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BurmaNet News: September 23, 2001
- Subject: BurmaNet News: September 23, 2001
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 21:36:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
September 23, 2001 Issue # 1888
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Reuters: Australia to send aid workers to Myanmar
*AFP: Myanmar to start building first coal-fired power station: report
*Irrawaddy: The First Perfection: Charity in Buddhism and Burmese
Culture
MONEY _______
*AFP: Malaysian investment mission meets Myanmar ministers
*AFP: Thousands of Myanmar workers rush to register for Thai work
permits
*Xinhua: Myanmar's Machinery Import Up in First Half
*Radio Myanmar: Hong Pang Company begins upgrading Rangoon-Mandalay
highway
GUNS______
*AFP: Thai refugee camp under tight security after threats of attack
DRUGS______
*AP: Five suspected drug smugglers killed in border clash
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Myanmar belatedly releases condolence message for the US
*Myanmar Information Committee: [Reiterates Than Shwe's 12 Sep sympathy
message]
*AFP: US attacks, politics to dominate Malaysia-Myanmar talks
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Reuters: Australia to send aid workers to Myanmar
CANBERRA, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Australia said on Monday it would send aid
workers to Myanmar in recognition of recent improved political
conditions, but said it wanted the release of imprisoned pro-democracy
politicians to continue.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he was encouraged by
last month's release from house arrest of National League for Democracy
(NLD) chairman Aung Shwe and vice-chairman Tin Oo by Myanmar's military
government.
The release of politicians, members of opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi's pro-democracy NLD who had been elected at the last democratic poll
in 1990, brings the total number of political prisoners released since
January to more than 160.
``However, we remain deeply concerned that many Burmese citizens remain
imprisoned for their political beliefs and we will continue to impress
the importance of further prisoner releases,'' Downer said.
Downer said Australia would send an aid project team to investigate
ways to alleviate child nutrition problems in the poor country. The
Australian team will arrive in Myanmar on Monday and stay until October
13.
``We hope that this small measure will send a signal to the SPDC that
progress on human rights and political reconciliation will enhance
Burma's prospects of receiving international assistance that will help
relieve its pressing humanitarian problems,'' Downer said.
The NLD won the 1990 election by a landslide but has never been allowed
to govern. Myanmar's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)
has never recognised the result of the election and has detained dozens
of opposition politicians since.
Tension between the military and NLD has eased since the start last
year of secretive talks between Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace
Prize, and the country's ruling generals.
The human rights group Amnesty International says there are still about
1,500 political prisoners in Myanmar.
___________________________________________________
AFP: Myanmar to start building first coal-fired power station: report
YANGON, Sept 23 (AFP) - Myanmar's state power authority, which is
battling chronic electricity shortages, plans to begin work shortly on
the nation's first coal-fired power station, the Myanmar Times newspaper
said.
In its edition to be published Monday, the weekly said the Myanma
Electric Power Enterprise (eds: correct) will build the 120 megawatt
plant at Pinlaung township in the southern part of Shan State.
"The power station is expected to start generating electricity in
2003," said Department of Electric Power director-general Thein Tun.
The facility, built with machinery imported from Myanmar's main foreign
backer China, is expected to use 500,000 tons of coal a year sourced
from a nearby reserve of nearly 21 million tons, he said.
Thein Tun said the reserve will give the power station an operating
life of about 40 years, and that there were plans to build another power
station at the site, depending on the availability of coal.
Exploration was taking place for new deposits in the area.
The bulk of Myanmar's electricity is generated through gas-fired and
hydro-electric plants, the latter mainly from the Japanese-built
"Lawpita" hydro station in Kayah state.
In May this year Japan announced a 28.6 million dollar plan to revamp
the 1960s-era dam, as a reward to the junta for entering into talks with
the democratic opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The grant was criticised by leaders including US Secretary of State
Colin Powell, as being "too much too soon", and that the junta should
make more concessions before being handed such large rewards.
The other infrastructure development to spark controversy was the
military regime's decision earlier this year to begin talks with Russia
about building a nuclear reactor for scientific and power generation
purposes.
