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BURMA RELATED NEWS - June 08,
2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
---------------------------------------------------------------- AP - UN Chart Says AIDS Epidemic
Spreading
AP - Earthquake Strikes Southwestern China; 13
injured
AFP - A stronger China would promote growth in
Southeast Asia: Cambodian PM
AFP - Myanmar announces veteran battleplan as
row with Thailand simmers
AFP - Three Southeast Asian PMs see regional
ties as path to prosperity
BBC - Burma talks to resume
BBC - Burmese Naga refugees flee to
India
ABC online - United
States to grant Burmese asylum seekers citizenship
VOA - New History Textbook Could Threaten
Thai-Burma Relations
The Nation - Envoy to tackle Burmese textbook
dispute
The Nation - EDITORIAL: Burmese are just
rattling our cage
Bkk Post - Foreign media driving wedge, says Gen
Chavalit
Bkk Post - 'Explanation' to be offered on
textbook
Bkk Post - Enlist help
with Burmese
Xinhuanet - Photo, Film Show on West China,
Tibet Opens in Myanmar
Xinhuanet - Thailand Cracks Down Illegal
Immigrants
NSTP - 10 illegal aliens, local agent caught
minutes after entering Chuping
TI - Skull smuggling flourishes despite
ban
---------------------------------------------------------------- Friday June 8, 10:50 AM UN Chart Says AIDS Epidemic
Spreading
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With
millions of people worldwide living with AIDS and the HIV virus, a new U.N.
chart paints a grim picture of the epidemic spreading not only through Africa,
but also through parts of Asia and Latin America.
Five countries have at least 2 million people each living with AIDS or the
HIV virus - Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, according to a
chart released Thursday by the United Nations Population Division.
In five other African countries - Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and
Zimbabwe - at least 20 percent of the adult population is infected.
By 2005, life expectancy will have dropped by at least 17 years in these
five countries as well as in Kenya, Namibia and South Africa, the chart showed.
Outside Africa, AIDS deaths will decrease life expectancy by at least three
years in the Bahamas, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti and
Myanmar by 2005.
``The numbers show a worsening of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in
terms of increased illness, deaths and population loss - and we're not even at
the peak of the deaths,'' said Joseph Chamie, director of the U.N. Population
Division.
In 1999, the disease killed 310,000 people in India, more than any other
country. Ethiopia was second with 280,000 deaths followed by Nigeria with
250,000.
``We've had wars before, and a great number of people have died in those
wars, but it hasn't had the impact on average life expectancy that we observe in
some of the countries hardest-hit by HIV/AIDS,'' Chamie told The Associated
Press.
In Botswana, the United Nations projected that at the end of the 20th
century, life expectancy should have been about 68 years. But because of AIDS,
life expectancy was around 44 years. Similarly, in South Africa, without AIDS,
life expectancy should have been around 63 years but instead it has fallen to
around 57.
The chart was produced ahead of the U.N. General Assembly special session
on HIV/AIDS June 25-27, which is expected to adopt a global agenda to combat the
disease. It includes AIDS statistics from every country, including life
expectancy with and without AIDS, condom use, and health expenditure per capita.
U.N. figures indicate that the use of condoms - the cheapest and most
effective form of protection against transmission of the HIV virus during sexual
contact - is rare in most regions.
Despite the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic, however, the
population of the most affected countries is expected to increase by 2050,
Chamie said.
``We project that the African population which is today around 800 million
is likely to be 2 billion by 2050, even with AIDS,'' he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday June 8, 3:07 PM
Earthquake Strikes Southwestern China;
13 injured
BEIJING (AP)--A magnitude 5.3
earthquake struck southwestern China early Friday, knocking down houses and
injuring 13 people, official media reported.
The quake struck Shidian county in Yunnan province at 2:03 a.m. local time
(1803 GMT Thursday), the China News Service reported. Two people suffered
serious injuries, it said. An official at the provincial earthquake monitoring
center confirmed the quake's magnitude, but said he hadn't yet received reports
of casualties.
Shidian is near China's border with Myanmar, 2,400 kilometers southwest of
Beijing.
