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BURMA RELATED NEWS
- January 23, 2003.
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HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------- AFP - Falungong petitions HK
chief to release old practitioner in Myammar
AFP - Myanmar dissidents living in
fear under Thai crackdown
AP - Myanmar villagers flee after
government attack on ethnic rebels
FT - India seeks to strengthen
ties with Burma
Asia Pulse - Asean Tourism
Forum Being Held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Asia Pulse - Vietnam's Central
Port Made Linchpin in Asian Corridor
Asian Tribune - National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma Expects European Union to take up
Burma Issue.
SiliconIndia - India, Myanmar
to boost cooperation in oil and gas
Bkk Post - Burma unhappy once
again
Bkk Post - Feasibility study
into plan for dam on Burmese border
Xinhuanet - Japan extends over
18 mln USD aid to Myanmar in FY 2001-02
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Thursday January 23, 3:11 PM
Falungong petitions HK chief to release old practitioner in Myammar (AFP) - The Falungong spiritual group petitioned Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa to help seek the release of an elderly practitioner jailed in Myammar. The spiritual sect urged Tung to help secure the release of Hong Kong native Chan Wing-yuen, 71, arrested in Rangoon December 12, 2001, for unfurling a Falungong banner during President Jiang Zemin's visit. Chan, who faced justice without legal representation, was sentenced to seven years in prison last January, the group said. Chinese embassy staff and local authorities had repeatedly demanded Chan publicly denounce his belief in Falungong in exchange for his freedom but he refused, they added. "We are worried that Beijing is extending its human rights abuses and its persecution against Falunggong practitioners in more and more countries through diplomatic channels," said Falungong spokeswoman Sharon Xu. "It is not only in countries in Asia, but in Europe as well as Americas." Xu cited as an example a mainland couple repatriated to China by Cambodia at the request of Chinese embassy staff because of their belief in the spiritual group. A baby born in Britain was refused a Chinese passport because his Chinese born parents practiced Falungong, she added. "There were also cases in which Chinese passports of Falungong practitioners were not renewed by the Chinese embassy in the United States," Xu said. The spiritual group, which combines meditation with Buddhist-inspired teachings, was banned by mainland China in July 1999 as an "evil cult" but remains legal in Hong Kong, a special administrative region that is supposed to have a degree of autonomy from the mainland. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Myanmar dissidents living in fear under Thai crackdown
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Jan 23 (AFP) - Anti-Yangon activists are living in fear for their lives amid a border crackdown by Thailand on illegal immigrants which comes ahead of a visit to Myanmar by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra next month. The Thai army began rounding up illegal immigrants -- including political activists -- in the town of Sangkhlaburi in western Kanchanaburi province late last month. On Monday, a senior district official told AFP a joint government-army operation had begun an intensive five-day operation aimed at sending illegal immigrants back over the border, netting seven dissidents so far. Press reports said a court had ordered their deportation. For their Thai-based political work, the activists risk arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment and imprisonment by Myanmar's ruling military junta, human rights watchdog Amnesty International has said. "We ordered them to close down their offices and leave the country within 48 hours. They left peacefully," a military officer in Sangkhlaburi said of the activists sent back last month. "They were activists, but according to government policy we have to send back all illegal immigrants or anyone who doesn't have work permits or identification cards," the officer said speaking on condition of anonymity. Shortly after the repatriations, army spokesman Somkhuan Saengpattaranate said the military would not tolerate foreign groups using Thailand as a base for activities against a neighbouring state -- a frequent refrain of the Thai government. Somkhuan said the move was not done to appease Myanmar's junta -- as had been speculated in the local press and by dissidents -- but was merely enforcement of Thai immigration law. Yet the visit to Yangon by Thaksin February 9-10 is likely a factor in the crackdown. The prime minister's trip will be the first by a Thai leader since relations between the historic enemies hit a dangerous low in May following clashes along the border. The army did not disclose how many people were recently repatriated, but Kyaw Kyaw Htet, chairman of the People's Democratic Front dissident group, said around 60 activists of the 100 living in Sanghlaburi were forced back. Several dozen ethnic Mon and Karen who were illegally in Thailand seeking work were also pushed back, the dissident said, adding that the activists were now sheltering in homes of ethnic Mon people or makeshift camps. The dissidents say that although similar crackdowns have occasionally occurred in the past, the intervention of human rights groups has allowed them to stay in Thailand. This time the authorities are not listening. "Our sleepless nights began the last