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Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: June 21, 2000
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
June 21, 2000
Issue # 1560
The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com
*Inside Burma
AP: MYANMAR MEDIA, RILED BY CONDEMNATION, SAYS ILO MAY BULLY OTHERS
AFP: JUNTA CHEERS END OF SANCTIONS LAW
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE INSPECTS YANGON
DIVISION VEGETABLE CULTIVATION SPECIAL ZONE
MUSLIM INFORMATION CENTRE OF BURMA (MICB): SPDC ORDERS TO DESTROY
MOSQUE OR PAY KS. 5 MILLION IN EXTORTION MONEY
*Regional
BANGKOK POST: ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO FACE NEW ROUND-UP
*International
THE TIMES OF INDIA (NEW DELHI): SUU KYI'S TAPED SPEECH FOR DEMOCRACY
MEET
*Economy/Business
XINHUA: JAPANESE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INITIATE JOINT VENTURE WITH
MYANMAR
XINHUA: MYANMAR TO SET UP MORE FISH, PRAWN BREEDING FARMS
*Opinion/Editorials
MYANMAR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND THE MYANMAR COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: AN
APPEAL TO THE STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
*Other
CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES INTERNATIONAL: CALL FOR PROPOSALS-- OSI
POLICY FELLOWSHIPS, 2001
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
AP: MYANMAR MEDIA, RILED BY CONDEMNATION, SAYS ILO MAY BULLY OTHERS
June 21, 2000
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Myanmar mounted an attack Wednesday on a U.N.
agency condemning it for using forced labor, claiming in the state-
controlled press that the move could presage bullying of smaller
nations by the big powers.
The International Labor Organization approved unprecedented measures
against Myanmar, also known as Burma, last week for its widespread
use of forced labor, but gave the country four months to prove its
willingness to change.
A three-part commentary entitled ``Be Considerate'' published in the
state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper Wednesday said the ILO has
been manipulated by some big nations, making Myanmar the first victim
of an unprecedented act.
``The domineering act of some big nations in which Myanmar had been
victimized as a target nation caused member nations to suspect the
ILO's basic principles,'' it said ``If Myanmar was singled out to be
put under political pressure this year, other member nations will be
bullied one after another at the conferences every year.''
ILO delegates in Geneva agreed in a 257-41 vote, with 31
abstentions, to recommend that ILO members _ governments, workers and
employers _ ``review their links with Myanmar and take appropriate
measures to ensure (Myanmar) cannot take advantage of such relations
to perpetuate or extend the system of forced or compulsory labor.''
The commentary in the New Light of Myanmar urged the ILO to give
serious consideration to the response by the Myanmar government,
which denies the problem and points out that forced labor is banned.
``To give serious consideration to the Myanmar government's response
to the accusations would reflect the esteem and dignity of the
respective body and their officials,'' it said.
It said that Myanmar joined the ILO in 1948 and had no problem with
the organization until 1996, when 25 labor delegates attending the
group's annual conference alleged that Myanmar had been using forced
labor in violation of ILO conventions.
Last year the ILO barred Myanmar from receiving assistance after a
commission of inquiry reported on the widespread use of forced labor
for infrastructure projects. Myanmar said the work was offered freely
for the development of the nation.
A report by last month's ILO mission to Myanmar found officials to
be more open and cooperative, though noncommittal about stopping
forced labor and generally maintaining that the problem did not
exist.
The newspaper commentary said the ILO commission made its
observations based on information from expatriate dissident groups
and the opposition within the country, who are plotting to get
Myanmar expelled from the ILO by constantly sending fabricated
reports.
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. The current regime,
which took power in 1988, held a general election in 1990 but refused
to yield power after the National League for Democracy won a
landslide victory.
____________________________________________________
AFP: JUNTA CHEERS END OF SANCTIONS LAW
June 21, 2000
Court: US states can't make foreign policy
Rangoon, AFP
Burma's military government yesterday welcomed the US Supreme Court's
move to strike down a Massachusetts law imposing unilateral sanctions
on the country.
"The US court took the right decision," a senior spokesman for the
junta said. "One can just imagine what kind of chaos there will be
if the 50-plus states of the US adopt not only their own foreign
policies but defence policies as well."
The attempt to force change in Burma by imposing restrictions on
companies who do business with the military regime was misguided, the
spokesman said.
''Myanmar like many other countries in the region believes that
cooperation, sharing responsibilities and building mutual confidence
are the most important factors to achieve success rather than
imposing sanctions and boycotts to slow down the economic development
of any developing nation."
In a serious blow to the US campaign to loosen the junta's iron grip
on power, the Supreme Court judges unanimously upheld an appeals
court ruling that the law violated the federal government's
constitutional right to make foreign policy.
