|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BURMA RELATED NEWS - April 01,
2002.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
----------------------------------------------------------------- Irrawaddy Online - Burma Booted from
Asean
AFP - Coffee chains fight for space in crowded
Thai market
AFP - Terrorism, religious extremism key
challenges for SE Asia: Singapore
AFP - East Asian economies posting faster than
expected recovery: ADB
Reuters - East Asia economies have bottomed out
- ADB report
Hoover's online - Burma's Khin Nyunt outlines
plan to develop industries
Independent - 552 Myanmar, Thai detainees up on
hunger strike for repatriation
Bkk Post - Joint missions in
pipeline
Bkk Post - Tension high ahead of dry-season
offensive
Bkk Post - Editorial -
Sharing the task of fighting drugs
Xinhuanet - Thai Army Reinforces Security Before
Myanmar Troop's Offensive Against Rebels
Mizzima - India to deploy more battalions
along India-Burma border
Irrawaddy Online
Burma Booted from Asean
By Tony Broadmoor
April 01, 2002?In a shocking blow to Burma's
international reputation, the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean)
voted Burma out of the group yesterday after Asean member countries expressed
their growing discontent with the country's ruling military leaders, according
to an Asean statement released today.
Burma was dismissed from Asean after an emergency
closed door Asean Ministerial Meeting was held over the weekend in the Brunei
capital of Darussalam. Representatives from all ten Asean countries attended the
meeting and according to today's statement voted unanimously to revoke Burma's
status as an Asean member country.
"Until the regime can prove that it no longer conducts
business with international drug syndicates and has ceased using forced labor
within the country, they will be barred from all Asean functions," said Asean
Sec-Gen HE Rodolfo Severino Jr in a telephone interview with The Irrawaddy.
The chairman of Burma's ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC), Sr Gen Than Shwe, refused to speak with Irrawaddy
reporters today in Rangoon but said through a regime spokesman that, "Burma does
not need Asean near as much as Asean needs Burma."
The Asean statement cited the regime's long list of
human rights abuses as well as the junta's refusal to recognize the 1990
election where the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won a
landslide victory as reasons for their dismissal. The statement said Burma would
be allowed to reapply for Asean membership when "the regime could show that they
are serious about implementing the necessary adjustment policies within the
country". The statement did not define what those policies are.
Burma was admitted into Asean in July 1997 after calls
from human rights groups and the NLD to block their entrance went unanswered.
Asean is comprised of ten SE Asian nations including Thailand, Malaysia,
Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Sunday March 31, 12:09 PM
Coffee chains fight for space in crowded Thai market BANGKOK, March 31 (AFP) - The
coffee chains that have descended on Asian cities in recent years, squeezing out
traditional drinks vendors, are now reaching saturation point in the Thai
capital, industry players say.
After nearly a decade of jostling for the best positions in Bangkok's
sprawling shopping districts, the trendy chains are starting to fight for elbow
room.
"Their way of fighting each other is through opening stores," said one
wholesaler who supplies the coffee giants here. "The strong will survive, but
the others will start to die."
"We've yet to see the kind of saturation that has occurred in the US, but I
suspect that growth in Bangkok may slow down a little," said Pravit Pong,
managing director of Thai coffee chain Black Canyon.
"There are fewer good locations in the pipeline right now, since
construction of new shopping centres has slowed down," he said.
Black Canyon was one of the early drivers of the industry, entering the
market in 1993. Today 70 of its stores have spread across the country, most in
Bangkok, and another 10 are to open by year-end.
Multinational Starbucks Coffee launched its assault here in 1998, and now
has 21 stores in Bangkok, with an additional five in outlying provinces
including one on the holiday island Ko Samui.
Coffee World, another indigenous chain, opened its doors in 1997, and now
has 26 stores with 10 more in the pipeline for this year.
Meanwhile Gloria Jeans, the largest mall-based coffee retailer in North
America, made its Thai debut last year. It plans to open a further eight to 10
stores by year-end.
Coffee first came to Thailand around 300 years ago, and was popularised in
an iced concoction known as "oliang" which contained ground coffee as well as
soybean and plenty of sugar.
Now the craze for real coffee is taking off in outlying provinces better
known for rice farming than cafe culture, as the chains that have crowded out
the Bangkok market turn to provincial capitals for expansion.
The more ambitious are heading overseas. Black Canyon plans on taking its
coffee-house-cum-restaurant design to Singapore by year-end, with other
Southeast Asian countries to follow.
