BurmaNet News, November 9, 2005

[Editor]

November 9, 2005 Issue # 2841

INSIDE BURMA
DVB: Burmese veteran politicians demand release of Shan leaders
DVB: Burma CRPP denounces the sentencing of Shan leaders
Irrawaddy: ILO Representative denies quitting Burma

HEALTH/AIDS
Xinhua: Myanmar, French NGO to cooperate in prevention against HIV/AIDS

BUSINESS/TRADE
Irrawaddy: Thirty eight foreign companies join ICFTU Burma black list
Irrawaddy: Japan donates $ 3.8 million to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria in Burma

REGIONAL
Irrawaddy: Groups push Philippines for last UNSC vote on Burma
Asia Pulse: Thailand eyes workers from neighbouring states to fill shortage
Nation: Reporters Without Borders sends open letter to Thaksin

INTERNATIONAL
Mizzima News: US State Department condemns Burma religious rights abuses

OPINION/OTHER
Irrawaddy: Moving target

INTERVIEW
Mizzima: Meeting the President

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

November 9, Democratic Voice of Burma
Burmese veteran politicians demand release of Shan leaders

Burmese veteran politicians in Rangoon are preparing to issue a statement
demanding the release of Shan leaders including Shan National League for
Democracy (SNLD) chairman Khun Htun Oo and secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin who
were given lengthy prison terms by the ruling junta.

The decision to issue the statement was taken at a meeting held on 8
November 2005 at the home of Thakhin Thein Pe to discuss the current
political situation and to organise a ceremony for Burma’s National Day
which falls on 25 November.

One of the politicians Thankhin Chan Tun told DVB that the sentencing of
Shan leaders to up to a hundred years in prison is saddening and
troubling, as they are not the sort of people to revolt and take up arms.

“U Khun Htun Oo and the like are not the sort of people who would revolt.
He has been demanding democracy by democratic means,” Chan Tun said. He
added that the junta is going the opposite direction to that of what it
claims it is doing; towards a ‘disciplined’ democracy and that no previous
Burmese governments including the hated Burma’s Socialist Programme Party
(BSPP) led by the late Gen Ne Win, never meted out such harsh punishments
on political leaders.

“Their action is over the top. I wonder if the military government is
trying to record their name in history that they did such atrocious
things.”

_____________________________________

November 9, Democratic Voice of Burma
Burma CRPP denounces the sentencing of Shan leaders

The sentencing of Shan leaders including Shan National League for
Democracy (SNLD) chairman Khun Htun Oo and secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin to
lengthy prison terms, could jeopardise the national unity and
reconciliation of Burma, the Committee for Representing People’s
Parliament (CRPP) said.

The statement of the denunciation of the imprisonments of Shan leaders by
Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), was
issued on 8 November at the end of a CRRP meeting held at the National
League for Democracy (NLD) HQs in Rangoon.

Many other Burmese political organisations denounced the junta’s action
and demand the immediate release of the Shan leaders for the sake of the
future of Burma. The leaders were secretly tried at the notorious Rangoon
Insein Jail and given approximately one hundred year long sentences.

The defendants, who have been detained at the prison since February, were
not allowed to hire lawyers of their choice and they are still not allowed
to see their family members.

_____________________________________

November 9, Irrawaddy
ILO Representative denies quitting Burma

The International Labour Organization's representative in Rangoon today
denied reports he is being forced to leave Burma after receiving 21 death
threats earlier this year. The London-based Sunday Times yesterday
reported Richard Horsey had decided to leave the country because of the
intimidation campaign. Horsey today, however, denied he is leaving the
country permanently, saying he is simply accompanying his wife to Bangkok
as she prepares to give birth to their child. He confirmed that he will
return to Rangoon shortly afterwards.

The ILO published a report at the end of last month in which it gave
evidence of the threats received by Horsey. It also said the ILO had
received confirmation from Burma's Ministry of Labor that the junta plans
to leave the organization, but Prime Minister Gen Soe Win and Foreign
Minister Nyan Win have since been quoted denying Burma plans to leave the
UN body. The ILO is currently trying to investigate whether the junta will
withdraw, a process that would usually take two years.

____________________________________
HEALTH/AIDS

November 9, Xinhua
Myanmar, French NGO to cooperate in prevention against HIV/AIDS

The Myanmar health authorities and a French non-governmental organization
(NGO) have agreed to cooperate in prevention against HIV/AIDS, outlining
tasks to be implemented in three townships in Yangon, a local weekly
reported Monday.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed recently between the
Myanmar Department of Health and the Aid Medical International (AIM), an
NGO of France, the HIV/AIDS prevention project will be carried out in the
three townships on the other side of the Yangon River in Yangon division,
said the Voice.

The AIM has been cooperating with the Myanmar health authorities in
engineering work relating to water and environmental sanitation.

According to the figures revealed by the Myanmar Ministry of Health, a
total of 338,911 people in the country were estimated to have been
infected with HIV. The figures were part of the findings of a survey
jointly conducted by the ministry, the United Nations agencies and NGOs.

An earlier government survey showed that 68 percent of AIDS cases in the
country resulted from heterosexual contract, while 30 percent was caused
by injecting drug use and the remaining percent was due to mother-to-child
transmission.

Figures of the country's National Drug Center in Yangon also showed that
about one percent of the blood donors have HIV infections.

HIV/AIDS stands as one of the three priority communicable diseases in
Myanmar. The others are malaria and tuberculosis.

____________________________________

November 9, Irrawaddy
Japan donates $ 3.8 million to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria in Burma

Japan has agreed to donate US $3.8 million to UNICEF to help in the fight
against HIV/AIDS, malaria and immunization programs, it was announced
today. Although it was not acknowledged whether the aid comes in response
to the loss of $98 million to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria following Global
Fund’s decision to pull out of Burma three months ago, Carroll Long, head
of UNICEF operations in Burma, said the money had come at a critical time.
“Now, more than ever, we need the support of the international community
to help us protect Myanmar’s [Burma’s] children from HIV/AIDS, malaria,
measles and other killers of children,” she said in a press statement.

The money will go to areas that now face a huge shortfall in funding
following Global Fund’s withdrawal. UNICEF plans to use the money to
supply 70,000 insecticide-protected bed nets to help fight malaria and,
where appropriate, Nevarapine—a drug that helps prevent the transmission
of HIV/AIDS from mother to child during pregnancy. The Japanese
government’s latest donation means it has now given about $25 million to
UNICEF’s Burma operation since 2000.

____________________________________
BUSINESS/TRADE

November 9, Irrawaddy
Thirty eight foreign companies join ICFTU Burma black list - Shah Paung

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions on Tuesday updated
its list of foreign companies operating in Burma in an apparent attempt to
draw attention to their activities as the International Labour
Organization prepares to hold crucial discussions on how to deal with the
Burmese junta.

In the updated list, the total number of foreign companies doing business
with the Burmese military government is now 474. It includes long-standing
business partners of the junta such as Total Oil of France and South
Korea’s Daewoo.

Total Oil, which enjoys French government support, is the world’s fourth
largest oil company, and also Europe’s biggest corporate investor in
Burma.

Thirty eight new companies have joined the ICFTU list. Six are based in
the US: Atwood Oceanics, Ceylon Express International, Dr Reddy’s
Laboratories Inc., Interra Systems Inc., R Crusoe & Son and Tiffany & Co.

The ICFTU admits there are probably many more foreign companies operating
in Burma that it’s not aware of. An ICFTU study has maintained it’s
impossible for foreign companies to do business in Burma without
benefiting the military regime.

Meanwhile, the governing body of the ILO continues a session in Geneva at
which the labor situation and human rights in Burma are scheduled to be
discussed.

An ILO special committee on forced labor in Burma, meeting in Geneva in
June, proposed that governments, employers and workers, as well as other
international organizations, should “activate and intensify the review of
their relations” with Burma and “urgently take the appropriate actions.”

The ILO first called for its members to reconsider their relations with
Burma in 2000 and its governing body is expected to repeat the call before
its current session ends on November 18.

Relations between the ILO and Burma have plunged to a new low this year,
and the regime has indicated it may leave the organization. In August,
Information Minister

Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan accused the ILO of “putting pressure on Myanmar (Burma)
to get it into trouble based on false information.”

The ICFTU general secretary, Guy Ryder, said in Brussels today that if
Burma left the ILO it would be a “rare and exceptional step.” He added:
“Burma’s military would be well-advised to carefully weigh the
consequences of its actions.”