In an effort to end the rolling blackouts that plague the capital
Yangon, the Myanmar authorities have also experimented with a range of
power sources including thermal, solar and coal generation.
___________________________________________________
Irrawaddy: The First Perfection: Charity in Buddhism and Burmese Culture
Vol 9. No. 6, July 2001
Charity, one of the Buddhist perfections, has long been an integral part
of Burmese culture. But history?and habit?have obscured its real social
and spiritual value.
by Min Zin
"If you knew what I know about dana (generosity), you would not let one
meal go by without sharing it," the Buddha once said. Dana is the Pali
term for giving, generosity and charity, and it is an integral part of
the Buddhist ethos. It includes giving of material support to those in
need; giving of spiritual knowledge to those in despair; giving of love
to those who are abandoned; and giving of protection to those who are
threatened.
VICTORY FOR WHOM? Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt consecrates the SPDC?s hold on power
Having given away something with the intention of making life easier for
another being, one immediately feels a happiness that fills one?s heart
and mind. The Venerable Ashin Thittila of Burma explains the benefits of
dana thus: "The object in giving is to eliminate the craving that lies
dormant within oneself; apart from which there are the attendant
blessings of generosity such as the joy of service, the ensuing
happiness and consolation, and the alleviation of suffering."
The main idea concerning generosity or any of the ten parami (or
"perfections", of which dana is the first and foremost) is that there
should be no strings attached. The Buddha urged his followers to give
without any expectation of personal reward. Basically, the ultimate aim
of generosity practice is the transformation of the individual from a
self-centered, greed-driven existence to one that is other-centered and
greed-free.
Giving is literally a practice in letting go?one that increasingly flies
in the face of the acquisitive tendencies that drive modern society.
However, even in societies that are not completely consumerist in
orientation, true generosity faces serious social pressures. In Burma,
for instance, dana has been misinterpreted by successive reigns and
regimes to serve the interests of the ruling elite, who profess to
promote the values espoused by Buddhism.
Notwithstanding such distortions, evidence of the importance of charity
in Burmese culture is abundant, from the golden glory of the Shwedagon
Pagoda (which owes its magnificence to the donations of countless
devotees) to the familiar sight of mendicant monks receiving alms. Nor
is charity reserved for those who choose the religious life. Rest houses
are set up all over the country for the comfort of travelers, and
vessels of clear, cool water can be found on every roadside, put there
for the benefit of passersby. These distinctive clay water pots are
replenished daily, often by local people who have little else to offer,
but who remain intent upon contributing something for the well-being of
others. "The inclination to charity is very strong" among Burmese, noted
Fielding Hall in his book, The Soul of a People, published in 1902. "The
Burmese give in charity far more in proportion to their wealth than any
other people."
These days, however, many observers take a more jaundiced view of such
impulses. "Everything has gone to pot here," remarked one respected
Burmese writer recently. "You can?t paint a rosy picture of so-called
?Burmese beauty? anymore. Dana has become a self-serving tool to acquire
wealth and power," complained the octogenarian author, who has written
extensively on Buddhist literature in Burma. "Even among religious
people, dana amounts to little more than sending a money-transfer to the
next life."
Under the current military regime, dana is often represented as a
panacea for poverty. In its propaganda, the junta stresses that a lack
of generosity, and not poverty as such, is the real problem facing the
country?s many destitute citizens: "If you say you can?t make donations
because you lack wealth, you can never expect to become wealthy," reads
one typical pronouncement in a state-run newspaper. This Catch-22 may be
cold comfort for the poor, but for the regime, it makes perfectly good
sense. Why blame decades of mismanagement for the country?s many
economic woes, when the Buddhist scriptures (according to the junta) say
that poverty is simply a product of parsimony?
Given the prevalence of such self-serving interpretations of Buddhist
principles in public discourse (which is almost totally monopolized by
official opinion), it is not surprising that many Burmese have strayed
from Buddhism altogether without even realizing it. Many who profess to
be Buddhists often direct their charitable offerings according to the
advice of soothsayers and astrologers in order to accrue as much merit
for themselves as possible. Not only is this practice based on misplaced
faith in the powers of pseudo-spiritual fakirs; it also runs contrary to
the Buddhist conception of charity as an act free of self-interest.