The soaring popularity of coffee-drinking over recent years has also been a
boon for local growers of the fragrant bean, as the chains soak up Thailand's
production of high-quality arabica beans.
Although a 92 percent import tax on the green, unroasted, beans partly
drives the decision to source locally, another factor is simply the high quality
of arabica here.
Coffee World, which uses only arabica beans grown in the country's
mountainous north, sources all of its supplies from development projects
sponsored by the Thai royal family.
The projects encourage poor farmers to switch from growing opium, which was
rife in the more remote parts of the notorious Golden Triangle region as little
as a decade ago.
"They're as good as any imported beans once they've been roasted," said
Coffee World's managing director Olivier Janssens.
Boncafe Thailand, an international company producing roasted ground coffee
and powdered mixes, sources at least 99 percent of the beans processed here
locally.
"We only import the fancy stuff, for example decaffeinated beans, because
they're not produced here, and single origin coffees," said managing director
Urs Brunner.
Raboo Rodgers, director of the company producing Hilltribe Gourmet Coffee,
began production in Thailand five years ago because it was so impressed with the
high standard of the arabica beans.
"We were shocked by the quality of the coffee available here. These people
were producing coffee but they couldn't sell it," he said, referring to the
ethnic minority growers.
Nevertheless, there are some problems with production, the main one being
consistency in quality. "There are lots of small farmers growing small amounts,"
he said.
The logistics of getting beans to market can also be problematic. Last year
border tensions in the north between Thailand and Myanmar affected
production.
"Just the act of getting coffee out of some of these places, down to a road
and into the economy is difficult," Rodgers said.
The problems with robusta, a higher-yielding plant mainly grown in the
south and used in instant coffee and sweetened drinks, are more
science-based.
Keith Chapman, plant production officer with the United Nations' Food and
Agriculture Organisation, said the organisation was working with farmers to
improve their production methods.
"Thailand has only recently begun to do selection work to get higher
quality strains of robusta, which have better bean size and productivity," he
said.
"There's too much lousy coffee on the world market -- it keeps prices
down."
Sunday March 31, 10:11 AM
Terrorism, religious extremism key challenges for SE Asia: Singapore (AFP) - Southeast Asia's future
security will depend on how countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the
Philippines deal with terrorism and religious extremism, Singapore Foreign
Minister S. Jayakumar said.
Stressing that Singapore's future was "inextricably linked with Southeast
Asia," Jayakumar vowed the city state would give "top priority" to managing ties
with its neighbours, especially Malaysia and Indonesia.
He also said in a policy statement issued in conjuction with the opening of
parliament that Southeast Asia could not brush aside perceptions that the region
was in a state of political and economic drift compared to a dynamic Northeast
Asia.
"Southeast Asia remains in a state of flux following the Asian financial
crisis (in 1997-1998)," said Jayakumar, who outlined key foreign policy issues
facing the island republic.
"Some countries continue to face daunting political and economic challenges
domestically. These difficulties have also provided fertile ground for terrorism
and religious extremism to take root, fuelling ethnic conflicts and separatist
movements," he said.
"How countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines handle these
problems will impact the overall security complexion of the region," he
added.
The Philippines has sought US assistance, including Special Forces troops,
to crush the notorious kidnap group Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to the
al-Qaeda network of September 11 suspected terror mastermind Osama bin
Laden.
Malaysia, like Singapore, launched a crackdown on suspected Islamic
militants, detaining several suspects.
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, has been under pressure from
some quarters to mount a similar crackdown, but officials in Jakarta have sought
more evidence before taking any action.
After parliament opened on March 25 following last year's general
elections, Singapore's cabinet ministers have been issuing statements outlining
policy directions.
"Occasional hiccups in our relations with our neighbours are inevitable.
But we will continue to take a broad and long-term perspective of these
relations, and not be side-tracked by differences over individual issues," he
said.
Singapore and Malaysia are embroiled in a row over a land reclamation
project near their narrow maritime border which Kuala Lumpur has said could
affect its shipping lanes.
Jakarta also has been rattled by comments made by Singapore Senior Minister
Lee Kuan Yew that suspected terrorist leaders were at large in Indonesia. Both
parties have agreed to settle their differences quietly.
On the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Jayakumar said the
10-nation grouping must "reinvent itself" to keep pace with the changes in the
global environment.
He said "the perceptions of Southeast Asia's political and economic drift,
in contrast to Northeast Asia's dynamism, cannot be brushed aside."
ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, "needs to forge greater
internal cohesion and rediscover a new direction," he said.
Singapore, ASEAN's most advanced economy, would help in narrowing the
economic gap between ASEAN's poorer and richer members and "ensure that the
region remains outward-looking," the foreign minister said.
Monday April 1, 4:21 PM
East Asian economies posting faster than expected recovery: ADB (AFP) - East Asian economies
are moving from last year's sharp and synchronised slowdown to a
faster-than-expected but moderate rebound, the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
said.
But the Manila-based bank warned Monday in its latest economic analysis of
the region that the positive outlook could be marred by a weaker rebound in the
United States and a possible extension of the US-led anti-terrorism operations
to the Middle East.
On the domestic front, East Asian economies could strengthen regional
recovery by supporting demand through further interest rate cuts and easing
fiscal policy, said the bank's quarterly economic review of East Asia.
"Based on available economic indicators, many of East Asia's economies have
started to pick up, lifted by stronger domestic demand and renewed business
confidence," the report said. "Exports are also starting to turn around."
Overall improvements in economic prospects have also led to upward
revisions in the 2002 growth forecast for East Asian economies analysed by the
ADB.
The economies comprised China, South Korea and the 10 states of the
Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ADB report would be tabled at a meeting of ASEAN finance deputies in
Myanmar's capital Yangon this weekend ahead of talks among the region's finance
ministers, ADB officials said.
ADB has been supporting a "surveillance process" for ASEAN after the region
was hit by its worst financial crisis in 1997.
Last year, East Asia suffered weak to negative economic growth due to a
significant drop in demand for the region's exports stemming from a synchronised
slowdown in the industrial countries led by the United States and the collapse
of the information technology industry worldwide.
The ADB report on Monday forecast 2002 growth for China at 7.2 percent,
Vietnam at 5.7 percent, Laos 5.0 percent, Indonesia 3.1 percent, Thailand 2.8
percent, South Korea 4.7 percent Cambodia 4.5 percent, Singapore 3.8 percent and
Malaysia and the Philippines at 3.6 percent each.
It warned however of "certain risks and uncertainties" that could dampen
growth in the region this year, citing, among others, the possibility of 2002
growth in the United States turning to be lower than the expected 2.1
percent.
Another risk factor cited was higher crude oil prices from a possible
spillover of the ongoing US-led anti-terror operations to the Middle East.
Crude oil prices had already risen by 24 percent so far this year and
"political uncertainties following any military operations could suddenly upset
this sanguine outlook," the report warned.
The ADB said although domestic risks to the region's growth and recovery
had generally subsided, "economic vulnerabilities in a globalised world could
arise almost without notice" and the region should try to minimise them.
"The immediate policy challenge for the region is to support this year's
economic rebound with appropriate demand management policies," it said, adding
there was scope for further interest rate cuts, for example.
It also suggested further fiscal expansion in Malaysia and South Korea,
based on their relatively low levels of public debt.
Beyond strengthening domestic demand through fiscal and monetary policies,
ADB said there was a need to push ahead with structural reforms in the financial
and corporate sectors.
Monday April 1, 4:40 PM
East Asia economies have bottomed out - ADB report MANILA, April 1 (Reuters) -
Economies in East Asia are recovering from last year's sharp slowdown faster
than expected, but the rebound is likely to be moderate, according to the Asian
Development Bank's (ADB) quarterly monitor.
The report, released on Monday, said the fallout from the September 11 air
attacks on the United States had turned out to be less disruptive than was
originally feared and the slowdown in the U.S. economy appeared to be ending
earlier than expected.
The report, called the Asia Economic Monitor, quoted the London-based
Consensus Economic Inc as saying the 10 countries in the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China and Korea, would grow at an average of
5.2 percent in 2002 and 6.7 percent next year.
Consensus had put growth in these countries at 4.3 percent last year after
7.6 percent in 2000.
The ADB's own economic growth forecasts for the region in 2002 and 2003
will be published in its Asian Development Outlook next week.
"Many of the region's stock markets have trended up since the fourth
quarter of last year," the report said. "Exports and domestic demand are also
starting to pick up.
The report said there was likely to be a synchronised recovery across the
region in 2002 much like the synchronised slowdown last year, but warned that it
would not be as sharp.
"The region is headed for a faster-than-expected but moderate rebound this
year," it said.
Real per capita incomes in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and
Malaysia would, however, continue to be lower or roughly the same as before the
1997 regional crisis, it said.
