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BurmaNet News: December 20, 2000



______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
________December 20, 2000   Issue # 1690_________

INSIDE BURMA _______
*Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD MP Interviewed on Reports of SPDC-Aung 
San Suu Kyi Talks
*Democratic Voice of Burma: Black market trading triggers diesel oil 
shortage for naval vessels 
*Democratic Voice of Burma: Land confiscation by military
*AP: Myanmar general says army will join people to battle ?internal 
destructive elements?
*KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Human Rights 
Situation Report on Tenasserim Township

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Thailand protests to Myanmar after fishing boat fired on
*AP: Rights group criticizes U.S. imports from Myanmar 
*Radio New Zealand International: Government offered "world's biggest 
ruby" 
*Xinhua: Myanmar Media Hail Anniversary of Ties With Yugoslavia
*AFP: Malaysian jailed for smuggling 64 Myanmars
*The Asian Age Newspaper (New Delhi): [alleges link between ULFA and 
Mong Tai army
*The Statesman (New Delhi): Chinese militants backing N-E rebels

ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Canada Asia Pacific Resource Network: Grave Diggers: A Report on Mining 
in Burma?available online
*Dana Magazine (Burma): Excerpt from article on Myanmar Garment 
factories
*TV Myanmar: [Junta chief comments on relationship between politics, 
economics]

OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*The Gazette (Montreal): Faint hopes in Burma

OTHER______
*PD Burma: Calendar of events with regard to Burma

The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com


__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________


Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD MP Interviewed on Reports of SPDC-Aung 
San Suu Kyi Talks

Dec. 19, 2000

[[DVB correspondent Htet Aung Kyaw telephone interview with U Than Tun, 
NLD MP and member of the Committee Representing People's Parliament; 
portions by Htet Aung Kyaw read by announcer and portions by U Than Tun 
recorded]]
 [FBIS Translated Text] 

[Announcer] There have been reports recently of SPDC [State Peace and 
Development Council] officers meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Our DVB 
[Democratic Voice of Burma] contacted and interviewed [via telephone] U 
Than Tun, who was recently released from house arrest and who is the 
secretary of the Committee Representing People's Parliament [CRPP] and 
elected representative of National League for Democracy from Taungtha 
Township constituency-2, Mandalay Division. [Htet Aung Kyaw read by 
announcer] Recently, there have been reports of SPDC officers holding 
talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. U Than Tun, your comments please. 

[Begin recording] [U Than Tun] We do not know [illeg]]they have nothing 
substantial to do. So, they are urging the SPDC to do what they want to 
happen. 

[Announcer] It is now 3 months since Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been 
detained for trying to go to Mandalay. What is the status of NLD members 
who were detained in connection with this incident? 

[U Than Tun] Those detained in Mandalay have been freed. 

Of those detained at Rangoon Railway Station, about 10 or so persons 
have been released, while some are still being detained. We are trying 
to get the release of those remained in detention in connection with the 
incident at the railway station as the reason for detention is 
meaningless. 

[Announcer] We have heard that the landlords have sued the NLD to evict 
the NLD headquarters. 

We have not heard any further on it.

 [U Than Tun] It is pending [words rendered in English] at present. As 
it is pending, the landlord has not said anything and we continue to 
stay. It implies that negotiations will be made after Daw Aung San Suu 
Kyi and U Aung Shwe are released from their detention. [end recording] 

[Announcer] That was the DVB interview with U Than Tun, a member of the 
CRPP and elected representative from Taungtha Township constituency-2, 
Mandalay Division. We will present the part of Htet Aung Kyaw-U Than Tun 
interview on economic, social, and education situation in Burma 
tomorrow. Please tune in. 



___________________________________________________



Democratic Voice of Burma: Black market trading triggers diesel oil 
shortage for naval vessels 

 Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 17 Dec 00 


Personnel from SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] naval vessels 
have been selling their rationed diesel oil on the black market due to 
high oil prices. They are forcibly demanding diesel oil required for the 
naval vessels from the commercial boats. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] 
correspondent Myint Maung Maung filed this report stating that the 
necessary diesel ration could not be supplied to the naval vessels due 
to shortage of diesel oil. 

[Myint Maung Maung] Two naval vessels no. 447 and no. 413 that are on 
offshore security duty near Kalakut Island off Kyaikkhami coast have 
been demanding one barrel of diesel oil each from private passenger and 
commercial boats plying between Tenasserim and Rangoon Division on 15 
December. They said it was because the naval vessels did not receive 
their November quota of diesel oil. The naval vessels received only 30 
gallons of diesel oil daily just to warm the engines. Due to the order 
to keep reserve oil for operational purposes, it is the responsibility 
of the naval vessels which do not have sufficient reserves to search for 
diesel oil. 

