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BURMA RELATED NEWS - July 28,
2001.
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HEADLINES
---------------------------------------------------------------- AFP - Myanmar to host new international golf
tournament
DY - Director
determined to complete Japanese-Myanmar film
ABC online - Foreign
Minister gives positive outlook for Burma
Kyodo News - U.N.
envoy Razali to return to Myanmar Aug. 27
The Nation - US, EU
pledge help with drug summit
SCMP - Sanctions on Burma to stay despite
progress, says Patten
ST - EU sees Myanmar situation as a hurdle
---------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday July 28, 4:12 PM
Myanmar to host new international golf tournament YANGON, July 28 (AFP) - Myanmar
will soon play host to a new international golf tournament in another sign that
the military-ruled nation is becoming a mecca for aspiring Asian professionals,
organisers here said.
Secretary of the fledgling Myanmar Professional Golfers' Association Chan
Han said the championship called the Myanmar London PGA Championship would be
held in Mandalay, 450 miles north of here from September 26 to 29.
"The fact that we can hold this event here shows that the standard of golf
in Myanmar is quite high," Chan Han told reporters ahead of the launching of the
five-venue local circuit scheduled for July 30.
An established leg on the Asian professional golf circuit, Myanmar already
hosts the internationally recognised Myanmar Open.
According to Han, who also runs the Han Golf Masters Pte Limited, the
tournament will be the first-ever international-level championship held in
Mandalay, the seat of Myanmar art and culture.
"This is also another milestone for professional golf here, with 40 of our
pros, including four to six of our top amateurs, having an opportunity to play
against international players," he said.
The championship organisers expect about 70 licensed professionals will
take part in what has been described as an "opportunity tour" intended for
second-tier professional players but have not qualified for major golfing
competitions.
"Looking at it from the point of view of our local players, this is truly a
golden opportunity for them," Han said. "They will be able to compete with
foreign players both here and in Mandalay."
"As far as I'm concerned this is unbelievable, and we can even look forward
to the local circuit eventually becoming an international event," he
added.
Han said Myanmar was to be one of four or five nations, including Malaysia,
Singapore and Thailand, who plan to introduce similar "opportunity tournaments"
as stepping stones for the more than 500 Asian golf pros and up to 400 more
attending qualifying schools.
The local golf circuit was organised in 1998 under the auspices of the
Myanmar Golf Federation and sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Ptd Ltd,
a private joint venture with the ruling military government.
The "London" tournament moniker was taken from the joint venture's
locally-produced brand of cigarettes.
Tournament developer David Parkin said in a statement that he was "honored"
to stage another international golf event in Myanmar and "especially excited"
that Mandalay had been chosen as the location.
---------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Yomiuri - July 28,
2001.
Director determined to complete
Japanese-Myanmar film
Asami Nagai Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer
For a decade, film director Koji Chino has worked hard to fulfill his dream
of making a movie of the best-selling Myanmar novel, "Thway" (Blood). Chino has
already had to abandon the project once during filming, after several companies
that promised funds for the film went bankrupt.
Now, though, he has found new sponsors and is hopeful the fruit of the
Japan-Myanmar project will make it to the big screen before too long. A cast and
crew from the two countries is scheduled to resume filming in Myanmar later this
year.
Chino, 70, first read "Thway," written by Garnye Gyaw Mamalay, in 1990. He
was given a Japanese translation of the book by a friend who hoped Chino would
make a film of the story.
The book, set in the 1960s, focuses on a young Japanese woman named Yumi,
whose father is a former lieutenant colonel of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Before he dies, he tells Yumi that he has a second wife and child in Burma--as
Myanmar was known before 1990. This prompts Yumi to go to Burma to search for
her half brother. But upon finding her sibling, she struggles to establish a
relationship with him.
Chino views the subject as an important one because of the number of former
Japanese soldiers who fought in Burma during World War II and still feel ties to
the country. Despite the devastation the war wrought upon the country, many of
the ex-soldiers remember the locals--most of whom were Buddhist--as being devout
and generous people.
Massive military forces from several countries were deployed in Burma
during the war. Of the battles fought in the region, the most famous was the
Battle of Imphal-Kohima in eastern India in 1944. British, Indian and Japanese
forces all suffered a great number of casualties in the battle. During World War
II, as many as 180,000 Japanese soldiers were killed or died from illness in
Burma, according to one estimate.
After reading "Thway," Chino, who has no personal connection with Myanmar,
wanted to learn more about the country. He has since read more than 350 books on
the subject.
He first visited Myanmar in 1990. During his stay, he was struck by the
beauty of the scenery in the impoverished country. He said it seemed to have
remained unchanged from some distant time in the past.
Soon after he returned home from the trip, the first company that had
offered to fund the film went bankrupt. After this happened several more times,
Chino decided to abandon the project.
Somehow, though, it seems he was destined to make the film. In 1993, he
took part in a tour to Myanmar with former Japanese soldiers who had survived
the fighting there, as well as others who had lost loved ones in the country
during the war.
Chino said that during the tour, which retraced the journeys of the
soldiers, he felt choked with sorrow. He spent much time imagining what it was
like for the poorly fed soldiers marching through the country on dangerous
missions.
He said at one point a person whose father had died in Burma during the war
broke down and cried out: "Father! Now, you've become Burmese. It's been 50
years since you died here." Chino said that after witnessing this scene, he
decided to try once more to make the film, regardless of the difficulties that
might arise.
He wrote the script himself, for the most part sticking to the story in the
book. He did, however, shorten Yumi's stay in Burma from two years to two
weeks.
Once the synopsis was ready, he had to to obtain permission to shoot the
film in Myanmar. He first had the script translated into the local language,
then he took it to the Myanmar authorities. With the help of people from the
country's film industry, his plan was finally approved in 1994.
"My Myanmar crew told me that the authorities' approval marked the first
time a foreign film crew had been allowed to collaborate with locals to produce
a feature-length film," Chino said.
Three years later, when the crew embarked on the first stage of filming,
their activities drew much attention from the media in Myanmar.
Part of the reason for this attention was the novel. Released in 1973, it
was unusual in that it featured a Japanese girl as the heroine. It also included
insights into Japanese culture, which was the result of two visits to Japan by
the author.
"Since its publication in 1973, 'Thway' has been widely read and become
very famous in Myanmar. Almost everybody has read it," said Maung Htet Myat Oo,
a 36-year-old Tokyo-based Myanmar businessman who has been involved in
fund-raising for Chino's film project. "People in Myanmar have been longing to
see this film. It needs to be completed and screened in Myanmar."
In the film, Yumi, played by up-and-coming Japanese actress Mifuyu Ikeda,
earnestly wants to establish a friendly relationship with her half brother,
Maung Maung. But Maung Maung, played by Min Maw Kun--arguably the Myanmar
equivalent of Japanese singer-actor Takuya Kimura--refuses to talk to her. This
is because he was bullied during his childhood for having a Japanese father.
After the book's publication in Myanmar, the author received hundreds of
letters from readers. Many said that, thanks to the book, they were able to
overcome the anti-Japanese sentiment they had felt since the war.
In terms of completing the film, Chino said funding has been his biggest
headache. So far, he has only been able to raise about half the money
necessary.
===
Encouraging news
In May, though, Chino received the encouraging news that several
individuals in Japan had set up a group to raise funds for the project. The
group consists of people who have personal connections to Myanmar, such as
Myanmar expatriates living in Japan and Japanese married to people from Myanmar.
"What's unique about my film project is that I am receiving financial
support from (Japanese) ex-servicemen too," Chino said.
In the past couple of months, money has slowly begun to flow in. Elated,
Chino has made plans to fly to Myanmar in November, once the rainy season is
over.
"We have to carry every single gadget needed for filming over there. It's
very costly," Chino said.
For the supporting cast, he says he will probably use mainly Myanmar
locals. "I'm going to need several men for the role of soldiers, and they must
be real skinny," Chino said. "These days, Japanese are rather chubby, so I will
probably opt for slender Burmese."
While working with Myanmar locals in the past, Chino came to realize their
true feelings toward Japanese. His original script included the line, "Japan's
involvement in the war contributed to the independence of Myanmar." However, his
crew argued it was local people who fought for independence. "I should've been
more considerate of the feelings of Burmese people, as they were the ones who
suffered under British colonialism," Chino said.
"It takes extra effort to lead an international crew (rather than a
Japanese-only one)," Chino said. "But, their (the Myanmar) contribution to the
filming is indispensable. I appreciate that, and I must duly meet their
expectations."
The movie is to be called Thway--Chi no Kizuna (Ties in Blood). Since most
of the dialogue is in Burmese, subtitles will be provided for screenings in
Japan and other countries.
Chino said that, as a Japanese, he aims to make the film a requiem for
Japanese soldiers who died in Myanmar in World War II. The bodies of many of
those soldiers still lie buried in Myanmar soil. Equally important is the memory
of thousands of non-Japanese soldiers who died in the war.
