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BurmaNet News: July 6, 2001
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
July 6, 2001 Issue # 1838
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
INSIDE BURMA _______
*AFP: Myanmar releases last political prisoners held at Yangon "guest
houses"
*Myanmar Times: Salvage team starts work to set the Liberty free
*Lloyd's List: Wrecks are fit for a Titan
MONEY _______
*Xinhua: Chinese Vice Premier Meets Myanmar Guest
GUNS______
*The Independent (Bangladesh): Tribal separatists reject Myanmar?s truce
offer
*Bangkok Post: Thai-burmese Relations--opposing Commanders Put Their
Faith in Golf Diplomacy; Defence Minister Reschedules Trip
DRUGS______
*AP: Report-- Thai man to be prosecuted for drug trafficking in Myanmar
REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*AFP: Myanmar's secret talks spark frustration among dissident ranks
EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA________
*Myanmar Information Committee (SPDC): Irresponsible Reportings Should
Be Avoided
OTHER______
*BurmaNet: Email address change for BurmaNet
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
AFP: Myanmar releases last political prisoners held at Yangon "guest
houses"
YANGON, July 6 (AFP) - Myanmar's ruling junta Friday freed the last
seven opposition MPs held at government "guest houses" in Yangon since a
late 1990s crackdown on Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy
(NLD).
The release of the NLD MPs -- elected in the 1990 ballot which the
military regime refused to recognise -- brought to 33 the number of
political prisoners freed over the past few weeks.
"All the remaining NLD MPs staying at government guest houses in Yangon
have left the guest houses to return home to their families. They are
all in good health," said a spokesman for the military government.
Diplomats said another 34 NLD MPs remain in jail where they are serving
sentences for subversion, and that a handful of other senior party
members could still be detained without charge at guest houses outside
the capital.
Even though they, and hundreds of other dissidents, remain in custody,
the recent releases have been welcomed as a sign of progress in talks
between Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta which began last October.
The pro-democracy leader is believed to have demanded the regime
reverse the 1998 closure of the party's branch offices and the detention
of dozens of its senior members as a condition for the talks to
progress.
Last week, her cousin and closest aide Aye Win was also freed from
Yangon's notorious Insein prison where he served a five-year sentence.
The military government has said the concessions reflect
"understandings" established in the fledgling dialogue, which observers
hope will pave the way for a fully fledged national reconciliation
process.
Five groups of MPs have now been released since United Nations envoy
Razali Ismail visited Yangon in early June on a mission to bring new
impetus to the talks -- the first between the two sides since 1994.
Razali is credited with acting as the catalyst for the contacts, which
appeared to have run into problems several months ago.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the releases and called on the
international community to support the dialogue process which may end
four decades of military rule.
However, opposition and dissident groups have become increasingly
frustrated with the secrecy surrounding the talks, and the fact they
have so far been excluded from the negotiation process.
The Karen National Union (KNU), one of the few ethnic militias who have
not signed a ceasefire with the ruling State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC), added their voice to the chorus Friday.
"Though dialogue between the SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been
going on for nearly a year now, no one has a definite knowledge of the
content and development of the dialogue," the KNU said in a statement.
"It is impossible for us to designate it as a meaningful and genuine
dialogue. It is still necessary for the dialogue to... develop into a
tripartite dialogue that will resolve all the basic political problems."
Razali is believed to have pushed in recent months for the ethnic
minority groups to be drawn into the process.
However, most commentators agree the contacts between the junta and
Aung San Suu Kyi are still too fragile to be exposed to public scrutiny
or the potentially problematic involvement of other groups.
Despite the releases, the KNU accused the junta of hypocrisy, saying
that even as it freed the prisoners and allowed NLD offices around the
country to re-open it continued to commit gross human rights violations.
"The SPDC... still forcefully restricts the legitimate existence and
activities of the NLD. It still continues to vigorously wage war against
the ethnic nationalities and ruthlessly oppresses the people.
"All these acts are diametrically opposed to the goal of resolving the
basic political problems justly by political means."
