BurmaNet News: February 19 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

February 19 2003 Issue #2178

INSIDE BURMA

AFP: Pressure must be maintained for change in Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi
Narinjara: Burmese Military Intelligence agents extort tolls from fisherman

DRUGS

Xinhua: Myanmar exposes 2,899 drug-related cases in 2002

MONEY

Irrawaddy: Business as usual
Xinhua: People run on banks in Myanmar for fear of bankruptcy

REGIONAL

AFP: Drugs prices skyrocket as Thailand’s anti-drugs war bites hard
AFP: China reiterates support for Sino-ASEAN free trade zone
Irrawaddy: KNU opposes death railway project

MISCELLANEOUS

FBC: Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law in Burma (transcript)
Nonviolence International: Nobel Peace Laureate visits Burma
Nation: Climate of distrust is all-pervasive
Kaladan: Eid-ul-Azha (Eid Festival) celebrated in Arakan

INSIDE BURMA

Agence France-Presse February 19 2003

Pressure must be maintained for change in Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said international pressure should
be maintained to force military-ruled Myanmar to move towards democracy, a
fellow Nobel peace laureate who met her said Wednesday.

Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel peace prize winner and a campaigner against
landmines, visited Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar this week to deliver
personal messages of support from other laureates, a statement released
here said.

Aung San Suu Kyi, herself a Nobel peace laureate, said at their meeting
that the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) would have to
engage in dialogue with other groups in Myanmar to achieve peace, the
statement from the Nonviolence International Southeast Asia organisation
said. "There is no way for the SPDC to escape dialogue if we want to
achieve a peaceful transition," Aung San Suu Kyi was quoted as saying.

Williams said: "Outside of the country there is the usual debate about
whether outside pressure helps or hinders the dialogue process.

"On this point Suu Kyi was very clear that pressure both inside and
outside the country are critical to bringing about democracy in Burma
(Myanmar), and noted that such pressure has already made a difference."

Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), was
released from 19 months of house arrest in May. Her party won general
elections held in 1990, but the military government refused to recognise
the result.

"Despite numerous competing demands for the international community's
attention, and even though Suu Kyi has been freed from house arrest, the
policy of her party remains unchanged: the time is not right for foreign
investment, lifting of sanctions nor tourism in Burma," the statement
said.

"The time will be right when there is meaningful dialogue which moves
forward the process of democratisation in Burma."

Aung San Suu Kyi was optimistic for the future of her country, it added.

"She stated that the struggle has gone on for too long, and that the
people of Burma should not have to wait much longer, but is firm in her
conviction that democracy will prevail," it said.

The statement also noted the increasing number of landmine victims in
Myanmar, formerly called Burma, where the military government's fight
against ethnic rebels has resulted in the planting of landmines.

"Victims are claimed by an increasing number each year and more land is
polluted by landmines laid by all sides in the armed conflict which
continues in the border areas of the country," the statement said.
____________

Narinjara News February 19 2003

Burmese Military Intelligence agents extort tolls from Fishermen

Having leased out all the rivers and creeks of Rakhine State in the
western part of Burma in December last, the Military Intelligence forces
in and around Ponnagyun Town have been reported to order the fishermen in
the area to pay up tolls according to their demands, reports our
correspondent.
The rate of toll payment was previously fixed annually.  But at present
the toll has been ordered to be realized every fortnight according to the
incoming high or low tide and that too, at the rate of up to kyat 10,000
for a large fishing net and 5,000 for a small fishing net.  The decree by
the military intelligence has been effective since December 9th last year.
 The non-compliance of the decree has been threatened with a three month
jail term and a fine up to kyat 50,000.
The decree has left thousands of fishermen jobless as they cannot afford
to pay up the tolls to the Burmese Military intelligence, said a headman
of the fishing community.  Previously there were no such arrangements and
the fishermen used to catch fish without paying any tolls or taxes for the
use of the rivers and creeks.  Many of the local people think the move by
the ruling Burmese junta as plain state-sponsored illegal extortion aimed
at destroying the livelihood of the people in the state.   At present
there are about sixty battalions of armed forces stationed across the
state, and people have to pay wholesale tolls to them whether one is
working on land or in the water, and the ruling junta is encouraging the
armed forces to collect such tolls as they face fund shortage to make
salary payments, it was learnt.

