BurmaNet News: November 30-December 2 2002

[editor at burmanet.org]

November 30-December 2 2002 Issue #2131

INSIDE BURMA

Narinjara: Curfew in Sittwe, west Burma
Narinjara: Those human minesweepers
New Light of Myanmar: Myanmar has already developed four-year Master
Strategic Plan to enhance and expand AIDS prevention and control
programmes [address by Gen. Khin Nyunt]

GUNS

Earthrights: Burma’s soldiers: equal opportunity rapists
DVB: Military to establish three new air defense battalions

DRUGS

Borneo Bulletin: Brunei: rise in designer drug abuse
New Light of Myanmar: Germany pledges funds for drug control work

MONEY

Xinhua: Thai trade exhibition to be held in Myanmar
AFX-GEM: Burlington Coat Factory agrees to join boycott of Myanmar exports

REGIONAL

Mizzima: Indian foreign secretary returned from Myanmar

INTERNATIONAL

Guardian: UK universities back Burmese dissidents

EDITORIAL/OTHER

Washington Times: A blunder on Burma
Irrawaddy: Saying no to Burma’s druglords
Network Media Group: Mawdsley’s “The Iron Road” published
Battle Creek Enquirer: Chin people honor heritage at festival

INSIDE BURMA

Narinjara News December 2 2002

Curfew in Sittwe, west Burma

Curfew has been imposed in the western Burmese town of Sittwe, the capital
of Rakhine (Arakan) State since last week, after a tense situation arising
from the rape of a Rakhine girl and killing of two persons by a group of
Muslim fishermen, according to our correspondent.
A group of Muslim Rohingya fishermen stopped and attacked a motorised boat
heading from Ngarichaung Village of Middle Farunga Island (south to
Sittwe) towards the capital.  The boat was carrying a Rakhine mother (40)
and her daughter (15) aboard. The Muslim fishermen took control of the
boat and without warning some of them started to attack the two boatmen
with knives, chopping the mother and two boatmen, while the three other
Muslim fishermen used force to rape the teenage girl.  Meanwhile, one of
the boatmen was able to escape the scene with serious wounds.  He was
later saved by another boat passing and was admitted into the State
Hospital in Sittwe.
As the news spread, a large number of the students of Sittwe University
got enraged and began to gather to "take action against the perpetrators".
 Fearing a disturbance the authority in the town interfered to disperse
the students and bring order in the campus.  They also hastily conducted
the ongoing annual examinations and forced the students pack up their
belongings and leave the campus.
The intervention by the authority finally brought the situation under
control. Since then there has been a curfew imposed and movements
restricted in the town, according to a townsman reached through phone. 
The dead bodies of a boatman and the mother have been recovered but the
teenage girl is still missing, according to police source.
Last month five Rohingya youths raped two Rakhine teenage girls in
Maungdaw Township, close to the Bangladesh-Burma border. The news stirred
up widescale discontent among the majority Rakhine community of the state.
Many of the concerned Rakhine citizens in the western Burmese state more
and more feel worried for these untoward incidents that may at any time
lead to impatience between the two Buddhist and Muslim communities,
leading to large scale violence, a retired police officer said.
In February 2001, a race riot broke out in Sittwe following Muslim
Rohingya youths teasing a Rakhine girl.  In the aftermath the police with
the help of Burmese military troops nabbed hundreds of Rakhine youths as
young as ten year olds who have gone missing ever since.
_________

Narinjara News December 2 2002

Those human minesweepers

In the western part of Burma, the ruling junta commanders have been
reported to use people in clearing landmines along the Burma-Bangladesh
border in recent weeks, according to our correspondent.
Beginning November 22, the Burmese Nasaka security forces have engaged
forced labour in clearing landmines on the Burmese side of the border
under Nasaka Area No. 2, north to Maungdaw Town on the Naaf River.
At least twenty villagers from the Burmese side have recently crossed the
border and took shelter at Reju, a Rakhine village on Bangladesh side
under Bandarban Hill District, fleeing the landmine-clearing drive by
using forced labour consisting of a number of residents of border
villages.  The forced labourers found two anonymous Bangladeshi
'intruders' with them who were arrested and forced to work in the
landmine-clearing drive as human 'minesweepers', a local headman said. 
The mine clearing drive has been conducted around border pillar no. 53.
According to our correspondent, in the last week of October there was a
landmine blast at a model village in the area that killed a Burmese army
sergeant and that, the Nasaka Forces themselves laid the mines in the
area.    But as there was no proper record of the exact locations of the
landmines, the Nasaka troops are now at a loss as to the spots where the
previous Nasaka troops had laid the mines.
To avoid being finger pointed the Nasaka troops have invented that the
landmines had been laid by Arakan rebel groups, and to prove their 'story'
true, they arrested two Bangladeshi intruders and forced them to lead the
group of 'landmine-clearing gang' accompanied by a few dozen villagers as
forced labourers.
Because they have no record or 'map' of the laid landmines, the Nasaka
troops have been driving the cattle and buffaloes forcefully taken from
the villages over the entire area for mine-clearing purposes, causing
death to the animals.  Though no report of human casualty has yet been
received, people in the nearby villages have fled their homes in panic.
Burma has landmines laid along its border with Bangladesh extending from
Maungdaw to Paletwa Townships, along a stretch of 208 km, between border
pillars 31 and 73.  At pillar 73, the three borders of Burma, Bangladesh
and India meet.  According to the "Landmine Monitor Report 2001: Burma",
published from Thailand, 'a total of 26 elephants are now known to have
perished in Bangladesh where no veterinary help for them is available".
In January 2000, a Chak woman, Ma Hla Sein (30) married to a Chak from the
Burmese side (Maungdaw Township) came to visit her parents on Bangladesh
side (Headman para, Baishari) was killed in a landmine blast.  Her
one-year old baby flew off her lap and while toddling around was hit by
another landmine, getting killed instantly, according to the village
headman there.
_________

New Light of Myanmar December 1 2002

Myanmar has already developed four-year Master Strategic Plan (2002-2005)
to enhance and expand AIDS prevention and control programmes

