BNI Weekly News - October 27, 2003
. Military Intelligence is selecting the Convention Representative secretively
. Fire victims blamed for blaze
. The tallest Buddha Image in Arakan, to be constructed soon
. Rakhine State Chairman launches statewide campaign in support of the Road Map
. Burmese Refugees Fight UNHCR for survival
. Leveling the Playing Field in Burma: Steps for Stemming the Imbroglio
. Some Refugees go back for security reason
. Conducting Population Survey in Northern Arakan
. Some Refugees go back for security reason
. Bangladeshi fishermen under stress from the Burmese and Thai trawlers’ from invasion of their waters
. Burma third from last in World Press Freedom Ranking
. Burmese Army demands farm products and firewood to withdraw farmlands confiscation order
. Prostitution increases under hardship of SPDC rule
________________________________
Military Intelligence is selecting the Convention Representative secretively
27th October 2003:
Representatives to attend Pauktaw Township National Convention are being
secretively selected by the Military Intelligence in Pauktaw, it is learnt.
Selective candidates are summoned by the Military Intelligence and their
resume is collected, said a source who opts to remain anonymous.
The followings are the person preliminary selected by the Puaktaw Township
Military Intelligence.
1. U Tun Hla Maung, age 40, retired school teacher, Quarter 3, Pauktaw.
2. U Tun Wai, age 38, Shrimp Merchant, Quarter 3, Pauktaw.
3. U Tun Aung Khaing, age 45, Information and Communication Officer, Quarter
2, Pauktaw.
4. U Khin Maung Thein, age 42, retired government officer (Justice
Department), Apple Quarter, Pauktaw.
It is reported that U Khin Maung Thein declined the selection whereas the
other three persons handed over their resumes to the Military Intelligence.
According to the criteria set by the Military Intelligence for the selection
of Convention Representatives a candidate must be a university graduate in
forties with financial solvency and influence in the community.
In order to make the National Convention a success, it is learnt that each
township government officer has to collect resumes of four university
graduates and forward them to the authorities concerned. Resume forms have
been distributed to all townships, including Pauktaw, in the Rakhine State
of Burma.#
__________________________________
Fire victims blamed for blaze
26th October 2003:
On September 29, a fire broke out in Maung Daw, the most western town of
Burma, and the Township Peace and Development Council and the Military
Intelligence are demanding money for the burned home and land from the fire
victims, according to the relatives of the victims.
The rumour has been that the land would not be returned to the owners, but
the people have appealed to the Chairman of the Township authority.
The Maung Daw Township Peace and Development Council Chairman, Captain Hla
Po demanded one million Burmese Kyats and if the demand was not met, the
land would be confiscated. An official from the Military Intelligence of
Maungdaw is also involved in demanding the money.
Some of the land is worth more than 10 million kyats.
The fire cost more than 23 millions kyats, burning down shops and a house.
During the incident, two people were seriously injured, and the owner of the
house was arrested for the fire.#
______________________________
The tallest Buddha Image in Arakan, to be constructed soon
25th October 2003:
The tallest Buddha image in Rakhine (Arakan)state is to be built, in Paut
Taw Township of Rakhine State, according to a prominent monk from Sittwe
(Akyab).
The sitting image will be build at the Dat Oo Pagoda in Paut Taw town, and
the image will be 49 feet high. It will cost 50 million Burmese Kyats.
Starting this October 2nd, the town dwellers donated 300,000 Kyats to
prepare the building site.
This Image will be build with contributions from people of the whole Burma
and overseas donors under the guardianship of a respected monk from Sittwe.
It is claimed that the Image is being built for the benefit of all the
people of the world, and the name of the Image is “Lawka Htite Pan” (the
highest in the world).