DRUGS

Xinhua News Agency February 19 2003

Myanmar exposes 2,899 drug-related cases in 2002

The Myanmar authorities exposed a total of 2,899 narcotic-drug-related
cases in the year 2002, arresting 4,291 people in this connection,
according to the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Wednesday.

Seizure made by the army, police force and the customs department included
1,988 kg opium, 333.88 kg heroin, 314.4 kg morphine, 281.98 kg marijuana
and 1,723 kg ephedrine as well as 9. 399 million tablets of stimulant
drugs. During the year, the authorities overran nine opium refineries in
northern Shan state of the country, it said.

During the 2002-03 opium cultivation season up to the end of January, the
authorities destroyed 997.49 acres (403.68 hectares) of opium poppy
plantations in Shan, Kachin, Chin and Kayah states, the committee said.

According to other official statistics, from April to Dec. 2, 2002, the
authorities received 165.78 tons of poppy seeds turned in by growers under
a seed exchange project, thus preventing the cultivation of 101,523 acres
(41,116.8 hectares) of opium poppy crops and the output of 446.7 tons of
opium which can be refined into  44.67 tons of heroin.

Myanmar started implementing a 15-year drug elimination plan in 1999,
covering 54 drug cultivating and producing townships, and targets to
reduce its opium production from 828 tons in 2002 to 400 tons in 2003,.

MONEY

Irrawaddy February 19 2003

Business as Usual

A financial crisis is looming in Burma with private banks now limiting the
amount of money account holders can withdraw to just 200,000 kyat (US
$181) a week. Officials at the Asia Wealth Bank (AWB) today attempted to
quell unrest by posting a sign claiming the bank is functioning under
normal operating procedures.
Only in Burma does "business as usual" equate to a freezing of funds and
the bankruptcy of 16 general service enterprises two weeks ago, which
initially spurned the latest economic unrest. AWB officials may not have
realized what a befitting contradiction their message holds.
"I can’t say anything for now because the situation is very perplexing," a
prominent Rangoon banking expert told The Irrawaddy today after attending
a closed door emergency meeting about the current economic situation.
After a private bank was reportedly stoned in the Rangoon suburb of
Thingangyun, riot police were placed in front of banks in the city,
according to sources in Rangoon. Garment factories and construction sites
have closed down, as they could not even pay day labor wages. Yesterday,
traffic police were seen dispersing a crowd of angry account holders in
front of an AWB branch in Rangoon.
"It is a financial panic," said an economist from Rangoon today. "If bank
owners continue to fail to ease the panic, it [Burma] will be on the brink
of an economic crisis."
Last week private banks halted all withdrawals before limiting the amount
individuals could take out this week.
"People fear a repetition of the 1987 crisis [is coming]," said a Rangoon
businessman today, referring to the government’s demonetizing of the 25
and 100 kyat notes.
Others in Rangoon today sounded helpless and confused, saying the
government needed to intervene and calm the public.
"We don’t know what is going on," a Rangoon-based journalist said. "If the
situation continues, it will lead to worse." The journalist went further
blaming the finance minster, saying he is an "army officer with no skills
on financial or banking systems".
The government has not commented on the issue except for a Feb 10 press
conference where they assured the public that the economy was fine, and
instead blamed Burmese dissidents in exile for spreading false
information.
"There is no distinct reason for this, it comes from fears and rumors,"
Rangoon business expert Khin Maung Nyo told the London-based BBC (Burmese
service) yesterday. "It has been a shock."
_________
Xinhua News Agency February 19 2003

People run on banks in Myanmar for fear of bankruptcy

Myanmar people have been running on banks with worry beginning last week,
trying to withdraw their deposits at private banks amid rumors that these
institutions could head for bankruptcy.

"The present situation is created as savers are withdrawing their deposits
in a short time, resulting in most private banks including the Asia Wealth
Bank (AWB) encountering a serious shortage of cash," said the AWB, the
largest among the 20 private bank in Myanmar, on Tuesday.

The panic withdrawal of deposits from private banks came after the State
Central Bank issued an order last week, banning money transfer and
limiting money withdrawal from private banks. The order, which took effect
on Monday, limits the withdrawal to 500,000 kyats per week. (One US dollar
is equivalent to 6 kyats at official exchange rate, while it is one to
over 1,000 at market exchange rate.)