Yunnan is one of China's most earthquake prone areas, and a May 24 quake in
Ninglang township killed two people, injured more than 600 others, and destroyed
hundreds of homes.
Eleven earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater have struck Yunnan over the
past 50 years, the China News Service said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday June 8, 2:22 PM
A stronger China would promote growth in
Southeast Asia: Cambodian PM
TOKYO, June 8 (AFP) - A
sluggish global economic backdrop has created difficulties for Southeast Asian
economies but China's future accession to the World Trade Organisation should
help boost prosperity in the region, said Cambodia's prime minister
Friday.
"The global outlook for 2001 is becoming significantly more adverse, with the economic slowdown of the United States, lower growth in Europe and problems in the Japanese economy," said Hun Sen at a symposium in Tokyo organised by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newsapaper. Most Southeast Asian economies, dependent on production and export of
electronic goods, have been hit hard by a worldwide slump in demand, he
said.
But China's imminent entry to the WTO should provide "win-win opportunities
for the development and progress of the whole East Asian region."
He welcomed the idea of a strong China post-accession to the world trade
body, saying Southeast Asian nations should learn and benefit from the communist
country's experience.
"We should play with China to become rich, that is my idea," he said.
Hun Sen argued that if given the choice of a poor China or rich China he
would go for the latter.
"If China becomes a rich country the living conditions will improve and
that will be good for other member countries (of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations -- ASEAN)," he said.
But the Cambodian premier warned were China to become poor Southeast Asia
would be threatened by a flood of immigrants.
It would "face the possibility of say 50 to 100 million people fleeing
(China) and that would affect other countries in the region with refugees," he
said.
"Therefore I wish China to be strong as it is good for our region," he
said.
Hun Sen highlighted the benefits of ASEAN membership for his country's
future development.
"ASEAN remains the economic centre, which is capable to generate high
growth over the long term," he said, calling for a strengthening of relations
between ASEAN countries and Japan, China and South Korea.
Huge economic disparities between members of ASEAN must be resolved to
facilitate future growth and peace between the member countries, he said.
Bridging the gap between rich nations and poor would "remove impediments to
regional economic integration," said Hun Sen.
Despite adverse economic conditions worldwide, he urged the region's
economies to maintain their respective development programmes "which is crucial
for long-term, sustainable growth," he said.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday June 8, 5:36 PM
Myanmar announces veteran battleplan as
row with Thailand simmers
YANGON, June 8 (AFP) -
Myanmar's military this week announced a contingency plan to call up some 99,000
battle-hardened war veterans in the event of an attack on its territory by
"hostile" neighbours.
The resolution, passed at a war veterans' conference which ended Thursday,
was linked with a simmering row with Thailand which erupted after a half-day
border skirmish between the two national armies in March.
Home Minister Colonel Tin Hlaing said Myanmar occupied a strategic position
in the region, surrounded by big nations with "nuclear capability", as well as
those with hostile foreign polices "under the influence of a major power".
In a clear dig at Thailand, he said certain neighbouring countries were
"building up their military power, carrying out military manoeuvres and
promoting their military capabilities."
Tin Hlaing also accused them of making "preposterous accusations" and
"attempting to create battles at the border areas."
In response, he said in comments reported in the official media, Myanmar
had formulated a national defence and security plan designed to counter the
actions of neighbours who were "stoking a fire" in order to foment unrest.
Under the new "militia strategy" the war vererans would be deployed to use
their fighting and logistics experience to give support to the regular army and
the police force, which would also take up front-line duties if called
upon.
"NGOs (non-government organisations) formed with women are required to
crush the enemies from the rear line," he said.
The conference also emphasized the importance of "national
reconsolidation", especially in the light of tensions along the Thai-Myanmar
border.
Veterans' Association vice-chairman and Labor Minister Major General Asaw
Tun said it was vital to open "political, economic, social, organisational and
military fronts" in order to gain the upper hand against the enemy.
The comments are the latest entry in the increasingly bitter tit-for-tat
exchange between the two neighbours which has prompted a flurry of official
protests from both sides.
