|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BURMA RELATED NEWS - OCT - 29, 2000. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEADLINE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFP - Economics to dominate ASEAN
summit, Myanmar on backburner
AFP - Police bust
Pacific drug connection
AP - Intl Agencies Seize $55M
Of Heroin Headed For Australia
The Times of India - Killed troops mistaken as Naga rebels: Myanmar
BKk Post - Troops to attack intruders
after fatal border shooting
The Nation - Senator's drug plan blasted
The Nation - Southeast Asia
loosens access to information
Sunday, October 29 9:43 AM SGT
Economics to dominate ASEAN
summit, Myanmar on backburner
SINGAPORE, Oct 29 (AFP) - Economic integration will headline next
month's ASEAN summit with the thorny issue of Myanmar kept out of the spotlight,
and a Spratly's code of conduct again left unresolved, officials
said.
Summit hosts Singapore are already wired up to push their
integration message at the informal summit, so called because it contains no
formal agenda.
The road will not be easy. The Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), often described as an ineffective sunset organisation,
was unable to produce a united response to the 1997 financial
crisis.
Members of the 10-nation grouping are now at various
stages of recovery and not all see integration as a priority.
But for trade-dependent Singapore, ASEAN economic
integration is of prime national importance.
"With enlargement, ASEAN must take steps to integrate the
new members with the region and the world economy," the government said in a
statement.
"We must also take concrete and practical steps to enhance
ASEAN's economic competitiveness."
Easing the path to preparing the unwritten agenda has been
ASEAN's success in having the European Union (EU) agree to talks in December,
ending a freeze in relations since Myanmar was admitted to ASEAN ranks in
1987.
Myanmar is under fire from the EU for its treatment of
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under effective house arrest, and
from the International Labour Organisation for the use of forced
labour.
But ASEAN, with a policy of not interfering in the
internal affairs of its members, has resisted all pressure to
intervene.
ASEAN hopes that tensions over the Spratly island chain
could be defused during talks with China on the sidelines of the November 22-25
summit faded at a recent Hanoi meeting Chinese and ASEAN diplomats which again
failed to reach agreement on a proposed code of conduct.
The sticking point is ASEAN's demand for a specific
undertaking from Beijing not to occupy more reefs in the disputed South China
Sea chain which is believed to sit above vast oil reserves.
Security analysts regard the Spratlys as a potential
flashpoint between ASEAN and China. Four of the grouping's members -- Brunei,
Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- lay claim to the islands in whole or in
part.
And without pressure to discuss Myanmar and cool the
Spratlys, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will be left to push
integration and economic competitiveness.
There is a Singapore keeness to sustain the momentum after
agreeing with Japan to sign a bilateral free trade accord by the end of next
year.
The free trade pact has been described by Goh as "a very
important step" to link Northeast Asia with ASEAN, and arrest any declining
interest in the ASEAN Free Trade Area.
The forum will likely discuss pressing concerns on
regional cooperation in the financial sector as well with dialogue partners
China, Japan and South Korea -- known as ASEAN plus three.
"What they are aiming for is a monitoring system to keep a
close watch on the region," forum secretary general Rodolfo Severino told
AFP.
The system is essentially a currency swap programme to
give Asian economies greater protection in times of currency crises, he
said
Following the Asian financial crisis in mid-1997 that
crippled many of the regional economies, several proposals have been put forward
to help countries in the region band together to protect their currencies in
times of crisis.
ASEAN is also expected to sign a landmark e-ASEAN
agreement which sets a common policy framework for the Internet as well as
measures to strengthen infrastructure and human resources.
"It will encourage the use and development of information
technology," Severino said.
"It envisions freer trade within ASEAN in information
technology-related goods and services," he said.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Sunday, October 29 5:21 PM SGT
Police bust Pacific drug connection SYDNEY, Oct 29 (AFP) - A huge heroin stockpile of around 300kg
(660 pounds) has been seized by international agencies in Fiji's capital Suva,
Australia's Customs Minister Amanda Vanstone said Sunday.
"This is a truly staggering amount of illicit drugs,"
Vanstone said in a statement.
The heroin would have had a street value of more than 150
million US dollars.
Vanstone said the seizure was made in Suva on Saturday and
two people had been arrested.
She said the raid resulted from a long-term intelligence
probe into the activities of transnational crime groups that had become
established in a number of South Pacific island nations.
Transnational crime included activities such as fraud,
money laundering, people smuggling and narcotics trafficking across national
borders.
"In particular, the intelligence revealed some of the
islands were being used as transit points for heroin trafficking to North
America and Australia," Vanstone said.
"Police believe the syndicates have attempted to use the
instability in the region as an opportunity to expand their criminal
networks."