Diesel oil has become scarce in Moulmein since October and one gallon of 
diesel oil reached 550 kyat [Burmese currency unit] at one time. Due to 
high oil prices personnel from the naval vessels of Mawrawaddy Naval 
Base are selling diesel oil in the black market at two thirds the 
prevailing price and sales are believed to be brisk. When the SPDC Navy 
Commander in Chief's Office found out about the black marketing and 
stopped the diesel oil quotas, they resorted to forcibly demanding 
diesel oil from private boats.
	
___________________________________________________


Democratic Voice of Burma: Land confiscation by military

Oslo, in Burmese 1245 gmt 17 Dec 00 


DVB Democratic Voice of Burma has learned that the No. 8 Tactical 
Command has earmarked to confiscate over 300 acres of land in the 
eastern part of Ye-Tavoy road in Tenasserim Division. 

The land will be used to raise funds for regiments under the tactical 
command. Over 300 acres of land between Kalonehtar and Kamawhla Villages 
east of Ye-Tavoy road will be confiscated. There are 13 villages in the 
vicinity and they have lived there for generations. The No. 8 Tactical 
Command plans to make egg plant plantations and the villagers themselves 
have to clear the area. Some frontline battalions under the tactical 
command have asked Myittha, Khawar, Mudaw, Kyauktwin, Khaungtaw, Pyarbar 
Chaung, and Khaungmu Villages in Tavoy District to give 100,000 betel 
nut tree saplings. 

Earlier this year, they have confiscated over 8,000 acres of land east 
of Ye-Tavoy road and the villages were forcibly removed. The land was 
sold to Poe Kaung Company and Ti Choung Company. Local villagers have 
now lost their traditional livelihood of farming, orchards, betel nut 
and durian plantations. 

____________________________________________________



AP: Myanmar general says army will join people to battle ?internal 
destructive elements?

Dec. 20, 2000

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Myanmar's armed forces will join hands with the 
people to annihilate ``internal destructive elements'' that pose a 
danger to the state, one of the country's ruling generals has said. 

 Although he did say what such elements were, Lt. Gen. Tin Oo was 
clearly referring to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National 
League for Democracy party, who are frequently accused of relying on 
Western nations for support. They face harsh repression by the junta. 

 Tin Oo's remarks, reported by state-controlled media on Wednesday, came 
in a speech made Tuesday at a planning meeting for commemorating Armed 
Forces Day next year. Tin Oo is army chief of staff and Secretary-Two of 
the ruling junta, officially known as the State Peace and Development 
Council. 

 Myanmar's current military government took power in 1988 after crushing 
a popular uprising against army rule which began with a 1962 coup 
d'etat. 

 Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept general elections in 
Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 1990, but the military refused to honor 
the result. Since then the party has faced constant harassment and 
hundreds of NLD members have been jailed. 

 Tin Oo said in his speech that the Tatmadaw _ armed forces _ had 
overcome various dangers together with the people. 

 He said that Myanmar's armed forces have experience not only with 
military affairs, but also with political, economic and administrative 
matters. 

 ``Internal destructive elements that lack internal strength are openly 
relying on foreign countries,'' the New Light of Myanmar newspaper 
quoted him as saying. ``The Tatmadaw together with the people will crush 
and annihilate all dangers threatening the interests of the entire 
nation and those who are trying to grab power through shortcuts,'' 

 Such indirect attacks on Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement are common in 
the state-controlled press, though often not so sharp. 

 Armed Forces Day commemorates when the Myanmar army rose up against 
Japanese occupation forces in 1945. It is celebrated annually on March 
27 with a military parade and speech by the head of the junta, Senior 
Gen. Than Shwe.

___________________________________________________


KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department: Human Rights Situation 
Report on Tenasserim Township

[Abridged] 

[Report on events in November 2000, Tenasserim Township]

Karen National Union
 18 December, 2000
 
Forced Portering
 

         On Novermber 2, 2000, Burma Army's Light Infantry Battalion 561 
combined with village militia from Nyaung Bin Gwin village arrived to 
Taket village tract in Tenasserim Township, and captured 50 villagers 
and took them back to the military camp in Kauk Yo village. Their 
intention is to let the villagers transport the military supplies. 
 