The court also found that the legislation was invalidated by a
federal law on the same subject.
The legislation, which has been taken up by a number of other US
states and cities, added a 10% surcharge to government contracts on
companies doing business in Burma- effectively barring them.
Its passage in 1996 was a triumph for vigorous campaigns to punish
Burma for its failure to recognise the overwhelming election victory
by Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy in May
1990.
Massachusetts state Representative Byron Rushing said he would
introduce new legislation that complies with the Supreme Court's
ruling.
"It is a shame the Supreme Court has ruled against a strategy that
helped end apartheid in South Africa," he said.
"I want all advocates for human rights and democracy, especially in
Burma, to be assured that the campaign for human rights and democracy
is redirected, not blocked," Rep Rushing said.
____________________________________________________
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE INSPECTS YANGON
DIVISION VEGETABLE CULTIVATION SPECIAL ZONE
YANGON, 19 June - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe
inspected Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone in
Hmawby Township and construction of Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago
Expressway this morning.
The Senior General, accompanied by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win
Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin
Maung Than, Minister and Deputy minister and officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office and departments, went to Yangon
Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone in Nyaunghnapinkwin in
Hmawby Township at 9 am.
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than reported on works of Vegetable
Cultivation Special Zone undertaken by Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council at the supervisory office of Vegetable
Cultivation and Production Centre.
He said over 3,200 acres have been reclaimed as first phase for
cultivation of vegetables. Later over 7,000 acres are,to be reclaimed
in three special zones and they will be allotted to cultivators and
organizations.
In his guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said as the region is
designated as Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone,
organization and those who have been given permits are 8 to reclaim
the land. He spoke of the need for them to undertake cultivation of
vegetables successfully.
The Senior General spoke of the need to give priority to better
transport. The Senior General and party viewed the special zone from
the watch tower. The Senior General and office for construction of
Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway being undertaken by Development
Affairs Department.
Yangon -Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway starts from the crossroad of
Yangon-Bago Highway and No 3 Highway and links Taikkyi-Bago, Road,
passing Kya-kansu and Kya-in (East3 Villages through Ngahsudaung.
Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway is being built in three sections
Hsatthwataw Village to Kyakansu Village as section 1, from No 3
Highway to Kyakansu Village as section 2 and from Kyakansu Village,
to Kya-in (East) Village Ngahsudaung, as section 3.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo gave supplementary report on construction
of roads and cultivation. Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance.
The Senior General and party inspected vegetable patches of the
Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs. The Senior General and party inspected
construction of the road at the crossroad of Yangon-Bago Highway and
No 3 Highway. Senior General Than Shwe inspected maintenance of No 3
Highway and construction of No 7 Highway or circular road to be
linked with Nos 4, 1, 2 and 3 Highways. The Senior General and party;
left for Yangon at noon.
____________________________________________________
MUSLIM INFORMATION CENTRE OF BURMA (MICB): SPDC ORDERS TO DESTROY
MOSQUE OR PAY KS. 5 MILLION IN EXTORTION MONEY
June 20, 2000.
On May, 25, 2000, the ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) ordered troops to destroy " Shwe Gwin mosque" or to pay a
five million Kyats bribe, before June, 25, 2000 to the authorities in
Karen state of Burma. According to an officer, Bo Win Aung of
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army(DKBA), the order was given by the
commander of Light Infantry Battalion (338). Shwe Gwin village is in
Hlaing Bwe township of Karen state.
___________________________ REGIONAL ___________________________
BANGKOK POST: ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO FACE NEW ROUND-UP
June 21, 2000
Wassayos Ngamkham
Police will launch another nationwide crackdown on illegal
migrants, especially Burmese children who are begging on Bangkok
streets.
The move is part of police measures to clamp down on the hiring of
illegal foreign labourers.
Pol Gen Sant Sarutanon, deputy national police chief, yesterday
said the crackdown would focus on some 350,000 Burmese children
under 13 who were roaming Bangkok streets as beggars.
"If we allow these children to grow up in Thai society without
giving them education, it may give rise to social problems and
crimes," he said.
A police investigation of more than 10 Burmese children arrested at
Ratchaprasong intersection indicated there were many networks
controlling these young beggars, he said.
According to him, there are now some 1.5 million illegal Burmese
migrants in Thailand.
__________________ INTERNATIONAL __________________
THE TIMES OF INDIA (NEW DELHI): SUU KYI'S TAPED SPEECH FOR DEMOCRACY
MEET
June 21, 2000
WASHINGTON: A video taped speech by the leader of the Pro-democracy
movement in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, will be the highlight of an
upcoming conference on democracy in Warsaw to be attended by leaders
from around the world, including External Affairs Minister Jaswant
Singh.
