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BURMA RELATED NEWS - October
08, 2001.
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HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- AP - Nobel Peace Prize Announced
Friday
UN - SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON SITUATION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS IN MYANMAR
Bkk Post - Burma bridge to be finished by next
year
Bkk Post - Third Army commander to visit
Tachilek
Bkk Post - Asean meet to focus on new projects
Xinhuanet - Cambodian FM Arrives Myanmar On
Working Visit
SBT - Myanmar Airways cuts flights after US
attacks
Irrawaddy online - Burmese Muslim Group Speaks
Out on Afghan Attacks
Mizzima - No procession without police
permission in India's capital
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday October 7 2:56 PM ET
Nobel Peace Prize Announced Friday By DOUG MELLGREN, Associated Press Writer OSLO, Norway (AP) - As the
world watches a war on terrorism unfold, peace will move to center stage - if
only briefly - this week.
The Nobel Peace Prize, celebrating its centennial this year, will be
announced Friday. Prize-watchers view the United Nations and its
secretary-general, Kofi Annan, as front-runners although, as always, the
selection committee has kept silent about those being considered.
Because the nomination period ended Feb. 1, this year's peace prize is very
unlikely to reflect developments since the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United
States.
The nomination deadline is rigid and selectors keep their deliberations
focused on world events before that time, said Geir Lundestad, secretary of the
Nobel Peace Prize committee.
Nominations for the Nobel prizes in peace and those awarded in Sweden for
literature, medicine, chemistry, physics and economics start flowing from around
the world soon after annual winners are feted at elaborate ceremonies every Dec.
10.
Individuals and groups often receive multiple nominations, and there were
136 nominees this year, Lundestad said.
``In one case, there were 2,500 valid letters of nomination for one
candidate. That is the most in recent years,'' said Lundestad, a historian who
has worked for the committee for a decade. ``Years ago, we got 750,000
declarations of support for one candidate.''
Thousands of people have nomination rights, including many university
professors, members of governments and national legislatures, some
organizations, past laureates, the committee itself and its staff.
Some people try nominating themselves for the peace prize, which apart from
its prestige carries a hefty cash award - 10 million Swedish kronor this year,
or nearly $940,000.
``People do try to nominate themselves, but those are always invalid,''
Lundestad said.
On the other hand, he added, ``if I were to see a good idea on an invalid
nomination, I could make sure it made the list.''
At its first meeting in late February, the committee can add its own names,
then whittles down the nominations to a short list of 15 to 20 individuals and
organizations, alone or in combinations of up to three.
The committee is appointed for six-year terms by - but does not answer to -
Norway's parliament, the Storting. It is fiercely protective of its
independence, and doesn't deal with the several hopefuls or their lobbyists who
generally turn up in Oslo each year.
``Those people meet me. They never meet the committee,'' Lundestad said.
When Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist who invented dynamite, created
the Nobel prizes in his 1896 will, his instructions were general.
It's not even clear why he wanted the peace prize awarded by Norway, which
was still a part of Sweden at the time, achieving independence only in 1905. The
other prizes are awarded in Nobel's native country, Sweden.
His will said the peace prize was for ``the person who shall have done the
most or best work for fraternity among nations, for the abolition of standing
armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.''
That has been expanded to include conflicts within a nation, human rights
and pro-democracy activists.
The selectors may look for a peace process they feel needs a push, such as
awards for efforts in South Africa, the Middle East and Northern Ireland in the
1990s.
The committee may seek an individual, as a representative of a struggle or
process, such as the 1991 winner, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in
Myanmar.
It also notes historical landmarks, like the selection of Rigoberta Menchu,
a Guatemalan Indian, whose 1992 prize coincided with the 500th anniversary of
Christopher Columbus' arrival in North America.
Early in the process, the selectors cut the list again, perhaps to three or
four names.
The winner isn't decided in a vote but rather through consensus reached in
calm, reflective discussion, Lundestad said.
Famous exceptions have been noted. Kaare Kristiansen, a retired
politicians, resigned from the committee rather than support the 1994 prize that
included Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, a man he considered a terrorist.
``Even then, the tone was good, except for the last couple of meetings,''
Lundestad insisted.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED NATIONS
Press Release 5 October 2001 SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN MYANMAR TO VISIT THAT COUNTRY FROM 9 TO 20 OCTOBER
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human
Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, will visit that country from
9 to 20 October 2001. This will be the Special Rapporteur's second mission to
Myanmar this year, after his visit last April.
During his visit, the Special Rapporteur will hold a number of meetings
with Government officials, judicial authorities, religious dignitaries as well
as representatives of different social organizations and members of civil
society. He will also meet with heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to
Myanmar, representatives of the United Nations and its agencies and members of
international non-governmental organizations.
Mr. Pinheiro will visit a number of provinces in Myanmar in his quest to
address the situation of human rights in the country. This visit comes at a time
when Myanmar has been taking steps in the past few months towards an important
dialogue both inside and outside of the country in the search for peace and
national reconciliation.
The Special Rapporteur has already submitted his interim report to the
fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly. In addition, he will present his
preliminary observations on this mission to the Assembly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 08,
2001.
Burma bridge to be finished by next year Government to pay for construction Saritdet Marukatat A new bridge linking Mae Sai with Tachilek in Burma will be ready for use
by next year, the foreign minister said.
Surakiart Sathirathai said the government would pick up the tab for the
structure and renovations of a road on the Thai side.
Mr Surakiart and Transport Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha attended a
meeting yesterday with Burmese junta first secretary Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and
Foreign Minister Win Aung.
Mr Wan Nor said the bridge would cost 25-30 million baht and take eight
months to complete. It would be the responsibility of the Highways Department,
he said.
The two ministers visited the construction site along the Mae Sai river,
about 4km east of the present bridge.
The new bridge will be wider than its 20-year-old predecessor, to cope with
increasing trade.
Thailand hopes the bridge will boost business along the border and absorb
the expected rise in traffic when international trade grows with the completion
of a road linking Tachilek with southern China.
``It will improve not only the Thai economy but also that of our
neighbouring country,'' Mr Surakiart said.
He said Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt promised to speed up decisions by the Burmese
government on the lifting of a ban on 15 Thai commodities and the easing of
restrictions on joint fishery investment.
Thai investors complained Rangoon's restrictive measures would make it
difficult for them to re-enter the fishery industry with the Burmese.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 08,
2001.
Third Army commander to visit Tachilek
Third Army commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh has accepted an invitation
to visit Tachilek.
Later this month he will meet Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Burma's Triangle Region
chief, and Brig Gen Myint Swe, Southwestern Region commander.
Lt-Gen Udomchai said Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh instructed him
to concentrate on promoting personal relations with Burmese leaders.
The Third Army commander said his drug suppression policies would be much
more aggressive than those of his predecessor, Gen Wattanachai Chaimuanwong.
He said he would allow Burmese soldiers to deal with drug production plants
inside Burma while Thai soldiers concentrate on blocking smugglers.
Meanwhile, army chief Gen Surayud Chulanont said the Third Army's Task
Force 399 has begun its drug suppression operations along the border.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 08,
2001.
Asean meet to focus on new projects
Saritdet Marukatat Sa-nguan Khumrungroj
With other pressing issues on their minds, Asean ministers will meet in
Chiang Rai today to ease the way for newer member countries.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations would focus on projects aimed at
lending a helping hand to Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with the
Singapore-Kunming railway link high on the agenda.
The two-day meeting takes place as world attention focuses on Afghanistan
and Asean governments fret about the deepening economic crisis in the wake of
the terrorist attacks in the US.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Rathakit Manathat insisted the meeting was
important to bolster trade, investment and cultural co-operation in the Mekong
region and raise Thailand's position at the centre of such plans.
But before reaching that stage, the ministers have to find the money to
realise the projects.
Up to US$70 million was needed to restore railway tracks from the border
town of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaew to Phnom Penh, which is just one of the many
projects in a network of proposed overland links.
Financial issues emerged as a stumbling block in 1996 during the launch of
the Asean-Mekong Basin Development Co-operation project.
Older Asean members _ Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand _ were baffled about the issue of funding even though
they were concerned about the prospect of admitting less-developed
countries.
In an effort to draw the interest of the private sector, Thailand arranged
a programme for northern traders to cultivate contacts with top officials from
neighbouring countries.
``For the first time, the meeting will see members of the chambers of
commerce meet ministers from countries in the Mekong sub-region for the benefit
of trade,'' the spokesman said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cambodian FM Arrives Myanmar On
Working Visit
Xinhuanet 2001.10.08 21:29:41 YANGON, October 8 (Xinhuanet)
-- Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong arrived here Monday evening on a
two-day working visit to Myanmar as a special envoy of Prime Minister Hun
Sen.
During his visit, Hor Namhong will meet with Senior-General Than
Shwe, chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)
and prime minister, according to the Cambodian Embassy here.
In February last year, Hun Sen, accompanied by Hor Namhong, visited
Myanmar for the first time after Cambodia was admitted into the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in April 1999.
During that visit, the two countries signed an agreement on mutual
exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Myanmar resumed diplomatic relations with Cambodia in August 1994 and
since then the two countries have strived for all-round development of
their bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation.
Myanmar opened its embassy in Phnom Penh in March 1999, one month
before Cambodia joined the ASEAN.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singapore Business Times
October 8, 2001 Air & Land Transport News Myanmar Airways cuts flights after US attacks It is also collecting surcharge from passengers (YANGON) Myanmar Airways International has trimmed back its schedule of
flights in line with moves by other carriers following the Sept 11 terrorist
attacks on the United States, the Myanmar Times newspaper reported.
In its edition to be published today, the weekly said the carrier issued a
revised flight schedule last Monday showing reduced services to Bangkok and
Singapore.
Direct return flights to Bangkok have been reduced to one a day while the
carrier's morning service to the Thai capital has been scrapped. Also, direct
return flights to Singapore have been cut from five to three a week, on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
Flights to Singapore which stop over in Kuala Lumpur on the return leg have
been reduced to one a week, on Sundays. Before the change, the service was
available on Thursdays and Sundays.
