON BURMA FROM THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF VIOLATIONS OF TRADE
UNION RIGHTS
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
May 2000
BURMA (MYANMAR)
All basic trade union rights are denied. Burma's military
dictatorship cracks down on anyone taking part in independent trade
union activity, including strike action. They are likely to be
arrested, tortured and imprisoned.
No union rights
There are no legally functioning trade unions in the country, no
trade union law and no legal structure whatsoever to protect trade
union rights.
There is no legal framework to protect collective bargaining or to
protect workers against acts of anti-union discrimination. The
authorities do not promote collective bargaining and there is no
evidence that it takes place.
Union in exile
The Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) is forced to operate
from outside the country. The FTUB was founded in 1991 by former
trade union leaders and members who were fired from their jobs and
persecuted by the military regime for their trade union activities.
The FTUB co-ordinates its activities with the banned National League
for Democracy (NLD), which won the 1990 elections but was prevented
from taking office by the regime. NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi has
expressed her support for the FTUB and for independent trade unionism
in Burma.
Military surveillance
The FTUB maintains underground structures linked to workplaces inside
the country. Its activists are under constant surveillance by the
police and military intelligence and live in permanent fear of arrest
and torture. The FTUB also works with ethnic groups in border areas,
some of which have their own trade union structures, particularly in
health and education.
Intimidation of seafarers
The Seafarers' Union of Burma, which forms part of the FTUB, works in
exile to help Burmese seafarers. The regime controls the employment
of seafarers through the Seaman's Employment
Control Division, and there have been many cases in which it abused
and intimidated seafarers who complained about underpayment and poor
working conditions on foreign ships.
Arrest, imprisonment and torture
Two members of the FTUB executive committee, arrested in June 1997 by
intelligence officers, remained in prison. U MyoAung Thant, a member
of the All Burma Petro-Chemical Corporation Union, was arrested with
his wife and children. After a secret trial, he was given life
imprisonment for "high treason", plus ten years imprisonment on other
charges in August 1997. He was accused of trying to smuggle
explosives into Burma. He was imprisoned in an isolated cell in
Insein Prison. U Kyin Kyaw, an official of the Seafarers' Union of
Burma, was arrested with his wife. He had been detained for trade
union activities in 1993 and had been tortured in detention. His fate
remains unknown - he has not been brought to trial.
____________________________________________________
WALL STREET JOURNAL: UNOCAL CEO DENIES ABUSES DURING PIPELINE
CONSTRUCTION IN MYANMAR
May 29, 2000
Dow Jones Newswires
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Unocal Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive
Roger Beach said Monday Unocal didn't commit any human-rights
violations in Myanmar
during the construction of the Yadana Gas Pipeline.
"There were absolutely no human rights violations" in connection
with the Yadana project, Mr. Beach said. "There were no villages
relocated, no slave
labor."
Mr. Beach spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Oil and
Gas Conference organized by state Petroliam Nasional Bhd., or
Petronas, being held in Kuala Lumpur May 28-30.
Unocal is facing a class action suit filed in the U.S. by human-
rights activists on behalf of Myanmar refugees. It is the first suit
to try to hold
a U.S. company liable for human-rights abuses abroad.
However, Mr. Beach thinks the human-rights activists have overstated
their case. "We will prevail in court," he said.
Human-rights groups claim that the 416-mile natural-gas pipeline,
which starts at the Yadana gas field in the Andaman Sea offshore
Myanmar, also know
as Burma, and connects with a pipeline in Thailand, couldn't have
been built
without assistance from the military junta in power in Myanmar.
Thus, the rights groups say, Unocal and its partners were complicit
in human-rights abuses by Myanmarese forces. The abuse allegations
against the military include charges of slave labor, property
seizures, rapes, beatings and numerous deaths.
Mr. Beach denied the allegations against Unocal and said that he
is "proud of
what we've accomplished there."
He said he has heard of human rights abuses in Myanmar, but none are
connected to the pipeline project. "I can't control the Myanmar
military any more than I can control the Los Angeles Police
Department," Mr. Beach said. "We don't believe in the isolationist
approach of the NGOs (non-governmental organizations)," he said,
explaining that Unocal "believes in an engagement approach" that
will put money in the hands of the masses and eventually bring
democracy to nations such as Myanmar.
