BurmaNet News, March 16, 2004
Editor
editor at burmanet.org
Tue Mar 16 14:25:15 EST 2004
March 16, 2004 Issue # 2439
INSIDE BURMA
Mizzima: Force labor still continues in Kachin State
BBC Monitor: Burma: Situation in Myitkyina said "calm" after disturbances
Shan: Junta captain shot in Mongton
ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Mae Sot Very Quiet as Crackdown Starts
Nation: Burmese illegals flee across border ahead of crackdown
BUSINESS / MONEY
Xinhua: Myanmar takes new measures to develop fishery industry
Mizzima: India Discuss to Export Diesel to Burma
REGIONAL
Irrawaddy: UN Envoy to Lobby Japan for Aid to Burma, Says Leading Dissident
Kaladan: Rohingyas’ concern over “ANC”
NMG: Multi-religious Prayer Meetings held for Peace in Burma
OPINION / OTHER
NCGUB-USA: Dissident calls for EU to beef up Myanmar sanctions
Mizzima: Interview with Karen Leader Gen. Saw Bo Mya
INSIDE BURMA
___________________________________
March 16, BBC Monitor
Burma: Situation in Myitkyina said "calm" after disturbances
Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 14 Mar 04
It has been learned that the situation in Myitkyina, Kachin State, is calm
today after disturbances between university students and a local police
unit. However, security personnel have been deployed in the town.
Residents do not go out and the entire town is also quiet at night, said
local residents.
According to a local resident, Lone Htein riot police have instituted a
tight security at a matriculation examination centre. She said:
Unidentified local resident - recording Nothing significant. It is quiet.
Nothing unusual. It has been said that guards have been deployed. I do not
know because I did not go out.
Other people said
the guards have been deployed. But the situation is calm. At the moment,
it is calm. It is also calm at night. I think they are assigned to guard
offices. They are not deployed in our an area since it is close the
(?POC). I heard that guards are also deployed at schools to monitor the
10th graders. The clash happened between the police unit and college
students. The college examinations are also nearing. end recording
When asked about the students who were arrested on the night of 11 March,
the night of the incident, the local resident said:
Unidentified local resident - recording Of course, there were some
arrests. It has been said that some of them are still under arrest while
others were released. It has also been said that 30 arrests were made
initially. I do not know how many are still under arrest. I heard some of
them have been released. End of recording
That was a Myitkyina resident.
We are still unable to find out the exact number of students who were
arrested and actions to be taken against them.
________________________
March 16, Mizzima
Force labor still continues in Kachin State
The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)’s military battalion based
in Bamo District, Kachin state, this month called locals for labor for the
construction of a hydro-electricity project.
On 8 March, U Tin Win, Chairman of Myo Thit Township Peace and Development
Council (TPDC), a town located in Bamo District, ordered locals in 4
quarters of Myo Thit town to provide one person per household to dig a
pool for a hydro-electricity project.
One Bamo Township local who worked on the project said that apart from not
receiving any payment for their labor, labourers also have to bring their
own lunch packs.
Labourers absconding from the project are fined up to 1000 Kyat (Burmese
Currency).
According to one trader, finances to dig the pool have been provided to
this military Unit (1) by the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 239, however,
no monetary payment is being dispersed to labours forced to work on the
project.
It is reported that this hydro-electricity project is to be build by the
Chinese assistance.
Locals in this region are often summoned to provide the military with free
labor.
________________________
March 16, Shan
Junta captain shot in Mongton
A company commander and a corporal were shot to death by gunmen believed
to be members of Col Yawdserk's Shan State Army on Friday, 12 March, said
sources from the border.
Capt Aung Myint Htwe, Commander, Company 3, of Mongton-based Infantry
Battalion 65, together with an unidentified corporal, were walking down a
street in Mongton, a Shan township seat opposite Chiangmai, at 17:30, when
they were cut down by the shots from two armed men in civilian clothes.
Businessmen in Mongton said they believed the gunmen were the two who had
been collecting "contributions" for the SSA.
According to two deserters from IB 65, Pvt Win Ko, and Maung Toe, 17, Capt
Aung Myint Htwe (Aung Win Htay for them) was Commander of Company 2, and
not Commander of Company #3.
The news was confirmed by a source in Mongton and a Thai of Shan descent
who arrived in Chiangmai for the nationwide elections for Provincial
Administration Organiztion (PAO) members and councillors held on Sunday,
14 March. The SSA commander Maj Ternkhurh of Brigade 727 that is active in
the area, however, was unable to back up the report. "I returned from the
field (to the border) after the 9 March ambush on the Mongton-Chiangdao
(in Chiangmai Province) highway, and have been out of touch with the
day-to-day affairs since," he told S.H.A.N.
S.H.A.N. was unable to reach another Shan officer whose troops are also
busy in the area, especially the eastern part of the highway, Lt-Col
Awngkham of the Special Unit based at Loi Hsarmsip, opposite Chiangmai's
Fang district.
Other SSA commanders have dismissed an impending attack from Rangoon.
"Apart from the Forward Command Post of the Monghsat-based Military
Operations Command #14 (an equivalent of a division, commanded by Brig-Gen
Htun Htun) at Maeken (a village south of Mongton), we see no signs of an
offensive," Lt-Col Khurh-ngern, Commander of the SSA (Officially Yawdserk
is Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State) commented.
Villagers also reported that although MOC 14 had been there since 5 March,
and civilians guides had been summoned to inquire about the approaches to
Loi Hsarmsip Base, nothing further had followed.
>From Mongton to Pongpakhem, all villages are being visited by SSA patrols
at will, they said. "We filed complaints with the Wa, because we knew it
would be risky for us to talk about this to the Burmese authorities," said
a source. "But The Wa officer we talked to replied to us he couldn't do
anything. 'Even I am sometimes asked by them to treat them to a dinner,
and I couldn't refuse,' he said."
Rangoon has, since November, began talks with several groups, including
the Karen National Union, but the SSA has yet to receive any overtures. It
has since December announced its readiness to talk with the country's
military leaders without pre-conditions.
ON THE BORDER
_____________________________________
March 16, Irrawaddy
Mae Sot Very Quiet as Crackdown Starts - Naw Seng
Mae Sot, a Thai border town, the population of which is believed to be
majority Burmese migrant workers, was ghostly quiet on Tuesday as a
crackdown on illegal foreign nationals started.
Thousands of Burmese workers crossed the border to neighboring Myawaddy in
Burma to escape expected police raids. More than 6,000 exited to the
Burmese side of the Moei River on Monday alone, according to Thai media.
Others went to ground in Mae Sot district.
Last Thursday, Burmese-vernacular posters were pasted around Mae Sot
warning illegal migrant workers to leave Thailand by March 15. "Those who
do not have work permits have to serve a jail term," the posters stated.
Those who do not have work permits have to serve a jail term. —Posters in
Mae Sot, Thailand
Many businesses are now suffering manpower shortages as the number of
low-wage jobs in the area far outweighs the number of legal workers.
Moe Swe, leader of the Yaung Chi Oo Burmese Workers’ Association, which
does advocacy work for Burmese migrants working along the border, said
that normally bustling Mae Sot currently more closely resembles a ghost
town.
Half of the teashops and many restaurants are closed due to a lack of
legal workers. However, most of the garment factories are still operating
because the majority of Burmese workers at those businesses hold valid
work permits.
Thai authorities have threatened to take legal action against Thai
nationals found to be sheltering illegal Burmese migrants. According to
the Burmese worker advocate Moe Swe, a Thai Muslim was arrested last week
for allowing illegal Burmese migrants to stay at his house. He was charged
200,000 baht bail.
About two-thirds of Mae Sot District’s population is estimated to be
Burmese. They work in garment factories, ceramics kilns, private homes,
shops, labor on farms and construction sites and staff the ubiquitous
brothels dotted around Mae Sot and other districts in Tak Province.
Last month the Thai government announced that in April it will
significantly increase the number of work permits available to low-wage
foreign workers in border provinces. But according to the Ministry of
Labor office in Tak Province, there had only been about 35,000 work permit
applications for the whole province to date, compared with an estimated
100,000-odd migrant workers in Mae Sot District.
Moe Swe thinks that 80 percent of Burmese nationals will be come back to
work in Mae Sot after the crackdown, which he thinks will last about seven
days.
Thai authorities frequently round up illegal Burmese migrants and deport
them. Last week, hundreds of Burmese migrant workers were arrested in
Mahachai, 20 miles southwest of Bangkok.
_______________________
March 16, The Nation
Burmese illegals flee across border ahead of crackdown
More than 6,000 Burmese fled Thailand yesterday following local media
reports that authorities were planning to crack down on illegal workers in
the country.
Government officials have also vowed to take action against any Thais
sheltering illegal immigrants. Provincial police chief Colonel Somjit
Taengtong said the Burmese had left before any arrests were made.
Somjit said Tak Governor Sawas Srisuwandee had earlier instructed local
officials and military and police officers to seek out illegal immigrants.
The police colonel said Thai landowners would be asked to take down
makeshift shelters vacated by the Burmese.
'We want to ensure that no more illegal immigrants come to occupy these
shelters,' he said.
BUSINESS / MONEY
_____________________________________
March 16, Xinhua
Myanmar takes new measures to develop fishery industry
Myanmar has taken new measures in the development of fishery industry by
allowing foreign companies to fish in the country's exclusive economic
zone.
A latest release of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries said the
government anticipated an earning of more than 200 million US dollars
during the next five years after it granted in last February the first
Thai company of Siam Jonathan to fish in the zone.
By the end of the rainy season in October, some 500 Thai fishing vessels
will start operating in the zone which covers an area of 358,500
square-kilometers, extending 19.2 kilometers from Myanmar's territorial
waters.
It assured that the move would not affect the country's sustainable yield
as survey had put the yield at 1.05 million tons per year.
According to official statistics, Myanmar produced 1.6 million tons of
fish and prawn in 2002-03 fiscal year, earning 317.38 million dollars in
the year.
Available figures also show that since Myanmar opened to foreign
investment in late 1988, such contracted investment in the fishery sector
has hit between 280 and 300 million dollars in about 20 projects at the
end of 2003.
The fishery sector stands as the third mainstay of Myanmar's economy after
agriculture and forestry, contributing about 10 percent to its gross
domestic product with its export accounting for about 7 percent of its
total exports.
The country's per capita consumption of fish stands at 25 kilograms yearly.
__________________________
March 16, Xinhua
Myanmar designates new blocks for gem mining
The Myanmar mining authorities has designated some new blocks for gem
mining by local companies under a bidding system, official newspaper The
New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.
Quoting the state-run Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE), the report said these
new blocks are set in the mine areas of Phakant, Lonkhin and Nantyahseik.
Myanmar enacted the New Gemstone Law in September 1995, allowing local
entrepreneurs to mine, produce, transport and sell finished gemstone and
manufactured jewelry at home and abroad.
Joint ventures have also been established between the government and some
10 private companies in gem and jade mining since 2000 under a profit
sharing basis.
Myanmar, a well-known producer of gems in the world, is in possession of
nine gems --ruby, diamond, cat's eye, emerald, topaz, pearl sapphire,
coral and a variety of garnet tinged with yellow.
There are three famous gem lands in Myanmar --Mogok in Mandalay division,
Mongshu in Shan state and Phakant in Kachin state.
Myanmar claimed that it has owned the world's biggest ruby weighing 21,450
carats, the largest star sapphire weighing 63,000 carats, the biggest
peridot weighing 329 carats and the largest jade stone of about 3,000
tons.
Meanwhile, Myanmar holds gems emporiums annually since 1964 to put on sale
its precious gems, jade, pearl and jewelry through competitive bidding,
tender system and at fixed prices. And up to the last 40th event in 2003,
a total of over 430 million US dollars of foreign exchange has been
fetched, according to the MGE figures.
This year's 41st annual event is underway here since last Saturday with
over 1,860 lots of the gems items worth of 25 million euros (29.5 million
dollars) being put on sale.
Official statistics show that Myanmar has exploited 10,849 tons of jade,
54.46 million carats of gems and 147.4 kilograms of pearl as of 200
__________________________
March 16, Mizzima
India Discuss to Export Diesel to Burma
After exploring the Information Technology (IT) sector, the Indian
Government is eyeing Burma's oil sector.
The Indian Petroleum Ministry is actively working on to export over
100,000 tone of diesel from Assam's Numaligarh Refinery in northeast India
to Burma within four months. The Numaligarh Refinery is one of the biggest
oil refineries in northeast India.
Numaligarh refinery sources told Mizzima News that the entire consignment
would be exported by road through Moreh, an Indian border town with Burma.
"Our road conditions are improving, so there is no problem with exporting
the consignment through Moreh," the refinery sources added.
The Numaligarh refinery has a capacity of three million tones annually but
very little is consumed locally. Therefore, the authorities are now
planning to export its' products. The sources further said that the
refinery products would be exported to other neighboring countries in a
phased manner.
The sources also stated that the volume of oil to be exported would
increase in coming days. "Myanmar is importing oil from Thailand. As Assam
is located very near to the India-Burma border, they can export oil from
the Numaligarh refinery. We have already completed all formalities," they
added.
A financial daily newspaper in India yesterday reported that the Indian
Finance Ministry, however, has turned town the Burmese government's
proposal to buy the diesel from the Numaligarh refinery in Indian Rupee
terms on the grounds that "the level of trade between India and Myanmar is
too low".
The Mizzima News could not confirm this report independently. The
Numaligarh refinery's managing director, Mr. B. K Das, told Mizzima News;
"Our officials from Numaligarh refinery are now in Myanmar to accelerate
the process of exporting diesel and to fix the price".
He also added that the Numaligarh Refinery is also eyeing oil markets in
Bhutan and Bangladesh to export its products.
The Numaligarh refinery, which is situated in Golaghat District in Assam
State of India, is a subsidiary of the state-run Bharat Petroluem
Corporation Limited.
India, through its Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) Videsh Limited,
along with GAIL (India) Limited and South Korea's Daewoo and Kogas
companies, have also acquired oil and gas exploration blocks in Burma.
Necessary surveys are being conducted by India and Burma to bring gas from
Burma (Arakan State) to India through a pipeline.
REGIONAL
_____________________________________
March 16, Irrawaddy
UN Envoy to Lobby Japan for Aid to Burma, Says Leading Dissident - Kyaw
Zwa Moe
The UN special envoy to Burma is scheduled to arrive in Japan today in an
effort to persuade the Japanese government to provide aid for Burma, said
a leading Burmese dissident in Japan.
The trip comes two weeks after Razali Ismail returned from Rangoon, where
he met separately with military, opposition and ethnic leaders to discuss
Burma's seven-step road map to democracy that was proposed by Prime
Minister Gen Khin Nyunt in August.
"The focus of his trip will be to lobby Japan to provide aid for Burma and
how to provide them with this aid," said Dr Min Nyo, director of the Burma
Office, which gives legal and social assistance to Burmese living in
Japan. Min Nyo told The Irrawaddy today, by phone from Japan, that he is
scheduled to meet with Razali tomorrow afternoon.
Min Nyo said that he would participate in tomorrow’s meeting between the
envoy and the chairman of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as
Rengo, Japan's largest labor umbrella organization. Razali is also
expected to meet the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Japan to
discuss Burma issues during his trip, said Min Nyo.
"I will tell the envoy that the UN should not endorse the junta's National
Convention immediately," said Min Nyo when asked which topic he will
discuss in the meeting. "Nobody will oppose the National Convention if it
is a type of real dialogue between the junta and opposition."
Min Nyo was referring to the National Convention, the first step of the
junta's road map, due to be held this year. Opposition against the
convention is high because both the National League for Democracy, or NLD,
and ethnic parties have been prevented from freely carrying out their
political activities, and a number of NLD leaders are still detained,
explained Min Nyo.
I will tell the envoy that the UN should not endorse the junta's National
Convention immediately. —Dr Min Nyo
"Japan is exercising a policy to change the Burmese government to a
democracy, using money as weapon," said Min Nyo. He added that he doesn't
think Japan will provide aid to Burma even if the junta releases Suu Kyi,
believing that Japan will only start aid when the junta initiates genuine
dialogue.
Min Nyo said the Japanese government backs the UN envoy, saying that the
Japanese foreign ministry secretly has a close relationship with Razali.
Japan, Burma’s biggest donor country, has long provided the country with
aid, however Official Development Assistance was suspended in June 2003,
following the May 30 government-orchestrated attack on NLD supporters at
Depayin, Sagaing Division.
__________________________
March 16, Kaladan
Rohingyas’ concern over “ANC”
Chittagong: The Arakan National Preconvention was held in New Delhi,
India, on March 1-6, 2004 and it formed Arakan National Council (ANC) that
claims to have been given political leadership role to represent the
Arakan people and national interest, but the Rohinghyas of Arakan express
their concern over it.
The ANC is comprised with Arakan League for Democracy (ALD-Exile, Arakan
Liberation Party (ALP, Rakhine Sangha Union (RSU), Rakhaing Woman Union
(RWU), All Arakanese Students and Yuths Congress (AASYC), Arakan Women
Welfare Association (AWAA), the people of Arakan in exile and academics
from all over the world, said a press-release dated March 7, 2004, issued
by Coordination Committee for Pre-convention of Arakan National Convention
(CCPCANC).
In a press release dated March 15, 2004, the Arakan Rohingya National
Organisation (ARNO) stated, “ANC does not represent all the peoples of
Arakan as no Rohingya and other non-Rakhaing organizations, academics,
Members of Parliament (MPs) were invited to participate at the Arakan
National Preconvention
.Any forum formed exclusively with Rakahings,
without the representation of the Rakahing people and other ethnic groups,
can not represent whole Arakan or all peoples of Arakan”.
To ensure freedom, democracy and justice in the Arakan State and in Burma
under genuine federalism the ARNO further stated, “Arakan is not a
“monocultural society”. It is a state with a population of diverse ethnic,
linguistic, cultural and religious identities. Rakhaing (Buddhist) and
Rohingya (Muslim) are the two major compact peoples of Arakan. There are
other tribal or indigenous peoples distributed among Chin, Kaman, Mro and
Khami etc. in the Arakan State. It, therefore, requires a commitment for
both unity and diversity, a respect for difference and willingness to
share power in Arakan State and in Burma”.
Appreciating the unity achieved among the Rakahing people the ARNO
expressed its willingness to resolve all the issues and problems with
Rakhaing, other ethnic nationalities and Burmese oppositions in the spirit
of peaceful co-existence and brotherhood and strongly demands for an
“Arakan Conference” to be participated by Rakhaing, Rohingya and all other
communities of Arakan so as to charter the future of the peoples of the
future Arakan State under genuine federalism.
On the other hand, all sections of Rohingya people, including the refugees
and those in exile, fill with apprehension about deprivation their rights
and freedom. “We must get our ‘due share’ in the future political
arrangement under the Federal Union of Burma and it must be guaranteed by
the constitution” said NLD (National League for Democracy) Arakan State
organizer AFK Jilani.
__________________________
March 16, Network Media Group
Multi-religious Prayer Meetings held for Peace in Burma
Burmese exiles in Thailand yesterday organized multi-religious prayer
meetings for Peace in the country in the midst of ongoing arrests by Thai
authorities on illegal workers.
The followers of Christian, Buddhist and Muslim religions of Burmese
residing in Chiang Mai, Mae Sod and Mae Hong Song prayed for peace and
emancipation of difficulties in politics, economic and social problems
over fifty years of military rule in Burma.
A Buddhist organizer of ‘A Prayer Day for Burma’ U Ye Htun in Chiang Mai
explained that “In order to get freedom from military rule, we organized
this prayer day, and I am really delighted. I wish we don’t need to do
again in next year, I mean, to get genuine peace in Burma as soon as
possible.”
Though Burmese in Mae Sot have been under pressured by Thai authorities,
Islamic Burmese in Mae Sot also organized a prayer meeting reading the
Koran.
An Islamic Burmese organizer Ko Mg Mg Gyi said “Burma is a multi-religion
country. Because people from all religions have been suppressed by the
military government, we have asked peoples of all religions to unite and
pray for peaceful living in Burma.”
Likewise, Pa-O Christians and Buddhists in Mae Hong Song jointly organized
prayer meeting for Burma and Karenni ethnic people in refugee camp also
prayed for peace in Burma.
The 'Christians Concerned for Burma' today urged to pray on ‘Global
Multi-religious prayer’ specifically for children in Burma to eliminate
child solider, stop orphanage and refugee, stop child trafficking, stop
forced labor in Burma.
The 'Christians Concerned for Burma' has been organizing global prayer
sessions for Burma since 1996.
OPINION / OTHER
_____________________________________
March 16, NCGUB-USA
Dissident calls for EU to beef up Myanmar sanctions - by Paul Gallagher,
Reuters
AMSTERDAM, March 15 (Reuters) - A Myanmar opposition leader urged the
European Union
on Monday to beef up sanctions against the country unless its military
rulers release Aung San Suu Kyi and move towards restoring democracy.
"We are advocating what we call targeted sanctions, sanctions that will
affect the military most and the people least," Sein Win, a cousin of
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi.
Sein Win, an exiled member of the National Coalition Government of the
Union of Burma (NCGUB), said he was urging the 15-member EU to consider an
import ban on "strategic" goods -- including timber and gem stones -- to
put pressure on Myanmar's military.
The EU currently has limited sanctions in place against Myanmar, including
an arms embargo and visa ban. The European Parliament earlier this month
passed a resolution calling for tougher measures against Myanmar,
including import restrictions.
Reflecting U.S. displeasure at continued military rule in Myanmar,
President George W. Bush on July 28 signed into law the Burmese Freedom
and Democracy Act barring imports from the country.
Sein Win was forced to flee Myanmar after Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy (NLD) won Myanmar's 1990 election by a landslide. The military
never allowed the party to govern and has so far not bowed to pressure for
Suu Kyi's release.
Call For Talks
Sein Win said he was urging the EU to beef up sanctions unless Myanmar's
government released Suu Kyi and other members of her NLD party, reopened
NLD offices and started up three-way talks with pro-democracy parties and
ethnic leaders by June.
The NCGUB set up by elected members of parliament mainly from the
pro-democracy NLD, is based in Washington. It refers to Win as prime
minister in exile. The group says Myanmar's exports to the EU are worth
some $400 million a year. Sein Win has visited the Netherlands, Britain
and Ireland in a bid to persuade EU member states to embrace possible
sanctions against Myanmar. Ireland holds the rotating presidency of the
EU, which the Netherlands takes over in July.
Myanmar has been ruled for more than four decades by the military, which
is keeping Suu Kyi under house arrest at her lakeside Yangon home.
