BurmaNet News Nov 22-24, 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

Nov 22-24, 2003 Issue # 2375

INSIDE BURMA
AFP: Myanmar junta releases five top pro-democracy leaders from house
arrest AFP: Myanmar opposition leaders vow to pursue democracy cause
after release AFP: Myanmar junta says in regular contact with Aung San
Suu Kyi
BBC Monitor: Burmese opposition doubts government claim on contacts with
Suu Kyi Xinhua: Myanmar in serious shortage of fertilizer
DVB: Burmese opposition party youths meet detained leader U Lwin
Kaladan: Mosques Under Guards During Prayer Times
Narinjara: Arson against the Islamic School in Maung Daw

ON THE BORDER
AP: Myanmar official meets Karen rebels in Thailand

DRUGS
BBC Monitor: Burmese government refutes Thai newspaper's report of drug
smuggling

MONEY
Xinhua: Japan to help develop Myanmar's SMEs
NMG: Chinese Motorcycle factory to be built in Mandalay

OPNION / OTHER
Nation: Eye Of The Tiger Trade
Mizzima: Where Sanctions Lead Remains Unclear




INSIDE BURMA
____________________________________________
Nov 24, AFP
Myanmar junta releases five top pro-democracy leaders from house arrest

Myanmar's junta said Monday it had freed five top opposition members
from nearly six months of house arrest, but four others, including
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, remained in
detention. Four NLD members -- Hla Pe, Nyunt Wai, Than Tun and Soe Myint
-- were released Sunday while the fifth, Lun Tin, was freed on Monday, a
government official told AFP.

Aung San Suu Kyi and all eight members of her party's decision-making
Central Executive Committee (CEC) were detained after May 30 clashes
between NLD supporters and a pro-junta gang in northern Myanmar.

The 58-year-old Nobel peace laureate is confined to her Yangon home as
are NLD chairman Aung Shwe and secretary U Lwin, while the party's vice
president, Tin Oo, is in Kalay prison near the Indian border.

The five were released as a six-month deadline approaches under which
the junta is required by law to either renew the restrictions for
another six months or set them free.

The United Nations' rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, this
month demanded the junta free some 1,300 political prisoners,
particularly the elderly and infirm.

Apart from Aung San Suu Kyi, all the NLD's top officials are aged in
their 70s and 80s.

"These old gentlemen, their place is not in prison," Pinheiro said after
his sixth mission to the military-run state.

Aung San Suu Kyi was initially held in secret detention until being
hospitalised for major gynaecological surgery and then shifted to her
famous lakeside villa, where she has spent two other long spells under
house arrest. After visiting the democracy icon this month, Pinheiro
said she would refuse freedom from house arrest until the ruling
generals released dozens of her jailed colleagues.

"Aung San Suu Kyi let me know that she would refuse any privileges until
all the prisoners detained on May 30 have access to freedom," he said in
Yangon. Pinheiro also said some 153 opposition figures had been put
under detention in the wake of the unrest and 27 of them remained in
jail.

After the May 30 violence, which erupted as Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo
made a political tour of northern Myanmar, the military regime also
closed down the NLD's branches nationwide.

The crackdown unleashed an outcry from the international community, led
by the United States and the European Union which tightened economic
sanctions against the regime.

However the ruling State Peace and Development Committee (SPDC) has
stubbornly resisted calls from Western and Asian governments alike to
release Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues.

Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win reportedly told the
British Broadcasting Corporation recently that the regime was in regular
contact with the NLD leader and the contacts were positive.

He said the dialogue process was at a delicate stage and the
restrictions against the opposition leader were not permanent and would
end at an appropriate time.

Aung San Suu Kyi began landmark talks with the military regime in
October 2000 at the urging of the UN envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail.

However the dialogue, intended to pave the way for a fully fledged
national reconciliation process, failed to make significant headway and
collapsed completely with her arrest.

Although her detention was viewed as disastrous for hopes of political
reform in Myanmar, some observers said it was possible the two sides
could use the opportunity of Aung San Suu Kyi's seclusion to begin fresh
contacts.

The NLD won 1990 elections in a landslide but the military, which has
ruled for some four decades, has never allowed it to take power.
_____________________________
Nov 24, AFP
Myanmar opposition leaders vow to pursue democracy cause after release

Five Myanmar opposition members said Monday they would pursue their
pro-democracy cause after being freed from nearly six months under house
arrest, even as their leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention.

