AP - Asian
Health Mins Agree To Measures To Stop SARS 'Threat'
Reuters -
Philippines to propose ASEAN fund to fight SARS
USA Today
- What Iraq
lacks: An Aung San Suu Kyi
Bkk Post -
Illegal aliens sue for unpaid wages
Asian
Tribune - 189 Dying Burmese Prisoners ? British express their interest and
concern.
Asian
Tribune - Myanmar: Press conference explains sending of bombers into nation by
insurgent groups including KNU
UN Wire -
HIV/AIDS: UNAIDS Launches Three-Year, $51 Million Program In Myanmar
Time
Magazine - Dr. Cynthia Maung - Healer of broken souls
NMG -
TIME Chooses Dr Cynthia as Asian Hero
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Saturday April 26, 7:41 PM
Asian Health Mins Agree To
Measures To Stop SARS 'Threat'
KUALA LUMPUR
(AP)--Asian health ministers agreed
Saturday on measures to slow the spread of SARS, including more screening at
international departure points, a bar on travelers showing symptoms of the virus
and a requirement for health declaration forms for visitors from affected
countries.
"The threat posed by SARS is unprecedented," said the
regional director of the World Health Organization, Shigeru Omi. "The virus has
already demonstrated its explosive power to cause sudden outbreaks in a large
number of countries. Tourism has almost disappeared. Normal life has been
seriously disrupted."
"We must be absolutely relentless in our
search for every possible SARS case. We must use every weapon at our disposal,"
Omi told the health ministers and senior officials from Southeast Asia, China,
Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.
Omi said Saturday's meeting in
Kuala Lumpur and a Southeast Asian leaders' summit in Thailand next week could
"determine the future course" of how nations handle severe acute respiratory
syndrome, which has killed at least 293 people and infected more than 4,600
worldwide.
The ministers agreed on a plan to boost screening at
international departure points, bar travelers with SARS symptoms, and require
health declaration forms for visitors from affected countries.
In
a joint declaration, they stressed that their countries "could tackle the
challenges posed by this deadly virus only by strengthening our collective
efforts regionally as well as internationally."
Malaysian Health
Minister Chua Jui Meng said Asians' ability to easily travel worldwide was
"creating an alarming potential" for the outbreak to widen further.
"Should SARS continue to spread, the global economic consequences
could be great in a closely interconnected and interdependent world," Chua said.
Chua said the measures approved by the ministers would be
presented to national leaders at their summit in Bangkok before formal
implementation.
China's Deputy Health Minister Huang Jiefu said
Saturday's meeting underscored the need for Asian countries to be "united
together as a team to fight the epidemic."
SARS is believed to
have originated in southern China in November. Cases have been reported in 26
countries and territories.
The health ministers' meeting was
called on short notice by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which
consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Only Vietnam didn't
participate in Saturday's discussions, which were also attended by Canadian
observers.
The ministers also agreed that Southeast Asian
countries should consider jointly setting up a disease control center, which
Malaysia has said could help fight new disease outbreaks.
Indonesia's Health Minister Achmad Suyudi said Asia was
demonstrating great resolve in joining hands to combat SARS.
"There are no sticking points, no sensitive areas as far as SARS
is concerned," Suyudi said. "Everything is open to discussion."
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Saturday April 26, 4:12 PM
Philippines to propose
ASEAN fund to fight SARS
MANILA, April 26
(Reuters) - Philippine President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said she would propose a regional health fund to battle
the flu-like virus that has killed more than 270 people worldwide and infected
about 4,800.
Arroyo told reporters on Friday night she would also
suggest penalties for people violating screening and quarantine rules when she
attends the Association of South East Asian Nations summit on the SARS virus in
Bangkok on April 29.
"As per the preparation of our staff work, we
will forward a Philippine proposal for an ASEAN health emergency fund to be
financed by the ASEAN Foundation," she said.
The Philippines
confirmed on Friday it had its first two deaths from Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) and that two more people were infected with the virus.
The foundation solicits funds from the 10 members of ASEAN, and
its dialogue partners, to finance projects to improve health and conserve the
environment.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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USA
TODAY - 2003.04.25
Page 15A
What
Iraq lacks: An
Aung San Suu Kyi
By Al
Neuharth
WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- The road to democracy historically is
a bumpy one following any dictatorship. Á la
Iraq. The
problem: Usually no one who is qualified cares enough, or is free-spirited
enough, to prepare for a future leadership role in a free
country.
A notable exception was
honored here at the National Press Club on Thursday night. Tributes included one
from President Bush.
