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BurmaNet News: March 13, 2001
- Subject: BurmaNet News: March 13, 2001
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 15:19:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
March 13, 2001 Issue # 1754
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*DVB: Sources claim Suu Kyi met U Tin Oo, U Lwin, NLD offices to reopen
*Reuters: Myanmar tells Thailand don't blame us for drugs
*AP: Myanmar junta defends ethnic group blamed for drug trafficking
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AP: Thai government blames predecessor for sour ties with Myanmar
*Xinhua: Thai PM: Thai-Myanmar Relations Sound at National Level
*Bangkok Post: Talks with Burma in April to ease tension
*Bangkok Post: Seminar slams foreign policy: Sukhumbhand sees lack of
coherence
*European Union: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European
Union concerning the next visit of the Troika to Rangoon
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Guardian (UK): Premier profits from Burma stand
*Kyodo: More than 38 tons of MSG seized near Yangon
*AP: Hundreds wait in vain at border as Myanmar shuts crossing
OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*The Nation: Time for Burma's junta to fight the Wa drug machine
*Bangkok Post: The battle plan to fight drugs
OTHER______
*Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand Bulletin: Burmese Language
Course
*Burma Campaign UK: Got two minutes for freedom in Burma?
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
DVB: Sources claim Suu Kyi met U Tin Oo, U Lwin, NLD offices to reopen
Rangoon Division National League for Democracy [NLD] party is making
arrangements to reopen NLD township offices and to reinstall NLD
signboards in Rangoon Division. The Rangoon Division NLD has issued a
directive last week to township NLD parties whose offices were closed
and signboards pulled down. According to the directive, the township NLD
members are to present a report to the Rangoon Division NLD citing where
the office is located, the structure of the office, and arrangements to
reorganize the township executive committee. The report from the
townships will then be forwarded to the SPDC [State Peace and
Development Council] Commission [Multiparty Democracy General Election
Commission] offices through the Rangoon Division NLD. According to NLD
members who do not want to disclose their names, the NLD will soon be
allowed to reopen their township offices and to reinstall the NLD
signboards nationwide. Although details of the discussions between Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi and the SPDC are not definitely known, some NLD members
told DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] it is believed that plans to reopen
the township NLD offices are associated with the talks. Furthermore,
according to sources close to NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo who remains
under house arrest, it is believed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin
Oo have met at least twice. The SPDC has also allowed U Lwin, one of the
NLD leaders, to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi twice a week. According
to NLD members, DVB has learned that the SPDC has allowed other NLD
leaders who wish to see Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to see her. DVB
correspondent Myint Maung Maung also reports that the movements of NLD
members have become more free now.
[Begin Myint Maung Maung recording] NLD party members are becoming
active now to reopen NLD township and ward offices which were closed
down before. The NLD party members were not harassed by the SPDC
officials like before and they have more freedom of movement now. In the
past, the Military Intelligence personnel will watch every move made by
the NLD party members and Kyant Phut [derogatory term for Union
Solidarity and Development Association] members, who are lackeys of the
SPDC, will also hassle the NLD members. At present, NLD party members
are making preparations to do routine party office work and to commence
organizational activities.
___________________________________________________
Reuters: Myanmar tells Thailand don't blame us for drugs
By Dominic Whiting
BANGKOK, March 12 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government told
Thailand on Monday to concentrate on dealing with its own drugs industry
rather than blame others for its problems.
Myanmar government spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Hla Min said in a
statement received in Bangkok that a weekend Thai conference on drugs
chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was wrong to conclude
Myanmar was the root of Thailand's drug problems.
``Putting all the blame on a neighbouring country for everything that
goes wrong in Thailand is not the way to solve any problems,'' he said.
The closed-door Thailand conference brought government, army and police
officials together to discuss the flood of metamphetamines which Thai
officials say is entering
the country through its porous border with Myanmar.
The Thai army says that 700 million metamphetamine pills -- stimulants
which affect the central nervous system -- will come into Thailand this
year, an increase of 40 percent on last year.