       On November 3, 2000, Burma Army's Light Infantry Battalion 561 
arrived to Thabawleik and Ban Law villages (in Tenasserim township, 
Mergui district) and captured more than 70 villagers and forced them to 
served as porter to carry their military supplies. 
 

        On November 8, 2000, a troop of Burma Army's LIB 101 arrived to 
Meelaungwin (Tenasserim township, Mergui district) village and demanded 
80 porters from village headman. The demand was to send the 80 men to 
their camp not later thank 25 November 2000.  
 

         On November 15, 2000, Burma Army's LIB 561 commander Lt. Col. 
Min Din informed the villages in Pawat area (Tenasserim township, Mergui 
district), Tagu, Aleman, Yengangyi, and Shwegenyo village to send him 
900 porters to his battalion headquarters not later than 25 November 
2000. 
 

       On November 15, 2000, Burma Army's LIB 559's commander Lt. Col 
Kyi Shein and LIB 560 commander Lt. Col. Htay Win forced the villagers 
in Manorone area in Mergui district (who have not served as porter as 
ordered) to give money instead. The villagers are from Manorone, Klaw 
Thoo Wow. Lahpoonge, Mukwah, Hkechaung. The officers ordered the village 
tract chairman U Maung Oo to dictated and collect 7000 kyats from 20 
households and sent it to the commanders. Those who unable to give the 
dictated money have to go and serve as porter to the borderline Burma 
Army's military camp Ko Thet Loo. Villagers who could not give the 
dictated money and have to go and serve as porters to the frontline camp 
were 30 men form Manorone, 15 from Taung Nge, 5 form Lahponge, 10 from 
Hkechaung and totally they were 60. 
 

Extortion
 

        On November 8, 2000, a combined troop of Burma Army's LIB 101 
and village militia (about 100 in number) entered into Milaungwin 
village (in Taninthayi township) and opened fire to scare out the 
villagers from the place where they were forcibly relocated. After the 
villagers fled away they took an ox belong to Saw Win Stine and order 
the village head to pay for the price to the owner and left the village. 

 

        On Nobember 13, 2000, Burma Army's 563's commander Lt. Col. Kyaw 
Kyaw Mya and his 2IC Maj. Htun Htun Oo entered to Mazaw village in 
Easter Mergui township, Megui district and forced the villagers to 
purchase for them:  A set of VDO Karaoke cassettes, an amplifier, a 5 HP 
Honda generator engine plus a dynamo, a set of satellite dish, clothing 
and food stuffs costing  240000 kyats.

The materials and cash were to be arranged for by the village headmen 
and sent to SPDC authorities.
 
Torture
 
    On Novembers 3, 2000, a troop from Burma Army's LIB 431, which was 
led by company commander Capt. Aung Gyaw, entered to Le Seik village 
(Tenasserim township, Mergui district) with his 50 men. He captured Le 
Seik villager Saw Doh Gay (30 yr.) and accused him as he contact and 
send information to Karen resistance group. Aung Gyaw beat and strikes 
Saw Doh Gay severely. After Aung Gyaw left the villagers have to send 
the victim to the Taninthanyi hospital where he was accepted as and 
indoor patient. 
 
Forced Labour
 
On November 18, 2000, Burma Army's LIB 559 and 560 ordered the villagers 
from Kay area (Kyeinchaung village tract, in Tenasserim township) to 
construct a new road from Htee Wah Throgh military camp. 100 villagers 
from Kay area have to serve as in-turn forced loabours everyday since 
the date they were ordered. 
 
(Note: 1 US$ = 400-420 Kyat at cross border trade rate. Minimum wage for 
a day = 200-500 Kyat. Minimum wage for civil servant for one month = 
1500 Kyat.) 







___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
				

AFP: Thailand protests to Myanmar after fishing boat fired on 

BANGKOK, Dec 20 (AFP) - Thailand has lodged a protest with Myanmar after 
one of its vessels seized a Thai fishing boat and fired on another boat, 
killing one of its crew, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. 

 "We will ask Myanmar to investigate the shooting incident against two 
Thai trawlers and the violation of Thailand's territory," spokesman Don 
Pramudhvinai told a press conference. 

 The letter will be lodged with the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok. 

 The Thai-language newspaper Thairath said one fisherman was killed and 
another injured Tuesday after the Myanmar navy boat entered Thai 
territory and opened fire on their vessel. 

 Another vessel was seized and towed into Myanmar waters, the report 
said. 


