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BurmaNet News: March 12, 2001
- Subject: BurmaNet News: March 12, 2001
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 15:18:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
March 12, 2001 Issue # 1753
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Bangkok Post: Boonrawd slams junta movements: Identifies four major
border laboratories
*TV Myanmar: Minister receives international anti human trafficking
mission
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Reuters: UNESCO honours detained Myanmar journalist Win Tin
*Bangkok Post: Thaksin tells army to use spy satellites; Surveillance
ordered to pinpoint factories
*Mizzima: Supreme Court moved for release of Burmese fishermen from
Calcutta jails
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Burma Courier: Ivanhoe Claims Crown of Environmental Respectability
*Burma Courier: Mining 'Discovery' Yields Handsome Profits to Wa Army
OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*The New Light of Myanmar: The neighbouring country
OTHER______
*BurmaNet: Correction
*Free Burma Coalition: Bob Stumberg will talk about Selective Purchasing
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Bangkok Post: Boonrawd slams junta movements: Identifies four major
border laboratories
March 12, 2001
Burma is financing its administrative and economic zone opposite Chiang
Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son with profits from drug sales to Thai
people, the army's chief-of-staff said.
Gen Boonrawd Somthas said the Burmese development plan was based on
three factors: the relocation of people, the construction of new
military bases, and the drug trade.
He said the Burmese government started the movement of up to 55,000
ethnic Wa people from areas near the Burma-China border southwards to
Mong Yawn town, near the Thai border, in November 1999.
This was continuing with 50,000 more people expected to be moved this
year. He said an estimated 200,000 people, or about 50,000 families,
were being relocated. The development of military bases and the township
of Mong Yawn required major finance, and drug sales to Thai people
provided this.
Gen Boonrawd said the United Wa State Army had a number of heroin and
methamphetamine factories near the Thai border. He identified four large
factories in Doi Laem, Doi Samsao, Mong Kid and Huay Or.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra described Burmese drug production as
"aggressive" and stressed Thais should be aware of the movement taking
advantage of them near the border.
"I see it as serious harm and would like all Thais to be aware of it.
"All their building has occurred mainly because of the money Thais pay
to buy methamphetamines.
"Drugs are damaging the brains of the young people who will run the
country in the future. I would like all Thais to join forces in the
fight to protect the future of our nation," he said.
Yuwadee Tunyasiri and Ampa Santimetaneedol
___________________________________________________
TV Myanmar: Minister receives international anti human trafficking
mission
SOURCE: TV Myanmar, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 12 Mar 01
Text of report by Burmese TV on 12 March
Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief, and
Resettlement, received a delegation of Southeast Asia Region Human
Trafficking Elimination ASEAN-Australia Project Identification Mission
led by Dr Michael Dalton at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel's Pyaysaung at
1830 local time .
Later, Maj-Gen Sein Htwa hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation at
the hotel. Also present at the dinner were Home Affairs Minister Col Tin
Hlaing, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy
Foreign Affairs Minister U Khin Maung Win, Director General of ASEAN
Affairs Department U Aye Lwin, Australian Ambassador to Myanmar Burma Mr
Trevor David Wilson, Prof Daw May May Yi, Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar
National Work Committee for Women's Affairs, MNWCWA member Dr Daw Khin
Win Shwe, responsible officials, and invited guests.
The delegation also called on Prof Daw May May Yi and Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe at the Women's Development Centre on Thanlwin Road, Kamayut
Township in Rangoon at 1030 on 9 March. Next, the delegation visited the
costume jewellery and Burmese handicraft centres, show room, weaving
loom, and the Youth Training Centre in Kyaikwaing, Mayangon Township.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
Reuters: UNESCO honours detained Myanmar journalist Win Tin
PARIS, March 12 (Reuters) - The United Nations cultural organisation
UNESCO said on Monday it had awarded its annual World Press Freedom
Prize to jailed Myanmar journalist U Win Tin.
Win Tin, a former editor of the Hanthawati newspaper and a founder
member of the opposition National League for Democracy, was jailed by
the military government in 1989 on charges of belonging to the banned
Communist Party.
He was moved to hospital in 1997, where UNESCO said he is reported to
be seriously ill.
``His prison sentence will only end in July 2008 unless he renounces
all political activities, which he refuses to do,'' UNESCO said in a
statement announcing the award. It said it hoped steps would be taken to
secure Win Tin's release.