Thai politicians at the conference told reporters they had been shocked
by photographs of impressive infrastructure in the prosperous and
growing Myanmar town of Mong Yawn, which Thai officials believe has been
funded by the drugs trade.
But Myanmar denies this, saying that successful development projects
and other economic activity is responsible for the growing wealth of the
Wa ethnic group living in the area under the control of the
Yangon-backed United Wa State Army (UWSA).
``MANY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS''
``The Wa people are involved in many development projects in the
country such as mining, fisheries, logging, agriculture, Hla Min said.
``Recently they have discovered a huge mine containing at least nine
different minerals which are being exported to China.''
The Thai government has said it suspects the UWSA (or Red Wa) are the
most important producer of metamphetamines coming into Thailand from the
mountainous
``Golden Triangle'' region at the intersection of Thailand, Laos and
Myanmar.
But the Myanmar spokesman rejected this also:
``It is disappointing to learn that the Red Wa is being used as a
scapegoat and the whole narcotic problem Thailand is encountering today
seems to be very conveniently thrown on the UWSA,'' it said.
``One begs to knows to know that if the UWSA ceases to exist today,
will the narcotic problem in Thailand disappear?''
``To be realistic the Thai authorities should first examine the
internal drug distribution system in Thailand and how these organised
crime syndicates and individual big dealers are not only surviving but
thriving and also being protected,'' the Myanmar statement said.
The statement came just a day after Prime Minister Thaksin said he was
looking for ``sincere'' discussions with the Myanmar government.
``We need a decisive response from Myanmar to solve this problem,'' he
told journalists after the conference on Sunday.
Relations between Thailand and Myanmar have taken a turn for the worse
in recent weeks after fighting between Myanmar troops, backed by their
Wa allies, and ethnic
Shan rebels spilled over into Thai territory.
Thai army sources believe the fighting was related to control over the
drugs trade.
___________________________________________________
AP: Myanmar junta defends ethnic group blamed for drug trafficking
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Firing the latest salvo in a war of words,
Myanmar on Monday accused Thailand of making a pro-Yangon drug army the
``scapegoat'' for its narcotics problems.
``Putting all the blame on a neighboring country for everything that
goes wrong in Thailand is not the way to solve any problems,'' a
government spokesman said in written statement faxed to The Associated
Press in Bangkok.
He said Thai authorities should clean their own house first, claiming
that crime syndicates and drug dealers are ``thriving and also being
protected'' in Thailand. The spokesman cannot be identified under
Myanmar government rules.
His statement was in response to a Thai government seminar over the
weekend where the army said Myanmar's United Wa State Army, a group of
ethnic Wa fighters known as the Red Wa, has built a drug manufacturing
city, Mong Yawn, close to the border with Thailand.
A former separatist group, the UWSA signed a cease-fire with Myanmar in
exchange for virtual control over areas in eastern Myanmar near the Thai
border. The UWSA is now an ally of the Myanmar junta in its fight
against other ethnic rebels.
``It is disappointing to learn that the Red Wa is being used as a
scapegoat and the whole narcotics problem Thailand is encountering today
seems to be very conveniently thrown on the UWSA,'' the spokesman said.
``One begs to know that if the UWSA ceases to exist today, will the
narcotics problem in Thailand disappear?''
Thai army officials had told the seminar, called to develop an
anti-narcotics strategy, that Mong Yawn has first class hotels, a big
hospital and its own hydroelectric dam. They said the UWSA has brought
in 50,000 people to help manufacture drugs.
The United States also says the UWSA is a major narcotics trafficker
and operates with the tacit approval of Myanmar's military junta.
A U.S. State Department report released this month says the UWSA is
``heavily involved'' in drug trafficking and is ``largely immune from
government action'' as authorities make little attempt to seize drugs or
destroy drug factories in UWSA-controlled territories.
Thailand echoes these accusations and says the UWSA is flooding the
country with methamphetamine, a synthetic drug that has been declared
public enemy no. 1 by the government.