Secretary-1 addresses ceremony to mark the World AIDS Day
Yangon, 1 Dec - A ceremony to mark the World AIDS Day was held at the
International Business Centre on Pyay Road at 7.30 am today, with an
address by Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State
Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
First, General Khin Nyunt delivered an address. He said:
Every year, World AIDS Day is commemorated throughout the world on the 1st
of December to remind the people of the devastating effects of the
dreadful disease AIDS, which has spread to all countries during the last
two decades. The slogan for World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003 is "Live and Let
Live".
This slogan was selected to address "Stigma and Discrimination", the major
obstacles to effective prevention and care of HIV/AIDS. The main objective
of World AIDS Campaign is to help prevent, reduce or eliminate stigma and
discrimination wherever they occur and in all their forms. In fact, the
theme of this year campaign aims at addressing provision of services for
people living with HIV/AIDS as well as other risk population groups
without any prejudice.
The Myanmar Government has always attached greatest importance for raising
the health standards of the country as well as the mental and physical
well-being of the people. Vigorous measures are being implemented to bring
better health services to all the regions of the nation. Before the
assumption of responsibilities of the Government, there were only 631
hospitals in the entire country. This has now increased to 759. Moreover,
104 hospitals has been upgraded. Primary health care is now available all
over the country while modern health facilities are now available in all
major population centres. As a result, the health situation in Myanmar has
improved dramatically in recent years.
With regard to HIV/AIDS, Myanmar is fully aware not only of the health
menace posed by the disease but also its economic and social consequences.
Therefore, the disease has been identified as one of the priority disease
of the National Health Plan of Myanmar. Myanmar is determined to fight
against HIV/AIDS as a national cause. A multi-sectoral National AIDS
Committee has been formed since 1989. The State Peace and Development
Council has recently issued an announcement to reorganize AIDS committees
at the Central, State and Divisional, District and Township levels for
upgrading implementation and monitoring of AIDS prevention and care
activities.
The spread of AIDS is mainly due to risk behaviors of people. However, the
cultural and social values of Myanmar society are found to have a
protective effect to a greater extent in many population groups. And also
because of gentle and kind nature of Myanmar people who greatly value
family attachment and respect, "Stigma and Discrimination" will not be a
barrier for care and compassion for people infected with and affected by
HIV/AIDS.
Myanmar has already developed a four-year Master Strategic Plan
(2002-2005) to enhance and expand AIDS prevention and control programmes
throughout the country. Main strategies include enhancing care and
counselling services for people living with HIV/AIDS and expansion of
home-based care activities. Although resources are limited, AIDS/STD
programme of the Department of Health and NGOs are carrying out care and
counselling activities without jeopardizing confidentiality of infected
persons. If more resources can be mobilized, these services will be
improved and extended to places where infected and affected persons need
assistance.
Although the fight against HIV/AIDS is based mainly on our own resources,
I wish to acknowledge the valuable cooperation and collaboration extended
by international organizations and donor governments for developing
effective programmes to combat HIV/AIDS. In the year 2002, Myanmar has the
opportunity to welcome several missions from organizations such as Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention from the United States (CDC),
Department for International Development (DFID), International
Organization of Migration (IOM), Asia Development Bank (ADB), Joint United
Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) in order to observe development of health care services and
HIV/AIDS activities in Myanmar. These missions have acknowledged that
Myanmar is doing its utmost to prevent HIV transmission and to help people
infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
I very much appreciate offers and commitments made by these coordinating
partners to strengthen AIDS programme activities in Myanmar. I am
confident that with improved partnership response and international
collaboration, we will be able to reduce impact of HIV/AIDS in the region.
It is most regrettable that despite our multi-sectoral concerted efforts
to combat HIV/AIDS in Myanmar, some western media are making false
allegations like Myanmar Government is not doing enough to control the
epidemic and Myanmar can become a centre for spreading the disease in the
region. In fact, these false statements are made with political
inclination by ignoring collaborative activities of Myanmar people, UN
agencies and non-governmental organizations, all of which have success
stories to share.
World AIDS Day commemoration is just one activities of the year-long World
AIDS Campaign programme. In all States and Divisions, activities to
promote AIDS awareness in the communities, reduce stigma and
discrimination, enhance mass media communication programmes as well as to
provide assistance for the people living with HIV/AIDS and families will
be implemented. It is very encouraging to see participating of youth and
women in all these prevention and care programmes nationwide.
Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to congratulate all the people
involved in World AIDS Campaign activities for their excellent effort and
contribution, and wish them success in all their endeavours. May the
concerted efforts of the people all over the world successfully prevent
and control HIV/AIDS and make the world a safer and more pleasant planet.
Then, UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS Chairman Mr Bertrand J Mendis read out
the message sent by UNAIDS.
Next, the Secretary-1 presented first, second and third prizes to eighth
standard student Maung Hein Soe Oo of Kyauktan Myoma Basic Education
Middle School, ninth standard student Ma Wint Wah Lwin Soe Zin of Yankin
BEHS No 2 and ninth standard student Ma May July of South Okkalapa BEHS No
2 in the basic education high school level essay competition to mark the
2002 World AIDS Day respectively and consolation prizes to tenth standard
student Maung Soe Min Thu of Botahtaung BEHS No 6 and ninth standard
student Ma Khin Lapyay Win of Mingaladon BEHS No 1 respectively.
Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented first, second and third
prizes to fifth standard student Ma Thazin Thet Su Tin of Kyauktan Myoma
BEMS, sixth standard student Ma Hnin Ei Ei Phwe of Kyauktan BEHS No 1 and
seventh standard student Maung Zin Ko Ko of Ahlon BEHS No 4 in the middle
school level poster competition respectively and consolation prizes to
sixth standard student Ma Hsu Pan Win of Mingaladon BEHS No 2 and fifth
standard student Maung Zarni Myo Kyaw of Mayangon BEHS No 5 respectively.
UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS Chairman Mr Bertrand J Mendis presented first,
second and third prizes to fourth standard student Ma Hsu Myat Noe Nwe of
Dagon BEHS No 2, fourth standard student Maung Nay Myo Oo of Kyauktada
BEPS No 6 and first standard student Ma May Htoo Myat Mon of Kyauktan
Myoma BEMS in the primary school level painting competition respectively
and consolation prizes to second standard student Ma Ei Myat Myat Moe Shwe
of Kyauktan Myoma BEMS and fourth standard student Ma Htut Myat Noe Aung
of Sangyoung BEHS No 2 respectively.
After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and the guests viewed the
Exhibition on World AIDS Day.
Among the booths at the exhibition, guidance on health sector given by
Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, instructions on health care tasks
by Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and General Khin Nyunt, directives on
HIV/AIDS affairs of the National Health Committee, decisions made by the
Central Committee for AIDS Control and Elimination, the declaration
related to AIDS of the Eighth ASEAN Summit, undertakings and documentary
photos of HIV/AIDS elimination project being carried out by the Ministry
of Health, facts about the motto for the World AIDS Day 2002, health care,
counselling and documentary photos related to HIV/AIDS, records on health
treatments at Webagi Specialist Hospital, research papers on HIV/AIDS
compiled by scholars of Medical Sciences Department and Medical Research
Department, pamphlets and books on health affairs in addition to works of
prize winning essays, posters and paintings were displayed at the booth of
the Ministry of Health.
In addition, documentary photos, books and journals on HIV/AIDS educative
courses, community health care tasks and counselling being carried out by
Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare
Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Anti-Narcotics
Association, Myanmar Health Assistant Association in cooperation with the
Ministry of Health were also exhibited.
Similarly, endeavours, documentary photos, educative books and journals
being undertaken by WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and UNAIDS together with the
Ministry of Health were shown at the exhibition.