UNESCO also expressed concern for the fate of the recipient of last
year's award, jailed Syrian journalist and human rights activist Nizar
Nayyouf.
The statement said Nayyouf, editor of Sawt al-Democratiyya, or Voice of
Democracy, was reported to be seriously ill and to have been deprived of
medical treatment.
It said the jury, which recommends who should win the press freedom
prize, had asked UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura to continue
efforts with the Syrian authorities to win Nayyouf's release on
humanitarian grounds.
2001-03-12 Mon 12:15
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: Thaksin tells army to use spy satellites; Surveillance
ordered to pinpoint factories
March 12, 2001
Army and drug enforcement authorities have been told to make full use of
satellites to spy on drug factories across the border in Burma.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the government would fund the
programme.
Methamphetamine factories would be pinpointed and extra training given
to drug agency staff to interpret information and better deal with the
problem.
He wanted to know the exact number and location of drug laboratories in
Burma, so their smuggling routes could be blocked.
At least 50 speed laboratories were believed to be scattered along the
northern border, with another 37 in the township of Mong Yawn, the
southern headquarters of the United Wa State Army.
Drug authority sources said there could be more.
The exact location of all laboratories had still not been determined.
The conference was shown slides of Mong Yawn, about 30km from Chiang
Mai's Mae Ai district, which was built with several billion baht in drug
money. The army outlined the rapid growth and development of the town
since 1998.
Mr Thaksin had asked many questions about the technology available for
combating drugs and how it could be applied, a source said.
Kitti Limchaikij, head of the Narcotics Control Board, said an improved
database was essential.
Pipop Chamniwikaipong, chief of the Narcotics Control Board's satellite
survey unit, said Thailand had been using satellite pictures since 1976,
purchased from Japan, France and the United States.
They were mainly used to survey opium cultivation in 17 northern
province.
Mr Pipop said growers would probably reap about 126 million baht from
selling raw opium this year.
Existing satellite pictures did not show the drug factories. This
information came from other intelligence sources.
About 700 million speed pills are expected to flow into Thailand from
the border factories this year, based on intelligence estimates of
production potential.
Mr Thaksin said he wanted to see evidence of sincerity from Burmese
authorities in fighting drug abuse. Anucha Charoenpo
___________________________________________________
Mizzima: Supreme Court moved for release of Burmese fishermen from
Calcutta jails
Supreme Court moved for release of Burmese fishermen from Calcutta jails
New Delhi, March 10, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
The Supreme Court of India has fixed 19th March 2001 for hearing of a
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by an Indian legal
activist, seeking action from the government of India on the continued
illegal detention of 54 Burmese fishermen who have been rotting in
Calcutta jails for about two years.
Deepak Prahladka, a Calcutta based legal activist, has recently filed a
petition in the Supreme Court, stating that the 54 Burmese fishermen,
whose immediate release was ordered by a court in 1999, are still
illegally incarcerated in two Calcutta jails in West Bengal, India.
In his petition, Deepak Prahladka stated that on the 26th July of 1997,
total 63 (9 Thai nationals and 54 Burmese) fishermen were arrested for
illegally entering Indian territorial water and detained in Calcutta
jails. They were arrested from Thai-owned fishing boats in 1997 from the
Sunderbans in West Bengal.
In September 1999, a Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate in West Bengal,
India convicted all the 63 fishermen under Section 14 of the Foreigners
Act and sentenced them to suffer Rigorous Imprisonment for two years and
also directed that the period of detention of the 63 fishermen be
computed and set off by the jail authority accordingly.
The magistrate also directed that since all the 63 fishermen have
already suffered sentence of imprisonment ordered, all of them be pushed
back and/or deported to their respective country immediately.
In view of the order, nine Thai fishermen were released from the jail
and deported to their country. However, the remaining 54 Burmese
fishermen are still illegally incarcerated in Presidency Jail and
Alipore Jail in Calcutta, West Bengal.
He further stated that illegal incarceration of the 54 Burmese fishermen
not only violates their human rights and Article 22 of the Constitution
of India but also constitutes criminal contempt of subordinate court and
also causes pecuniary loss to Indian public exchequer as the jail
authority has to feed all of them at the cost of the Indian public.
