BurmaNet News: November 16-18 2002

[editor at burmanet.org]

November 16-18 2002 Issue #2123

OPINION

Nation: Burmese politics: yet more talk about talks

INSIDE BURMA

DVB: Suu Kyi goes to Nam Sam
DVB: Mr. Razali proposes a new National Convention
DVB: Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at Yawnghwe, meets supporters
World Markets Analysis: Military regime insists it is committed to
democratic change in Myanmar
Irrawaddy: NDF elects new leader

MONEY

Myanmar Times: India considering 25M-dollar loan for industrial development
Xinhua: China, Burma sign contract on building river-crossing bridge
World Markets Analysis: Malaysia’s Petronas raises fresh funds on the bond
market

REGIONAL

Inter Press Service: Village a haven for those with HIV/AIDS
New Light of Myanmar: Burma hands over two fugitives to Chinese
authorities in Mu-se
Narinjara: Muslims pay rice for Burmese settlers
Kaladan News: Over 100 fishermen missing in Bay of Bengal as cyclone hit

INTERNATIONAL

Network Media Group: International student groups called to support
Burmese freedom movement

OTHER

Mon Unity League: Land confiscation by Myanmar government
OBL: What’s new in the Online Burma Library

___OPINION _________


The Nation
November 18 2002

Burmese politics: yet more talk about talks
By Kavi Chongkittavorn

The failure of the UN envoy Tan Sri Razali Ismail to obtain a concrete
time frame for political dialogue last weekend pointed to the lack of
concerted international pressure - including that of Thailand - to further
propel the much awaited process.

It should surprise nobody that the junta leaders in Rangoon prefer to drag
their feet further. Their unwillingness to enter into political dialogue
is indicative of the hardening attitude towards democratisation inside
Burma. They know full well that the global community, the region in
particular, probably cares less about the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi and
the lack of democratic reforms in Burma since the war on Iraq and threats
from al-Qaeda networks are now the top agenda.

If this trend continues, it is almost certain that the process of
political reconciliation will be stalled. Early last month, Suu Kyi said
the frustration of the Burmese people in waiting for the political
dialogue was building up to an unhealthy level. She knows this because
during her visits upcountry throngs of people showed up and discussed the
current situation with her.

The junta leaders have moved forward at a pace they feel comfortable with
in order to ease outside pressures and to provide a facade of political
normalcy. This way there will be no consensus on Burma. Most importantly,
donors will be split on whether to provide further assistance to Burma.
The regime has been successful in utilising this tactic to divide and rule
donors. The regime thinks, correctly enough, that as long as the promised
process continues, no matter how slow it is, the international community
will not be able to mobilise concerted pressure as in the past.

For instance, despite strong words from Japan and Australia, these two
countries have chosen to engage Burma and provide humanitarian assistance
and human-rights training. More and more countries are following this
route. In addition, sensing the global concern over the widespread
HIV/Aids epidemic in Burma, the junta has deftly used this threat to draw
in foreign aid and, along with it, legitimacy. This is exactly the ideal
formula that the regime has been exploiting to disarm and further
undermine the National League of Democracy.

Furthermore, since the most famous dissident, Suu Kyi was released after
19 months of house arrest, the biggest pressure point has been eliminated.
Since then, the regime has spared no time in revitalising ties with
humanitarian organisations and co-opting donors with pledges for political
reforms. The message is that democratic changes in Burma will take time
and that the opposition is not yet ready for dialogue, let alone future
power sharing. The conclusion is that both sides need more time. Sad but
true, some governments found this propaganda convincing.

Even though the UN, the US and the EU have persistently called for the
release of all political prisoners as soon as possible to kick-start
political dialogue, the regime has not responded. If anything, Razali's
role as an honest broker is now also in jeopardy.

Despite Razali's early success in securing Suu Kyi's release in May, his
latest trip indicates that his prestige and earlier influence over the
regime are fading fast. No wonder that he has threatened to resign from
his job if the regime continues to resist democratic reforms and fails to
live up to its promises.

When Razali was appointed UN envoy for Burma two years ago, hope was high
that he would be able to move the political process along. This he was
able to do as he was strongly backed by the unyielding United Nations and
Western countries. Asean also supported Razali's efforts. Apparently, all
that has been gradually evaporating.

In addition, nobody knows exactly to what extent the revelation that
Razali represented a company with business interests in Burma had anything
to do with his creditability and influence vis-a-vis the junta over the
political process. The UN said it was not a case of conflict of interest.
Be that as it may, it has certainly made his role as an honest broker more
difficult. The Burmese junta leaders know that all too well.

