[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
[theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: Se
Reply-To: theburmanetnews-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: September 8, 2000
-------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~>
GET A NEXTCARD VISA, in 30 seconds! Get rates
of 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Ongoing APR* and no annual fee!
Apply NOW!
http://click.egroups.com/1/9146/7/_/713843/_/968442587/
---------------------------------------------------------------------_->
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
_________September 8, 2000 Issue # 1616__________
INSIDE BURMA _______
DVB : Letter to ruling council chairman demands release of democracy
leaders
South China Morning Post: Rulers announce opposition defections
The Myanmar Times (SPDC): NLD disruptive says Govt
SHAN: Kokangs Moving To Shan-Burma Border
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
AFP: European parliament demands freedom of movement for Aung San Suu
Kyi
AFP: US rebukes Myanmar for "ridiculous" claims
AFP: Canada calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
Reuters: Unocal cleared of human rights liability in Myanmar
Xinhua: Burma border trade zone opened in Yunnan
OPINION/EDITORIALS _______
Maritime Union of Australia: Maritime Workers call for release of
Burmese leaders
OTHER _______
Mae Sot English Programme: Volunteer Positions on the Thai-Burma
border
The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
DVB : Letter to ruling council chairman demands release of democracy
leaders
AS1-BURMA-LETTER
Burma: Letter to ruling council chairman demands release of democracy
leaders
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 4th September
According to latest reports Rangoon Division NLD [National League for
Democracy] members have said to have collectively signed a letter and
sent to SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] Chairman Sr Gen
Than Shwe. They demanded that the restrictions imposed on Daw Suu and
party be lifted. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] correspondent Myint
Maung Maung filed this report.
[Myint Maung Maung] Reliable sources have reported that NLD members
from Rangoon Division have collectively signed and sent a letter to
SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe this morning. The letter demanded the
immediate withdrawal of SPDC riot police from the occupied NLD
headquarters and the immediate release of NLD leaders from house
arrest. At the same time, the letter strongly condemned the SPDC's
use of force on a legally standing political party. The letter also
called on the authorities not to interfere in the political party's
routine activities and to allow freedom of movement to NLD party
members. It has been reported that over 30 SPDC riot police are still
occupying the NLD headquarters and the Military Intelligence
personnel are said to be still searching for documents and other
evidence. Furthermore, NLD members from various states and divisions
are also prevented from going to Rangoon. [end recording]
____________________________________________________
South China Morning Post: Rulers announce opposition defections
Wednesday, September 6, 2000 Updated at 12.40 pm:
Burma's military rulers intensified their campaign against Aung San
Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement, announcing on Wednesday that 24
members of her party have deserted her. State-run newspapers
reported that the members resigned from the National League for
Democracy party in Mandalay, Burma's second largest city, and an
important constituency for Ms Suu Kyi.
The New Light of Burma daily said the resignations were submitted to
the Election Commission in March. But making the news public now
indicated that the government wants to convey the impression that Ms
Suu Kyi's movement is losing popular support as it falls under
increasing restrictions by security forces.
The resignations could not be immediately confirmed as NLD's offices
and headquarters have been shut down since Saturday by the
government, which accused the part of links with terrorists.
NLD's top nine leaders including Ms Suu Kyi, 55, are under virtual
house arrest and their telephone lines have been disconnected. No one
is allowed in or out, and guards are posted outside the gates of
their homes.
Burma's authoritarian government has kept the NLD on a tight leash
since 1988 when Ms Suu Kyi led pro-democracy demonstrations. The
military government allowed national elections in 1990 but refused to
honour the results when the NLD won a landslide. Ms Suu Kyi was
awarded the 1991 Nobel peace prize for her work.
Ms Suu Kyi's latest confrontation began on August 24 when security
forces blocked her vehicle as she tried to drive out of Rangoon to
the countryside for party work. She camped out in the open for nine
days before being forcibly returned to Rangoon.
In the following days, the state press lunched blistering attacks on
her and the NLD. The government has ignored international
condemnation and accused the West of meddling its affairs.
