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BurmaNet News: January 4, 2001
- Subject: BurmaNet News: January 4, 2001
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 09:09:00
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
January 4, 2001 Issue # 1703
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
NOTED IN PASSING: ?You know many French companies sell arms to bizarre
countries and governments."
Jan Mazur, Spokesman for the Polish firm which sold military helicopters
to the regime justifying why his company, like the French, did business
with the junta. See AFP: Polish firm confirms Myanmar helicopter sales;
denies French connection
INSIDE BURMA _______
*Channel NewsAsia: Aung San Suu Kyi to defy travel ban
*Reuters: Landmines kill two elephants on Bangla-Myanmar border
*Bangkok Post: Karen Leader Offers an End to Civil War
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Shan Army rounds off annual meet
*AFP: Mahathir visits south Myanmar after talks with leaders
*AP: Myanmar trumpets achievements on independence anniversary
*Xinhua: Myanmar Setting Up Permanently-Learning Society
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Wa people forced to relocate, said Thai
villager
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Polish firm confirms Myanmar helicopter sales; denies French
connection
*AFP: UN envoy to Myanmar carries hopes for junta-opposition dialogue
*Reuters: U.N. urged to spend more battling AIDS in Myanmar
*Bangkok Post: War must Be Waged on the Home Front, Says Sampao
*Bangkok Post: On the Road to Rangoon
*Shan Herald Agency for News: Shan radio program to increase
broadcasting time
ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*Mizzima: An Unproductive Agreement
OPINION/EDITORIALS_______
*DAP (Malaysia): Mahathir Urged To Give Constructive Criticism To The
Military Junta During His Visit To Burma
OTHER______
*Burma Media Association: BMA Formed
*Burma Peace Foundation: Server problem/lost messages
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
Channel NewsAsia: Aung San Suu Kyi to defy travel ban
Tuesday, January 2 12:05 AM SGT
Myanmar's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has said she will make a
trip
outside the capital Yangon within the next few days, in defiance of the
ruling military government's travel ban.
She also said she would take legal action against the government for
illegally searching her political party headquarters, and placing her
and party leaders under virtual house arrest early this month.
But they are still barred from travelling out of the capital, a ban
which had caused the standoff in the first place.
During her impromptu news conference on Friday, Ms Suu Kyi thanked the
international community and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan
for
their support during that time.
Her party headquarters, which she reopened Friday, had also been closed
and
searched by police.
"We are a legally-organised, registered political party. They have no
right
to raid our party office in this way and we cannot accept this," she
said.
Observers said she appeared to have lost some weight but she looked
healthy
and cheerful.
Ms Suu Kyi won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her political struggles
in Myanmar.
Her party won the general election in 1990 but the ruling party has
never recognised the result.
She has spent six years under house arrest.
___________________________________________________
Reuters: Landmines kill two elephants on Bangla-Myanmar border
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Landmines have killed two
wild elephants along Bangladesh's border with Myanmar, officials said on
Thursday.
``The elephants were killed by landmines at zero-point of the border
between Bangladesh and Myanmar border on December 30,'' an official of
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border guard told Reuters.
He said wild elephants and illegal loggers were often victims of the
deadly landmines which were strewn along the border with Myanmar.
Another BDR official said border guards of the two countries had
earlier discussed the landmines and they suspected outlawed Myanmar
organisations or India's involvement in planting them.
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: Karen Leader Offers an End to Civil War-Rangoon junta has
to step aside, though
Thursday, January 4, 2001
Supamart Kasem
Mae Sot
The Karen National Union president has expressed hope for peace talks
with Rangoon in order to put an end to the loss of lives and natural
resources resulting from more than 50 years of fighting.
In a New Year message, Saw Ba Thin said the KNU sought an end to civil
war and the start of a collective effort by all groups in Burma to
establish political, economic and social unity.