There were hints the standoff between the military and Suu Kyi's
opposition NLD may be ending when a U.N. envoy who met both sides earlier
his month said Prime Minister Khin Nyunt was committed to taking Myanmar
to democracy and Suu Kyi was ready to work with him.
U.N. envoy Razali Ismail also said Suu Kyi and other NLD officials might
be freed by April 16, Myanmar's new year. The government has also pledged
to restart a constitutional convention abandoned in 1996, but has set no
date.
Sein Win said the convention would only be meaningful if it did not try to
legitimise military rule and called on Myanmar's government to declare it
was ready to release Suu Kyi.
"What we would like to hear is directly from the government of Yangon. It
could be that they release Aung San Suu Kyi before June. It could be. We
want a commitment. We don't want to wait. She should be released," he
said.
_________________________
INTERVIEW
March 15, Mizzima
Interview with Karen Leader Gen. Saw Bo Mya
Mizzima News interviewed General Saw Bo Mya, the Vice-President of the
Karen National Union (KNU) in regards to the future policy of the KNU, and
the results of the cease-fire agreement talks with the Burmese military
government.
The interview took place on Thai-Burmese border in the presence of senior
Karen leaders: Padoh David Taw, (the Had of the KNU foreign affairs
committee) and Padoh Kwe Htoo (Chairman of Mergui-Tavoy District), both
take part in the peace talks with the SPDC.
The interview was conducted on 20 February 2004, one month after the Karen
National Union (KNU) agreed to a ceasefire with Burma’s military
government during an historic trip led by General Mya himself to Rangoon
to negotiate a truce with SPDC.
Though a signed agreement was not reached at the cease-fire agreement
talks in Rangoon, both parties verbally declared a cease-fire and agreed
to continue the talks.
The following is English translation of the interview (in Burmese), which
was already published by Mizzima News on February 22, 2004.
************************
Mizzima: At present the KNU is talking with the SPDC, building confidence
and has entered into a gentleman's agreement for cease-fire. Can we say
that all these are the victorious results resulting from 50 years of the
Karen nationals’ revolution?
General Mya: We (Karens) have been in revolt for many years now. Since it
has been for a very long time now, it is necessary for us (Karens) to
unite. Only through unity we can achieve our goals. If we are not
united, we will not achieve as we expect. That’s how I see it. Moreover,
I believe that our revolution has the right cause. We do not fight out of
hatred towards the Burmans. We are fighting for the rights of the Karen
people.
During the British colonial times, we were allowed to learn Karen
literature up tenth standard (10) in schools. The British gave us
permission. But when Burma obtained independence everything was changed.
The Burmans did not allow us [the right to learn Karen literature] any
more. They stopped all ethnic nationalities from learning their own
literature. That’s how they suppressed us educationally.
They had also suppressed us even in religion. As far as I know, during
AFPFL (Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League) time, many religious
institutions were nationalised. That’s why the Karens have suffered a
lot. Moreover, they [the Burmese] also made Buddhism the national
religion. This may seem unimportant without careful thought, but it is
not as benign a decision as it first seemed. After Buddhism became the
national religion, we can see that the Karens and other ethnic
nationalities having to convert to Buddhism if they want to become
national leaders. They have to shave their heads and take up the robe
[become a monk] for at least a week. If they do not shave their head,
they cannot become leaders. If we look at the case of Mann Win Muang (a
Karen national), he had to shave his head to become the President of the
country and had to take up the robe for a week. Otherwise, he would not
have had the right to become the president.
That’s how the Burmans suppressed [us]. It is because of the Burmans
suppressions and discriminations that our country is in turmoil. They do
not give the due rights to other nationalities. They believed that
Independence was only for the Burmans and seized the country all alone.
And they rule the country Burmanising and suppressing all ethnic
nationalities. That’s why there is no ethnic group that does not revolt
in Burma. The reason why all nationalities are revolting is because
nobody is happy and because nobody is getting their rights. Burmans
should also understand that.
It is high time that the Burmans realise it and change their ways. And if
they do not change, it [this conflict] will never have an ending. I
believe it is impossible to go on using the power of weapons. I have
known many Burman politicians. Burmese Communist Party (BCP), Ye Baw
Phyu, Ye Baw Ni, U Nu, all of them stand on the same policy of
Burmanisation. During U Nu's time we created the combined forces. We
formed the BDF and Ta La Ya. At that time we [Karens] demanded
self-determination. But he [U Nu] refused us. He said if he grants
self-determination for us, he would be [harshly] accused, so he told us to
take our demand to the people's government. The same way is the Burmese
Communist Party (BCP). We had joint forces with them also. But when the
Karen leaders demanded self-determination, they [the Burmans] refused.
They told us that they couldn’t give such demands.
So as for me I see that all Burman political leaders are holding the same
policy of Burmanisation. Therefore, we the National Democratic Front
(NDF) members used to say that Burmans are not allowed in our
organisation. Even if they request us to join we would not allow them.
But all Nationalities do not understand that decision. And they do not
understand the value of the NDA. They take it lightly. I see that only
we [Karen] understand the value of the NDA.
Mizzima: Do you expect the present talks and discussions will bring the
Karen Nationals much expected self-determination?
General Mya: The talks are not over yet. Whatever form they take, we have
to continue till the end. We have to continue until we achieve what we
want. It is important that the Burmans understand that and I believe if
they understand that they will give the Karens what we ask for.
And if they do not give [us our demands], then they will not be able to
solve the problem. And we will not settle until we achieve our demands.
We have also supported groups that are against the government of Burma.
For example, students. Many students, at least 5000 of them, fled to Te
Baw Boe (former stronghold of KNU in Burma’s border with Thailand). They
said they would fight back the military regime. We thought that it would
be good to have Burmans in the revolution and fighting against the
military regime, a common enemy. So we helped them in every way. We
[Karens] had to feed the 5000 of them for at least one and a half months.
We gave them weapons and they formed the students’ armed force. And when
they formed, I told them, "all of you fled our country because of the
government's ill behaviour, so be united and stand together, do not get
divided and scattered here and there". But my words lasted only for a few
moments. They start fighting among themselves, (editor: omitted the
names) and I had to solve their problems. I told them "don't behave like
that, you need to be united to be successful. Now that we have given you
weapons, they are not to be used against each other but to fight the
enemy" but it did not help. I told them "forgive one another and put away
the wrongs and be united again, I will buy you a cow for you to eat
together". So I bought them a cow [laughs], but it doesn't help much.
And later, they decided that it was not necessary to hold arms. They said
"if we are an armed force we cannot get aid from others". So, they
dispersed and only a few are left scattered here and there. But the
majority left. We thought they should return our weapons. But they never
returned the weapons, and we don't know where these weapons went. Later
they formed organisations and sought financial aid from others through
projects, and that’s how they lived. How can the revolution end [if we
follow their example]? Therefore, we cannot follow their ways, and if we
do it would be a crazy act.
After that experience came the national coalition government (NCGUB).
Before the coalition government came, we the KNU had done all the seals.
We wanted to form a government with all nationalities. We had done all
the seals and also selected the people. When they arrived, they made
requests to participate. We agreed and allowed them and gave them all
seals and everything.
Previously we thought we would be included, but we were not. As we are
rebels and they are “government”, they said, "both the government and the
rebels cannot work together" so they rejected our group altogether. The
coalition government that we had formed still exists today.
Mizzima: When the KNU met General Khin Nyunt in Rangoon, he said that
leave those that came before in history, and that those people are
deceased now. “Now Pha Hti [uncle] and I should work together”, Gen. Khin
Nyunt told you. What is your opinion of his view?
General Mya: When he said that I replied that it cannot be like that. We
cannot leave everything in history; we have to learn from them. We cannot
put them aside. We cannot forget them. We have to study the Burma’s
problems and learn from them. Only when we are able to learn from past
experience will we be able to solve our problems. Otherwise we will never
find a solution. He was saying that all these are the past and they have
become history, but I told him we have to learn from them.
Mizzima: In the on-going process, how do you think self-determination for
the Karen people will be achieved?
General Mya: I will continue with our demands [for self-determination].
We should have self-determination and the Karen state should be
recognised. We should have the right to do what we want to do. And as
for us we will not leave the Union. We will stay together as part of the
Union. And if they do not accept this offer from us, then we have no
choice but to leave the Union. Isn't that good? We will take
self-determination but we will not separate from the Union. We will stay
together in a Federal Union.
Mizzima: How about the Karens in other States? What do you think for them?
General Mya: Other nationalities should also demand whatever they like.
Mizzima: What I mean is the Karens residing in other States (of Burma).
For example, for the Karens in the Myit Wa Kyun Paw (Delta Region)?
General Mya: They will have to be given the rights of whatever state they
reside. For example, in Myit Wa Kyun Paw, there are a lot of Karens, so I
think the administration heads should be from the Karens community in the
area.
Mizzima: At present Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo are under house
arrest. What will be their role in what the KNU is doing now?
General Mya: To have peace inside Burma, they cannot be kept like this.
They should also be freed and should also be allowed to do what they want
to do.
Mizzima: What do you think of the 1990 election?
General Mya: During the election (in 1990), reporters and journalists used
to ask this question. They asked General Saw Muang whether he would hand
over power to the successful party. General Saw Muang said they would.
