BurmaNet News, November 25-29, 2004

[Editor]

November 25-29, 2004, Issue # 2609

"[Asean] must speak with one voice and tell the military that what they
are doing is unacceptable and that if they persist, Myanmar may be
suspended from Asean,"
- Zaid Ibrahim, Interim president, Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on
Myanmar, as quoted in New Straits Times, November 29, 2004

INSIDE BURMA
AFP: Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi house arrest extended: party
AFP: We are united, says Myanmar military leadership after top-rank purge
AFP: Freed student leader ducks out of limelight in Myanmar
AP: Prisoner releases in Myanmar finished: state media
Nation: Burma: Democracy road map still on

ON THE BORDER
Kaladan News: UNHCR to review Rohingya refugee policy

REGIONAL
AP: China, Southeast Asia adopt landmark free trade accord
New Straits Times: 'Asean too soft on Myanmar'
Japan Economic Newswire: Japan extends 'grassroots aid' to Myanmar projects
Channel News Asia: Singapore urges Myanmar to push forward on democracy
roadmap

INTERNATIONAL
Malaysiakini.com: No clear UN strategy on Burma, concedes Razali

OPINION / OTHER
FT: When to meddle: Neighbours have a right to scold Thailand and Burma

______________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

November 29, Agence France Presse
Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi house arrest extended: party

Yangon: Myanmar's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has had her
period of house arrest extended by another year, her opposition party and
security officials said on Monday.

"We have heard the news that her tenure has been extended by another one
year but we have not been officially informed about it," said National
League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman U Lwin.

However, the extension was confirmed by junta officials responsible for
her security.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the party, has been held since May 2003 by
the military junta following a clash between her supporters and a
pro-junta mob.

A group of low-ranking civil servants went to her home in Yangon on
Saturday to tell her about the extension, according to an NLD source.

Security remained tight around her home on Monday and barriers remained in
place on the main road to her villa.

The extension to her third term of house arrest comes two days after the
ruling military announced that it had released more than 9,000 prisoners
from its jails in the week from November 19.

However, activists expressed disappointment that they included only an
estimated 40 political dissidents.

"It is very clear that they have no intention of releasing her at this
point," according to a Yangon-based political analyst.

The junta used the State Protection Act -- a law intended to crack down
against dissidents -- to keep her under house arrest for another year,
according to NLD officials.

Asked if the move meant she was likely to stay in detention for the next
year, U Lwin told AFP: "It's up to them. They can come up with the orders
any time and revoke them if they like."

The detention of Aung San Suu Kyi -- a Nobel Peace Prize winner -- has
prompted international condemnation and sanctions that have further
isolated the regime.

The military leadership criticised the opposition in a commentary carried
in state media on Monday accusing it of intransigence.

"If all political parties give priority to national interests but not to
their own... fruitful results will be achieved," according to the
commentary in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

Aung San Suu Kyi's first period of house arrest started in 1989, just a
year after she founded the NLD, and lasted for six years after generals
were alarmed by the support she was gathering across the country.

She led the NLD to the landslide victory in 1990 national polls from her
confinement but the military, which took control of the country in 1962,
refused to accept the result and continued to rule.

She was detained for a second time in 2000 and was released in triumph in
May 2002 but growing tensions saw her back under house arrest only a year
later after the attack on her convoy.

Her deputy Tin Oo is also under house arrest but there was no immediate
indication of any extension to his time in detention.

____________________________________

November 29, Agence France Presse
We are united, says Myanmar military leadership after top-rank purge

Yangon: Myanmar's military leadership said Monday it was united and denied
a purge of its former premier and his allies had left hardliners in
charge, according to state media.

Myanmar could become a "peaceful, modern and developed" nation without
further acts of "corruption and bribery", said a commentary in the New
Light of Myanmar newspaper, in a reference to ex-premier Khin Nyunt who
was sacked last month and put under house arrest for alleged corruption.

Observers have noted a number of officially-inspired commentaries in state
media ahead the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
summit that started in Laos on Monday.