Later, the withdrawal was further limited to 100,000 kyats per week, and
some banks have even closed for deposit withdrawal.

Meanwhile, some leading private banks, including the Yoma and the AWB,
have successively suspended their credit card and ATM services since
Monday amid such panic runs on deposit withdrawal.

The panic runs on banks also followed the recent collapse  of more than a
dozen non-bank deposit-taking companies that had offered investors with
exorbitantly high monthly interest rate of 4 to 5 percent against 10
percent annual interest rate on deposits and 15 percent on loans offered
by private banks.

These companies were involved in real estate, construction, trading and
manufacturing, accepting deposits from the public to finance their
operation.

There has been 20 private banks with a total of 350 branches operating
across Myanmar since the country allowed the private sector to run banks
in 1992, nearly three decades after the nationalization of the private
banks in the early 1960s.

Over the period when the previous government was in office, Myanmar
demonetized three times its currency notes, on May 15, 1964, on November
3, 1985 and on September 5, 1987, respectively.

The past events have brought about absence of confidence in the country's
currency notes.

Frequent rumors about demonetization of the present currency notes of 500
kyats and 1,000 kyats and introduction of 5,000 kyats have also increased
the worry of the people.

REGIONAL

Agence France-Presse February 19 2003

Drugs prices skyrocket as Thailand's anti-drugs war bites hard

The price of methamphetamines in Thailand has skyrocketted more than 200
percent since the start of an all-out war against drugs, the government
said Wednesday.

Six government ministries met here to review the anti-drugs campaign which
officials have said has claimed 596 lives since it was launched 19 days
ago and led to the seizure of more than six million amphetamine tablets.

"In Bangkok the price of methamphetamines soared to 200 baht (4.65
dollars) per tablet from 60 baht, while in Chiang Mai the prices jumped to
300 baht from 100 per pill," they said in a statement. The crackdown had
led to drug addicts in Thailand's northeastern regions to cross into Laos
where methamphetamines cost only 20 to 30 baht a tablet, they said.

The campaign is aimed at ridding the kingdom of drugs within three months,
with some four percent of the population estimated to be addicted to
methamphetamines which pour in from neighbouring countries, notably
Myanmar.

Office of Narcotics Control Board Lieutenant General Chidchai Vanasathidya
told reporters after the meeting that only 319 people killed in the
campaign were on an official blacklist of suspected traffickers.

"Of all more than 500 dead people there were only 319 on the drug
blacklist and police must investigate the motive of the killings and
arrest culprits in the more than 200 other deaths," Chidchai said.

He said the government was considering measures to protect witnesses to
prevent "cut out" killings -- in which traffickers could kill people to
stop them from talking to police.

The interior ministry said Tuesday that 588 had been killed in the
anti-drugs campaign, although police on Monday announced 319 deaths.
Chidchai said officials were working to reconcile these figures.

He said the campaign, which officials say has curbed trafficking, would
turn its focus onto major drug dealers. "In the next move the government
would concentrate on major drug dealers being both arrested and
prosecuted, as well as confiscation of assets."

The statement said the campaign had curbed drug smuggling into Thailand by
ethnic minorities in north and northeast, although smuggling in the south
had increased.

Interior Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha said the ministries and the ad hoc
National Drug Suppression Centre would investigate some 720 government
officials accused of being involved in trafficking.
_____________

Agence France-Presse February 19 2003

China reiterates support for Sino-ASEAN free trade zone

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji told his Thai counterpart that Beijing was
eager to push forward the establishment of a regional Southeast Asian free
trade zone, state press said Wednesday.

Zhu made the comments in talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday evening, the leading
People's Daily said. "China will abide by its commitments and take
measures to foster a Sino-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
free trade zone to promote the economic development of ASEAN countries and
prosperity of the region," Zhu was quoted as saying.

"Efforts to establish a Sino-ASEAN free trade zone is of important and
far-sighted significance."

ASEAN comprises the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,
Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia.

Thaksin is heading a 33-member delegation that includes his deputy Somkid
Jatusripitak, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Commerce and
Trade Minister Adisai Bhotharamik.

"The goal of my visit is to express my thanks and the thanks of the Thai
government to you, your excellency the premier of the PRC (People's
republic of China), for you assistance and help to Thailand," Thaksin
said.

Zhu is set to step down at the session of China's parliament next month.