"The KNU continues to leave the door open for Rangoon to come and
negotiate with sincerity," he said. The KNU, which broke from Rangoon in
1948, wants the military junta to step down in order to make way for
multi-party general elections, and a union system of administration
where states are represented in parliament and government.
But differences of opinions between the junta in Rangoon and
pro-democracy forces have kept them in armed conflict for more than half
a century.
With about 500 men in arms, the KNU is the last significant ethnic
minority group yet to enter into a ceasefire pact with Rangoon.
Saw Ba Thin, 74, declared his "politics before military" policy towards
Rangoon, an emphasis on negotiations shortly after being named KNU
president in January last year.
He also called for an end to the division among the Karen that has
spawned splinter groups such as the pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army, and the independent Karen Solidarity Organisation and the
so-called God's Army.
He urged all other groups in Burma to replace factional posturing with
co-operation towards the goal of peace and solidarity so that the
country can enjoy the benefits of development like other countries
around the world.
In Bangkok, the Foreign Ministry continued to reserve comment on the
cross-border raid in Ratchaburi on New Year's Eve that left six Thais
dead, including women and children.
___________________________________________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Shan Army rounds off annual meet
Jan. 4, 2001
Reporter: Saeng Khao Haeng from Loi Taileng
The Shan State Army led by Yawdserk concluded its 4-day annual meeting
yesterday at its headquarters opposite Maehongson province amid Wa drive
into the area under its control since last month.
The fifth annual meeting that began on Sunday (31 December) and attended
by representatives, both military and civilian, from the SSA's 8
brigades, 1 front and 3 mobile columns, reviewed the year's activities
and laid down plans for the year 2001.
The SSA, facing 1,000-strong Wa expeditionary force coming into
Homong-Monghta Area since the end of November, reaffirmed its 6-guiding
principles among which is Anti-Narcotics.
During the last two years, the SSA had launched 16 attacks, destroyed 7
refineries and seized more than 70 kg of heroin and 2 million
methamphetamine pills, according to SSA reports.
Among those promoted was Maj. Khamleng of Khunsang Tonhoong Column, who
made a name for himself with his anti-drug raids along the Thai border.
He becomes new commander to Brigade 759, formerly commanded by Lt.-Col.
Khurh-ngern, who is now at the Loi Taileng headquarters as the new
Chief-of-Staff to the Army. Khamleng is succeeded by his
second-in-command, Maj. Khiaofah, as the column's commander.
Asked what his plans were about the Wa presence in his turf, Yawdserk,
who is also President of the Restoration Council of Shan State,
considered a pseudo government of Shan State, said he was not unduly
worried. He refused to elaborate. His aides later told S.H.A.N. the SSA
would employ military means only as a last resort.
So far no hostilities have broken out, they added.
___________________________________________________
AFP: Mahathir visits south Myanmar after talks with leaders
YANGON, Jan 4 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on
Thursday visited southern Myanmar as part of a mixed six-day working and
holiday visit, officials said.
On Wednesday, Mahathir held talks with members of the country's ruling
military junta, they said.
Details of the hour-long meeting were officially unavailable, although
foreign ministry sources said topics included furthering economic
cooperation and boosting trade.
The official Malaysian Bernama news agency had reported Mahathir was
scheduled to hold talks with General Than Shwe, chairman of Myanmar's
State Peace and Development Council.
Malaysia is the sixth largest investor in Myanmar with more than 594
million dollars committed to 26 projects over the past 10 years.
Mahathir is currently touring a group of islands in the Andaman Sea
just off the western Tenasserim coastal division.
According to business sources he will be examining the feasibility of
Malaysian entrepreneurs establishing edible-oil and rubber plantations
in the area.
Mahathir is accompanied by his wife and foreign ministry officials.
___________________________________________________
AP: Myanmar trumpets achievements on independence anniversary
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ Myanmar's pro-democracy opposition held a small
religious ceremony Thursday to mark the 53rd anniversary of the nation's
independence from Britain, and the military government boasted of its
achievements in development.
