The BurmaNet News: August 12, 1999

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 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: August 12, 1999
Issue #1335

HEADLINES:
==========
NCUB: NEW CRACKDOWN ON STUDENT ACTIVISTS IN BURMA 
AP: MYANMAR SEEKS WESTERN COOPERATION 
BKK POST: SURIN PRESSES FOR BURMESE INPUT IN ANTI-DRUG 
MIZZIMA: CHALLENGES ON THE INDO-BURMA BORDER  
BUSINESS WORLD: FOREIGN GROUP SCOUTS FOR POLITICIANS 
CANBERRA TIMES: SIDOTI'S BURMA VISIT TOO RISKY 
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNION OF BURMA: NEW CRACKDOWN ON STUDENT ACTIVISTS
IN BURMA 
12 August, 1999 from zena@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

On 2nd August, four political activists were arrested by military
intelligence (MI) at their homes in Pegu, north of the capital Rangoon.
They are currently being detained at the Interrogation Centre of MI unit
No.3, based in Pegu. 

According to a resident of Pegu, several arrests have taken place in Pegu
lately. The crackdown seems to be a result of the fear of the military of a
repetition of the countrywide demonstrations in 1988 that brought about the
downfall of former dictator Gen. Ne Win. A large number of small-scale
demonstrations and other defiance activities have taken place in Pegu over
the past months, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with the
current military rule in Burma. According to one source, the authorities
seem to be wary of any sign of a public move ahead of the eleventh
anniversary of the killing of 15 students and other demonstrators in Pegu
on 6 August 1988. 

The current military junta is presently cracking down not only on political
dissidents, but also on their families in order to eliminate all opposition
to their rule. In Pegu, the fathers of two of the arrested activists have
been dismissed from their jobs as a result of the political activities of
their children. The two families are also about to lose their homes, which
are part of a housing complex for government servants. 

According to some sources, another 40 activists, aged 20-60, from the Pegu
area are also reported to have been detained recently, including some
members of the NLD. They are currently said to be held in a military
compound. Among those reported to have been detained are the former
chairman of the Pegu township NLD and one MP from the NLD. Both were later
released. 

The latest crackdown follows the previous detention of nineteen activists
in Pegu in July in connection with a march for Martyrs' Day to commemorate
the assassination of Gen. Aung San, father of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu
Kyi, and several of his colleagues during Burma's struggle for
independence. Among the nineteen people arrested at the time, eight were
relatives of one organiser of the march, Kyaw Wunna, who himself is on the
run. The arrests of these family members were apparently a retaliation
against him because of his political activities.

The names of the four activists who were detained on 2nd August are as
follows; 

- Kyaw Aung, male, age 23. Trader. 
- Kyaw Min Htun (a) Wa Gyi, male, age 20. Student. 
- Pyo Wai, male, age 19. Student. 
- Maung Saw, male, age 18. Student.

Information Committee 
NCUB

For further information, please contact: 

U Maung Maung Latt (NCUB information committee) 
Win Naing Oo (NCUB information committee)

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ASSOCIATED PRESS: MYANMAR SEEKS WESTERN COOPERATION 
10 August, 1999 

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - A senior member of Myanmar's military government has
suggested his country would move toward democracy faster if Western nations
cooperated rather than maintaining a hostile policy of isolation,
state-controlled newspapers said Tuesday. 

The remarks by Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, a top member of the ruling State Peace
and Development Council, came Monday in a speech at the opening ceremony of
a diplomacy course at the Foreign Ministry, the reports said. 

``A careful and objective study will reveal that both sides have the same
aim - the emergence of a democratic country. The difference is only in the
tactics to reach this goal,'' Khin Nyunt was quoted as saying. ``If these
nations, which are trying to exert pressure and isolate Myanmar through
prejudice, adopt a positive attitude and assist Myanmar, we can achieve our
common goal more quickly.'' 