On Wednesday, Thaksin is scheduled to meet outgoing President Jiang Zemin
and new Communist Party chief Hu Jintao, who is expected to take over for
Jiang when his term expires in March.

Thaksin will also meet vice premier Wen Jiabao, the likely next premier,
and was expecting to hold a session with Li Peng, the outgoing number two
and head of the state parliament who visited Thailand in September.
_____________

Irrawaddy February 19 2003

KNU Opposes Death Railway Project
By Poe Paung

Plans to rebuild the famous "Death Railway" have drawn harsh criticisms
from a Burmese minority group, who says the Burmese regime would both
relocate villagers and use forced labor to rebuild the fabled railroad.
The rail line, which would link Burma’s Mon State with Thailand’s
Kanchanaburi Province, gained international fame after being featured in
the 1957 film "Bridge over the River Kwai".
"The 'death railway' should not be rebuilt before peace comes to Burma,"
said Padoe Mahn Sha, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU).
Mahn Sha contends that villagers living in the area between Three Pagoda
Pass, on the Thai-Burma border, and Thanbyuzayat, in Burma's Mon State,
would fall victim to massive human rights violations.
Mahn Sha was responding to remarks made last week by Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra. The prime minister told reporters that the railway
would be rebuilt to spurn tourism for both countries. "Myanmar [Burma] has
asked us to build a railway from Kanchanaburi into Myanmar to promote
trade and tourism," Thaksin said last week.
The railway would then reportedly be extended further into Burma, but Mahn
Sha says the construction would force many villagers to relocate. Despite
the potential tourism benefits, analysts point out that the 100 kilometers
of track located inside Burma lies in an unstable area of Mon State, where
factional disputes among Mon insurgent groups as well as fighting against
government troops occasionally ignites.
The line would also pass through the KNU’s 6th brigade in Doo Playa
District, an important stronghold for the army. The KNU is one of Burma's
armed ethnic groups and has been fighting with the Burmese military since
1949. Mon rebels in the area negotiated a ceasefire with Rangoon in 1995.
Villagers around Three Pagodas Pass and Thanbyuzayat are mostly Mon and
Karen, but other ethnic groups are also based in the area.
The Japanese began building the railway in September 1942 as part of an
ambitious plan to connect the Malay peninsula with an ocean port in
Thanbyuzayat to help supply its troops. The railway was finished in just
16 months, and spanned 415 km from Thanbyuzayat to Nong Pladuk in Bangpong
District of Thailand’s Ratchaburi Province. Allied forces bombed the
railroad after just 20 months of operation.
An estimated 90-100 thousand Asians and 16 thousand allied POWs died
during its construction. The railway crosses the Kwai River on the
outskirts of Kanchanaburi and the site, which features a war museum, is a
popular destination for tourists. Many of the people who died working on
the "Death Railway" were buried in a cemetery at Thanbyuzayat, south of
Moulmein in Mon State.

MISCELLANEOUS

Free Burma Coalition February 19 2003

Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law in Burma

Lorne W. Craner, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor
Remarks to the Free Burma Coalition
Washington, DC
February 15, 2003
Thank you for your welcome.  There is an energy in this room this morning,
an energy felt in this Administration not to mention in Burma, and with
the inspiration of Aung San Suu Kyi, we will continue to work until Burma
is free.  It is a pleasure for me to be here this morning, speaking with
so many proven champions of human rights and democracy in Burma.
I would like to begin with a story I think many of you know.  Less than
two months ago Aung San Suu Kyi traveled to Rakhine State, her fifth
countryside trip since her release from house arrest last May.  A crowd of
25,000 people assembled to greet her, despite attempts from the
authorities to prevent them from coming together.  The authorities felt
threatened by the crowd, although the gathering was absolutely peaceful. 
And so they summoned police who were carrying batons, and a fire engine to
disperse the crowd with high-pressure water cannons.
Upon seeing the scene, Suu Kyi climbed up onto the fire engine and managed
to stop the police from hosing the people by pointedly saying, “I’m here
in the name of democracy which puts the people ahead of everything else. 
Our first priority is to serve and protect the people – the police as well
as other officials have the same responsibility.”  This image of one
courageous woman heading off an assault by authorities on a peaceful
gathering illustrates the urgent need for democracy and human rights in
Burma.
Last week the Freedom Forum announced that Suu Kyi was awarded the Al
Neuharth Free Spirit of the Year Award and one million dollars.  It is
obvious why.  Even after years of on-and-off political arrest, harassment
and constant surveillance, Aung San Suu Kyi, through tremendous strength
of character, is still wholly committed to bringing democracy and a
humanitarian rule of law to the Burmese people.
Last May we were all heartened by the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from
house arrest, and we welcomed the release of a few hundred political
prisoners over the past few months.  But unfortunately these steps have
not been matched by any progress toward a political dialogue on
constitutional issues.  In fact, the State Peace and Development Council
[SPDC - Burma's ruling military junta] took a serious step backwards just
a few days after the recent visit by Amnesty International with the arrest
of several more political prisoners.  As a result, we remain highly
skeptical about the regime’s commitment to any political transition.
The U.S. Government has long respected Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership in
support of democracy and human rights; President Bush publicly
congratulated Aung San Suu Kyi on the anniversary of her Nobel Prize. 
Democracy, national reconciliation, and human rights are our primary
foreign policy goals in Burma.  We -- and by that I mean we in the
Executive Branch, but also the Congress  -- we have been at the forefront
of drawing attention in an official way to Burma’s deplorable human rights
record.
The freedom-loving people of Burma have no better friend in the U.S.
Congress than Senator Mitch McConnell.  He has been a champion of human
rights and democracy and a protector of the persecuted for nearly two
decades.  The strength of his voice is matched by the power of his
actions.  And he is ably assisted by another champion of human rights and
democracy in Burma, Paul Grove, who will join you later today.
The SPDC’s disregard for human rights and democracy extends to every
conceivable category of violation and we will be cataloguing these this
year.  The regime suppresses political dissent by censorship, persecution,
beatings, disappearances and imprisonment.  It harasses ethnic minorities
through brutal campaigns against civilians.  It sharply curtails religious
freedom.  It subjects its people to forced labor.  And in the past year
there have been more reports of increased extra-judicial killings, rapes,
disappearances, forced labor, and forced relocations.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, as of last
October 1,448 political prisoners languish in Burmese jails.  This month
the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners updated this figure to
1,453.  The SPDC allows the International Committee of the Red Cross to
monitor political prisoners and prison conditions, and the UN Special
Rapporteur, Mr. Pinheiro, reports that prison conditions for political
prisoners have “incrementally improved.”
But what does this mean?  As he reports, it means that the beatings and
torture of political prisoners have decreased; it means that some elderly
and sick prisoners are now maybe receiving medical attention, although
just in the past six months four more political prisoners who we know of
died in prison due to the withholding of medical treatment.  Political
prisoners also continue to be held in solitary confinement for extended
periods, and they are deliberately sent far from their homes, precluding
visits and support – including food – from family members.  And when
family members are able to visit, it is without any privacy.
We need to keep this most disturbing fact at the front of our mind:  These
individuals, mostly students, teachers and lawyers, were unjustly arrested
– often arbitrarily – and are being held under such abhorrent conditions
for peaceably promoting democracy and freedom; sometimes for distributing
leaflets or just for being involved in the publication of a bulletin, or
just for being associated with a pro-democracy association, such as a
church.  There still is no freedom of association, no freedom of
expression, no freedom of the press in Burma.
Last November, the SPDC stated they would release the largest group of
prisoners ever – 115 in all – but we have not been able to confirm all of
these releases.  Even so, the conditions of those released are
unacceptable.  Currently, prisoners are released under the pretense of
‘suspension’ of their activities.  Understandably, many political
prisoners decline to be released under these conditions, which are a
violation of their human rights.    Again, we, together with the
international community, have pressed for the immediate and unconditional
release of all of these political prisoners, and we will continue to do so
until every individual prisoner is released to live a productive life of
freedom and peace.
After years of intense international pressure, the regime finally agreed
to allow the International Labor Organization (ILO) to appoint a liaison
officer in Rangoon and we hope this will develop into a full
representation for the ILO.  We also hope that it will allow us to take
more actions in response to new, credible documentation of forced labor,
including child soldiers.
Officially, the government passed a law in October 2000 banning forced
labor.  However, forced labor continues, particularly in rural ethnic
regions.  Human Rights Watch recently reported that thousands of boys,
some as young as eleven, have been forced to fight with the Burmese Army,
sometimes under the forced influence of amphetamines and alcohol, after
being kidnapped from bus stations and local markets.  These boys have to
fight armed with machine guns and grenades and land mines.  Boys and girls
