BurmaNet News: June 5 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

June 5 2003 Issue #2252

For updates on the crisis in Burma, visit Burma Crisis Watch at
www.burmanet.org

INSIDE BURMA

Washington Post: Suu Kyi injured, diplomats confirm
AP: Clash between followers of Myanmar opposition leader, pro-government
supporters appears premeditated: U.S. official
Irrawaddy: Crackdown escalates
Independent : Up to 70 died in swoop on Suu Kyi, claim supporters
Xinhua: Myanmar media call for public awareness of water resources

INTERNATIONAL

AFP: UN envoy says may be barred from meeting Suu Kyi in Myanmar visit
AFP: Britain demands release of Myanmar opposition leader

REGIONAL

Narinjara: ‘Bangladesh does not want to interfere in the internal affairs
of Burma’
Nepalnews.com: Nepali Congress demands release of Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi
Petaling Jaya: Burmese exiles demonstrate outside embassy in KL

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS/STATEMENTS

U.S. State Dept.: Ambush on Aung San Suu Kyi
DVB: Suu Kyi urges sustained democracy in Monywa rally speech
White House: Presidential designation of foreign narcotics kingpins
Statement by Madeleine K. Albright
Al-Jazeerah: Myanmar crackdown
Financial Times: Stable Burma is in China’s interests
Jack Straw: Straw’s grave concern
RSF and BMA: News blackout: flagrant violation of the right of Burmese
people to be freely informed

INSIDE BURMA

Washington Post June 5 2003

Suu Kyi Injured, Diplomats Confirm
Clash on Friday Left Burmese Activist With Face and Shoulder Wounds
By Ellen Nakashima and Alan Sipress

JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 4 -- Diplomats confirmed today that Burmese
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi suffered a facial wound and an
injured shoulder and is being held in a military camp after she and her
supporters were caught in a violent clash Friday with assailants
controlled by the Burmese military.
The Nobel peace laureate and opposition figure was being detained in the
Yemon military camp about 25 miles outside Rangoon, the Burmese capital,
diplomats said. Late tonight, U.N. officials decided to send a top envoy
to Burma on Friday to reinforce the message that Suu Kyi should be
released.
Three diplomats in the region, including one from a Western embassy in
Rangoon, confirmed a report that Suu Kyi, who was arrested Saturday along
with at least 18 supporters and colleagues, was injured when a brick or
rock was thrown at the car she was traveling in. Her shoulder may have
been dislocated or broken when it was struck by the projectile, they said.
One diplomat said she was injured on the side of her face.
Reports that Suu Kyi, 57, leader of the National League for Democracy
(NLD), was seriously wounded overstated the extent of her injuries, a
diplomat said. It was unclear whether she has been treated by a doctor.
Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win on Tuesday assured diplomats in
Rangoon that Suu Kyi was in good health. "People were just incredulous at
their assertions," said a Western diplomat who attended the briefing.
U.N. envoy Razali Ismail will travel to Rangoon on Friday, though some
officials in Washington and other capitals had urged him to delay the trip
if he was not guaranteed access to Suu Kyi. Others, however, said his
visit would pressure the government to release the charismatic leader,
whose NLD crushed the military-backed ruling party in 1990 parliamentary
elections but was prevented from taking power. Suu Kyi has spent much of
the last 14 years under house arrest, including a 19-month period that
ended a year ago.
"The safety of Aung San Suu Kyi is a factor that increasingly has to be
taken into account in the decision that the U.N. makes about Razali's
visit," a diplomat in Southeast Asia said. This diplomat said Razali might
be one of the few international figures who could intervene to ensure that
greater harm does not come to Suu Kyi while in detention.
In Washington, lawmakers called for a ban on all Burmese imports to send
"a clear signal that Burma's human rights violators will be punished
severely," said Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), co-chairman of the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus. "The brutal treatment and arrest of
Aung San Suu Kyi cannot stand."
Lantos was joined by House International Relations Committee Chairman
Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) and more than 20 other lawmakers; Sens. Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are supporting a similar
measure, according to news service accounts.
Exiled dissidents say that according to witnesses, Suu Kyi's convoy was
stopped late Friday by several trucks carrying government supporters in
Dipeyin, about 400 miles north of Rangoon. The government has said only
that the clash lasted about two hours until police intervened.
An exiled dissident who has regular contact with NLD members inside Burma,
also known as Myanmar, said that according to a witness who was injured
and escaped, Suu Kyi's convoy was attacked by soldiers and security forces
using sharp bamboo sticks.
"He was shocked," said Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the Assistance
Association for Political Prisoners in Mae Sot, Thailand. "He never
thought such brutal methods could happen. He said they beat the activists
with hatred."
___________

Associated Press June 5 2003

Clash between followers of Myanmar opposition leader, pro-government
supporters appears premeditated: U.S. official
By GRANT PECK

A clash last week involving followers of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi appears to have been premeditated by government
supporters, a U.S. Embassy official in Myanmar said Thursday.