"We are very relieved to be out," said 81-year-old Soe Myint who was
released Sunday along with other top National League for Democracy (NLD)
members Hla Pe, 77, Nyunt Wai, Than Tun, 71, and Soe Myint, 81.

A fifth member of the opposition party, 82-year-old Lun Tin, was set
free by the military government on Monday. "No reason was given for our
release and no reason was given for us being detained. But because of
the profession we are in we are used to this," Soe Myint told AFP at a
meeting at Than Tun's home.

"As far as we are concerned we will just continue from where we left
off," he said of the party which was virtually shut down after May 30
unrest which triggered a crackdown on the NLD and the closure of all its
offices nationwide.

Aung San Suu Kyi and all eight members of her party's Central Executive
Committee (CEC) were detained after the clashes between NLD supporters
and a pro-junta gang in northern Myanmar which are feared to have left
dozens dead. The Nobel peace laureate is still confined to her Yangon
home as are NLD chairman Aung Shwe and secretary U Lwin, while the
party's vice president Tin Oo is in Kalay prison near the Indian border.

The released members said they were still deliberating how to respond to
a "roadmap" to democracy announced by the government during their
detention which includes a plan for free elections under a new
constitution. And amid reports that the government has established new
contacts with Aung San Suu Kyi, they said they were not aware of any
dialgoue.

"We have always demanded talks and discussions on a basis of equality
and as free persons," said Nyunt Wai.

"We are here to implement the people's program and not a dictated
program," he said, reminding that the party won 1990 elections in a
landslide but has never been allowed to rule.

Nyunt Wai said the five had asked for permission to see Aung San Suu Kyi
but that the government had denied the request, and they did not have
any idea when she might be freed.

The five were released as a six-month deadline approaches under which
the junta is required by law to either renew the restrictions for
another six months or set them free.

The United Nations' rights envoy to Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro,
earlier this month demanded the junta release some 1,300 political
prisoners, particularly the elderly and infirm.

"These old gentlemen, their place is not in prison," Pinheiro said after
his sixth mission to the military-run state.

Aung San Suu Kyi was initially held in secret detention until being
hospitalised for gynaecological surgery. She was then shifted to her
lakeside villa, where she has spent two other spells under house arrest.

After visiting the democracy icon this month, Pinheiro said she would
refuse freedom from house arrest until the ruling generals released
dozens of her jailed colleagues.

Pinheiro said some 153 opposition figures had been put under detention
in the wake of the unrest and 27 of them remained in jail. Myanmar
experts said the release of the five did not necessarily indicate Aung
San Suu would shortly be set free.

"I wouldn't read too much into it at this point," said one Yangon-based
diplomat. "Suu Kyi is in a different category to everyone else and there
will be a different decision-making progress for that."

The crackdown after May 30 unleashed an outcry from the international
community, led by the United States and the European Union which
tightened economic sanctions against the regime.

However the ruling State Peace and Development Committee (SPDC) has
stubbornly resisted calls from Western and Asian governments alike to
release Aung San Suu Kyi.
_____________________________
Nov 22, AFP
Myanmar junta says in regular contact with Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar's military government has reportedly claimed it is in regular
contact with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and that the
contacts are positive.

Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested in May after her political convoy clashed
with a pro-junta gang in northern Myanmar, and is now under house
arrest.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Deputy
Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win said the restrictions against the
opposition leader were not permanent and would end at an appropriate
time.

The minister "said the government is having regular contacts with...
Aung San Suu Kyi," the BBC said in a report on its website. "Khin Maung
Win described the contacts as being positive," it said.

The report cited the minister as saying the dialogue process was at a
delicate stage.

Aung San Suu Kyi began landmark contacts with the military regime in
October 2000 at the urging of UN envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail.

However, the dialogue which was intended to pave the way for a fully
fledged national reconciliation process, failed to make significant
headway and collapsed completely with Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest.
Although her detention was viewed as disastrous for hopes of political
reform in Myanmar, some observers said it was possible the two sides
could use the opportunity of Aung San Suu Kyi's seclusion to begin fresh
contacts.

The significance of any talks between the two sides on Myanmar's
political divisions depends on what level they are taking place.