At the weekend seminar, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told the
Thai military to use every force necessary to quell the UWSA's drug
trade. He said the government would buy satellite photos taken by the
United States to monitor drug production and trafficking along the
border.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AP: Thai government blames predecessor for sour ties with Myanmar
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Thailand's new government on Tuesday blamed its
predecessor for unfriendly relations with Myanmar, and expressed the
hope that an upcoming bilateral meeting would help mend fences.
Thailand and Myanmar have been exchanging hot words during the last
month after their troops clashed at the border. The verbal war has grown
with Thailand's protests that Myanmar is doing little to stop ethnic
drug armies in its territory from flooding Thailand with the
methamphetamine drug.
Defense Minster Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said age-old rivalries between
Thailand and Myanmar increased after the previous government of Prime
Minister Chuan Leekpai criticized Myanmar's ruling military junta for
suppressing democracy.
Chavalit, known to be close to Myanmar's generals, said relations
remained sour because of the ``policy of not talking'' adopted by
Chuan's government.
``Myanmar had invited Chuan to talk, but he turned it down,'' Chavalit
said. ``I don't know the reason ... but the attitude added to the
problems, which resulted in deterioration of relations,'' Chavalit said.
The new government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took office
last month after defeating Chuan's party in the Jan. 6 elections.
Thailand reopened its northern border with Myanmar Monday after a
monthlong closure following border clashes, but Myanmar kept its gates
closed in an apparent rebuff to the Thai olive branch.
Chavalit said he hoped that a meeting of their regional border
committees scheduled for April would help improve ties. The talks have
been suspended since 1998 when Myanmar refused to participate.
Chavalit said Myanmar has confirmed that it will host the meeting this
year in Kentung town.
The border disputes are only part of the problems between the two
countries. Thailand's main frustration is over the rising use of
methamphetamines, which officials say are largely being produced by the
United Wa State Army.
A former Myanmar rebel group, the Wa army signed a cease-fire with
Yangon in exchange for virtual autonomy in a border area with Thailand
where it is known to operate amphetamine laboratories.
Thai and U.S. narcotics officials say Myanmar authorities are turning a
blind eye to the United Wa State Army.
On Monday, the Myanmar junta said Thailand was making the Wa army a
``scapegoat'' for its problems and asked it to clean its own house first
by cracking down on crime syndicates that buy the drugs.
Thaksin said in response Tuesday: ``We are sweeping our own house but
our effort must be harder because the dust keep coming from our
neighbor'' ^sw/vj<
___________________________________________________
Xinhua: Thai PM: Thai-Myanmar Relations Sound at National Level
BANGKOK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral relations between Thailand and
Myanmar remain sound at the national level, although some problems may
exist at the local level, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said here
Tuesday. Thaksin was quoted by the official Thai News Agency as saying
that Thailand would treat Myanmar as an allied nation with sound
relations because bilateral ties between the two countries at the
national level had remained normal. "We have no problems with Rangoon at
the national level, though some problems may exist at the local level
due to suspects on drugs problems along the border," he was quoted as
saying. "We have evidences that the ethnic Red Wa group has been
involved in drugs problems in Thailand. Therefore, the Thai Ministry of
Foreign Affairs will seek clarification and guarantee from Rangoon
whether it gives any support to the Red Wa group," he said. Thailand
wanted cooperation from Rangoon in dealing with drugs problems, said the
Thai premier. Thaksin made the remarks after Thailand reopened a key
check point in Northern province of Chiang Rai on Monday while the
Myanmar side failed to reopen its check point as the both sides had
agreed, the report said. Enditem
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: Talks with Burma in April to ease tension
Thailand to push for border demarcation
Wassana Nanuam
Regional-level talks to be held early next month in Burma will help ease
border disputes between Thailand and Burma, according to Lt-Gen Pisnu
Urailert, chief of the Supreme Command's Directorate of Civil Affairs.
Lt-Gen Pisnu said the 18th meeting of the Thai-Burmese Regional Border
Committee (RBC) in early April in Burma's Keng Tung-to be chaired by
Thailand's Third Army commander Lt-Gen Watthanachai Chaimuenwong and
Burma's Southwest Army chief Maj-Gen Khet Sein-is expected to lessen
tension on the border.