Australian Federal Police acting commissioner Mick Keelty
said the heroin originated in Myanmar, where Australian intelligence officers
have been stationed for the past 10 months.
"There's little doubt in our minds that the majority of
this heroin was destined for Australia," Keelty added.
The two men charged were of Chinese background. One had
been living in Hong Kong and one in China.
Although only two arrests had been made, Keelty said he
was confident the group had been dismantled.
Fijian authorities were unaware of the syndicate until
notified by Australian police.
The syndicate was believed to have targeted the small
Pacific island because of its instability following the coup attempt by George
Speight earlier this year.
Vanstone said that since July 2000 a group of Australian
Federal Police had been working in Suva as part of an agreement to assist the
Fiji Police Force in an operation against suspected transnational
criminals.
The initial investigation team was later expanded to
include personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the National Crime
Authority (Australia), the New Zealand Police Service and the US Drug
Enforcement Administration once the complexity of the alleged criminal
activities became apparent.
Vanstone said the seizure was expected to put an end to
the activities of what is suspected to be a transnational crime
syndicate.
Investigations into the syndicate's other suspected
criminal activities are continuing.
"This is a landmark operation which places a whole new
dimension on the fight against transnational criminal groups and is ringing
testimony to the Howard government's fight against illicit drugs," she
said.
Like Fiji, East Timor is also vulnerable to drug
traffickers and Australian Federal Police were negotiating with other agencies
to establish an Interpol office in Dili, Keelty said.
Sunday, October 29 3:01 PM SGT
Intl Agencies Seize $55M Of Heroin Headed For Australia SYDNE (AP)--Australian police and international agencies
have seized heroin in Fiji worth up to US $55 million destined for Australia,
Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone said Sunday.
Two men will face court in Suva on drug trafficking charges Monday, but police believe they are also part of a large international crime syndicate involved in people smuggling and money laundering. The heroin stockpile was seized during a raid on a Suva
apartment. The two men charged were of Chinese background, Vanstone said, with
one living recently in Hong Kong and the other in China.
The initial investigation team of Australians was later
expanded to include personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the
National Crime Authority (Australia), the New Zealand Police Service and the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Acting Australian Federal Police commissioner Mike Keelty said
the heroin originated in Myanmar, formerly Burma, where Australian intelligence
officers have been stationed for the past 10 months.
The syndicate was believed to have targeted the small Pacific
island because of its instability following the coup attempt by George Speight
earlier this year.
The Times of India - Oct 29,
2000.
Killed troops mistaken as Naga rebels: Myanmar NEW DELHI: The frequent misuse of forces' uniforms by Naga
rebels led to the firing on genuine Indian soldiers from the Myanmar side of the
border, resulting in the death of three Assam Rifles jawans, home ministry
sources said on Friday.
Following the incident, a flag meeting was held between
commanders of Myanmar and the Indian Army. The former tendered an unconditional
apology and steps are being taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur,
the sources added.
A patrol party of the Assam Rifles near Border Pillar-153
(close to Lungwa in Mon district, Nagaland), came under fire from units of the
Myanmar Army which mistook them for Naga militants. Three jawans were killed and
two were injured.
The Myanmar Army in a note to the Assam Rifles post at Lungwa
explained, ``It was a case of mistaken identity as the local Myanmar Army unit
mistook them for Naga militants who also normally wear Indian Army
uniforms.''
Bangkok Post - Oct 29,
2000.
Troops to attack intruders after fatal border shooting In Tak Border forces have been instructed to attack any armed group
which intrudes into Thailand, following Wednesday's clash which left one soldier
dead and two others injured.
The order was issued yesterday by Naresuan Task Force
commander Maj-Gen Tomorn Kittisophon, who said patrols would also be increased
along the border.
"If intruders carry firearms onto our soil and attack our
forces, it means they violate our sovereignty. I have ordered our forces to take
drastic measures against foreign intruders," he said.
Maj-Gen Tomorn yesterday visited the injured soldiers at Mae
Sot hospital. He delivered cash donated by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai to the
wounded and to the family of the dead soldier.
Wednesday's clash occurred when a patrol unit ran into a group
of armed intruders in Umphang district, Tak.
After a brief exchange of fire, Warrant Officer Sawong Imlaem,
of the 43rd battalion, was found dead. Warrant Officer Noppadol Thana and
Private Chatuphon Yaifa were seriously wounded.
The Nation - Oct 29,
2000.
Senator's drug plan blasted PM's Office Minister Jurin Laksanavisit yesterday criticised a
senator for floating an "impractical" idea to fight the trafficking of
amphetamine pills, known as yaa baa. "The idea of selling yaa baa for Bt1 a
tablet in government stores is nonsense," Jurin said. "Several European
countries have experimented with a scheme to distribute drugs to addicts. But
such schemes failed to tackle the problem of drug trafficking," he said.
