|
--------------------------------------------------------------------
BURMA RELATED NEWS
- January 16, 2003.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINES
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Reuters - Buddhist nuns arrested in
Myanmar for protest
AP - Buddhists from six
Asian nations meet in Sri Lanka to promote
AP - Officials end Southeast Asian
anti-terror drill, move to establish joint committee
AP - Chinese Vice Premier completes
official visit to Myanmar
Asia Pulse - East Asia Offers Immense
Scope for Indian Investment: Seminar
Asian Tribune - UNHCR Representative
on Myanmar Refugees.
Asian Tribune - Myanmar: Production
jump puts more fuel on market
PD - China, Myanmar to Deepen
Cooperation in Various Fields
Bkk Post - Burma's unemployed turn to
drug producers for survival
Bkk Post - Rangoon urged to expand
programme
ST - The China dragon tightens
its claws over Myanmar
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Buddhist nuns arrested in
Myanmar for protest
BANGKOK, Jan. 16 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government arrested two Buddhist nuns on Thursday when they staged a protest in the capital Yangon against surging prices and called for political change, witnesses said. Dressed in light pink robes and waving a peacock flag, a symbol for Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), the nuns were in front of Yangon City Hall shouting slogans against the rocketing cost of living in Myanmar. ''They were shouting 'A fall in prices is the people's cause,''' one witness told Reuters. The witnesses said the nuns also held sheets of paper on which they had written demands, including a call for the release of political prisoners and the end of a political impasse between the military junta and the NLD. The NLD swept to a landslide election victory in 1990, but has never been allowed to rule by the military, which has held a tight grip on power for over four decades. Under intense international pressure, the junta freed Suu Kyi from house arrest in May, raising hopes for a democratic transition, but has not yet started talks with the NLD about political change. Myanmar's military junta raised prices and charges in some state-owned sectors by over 400 percent at the beginning of the year, sending prices of everyday items such as newspapers and airline tickets soaring. A free-falling kyat currency has added to inflationary pressures. According to dealers, the military has detained at least a dozen black-market currency and gold dealers in the last few days in an effort to halt the kyat's slide. According to dealers, the kyat is trading at 1,050 to the U.S. dollar on the black market, up 31 percent from last April. The official rate is 6.9 kyats to the U.S. dollar. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Buddhists from six Asian
nations meet in Sri Lanka to promote
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) _ Senior Buddhist monks from six Asian nations met in Sri Lanka on Thursday to find ways to encourage people to become Buddhist and better understand the religion's teachings. Delegates from India, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Bhutan were participating at the conference. Each country is either predominantly Buddhist or has large Buddhist communities. Sri Lanka's Buddhist Affairs Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara said the conference aims to strengthen ties between Buddhists in the six nations and by doing so foster a better understanding of the religion throughout the region. ``The propagation must be done with cooperation, friendship and coordination among all nations,'' Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the inauguration of the four-day conference. 2003-01-16 Thu 05:33 --------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials end Southeast Asian
anti-terror drill, move to establish joint committee
Jan 16 6:15 AM ET By OLIVER TEVES, Associated Press Writer MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Security officials from five Southeast Asian countries on Thursday concluded three days of anti-terror drills involving computer-based simulations that a top official described as shadowboxing with terrorists. The three days of drills ? attended by representatives from the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand ? was organized under a regional accord signed last year calling for closer cooperation in fighting terrorism. Observers from Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam also attended. Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez described the exercise as a "milestone" in the global fight against terrorism and cross-border crime such as piracy, money laundering, smuggling, gun running and drug trafficking. He refused to give details of the various "scenarios" tackled during the drill, which he earlier said would be like "shadowboxing" with terrorists in order to prepare "for the real thing." The security officials agreed to set up a "joint committee to provide policy guidance in exchange of information projects" among the five nations, Golez said. They also agreed to form a communication/liaison center supervised by the joint committee that will provide common and secure communication systems "to attain operational compatibility" among the Southeast Asian neighbors, he said. Under the terms of reference proposed by Manila, the joint committee's responsibilities include facilitating dialogue on criminal and crime-related activities in one or more countries that may adversely affect others. The joint committee, which will hold annual meetings, shall also design a "communication net," prescribe a standard format for intelligence reporting, and formulate guidelines and procedures in handling classified documents and information to prevent unauthorized disclosures. The duties of the proposed communication liaison center include coordination and collaboration in accessing information to address terrorism and transnational crimes, ensure speedy response to queries by concerned governments, and monitoring events. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese Vice Premier completes
