|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BURMA RELATED NEWS - September
25, 2001.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reuters - Myanmar leader starts three-day
Malaysian visit
Reuters - Malaysia says Myanmar moves "very
positive"
AFP - Malaysia hails Myanmar's move to push
ahead with democracy
BBC - Burma faces Aids explosion
Bernama - Myanmar Leader Gen Than Shwe Arrives
For 3-day Visit
TOI - Malaysian
investment mission meets Myanmar ministers
Bkk Post - Delays mar first day of registration
Xinhuanet - Malaysia, Myanmar Sign Cooperation
Agreement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday September 25, 1:30 PM
Myanmar leader starts three-day Malaysian visit PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Myanmar leader Senior-General Than Shwe
on Tuesday began a three-day visit to Malaysia, one of widely isolated Myanmar's
most sympathetic neighbours.
Than Shwe was due to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at
government offices in Putrajaya, the administrative capital outside Kuala
Lumpur, before talks and the signing of unspecified bilateral deals.
Than Shwe's trip follows a visit to Myanmar by Mahathir in January.
Malaysia encourages Myanmar's military government to seek reconciliation
with the country's pro-democracy movement, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi who is being held under house arrest.
But Mahathir said earlier this year that any future elections should not
"undermine authority" and suggested that Myanmar could adopt Southeast Asian
political models rather than Western-style parliamentary democracy.
The military has ruled Myanmar since 1962 and crushed all attempts to
promote democracy. Many Western countries have sought to isolate the country,
and some have imposed limited sanctions, because of its poor human rights
record.
But a secretive dialogue between Myanmar's rulers and Suu Kyi began late
last year with the U.N. special envoy Razali Ismail, a veteran Malaysian
diplomat, as mediator.
Razali visited Myanmar late last month and a U.N. spokesman later said the
envoy was satisfied all parties were committed to the process.
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said Than Shwe's visit reflected "close and
cordial" relations between the two countries and paved the way for wider
bilateral cooperation.
Malaysia's state news agency Bernama said Than Shwe, who heads his
country's ruling State Peace and Development Council, was accompanied by his
wife and ministers in charge of agriculture and irrigation, industry, energy and
science and technology as well as other senior government officials.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won Myanmar's last election
in 1990 by a landslide but has never been allowed to govern. Instead, many of
its members have been detained and harassed.
But the military government has released more than 160 political prisoners,
most of them NLD members, since January.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has praised Myanmar's
generals for their talks with pro-democracy leaders but also said there were
major violations of human rights including executions, mass arrests and forced
labour.
The human rights group Amnesty International says there are 1,500 political
prisoners in Myanmar.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday September 25, 8:30 PM
UPDATE 1-Malaysia says Myanmar moves "very positive" (Recasts with Malaysian foreign minister quotes) By Barani Krishnan PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Tuesday it was
encouraged by efforts made by Myanmar's military rulers in reconciliation talks
with the opposition, describing progress as "very positive".
But Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, speaking after a meeting
between Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and visiting Myanmar leader
Senior-General Than Shwe, said Yangon should be left to negotiate at its own
pace.
"I think we are very much encouraged by the various steps that they have
taken," he told reporters.
A secretive dialogue between Myanmar's rulers and opposition leader Aung
San Suu Kyi began last year with United Nations special envoy Razali Ismail, a
veteran Malaysian diplomat, acting as mediator.
The military has ruled Myanmar since 1962 and crushed all attempts to
promote democracy. Many Western countries have sought to isolate the country,
and some have imposed limited sanctions because of its poor human rights record.
Razali visited Myanmar late last month after which a U.N. spokesman said
the envoy was satisfied all parties were committed to the talks process.
"We are following it very closely as a friend and I think because of our
close relationship we are able to talk to them," said Syed Hamid.
"But it's not for us to make any announcements about their own actions," he
added.
Tuesday's talks at government offices in Putrajaya, the administrative
capital outside Kuala Lumpur, marked the start of Than Shwe's three-day visit to
Malaysia.
Malaysia encourages the Myanmar government to seek reconciliation with the
country's pro-democracy movement, headed by Nobel laureate and National League
for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi, who is being held under house arrest.
Mahathir said earlier this year that future elections should not "undermine
authority" and suggested Myanmar could adopt Southeast Asian political models
rather than Western-style democracies.
