Burma Related News - Jan 28, 2003.

Asian Tribune

Date : 2003-01-28
Thais wary of latest Burmese blitzkrieg

Chiang Mai, Jan. 28: As Burmese offensive rages further south against Karen rebels across Thailand's Tak Province, Thai security officials in Chiang Mai have been alerted by the Burma Army's most recent blitzkrieg, said an informed source.

Several factors of the Burmese Army?s move remain mysterious:

The first was the appointment of new commanders for three battalions in the areas adjoining Chiangmai: IB 43 (Mongpiang), IB 65 (Mongton) and LIB 360 (Mongpiang), on 19 January. One of them is Lt-Col Myint Sway of IB 65 who just came after the Pang Maisoong Battle (20 May - 20 June 2002)," he reminded thata ll of them appear to be replaced by experienced, war-weary, battlefield commanders from Kayah (Karenni) and Karen States."

Then, on 20 January, more than 20 trucks escorting two "important equipment" transported arrived in Mongton, some 50 miles from the border, on its way to Monghsat, 40 miles further east, where the Military Operations Management Command #14 is headquartered. "We have yet to find out what's in there," said the source.

Two days later, he said, the commander of IB 226 opposite Wiang Haeng District and opposing Shan State Army positions along the border, was reported personally supervising the laying of 200 mines around his Pang Maisoong Camp, which was overrun by Shan rebels last year. Hundreds of mines were also reportedly been laid across Chiangmai's other district, Chiangdao, since the battle in June, that have killed or maimed some 30 people, according to several local sources. "6 were killed on 17 January alone," said one.

"Last but not least", he said, "it was reported yesterday that Lt-Col Khin Maung Tint, Commander of the First Engineering Battalion from Mingaladon (near Rangoon), arrived in Mongtaw (15 miles north of Pang Maisoong)". He was reportedly looking for a suitable site to establish an arsenal, according to the source.

It was reported earlier that the Burma Army was preparing for an all-out offensive against Shan strongholds along the Thai border in December which did not materialize.

But still it is speculated that, " the campaign may may still be launched after the visits by the Thai Army chief Gen Somdhat Attanant, on 31 January, and the Thai Prime Minister Dr.Thaksin Shinawatra on 9 February", a source within Burma told the SHAN.

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Asian Tribune

Date : 2003-01-28
Burma-Wa Powwow, details sketchy.

Some 4-500 Wa are still facing off besieging Burmese troops in the area north of the former Kuomingtang stronghold in eastern Shan State, according to a report by local Lahu and Shan sources.

The area of dispute is between the Namyawng in the north and Namkai in the south, both being tributaries of the Mekong. The Burmese had been trying to push armed units of their Wa ally to areas west of the Kengtung-Tachilek highway, said a Shan source from Tachilek.

There was some exchange of fire between the Wa and Light Infantry Battalion 571 between 13-15 January, according a Lahu source, but no casualties were reported from either side.

The Lahu source further added that Wa billboards and posters in Paliao, where the former airfield of the Kuomingtang and fruit orchards of Wei Hsuehgang as well as his pig farms are located, were being smashed and burnt by Burmese troops.

The Wa force in the area is commanded by "Yingjang Khawd" (Battalion Commander Khawd), known for his daring rescue of a Wa leader from Burmese forces in the Monghsu gemland after he was arrested on drug charges 4 years earlier.

Bao Yuhua, the youngest of the Bao brothers, is his immediate commander, according to the Lahu source. (Bao Yuri, the eldest is the "political commissar" of Wa forces along the Thai border, while Bao Yuqiang, the second brother, is the supreme leader of the Wa. The third, Bao Yuliang, is the "Mayor" of Mongmai).

Detailed reports are sketchy as contacts with the local populace is becoming n more and more impossible, as they are prohibited from traveling outside their immediate environs, said the Lahu source.

Border watchers say they are still following the events. "One thing that stumps us is why the conflict has dragged for nearly a month when Rangoon and Panghsang (the Wa capital) are supposed to be on good terms," said a Thai security officer in Chiang Mai.

In the meantime, a meeting has been called by Gen Khin Nyunt is to be held in Panghsang a.k.a. Pangkham sometime this week. All ceasefire groups in Shan State have been invited. " Agenda for the meeting is not known," said a Shan ceasefire officer said.