In the latest outburst, Thailand took umbrage at reports that a new Myanmar
history textbook portrayed Thais as lazy and servile.
Despite the ill-will, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has repeatedly
said he is optimistic that the wrangle will be resolved when he makes his first
visit to Myanmar.
"There is no better way (to solve problems) than to have the leaders talk
to each other ... I am ready to go," he said recently.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday June 8, 7:18 PM
Three Southeast Asian PMs see regional
ties as path to prosperity
TOKYO, June 8 (AFP) - Leaders
of three Southeast Asian nations Friday called for closer regional ties and
greater global interaction as the key to boosting future domestic growth and
development.
The prime ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia agreed closer local and global
relationships were imperative to facilitating economic prosperity at home and
throughout the region.
Their Malaysian counterpart also advocated increased international
transactions but warned of adverse repercussions from free-trade agreements with
states outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said: "Vietnam has recorded great
achievements, but the economy remains at a low level of development and is still
in a transitional period with many weaknesses and pressing social issues."
"We are continuing to expand multi-sided relations, bilateral and
multilateral, with all countries and territories," he said, addressing a
symposium in Tokyo organised by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper.
Cambodian premier Hun Sen looked to China for inspiration to beat a
worldwide slowdown and put the region back on a path to prosperity following a
financial crisis in 1997.
"The global outlook for 2001 is becoming significantly more adverse, with
the economic slowdown of the United States, slower growth in Europe and problems
in the Japanese economy," he said
But China's imminent entry to the World Trade Organisation should provide
"win-win opportunities for the development and progress of the whole East Asian
region."
He welcomed the idea of a strong China post-accession to the world trade
body, saying Southeast Asian nations should learn and benefit from the communist
country's experience.
"We should play with China to become rich, that is my idea," he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad however had different notions on
promoting regional prosperity.
Mahathir proposed an international currency to counter the currency
manipulation and worldwide dominance of supra-national companies, which he said
lay at the root of global suffering.
"The weak must be protected according to a set of internationally agreed
rules. An international currency should be created which belongs to no one
country. Rates of exchange should be based on this one currency," he said.
"Currencies must never be traded as commodities," said the premier, adding
that a global unit would offer an equal trading platform for rich and poor
nations alike.
Cambodia's Hun Sen agreed that huge economic disparities must be
corrected.
Citing members of ASEAN, he said bridging the gap between rich nations and
poor would "remove impediments to regional economic integration."
Vietnam's Khai and Hun Sen sang the praises of ASEAN, with the Cambodian
premier highlighting the benefits of membership for development.
"ASEAN remains the economic centre, which is capable to generate high
growth over the long term," Hun Sen said, calling for a strengthening of
relations between ASEAN countries and Japan, China and South Korea.
But Malaysia's leader wanted to protect the relationship enjoyed by the 10
ASEAN states, warning against free trade agreements with countries outside the
group.
A proposed free trade agreement between Japan and Singapore could spell
disaster for the region, Mahathir said.
"People want to use Singapore as a backdoor into ASEAN countries ... If
they (the Japanese) do that there will be a problem as our products will
suffer," he said, voicing concern that Southeast Asian countries would not be
able to compete with an influx of cheap Japanese goods.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
----------------------------------------------------------------
BBC -Friday, 8 June, 2001, 13:59 GMT
14:59 UK
Burma talks to resume By regional analyst Larry Jagan
The talks between Burma's military rulers and opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi are in the process of resuming.
US Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Ralph Boyce told journalists in
Bangkok that the talks should yield concrete results soon.
There had been growing speculation since the United Nations Burma envoy
completed his mission to Rangoon earlier this week that the talks which he
helped broker last year were about to restart.
The UN remains optimistic that the dialogue process between Aung San Suu
Kyi and the Burmese generals is about to enter a new phase.
Political prisoners
According to UN sources in New York, Aung San Suu Kyi has told the Burmese
generals that they should start to release political prisoners, and remove the
restrictions on her and the rest of the National League for Democracy.
The UN believes this would be a concrete gesture which needs to happen
before the end of June if the dialogue process is to move forward.