State news agency Bernama said Than Shwe, who heads his country's ruling
State Peace and Development Council, would be accompanied by his wife and
ministers in charge of agriculture and irrigation, industry, energy and science
and technology as well as other senior government officials.
The NLD won Myanmar's 1990 elections by a landslide but has never been
allowed to govern. Instead, its members have been detained and harassed.
But the military junta released six NLD members two weeks ago in a gesture
of goodwill.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has praised Myanmar's
generals for their talks with pro-democracy leaders but alleged major violations
of human rights, including executions, mass arrests and forced labour.
Amnesty International says there are 1,500 political detainees in the
country.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday September 25, 7:59 PM
Malaysia hails Myanmar's move to push ahead with democracy KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (AFP) -
The head of Myanmar's junta, Senior General Than Shwe, has promised to push
ahead with democratic reforms which Malaysia said will enable isolated Yangon to
move into mainstream politics.
"The Myanmar leader stressed the fact that they would like to go forward
with the democratic process and they are discussing with democracy leader Aung
San Suu Kyi," Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told a press
conference.
Earlier, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Than Shwe met heldan hour-long
meeting.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia, which is considered Myanmar's closes ally in the
10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), would like to stress
that there should not be any pressure on Yangon to speed up the talks.
"It is important that they will do it at their own pace," he said.
Syed Hamid said Mahathir congratulated Than Shwe for the recent domestic
political developments -- referring to the various initiatives between Myanmar's
junta and Aung San Suu Kyi.
"I think every ASEAN member would like to see Myanmar move to mainstream
and not subjected to problems related to the political scenario in the country,"
he said.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia was watching Myanmar closely and was encouraged by
the steps taken to free opposition figures and to hold a dialogue with
them.
Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for a year,
but has embarked on landmark talks with the military.
The political atmosphere in Yangon has thawed since the talks began,
leading to the release of nearly 200 opposition figures including senior members
of her National League for Democracy (NLD).
The Malaysian official said UN envoy Razali Ismail was expected to make
more frequent visits to Myanmar to "build up the momentum" to pave the way for
democratic reforms.
During a four-day visit to Yangon in August, the envoy met twice with Aung
San Suu Kyi to discuss the progress of the talks.
Syed Hamid also said the two leaders touched on the terrorist attacks on
the United States.
"Everybody appreciates terrorism is a problem. Both leaders see a need to
ensure peace and stability," he said.
In the economic field, Syed Hamid said Myanmar has opened its doors to
Malaysian investors in the oil and gas, timber, paper and pulp and fishing
industry.
The two leaders agreed that ASEAN members would have to boost
intra-regional trade to counter the negative impact of the US economy amid the
September 11 tragedy.
After the bilateral talks, Malaysia and Myanmar signed memorandums of
understanding on tourism and information exchange.
The first day of Than Shwe's visit will conclude with a dinner hosted by
Mahathir. On Wednesday, he is due to tour the Multimedia Development Corporation
and the world's tallest buildings -- the Petronas Twin Towers.
On Thursday the general is scheduled to visit the island resort of Langkawi
before leaving for home later in the day.
Malaysia is ranked fourth among foreign investors in Myanmar with
investment totalling 587 million dollars, mostly in timber, hotel construction,
tourism and trading.
This is Than Shwe's third visit to Malaysia and comes after an invitation
from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who visited Yangon in January. Shwe is
being accompanied by six senior ministers and the chief of military
intelligence, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBC - Tuesday, 25 September, 2001,
14:46 GMT 15:46 UK
Burma faces Aids explosion By BBC South East Asia regional analyst Larry Jagan Burma is facing an Aids epidemic that will soon eclipse the worst situation
in Africa, according to medical experts in Thailand.
United Nations statistics are at least two years out of date and could be
understating true infection rates by at least half.
Aids specialist Dr Chris Beyrer, a US researcher at the John Hopkins
University, says UN figures suggest 2% of adults in Burma have HIV, the virus
that can lead to Aids. Dr Beyrer says the figure is nearer 4%.
His research, using government's figures for pregnant women and young men
about to enter the army, found there were 3.5% with HIV.
