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BURMA RELATED NEWS - OCT - 08, 2000. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEADLINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reuters - Myanmar Accuses the West of United Nations Plot
AP - Myanmar Rulers Confront
Opposition
ABC News - Newspaper warns that Myanmar military
will crush opponents
AFP - UN envoy faces up hill task in breaking
Myanmar deadlock
AFP - ASEAN ministers report free trade
achievements, but doubts remain
AP - Myanmar Military Vows To Crush All
Opponents - Paper
IT - 'Myanmar
opposition a threat to development'
IT - UN envoy to visit
Myanmar, discuss human rights
Dawn - Cheney
accused of aiding human rights abuses in Myanmar
Bkk Post - Road to liberalisation not
smooth
The Nation - Japan's dilemma on Burma grows
sharper
FEER - Almost Normal
Sunday October 8 7:24 AM ET
Myanmar Accuses the West of United Nations Plot YANGON, Myanmar (Reuters) - A
state-run Myanmar newspaper accused the West of using support for democracy and
human rights as a pretext to pressure its government Sunday, a day before an
official U.N. visit to the country.
Razali Ismail, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy to
Myanmar, was due to arrive Monday on his second visit since he was appointed to
the post by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan last April with a mandate to
promote human rights and restore democracy.
A Myanmar foreign ministry official has said he expected the government to
give Ismail access to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been locked in
her house since September 22.
The official Myanmar language paper Myanmar Alin issued the hard-line
commentary Sunday saying the United States, Britain and other western states
were plotting against Myanmar.
``The Western group knows that what they are saying does not produce any
effect,'' the newspaper said. ``That is why they are plotting for the U.N. and
international organizations to apply pressure on (Myanmar).''
Myanmar has faced mounting international condemnation this year over its
treatment of Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD), which won
elections in 1990 by a landslide but has never been allowed to govern.
The Nobel peace laureate has been under de facto house arrest following her
forcible removal from Yangon's main railway station last month after the
authorities blocked her latest attempt to travel outside the city.
The newspaper said Sunday that Suu Kyi's motive for travel out of Yangon
was to ``incite and instigate unrest and riots.''
``Traveling to incite riots is neither democracy nor human rights,'' it
said.
Sunday October 8 8:16 AM ET
Myanmar Rulers Confront Opposition YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Anyone
confronting Myanmar's military government commits what amounts to high treason,
an official newspaper warned Sunday.
A commentary in the Myanma Alin newspaper said the ruling military,
unconcerned about internal or foreign threats, will annihilate any danger to
national independence and sovereignty.
The tough rhetoric came just ahead of a visit by the United Nations (news -
web sites)' special envoy to Myanmar. On the visit starting Monday, Razali
Ismail, a Malaysian diplomat, will be pressing the regime on a General Assembly
resolution urging the government to stop widespread human rights
violations.
The newspaper article said the military government ``will do what is
necessary when the appropriate time comes. Anyone engaged in confrontational
activities amounts to committing high treason and defying authority.''
No group or person was mentioned, but the opposition National League for
Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi has often been accused of being
confrontational and relying on Western nations, particularly the United States
and Britain.
Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel peace laureate, and other leaders of her party have
been under virtual house arrest since Sept. 22 - when her second attempt in a
month to travel outside Yangon was blocked by authorities.
The regime's actions have drawn international criticism and the imposition
of sanctions by many countries.
``Neo-colonialists, foreign broadcasting stations, and internal power-crazy
people are attacking the ruling military government from all sides with
allegations of violating human rights, workers' rights, women's rights and
failure to hold dialogue with Daw Suu Kyi and failure to combat narcotic
drugs,'' the article said, using a traditional honorific with Suu Kyi's
name.
Myanmar's military junta has refused to hand over power to Suu Kyi's party,
which swept the 1990 general elections. It kept Suu Kyi under formal house
arrest from 1989 to 1995. Even after being freed, her movements have remained
heavily restricted. Hundreds of her followers have been jailed.
ABC NEWS
WIRE:10/08/2000 07:53:00 ET
Newspaper warns that Myanmar military will crush opponents YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Anyone
confronting Myanmar"s military government commits what amounts to high treason,
an official newspaper warned Sunday.
A commentary in the Myanma Alin newspaper said the ruling military,
unconcerned about internal or foreign threats, will annihilate any danger to
national independence and sovereignty.
The tough rhetoric came just ahead of a visit by the United Nations"
special envoy to Myanmar. On the visit starting Monday, Razali Ismail, a
Malaysian diplomat, will be pressing the regime on a General Assembly resolution
urging the government to stop widespread human rights violations.