official visit to Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing on Thursday wrapped up a three-day goodwill visit to Myanmar during which Chinese officials agreed to relieve debts and extend loans for the military-ruled country. Li, accompanied by a 75-member ministerial delegation, was expected to stop in the northern city of Mandalay before traveling to India, diplomatic sources said on customary condition of anonymity. During the visit, Li met with Myanmar military leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe and signed agreements aimed at improving bilateral relations. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Myanmar counterpart, Khin Maung Win, agreed Wednesday to partially relieve a Myanmar debt to China while extending a cash grant for cultural, educational and sports projects. They did not reveal the extent of Myanmar's debt or the amount relieved. The two countries also agreed to cooperate on aerospace and marine training courses, the source said. Li's visit came just days after a Myanmar delegation led by Than Shwe completed a six-day official visit to China. During that visit, Beijing agreed to grant Myanmar 50 million Chinese Yuan (US$6 million) for technological co-operation and a preferential loan of US$200 million for economic development, the largest loan in the history of Myanmar-China relations. Myanmar's economy is stagnant, and its treasury is believed to lack substantial foreign reserves. China is Myanmar's northern neighbor and its closest international ally. The West shuns Myanmar's military regime because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government. Li's planned activities while in Myanmar were not announced. He arrived from Malaysia, and is on a tour will also take him to India, South Africa and Thailand. His delegation included China's ministers of education and technology, along with six vice ministers. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday January 15, 6:31 PM
East Asia Offers Immense Scope for Indian Investment: Seminar KOLKATA, Jan 15 Asia Pulse - East Asia region with its cultural diversity, abundant resources and vast pool of skilled manpower is poised at the crossroads of quantum growth and should be a most preferred and attractive destination for Indian investment, speakers at a seminar said today. The eastern neighbours of India comprise a mixed bag and not all of them are as affluent as Singapore, as developed as Malaysia or as promising as Vietnam, speakers at a seminar on 'Look East : Business Opportunities for Indian Industries' organised by Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries in collaboration with Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) said. Countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand were receiving huge development funds from multilateral agencies, and Indian companies apart from focussing on West should also concentrate to tap opportunities in the East, Asshocham Chairman R K Somany said. "We should remember that countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia are located at the lowest rung in the global status map drawn in terms of per capita income. Trade with them with a view to providing essential support system to them should be considered an imperative," Somany said. Among other prominent speakers were Export-Import Bank of India Executive Director R M V Raman, Principal Secretary to the government of West Bengal Jawhar Sircar, Consul General of Myanmar U Zeyar Oo, Consul general of Thailand Choosak Ramabutr, First Secretary (Commercial) Bangladesh Deputy High Commission Manzurul Islam. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-16 UNHCR Representative on Myanmar Refugees. Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand, emphasized that the UNHCR attempts to maintain the highest moral and ethical standard in its work. Jahanshah Assadi the Regional Representative of the UNHCR categorically refuted the allegations that his office was discriminating the Myanmar refugees by paying lesser allowance than that paid to the non-Myanmar refugees. He also categorically denied the allegation that his office exploits the refugees. Earlier, Asian Tribune contacted Jahansah Assadi and forwarded the draft of the news report on the alleged practices adopted by the UNHCR Regional Office in Bangkok and sought clarification also requested his response on the emerging controversial issues. Later, after the receipt of his response, Asian Tribune published yesterday, dated Jan. 15, the news item, Burmese and other Refugees discriminated . We give below the full text of the reply sent by Jahanshah Assadi, addressed to the Editor, Asian Tribune: Thank you for sharing with me the draft of the news report on alleged practices adopted by the UNHCR Regional Office in Bangkok. Since you have yourself been closely associated with UNHCR for a considerable period of time, you will be aware that UNHCR attempts to maintain the highest moral and ethical standards in its work. Nevertheless, I appreciate the opportunity to the issues you have raised in your news report. As to the difference in subsistence allowance paid to the Myanmar and non-Myanmar refugees, the subjects has to be viewed in the context of the evolving policies of the Royal Thai Government. It is the official policy of the