In comments published on Tuesday, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, the
head of military intelligence, said ''two Western countries''
are ''creating unrest in the country by agitating a handful of
disruptive and subversionist groups''.
The government has also been irked by British ambassador John
Jenkins' attempt to go to the house of one of the NLD leaders, Tin
Oo, over the weekend.
A government statement said on Tuesday that Mr Jenkins had
overstepped ''universal diplomatic norms''.
''It is difficult to understand why a foreign ambassador was so
adamant to intrude into the internal affairs of an independent and
sovereign nation,'' it said.
The government says the restrictions on the NLD are an internal
affair, and that most Burmese people support it.
In the past, the government media have frequently reported
resignations from the NLD, but the party dismisses the reports as
propaganda.
The latest resignations in Mandalay were apparently of ordinary
members and not elected representatives. In the 1990 elections, the
NLD won 392 of the 485 seats at stake.
The Election Commission, however, says the victories of only 109 NLD
candidates remain valid as the rest have either resigned or were
disqualified, or have died or are in exile.
Ms Suu Kyi does not accept the disqualifications or the resignations.
The government has also detained a number of elected representatives.
According to official figures more than 60,000 ordinary party members
had resigned so far, a figure disputed by Ms Suu Kyi who says the
resignations were forced under coercion.
____________________________________________________
The Myanmar Times (SPDC): NLD disruptive says Govt
September 4-10 ,2000, Volume 2, No.27
FOREIGN governments with an interest in Myanmar's wellbeing should
encourage the National League for Democracy (NLD) to positively
engage in the nation's future, rather than heed the calls of its
leader for the country to be internationally isolated, according to
the Government. In a series of statements issued last week in
response to the situation in Dala û where NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and supporters were continuing their impasse with authorities û
the Government said the NLD's activities were damaging the country.
The Government "urges the international community to encourage the
NLD to become a responsible and constructive force in the Myanmar
community and to contribute and participate meaningfully in our
transition to a democracy," the Government said. "The Government of
Myanmar is striving to be a flourishing member of the international
community, anchor of regional stability and a source of opportunity
for global economic development." This is certainly time for the NLD
to cooperate in a responsible and meaningful way in the march towards
the national goal, instead of flashing symbolic gestures designed
merely to attract attention."Regretfully, Daw Su Kyi's insistence on
foreign governments to impose economic sanctions and trade boycotts
have resulted in having a number of foreign investors pull out of
Myanmar.
"Although the party claims to be promoting human rights, in reality
the rights of the people of Myanmar to enjoy a better and fuller life
have been violated by the very same people." Unfortunately, some of
the western media and governments have continued portraying Daw Su
Kyi as a person who is supported by all the Myanmar people. The
Government said it had "requested Daw Su Kyi not to travel beyond
Dala at this time" but that she and her supporters were free to
return to Yangon whenever they wished.Its press statements named and
quoted various Dala residents - including a student, a tea-shop owner
and a public servant - who said the NLD's strategy was disruptive.
____________________________________________________
SHAN: Kokangs Moving To Shan-Burma Border
7 September 2000
Are Chinese coming along too?
Reporter: Saeng Khao Haeng
While the Was are preparing to move yet another wave of resettlers
from the Chinese border to the Thai border, Kokangs, the Was'
neighbors in the north, appear to be set on moving 800 families
towards the border between Shan State and Burma proper, sources in
northern Shan State told S.H.A.N. recently.
On 21 June, an unidentified official from Peng Jiasheng's faction of
Kokang met with local government surveyors in Nawngkhio, Kyawkme
District, northern Shan State and requested them to set apart 1,000
acres of land near the village of Yewun, between Banbway and Ohn-
mati for 800 families from Lao-Kai and Chinshwehaw, Special Region
No.1 (Kokang). He said Lt-Gen Khin Ntyunt, Secretary 1, had already
approved the project.
Sources told S.H.A.N. although official policy was to
encourage "development of fallow land", there were several instances
where cultivated land from the local people was arbitrarily taken.
