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BurmaNet News: September 19, 2000
- Subject: BurmaNet News: September 19, 2000
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 12:00:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
_________September 19, 2000 Issue # 1623__________
INSIDE BURMA _______
DVB: Government dismisses 17 officers loyal to ousted navy commander
*Assistance Assoc of Political Prisoners: The Use of Prisoners as Forced
Porters and Labor by the Military Junta in Burma
*DVB : Growing dissatisfaction within Burmese navy
*DVB : Burma frees Chinese prisoners to mark 50th anniversary of
diplomatic ties
*SHAN: Shan constitutional meet opts for federal system
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Albright pushes Asian FMs on Myanmar's treatment of Aung San Suu
Kyi
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*The Vancouver Sun: Smart Money
*Xinhua: China Eximbank Helps Fund Myanmar power station
OPINION/EDITORIALS _______
*The Irrawaddy: Time for Soul Searching
*SPDC: [Response to NLD accusations of forced labor] --Announcements
concerning charges of forced labour and forced relocation
*ICFTU: Election of Burmese official as Chair of major UN Committee a
?slap in the face for human and union rights? says global union
The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
DVB: Government dismisses 17 officers loyal to ousted navy commander
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
September 19, 2000
Government dismisses 17 officers loyal to ousted navy commander
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 17 Sep 00
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 17th September
The Office of the Commander in Chief of the Defence Services issued a
notification on 28th August regarding the dismissal of Vice-Adm Nyunt
Thein [former navy commander in chief] by the SPDC [State Peace and
Development Council] and distributed it to the 12 military commands. DVB
[Democratic Voice of Burma] correspondent Myint Maung Maung filed this
report.
[Myint Maung Maung] Reliable sources said that the first part of the
notification stated that Navy Commander-in-Chief Vice-Adm Nyunt Thein
was retired from his position and responsibilities due to health reason.
The second part confirmed that Navy Chief of Staff Rear Adm Kyi Min was
appointed as navy commander in chief. The last part noted that Navy Capt
Thein Soe, General Staff officer of the navy, has been appointed as the
new navy chief of staff.
On 11th September the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the defence
services dismissed 17 navy officers from the Navy Commander-in-Chief's
Office without any notification. The dismissed navy officers included
four navy captains - naval base commanders, six commanders - vice naval
base commanders, and seven lieutenant commanders - heads of division.
The dismissed officers are currently on active duty and they are all
between 48-55 years of age. It has become a tradition of the BSPP [Burma
Socialist Programme Party], SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration
Council], and SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] military
governments, that any subordinate or junior officer who is known to be
loyal to any army, navy, or air force commander-in-chief or any cabinet
minister who is dismissed is sacked without reason while on active duty.
____________________________________________________
Assistance Assoc of Political Prisoners: The Use of Prisoners as Forced
Porters and Labor by the Military Junta in Burma
September 19, 2000
[Excerpt]
Burma became a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in
1955. Members, who have ratified the convention, are required to obey
the ILO "Convention on Forced Labor, Article No. 29," in which they
agree to "suppress the use of forced labor or compulsory labor in all
its forms within the shortest possible period." The Convention's
definition of forced labor is "all work or service which is exacted from
any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said
person has not offered himself (or herself) voluntarily."
Although the ILO Committee of Experts for the Application of
Conventions and Recommendations has given attention to the issue of
forced labor since 1964, Burma's military junta has failed to implement
the Convention, despite having ratified it in 1955. In fact they have
violated the convention numerous times.
After the military coup in 1988, the number of prisoners has
drastically increased. Before 1988, there were approximately 40,000
prisoners in Burmese prisons. After 1988, the number rose to about
60,000 with an additional 20,000 in labor camps for a total of 80,000.
Of the entire prison population, over 2,500 are political prisoners.
There are 36 prisons in Burma and over 20 of them detain political
prisoners. In all prisons, numerous violations of human dignity and
brutal harassment occur. However, the worst situation for laborers is
in labor camps and military bases where prisoners are forced to work.