It is imperative that the UN, US and EU must bring concerted pressure to
bear on the regime and reinforce, if not augment, economic sanctions. Any
further humanitarian assistance must be contingent on the progress of
political dialogue with the NLD.

Vice versa, beyond the international pressure, Thai policy towards Burma
must change. Since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took power in
February 2001 he has eliminated all the leverage that the country used to
enjoy in pressuring Burma for political reforms. Instead, he appeased the
Burmese junta leaders in every way in exchange for better economic ties
with Thailand - a 180-degree turnaround from the previous years.

It was between April 2000 and February 2001 that Thai policy towards Burma
was most effective. For the first time, all concerned authorities,
civilian and military, pursued a common strategy to send strong signals to
Burma that Thailand meant business in settling transnational issues and
that Burma should engage in a national reconciliation process.

The Thai position was backed strongly by the US and EU. With Thailand in
the lead, the international pressure continued to grow. In a rare display
of courage, Thailand broke ranks with Asean in July 2000 when it refused
to support Burma at the ILO's annual deliberation. Bangkok's decision was
lauded and indeed provided a much-needed impetus towards the international
effort to continue pressure on the junta.

To reinvigorate concerted international pressure, Thailand must take the
lead by abandoning the current myopic path of backing the junta leaders.
If the past 14 years of wrangling is anything to judge by, there is a
correlation between the Thai position and the level of international
support.

With Thailand showing concern about the political process of its most
important neighbour, its friends overseas would probably become less
reluctant.

_____INSIDE BURMA____

Reuters
November 16 2002

U.N. envoy vows to soldier with Myanmar mission
By Aung Hla Tun and Syed Azman

A United Nations envoy ended a visit to Myanmar on Saturday saying he will
soldier on with his mission to encourage reconciliation despite the ruling
junta's failure to open talks with the opposition.
Razali Ismail, a veteran Malaysian diplomat, said in Yangon earlier in the
day he was considering quitting, following his ninth visit to the
impoverished South East Asian country.
But by the time he got back to Kuala Lumpur Razali said he had decided to
stay on, despite an absence of dialogue in Myanmar.
"You can't quit when the job is not quite done," he told reporters at
Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
"I've considered, but for the time being of course not," he said, when
asked if he was thinking about giving up the job he has held for the past
two and a half years.
But he said he was disappointed about the lack of concrete results.
During his five days in Myanmar, Razali held talks with the junta's top
leaders and Nobel peace laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu
Kyi, but his frustration with the lack of progress was evident.
The generals have promised a transition to democracy, but they have held
no substantive talks with the opposition.
"The dialogue has not begun. Since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi there
had been discussion at a lower level but it was not tantamount to a
dialogue," said Razali, who believed in August he had a commitment from
the junta to open talks.
Razali said he could return to Myanmar, also known as Burma, in January.
He said had asked the junta to release about 200 political prisoners
before then.
He also said he had proposed that a National Convention, which has met
intermittently for nearly 10 years to draw up a constitution, should be
reconvened. He said his suggestion was being considered by the government.
NO PRECONDITIONS
Razali met junta chief Senior General Than Shwe on Thursday to urge him to
start talks on democratic reform with Suu Kyi amid growing scepticism over
the military's pledges to loosen its four-decade grip on power.
The two other members of Myanmar's leadership triumvirate, powerful
military intelligence chief Khin Nyunt and army chief Maung Aye, were also
at the meeting, which Razali described afterwards as "very important".
Suu Kyi, who was released from 19-months under house arrest in May, left
Yangon on Wednesday for a visit to eastern Shan state to open several
party offices.
Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won 1990 elections by a
landslide but was denied power by the military.
She has made several government-sanctioned visits outside Yangon to see
supporters since her release, but analysts see the Shan state trip as a
test of her new-found freedom of movement, given recent reports by human
rights groups of army atrocities there, including the systematic rape of
ethnic minority women.
The junta has denied those reports.
The NLD said it was ready for talks at any time.
"We are ready to sit at the negotiating table anytime, anywhere without
any preconditions," said NLD spokesman U Lwin.
The generals have released more than 400 political prisoners, many from
the NLD, from Myanmar's ramshackle prisons since late 2000.
______

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 17 2002

Suu Kyi goes to Nam Sam

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi this morning flew to Nam Sam, southern Shan State to
raise the party billboard and open the local NLD office in an inauguration
ceremony.
She is reportedly returned to Taunggyi this evening by flight, according
to local NLD member. She is also planning a trip to Kengtung, eastern shan
state tomorrow morning.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been touring Shan State since Wednesday and
stopped over at Aung Ban, Taunggyi, Yawnghwe, Inlay Lake and Nam Sam to
meet local supporters and open new NLD offices.
___________

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 17 2002

Mr Razali proposes a new National Convention

During his fifteen minutes meeting with the SPDC chairman Senior General
Than Shwe, Mr Razali is said to have proposed a new National Convention to
be convened to the general. He also urged the representatives of ethnic
nationalities and the NLD to give their reactions to his proposal.
Mr Razali was able to persuade the SPDC to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
from house arrest but he is still unable to push the SPDC to start a
meaningful political dialogue with the opposition groups. Some observers
assume that the proposal is likely to be a new way of making the national
reconciliation process move forward.
_______

Democratic Voice of Burma
November 16 2002

Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at Yawnghwe, meets supporters

It has been learned that Burma's democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has
arrived in Yawnghwe Shan State today. She arrived Yawnghwe about 1000 0330
gmt from Taunggyi and installed the Yawnghwe Township NLD National League
for Democracy signboard. She then spoke to about 1,500 supporters that
have gathered at the ceremony and later proceeded to Inle Phaungdawoo
Pagoda. Regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Yawnghwe trip, NLD spokesperson U
Lwin told the following to DVB Democratic Voice of Burma .

U Lwin - recording Daw Suu attended Yawnghwe Township NLD Office signboard
installation ceremony in the morning and later proceeded to Inle on a
pilgrimage to visit the Phaungdawoo Pagoda. She then returned to Yawnghwe
Township NLD Office and we have learned that she met and held talks with
invited local residents. She would leave for Taunggyi tomorrow morning.
There are many places to visit near the vicinity of Taunggyi such as
Hopong, Mong Pon, Loilem, and then Panglong in the north. The trip to Keng
Tung is not certain at present but she would go eventually. The only thing
is we are not sure about the date. The places I mentioned could be easily
travelled by car. End of recording
__________

World Markets Analysis
November 18 2002

Military Regime Insists it is Committed to Democratic Change in Myanmar
By Dr Tobias Nischalke

Myanmar's military junta is trying to deflect international criticism,
following UN Envoy Razali Ismail's statement that he is disappointed with
the lack of progress in dialogue between the military and the democratic
opposition. Myanmar's government-controlled news service reports that the
head of military intelligence, General Khin Nyunt, has insisted that the
country is serious about political evolution. However, since the
much-publicised release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader
of the National League of Democracy (NLD) in May 2002 (see Myanmar: 7 May
2002: Military Releases Opposition Leader in Attempt to Improve
International Credentials), there has been no substantial progress. Razali
successfully brokered the release of the opposition leader, but stated
recently that he may abandon his mission if tangible progress is not made
soon. There is suspicion that the release of the NLD leader was nothing
but a strategy to appease international opinion. With international
attention presently focused on Iraq and North Korea, the ploy seems to
have paid off and the regime has avoided more powerful outside pressure.
However, the long-term outlook for positive change is not entirely gloomy.
The poor state of Myanmar's economy means that, sooner or later, the
military will have to make concessions that are sufficiently substantial
to persuade Western states to lift economic sanctions.
______
Irrawaddy
November 18 2002

NDF Elects New Leader
By Aung Su Shin/Mae Sot

Burma’s National Democratic Front (NDF) held it fifth conference last week
at a Karen National Union (KNU) base. The group elected KNU Chairman Saw
Ba Thin Sein as its new leader, while issuing a statement demanding that
China, India, North Korea, Pakistan and other Asian countries stop selling
arms to Burma’s military government.
A statement issued after the conference, which ran from November 11-16,
said the NDF was prepared to fight the regime using tactics of
self-defense, diplomatic means and public warfare.
The NDF also called on the ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) to hold tripartite dialogue and to declare a nationwide ceasefire.
"This demand is true and fair," says Pado Mahn Nyein Maung, a central
patronage member of the NDF. "So we are receiving backing domestically and
abroad. For the tripartite dialogue, we ethnics and democracy forces are
ready, but the SPDC is refusing,"
He also warned if the SPDC continues to ignore the country’s problems, the
public will rise up again as they did in 1988.
NDF was founded on May 10, 1976 by 11 ethnic armed groups, and the first
chairman was late KNU leader Mahn Ba Zan. The group had originally called
for a ceasefire in Burma only if all ethnic armies agreed to it, but since
its formation groups—including the New Mon State Party (NMDP) and the
Kachin Independent Organization—have brokered ceasefire deals with the
junta.
Eight ethnic groups, who remain members of the NDF and have not agreed to
ceasefire deals include: The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Lahu
Democratic Front (LDF), the Palaung Liberation Front (PLF), Pa-O
Liberation Organization (PLO), Chin National Front (CNF), Wa National
Organization (WNO) and the Karen National Union (KNU).

___MONEY______

Myanmar Times
November 11-17 2002

INDIA CONSIDERING 25M-DOLLAR LOAN FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

India is considering a Myanmar Burma government request for a 25m US
dollar loan for industrial development, sources close to the Indian
embassy said last week. The sources declined to say whether the requested
amount would be made available, but said a loan was likely to be approved
by early next year. Under the proposal made by the government, the loan
would be payable in five years, they said. The interest rate was not
disclosed. In a separate development, the privately-owned Export and
Import Bank of India has told the Myanma Foreign Trade Bank it is willing
to extend loans to promote bilateral trade, they said. The Indian
government has provided two loans to Myanmar during the last four years.

A 10m-dollar loan in 1998 went to the Ministry of Railways, while a 15m
dollar loan in 2000 helped to fund Ministry of Industry (1) industrial
projects at Kyaukse in Mandalay Division with some funds going to the
Ministry of Electric Power.

Most of the second loan funded bicycle and sewing machine factories at
Kyaukse. The terms of the loan required the factories to use Indian
technology and components. A source close to the Kyaukse projects told
Myanmar Times that some of the proposed new loan would be used to meet a
need for more components at the factories. The source said the Ministry of
Industry (1) would also use the new loan to build a stainless steel
utensils factory in Kyaukse, which is 400 miles north of Yangon Rangoon .
________

Xinhua News Agency
November 18 2002

China, Burma sign contract on building river-crossing bridge

Yangon Rangoon , 18 November: The China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd and the
Public Works (PW) under the Myanmar Burma Ministry of Construction signed
a contract here Monday 18 November on building Myanmar's Mandalay
Ayeyawady River Bridge (Yadanabon) by the Chinese company.

On behalf of the respective sides, president of the Chinese company Luo
Yan and PW Managing Director U Nay Soe Naing signed the document. Present
at the signing ceremony were Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Li Jinjun,
Economic and Commercial Counsellor Jin Honggen and Myanmar Minister of
Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun.

The four-lane river-crossing highway bridge will be located on the
Ayeyawady River in Mandalay in the central part of the country, with its
main bridge extending 1,126 metres and its largest span being 224 metres.

Under the contract, the Chinese side will be responsible for the bridge's
design, equipment supply and technical supervision, while the Myanmar side
for the civil construction. The building of the bridge is set to complete
in two and a half years.

The bridge is an important transport construction project of Myanmar
crossing the country's Ayeyawady river and standing as an important link
connecting Mandalay and Sagaing areas.

On completion, the bridge will promote Myanmar's socio-economic
development and will become a symbolic construction building of Mandalay
with shining beauty added to the second largest city of the country.

The project is the sixth major one of its kind contracted by the Chinese
company since it entered the Myanmar market in 1995. Before this, it had
built and completed five major bridges for the country, namely the
Myitkyina bridge (Bala Mintin), Maubin bridge, Nyaungdon bridge (Bo Myat
Tun), Ayeyawady bridge (Magway) and Ayeyawady bridge (Dedaye).
_________

World Markets Analysis
November 18 2002

Malaysia's Petronas Raises Fresh Funds on the Bond Market
by  Mike Hurle

Malaysia's national oil and gas conglomerate Petronas has successfully
raised US$950m in its latest global bond issue, denominated in US dollars
and Japanese yen. The funds are expected to be used to finance the
expansion of its international portfolio, which presently includes
projects in Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and
Nigeria (see Malaysia: 7 November 2002: Petronas Gas H1 Profits Surge).
Petronas has now raised a total of US$3.65bn through bonds.

