BurmaNet News: February 13 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

February 13 2003 Issue #2174

INSIDE BURMA

AP: Lavish christening held for white elephant
Xinhua: Myanmar govt urges political parties to help democracy transition
AFP: Asian rights body calls for release of Myanmar political prisoners
Straits Times: Thaksin to mediate between Yangon and rebels
Gong Ong: Leaders unchanged after Mon conference
Kao Wao: Imprisoned Mon leader’s health worsens

REGIONAL

Inter Press Service: Killings rise with anti-drug campaign

STATEMENTS

U.S. Dept. of State: Burma support for Aung San Suu Kyi
NCGUB: Building peace through national reconciliation

INSIDE BURMA

Associated Press February 13 2003

Lavish christening held for white elephant
By AYE AYE WIN

A rare white elephant, a traditional symbol of royalty, power and
prosperity, has been officially christened at a lavish ceremony in
Myanmar's capital, state-run newspapers reported Thursday.

Gen. Khin Nyunt, the third-ranking leader of the ruling military junta,
sprinkled a four-year-old female white elephant with consecrated water
laced with gold, silver and precious gems, the Myanma Ahlin daily
reported. The animal, given the name Rati Marlar, or Elephant Flower, was
surrounded by guards dressed in traditional royal garb.

After the ceremony, eight well-wishers paid 1 million kyat (about
US$167,000 at the official rate of exchange, or US$930 at the free market
rate) each to feed the white elephant.

Rati Marlar was the third white elephant captured in the past two years in
Myanmar's jungles. All three elephants are kept at a special park with an
elaborate pavilion next to a man-made waterfall, ponds, and trees.

White elephants have been revered for centuries in Southeast Asia and seen
as a symbol of kingship in Myanmar - also known as Burma - Thailand and
Laos. They are not actually white and look much the same as other
elephants except for certain features such as fair eyelashes and toenails,
light colored hair or reddish hue of the skin.
________

Xinhua News Agency February 13 2003

Myanmar govt urges political parties to help democracy transition

The Myanmar government Thursday called on political parties to help the
country make a peaceful transition to democracy by observing the rule of
law.

The call came in a statement released here Thursday night, three days
after the government announced detention of 12 political activists for
allegedly plotting to create unrest in the country. Seven of them are
members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

The statement said, "A small group of political figures were recently
arrested for violating national laws," adding that they will be put on
trial.

It stressed that Myanmar law treats all its citizens equally without
giving special status to any political party member.

The statement assured that all 10 political parties in Myanmar may act
freely without interference within the framework of law.

Of the 10 legal political parties, the NLD is the largest, which won a
landslide victory in the 1990 general election, sponsored by the military
government, with 396 parliamentary seats out of 485.
__________

Agence France-Presse February 13 2003

Asian rights body calls for release of Myanmar political prisoners

A leading Asian rights body said Thursday it had written to Myanmar's
military rulers to urge them to release 12 pro-democracy activists
arrested for anti-government activities.

The junta said the 12, most of them members of the National League for
Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, would be
given a fair trial and considered innocent until proven guilty.

The military announced their arrests on Monday saying some of them had
been found with anti-government materials. In its letter the Asian Forum
for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) also urged the junta to
start dialogue with the opposition NLD and ethnic minorities to begin a
process of national reconciliation.

The letter to the head of the ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), Senior General Than Shwe, noted there were already some 1,300
political prisoners in Myanmar's jails whom the international community
had consistently said should be released.

It said the latest arrests would "only signal to the international
community that more time will be needed to verify the consistency of the
SPDC's sincerity in endorsing... sustainable peace and (the) national
reconciliation process."

"We sincerely urge the SPDC to show greater tolerance and stop the ongoing
culture of arresting dissident pro-democracy activists who merely voice
their opinion and assert their rights to association through peaceful
means," it said.

Yangon said in its statement Thursday: "The government regrets that a
small group of political figures were recently arrested for violating
national laws. They will, of course, be tried fairly in a court of law,
and are considered innocent until proven guilty."

The government said political parties in the country should "take
responsibility for helping Myanmar make a peaceful transition to
democracy, by respecting the rule of law."

The junta has refused to recognise the results of the 1990 general
elections in which the NLD won 392 of 485 contested seats.
__________

Straits Times (Singapore) February 13 2003

Thaksin to mediate between Yangon and rebels

Myanmar has agreed to let Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra play the
role of a mediator between the ruling regime and ethnic rebels, the
Bangkok Post said in a report.

