BurmaNet News: November 1-2 2002

[editor at burmanet.org]

November 1-2 2002 Issue #2114

INSIDE BURMA

Reuters: Annan worried Myanmar reform drive is losing steam
DVB: Dr. Sein Win’s views on Kofi Annan’s demands to the SPDC
Narinjara: Mizoram-Burma border sealed prevent terrorists’ entrance
DVB: Forced relocations in Rangoon
DVB: Gas pipeline repairs: who will do it?
DVB: An interview with Dr. Daw Yu Yu May

GUNS

DVB: Karen delegation to hold cease-fire talks with authorities in Loikaw

MONEY

Myanmar Times: Traders report sharp falls in prices of Thai consumer goods

REGIONAL
Nation: Thailand downplays reports on origins of suspect mail sent to
Burmese embassies

PRESS RELEASES

IUF: Accor to withdraw from Burma
Routledge/Curzon: Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma by Ashley South

_____INSIDE BURMA_____

Reuters
November 2 2002

Annan worried Myanmar reform drive is losing steam
By Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Concerned that a political reform drive in
Myanmar is losing steam, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday urged
the Asian nation's military government and pro-democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi to quickly launch talks laying the groundwork for democracy.
"It is only through an all-inclusive dialogue that Myanmar will be able to
ensure that national reconciliation is durable and the transition to
democracy smooth," Annan said in a report to the 191-nation U.N. General
Assembly.
He also called on the authorities in the country formerly known as Burma
to quickly release all remaining political prisoners and eliminate all
remaining restrictions on the activities of legal political parties.
The military has raised hopes for political change in the last two years
by releasing around 400 political prisoners and freeing Suu Kyi from 19
months of house arrest in May.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won national elections in 1990,
but has never been allowed to rule by the military, which has held power
for the last four decades.
Many Western countries, including the United States and the European
Union, have imposed political and economic sanctions on Myanmar, a country
diplomats say has been impoverished by decades of economic mismanagement.
Annan noted it had been five months since Suu Kyi had been allowed to
resume her activities as the leader of a lawful party, yet no talks had
yet begun with the government on political reforms and national
reconciliation.
"I am concerned that the positive momentum generated since this spring
could dissipate unless some tangible progress is made in the near future,"
he said. "It is my strong belief that the objectives of preserving
stability and pressing ahead with much-needed reforms are mutually
compatible."
Despite the recent releases of political prisoners, his report said
hundreds were believed still in custody including 220 members of the
National League for Democracy, 400 nonmembers
and "several hundred others, including students."
In addition, the activities of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
has been limited in Shan state and the National League for Democracy has
been prevented from publishing and distributing political material while
the pro-government National Unity Party is allowed to do so, according to
the report.
Annan said Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung, during talks in New York in
September, had assured him his government was committed to moving toward a
multiparty democratic system "but at the same time stressed the need to
build a strong nation that could withstand any challenge to its
territorial integrity".
______