____REGIONAL________

Inter Press Service
November 18 2002

Village a Haven for those with HIV/AIDS
By Marwaan Macan-Markar/Pa Daeng

November 18, 2002—This village nestled along the banks of the Sai River in
northern Thailand has become the newly adopted home for this group of 15
Burmese nationals, who recently crossed into Thailand in hopes of seeking
refuge here. They have come with one desire in mind, which is to leave
behind the social stigma of being HIV-positive.
They are not the first group of Burmese inflicted with HIV to seek shelter
in Pa Daeng Village, some 70 kilometers north of Chiang Rai. Others have
also come here to be cared for, while they attempt to live out their life
with a degree of dignity not found in their Burmese villages, where they
were ostracized due to their HIV-positive condition.
What attracts the Burmese to Pa Daeng is also what draws a steady stream
of Thai and non-Thai visitors all year round: The tender manner in which
this community of 208 families cares for its villagers stricken with
HIV/AIDS. "The community activity is unique," says Alberto de la Paz of
the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), a Thai-NGO
involved in the battle against HIV/AIDS. "They are not hostile to people
with HIV/AIDS. People come from all over because these efforts have become
a model to follow."
Residents of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines are among the
foreigners who have come here to learn about the village’s humane approach
to HIV/AIDS.
Thai visitors cut across the social spectrum, ranging from academics and
university students to villagers and community leaders in this country,
where close to one million people out of a total population of 62 million
are HIV-positive.
For Sukhum Jaiphiphak, the village headman, the community's evolution into
a haven for people with HIV/AIDS has also meant a new life for him. He has
been spending less time tending to his rice fields and more hours on the
road as an advocate.
"I never imagined my life would take this turn," says the 51-year-old
Sukhum. "I have asked my son to take care of the fields while I work as an
advocate. Almost every week I am away, talking to other communities,
village leaders about our efforts."
He says his work has also taken him to Bangkok to northern Thailand’s
Chiang Mai.
The message he takes on the road is twofold: The virtues of a community
that opens its heart to those living with HIV/AIDS, and what helped shape
that attitude—the work of the Fung Sai Group that was formed five years
ago by HIV-positive people battling stigma.
''The villagers who were infected decided to form a peer support group,
and soon they began to gain acceptance by the rest of the community,''
Sukhum explains.
Those with HIV/AIDS took the lead in fashioning the kind of medical care
they needed, the sort of family help they wanted, the community assistance
they expected, and even the best way they could earn a living.
Consequently, says Sukhum, villagers who are diagnosed with HIV ''do not
have to hide this illness from the community or lock themselves in their
houses,'' as they did 10 years ago.
''We have removed the stain of shame,'' he asserts. ''Now children with
HIV can attend the village school unlike before. They are not sent away.''
The village bank here also gives loans to those with HIV, ensuring that
they have access to the means needed for a productive livelihood. They can
secure loans to purchase cattle or to enter into other economic activity.
Children with
HIV are guaranteed scholarships to cover school expenses.
The bank also assures assistance to cover some health bills and to pay for
death-related expenses.
Pa Daeng's achievements acquire added significance because the Chiang Rai
region is currently the fourth highest region with new HIV cases in
Thailand, according to the Ministry of Public Health. This year 106 cases
have been detected per 100,000 people.
''Almost every family in this village has been directly or indirectly
affected by HIV,'' says PDA's De la Paz.
Doctors at the country's Communicable Disease Control Department estimate
there are over 50,000 new HIV cases diagnosed every year, although the
number of new cases has reportedly been decreasing. Nearly 300,000 people
have died from the pandemic since the eighties.
The Fung Sai Group has 58 members. These villagers with HIV/AIDS include
children and adults, with the largest age group being those between 20 to
40 years. These include three new villagers diagnosed with HIV this year
and 12 from last year.
The group has also mounted an effective drive in the village to curb the
spread of HIV by asking men to reduce high-risk behavior such as visiting
sex workers, and convincing women to stay away from the sex trade as a
source of income.
''There is high condom use and men are conscious about the dangers of
visiting brothels,'' Sukhum explains. ''All young women have found work in
the village. There is no need to be drawn to the sex trade in Chiang Rai
or Bangkok.''
''The high rate of HIV cases in the north have been due to the sex
trade,'' says Jon Ungpakorn, a Thai senator and secretary of the AIDS
Access Foundation, an NGO.
Yet at the same time, he adds, communities in this part of Thailand have
been at the vanguard of efforts to create understanding about HIV/AIDS.
''Their work has helped change attitudes about people living with HIV
unlike in the rest of the country, where there is still a lot of stigma
attached to AIDS.''
Adds Sukhum, the village headman: ''Those with HIV can today lead normal
lives in our village. We are committed to keeping it that way.''
________

New Light of Myanmar
November 17 2002

BURMA HANDS OVER TWO FUGITIVES TO CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN MU-SE

Yangon Rangoon , 17 November Two Chinese fugitives, Peng Feng alias Shan
Liu Yi and Zhao Ying Jun alias Xin Qilin, who had committed murder, were
handed over to China by Muse Mu-se District Police Station at the office
of the police station on 15 November afternoon.

