BurmaNet News: May 13 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

May 13 2003 Issue #2235

INSIDE BURMA

Myanmar Times: No SARS cases, says ministry

ON THE BORDER

SHAN: Burmese refugees on the rise: Unfortunately Thailand does not
recognize Shans as refugees
NMG: Disabled refugees in Karenni Camp to be relocated

REGIONAL

Bangkok Post: UN concerned by high death toll

INTERNATIONAL

BBC: Burma approves UN visit
Boston Globe: Ethics conflict seen as ex-CIA officials turn to lobbying

INSIDE BURMA

Myanmar Times May 5-11 2003

No SARS cases, says ministry

THE Ministry of Health said last week that Myanmar continued to remain
free of cases of the potentially fatal pneumonia-like illness, Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.

However, it said 26 people who had travelled to high-risk areas had been
quarantined as precautionary measure in recent weeks at the Waibargi
Hospital in North Okkalapa township.
Announcing the figure at a media conference held at the Myanmar Medical
Resource Centre on Bogyoke Aung San Street on April 29, the ministry said
eight of those quarantined had already been discharged.

The remaining 18 people include a Taiwanese woman who had fallen ill while
staying at the Summit Park View Hotel and a Myanmar woman and her family
who had visited Singapore.

The Deputy Health Minister, Dr Mya Oo, also told the conference that blood
samples of three people who had died since the SARS outbreak began had
been sent for testing at laboratories operated by the World Health
Organisa-tion and the Centres for Disease Control at Atlanta in the United
States.
“Although the dead succumbed to heart failure and cancer, we found that
they had travelled to infected areas a few weeks before they died,” said
Dr Mya Oo.

He said the ministry also planned to expand special teams established at
some public hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay to monitor patients for SARS.

“We have also formed a SARS Confirmation Committee that includes directors
general of the Health, Medical Research and Medical Science departments
and medical specialists,” Dr Mya Oo said.
As well as checking possible cases, the committee would also seek to
prevent unnecessary alarm among the public about the illness, he said.

He also called for the cooperation of the Department of Immigration to
improve the screening of arrivals at any entry points.

“Pamphlets and leaflets about SARS will also be printed in local languages
for distribution to various parts of the country,” said Dr Mya Oo.

He said the ministry was monitoring 206 foreigners who had visited
countries or territories affected by SARS.

In another development, more than 1000 doctors who attended a seminar on
SARS held by the Myanmar Medical Association on May 1 were requested to
ask patients if they had visited high-risk areas and to advise the Health
Department of any suspected cases.

Meanwhile, the Summit Park View Hotel has begun issuing notices
suggestings that any guests with SARS-like symptoms should seek health
checks at Waibargi Hospital or Yangon General Hospital.
“It is also your social responsibility not to come into contact with any
hotel guests or staff to help prevent the further spread of SARS,” the
notices say.

“The Hotel reserves the right to refuse to check you or your guests into
our guest rooms or to be in the premises of the hotel if you are showing
signs and symptoms of SARS,” it said.

The latest developments come as the Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, joined the nine other Asean
leaders and the Chinese Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, at an emergency SARS
summit in Bangkok on April 29.

In a joint declaration, the 11 countries announced a series of measures
aimed at preventing the spread of SARS, the AFP news agency reported.

The statement said the countries agreed to direct their health and other
ministers to “work to take rigorous measures for immigration and customs
control to prevent the spread of SARS, including, for example,
pre-departure and arrival screening and better flight management.”

The leaders also agreed to exchange information on SARS, carry out
cooperative research and training programs on the disease, and to jointly
sponsor a high-level international symposium on SARS control and treatment
in China as soon as possible.

ON THE BORDER

Shan Herald Agency for News May 13 2003

Burmese Refugee on the rise: Unfortunately Thailand does not recognise
Shans as refugees

Despite recent measures taken by Rangoon to check the flow of migrants
into Thailand, aid workers in Thailand are witnessing a significant
increase in the number of refugees coming to the border, according to an
informed source in Chiangmai.

Beginning March this year, thousands of people fleeing from Southern Shan
State have been stranded in villages and towns between Mongton and
Poongpakhem, opposite Chiangmai province, by the Army's order to put all
non-local travelers to close scrutiny and interrogation. "Yet, almost
1,300 have arrived in Fang, Chaiprakarn and Mae Ai," said t an aid worker.
"Considering the odds they are facing across the border, the number
certainly is suggestive, because from January to March, before the ban was
announced, the monthly figures averaged at 1,000."

This was due to three major causes, he explained: forced purchase of paddy
from farmers, forced enlistment of new recruits for the Army and newly
enforced relocations in some townships. He further elaborated:

"It didn't matter whether or not you were a paddy farmer," he said. "Local
military commanders said, you must have paddy to sell, if not money to
pay. Any plea you lodged with them, however reasonable it was, just fell
on the deaf ears."

According to him, the second cause was easily exemplified by a recent
arrival's experience.

Sawnanta, 45, of Wanmai, Mongpan Township, was told that he could become a
local militiaman if he wanted to be free from paying taxes and giving
forced labor. "He enlisted and together with 40 others went to Loilem in
February, to receive a 45-day basic military training", the aid worker
recounted. "When he came back last month, he was assigned to the battalion
headquarters at Loi Mawma and issued a Burmese uniform together with the
insignias. Downhearted, he asked for and got a three-day furlough to
settle his domestic affairs. He then brought his wife and three children
to the orchards of Fang."

The source added that military authorities had already notified the
village elders in Mongton and Monghsat, a neighboring township on 10 May,
to pick recruits for them, 200 from Mongton and 250 Monghhsat.

The third reason adduced was the forced evictions still carried out in
some areas, especially in Kunhing. Villagers on the islets on the Parng, a
tributary of the Salween, were ordered to move out in March. “Since then,
about 50 families have become homeless," he said. Those who had chosen to
remain for one reason or another were being shot at on the spot by the
Army patrols and also seize boats belonging to the villagers. Army
patrols, it is alleged, use to fire artillery shells indiscriminately,
towards the direction where they saw smokes." Among the arrivals in Fang
was Nang Mya, 43, of Kun Pu, a blind woman.

Shans, upon their entry intoThailand, have to find places where they can
get work to support themselves and their families, because unlike Karen
and Karennis, Thailand refuses to recognize Shans as refugees. It was
estimated by the Shan Human Rights Foundation that a total of 150,000 Shan
asylum seekers had arrived in Thailand since 1996, the year Rangoon
unleashed a three-year forced relocation campaign on an unprecedented
scale in Shan State.
______________

Network Media Group May 12 2003

Disabled Refugees in Karenni Camp to be relocated

The disabled refugees in Karenni camp, who were left last year's
relocation, were ordered by Thai authorities on May 7 to relocate to
Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1 before end of this month, said Alexander,
secretary of Karenni refugee committee.

During the meeting between Thai officials and camp authority, MOI
provincial officer Suwatchai told that the ward including 35 disabled
families -- most of them were landmine victims in refugee camp no. 3, ward
7- was ordered to move to Camp No. 1 before end of May 2003.

Alexander revealed,"On Wednesday, an official from Mae Hong Son (MOI)
called and told me to relocate this disabled ward before end of this
month. They also warned that if they found anybody after that deadline,
they will be arrested and deported back Burma. As far as I know it was Mr
Suwatchai."
Because these refugees were physically disabled, they are going to face
many difficulties when they are moved to new location, building new huts
and the best plots in new area were already occupied by peoples who
already resided there, he added.

In previous relocation of refugee camp, though the international
humanitarian agencies such as Burma Border Consortium (BBC) and
International Rescue Committee (IRC) assisted some hardware for
constructions and water supply equipments, those refugees had to build
their huts by themselves.

In last year August, Thai authorities ordered Karenni Refugee Camp No. 3
to relocate and join with Camp No. 2 and named as Camp No. 1, but Padaung
village and disabled-ward were set aside.

In its new policy, though, the disabled ward was ordered to relocate, the
ward of Padaung tribes in this camp who got attention by foreign tourists
because of their long neck with iron-ring, is allowed to stay there.

REGIONAL

Bangkok Post May 13 2003

UN concerned by high death toll
By Bhanravee Tansubhapol-Vienma

The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime expressed concern yesterday
over the high number of deaths as a result of the three-month policy on
drug suppression in Thailand.

Although showing satisfaction about the Thai efforts in tackling drug
problems, Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN agency, was
worried about the high number of victims.

He raised his concerns in talks with Sorajak Kasemsuwan, assistant to the
foreign minister.

About 2,300 people were victims of drug-related killings during the
three-month drug suppression campaign. Only half of them have obvious
involvement in the drug business. Police admitted to only 51
extra-judicial killings blaming the rest on drug traffickers killing off
each other to prevent police getting to the top bosses.

``We hope the Thai government will investigate all cases and abide by its
laws,'' Mr Sorajak quoted him as saying.

Mr Sorajak said the investigation process might take time but told Mr
Costa that the Thai government would look into them.

The UN agency was ready to help Thailand tackle crime, Mr Sorajak said,
adding that Thailand had invited representatives of the UN agency to
Bangkok to discuss human trafficking, another concern for Mr Costa.

- The senate panel on public participation yesterday demanded the
government listen to previously expressed US concerns over the death toll
in the war on drugs.

Chirmsak Pinthong, the chairman, said the use of violent means to curb
drug abuse was inappropriate.

``The US comment on the anti-drugs policy is useful because it reminds the
government to think about human rights. It should not always react by
claiming to be doing the `right thing','' he said.

Mr Chirmsak also said the government's blacklists of people involved in
illicit drugs were flawed. The police and the Interior Ministry mistakenly
listed innocent people as dealers after being misled by informers.

More than 200 names should have been removed from the lists after
officials found they were not involved in the drug trade, but the Interior
Ministry refused to act, he said.

Police also admitted to 51 extra-judicial killings and there were about
2,300 other drug-related killings during the three-month campaign.
Hilltribe villagers were also treated unfairly because the public sector
always branded them as drug dealers.

The anti-drugs crusade had also caused hardship to families and children
of the people killed.

``The government should be more concerned about human rights instead of
using power and violence to solve the problem,'' he said.

INTERNATIONAL

BBC May 13 2003

Burma approves UN visit

The Burmese military government is reported to have approved the first
return visit in six months by the United Nations envoy to Burma, Razali
Ismail.

The visit is due early next month.

The UN envoy brokered secret talks more than two years ago between the
government and the country's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who
was then under house arrest.

In recent months, the dialogue has stalled.

But a BBC correspondent in the region says that, since Aung San Suu Kyi
publicly accused the government, four weeks ago, of being insincere in its
promises of democratic reform, there have been signs the military
leadership wants to repair relations.

The United States and the European Union are strengthening economic
sanctions against Rangoon because of the lack of progress in the dialogue
process.
 ___________

Boston Globe May 13 2003

Ethics conflict seen as ex-CIA officials turn to lobbying
By Nicholas Thompson

WASHINGTON -- In the mid-'90s, Barry Broman was CIA station chief in
Burma, also known as Myanmar, a leading producer of illegal narcotics
that is governed by one of Southeast Asia's most repressive military
regimes. In retirement, though, Broman switched clients: Last year, the
former US intelligence officer worked on behalf of Burma as a
$5,000-a-month lobbyist, trying to persuade American officials to adopt
a more friendly stance toward the regime.

Once tasked with gathering intelligence to advance US interests, Broman
spent much of last year plying the Washington bureaucracy to embrace a
more favorable stance toward Burma, whose illegal drug production --
much of it entering the United States -- accounts for between 10 percent
and 15 percent of the country's economy. In February, Lorne Craner, an
assistant US secretary of state, denounced Burma's military government
for its ''disregard for human rights and democracy [that] extends to
every conceivable category of violation.''

Despite that record, government filings show that Broman's company, the
Washington-based DCI Group, unsuccessfuly lobbied Congress and the Bush
administration to have Burma certified as a partner in global
antinarcotics efforts, a status that would have allowed it to receive
increased American economic aid. The firm also issued news releases
announcing Burma's counternarcotics efforts, its discharge of some
political prisoners, and rebuttals to published reports accusing the
regime of carrying out a policy of systematic rape against ethnic
minority women.

Broman, who worked for Burma from June until December of 2002, is part
of a class of retired CIA officials whose lobbying raises the
possibility of disquieting conflicts, in the view of a number of
government officials. CIA station chiefs considering the prospect of
future careers and financial gain may shade information to favor the
government they are supposed to spy on, these officials said. This could
be extremely dangerous if the CIA is tracking terrorists or other people
potentially harmful to the United States, they added.

Receiving information tinged by personal motives is a ''serious security
concern'' said Robert Baer, formerly a CIA operative in Tajikistan and
the Middle East who notes that a number of his colleagues have gone into
lobbying. Baer said that, given the current reliance on very narrow
intelligence sources, dishonest spies could even ''lead the US into
war.''

Melvin Goodman, a former head of the CIA's Soviet desk, condemned
Broman's work done on behalf of Burma, saying it ''shows a lack of any
notion of what ethical behavior is. The fact that he is certainly
capitalizing on his former clandestine relationships makes it even
worse.''

Almost all CIA officials are banned for three years from working for
foreign governments with which they had contact. Broman left his CIA
position in Burma seven years ago.

A narrower restriction permanently bars former federal officials from
working on ''particular matters,'' such as contracts, that they handled
while working for the government. The CIA had no comment on whether
Broman had violated this standard, although a former general counsel to
the CIA said that, at most, it ''raised questions.''

Documents that foreign lobbyists are required to file with the
government list Broman as one of 10 DCI staffers on the Burma contract,
which has since ended. But Broman usually was accompanied by only one or
two colleagues when he met on various occasions with members of
Congress, Pentagon officials, and opinion leaders such as former United
Nations ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick. The most frequent topic of
conversation, according to filings at the Department of Justice, was
''drug enforcement cooperation efforts between the US and Myanmar.''

All lobbying organizations that represent foreign governments must
register with the government under a 1938 law passed after Adolf Hitler
hired a public relations specialist to improve Germany's image in
America.

Broman, whose career in the CIA was confirmed by several former
colleagues and intelligence sources, declined to comment for this story.
DCI also declined to comment. But a Broman friend, who worked with him
in the CIA, said the former station chief truly believes that Burma is
doing a good job in reducing drug production: ''He really cares about
human rights and he is one of the few people with really in-depth
knowledge of the country.''

At least one other former CIA station chief has registered as a foreign
agent for a country he once worked in: Milton Bearden, CIA station chief
in Sudan from 1983 to 1985. Sudan is one of seven countries involved in
state-sponsored terrorism, according to the State Department.

Bearden works for a firm, headquartered at his house, called the
Steeplechase Group, which is run by Anis Haggar, a Sudanese businessman.
Haggar is closely linked politically and financially to the Sudanese
government, run by the National Islamic Front, or NIF, according to
current and former government officials.

But Bearden says there is total separation between Steeplechase and the
government of Sudan and that reports of Haggar's ties to the NIF are
mostly red herrings. ''He doesn't need any money from the government --
he is the largest taxpayer in Sudan,'' Bearden told the Globe. Bearden
added that he registered as a foreign agent only out of ''an abundance
of caution.''

According to its disclosure report, Steeplechase works with ''US
government officials to arrange meetings with Sudanese officials to
discuss the prospects for peace and to discuss international petroleum
developments and their potential impact on Sudan's petroleum industry.''
Steeplechase Group was paid about $300,000 last year for this service.

''I help out with the peace negotiations,'' Bearden said. He added that
he also is helping Sudan with reducing the number of child soldiers
involved in its civil conflict and reducing its AIDS rate.

Other Sudan observers are concerned Bearden is relying on the sensitive
contacts he gained while in the CIA to help persuade Congress and the
Bush administration to lift or limit sanctions against Sudan, thus
creating opportunities for American investment. Eric Reeves, a professor
at Smith College and Sudan specialist who testifies frequently on
Capitol Hill, says the CIA is closely involved in setting US policy
toward the country, and that to reach peace in its long-running civil
war Sudan ''needs more international pressure. It doesn't need high-paid
lobbyists with contacts in the CIA telling it how to avoid the
pressure.''

Bearden said there is no difference between a former CIA official
working as a lobbyist for a foreign government and a former ambassador
doing the same thing. ''If an ambassador can do this without anyone
raising any questions, I can't possibly see why someone would raise the
issue with the CIA,'' he said.

Others disagree, both about the practice in general and about whether
CIA officials should be particularly chastened.

''A foreign government's interests are not the same as those of the
United States. To turn around for moneymaking purposes and work for
another government is reprehensible,'' says Susan Rice, a former
assistant secretary of state for African affairs.