BurmaNet News, June 13, 2007

[Editor]

June 13, 2007 Issue # 3225

INSIDE BURMA
Irrawaddy: Church ordered to be removed in northern Shan state
SHAN: Militia disarmed

ON THE BORDER
Mizzima News: Over 30 ethnic Karennis flee offensive
Irrawaddy: Over 200 Karenni denied refugee registration
DVB via BBC: Indian-Burmese border remains closed after clashes

BUSINESS / TRADE
Kachin News: Temporary halt in illegal teak trade on Sino-Burma border

HEALTH / AIDS
Kantarawaddy Times: IDPs suffer health problems for lack of medicine and
medics
AP: Myanmar reports new bird flu outbreak in private farm north of Yangon

REGIONAL
Times of India: MPs to Suu Kyi: You are the real PM of Myanmar

INTERNATIONAL
Irrawaddy: US condemns Burma in human trafficking report
Irrawaddy: Burma wants review of past ILO resolutions on forced labor

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

June 13, Irrawaddy
Church ordered to be removed in northern Shan state - Khun Sam

Burmese local authorities have ordered a Christian church in the border
town of Muse in Burma’s northern Shan State to be removed, leading to a
protest letter to the government.

A pastor of the Bum San Kachin Baptist Church, located near the 105-mile
gate office in Muse, o­n Tuesday claimed that the Muse-based Border Trade
Committee had ordered the church leaders to either leave or demolish the
church by April 30, 2007, o­n the basis that the church compound
overlapped into the area of the border trade zone which borders China’s
Yunnan Province.

Eighty members of the church joined church leaders in signing a letter of
protest against the order and submitted it to the committee. The pastor
told The Irrawaddy that his congregation had refused to demolish the
church.

“In our protest letter, we asked them to show us an official order from
the central government,” the pastor said. He said that the authorities had
responded that a high-ranking official from the government would preside
over the case.

“We are still waiting for their official reply,” he said. “We will
continue to protest peacefully and to insist o­n our religious rights.”

The church was built 10 years ago by ethnic Kachins. More than 100 people
regularly attend the Sunday service.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that a Kachin Baptist church in
Rangoon has been under observation by the authorities, who even
scrutinized its ‘Order of Service’ o­n o­ne Sunday. In Tachilek, a Burmese
border town in eastern Shan State, the construction of Christian churches
is banned.

Although the Burmese junta claims to permit freedom of worship, it has
consistently been condemned by international Christian groups for its
crackdowns o­n Christian churches.

Last year, London-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide released a report
accusing the Burmese government of restrictions o­n the construction,
extension and renovation of churches and a widespread practice of
discrimination against Christians.

____________________________________

June 13, Shan Herald Agency for News
Militia disarmed

A pro-junta militia force in southern Shan State was disarmed and
dissolved on Thursday, 7 June, according to news coming to the border.

The event – the disbandment of the Mongyawn militia led by Sai Kyaw in
Mongkeung township, Loilem district, 109 miles northeast of the state
capital Taunggyi was presided over by Brigadier General Win Myint, deputy
commander of the Eastern Region Command.
Arms relinquished by the group included 22 assorted automatic rifles and 3
pistols.

The disarmament followed the raid of the group's base at Kard Hpui on 2
June by the Shan State Army (SSA) South's 759th Brigade, commanded by Maj
Kham Leng, which left 4 dead and 1 wounded. The SSA fighters also seized
27 weapons in addition.

The group had been known to be especially close to the late Chief of Staff
of the Army Lt-Gen Tin Oo, who died mysteriously in 2001 in a helicopter
crash.

Ceasefire sources in southern Shan State say the demobilization of the
Mongyawn militia is an exception and does not affect the overall policy on
militia units formed under the supervision of the Burma Army since 1960 to
counter armed resistance by the local populace.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

June 12, Mizzima News
Over 30 ethnic Karennis flee offensive - Than Htike Oo

In a fresh exodus, more than 30 ethnic Karennis, fled Burma and arrived at
a refugee camp along the Thai-Burmese border on Monday, according to camp
officials.

Camp officials of the Karenni camp (1) in Thailand's Mae Hong Song
district said, the new arrivals were forced to flee following a fresh
offensive by Burmese troops on armed cadres of the Karenni National
Progressive Party since the beginning of summer.

Some of them, however, fled as Burmese soldiers targeted them for arrest
for suspected connections with the KNPP, the officials said.

Camp officials said, over 200 refugees have arrived at the camp since the
offensive by Burmese soldiers against the KNPP which was launched in the
beginning of summer.

However, more than 200 new arrivals still remain unrecognized as refugees
by the Thai authorities, the officials added.

"A lot of people began arriving since the onset of summer, but many have
not been recognized as refugees," the official said.

Since the new refugees have not been recognized by the Thai authorities
the camp officials have to provide them with shelter and food, he added. .

The refugees arrived at the camp after struggling through jungles and
mountains, where they lacked food, shelter and medicines.

____________________________________

June 13, Irrawaddy
Over 200 Karennis denied refugee registration - Saw Yan Naing

Another 30 Karenni refugees fleeing o­n-going conflicts in a military
offensive of the Burma’s army in Karenni State arrived at the Thai border
o­n Monday, but their fate—like more than 200 Karenni who fled before
them—is anyone's guess.

The latest Karenni group, including children and women, are living in a
Karenni refugee camp in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province, according to the
Karenni Refugee Committee.

More than 200 Karenni refugees have sought safety in Thailand since the
beginning of January, when the latest military offensive began.

A senior official of the Karenni Refugee Committee (KNRC) told The
Irrawaddy o­n Wednesday, “Thai authorities haven’t allowed them to
register as refugees. They reasoned that they o­nly accept newcomers who
have fled their home because of the war.”

An official of KNRC said, “It really depends o­n Thai authorities. If they
don’t allow them to register, it will be really difficult for us to
support long-term rations, shelter and medical treatment."

The senior KNRC official said that some villagers’ houses were burned by
the government troops and some of the refugees were also used as forced
labor.

The KNRC is working with Thai authorities in an effort to acquire refugee
registration.

Rimond Htoo, the general secretary of the Karenni National Progressive
Party, said, “The government troops accused them [Karenni refugees] of
having a connection with our Karenni rebel group. The troops frequently
questioned and interrogated them.”

More than 20,000 registered Karenni refugees from Burma live in two
Karenni refugee camps in northwestern Mae Hong Son Province.

Last week, Thai authorities refused entry to a group of ethnic Karen
refugees who fled from Karen State following o­n-going attacks by the
government troops against Karen rebels.

____________________________________

June 13, Democratic Voice of Burma via BBC Monitoring
Indian-Burmese border remains closed after clashes

We have learned that refugees from the Indian town of Moreh at the
Indo-Burmese border, who fled to Burma because of the killings between the
Kathay and Kuki armed groups, have returned to their homes yesterday
afternoon.

We contacted India-based Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) Correspondent Ko
Khin Maung Soe Min to enquire about the incident.

[Begin recording] [DVB] Ko Soe Min, we understand the refugees have
returned home to Moreh. Can you please tell us what you know?

[Soe Min] Yes. The latest news I received today is that the refugees who
fled to Burma because of the Kathay-Kuki problem have returned home to
Moreh yesterday afternoon. The Indian and State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) troops jointly provided security for them. I asked Moreh
Police Station Commander W. L. Singh about the matter and he said:

[Singh in English fading into Burmese translation by Soe Min] Yesterday,
about 500 refugees returned from Burma and among them are Manipuri, Kuki,
Madrasi, Kerala, Nepali, and others. The Burmese Government is very
cooperative and looked after the refugees very nicely. The problem
originated from the conflict between the armed Kathay and Kuki groups
which later spread to the civilians. The situation is now under control
but curfew remains in force.

[Soe Min] Even though Moreh Police Station Commander W. L. Singh was
saying that, a soldier from the Indian border guard unit was killed last
night when he was shot by some people who came in from Burma.

[DVB] I see. Who do you think is responsible for that?

[Soe Min] They have not said who is responsible for the shooting but
people are speculating that the armed Manipur-Kathay group is behind the
killing.

[DVB] We understand that the border gate has been closed for about a month
because of such problems. Has it been reopened now?

[Soe Min] No. The border remains closed. It was closed down about a month
ago and remains so because problems have been occurring continually. There
have been consequences because of the border closure. No goods, including
foodstuffs, are coming in because the roads are closed and Moreh residents
cannot buy what they want, including things they need every day. In
addition, the only long distance route from Moreh to Infah has also been
closed. Nothing comes in from Infah also. Moreh residents have money but
cannot buy anything and they are in trouble. [End recording]

That was an interview with India-based Ko Khin Maung Soe Min.

Manipur Kathay rebels who are taking refuge on the Burmese side of the
border are fighting the Indian Government while Kuki insurgents are
residing in Moreh and rebelling against the Burmese military regime.

Presently, the situation is calm because of strict security controls
imposed by the Indian Government. However, people from both sides of the
border are concerned about the prospects of trouble starting again any
time soon.

____________________________________
BUSINESS / TRADE

June 12, Kachin News Group
Temporary halt in illegal teak trade on Sino-Burma border

Illegal trade in teak on the Sino-Burma border in Northern Burma has been
halted temporarily for a couple of weeks.

The regular trade centre at Nong Dao gate on the China side has been
stopped by major teak loggers from both China and Burma but not by the
border authorities of the two countries, said a logger on the border.

The reason behind stoppage of border teak trade is that teak prices are
rising on the border and logging fields in Burma with the number of
Chinese teak buyers having suddenly increased from 10 to over 30 groups at
the Nong Dao gate, according to teak business sources.

The price of a three-foot-long and four or five cubic inches of teak are
up from Kyat 11,000 (Est. US$ 8.87) to Kyat 14,000 (Est. US$ 11.29) in the
logging areas in Burma and from Kyat 17,000 Kyat (Est. US$ 13.7) to Kyat
20,000 Kyat (Est. US$ 16.13) on the border, said a border businessman.

In teak logging areas in Burma, loggers have to pay million-Kyat bribe to
Burmese militaries on the teak transportation routes in Kachin State,
Sagaing Division and Northern Shan State as well as the Kachin Independent
Organization (KIO)'s border checkpoints near Nong Dao gate, said local
teak loggers.

On the other hand, in order to deliver teak to China's border business
town of Ruili (also called Shwe Li in Burmese) from Nong Dao, illegal teak
traders have to pay 10 to 12 Yuan for each three-foot-long and four or
five cubic inches of teak to the border customs office in China, loggers
said.

The Chinese government has officially stopped importing timber from
Northern Burma since late 2005 however regular timber trade remains on
along the borders and teak from Bhamo District in Kachin State, Sagaing
Division and northern Shan State have been exported to Nong Dao, one of
the main China border gates, said Bhamo loggers.

According to sources close to Chinese teak businessmen in Ruili, China has
plans to organize a "Teak Exhibition Show" after the ensuing "2008 Olympic
Games" in the country, so Chinese teak businessmen have stocked hundreds
of tons of teak in Ruili without foreign export.

____________________________________
HEALTH / AIDS

June 12, Kantarawaddy Times
IDPs suffer health problems for lack of medicine and medics - Maw El Mar

IDPs (Internally Displaced People) are facing serious health problems in
Karenni state since early this month because of a shortage of medicines
and doctors.

The Karenni Social Welfare and Development Committee (KSWDC) spokesperson
said, "Among the ill people, some are suffering from diarrhea. Mostly,
people are suffering from malaria. Back-pack medics from KNPP and Free
Burma Rangers are trying to treat them. Medicines and medics are
inadequate for the ill people. More medicines and medics are needed".

According to TBBC's (Thai-Burma Border Consortium) 2006 report, there were
9,300 IDPs hiding in jungles in No.2 district in Karenni state.

KSWDC and Free Burma Ranger provide medicines to IDPs. People have been
hiding in jungles, so rescue workers find it difficult to help them. More
rescue workers are needed.

More and more people are suffering from diarrhea and malaria and there are
not enough medicines.

According the KSWDC, IDPs have been arriving on the Thai-Burma border due
to the Burma Army's fresh offensive with four battalions under the
Military Regional Command no. 7 from early May.

About 35 IDPs arrived in Karenni refugee camp near the Thai-Burma on May
23. These people come from No. 2 district, Loi Kaw, De Maw So and Pha Ru
So Township. However, they can not get into the camp. They want to enter
the camp but it is not easy. They are having to negotiate dangerous
terrain while fleeing, the KSWDC spokesperson said.

____________________________________

June 13, Associated Press
Myanmar reports new bird flu outbreak in private farm north of Yangon

Myanmar has detected the H5N1 bird flu virus among chickens on a private
farm, an official said Wednesday, marking country's first outbreak of the
deadly virus since April.

Than Hla, an official at the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department,
said the virus was detected in a small farm in Bago, 80 kilometers (50
miles) north of Yangon, early this month.

"About 28 chickens died at a private poultry farm in the outskirts of Bago
starting June 3," said Than Hla, adding that laboratory tests confirmed on
June 7 that some of chickens were infected with H5N1.

About 1,000 birds from the farm have been killed as a precaution, he said.
He did not specify the number of birds that tested positive for the
disease.

The livestock department has also kept a close watch on the area, he said,
adding that the outbreak remained under control because the farm was
located away from other poultry farms and residential areas.

Myanmar had reported outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in the outskirts of
country's largest commercial city Yangon in February and April and had
slaughtered more than 60,000 chickens and other birds. Before those cases,
Myanmar last reported an H5N1 outbreak among poultry in March 2006. It has
reported no human H5N1 cases.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has said Myanmar has achieved
substantial progress in the fight against bird flu though the country
still needs more international support to fight the disease in the long
run.

The disease has killed at least 190 people worldwide since it began
ravaging Asian poultry farms in late 2003, according to the World Health
Organization.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

June 13, Times of India
MPs to Suu Kyi: You are the real PM of Myanmar

New Delhi, Members of both Houses of Parliament have written to Myanmar's
jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, greeting her as she
approaches her 62nd birthday.