In October last year, the Burmese staged a hunger strike demanding for
their immediate release but ended on 5th day of the strike after they
were assured of early release by the Indian jail authorities and
concerned Burmese embassy representative in Calcutta Mr. P. B.
Chowdhury.
The Burmese fishermen are from various parts of Burma such as Irrawaddy
Division, Mon State, Rangoon Division and Tanensari Division.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
Burma Courier: Ivanhoe Claims Crown of Environmental Respectability
No. 261 Mar 10, 2001
Courier News Service: Updated to March 8, 2000
VANCOUVER - Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper (MICCL), the joint venture company
which operates the S & K copper mine near Monywa in Upper Burma, has
obtained ISO 14001 certification for the system of environmental
management and protection it has put into place at the recently
re-opened mine.
The ISO 14001 standard includes 21 specific requirements for areas of
management control aimed at environmental protection and the prevention
of pollution from mining operations. Audits to the standard are
conducted by independent third-party auditors, whose certification
signifies that the recipient has in place a management system that helps
to identify and resolve environmental problems and is compliant with
annual performance reviews designed to encourage continual improvement.
The certification by the International Standards Organization would
appear to indicate that MICCL is taking measures to address the
environmental mess created by a tailings spill left on the site by a
mining company owned by Burma's military government known as Mining
Enterprise No. 1. The mine was completely overhauled when Ivanhoe
Mines of Vancouver went into a joint venture with the government company
to form MICCL.
In a statement issued last November, Ivanhoe Mines advised it
shareholders that it had indemnified itself against environmental
impacts caused by the companies which had previously operated on the
site. The statement did not name its current partner as one of the
companies involved. The joint venture company, Ivanhoe said, had begun
work to reclaim the area covered by the large tailings spill created by
"earlier operations".
Chairman Robert Friendland of Ivanhoe Mines hailed the ISO certification
as a "seal of sound housekeeping" which "assures our customers and
business partners that we employ practices and programs that maximize
our environmental efforts in respect of our mining operations."
Friedland and Ivanhoe board members are currently making the rounds of
merchant banking houses and mining financiers to get the backing
necessary to fund a $US 400 million expansion that would develop a large
copper deposit adjacent to the present S & K mine the joint venture
company operates.
In related news, the Associated Press (AP) put out a news story this
week saying it had "erroneously" reported last December that Friedland
had agreed to pay $US 30 million to settle lawsuits filed by the state
of Colorado and the U.S. government in connection with environmental
damage caused by a mine at Summitville in southern Colorado. The amount
was only $US 27.75 million, the news agency said.
AP also reported that Friedland "vigorously disputed" accusations by a
number of environmental groups, including Multinational Monitor, Mining
Watch Canada and the Sierra Club "that companies with which he is
affiliated have been involved in mining disasters and exploitation of
workers overseas, or that Friedland typically severs ties with
companies that generate negative publicity".
In a reply, Joan Kuyek of Mining Watch Canada said that it was clear
that Friedland was "nit-picking" and that the environmental group stood
by its claims that mining companies named in its documentation with
which Friedland had been associated "have been involved in serious
environmental problems".
___________________________________________________
Burma Courier: Mining 'Discovery' Yields Handsome Profits to Wa Army
Based on news from the Myanmar Times, NLM and Mining Journal: March 6,
2001
KUNLONG - U Pauk Yu Chan, head of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and
its related business enterprises, wants more foreigners to come and see
for themselves the resources his people are harvesting from the Wa
hills.
A visiting delegation of "Tuesday club" business people from Rangoon was
told by the army chief cum promoter that the Was have "discovered a huge
mine containing at least nine different minerals including titanium", a
metal used in alloys in the aerospace industry.
The Wa boss said that ore from the mine had brought in eight million
dollars to the cease-fire army's business group last year. In fact, the
Wa chief said, the profits were so good that the UWSA is moving ahead on
the construction of a US$ 1.5 million refinery at the minesite. "We are
building a mineral processing plant, so that we need not sell the ore.
Better to sell the refined minerals, we should get nearly double the
money," U Pauk Yu Chan told an MTBR reporter who accompanied the group.
The mine "discovered" by the UWSA would appear to be one in the Lonhtan
area of Hopang township first exploited by British interests who began
operations there as far back as 1896. An article in the Nov 13 edition
of the New Light of Myanmar referred to "tin" as the main ore dug from
the mine at Lohntan, but "tin" may have actually been confused with
another sound-alike metal in English, "zinc".