as young as seven are forced to serve as porters in army camps or as
construction workers.  Villagers of any age and gender, indeed, any
Burmese citizen but particularly ethnic minority citizens, are vulnerable
to forced labor – building roads and railroads, farming, portering,
working as a camp servant, fighting with the army.  Resistance leads to
more torture and more death.
Last June, two nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) – the Shan Human
Rights Foundation together with the Shan Women’s Action Network –
published a new report of violations of human rights in Burma.  This
report documented Burmese Army personnel involvement in the rapes of
hundreds of women between 1996 and 2001.  The report also said that the
Burmese Army was using rape systematically as a weapon of war in its
counter-insurgency operations.  Responding to this, the State Department
sent investigators to collect first-hand accounts of rape by the Burmese
military from women in Thailand.  Jean Geran from my Bureau will be
discussing these findings later today.  But we know this is a very, very
grave situation, as both our report and the earlier report indicated.
In response to international pressure, the Burma Army conducted an
investigation of these charges, which was widely regarded by many in the
international community as a sham.  We are now urging UN Special
Rapporteur Pinheiro to move forward with his effort to fulfill his mandate
by conducting an independent investigation into these reports of
widespread rape.  Such an investigation has the full support of the
international community, and Pinheiro has presented the regime with
options for implementation.  We hope that the regime will break from
tradition and finally make an intelligent choice.
Rape is not the only abuse committed by the Burmese army against ethnic
minority populations.  We remain deeply troubled by reports of brutal
tortures and murders, forced relocations, forced labor, and suppression of
religious freedom.  The basic human rights of these minority peoples are
regularly violated, with repercussions not only for individuals and
families, but also at the regional level and internationally.  Refugee
flow into Thailand intensified in 2002, and the number of internally
displaced people inside Burma is an estimated one million.
As you are aware, the ethnic issue has a long history in Burma and has
been a key factor in determining whether Burma enjoys stability or suffers
conflict.  If there is to be a successful political transition,
appropriate ethnic representatives must be included in the planning for
transition at an appropriate time.  Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent trips to
Shan State and Rakhine State illustrate her commitment to the ethnic
groups of Burma and her concern for their participation and welfare.
Are productive talks in Burma’s near future?  Clearly, the necessity of
resuming dialogue is urgent and must be supported by the international
community.  We maintain hope for directed and unwavering involvement of
the UN and the global community in assisting the NLD (National League for
Democracy) and the country of Burma in its democratization, its economic
development, and its incorporation into the global community after decades
of isolation.  But also, we recognize that economic development can only
be fairly and effectively managed by a democratic government that is
representative, transparent and accountable.  To this end, the United
States and many key members of the international community are resolved to
maintain our insistence on positive change as a precondition for dropping
sanctions.  Indeed, our patience for positive change is beginning to run
out and we, along with the UK and others, are considering all options,
including further sanctions.
The United States already has tough sanctions on Burma in place.  We have
imposed an arms embargo and an investment ban, among other measures.  Only
our sanctions on Iraq are tougher.  If there is significant progress
towards a transition to democratic rule and greater respect for human
rights as a result of dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi and the regime,
the United States would look seriously at measures to support this
process.  But, we are disappointed and frustrated by the recalcitrance of
the SPDC.  We hope that other states that currently do not share our
sanctions policy will consider the impact that their policies have on the
human rights and democracy movement in Burma.  Burmese democrats have made
it clear that they do not want any assistance to Burma that will
strengthen the regime’s illegitimate grip on power.
Because of the SPDC’s disastrous policies, Burma may be facing a
humanitarian crisis arising from the dreadful nexus of hunger,
malnutrition, lack of education, and HIV/AIDS.  We remain convinced that
extensive aid to Burma that passes through the military regime will be
vulnerable to diversion and mismanagement.  USAID, with congressional
support, provides one million dollars in HIV/AIDS assistance in Burma and
this amount may well be increased in the future.  Our assistance goes
through NGOs and does not benefit the government.  It is important to
stress again that humanitarian aid within Burma will be very closely
monitored and managed in consultation with the NLD.
How can we promote democracy and human rights in Burma without supporting
the SPDC?  In recognition of the fact that the Burmese people will require
the infrastructure and knowledge to establish a sound, democratic
government, the United States has supported a number of scholarship and
training programs for Burmese students.  These programs send students to
Thailand or bring them here to the U.S. to learn good governance and
management principles and to advance their leadership skills.
The United States has also invested heavily in the promotion of an
uncensored, independent press in Burma, in recognition of the fact that a
free press fosters transparent, democratic government.  We are currently
supporting independent journals, newspapers and radio media focused on
promoting democracy in Burma.  We know that other nations also support
grassroots democracy efforts in Burma, and we are very happy to join our
efforts with theirs.   It is inspiring to see many of those who have
received some of this support here today.  I am personally humbled by your
courage and perseverance in the face of so many obstacles and such an
arduous journey.  But, as elsewhere, it will be worth it one day when we
celebrate in a peaceful and free Burma created with the help of all of
you.
We again urge the SPDC to move beyond this impasse and to do the right
thing for the people of Burma.  Only by adhering to their stated
commitment, only by fashioning a transition to a democratic government can
they truly serve the desires and rights of all the peoples of.
In the meantime, in preparation for the democratization of Burma, the
United States and Burma’s other friends will continue to train, educate
and support the development of a sound and free government and civil
society in Burma, a transitional process that – again – must happen.  We
continue to work toward that goal – a free and prosperous Burma where
people can work through their differences through peaceful and democratic
means.  May this year be the year that truth and justice prevail in Burma,
bringing an end to oppression – and setting Burma free.
Thank you.
__________

