BurmaNet News, December 16, 2005

[Editor]

December 16, 2005 Issue # 2866


INSIDE BURMA
DVB: What a gag: 20 years for criticising Burma junta’s convention
SHAN: Two-sentence meeting in Kengtung

ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Deported Burmese workers return

ASEAN
AP: Malaysia foreign minister says visit to Myanmar not an interference

REGIONAL
Malaysiakini.com: M'sians should continue to invest in Burma
Khonumthung News: Students' Union organizes musical concert in Delhi

INTERNATIONAL
Irrawaddy: Refugees International joins call for UNSC action on Burma
Mizzima: All eyes on the UN as activists wait for Burma briefing

OPINION / OTHER
Irrawaddy: All change in Pyinmana

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

December 16, Democratic Voice of Burma
What a gag: 20 years for criticising Burma junta’s convention

Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)
authorities are continuing to threaten opposition leaders with jail terms
up to 20 years if they criticise its ongoing constitution-drafting
‘National Convention’.

Although it is not known how many people have been given the threatening
warning, it is sure that the Committee Representing People’s Parliament
(CRPP) Secretary Aye Tha Aung and member PU Cin Sian Thang were among
them, according to sources from a political circle in Rangoon.

The two were summoned separately by agents from No.2, Military
Intelligence Corps and taken to Aungthabye army camp near 8-Mile Junction
in Rangoon area.

They were detained there from 11am to 5pm and warned not to criticise the
convention and not to use critical tone when questions are asked by
foreign media about it, and if the opposition leaders did not listen to
their warning, they would be prosecuted with the so-called Act/Edict –
5/96* and sentenced to 20 years in jail.

They were also taunted if they want to follow the path of nine prominent
Shan leaders including Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)
chairman Khun Htun Oo who were recently sentenced to up to 106 years jail
terms for ‘criticising’ the convention.

*The Law Protecting the Peaceful and Systematic Transfer of State
Responsibility and the Successful Performance of the Functions of the
National Convention against Disturbances and Oppositions

____________________________________

December 16, Shan Herald Agency for News
Two-sentence meeting in Kengtung

Township and district authorities of eastern Shan State who were summoned
to its capital Kengtung on Wednesday (14 December) returned on the same
day after receiving a two-sentence instruction from the regional
commander, according to sources in Tachilek, opposite Maesai.

"The meeting started at 8 p.m. and lasted only two sentences made by
Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing (Commander of Triangle Region Command who also
doubles as Chairman, Eastern Shan State Peace and Development Council),"
said a mystified official. "'See that everything's under control in your
assigned areas,' he said, 'In the event that things run out of control,
that'll be your own business.'"

The bewildered officials were ordered to return to their assigned township
and districts right off. "Us from Tachilek (163 km away) got back at
midnight," said one. "All the way we were puzzling over what the regional
commander said."

There are some recent developments, they concluded, that might be relevant
to what little they had heard from Min Aung Hlaing:

The UN Security Council briefing on Burma due to take place today.

Prime Minister Soe Win's invitation to Malaysia, Asean's current chair, to
visit Burma and meet opposition leaders

"Or maybe some drastic changes are in the offing," said another. "Some are
saying Lt-Gen Myint Swe (Commander of Rangoon Region Command and head of
the Office of Military Affairs Security) is next in line to Soe Win."

Coincidently, an unconfirmed report from Rangoon says Lt-Gen Myint Swe has
invited representatives from ceasefire groups to a meeting to be held on
Saturday (17 December) when the ongoing session of the National Convention
is taking a weekend break.

"In a way, Burma is an orphaned child adopted by Asean particularly by
Malaysia," one businessman close to the official circle reasons. "It must
strike while the iron is hot and never allow Burma to treat it shabbily
the way it had to the UN envoys and the ILO."

Ruth Dreifuss of the world's labor body had put it another way, according
to AP, 25 March 2005: "There is always a promise to do something, a few
little steps, then a terrible backlash."

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

December 16, Irrawaddy
Deported Burmese workers return

Most of the 138 illegal migrant workers arrested during a Thai police raid
on a Mae Sot garment factory last week returned to the Thai border town
today, one day after having been sent back to Burma. Police raided the
factory on December 8, arresting 138 Burmese employees for not having
official work permits. Having been kept in jail for one week, the workers
were all ordered back across the border to Myawaddy, except for nine
women, who were kept in custody by the police, apparently to be used in a
formal prosecution of the factory owners. One of the legal factory
workers, Khin Khin, confirmed that the owners had been ordered to pay a
fine for employing illegal workers and were now “negotiating” with the
police.

It is unclear whether the returning workers are intending to seek further
employment. Mae Sot police declined to comment on the case.

____________________________________
ASEAN

December 16, Associated Press
Malaysia foreign minister says visit to Myanmar not an interference

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's foreign minister said Friday his planned visit to
Myanmar to assess the progress of democracy does not amount to
interference in the affairs of the military-ruled country.

"Even when I do visit Myanmar it will be done quietly. The visit is not
interference. It is just to have a good feel of what they are doing,"
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

The secretive junta, which has not allowed even U.N. special envoy Razali
Ismail into the country since March 2004, agreed to Syed Hamid's visit
after intense pressure by the Association of Southeast East Asian Nations
at its annual summit here this week.

In a statement after the summit, ASEAN urged Myanmar to "expedite" the
moves it has pledged to take for restoring democracy - a departure from
the grouping's stand of not interfering in the internal affairs of
members. ASEAN also called on the junta to free detainees. Although it did
not name Aung San Suu Kyi, the reference to the pro-democracy leader was
clear.

Syed Hamid refused to discuss details of his plans, including whether he
would try to meet Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since May 2003.
He also refused to confirm a statement by the Thai foreign minister that
the visit would take place in January.

"I am not going to make any statement that can jeopardize the nature of my
visit. There are high expectations but whatever I do is a mandate from
ASEAN and an invitation from Myanmar," he said.

Syed Hamid said details of the visit still need to be worked out. "We need
to know the exact form and nature of the visit," he said.

Myanmar has become a pariah state in the West and an embarrassment for
ASEAN because of its poor record in human rights and democratization. Its
failure to fulfill pledges of democracy has increasingly angered fellow
ASEAN members, who are also feeling pressure from the U.S., which calls
Myanmar "an outpost of tyranny."

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. The current group of
generals came to power in 1988 after crushing a pro-democracy uprising.
They called elections in 1990 but refused to hand over power after Suu
Kyi's party won.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

December 15, Malaysiakini.com
M'sians should continue to invest in Burma - Beh Lih Yi

Malaysians companies should continue with their investments in Burma so as
not to hurt innocent people in the military-ruled nation, said United
Nations special envoy to Burma Razali Ismail.

Asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri
Abdul Aziz’s recent remark that “doing business in Burma is similar to
doing business with the Devil”, he responded that he did not agree with
the minister.

“I don’t necessary support that. I think sanctions or things like that
hurt people. Wrong and innocent people could get hurt,” Razali told
malaysiakini when met at the Global Peace Forum 2005 in Kuala Lumpur
today.

Two weeks ago, Nazri had said that “as a member of Parliament, I don’t
think I want to do business with the Devil. There is a limit to our
conscience.”

“Would you like to do business with a government of to Stalin or Hitler?”
Nazri asked.

The Brussels-based International Conference of Free Trade Unions has
listed 468 companies that are allegedly doing business with the military
junta in Burma, including 27 Malaysian firms.

One of the 27 is state-owned Petronas and another is the Razali-linked
Iris Technologies, which the envoy had clarified that it no longer
conducts business in Burma.

Happy with talks

Meanwhile, Razali said he was “happy and delighted” with the outcome of
discussions on Burma at the just-concluded Asean summit as Asean has acted
on behalf of the region.

On his expectations of the Asean delegation which will be visiting Burma
next month, he said the delegation would shoulder the responsibility of
clarifying the situation with Burma.

“First, (they have to) point out that Asean countries are getting
concerned, they have waited for Myanmar (Burma) to fulfill the commitments
made,” he said.

This included releasing pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other
political prisoners, as well as for the military junta to involve other
parties in the national convention, Razali added.

“When they (the delegation) go there, they would have to ask all these
questions and perhaps they might even want to see some of these people.

“Obviously, there must be very clear objectives of what they want to do
there, don’t just go there and listen to the same assurances that have
been given,” the envoy stressed.

Asked whether the delegation headed by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar
should insist on meeting Suu Kyi, he said the meeting should be a
“natural” thing to do.

____________________________________

December 12, Khonumthung News
Students' Union organizes musical concert in Delhi

In a bid to forge a stronger relationship with Indian students, provide a
deeper insight into the political turmoil in Burma and to seek the
attention and support of the Government of India, a live musical concert
was jointly organized in India’s capital New Delhi, by the Chin Student
Union (CSU), exiled Chin students from Burma, and North East (India) and
the Students Joint Action Committee (NESJAC) It was held at the at Shah
Auditorium on December 8.

The musical extravaganza by the CSU, was kicked off at 17:00 hours (IST).
The two-hour musical concert was performed by MC Pie band and various
bands representing Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl (DMZP) and CSU alternately.