The newspaper article said the military government "will do what is
necessary when the appropriate time comes. Anyone engaged in confrontational
activities amounts to committing high treason and defying authority." No group
or person was mentioned, but the opposition National League for Democracy and
its leader Aung San Suu Kyi has often been accused of being confrontational and
relying on Western nations, particularly the United States and Britain.
Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel peace laureate, and other leaders of her party have
been under virtual house arrest since Sept. 22 _ when her second attempt in a
month to travel outside Yangon was blocked by authorities. The regime"s actions
have drawn international criticism and the imposition of sanctions by many
countries. "Neo-colonialists, foreign broadcasting stations, and internal
power-crazy people are attacking the ruling military government from all sides
with allegations of violating human rights, workers" rights, women"s rights and
failure to hold dialogue with Daw Suu Kyi and failure to combat narcotic drugs,"
the article said, using a traditional honorific with Suu Kyi"s name.
Myanmar"s military junta has refused to hand over power to Suu Kyi"s party,
which swept the 1990 general elections. It kept Suu Kyi under formal house
arrest from 1989 to 1995. Even after being freed, her movements have remained
heavily restricted. Hundreds of her followers have been jailed.
Sunday, October 8 3:17 PM SGT
UN envoy faces up hill task in breaking
Myanmar deadlock
BANGKOK, Oct 8 (AFP) - United
Nations special envoy Razali Ismail, starting a four-day visit to Myanmar
Monday, has the mammoth task of trying to break the deadlock between the
military junta and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).
The veteran Malaysian diplomat's visit comes against the backdrop of the
junta's renewed crackdown on the NLD despite fierce international
criticism.
NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other party elders remain under de facto
house arrest since they were prevented from travelling to the northern city of
Mandalay on September 22.
The junta has not publicly said whether Razali will be able to meet Aung
San Suu Kyi, but observers said it was highly unlikely he would make the trip
without being guaranteed a meeting with the Nobel Peace prize laureate.
"If he comes and does not see her, he would certainly discredit himself,"
an analyst in Yangon said.
Razali will discuss "continuing violations of human rights in Myanmar," and
report back to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard
announced Friday.
Myanmar's stubborn insistence of non-interference in its internal affairs
does not bode well for Razali's second visit under UN auspices. During his first
trip in July he apparently made little headway in restarting relations between
the NLD and the junta.
Neither does the junta's cancellation of a visit by an European Union
delegation scheduled for the end of this month.
Over the past week state media has fiercely defended Myanmar's sovereignty,
saying any change must come without bullying by western powers, who it said,
were in league with the NLD to destroy "peace and stability" in the
country.
But some diplomats and analysts say cautiously that the junta might be more
receptive during the October 9-12 talks because of the mounting external
pressure.
In particular they believe Razali's nationality could be crucial if he is
to persuade the junta to soften their stance.
Malaysian prime minister Mathathir Mohammed was the driving force behind
ASEAN's decision to admit Myanmar as its ninth member state in 1997.
"Razali is the best option because he understands their sensitivity and way
of thinking," said Laxanachantorn Laohaphan, head of the international
organizations department at Thailand's foreign ministry.
A political scientist and longtime Myanmar watcher in Bangkok, who asked
not to be named, added: "There is a real chance this time of a breakthrough ...
because at the moment the junta is faced with a lot of concerns, in particular
the threat of ILO sanctions."
In an unprecedented move, the International Labour Organization voted in
June to call for diplomatic sanctions by all 175 members states against the
junta if use of forced labour did not show signs of abating by November
30.
But the political scientist warned not to expect immediate or significant
change: "The junta has always spoken toughly and it won't stop now. But you have
to look behind the scenes and look at what is not said."
"They (the junta) are looking for opportunities to change but in their own
style and without losing face," she added.
However diplomats in Yangon cautioned against predicting the junta's
response.
"You never know which way the junta will jump," said one diplomat.
"If the junta feel they are being pressured into making a deal that could
blow his chances," said another referring to the rejection of a previous UN quid
pro quo offer of a one billion dollar humanitarian aid package -- condemned by
the junta as "bananas for monkeys."
The NLD won a landslide general election victory in 1990, but the junta has
never recognised the result and is accused by foreign critics and human rights
groups of severe repression of its opponents.
Sunday, October 8 9:46 AM SGT
ASEAN ministers report free trade achievements, but doubts remain CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Oct 8 (AFP) - Southeast Asian economic ministers
ended a meeting here this weekend, endorsing a mechanism to resolve delays in
tariff cut commitments and agreeing with Australia and New Zealand to work
towards a common free trade zone.