According to the Mining Journal write-up the Wa Development General
Trading Company has been extracting smithsonite zinc from the re-opened
mine since 1998 and in 1999 mined 42,500 tonnes, grading 35%. The
MJAR said the ore was mainly sold to Thai buyers. Even at US$ 1,000 a
tonne, hardly enough to generate a six million dollar profit.
_______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________
The New Light of Myanmar: The neighbouring country
( Continued from 4-3-2001)
It would be much difficult for the Tatmadaw to attack the camps of drug
smuggling insurgents as they were located on the borderline. The
Tatmadaw had to take great care to ensure that not a single shell fired
by its forces landed across the border. The Tatmadawmen had to sacrifice
their lives as they had to encounter the enemy who were firing at them
from the higher ground. An enemy camp was contiguous with the hill where
Thai troops under the command of Maj Htanni were stationed. (Why were
the two contiguous with each other)? When Maj Htanni and his men
retreated from the hill, the Tatmadaw had to temporarily take over the
hill on account of geographical grounds and security reasons. As the
hill was located in an area where the border demarcation was hard to
distinguish, Myanmar troops while making preparations to leave the hill
were pounded by heavy weapons fired from inside the Thai territory. Many
of the Myanmar soldiers were wounded by the fire which also caused delay
to ! Myanmar troops to withdraw from the hill.
Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein met General
Htawat of Thai armed forces in Tachilek and entered into negotiations.
Maj-Gen Thein Sein explained that Myanmar troops were attacking Ywet
Sit's SURA group only. But it was clear that the Thai forces placing
Ywet Sit group in the front were firing at Myanmar troops. The Supreme
Commander of Thai Armed Forces General Surayud said that Myanmar troops
had occupied a Thai people's militia position and ordered them to leave
Thai territory by 4 pm on 10 February. Commander of No 3 Military
Command of Thailand Lt-Gen Watanachai was more aggressive. He declared
that Thailand would retaliate as Myanmar had intruded into its
territory. But in attacking Ywet Sit group Myanmar troops took into
consideration the close relations between the two nations. They also
tried to find a peaceful solution between the two armed forces.
But at 5.10 am on 11 February, some enemy forces fired on E-7 hill
contiguous to the borderline on Tachilek-Monghsat road with heavy and
small arms. As the enemy fire came from Aungzeya hillock inside Maesai,
it is obvious that the enemy could not launch attacks without the
consent of the authorities of Maesai or the authorities themselves were
shelling the rounds. Forty-eight rounds fired from Thai side landed and
exploded inside Myanmar territory, killing four Myanmar soldiers and
injuring five others. Thus, the Tatmadaw had to return the fire.
The enemy started to shell about ten rounds on civilian positions in
Tachilek. The shells which landed in Tachilek were fired not only by the
enemy but also from the Thai side. Three innocent civilians died and 15
were wounded. The shells destroyed seven houses, a monastery, a church,
three shops and three cars in Ponehton Ward.
The Thai dailies said two civilians died and seven soldiers and eight
civilians were wounded by the shells fired by Myanmar troops on Maesai.
Commander of No 3 Military Command of Thailand Lt-Gen Watanachai made
threats, saying, it was an unforgivable matter and that Thailand would
retaliate with the use of force even there might be casualties on his
side. It is surprising that Watanachai, even though a gentleman, was
speaking in such a hostile manner.
It is not that the border problems arise only at this time. It also
occurred in the past. The matter can be solved peacefully if the means
is based on friendship. When there arises a problem with a neighbouring
country, Myanmar always refers to it as " the other country" in a polite
manner. Myanmar is so gentle and flexible in exercising her active and
independent foreign policy. Myanmar will give notice to a neighbouring
country if a thief who has run away from Myanmar gets there. It will
request that country to catch the thief. But it will be difficult to
solve the problem if the neighbour itself is hand in glove with the
thief. The gentlemen from the other country have not been decisive on
Ywet Sit and his drug smuggling insurgent group.
