BurmaNet News: August 8 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

August 8 2003 Issue #2302

8-8-88 NEWS
AFP: Anniversary of bloody 1988 uprising passes off quietly in Myanmar
MAN: Fear of Crackdown Hampers 8/8/88 Demonstration
AFP: Three protesters arrested at Myanmar's Washington embassy
Narinjara: Demonstration on the anniversary of the 8th August in Dhaka
Press Assn: Home News / 8888 Demonstration in London
Happy Birthday ASEAN, Don’t Forget 8888

INSIDE BURMA
BP: Suu Kyi’s Release Tipped
Channel NewsAsia: Thai general denies report on Suu Kyi release
AFP: Myanmar MP released from jail after seven years behind bars
DVB: Burma reportedly sends heavy artillery, personnel to bases near
Chinese border
DVB: Clash between students and factory workers in Sagaing

MONEY
Xinhua: Myanmar holds IT workshop
BCUK: Lotto Sportswear Pull Out of Burma

REGIONAL
Xinhua: Thai road map under Myanmar's consideration

EDITORIAL
NYT: An Important Human Rights Tool


8-8-88 NEWS

Agence France Presse   August 8, 2003
Anniversary of bloody 1988 uprising passes off quietly in Myanmar

YANGON: The anniversary of Myanmar's bloody 1988 democracy uprising passed
off quietly Friday, with no public events held during a time of political
tension with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in custody.

The military government is on high alert for any sign of dissent in the
aftermath of May 30 clashes in northern Myanmar, which triggered the Nobel
peace laureate's arrest after her convoy was ambushed by a pro-junta gang.

The August 8, 1988 uprising -- known as the 8-8-88 incident -- was marked
here only by quiet prayers for those who lost their lives and food
offerings to Buddhist monks.

In the Thai capital Bangkok, normally the scene of protests by Myanmar
exiles on important anniversaries, events were also more muted this year
amid a government crackdown on political dissidents.

However, some 30 demonstrators from the Joint Action Committee for
Democracy in Burma held a silent protest outside the United Nations
building, wearing white sheets and chains around their necks.

They held aloft posters calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release and urging
the United States and the European Union to do more to secure her freedom.

A coalition of pro-democracy pressure groups also visited embassies of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, delivering an
open letter warning that Myanmar could bring the entire grouping into
disrepute.

"Happily we also note that since May 30th, ASEAN has shown that it is
maturing as an organization in its ability to address regional concerns,
and it is no longer staying silent on the situation in Burma," it said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last month said that Myanmar
could be kicked out of ASEAN as a last resort if it continued to defy
world pressure to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Expulsion of Burma from ASEAN has been raised as an option for the
military regime's refusal to heed ASEAN's call," the protesters' letter
said, using the country's former name.

"It is an option that ASEAN can wield now if the call for Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi's release and the path to dialogue remain unheeded."

Myanmar's military brutally suppressed the 8-8-88 mass pro-democracy
demonstration in Yangon, and hundreds or even thousands of protestors are
thought to have been killed.

Subsequent elections in 1990, which were won by Aung San Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy (NLD) in a landslide, were never recognised
and the country has been mired in a political deadlock ever since.
__________

Muslim Agency for News   August 8, 2003
Fear of Crackdown Hampers 8/8/88 Demonstration

Fears of a crackdown by Thai police restricted a demonstration by Burmese
democracy activists to only 20 minutes today at the Burmese Embassy in
Bangkok.

Democracy activist leaders say the 8/8/88 demonstration was cut short and
the turnout limited to 20 people because of nervousness after the arrests
of 11 demonstrators at the embassy in June.

Protest organiser Kin San Nwe of the NLD said the demonstration was very
short and nearly silent because demonstrators feared Thai police reaction.

"It is sure that we would have been arrested if the demonstration lasted
longer than 20 minutes," said Kin San Nwe. The Thai police had approved
only 15 minutes for the protest.

Many opposition groups chose not to attend the demonstration. Others who
decided to risk arrest arrived too late to participate in the shortened
protest.

At the shortened demonstration, activists demanded that the SPDC release
Aung San Suu Kyi. They also urged the UN to become more involved in the
fight for Burmese democracy and asked the Thai government to release
details of their Burma roadmap to democracy.

Demonstrators laid wreathes in front of the embassy in memory of those
killed during the 8/8/88 crackdown and Depeyin event in Burma.