There are over 21 labor camps, such as: Kabaw valley (Western Burma),
Taungzun/ Motplin Quarry (Mon state), Tuntay camp (near Rangoon),
Bokpyin camp(Tenasserim Division), and three won saung or military
porter camps (according to the Human Rights Yearbook 1998-99 by the
Human Rights Documentation Unit, there are six, but we only know the
location of only three camps ). The three won saung camps known to the
AAPP are located in the southeastern military regional command: in Hpa-
an, capital of the Karen State; Myaine Ka lay township, Karen State; and
Loikaw, capital of the Kaya State.
____________________________________________________
DVB : Growing dissatisfaction within Burmese navy
Opposition radio reports on growing dissatisfaction within Burmese navy
Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 12th September
DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has received reports that many naval
officers are dissatisfied with the sacking of Vice-Adm Nyunt Thein as
navy commander in chief. Although the SPDC [State Peace and Development
Council] Information Committee issued an official announcement on 17th
August regarding the dismissal of Vice-Adm Nyunt Thein, they did not
provide any reason. DVB has found out that many naval officers who are
dissatisfied with the sacking of their chief have submitted their
resignations.
According to latest reports, the War Office has rejected all these
resignations. Internal sources has confirmed that many naval officers
are also disgruntled about the influence of the army in the Burmese
Defence Services. Although the military hierarchy has pledged to
increase the number of naval personnel from the present 5,000, so far
nothing has been done to this day. The naval officers are also
displeased with the way army officers are taking over their authority in
Burmese waters in collusion with smugglers and bandits. The rising
tensions between the army and the navy led to some shooting incidents
near the Tenasserim Division offshore.
Another matter of concern for the naval officers was that machinery
bought for the navy were all second-hand. The 10 naval vessels purchased
from China a few years ago are now unserviceable and only two are usable
from another purchase of six vessels. This report was filed by DVB
correspondent Sai Tin Oo.
____________________________________________________
DVB : Burma frees Chinese prisoners to mark 50th anniversary of
diplomatic ties
Text of report by correspondent Kyaw Sein Aung; broadcast by Burmese
opposition radio on 13th September
DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has learned that about 60 Chinese
prisoners who were arrested for various criminal activities in Burma
were granted amnesty and released on 2nd September. Fifty-seven Chinese
prisoners from Myitkyina Jail in Kachin State were transferred at the
Chinese border near Kadon region in Waingmaw Township.
This is the second time that Chinese prisoners have been released before
their terms are up. The first 135 Chinese prisoners were released from
Bhamo Jail on 14th August. DVB has learned that about 80 Chinese
prisoners from Insein Central Jail and Mandalay Prison are to be
released this month. They will be transferred back to China via Mu-se
border town. The Chinese prisoners were granted amnesty and released to
mark the 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between China and Burma. The majority of Chinese
prisoners were detained for their crimes committed in smuggling timber
and jade, and drugs trafficking. Some were detained for illegal entry.
Most were arrested in the Kachin State.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 12 Sep 00
____________________________________________________
SHAN: Shan constitutional meet opts for federal system
12 September 2000
No: 9-9
Shan constitutional meet opts for federal system
A 3-day constitutional consultation conference held at a border province
recently had settled upon a federal system for the Shan State,
S.H.A.N.'s correspondents reported.
Shan State Constitutional Consultation, as it was called, convened on
8-11 September and participated by 50 representatives and observers
agreed on Sunday on a federal form of government for the multi-ethnic
Shan State.
The meeting also elected a drafting commission led by Sao Sengsuk,
retired commander in-chief of the Shan State Army and regarded as "the
real leader" of the exiled Shan Democratic Union. Also presented at the
conference were Mahasang of Wa National Organization, Sao Ood Kesi and
Awntern of Yawdserk's Shan State Army, Hkun Okker of Pa-o People's
Liberation Organization, Mai Ai Phong of Palaung State Liberation Front
and Sai Htoon of Shan Democratic Union.