Approval of the protocol however has raised concerns from outside the
region that countries may use it as a loophole to wiggle out of their
commitments under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade
Area, or AFTA.
Investors and some officials fear that the protocol, which gives breathing
space to sectors having difficulties in meeting tariff cut deadlines, would
hobble the AFTA process.
Malaysia, which asked in May to defer its pledge to slash tariffs on auto
products from 2003 to 2005, will be the first to invoke the protocol, which
comes into effect after its signing next month.
Under the modality, states can apply to delay their commitment for certain
sectors deemed unprepared to compete in a liberalised environment.
A period of 180 days is given to negotiate compensation to the state which
stands to lose the most by the deferment. If no agreement is reached, the
affected state can take unilateral action.
A European Union official said he doubted the protocol would work because
ASEAN does not have a strong arbitration body and instead makes decisions based
on consensus.
"The question is can this work without an institutional system. I don't
know," said the official, who asked not to be named.
"If one day somebody says I have a problem, this problem in my view needs
to be assessed somewhere in the process by someone who has no flag on his
head."
Thai Commerce Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi chided a reporter who
described the protocol as a setback.
"These are advances, steps forward that we have made," he said.
Malaysia's outspoken Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz added: "If people want to
say that it's a setback and we are spoiling the party, go ahead. You chose not
to listen to us, that's it."
ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo Severino said: "I do not understand why the
commitment to AFTA is still being questioned when we are almost there."
Tariffs on 85 percent of products on an "inclusion list" have fallen to 0-5
percent this year and the volume was expected to rise to 90 percent next year,
officials said.
"This protocol that we are talking about gives an element of stability in
dealing with problems that may arise so that investors can have a certain degree
of predictability when problems like these arise," Severino said.
Representatives of the three major US automakers here said Malaysia's
action could hamper their investment plans for the region.
Gerald Kania, the Southeast Asia chief of Ford Motor Co., said the region
would be more attractive if ASEAN's four major auto markets -- Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand -- adopted a united tariff policy for the
industry, rather than having one country out.
AFTA's implementation is central to attracting large-scale foreign direct
investment into ASEAN, he said.
The US businessen raised their concerns when they met with the ministers
from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in this northern Thai city.
Ford, ChryslerDaimler and General Motors have invested 1.6 billion dollars
in ASEAN over the past five years. Another one billion dollars was invested by
their suppliers.
On the agreement to start consultations for the possible merging of AFTA
with a free trade zone covering Australia and New Zealand, ministers said the
road would be difficult.
"At this point in time, the environment, as far as Malaysia is concerned,
is not right to evolve," said Rafidah.
Decisions go beyond the level of the ministers to their national leaders,
she said.
Indonesian Minister for Trade Luhut Panjaitan said: "To be honest, we are
not yet ready from the Indonesian side to have a free trade area."
Sunday, October 8 12:29 PM SGT
Myanmar Military Vows To Crush All Opponents - Paper YANGON, Myanmar (AP)--Anyone
confronting the military government in Myanmar is committing what amounts to
high treason, an official newspaper warned Sunday.
A commentary in the Myanma Alin newspaper said the ruling military, remaining unconcerned about internal or foreign threats, would annihilate any danger to national independence and sovereignty. "The present Tatmadaw (military) government is a military government that
has taken power temporarily but will do what is necessary when the appropriate
time comes. Anyone engaged in confrontational activities amounts to committing
high treason and defying authority," the article said.
No group or person was mentioned, but the opposition National League for
Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi has often been accused of being
confrontational and relying on Western nations, particularly the United States
and Britain.
Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel peace laureate, and other leaders of her party have
been under virtual house arrest since Sept. 22 - when her second attempt in a
month to travel outside Yangon was blocked by authorities.
The regime's actions have drawn international criticism and the imposition
of sanctions by a number of countries.
Myanmar's military junta has refused to hand over power to Suu Kyi's party,
which swept the 1990 general elections. It kept Suu Kyi under formal house
arrest from 1989 to 1995. Even after being freed, her movements have remained
heavily restricted. Hundreds of her followers have been jailed.
"Neo-colonialists, foreign broadcasting stations, and internal power-crazy
people are attacking the ruling military government from all sides with
allegations of violating human rights, workers' rights, women's rights and
failure to hold dialogue with Daw Suu Kyi and failure to combat narcotic drugs,"
the article said.
The newspaper, which has published several strident attacks on Suu Kyi
recently, said the Myanmar military liberated the country from British rule,
defeated the Japanese in World War II and survived an internal communist
insurgency.