Government, that Burmese refugees should in principle be accommodated in the refugee camps along the Thai / Myanamar border. Absent exceptional considerations, UNHCR is in agreement with this policy. Pending the actual transfer of the recognized Myanmar refugees in Bangkok to the camps, UNHCR decided to pay them basic subsistence as an intern measure. However, because of the fact that it has taken some time for the Government to implement this policy, UNHCR decided in 2002 to increase the level of subsistence allowance paid to the Myanmar refugees, starting 2003, to render it equal to that paid to the non-Myanmar refugees. However, in 2002 UNHCR encountered severe financial crisis globally the impact of, which is likely to continue to be felt in 2003. Nevertheless, the UNHCR policy is that, subject to the availability of fund, UNHCR will apply the same standards in terms of subsistence allowance to all refugees irrespective of their country of origin. On the issue of the ?exploitation? of refugees, I am again taken aback at the accusation contained in the report the refugees interpreters that work for UNHCR receive 300 baht per day this sum incorporate a revision upward that was undertaken sometime ago to take account of inflation. In addition to 300 baht per day, the refugees continue to receive their monthly subsistence allowance, medical assistance, educational support, help with visa extension where necessary, etc. Cumulatively, the total assistance received is not ?paltry? compared to the local Thai standards. The translator?s fees also cannot be compared to other private interpreters, whose emoluments are governed by market forces. On the allegation that ?refugees are never considered for employment opportunities? in any UNHCR office except for ?menial position? ? . It should be noted that in many parts of the world local laws and policies regrettably prohibit the official employment of refugees. It is especially acute in urban centers as opposed to refugees? camps. We do not consider / translation services as a menial, especially bearing in mind the compensation received and the services being rendered to the fellow refugees ? nearly always in a sensitive employment and political context. I hope the above will assist you in presenting a balanced report of the situation. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-01-16
Myanmar: Production jump puts more fuel on market By Win Kyaw Oo Yangon, Jan. 13 - 19: A 42 per cent increase in domestic
petrol production since early December has enabled more fuel to be made
available for private and commercial vehicles, a senior government official said
last week. Production at the state-owned Thanlyin refinery, on Yangon?s southeastern outskirts, had been increased by 70,000 gallons a day, to 240,000 gallons, said U Soe Myint, the director general of the Energy Planning Department, under the Ministry of Energy. "The petrol is refined from gas condensate extracted from the Yedagon offshore oil and gas field," U Soe Myint told Myanmar Times. The refinery produces 73 gallons of petrol from every 100 gallons of gas condensate, he said. An increased demand for petrol and a shortage of storage facilities had resulted in the decision to make more fuel available to the public, U Soe Myint said. Transport sector sources said the move would help to maintain or lower the prices of consumer goods. The refinery is operated by the Ministry of Energy?s Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise, which last month introduced a scheme to make more petrol available to long-distance trucks and buses and inland waterways boats. The increased fuel production had enabled the scheme, under which petrol is sold at MPPE outlets at K700 a gallon, to be extended to private vehicles and taxis from January 6. MPPE sources said the scheme is in addition to the quota system under which private vehicles and taxis can buy two gallons of petrol or diesel a day for K180 and K160 a gallon respectively. The changes mean that the fuel quota for taxis in Yangon Division has doubled to 120 gallons a month and that for private vehicles has increased by 10 gallons, to 70 gallons. In Mandalay Division, the quota for taxis has doubled, to 60 gallons a month, while private vehicles are entitled to 40 gallons a month, also a 10 gallon increase. On a related issue, U Soe Myint said a failure of state-owned Myanma Economic Holdings to distribute diesel to consumers had resulted in responsibility for distributing the fuel being transferred to the MPPE last September. MEH had been distributing diesel for about a year after taking over the responsibility for distribution from the MPPE. Myanmar imports about US$7 million worth of diesel a month. - The Myanmar Times - --------------------------------------------------------------------
People's Daily
Online
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 16, 2003 China, Myanmar to Deepen Cooperation in Various Fields China and Myanmar will increase exchanges in various fields, including science and technology, education, culture, public health and the development of human resources.The agreement was made as visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing held talks in Yangon with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of Myanmar's ruling State Peace and Development Council. During the meeting on Wednesday, Vice Premier Li Lanqing said China is ready to share its experience with Myanmar on the development of science and education as a strategy of the nation. Li said China had invested a great deal in scientific education since the country's "pening up"--over 2 decades ago. He said the strategy had played a a vital role in the country's economic development,adding that China was willing