Adding vulnerable groups, such as drug users and itinerant workers, and the
figure more than doubles - potentially more than 7% of the population is
infected with HIV.
The explosion of the disease in Shan state is even more frightening. Dr
Beyrer estimates that more than 10% of the adult male population there is now
suffering from HIV.
"That's the worst ever incidence of the disease in the region," he says.
"It's on the level of that which hit northern Thailand a decade ago. The
difference then was the Thai Government recognised it and did something about
it, whereas the military junta are allowing this one to rage out of control."
Defensive
But in recent weeks, both Burma's military intelligence chief, Lt General
Khin Nyunt, and the head of state, General Than Shwe, have defended the military
government's record on Aids.
And Burma's health minister, Major General Ket Sein, told a Word Health
Organisation (WHO) meeting earlier this month: "Contrary to the gloomy picture
presented in some reports in the western media, HIV/Aids is not rampant in
Myanmar (Burma)."
Diplomats and UN officials in Rangoon believe that, behind this rigorous
denial, the Burmese generals have for more than a year begun to recognise that
the country is facing a major Aids problem.
At the beginning of this year Lt General Khin Nyunt told the Myanmar Times
that HIV/Aids "is a national cause. If we ignore it, it will destroy entire
races."
He said culturally it was difficult for the government to adopt the WHO
policy of encouraging the use of condoms, but instead had introduced a mass
prevention campaign.
There are signs that the campaign is working in some parts of the country,
where people now recognise the terms HIV and Aids. But UN officials and Aids
experts fear that, in general, knowledge of the disease and its prevention
remain "abysmally low".
Border epidemic
They have major concerns about Burma's border areas where drug use and the
movement of labour is high. Along the eastern border with Thailand and the
northern border with China the incidence of HIV has already reached epidemic
proportions.
In some parts of Kachin state, particularly where the men have been working
in gem mines, there has been a massive death toll. According to local Aids
workers there are some villages where every family has lost someone to the
disease.
"It is not like other infectious diseases," said one official.
"Once HIV gets out of control in the population and spreads, it cannot be
cured and the genie can't be put back into the bottle."
Acting on HIV is also not so much a matter of money as changing attitudes
and taboos. Burma's generals maybe beginning to grapple with this - but if they
don't make a more concerted effort it will be too late.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malaysian National News Agency
September 25 , 2001 12:26PM Myanmar Leader Gen Than Shwe Arrives For 3-day Visit By Ahmad Kamil Mohd Tahir SEPANG, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council
Chairman Senior General Than Shwe arrived here today for a three-day visit to
enhance diplomatic and economic ties with Malaysia.
He was met on arrival at the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International
Airport (KLIA) here by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
His entourage includes his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and five ministers.
His trip reciprocates Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit
to Myanmar last January.
Than Shwe will hold talks with Dr Mahathir on bilateral and regional
issues. Delegations from both countries will also discuss strengthening of
bilateral relations.
Dr Mahathir will host a dinner for the Myanmar leader and his delegation at
the Prime Minister's official residence, Seri Perdana,in Putrajaya tonight.
Than Shwe will visit Langkawi tomorrow for a first-hand look at development
projects on Malaysia's premier island resort before departing for Yangoon on
Thursday.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Times of India - Sep 25,
2001.
Malaysian investment mission meets
Myanmar ministers
BANGKOK: A visiting business delegation from Malaysia met leading Myanmar
cabinet ministers on Monday to discuss investment opportunities, state-run
television reported.
The 15-member delegation headed by the deputy state secretary of western
Malaysia's Selangor state held separate talks with Myanmar Industrial Minister
Aung Thaung and Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Minister Maung Maung Thein, TV
Myanmar said in a dispatch monitored here.
They discussed bilateral economic cooperation and investment opportunities
in Myanmar, it said.
Malaysia is ranked fourth among foreign investors in Myanmar. Total
investment stands at 587 million dollars -- mostly in timber, hotel
construction, tourism and trading.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - Sep 25,
2001.
Delays mar first day of registration Problems blamed on staff shortages Post reporters The nationwide registration of foreign migrant workers began yesterday with
delays caused by staff shortages and technical errors reported at many
registration centres.
October 13 is the deadline for employers to have their alien workers
registered with the Labour Ministry. Their employment is allowed only in 10
types of jobs facing severe labour shortages.