The junta has a liaison officer who is believed to visit Aung San Suu
Kyi regularly, but any progress towards ending Myanmar's political
deadlock is likely to require more formal, higher-level contacts.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won 1990
elections in a landslide but the military has never allowed it to take
power.
_____________________________
Nov 22, BBC Monitor
Burmese opposition doubts government claim on contacts with Suu Kyi

t a time when various news has emerged about the National Convention, a
report has emerged saying that the military government is having regular
contacts with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under
house arrest. This was disclosed to BBC correspondent Larry Jagan by
SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) Deputy Foreign Minister U
Khin Maung Win, who described the contacts as positive. When asked about
the political dialogue, he said the process was at a delicate juncture.
In order to verify SPDC Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win's
clarification, DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) contacted responsible NLD
(National League for Democracy) members from Rangoon. U Nyan Win, NLD
legal affairs support group member, gave the following reply:

(U Nyan Win - recording) As far as we know, we are not aware that they
have met her over political matters, other than her personal affairs. We
know that she had no political dialogue whatsoever with anyone. We
understand that there weren't any talks. It is possible for low-ranking
officials to assist her personal needs but it is not possible to hold
regular talks on political matters. (End of recording)

That was a response by U Nyan Win, an NLD leader. DVB also contacted the
prime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma, Dr Sein Win, to obtain the views of the exiled opposition:

(Dr Sein Win - recording) We need to view the matter clearly. First and
foremost, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must have complete freedom. For example,
diplomats should have the right to see her at any time. Furthermore, her
NLD colleagues and NLD members should also have access to her. In fact,
we have already urged the military junta to release Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi. They also need to release quickly the remaining political
prisoners, nearly 30 of them  (who were detained in the 30 May Tabayin
incident), as mentioned by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. If they do not release
the political prisoners and continue to beat around the bush, then it is
meaningless. I think it is a ploy to deceive the international
community.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 21 Nov 03
_____________________________
Nov 24, Xinhua
Myanmar in serious shortage of fertilizer

Myanmar is in serious shortage of fertilizer with annual production of
bio-organic and chemical ones totaling less than 100,000 tons against
the demand of about 1.5 million tons, the local Myanmar Times reported
Monday. The production can only meet 6.6 percent of the total demand and
the bio-organic fertilizer accounts for only less than one percent.

To increase the output of fertilizer and promote agricultural
development, Myanmar is injecting 1.3 billion to 1.5 billion kyats (1.3
million to 1.5 million US dollars) to build a 26-acre (10.5-hectare)
bio-organic fertilizer plant in Yangon, which can produce up to 4,500
tons of the fertilizer a month, the report said.

Using botanical plants as raw material, the plant will apply technology
based on a process developed by an Australian company, the Australian
Native Landscape, which has more than 30 years of experience in
bio-organic fertilizer production.

According to the report, the production of the plant will be in three
phases. In the first phase, from January 2004 to mid-2005, it will
produce 1,200 to 1,500 tons of the fertilizer monthly, while in the
second phase, which lasts until the end of 2006, it will yield 2,400 to
3,000 tons a month and in the third phase, which starts in early 2007,
the monthly production will be raised to 4,000 to 4,500 tons.

The existing organic fertilizer plants in Myanmar use garbage dumps as
raw material.

To promote the development of agriculture, Myanmar has exempted import
duty of items including fertilizer, agricultural machinery, pesticide
and improved variety. The country has to import a large amount of
fertilizer annually.
_____________________________
Nov 24, BBC Monitor
Burmese opposition party youths meet detained leader U Lwin

SOURCE: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 22 Nov 03

Excerpt from report by Burmese opposition radio on 22 November
The NLD National League for Democracy spokesperson, U Lwin, who has been
under house arrest for nearly six months, said there is a need for an
inquiry into the Tabayin incident which led to arrest of opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi before discussing the SPDC State Peace and
Development Council -sponsored road map. He said that when NLD members
met him yesterday at his residence near the Kanyeiktha Rama monastery in
Bahan Township. Since news that people are able to meet with NLD
spokesperson U Lwin, who has been under house arrest after the infamous
30 May Tabayin incident, six NLD youth members including Ma Phyu Phyu
Thinn, an NLD youth member from South Okkalapa Township, met with U Lwin
at his residence yesterday. Although a car belonging to the security
force is always parked in front of U Lwin's residence, no security
checks were made of the NLD youth members. It has been learned that
while Ma Phyu Phyu Thinn and party were in the house, military
intelligence personnel questioned one of U Lwin's family members. South
Okkalapa Township NLD youth member Ma Phyu Phyu Thinn related to DVB
Democratic Voice of Burma about the discussions on prevailing political
situation during the meeting with U Lwin.