The commentary said its seven-point democracy "roadmap" -- dismissed as a
sham by international critics and boycotted by the opposition of democracy
leader Aung San Suu Kyi -- and an active foreign policy were
accomplishments of a "collective" leadership.

It highlighted its "flexible attitude" over foreign relations in an
apparent nod to concerns among the international community that hardliners
had strengthened their control of the Myanmar leadership.

It should not be assumed, it said, that some of the state leaders were
flexible and some were "hardliners".

It said it was united with its leaders "having to take responsibilities
individually in carrying out tasks based on collective leaderships".

The military has ruled Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, since 1962
despite a landslide victory in 1990 elections for the National League for
Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi.

____________________________________

November 29, Agence France Presse
Freed student leader ducks out of limelight in Myanmar

Yangon: Thrown into prison 16 years ago as a strong-willed young student
leader, Min Ko Naing, the highest profile dissident among more than 9,000
detainees freed by Myanmar's military rulers, has emerged a frail and
disoriented middle-aged man, supporters say.

Min Ko Naing, now 42, who united students and led pro-democracy protests
crushed by the military in 1988, complains he cannot sleep after spending
years behind bars and slipped from public view four days ago to stay with
friends at a secret address.

"For the past 16 years I have always gone to sleep with prison sounds as
substitute for my mother's lullabies," a supporter from the opposition
National League for Democracy (NLD) quoted him as saying. "Now I find
myself unable to sleep without them."

His health has been checked by the personal physician of NLD leader Aung
San Suu Kyi, who has spent more than a year under house arrest. The doctor
said Min Ko Naing had a weak heart and suffered from shortage of breath.
He has been told to take it easy.

Min Ko Naing was the country's second most prominent political prisoner
after Aung San Suu Kyi until he was set free from prison in Sittwe,
southwestern Myanmar, on November 19.

The former student activist, whose fight for freedom had been championed
by rights activists and the UN, was released on a moonlit night and flown
back to his parents' humble home and shop in the capital Yangon.

"All my nights were moonless nights," he told supporters after his release
and said he had written songs about it during the time on his own in jail.
"Dark or bright didn't make much difference to me."

The botany student started agitating against the regime by putting up
posters around campus at Yangon University but later gave up his studies
to become a full-time activist.

A year after the student protests, in which an estimated 3,000 people
died, he was arrested for anti-government activities and remained behind
bars until his release 10 days ago.

Last week he held court from the parlour of his parents' home, decorated
with paintings by his artist father, and was visited by friends,
well-wishers and diplomats. The comings and goings were watched by
security officials from outside his home.

The slight and tired-looking figure said he would take time to think over
his future and expressed fears over what he said could affect prisoners
still inside jail. They include 12 opposition MPs, according to
campaigners.

However, his humour remained intact. "I've been told I've received several
international awards but I have yet to see any of them" or if any amounted
to more than a "stuffed teddy bear", he told AFP last week before he left
his home.

The pro-democracy movement said it was disappointed that only an estimated
40 political dissidents had been freed since November 19 by the Myanmar
authorities.

Activists cited the failure to release senior NLD party member and
pro-democracy journalist Win Tin. The award-winning writer, aged 74 and in
poor health, has spent the last 15 years in detention.

Releases were ordered following the ousting of former premier Khin Nyunt
last month, who is currently under house arrest for corruption, and the
dismantling of the intelligence network he oversaw.

The government said the 9,248 were released after it reviewed cases and
found them to have been "improperly" jailed by a now defunct intelligence
bureau.

Khin Nyunt's ouster has strengthened control of the government, formally
known as the State Peace and Development Council, under its head Senior
General Than Shwe, a military hardliner.

The military has ruled Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, since 1962
despite the NLD's winning a landslide election in 1990.

_____________________________________

November 29, Associated Press
Prisoner releases in Myanmar finished: state media

Yangon: More than 9,000 prisoners have been freed in Myanmar, completing
releases recently promised by the military government, state-run media
said Monday.

The New Light of Myanmar daily said 9,248 prisoners had their jail terms
suspended because there may have been "irregularities" in the charges
originally brought against them by the former National Intelligence
Bureau. There was no independent way to confirm the totals.

The bureau, dissolved by the ruling junta last month, had been headed by
former Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, who was ousted Oct. 19.

Myanmar's military rulers announced a batch of releases last month, which
was followed by another round last week.

One of the country's most prominent political prisoners, former student
activist Min Ko Naing, was among the first to be freed. The total number
of political prisoners among those released, however, is believed to
number less than 50, according to opposition sources.

The reported releases came just ahead of a summit of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, where Myanmar's poor human rights record had been
expected to face scrutiny.

However, among those still not free as of Monday was 74-year-old
journalist Win Tin, whose name the Paris-based press freedom group
Reporters Without Borders had said was on a list of prisoners due for
release.

There was also no indication that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
would be freed from house arrest. She has been detained since a deadly
clash in May last year between her followers and government supporters.

_____________________________________

November 27, The Nation
Burma: Democracy road map still on - Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Burma yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to the seven-step road map
towards democracy initiated by ousted Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, saying
the recent change in personnel would not mean changes in policy.

Changes in the cabinet are also normal and mean that the torch has now
been passed on to a new generation, Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win said
yesterday ahead of the Asean summit.

The purge of intelligence chief Khin Nyunt in October raised concern about
the juntas promises of political reforms.

The process is to begin at a National Convention to draft a constitution
and end with a general election. The next session of the convention would
begin in February next year, said the two-star general, who took over from
Win Aung in September.

Burma has been mired in political deadlock since May 2003 after the arrest
of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Political tension mounted after a
power struggle within the junta, in which Khin Nyunt and his faction were
purged.

He was also implicated in a massive bribery and corruption scandal at
Muse, near the border with China, involving billions of kyats, Nyan Win
told a press conference in Vientiane yesterday.

To relieve political pressure, the junta announced the release of more
than 9,000 prisoners, including several members of the opposition National
League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi is unlikely to be released.

Yong Chanthalangsy, spokesman for the Asean Summit, said the group praised
the release of political prisoners and was gratified to learn that Burma
would continue the road map as promised at the last years summit. Nyan Win
is expected to brief his Asean colleagues during a meeting today ahead of
the summit on Monday and Tuesday.

______________________________________
ON THE BORDER

November 27, Kaladan News
UNHCR to review Rohingya refugee policy

Chittagong: The UNHCR is likely to review next month its stance on two
Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to persuade the government to end
the stalemate in negotiations over the fate of the remaining 20, 000
refugees, said Ashfaq Wares Khan from Dhaka on 26th November 2004.

The UNHCR wants to provide these refugees with work permit and freedom of
movement beyond their two camps at Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar. But the
government wants to confine the refugees to the camps and speed up their
repatriation as a section of the Rohingyas is drifting into crime and
other anti-social activities, he further added.

The UN body last year threatened to wind up its operations in Bangladesh
over the disagreement.

Repatriation of the remaining Rohingya refugees has remained stalled for
the last six months. Officials say the refugees are unwilling to head back
home now and there is little possibility of further repatriation.

Now, the UNHCR plans to take a new initiative either during or after a
high-level visit by an UNHCR official from its headquarters next month to
review the situation, sources said.

UNHCR’s Deputy Representative in Dhaka Mamo Mulusew said there was no such
plan to push the government to accept their proposals, but they will
continue to pursue the arguments.

The initiative comes after the rejection by the government styled
“Programmed of Self Reliance of Refugees and Support to the Refugee and
Host Community,” that came in different words and forms in the last two
years. The government finally rejected it in September.

Recent violence in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar and the
Malaysian government giving 10,000 Rohingya refugee status and work permit
have added new twists to the issue of their repatriation, sources said.

Ishaq Ali, head of the Burma Refugee Cell at the Ministry of Disaster
Management, explains why the government rejected the UN proposal: “They
(refugees) can become self-reliant after they are repatriated or, they can
be self-reliant inside the camp. We do not support any effort to make them
self-reliant on this side of the border and to help them merge with the
local community.”

The government believes that any provisions of work permit to refugees
here would not only discourage them from returning to Burma, but also
invite a further influx of Rohingyas from their homeland, sources said.

It also argues free movement of Rohingyas outside their camps would be a
threat to law and order and make it more difficult to keep track of their
movements.

Mulusew explained that maintaining the status quo of containing the
refugees within the camp where they are idle and on WFP rations is
counter-productive, as it discourages their repatriation and living
comfortably sucking on the UN funds.

In the first week of this month, Malaysia said it would grant the 10,000
Rohingyas in Malaysia permission to stay temporarily, move freely around
the country and have work permits, Mulusew said they have been urging the
Bangladesh government for years to take similar steps.

UNHCR currently coordinates operations in the two Rohingya camps,
Kutupalong and Nayapara, where, according to official estimates, 19,994
Rohingyas of Burma origin are currently taking refuge on Bangladesh soil.

Local people, however, say there are about two lakh (0.2 million)
“unofficially estimated” refugees in the Cox’s Bazar district.

The UNHCR works on three tracks on refugees: resettlement, repatriation or
local integration. It also protects the rights of refugees not to be
repatriated involuntarily, said Ashfaq Wares Khan from Dhaka.

_____________________________________
REGIONAL

November 29, The Associated Press
China, Southeast Asia adopt landmark free trade accord - Vijay Joshi

Vientiane, Laos: Southeast Asian nations and China signed an accord Monday
to create the world's biggest free trade area by removing tariffs for
their 2 billion people by decade's end - a key step in their vision of a
trade bloc to rival Europe and North America.

Leaders in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations also
signed a pact to flesh out their agreement last year to create an ASEAN
Community along the lines of a unified Europe by 2020. It aims to create a
common market with common security goals.

The run-up to the ASEAN summit in the Laotian capital was clouded by
concerns that Thailand's crackdown last month on a protest that left 85
Muslims dead could inflame regional militants, and over Myanmar's failure
to deliver on pledges to go from military rule to democracy.

Some countries indicated they might call those two ASEAN members to task -
in a break with the group's tradition of keeping out of domestic affairs.
But both issues were kept off the table during the summit's ASEAN-only
agenda Monday, Thai government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had threatened to walk out if the
village crackdown was raised.

On the summit sidelines, South Korea and ASEAN member Singapore concluded
negotiations on a two-way free trade agreement.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed the landmark trade accord with ASEAN
leaders later Monday at a conference center built on a palm-fringed swamp
in sleepy Vientiane - the first such international event ever hosted by
the isolated communist nation of Laos.

Laos spruced up its tiny capital of only 133,000 people, which had no
five-star hotel until one was built for the summit by a Malaysian company.
Bamboo screens blocked eyesores through the city, and women were asked to
wear long skirts rather than pants.

ASEAN also plans free trade areas with Japan and South Korea - and was to
sign a blueprint for economic cooperation with India during the two-day
summit ending Tuesday. A free trade agreement with India is still many
years away.

The ASEAN's agreements with China and India reflect the group's desire to
latch on to two booming economies that are drawing foreign investment away
from the region.

The annual ASEAN summit consists of several, closed-door meetings among
leaders: The 10 Southeast Asian countries alone, and in various
permutations with summit partners China, Japan, South Korea and India.

_____________________________________

November 29, New Straits Times (Malaysia)
'Asean too soft on Myanmar'

Kuala Lumpur: Asean Governments have been "too soft for too long" with
Myanmar, according to the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Myanmar
today.

Interim president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said continuing the soft approach
towards Myanmar would not solve the situation there.

"Asean MPs feel that their Governments have definitely been too soft, too
long with Myanmar.

"The military Government has not kept its promises to us - why are we
protecting them?"

Zaid said Myanmar's internal problems were becoming a burden to Asean, and
regional leaders should be firm with Myanmar.

"They must speak with one voice and tell the military that what they are
doing is unacceptable and that if they persist, Myanmar may be suspended
from Asean," he said after closing a two-day gathering of Asean
parliamentarians on Myanmar.