Even more disturbing, from the standpoint of the social impact of such
distortions of Buddhist principles, is the way charity has become a form
of bribery or even a means of laundering ill-gotten gains. When
businessmen want to obtain a license or permit of some sort, they
invariably make a donation to a pet project run by one of the ruling
generals. And for Burma?s drug lords, who enjoy a status akin to
aristocracy in the country?s capital, charity serves as a convenient way
to convert illicit profits into social, political, and economic capital.
Thus donation ceremonies, which routinely bring together generals, drug
lords and businessmen, are highlighted daily on the state-run Myanmar TV
news programs. Charity funds everything from the restoration of pagodas
to the national football team; but ultimately, the real beneficiaries
are those who control the flow of finances behind the scenes.
Most ordinary Burmese are well aware of how the system works, and remain
troubled by it, even after more than a decade of such abuses. "Steven
Law of Asia World Company has offered a huge donation to build schools
and fund multimedia classrooms," remarked Rangoon schoolteacher Mya Lwin
recently. He added: "We all know where he gets his money from, but what
can we do, except hang our heads in shame?" Law is known to be one of
Burma?s leading narco-billionaires.
While some of these practices are distinctly modern innovations, there
is nothing new about Burmese rulers using charity to enhance their
political legitimacy. The current regime has in many ways modeled itself
after Burma?s pre-colonial kings. This has been most conspicuously the
case in its patronage of the Buddhist Sangha, or monastic community. On
a daily basis, the generals make religious offerings that serve not only
as a form of personal merit making, but also as powerful symbolic
gestures that exploit the Sangha?s historically important role as a
unifying factor of the state.
Pagodas, as the most visible symbols of religious beneficence, have long
played an especially important role in reinforcing claims to political
power. In his History of Burma (1925), G. E. Harvey noted that pagodas
built by Burma?s King Bayinnaung in Ayutthaya (in present-day Thailand)
and other neighboring kingdoms "are still to be seen, and in later ages
the Burmese would point to them as proof of their claim to rule those
countries." This mindset has persisted to this day, as seen in the
current regime?s building of pagodas modeled after Rangoon?s renowned
Shwedagon Pagoda throughout Shan State, as a way of asserting Burmese
(i.e., ethnic Burman) sovereignty over this ethnically distinct region.
The practice of co-opting religious symbolism for political ends
literally reaches its pinnacle with the ceremonial hoisting of the
htidaw ("umbrella") on the top of pagodas that have been newly
constructed or renovated. This act is regarded as the ultimate
merit-making event, and yet it has no basis whatsoever in Buddhist
doctrine. According to historian Dr Than Tun, "This practice began in
the 15th century, when a Mon king invaded Burman-dominated territory and
put a big crown made like his own on top of each pagoda in the land he
conquered." As retaliation, "The Burmese king put a likeness of his own
crown on top each pagoda when he re-seized his land."
In early 1999, Burma?s military rulers held a htidaw-hoisting ceremony
to mark the completion of a major renovation of the country?s most
sacred religious edifice, the Shwedagon Pagoda. The ceremony, which was
treated as one of the most important religious events of the 20th
century, culminated with the generals shouting "Aung Pyi! Aung Pyi!"
("We won! We won!"). Far from sharing in the generals? sense of victory,
however, local people were left feeling more defeated than ever. "When
we heard what they were shouting, we felt crushed," recalled one Rangoon
shopkeeper. "It was not act of dana but of sorcery. I was also
frightened by the thought of this regime remaining in power for years to
come," she added.