week of December," said 23-year-old activist Min Zaw, who has since left the border area. "I'm sure that we will face death or be put in jail for decades if Thailand forces us to be repatriated." Some of the activists have lived in the kingdom for as long as 13 years, arriving here shortly after Myanmar's military brutally crushed a student-led democracy movement in 1988, killing hundreds and perhaps thousands. "We have never made a secret of ourselves in Thailand. The local authorities took our photographs and all our personal data years ago," Kyaw Kyaw Htet said. Ten offices from which the activists continued their campaign against the Myanmar military have been shut, with their contents and the personal belongings of the activists confiscated, Kyaw Kyaw Htet said. The Sanghkhlaburi-based military official acknowledged the activists were not causing trouble in Thailand. "It is true that they are staying without any problem in Sangkhlaburi... but they have no identification cards or work permits, so we had to send them back," he said. Dissidents remaining in Sangkhlaburi and other border towns remain on edge. "We don't know when and what other kind of pressure is coming, but we have decided to live with a low profile and call for the international community and human rights organisations to look into our situation," said Aung Moe Zaw, secretary general of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB). Ko Kaung Zan, another NCUB member, said he viewed the crackdown as a direct attempt to stifle their democracy movement. "I think the Thai government is attempting to cut the hands and legs of our movement fighting against Myanmar military rulers for democracy," he said. The activists say this is not the way to boost stability along the frontier. "If Thailand wants to see real peace in Myanmar, it should not pressure us but the military regime to re-start national reconciliation dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi," Kyaw Kyaw Htet said, referring to Myanmar's pro-democracy leader. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Myanmar villagers flee after government attack on ethnic rebels
Thu Jan 23, 3:29 AM ET YA PHAW, Thailand (AP) - About 400 villagers in neighboring Myanmar fled into Thailand on Thursday to escape fighting between government troops and ethnic Karen guerrillas, witnesses said. Hundreds of Myanmar soldiers used small arms and mortars to attack the Karen guerrilla outpost at Law Kahw, across the border from the Thai village of Ya Phaw, 370 kilometers (230 miles) northwest of Bangkok, said the refugees. The five-hour skirmish began at 8 a.m. (0100 GMT) and was continuing five hours later with an estimated 100 Karen National Union guerrillas holding their position, refugees said. Half a dozen shells fired by Myanmar government soldiers had fallen on Thai soil but caused no casualties, said the refugees, who were sheltering in a Buddhist monastery in Ya Phaw. The Thai residents of Ya Phaw were moved farther from the border for their safety, while Thai troops guarded the refugees. The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from the central government since Myanmar ? then called Burma ? gained independence in 1948. Myanmar's current military government has signed cease-fire agreements with more than a dozen other ethnic groups since 1988, but the Karen continue to fight. There are more than 100,000 Myanmar refugees in Thai camps along the border, most of them Karen. Many return to their homes as soon as fighting dies down. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Financial
Times
India seeks to strengthen ties
with Burma
By Edward Luce in New Delhi Published: January 22 2003 4:00 | Last Updated: January 22 2003 4:00 India is pushing aggressively to strengthen ties with neighbouring Burma to counteract China's growing defence ties with the military regime. U Win Aung, Burma's foreign minister, yesterday became the most senior official of the military regime to visit India since 1987. Mr Aung, who yesterday held talks with Atal Behari Vajpayee, India's prime minister, agreed to boost co-operation between the two countries in joint energy exploration, the development of road and port facilities and defence ties. Indian officials say stronger ties with Burma will also help offset deteriorating relations with neighbouring Bangladesh. India accuses Khaleda Zia's government, which includes the support of Islamists, of sponsoring Jihadi groups. New Delhi also accuses Dhaka of boosting ties with Pakistan's intelligence agency. India says Burma's poor record on democracy is no bar to stronger relations. "Close relations with Burma work for India on a number of levels including balancing China's growing strategic reach and providing an alternative to Bangladesh," said J.N. Dixit, a former Indian foreign secretary. India wants to boost trade with the Asean countries of south-east Asia and has received Burma's backing for an annual summit between New Delhi and the Asean leaders. India is also working with Burma to construct a road linking its Himalayan north-eastern territories to Thailand. It is also building a port in Sittwe, on the Burma coast, to increase maritime trade. Rangoon has cracked down on the minority insurgency groups that are seeking independence or greater autonomy in India's north-east and which have operated freely from Burma. Bangladesh is believed to continue funding these groups. India's two leading state-owned energy companies, ONGC and Gail, are conducting gas exploration work off Burma's coast and are expected to agree to onshore exploration in the near future. Bangladesh, which has huge gas reserves, has prevaricated for years over whether to build a gas pipeline to India. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday January 22, 10:49 AM