Nonviolence International February 18 2003

Nobel Peace Laureate visits Burma

Ms. Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate, which she received with the
International Campaign to Ban Landmines, visited Burma this week, carrying
personal messages of support from fellow Nobel Peace laureates Rigobera
Menchu Tum, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Oscar Arias, Joseph Rotblat,
Norman Borlaug, Betty Williams, Mairead McGuire, to Burma's country-bound
Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first visit to Ms. Suu Kyi
by another Nobel Peace Laureate since she received the award while under
house arrest in 1991.

Ms. Williams visited Ms. Suu Kyi at her home near Inya Lake in Rangoon,
where they discussed the current state of movements toward peace within the
country, efforts to meet humanitarian needs and the increasing numbers of
landmines being used in the countries internal wars.

"There is no way for the SPDC to escape dialogue if we want to achieve a
peaceful transition," said Ms Suu Kyi, who encouraged solidarity and
support for the overall process of democratization in Burma. Ms. Williams
noted after the meeting, "Outside of the country there is the usual debate
about whether outside pressure helps or hinders the dialogue process. On
this point Suu Kyi was very clear that pressure both inside and outside the
country are critical to bringing about democracy in Burma, and noted that
such pressure has already made a difference."

Reflecting on the meeting, Ms Williams stressed that even though some
positive changes have taken place recently in Burma, the world community
must not divert its attention. Despite numerous competing demands for the
international community's attention, and even though Suu Kyi has been freed
from house arrest, the policy of her party remains unchanged: the time is
not right for foreign investment, lifting of sanctions nor tourism in
Burma. The time will be right when there is meaningful dialogue which moves
forward the process of democratization in Burma.

Ms. Williams, on behalf of the Mine Ban Movement, took the opportunity to
thank Ms. Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy and the Committee
Representing the Peoples Parliament for their clear commitment to joining
the Mine Ban Treaty once their elected representatives can form a
government. Victims are claimed by an increasing number each year and more
land is polluted by landmines laid by all sides in the armed conflict which
continues in the border areas of the country.

Suu Kyi noted to Ms Williams that to address the problem of landmines it is
important to address the root causes, and not just superficially address
the symptoms. When peace and reconciliation are achieved in Burma there
will be no need to plant landmines, as people can express differences
through the open democratic process rather than through the use of weapons.