France-based Total Fina Elf is the operator of the $1.2 billion
Yadana pipeline, with a 31.2% stake. Unocal has a 28.3% stake; the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand, 25.5%; and Myanmar Oil and Gas
Enterprise, 15%.
____________________________________________________
MIC: SECRETARY-1 INSPECTS BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT AND NARCOTIC DRUG
ERADICATION IN SHAN STATE (EAST)
MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE, YANGON
[BurmaNet adds?MIC is part of the Ministry of Information]
Information Sheet
No.B-1390 (I)
27th May 2000
Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and
National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party proceeded to Museum on Narcotic
Drug of Shan State (East) Special Region-4 and inspected display of
booths on endeavours of narcotic drug eradication before 1988 and
endeavours of narcotic drug eradication after 1988. Leaders of
Special Region-4, U Sai Lin and U Min Ein highlighted that the tenth
anniversary marking the achievement of peace in the region will be
completed during this year. A new hotel and a new market are under
construction. A project is in progress to supply clean water, which
is in accord with the standard prescribed by WHO, for the growing
population. The project to extend roads in Mongla and to build a new
road in addition to the two existing facilities will be completed
this year. More roads will be built in the region; agriculture
especially cultivation of poppy substitute crops is being extended.
Kokang region, Wa region and the regions in the eastern Kengtung are
gaining significant progress due to prevalence of peace and
stability. Due to the assistance of the government and the efforts of
the national race leaders, the region is achieving market
development and the people's living standard is improving. U Sai Lin
pledged to prevent recurrence of drug trafficking in the region and
to uphold the dignity of the opium free zone. Then,The Secretary-1
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented quality paddy and corn seeds to U Sai
Lin.
In Pangsan, the Secretary-1 and party met Wa national race
leaders led by U Pau Yu Chan. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt emphasized the fact
that at present, there are exaggerated and slanderous accusations
against Myanmar with negative view concerning narcotics. The
Government is implementing the 15 -year project to wipe our narcotic
drugs. Wa national leaders are also implementing a project to
totally free the Wa region from drugs by the year 2005. In spite of
their accusations, Myanmar will continue to wipe out the drug
trafficking as projected. The government will take necessary
measures to prevent occurring of misunderstanding between Myanmar
and her neighbours. U Pau Yu Chan said there was not a piece of
development in Wa region in the 20years during which it was under
the domination of the unlawful Burma Communist Party. It has
developed with greater momentum during the ten-year period since
achieving of regional peace. As Wa national races are practically
enjoying the fruits of peace, they will never accept any scheme to
destroy peace and sow seeds of mistrust between the Wa national
races the the government.
As they have already understood the danger of narcotic drugs
toward the mankind, they are striving to totally wipe out the drugs
from their region by the year 2005.
In Monghsat ,the Secretary-1 and party met Wa national leader U
Pau Yu Yi and party at Wanhom Farm and discussed matters related to
regional development and drug eradication. U Pau Yu Yi reported on
agriculture of the region, transport and trade of lychee and other
crops and building of roads and bridges for development of the
region. The Secretary-1 pointed out the fact that it is necessary
to strive for success of agricultural undertakings and spoke of the
need to make efforts to attain the goal of eradicating narcotic
drugs in Wa region in 2005, according to the programme of Wa
national group. Narcotics is a menace to the mankind and narcotic
drug traffickers are using the border between the two countries as
the area to gain advantages as well as making attempts to create
misunderstanding between the two neighbouring countries. In order
that there may be no misunderstanding between the two countries,
utmost efforts are to be made to guard against production and
trafficking of narcotic drugs and stimulant tablets in the region.
The government as well as Wa nationals are to take special care in
preventing drug traffickers and unscrupulous persons from exploiting
them.