About 150 members of the National League for Democracy gathered at the
party's Yangon headquarters to give alms to Buddhist monks.
With party leader Aung San Suu Kyi under virtual house arrest and
unable to attend, the ceremony was low-key and there were none of the
usual political speeches and songs commemorating the independence
struggle, an NLD official said.
The NLD swept general elections in 1990 but was barred from taking
power by the ruling military. Suu Kyi has been confined to her home
since Sept. 22, after twice trying to defy authorities by traveling
outside the capital on party work.
Suu Kyi's father, Aung San, was the leading hero of the struggle
against the British, but he was assassinated by a political rival six
months before independence was secured, ending 120 years of colonial
rule on Jan. 4, 1948.
After a decade of turbulent democracy following independence, the
military took control of Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 1962 and has
held control ever since.
The government marked the anniversary quietly Thursday with a
flag-raising ceremony by officials at a park in Yangon and a statement
by the leader of the ruling junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, that was
published in all official newspapers.
He said Myanmar had ``immeasurable strength'' that helped overcome all
obstacles to its nationhood.
Than Shwe stressed that progress had been made in developing
agriculture, construction and education with the participation of all
ethnic groups.
Observers noted that Than Shwe's message was more conciliatory to its
political opponents than in previous years. Warning about the alleged
threat to the nation from ``destructive elements'' _ often used as a
byword for the NLD _ were notably absent.
The current crop of generals, in power for 12 years, has refused to
hold talks with Suu Kyi but maintains it is a transitional
administration that will eventually hand over power to a constitutional
government.
On Friday, U.N. envoy Razali Ismail was to begin a five-day visit to
Myanmar, his third since his appointment in April, on a mission to
encourage a dialogue between the regime and Suu Kyi.
The outlawed rebel Karen National Union said Thursday it was open to
peace talks with the government.
Saw Ba Thin, the KNU president, told an Associated Press reporter based
on the Thai-Myanmar border that civil war impoverished the country over
the past five decades and frank talks were needed between democracy
supporters, ethnic minorities and the junta, in order to bring peace.
The KNU is the only major ethnic insurgency that has refused to reach a
cease-fire with the regime over the past decade. The dwindling rebel
group says it will not lay down arms until it reaches a political
agreement with Yangon.
___________________________________________________
Xinhua: Myanmar Setting Up Permanently-Learning Society
YANGON, January 4 (Xinhua) -- Action plans are being implemented for the
establishment of a permanently-learning society in Myanmar under the
country's four-year education development project which began in 2000,
said Myanmar leader Senior-General Than Shwe Thursday. In his message on
the occasion of Myanmar's 53rd anniversary of independence, Than Shwe,
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, said the standard
of Myanmar's education is being modernized in accordance with the
systems of the Knowledge Age beginning from the primary education to the
post-graduate education level in order to keep up with the international
standard.
He noted that there had been a more than 10 percent increase in the
number of schools in the basic education sector during the past 10
years, and the number of basic education pupils rose to more than 6.8
million with the number of teachers reaching about 220,000. Regarding
the higher education sector, Than Shwe said that there are 123
universities and degree colleges with the student population topping
530,000. In addition, the country's Ministry of Science and Technology
has opened three technological universities, two universities of
computer studies, 17 government technological colleges and 16 government
technical institutes, the Myanmar leader said.
___________________________________________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Wa people forced to relocate, said Thai
villager
Jan. 4, 2001
A Thai villager in Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province, told S.H.A.N.
yesterday the Wa populace along the Chinese border was forced by their
leadership, some on short notice, to move to Mongton Township, opposite
Chiangdao.
A Lahu villager from the same area also said some families were suddenly
broken up when relocations came during the absence of husbands or
wives. He said no less than 10,000 Wa have arrived to resettle in
Mongton.