Far more people may have died than the military junta reported, said the
official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Government officials said four people died and 50 were injured in the clash.

The U.S. official said two members of the embassy visited the scene of
last Friday's attack and found signs of "great violence."

"What they found corroborates eyewitness reports circulating of a
premeditated ambush on Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade," the official said in
a telephone interview from Bangkok. "We believe the number of dead and
injured could be much higher than the totals given by the government."

Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her peaceful campaign
for democracy, has been held in "protective custody" by Myanmar's military
government since the clash, which reportedly occurred when she and
supporters were on a speaking tour.

She has not been seen since Friday, but the government says she is
uninjured and is being held in a secure location.

The embassy members returned to Yangon, Myanmar's capital, on Thursday and
reported that the area of the clash had been partially cleaned up, but
"had obviously been the scene of great violence," the official said.

"They found considerable debris along the road, including numerous pieces
of torn and bloody clothing and numerous weapons and smashed headlights
and mirrors," the embassy official said.

The weapons were "clearly prepared before the fact, and we think this is
evidence of premeditation. They were not just limbs torn off a tree," the
official said.

The official said the U.S. Embassy is renewing its call for the release of
Suu Kyi and other members of her National League of Democracy party
detained after the incident, and a full accounting of the dead and
injured.

Myanmar's junta has said last Friday's fighting began when Suu Kyi's
motorcade drove through a crowd of people protesting her visit. Exiled
anti-government groups allege that military-backed forces staged an ambush
and that 70 or more people may have been killed over two days.

Tight media controls and the remote location of the clash made it
difficult to confirm what happened. Phone lines to the area appear to have
been cut.

Several Western countries have demanded the release of Suu Kyi and leaders
of her party who have been put under house arrest. Offices of her National
League for Democracy have been closed across the country.
__________

Irrawaddy June 5 2003

Crackdown Escalates
By Naw Seng

Military leaders have ratcheted up the crackdown on Burma’s opposition as
several leading National League for Democracy (NLD) members from Rangoon,
Mandalay, Mogok and Myitkyina have been taken into custody, sources close
to the opposition party said today.
Many others democracy supporters are fleeing in fear, said an NLD member
from the China-Burma border. But border security in neighboring countries
like China has already been tightened to prevent pro-democracy from
seeking sanctuary, the NLD member explained.
Most of the NLD officials in the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, have
reportedly been arrested. "The [junta’s] Northern Command has ordered the
arrest of all NLD members," he said. "Everyone faces charges."
Further south in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions, there is increasing
concern among family members of the NLD supporters who accompanied Suu Kyi
on her last trip. Most haven’t had contact with relatives since last
Friday.
However, the missing NLD vice chairman Tin Oo has sent a handwritten
letter via military intelligence officers, a source close to the family
said. The letter was a request for medication that he regularly took to
maintain his health. Though the letter has eased anxieties a little, no
one has been able to confirm his whereabouts and some still fear he was
seriously injured in Friday’s clash.
The Red Cross, which works to ensure the safety of dissidents in Burmese
prisons, has asked to see Suu Kyi and other members of her party being
held in protective custody, but so far military leaders have been
uncooperative.
__________