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will introduce the tape of
the speech at the 'community of democracies' ministerial-level
conference to be held at the Polish capital from June 25 to 27, US
assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour
Harold H Koh told reporters here Monday.
Singh, representing the largest democracy in the world, is expected
to play a major role at the conference to be co-sponsored by India,
US, Chile, the Czech Republic, Mali and South Korea. Koh said the
conference, to be attended by 102 countries, would focus on issues
like how democracies can cooperate more effectively. (PTI)
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
XINHUA: JAPANESE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INITIATE JOINT VENTURE WITH
MYANMAR
Tuesday, June 20, 2000 9:43 PM EST
YANGON (June 21) XINHUA - The Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance
Company of Japan is making preparation to initiate a joint venture
with the state-run Myanma Insurance (MI) following the signing of a
memorandum of understanding between them in 1997.
The Yasuda company is determined to channel its experience, expertise
and financial resources into Myanmar, the latest issue of the local
Myanmar Times journal quoted a statement of the company as saying.
The joint venture, which will be the first of its kind in Myanmar, is
likely to positively change the face of the industry in the country
to help develop the sector, the statement predicted.
The Japanese company, which has a financially strong reinsurance
system, has been arranging in preparatory gesture a series of
seminars in Myanmar and personnel training for the MI staff at its
headquarters in Tokyo, the journal said.
The Yasuda company operated in Yangon during the period 1958-64 and
reopened a representative office in 1995 participating as a reinsurer
with the MI.
The company is liaising with the MI for all major types of insurance
except for marine hull, aviation and life, and has signed a
facultative obligatory reinsurance treaty with the MI for motor
vehicles insurance business written by MI in foreign currency.
In addition to the Yasuda, there are also two other Japanese
insurance companies, the Mitsui and the Tokio, which have signed MOUs
with the MI to set up similar joint ventures in the country.
Aimed at developing its insurance market following the liberalization
of its financial market and banking, Myanmar enacted its first
Insurance Business Law in June 1996, granting local private companies
as well as foreign investors to run insurance business in the country
which cover life insurance, fire insurance, cash-in-safe insurance
and fidelity insurance.
Meanwhile, the Myanmar Foreign Investment Law emphasizes that foreign
firms buy insurance policies compulsorily from the MI.
____________________________________________________
XINHUA: MYANMAR TO SET UP MORE FISH, PRAWN BREEDING FARMS
YANGON (June 21) XINHUA - Myanmar is planning to set up more fish
breeding farms in Twantay township, the country's Yangon division,
where there are over 688 hectares of lands remaining for such
farming, official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported
Wednesday.
These farms are to be allotted to organizations and individuals who
will undertake the activities, the report said.
There are altogether 11,745 hectares of livestock breeding farms in
the Yangon division and Twantay township is the largest area for fish
breeding among the states and divisions.
According to the newspaper's another report, arrangements are also
being made to establish 2,025 hectares of prawn breeding farms in
Mayanzweba and Kyauktan townships in the same division.
The Myanmar fishery authorities are calling for drawing up a three-
year plan for development of prawn farming not only in the Yangon
division but also in other states and divisions such as Ayeyawaddy,
Bago, Rakhine, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi where favorable conditions
prevail for such undertakings with the use of conventional as well as
scientific methods.
There are 40,480 hectares of fish and prawn breeding ponds in Myanmar
and the output from them goes to 90,000 tons annually.
Fishery sector is the third largest contributor to the country' s
gross domestic product (GDP) after agriculture and forestry, sharing
7.3 percent of the GDP.
Myanmar annually exports 58,900 tons of fish and prawn, of which fish
accounts for 45,700 tons, while prawn represents 13,200 tons.
Export earning from them totals about 150 million U.S. dollars
annually with the sector also standing as the third largest foreign
exchange earner after agriculture and forestry.
Myanmar's per capita fish and prawn consumption is 18 kilograms.
_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________
MYANMAR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND THE MYANMAR COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: AN
APPEAL TO THE STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
[BurmaNet adds: This 1999 letter, recently obtained by the Chin
Freedom Coalition and provided to BurmaNet, is the first from one
of Burma's national Christian organizations letter to the Burmese
military regime since 1962.]
An Appeal of the Myanmar Catholic Bishops and the Myanmar Council of
Churches to the State Peace and Development Council
September 24, 1999
Yangon
Myanmar
May the Peace and Grace of Jesus Christ and God be with you!
A. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council
of Churches were formed with the objectives of all Christians in
Myanmar to work for Christ's Mission.
