BurmaNet News, May 4, 2010

[Editor]

May 4, 2010, Issue #3954

INSIDE BURMA
SHAN: USDA gears up for polls
Xinhua: Ten Chinese workers die in Myanmar landslide
Reuters: Myanmar introduces visas on arrival for tourists
SHAN: Junta meets Mongla group yet again
Mizzima News: Households near Myitsone ordered to relocate

ON THE BORDER
DVB: China’s fears over Wa fighting grow
Mizzima News: Thai army readies refugee ‘protection’ areas

BUSINESS / TRADE
Xinhua: Myanmar border trade hits 1.3 bln USD in 2009-10

HEALTH
Mizzima News: 180,000 need drinking water in Irrawaddy Delta

INTERNATIONAL
Irrawaddy: Than Shwe a predator, says media watchdog

Irrawaddy: Campbell back to Burma

PRESS RELEASE
Burma Campaign UK: British political parties policies on Burma

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

May 4, Shan Herald Agency for News
USDA gears up for polls

The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), whose senior
members, the generals, announced last week the formation of the Union
Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), have issued instructions to its
regional branches at about the same time to come up with a list of party
members, executive committee members and poll candidates, according to a
report  from the Thai-Burma border.

The party, facing shortage of campaign funds, is said to be also looking
for successful people in the business sector both for contributions and to
nominate as candidates.

The newly formed USDP, if it aims to contest all the available seats are
going to need trillions of kyat, said a Thai-Burma border watcher.

According to him, altogether 1,158 seats will be contested:

Upper House        168 seats
Lower House        330 seats
State/ Region legislatures 660 seats (not counting the uncontested 386
seats reserved for the military)

In the 1990 elections, the application for one candidate was K 500 ($5),
according to Manko Ban, elected representative of Shan State’s Faikhun
(Pekhon) township. The exchange rate then was K 100 to the dollar. The
application fee has now jumped up a hundred fold to K 500,000 ($ 500).

According to a source from Rangoon, a candidate is allowed to spend up to
K 10 million ($10,000) for canvassing.

In Mongton, opposite Chiangmai, a well-known wealthy resident has
reportedly been approached with a request to contest on a USDP ticket. “He
said he would be happy to comply with the request if he could learn more
about the party’s aims and expectations,” said the informed source who
requested his identity be withheld.

Many residents who are keen about politics, he added, are saying that they
don’t entertain much hope in the forthcoming elections. “If big parties
like the NLD and SNLD do not contest, there’ll be only the junta party in
the race which will comfortably win it for sure,” he said. “Most other
parties, we know, are small ones set up on the order of Naypyitaw.”

Other sources agree. One pointed out the PaO National Organization (PNO),
whose leader Aung Kham Hti is a leading member of the USDA Shan State
South branch. Another claimed top members of the Wa Democratic Party (WDP)
that has recently been allowed to register were former members of the
defunct Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP), National Unity Party (NUP)
and USDA. “They don’t represent the interests of the Wa people,” he said.

____________________________________

May 4, Xinhua
Ten Chinese workers die in Myanmar landslide

Beijing – Ten workers from China have died in a landslide on the Myanmar
side of the countries' border and a further five are still missing, state
media reported yesterday.

Another six Chinese workers were injured in the landslide that also buried
a digger and ten vehicles on Myanmese territory bordering the southwestern
province of Yunnan, according to a report on the Yunnan News website.

Chinese rescue workers have crossed the border to the site of the accident
to search for the missing but rain is hampering relief efforts, the report
said.

The Chinese nationals were working in a mining area, it added.

____________________________________

May 4, Reuters
Myanmar introduces visas on arrival for tourists

Yangon – Myanmar's military government will offer visas on arrival to
boost the country's nascent tourism sector, a travel industry official
said on Tuesday.

Tourist visas, which are normally arranged days in advance at an embassy
abroad, will be now be available at international airports in Mandalay and
the biggest city, Yangon, said Tin Tun Aung, secretary of the Myanmar
Travel Entrepreneurs Association.

"We heartily welcome it," Tin Tun Aung told Reuters. "I'm sure it will
have a strong impact on tourist arrivals to our country."

The cost of the visa will be $30 and would be valid for 28 days, he added.

Although Myanmar is rich in jungles, beaches and mountains and is dotted
with hundreds of golden Buddhist temples, its tourism industry remains
largely undeveloped.

Total tourist arrivals in Myanmar during for the fiscal year 2009-2010
stood at 300,000, compared with 255,288 for the same period a year
earlier. Some 315,536 people traveled to Myanmar in the 2005-2006 period,
official data showed.

Those figures are dwarfed by neighboring Thailand, which drew 14.1 million
tourists last year.

Many potential visitors are deterred by the poor reputation of the country
and its hardline military rulers, who are accused of corruption, stifling
democratic freedoms and presiding over decades of human rights abuses.

Myanmar's government plans to hold its first election in two decades some
time this year and is on a drive to privatize numerous industries,
including shipping and air travel, to attract more foreign investment,
which has been restricted by Western sanctions on the regime.
(Reporting by Aung Hla Tun; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alex
Richardson)

____________________________________

May 4, Shan Herald Agency for News
Junta meets Mongla group yet again - Hseng Khio Fah

The Burmese military brass in Naypyitaw continues lobbying the ceasefire
groups for the Border Guard Force (BGF) program despite the fact that the
deadline expired last week and there is no sign of any response from most
of the remaining ceasefire groups.

A commander of the military regime in southeastern Shan State has met a
ceasefire group for the BGF programme but received a hollow response from
the group.

On 30 April, Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyoe, commander of Golden Triangle Region
Command held a meeting with National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) known
as Mongla group, at its headquarters, to convince the group once more to
transform into the  Burmese Army run border guard force.

The commander also brought a music band and some Burmese singers with him
and performed to the local residents in Mongla, opposite China’s Daluo
province. “No one went to the concert, except Burmans”, said a local
resident in Mongla, southeastern Shan State, who requested anonymity.

NDAA responded to Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyoe that it had nothing more to say about
the guard force programme as they had already submitted its proposal to
Naypyitaw several times which was rejected again and again, he said.

Naypyitaw seems to have ordered its commander to use different techniques
to lobby the ceasefire groups as it has learnt that the ceasefire groups
have become more united against the junta. It was also aware that
ceasefire groups would not accept the ways it had used, such as force and
threats, said a border watcher from the Sino-Burma border, who also
requested not to be named.

In mid April, all ceasefire groups such as United Wa State Army (UWSA),
Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Mongla and the Shan State Army (SSA)
‘North’ met and concluded an agreement to form Command, Control, and
Communications Center for their joint defence against the junta’s
programme.

But later, SSA ‘North’ appeared to have backed out of the agreement. Its
3rd and 7th brigades submitted lists of who had agreed to become members
of the junta run border guard force. But the 1st, the strongest of its
brigades remained loyal to the agreement.

The ceasefire groups have blamed the SSA ‘North’ for not honouring its
agreement.

“Although we had signed an agreement with other ceasefire groups, no one
wants war and the fight to take place in their home ground,” said a senior
officer from the SSA ‘North’.

Many ceasefire groups said the SSA ‘North’ the3rd’ and the 7th brigades
have fallen into the junta’s trap.

In the meantime, the Restoration Council of the Shan State (RCSS), the
political wing of the non-ceasefire group SSA ‘South’, released a
statement on 30 April. It said that the SSA North was misleading its
followers and people.

“SSA-North action was like taking our own people and handing them over to
the enemy,” said the statement. “All the things that you have been
fighting for have gone down the drain.”

But the SSA ‘North’ defended its action by saying it is yet to be
transformed into the junta run force even though they had submitted the
lists of their men and weapons. The group has also claimed that they are
still keeping their guns like before and are still wearing their own
uniforms.

“There are many members that refused to give their names to the lists,” a
member of the 3rd brigade said. “All second line leaders opposed the
decision of their top leaders. Some members went to join brigade 1.”

Unconfirmed sources said that Naypyitaw has given the UWSA and NDAA
another month’s extension for them to respond.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) was also reportedly given a deadline
extension of 7 May. They were given a chance to transform as Union Defense
Army (UDA), if they do not want to transform as the border guard force.

But the Kachin News Group (KNG) which monitors KIA affairs said it has not
received any such information from the KIA yet.

In the meantime, the military junta continues preparing supplies and
reinforcing more troops to ceasefire groups’ areas.

Most sources however believe that the movements are just for show to scare
the ceasefire groups. The military junta, they say, is not ready to launch
a major operation.

____________________________________

May 4, Mizzima News
Households near Myitsone ordered to relocate - Salai Han Thar San

New Delhi  – To facilitate construction of the Myitsone hydropower project
in Kachin State, residents of two wards in Tan Pare village near the site
have been ordered by junta authorities to relocate by the end of May,
Kachin Development Network Group’ (KDNG), which monitors the project,
said.

“There are six wards in Tan Pare village and No. 1 and 2 wards have been
directed to relocate by the end of May. The order was conveyed to the
villagers by the Burmese Army and Asia World Company, one of the
implementing agencies,” KDNG Chairman Awng Wah told Mizzima.

The six wards in Tan Pare account for about 1,100 people living in 187
houses, situated 26 miles north of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
The villagers earn their livelihood by gardening, farming and providing
services to tourists. The Myitsone hydropower plant is being built at the
edge of the Tan Pare village.

Tan Pare villagers are to be relocated to houses built by Asia World
Company in Kyin Khan and Lone Ka Zuap villages, over 20 miles north of
Myitkyina. These houses are low cost 20’x20’ buildings with high clearance
from the ground. About 100 houses have been built here.

The local authorities had told the villagers to relocate to the new place
but the date was not fixed. After at least 14 bombs exploded at the
project site in Myitsone on 17 April they fixed the deadline to relocate.

The regime plans to relocate about 60 villages for the Myitsone project.
At the moment it has ordered Ward 1 and 2 in Tan Pare village, which are
closest to the project site, to relocate first.

Twenty two village elders from Tan Pare village submitted a 10-point
demand to the authorities on 28 September 2009 regarding the relocation
order.  They asked to be allowed to choose the location and claimed
compensation and damages for relocation. But the authorities turned a deaf
ear.

The Chinese CPI Company and junta’s No. 1 Ministry of Electrical Power
signed an agreement in May 2007 to build the largest hydropower plant in
Burma with a generating capacity of 3,600 MW.

While the exact investment in the project is not known it could touch 3.6
billion USD. The power generated will most likely be sold to China where
Burma could earn USD 500 million annually, a KNDG report released in 2007
says.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

May 4, Democratic Voice of Burma
China’s fears over Wa fighting grow – Francis Wade

Beijing’s deployment of 5,000 troops to its shared border with Burma is
the latest sign that the Chinese government is increasingly concerned
about fighting between the Burmese junta and an ethnic Wa army.

An outbreak of fighting in Shan state, where the United Wa State Army
(UWSA) is based, would likely impact on the healthy border trade between
the two countries. China is one of Burma’s principal economic allies, but
has warned the ruling junta to maintain stability along the border.

This appears an increasingly unlikely prospect however as Burma amasses
its troops close to the Wa territory, while the UWSA reinforces itself and
readies for fighting. The 30,000-strong UWSA’s resistance to government
proposals to transform into a border guard force has riled the ruling
generals and caused hundreds of ethnic Wa to flee the region.

Khun Hsai, editor of the Shan Herald Agency for News and an expert on the
UWSA, told DVB that China “would assist” the Wa if fighting broke out. The
Wa are made up of ethnic Chinese, and Beijing allegedly provides them with
financial and military support.
“But defending the Wa is a secondary aim for China; the first would be to
send a warning to [Burma’s capital] Naypyidaw not to attack,” he said.
“And the Burmese government would not be foolish enough to retaliate
against China.”

A UWSA official told DVB today that the possiblilty of fighting “depends
on the government; if they want to fight then they will fight”.

“I think [the Chinese government] will wait and see the Burmese
government’s policy before deciding what to do,” he added. “Anyway,
[China] wishes to see that peace is maintained in the region.”

An offensive last year against an ethnic Kokang army close to the China
border forced some 37,000 refugees into China’s southern Yunnan province,
and drew a sharp rebuke from China. In May last year, prior to the Kokang
incident, China had signed a joint ASEAN-EU statement urging Burma to
release political prisoners and lift restrictions on opposition groups.

Analysts have said that the Wa army could also boost its drug trade along
the Burma-China border to finance itself in the event of fighting. The
UWSA is thought to be Burma’s main drugs producer, and China has seen
increasing amounts of methamphetamine and heroin exported from Shan state,
and with it spiralling rates of HIV/AIDS in its border towns.

Southeast Asia expert Bertil Lintner said however that it seems “highly
unlikely that China would want to get involved in a war between the Wa and
the [Burmese] government. They’ll probably just look to seal the border. I
don’t think they’d go directly into the fighting; that would be crazy.”

China is also looking to protect serious economic interests across the
border: the Shwe Gas pipeline project, which will transport 12 million
cubic tonnes of gas annually from western Burma to Yunnan province when it
opens in 2012, runs through Shan state, close to UWSA territory. Although
Thailand still remains Burma’s largest trading partner, bilateral trade
between the China and Burma stands at around $US2.7 billion.

____________________________________

May 4, Mizzima News
Thai army readies refugee ‘protection’ areas

Mae Sot – The Thai army has established “protection” areas close to the
Burmese border near Mae Sot, anticipating a flood of refugees as Burma’s
ruling military junta prepares for elections this year.

As many as 10,000 Burmese are soon expected to be driven across the Thai
border by troops of the State Peace and Development Council, the Burmese
generals’ official name for their ruling junta.

As the ethnic minority armies reject the junta’s demands they declare
themselves Border Guard Forces, thereby transforming into government-led
militias, the fighting and the fleeing begins.

Already Mon State residents are clustering on the Burmese side of the
border, having made it across Karen State. For the time being they are
holed up in an internally-displaced-persons camp known as Halockhani.

The Thai army has been monitoring a major military build-up on the Burmese
side and has interpreted it as a massing of troops for a major offensive.
So convinced are the Thais of the coming offensive that two areas have
been selected to shelter people displaced by the fighting, one to Mae
Sot’s north, the other to the south.

The area in the south, Walay sub-district, in Phop Phra district, Tak
province, is opposite a former Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) base,
Wah Lay Kee, lost to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) last year.
The other is at Kokko, the district slated for a new bridge across the
Moei River between Burma and Thailand.

Walay backs onto the KNLA’s Sixth Brigade region, while Kokko is opposite
the KNLA’s Seventh Brigade.

This time, the Thai army has made it clear there will be no permanent
structures established to shelter people and those fleeing fighting will
be expected to return home. Lessons have been learned from last year’s
DKBA offensive to Mae Sot’s north, when thousands of people landed on the
Thai side in nebulous clusters spread across hundreds of miles. As many as
6,000 people landed in Thailand in a short period and several significant
KNLA base camps were lost to the DKBA.

At that time – in June, July and August – Thai authorities initially
agreed with NGOs operating out of Mae Sot that an entirely new camp might
have to be built because of the huge numbers of people fleeing fighting.
But while a few potential sites were surveyed a new camp was never allowed
because of security threats posed by either DKBA or SPDC troops.

The new rules put in place by the Thais will certainly eliminate any
attraction to the temporary camps. No water tanks or new toilets will be
allowed.

People fleeing fighting more than 60 miles (100 kilometres) from the
border will not be allowed to cross into Thailand. Access to the two
refugee zones will be extremely limited, with Thai soldiers having the
final say about who may cross the border for temporary security.

Anyone thought to have links to the KNU or the DKBA is banned from
crossing, and no new arrivals will be permitted access to the existing
refugee camps in Thailand.

____________________________________
BUSINESS / TRADE

May 4, Xinhua
Myanmar border trade hits 1.3 bln USD in 2009-10

Yangon -- Myanmar's border trade hit 1.38 billion U.S. dollars in the
previous 2009-10 fiscal year which ended in March, representing the
highest annual trade of its kind in the past five years, the local Weekly
Eleven reported Monday.

Of the total border trade with four neighboring countries of China,
Thailand, India and Bangladesh, Myanmar's export amounted 660 million
dollars whereas its import stood over 710 million dollars.

Myanmar has a total of 14 border trade points with these neighboring
countries.

The border trade volume during the past consecutive years were registered
as 1.34 billion dollars in 2008-09, 1.32 billion dollars in 2007-08, 1.09
billion dollars in 2006-07 and 716 million dollars in 2005-06.

Myanmar mostly exports agricultural, animal, marine, mineral, forestry
products and finished goods, whereas the country imports cement,
agricultural machinery and its spare parts, computer and electronic
devices, motor cars, motorcycles, mobile phones and their accessories.

____________________________________
HEALTH

May 4, Mizzima News
180,000 need drinking water in Irrawaddy Delta – Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai – After more than two years since Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, the
lack of drinking water continues to affect more than 180,000 residents of
the Irrawaddy Delta region, according to the United Nation’s office in
Rangoon.

Victims were from Labutta, Bogalay, and Mawlamyine Kyun Townships, the UN
office’s spokesman, Aye Win, told Mizzima. He added that water scarcity
was exacerbated by the dry season and that residents lacked an effective
way to get water.

However, the figure was about half the number of those affected in the
three townships last year, he said. From March to May about 350,000 people
had difficulty accessing clean drinking water.

Although the region received US$6.48 million for drinking water,
health-care systems and personal hygiene, US$16.16 million was still
required, the UN office said.

Although the 3,800 lakes in the delta damaged by Nargis have been repaired
and maintained, there were still difficulties obtaining fresh water, Aye
Win said.

Lakes in Phoe Thu Chaung village (Amar Township, Phyarpone District),
those that stored rainwater, had started to dry and the village would run
out of drinking water in three days, a villager told Mizzima.

“There are three lakes in our village. Among them only one has water. All
the people from nearby villages depend on it for water, so it’s fast to
empty. Currently, the water level is just two feet (61 centimetres) so we
can’t depend on it anymore. The drinking water that we stored in pots will
be enough for just three days”, the villager said.