to increase cooperation with Myanmar in this field. General Than Shwe reviewed his visit to Beijing a week ago. He said Myanmar's citizens will never forget the aid provided by China--whenever Myanmar has encountered difficulties.Than Shwe said Myanmar is developing in accordance with the country's own characteristics. He said his country--also attaches great importance to human resources development. Than Shwe said Myanmar also regards education and talent training as a major factor for improving people's living standard and the Myanmar government is increasing input in science, technology, education, cultural and public health. He expressed the wish that Myanmar will expand cooperation with China in these areas, especially in the area of personnel training. Li said the Chinese government places great importance on the traditional friendship between China and Myanmar. China will continue to uphold the good-neighborly, friendly policy toward Myanmar and push mutually beneficial cooperation to a new level, he said. Than Shwe said over the years, China has always lent a helping hand to Myanmar in times of difficulties and the people of Myanmar will never forget this. He repeatedly emphasized that China is the most important friend of Myanmar. He said the two countries do not have any problems in bilateral relations as two-way trade and economic cooperation have kept growing. Noting that the two countries have been supporting each other in international affairs, he said Myanmar will always stand by the side of China on any issues concerning the interests of China. Also on Wednesday, Vice Premier Li Lanqing visited Myanmar's communication technology center. China and Myanmar established diplomatic ties in June 1950, less than a year after the founding of the People's Republic of China. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post -
Thursday 16 January 2003
Burma's unemployed turn to drug producers for survival Tea plantations can't compete on wages Supamart Kasem High unemployment and the rising cost of living in Burma have forced thousands of Palaung people to turn to drug producers for jobs in border areas, according to a Palaung meeting. Palaung State Liberation Front secretary-general Mai Aik Phong told last weekend's PSLF meeting that it was becoming more difficult to combat the drugs menace because of mass unemployment, leaving many with no choice but to serve drug producers, dealers and traffickers. ``Thousands of people from remote villages in the north and central region of Shan state have abandoned the tea plantations to serve Chinese-run drug rings in border areas adjacent to China,'' he said. The reason was they were only being paid between 300-400 kyat per day, from 12 to 16 baht, at tea, bean and onion plantations compared to 600-800 kyat, or 23-30 baht, they are earning at opium plantations and drug factories. Workers employed in Burmese state projects involving the construction of roads, reservoirs and public facilities were even more badly hit. They have not been paid for almost 10 years. Sponsors of drug production were mostly the Chinese who have long been residing in Burma and those who crossed the border from China into Burma's Muse town via Shwe Li three years ago to set up opium plantations. He said the eastern region of Shan state was a major production base of methamphetamines destined for Thailand and third countries. ``Many countries are trying to seek Burma's cooperation for the region-wide crackdown. But things are getting more complicated as these workers are serving the drug industry just to earn a living,'' Mai Aik Phong said. Other Palaung leaders told the meeting that Burma's economic crisis would multiply the social and drug problems in the country and force more Burmese to sneak into neighbouring countries for jobs. Enoi, a 22-year-old Palaung woman who left a bean plantation in Shan state three years ago for a job at an opium plantation in Kutkai village, said some 30 people from Ta Mi Yae and Loi Kwang villages were now working at opium plantations and drug factories in the Kutkai, Kya Mae, Nam Kham and Muse areas next to China. When she first started, her wages were 300 kyat per day. Now she is being paid 800 kyat. The ethnic minority group signed a peace pact with Rangoon in 1991. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post -
Thursday 16 January 2003
Thaksin to push crop replacement Rangoon urged to expand programme Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to visit Burma early next month to propose the expansion of a royally-initiated farm project in Burma in a bid to combat drugs. A high-level Defence Ministry source said the prime minister was seeking Rangoon's co-operation on the promotion of a crop substitution programme. Thailand will offer to help Burma promote the growing of longan and other alternative crops in Burma's border areas besides Yongkha town, opposite Chiang Rai's Doi Tung, as initiated by the late Princess Mother. Mr Thaksin may also discuss drug issues involving the Red Wa with Burmese military leaders although Thai authorities have admitted that certain border areas were beyond Rangoon's control. The Narcotics Control Board had funded the royally-initiated project in Burma's Yongkha town with a 20-million-baht subsidy. An army source said the project had forced the Wa to move its base from Yongkha to Jod town, opposite Mae Fa Luang district, raising Thai security concerns even with the Wa having announced a plan to stop producing drugs in 2005. A Defence Ministry source said the visit would follow Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's Jan 27 visit. --------------------------------------------------------------------
The Straits Times -
JAN 16, 2003 THU