Burma's
Aung San Suu Kyi. A 5-foot-3-inch, 100-pound fighter for freedom and dignity.
For nearly two decades, she has worked peacefully and tirelessly to rally the 48
million people of her country against its dictatorship.
In 1990, her National League
for Democracy Party won an overwhelming election victory. The military thugs who
run Burma,
headed by Gen. Than Shwe, refused to recognize the results and put Ms. Suu Kyi
under house arrest.
She was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize. Since her release from house arrest last year following intense
international political pressure, she fearlessly has resumed her freedom
campaign across her country.
Ms. Suu Kyi was honored with a
$1 million ''Free Spirit'' award from the Freedom Forum, an international
foundation based here. She couldn't attend, because she refuses to leave her
country until her people are free.
The audience included 98 star
high school journalism students from 49 states and the
District of Columbia. They saw and
heard an exclusive videotape made when we met with Ms. Suu Kyi in
Rangoon in January. Headlines of her
message:
* ''You are privileged to be
able to exercise a free spirit.''
* ''I am absolutely confident
that the day will come when
Burma's young
people will be free to spread their wings and fly and soar.''
President Bush sent this
salute: ''There are moments in history when great people emerge to shine a
bright light on a dark path. Aung San Suu Kyi is such a person.''
What
Iraq needed was
its own Aung San Suu Kyi.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post - Saturday 26 April
2003
Illegal aliens sue for unpaid wages
NGO goes to
court, as workers deported
Onnucha
Hutasing and Supamart Kasem
Twenty six illegal Burmese
workers yesterday asked the Mae Sot labour court in Tak to order a Thai employer
to pay them a combined 4.6 million baht in unpaid wages.
This is
Thailand's first ever labour dispute taken to court by undocumented
aliens.
The hearing, however, will have to go ahead in their
absence, after the Burmese were deported to Myawaddy right after finishing their
talks with their representative, the MAP Foundation for the Health and Knowledge
of Ethnic Labour.
They would be issued border passes for entry if
the court needed to hear from them.
Pranom Somwong, from the MAP
Foundation, said the Nut Knitting Partnership defied the Tak labour welfare and
protection office's order that it pay 34 Burmese workers 4,643,906 baht in
unpaid wages from October-December 2000, when Tak's daily minimum wage was set
at 130 baht, and January 2001 and October 2002, when the rate was increased to
133 baht.
The 34 aliens were hired for only 77 baht a day. Company
owners Lakhana, Somneuk and Wanna Sirikamolsilp were not available for
comment.
Ms Pranom said while waiting to get their wages, eight of
the 34 Burmese workers, including their leader Kyaw Oo, were arrested for
illegal entry and working without a permit, and were deported to Burma early
this year.
MAP Foundation took the other 26 under its care in Mae
Sot district. These Burmese, however, were arrested for illegal entry on April
21 and were sent back to Myawaddy yesterday.
Ms Pranom said the
company refused to comply with the Tak labour office's order and so the MAP
Foundation would file suit against the firm with the Mae Sot labour court
today.
She said NGOs wanted the government to allow them to stay in
the country to fight their legal battle.
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Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-04-26
189 Dying Burmese Prisoners ? British express their interest and
concern.
Asian Tribune received an e-mail letter
from Philip Lord of the British Foreign and Commonwealth office. The letter
gives hopes and also it encourages that the international community is behind
our move to safe the lives of those 189 dying prisoners in various prison
facilities inside Burma.
In the letter, Philip Lord writes, ?I am
the Assistant Desk Officer for Burma in the Foreign Office here in London. I
have just read an article about 189 political prisoners suffering from terminal
illness and are on the verge of dying in the prisons in Burma.
He
writes further: ?The UK is concerned about the ongoing serious violation of
human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,
of the people of Burma. As mentioned in the EU Council Conclusions of the Common
Position, renewed instances of political arrests and continuing detentions,
including of prisoners whose sentences have expired, is a key
issue.?
In his letter to Asian Tribune, Philip Lord of the British
Foreign Office pointed out ? ?We regularly engage with Amnesty International,
the NLD and other interested parties to find out as much as possible about those
imprisoned. FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister) Minster Mike O'Brien
has made statements on this issue, and our embassy has demarched the regime on
the issue of political prisoners.? EU Council Conclusions on the Common Position
on Burma
Through this letter, British Government has demonstrated
its sincere stand and interest in the life of - not only of the 189 dying
prisoners, but also of the entire Burmese population suffering under the thump
rule of the Army Generals.
No country in the world which believes
in democracy and human rights would stand idle as a silent spectator, watching
the junta?s army generals of Burma trampling with their jackboots, the basic
human rights and freedom of the millions of Burmese.