Medecins du Monde (MDM), World Vision International (WVI), Care
Australia-Myanmar, Artsen Zonder Grenzen (AZG) Medecins Sans Frontieres
Holland Population Services International (PSI) and Save the Children (UK)
which are cooperating with the Ministry of Health displayed their
endeavours and educative pamphlets on HIV/AIDS control tasks.
The Exhibition on World AIDS Day will be kept open at IBC from 9 am to 5
pm daily up to 4 December. Admission is free.

__GUNS_____

Earthrights International November 26 2002

Burma's Soldiers: Equal Opportunity Rapists
By Betsy Apple

In the Burmese language, Burma's military is named the Pyithu Tatmadaw, or
the People's Army. The Tatmadaw, according to Burma's ruling military
regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), "safeguards
national solidarity and peace." According to women from Burma's ethnic
nationalities (ethnic minority groups), particularly those living in the
ethnic States along Burma's borders, the Tatmadaw does the opposite.
Rather than look to the Tatmadaw for protection, women from the ethnic
nationalities flee in fear at the sight of a soldier. A recent
investigation by the Women's Rights Project of EarthRights International
(WRP/ERI) documents the widespread use of rape by Burma's soldiers to
brutalize women from five different ethnic nationalities.

During the month of September 2002, the WRP/ERI, in collaboration with
Refugees International, conducted a month-long investigation into rape in
Burma perpetrated by the military. This project was motivated by a report
issued by the Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN) and Shan Human Rights
Foundation (SHRF) in June 2002 entitled License to Rape, documenting the
rapes of at least 625 Shan women by Burma's soldiers over a period over
five years, from 1996 to 2001. Despite the fact that rape by soldiers in
Burma has been a well-known, well-documented phenomenon for at least a
decade, the License to Rape report inspired a level of interest and
outrage on the part of the international community not previously directed
against the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burma's ruling
military regime. SWAN and SHRF are to be commended for their excellent
work documenting these brutal abuses. We at the WRP are gratified that
their efforts, as well as the problem of rape in Burma, are both receiving
the attention they deserve.

We were outraged by the report as well, but, unfortunately, not surprised.
In 1998, after an intensive investigation into gender-based abuses
committed by the Burmese army (the Tatmadaw in the Burmese language), we
issued a report entitled School for Rape: The Burmese Military and Sexual
Violence. This report examined some of the structures, policies, and
practices of the Tatmadaw, and concluded that many of these contributed to
both the likelihood and the prevalence of rape by soldiers against women
from Burma's ethnic nationalities, in particular. Based on our previous
research for that and other reports issued over the intervening four
years, as well as the regular contact we have with refugee women from
Burma, we knew that the rape of Shan women is an enormous tragedy. We also
knew that it is just a part of the problem. We wanted to make sure that
the international community understood the full extent to which the army
of Burma abuses the human rights of that country's women. We wanted to not
only confirm that Shan women face sexual violence on a regular basis, but
also to expand the scope of the investigation to confirm that the military
abuses women from other ethnic minority groups in Burma as well.

Over the course of a month, we conducted interviews with individuals,
focus groups, indigenous NGOs, and local leaders. We talked to more than
150 people about sexual violence against women perpetrated by Burma's
armed forces-people living in refugee camps, outside of camps in villages,
and people still living in Burma. We spoke with women and men, former and
current soldiers, recent arrivals and long-time refugees. In particular,
we conducted 26 individual interviews with women from 5 different ethnic
groups, 1 interview with a Burmese army defector, and 2 focus groups
comprised of a total of 45 women. In the individual interviews, we learned
of 41 cases of rape, and were able to confirm 24 of those cases through
testimony from victims or eyewitnesses. In 7 cases, the perpetrator raped
the woman or women on military property, and in 8 cases, the perpetrator
was an officer in Burma's army. Members of the Burmese army proved to be
equal opportunity rapists, raping women from the Karen, Karenni, Shan,
Mon, and Tavoyan nationalities.

The State Peace and Development Council has denounced the reports about
Shan rape, and has conducted their own "investigation" in Shan State (with
the active participation of SPDC general Khin Nyunt's wife) to determine
that such reports were fabricated. Our research tells a different story,
and leads to the inescapable conclusion that the Burmese military uses
rape on a widespread basis against women from many of Burma's ethnic
nationalities. These rapes are not an aberration, committed by renegade
soldiers; they are part of a pattern of brutal abuse designed to control,
terrorize, and harm ethnic nationality populations through their women.

In contradiction to the SPDC's claims that "hands joined, the Tatmadaw and
the people stand steadfastly together," we also conclude that:

Rape is not confined to Shan State. It is widespread throughout the ethnic
eastern States.

Rape by Burmese army members may be systematic. The Tatmadaw's routine
discrimination against both ethnic nationalities and women may constitute
the kind of preconceived plan or policy necessary to characterize the rape
as systematic.

Rape and increased militarization go hand-in-hand. When more soldiers are
deployed, typically more rape occurs.

Rape sometimes occurs on military property (i.e. in military bases, in
military barracks, and in military jails). In those cases where the
officer wasn't actually committing the offense on military property, he
knew or should have known about these offenses.