Despite years of struggle and hardship, Ms Suu Kyi made light of any
personal difficulties she had suffered, and reaffirmed her optimism for the
future of her country. She stated that the struggle has gone on for too
long, and that the people of Burma should not have to wait much longer, but
is firm in her conviction that democracy will prevail.
__________

Nation February 19 2003

Climate of distrust is all-pervasive

Shan State Army leader Colonel Yawd Serk was right to dismiss suggestions
that Thailand could play a mediating role between Burma's ethnic groups
and the generals in Rangoon. Yawd Serk accused the Burmese junta of not
being sincere with their offers of negotiation. He deemed the green-light
for the Thai government to get involve in bringing an end to the conflict
in Burma as a ploy to crush the ethnic armies, some of whom have been
fighting for autonomy for over 50 years since independence from Britain.

The veteran combat leader, who controls pockets of resistance in Burma,
said "surrendering weapons alone is not the way to restore peace and
tranquillity in the Shan State". Indeed, past experience has shown that
whenever Thailand tries to broker a peace deal between Burma and its
insurgent groups, it always ends up putting the latter in a worse off
position.

Be they Mon, Karenni or Karen, Thailand's efforts do not seem to include a
sense of fair-play or justice for the minority groups.

Moreover, Thailand has never done anything to earn the trust of the
Burmese generals, who have consistently accused the country of using the
anti-Rangoon forces as proxies.

But judging from the lucrative natural resources in these areas, it is not
difficult to see the motives behind the Thai involvement. Greed and vested
interests always rear their ugly heads. And so when Thai officials come to
Rangoon, one can be sure that the Burmese generals are waiting eagerly.

Yawd Serk's statement was seen as an attempt to put the brakes on the idea
that Thailand should become a mediator.

One can speculate as to what motivates the Shan commander, whom Burma has
consistently accused of being a Thai proxy, to make such a statement.

It should be noted that the accusation of being a proxy also goes the
other way. The Thai Army has said the same about the 20,000-strong
pro-Rangoon United Wa State Army, nearly half of whose troops are situated
along the Thai border, producing methamphetamines and flooding the Kingdom
with them all year round.

Moreover, the suggestion of giving financial rewards to Burmese troops for
making drug arrests has come across to many as a very absurd idea. It
would not be hard for the underpaid, overworked Burmese government
soldiers to exploit the system. But this time around, it is the Thai
premier who has initiated the idea.

What Thailand has failed to understand is that the drug problem, which is
overwhelmingly methamphetamines-related, is not on the supply side of the
equation.

Officers in the front line along the northern border say plenty of
precursors and raw materials are readily available to make up for any
shortfall in supply resulting from Thai law enforcement. All the drug
producers have to do is to order new batches to be manufactured at a snap
of their fingers.

To make matters worst, Thailand's soft approach towards Burma has
permitted Rangoon to turn a blind eye to the illicit activities of the
country's drug lords, most of whom operate independently along the Thai
border.

For years, the world community has condemned the Burmese government for
turning a blind eye to the crimes of the drug lords and their armies, be
it the Kokang and the Shan of the past decade, or the Wa of today.

Yawd Serk was right to say that the Burmese generals are more interested
in "annihilating their opposition and subduing all non-Burmese ethnic
nationalities" than seeing a genuine, permanent peace and a drug-free
Thai-Burma border.

There has never been a sense of trust between the ruling junta and its
minority groups. One should not forget that those so-called "ceasefire"
groups are just what they are - cease-fire. Nothing more.

And until Burma can come up with a genuine political settlement acceptable
to all parties, Thailand will continue to bear the brunt of its
neighbour's internal problems.
_______________

Kaladan Press February 19 2003

Eid- ul- Azha(Eid Festival) Celebrated in Arakan

Maungdaw, February 19:  Rohingya Muslims across the Arakan State on 12th
February 2003 celebrated the holy Eid- ul Azha with due religious fervour
and sprit of sacrifice, according to our correspondent.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims joined Eid prayers at Eidghas (prayer
ground) and mosques seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of
the nation and unity of the Muslim ummah.

After prayers, some well off Rohingya Muslims sacrificed animals
remembering the great sacrificed of Hazrat Ibrahim(AS). They distributed
meat among relatives, friends and the poor.

Some Muslims were able to sacrifice animals as all the business and
economies are under the control of SPDC authorities and the restriction of
movements make the Rohingya people economically cripple, said another
source.

However, to get permission from Nasaka (border security force) for
sacrificial animals have to pay Kyat-2, 500/-per head and the leather of
the sacrifice animal has been paid to the agent of the Nasaka. They
(Nasaka) also collected 2 kgs of beef per head of the
sacrifice animal, said a villager to our source.