[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
India's today papers on Maung Aye's
--------------62638A7B11C3947A1C95F523
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
India?s today papers on Maung Aye?s Visit: November 18, 2000
Asian Age: BURMA PLEDGES TO DESTROY NAGA REBEL BASES
Asian Age: GEORGE ?SOUL? WON?T LET HIM MEET GENERAL
Asian Age: A Policy that is foreign
Hindustan Times: Myanmar to continue anti-Naga rebels help
The Hindu: India, Myanmar discuss ways to expand tourism industry
The Hindu: India, Myanmar discuss security ties
Times of India: Myanmar assures steps against insurgents
Times of India: Good ties with Myanmar spell better security
The Statesman: George skips Aye reception
Indian Express: Junta is in town, rebels with George
Indian Express: Govt embraces Myanmar junta in `national interest'
Pioneer: Advani justifies upgrading ties with Myanmar
__________________________________________________
BURMA PLEDGES TO DESTROY NAGA REBEL BASES
>From Asian Age Newspaper
By Our Correspondent
New Delhi, Nov. 17
The vice chairman of Burma?s ruling State Peace and Development Council,
Gen. Maung Aye, has assured India of full cooperation in fighting some
of the insurgent groups in the north-eastern states.
New Delhi on Friday rolled out a red carpet welcome to Gen. Aye, the
second-most prominent leader of Burma?s military junta, as he began the
official leg of his week-long visit to India. Gen. Aye was received by
vice-president Krishna Kant at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Union home minister L.K. Advani, who was also present at the occasion,
told reporters that Burma was assisting India by destroying camps of
Naga militants in their territory. Mr Advani said that the Burmese Army
had already destroyed five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction
earlier this year.
The home minister also defended India playing host to a military ruler.
He said that the pros and cons regarding the issue were weighed by the
government and added, ?But in international relations, we have to take
into account our national interests.?
Mr Advani said that Burma had given an assurance that it would not allow
insurgents to use its territory for anti-India activities.
Mr Advani also called on Gen. Aye later in the day. The general said
that the two countries traditionally had good relations and his visit
would aim to strengthen them.
There has been growing criticism of the government that by hosting the
general New Delhi was over-looking the pro-democracy struggle of Burma?s
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
However New Delhi?s warmth towards military leaders in the Southeast
Asian nation is seen part of a broader strategy to counter insurgency in
the Northeast as ultras there have been using Burma as base for their
activities.
Gen. Aye who arrived in India on November 14 is heading a high-powered
delegation which includes Burma?s deputy prime minister Lt. Gen. Tin Hla
also minister for military affairs, and ministers for foreign affairs,
finance, commerce, power science and technology and industry.
The general had a hectic day in New Delhi on Friday. Business was a main
item on his agenda. Gen. Aye addressed members of the Indian industry at
a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries and later
called on President K.R Narayanan.
He told Indian businessmen that Burma was now a attractive place for
foreign investment. ?We are a peaceful country and welcome foreign
investment,? he said.
The Burmese general invited Indian industry to invest in Burma adding
that the current level of trade between the two nations was well below
potential.
He and Lt. Gen. Tin Hla outlined the progress made by Burma in shaping
up its economy.
Enhancing border trade with India was another important thrust area for
the two countries he said. Cooperation in hydro-carbon and hydel
projects, information technology, tourism and infrastructure development
are some of the areas where the two countries can join hands with a view
to achieve a trade target of two billion dollars by 2003 he said.
Besides having discussions on enhancing border trade and cooperation in
curbing illegal border activities, the two countries will sign a credit
line of $15 million for purchase of Indian goods. India is Burma?s
largest export market. Exports to India in 1999-2000 were to the tune of
about $141.14 million while imports from India were worth $75.36
million.
Gen. Aye will call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and meet
external affairs minister Jaswant Singh on Monday. Congress president
Sonia Gandhi is also slated to have a meeting with him.
Vice-president Krishna Kant who hosted a banquet for the visiting
delegation said that international terrorism with its close links to
drug trafficking, religious extremism and trade in illicit arms posed a
threat to world peace and sought international cooperation to combat the
menace.
##############################################################
GEORGE ?SOUL? WON?T LET HIM MEET GENERAL
By Purnima S. Tripathi
>From Asian Age Newspaper
New Delhi, Nov. 17
While the Indian government rolls out the red carpet for Burmese General
Maung Aye, defence minister George Fernandes, listening to his ?soul,?
has decided to ?abstain? from the official reception programmes.
Mr Fernandes has no intention of meeting the Burmese general in the next
few days either, his office confirmed.
According to sources in the defence ministry, as well as pro-democracy
Burmese students residing in the defence minister?s official bungalow,
Mr Fernandes has made a conscious
decision to stay away from the official reception programmes.
Mr Fernandes? support for the Burmese pro-democracy movement is known
and he has also given refuge to Burmese students who are leading the
movement from his official residence.
?He is a man of conscience, that is why he stayed away from welcoming
the general. He listened to his soul,? said ecstatic Burmese student
Kwaye Than, who lives in Mr Fernandes? house. Ironically, he said the
defence minister did so despite the political pressure as he was a man
of ?strong political beliefs.?
The defence minister?s office has maintained a stoic silence about his
decision, shying away from giving any explanation.
In normal circumstances, whenever a foreign defence dignitary visits the
country, the defence minister is present at the welcome programmes and
the defence minister?s office normally puts out a press release about
the visiting dignitary?s schedule during his stay and the issues to be
discussed between the two countries.
This time, however, the defence minister?s office had nothing to say
except admit that he did not meet the guest. The defence PRO, Mr P.S.
Bhatnagar, said he had no information about any meeting between the two
in the next few days.
Gen. Aye, here on a week-long visit, is the second-most powerful man in
Burma?s ruling military junta. Significantly enough, last July, when the
Sri Lankan crisis was at its peak and India was hesitant to offer any
help to Sri Lanka, Mr Fernandes was asked by this correspondent about
his ?personal views? on the Sri Lanka crisis and the way India was
handling it.
He had said: ?Personal views have no place in matters of government.
Ministers in the government are not entitled to have personal opinions.?
The BJP, meanwhile, said there was nothing wrong in Mr Fernandes?
decision to stay away from the programmes. ?Everyone is entitled to his
personal opinion,? said BJP vice-president J.P. Mathur.
The matter, however, is bound to generate a national debate on whether
in matters of ?national interest (the Union home minister says so), the
defence minister is justified in holding a different view.
################################################################
A Policy that is foreign
Seema Mustafa
>From Asian Age newspaper
November 17, 2000
Minister of external affairs Jaswant Singh is in London. He will return
and leave for Saudi Arabia. He will return and leave for... He is a busy
foreign minister, busy promoting India?s cause, forging new ties,
establishing new equations and in short, turning foreign policy over on
its head.
He is doing this without taking the bureaucrats into confidence. Each
desk handles its work while policy changes, quietly but firmly. The one
man has no idea of what the other is doing, and all defend their
positions with a passion born out of ignorance.
Foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh, a good man, is out of his depth in
this government which specialises in double speech, uses one hand to
counter the other, and uses rhetoric like it has, perhaps, never been
used before.
Jaswant Singh specialises in the last. He does not ever say more than he
wants to, and has mastered the art of elocution to a point where he can
repeat the same sentence over and over again but make it appear
different by just shifting the emphasis from one word to another.
His best performance was with BBC?s Tim Sebastian where Singh looked at
the Hard Talk anchor with expressionless eyes and kept countering his
questions with the same standard replies, giving nothing away. He has
friends in the media, of course, but only those who write exactly what
he dictates.
These days he is busy re-defining India?s foreign policy. Union defence
minister George Fernandes, who has often received the flak, and been
held responsible for creating unnecessary complications, is really the
babe in the woods.
He simply says out loud what his BJP colleagues in the Cabinet have been
whispering. He speaks of the China threat drawing the line of fire,
while Jaswant Singh maintains a studied silence watching the bullets hit
George. He then walks over the pieces, untouched and untainted by the
controversy.
In fact he has remained out of all controversies. At least tried to. If
George Fernandes had brought in a Rajeev crony to assist him in his
ministry, the media would have gone to town.
His socialist background, double standards et al would have been dragged
through the newspapers with George of course, adding to the fun of it
with a choice remark or two.
Jaswant Singh has happily brought in Arun Singh, given him an important
position during the Kargil conflict, has him well settled in the Foreign
Office without even an eyelash being batted.
