BNI Weekly News – August 11, 2003
. SPDC Recruiting Villagers For Short-term Military Training
. "Road Map", just a diplomacy to avoid sanction: Thai senior journalist
. Seeking more jobs for Burmese Seafarers
. Call for improving Myanmar condition
. Demonstration on the anniversary of the 8th August in Dhaka
. Opposition voice on the 15th Anniversary of the Burmese Democracy Uprising
. Army Abducted and Married a Rakhine Girl
. KNLA refutes SPDC allegation on bomb blasts
. Fishery industry being harassed
. Villagers in Kalemyo forced into fire safety training
. SPDC top leaders meet KIO leaders
. Free sale of drugs in Bamo
. Compulsory military training in Shan
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SPDC Recruiting Villagers For Short-term Military Training
Maungdaw, 10th August 2003:
The local SPDC authorities in Arakan State are recruiting villagers for
short-term military training in Maungdaw and Buthidaung Township, according
to our correspondent.
Members of Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) in Arakan State
went round the villages in their townships, called meetings, and enlisted
the villagers to attend the military training. They registered youths of 18
to 25 years old, source further added.
About 1,560 Rakhine from Maungdaw and I, 300 from Buthidaung Townships were
recruited. The total Rohingya recruits are estimated to be 500 that also are
from Buthidaung Township only, said two village Peace and Development
Council members of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships preferring not to
mention their names.
The recruits have been imparted a short-term military training by Battalion
Nos.551, 234 and 352 from 17 July until August 27, sources further added.
All the village Chairmen and Secretaries of both townships had already
completed a 10 day short-term officer training, from July 17 to July 27, in
Maungdaw and Buthidaung TPDC’s offices. They had to attend the training from
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, said a village Chairman to our source.
Under those trained village Chairmen and Secretaries to recruit and impart
short-term military training by themselves to another 150 villagers 18 to 45
years old in each township, he further added.
Similarly, the villagers in many other townships in Arakan State are forced
to attend the short-term military training, sources said.
This kind of short-term military training has reportedly been conducted in
most parts of the country, which aims to divert the attention of the people
from Depeyin incident. But the Military regime says that this is to protect
the country from external aggression, said a local senior politician.#
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"Road Map", just a diplomacy to avoid sanction: Thai senior journalist
9th August 2003:
A senior Thai journalist Mr. Supraluk Khunjanahundee dictated in a seminar
that Thai-proposed “Road Map” for Burma’s democracy came out just to avoid
sanction diplomacy against Burma. Thai Action Committee for Democracy in
Burma (TACDB) organized a seminar under the theme of “Burma on Road Map” on
a memorial day for 8888 uprising in Burma at Student Christian Center Hall,
Bangkok.
In the seminar, a number of scholars such as Burma expert Dr. Wittaya
Sucharithanarak from Thailand’s Chulalaungkong University, media persons
along with other researchers and Daw San San, a senior leader of Suu Kyi’s
party NLD who recently escaped Burma led the discussions.
Daw San San, the only women elected representative in exile suggested that
“So far, nobody knows the contents of ‘Road Map’. Whatever it is named, as
we are almost in the stage of drowning. We must hold at least a piece of
bindweed for the sake of survival. My opinion is that it should include the
ways such as releasing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political
prisoners, allow activities of our NLD party by opening regional offices and
there should be a commission to investigate Depayin Massacre. If these
problems were solved by the Road Map, I will be happy.”
A researcher and journalist, Mr Songrith Tonyean answering whether the “Road
Map” is overlapping UN’s initiative, he said “UN should be taking the lead
in making (what you call) road map for democracy in Burma. The other
parties, ASEAN and Thailand should help UN to do the job. This is my idea.”
In the mean time, Thai proposed “Road Map” for Burma’s democracy has been
receiving a widespread criticism because of its imaginary fictitious plan
and the details are yet to be revealed.
The scholars in this brain-storming seminar admitted that the best way for
Burma’s peace and harmony between two strategies - UN initiative and
Thai-proposed Road Map, will be crystal cleared only when all the details
are exposed.#
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Seeking more jobs for Burmese Seafarers
9th August 2003:
As second conference of Burmese Seafarers Union also called as “Ocean
Manias” concluded on August 7 in Bangkok, the secretary-elect U Ko Ko Khaing
said the Union determined to get more job opportunities for Burmese sailors.
A total of 27 delegates from Burma both in exile and abroad along with
Japanese secretary of International Transport Trade Unions (Asia-Pacific)
Shikedowata and Indian regional deputy secretary Mahindra Sharma also
attended the conference.