The report covered South Korea and China and the 10 ASEAN nations --
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, and Vietnam. Hoover's online
Burma's Khin Nyunt outlines plan to develop industries March 31, 2002 7:40am Text of report in English by Burmese newspaper The New Light of Myanmar web site on 30 March Yangon [Rangoon], 29 March: Myanma [Burma] Industrial Development Committee
held a meeting on industrial development in the meeting hall of the Ministry of
Industry-1 this afternoon. Vice-Chairman of the Industrial Development Central
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt addressed the meeting. Also present were members of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Maj-Gen Thiha
Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence,
ministers, deputy ministers, members of Myanma Industrial Development Committee,
members of the work committees and subcommittees, officials of the State Peace
and Development Council Office, heads of department, chairmen and members of
supervisory committees and management committees of 26 industrial zones and
officials.
The Secretary-1 said that Head of State Sr Gen Than Shwe has from time to
time given guidance on establishment of industries which necessary for building
a modern and developed nation. The State Peace and Development Council is making
all-out efforts with the strength of national forces in enabling the Union of
Myanmar to stand shoulder to shoulder with others and building the nation into a
modern and developed one. In so doing, the government has placed emphasis on
development of agriculture as the base and development of industries.
Agricultural work has been carried out from generation to generation, and the
nation abounds in natural resources.
That is why efforts for industrial development are based on agriculture.
Systematic measures are being taken to strengthen the national economy, to
encourage the businesses of national entrepreneurs and to enable them to keep
the initiative to shape the national economy in their hands. In this regard, the
government is working for the modernization and development of agriculture, the
basis of the national economy, and has given top priority to the mechanization
of agriculture. At the same time, the government is taking measures to lay down
the foundations for the emergence of a modern, industrialized and developed
nation. In building a modern and developed nation, it is necessary to create
favourable conditions contributing to industrial development, to enable national
entrepreneurs to set up small-and medium-size industries and to turn private
industries into heavy industries. It is also necessary to achieve industrial
development in the agriculture sector, to establish import-substitute industries
and to set up export-related industries.
These measures are to be taken by the government and entrepreneurs. The
Secretary-1 quoted Head of State Sr Gen Than Shwe as saying that the
establishment of industries is of great importance in building a modern and
developed nation. On the basis of agricultural development, necessary industries
are to be set up. The industrial sector is to be divided into three sectors -
the state-owned sector, the private sector and the foreign investment sector
permitted according to the foreign investment law. The industrial sector
comprising these three sectors is to be developed. Therefore, it is incumbent
upon all to implement the guidance of the Head of State.
Head of State Sr Gen Than Shwe has given guidance on implementation of five
objectives designed to develop the industrial sector based on the agriculture.
These five objectives are development of industries based on agriculture,
improvement of industrial products in quantity and quality, production of new
machinery items, the manufacturing of machinery for use in industries and to lay
down the foundation for turning the nation into an industrialized one on the
basis of these four above-mentioned facts. In implementing the guidance of the
Head of State, industrial zones have been established at suitable places as of
1995 so that scattered industries can be put in a place. Now there are 18
industrial zones. Some industrial zones have been extended, and there are
altogether 26 industrial zones.
Although the industrial zones have been set up, development has fallen
short of expectations. Head of State Sr Gen Than Shwe has given guidance on
cooperation of the state-owned sector and the private sector, and the provision
of financial and technical assistance and raw materials and others for the
industries of national entrepreneurs by the Government. In accord with the
guidance of the Head of State, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue has extended
loans to industries; the Ministry of Industry-1 and the Ministry of Industry-2
have provided technical assistance, machinery and raw materials.
To implement the guidance of the Head of State and the industrial policies
of the State, the Industrial Development Central Committee chaired by the
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Myanma Industrial
Development Committee chaired by the Minister for Industry-1 have been formed.
The committees are giving policies, working programmes and assistance.
Industrial Development Central Committee lays down five principles to set up
mechanized agricultural system and industrial nation Industrial Development
Central Committee laid down the five principles - wider flourishing of
agricultural mechanization system; extension of new factories; operation of the
existing factories at full capacity; extension of new industrial zones; and
further development of the private sector with the aim of setting up mechanized
agricultural system and an industrial nation.