During these talks Thai authorities will propose that the border in the
Phuteng Nayong area in Chiang Rai be demarcated and that Burmese troops
no longer be permitted to let artillery shells land on Thai soil, he
said.
Lt-Gen Pisnu said the Thai military wants the area to be declared a
no-man's land pending border demarcation.
A sub-committee chaired by Maj-Gen Prasart Luewattananon, director of
the Supreme Command's Joint Operation Centre 103, will draft issues to
be put on the agenda of next month's RBC meeting.
Lt-Gen Pisnu said the Thai armed forces have reiterated they will not
support any anti-Rangoon minority groups, nor will they withdraw Thai
soldiers from the border in Chiang Rai until the situation improves.
Meanwhile, army spokesman Col Somkhuan Saengpattaranate said Burma
yesterday did not open its gate at the Tachilek checkpoint while the
Thai side reopened its gate at the Mae Sai checkpoint in Chiang Rai for
cross-border trade, despite a previous agreement.
"We opened Mae Sai checkpoint because we are sympathetic with the
Burmese who face a shortage of food and goods, though Thais are not in
trouble.
"We want the border trade to resume and believe that the border
situation has improved since there will be an RBC meeting soon," he
added.
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: Seminar slams foreign policy: Sukhumbhand sees lack of
coherence
March 13, 2001
LENGTH: 416 words
BODY:
Lack of coherence in the implementation of foreign policy will further
complicate Thailand's problems with Burma, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the
former deputy foreign minister, said yesterday.
Addressing a seminar on post-election trends in Thailand, M.R.
Sukhumbhand said the Foreign Ministry under the Democrat government
conducted foreign affairs with the support of the armed forces, the
National Security Council and other government agencies.
But under the Thai Rak Thai-led government, the prime minister and the
defence minister seemed to have different agendas, posing a dilemma for
the new foreign minister, M.R. Sukhumbhand said. "The question of
coherence is probably the most problematical in our relations with
Burma. We need a coherent process of implementation of foreign policy
where Rangoon is concerned," he said.
"If there is no coherence in Thai foreign policy from now on, we'll have
problems dealing with our Burmese friends more than before," he added.
The keynote speaker at the seminar organised by the Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies, M.R. Sukhumbhand also questioned the Thaksin
government's commitment to Asean, noting that Surakiart Sathirathai, the
foreign minister, seemed preoccupied with bilateral issues.
"Most of the time, the new foreign minister has talked about bilateral
relations and economic components of bilateral relations with
neighbours, rather than Asean as a whole. And I think he only has in
mind the immediate neighbours Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. He is
very silent about Asean," he said. Professor Kusuma Snit-wongse, a
political scientist from Chulalongkorn University, expressed concern
about Mr Surakiart's failure to address human rights and democracy
during the government policy debate in parliament, saying the government
might pursue economic interests at the expense of these issues.
"We've seen some backtracking in foreign policy. I'm very concerned
about this inward-looking policy as it goes against the international
situation," she said, adding that personal diplomacy endorsed by Defence
Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was an "inappropriate instrument" for
solving problems with Burma.
M.R. Sukhumbhand said the election outcome signalled the possible
emergence of a two-party system. Although voters grew impatient with the
Democrats, who led the country for six of the past eight years, voting
percentages showed the Democrats remained a viable alternative, he said.
Woranant Krongboonying
___________________________________________________
European Union: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European
Union concerning the next visit of the Troika to Rangoon
March 13, 2001
At the 13th EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting (Vientiane, 11 and 12 December
2000), Mr Win Aung, the Burmese Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced
in the plenary session that the European Troika was invited to go to
Rangoon in January 2001. At the request of the French Presidency, he
stated that the Troika would have the same opportunities as on its first
mission in July 1999.