By far the most appalling misuse of the principle of dana is the
widespread practice of forcing people throughout the country to "donate"
their labor to public works projects. The regime has repeatedly claimed
that such "voluntary labor" is carried out in the spirit of dana, as if
there were something spiritually uplifting about being forced to perform
backbreaking labor at gunpoint. In some instances, people are genuinely
willing to contribute to the upkeep of temples or to projects that
directly benefit their communities; but this clearly does not apply to
the construction of roads and other infrastructure for the tourism
industry, for instance. "In some cases, people do not mind donating
their time voluntarily for their religion," observed recently exiled
social critic Tin Maung Than. "But the donation of labor for temple
construction must be separated from being ordered to give free labor for
government projects," he added.
Some scholars have pointed out that the current regime is worse than the
pre-colonial monarchy in the way it has conscripted labor. "Even King
Mindon, unlike some of his predecessors, had insisted on paying for
labor by his subjects, and did not require them to attend to court
matters while they were busy during harvest time," explained
anthropologist Gustaaf Houtman, citing Dr Than Tun?s The Royal Order of
Burma. King Mindon, who belonged to Burma?s last royal dynasty,
eventually abolished corvee labor altogether, following the introduction
of a coinage currency and a new taxation system in 1868, according to
Burmese historian Toe Hla.
Political abuses are not the only issue that makes dana problematical
from a modern perspective; there are also economic consequences that
need to be considered. Melford Spiro, in a study of Buddhism in rural
Burmese society, observed that "The typical upper Burmese village is
reported to spend from 30 to 40 percent of its net disposable cash
income on dana and relative activities." This may have the positive
effect of encouraging hard work and thrift, but, as Trevor Ling pointed
out in his Buddhism, Imperialism and War, "it is important to note that
the money that becomes available at harvest time, when the farmer sells
his surplus, is channeled into what are from the entrepreneurial point
of view unproductive activities."
"Dana monies may have a very low opportunity cost if the donors do not
have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to invest them
productively," concurred a Singapore-based Burmese economist, speaking
on condition of anonymity. The tendency to "invest" savings in risk-free
religious generosity rather than in risky capital accumulation has the
effect of retarding the rate of economic growth, he argued.
Taken to extremes, some might argue that charity as it has been
practiced in Burma for centuries is a hindrance to economic development,
since it diverts capital away from more "productive" uses. However, the
Singapore-based economist concedes that the problem lies less with
charity than with the general inefficiency of the Burmese economy: "In
this case, it is tied up with the problem of a lack of mechanisms,
modalities and motivation for efficient allocation of financial
resources."
Although the profit motive?the driving force behind market-based
economics?seems to be at odds with the values of Buddhism, it would be a
mistake to conclude that Buddhism is inimical to economic growth. The
Buddha taught his lay followers that instead of squandering or hoarding
wealth, a quarter of one?s income should be used for consumption, a
quarter saved for an emergency, and a half used for one?s business?a
very high rate of reinvestment if taken literally.
The experience of other Buddhist countries also attests to the fact that
Buddhism is no impediment to economic progress. "Thai people also devote
a considerable percentage of their income to merit-making," observed
anthropologist Christina Fink. "Yet the Thai economy grew at a rate of
more than 10% a year during the late 1980s and throughout most of the
1990s."
As for the political manipulation of dana, it is worth noting that on
several occasions, monks conscientiously opposed to the policies of the
ruling regime have turned the generals? pious pretenses against them.
The most famous instance of this occurred in late 1990, when senior
monks in Mandalay called for a religious boycott (pattam nikkujjana
kamma?"overturning the bowl") against the regime by rejecting alms from
military officials and their families and refusing to perform religious
services for them. The protest was eventually crushed, but it served as
a potent reminder that the Sangha?s moral authority is not something
that can simply be usurped by an illegitimate and fundamentally immoral
regime.
Contrary to the regime?s practice of directing its dana almost
exclusively towards the Sangha, most learned abbots and Buddhist
scholars agree that there is no doctrinal basis for such bias. In his
book Ottama Purisa Dipani, the Venerable Ledi Sayadaw stated, "Alms
giving done for the benefits arising therefrom after selecting the
status of the donees and the way to accrue most merit is not a noble
meritorious deed." Citing Ledi Sayadaw?s teaching, U Aung Shwe, one
Burma?s most influential Buddhist scholars, wrote as follows: "Giving
alms not only to the Three Gems (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha)
but also to the poor is the noblest deed of alms giving."