Independent June 5 2003

Up to 70 died in swoop on Suu Kyi, claim supporters
By Daniel Lovering

A clash in Burma involving followers of the detained pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi appeared to have been planned by supporters of the
military government, an American embassy official said yesterday. A UN
envoy is expected to arrive today to demand her release.
Ms Suu Kyi was taken into "protective custody" last week by the
authorities after the violence, which military authorities said left four
people dead and 50 injured.
But the US embassy official in Burma said on condition of anonymity that
far more people might have died than the military junta reported,
corroborating claims by dissident groups abroad, which allege that
government forces staged an ambush and that at least 70 people were killed
in two days.
The American official said in a telephone interview that two members of
the embassy visited the scene on Friday last week and found signs of
"great violence," including bloody clothing, many home-made weapons and
smashed headlights and mirrors.
The weapons were "clearly prepared before the event and we think this is
evidence of premeditation. They were not just limbs torn off a tree," the
official said.
Burma's junta said the fighting began when Ms Suu Kyi's motorcade drove
through a crowd of thousands of government supporters protesting against
her visit.
In neighbouring Thailand, exiled opposition groups claimed Ms Suu Kyi, a
Nobel peace prize laureate, was hurt in the violence, perhaps suffering
severe head injuries. But the junta insists that Ms Suu Kyi and colleagues
detained with her are fine, although it is refusing to divulge where they
are being held. The government has been under pressure to provide
information on Ms Suu Kyi by today, when Razali Ismail, a UN special
envoy, said he would visit.
Mr Razali, a Malaysian, said from Kuala Lumpur that he expected to meet
Burma's military leader, General Than Shwe, to push for Ms Suu Kyi's
freedom. "Suu Kyi must be released," he said.
Senior UN officials had asked him to proceed with the visit even though
the junta had refused to give assurances that he would be allowed to meet
her. A UN official in Rangoon said on condition of anonymity: "If Razali
is not allowed to see her, that will only strengthen rumours of Suu Kyi
being hurt."
In late 2000, Mr Razali brokered reconciliation talks between the
government and Ms Suu Kyi, whose party, the National League for Democracy,
won the 1990 general elections but was blocked from taking power by the
military. The talks had provided hope that the political impasse could be
cleared, but the dialogue reached a standstill last year.
On the eve of Mr Razali's visit, universities ordered to be shut on Sunday
were partly reopened, allowing some postgraduate students to return to
classes. Students have been at the forefront of pro-democracy activism in
Burma.
Tight media controls and the remote location of the clash made it hard to
confirm what happened in last week's violence. Phone lines to the area
appear to have been cut.
The offices of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy have been closed
across the country. Even some of Burma's Asian neighbours, which usually
steer clear of criticising the regime, have expressed dismay at the
political violence.
__________

Xinhua News Agency June 5 2003

Myanmar media call for public awareness on water resources

Official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar Thursday called on its
countrymen to remain aware of water resources, one of the environmental
issues, warning that humanity is still facing shortage of fresh water
today.

Marking the World Environment Day, which falls on Thursday, the paper
called for protection of fresh water resources as only 2.5 percent of the
water covering the earth's surface is fresh water.

To enhance the supply of fresh drinking water as well as irrigation water,
the Myanmar government has been implementing programs of installing water
supply facilities in many rural areas especially in the central part of
the country where there is insufficient rain fall, the paper said in an
article.

Water supply works including underground water tapping projects,
irrigation works and river water pumping projects are also being carried
out, it added.

According to official statistics, in its endeavors to improve rural water
supply, Myanmar has sunk tube wells in 3,966 villages in three divisions
of arid zone during the first three years of a ten-year rural water supply
project which began in 2000-01 fiscal year.

Out of 8,042 water-scare villages in the three divisions of Mandalay,
Sagaing and Magway, nearly 50 percent of them now have had tube wells
providing clean and safe water.

The projects involved assistance extended by a Japanese Government's
overseas aid agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the
Bridge Asia Japan and the UN Children's Fund.

With regard to irrigation water resources, the statistics also show that
Myanmar has built 146 dams and reservoirs in nearly 15 years since 1988,
irrigating 850,000 hectares of farmlands.

In addition, the government has also implemented 265 river water pumping
projects in the country, irrigating about 121,500 hectares more of the
farmlands.

INTERNATIONAL

Agence France Presse June 5 2003

UN envoy says may be barred from meeting Suu Kyi on Myanmar visit

UN special envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, confirmed that he would go
ahead with a planned trip to Yangon Friday but said he had been told by
the ruling junta he might not be allowed to see detained opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi.

Razali, a former Malaysian diplomat, told AFP here Thursday that "there
was a meeting in New York yesterday where the UN sought the views of
countries involved in looking at the issue of Myanmar and they decided I
should go."

He said the UN was "still seeking clarifications on whether I will be
allowed to see Aung San Suu Kyi or not. I have been told (by Yangon's
military rulers) that it may not be possible but we have been appealing to
them to get me to see her." Asked about reports from Yangon attributed to
a source close to the national reconciliation process that he would
"demand" to see Aung San Suu Kyi and leave promptly if permission is
denied, Razali hedged.

"I have various options but I don't think it's a question of going and
banging on the door and making demands.

"We have to talk to them in a reasonable fashion. Obviously the right to
see Aung San Suu Kyi is there because I have seen her before when she was
under house arrest -- what's the difference?"

Asked whether he had confirmation of reports that the democracy leader was
injured in clashes between her supporters and a military-backed mob in
northern Myanmar last week, he said: "No, I enquired and the government
said there was no such thing."

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD),
was arrested after the clashes, which are reported to have left dozens
dead.

She is being held under "protective custody" in a military camp 40
kilometres (25 miles) outside Yangon.

The initial plan for Razali's mission, which is due to last until June 10,
called for him to hold talks with Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals in a
bid to kick-start the national reconciliation process.

The special envoy of UN secretary-general Kofi Annan is credited with
brokering landmark talks beginning in October 2000 aimed at shifting the
country to democracy.

The talks resulted in the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from 19 months of
house arrest in May last year. Since then, however, the talks have not
progressed beyond an initial confidence-building phase.

Annan and a slew of world leaders have called for the immediate release of
Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members of her NLD.
_______

Agence France Presse June 5 2003

Britain demands release of Myanmar opposition leader

Britain told Myanmar on Thursday to release Aung Sang Suu Kyi and other
members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) immediately, and to
open a real dialogue with them.

"We call on the Burmese authorities to release Aung Sang Suu Kyi and other
members of the NLD immediately and to enter into a substansive and
meaningful political dialogue with them," Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
said in a statement.

He said it was "imperative" that Yangon allow UN special envoy Razali
Ismail, who arrives Friday in Myanmar for a four-day visit, full access to
Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues.

"A refusal by the regime to allow Razali such access will constitute a
deliberate rebuff to the international community, and the Burmese
authorities must recognise that there will be consequences," he said.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was taken into "protective custody" after
violent clashes Friday between her supporters and a pro-junta mob while
she was on a political tour of northern Myanmar.

The clashes left several dead and dozens injured, including Aung San Suu
Kyi, who had left for the region on May 6 -- the first anniversary of her
release from 19 months of house arrest.

Straw's statement coincided with similar calls from other European
officials, including German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer who Thursday
issued an appeal for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.

But a British group that monitors events in Myanmar condemned what it
called Europe's "feeble" response, and called for "immediate investment
sanctions" to be put in place.

"I cannot believe it has taken the European Union six days since the
arrest of Aung Sang Suu Kyi to come up with such a limp response," said
John Jackson, director of the Burma Campaign UK.

"Burma's people are dying while the EU dithers," he said in a statement.

Aung San Suu Kyi's father Aung San negotiated the independence of Myanmar,
then called Burma, from Britain, but he was assassinated before it took
effect in January 1948.

His daughter spent her formative years in Britain, marrying an English
scholar before returning in 1988, becoming involved in opposition to
Myanmar's military junta soon afterwards.


REGIONAL

Narinjara News June 5 2003

“Bangladesh does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of Burma”

Bangladeshi foreign minister M Morshed Khan when pressed for comments on
the recent house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma on 4th June 03 told
reporters at the Foreign Ministry that Bangladesh does not, as a matter of
principle, want to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries,
particularly neighbours.

In the Daily Star he also said, “We also do not want others to interfere
in our affairs.”  However the foreign minister hoped that the government,
opposition and people of Burma would find a better way to resolve their
internal problem.  He was briefing the newsmen on Finance Minister Saifur
Rahman’s recent visit to New Delhi.

He rejected speculations over any discussion or understanding on export of
natural gas or transhipment facilities to India and added, “these issues
were not even raised by India.”

Earlier Energy Minister AKM Mosharraf Hossain told UNB on a report
published in the Times of India on 2nd June 03, “It’s not correct.  No
decision has so far been taken in this regard.  There is a proposal to
allow Bangladesh’s land for transmitting gas from Burma and Tripura to
West Bengal.  We are reviewing the proposal, but no decision has been made
yet.”