The United States and the European Union shun the military government
because of its human rights abuses and failure to turn over power to an
elected government. The opposition National League for Democracy won a
landslide victory in a 1990 general election, but the army never allowed
parliament to convene. 

The military in Myanmar, also known as Burma, has never set a clear
timetable for restoring democracy. 

The West's treatment of Myanmar as a pariah state has limited the flow of
aid and investment to the country, whose economy is already ailing. 

``We believe that the Western nations lack understanding of the actual
situation of Myanmar and the challenges it faces,'' Khin Nyunt was quoted
as saying. ``They are launching their attacks based on their biased
attitudes and ill intentions.'' 

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THE BANGKOK POST: SURIN PRESSES FOR BURMESE INPUT IN U.S. ANTI-DRUG DRIVE 
12 August, 1999 

State Department to consider proposal

The United State should consider allowing Burmese police to take part in a
US-sponsored anti-drug programme in Thailand, Foreign Minister Surin
Pitsuwan said yesterday. Mr Surin put the proposal to Benjamin Gilman,
chairman of the House Committee on International Affairs, according to
Charivat Santaputra, deputy director-general of the Department of
International Organization.

The International Law Enforcement Agency was set up in Thailand two years
ago by the Royal Thai Police Bureau in conjunction with the Federation
Bureau of Investigation and the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Mr Gilman regarded Mr Surin's proposal for the US to engage Burma in the
fight against drugs as a "valid initiative", saying his delegation would
raise the matter with the State Department once back in Washington.

Thailand has urged Burma to step up the monitoring of border areas amid
suspicions that drug trafficking rings are searching for new routes into
the country.

Last week the San Ton Du checkpoint on the northern border with Burma,
notorious as a major amphetamine smuggling route, was closed. With that
border point closed, anti-narcotics authorities now suspect drug
traffickers may be searching for alternative routes across the border, a
minister said.

Jurin Laksanavisit, a PM's Office minister, said the Burmese ambassador had
been told Thailand would donate communication equipment to Burma to assist
in the fight against drugs. Burma has agreed to set up a new checkpoint to
crack down on drug smuggling through Myawaddi, which borders northwestern
Mae Sot district, adding it will increase surveillance in other areas, Mr
Jurin said.

The National Security Council last Wednesday ordered the immediate closure
of the San Ton Du checkpoint in Chiang Mai, which borders parts of Burma
under the control of the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

The UWSA is blamed for trafficking an estimated 200 million speed pills
across the border post since it opened in September 1998. The UWSA is
allegedly using profits from the drug trade to develop their rapidly
expanding headquarters at Mong Yawn, just across the northern Thai border.

Mr Surin also discussed the situation in China with Mr Gilman. Richard
Hecklinger, the US ambassador to Thailand who accompanied Mr Gilman, handed
to Mr Surin $25,000 in assistance for flood victims in Chanthaburi.

Mr Gilman's delegation, comprising congressmen from California, Michigan,
Ohio, Samua and Guam, also called on Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, Supreme
Commander Mongkol Ampornphisit, Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanhaeminda and
leading Thai businessmen.

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MIZZIMA: CHALLENGES ON THE INDO-BURMA BORDER 
11 August, 1999 

In what could be described as a continuing intrusion into Indian territory,
the Burmese army entered into 300 meters inside Indian territory last week,
said a local newspaper in Manipur State today. Citing the senior
intelligence officials based in Mizoram State, the Imphal Free Press
newspaper said that the Burmese army patrol unit entered into Indian
territory in Chhimtuipui District at the India-Bangladesh-Burma
tri-junction last week while chasing a group of Arakan Muslim rebel. 

According to the report, the Arakan Muslim armed group had kidnapped and
later killed a local trader in Arakan State whom they claim was an informer
of the Burmese army. In retaliation, Burmese army attacked the rebels and
entered into Indian territory "accidentally". During the attack, the
Burmese soldiers killed two of the rebels. 