Efforts to assist the poor by providing such necessities as food,
medicine, and education, initiated by well-respected abbots like
Thamanya Sayadaw, as well as by Aung San Suu Kyi?s National League for
Democracy and other, smaller volunteer groups, reflect a clear
understanding of the spirit of dana as it is taught in the Buddhist
scriptures. However, Burmese people seldom make such "secular"
donations, in large part because the requisite institutions of civil
society are almost entirely absent. Independent civic-minded
organizations are virtually non-existent in Burma today, as any form of
popular participation in activities affecting whole communities is
regarded as a threat to military rule. The few "volunteer" organizations
that do exist in Burma at present operate under the auspices of the
regime, and often serve primarily as means of channeling corporate or
private "donations" directly into the hands of the generals or their
cronies.
Beyond these immediate political circumstances, however, there are also
deeper cultural factors at work that tend to lead to the misapplication
of basic Buddhist values in Burmese society. An inordinate attachment to
tradition for tradition?s sake, without a critical awareness of the
basis of many time-honored practices, eventually renders even the best
of these practices meaningless. The Buddha?s teachings on dana remain as
deeply relevant as ever, but only when they are applied thoughtfully can
their true value be properly appreciated.
Thamanya Sayadaw U Vinaya
Thamanya Sayadaw U Vinaya, an elderly monk from the Pa-o ethnic group,
lives at the foot of Thamanya Mountain, some twenty miles outside of
Pa-an, the capital of Karen State. Thamanya Sayadaw is a strict
vegetarian, as are those who live in the area around his monastery; the
food stalls within three miles of the Thamanya sell no food containing
meat. Visiting pilgrims also eat only vegetarian food for several days
before coming to pay obeisance to the Sayadaw. People have great faith
in his metta samatha (power of universal loving-kindness and peace), and
believe that his blessing will bring them success in their endeavors.
Apart from his accomplishments as a meditator and other imperceptible
religious qualities, the Sayadaw is also revered for his socially
oriented charity practice. The grounds owned by Thamanya Sayadaw cover a
three-mile radius around the mountain where about 7,000 families live.
The Sayadaw owns several vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks that are
used for various construction projects, such as building schools and
maintaining roads and various public utilities. Aung San Suu Kyi once
noted that while the regime forces people to contribute labor to build
roads, the Sayadaw achieves his works through voluntary contributions
from the people.
However, some observers have noted that most people who donate money to
the Sayadaw seem to do so in the belief that they will earn greater
merit due to his exalted spiritual status, rather than with an awareness
of the social value of their contributions.
______________________MONEY________________________
AFP: Malaysian investment mission meets Myanmar ministers
BANGKOK, Sept 24 (AFP) - A visiting business delegation from Malaysia
met leading Myanmar cabinet ministers on Monday to discuss investment
opportunities, state-run television reported.
The 15-member delegation headed by the deputy state secretary of
western Malaysia's Selangor state held separate talks with Myanmar
Industrial Minister Aung Thaung and Livestock Breeding and Fisheries
Minister Maung Maung Thein, TV Myanmar said in a dispatch monitored
here.
They discussed bilateral economic cooperation and investment
opportunities in Myanmar, it said.
Malaysia is ranked fourth among foreign investors in Myanmar. Total
investment stands at 587 million dollars -- mostly in timber, hotel
construction, tourism and trading.
___________________________________________________
Thousands of Myanmar workers rush to register for Thai work permits
April 24, 2001
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Thousands of illegal migrants, mostly from
Myanmar, rushed to register for work permits across Thailand Monday,
under a new government scheme to regulate laborers from poorer
neighboring countries.
Thai Labor Minister Dej Boonlong said he expected some 700,000 migrants
would sign up. Workers, who must be accompanied by their employers, have
three weeks to apply.
More than one million migrants from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are
believed to work in farms, factories and households in Thailand, doing
jobs Thais don't want. They usually earn less than half the Thai minimum
wage.
