BurmaNet News: July 19-21 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

July 19-21 2003 Issue #2288

INSIDE BURMA

AFP: ICRC to visit another Myanmar jail where May 30 detainees believed held
NMG: Junta release 17 detainees of Depeyin crisis
MIC: Anti-Muslim pamphlets distributed in Burma
AFP: Myanmar media campaign points to threatened ban on opposition

MONEY

Narinjara: Monopoly on transport sends essential prices up in Burma,
raises ethical questions
WMA: ONGC of India spies opening in Myanmar
Xinhua: Myanmar-Indian trade to double by 2006: minister

INTERNATIONAL

Xinhua: Myanmar not worried about US sanctions: ambassador
DPA: European Union to discuss terrorism, Myanmar with Asian ministers
AFP: Bush slams Myanmar, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Zimbabwe
Scotsman: Ancram demands sanctions against Burma

REGIONAL

Mizzzima: India raises troops in fight against Northeast militancy and
drug trafficking
AFP: Myanmar might have to be expelled from ASEAN: Mahathir
Xinhua: Thai, Myanmar FMs to discuss Myanmar situation
Radio Thailand: Thai premier says Burma’s Suu Kyi ‘is in no danger
whatsoever’
DPA: Thailand says Myanmar should remain an ASEAN member

OPINIONS/STATEMENTS

Burma Campaign UK: Germany blocks EU sanctions on Burma
Washington Post: Don’t let Burma slide
NCGUB: Burma’s case raised before UN Security Council
Nation: How to find a way to peace in Burma

INSIDE BURMA

Agence France Presse July 21 2003

ICRC to visit another Myanmar jail where May 30 detainees believed held

The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said Monday it will
visit another Myanmar jail where people detained in relation to the
military-ruled state's latest democracy crackdown may be held.

An ICRC team was granted permission to visit Shwebo prison, located near
the northern city of Mandalay, following a Monday meeting with home
affairs minister Tin Hlaing, said ICRC delegation head in Myanmar Michel
Ducraux.

"It's significant because according to some information persons detained
in relation to the May 30 event might be detained there, so it's a
continuation of our work to find them, register them and transmit messages
to their families," Ducraux told AFP.

On that date, a pro-junta mob violently attacked a convoy in which
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for
Democracy (NLD) were travelling.

The democracy leader was taken into "protective custody", while an unknown
number of pro-democracy activists were also detained following the
attacks, in which eyewitnesses say dozens were killed.

Ducraux said no timeframe was yet been set for the visit.

"The important thing is to know that we have access to this place now,
because we have access to all jails but this one had remained a little bit
out of reach during the last weeks and now it's okay," he said.

Under an agreement with the Yangon regime, the ICRC routinely visits all
political prisoners in Myanmar, and has been told it may meet with all
those taken into custody in relation to the May 30 attacks.

However, they have been denied permission to visit Aung San Suu Kyi, who
is being held incommunicado at an undisclosed location despite an
international outcry.

The ICRC wrapped up a routine two-week visit to notorious Insein prison
last week where it met with some prisoners detained in connection with May
30 detainees and has already visited several jails in the north of the
country.

Ducraux declined to elaborate further on the number of prisoners it met with.

He said earlier this month the junta had jailed at least 30 pro-democracy
activists following the nationwide democracy crackdown that has followed
in the wake of the violence.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won elections in
1990 but has never been permitted to rule by the military.
__________

Network Media Group July 21 2003

Junta release 17 Detainees of Depeyin Crisis

July 21 (NMG)  Burmese military authorities on 18th July released
seventeen oppositions from Mandalay National League for Democracy (NLD)
who were detained in May 30 Depeyin crisis, said a person from Mandalay
who did not want to be identified.

All these members had to sign a series of agreements such as not to
exaggerate about May 30 events and they all have to report authorities if
they want to travel out of Mandalay.

The authorities arranged cars to drop these opposition members including
four women to their respective homes at late night between 10 to 11 pm on
18 July.

Among the 17 members, five members are from northeast, two from southeast,
six from southwest and four from northwest townships of Mandalay.

On May 30 while Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her
followers were on organizational tour to upper Burma, government
affiliated thugs including prisoners brutally attacked on NLD leaders and
its members, reported in news.

Although there have been several reports on arrest of NLD members around
the country, the military government had never mentioned in their official
media the number of peoples who were arrested.
___________

Muslim Information Centre of Burma July 20 2003

Anti-Muslim pamphlets distributed in Burma

On July,5, 2003, at around 8.30 p.m., a group of Union Solidarity and
Development Association  (USDA) members distributed anti-Muslim pamphlets
in Irrawaddy division, according to a Buddhist merchant,  speaking on
condition of anonymity.

