Burma Related News - Jan 09, 2003.

People's Daily Online

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 09, 2003
Myanmar a Good Friend, Partner: China's Vice-president

China will work with Myanmar to boost cooperation in various fields for their mutual benefit and to improve future bilateral ties, says Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao.

Hu made the remarks Wednesday at a meeting in Beijing with Than Shwe, Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, who arrived in Beijing Monday for a six-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Hu said China's new leadership would continue to follow guidelines for good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, and would always consider Myanmar a good neighbor, friend and partner.

Hu said in the more than 50 years of diplomatic ties, China-Myanmar relations, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, had withstood the test of international and domestic changes, and made steady and vigorous progress.

Bilateral cooperation in various fields had continued to grow and had reaped positive results, Hu said.

He voiced China's appreciation for the Myanmar government's one-China policy and support for China's reunification.

He stressed that to further strengthen good-neighborly friendship and cooperation was in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and their common wish, and conducive to regional peace, stability and development.

Than Shwe said Myanmar valued its fraternal friendship with China, regarded it as the most reliable of friends and would educate younger generations to pass the torch of bilateral friendship from generation to generation.

The Myanmar government and people were concentrating on national reconciliation and building the economy, and Myanmar's efforts had proved positive in a variety of ways with people's lives and conditions improved, he said.

He thanked China for helping in Myanmar's development, saying it had played an important role in the country's economic growth.

Myanmar would continue to abide by the one-China policy, support China's reunification and further boost its overall cooperation with China, he said.

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Asian Tribune

Date : 2003-01-09
NPC Chairman Meets Myanmar Head of State

The visit to China of Myanmar's head of state, Than Shwe, will strengthen the friendship between the two countries, says Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

The visit to China of Myanmar's head of state, Than Shwe, will strengthen the friendship between the two countries, says Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

Li said during his meeting in Beijing on Wednesday with the chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, that Myanmar was one of the first countries to forge diplomatic ties with China. Their bilateral ties had grown steadily in the past 50years and their fraternal friendship had taken root in the hearts of the two peoples.

Cooperation in politics, trade and economics, culture and the military had borne fruit in recent years and both countries worked together well in international affairs, Li said.

Li said the traditional friendship was established by former leaders of the two countries and late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai had visited Myanmar nine times.

The 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)had just concluded and China's leadership transition had been smooth, Li said.

China would continue to follow guidelines for good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, and would always highly value China-Myanmar ties, he said.

Li stressed that China had always held that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, were equal members of the international community and had the right to choose their own path.

China played an active part in multi-polarization and economic globalization, maintaining global peace and advocating a new international order.

Than Shwe happily recalled Li's visit to Myanmar in 1994. He said Myanmar had made great progress in economic and social development in recent years and cooperation with China had also reaped fruitful results and maintained a good momentum.

He said he believed their fraternal friendship would be strengthened. He also thanked China for its economic assistance and political support.

Than Shwe congratulated the CPC on the success of the 16th National Congress, saying he believed the new leadership would make an even greater contribution to the friendship with Myanmar in the new century.

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Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-09
Aung San Suu Kyi- a political assessment on the situation prevailing in Burma

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese leader of the Opposition, at the year-end press conference, held in Rangoon, chided the Burmese authorities, as they are not ready to talk with her. By asking this question it appears that the authorities did intend to have talks at the beginning. She told that they have clearly stated that there have been no talks up to date, ?but it is not because we are not ready. It is the authorities that are not ready.? Full text of the year-end Press Conference is given below:

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Uncle Lwin has told me that there have been many requests for interviews. I think it is better to make this the end of year press conference for all the media. After this you may ask questions about the year s achievements and non-achievements and other issues.

There has been some progress but for us it does not seem enough for the country. The changes have not been fast enough as requested by us. For example we have asked for the release of all political prisoners. All have not been released. Some have been released. We have firmly stood for the unconditional release of all political prisoners. Regarding the reopening of NLD offices, the pace is slow. Not because we are not ready, it is because the authorities are not ready.

On the whole I must say that my travel in the country has been satisfactory to a major extent. The authorities cooperated in most of the places. You are already aware of the problems faced in Rakhine State. Just ask the reporters. Apart from the roads, which were very rough, travel was smooth. In some matters the cooperation of the authorities was considerable but in some matters it was not as much as was anticipated.