___________________________________________________



AP: Rights group criticizes U.S. imports from Myanmar 

Dec. 20, 2000


WASHINGTON (AP) _ A human rights group Tuesday said the U.S. military is 
propping up Myanmar's repressive regime by importing clothing from the 
country. 

 The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), which runs stores on 
U.S. military bases, this year imported dlrs 138,290 in clothing made in 
Myanmar, also known as Burma, according to the New York-based National 
Labor Committee. 
 The Pentagon said it had no immediate comment. 

 The rights group noted that Myanmar does not permit wholly owned 
foreign subsidiaries and that all factories must operate in joint 
ventures that pay their employees as little as seven cents an hour. 

 ``These joint ventures provide much needed foreign currency to prop up 
the Burmese military,'' the group said in a statement. 

 ``The military uses a portion of these revenues to purchase weapons in 
China to turn on their own people.'' 

 Though importing from Myanmar is not illegal, the group says it 
violates the spirit of 1997 sanctions imposed on the country by 
President Clinton to bar new investments. 

 He was hoping to crimp economic support to the regime that has refused 
to recognize the 1988 election victory of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung 
San Suu Kyi and has kept her under house arrest for much of the time 
since then.
 
 The rights group, which works against sweatshop conditions around the 
world, also criticized U.S. apparel companies for increasing imports 
since the sanctions were imposed. U.S. government figures show U.S. 
clothing imports from Myanmar were dlrs 85 million in 1997 , compared to 
dlrs 342 million in the first 10 months of this year. 



___________________________________________________


 Radio New Zealand International: Government offered "world's biggest 
ruby" 

Wellington, in English 0800 gmt 19 Dec 00 

[Excerpt]

Vanuatu's honorary consul to Thailand, Amarendra Gosh, has shown the 
Vanuatu Council of Ministers what he claims to be the world's biggest 
ruby. Mr Gosh, who says the ruby is worth 170m US dollars, has donated 
it to the Vanuatu government. He claims to have bought the ruby at an 
auction in Thailand after it had been smuggled from Burma. 

Prime Minister Barak Sope says his government will make sure the stone 
is real, and that it was not brought into the country illegally, before 
using it as a security for loans... 

___________________________________________________


Xinhua: Myanmar Media Hail Anniversary of Ties With Yugoslavia

YANGON, December 20 (Xinhua) -- The state-run newspaper The New Light of 
Myanmar Wednesday hailed the golden jubilee of the establishment of 
diplomatic ties between Myanmar and Yugoslavia with the belief that the 
two countries will be able to enhance cooperation in the future through 
sympathy and mutual understanding. Marking the event, the newspaper in 
an article praised Yugoslavia for having played a leading role in the 
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), pointing out that Myanmar too is one of the 
original nations which took the initiative to organize the Bandung 
conference that laid down the principles of the NAM. 

Citing the same experiences of driving out aggressors, the newspaper 
said the two nations have been able to maintain their cordial relations 
in spite of the rough situation they had to deal with. The newspaper 
recalled a visit to Myanmar of Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin 
Jovanovic in March this year, during which the two sides agreed to 
respect each other's sovereignty and integrity based on equality and 
non-interference in the internal affairs of each other and affirm their 
support for the inalienable rights of sovereign states to determine 
freely their own political and economic systems. Myanmar and Yugoslavia 
established diplomatic relations on December 19, 1950, and the first 
Yugoslav ambassador arrived in Myanmar in 1952 while Myanmar opened its 
embassy in Belgrade in 1955.


_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
 

Canada Asia Pacific Resource Network: Grave Diggers: A Report on Mining 
in Burma?available online

Dec. 20, 2000

Grave Diggers: A report on mining in Burma, writen by renowned mining 
author Roger Moody, is now on-line.  You can get to the report by 
visiting a portal on the Canada Asia Pacific Resource Network:  

http://www.caprn.bc.ca/campaign/burmamines/

Or by visiting the Miningwatch Canada website:  
http://www.miningwatch.org 


----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Grave Diggers: A Report on Mining in Burma

Roger Moody

"Grave Diggers", written by Roger Moody, gives an overall analysis of 
mining and mining companies in Burma. It examines in the roles of the 
companies involved and their relationship to the Burmese military 
dictatorship. Also presented are the social impacts, in particular the 
spread of HIV/AIDS through heroin use among miners, and the 
disintegration of communities with the discovery of rubies. 