Until recently, they were routinely subject to deportation, although
many migrants kept coming back to Thailand anyway. In a policy shift,
the Thai government now wants to offer them a way of staying
legitimately.
The 3,250 baht (dlrs 74) work permit allows workers to stay for 6
months and get free state health care. It will be renewable for a
further six months for 1,200 baht (dlrs 27). Workers can register in 35
of Thailand's 76 provinces.
In Samut Sakhon, a port about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Bangkok
and a center for fishing-based industries, about 3,000 mostly Myanmar
workers had registered within the first seven hours of office-opening on
Monday, said Arunee Krukhun, a registrar official.
Authorities in northwestern Tak province _ home to many garment
factories dependent on cheap Myanmar labor _ have so far received about
20,000 applications, said Anurut Thosarut, head of the provincial labor
department.
Myint Naing, 22, a knitting factory worker, said that his employer was
paying for his work permit, but would dock half of the money from his
from his salary.
``We have agreed as it means we can work legally. In the past, we've
had to hide in the rice fields to avoid arrest. Sometimes we got
injured,'' he said.
However, officials in Tak indicated the work permit would not guarantee
migrant workers the local Thai minimum daily wage of 136 baht (dlrs
3.10).
They said it was up to Thai businessmen not the government to decide on
salaries.
Illegal migrant workers in Tak usually earn only 60-75 baht (dlrs
1.36-1.70) per day.
Phil Robertson, representative in Thailand of the Solidarity Center, a
U.S. labor rights group, said worker registration was a step forward,
but that it should ensure migrants get the same protection and coverage
as Thais _ including the minimum wage, benefits, holidays and
satisfactory working conditions.
A Myanmar merchant, who did not want to be named, said for the past two
months, Myanmar military authorities had prevented anyone who was not a
merchant from coming to the Thai border opposite Tak. He thought this
was to stop an exodus of people seeking work permits.
___________________________________________________
Radio Myanmar: Hong Pang Company begins upgrading Rangoon-Mandalay
highway
September 23, 2001 5:41am
The Central Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Safe and Smooth
Transportation meeting No 5/2001 was held at the meeting hall of the
Army Commander in Chief's Office at 1300 today. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt,
chairman of the committee and secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council [SPDC], attended the meeting and delivered an
address.
SPDC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said: with regard to ensuring safe
and smooth transportation, the task of upgrading Yangon
[Rangoon]-Mandalay Highway into a six-lane expressway has been assigned
to national entrepreneurs. As SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe gave
guidance on the participation of national entrepreneurs in national
development endeavours duties have been assigned to the entrepreneurs
and they have been allowed to participate in the task of bringing about
safe and smooth transportation.
As the tasks are to be carried out in accord with the guidance of the
SPDC chairman and the requirements of the nation, national entrepreneurs
are required to strive for timely completion of upgrading the six-lane
Yangon-Mandalay Highway. During this month, a ceremony to begin the task
of upgrading Mandalay-Meiktila section, the northern part of
Yangon-Mandalay Highway, by Hong Pang Company was held and construction
work has begun. Other entrepreneurs are also engaged in tasks such as
finding the axis for the respective sections of the highway, drawing
road designs, and collecting fuel oil and machinery.
In conclusion, the secretary-1 urged all to work for the emergence of
the six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway of high standard and assured them
that the government and responsible departments will provide necessary
assistance...
Source: Radio Myanmar, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 22 Sep 01
_______________________GUNS________________________
AFP: Thai refugee camp under tight security after threats of attack
MAE SOT, Thailand, Sept 23 (AFP) - Thailand's military said Sunday it
had stepped up security around a major refugee camp on the Myanmar
border, acting on rumours that a rebel militia had targeted it for
attack.
Fourth Infantry commander in Tak province, Colonel Anek Inamnuay, said
the Myanmar-aligned Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) was believed
to be planning a revenge strike against the Karen National Union (KNU).
Sources on the border said rumours were sweeping intelligence circles
that the KNU had captured high-ranking DKBA leader Kyaw Than during a
raid on one of its bases earlier this month.