The industries which are being run with the government support are farm
machinery producing enterprises, car and spare parts producing enterprises,
radio, TV and communication equipment manufacturing enterprise, electrical
apparatus manufacturing enterprises, textile and garment industries, rubber
industries, finished wood-based industries and rice oil mills and sugar mills
and bakeries. There are industrial zones producing cars, generators and pumps,
and also small zones producing machinery. Some of the zones are not doing their
business well. The head of state has given guidance, saying that first the
industries which include more manual work and less mechanical work will have to
be set up; that to reduce the manual part and to increase the mechanical part in
the second phase; that to set up industries which almost run with mechanical
power in the third phase; that changes and developments should be made
gradually; and that the deputy ministers, who take charge of the industrial
zones and heads of department will have to render assistance.
The state has set up industrial zones and allotted land for industries,
rendered assistance to set up industries, supplied water, electric power and
communication facilities, disbursed loans at low interest rates; rendered
assistance to provide manufacturing machines and raw materials to the most
possible degree, disseminated know-how, produced materials for industries, and
bought raw materials for industrial development. Especially, the State has given
priority to agro-based industries, machinery producing industries and
import-substitute industries. As the state is rendering assistance, the
industrialists are also serving the interests of the nation. The industrialists
will have to strive to manufacture quality machines and social goods required by
the nation, to run the existing factories at full capacity, to boost farm
machinery production, to extend import-substitute industries, to set up new
types of industries.
They are required to make systematic arrangements to increase investments,
to apply modern production machinery and systems, to introduce innovative means,
to systematically nurture human resources and to strive to develop technologies.
In addition they will have to rely on practical methods to extend factories that
rely on raw materials available in the country, to manufacture new brands of
goods and to operate import-substitute industries. In the next stage, they
should try to produce export goods that meet the international standard. In
conclusion, he urged the industrialists to strive for progress of the national
industries to enable the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder with world
nations.
Then, Chairman of Myanma Industrial Development Committee Minister for
Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported on fulfilment of requirements including
technical know-how and raw materials for the development of industrial zones,
progress of the industrial zones, the organizing of work coordination meetings,
distribution of automobiles, assistance being rendered and tasks being carried
out under the international cooperation programme; Chairman of Myanma Industrial
Development Work Committee Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, on matters
related to total quality management courses at which foreign experts gave
lectures theoretically and practically, conducting workshops on boosting
productivity, creating job opportunities in the industrial zones, arrangements
to organize excursions to the industrial zones, doing research in cooperation
with the Ministry of Industry-2, conducting surveys on production, maintenance
and problems of industries in the industrial zones, drawing designs of each part
of automobiles, provision of health care at worksites, engines and spare parts
provided for production of automobiles, participation in the ASEAN meetings
attended by entrepreneurs form the industrial zones and courses being organized
for trainees from the industrial zones; chairmen and officials of supervisory
committees and management committees from 26 industrial zones, on requirements
of electric supply, fuel oil, industrial raw materials and equipment, water
supply, production of experts, holding exhibitions, competitions and seminars,
arranging study tours, ensuring proper communication and providing techniques
and construction materials; and those in charge of the industrial zones Minister
U Aung Thaung, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein
Zaw and Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, on assistance to be
provided in connection with requirements of private entrepreneurs.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 said that tasks are to be carried out under the
close supervision of the industrial zone supervisory committees and those in
charge of the industrial zones ministers and deputy ministers are also to attend
to the needs and to provide supervision industrial zone-wise for the development
of the industrial zones. If necessary, reports are to be presented to Myanma
Industrial Development Work Committee, Myanma Industrial Development Committee
and Industrial Development Central Committee. The government is working for the
equitable development of 14 states and divisions. Although there are 14 states
and divisions, altogether 24 development regions have been designated.
Constant attention is being paid to development of all the regions
irrespective of states and divisions. Efforts are to be made for the emergence
of an industrialized and modern nation, to be able to place reliance on national
forces, and to promote the development of industries of national entrepreneurs.
To develop the nation and to build a modern and industrialized nation, all-out
self-reliant efforts are to be made with nationalistic spirit and patriotism.
All are to work hard, adopting the attitude that the guidance of Head of State
Sr Gen Than Shwe is to be implemented successfully and without fail. In
conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all the industrialists to work in unity in
upgrading small-and medium-size industries to heavy industries. Next, the
meeting came to an end.
The Independent-Bangladesh
Mar 30, 2002 552 Myanmar, Thai detainees up on hunger strike for repatriation BANDARBAN, Mar 30: A total of 552 Thai and Myanmar nationals detained in
the district jail even after expiry of their prison terms went on hunger strike
demanding repatriation, reports UNB.