Rape often occurs in conjunction with other human rights abuses, such as
forced labor, forced relocation, forced portering, torture, and
extrajudicial executions.

There is a direct connection between rape and migration. Many women flee
Burma either because they have been raped, or because they fear being
raped. In addition, rape sometimes occurs while women are in flight.

Widespread rape is committed with impunity, both by officers and lower
ranking soldiers. Officers committed the majority of rapes documented in
our interviews in which the rank of the perpetrator was known. The culture
of impunity contributes to the military atmosphere in which rape is
permissible. It also leads to the conclusion that the system for
protecting civilians is faulty, which may serve as proof that the rape is
systematic.

Due to the well-known impunity for rape, survivors and families are
extremely reluctant to complain about rape. In the rare cases where
victims do complain, the military often responds with violence.
On Tuesday, November 19, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly adopted
by consensus a resolution on the human rights situation in Burma,
"express[ing] grave concern at... rapes and other forms of sexual violence
carried out by members of the armed forces" and the "disproportionate
suffering of members of ethnic minorities, women and children from such
violations." It is clear these abuses are directly linked to the internal
war the SPDC is waging upon its own citizens. Until the violence ceases,
and until the SPDC enforces its own laws prohibiting rape and ends the
culture of impunity for these heinous crimes, the violations will
continue.
_____

Democratic Voice of Burma November 29 2002

Military to establish three new air defence battalions

It has been learned that the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) is
preparing to establish three new air defence battalions under the Coastal
Region Military Command in Tenasserim Division. Preparations are underway
to build Air Defence Battalion [ADB] No 3026 at Kalwin Village in Mergui
Township, ADB No 3031 at Kyaukkanyar Village in Tavoy Township, and ADB No
3038 at Maliwun Village in Kawthaung Township.

Formerly all heavy artillery battalions were under the Military Armoured
and Artillery Division but since late 2000 it has been reorganized and
divided into air defence, heavy artillery, and armoured divisions.

Since the reorganization, heavy artillery divisions have been continuously
established at all the 12 military commands while the establishment of
these three air defence battalions would be the first of its kind.

According to another news report, preparations are underway to issue
(?Hawk) type military vehicles and Nanjing type motor vehicles that were
recently purchased from China to the air defence battalions and the heavy
artillery divisions.

____DRUGS______

Borneo Bulletin December 2 2002

BRUNEI: RISE IN DESIGNER DRUG ABUSE
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Social problems such as drug abuse, which is said to be on the rise here
is not unique to Brunei Darussalam only.

The use of designer drugs such as methamphetamine pills and syabu is said
to be spreading very fast worldwide that it could soon overrun the problem
of traditional narcotics such as heroin and cocaine, the head of the UN
drugs agency warned in its web site.

Mr Antonio Maria Costa, global executive director of the Vienna-based
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said these newer drugs such as
the methamphetamine pills could be made cheaply and easily almost anywhere
in the world, making them very difficult to control. As small, attractive
pills, they are easily trafficked by well-organised crime syndicates from
production centres mostly in Southeast Asia to consumers in cities in the
region and the West.

"I want to stress the significant danger of the spread of both the
production and consumption of amphetamines around the world,' Mr Costa
said.

"In the period ahead, the use of synthetic drugs may become the most
serious problem ever faced."

Data on narcotics production and consumption are notoriously unreliable,
but the United Nations keeps records of seizures across the world and
these suggest an alarming increase in the use and abuse of synthetic
drugs.

UN data show seizures of synthetic drugs, known by drugs agencies as
'amphetamine-type stimulants' and made in secret laboratories from
chemicals such as ephedrine, reached almost 40 tonnes in 2000 from just
five tonnes in 1991.

New figures are not available but anecdotal evidence suggests that output
has risen many times over the last two years, especially in Myanmar,
Thailand and China, which accounted for more than four-fifths of ATS
production in 2000, said UN.

Many of the laboratories producing methamphetamines are in well-hidden
factories just across the border from Thailand and Myanmar, drug agencies
say.

Mr Costa said there was evidence many countries were involved in
production of synthetic drugs.

"The process is increasing everywhere in the world, because demand is also
increasing. Everywhere in the world poly-consumption is emerging as a
dangerous phenomenon with abusers using one narcotic in combination with
another."

Usually the first of these drugs would be a traditional narcotic such as
heroin or cocaine, and often the second would be a synthetic stimulant, he
said.

Consumption of synthetic stimulants is rising rapidly in the US, Europe
and Japan, as well as the Philippines and Thailand where they are popular
because they can cost less than US $ 2 (B$ 3.50) a pill.
______

New Light of Myanmar December 1 2002

Germany Pledges Funds for Drug Control Work

Germany has pledged 1.25 million euros (about US$ 1.26 million) for United
Nations’ drug control work in Myanmar, government and UN sources said last
week. A government spokesperson told a media briefing last Tuesday the
allocation was announced at a donor conference on drug control held in the
Austrian capital, Vienna, last October. The move was a "groundbreaking
decision" by a member country of the European Union, said a spokesperson
for the Yangon office of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, formerly the UN
Drug Control Program.
The funds are likely be used for the UNODC’s Wa Alternative Development
Project in Shan State, the spokesperson told Myanmar Times last Wednesday.
The allocation will help in funding for the four-year crop substitution,
infrastructure development and poverty alleviation project, which is
budgeted to cost $ 15.8 million and is due to be completed next year. The
German allocation will bring funding for the project to nearly $ 10
million, most of which has been provided by the United States and Japan. A
senior German diplomat in Yangon told Myanmar Times last week the
allocation was regarded as being for humanitarian purposes rather than
development aid. The allocation was a contribution to an important
anti-narcotics project, he said.
A senior anti-drugs official who attended the Vienna conference,
Brigadier-General Kyaw Thein, told the media briefing that the US and
Japan were also in favour of increasing funding to the UN for its drug
control programs in Myanmar. Japan is also considering providing bilateral
aid for drug control work, Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein said, without giving
further details. On another issue, a government statement said Myanmar
narcotics officials were "perplexed" by a series of statements from the
Thai Army over the number of methamphetamine pills expected to enter
Thailand next year. The statement referred to an AFP report dated November
25 which quoted Thailand’s Third Army chief of staff, Major-General Naris
Srinet, as saying that an estimated 900 million to one billion of the
pills were expected to be smuggled into the country next year.
The statement said the following day, the AP news agency, carried a
rebuttal from Myanmar narcotics officials and a confirmation of the
estimate by a Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson who said the figure was
supported by US drug authorities. After Myanmar narcotics officials issued
a media release on November 27 stating that US Drug Enforcement
Administration officials in Myanmar and Thailand had refuted the claims
made by Thai officials, the Thai Army denied making the estimate. A report
in the Bangkok Post on November 28 quoted the Thai Army’s deputy spokesman
as saying that the Defence Minister and the Army were in no position to
make such an estimate." More to our confusion the deputy spokesman went on
to say that the estimate of one billion pills made by Maj-Gen Naris was a
personal opinion and not an official figure," the government statement
said.
"Whatever reasons and complications or confusion there may be on the Thai
side, Myanmar sincerely believes that only with commitment and consistency
in the policy against drugs can we win this war," it said." Myanmar will
continue to actively shoulder its responsibilities and fight this scourge
of narcotic drugs with nations which are equally committed to make the
world, or at least their own citizens, safe from the danger of drugs. "