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Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-28
Karen - Burmese Military Campaign - Karen could also be in an upbeat mood

On 23 January 2003, fighting broke out between the KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army), military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), and the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) forces. Burmese troops under the command of the SPDC, fired mortar shells at KNU bases located near the Burma-Thailand border.

Media reports on the military campaign were not clear and very confusing. To obtain a clearer picture, Shan-EU talked with Saw Sarky, Central Committee member of the Karen National Union (KNU) and its EU representative, based in Portugal.

Excerpts of the interview is given below:

Shan-EU:>According to media reports, a major base ?Ler Ghaw? was lost to the Burmese troops, after heavy bombardment. Tell us whether these reports are correct?

Saw Sarky: Actually, it is not correct; Ler Ghaw is just a village and not a military base. Since the village and its surrounding are under our control, we deploy mobile units of around 50 to 60 men spread out in two to three groups deter the movement of the Burmese troops, and they were also on a reconnoiter mission with a view to collect recce on the enemy movements. The Burmese knew this too, but they still fired heavy weapons like 120mm, 82mm and 60mm mortars on the villagers indiscriminately, wounding some of them. It was unfortunate that we lost control of the village.

Shan-EU: The press and other media gave figures of the attacking enemies ranging from 200 to 2000 troops. Could you comment on this?

Saw Sarky: The enemy used about 280 men from three combined battalions, one column from LIB 301, one from IB 78 and two columns from IB 77. Each column has around 70 men and all were under the Tactical Command 883.

The important point is not how much troops were involved, but the enemy used of long range heavy weapons and they could have gone on shelling for another day or two. So there is no point in staying longer and taking unnecessary casualties, especially when all the villagers have fled over to the Thai side and there was nothing left to be defended.

The attack started at 8.10 hours and they were using two pieces of 120mm mortars from Bu Ba Gwan Mountain and 81 mortars set up at U Hoe Tha village. During the whole firefight, 21 rounds of 120mm, 24 rounds of 81mm and 9 rounds of 60mm were used by the enemy. Our casualty was just one slightly wounded.

Shan-EU: Press reports varies a lot, give us the casualty figures?

Saw Sarky: The total enemy casualty in their Ler Ghaw campaign was around 36 wounded. One of our soldiers got slightly wounded, on the day of the attack.

Shan-EU: There were reports that General Headquarters battalion 201 also was shelled. How accurate is the report?

Saw Sarky: Ler Ghaw is more than 12 kilometers from General Headquarters and the long range 120mm mortars are located at Bu Ba Gwan mountain is 20 kilometers away. The maximum range of 120mm is about 7.5 kilometers. So there is no way the enemy?s mortars could reach the General Headquarters. It?s a long way to Walay Kee.

Shan-EU: What are the consequences of this attack?

Saw Sarky: Due to the attack around 700 Karen villagers have lost their homes their means of sustenance and had fled to Thailand and had become refugees. The idea behind this military campaign by the Burmese military regime could well be to push the villagers over the border and create pressure on the Thai authorities. The villagers are now being sheltered in and around the monasteries, provisionally. They have brought in DKBA soldiers in the hope that the villagers might return. But so far, the villagers have refused to go back, even after the fighting was halted.

In this connection, I would like to clarify the term ?Burmese refugees? used by the Thai media. One Thai newspaper reported, ? The attack on Ler Ghaw prompted 700 Burmese refugees and 300 Thai refugees to flee the border area?. This could be misunderstood for the Karen are not Burmese and vice versa, the Burmese are not Karen. The media should be more specific for this kind of report could confuse the less well-informed readers.

Militarily, the enemy suffered 36 wounded and if they decided to establish thier presence in the area, they will continue to lose men and sustain casualties all the time.

Shan-EU: Do you expect further attacks in the area?

Saw Sarky: We are prepared for it and we would be surprised if they don?t come up with another offensive campaign. They tried once in 1999, but it was alleged as just a timid approach. They were intercepted by our troops, when they tried to climb up a strategic hill not too far from our headquarters. This time our positions are a lot stronger and the battalion are much better organized. Its all a matter of how many men the enemy is prepared to lose, just to burn down a few huts and withdraw afterwards. The point is we don?t lose morale when we decided on a tactical withdrawal, and subsequently abandon a place in order to avoid casualties, but the enemy soldiers will lose morale if they lost many men for nothing.