__________________ INTERNATIONAL __________________
MIC: MYANMAR DELEGATION LEAVES FOR GENEVA
MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information Sheet
N0. B-1393(I) 30th May 2000
Sub-leader of Myanmar delegation Director-General of Labour
Department together with Director-General of the Attorney-General's
Office, Director-General of Central Trade Disputes Committee of
Ministry of Labour, Director -General of International Organizations
and Economic Department and Deputy Director-General of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs left Yangon by air on 28 May to attend the 88th
Annual Assembly of International Labour Organization to be held in
Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 May to 15 June.
____________________________________________________
AFP: FORCED LABOUR IN MYANMAR, AIDS AT WORK, MAIN ISSUES AT GENEVA
FORUM
GENEVA, May 30 (AFP) - Combatting forced labour in Myanmar,
protection for working mums and dealing with HIV/AIDS in the work
place are among the issues facing some 3,000 delegates at a labour
conference starting here Tuesday.
Steps to oblige Myanmar to stop the use of forced and compulsory
labour will be presented to the International Labour Conference which
runs until June 15. If delegates adopt them, the measures will call
on any organisation connected to the International Labour Office
(ILO) to review their dealings with Myanmar to ensure that through
their involvement they are in no way contributing to the continuation
of forced labour.
Namibian President Sam Nujoma will address the Conference on June 8
on the the issue of AIDS in the workplace, as a followup to last
October's meeting in Windhoek on the same issue.
In Geneva, the ILO is expected to join other international agencies
by signing an accord outlining its cooperation with the United
Nations's specialised body in the fight against the disease, UNAIDS.
____________________________________________________
NATION: EU TURNING UP THE HEAT ON BURMESE LEADERSHIP
May 30, 2000
THE European Union last week published for the first time the list of
Burmese leaders, including their family members, banned from entering
the 15-member community to strengthen sanctions previously issued
against the junta-led country, an EU source confirmed in Bangkok
yesterday.
The list, issued on Wednesday, contains 140 names of high-ranking
Burmese officials, including all members of the ruling State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) as well as its three most powerful
members, chairman General Than Shwe, vice chairman Maung Aye and
first secretary Khint Nyunt.
The list contains all cabinet members, including Foreign Minister U
Win Aung, Minister of Industry U Aung Thanung and Minister for
Economic Development U Soe Tha. It also covers all former cabinet
members, former military commanders and all former members of the
State Law Order and Restoration Council (Slorc), the predecessor of
the SPDC.
Coupled with the list, the EU also issued a regulation, dated May 22,
to freeze the assets in the EU of all those blacklisted and to ban EU
exports to Burma of equipment that could be used for internal
repression and terrorism, the source said. The regulation will be in
effect until October 26 when the EU conducts a six-month review of
the sanctions and the political situation in Burma. According to the
source, the new regulation and the publication of the list are new
elements to reinforce existing EU sanctions against Burma, which
centre on visa bans and bans on high-level meetings between EU
countries and Burma. "In the past we were open to public
interpretation over who among the Burmese officials were on the EU
blacklist," the source said.
The union's political and economic sanctions on Burma have affected
Asean-EU relations, especially since Burma was admitted as an Asean
member in 1997. An Asean-EU ministerial meeting was suspended in
1998 when the EU broke off contacts with Burma. The meeting was to be
held in a European country, but the EU banned Burmese officials from
entering EU countries. Asean insists Burma, as one of its members,
has the right to attend European-based meetings. The EU countered
that Burma's right to attend such meetings was not automatic as an
Asean member since it had not yet signed a 1980 Asean-EU economic-
cooperation agreement. The sanctions will, however, not affect Asean-
EU meetings that take place in an Asean member country, since the
Burmese are not banned from joint meetings that occur within the
region.
According to the source, EU countries would like to reactivate the
meetings to resume cooperation between the two regions on economic
and non-economic issues.
____________________________________________________
LE SOIR (Belgium): BELGIUM LAUNCHES AN ASSAULT AGAINST THE BURMESE
JUNTA
MAY 26.
Translation of an article by A. Gorissen and Ph. Regnier
Parliamentarians are being spoilsports in Paris, a resolution is
voted in the Belgian senate: Elected politicians take a strong stand.
