BurmaNet News: April 25 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

April 25 2003 Issue #2223

INSIDE BURMA

AFP: Myanmar junta says Aung San Suu Kyi criticism ‘senseless’
NMG: Burmese workers on trial to get wages sent back
Irrawaddy: Relations sour between NLD and junta
AP; Government dismisses Suu Kyi criticism, says still open to talks with
Karen rebels despite violence

DRUGS

Nation: Chavalit to tackle drugs problem with Burma

MONEY

NLM: Burmese minister, Indian official discuss oil, gas cooperation
Nation: PM orders Salween probe

INTERNATIONAL

AFP: Myanmar junta says talks ongoing over protestor in British embassy

EDITORIAL

IHT: Burma uses rape against minorities; terrorizing refugees

INSIDE BURMA

Agence France Presse April 25 2003

Myanmar junta says Aung San Suu Kyi criticism "senseless"

Myanmar's ruling military junta on Friday described complaints by
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as "senseless" and said such criticism
would not help the country's national reconciliation process.

Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday complained for the first time publicly about
the lack of progress in her secret talks with the junta, in a shift from
her usually conciliatory stance towards the regime.

"I would like to question the reasons behind these senseless accusations
and cannot help but wonder if it is a deliberate act aimed at discrediting
the Myanmar military in the eyes of the world," military spokesman
Brigadier General Than Tun told reporters.

Than Tun is also the official liaison between the military and Aung San
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

"If that be the case, it will not serve the purpose of national
reconciliation," he said.

"How can these accusations and criticisms benefit us?" he asked. "I can
only say that this kind of thinking is very outdated... and should have
been left behind in 1988."

The regime brutally repressed pro-democracy protests that year and has
retained an iron-tight grip on power since then despite a massive election
win by the NLD in 1990.

In a separate statement the government said that "the official
government's representative (Than Tun) is at the NLD's disposal to manage
any comments and suggestions they would like to share".

At her rare press conference earlier this week, the Nobel peace laureate
questioned the junta's sincerity in wanting to undertake a political
dialogue aimed at national reconciliation.

The United Nations brokered talks between Suu Kyi and the junta which
began in October 2000 but have not progressed beyond a confidence-building
stage.

"We have been concerned with the lack of process. We should move on to a
more advanced stage. We have been forced to question the integrity of the
SPDC (the ruling State Peace and Development Council) and their sincerity
in achieving national reconciliation," she told reporters.

"I have come to the conclusion that the SPDC is not interested in national
reconciliation. We need to come to national reconciliation quickly for the
sake of the people and the country," she said.

Aung San Suu Kyi has previously maintained a conciliatory approach to the
junta, and been extremely careful to avoid alienating the ruling generals.

Just a few months ago, Aung San Suu Kyi said she was "cautiously
optimistic" that political change would come to Myanmar.
_______

Network Media Group April 24 2003

Burmese workers on trial to get wages sent back

26 Burmese immigrant workers, who are on trail to get wedges, were sent
back to Burma’s Myawaddy Town at noon today, our correspondent from Mae
Sot reported.

These Burmese workers were allowed to stay temporarily in Thailand under
some agreement with the immigration and police officers from Thailand.

This trial on these deportees started after their demand to get their
reasonable wages in Baht-Ta-Yar wool factory since early November at Mae
Sot, Thailand. However, as their demands were turn down and fired from
their works and got only 1500 Baht for each worker as compensation, the
lawsuit started against their Thai boss.

In order to charge against their boss, these migrant workers got legal
consultation from Law Society based in Bangkok, Migrant Assistance Program
Foundation based in Chiang Mai and Mae Sot based Yong Chi Oo Workers
Association.

Regarding this trial, Zaw Win Lwin from Yong Chi Oo Workers Association
said “with regards to existing Thai laws, the minimum wage for workers
must be 133 Baht per day, overtime charge will be one and a half of wage
and even these workers were fired without any reasons, that’s why we
charged into trial with the coordinated effort of three organizations
against this wool factory”.