On the issue of whether the Federated Shan States as it would be
provisionally known, would continue to be part of the "federal Union of
Burma" as proposed by Burma's opposition in general, Chao Tzang
Yawnghwe, well known and well respected Shan academic, replied it was
not out of the question and the draft constitution needed to provide an
answer for it "such as the reaffirmation of the 1947 Panglong
Agreement" that promised right of autonomy, democracy, human rights and
"financial autonomy" as a condition.
"But the immediate issue is to decide upon a framework under which all
the ethnic groups of Shan State can live peacefully and happily
together." Hkun Okker also agreed. "We have to think not only about the
future but also to establish a common principle for our present unity."
The conference was sponsored by the National Reconciliation Program, a
group based in Canada.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: Albright pushes Asian FMs on Myanmar's treatment of Aung San Suu
Kyi
NEW YORK, Sept 18 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
pressed foreign ministers and top officials from 17 Asian countries to
continue to push Myanmar's military leaders to restore the political
rights of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"The secretary was quite clear today in saying there needs to be
continued vigilance by all and that the situation is not the way it
should be," a senior State Department official said after the meeting,
to which Myanmar was pointedly not invited.
Aung San Suu Kyi and the other members her National League for
Democracy (NLD) were placed under virtual house arrest on September 2,
after she and other NLD leaders tried to attend a party meeting outside
the capital. This triggered a roadside standoff with the junta in
which the NLD leaders remained camped by their cars for nine days
before being taken back to the capital by security officials.
Last Thursday, though, Yangon announced the house arrests had been
lifted after very public condemnations of their actions by US President
Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the UN Millenium
Summit. The State Department official said Washington believed that
the pressure brought to bear on the junta had been "helpful in seeing
some restoration of rights of Aung San Suu Kyi" and defended to
decision to snub Myanmar from the Albright meeing.
"We don't have a political relationship with this goverment," the
official said. "We don't see it as useful. We don't see any particular
point in trying to have a meeting with the foreign minister."
Monday's meeting, hosted by Albright, was attended by representatives
of Australia, Brunei, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, North
Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
In addition, representatives from Russia and Canada were also
present.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
The Vancouver Sun: Smart Money
September 19, 2000
Nortel Networks, the darling of the Toronto Stock Exchange, is back in
favour with ethical investors after selling its interest in Telrad, an
Israeli company that does business with Burma.
As a result of the sale, Michael Jantzi Research Associates, a
Toronto-based ethical investment screening agency, has removed
''international concern'' from its profile of Nortel.
Nortel says it has also obtained assurances that no new contracts for
Nortel Networks equipment will be entered into by Telrad in Burma, an
international pariah because of human rights abuses.
____________________________________________________
Xinhua: China Eximbank Helps Fund Myanmar power station
Kunming, 19 September 2000. The Export-Import
Bank of China (Eximbank) has signed an agreement with Myanmar's
state-run electric power company to approve 1 billion yuan (120 million
US dollars) worth of export seller's loan to help it build a gigantic
power station.
The loan undertaken between the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise and
the Yunnan Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Co. (YMEC) in
southwest China's Yunnan Province is the largest export seller's credit
the Eximbank has issued to the midwest region.
Yang Zilin, governor of the bank, said the loan was approved to support
Yunnan's exports.
YMEC is a supplier of power-generating equipment for the Panglang
Hydro-electric Station, which is the largest hydro-power project in
Myanmar.
Prior to this, Eximbank has approved 60 million yuan (7.2 million US
dollars) of loans for the project.
To be installed with 280,000 kilowatts of generating capacity, the
Panglang power station will be responsible for one-third of the
electricity supplied to Myanmar when it is commissioned in 2003.
A 160 million-US dollar contract was clinched by the YMEC with the
Myanmar power enterprise in 1998 to become its machinery supplier. It
was China's largest export of complete sets of hydro-power equipment to
southeast Asian countries, and also Yunnan's largest foreign trade
project.