Ye Kyi township USDA members led by U Thein Aung distributed the pamphlets
to the villages in Ye Kyi township, the merchant said. Similarly, the USDA
Myaung Mya township members also distributed the anti-Muslim pamphlets to
the villages in the Myaung Mya township of Irrawaddy division on June, 25,
2003, the merchant said.

Some of the Muslim elders reported the matters to the Inspector of Ye Kyi
police Station, U Tin Maung, who replied that they (the police) could not
take any actions against the USDA members as these subversive plans are
supervised by the USDA central authorities, the merchant said.

The Muslims,  in Irrawaddy division have been in fear and trembling for
the coming brutalities planned by the USDA, the merchant said.

USDA is a political organization led by Senior General Than Shwe of ruling
State Peace and Development Council of Burma.
_________

Agence France Presse July 20 2003

Myanmar media campaign points to threatened ban on opposition
by Sarah Stewart

BANGKOK, July 20 (AFP) - A series of vicious commentaries in Myanmar's
state media targetting democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has raised fears
the junta could be planning to ban her party and detain her indefinitely,
observers say.

Purportedly written by a disenchanted member of Aung San Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy (NLD), the articles attempt to portray her
as vain and arrogant and her followers as hooligans bent on stirring up
unrest.

The commentaries which began appearing in official newspapers two weeks
ago are clearly aimed at blaming the NLD for violent clashes that erupted
on May 30 when Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters were ambushed by a
pro-junta gang during a political tour of northern Myanmar.

"The finger is being well and truly pointed at the NLD and by extension
Aung San Suu Kyi that they were provoking problems throughout this
journey," said one Yangon diplomat.

"It could be all part of their plan to perhaps declare the NLD an illegal
organisation," he said, adding that the hostile tone suggested the ruling
generals had no plans to release her.

"Their actions to date would indicate that they're not looking to let her
go any time soon."

Apart from detailing the events leading up to the clashes which triggered
Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, the commentaries are also a clumsy attempt
to poison readers against the immensely popular opposition leader.

"Auntie Suu is a willful and hard-headed person liable to rash judgments
followed by blind action, in her relations with the present government,"
said one, referring to her as an "ordinary housewife."

"Nevertheless, whatever the provocation, responsible leaders of the
present government, preferring to act with forbearance, and on the basis
of give and take, have always chosen to take action in moderation."

One edition ran a photograph of Aung San Suu Kyi sitting at a table with
the nation's top brass and captioned it as a "family dinner."

"If it wasn't so serious it's hilarious in many ways. It's a great piece
of fiction," said the diplomat.

The lavishly illustrated articles, which have recently delved into the
realm of romance with details of a purported affair between Aung San Suu
Kyi's housemaid and a party cadre, have attracted a huge following.

"It is obviously slanted and aimed at discrediting the NLD and Aung San
Suu Kyi but it makes interesting reading," one city dweller who has not
missed one of the nine installments told AFP in Yangon.

"It is so outlandish and spiteful, very few people take it at face value,"
a local observer said. "It is a clear indication that the NLD and Aung San
Suu Kyi are in for more troubled times."

MONEY

Narinjara News July 21 2003

Monopoly on transport sends essential prices up in Burma, raises ethical
questions

The monopoly granted to a private transport company has caused sharp
increase in prices of all the essential commodities brought to the western
Burmese state of Rakhine from Burma proper.  The ruling State Peace and
Development Council junta granted the Kyauktaung Transport Company sole
rights to carry the transport business between Sittwe, the state capital,
and Taungup, the southern reach of Rakhine State that connects Pyi on the
Burma proper for the year 2003.

Since the beginning of this year, the company has been conducting the
business of transporting goods as well as collecting tolls from all the
goods carried including sack loads of vegetables and other perishable
commodities, said a source in the company.  The Burmese regime owned
vessels named Aung-Takhun  1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have also been leased out to
the company for carrying out the transportation monopoly.

On asking why the agents of the company collect the high fares, the owner
U Kyauktaung from Taungup said that he has to pay the money for leasing
and carrying out the business in US dollar, which he has to buy from the
black market at high prices.  He declined to comment on the amount of US
dollars he has to pay for running his business.  But he said that he has
to pay not only the legal rate for the lease, but also bribes to the
lesser local officials of the SPDC.  He also said that he had to bribe a
large sum of money to secure the monopoly over the entire business.

At present the price of a viss (= 1.6 kilo) of groundnut oil is kyat
1,900, palm oil is kyat 1,500, onion is kyat 1,200, garlic is kyat 1,500,
sugar is kyat 600, gram pulse is kyat 800, an egg is kyat 50, potato is
kyat 400, and diesel fuel is kyat 1,900 to the gallon, petrol is kyat
1,600 to the gallon.