He does this by simply refusing to talk about it. And ensuring that the
bureaucrats following his every policy directive,
without question, keep their lips sealed.
Images of nationalism and anti-nationalism in the Foreign Office have
become very vivid, under Jaswant Singh. In fact, to give Fernandes his
due, he has little control over the defence ministry and cannot keep the
military men from airing their views.
In fact the men in uniform, having no doubts about their own
nationalism, are quite free in their criticism of government decisions
which impinge on the interests of the defence services and the nation.
The bureaucrats in the Foreign Office, unfortunately see national
interests in terms of their own postings and promotions, and have little
to say even as they see time tested foreign policy being abandoned
against the national interest.
India has decided, under Jaswant Singh, to embrace the US. This is an
old story, of course, but the full consequences of it are still
unravelling. Kashmir has become a pressure point with the US
administration taking open and direct interest in its resolution.
India will see a lot more of this when the new President takes over,
regardless of whether it is George Bush or Al Gore. Neither will give up
the strong foothold secured by Bill Clinton in the region, and can only
be expected to build on it.
This will not be conducive to national interests, but then nobody
presently determining our foreign policy cares.
India has decided, under pressure from the US of course, to embrace
Israel. In the past one year Jaswant Singh has guided the Foreign Office
to take giant diplomatic leaps in this direction.
In this he has had the full support of Union home minister L.K. Advani
who has always held Israel and its Zionist policies dear to his heart.
So within days both the senior ministers in government rushed to Tel
Aviv to take relations on to a completely new footing.
One spoke of possible nuclear cooperation, the other made common cause
with Israel speaking of hostile terrain. Both, after having arrived in
the promised land, forgot their diplomatic relations with the hostile
neighbours and left the Arab countries up in arms.
Jaswant Singh sought to make his usual amends and directed the officials
to issue the usual hamhanded denials. The ministers have been misquoted,
no they did not say anything they were quoted as saying by the local
press, no, the well being of the Arab world was not being compromised,
and India was fully aware of its traditional ties with these countries.
Etcetera, etcetera. The officials were so busy making a convincing
presentation that they did not point out to their minister that the
consequences of these games often came rushing back like the boomerang.
And that it was time that the officials, experts, politicians sat down
and evolved a clear cut foreign policy to prevent embarrassing confusion
and dangerous complications. Singh?s commitment to the BJP ideology, not
always visible, is a strong ingredient in determining his West Asia
policy.
Naturally anti-Arab he finds it difficult to support the Palestinians in
the current conflict, but is also aware that he cannot support Israel
openly without a hostile reaction from the rest of India.
So after days of silence he directed his men to issue a statement
emphasising India?s concern about the conflict, speaking of its
overriding desire for peace... blah, blah. The Palestinians were not
fooled, and demanded more.
This was not forthcoming. At least not in keeping with India?s declared
foreign policy which has always supported the Palestinian cause to the
hilt. The Arab envoys had any number of meetings with the Indian
officials seeking a clear statement on the issue.
The Foreign Office hemmed and hawed, spoke of full support but did not
convince the ambassadors that there was actually no shift in policy. So
the OIC met and decided to send a special envoy to Kashmir. Delhi
rejected the decision, but got the message: there could be a shift in
Arab policy towards Kashmir as well.
The foreign secretary rushed to convene a meeting of the 17 Arab envoys
in Delhi. To ensure that the individual relations of the Arab countries
with India remain as before, and that the Kashmir issue is confined to
OIC resolutions and does not impinge on bilateral ties.
Imagine the chaos if every visiting Arab dignitary breaks the Arab
silence, and gently questions our government on the status of Kashmir.
This pressure from the Muslim world will create its own pressures, and
Jaswant Singh should have taken a more realistic and wider view before
making policy subservient to narrow ideology.
Take Burma. India does not want to have any dealings with the military
regime in Pakistan, even though earlier governments here have interacted
closely with the military rulers there. But India now in its wisdom, or
using Jaswant Singh?s wisdom, decides to lay out the red carpet for the
military junta in Burma regardless of its long held support for
democratic forces.
Reports are being planted in the ever ready press seeking to justify
Delhi?s welcome for General Maung Aye, but the fact remains that there
is a very disturbing shift in even the basic principles on which our
foreign policy had been based.
India had decided, as an independent country, to support the democratic
forces, the democratic struggles, the poor and the oppressed around the
world. Now it has decided to embrace the military junta in Burma,
despite its victimisation of the democratic forces and its record of
oppression.
Needless to say there has not been a peep out of the Foreign Office,
except for a couple of planted reports. The officials have been a little
slower than usual in coming to their minister?s rescue but will make up
for it with the final brief of defence.
Political parties have been reacting adversely to Singh?s
anti-Palestine, and pro-military Burma policy and he will probably have
to face Parliament on these issues.
It is true that Pakistan and China have been dealing with Burma, but
India could have broken the emerging arms troika by showing a little
more maturity in its diplomatic dealings with the other two countries.
The seed of suspicion that was planted by the Vajpayee government in the
Chinese mind right at the very onset has never been erased. And
obviously Pakistan?s military ruler who has, by and large, the support
of his people is not acceptable to democratic India which prefers a
military junta of the Burmese kind.
Jaswant Singh should use at least the hours he gets on the international
flights to think through the consequences of his foreign policy.
Are the long term interests of India being protected? Is the sovereignty
and integrity of India being protected? Will the shift being presently
doctored strengthen the standing of India in the world? Or, is it just a
Vajpayee-Singh whim that the rest of India will eventually have to pay
for?
##################################################
Myanmar to continue anti-Naga rebels help
>From the Hindustan Times newspaper
HT Correspondent
(New Delhi, November 17)
WHILE HELPING India fight Naga insurgency, the Myanmar's army destroyed
five National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) camps
this year. Home Minister L.K. Advani said on Friday that the Mynamar
Army had suffered casualties in the process but will continue operations
to wipe out the remaining camps.
The visiting vice-chairman of the junta, General Maung Aye, and the Home
Minister, who held a meeting here today, discussed at length the subject
of more effective co-ordination in fighting insurgencies in their
countries.
Advani also offered assistance for up keep of the tomb of the last
Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon. Turning down the offer,
Gen Aye said it was being looked after well by a committee appointed for
the purpose.
Earlier in the day, the General was accorded a ceremonial welcome at
Rashtrapati Bhavan. The General also visited Raj Ghat and paid his
respects to Mahatma Gandhi. Former Army chief Gen V.P. Malik also called
on him. In the evening, he attended a banquet hosted by Vice-President
Krishan Kant, where an agreement on extending the Indian line of credit
for Myanmar was signed.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry,
General Maung said Myanmar had attracted around $ 7 billion in foreign
direct investment since the country opened its doors to the world.
Indian investment was only 1.1 per cent and there was much scope for
improvement, particularly in the agriculture sector, he said.
Trade and economic co-operation between the two countries have been
growing steadily. The trade turn over , which was just $ 13 million in
1980-81, touched $ 194 million in 1999-2000. The balance of trade is in
Myanmar's favour as India is the single biggest market for its exports.
A Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said India and Myanmar were
negotiating a bilateral investment protection and promotion treaty. The
two countries were looking forward to joint projects in the hydel power,
road and other infrastructure sectors.
#####################################
India, Myanmar discuss ways to expand tourism industry
The Hindu newspaper
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, NOV.17. India and Myanmar today discussed ways to jointly
expand their tourism industry as part of an effort to shore up their
economic ties.
In an interaction with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),
Myanmar's visiting Vice-Chairman of state Peace and Development
Organisation , General Maung Aye, said that tourism authorities in
Myanmar and India could devise a common Buddhist pilgrim tour package.
The package could include visits to Bodh Gaya as well as Mandalay in
Myanmar.
Lack of communication links between the two countries and internally in
Myanmar may hamper such projects. Nevertheless, India and Myanmar are
looking at building new road connections. The 160 km-long Tamu-Kalemyo
road will be completed later this year which will link Myanmar and
Manipur. According to the visiting foreign minister, Mr. Win Aung, who
also participated in the discussion, Myanmar was keen to revive road
connections between Calcutta and Yangon.
Besides tourism, cross-border links are vital for pushing trade. Both
countries are undertaking the Kaladan project. This project involves the
transportation of cargo along the Kaladan river to the Bay of Bengal.
This river has been surveyed for this purpose.