The main cause of the present problem with the neighbouring nation is
Ywet Sit's group. Ywet Sit belonged to the MTA group of U Khun Sa and
stayed behind without laying down arms. He did not enter the legal fold,
saying as an excuse that he had to recover some debts from the sale of
opium in the neighbouring nation. Then, he continued his opium
trafficking. To hide his resort to arms and opium trafficking, he spoke
about racial matters as a pretext. He hugged the ism of murder based on
narrow racial outlook. If Myanma Tatmadaw undertakes the task for
eradication of narcotic drugs, it is a must to attack the group of Ywet
Sit. If so, the Tatmadaw will have to face those who are aiding and
abetting Ywet Sit.
Myanmar, regarding the neighbouring nation as a good one, has maintained
good relations with it. Nor does it have feelings of hostility. The
neighbouring nation has become " a public rest-house" frequented by
those who are opposing Myanmar government. But Myanmar has never aided
and abetted those who are against the neighbouring nation. In Myanmar,
the Tatmadaw had to take over power two times: in 1962 and 1988. In the
neighbouring nation, it is many times that the army staged coups. Even
in a year, there has been more than one coup. There have been abortive
coups as well. A general came running to Myanmar when he failed his coup
attempt. Like that neighbouring nation, Myanmar could have harboured him
on humanitarian grounds. Myanmar government did not accept him. Although
feeling pity, Myanmar government handed over him to the government of
that neighbouring nation.
It was about 10 years ago that a plane of L-19 type from the
neighbouring nation landed near Wanbeinn Village, Bago Township, Bago
Division, because of wrong navigation. While flying the plane from
Mesarin Camp of the neighbouring nation to Lotburi, Pilot Witsanu Rusmee
happened to arrive near Wanbeinn due to weather and wrong air traffic
route.
Myanmar could shoot down that plane very easily. Myanmar could destroy
the plane after it had landed and take action against the pilot in
accord with the immigration law. An accusation of aggression could be
made as the plane belonged to the air force. However, the L-19 planne
was brought to Yangon. The pilot was treated at the Shwe Wah Tun Hotel
as a specially-invited guest. The plane was handed over to Ambassador of
Thailand to Myanmar Mr Sura Pon Pose Yarnoot. The plane was handed over
in consideration of friendly relations of the two Tatmadaws of both
nations and mutual respect and friendship of leaders of both nations.
Myanmar asserted that it did not have any suspicion about the landing of
the plane. The ceremony to hand over the plane was attended by Military
Attach' (Army/Air) of Thailand to Myanmar Col Datmarun Sat Picharapun,
Military Attach' (Navy) Col Chuchat Ketshat Thiyin and Col Kowutrat
Sasiri of headquarters of Royal Thai Army. What a satisfactory measure!
But four months passed after the wrong landing of the plane, and an ugly
event occurred again.
Author: Tin Than Oo
___________________________________________________
The New light of Myanmar: What is called a good neighbouring nation
Tuesday, 13 March, 2001
Phyo: It's too early in the morning, Pho Kywa. what made you come here
again? I think you have something in your mind.
Khwa: Yes, Bagyi Phyo. I am seething.
Phyo: Let me know the reason why you have come.
Khwa: It's about the incidents that happened in Tachilek. I have been
reading and hearing about them recently. But the thing is, all the
preposterous news have been broadcast. Not a grain of truth in it.
Phyo: Which have been broadcasting these news? Tell me about this.
Khwa: Haven't you known about it? Thai TV is broadcasting false and
fabricated news daily. Military vehicles are shown on Thai TV. They also
say that it is the fault of our side, and that the invasion has been
made by our side. Thai women have given bouquets to soldiers from their
side. There are other things as well. I happened to see the scene of
school children hiding in the school on TV yesterday. It is a cheating
shot. The children even made faces at the TV Cameraman. Phyo: It is said
that their shells fell inside Tachilek.
Khwa: Not only did their shells fall inside Tachilek, but also the
people were hit. Buildings were damaged. Cars were hit. Altogether 15
men and women were hit, and three were killed.
Phyo: How rowdy they are! As a good neighbouring nation, we have
maintained good relations with the nations nearby. It is included in the
speech delivered by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the conclusion
ceremony of the special refresher course for basic education teachers in
Phaunggyi. The Secretary-1 said that with regard to the foreign policy
of the State, Myanmar has been pursuing independent and active foreign
policy. According to the topographical condition of Myanmar, her
experience in international relations, the changing international
condition and development trend, the principle of peaceful co-existence
with other nations and efforts for the emergence of a peaceful, modern
and developed nation, it is found that the independent and active
foreign policy is the most suitable one and so this policy is being
pursued consistently. It has been for many years that the five
principles of peaceful co-existence have been pursued with the aim of
ensuring the friendly relati! ons with other nations, especially with
neighbouring nations.