The China dragon tightens its claws over Myanmar By Lee Kim Chew WHEN Myanmar's military ruler, Senior General Than Shwe, calls China a 'fraternal friend', he means precisely that. The general's trip to Beijing last week yielded a US$200 million (S$346 million) preferential loan package, several pacts to enhance health, technical and economic cooperation, plus the prospect of new industrial projects to help Yangon's cash-strapped junta. According to the People's Daily, China also agreed to write off 'part of the due debts that Myanmar borrowed from China'. For Myanmar, an impoverished country starved of foreign investment, China is a benefactor that builds new bridges, roads, power plants, paper mills, tractor factories and more. Last November, a Chinese engineering company agreed to build a four-lane highway bridge across the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city. To be completed in 2 1/2 years, it is the company's sixth major bridge project, and the Chinese will provide the design, equipment and materials. The Chinese last year also completed the first phase of Yangon's Thilawa shipyard, by far China's biggest project in Myanmar. Again, the Chinese provided for everything. The new shipyard enables Myanmar to build five ships and repair 50 vessels a year, something it could not do previously. Last March, the China National Electronics Import and Export Shenzhen Company signed a US$6.5 million contract with the Myanmar authorities to build digital auto-telephone exchanges in 12 towns - a huge step forward for a nation with only 280,000 telephones for 46 million people. In recent years, the Chinese have become involved in key sectors of Myanmar's economy, which atrophied after three decades of autarchy. Last April, China's Yunnan Airways became the first foreign carrier to start commercial flights from Kunming to Mandalay's underused airport, built three years ago at a cost of US$150 million for the tourist influx that never was. To attract more Chinese visitors, the Myanmar authorities allowed them to use the renminbi on their visits to the country. China is Myanmar's third largest trading partner after Singapore and Thailand, with bilateral trade hitting US$621 million in 2000. This is a fraction of the US$39.5 billion Asean-China trade, but the statistics belie China's predominant role in Myanmar. Whether it is Chinese fertiliser plants or water pumps to irrigate paddy fields and boost Myanmar's rice exports, China's widening involvement underscores its growing presence in the military-run state. Already considerable, its clout is likely to grow even more. China's massive aid and trade, unmatched by any other country, fills the large void created by Myanmar's diplomatic isolation. Shunned by Western democracies for their refusal to hand political power to civilians after the 1990 elections, Myanmar's generals have relied heavily on the Chinese. The junta has, in recent years, turned to non-Chinese sources too. It is, for instance, buying Russian MiG fighter jets and has enlisted Moscow's help to build a 10 megawatt nuclear reactor in central Myanmar. According to a Russian language teacher quoted by the dissident Irrawaddy magazine, about 600 Myanmar scientists are now studying in Moscow. But despite the diversification, China remains the chief supplier of military hardware - tanks, ships, aircraft, rockets, recoilless guns and ammunition - to the Yangon junta, which spends about one third of its budget on the armed forces. Myanmar's ties with China go back five decades to 1949, when it became the first non-communist country to recognise the People's Republic of China. China's new leader Hu Jintao said Beijing would always consider Myanmar 'a good neighbour, friend and partner', the People's Daily said in a report on Senior General Than Shwe's latest trip to Beijing. The general, acknowledging China's 'important' role in his country's economy, said Myanmar would abide by the one-China policy, support China's reunification and boost its cooperation with Beijing. He said Myanmar regarded China as 'the most reliable of friends, and it would educate younger generations to pass the torch of bilateral friendship from generation to generation'. Thus the frequent exchange visits by the leaders of both countries. Yangon's 'paukphaw' (fraternal) friendship with Beijing unnerves India, which fought a border war with China in 1962. New Delhi fears that Myanmar has become a springboard for the Chinese to project their military power in the Indian Ocean. It suspects China's motives for supporting Myanmar's moves to upgrade its naval facilities and electronic listening posts in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. To counter China's growing influence, India has, since 1996, stopped criticising Yangon, and instead tried to improve relations with the military regime. Still, China's influence as a rising power will become more palpable in the years ahead. With its growing economic might comes political clout. The proposed Asean-China free-trade agreement, if it comes about in 2010, will further enhance Chinese presence in the region. China's influence will be felt more keenly in a two-tier Asean grouping, particularly by the poorer Asean states which are its immediate neighbours. Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos (all three share common borders with China) and Cambodia get Chinese aid, one way or another. China has also pledged assistance for the proposed US$2.5 billion Singapore-Kunming Rail Link project, a 5,500 km track that runs through the continental Asean states. This may be yet another project through which Beijing can increase its influence in South-east Asia. --------------------------------------------------------------------
|