The BurmaNet News: December 8, 1999

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The BurmaNet News: December 8, 1999
Issue #1418

HEADLINES:
==========
BKK POST: JUNTA TO "GET RID OF TRAITORS" 
SHAN: CHINESE INVITED TO "GROW DOUBLE CROP OF RICE"
BKK POST: FORCE VOWS TO RETURN TO BURMA 
REUTERS: MYANMAR JAILS 300+ BANGLADESH FISHERMEN 
BBC: JAPANESE BUSINESS INTEREST IN BURMA 
BKK POST: CLOSE TIES ARE A SAFE BET 
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THE BANGKOK POST: JUNTA TO "GET RID OF TRAITORS" 
7 December, 1999 

AP 

Rangoon - In a stern statement coming after a Japanese diplomatic
initiative to encourage reform, a senior member of Burma's military regime
has pledged to rid the country of "traitors".

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt's remarks to a teachers' refresher course on
Sunday were carried yesterday in official newspapers.

"Every nation has the right to choose its own political system and shape
its own destiny suitable to its historical and cultural traditions of the
nation and people," said Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, chief of military intelligence.

The speech came after a week of diplomatic overtures by Japan, which is
reaching out with suggestions of restoring aid if visible progress is made
toward political and economic reform.

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's speech showed no softening in the government's refusal
to hold a political dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel peace
Prize winner, whose party won elections in 1990. The military never let the
parliament convene and considers Ms Suu Kyi a traitor.

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt restated the government's position that it "is treading
on the right path toward the flourishing of disciplined democracy".

"The internal traitors are deceiving the people by saying that genuine
democracy can only flourish when they take power," Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said.

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SHAN HERALD AGENCY FOR NEWS: CHINESE INVITED TO "GROW DOUBLE CROP OF RICE"
IN SHAN STATE
8 December, 1999 

According to a township official in eastern Shan State, the junta had
agreed to invite Chinese agriculturists to begin a double rice crop project
in the trans-Salween areas.

SNA reported today (6 December) that he had learned from an officinal from
Mongyawng District, Eastern Shan State that farmers in the district had
been ordered to complete their rainy season harvest as soon as possible and
to start prepare irrigation for a dry season crop for 4,000 acres.

400 baskets of rice seeds, of a new variety, had already been ordered from
China and 80 "agriculturists" together with their families were expected to
arrive in Mongyawng soon.

The produce according to the bilateral agreement, would be shared 50:50
between the two countries. "The Chinese will provide expertise and Burma,
manpower", said the official.

The official, who requested anonymity, added: "The local people are
worried. For one thing, they feel sure they are in for forced labor for the
duration of the project; for another, they think most of the
'agriculturists' shall continue to stay long after the project is over".

He cited an example in Mongyang Township up-north, where thousands of
Chinese had settled for a number of years under a "tea plantation project".

[For further information, please contact S.H.A.N. at shan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
S.H.A.N. is a non-profit making, independent Shan media group. It is not
affiliated to any political or armed organization.]

*****************************************************

THE BANGKOK POST: FORCE VOWS TO RETURN TO POWER
6 December, 1999 by Nusara Thaitawat and Subin Khuenkaew 

KNU WEAKENED BY LOSS OF HEADQUARTERS

KAREN STATE

The Karen National Union (KNU),weakened and disillusioned by a heavy
military defeat in Manerplaw in 1995, and since the violent split of
Buddhist Karens to form the pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
(DKBA) in 1997, is determined to get back on its feet.

Military training at all KNU brigades is being planned and is expected to
start early next year, with guerrilla warfare its main strategy, said Padoe
Mahn Sha, the first secretary of the KNU.

"We believe victory is near," he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post.

He admitted the KNU was low on funds and the loss of its headquarters in
Manerplaw and Kawthoolei, and the split by Buddhist Karens, have had a
strong psychological impact on the KNU.

A number of middle-ranking officers had turned to drinking or had given up
altogether, but according to Mr Mahn Sha and a local commander of the KNU
7th Brigade based in central Karen State, some are coming back to the army
bases and are ready to fight on.

The Karen leader's optimism is based on five key reasons.

The most important of these being the weakness of the Burmese military
government, known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

"The SPDC is facing a crisis on the political, economic and even military
fronts. No other government in Rangoon has been so weak," he said.

Another reason is that the Burmese people, who have been subjected to
state-managed propaganda for decades, have matured politically and are no
longer willing to put up with the military dictatorship.

"The people know who their real leaders are and what their intentions are,"
he said.

Ethnic political parties have also managed to reach an understanding and
are now fighting alongside each other, while in the past they had fallen
prey to Rangoon's divide-and-rule policy, he said.

The international community was given a wake-up call by the five Burmese
students who took siege of the Burmese embassy in Bangkok on October 1-2,
he said.

The fact that Thailand officially referred to them as "activist students"
rather than terrorists has reminded the international community of the
problems in Burma, he said.

As for the fifth reason, Mr Mahn Sha said that no one in Burma could remain
neutral any longer as the struggle for freedom by the ethnic groups has
affected every aspect of life.

According to non-governmental organisations concerned with Burma, there are
an estimated two million internally displaced persons as a result of
Rangoon's oppressive policies.

Half of these are ethnic minorities mostly in the Shan, Karen and Karenni
states.

Thai army sources do not share the Karen leader's optimism, though they
agree that the KNU without money from logging concessions in areas formerly
under their control, had become more focussed on their objective.

"Though General Bo Mya is still respected, he is not trusted any more. The
KNU has not prepared second generation leaders to take over.

"We can expect the break-up of the KNU the day Bo Mya passes away," they said.

"There will be a Karen resistance but not in the form of the KNU, possibly
smaller groups under different leaders."

The sources said the KNU may have an overall policy but there was little or
no financial and material support coming in from the centre to the brigades
at the front line.

"The situation is every brigade for itself," said one military expert with
close ties to the KNU. 

*****************************************************

REUTERS: MYANMAR JAILS MORE THAN 300 BANGLADESH FISHERMEN
7 December, 1999 

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Myanmar border guards have
jailed more than 300 Bangladeshis they accuse of illegal fishing, officials
said on Tuesday.

But the president of the Bangladeshi Teknaf Fishing Boat Owners Association
said the fishermen were abducted while in Bangladeshi territorial waters on
the Naf river and from near Saint Martin island in the Bay of Bengal.

``These people have been languishing in Myanmar jails for several months,''
said Rashid Ahmad.

The Naf river partly demarcates the two Asian neighbours.

``Nasaka often abduct Bangladeshi fishermen along with boats from
Bangladesh territory. We get many of them released after negotiations with
Myanmar authorities,'' said Colonel Waliullah of the Bangladesh Rifles
border force.

*****************************************************

BBC: JAPANESE BUSINESS INTEREST IN BURMA
7 December, 1999 

A delegation from the Japanese Federation of Economic Organisations
Keidanren is in Burma to study investment and business opportunities. 
  
State-controlled media in Burma said the visit followed two previous trips
by the federation since 1997, and was intended to produce specific plans. 
  
Leading Japanese companies are said to be represented in the delegation,
including Mitsubishsi, Mitsui and Sumitomo. 

*****************************************************

THE BANGKOK POST: CLOSE TIES ARE A SAFE BET
6 December, 1999 by Nauvarat Suksamran

PROFILE -- VIKROM AISIRI

The casino owner who doesn't gamble says Thailand should be more patient
with Burma and not side with the West when it attacks Rangoon as part of
efforts to divide Asia. His allegiance to Burma is understandable-he has
made his billions there-and is appreciated by Rangoon and Bangkok alike
whenever they need to talk. 

When Foreign Affairs Minister Surin Pitsuwan returned from Rangoon two
weeks ago with news that Burma would re-open its border with Thailand,
little was known about the intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy that had
defused the month-long gridlock. Hugely responsible was Vikrom Aisiri,
until then a billionaire of mystery.

It is not overstating the case to say Mr Vikrom was crucial to the success
of Mr Surin's visit to Burma and ensured the minister did not return home
empty handed.

But instead of jumping into the limelight, Mr Vikrom has retreated back to
the privacy of his vast business empire. As a man of connection,
particularly with Burma's ruling generals, Mr Vikrom said he felt obliged
to help convince Rangoon to normalise ties after the junta slammed shut the
border in response to the occupation of the Burmese embassy in Bangkok on
Oct 1-2 by refugee students.

Mr Vikrom is the owner of the luxury Andaman Club Hotel in Burmese waters
off Ranong. The hotel is set on a wide expanse on Thahtay Kyun island with
a casino catering to mainly Thai and other foreign gamblers.

People started asking questions about Mr Vikrom after there were reports
that the border crossing serving his hotel was the only one which remained
open at the height of the diplomatic breakdown.

A man of few words, the 52-year-old businessman decided to break his
silence to answer queries regarding his role in settling various
state-level disputes-especially after he was offended by being branded a
"gambling den master" with unrestricted access to the junta in Rangoon.

"I'm not a 'den master' so don't look at me as one," he said. "I don't even
know how to gamble. I'm a hotelier dealing in the business of tourism.

"The casino isn't Andaman Club's selling point. It's merely part of the
attraction," he said, claiming that the hotel imposed strict requirements
on entry to the casino.

"We sell what nature has to offer more than anything else." Mr Vikrom took
part in negotiating the release of 30 Thais caught entering Burma illegally
at Victoria Point, opposite his hotel, and also has been commended for his
efforts in persuading Burma to reverse its decision to withdraw the fishing
concessions granted to Thai trawlers, also in response to the embassy
occupation.

He said the 30 Thais were not arrested at his hotel casino as had been
reported; they were rounded up 50km away. The report was attributed to
speculation that his casino had the green light from Burma to stay open
while the border closure was in effect and so it was the only place open to
gambling.

Mr Vikrom has won the trust of the government by liaising with Burma.
Observers said he has acted so competently that some people are saying he
has the makings of a future foreign minister.

He met regularly with the Burmese leaders and exchanged ideas on the border
situation in an attempt to avoid any worsening of relations.

It was reported that he organised the talks prior to Mr Surin's visit that
resulted in Rangoon lifting the border closure.

He said he was approached by businessmen to help arrange meetings with the
junta, but he had never boasted of his top-level connections in order to
further his own interests.

Mr Vikrom said his vision was to turn Ranong into the tourism powerhouse of
the Andaman Sea, rivalling Phuket.

And he has the cash and the will to realise his ambition.

Much of his wealth has come from many years involved in Burma's main
industries of logging, gem-mining, pearling and prawn farming, as well as
an eco-tourism operation at St-Lukes island south of Victoria Point. He
also was awarded the multi-billion-baht project to build the Marid-Rangoon
highway.

His combined net worth is put at more than 10 billion baht.

Because he is trusted by the Burmese government to undertake major
undertakings, it comes as no surprise that he is sought after in time of
diplomatic difficulty.

An insider said Mr Vikrom always came in handy as he was only a phone call
away from the State Peace and Development Council's leadership.

"Khun Vikrom is the go-between who brings two people together," said one
close aide to the businessman.

The aide said Rangoon had cut off its nose to spite its face and had
suffered greatly by the border closure but was too proud to correct its
mistake.

Mr Vikrom insists he alone does not deserve credit for normalising
relations; Mr Surin, the Foreign Ministry and the government as a whole
also were instrumental.

He also said business relations with Burma, as with foreign policy, must be
conducted on a firm basis of trust, honesty and neighbourliness.

Mr Vikrom said his business activities in Burma are far from shady as they
followed the proper legal procedures with the backing of Burma's board of
investment.

His first commercial contact with Burma was in 1990 in the gem and logging
trades, which he took over from a friend. This was a big leap and a
departure from his family's building business, he said.

Mr Vikrom said he exports timber from Burma to India, not Thailand. He also
mines, processes and markets gems.

His interest in hotel operations began when he invested in the Dusit Island
Resort Hotel in Chiang Rai.

He later went on to lease Thahtay Kyun island for 45 years and built the
Andaman Club Hotel, which was completed in 1995. Its opening was presided
over by Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba, Burma's hotel and tourism minister.

Mr Vikrom rejects the idea that he is a "godfather", and said he was
content to live away from the media glare. He leads a simple life and has
no intention of chasing the media so he can rebut every negative claim made
against him.

The father of four is a graduate of Chulalongkorn University's commerce and
accountancy faculty, where he was a classmate of Don Paramatvinai, the
foreign ministry spokesman, and Palakorn Suwannarat, director of the
Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre.

The no-frills Mr Vikrom said he has a clean record and is willing to go to
any lengths to prove it. Had he been involved in any illegal dealings, he
would have been blacklisted by Rangoon and Bangkok, he claimed.

The billionaire is keen to push ahead with an aggressive plan to develop
Ranong's tourism potential. The province has good road and air links, has
plenty of sun and sand to woo visitors, and his West Group of companies is
more than ready to establish a foothold, he said.

On the drawing board are plans for a floating hotel, the newest addition to
his chain of hotels and a world-class golf course on the Burma side of the
border.

Mr Vikrom's family ran a building company. As the eldest son, his father
made sure he had a deep knowledge and expertise in engineering.

He describes himself as determined and a go-getter. Although he pays
meticulous attention to detail, he rarely hesitates when it comes to
investment.

Some time ago, he placed orders worth millions of baht for leisure boats
from Norway.

What he wants most is to see a canal dug across the Kra isthmus to make
Thailand the region's leading shipping nation.


"If I set out to do something, I must succeed despite the risks," he said,
shrugging off warnings about investing in Burma due to the political
uncertainty.

Mr Vikrom says he is very familiar with the ups and downs of business, and
has always managed to survive. He recalls having land he bought in a joint
investment in Phnom Penh seized by the Cambodian government.

But it is different in Burma. Although investment is not always smooth and
rosy, he said he has never been cheated.

Disputes over fishing rights, which at one stage developed into a
confrontation between Thai trawlers and the Burmese authorities, should not
be politicised or portrayed as a threat to bilateral relations, he said.

Thailand should be patient when dealing with the fishing issue because
Burma does not have all the resources necessary to safeguard its maritime
interests.

We should also steer clear of Burma's internal affairs, he said, going on
to condemn the West's claims about Burma's human rights record as nothing
more than propaganda in its attempt to divide Asia for its own economic gain.

Thailand should act as a guardian and help its neighbours, he said.

"We of the same colour and race should unite instead of being misled into
believing that Burma is cruel and inhospitable.

"There have been reports that Mr Vikrom might run in the country's first
senate election early next year, and he admits that he has been approached
by political parties to run on their behalf in both the lower and the upper
house elections.

Reports say preparations are under way to muster support among Ranong's
business sector.

But Mr Vikrom said he has not made up his mind yet as politics was not his
career goal. But he added that life generally is full of uncertainty and it
is his nature to always take chances regardless of the cost.

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