Among the conference delegates, a sailor from Mandalay who do not want to be
named humbly said “Seafarer Union in exile helps the sailors especially from
Burma and it protects whatever they can such as compensation for the
sailors, ITS-related problems and for their sailor’s rights.”
“In Burma, there is regulation to show the sailor identity card issued by
the government at the airport in order to go abroad and it is a
disappointing for us. Even when we faced some minor problems due to various
reasons, government-sponsored Union could not able to help us effectively.
Only this exile union is giving real helping hand for the sailors as you can
see their records and figures,” he added by comparing government-sponsored
union and the union in exile.
The conference chose a six-member committee headed by chairman U Aung Thura
to lead the Union for this coming period.
The conference also made a statement for 8888-anniversary day.
Burmese Seafarer Union (a) “Ocean Manias” was established in January 1991
and the first conference held in November 1994.#
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Call for improving Myanmar condition
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, 9th August 2003:
Calling the present military regime of Myanmar "illegitimate", veteran
journalist Mr B G Verghese today stressed upon the need for resumption of
talks between the military government and pro-democracy leaders in Myamar.
Mr Verghese was speaking at a conference on "Current Situation in Myanmar"
in the Capital. The event was organised by Mizzima News, a newspaper run by
Myanmarese living in India and also commemorated the 15th anniversary of the
people's uprising in Myanmar against the military regime and the fifth
anniversary of Mizzima News.
"It is high ime that the military regime release the pro-democracy leader,
Aung San Suu Kyi, and resume talks with pro-democracy leaders rather than
putting them behind bars. Many countries have imposed sanctions against
Myamar after its regime illegally arrested Suu Kyi," said Mr Verghese who
himself was born in Myanmar. Highlighting the conditions of women in Myanmar
under the military regime, Ms Thin Thin Aung of Women's League of Burma said
that women are living in "pathetic" conditions. "At present there are 87
women political prisoners in Myanmar. Women are denied their fundamental
rights. Trafficking of women is on the rise and 52 per cent of female sex
workers are HIV positive. But the government has closed its eyes to these
problems," said Ms Aung.
Speaking on the occasion, editor of Mizzima News, Mr Soe Myint, said that
Myanmar is perhaps the only country where a common man cannot live wihtout
the fear of being punished by the government, even for a day. "There is no
term like fundamental right in that country, because everyone has to obey
what the military regime says. Imagine only a few people, that too picked by
the regime, can access Internet. A 1996 law bans import, possession or use
of the fax machine and those who disobey are put behind bars," said Mr
Myint.#
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Demonstration on the anniversary of the 8th August in Dhaka
Reported by Aung Than
Dhaka, 8th August 2003:
A group of Rakhine students and youths from Burma has staged demonstrations
in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, this morning on the 15th anniversary of
the 8th August Democracy Uprising of Burma.
The group consisting of about forty participants raised slogans and demanded
the release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the
General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, and Min Ko Naing,
the student leader of 1988 democratic uprising, besides demanding national
reconciliation. The group also called for establishment of democracy in
Burma.
Another discussion was held in Dhaka yesterday in memory of the August 8
Democracy Uprising, attended by fifty Rakhine students and youth. Aung Myo
Min, director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB) and
Khaing Mrat Kyaw from Narinjara shared their experiences in the movement
during the turbulent August days fifteen years ago, besides a few students
dealt on the significance of the day.
The demonstrations and the discussions were facilitated by All Arakan
Students and Youths Congress (AASYC). #
________________________________
Opposition voice on the 15th Anniversary of the Burmese Democracy Uprising
Dhaka, 8th August 03:
A number of Burmese democratic opposition groups have expressed their views
on the 15th anniversary of the Burmese Democracy Uprising. On the eighth
August 1988 people across Burma spontaneously took to the streets demanding
the end to the military dictatorship and establishment of democracy.
The National Council of the Union of Burma in a statement remarked that
today (the 8th August 03) marks the historical 15th anniversary of the great
8-8-88 uprising when the people of Burma including all the indigenous
peoples laid down their lives in thousands to drive out the Burmese
Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) junta.
The message of the nationwide democracy uprising is total dismantling of
military dictatorship, establishment of true democracy that guarantees the
basic human rights of the people, and the equality and self-determination of
the indigenous peoples. The aspirations of the people that reflect the
above views were once again evident from the results of the 1990 general
elections.