On 18 December alone, 250 families were resettled in the villages of
Banmai Namhu, Namarklwe and Htam Hpakhao. The last village is near the
strategic mountain of Loihtwe overlooking Thailand.
"4 were found dead when one of the ten-wheelers' rain-proof canvas
sheets were lifted in Nakawngmu (Mongton) to allow the passengers to
disembark," said another source. No details were given, however.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: UN envoy to Myanmar carries hopes for junta-opposition dialogue
BANGKOK, Jan 4 (AFP) - UN envoy Razali Ismail is to arrive in Yangon
Friday on a mission many observers hope may finally bring Myanmar's
ruling generals and their formidable opponent Aung San Suu Kyi together
in an historic dialogue.
The Malaysian diplomat is to spend five days in the country on his
third trip since United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed
him in April with the aim of breaking the decade-long impasse.
UN sources say this visit will squarely tackle the task of building a
bridge between the opposition National League for Democracy and the
generals who have done their best to squeeze the life out of the party.
"Razali will urge both government officials and opposition leaders to
engage in a substantive political dialogue that would lead to national
reconciliation in Myanmar," said UN spokesman Almeida e Silva last week.
Sources in Yangon and Bangkok have hinted contacts between the Nobel
laureate and the junta have already begun. Diplomatic circles have been
abuzz with such rumors for months.
But with the junta characteristically tight-lipped and the opposition
leader and several senior NLD members under house arrest since
September, the speculation cannot be confirmed.
Diplomatic sources say even if Razali doesn't manage a breakthrough, he
may at least kick-start a reconciliation process with enough momentum to
develop under its own steam.
They are cautiously optimistic the skilful and experienced diplomat,
who seemingly has the confidence of both sides, may find success where
envoys before him failed.
"The Razali process is extremely important right now," said one Asian
diplomat in Yangon. "We hope he will bring about tangible effects and
results."
In a recent interview with AFP, Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister Khin
Maung Win said a dialogue was "not something you can set up immediately"
and Razali was working to build confidence.
"Because Mr. Razali is from Asia I believe he has a better
understanding of the issues involved ... he appreciates the complexities
and sensitivities," he said.
Amid speculation the junta has used Aung San Suu Kyi's seclusion to
begin talks out of earshot of diplomats, he admitted the government
preferred to keep them at bay at this sensitive time.
"In the past our experience regarding this dialogue process is that
some representatives of foreign countries are getting too involved in
Myanmar's internal affairs," he said.
The "Razali initiative" comes at a time when the junta, despite
enjoying total control over the country, is under increasing pressure
from a range of influences.
As the generals' rule stretches into a second decade, it is becoming
harder to justify their continuing grip on power and assertions their
"temporary" regime will one day hand over to a democratic government.
Still stunned by the NLD's landslide election victory in 1990, which
they refused to recognise, they know they hold nothing like the popular
support Aung San Suu Kyi commands.
Pressure is also being brought to bear by the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), which Myanmar joined in 1997 with the sponsorship
of Malaysia.
As the weight of sanctions and poor economic management threaten to
bring the country to its knees, many observers believe at least some
junta elements are willing to countenance change.
"They know they can't go on ... there will be change in the short term,
even if it is incremental," said one Western diplomat.
Observers note the official media has lately halted its vicious stream
of personal attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi.
For its part, after a decade of intimidation, repression and arrests,
the NLD is extremely weak, with little but the fame of its charismatic
leader to sustain it as its membership shrinks.
"Both sides seem to be a bit more accommodating towards each other in
terms of making progress towards political reconciliation," another
Western diplomat said of the new mood.
Razali is undoubtly helped by the fact he is from Malaysia, one of the
few countries the junta is prepared to listen to.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Yangon Wednesday
for a two-day trip that included talks with junta leader Senior General
Than Shwe.
The visits, while not officially linked, have raised suggestions
Malaysia could play a key role in breaking the deadlock.