The military has exercised a grip on power since 1962 and brutally put down
a pro-democracy uprising in 1988 which brought Suu Kyi to the fore of the
democracy movement.
The Times of India - Oct 8,
2000.
'Myanmar opposition a threat to development' YANGON: The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), in league with
external forces, is threatening Myanmar's political and economic development,
state media said Saturday.
"The ones who are disturbing peace and stability, and economic and food,
clothing and shelter conditions ... in collusion with the foreign nations are
none other than (Aung San) Suu Kyi and her followers of the NLD," the
state-controlled New Light of Myanmar said.
This latest verbal attack against the NLD comes against the backdrop of
international criticism over the junta's recent crackdown on the NLD.
NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior party members remain under de
facto house arrest imposed after they were prevented from travelling to Mandalay
on September 22, while deputy chairman Tin Oo languishes in detention at a
military base north of Yangon.
"In the 1990 election, the NLD won around 50 percent of the votes; but at
present over 90 percent of the voters in the nation are demanding to dissolve
(the) NLD," the paper said
Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections which
were subsequently annulled by the junta.
"If the votes won by the NLD in the 1990 election can be acknowledged as
the people's wish, Suu Kyi and her followers should accept the demands of the
people to dissolve (the) NLD, which were made throughout 1999-2000," it
added.
The military junta is accused by many western states, international bodies
and human rights organizations of human rights violations against those who show
signs of dissent against the regime. AFP
The Times of India - Oct 8,
2000.
UN envoy to visit Myanmar, discuss human rights UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy Razali
Ismail will visit Myanmar next week to discuss human rights abuses there with
the military government, Annan's spokesman said Friday.
Spokesman Fred Eckhard said Razali would visit Myanmar from October 9 to
October 12 "for discussions with the government as well as other political
actors". The visit will be his second since he was appointed on April 4.
"He will be discussing issues related to General Assembly Resolution 54/186
and will report back to the secretary general," Eckhard said.
The resolution, adopted on December 17, deplored "continuing violations of
human rights in Myanmar, including extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary
executions, enforced disappearances, rape, torture" and other abuses.
In Yangon on Friday, state media said that "Myanmar can and must find
solutions our own way, taking into full account our history, geo-political
position, our culture and traditions."
The state-controlled New Light of Myanmar said unspecified big nations had
been known to invoke "certain rights" in order to "try to harm certain nations
in which those they favour reside."
This was a reference to the Opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and
members of her National League for Democracy (NLD), which in 1990 won a
landslide victory in elections later annulled by the junta.
Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest following an attempt to defy the
junta's ban on travel outside capital Yangon.
The General Assembly Resolution also urged the government "to cooperate
fully and without delay" with the United Nations special rapporteur for human
rights and "to allow him without preconditions to conduct a field
mission."
The government has never allowed the rapporteur, Rajsoomer Lallah, to visit
Myanmar, and described his latest report as "highly biased" and "derogatory".
The report was submitted to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva on
March 30.
Meanwhile, the European Union has offered its "full support" to a United
Nation mission aimed at securing dialogue between Myanmar's junta and the
opposition, according to an EU French presidency press release Saturday.
"The EU extends its full support to the efforts" of UN Special Envoy Tan
Sri Razali "in order to create a dialogue between Myanmar's authorities and the
democratic opposition as well as national minorities," the press release said.
Agencies
Dawn/InterPress News Service. -
Oct 8, 2000.
Cheney accused of aiding human rights abuses in Myanmar By Danielle Knight WASHINGTON: Lawyers for victims of human rights abuses committed by the
military regime in Burma claim that Dick Cheney the Republican Party's vice
presidential nominee was involved in a company that assisted in energy projects
in Burma associated with violent human rights abuses.
Until he was selected as vice presidential candidate for the Republican
ticket, Dick Cheney headed the energy giant Halliburton, which activists say
owned a subsidiary which helped construct two pipelines that involved the
forcible relocation of villages, forced labour, rape and murder.
"Halliburton partners and subsidiaries, both before and during Dick
Cheney's tenure as CEO, have been contractors for pipeline projects that have
led to crimes against humanity in Burma," says Katie Redford, a human rights
lawyer with EarthRights.
Two such projects are the Yadana and Yetagun pipelines. The $1.2 billion
Yadana pipeline will pump natural gas from off-shore fields in the Andaman Sea
through Burma to Thailand. Construction began in 1992 and was completed last
year.
EarthRights' lawyers have gathered testimony from more than 100 villagers
and several alleged army deserters who claimed to be victims or witnesses of
abuses related to the army's security operations in the pipeline.