In Mon State, Shan and Rakhine States we were well received by the residents. It was especially encouraging. There was ample evidence of the national spirit. There is no division at the grass roots between the ethnic groups. All of our nationals want change and they want it soon. They are ready to join hands to work towards that change. To know this is very heartening.

I can definitely say that the people, i.e. the vast majority want to see change come about immediately. They are looking for the group that can guarantee their freedom and security. They suffer much anxiety for their health, wealth, and education. This is the real situation. Farmers have a big burden on their heads the burden brought about by fixed prices for their products. Problems are identical in Magwe Division, Shan State, Mon State and Rakhine State. Another big problem is the awful condition of the roads, which impedes transportation for ordinary people.

I am especially worried for my countrymen. Compared to 1988-89 the number of youth has increased. These young people (ages 10 to 20+) have visibly demonstrated so much support for us wherever we went. They may not know how to solve problems but they are aware that something must be done.

They long for a better education. This is indeed stimulating and comforting. They want to be achievers in this world. This is truly inspirational. Their spirit is praiseworthy. Their sights are clear. There is no camouflage, no bias. They have open minds. Their longing is for a group that is honest, guileless, frank and sincere and above board. They want this spirit to grow and everyone be imbued with it. This is good. A special feature I witnessed is that throughout the country, be it Yakhine, Shan State or Rangoon Division, this spirit of the youth prevails. As the year 2002 comes too an end I am encouraged because of this strong spirit of the people. But their lot saddens me. Our people deserve a better destiny. They deserve a better standard of living. They deserve a better form of government. I hope that in the next year the people get what they deserve.

I pray that the New Year will be happy for all in this wide world and that their heart s desire be fulfilled. I know that most desire security and freedom. Genuine democracy will enable this. May we be able to proceed towards that goal in the year 2003 and we wish the same for all the people of the world.

Question by reporter: U Lwin told us about the demarcations made in Myauk U about the crowd of about 30000 and the fire engine that was about to hose them down and how you mounted the fire engine and chided the authorities for their bullying tactics. On the other hand the government announcement accused you of resorting to confrontation. Don t you think these opposing representations will lessen the chance of dialogue, which you are wanting?

Answer by Daw Su: In a way this seems to make the picture clearer. As to confrontation, people can judge for themselves who is responsible. Our Rakhine tour was in no way different from the previous tours.

Mandaly is a bigger city and the crowd was much bigger there. Even before our arrival at Myauk U a different agenda was set in Myauk U by the township PDC, the Red Cross, the Fire Brigade Auxiliary, and the USDO. It was they who originated the confrontation tactics and they need to be called upon to explain their conduct.

Regarding your question about the diminishing chances of dialogue, I think it is best not to speculate but to look at the hard facts. How sincere are the authorities in this matter? Judge from events that have happened.

Though Uncle Lwin said that what happened was not because of instructions from higher up and blames the local authorities, I find it difficult to accept that. Our strategy in Rakhine was not different from that used in other states. We used the same strategy even in the small towns in the Irrawaddy Division, which was our last stop.

Even before I had arrived news had reached me that a certain minister had been calling upon the people not to support us because we were obstructionists. He had said that the people should dissociate themselves from us and to associate with the Tatmadaw. Now you can judge for yourselves who is confrontational.

Q: Did you object in writing to the authorities for this behavior?

A: Uncle Lwin was in touch with the authorities when we were in Rakhine.

Q: Was any complaint in writing lodged officially?

A No. But they have been made aware of the situation.

Question by Daw Su: - I have a question for you. Have the authorities made an official statement that I adopted a confrontational stance?

Answer by reporter: A fax was sent to me.

Question by Daw Su: - By whom?

A : The Ministry of Defense.

Question by Daw Su: How did the Defense Ministry get involved in this?

A: This is not our business.

Question by Daw Su: Is the Fire Brigade under the Defense Ministry?

A: I don' t know. I got a phone call from the military authorities informing that a 3-page fax message would be sent. Later I received the 3-page fax message.

Question by Daw Su: Was it from the Defense Ministry:

A: Yes.

