|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BURMA RELATED NEWS - October
09, 2001.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBC - Burma frees prisoners as envoy
arrives
AFP - UN rights envoy arrives in Yangon for
second historic mission
Reuters - Myanmar frees prisoners as U.N. envoy
starts visit
Reuters - U.N. human rights envoys starts visit
to Myanmar
Reuters - AIDS Could Spread Exponentially in
Asia: Experts
Hoovers - Seabourn Spirit Adds More Cruises of
Vietnam and Myanmar;
EU council - BURMA/MYANMAR: COUNCIL
CONCLUSIONS
Bkk Post - PDA makes
peace move after clashes
Bkk Post - Green light to be sought for regional
railway project
Bkk Post - Economic
talks in Rangoon start today
Bkk Post - EDITORIAL -
The deadly danger of Aids and drugs
Xinhuanet - Five More Political Prisoners
Released in Myanmar
Xinhuanet - U.S. Closes Down Embassy in Myanmar
Kyodo News - Tanaka
welcomes release of political prisoners in Myanmar
Irrawaddy online - Burmese Language Training Continues
Irrawaddy online - SE Asia Reacts to Afghani
Bombing
Irrawaddy online - NSC
Meeting Held in Mae Sot
Irrawaddy online - Burma Tries To Curves Flow
Mizzima - Not 'ANYTHING GOES'
Mizzima - India steps up vigilance along
Indo-Burma border
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBC -Tuesday, 9 October, 2001, 11:39
GMT 12:39 UK
Burma frees prisoners as envoy arrives A United Nations human rights envoy has arrived in Burma, as the military
government released five jailed members of the opposition National League for
Democracy.
A government statement made no link between the arrival of Paulo Sergio
Pinheiro and the prisoner releases, which it called a goodwill gesture.
Mr Pinheiro is on a two-week visit during which he is expected to travel
outside the capital, Rangoon, to assess civil and political rights in the
country.
He is also expected to meet government officials and the opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi.
His visit comes just days after a team from the International Labour
Organisation ended a three-week trip investigating reports of forced labour in
Burma.
Mr Pinheiro became the first UN human rights rapporteur to go to Burma in
five years when he visited in April.
On that occasion also he met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her home
but was not allowed leave the capital.
This time, according to the UN , Mr Pinheiro will visit a number of
provinces over the next two weeks.
'Optimism'
Burma' military rulers have been repeatedly criticised for human rights
abuses since they seized power in 1988. In 1990 the junta refused to honour the
result of democratic elections widely believed to have been overwhelmingly won
by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been held under virtual house arrest since last
September.
But Mr Pinheiro has spoken of "cautious optimism" within Burma that the
military are adopting a pragmatic approach on the issue of democracy.
A UN statement released at the weekend said: "This visit comes at a time
when Myanmar [Burma] has been taking steps... towards an important dialogue both
inside and outside of the country in the search for peace and national
reconciliation."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday October 9, 7:34 PM
UN rights envoy arrives in Yangon for second historic mission YANGON, Oct 9 (AFP) - United
Nations' human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro arrived in Myanmar Tuesday for
a 12-day mission which the ruling junta marked by releasing five top political
prisoners.
Describing the move as a "goodwill gesture by the government", the
authorities said the five elected MPs from Aung San Suu Kyi's democratic
opposition were all in good health.
The release, which brings to 174 the number of National League for
Democracy (NLD) members freed this year, is confirmation of the working
relationship Pinheiro has established with the generals in Yangon.
The Brazilian academic is visiting Myanmar at a time when year-long talks
between the junta and the democratic opposition have eased the atmosphere in
Yangon and raised hopes that political reforms may be on the horizon.
After his historic visit to Myanmar in April -- the first by a UN human
rights envoy in five years -- Pinheiro spoke of an atmosphere of "cautious
optimism" for possible change in the country.
"Every person that I met conveyed to me this impression, the government
gave me an impression of respect for the opposition," he said after talks with
the generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Pinheiro said then that on his return to Myanmar he would like to meet with
leaders of opposition political parties and minority groups, and visit the
nation's detention and labour camps.
According to a UN report, he also indicated a wish to visit zones for
displaced people as well as the tense border regions.
Although his official schedule is being kept tightly under wraps, like most
visiting dignitaries, it is likely that Pinheiro will again be permitted to see
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the latest mission.
But observers said he may not enjoy the same unfettered access granted to
the International Labor Organisation (ILO) team which departed last week after a
thorough investigation of Yangon and the outlying provinces.
"Pinheiro will most probably be less independent than the ILO experts
because they came in two teams and he is by himself," one diplomat told
AFP.
"The domain he is covering is larger because it covers all the human rights
issues including prisoners, whereas the ILO people were only focused on forced
labor.
"But as far as we can see, it is unlikely they will put obstacles in the
way of his program."