The agitated prisoners, who began fast-unto-death from Friday night,
refused to hold any discussion with the administration and also turned down
request for taking food.
Of the prisoners, 79 are Thai while 473 Myanmar nationals who were jailed
on various charges.
"The administration has taken allout measures by tightening security and
deploying police reinforcements to check any possible demonstrations or
indiscipline inside the jail," said one official.
Fire service and Civil Defence forces are also kept stand-by near the
jail.
Convicted 101 Bangladeshi prisoners in the hill district jail are passing
their time in "utmost anxiety" for fear of any attacks by the distraught foreign
prisoners.
Meanwhile, the jail authorities have decided to move out 200 prisoners to
Comilla, 50 to Rangamati and another 50 Noakhali jails in case situation does
not improve.
Bangkok Post - Monday 01 April 2002
Joint missions in pipeline Wassana Nanuam Burma and Thailand will talk about a joint crackdown on the United Wa State
Army and the Shan State Army to tackle the drugs threat.
Third Army commander Udomchai Ongkhasing and Myint Aung, Burma's
Southwestern Force commander, will co-chair a Regional Border Committee meeting
in Burma's Malamaeng town this month.
The source said the army believed the SSA was involved in trafficking. Six
of the 13 suspected traffickers killed in a recent clash with Thai soldiers in
Chiang Mai's Waeng Haeng district were SSA soldiers.
The source said Maj-Gen Jaw Win, deputy commander of Burma's Defence
Service Intelligence Bureau, had told Thailand's deputy military attache in
Rangoon, Kasem Nakphan, that the Shan army had wrongly accused Burmese soldiers
of pushing drugs.
Maj-Gen Jaw Win said SSA had made up a story about a raid on a Burmese
military base in which the rebels claimed they seized 100,000 speed pills.
In fact, the drugs belonged to the SSA, Maj-Gen Jaw had said.
Bangkok Post - Monday 01 April
2002
Tension high ahead of dry-season offensive Security bolstered as Rangoon targets SSA Sermsuk Kasitipradit and Subin Khuenkaew - Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Rai The Third Army has reinforced security around Pang Noon outpost as a fresh
round of fighting between Burmese troops and Shan rebels appeared
imminent.
Maj Orachai Boonsukchitseri, 241st battalion deputy commander, said the
recent deployment of three battalions comprising about 1,500 Burmese troops
signalled preparations were under way for a dry season offensive against
hundreds of Shan State Army fighters whose bases straddle the rugged
terrain.
There are five SSA military bases located near Pang Noon, including Kaw
Muang, regarded as the strongest, and Kaw Hom, which houses a training camp and
a field hospital.
The SSA's Kaw Wan base is located just 1.5 kilometres east of the outpost,
while Burma's foremost military outpost is about 2 kilometres west.
``It would be difficult [for Burmese troops] to overrun SSA bases in this
area,'' Maj Orachai said. ``The attacking forces would suffer heavy casualties
if they launch a frontal assault as the SSA bases are on high ground.''
In anticipation of the Burmese offensive, the Third Army has replaced the
paramilitary personnel who previously manned Pang Noon with cavalry
troops.
``We need highly trained military forces in the area in case there is a
border conflict,'' said the deputy commander.
Tensions have been high around Pang Noon since last February, when Burmese
troops launched an unexpected cross-border raid and temporarily occupied the
outpost, which they planned to use as a springboard for strikes against SSA
bases.
``Pang Noon is strategically located on high terrain, so it is critical for
SSA's survival that Burmese forces do not capture the outpost,'' Maj Orachai
said.
The Burmese were swiftly repulsed when Assistant Army Commander-in-chief
Gen Watanachai Chaimuanwong, then Third Army commander, ordered a counter attack
after demands for an immediate withdrawal were ignored.
Between 50-80 Burmese troops were reportedly killed as border forces
launched hundreds of mortar rounds and artillery shells.
The incident drew strong protests from Rangoon, which claimed the incursion
was unintentional and that border forces had overreacted.
``Our stated mission is clear: to safeguard and protect our territory,''
said Lt Natha Nualsisai, platoon commander at Pang Noon. ``Any attempt to attack
this outpost will be strongly countered.''
The outpost is located 500 metres inside Thai territory.
The Pha Muang Task Force, which is responsible for border security in
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, has all Burmese border outposts and
military bases belonging to the United Wa State Army within its artillery range,
according to an officer from the unit.