Myanmar's top leaders who were present at the CII meeting, however,
observed that Indian investment in Myanmar did not compare well with the
economic involvement of countries belonging to the ASEAN.
India, nevertheless, was now involved in a hydroelectric project in
Myanmar. The Tamanthi hydel project on the banks of the Chindwin river
envisages generation of 110 MWs of power, 75 per cent of which will be
shared with India.
Cooperation in select areas of agriculture is yet another focal area.
The CII on its part has proposed the forging of a growth triangle
involving North Bengal, the North-east States and Myanmar.
General Maung Aye is visiting India at a time when Myanmar is engaged in
diversifying its economic and defence ties. Japan, for instance, is
reportedly advising Myanmar on the future course of its economic
reforms. The U.S. companies are involved in prospecting oil and gas
while China is one of Myanmar's prominent sources for procuring military
hardware.
#############################################################
India, Myanmar discuss security ties
>From The Hindu newspaper,
By Atul Aneja
NEW DELHI, NOV. 17. After years of low-key engagement, India and
Myanmar today broke fresh ground to forge a new security and business
relationship.
Both sides began a high profile interaction this morning. The visiting
Vice-Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Organisation,
Gen. Maung Aye, was welcomed at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan,
a ceremony usually reserved for visits by heads of State or Government.
The visiting Myanmarese leader, who was received by the Vice-
President, Mr. Krishan Kant, held detailed discussions with the Home
Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, revolving mainly around ways to counter
insurgency in the sensitive Myanmar-India border areas.
India is keen that Naga insurgents are denied sanctuary in Myanmar and
their nexus with insurgent groups operating independently there, broken.
Myanmar, on its part, is seeking India's intervention to deny arms and
ammunition to its insurgents.
Specifically, the Indian Navy can be involved in disrupting the
gun-running route used by insurgents in Myanmar. According to reports,
gun-runners usually transit arms along the Andaman Sea before
transferring them first to Changmai in Thailand. These weapons are then
sent over land to insurgent strongholds in Myanmar via Cox Bazaar in
Bangladesh. Assertion by the Navy in the Andamans can, therefore, be
critical in curbing this trade.
India, on its part, may also benefit from Myanmar's assistance for
promoting negotiations with key militant groups in the Northeast. It
will be in India's interest, for instance, if Myanmar can influence the
NSCN(I)(M) faction to persist with its ongoing negotiations with India
to resolve the Naga question. Myanmar has reportedly established a good
rapport with the Karen Independence Organisation (KIO), a Myanmarese
group which operates from its soil, but which regularly liaisons with
the NSCN(I)(M).
The Home Minister, in response to queries this morning acknowledged
that Myanmar was already assisting in counter- insurgency exercise. The
Myanmarese army, he said, had helped smash five camps of the Khaplang
group of the NSCN.
The Indo-Myanmar security agenda, however, goes beyond concerns in the
northeast. India, for instance, has concerns about the military
relationship between Myanmar and China. Analysts here point out that
India is looking at the Yangon- Beijing security relationship
realistically.
###################################################
Myanmar assures steps against insurgents
The Times of India News Service
November 17, 2000
NEW DELHI: Myanmarese leader General Maung Aye has assured India that
his country will ensure that its territory is `not used for the purpose
of cross-border terrorism'.
At least five Naga insurgent camps operating from Myanmar have
reportedly been eliminated this year. The five camps belonged to the
Khaplang faction of the Naga insurgent groups. The State Peace and
Development Council's (SPDC) No. 2 leader, Gen Maung Aye, is now on a
state visit here at home minister Advani's invitation.
Advani suggested some sort of bilateral agreement to give a boost to
tourism and other cultural exchanges. To a question on India favouring
democracy in Myanmar while trying to deal with the junta in Yangon,
Advani said, ``We weighed all the pros and cons but in international
relations, we have to take into account our national interests.''
Talking to newspersons later, Gen Maung noted that India-Myanmar
relations go back to several years and were very close especially during
the freedom movement. He recalled that the last Myanmar emperor, Thibaw
Rahnagum, died at Ratnagiri in Konkan, and the last Mughal emperor
Bahadur Shah Zafar's last resting place was in Yangon.
Gen Maung was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on
Friday morning. Gen Maung is the second Myanmar leader to visit India
this year. Forging closer ties with Myanmar is part of a broader
strategy to counter insurgency in the North-East as the ultras have been
using Myanmar as their base for launching anti-India operations. The
authorities here have also taken note of China's increased efforts at
developing close ties with Myanmar in recent months.
#####################################################
Good ties with Myanmar spell better security
>From Times of India newspaper
By Manoj Joshi
NEW DELHI: Think of the country's neighbours, and the last name that
comes to mind is Myanmar. A country, with whom India shares a highly
active 1,600-km border. For most part, it's an unpoliced border, through
which insurgents, arms, drugs and fake currency pour into India and
disrupt the security and tenor of life in the entire North-East.
In giving a red carpet reception to General Maung Aye, the No. 2 man in
Myanmar junta, the government hopes to change the balance with some
assistance from authorities there. New Delhi hopes the visit will help
mitigate the bad vibes between it and Yangon that arose from the
crackdown on pro-democracy forces by Myanmar's armed forces in 1988, and
set the two countries' relations on a new track.
Official optimism is based on the fact that ever since 1999, when India
stepped up its `constructive engagement' with Myanmar, there has been a
visible payoff in terms of the pressure put by the Myanmar Army on the
Indian insurgent groups operating from there. Visits to Myanmar by then
Army chief Gen V P Malik and home secretary Kamal Pande this year, as
well as import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar have set the stage
for Gen Maung's visit.
New Delhi's policy towards Myanmar has drawn predictable criticism from
activists who support Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained pro-democracy
leader. However, beyond a limit India cannot allow its state interests
to subserve its commitment to democracy, especially in a situation where
its own security is affected.
To convince the Myanmerese of India's serious intent, there is some
house-cleaning to be done. First, New Delhi must convey to the Generals
in Yangon that while New Delhi values democracy, it unambiguously
recognises the State Peace and Development Council as the government of
Myanmar.
Second, it must assure them that India will not allow any insurgent
movement to base itself in India. India's support for some dubious
groups in this area has brought little by way of returns and has instead
clouded its relations with Myanmar.
Third, that while Myanmar pro-democracy refugees are given asylum in
India, they will not be permitted to conduct any political activity that
will prejudice Myanmar's security in any way.
According to Swaraj Kaushal, former governor of Mizoram and an expert on
the region, if India and Myanmar were to agree to joint patrolling and
joint manning of their border posts, ``forty per cent of the insurgency
will be checked''. One reason for this, he says, is that ``probably more
Nagas and Mizos live in Myanmar than they do in India''. According to
him, only a holistic approach towards rooting out insurgency, which
includes cooperation with Myanmar and Bangladesh, can bring permanent
peace to the region.
############################################
George skips Aye reception
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, Nov. 17. ? General Maung Aye, the second-most powerful man of
the State Peace & Development Council in Myanmar, began his state visit
to India today with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. But
the defence minister, Mr George Fernandes, was conspicuously absent at
the ceremony. A red carpet welcome was unrolled for the general and his
16-member team. Gen. Aye was received by the Vice-President, Mr Krishan
Kant, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the home minister, Mr LK Advani, the
minister of state for external affairs, Mr Ajit Panja, and senior
diplomats. There is no one-on-one meeting scheduled between Gen. Aye and
Mr Fernandes. A meeting between Gen.Aye and the chief of the Army staff
has been fixed.
After inspecting the guard of honour, Gen. Aye said his visit was aimed
at strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Myanmar. The
two countries shared a traditionally close relationship. He called on
the President, Mr KR Narayanan, and attended the banquet hosted by the
Vice-President. Describing international terrorism as the greatest
threat to world peace and development, Mr Kant called for a global
framework of cooperation to combat such forces, which had close links
with drug trafficking, religious extremism, fundamentalism and trade in
illicit arms. After receiving Gen. Aye, Mr Advani said Myanmar would
continue its assistance in destroying camps of Naga insurgents within
that country, and had already destroyed five belonging to the Khaplang
group. Five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction of Naga insurgents
were destroyed by the Myanmar army this year despite the army suffering
casualties. There were still more camps, and they would be pursued, he
said.
Asked how India, which favours democracy, had relations with the junta
inMyanmar, Mr Advani said: ?We weighed all the pros and cons but in
international relations, we have to take into account our national
interests?. Myanmar has assured India that its soil would not be allowed
to be used by the Naga insurgents for anti-India activities.