The results of the 1990 general elections are the continuation of the
unfinished struggle of the Democracy Uprising. It was a signal of the
people’s aspirations for the establishment of a democratic Burma.
The implementation of the results of the 1990 general elections, convening
people’s parliament, and formation of a democratic government are the tasks
that have to be carried out to fulfil the political aspirations of the great
democracy uprising martyrs. The people’s struggle to resist the organized
attack by the SPDC junta aimed at annihilating the 1990 general elections
winner National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a
historical responsibility of the people of Burma, it concluded.
Meanwhile the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (Foreign Affairs
Committee), All Burma Students Democratic Front, Democratic Party for a New
Society and Network for Democracy and Development in a joint statement said
that on the historical 8th August 1988 people from all walks of life joined
the uprising in an attempt to end military dictatorship. Though the
military crackdown left thousands dead across the country the people’s
aspiration remained, never to be destroyed.
The results of the May 1990 general elections reflected the spirit of the
8-8-88 movements, and even under the present military repressions the spirit
of that day remains as high as ever.
The Burmese military regime, notorious for its human rights violations,
including the recent May 30, 2003 ‘Depayin Massacre’, is raising
premeditated campaigns aimed at revitalizing the so-called National
Convention in order to hold to the grip of power. The Burmese SPDC junta’s
claim of ‘Disciplined Democracy’ is in fact a trick for ensuring the army’s
control over the future political power of Burma.
The statement also added that the present situation in Burma is undergoing a
period of critical juncture when the junta is facing increasing pressure at
home and from the international community. By committing the Depayin
Massacre the junta got to crush the political democratic opposition and this
calls for the people to be more vigilant.
In conclusion the political parties vowed to continue the struggle to
establish democracy in Burma. #
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Army Abducted and Married a Rakhine Girl
Rathedaung, 8th August 2003:
On July 9, 2003, a Rakhine girl was abducted and married by an army named Tat
Naing, according to our source.
The victim, named Ma Hla Myint, 16, daughter of U Maung Phon, hails from
Taung Hla Maw village of Rathedaung town---a place about 35miles north of
Akyab (Sittwe)--- in Arakan State. She was a student of class nine reading
in State High School of Rathedaung Town, he further added.
On the occurrence day, at around 4:10 pm, while Ma Hla Myint was on way back
to her home with her classmates, a group of military from Battalion No.538
suddenly appeared and abducted her. She and her friends cried for help but
no one dared to come at their rescue for fear of reprisal from the military,
a relative of the victim told our correspondent.
The classmates of the victim immediately informed the incident to her
parents whereupon her father was in for a shock and became abnormal, source
further said.
3 days later, on inquiry, the Battalion Commander told her parents that she
was well, married to one of his soldiers named Tat Naing asked them not
worry for her, said another villager to our source.
When requested to see their daughter Commander told them that he would send
the couple to visit their home within one week. Then the parents returned
home in great disappointment, source further said.
One of victim’s relatives told our source that Burmese ruling military
regime has already occupied our land and now are occupying our daughters. #
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KNLA refutes SPDC allegation on bomb blasts
Dhaka, 7th August 2003:
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has refuted the ruling Junta’s
State Peace and Development Council’s (SPDC) claim that the KNLA was behind
the recent bomb blasts.
Four incidents of bomb blasts were reported on May 15 in Phyu town movie
theatre, July 26 in a press conference and on July 27 two blasts occurred in
Taungoo.
In a statement on Aug 6, the KNLA also denied the SPDC allegations that a
person, Saw Mra Sein, arrested was associated with KNLA Brigade II and that
the blast’s were masterminded by Brig. Mae Ae Sein of the KNLA.
The statement added that Sein hailed from Taungoo town in Bago division
andwas engaged as a worker in a timber trade and had no connection with the
KNLA.
“The illegal arrest and indictment of Sein as having connection with the
KNLA is an SPDC scheme, it said.
“Though the KNLA is engaged in a struggle against the SPDC-sponsored
state-level terrorism, it has never been a terrorist organisation. The
Burmese junta has been sponsoring such acts of terrorism in a number of
townships only to discredit the KNLA and increase oppressive acts against
the people and political parties,” the statement further said.
Terming such heinous acts as a pre-arranged scheme of the Burmese junta to
divert people’s attention, the statement urged the people to be vigilant
against such schemes.
The KNLA is the armed wing of the Karen National Union, a guerrilla outfit
fighting for self-determination since Burma’s independence in 1948. #
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Fishery industry being harassed
Akyab, 7th August 2003:
The riparian fishery industry of Kaladan river in Arakan, a western state of
Burma, has been asked to pay fine to a Jelly Fish permit holder following
losses allegedly suffered by him owing to poor fishing season.
