Mizzima: Maung Aye's Itinerary in I

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Maung Aye?s Itinerary in India

November 15, 2000
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)

Vice-President of the Burma?s ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) General Maung Aye is currently on a state visit to India from
November 14 to 21 at the invitation of Indian Vice President Mr. Krishan
Kant.

General Maung Aye who is number two in the military junta and also chief
of armed forces is being accompanied by senior Burmese leaders including
Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Tin Hla, Foreign Minister U Win Aung, and
ministers for Industry, Finance & Revenue, Science & Technology and
Electric Power.

General Maung Aye himself heads three trade related committees in Burma,
the National Trade Committee, National Industrial Development Committee
and National Agriculture and Economic Development Committee.

The Burmese delegation began its trip to India by landing at Patna
Airport on November 14 and proceeded to Bodh Gaya in Bihar State for
pilgrimage. The delegation is scheduled to arrive Delhi on November 16
evening and a red carpet ceremonial welcome will be given by the Indian
government in the morning of November 17 (Friday).

The Burmese delegation will interact with Indian Business leaders from
various sectors during a luncheon meeting in New Delhi on November 17
afternoon, which will be organized by Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII).

Indian Vice President Krishan Kant is hosting a dinner for Burmese
delegation on November 17. Moreover, out of the original scheduled plan,
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will host a dinner for General Maung
Aye and his entourage on November 20 (Monday). Vajpayee was scheduled to
have a mere half-hour call on the visiting Burmese General on Monday.

Home Minister L.K Advani  and former Army Chief V.P Malik will also call
on the Burmese General.

However, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes who is a well-known
supporter of Burmese democracy movement was not meeting the Burmese
delegation. A daily newspaper in India on November 15 said that the wife
of Indian President Ms. Usha Narayanan (Burmese name: Daw Tint Tint) has
refused to receive General Maung Aye and his party, when they call on
the Indian President on the evening of November 20.

?Nor she will meet the General?s wife, Daw Mya Mya San, or their
daughter Daw Nander Aye, who are part of the official delegation,? wrote
The Indian Express newspaper.

During the eight-day visit, General Maung Aye is scheduled to visit
other cities of India including Bangalore, Udaipur and Agra?s Taj Mahal.

Besides having discussions on intensifying bilateral economic
relationship and cooperation to crack down on illegal drug trafficking
and insurgency along the 1600 km-long Indo-Burma border (on November 17
and 20), the two sides will sign a line of credit of US $ 15 million
towards Burma during Maung Aye?s visit.

General Maung Aye is the first highest-level Burmese official to visit
to India in the last twelve years. His visit to Shillong in January was
merely one-day visit at the invitation of Indian Army Chief.

Defending India?s decision to invite the Burmese General, a senior
foreign ministry officer said that India is committed to democratic
principles, but any changes in Myanmar have to come from within.

Burmese pro-democracy activists in India are planning to stage a
demonstration in New Delhi on November 16 (tomorrow) against the visit
of Burmese delegation.