Khwa: Yes, Bagyi Phyo. We, the youth, have not known about it to that
extent. We just love our nation. Phyo: The five principles of peaceful
co-existence are: 1. mutual respect for territorial integrity and
sovereignty; 2. non-aggression: 3. non-interference in one another's
affairs; 4. equality and mutual benefit; 5. peaceful co-existence. These
are the principles our government is currently pursuing. You, the youth,
should know about it.
Khwa: It gives me a lot of knowledge speaking with you. Could you
please carry on with what you are saying?
Phyo: Not only has our nation maintained friendly relations with
neighbouring nations on the basis of these five principles of peaceful
co-existence, but it has also dealt with all the problems which arose
between the two nations, taking the attitude of making a big problem
become smaller and a small one vanish once and for all. Never has our
country aided and abetted any organisations which would pose a threat to
the neighbouring nation by letting them using our own territory. In
dealing with neighbouring nations, it has not kept any intermediary
organisations. It has not bred any runaways from their nation who will
give trouble to neighbouring nations.
Khwa: A friend of mine heard from his friend of Thai Army that their
army is inciting opium insurgent Ywet Sit, that they have provided arms
and ammunition, and that they are even assisting him in perpetrating
demolition activities inside Myanmar.
Phyo: On top of it, they have bred KNU. There are terrorist insurgents
only at the border of Thailand. You must have read articles presented
with a lot of evidence in connection with these affairs. I am not going
to elaborate on it. As our government always avoids any issue which can
have a detrimental effect on friendly relations between the two nations,
Myanmar has gained credit in this regard.
Khwa: Bagyi Phyo, there is another thing. A meeting was held at
Lwetailyan in Thailand where the headquarters of Ywet Sit's insurgents
has existed . Thai Army was running a check on all the cars on the motor
road leading to Lwetailyan Camp. They let go the cars which would go to
the meeting in Lwetailyan.
Phyo: Our nation is very magnanimous. When Moehein Operation was
launched in June 1977, our Tatmadaw seized a Thai helicopter and caught
30 Thai policemen who came there to collect extortion money at the opium
refinery. They were handed over in consideration of the friendly
relations between the two nations.
Khwa: Is that so?
Phyo: In addition, some Thai people trespassed on our territorial land
and waters and poached fish. They also smuggled timber out of the
country. Ninety eight Thai people who were doing their time in Myanmar
for poaching fish were released on 11-11-97 in view of friendly
relations between the two nations. From 1993 to 2000, Myanmar released
469 Thai prisoners. Drug criminal Lee Yun Chin (a) Paung Thet Rojana
Setsakul from Thailand who absconded to Myanmar, was caught and handed
over to Thailand on 17 May 1997.
Khwa: It means that our country took measures to eradicate narcotic
drugs and to further improve friendly relations between the two
neighbouring nations.
Author : Pho Khwa
______________________OTHER______________________
BurmaNet: Correction
The Tokyo Declaration of the International Confederation of Free Trades
Unions carried in BurmaNet (see below) contained a typo that inverted
its meaning. The statement should have said that the ICFTU ?commends?
the work of the Federation of Trades Unions, Burma (FTUB). Instead, the
statement mistakenly read as the ICFTU ?condemns? the FTUB. BurmaNet?s
policy is to issue corrections when we (all too frequently) make a
mistake but not to post corrections to other peoples? mistakes. In this
case, fortunately, the typo was not introduced by BurmaNet but was in
the statement as we received it. That said, the error was blatant
enough we should have caught the error and apologies to the FTUB and
BurmaNet readers for missing it.
Strider
****
ICFTU: Democracy for Burma and the ILO Resolution- Trade Unions in
Support"
[Abridged and corrected]
International Confederation of Free Trades Unions
28 February-1 March, 2001
The Tokyo Declaration and Plan of Action
Leaders and representatives of the international union movement met in
Tokyo from 28 February to 1st march 2001, in the context of the
Resolution on Burma adopted by the 88th ILO COnference in June 2000.