Activists are demanding that the consortium operating the pipeline,
including French oil giant Total, US-based Union Oil of California (Unocal), and
a Thai state owned company, withdraw from the project and Burma altogether.
Redford and other lawyers for victims of human rights abuses committed by
the military regime in Burma are appealing a Los Angeles judge's recent ruling
that they cannot sue Unocal which allegedly knew about and benefited directly
from the regime's conduct.
In the case, the lawyers argued that the company should be held liable for
abuses committed by the army which, according to their legal theory, acted as
paid agents of Unocal and other members of the consortium.
On Aug 31, US District Judge Ronald Lew found that evidence had been
presented that Unocal knew or should have known about human rights abuses
committed in connection with the project and that these acts benefited the
project.
But, the judge concluded even if that were all proven in court, the
plaintiffs would have to show that Unocal was much more involved.
While activists appeal the ruling, EarthRights is now aiming at Halliburton
whose subsidiary European Marine Contractors, in a joint venture with the
Italian company Saipem, helped lay the offshore portion of the Yadana pipeline
in 1996 and 1997.
Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during this time. Halliburton Energy Services
also provided pre-commissioning services to the Yadana pipeline with the help of
the British company, Alfred McAlpine.
Human rights activists also connect Halliburton with a second pipeline, the
Yetagun, which was constructed parallel to the Yadana pipeline. EarthRights
claims that Bredero-Shaw, a subsidiary for Dresser Industries manufactured the
coating for the Yetagun pipeline in 1998. Dresser was purchased by Halliburton
that same year.
EarthRights has documentation that the Yetagun pipeline is associated with
the same pattern of human rights abuse as reported against the Yadana pipeline.
"To be involved in the Yetagun project is to knowingly accept brutal violations
of human rights as part of doing business," says Redford.
EarthRights also outlines some of Halliburton's other activities in
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Nigeria.
One of the company's contracts with Indonesia was cancelled by the
government during a purging of corruptly awarded contracts. An Indonesian
corporate watchdog organisation called Halliburton's engineering division,
Kellogg Brown and Root among 59 companies that used "collusive, corruptive and
nepotistic practices" with former president Suharto's family, according to
EarthRights.
In Nigeria, Halliburton was accused of complicity in the shooting of a
protester by Nigeria's Mobile Police Unit.
EarthRights also documents Halliburton's strong involvement in the National
Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), a powerful industry group that lobbies against US
sanctions.
Redford says what is really behind Halliburton's and the NFTC's agenda is
commercial interests.
"The real reason is they don't want to lose the business for themselves,"
she says.
Bangkok post - Oct 8,
2000.
ASEAN-PLUS-THREE MEETING Road to liberalisation not smooth China seen viewing region as competitor Woranuj Maneerungsee and Saritdet Marukatat in Chiang Mai China's comparatively low-level participation in talks yesterday raised
doubts about the future of co-operation between the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations and their northeastern neighbours.
Lengthy talks to produce a framework of concessions and compensation, and
failure to forge a free trade scheme with Australia and New Zealand through the
past week showed that Asean's road to liberalisation is not smooth.
China sent Zhou Keren-vice minister of foreign trade and economic
co-operation, whose rank is equivalent to a permanent secretary in Thai terms-to
a ministerial meeting with the so-called Asean-plus-Three, with Japan and South
Korea being the other two northeast Asian countries.
Senior Commerce Ministry officials and a well-respected analyst, all
requesting anonymity, said this magnified concern that China viewed Asean as a
competitor in trade and investment.
Beijing had indicated at talks in July among senior officials of the
process that it was looking for funding from Japan to raise its competitiveness,
effectively weakening Asean's own efforts to draw funds from the three northeast
Asian countries to boost its health.
But Supachai Panitchpakdi, the deputy premier and commerce minister,
staunchly rejected the analysis, saying the absence of a full Chinese minister
"is not in any way a sign of the lack of interest from the side of the People's
Republic of China".
At a press conference the Chinese vice minister, Mr Zhou, described the
meeting as "a full success".
Mr Supachai acknowledged the possibility of competition from China after
full entry into the World Trade Organisation, especially to new Asean members
who count on low labour costs to lure investors.
"It would produce competitive effects particularly in the labour-intensive
industry," he told reporters.
But the analyst said Asean should not overreact because the grouping's
combined market of 500 million people, enjoying on average higher purchasing
power than Chinese people, was a strong draw.
After accession to the World Trade Organisation, Chinese government
resources could be drained by resistance from powerful provinces in conforming
with the different trade rules and regulations, the analyst added.
The participation of the European Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy, who
avoided raising controversy over Burma's political and human rights records,
indicated that the European Union was keen to trade with Asean, a top Commerce
Ministry official said.