“During the trial, these migrant workers should be owed to stay
temporarily in Thai before they were sent back, according to the MoU on
Trafficking in Thai Legal Process” explained Zaw Win Lwin.

Law Society also submitted a letter to Immigration and Police authorities
in Mae Sot and got permission from them to get temporary stay for these
migrant workers during the trial.

Although the trial was going on, all these 26 workers were unexpectedly
arrested by Mae Sot police on 26 April. After this arrest, National Human
Rights Committee in Thailand, director of Immigration and officials from
Labor ministry met today to discuss issues on Labor rights and Human
rights in details.

The decision taken by three concerned officials from Thai, the detainees
will be sent back to Burma by Thai Immigration rules. But they are allowed
to enter Thailand again with official pass and granted to stay temporarily
in Thailand during period of the trial.

However, it is not sure whether these deportees will be granted to enter
Mae Sot again with official pass issued by Burmese authorities.
_________

Irrawaddy April 24 2003

Relations Sour Between NLD and Junta
By Kyaw Zwa Moe

Since Aung San Suu Kyi visited northwest Chin State at the beginning of
the month, relations between Burma’s military government and opposition
leaders have gone from bad to worse. The opposition, however, is confident
that ties will soon be restored.
Relations soured after National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San
Suu Kyi publicly complained earlier in the week about harassment by the
military during her last trip and as well as the lack of progress in talks
between the NLD and the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The military junta, redirecting the blame, has accused the NLD for the
deteriorating relations between the two sides.
NLD spokesperson U Lwin, however, feels that the problems are not
insurmountable. "We will get back on the normal track if we make an
effort," he told The Irrawaddy today. "When we [the NLD and SPDC] have
problems, sometimes we solve them, sometimes we don’t."
U Lwin added that reconciliatory talks between the two sides have not yet
begun. And on Wednesday, Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters: "We have been
concerned with the lack of progress. We should move on to a more advanced
stage. We have been forced to question the integrity of the SPDC and their
sincerity in achieving national reconciliation."
Analysts in Burma also expressed disappointment concerning political
dialogue. "We haven’t yet seen any political progress despite the fact
that Aung San Suu Kyi can travel with relative freedom," said a Burmese
analyst in Rangoon. "It has been more than two years since talks were
initiated between them, but it is going nowhere."
Last November, UN Special Envoy to Burma Razali Ismail threatened to
resign from his post because of the lack of progress after two years of
talks. Yesterday, he said he was waiting for the junta to give him the
green light to return to the country.
Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters on Wednesday: "He [Razali] should be
allowed to visit any time he wants, go anywhere he pleases and talk with
anybody."
______

Associated Press April 25 2003

Government dismisses Suu Kyi criticisms, says still open to talks with
Karen rebels despite violence
By AYE AYE WIN

Myanmar's military government on Friday dismissed harassment claims from
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as "outdated" and unhelpful, and
accused an armed ethnic opposition group of terrorist acts.

National League for Democracy party leader Suu Kyi has alleged that the
junta obstructed and intimidated her and her supporters as she toured the
northwestern Chin State earlier this month and Rakhine state in December.

"It should be considered if such criticism could be beneficial. Is the NLD
trying to portray the government as a villain? And if so, such views are
outdated," government spokesman Brig. Gen. Than Tun said.

The current group of ruling generals, who seized power in 1988, refused to
hand over power to the NLD after it won the 1990 general elections.
Instead it jailed thousands of NLD members and has put Suu Kyi under house
arrest several times.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Suu Kyi said the junta did not appear to
be serious about reconciliation talks it started with the opposition party
in October 2000, adding that the process is sliding backward.

The government said in a press statement earlier that it was surprised the
NLD has adopted a policy of noncooperation and taken to holding press
conferences "focusing on attacking the government for some of the
shortcomings encountered on her trip."

Meanwhile, another official accused the Karen National Union of carrying
out terrorist attacks under the pretext of fighting for democracy.

Brig. Gen. Kyaw Thein described as "cowardly acts" the group's destruction
of private and public property, including sections of a natural gas
pipeline in March and April.