The talks have been held in secret with no details of the discussions being
made public.
But diplomatic sources in Rangoon say the talks have not yet gone beyond
what they described as the confidence-building stage.
It is also clear now that the process has been stalled for several months.
Prisoners
The UN hopes that it can help the dialogue through the intervention of its
envoy - Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail.
He has just completed a visit to Rangoon where he acted as a facilitator
and is expected to return again in July.
The hope now is that the two sides will resume a meaningful dialogue.
Diplomats in Rangoon say it is now up to the military to respond to the
request to release the political prisoners. There are some 200 of them.
Senior opposition sources told the BBC that the military have been urged to
release them in stages, starting with those who are elderly (over 60 years) or
ill, followed by those who have already completed their sentences.
The military have also been asked to remove the restrictions on the
movement of all senior NLD leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and her deputy
Tin Oo, and to allow the party's offices to reopen throughout the country.
The talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese generals are currently
at a very precarious stage and only a good-will gesture from the military can
help keep them on track.
----------------------------------------------------------------
BBC - Friday, 8 June, 2001, 12:27 GMT
13:27 UK
Burmese Naga refugees flee to India Officials in India say more than 3,000 people from Burmese Naga tribes have
fled to the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland, after Burma launched a
military offensive against Naga separatists.
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and the Naga Students Federation
say many refugees left because Burmese troops burnt down three Naga villages
Chen Hoyat, Troilho and Nyaching in western Burma last month.
They say the Burmese army left behind land mines, making the villagers too
scared to return.
The groups say the refugees have no food and are suffering because of the
monsoon.
They've appealed to the Indian government to set up camps and provide
relief.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
June 08, 2001.
United States to grant Burmese asylum
seekers citizenship
A group of 46 Burmese nationals in Guam are on their way to becoming
American citizens after being granted asylum.
Ron Munia of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the U-S Department of
Health say although some asylum seekers from Burma have been detected with HIV,
this will not affect their individual asylum applications.
He says a total of 978 nationals have been tested.
The Director of the Public Health and Social Services Department, Dennis
Rodriguez, says the discovery of the presence of H-I-V follows routine testing
as a prelude to the Burmese nationals leaving for the U-S.
While not confirming how many of the asylum seekers tested positive for
HIV, he said the number reported to him was not high considering the region
where they originated from.
An estimated one-thousand Burmese nationals arrived in Guam seeking
political asylum before the Guam Visa Waiver Program was suspended for Burma in
January.
----------------------------------------------------------------
VOA News - Asia Pacific
New History Textbook Could
Threaten Thai-Burma Relations
7 Jun 2001 11:47 UTC Thailand's foreign minister says his country's already fragile relations
with Burma could worsen with the release of a new Burmese history textbook that
is reported to portray Thais as lazy and servile.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told the Nation newspaper that he
will not lodge a diplomatic protest over the book at this time, but said he will
raise the issue when he accompanies Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on an
upcoming planned trip to Rangoon.
Reports say the history textbook, introduced this week in government
schools, also accuses former Thai kings of being war mongers.
Thailand and Burma have traded a series of official protests in recent
months over territorial incursions and media coverage over each others'
affairs.
Relations have been tense since February, when fighting between
Rangoon-aligned militants and others reported to be linked with Bangkok sparked
a clash between the armies of both countries.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Nation - June 08,
2001.
Envoy to tackle Burmese textbook
dispute
Thailand’s ambassa dor to Burma has been ordered by Foreign Minister
Surakiart Sathirathai to seek clarification in relation to a textbook that
includes a slanderous depiction of Thailand’s people and its Kings.
Surakiart yesterday hinted there could be a protest if the textbook was
found to divert from historical fact or cause slight to the monarchy.
He said the Education Ministry was currently translating the textbook to
clarify its content.
Thailand at this stage is seeking a “factual explanation” about the book
and its contents, something of a turnaround from Wednesday, when an apparently
disturbed Surakiart described publication of such a book “unconstructive” to
bilateral ties.
The textbook at the centre of the storm will be mandatory reading for
Burmese youngsters this academic year.