Mr Supachai defended as proof of Asean's increased strength and maturity
the decision to stall stronger trade ties with Australia and New Zealand, and
the negotiation for ways of compensation after Malaysia temporally withdrew
automotive products from the Asean free trade scheme.
Commerce Permanent Secretary Krirk-krai Jirapaet insisted that members of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had not backtracked in the tariff
reduction scheme under the Asean Free Trade Area.
The framework of compensation would remind the members of the price to be
paid for doing anything that would hurt other members, Mr Krirk-krai
added.
"Even in the WTO, members can withdraw or delay the commitment if they face
difficulties," said Mr Krirk-krai, a former Thai ambassador to the World Trade
Organisation.
The compensation framework due to be signed by economic ministers during an
Asean summit in Singapore late next month, could restore the private sector's
confidence, said Ajva Taolananda, director of the Board of Commerce of
Thailand.
The Asean Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed its approval of the
decision to delay the linking of free trade areas in Asean and the Australia-New
Zealand Common Economic Integration (CER). The chamber welcomed a loosening of
co-operation between the two areas because it felt Asean firms might lose out
while counterparts from the South Pacific would gain from the larger Asean
market, Mr Ajiya said.
"I think, the Greater Mekong Sub-Region is substantially more interesting
than the Common Economic Integration in terms of the market size," he said,
referring to the area covering five Asean member states-Burma, Cambodia, Laos,
Thailand and Vietnam-and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan.
The private sector planned to submit a study on gains and losses from the
idea to respective governments, he added.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore are the other
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In talks yesterday with China, Japan and South Korea, Asean economic
ministers agreed to "institutionalise" the so-called Asean-plus-three talks on
economic co-operation.
At separate talks with Japanese Minister of International Trade and
Industry Takeo Hiranuma, they discussed a fall in Japanese investments in Asean,
and heard assurance that economic recovery in Japan would reverse the
trend.
Foreign direct investment from Japan to Asean destinations shrunk from
US$113.3 billion in 1997 to $87.4 billion last year.
Bangkok Post - Oct 8,
2000.
ASEAN-PLUS-THREE MEETING
Road to liberalisation not
smooth
China seen viewing region as competitor Woranuj Maneerungsee and Saritdet Marukatat in Chiang Mai China's comparatively low-level participation in talks yesterday raised
doubts about the future of co-operation between the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations and their northeastern neighbours.
Lengthy talks to produce a framework of concessions and compensation, and
failure to forge a free trade scheme with Australia and New Zealand through the
past week showed that Asean's road to liberalisation is not smooth.
China sent Zhou Keren-vice minister of foreign trade and economic
co-operation, whose rank is equivalent to a permanent secretary in Thai terms-to
a ministerial meeting with the so-called Asean-plus-Three, with Japan and South
Korea being the other two northeast Asian countries.
Senior Commerce Ministry officials and a well-respected analyst, all
requesting anonymity, said this magnified concern that China viewed Asean as a
competitor in trade and investment.
Beijing had indicated at talks in July among senior officials of the
process that it was looking for funding from Japan to raise its competitiveness,
effectively weakening Asean's own efforts to draw funds from the three northeast
Asian countries to boost its health.
But Supachai Panitchpakdi, the deputy premier and commerce minister,
staunchly rejected the analysis, saying the absence of a full Chinese minister
"is not in any way a sign of the lack of interest from the side of the People's
Republic of China".
At a press conference the Chinese vice minister, Mr Zhou, described the
meeting as "a full success".
Mr Supachai acknowledged the possibility of competition from China after
full entry into the World Trade Organisation, especially to new Asean members
who count on low labour costs to lure investors.
"It would produce competitive effects particularly in the labour-intensive
industry," he told reporters.
But the analyst said Asean should not overreact because the grouping's
combined market of 500 million people, enjoying on average higher purchasing
power than Chinese people, was a strong draw.
After accession to the World Trade Organisation, Chinese government
resources could be drained by resistance from powerful provinces in conforming
with the different trade rules and regulations, the analyst added.
The participation of the European Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy, who
avoided raising controversy over Burma's political and human rights records,
indicated that the European Union was keen to trade with Asean, a top Commerce
Ministry official said.
Mr Supachai defended as proof of Asean's increased strength and maturity
the decision to stall stronger trade ties with Australia and New Zealand, and
the negotiation for ways of compensation after Malaysia temporally withdrew
automotive products from the Asean free trade scheme.
Commerce Permanent Secretary Krirk-krai Jirapaet insisted that members of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had not backtracked in the tariff
reduction scheme under the Asean Free Trade Area.