Question by Daw Su: This is very interesting. If what happened in Myauk U was a local affair, why did the Defense Ministry respond in this way.

A: The phone call was from the Defense Ministry. I think it is not just the Defense Ministry that is concerned. I took it to be from the government.

Question by Daw Su: In whose name was the fax sent?

A: It was written in Burmese.

Question by Daw Su: Written in Burmese but who took responsibility for it?

A: The Defense Ministry.

Question by Daw Su: So it was sent by the Defense Ministry?

A: Yes. But there is no signature. They phoned first.

Question by Daw Su: So this is a fax without any name disclosed?

A: It is not anonymous.

Question by Daw Su: If there is no signature it must be anonymous. Though there was a phone call there was no signature to the fax. Is that correct?

A: Yes.

(Note - the reporter who received the fax is U Hla Htwe. It has not been shown or distributed to anyone)

Question by reporter: How do you see the Rakhine State?

A - by Daw Su : Very good. There was great warmth in the reception we were given. I had not anticipated such support. They are very courageous. They were not afraid of the threats and restrictions. People remained standing at the barricades and behind. They refused to disperse. They kept standing right behind the police, the Fire Brigade, the Red Cross and authorities. When I went up to greet them thy came rushing down. The Rakhines are most courageous. I salute them and take this opportunity to thank them.

Q: This disgraceful event happened in Rakhine. Even before your arrival there, if a minister had instructed people not to receive you does not this indicate a change of heart on the part of the authorities?

A; This depends on whether the minister was acting on his own initiative. You reporters should investigate and pursue the point and keep us informed. In response to what the minister said about associating with the Tatmadaw I say that it is no big deal for us to associate with the Tatmadawor for that matter any one else if the motivation and outcome will be for the good of the country. We are also doing our best to get along with the SPDC and the Tatmadaw.

Those who are trying to cause rifts are the truly destructive forces. They do not want reconciliation. They only want to see ruination of the country.

Q: Do you believe that this countrywide tour will help to bring dialogue closer?

A: My travel has nothing to do with the dialogue process. My intention was to meet the people, to be in touch with the people, to learn about their circumstances, their hopes and fears. This party was formed for the restoration of democracy to Burma and for this purpose we need to be in touch with the people.

Q: What are your hopes for 2003

A: - Hopes is not our aim. It is work that we must do. And that work is to bring about dialogue that will be for the good of the country. I have said this again and again. Dialogue that will be beneficial to the country is what we are working towards. It is not dialogue to benefit the NLD or the SPDC.

Q: What is your New Year Resolution?

A: No resolutions have been made. Haven' t even thought about it.

Q: Since your release this year (about 7 months now) this is your second press conference. Are you still cautiously optimistic or has that changed.

A: No change. There have been plusses and minuses. My strength has increased because of the national spirit and unity of the people. Support for change is even greater than what I had anticipated. This makes the plusses greater than the minuses. The rate of political prisoners release is a minus. There are some in authority who do not want reconciliation, which is why we haven t, arrived at the dialogue stage. The USDA is also messing things up because instead of being a social welfare organization it is functioning as a political organization.

Q: The USDA which was organized by the government is distributing pamphlets in the Rakhine State alleging that you are not one who loves the country because you married a foreigner. Is this an indication of a change of heart on their part?

A : By asking this question it appears that the authorities did intend to have talks at the beginning. We have clearly stated that there have been no talks up to date but it is not because we are not ready. It is the authorities that are not ready.

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Far Eastern Economic Review

INREVIEW: BOOKS
Burmese Battleground
By Bertil Lintner
Issue cover-dated January 16, 2003

The War in Burma 1942-45: A Vital Contribution to Victory in the Far East, by Julian Thompson. Sidgwick & Jackson in association with the Imperial War Museum. £30 ($48)

It is hard to imagine that there could be more to say about the war in Burma between the Allied forces and Japan. Dozens of books have been written about the British retreat in 1942 and the establishment of a Japanese-supported puppet administration in Burma, how the Allies began to regain ground through local tribal guerrilla forces--and how the Japanese, in the end, suffered a humiliating defeat. But Julian Thompson, a retired Royal Marine major-general and now a visiting professor of war studies at King's College, London, proves that the whole story never has been told.