"Altogether, 16 civilians were killed and 57 injured between January and
April this year by 'terrorist acts' carried out by the KNU," he said at a
press briefing.

But he added that "the government has not changed its policy with regard
to peace talks and the door for peace remains open.

"All ethnic rebels are given equal opportunities and no special privileges
can be given to any group." The government has made cease-fire pacts with
17 other ethnic rebel groups since 1988.

DRUGS

Nation April 25 2003

Chavalit to tackle drugs problem with Burma

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has been assigned to hold
talks on illicit drugs with Burmese leader Than Shwe on the sidelines of
the Asean Sars Summit in Bangkok, a senior official said yesterday.

"Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has instructed Chavalit to try and seek
Burmese cooperation to stop drug smuggling along the northern borders,"
Narcotics Control Board official Chidchai Vanasatidya said.

Anti-drug officials have been tipped off that huge supplies of
methamphetamine pills are stashed in Burma ready to enter the country when
the government ends its war on drugs, Chidchai said.

However, he dismissed speculation that the Thai military might crack down
on illegal drug production plants run by the Wa in Burma.

The government plans to assist Burma in promoting a crop-substitution
programme for minority groups in a joint bid to eradicate illegal drug
production, he said.

He also refused to comment on news reports about the involvement of
politicians in the illegal drug trade.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that critics of the anti-drug
campaign should have evidence to back up allegations regarding the
involvement of politicians in the drug trade. "Please identify the
culprits. With evidence, every drug suspect will be arrested and brought
to justice," he said.

Interior Minister Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said law enforcement authorities
had no evidence to link any lawmakers to the illegal drug trade.

"I don't think allegations should be made without evidence. Speculation
only leads to confusion, jeopardising drug suppression efforts," he said.

MONEY

New Light of Myanmar April 25 2003

Burmese minister, Indian official discuss oil, gas cooperation

Yangon Rangoon , 24 April: Indian oil and gas delegation led by Joint
Secretary of Ministry of Oil and Gas Mr M.S. Srinivasan on 21 April called
on Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi.

The delegation discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in oil
and gas sector with deputy ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and
officials.
__________

Nation April 25 2003

PM orders Salween probe
By Saowalak Tangsaengprateep

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday ordered an investigation into
claims that half of the logs seized in the Salween timber scandal five
years ago have gone missing.

Earlier this week, Deputy Agricultural Minister Newin Chidchob told the
press that a large number of logs seized by the state in the Salween
timber scandal had disappeared from stockpiles in Mae Hong Son and Tak.

Forestry Industry Organisation (FIO) chief Chanat Laohawattana, who is
responsible for the logs, denied Newins allegation again yesterday, saying
all the logs could be accounted for.

Some of the 14,914 logs were in the possession of local sawmills, for
which the FIO had to pay an annual fee, he said. The logs should not be
the responsibility of the FIO, but should be returned to the logging
companies that owned them, he said.

The war of words has prompted Thaksin to order his deputy, Suwit
Khunkitti, to oversee a probe to determine if any logs are missing and
whether any officials are involved. The point is finding out the facts
about the logs. We need to clarify that first, he said.

Agriculture Minister Sora-at Klinprathum denied that there was any
conflict between Newin and Chanat, saying they simply had different
working styles.

Critics have voiced suspicions that there may be a political angle to the
sudden controversy, suggesting that logging companies keen to see the
border with Burma re-opened to timber imports may somehow be involved.

INTERNATIONAL

Agence France Presse April 25 2003

Myanmar junta says talks ongoing over protestor in British embassy

Myanmar's ruling military junta said Friday talks were continuing with the
British embassy in Yangon over a protestor who it says has been staying
there for three weeks.

"We are still holding talks and that is all I can say at the present
time," deputy foreign minister Khin Maung Win told reporters.

"We consider him to be a terrorist as well as a destructionist and have
warned the British embassy that they are endangering themselves by
habouring such a person," he said.

The government says the man sought refuge in the embassy on April 4, after
authorities arrested another man with whom he was demonstrating.