The framework of compensation would remind the members of the price to be
paid for doing anything that would hurt other members, Mr Krirk-krai
added.
"Even in the WTO, members can withdraw or delay the commitment if they face
difficulties," said Mr Krirk-krai, a former Thai ambassador to the World Trade
Organisation.
The compensation framework due to be signed by economic ministers during an
Asean summit in Singapore late next month, could restore the private sector's
confidence, said Ajva Taolananda, director of the Board of Commerce of
Thailand.
The Asean Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed its approval of the
decision to delay the linking of free trade areas in Asean and the Australia-New
Zealand Common Economic Integration (CER). The chamber welcomed a loosening of
co-operation between the two areas because it felt Asean firms might lose out
while counterparts from the South Pacific would gain from the larger Asean
market, Mr Ajiya said.
"I think, the Greater Mekong Sub-Region is substantially more interesting
than the Common Economic Integration in terms of the market size," he said,
referring to the area covering five Asean member states-Burma, Cambodia, Laos,
Thailand and Vietnam-and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan.
The private sector planned to submit a study on gains and losses from the
idea to respective governments, he added.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore are the other
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In talks yesterday with China, Japan and South Korea, Asean economic
ministers agreed to "institutionalise" the so-called Asean-plus-three talks on
economic co-operation.
At separate talks with Japanese Minister of International Trade and
Industry Takeo Hiranuma, they discussed a fall in Japanese investments in Asean,
and heard assurance that economic recovery in Japan would reverse the
trend.
Foreign direct investment from Japan to Asean destinations shrunk from
US$113.3 billion in 1997 to $87.4 billion last year.
The Nation - Oct 8,
2000.
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Japan's dilemma on Burma grows sharper BY KAVI CONGKITTAVORN Japan is feeling the heat on its Burmese policy. Since last month, as
international pressure has intensified, expectation has increased that Tokyo's
generous approach towards Rangoon would produce better results in breaking the
political impasse and instituting the reforms that Tokyo has hoped for.
Tokyo indeed is betting on its Burmese policy, arguing that by being one of
the few countries that have close contacts with the Rangoon regime, its approach
has so far allowed Japan to engage Burma in ways that will promote future reform
and liberalisation.
The US and Europe have been pressuring Japan to tighten the screws on
Burma, but for the time being Japan is not ready to abandon its position.
One reason is that policy-makers in Tokyo have not seen any political
dynamism inside Burma that would propel further changes. While they support the
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and recognise her popularity and legitimacy,
they see the junta leaders as the power-holders who can make or break the
opposition.
Japan has sought to work with the junta leaders as such, believing that,
given time, they will take up reform and halt further suppressive measures
against the opposition. Early last month Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono
wrote to the State Peace and Development Council stressing that the travel
restriction on Suu Kyi and her colleagues in the National League for Democracy
(NLD) was not acceptable. Any additional restrictive measures could have
ramifications on Japan's policy on the junta, the letter warned.
But that much was clear. Japan is increasingly worried about the
deteriorating political conditions in Burma after Suu Kyi's announcement that
the NLD will draft an alternative national constitution. The NLD's decision
would challenge the ongoing work of the National Constitutional Convention
established by the junta leaders. The junta says that the convention represents
views from all walks of life. The NLD walked out in 1995. Tokyo fears that the
junta leaders will use drastic retaliatory means to annihilate Suu Kyi and the
NLD.
If that worse-case scenario happens, it would literally ruin the raison
d'être of Japan's Burmese policy. Since the 1988 crack-down on the pro-democracy
movement, Japan has been ambivalent in its position, shifting its position
between the Western and Asean views.
Japan has reiterated that its Burmese policy is based on a desire to move
the national reconciliation process forward and not on economic interests as is
alleged. Japan's investment ranks ninth among top investors in Burma, after
Singapore, Britain, France, Thailand and others. Tokyo has for years provided
generous humanitarian assistance to the junta leaders. Last year the aid was
worth about 700 to 800 million yen (about Bt3 billion).
Second, the absence of strong domestic pressure on Burma also contributes
to Tokyo's benign policy. Although there are non-governmental organisations and
citizens' groups in Japan which are opposed to the junta leaders, their voices
mean very little to the Japanese bureaucracy.
Given the great casualties suffered by Japan during World War II when
approximately 180,000 Japanese troops were killed inside Burma, the Japanese war
veterans and some quarters of the public have very sympathetic views towards
Burma. They are less politically inclined and wish their government to provide
additional assistance. Their support for Burma has also prevented Japan from
toughening its policy.