Moody reviews in detail the historical development of the industry and 
mining regulations in Burma, "the least developed or sound of any in the 
world", according the report's author. Examples are provided of the 
inadequacy of the regulations and the loopholes they offer. The author 
then examines companies active in the country (chiefly the Canadian and 
Australian mining industry), their role, and why they have been 
permitted to operate under militarized conditions. Canadian stock 
markets, where much of the investment is raised, Canadian law and the 
industry itself come under scrutiny. 

The report in particular highlights the activities of Canadian mining 
company Ivanhoe Mines, headed by Robert Friedland, holder of the single 
largest mining investment in the country. Moody reviews the history of 
mining operations owned by Friedland, including environmental disasters 
in the United States and Guyana and corporate links to mercenary armies 
in Africa, and how Ivanhoe entered into joint venture with the Burmese 
military dictatorship to develop one of Asia's largest copper mining 
projects in Monywa. 

The report concludes with accounts of the deplorable conditions of 
miners and affected communities in Burma. Moody examines the hazards of 
methods employed at Monywa and offers evidence of serious human rights 
violations, safety breaches, and serious ground water pollution. 
Finally, the conditions of mines elsewhere in Burma are presented, 
including the breakdown of village communities in Shan State, and an 
interview with a Burmese mining engineer who describes how primitive 
mining standards has jeopardized lives and the environment. 


In "Grave Diggers," Roger Moody provides an extraordinary wealth of 
detail on the damages done by international mineral extraction companies 
in deals with the brutal junta of Burma. He tears away the screen 
covering this little-known aspect of controversial investments in that 
hidden, oppressed land. Moody's comprehensive report, with harrowing 
revelations about multinational corporations and their effects on human 
rights and the environment, is valuable and compelling reading.
                               -- Edith T. Mirante
                                  author of "Burmese Looking Glass" 


___________________________________________________


Dana Magazine (Burma): Excerpt from article on Myanmar Garment factories


[Posted to soc.culture.burma 12/19/2000 by <mhtoon@xxxxxxx> .  
Authenticity and accuracy of translation not verifiable.  Dana is a 
Burmese language publication..]

November 2000 issue, pages 85/89 by U Htin Aung Kyaw)


"Up to March 2000 statistic, there are over 400 Garment factories 
including small to big scale in Myanmar. It has created and employed 
over 300,000 (three hundred thousand) people in various positions. Most 
of them are women and their minimum education is 6th grade and above. 
They have better salary than competitive market in the country."
 
"United States has already allowed quota of year 2000 from Myanmar 
Garment industries is 337,327 dozen (over three hundred thousand) of mix 
apparel. China has quota of 30 millions dozen"
 
"JODC - Japanese Overseas Development Corporation" (Good Will) has 
agreed to open train center in Myanmar. They (JODC) did assist to 
Cambodia garment industry which has export income of over US$ 500 
millions in this fiscal year." 
 


___________________________________________________



TV Myanmar: [Junta chief comments on relationship between politics, 
economics]

Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 17 Dec 00 

[BBC Summary of World Broadcasts---Chairman of Burma's State Peace and 
Development Council, Than Shwe, has said that politics and economic 
achievement have a direct correlation and therefore everyone must strive 
to achieve a firm economic foundation. In a guidance speech, Than said 
efforts were being made to achieve success in agriculture, livestock 
breeding and the transport sector. He noted that the role of leadership 
was vital for nation-building.]

Excerpt from report by Burmese TV on 17 December 

Sr Gen Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
SPDC and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, accompanied by SPDC 
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, SPDC Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Rear Adm 
Kyi Min, navy commander-in-chief, Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, air force 
commander-in-chief, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm Maung Maung Khin, Lt- 
Gen Tin Hla, deputy prime minister and minister for military affairs, 
Maj-Gen Ye Myint, chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development 
Council, and commander of central military command, the ministers, the 
deputy minister for health, senior military officers, the chairman of 
Magwe Division Peace and Development Council and responsible officials, 
departed Magwe by helicopter at 0815 local time yesterday for 
Taungdwingyi and inspected Yanpe Dam Project in the township... 

In his guidance speech Sr Gen Than Shwe said dams were being built in 
the east of Magwe Division and efforts were to be made for contiguity of 
irrigated areas as much as possible and ways and means should be sought 
to irrigate the acreage in between. He spoke of the need to scrutinize 
practical irrigation of cultivated areas by the respective dams as 
targeted. He said the dams might silt up with the passage of time and 
this might lead to less water storage in the dams. He called for the 
continued maintenance and repair of the main canals and others. Than 
Shwe and party inspected the construction of the main dam with the use 
of heavy machinery. The earth Yanpe Dam is 9,000 ft long and 78 ft high. 
On completion of the Dam, it will supply water to about 10,000 acres. 
The senior general and party next went to the site of Sunchaung Dam 
Project in Myothit Township by helicopter... 