No figures were available.
It was also predicted that Chinese nationals, at least 15-20%.,
would mingle with the Kokang resettlers who are of Chinese origin,
although they speak a distinct dialect of their own. (Kokang
means "9 village headmen". There is another area in Kengtung called
Petkang "8 village headmen".) "It will be different with the Wa
resettlement project only in scale," said a source.
There are already 500 plus families living southeast of Nawngkhio who
were displaced by the internecine war between Yang and Peng clans
that broke out on 29 November 1992.
Another two hundred families are to be found along the Thai border,
said sources.
Resettlement of poppy growers to non-poppy growing areas is included
in the 1998 master-plan of SCOPE (Strategy for Coca and Poppy
Elimination) that aims to eradicate drug-linked crops by the year
2008.
However, it is feared that the planned movement shall only result in
the so-called balloon effect (drug-linked crop cultivation in
previously untouched areas) that SCOPE seeks to prevent, given the
situation in Burma, said observers in Thailand.
Kokang is due to be declared drug-free sometime this year, according
to the New Light of Myanmar, 23 July issue.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: US rebukes Myanmar for "ridiculous" claims
WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday accused
Myanmar of concocting a "ridiculous" misinformation campaign to
obscure what it described as the blatant violation of opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi's human rights.
US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called on the junta to
release the democracy figurehead and her colleagues from effective
house arrest following her roadside standoff with security forces.
"The Burmese government now claims that American and British
diplomats somehow orchestrated recent events in order to embarrass
the regime," Boucher said in a statement.
"This is a self-serving fabrication. It represents a cynical attempt
by Burmese authorities to deflect attention away from its blatant
violation of Aung San Suu Kyi's human rights."
"We reject these ridiculous claims and call upon the Burmese
government to end its policy of misinformation," he added.
The US statement came after Myanmar's junta charged that the global
media was collaborating to conduct a synchronized campaign against
the Yangon regime.
"It is no secret that a negative media campaign against the
government of Myanmar has been tailored to coincide with several
important events such as the UN Millennium Summit," it said.
The official New Light of Myanmar newspaper meanwhile claimed that
Aung San Suu Kyi was a neo-colonialist stooge being confined for her
own safety.
US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair
blasted Myanmar's junta Wednesday at the UN Millennium Summit over
the affair.
Blair called Aung San Suu Kyi's treatment a "disgrace," while
Clinton likened the situation in Myanmar -- formerly Burma -- to
those in Serbia and Iraq, where human rights and democracy were also
under siege.
In its statement, the junta dismissed the allegations by Blair,
Clinton and others that Aung San Suu Kyi's rights were being
suppressed, saying that such allegations were "groundless" and "blown
out of proportion."
Myanmar authorities raided the National League for Democracy (NLD)
headquarters and seized what they called "incriminatory material" and
documents early Saturday, just before they officially announced that
a nine-day showdown between Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta was over.
The Nobel peace laureate and a dozen NLD members had been camped out
in their cars on the outskirts of Yangon since August 24 when they
were blocked from travelling to a party meeting outside the capital.
The NLD won a landslide general election victory in 1990, but the
junta has never recognised the result and is accused by foreign
critics and human rights groups of severe repression of opponents.
Myanmar's Foreign Minister Win Aung meanwhile used a speech to the
UN millennium summit to issue a veiled attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and
her Western allies.
He said Myanmar's military rulers had worked hard to seal peace
deals with the country's myriad ethnic groups and was committed to an
eventual transfer to democracy.
"The government is taking a constructive path while opposing forces
are embarking on a path of destruction," he said.
"Confrontational and destructive actions could only impede the
process of democratization of our country."
AFP: European parliament demands freedom of movement for Aung San Suu
Kyi
STRASBOURG, Sept 7 (AFP) - The European parliament on Thursday called
on the Myanmar authorities to grant opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi and all citizens of the country "immediate freedom of movement."
The Nobel laureate and leader of the opposition National League for
Democracy (NLD) has been detained by authorities in Yangon since
Saturday.
