BurmaNet News, December 4-6, 2004

[Editor]

December 4-6, 2004, Issue # 2613

"I believe that the world should learn to listen to the Burmese people
instead of having them to listen to us. My message to them is: 'There are
many people in the world who don't forget you and your people and are
ready to listen and to help you, if you wish.' "
- Vaclav Havel, from a Bangkok Post interview, December 5, 2004


INSIDE BURMA
AFP: Myanmar leader warns of "neo-colonialist" threat
Xinhua: Myanmar leader assures ethnic peace groups of no policy change
DVB: Leaflets undermining Burmese leaders appear in Rangoon
Xinhua: China, Myanmar sign MoU on border defense

BUSINESS
Mizzima: India can enhance trade with Burma

REGIONAL
AFP: Thai PM to meet Myanmar leader in Yangon Thursday
AFP: Malaysia rejects US threat to boycott ASEAN
Philippine Daily Inquirer: Block Burma's leadership of ASEAN, urges Pimentel

OPINION / OTHER

INTERVIEW
Bangkok Post: Vaclav Havel: Ties of friendship

______________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

December 6, Agence France Presse
Myanmar leader warns of "neo-colonialist" threat

Yangon: Myanmar's top military leader warned the nation Monday against an
ongoing threat by "neo-colonialist" outsiders, as junta critics reiterated
calls for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a message commemorating the 84th anniversary of national day, Senior
General Than Shwe said foreign elements were seeking to dominate and
interfere in the affairs of the isolated military-ruled state through
media, culture and economics rather than the outright military
"hegemonism" of the past.

"Neo-colonialists are adopting new means, trying to encroach on, dominate
and manipulate others through social, economic and cultural spheres and
the media and information industry," Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling
State Peace and Development Council, said in the official New Light of
Myanmar and other state-run papers.

"Hence, we must have constant national awareness to ward off their
perpetration."

The general, who tops a military hierarchy that has run the country since
a coup in 1962, did not mention specific nations, but he has often blasted
Western countries, in particular the United States and Myanmar's former
colonial ruler Britain which have strict economic sanctions on the regime.

The warning comes four days after the White House demanded that the junta
"immediately and unconditionally" release Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel
Peace Prize winner and head of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The White House also condemned her house arrest which was prolonged by a
year last week.

Myanmar released more than 9,000 inmates from jail last month including
dozens of political prisoners but critics dismissed it as a ploy to earn
praise ahead of a summit of Southeast Asian nations.

Amnesty International this year said more than 1,350 political prisoners
remained detained in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Myanmar has never
admitted to holding political prisoners.

A group of veteran politicians and former freedom fighters meanwhile used
national day to reiterate their appeal for the release of prisoners of
conscience ahead of any national reconciliation talks.

"We appeal for and request the unconditional release of all political
prisoners, the freedom of NLD leaders Tin Oo and Aung San Suu Kyi, and the
re-opening of all NLD offices," the group said in a statement.

Aung San Suu Kyi and her deputy Tin Oo have been detained since a May 2003
clash between her supporters and a junta-backed mob.

______________________________________

December 6, Xinhua General News Service
Myanmar leader assures ethnic peace groups of no policy change

Yangon: Myanmar leader Thein Sein has assured leaders of five more main
ethnic peace groups in northern Shan state that the government would not
change its policy toward them and would continue to assist their regions'
development.

Thein Sein, first secretary of the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), in his inspection tours to the state in the last two days, called
on the peace groups to maintain peace and stability, rule of law and
drug-free zones in their regions, official newspaper The New Light of
Myanmar reported Monday.

Thein Sein also said the government would go on implementing the set
seven-point roadmap to democracy without fail.

The five peace groups which Thein Sein met are among the 17 former
anti-government armed groups that have successively returned to the legal
fold since 1989. The five included Kokang in special region-1, Wa in
special region-2, Shan in special region-3, Kachin in special region-5 and
Palaung in special region-7, according to the report.

The peace groups voiced support for the government's political drive,
pledging to cooperate with it in the successful holding of the ongoing
national convention to draw up the new constitution, which is the first
step of the roadmap, the report added.

Meanwhile, Thein Sein announced that the national convention, which has
adjourned since July 9, would be resumed in next February. The convention
came to a recess after a month-long discussions on detailed principles for
power sharing in the sectors of legislature, executive and judiciary.

The convention was first resumed on May 17 in accordance with the
government's roadmap announced in August 2003.

The convention was attended by a total of over 1,000 formally invited
delegates from eight categories of delegate groups mainly including
political parties, representatives-elect (in the 1990 general election),
state service personnel (including armymen) and invited individuals
(including turned-in former anti-government ethnic armed groups).

However, the convention was boycotted by the opposition National League
for Democracy (NLD), which blamed the government mainly for its continued
detention of its leader Aung San Suu Kyi since May 30 bloody incident last
year. Along with the NLD, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
(SNLD) was also absent from the convention.

The political roadmap was outlined as undergoing a national referendum on
draft of the constitution through the national convention, holding a
general election to produce parliament representatives and forming a new
democratic government.

____________________________________

December 4, Democratic Voice of Burma via BBC
Leaflets undermining Burmese leaders appear in Rangoon

Leaflets containing a four-page letter by National Intelligence have been
distributed at some places in Rangoon, it is learnt. The letter clarified
that the major players in (former Prime Minister) Gen Khin Nyunt and the
Military Intelligence's demise were SPDC (State Peace and Development
Council) Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe and Industry-1 Minister U Aung Thaung.
The letter also pointed out that (SPDC Vice Chairman) Vice Sr Gen Maung
Aye had no knowledge of the matter.

According to witnesses who have read the letter, it claimed that U Aung
Thaung is not carrying out the duties of Industry-1 Minister but rather
acting as a personal physiotherapist of Sr Gen Than Shwe. The letter said
U Aung Thaung while acting as a physiotherapist always reports ongoing
matters to SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe for his job security and
business opportunities.

He is said to carry out his responsibility above and beyond the call of
duty than other ministers in the Kyant Phut (vernacular acronym for
pro-government Union Solidarity and Development Association) to please the
senior general. Since he is famed for corruption, he is known in the SPDC
circle as Kon Aung Taung (which means ask until bankrupt in vernacular)
not Ko Aung Thaung.

Witnesses who read the letter told Democratic Voice of Burma that the
letter's intention was to clarify Vice Sr Gen Maung Aye's noninvolvement
in the SPDC's recent dilemma while at the same time pointing out that the
real corrupt people were SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe and U Aung Thaung
alias Kon Aung Taung.

It has been learned that another leaflet currently circulating in Rangoon
also exposed Sr Gen Than Shwe and Vice Sr Gen Maung Aye's assets and
business enterprises. When the authorities searched the HQ of Military
Intelligence Unit No 6, popularly known as Gen Khin Nyunt's right-hand
unit, they confiscated data and dossiers relating to Sr Gen Than Shwe's
and Vice Sr Gen Maung Aye's corruption, assets, social difficulties, and
family problems. Some Rangoon residents said it was possible the Military
Intelligence was able to copy the data and sneaked them out and
distributed them in such manner.

Although no one could pinpoint who is responsible for distributing the
leaflets, the accurate and convincing facts in the letter have ignited
immense interest among the people who have read the letter, said Rangoon
residents.

____________________________________

December 5, Xinhua General News Service
China, Myanmar sign MoU on border defense

Yangon: China and Myanmar on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) here on the establishment of border defense talks mechanism and
management of border affairs.

The MoU was signed by General Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of general staff
of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and General Thura Shwe Mann,
chief of general staff of Myanmar.

The MoU was inked shortly before a border defense delegation, led by Ge,
is due to end its five-day visit in Myanmar later Sunday.

The MoU will help strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the two
armed forces in the sector of border defense and jointly safeguard peace
and stability in the border areas, said the delegation.

It also will conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and
it holds important significance in furthering the two countries'
good-neighborly ties.

The MoU will enhance combating of transnational crimes such as smuggling
and drug trafficking in the border areas, according to the delegation.

General Ge and his delegation arrived here Wednesday.

Previously, China has set up similar border defense talks mechanisms with
neighboring Russia and Mongolia.

_____________________________________
BUSINESS

December 6, Mizzima News
India can enhance trade with Burma - Surajit Khaund

Guwahati: Despite efforts from various quarters, India has failed to
explore the full potential of business in Burma. Though trade through sea
routes has been encouraging, trade through land trade points between India
and Burma is still low compared to China, Thailand and Bangladesh. Even
Bangladesh has captured Burmese trade through land routes.

According to official statistics tabled at a recent Mandalay seminar,
trade between Burma and China during 2003-2004 reached US $331.79 million,
US $74.03 million with Thailand and US $26.71 with Bangladesh. However,
trade with India reached only US $8.35.