It takes the form of a supplement and has been added to the gradefour
curriculum at a time when the two country’s governments are at each other’s
throats.
“Mainly the protest will be lodged in case there happens to be a travesty
of history, like that between China and Japan,” he said.
“But if it [cast aspersions on] the royal institution we will immediately
protest”.
Meanwhile, a well-known Burmese historian yesterday expressed unhappiness
about the new textbook, which portrays Thais as lazy and servile.
“We are not happy about it. Neither side should indulge in hatred,” said
Than Tun, one of Asia’s leading historians. “As Buddhists, enmity should not be
responded to with enmity. The matter should be dealt with diplomatically.”
“Wars between the two countries in the past were conflicts between the
feudal kings and not between the people of two nations,” said Than Tun,
79.
Than Tun, who received a PhD from London University in 1952, worked in
various capacities at the Rangoon and Mandalay universities until 1982.
He later worked as professor in charge of the Burmese language branch of
Tokyo University and as a visiting professor at Michigan University in the
United States.
He won Japan’s Fukuoka Asian Academic prize last year.
Another Burmese historian, who declined to be identified for fear of
retribution by the ruling military junta, said the textbook could instil in
young minds a hatred of Thais.
He said the book was apparently introduced in the curriculum to counter
antiBurma Thai textbooks that portray Burmese kings as thieves and barbarians.
Many Thai analysts said on Wednesday that Thailand was equally guilty of
distorting history in relation to its neighbours. Burmese history expert Sunait
Chutintranon said Thai history textbooks portrayed neighbouring countries as
enemies.
Surakiart said every effort should be made to prevent misunderstanding
between the people of Burma and Thailand, especially the youngsters.
He agreed with an idea to establishing a joint committee to review
ThaiBurmese history and enhance contact between the two countries.
He said he believed talks at a ministerial level would be adequate, but did
not rule out the matter being take up at a summit meeting. Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will go to Burma only when “things have been
worked out”.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Nation - June 08,
2001.
EDITORIAL: Burmese are just
rattling our cage
The revelation that a Burmese history book has portrayed the Thai people as
servile and lazy has caused much commotion inside Thailand, whose citizens,
ironically enough, see themselves as funloving and khee kiart. The word khee
kiart, which translates literally as lazy, in fact conveys the sense of a
lackadaisical attitude. When a Thai wants to say he does not want to go
someplace, he will say that he is too lazy. But it is more of a kind of
languidity or indolence, which we are used to.
Certainly, this is not the first time that the Thai people have been
portrayed this way by foreigners or, for that matter, in Burmese textbooks and
media. Such a theme has often arisen given the long history of ThaiBurmese
relations. In the past, nobody would bother with such selfserving judgements in
whatever form. But suddenly, the history book has made all the difference.
Why?
Definitely, there is a different mindset among Thais, whose sense of
national identity has been strengthened following the economic and financial
crisis in 1997. This growing selfawareness is somehow related to the living
conditions they are encountering. The stringent economic measures imposed by
foreign lending institutions in the past three years have also created a siege
mentality among Thais – they must stand up or they will be taken over.
This prevailing mentality has given rise to the current pseudonationalism
that is so common among businessmen with nonperforming loans. A much stronger
feeling of selfprotection also occurs among disadvantaged groups of Thai people
who have been marginalised by globalisation and the economic crisis.
Then there’s the fact that in an era of peace and cooperation, both Burma
and Thailand are in search of a new enemy. They have found within themselves
that past hostilities can be revived and replayed to keep the flame of vengeance
alive. So, the Thai side keeps producing popular literature and audiovisual
materials that portray Burma and the Burmese people in the most negative light.
In the past year, antiBurmese sentiment reached its peaked with “Bang Rachan”,
an epic film about the cruelty of ancient Burmese invaders. Another Thai-Burmese
historic epic, “Suriyothai”, the most expensive Thai film ever made and which
will premier in August, will certainly add fuel to the fire of Thai
nationalism.