___________________________________________________
Myanmar Times: Salvage team starts work to set the Liberty free
July 2-8, 2001
By Myo Lwin
THE salvage of the 8600-ton Asean Liberty, which sank last December near
Thanlyin Thilawa Port to the south east of Yangon, has begun. The
ill-fated Glory Ship Management vessel was carrying nearly 5000 Myanma
Timber Enterprise logs when it went aground on December 29 after
drifting from anchor the previous night. The salvage operation is being
undertaken by a Florida-based company, Titan Maritime, represented
locally by HNN. The company was nominated by the ship?s insurer, North
of England P&I Club. Two tugboats and a barge arrived in Yangon last
month, and have begun the immense task of retrieving the 25-year-old
ship. Based in Hong Kong , P&I is a global shipowners? association which
operates on the basis of an agreement that members share the costs of
damages sustained by any one of them. This operation will cost P&I about
US$3 million. Titan?s strategy is to move the wreck closer to the shore
using tugboats, pullers and barges; the company?s mission is complete
once the wreck reaches shore. "As compensation for damages to marine
life, oil pollution and losses due to the water way blockage, the ship
owner has paid $260,000
to Myanma Port Authority and K6m to Myanma Timber Enterprise under a
heavily negotiated agreement between the two parties," said HNN managing
director U Naing Myint. He said Titan had guaranteed to finish the
salvage within 57 days of the project?s June 6 start date, although P&I
consultant Alan Bloor declined to comment on this. Myanma Port Authority
officials were not available for comment. Although the salvage operation
began about six months after the Asean Liberty?s sinking, measures to
control the spread of spilled oil began just one day after on December
30. Titan was also assigned to take responsibility for controlling the
oil and resultant pollution, U Naing Myint said. "We enclosed the spill
areas with ?oil booms? having a total length of 300 feet, and sprayed
3000 litres of oil spill dispersant over it .We started the job on
December 31 and finished last March. It cost about $80,000," he said.
According to HNN operation manager U Mya Mu, the ship was carrying more
than 250 metric tons of fuel oil, 10,000 litres of lubricant oil, 2500
logs of teak and 2275 logs of hardwood. At the time of going to press,
1800 logs had been recovered by Myanma Timber Enterprise . The Asean
Liberty was built in 1976 and was previously named Gamtoos, American
Robin, Swakop and Straits Star. It has flown the flags of South Africa,
Panama and, most recently, Singapore. In another development, Smit
International has been engaged to raise the Russian-owned vessel SMENA,
which sank in 1997 about 40 nautical miles from Yangon. Due to bad
weather conditions, however, Smit has temporarily stopped its operations
and will resume in October.
___________________________________________________
Lloyd's List: Wrecks are fit for a Titan
July 6, 2001
[Abridged]
A common feature of some recent wreck removal tasks undertaken by Titan
Maritime LLC is the use of linear chain pullers.
In one of the most spectacular operations, the Florida-based salvors
rolled the hull of the 28,454 dwt timber carrier Coral Bulker, pictured
on page 18, right onto dry land. Titan was contracted to remove the
wreck from a breakwater outside the Portuguese harbour of Viana do
Castelo near Oporto, where she ran ashore during a storm on the night of
December 25, 2000.
The chain pullers used in this and other salvage operations have been
designed and constructed by Titan's own engineers. Used with
high-tensile 'oil rig quality' chain, each puller is capable of exerting
up to 300 tons. For large-scale pulling operations, such as Coral
Bulker, large numbers of pullers are used - coupled to hydraulic
powerpacks and controlled from a central point. This enables the salvor
to monitor and apply force in a precise and concerted manner.
The next assignment where Titan pullers are expected to play an
important role is the removal of the wreck of the Asean Liberty, lying
almost completely submerged on the bed of the Yangon river in Myanmar.
Asean Liberty is in shallow water, some 600 m from the shore, with her
back broken. Titan has plans to use pullers to move the vessel closer
inshore for demolition, utilising much of the experience gained from
previous operations.
______________________MONEY________________________
Xinhua: Chinese Vice Premier Meets Myanmar Guest
BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing met here
Friday with U Khin Maung Thein, minister of finance and revenue of
Myanmar. The two sides exchanged views on Sino-Myanmar relations and
issues of common concern. Present at the meeting were Chinese finance
minister Xiang Huaicheng and governor of the People's Bank of China Dai
Xianglong. U Khin Maung Thein is visiting China at the invitation of
Ministry of Finance.