The culprits had been serving prison terms at Myitkyina Jail under Section
13 (1) of the Immigration Act. They are wanted for shooting a man to death
in Huai Hua region, Yunnan Province on 18-3-2002 before sneaking into
Myanmar Burma . They were arrested on 14-6-2002 in Waingmaw, Kachin State
and then sent to Myitkyina Jail under Section 13 (1) of the Immigration
Act.

Muse District Police Commander Police Maj Pyay Nyein and Mr Yan Aui Tone,
Head of Yunnan Province Security, Immigration Administration and Foreign
Affairs Department of China signed the documents and the culprits were
handed over to Chinese Police Force
_______

Narinjara News
November 18 2002

Muslims pay rice for Burmese settlers

Muslim villagers living in Maungdaw Township in the western Burma
bordering with Bangladesh have been forced to give rice to the Burmese
junta officials for the upkeep of the Burmese settlers in the area - our
correspondent reported quoting a Muslim leader in the area.  Beginning
1995 a number of model villages have been built around Maungdaw Town for
the Burmese settlers brought in by the ruling Burmese junta.
Each of the Muslim families in the villages around Padummala village
situated 10 miles south of Maungdaw Town has been ordered by the Burmese
junta officials to pay illegal toll in rice.  The amount each family
should contribute has been fixed at fifteen baskets (about 180 kilo) for
the present season.
The Burmese settlers brought in during 1995-96 are mostly composed of
homeless people.  "Many of them are single persons either jobless or of
doubtful livelihood", said a village elder in the area and hinted that
"many are believed to have had connections with crime in Burma proper."
Each of the settlers was given three acres of paddy land, a buffalo cart,
and a pair of bullocks.  For all the settler families, houses with
corrugated iron sheet roof were also made by the junta officials. 
Interestingly, as most of the settlers were unskilled at working for a
livelihood.  Soon many were forced to sell the corrugated iron sheets for
buying food.  Many have so far surreptitiously left for their old home in
Burma proper including Rangoon and Mandalay.
Today these settlers have become a heavy burden upon the Muslim and
Buddhist villagers living nearby since they have to do all the
agricultural works for them besides paying rice as ordered by the local
Burmese junta for them.
________

Kaladan News
November 18 2002

OVER 100 FISHERMEN MISSING IN BAY OF BENGAL AS CYCLONE
HIT

Cox’s Bazar, November 18: Over 100 Rohingya fishermen remained missing
after 12th November’s Cyclone hit that lashed the coastal belt of Cox’s
Bazar of Bangladesh, said our correspondent from Cox’s Bazar.

Our correspondent further added that bodies of 2 fishermen were washed
ashore on 13th November. Some fishing boats and trawlers while fishing in
Bay of Bengal were hit and damaged by rough waves and strong gale-force
winds. Some fishermen who returned from the Bay said that they saw 3
bodies were floating on the sea.

The local boats owner of Cox’s Bazar claimed that at least 25 trawlers
with around 150 fishermen, of them over100 are Rohingyas, are still
missing. The cyclone inundated vast tracts of lands in the southern region
of Bangladesh, damaging farmlands and shrimp bed, our sources said.

5 to 7 feet tidal surge swept through some coastal areas during the
cyclone. Naval forces have been ordered to search for the missing
fishermen, reported in the Daily Star Newspaper on 14th November.

The missing fishermen are mostly unofficial and official refugees, sources
added.

_____INTERNATIONAL_______

Network Media Group
November 17 2002

International student groups called to support Burmese freedom movement

An exiled foreign affairs committee of Burmese student union marked the
International Student Day, which is due today and released a statement,
mentioning ruthless situation in Burma and calling international student
groups to support and join the Burmese freedom movement.

"The ABFSU appeals to all other international student groups to join with
us and support our freedom movement," mentioned in the statement released
today by Foreign Affairs Committee of the All Burma Federation of Student
Unions.

The release stated that the students in Burma who take part in the
campaign for democracy, internal peace and education rights have been
violently crushed by regime. "Currently, ABFSU chairman Min Ko Naing
remains imprisoned by the military, along with one thousand other
students. Although the regime boasts that they are paving the way to
democracy through a dialogue with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the
student political prisoners are still in the various custodies," mentioned
in the statement.

"They (Burmese regime) continue to ban student unions and to oppose all
democratic rights and freedoms, including student rights and rights to
education," students accused.

Burmese students also vowed to join with international student forces to
promote student concerns and to support all movements for world peace.