The trade and bilateral relations between the two neighbours have
considerably improved over the last few months as both the governments
have signed trade, shipping and bilateral treaties to improve existing
relations, according to experts.
___________

Nepalnews.com June 5 2003

NEPALI CONGRESS DEMANDS RELEASE OF BURMA'S AUNG SAN SUU KYI

The Nepali Congress Wednesday 4 June demanded the immediate release of
Myanmar Burma pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The party, in a
statement, denounced her arrest along with her party associates.

The party said the government action was "illiberal, intolerant and
undemocratic".
_____________

Petaling Jaya June 5 2003

BURMESE EXILES DEMONSTRATE OUTSIDE EMBASSY IN KUALA LUMPUR

A group of Burmese nationals demonstrated outside their diplomatic mission
in Kuala Lumpur today to protest against the detention of democracy
activist Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma.

She was arrested last Friday 30 May and is being held incommunicado in a
secret location by the ruling military junta, which has claimed that this
is for her own protection.

Assassination attempt

About 50 people - representing the Burma Solidarity Group of Malaysia
(BSGM) - gathered outside the embassy off Jalan Road Ampang carrying
posters of Suu Kyi. The demonstrators also carried banners which read:
"Burma is a terrorist state" and "We want freedom in our country".

In a memorandum that was submitted to the embassy, BSGM said it was
"shocked and appalled" at the Burmese government's treatment of Suu Kyi
and her supporters.

"We also condemn the action of the Burmese military junta for an
assassination attempt against the leader of Burma's democracy movement
last Friday and the reported killing of several persons and injury of
dozens more," it says.

The BSGM further said it was concerned over news that offices of Suu Kyi's
party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), had been raided and
closed.

"The recent actions by the military show that it was insincere and that it
was lying when it promised 'a new page' for the Burmese people when Aung
San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest last year," the organization
said.

"We appeal to you to respect the wishes of the general populace of Burma."

According to BSGM coordinator Minn Kyaw, the crackdown in Burma late last
week was the regime's "most brutal" in recent years.

He said the action by the junta against the opposition leaders showed the
insincerity of the Rangoon government when it promised last year to
participate in United Nations-facilitated talks.

"However, over the past year, the regime has repeatedly snubbed UN Special
Envoy for Burma Razali Ismail by refusing to begin talks... ellipsis as
carried This latest outrage proves again that Burma's regime has lied to
the international community and the Burmese people," he said. Passage
omitted

Although representatives of the embassy met briefly with the protesters,
none were available for comment.

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Press Statement
Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 5, 2003

Burma   Ambush on Aung San Suu Kyi

Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon have returned from a visit to the
site of the May 30 violent attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her traveling
party.
Their findings indicate that there was a premeditated ambush on Aung San Suu
Kyi's motorcade. Circumstances and reports from individuals in the region
indicate that the attack was conducted by government-affiliated thugs. The
debris remaining at the scene suggests a major clash, which could easily have
resulted in serious injuries to large numbers of people.

We call on the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma to
provide a full accounting of the dead, injured, and missing.

The continued detention in isolation of Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of
her political party is outrageous and unacceptable. We call on the SPDC to
release them immediately, and to provide all necessary medical attention to
those who have been injured, including assistance from international
specialists. The offices of the National League for Democracy closed by the
SPDC should be reopened without delay and their activities no longer
proscribed.

United Nations Special Envoy Razali Ismail will be visiting Burma on June 6.
The U.S. fully supports his efforts. He must be allowed to see Aung San
Suu Kyi
and other opposition leaders. If Amb. Razali is not able to meet privately
with
Aung San Suu Kyi, the U.S. will need to evaluate the utility of this
U.N.-sponsored effort to support national reconciliation in Burma.

______________

Democratic Voice of Burma June 1 2003

SUU KYI URGES SUSTAINED DEMOCRACY IN MONYWA RALLY SPEECH

Text of third and final part of speech delivered by Aung San Suu Kyi,
general secretary of the National League for Democracy, at a ceremony to
install party signboard in Monywa on 29 May, recording broadcast by
Burmese opposition radio on 1 June

Well, six months in jail seems just like taking a short break. The youth
should have political spirit and awareness, especially in this day and
age, where there is no support for politics and they are trying to take
away political interests from the young and the old. The youth sometimes
do not realize whether they have any political spirit or not. But they do
have political belief. I say that because they understand that the
situations must change. They desire change and they are totally
dissatisfied with the unnecessary and unjust things taking place. That is
what I like. As I mentioned earlier, we are pleased that the people agree
with the activities and the principles of the NLD National League for
Democracy and we welcomed the people's support. I like it even better when
the people support us because they dislike injustice. The citizens who
dislike injustice are the citizens that are capable of effectively
implementing the rule of law in the country. The rule of law means a
system that provides security for the country and the people where
everybody is equally protected within the framework of the law.

