BurmaNet News, July 21, 2005

[Editor]

July 21, 2005 Issue # 2765

“[ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong] also said it was a "good idea"
for Washington and Europe to threaten to boycott meetings with ASEAN if
Myanmar sits as chairman.”
- as quoted in “Myanmar seen giving up ASEAN chairmanship,” BusinessWorld,
July 21, 2005

INSIDE BURMA
South China Morning Post: Nervous junta plans to head for the hills,
taking parliament too
SHAN: Burma Army seeks to block rebel movements
DVB: Burmese democracy party marks Martyrs' Day at Rangoon HQ
Irrawaddy: Junta gives 90 million kyat to Karen ceasefire group

ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Migrant workers get compensation

ASEAN
BusinessWorld: Myanmar seen giving up ASEAN chairmanship
AP: Australia has agreed to sign ASEAN amity pact, Malaysian minister says
Xinhua: ASEAN to promote cultural, eco-tourism to stimulate economic
development

INTERNATIONAL
AFP: US Senate renews Myanmar sanctions ahead of ASEAN talks

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

July 21, South China Morning Post
Nervous junta plans to head for the hills, taking parliament too - Larry
Jagan

Myanmar's military rulers are preparing to move the centre of government
inland for safety, according to diplomats and government officials in
Yangon.

The military's headquarters, government ministries and the new parliament
are all scheduled to be moved within the next 12 months to a location that
many in Myanmar are calling Escape City.

A massive complex is being built at Pyinmana, about 400km north of Yangon
in the centre of the country.

It will house the military war office, government ministries and a
parliament, according to a government official who has seen blueprints for
the 10sqkm complex.

"It's one of the biggest constructions I have ever seen," a western
diplomat said.

Mansions for the senior generals, government offices and national
headquarters for the country's ethnic groups and the Union Solidarity
Development Association - the official social organisation - are being
built.

Although a new parliament is being built, it is unclear from the plans
whether plots will be allocated to political parties, particularly Aung
San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, according to the government
official.

Bunkers, tunnels, a large military hospital, apartments, a huge airstrip
and a golf course are being built, according to witnesses.

The creation of the new capital is primarily the idea of Senior General
Than Shwe. The plans have been in the pipeline for several years and
building began almost two years ago.

"The planned retreat is essentially strategic," said an Asian diplomat who
regularly deals with the junta.

The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 reinforced General Than Shwe's fear
that Washington might attack, according to analysts. Myanmar's military
strategists have long argued that the country was vulnerable to attack
from the sea.

"Than Shwe has a bunker mentality, and when he's completely secure, he'll
launch his offensives," according to senior Myanmar analyst Win Min, who
is based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. "But a key strategic drawback of the
site is its lack of access to the sea - it is not close to a port."

According to the plans, the whole military and government administration
is to be relocated there. Even foreign embassies are likely to have to
follow when the government is finally transplanted to the hills.

Several ministries are scheduled to move to the new capital in the next
few months, according to diplomats.

Civil servants have been panicked by the planned move.

The lack of accommodation for families at Pyinmana means only bureaucrats
who are single are likely to be transferred in the first phase. As a
result, many young public servants are desperately trying to find marriage
partners to help postpone their reassignment.

The construction work is being largely carried out by several prominent
Myanmese companies, including Htoo Trading, owned by the wealthy magnate
and arms dealer Te Za, who is reputed to be very close to General Than
Shwe.

But the construction work has been plagued by material shortages and delays.

Last year, a shortage of cement temporarily stopped construction. But
General Than Shwe rejected out of hand Mr Te Za's request to import cement
from China.

Now an acute shortage of timber has added a further complication to the
project's completion.

"The delay in the reconvening of the National Convention and the drafting
of the constitution may actually be related to the completion of the new
capital at Pyinmana," a western diplomat in Yangon said.