According to recent research, 180,000 people need drinking water and
100,000 people need homes, the UN reported. Although estimates for the
region’s Nargis relief needs for 2009-11 reached US$691 million, it has
received US$180 million.

Cyclone Nargis, which hit the Irrawaddy Delta at winds of more than 100
miles per hour (160km/h) during May 2 and May 3, 2008, killed at least
140,000 people and displaced 2.4 million people.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

May 4, Irrawaddy
Than Shwe a predator, says media watchdog - Ko Htwe

Burmese military government strongman Snr-Gen Than Shwe has made the Top
40—on an annual list of the world's “Predators of Press Freedom,” which
was released by Reporters Without Borders on Monday to mark World Press
Freedom Day.

“The general, who began his military career in psychological warfare, can
rely on the army to impose order through fear,” an accompanying statement
said. “His henchmen continue to hunt down journalists suspected of sending
information and video footage abroad that show the disastrous state of the
country.”
A policeman reads a newspaper while on duty at the Supreme Court in
Rangoon. (Photo: Reuters)

Noting that Than Shwe has decided to hold a general election this year,
Reporters Without Borders said that he is nevertheless “refusing to loosen
his grip on the media and Internet.”

In its introduction to the press statement, Reporters Without Borders
said, “There are 40 names on this year’s list of 'Predators of Press
Freedom'—40 politicians, government officials, religious leaders, militias
and criminal organizations that cannot stand the press, treat it as an
enemy and directly attack journalists. They are powerful, dangerous,
violent and above the law.”

Than Shwe is listed alongside North Korean despot Kim Jong-il, Zimbabwe's
Robert Mugabe, Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Abdallah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud
and murderous organizations such as ETA from northern Spain, FARC from
Colombia and the Israeli Defence Forces.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom
Day, US government included Burma in a group of countries—Belarus, China,
Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Venezuela—where
journalists who write articles critical of government leaders and their
policies are imprisoned,

Noting that 2009 was a bad year for the freedom of the press worldwide,
President Barack Obama said: “While people gained greater access than ever
before to information through the Internet, cell phones and other forms of
connective technologies, governments like China, Ethiopia, Iran, and
Venezuela curtailed freedom of expression by limiting full access to and
use of these technologies.”

In Burma, the Press Scrutiny and Registration division (PSRD) routinely
inspects and censors books, journals and newspapers. Any media criticism
of the military junta is strictly forbidden.

“We are writing under the constant shadow of the government,” a
Rangoon-based journalist told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. “Press freedom is
simply not real.”

Recently, the PSRD allowed news journals to publish political sections
carrying interviews with newly formed political parties, their leaders and
their policies. Rangoon-based The Ray of Light Weekly ran interview with
two central executive committee members of the opposition National League
for Democracy (NLD) and published their reasons for not competing in this
year's election.

“The government is interested in party registration and wants to keep tabs
on the NLD. That's why they allowed that interview,” said Maung Wuntha, a
well-known journalist in Rangoon.

Several editors in Burma said the military government will only permit
articles and commentaries that favor the pro-junta parties.

“I have personal experience that if I write an anti-junta commentary, the
government will take it out after it is submitted to the censorship
board,” said an editor.

Most editors of news journals in Burma want to publish balanced and
unbiased articles pertaining to the  election, but some are under the
influence of political entities, he added.

Burma's most prominent journalist, Win Tin, who is also a leading member
of the NLD, said that “during the election period, I think there will be
no freedom of the press. Sometimes, freedom has to break out, but we will
have to struggle all the way.”

Hla Hla Win, a young video reporter for the exiled Democratic Voice of
Burma was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sending sensitive images
abroad.

Sources said pro-government journals and newspapers, such as The Voice,
are allowed more editorial freedom. Its editor, Dr Nay Win Maung, is
well-known for his right-wing views and pro-junta stance. He is also
publisher of Living Color magazine in Rangoon and the co-founder of
Rangoon-based NGO EGRESS, which belongs to the so-called “Third Force” in
Burma—a group founded during the International Burma Studies conference in
Singapore in mid-2006 that is neither pro-junta nor pro-opposition. They
advocate engagement and a business-friendly policy with the junta, and are
anti-sanctions.

According to Ohn Kyaing, a former journalist and member of the NLD, press
freedom inside Burma is one-sided. “Freedom only exists on one side. I
don't believe freedom is balanced. If they wanted balance in the media,
they would dissolve the PSRD,” he said.

Lalit K Jha from Washington also contributed to this article.

____________________________________

May 4, Irrawaddy
Campbell back to Burma

US assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt
Campbell, will visit Burma in the coming weeks, according to western
diplomats.

The Obama administration has been keen to send Campbell to visit Burma
again but the regime and US have been negotiating about the visit and who
he will meet.
Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, walks with US
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell after their meeting at the Inya
Lake Hotel, in Rangoon last year. (Photo: AP)

Campbell visited Burma last November and met with senior Burmese officials
as well as detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of
Burma's ethnic minorities, but it is unclear whether he will be able to
meet them again.

During his keynote dinner speech at an international media conference in
Hong Kong convened by the East-West Center and the Journalism and Media
Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong on April 26, Campbell said
the US is committed to re-engage in Asia, foster a few new friendships and
take a long-term view on relations with China in its approach to the Asia
Pacific region.

He reaffirmed US recognition of Asia's strategic and economic importance
at the conference and pointed to the fact that the US has sent an
ambassador to the 10-member Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, Asean, as an important signal of America's
commitment to the region.

Speaking about Burma, he mentioned the coming election, human rights
violations and nuclear proliferation, saying it has been “tough sledding”
since the US opened a "strategic dialogue" with the repressive regime in
Burma.

In a recent interview, Campbell told The Irrawaddy that dialogue is not a
reward and he expressed deep disappointment with the regime's election
law.

The US has maintained economic sanctions on Burma while discussing the
need for improved protection of human rights and a fair election and will
maintain sanctions until it sees meaningful
progress.

“Sanctions are an important tool in the Burma policy toolkit. We have said
publicly—and we have made clear to the government of Burma—that we reserve
the option to further tighten
sanctions should the situation warrant that,” he said.

Meanwhile the Burmese trade minister was absent from a week-long visit by
the delegation of trade ministers from the 10-nation Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to the United States that began in Seattle
on Monday.

Officials said the Burmese minister's absence indicates no improvement in
the relationship between Naypyidaw and Washington despite the Obama
administration's new policy of engagement with the junta.

The delegation has the purpose of raising awareness of Asean's role in the
Asia Pacific region, and the delegation was addressed in Seattle by US
Trade Representative, Ron Kirk.

 “Southeast Asia is taking on an increasingly important role as a leader
in economic and trade reform,” said Kirk. “This delegation’s visit is an
important step in the growing relationship between the United States and
Southeast Asia. This region will be a major player in the
Administration’s goal to double US exports by 2015,” he said.

 “There are significant and unique opportunities across all business
sectors in Asean countries; from agriculture and infrastructure to fast
moving consumer goods and high tech industries,” said Muhtar Kent,
chairman of the US-Asean Business Council and chairman and CEO of The
Coca-Cola Company. “That’s part of the reason Asean countries are the
largest destination for US investment in Asia,” he said.

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. secretary-general of Asean, is accompanying the
delegation, which travels to Washington later this week.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3,
US President Barack Obama criticized several countries including Burma for
restrictions on the freedom of the press. “Governments in Belarus, Burma,
China, Cuba, Eritrea, North Korea, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela
imprisoned journalists who wrote articles critical of government leaders
and their policies,” Obama said.

Noting that last year was a bad one for the freedom of the press
worldwide, Obama said: “While people gained greater access than ever
before to information through the Internet, cell phones and other forms of
connective technologies, governments like China, Ethiopia, Iran, and
Venezuela curtailed freedom of expression by limiting full access to and
use of these technologies.”

Lalit K Jha from Washington contributed to this article.

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

May 4, Burma Campaign UK
British political parties policies on Burma

The Burma Campaign UK has approached the main political parties in the UK
asking them for their policies on Burma.

Commenting on the responses, Nang Seng, Parliamentary Officer at Burma
Campaign UK said:

“The policies of all the main political parties in the UK demonstrate
cross-party support for targeted economic sanctions, a global arms
embargo, action on crimes against humanity by the generals, and
maintaining increased aid. This is a testament to the effective work of
Burma Campaign UK in building consensus on what needs to be done to help
the people of Burma.”

Party policies follow, in alphabetical order:

Conservative Party

The Conservative Party remains extremely concerned about the situation in
Burma and the fate of innocent people who have suffered for so long under
the repressive regime. The continuing human rights violations throughout
the country, in particular eastern Burma, are appalling. It is apparent
that gross abuses of human rights are occurring such as forced labor, the
continued detention of political prisoners, including the opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and the suppression of all forms of democracy and
freedom.