The DKBA planned to retaliate by torching the Ban Bae Koh refugee camp
in Tak province's Tha Song Yang district, one of the biggest facilities
on the border and home to 37,000 Karen.
Anek said the Thai army was checking on the rumours, and in the
meantime tightening its guard over the camp.
"The intelligence reports we have say it is possible that the camp in
Tha Song Yang district will come under attack," he told AFP. "We have
increased security around the camp."
However, KNU secretary general Pado Mansha denied having 51-year-old
Kyaw Than in his custody, and said his fighters had raided DKBA
headquarters, not the base closer to the border as the Thais believed.
He told AFP that during the raid they found no top leaders, but seized
four lower-ranking officers and held them overnight before releasing
them. About five buildings at the headquarters were set alight and
destroyed.
The KNU leader said he had also heard rumours of an imminent attack on
the camp, although he believed the smaller Mae La camp was being
targeted.
"A raid on a camp would cause heavy casualties, but the Thai army has
them tightly secured so we don't expect them to be attacked by the
DKBA," he told AFP by phone from his secret base.
________________________DRUGS______________________
AP: Five suspected drug smugglers killed in border clash
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Five suspected drug smugglers were killed and
two Thai soldiers wounded in a jungle shoot-out along the Thai-Myanmar
border, police said Monday.
Acting on a tip, Thai troops intercepted the suspected traffickers
Saturday night in Chiang Rai province, some 860 kilometers (422 miles)
north of Bangkok, said Police Capt. Vichien Wanasut.
The group, which apparently crossed into Thailand from Myanmar,
retreated after a brief gunfight, but another clash occurred Sunday
morning when Thai troops went to sweep the area about one kilometer
(1,090 yards) from the frontier, he said in a telephone interview.
Five bullet-ridden bodies were found, two of them identified as
hill-tribe villagers and three believed to be members of Myanmar
drug-trafficking groups. Two Thai soldiers sustained minor wounds.
Police seized 8 kilograms (17.7 pounds) of heroin and two rifles after
the clash.
It was not certain whether the dead were followers of one time drug
warlord Khun Sa. He surrendered to Myanmar troops six years ago but some
of his followers are still involved in narcotics trafficking, police
say.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is one of the world's major producers of
opium, from which heroin is refined. Laboratories near the Thai frontier
also turn out millions of metamphetamine pills which are flooding
Thailand.
The Thai government has declared a war on this scourge and stepped up
police and military patrols along the frontier.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: Myanmar belatedly releases condolence message for the US
YANGON, Sept 23 (AFP) - Myanmar's military regime has belatedly released
a message of sympathy sent to the United States after the terrorist
attacks there, and denied rumours that its troops were ready to fight
with the alleged perpetrator Osama bin Laden.
Myanmar's official press maintained a blackout on the attacks until the
weekend when it finally ran a letter to US President George W. Bush from
junta leader Senior General Than Shwe, sent the day after the attacks.
"I was deeply shocked by the news of the dreadful violence perpetrated
in the cities of Washington DC, New York and Pittsburgh on 11 September
2001," Than Shwe said in the message.
"At this tragic hour, the people and government of the Union of Myanamr
join me in offering our heartfelt condolences to the government and
people of the United States of America."
The Myanmar junta typically has a hostile relationship with the US
government, which has led the international community in condemning the
regime over its poor human rights record and resistance to democratic
reforms.
Meanwhile, the official press also issued a statement dismissing what
it said were rumours of a connection between government troops and
fighters aligned with Bin Laden, who the US has accused of masterminding
the attacks.
"The government and the people of Myanmar are quite surprised to learn
that in Europe there is a malicious rumour going around stating that the
Myanmar soldiers are going to join Usamah Bin-Ladin's forces," it said.
The statement said the reports were being spread deliberately by exiled
dissidents who were aiming to discredit the government and deter
tourists from visiting Myanmar.
However, the opposition radio network, the Democratic Voice of Burma
(DVB) said the government's denial was the first it had heard of the bin
Laden connection.
"DVB has contacted Europe-based Burmese democracy groups but they said
they have not heard the rumours," it said.