_______________________GUNS________________________
The Independent (Bangladesh): Tribal separatists reject Myanmar?s truce
offer
GAUHATI (India), July 4: A tribal separatist group that operates along
the India-Myanmar frontier said Wednesday it has rejected a truce offer
from the military junta in Yangon, reports Reuters.
Myanmar asked for a truce after the National Socialist Council of
Nagaland entered into a cease-fire with India in April, said an NSCN
leader on condition that he not be identified by name.
"We are against signing any agreement with a military regime that does
not favour democracy," the rebel leader told the Associated Press by
telephone from a base in India's north-eastern Nagaland state.
The NSCN is divided into two factions which have been fighting a
50-year-old bush war for an independent homeland comprising Naga
dominated areas in India and Myanmar. Both factions have signed a truce
with India.
However, Kitovi Zhimomi, general secretary of the NSCN faction led by
S.S.Khaplang, said in a newspaper interview this week that his group's
struggle against the military junta in Myanmar would continue despite
the cease-fire with India.
Zhimomi told The Telegraph newspaper that the Naga-inhabited areas in
Myanmar were among the most backward parts of the world, lacking medical
facilities and communications.
The Khaplang branch of the NSCN has bases in several north-eastern
Indian states as well as in Myanmar. The group says there are
approximately 1.3 million Nagas in areas they control. More than 25,000
people have been killed since the Naga insurrection began soon after
India attained independence from Britain in 1947.
The separatists say they are alienated from the rest of India and
neglected by the federal government, and that their indigenous culture
is under threat.
The Naga rebels have said they will continue their campaign against
Myanmar - also known as Burma - until they reach an agreement with the
military junta.
"There can be no rest till all Naga inhabited areas are integrated under
one administrative umbrella," Zhimomi said in an interview in The
Telegraph newspaper
___________________________________________________
Bangkok Post: Thai-burmese Relations--opposing Commanders Put Their
Faith in Golf Diplomacy; Defence Minister Reschedules Trip
July 6, 2001
Opposing army commanders along the Thai-Burmese border will get to know
each other better on the golf course tomorrow, ahead of next month's
official meeting in Pattaya.
Third Army commander Lt-Gen Watanachai Chaimuanwong and Burma's regional
triangle commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein will tee-off together and then
have lunch in Tachilek, across the border from Mae Sai.
Lt-Gen Watanachai said he would give Maj-Gen Thein Sein a miniature Phra
Buddhachinnarat image and invite him for another round of golf in Chiang
Rai on July 23.
Problems between Thailand and Burma will be saved for discussion at the
19th Regional Border Committee meeting to be held in Pattaya next month,
he said. Burma was determined to continue construction of a
lignite-fired power plant in Tachilek, which it claimed would use modern
technology to prevent pollution, he said.
The military earlier stopped a truck convoy carrying the generating
equipment from crossing the border following protests from local people.
But the Third Army chief said the miltary had no authority to stop
further shipments.
- Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has rescheduled his visit to
Burma from July 28-29 to July 19-20, to fit in with the Burmese leaders'
plans, a source said.
The minister accompanied by permanent secretary Gen Thawat Ketangkul,
Supreme Commander Gen Sampao Chusri, army chief Gen Surayud Chulanont,
navy chief Adm Prasert Boonsong and air force chief ACM Pong Maneesil
would visit Vietnam from July 18-19 before flying to Rangoon.
________________________DRUGS______________________
AP: Report-- Thai man to be prosecuted for drug trafficking in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) _ A Thai national who was arrested last month on a
boat in eastern Myanmar with 1.65 million methamphetamines will face
prosecution, Myanmar's state-run press reported Thursday.
Phiyap Tinama, 42, of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand, was
arrested June 10 on the Chinese vessel ``Shanghai 1'' anchored at Wampon
Jetty in eastern Shan State, the New Light of Myanmar reported.
The vessel was heading by river to Chiang Saen in Thailand. Its nine
Chinese crew who were on board the ship were freed after questioning,
according to Myanmar anti-drugs officials.