In a statement issued today, those present pushed for the urgent
unconditional release of democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi
and the restoration of her civil and democratic rights.

"We also note with grave concern Myanmar's scheduled assumption of the
Asean chairmanship in 2006, which in the absence of substantial and
meaningful democratic reforms, would be severely detrimental to Asean,"
said the statement, which will be forwarded to regional leaders in time
for the Asean Summit scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday.

Zaid stressed that if positive steps were not taken by the military-run
state, Asean should review or suspend Myanmar's membership and
chairmanship in 2006.

"Admitting them into Asean was not a mistake. When the former Prime
Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) pushed for its membership in 1997, the
Myanmar Government promised all sorts of things, and we believed they
would toe the line. Unfortunately after all these years, they've done
nothing."

"The first step would be to release Suu Kyi. She represents the voice of
the people, their aspirations. Her detention is unacceptable."

Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962. General elections were
held in 1990, but the current Government refused to hand over power
although Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory. She has been detained
since May 2003.

The statement also called on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
to urgently convene a Security Council meeting to formulate a roadmap
towards democratic and constitutional reform in Myanmar.

_____________________________________

November 25, Japan Economic Newswire
Japan extends 'grassroots aid' to Myanmar projects

Yangon: Four separate agreements have been signed in Yangon over the past
three days for total grants of $197,193 under Japan's Grassroots Grant
Assistance program, the Japanese Embassy said Thursday.

Two agreements were signed Tuesday, one for a $70,142 grant to supply
physiotherapy equipment to the Home For the Aged in Yangon, and the other,
$59,273, to build a new school building in Nyaung-saye village, 220
kilometers northwest of the Myanmar capital.

An agreement for $11,930 was signed Wednesday for a community water supply
project in Muse Township, 700 kilometers north of Yangon near the border
with China and an agreement for $55,848 was signed Thursday to build a
primary school building in Dala, opposite Yangon across the Yangon River.

The agreements were signed between the embassy's deputy chief of mission
Hiroshi Kawamura and representatives of the recipient organizations.
_____________________________________

November 29, Channel News Asia
Singapore urges Myanmar to push forward on democracy roadmap

Singapore: The Singapore government has come out publicly to urge Myanmar
to make more determined and visible progress on its roadmap to democracy.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who met Myanmar's Prime Minister Soe Win
on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos, expressed his concern at the
situation in Myanmar.

Mr Lee's press secretary said Mr Lee expressed his concern as the
situation in Myanmar affected ASEAN's standing and credibility.

Such concerns are usually expressed behind closed doors at ASEAN meetings.

Mr Lee also had a call with the Prime Minister of Laos, Bounnhang
Vorachith, before ASEAN leaders attended an informal working dinner.

_____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

November 27, Malaysiakini.com
No clear UN strategy on Burma, concedes Razali - Roshan Jason

The UN envoy also believes that change in Burma can only come from within
the country, strongly hinting that international pressure may not work.

The United Nations special envoy to Burma Razali Ismail said that the UN
did not have a clear strategy in dealing with the military-ruled country
as he prepares to attend next week's Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

"There is no UN strategy on the issue, there has not been enough direction
given by the (UN) General Assembly," he told participants at the Asean
Parliamentary Caucus Workshop last night.

Razali also said he believed change in Burma can only come from elements
within the country, strongly hinting that international pressure may not
work.

"Internal dynamics (in Burma) can bring about change, not external
dynamics," he told 100 Asean parliamentarians, activists and reporters who
were present at a dinner that kicked off the regional meeting in Kuala
Lumpur.

The three-day workshop is organised by the Pro-democracy Myanmar (Burma)
Caucus - Malaysian Parliament, a body consisting of government and
opposition members of parliament.

They are joined by parliamentarians from Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines,
Thailand and Singapore, as well as Burmese parliamentarians living in
exile, at the meeting to discuss the human rights and democracy situation
in Burma.

Razali 'persuaded' to speak

Razali, who had initially declined to deliver a speech but relented after
being persuaded by Malaysian Caucus' chairperson Zaid Ibrahim, also said
that the Burma issue goes beyond the country's democracy icon Aung San Suu
Kyi.

"Fifty-two million people in Myanmar should have equality for them to
develop and be free from fear," he added, using the country's new name
picked by the Burmese military junta.

Razali's remarks infuriated Malaysian politician and activist Tian Chua,
who was present at the dinner.

"Razali should be sacked for admitting that there is no UN strategy (on
Burma)," he thundered.

Meanwhile, conference host Zaid Ibrahim - a member of the ruling BN
coalition - slammed Asean leaders for hiding behind its non-interference
policy and allowing human rights atrocities to continue to occur in Burma.

"We cannot understand how Asean can be silent on this (issue). Someone
must stand up to this,"

Remove Burma as Asean's chair

While demanding Suu Kyi's release, he also called for the removal of Burma
as Asean's chair in 2006, echoing expulsion calls from international human
rights organisations.

Asean has long been criticised for allowing Burma into the regional bloc -
a move strongly advocated by former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir
Mohamad - given its human rights record, which include the imprisonment of
over 1,300 pro-democracy activists and students.

However, in a surprise move, the Burmese junta released 30 of its
political prisoners as part of its release of 4,000 prisoners and has
announced plans to free 5,000 more in the coming months.

Yesterday, the regime freed another 500 prisoners from the notorious
Insein Prison.

However, it is not clear whether political detainees were among them those
released. Most appeared to be people sentenced to short terms of one or
two years for criminal offences.

The military has ruled Burma since a coup in 1962 and it refused to
recognise the results of a general elections in 1990 which saw Suu Kyi's
party, the National League of Democracy, won a landside victory.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains under house arrest.

_____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

November 29, Financial Times
When to meddle: Neighbours have a right to scold Thailand and Burma

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's temperamental prime minister, is so annoyed
by criticism of the violence in southern Thailand that he threatened last
week to walk out of today's south-east Asian summit if the subject was
even raised.

Mr Thaksin made some amends by holding talks last night with Malaysia and
Indonesia but his attitude remains unreasonable on two counts. First, his
government's clumsy handling of the crisis deserves to be publicly
condemned. Troops suffocated and shot 87 Thai Muslims in one day last
month, and Mr Thaksin and other officials in the mainly Buddhist
administration stoked Muslim resentment further with their callous
response to the slaughter.

Second, no one has more reason to be concerned about Islamism and how to
tackle it, or more right to express that concern, than Thailand's
neighbours.

Malaysia is directly affected because its northern states border on the
southern Thai provinces where more than 500 people have died in political
and religious violence this year. But Indonesia, Singapore and other
members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) are also
worried that southern Thailand is slipping into the kind of lawlessness
and violence familiar in parts of Sumatra and the Muslim islands of the
Philippines.

Mr Thaksin has invoked the Asean tradition of non-interference in a
country's domestic affairs to justify his walk-out threat. This puts him
in the same camp as the Burmese junta, which has also warned that it does
not want its internal affairs discussed, although it has at the same time
announced the release of thousands of prisoners in a transparent attempt
to burnish its credentials for the summit.

However inconvenient it may be for Mr Thaksin and Burma's generals, Asean
leaders must discuss the critical issues of the moment or consign their
organisation to irrelevance. Last year, Indonesia, Asean's largest member,
called on the group to set up a security community to deal with terrorism
and other transnational problems, an idea that will go nowhere if
discussion of "domestic" matters remains taboo.

It is not easy for members of any multinational group to deal with
political unpleasantness in their midst, as the European Union discovered
when it tried to ostracise an Austrian government that included Jorg
Haider's far-right Freedom party four years ago.

Even so, it is pointless to abandon all principles in the search for
consensus; the result is that problems are avoided rather than solved.
Asean has already made this mistake on the economic front, striking an
internal "free trade" agreement that excludes agriculture, services and
sensitive sectors such as the Malaysian motor industry. It should not
repeat the error in politics and security.

Burma, by delaying democracy, and Thailand, by seeking to crush resentful
Muslims, are pursuing the wrong policies. Their neighbours have the right
to tell them so.