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BURMA RELATED NEWS
- February 22, 2002.
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HEADLINES
--------------------------------------------------------------------- AFP - UN rights envoy says Myanmar prison
conditions improved
Reuters - U.N. rights envoy says Myanmar not
abusing prisoners
Bkk Post - Burma wants border golf course, too
Great, says Somsak; senators oppose him
Bkk Post - Asean to unite against terror,
Ministers concur on need for commitment
Bkk Post - Assets
valued at B20m seized, Five arrested in series of raids
AP - International labor group to meet Myanmar
opposition leader
AP - U.N. envoy urges release of Suu Kyi, all
political prisoners in Myanmar
NMG - Migrant Worker with HIV not allowed going
back home
DVB - Junta temporarily closes two
universities following gang brawls
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday February 22, 3:49 PM
UN rights envoy says Myanmar prison conditions improved (AFP) - February 22 3:49 pm United Nations human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said that political
detainees in Myanmar faced improved prison conditions while renewing calls for
their release.
The Brazilian academic, who earlier this week completed his third trip to
the military-ruled state, said prison conditions were better after some 150
missions by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
"From the visits of the ICRC, things have improved... they are engaging in
a positive dialogue," Pinheiro told reporters Friday, adding that he was given
unfettered access to political prisoners during his latest 10-day visit.
"Release all political prisoners, that is my mantra," he said. "I tried to
convince the government this was a decisive thing. It's very difficult to deal
with a transition with political prisoners in jail."
The envoy, who departs Bangkok late Friday for Brazil, said he estimated
there were at least 1,500 political prisoners in Myanmar. He would release
details of his findings in a forthcoming report.
On Tuesday Pinheiro visited two prominent National League for Democracy
(NLD) prisoners being treated at Yangon General Hospital's "guarded ward" for
ill detainees, one of them Win Tin, an ageing and widely-known journalist
imprisoned in 1989.
During the mission, which focused mainly on the plight of political
prisoners, Pinheiro met with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her lakeside
residence, where she has been under house arrest for more than a year.
He said the Nobel laureate was in a "very good situation and high spirits,"
adding that he had emphasised to Myanmar authorities the importance of her being
allowed to resume her political activities.
Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD and the ruling State Peace and Development Council
embarked on secret talks in October 2000 aimed at paving the way for a
transition to democracy in Myanmar.
The participation of Myanmar's many ethnic groups in a political dialogue
was another vital ingredient to the country's future welfare, Pinheiro added,
saying he had met several times with ethnic leaders in northern Kachin
State.
Pinheiro also encouraged humanitarian aid efforts to Myanmar, but said
programs should hinge on independent assessments and monitoring to ensure funds
were directed to villagers.
In an apparent gesture of goodwill, the ruling junta released a total of 11
political prisoners in two batches during Pinheiro's 10-day visit.
Myanmar's military government says it has released some 220 political
prisoners since talks with the opposition began.
The envoy's report on his latest mission is due to be presented at an
annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva beginning March
18.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday February 22, 2:24 PM
U.N. rights envoy says Myanmar not abusing prisoners By Dominic Whiting BANGKOK (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights envoy to Myanmar said
on Friday the military government's treatment of political prisoners has
improved and called for the world to forge a "principled" engagement with the
regime.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who this week ended a 10-day trip to Myanmar, said
political prisoners languishing in its jails -- thought to number more than
1,500 -- have been better treated since Red Cross visits began two years ago.
"My impression is that there's no abuse against the prisoners I
interviewed," Pinheiro told reporters in Bangkok.
"There were problems in the past, but not at present."
In his third visit to Myanmar, which is desperate for greater international
legitimacy and aid, trade and investment, Pinheiro finished a report on the
human rights situation and tried to persuade the ruling generals to free more
political prisoners.
The report, if positive, could lead to a softening in the stance of many
Western countries to the military regime, accused by human rights groups of
using forced labour, oppressing ethnic minorities and persecuting political
opponents.
The United States and the European Union maintain aid and trade sanctions
on Myanmar, but have said they could change their policies if there is progress
towards democracy and an improvement in the country's human rights record.
As well as meeting top military brass, Pinheiro saw Nobel laureate and
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who he said was "in good health" despite her
continued house arrest.
Pinheiro said talks between the government and Suu Kyi's National League
for Democracy (NLD), brokered by fellow U.N. envoy Razali Ismail in late 2000,
were still on track.
"NO DESPAIR"
"My impression is that the positive results of Razali's role continue," he
said.