Permanent secretary for labour Irawat Chantraprasert, who inspected the
registration at Lak Si shopping mall yesterday, said the first day of
registration was marred by equipment malfunctions as foreign workers led by
their employers flocked to all registration centres nationwide.
Labour Minister Dej Boonlong, who visited a registration centre at Samut
Sakhon's sports stadium yesterday, said problems were reported but most of them
could be solved.
The minister added he had the power to consider extending the registration
period by another 10 days if necessary.
The number of alien workers coming out for registration is expected to
double the nationwide target of 500,000. Up to 40,000 workers asked for
registration in Samut Sakhon province alone yesterday, the minister said.
Computer and digital camera malfunctions forced many workers to wait for
hours at Samut Sakhon's registration centre, which boasts the capacity to
register 1,500 workers a day.
At a registration centre in the Labour Ministry's compound, some groups of
people reportedly took advantage of the situation and demanded money from those
who wanted to proceed fast to registration counters.
A source from TO Graphic Company, hired by the ministry to handle the issue
of identity cards to foreign workers, said the delays at many registration
centres were caused by poor equipment and language problems.
In Tak, some 5,000 Burmese workers turned up at registration centres in
Muang and Mae Sot districts yesterday but only about 1,000 could be registered
because the centres were short of staff.
The Burmese workers were accompanied by more than 1,000 employers from
Muang, Ban Tak, Sam Ngao, Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang, Phop Phra and
Umphang districts and Wang Chao sub-district.
Tak Employment Office chief Anurak Thodsarat said he had only 32 people to
handle the registration work, while some 22,082 Burmese workers had been listed
for registration. The target for Tak was to have 35,000 registered.
Heated arguments were reported as some of the alien workers seeking
registration failed to queue up properly, prompting officials to step up
security measures at both registration centres in Tak.
In Chiang Rai, provinical employment office chief Vinij Niyomkul said a
total 1,163 employers had expressed their intention to have 5,052 Burmese, 103
Laotians and one Cambodian worker registered.
There are an estimated 6,000 foreign workers in the province, he
said.
The registration, at a cost of 3,250 baht per head, was expected to make it
easer for authorities to keep the foreign labour force under control, and to
prevent extortion attempts by corrupt officials, he said.
In Phayao, where the employment of foreign migrant workers was common at
restaurants and food-processing factories, more than 100 foreigners, mostly Lao
nationals, were registered yesterday.
It was estimated that some 20,000 foreign workers would seek registration
in Chiang Mai, and about 13,500 in Mae Hong Son.
According to the Labour Ministry's follow-up centre, a total 280,145 alien
workers nationwide contacted the ministry in advance through their employers to
show their intention to register.
Out of these, 72,240 workers are in the Central Region, 44,048 in the
North, 76,708 in the South, 23,294 in the East, 26,311 in the West and 2,506 in
the Northeast.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malaysia, Myanmar Sign Cooperation
Agreement
Xinhuanet 2001.09.25 21:45:55 KUALA LUMPUR, September 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Malaysia and Myanmar
Tuesday signed two documents to enhance bilateral cooperation in tourism
and information.
The signing of the agreement on cooperation in information and
memorandum of understanding on cooperation in tourism was witnessed by
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the visiting Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar Than
Shwe.
Earlier, both Prime Ministers had a private discussion at Mahathir's
office for about an hour before attending a meeting of the two
delegations.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters after the
meeting that the two leaders had discussed matters concerning ways to
improve bilateral relations and trade.
He said Myanmar had expressed the hope that more Malaysian companies
would invest in the country especially in oil, gas, paper and pulp
sectors.
"We also discussed global current issues especially on the effect of
the United States economic slowdown and the need for ASEAN (Association of
Southeast Asian Nations) countries to work closely with each other and not
to depend on one market," he said.
On the political aspect, Syed Hamid said Mahathir had indicated his
happiness that the military government of Myanmar had made various
progress towards the restoration of democracy in the country.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia had always stressed that the restoration of
democracy in Myanmar should be done in phases that suit the political
development in the country.
"As a member of ASEAN, we'd like to see Myanmar moving to the
mainstream," he added.
Than Shwe arrived here Tuesday morning on a three-day official visit
to Malaysia.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |