BurmaNet News: September 26, 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

Sept 26, 2002 Issue # 2335

INSIDE BURMA
BBC: Suu Kyi Back Home – Under Arrest
VOA: Aung San Suu Kyi Detention Could Derail ASEAN Summit Agenda
Xinhua: Chinese photo exhibition opens in Myanmar

DRUGS
SHAN: Speed II comes to town

MONEY
AFX: JJB admits oversight on sourcing after Burma-made goods found in
London store
Xinhua: Myanmar-India gas transmission through Bangladesh turned down

INTERNATIONAL
PA News: Britain Demands Release of Suu Kyi
Radio Australia: Indonesia expecting 'developments' on Suu Kyi detention

REGIONAL
Yomiuri: Court nixes deportation of Myanmar man at risk
Irrawaddy: Mine Blast Kills 6 DKBA Soldiers
Irrawaddy: ABSDF Members Pressured to Leave

EDITORIAL/STATEMENT
Asian Tribune: NLD Youth Leaguers demand for the Establishment of
Democracy in Burma
INSIDE BURMA

BBC, September 26, 2003
Suu Kyi Back Home – Under Arrest

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has left hospital and
returned home under effective house arrest in the capital Rangoon, reports
say.
Ms Suu Kyi, who was recovering from a gynaecological operation in a
private Rangoon medical centre, was discharged on Friday.
A government spokesman quoted by Reuters news agency did not clarify the
conditions of Suu Kyi's return to her home after more than three months in
detention.
"She will continue to rest at home under the supervision of her doctors
while the government stands ready to provide and assist her with medical
and humanitarian needs," the spokesman said.
But anyone wanting to visit her will need to apply to the military
government for permission, and her doctor said earlier on Friday she would
be in custody at her home.
The BBC's Burma analyst, Larry Jagan, says the ruling military junta is
using her operation as a excuse to allow her home without appearing to
back down to foreign pressure.
Earlier, Ms Suu Kyi's physician stood outside the Asia Royal Hospital in
Rangoon to announce that his patient was due to go home "but will still be
effectively under house arrest".
"Anybody who wishes to see her once she is home can make arrangement
through the authorities," said Dr Tin Myo Win.
Aung San Suu Kyi was detained on 30 May, following violent clashes between
her supporters and a government-backed mob.
Despite international outrage and Western sanctions, the Nobel prize
winner has remained in detention ever since.
Dr Tin Myo Win read out a statement by Ms Suu Kyi in which she thanked her
supporters, who have maintained a vigil outside the medical centre, but
asked "specifically that nobody should want to see me leave the hospital."
The physician said he would accompany the pro-democracy leader to her
lakeside residence outside Rangoon on Friday, and then visit her
regularly.
"I'm still worried about her health, but she is improving and she is
perfectly well to go home," he said.
Aung San Suu Kyi, aged 58, has been under house arrest twice before - the
first time for six years between 1989 and 1995, and the second time for 20
months until she was freed in May 2002.
International diplomacy
There has been a massive international outcry over her continued
detention, with constant demands for her immediate and unconditional
release.
Her imprisonment has also strained relations within the region.
Friday's development came after the Indonesian envoy to Burma, Ali Alatas,
and the Thai foreign minister visited Rangoon earlier this week.
Indonesia has been keen for Rangoon to make concessions before next
month's Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Bali,
which Burma is due to attend.
By allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to return home - albeit under house arrest -
the junta may assume it has done just that.
But according to our correspondent, international pressure will not stop
until the Burmese Government unconditionally frees Aung San Suu Kyi, and
starts substantive political talks with her about the future of the
country.