_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________
The Irrawaddy: Time for Soul Searching
Vol.8 No.8 - August, 2000
After 12 years of fighting in vain to bring down BurmaÆs military junta,
now known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the exiled
Burmese democracy movement finds itself in disarray. There are growing
signs of a lack of motivation and frustration among Burmese activists
and dissidents in exile, particularly in Thailand. Political opportunism
and favoritism within the movement are a further cause of concern.
A lack of leadership and infighting among dissidents in exile are also
serious obstacles for Burmese seeking to achieve the ultimate goal of
restoring peace and democracy to Burma.
Analysts and some dissidents now say that it is time to eradicate the
"virus" that has long sapped the strength of the democracy movement. A
revolution within the revolution may indeed be imminent.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of the
government in exile, the National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma (NCGUB). Ten years ago, a group of elected parliamentarians held
clandestine meetings in Mandalay, the former capital of Burma, where
they decided to form a parallel government in exile. The reason: the
generals refused to acknowledge the outcome of the 1990 general
elections.
At Manerplaw, the former stronghold of Karen rebels, the NCGUB was
formed. Dr Sein Win, who happened to be Daw Aung San Suu KyiÆs cousin,
has led this government in exile ever since. However, the NCGUB, which
now has its headquarters in Washington, DC, enjoys little support either
at home or abroad.
Dr Sein Win, a former professor, is regarded as "sincere" but lacking in
charisma, political shrewdness and the ability to lead the exiled
movement. The Prime Minister is little known among ordinary Burmese.
Ten years after its inception in the jungles of the Thai-Burma border,
very few people know much about the past and present activities of the
NCGUB, which claims to be working for the people of Burma.
Moreover, activists in exile now complain about the lack of transparency
and accountability within the NCGUB. Since its formation, the NCGUB has
received a fairly large amount of funding from various international
agencies and western governments. But so far, it has not made any
attempt to disclose how these funds are being used or what programs and
projects it has implemented.
Questions have been raised: What are the NCGUBÆs projects? What are its
achievements over the past ten years? And how effective has its
international campaign to raise awareness about Burma been?
Reform and a thorough shake-up of the NCGUB and its related agencies in
Thailand, India, and most especially Europe and North America are
urgently needed. It is also time to re-evaluate its projects and the
numerous seminars that have been organized by exiled groups. Have any of
these projects and seminars achieved their stated objectives? If not,
what are the reasons for this?
We all know that NCGUB ministers have received annual funding from
various foundations for their projects. There is nothing wrong with
this, as long as these funds are being used as intended and the projects
being implemented are cost effective.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Burmese people need as much aid
and international assistance as the world has to offer. Hundreds of
thousands of refugees have fled and continue to flee across BurmaÆs
borders with Thailand, Bangladesh, India and China in a desperate bid to
find some measure of security, while thousands of democracy activists in
exile struggle to further their education so that they can contribute to
their countryÆs future. Their survival is almost entirely decided by the
availability of international aid.
But too often, despite the abundance of money that has been given in
support of the Burmese democracy cause, potential donors overlook young,
talented and committed activists for the simple reason that they lack
connections within the pro-democracy "establishment." Ethnic groups,
including Shan, Karen, Karenni, Mon and Kachin, are particularly
neglected for this reason, and are worthy of far more support than they
have been receiving.
It is time for the NCGUB and its associates to embrace or at least stop
opposing ideas proposed by people outside of their narrow clique, and
for donors to start looking beyond the NCGUB in their search for worthy
causes to support. This may mean less money for the NCGUB and more work
for donors, but in the long run it will certainly be worth it for all
those whose first and foremost concern is to promote democracy in Burma.
Since 1988, the issues surrounding the Burmese pro-democracy movement
have grown considerably murkier, as it can no longer be presumed that
everyone who professes democracy and despises the thugs who rule in
Rangoon is genuinely motivated by a desire for change in Burma.
The discovery of the "aid business" has bred complacency in some
activists, who feel that writing neat and attractive proposals is enough
of a struggle for them, without having to do the hard work of actually
committing to the success of their projects. Vested interests have also
emerged, turning funding into a form of leverage that can be used by
rival leaders to ensure the loyalty of their supporters. In short, aid
can become, under some circumstances, almost as much of a scourge as
Aids, infecting the minds of activists.