Admittedly, Thai nationalistic feelings against Burma are the strongest
because Burmese troops overran Ayudhya twice. Knowing this is a sore point, the
Burmese junta has mercilessly exploited it to reinforce a sense of superiority
over the Thais. Of late, the junta has intensified this effort to agitate its
neighbour. Burma’s attack on King Rama IV and the textbook controversy must be
viewed as an integrated ploy to imbue a new sense of superiority among the
younger generation of Burmese who have suffered under the oppressive rule of the
military. By picking on the Thais and portraying them as the enemy, the regime
hopes to draw its oppressed to its side and shift the focus from their daily
misery onto Thailand.
Will it work? Thailand should be mature enough to view history with
objectivity and come to terms with its weaknesses. In fact, it is a time for all
of us to reflect on our attitudes towards our neighbours and our treatment of
them. Maybe the best way to start is to treat with humanity the millions of
Burmese who have escaped political oppression and poverty in their country. One
day a future generation of Burmese people will have a different view of Thailand
and a harsh view of the Burmese junta.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post - Junw 08,
2001.
Foreign media driving wedge, says
Gen Chavalit
Reporters urged to tone down reports Wassana Nanuam
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday accused the foreign media of driving a
wedge between Thailand and Burma, as an advance team left for Rangoon to lay the
groundwork for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit on June 17.
The team included Gen Sommai Wichaworn, armed forces chief-of-staff, Gen
Wichit Yathip, the defence minister's chief-of-staff, and the prime minister's
staff.
The defence minister, who will accompany Mr Thaksin, was asked to comment
on reports by foreign news agencies about harsh Burmese criticism of Thailand.
The foreign media had been "meddling" in issues they did not understand, said
Gen Chavalit, also deputy prime minister.
"On issues they don't really understand, they should adhere to journalistic
ethics. Our media, although said to be backwards, is much better because at
least it is aware of what would affect the majority," he said.
Mr Thaksin, responding to the same question, said foreign media might not
want Thailand to be on good terms with Burma.
"We have to accept that many people are not happy with Burma," he
said.
Gen Sampao Chusri, the supreme commander, said the advance team would
co-ordinate with Burmese leaders on topics for talks.
Gen Sommai, a former Third Army commander, has close ties with Burmese
military leaders. He will meet Gen Maung Aye, the Burmese army commander, and
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling State Peace and Development
Council. A memorandum of understanding on drug suppression is one task the
advance team must finish.
A source said the team would also propose that Burma and Thailand stop
attacking each other. The Burmese government would be asked to tell its media,
which is under state control, to refrain from publishing news or articles
attacking Thailand, particularly the monarchy.
At the same time, the Thai media would be asked to avoid making negative
reports about Burma.
High-level Thai authorities, including Third Army chief Lt-Gen Watanachai
Chaimuanwong, would be more careful in giving interviews, the source said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post - June 08,
2001.
'Explanation' to be offered on
textbook
Experts will look at impact of message Bhanravee Tansubhapol
The Thai ambassador in Rangoon has been told to "explain" to the Burmese
Education Ministry that a Burmese school textbook has created a misunderstanding
about Thais.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai made the point after making clear on
Wednesday that no official protest would be lodged with the Burmese
government.
According to a news agency report from Rangoon, the textbook, made
mandatory reading for fourth graders, describes Thais as "given to fun and
appreciation of beauty" and "disinclined to self-reliance and hard work.
"Mr Surakiart said he had asked the ambassador, Oum Maolanon, to obtain a
copy of the textbook as the Education Ministry wanted to check the accuracy of
the news agency's translation, and the date of the textbook's publication. "We
have to be steadfast and proud of being Thais," the minister said.
"We will protest [only] when the content clearly has [adverse]
repercussions on a high-level institution. Experts would be asked to determine
the level of Thai people affected by the analysis. Thailand also has to review
its own textbooks to see if they depict inaccuracies about other nations", he
said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post - June 08,
2001.
Enlist help with
Burmese
Editorial from Naew Na
Rather than pay a visit to Burma, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should
ask the world community to put pressure on Rangoon to stamp out narcotics
production along its border with Thailand.
Mr Thaksin announced recently that he would visit Rangoon this month to
discuss long-standing problems with the Burmese military junta. The announcement
was greeted with discouraging news from Burma.