"Mahathir can prove that he can make a difference in Burma," The Nation
daily in Bangkok said in an editorial this week.
But even if the military and the opposition sat down together, there
would be few subjects they could agree on. The economic malaise and a
massive HIV-AIDS problem might be topics that could be broached.
The big unknown, however, is the views of Aung San Suu Kyi herself,
whom Razali hopes to be allowed to visit at her lakeside home in Yangon
where she has been confined since September 22.
___________________________________________________
AFP: Polish firm confirms Myanmar helicopter sales; denies French
connection
WARSAW, Jan 4 (AFP) - Poland sold Myanmar 24 helicopters in 1992, but
the sales were not arranged through French businessman Pierre Falcone, a
spokesman of the factory that built the aircraft said Thursday, reacting
to a report in the French press.
"We sold Myanmar 24 Sokol and Mi-2 unarmed and unarmored helicopters,"
said Jan Mazur, the spokesman of the PZL factory that built the
helicopters.
The French daily Liberation reported Wednesday that Falcone -- who is
currently being held by French officials on suspicion of arms smuggling
-- served as an intermediary in the transaction, reported to be worth 60
million dollars (63 million euros).
The report said the transaction went through Falcone's company, Brenco
International.
"We never had any contacts with Brenco International nor Pierre
Falcone, either in this deal or others," Mazur told AFP.
Falcone was questioned and detained on December 1 by French authorities
on suspicion of smuggling arms to Africa.
In a related development Jean-Cristophe Mitterrand, son of the late
French president Francois Mitterrand, was detained on December 21 for
alleged complicity in arms trafficking and misuse of political
influence.
The sale of the helicopters was completed in 1992 under the presidency
of Lech Walesa.
At the time Poland had not joined an embargo on arms sales to the
military junta in Myanmar by the EU, and was itself subject to an
embargo from Western countries.
"The fact that contract was signed by the prime minister at the time
proves that the deal was concluded at the highest level and was
completely legal," said Mazur. The Polish prime minister at the time was
Jan Olszewski.
Polish Defense Minister Bronislaw Komorowski took a swipe at French
arms companies in comments published Thursday.
"You know many French companies sell arms to bizarre countries and
governments," he was quoted as saying by the daily Zycie.
___________________________________________________
Reuters: U.N. urged to spend more battling AIDS in Myanmar
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 3 (Reuters) - U.N. funding to battle AIDS in Myanmar
should be increased at least tenfold to counter the disease in one of
the hardest-hit southeastern Asian nations, a panel of outside experts
recommended on Wednesday.
The U.N. Development Program (UNDP) has earmarked $3 million over the
30-month period from mid-1999 through the end of 2001 for AIDS
prevention, care and support in the former Burma, home to about 46
million people.
Six experts dispatched by the UNDP to evaluate its programs in Myanmar
concluded that the money, while a good start in attacking the problem,
was less than 10 percent of what international donors are giving
Myanmar's neighbors with comparable infection rates.
``The problem is growing and requires at least 10 times more resources
than the current annual expenditures,'' said the report summarizing the
findings of the experts.
The report is to be submitted to the UNDP executive board at a meeting
beginning Jan. 29.
A resolution approved by the U.N. General Assembly last month accused
Myanmar's military government of failing to address the growing spread
of AIDS.
``The government does not recognize the problem,'' said a U.N.
official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
UNDP officials say their funds represent about 65 percent of the total
being spent by the international community to combat AIDS in Myanmar.
According to UNAIDS, the coordinating U.N. body on the disease, some
1.99 percent of Myanmar's adult population aged 15-49 is infected with
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That is the third highest infection
rate in southern and southeastern Asia after Cambodia, with a rate of
4.04 percent, and Thailand, with a 2.15 percent rate.
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: War must Be Waged on the Home Front, Says Sampao
Thursday, January 4, 2001
Narcotic problems should be solved domestically and sub-regionally, the
armed forces supreme commander said yesterday.