The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference, an organization comprised of
13 Bishops, has been working hard leading 12 Catholic regions.
The Myanmar Council of Churches, a leading national Christian
ministry, is comprised of 13 members of national Christian
denominations that are affiliated with 9 other prominent Christian
organizations such as the Young Women Christian and the Young Men
Christian Association.
The leaders, as well as the members of these organizations, under the
above two major organizations are all citizens of Myanmar.
Although both of the two major organizations are cooperating with
other organizations around the world, they are freely operating in
their own cause.
B. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council
of Churches are working for human developments for the benefit of
the mission and the country. They establish hospitals, clinics, and
schools that are basic necessities for a peaceful society; and
selfless doctors and teachers are sacrificing in the good cause.
Until today, they have established such things as a hospital for
leprosy, school for the deaf, school for the blind, school for
elderly care, school for orphans and are providing their best
possible care for the abandoned and refugees.
They are also working with their best possible efforts for better
environments, efficient transportation, welfare and developments of
the lives of young people, women, and children.
To be able to undertake the above mentioned mission responsibilities,
the Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference has formed the "Peace and
Justice Commission" and the Myanmar Council of Churches has formed
the "Reconciliation and Peace Commission." The basic Biblical
principle of the Commission is as follows:
Being faithful believers of the peaceful God, who governs with
everlasting love, we believe that as we are responsible to build and
prosper the virtues that will end conflicts and promote justice and
peace, which has always been desired by the people, we will carry
out this task so long as we are alive. (Biblical References: Hosea
2:4; Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 2:14-16).
C. We would like to present the hardships and obstacles we have faced
while undertaking these tasks in recent years to the national heads.
Prohibition of Christian evangelical works in some states and
townships, expulsion of mission workers, prohibition of worship
services, arrests and persecutions, forced renunciation of Christian
faith, and destroying of Christian crosses have been encountered. In
some states, repairing of Christian buildings was not allowed.
Permission for building was not allowed or permission was delayed.
For Christians, crosses are very important because they are the
symbols of sacrifice and service for human beings. Therefore, a
place for worship and a place for erecting Christian crosses are of
prime importance.
In publication of Christian literature, some words and vocabularies
were not allowed or were restricted by the censorship board. This
restriction can consequently lessen the warm relationship among
religious organizations.
Due to the above obstacles, Christians have no peace of mind.
Therefore, with the aims of building a new developed and modern
country by joining hands in unity with all ethnic nationalities and
Burmese, we would like to request and present to the national
leaders to solve the above mentioned obstacles. Also, in the future,
we will present the needs and difficulties to you as necessary.
D. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council
of Churches would also like to state that on the basis of love and
justice, we would always try to build a long lasting reconciliation
and peace. May the grace and peace of the ever-lasting God bestow
upon our national leaders and our motherland!
Amen.
******
Note: This document was obtained and distributed freely and
independently by the Chin Freedom Coalition (CFC) based in
Washington D.C. who also provided translation from Burmese into
English. The original Burmese version of this document is available
on file with the CFC. For further information please contact:
webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or visit the WWW.Chin-Freedom-
Coalition.org
_____________________ OTHER ______________________
CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES INTERNATIONAL: CALL FOR PROPOSALS-- OSI
POLICY FELLOWSHIPS, 2001
Website: www.osi.hu/ipf
All applications must be submitted online at
http://www.osi.hu/ipf/apply.html by August 1, 2000
The Central European University Center for Policy Studies (CPS) is
calling for proposals for its year 2001 International OSI Policy
Fellowships (IPF) program, which is affiliated with the CPS and the
Open Society Institute-Budapest. Broadly speaking, an open society
is characterized by a reliance on the rule of law, the existence of
a democratically elected government, a diverse and vigorous civil
society, and respect for minorities and minority opinions. Launched
in late 1999, the CPS works with a broadening circle of policy
analysts and institutions to promote the development of policy
center networks throughout Central and Eastern Europe, the former
Soviet Union, and Mongolia, as well as countries in South and
Southeast Asia.The CPS International OSI Policy Fellowships are
intended to support the analytical policy research of open society
leaders and to provide these Fellows with professional policy
training. The program aims to improve the quality of analysis in
countries where the Soros foundations work by ensuring that these
leaders are able to conduct research in their home region while
maintaining local affiliations and a high degree of mobility and
intellectual freedom.
For the full text of this announcement, go to: http://www.osi.hu/ipf/
All initial queries must be entered online via the internet directly
into the IPF application database found at
http://www.osi.hu/ipf/apply.html. Those who have no possibility to
access the internet (including from public libraries, Internet
centers, or national Soros foundations) should send an e-mail to
fellows@xxxxxx or call the IPF offices at (36 1) 327-3863 to discuss
the best alternate application solution.
________________
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