The Presidency of the European Union takes note of this announcement and
reaffirms the Union's willingness to pursue its dialogue with all the
parties concerned, as it did at the time of the Troika's first mission
to Burma in July 1999.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European
Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA
countries members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with
this declaration.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
Guardian (UK): Premier profits from Burma stand
Terry Macalister
Tuesday March 13, 2001
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,450874,00.html
Premier Oil's decision to defy British government demands and stay in
military-run Burma has paid off. The company yesterday reported its
first profits in three years.
Chief executive Charles Jamieson claimed the political climate in Burma
was improving. He expressed "cautious optimism" that the future of the
country would reduce pressure on Premier.
Production started from Premier's Yetagun gas project in Burma last May
and it is now Premier's largest asset. Gas is moving from Burma by
pipeline to Thailand.
Pre-tax profits on ordinary activities bounced to £17m in the year to
December 31, compared with a £16.7m loss last time. Turnover rose from
£89.5m to £115.7m.
Profits would have been higher if Premier had not been forced to put in
place an oil price hedge at $19.54 per barrel when the average price
over 2000 was $28.39.
The hedge was imposed by Amerada Hess and Petronas, its two major
shareholders in return for an investment of £136m in November 1999.
Premier has also left nearly £12m of extra revenues out of its immediate
turnover on the grounds they are part of a take-or-pay contract and
therefore must be treated as debt for the time being.
Like other oil companies, Premier has increasingly switched its
attention to gas and concentrated on south-east Asia. Its other major
asset is in Indonesia where Premier has just brought on stream its West
Natuna gas scheme six months ahead of schedule.
Mr Jamieson said the commercialisation of its Asian gas business,
successful exploration work and a growing base of reserves put Premier
in a strong position for the future.
Progress was also being made in talks with Amerada Hess and Petronas
about in creasing shareholder value. These two companies hold 50% of
Premier and effectively rule out any outside bid for it. This has held
back the price of the company.
Recent speculation that US-based Amerada might sell down or out its 25%
stake sent the share price up from 12p to 20p. It has since dropped back
and ended the day down 0.75p at 17.75p. Mr Jamieson said various options
were being looked at and he expected a decision before the end of the
year.
Analysts said the Premier results were encouraging but they remained
sceptical about talk of a corporate shake-up.
___________________________________________________
Kyodo: More than 38 tons of MSG seized near Yangon
YANGON March 13 Kyodo - More than 38 tons of monosodium glutamate (MSG),
apparently made in Thailand and brought to Myanmar by schooner, were
seized by a navy patrol boat Feb. 4 near Yangon, local newspapers
reported Tuesday.
The patrol boat was said to have chased and stopped the schooner,
without a registration number and sailing with its lights off, in the
Hlaing River and found 38.6 tons of MSG bearing several Thai brand
names.
Ten crew members escaped from the boat during the chase, but the
remaining three confessed the schooner had left with the cargo from a
private jetty in Thailand, the newspapers said.
Myanmar's junta has banned import of MSG from Thailand and warned
several brands of MSG and soft drinks could be harmful to health.
March 13, 2001
___________________________________________________
AP: Hundreds wait in vain at border as Myanmar shuts crossing
MAE SAI, Thailand (AP) _ Myanmar on Monday failed to open a major border
crossing with Thailand even after the Thai side reopened its gates in a
bid to end monthlong tensions over fighting between their armies.
Hundreds of disappointed people waited in rain near the Thai checkpoint
at the foot of a bridge over a canal that separates Mae Sai town in
northern Thailand with Tachilek in Myanmar.
Thailand opened three other crossings in Mae Sai district, but ``the
other side does not seem to have responded well to our attempts to ease
tensions,'' Ronarong Sukthavorn, the chief customs official in Mae Sai,
told The Associated Press.
``Myanmar procedure is usually slow. But they might open soon, I
hope,'' he said.
Mae Sai is 720 kilometers (445 miles) north of Bangkok.
In Yangon, a Myanmar government spokesman said reopening border
crossings will not resolve the ``real issues.''
``The border crossing have been reopened several times in the past.