In recent months due to the absence of other competitive transport houses
the prices of all the commodities coming in from other states and
divisions into Rakhine State recorded a sharp increase between 30% and
120%, said a university professor.  “The granting of licenses and leases
to one sole company for running the entire transport of the state is not
only unethical, but also raises a number of questions to the policy of the
much trumpeted ‘Free market economy’ of the ruling Burmese junta  what
kind of free market economy is it if there is no private enterprises to
compete with and there is a policy of state sponsored extortion to go on
and on.”

Besides that our correspondent quoting a source in the administration said
that there is a ban on transportation of onions, garlic, and edible oil
from Burma proper to Rakhine State.  “The ban also raises another
question,” the source added, “is Rakhine State not part of Burma?  Or why
is there the discrimination: if goods from Rakhine could be transported to
Burma proper why should Burmese goods be banned from coming into Rakhine? 
This is plain discrimination meant to render the life of the people of
Rakhine unbearable.”
________

World Markets Analysis July 21 2003

ONGC of India Spies Opening in Myanmar
By Mike Hurle

ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC),
has singled out neighbouring Myanmar as one of its investment targets for
the coming year. The company has contacted the Myanmar Oil and Gas
Enterprise (MOGE) to express an interest in blocks A-2 and A-3 in Rakhine
(Arakan) and blocks M-1, M-7 and M-9 further to the south. The overtures
from India come at a welcome time for Myanmar's repressive government as
it faces criticism for the imprisonment of political opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi. Several western oil companies have withdrawn from the
country in recent years, following criticism of their links to the regime
(see Myanmar: 17 June 2003: Risks for Oil Investors Increase in Myanmar).
ONGC currently holds a stake in block A-1 in partnership with the Gas
Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) and South Korea's Daewoo Corp. (see Myanmar:
2 September 2002: Daewoo Plays Up Prospects for Western Fields).
Significance: ONGC Videsh has budgeted almost Rs62bn (US$1.3bn) for
overseas projects in the coming year. The company has already taken stakes
in projects in Russia's Sakhalin peninsula, Libya and Kazakhstan.
_________

Xinhua News Agency July 21 2003

Myanmar-Indian trade to double by 2006: minister

India is looking forward to doubling its bilateral trade with Myanmar to 1
billion US dollars by the year 2006, local press on Monday quoted Indian
Minister of Commerce and Industry Arun Jaitley as saying.

Jaitley, who visited Myanmar earlier this month, disclosed that in the
2001-02 fiscal year, the bilateral trade between the two countries
amounted to 428 million dollars, according to the Myanmar Times.

The Indian minister described Myanmar's natural resources and India's
globally competitive technology as valuable assets that could contribute
to the prosperity of both countries.

Myanmar and India signed a memorandum of understanding on setting up a
Joint Trade Committee during Jaitley's Yangon visit.

According to Myanmar official statistics, Myanmar-Indian bilateral trade
stood at 440.13 million dollars in 2002 with India standing as Myanmar's
fourth largest trading partner after Thailand, China and Singapore.

India is also Myanmar's largest export market of beans and pulses and timber.

Since a border trade agreement was signed in 1994, Myanmar and India have
opened two border trade points, one at Tamu and the other at Manipur, and
have agreed in principle to open another two trade points at Rhi and
Champhai, respectively, in the future.

INTERNATIONAL

Xinhua News Agency July 21 2003

Myanmar not worried about US sanctions: ambassador

A senior Myanmar diplomat said recently that his country is not worried
about the trade sanctions to be imposed soon by the United States,
claiming that Myanmar's trade with neighboring India, China and Thailand
is well.

Local newspaper Myanmar Times on Monday quoted Myanmar ambassador to
Britain Kyaw Win as saying in a recent interview by the BBC that his
country has conventional and border trade with the three neighbors with
the total trade volume amounting to about 2 billion US dollars in the
fiscal year 2001-02.

The United States has tightened sanctions against Myanmar over the issue
of the May 30 incident with a bill to be signed soon by President George
W. Bush to ban the imports from Myanmar and freeze the military
government's assets in the US banks after the US Congress voted recently
in favor of such ban legislation with the vote in the Senate being 94-1
and the vote in the House of Representatives 418-2 to approve the bill.

The US stepping of sanctions against Myanmar came after the military
government arrested opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi ( ASSK) and put her
in a secret location on account of the May 30 incident, in which a convoy
of ASSK was reportedly ambushed by government supporters when she was
making a political trip in the north of the country. The government
claimed that four people were killed and 48 others injured in the bloody
clashes between supporters of the National League for Democracy and
pro-government protesters.

Over the issue, the international community, including the United Nations,
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United States, the
European Union  (EU), Canada and Japan, has urged the military regime to
immediately release ASSK. Of them, the EU, along with the United States,
has also tightened sanctions against Myanmar, while Japan suspended its
economic aid to the country to press for ASSK's release and bring about
dialogue between the government and the opposition.

In the latest development, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has
warned that Myanmar might face expulsion from the ASEAN if the military
government continues to defy world pressure to release ASSK.