Sr Gen Than Shwe, SPDC chairman and commander-in-chief of the defence 
services, met members of Magwe Division Peace and Development Council 
PDC , Mandalay Division Agricultural Coordination Committee, chairmen of 
Magwe, Pakokku, Thayet, Minbu, and Gangaw District PDCs Peace and 
Development Councils , chairmen of 16 township PDCs, division, district 
and township level departmental officials, and members of the Union 
Solidarity and Development Association at the City Hall in Magwe at 0900 
local time today... 

In his guidance speech, SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe said: The task to 
achieve rice sufficiency in the Anya region of the up country is of 
great importance. As there is no rice sufficiency in Mandalay and Magwe 
divisions, strenuous efforts are to be made to boost per-acre yield and 
extend paddy sown acreage. As the government has spent huge sums on dams 
and pump irrigation projects, measures are to be taken to ensure water 
supply in the irrigated areas. It is necessary to make arrangements for 
cultivation of paddy with the use of rain water and irrigated water. 
Only then can Mandalay and Magwe divisions meet the planned target for 
paddy cultivation. 

It is very important to utilize water and land resources fully. It is 
also required to expand cultivation of oil crops, with the aim of 
ensuring edible oil sufficiency in the divisions and partly fulfilling 
requirements of edible oil in the entire nation. Since sunflower 
cultivation is making progress, encouragement should be given to 
cultivation of sunflower. Moreover, projects for cultivation of crops on 
the sandy river banks are to be implemented successfully. 

While efforts are being made to achieve success in agriculture, 
livestock breeding work is to be carried out in conjunction with 
agricultural work to supplement and increase the income of farmers. It 
is required to provide assistance for livestock breeding work suitable 
for the region. As greenery projects are being undertaken, with the aim 
of improving weather conditions, emphasis should be given to grow trees 
such as tamarinds, toddy palms and neem trees which provide shade and 
contribute to regional economic development. 

Then, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported 
on the targets of cultivation of monsoon paddy, summer paddy, oil crops, 
cotton, sugarcane, beans and pulses, and accomplishment of the targets, 
establishment of special crop cultivation zones in Mandalay and Magwe 
divisions, measures taken to improve agricultural methods, and tasks for 
water resources development. 

In his concluding address, Sr Gen Than Shwe said: It is important for 
the nation, division and state, district, and township level authorities 
to lead effectively and enthusiastically the working people in national 
development projects. In building a modern, developed nation, tasks 
should not be carried out at random, and all have to work with 
seriousness in accord with the 12 political, economic, and social 
objectives. For national economic progress, efforts must be made to 
achieve firm development in the main sectors such as agriculture, 
fisheries, and industrial sectors. 

He noted politics has a direct bearing on the realization of economic 
endeavours as politics and economy are correlated, so all must strive in 
creating a firm foundation for the economy. Serious attention is also 
being paid to development of the transport sector, which is vital for 
national economy, and endeavours have been made to commission Yangon 
Rangoon -Akyab Highway into service and projects are under way to build 
Mergui-Kawthaung Road and Yangon-Kyaukpyu Road. Meanwhile, plans are 
being made for human resources development required for nation building 
tasks. He said it is human beings that are building and safeguarding the 
nation and they are the ones creating their own destiny. At this 
juncture, he noted, the leadership role is of vital importance and 
persons in this capacity at various levels should be diligent, 
intelligent, and efficient... 



___________________________________________________


The Asian Age Newspaper (New Delhi): [alleges link between ULFA and Mong 
Tai army]


"Barua runs Bangla business: Police"


Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2000

(BY RAHUL DAS)


Calcutta, Dec. 19: The elusive and shadowy
commander-in chief of the banned militant outfit Ulfa,
paresh Barua, has his sights on gig money. Entrenched
in Bangladesh, Barua also heads a leading corporate
house----- Karimuddin Exports Pvt. Ltd, which employs
more than 400 executives and workers, according to
Assam police director-general H.K. Deka.