Pinheiro won plaudits during his first trip by adopting a
non-confrontational approach which was welcomed by the notoriously touchy Yangon
generals.
"We consider the visit of Mr. Pinheiro as constructive. We have cooperated
with him to our utmost," the foreign ministry said after his departure.
"We regard him as an honest person," it said, in stark contrast to the
frosty language used to describe his predecessor, Rajsoomer Lallah, who was
never given permission to travel to Yangon.
On his arrival in Yangon the junta again expressed its willingness to work
with the envoy.
"He shall be accorded full cooperation from the Myanmar governmenta s had
the ILO team which visited Myanmar recently," a government spokesman told
AFP.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday October 9, 6:38 PM
Myanmar frees prisoners as U.N. envoy starts visit By Aung Hla Tun YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's
military government released five more opposition prisoners on Tuesday as the
U.N.'s human rights envoy to the country arrived for his second visit.
The government has been steadily releasing detained members of the National
League for Democracy (NLD) since beginning confidential talks with opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi a year ago. Tuesday's releases bring the total number of
NLD members freed since the talks began to 174.
A government statement said the five released NLD members "are all in good
health and are back with their respective families".
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the U.N.'s special rapporteur for human rights in
Myanmar, arrived in Yangon on Tuesday and is due to stay in the country until
October 20, meeting government officials, opposition leaders and diplomats, U.N.
sources told Reuters.
They said Pinheiro held talks on Tuesday afternoon with Myanmar Foreign
Minister Win Aung.
Pinheiro, a Brazilian, first visited Myanmar in April after being appointed
as a special envoy in February by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
A report written by Pinheiro and released by the U.N. last week welcomed
efforts by Myanmar's ruling military to improve human rights in the country, but
repeated calls for the release of all political prisoners.
Amnesty International says there are more than 1,500 political detainees in
Myanmar.
Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won elections in
1990 by a landslide but was never allowed to govern. Suu Kyi has been under de
facto house arrest for more than a year.
The international community welcomed the start of dialogue last year
between Suu Kyi and the government.
The talks have not yielded any concrete political deal, but have been
marked by regular prisoner releases and an informal agreement between the two
sides to stop openly criticising each other.
Pinheiro's predecessor, Rajsoomer Lallah, was never allowed to visit
Myanmar, and in his final report last October he accused the military of
torturing, raping and executing civilians.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday October 9, 5:49 PM
U.N. human rights envoys starts visit to Myanmar YANGON (Reuters) - The U.N.'s
human rights envoy to Myanmar arrived in the country on Tuesday for his second
visit, amid hopes that a dialogue between the military government and opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi will produce a breakthrough.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the U.N.'s special rapporteur for human rights in
Myanmar, is due to stay in the country until October 20, meeting government
officials, opposition leaders and diplomats, U.N. sources told Reuters.
Pinheiro, a Brazilian, first visited Myanmar in April after being appointed
as a special envoy in February by U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan.
A report written by Pinheiro and released by the U.N. last week welcomed
efforts by Myanmar's ruling military to improve human rights in the country, but
repeated calls for the release of all political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won elections in
1990 by a landslide but was never allowed to govern. Suu Kyi has been under de
facto house arrest for more than a year.
The start of dialogue last year between Suu Kyi and the government was
welcomed by the international community. The talks have not yielded any concrete
agreement but since they began the government has released more than 150
political prisoners.
Pinheiro's report last week said more prisoners should be released. Amnesty
International says there are more than 1,500 political detainees in Myanmar.
Pinheiro's predecessor, Rajsoomer Lallah, was never allowed to visit
Myanmar, and in his final report last October he accused the military of
torturing, raping and executing civilians.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday October 8 1:18 PM ET
AIDS Could Spread Exponentially in Asia: Experts By Victoria Thieberger MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The
spread of AIDS in Asia risks rising exponentially unless renewed prevention
efforts are undertaken in the next few years, health experts told a regional
conference on Saturday.
At the opening of the 5-day International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the
Pacific, around 3,000 delegates were told that a substantial proportion of the
male population was at risk, mainly from sex with prostitutes, and that existing
prevention programs still have not reached huge numbers of people in the
region.
A lack of awareness of AIDS and HIV (news - web sites), the virus that
causes AIDS, and the fear of disclosure meant many infected people only sought
medical attention when other opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis had
set in.
``The course of the epidemic in Asia in the next decade is largely going to
be determined by the prevention that is undertaken in the next few years,'' said
Tim Brown, of the UNAIDS (news - web sites) center of the East/West Center in
Hawaii.
``There is serious potential for further and extensive spread of HIV,'' he
told the gathering in the southern Australian city.
Some health experts have said the potential maximum infection rates are
around 2% to 3% of Asian populations, well below the rates of around 10% seen in
sub-Saharan Africa.
But Brown said this could rise much higher given that men who visited sex
workers were the largest group at risk, and studies have shown 5% to 20% of men
across Asia go to prostitutes.
