BurmaNet News: February 5 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

February 5 2003 Issue #2170

INSIDE BURMA

MICB: USDA sets village on fire and kidnaps 32 Muslim students in Burma
MICB: Muslim Haj situation in Burma
DVB: Anti-Suu Kyi pamphlets still distributed
DVB: Anti-Muslim booklets sold in Kyaukse
Myanmar Times: Blood law to save lives, says doctor

MONEY

Myanmar Times: Border road upgrades would increase farm sector
cooperation, says official

GUNS

DVB: Chinese weapons sent to southern Burma

REGIONAL

Business Times Singapore: EU now finds ASEAN worth romancing
Irrawaddy: Burmese stranded in Cambodia
Kaladan: AIA has released a joint press release about the recent agreement
of URMA and India to develop economic projects

INSIDE BURMA

Muslim Information Center of Burma February 4 2003

USDA sets village on fire and kidnaps 32 Muslim students in Burma

On January, 25, 2003, a large group of people, led by reportedly some 20
bogus Buddhist monks, in defiance of the law, set ablaze a Muslim village
and abducted 32 Muslim students in Sagaing division, according to three
relatives of the victims who said, in Mae Sot, on condition of anonymity.
The lawless people, who were said to be members of the Union Solidarity
and
Development Association (USDA), entered Enn Ywa (village), in Katha 
township, and started to set the Muslim houses on fire as the result of 
which 45 houses, including a mosque and a Madarasa(religious school) were
burnt to ashes and they captured 32 students, including boys and girls
from the religious school, the relatives said.

 Enn Ywa  consists of about 120 Muslim houses and over (110)Muslim
students, including boys and girls, have been studying their religious
education in the Madarasa, the relatives said.

The whereabouts of the students remains unknown and Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA), is a mass political organization of the
ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the relatives said.
_______

Muslim Information Center of Burma February 4 2003

Muslim Haj situation in Burma

For the year, 2003, the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC),
  allowed only 200 Burmese Muslims, as usual, to perform Haj in Makkah,
Saudi Arabia and amongst them 70 persons were pro-SPDC members, selected
by the authorities, according to our Reporter from inside Burma.

The present SPDC government, in the previous years until 2002 since it 
seized power in 1988, yearly allowed  200 Burmese Muslims for Haj
including 10 pro-SPDC members, selected by the authorities, the Reporter
said.

It is said that these pro-SPDC members were assigned to collect
information on the activities of the fellow Hajis as well as Burmese
Muslim organizations in abroad, the Reporter said.

In Burma, there are around 7 million Muslims scattered all over Burma.
___________

Democratic Voice of Burma February 5 2003

Anti-Suu Kyi pamphlets still distributed

It is reported that pamphlets with articles, cartoons and poems demeaning
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were distributed in Pyi [Prome] on last Sunday.
According to a local resident, the bundles of tracts were secretly
scattered throughout the streets of Prome including Shwe San Daw Pagoda
Road in the central of the town. Similar actions were seen in Pakokku,
Magwe Division on the 25th of January. The tracts are almost identical to
the ones distributed in Sagaing Division and Arakan State. Local residents
in Prome are said to be quite furious by the actions. The articles of the
tracts use dirty and untoward language to attack Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The
tracts were distributed on the night of 25th January when the Magwe
Division NLD members were holding a meeting at No.4. Ward. It is not known
exactly who distributed the tracts as they were done during the night. The
local authorities make no efforts to remove the tracts either. The tracts
are also distributed at villages in Magwe Division. The spokesman of the
NLD told the DVB in an interview that the incidents were officially
reported to the SPDC. The latest incidents in Pakokku and Prome came after
the report. The DVB has received details of the tracts but the language
used is so foul and dirty that we are unable to tell the listeners the
details.
________

Democratic Voice of Burma February 5 2003

Anti-Muslim booklets sold in Kyaukse
It is reported that anti-Muslim books are being sold openly in Kyaukse,
central Burma. Copies of the 120 page long booklet which is titled, ‘We
are afraid that our race will disappear’ are being sold openly in the
market of Kyaukse, according to an eyewitness. There have been some
distributions of anti-Muslim books and tracts before but they were never
distributed openly like now, said a Kyaukse resident thus:

A: They are openly selling copies of that book and some tapes in Kyaukse.
They are selling legally and openly in shops around the market for 100
kyats a copy and distribute them to all the Buddhist monasteries
throughout the country. The government is also doing nothing about it.