"We don't criticize member states unless what one state does embarrasses
us, causes a problem for us," Mahathir said.

Responding to these developments, the Myanmar military government
criticized that the proposed ban on its exports to the United States will
deteriorate the country's economic situation with the creation of mass
unemployment and directly hurt its health care and education.
___________

Deutsche Presse Agentur July 21 2003

European Union to discuss terrorism, Myanmar with Asian ministers

European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten will be raising
the issues of terrorism, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea and
non-proliferation at the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) of foreign ministers
in Bali this week, officials said on Monday.

Patten, who will attend the ASEM foreign ministers meeting on July 23-24,
was quoted as saying, "There are many areas where we could collaborate
more: security, human rights, regional integration and new technologies."

Patten, an outspoken critic of Myanmar's military regime, is expected to
discuss the current political situation in Myanmar and North Korea when he
meets with Asian foreign ministers later this week, said a European
Commission press statement released in Jakarta.

He will also announce a "new partnership with Southeast Asia," designed to
"reinvigorate" European cooperation with the region in the fight against
terrorism, in justice and home affairs, in human rights and trade matters
as well as poverty reduction.

ASEM, launched with a summit of European and Asian leaders held in Bangkok
in March, 1996, was initially designed to establish closer political,
economic, business and cultural ties between the two continents.

The Asian financial crisis that broke in 1997, suddenly impoverishing the
previously booming Southeast Asian region, has arguably undermined
political interest in the ASEM forum.

For instance, only three foreign ministers from Italy, Ireland and Belgium
are scheduled to attend the ASEM foreign ministers meeting in Bali.

"We are realistic about this sort of thing," said Indonesian Foreign
Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa.

At the ASEM finance ministers meeting held earlier this month, also hosted
by Bali, only one European finance minister attended.

Besides the 15 European Union members plus the European Commission, ASEM
currently includes Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
_________

Agence France Presse July 18 2003

Bush slams Myanmar, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Belarus, Zimbabwe

DALLAS, Texas, July 18 (AFP) - President George W. Bush Friday hit out six
regimes on a US blacklist he said were guilty of oppression and human
rights abuses in Myanmar and Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe and
Belarus.

In a proclamation issued to mark "captive nations week" first observed in
1959 as a statement against communism, Bush hit out at a familiar gallery
of US foes.

"Millions of people still live under regimes that violate their citizens'
rights daily," Bush said in a statement issued as he made a day-trip to
Dallas from his Texas ranch.

"In countries such as Burma and Iran, citizens lack the right to choose
their government, speak out against oppression, and practice their
religion freely," Bush said.
________

Scotsman.com July 21 2003-07-21

Ancram Demands Sanctions Against Burma
By James Lyons

Britain must take unilateral action against Burma if the EU does not agree
concrete steps, shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram said tonight.

Mr Ancram was speaking ahead of a meeting of European foreign ministers
tomorrow, which has been designated “D-Day for EU action on Burma” by
campaigners.

Britain has led international condemnation of the military junta’s
continued detention of democracy leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi.

But Mr Ancram warned words were not enough.

“The British Government has promised a lot,” he said. “They must now make
clear to European foreign ministers that the situation in Burma is so
severe that Britain will no longer hide behind a weak common European
position.

“If European ministers refuse to impose stronger measures against the
Burmese government, Britain must back up its tough rhetoric by either
imposing unilateral sanctions, or pushing for sanctions against Burma at
the United Nations Security Council.

“Such positive steps will help, not hurt, the people of Burma.

“The European Union’s slow response to the crisis in Zimbabwe has been a
disgrace.

“Unless European ministers show that they have shifted their thinking, and
follow the tough lead set by the United States on Burma, they will once
again underline their unwillingness to stand up to regimes that cause
misery and suffering to millions of people.”

REGIONAL

Mizzima July 19 2003

India raises troops in fight against Northeast militancy and drug trafficking

The Assam Rifles, one of the major Indian security forces, is likely get a
shot in the arm as the Indian Home Ministry decided to raise eight more
battalions to guard the Indo-Burma border. The move came in the wake of a
spurt in activities by underground rebel groups and an increase in drug
trafficking.
According to sources in the Indian Home Ministry, the existing companies
of the Assam Rifles are not adequate to guard the border, keeping in view
of growing incidents of violence. ”We have decided to strengthen the
existing forces by raising some new battalions”, the sources said.
Asked whether they had set any time frame for the troop enlargement, the
answer was that the entire process would be completed in a phased manner
“probably by 2007”.
The Burmese military Junta  is learnt to have constituted a new force –
Pyithu–Sitt (the People’s Army). These forces have been deployed in the
border townships in a bid to contain activities by the Indian ultras.
“It is of paramount importance that our North East frontier should be
properly guarded  to foil any attempts by the anti-social elements”, the
Home Ministry sources stated, adding that the Burmese Junta had started to
take stern action against the Northeast militants who are undergoing
training in different camps in Burma. Recent developments in the
relationship between India and Burma are expected to help  both countries
in containing militant activities.
________

Agence France Presse July 20 2003

Myanmar might have to be expelled from ASEAN: Mahathir

Myanmar might have to be expelled from the ASEAN grouping if its military
rulers continue defying world pressure to release democracy activist Aung
San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned in an
interview.

Mahathir, who played a major role in bringing Myanmar into the 10-member
Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1997, made it clear, however,
that this would only be considered as a last resort.

"We will have to examine every avenue before we can take such drastic
actions," he told AFP in an exclusive interview ahead of a visit Tuesday
by French President Jacques Chirac.

"In the end, it may have to be that way. I don't say that it cannot be but
certainly not at this moment."

Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won 1990 elections by a landslide but has
been denied power by the military, was detained on May 30 when her convoy
was attacked by a junta-backed mob while she was on a political tour of
northern Myanmar.

The incident triggered a wider crackdown on her National League for
Democracy which has left its entire leadership in jail or under house
arrest.

Although the junta has insisted that Suu Kyi is being detained on a
temporary basis for her own safety, it has not indicated when she could be
released, despite pressure from the United Nations and countries around
the world.

"We have already informed them that we are very disappointed with the turn
of events and we hope that Aung San Suu Kyi will be released as soon as
possible," Mahathir said.

"They sent an envoy to see me and I told them that is our view. We are
very disappointed over these things and of course, we have done our very
best to try and get them to change their minds but if they are willing to
defy the world, then what can Malaysia do?"

The Myanmar issue has already shaken up the Southeast Asian grouping,
which has been criticized in the past for its policy of not interfering in
the internal affairs of member states.

ASEAN appeared to break with this tradition during its annual ministerial
meeting in Cambodia last month, demanding the Nobel peace laureate's
release.

Mahathir said, however: "We don't criticise member states unless what one
state does embarasses us, causes a problem for us.

"We are thinking about ourselves as ASEAN, we are not criticising Myanmar
for doing what is not related to us, but what they have done has affected
us, our credibility. Because of that, we have voiced our views."

ASEAN, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
_______

Xinhua News Agency July 21 2003

Thai, Myanmar FMs to discuss Myanmar situation

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai has reiterated Thailand's
commitment to pursuing national reconciliation in Myanmar, announcing that
he would meet his Myanmar counterpart.

Surakiart said that he had telephoned Myanmar Foreign Minister U Win Aung,
and that Win Aung had suggested that the two ministers discuss Myanmar's
situation on July 31 in Bangkok, according to a report of Thai News Agency
Monday.

Surakiart reiterated Thailand's stance towards Myanmar on Sunday, saying
that as neighbors the two countries had to cooperate in an atmosphere of
trust and honor, but that as a member of the international community,
Thailand would push for the emergence of national reconciliation in
Myanmar.

Denying that the July 31 talks would constitute interference in Myanmar's
internal affairs, he expressed pleasure that Myanmar had agreed to discuss
the situation.

He described Myanmar's stance as "positive," saying that Myanmar needed to
be allowed more time.

The minister also pledged that Thailand would work to the best of its
ability to meet international expectations of its role in making
constructive suggestions, but cautioned that his country would have to
modify any proposals made by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) or the international community to make them appropriate for
Myanmar before passing them on to Yangon.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed concern over the United
States decision to impose sanctions on Myanmar, warning that the resultant
increase in poverty would push more refugees across the border into
Thailand.
__________

Radio Thailand July 21 2003

THAI PREMIER SAYS BURMA'S SUU KYI "IS IN NO DANGER WHATSOEVER"

Narcotics and the influx of illegal immigrant workers and Burmese
nationals who will be affected by the US economic sanctions will be the
three major issues on the agenda of the meeting of the National Security
Council which will be attended by Prime Minister Pol Lt-Col Thaksin
Shinawatra. The Thai government will make necessary preparations to cope
with the problems without seeking any help from foreign countries.
However, Thailand will provide assistance for Burmese refugees as much as
its resources permitted. The prime minister said:

(Thaksin - recording) I am not sure if the problems will be on the agenda
of the ASEAN summit meeting early October. However, the issues have been
discussed at the ministerial level. When ministers (of our two countries)
meet each other they talk about the problems. (Unidentified correspondent)
Will he be informed about our concern when he comes here at the end of
this month?

(Thaksin) Do you mean the upcoming economic meeting? Our foreign minister
always keeps in touch with his Burmese counterpart. We have been trying to
persuade Burma to restore the status quo as soon as possible in accordance
with the road map as called by the foreign minister.

(Unidentified correspondent) Have we checked through diplomatic channel
the well-being of Aung San Suu Kyi?