There are two main approaches which should be implemented urgently to
tackle the drugs problem, said Gen Sampao Chusri.
The first is to set it as a national agenda in order to arouse national
awareness and to motivate co-operation from all organisations in the
country.
Moreover, a special court to tackle drug cases should be established.
The second is to seriously seek co-operation with Burma, Laos and
Cambodia so as to destroy production plants located along the country's
borders.
Gen Sampao plans to discuss with Burmese and Lao leaders in the middle
of the month about the existence of some 40 drug factories along the
Thai-Burmese and Thai-Lao borders.
Gen Tea Banh, the Cambodian defence minister, has donated 500,000 baht
to help Thailand fight drugs.
By the end of the month, the Supreme Command, in co-oporation with Thai
Military Bank and Bank of Ayudhya, will launch a drive on TV channels 5
and 7 to raise funds to support its campaigns.
____________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: On the Road to Rangoon
Thursday, January 4, 2001
Burma watchers paid particularly close attention to the visit to Burma
on Dec 12-13 by Gen Sampao Chusri. The new supreme commander was joined
on the visit by a huge entourage, no doubt at taxpayers' expense,
including Adm Prasert Boonsong, the navy commander-in-chief, and ACM
Pong Maneesilapa, the air force boss.
It was the first time in over two years that a delegation of as many as
40 top brass has rushed off to pay their respects to Rangoon-not since
Gen Chetha Thanajaro was there in September 1998 when he was the army
commander-in-chief.
Gen Mongkol Ampornpisit had stayed well clear of Burma when he was the
supreme commander from 1996-2000. Gen Surayud Chulanont, the army chief,
visited in February 1999, but then said he would not use his personal
contacts with the Burmese junta to solve any bilateral problems. He
preferred to allow the Foreign Ministry to engage the Burmese as is
normally the case in international diplomacy.
Relations between the military leaders of the two countries have
deteriorated as the trade in illegal drugs across the border has
increased.
Things have become so bad that Gen Maung Aye, the vice-chairman of
Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council, at one point
described Gen Mongkol, Gen Surayud and Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong,
the third army region commander, as "war mongers" after there was some
talk of taking military action against drug production facilities
operated by ethnic minorities inside the Burmese border.
Gen Sampao is said to have returned from Burma with a much higher
opinion of the leadership there, according to some insiders.
During the two-day visit, Gen Sampao and his delegation met with Gen
Than Shwe, the SPDC chairman, Gen Maung Aye and Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the
SPDC first secretary.
Gen Sampao was particularly impressed with Gen Maung Aye who accompanied
him throughout the visit. The Burmese general said the brass should
maintain close contact through such visits as soldiers best understand
other soldiers. They are not answerable to an electorate.
We're told he also told Gen Sampao that he would call the first meeting
of the Regional Border Committee after things were put on hold back in
April 1999. The meeting in Kengtung will be held "very soon".
The Thai participants are saying not much really came of the visit in
the way of fighting the drug trade as the Burmese drug policy
concentrates on destroying opium crops and pays little attention to the
trade in methamphetamines, which is the biggest drug problem affecting
Thailand.
Gen Than Shwe claimed the methamphetamine factories along the border
were mobile units and could sometimes be found on Thai soil, and this
made them difficult to control.
The Burmese leaders also rejected a proposal from Gen Sampao to conduct
joint patrols along the border. They say any co-operation should be
handled at the level of the regional border and townships border
committees. They also said that if they had joint patrols with Thailand
then they would be obliged to have joint patrols with other countries
with which they share a border.
___________________________________________________
Shan Herald Agency for News: Shan radio program to increase
broadcasting time
Jan. 4, 2001
The Shan radio program for Democratic Voice of Burma informed S.H.A.N.
this morning that it is planning to increase its broadcasting time.