########################################
Junta is in town, rebels with George
>From Indian Express newspaper
GAURAV C. SAWANT
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 17: Kyaw Than hums a Burmese patriotic song under
his breath as he answers the phones at house number 3, Krishna Menon
Marg. His visiting card lists out 301-7172 and 301-6035 as his numbers.
These also happen to be the residential phone numbers of India's Defence
Minister George Fernandes.
Than, 38 years old, is the President of All Burma Students League and
was a Tutor at the Rangoon University before fleeing to India 12 years
ago. He answers the phone and coordinates a demonstration protesting
``India's red-carpet treatment'' to General Maung Aye, Myanmar's top
leader visiting India. ``Please do not write the date of our protest as
the police are trying to prevent it and stop us,'' he says as he
explains his stay at Fernandes' house.
The All Burma Students League has two rooms in the defence minister's
bungalow. A model of a naval ship presented to the defence minister
rests on a mantleplace above posters of Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi
and the ``legendary comrade'' Che Guvera.
``There are times that 20-25 Burmese students live here but presently
there are only five. The others are out organising the protests,'' he
says. The Burmese students are against India selling arms and ammunition
to the Myanmarese junta. ``The arms and ammunition would be used against
the pro-democracy protestors. India is the world's biggest democracy and
such a step would damage the credibility of democracy in India,'' he
adds.
In 1992 when he along with six others came to Delhi and met Fernandes,
they found a supporter for their cause in him. He not only permitted
them to stay at his house but they also held several discussions on
pro-democracy movements. ``Now we understand the minister's position.
But then, ideology and power do not go together in Indian politics,'' he
says sagely.
Than's easy manner and quick smile which reaches his eyes instantly
endear his to his ``fellow freedom fighters''. And he says they try not
to get in the minister's way.
But he finds it difficult to answer why India should not cosy up to the
military junta in order to check the insurgents in the northeast. Or
explain the dilemma of the minister who at heart supports the
pro-democracy movement but whose military wants to have very close
relations with the junta to safeguard its own territory from insurgents.
Fernandes was unavailable for comment but sources said that the minister
is not meeting the Myanmarese General.
There was tension between India and Myanmar when allegations surfaced
that during Fernandes' first stint as defence minister that arms were
being supplied to the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The minister
also came in for criticism when it was alleged that part of those
weapons were reaching the northeast insurgents in India and were being
used against the Indian Army.
These students, however, find those allegations untrue. ``He (Fernandes)
understands our point,''says Than and hands over a statement which says
that India is laying a red-carpet welcome to a Burmese General who is
among others responsible for bloodbath of 10,000 peaceful demonstrators
in Burma 12 years ago.
The Indian Army is constructing a road in Burma and the ``students''
warn that neither Indian nor Burmese goods would be traded and instead
opium, heroin and HIV/AIDS would be imported to India.
The chat with Than is interrupted by phone calls as he plans the
demonstration. Police are trying to round up protesters before they hold
a demonstration, but for the time being they are safe in the defence
minister's house.
###############################################################
Govt embraces Myanmar junta in `national interest'
>From Indian Express newspaper
SONIA TRIKHA
NOV 17: India today rolled out the red carpet for General Maung Aye, the
second most powerful man in Myanmar's military regime, dismissing
criticism from some quarters by citing ``national interests''. As if in
response, Yangon told New Delhi it has stepped up operations against
Naga insurgents and destroyed five of their camps in Myanmar.
Reflecting a new bonhomie in relations, Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council, was received warmly by Vice
President Krishan Kant and Home Minister L.K.Advani at Rashtrapati
Bhavan. Also present were Kant's wife, Suman, Minister of State for
External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja and Lt Governor of Delhi Vijai Kapoor.
``Five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction of the Naga insurgents
were destroyed by the Myanmar army this year despite the army suffering
casualties,'' said Advani after the ceremonial reception. ``There are
some more camps and they will pursue them,'' he added.
The talks are taking place amidst protests by pro-democracy activists
against having any dealings with the junta which, they say, is
desperately seeking legitimacy. Asked how the Indian Government, with
its stout advocacy of democracy, was engaging with the military regime,
Advani said: ``We weighed all the pros and cons, but in international
relations, we have to take into account our national interests.''
Later in the day, Advani called on Maung Aye at Maurya Sheraton where he
is staying. The Myanmarese leader also received former Army chief
V.P.Malik at the hotel.
Despite the apparent thrust on cooperation to combat insurgency in the
North-East, the Indian Government is selling the Myanmar delegation's
visit as an economic effort. In India since November 14, Maung Aye has
already travelled to Bodh Gaya and visited the Infosys complex in
Bangalore.
India is Myanmar's largest export market which accounts for 25 per cent
of its total exports. Myanmar with its newly-acquired status of an ASEAN
member has also been pitched as India's gateway to the South Asian
economic bloc. The delegation's meeting at the CII went some way in
reinforcing that view.
A strong and mostly silent Maung Aye did not take any questions. In his
brief speech, he said he had ``come to promote good relations between
the two countries'' and for ``opportunities to invite investment''.
His foreign minister, Win Aung, answered most of the questions. On being
asked what China's sustained efforts for forging closer links with
Yangon in recent months meant for ties with India, he said ``we want to
be friends with everybody''. On the issue of restoring democracy to
Myanmar, the foreign minister said: ``We have a plan but first we must
solve our fundamental problems, and we must have development first.'' He
refused to explain how restoring democracy would preclude development.
His response: ``Development must come first.''
Earlier, Vice-Chairman Maung Aye said ``the two countries have
traditionally had good relations and this visit would further strengthen
them.'' He too did not mention China.
In the evening, the Vice-President hosted a banquet in honour of the
visiting delegation. Invoking historical links between the border
nations, Kant stressed the need for cooperation to combat
``international terrorism with its close links to drug trafficking,
religious extremism and fundamentalism and trade in illicit arms''.
Maung Aye, on a week-long visit to India, will call on President K. R.
Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and have meetings with
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and other leaders.
################################################
Advani justifies upgrading ties with Myanmar
>From Pioneer newspaper
Pioneer News Service/New Delhi
Union Home Minister L K Advani said on Friday that Myanmar would
continue its assistance in destroying camps and hideouts of the north
east militant groups within that country." The Myanmar army has already
destroyed five camps this years," he added.
Myanmar's positive role in this regard is seen as a big achievement for
India in crushing ISI backed militant groups operating from foreign
bases. "Despite suffering casualties, the Myanmar army destroyed Naga
camps. There are still some more camps and they will
pursue it", he told reporters on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan
after the ceremonial reception to Vice Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) of Myanmar, Gen Maung Aye.
To a question that with Indian government favouring democracy, how it
was having relations with the current regime in Myanmar, Mr Advani said
"we weighed all the pros and cons but in international relations, we
have to take into account our national interests".
Aye is the second Myanmar leader to visit India this year with another
colleague of his having come here at the invitation of Advani. Earlier
the Chief of Indian Army had paid a
visit to the neighbouring country followed by a high level delegation of
Home Ministry.
India's move to forge closer ties with Myanmar is part of a broader
strategy to counter insurgency in the north-east as the ultras having
been using Myanmar for launching anti-India operations, sources said.The
NSCN(Khaplang group) was reportedly training ultras in several camps
across the border.
The authorities here have also taken note of China's increased efforts
at having close linkages with Yangon in recent months, the sources
added.
--------------62638A7B11C3947A1C95F523
Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en">
<html>
<b><font size=+1>India?s today papers on Maung Aye?s Visit: November 18,
2000</font></b>
<p><b>Asian Age: BURMA PLEDGES TO DESTROY NAGA REBEL BASES</b>
<br><b>Asian Age: GEORGE ?SOUL? WON?T LET HIM MEET GENERAL</b>
<br><b>Asian Age: A Policy that is foreign</b>
<br><b>Hindustan Times: Myanmar to continue anti-Naga rebels help</b>
<br><b>The Hindu: India, Myanmar discuss ways to expand tourism industry</b>
<br><b>The Hindu: India, Myanmar discuss security ties</b>
<br><b>Times of India: Myanmar assures steps against insurgents</b>
<br><b>Times of India: Good ties with Myanmar spell better security</b>
<br><b>The Statesman: George skips Aye reception</b>
<br><b>Indian Express: Junta is in town, rebels with George</b>
<br><b>Indian Express: Govt embraces Myanmar junta in `national interest'</b>
<br><b>Pioneer: Advani justifies upgrading ties with Myanmar</b>
<br>__________________________________________________
<br>
<p><b><font size=+1>BURMA PLEDGES TO DESTROY NAGA REBEL BASES</font></b>
<p>From Asian Age Newspaper
<br>By Our Correspondent
<p>New Delhi, Nov. 17
<br>The vice chairman of Burma?s ruling State Peace and Development Council,
Gen. Maung Aye, has assured India of full cooperation in fighting some
of the insurgent groups in the north-eastern states.