Scratching the surface is not the solution,'' said the spokesman,
speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
Thailand had closed the border after heavy fighting on Feb. 11 between
Myanmar troops and ethnic Shan rebels seeking independence when several
shells landed on Mae Sai town from Myanmar, killing two civilians. Thai
troops later fought with Myanmar soldiers, accusing them of intruding
into Thai soil, a charge Myanmar denied.
Maj. Domsak Khamsijam, who held talks with a Myanmar border committee
to ease tensions, said he had informed his counterpart about the planned
reopening or the border Monday. In response, Myanmar said it had never
shut the border in the first place, Domsak said.
``But when we opened the border, they closed their gate. When we asked
why, they said they have to consult their supervisors,'' he said.
Among those waiting was Chinda Nanthapao, a 42-year-old Thai woman who
owns a shop in Tachilek selling watches, calculators and transistor
radios.
``If Myanmar does not opens the border soon, the ones to be affected
the most will by Thai people who have invested in Tachilek,'' she said.
She said 80 percent of shops in Tachilek are owned by Thais. ``During
one month of the closure we have lost a lot of money,'' she said.
Myanmar and Thailand have had uneasy relations over several disputes.
Yangon accuses Bangkok of providing sanctuaries to anti-government
ethnic rebels. Bangkok denies the charge, and complains that Yangon
turns a blind eye to drug lords who operate amphetamine factories in
Myanmar and smuggle them into Thailand.
_______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________
The Nation: Time for Burma's junta to fight the Wa drug machine
March 13, 2001
THE weekend's drug conference in the northern tip of the country has
dramatically changed Thailand and Burma's relationship.
Burma may now be compelled to practise what it always preaches: "good
neighbourliness".
Though the conference stopped short of directly condemning Rangoon,
perhaps in a bid to allow the ruling military junta to save face, much
of the evidence produced about where the drugs originated pointed a
finger directly at the United Wa State Army (UWSA).
The junta now needs to produce credible counter evidence to clear its
name.
This is no time for Rangoon to resort to its customary incoherent excuse
or thinly veiled retaliatory moves, such as bans on Thai products.
The conference for the first time has put Burma firmly on the defensive
as far as bilateral relations are concerned.
It is now time for Burma to realise the gravity of the drug problem and
begin to sincerely cooperate with its neighbour.
Former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan is, however, unconvinced of the
effectiveness of the new government's tactics.
He said the conference had churned out a confusing signal, on one hand
the prime minister was criticising the junta, and on the other the
foreign minister was expounding an "Asian" solution to the problem,
being non-confrontational.
Tackling the drug problems has always been high on the agenda of
successive Thai governments, according to a Burma watcher.
But this administration has been much tougher than its predecessors in
sending a serious signal to Burma and putting the junta on the spot,
said a source who did not wish to be named.
"The presentation of Mong Yawn [as a 'drug city'] per se is embarrassing
for Rangoon," he said. Thai-Burma ties could not become any worse, they
were already at their lowest ebb, he said.
Burmese expert Sunait Chutintaranond said the authorities once again
seemed to be serious in creating a "national immunity" against the
spectre of cross border drug trade, referring to a nation-wide plan to
fight drugs and a strengthening of border towns.
In the past ethnic minority armies have proven an effective buffer to
the drug trade, but they have been substantially weakened. Sunait said
in the past, "our immunity derived from the buffer, that was
subsequently demolished, but now we are constructing it anew from
inside".
The scheme represented a new dimension in the battle against drugs that
needed further support.
Sunait warned any dialogue with Burma concerning narcotics must take
into account three crucial elements: the willingness of the Burmese
authorities to take on the UWSA; the capability of the regime to do so;
and the potential consequences for Burmese national security.
He said, an "exit strategy" had to be prepared for Rangoon, if Bangkok
was ever to gain its support in taking on the UWSA.
In this case Thaksin, as the nation's leader, should not rush to Rangoon
before mutual concessions had been achieved through whatever channels
necessary, be they formal or informal, said Sunait.