Asean Tourism Forum Being Held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia MANILA, Jan 22 Asia Pulse - Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon is leading the Philippine delegation at the 22nd ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2003, currently being held at the National Cultural Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia until January 29. Also with the Philippine delegation is Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, officials of the DOT, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), tour operators, representatives from Philippine Airlines and the hotel industry. ATF is the most important travel event in the South East Region. It has 350 registered buyers from more than 30 countries, including the Philippines. The theme or this year is "ASEAN Unity: Ensuring a Brighter Future." Top ministers and officials of the 10 ASEAN National Tourism Officers (NTOs) - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam -- will gather during the event including the ministers of Japan, Korea and China. Gordon said Philippine participation in ATF 2003 involves several major component -- The Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), a media briefing, the Visit Philippines 2003 and a dinner function. The Philippines also has a booth where products and services will be offered. World Tourism Organization (WTO) Deputy Secretary General David de Villers, is the invited speaker and will talk on investments in ASEAN Tourism - Today and Tomorrow. TRAVEX, which will be held from January 25-27 at the National Cultural Center is the main event in ATF. It is a trade mart designed to offer opportunities for suppliers of ASEAN travel products in most selected buyers from around the world through scheduled appointments. It is also an ideal forum for buyers to gather the latest information on ASEAN tourism products and services, establish new business contacts and learn about tourism trends in the region. The ASEAN Ministers of Tourism are scheduled to hold a formal meeting on January 24. The attendance of the ASEAN Ministers is an affirmation of each ASEAN member country to continued regional cooperation in the tourism sphere. The NTOs, led by their respective Executive Heads, will hold their meetings on January 22 and 23. The four ASEAN travel trade associations, namely the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), Federation of ASEAN Travel Association (FATA), the ASEAN Airlines Association (AAA), and the ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA) will hold a separate meetings on January 23 to discuss their respective plans and programs to further improve the quality and standards of the ASEAN tourism industry. Other activities during the event include the ATF 2003 Friendly Golf challenge at the Royal Phnom Penh Golf Course and a city tour for all ATF delegates. ATF is a cooperative regional effort to promote the ASEAN region as one tourist destination. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sector of the 10 member nations of ASEAN. It promotes the exchange of ideas, review of industry developments and joint formulation of specific recommendations to further accelerate the growth of ASEAN tourism region. Each year, the hosting of the ATF is rotated among member countries. The event started in Malaysia in 1981. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday January 22, 11:51 AM
Vietnam's Central Port Made Linchpin in Asian Corridor HANOI, Jan 22 Asia Pulse - Da Nang Port in central Quang Nam province has been chosen as the starting point of the East West Economic Corridor project (EWEC). The 1,600km corridor will run through Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, connecting the Pacific with the Indian Ocean and providing development opportunities to its inhabitants. Thanks to the corridor Da Nang Port, together with Cam Ranh Port in southern Khanh Hoa Province, will directly connect with many Southeast Asian countries. Between 1996-2000 the Government poured VND139 billion to upgrade Da Nang Port. In 2001, the Japan International Cooperation Agency announced it would invest more than US$100 million to expand the Tien Sa port terminal at Da Nang Port during 2001-04. The project will help raise the port's handling capacity to 4-5 million tonnes of cargo a year from the 2002 figure of 2 million tonnes. The project also includes construction of a 375m- long embankment, the upgrade of two dry docks, and the building of the Tuyen Son bridge, which will connect the Tien Sa Port terminal with the National Highway 1A. Last December senior officials from Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Japan, representatives of Mukdahan and Savanakhet provinces and Da Nang city gathered in Da Nang, urging Da Nang-Tien Sa port to modernise its handling equipment and streamline administrative and customs procedures to attract more customers. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-23
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma Expects European Union to take up Burma Issue. Bangkok, Jan. 23: The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
(NCGUB) in a statement has solicited the support of the European Union to
positively raise issues with State and Peace Development Council (SPDC) when
they meet in the forthcoming EU - ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in
Brussels.