They adopted a global trade union plan of action aimed at the full
implementation of the measures contained in this historic ILO decision,
in line also with the Resolution on Burma adopted in November 2000 by
the ICFTU Executive Board..
The Conference heard reports regarding the continuation of forced
labour since the ILO Governing Body had confirmed the ILO Resolution in
November 2000. Forced labour is continuing on a widespread scale and is
accompanied by massive violations of other human rights. Men and women
of all ages are forced to work against their will, including children
and elderly people. Women are particularly at risk. Incidents of gang
rape by soldiers are frequent, and many victims have been murdered
afterwards.
Forced labour is absolutely incompatible with the establishment of
democracy. This fact is also recognized by the ILO Commission of
Inquiry report. The 1990 electoral victory of the NLD has been thwarted
by the junta. NLD leaders, when not in prison, face continuous threat
and harassment. NLD offices throughout the country have been closed.
NLD members who have been detained have suffered torture at the hands
of Military Intelligence (MI).
The Conference commends the union organizing/education work carried out
by the Federation of Trade Unions-Burma (FTUB), including its
co-operation with unions representing workers belonging to the ethnic
nationalities. The Conference calls on the international trade union
movement to strengthen material support to the FTUB so as to enable it
to increase its capacity in organizing, research and information.
The role of the United Nations Specialized Agencies' was also stressed
in this context. In particular, the need for coordination between the
various agencies active in Burma was underlined and affiliates need to
publicly lobby their governments to ensure that no UN programs has the
effect of perpetuating forced labour. The Conference insists that no
ODA be provided to the military and other official structures but,
rather that it be used to promote the restoration of democracy..
The international union movement also has a responsibility to increase
pressure on the International Financial Institutions (IFI's) to ensure
funds are not made available to Burma which could be used to perpetuate
the use of forced labour or to support in any way the corrupt and
undemocratic regime existing there.
The Conference recognizes the important role played so far by the
European Union, which has imposed sanctions on the regime, including a
ban on arms sales, on entry visas for senior SPDC officials, and a
freeze of some of their bank accounts. The Conference expresses strong
concern, however, at the EU's perceived reluctance to strengthen these
sanctions. Pressure has to be increased by EU affiliates, with the aim
of imposing an EU ban on investments in and on trade with Burma by
EU-based companies. Continued pressure against, and discussion
regarding Burma is also necessary within the ASEM context. The
co-operation of the ETUC is a vital requirement of these processes. The
current and future EU Presidencies must also be pressured to bring
about these results.
Employers also have an essential responsibility towards the ILO and the
international community at large, including the workers and people of
Burma. It is impossible to maintain business relations with Burma
without directly or indirectly supporting forced labour. Accordingly,
national and multinational companies trading with and/or investing in
Burma should withdraw as an matter of urgency. The union movement must
initiate early discussion with such companies. Failure of companies to
comply will mean public exposure by the international trade union
movement and other action as appropriate, such as consumer pressure and
boycotts. Public targeting of companies implied specific
responsibilities for trade unions.
Workers' shareholder action needs to be expanded and strengthened. The
April 2001 meeting of the ICFTU/ITS/TUAC meeting on Workers' Capital
offers a unique opportunity to coordinate action in that respect. The
OECD Guidelines on multinational companies should be put to use in
order to put pressure on companies investing in or trading with Burma.
The UN Global Compact can also constitute an important forum in which
companies can be pressured to implement the ILO decision.
Unions have a particular responsibility to inform their rank-and-file
membership, as well as the wider community, about the situation in
Burma. Optimal use of union publicity material is an urgent priority for
the trade union movement.
The Conference issued a call for an International Day of Union Action
for Burma, to be held on 1st May 2001, during which affiliates should
lobby governments, pressure companies, create public awareness and, in
particular, target Burmese embassies for protest and other action.
Co-operation for this Day of Action should be sought from other
representative elements of civil society, such as student and religious
groups, consumer organizations and NGO's.
___________________________________________________
Free Burma Coalition: Bob Stumberg will talk about Selective Purchasing
The following events are taking place at American University's
Washington College of Law:
Monday March 27, 12:00 (Lunch provided)
Sponsored by AU FBC
Thursday April 19, 5:00 (Followed by reception)
Panel discussion of human rights & environment in Burma, Chad & Nigeria.
Sponsored by the Center for International Environmental Law
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