___MONEY______

Xinhua News Agency December 2 2002

Thai trade exhibition to be held in Myanmar

A Thai trade exhibition will be held at the Yangon Trade Center here from
Dec. 12 to Dec. 15, aimed at further strengthening the trade relations as
well as fostering the spirit of goodwill and cooperation between Myanmar
and Thailand.

The four-day Thailand Exhibition' 2002, to be participated by about 113
companies, will be the sixth of its kind and the second in this year.
Organized by the Department of Export Promotion of the Thai Commerce
Ministry, the exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for Myanmar
traders to develop profitable business links by meeting with prominent
manufacturers and exporters of Thailand and to explore a wide array of
products and services, said the organizer Monday.

The exhibits will cover auto parts and accessories, chemical products,
children products, construction material and hardware, cosmetics,
electronic products, beverage and packaging, furniture, garments and
textile, fashion accessories, household products, machinery tools and
parts, pharmaceutical and sanitary products, service trade and stationery
products, the organizer disclosed.

The first Thai trade exhibition in Myanmar was held in December 1998 and
the fifth, which was also the last event, took place in May this year.

The Thai commerce ministry, finding that the Thai trade exhibitions served
as a symbol of growing economic and trade cooperation between the two
countries, decided to hold two exhibitions annually commencing from this
year.

Official statistics show that Myanmar's bilateral trade with Thailand
amounted to 579.66 million dollars in the first half of 2002, accounting
for 23.45 percent of the country's total foreign trade and standing as the
highest volume among that with member states of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations during the period.
_______

AFX-GEM November 26, 2002

Burlington Coat Factory agrees to join boycott of Myanmar exports

NEW YORK (AFX-GEM) - The Burlington Coat Factory, the top seller of coats
in the US, said on Tuesday it will no longer purchase exports from Myanmar
in response to concerns by human rights groups about abuses in the country
formerly known as Burma.

The New Jersey based retailer with 315 US stores and 2.5 bln usd in sales
becomes the 34th retailer to ban products from Myanmar at the request of
the Free Burma Coalition (FBC), a group dedicated to democratic reform in
the Southeast Asian nation.

Brian Flynn, general counsel at Burlington, confirmed his company's
decision to boycott Myanmar products in a letter the FBC dated Friday.

"This will confirm that all merchandise buyers at Burlington Coat Factory
are being instructed not to purchase any goods manufactured in Myanmar,
the letter stated.

"They made us aware of the issue, it was discussed among our management
and they were happy to do what they could," Flynn told the AFX Global
Ethics Monitor.

Federated Department Stores, owner of Macy's and Bloomingdales, Ross
Stores Inc, and Gart Sports Co, the nation's second-largest sporting goods
chain, are among the larger companies that have joined the boycott.

"We saw a lot of other large retailers were going down this path and it
was determined a good idea," Flynn said. "It's socially responsible, and
it's good business. We don't want to be associated with sort of practice."

The Free Burma Coalition advocates a boycott in order to put pressure on
the military regime in Myanmar, which seized power in 1989 and voided the
results of democratic elections there.

Human rights groups accuse the regime of using forced labor and child
soldiers and terrorizing ethnic minorities in the country.

The US has imposed limited economic sanctions on Myanmar in an effort to
pressure the regime to reform, banning all new investment in the country,
and the EU has curtailed its ties with with the regime as well.

The pressure may finally be having an impact: a steady rise in clothing
exports from Myanmar to the US since 1997 faltered this year, falling 33
percent during the first nine months of this year compared to the same
period last year, according to US government figures.

The FBC sent a letter in March to Burlington requesting they join the ban,
after activists discovered several racks of clothing manufactured in
Myanmar in several Burlington Coat Factory stores, said Jeremy Woodrum,
spokesman for the Washington DC based group.

The items were not Burlington's own label, but other brands such as Karl
Kani, Rocawear, and Rafaella, Woodrum said.

Flynn said the company had not checked to see how much product from
Myanmar moves through its stores before agreeing to the boycott.

"We hope it's not too much," he said.

Woodrum said that Burlington, and most other companies he had contacted,
quickly agreed to a ban once senior management became aware of the
situation.

Woodrum said May Department Stores, with 14 bln usd in annual sales, is
the last major US retailer his group is aware of that still carries
clothes made in Myanmar.

He said May had not yet responded to a letter requesting it join the boycott.

___REGIONAL_____

Mizzima November 29 2002

Indian foreign secretary returned from Myanmar

India's Foreign Secretary Mr Kanwal Sibal returned to New Delhi yesterday
after a five-day visit to Myanmar (Burma). Mr Sibal was in Myanmar for a
regular Foreign Office Consultative Meeting with his Burmese counterparts.
During his stay in the impoverished military reigned country, the Indian
Foreign Secretary met senior officials of the Burmese military government
including Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win and Secretary (1) of
the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) General Khin Nyunt.
Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said a number of
issues including the construction of Tri National Highway (passing through
Thailand, India and Myanmar) and cooperation to fight international
terrorism were discussed in the five-day meeting held in Yangon. The two
sides also reviewed the bilateral relations in depth.
India and Burma have held regular foreign office consultancy meetings to
regularize the bilateral relationship and promote cooperation in common
interests. The last meeting was held in New Delhi in October 2000.
While he was in Burma, Mr. Sibal opened India's consulate in Mandalay,
second largest city of Burma. Burmese consulate in Kolkata was reopened in
September this year.
India and Burma share about 1,643 kilometer (1,018 mile)-long land border.
In 1994, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
regularize trade across the border.