____________________________________

July 21, Shan Herald Agency for News
Burma Army seeks to block rebel movements

Although small clashes continue each day between the Burma Army and the
Shan State Army of Col Yawdserk, the former's main preoccupation appears
to be to deploy its troops at strategic points so to be in a position to
take the initiative by the end of the monsoons, according to Burma
watchers on the border:

Since June, military units in eastern Shan State are being shuffled from
one place to another, worrying both the SSA and the Burma Army's own ally,
the United Wa State Army. For instance, Infantry Battalion 65 long
stationed in Mongton, 53 miles north of the Chiangmai border, has been
moved to Nakawngmu, 24 miles down south. An armored unit is due to fill up
the space vacated by the 65th, according to local sources.

"We are fighting almost everyday," said an SSA commander, "but we are also
watching the Burmese army's movements closely."

The fiercest brush between the two sides was on 13 July in Monghai Nerh,
35 miles north of Tachilek, where according to the local sources, the
Burma Army's Light Infantry Battalion 316 suffered 16 killed, including
officers. "We don't know the number of casualties on the Burma Army's
side," the commander told S.H.A.N., "but we received 4 asterisks
(insignias of commissioned officers) from the front on that day."

The SSA claimed there were 3 casualties on its side. It is especially
active in Mongton, Mongpiang, Monghsat, Kengtung, Mongyawng, Monghpyak and
Tachilek townships in eastern Shan State, opposite Thailand's Chiangrai,
Chiangmai and Maehongson provinces.

Observers think that despite vows made by Wei Hsuehkang, de facto
Commander of the UWSA's 171st Regional Army, to dislodge the SSA positions
along the border, growing wariness on its part over the Burma Army's
latest movements makes it unlikely that there will be further hostilities
between the two.  "Scarcely a day passes without getting reports about
troop convoys moving across the border," said a Thai security officer.

According to previous reports, Rangoon is planning to disarm all ceasefire
groups including the Wa before November, when "the final session" of the
National Convention to draft Burma's constitution is to be convened.

____________________________________

July 19, Democratic Voice of Burma
Burmese democracy party marks Martyrs' Day at Rangoon HQ

Excerpt from report by Burmese opposition radio Democratic Voice of Burma
website on 19 July

[Newsreader] It has been learned that almost 400 guests including
diplomats attended the 58th Anniversary Martyrs' Day commemoration
ceremony held at the NLD [National League for Democracy] Headquarters in
Rangoon on 19 July. [passage omitted]

The ceremony was attended by CRPP, Committee Representing People's
Parliament, members led by Arakanese leader U Aye Tha Aung, national race
leaders, student leaders from the 8-8-88 [mass pro-democracy demonstration
on 8 August 1988] era including Min Ko Naing, and NLD members.

NLD Spokesman U Lwin said NLD Central Executive Committee [CEC] Member U
Nyunt Wai read the NLD's statement while another NLD CEC Member U Than Tun
delivered the meeting chairman's address. U Lwin also said the Martyrs'
Day speech highlighted Bogyoke [Maj-Gen] Aung San's abilities and
achievements especially obtaining genuine national unity and to take that
as an example for future endeavours.

[U Lwin - recording] The chairman explained Bogyoke Aung San's achievement
in successfully obtaining national unity, which is a very noble task, and
that it should always be remembered and taken as an example. Furthermore
he added that it is evident the need has come for the State Peace and
Development Council and the NLD to include the representatives of the
national races in holding talks on national unity, just as Bogyoke Aung
San did, to solve the prevailing problems of the nation. He urged the need
to follow in the footsteps of Bogyoke Aung San.

[Newsreader] CRPP Member U Htaung Kho Htang also commented on NLD CEC
Member U Than Tun's chairman's address.

[U Htaung Kho Htang - recording] The chairman's speech was very good and
touched on national unity. He said independence was not gained for the
Burmese alone and the national races could not be left out. The British
were administering the national races in a different manner so Bogyoke
Aung San realized that to obtain independence he needed to cooperate and
be united with the national races. These were explained by quoting some
excerpts of his speeches. We are very satisfied and happy with the
chairman's speech.