Unfortunately,
today Burma, the country as a whole has been transformed by the army generals as
an open prison. But Asian Tribune long for a transformation of Burma to normalcy
soon.
For some reason or other, the world has tolerated the army
generals since 1962, but there has to be a reversal of the army general?s
position at least before the end of the year 2003.
We continue
receive letters from various sources, and by these letters we are really
encouraged, but our encouragement become manifold, when we receive letters from
the Burmese groups.
Recently, we received a letter stating, ?Your
"pro-active" stance has given us more hope and strength in our struggle for
self-determination.? The Editor of SHAN EU wrote this.
S.H.A.N. is
an independent Shan media group. And according to them, it is not affiliated to
any political or armed organization.
Shan editor wrote: ?Dear
Editor & Asian Tribune team: Please accept our sincere thank and your
commitment to the cause of democracy & human rights in Burma. Your
"pro-active" stance has given us more hope and strength in our struggle for
self-determination.? We are happy to learn that Asian Tribune has managed to
infuse lively interest in the hearts and minds of thousands for human compassion
and love of humanity.
We have replied the British Foreign and
Commonwealth office. In our reply we have categorically stated, ?we are an
independent news website and we are not working with any Government or
Governments for any consideration. Our editorial policy is to help and assist
the Burmese in bringing about democratic rule in Burma soon as possible.
?
Asian Tribune is very clear with its stand. It only strives that
Burmese should attain their cherished dream of free, independent, sovereign,
undivided united Burma and the country to be ruled by the democratically elected
peoples? representatives of the country.
Asian Tribune is at
present involved in the campaign of freeing the dying political prisoners and we
trust that individuals and groups would be appealing to the Army generals for
their release.
We urge the international community to flood the
office of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) with thousand and
thousands of appeal for the release of the 189 dying prisoners - our brothers in
distress. International Campaign to Free 189 Burmese political Prisoners dying
in various prisons in Myanmar.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-04-26
Myanmar: Press conference explains sending of bombers into nation by
insurgent groups including KNU
Yangon, April 25: A
press conference explained sending of bombers into the nation by insurgent
groups including the KNU terrorist insurgents opposing the government to commit
terrorist acts.
At the press conference that was held at Tatmadaw
Guest House here this morning, Minister for Labor U Tin Winn said the
Myanmar-Thai border gates were reopened in roundabout October 2002. Since then
the border trade has restarted. But the KNU terrorist insurgents with the
intention of destroying the normal relations between the two nations have been
blowing up mines, killing innocent passengers with small and heavy weapons and
destroying roads and bridges in Myawady, a border town, and along the
Myawady-Kawkareik Road. The KNU said on 19 April that it blew up the natural gas
pipeline; and on 21 April, KNU general secretary Phado Mahn Sha announced that
the terrorist insurgent group would intensify its destructive acts. The KNU has
no knowledge to differentiate between the government-owned property and the
property owned by the nation. It should have the knowledge that destruction of
the gas pipelines, railroads and bridges, which are the nation?s property will
only cause public sufferings. Ignoring the fact that destruction of the property
owned by the nation will lead to obstructing national development, the KNU has
been launching its destructive acts with pride. The KNU has been destroying
property of the nation including gas pipelines and launching terrorist attacks
causing public death and injury since 1949. The officials concerned will explain
the terrorist acts of the KNU to murder innocent people and destroy State-owned
property during the period from January to April 2003, without mentioning the
incidents occurred before the period.
Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein of the
Ministry of Defence explained the continuous destructive acts of the KNU
terrorist insurgents.
He said, although the KNU terrorist
insurgents have been declaring good slogans, saying that they are working for
the national and national races? cause and emergence and flourishing of
democracy, actually, they are constantly committing atrocities blowing up
explosive to cause public injury and death and to destroy State-owned buildings,
bridges and roads, ransacking villages, randomly killing villagers and
destroying public property. They are committing planned terrorist acts. The KNU
terrorist insurgent group sponsored an explosive course at Tadoekitha in
Thailand from 12 to 25 February 2003.
ABSDF insurgent group also
conducted a similar course at Htawmai camp, Weigyi region, Thailand, on 14
March. Trainees of the groups opposing the government attended the courses.
About 60 persons including KNU vice-chairman Bo Mya, Win Khet of NLD (LA) and
central committee members of ABSDF held a meeting at a place near Bekalot
refugee camp in Thailand on 22 February, giving orders to provide cash and
equipment for the trainees who completed the explosive courses and to launch
destructive acts in the nation.
The government received information
which said that on March 9, some of the members of KNU No 7 brigade were
selected and assigned them duty to blow up explosives in
Yangon.
Afterwards, the KNU sent bombers into the nation to commit
terrorist acts. During the period from January to April 2003, the KNU plundered
and enjoyed shooting sprees in villages for nine times, detonated explosives to
kill and injure innocent people for 12 times, blew up bridges and roads for
three times, blew up gas pipelines for three times, set off time bombs for six
times, committed arson and captured innocent people for two times. Sixteen
innocent people died and 57 were wounded in the terrorist attacks. Brig-Gen Kyaw
Thein also explained in detail the destructive and terrorist acts of the KNU. He
said the KNU blew up the gas pipelines with the wicked intention of destroying
property of the nation to slow down the pace of national development drive.
However, the government, the people and the Tatmadaw were able to harmoniously
repair the destroyed pipeline within days.
The world never accepts
any form of terrorism. Thus, it is not an honor, but a shame for the KNU to
announce that it will increase its terrorist bomb attacks.
The
incidents prove that despite its talks on the cause of nation races and
democracy to which it is giving priority, KNU in practical has been committing
armed terrorist attacks killing innocent people again and again. These armed
terrorist attacks are just cowardly acts.
Minister U Tin Winn,
Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein, Brig-Gen Than Tun and Col
Hla Min of the Ministry of Defence replied to queries raised by the journalists.
Local and foreign journalists viewed documentary on armed terrorist attacks of
the anti-government organizations including the KNU in Yangon city and towns and
villages.
- The New Light of Myanmar: April 26 -
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UN
Wire - April 25, 2003
HIV/AIDS: UNAIDS Launches Three-Year,
$51 Million Program In Myanmar
The Joint U.N.
Program on HIV/AIDS yesterday unveiled a three-year, $51 million program for
Myanmar, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Adopted in January by the
U.N. Expanded Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, the program focuses on public health
initiatives aimed at reducing the spread of HIV among Myanmar's intravenous drug
users and their sex partners and increasing awareness of the disease in general,
especially among young people.
Citing a statement released in
Yangon, Myanmar's capital, Xinhua reported that $21.3 million of the funding for
the project came from international donors, including the United Kingdom, Norway
and Sweden.
More than $7.5 million has already been made available
to launch the project, which will involve U.N. agencies and Myanmar government
departments working together with international and national nongovernmental
organizations.
"The Myanmar government has taken up this challenge
in a positive and forward-looking manner," said UNETG head Najib Assifi.
"The cooperation between all partners has made possible the establishment of a
comprehensive and targeted joint program," Assifi added.
HIV/AIDS
is a priority health concern in Myanmar, where the World Health Organization
says that 3,817 AIDS cases and 510,000 HIV infections were reported by the end
of 2000 (Xinhua News Agency, April 24).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Time Magazine
FROM THE APRIL 28, 2003 ISSUE
OF TIME MAGAZINE
Dr. Cynthia Maung - Healer of broken
souls
By Andrew
Marshall
Dr. Cynthia Maung, the 43-year-old founder of Mae
Tao clinic in the Thai border town of Mae Sot, is an absconder, an insurgent and
an opium-smuggling terrorist. Any attempt to deny this is as futile as covering
the rotting carcass of an elephant with a goat hide.
That, at any
rate, is the opinion of Burma's ruling military junta, as published on its
reliably absurd and malicious website. The generals have every reason to despise
"Dr. Cynthia," as her patients call her. In 1989, equipped with medicines
scrounged from foreign relief workers and instruments she had sterilized in a
rice cooker, she transformed a dilapidated barn in Mae Sot into a clinic to
provide free treatment for the sick and wounded fleeing Burma's oppressive
regime. Today, thanks to her preternatural drive and optimism, up to 200
patients?mostly migrant workers and refugees from across the border?pass through
her clinic every day. Its five doctors and 120 other medical staff treat
everything from diarrhea to gunshot wounds, all for a patient registration fee
of just 25¢. Maung has won a slew of international prizes, most recently a Ramon
Magsaysay Award for community leadership, and remains among her own people the
likeliest candidate for sainthood after the leader of Burma's pro-democracy
movement herself, Aung San Suu Kyi. If you were a Burmese general, you'd hate
Maung, too.