"From everyone -- political prisoners, the NLD, government, parts of the
diplomatic community -- there is no despair."
Although the ruling generals have released more than 200 political
prisoners in the last year, including 11 during Pinheiro's visit, and allowed
most NLD offices in Yangon to reopen, some NLD members have expressed
frustration at the slow pace of talks.
They demand a large-scale release of prisoners, moves towards wholesale
political change, and more freedom for Suu Kyi and the party, which won the
country's last democratic election in 1990 by a landslide but was never been
allowed to govern.
Pinheiro said he had urged the military regime to release and grant amnesty
to all political prisoners, and to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to carry out political
activities.
He said Myanmar's human rights record needed more scrutiny, but urged
countries to engage with the military government. He recommended giving
humanitarian aid, if it bypassed government and was carefully directed at local
communities.
"The international community doesn't have a 'B' plan," he said. "Countries
can raise the heat as far as they want and the victims still won't have
political transition."
Pinheiro delivers his report to the United Nations on April 4 and plans a
return to Myanmar in October to visit areas on the border with Thailand, where
the military has carried out operations against armed ethnic groups over the
last decade.
This week the insurgent Shan State Army (SSA) sent a video to Reuters which
it said shows around 1500 villagers fleeing a burnt out village in the northern
Shan State.
The SSA said Myanmar soldiers, convinced the villagers were SSA supporters,
set fire to huts and rice fields.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post
Friday 22 February 2002 Burma wants border golf course, too Great, says Somsak; senators oppose him Theerawat Khamthita PM's Office Minister Somsak Thepsuthin says he supports development of
another international golf course _ this one at the Golden Triangle, as proposed
by Burmese military leader Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
The course would straddle the border, with fairways and greens in both
countries.
Mr Somsak, who is in charge of tourism, yesterday visited the 500-rai area
of mangroves on the banks of the Ruak river proposed as the site for the golf
course by Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of Burma's ruling State Peace and
Development Council.
He said golfers would be drawn to the novelty and challenge of driving
balls across the Ruak river.
Some senators yesterday expressed disapproval of Mr Somsak's other pet
project _ the planned Emerald Triangle golf course to be built in a lush forest
where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia meet.
They said it would probably spawn another crop of border casinos.
Senator Pong Leng-ee, a former Forestry Department chief, said it was
illegal to build golf courses in a national park. It would destroy the
environment and natural resources in Ubon Ratchathani.
``Building golf courses in national parks could be held as an abuse of
government policy,'' he said. ``People who want to play golf on courses
straddling three countries are just mentally deranged.''
Senator Amorn Nilprem (Ubon Ratchathani) said it would inevitably lead to
building of more casinos.
Mr Somsak should think again.
Senator Gen Bundit Malai-arisoon said landmines and bombs from the Vietnam
War era were believed still in the area.
``Nobody would dare pick up a golf ball which lands off the fairway. And
the Cambodians, who can hardly make ends meet, could certainly not afford to
play,'' Gen Bundit said.
Meanwhile, Thai authorities were said to have given verbal approval to
Rangoon's proposal for a bridge linking Tachilek, in Burma, to Chiang Saen. A
source in the Golden Triangle and Paradise Resort Co, which runs a hotel-casino
in Tachilek, said the agreement had nothing to do with the planned Ruak river
golf course.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post
Friday 22 February 2002 Asean to unite against terror, Ministers concur on need for commitment Anuraj Manibhandu Asean foreign ministers have agreed the 10 members should close ranks
against terrorism and show the world they are doing it.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra draws the attention of a tourist
sunbathing on Patong beach. The premier dropped by for a visit yesterday before
joining Asean foreign ministers at their Phuket meeting. _ JETJARAS NA
RANONG
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said the fight against terrorism was the most important issue discussed at an informal meeting of ministers yesterday. Officials were told to look into details of what ministers could do to
achieve a common stand at their annual meeting in July in Brunei.
Individual countries had taken action, and there were schemes linking two,
three or four countries.
What was needed was a way to link the activities and involve all 10 member
states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Syed Hamid Albar, the Malaysian foreign minister, said the media had
painted certain countries as havens for terrorism.
The world should know what Asean as a group, as well as individual member
states, was doing to fight it.
Mr Surakiart said Asean had not publicised its efforts enough. ``When we
arrest terrorists, it should be seen as a credit, not a debit,'' he said. An
exchange of intelligence and projecting the correct image were key issues. Mr
Surakiart said the talks marked the first exchange of views among foreign
ministers on the issue.
They showed a political commitment to combat terrorism and
co-operate.
Thailand was among member states to have set up an anti-terrorism centre,
and had agreed to related international conventions. It was interested in
joining joint efforts between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore but needed to
look into details. Mr Surakiart said the three countries had a political
agreement that covered exchanges of intelligence and communication.
S Jayakumar, Singapore's foreign minister, said he was also looking at the
proposal but needed more detail on geographical coverage and legal issues.
Mr Jayakumar said terrorism killed people, ruined property and put off
investors.
In April, Malaysia will host a conference of Asean interior ministers on
trans-national crime that will focus on terrorism.
Mr Surakiart said the ministers attached great importance to the
meeting.
Rudolfo Severino, Asean secretary-general, said Asean had to be seen as
doing something to fight terrorism, because some parts of the region had been
linked to the scourge.
``Clearly Asean has to co-operate and [be] seen to co-operate first because
it has become clear that some actual, potential terrorist groups are linked in
parts of Southeast Asia,'' he said.
Though Asean had worked on the issue for years, it had to step up these
efforts, because the international community should see that co-operation was
taking place, he said.
Asean leaders issued a declaration on joint action to counter terrorism at
their summit in Brunei last November.
The leaders told ministers to review and strengthen defences against
terrorism, and strive for better co-operation among law enforcement
agencies.
The leaders also called for more exchanges of information and intelligence
on terrorists.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Thailand had been asked to
co-operate with the tri-country agreement against terrorism. Asked if Thailand
should seek help from large countries such as the United States and Japan, he
said Thailand was already getting intelligence and advice on how to monitor
terrorists. Its forces did not need training assistance. ``We have no problems,
we can look after ourselves,'' he said.
Mr Thaksin said he had come to explain his proposal for an Asian
Co-operation Dialogue. All Asian countries had been invited. Those who were
ready could join the core group first, others could join later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post
Friday 22 February 2002
Assets valued at B20m seized, Five
arrested in series of raids
Cheewin Sattha and Theerawat Khamthita
Police arrested five people and seized assets worth 20 million baht in
raids on 25 places with suspected links to drug baron Wei Hsueh-kang.
Police, drug and money-laundering officials searched 13 places in Muang
district and nine in Fang district of Chiang Mai, and three houses in Chiang
Rai's Mae Sai district in a follow-up to last December's drive against Wei and
his drugs and money-laundering activities.
About 100 million baht of Wei's assets, including luxury houses, cars and
jewellery, have already been seized.
In Chiang Mai, police searched Saeng Siri gold shop on Witchayanon road,
owned by Somboon Boonchua, and seized jewellery worth around six million
baht.
Chartchai Suthiklom, deputy secretary-general of the Narcotics Control
Board, said Mr Somboon, 62, was suspected of having connections with the United
Wa State Army, a big methamphetamine producer in Mong Yawn on the Burmese
border.
``We believe he built his wealth from drug money,'' Mr Chartchai
said.
Police interviewed Mr Somboon but have not pressed charges.
Wei, an ethnic Wa Haw, was arrested in Bangkok years ago, convicted of
drugs trafficking and sentenced to death.
He was granted bail during his appeal and then fled to Burma and joined the
Wa forces in Mong Yawn.
In other searches in Chiang Mai, police seized 95,000 baht in cash, five
bank accounts and jewellery. Five people were arrested.
Police say that if their ID cards turn out to be fake their Thai
nationality will be revoked.
In Chiang Rai, police also seized jewellery and land title deeds.
It is not known whether other operations are planned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- International labor group to meet
Myanmar opposition leader
Thu Feb 21, 7:20 AM ET YANGON, Myanmar (AP)- A
visiting delegation from the International Labor Organization plans to meet
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before leaving this weekend, mission leader
Francis Maupain said Thursday.
The four-member team from Geneva arrived Tuesday to follow up an October
2001 visit to assess the government's efforts to end forced labor.
The ILO delegation has already met Labor Minister Tin Win and Deputy
Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win and officials from the Labor Ministry.
"As in previous occasions, it's part of the conditions of the visit that we
can go and visit people we feel whose contribution may be relevant to the
objectives of the mission," Maupain said, when asked whether he would be
visiting Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize laureate, has been under house arrest since
September 2000 for trying to travel outside Yangon for a political
meeting.
She held 2 1/2 hours of talks with Monday with Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, the
U.N. human rights rapporteur on Myanmar.