We have urged the government to take the lead on proposing a UN Security
Council resolution that would set out clear benchmarks for progress, with
deadlines attached. A resolution under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN
Charter should require Burma's military junta to work with the UN
secretary-general's office to implement a plan for national
reconciliation; restore the democratically elected government; immediately
release all political prisoners; and ensure unhindered access to all parts
of the country for the UN and international humanitarian agencies. We have
also called for a UN arms embargo on the country.

We support carefully-targeted sanctions against the junta, but are opposed
to blanket economic sanctions on Burma. Such general sanctions tend to
increase the suffering of ordinary people and are a very blunt instrument.
We believe that existing sanctions such as the EU ban on all new
investment and sanctions on financial transactions should be enforced and
supported by all the EU countries and kept under close review.

Only a concerted international effort will be able to put pressure on the
Burmese regime and we have urged the government to raise the situation in
Burma with China, India and ASEAN member states, as regional influence is
crucial. We have also called upon the EU to support a Commission of
Inquiry to establish whether the Burmese generals are guilty of committing
crimes against humanity and if they should ultimately face trial by the
International Criminal Court.

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell
MP, who in 2007 became the first senior British politician for many years
to enter Burma, has led calls for increased humanitarian aid, including
cross-border aid, for the people of Burma.


Labour Party

General Position

•         As the Burma Campaign UK has recognised, the UK Government under
Labour has taken the lead in defending human rights and supporting the
people of Burma.

•         Just as we have done in the past, Labour is  committed to doing
everything possible to advance positive change and genuine democracy in
Burma. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made it a
priority

•         We continue to call upon the Burmese regime to engage with Aung
San Suu Kyi and to start a genuine dialogue that can give the Burmese
people back their future and their hope. We will continue working to
secure the release of all political prisoners, a credible transition to
democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.

•         The Labour Government  at the highest level emphasises regularly
to the Burmese regime the need for the full and fair participation of
ethnic nationalities in the political process as key to a durable solution
to Burma's problems. The Labour Government also continues to raise Burma
at the highest level both within the EU and the UN. Over the past months
our network of embassies in the region has lobbied numerous countries. The
Prime Minister raised the issue with the President of China at the UN
General Assembly last September, as did the Foreign Secretary with his
opposite number, the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs-the ASEAN
network is chaired by Vietnam at the moment-and Indonesia.

War crimes and the ICC

•         The Labour Government has stated our clear support for the UN
Security Council referring Burma to the International Criminal Court.

•         Labour strongly supports the UN Rapporteur's recommendation of
an inquiry into potential war crimes. We will work to make sure it carries
support within the Security Council and does not to fall victim to veto or
lack of support, as that will be seen in Rangoon as a victory for the
military junta.

Sanctions and embargos

•         The Labour Government has taken the lead in seeking
international support to impose an arms embargo against Burma. Burma's
people are demanding political and economic freedom, and Labour believes
the international community must stand with them
•         As the elections in Burma approach, Labour will work to maintain
tough EU sanctions targeted at the regime's economic interests, and press
Burma's neighbours, including China, India and ASEAN countries to use
their influence to secure real progress. We will also work in the UN's
human rights bodies to highlight the ongoing and systematic human rights
abuses in the country.

•         We have always been clear that ttargeted EU sanctions against
the military regime in Burma are an important means of maintaining
pressure for political reform and respect for human rights. Sanctions
introduced in 1996 have been strengthened over time, notably after the
Saffron Revolution in 2007, and in August 2009 in response to the guilty
verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi's trial. They are now among the EU's toughest
autonomous measures against any country. Labour will not support any
easing of sanctions in the absence of tangible progress on the ground.

Elections

•         Labour has clearly expressed its concerns about the restrictions
made on the electoral system in Burma. The Prime Minister has written to
the UN Secretary General to call for an urgent meeting in New York to
discuss these developments.  Our position remains that elections in Burma
will not be credible unless such dialogue takes place, and all political
prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are released and allowed to
participate fully in the political process.

Aid

•         Development and political progress cannot be separated in Burma.
A genuine and sustained move towards political reconciliation, accountable
government and respect for human rights is essential for long-term
development and poverty reduction.

•         Labour’s policy is to use targeted European Union sanctions to
encourage the Burmese government to make progress towards political
reconciliation and respect for human rights, while avoiding measures which
hurt ordinary Burmese people. We do not give economic aid to Burma, but we
are able to provide assistance which helps to address the needs of many of
its people who are living in deep poverty. The UK is one of a few
countries with a significant aid programme in Burma.

•         Labour has already doubled its aid to help the people of  Burma
- the Department for International Development (DFID), under Labour, has
been increasing its aid, from £9 million in financial year 2007/08 to £28
million in 2010/11.