The ICFTU is a global organization for workers and has 234 affiliated
organizations in 154 countries and territories.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

November 9, Irrawaddy
Groups push Philippines for last UNSC vote on Burma

Campaign groups in the Philippines are currently pushing their government
to back a final push for the Burma question to be placed on the UN
Security Council’s agenda, the movement Initiatives for International
Dialogue said today. IID—a Manila-based advocacy group that focuses on
Burma, East Timor and the Philippine region Mindanao—said it was thought
that President Gloria Arroyo’s government was not supporting the US-led
bid to include Burma on the UNSC’s agenda. In the past month, various
backers of the initiative have said eight of the 15 current UNSC members
are in support. Nine positive votes are needed to place an item on the
UNSC agenda. Apart from IID, the main lobby groups backing the move in the
Philippines include the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition and the Free
Burma Coalition-Philippines. Gus Miclat, spokesman for APSOC and FBC-P,
said: “The Philippine government should not think twice voting for the
inclusion of Burma in the agenda of UNSC. We urge the Philippine
government to break its silence on the Burma issue.” IID said three
Philippine Congress representatives have voiced support for Burma’s
inclusion on the UNSC’s agenda. One of them, Mario Agujaof Akbayan,
yesterday gave a speech to Congress in favor of the move.

____________________________________

November 9, Asia Pulse
Thailand eyes workers from neighbouring states to fill shortage

Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin will ask the Foreign Labour Management
Committee to allow 500,000 migrant workers from neighbouring Laos,
Cambodia and Myanmar to meet the labour shortage in Thailand's
agricultural and industrial sectors.

At one and the same time, the needs of the Thai economy for additional
labour will be met, as will the needs of some 300,000 Myanmar workers
currently in Thailand to find legal employment, instead of being deported.
Of the total, 200,000 will be able to work here under direct
government-to-government agreements with Laos and Cambodia.

For the remaining requirement of 300,000 workers, the Immigration
Department will summon illegal migrants currently in Thailand from Myanmar
-- and now subject to deportation -- to report for work here pending their
deportation.

In other words, Mr. Somsak explained, instead of being deported, the
workers will be permitted to remain in Thailand legally. This particular
group of migrants from Myanmar have identity papers issued by the
Department of Provincial Administration, but do not have work permits.

The labour minister stressed that this plan needs a cabinet approval.

The number of workers currently required -- 500,000 migrant labourers --
corresponds with the demand survey among employers in the agro-business
and industrial sectors.

Full details of the proposal will be discussed at the Foreign Labour
Management Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop on
November 14.

"These are short-term measures to address the urgent shortage," the labour
minister said.

"We are not opening a new round of illegal worker registration. As long as
a long-term solution is not in place, we must continue to come up with
temporary remedies like this," Mr Somsak said.

He said Thailand is ready and eager to import workers, but it has to wait
for the Lao and Cambodian governments to be ready.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

November 9, Mizzima News
US State Department condemns Burma religious rights abuses - Alison Hunter

The US State Department has criticised the Burmese military's continued
abuse of the right to freedom of religion in a report released yesterday.

The '7th Annual Report on International Religious Freedom' released by the
department condemned the junta's intolerance of religions other than
Theravada Buddhism.

The State Department also listed Burma among eight 'Countries of
Particular Concern', which have, "engaged in or tolerated particularly
severe violations of religious freedom over the past year," according to
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Other countries of concern were China, the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Vietnam.

The report accused the Burmese government of restricting the activities of
Christians, Muslims and other minority ethnic and religious groups and
noted anti-Muslim violence continued in the country in the past year.

"The Government systematically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to
promote human rights and political freedom, discouraged and prohibited
minority religions from constructing new places of worship, and actively
promoted Buddhism over other religions, particularly among members of the
minority ethnic groups," the report said.

"Christian and Muslim groups continued to experience difficulties in
obtaining permission to repair existing churches or build new ones in most
regions. Anti-Muslim violence continued to occur, as did the monitoring of
Muslims' activities."

The report said while there was no evidence of forced religious
conversion, killings motivated by religion or the destruction of mosques
or churches in the past year, the government tried to 'entice'
non-Buddhists to the religion using charitable acts or outright bribery.

Hamid from the All Burma Muslim Union agreed that the Burmese junta no
longer forces Muslims to convert to Buddhism but that they continued to
disturb Muslims socially and economically.

"In Burma Muslims are not full citizens. They are given second-class
status. It is very difficult for them to get ID cards," Hamid said.

The report also said there were widespread social tensions between
Buddhists and members of minority religious groups.

____________________________________
OPINION/OTHER

November 9, Irrawaddy
Moving target - Aung Zaw

In a surprise move, and at extremely short notice, Burma’s generals have
relocated the government’s ministries almost 400 km north of Rangoon to
Pyinmana, central Burma. The order to move came late on Saturday, leaving
shocked officials little time to pack and say their goodbyes before
departing early the next morning.