Suu Kyi leads the National League for Democracy Party, which swept the 1990
general elections but was barred by the ruling military from taking power.
Hundreds of NLD members have since been jailed.
In November 2000, the ILO urged its 175 member governments to impose
sanctions and review their dealings with Myanmar to ensure they are not abetting
forced labor. The military has long been accused of using unpaid manual labor on
public works and making civilians serve as army porters.
The ILO team will submit its report to the meeting of the ILO Governing
Body on March 21.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- U.N. envoy urges release of Suu
Kyi, all political prisoners in Myanmar
Fri Feb 22, 3:21 AM ET By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand - A U.N. envoy on Friday urged Myanmar's military regime
to release all political prisoners and allow detained pro-democracy leader Aung
San Suu Kyi to resume "normal political activities."
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the U.N. rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, also
called on the international community to engage the country's isolated ruling
junta on a "principled" basis.
He was speaking to reporters in Bangkok after a 10-day visit to Myanmar. It
was his third and "smoothest" yet trip there since he was appointed a year ago,
he said.
Pinheiro said the military afforded him freedom of movement and that he
interviewed more than 25 political prisoners in private. He also held a
three-hour meeting with Suu Kyi.
She has been under house arrest in Yangon since Sept. 2000 after she tried
to travel outside the city for a political meeting without military
permission.
The Nobel Peace laureate heads the National League for Democracy, which won
a general election in 1990 by a landslide. The military, which has run Myanmar,
also known as Burma, since 1962, did not honor the result and kept its grip on
power. Hundreds of her supporters were jailed.
Pinheiro applauded the release of 11 opposition prisoners during his stay.
Some 223 prisoners have been freed since the regime began closed-door talks with
Suu Kyi in October 2000. Between 1,500 and 1,700 remain in prison, he
said.
He believed the government was "seriously considering" his specific appeal
for the release of 17 elected lawmakers from Suu Kyi's party, sick prisoners and
those jailed for talking to U.N. investigators in the past.
Pinheiro urged the international community to keep faith with the political
mediation efforts of U.N. envoy Razali Ismail, credited with brokering the talks
between Suu Kyi and the regime. There has been no sign of a breakthrough in the
talks.
Critics of the junta have long advocated stronger action to isolate the
regime to pressure it into political change. Western nations already ban arms
sales and most foreign aid.
In a report he will make to the U.N. Commission for Human Rights in Geneva
on April 4, Pinheiro said he would recommend that countries should not deepen
sanctions.
In August 2001, heads of U.N. relief and development agencies in Myanmar
urged a dramatic increase in foreign aid, warning the country was on the brink
of a humanitarian crisis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Network Media Group
Migrant Worker with HIV not allowed going back home Mae Sod, February 22, 2002 A migrant worker infected with HIV and sent back from Thailand, was not
allowed to go back home and was detained at Myawaddy by military regime on
February 20, a source from Myawaddy reported.
Among the one hundred workers who were sent back to Myawaddy on February
20, a worker from Pegu was found infected with HIV and detained at Myawaddy not
allowing going back home.
Other workers including 64 men and 35 women were sent back to Hpa-an on the
same night at 8:00 PM in two trucks. What happened to these workers when they
reached to Hpa-an has not yet known.
Multi-departmental investigation team lead by Major Ye Kyaw Thu, under
supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, checked
and interrogated all the workers sent back from Thailand at Myawaddy. The
workers had to go under check up and interrogation including interview, personal
data recording, photo recording, and medical check up and blood test.
The action to take against the HIV infected worker has not been cleared
yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Junta temporarily closes two
universities following gang brawls
Text of report by Democratic Voice of Burma on 20 February It has been reported that the military had to intervene to take control of
the situation following a riot involving students from the Institute of
Economics and the Culture University in Ywarthargyi in South Dagon Township on
14 February. Although the exact cause of the problem has not been known, rumours
circulating in Rangoon are saying that the incident started with a
brawl between members of the Scorpion Gang of Kyaw Ne Win, a grandson of U Ne Win [former dictator], and the White Snake Gang, and later developed into a clash between the students of the two universities. Three brawls took place on that day respectively at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and
11:30 p.m. [all times local]. About 200 students were involved on each side
during the riot and no one dared to stop them. Eyewitnesses told DVB that four
military trucks from the War Office in Rangoon arrived at the scene after
midnight and raided the campuses of the two universities.
The two universities have been temporary closed and details of report on
arrest of students have not been received so far.
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 20 Feb
02
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