___INTERNATIONAL_________

Guardian, UK November 29 2002

UK universities back Burmese dissidents
By Polly Curtis

Five top British universities this week announced guaranteed places for
Burmese dissidents on public health, education and environmental courses.

The London School of Economics, the School of Oriental and African
Studies, the Institute of Education, Oxford's Queen Elizabeth House and
the University of East Anglia have joined with the Burmese Institute for
Community and Institutional Development (ICID) to establish a skills base
for the country's future.

Burma has been suffering a brain drain for 40 years, since its military
regime was installed. The country's most senior academics have fled the
country because of their political interests, or restrictions on their
work. Many are also in prison.

For nine of the last 14 years Burma's universities have been closed,
largely to quell student uprisings of the sort that erupted in 1988. Some,
however, have started to re-open, but their teaching time has been cut to
two months and their degrees are not recognised abroad. The Burmese
government spends 220 times more on its military capabilities than on
education and health put together.

Distance learning is being encouraged in the country to prevent large
groups of students meeting.

The new education scheme is based on the experience of South Africa and
the African National Congress (ANC). During the Apartheid years, ANC
officials left the country to study strategically in British institutions,
most notably Sussex University. The idea was they would return to their
country when the government falls to fill the skills vacuum. The same is
hoped for the Burmese dissident group the National League for Democracy
(NLD).

The five institutions have been selected because of their expertise in
development studies, environmental studies, public health, education and
international law, the subjects identified as good areas from which to
begin to re-equip a nation.

ICID is an international network of exiled Burmese intellectuals and
professionals who work with international supporters to restore democracy
in Burma and revitalise a civil society there.

Through its education programme it seeks places at universities for
Burmese students, living in Burma and in exile, and helps with funding.
The partner universities around the world guarantee places, depending on a
basic level of ability for the subject and in the English language.

ICID's director, Dr Zarni, a Burmese exile, has been living in San
Francisco for 14 years. He is currently touring universities around the
world lobbying them to collaborate on the scheme.

"We're attempting to build a pool of promising Burmese people who can fill
the gap and help rebuild our communities, and advise political leaders
after the regime has fallen."

So far the organisation has got one student to the UK, who was previously
a student leader in Burma but was living in exile in Thailand. He is at
the LSE taking development studies.

Its aim is to educate 20 people a year, who will go back to Burma if the
regime falls, or continue to work with the exiled Burmese community to
highlight the cause. There are conditions attached to make sure this
happens.

"We are looking at people who are committed to Burma's preservation in two
ways, one is academic, the other is democratic, continued Dr Zarni. "They
have to be committed. We're not addressing the higher education crisis in
Burma - you can't save a sinking boat - but we are losing a generation of
Burmese. So we are trying to sow the seeds for the next generation so that
we will have a nucleus of people who are committed and equipped to go home
and help," he said.

Professor Geoff Whitty, director of the IoE, said: "Now is the time to
develop skills that will be vital for creating a new and democratic Burma.
We are proud to be part of an effort that will educate the future leaders
of Burma."

___EDITORIAL_____

Washington Times December 2 2002

A blunder on Burma

The State Department has a fairly abominable record when it comes to
Southeast Asia, and last week brought a reminder of why that is. According
to The Washington Post, department officials are close to recommending
that the president remove Burma's designation as a major drug-producing
country.

Ordinarily we'd chalk up this report to the usual agitation by Foggy
Bottom's pro-Burma sect. But informed people in and out of the
administration say the ongoing discussions are more serious than in recent
years, and spokesmen for the department have declined to dismiss the
theory immediately. More disturbingly, in a speech a week ago, Assistant
Secretary of State James Kelly said that "Burmese cooperation with the
international community on narcotics issues has continued to improve in
real terms."

If things have gotten better in Burma, that's because the country has no
place to go but up. It's true, for instance, that Afghanistan is expected
to replace Burma this year as the top opium-producing country. But that
has more to do with a rise in production in the post-Taliban steppe than
any significant decrease in the Burmese hills. It's true, too, that heroin
production has decreased significantly in Burma over the last decade. But
that's offset by another trend: The alarming and steady rise in
amphetamine production, in which Burma now leads the world. None of these
factors makes the case for Burma's removal from the drug-peddlers' list.

But the State Department's certification is premised upon good-faith
actions by the government to get tough on drugs - the enforcement of
money-laundering laws, for example, and efforts to seize drug lords - and
not necessarily on overall reduction. Still, even by this yardstick, Burma
doesn't measure up.

Burma does have a counter-narcotics program that frontline Western
officials say appears to operate fairly independently. But they hasten to
add that its operations are deliberately small-scale. Token seizures and
raids are conducted, but serious traffickers go unimpeded. That's because
the drug racket in Burma is so firmly entrenched that any serious effort
to clamp down would purge the junta from top to bottom. In exchange for
cease-fire agreements in its unwinnable war against the Wa and Shan tribes
in the mid-and late 1990s, the cash-strapped regime agreed to turn a blind
eye to their drug-running - so long as it received kickbacks. These took
the form of taxes and also the establishment of urban laundromats
masquerading as legitimate businesses. "The whole thing really works
through their banks," a knowledgeable Western official on the Thai-Burmese
border told us in August. "Each bank has one large boss behind it, and
they make remittances to officials from ill-gotten proceeds."

The problem in Burma isn't drugs; it's the junta itself. But Foggy Bottom
can't seem to find its way to this obvious point. In congressional
testimony in June, for example, Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Daly
said it's possible to "pursue better communication and cooperation with
Burma [on drugs] without diminishing our support for political reform and
national reconciliation."

That shows a serious lack of judgment. The junta's complicity in the drug
trade is part and parcel of its repression. The regime uses its drug money
to dig its heels in deeper, upping surveillance on democratic activists in
the cities and buying Chinese weapons to stamp out resistance by the
republican Chin, Karen and Karenni hill tribes. But the State Department
knows this all too well. The last time the U.S. legally gave
counter-narcotics money and aid to Burma was in 1988, and the junta used
the weaponry to brutally suppress democratic uprisings in Rangoon.
Removing the military regime from the drug list could open it up to
massive U.S. funding and assistance, and there's no reason to believe the
autocrats would act any differently today.