UWSA soldiers, under the leadership of notorious druglord Wei Hsueh-kang,
have also tried and failed on several occasions to dislodge SSA fighters from
their bases.
The UWSA's bases are clearly visible a few kilometres north of Pang
Noon.
``If they [Burmese troops] make the same mistake as they did last year,
they will have a lot to answer for,'' the officer said. ``We hope this time they
will not misjudge the situation.''
Despite the heightened military activity in the area, Jao Gorn Juen, SSA
military commander, said he was not over-concerned about the impending Burmese
offensive.
``Unless Pang Noon is taken by the Burmese, it is unlikely to have a major
effect,'' said Jao Gorn Juen, whose camps have been heavily fortified ahead of
the expected onslaught.
Several SSA fighters expressed concern that improving relations between
Bangkok and Rangoon would pave the way for Burmese forces to use the outpost in
attacks against them.
However, Gen Surayud Chulanont, the army commander, has given assurances
that he would never allow this to happen.
Senior officers from the Pha Muang Task Force remarked on the relatively
relaxed atmosphere around the border outpost.
``The Burmese troops are fully prepared this time,'' said one.
Bangkok Post - Monday 01 April 2002
Editorial - Sharing the task of fighting
drugs
There have been a string of serious and hostile incursions of Thai
territory by armed forces from Burma. The Rangoon regime has claimed it has
nothing to do with the deadly offences. This is wrong legally, and a complete
betrayal of international relations.
The incursions into northern Thailand by hostile forces are a serious
matter. The killings of Thai soldiers in last week's battles inside Chiang Mai
province marked a grave escalation. They must give urgency to defence activities
by security forces. Last week's attacks occurred after Thai officials informed
Burma of a royal event in that area. Without apology, Burmese authorities
declared they had nothing to do with the attack. The Thai government response
continues to be mild, but Rangoon must know, in uncertain terms, that all of
this is unacceptable and cannot continue. The attacks in Chiang Mai were by the
United Wa State Army, the drug trafficking cartel. This group poses the single
greatest security threat to Thailand. The Rangoon regime claims to control Wa
territory, and to have political peace with the leaders. Therefore, the Burmese
junta is fully and uniquely responsible for policing the Wa areas, fighting the
drug traffickers and _ most importantly in international relations _ maintaining
a peaceful border. If Burmese are incapable of doing this, someone else must.
Thailand cannot accept deadly attacks and uncontested drug trafficking by an
uncontrolled, hostile army on its border.
Thai authorities and diplomats should make this clear to their Burmese
counterparts, from the top general down. Thailand simply cannot accept continued
Burmese promises to crack down on drug traffickers, without action. One hopes,
in international affairs, that neighbours will help each other. When they don't,
other action is required and justified. Last week marked a double setback in
this regard. Not only did Burma, in effect, reject all responsibility for the
attacks on Chiang Mai. The regime also opened the country's first, large mobile
phone company. The Sky-Link firm is widely believed to be under the influence of
Wa drug money launderers. Burma appears to have given the same respect to the
UWSA traffickers that it affords the old opium and heroin kingpins, Lo Hsing-han
and Khun Sa. This is not the promised crackdown on drug traffickers. The Burmese
should contrast their unacceptable stand with the way other governments in the
region react. For one example, there was the attack on a Laos border by a
ragtag, unsophisticated band of Thais and Lao in July, 2000. Thai security
forces reacted immediately to corral and disarm the attackers. Thai prosecutors
launched legal charges against those arrested. Thai diplomats advised and aided
Lao authorities in a request for extradition of the Lao rebels involved in the
attack.The Burmese military dictators have bragged for several years that they
have made peace with the United Wa State Army. The UWSA and its followers have
been brought wholly into the Burmese union. The Burmese intelligence chief and
alleged friend of Thailand, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, travelled to Mong Yawn and other
Wa towns more than two years ago to make this point. The claim by the Rangoon
regime that Burma was not involved in last week's attacks on Chiang Mai is
illogical and unfriendly. Thailand can accept that the hostile attackers were
not the main Burmese army. This does not absolve Burma from responsibility.
Indeed, it increases the obligation on Burma to enforce the law across the
country. If an army of Thai citizens attacked Burma, one can imagine the outrage
of Rangoon. Neither Thailand nor its friends can allow Burma to get away with
its outrageous claim that since the Burmese army did not attack Thailand, then
Burma has no responsibility. There are only two explanations for this silly
stand. Either Rangoon cannot control parts of its country, or it condones and
therefore supports private armies like the Wa, which attack Burma's neighbours.