Paut Taw, 25 miles east of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, is believed
to be a significant place for the Arakanese Buddhists because of the myth
that a remain of Buddha is inside the Dat Oo Pagoda. #
_________________________________
Rakhine State Chairman launches statewide campaign in support of the Road Map
24th October 2003:
The Rakhine State SPDC Chairman Maung U, who is also the Commander of
Western Military Division is in his state wide tour campaigning for the
public support of General Khin Nyunt’s Road Map towards democracy, according
to news coming from Sittwe.
Brig. General Maung U arrived at Pauktaw on 28th September held a meeting at
the City Hall, and explaining 7-point programs of the political Road Map
towards democracy.
The government officers and some 50 leading citizens of Pauktaw were invited
and present in the meeting. He emphasized that the General Khin Nyunt’s
7-point program is the most relevant and the best for Myanmar. Therefore,
the people of Pauktaw Township must render solid support, he said.
According to a Puaktaw citizen who attended the meeting Maung U also pointed
out that the people should try to understand the genuine good will of the
SPDC government in the light of the undergoing government development
projects in the township.
Further he reveals that on the day Aung San Suu Kyi comes into power great
civil war would break out in the country. Upon gaining power she will give
self-determination to various Myanmar racial groups splitting the Union that
was built by the blood of our parents, grand parents and ancestors. If the
self-determination is grant to the racial groups their insurgent armed
forces will also come into existence in parallel with Tatmadaw. There is a
Myanmar saying that says two lions cannot dwell in one cave. “As such I
cannot accept such a condition”, he declared. “We shall keep her away from
the power even if that may demand sacrifice of our lives”, he called upon
the people.
“Will you vote for me if I stand as a Pauktaw constituency candidate in the
forth coming People’s Assembly election that will be held by our government
according to the Union Constitution as adopted and approved by the on-going
National Convention?” he asked the audience in the meeting.
It is reported that Statewide rallies and discussion meeting are being
organized by the township SPDCs on all over the Rakhine State and the
biggest rally took place on 9th October in Sittwe, the Rakhine State
capital.#
____________________________________
Burmese Refugees Fight UNHCR for survival
October 23, 2003
New Delhi: Since Monday, angry Burmese refugees have been protesting
continuously against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR)'s self-reliance policy. About 300 refugees were shouting heatedly
and holding the placards reading "UNHCR: Silent Killer" and "We Need
Resettlement" in front of New Delhi office of the UNHCR for the fourth
consecutive day today. Small children wearing school uniforms and young
girls were among the protestors.
The demonstrating Burmese claim that the UNHCR has been cutting the
assistance to them and has been unrealistically pressuring them to work.
The refugees rejected what they see as a one-sided policy and are demanding
to be sent to a third country.
"Shelter and food are a great problem for us. They [UNHCR] said to work, but
no one can get a job here. If they can't provide assistance, they must
arrange to send us to a third country ", said Marpi, 23 years, who has lived
in Delhi for two years.
"They just want to do whatever they like. Their self-reliance policy is
just an imaginary," added a girl next to Marpi about the UNHCR's policy.
Some leaders of Indian political parties have showed their solidarity with
the Burmese refugees. Mr. Annil Hegde, General Secretary of the Samata
party, said in his speech to the Burmese demonstrators: "We are going to
support the Burmese democracy activists who fled their homeland due to
military junta's human rights violations. Their demands are not criminal,
and this is their basic right. We support it." The Samata party is a part
of the ruling coalition government in India and its leader Mr. George
Fernandes, known for his sympathy with Burmese democracy movement, is
currently Defence Minister.
A UNHCR local officer has rejected the refugees' demands after meeting with
5 Burmese representatives. "In regards to the request for resettlement,
this Office at this time, does not consider this as the most appropriate
durable solution. We are thus encouraging Burmese refugees to embark on
training and self-reliance activities, so that they could be empowered to
improve the quality of their living in Delhi", Wei-Meng-Lim, the UNHCR
Officer in Charge, said in a reply letter to refugees on Monday.