If the junta is serious about getting tough on drugs, it could start by
turning over U Khun Sa, a "former" opium lord currently serving time in
his mansion in Rangoon. The United States has long sought to extradite
Khun Sa, but the regime claims this would violate the terms of his
surrender. And the junta, of course, never goes back on its word - just
ask Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy. After the
Burmese people handed her and her party a landslide victory in 1990
elections, the junta refused to cede control and tightened its grip.

According to The Post's survey of "experts," taking Burma off the
most-wanted list would be "an important psychological boost for the
repressive government." Somehow, we doubt that President Bush is game for
pampering the psyches of thugs, and the pro-Burma lobby at State should
try being useful for a change. The first step is to affirm unequivocally
Burma's position as a world pariah. The second is to dangle goodies to
other nations, particularly China and fellow members of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), so that they halt their policy of
engagement. China's regional ambitions make that a tricky and difficult
strategy to pursue, but the cause is good. Murderous thugs have no
business strutting the world stage. The State Department should hasten the
happy day of their fall.
_______

Irrawaddy November 30 2002

Saying No to Burma's Druglords
By Aung Zaw

US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly praised Burma's fight against
illicit drug trafficking in a recent speech in Washington. "Over the past
year, the area under poppy cultivation has declined by 26 percent, and
opium production in the country as a whole is now less than one quarter
its level in 1996."

 Traditionally dealing in opium, UWSA leaders have recently switched to
the more lucrative business of methamphetamines. Rangoon, however, has
done little to halt the UWSA's illegal operations.

Since the 1980s, Burma has been a major exporter of heroin into the US
with opium production nearly doubling from 1280 tons to 2430 tons after
the military junta seized power in 1988. The country now ranks among the
world's biggest heroin producers.

Shortly after the US-led war against the Taliban, Burma even replaced
Afghanistan as the world's largest source of heroin. But the junta says
they want to fix the drug problem and now claim that they hope to reduce
the opium crop by another 50 percent next year, down to about 400 tons. In
August, the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP)
stated that opium production in Burma had fallen to 828 tons in 2002 from
1,097 tons in 2001.

As Kelly noted, things have certainly started to improveif we only talk
about numbers.

Media reports in Washington suggested that some US officials are ready to
remove Burma from the list of major drug producers. Though the matter is
now under review, the final decision is up to President George W. Bush,
said a state department spokesman.

Opium production may be slowing down, but a more serious drug problem is
spreading throughout the region.

In his speech, Kelly stressed that methamphetamine production in Burma is
on the increase. Kelly's remarks came at nearly the same time that Thai
authorities said the kingdom was bracing for a flood of 1 billion
methamphetamine pills entering the country from Burma's jungle-based
laboratories.

The generals in Burma were enraged. They have tried hard to clean their
image as "narco-dictators" and quickly hit back at the Thai authorities.
"It is not only regretful but perplexing to know how a responsible Thai
institution can come up with amazing speculation on how much
methamphetamine pills ... came and will come across the border from
Myanmar [Burma]," a spokesman for the regime said in a statement.

Thai officials estimate that 700 million pills have so far been trafficked
in 2002. Though the precise number of pills is impossible to confirm, that
the drug lords and militia groups in Burma have profited from the illegal
business for decades is undeniable.

Burma's warlords and militias relish the liberty to conduct their own
unlawful businesses, including drug trafficking. Some have been emboldened
since signing ceasefire agreements with the junta. The United Wa State
Army, notorious as one of the world's largest suppliers of heroin and
methamphetamines, signed a ceasefire with the regime in 1989 and is widely
suspected to be behind the recent surge in drug production.

Traditionally dealing in opium, UWSA leaders have recently switched to the
more lucrative business of methamphetamines. Rangoon, however, has done
little to halt the UWSA's illegal operations.

Burmese officials have been lobbying hard through the Washington DC-based
PR firm DCI Associates to win back support from the US. Locals and
observers on the Thai-Burma border in Mae Sai, however, say that for drug
tradersparticularly UWSA leaders and its "commercial arm" the Hong Pang
group of companiesit is business as usual.

With the junta's blessings, the UWSA has expanded its opium-based business
into other lucrative enterprises. They now run casinos, hotels, and other
entertainment enterprises. Hong Pang was set up with drug money, and
earlier this year Thai officials called on Burmese leaders to take action
against the company.

Burma's junta chose not to act, just as it has failed to arrest Wei
Hseuh-kang, a UWSA commander and known drug trafficker wanted by US
officials. With the Burma's attitude of impunity, Wei Hseuh-kang has moved
deeper into Shan State.

Khun Sa a.k.a Chang Si Fu, who is also wanted by US authorities, is now
protected by the junta and has been treated as a "blood brethren" since
his surprising surrender to Rangoon in the early 1996.

Other former druglords, warlords and their associatesincluding Khun Sa,
Sai Linn and Lo Hsing-han freely roam Rangoon's streets.

Over the past decade, Burma's drug trade has been integrated into the
country's economy, and traffickers are now part of the nation's
"legitimate" business structure. Some have built empires of their own and
nurture special connections to top-ranking military leaders. They have
heavily and aggressively invested in hotels and constrction business in
Mandalay and Rangoon.

They make frequent trips to Singapore and other western countries for
business meetings and shopping. They send their sons and daughters to
boarding schools and universities in Australia and Singapore.

Lo Hsing-han, once a heroin kingpin is now a golf partner to some of
Rangoon's swinging generals. He and his son, Htun Myint Naing, a.k.a.
Steven Lo, run Burma's largest conglomerate, Asia World Co Ltd. Founded in
1992, Asia World headed by Lo Hsing-han, has invested US $600 million in
construction, hotels and supermarkets.

Burma has been rightfully dubbed a "haven for drug lords", and even
suspected drug fugitives wanted in neighboring countries safely take
refuge in Burma's jungle hideouts.

To compensate for such unsavory behavior, the junta has broadcast raids
and arrests of drug offenders on state-run TV, and foreign journalists
often get invitations to the occasional drug-burning ceremonies in
Rangoon.

According to former drug dealers now living in Thailand, after Burmese
soldiers and security officials seize heroin and opium they often make an
example of their hauls on TV and in the press. Later, Burmese security
officials resell the drugs at local markets, only before re-seizing the
drugs and then selling them again.