The poor trade figures are attributed to perennial insurgency problems
along the Indian-Burma border and poor road communication systems.

U Win Myint, president of the Union of Myanmar Federation Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, gave a long presentation at the seminar in which he
appealed to the Indian government to increase the volume of trade with
Burma.

"We have vast scope of trade with India, but we have not been able to reap
the benefits due to poor communication systems," he said during his
presentation in which he gave details on land trade routes. Both countries
also favoured lifting restrictions on trade. At present, only 22 items are
allowed to trade between India and Burma. Both the Confederation Indian
Industry (CII) and the Burmese trade body emphasise the removal of
restrictions to promote the free flow of trade.

Abhjit Barooah, a senior member of CII and who also participated in the
Mandalay seminar regretted the poor trade results with Burma. "Burma is
keen to open more trade points with India, but they have laid stress on
improving of the existing infrastructure," he said.

He further said that even Bangladesh has improved its volume of trade with
Burma whereas India has failed to explore the situation. "U Maung Soe,
chairman of the Mandalay Industrial Zone Development, also urged the
Indian teak companies to expand business with Burma to foster trade. With
the opening of the East, there is enough room; India can expand trade," he
added.

_____________________________________
REGIONAL

December 6, Agence France Presse
Thai PM to meet Myanmar leader in Yangon Thursday

Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will travel to
neighbouring Myanmar this week where he will hold talks with the isolated
state's military leader and address a Buddhist summit, officials said
Monday.

Thaksin would visit Yangon Thursday, a spokesman said, to pay a courtesy
call on Senior General Than Shwe, whose regime has come under whithering
international criticism recently after an October purge of his pragmatist
premier and an extension of detention of the nation's opposition leader.

Yangon's military junta has insisted that despite the moves, including
continued detention of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, it is intent
on pursuing its self-described "roadmap to democracy", whose first step is
a national convention aimed at helping draft a constitution.

"Thailand will show its support to Myanmar's effort to continue with the
process of its roadmap and national reconciliation," foreign ministry
spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow told AFP in describing Thaksin's meeting
with Than Shwe.

There was no "fixed agenda" for the talks, but Thaksin was intent to show
"support to Myanmar's effort to have constructive engagement with the
international community," Sihasak said.

Thaksin's visit comes after UN secretary-general Kofi Annan led demands
for the swift release of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose extension detention was
revealed during a summit of Southeast Asian nations in Laos last month
even as the leaders welcomed Myanmar's release of 9,000 prisoners.

The United States has warned it might boycott meetings of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when Myanmar takes over the
chairmanship of the grouping in 2006, unless the regime improves its
rights record.

The Thai premier's visit will also lend validity to a World Buddhist
Summit by making a keynote speech at the event despite broad international
pressure for Yangon to call it off.

Last month Japan's Nenbutsushu sect, which has held the summit every two
years in a Buddhist nation, withdrew its sponsorship over concerns about
the junta's hardline shake-up.

The summit was originally scheduled for December 9-13 but will now end two
days early. Nenbutsushu said most of the invited countries told them they
would not attend.

_____________________________________

December 6, Agence France Presse
Malaysia rejects US threat to boycott ASEAN

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia said Monday that Myanmar's democratic reforms will
only be credible if opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is released but
dismissed a threat by the United States to boycott ASEAN meetings over
Yangon's policies.

The United States last week warned it would boycott meetings of the
10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if Yangon failed
to improve its human rights record when it assumes the group's
chairmanship in 2006.

Washington, along with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Italy, have
called for Aung San Suu Kyi's swift release after news that the Nobel
laureate's house arrest had been extended for another year emerged last
week at the ASEAN summit in Laos.

Syed Hamid admitted that Myanmar was a "source of difficulty" for ASEAN
but said the US had no right to issue threats to ASEAN.

"We have problems but you can't just simply intimidate or threaten a whole
regional organisation that has served well its people and has created
peace and stability in Asia. You cannot just say: 'follow my law'," he
told reporters on the sidelines of a regional forum here.

Syed Hamid said new Myanmar premier Soe Win had reaffirmed his
government's commitment to democratic reforms at the Laos summit.

"They keep reiterating that they are moving on track with the
democratisation route, they are moving with the road map. So we have to
watch and see how things are. But I don't think we should be made subject
to any threats from anywhere."

Syed Hamid said, however, that a meaningful national reconciliation
process in Myanmar must include Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom.

