Burma Related News-April 30, 2000.

WIRE:04/30/2000 07:39:00 ET
INTERVIEW-Myanmar ASEAN meeting boosts military - opposition

YANGON, April 30 (Reuters) - The vice chairman of Myanmar's main opposition party said on Sunday a two-day regional meeting of economic ministers in Yangon will give psychological support to the ruling military.
Tin Oo, a close associate of Nobel Prize winning dissident Aung San Suu Kyi, told Reuters the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which starts on Monday, was likely to worsen the repression of dissidents in the country.

He said ASEAN's policy of "constructive engagement" of Myanmar had failed to bring positive change and aid given by countries such as Japan had been misused by the authorities and prolonged their rule.

"So long as the Japanese government gives aid, the (military) will toughen its harassment and threats against our democratic activists," he said in an interview at his Yangon home on Sunday.

"We are just simply urging the democratic countries -- like the Japanese and the South Koreans -- not to do such a thing.

"Whenever you do such a thing, it will have a detrimental effect on democratic activists. You have to consider very, very thoroughly. Those people who are professing democracy should abstain from things tantamount to giving some kind of encouragement to the military regime."

Both Japan and South Korea, along with Communist China, are taking part in the meeting of economic ministers of ASEAN's 10 member states -- Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines and Indonesia.

It is the first time Yangon, which joined ASEAN in 1997 against protests from the opposition, has hosted such a senior meeting of the regional bloc.

"This has a psychological effect, it gives them encouragement," Tin Oo said.

Last year Japan, which like other rich countries cut aid to Myanmar in 1988 after the military came to power by killing thousands to crush a pro-democracy uprising, indicated a softening of its line by offering help if Yangon took structural reform of its economy seriously.

It said it would be easier to provide assistance if Myanmar was more democratic, but analysts said Tokyo's biggest concern appeared to be losing business and political influence to China.

FRESH DETENTIONS SHOW HARDER MILITARY LINE

Tin Oo said the negative impact had already been shown with the detention earlier this month of more than 40 members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), including members of its youth wing, and Aye Thar Aung, a senior official responsible for issues related to ethnic minorities.

He estimated around 2,000 political prisoners were being held, mostly members of the NLD, which won the country's last election in 1990 by a landslide, but was never allowed govern.

The military denies holding political prisoners.

Tin Oo said he had no idea where the latest detainees were being held.

"In Burma, when a person is arrested you are not likely to know where he is. You have no contact at all and they don't give any kind of information to their family.

"You see, this is a police state, totally a police state, totally a totalitarian state, totally an authoritarian state. Even though they call themselves the State Peace and Development Council, everything is ruled by the military."

Tin Oo praised the new U.N. special envoy, Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail, who has been appointed to try to encourage democratic change and human rights in Myanmar.

"We believe he is a true international servant. He has to serve internationally, not his own country -- even if he is an adviser to the prime minister of Malaysia. We believe he will carry out his duty as a very good and able trustworthy diplomat," he said.

Despite the gloom of a pre-monsoon rainstorm darkening his dilapidated but tidy home in Yangon's Bahan township, Tin Oo remained upbeat.

"We are optimistic, still optimistic, and will be even if there's only one person left, because the trend in the 21st century is towards democracy."

WIRE:04/30/2000 05:36:00 ET
U.N. humanitarian chief hopeful about Iraq task

AMMAN, April 30 (Reuters) - The new coordinator of Iraq's U.N. oil-for-food programme said on Sunday he hoped to improve the system under which Iraq feeds its people with proceeds from crude oil sales.
"It's to improve what we are already doing to make it even better and I think we should be able to do a proper job in Iraq," Tun Myat, the newly chosen U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, told Reuters Television in Amman before leaving for Baghdad by road.

Myat, 58, of Myanmar and a 22-year veteran of the Rome-based World Food Programme (WFP) was appointed last month to the sensitive post after his two predecessors resigned in protest over the impact of U.N. sanctions, imposed in August 1990 after Iraq invaded Kuwait.

Hans von Sponeck of Germany quit his post last February under strong U.S. pressure over his outspoken criticism of the punishing effects of U.N. sanctions. His predecessor, Denis Halliday of Ireland, left in 1998 for similar reasons.

Myat shrugged off criticism the oil-for-food scheme was not meeting the minimum needs of Iraq's 22 million people, saying it was functioning as well as it could under its existing terms.

"Under the circumstances and arrangements which the programme works, it's meeting the needs as much as it could be expected to meet but there is a lot of room for improvement which is exactly what I hope to find out," he added.

The humanitarian coordinator runs the programme that allows Iraq to sell oil to buy food, medicine and other necessities to alleviate the impact of sanctions.

But the curbs have come under increasing critical attack for hardships wrought on ordinary Iraqis, especially children.

Myat said he foresaw a good working relationship with the Iraqi authorities that would allow him to succeed in his new Baghdad-based mission and ensure a better management of the food programme.