Phyu Phyu Thinn passage omitted We were told that we can meet with U
Lwin so we went and saw him. There were six of us. DVB correspondent
Could you relate to us what he said?

Phyu Phyu Thinn He told us many things. He explained to us about his
political experiences and other matters. He said before proceeding with
the road map, the Tabayin incident should be resolved first only then
everything would be smooth. He only said that.

DVB correspondent Yes. Did he mention anything about being able to meet
with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?

Phyu Phyu Thinn No, he did not say anything and no one is allowed to
meet her.

DVB correspondent Was he able to meet with other CEC Central Executive
Committee members?

Phyu Phyu Thinn No, not yet.

DVB correspondent As all the NLD CEC members are under house arrest, do
you plan to meet with other CEC members like U Soe Myint and U Aung
Shwe? Phyu Phyu Thinn Well, we were able to meet with U Lwin over a
bereavement matter. If we are able to meet with others we will make an
attempt.
_____________________________

Nov 24, Kaladan
Mosques Under Guards During Prayer Times

Maungdaw: Mosques at Maungdaw Town are under police guards during prayer
times, in the month of Ramadan, since November 9, 2003, according to our
correspondent.

On 9th November at around 8:00 pm, while the Muslims were praying inside
the mosque of No. 5 quarter of Maungdaw town, a group of Rakhine youths
backed by policemen had suddenly torched the mosque and the basic
religious school attached to it. Both the mosque and school were made of
bamboo and thatched with dhani (sea palm leaves). The school was partly
burnt down while the mosque could be saved from the fire, he further
added.

During the same week, two other thatch-roofed mosques at the outskirts
of Maungdaw Town were set on fire by the unruly Rakhaing youths, but the
devotees and mosque goers could put off it, a trader said referring not
to mention his name.

The town dwellers believe that the arson is an attempt to engineer
communal riot between Rohingya and Rakhaing communities in Arakan as
part of the SPDC’s design recently practiced in Burma Proper resulting
in the destruction of some mosques and lives of Muslims. However, with
the joint efforts of the Rohingya and Rakhaing leaders of Maungdaw the
tense situation could be controlled from spreading, he further added.

When the matter was brought to the Township Peace and Development
Council (TPDC) Chairman Captain Hla Po, he assured the Muslims that the
arsonists would be found out and punished. But, until now there is no
report of arrest, said another trader to our source.

Again, the Maungdaw District PDC Chairman Lt.Col. Soe Htwee and the
Military Intelligence Officer Major Thant Zin accompanied by Maungdaw
Township PDC Chairman Captain Hla Po and police officials summoned some
Rohingya elite and asked them to refrain from any instigation and to
live peacefully. Meanwhile, they assured them of serious action against
the culprits. But people are suspicious about the honesty of the
authorities, he further added.

“Burma has traditionally been a religious riot based country, which has
so many records of such intimidating outburst of religious violence. The
plan to ablaze the mosques was a blatant violation of citizens’ right to
have freedom in religious matters. It is also very likely to spoil the
country’s image and send worry signals to the outside world,” said a
veteran politician in Maungdaw town.
_____________________________
Nov 23, Narinjara
Arson against the Islamic School in Maung Daw

Maung Daw: An Islamic religious school has been burnt down in Maung Daw
on the 8th of November, reports Narinjara correspondent in Maung Daw.

An unidentified group torched the dhani thatched school building made
out bamboo.  The building was located near the Myo Ma Cinema, in
downtown Maung Daw.

Maung Daw residents believe that the arson is an attempt to spark
communal violence, and hence the two community leaders (Buddhist and
Muslim) are trying to prevent tensions from escalating.

The authorities are claiming to work hard to find the arsonists, but
there has not been any report of progress.  The people are starting to
become doubtful about the sincerity of the authority.

Due to the fire, about fifty Muslim students are unable to attend
school.

ON THE BORDER
____________________________________________
Nov 24, Irrawaddy
KNU Meets Junta

A representative of the Burmese government traveled to the Thai-Burma
border this weekend to meet leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU),
say leaders of the main insurgent Karen group.