As an independent media group that has been reporting on Burma issues
for several years, The Irrawaddy believes that it is crucial for Burmese
dissidents and donors to begin to address these issues.
Before it can hope to beat the junta or persuade the stubborn generals
to come to the negotiating table, the opposition in exile needs to do
some serious soul-searching. It is time for Burmese dissidents to shed
the weight of ineffective policies and infuse the movement with new
ideas if they wish to carry the ideals so many have died for into the
next century.
____________________________________________________
SPDC: [Response to NLD accusations of forced labor] --Announcements
concerning charges of forced labour and forced relocation
Allegations
[Posted on on the Myanmar@xxxxxxxxxxx email list on September 17.]
The NLD announcement No. 6 (1/00) dated 14-1-2000 alleged that in
Katha Township, Sagaing Division, the people of wards and villages were
forced to contribute labour in repairing the main road; that
authorities forced them to collect gravel from places about 2 miles
away from Katha and unload them along the road to town; that those who
could not contribute labour had to pay 250 to 400 kyats per household
to the Ward Peace and Development Council; that motor vehicle owners
had to pay at the rate of 5,000 kyats per car to the authorities; that
each trawler-G had to carry 2 pits of gravel free of charge and that
the owners had to repair their trawlers-G at own expense; that every 3
horse-carts had to carry one pit of gravel; and that each Myoma ward or
village-tract was forced to contribute labour to fulfill a quota of 24
pits of gravel each.
Fact
The Forest Department contributed 3 million kyats to repair the old
main road in Katha Township. To upgrade the road from the entrance to
the centre of the town which is 3 miles long, the district and township
aurhorities held a coordination meeting with the Public Works,
Development Affairs Department, etc. that could provide machinery and
technical assistance as well as with town elders, industrialists,
traders, vehicle owners and entrepreneurs. In accordance with the
unanimous decision arrived at, the road repairing project was
implemented for keeping the town pleasant and beautiful. Our of the
fund, 2.5 million kyats was designated for road paving and 0.5 million
kyats was meant for labour charges in collecting the gravel.
Those wards and villages were paid 200 to 500 kyats per pit depending
on the distance for collecting the gravel. As regards transportation,
owners of vehicles, horse-carts and bullock-carts were public spirited
enough to enthusiastically contribute voluntary service for the purpose
of raising the standard of their town. Machinery and technical
assistance were provided by Public Works and Development Affairs
Department. Food assistance was provided by town elders. As stated
above the concept of æself-helpÆ is considered a virtue and a moral
obligation in Myanmar tradition. There is always a ready response to
calls for community service and donations. It is always voluntary and
no force or threats have ever been necessary. Hence, the accusations
made by the NLD are without foundation.
Allegations
The NLD announcement No. 60(4/00) dated 27-4-2000 mentioned that in
Bagan-Nyaung U Township, Mandalay Division, villagers of Sipintha,
Ayadaw, Taungbi Ywama, Taungbi Ywathit, Taungbi Uyin and Theyakyaung
villages were forced to contribute labour in building a dam at Sadaw
(Sayadaw) Pond to provide water for irrigating cultivated fields; but
that it was a futile effort because the the soil around there was stony
and not arable; that there are over 1500 households at those villages
and each household had to dig 2 pits of earth for building an
embankment in addition to laying earth to build a road to enable
authorities to travel to the dam; that the villagers were busy at the
time, tilling their land and preparing for the cultivation season;
similarly toddy farmers were also occupied with their tasks; and that
they however were forced to set aside their work, to toil on government
projects.