Reports of intrusion and illegal encroachment of Indian territory by the
Burmese army soldiers have been in the news for some years. According to
Imphal-based Manipur Cultural Integration Conference (MCIC), the Border
Pillar No.66, which was erected in 1969-70 at Molcham sector in Chandel
District of Manipur State had been destroyed by the Burmese soldiers and
that a new pillar had been erected in its place deep inside Manipur's
territory some years back. 

The continued intrusion and illegal occupation of portions of Indian
territory through "unethical" means was a great worry for some influential
citizens in Manipur State of India. In an interview with MIZZIMA, Dr. R. K.
Rajan Singh, Assistant General Secretary of MCIC, said that Burmese
soldiers frequently enter into Manipur's territory without any restraints
and sometimes continue to stay for days inside Indian territory. 

"I don't know whether the Army junta of Burma does it intentionally or not.
The fact is that they have entered very frequently into our territory
without any restraints", said Dr. R. K. Rajan who is also editor of MCIC's
quarterly journal "Regional Integration". 

India is sharing a 1643 kilometer-long border with Burma in its eastern
flank. Manipur and Mizoram alone share 908 kilometer-international border
with Burma. The two countries completed almost all of its boundary
demarcation officially in March 1976 except in India-China-Burma
tri-junction part. 

It may be recalled here that historically the members of hill tribes on
both sides of the border of India and Burma were exempted from the
provisions of the passport rules if they traveled within 40 kilometers of
the other side of the border. However, the exemption was revoked when the
Nagas and Mizos had intensified their armed rebellions against the Indian
government and Burma border was sued as a safe passage for these insurgents
particularly after 1966-67. The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
informed the Indian Parliament on November 13, 1968 that: "Movement across
the India-Burma border within a zone of 40 kilometers on either side which
was earlier freely permissible is being regulated since 1-8-1968 through a
system of permit". 

However, according to a news report of All India Radio in Manipuri language
last week, the people from both sides (either army or civilians) can enter
up to 16 kilometers of the other side of the border without any permit.
This was decided during the recent Home Ministerial meeting between the two
countries, which was held on July 28-30 in New Delhi, said the AIR report. 

Moreover, the two countries, in the same meeting, agreed "to review the
work relating to the maintenance of the boundary pillars on the Indo-Burma
boundary and that the Surveyor Generals of the two countries would meet
shortly to work out an action plan in this regard".

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BUSINESS WORLD: FOREIGN GROUP SCOUTS FOR POLITICIANS SUPPORTIVE OF BURMA 
9 August, 1999 by Cathy Rose A. Garcia 

An international organization wants to drum up some neighborly support for
Myanmar's quest for democracy by getting Filipino politicians involved in
its cause.

The International Network of Political Leaders Promoting Democracy in Burma
(PD Burma) is looking for a Filipino political figure who is willing to
provide support for a democratization in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

In a press conference at the New World Hotel in Makati City last Friday,
Helle Degn, chairperson of PD Burma, said the organization wants to
establish stronger links with Filipino politicians who are willing to
support its cause.

The late former Senator Raul Manglapus was the only Filipino involved in PD
Burma before his death last month.

Ms. Degn said the organization wants to encourage more political support
for Myanmar, especially among Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) member countries.

Ms. Degn, who is a former minister of development and chairman of the
foreign policy committee of the Danish Parliament, believes the delicate
situation in Myanmar would eventually affect ASEAN countries. She noted
there is a need for the 10-member ASEAN to be more active in Burma's affairs.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has
urged ASEAN to encourage dialogues between her National League for
Democracy and the ruling military generals. She has also criticized ASEAN's
policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of its member countries.

ASEAN member countries are: Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Ms. Degn praised the Philippines for its democracy, but urged media to be
more vigilant. She admitted that recent reports on the attempts to curtail
press freedom are disturbing.

"We are very impressed with the press freedom in your country. We are
following the situation very closely... Freedom of expression here has come
to a very fine situation. We must always develop this freedom in the
media," she said, during the press conference organized by the Royal Danish
embassy.

Ms. Degn arrived in the country last August 4 and left last Saturday. While
in Manila, she met with former President Corazon Aquino, but did not say
whether the latter would join the organization. She also met with Foreign
Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Willy Gaa.

The Norway-based PD Burma aims to improve the freedom of speech, respect
for human rights and promote process of democratization in Myanmar. It is a
network of leading and influential politicians throughout the world.

Among its 18 members are South Korean parliament member and co-chairperson
of PD Burma Dr. Kim Sang-Woo; South Africa chairman of truth and
reconciliation commission Archbishop Desmond Tutu; India Defense Minister
George Fernandes; and Wilfried Martens, former Belgium prime minister.

However, only one ASEAN country has a representative for PD Burma,
Malaysian opposition leader and parliament member Lim Kit Siang.

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CANBERRA TIMES: SIDOTI'S BURMA VISIT TOO RISKY 
6 August, 1999 

The visit to Burma by Australian Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti is
a risky move, even if it achieves its ostensible aim of establishing a
Burmese human rights commission.

It is risky because of its symbolism. Detained opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy won a 1990 election but whose
legitimacy has never been recognised by the ruling military junta, asked Mr
Sidoti not to make the trip. She, like many in Burma, fear that a human
rights commission would exist only on paper and that abuses by the military
would continue unchecked. At the same time, they fear that the existence of
such a commission would be used by the junta to lever for greater formal
engagement between the regime and those foreign powers which have hitherto
treated Burma as an international pariah.

Their argument carries some force. The junta has remained steadfast through
years of financial and political isolation, without any sign of weakening
resolve or any concessions to international demands for democratisation.
Even the recent ASEAN policy of " constructive engagement" instead of
isolation doesn't seem to have produced any appreciable lessening of the
junta's routine persecution of its opponents.

Still, while no-one is eager to parly with the Burmese regime, there is a
growing mood among some nations that the stalemate between the junta and Ms
Suu Kyi has been allowed to continue for too long, and that there is little
realistic hope for rapprochement. There is a growing sense among some
observers that Ms Suu Kyi's own intransigence, her refusal to engage in any
dialogue with the military and her rejection of a role in an ASEAN proposal
to draft a new constitution, do not help matters. Not that anyone is likely
to say so in public, of course. Particularly since she was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize, Ms Suu Kyi has become a symbol of repressed democratic
aspirations for people around the globe. One does not lightly accuse such a
figure of obstinacy, particularly when she so clearly occupies the high
moral ground.

But however justifiable Ms Suu Kyi's intransigence and however poignant her
infrequent communications with the world, the international community has
recently found itself casting around for some alternative means of breaking
the Burmese deadlock. The economic and political isolation of Burma has
weakened noticeably, even in the European Union, and the signs are that it
will weaken further.

The Australian Government obviously believes that Mr Sidoti's trip could
prove the first step in the process of seeking an alternative means of
influencing events in Burma.

Those in favour of the attempt to establish a human rights commission point
out that a similar commission set up in Indonesia in 1993, when the Suharto
regime was still solidly entrenched, had made a real difference to that
country's attitudes towards human-rights abuses. They argue that a
commission, once it exists, gains legitimacy and effectiveness with the
passage of time. And they point out that of all Burma's critics, Australia
might be best-placed to get the ball rolling, since it has historically
been among the less strident of the nations favouring political isolation
for the junta.

Australia's overture to Burma carries significant risks, and progress if it
comes at all will probably be slow. In a way, the slow pace is good,
because it will enable those responsible to remain alert to any sign that
the Burmese regime intends to abuse Australian goodwill in order to gain
long-term international legitimacy in its own right. That is something it
can never deserve.

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