In a resolution voted in Strasbourg, the parliament said
it "unreservedly condemns the attacks on freedom of movement, speech
or assembly" of Aung San Suu Kyi as well as "intimidations directed
at her and threats to members of the NDL".
The text calls on the European Commission, the executive body of the
European Union, and its top representative for common EU security,
Javier Solana, to "intensify efforts to meet Aung Sun Suu Kyi."
AFP: Canada calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi
OTTAWA, Sept 8 (AFP) - Canada called on Myanmar to release detained
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rejecting Yangon's claim that the
Nobel laureate's political party is involved in terrorist activities.
In a statement issued Thursday, Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy said
that "Canada demands that Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party
be released and permitted to meet with diplomatic representatives."
The statement noted that the ruling junta in Myanmar had "alleged
that members of Aung San Suu Kyi's party are involved in terrorist
activities," and added, "we categorically reject allegations."
Myanmar has come under fire during the ongoing United Nations
Millennium Summit for its treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD
leaders from the United States, Britain and other world leaders.
The Nobel peace laureate and a dozen NLD members had been camped out
in their cars on the outskirts of Yangon since August 24 when they
were blocked from traveling to a party meeting outside the capital.
The NLD won a landslide general election victory in 1990, but the
junta has never recognized the result and is accused by foreign
critics and human rights groups of severe repression of opponents.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
Reuters: Unocal cleared of human rights liability in Myanmar
By Jill Serjeant
LOS ANGELES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - A Federal judge has cleared Unocal
Corp., one of the largest remaining U.S. investors in Myanmar, of
responsibility for alleged human rights abuses during the
construction of a $1.3 billion pipeline in the southeast Asian
nation.
Unocal (UCL.N) on Thursday hailed the decision as long-overdue
vindication but human rights groups vowed to appeal to the Supreme
Counrt if necessary. Some experts saw the ruling --- handed down last
Friday -- as a setback for activists opposed to Myanmar's military
government.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Lew dismissed the case brought by
15 Burmese villagers in 1996. They had sought to hold El Segundo,
Calif.-based Unocal liable for the use of forced labour, torture and
other crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Myanmar
military regime during the pipeline project.
``We are extremely pleased with the court's ruling. We have gone
through four years of intense investigation,'' said Unocal spokesman
Barry Lane.
``Finally the federal court has ruled that there is no evidence of
any Unocal participation in human rights abuses in Myanmar. We are
proud of our involvement in the project and the benefits it has
brought,'' said Lane.
The pipeline, which takes offshore natural gas on a 60-mile (96 km)
stretch through Burma to Thailand, was completed in 1998 and is
already in production.
However lawyers for the villagers, who say they were either forced
by the Myanmar military to work on the project or were terrorised for
not doing so, said they would appeal and predicted the case could end
up in the Supreme Court.
``This is the type of case that could end up in the Supreme Court
because of the issues involved,'' said Dan Stormer, one of the
lawyers representing the villagers.
``We are disappointed at the judge's ruling. But what was very
heartening was the judge's finding that Unocal knew of these
atrocities but continued to fund the pipeline being very well
aware that the foundation of this project was terrorism,'' Stormer
added.
Several reports by the United Nations and human rights watchdogs
said that forced labour was imposed on the civilian population of
Myanmar for portering, building and maintenance of military camps,
roads, railways and bridges.
Lane said Unocal did not dispute the assertion that it was aware
that human rights abuses were being committed by the host government
during the pipeline project.
Judge Lew however ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to prove that
the oil company had conspired with the military or controlled
military decisions or sought to employ forced labour for the project.
``We argued that we cannot be held responsible for the actions of
the (Myanmar) government any more than if we invested in Los Angeles
and were held responsible for the actions of the Los Angeles
police,'' said Lane.
Stormer said he was confident the plaintiffs would eventually win
the case. An appeal is being filed and a separate case in state court
claiming unfair competition is also planned.
``We are very confident we will prevail. Essentially this judge's
finding is that they (Unocal) relied upon acts of terrorism as the
foundation for this profit-making venture,'' he said.