_____________________________________

Voice of America, September 26, 2003
Aung San Suu Kyi Detention Could Derail ASEAN Summit Agenda
By Tim Johnston

Indonesia's envoy to Burma says he is hopeful the detention of opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi will not derail the upcoming summit of Association
of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN nations have stepped up diplomacy to
gain the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, but have yet to get any firm
commitments from Burma's military government.
The members of the Association of South East Asian Nations have repeatedly
and vocally criticized member Burma for its continued detention of
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The issue is threatening to derail the agenda at the ASEAN summit in Bali,
Indonesia on October 7.
So this week Indonesia sent former foreign minister, Ali Alatas, to Burma
to try to persuade the military government to release the Nobel Laureate
who has been in her latest detention since May 30.
Mr. Alatas says even though he did not get any specific commitments,
Rangoon has promised to consider the problem.
"We don't know yet what will happen between now and the summit meeting,
but I really hope and I think by that time there will be new
developments," he said.
Thailand - which has taken the softest diplomatic line on Burma - also
sent its foreign minister to Rangoon Thursday for a one-day meeting.
The Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman (Sihasak Phuangketkeow) says his
government is also hopeful there will be a resolution to the problem.
And on the basis of the discussions, we believe that there will be
positive developments and progress on every issue," he said.
Burma's new prime minister, Khin Nyunt, has announced a road map to
political reform, which would include a new constitution and elections.
But he has declined to specify a timetable, if opposition groups will be
included in the process, and when Aung San Suu Kyi would be released from
detention.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been hospitalized since undergoing
surgery last week. Her personal physician said Friday that she will be
leaving soon.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won Burma's last
elections in 1990, but was never allowed to take power by the military.
She was detained on May 30 after government loyalists attacked her convoy.
The ruling generals say she was taken into custody for her own protection,
but the international community has dismissed their explanations.
_____________________________________


Xinhua, September 26, 2003
Chinese photo exhibition opens in Myanmar

YANGON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) --A Chinese photo exhibition in celebration of
the 54th anniversary of the founding of the People' s Republic of China
opened at the National Museum here Friday.

The eight-day exhibition is being held under the title of " Beautiful
China" and "China's Yangtze River Delta Takes Off".

The photo exhibition, jointly sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar
and the Myanmar Ministry of Information, will display a total of 105
sheets of photos, of which 60 feature "Beautiful China" and 45 reflect
"China's Yangtze River Delta Takes Off".

These photos have demonstrated China's natural landscapes and ancient
buildings such as The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven,
Beijing and The Potala Palace, Tibet, which are respectively known as
world's ancient heritage.

The photos also exhibit the scenes of economic take-off of Shanghai
Municipality and Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in more than 20 years
after reform and opening to the world.

Along with these photos, 20 Chinese DVD, VCD of feature and documentary
films will also be played at the event.

Present at the opening ceremony were Myanmar government officials, Chinese
Ambassador to Myanmar Li Jinjun, foreign diplomats in Myanmar and invited
guests from different walks of life in Myanmar as well as representatives
of overseas Chinese and Myanmar-Chinese totalling about 200.

_____________________________________


DRUGS


SHAN, September 25, 2003
Speed II comes to town

According to a reliable source from the border, a new type of yaba
(methamphetamine) produced by the Wa has entered the drug market since the
beginning of this month.
The new speed pill is thicker than the standard yaba, maroon color and is
at least five times as "high" as the original, said the local businessman.
"With the old yaba, you may need 5-6 pills each day to 'to stay alive'",
the 50-year old native of Mongton, opposite Chiangmai, told S.H.A.N..
"With the new one, half a pill each day will keep you in shape."
The pills were manufactured, beginning July, at Hwe-hok, east of Hoyawd at
the foothills of Hpahompook mountain range. The refinery is under the
protection of Ta Rong, Commander of Brigade 214, United Wa State Army.
The compressor used for the purpose is said to be one that turns out 39
pills each time.
On 20 September, two buyers from Thailand: one, an ethnic Chinese from
Tham-ngob, Chaiprakarn District, and the other, a Muser (Lahu) from Phrao
District, arrived in Hoyawd, that lies east of the township seat, Mongton.
"Each took a few thousand pills to test the waters in Thailand," he said.
"The wholesale price is 150 baht per pill while the retail price is 200."
Nevertheless, entry into Thailand is still a problem for drug operators
because of the continued crackdown in the kingdom, he conceded. "We
therefore diverted them into Laos through the Golden Triangle, to the
seaways via southern Burma and to India through Tamu," he said.
Drug prices have also gone down, according to him. Heroin is 120,000 baht
per block (700 g) and opium is 10,000 per viss (1.6 kg) down from over
200,000 baht per kg and 11,000 baht per viss last month respectively. "If
it's opium from west of the Salween, the price is even lower, only 8,500
baht," he confided.

_____________________________________

MONEY


AFX, September 26, 2003
JJB admits oversight on sourcing after Burma-made goods found in London store

Sporting goods retailer JJB Sports PLC admitted Friday an "oversight" in
its sourcing procedures after goods manufactured in Burma were found in
its flagship Oxford Street store.
    A company spokesman told AFX Global Ethics Monitor: "The company
accepts there was an oversight which will be remedied. We have been in
contact with Burma Campaign and reiterated our commitment not to
purchase goods that have been manufactured in Burma."
    Yesterday, Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) a leading pressure group against
corporate operations in Myanmar -- formally Burma -- said it was
placing JJB on its 'dirty list' of companies that maintain links with
the country and its ruling military regime.
    But the swift response from JJB looks to have averted that threat, as
BCUK welcomed the company's renewed commitment not to source from the
country.
    "We put them on (the 'dirty list') yesterday and we've taken them off
today," Mark Farmaner at BCUK told AFX-GEM.
    "JJB have acted responsibly on this one. They're getting in contact
with suppliers, will be making random checks and have withdrawn the
stocks. They've done everything we've asked for," Farmaner said.
    BCUK said it had found Burma-made shirts and shorts made by Italian
firm Kappa in the central London store.
    Kappa is currently the subject of a co-ordinated email campaign by
BCUK supporters across Europe.
    London-based BCUK says that foreign investment and trade in Burma
helps finance a regime that uses rape, torture and murder to oppress
its own people.
    It published its updated 'dirty list' of around 80 firms in August and
has seen "quite an exodus" since, Farmaner said.
    WPP pledged to exit its minor operations in Burma a day after finding
itself on the list on Aug 20. The UK government has also been applying
pressure on travel companies and British American Tobacco PLC to
review their operations in the country.

_____________________________________


Xinhua, September 26, 2003
Myanmar-India gas transmission through Bangladesh turned down

DHAKA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) --The proposal for a gas transmission line from
Myanmar to India through Bangladesh has failed to obtain approval from the
Bangladeshi government, reported the Financial Express on Friday.

The proposal was turned downed and sent back from Bangladeshi prime
minister's office a few days back.

The trans-Bangladesh gas transmission line proposal became controversial
as the experts from the state-owned Petrobangla questioned its economic
and technical viability.

According to the proposal, the transmission line was supposed to carry
natural gas to the Indian state of West Bengal from the deposits in
Myanmar and the northeast Indian state Tripura through Bangladesh. Certain
section of the gas pipeline will be laid in Bangladesh for transmission,
and in return Bangladesh will receive a "huge amount" of revenue every
year.

The Bangladeshi experts, however, pointed out the amount of proven gas
reserve in Tripura fields is so small that in no way the investment,
around one billion US dollars for laying several hundred kilometers of
pipeline, promises a return in the near future.

Besides, the gas reserve in concerning Myanmar fields has not been
assessed yet, thus it is difficult to have a clear idea about the quantity
of gas which might be available for transfer to India.

The proposal was ever sent to the prime minister's office of Bangladesh
last year, but was turned downed as a committee of experts termed it as "
incomplete, unsound, premature," and required more techno-economic study.

Then the proposal remained on the shelf for nearly a year, until a strong
lobby once more worked to get it approved and sent it to the highest
office again recently.

_____________________________________


INTERNATIONAL


PA News, September 26, 2003
Britain Demands Release of Suu Kyi
By Louise Gray

Britain today called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as Burma’s
pro-democracy leader was due to leave hospital and return to effective
house arrest.

Foreign Minister Mike O’Brien said the return home of Suu Kyi after
surgery was no more than a return to the situation in 1989, when the Noble
Peace Prize Winner was first placed under house arrest.

He said: “Nearly a decade and a half later Aung San Suu Kyi is again a
prisoner in her own home and the military regime flagrantly continues to
disregard the Burmese people’s demands for democracy and human rights.”

Suu Kyi, 58, the widow of an Oxford don and who has two sons living in
Britain, was to leave hospital for house arrest at her Yangon home today
with visitors to be screened by the military government, her doctor, Tin
Myo Win, said.

Mr O’Brien said the military regime in Burma recently outlined steps to
turn Burma into a “modern developed and democratic nation”.

But he added: “Simply moving Aung San Suu Kyi back home is not going to
get us there.”

Mr O’Brien urged the regime to engage with Suu Kyi’s party, the National
League for Democracy (NLD), and ethnic groups to adopt a programme that
all can agree to follow.

He also asked for those arrested with Suu Kyi in May this year to be
released and NLD offices re-opened.

“These remain the essential first steps towards national reconciliation in
Burma.”

Mr O’Brien said the international community was ready to encourage and
support genuine moves by the Burmese authorities towards democracy and
respect for human rights.

_____________________________________


Radio Australia, September 26, 2003
Indonesia expecting 'developments' on Suu Kyi detention

Indonesian envoy Ali Alatas says he expects there will be "new
developments" on the issue of Burma's detained democracy leader, Aung San
Suu Kyi, before next month's summit of South East Asian leaders in Bali.

Mr Alatas held talks this week with the top generals ruling Burma, pushing
for the issue to be resolved before the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) summit.

Indonesia has expressed concerns the meeting will be overshadowed by
continuing controversy over Burma's detention of the opposition leader,
who was taken into custody on May 30.

Mr Alatas says he did not win any specific commitments about how or when
Ms Suu Kyi would be released by Burma's leaders, despite having been told
the restrictions were temporary.

However, he says the military junta "did indicate they would give very
careful consideration" to Indonesia's request for her early release.

_____________________________________


REGIONAL


Yomiuri, September 25, 2003
Court nixes deportation of Myanmar man at risk

The Nagoya District Court on Thursday ordered immigration authorities to
dismiss an order to deport a Myanmar man who could face persecution by
that country's junta if he returns to his homeland.

Khin Maung Hla, 36, a member of Myanmar's minority Rohingya people, who
live near the border with Bangladesh, had filed a suit with the district
court against the justice minister and the Nagoya Regional Immigration
Bureau. He argued that it was illegal for the authorities to deny him
refugee status and deport him, became he would be persecuted in Myanmar.

Khin Maung Hla was arrested in November on suspicion of violating the
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law as he did not have
resident status in Japan.

Presiding Judge Yukio Kato ruled that the immigration authorities'
decision to deny Khin Maung Hla refugee status was legitimate because he
had failed to apply for asylum within 60 days of his arrival in Japan.

However, Kato ordered the authorities to dismiss the decision to deport
him, saying "I can easily believe that Khin Maung Hla will face
persecution by the military administration in Myanmar, and I consider that
he meets the criteria for recognition as a refugee under international
conventions."

According to the ruling, the Rohingya people have been persecuted by
Myanmar's military junta.

_____________________________________


Irrawaddy, September 26, 2003
Mine Blast Kills 6 DKBA Soldiers
By Aung Su Shin

A truck owned by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) hit a land mine
near Myawaddy yesterday, killing six, according to witnesses and Thai
security officials.
The explosion took place in Thai Gan Nyi Naung village about nine miles
from the Thai-Burma border town of Myawaddy. Three seriously wounded
soldiers are receiving medical treatment at Myawaddy Hospital. DKBA Capt
Aung Myint was among those killed.
A witness said four DKBA pick-up trucks were travelling from Myawaddy to
the Karen State capital Pa-an when one of the vehicles struck the mine.
"The first truck had passed and the second was hit. So it may have been a
rope- dragged mine," said the witness.
The DKBA broke away from the Karen national Union (KNU) in 1994 and joined
forces with the Burma Army to seize KNU bases along the border, which
resulted in fighting between the DKBA and KNU that still continues.
The KNU denied any role in yesterday’s blast.
The witness speculated the mine could have been laid by the Burma Army to
target DKBA soldiers. Last year the DKBA killed three Burmese soldiers,
including one lieutenant who seized cooking oil from a DKBA truck.