(Thaksin) Yes, we have. She is fine. She is in no danger whatsoever. (End
of recording)

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said he believed that
internal problems of Burma would not cause other ASEAN member countries to
expel the country out of the international grouping as suggested by the
Malaysian leader. ASEAN ministers will have to hold consultations before
taking any major action. However, Surakiart will today inquire other ASEAN
member countries about their reactions to the suggestion made by the
Malaysian leader. He said he has been informed that Aung San Suu Kyi is
okay, and she had to be taken into custody for her own safety. There could
be a third party trying to get involved. He was reaffirmed during a recent
meeting with his Burmese counterpart that Suu Kyi would be detained
temporarily.
___________

Deutsche Presse Agentur July 21 2003

Thailand says Myanmar should remain an ASEAN member

Thailand expressed opposition Monday to a suggestion from Malaysian Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad that Myanmar (Burma) might have to be expelled
from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) because of its
abysmal human rights record.

Mahathir was quoted as saying over the weekend he was disappointed in
Myanmar's ruling junta for crushing the country's democracy movement and
jailing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said the other nine members of ASEAN would have to reconsider Myanmar's
membership in the grouping, if the junta continued to reject worldwide
demands for Suu Kyi's release.

"Mahathir has the right to express his own opinion, but ASEAN has so far
made no decision on this issue," Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart
Sathirathai said when asked by reporters about Mahathir's remarks.

"For Thailand, we believe it's better if Burma stays in ASEAN, because
this gives them a channel for discussion," Surakiart said. "This benefits
Thailand because we have a long border with Burma."

Surakiart spoke after a meeting at Government House among officials of the
interior, defence and foreign ministries about the likely ramifications of
Myanmar's intransigence.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has warned tightened sanctions against
Myanmar imposed by the United States and other countries will result in a
new flood of refugees and economic migrants from Myanmar into Thailand.

Thaksin, who has been one of the region's main apologists for the Yangon
(Rangoon) junta, said Monday the regime should be given more time to
settle its internal problems.

Mahathir was one of the main architects of ASEAN's so-called constructive
engagement policy toward the junta, and strongly backed Myanmar's entry
into ASEAN in 1997.

Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail, acting as a special representative for
the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, made a series of visits
to Yangon attempting to mediate a settlement between the junta and Suu
Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).

Following his latest mission to Myanmar last month, Razali expressed
bitterness that the junta appeared to have abandoned efforts at peaceful
reconciliation with the NLD.

OPINIONS/STATEMENTS

Burma Campaign UK July 21 2003

GERMANY BLOCKS EU SANCTIONS ON BURMA
BRITAIN MUST IMPOSE SANCTIONS UNILATERALLY

The Burma Campaign UK today accused Germany of protecting Burma's brutal
military dictatorship. European Union foreign ministers meeting today were
expected to discuss what action they would take against the dictatorship
in Burma. However, Germany's refusal to consider economic sanctions meant
that Burma had to be dropped from the agenda.

"Than Shwe, the dictator of Burma, will be thanking Germany today," said
John Jackson, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. "Germany's decision means
the EU will be taking no action against Burma following the recent
massacre and crackdown. This sends exactly the wrong message to the
dictatorship. Than Shwe now knows that he can get away with massacring his
own people and imprisoning Aung San Suu Kyi. Germany will protect him from
any EU action."

The Burma Campaign UK is calling for targeted economic sanctions that will
cut the economic lifeline of the regime without hurting ordinary Burmese
people. These sanctions include a ban on new investment, and restrictions
on exports of oil, gas timber, gems, minerals and garments.

"Britain cannot allow Germany to stop it from taking action against
Burma's dictatorship," says Jackson. "235 MPs have signed Early Day Motion
1311 calling for Britain to impose investment sanctions unilaterally if
the EU failed to act. The EU has failed to act, Britain must not."

On May 30th Burma's Than Shwe launched a brutal crackdown on Aung San Suu
Kyi's National League for Democracy. Up to 100 of her supporters were
massacred, and Aung San Suu Kyi remains under arrest, her whereabouts
unknown. Europe's failure to act contrasts sharply with action taken by
the US, which already has an investment ban and will soon introduce a ban
on imports.
____________

Washington Post July 21 2003

Don't Let Burma Slide
By Morton Abramowitz

The small flickering of possible change for the long-suffering people of
Burma is being snuffed out. Unless the world acts quickly, pro-democracy
leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi will be finished,
politically if not physically.

Seven weeks have passed since the Burmese military imprisoned her and her
political associates after the violent assault on her motorcade May 30.
International demands for her release fall on deaf ears. The Burmese
regime apparently came to believe that allowing Aung San Suu Kyi access to
the people of Burma was a mistake. She was drawing sizable crowds on her
trips throughout the country, and they feared for their control.