``This is a very substantial proportion of the male population we are
dealing with, and should they become infected their wives and girlfriends are
potentially exposed to HIV,'' Brown said.
Around 7 million people in Asia live with HIV/AIDS, while an estimated
500,000 people die of the disease each year. This is estimated to rise to
800,000 by 2005, according to figures from UNAIDS, the coordinating UN
body.
Across countries, the highest rates of infection were in Cambodia at 2.7%
of the general population, Myanmar at 2% and Thailand at 1.8%. These three
countries also have the highest rates of heterosexual transmission.
Surveys have found 15% of married men and 21% of unmarried men in Cambodia
had sex with prostitutes in 2000, compared with a total of 11% in Japan and 10%
in Thailand.
Still, the spread of AIDS across Asia has been relatively contained to
high-risk groups including sex workers, injection drug users and homosexuals. In
Myanmar, 62% of injecting drug users and 38% of female sex workers were HIV
positive, according to a study taken last year. In three provinces in Vietnam,
infection among injection drug users ranged from 30% to 60%.
``There is an enormous lack of awareness out there,'' said the University
of Malaya's Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, noting late diagnosis of HIV was one of the
greatest problems.
``The fear of disclosure is very real, the social stigma that continues in
these countries, contributes to the late presentation of patients,'' she told
Reuters.
At a time when sophisticated and expensive antiretroviral medication is
widely used in developed nations to treat people with HIV, the drugs remain a
luxury in developing Asian countries.
Meeting the cost of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the developing world will be
the most challenging imperative of this century, said Professor Stefano Vella,
president of the International AIDS Society.
He estimated the cost, including the increasing availability of generic
drugs, at around US$7 to $9 billion a year.
``This cost should be met by wealthy countries,'' Vella said.
``It is still a relatively young epidemic in Asia/Pacific, which could rise
exponentially if appropriate interventions aren't put in place.''
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hoovers
Seabourn Spirit Adds More Cruises of Vietnam and Myanmar; October 8, 2001 2:01pm MIAMI, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra luxury small-ship cruise specialist
Seabourn Cruise Line has announced added departures of its popular cruises to
Thailand and Vietnam and Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar in January and February
of 2002. The cruises aboard the yacht-like, all-suite Seabourn Spirit
replace two previously scheduled cruises that had included visits to islands of
the Indonesian Archipelago.
The first of the added cruises sails January 19, 2002 for twelve days,
roundtrip from Singapore to a variety of tropical Thai and Malaysian islands,
with a three-day call at Yangon, formerly Rangoon, in Myanmar, the former
Burma. The extended stay in this venerable Asian capital allows
exploration of the city's majestic gold-and-jewel-encrusted Shwedagon Pagoda, as
well as visits to Burma's"Plain of Temple" at nearby Pagan. Guests will be
treated to a complimentary Exclusively Seabourn visit to the century-old Strand
Hotel for refreshments and a Burmese musical interlude, recapturing the romance
of an era during which the Strand was the hostelry of choice among royalty,
nobility and celebrities passing through the Far East.
On January 31st, Seabourn Spirit sails from Singapore to Hong Kong, on a
two-week exploration of Thailand and Vietnam. The cruise includes two days
in Bangkok, as well as visits to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Danang, Hanoi and
cruising among the breathtaking islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam. On this
cruise, guests will enjoy an Exclusively Seabourn visit to the private Prasart
Museum in Bangkok's suburbs. Here, among the tropical gardens, several
traditional Thai teak buildings are filled with precious antiques including art
and furnishings from every period of Thai history.
Travelers interested in either of these specially added cruises, or one of
the other cruises of Southeast Asia aboard Seabourn Spirit, can take advantage
of special promotional offers in one of two ways. Seabourn offers free
economy class airfare and business class upgrades from $995 from 25 North
American gateways, plus Early Booking Savings of 20 percent off the published
fare, or a special promotional savings of 45 percent applies for cruise-only
fares not including airfare.
Seabourn Spirit offers the finest ultra luxury cruising experience to just
104 fortunate couples. All suites are 277 square feet or larger, many with
balconies. Fine cuisine from celebrity chef/restaurateur Charlie Palmer is
served in an open seating restaurant. Myriad thoughtful touches include
complimentary wines and spirits throughout the cruise; an in-suite bar stocked
to guests' requests; designer towels and robes of fine Egyptian cotton;
delightful Massage Moments offered to guests lounging on deck and Seabourn's
Pure Pampering program, featuring wellbeing products and a menu of soothing,
invigorating bathing experiences from Molton Brown, London.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Council of the European Union
(General Affairs Council 08/10) BURMA/MYANMAR: COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS The European Union has long urged the restoration of democracy, the pursuit
of national reconciliation and the protection of human rights in Burma/Myanmar
in the interest of all the peoples of the country. The European Union has been
following recent developments in Burma/Myanmar with close attention. The Council
was cautiously encouraged by the improvement in the political climate there. It
welcomed the release of a growing number of political prisoners, the opening of
a number of NLD party offices and the resumption of contacts with the
International Labour Organisation (ILO). It expressed its strong support for the
efforts of UN Special Envoy, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, to promote national
reconciliation.