Later on when we came to this part of the country like Mogok, Mandalay,
Chaung-U, and Monywa, there are some who said we do not deserve democracy.
I think they are out of touch with the people. I believe the people
deserve democracy very much. But we must try hard to obtain democracy.
Remember, nothing is free and nothing is easy. If you think it is easy we
would be given democracy 15 years ago. Because we cannot get it easily we
must try very hard.

The NLD, as we have promised the people, will continue to strive for the
establishment of a strong and stable democratic system in Burma. We will
work until we achieve our goal. There is no point in asking whether we
would succeed or not because we will succeed. But the important question
is how soon will we be able to achieve it? The people know pretty well
that the longer it takes for democracy to flourish, the more they will
have to suffer. Moreover, everybody knows that the economy is
deteriorating day by day. Commodity prices are rising while the economy is
slowing down. Everyone is aware of that. If it goes on at this rate the
people will suffer greatly. That is why we said we need change quickly.
Economics and politics are inseparable. A bad political system contributes
to a bad economic system.

Businessmen should be able to perform their business activities safely and
securely using their rights within the framework of the law. Only when we
reach that stage will the country's economy develop. We want democracy as
soon as possible. Some say we need some time. But what time are they
talking about. I think 15 years is more than enough. Another thing is, we
are striving to achieve democracy for the majority and in doing so, the
most important thing for us is to receive the support of the people.

We have no doubt about achieving democracy. We will definitely get it
because the people's desire lies there. The world's history flows towards
democracy and the United Nations and the majority of the world's nations
support and encourage Burma's struggle for democracy. We will get
democracy. Once we get democracy, I would like to urge Monywa townspeople
to help sustain democracy. I am saying this because, as I mentioned
earlier, the people of Monywa are convinced and strong, so you need to use
your strength in the right way. If you use manpower in a disciplined and
right way our country will develop very quickly. The democratic system
will develop rapidly. But if you misuse great strength then you will be in
trouble. That is why I would like to remind the people that you need to
know your responsibility once democracy is achieved. Democracy is not only
your rights but there is also responsibility. You must be always striving
to keep democracy system alive.

One of the weaknesses of our citizens is maintenance. Once a project is
started they forgot about maintenance. As an example, you build a new road
but since there is no maintenance, the road became unusable with full of
potholes. I do not know whether it is sheer neglect because it is a public
road. Not only that, I mentioned repeatedly, you must value and respect
public property more than private property. Then only our democracy will
be a flourishing and developing democracy.

It is the same with our own land and home. As with the majority of the
Burmese, when they first build a house it was lovely and clean but as time
goes by they do not want to do any maintenance. They do not want to spend
any money to maintain the property. They do not even want to repair one or
two things. They want the defect to continue. After a few years the house
gradually started to ruin. If the house is properly maintained, it will
last for hundreds of years. If you look at the European countries, they
have various nationalities but they are very good at maintenance. Even
buildings built thousands and hundreds of years are well maintained. They
are very good at maintenance and preservation according to their customs
and traditions.

When we achieve democracy, do not think that is the end. We must maintain
democracy and to do that we must invest something. We must invest our
spirit and our labour. The democracy spirit means we must not abuse our
democratic rights, we must use our freedom wisely, and we must protect
democracy from its enemies.