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 2 2002

Dr Sein Win's Views on Kofi Annan's Demands to the SPDC

The following is an interview with Dr. U Sein Win, Prime Minister of the
exiled NCGUB on his reaction of the comments of the UN General Secretary
Kofi Anan:
Dr Sein Win : Yes. We believe that the UN General Secretary, Kofi Anan is
right in saying about Burma at the UN Assembly. It is a crucial time for
Burma. We need to resume the talks immediately they are very important for
Burma at the moment. Whatever the excuse, a solution is needed. To sum up,
we totally agree with the UN Secretary's report and it is a crucial time
for Burma.
DVB : Kofi Anan also says that in the coming months, if the SPDC is not
able to develop some tangible political improvements, the goodwill and
hope will disappear. What is your view on that?
Dr Sein Win : At the moment, people from international communities are
very much encouraged by the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We are also
waiting with the hope that we will be able to continue with important
dialogues. Gradually, we realised that that didn't happen and people are
starting to despair and hope for the future is being diminished. As Kofi
Anan said if things are going on at this rate, it is obvious that the
views of people will start to change.
DVB: Yes. What is your assessment of the present political situation of
Burma?
Dr Sein Win : We have to find a solution to the political problems of
Burma through political dialogues. The economical, educational, social,
political situations are dire. You can't deny it. As the rulers and
authorities of a nation they need to know about these things. The SPDC
have to find a way to start a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
___________
Narinjara News
November 2 2002
Mizoram-Burma border sealed prevent terrorists’ entrance
Chittagong, 2nd November 02:  The Bangladesh Army has been kept on red
alert along the Mizoram border of north eastern India and the Myamar
border along the country's south-eastern hilly areas to check terrorists
crossing out of the country, according to the local press.
 To bolster the nationwide anti-terrorist drive that has stepped into the
third week, the Bangladeshi government on reports of terrorists taking
shelter in the remote areas of the south-eastern district of Bandarban
Hill Tracts by various intelligence agencies has taken up the measures,
reported a Chittagong vernacular daily.
Strange faces frequenting the remote hills on the face of the joint police
- army operation dubbed as 'Clean Heart' has prompted the law enforcing
agencies to take up the extra cautionary measures.  Besides the people of
the hills mostly constituted of Buddhist tribal have been panic-stricken
for the movement of crime gang godfathers, said the Independent.
 It is alleged in a number of dailies that, most of the tribal people are
reluctant to open mouth about the existence of outside terrorists.  A
tribal leader in the area said, "Terrorists or no terrorists, tribal
population here have always been looked with suspicious eyes."
As for now there is a lull prevailing in the hills before the impending
storm of what the government has dubbed as Police-Army Anti-terrorist
Joint Drive.
______________

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 2 2002
Forced Relocations in Rangoon

According to DVB sources, local SPDC authorities in Rangoon have ordered
people and families who live around the old government secretariat office
building in downtown- to leave their homes on the 15th of this month at
the latest. The houses were built during the colonial period to house the
employees of the high-ranking government officers. During the periods of U
Nu's government, Burmese Socialist Programme Party [SPDC] [1962-88],
government officials were also accommodated there. But during the present
SPDC period, due to the soaring price of land, contractors are bribing the
city's Civil officials and planning to pull down historical buildings and
built new homes.
To find out more about the development we contacted a local resident in
Rangoon:
Resident : They used to call it Secretariat. There were some residential
homes for employees of the Secretariat. In 45, 46, 47, the area was
freehold area. They existed since the English colonial period. They left
them behind.
After the independence of Burma, during the period of the AFPFL government
of U Nu the employees of the Secretariat were sheltered there. Then,
during the period of BSPP, people who worked in the Ministerial Offices
were given places there. And now, the SPDC time, since April 2002, they
gave them (residents) notice. All the people who live there have to leave.
The government officials and contractors are re-building the whole area
and transform it into luxury residential area. The evicted family will be
given 5,000,000 kyats to find a new plot in the outskirt of the city near
north and south of Dagon Township in the east.
Htet Aung Kyaw : Are there many people to be moved?
Resident : Yes. Many. The whole area of Maha Bandoola Road and Anawrahta
Road, and if you say from east to west, Bo Myat Htun Road , formerly Craig
Road, to Theinbyu Road.
Htet Aung Kyaw : How many estimated families do you think will be there?
Resident : There must be a lot. The size of the house is not small. Two
rooms downstairs and two rooms up. There are about ten houses on each side
of the street and there must be more than about eighty families.
Htet Aung Kyaw : Would 5,000,000 be sufficient for a family to survive on?
Resident : Impossible. Just around the corner
 a 12 ½ ft. x 40 ft costs
1,400,000 kyats. Try to imagine.
Htet Aung Kyaw : Do you know some people there and what do they say about it?
Resident : I have many acquaintances there. I usually go to drink tea and
the like there. I grew up there as a child. I also have friends and
relatives there now. There are new people there. You can't do anything
with 5,000,000 kyats these days.