Either way, Thailand has the right of self-defence. The country has been under
attack by drug traffickers in northern Burma for several years. Now, it has been
attacked on the ground as well. Thailand cannot allow this to continue.
Thai Army Reinforces Security
Before Myanmar Troop's Offensive Against Rebels
Xinhuanet 2002-04-01 12:25:51 BANGKOK, April 1 (Xinhuanet) --
The Thai Third Army, which is responsible for the Thai-Myanmar border security,
had reinforced security around Pang Noon outpost, 800 kilometers north of
Bangkok, as a fresh round of fighting between Myanmar troops and Shan rebels
appeared imminent, the Bangkok Post reported Monday.
Maj. Orachai Boonsukchitseri, 241st battalion deputy commander, was quoted
as saying that the recent deployment of three battalions comprising about 1,500
Myanmar troops signalled preparations were under way for a dry season offensive
against hundreds of Shan State Army (SSA) fighters whose bases straddle the
rugged terrain.
There are five SSA military bases located near Pang Noon, including Kaw
Muang, just 1.5 kilometers east of the outpost, regarded as the strongest, and
Kaw Hom, which houses a training camp and a field hospital.
The Thai officer said that to overrun SSA bases in this area would make
Myanmar attacking forces suffer heavy casualties because the SSA bases are on
high ground.
However, the more concerned matter for the Thai Army is that the Myanmar
troops could launch an unexpected cross-border raid and temporarily occupy the
Pang Noon outpost, 500 meters inside Thai territory, to use it as a springboard
for strikes against SSA bases.
Last February, a similar operation of the Myanmar troops triggered fire
exchanges between the two countries.
Between 50 to 80 Myanmar troops were reportedly killed as border forces
launched hundreds of mortar rounds and artillery shells.
So the Thai officer warned that if the Myanmar troops made the same mistake
as they did last year, they would have a lot to answer for.
Despite the heightened military activity in the area, Jao Gorn Juen, SSA
military commander, said he was not over-concerned about the impending Myanmar
offensive.
He was quoted as saying that unless Pang Noon was taken by Myanmar, the
Myanmar troops' offensive was unlikely to have a major effect.
While Gen. Surayud Chulanont, the Thai army commander, had given assurances
that he would never allow this to happen, the report said.
India to deploy more battalions
along India-Burma border
Mizzima News Guwahati, April 1: Worried over the spurt in militant activities and
unabated drug trafficking along the India-Burma border, the Indian Government
has decided to raise 15 more battalions of the Assam Rifles. The Director
General of Assam Rifles disclosed this yesterday in Guwahati.
The decision came in the wake of recent frequent attacks of the militants
and in an effort to strengthen the existing Indian forces in the region. The
Assam Rifles has been entrusted with the task of intensifying operations along
the international border together with the Border Security Force (BSF) to scale
down the insurgency in the North East India.
The Director General (DG) of the Assam Rifles, Lt. General G K Duggal while
informing the media persons yesterday, said that the India-Burma border is
porous and it is practically not possible to guard the vast border with the
existing forces. "To cope with the situation, we have decided to strengthen the
existing forces", he added.
While expressing concern at the porous international border, Duggal
revealed that taking advantage of porous border, the militant groups have been
smuggling arms from Burma causing a matter of concern. He also informed the
media persons that some North East militant groups have full-fledged camps in
Kabaw Valley (in Sagaing Division) and parts of Kachin State of Burma.
He further stated that in order to seal the border, there is an urgent need
of at least 15 battalions in view of prevailing situation. Giving more details
about the India-Burma border, he said that apart from militancy problem, drug
trafficking is going unabated and the region has become a major transit point
for narco-trafficking.
He, however, said that the Assam Rifles has been sharing intelligence
reports with the Burmese army to control the problem. It may be recalled that
the Government of India had deployed the Assam Rifles personnel a couple years
back along the Indo-Burma border. Since then, the armed forces have been
carrying out frequent operations along the border leading to arrest of several
militants and seizure of arms and ammunitions. He also informed that several
areas of Manipur State, bordering Burma are left unguarded due to lack of armed
forces.
Asked about United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants who were
arrested by the Burmese Army in Tamu in Sagaing Division and later reportedly
released by the Burmese authorities, he said: "We have no information about the
militants. Despite our repeated requests, the Burmese army is not willing to
divulge the details in this regard?.
|