|
--------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------- HEADLINES -------------------------------------------------------------- AFP - Crowds flock to see Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi despite warnings AFP - Cheney ready to serve with Bush after 2004 election AFP - Bangkok meeting of terror leaders sealed fate of Bali bomb victims AP - Myanmar garment manufacturers call for end to U.S. ban AP - Asean, Other Nations Discuss Securing Trade Vs Terrorists Reuters - Premier Oil hopes to complete revamp in June The Guardian - BAT Burma pay row reignited Asian Tribune - Myanmar-Laos Joint Press Statement released ICG - Myanmar Backgrounder: Ethnic Minority Politics WF - Senator Kohl Says Burmese Government Abused Dr. Salai Tun Than Asian Tribune - Japan Welcomes the Release of the Political Detainees in Myanmar DVB News - Burmese forces to stage joint military exercises -------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday May 8, 5:55 PM Crowds
flock to see Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi despite warnings
-------------------------------------------------------------- Cheney
ready to serve with Bush after 2004 election -------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok meeting of terror leaders sealed fate of Bali bomb
victims -------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday May 8, 7:06 PM Myanmar garment manufacturers call for end to U.S. ban
-------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday May 8, 6:08 PM -------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday May 7, 9:08 PM -------------------------------------------------------------- BAT Burma pay row reignited -------------------------------------------------------------- Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-05-08
Myanmar-Laos Joint Press Statement released Yangon, May 07: During the State Visit of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing to the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the invitation of President of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Khamtay Siphandone and wife Madame Thongvan, a joint press statement was released. The following joint press statement was released during the state visit of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing to the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the invitation of President of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Khamtay Siphandone and wife Madame Thongvan. 1. H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar and Spouse Daw Kyaing Kyaing paid a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 5 to 7 May 2003 at the invitation of H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. 2. H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic met with H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar in an atmosphere of cordial friendship and mutual understanding. 3. H.E Samane Vignaket, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and H.E Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic paid courtesy calls on H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar respectively. 4. During his visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, H.E Senior General Than Shwe laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldiers Monument and visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, important historical and cultural places in Vientiane Municipality and Champassaek Province. 5. During their discussions, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the growing bonds of traditional and neighbouring friendly relations existing between the two countries and peoples of Laos and Myanmar. The two leaders highly valued the success of cooperation and mutual assistance in the spheres of politics, security, economy, trade and socio-culture, bringing about tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries. 6. They expressed their appreciation of the successful conclusion of the 6th Meeting of the Laos-Myanmar joint commission for Bilateral cooperation held under the co-chairmanship of the two ministers of Foreign Affairs. 7. During the visit, the two Heads of State witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the Promotion and the Protection of Investment between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar. 8. The two Heads of State exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interests and concurred that while the international and regional situation continues to undergo swift and complex changes, the tendency for peace and cooperation for development still prevails. The two leaders stressed the need to enhance cooperation on security and other areas, bilaterally and multilaterally, for the maintenance of peace, stability, security and prosperity of the two countries as well as of the region and the world at large. Both leaders shared the view that peace, stability and security in Iraq should be restored quickly. Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination of the Iraqi people must be upheld. Both leaders shared the view that United Nations should play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq. 9. The President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic highly appreciated the visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar and viewed it as an impetus to further enhancing friendly relations and cooperation between the peoples of Laos and Myanmar as well as an important contribution to the strong cohesiveness in the ASEAN family. Both sides agreed to pursue regular exchange of high level visits. 10. The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar expressed his sincere gratitude to the President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Government and the Laos people for the warm, cordial and gracious hospitality extended to him and his spouse as well as to the Myanmar delegation. 11. H.E Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar extended an invitation to H.E Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao PDR and his spouse to pay a visit to the Union of Myanmar. The President of the Lao PDR accepted the invitation with pleasure. The dates of the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels. -------------------------------------------------------------- International Crisis Group
