KAO WAO NEWS No. 15

An electronic newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma

April 1-12, 2002

READERS' FRONT

MON UNITY LEAGUE NEGOTIATE TRUCE

JUNTA TIGHTENS CONTROL IN MON STATE

LEADERS EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE ON DEMOCRATIZATON

MON POST TEN SCHOOL RECRUITS STUDENTS

THAI SEMINAR PROMOTES MULTICULTURALISM

VOA: VOICE OF ARAKAN

THAI MAFIA BREAK AND ENTER MON MIGRANTS

HIV CRISIS: BURMA MIGRANTS VULNERABLE

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READERS' FRONT

Dear Readers, We invite comments and suggestions on improvements to Kao-Wao newsletter. With your help, we hope that Kao-Wao News will continue to grow to serve better the needs of those seeking social justice in Burma and Thailand. And we hope that it will become an important forum for discussion and debate and help readers to keep abreast of issues and news. Above all, we hope the newsletter will be used as a vehicle for those who want to share their views and experiences.

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HAPPY SONGKRAN NEW YEAR TO ALL AND FUTURE SUBSCRIBERS!

Regards, Editor [email protected]

Dear Kao-Wao, I hope Kao-Wao will grow successfully in the future. I am one of the new Kao Wao's subscribers and love the work you are doing.

Thank you for your kindness. Chit Calgary, Canada

Dear Kao Wao, Some political prisoners have been released after the visit of UN and talk between the junta and Daw Su. Does the junta sincerely consider releasing Mon leaders, Nai Ngwe Thein, Dr. Min Soe Linn and Dr. Min Kyi Win?

Mon Sai (Bangkok, Thailand)

Dear Editors The following is the news from DVB Norway, which may be of interest to you. Quoted Burmese military regime may be planning to make some positive political changes in Burma around 17th of April, the Burma’s New Year Day, according to reliable sources. “It will include release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” it said.

The speculation originated from a letter written by the Burmese embassy in Geneva and sent to Spanish foreign ministry, the current president of the European Union (EU). The letter urged EU to postpone the date of UN human rights resolution on Burma, which is scheduled on 16th of April. Burma wants to move the date to 23rd April. The reason given in the letter was that the Burmese government is planning to make positive changes in Burma around 17th of April.

Burma New Year day falls on 17th of April and which traditionally celebrates with water festivals symbolizing peace and prosperity and the washing away of impurities.

Although the Burmese government did not mention detail of the political changes in the letter, people closed to EU diplomats told DVB that it could include a mass release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. According to DVB sources, Spanish Foreign Ministry is likely to accept the Burmese government request.

Unquote

MON UNITY LEAGUE NEGOTIATE TRUCE

(Kao-Wao, Bangkok, April 9, 2002)

Negotiations initiated by the Mon Unity League between the New Mon State Party and Hongsawatoi Restoration Party has eased tensions.

Beginning mid March through to early April 2002, reported from the Thailand Burma border, the Negotiation Mission of the Mon Unity League met with senior monks and leaders from the NMSP and HRP. Although formal meetings have yet to take place, armed fighting between the two groups has ceased and the war of words, verbal and written accusations, are silent after rounds of negotiation.

After inclusion of Buddhist monks into MUL team to facilitate negotiations, the leaders of both parties pledged to avoid armed conflict. The reconciliation process gathered momentum after a well-known and revered monk visited the camps in early April.

Before the MUL Mission, tension was high after both sides ordered civilians to cut off contacts with the other side. Skirmishes occurred for control between the two groups near Halockhanee refugee camp, west from Sanghalaburi border town, which created havoc and disruption. On February 13, HRP arbitrarily attacked a NMSP logistic truck near Bleh Doonpite resulting in both sides suffering three dead. Shortly after, HRP targeted and set fire to two houses at Halockhanee, accusing them as supporters of NMSP resulting in many refugees fleeing from Halockhanee because of the insecure condition.