_____________________________________

Irrawaddy, September 26, 2003
ABSDF Members Pressured to Leave
By Naw Seng

Members of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) in Kachin
State have been told to leave areas controlled by the Kachin Independence
Organization (KIO), inside sources say.
A local member of the ABSDF, La Seng, said Burmese military intelligence
officers in the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, instructed the KIO to "clean
up" remnants of the ABSDF along the China-Burma border.
La Seng said more than 10 unarmed members of the ABSDF live in the border
town of Laiza. "We are living as civilians and have nothing to do with
politics, however, we will never surrender to the enemy," he said.
The KIO, which signed a ceasefire with Rangoon, recently welcomed Burmese
Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt’s "road map" and gave in principle support
to the National Convention. The Burmese military government first told the
KIO to disarm ABSDF units in KIO-controlled areas when the ceasefire was
signed in 1994.
La Seng says he will leave the area to avoid problems for the KIO. But
many low-ranking KIO officers want the ABSDF members to stay, said a Laiza
resident who is close to those with the ABSDF. "We have no problem with
the ABSDF members living here."
Some KIO officers and residents on the border say Rangoon is trying to
interfere with the KIO’s authority and is using the remaining ABSDF
members as an excuse to intervene.
ABSDF Chairman Than Khe refused to comment directly on the situation in
Kachin State, but said, "We will never do anything to hurt the interests
of the KIO. We would like to see the KIO as an organization working
solidly for its people."
The Northern Branch of the ABSDF is based in Kachin State and was set up
by students from Upper Burma after the uprising in 1988.
_____________________________________


EDITORIAL/STATEMENT


Asian Tribune, September 26, 2003
NLD Youth Leaguers demand for the Establishment of Democracy in Burma

In a letter signed by the 252 members of the National League for
Democracy, had requested the UN Secretary General. Kofi Ananan that “the
results of the 1990 elections, which were recognized world wide as free
and fair, are implemented.”

Also they have demanded for the immediate release of the NLD leader Aung
San Suu Kyi, who is at present recuperating at a private hospital in
Rangoon after undergoing an operation.

In the letter they have pointed out: “Besides failing to investigate and
deal with the 30th May Depaiyin episode, they have arrested all the NLD
leaders and members and have announced that new elections will be held.
This persecution of the people and the NLD, the people’s representatives
and the biased attitude towards them can only be resolved by the mediation
of the Security Council.”

The full text of the letter address to Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General,
is given below:

Subject: Request by the Youth Wing of the National League for Democracy to
the UN Security Council that the results of the 1990 General Elections be
implemented for the establishment of Democracy in Burma.

In the 1990 General Election, the people expressed their will and desire
by casting their vote for the National League for Democracy (NLD) headed
by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Up to date, the military government has not
transferred power but has been making excuses and persecuting the party
that won the elections.

Besides failing to investigate and deal with the 30th May Depaiyin
episode, they have arrested all the NLD leaders and members and have
announced that new elections will be held. This persecution of the people
and the NLD, the people’s representatives and the biased attitude towards
them can only be resolved by the mediation of the Security Council.

To establish democracy in Burma we ask that

1. The results of the 1990 elections, which were recognized world wide as
free and fair, are implemented.

2. NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is immediately released.

3. The UNSC act as a mediator in order that urgent measures can be taken
to terminate the human rights violations, unjust and illegal activities of
the military government so that the people may get some relief from the
economic and social hardships that they have to endure.

252 members of the NLD Youth Wing signed this request letter to the UN
Secretary General.