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BurmaNet News: January 4, 2001



______________ 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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