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman Kraisak Choonhavan said
international support should be more aggressively mobilised, especially
from Asean and Burma's powerful neighbours like China and India.
Thailand is starting to clean its house, and a good neighbour should
turn its attention to its own.
BY MARISA CHIMPRABHA and
VORAPUN SRIVORANART
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: The battle plan to fight drugs
March 13, 2001
The weekend meeting on Thailand's increasing and dangerous drug problem
was extremely useful. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra invited
virtually all relevant government agencies. He also opened most of the
meeting to the public, through the media. Mr Thaksin and all Thais saw
for the first time, in one place, the scope of the problem.
Those who attended the meeting in Chiang Rai were clearly shocked by
many of the revelations. The army's security briefing was probably the
most sobering. It detailed the growth of a brand new and modern city
inside Burma, almost in sight of the Thai frontier. Mong Yawn is the
headquarters of the United Wa State Army, and appears entirely dedicated
to producing, marketing and smuggling drugs of various types to and
through Thailand and other neighbouring countries.
There never has been such an operation in our history. Mong Yawn is a
speed empire, totally controlled by drug dealers with at least the
acquiescence of Rangoon. Some believe Burma actively supports, and
profits from, the drug trade. This threatening drug city is expanding
every day, even as the Shan are ruthlessly eliminated. Details of Mong
Yawn caused Premier Thaksin to re-introduce the word which has fallen
into disfavour. But as he said: "It is the vital mission of the country
and it is a war."
If the Burmese support for drug trafficking were not bad enough, the
conference made clear we have our home-grown problems. Sinister and
anti-Thai people would destroy the country and our children's brains for
dirty drug money. Money laundering is at an all-time high. Chemical
precursors, such as ephedrine for methamphetamines, are bought abroad by
drug traffickers, and smuggled to the Burmese drug-making factories
through Thailand.
Mr Thaksin indicated his support for a number of possible measures to
step up the war on drugs. Some are excellent ideas. The army can be
reinforced along our borders, to stop smuggling in both directions. The
military can also help all agencies improve their intelligence
capabilities. It is far easier to stop drug smugglers if you know their
agents and "mules" used to carry drugs. Pinpoint raids against known
dealers will yield far more for the country than roadblocks and random
searches of mostly honest citizens going about their business.
But Mr Thaksin also must beware embracing quick-fix, populist solutions
to this threatening problem of national and international drug
trafficking. A curfew on youth, for example, may sound like a way to
keep young people out of those nightclubs where drugs are introduced.
But it is already illegal for young people to be in such clubs, and
asking our police to keep all under-18s off the streets at night is a
terrible waste of resources.
Just as troubling is the call for a "speed up of justice" for drug
dealers. We remind the premier and his supporters that they are
"suspected" drug dealers until the courts deal with them. More liberal
use of the death penalty will not deter drug smuggling. Not even
summary, public executions will do that. Nor will the prospect of tough
life in an army camp stop a troubled or witless teenager from popping
speed pills.
Drug trafficking will be defeated by a combination of relentless law
enforcement against criminal traffickers, combined with education. We
must reduce the supply of drugs, and we must convince Burma of this, or
make Rangoon face the consequences. We must also reduce the demand, by
convincing Thai adults and children that drugs ruin their lives and all
hope for the future of the nation. This is a matter of national
survival. We must approach it intelligently and immediately.
______________________OTHER______________________
Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand Bulletin: Burmese Language
Course
March 9, 2001
The internationally renowned linguist, Professor John O'Kell of
London University's prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies
(SOAS) will be teaching a two weeks intensive Burmese language course at
the FCCT. O'Kell, author of the definitive textbooks used for Burmese
instruction world-wide, will teach speaking, reading and writing to
various levels of students.
A minimum group of six is required to hold the course. The course is
tentatively scheduled for two weeks, two hours per day from either 19 -
30 March Or during the Songkran New Year Festival. Professor O'Kell has
been travelling in Burma for more than three decades and has been a key
instructor in the respected Southeast Asian Summer Studies Institute
course held annually in the United States. This is a unique opportunity
to study a regional language in depth with one of the world's true
masters! Interested parties email their intent to study as soon as
possible to Sarah Rooney at: swrooney@xxxxxxx
or hallacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
___________________________________________________
Burma Campaign UK: Got two minutes for freedom in Burma?