Using mainly unpublished material from Britain's Imperial War Museum, including some unique black-and-white photographs from the campaign, he presents the most detailed account of the war so far.

The War in Burma is not dry facts. Thompson's description of the major battles is extremely detailed. The setting itself, one of the most multi-ethnic parts of the world, and the make-up of the forces that fought the battles, make for a book that's an exciting and colourful read.

"The Burma Campaign," as it became known, was not only the biggest ground war between the Allies and the Japanese, but also the biggest multiracial undertaking in the history of warfare.

Witness the construction of the 1,000-kilometre road from India through northern Burma to support the forces fighting the Japanese in China. According to Lt.-Col. Frank Owen, a British war veteran, "Chinese, Chins, Kachins, Indians, Nepalese, Nagas, Garos slashed, hauled and piled. Negroes drove machines. Black, brown, yellow and white men toiled shoulder-deep in the streams, belt-deep in red mud."

In the frontier areas, local hill peoples--mostly Kachin and Karen--staged hit-and-run attacks on Japanese positions.

Thompson points out that 340,000 Indian troops under British command, 100,000 British soldiers, 90,000 African and 65,000 Chinese troops as well as 10,000 Americans took part in the campaign.

It was an extremely bloody war, especially for the Japanese, who lost 190,000 soldiers in Burma, three-fifths of the men who were sent there, or 13 times the number of Allied dead.

By comparison, almost the same number of Japanese died when the two atom bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

The War in Burma is a fascinating and highly readable account of one of the most bitter wars that has ever been fought in this part of the world.

Bertil Lintner is a senior writer for the REVIEW

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Bangkok Post - Thursday 09 January 2003
Bordering on good times

Observers are expecting a quiet time of it along the border with Burma this year after the troops and those Shans across the frontier were told to keep a lid on any violence. - These are also expected to be quiet times within the military ranks as the defence minister wants talks before things turn unruly. - Love and marriage, go together like horse and carriage _ and casinos and political influence.

The mood along the border with Burma is expected to be much more relaxed this year after Army Commander Gen Somdhat Attanand issued firm guidelines to troops not to do anything that might upset the generals in Rangoon and others living a wee bit closer to the frontier.

Gen Somdhat last week told the monthly meeting of combat commanders, including the commanders of the 3rd Army's task forces handling security along the border, not to provide Burmese ethnic rebels with any military support or allow them to use Thai soil as a jumping off point for attacks on Burmese government forces.

"This was aimed purely at avoiding any unnecessary border tension with Burma," said one officer.

Gen Somdhat, who will troop off to Burma for two days of talks on Jan 21, believes any tension along the border could be avoided if his guidelines are followed by the Pha Muang and Naresuan task forces, which are in charge of security along the border running alongside Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces.

Tensions with Rangoon were ratcheted up several gears last May when the Thai army held military exercises near the border area. Rangoon accused the army of using the exercise to lend support to the Shan State Army, the armed wing of an ethnic people, which caused heavy casualties among Rangoon forces in a surprise attack which coincided with the military exercise. Rangoon closed all checkpoints along its border with Thailand on May 22.

Military officers said the Shan were now under pressure from the Thai military to be far more careful in future assaults on government forces near the border.

Yawd Serk, the SSA commander, has adopted a much lower profile of late following statements by the leaders of the new Thai military regime and the government of Thaksin Shinawatra about the need to foster much closer relations with the Rangoon generals.

The SSA issued a statement on Jan 1 following its annual conference at its headquarters at Doi Tai Laeng, opposite Mae Hong Son, claiming that "there will be no battle in the border area" unless Burmese forces launch an attack first against SSA bases.

The statement said the SSA would try its best to resolve its conflict with the Rangoon military junta by peaceful political means.

A staff member at the Defence Ministry however said Rangoon had demanded that the SSA lay down all its arms before it would agree to any peace talks. This was certain, he said, to represent an obstacle to any progress towards a lasting truce.

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The Nation
Chiang Mai hub 'needs work'
Don Pathan
Published on Jan 9, 2003

Chiang Mai has the potential to become an aviation hub, but more work must be done to refine the concept, Singaporean Ambassador to Thailand Chan Heng Win said yesterday.