The introduction of a supplementary 12-page textbook for Burmese
fourth-grade pupils, which describes Thai people as lazy, has upset Thai
academics, politicians and some members of the public.
When Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai was in Rangoon last month to
discuss border problems with Burmese leaders, official announcements were made
attacking Thailand for supporting ethnic groups fighting against the Burmese
government.
Later in the month, an article appeared in the official New Light of
Myanmar criticising a 19th century Thai king.
Based on these incidents, we cannot see how Prime Minister Thaksin can
expect to solve the long-standing dispute with Burma. Thailand's pride will be
hurt by his presence in Rangoon.
The Thai-Burmese dispute is complex. Apart from the problem of poor border
demarcation, Thailand has had to bear the brunt of methamphetamine pills
flooding across the border from Burma. These pills are produced by the United Wa
State Army, which is backed by the Rangoon government.
Also, Burma believes that Thailand is backing the Shan State Army, an
ethnic minority group fighting against Rangoon. The Shans have used
sophisticated weapons to attack and destroy the Wa's drug laboratories along the
border.
While the border remains so tense, it is useless for Prime Minister Thaksin
to go to Rangoon. Instead, he should ask the world community to apply pressure
on Burma to stamp out the drug production within its borders.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Photo, Film Show on West China,
Tibet Opens in Myanmar
2001.06.08 12:12:07 YANGON, June 8 (Xinhuanet) -- A
photo and film show, aimed at introducing to the Myanmar people the
exploitation potential and development of China's western part and the
development and change of Tibet over the past 50 years since its peaceful
liberation, opened at the National Museum here Friday.
The week-long Chinese photo and film show on West China and Tibet is
jointly sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Yangon and the Myanmar
Ministry of Culture.
Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Li Jinjun and Myanmar Deputy Minister
of Culture U Soe Nyunt inaugurated the show by cutting the
ribbon.
Attending the opening ceremony of the show were Third Secretary of the
Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Lieutenant- General Win Myint, Five
Myanmar Ministers including Minister of Information Major-General Kyi Aung
and Minister of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Colonel Thein Nyunt, three deputy ministers as well as
different walks of life of Myanmar and foreign diplomats totaling more
than 300.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Li Jinjun said this show is
bound to further enhance Myanmar people's understanding towards China and deepen
the "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship already existing between the peoples
of the two countries.
At the ceremony, U Soe Nyunt said Myanmar and China are close
neighbors. The peoples of the two countries are paukphaw and relatives,
having firm and traditional friendship between the peoples of the two
countries.
Chinese culture has both extensive knowledge and profound
scholarship, deserving study by each country, he noted, adding that the
cultural exchange and cooperation between two countries will further
consolidate the Myanmar-China friendship.
The photos on display in the show total 217 sheets and are made up of three
parts. They are "West China -- A Land Of Hope", "Tibet 's Yesterday and Today"
and "A Day in Lhasa" (introducing a life scene of the autonomous region
capital of Lhasa on the day February 27, 2001).
During the length of the show, seven Chinese feature films will also be
screened which include "The Emperor of Tibet", "The Chinese King Flower"
and "The Artillery of Qing Dynasty" as well as seven other Chinese
documentary films which include "The Wonder Of The Yellow River", "Get To Know
Tibet" and "The Potala".
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Thailand Cracks Down Illegal
Immigrants
2001.06.07 21:18:15 BANGKOK, June 7 (Xinhuanet) --
Thai police forces have recently launched several sweeping operations to
crack down on illegal immigrants in central Thailand, as the Labor
Ministry vowed to import foreign labors to replace the arrested illicit
immigrant labors, the Thai News Agency reported Thursday.
San Sarutanont, deputy national police chief was quoted as saying
that police had so far arrested over 100,000 illegal immigrants since late
last year, including some 1,000 detained recently in nine provinces of
central Thailand.
According to a recent report, he said that most of the arrested immigrants
were from Myanmar, while others were from Laos, India and Cambodia.
Earlier, San had discussed the issue with Labor Minister Dej
Boonlong, who pledged to resolve the knotty problem of illegal immigrant
labors within four years.
Dej said that a plan to import labors from neighboring countries to
substitute the illegal ones is underway.
He said Laos and Cambodia have agreed to help tackle the problem and
prepared to send legal labors to Thailand.
Police said illegal immigrants have posed serious threats to Thai
society. In some prisons in central Thailand and border provinces, most of
the inmates now are illegal immigrants.
Last year, illegal immigrants had involved in three major criminal
cases in the country, including a breakaway of inmates from a prison in
Samut Sakhon province and two hostage crises -- one at the Myanmar Embassy
in Bangkok and the other at a hospital in Ratchaburi province.
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The New Straits Times Press
PADANG BESAR
10 illegal aliens, local agent caught minutes after entering Chuping by Shahrum Sayuthi A group of 10 illegal immigrants and their local agent were detained a few
minutes after they cut through the border fence at the sugar plantation in
Chuping early this morning.
General Operation Force commanding officer for Chuping ASP Rizal Abdullah
said his men arrested the Myanmar nationals and the 36 year-old "tekong darat"
at 1.30am, about 100 meters from the Thai-Malaysian border fence.
"A team of 20 officers on a routine border patrol discovered the cut-off
section of the fence and quickly followed a track made by the illegal
immigrants.
"They caught-up with them after about 100 meters and managed to detain them
without much struggle," he said.
Rizal, who was speaking to reporters after the operation said the Myanmar,
aged between 18 and 35 years old were believed to be brought into the country to
work at construction sites in several other States.
He said investigations were being carried out to determine whether the
local agent was linked to any illegal immigrant smuggling syndicate operating
along the State border with Thailand.
"We are not dismissing this possibility because there have been a
relatively large number of illegal immigrants, particularly from Myanmar,
detained in Perlis over the past few months."
Rizal said enforcement efforts by the General Operation Force alone this
year had netted 150 illegal immigrants in the State.
Perlis Anti-Smuggling Unit officers had on Wednesday detained 15 Myanmar
illegal immigrants and their local agent after they were found travelling in a
van along Jalan Kampung Syed Omar near here.
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The Times of India News
Service
June 08, 2001. Skull smuggling flourishes despite ban
By Jayanta Gupta KOLKATA: Despite a ban on the export of skulls and skeletons since 1993,
they are being exported to the US, Europe, Japan and other countries via Nepal,
according to sources here.
Exporters have organised cartels that employ grave diggers to exhume
bodies. An estimated 500 skeletons and 1,500 skulls are smuggled out of the
country every month.
Police claim that over 200 gangs operating in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar
Pradesh and at least 600 professional carriers who transport these to different
places in Nepal are involved in this racket.
The skulls and skeletons are in high demand in the West as they are used
for medical experiments, forensic and genetic studies, tracing anthropological
records or simply as showpieces. In many Asian countries such as China, Japan,
Thailand, Myanmar and Korea, the skulls are used by tantriks for religious
purposes. Tantriks belonging to the Bajrayani sect are known to use the skulls
for their rites regularly.
As a result of the high demand for skulls and skeletons, graveyards are
often raided. Disappearance of bodies from the Udaigarh Vaishnav graveyard in
Neamatpur near Asansol is common. Other graveyards in Asansol, Salanpur and
Durgapur have also been raided in the recent past.
Recently, a near-riot situation was created in Dhanbad after some graves
were found disturbed. Some suspected grave diggers were beaten up and their
houses burnt.
However, such incidents and arrests of 100 persons in Bihar and more in
West Bengal have failed to check the racket.
Sources say the Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Kathmandu and Yangon are the
nerve centres of this racket. The towns of Asansol, Dhanbad, Purnea, Katihar,
Gaya and Bodhgaya are the ``dumping-grounds''.
Some time ago, hundreds of human skulls were found scattered on the banks
of river Falgu in Bodhgaya. The smugglers had apparently dropped them and fled
when they saw police approaching. Investigations revealed that Bajrayani monks
in the city were on the lookout for skulls and bones. Subsequent raids led to a
number of arrests.
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