---------------------------------------------------------------- ABC News online
July 28, 2001.
Foreign Minister gives positive outlook
for Burma
Australia says Burma's regime has met some of the political benchmarks set
by the outside world for releasing political prisoners.
Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer gave a positive report on Burma at the
Asia-Pacific talks in Hanoi.
Mr Downer had talks with Burma's Foreign Minister Win Aung, and emerged
saying that the signs for Burma are the most positive for years.
Mr Downer says the regime has met some western demands releasing political
prisoners and beginning dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD).
"I think there are some signs that this dialogue could lead in the right
direction, could lead to there being, the NLD having a role in recrafting
Burma's constitution and for the country to work its way out of the sort of
system it has at the moment," Mr Downer said.
---------------------------------------------------------------- U.N. envoy Razali to return to Myanmar
Aug. 27
HANOI, July 27, Kyodo - Myanmar
Foreign Minister Win Aung said Friday that Razali Ismail, a special envoy of
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, will return to Yangon on Aug. 27 to
facilitate the process of reconciliation between the ruling junta and
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).
Wing Aung also said in an interview with Kyodo News that the ruling State
Peace and Development Council will ''cautiously'' proceed with the dialogue
begun with Suu Kyi and the NLD last October.
He called it a ''healing'' process to build confidence and trust between
the junta and NLD, which won the 1990 general elections by a landslide but was
prevented by the military from taking power.
Win Aung did not disclose how long Ismail will be in Yangon.
The special envoy, who hails from Malaysia, was appointed in April 2000 to
help break the long-running deadlock between the junta and the NLD.
Win Aung said the national reconciliation process should not be
''cosmetic'' or ''rushed'' as there are wounds to be healed.
''We need to have a comprehensive resolution to solve many problems,'' he
said. ''We cannot afford any more mistakes. We have to move cautiously.''
Wing Aung declined to reveal what the next steps will be following the
government's release from detention so far this year of more than 100 political
prisoners belonging to the NLD.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction with ongoing talks with the
NLD, saying, ''There have been no more confrontations and there is better
understanding emerging from the other side.''
He said both sides have agreed to keep confidential the contents of the
dialogue.
Wing Aung also played down speculation about Suu Kyi's no-show at a
Martyr's Day ceremony on July 19, saying it was a family decision and should not
be viewed as a gesture of dissatisfaction with the ongoing dialogue with the
government.
Win Aung was in Hanoi to attend a series of ministerial meetings hosted
annually by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar
is a member.
The ASEAN foreign ministers, in a joint communique Tuesday, noted
''encouraging developments'' in Myanmar and reiterated their support for the
on-going process of national reconciliation there.
But the European Union (EU) called for ''new significant and definite
steps'' towards in restoring democracy in Myanmar.
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, whose country is the current holder
of the EU's presidency, told a press conference Friday in Hanoi that the EU
awaits ''definite and positive'' developments to that end before it will
consider lifting sanctions imposed against Myanmar's military government.
''The ball is in their camp,'' he said.
---------------------------------------------------------------- The Nation - July 28,
2001.
US, EU pledge help with drug summit
The United States and the European Union have pledged to assist in upcoming
talks on narcotics involving the four countries bordering the infamous Golden
Triangle, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday.
Upon returning from the Asean ministerial meeting in Hanoi, Surakiart said
the two sides were interested by the pace of developments leading up to the
summit meeting.
The summit will involve Thailand, Burma, China and Laos, and was called
specifically to discuss fighting drug trafficking.
Surakiart said US Secretary of State Colin Powell had assured him on the
sidelines of the Asean meeting that Washington was ready to help. Chris Patten,
European commissioner for external relations, also pledged support, he
said.
Surakiart welcomed the support, saying the US and EU could be helpful in
implementing comprehensive measures which require a lot of money.
The senior officials of the four countries bordering the Golden Triangle
will meet for the first time in Burma, preceding a ministerial meeting in
Beijing at the end of next month. The narcotics summit will be held in Kunming,
China. The date has yet to be set.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told Surakiart in Hanoi that the
foreign ministers of the four countries should meet informally in Brunei in
early November to review the progress of discussions and set the tone for the
summit.
Surakiart said senior officials told him that China, Japan and South Korea
would be more active in helping to fight drug trafficking under an Asean
framework.
Meanwhile, Bangkok and Washington will work to develop a new cooperative
relationship that will incorporate pressing issues such as economic and
trans-national crimes.
The agreement would be signed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and US
President George W Bush.