Pinochet, the Austrian far-right..everywhere Belgium sets the pace in
the fight for justice and democracy. So, why not Burma too? Such were
perhaps the thoughts of ten Belgian senators proposing a resolution
on human rights violations by the junta in Rangoon. They were
convincing: The resolution has been adopted yesterday by the Senate.
51 voiced their approval and 6 abstained (the far right Vlaams
Block), and the resolution will be transmitted to the Parliament
The resolution demands, in particular, that the Belgian government
- urge the junta to respect the freedom of trade-unions and end
the practice of forced labour;
- insist that the military begin a tripartite concertation with
ethnic minorities and the NLD - which won elections just ten years
ago and whose victory was never recognized by the junta
- insist that Belgian companies and travel agents end all trade
links, investments, and tourism
- insist that Europe take stronger sanctions.
"Burma is THE case in Asia where we witness a deep cohabitation
between the military regime and large companies", had declared before
the vote Anne-Marie Lizin (Socialist party). Targeting TotalFinaElf.
While she acknowledged that, for many years the Belgian foreign trade
machine has been backing Fina, the Senator deemed necessary "to
trigger a mechanism within TotalFinaElf", and in particular to avoid
that the company "transfer its activities to subcontractors".
Josy Dubie (Green party) directly attacked Albert Frere,
as "TotalFinaElf' s main shareholder. "There is one man in Belgium,
certainly the wealthiest in the country, who, if he so wished, could
put pressure on Burma to stop what is happening there."
Yesterday TotalFinaElf was being "targeted" by Belgian
parliamentarians, not only in Brussels. Three of them - Senators
Philippe Mahoux (Socialist Party) and George Dallemagne (Social-
Christian Party) and the parliamentarian Murielle Gerkens (Green
party) - had travelled to Paris to call on the leadership of the
petroleum company at their shareholders' general assembly. "We are
very concerned that TotalFinaElf remains in Burma even though the
Burmese democrats tell us that this investment hurts the population
and is profitble to the junta only", explained M. Mahoux during a
press conference.
In the offices of Danielle Mitterand's Fondation France Libertes,
together with Burmese exiles, the Belgians insisted : "TotalFinaElf
say they are not concerned with politics. But remaining in Burma is a
political act!" They also recalled a recent declaration by Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in an interview published by
the French magazine Nouvel Observateur (May 18) : She is opposed to
foreign investments in the country, including Total's, "because of
the political situation and because they benefit only the militaries
and a small business community gravitating around them."
____________________________________________________
THE NATION: COVERT FUND BEING SOUGHT
May 29, 2000.
THE Defence Ministry will today seek Cabinet approval of its request
for a Bt35million covert fund to counter what it calls the volatile
situation along the Thai Burmese border and in the Muslim dominated
South.
In the ministry's report to the Cabinet, the fund, already approved
by the National Security Council, will have a three pronged
objective. A copy of the report has been obtained by The Nation.
First, it will be used to bankroll an escalated military and social
drive against drugtrafficking rings that operate along the
ThaiBurmese border in the North as well as a socioeconomic and
propaganda campaign to defend and regulate the border area.
Second, it will be used to process the safe return of the Karen
refugees in Tak and Mae Hong Son and ensure they are not exploited by
any political groups inside or outside Burma.
Third, the fund will be used for a propaganda campaign to discourage
Muslims in the five Southern provinces from supporting armed
separatist movements still operating in the area. The ministry argued
that the security problems along the Thai Burmese border and in
Muslim dominated southern Thailand were still critical, complex and
volatile and that normal bureaucratic procedures could not adequately
address them, the report said.
BY Piyanart Srivalo
____________________________________________________
BURMA ACTION GROUP (SEATTLE): BAG MEETS JAPANESE CONSUL ON SUPPORT
FOR BURMA FORCED LABOR
>From Seattle, May 26, 2000.
As rain-soaked demonstrators held signs and passed leaflets on one of
the busiest corners in downtown Seattle, a representative of local
supporters of Burmese democracy met with Japanese Senior Consul Mr.
Shoji Sato and Assistant for Political Affairs Mr. Hiroaki Tojo.
Speaking on behalf of the Free Burma Coalition and the Seattle Burma
Roundtable, labor and community groups, Larry Dohrs expressed
gratitude for the Consul's willingness to meet without prior notice.
Though the atmosphere was cordial, Japan's pattern of political,
diplomatic and economic support for the Burmese military regime came
under strong criticism.
Of particular importance were the efforts during the week by Japanese
Foreign Minister Kono to undermine the mission of the International
Labour Organization's delegation visit to Rangoon. Though the
delegation's mission was exclusively to ensure junta compliance with
ILO demands for an end of the use of forced labor, Mr. Kono
disingenuously muddied the waters by suggesting that it was meant for
dialog and/or for investigation.
The work of the ILO is far too important for the world to be
distracted by ignorant remarks from the Japanese Foreign Minister.
Senior Consul Sato was requested to forward a copy of this week's
statement by the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma on Mr. Kono's
remarks to his superiors in Tokyo. He was also asked to convey the
strong feelings of the Seattle community in support of Burma's
legitimate, elected leadership and against the brutal Burmese
military dictatorship. While Japan is free to set its own policy,
Seattle citizens are free to voice objections to pro-junta Japanese
actions. It is expected that Seattle citizens will continue to do
so, at the corner of 6th Avenue and Union, where police first fired
teargas at hundreds of protesters at 9:20 AM on the morning of Nov.
30, 1999, the first day of the ill-fated WTO Ministerial.
Suzuki was criticised for its direct partnership with the junta, and
Mr. Kono was informed that on Friday afternoon, a local Suzuki dealer
would also be the site of a demonstration.
Mr. Kono said that he would certainly meet the requests to forward
information. He expressed further willingness to engage in
discussions. He had not received any directives from Tokyo on the
issue, and thus was not able to offer a position.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
MIZZIMA: GOVT. SHOULD WORK FOR FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH BURMA, SAYS
FBCCI CHIEF
Dhaka, May 29, 2000
Mizzima News Group
Extension of visa up to 15 days and permission for free movement of
Bangladeshis within the Arakan State of Burma should be discussed
immediately with the Burmese government, President of FBCCI urged the
government yesterday.
Speaking to BSS, Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, the President of the
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)
said that the government should work for a fresh free trade agreement
with Burma for boosting the existing bilateral trade.
He said the government should take up the matter of opening of one
more border trade route at Miyaku near Bandarban, apart from the
existing Maungdaw and Sittwe trade points. He also said that road
connections between Sittwe-Maungdaw, Maungdaw-Ukhia and Ukhia-Sittwe
should be completed immediately and the existing Dhaka-Rangoon air
links should be strengthened further.
Burmese government should provide landing rights to Bangladeshi
airlines to Sittwe and Bangladesh private airlines should be allowed
to operate on Chittagong-Sittwe and CoxÆs Bazar-Sittwe routes, he
said.
Mr. Mintoo urged the government to take up the issue of allowing
operations of full-fledged branches of Bangladesh banks in Rangoon
with the Burmese government to facilitate the bilateral trade.
According to Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported goods worth
1.09 million dollars to Burma during July-March of 1998 while the
import was about 9.78 million during the same period. Bangladesh
imports shrimps, wood, bamboo and cane from Burma and exports cement,
flour, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing goods to Burma.
Meanwhile, the visit of Burmese military leader Senior General Than
Shwe to Bangladesh has been postponed due to his sudden illness.
General Than Shwe was scheduled to arrive Dhaka today.
_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________
NATION: REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: THAILAND MUST PUT PRESSURE ON THE JUNTA
May 29, 2000
Everybody who is anybody in the Foreign Ministry knows that there is
a lack of leadership in implementing a comprehensive approach towards
Burma. With only a few months remaining before the next election, the
ministry risks seeing its policy in tatters.
The saddest part is that the ministry, which has overall control over
Burma policy in the past three years, has failed to implement its
well-laid plans, especially in bringing pressure to bear on the
Burmese junta leaders in Rangoon.
At the same time, frustration in Thailand has increased over Burma's
empty cooperation on suppressing the drug trade along the Thai-
Burmese border. On a recent inspection tour of the border, Deputy
Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that Thailand is willing
to do whatever it can to stop drug trafficking.
Rangoon has recently rejected Thailand's proposal for a joint patrol
operation along the volatile border. It was understandable. As the
general election draws near, Rangoon is wilfully playing a waiting
game, knowing full well that the Thai policy will undergo a severe
test again with a new incoming government. It is a high-risk
manoeuvre that Rangoon has mastered. As of now, it is hard to predict
whether the Chuan government will be able to make it. But if it stays
on, the Thai policy on Burma will be further strengthened.
For that reason, the junta leaders have chosen not to cooperate with
Thailand over the Wa minority, even though in the past two years
there was an agreement to assist the Thais.
It is not hard to see that Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan and Deputy
Foreign Minister MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra are facing a dilemma in
handling Burma. Both of them are eager to carry forward the country's
high principle-oriented policy, but reality fails them.
Surin and Sukhumbhand are now caught walking a tightrope to keep the
Thai policy intact and running as the Asean ministerial meeting
approaches. To appease Asean, the foreign minister has taken a softer
approach, hoping to bring Burma further into Asean's fold while his
deputy is taking a tougher stand, especially on the drug issue. It
was a far cry from the past when Sukhumbhand was more accommodating.
As chairman of Asean, Surin can only do so much on Burma. When the
Chuan government was installed back in November 1997, Surin was at
the forefront trying to engage Burma through new diplomatic
initiatives. Asean did not support them. Of late, he has spent more
time on non-Asean issues that have global appeal and wider support
with few hassles. He criss-crossed the world forging friends and
alliances with the liberal West and Muslim countries, which he has
scored points. He did much to persuade North Korea to join the Asean
Regional Forum.
On balance, Thailand has been much more assertive on Burma following
the recent reshuffle in the ministry that resulted in a new permanent
secretary for foreign affairs and director for East Asia. Judging
from recent press releases related to Burma, the ministry has
fingered the junta as the main cause of the present agony inside the
besieged country. This kind of bold message demonstrates the
ministry's belief that Burma has itself to blame.
As such, Thailand must muster all of its courage and overcome its
fear of Burma's sabotage and to do what is right. In the upcoming
deliberation in Geneva at the International Labour Organisation
meeting in June, Thailand's support of an Asean member is no longer
automatic. If Burma fails to meet the demands made by the ILO to halt
the systematic exploitation of child labour, Thailand must abstain or
vote against Burma.
It was a national disgrace when Thailand voted last year in support
of Burma at the ILO meeting after Surin was talking tall about how
the country should stand up for its principles. If the voting pattern
follows last year. It will be time to strongly condemn the Thai
government and its hypocrisy.
Some Asean members are keen to vote individually because the ILO
finding of Burma's grotesque human rights violations has become a
moral question. The Philippines and Indonesia are prepared to vote
the non-Asean way. The Asean bloc vote in Geneva this time is highly
unsustainable.
If ministry does not have the political leadership, it should draw
its strength from Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, who has yet to visit
Burma. Even though he has welcomed the Burmese junta leaders during
their visit here, Chuan insists that he will not go until there is a
satisfactory political change there. He has also kept a watchful eye
on the situation in Burma. Given the remaining months, Chuan could be
the only Asean leader who has not gone to Burma. Chuan is considered
as a thorn on the side by the junta leaders.
Never before in our history since the destruction of Ayudhya is
Thailand in such a good position to counter Burma's malignant intent.
Previously, we could say we lacked unity among various governmental
organisations and that provincial authorities remained non-
cooperative, not to mention the security forces. The list goes on.
For now, the Chuan government has the unprecedented opportunity as
well as support from all sides in Thailand to address all relevant
issues surrounding Thai-Burmese relations. As time is running out,
the ministry will need strong political leadership to turn around and
make progress.
BY KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN
____________________________________________________
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS FEDERATION: CALL TO SUPPORT ILO BURMA
SANCTIONS
London, 27-28 April 2000
The Executive Board of the International Transport Workers'
Federation, meeting in London from 27-28 April 2000:
Welcomes the decision of the ILO Governing Body in its 228th Session
to set in motion a discussion in this year's International Labour
Conference which could result in an appeal to its 174 member states
to review their relationship with the Government of Myanmar (Burma)
and to take appropriate measures to ensure Burma's compliance with
international labour standards especially on forced labour;
Notes the fact that this action is unprecedented in the ILO's 80 year
history, invoking for the first time article 33 of the ILO
Constitution which is designed for use only in the event of a country
failing to carry out the recommendations of an ILO Commission of
Inquiry;
Recalls the recommendations of the ILO Committee on Freedom of
Association on the ITF's complaint on behalf of Burmese seafarers,
which strongly urged the Government of Myanmar (Burma) to ensure
freedom of association and the right to organise;
Condemns the Burma's military government for having failed to take
any positive measures to rectify the violation but instead further
jailed trade union leaders of the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma
and the ITF affiliated Seafarers' Union of Burma;
Calls upon ITF affiliates to organise whatever protest action
possible against the military government during the period of the
International Labour Conference from 30 May to 15 June 2000 and to
lobby their respective national delegation to the Conference to
support the ICFTU/ITF initiative; and
Further calls upon the ICFTU and all other International Trade
Secretariats to step up their campaign against Burma's military
regime and to restore democracy in the country, and if possible to
organise a joint campaign during the International Labour Conference.
____________________________________________________
MIZZIMA: VOICES FROM BURMA: JUNTA RULES THE PEOPLE WITH TERROR
By Aung Khaing, Mandalay
May 28, 2000
(Translated by Mizzima News Group)
I am neither a writer nor a politician who can skillfully use
political terms. One may not appreciate the vocabularies I use in
expressing my views. As I am so eager to write the following article,
I request the reader to try to understand the basic theme and essence
of it.
Let me start with the question of "who is the real terrorist".
Irresponsible, shameless and one sided utterances of the ruling
military junta that we the democratic elements are terrorists
prompted me to write this rejoinder with all frankness. That the
democratic organizations and the democratic forces fighting for
democracy are branded as terrorists is baseless.
In fact, the junta now names as State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) is the terrorist organization indulging in following terrorist
activities in Burma.
1. Terrorism against Religious Bodies
2. Terrorism against the Buddhist Sanghas (Monks)
3. Social Terrorism
4. Violence on Modesty
5. Intellectual Terrorism
6. Propaganda Terrorism
1. Terrorism against Religious Bodied
They terrorize the trustees of pagodas in Burma. For example, a
Burmese indigenous medical practitioner U Aung Nyunt (father of
township youth organizer Ko Htun Kyi of Mandalay South West who is
under detention for 9999 strike) who is a trustee of Kyauk Taw Gyi
pagoda, on the foot hill of Mandalay Hill has served the pagoda for
the last 20 to 30 years spending his own money for the upkeep of the
religious edifice was sacked from the board of trustees for his
refusal to welcome the military rulers with folded hands.
Another evidence of the abuse of religion is demanding money by force
form the people unmindful of their economic hardships in the name
of "contribution to religious shrines". Everybody in Burma knows this
religious terrorism of the junta.
2. Terrorism against the Buddhist Sanghas
The military junta imprisoned and tortured venerable monks including
Tipidakadhara U Thu Mingala, Mandalay Ma So Yein Taik Haung monastery
abbot U Kaw, Ma So Yein Taik Thit Monastery abbot U Rajadhamma and
Khin Ma Gan monastery abbot U Rewata and young monks over the past
twelve years. They even shot many monks dead during and after 1988
uprising.
Tipidakadhara U Thu Mingala was first imprisoned by the regime at
Myit Kyina (capital of Kachin State, northern Burma) Jail and
subjected to torture. After he was released, the junta shamelessly
offered a new monastery building and TV sets in appeasement.
The venerable monk, who wants peace accepted overtures. However he
had to face the wrath of other monks who accuse him of becoming a
stooge of the military junta.
This act of the military junta is tantamount to
committing 'parazikam' i.e. breaking the unity of the Sangha which is
one of the four gravest sins according to Buddhism.
The junta also imprisoned and tortured Sayadaw U Rajadamma, the abbot
of Mandalay Ma So Yein Taik Thit monastery in Mandalay jail. The
Venerable monk is highly respected by 1500 inmate monks of the
monastery and all monks residing in Mandalay and very influential.
The military rulers offered the Aggha Maha Pandita tittle to the
monk. As he did not want other monks misunderstand him, the venerable
monk did not want the title and declined to give his bio-data to the
junta as required for the conferring of the title. However the junta
stole the bio-data of the monk and conferred the title to the monk
with an aim to subjugate him.
Nowadays, the ruling SPDC is conferring varieties of titles to well
known monks and making them members of the Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee (Junta-appointed apex body of Buddhist monks to control the
Sangha) and forcing them to spread pro-SPDC propaganda. This act of
the junta can be branded as terrorism against the Buddhist Sangha for
abusing the religious institutions to promote its political
interests.
3. Social Terrorism
Red Cross Societies, Volunteer Fire Brigades and local social
associations were voluntary organizations devoted to the benefit of
the local people by rendering selfless service before the military
junta came to power. Now the junta is trying to merge these voluntary
organizations with its stooge, Union Solidarity and Development
Association (USDA) by force to subjugate them. Some of the volunteers
resigned from respective organizations. Only those who are extremely
keen to serve the people under any dispensation stayed back. But they
are totally disgruntled with the junta.
Some years back, arguments broke out between U Myo Nyunt the leader
of Voluntary Fire Brigade of Kyauksit locality in Mandalay and
members of the local administration. The administration wanted to
engage volunteers of the Fire Brigade in scavenging work and
welcoming functions for visiting VIPs. U Myo Nyunt declared that his
volunteers were organized only for security of the locality.
Still the local chief sticked to his gun and demanded that the
volunteers be placed at his disposal for such jobs. Then U Myo Nyunt
asked the chief whether he would take responsibility if fire broke
out in the locality in the absence of the volunteers. The chief could
not make further arguments and left with a grudge.
4. Violence on Modesty or physical Terrorism
The regime claims that they love the country and the people from the
rooftop. But, many high ranking military officers in reality seduce
the young and innocent girls of ethnic minorities from border areas
and spoil their honour. These girls then find their way to brothels
in the neighboring countries. They fell victims to the physical
terrorism of the soldiers of the junta.
Besides, the junta employed forced labour of the common people of
towns and villages and extort money from well-to-do persons in lieu
of forced labour. This is an evidence of physical terrorism practiced
by the government.
5. Intellectual Terrorism
The junta offered perks and privileges to retired officers, retired
doctors and retired school teachers and ask them to denounce National
League for Democracy (NLD) which got landslide victory in 1990
general election, and democratic elements and to praise the military.
It also forced the artists, singers, theatricians, painters, etc. to
join respective associations formed by the junta itself.
The artists and other fine art professionals have to follow suit for
their livelihood despite their disillusion with the junta. Forcing
the writers and editors to write disparaging articles against the pro-
democracy forces is also an evidence of intellectual terrorism in
Burma.
6. Propaganda Terrorism
The SPDC is spreading slanderous propaganda against the democratic
forces through their controlled-Voice of Myanmar, Myanmar TV, Kyemon
Daily and Myanma-Alin Newspaper without break. Their propaganda
machineries are not meant for intellectual development of the people
but for spewing venom against the democratic forces.
In October last year, being conscious of such terrorism adopted by
the junta, Venerable Pegu Kyahkhatwine Sayadow and Venerable Maha
Gandhayon Sayadaw of Amarapura town had to appeal to the people of
Burma and the comity of nations to strive for dialogue between the
government and the opposition of Burma to restore peace in the
country.
Whatever the junta says, I am sure that the people of Burma and the
international community know who are the real terrorists. This is
high time that the real terrorists stop their various acts of
terrorism.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLD and democratic
forces only want implementation of the result of the 1990 election
and dialogue for democracy transition in the country. People in Burma
knows that democratic forces do not support any type of terrorism and
they condemn the junta who rules with terrors.
________________
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