KNU Sec-Gen Padoh Mahn Sha said a number of the organization’s leaders
met Col San Pwint, a spokesman for Burma’s Ministry of Defense, in Mae
Sot, Thailand yesterday. The Burmese government official outlined plans
for the upcoming National Convention and the road map to democracy
proposed by Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt in late August. Holding the
National Convention is the road map’s first step.

Mahn Sha said the KNU was not invited to attend the convention during
yesterday’s meeting. But he added that recent developments such as the
road map and the visit by Burmese officials mark a change in the
situation between the KNU and the military government.

Current KNU policy encourages tripartite dialogue between ethnic groups,
the opposition and the ruling junta.

Gen Bo Mya, the KNU’s Deputy Chairman, told The Irrawaddy in an
interview last month that the KNU would definitely not join the National
Convention because opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has not yet been
included. "The KNU will take part in the National Convention when the
process fully and sincerely guarantees the democratic rights of the
people of Burma," he said. Yesterday, the Burmese official paid Gen Bo
Mya, 76, a personal visit at a Mae Sot hospital where the Karen leader
was receiving treatment. Bo Mya was discharged from the hospital today.
Col Soe Soe, a KNU liaison officer, also met Col San Pwint over the
weekend.

Bo Mya said he and Col San Pwint discussed the junta’s road map and the
possibility of more meetings between the KNU and the junta. Bo Mya said
he wants all future meetings to take place either in Bangkok or in
territory under KNU control inside Burma.

"We will demand the military government grant us Karen State as an
Independent state," he told The Irrawaddy this morning.

Representatives from nearly all seventeen ceasefire groups, including
the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Organization, are
currently in Rangoon to meet with Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt about
the National Convention, which will reportedly be held in early 2004.

A source in Mae Sot, who is close to the KNU, said the Burmese military
government is welcoming groups who have not forged ceasefire agreements
to attend the National Convention without first promising to stop
hostilities.  The junta and KNU have met regarding a ceasefire four
times since 1995. All the meetings took place in Moulmien, Mon State.
None resulted in any agreement. The KNU has been fighting successive
Burmese governments for nearly 55 years.

DRUGS
____________________________________________

Nov 24, BBC Monitor
Burmese government refutes Thai newspaper's report of drug smuggling

Text of Information Sheet No. C-2847(I), entitled: "Facts please!",
carried by the Myanmar Information Committee web site on 23 November

Referring to the story printed in the Bangkok Post of 23rd November 2003
entitled "Trawlers moving pills south" the writer alleged Kawthaung, a
town on the Myanmar (Burma) side, opposite Ranong, as a new
methamphetamine production base using trawlers bound to Thailand in
order to illegally ship drugs. The author also accused the authorities
in Kawthaung of turning a blind eye and showing little interest in
cooperating with Thai authorities. The Myanmar authorities concerned
have already made inquiries into similar rumours before with the Thai
Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) for further information and
clarification on methamphetamine being produce in Kawthaung and smuggled
to Ranong in trawlers.

The Myanmar anti-narcotics authorities were informed by the Thai ONCB
that they have no such information regarding methamphetamine being
produce(d) in Kawthaung and being smuggled into Thailand by trawlers.
The Myanmar Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) has been
closely cooperating not only with the Thai ONCB but also with other
regional and international agencies, in connection with the matters
relating to drugs. It is regretful that some journalists stray away from
reality to create sensational stories. Source: Myanmar Information
Committee web site, Rangoon, in English 23 Nov 03

MONEY
____________________________________________

Nov 24, Xinhua
Japan to help develop Myanmar's SMEs

Japan will help Myanmar develop its small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) under a memorandum of understanding reached here recently between
private sectors of the two countries, the local Myanmar Times reported
Monday. According to the document signed between the Union of Myanmar
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Japan SMEs
Management Consultant Association, the two sides will exchange economic
information, organize trade missions and transfer technology, the
Myanmar federation was quoted as saying.

The Japanese side will provide technical assistance to Myanmar
industrialists and run workshops, seminars and training programs in
Myanmar, it added. The federation statistics show that there were over
42,000 industrial enterprises in Myanmar in the 2000-01 fiscal year, up
from 4,654 ten years ago and most of them are SMEs.

Most of SMEs in Myanmar are engaged in manufacturing sector which takes
up 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product and about 9
percent of its labor force. The manufactured goods account for only 12
percent of the country's total exports.

According to official statistics, Myanmar's industrial output reached
over 10 billion kyats (11 million US dollars at market price) in the
fiscal year 2002-03 which ended in March.
_______________________________

Nov 22, Network Media Group
Chinese Motorcycle factory to be built in Mandalay

A joint venture investment was agreed in October to produce Chinese
motorcycles in Mandalay by Donghuan Company from Yunnan Province, China
and Chanthar Trading Ltd. from Mu-Se, Northern Shan State of Burma,
mentioned in  'Mingalar' magazine published by Chinese cultural exchange
program from Yunnan Province.

According to October issue of 'Mingalar' magazine, two companies signed
agreement during October 2003 at international trade center at Kunming,
city of Yunnan Province in China. Chinese motorcycles are to be produced
up to 20,000 in number during the first year though there was no details
available when the factory is started to build nor when the motorcycles
will be ready to produce.

China-made motorcycles, imported illegally,were widely used today in Burma
especially upper part of Burma, Northern Shan State and Kachin State due
to cheaper price. China had imported 15,000 motorcycles into Burma in June
but the number had increased up to 35,000 during the first two weeks of
July this year, according to the data from official Chinese border custom
department.

Apart from official business, around one hundred China-made motorcycles are
smuggling into Burma through Ruili, Jiegao and Yinjian on border area in
Yunnan. "A few hundreds, less than 500 bikes, are going into Burma
everyday. Some smugglers use roadways through Ba-Mao and Mu-Se, and some
come through Jiegao by using boats," a local businessman in Jiegao said.
Myanmar Suzuki Motor Company Ltd., which had invested in Burma to
produce cars and motorcycles is now facing financial problem as Burmese
government allows the company to produce only limited amount of
vehicles.

Due to Burmese government regulations, Suzuki Company is allowed to
produce only 400 motor cycles per year. One official from this company
previously told Myamma Dana magazine (October 2002 issue)that if their
company is allowed to assemble and produce 2,000 motorcycles and 1,000
cars in a year, the company will not suffer from financial problem in
Burma.  Suzuki motorcycles, illegally smuggled into Burma from Thailand,
are relatively expensive in Burmese markets with price tag of 2  to 3
million Kyats. Meanwhile, China made motorcycles are available around 2 to
3 hundred thousand Kyats at border areas and five hundred thousand Kyats
in Burma and apparently more popular in Burmese markets. (Exchange rate is
approximately 1,000 kyats/ US 1$)

OPNION / OTHER
____________________________________________
Nov 24, Nation
Eye Of The Tiger Trade

Following a decrease in its own wildlife, Thailand has become a key
transportation hub for animal smugglers operating throughout Asia For
environmentalists fighting the wildlife trade, the live endangered
species and the body parts of protected animals recently found in the
homes of suspected wildlife traders come as no big surprise. Thailand
has been an important centre of Asia’s illegal wildlife trade for years.
Petch Manopawitr of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) remarks
bitterly that he has heard many times of raids against wildlife
smuggler’s homes and marketplaces, but shortly after the raids, the
cruel business resumes.

"It would be better if the raids led to a crackdown on the regional
wildlife trafficking networks which use Thailand as a distribution
centre,” he says. Though the 1992 Wildlife Protection Act provides for
four years in jail and a Bt40, 000 fine for those involved in the wildlife
trade, no trader has served a prison sentence. The records of the
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation show that
about 270 suspected smugglers were arrested
last year. All of them remain free. None has ever admitted to a crime
against wild animals, and some are still engaged in the business. Once,
Thailand played an important role in the international trade as a major
provider of wildlife. But the country’s role has shifted to that of a
transit country because of the decreasing numbers of wild animals left in
their natural habitats in the Kingdom.

Steven Glaster, executive director of WildAid (Thailand), says foreign
smugglers who collaborate with Thai traders often transport the smuggled
animals to "wildlife banks” in the border regions between Thailand and
neighbouring countries. Later they distribute them to those countries
where people believe in the "invisible powers" of exotic animals. Besides
its good
location, accessible by air, land and sea, Thailand suffers from a
weakness in law enforcement that makes it a perfect place for trading
wildlife.