It quoted a source close to Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na
Ayudhya as saying that it was Mr Thaksin's own initiative to help bring
about national reconciliation, hoping it would help solve problems along
Thailand's common border with Myanmar. If the rebels agree to end their
armed struggle, Mr Thaksin believes law, order and prosperity would return
to Myanmar, a security officer said.

'In the long run that would help solve the problems of drug trafficking
and illegal workers,' he added.

The officer said a panel would be formed to work out details and help
coordinate talks with leading ethnic rebels in Myanmar.

Mr Thaksin confirmed this on his return from Myanmar on Tuesday, saying:
'Myanmar is pleased to let us play a supportive role (in bringing about
national reconciliation).'

The premier was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying he raised the issue
of ethnic rebels operating along the Thai-Myanmar border for discussion
with his Myanmar counterpart, Senior General Than Shwe, during his two-day
official visit.

He also said that General Thammarak would soon go to Myanmar to discuss
ways to implement his proposal.

About five minority groups are fighting against the ruling regime.

Among them are the Shan State Army (SSA), the Karen National Union, the
Karenni National Progressive Party, the Arakan Liberation Party and the
Kachin National Front.

But Col Yawd Serk of the SSA has said that truce talks with Yangon were
unlikely unless it drops its demand that the SSA lay down its arms first.
__________

Gong Ong February 4 2003

LEADERS UNCHANGED AFTER MON CONFERENCE

The fifth congress of the New Mon State Party, held at its headquarters,
wrapped up on February 2, 2003.

According to the source from the NMSP, Dr. Nai Shwe Thein, Nai Chan Toi
and Nai Ong Min were extended with the existing six CEC leaders.

The NMSP elected seven CEC members at the last conference but Nai Min
Htut, a CEC member, was assassinated by the splinter group last October. 
Nai Chan Toi, a young intellectual leader from Moulmein University lost
his CEC position at the last conference because of his favouring opinion
on the cease-fire policy.

The 5th congress elected 7 Military Committee members, 27 Central
Committee members and 9 Central Executive Committee members led by
President Nai Shwe Kyin and Vice-President Nai Htin.
The NMSP issued a statement including five major tasks to strengthen the
unity among the Mons, to build solidarity with other nationals, to achieve
a nationwide cease-fire agreement, to urge on a political solution with
tripartite dialogue and to establish a multi-party democratic system and a
genuine Federal Union in Burma.
The party is not satisfied with the current political situation after the
cease-fire agreement as it has nothing to bring on a political solution. 
We will cooperate with other alliance and democratic forces for a future
change, the party’s official statement said.

According to the statement after the conference, the party is deeply
disappointed with the regime’s organized land confiscation where land
owned by local Mon people is confiscated for military reasons. There will
be further problems and misunderstanding between the two sides (NMSP and
SPDC) while the government continues to build new military bases located
very close to the NMSP controlled area.
“The President is 91 years old and the Vice-President is 82.  They need to
transfer the tasks to the young generation for future leadership. This is
why the party has included more new members in the team” Nai Shwe Thein, a
new elected CEC member said to Kao-Wao.
“We cannot remain silent like this after seven years of cease-fire 
agreement, we have to speed up the process for a solution.  Even if there
is no change in the leaders, there are some changes in our policies and we
will not be quiet anymore”, Nai Shwe Thein who holds a new position as a
Chief of the Administration Department added.

The party reminded each member to strengthen their role toward
establishing a sovereign  ‘New Mon State’ , the party’s fundamental aim.
To achieve this goal the only solution is to urge all ethnic groups, to
pressure for a political dialogue as well as using other means of struggle
for victory with the support of the Mon people, the party’s statement
reaffirmed.

Nai Shwe Kyin (a) Nai Ba Lwin founded the NMSP in July 1958 when the Mon
Peoples Front (MPF) surrendered to the U Nu’s Parliamentary government
declaring to Mon supporters that it was an exchange of arms for democracy.
 Since it was founded Nai Shwe Kyin (90 years), who now lives in Moulmein
retains the position of President.  Vice-President Nai Htin resides in the
Headquarters at BeeRee in southern Mon State. The party  reached a
cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military in 1995.
________

Kao Wao February 10 2003

IMPRISONED MON LEADER’S HEALTH WORSENS

The health of Mon political prisoners in Moulmein prison worsens while
being denied treatment by prison authorities.