"We think Chiang Mai has potential, but many areas need development," Chan said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra proposed the idea of turning Chiang Mai into a regional aviation hub to Singapore last February.

Based on preliminary studies from the Singapore government, as well as input from the Singapore Tourism Board, which visited the city in September last year, the island state has suggested a budget airline be created to accommodate travellers from the upper Southeast Asian region, including southern China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma.

Thaksin is due to meet Goh this weekend at a retreat in Phuket, where they will discuss their plans for Chiang Mai, Chan said.

Goh will be accompanied by his Foreign Minister S Jayakumar, Trade Minister George Yeo and Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong.

In addition to the aviation hub plan, the two sides are expected to discuss the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and what Thailand and Singapore can do jointly to support certain economic sectors, hopefully laying the groundwork for future, region-wide cooperation.

"We can tango together. We can take the floor first and others can join in later," Chan said.

The ambassador said it was essential that Asean show the international community and foreign investors that it can get projects off the ground.

"Asean faces a lot of competition," said Chan, citing China and India.

The two governments are also expected to discuss terrorism.

Singapore has taken an active role in combating terrorism, issuing white papers on the activities of terrorist groups and urging neighbouring countries not to be complacent in handling the issue.

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The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 8(IHT/Asahi: January 9,2003)
EDITORIAL: Why only 11 refugees?
Japan should accept more refugees.

As a person or as a nation, we have a moral imperative to extend a helping hand to people in severe distress.

Japan, however, has never been eager to help the international society's most vulnerable given the fact that it has so far taken in only 300 refugees, although it signed the Convention Relating the Status of Refugees more than 20 years ago. Japan admitted only 11 refugees last year, according to a group of lawyers providing support to asylum seekers.

On the other hand, Japan has been quite welcoming foreign dancers and singers, issuing business visas for nearly 100,000 entertainers from abroad every year.
``Under Japan's immigration control, does entertainment take far higher priority over consideration for refugees?'' asked Sadako Ogata, a former U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, criticizing the Japanese government's stance toward the issue in her message sent to a symposium on the refugee problem organized last year by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

Major Western countries accept several thousands to dozens of thousands refugees annually. Even New Zealand, a small island nation, takes in some 400 a year. Japan cannot expect its hugely conspicuous reluctance to admit refugees to be tolerated by the international community for long.

Amid strong criticism about Japan's asylum policy, growing both at home and abroad, a personal advisory panel for the justice minister on immigration control issues has drawn up a report on the nation's system to grant asylum.

The interim report recommends that the term for asylum applications should be extended to six months or a year from the current 60 days from entry into Japan. Japan has also been accused of often detaining and deporting refugees who are in the process of applying for asylum. The advisory panel has urged the government to stop this practice and allow asylum applicants to stay in the country while their applications are properly screened.

The Justice Ministry plans to draft and present a bill to the Diet for some amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law based on the panel's recommendations. This move represents a step in the right direction, but is clearly insufficient for improving the situation in any significant way.

We have been calling on the government to assign the job of screening asylum applications, which is now performed by the immigration authorities, to a new independent screening agency to be helped by experts in refugee problems who belong to credited international or civil organizations. That's because we believe accepting refugees and supporting their lives in Japan is a mission different in nature from the tasks of the immigration authorities.

The purpose of immigration control, as clearly defined in the law, is to ``prevent criminals and other foreigners who might harm Japan's interests from entering the country.'' So the mission of immigration officers is to discover foreigners who should not be allowed to enter Japan. They are simply not the right kind of officials for the job of granting asylum to qualified applicants.

People are fleeing countries or regions under widely differing situations, such as the Kurdish areas in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Myanmar and many African countries. Cooperation from experts well versed in the local situations is essential if screenings of asylum seekers are to be conducted effectively and appropriately.
One unsuccessful asylum applicant from Myanmar who has brought his case into court appeals to the Japanese government to ``stop treating me like a criminal.'' A Kurd in the same situation says Japan keeps its door almost completely closed to refugees.

The government should listen to the voices of such asylum seekers and take steps to improve its asylum system to accept more refugees, taking account of the unstable situations in east Asia.

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