"Up to now we are only allowed to broadcast once a week and only 15
minutes each time," said Mawnkhurh, the program's director. "We hope to
increase it in accordance with the wishes of our listeners as soon as
Nang Mwe-ngern (member of the Program and Mawkhurh's wife) is back from
her training abroad."
Shan DVB can be listened to every Wednesday, 21:45 hr (Rangoon Time) at
49-meter band 5,945 kilohertz, 25-meter band 11,850 kilohertz and 16
meter band 17,485 kilohertz simultaneously.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
Mizzima: An Unproductive Agreement
Moreh (Indo-Burma border town), January 2, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)
The border trade agreement, which was signed between India and Burma
seven years ago, is still not fully implemented and continues to face
with many obstacles and problems. The traders in Moreh town point out
that Burmese government is not doing what it had assured at that time.
According to the 1994 agreement, traders from both sides may visit to
Mandalay in Burma and Imphal in India up to a period of seven days. For
that purpose, traders would be issued special travel documents by the
governments of both countries. Ironically, it was agreed that the
precise format of document to be used for such visits was to be
exchanged within a period of six weeks at that time. However, it is now
almost seven years that an agreed travel pass has not come out yet.
The Indian government in August this year approved a particular travel
passport for the Indian traders to visit Burma, but the Burmese side had
rejected it. The proposed "Travel Pass" of India was to be renewed every
year.
Without a proper travel pass existing, traders from both sides are now
unable to undertake the visits to Mandalay and Imphal. And they are at
present allowed to visit to Tamu in Burma and Moreh in India up to 12
hours only.
Traders and businesspersons from India want to increase the border trade
activities but it is obvious that they become impatient with the slow
process in implementing the trade agreement by the concerned
authorities.
Look at an example of Mr. M. Indrasen who set up "Indo-Myanmar
Friendship Tourist Centre" in Moreh with an aim to undertaking visits of
the people both sides. His office in Ward No. 3, Moreh town promises to
offer tourist and travelers guide and other travel necessary support for
both Indians and Burmese. He said that he wants to offer the Burmese
nationals to visit to Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places in India
across the border route. However, he cannot do these without a "travel
pass" issued and agreed by both governments.
The blame goes on the lack of proper communication set-up in India side
too. Although his office is said to be equipped with telephone and fax
facilities, it rarely works. Moreover, the Indo-Myanmar Friendship
Tourist Centre has recently expressed its grave concern that the
international trade center at Moreh is deteriorating day by day due to
the "illegal tax collection" by the Customs Department personnel in
Moreh town. The fall, which has led to loss of rupees to the state
exchequer, is however only in paper while the actual trade is
flourishing, it alleged.
But, businesspersons like Mr. Indrasen is not relinquishing their hopes
altogether. He has proposed to establish a Friendship Garden/Park in
Tamu in Burma side and an Open Theatre in Moreh so that cultural
activities can be exchanged frequently. Another proposed is the exchange
of prisoners between the two countries. According to him, there are at
least 67 Indian nationals being imprisoned in various jails in Burma and
9 Burmese nationals being imprisoned in Imphal Jail in Manipur State of
India. He alleged that Indian prisoners in Burma are not treated well.
Many people in Manipur are eager that the two countries implement the
border trade agreement fully. As an ancient saying in Manipuri goes
"Nong Pauk Thong", they believe the Burma can be an opening door for the
prosperous Manipur State. And hopefully their hopes will become a
reality one day.
Nong Pauk=Eastern
Thong=Door
______________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________
DAP (Malaysia): Mahathir Urged To Give Constructive Criticism To The
Military Junta During His Visit To Burma
Jan. 2, 2001
Press Statement by Teresa Kok, International Secretary of DAP and MP
for
Seputeh, 2nd January 2001, Kuala Lumpur
The visit of Dato' Seri Mahathir Mohamad to Burma on 3rd to 4th January
2001 is an important event that will draw the attention of the world. I
would like to urge the Prime Minister to give constructive criticism to
the
leaders of the Burmese military junta (SPDC) as the Burmese government
has
failed Malaysia and other ASEAN countries in bringing about political
and
economic reform in the country after being part of ASEAN for 4 years.