The Council recognised, however, at the same time that these contacts and
positive developments could only be the beginning of a wider and deeper process,
which should, in the Council's view, lead to a transition to civilian democratic
government. The Council called for the acceleration of the ongoing process of
liberation of all remaining political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Council also emphasised the importance of seeing a verifiable end to the
practice of forced labour, in line with the demands of the ILO General
Conference. The authorities in Burma/Myanmar should co-operate fully with the
ILO and grant the Organisation permanent access to the country. The Council will
analyse carefully and draw conclusions from the forthcoming report of the
high-level ILO mission to Burma/Myanmar and will also await with interest the
report of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma/Myanmar.
The Council agreed to extend the common position of the European Union for
a further six months until 29 April 2002 while bringing it in line with Member
States' obligations under the UN Charter to grant visas to allow attendance at
United Nations meetings or conferences held within their territory. The Council
specifically stressed its readiness to accompany the deepening of the
reconciliation process with humanitarian assistance which it regarded as
entirely compatible with the common position. The Council identified a number of
positive measures designed to recognise the process that has been set in motion
in Burma/Myanmar in expectation of further positive developments:
- In consultation with all relevant parties, including the NLD, the
European Union is prepared to play a more active role in helping Burma/Myanmar
confront the scourge of HIV/AIDS. The Council wished to convey to the parties in
Burma/Myanmar its view that the HIV/AIDS situation is such that determined
measures need to be taken urgently. The Council therefore welcomed the
Commission's intention to provide a contribution of up to 5 MEuros to the
activities identified in the framework of the Joint Plan of Action elaborated by
the UN Agencies in response to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Burma/Myanmar. This aid
will be delivered through independent non-governmental organisations or
international agencies with the view to reach the communities in the most needy
areas.
- EU Member States would also seek to make significant contributions to
these same UN activities;
- The European Union would invite the Foreign Minister of Burma/Myanmar to
the next EU-ASEAN Ministerial meeting, which is due to be held in Europe in
2002. A visa would be granted to him for that purpose;
- Member States concerned will support Burma/Myanmar's application to join
the International Hydrographic Organisation;
- Member States concerned may consider and advise the authorities in
Burma/Myanmar of what steps Burma/Myanmar needs to take to qualify for bilateral
debt relief under the IMF/IBRD's "Heavily Indebted Poor Countries"
Initiative;
- The European Union is willing to send a further Troika mission before the
end of this year to explain these decisions, to discuss their follow-up with the
Government, SPDC, NLD and the ethnic nationalities and to explore the prospects
for further measures, which could follow accelerated progress in Burma/Myanmar's
national reconciliation process.
The Council agreed to reconsider the measures taken today, as well as the
common position, at any time should developments in Burma/Myanmar, either
positive or negative, so require.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 09,
2001.
PDA makes peace move after clashes
A Burmese rebel group has extended an olive branch to the Rangoon-backed
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army after clashes late last month which left 31
dead.
``The Parliamentary Democracy Army has no animosity towards the DKBA and it
is not its policy to purposely attack DKBA units or its representatives,'' a PDA
statement said.
It further added that the PDA regarded the ``SPDC (the ruling military
junta) top brass as the sole enemy of our country and not its troops, who have
been indoctrinated into joining the army.''
After a week-long battle that ended on Sept 20 between the PDA-Karen
National Union and the DKBA and junta troops, the government forces eventually
withdrew with 31 killed and 11 wounded.
The PDA said it regretted the clashes and that no deliberate confrontation
should take place between its forces and the DKBA in the future.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 09,
2001.
Green light to be sought for regional railway project Private sector will be asked to invest Saritdet Marukatat An Asean meeting yesterday decided to seek approval from heads of
government for a proposed railway project that would link Singapore with Kunming
in southern China.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said the Asean summit in Brunei
early next month will be asked to approve the route, which would start from
Singapore through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to southern
China.
The previous summit of Asean heads of government in Singapore last November
approved the railway project as a whole.
Approval would make Asean speak with one voice, and enable individual
governments to incorporate the project into their respective national
development plans, which would ease the search for funding sources, Mr Surakiart
said.
``If Asean speaks along the same lines, it will boost the confidence of
[potential] investors,'' he said.
The Asean meeting on development of the Mekong sub-region also proposed a
reduction of overlaps in various related projects.
The Asian Development Bank, Mekong River Commission, United Nations
Development Programme, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific, as well as Asean and Japan's Ministry of Trade and Industry, have
initiated projects to develop the sub-region.
Mr Surakiart would like countries which do not border the Mekong river,
such as Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines, to take part in developing the
sub-region.
Thailand further proposed the setting up of a border warehouse for goods
traded by the countries in the Mekong area. The Commerce Ministry will host a
meeting on this soon, Mr Surakiart said.
The Jakarta-based Asean Secretariat would hold consultations with the
region's private sector firms to encourage their investment in the Mekong
projects.
The meeting adjourned a day earlier than expected. The six countries
bordering the Mekong river _ Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam
_ were represented by ministers or deputies. The others sent diplomats.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 09,
2001.
Economic talks in Rangoon start today
Gen Sanan to meet Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
Wassana Nanuam
Three days of talks on economic co-operation between Thai representatives
and Burma's State Peace and Development Council First Secretary Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt, begin today in Rangoon.
Gen Sanan Kachornklam, secretary to the defence minister's advisory team,
has been assigned by Defence Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to lead a Thai
delegation to discuss Thai-Burmese economic ties with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt on Oct
9-11.
Burma reportedly needs help from Thailand for the planned construction of a
port in Tavoy and many roads such as those linking the Three-Pagoda checkpoint
to Pok Pian, Kanchanaburi to Tavoy, and Tachilek to Keng Tung, Gen Sanan
said.
Gen Chavalit is pushing forward a trade and investment promotion plan by
starting with the setting up of economic affairs co-ordinating offices at the
border between Mae Sai and Tachilek, Mae Sot and Myawaddy, and Ranong and
Kawthaung.
After another trade talk will be held in Rangoon in November.
A Thai-Burmese friendship trade fair will be held in Tachilek in January
next year.
Gen Sanan's delegation is also expected to meet Burma's commerce and
fisheries ministers to seek fishery concessions for Thai trawlers to fish in
Burmese waters, following a two-year ban.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - October 09,
2001.
EDITORIAL - The deadly danger of Aids
and drugs
The greatest threat to Thailand and Southeast Asia is the two-headed Hydra
of drugs and Aids. Drug abuse and the killer syndrome are directly linked. As
one increases, so does the other. Risky abuse of drugs, particularly the use of
shared needles, directly spreads Aids. Drug abusers are far less likely to worry
about unprotected sex. The more drugs, the more abuse _ the more abuse, the more
Aids. These twin attacks represent the greatest security threat to our country
and region.
In recent weeks, the world has focussed on terrorism. Officials have
revived and increased anti-terrorist measures, particularly tracking and
blocking the accounts and transfers of terrorists' funds. The mass killing of
people from 80 countries in the United States on Sept 11 has convinced people
everywhere they must co-operate against the terrorists, or they will be in
increasing danger.
The ``wars'' against drugs and Aids must also be given high priority.
Although there are huge differences between the wars on terrorism and drugs,
some of the new emphasis on fighting terrorists can be turned against the drug
merchants, producers and traffickers. Attacks must be made and stepped up on
their bank accounts, financial resources, ill-gotten gains and luxurious life
styles. As with terrorists, we must recognise that drug traffickers are great
and present threats to our people and the national security of Thailand and our
neighbours. They may not kill with bombs or hijackings, but drug traffickers
kill and ruin the lives of families just the same.
The war on drugs must be improved because it is being lost. The battle
against Aids is still undecided. Last week, the Joint United Nations Programme
on HIV/Aids reported bad news. While Thailand and Cambodia have stalled the
advance of HIV/Aids, much of the rest of Asia has not. Indonesia, Vietnam and
China have been so lackadaisical, so inefficient and so inattentive that they
already have epidemics in many regions. In Ho Chi Minh City, 20% of sex workers
and clients have tested positive for HIV, and the rate is 26% in Jakarta and two
other Indonesian cities. In Guangxi, China, infections rose to 10.7% from 9.9%
in the last six months of last year.
Sharing information and experiences has seen great benefits in fighting
Aids. Health workers, NGOs, communities and governments have worked together
against a common enemy. It would seem logical that these same leaders and
community workers would realise the advantages, and attempt to widen the scope.
But they face the same old problems. It is no accident that the secretive
countries have the greatest Aids problems. China's communists, Burma's dictators
and Vietnam's security agents jail citizens for sharing information.
Still, it has been eight years since the six nations at the centre of the
regional drug epidemic agreed to share information against drug traffickers,
money launderers and their minions. Unfortunately, Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos,
Thailand and Vietnam have failed to step up and stamp out the drugs trade.
It is time they did. It would increase vigilance against cross-border crime
as part of urgent, new initiatives to combat terrorism. Properly designed, with
careful reporting procedures, it also would pursue drug traffickers. It will be
necessary to convince Burma to join this effort. If necessary, officials must be
prepared to ``go public'' with information that links the Rangoon regime to drug
dealers, just as information now is being released on the bin Laden connection
to terrorism.
The battle against Aids has just begun. It cannot succeed in isolation; it
must be international in scope. And those involved must realise, and combat, the
links between the disease and illicit drugs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five More Political Prisoners
Released in Myanmar
Xinhuanet 2001.10.09 17:57:59 YANGON, October 9 (Xinhuanet)
-- Five more political prisoners, who have been serving their prison
terms, were released Tuesday afternoon from jail as a goodwill gesture by
the government, according to an official Information Sheet.
The statement said the five set freed are all elected members of the
People's Parliament in the 1990 general election from the opposition
National League for Democracy (NLD).
The release of U Tun Win, U Kyi Lwin, U Min Swe, U Kyi Myint and U
Myo Nyunt has brought the total number of the NLD's political prisoners
freed in the country to 174 since January of this year, the statement
said.
A number of other NLD members and those who are connected with the
party have also been released from the various prisons before completion
of the terms of their respective sentences.
The move came after U.N. Special Envoy Razali Ismail ended his fifth
visit to Myanmar in August in his renewed efforts to bring about speedy
comprise between the government and the opposition to settle the country's
decade-long domestic political crisis.
It also came before U.N. Human Rights Envoy to Myanmar Paulo Sergio
Pinheiro's visit to the country for the second time since his appointment
in February this year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Closes Down Embassy in
Myanmar
Xinhuanet 2001.10.09 15:55:28 YANGON, October 9 (Xinhuanet)
-- The United States Tuesday temporarily closed down its embassy here for
security reason after the U.S., together with Britain, launched their second
wave of air strikes against Afghanistan earlier on the day, according to
sources at the embassy.
The embassy office is being shut down for two days, the sources said.
Obstacles are seen around the embassy building in downtown Yangon and
traffic in front of the embassy has been all closed to prevent any
probability, creating heavy traffic jam nearby.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-embassy-financed International School in the
capital has also been closed since Monday for the same reason.
The U.S. and Britain began their first air strikes against
Afghanistan on Sunday night after the Taliban failed to turn over Osama
bin Laden, the prime suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks in New
York and Washington.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tanaka welcomes release of political
prisoners in Myanmar
TOKYO, Oct. 10 Kyodo - Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka said Tuesday she
welcomes the release the same day of five more political prisoners by Myanmar's
military junta.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- SE Asia Reacts to Afghani
Bombing
By John S. Moncreif October 9, 2001--The response in Southeast Asia to the US and British
attacks on Afghanistan has been mixed. Malaysia has condemned the attacks while
the Philippines has offered their staunch support for the military
campaign.
Governments throughout the region have also been increasing security
measures to protect Americans and Brits from reprisals traveling and working in
the region.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo praised the campaign as "a just
offensive, whose objective is to rid mankind of the most ruthless and most
brutal terrorist organization in modern times." In her statement read by
President spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, Arroyo pledged "all assistance within its
means" to the global efforts against terrorism.
In the Philippines, the government added additional security to protect the
US embassy and also the local police banned rallies near or in front of the
embassy.
US government officials and American contractors in the southern Mindanao
region were recalled as the US government advised American citizens not to
travel there because of increasing terrorist threats.
Currently, the Abu Sayyaf group in the Southern Philippines, which has ties
to bin Laden, is holding seventeen Filipinos and three Americans whom they
kidnapped from a resort in May.
The Indonesian government offered a measured response to the US attacks in
its six-point statement released on Monday. The statement read that the
Indonesia government "is following with deep concern the military action taken
by the U.S. government."
The statement also noted "that the operation is not directed against the
people of Afghanistan or Muslims, but was aimed at limited targets." The
government announced plans to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghani
people.
Meanwhile, violent protest brokeout today in Jakarta between anti-US
protestors and Indonesian riot police near the US embassy as hundreds of
demonstrators continued their two-day rally. On Monday, barbed wire barricades
and Indonesian security forces, deployed to protect the embassy, met hundreds of
protestors as they arrived at the US embassy in Jakarta to display their
opposition to US led attacks on Afghanistan. The police have been using both
water cannons and tear gas to contain the rioters.
Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chief Alhabibi Muhammad Rizieq demanded that
the Indonesian government sever diplomatic ties with the U.S. and its allies
within three days, following the US and British military attacks on Afghanistan.
He called for the government to ask US diplomats and their allies to leave
Indonesia along with their citizens. He threatened to call on Muslims to seize
the US embassy and allied embassies and to round up all foreigners.
The US embassy in Jakarta has also shut down its daily operations and the
US and British embassies in Jakarta have instructed their citizens to stay at
home. About 10,000 US and 4,000 British citizens live in Indonesia. There are
also an estimated to be 2,000 British tourists currently in Indonesia.
Anti-American demonstrations have spread to Sumatra, Surabaya, Bandung and
Sulawesi. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country.
Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed criticized the US-UK attacks for
their ineffectiveness, adding that the bombings should not be seen as an
aggression against the Muslim world.
"War against these countries will not be effective in fighting terrorism,"
said the PM . "Our stand is that the problems that provoked these terrorists to
do what they did have to be looked into. We will not take any action or give any
form of support."
Malaysian opposition political parties took a stronger position, accusing
the US and its partners of being a terrorist state.
"Where is the proof that Osama bin Laden had committed the (terrorist) acts
and that the Taliban is harboring him," said opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia
(PAS) Youth chief Mahfuz Omar in a report carried by Malaysikini, a web-based
news service.
"We are worried that civilians will be killed and it is highly likely that
the reactions to the war may spread to other parts of the world,"said Keadilan
secretary-general Mohd Anuar Tahir.
The US embassy issued a statement saying police were protecting the embassy
compound in Kuala Lumpur and patrolling areas with communities of Americans and
other foreigners. Security at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport has also been
increased. PM Mahathir said that he didn’t expect any outbreak of violence
against Americans in Malaysia.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burma Tries To Curves
Flow
By Maung Maung Oo
October 9, 2001—Rangoon’s latest attempt at curving the flow of illegal
migrants heading to Thailand is bad news for thousands of Burmese nationals who
rely on Thailand’s job market. A new law enacted on October 5 states anyone
caught illegally crossing into Thailand from Burma faces a fine or a mandatory
prison sentence, according to Irrawaddy sources in Kawthaung, a Burmese
border-town opposite Ranong in southern Thailand.
On October 5, the Tenasserim Division’s General Administration Department
notified all police stations, immigration departments and township-level
authorities of the new law. The number of migrant workers crossing into Thailand
has been increasing substantially in recent months as the October 13 deadline
for obtaining a legal work permit approaches.
Burmese analysts see the new law as an attempt by the Burmese government to
cooperate with Thai authorities in reducing the flow of illegal immigrants into
Thailand, a problem that has plagued Thailand for decades.
Sentencing under the law is divided into three sections depending on one’s
age and residence. Anyone under thirty-five years of age living in Kawthaung
faces one-and-a-half years in prison or a 15,000-kyat fine and anyone over
thirty-five years of age faces two-years in prison or a 20,000-kyat fine. The
last section is for all Burmese nationals living outside of Kawthaung, if
apprehended they face a three-year prison sentence or a 30,000-kyat fine.
Also any residents of Kawthaung caught housing individuals who are trying
to illegally enter Thailand will be subjected to the same penalties.
The law states that Township-level courts must hand down judgements within
twenty-four hours of the individual arrest. If the fines can be paid the
subjects will reportedly be returned to their homes and have their movements
restricted, according to sources familiar with the law.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- NSC Meeting Held in Mae
Sot
By Ko Thet and Chan Mya Aye
October 9, 2001--The secretary general of Thailand’s National Security
Council (NSC) met with regional authorities in the Thai-Burma border town of Mae
Sot last week to discuss the status of Burmese migrants and refugees living in
the area, according to a source who attended the meeting.
The meeting, which took place on Oct 4, was held to discuss progress in
implementing a recently introduced program that would allow Burmese migrants to
work legally in Thailand if they or their employers paid a registration fee.
Also on the agenda were the roughly 120,000 refugees from Burma housed in camps
along the border.
"Before starting this program, we expected that at least 500,000 migrant
workers would have registered by now. But after ten days, only about 180,000
have applied for work permits," the NSC secretary general, Khajadpai
Buruspatana, was quoted as saying.
Khajadpai also said that Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) had pledged to assist Thailand in its efforts to control the migrant
worker population. "When (SPDC Secretary One) Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt was in Bangkok
last month, he agreed to co-operate in resolving the Burmese migrant worker
problem, but the details will be worked out later," he said.
Concerning the large number of refugees currently sheltering on Thai soil,
Khajadpai said that Thailand had been taking care of over 100,000 refugees from
Burma for fifteen years, but like Cambodian and Laotian refugees before them,
they would eventually have to go back home.
However, Padoh Mahn Sha, the general secretary of the Karen National Union,
told The Irrawaddy that Thailand should regard Rangoon as the source of the
refugee problem, rather than a potential partner in resolving it. "The main
cause of refugees in Thailand is Rangoon’s offensives in ethnic regions. The
only way to end the refugee crisis is to stop the offensives and resolve the
problems by political means."
In the Mae Sot area alone, there are three camps—Beh Klaw (Mae La), Umphiem
and Nopho—housing an estimated 60,000 refugees, according to Padoh Mahn
Sha.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burmese Language Training
Continues
By Zarny Win
October 9, 2001—Thai Prison officials began a four-month Burmese language
course this week in the Thai-Burma border-town of Mae Sot in order to
communicate with the growing number of Burmese prisoners. There are more than
1,400 prisoners incarcerated in Mae Sot, which is located in Tak province, and
roughly half of them are Burmese.
"According to our government's policy, government employees working in
border areas must learn the language of the neighboring countries," said
Tanachai Pyayoomsa Wat, a high-ranking prison official in Mae Sot. "If we know
their language, we can solve their problems much easier."
The Burmese prison population has been on the rise in border areas due in
part to a renewed police crackdown against Burmese nationals living and working
illegally in Thailand. There is estimated to be three million Burmese in
Thailand.
Thai officials from throughout Tak province also recently finished a
three-month Burmese language course to better deal with the areas swelling
migrant worker population. The language course was the first of its kind and was
attended by forty officials from a variety of departments including Immigration,
Customs and Transportation.
Winmit Yosalawin, the Burmese language teacher in charge, said that
trainees are not only learning to speak but to also read and write. According to
officials taking the course, they are also learning about the Burmese culture so
they can better understand Burmese people and in turn have better relations.
Tak province is home to thousands of Burmese migrant workers and
businessmen as well as a large number of Burmese pro-democracy supporters living
in exile.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not 'ANYTHING GOES'
Forum Asia speaks out for rights-minding response to terrorism By Mizzima News Oct. 9: In a press statement, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and
Development (Forum-Asia) questioned the “unilateral use of force by the US
government and its allies” and queried whether such an approach to terrorism
would not just cause more grief which may find _expression_ in further terrorist
acts.
The statement released yesterday pointed out that a reaction by force – by
bombing – by the US and its allies may be just what the planners of the 11
September incident might have had in mind: inducement of “an atmosphere of
racial and religious conflict”. The point is well taken – it must be
remembered that all action by the US and its allies after 11 September is
essentially re-action and as such part of a larger scenario which the
masterminds behind the events of that day must have borne in mind. It is
of utmost importance for all political authorities on the ‘anti-terrorist’ side
of the ‘war against terrorism’ not to fall into the trap of adopting extreme and
repressive positions which might have been envisioned and calculated by those
who acted on 11 September.
Consequently, Forum-Asia in its statement argues that all anti-terrorist
efforts must proceed on a UN-based and legally valid footing. Such efforts
must accord first priority to securing civil liberties against encroachment by
internal security legislation and anti-terrorism laws and must guard
specifically against the targeting of Muslims, members of Islamic groups and
people of Arab origin or appearance. In essence, Forum-Asia holds the position
that respect of international legal norms and civil liberties will legitimize
the anti-terrorist effort and prevent it from becoming counter-productive.
FORUM-ASIA was launched in December 1991, to facilitate collaboration among
human rights organizations in Asia so as to develop a regional response for the
promotion of human rights and democracy in the region.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- India steps up vigilance along
Indo-Burma border
By Our Special Correspondent Mizzima News Guwahati, Oct. 9: Personnel of the Army, the Border Security Force (BSF),
and the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) engaged in guarding the Indo-Burma
border have intensified patrolling aftermath of the US-led attack on
Afghanistan. Five more companies of the CRPF have been deployed as
reinforcement along the Arunachal-Burma border. High-level officials
sources, not wanting to be named told Mizzima News correspondent that the
Indo-Burma border has remained sensitive in view of spurt of activity of local
militant groups.
"The Mon, Naklak and Laju areas of Nagaland (bordering Burma) have been
kept under strict surveillance so that underground outfits cannot sneak into the
area, taking advantage of the terrain", sources said . It was also
reported that security forces have been provided heavy arsenal to thwart any
possible attack of the miscreants.
“Apart from Nagaland, we are keeping a close watch on the Manipur–Burma
border where several militant groups are now active”, the correspondent was
told. A total of 15 BSF companies have been engaged in counter-insurgency
operations along the Manipur-Burma border. BSF companies engaged in
Counter-insurgency operations along the Indo-Bhutan border were deployed in
Manipur following violence perpetrated by the militants.
There are seven Muslim militant groups led by Muslim United Liberation of
Tigers Association (MULTA) in the region. Sources revealed that Muslim
fundamentalists might try to create disturbance in the region in collaboration
with other militants groups in the region .
Meanwhile , the Director General of the BSF, Gurbachand Jagat, visited the
Indo-Burma (Myanmar) border on Sunday of last week in order to assess the
situation in Manipur. During his visit to Khonghampat and Churachandpur in
Manipur, Mr Jagat admitted that the issue of insurgent militancy in the North
East is more complex than the situation found in Kashmir. He added that
local people had failed to detect the movement of militants, further
complicating the counter-insurgency operation. The DG also advocated the
deployment of more
BSF personnel along the Indo-Burma border, keeping in view the increased volume of activities of the militants who are taking advantage of neighbouring countries' support. Security has also been tightened along the Indo-Bangladesh border following
the attack of the US-led coalition on Afghanistan. The DIG (Director Inspector
General) western range, SC Srivastab, stated that a one hundred kilometer
stretch of the border, from Mancachar to Ramrai Kutti, has been kept under
strict surveillance in order to prevent Muslim fundamentalists from coming
across the border. Mr Srivastab added that the Indo-Bangladesh border is well
under control, and BSF personnel are ready to face any eventuality.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |