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The BurmaNet News: February 1, 2000
- Subject: The BurmaNet News: February 1, 2000
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2000 07:53:00
=========== The BurmaNet News ===========
February 1, 2000
Issue # 1451
=========================================
Noted in passing: "The Myanmar government's fiscal condition is so
severe that it has to run just to keep from going bankrupt."
Minoru Kiryu, a professor of economics at Osaka
Sangyo University (See JAPAN TIMES: MYANMAR
GOVERNMENT LOSING ALL FINANCIAL FOOTING)
=========
Headlines
=========
Inside Burma--
JAPAN TIMES: MYANMAR GOVERNMENT LOSING ALL FINANCIAL FOOTING
SIAM RAT (Thailand) SHAN STATE ARMY SEEKING CEASE-FIRE
SHAN: FLOOD OF NORTHERN OPIUM CUTS PRICES DOWN
DVB: SPDC SAYS IT CAPTURED GOD'S ARMY BASE
AP: MYANMAR REBELS SHELTER GOD'S ARMY
AFP: MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER MYANMAR HOSTAGE DRAMA
===
International--
VBSW: "DEEPLY SORRY FOR RATCHABURI HOSPITAL INCIDENT"
BANGKOK POST: TROOPS WERE TOLD TO USE DISCRETION
AFP: CHINA SENTENCES MYANMAR SAILOR TO DEATH FOR PIRACY
===
=========================================
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
INSIDE BURMA
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
JAPAN TIMES: MYANMAR GOVERNMENT LOSING ALL FINANCIAL FOOTING
By HISANE MASAKI
Staff writer
Nearly half of the approximately 270 billion yen in Japan's outstanding
official yen loans to Myanmar have gone sour.
As of March 31 last year, the final day of fiscal 1998, Japan's
outstanding yen loans to developing countries totaled 9.8 trillion yen,
of which 272.5 billion yen was being held by Myanmar, according to the
Japan Bank for
International Cooperation.
Of the total outstanding yen loans to developing countries at that time,
377.8 billion yen had been in arrears for six months or longer,
according to the JBIC, a government-affiliated aid organ created in
October through a merger of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and
the Export-Import Bank of Japan.
According to government sources and people familiar with the matter, the
amount of arrears on Myanmar's huge official debts to Japan is
continuing to rise sharply and has already exceeded the 130 billion yen
level, compared with the 94 billion yen level four years ago.
This means that Myanmar is responsible for about one-third of the total
amount of arrears on official debts owed to Japan by developing
countries and that nearly half of the 272.5 billion yen in Japan's
outstanding loans to Myanmar have gone bad.
For its part, the JBIC refuses to give the names of developing countries
with overdue official loans, let alone a country-to-country breakdown.
"We have a long-held policy of not making public which country owes
Japan overdue official debts and how much," a JBIC spokesman said.
"That's partly because doing that might hurt the credit of countries
with such debts and partly out of foreign-policy consideration."
Until fiscal 1998, Myanmar had continued to repay several billion yen or
more in arrears to Japan each year. But no such repayment has been made
during fiscal 1999, which ends on March 31, further adding to the
Southeast Asian country's ballooning overdue official debts to Japan.
In accordance with a 1978 resolution by the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development, Japan has automatically provided the same amount
of money Myanmar repays, in the form of grant-in-aid, after an interval
of only one or two months. The UNCTAD resolution urges aid-donor
countries to
forgive official debts owed them by the poorest of Third World
countries.
The fact that Myanmar has stopped making repayments despite this
arrangement indicates just how tight its financial bind is.
Minoru Kiryu, a professor of economics at Osaka Sangyo University and a
leading expert on Myanmar affairs, said Myanmar's foreign currency
reserves are extremely scant.
"The Myanmar government's fiscal condition is so severe that it has to
run just to keep from going bankrupt."
Myanmar has been shunned by many sectors of the international community
since 1988, when the military took power in a coup. The country's
military junta, which now refers to itself as the State Peace and
Development
Council, continues to refuse to accept the results of 1990 national
elections in which Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National
League for Democracy won a landslide victory.
The United States and other industrialized countries in Europe have
toughened economic and other sanctions against Myanmar in recent years
in protest at the military regime's violations of human rights and
democratic principles, including the continued crackdown on the
prodemocracy movement led by Suu Kyi.
Since the 1988 coup in Myanmar, or Burma as the country was once called,
Japan has also frozen fresh yen loans and grant-in-aid, except those for
humanitarian purposes and debt-relief under the UNCTAD resolution.
In addition to the economic sanctions, the Asian economic crisis that
erupted in Thailand in the summer of 1997 and spread through much of the
region dealt a serious blow to Myanmar's economy, which saw a sharp
decline in foreign investment, especially from its fellow ASEAN members.
The
Association of Southeast Asian Nations admitted Myanmar immediately
before the Asian economic crisis occurred.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
SIAM RAT (Thailand) SHAN STATE ARMY SEEKING CEASE-FIRE
In Thai 29 Jan 00 p4. Translation by BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
Excerpts from report by Thai newspaper 'Siam Rat' on 29th
January
The Shan State Army [SSA] under leadership of Col Yotsuk
reportedly issued a statement on 25th January noting that it was facing
many problems and wanted to discontinue the armed struggle against the
Burmese military government.
According to the statement, peace and tranquillity are the
ambition of everyone in the world community, not just in
Burma and the Shan State. The Shan people were living in
fear of being killed or tortured. They have had to move
around as if they were homeless and suffered from hunger.
Their homes have been destroyed by the policy of the Burmese military
administration to eliminate ethnic minorities...
A Thai intelligence official said the SSA was ready to enter into a
cease-fire agreement with the Burmese government because it faced
various kinds of pressure and its anti-narcotics policy resulted in it
being ostracized by other ethnic minority groups. The SSA also suffered
from shortage of fund and ammunition to fight against the Burmese
government. Many SSA soldiers defected to the government due to hunger
and loss of confidence in their struggle. The SSA have been avoiding
clashes with government soldiers. The source said if the Burmese
government rejected the cease-fire overture of the SSA, the SSA could
switch to narcotics trafficking for its own survival. This would
compound the narcotics problem in Shan State and generate more drug
dilemma for Thailand.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
SHAN: FLOOD OF NORTHERN OPIUM CUTS PRICES DOWN
Shan Herald Agency for News
30 January 2000
No: 1 - 29
Maihoong reported from southern Shan State this morning that the price
of raw opium along the border had gone down during the last week due to
the oversupply coming from the north.
Maihoong said, "It was B.24,000 per viss (1.6 kilogram) towards the end
of December. It then went up as high as B.26,000. But during the last
week, the drug markets in Hoyawd (Monghsat Township) and Nakawngmu
(Mongton
township) were flooded by opium from Wa areas and even Monghsu in the
north. As a result, the price has plunged down to B.21,000."
"Even so, there are still many traders from the north who were waiting,
some for delayed payment, and others in expectation of price upsurge,"
he added.
A girl, who makes a living by selling vermicelli, told Maihoong, "These
people love to spend. I have already made K. 150,000 during the last two
weeks, a sum I have never dreamt of having by selling Khaosen
(vermicelli)."
"Hoyawd is under Wa control and Nakawngmu is under Lahu militia control,
and both with the consent of the Burmese military", concluded Maihoong.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
DVB: SPDC SAYS IT CAPTURED GOD'S ARMY BASE
[In Burmese, translated by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service
(FBIS)]
The SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] has captured the major
sites of the God's Army's base in Kamerplaw at 1000 today following
fierce clashes lasting for over 3 hours from 0600 and 0900 this morning.
It has been learned that the God's Army members have retreated from the
main site of the base where the church and 40 huts are located. Due to
the systematic retreat, the SPDC Army was not able to seize any men,
weapons or important military equipment.
According to border sources, the troops from Nos. 539, 380, and 375
Light Infantry Battalions [LIB] were able to seize the Kamerplaw Church
after holding a three-day siege and suffering heavy casualties and
losses.
However, there have been reports of renewed clashed between the SPDC and
God's Army troops at about 1500 today near Kamerplaw and the situation
remains confused. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] interviewed Padoh Kueh
Htoo, district chairman from KNU [Karen National Union] 4th Brigade area
where God's Army is located.
[Begin recording] [Padoh Kueh Htoo] We have heard about this
[capture of God's Army base]. I think they are cornered up to 1400
today. However, they may have retaken the upper part of Kamerplaw field.
[Unidentified DVB announcer] Can you say with certainty?
[Padoh Kueh Htoo] It is difficult to say as we do not know for sure.
They remain in the field at the moment. It is very
difficult for us to describe the situation.
[DVB] What is the latest news that you have heard?
[Padoh Kueh Htoo] As of about 1100 and noon the clashes were
continuing. However, the clashes were taking place outside the Kamerplaw
field, about 1 kilometer outside.
[DVB] So the clashes are continuing?
[Padoh Kueh Htoo] Yes. I cannot really confirm because the
people who have fled are still at the border and they have not crossed
over to this side. The people have not yet crossed over and I cannot
describe the situation with certainty. There are people still inside the
field. However, they are no longer at the church where their office is
located.