Fact
In Nyaung U Township, ponds and tanks are being constructed for
promoting rural area development and they include Sipintha Pond of the
four Taungbi village-tract and Nyaungnikyin Pond of Nyaungnikyin
village-tract. Under the aegis of the Nyaung U District and Township
authorities, it was implemented as an irrigation project of the
Township Irrigation Department. The estimated costs were 1.191
million kyats for Sipintha Pond and 1.3 million kyats for Nyaungnikyin
Pond. These funds were provided by the State. The digging of
Sipintha Pond began on 3-4-2000 and the work is being done in two parts
- manual and mechanical. Before the arrival of the necessary
machinery from the Irrigation Department, manual work such as ground
clearing, stake driving, building steps and shoring up the embankment
were done through voluntary service contributed by about 300 villagers
each day working twice a week. Formerly, the Sipintha Pond had a water
storage of 30 acres and a watershed area of 0.5 square miles. After
completion of the project, it will have the capacity to store 200 acres
of water and a watershed area of 2.5 square miles and will be able to
supply water for 70 acres of cultivated fields. Similarly, the earth
digging of Nyaungnikyin Pond commenced on 10-2-2000 and was carried out
through volunteer labour by about 300 villagers twice a week. It is
near completion. In the past, it was used for storing drinking water.
In summer the water dries up and drinking water becomes scarce. Now,
under the supervision of the authorities, the pond has been renovated.
It is 220 feet long and 20 feet wide. The embankment is 30 feet high.
The pond can now supply water not only for domestic use but also for
cultivation purposes. The Township Irrigation Department not only
supervised but bore the construction expenditure.
The NyaungU Township is an arid region and local people and cattle
suffer from scarcity of water in summer. The Sipintha and Nyaungnikyin
ponds upgraded under the rural area development promotion programme are
of great benefit to the local populace for it has alleviated the
problem of insufficient drinking water. As the project was for
regional development and would also solve the problem of scarcity of
drinking water, the local people were eager to contribute their
services even if they were not paid any wages at all. On the day when
villagers in the vicinity came to offer their services, Township
authorities were there to give moral encouragement and doctors were
present to provide health care and medical treatment to the volunteers,
whenever necessary. Hence, the volunteers willingly contributed their
labour. As labour contribution was made only twice a week, their own
work for their livelihood was not affected. Hence, it was found that
the charges made by the NLD in its announcements are not objective
reports of the real situation.
Allegations
The NLD announcement No. 57(4/00) dated 24-4-2000 stated that
according to information received the Yangon City Development Committee
was planning to implement a water supply project in Dalla Township,
Yangon Division; that on 28-2-2000 the Township authorities called a
meeting and the Township chairman told those present that the project
would cost about 60 million kyats and hence each household was to pay
without fail 42,000 kyats i.e. - 30,000 kyats for the main pipeline,
10,000 kyats for the water supply metre and permit and 2,000 kyats for
No. (1) and No. (2) Basic Education High Schools in Dalla Township;
that a person present at the meeting raised a question on the report
that well-wishers from Japan had donated about 180 million kyats for
supplying water in Dalla Township; that the Township chairman then said,
ôDon't ask awkward questions. Have some consideration for us because
we have to give explanations to appease higher and lower levelsö and
gave no definite answer; and that, though the residents of Dalla
Township were glad of the water supply they could not afford to pay
money in the thousands when they could hardly meet their respective
needs for food, clothing and shelter.
Fact
The ceremony to hand over water supply accessories worth 64,800 US
dollars donated by the Japanese people for the Dalla Township water
supply project was held in meeting room No. (1) of the Yangon City
Development Committee on 28-1-2000. Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kazuo
Asaki signed the note and handed it over to YCDC Joint Secretary U Kyi
Win. The news was carried by daily newspapers including the City News.