The MPs, headed by veteran Gandhian and Rajya Sabha member Nirmala
Deshpande, said,"We salute your courage and character; the world is with
you on this day." Suu Kyi, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991,
turns 62 on June 19.

Put under house arrest by the ruling junta after her spectacular electoral
victory under the National League for Democracy banner, Suu Kyi has
refused to leave the country.

Acknowledging the inspiring role of the celebrated prisoner of conscience,
the MPs said in their message, "They may jail you but inside your heart,
inside every Burmese heart, you are free."

Recalling that NLD had won over 80% of parliamentary seats, the MPs said,
"You are the true prime minister of Myanmar."

Deploring the military dictatorship's refusal to release her, they said
the democratic world had recognised Suu Kyi as the leader of her people.
"Dictators and military regimes will come and go but your name and the
example of your life will live down the ages," the MPs said.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

June 13, Irrawaddy
US condemns Burma in human trafficking report - Violet Cho

Burma is not doing enough to stop the flow of human trafficking—especially
of women and children—according to a US State Department report
“Trafficking in Persons" released o­n Tuesday.

Increasing numbers of ethnic Burmese girls and women have been leaving
Burma in hope of finding work since the 1990s, the report said.

"With economic conditions in Burma worsening, this trend has continued and
now ethnic females appear to be trafficked in significant numbers both
within the country and to neighboring countries," the report said.

The annual US government report surveys the global effort to combat human
trafficking.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Malaysia were
added to the worse countries list for the first time, along with other
permanent offenders such as Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.

The report said Burma does not even conform to the minimum standards for
the elimination of trafficking in persons, which the report calls a form
of “modern day slavery.”

“The military regime and its civilian officials have direct involvement in
trafficking for forced labor and the unlawful conscription of child
soldiers,” the report said.

Aye Aye Mar, the director of Social Action for Women in Mae Sot, a border
town in Thailand, said, “It is common to see Burmese people, especially
children age 5 to10, being trafficked into Thailand.”

The Burmese NGO assists displaced Burmese women and children who are being
trafficked or people who are in a crisis situation after having fled from
their country out of fear for their lives.

Aye Aye Mar said many Burmese parents are unaware of human trafficking and
have made wrong decisions by allowing traffickers to take their children.
She said parents of lost children come to her seeking help almost every
day.

Recently, The International Labour Organization's deputy regional
director, Guy Thijs, told The Nation newspaper in Bangkok that “many child
workers are still trapped here in Thailand by vicious human traffickers.”

Burmese children have been trafficked to neighboring countries for sexual
exploitation, forced labor and as indentured street beggars, according to
the US report.

Children from Burma's rural areas are trafficked into larger cities to
work at menial labor.

A Rangoon journalist told The Irrawaddy it's common for child laborers to
be smuggled into the city from rural villages to work in teashops, food
stalls or markets.

____________________________________

June 13, Irrawaddy
Burma wants review of past ILO resolutions on forced labor - Htet Aung

Burma’s ruling junta has asked the International Labour Organization to
review previous resolutions o­n the issue of forced labor in the country,
according to a government delegate at the International Labor Conference.

“Under the present circumstances, the Emergency Resolution adopted by the
87th ILC and a second resolution adopted by the 88th ILC concerning
Myanmar [Burma] should be reviewed,” said Burma’s Deputy Minister for
Labor Aung Kyi during an address at the 96th session of the ILC in Geneva,
which runs from May 30 to June 15.

Aung Kyi cited the regime’s effective implementation of the Supplementary
Understanding, an agreement signed between the government and the ILO in
February 2007.

In accordance with the agreement, a complaint mechanism was established in
May 2007, and the resident ILO liaison officer in Burma has dealt with 23
complaints about forced labor received in the three months since the
agreement was reached.

“A more positive approach is now being taken o¬n the ILO issue,” Richard
Horsey, a former liaison officer for the ILO, said in an interview with
The Irrawaddy. He added: “Forced labor continues to be a very serious
problem. It exists all over the country but is particularly serious in the
remote border areas.”

The 87th session of the ILC, held in 1999, adopted an unprecedented
resolution o­n Burma’s forced labor issue. It stated that the “attitude
and behavior of the Government of Myanmar are grossly incompatible with
the conditions and principles governing membership of the Organization.”

According to the resolution, the Burmese government “should cease to
benefit from any technical cooperation or assistance from the ILO
not to
receive any invitation to attend meetings, symposia and seminars organized
by the ILO.”

In this year’s conference, the ILO has noted that Burma has yet to agree
to the appointment of an international staff member to assist the Burma
liaison officer, and urged that the necessary cooperation and facilities
be provided without delay.

The ILO also welcomed the appointment of Steven Marshall as its new
liaison officer in Rangoon following the end of Horsey’s assignment o­n
June 4.