Instead, they just increased demand.
Khon Kaen Senator Kavi Sooptheera had earlier suggested the
government try to bring down the cost of yaa baa, so as to make the illicit
business less attractive. The most effective way to tackle drug abuse was to
strengthen the community, Jurin said.
The Nation - Oct 29,
2000.
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Southeast Asia loosens access to information BY KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN SINGAPORE may be the most wired country in the region but
access to information is less than satisfactory. While Cambodia does not have an
information law, its existing information infrastructure allows easier access to
information held by the government agencies.
Prior to May 1998, Indonesia was considered a closed and
secretive country. Now as an emerging democracy with freedom of _expression_, it
has suddenly become very open. Indonesia's draft information law, which is still
in the parliamentary process, is also the region's most liberal.
To get information from the government in Malaysia is not
easy. It depends on who you are and whom you know.
By all accounts, Burma remains the region's most closed
society, where access to information, even basic statistics and data, is
generally denied.
The Philippines and Thailand are the freest countries in
Southeast Asia. But when it comes to access to information, the Philippines
ranks as the region's most open.
These were some of preliminary findings of a joint research
project conducted by the Philippines Centre for Investigative Journalists and
the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance. The comparative study surveyed
the availability of over 40 public records in Singapore, Thailand, the
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma.
These public records include macroeconomic data, social data
related to literacy, poverty and infant mortality, data on government budgets
and contracts, and financial disclosures by officials and companies. The survey
also looked into information on parliamentary meetings and inquiries as well as
court proceedings and official investigations.
According to Sheila Coronel, who led the project, there is no
correlation between the level of development and access to information.
Singapore is a case in the point. The island is the region's most developed and
wired country but access to information ranks low.
The most important factors that influence the openness of the
surveyed countries are the form of the political system - pluralistic or not -
the structure of media ownership, and a culture of discussion and political
participation.
The Asian crisis of 1997 revealed a link between the public's
and media's lack of information and the economic breakdown. In the case of
Thailand, financial institutions, both state and private, lied and cooked up
statistics. Authorities frequently twisted economic reality to fit public
expectations.
Last week, the Bank of Thailand opened an office tasked with
giving the public access to information. This is an extraordinary development as
far as opening up financial and economic information is concerned.
Similarly in Indonesia, the economic crisis precipitated the
demise of former president Suharto, which allowed a free press to prosper. By
the end of this year, Indonesia will join Thailand in promulgating an
information law.
In Singapore and Malaysia, there is now more access to
economic and financial information. Although access to other kinds of
information continued to be limited, there is some opening up in Singapore, said
Coronel.
The survey also ranked the countries according to replies of
either "yes" or "no" in providing access to information. On the "yes" replies,
the Philippines came first with 68 per cent, Cambodia and Thailand ranked second
and third with 50 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively. Singapore and Malaysia
received 44 per cent and 36 per cent, while Vietnam and Indonesia scored 21 and
19 per cent. Burma got 5 per cent.
Strangely enough, both Singapore and Burma scored 56 per cent
when counting the "no" answers followed by 49 per cent for Vietnam and 43 per
cent for Cambodia.
This raw data still needs to be refined. Errors are to be
expected and their margin will vary from country to country depending on habits
of inquiry and a culture of secrecy.
Researchers contended that the reasons why Cambodia scores
high as an open society is because laws and regulations are still emerging after
decades of civil war so in certain cases there is leeway to obtain information
if one knows the right persons or channels.
Other countries have draconian laws on certain types of
information. In Thailand, information that may jeopardise the Royal Institution
cannot be disclosed. In Singapore and Malaysia, their Official Secret Acts give
power to officials to classify information and restrict access.
In almost all Southeast Asian countries, key information on
military expenditures and certain funds are secret. The official audit reports
of government agencies cannot be released publicly.
Burma stands out as a country where virtually no reliable
information is available to anyone. The survey said that even basic
macro-economic data related to GNP, balance of payments and population is not
always available. Most importantly, detective work is necessary to get such bare
facts as the inflation rate. Repeated visits to grocery stores and marketplaces
over an extended period of time are a must.
Information access in Southeast Asia is proliferating slowly
with the growing political pluralism in the region. But there is no guarantee
that it will last. Changes in regime affect the nature of information openness.
A government is likely to tighten the screws on information during the time of
conflict and controversy. Thailand is a good case in point.
Finally, the survey, which will be published next May,
concluded that the balance can be swung in favour of freedom of information by
spirited citizens and the media.
|