He said that the military would go back to the barracks. But after the
election, when reporters and journalists asked him again, he did not have
power any more. The regime people said that this General Saw Muang is
crazy. So they put him aside and he can do nothing. It is not good to
behave like that.
Mizzima: What will be the role of the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist
Army- a splinter group) and how will you handle the DKBA?
General Mya: DKBA is formed by the SPDC. Frankly speaking, the Burmese
government cannot fight against us. Even when it comes to military
skills. So when they cannot fight against us with military skills, they
use every possible means. They fought us with the help of other
countries. They use all kinds of weapons and fought us in Te Baw Boe.
They even used the air force to fight against us. They would bomb us with
four fighter planes from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. But they
could not defeat us. When they realised they could not fight us with the
military they used religion instead. That is, from within our own
community. That’s the story of the treacherous monk. He (the monk)
doesn't know any politics and he also doesn't know what religion truly
means. So when the SPDC lures him, he is an easy prey. He started
fighting against us in various ways. Moreover, he used our enemy to fight
against us. So, we have to retreat. That’s it. This people are not
trying to improve religion but are rather spoiling it. Therefore, if the
government does the right thing then improper acts like this should not be
used. But since they are using futile people like this, we are facing the
consequences. Personally I see that the DKBAs are crook and silly people.
Mizzima: Will you ask for abolition of DKBA to SPDC?
General Mya: We have not demanded that yet. We will do it later. Be slow
and take time!!
Mizzima: What is the future for the 5 organizations’ military alliance
(includes KNU and four other armed groups)?
General Mya: I am not very sure about the 5 organizations’ military
alliance. The KNU President formed it and he must have his own reasons.
I am not sure about it. He didn't tell me anything about it.
Mizzima: If you sign a ceasefire agreement, will it be still possible to
work together with the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)?
General Mya: That is politics. We consider NCUB as an alliance. The NCUB
is an umbrella alliance as well. It is described as that in its
formation. The NCUB is either an umbrella alliance or National Council.
Till today we still take it as an umbrella alliance.
Mizzima: What is the future role of KNU in that umbrella?
General Mya: KNU does not have much role. KNU is supportive only to get
funds. Frankly speaking, the Burmans do not use us much. When they go to
foreign countries they don't speak much about us even though we are
supposed to be included. In the NCUB they only speak of the NLD. When I
used to listen to them (chuckles) they speak only of Daw Suu's issues, no
one else’s.
Mizzima: During the past 50 years of revolution, how much help has the KNU
and the Karen Nationals got from international communities and from among
the rest of the people within Burma?
General Mya: KNU has asked the international communities [for help]. But
the international communities consider that they cannot help us, as KNU is
an armed group. So, I stopped asking for help. We stood on our own. As
much as we could and as much as our capacities allowed us to. But if we
look back over the past 50 years, while we did not receive any help from
outside, we still could stand and fight. If we compare this with the
SPDC, they receive aid from outside the country. Education, business and
even weapons: but they fail in their fight against us. That is because we
always can find what we need. We are always together with God, and that’s
why they could not fight against us. Moreover we do not have a single
debt to repay, while the SPDC has a lot of debt. They have thousands of
millions of debt. We, the Karen national revolution, do not have debt.
(Chuckles) Don’t you believe it?
Mizzima: What do you think of neighbouring countries like India and China,
who are cooperating with the SPDC? What would you like to say about them?
General Mya: What they say is that they will not interfere in another
country's internal affairs. But economic collaborations are signs of
interfering. They are stepping in other country's territory. Even
constructing roads are acts of interfering. But they do not see that as
interfering. As for us, we leave it up to God.
Mizzima: There are reports that the Thai government is brokering the peace
talks (between SPDC and KNU). What is your opinion on that? Do you think
there will be more on this matter?
General Mya: The Thai government initially wanted to do it. But since
Burma Junta did not allow them, they could not do it.
Mizzima: Will there be anything regarding Karen refugees in the upcoming
talks (with SPDC)?
General Mya: The Karen refugees issue is the next step. Right now we are
talking about issues within the country. We haven't discussed anything
about exile refugees. It will take a little more time.
Mizzima: What about Karen Internally Displaced People (IDPs)?
General Mya: We will discuss with the SPDC for the safe return of the
IDPs. We will continue discussions. But we haven’t discussed the matter
of IDPs yet.
Mizzima: What is the KNU stand on the proposed National Convention by the
SPDC?
General Mya: It’s all about how far the SPDC's National Convention will
help us. If it is going to help us then we can think about it. If it
doesn't then there is no question of thinking about it. How far will it
help the ethnic Nationalities?
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