<p>New Delhi on Friday rolled out a red carpet welcome to Gen. Aye, the
second-most prominent leader of Burma?s military junta, as he began the
official leg of his week-long visit to India. Gen. Aye was received by
vice-president Krishna Kant at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
<p>Union home minister L.K. Advani, who was also present at the occasion,
told reporters that Burma was assisting India by destroying camps of Naga
militants in their territory. Mr Advani said that the Burmese Army had
already destroyed five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction earlier
this year.
<p>The home minister also defended India playing host to a military ruler.
He said that the pros and cons regarding the issue were weighed by the
government and added, ?But in international relations, we have to take
into account our national interests.?
<p>Mr Advani said that Burma had given an assurance that it would not allow
insurgents to use its territory for anti-India activities.
<p>Mr Advani also called on Gen. Aye later in the day. The general said
that the two countries traditionally had good relations and his visit would
aim to strengthen them.
<p>There has been growing criticism of the government that by hosting the
general New Delhi was over-looking the pro-democracy struggle of Burma?s
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
<p>However New Delhi?s warmth towards military leaders in the Southeast
Asian nation is seen part of a broader strategy to counter insurgency in
the Northeast as ultras there have been using Burma as base for their activities.
<p>Gen. Aye who arrived in India on November 14 is heading a high-powered
delegation which includes Burma?s deputy prime minister Lt. Gen. Tin Hla
also minister for military affairs, and ministers for foreign affairs,
finance, commerce, power science and technology and industry.
<p>The general had a hectic day in New Delhi on Friday. Business was a
main item on his agenda. Gen. Aye addressed members of the Indian industry
at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries and later
called on President K.R Narayanan.
<p>He told Indian businessmen that Burma was now a attractive place for
foreign investment. ?We are a peaceful country and welcome foreign investment,?
he said.
<p>The Burmese general invited Indian industry to invest in Burma adding
that the current level of trade between the two nations was well below
potential.
<p>He and Lt. Gen. Tin Hla outlined the progress made by Burma in shaping
up its economy.
<p>Enhancing border trade with India was another important thrust area
for the two countries he said. Cooperation in hydro-carbon and hydel projects,
information technology, tourism and infrastructure development are some
of the areas where the two countries can join hands with a view to achieve
a trade target of two billion dollars by 2003 he said.
<p>Besides having discussions on enhancing border trade and cooperation
in curbing illegal border activities, the two countries will sign a credit
line of $15 million for purchase of Indian goods. India is Burma?s largest
export market. Exports to India in 1999-2000 were to the tune of about
$141.14 million while imports from India were worth $75.36 million.
<p>Gen. Aye will call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and meet external
affairs minister Jaswant Singh on Monday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi
is also slated to have a meeting with him.
<br>
<p>Vice-president Krishna Kant who hosted a banquet for the visiting delegation
said that international terrorism with its close links to drug trafficking,
religious extremism and trade in illicit arms posed a threat to world peace
and sought international cooperation to combat the menace.
<p>##############################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>GEORGE ?SOUL? WON?T LET HIM MEET GENERAL</font></b>
<br>By Purnima S. Tripathi
<p>From Asian Age Newspaper
<p>New Delhi, Nov. 17
<p>While the Indian government rolls out the red carpet for Burmese General
Maung Aye, defence minister George Fernandes, listening to his ?soul,?
has decided to ?abstain? from the official reception programmes.
<p>Mr Fernandes has no intention of meeting the Burmese general in the
next few days either, his office confirmed.
<p>According to sources in the defence ministry, as well as pro-democracy
Burmese students residing in the defence minister?s official bungalow,
Mr Fernandes has made a conscious
<br>decision to stay away from the official reception programmes.
<p>Mr Fernandes? support for the Burmese pro-democracy movement is known
and he has also given refuge to Burmese students who are leading the movement
from his official residence.
<p> ?He is a man of conscience, that is why he stayed away from welcoming
the general. He listened to his soul,? said ecstatic Burmese student Kwaye
Than, who lives in Mr Fernandes? house. Ironically, he said the defence
minister did so despite the political pressure as he was a man of ?strong
political beliefs.?
<p>The defence minister?s office has maintained a stoic silence about his
decision, shying away from giving any explanation.
<p>In normal circumstances, whenever a foreign defence dignitary visits
the country, the defence minister is present at the welcome programmes
and the defence minister?s office normally puts out a press release about
the visiting dignitary?s schedule during his stay and the issues to be
discussed between the two countries.
<p>This time, however, the defence minister?s office had nothing to say
except admit that he did not meet the guest. The defence PRO, Mr P.S. Bhatnagar,
said he had no information about any meeting between the two in the next
few days.
<p>Gen. Aye, here on a week-long visit, is the second-most powerful man
in Burma?s ruling military junta. Significantly enough, last July, when
the Sri Lankan crisis was at its peak and India was hesitant to offer any
help to Sri Lanka, Mr Fernandes was asked by this correspondent about his
?personal views? on the Sri Lanka crisis and the way India was handling
it.
<p>He had said: ?Personal views have no place in matters of government.
Ministers in the government are not entitled to have personal opinions.?
The BJP, meanwhile, said there was nothing wrong in Mr Fernandes? decision
to stay away from the programmes. ?Everyone is entitled to his personal
opinion,? said BJP vice-president J.P. Mathur.
<p>The matter, however, is bound to generate a national debate on whether
in matters of ?national interest (the Union home minister says so), the
defence minister is justified in holding a different view.
<br>
<br>
<p>################################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>A Policy that is foreign</font></b>
<p>Seema Mustafa
<br>From Asian Age newspaper
<p>November 17, 2000
<p>Minister of external affairs Jaswant Singh is in London. He will return
and leave for Saudi Arabia. He will return and leave for... He is a busy
foreign minister, busy promoting India?s cause, forging new ties, establishing
new equations and in short, turning foreign policy over on its head.
<p>He is doing this without taking the bureaucrats into confidence. Each
desk handles its work while policy changes, quietly but firmly. The one
man has no idea of what the other is doing, and all defend their positions
with a passion born out of ignorance.
<p>Foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh, a good man, is out of his depth in
this government which specialises in double speech, uses one hand to counter
the other, and uses rhetoric like it has, perhaps, never been used before.
<p>Jaswant Singh specialises in the last. He does not ever say more than
he wants to, and has mastered the art of elocution to a point where he
can repeat the same sentence over and over again but make it appear different
by just shifting the emphasis from one word to another.
<p>His best performance was with BBC?s Tim Sebastian where Singh looked
at the Hard Talk anchor with expressionless eyes and kept countering his
questions with the same standard replies, giving nothing away. He has friends
in the media, of course, but only those who write exactly what he dictates.
<p>These days he is busy re-defining India?s foreign policy. Union defence
minister George Fernandes, who has often received the flak, and been held
responsible for creating unnecessary complications, is really the babe
in the woods.
<p>He simply says out loud what his BJP colleagues in the Cabinet have
been whispering. He speaks of the China threat drawing the line of fire,
while Jaswant Singh maintains a studied silence watching the bullets hit
George. He then walks over the pieces, untouched and untainted by the controversy.
<p>In fact he has remained out of all controversies. At least tried to.
If George Fernandes had brought in a Rajeev crony to assist him in his
ministry, the media would have gone to town.
<br>
<p>His socialist background, double standards et al would have been dragged
through the newspapers with George of course, adding to the fun of it with
a choice remark or two.
<p>Jaswant Singh has happily brought in Arun Singh, given him an important
position during the Kargil conflict, has him well settled in the Foreign
Office without even an eyelash being batted.
<p>He does this by simply refusing to talk about it. And ensuring that
the bureaucrats following his every policy directive,
<br>without question, keep their lips sealed.