There are also some instructions to local people not to buy goods or dine
in Muslim shops and restaurants. The same man said:

A: People are told not to buy things at Muslim shops. They must not trade
with Muslims. People are not allowed to rent houses and land to Muslims.
Shops are told to display the logo ‘ARAHAN’ - Symbol of Buddhism. People
must not buy things from the shops that do not have that logo. They are
doing things like these.

There are also reports of destructions of Muslim identity cards and
restrictions on them by the Immigration officials:

A: The people from Immigration Office are very bad. They scribble anything
they like on your identity card [if you are a Muslim] and they would tear
it up too. They would not give you new identity cards. They would not give
you "Form 10" for application - family registration. You have to pay at
least 50,000 – 60,000 kyats to get a form. Before, it cost nothing. We
have many difficulties on the border. You have no rights to travel if you
are a Muslim. There are two reasons for them to do so. First, political
purpose and by doing that again and again and again, they try to wipe out
the Muslims like in Bosnia.”
_______

Myanmar Times February 3-9 2003

Blood law to save lives, says doctor

A SENIOR health official has welcomed the introduction of a law aimed at
ensuring that blood products are safe. The Blood and Blood Products Law
was enacted by the government on January 29. "This law will be very
effective, especially in preventing the transmission of infections through
donated blood," said Dr Tin Nyunt, the director of the National Health
Laboratory. Ensuring that blood used in transfusions was free of diseases
would help to save lives, said Dr Tin Nyunt. The law establishes a Blood
and Blood Products Committee to oversee the implementation of the law.
Dr Tin Nyunt said the 21-member committee, which will be chaired by the
Minister of Health, will be formed soon. The law also provides for the
National Blood Bank at Yangon General Hospital to be re-named the National
Blood Centre, which will become the country’s main source of
quality-assured blood and blood products. The law outlines the role,
responsibilities and functions of the centre as well as those of small,
privately-operated blood banks, which are no longer entitled to collect
donations. The centre will be the only facility entitled to collect
donations, which will share responsibility for testing with the National
Health Laboratory. Small-scale blood banks will be required to use
supplies from the centre. Dr Tin Nyunt said the law would also result in
greater control of the activities of those who sell blood to supplement
their incomes, such as rickshaw drivers. Blood was collected from donors
no more than once every four months but those who sell it often jeopardise
their health by supplying it more often. Dr Tin Nyunt said blood products
were needed in many areas of the health sector. Figures from the National
Health Laboratory for 2000-2001, show that up to 200,000 half-liter
containers of blood are used nationally each year. Dr Tin Nyunt said the
government spends up to US$12 to test each container. The importance of
the need for the tests was underlined by statistics released by the
laboratory on test results for 2001. They showed that the blood from seven
per cent of donors tested positive for hepatitis B, 2.5 per cent for
hepatitis C, three per cent for syphilis and 0.6 per cent for HIV. The law
states that anyone who extracts, collects, stores, issues or distributes
blood or blood products without permission is liable to a maximum penalty
of seven years in jail and a fine. Those who establish a private
small-scale blood bank without permission are liable to up to five years
in jail and a fine.


MONEY

Myanmar Times February 3-9 2003
Border road upgrades would increase farm sector cooperation, says
official
By Win Kyaw Oo

MYANMAR has nominated road upgrade projects in its border regions as
being essential for agriculture sector development in the Greater Mekong
Sub-region, a government official said last week. "The improvement of
roads in remote areas, such as those along the border with Thailand,
would help to increase cooperation within the sub-region," said U Tin
Maung Shwe, a deputy director general of the Agriculture and Irrigation
Ministry's Agriculture Planning Department. U Tin Maung Shwe cited as an
example the 160-kilometre link between Mawlamyine and the border town of
Myawaddy. An upgrade would produce benefits in terms of expanded farm
trade with Thailand as well as encouraging the development of
agro-industries in border areas. He was speaking after attending the
first meeting of a working group set up to promote agricultural
cooperation among members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which apart
from Myanmar and Thailand, includes Cambodia, China's Yunnan province,
Laos and Vietnam. The meeting, organised by the Manila-based Asian
Development Bank, was held in the Philippines capital on January 22 and
23. Three areas of cooperation nominated by Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and
Vietnam were accepted for consideration as priority projects.