Some local Burmese observers believe the decision was taken on the advice
of astrologers who serve the notoriously superstitious generals—rumor has
it Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s trusted soothsayers have predicted bloodshed in
Rangoon, necessitating relocation of the capital.

Rangoon, or Yangon, literally means “the end of strife”—a name bestowed by
an 18th century Burmese king. But to the paranoid generals currently in
charge, the capital is no longer a safe place. It is incontrovertibly
doomed.

To escape misfortune the generals decided to leave. With a superstitious
yell of “let’s go,” ministry officials left Rangoon in convoy at exactly
6:37am on November 6th.

But the plan is obviously flawed.

Newly arrived Pyinmana residents are already complaining of water
shortages and communication problems. The building work is unfinished and
at one ministry there are only three phone lines installed. What’s more,
the area is thought to be prone to earthquakes and malaria
outbreaks—though many are understood to have taken a good supply of
anti-malaria pills with them.

The move plan has been ridiculed by many in Rangoon as “a forced
relocation.” One observer described himself as feeling “gobsmacked,” while
another expressed embarrassment that the plan had been so shrouded in
secrecy. Even now, journalists are complaining about a lack of information
on the move.

During his monthly press conference on Monday, information minister
Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan confirmed the relocation to Pyinmana, saying the move
was being made to help government operations run more “smoothly.” He
declined, however, to elaborate further.

Pyinmana served as military headquarters for the Aung San-led Burmese
resistance during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Over the past
few years, the military government has been quietly busy constructing
airstrips, military mansions, enormous government buildings, offices and
residences. Sources in Pyinmana say the new capital is surrounded by dense
forests and mountains, underground tunnels, bunkers, military airfields
and anti-missiles facilities. Consequently, some military analysts feel
that moving the War Office to the area might make sense if the armed
forces wanted to further stamp their authority on ethnic regions, where
insurgency is a threat.

On the other hand, some Western diplomats have in the past speculated that
junta leaders were worried about a possible seaborne invasion by a foreign
power, notably the US, a vocal critic of the regime. Were the US to
attack, Rangoon—and thus the regime— could fall in days. Considering the
US’s airpower, however, Pyinmana may not be a necessarily safer
alternative.

It seems everyone has been surprised by the move. Western and Asian
embassies have admitted to being confused and puzzled by the relocation,
while businessmen voiced concern that the country’s notorious red tape
could only get worse. Diplomats in Rangoon are currently at a loss how to
reach government officials, though the Foreign Ministry has said it will
open a liaison office in the current capital.

How courtesy calls, official visits by foreign officials and press
conferences will go ahead is, as yet, anyone’s guess.

Then again, it’s not as though the generals would know how to answer those
questions anyway.

______________________________
INTERVIEW

November 9, Mizzima News
Meeting the President

It is not often a 23-year-old human rights activist gets the opportunity
to meet US President George Bush. But Charm Tong, an ethnic Shan from
Burma, is not your average 20-something young woman.

A member of the Shan Women's Action Network, Charm Tong is well known for
spearheading a campaign using the report 'License to Rape', detailing the
Burmese junta's use of rape as a weapon of war and for the establishment
of a school for Shan refugees on the Thai-Burma border.

One of Burma's most high-profile activists, she has addressed the UN
Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and has received the Reebok Human
Rights Award given to young people who risk personal safety to fight
injustice.

She was also one of four Burmese women nominated this year for a Nobel
Peace Prize.

During a lobbying trip to Washington last month Charm Tong was also given
a 50-minute audience with President Bush and revealed the content of the
meeting in an exclusive interview with Mizzima.

When you found out you would meet with Bush, in your mind what were the
most important things to be able to discuss with him?

First of all, the overall situation of the people inside Burma and also
what is happening to the people under the current military regime. And
also, secondly, to raise possible support and possible action that the US
can do in order to help more.

What kind of actions?

Well, I think any action is very important and so, to continue to give
more pressure to the regime and also the US can also do more like push
Burma at the UN Security Council and also raise this with other countries
who are dealing with Burma.

Did you get the chance to discuss the attempts to have Burma included on
the Security Council with President Bush?

Yes, I have asked: "Please continue to push Burma onto the agenda for the
Security Council."

What was his response?

He also said, and asked what is the status now of the [efforts] and also
asked what the US can do. So I told him that the administration should
really push this.

Did you discuss US sanctions?

Yes, I thanked them for the sanctions . . . and also thanked them for the
Democracy Act that the US has for Burma.

What sort of things did President Bush ask you?

Well, I found that he was quite engaged in that he had many questions on
the human rights situation, and he even asked about the rape, you know the
sexual violence, systematic sexual violence. And he asked about rape and
whether it was used as a weapon of war and, you know, what is the
situation now. So I can see that he is very interested to know. There were
many questions during the conversation.

Did President Bush seem well informed on Burma?

Well, I can say that . . . I think that Burma's issues are there, in the
States and I think the administration is very familiar with that and I
think that the information was there in briefings and also I think he was
interested and very concerned about the different situations that I
presented. And also I think it was very good that he was engaging in the
talks and asking questions.

Did you talk more about the situation in ethnic areas or did you talk more
about the situation in Burma generally?

Burma in general and also the human rights situation everywhere in Burma
and the human rights violations. And also with the rape, when I raised it,
it was rape against all women. So it was not specific to any group but to
the whole situation.

And did you discuss the possibilities for change in Burma?

We talked more about how it can be changed with more pressure and what
more the international community can do. And especially the role of the
countries in the region and also the neighbouring countries of Burma and
the groups like Asean. We talked about how these groups could do more,
like Japan gives Burma so much development aid, but never raises the human
rights issues with the regime or calls for any genuine political reform
and also, people have no right to participate in any part of development,
of their own development and future.

So countries like [Japan] should do more and should very strongly place
political reform as a priority.

What types of pressure and actions did you discuss as being available to
the international community?

We didn't say any one specific (action) but they can certainly do more and
they know ways they can do (this). And they will find that there are so
many more things they can do from what they do now. And the problems of
refugees that are spreading around neighbouring countries, that really
concern the region and are things that the region has to consider,
including Japan, if they really want the country . . . to be developed.
People should really be given the political freedom to decide.

So I think the countries in the region know what to do very well except
not much has been done. Pressure can come in many ways, including from the
EU that can do more. In Canada we still have companies investing in Burma.

Did you feel that the meeting was constructive?

Yes, I do.

And what do you expect will result from the meeting?

I think it was a good opportunity and the world will know that the
situation in Burma is getting worse and that we need more support, not
only from the US but from all other countries.

How do you think the meeting will contribute to the pressure on Burma's
regime?

I think the meeting is a sign and a strong message to the rest of the
international community to also try to do more and that we express grave
concerns on human rights violations and the regime also knows this and I
think this is a great opportunity for the international community to bear
witness to what is happening in Burma.

There were other people in the room with you and President Bush - some
advisors. Did they ask questions or interact with you at all?

Not a lot, but they did ask some questions. On sexual violence, but most
of the time it was President Bush who was asking the questions.

Did you discuss current developments, for example the National Convention?

I think apart from all the human rights violations, I also shared that it
is very difficult and oppression is everywhere and we can see that the
regime does not show any sincere moving forward on political solutions and
dialogue, to have different groups to come for dialogue for genuine
political reform.

For example Daw Aung San Su Kyi still continues to be under house arrest
and many ethnic leaders like U Hkun Htun Oo were put in prison and other
Shan leaders were put in prison and the political repression in this
situation is very serious.

Was there any discussion about Burmese activists in Thailand or in
neighbouring countries?

I raised the situation of the refugees that escape to the neighbouring
countries, to India and to, for example, along the border with Thailand
until there is any resettlement or any political reform inside. And other
problems like trafficking.

I did raise that there were refugees in India, Bangladesh and Thailand . . .

Did you get any impression that the US would pressure these governments so
that their policies on Burmese residing in their countries would change?

I think the countries will . . . I think we need support for the US to
continue to raise Burma with these countries. I think whether to put
pressure or not, that is really up to their government . . .

Your meeting with Bush came at a time when many people said he was trying
to divert attention from his own internal problems. How do you react to
this?

I don't think it is like that. People can have their own opinions . . .
but for me I thought the meeting was very engaging and I think he was very
interested in what is happening to the people. And he asked, what more can
the US do.

Do you think you were able to establish permanent communications channels
with him?

Well, everything is done through the White House staff.

Do you think you will meet him again?

I think for me, it is not important whether he wants to meet me again. The
important thing is that he knows and he learns about what is happening to
our people. So he can meet any other activists from Burma and I think that
this can help show what is happening inside Burma.