Delhi Police, though has so far allowed the Burmese to demonstrate in front
of the UNHCR on Lodhi Road, arrested the demonstrators in evening and
detained them for a couple of hours in the Lodhi Police Station before
releasing them without charges. Even so, the refugees tried to come back to
the UNHCR office and continued their demonstration.
At the night of October 21st, 24 Burmese refugees slept in backyard on the
grounds of UNHCR office. One refugee from this group, Pa Sui told Mizzima
that they would continue their protest until their demands are met.
On October 22nd, the police managed to disperse the refugees who gathered in
front of UNHCR office till late night.
The Delhi-based UNHCR office issued nearly 900 certificates and provided Rs.
1400 per month for Burmese who fled the homeland after 1988 military coup. A
part of health care expenses are provided additionally. However, UNHCR
imposed " self-reliance policy" in 2003 by boosting language and basic
computer trainings. Then the UNHCR and its partner NGOs started cutting the
allowances. There was a 30% reduction in first 6 months, and a 60%
reduction in second 6 months to first 30 person batch.
Refugees, however, have appealed to be sent to a third country after they
experienced hardships getting a job in India. They complained that some
countries are ready to accept them but that the UNHCR is blocking their way
by not providing an approval recommendation letter.
Some refugees believe that the dubious Indian foreign policy influence in
UNHCR, in which they accuse India appeasing Burma's Generals. "This is a
poor country with high rates of unemployment. How can you get a job only
after a few months of computer training? We can't compete with the locals,"
said a refugee who asked to remain anonymous.#
___________________________________________
Leveling the Playing Field in Burma: Steps for Stemming the Imbroglio
By Zar Ni
October 22, 2003:
I left Burma at age 24 in 1988 with no idea of when I would see my country
again. As a leader of the Burmese opposition, I frequently meet with
friends on their way to Burma. How can I describe the envy I feel for the
opportunity to set foot on the place that I love so much – a country that is
barred to me so long as one of the most brutal regimes in the world remains
in power.
Burma is a failed state held at gunpoint by the generals whose reckless
economic policies including auctioning of the country’s natural resources
such as rainforests and oil and natural gas reserves has made it the beggar
of Southeast Asia. It is a regional time bomb with real potentials to
disrupt peace and stability of Southeast Asia.
Although the Burmese have been victimized by the regime over the past 4
decades, having been subjected to numerous human rights atrocities including
being poisoned with pesticides in their paddy fields, they are not resigned
to their fate as has been wrongly portrayed by some Burma watchers, analysts
and foreign journalists.
As a leader of the Burmese opposition and an exile of 15 years, I can attest
to the fact that our people are determined to fight for their own freedom,
with or without international support. It is an oversimplification to
assume that the 1,500 political prisoners simply “languish” in solitary
confinements and inhumane jail cells. Many, if not all, choose to fight on
by refusing to negotiate away their individual freedoms. The regime
pressures them to go into exile, give up politics permanently, denounce the
NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi or accept business licenses and exploit a corrupt
economy. With very few resources and almost no political recognition, the
ethnic minority communities, specifically the Karens, the Chins,! the
Karennis, the Shans and the Mons struggle on with their armed resistance
against what to them is an occupying power on their ancestral land.
Fifteen years after the pro-democracy movement that elected Aung San Suu
Kyi’s democratic opposition as the legitimate government of Burma, the
situation remains at a crisis level. Under intense diplomatic and political
pressure, the regime has moved Aung San Suu Kyi from a secret location in
Rangoon to her own home under detention.
However, international sanctions and other punitive measures so far have not
coerced the regime to change its barbaric behavior nor convinced the regime
to begin negotiation with Suu Kyi and ethnic nationalities leaders.
Weakening the regime economically through sanctions coupled with diplomatic
and political pressure may be all the international community believes it
can do in Burma. As an organizer who helped build the pro-sanctions
grassroots campaigns since 1995, I can say it is not enough and will not end
the human rights abuses and repression.
Any international attempt to help the Burmese help themselves must involve a
fundamental shift in the way the Burma problem is conceived. It is time for
the international community to demand a fundamental change in the Rangoon
regime and shift its focus of support and initiatives to the Burmese
resistance inside Burma.
The opposition movement and its international supporters must concentrate on
removing the regime or forcing it to negotiate a settlement with the
democratic opposition. Despite some recent measures such as the United
Nations resolutions, American economic sanctions, freezing of Overseas
Development Aid by Japan, temporary halting of non-humanitarian assistance
and a visa ban by the European Union, and a brief period of verbal
intervention of ASEAN, the regime has remained intransigent and entrenched,
as can be seen by the apparent failure of UN Special Envoy Razali Ismail to
persuade Burma’s junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi.
Perhaps what the opposition movement needs most is cutting edge
communications technology to maintain constant flow of information to and
from the activists on the front lines of the freedom struggle within Burma.
Most importantly, the international community must recognize that there is a
continuing armed conflict in Burma, which is taking a heavy toll in human
suffering and political instability. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed,
but the aid must be delivered with the consultation of the NLD inside Burma
and with the democratic armed resistance in the “open fire” zones of Burma.
The aid delivery must not undermine the fundamental mission of restoring
freedom and democracy there. That is, the regime must not be allowed to
manipulate humanitarian assistance to further its own political and
institutional interests.
The fundamental obstacle to democratic transition in Burma is the tremendous
imbalance of power between those who wish to hold on to power at all costs,
and those who wish to reclaim and rebuild their country as a democratic
union.
The first step toward resolving Burma’s political crisis requires taking
concrete measures designed to shift the balance of power in favor of the
democracy movement, forcing the leaders of the regime to recognize that the
best option for themselves and for their families is a negotiated
settlement.
No amount of international sanctions without a well-supported and highly
capable opposition movement will force the regime to negotiate with the
National League for Democracy, let alone hand over power to the last
democratically elected political party in Burma.
Dr. Zar Ni is founder and director of The Free Burma Coalition, one of the
Internet’s first and largest human rights campaigns. He is also a fellow in
the Rockefeller Foundation Next Generation Leadership Program.
_______________________________
Some Refugees go back for security reason
21st October 2003:
Some ethnic Karen refugees from Mae-khong-kar camp are going back into Burma
for security reason as the government troops stations at Bawy Lu Baw, just
opposite to former strong-hold of KNU Headquarters, Manaeplaw, the refugees
from camp said.
Although there is no detail number of refugees who returned to Burma, a
number refugees are returning back into Burma.
“I don’t know exactly how many refugees returned to Burma. I saw Thai border
security guards and Thai villagers. The refugees leave the camp only at
night time to hide in darkness. When we hear dog barks, we could see
refugees are leaving the camp along with their belongings and their
children. These refugees told me that they used to live Bway-Lu-Baw and left
there because it was not a safe place. As authorities are forcing us to
relocate Bway-Lu-Baw we have no option but to go back to inside Burma,” one
of the re maining refugees from the camp said.
The NMG learn that refugees are still worrying about recent attacks by
government and DKBA troops to their camp and rising fear of their new camp
might be attacked again.
As monsoon already ended, the Thaung-Yin river longer can no longer be
barrier between new camp and Manaeplaw, the government troops can easily
cross the river and may attack the new camp. Though Thai authorities says no
need to panic on attack of Burmese army, the refugees in the new camp are
not relying on it.
One refugee said “When DKBA attacked Mae-La-Mu, they (Thai border security
guards) also had to run away in fear along with refugees. In reality, they
could not protect and don’t want to die for us because they are Thai.”
While some refugees are returning Burma, remainders amidst their worries,
are waiting to relocate new camp by arrangement of Thai authorities.
On 5 October, Thai authorities issued order to relocate Mae-Khong-Khar r
efugee camp to Bway-Lu-Baw.
