[burmanet2-l] Burma Related News - Jan 05, 2003.

["TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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BURMA RELATED NEWS - January  05, 2003.
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HEADLINES
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AFP - Myanmar's river dolphins declining, face becoming endangered: report
Bkk Post - Chavalit to open Thai-Burma border pass at Ban Huay Phueng
Asian Tribune - Myanmar Independence Day message by Senior General Than Shwe
DVB - Democracy party marks Independence Day, calls for talks with
government
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Myanmar's river dolphins declining, face becoming endangered: report

YANGON, Jan 5 (AFP) - The number of dolphins living in Myanmar's Irrawaddy
river has declined in recent years and the animals are now at risk of
becoming an endangered species, according to a survey reported by the
Myanmar Times.

The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) found just 37
dolphins in a 550 kilometre (340 mile) stretch of the river between Bhamo in
northern Kachin state and Mingun near the ancient city of Mandalay, compared
to 59 animals in a 1998 survey.

WCS zoologist Brian Smith told the semi-official weekly newspaper published
Monday that it was surprising the survey conducted in November and December
had found no evidence of Irrawaddy dolphins downstream from Mingun.

"We had assumed we would find them between Mingun and Bogalay (about 120
kilometres or 75 miles southwest of the capital Yangon in the Irrawaddy
delta)," he said.

"The population of the dolphins is isolated to a limited area," he said,
adding that the survey indicated the mammals were at risk of becoming an
endangered species in Myanmar.

Smith said the main threat to the dolphins were nets, the use of electrical
charges to catch fish and mercury run-off from gold mines along the river.

The zoologist said Irrawaddy dolphins were distinctive because they enjoyed
a cooperative relationship with fishermen, indicating to them where fish
could be caught in abundance.

The only other country where such a relationship existed between men and
freshwater dolphins was in Brazil, he said.
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Bangkok Post - Sunday 05 January 2003
Chavalit to open Thai-Burma border pass at Ban Huay Phueng
Likely to boost trade and local economy
Cheewin Sattha

A border pass at Ban Huay Phueng in Mae Hong Son's Muang district, opposite
Burma's Shan state, will be formally opened on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will chair the opening
ceremony, which will also be attended by senior Burmese officials.

Ban Huay Phueng was once a trade channel for Thai and ethnic minority
people. But the trade turned sluggish and eventually stagnant when drug
warlord Khun Sa, leader of the Mong Tai Army, surrendered to the Burmese
government in 1996.

Mae Hong Son governor Supoj Laowansiri said the local economy would be
boosted by the opening of the border pass. He also expected to see Ban Huay
Phueng border pass upgraded into a permanent border checkpoint.

Third Army commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh had no objection, saying he
was satisfied with drug suppression in the area.

Drug trafficking used to be rife in that area, but the route had switched to
Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang districts.

Border sources said Gen Chavalit was expected to call a meeting with
governors of six northern provinces next week.

To be summoned are the governors of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang,
Lamphun and Mae Hong Son, as well as other relevant authorities for a
meeting to discuss drug suppression measures.

Each of the governors is also expected to propose anti-narcotics measures to
the deputy premier. The governors would also propose that an agency be
established similar to the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre,
which was disbanded early last year.
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Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-05
Myanmar Independence Day message by Senior General Than Shwe

Yangon, 4 Jan: The following is the message sent by State Peace and
Development Council Chairman Defence Services Commander-in-Chief Senior
General Than Shwe on the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of the
Independence Day.

On this auspicious 55th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of
Myanmar, I greet all the national people of the State with love and respect.
This year, the independence and sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar,
restored after sacrificing many lives, blood and sweat of the national
people has ushered in the 55th anniversary.

The anti-colonialist struggles and the national independence struggles the
people had daringly launched in unity at the risk of their lives and with
courage and firm Union Spirit and patriotism have always been prominent. The
ever shining victories of the heroes of Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar,
Mon, Rakhine, Shan and other national races of the Union have already been
recorded in the Myanmar history.

So also in our time, the Tatmadaw members, who are the good sons of the
national people, and all the people of the Union including service personnel
have safeguarded the independence at the risk of their lives. They should be
honoured and documented for their oneness, discharge of duties based on the
strength of unity and dutifulness.