Phiyap will face prosecution under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Law, the report said. Drug trafficking carries a maximum
death penalty usually commuted to life imprisonment.
Myanmar is the leading source of illegal drugs in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has accused the Myanmar military regime of doing little to stop
smuggling of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine, which is a major
social menace in Thailand. Myanmar says it does all it can and that the
chemicals needed to make methamphetamine come from other countries.
___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________
AFP: Myanmar's secret talks spark frustration among dissident ranks
BANGKOK, July 6 (AFP) - A Myanmar rebel group Friday added its voice to
the growing number of dissident groups expressing frustration over the
secrecy surrounding talks between opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and
the junta.
The Karen National Union, one of the few ethnic militias who have not
signed a ceasefire with the ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), demanded to be included in the fledgling national reconciliation
process.
"Though dialogue between the SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been
going on for nearly a year now, no one has a definite knowledge of the
content and development of the dialogue," it said in a statement.
"It is impossible for us to designate it as a meaningful and genuine
dialogue. It is still necessary for the dialogue to... develop into a
tripartite dialogue that will resolve all the basic political problems."
United Nations envoy Razali Ismail, who is credited with acting as a
catalyst for the talks that began last October, is believed to have
pushed in recent months for the ethnic minority groups to be drawn into
the process.
However, most commentators agree that the contacts between the junta
and Aung San Suu Kyi -- the first since 1994 -- are still too fragile to
be exposed to public scrutiny or the involvement of other groups.
Confidence in the process has been boosted by the release over the last
few weeks of dozens of senior members of the opposition National League
for Democracy (NLD), in line with a demand from Aung San Suu Kyi.
But the Karen National Union lashed out at the junta Friday, saying
that even as it released the prisoners and allowed NLD offices around
the country to re-open it continued to commit gross human rights
violations.
"There are still thousands of NLD members and political activists in
jail and their lives in prisons are said to be deteriorating," it said.
"The SPDC... still forcefully restricts the legitimate existence and
activities of the NLD. It still continues to vigorously wage war against
the ethnic nationalities and ruthlessly oppresses the people.
"All these acts are diametrically opposed to the goal of resolving the
basic political problems justly by political means."
In the last few months several other dissident groups have criticised
the pace of the talks and the failure to include ethnic minorities whose
support will be crucial in any move to end four decades of military
rule.
The Thailand-based All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) said
last month that the secret talks had failed to make any head way and
should be immediately opened to public scrutiny.
"The current talks are not open. People are frustrated waiting for
information while human rights abuses and forced labour are still
occurring inside the country," it said.
___________________________________________________
___________EDITORIALS/OPINION/PROPAGANDA__________
Myanmar Information Committee (SPDC): Irresponsible Reportings Should Be
Avoided
July 6, 2001
VOA Myanmar Language Section broadcast on 4th July a news item on
counterfeit 500-Kyat notes circulating in some of the border towns on
Thai side. The report stated that these counterfeit currency notes were
produced in Myanmar by the Government of Myanmar and that the former
drug-lord Khun Sa, Lo Hsit Han and the Wa group are being held
responsible for bringing in these fake notes into Thailand. It also
went on to say that the illegal Myanmar workers in Thailand who
converted their wages into the Myanmar currency were being seriously
effected.
The Government of Myanmar is aware that counterfeit bank notes are being
illegally produced outside its borders and smuggled into Myanmar. Small
consignments of these fake notes have been seized a number of times and
the customs, immigration and security officials concerned are on high
alert to prevent these notes from coming into Myanmar.
It is indeed regretful and disappointing to learn that VOA in its
reporting has based its information on heresay alone without any
checking-out with the relevant Myanmar authorities.
The Myanmar Information Committee is and has always been in full
cooperation with the various news agencies extending its services as
much as possible in enabling them to report correctly and factually on
issues and news concerning Myanmar.
It is quite unfortunate that VOA chose to focus on sensationalism alone,
ignoring to take the responsibility of authenticating the news before
reportage.
______________________OTHER______________________
BurmaNet: Email address change for BurmaNet
July 7, 2001
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