[Newsreader] It has been learned that the NLD's 58th Anniversary Martyrs'
Day commemoration ceremony also included a prize presentation ceremony. U
Myint Thein, NLD News and Information Committee member, said the NLD
members have submitted poems and essays for the contest long before the
ceremony and the NLD awards committee selected the winners today.

____________________________________

July 21, Irrawaddy
Junta gives 90 million kyat to Karen ceasefire group - Shah Paung

The Burmese military government has agreed to give 90 million kyat (nearly
US $83,400) in economic aid to a Karen ceasefire group, said one of the
group’s leaders today.

“They [Burmese junta] have already given us 28.5 million kyat (nearly US
$26,400) to pay for the building of a bridge,” said Saw Chit Thu, head of
the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army’s battalion-999.

Saw Chit Thu also said that 50 million kyat (nearly US $46,300) of the
total 90 million kyat will be earmarked for agricultural improvements in
DKBA-controlled areas of Karen State.

The DKBA broke away from the Karen National Union in 1995 and signed a
ceasefire agreement with Rangoon.

According to the official newspaper New Light on Myanmar, Lt-Gen Thein
Sein of Burma’s State Peace and Development Council met with DKBA group
chairman Tha Htoo Kyaw in Karen State on July 13 to announce the SPDC’s
proposed support for agricultural and infrastructure improvements,
including aid to develop mining projects.

Saw Chit Thu has denied recent reports that the Burmese military has asked
DKBA for assistance in its ongoing campaign against the KNU.

“So far, the SPDC has said nothing about helping them to fight the KNU,”
Saw Chit Thu said.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

July 21, Irrawaddy
Migrant workers get compensation - Louis Reh

The Labor Protection Office in Mae Sot, Thailand, yesterday ordered a
garment factory to compensate Burmese migrant workers with about 2 million
baht (nearly US $48,000) after being found guilty of paying improper
wages.

“This compensation is for discrimination against workers in general and
the payment of improper wages to Burmese migrant workers at the factory,”
said Jackie Pollock, a coordinator of the MAP foundation, which helps
migrant workers.

The minimum wage in this Burmese-border area of Thailand currently stands
at 139 baht, though many employees at Uni Ocean factory in Mae Sot, where
15 hour days are common, have actually been earning as little as 50 baht
per day.

The suit was filed against Uni Ocean three months ago by the factory’s
employees with the help of the MAP foundation and Yaung Chi Oo, a Burmese
workers association.

“This struggle [is to] improve the working conditions and working hours
for migrant workers in the future,” Pollock added.

Thailand’s labor laws theoretically apply to all workers, but strong ties
between local employers and Thai labor authorities’ reluctance to
intervene make enforcing labor laws problematic.

The legal actions brought by the MAP foundation and Yaung Chi Oo
organization follow an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate an out-of-court
settlement with Uni Ocean factory for 85 migrant workers at the factory.

“We want full rights for migrant workers and get back the proper wages,”
said Than Naing, a member of Yaung Chi Oo.

Than Naing said that they have to wait to see whether both sides—the
employer and employees—are satisfied with the order. He added that if the
employees didn’t agree, they could go to a higher court.

Nearly 100,000 workers from an estimated 1 million Burmese migrants
throughout Thailand are presently working in Mae Sot, with ninety percent
of those working at 200 garment factories.

In 2004, a group of Burmese migrant workers brought a similar legal case
against a Thai garment factory in Mae Sot. The 13 workers were eventually
awarded a total of 1.17 million baht ($29,250) in back wages.

____________________________________
ASEAN

July 21, BusinessWorld
Myanmar seen giving up ASEAN chairmanship - Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo

The Philippines is likely to take over chairmanship of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2006 with Myanmar seen to give up the
post, a ranking ASEAN official said.