__________
Democratic Voice of Burma
November 2 2002
Gas Pipeline Repairs Who will do it?

According to DVB sources, the SPDC Army is planning to use prisoners for
reparation of gas pipelines at southern Burma, damaged by recent flood and
erosion.
The pipeline sections along the Kanbauk, in Tavoy District, Taninthari
Division and Karen State - was destroyed heavy rains. A group of top
military security officials led by Colonel Soe Thet, Chief Strategist of
Tavoy went to inspect the damages and instructed the local people to
repair the damages.
_______

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 1 2002

Family Matters: An Interview With Dr Daw Yu Yu May

The following is an interview with Dr Yu Yu May concerning the latest
health condition of her husband Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, the NLD's elected MP
of Amarapura Township, Mandalay Division who is currently unjustly
imprisoned in Myitkyina Prison:
Ko Moe Aye : I want to know the health condition of Dr Zaw Myint Maung and
your family's feeling.
Dr Yu Yu May Last month, in September, U Zaw Myint Maung's father and my
son went to see him. He said that he was feeling chilly and sick. Must be
malaria, he said. But I didn't know which type of malaria he had. I asked
my son, who is a medical student, if he asked his father to take
Anti-sinate (medicine for malaria). Myson said, daddy said that that
medicine is expensive and he didn't take it. At the moment, he is ill with
a chill. So, during this month, I sent a pack of [Antisinate] to him with
someone. I still don't know whether he took it or he is cured. Another
thing, physically he is thin. From medical check-up, it is not known what
is happening inside him. What kind of disease he has. But outwardly, he
says that he is well. On his face, whether it's due to age or the skin's
lack of exposure to sunshine - he has been inside for so long 13 years ,
there are many berry-like small black spots. They have been coming on for
three months.
Ko Moe Aye : Yes. You are also a doctor. What kinds of worries do you have
concerning Dr. Zaw Myint Maung's health condition?
Dr Yu Yu May We used to be worried about him 76-77, he had jaundice. Now,
when he is inside, he has to eat foods that were sent to him from end to
end of a month. They would be mouldy, wouldn't they? He has to eat the
foods that past best before date and mouldy food as they are very scarce.
Would his liver be still good? When he comes out what kind of things he
would have contracted? I have such worries.
Ko Moe Aye : Yes. As far as we know, they are going to extend his
sentence. Normally, when would he be released?
Dr Yu Yu May I don't know about that. I didn't care to ask. Originally, he
was sentenced to 25 years. Once he was inside, he was sentenced to 7 years
for one case and 5 years for another case that makes 12 extra years. So,
that would be 37 years in all. So, I don't know when he would be released
by normal estimation.
Ko Moe Aye : Yes. Earlier on, we also interviewed your son. When Dr Zaw
Myint Maung was arrested, the oldest son was only in fourth standard and
the youngest was only a year old. At the time, what kinds of feeling did
you have?
Dr Yu Yu May Those were my years of woes and deep troubles. I have three
children. The oldest was in fourth standard. The middle was in first
standard. The youngest one, the girl was one year and 5 months old. She
couldn't talked expect the words papa and mama. That time, being a doctor,
I had to depend on my clinic for survival. And I didn't know where he (her
husband) was. On top of that the military intelligence told us to find
him. They were detaining him and told me to find him and I didn't know
where he was. After five months, rumours had that we could see him at
Insein Prison. Only then did we learnt that he was in prison. During that
time we were anxious about him. After that, I learnt that he was
sentenced? I heard about it from word of mouth. No letter of notice came
to me. So, I had to survive on the incomes from my clinic and supported
three children of mine to succeed. When they were young they ate what I
fed and wore what I adorned them with. But as they grew older and older, I
had to go and see him in the one hand, and I have to bear all the yokes
for two people feeding them, caring them. I was feeling poor mentally and
in trouble physically. I had to struggle for our daily survival and see
him in the other. I was in considerable trouble. The expenses piled on top
of me. Now, with the supports from ICRC, things are getting better for us.
Thank God for that!