The international student council in London announced November 17 in 1941
as International Student Day to commemorate the establishment of Anti-Nazi
student coalition at Prague on November 17, 1936.

In political history of Burma, students took part vital role to resist and
oppose any repressive regimes, including independence movement and several
movements against dictatorial regimes after independence.

______OTHER_______


Mon Unity League
November 15, 2002


LAND CONFISCATION BY MYANMAR GOVERNMENT

Dear Mon people and supporters of social justice in Burma
There are serious developments taking place in Mon state that requires 
immediate attention by the international community as a matter of
long-term  national survival for the future of the Mon people and civil
society in Burma. Organized land confiscation has reportedly continued to
prevail in all parts of Mon State by the Government of Myanmar that
continues to confiscate several thousand acres of land for military
purposes which is becoming a serious threat to survival of civilians. This
threat represents a new episode in the drama against the human rights and
civil society of the Mon people, whose basic human rights have been
violated throughout the past forty (40) years.

In light of these developments, Amnesty International (July 17, 2002) has
issued numerous urges and recommendations to the Myanmar government
regarding land confiscations calling for the minimum of respect to the
basic freedoms of the Myanmar citizens. But unfortunately it is feared
that they will be neglected. The Myanmar government has already
confiscated more than 1,000 acres of farmland in southern Ye and 2,050
acres in northern Ye in 2000 and 2001 and continues to do so to the
present time.
Overview

The greatest prevalence of land confiscation is being reported in Ye
township. Uniformed officials, notably high ranking army personnel, like
Myanmar General Maung Bo met with village headmen and farmers on August
24, 2002 at Mokanin to inspect a site beneficial to a plan of the
government's to build a heavy artillery battalion.  In all incidents of
land confiscation, villagers are ordered by the army to attend meetings
with army officers and are informed of the proposed sites, the owners of
the land are then informed that their farms will be seized for the
building of a heavy artillery battalion. Landowners are asked whether they
disagree with the proposed plan but no villagers dare to speak out fearing
that to do so would risk arrest or worse.

Cases of displacement have also been reported with the implementation of
land confiscation. Commercial farmers are being forced to vacate their
farms, leaving all their property behind. They are told to pack up their
belongings and leave the premises immediately. Several families, with no
other means to earn a living, face starvation and prolonged hardship
within a context of violence and civil war. Some 30 Mon families have had
their land and rubber plantations seized.  In several cases, families are
forced to move into town and are ordered by the military to build
barracks.  According to the AI report, a Mon man from Min Hla village, Ye
township said that his family's rubber plantation of 25 acres was
confiscated along with that of 500 acres of others in July 2001.

At another location, Lt Col Thant Zin Maw, commander No. 311 Heavy
Artillery Battalion and officials from Land Records Office, Forestry
Department and General Administration Department arrived in Karoppi
Village, Thanbyuzayat Township. He choose a site for livestock breeding
and agriculture activities, reported by the Democratic Voice of Burma
radio, on July 28, 2002. This project also intends to open a new Heavy
Artillery Battalion in the area by the No. 606 Heavy Artillery
Headquarters under the Southeast Military Command based in Mawlamyine
(Moulmein), Mon State. Land confiscated will include 23 acres of pasture,
26 acres of forest land, 11 acres of rubber plantation owned by Atin, 14
acres owned by U Paw Tote, 12 acres of rubber plantation owned by Daw Tin
Ngwe and 14 acres of rubber plantation owned by Nai Sa Net, all land is
taken by force by the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw).

The Tatmadaw recently seized an additional 2000 acres of land from
villagers that includes 600 acres belonging to Mokanin, Lamine Hnitkayin
and DeinPeen villages, 500 acres between Jao-Khalae and Taungbon village,
and 500 acres between Aung-Thayar and Leinmaw-Chan in Northern Ye
Township, Mon State.
Local sources said the Tatmadaw plans to build four heavy artillery
battalions equipped with missile launches near Kamarwet village in Mudon
Township, Waegalee village in Thanbyuzayat Township and two battalions in
Ye Township, Mon State.