While turning a blind eye to big-time drug dealers, Rangoon security
officials prowl on small-time drug dealers or drivers who carry drugs
instead. According to traders and observers in the border town of
Tachilek, opposite Mae Sai, local intelligence and police rely on
anonymous phone calls to identify vehicles carrying drugsbut this is only
the tip of the iceberg. The calls, in fact, are made by drug traffickers
to mislead local officials, or they may have a mutual "understanding" to
turn a blind eye to major traffickers.

Since checking the UWSA's trucks and other vehicles designated with
special license plates is prohibited, it is impossible to gather exact
figures of how many speed pills and heroin have been smuggled out. Many
still wonder how many trucks owned by the UWSA and other insurgents slip
past official check-points.

Worse still, in remote areas in Shan and Kachin states, local militia and
Burmese army soldiers have encouraged farmers to grow opium before taxing
themall part of an "understanding" between local militias and farmers.

It is imperative that the international community increases pressure on
the generals to take action against the druglords in Burma. Above all,
past mistakes should not be repeated.

In the 1970s, the Nixon administration in the US provided military
assistance to Burma's socialist government led by Gen Ne Win. In their own
version of the "war on drugs", Bell helicopters and M1 automatic rifles
were deployed to attack communist rebels and ethnic insurgents while Khun
Sa, then a notorious drug trafficker and then leader of Mong Tai Army,
smoked his cigarettes back at his headquarters in peace.

After all, we can only imagine that on hearing the generals in Rangoon
boasting loudly about its serious efforts to eradicate opium, the
warlords-turned-millionaires, the UWSA leaders, and all their associates
are laughing all the way to the bank.
____

Network Media Group November 30 2002

Mawdsley's 'The Iron Road' published

A new autobiography named 'The Iron Road' written by James Mawdsley,
British human rights activist who was arrested in Burma three times for
solo demonstrations for freedom of Burma against the military regime, was
published today by New York-based North Point Press today.

"Even in the darkest hours of torment and torture, he is conscious of
countering the evil in the perpetrators and not the individuals per se. A
strong sense of duty and responsibility for maintaining good in the world,
coupled with genuine sensitivity for the sufferings of the Burmese people,
make Mawdsley a real hero who sacrifices to attain personal happiness",
commented Sreeram Chaulia in book review section of Asia Times Online.

The book is about Mawdsley's experience with Burma and fully titled as
'The Iron Road: A Stand for Truth and Democracy in Burma'. In the book,
Mawdsley wrote down his tuff experience details in Burma with Military
intelligence and in Prisons as well as experiences of trying to enter
Burma with the help of ethnic armed groups, according to Chaulia.

"I know I will be jailed. I will get some privileges such as reading and
writing in the prison as I am a foreigner, which the Burmese political
prisoners have been denied. If I get these privileges, I will fight for
others to get same status," said Mawdsley before his third visit to Burma
to one of NMG's editors.

In 1995, Mawdsley was first introduced about Burma with news reports on
forced labor, conscription for fighting and minesweeping, and scorched
earth policies of the military junta, said Sreeram Chaulia in book review.
Mawdsley then felt the urge to do something, but won the day was a
thorough reading of Aung San Suu Kyi's "Freedom From Fear", Chaulia
continued.

Mawdsley got to Thailand and contacted All Burma Students' Democratic
Front in Minthemee camp and appointed as English teacher at the school run
by Burmese students in a jungle camp, which was burnt down by Burmese
soldiers very soon.

He was arrested three times in Burma between September 1997 and August
1999 for solo demonstrations at Rangoon, Pa-an and Tachileik. In 1999 he
was sentenced for 17 years in jail by Burmese regime. But, he was released
after several months with the international pressure and pressure of other
human rights activists.

Mawdsley's 379-page 'The Iron Road' was distributed by North Point Press
at US $ 16.
________

Battle Creek Enquirer December 1 2002

Chin people honor heritage at festival
By Jenny Rode

Martha Thawnghmung was 10 when her family came to Battle Creek from Burma,
and she'll never forget the loneliness she felt arriving in this strange
land.
Now 31 years old and married, Martha McBean felt none of that loneliness
Saturday night at First Baptist Church in Battle Creek.
There, she joined about 200 people from across the country who celebrated
the culture, food, music and dancing of their native Chinland, a region in
the western part of Burma, an Asian country also known as Myanmar.
"It used to be very lonely," she said. "We were the only ones. I told my
husband that for 20 years, I felt I didn't have a home. This is my home
now."
It was 1980 when McBean, her six brothers and sisters, parents and
grandmother moved from Chinland to Battle Creek, with the help of First
Baptist Church.
Her family came to America to escape the dictatorship and the poverty of
her home country.
"It costs 10,000 kyats for one bag of rice," she said, referring to
Burmese currency. "Here's the sad part: A typical government worker makes
between 3,000 and 5,000 kyats a month."
They survive, she said, by making rice soup and eating only once a day.
"Everyone is scrambling to get out of there," she said. "It is too sad. It
would humble anyone who went there."
The gathering at First Baptist Church brought Chin people to Battle Creek
from Georgia, Maryland, Florida, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Oregon and
other places in the United States.
At the celebration, the men wore brightly colored long cotton shawls slung
over one shoulder, called congnaks, over their clothes. In their native
country, they would not wear shirts under the congnaks and they would be
barefoot.
The women wore similar brightly colored fabrics as skirts, donning
elaborate beaded headdresses when dancing.
Hre Mang, 32, came to the party from Indianapolis. He moved to the United
States two years ago after leaving Burma for India in 1988.
"I'm really, really happy," he said. "We've been expecting this moment to
get together with friends and break from the loneliness. When we get
together, it is very special."
The camaraderie is evident, with lots of talking, laughing, hugging and
story telling.
Even though it may be difficult sometimes for the Chin people to
communicate because of their different dialects, they share a kinship in
having left their native country for America, Mang said.
"Here, if I find a Chin nearby me, I can just pick up the phone and say,
'Hi, I'm here,'" he said. "If I don't know them at all, it doesn't matter.
There's a social closeness to our society."
The group has formed a nonprofit organization, the Chin Community of USA,
to help other Chin people acclimate to the United States. The group plans
to hold the festival again next year, but in Washington, D.C., said Edward
Thawnghmung, who serves as the organization's culture secretary.