'PLEASE USE YOUR LIBERTY TO PROMOTE OURS', Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Your help is desperately needed in the struggle for freedom in Burma.
Join the Burma Campaign e-mail network.
This network has been set up to help support the struggle for
democracy and human rights in Burma. You will not be bombarded with
e-mails. We will simply send you details of the latest campaign actions
you can take to promote freedom in Burma, and let you know of any
significant new developments.
Subscribing is simple. Just send a blank e-mail to:
burmacampaign-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxx
We need to build this network to reach as many people as possible.
Please forward this e-mail to as many people as you can.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE CAMPAIGN NETWORK?
'WHY IS BURMA IMPORTANT? IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE
DEMOCRACY, THEY HAVE A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP - IT'S BAD. IT'S ONE OF THE
WORST REGIMES IN THE WORLDèIT'S A NIGHTMARE AND I THINK PEOPLE CAN
EASILY SEE WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.' Mark Thomas
Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal regimes in the world.
Over eight million people, including children, are forced into
slave-labour every year.
There are 1,700 political prisoners, many of whom are subject to
regular beatings and torture.
Over one and a half million people have been forced to flee their
homes to escape the military.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Burma Campaign UK supports the people of Burma in their struggle
for democracy and human rights. We campaign to increase the pressure on
the military regime, both politically and economically. Our campaign to
tighten the economic noose around the regime is already having an
impact. We have succeeded in forcing many companies to withdraw
operations from Burma, including Burton, River Island and British Home
Stores.
We are currently campaigning to force Premier Oil to withdraw
operations from Burma. We are also campaigning jointly with Tourism
Concern calling for a boycott of all Lonely Planet publications until
they withdraw their guide to Burma. The development of hotels, transport
and tourist attractions to encourage visitors to Burma is directly
linked to mass human rights abuses. Added to this, tourist dollars go
straight into the hands of the dictatorship. For these reasons Aung San
Suu Kyi, the British Government and the European Union have asked
tourists not to visit Burma! Against the weight of this advice Lonely
Planet publications continues to promote tourism to Burma through their
Burma guide.
We are also campaigning to push the UK government to fulfil its
election pledge to impose economic sanctions against Burma.
To receive regular campaign updates just send a blank e-mail
to:burmacampaign-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxx
To find out more about the campaign visit www.burmacampaign.org.uk
To sign up to the network just send a blank e-mail to:
burmacampaign-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxx
Yvette Mahon
Director
The Burma Campaign UK
Bickerton House
25-27 Bickerton Road
London
N19 5JT
Tel: 0207 281 7377
Fax: 0207 272 3559
________________
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
To automatically subscribe to Burma's only free daily newspaper in
English, send an email to:
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To subscribe to The BurmaNet News in Burmese, send an email to:
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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
________________
Burma News Summaries available by email or the web
There are three Burma news digest services available via either email or
the web.
Burma News Update
Frequency: Biweekly
Availability: By fax or the web.
Viewable online at http://www.soros.org/burma/burmanewsupdate/index.html
Cost: Free
Published by: Open Society Institute, Burma Project
The Burma Courier
Frequency: Weekly
Availability: E-mail, fax or post. To subscribe or unsubscribe by email
celsus@xxxxxxxxxxx
Viewable on line at: http://www.egroups.com/group/BurmaCourier
Cost: Free
Note: News sources are cited at the beginning of an article.
Interpretive comments and background
details are often added.
Burma Today
Frequency: Weekly
Availability: E-mail
Viewable online at http://www.worldviewrights.org/pdburma/today.html
To subscribe, write to pdburma@xxxxxxxxx
Cost: Free
Published by: PD Burma (The International Network of Political Leaders
Promoting Democracy in Burma)
________________
____________________________________________________________
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