KAO WAO NEWS No. 38
An electronic newsletter for social justice and
freedom in Burma
No. 38, February 13- 25, 2003
READER’S FRONT
NATIONALITIES MEET ON
UNION DAY
CHIN AROUND THE WORLD
CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY
BANK CRISIS HITS
BORDER TRADE
BUDDHIST EXAM
SPONSORED BY SENIOR MONK
PUBLISHER OF MON
POETRY ARRESTED
ANOTHER GAS EXPLOSION
IN
STATE TERRORISM USED
BY JUNTA SAYS
DEATH TOLL OF WAR ON
DRUGS RISES
EU PRESIDENCY
CRITICIZES
GENERATION OF
POLITICS IN MONLAND
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READER’S 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
Regards,
Editor
http://www.burmalibrary.org/show.php?cat=1215&lo=d&sl=0
Dear editor,
I appreciate what you are doing for the suffering people of
Mon thru this great news letter. The Rohingyas are the worst victims of human
rights violations in
Thank you,
Mong Mrawa
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Politics and
Ethnicity
(Kao-Wao,
The cease-fire group, New Mon State Party, urged the
military junta of
Presided by Vice-president Nai Htin and Secretary General
Nai Rotsa, over 10,000 civilians attended a mass assembly at which the NMSP
publicly announced their deep disappointment with the regime’s organized land
confiscation, which has been for the Burmese military logistics. Land
confiscation has forced the Mon people from their land and homes sending them
to
The mass assembly was followed by a colorful military
parade. Everywhere richly dressed women and men in bright red accompanied the
Mon audience who gathered to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Mon National
Day at Wae Baing near the headquarters of NMSP in Monland.
The statement expressed the views of many in the audience,
that the Mon have lost their freedom, in the form of
political, fundamental and human rights under the present regime, the large
crowd traveled by foot and trucks from the rural and urban areas in
The NMSP expressed its alarm over the increase in the number
of military bases in
The NMSP sponsored National Day was held at three places in Ye, KyaIn-Seikyi and Palaing
The NMSP fifth congress before the National Day launched
five tasks to strengthen unity among the
The NMSP was founded in July 1958 when the Mon Peoples Front
(MPF) surrendered to the U Nu’s Parliamentary government declaring to Mon
supporters that it was an exchange of arms for democracy. Since it was
founded Nai Shwe Kyin (91 years), who now lives in
Meanwhile, 18 worldwide Mon organizations from four
continents (
****************************************************
UNLD-LA Conference
upholds Panglong Spirit
NATIONALITIES MEET ON
UNION DAY
(Kao-Wao,
The ethnic nationalities inside
The Union Day message for Democracy was jointly signed by
the Zomi National Congress, Mon National Democratic Front, Chin
National League for Democracy, Karen National Congress, Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy, Kayah State All Nationalities League for Democracy,
Kachin National Congress for Democracy and the Democratic Organisation For
Kayan National Unity.
“The union spirit has slowly diminished since independence
was gained and today we are in a deplorable situation. Our greatest desire is
for national reconciliation and we have been striving to achieve it even to
this day. We will be doing our utmost to find solutions for a dialogue
and national reconciliation,” read the statement. The ethnic groups
highlighted that the only way to a peaceful and productive national
reconciliation is through a tripartite dialogue.
At the same time, the Untied Nationalities League for
Democracy (UNLD-LA) held the Second Conference from 9 to 12 February in a liberated areas, near Thailand Burma border.
Attended by twelve parties of ethnic nationalities, the meeting elected
Advisory, Presidium, Secretariats, CEC, and Working Committees for the next
working term.
Among elected leaders were Khun Teddy Buri (President of
Members of Parliamentarian Union), Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe (son of the former
President of Burma Sao Shwe Thaike), Dr. Lian Sakhong, Kun Manko Ban (Minister
for Federal Affairs of the NCGUB), Dr. Za Hlei Thang (MP from Chin National
League for Democracy), Daniel Aung (MP from Lahu National Development Party), U
ThaNoe (MP from Arakan League for Democracy), Pu Thang Lian Pau, (MP from Zomi
National Congress), Nai Tun Wai and Nai Thaung Shein (MP from Mon National
Democratic Front).