Mr Deka said several intelligence reports suggest that
Barua has invested a huge amount of money in several
countries. "We have information that he has invested a
huge amount of money in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma and
Dubai. He frequently flies to these places," Mr Deka
told The Asian Age from Guwahati.
Intelligence officers said on Tuesday Barua runs
Karimuddin Exports Pvt. Ltd in partnership with the
brother of a former Bangladesh Prime Minister. "While
the Bangladeshi partner has a stake of 60 per cent,"
he said. Senior Army officers of the Eastern Command
said the hawala route is Paresh Barua's lifeline.
"Extortion money from Assam is siphoned off through
hawala channels and is then pumped into the export
trading companies in Dhaka by Barua," an Army officer
said.

Indian authorities have also come to know that Ulfa
has set up a number of money-spinning companies in
Bangladesh, ranging from hotels to poultry farms. A
Union home ministry report said Ulfa has set up
business projects in other Bangladeshi towns like
Dhaka, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Narsingdi. "In Dhaka
alone, the Ulfa bosses own three hotels, one private
clinic and two motor training schools. In Sylhet
district, it has several grocery and drug stores. In
Mymensingh it owns some poultry farms, while in
Narsingdi it runs two schools," the Union home
ministry report says.

According to the report, Ulfa generates a lot of
revenue from these business ventures and it is these
funds that enable its leaders, like chairman Arabinda
Rajkhowa and commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, to live
in luxury in Bangladesh and Bhutan. " Anup Chetia, who
is in a Bangladesh prison, had also visitde Brazil and
South Africa with this money before his arrest," an
officer said. Ulfa, the report says, has also set up a
profitable narcoties business following a tie-up with
the NSCN ( K), which has led to contacts with the
Kachin Independent Army. " They are also developing
links with ex-drug baron Khun Sa's disbanded Momg Tai
Army, both for procurement of arms and for a narcotics
conduit," it says.  The home minister report also
talks of the expensive lifestyles of Ulfa leaders and
their families.  It says money is being extorted from
business houses and the common people for " the
personal benefit of the luxury-loving United
Liberation front of Asom leaders basking in luxurious
villas and five-star hotels in foreign cities like
Geneva and Bangkok."


___________________________________________________

The Statesman (New Delhi): Chinese militants backing N-E rebels


December 20, 2000 

Shivanth Jha 

NEW DELHI, Dec. 19. û The Intelligence Bureau has asked the Centre to 
take urgent steps to combat "Sino militants' illegal infiltration, 
supply of huge quantities of sophisticated arms and ammunition and 
contraband into India from China to the North-east."  

The IB had submitted a five-page confidential report to the home affairs 
ministry last week. It noted: "The Chinese militants have spread their 
area of operation in all the seven North-Eastern states and are running 
parallel administrations with the help of local militants in the entire 
region, posing a serious threat to internal security."  

"If timely action is not taken, the entire region is likely to be turned 
into a big arms bazaar," the report stated and added that due to the 
Nepal government's strict law enforcement, they were concentrating on 
the North-east.  

The agency sent its report soon after the visits of the Assam Governor, 
Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha, Mr. Prafulla Mahanta and Mr. Nipamacha Singh. It 
accused all the seven state governments of poor administrative control 
in tackling the menace.  

The report said about 60 to 75 per cent of the illegal arms is being 
supplied to rebel groups in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, 
Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura by Chinese militants.  
"These outfits are creating a major law and order problem in the 
bordering NE region and it will be difficult for the law enforcement 
agencies, including Border Security Force, to deal with the situation, 
if timely action is not initiated by New Delhi," it said.  

Justifying the IB report, Manipur's deputy chief minister, Mr. L 
Chandramani Singh told The Statesman today: "We just can't rule out the 
possibility of supply of illegal arms from across the border." He, 
however, denied poor administrative action by the state governments. 
They were doing their best with the available financial resources, he 
added.  

The IB report, which was forwarded to Mr. LK Advani, and the home 
secretary, Mr Kamal Pandey, also stated: "If the government fails to 
take suitable measures, the entire North-East region is likely to be 
turned into a Chinese gun bazaar as they (Chinese militants outfits) 
have flooded the area with sophisticated arms and ammunition."  

It said that Chinese militants supply firearms to the Ulfa, Bodo and 
Naga rebels. Despite largescale security operations, militancy has 
increased during the past two years, the report added.  

The Ulfa has become the major buyer of such firearms, the report said, 
adding that "it has increased its clout in the region". Chinese 
explosives are widely used by Bodo militants who were behind over 100 
blasts in the states.



___________________________________________________

AFP: Malaysian jailed for smuggling 64 Myanmars 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (AFP) - A Malaysian has been jailed for one year 
after pleading guilty to smuggling 64 Myanmars into the country, the 
official Bernama news agency said Wednesday. 