Myanmar Backgrounder: Ethnic Minority Politics Wed May 7 23:31:00 UTC+0900 2003 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Myanmar is one of the ethnically most diverse countries in the world and throughout its existence as an independent state has experienced a complex set of conflicts between the central government and ethnic minority groups seeking autonomy. While the world's attention for the past decade has focused on the struggle between the military government and the political opposition over national power, these underlying conflicts perhaps represent a more fundamental and intractable obstacle to peace, development and democracy. The military capacity and influence of ethnic nationalists has declined significantly over the past decade. Several groups have entered into ceasefire agreements with the government and been granted de facto administrative authority over areas under their control. They complement a number of political parties formed in areas under government control to represent local, ethnic interests in the 1990 election. There are also a growing number of religious or community-based organisations that work to further the interests of their communities and have significant local influence. Many of these organisations are officially banned, and all face severe restrictions by the military government on their activities. Yet, they are important voices for ethnic minority groups, particular the large percentage who live in their traditional homelands in the hills and mountains surrounding the central plain. The most fundamental grievance of ethnic minorities in Myanmar today is their lack of influence on the political process and thus on decisions that affect their lives. Like society at large, they have been disenfranchised by a strongly centralised military state that regards them with intense suspicion. They have felt the loss of political and economic power even more acutely than the majority population as both the government and the officer corps are overwhelmingly Burman in make-up and widely perceived as a foreign force. Ethnic minority groups consider themselves discriminated against and have openly accused successive governments of a deliberate policy of "Burmanisation". They feel not only marginalised economically, but also that their social, cultural, and religious rights are being suppressed. While many ethnic groups originally fought for independence, today almost all have accepted the Union of Myanmar as a fact and merely seek increased local authority and equality within a new federal state structure. The military government, however, still suspects them of scheming to split the country and sees this as justification for its repressive, often brutal policies in minority areas. Since 1988, most ethnic minority organisations have expressed support for democracy, seeing this as their best chance to gain a voice in national politics and press for a redress of their long-standing grievances. But few leaders of the dominant ethnic militant groups are democrats by persuasion or regard democracy as an end in itself. Their main concern is to secure local political and administrative authority, further development of their regions, and enjoy the right to maintain and practice their language, culture and religion without constraints. The strength of ethnic minority organisations traditionally has been measured in military terms. The shift in national politics since 1988 and subsequent ceasefires, however, have transferred the main struggle from the battlefield to the political and administrative arena. The primary challenge for ethnic minority organisations today is, therefore, to build political and organisational capacity ? individually, and as a group ? to ensure that they are not left out of future negotiations about the future of Myanmar and can continue to represent the interests of their communities. They also need to help rebuild their war-torn communities and economies and re-establish a sense of normalcy and confidence in the future. The new agenda presents ethnic minority organisations with a number of challenges. The political space under a strongly centralised military government is very limited and much historic hostility and distrust remain, not only towards the government, but also towards other ethnic groups and even within each group. The idea of a common Union cause has little hold on these groups as their only experience has been of a repressive, militarised state and a forced, centralised nationalism. Politically, the ethnic minorities are divided over goals, strategy, and other issues, and have been unable to form any truly effective nationwide or even broadly inclusive fronts. There is also a great discrepancy between available human and financial resources and needs. To negotiate and eventually overcome these obstacles requires vision, careful balancing of objectives and strategies, and significant implementation capacity. First and foremost perhaps, it requires a genuine commitment to move beyond narrow agendas and build a better life for local communities and the country at large. Most groups, however, lack these skills. In fact, the weaknesses and approaches of ethnic minority organisations often mirror those of the central government and other local authorities. Many organisations continue to be dominated by soldiers who have little knowledge of political and social affairs or experience with relevant tools for organisation and negotiation. They may have significant legitimacy rooted in the struggle for self-determination ? or, in some cases, the 1990 election ? but strong hierarchies and top-down approaches mean that links to local communities often are weak. There is also a dearth of people in these communities at large with relevant education and experience. Over the past few years, some key ethnic minority organisations have begun to face up to these problems and start on the difficult task of building networks in long-divided communities and training capable leaders and administrators. Yet, much needs to be done and they are often struggling against government repression and international indifference. -------------------------------------------------------------- Washington File