"We would like to see how things are and to see how we can work together. We are there to help the Iraqi people and I am sure that they will appreciate that because this is the goal of the mission," he said.

Myat handled the WFP's programme in Iraq and spent time in the country in 1996, helping to organise the distribution of food in Iraq's three northern provinces and observing rationing in the rest of the country.

Sunday, April 30 12:06 PM SGT

Myanmar to hold Asian economic ministers meeting

YANGON, April 30 (AFP) -

East Asian economic ministers meet in Myanmar this week as the junta hosts its most important diplomatic set-piece since it was welcomed into ASEAN in 1997 despite stiff opposition from its critics in the West.

Ministers from all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nationsmembers will hold a day of talks on Monday expected to be dominated by arrangements for the ASEAN free trade area due to come into force in 2003.

They will be joined Tuesday by counterparts from Japan, South Korea and China in the latest step in a process of deepening ties between ASEAN and its powerful neighbours.

Myanmar last year successfully hosted two high-profile conferences, of ASEAN labour ministers and an Interpol meeting on the fight against narcotics production.

But just as those talks focused attention on the country's status as one of the top world's top drugs producers and accusations that it uses widespread forced labour, this week's talks will highlight more problems.

Almost all foreign experts, whether based in the West or in ASEAN states, diagnose critical problems in the Myanmar economy.

Ministers will discuss what amounts to a revolution in Asian trade in a country where inflation is rampant, foreign investment is virtually non-existent and power shortages and outdated machinery hamper production.

ASEAN ministers will Monday try to make progress on a dispute over automobile tariffs which threatens to derail smooth progress towards the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

Malaysia, which is keen to protect its national car, the Proton, wants a minimum two-year exemption on import tarrif reductions on automobile and agricultural products.

"The meeting will focus on the implementation of AFTA and how to deal with Malaysia's request for a waiver on automobile and automobile parts" said Kobsak Chutikul, director-general of the economics department of the Thai foreign ministry.

Thailand is the biggest regional producer of cars, and the presence in the country of foreign auto giants like GM and Toyota has been a powerful motor of its export-led economic recovery.

Many have been attracted by the prospect of a low tarrif environment.

ASEAN's most developed countries, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have agreed to cut tariffs to zero-to-five-percent on most products by 2002 under the accelarated AFTA scheme.

Less-developed members Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have more time to meet the targets. AFTA is scheduled to debut in 2003.

On Tuesday, ministers from South Korea, Japan and China will join the meeting, which takes place less than two months after the so-called ASEAN plus three agreed on the need for an Asian support fund to fight future financial crises.

The initiative is seen as a sign that ASEAN nations and more developed neighbours see a need to tighten economic cooperation in the wake of the Asian meltdown in 1997.

The facility would only be used in times of dire need and officials have shied away from using the term Asian Monetary Fund after a Japan-backed scheme of the same name was shot down by the United States which feared it would duplicate the functions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Unnamed diplomatic sources have been quoted in the Thai press as saying ministers will also decide whether to offer increased humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.

The country's economy has been a hostage to the political stalemate between Aung San Suu Kyi's democratic opposition and the government which has resulted in sanctions and investment restrictions from the West.

It has also suffered badly from an investment drought brought on by the Asian financial crisis which has seen funds from ASEAN, the country's premier investment partner, decline drastically.

Myanmar officials have declined to give details of the program for the meetings, but they are expected to be opened by the leading junta member, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.

Bangkok Post - April 30, 2000.

DRUG SUPPRESSION

Burma border officials to help bust gangs

Rangoon's decision pleases Thailand

Anucha Charoenpo

Local Burmese border officials have been given full authority to act on drug-related issues, a move which is expected to improve co-operation in suppressing drug trafficking along the northern border.

Rangoon's top anti-drug officials announced the change during bilateral talks last week.

Thai authorities have long been frustrated by the complicated and time consuming decision-making mechanism in Burma, which requires that everything be referred to Rangoon for approval.

Sorasit Sangprasert, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, senior police officers and custom officials last week met Pol Maj-Gen Soe Win, director-general of the Command Committee on Drug Abuse Control and Col Kyaw Thein of the Ministry of Defence in Kengtung, Burma.

They were seeking improved co-operation in combating drug trafficking.

Mr Sorasit said Burmese officials have stated that it was no longer necessary for local officials to seek approval for action from Rangoon to act on drug-related issues, including the arrest of suspects and destruction of methamphetamine production bases.

"We are very happy and feel good about this new development and the conclusion of this meeting in Kengtung," Mr Sorasit said.

He had given details of the location of six methamphetamine factories to Burmese officials and requested their destruction.

The Burmese were optimistic and promised to help, he said.

He had also asked the Burmese to monitor movements of Burmese drug barons who are active in Thailand.

Bangkok Post -April 30, 2000.