The 20 protesters represented various political groups including the NLD
(LA), PDP and Shan, Chin and Pa-O organisations.

manburma at yahoo.com
__________

Agence France Presse   August 8,
Three protesters arrested at Myanmar's Washington embassy

The US Secret Service arrested three protesters on Thursday who had
attempted to scale a balcony at Myanmar's embassy in Washington to unfurl
a banner critical of the military regime in Yangon.

The three women, bearing a banner reading "Expel the Ambassador Now" were
restrained by embassy staff and handed over to Secret Service officers,
said Dan Beeton, of the Free Burma Coalition.

John Gill, spokesman for the uniformed branch of the Secret Service, which
is tasked with protecting 170 foreign missions in the US capital,
confirmed the arrests. He said the three women were charged with unlawful
entry but did not release their names. Around 70 activists and exiles had
gathered outside the embassy in an upscale Washington neighborhood to mark
the 15th anniversary on Friday of a pro-democracy uprising which ended in
a massacre by government troops in Myanmar, the former Burma.

Activists complained that embassy staff used unnecessary force to restrain
the women, two of whom scaled a ladder to an embassy balcony from which
they hoped to hang their banner.

"They roughly grabbed them. There was no reason for it. They treated these
women like criminals, yet it is the regime who are the criminals," said
the Free Burma Coalition's Min Zaw Oo.

Gill said he had not been made aware of any such complaints against
embassy staff by protestors.

The protest came amid an escalating campaign in Washington against the
Myanmar regime and in support of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who has
been detained since May.

Mass demonstrations in Myanmar, on August 8, 1988, or 8-8-88, as they have
become known, were brutally suppressed by the military. Hundreds or
thousands of protestors are thought to have been killed.

Subsequent elections in 1990, which were won by Aung San Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy in a landslide, were never recognized by the
military and the country has been mired in political deadlock ever since.
__________

Narinjara News   August 8, 2003
Demonstration on the anniversary of the 8th August in Dhaka
By Aung Than

Dhaka, 8th August 03:  A group of Rakhine students and youths from Burma
has staged demonstrations in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, this morning
on the 15th anniversary of the 8th August Democracy Uprising of Burma.

The group consisting of about forty participants raised slogans and
demanded the release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi, the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, and Min
Ko Naing, the student leader of 1988 democratic uprising, besides
demanding national reconciliation.  The group also called for
establishment of democracy in Burma.

Another discussion was held in Dhaka yesterday in memory of the August 8
Democracy Uprising, attended by fifty Rakhine students and youth.  Aung
Myo Min, director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB)
and Khaing Mrat Kyaw from Narinjara shared their experiences in the
movement during the turbulent August days fifteen years ago, besides a few
students dealt on the significance of the day.

The demonstrations and the discussions were facilitated by All Arakan
Students and Youths Congress (AASYC).
___________

Press Association   August 8, 2003
HOME NEWS

Outside the Burmese Embassy, in central London, representatives of the
government in exile spoke to a crowd of more than 100 protesters about the
need for change in their former homeland.

Demonstrators chanted the same slogans that the student activists used in
the 1988 uprising and wore the same red headbands, during an hour-long
protest outside the embassy.

Among the noisy crowd of Burmese and British protesters were veterans of
the 1988 rally - many of whom fled to Britain after the failed uprising.

Mark Farmener, campaigns officer for Burma Campaign UK, said many of those
at today's protests had shown great courage by attending the
anti-government rally.

"A lot of the people here have been really quite brave. The Burmese
government keeps records of political activists in Britain and they will
have had cameras watching the protesters at today's demonstration.

"They could trace family members who still live in Burma and interrogate
them, so they have traditionally been cautious about coming to things like
this.

"But the show of force at today's demonstration shows a new-found
confidence among the British-Burmese community to take a stand and call
for action against the Burma government," Mr Farmener added.

He said he hoped today's protest would help highlight the continued
repression of pro-democracy activists by the Burmese government.

The Burma Campaign UK today renewed calls for the British government to
introduce sanctions against the dictatorship and increase international
pressure on the military junta to recognise human rights.

Police reported no arrests during the protests.
__________

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASEAN, DON'T FORGET 8888

Asean activists presented a "birthday card" to each of  the Embassies of 9
Asean member countries and the Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok today
(August 8, 2003).The "birthday card" contained an open letter to Asean
leaders on Burma (see text below).