They were GMS cooperation in agricultural biotechnology, developing
infrastructure and personnel for ensuring high food standards and
increased rice productivity through better post-harvest management. U
Tin Maung Shwe said a project needed to be proposed by at least two
countries to be considered for priority status. He said the ADB was
expected to seek funding from Japan and Europe to implement any projects
regarded as being of priority. Japan and European countries were likely
to support the projects because they imported agricultural commodities
from Vietnam and Thailand, U Tin Maung Shwe said. He said the meeting
had accepted a proposal from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to
develop a pilot project for financing and implementing cross-border farm
production and processing schemes and supply chain management through
partnerships between the public and private sectors.

GUNS

Democratic Voice of Burma February 5 2003

Chinese weapons sent to southern Burma
Military weapons newly acquired from China are being transferred to 505
Heavy Artillery Base and bases under its command. The weapons are being
transported by sea with full security and escorts: DVB’s Myint Maung Maung
reports:

MMM: On the 27th of January, the ship ‘Haka’ carrying China made missile
launchers and missiles departed from Rangoon and arrived at Tenesserim
Division. It left behind some ammunition in Tavoy and Myeik and arrived at
Kawthaung on February the second. The weapons were distributed to
battalions under the command of 505 Heavy Artillery base. At Kawthaung’s
Tawin Port, 4 four-barrelled missile launchers, 2 double barrelled
launchers and several missile shells were picked up by six military
vehicles and driven to 303 Heavy Artillery Base at Khamauk Kyi with full
escort. These distributed weapons are said to be parts of the weapons
bought from China during the recent trip to the country by the SPDC
leader, Senior General Than Shwe.

REGIONAL

Business Times Singapore February 5 2003

EU now finds Asean worth romancing
By Shada Islam

EUROPEAN Union and Asean foreign ministers attending last week's joint
talks in Brussels had an unexpected spring in their step.

'We're going to give a fresh thrust to our cooperation,' said Greek
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, speaking for the EU. Asean
Secretary-General Ong Kong Yong talked of a new maturity - and a new
respect - in the two groups' attitudes towards each other.

Welcome to the brave new world of EU-Asean relations. After years of
squabbling and feuding over Myanmar, crossing swords over trade and
complaining of mutual neglect, policymakers from both sides have set
themselves a new challenge: giving often-troubled EU-Asean relations a
fresh start. And if the meeting in Brussels is any indication, they might
just succeed in the uphill task. First, the form. In contrast to the poor
turnout of EU ministers at the Asean encounter in Vientiane three years
ago, almost all 15 EU foreign ministers took part in the Brussels talks.
Importantly also, Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win was
given temporary permission to attend the meeting with his Asean colleagues
despite an EU ban on visas for senior Myanmar officials. True, British
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw spearheaded a strong attack on Myanmar's
human rights record, accusing the military junta of deepening poverty in
the country and doing little to fight Aids. Mr Khin Maung Win riposted
with a robust defence of government policies. But then as Singapore's
Foreign Minister S Jayakumar noted with satisfaction, the discussion moved
on.

The decision to stop Myanmar from holding hostage EU-Asean relations as a
whole is certainly welcome. Also significant is the joint declaration by
the two groups to fight terrorism and a first signal by the EU that it may
sign up for a free-trade pact with Asean once the current World Trade
Organization (WTO) talks are over.

The change in EU attitudes is no real surprise. With the 1997 financial
crisis behind them, Asean members are now back with a bang on the global
economic stage. EU officials have taken note of Asean's new enthusiasm for
regional integration, including fledgling plans to create an Asean
economic community. The wooing of Asean by China, Japan, Korea and the
United States has also not gone unnoticed in Europe. Just as EU
governments launched Asem - the process of Asia-Europe Meetings - with 10
East Asian states as an answer to the US-led Apec (the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum), Europe's renewed interest in Asean is at
least partly a response to America's romancing of the region.

Finally, while many European business leaders remain transfixed by China,
a growing number are increasingly disillusioned with the country's
business practices. Asean's position as a market of 500 million suddenly
looks more attractive than in the early years of the China rush.