New location of Bway-Lu-Baw refugee camp situates four kilometer away from
former stronghold of KNU Headquarters, Manaeplaw on Thai-Burma border.#
___________________________________________
Conducting Population Survey in Northern Arakan
21st October 2003:
The Burmese military regime is conducting a survey on population and other
things in the bordering township of Maungdaw, Arakan State, from October 7,
2003, said a source close to Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC).
In late September 2003, the Commander of the Western Command in Arakan
issued an order, through local authorities, asking the VPDC chairmen and
members to take and submit village-wise report of the inhabitants and other
things showing their families with members, sex, age, occupation, and houses
with types of structure and roof, acres of their farm land and other
moveable and immovable properties, kinds of cattle, fowls and other domestic
animals, types of fruit trees (like coconut trees, betel nut trees,
jackfruit trees, mango trees, lemon trees, etc) in their house compounds and
gardens, etc, he further added.
In a meeting, held on 16th October 2003, at the office of the Nasaka Sector
No.4 of Maungdaw Township, the Nasaka Sector Commander asked the VPDC
chairmen and secretaries for immediate implementation of the order.
Meanwhile, he warned that stern action would be taken against those who
neglect or do not comply with the order, said a member who participated at
the meeting on condition of anonymity.
When asked, the Nasaka Commander told the meeting that the aim of the
counting is to verify different reports, about the inhabitants and other
things of the township, that have been received from various departments
like Nasaka (Border Security Force), Township Peace and Development Council
(TPDC) and Health Department, he further said.
“Since it has been carried out discriminately in the Rohingya areas, there
is a hidden motive behind this,” said an elite of Buthidaung Town.
Similarly, the ruling military regime was conducting population survey
excluding animals and properties of inhabitants of Maungdaw and Buthidaung
Townships in June 2002. #
______________________________________
Bangladeshi fishermen under stress from the Burmese and Thai trawlers’
invasion of their waters
21st October 2003:
According to the Bengali language newspaper, The Daily Ajker Desh Bidesh’s,
October 8th publication, Bangladeshi fishermen are facing enormous strain
due to the Burmese and Thai fishing trawlers, which are illegally fishing in
Bangladeshi waters.
The illegal trawlers come into Bangladeshi waters from the Burmese side
during the night, while detecting the fish during the day from the Burmese
side using advanced technological equipment.
Furthermore, the illegal trawlers are also robbing fish, machinery, and
other valuables from the Bangladeshi fishing boats. On the 20th of
September, four Bangladeshi trawlers were robbed off their valuables, and
the crew were thrown into the sea.
The captains of these four trawlers are Abu Karlaung, Naw Zumia, Abu Mauzuu,
Muhammad Aliya, the paper said.
According to The Daily Ajker Desh Bidesh, local sources report that due to
the incursions and robberies by the illegal trawlers, about 6,000 Bengali
fishermen from Saint Martin’s Island are scared to go out into the sea.
It also claims that these trawlers are under the protection of the Burmese
Navy, and there could be some sort of deal between them and the Burmese
Navy.
The local authority of Saint Martin’s Island made a complaint to the
government departments. It is expected that soon the Bangladesh Navy, the
Coast Guards, Police and local law enforcers will be able to solve this
problem.
Saint Martin Island is located close to Burma and the first Anglo-Burma War
(1824-26) broke out because of a dispute over the ownership of the Island.#
___________________________________
Burma third from last in World Press Freedom Ranking
20th October 2003:
The Paris-based Reporters without Borders (RSF) issued its second ranking of
press freedom in countries around the world today and Burma is ranked 164th
position out of 166 countries listed.
Burma ranked third from last ahead of Cuba, North Korea and ranked below
Bhutan and China.
It is the same status Burma enjoys with last year's RSF ranking found the
country to be third position from last ahead of Cuba and North Korea as
regards to press freedom.
The findings point out that the most catastrophic situation is to be found
in Asia, with eight countries in the bottom ten: North Korea, Burma, Laos,
China, Iran, Vietnam, Turkmenistan and Bhutan.