However, Myanmar Airways International has introduced a direct return
flight to Kuala Lumpur on Thursdays.
The international carrier has also changed its schedule for flights to Hong
Kong, which now operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, instead of Mondays and
Fridays.
Meanwhile, the Myanmar Airways International has begun collecting a US$2
surcharge from passengers to meet higher insurance premiums arising from massive
losses by insurers due to the terror attacks.
An airline official told the Myanmar Times it had been collecting the
surcharge, which has been introduced by many other carriers worldwide, since Oct
1.- AFP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Irrawaddy online
Burmese Muslim Group Speaks Out on
Afghan Attacks
By Maung Maung Oo and Ko Thet October 8, 2001—A Muslim group from Burma has expressed its perspective on
attacks being carried out in Afghanistan by the United States and its
allies.
Thet Lwin Oo, a spokesperson for the Muslim Information Committee of Burma
(MICB) said that the Muslim people might be consolable if this war ruins only
Afghanistan’s military targets and terrorist training camps.
"But if this war hurts the innocent people of Afghanistan or results in
other unnecessary bloody events, it will be more difficult for Western countries
to solve the terrorist problem. If there are other unnecessary consequences,
reprisals would follow, because in Islam, all Muslims are brothers," he said.
Last night the United States and its allies started their war against
terrorism with air strikes on targets in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s air defenses
and terrorist redoubts in the capital Kabul and other cities were hit by
Tomahawk cruise missiles.
According to reports, Osama Bin Laden, the millionaire Saudi exile accused
of financing and masterminding attacks on New York and Washington on Sept 11,
escaped the air strikes, as did Mullah Mohammed Omar, leader of Afghanistan’s
Taliban regime.
The Irrawaddy asked Thet Lwin Oo if he believed there was a danger of the
US war against terrorism turning into a religious war. "As long as this war
lasts, it could change," he replied.
"I think it is early to have a war against Afghanistan because America
cannot show any concrete evidence of Bin Laden’s involvement in the Sept 11
attacks," he said when asked if he felt the war against Afghanistan was fair or
not.
The MICB spokesperson said that most Muslims in Burma know little about Bin Laden, but believe that he is carrying out a war to defend the Muslim people. "But if he is responsible for the Sept 11 attacks in America, which claimed thousand of lives, we, Burmese Muslims, would not be support him," he added. Most Burmese Muslims, he said, regard Burma’s military government as the
real terrorist group because of their practice of demolishing mosques and
persecuting Muslims.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- No procession without police
permission in India's capital
Mizzima News New Delhi, Oct. 8: In future, it is up to the Delhi Police whether to allow
a demonstration, procession or gathering in the capital. The Delhi Police today
said a written permission has to be obtained from the District Deputy
Commissioner of Police (DCP) before taking out any procession, rally, dharna,
etc. in the capital. The advertisement, which appears on major daily newspapers
today, is in accordance with the directions issued by the High Court in a Writ
Petition a few months ago.
"In pursuance to the directions issued by the Hon'ble High Court in a Writ
Petition, guidelines for regulating processions (religious/political), dharnas,
rallies, marriage processions, etc. in Delhi have been framed…" said the Delhi
Police notice on Monday's Hindustan Times newspaper. The same was carried by
other major newspapers as well.
The Do's and Dont's notice include the requirement of written permissions
to be obtained from the District Commissioner of Police, from Police
Headquarters (if the procession is to cover more than one district), not to
occupy more than one-fourth of the width of the road for the procession and not
to take out procession before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Other restrictions include the use of loudspeaker without prior permission,
not to burst crackers and indulge in firing by weapons etc. and the need to
stick to the route of the procession as permitted by the traffic police.
"In the event of non-compliance of any of the above conditions, the
procession/meeting/gathering can be declared as unlawful and prosecution can be
launched against the violators", said the notice.
The Indian government had issued an internal circular requiring security
clearance from the Home Ministry before holding international conferences,
seminars, symposiums, or workshops in the country. Although the original
circular was withdrawn after the outcry from some human rights groups, the
Ministry reissued the circular after making some minor changes. Kuldip Nayar, a
Member of Parliament said that the modification has not "materially changed the
original circular".
"The guidelines have once again made it clear that participation of
foreigners in conferences of political, semi-political, communal or religious
nature or those related to human rights or sensitive technical subjects should
not be generally considered", wrote Kuldip Nayar in a daily newspaper in June.
"Participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan or Sri Lanka have
been once again singled out. It means that it is a policy decision not to let
people in South Asia mingle among themselves and develop an entity of their
own", he criticized the move. The circular is once again reportedly being
modified by the concerned ministry.
The Delhi Police announcement is believed to affect the Burma pro-democracy
activists as well, who often stage demonstrations and processions in the capital
against the rule of military junta in their homeland. In recent months, the
Burma pro-democracy activists have been asked to write down their name, address,
refugee (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - UNHCR) certificate
number, etc. by the Foreigners' Registration Office at the site of the
procession and demonstration.
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