Themes of inner strength, separation and loss, common
solidarity, the importance of education, and a peaceful return to democracy
emerged at the meeting. The ultimate goal on their agenda is to restore
democracy and establish a genuine federal system in
The UNLD was established in 1989 as an umbrella organization
for the non-Burman nationalities in
**************************************
(Kao-Wao,
In
The 56th anniversary of the Mon National Day was celebrated
in
Speeches were delivered by the chairperson of Finn-Mon,
Chairman of the
In
Reported by Nai Rotmon Hongsar of the Mon Canadian
Association and the Mon Cultural Society, the events were joyfully celebrated
at two venues in
Representatives from the local Municipal Canadian
government, Amnesty International and community leaders sincerely expressed
their solidarity messages followed by entertainment by the Mon women dancers
richly dressed in traditional red and gold stitched sarongs, music and
delicious foods were enjoyed by all. Several Mon from
In the
Organized by the Monland Restoration Council, Mon National
Day was happily celebrated in
Messages from the National Coalition Government of Union of
Burma (NCGUB) and Karen Solidarity Organization (KSO) were also present at the
celebration and provided their support. Various traditional dances and
songs were performed after political messages and media groups also broadcasted
the event.
Together with Mon communities in the
Inside Monland
Mon National Day celebrations were held in several places at
Ye, Thanbyuzayat, Mudon, Kyai-Maraw, Chaung-zon,
The Main Committee of Mon National Day, comprised of Mon
State and Karen State communities also celebrated the in event at Mon Dhamma
Salar building in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State.
According to MND organizer from Mudon, the main agenda
expressed were to protect Mon literature and culture, to keep the Mon identity
strong and alive and to build unity among the Mon people.
Liberated Area
The New Mon State Party organized the national celebration
in the liberated areas in 3 places and informed the people about the current
political deadlock in
The Mon National Day organized by the NMSP’s
No public celebration in
***********************************************
CHIN AROUND THE WORLD
CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY
(Chinland Guardian,
Chin people around the world in four continents from
The 55th anniversary of Chin national day celebrations are
being held in India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, USA and
Canada.
In the National Day commemorative message sent to Chin
communities worldwide, the Chin Forum, an umbrella grouping that represents
Chin exiles in various parts of the world, described how the historically free
and sovereign Chin people were colonized by the British, how their loyalty to
Panglong agreement and allegiance to the
The Chin Forum, which is carving out a state Constitution
for Chinland, argued that the very Union constitution that was “imposed” in
1947 was in breach of Panglong agreement, saying that it resulted in
“tremendous losses and human miseries.” To avoid the repeat of past miseries
for future generations, the Chin Forum said, with the state Constitution it is
drafting, it “envisions a future Chinland to be the land of freedom, peace and
prosperity.”
The Chin National Front, an armed front for
self-determination and member of the National Democratic Front, also issued a
welcome message on the recent
In a statement dated
Inside
***********************************************************
BANK CRISIS HITS
BORDER TRADE
(Kao-Wao,
While people in
“Money exchangers at the 3
A Mon businesswoman from
The authorities she added gave no reasons.
According to a report from the
Rumors that Asia Wealth Bank (AWB), one of 20 private banks
in
Until recently, the AWB enjoyed a solid reputation and
remains one of the biggest commercial banks based in
************************************************
Mon Literature and
culture
BUDDHISHM EXAM
SPONSORED BY SENIOR MONK
(Based on IMNA,
About 500 monks from various parts of Mon areas entered a
Buddhist Scripture Exam at the Thai Burma border sponsored by a well known
abbot.
The exam was held at the
“This is the biggest exam ever in the border area. The aim
is to maintain Buddhism and also for the survival of Mon language”, said an
organizer of the ceremony. The Exam was divided into three sections:
primary class; middle class and high class. The abbot offered prizes to
the top three monks of each class.
Among 500 monks, 180 passed the exam according to the
Organizing Committee. Young monks who received three top prizes are mostly from
Ven. Uttama donated 1.4 million Baht for the ceremony and
Mon devotees in
******************************************************
Press Freedom
PUBLISHER OF MON
POETRY ARRESTED
(Kao-Wao and based on an IMNA report,
A member of the Mon Literature and Culture Committee was
arrested for publishing a poetry book in
The manager and a staff member were arrested after they
printed the poetry without the approval of the State Scrutiny Board, and Kaung
Mon, the biggest Mon press in Burma has been ordered to shut down, reported a
source in Rangoon.
The Secretary of Mon Literature & Culture Committee (
The Mon Literature and Culture Committee, a registered
non-profit and non-political organization was founded in
"The closure of the press happened after a student was
arrested. Nai Soe Aung didn't know it was printed in his press because
his staff did not inform him,” a source close to Nai Soe Aung said.
According to the IMNA report, Nai Soe Aung and his staff
will be taken to court. The printing machine and equipment were later
returned to the owner after signing a document that they will not publish
un-scrutinized materials again.
The press belongs to Nai Thet Lwin, a businessman and senior
leader of the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF). Kaung Mon Press that
provides Mon customers with modern design is running the business at Kyaukk
TaDar township, central
*************************************************
Environmental
Disaster
ANOTHER GAS EXPLOSION
IN
(Kao-Wao /
A section of a gas pipeline exploded on
The explosion occurred on the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas
pipeline near La-Mine
According to the Democratic Voice of Burma radio (Mon
Program), authorities have not figured out what caused the explosion, the
insurgent groups have not claimed responsibility.
The Independent Mon News Agency reported that villagers were
prohibited from going out from the village and turning on all lights. “We
don’t know why. First, we thought the rebels exploded the pipeline, but it was
not true” said a villager. “The sound is like continuing thunder with a loud
booming noise for 3 hours, gas was gushing out all over the place.” added the
same villager.
The villagers saw that a deep hole was found 3 hours after
the explosion.
The SPDC authorities ordered local Burmese battalions to
increase security along the pipeline after the accident. It was the third
time such an accident happened, two other explosions occurred last year.
On
Another section of the gas pipeline exploded on
“People living near the gas pipeline are concerned for their
safety. They argue it was built with poor technology and engineering”, said Nai
Chan from Ye,
SPDC's Ministry of Construction built the
Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline in early 2001 in cooperation with security from
the Southeast Military Command that took seven months to complete. The 150
miles KanPauk- MyaingKalay pipeline runs across
STATE TERRORISM USED
BY JUNTA SAYS
(Kao-Wao,
The 5th meeting of the Military Alliance was held on the
The 27 leaders from Arakan Liberation Party, Chin National
Front, Karenni National Progressive Party, Karen National Union and Shan State
Army met to strengthen their military capability and strategy. Internal
and international political situations were also discussed at the meeting.
According to the statement released after the meeting, the
Military Alliance also focused on the continuing use of State Terrorism by the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) against the ethnic nationalities
that abuses their rights as citizens. The
***********************************************
Rights and drugs in
the region
DEATH TOLL OF WAR ON
DRUGS RISES
(Kao-Wao,
The Asian Human Rights Commission protested to the Prime
Minister of Thailand over the rising death toll in his brutal crack down on
drugs.
The urgent appeal of AHRC said, “Since February 1, hundreds
of alleged drug dealers have been killed in the latest "war on
drugs", launched by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The current
government is in effect encouraging the police to sidestep judicial procedure
and simply execute alleged offenders. This also makes it increasingly easy for
the police and other authorities simply to do away with anyone they don't like;
indeed, some reports indicate that police have planted drugs and then detained
or killed alleged suspects.”
The Prime Minister is reportedly satisfied with the results
of the first 10 days of the campaign, during which an estimated 100 people were
killed. "Do not put the safety of drug dealers above that of police.
If the police do not shoot when they fight, they will die" defended Prime
Minister Thaksin.
The Bangkok Post newspaper has put the death toll from
February 1 to 9 at 183, with 87 of these being drug related. The Police
Major-General Pongsaphat Pongcharoen alleged that most of the deaths were all
the result of dealers "killing each other to avoid the risk of betrayal
should their accomplices turn themselves in". Apart from those
killed, at least 7000 people have been arrested. An additional 70,000 are
reported to have turned themselves in, 50,000 of these being drug users afraid
of getting hurt or killed either by the police or by their drug dealers.
The activists complained that the crack down in
According to the source, the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights has requested to allow the special representative to visit Thailand to
investigate, but has been refused by the Thai authorities.
****************************************************************
International
Pressure
EU PRESIDENCY
CRITICIZES
(Cited by Macedonian Press Agency,
The EU Presidency has criticized
In the declaration, the EU calls on the Burmese authorities
to respect their promises to release political prisoners and to immediately
hold a substantial dialogue with the national league for democracy with a view
to proceeding to a democratic transition.
The growing harassment and attempted intimidation of Aung
San Suu Kyi by the authorities, supported by the Union Solidarity Development
Association (USDA) in
In the statement, the EU reaffirms its support for political
change in
At the same time the EU also reiterates its call on Senior
General Than Shwe to enter urgently into a genuine and
substantive dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the other political groups and
representatives of the ethnic nationalities.
The EU also calls the regime to institute a programme of
economic reforms adequately addressing the economic and humanitarian needs and
to take further steps to effectively tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS. The
EU will take the situation in
************************************************************
Opinion
A NEW GENERATION OF
POLITICS IN MONLAND
(By Banya Hongsar and Lita Davidson)
The nature of politics never grows old. But a new generation
in the Mon national movement is ready to take over the helm from those who have
fought for decades.
Nai Htin, Vice Chairman of the NMSP said in a seminar in
2002: ‘We simply cannot pay homage to those who (Burman) oppress us by arms”.
It is indeed a patriotic spirit of a Mon leader who has devoted his whole life
to a revolution for more than four decades. A new
strategy is needed to launch another campaign to develop a passionate
understanding of political thinking for Mon nationalist leaders and current
policy makers.