 Bernama said a magistrate court fined Mohamed Shukri Che Ros, 30, 5,000 
ringgit (1,316 dollars), or a one year jail in default. 

 But Mohamed Shukri, who pleaded guilty to the charge, opted to go to 
jail because he could not pay the fine. 

 The charge under carries a maximum 10,000 ringgit fine or five years' 
jail on conviction. 
 Prosecutor Ibaharim Abdul Rahman told the court that anti-smuggling 
unit officers found 64 Myanmars after searching Mohamed Shukri's lorry 
on a highway in the northern Perlis state on December 8. 

 They had entered the country without valid documents, he said. Perlis 
shares a common border with Thailand. 

 Magistrate Azizan Mohamed Arshad, who ordered the lorry to be 
confiscated, said Mohamed Shukri's offence was serious as it involved 
smuggling a large number of illegal immigrants into the country. 



______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________


  
The Gazette (Montreal): Faint hopes in Burma  


December 20, 2000

Burma's repressive military rulers have been hinting that they will soon 
release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. One hopes they mean it. But 
even if the dissident, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, really does gain a 
greater measure of freedom, no one should mistake that for the real 
freedom that she and her fellow Burmese deserve. 

The current military junta in Burma, also known as Myanmar, came to 
power after murderously crushing pro-democracy demonstrations that swept 
their country in 1988. At least 3,000 unarmed activists were killed. Two 
years later, the despots ignored the results of democratic elections 
that were won in a landslide by Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for 
Democracy. 

Since then, the military rulers have continued to crush all attempts to 
install democracy in Burma. Remarkably, though, they have not crushed 
the spirit of Ms. Suu Kyi, who has spent most of the past decade under 
house arrest (sometimes formally, sometimes de facto) and has paid an 
enormous personal price for her steadfastness. Nor have they crushed the 
spirits of many others, who continue to struggle for democracy, against 
all apparent odds. 

Human-rights violations in Burma remain systemic, and the Burmese 
government continues to come in for well-deserved condemnation. 

This week, Amnesty International warned that the torture of political 
prisoners is not only widespread in Burma but its use is growing. Last 
week, the United Nations General Assembly criticized Burma for a long 
list of abuses, including forced labour and summary executions. The 
International Labour Organization has regularly raised the alarm about 
the use of forced labour. 

And the country's rulers are now also getting blasted by military 
officials in neighbouring Thailand, who see Burma's complicity with drug 
producers as a threat to stability and human welfare in the region. (One 
factor that makes it particularly hard to dislodge Burma's rulers is 
that they control much of the important economic activity in their 
country. Not only would democratic liberalization cut into the 
military's political power, it could also curb its lucrative - and 
corrupt - business enterprises.) 

A lifting of Ms. Suu Kyi's house arrest would be welcome, but it should 
be seen as a tactical move by the junta to diffuse criticism, not a 
harbinger of any fundamental liberalization. 

______________________OTHER______________________


PD Burma: Calendar of events with regard to Burma


No 48 Vol. IV December 19th  2000

         
 
&#9558;         January 2001          : Sweden takes over EU Presidency  

&#9558;         February 5-6th        : Meeting of Solidarity Groups, 
Brussels   
&#9558;         February 6th           : James Mawdsley to address the 
European Parliament, Brussels  
&#9558;         February 15-16th    : Burma Donor Meeting, Sweden   
&#9558;         March/April           : Teachers/ Students Union 
Conferences  
&#9558;         April                        : EU Common Position Review 
 
&#9558;         March/April            : UN Human Rights Commission, 
Geneva  
&#9558;         May 13-20th              : UN LDC III, UN conference on 
the LDC-countries, Brussels  
&#9558;         May 27th                : 11th Anniversary of the 1990 
elected.   
&#9558;         May                : ARF Senior Official Meeting, Hanoi  
 
&#9558;         June 19th                : Aung San Suu Kyi birthday 
party and Burmese Women's Day  
&#9558;         July                : Belgium takes over EU Presidency  
&#9558;         July                : 8th RFA Ministerial Meeting, Hanoi 
  
&#9558;         July                : 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and 
Post-Ministerial Conference   
&#9558;         July                : ASEAN Summit
 
&#9558;         Aug. 31st- Sep.7th              : World Conference 
against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related 
intolerance, South Africa    
&#9558;         December 1st        : Worlds Aids Day
 
&#9558;         December 10th            : 10th Year Anniversary of the 
Nobel Peace Prize for Aung San Suu Kyi, Oslo   
 
 
 
 


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