This is the whole exercise of guerrilla warfare, to control, retreat and mainly fight at the time and place of our choice and avoid getting sucked into the fighting set up or chosen by the enemy.

There are many places where we could even defend ourselves better than Walay Kee. So if we really have to move, we won?t be disappointed. It is up to the enemy to decide if its worthwhile to try to take the place.

Shan-EU: There was a report that the Burmese were in an upbeat mood after sizing two major camps, one of them being Ler Ghaw. Would you like to comment on this?

Saw Sarky: Well, we can also be in an upbeat mood. Just look at their casualty figures and compare it with our lost. While the Burmese troops suffered 36 heavily wounded, we endure only one slightly wounded. Also we can move into the area again as the enemies, it is learnt have chosen to withdraw.

Within a week time, just after the Burmese attack of Ler Ghaw, our forces have engaged the enemy in various parts of the area and attacked and inflicted heavy casualities. Some are along the border, while the bulk of it happens deep inside Karen territory.

Troops from the 103 headquarters battalion ambushed the Burmese Army?s IB 78, the same battalion that participated in the attack of Ler Ghaw, killing 2 and wounding 2 near Sakhanthit.

Troops from the 103 headquarters battalion and special operation unit of 6th brigade attacked the enemy; killing and wounding unspecified numbers near Palu.

Troops from the 4th brigade (Mergui Tavoy district) ambushed Burma Army?s LIB 405, killing 3, capturing 1 MA3 assault rifle, 6 magazines, assorted 230 rounds of ammunition, M14 landmine, rice bags and other supplies.

Troops from our 8th battalion (Mone township) ambushed the enemy, wounding second column commander, Kyi Win and sergeant, Win Naing.

These are just a trickle of battle news report to portray the real military situation within our operational areas. As you could see, we could also be in a real upbeat mood than the Burmese Army, at least militarily.

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Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-28
15 Political Prisoners Disappeared from Burmese Detention and Feared Killed - AAPP

In the last Nine months of 2002, 15 political prisoners disappeared from various prisons in Burma where they were being detained. At least seven, and possibly all 15 are feared killed after being removed from prison by military authorities.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) calls on the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to begin immediate investigations into these disappearances, and to allow international organizations, such as UN agency, Amnesty International and concerned foreign governments unimpeded access to conduct their own independent investigations into these cases.

Several of these cases refer to prisoners deported by the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and therefore we also strongly urge that the RTG cease all deportations to Burma, until such time, a proper screening process is in place to protect persons of concern from miscarriages of justice at the hands of the SPDC.

As it remains extremely difficult to collect information from prisons inside Burma, there is no way to know how many cases of disappearance of political prisoners have occurred in the past 15 years. What is known is that in Burma the ruling State Peace and Development Council maintains an extensive network of Military Intelligence agents (MIs), police and government officials ready to arbitrarily detain anyone suspected of associating with groups seen as anti-government.

Seven Political Prisoners Disappear

In November 1992, nine members of the Myeik-Dawei United Front, an opposition group based on the Thai/ Burma border, were arrested when they attempted to re-enter Southern Burma to collect information and organize area residents. Major Tun Aung Kyaw and other members of the Burma Army Light Infantry Division (LID) 432 arrested the nine opposition members in Kyeini Taung village, Bokepyin Township, Tensserim Division. After their arrest, the prisoners were taken to the LID 432 military base where they were subjected to interrogation and torture.

From the military base the detainees were sent to Mergui Prison, in Tenasserim Division. Here they were again subjected to further torture and mistreatment, including being forced to stand for long periods of time with an iron rod placed horizontally between their shackled legs, and were kept in cells measuring only 8 x 12 ft, for two long years. At no time during the 8 years they spent in detention, any of them were formally charged of any crime, or given a trial. In addition, were also denied any contact with their families or with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In April 2001, two of the original nine detainees were released. According to information received, on 25 March 2002, at 8pm Major Soe Hlaing of LID 265 removed the remaining seven prisoners from Mergui Prison. Inside sources reported that the prisoners were taken to an undisclosed location in the Done Kyun Island, located in Kyun Su Township, Tenasserim Division. At present the whereabouts and condition of these seven political prisoners remains unknown. Before they were taken from Mergui Prison, the detainees were reported to be in poor health ,as a result of the physical and psychological torture they had been subjected to, and the poor living conditions in the prison. AAPP has received some unconfirmed reports that these seven prisoners were executed upon arrival at 'Done Island'.