The EU too is a different animal from what it was. After years spent
languishing in the shadow of the dollar, the euro is finally a currency to
contend with. Asean exporters are hoping to reap the benefits of EU
enlargement and the emergence of the largest frontier-free market in the
world. Significantly also, the EU's long-standing dream of developing a
defence and security policy is coming true, with peace-keeping and police
operations starting in Bosnia and Macedonia this year. Meanwhile, Sept 11
has spotlighted the need for greater Europe-Asean cooperation to fight
international terrorism, illegal immigration, people smuggling and drug
trafficking. Both regions have an interest in seeing the development of
moderate Islam and realise that they could gain from sharing their
thoughts on how best to curb extremism. But to move the relationship
forward, the EU and Asean have to get rid of old prejudices and
stereotypes, and take a fresh look at each other. Europeans have to
realise that Asean is not the European Union and does not aspire to become
one. And Asean countries have to come to terms with a Europe that is more
assertive and more confident on the global stage.

The European Commission is thrashing out a new strategy on South-east Asia
for release in the spring. But reinvigorating EU-Asean relations will
require more than new blueprints. If they want to revitalise their ties,
policymakers from both sides will have to make a sustained effort to keep
relations positive, lively and forward-looking. And that means working
hard all year round - not just for ministerial meetings.
___________

Irrawaddy February 4 2003

Burmese Stranded in Cambodia
By Taw Taw

Five Burmese students continue to be stranded in Cambodia since rioters
torched the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh last week. The students had
traveled to the Cambodian capital to apply for Thai student visas and had
dropped their passports at the Embassy prior to the attack.
The students said today that they are unsure whether their passports have
been destroyed. "We don't know when we are coming back [to Thailand]
because our passports were in the embassy which was burned," one of the
students said today.
If the passports were destroyed, it is not known how long the students
will have to stay in Cambodia as it can take weeks for the Burmese
government to issue new passports. Sources say, however, that there is no
guarantee that the Burmese government would even choose to do so, as they
are extremely suspicious of Burmese students studying abroad. The students
have already been accepted to study at a Bangkok college.
Riots broke out in Phnom Penh on Jan 29 after a Thai soap opera aired an
episode that said Cambodia’s fabled Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen later publicly reacted to the remarks,
which led to street protests culminating in the attack on the Thai
Embassy. Hun Sen denied that his remarks sparked the riots, instead
blaming opposition member Sam Rainsy.
Despite the riots having ended, the students said they have been too
afraid to go outside fearing they would be mistaken for Thais. Thai
hotels, restaurants and businesses were also attacked and looted during
the riots. "We are safe, but in the last two days we have not dared to go
out because we can't speak Cambodian," the student added. "If the
protesters think we are Thai, we are in trouble."
He said he saw a group of Cambodians stone a Thai man while shopping at a
market. He also said he was approached and asked about his ethnicity. "I
told them I am Burmese, and I was safe."


_____________

Kaladan Press February 5 2003

KALADAN NEWS
Dated – 5th Feb 03

AIA HAS RELEASED A JOINT PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE
RECENT AGREEMENT OF URMA AND INDIA TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC
PROJECTS

CHITTAGONG, 5th  Feb 2003: The Arakan Independence
Alliance (AIA), an umbrella organization of the
National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) and Arakan
Rohingya National Organization (ARNO) has released a
joint press release today about recent agreement of
Burma and India to develop economic projects, said the statement.

The press release said that recently Burmese military
junta and Government of India had agreed to implement
various economic development projects, including
multi-model transport project over the Kaladan river
and to build a pipeline along the Kaladan river to
India. Officials of both countries were reported to
have done the necessary surveys. Daewoo International,
ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), Gail and Korean Gas Company
(Kogas) are among the foreign corporate to jointly
fund the natural gas development projects.

 AIA further states that they are not against any
sustainable development in the region. But it must be
done with wishes and welfare of the people with their
full informed consent, as they are the owners of all
resources. It must be sustainable, appropriate, clean
and beneficial to the people.

People of Arakan, especially those inhabiting along
the Kaladan river sides, are now worried by the
frequent visits of the survey teams to the area,
together with Burmese armed forces, as the people are uninformed about the
nature and purpose of such surveys. It is feared that, when these projects
are materialized, it will cause a lot of trouble for the local people,
both in Arakan and Chin State, particularly with the increase in
deployment of Burmese armed forces under the pretext of guarding the
pipeline, increased forced relocation, forced labor, summery execution,
torture and other human rights violations, destruction of forests and
natural environment will occur, the press release further added.

As it has been clear from the past experiences, these
projects will not develop the situation in the region,
but it will increase the oppression of the State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) against the peoples of
Arakan in particular and Burma in general, it further
said.

They, therefore, appeal to all companies and
international communities to protect the rights of the
people, the press release further stated.