High Gar Ree Kyaw Win attained a monopoly over the Jelly Fish industry for
the 2002-2003 season by bribing fishermen with Kyat 40 million ($ 40,000).
However, owing to a poor fishing season the industry suffered a loss. Kyaw
Win started pressurizing fishermen to pay Kyat 20,000-30,000 each. A
fisherman said that the money was to compensate for his losses.
During the last season, a fisherman was killed over an argument regarding
such payment to another Jelly Fish permit holder.#
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Villagers in Kalemyo forced into fire safety training
By Kan Min
5th August 2003:
People in Sakhangyi, Chanthargyi and Nanpaho villages of Kalemyo township
are being given a one-month compulsory training in fire safety by officials.
The training, under the command of Lt Col Hla Moe of Central Training 10,
started since July 21. The training comes at a time when the monsoon, one of
the most vital farming times of the year, is in progress.
"I had just completed sowing my field when the village chairman told me that
I must attend the training or pay a penalty. So I paid him Kyat 400,” said a
villager from Sakhangyi who had recently come to the border region.
The first batch of 50 trainees have already undergone the fire safety
course. Villagers said that they have forced to donate Kyat 400 per
household for the training, although Village Peace and Development Council
(VPDC) members have been exempted.
The Sakhangyi community is suspicious of the motives behind such a training
as similar programs are not being held in any other villages in Kalemyo
township during the monsoon season. Many of the farmers believe that the
training is nothing more than a method for the TPDC and VPDC chairmen to
illegally earn some extra money.
In a similar incident in April this year, Sakhangyi villagers were forced
into non-paid labour for the construction of a maternity hospital in the
village. A Head Carpenter and the brick supplier lodged complaints against
the authorities about their unwillingness to make payments, but they have
not yet received any response. #
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SPDC top leaders meet KIO leaders
By Tun Naing
4 August 2003:
Generals from the ruling military Junta met leaders of the Kachin
Independence Organisation (KIO) while on a visit to Kachin state in
Sino-Burma border to oversee government work.
The SPDC leaders’ Maj Gen Ye Myint, Maj Gen Thurah Swe Man and Maj. San
Point made a halt at the eastern border village of Laiza and met KIO's
central committee members while returning from the Pan Wa area in northern
Kachin. This is the second meeting between the SPDC and the KIO since Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi's political tour to Laiza village.
Since July, the three top ranking SPDC officials have toured Chin state and
Sagaing division, to oversee government work.
Reports said that the generals are visiting the same places, which were
visited by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD)
party members. #
________________________________
Free sale of drugs in Bamo
4th August 2003:
The unregulated and open sale of drugs has been reported in a village near
Bamo Township, where a large number of local youths are said to be getting
addicted to the malaise.
Reports said that black opium (Khat Pong), heroin and amphetamines (Yama)
were freely being sold at a village, seven miles away from Bamo town.
The authorities are said to be keeping silent on the matter despite knowing
about the drug trafficking in the region. The drug peddlers and traffickers
are let off after simple warnings by the local forces.
Referring to Gen Khin Nyunt’s words, on his last visit to the region: "I
know exactly how to handle people of places I once visit", locals believe
that the region has been deliberately allowed to freely deal in drugs by
the authorities.#
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Compulsory military training in Shan
By Tun Naing
1st August 2003:
Authorities in Nam Hkam town of Shan state have been forcing young people to
undertake compulsory basic military training since July 14 this year.Youth
from Nam Hkam town and other neighbouring villages were allegedly taken to
45 Light Infantry Battalion military camp and were given basic military
training and exercises in fire extinguishing.
According to a local, around 200 youth from Nam Hkam and 100 from other
neighboring villages have attended the training so far.
Reports suggest that even the spouses of detention officials were being
given basic military training.
In a further development, police and military intelligence have imposed a
curfew after 2200 hrs for all residents. Anyone found outside after 2200 hrs
will be arrested and fine Kyat 20,000-30,000.
Following the clash at Depeyin between government supporters and NLD
activists, the military regime is undertaking many changes like the
compulsory military training, greater restrictions in accessing military
areas and reorganization of the military command structure.#
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Burma News International (BNI) is a network of six Independent Burma Media
organizations: The Mizzima News, The Narinjara News, the Kaladan Press
Network, the Khonumthung News Group, the Network Media Group and the
Independent Mon News Agency.#