Another thing is labour. That means we must utilize every opportunity for
the benefit and development of the country. Everyone must utilize their
democracy spirit and labour to maintain democracy. Only when we are firm
will be able to say that our democracy is strong and firm for future
generations. I hope that the strong-willed people of Monywa achieve
democracy soon and that they become citizens in the forefront of
maintaining democracy in Burma. Thank you very much.
______________

White House June 2 2003

Statement by the Press Secretary
Presidential Designation of Foreign Narcotics Kingpins
The President notified the Congress of the fourth set of determinations of
drug traffickers who will be subject to the sanctions provided in the
Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act ("Kingpin Act"). This is the
first year the President has identified foreign entities as kingpins.
This action underscores the President's determination to pursue
narco-terrorists. This action also underscores the President's
determination to do everything possible to fight drug traffickers,
undermine their operations, and end the suffering that trade in illicit
drugs inflicts on Americans and other people around the world.
The Kingpin Act, which became law in December 1999, targets, on a
worldwide basis, significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their
organizations, and operatives. Its fundamental objective is to deny these
foreign individuals and entities access to the U.S. financial system and
all trade and transactions involving U.S. companies and individuals. The
Kingpin Act does not target the countries in which these foreign
individuals and entities are operating or the governments of such
countries.
The additional foreign individuals and entities that the President has
determined are appropriate for sanctions pursuant to the Kingpin Act are:
Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno (Mexico)
Jose Albino Quintero Meraz (Mexico)
Hector Luis Palma Salazar (Mexico)
Leonardo Dias Mendonca (Brazil)
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Colombia) (Fuerzas Armadas
Revolucionarias de Colombia, "FARC")
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Colombia) (Autodefensas Unidas de
Colombia, "AUC")
United Wa State Army (Burma)
The initial list of foreign drug kingpins was released in June 2000, and
the names just released are additions to that list.
___________

Statement by Madeleine K. Albright
Chairman, National Democratic Institute
on the Detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

June 4, 2003

As chairman of the National Democratic Institute, I condemn the brutality
of Burma's military regime in its attacks on democracy activists.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be freed immediately.  The international
community should impose additional sanctions to isolate the military
regime politically, economically and diplomatically.

Burma's corrupt junta has isolated and impoverished the country, spreading
disease, crime, and instability throughout the region.  It has become
clear that attempts to encourage the military junta to loosen its
stranglehold have failed.  This regime has no intention of changing on its
own.

Burma's people deserve the democracy they voted for 13 years ago.  I call
on the international community to support them and highlight the crimes of
this heinous regime.
_____________________

Al-Jazeerah June 5 2003

 Myanmar Crackdown
5 June 2003

Arab News
Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the Myanmar opposition National
League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi is injured and back in
detention after the military last week mounted a crackdown on her
supporters. All the top NLD leaders have been arrested and party sources
claim 60 people were killed when a pro-government mob attacked an
opposition party meeting.
The military government by contrast claims that only four people died in
the riot but has gone on to claim that as a result of the violence, Suu
Kyi has been taken into protective custody. Why is the military regime
unable to protect its citizens with the normal forces of law and order? If
Suu Kyi had felt endangered, she would have asked for protection. In
truth, this disturbing turn of events is just another example of the lies
and humbug coming from an increasingly ruthless military junta casting
around for ways to hang onto its power.
If the spiriting away of the opposition leader to a military barracks
really were simply for her own protection, why then is it that the Rangoon
junta has been unable to assure UN envoy Razali Ismail that he will be
able to meet her, when he returns to Myanmar on Friday, in an effort to
restart the negotiations between the junta and the opposition? Do
Myanmar‘s generals fear that he too will be a threat to their prisoner’s
safety?
We should not meanwhile be fooled by talk of a split within the military.
The story picked up by Myanmar-watchers is that the hard-line junta leader
Gen. Than Shwe is opposed by younger officers led by intelligence chief
Gen. Khin Nyunt, who believe that continued negotiation with the
opposition is essential. This is simply more obfuscation. In truth, there
is little to talk about. The military have to give up the power they
seized in 1989.
Their crimes include financing their own dissolute lifestyle with the
proceeds of narcotics and the plunder of Burma’s natural resources, not
least its precious rain forest lumber. When Than Shwe and the supposed
hard-liners fall, so too will Khin Nyunt and the so-called doves. At the
very best the intelligence chief may have been trying to parley himself
softer treatment when the military loses power. It is, however, far more
likely that his rumored disaffection with the hard-liners is trumped up to
give the impression that the international community still has a chance if
it continues talking to the junta.
In reality, this is a regime funded by drugs and plunder. We must now fear
for the life of Suu Kyi. The international community must therefore make
it abundantly clear that her death would be murder, for which all Burma’s
military rulers will be held responsible, without exception.
_____________

Financial Times June 5 2003

Stable Burma is in China's interests
By JOHN JACKSON

From Mr John Jackson.

Sir, Your editorial "Burmese challenge" (June 3) correctly states that
there is little chance of China openly condemning the regime in Burma.
However, China, more than any other nation, holds the key to democracy in
Burma. As a leading investor and bankroller of the regime, it plays a
vital role in keeping it in power.

But this regime is no longer serving China's best interests. Its economy
is bankrupt, unable to consume Chinese exports, and drugs produced in
Burma are spilling over the border into China, creating thousands of
addicts. The international community must help China to realise that a
stable, democratic Burma is in its own strategic interests, and that it
should end its financial and military support for the dictatorship.

If China chooses to do this through quiet diplomacy rather than open
condemnation, it will be no less effective.

John Jackson, Director, Burma Campaign UK, London N19 5JT
____________

Jack Straw: PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2003

BURMA: STRAW’S GRAVE CONCERN

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today called for the immediate
release of Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and other senior members of her party
who are being detained by the Burmese regime. He urged the Burmese
authorities to allow UN Special Envoy Razali access to ASSK when he visits
Burma from tomorrow.

Jack Straw said:

“I remain deeply worried by events in Burma. Bill Rammell spoke to the
Burmese Ambassador again this morning to express the UK’s grave concern at
the disturbing and credible reports we have received that the attack on
ASSK and her colleagues at Sagaing was much worse than we were led to
believe, in particular that the number of deaths is much higher. It is
essential that a full and thorough investigation takes place and that
those responsible are held to account.

"We call on the Burmese authorities to release ASSK and other members of
the National League for Democracy (NLD) immediately and to enter into a
substantive and meaningful political dialogue with them.

"UN Special Envoy Razali travels to Burma tomorrow. We attach the highest
importance to him being able to meet with ASSK.  A refusal by the regime
to allow Razali such access will constitute a deliberate rebuff to the
international community, and the Burmese authorities must recognise that
there will be consequences.”

Press Officer: Martin Longden: 020 7008 3101

Notes for Editors

On 30 May, violence against the supporters of ASSK's NLD in northern Burma
led to the deaths of at least 4 people and injuries to over 50 others.
ASSK and other senior members of the NLD were taken into “protective
custody” by the military regime. Diplomats in Rangoon have been denied
access to her. NLD offices and universities have been closed throughout
the country.

UN Special Envoy Razali begins a 4-day visit to Burma on 6 June. He will
demand to see ASSK to confirm her welfare.

Bill Rammell summoned the Burmese Ambassador on 2 June to express HMG’s
deep concern at the detention of ASSK. Mike O’Brien issued a statement on
1 June calling for her immediate release.
_____________

Rapporteurs Sans Frontieres and Burma Media Association

5 June 2003

International Secretariat
Asia- Pacific Desk


BURMA
News blackout: flagrant violation of the right of the Burmese people to be
freely informed
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Burma
Media Association (BMA) today call for the end of media blackout imposed
by the military government after its recent brutal crackdown on National
League for Democracy (NLD).

The military government announced on Saturday that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
and several other leaders of the NLD were taken into ³protective custody²
after clashes that left four persons killed and 50 injured allegedly broke
out on 30 May 2003 between NLD supporters and pro-government protesters in
upper Burma. However, there is no independent news media that exists in
Burma to confirm government¹s claim.

According to unverified opposition reports, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her
entourage were attacked by a group of 500 soldiers, police, and prisoners
from Mandalay Prison, who reportedly beat them and shot at them with
catapults. Soldiers also reportedly opened fire on the group, killing some
members of the NLD. Opposition sources stated that 70 people were killed
and up to 200 injured including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to Amnesty International, more than 100 NLD members are feared
for safety or possible "disappearance". The government also shut down most
of the NLD offices all over the country in an attempt to prevent details
of the incident from leaking out.

³The government is responsible to clarify the conflicting reports by
allowing news media to freely investigate the event. Recent blackout
imposed by the military junta is flagrant violation of the right of the
Burmese people to be freely informed,² RSF and BMA said today.

³The authorities must set up an independent investigation into alleged
crime that took place on 30 May 2003 and bring suspected criminals to
justice. The government is obliged to make public the fate of the NLD
members who are reportedly missing and their whereabouts,² the two
organizations said.

RSF and BMA stressed that the international community should impose
tougher actions towards the Burmese military government until it takes
immediate steps to uphold the right to freedom of expression.