[DVB] Yes.
[Padoh Kueh Htoo] The clashes continuing outside [the
field]. [end recording]
According to the latest news that has just come in, the clashes between
the SPDC and God's Army troops are continuing 2 kilometers north of
Kamerplaw headquarters.
[Description of Source: Democratic Voice of
Burma--anti-government radio run by the National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma]
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
AP: MYANMAR REBELS SHELTER GOD'S ARMY
Mon 31 Jan 2000
WALAY KHEE, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's main ethnic rebel group said Monday
it would shelter members of a beleaguered guerrilla gang led by twin
12-year-old boys, but only if they accept the larger group's leadership.
God's Army, led by Johnny and Luther Htoo, was blamed for the armed
takeover of a hospital in Thailand last week and was engaged in heavy
fighting with the Myanmar military on Monday.
David Tharckabaw of the Karen National Union said the group was
preparing to contact God's Army with an offer to take them in, but
``only if they agree to follow our leadership and promise not to do any
more foolish acts.''
A senior leader in the Karen National Union, Bo Mya, said the group
believes God's Army was manipulated into the hospital raid by another
group, the Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors, who could have been
provocateurs sent by the Myanmar government.
Five of the student warriors briefly took over the Myanmar Embassy in
Thailand last October, and at least one of its members took part in the
hospital takeover in Ratchaburi in western Thailand. The hospital siege
ended when all 10 Myanmar raiders were shot dead by Thai security
forces.
Bo Mya and other KNU officials spoke at a celebration of Karen
Revolution Day, held at a base not far from the border with Thailand.
About 300 people shared a communal breakfast of rice and potato-chicken
curry and listened to songs and speeches.
The Karen National Union, whose fighting force has dropped in recent
years to an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 troops, has been seeking autonomy
from the government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, since the country
gained independence from Britain in 1948.
God's Army, which has at most 200 people, is only loosely associated
with the KNU but the hospital takeover caused outrage in Thailand and a
backlash against the Karen cause.
The Karen National Union relies on Bangkok's goodwill to operate, since
most of its supply lines run through Thailand, which is also the only
safe refuge for its civilian followers.
``There will be a systematic approach to neighboring countries for
understanding and sympathy,'' Bo Mya said in apparent reference to
strained relations with Thailand.
Tharckabaw said the KNU had information about fighting around the God's
Army base and that the Htoo twins - whom their followers believe have
magical powers of victory - were still alive.
``We are concerned about their safety and well-being,'' he said. ``We
don't want to see them killed.''
Thai television reported Monday that five Thai troops were seriously
injured by a land mine they triggered while patrolling near the border
with Myanmar, where fighting has been raging between government forces
and God's Army.
Myanmar troops were getting close to the frontier in pursuit of God's
Army and Karen National Union troops, ITV television said. It was
unclear who planted the mine.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
AFP: MAN JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER MYANMAR HOSTAGE DRAMA
YANGON, Feb 1 (AFP) - A Yangon timber trader has been jailed for life
for shooting a woman and holding her 10-year-old daughter hostage in a
dramatic siege triggered by an unpaid debt, legal sources said Tuesday.
The man, identified as Archun, led a three-man armed gang and took the
girl, Ma Thiri Kay, hostage and demanded a large sum of money alelgedly
owed by her father, Kyaw Myint, be paid as a ransom.
The girl's mother, San San Win, was shot in the stomach and is believed
to have died after an ill-fated attempt to rescue her daughter during
the hold-up last month.
Hundreds of onlookers were drawn to a three-hour siege which included
exchanges of fire between the hostage-takers and police, the officials
said.
The drama ended when police used tear gas to force the men out of an
apartment where they were holed up. The girl was released unharmed.
Archun, from the Lahu ethnic group, was sentenced to life in jail but
the fate of his two accomplices has yet to be announced.
Observers said the incident highlighted the growing criminal culture in
Yangon surrounding ethnic fighters who have made peace with the central
government.
"Anyone running foul of them is like likely to risk the same kind of
treatment," said a businessman. Many former armed groups, including
those led by former drugs lords Khun Sa
and Lo Hsing Han, now run large bona-fide businesses in construction,
transport, banking and timber.
Elements of the Lahu minority, based mainly in northern Shan State, have
made peace with the government as part of a series of ceasefires reached
to end decades of insurgencies.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
INTERNATIONAL
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
VBSW: "DEEPLY SORRY FOR RATCHABURI HOSPITAL INCIDENT"
PRESS RELEASE OF VIGOROUS BURMESE STUDENT WARRIORS
Date. 31 Jan 00
Ref . 08
We [are] deeply sorry for Ratchaburi Hospital incident and cold blooded
killings of restraint and civilized 10 gunmen from God's Army by Thai
Government.