<p>Images of nationalism and anti-nationalism in the Foreign Office have
become very vivid, under Jaswant Singh. In fact, to give Fernandes his
due, he has little control over the defence ministry and cannot keep the
military men from airing their views.
<p>In fact the men in uniform, having no doubts about their own nationalism,
are quite free in their criticism of government decisions which impinge
on the interests of the defence services and the nation.
<p>The bureaucrats in the Foreign Office, unfortunately see national interests
in terms of their own postings and promotions, and have little to say even
as they see time tested foreign policy being abandoned against the national
interest.
<p>India has decided, under Jaswant Singh, to embrace the US. This is an
old story, of course, but the full consequences of it are still unravelling.
Kashmir has become a pressure point with the US administration taking open
and direct interest in its resolution.
<p>India will see a lot more of this when the new President takes over,
regardless of whether it is George Bush or Al Gore. Neither will give up
the strong foothold secured by Bill Clinton in the region, and can only
be expected to build on it.
<p>This will not be conducive to national interests, but then nobody presently
determining our foreign policy cares.
<p>India has decided, under pressure from the US of course, to embrace
Israel. In the past one year Jaswant Singh has guided the Foreign Office
to take giant diplomatic leaps in this direction.
<p>In this he has had the full support of Union home minister L.K. Advani
who has always held Israel and its Zionist policies dear to his heart.
So within days both the senior ministers in government rushed to Tel Aviv
to take relations on to a completely new footing.
<p>One spoke of possible nuclear cooperation, the other made common cause
with Israel speaking of hostile terrain. Both, after having arrived in
the promised land, forgot their diplomatic relations with the hostile neighbours
and left the Arab countries up in arms.
<p>Jaswant Singh sought to make his usual amends and directed the officials
to issue the usual hamhanded denials. The ministers have been misquoted,
no they did not say anything they were quoted as saying by the local press,
no, the well being of the Arab world was not being compromised, and India
was fully aware of its traditional ties with these countries.
<br>
<p>Etcetera, etcetera. The officials were so busy making a convincing presentation
that they did not point out to their minister that the consequences of
these games often came rushing back like the boomerang.
<p>And that it was time that the officials, experts, politicians sat down
and evolved a clear cut foreign policy to prevent embarrassing confusion
and dangerous complications. Singh?s commitment to the BJP ideology, not
always visible, is a strong ingredient in determining his West Asia policy.
<p>Naturally anti-Arab he finds it difficult to support the Palestinians
in the current conflict, but is also aware that he cannot support Israel
openly without a hostile reaction from the rest of India.
<p>So after days of silence he directed his men to issue a statement emphasising
India?s concern about the conflict, speaking of its overriding desire for
peace... blah, blah. The Palestinians were not fooled, and demanded more.
<p>This was not forthcoming. At least not in keeping with India?s declared
foreign policy which has always supported the Palestinian cause to the
hilt. The Arab envoys had any number of meetings with the Indian officials
seeking a clear statement on the issue.
<p>The Foreign Office hemmed and hawed, spoke of full support but did not
convince the ambassadors that there was actually no shift in policy. So
the OIC met and decided to send a special envoy to Kashmir. Delhi rejected
the decision, but got the message: there could be a shift in Arab policy
towards Kashmir as well.
<p>The foreign secretary rushed to convene a meeting of the 17 Arab envoys
in Delhi. To ensure that the individual relations of the Arab countries
with India remain as before, and that the Kashmir issue is confined to
OIC resolutions and does not impinge on bilateral ties.
<p>Imagine the chaos if every visiting Arab dignitary breaks the Arab silence,
and gently questions our government on the status of Kashmir. This pressure
from the Muslim world will create its own pressures, and Jaswant Singh
should have taken a more realistic and wider view before making policy
subservient to narrow ideology.
<p>Take Burma. India does not want to have any dealings with the military
regime in Pakistan, even though earlier governments here have interacted
closely with the military rulers there. But India now in its wisdom, or
using Jaswant Singh?s wisdom, decides to lay out the red carpet for the
military junta in Burma regardless of its long held support for democratic
forces.
<p>Reports are being planted in the ever ready press seeking to justify
Delhi?s welcome for General Maung Aye, but the fact remains that there
is a very disturbing shift in even the basic principles on which our foreign
policy had been based.
<p>India had decided, as an independent country, to support the democratic
forces, the democratic struggles, the poor and the oppressed around the
world. Now it has decided to embrace the military junta in Burma, despite
its victimisation of the democratic forces and its record of oppression.
<p>Needless to say there has not been a peep out of the Foreign Office,
except for a couple of planted reports. The officials have been a little
slower than usual in coming to their minister?s rescue but will make up
for it with the final brief of defence.
<p>Political parties have been reacting adversely to Singh?s anti-Palestine,
and pro-military Burma policy and he will probably have to face Parliament
on these issues.
<p>It is true that Pakistan and China have been dealing with Burma, but
India could have broken the emerging arms troika by showing a little more
maturity in its diplomatic dealings with the other two countries.
<p>The seed of suspicion that was planted by the Vajpayee government in
the Chinese mind right at the very onset has never been erased. And obviously
Pakistan?s military ruler who has, by and large, the support of his people
is not acceptable to democratic India which prefers a military junta of
the Burmese kind.
<p>Jaswant Singh should use at least the hours he gets on the international
flights to think through the consequences of his foreign policy.
<p>Are the long term interests of India being protected? Is the sovereignty
and integrity of India being protected? Will the shift being presently
doctored strengthen the standing of India in the world? Or, is it just
a Vajpayee-Singh whim that the rest of India will eventually have to pay
for?
<p>##################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>Myanmar to continue anti-Naga rebels help</font></b>
<p>From the Hindustan Times newspaper
<p>HT Correspondent
<br>(New Delhi, November 17)
<p>WHILE HELPING India fight Naga insurgency, the Myanmar's army destroyed
five National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) camps this
year. Home Minister L.K. Advani said on Friday that the Mynamar Army had
suffered casualties in the process but will continue operations to wipe
out the remaining camps.
<p>The visiting vice-chairman of the junta, General Maung Aye, and the
Home Minister, who held a meeting here today, discussed at length the subject
of more effective co-ordination in fighting insurgencies in their countries.
<br>Advani also offered assistance for up keep of the tomb of the last
Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon. Turning down the offer,
Gen Aye said it was being looked after well by a committee appointed for
the purpose.
<p>Earlier in the day, the General was accorded a ceremonial welcome at
Rashtrapati Bhavan. The General also visited Raj Ghat and paid his respects
to Mahatma Gandhi. Former Army chief Gen V.P. Malik also called on him.
In the evening, he attended a banquet hosted by Vice-President Krishan
Kant, where an agreement on extending the Indian line of credit for Myanmar
was signed.
<p>Speaking at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry,
General Maung said Myanmar had attracted around $ 7 billion in foreign
direct investment since the country opened its doors to the world. Indian
investment was only 1.1 per cent and there was much scope for improvement,
particularly in the agriculture sector, he said.
<p>Trade and economic co-operation between the two countries have been
growing steadily. The trade turn over , which was just $ 13 million in
1980-81, touched $ 194 million in 1999-2000. The balance of trade is in
Myanmar's favour as India is the single biggest market for its exports.
<p>A Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said India and Myanmar were
negotiating a bilateral investment protection and promotion treaty. The
two countries were looking forward to joint projects in the hydel power,
road and other infrastructure sectors.
<p>#####################################
<p><b><font size=+1>India, Myanmar discuss ways to expand tourism industry</font></b>
<br>The Hindu newspaper
<p> By Our Special Correspondent
<p>NEW DELHI, NOV.17. India and Myanmar today discussed ways to jointly
expand their tourism industry as part of an effort to shore up their economic
ties.
<p> In an interaction with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),
Myanmar's visiting Vice-Chairman of state Peace and Development Organisation
, General Maung Aye, said that tourism authorities in Myanmar and India
could devise a common Buddhist pilgrim tour package. The package could
include visits to Bodh Gaya as well as Mandalay in Myanmar.
<p> Lack of communication links between the two countries and internally
in Myanmar may hamper such projects. Nevertheless, India and Myanmar are
looking at building new road connections. The 160 km-long Tamu-Kalemyo
road will be completed later this year which will link Myanmar and Manipur.
According to the visiting foreign minister, Mr. Win Aung, who also participated
in the discussion, Myanmar was keen to revive road connections between
Calcutta and Yangon.