_____GUNS_____

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 1 2002

Karen delegation to hold cease-fire talks with authorities in Loikaw

It has been learned that a delegation from the KNPP Karenni National
Progressive Party has departed to hold talks with Loikaw-based SPDC State
Peace and Development Council authorities. The delegation led by Major
Htoo Ka Re departed for Loikaw last Wednesday 30 October . The KNPP signed
a cease-fire agreement with the SLORC State Law and Order Restoration
Council in March 1995 but it collapsed three months later. In order to
learn more about the matter DVB Democratic Voice of Burma contacted KNPP
General Secretary U Raimond Htoo.

Aye Aye Mon We heard that the Karenni Army is planning to meet with the
local SPDC authorities in Loikaw. Could you briefly explain to us about
the purpose of this meeting?

U Raimond Htoo If the SPDC have the genuine desire to reform the nation
then it should be carried out. Based on these factors we are trying to
talk to them to find out about their views.

Aye Aye Mon Yes. We read in a recent report that the SPDC had not accepted
a KNPP peace delegation. Could you tell us briefly about what happened?

U Raimond Htoo In 1995, there was a ceasefire agreement between the KNPP
and the SLORC. The deal was done between the two groups the KNPP and the
SLORC delegations and no one knew the details. The people became
frustrated and in the end they discovered that the agreement has
collapsed. Therefore, to avoid such happenings in the future, it was
suggested that if the people wish to join in the talks we would gladly
welcome them. But in reality, the SLORC did not approve of it. Then, they
told us that if we really wanted to hold talks it should be between the
KNPP and the SLORC - at the regional level or directly with Rangoon. It
seems they do not want us to meet with the people.

Aye Aye Mon Yes. What topic will the present KNPP delegation be mainly
discussing?

U Raimond Htoo Well, they plan to discuss nine major points including the
following: to stop forced relocation, to stop using civilians as military
porters, to stop charging people porter-fees, not to plant any more
landmines and to clear them away, to stop killing innocent civilians, to
stop raping Karenni women and children, to declare a nationwide cease-fire
preceding two words spoken in English , to solve political problems by
political means after accepting and holding tripartite talks.


_______MONEY______

Myanmar Times
October 28-November 3 2002

Traders report sharp falls in prices of Thai consumer goods
By Myo Lwin

The cost of consumer goods imported from Thailand fell sharply last
Tuesday after border checkpoints reopened following a five month closure,
market sources said. The reopening had little effect on the price of
commodities produced in Myanmar, partly because of restrictions on their
export to Thailand introduced when the checkpoints were closed last May,
the sources said. A merchant at Yangon’s Bayintnaung wholesale market, U
Ann Kauk, said the prices of major commodities such as chillis, onions and
garlic had remained stable or fallen slightly. U Ann Kauk’s comments were
echoed by another border trade dealer at Bayintnaung who said prices of
the popular moe-htaung variety chilli had remained stable at K650 a viss
(3.6 pounds) last week. Onion prices had also remained stable at K200 a
viss during the week, the trader said. Meanwhile, sources at Yuzana Plaza,
one of the biggest wholesale and retail sales centres for consumer goods
from Thailand, said prices had dropped sharply since the government
announced the border reopening. A wholesaler at the centre said prices of
soft drinks, sauces and confectionary from Thailand had fallen by up to 30
per cent since the checkpoints reopened. "The price of a 650-milligram
bottle of chilli sauce dropped to K800 from K1200 and the same size bottle
of fish sauce fell to K800 from K900 during the past week," she told
Myanmar Times in a telephone interview. Demand for Thai consumer goods had
fallen because of their higher cost compared to domestic products and
imports from China, she added. There were similar comments from traders at
other markets, with some saying importers of Thai products were likely to
suffer losses.

___REGIONAL__

The Nation
November 2 2002

Thailand downplays reports on origins of suspect mail sent to Burmese
embassies

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday voiced doubts about the
origin of parcel bombs the Burmese government claims were sent from
Thailand, as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra downplayed what appeared to
be the start of a new round of tensions with Burma. Speaking to reporters
yesterday, Surakiart said he had instructed Thai embassy officials to
inspect the packages' postmarks to determine whether they originated in
Thailand. "We have questioned whether the letters were sent from
Thailand," Surakiart said. The premier yesterday ordered an investigation
into the matter.