The donation consisted of water pumps and compressors, not cash. The
meetings to coordinate measures for implementation of the Dalla
Township water supply project were held on 17-2-2000 and 21-2-2000
respectively at the Dalla Township Peace and Development Council
Office. Necessary committees were formed and decisions were arrived at
with regard to charges for laying pipeline and metres. On 28-2-2000,
the committees formed, met with 280 persons from Banyadalla ward who
had applied for water supply to their homes. It was explained that the
cost for laying pipelines to the houses of the applicants would cost 12
million kyats out of which, 3.6 million kyats (25%) would be borne by
the YCDC and the remaining 8.4 million kyats (75%) must be contributed
by the applicants proportionately. Accordingly, the meeting agreed to
collect 30,000 kyats for laying pipeline to the front of the house,
10,000 kyats for installing pipeline into the house together with a
permit and 2,000 kyats toward the township development fund, totalling
42,000 kyats from each applicant. The NLD announcement stated that the
project would cost about 60 million kyats and this is not true. Two
hundred and eighty persons applied to the YCDC for water supply
services and money was collected from them under the supervision of the
Township Peace and Development Council with the consent of the
applicants. No money was extorted from the public. For those who
could not afford direct water supply to their homes, public water taps
were installed and water is sold at the rate of 5 kyats per 50 gallons
by the YCDC.
Moreover, no one present at the meetings had raised the question of
cash donations from Japan. The NLD announcement regarding this matter
is pure fabrication.
The equipment donated by Japan to the Dalla Town Water Supply
Project consisted of 2 compressors, 2 water pumps and 3 underground
pumps worth a total of 64,862 US$. No cash donation was made and hence
the NLD accusation that 180 million kyats was donated is false. Apart
from the equipment donated by Japan, the YCDC has spent 93.759 million
kyats for the project. Thus, the NLD announcement shows clearly that
it cannot bear to acknowledge endeavours made by the authorities in
the interest of the people, nor the kindness and goodwill of the
Japanese people and are intent only on spreading malicious lies.
____________________________________________________
ICFTU: Election of Burmese official as Chair of major UN Committee a
?slap in the face for human and union rights? says global union
12/09/00
Brussels September 11 2000 (ICFTU OnLine 185/2000):
ôThe rewarding of Burma by giving one of its senior diplomats the Chair
of a major United Nations Committee sends the pariah regime a signal
that the UN is not concerned about the countryÆs persistent use of slave
labour, and that this can continue free from official sanction,ô said
the ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan today (September 11).
The ICFTU said that the election of Mya Than, BurmaÆs permanent
Representative to the UN in Geneva, as Chairperson of the UN General
AssemblyÆs First Committee (of Disarmament and international Security)
sends a message to the world that despite the condemnation by UN bodies,
including the UN Commission on Human Rights and the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) because of its violations of international human
rights standards, Burma has received the UNÆs official blessing.
ôWe find it extraordinary that while on the one hand a number of UN
bodies adopt strongly-worded Resolutions condemning BurmaÆs military
juntaÆs human rights record, on the other the Organisation agrees to the
election of the same regimeÆs senior official as Chairman to another
section of the UN. Does this mean that the UN ignores the
recommendations of its own bodies? Or does it mean that the Member
States, who after all elected Mr. Mya Than to the General Assembly post,
pay no attention to what they decide in other UN meetings ?ö asked the
ICFTU today.
After strong condemnation of BurmaÆs military regime at the
International Labour Conference in June, the ILO governing body is
expected to adopt a series of measures this November towards Burma,
including calling on all relevant UN agencies ôto reconsider, within
their terms of referenceà and, if appropriate, to cease as soon as
possible any activity that could have the effect of directly or
indirectly abetting the practice of forced or compulsory labourö.
The election of the Burmese representative in the same week that the
Burmese military government has been condemned internationally for its
continual harassment of The National League for Democracy, and its
leader Aung San Suu Kyi is all the more bizarre, said the ICFTU.
In addition, says the ICFTU, Mya Than cannot be considered blameless in
the military regimeÆs history of enslaving the population, as he has
held a number of senior positions in his countryÆs government.
On Wednesday, September 13, the ICFTU will be launching its Annual
Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations. In considering the situation in
Burma, the Report says ôThere are no trade union rights in Burma. The
repressive military regime cracks down ruthlessly on any independent
trade union activity. In February (1999) it launched mortar shells at a
village that was to host a trade union event on human rightsö.
The ICFTU has written to Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General stating its
strong opposition to the election of Mr Mya Than, and requesting Mr.
Annan to bring its views to the attention of all UN Member States.
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