07 May 2003 Senator Kohl Says Burmese Government Abused Dr. Salai Tun Than (Wisconsin senator takes up case of man jailed for petition) (370) Senator Herbert Kohl (Democrat of Wisconsin) in remarks to the Senate May 6 criticized Burma's military rulers for their persecution of Dr.Salai Tun Than, a 75-year-old man who was jailed for seven years for distributing a petition calling for political reform. "I am saddened by the conditions in which Dr. Tun Than and other prisoners in Burma have had to live," Kohl said, "It is my hope that the Burmese Government will recognize religious and human rights, not only to their prisoners but to their general populace as well." Senator Kohl serves on both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Following is the text of Senator Kohl's May 6 remarks from the Congressional Record: (begin text) HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN BURMA Senate May 06, 2003 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to the gross violations of human and religious rights in Burma. Dr. Salai Tun Than a University of Wisconsin alumni, who was released over the weekend in Burma, initiated a hunger strike protesting the human and religious rights violations at the prison where he was held. Dr. Tun Than had been serving a 7-year prison sentence in Burma for handing out copies of a petition demanding political reforms. Dr. Tun Than, 75, has severe health problems that required medical treatment, which he was not granted. The conditions that he and other prisoners endured were violations of international human rights laws. Restrictions on communications between prisoners, unsanitary prison conditions and forced "hooding" as prisoners were transported outside are examples of the violations. As a Christian, Dr. Tun Than also was protesting violations in religious freedom which included not being allowed a Bible or to receive Communion. During my Senate career I have been an advocate for human rights and religious freedoms for every individual across the globe. I am saddened by the conditions in which Dr. Tun Than and other prisoners in Burma have had to live. It is my hope that the Burmese Government will recognize religious and human rights, not only to their prisoners, but to their general populace as well. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) -------------------------------------------------------------- Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-05-08
Japan Welcomes the Release of the Political Detainees in Myanmar Tokyo, May 06: Japan has urged that basic human rights in Myanmar would be
improved which would contribute nation?s democratization and national
reconciliation process.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement ?welcomes? the release of 21 political prisoners by the Myanmar junta, which included 12 members of the National League for Democracy. The Full text of the statement is given below: The Government of Japan welcomes the release by the Government of Myanmar of 21 political detainees including 12 members of the NLD (National League for Democracy) by May 4. This is the first release of this kind this year. The Government of Japan expects that the Government of Myanmar will expand its release of political detainees. Japan also has a firm hope that, through the release of political detainees, basic human rights in Myanmar will be improved, contributing to the nation's democratization and national reconciliation process. -------------------------------------------------------------- DVB News - May 06, 2003.
Burmese forces to stage joint military
exercises
Joint army, navy, air force military exercises will be held in the Coastal
Region Command in coming days. More than 10 combat battalions, two groups of
fighter aircraft, and warships are expected to participate in the exercises to
be held with the assistance of Russian and Chinese military experts, according
to military sources at the border.
The exercises are scheduled to take place at the No 12 Military Training School in Pyicha village in Palaw Township, Tenasserim Division. Military units participating are: Ten combat battalions led by Brig-Gen Thein Htike of the Bokpyin-based No 13 Operation Control Command Headquarters, a battalion from the Mergui-based No 505 Heavy Artillery Base, a group of PC-7 reconnaissance aircraft from the Mergui Air Base, and a fleet of Bell-205 transport helicopters. The level of navy participation is not yet known. The military exercises are expected to last 45 days and troops participating in the exercises have already arrived in Pyicha. Three Russian military experts and three Chinese military experts are expected to arrive by air today. According to earlier reports, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, chief of armed forces training, is already in Pyicha and is to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony. The military observers are interested in the military movements of the two countries (Burma and Thailand) as the SPDC's (State Peace and Development Council) military exercises coincide with the joint Thai-US military exercises in the neighbouring Thailand. (BBC Monitoring
Service) |