"While we do not want to tell Myanmar what it should do, I think they
should relook at the roadmap so that it would have credibility and is
believed by the international community. It should include finally the
release of Aung San Suu Kyi."

Malaysia takes over the ASEAN chairmanship next year, before Myanmar's
turn in 2006. The chair is rotated alphabetically each year among members
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, who played a key role in
bringing Myanmar into ASEAN in 1997 despite international criticism over
its human rights record, expressed disappointment over Yangon's move to
extend Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.

"I regret that they have done so," said Mahathir, who had warned before
his retirement in October last year that Yangon might have to be expelled
if it continued to defy world pressure to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand also voiced concern at the Laos
summit over Myanmar's seemingly mixed signals about reform, but got no
firm answers from Yangon.

_____________________________________

December 6, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Block Burma's leadership of ASEAN, urges Pimentel - Christine O. Avendao

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday urged the
government to block Burma's (Myanmar) assumption of the chairmanship of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a regional grouping to
which the Philippines belongs, in 2006.

Pimentel made the call saying he wanted the government, as well as the
other members of Asean, to pressure Burma's military junta to free Nobel
Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition political leaders from
detention, as well as to institute democratic reforms in that country.

Pimentel issued the statement on his return from an Asean parliamentarian
conference in Malaysia on Nov. 27-28 that discussed the "unjust
restrictions on the freedom of movement of Burma's opposition leaders by
the military junta," among other topics.

In a statement, the senator said Burma's military leaders last week
extended Suu Kyi's detention for one more year, while some 100 leaders of
her party, the National League of Democracy (NLD), remained in prison.

Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since May 2003 following the Burma
military's violent dispersal of a motorcade led by NLD members.
Previously, the Nobel Prize winner had been placed under house arrest from
1989 to 1995 and again from 2000 to 2002.

"(The extension of Suu Kyi's house arrest was) in blatant disregard of
Burma's commitment to respect the human rights of its people and to abide
by democratic principles when it was admitted into Asean seven years
ago,'' Pimentel said.

He said he concurred with President Macapagal-Arroyo's move last week
asking Burma Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Win in Laos to allow Suu Kyi and
the other opposition leaders to participate in the country's political
processes.

Pimentel urged the Senate to ask Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo to
express the chamber's sentiment that Burma's recent moves "make it
unworthy to chair the Asean in 2006.''

_____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

INTERVIEW

December 5, Bangkok Post
Vaclav Havel: Ties of friendship

Former Czech president Vaclav Havel, a world-renowned statesman,
playwright and human rights activist, led his countrymen in overthrowing
the communist dictatorship in 1989, a dramatic event that contributed to
the collapse of other communist regimes throughout Eastern Europe. Prior
to that, as an opponent of the Czechoslovak communists, Mr Havel was
arrested several times and spent almost five years in prison. He has been
awarded numerous international prizes and honourary degrees, including a
Doctorate of Arts from Chulalongkorn University in 1994 and a Medal of
Freedom from US President George W. Bush in 2003. Thailand and the Czech
Republic celebrated this year several anniversaries, including King Rama
VII's visit to Czechoslovakia 70 years ago. Mr Havel spoke with MAXMILIAN
WECHSLER last week.

MAXMILIAN WECHSLER: You made a very successful state visit to Thailand as
a guest of the Royal Family in 1994. You cancelled the second visit last
month because of a health problem. This must have been a great
disappointment for you.

VACLAV HAVEL: I was greatly impressed during that state visit and I have
always wanted to come back. Yet I have not been able to do so because of
circumstances beyond my control. Most recently I received with great
appreciation a letter from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej wishing me
a quick recovery, and also flowers from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn.

As Thailand is celebrating the birthday of His Majesty, I also wish him
all the best. We had an extensive discussion during my visit 10 years ago.
After a close follow-up later on, I had great esteem for his outstanding
wisdom. I wish to congratulate all the Thai people for having such a great
King at the helm of their country because he can embody and effectively
protect national unity as well as freedom of conscience, aiming for the
peaceful and harmonious co-existence of different religions.

WECHSLER: Tell us how Thai-Czech diplomatic relations have developed
during the past 30 years. What is the strongest point?

HAVEL: Relations between our two countries have deep roots. Czech
travellers had already visited Siam in the 19th century, while our
presidents, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Benes maintained friendly
relations with Thailand and King Prajadhipok between the two world wars.
Many Czech companies including Skoda and Bata also had businesses in
Thailand at that time. But after the communists took power in
Czechoslovakia in 1948, everything came to a halt.