The delegation broke up into two teams to cover all the embassies before
converging at the Thai Foreign Ministry at noon. All embassies except
Singapore and Burma welcomed the activists. Staff at the Burmese Embassy
refused to accept anything that mentioned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, therefore
the "birthday card" was received by the embassy guard (note: the card
featured a photo of the Nobel Laureate being greeted by thousands of
supporters this year).

At the Thai Foreign Ministry, Deputy Director-General of the Dept of East
Asian Affairs Mr Noppadon Theppitak assured activists that the Royal Thai
Govt was "cooking up something" for Burma and asked activists to "be
patient". He was optimistic that "positive changes" would take place soon.

The delegation was followed by a forum and concert to commemorate the 8888
Uprising in Burma, held at the Student Christian Center, Phayathai Road.

Similar actions will be taking place in the region and internationally.

Contact persons:
MS NOI tel 01 682 4013
MR SARAWUT tel 01 809 9667
------------
August 8, 2003

To the Leaders of ASEAN,

We wish to congratulate you on the 36th Anniversary of your establishment.
ASEAN has grown considerably and seen many important events in the history
of both its member countries and as an organization.

Ironically, a tragic event happened on the 21st anniversary of your
establishment. On 8 August 1988, a nationwide strike for democracy in
Burma was met with brutal force and massacre by the ruling military junta.
The illegitimate military junta, which has been in control since that
time, was however given a great boost by membership into your Association
in 1997.

The nation that was admitted into ASEAN on 23 July 1997 was ruled by a
military regime that had for seven years ignored the results of general
elections - that they themselves called - which clearly reflected the
wishes of the people of Burma for a democratic and civilian government.
ASEAN admitted this regime, but did not even pay lip service to the
elected government of 1990 or to the political party which should have had
the overwhelming majority in Parliament. We note that recent events and
declarations indicate that ASEAN member states themselves are now
beginning to reconsider this position.

Some of you hoped that Burma's membership into ASEAN would help to educate
the military regime in the ways of the international community and
contribute to both economic as well as political reform. This rationale
was often heard to justify Burma's admission to ASEAN. However on 30 May
2003, with the violent attack on the National League of Democracy
procession and the incarceration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta has
made sure that no doubt remains regarding its intention to prolong its
iron-fist rule.

Happily we also note that since May 30th, ASEAN has shown that it is
maturing as an organization in its ability to address regional concerns,
and it is no longer staying silent on the situation in Burma. We welcome
the more forthcoming exchanges among ASEAN member countries at the 36th
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, making it clear that political
oppression in Burma is not a simple matter of internal affairs.

ASEAN should also be very concerned about Burma's upcoming turn at the
ASEAN presidency in 2006. Just as democracy has been given a tremendous
setback in Burma over the past 2 months, progress made by ASEAN and its
relationship with the international community could suffer similar
consequences with Burma's military regime at its helm.

We urge ASEAN to do now what should have been done on the occasion of
Burma's admission to the Association. In addition to the calls for the
release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political reform, we invite ASEAN to
participate in a broader dialogue with Burma - one which involves not only
the counterparts in the military regime, but counterparts in the
democratic movement and ethnic nationalities as well. In the Joint
Communique on 16-17 June, ASEAN itself called for Burma to "resume its
efforts of national reconciliation and dialogue among all parties
concerned leading to a peaceful transition to democracy."

ASEAN too can contribute to a peaceful transition to democracy by engaging
the rightful leaders with invitations, formal or informal, to participate
in various ASEAN forums. ASEAN can likewise offer itself as facilitator or
mediator in a tri-partite dialogue among the democratic opposition, the
ethnic nationalities and the junta.

In the meantime, we also call upon ASEAN leaders to pursue a suspension of
the supply of military equipment and training to the regime, as Burma's
military expansion seems to have gone hand in hand with the increase of
malnutrition rates, displaced communities and drug production. We hope
this initiative will be broadened to include members of the Asean Regional
Forum and other ASEAN partners, since the impacts of growing
militarization of Burma continue to threaten regional security.

Expulsion of Burma from ASEAN has been raised as an option for the
military regime's refusal to heed ASEAN's call. It is an option that ASEAN
can wield now if the call for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release and the path
to dialogue remain unheeded. Even then, ASEAN should likewise take steps
to provide conditions for the eventual recognition of the legitimate
representatives of the Burmese people and invite them now to observe or
sit among their midst. That would be a fitting birthday gift for ASEAN to
give to itself.