A newly released book by Ashley South’s offers a fresh new
look into the nature of Mon politics, in the “Mon Nationalism and Civil War In Burma: The Golden Sheldrake” has resonanted through the
heart and minds of Mon youth. Although the book is read by
those who understand the language of politics and English. However, a
British author reminded the world community that Mon history prevails in
The author notes in the final chapter, “The Mon nationalist
community is not homogenous: different sectors have pursued sometimes divergent
goals. Furthermore, Mon nationalism is in transition; debate is rigorious and
sometimes involves criticism of the errors of the past”.
“Criticism of the errors of the past” is the best concept
written in the book which has inspired Mon
readers, including this columnist, that has brought to surface a deep
re-thinking of the picture of Mon politics in the last two hundreds years. The
year 1757 is when the last
The first challenge for the new generation is to find a place
and to define a dynamic political role under the current leadership of Mon
leaders. There are over twenty Mon organizations both home and abroad led by
youth leaders with the exception of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Mon
National Democratic Front (MNDF).
“There is nothing more important than to advance our youth
through education,” said Banya Mon, Chairman of Mon Youth Progressive
Organization (MYPO), who has gained a good
knowledge and understanding of politics from his experience with the Foreign
Affairs Studies program.
The lack of education is part of the failure of the Mon nationalists movement but this argument does not hold to
well with the current Mon leaders who have devoted their life to independence
in the past 30-50 years both in and out of the jungle.
“We can build unity among ourselves today for the Mon
future, to build the strength of the Mon we must look to our youth to play a
dynamic leadership role, so to me investing in our youth by giving them
opportunities in education is the best course of action”.
Mon political leaders, and other ethnic leaders, have paid
dearly over the last 5 decades since 1958 when they made a deal with U Nu
government for democracy. They ended up in jail for years and lost valuable
time and opportunities because of suppression. Again, whether the new
cease-fire deal in 1995 will tell the same story has yet to be seen.
Thirty-seven years of both political and military operations of New Mon State
Party and its Mon National Liberation Army are currently under review and in
which Mon youth will be tested in their ability to take up the challenge for
the future of the Mon nationalist movement.
Ashley South says: “that many thousands of individuals
remain committed to interrelated versions of the Mon cause. Whether they
continue to identify with the NMSP or MNDF will depend upon how these parties
meet the challenges set before them”.
However, the challenges are daunting especially when
considering the implications of globalization on the Mon national movement and
how to intergrate it within their political thinking. Should our leaders
isolate themselves from the world? Leaders must work together not only with
themselves as an ethnic group but with other leaders in
This deglobalization movement addresses major problems
indigenous people face worldwide and we need to consider how or if we are to
connect with groups fighting for independence and the preservation of their
natural resources. The World Social Forum has drawn together environmentalists,
community militants, church activists, and youth worldwide. The Mon have a multitude of roles to play in an increasingly complex
world and we could initiate a Southeast Asian World Social Forum.
The Mon’s opponent, the Burmese
military regime both the current and the past key players have learned what are
the weakness of the Mon nationalist movement including its leadership. Many
young Burmese military officers have developed their capacity of strategy
studies and facilities in the last ten years, a strategy that is a serious
threat to all groups in the country who strive for democracy.
A recent released International Crisis Group’s Asia Briefing
report under the title of “Myanmar: The Future Of The Armed Forces” indicated
that the government’s comprehensive defense expansion and modernization program
has been accompanied by a sweeping reorganization of Myanmar’s military command
and control system. In 1990, the Military of Defense was reshaped and a
powerful Office of Strategic Studies (OSS) formed under the Director of Defense
Services Intelligence”. In 1990 after the military voided the NLD democratic
victory, the Burmese regime expanded its army from 185,000 troops to half a
million today, many thousands of them child soldiers who are forced to kill and
execute civilians.
State Peace and Development Council, the current military
government, is attempting to rebuild its political strength via sponsoring
United Solidarity and Development Association for a political platform under a
guided country-wide action plan supported with documents distributed to USDA’s
members to back-up the role of military-style democracy in the future Burma.
The military government has launched a massive charade, a
public relations campaigns via state television, radio and the Internet
in order to maintain the public’s perception in favor of a military-backed
government in the future. The USDA are nothing but a
bunch of outlaws who target religious and independent groups who challenge the
government. It will inevitably fail in spectacular fashion, the regime has become
increasingly, economically isolated worldwide and is viewed as backward, its
reputation is nothing but an embarrassment to its people, in light of the
recent rape report of the Shan human rights groups, a policy that uses rape as
a weapon of war that has been condemned internationally.
Current leaders of the Mon political community must act now,
to use the media as a hammer to strike at the regime and at the same time to
rebuild its image for the Burmese and Mon community. It must be creative in
approach and positive in outcome that will sweep away the errors of the past
and be replaced with a new way of thinking that will build a concensus of peace
rather than war.
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