According to Glaster, who has closely monitored the wildlife trade in the
region for years, hundreds of thousands of live wild animals and body
parts are shipped in and out of Thailand every year. Some come from
neighbouring countries such as Burma, Malaysia and Cambodia while others
come from countries as far away as India and South Africa. The sources of
the wildlife trade depend on animal habitats. Assam, a state of northeast
India, is a major source for rhinoceros horn. Records by WildAid show that
rhino horns from Assam are first illegally exported to Nepal, then passed
to a "wildlife bank" in Thachilek, Burma, where Thai traders pick up the
horns and pass them on to collectors in Hong Kong. Besides rhino horn,
according to WildAid, India is also a source for the international trade
in products from tigers, elephants and leopards. As the country is rich in
wildlife species, Burma is a major source of several animals for which
demand is high, including leopards, snakes, turtles and exotic birds. In
general, wildlife products from India and Nepal are passed through Burma
and then into Thailand for their final destinations of Hong Kong and
China.

Orang-utans are smuggled from their natural habitats in Indonesia on the
islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are shipped by large fishing boats
to Thailand’s Satun or Samut Sakhon, then loaded into a van headed to
Bangkok for distribution to those who love exotic pets.

Indonesia also plays a crucial role in the regional wildlife trade as a
provider of pangolins, snakes and tiger parts. Most macaques available on
the black market come from Cambodia. The horns of many endangered species
including gaur and gerow are imported to Thailand from Cambodia, Laos
and Burma. Glaster believes that the routes of the wildlife smugglers
are the same ones used by drug traffickers. He also believes that the
businesses are run by the same people. "People involved in wildlife
smuggling are also involved in drug trafficking," he says. Glaster adds
that once he discovered ya ba (methamphetamines) inside the stomachs of
snakes seized at Thailand-Burma border checkpoints. The most important
wildlife smuggling routes are along the border between Thailand and
Burma in the areas of Thachilek-Mae Sai, Myawaddy-Mae Sot and the Three
Pagodas Pass. Though the secretariat office of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) has set up nine of its own checkpoints on the border, it cannot
not control wildlife trafficking.

Law enforcement is weak in Burma and only relatively better in Thailand.
Illegal trafficking in wild animals has become a lucrative business as
demand for exotic species continues to increase. The worldwide trade in
illegal animals is estimated at US$15 billion (Bt600 billion) a year.
Southeast Asia is at the forefront of the business. Last year’s Wildlife
Conservation Society report says over a million kilograms of snakes are
annually exported to Shanghai for use in food and folk medicine. Over
350,000 birds are sold in Jakarta annually; and more than 72,000 birds of
276 species are sold in
Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market. Records of the Department of National
Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation show that more than 61,000 wild
animals were rescued from smugglers last year. However, this was probably
no more than 10 per cent of the total number passing through the illegal
trade networks in Thailand. Glaster says normally there are three
destinations for smuggled wildlife: exotic restaurant's mostly in China,
Korea and Japan which serve the animals as luxury food for the burgeoning
middle class; the private zoos of fanciers of exotic pets; and the
traditional drug industry, whose practitioners believe certain animal
parts have medicinal powers.

There is also evidence that exotic animals parts imported into Thailand
are destined for local restaurants that are popular among foreign
tourists. Last year about 6,000 turtles were seized on the way from
Bangkok to Songkhla. Officials believe they were destined to be served to
Malaysian and Chinese diners in Hat Yai and other towns. A combination of
steps must be taken to
effectively crack down on the wildlife trade. These include reducing
demand, strengthening law enforcement, removing officials who have been
bribed by traders, and increasing collaboration among the international
community. According to Petch of the WCS, raids on the homes of wildlife
traders alone will not solve the problem.

"However, it is better than doing nothing," he says. "At least it builds
up a greater awareness about wildlife conservation among the public."
_______________________________
Nov 23, Mizzima
Where Sanctions Lead Remains Unclear - Roxanne Toh (IPS)

BANGKOK: Six months after the violent attack on Nobel laureate Aung San
Suu Kyi and her group, a range of different strategies on Burma,
including sanctions by foreign governments, continue -- but where these
are leading to remains uncertain.