The Myanmar Times said in a report to be published in its Monday
edition that Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win had also expressed
the government's sympathies over the attacks in a condolence book.
"These acts were indeed in no way acceptable to all mankind," the
minister wrote in the book opened at the Inya Lake Hotel, where a prayer
service for the victims was held Wednesday.
"In this hour of great tragedy, Myanmar wishes to reaffirm its
friendship with the great people of the United States."
___________________________________________________
Myanmar Information Committee: [Reiterates Than Shwe's 12 Sep sympathy
message]
[Information Sheet No. B-1962 (I/L) issued by the "Myanmar Information
Committee" in Rangoon on 21 September] [FBIS Transcribed Text] This
office is presenting the message of sympathy sent by H.E. Senior General
Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime
Minister of the Union of Myanmar to the Honorable George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America on the 12 of September 2001
for your information. I was deeply shocked by the news of the dreadful
violence perpetrated in the cities of Washington D.C, New York, and
Pittsburgh on 11 September 2001. At this tragic hour, the people and
Government of the Union of Myanmar join me in offering our heartfelt
condolences to the Government and people of the United States of
America. Senior General Than Shwe Chairman State Peace and Development
Council The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States of
America [Description of Source: Rangoon Myanmar National Homepage in
English -- Internet website carrying government news and Information
Sheets]
___________________________________________________
Xinhua: Myanmar's Machinery Import Up in First Half
YANGON, September 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's import of machinery equipment
was valued at 421.16 million U.S. dollars in the first half of this
year, up 11.52 percent from the year-ago period, according to the latest
data published by the country's Central Statistical Organization
Saturday. During the six-month period, the import value of such
machinery equipment accounted for 27.33 percent of the country's total
import value which was registered at 1,541 million dollars. Of this, the
import value of electric machinery apparatus amounted to 119.65 million
dollars, rising by 24.89 percent, while that of non-electric and
transport equipment reached 301.51 million dollars, up 6.97 percent.
According to official statistics, in 2000, Myanmar imported 628. 05
million dollars' worth of machinery equipment. Myanmar, an agricultural
country, has to depend on import for the majority of its different
machinery equipment in need. The country is trying to produce
agricultural implements as import-substitute goods, getting aid from
China in the implementation of two agricultural machinery factory
projects which will produce walking tractors and reapers.
___________________________________________________
AFP: US attacks, politics to dominate Malaysia-Myanmar talks
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (AFP) - The attacks on the US and their economic
impact, along with political developments in Yangon, will top the agenda
when Myanmar's leader visits Malaysia this week, an official said
Monday.
Senior General Than Shwe is due to begin a three-day trip Tuesday at
the invitation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Six senior ministers and the chief of military intelligence,
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, will accompany Myanmar's most powerful
leader, a senior Malaysian government official told AFP.
Than Shwe would arrive early Tuesday and hold talks with Mahathir ahead
of a meeting of delegations. Two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) --
on tourism and information exchange -- would be signed.
The official said Than Shwe was expected to brief Mahathir on the
political situation in Myanmar.
Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for a
year, but has embarked on landmark talks with the military.
The political atmosphere in Yangon has thawed since the talks began,
leading to the release of nearly 200 opposition figures including senior
members of her National League for Democracy (NLD).
The Malaysian official said UN envoy Razali Ismail was expected to make
more frequent visits to Myanmar to "build up the momentum" to pave the
way for democratic reforms.
During a four-day visit to Yangon in August, the envoy met twice with
Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the progress of the talks.
The official said Mahathir and Than Shwe may discuss how best to
cooperate to deflect the negative economic impact of the terrorist
attacks on the US.
Malaysia, which is eyeing the energy market in Myanmar, would propose
"some ideas" and technology to solve the country's chronic electricity
shortages, he said.
The first day of Than Shwe's visit will conclude with a dinner hosted
by Mahathir. On Wednesday, he is due to tour the Multimedia Development
Corporation and the world's tallest buildings -- the Petronas Twin
Towers.
On Thursday the general is scheduled to visit the island resort of
Langkawi before leaving for home later in the day.
________________
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