"Many organizations and individuals have welcomed the MUL initiative and civilians have been kept well informed of the developments, they stand neutral and do not take sides and believe strongly in promoting dialogue and unity among the Mon," said a team member who recently returned from the border.

JUNTA TIGHTENS CONTROL IN MON STATE

(Kao Wao / Three Pagodas Pass, April 10, 2002)

The Burma army entered the cease-fire zone of the New Mon State Party looking to build a motor road from Maraing to Che Daike, southern Mon State.

About 120 troops of Burma Army, IB No. 61 entered Maraing, east from Ye, southern Mon State and reached Tai Sook and Chae Daike area within the cease-fire zone of the New Mon State Party on April 8, 2002. The place is located on Halarn-Halockhanee route, which is connected to Kanchanaburi Province of Thailand and Ye Township of Mon State, Burma.

Without permission or reason to enter the cease-fire zone, troops entered eastern Ye area in early April with two bulldozers which were used for road construction. Local villagers were angered and concerned over the action of the Burma army, as reported a villager who met the Burmese troops during April 8-10.

According to the Bangkok Post Newspaper, Khin Nyunt, the First Secretary of the State Peace and Development Council feeling pressured from the international community to impose restrictions told “minority groups” in Lashio, Shan State on March 22 “drug trafficking will no longer be tolerated.” He briefed the minority groups before issuing the instructions and warned that drug crimes will no longer be tolerated and punishment would range from life imprisonment to death. The UWSA (United Wa State Army) was told about the order with other cease-fire groups.

An anonymous businessman from Moulmein close to the New Mon State Party said the junta also ordered the closure of cease-fire groups' offices in Myawadi and KawThaung, southern Burma. The Burma army has become increasingly paranoid about the possibility of foreign invasion after US branded UWSA as a terrorist organization, he added. The Burma Army instructed its ‘Grand Strategy of Peoples Militia’ as an emergency preparation kit for a foreign invasion led by the US allied with the Thai army.

Affected by the order of closing the border offices by the end of April are the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). “The closure of the cease-fire groups' offices was not only intended to show the international community that the SPDC is fighting drug trafficking but it will tactically marginalize the ethnic armed groups and disrupt business and free flow of movement,” observed a former member of the NMSP.

When reaching cease-fire agreements with the military junta in 1995, NMSP was permitted to operate business ventures as a substitute to political aims. The NMSP owns the Rehmonya International Co. Ltd., with offices in Rangoon, Moulmein and Myawadi. Concessions and privileges given to NMSP in the past include logging, fishing and transportation, however the junta gradually reneged on its agreement and continued to retain control over certain areas.

LEADERS EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE ON DEMOCRATIZATON

(Kao-Wao, April 8, 2002)

Leaders from the ethnic nationalities and democratic forces of Burma gathered in a liberated area from April 6 to 8 to brainstorm on democratic issues in South East Asia.

NCUB, Forum Asia and NRP (National Reconciliation Program) organized the 3-day workshop, attended by 35 leaders from the nation wide movement, which is striving for democracy in Burma. Participants included the NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma), WLB (Women League of Burma), UNLD-LA (United Nationalities League for Democracy, NLD (National League for Democracy), NDF (National Democratic Front), SYCB (Students and Youth Congress of Burma), and Mon and Shan representative assembled to hear the ongoing experiences of its neighbours from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Leaders of ethnic nationalities gained a diversity of knowledge and a broader understanding of democratic forces within Southeast Asia. Dr. Mark Thamthai of the Chula Longkorn University moderated the workshop with presenters from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). One participant viewed the exchange as “having inspired the leaders on how democratization in the region developed while learning about the challenges faced by all groups undergoing transition”. The gathering is intended to assist leaders in enhancing their understanding of the political history of the South East Asia region and to increase their confidence in participating in the Burma democratization process.

Dr. Lian Sakhong of UNLD discussed the history of Burma from a Union perspective while David Taw of NDF presented his views on the present political climate. In his closing remarks to the workshop, Mr. Teddy Buri, President of MPU (Members of Parliament Union) thanked participants for their time and was appreciative of the balanced view and the exchange of ideas of leaders to learn more about democracy.

MON POST TEN SCHOOL RECRUITS NEW STUDENTS

(Kao Wao, April 1, 2002)

The Mon Post Ten School has issued the annual notice to recruit students to join for the new educational year 2002-3.

The Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) published a notice in March to recruit new students who have completed high school education. The MNEC runs the Post Ten School and has an education officer distributing application forms to prospective candidates who will be selected through an entrance exam.

The Mon Post Ten School year starts in early May and finishes in mid March with a holiday in October, totaling 200 study days. The School provides General English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Basic Computing and History to youths who are unable to join government schools in Burma due to high tuition fees and costs. The long-term objective of the school is to reinforce teacher training and curriculum development for the Mon national education system and to promote self-sufficiency of the program.

The Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) established the Mon Post Ten School in 2000 to provide graduates from the Mon National High Schools and other individuals in Mon State with an opportunity to continue their education beyond the high level. The school is located at Nyi Sar village, near the Headquarters of the New Mon State Party, where a regular Mon National High School is operating.

The Mon National Education Committee became the biggest counterpart institution in supporting education within the Mon communities. According to the 2001 report of MNEC, the Committee runs 343 schools with 917 teachers and 46,202 students in the rural areas plus over 50,000 Mon students taking self-supported summer literacy classes in the Mon communities and monasteries inside Burma.

THAI SEMINAR PROMOTES MULTICULTURALISM

(Kao Wao/ Chiang Mai, April 2, 2002)

A Seminar on "Durable Solutions to Refugees, Migrant Workers and Stateless People in Thailand was held on April 1, 2002 in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

The one-day seminar, jointly organized by CARE Thailand, IRC, Mekong Sub-Regional Program, Migrant Action Program and Friends Without Borders, was attended by a hundreds of participants from government departments including the National Security Council, academic institutions, NGOs, Thai labor unions and business sectors.

The participants from the Mon Unity League were encouraged with Dr. Anan Ganjanapan of the Chiang Mai University remarks and criticisms of the general social attitude of Thai society toward migrant laborers. Dr. Anan wants Thais to change their discriminatory attitude of migrants and treat them as equals in the workplace. He articulated that Thais should not act "Khun Thai duay karn" (we are Thai together) which views ethnics and migrants as part of the assimilation process. A speaker from the Chiang Mai, Chamber of Commerce urged Thailand to introduce the concept of multiculturalism and respect the cultures and rights of migrant workers.

The opening speech was given by Jahansha Assadi, the Regional Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees who urged the crowd not to see refugees as burdens but as valuable contributors to society. Assidi suggested Thailand provide adequate educational and vocational training for illegal workers from Burma so that they can return home with some skills for living and have a good impression of the Thai people.

Dr. Alan Smith of Germany based Friedrich Naumann Foundation presented on the Political, Economic and Social Development in Burma and pointed out that the Burma military cease-fire agreements with armed groups has not stabilized the economic situation in the country and slowed down the migration of people who have left the country to seek a better standard of living in Thailand.

A similar workshop on Cooperation between Governments and NGOs in Solving problems after the 2001’s Registration of Migrant Workers was held last February in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thai government sees the issue of alien workers as a growing social concern, which threatens Thai society and is cracking down on foreigners who work in the country illegally. Thailand is negotiating with Burma to repatriate all undocumented workers from Burma.

VOA: THE VOICE OF ARAKAN

(Kao-Wao, April 1, 2002)

The VOA became the Voice Of Arakan among the freedom Arakanese fighters. The Arakan League for Democracy (Exile) Youth published the "Voice Of Arakan" or Arakan News Bulletin in the liberated area, near Thailand Burma border.