The seven political prisoners who have disappeared from Mergui prison include:

1) Name: Ko Khin Maung Cho
Age: 39 (Years)
Father's name: U Ba Tun
Mother's name: Daw Kyi
Address: Ka Htee Village, Thayetchaung Township, Tenasserim Division.

2) Name: Ko Shwe Baw
Age: 35 (Years)
Father's name: U Nyan Linn
Mother's name: Daw Than kyi
Address: Kinshaeyart in Tavoy township, in Tenasserim Division

3) Name: Ko Tin San
Age: 30 (Years)
Father's name: U Moe Aye Mother's name: Daw Ma Oaut
Address: Chaungwapyin village in Tavoy township, in Tenasserim Division

. 4) Name: Ko Naing Oo (alias) Aung Naing

Age: 31 (Years)
Father's name: U Thaung Si
Mother's name: Daw Ma Ma
Address: Taung Pyaut village in Thayet Chaung township, in Tenasserim Division

5) Name: Ko Kyaw Naing (alias) Kyaw Lwin
DOB: Born in 1970
Father's name: U Chit Aye
Mother's name: Daw Hla Thein
Address: Peinnaltaw village in Tavoy township, in Tenasserim Division

6) Name: Ko Than Zaw
Date of Birth: Born in 1971
Father's name: (U) Kyaw Shwe
Mother's name: (Daw) Than
Address: Goannyinseik village in Thayet Chaung township, in Tenasserim Division

7) Name: Onh Lwin
DOB: Born in 1961
Father's name: U Tun Ye
Mother's name: Daw Ngwe Kyi
Address: Winkabaw village, Tenasserim Division

Two Political Prisoners Disappear from Kawthaung Prison

In February 2002, seven members of the Thayetchaung branch of the National League for Democracy (NLD) were arrested as a result of their political activities. The arrests took place in Ngapyaw Or village, in the western part of Zar Dead Gyi Island, Tenasserim Division. The NLD members were reportedly subjected to severe torture whilst held in detention, before being sent to Kawthaung prison.

In the first weeks of July 2002 two of the seven prisoners, Cho Lwin (alias Ma Lwin) and Kyaw Aye were taken from Kawthaung prison by soldiers from LIF 262 and LIF 267 led by Captain Tin Maung Win. Cho Lwin and Kyaw Aye were reportedly taken to Ngapyaw Or Village, Zar Dead Gyi Island.

1) Name: Cho Lwin (alias) Ma Lwin (Female)
Age: 30 (Years)
Organization: NLD member
Address: Hsidek Village, Thayetchaung Township, Tenasserim Division
Date of arrest: February, 2002
Date of disappearance: July,2002
2) Name: Kyaw Aye
Age: 21 (Years)
Organization: NLD Member
Address: Thakyentaw Village, Longlon Township, Tenasserim Division
Date of arrest: February,2002
Date of Disappearance: July, 2002

Four Political Prisoners Disappear from Kawthaung Prison

On 17 September 2002, Sergeant Thein Myint, the commander of LIF 224 and LIF 262, took four other political prisoners from Kawthaung Prison and reportedly brought them to Makyonkalit Village, Lam Pake Island, Tenasserim Division.

Three of these prisoners, Tin Tun, Kyaw Lwin and Maung Swe (alias Bike Pu), had previously been arrested in Thailand by Thai police while traveling by boat to Ranong. After their arrest Thai authorities deported them directly back to the military authorities of LIF 262. As all three were members of political opposition groups they were arrested and sent to Kawthaung Prison.

Two other opposition group members, San Lwin and Kyaw Naing Soe were picked up separately by Thai police in Ranong. After being detained for six days at the Ranong police station, Thai authorities handed San Lwin and Kyaw Naing Soe directly over to Sergeant Tin Saw from LIF 262. Both men were then sent to Kawthaung Prison. Later in 2002 San Naing (alias) San Lwin was transferred to Insein prison.

The fate of the four other prisoners who were taken from Kawthaung Prison to Makyonkalit Village, Lam Pake Island. Family members of the prisoners have confirmed that they have had no access to their relatives since they were taken from Kawthaung Prison.

Those Prisoners missing from Kawthaung Prison include:

Name: Kyaw Naing Soe
Age: 26 (Years)
Organization: MDUF
Mothers name:(Daw) Hlwae
Address: : Kywechan Village, Tavoy Township, Tenasserim Division

Name: Tin Tun
Organization: ABSDF
Address: Tavoy Township, Tenasserim Division

Name: Maung Shwe (alias) Bike Pu
Organization: MDUF
Address: Tavoy Township, Tenasserim Division

Name: Kyaw Myint
Organization: MDUF
Address: Tavoy Township, Tenasserim Division

Two Men Disappear Following Arrest by Military Intelligence

On September 9, 2002, a farmer, Thinn Pe, was arrested by members of Military Intelligence (MI) Division 19, in Kangal Ward, Mergui, Tenasserim Division. Despite the fact that Thinn Pe is not knows to have any political affiliations. He was charged with having contacted members of political opposition groups. Since the time he was taken into custody by members of MI 19, Thinn Pe's whereabouts remained unknown. Another farmer, Ba Sein, was also arrested.

Name: : Thinn Pe
Age: : 30 (Years )
Address: : Win Kapaw Village, Mergui, Tenasserim Division
Fathers Name: : U Nyan Pe
Mothers Name: : Daw Kyaing
Nationality: : Burmese
Occupation: : Farm-hand
Place of arrested: : Kangal ward, Mergui
Date of arrested: : September 9, 2002
Arrested by: : MI 19

Name: : Ba Sein
Age: : 27 (Years )
Address: : Sawphyar Village, Mergui, Tenasserim Division
Fathers Name: : U Soe Kyi
Mothers Name: : Daw Ah Tin
Nationality: : Burmese
Occupation: : Farmer
Place of arrest: : Dawaisuu ward, Mergui
Date of arrested: : September 9, 2002
Arrest by: : MI 19

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EU critical of Burma over rights and economy
28/01/2003 11:07:03 | ABC Radio Australia News

The European Union has criticised Burma over what it says is its lack of democracy and poor human rights record.

EU officials also urged Rangoon to open up its economy to market reforms.

The EU says Myanmar has told officials that it needs more time to move towards democracy.

However, EU diplomats told the Burmese Junta that they want more progress from Rangoon on reforming its economy, which they describe as "in ruins".

The criticism came during talks in Brussels between EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the Association of South East Asian Nations on boosting economic and political ties.

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Bangkok Post - Tuesday 28 January 2003
Peace in Burma will end drug woes _ PM

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra believes peace is needed in Burma to stop drug trafficking, because fighting is forcing ethnic groups to earn money from illicit drugs to buy weapons.

Mr Thaksin said yesterday he would urge Burmese leaders, during his Feb 9-10 visit to Rangoon, to work for peace. ``When our neighbours are peaceful, narcotics problems are small. Apparently little illicit drugs come from Cambodia and Laos but a lot from Burma. Peace will lead to the disappearance of drugs.''

Pol Lt-Gen Chalermdet Chompoonuch, the commissioner of the Narcotic Suppression Bureau, said yesterday that one way to fight illicit drugs was to arrest all sellers to starve addicts of their supplies.

Police involved in trafficking would also be dealt with, he said. However, corrupt policemen made up only a small percentage of over 200,000 policemen.

* The Education Ministry had 14.6 million of its students and officials vow yesterday to stay away from drugs.

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Bangkok Post - Tuesday 28 January 2003
Govt `plays a role in ethnic cleansing'
Seminar told: Don't count on Rangoon
Achara Ashayagachat

Government policy to crack down on ethnic minorities along the Thai-Burmese border had indirectly supported Rangoon's ``ethnic cleansing'' but would not result in Burma giving drug suppression assistance, a seminar was told yesterday.

Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the government's raid on human rights activists, especially of ethnic minorities along the border, was an indirect collaboration with Rangoon.

Its economic failure had forced the State Peace and Development Council to depend on drug money from the Wa group. Their collusion to wipe out other ethnic groups, especially the Shan, was ignored by the United Nations, Mr Kraisak said.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees had refused help or sanctuary to those being harassed and deported by Thai authorities, Mr Kraisak told a seminar on ``Wa: Problems and Solutions to Thailand's Security'' at Chulalongkorn University.

The Thaksin Shinawatra government had embarked on controversial mega projects, for example the Salween Dam, which would become another excuse for ethnic cleansing as it would destroy the Shan people's land, he said.

Maung Maung, representing the Organisation of Burmese Trade Unions, said the so-called offices of the ethnic activists recently raided by Thai authorities were, in fact, information centres. The crackdown had crippled efforts to obtain new information on human rights abuses including forced labour and the use of rape as a weapon against ethnic minorities inside Burma.

He suggested the government pursue a dual track policy _ dealing with Burma at governmental level, but also having a humanitarian policy towards ethnic minorities to find a sustainable way of eradicating drugs.

Zin Mei, a Shan representative, said the Shan people had been manipulated by drug traffickers and suffered raped by armed groups, including Burmese troops.

Unless the international community intervened in Burmese politics, drugs and ethnic cleansing would never be eradicated. ``If Thailand would like to help ethnic people, why do they give assistance through the Burmese government and Wa, and not directly to other ethnic people,'' she asked.

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The Nation
DRUG CRISIS: UN, govt turning 'blind eye' to Wa
Published on Jan 28, 2003

Senator Kraisak lashes out over 'conspiracy' to appease Rangoon

A leading senator yesterday accused the United Nations drug agency and the government of turning a blind eye to the illicit activities of the pro-Rangoon Wa army along the Thai border in an attempt to please the military government of Burma.

Senator Kraisak Chonhavan blasted the government for not holding Burma accountable for the narcotics activities of the 20,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA), and instead rewarding them with a Bt25 million community development scheme that had resulted in the forced relocation of local villages.

"The UN has never talked about methamphetamines. I believe there is a conspiracy among various parties to protect this drug programme in the name of national reconciliation efforts with Burma," Kraisak said.

"These UN activities have actually contributed to the expulsion of Shan people from their homelands," said Kraisak, who described the ruling State Peace and Development Council's treatment of the minority group as "ethnic cleansing".

Representatives from the Wa National Organisation (WNO) and the Lahu National Development Organisation, echoed Kraisak, saying Thailand's involvement with the UWSA amounted to the legitimisation of the world's largest armed drug army.

They said the Wa army had evicted local villagers from an area where the Thai government is planning to sponsor a village modelled on the Mae Fah Luang Royal Project.

The village is Yawngkha, which is adjacent to Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang district.

Speaking at a seminar, "Wa: Problems and Solutions for Thai Security", Senator Kraisak said the UN drug agency continued to treat the Burmese ruling junta with kid gloves, conveniently ignoring the plight of ethnic people living in the area and reports that the group was continuing to flood Thailand with methamphetamines.

Thai security and military agencies, including foreign governments, have accused the UWSA of pumping hundreds of millions of methamphetamine pills and premium grade-four heroin into Thailand and the rest of the world.

A number of UWSA members have been indicted by the US Federal Court for heroin trafficking, while many others are blacklisted.

The WNO's Ai Htun urged the government to grant protection to Wa refugees and permit them to set up temporary camps on the border so they could receive humanitarian assistance.

He said the Yawngkha Project in the UWSA-controlled area does not have the support of the indigenous community.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has vowed to get tough on drugs, and stated publicly that he would seek Chinese help in addressing the UWSA issue with the Burmese.

However, the UWSA continues to carry out the forced relocation of villagers from areas along the Burma-China border, where they are headquartered in Panghsang, to areas adjacent to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son.

In a recent interview with The Nation in Panghsang, UWSA chairman Bao Yu-chang said the forced relocation was part of the group's plan to end opium cultivation in the north. He denied any involvement with illicit narcotics activities.

He claimed the only income the UWSA derived from opium was a tax on the growers, which amounted to only 2 per cent of the group's total income.

Bao said the number of villagers that would be relocated to the Thai border would reach 100,000 this year, adding that the UWSA would not stop there.

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The Nation

Asean, EU aim to forge closer ties
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Published on Jan 28, 2003

Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) and the European Union (EU) began their 14th dialogue here yesterday, aiming to bring new dynamism into cooperation between the two regional groups.