Mon villagers have used this land for generations to sustain a livelihood
based on farming vegetables, fruits, rubber and rice. Land confiscation
will further increase hardship and deepen the problems of poverty, future
economic development, and prolong conflict and civil war in the country. 
In all cases, farmers receive no compensation and do not have recourse to
any complaint mechanism or other means of redress. Some villagers, as a
result, are planning revenge and have bought arms to fight the (Tatmadaw).
In other cases, villagers being forced from their farms with nothing but
the clothes on their back and, with no other means of survival, leave to
Thailand and Malaysia as migrant labourers.
Thus this petition written by Mon Unity League urges the concerned
institutions, activists, civil and political circles within the
international community to extend their solidarity and not to leave the
civilians in Mon State alone amid this unjustified action from the Burmese
authorities, especially that of confiscated land which poses a national
threat to the Mon homeland and the future of Burma. It is incidents such
as these that without democracy and human rights, the problems of economic
underdevelopment and poverty in Burma will never be fully addressed. As
well, the Myanmar authorities are deeply urged to accept, accommodate and
incorporate the ethnic nationalities, human rights activists,
institutions, and civil society circles within the Myanmar society because
their intellectual capacities are needed, their never-ending activities
are reflections to the extent of Myanmar development and tolerance, and
add to Myanmar image within the international community.

Write to the Myanmar authorities urging them to immediately take action
against the practice of land confiscation and guarantee the respect of
human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in
accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
________

Online Burma Library
November 17 2002

What's new in the Online Burma Library

The National Convention (preparations and Proceedings)
These 40 files are extracted from Hugh MacDougall's "The Burma Press
Summary" (BPS), 1987-1996 (for the complete BPS archive, click the link on
this library's home page). The reports are transcribed or summarised from
the SLORC and SPDC press, "The Working People's Daily" (WPD), re-named
"The New Light of Myanmar" (NLM) in 1993. The record is therefore
ultimately from SLORC and SPDC sources. It is incomplete and cannot be
taken as entirely unbiased. However, there are many full text documents,
including speeches and official announcements, which makes the archive
extremely useful, and perhaps the only source for those who do not have
access to the original newspapers. The "Reports on meetings of the
National Convention Convening Commission" are from the SPDC website. There
is a gap in the record from end 1996 when the BPS ceased, to early 1998.
http://www.burmalibrary.org/show.php?cat=1314&lo=d&sl=0

GA 2002: Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation of Human Rights
in Myanmar
Date of publication: 16 October 2002
United Nations A/57/484 General Assembly Distr.: General 16 October 2002
Original: English Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 109 (c) Summary: "The
present report is based upon the good offices undertaken by the Secretary-
General and his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, to facilitate national
reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar, in accordance with General
Assembly resolution 56/231 of 24 December 2001. The discussions that the
Secretary-General and his Special Envoy have had separately with the
Myanmar authorities during the reporting period have focused on the issue
of how the United Nations, which has been facilitating the
confidence-building talks that started between the Government and Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi in October 2000, can be of assistance in moving these
discussions towards a more substantive dialogue. Some significant
developments have taken place, including the restoration of Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi's freedom of movement on 6 May. However, substantive dialogue
between the Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not started yet.
Concerned that the positive momentum generated since this spring will be
lost unless some tangible progress is made in the near future, the
Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Government and Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi to set aside their differences, unite for the larger cause of
national reconciliation and start their political dialogue as soon as
possible so that a national reconciliation acceptable to all interested
parties in Myanmar can be achieved at an early date. * The present report
is being submitted on 16 October 2002 so as to include as much up-to-date
information as possible..."
Language: English
Source/publisher: United Nations A/57/484
pdf (53K)
http://daccess-ods.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/645/76/PDF/N0264576.pdf?OpenElement

GA 2002: NCGUB Briefing Paper
Date of publication: 02 October 2002
BRIEFING PAPER ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN
BURMA 2002. For the 57th Session of the UN General Assembly's resolution
on 'the human rights situation in Myanmar [Burma]'. Prepared by the Burma
UN Service Office of the National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma, 2 October 2002. Contents: Summary; Suggested Language for the
Resolution ; The Move Towards a Genuine and Substantive Dialogue ;
Political Prisoners and Political Activities ; The Judicial System and
Unjust Laws and Orders ; The National Convention; Continued violations of
human rights and widespread discriminatory practices against ethnic and
religious minorities; Forced displacement; Women; Children; Refugees and
IDPs; Landmines; Forced Labor; Restrictions on religious freedom ;
Humanitarian concerns; The Economic situation; Appendix I: Aide Memoire -
Impact of Armed Conflict on the Children of Burma.
Language: English
Source/publisher: NCGUB
html (385K) 38 pages
http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/BUNSO-briefing.htm

GA 2002: Oral statement by the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
Date of publication: 06 November 2002
Statement by Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro Special Rapporteur on the Situation
of Human Rights in Myanmar. 57th Session of the General Assembly, Third
Committee, Item 119. New York, 6 November 2002.
Author: Sr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro
Language: English
html (48K)
http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/SRM-oral.htm