Military-controlled Myanmar is expected to announce it would skip its
scheduled chairmanship during a regional meeting of foreign ministers in
Laos this month, ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong said in a
statement.

The Philippines is next on the alphabetical list to assume the leadership.

"The indication, as of a few weeks ago, is that they would announce
something in which they will try to excuse themselves from this onerous
task," he said.

Mr. Ong also said it was a "good idea" for Washington and Europe to
threaten to boycott meetings with ASEAN if Myanmar sits as chairman.

The United States and European Union earlier threatened to shun group
meetings and stall its development funding if Myanmar's military junta
assumes the chair in 2006 as scheduled. They also fought for democracy and
for the release of Nobel Laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr. Ong said the absence of Europe and the United States from major ASEAN
meetings would "rob them of much significance."

Myanmar's ruling junta took power in 1988 after brutally crushing a
pro-democracy movement. In 1990, it refused to hand over power when the
National League for Democracy party, led by Ms. Suu Kyi, won a landslide
victory in general elections.

Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for much of the past 14 years.

____________________________________

July 21, Associated Press
Australia has agreed to sign ASEAN amity pact, Malaysian minister says -
Jasbant Singh

Kuala Lumpur: Australia has agreed to sign a nonaggression pact with its
Southeast Asian neighbors, the Malaysian foreign minister said Thursday,
and an Australian analyst said the decision will likely be announced next
week at a regional security forum.

Syed Hamid Albar told The Associated Press that his Australian
counterpart, Alexander Downer, personally conveyed the decision to him a
few days ago.

"The F.M. called me and informed me that Australia has agreed to ratify"
the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Syed Hamid said.

Australia had long been opposed to the treaty, describing it as a remnant
of the Cold War. Australian Prime Minister John Howard had said that
Canberra is more interested in the "substance" of its relationship with
Southeast Asian countries rather than binding treaties.

The TAC requires signatories to renounce the use or threat of force
against any member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or
ASEAN. It allows for arbitration by a tribunal for disputes between
signatory countries.

Australia's stand had created suspicions among ASEAN countries, especially
after Howard said he would be prepared to launch pre-emptive strikes if
terrorists in neighboring nations were planning to attack Australia. ASEAN
had told Australia it cannot attend the inaugural East Asia Summit in
December in Kuala Lumpur unless it signs the treaty. It has been signed by
seven other countries besides the 10 ASEAN members.

Following the reversal of its stand, Australia "will be most welcome to
the East Asia Summit. So that's very good. It will boost cooperation,
understanding, goodwill in all dimensions of economic, political and
security spheres," Syed Hamid said.

Asked about the timing of the signing ceremony, he said: "I don't think
there will be any problem. Whenever they want to sign it we can make the
arrangements."

Separately, Australian National University Asian security expert Tony
Kevin said Australia would likely announce its decision during Downer's
trip to Laos starting Wednesday for the ASEAN Regional Forum, or ARF,
Asia's biggest annual security meeting.

Australia has concerns about ASEAN's mechanism for resolving disputes
under the treaty and wants to retain a right to criticize countries such
as Myanmar despite the treaty barring interference in signatories'
internal affairs.

Syed Hamid said ASEAN has provided clarifications on all issues sought by
Australia.

ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, a senior Philippine diplomat said Thursday that New Zealand and
Mongolia will formally accede to the TAC in Laos on July 28. On the same
day, Australia will sign a "declaration of intent to accede" to the
treaty, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

____________________________________

July 21, Xinhua General News Service
ASEAN to promote cultural, eco-tourism to stimulate economic development

Phnom Penh: Cambodian National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh
said on Thursday that promoting tourism is crucial for the social and
economic development of ASEAN's less-developed member countries.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh made the remarks at the opening of the AIPO
(ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization) Ad-Hoc Study Committee Meeting on
Cultural and Eco-Tourism held at Siem Reap, the home of Cambodia's world
famous Angkor temples.