The situation of Burma has not improved at all since its entry into
ASEAN.
Instead, it has become worse in the past few years. The State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) government has been accused of everything
from
arbitrary arrest, torture and murder to forced relocation of civilians,
forced labour, drug trafficking and sexual slavery. In addition to
that,
hundred of thousands of Burmese refugees from the Shan state have been
forced to relocate from SSA controlled areas in the past few years.
In view of the fact that Malaysia was instrumental in bringing Burma
into
ASEAN in 1997 under the policy of Constructive Engagement, and that Dr.
Mahathir has rebuffed many countries in the world, including the
National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) which strongly urges
all
countries in the world to distance itself from the military regime in
order
to force democratic changes, Dr. Mahathir has a duty to bring SPDC back
on
the right track, for the sake of the 50 million Burmese who are
suffering
under the present regime.
Malaysia and other ASEAN governments need to review their diplomatic
ties
with the SPDC government on whether such engagement is beneficial to
the
vast majority of the Burmese people. It is time for Malaysia and other
ASEAN heads of state to set a deadline for SPDC to re-open the
Parliament
which has been closed for 10 years, to release Aung San Suu Kyi who has
been put under house arrest and to engage in dialogue with the National
League for Democracy (NLD) which is led by Aung San Suu Kyi and other
ethnic minorities, and to stop the political suppression and oppression
of
human rights.
I sincerely wish that the Prime Minister's visit to Burma will not only
focus on economic issues but to put bringing political changes in Burma
as
the priority of his trip.
Teresa Kok
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Burma Media Association: BMA Formed
1 January, 2001
Washington, DC
A group of Burmese print and broadcast journalists, freelancers, and
reporters from across the world, together with friends of Burma, would
like to announce that we have formed the Burma Media Association (BMA)
on the 1st of January, 2001.
The ultimate goal of the BMA is to coordinate with all those who have
interest in the Burmese democratic cause to gather and exchange news and
information about Burma, to protect journalists, to practice freedom of
expression, to help promote human rights and principles of democracy in
Burma in the area of media, and to conduct seminars and training for the
improvement of journalistic skills and ethics.
Most members of the BMA are editors, reporters, freelancers, and print
and broadcast journalists who are working at or in consultation with
RFA, VOA, BBC, and DVB, including Kyemone U Thaung (Aung Bala), U Aung
Myint Tun (BBC - retired), Mg Tha Ya (writer), Tin Moe (poet), Win Khet
(writer), former Captain Sai Win Kyaw (writer), and many others.
BMA honorary member Kyemone U Thaung says, "Today that is not possible
under the military regime, but there will come a day when a new
government takes power. We must prepare ourselves to demand that freedom
of speech be respected and develop our skills as journalists, BMA is an
organization that will accomplish these goals."
Another honorary member U Aung Myint Tun says, "To know that an
'Association' has come into existence in full support of the fourth
pillar or 'Media', which is the life-line in the development of
democracy, is very satisfying and that I will do my utmost in extending
my support."
The BMA will be temporarily based in Washington, DC, with branches in
more than 10 countries, including India, Japan, Thailand, Norway, and
Canada. Its primary purpose is to gather news and information about
Burma both inside and outside of the country and distribute them
worldwide.
Contacts: UK - U Aung Myint Tun # 44 2083577530, 44 7949100505
USA - U Thaung (Aung Ba La) # (954) 739-6508
___________________________________________________
Burma Peace Foundation: Server problem/lost messages
While I was in Asia (Nov-Dec) my server messed up and as a result, all
messages sent to me
between 4-31 December were bounced back. Please re-send. This also
applies to the list-servs etc, since I try to keep my archives complete.
Sorry to give you more work.
David Arnott (darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx)
________________
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