The Union of Myanmar is a nation that has existed as an independent and
sovereign one under her own monarch and culture and sovereignty for a long
period countable by years in the thousand.

As Myanmar is an independent and sovereign nation, the State Peace and
Development Council is striving for the Union of Myanmar to be a modern and
developed nation on self-reliance to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder
with the world nations, using the national strength as the driving force to
reach the goal. Hence, the working guidelines have been laid down in every
sector to practise thrifty methods, minimize waste and boost production for
the development and modernization of the nation.

Smooth and secure transport is the core factor of the national development
and modernization drive. Likewise, the increased production in the
agriculture sector, the main economy of the State, plays an eminent role.

The Government had implemented the first four-year short-term plan and the
second five-year short-term plan for national economic development. It may
be found that efforts have been made to exceed the targets of the respective
plans.

Now, the nation is implementing the third five-year short-term plan. At a
time when continuous endeavours are being made to develop and modernize all
the sectors of Myanmar which is a developing country, frugality is
essential. Thus, every government department has been practising thrifty
measures to save fuel and electricity. Here, I would like to urge the people
to efficiently use fuel and electricity with love for the State, to see that
there is all-round development of the nation which will be able to stand
shoulder to shoulder with other nations of the world.

Myanmar has designated rice, beans and pulses, sugarcane and cotton as the
four main crops of the nation. Because of the Government's endeavours to
systematically promote the agriculture sector, Myanmar today is among the
top ten nations in terms of rice cultivation and production. In addition,
Myanmar has become a leading beans and pulses producer and exporter in
Southeast Asia. All are urged to strive for greater yield of cotton and
sugarcane.

We are now trying to realize the objectives food production to exceed the
local consumption; to export the surplus rice of the nation as a means to
help fulfil the regional and global food needs; to ensure edible oil
sufficiency; and to boost beans and pulses production for export, and
increase the industrial crops output. In addition, the Government has
encouraged extended cultivation of coffee, tea, pepper and rubber that can
earn foreign exchange.

The growing sector of agriculture is now contributing up to 48 per cent to
the GDP, and 18.3 per cent to the exports.

As extended land use is under way at present, total sown acreage of the
nation has reached 25 million acres out of the 45 million acres of
cultivable land in the whole country. Further efforts are to be made for
increased commodity production. The Union of Myanmar has adopted the
independent and active foreign policy. It has been strictly adhering to the
five principles of Peaceful Co-Existence laid down at the Bandaung
Conference in 1955. Till now, the nation is practising the five principles
which were laid down unanimously.

In accord with the principles, the Union of Myanmar has been always trying
to live in amity with all other countries around the world. Especially, the
nation is extending relations with her neighbours in line with the Myanmar
saying which goes "Enhance amity, diminish enmity". In addition, Union
Spirit has been nurtured to safeguard the Union against disintegration.
Union Spirit is based on patriotism. Patriotism means the strong spirit to
safeguard the race, respect and cherish own traditions and culture, protect
the national interests, and never tolerate insults on the national character
and integrity. The new generations have the duty to preserve the patriotism.

With the firm determination of ensuring the emergence of a peaceful, modern
and developed nation, that is the national goal, we have laid down the
following four objectives of the 55th Anniversary Independence Day:

(a) All the national people to collectively safeguard the national
independence and ensure perpetuation of sovereignty;

(b) All the national people to collectively strive for the building of a
new, modern and developed nation;

(c) All the national people to be united to ensure non-disintegration of the
Union and non-disintegration of national solidarity;

(d) All the national people to strive for emergence of an enduring State
Constitution.

And on this auspicious Independence Day, I, with love and respect, would
like to urge the entire people of the Union to realize the four objectives
with Union Spirit, the national spirit, the fraternal spirit, the force of
oneness and the dignity and while exerting all-out efforts.

- The New Light of Myanmar -
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DVB
AS1-BURMA-NLD-CEREMONY
Burma: Democracy party marks Independence Day, calls for talks with
government

The Burmese opposition National League for Democracy has held an
Independence Day ceremony in Rangoon, according to Burmese opposition radio.
It broadcast part of Aung San Suu Kyi's address thanking Burmese youth for
their support, and spoke to opposition figure U Lwin about NLD policies on
talks with then government and human rights. The following is the text of a
report by Burmese opposition radio on 4 January

The ruling military junta and the opposition National League for Democracy
[NLD] held separate ceremonies in Rangoon today to commemorate the 55th
Anniversary of Independence Day. The NLD's 55th Anniversary Independence Day
ceremony was held at the Shwegondaing Road headquarters in Rangoon at
1300 [local time].