"We have a precious heritage in Southeast Asia. We are rich in history and
cultural diversity, and we possess truly breathtaking natural and cultural
wonders," the prince said.

Some experts expect that, for the decade ending in 2007, 21 million new
jobs in tourism will have been created in the ASEAN region alone. The
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines
and Vietnam.

"Tourism is an excellent means for less-developed member countries to
generate local employment opportunities and stimulate economic development
without destroying their environmental endowments," he said.

In order to promote the region's cultural and eco-tourism tourism, Prince
Norodom Ranariddh highlighted three important issues.

- ensuring the preservation, conservation and promotion of the natural,
cultural and historical heritage;

- encouraging visitors to learn, respect and help preserve the natural,
cultural and historical heritage; and

- taking stern measures to prevent tourism-related abuse and exploitation
of people, particularly women and children.

Meanwhile, Prince Norodom Ranariddh appealed to foster cooperation and
share technology between states, especially between public and private
sectors in order to cope with the growing regional and global economic
competition.

The lawmakers from 10 ASEAN member countries who are in charge of tourism
are attending the two-day meeting.

The AIPO General Assembly, meeting last year in Phnom Penh, agreed to form
an Ad-Hoc Study Committee with the aim of implementing decisions taken to
promote cultural and eco-tourism.

_____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

July 19, Agence France Presse
US Senate renews Myanmar sanctions ahead of ASEAN talks

Washington: The US Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution Tuesday
renewing a one-year ban on all imports from Myanmar ahead of an ASEAN
meeting next week where the military-ruled state will come under scrutiny.

The 97-1 Senate vote followed a similarly favorable 423-2 action by the
House of Representatives last month. US President George W. Bush is
expected to sign the renewal into law soon.

"These sanctions are absolutely necessary," said Senator Mitch McConnell,
one of the bill's chief sponsors, citing Myanmar's dismal human rights
record under the "paranoid misrule" of military junta chief Than Shwe.

Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for
most of the last 15 years. Her National League for Democracy party won
1990 elections but was never allowed to rule. Its offices have been shut
down by the junta, which has also locked up many other party members.

"The human rights and dignity of the Burmese people continue to be grossly
abused," McConnell said. "The litany of atrocities -- from the use of rape
as a weapon of war to the murder, torture and intimidation of political
activists -- are well-known and well-documented," he said.

The Congress resolutions would renew a complete ban on all imports from
Myanmar until Bush determines and certifies to the legislature that the
Southeast Asian state has made "substantial and measurable" progress on a
number of democracy and human rights issues.

"We thank and commend the US Congress for this firm and forward-looking
policy," said Aung Din, a former political prisoner and torture survivor
who serves as policy director at US Campaign for Burma.

The group comprises activists from around the world seeking an end to the
military dictatorship in Myanmar, whose previous name is Burma.

"Burma is not only an embarrassment to the countries of Southeast Asia, it
is increasingly a threat to regional security. It is time for the United
Nations Security Council to act," Aung Din said.

The United States halted new investments to Myanmar in 1997 and imposed
bans on financial transactions and imports in 2003. Visa restrictions on
officials from the military junta and affiliated groups have also been
implemented.

But the US law requires annual renewal only for the import ban.

The Senate vote comes ahead of a decision expected next week on whether or
not Myanmar will take up the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The decision is expected at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in
Vientiane, Laos.

Myanmar is due to take over the ASEAN helm from Malaysia in 2006. The
chairmanship is determined by alphabetical rotation among member states,
which also include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

But both the United States and European Union, key trading partners of
ASEAN, have vowed to boycott the Southeast Asian group's meetings if
Myanmar is chairman.

Some ASEAN member states are afraid that Myanmar will damage the group's
image and international links if it takes over the mantle.

"Burma was admitted to ASEAN to lift its people up, not to drag the
organization down. ASEAN members should feel similarly -- how could they
not?," said McConnell.