The CSU, dressed in different Chin traditional attire choired the song
"Struggle for Democracy in Burma" and the MC Pie joined in by dedicating
the song 'Freedom' to the people of Burma and pro-democracy activists,
sources reported. The Delhi students from North East India cooperated with
the Chin Students in organizing the musical night.

Mr.K. Mughato Lucky, NESJAC's Convener told Khonumthung, “This concert is
to show our (North East students) solidarity with Burma in the struggle
for democracy in Burma. We also hope it will be ushered in soon.”

Besides musical entertainment and political propaganda, short speeches
were delivered by distinguished invitees. The peace and tranquility of
India depends on the restoration of democracy in Burma also but the
Government of India often ignores the issue; it was stated.

The Editor in Chief of Mizzima News, Soe Myint, in his short speech said,
“Despite the support of a few Indian politicians, Burma’s democracy
movement is ignored by the biggest democracy in the world. The Indian
government rolls out a red carpet when military officials visit.”

The objectives of this Live Musical Concert was to build a better
relationship with the students of India and provide better insight into
the political turmoil in Burma and seek the attention and support of the
Government of India for the early restoration of democracy in Burma,
sources added. The CSU released a Press statement in this connection on
that night of live musical concert.

The Press statement said that the student body sought the attention and
support of the Government of India for the immediate release of the Noble
Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to reconvene the national
reconciliation process and usher in a democratic government in the Union
of Burma. The statement, further, demanded that the military junta end its
gross human rights violation, discrimination and restore the right to form
student unions in Burma.

Mr. Lalremsanga, President of CSU said, “With the momentum of our
activities, in future we plan to send a memorandum to Indian government to
put an end to its relations with the military regime in Burma.”

The CSU jointly organized a musical night in Delhi with NESJAC through the
mediatory efforts of the DMZP. This is the first musical concert ever
being organized by the Chin students in Delhi.

The CSU is a union of exiled pro-democracy Chin students, which was formed
in 1995 in New Delhi. The union works side by side with political parties,
civil societies and other like-minded student organizations.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

December 16, Irrawaddy
Refugees International joins call for UNSC action on Burma - Clive Parker

Washington-based Refugees International has joined the chorus of
increasing support for UN Security Council action on Burma, as the
15-member body prepares to hear a landmark briefing in New York later
today.

The advocacy group is the latest organization to call for firm action on
Burma by the Council after months of pressure by exile groups,
humanitarian organizations and politicians across the globe.

“Refugees International urges the Security Council to make the most of
this historic opportunity for the UN to play a greater leadership role in
Burma and develop a common strategy to respond to one of the biggest
humanitarian and human rights crises of our time,” RI said in a statement.

The organization said that following its experiences in more than 30
countries, it considered Burma to be “a country which requires immediate
Security Council debate and action.”

The Burma Campaign UK—an organization that has lobbied hard for action on
Burma at the UN— today also welcomed the forthcoming briefing, but warned
there is still a long way to go before the possibility of UNSC action
against Rangoon.

“This must be a first step towards passing a binding resolution requiring
the restoration of democracy to Burma,” said Yvette Mahon, Director of The
Burma Campaign UK.

“At long last the crisis in Burma is getting the attention it deserves,”
she said. “But we need decisive action from the United Nations, not more
waffle and hot air.”

The US Campaign for Burma and Manila-based Initiatives for International
Dialogue—among others—have also recently welcomed the briefing as part of
what they hope will be the beginning of UNSC involvement on Burma.

The Burma Campaign UK confirmed that such a move now enjoys the support of
10 Council members, one more than the nine required for an issue to become
part of the body’s formal agenda.

Commentators have recently said that permanent Council members China and
Russia, along with Algeria, Brazil and Japan are still not convinced that
Burma requires international involvement, leading to speculation that the
only remaining member—Argentina—has switched sides in support of the US
position.

If true, Argentina’s support could prove significant for the prospect of
further action on Burma when the UNSC is reconfigured on January 1.
Argentina is one of five non-permanent members of the Council whose tenure
runs until the end of 2006. If Argentina actually does support the US-led
position on Burma, two more backers would be required from the five
incoming members—Slovakia, Qatar, Peru, Congo and Ghana—in order to get
Burma on the Council’s formal agenda next year.

____________________________________

December 16, Mizzima News
All eyes on the UN as activists wait for Burma briefing - Jessicah Curtis

With just hours remaining before the United Nations Security Council is
due to be briefed on Burma by deputy secretary general Ibrihim Gambari,
Burma watchers and activists are anxiously hoping for a positive outcome.

Some groups have expressed disappointment over Secretary General Kofi
Annan's decision no to give the briefing personally.

Several Canadian organisations, including the Canadian Friends of Burma
and the Burma Forum Canada, sent a letter to Annan yesterday saying the
delegation of the task to another official could lessen the briefing's
impact.

"Although you had been requested by several governments to personally
brief the UNSC on the situation in Burma, we were disappointed to learn
that this task has been delegated to other senior UN officials," the
letter said.

"We are concerned that this decision communicates to the international
community that the situation in Burma as not being at a critical stage,
and not threatening collective peace and security in the region."

But other groups have said the decision over the deliverer of the briefing
should not lessen the significance of the briefing itself.

Jeremy Woodrum from the US Campaign for Burma told Mizzima, " It is not
important who briefs the Council, but we feel it is very important that
the Secretary General or a high-level envoy attend and contribute to the
discussion. We would like to see high-level involvement from the United
Nations continue."

All eyes are on the Security Council as Burma groups wait to see if years
of campaigning and lobbying the UN will be fruitful.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Refugees International have
all released statements in the lead-up to the event calling for council
members to make the most of the opportunity to discuss Burma for the first
time.

Burma Campaign UK's director Yvette Mahon described the briefing as a,
"key milestone on the road to freedom in Burma", in a statement today
saying, "The Security Council should have begun this process years ago . .
. This must be a first step towards passing a binding resolution requiring
the restoration of democracy to Burma".

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

December 16, Irrawaddy
All change in Pyinmana - Harry Priestley

Rangoon: While the relocation of Burma’s ministries and military
headquarters from Rangoon to Pyinmana might have brought peace of mind for
the country’s notoriously insecure leader, the move has actually been far
from plain sailing.

Hundreds of civil servants—including the entire Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, if reports are to be believed—have been ordered to return to
Rangoon, as there’s basically nothing for them to do in the isolated
outpost. These are civil servants, remember, who only six weeks ago had
been told to pack up and ship out of Rangoon at a moment’s notice.


While the decision to relocate seems to have satisfied the generals and
flummoxed the minions, the local residents of Pyinmana have also been
given plenty to think about.

The main highway leading to Pyinmana, which runs from Rangoon right up to
Mandalay, is being expanded to a whopping eight lanes and the approach to
the Pyinmana turn-off now resembles a dust storm as diggers and trucks
work to widen the existing two-lane track. With a radical restructuring of
the town itself in the works, the heavy Chinese machinery—currently
carving great chunks out of the countryside—is ready to roll into Pyinmana
any time now.

All main roads in the town are being expanded to a standard 40 feet (just
over 12 meters) and imposing red flags have been planted to mark the
required dimensions—a common sight in Pyinmana these days is that of
ministry workers out in the middle of the street clutching tape measures
and flag poles.

So what happens if your home or business is situated on a road slated for
widening? Well, if you’re lucky you might only be required to scale back
your garden a little. But if your actual house encroaches on the new
boundaries, the whole thing could end up being demolished.

Ironically, given this problem established residents in Pyinmana are
facing, outsiders are fighting to get hold of land in town. To the delight
of a local population—whose main previous source of income was the timber
industry and a couple of sugar cane refineries—property is now going for
three or four times its usual value, as businesses from Rangoon and
Mandalay rush to get closer to the junta.

In fact, many of the generals are doing well out of the property market
themselves. Rumor has it top brass began buying up land in and around
Pyinmana a couple of years ago and is already looking at a tidy profit.

Insider trading in the Burmese government? Surely not.

As well as those lucky enough to cash in on land deals, brick makers,
laborers and restaurateurs are also finding work easier to come by, now
the city’s population has effectively swollen by as many as ten thousand.

Moving away from Pyinmana and closer to the shiny new ministry buildings
themselves, Kyet Pyay is also seeing changes. The tiny village, whose name
roughly translates as “purged of ghosts”, is doing a roaring trade as
trishaw drivers ferry civil servants and their families between their
barren housing compounds and Kyet Pyay’s tea shops—one popular cafe was
roped into providing refreshments for the Ministry of Information’s
opening ceremony, though what the Ministry actually got for its reputed
20,000 kyat (US $17) budget remains unclear.

Even Kyet Pyay’s spit and sawdust market is heading for a refurb:
tarpaulins and tea chests are to be replaced by a three-storey concrete
affair.

So, it’s all go in and around Pyinmana. The local economy’s been turned
upside down, and construction companies that have been brought in from the
capital—HTC Construction, Max Myanmar, A1 Construction, Asia World and Tet
Lan Construction to name a few—are enjoying big, fat contracts.

For many, Pyinmana is turning into something of a gold mine. Unless your
house happens to be in the way, of course.