The Ministerial level meeting of the EU-ASEAN is slated for 27 ?28 January, in Brussels. The NCGUB expects that issues concerning Burma would be taken up at this Ministerial level meeting. In a Press Statement issued by the NCGUB, it is said: ?The NCGUB is confident the European Union will be raising these issues with the SPDC and initiating appropriate action as stated in its Common Position in October 2002 that "The Council is prepared to continue to react proportionately to developments in Burma/Myanmar, either positive or negative." It further adds: ? NCGUB also hopes that ASEAN members will be actively persuading SPDC to hold serious talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve national issues since problems in Burma are an impediment to the economic growth of ASEAN and the main issue that obstruct the development of EU-ASEAN relations ? The full text of the statement issued by the NCGUB is given below: The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) expects the upcoming EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on 27-28 January to be addressing issues concerning Burma. This is because ongoing human rights violations, such as forced labor, political repression, and mass rape as a political weapon, the exodus of refugees, the influx of drugs into neighboring countries, the growth of HIV/AIDS, and other socioeconomic problems in Burma are a major concern not only of the Burmese people but also for the international community, including the European Union and other ASEAN members. The statement issued by the National League for Democracy earlier this month summed up the lack of progress in the talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the political restrictions in place, including the continuing detention of political prisoners. Under the circumstances and despite the much appreciated efforts of the UN Special Envoy Sri Razali Ismail to achieve national reconciliation and restore democracy in Burma, there is a real danger of the talks breaking down. The NCGUB is confident the European Union will be raising these issues with the SPDC and initiating appropriate action as stated in its Common Position in October 2002 that "The Council is prepared to continue to react proportionately to developments in Burma/Myanmar, either positive or negative." NCGUB also hopes that ASEAN members will be actively persuading SPDC to hold serious talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve national issues since problems in Burma are an impediment to the economic growth of ASEAN and the main issue that obstruct the development of EU-ASEAN relations. The EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting is an opportune occasion and the NCGUB is confident that member states in the two regional blocs will be exploring ways to end the injustices and resolve problems in Burma. -------------------------------------------------------------------- SiliconIndia
India, Myanmar to boost cooperation in oil and gas IANS Wednesday, January 22, 2003 NEW DELHI: India and Myanmar will increase cooperation in the hydroelectric
power and energy sectors, particularly the exploration of Myanmar's onshore oil
and gas reserves.
An Indian team will soon visit Myanmar to explore the prospects in exploiting onshore hydrocarbon reserves, external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here Tuesday. Another Indian team will visit that country to examine the construction of a hydroelectric project on the Taimanti river, he said. Closer cooperation in the hydroelectric and energy sectors as well as joint construction of roads and collaboration in regional bodies figured in discussions on Monday between Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and visiting Myanmar Foreign Minister U Win Aung. Aung is the first Myanmarese foreign minister to visit India since 1987. Two Indian energy majors, ONGC Videsh Limited and GAIL India Limited, hold joint equity stakes with Korea's Daewoo International and Korean Gas Company in the A-1 offshore block off Myanmar's Rakhine coast. The bloc has gas reserves of 32 trillion cubic feet. "The discussions between the two leaders stressed on bilateral economic relations and ongoing economic cooperation," Sarna said. The two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation in BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand - Economic Cooperation). Sinha and Aung also discussed bilateral political relations and international issues, including the situation in Iraq, the spokesman said. The two sides signed a protocol on regular foreign office consultations. "The trilateral road project linking India, Myanmar and Thailand was also discussed," Sarna said. "Myanmar has expressed an interest in cooperating in the IT sector," he said. Myanmar has invited Indian companies in the IT sector to invest in the neighbouring country with several opportunities opening up. The issue of anti-India insurgent groups operating in Myanmar also figured in the discussions, with Aung assuring Sinha that Yangon would not allow its territory to be used by any group that would harm New Delhi's interests, Sarna said. India has shed its initial reservations to engage Myanmar's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SDPC) in recent years and Yangon had responded with enthusiasm. This has paid rich dividends for both countries. Myanmarese security forces have time and again carried out operations against insurgents from India's northeastern states operating from that country's territory. Bilateral trade has grown from $87.4 million in 1990-91 to $323.43 million in 2001-02. India's exports were worth $ 37.57 million and imports worth $ 285.86 million. Aung is also scheduled to visit Hyderabad to apprise Indian IT companies of prospects for investment in Myanmar. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - Thursday 23 January