During the protest the pair waved flags emblazoned with fighting peacocks,
a traditional symbol of resistance to military rule in Myanmar, and
disturbed the peace by shouting, a statement from the junta released
afterwards said.

The statement also said the two men were suspected of being linked to a
March 27 bomb blast in downtown Yangon which killed two government
workers.

The British embassy has refused to confirm whether the protestor is in
fact inside the embassy.

Spokesman Brigadier General Than Tun said the government believed the man
had been sent to Myanmar by exiled anti-Yangon groups.

"Investigations have revealed that the person still remaining inside the
British embassy is someone who had been sent by a combined group made up
of the KNU (Karen National Union), the ABSDF (All-Burma Student Democratic
Front) and the NLD (National League for Democracy)-in-exile to engage in
sabotage inside the country," Than Tun said.

The KNU is one of a few remaining rebel groups fighting an independence
campaign against the Yangon government, while the other exiled groups are
based in Thailand.

"We assume that he is still there as he has been provided with meals from
outside three times a day," he said.

Than Tun said the arrested man had admitted to being linked with the
anti-government groups stationed in Thailand's Mae Sot.

EDITORIAL

International Herald Tribune April 25 2003

Burma uses rape against minorities ;
Terrorizing refugees
By Veronika Martin And Betsy Apple

The Burmese army is using rape as a weapon of war against women from
Burma's numerous ethnic minorities. Recent international attention on rape
by the army has focused on abuses against Shan women. But following a
research mission to the Thai-Burmese border, Refugees International
confirmed that rape is widespread, affecting women from numerous ethnic
groups. A report by Refugees International, "No Safe Place," documents 43
rapes among women from the Karen, Karenni, Mon, Tavoyan and Shan
minorities. Because Burmese battalions are stationed for long periods near
villages often using the population for forced labor women victims were
able to provide the battalion number of the rapist in three-quarters of
the cases.

Nearly 20 percent of the rapes were committed on military bases. In nearly
one-third of the cases, higher-ranking officers committed the rapes, and
in only two cases were any punishments given. Each was extremely weak.

Rape in Burma is part of a pattern of abuses designed to control and
terrorize ethnic populations. It is committed with impunity. The lack of
punishment for perpetrators leads to the conclusion that the system for
protecting civilians in the ethnic minority areas of Burma is deeply
flawed, which in turn suggests that rape is systematic.

Because international criminal tribunals have deemed systematic rape a war
crime, the generals guilty of condoning rape have violated international
law. Further, by failing to protect women and girls, the ruling Burmese
generals are violating the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which
Burma has ratified.

We heard harrowing stories directly from rape victims or from witnesses.
Burmese girls and women are especially vulnerable while fleeing their
villages to seek refuge in Thailand.

Thay Yu, one such refugee, hid in the forest when a group of Burmese
soldiers caught another family traveling with her. Thay Yu said that she
heard screams as the soldiers killed an infant with a swift blow to the
back of the neck. A 6-year-old girl ran and hid in a tree. Before the
soldiers shot and killed the husband, they forced him to stand and watch
while they raped his wife and killed her by stabbing her with a bamboo
stick through her vagina and abdomen.

After the soldiers left, Thay Yu and her family buried the husband, wife
and baby, then brought the 6-year-old daughter to Thailand.

Such events are not rare. Of women interviewed by Refugees International,
75 percent reported knowing someone who had been raped by the Burmese
military. All of them knew of rapes occurring in their home area. Fifteen
percent had either experienced an attempted rape or been witnesses to rape
or compelling physical evidence of a rape.

Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council has dismissed the rape
report as "too ridiculous" and accused Refugees International of "sowing
the seeds of mistrust" among Burma's ethnic groups.

Instead of dismissing carefully gathered evidence, the council should
allow the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
to conduct an unfettered, countrywide investigation of army rape involving
ethnic minorities. Perpetrators should be punished to the full extent of
Burma's civil and military laws.

The Burmese army should also halt the military build-up in ethnic areas
that is linked to the rape of ethnic women.

*

Veronika Martin is an advocate for Refugees International, a humanitarian
advocacy group based in Washington. Betsy Apple is a human rights lawyer.