Surakiart also said Burma would host a meeting between foreign ministers of
Thailand, Burma and India at Mandalay soon on the possibility of jointly
developing coastal areas and road links.
---------------------------------------------------------------- South China Morning Post
Saturday, July 28, 2001 Sanctions on Burma to stay despite progress, says Patten HUW WATKIN in Hanoi Europe aims to boost links with Asean countries and others in Asia but will
maintain sanctions against military-ruled Burma until it makes further
concessions to democracy and the rule of law.
European Union Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten said
yesterday the 15-nation bloc did not wish to impose a solution on Burma, but
expected its Government to reflect the will of the people.
Speaking in the Vietnamese capital after meetings between Association of
Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers and key dialogue partners, Mr Patten
said the EU was encouraged by the decision last October by Burma's ruling
generals to reopen talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "We've seen
some hopeful signs, but we want to see a great deal more progress made, he
said".
Burmese Foreign Minister Win Aung told Reuters: "The process has started.
We are patient, we are cautious, and yes, we are optimistic."
Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won 1990 elections but
has never been allowed to rule. The Nobel peace laureate has mostly been under
house arrest since then.
About 150 political prisoners have been released since October, but human
rights group Amnesty International estimates at least another 1,500 remain
incarcerated, a situation which has contributed to the EU's refusal to give
Rangoon development aid or grant visas to junta officials.
Burma's inclusion in Asean - which also comprises Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,
Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia - has led
to tensions in Asean-EU relations, but Mr Patten said the bloc would issue a new
policy on relations with Asia in September. "We have decided our political
dialogue with Asean [shouldn't] be blocked . . . and that it is perfectly
possible to include in that dialogue the _expression_ of our concerns about the
political policies pursued by [Burma's military regime]," he said.
Mr Patten said he was also encouraged by an apparent policy shift in
communist Vietnam. He applauded Thursday's statement by Foreign Minister Nguyen
Dy Nien that he would welcome a dialogue on human rights.
Asean and its key allies - including the EU, the United States, Russia and
China - this week endorsed a move towards more active "preventive diplomacy" in
the region, and Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday that
the message of openness and closer co-operation had been embraced by all Asean
members.
---------------------------------------------------------------- The Straits Times - July 28,
2001.
EU sees Myanmar situation as a
hurdle
EU is keen to forge stronger links, with plans for new offices in Asean, but says human rights are a priority in its relationship with the group By Lee Kim Chew - CHIEF REGIONAL CORRESPONDENT
THE European Union (EU) is setting up new offices in Singapore and three
other Asean countries to promote political and economic links with South-east
Asia, but cooperation between the two groupings remains stalled because of
differences over Myanmar.
The EU President, Mr Louis Michel, said the EU wanted to help build a
better investment climate in Asean, but he warned that the lack of human rights
and democracy could be obstacles as these were important factors for the
European countries.
The EU is drawing up a new strategy to raise its profile and expand its
activities in Asia. It will focus on trade and investment, security, political
developments and poverty alleviation.
Human rights and democracy will be given priority to underline the emphasis
the EU gives to developing civil society and the rule of law.
Mr Michel, who is Belgium's Foreign Minister, said: 'We have to take into
account the strong public opinion on this.'
He stressed the importance of the EU-Asean relationship, but said there
must be more progress in the talks between the military government and the
National League for Democracy (NLD) to bring back civilian rule in Myanmar.
'We hope that the recent developments in Myanmar will put this important
country on the way back to democracy, national reconciliation and the rule of
law,' he said in a reference to the junta's release of political prisoners and
reconciliation talks with NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
'It is essential that the current discussions between the authorities and
the opposition continue and develop into a real process of rebuilding the nation
in harmony.'
The EU Commissioner for External Relations, Mr Chris Patten, said it was
not sensible for the Asean-EU relationship to be held hostage to Myanmar's
political stalemate.
But the EU would not lift its political restrictions, such as a visa ban on
Myanmar officials, unless the situation improved, he added.
This puts the EU at odds with Asean, which maintains that Myanmar must not
be discriminated against in Asean-EU dealings. Because both sides have refused
to budge from their positions, Asean-EU ties have suffered in recent
years.
Many Asean-EU cooperation projects had stalled since Myanmar joined Asean,
and a bid to relaunch the relationship at a ministerial meeting in Vientiane
last December produced no breakthrough.
Besides Singapore, Mr Patten said the EU's new offices in Malaysia,
Cambodia and Laos would open by the end of next year.
These would facilitate Asean-EU cooperation programmes and strengthen the
EU's political and economic relations with South-east Asian countries, he
said.
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