"Independent news media are either non-existent in these countries, or are
constantly repressed by the authorities. Journalists there work in extremely
difficult conditions, with no freedom and no security. A number of them are
imprisoned in Burma, China and Iran", the RSF said.
Cuba, second from last in the ranking, is the world's biggest prison for
journalists.
The ranking also distinguishes behaviour at home and abroad in the cases of
the United States and Israel. The United States is ranked 31st and Israel as
44th position as regards respect for freedom of expression on their own
territory, but they fall to the 135th and 146th positions as regards
behaviour beyond their borders.
India ranks 128th in world ranking of press freedom.
The RSF ranking measures the state of press freedom in the world based on
surveys of journalists, researchers, jurists, regional specialists and the
researchers about a range of press freedom violations, such as murders of
journalists, state censorship, free flow of information, etc.#
_________________________
Burmese Army demands farm products and firewood to withdraw farmlands
confiscation order
19th October 2003:
Rohingya villagers have to pay chili, potatoes, peas and fire woods for army
battalion to withdraw their confiscated farmlands and grazing ground in
Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, said villager.
On September 25, 2003, a section of army accompanied by three others from
the Township Agriculture Department went to Maung Nama Palay Daung village
tracts, Buthidaung Township with the collaboration of village Chairman. The
army battalion Commander issued an order to confiscate 1120 acres of
farmlands and grazing grounds which are surrounded with army battalion No.
564. The Commander said, “From today, the lands will be owned by the
battalion and no villagers can claim its ownership”. The Commander also
warned the villagers that if anyone opposes the confiscation of the lands,
he/she will be punished or jailed as anti state activist, said a farmer from
the village.
On September 29, 2003, the owners of the farmlands accompanied by the
Chairman went to the Commander and submitted an application, requesting him
to withdraw the order of farmlands confiscation.
Finally, the battalion Commander has come to agree with the villagers for
short time withdrawal of order with payment of 100- Visses (1 Viss =1.75 kg)
of chili, 200- Visses of potatoes, 70- Visses of peas and 4 tons of fire
wood to them. The land owners have also to sign on an agreement to return
their lands to the said battalion by 30th April 2004, he further said.
It may be mentioned here that there has been a continuation of land
confiscation in Arakan State from Rohingya villagers. These lands are being
used for army battalion for sometimes and many are distributed to new
settlers from Burma proper. The Rohingya people are frequently threatened to
vacate their lands for new settlers which affects the Rohingyas to become
landless. #
________________________________
Prostitution increases under hardship of SPDC rule
Dagonthar
18th October 2003:
The rate of prostitution in the outskirts of Rangoon has increased due to
the recent rise in unemployment. Soon after America imposed sanctions on
August 21, 2003, more than 60 companies were shut down during and over
60,000 workers were rendered jobless said a source at SPDC's labour
Department.
"In the reality of economic hardship, the women tell their families that
they are going to work. They do not dare to tell their families that they
were actually fired from their jobs. They leave for work carrying their
lunch boxes but actually they go for prostitution. This kind of prostitution
is increasing," said a Rangoon citizen.
In Rangoon, $20 US (about twenty thousands Burmese Kyats) can buy a night
with a prostitue; only, $3 US you can buy a few hours with a girl. While
this is much less than the international average rate, it is a means of
survival for the girls.
The prostitution business has been noted as an increasing problem for a long
time but this in this year is showing an exceptional increase.
The ruling Burmese junta maintains that the loss of industries and increase
of unemployment is due to Western sanctions. Rangoon citizens said, however,
that the economic hardship was created by the Burmese government and their
mismanaged policies, the military backed Union solidarity Development
Association (USDA), the ceasefire groups and the close friends of the regime
who hold all the businesses in Burma.
In Thailand, there are more than 1 million Burmese migrants. Some Burmese
have also fled to Malaysia due to economic hardship. The number of Burmese
female prostitutes is also increasing in these migrant areas.#
___________________________________________________________
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. #