With the exception of a brief meeting June 10 with U.N. Secretary General
Kofi Annan's special envoy, Razali Ismail, the Burmese government has
allowed no one to see her nor revealed her whereabouts. She has
effectively disappeared. Razali announced that she was uninjured and in
good spirits. But his expectation that she would be released in one or two
weeks has been dashed, along with the promise the Burmese government made
him a year earlier to bring about national reconciliation. Instead the
military has sent special envoys throughout Asia to justify her detention.
Meanwhile, government news agencies defile Suu Kyi's character and Burmese
authorities aggressively arrest and interrogate members of her National
League for Democracy (NLD).

After her arrest the U.S. Congress enacted trade sanctions, and an
executive order is being prepared to freeze assets of the Burmese
leadership and ban remittances from the United States. Secretary of State
Colin Powell, writing in the Wall Street Journal, rebuked the "thugs who
run the Burmese government." The European Union strengthened existing
sanctions, broadened its arms embargo on Burma and postponed a high-level
visit. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) overlooked its
principle of nonintervention and issued a cautious statement calling for
the "early lifting of restrictions placed on Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD
members." And an embarrassed Japan, one of Burma's largest donors,
suspended new aid.

But Burma is hardly a world priority. Countries, including the United
States and its European friends, have failed to lean on those nations that
help the military to survive -- China, Thailand and India. The members of
ASEAN have taken no practical steps to further their request for her
release. And in Thailand, except for statements urging the Burmese
government to return the situation to "normalcy," Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra continues his support for the Burmese military, harassing
Burmese exiles and dissidents in Thailand while promoting investment in
Burma. China, Burma's largest military supplier, has the greatest
influence but, not surprisingly, remains silent.

Whatever the world's response, it is not working. Given the mendacity and
ruthlessness of the Burmese regime Suu Kyi's survival cannot be taken for
granted. If nothing happens soon, the world will drift into accepting her
disappearance from the scene. And that is what Burma's leaders expect.
Burma's senior general, Than Shwe, is very tough, detests Suu Kyi and is
not easily susceptible to outside pressure, while his government focuses
on solidifying relations with neighboring nations. The practical options
for dealing with his regime are not promising. Force is out of the
question, and no country is willing to bring serious pressure on China.
That leaves little else but to further mobilize the world to make clear
that what happens to Suu Kyi is of real importance and ensure that at
least some of its military leaders understand the consequences for Burma
of her continued imprisonment:



* Concerned nations should sustain tougher rhetoric condemning the Burmese
government, and strongly convey the difficulty of doing business with the
government without her release, with steps that might include downgrading
their relations with Burma. The United States should lead the charge.



* In particular, nations should focus on Beijing. To hold China's feet to
the fire, a U.N. Security Council resolution proposing a sanctions regime
on Burma needs to be introduced. While China would almost certainly veto
it, Beijing does not like to use its veto, and the prospect of exercising
it might cause China, at least quietly, to urge the Burmese government to
free Suu Kyi.



* In any event, the United Nations must not remain mostly mute on Burma.
The secretary general needs to go beyond his cautious public remarks. He
should start by having Razali meet with the Security Council to report on
the Burma situation. That would, one hopes, be followed by the resolution
recommended above.



* Outside China, ASEAN probably has the most influence on Burma. ASEAN
countries should convey the difficulties that Burma's ostracism will have
for relations with Burma, making it also clear that holding ASEAN meetings
in Burma will be impossible while Suu Kyi is detained. The president
should appoint a special envoy to pursue such an effort with ASEAN and
also urge the two leaders closest to Burma, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, to visit Burma and seek Suu
Kyi's release.

One cannot be sanguine about whether all of this will be done or whether
it will do the trick. But a stronger international effort on Suu Kyi's
behalf remains the only vehicle for securing her release. Her freedom
keeps alive the possibility of political change in Burma, but there is a
long way to go to achieve it. That, and her comrades, must not be
forgotten in the euphoria should she actually be released.

The writer, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, was American
ambassador to Thailand from 1978 to 1981.
_________

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma July 18 2003

Burma's case raised before UN Security Council

New York, 16 July 2003 -- The noose around the Burmese military junta is
tightening.  As the intransigent generals continue to ignore calls by the
international community to release Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi and start the process of national reconciliation in Burma, Western
democracies, for the first time, decided to raise the issue of Burma at a
United Nations Security Council session.

At the UN Security Council meeting chaired by Spain this afternoon, the
United States, the United Kingdom, and France took the floor when "Other
Matters" were discussed at the meeting.  The three countries represented
by U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, British Ambassador Sir Jeremy
Greenstock, and French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere criticized the
injustices perpetrated by the Burmese generals and said they were
concerned about the deteriorating situation in Burma following the
premeditated attack by the junta and its affiliated thugs on the National
League for Democracy members in Tabayin on 30 May.