"When I first arrived in Thailand I thought I'd be
here for only three months or so," recalls Maung, a handsome, soft-spoken woman
who emanates serenity even in less-than-serene circumstances?in this case, with
dozens of infants howling from immunization jabs in her clinic's child-health
center. "Then I thought I would go back in three years. Then five years. I
always thought the political situation in Burma would improve." Instead, it got
worse, creating an ever-growing caseload for Maung and her staff. While the
clinic hasn't lost its makeshift feel?the beds in its 49-bed inpatient ward are
wooden trestles covered with floor linoleum?it has expanded to include a trauma
department, blood and eye labs, and a prosthetics department for land-mine
victims. The clinic also serves as a training center for the famous "backpack
medics"?teams of doctors who make perilous treks deep into the Burmese jungle to
treat people with no access to medicine. The physicians occasionally have to
resort to jungle amputations to save lives.
Maung understands what
it's like to be a refugee?she's one, too. Born into a Karen family in Rangoon,
her work as a young doctor at a tiny rural clinic in Karen state enabled her to
witness firsthand the poverty and disease endemic under Burmese military rule.
She was among the euphoric millions who joined nationwide antigovernment
protests in 1988?and, a few months later, one of thousands who fled over the
border into Thailand to escape a savage crackdown. Traveling at night to evade
army hit squads, Maung and 14 colleagues trekked through the jungle for seven
days, stopping only to treat the sick and injured they came across with the few
supplies they had carried. Although she has now lived in exile in Thailand for
15 years, Maung has no official papers and is effectively stateless. The clinic
is her country now. Private and unassuming, she lives in a modest house at its
gates, along with her husband and three children, the last a baby girl adopted
after being abandoned by her mother at the clinic.
Maung places
enormous faith in her medical staff despite their lack of formal training, and
they return this faith with fierce loyalty. "For Dr. Cynthia, nothing is
impossible," says Tara Sullivan, an American reproductive-health expert who has
worked alongside her for two years. "She has a great sense of humor and a great
sense of purpose." Clinic administrator Rae Svarnas says, "She's an incredibly
hard worker. She never asks anyone to do something she wouldn't. And in two
years I've never seen her angry. Never." With her medical qualifications and
experience, Maung could easily claim asylum in a third country. Has she ever
been tempted? "Work abroad?" she asks, as if I've just suggested we tango
through the inpatient ward. "I've never thought about it. The West has enough
doctors." Which is a relief to hear, because as tens of thousands of her
patients would attest, impoverished and benighted Burma needs all the doctors it
can get?and all the heroes, too.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Network Media Group
TIME Chooses Dr Cynthia as Asian Hero
April 25
(NMG) ? Dr Cynthia Maung was chosen as an Asian Hero of World?s
reputed Time Magazine in its 2003, 28th April issue.
Under the given title ?Healer
of Broken Souls?, Time describes Dr Cynthia as a hero of
Asia for 2003, who was also the laureate of Ramon
Magsaysay Award, regionally known as Asia?s Nobel Prize,
while she is currently operating in a remote hospital in Mae Sot where refugees
and Burmese immigrant workers were taken care for years.
Dr Cynthia disclosed to NMG on
her newly awarded on Asia?s Hero. ?I, myself and all of
my co-workers along with others who are dedicated to uplifting the health and
education of the community are really appreciated and proud of this
award?.
Rejecting to go abroad or
resettle in some of third-countries, she said ?because it would take times to
reconstruct
Burma of
all-round illness, and Thai government is now ready to cooperate some of our
efforts in health matters, I decided to stay in border area till we have
accomplished our versions?.
While asking if she has a plan
to produce little Cynthias, she said ?Yes, I?ve a plan for the future. For the
long run, I have a plan to build potential and capacity for them regarding
development, public relation and education which is the main factor resources to
uplifting the health concerns.?
Dr Cynthia Maung, a medical
doctor who is 43 yrars old, was born in a small village on 6 December 1959 in
Burma?s
Mon
State near
Moulmein. She was fourth among 8
brothers and sisters. After she got medical degree, she was taking care of of
her Karen people in small village in
Karen
State. She fled to
Thailand
crossing the jungle routes during the 8888 uprising after Burmese military
government shot and killed many students and activists. After she had arrived to
Thailand, she
had been taking care of refugees and immigrants workers with a handful of
syringe and needle. Because of her commitment and hard-working endeavors to
needy peoples and Burmese immigrant workers for more then ten years, five
international awards has been adding up including Ramon Magsaysay(Asia?s Nobel?s
Prize), Jonathan Mann Award from the United States for Heath and Human Rights
and John Humphery Freedom Award from Canada.
Along with Dr Cynthia, the
Time Magazine has chosen 19 recipients from 15 countries in
Asia as Asia?s Hero for 2003. TIME
also gives honors on this year to those health workers who are fighting against
SARS, Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
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