As the review of labour conditions in Burma comes up in mid-November, Japan
is hoping that the SPDC will seriously respond to the recommendations made by
the International Labour Organisation. According to Rangoon-based diplomats, the
SPDC has already completed a draft plan of action to ameliorate the labour
situation in Burma. Because of differences in the junta's top echelons, the plan
has not yet been approved.
Rangoon has agreed to welcome the ILO technical team but remains
uncommitted whether it will take up ILO recommendations, which include halting
all forms of forced labour.
Related to Japan's future policy is the visit to Rangoon by UN special
envoy for Burma Dato Ismail Razali from today until Thursday. The outcome of his
visit will have an impact on Japan's position as well as on that of the
international community. Razali, who has recently consulted with the Japanese
and Thai foreign ministries, views Japan's assistance as leverage to encourage
the junta leaders to loosen their grip on power. He is optimistic that Japan can
positively influence events inside Burma.
Razali's trip has been closely followed by the international community,
which has pinned its hopes on him for a breakthrough. After his visit he will
stop over in Bangkok.
Like it or not, without concrete progress in Burma over the next few
months, it would be extremely difficult for the Japanese government to justify
its present policy.
Far Eastern Economic
Review
POSTCARD - Almost Normal After almost two decades treating refugees from Burma, doctors from MSF are calm in the face of the challenges By Joshua Schenker Issue cover-dated October 12, 2000 FOR SOMEONE WORKING on the front lines of a refugee crisis, Dr. Jane Geary
is remarkably sanguine. "In many ways, the medical situation here is as well
monitored and capably treated as in a hospital anywhere," she says. "It's almost
like a normal job."
Almost. In Umpiam, a camp on Thailand's western border housing displaced
people from Burma, the in-patient clinic run by Medecins Sans Frontieres looks
like a clinic you'd find anywhere. Patients are hooked up to drips. During
breaks, staff knit and stare at posters on the wall. Young nurses, usually drawn
from the camp's refugees, check a girl with a broken arm whose friend has
brought her junk food to gorge on. They comfort a young mother whose pregnancy
has become complicated.
Watching MSF, which won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its medical
work in the world's hot spots, it's hard not to be impressed. The group has been
working in camps along the Thai-Burmese border since the early 1980s, and there
are currently about 120,000 refugees in these camps.
When MSF began working here, malaria and tuberculosis were persistent
scourges. Infant mortality was off the charts. Today, most refugees are as
healthy as any Thai citizen. A change in malaria treatment--using drug
"cocktails" rather than a single anti-malarial drug--is one factor in the
group's success. Preventive activities, such as education about sanitation and
nutrition, have also helped to minimize potential problems. And staff have
worked to break down barriers with refugees and build up trust--a picture in one
clinic shows an MSF doctor at a camp function looking goofy in traditional Karen
dress.
Still, with resources stretched thin, the appearance of normality is
deceptive. One morning, a frantic, overworked doctor arrives at Umpiam's
outpatient clinic, where patients have been lining up for hours. The doctor
glides through like Mother Teresa, spending just enough time with each refugee
to do basic checks before being swept towards the next patient. Although
Thailand has asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help
convince 110,000 refugees to return to Burma, the number of people flowing into
Thailand is rising, as persistent fighting between the rebel Karen National
Union and Rangoon's army levels villages inside the Burmese border.
These new refugees carry an ever-increasing variety of strains of disease.
Falciparum, the deadly strain of malaria, has not been eradicated along the
border. One anaemic young mother wracked by malaria lies on an MSF-affiliated
clinic's floor. Illnesses linked to the woman's malaria claimed the lives of her
first two children shortly after birth. Now, she's lost so much weight that her
body may soon start consuming its own tissues.
There are concerns that a recent massive malaria, typhoid and anthrax
epidemic in northeastern Burma could spread to border areas just across from the
MSF camps. And psychological problems, predictably prevalent in a population
unable to return home, complicate treatment. "Some people may not want to get
better," says Dr. Herve Isambert, MSF Thailand director.
Adding to MSF's problems is the resentment--and occasionally
violence--directed by local Thais against medical staff who treat refugees.
Thais in towns along the border have held rallies opposing expansion of the
camps. In the past, the Burmese military has attacked camps, destroying
refugees' houses and medical facilities. Geary, though, is once again sanguine.
"Security is not a major concern of mine here, not compared to some places in
Africa or Central Asia where MSF works," she says. An MSF assistant adds: "It is
just an aspect of the job."
After nearly two decades on the Thai-Burma border, and with no sign of the
refugee crisis abating, MSF looks set to be doing that job for some time to
come.
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