"We want the EU to actively participate in the dynamic development of Asean, which is now recovering from 1997 financial crisis and playing a key role in creating greater cooperation with outsiders," Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said.

Asean has made progresses in several cooperation pacts, including the Asean plus three framework with China, Japan and South Korea that would probably lead to the world's biggest free- trade area in the future, he said.

The EU should strengthen cooperation with Asean since the latter grouping is now an emerging hub of Asia that has connected with all dimensions of development in this part of the world, he added.

However, the fact that the EU reaffirmed its stance of increasing pressure on Asean-member Burma to promote democracy and improve human rights is still an obstacle for improved relations between both sides.

Many EU members, including the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands, maintain sanctions on the military-ruled nation. The situation in Burma was still among key elements of the Asean-EU Ministerial Meet-ing in Brussels. Although attendance of Burmese officials was no longer an issue, Foreign Minister Win Aung skipped the meeting due to an engagement with Indian officials, a Thai official said.

Foreign Ministers from Malaysia and Brunei were also absent from the meeting, sending their deputies to the two-day meeting, he said.

Only eight foreign ministers from the 15-member EU participated in the meeting, he said.

Surakiart said the lower number of foreign ministers participating in the meeting would not downgrade the dialogue since the all its participants had a full mandate for representing their governments.

The global war on terrorism could not be avoided in the Asean-EU meeting and the ministers planned to issue a separate statement on anti-terrorism at the end of meeting today, Surakiart said.

Both sides are concerned about the threat terrorism but would not allow the issue to overshadow the other dimensions of cooperation, he said.

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The Straits Times - JAN 28, 2003 TUE
Thaksin will persuade Yangon to talk to rebels
Thai PM hopes to get Myanmar to end ethnic border clashes and crack down on drug trade during his coming visit

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that he would work to persuade Yangon's government to negotiate with rebel ethnic minority groups during his forthcoming visit to the capital.

'I will persuade the government to talk with minority groups so that the two sides will stop killing each other,' he told reporters ahead of his Feb 9-10 visit.
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'We will propose a resolution, and when the fighting is over, all other problems will decline. Everything will get better,' the Premier added.

Clashes along the Thai-Myanmar border between armed ethnic minority groups, and Myanmar's ruling military forces and allied ethnic groups - who are routinely accused of involvement in drug-trafficking - frequently spill over into Thai territory.

The disputes have dogged relations between the neighbouring countries, which sank to a new low in May last year when a Myanmar offensive against the rebel Shan State Army resulted in stray shells landing in Thailand.

Mr Thaksin has already said that the problem of flourishing drug factories on the Myanmar side of the common border would be on his agenda during his visit, the second as prime minister, as well as border problems and tourism issues.

Asia Times Online says Thailand's northern military command has classified the drug operations across the border, controlled by the ethnic Wa and Chinese, as the top security threat.

Myanmar's army uses about half of the Wa army to guard its border along much of the 850-km frontier with Thailand.

It is estimated that the Wa control 80 per cent of the opium-heroin trade and all the methamphetamine laboratories, which produce the easy-to-smuggle pills, Asia Times Online reported.

About this time last year, Thai soldiers were having occasional border clashes with the Myanmar army and their ethnic Wa allies.

Mr Thaksin has made sure there will be no repeat of last year's confrontation with Myanmar's generals. He recently replaced key army commanders who preferred a tougher approach in dealing with Myanmar, Asia Times Online reported.

Wa drug baron Wei Hsueh Kang is wanted both in Thailand and the United States for drug trafficking.

The US State Department has a US$2 million (S$3.4 million) bounty on him.

In talks with Bangkok last year, the Myanmar junta showed no interest in the Thai request to crack down on Wei Hsueh Kang's operations.

Asia Times said Mr Thaksin had decided to seek closer ties with Yangon with a strong emphasis on increased business ties as the best avenue to persuade the generals to shut down the Wa's burgeoning drug empire.

Cooperation is the hallmark of Myanmar-Thailand relations now.

In November, Thailand's Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh disclosed bilateral cooperation on four megaprojects, Asia Time reported.
They are:

The construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Salween River by Thailand's MDX company

A coal mine in a Myanmar town opposite Prachuap Khiri Khan

A port project in Tavoy

A Mae Sot-Yangon road project. --AFP

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