|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BURMA RELATED NEWS - December 31,
2001.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Asia Pulse - Kolkata Port Trust Seeks Govt
Approval for Consortium Plan
Kyodo News - Japan's
Kuroda urges more regular ASEAN-plus-3 meetings
Mizzima - Militancy scenario across Indo-Burma
border
Burma Courier - EUROPEAN UNION TEAM
POSTPONES VISIT
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday December 31, 2:04 PM
Kolkata Port Trust Seeks Govt Approval for Consortium Plan KOLKATA, Dec 31 Asia Pulse -
The Kolkata Port Trust has sought the government's approval to chalk out a plan
for the development of a port consortium in South Asia under the auspices of the
Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka-Economic Cooperation
[BITMS-EC].
The consortium, which would include ports sucha as Kolkata, Chittagong,
Yangon, Bangkok, Singapore, Penang and Hai Phong, would assist trade activities
between the member countries of BITMS-EC, the trust said.
"We have submitted a proposal to the Union Shipping Ministry for this and
other measures, which would greatly enhance the cargo volume and trade
activities in the region," they said.
The trade volume between BITMS-EC countries, which recently concluded its
fourth ministerial meeting at Yangon (Myanmar), stood at about US$3.5 billion
last year.
Besides the consortium, the trust has also urged the government to open a
trade route from Kolkata to Tibet via Sikkim.
"We are awaiting the Ministry's response on the issues. We have chalked out
a sure state growth path. If the ministry extends its support, we will be able
to tide over the current financial crisis," the trust said.
The financial crunch facing the trust has recently taken a serious turn,
with the Port authorities reportedly expressing apprehension about possible
default on salary and pension payouts for the Kolkata Dock System
employees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan's Kuroda urges more regular
ASEAN-plus-3 meetings
SINGAPORE, Dec. 31 Kyodo -
Japan's Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Haruhiko Kuroda has
called for more regular meetings among Southeast Asian countries, Japan, China
and South Korea to discuss current issues such as the specter of a currency war
in 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Militancy scenario across
Indo-Burma border
Mizzima News By Our Correspondent Guwahati, Dec 29: The prolonged militancy problem has affected the economy
of the North East India. The region, a hot bed of as many as 25 underground
organizations operating from different hideouts of the neighboring countries,
has been witnessing a series of violence during the last five decades. In spite
of this, the Government of India seems to be not in a mood to tackle the problem
with a political will causing a matter of concern for the people of the North
East India. The three states - Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have been badly hit
by the stepped up activities of the militant groups. The problems of the states
have reached to such a magnitude that no one wants to invest in the states
leading to a serious unemployment problem.
Though the Government of India has announced ceasefire against the two
militant outfits of Nagaland - National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Issac-Muiva
(NSCN-IM) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalan-Khaplang (NSCN-K), it
appears to be indifferent towards the other insurgent groups of the region
despite their willingness to hold discussion to pave the way of the permanent
solution to the vexed militancy issue. Considering the gravity of the problem,
the people of the region want a peaceful solution as during the decades of
insurgency problem hundreds of youths have lost their lives. But, there is no
indication of solving the problems, as militant groups and the Government of
India are rigid on their stand.
To know about the future scenario of the region, our Mizzima correspondent
in North East contacted the self-styled Secretary General of the Revolutionary
People's Front (RPF) Mr. Samasam Gunen. He said that the RPF would continue an
armed struggle by uniting the other militant groups of North East. It is
pertinent to mention that the RPF has been fighting for the last five decades
for a sovereign Manipur. Mr. Gunen further said that RPF is willing to hold
discussion with the Government of India, but it should be strictly on the basis
of North East freedom issue.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q. The people of the Northeast want a peaceful solution
to the militancy problem. Honoring the sentiment of the people, will you come
for discussion?
A: We are ready if the solution means Independence of the state or region since majority people of the Northeast want freedom. 2. The prolonged militancy problem has affected the
economy of the region as the foreign investment has dropped to a large extent
during the last couple of years, considering the gravity of the situation will
you announce ceasefire?
A: Dropping foreign investment is not the question of announcing ceasefire. Since India has occupied our region, India has suppressed the people and exploiting our economy and resources in their interest. The ceasefire should come only after political dialogue between India and us. 3. Several underground organizations of the northeast
have constituted a new platform to carry on their armed struggle, which are the
other groups?
A: Polarization is enemy's policy and has no room in our region for the reason that we are fighting for our freedom against our common enemy. RPF calls for the unity of the region and defeat the common enemy India. 4. What is your relation with the ULFA and the NDFB?
A: Relation with ULFA & NDFB means everything; we are revolutionary brothers, comrades in arm fighting against common enemy, etc. 5. During a series of raids in the hideouts of the UNLF
several senior leaders were arrested besides recovering of a huge cache of arms
and ammunitions. Could you disclose their names?
A: Sorry! No comment, other party's security. 6. What was the motive behind raids since UNLF has been
operating from Burma for the last several decades and whether the Junta is in
favour of extraditing the members to the Indian government?
A: Sorry again, no comment. 7. After the operations by the Burmese army, several
underground groups of the Northeast have stated shifting their bases from the
country. Is it true?
A: Because of security reason, I cannot give the answer, sorry. 8. Could you elaborate more about the operations by the
Burmese army?
A: No. I cannot. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Burma Courier
EUROPEAN UNION TEAM POSTPONES VISIT RANGOON, Dec 24 (MTBR) -- The crisis in Afghanistan has forced the European
Union ?troika? team to postpone a visit to Myanmar until early in 2002, Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Khin Maung Win, said last week. The three-member
mission, which has a mandate to assess political developments in Myanmar, had
been due to make its second visit during December. But it was not likely to
visit until February, a senior government official said. "Due to the crisis in
Afghanistan and other internal EU events, the schedule for the remainder of this
year was simply too tight to coordinate such an important troika visit," an EU
official said. In its last review in October, the EU said it was cautiously
encouraged by change in Myanmar?s political climate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- |