The Arakanese youth published the first volume to inform supporters and Arakanese public since in February on a monthly basis; and VOA contains news on developments in Arakan region, national and international issues regarding democratic forces.

Kyaw Htin, the Chairman of ALD (Exile Youth) told Kao-Wao that Arakan League for Democracy (Exile) Youth, founded on December 31st, 2001, aims to support and contribute to achieve the goals of ALD. It also intends to help highly qualified youth leaders to cooperate and coordinate with other youth organizations and to build unity and mutual support among expatriates Arakanese for the future of Arakan State.

Back in Burma, the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) won 11 seats in May 1990 general election and ranked Third place in winning followed by the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). The members of CRPP and Secretary General of ALD, U Aye Tha Aung is serving a 21-year long-term punishment at InSein prison due to his political position and beliefs in democracy. The ALD, an active member of the UNLD (United Nationalities League for Democracy), has no alternative to carry its task in Burma and some leaders went into exile and formed ALD (in exile) in Bangladesh in 1994.

Migrant Watch

THAI MAFIA BREAK AND ENTER MON HOME

(Kao Wao/ Bangkok, April 2, 2002)

Two Mons, holding Myanmar passports, were robbed by the Mafia (Nark Lin) near Sam Ruing, Bang Na, Bangkok on April 1, 2002.

In the morning of April 1, 2002, three men entered the apartment of two Mons and pulled out small guns and proceeded to intimidate and threaten. The mafia pair seized 3500 Bahts and a mobile phone from two Mons, namely Nai Ping and Nai Win Aung. The Mons were handcuffed while the robbers tore the place apart then seriously beat and kicked their captives about the head. While the robbers were searching for loot in the apartment, Nai Win Aung’s friend came and knocked at the door, the friend realizing what was happening by the shouting of Nai Ping then called for help to Thai neighbors.

Two Thai policemen came to the apartment shortly after and took Nai Ping for questioning, Nai Win Aung was sent to the hospital. Although Nai Ping was released in the evening of April 2, the police seized his mobile phone, passport and bank account. The fate of two Mons, Myanmar passport holders are not known. “The two men are working at transferring money for migrants working in Thailand into Burma. It is believed that one of three robbers is a migrant worker working for the Thai Mafia,” the source said.

HIV CRISIS: BURMA MIGRANTS VULNERABLE

(Cited from BBC/ by Larry Jagan, April 9, 2002)

Burma and Thailand have agreed on a plan to repatriate more than 500,000 Burmese illegal immigrants currently residing in Thailand.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told the BBC, the Burmese workers will be screened for HIV. Those testing positive will be separated from the other workers and repatriated. The agreement was reached in a bilateral meeting between the two countries in Rangoon, when both countries attended a tripartite summit with India.

The plan is part of the Thai Government's efforts under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to improve relations with Burma. Thailand has been anxious to get Rangoon to agree to take back illegal Burmese living in Thailand.

Reported in June 2000, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids, estimated that over 530,000 people were living with HIV in Burma at the end of the 20th century. That translates into 1 in 50 of the population in the most sexually active age group (15-49). Some 180,000 of those infected were women and another 14,000 were children. The rates of migration HIV cases have increased and are reaching a crisis level in Burma.

Those with the virus who have returned home from working in Thailand will affect every community or villages in Mon State. Many more people now are suffering from the disease and have died of AIDS related illnesses said a community worker. Prevention and education to migrants on the disease are not available to the community said a worker from Maharchai, Samut Sakhon Province.

The Burmese Government asked Thailand to screen all returning refugees for HIV Aids and Thailand agreed. This is likely to anger many human rights groups, who have already accused the Thai Government of violating the workers' human rights by insisting on a medical examination before they are registered or re-registered. The Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said "workers who are diagnosed as HIV positive are separated from other immigrants and will be treated as part of a special repatriation scheme."

KAO WAO NEWS GROUP

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