The U.S. government has imposed probably among the toughest measures after
the May 30 attack on Suu Kyi's party. In July, it banned Burmese imports
to the United States, froze the U.S. assets of the military junta and
imposed a visa ban on junta member, relatives and associates.  This month,
under pressure from activists and the British government, British American
Tobacco withdrew its subsidiary, Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd in
Burma.  U.N. human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who visited Burma
this month,
again urged the release of some 1,300 political prisoners in the
country. Meantime, Suu Kyi still refuses to be freed from house arrest
if colleagues who were taken into custody with her in the May 30 attack,
blamed on pro-Rangoon thugs, are not freed.  But life - and business -
goes on as usual in Burma. Recent events also reflect how governments
like Thailand, believe that western sanctions on Burma do not work.  On
Nov. 12, the leaders of Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand met in Pagan,
Burma to ''increase competitiveness and generate greater growth in the
region''and generate investments. It also constitutes Thailand's
Economic Cooperation Strategy, and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra says it is based on the ''four nations, one economy''
concept.  Looking back, many find themselves asking what has changed in
the last six months in Burma, despite some tough actions against the
South-east Asian country.

The issue of ''hard'' and ''soft'' sanctions is among the issues most
debated in relation to pushing democracy in Burma, where Thailand has been
pushing for a 'road map' to political change.  ''People talk a lot about
sanctions - sanctions haven't worked, pressure doesn't workà But people
talk very vaguely, as if they were real, hard sanctions,'' said Harn
Yawnghwe, director of the Brussels-based European Office for the
Development of Democracy in
Burma.

''The only real sanction I would say in the world would be the (that of)
U.S.A.),'' he said at a seminar on European Union-Burmese links at
Chulalongkorn University here.  The EU itself has taken a firm position
against Burma. It adopted a common position in 1996 - a ''soft'' sanction
as Hawn Yawnghwe defined - while confirming existing sanctions like an
arms embargo and suspension of a defence alliance. The EU also placed a
visa ban on the military government and regime, security officers and all
of their family members. No governmental visits to Burma were allowed as
well. This was expanded in 1998, when the ban included transit visas and
Burma's tourism administration.

Yet Harn Yawnghwe himself said: ''In reality, these sanctions are nothing.
It's just saying that we are not happy with the situation.''  Even the
U.N. joint efforts with the U.S. government and the EU to pressure the
Burmese government to release Suu Kyi faces challenges from Thailand,
China, as well as other South-east Asian countries that offer them
constant military and economic support.  Such support has ''undermined
attempts to send a clear message to Burma's military rulers that it is 
timeà to make way for an elected civilian government,'' Brad Adams,
executive director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division said, even though
months earlier members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations
(ASEAN) had also called on Rangoon to free Suu Kyi.

The grants and loans that Thailand would provide under the Economic
Cooperation Strategy discussed in the Pagan summit is welcome news for
Burma, since sanctions have caused the accumulation of ''huge debts'' over
the years.

The English-language daily 'The Nation' reported that Rangoon had
''earlier expressed a preference for financial aid''.  Likewise, Harn
Yawnghwe asks if these investments would be entirely independent and free
of any relations with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Cooperation -
solely owned by the military.  Thaksin, whose government is hosting a
forum of the much-touted 'road map' this year to let western nations
''better understand'' Burma, said after the Pagan meeting: ``Burmese
officials sent a strong signal about national reconciliation. I heard it
with my own ears.''

One Thai rights activist, who asked not to be identified, said in an
interview: ''Just when you think things are starting to build up with
these actions - sanctions, pullouts - something like the Pagan meeting
happens.''
''Sometimes there seems to be so much happening, but is there really
movement (to democracy?'' he asked.  Choombhon Lertrathakarn, a senior
specialist in the Thai National Security Council's international
security department, says that Burma's neighbours remain ready to help
when democratic change does happen there.  ''If you have reform and you
move towards democracy, we will help with the economic development,''
stated Choombhon, adding that Thailand might even have some lessons for
Burma given its past rule under the military. However, he said there was
a need for a socially ''open society'' in Burma, where ''you have more
mobility within. . .''

Analysts say the picture in Burma remains full of questions, not least
around the 'road map' that Thailand is promoting as a seven-step regional
approach that would lead to elections.  One participant in the seminar
suggested the 'road map' include respecting the results of the 1990
elections, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won. But
Chomboon points out that insisting on this - a key demand of the Burmese
pro-democracy movement and activists because the junta did not respect its
results -- would be a ''roadblock'' instead of a road map.

Harn Yawnghwe adds that the future is also likely to being more pressure
from the EU as it expands in membership from 15 to 25 next year.  This is
because eight out of these ten countries, including the Czech Republic and
Poland, were once ''ex-communist or ex-totalitarian nations'', which have
experienced
transitions to democracy and are ''very strong on human rights and
democracy'', he said.