Sincerely Yours,

Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) Coordinating
Committee for Human Rights Organizations in Thailand Thai Action Committee
for Democracy in Burma Union for Civil Liberty Alternative Asean Network
on Burma (Altsean-Burma) Members of Parliament Union (Burma) National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma National Council of the Union
of Burma  Foreign Affairs Committee Democratic Party for a New Society All
Burma Students Democratic Front All Burma Federation of Student Unions.


INSIDE BURMA

Bangkok Post   August 8, 2003
Suu Kyi’s Release Tipped
By Wassana Nanuam

Burma is expected to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi within the
next two weeks, says Thailand's Third Army commander.

Lt-Gen Picharnmet Muangmanee said the army had received a firm signal from
the Burmese ruling junta that it would release Mrs Suu Kyi by Aug 22-24,
when Thailand and Burma attend a Regional Border Committee meeting in
Cha-am district, Phetchaburi. I have received a good signal from Burma
about the planned release of the opposition leader. She will probably be
freed during the RBC meeting,'' he said.

Mrs Suu Kyi has been in protective custody'' since May 30.

Lt-Gen Picharnmet, who will co-chair the RBC meeting, said drug
suppression and border problems, including Burmese minority groups, would
be discussed.
__________

Channel NewsAsia   August 8, 2003
Thai general denies report on Suu Kyi release

A senior Thai general has denied a report that Myanmar's pro-democracy
leader Aung San Suu may be freed within the next two weeks.

The Bangkok Post newspaper quoted Lieutenant-General Picharnmet Muangmanee
as saying he had been told by his Myanmar counterparts that the Yangon
military was ready to free Ms Suu Kyi.

He had said Ms Suu Kyi's release might coincide with a regional border
committee meeting from August 22 to 24 to discuss drug suppression and
other border issues.

But Picharnmet later denied the report.

Ms Suu Kyi was detained on May 30 after a clash between her supporters and
pro-government youths, sparking international outrage.

She has been kept at a secret location. The ruling military said it was
done so for her own protection.

Myanmar's foreign minister said last week the government was isolating Ms
Suu Kyi to prevent political anarchy which could destroy the country and
would free her when the situation improved.
___________

Agence France Presse   August 8, 2003
Myanmar MP released from jail after seven years behind bars

YANGON:  A Myanmar opposition member elected as an MP in the disallowed
1988 elections has been freed from jail after seven years behind bars, a
National League for Democracy (NLD) source said Friday.

The NLD source said Khun Myint Htun, 41, from eastern Mon state was
released from jail on August 1. He was sentenced along with 19 others in
1996 for "unlawful association with underground elements".

"He'd travelled for five days to reach Yangon from Buthidaung jail in
Rahkine state where he had to serve an extra sentence for misbehavior
inside the jail," the source said, adding that the other 18 were freed
some time ago.

"Misbehaviour" in jails usually means prisoners have made political
demonstrations against their incarceration.

The same source said opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party's
deputy chairman Tin Oo, who have been in detention since May 30, were
receiving regular parcels of food and medicine from family and friends.

"They are now receiving these parcels at the rate of once per week," the
source said, adding that five have been sent so far.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo were arrested on May 30 after their convoy was
ambushed by a pro-junta gang during a political tour of northern Myanmar.

Tin Oo is being held in a jail near the Indian border but Aung San Suu Kyi
is detained at an undisclosed location after being moved from the
notorious Insein jail in Yangon.

Both have received visits from the International Committee for the Red
Cross (ICRC) which said they were in good health.

The ruling junta releases political prisoners periodically, usually to
mark visits by important dignitaries or to mark major anniversaries.

It announced late last month that some 91 pro-democracy activists arrested
over the May 30 clashes, including at least 29 from the NLD, were freed
late last month.
____________

Democratic Voice of Burma   August 6, 2003
Burma reportedly sends heavy artillery, personnel to bases near Chinese
border

We had already reported about the reinforcement of Chinese troops along
the Burma-China border since early July. According to the latest reports,
the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) has also sent heavy
artillery and personnel reinforcements to bases near the Chinese border.

A military source told DVB, the latest reinforcement of 12 heavy artillery
and five artillery tow trucks were delivered from Meiktila Central
Artillery Command to No 506 Artillery Command, based at Laukkai in Kokang
region. Local residents said, a special train carrying the military
hardware arrived at Lashio on 19 July and the cargo was then transported
to Laukkai by military vehicles. The heavy artillery will reinforce No 079
Artillery Company under the Regional Management Command in Laukkai and No
083 Artillery Company based at Kunlong.

The source added, in a similar manner, new high calibre mortars were sent
to No 1 Military Operations Management Command in Kyaukme and No 16
Military Operations Management Command in Hsenwi, under the Northeast
Military Command, in the first week of July. According to unconfirmed
reports, the artillery reinforcements currently sent were thought to be
the ones bought from India and not made in China.

The latest figures of the SPDC War Office in Rangoon indicated that new
Artillery Commands have been established since late 2000, and so far, nine
have already been set up. Each Artillery Command consists of 10 Artillery
Battalions. One Artillery Command each will be established at all the 12
regional military commands. Furthermore, it has been learned that
preparations are under way to install air defence weapons and equipment in
addition to the heavy artillery at the Artillery Commands.
____________

Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese   August 7, 2003
Clash between students and factory workers in Sagaing

It is reported that there had been a clash between students of Education
University in Sagaing and factory workers of the Wa Army – owned Hon Pan
Factory on the 4th of this month. As a result, 3 or four students were
sent to Sagaing Hospital for treatment and there has been no report of
serious injuries, said a local resident in Sagaing. As there is no
official statement, it is not known how many factory workers were wounded.
The clash started when a factory worker and two students had a fight near
Hon Pan Factory at Nilar Ward at 7pm on the 4th of August. Then, at 8pm,
about 25 students gathered in front of the factory and demanded the
mangers to hand over the ‘attacker’, according to the local people. By
9pm, the number of students increased to 100 and continued their demand
and more quarrels ensued with the factory’s security staff. The students
then invaded the compound of the factory through the gate and smashed
windows, flowerpots and signboards. The local and regional authorities,
the police and soldiers from a local base had to solve the problem. A
local resident of Sagaing told DVB about the university and the clash as
follows:

A Sagaing resident : Education University is quite near Hon Pan Factory
and situated on the northern tip of Sagaing. They finished building it
three years ago and there must be about 1500 students. They have quite a
lot of courses. As far as I know, the problem is related to dispute about
women but the local authorities had to solve the problem. But there was no
shooting. I haven’t heard any sound of gunfire. Some students were
slightly injured and a couple of them were sent to Sagaing Hospital.

In 2001, there was a clash between the two and the authorities are said to
be closely watching the incident as it is very close to the 15th
anniversary of the 8888 uprising which is falling on the 8th of August.


MONEY

Xinhua News Agency   August 8, 2003
Myanmar holds IT workshop

YANGON:  A national workshop on development of enabling policies for trade
and investment in the information technology (IT) sector began here
Thursday, official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Friday.

It is the third workshop of its kind to have been held in Myanmar by the
Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ( ESCAP).

The two-day workshop was attended by representatives of government
departments concerned, private sectors and UN ESCAP.

The discussions covered the importance of information and communication
technology (ICT) for the development of Myanmar and trade and investment
policies and their linkage with the use and production of IT goods.

The workshop also discussed matters relating to the application and
strategies of the IT and the IT industries in Myanmar.

Myanmar held two workshops last year with the UN ESCAP on WTO ( World
Trade Organization) Agreement, trade and investment opportunities for
Myanmar and human resources development for e( electronic)-commerce.

Myanmar, being a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), signed an e-ASEAN Framework Agreement in November 2000 and set up
an e-National Task Force to support the IT development.

The country set up its first ever ICT park in Yangon in January in 2002 to
provide modern communication services to local and foreign IT companies
for e-commerce, e-learning and other IT-related works. Meanwhile, the
second ICT park is being planned in the second largest city of Mandalay.

For education and human resources development in the IT sector, the
Myanmar government is also giving encouragement and incentives to
investment in the field.
__________

Burma Campaign UK   August 8, 2003
Lotto Sportswear Pull Out of Burma

The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed an announcement by Italian sportswear
giant Lotto that it is to stop sourcing clothes from Burma.

Clothing exports are an important source of income for Burma's brutal
military dictatorship. The Burma Campaign UK is campaigning to clean the
high street of clothing sourced from Burma as part of its campaign to cut
the financial lifeline of the regime.

The Burma Campaign UK had warned Lotto that as it sourced clothes from
Burma it was to be placed on a 'Dirty List' of companies helping to
finance Burma's dictatorship. The updated 'Dirty List' will be published
on August 20th.

In a letter to the Burma Campaign, Lotto said it had not been aware that a
subcontractor had been sourcing from Burma, and that would 'strictly
intervene' to end production in the country.

"Lotto have done the right thing and we congratulate them for it," said
Yvette Mahon, Director of Burma Campaign UK. "Most big brands and
retailers now have policies of not sourcing from Burma as British
customers expect high ethical standards."

Earlier this year Kookai and Bonmarché announced they would no longer
source from Burma. Other major retailers with policies not to source from
Burma include Marks & Spencer, H&M, BHS, Next, Clarkes, Oasis, and
Warehouse.

Lotto are the official footwear supplier for the Wimbledon tennis
championship, and kit supplier to Italian football team Juventus.

For more information contact Yvette Mahon, Director of Burma Campaign UK
on 020 7281 7377, mobile 07957 301 346, or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer,
on 020 7281 7377, mobile 07941 239 640.


REGIONAL

Xinhua News Agency   August 8, 2003
Thai road map under Myanmar's consideration

BANGKOK:  Myanmar's leaders were now considering the road map for national
reconciliation proposed by the Thai government, Thai Foreign Minister
Surakiat Sathirathai on Friday was quoted by local press as saying.

Surakiat said his Myanmar counterpart Win Aung on Thursday told him the
information during a telephone talk called from Yangon.

The call aimed to let Thailand know that the Myanmar government was
serious about Thailand's proposal, according to the Thai foreign minister.

"It is a good sign that they are serious about our proposal," Surakiat was
quoted by newspaper The Nation as saying.

Surakiat last Friday briefed Win Aung of the so-called road map for
Myanmar's national reconciliation, which had stopped at deadlock since May
30, when the government detained the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in
name of protection for leader of the National League for Democracy Party.

According the reconciliation plan, the Thai government suggested Myanmar
consider the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, open political dialogue with the
opposition, revise the constitution and receive international assistance
to improve human rights and economic development.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Surakiat had a telephone
conversation on the Myanmar issue on Thursday, reported Japan's Kyoto News
Service.

During their talks, the two sides affirmed the importance of releasing
Aung San Suu Kyi and discussed how to further advance Thailand's
reconciliation plan.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Post on Friday quoted Thai military resources saying
that Myanmar was expected to release Aung San Suu Kyi within the next two
weeks.

"I have received a good signal from Myanmar about the planned release of
the opposition leader," said Thailand's Third Army commander Picharnmet
Muangmanee, who would take part in a Regional Border Committee meeting
with Myanmar delegates on Aug. 22-24.

"She will probably be freed during the meeting," said Picharnmet.


EDITORIAL

The New York Times   August 8, 2003
An Important Human Rights Tool

 federal appeals court based in California is poised to rule on a case
that could have broad implications for human rights worldwide. A group of
villagers from Myanmar, formerly Burma, charge that when a gas pipeline
was built in their region, they were subjected to forced labor — and that
the American corporation Unocal played a role in their mistreatment (an
accusation that Unocal denies). A three-judge panel has already ruled
that the suit can go forward. But the Bush administration has asked an
11-judge panel of the same court to block it, arguing that it interferes
unduly with foreign policy.

International human rights issues of this kind are showing up with greater
frequency in American courts, and they raise an array of legal questions,
some of which could indeed affect America's relations with other nations.
But that is not true in this and similar cases. It is important that the
California appeals court, and other courts, stand by the basic principle
that these suits can go forward.

The three-judge panel of the court, the United States Court of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit, ruled last year that the Myanmar villagers could sue
Unocal under the Alien Tort Claims Act, a two-centuries-old law that
allows noncitizens to file civil lawsuits under limited circumstances. The
case must allege a violation of "specific, universal and obligatory"
international norms: egregious acts, like the forced labor the Myanmar
villagers say Unocal aided and abetted. And the defendant must be present
in the United States — physically, for human defendants, or by virtue of
where they do business, in the case of corporations.

The Bush administration argues that permitting the Myanmar villagers to
sue will interfere with American foreign policy, including the war on
terrorism. But this is false. The United States has no interest in
protecting companies that engage in forced labor or other such abuses. The
appeals court should adhere to decades of legal precedents and reject the
Bush administration's argument.

As international human rights suits become more common in American courts,
there will inevitably be tougher calls. If a court determined that foreign
policy concerns were real in some future case, it would have at its
disposal a variety of legal doctrines allowing it to avoid deciding the
case. But in the suit before it, where such extraordinary circumstances
are not present, the Ninth Circuit should make clear that the Myanmar
villagers have a right to be heard.