<p>Besides tourism, cross-border links are vital for pushing trade. Both
countries are undertaking the Kaladan project. This project involves the
transportation of cargo along the Kaladan river to the Bay of Bengal. This
river has been surveyed for this purpose.
<p> Myanmar's top leaders who were present at the CII meeting, however,
observed that Indian investment in Myanmar did not compare well with the
economic involvement of countries belonging to the ASEAN.
<p> India, nevertheless, was now involved in a hydroelectric project
in Myanmar. The Tamanthi hydel project on the banks of the Chindwin river
envisages generation of 110 MWs of power, 75 per cent of which will be
shared with India.
<p> Cooperation in select areas of agriculture is yet another focal
area. The CII on its part has proposed the forging of a growth triangle
involving North Bengal, the North-east States and Myanmar.
<p>General Maung Aye is visiting India at a time when Myanmar is engaged
in diversifying its economic and defence ties. Japan, for instance, is
reportedly advising Myanmar on the future course of its economic reforms.
The U.S. companies are involved in prospecting oil and gas while China
is one of Myanmar's prominent sources for procuring military hardware.
<p>#############################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>India, Myanmar discuss security ties</font></b>
<p>From The Hindu newspaper,
<br> By Atul Aneja
<p> NEW DELHI, NOV. 17. After years of low-key engagement, India and
Myanmar today broke fresh ground to forge a new security and business relationship.
<p> Both sides began a high profile interaction this morning. The
visiting Vice-Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Organisation,
Gen. Maung Aye, was welcomed at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan,
a ceremony usually reserved for visits by heads of State or Government.
<p> The visiting Myanmarese leader, who was received by the Vice-
President, Mr. Krishan Kant, held detailed discussions with the Home Minister,
Mr. L.K. Advani, revolving mainly around ways to counter insurgency in
the sensitive Myanmar-India border areas.
<p> India is keen that Naga insurgents are denied sanctuary in Myanmar
and their nexus with insurgent groups operating independently there, broken.
Myanmar, on its part, is seeking India's intervention to deny arms and
ammunition to its insurgents.
<p> Specifically, the Indian Navy can be involved in disrupting the
gun-running route used by insurgents in Myanmar. According to reports,
gun-runners usually transit arms along the Andaman Sea before transferring
them first to Changmai in Thailand. These weapons are then sent over land
to insurgent strongholds in Myanmar via Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh. Assertion
by the Navy in the Andamans can, therefore, be critical in curbing this
trade.
<p> India, on its part, may also benefit from Myanmar's assistance
for promoting negotiations with key militant groups in the Northeast. It
will be in India's interest, for instance, if Myanmar can influence the
NSCN(I)(M) faction to persist with its ongoing negotiations with India
to resolve the Naga question. Myanmar has reportedly established a good
rapport with the Karen Independence Organisation (KIO), a Myanmarese group
which operates from its soil, but which regularly liaisons with the NSCN(I)(M).
<p> The Home Minister, in response to queries this morning acknowledged
that Myanmar was already assisting in counter- insurgency exercise. The
Myanmarese army, he said, had helped smash five camps of the Khaplang group
of the NSCN.
<p> The Indo-Myanmar security agenda, however, goes beyond concerns
in the northeast. India, for instance, has concerns about the military
relationship between Myanmar and China. Analysts here point out that India
is looking at the Yangon- Beijing security relationship realistically.
<p>###################################################
<br>
<p><b><font size=+1>Myanmar assures steps against insurgents</font></b>
<p>The Times of India News Service
<br>November 17, 2000
<p>NEW DELHI: Myanmarese leader General Maung Aye has assured India that
his country will ensure that its territory is `not used for the purpose
of cross-border terrorism'.
<p>At least five Naga insurgent camps operating from Myanmar have reportedly
been eliminated this year. The five camps belonged to the Khaplang faction
of the Naga insurgent groups. The State Peace and Development Council's
(SPDC) No. 2 leader, Gen Maung Aye, is now on a state visit here at home
minister Advani's invitation.
<p>Advani suggested some sort of bilateral agreement to give a boost to
tourism and other cultural exchanges. To a question on India favouring
democracy in Myanmar while trying to deal with the junta in Yangon, Advani
said, ``We weighed all the pros and cons but in international relations,
we have to take into account our national interests.''
<p>Talking to newspersons later, Gen Maung noted that India-Myanmar relations
go back to several years and were very close especially during the freedom
movement. He recalled that the last Myanmar emperor, Thibaw Rahnagum, died
at Ratnagiri in Konkan, and the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's
last resting place was in Yangon.
<p>Gen Maung was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on
Friday morning. Gen Maung is the second Myanmar leader to visit India this
year. Forging closer ties with Myanmar is part of a broader strategy to
counter insurgency in the North-East as the ultras have been using Myanmar
as their base for launching anti-India operations. The authorities here
have also taken note of China's increased efforts at developing close ties
with Myanmar in recent months.
<p>#####################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>Good ties with Myanmar spell better security</font></b>
<p>From Times of India newspaper
<p>By Manoj Joshi
<p>NEW DELHI: Think of the country's neighbours, and the last name that
comes to mind is Myanmar. A country, with whom India shares a highly active
1,600-km border. For most part, it's an unpoliced border, through which
insurgents, arms, drugs and fake currency pour into India and disrupt the
security and tenor of life in the entire North-East.
<p>In giving a red carpet reception to General Maung Aye, the No. 2 man
in Myanmar junta, the government hopes to change the balance with some
assistance from authorities there. New Delhi hopes the visit will help
mitigate the bad vibes between it and Yangon that arose from the crackdown
on pro-democracy forces by Myanmar's armed forces in 1988, and set the
two countries' relations on a new track.
<p>Official optimism is based on the fact that ever since 1999, when India
stepped up its `constructive engagement' with Myanmar, there has been a
visible payoff in terms of the pressure put by the Myanmar Army on the
Indian insurgent groups operating from there. Visits to Myanmar by then
Army chief Gen V P Malik and home secretary Kamal Pande this year, as well
as import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar have set the stage for
Gen Maung's visit.
<p>New Delhi's policy towards Myanmar has drawn predictable criticism from
activists who support Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained pro-democracy leader.
However, beyond a limit India cannot allow its state interests to subserve
its commitment to democracy, especially in a situation where its own security
is affected.
<p>To convince the Myanmerese of India's serious intent, there is some
house-cleaning to be done. First, New Delhi must convey to the Generals
in Yangon that while New Delhi values democracy, it unambiguously recognises
the State Peace and Development Council as the government of Myanmar.
<p>Second, it must assure them that India will not allow any insurgent
movement to base itself in India. India's support for some dubious groups
in this area has brought little by way of returns and has instead clouded
its relations with Myanmar.
<p>Third, that while Myanmar pro-democracy refugees are given asylum in
India, they will not be permitted to conduct any political activity that
will prejudice Myanmar's security in any way.
<p>According to Swaraj Kaushal, former governor of Mizoram and an expert
on the region, if India and Myanmar were to agree to joint patrolling and
joint manning of their border posts, ``forty per cent of the insurgency
will be checked''. One reason for this, he says, is that ``probably more
Nagas and Mizos live in Myanmar than they do in India''. According to him,
only a holistic approach towards rooting out insurgency, which includes
cooperation with Myanmar and Bangladesh, can bring permanent peace to the
region.
<p>############################################
<p><b><font size=+1>George skips Aye reception</font></b>
<p>STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
<p>NEW DELHI, Nov. 17. ? General Maung Aye, the second-most powerful man
of the State Peace & Development Council in Myanmar, began his state
visit to India today with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
But the defence minister, Mr George Fernandes, was conspicuously absent
at the ceremony. A red carpet welcome was unrolled for the general and
his 16-member team. Gen. Aye was received by the Vice-President, Mr Krishan
Kant, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the home minister, Mr LK Advani, the minister
of state for external affairs, Mr Ajit Panja, and senior diplomats. There
is no one-on-one meeting scheduled between Gen. Aye and Mr Fernandes. A
meeting between Gen.Aye and the chief of the Army staff has been fixed.
<p>After inspecting the guard of honour, Gen. Aye said his visit was aimed
at strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Myanmar. The
two countries shared a traditionally close relationship. He called on the
President, Mr KR Narayanan, and attended the banquet hosted by the Vice-President.
Describing international terrorism as the greatest threat to world peace
and development, Mr Kant called for a global framework of cooperation to
combat such forces, which had close links with drug trafficking, religious
extremism, fundamentalism and trade in illicit arms. After receiving Gen.