``These are flesh and blood human beings whose lives were ruined,
whose child was killed, who were raped, whose family members have
been murdered. I want something done on behalf of these people,''
Stormer added.
Xinhua: Burma border trade zone opened in Yunnan
September 6, 2000
Kunming, 28th August: The Jiegao Border Trade Zone was set up today
at the Dai-Jingpo
Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The aim of the move is to open an outlet to Southeast Asia, promote
border trade and expand economic and trade cooperation with south
and southeast Asian countries.
Jiegao is an important trading port on the China-Myanmar [Burma]
border. It handles half of the trade volume in Yunnan annually. The
trade zone covers 1.92 sq.km. It has four districts catering to
commerce and trade, processing, tourism and warehouses.
Yunnan strives to turn the border trade zone into an investment
centre and a cross-border sightseeing area in three to five years.
_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________
Maritime Union of Australia: Maritime Workers call for release of
Burmese leaders
Media Release (7/9/00)
Protest in Canberra , Friday 8th
National Secretary John Coombs has condemned the recent house arrest
of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and parliamentarians in
Rangoon. The Nobel Laureate and leader of National League for
Democracy is being held armed guard in her home. . NLD won an 82 per
cent majority in the 1990 elections, but the military refused her
party to take government .
"The military junta in Rangoon makes the likes of Fijian coup leader
George Speight appear a relatively nice guy, " said MUA national
Secretary John Coombs. " We join the Burmese community in expressing
outrage over the recent crackdown."
too frightened to call for help. The australian government can not
stand back and let this abuse of human rights continue."
Meanwhile, the International Transport workres Federation and the MUA
port officials in Darwin successfully rescued 4 Burmese crew
stranded on board two cattle boats, last week. The crew had not been
paid for four months and were made to work on shore while the boats
lay in the mud at a private berth in Darwin. The seafarers were
threatened with being taken to the local police station if they
complain about conditions .
" Accomodation on board was appalling ," said ITF Australia co-
ordiantor Trevor Charlse." Seafarers were packed into stuffy cabins
in the stifling tropical heat with no airconditioning. They were fed
a meagre ration of chicken wings and rice which they had to share
between themselves and seven Indonesian seafarers . They were forced
to work onlocal building sites."
A local member of Burmese community contacted the ITF Australia co-
ordiantor , which then launch a rescue mission. The Burmese have now
revieved $20,000 in back pay and compansation . " The crew know know
how the Burmese junta treat seafarers seeking outside help, said Mr
Coombs. " They fear returning to their homeland. It is not just
democracy leaders that are imprisoned and tortured in Burma, but
workers and unionists. The Australian Government is just not doing
enough. But the union movement is closely monitoring the situation."
_____________________ OTHER ______________________
Mae Sot English Programme: Volunteer Positions on the Thai-Burma
border
September 8, 2000
'The Mae Sot ESL programme is a new education programme set up to
help students on the Thai-Burma border. It works with a variety of
groups and provides them with an opportunity to further their English
Language skills for use in communicating to the international
community.
Volunteers are constantly needed and must be able to commit
themselves for a period of not less than three months. Accommodation,
monthly food allowance, and visa extension is provided.
People who are interested can view the website at
http://geocities.com/mesotesl or can contact me via email at
maesotel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Co-ordinator
Mae Sot ESL Programme
____________________________________________________
________________
The BurmaNet News is an Internet newspaper providing comprehensive
coverage of news and opinion on Burma (Myanmar) from around the
world. If you see something on Burma, you can bring it to our
attention by emailing it to strider@xxxxxxx
For a subscription to Burma's only free daily newspaper, write to:
strider@xxxxxxx
You can also contact BurmaNet by phone or fax:
Voice mail or fax (US) +1(202) 318-1261
You will be prompted to press 1 for a voice message or 2 to send a
fax. If you do neither, a fax tone will begin automatically.
Fax (Japan) +81 (3) 4512-8143
________________
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
theburmanetnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx