BurmaNet News: February 15-17 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

February 15-17 2003 Issue #2176

INSIDE BURMA

Kao Wao: Gas pipeline explodes in Mon State
Irrawaddy: Rare white elephant promises prosperity

BUSINESS

Xinhua: Myanmar to establish air link with Israel
Xinhua: Myanmar calls on developing countries to work closely together
AFP: Myanmar banks suspend credit card services

INTERNATIONAL

DVB: Mr Razali to hold a meeting on Burma in Japan
AFP: US questions the commitment to reform in Myanmar

MISCELLANEOUS

Irrawaddy: Burmese exiles split over war

INSIDE BURMA

Kao Wao February 17 2003

GAS PIPE LINE EXPLODES IN MON STATE

A section of a gas pipeline exploded on February 11, 2003 between 1- 2 AM
local time in southern Mon State according to local source.

The explosion on the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas pipeline occurred near
La-Mine village of Northern Ye Township. Soon after the accident was seen,
the village headmen reported to the authorities to stop sending gas from
its source.  After an hour of leaking, it was reported, the State Peace
and Development Council authorities managed to put out the fire, which
destroyed some plants near the area.

According to the Democratic Voice of Burma radio (Mon Program),
authorities have not figured out what caused the explosion.  Neither
damage was reported nor the insurgent groups had claimed responsibility.

After explosion, the SPDC authorities ordered local Burma Army to increase
security along the pipeline.  It was the third time such an accident
occurred and the two were occurred last year.  On January 5, 2002, a gas
pipeline near a bridge between Chaktwe and Daymai Mon village in Mudon
Township exploded at one of its junctions adjacent to two Mon villages.

Another section of the gas pipeline exploded on April 30, 2002 at 10 PM
local time near Anin and Hntit-kayin villages of Ye Township razing a
railway bridge and preventing access along Moulmein-Ye railroad.

“People living near the gas pipeline are concerned for their safety. They
argue it was built with poor technology and engineering”, said Nai Chan
from Ye, Mon State.

SPDC's Ministry of Construction built the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline in
early 2001 in cooperation with security from the Southeast Military
Command that took seven months to complete. The 150 miles KanPauk-
MyaingKalay pipeline runs across Mon State from northern Tenasserim
Division to Karen State was built from Kanbauk on-shore gas station to
supply a cement factory in Pa-an Township, Karen State.
_____________

Irrawaddy February 17 2003

Rare White Elephant Promises Prosperity
By Taw Taw

A white elephant, a rare symbol of nobility, power and prosperity, was
officially welcomed last week to its new home at the Yadana White Elephant
Park. But some, including a respected Rangoon-based historian, say that
the discovery will not be a cure-all for the nation’s ills.
"There is no connection between white elephants and the development of the
country," said historian Dr Than Htun.
But the discovery of the elephant—widely regarded in many Southeast Asian
countries as a sign of good fortune—has seen junta leaders quick to take
advantage of the superstition.
State-run media have used news of the elephant to boost public confidence,
assuring people that this lucky omen proves what the generals have been
saying all along. The local press has reported that peace and prosperity
is now assured with the discovery of the elephant.
But with a deepening economic crisis, critics say even a treasured white
elephant will not be enough to guarantee prosperity in Burma. "Having the
white elephants doesn’t change the political, economic and social
situation," said a Rangoon resident. "The country is in a very bad
position."
At the ceremony, Sec-1 Gen Khin Nyunt doused the elephant in water laced
with gold, silver and precious stones, part of a test to see if the
elephant’s color is genuine. If the skin turns red after having water
poured on it, they are declared to be a rare white elephant but if the
skin becomes darker, they are simply thought to be normal elephants.
Named "Rati Marlar", this is the third white elephant to be found and
captured in the past two years. After the ceremony, eight well-wishers
donated one million kyat (US $910) for the elephant’s up-keep. Rati Marlar
will live with Burma’s two other white elephants in special enclosure with
a man-made waterfall, pond and trees at the park in Rangoon’s Insein
Township.
"The elephant is considered higher and more sacred than human beings—they
[junta leaders] shouldn’t encourage false ideas and beliefs to the people
like that," the Rangoon resident added.
Dr Than Htun agreed, saying: "Elephants are animals whether they are white
or black." Another resident of Rangoon, a Buddhist layman said religious
leaders also need to be responsible and think about the effects of
worshipping false beliefs.
The first white elephant, "Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza" was captured
in Oct 2001 in western Burma’s Arakan State when he was aged eight. Within
a year, a second white elephant, 25-year-old "Thingi Marlar" was also
captured in Arakan State.
The rare elephants aren’t actually white, but have light reddish-colored
skin and white hairs. They have larger ears than ordinary elephants in
Asia, as well as distinct white eyes and hooves.


BUSINESS

Xinhua News Agency February 17 2003

Myanmar to establish air link with Israel

 Myanmar and Israel will establish air link between the two countries with
two weekly flights planned to operate between Yangon and Tel Aviv, the
Myanmar Times reported Monday.

Quoting the Israeli embassy in Yangon, the report said the agreement on
the flights was initially reached on Jan. 21 between the Myanmar Civil
Aviation Authorities and Israel and detailed agreement will follow next
month. The flights will be operated by the Myanmar Airways International,
Arkia Israeli Airlines and El Al Israel Airlines.

The Myanmar-Israel air link is made possible until now although Israeli
airlines have been flying to Thailand, China and China's Hong Kong since
1993 passing through Myanmar airspace.

According to the civil aviation authorities, foreign airlines that already
have regular flights to Yangon include Thai Airways International, Biman,
Royal Brunei Airlines, Air China, Malaysian Airlines System, Silk Air and
Lauda Air.
__________

Xinhua News Agency February 17 2003

Myanmar calls on developing countries to work closely together

Myanmar Foreign Minister U Win Aung has called on the developing countries
to work closely as a group in their efforts to have good international
influence in an increasingly integrated world economy.

The minister made the call at a workshop with the theme "Macro-Economic
Policies in East Asia and the Challenges of Globalization held here a few
days ago, the weekly Myanmar Times reported Monday. U Win Aung stressed
that the future of developing countries lay in promoting cooperation which
will enhance the political and economic stature of regional organizations
but not diminish the national identities of member states of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

All the developing countries should cooperate closely to enhance
capabilities and protect their interests for survival and prosperity in an
increasingly integrated world economy, the minister noted.

Referring to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, U Win Aung said, the event
had underscored the downside of globalization, pointing out that
devaluation caused foreign investments to fall in the region.

He maintained that the challenge for Asia is not how to change the concept
of globalization but to make sure that it works for the peoples of ASEAN
nations.
__________

Agence France-Presse February 17 2003

Myanmar banks suspend credit card services

Two of Myanmar's leading private commercial banks had suspended their
credit card services by Monday after panic runs on deposits over the past
two weeks and a third said it would follow suit.

The three are the only private banks in Myanmar to offer credit cards.

The leading Asia Wealth Bank announced the suspension of its credit cards
on Monday, two days after Yoma Bank, the military-ruled country's second
major bank, instructed its clients not to honour its credit card. "We will
be making a similar announcement shortly," an official at the Kambawza
Bank told AFP.

The suspensions follow an order from the State Central Bank that private
banks should only allow withdrawals totalling 500,000 kyats (80,500
dollars) a week.

The order prompted businesses to stop accepting credit cards in case they
would not be able to collect money owing to them.

It came after worried investors rushed to withdraw their savings from the
country's 20 private banks amid rumours that they were headed for
collapse.

"Some credit cards allow purchases of up to one million kyats and with the
latest limit on bank withdrawals fixed by the Central Bank, businesses
would have been unable to recover their money from the banks," a gold
merchant who had refused to honour a Yoma credit card said.

The rumours that the banks were vulnerable persisted despite assurances
from the Central Bank governor a week ago that the public should have
"complete confidence" in the banks as they were operating strictly in
accordance with state financial laws.

The panic runs appear to have been sparked by the failure of 14 financial
services groups to pay investors. The groups were operating outside of
government regulations and offering high returns of about 60 percent a
year.

Military authorities have charged that some elements were spreading false
and malicious lies to deliberately create a monetary crisis.

The credit cards are expected to be suspended until after a government
investigation into credit card services, according to a bank official who
requested anonymity.

The investigation is expected to include checking if banks have
overextended themselves by offering credit.

INTERNATIONAL

Democratic Voice of Burma Feburary 17 2003

Mr Razali to hold a meeting on Burma in Japan

While the UN General Secretary Kofi Anan and human rights organisations
are demanding the releases of political prisoners who were arrested, the
UN special delegate, Mr Razali Ismail is planning to hold a seminar on
Burma in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting is to be held on the coming Saturday
and it will be attended by high-level American, European and Asian
diplomats and Japanese politicians. The main topic is to find new ways to
solve the worsening situations in Burma. Based on the methods achieved at
this seminar, Mr Razali will go to Rangoon to discuss the matters. Dr Minn
Nyo of Burma Affairs based in Tokyo gave his reactions as follows:

A: Five months ago, Mr Razali came to Japan and I went to see him. He told
me as if we were going to have democracy in Burma within days and he said
that he was trying to get helps from the Japanese government and worker
unions to help erase ADIS problems and the like. But now, Mr Razali came
to Japan again to attended this seminar with ASEAN leaders led by the
Japanese government; it shows that their policies are not successful in
Burma as they expected. If they are going at this slow rate, they
themselves know that the situation is not going to be good in Burma. At
the moment, the news of the arrests of NLD members, youth and nuns reached
them too. If things are going at this rate, they seem to know that things
could only get worse. They are still keeping the policy of taking along
the SPDC, I think.

Seminars on Burma attended by Mr Razali were held in previous years in
Geneva and New York. This one coincides with political tensions in Burma
and people are watching it with interest.
___________

Agence France-Presse February 16 2003

US questions the commitment to reform in Myanmar
The United States seriously doubts the Myanmarese junta's commitment to
reform and may toughen sanctions against the military rulers.
The US bans investment and arms sales and restricts travel for junta
officials. "Only our sanctions on Iraq are tougher," said Lorne Craner, an
assistant secretary of state, at the weekend.
Mr Craner, who is responsible for human rights, democracy and labour,
delivered a highly pessimistic survey of the political situation in
Myanmar.
He told a conference of Myanmarese exiles and human rights activists the
US government was disappointed that the release from house arrest last
year of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was not followed by a
genuine effort by the government to enter dialogue with the opposition.
"We remain highly sceptical about the regime's commitment to any political
transition," Mr Craner said. "The [junta's] disregard for human rights and
democracy extends to every conceivable category of violation and we will
be cataloguing these this year. The regime suppresses political dissent by
censorship, persecution, beatings, disappearances and imprisonment."
The assistant secretary told the gathering, which was sponsored by the
Free Burma coalition, that the United States could not verify that more
than 100 political prisoners the regime promised to release have yet been
freed, and said hundreds more remained in prison in poor conditions.
He said the US administration still harbours hope that a UN-brokered
dialogue between the military and Ms Suu Kyi will yield results. But he
warned: "We are disappointed and frustrated by the recalcitrance of the
[government]. Our patience for positive change is beginning to run out and
we, along with the UK and others, are considering all options, including
further sanctions."
The US is a frequently fierce critic of Myanmar, and a strong supporter of
Ms Suu Kyi, who won an overwhelming election victory in 1990 which was
never recognised by the ruling military. On Wednesday she called for
dialogue to start a process of national reconciliation, but questioned the
junta's desire for talks.
Mr Craner said that the junta's disastrous policies had brought Myanmar to
the edge of a "humanitarian crisis arising from the dreadful nexus of
hunger, malnutrition, lack of education, and HIV/Aids".
President George W. Bush last month accused Myanmar of failing to
adequately curb drug production. Myanmar had made a strenuous effort to
convince the US that its oft-trumpeted anti-drugs operation is genuine,
and reacted with characteristic bile when it realised late last year its
campaign would founder.
Supporters of Ms Suu Kyi in the US Congress and in non-governmental
organisations have fiercely resisted any change by the Bush administration
in Myanmar's low ranking on drug eradication.
Campaigners fear that if the country's status were changed, the government
would exploit it to claim its rule had international acceptance.

MISCELLANEOUS

Irrawaddy February 17 2003

Burmese Exiles Split Over War
By Min Zin

A steady stream of chanting, sign-waving protesters covered 12 city blocks
yesterday, stretching from San Francisco's waterfront to its historic City
Hall as they rallied against what appears to be an imminent clash with
Iraq. Police said an estimated 150,000 people came out for the event,
however, others put the number as high as 250,000.
One thing, however, that was noticeably absent from Sunday’s protest was a
strong showing from the Bay Area’s Asian community—including both Burmese
exiles and Burmese democracy activists living there. Although some Burmese
did show, others were unaware that the protest took place.
The impending war against Iraq has posed a moral dilemma for many Burmese
activists, who remain split on which camp they should join. Many are
grateful for Washington’s decade long support of Burma’s democracy
movement, and also welcome increased US sanctions against the Burmese
regime, something Washington recently threatened if democratic reforms do
not occur. But many activists do not know how to respond to Bush's "regime
change" rhetoric.
Aung Zarni, a Burmese activist who resettled in California and attended
yesterday’s rally, said: "I personally appreciate US support for the
democracy movement in Burma. But I don't like the US using military means
in the name of democracy to remove a dictatorial regime, including the
Burmese junta. That's why I decided to join the anti-war protest."
Other Burmese activists, however, strongly support the war. "Removing
dictatorship from power is the morally right thing to do," says Richard
Aung Myint, a Burmese activist who has been living in America for over 30
years. "I equate the Iraqi government with the military regime in Burma. I
support the war against Iraq. The only thing I am upset with the current
administration is that they didn't include Burma in the axis of evil."
There were also some Burmese who said that the US should wait for UN
support before going to war.
Nyunt Than, an active member of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance
in San Francisco Bay Area, says she does not feel the US will ever
intervene militarily in Burma. "The US does not have a substantive
interest in Burma," says Nyunt Than.