Spokesperson for the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF), reported that
Nai Ngwe Thein, the senior leader and vice president of the Mon National
Democratic Front, was having dental and urinary tract problems. A prison
doctor suggested he be taken to a proper clinic outside the prison as the
prison has insufficient laboratory instruments to treat his condition
inside the jail. But prison authorities turned down the request.

According to a MNDF source from Mawlamyine, his family can visit every two
weeks but must speak in Burmese in the presence of a MI No. 5 (Mon State
based Military Intelligence), a source close to the leader’s family said.

The Mon National Democratic Front leaders Nai Tun Thein, Nai Ngwe Thein,
Dr. Min Kyi Win, and Dr. Min Soe Lin were arrested in 1998 for urging the
armed New Mon State Party (NMSP) to reconsider its position on its
cease-fire agreement with the SPDC military junta and for supporting the
Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP). Nai Tun Thein, the
Chairman of MNDF was later released and put under house arrest due to his
age and poor health. The remaining three leaders were sentenced to seven
years imprisonment with hard labour, serving their term at the Moulmein
Prison, Mon State.

“While some political prisoners have been released due to international
pressure, the voices of Mon and other ethnic leaders at the hand of the
dictatorship continue to be silenced, facing long prison terms and
torture.
Ethnic leaders who have fought the Burmese army for invading their
homeland for decades are, according to the Burmese government officials,
“terrorists” and will not be released” said, Nai Pong, the leader of MNDF
in exile.

REGIONAL

Inter Press Service February 13 2003

Killings Rise with Anti-drug Campaign
By Marwaan Macan-Markar

On the face of it, Thailand's drug traffickers appear to have gone on a
killing spree—if you believe the police, that is.
The rapid rise in killings in the first 12 days of the Thai government's
latest war on drugs—154 suspected drug traffickers killed—is the work of
the traffickers themselves, police officials keep telling the media.
This week, the Thai police told the Bangkok Post that the drug dealers
were "killing each other to avoid the risk of betrayal".
The police, on the other hand, admit to killing only eight drug suspects
between Feb 1 to Feb 9—and even then, the officers told the Bangkok Post,
each of the deaths amounted to cases of self-defense.
However, that story line of trigger-happy drug traffickers has failed to
convince the country's human rights community, who are expressing concern
at what they see as extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers.
The government has implied through its policy in the anti-drug campaign
that the authorities can use extrajudicial means to go after drug
traffickers, says Srirak Plipat, director of Amnesty International's
Thailand office. "It is getting worse by the day."
"The number of extrajudicial deaths is unusually high, but this does not
mean there were no extrajudicial killings before, during anti-drug
crackdowns," he adds.
What is clearly different, though, is the tone and tenor of the current
war on drugs, he explains. "The language is new. The government is taking
the campaign very seriously, and [conveyed that it] will use violence to
pursue it."
That has been implied in the comments this week by Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra, who mounted this anti-drug crusade with precise objectives—the
police and local authorities have three months, from February to April, to
rid the country of drugs.
He appealed to the public to appreciate the police's efforts, and to show
some understanding when suspected drug dealers were killed by police
officers in acts of self-defense.
"These officers do not deal in drugs. I think it's quite unusual the drug
dealers [killed by the police] are getting sympathy," Thaksin said last
week.
What is more, the premier wanted the country to appreciate the initial
success of the crackdown on drugs.
In the first 10 days of this campaign, the government has arrested 6,907
suspected drug dealers and seized 4.2 million amphetamine pills. To that,
the government also hails the nearly 50,000 drug users who have turned
themselves in.
This war on drugs soon aims to bring in the lords of the trade, including
suspected state officials, during the third and fourth weeks of the
campaign.
Thaksin has also warned provincial police chiefs that he would not
tolerate those who perform under par. Transfers to less important posts
are among the threats the tough-talking Thaksin has in mind for those who
fail to cleanse their areas of drugs.
This drive is being praised by the UN drug control agency. "Thailand has
always been a leader in the fight against drugs during the past 30 years,
and the current effort is another good example," says Sandro Calvani, who
heads the East Asia and Pacific office of the United Nations Office for
Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNDCP).
"The Thai campaign makes sense," he argues, since it is pursuing the
problem in a broad measure, "mobilizing many government resources and
civil society's help." There is also "a sense of urgency," he said.
These efforts, Calvani adds, will ensure that the communities in Thailand
will control the drug traffickers, rather than the traffickers controlling
the community, which is often the reality.
Asked about an anti-drug crusade that has resulted in so many killings,
Calvani explained that the UN is committed to human rights and it is
concerned about rights violations, but the UN is also committed to "the
rights of the children and youth to live in a drug-free environment."
Achieving this environment for the Thai youth is no easy feat, given that
Thailand currently has the highest percentage of amphetamine abusers in
the world.
Of Thailand’s 62 million people, as many as one in 17, or 5.9 percent of
Thais aged 15 and above are reported to be abusers of amphetamines, states
a UNDCP report.
Currently, there are over 600,000 students across the country, from
primary schools to universities, who are drug addicts, newspapers report.
It is an addiction fed from neighboring Burma, which annually supplies 500
million to 700 million amphetamine pills produced in drug laboratories
located along the Thai-Burma border.
Thailand's record of seizing drugs over the past years has done little to
dent the drug malaise. In 2001, for instance, Thai authorities succeeded
in seizing 8,338 kg of amphetamines, slightly more than the 7,422 kg in
2000.
In Burma, on the other hand, the authorities seized 2,877 kg in 2001 and
2,408 kg in 2000.
Given this reality, human rights activists say they do not object to the
Thaksin administration's mission to take on the drug trade. But the
mounting extrajudicial killings linked to the effort cannot be ignored,
they say.
"This is true of the public too," says Amnesty's Srirak. "The people
support the drug control campaign but they are not endorsing the
extrajudicial killings."