It was attended by NLD Central Executive Committee members including Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi, delegates from states and divisions, representatives of
national race political parties, veteran politicians who participated in
Burma's independence struggle, and diplomats.

NLD spokesperson U Lwin told DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] that the guests
numbered about 2,000. NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe and General Secretary Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi delivered addresses, while Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo presented
a 17-page NLD Independence Day Statement.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Independence Day message.

[Daw Aung San Suu Kyi - recording] What I would like to say to the Burmese
people is that you must protect the spirit of Independence. You must protect
a valuable asset. If the things you possess are really valuable no one would
throw them on the road. In a similar fashion, Independence is not a thing to
be thrown on the road. Our Independence will continue to flourish only if
you embrace, nurture, and protect it. That's the message I want to give on
Independence Day. Another thing is I would like to thank especially the
youth of Burma. When I went on the tours I found out that the youth warmly
welcomed and supported me. When I saw the youth I was very encouraged and
hopeful for the future of the country. That is why I would like to thank the
youth and urged them to continue their efforts. As an Independence Day gift
I would like to ask for blessings upon the youth so that they may be able to
contribute more for the benefit of the country. [End of recording]

That was Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Independence Day message to the youth. We
will now give a summary of the NLD Statement. U Lwin said, until meaningful
political dialogue takes place the NLD would not change its policy and would
not accept any notion to hold new elections. The following is an interview
with U Lwin.

[U Lwin - recording] The exceptional thing is that there were about 2,000
people outside on the platform. They did not go away and there was no
attempt to disturb them. But the main thing is our statement which has 17
pages. To summarize it, the first seven pages are all about historical
background and then explaining that the people still have not enjoyed the
fruits of Independence because the country has been under different military
dictatorships till now.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest and the first stage
of confidence-building has been completed but a further step for a
meaningful political dialogue has not taken off. No discussion has taken
place and it has been reminded many times. More questionable were the
unexpected disturbances faced during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Arakan and
Irrawaddy trips. The style of disturbance did not differ from one place to
another, they are the same. So you think for yourself, how can the
disturbances be the same if no order is given from a higher authority? These
things are being addressed.

If these misunderstandings exist, how can the confidence-building stage be
considered over and move forward. As long as there is delay to move forward
the people would continue to suffer. We must therefore move ahead to begin
the political dialogue as soon as possible. The statement noted that NLD
would not change its policy until substantial political talks begin.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] Yes. Since there would be no change in policy, could you
explain to us about some important policies?

[U Lwin] The important policies are:
1. NLD demands the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
2. Until the results of the general elections are carried out, until the UN
General Assembly's annual resolution on Burma on complying the wishes of the
people are met, the holding of another election shall not be accepted.
3. The then SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration Council] Secretary-1 said
that the holding of the National Convention is the responsibility of the
political parties and the elected representatives and that the SLORC would
give all necessary assistance. It has not kept its promise.
4. If the way of convening the National Convention does not change then the
NLD would continue to refrain from attending the National Convention.
5. As the political climate is not favourable, international organizations
and foreign governments should engage only in limited investment. If foreign
governments wish to grant aid, humanitarian assistance such as funding for
AIDS prevention, it must meet certain criteria including transparency,
accountability, and independent monitoring systems.
6. It is deemed that the present situation has not reached the extent that
tourists should be encouraged to visit the country.
7. The Committee Representing People's Parliament will continue to be firm
and active.
These seven points are the policies.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] These are the NLD policies. What about other things that
you have urged the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council]?

[U Lwin] As I have mentioned before, we urged the unconditional release of
all political prisoners; to grant the rights to the winning party in the
general elections in accord with UN General Assembly's resolution; and to
commence the political dialogue if the confidence-building stage has ended
because the people would continue to suffer if it drags on. In other words,
to hold a political dialogue as soon as possible. [End of recording]

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 4 Jan 03
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