Aye, Mr Advani said Myanmar would continue its assistance in destroying
camps of Naga insurgents within that country, and had already destroyed
five belonging to the Khaplang group. Five camps belonging to the Khaplang
faction of Naga insurgents were destroyed by the Myanmar army this year
despite
the army suffering casualties. There were still more camps, and they would
be pursued, he said.
<p>Asked how India, which favours democracy, had relations with the junta
inMyanmar, Mr Advani said: ?We weighed all the pros and cons but in international
relations, we have to take into account our national interests?. Myanmar
has assured India that its soil would not be allowed to be used by the
Naga insurgents for anti-India activities.
<p>########################################
<p><b><font size=+1>Junta is in town, rebels with George</font></b>
<p>From Indian Express newspaper
<p>GAURAV C. SAWANT
<p>NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 17: Kyaw Than hums a Burmese patriotic song under
his breath as he answers the phones at house number 3, Krishna Menon Marg.
His visiting card lists out 301-7172 and 301-6035 as his numbers. These
also happen to be the residential phone numbers of India's Defence Minister
George Fernandes.
<p>Than, 38 years old, is the President of All Burma Students League and
was a Tutor at the Rangoon University before fleeing to India 12 years
ago. He answers the phone and coordinates a demonstration protesting ``India's
red-carpet treatment'' to General Maung Aye, Myanmar's top leader visiting
India. ``Please do not write the date of our protest as the police are
trying to prevent it and stop us,'' he says as he explains his stay at
Fernandes' house.
<p>The All Burma Students League has two rooms in the defence minister's
bungalow. A model of a naval ship presented to the defence minister rests
on a mantleplace above posters of Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the
``legendary comrade'' Che Guvera.
<p>``There are times that 20-25 Burmese students live here but presently
there are only five. The others are out organising the protests,'' he says.
The Burmese students are against India selling arms and ammunition to the
Myanmarese junta. ``The arms and ammunition would be used against the pro-democracy
protestors. India is the world's biggest democracy and such a step would
damage the credibility of democracy in India,'' he adds.
<p>In 1992 when he along with six others came to Delhi and met Fernandes,
they found a supporter for their cause in him. He not only permitted them
to stay at his house but they also held several discussions on pro-democracy
movements. ``Now we understand the minister's position. But then, ideology
and power do not go together in Indian politics,'' he says sagely.
<p>Than's easy manner and quick smile which reaches his eyes instantly
endear his to his ``fellow freedom fighters''. And he says they try not
to get in the minister's way.
<p>But he finds it difficult to answer why India should not cosy up to
the military junta in order to check the insurgents in the northeast. Or
explain the dilemma of the minister who at heart supports the pro-democracy
movement but whose military wants to have very close relations with the
junta to safeguard its own territory from insurgents. Fernandes was unavailable
for comment but sources said that the minister is not meeting the Myanmarese
General.
<p>There was tension between India and Myanmar when allegations surfaced
that during Fernandes' first stint as defence minister that arms were being
supplied to the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The minister also came
in for criticism when it was alleged that part of those weapons were reaching
the northeast insurgents in India and were being used against the Indian
Army.
<p>These students, however, find those allegations untrue. ``He (Fernandes)
understands our point,''says Than and hands over a statement which says
that India is laying a red-carpet welcome to a Burmese General who is among
others responsible for bloodbath of 10,000 peaceful demonstrators in Burma
12 years ago.
<p>The Indian Army is constructing a road in Burma and the ``students''
warn that neither Indian nor Burmese goods would be traded and instead
opium, heroin and HIV/AIDS would be imported to India.
<p>The chat with Than is interrupted by phone calls as he plans the demonstration.
Police are trying to round up protesters before they hold a demonstration,
but for the time being they are safe in the defence minister's house.
<p>###############################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>Govt embraces Myanmar junta in `national interest'</font></b>
<p>From Indian Express newspaper
<p>SONIA TRIKHA
<br>
<p>NOV 17: India today rolled out the red carpet for General Maung Aye,
the second most powerful man in Myanmar's military regime, dismissing criticism
from some quarters by citing ``national interests''. As if in response,
Yangon told New Delhi it has stepped up operations against Naga insurgents
and destroyed five of their camps in Myanmar.
<p>Reflecting a new bonhomie in relations, Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council, was received warmly by Vice President
Krishan Kant and Home Minister L.K.Advani at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Also present
were Kant's wife, Suman, Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar
Panja and Lt Governor of Delhi Vijai Kapoor.
<p>``Five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction of the Naga insurgents
were destroyed by the Myanmar army this year despite the army suffering
casualties,'' said Advani after the ceremonial reception. ``There are some
more camps and they will pursue them,'' he added.
<p>The talks are taking place amidst protests by pro-democracy activists
against having any dealings with the junta which, they say, is desperately
seeking legitimacy. Asked how the Indian Government, with its stout advocacy
of democracy, was engaging with the military regime, Advani said: ``We
weighed all the pros and cons, but in international relations, we have
to take into account our national interests.''
<p>Later in the day, Advani called on Maung Aye at Maurya Sheraton where
he is staying. The Myanmarese leader also received former Army chief V.P.Malik
at the hotel.
<p>Despite the apparent thrust on cooperation to combat insurgency in the
North-East, the Indian Government is selling the Myanmar delegation's visit
as an economic effort. In India since November 14, Maung Aye has already
travelled to Bodh Gaya and visited the Infosys complex in Bangalore.
<p>India is Myanmar's largest export market which accounts for 25 per cent
of its total exports. Myanmar with its newly-acquired status of an ASEAN
member has also been pitched as India's gateway to the South Asian economic
bloc. The delegation's meeting at the CII went some way in reinforcing
that view.
<p>A strong and mostly silent Maung Aye did not take any questions. In
his brief speech, he said he had ``come to promote good relations between
the two countries'' and for ``opportunities to invite investment''.
<p>His foreign minister, Win Aung, answered most of the questions. On being
asked what China's sustained efforts for forging closer links with Yangon
in recent months meant for ties with India, he said ``we want to be friends
with everybody''. On the issue of restoring democracy to Myanmar, the foreign
minister said: ``We have a plan but first we must solve our fundamental
problems, and we must have development first.'' He refused to explain how
restoring democracy would preclude development. His response: ``Development
must come first.''
<p>Earlier, Vice-Chairman Maung Aye said ``the two countries have traditionally
had good relations and this visit would further strengthen them.'' He too
did not mention China.
<p>In the evening, the Vice-President hosted a banquet in honour of the
visiting delegation. Invoking historical links between the border nations,
Kant stressed the need for cooperation to combat ``international terrorism
with its close links to drug trafficking, religious extremism and fundamentalism
and trade in illicit arms''.
<p>Maung Aye, on a week-long visit to India, will call on President K.
R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and have meetings
with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and other leaders.
<p>################################################
<p><b><font size=+1>Advani justifies upgrading ties with Myanmar</font></b>
<p>From Pioneer newspaper
<p>Pioneer News Service/New Delhi
<p>Union Home Minister L K Advani said on Friday that Myanmar would continue
its assistance in destroying camps and hideouts of the north east militant
groups within that country." The Myanmar army has already destroyed five
camps this years," he added.
<p>Myanmar's positive role in this regard is seen as a big achievement
for India in crushing ISI backed militant groups operating from foreign
bases. "Despite suffering casualties, the Myanmar army destroyed Naga camps.
There are still some more camps and they will
<br>pursue it", he told reporters on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan
after the ceremonial reception to Vice Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) of Myanmar, Gen Maung Aye.
<p>To a question that with Indian government favouring democracy, how it
was having relations with the current regime in Myanmar, Mr Advani said
"we weighed all the pros and cons but in international relations, we have
to take into account our national interests".
<p>Aye is the second Myanmar leader to visit India this year with another
colleague of his having come here at the invitation of Advani. Earlier
the Chief of Indian Army had paid a
<br>visit to the neighbouring country followed by a high level delegation
of Home Ministry.
<p>India's move to forge closer ties with Myanmar is part of a broader
strategy to counter insurgency in the north-east as the ultras having been
using Myanmar for launching anti-India operations, sources said.The NSCN(Khaplang
group) was reportedly training ultras in several camps across the border.
<p>The authorities here have also taken note of China's increased efforts
at having close linkages with Yangon in recent months, the sources added.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p> </html>
--------------62638A7B11C3947A1C95F523--