We seriously concerned and discussed about latest developments that lead
to tragic end, also we contest the tricky handling of Thai Government.
We urge to stop bombarding in border area with heavy artillery from the
rear to assist the oppressive military regime of Burma.
The responsibility of all consequence lie on Burmese military junta,
which works very hard to cleanse the pro-democracy groups and ethnic
minorities forces from liberated area. It is the state terrorism of
military junta which is root of all people's sufferings and current
incident.
To Thai government, we VBSW have involved in the democracy movement
since 1988 in Burma and Thai Burma border. We absolutely understand
relationship between Thai authorities and Burmese student activists who
have been in Thai- Burma border.
Even though we have had too many difficulties such as lack of food,
financial assistance shelter, we do not have plan to disturb the
stability of Thailand. Thai government also must be realize the process
of Burmese democracy movement.
We demand to Thai Government;
allow to stay refugees flee from KAMAPLAW
give medical assistance to those refugees
We Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors, vow to fight for democracy and
Human-rights to vanish military dictatorship in Burma, by all means.
There is no way to deviate from our aim even facing any difficulties and
disturbances.
Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
BANGKOK POST: TROOPS WERE TOLD TO USE DISCRETION
'No orders given for them to shoot to kill'
February 1, 2000
Wassana Nanuam
The special forces units who ended the Ratchaburi crisis were told to
use their discretion and did not have orders to shoot to kill, the army
spokesman said yesterday.
Gen Surayud Chulanont, who directed the operation in which 10 God's Army
rebels were killed, told unit commanders their men had freedom to act,
said Col Somkuan Saengpattaranet.
The army chief was quoted as saying: "We had to give the special forces
freedom to act because they were risking their lives. If we had allowed
the situation to continue, the guerrillas might have done something.
They had M16 rifles, M79 grenades. We didn't know if there were hidden
explosives. What if they detonated the bombs."
Gen Surayud said the rebels were shot in the head because the special
forces men used laser sights to ensure accuracy.
He was quoted as saying the guerrillas' morale had been boosted after
they escaped the Oct 1-2 raid on the Burmese embassy and had been
pushing their luck since.
According to the spokesman, Gen Surayud felt the special force's move
was justified considering recent attacks by the rebels on Thai soil
including the embassy siege.
God's Army, he said, had also planted booby traps which killed four Thai
soldiers and a civilian.
"We agreed to two original conditions but they later laid down five
conditions which we found unacceptable-especially the demand to punish
the gunners who shelled their base," he said.
Gen Surayud also said the media were obstacles in carrying out the
mission and delayed the attack deadline from 2am to 5.30am.
Unit chiefs have been ordered to clarify what happened at Ratchaburi
regional hospital to people they know. "If the hostages were harmed or
killed, we would have taken the blame," he said. "Fortunately the
situation ended in our favour," adding the army would clarify its action
through its radio programmes.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
AFP: CHINA SENTENCES MYANMAR SAILOR TO DEATH FOR PIRACY
2000-02-01
BEIJING, Feb 1 (AFP) - A member of a Myanmar pirate gang which
hijacked a cargo vessel in the Andaman Sea was sentenced to death by a
Chinese court and two other pirates were jailed for life, state media
said Tuesday.
They were part of a 14-strong Myanmar gang found guilty Monday of
using guns and knives in March last year to overpower the crew of a
Panama-registered Taiwanese ship transporting cargo from China's
southern Suzhou province.
The gang forced the 21 crew members of the "Marien Master" into life
rafts after seizing the vessel in the Andaman Sea en route to India, the
Procuratoaril Daily reported.
They then returned to China where they sold 5.8 million yuan (0.7
million dollars) of its cargo of soda ash in the southern Guangdong
provncial city of Shantou.
Police seized the gang when they stopped in Fangchenggang city in
southern Gangxi province where they berthed after a breakdown of the
stolen ship forced them to turn back from their destination in Thailand.
The Fangchengang intermediate people's court sentenced the remaining
11 pirates to prison sentences ranging from five to 13 years.
All appealed their sentences.
China last Friday executed 13 pirates convicted last year of
massacring 23 sailors in the country's worst ship hijacking in 50 years.
The executed men were among 38 pirates convicted of hijaking the Hong
Kong-owned "Changsheng" cargo ship on November 16, 1998. The ship's crew
was murdered and their bodies dumped into the sea.
===END=============END=============END===
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