Earlier in the morning, Mr. Razali Ismail, special envoy of
Secretary-General Kofi Anan, whose duty is to implement the UN General
Assembly resolutions on Burma, including national reconciliation and
democratization in the country, had briefed members of the Informal
Consultative Group (ICG) on Burma -- France, Germany, Russia, United
Kingdom, and United States which are also members of the UN Security
Council -- about his recent visit to the country.

All the ICG members shared the view that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the
other leaders must be released and the process of national reconciliation
started immediately.

On the basis of that briefing, Ambassador John Negroponte took the floor
when "Other Matters" were discussed at the UN Security Council and
reported about the situation in Burma, the continuing detention of Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi, the closure of NLD party offices, and the horrendous
results of the military-orchestrated attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
her entourage for which the junta until now has not offered any credible
explanation.

In their presentations, Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere and Ambassador
Sir Jeremy Greenstock set the stage for the issue to be raised again
before the Security Council by inviting Mr Razali for another round of
briefing when he returns to New York again.

The Chinese representative did not take the floor at the session.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Thaung Htun, NCGUB representative for
UN Affairs said:  The issue of Burma being raised before members of the UN
Security Council is certainly a significant step forward, and that this
would happen was unthinkable even two months ago.  And we, of course,
welcome the initiative of the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
There is definitely a growing perception within the UN diplomatic circles
that political instability and economic deterioration in Burma are a
threat to the stability of Southeast Asia. The regime until now has been a
challenge to the United Nations because it is refusing to cooperate with
the UN-facilitated national reconciliation process.  We do foresee tougher
action by the United Nations and the international community if the regime
continues to be an impediment to the democratization process.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mr. Razali Ismail met the
junta's Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Envoy U Khin Maung Win in New
York yesterday. UN Secretary-General sent a message to the junta's Senior
General Than Shwe unequivocally calling for the immediate release of Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi and warning the junta that it was responsible for her
protection and safety.
_____________

Nation July 21 2003

How to find a way to peace in Burma

The outlook for Burma's future is very bleak. US President George W Bush
is expected to sign a new law passed by the Congress last week that will
ban all Burmese-made products. Burma exports 80 per cent of its textile
products to the US. Without this vital market, over 350,000 workers will
lose their jobs. Moreover, further sanctions are expected from the
European Union. Japan has already stopped new aid to Burma following years
of generous assistance. These increased sanctions will squeeze Burma
further.

Unfortunately, ordinary Burmese will be affected. But the junta leaders,
whose commercial interests are embedded in exporting companies, will also
suffer. About 70 per cent of the country's gross national product belongs
to the junta leaders.

Sanctions work in the sense that they force the Burmese junta to think
over its current policies even though the outcome would not be immediate.
It is clear that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi since May 30 is a
contentious issue that the junta leaders cannot resolve among themselves.
This obviously reflects the extent of disagreement among the junta leaders
and their burgeoning dilemma.

With growing international pressure and support for Aung San Suu Kyi, it
is becoming more and more difficult for the junta to deal with her. The
international community, including Asean, has called for Aung San Suu
Kyi's immediate release and yet Burma refuses to comply. Now, Asean has
threatened the admission of Burma, along with Laos and Cambodia, as new
members of the Asia Europe Meeting (Asem). The EU has made it known that
it would object to Burma's membership, given the latest violence against
the opposition.

As its close neighbour, Thailand has pursuing a flexible foreign policy
towards Burma, trying to please all ears. While it calls for Aung San Suu
Kyi's freedom, it has mollified the regime by harassing Burmese students
in exile. While the US Congress calls on Thailand to cooperate with the US
to ensure democracy in Burma, Thailand acts as the junta's best friend,
telling the world that Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health.

The Thai government is acting as if it does not have any influence over
the scheme of things in Burma. While The Thai Foreign Ministry has
presented a roadmap to Burmese Vice Foreign Minister Kin Muang Win
recently, it has disclosed none of the details.

But to be credible, they must include the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and
the resumption of dialogue between the regime and the opposition. In
addition, all political prisoners must be freed to allow opposition
members to resume political work.

Whatever happens to Burma, Thailand has much to lose. The government has
already come up with contingency plans to tackle a possible influx of
Burmese migrant workers resulting from the economic sanctions there.

Sadly, Thailand worries much about the influx of Burmese workers without
digging deep into the root causes inside Burma. The economic problems are
caused by a failed regime that does not have support of the population.

Thailand should have learned from its recent history. Its ties with
Cambodia were severely tested with torching of Thai Embassy. But both
countries were able to overcome the crisis because they have elected
governments that must respond to the voices of the people one way or
another. In Burma, an elected government would stem the threatened influx
of migrants because assistance would come, sanctions would be lifted and
the Burmese people would stay home to ensure their government responded to
their views and demands.