Commentary

Burma owes us help on drugs

Thongbai Thongpao

At a meeting held at Government House on April 10, the National Social Policy Committee discussed the effectiveness of amphetamine suppression. The fact that 80-90% of jail inmates in Thailand are drug offenders was raised. The meeting was of the opinion that arrests and severe punishments had failed to reduce the rate of drug crime. On the contrary, drugs are now more popular than ever and the numbers of producers and traders has risen because of the higher margins commanded since the drugs were 'promoted' to being class one under the law. As such, someone proposed that the drug be reclassified again as class 4 or 5. However, this is easier said than done. It is doubtful the government has the nerve to do it. Even less likely, someone else proposed that the state should make and distribute the products at cheap prices, like cigarettes and liquor.

According to officials, there are 16-17 amphetamine production bases. This raised the question that if they know where they are, why don't they destroy them. Apparently, attempts have been made but the producers always set up somewhere else, often out of reach across the border.

Thai authorities cannot raid plants located on Burmese territory even though they are operating right under their noses. Eliminating the trafficking is equally problematic as it requires patrolling hundreds of kilometres of border. So why doesn't Thailand pressure the Burmese government to suppress the crime? Thailand and Malaysia already have an agreement to arrest the criminals whichever country they are in. Thailand may not be a superpower that can invade at will but we cannot afford to let this situation continue.

On April 25 Matichon published an interview on the topic with M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, deputy foreign affairs minister. The minister said he was keeping a close watch on the potential effect on Thailand. He added that the Burmese government viewed the matter as its internal affair.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai also discussed the issue of taking action against Wa Dang with Sen Gen Than Shwe, president of the Burmese Peace and Development Council.

"When the government says it can't control the area, we don't know what to say. However, we promoted cooperation in every way possible," said the prime minister who noted that the Burmese claim they are willing but not able.

"This week, related agencies will again discuss the issue as the situation has reached the point where we can no longer stand it," he added.

ifMatichon also reported that Mr. Chuan has urged that remedial measures be speeded up and negotiated with the Wah Dang if the Burmese government continues to prove incapable of action. The Thai Foreign Affairs ministry has adopted a very flexible policy towards the Burmese junta despite its well-documented violations of human rights. We adhered to a constructive engagement policy despite Burma's ostracism by the West and even supported its bid to join Asean.

Nevertheless, the Burmese government continues to turn a blind eye to the amphetamine plants which smuggle drugs into Thailand. Surely we deserve better treatment given all the assistance and support we give the Burmese.

Matichon also reported that some high-ranking Thai Foreign Affairs officials said that the junta isn't really serious about cracking down as its relations with Wa Dang are good.

Now that the facts are crystal clear, it is time the Thai government took decisive measures to tackle the drug problem. The constructive engagement policy is bankrupt. Please don't make us feel that you too are colluding with Wa Dang and the Burmese junta to undermine our national security.

BBC-Sunday, 30 April, 2000, 14:06 GMT 15:06 UK

Landmark Asean meeting in Burma

Free trade initiative follows in the wake of 1997 meltdown

By Geraldine Carroll in Bangkok

Economic ministers of the Asean group of South East Asian nations are meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Burma for talks on establishing a free trade zone which could revolutionise Asian economies.

The meeting is the most important diplomatic summit to be hosted by Burma's military government since it joined Asean in 1997.

Burmese have suffered in the region's least developed economy

The 10 ministers will try to resolve disagreements over automobile tariffs which are hampering progress towards the goal of a free trade environment in most of South East Asia by 2003.

Economic ministers from Japan, South Korea and China join the talks on Tuesday as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties between Asean countries and their neighbours following the Asian financial crisis.

Sanctions

It is ironic that ministers are discussing a new era for regional trade in a country with one of the region's least developed economies.

Burma suffers under sanctions imposed by the West after the military rulers in Rangoon failed to cede power to the opposition National League for Democracy party (NLD) which won a landslide victory in elections a decade ago.

The NLD leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, says the military junta has mismanaged the country's rich natural resources.

Suu Kyi: "Repression and mismanagement"

She says hopes of rescuing Burma's dysfunctional economy are slim in the absence of political freedom and human rights.

Although its closed economy shielded Burma from the worst effects of the regional financial crisis, it has been hit by falling investment from Asia which for years provided it with most of its foreign funds.

An attempt by the World Bank and the United Nations to use the country's chronic need for aid to force the military government to embrace political reform foundered in 1998.

BBC-Sunday, 30 April, 2000, 15:56 GMT 16:56 UK

New UN Iraq envoy arrives

The new United Nations humanitarian aid co-ordinator for Iraq, Tun Myat of Burma, has arrived in Baghdad to take up his duties.

Both Mr Myat's predecessors, Hans von Sponeck and Denis Halliday, had resigned from the job, warning of disaster for Iraq's people if the UN sanctions -- imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 -- remained in force.

Baghdad newspapers have advised Mr Myat to do the same.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service