On Thursday Burma claimed its embassies in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and
Singapore had received parcel bombs sent from Thailand.

"We can deduce that this is the work of a dissident group residing in our
neighbouring country as all the letters had Bangkok postmarks," junta
spokesman Lt-Col Nyan Lin told reporters.

The devices were defused without injuries, he said, adding that they were
marked "8/8/88" - the date on which widespread anti-government unrest
broke out in Burma, leading to a military takeover. Burma on Thursday
summoned Thailand's Rangoon ambassador to express its concern about the
incident.

Thaksin meanwhile was quick to downplay the parcel bombs, saying
Thai-Burmese relations were unaffected by the incident.

Despite a recent calm, tensions with Burma have been high in recent
months, following a series of border clashes earlier in the year.



_____PRESS RELEASES_______

Press release from the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel,
Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF)
Geneva, October 31, 2002

Accor to withdraw from Burma

The French-based transnational hotel, tourism and leisure group Accor has
informed the IUF that it will be withdrawing from Burma. Accor Chairman
Jean Marc Espalioux made the announcement on October 30 at an
international trade union meeting held under IUF auspices in Geneva.

Accor currently manages two hotels in Burma, the Novotel Mandalay and the
Sofitel Plaza Yangon. According to Espalioux, the decision will be
implemented once negotiations with Accor's local partner are completed.

The IUF, in meetings with corporate management, has continually raised the
issue of the Accor group's presence in Burma. Since the overthrow of the
democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, the IUF has
supported the call by Burma's trade unions and the government in exile for
a tourism boycott and the withdrawal of transnational investments. Most
recently, on September 27, the IUF Union Day of Tourism, affiliates
responded to an IUF appeal by sending messages to Accor and other hotel
chains still active in Burma, urging them to withdraw.

"Accor's decision follows similar moves by other hotel chains and
transnational investors", said IUF general secretary Ron Oswald. "We are
pleased that the IUF was instrumental in finally convincing the groups
that they could only suffer in the long term from their refusal to leave
Burma. The constructive relationship built over the years between the IUF
and Accor corporate management was certainly a key element in their
success".
______

RoutledgeCurzon
October 2002

Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma: The Golden Sheldrake
By Ashley South, SOAS UK

This book is a political history of the Mon people of lower Burma and
Thailand-the people of the Golden Sheldrake.  The Mon are renowned for
their important civilizing role in pre-colonial Southeast Asia and
achievements in the fields of art and religion.  However contemporary Mon
society has until now received less attention.

Charting Mon history from the earliest times to the present, Ashley South
describes the origins of Burma’s ethnic politics in the pre-colonial era
and developments during the British (and Japanese) colonial periods.

Following independence in 1948, Burma was plunged into a civil war which
still drags on today.  The book explores the background to and major
episodes in the war, and compares the experiences of various parties to
the conflict, including the Mon, Karen and Kachin ethnic communities and
insurgent organizations.  It provides unique insights into the dynamics of
armed conflict in Burma, and examines the controversial series of
ceasefire agreements negotiated since democracy movements led by Aung San
Suu Kyi, the ethnic insurgents, international and local non-government
organizations, and Burma’s one million-plus refugees, the author concludes
by looking at the future of the ‘ethnic question’ in Burma.

This is one of the most important contributions in recent years to the
literature on Burma.  Situating events in a regional perspective, Mon
Naitonalism and Civil War in Burma: The Golden Sheldrake will be of
interst to students of Southeast Asian history and politics. 
Anthropologists will appreciate the sustained forcus on issues of identity
and assimilation, whilst the author’s first-hand accounts of the
humanitarian crisis along the Thailand Burma border are of particular
relevance to the study of displacement and under-development.

How to order:
tel: +44 (0) 1264 34 3071
www.routledge.com
book.orders at routledge.co.uk