STATEMENTS

U. S. Department of State February 13 2003

Burma  Support for Aung San Suu Kyi

Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 13, 2003

        Aung San Suu Kyi was recognized once again last week, receiving a
major award for her "heroic efforts to bring freedom to Burma." At
the same time, in Burma, local members of a government-affiliated
organization have been handing out pamphlets defaming her, her
family, and her struggle. In addition, the ruling military regime,
the State Peace and Development Council, has arrested democratic
activists, denying them the peaceful expression of their political
views.

        While the world community looks forward to reconciliation and
democracy for the people of Burma, the regime there seems to be
looking backward. The United States once again calls on the
military regime to release all political prisoners immediately and
unconditionally and to engage in a real dialogue regarding
constitutional issues. We continue to support the efforts of
United Nations Special Envoy Razali Ismail to foster change. It is
time for the people of Burma to be given hope for the future.
_________

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma February 13, 2003

Building Peace through National Reconciliation

Since its inception, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
(NCGUB) has strictly adhered to its policy of peace and non-violence. 
Like the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the
NCGUB's goal is to bring about political change in Burma through peaceful
means.  Therefore, the recent attempt by the Burmese military junta to
link the NCGUB with "weapons" and "terrorist camps" came as a surprise.

At a press conference held on 10 February, the junta's spokesperson
Brigadier General Than Tun, while explaining the recent arrests of several
people, blatantly accused the "NCGUB group" of supplying "weapons" to "an
armed NLD terrorist camp".

The NCGUB strongly condemns the junta for its shameful attempt to
discredit the NCGUB.  In addition and for the record, U Aung Saw Oo named
by Brig Gen Than Tun as "belonging to the expatriate NCGUB" is not a
member nor has he ever been a member of the NCGUB.

SPDC should therefore stop its ploy to divert the attention away from the
root cause of the recent surge in activities against the SPDC.  Mass
activities that recently took place against military rule arise from the
desire to be free from oppression and political restrictions.  SPDC needs
to face the facts, stop shifting blame to others, and resolve problems by
initiating the national reconciliation process immediately.

NCGUB Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said, "Brig Gen Than Tun asserted SPDC's
mistaken belief that peace and stability must come first so that national
reconciliation can begin.  That is like putting the cart before the horse.
National reconciliation must come first so that there will be peace in the
country.  Trampling on human rights and quelling of dissent through brute
force with the hope of subduing the population into silence will only
create a groundswell of dissent not peace and stability."

Hence, for the sake of the country and the people, NCGUB calls on the SPDC
to first work toward national reconciliation with the NLD and the ethnic
nationalities in order to create an atmosphere of peace and stability so
that the whole country can advance toward democracy peacefully.