2003
Burma unhappy once again Subin Khuenkaew Tension has risen again along the border with Burma following the killing of two Burmese soldiers by Shan rebels, military sources said. ``Rangoon is not happy about it and suspects our border forces also had a hand in it,'' a member of the Pha Muang Task Force said. A convoy of Burmese troops was reportedly ambushed by Shan State Army fighters on Friday while patrolling near the Yongkha development project in Burma's Ban Na-yao district, opposite Mae Fah Luang. Two Burmese soldiers were killed and five wounded in the clash. Third Army commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh, fearing the incident may send a wrong signal to the Burmese leadership, has instructed Col Apichart Meesomon, joint chairman of the Township Border Committee, to clear up any misunderstanding. ``The commander was worried it could lead to another closure of the border and bring trade between the two countries to halt if nothing was done quickly to remedy the situation,'' a senior 3rd Army officer said. Any involvement of Thai troops in the attack had been definitely ruled out. ``Our troops have been firmly instructed not to do anything that could harm bilateral ties,'' he said. ``I can assure you that none of our border troops were involved in the attack on the patrol.'' Rangoon has many troops in the border area opposite Mae Fah Luang, where the SSA's military stronghold of Gaw Wan straddles rugged terrain. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - Thursday 23 January
2003
Feasibility study into plan for dam on Burmese border No repeat of past mistakes, says Egat A study will be made into the feasibility of building a major dam on the Salween river, a natural Thai-Burmese borderline. The House energy committee has invited Sithiporn Ratananopas, governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, to shed light on the possibility of building a dam on the Salween in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son. Panel chairman Suravit Konsomboon said a feasibility study would begin soon. The dam would cost an estimated 200 billion baht and would have a generating capacity of 4,500-5,700 megawatts of electricity. It would be able to supply power at about 90 satang per unit, as opposed to the current investment cost of 1.90 baht per unit. That would translate into a saving of up to 30 billion baht per year, Mr Suravit said. The dam, when up and running, would help secure Thailand's position as the regional power house. The project would be of great benefit to the country but an environmental impact assessment study had yet to be made, he said. Mr Suravit said Egat should manage the dam to keep the retail cost of electricity low. The project planners would learn from the mistakes in the conception of the Pak Moon dam and Bo Nok and Hin Krut power plant projects, which ran into fierce public opposition. There had been no negotiation with Burma yet on the proposed Salween dam. That would depend on the findings of the completed feasibility study, Mr Suravit said. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan extends over 18 mln USD aid to Myanmar in
FY 2001-02
Xinhuanet 2003-01-23 15:59:52 YANGON, Jan. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan extended 18.33 million US dollars of conventional grant assistance to Myanmar in the fiscal year 2001-02, the local weekly Myanmar Times reported in its latest issue. Quoting Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Yuji Miyamoto, the report said the aid did not include the debt relief, and the basic human needs assistance to the country for 2003 will probably be increased. The ambassador attributed the provision of Japanese aid to a special relationship between Japan and Myanmar, saying that Myanmar's economic development is very important to Japan. He reiterated that Japan's policy toward Myanmar is consistent no matter how the political climate prevails, stressing that the Japanese aid to Myanmar is all about basic human needs. Japan is known as Myanmar's biggest donor country. It suspended its Official Development Assistance (ODA) along with humanitarian aid in 1988 but resumed in March 2001 its ODA to the country, while its humanitarian aid was resumed earlier in 1995. Meanwhile, up to 2001, Japan had provided aid for debt relief to Myanmar for 20 times including that of 3.594 billion yens ( about 29.22 million dollars) during 2001. -------------------------------------------------------------------- |