•         Our programme aims to reach the poorest and most vulnerable
people. Working through the United Nations and reputable international and
local nongovernmental organisations, we focus on the following key areas:
health; pre-school and primary education; the improvement of rural
livelihoods; and support for Burmese refugees in Thailand and people
displaced by conflict inside Burma. Across our programme, we seek
opportunities to build the capacity of local Burmese organisations to give
people a greater say in decisions affecting their lives.


Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats believe that the continued suppression of peaceful
protests, and the continued arrest and harassment of Nobel peace prize
winner Aung San Suu Kyi is unacceptable. We supported the call of the UN
Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma for a United Nations
Commission of Inquiry into potential crimes against humanity and strongly
support the continuation of the European Union arms embargo on Burma. We
also continue to support the tough and targeted sanctions against Burma at
EU and UN level.

We believe it is important that the United Kingdom and the European Union
encourage China to exert its huge influence in the region to put pressure
on the Burmese authorities to improve their record on human rights and the
repression of peaceful protests. Similar encouragement must be given to
India, another major Burmese trading partner.

Liberal Democrats recognise that the forthcoming elections will be neither
free nor fair. The five election laws that have been passed this year, not
least the Union Election Commission Law, which involves the appointment of
a five-member commission which will have the final say over the country's
elections, will make a mockery of Burma’s first election since 1990.

Following the devastating cyclone that hit in 2008, we have given our full
support to the UK’s increase in aid to Burma which will rise to £28
million this year. However, this is simply not enough to help the hundreds
of thousands of Burmese people who need water and sanitation, new houses,
cyclone shelters and education and health services. That is why Liberal
Democrats have supported the Government in encouraging other donors to
increase their aid contributions.


Plaid Cymru/The Party of Wales

For too long Burma has ignored the basic tenets of human rights and civil
liberties.

Plaid Cymru support the following aims with regard to Burma:

•         A United Nations Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and
crimes against humanity in Burma.

•         A global arms embargo.

•         Economic sanctions targeted at Burma’s generals and the business
cronies that support them.

•         Rejection of sham elections. The international community should
focus on efforts to persuade Burma’s dictatorship to enter into dialogue
with Aung San suu Kyi and ethnic representatives.

•         Increased humanitarian assistance including cross-border
assistance to ethnic areas where other aid cannot reach, and more must be
done to challenge restrictions on the delivery of aid in Burma.


Scottish National Party

SNP colleagues at Westminster, as well as those in the Scottish Parliament
and the European Parliament are appalled at the current situation in Burma
and its lack of progress in moving away from its military dictatorship to
democracy.

The situation in Burma is one of immediate international importance.

In the Scottish Parliament Rob Gibson MSP tabled a Parliamentary Motion in
2007, in support of the Burmese Democracy Movement and called on the
international community to come to the aid of the Burmese people. This
motion received cross party support.

We believe a United Nations Commission of Inquiry is essential into
determining whether crimes against humanity have indeed taken place and
would urge the UK government to support this recommendation. Any situation
where ethnic minorities have been targeted by military offensives shows a
systematic violation of human rights and Burma is no exception when it
comes to human right violations.

We support effective sanctions as advocated by Burma’s Democracy movement,
but understand that there may be a limited effect these sanctions can
have, as some countries within Asia do not see Burma as a threat to
regional Security and do not want to go down the path of sanctions. I
support the UK government’s effort in this area, but would urge them to
continue pressuring our European Allies to collectively agree to implement
sanctions that can be as effective as possible.

The SNP also supports any arms embargo that would prevent weapons falling
into the hands of the Regime.

The elections this year will have no credibility without Aung San Suu
Kyi’s participation and we concur with the UK government’s view on this.
We share the view of the UK Government and others that this election is
not free and fair.

We support the British government’s increased aid to Burma, but would like
to note that UK Government is yet to meet its international aid
commitments – after 40 years of failing to do so – to donate 0.7% of its
GDP to support poorer countries. In 2008, the UK’s contribution was just
0.48%.

At our 2007 Party conference, our party put forward a resolution
condemning the actions of the Military Government of Burma against the
National League for Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It also
called on the Burmese Government to accept the rights of its people to be
represented by a democratically elected government and to release Aung San
Suu Kyi from house arrest, allowing her safe and free movement. The
resolution overwhelmingly passed and we do not resolve from this position.


United Kingdom Independence Party

UKIP will: Promote democracy, genuine human rights, and free determination
around the world, sup­porting, for example, a free Tibet, a democratic
Burma and an independent Taiwan.

For more information contact Nang Seng on 44(0)7889832485.