Diplomatic relations between our two countries were established in 1974,
but good cooperation really only began after the collapse of communism in
1989, when democracy and a market economy were installed again. From that
year until now, our bilateral cooperation has been dynamic, especially in
the fields of trade and tourism. I hear that Prague has become a popular
holiday destination for Thais. My friends also often visit Thailand as
well.

Several of my friends, especially Mr Jiri Sitler, the current ambassador
to Thailand, advise me on issues related to Southeast Asia.

WECHSLER: What are you thinking today, now that your country is free while
Burma is still under a military dictatorship?

HAVEL: Our citizens have definitely benefited from the establishment of
democracy, the rule of law, and a market economy re-established in 1989.
Our republic has become a member of the European Union. All citizens speak
and travel freely and enjoy holidays abroad, including in Thailand. They
can study abroad and earn for themselves from the free economy. The same
would also benefit Burma if its people could control their own destiny,
instead of this being done by a self-proclaimed and incompetent junta.

WECHSLER: Because of your nomination in 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi
subsequently won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. What was behind your
decision? Do you maintain contacts with her?

HAVEL: Czechoslovakia was then already a free country. And it was
important for me to show solidarity with the ones who were less fortunate.
I have been able to send letters to Aung San Suu Kyi from time to time,
and to obtain some information on her situation even, as you know, this is
not easy.

In April of this year, I myself, together with PEN International,
initiated a letter on behalf of the Nobel prize winners for literature to
call for freedom of speech in Burma. The letter was signed by the vast
majority of living laureates and later by others, including Gao Xinjiang,
a Chinese who also won the Nobel Prize.

WECHSLER: What role should Aung San Suu Kyi play in promoting democracy in
Burma?

HAVEL: Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for
Democracy, the party that won internationally-recognised free elections in
1990 with 80% of the vote. She supports the policy of dialogue and
non-violence. And she is an extraordinary person of whom the whole of
Burma and Asia can be proud. The fact that the ruling Burmese junta
refuses to respect the result of the election is deplored each year by the
United Nations General Assembly.

WECHSLER: What do you think about the release of political prisoners
reported recently in Burma?

HAVEL: I am happy, of course. But it would be better if Burma could
benefit from their intellect and ability by allowing them to take part in
the free public discussion on the future of their country without any
threat of being imprisoned again. Anyway, I deeply regret that Aung San
Suu Kyi hasn't been released from house arrest as it would be my honour to
meet her personally _ something that I have wished for for a long time.

WECHSLER: How can the international community contribute to the
restoration of democracy in Burma? What is the role of the Czech Republic
in this effort?

HAVEL: The international community should listen first to the voices
coming from Burma instead of thinking absurdly that democracy can be
somehow installed there without cooperation of representatives
democratically-elected by the Burmese people.

The Asian neighbours should have the biggest influence on Burma, while the
United States and European Union are more limited in this respect. I was
extremely happy and upbeat when Asean parliamentarians of all political
parties met recently in Kuala Lumpur and expressed solidarity with their
colleagues in Burma.

The Czechs can assist by better understanding the Burmese situation with
the experience we gained during the transition from a totalitarian regime
to a democratic society. It appears to me that the Burmese people are
interested in our experiences.

WECHSLER: What message would you like to pass to Aung San Suu Kyi and the
Burmese people?

HAVEL: I believe that the world should learn to listen to the Burmese
people instead of having them to listen to us. My message to them is:
``There are many people in the world who don't forget you and your people
and are ready to listen and to help you, if you wish.''

WECHSLER: The Cambodian parliament recently approved an agreement made
between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Nations on the
establishment of a tribunal to punish individuals who committed crimes
during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Do you have any comment on this
development?

HAVEL: We in the Czech Republic know very well how complicated and painful
it is to come to the terms with the past. But I believe that this is
absolutely necessary. Therefore, I welcome the approval by the Cambodian
parliament. I sincerely hope that its government will be able to collect
funds with the assistance of international donors soon, so that the trials
can start.

And speaking of Cambodia, I would like to express my happiness that Prince
Norodom Sihamoni has become the new Cambodian King.

He speaks Czech fluently and is remembered in Prague as a well-cultivated
and kind man.

WECHSLER: And your final words?

HAVEL: Despite the geographical distance between the Czech Republic and
Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Burma, we have many good
friends there so it makes us feel close.