BurmaNet News, November 1, 2006

[Editor]

November 1, 2006 Issue # 3078


INSIDE BURMA
Mizzima: 88 generation students welcome Gambari's visit to Burma
DVB: Prayer campaign participants harassed by Burma junta agents

ON THE BORDER
Mizzima: Burma hands over 22 arrested Indians

HEALTH / AIDS
Mizzima: Indian states keen on Burma fighting AIDS

DRUGS
SHAN: Pills smuggled by fowls

REGIONAL
Bangkok Post: PM hopes for progress on illegals
Irrawaddy: Burmese political cartoons on show in Bangkok

OPINION / OTHER
Irrawaddy: ‘It’s the military, stupid
’ - Aung Zaw

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

October 31, Mizzima News
88 generation students welcome Gambari's visit to Burma - Ngun te

The 88 generation student leaders are optimistic about the impending visit
of Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political
Affairs to Burma.

"We heartily welcome the United Nation's efforts in our country and are
happy about Mr. Gambari's visit," said Mya Aye on behalf of the Rangoon
based 88 generation students who have been campaigning for the release of
all political prisoners.

The UN representative is to come on a four-day visit to Burma on November
9. The 88 generation students are hoping to meet him.

"If we get a chance to meet him, we will tell him how we feel and how the
UN can cooperate for national reconciliation in Burma," said Mya Aye.

The former political prisoners -- 88 generation students have been
organising a week long prayer ceremony since October 29 for the release of
five of their leaders including Min Ko Naing, Burmese democracy icon Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi, Shan ethnic leaders Hkun Tun Oo and all other political
prisoners.

They also collected half a million signatures countrywide demanding the
release of political prisoners last month.

"Instead of confronting each other, we would like to urge to solve the
problem by dialogue. We urge for building a democratic country by unity.
This is what we believe in. If the dialogue starts from the lower level,
it should go along," said Mya Aye.

____________________________________

October 31, Democratic Voice of Burma
Prayer campaign participants harassed by Burma junta agents

The participants of nationwide multi-religious prayer campaign, have been
harassed by the agents and police members at some townships in Burma, but
the campaign is continuing, activists insisted.

At Aunglan (Allen), Magwe Division in central Burma police and
intelligence agents went to local Buddhist monasteries and threatened
monks with unspecified punishments, and the participants are finding it
hard to persuade them to preside over their religious ceremonies, an
activist told DVB.

At nearby Chauk, agents in plain clothes took the pictures of worshippers
while they are praying and report them straight away to their supervisors
by phone.

At Burma’s western Arakan State capital Akyab (Sittwe), the police
cordoned off religious compounds to prevent worshippers from carrying out
religious activities.

But the activists vowed to finish their prayer campaign which was set to
finish on Saturday.

During the campaign participants are urged to wear white clothing and hold
candlelight vigils in places of worship. The organizers, the 88 Generation
Students say prayers will be offered for a peaceful resolution of the
country’s political crisis, for political prisoners and for victims of the
recent floods.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

November 1, Mizzima News
Burma hands over 22 arrested Indians - Subhaschandra M

The Burmese military junta freed 22 Indian nationals, who were in jail for
almost six months for felling timber "illegally" in Burma's border area.

The Indian villagers said to be mostly timber smugglers were arrested by
the Burmese Army from Lunjang, a remote border village popularly known as
salaplen, 25 kilometres south east of Singhat police station in Manipur's
Churachandpur district bordering Burma on May 6 afternoon.

"The reason behind the arrest is related to their illegal activities on
foreign soil," said a Manipur police officer over telephone.

The Indian nationals were handed over by a Burmese team headed by the
Deputy Director of Immigration, Kyaw Sein Thein at the Namphalong
Immigration office to an Indian team comprising of Moreh Additional Deputy
Commissioner, Th. Chote and Moreh Police Officer-in-charge, W Nongyai
around 9.45 a.m. on
Monday, reports from the border town said.

The freed Indians are currently detained in Moreh police station for
verification of their identities, police sources said.

However there is no information regarding handing over the three Saktiman
trucks bearing the registration MN02/5544, MN02/6838 and MN05/2178 used to
transport the timber which were seized by the Burmese Army while
apprehending the Indians.

The freed Indian nationals are Haoshuan (45) son of late Haothang, Kapmang
(20) son of Khaichinkham, his brother  Kailam (38), Nanglianthang (25) son
of Ginsuankap, Jamlianthang (30) son of Ginsuan ,Goukhathang (38) of
Khamtual, Belpuan village, Liankhathang (37) son of Tungou, his brother
Sinkhanlal(25), Khamkhulun (30) son of Mangshi, Haijang village, Thangsat
(39), Paominlien (19) son of Solal, Paolim (20) son of Seilun, Dalkhanpao
(25) son of Liendal, Suanlianthang (38) son of Lienjadal of Sumchinvum
village, Thankhai (20) son of Goukhum,Khupgoupao (20) son of Khaita of
Singhat,Manglienlal (25) son of Khupchinmang of Tangpijol
village,Paosuathang (40) son of Khaihenthang of Luenjang village,
Jamsinhang (28) son of Thongjakham of Suangphu village, Paominthang (6)
son of Thangjadal of Hingtam K village   Tomei (30) son of Tomba of
Muallum village,all under Singhat sub division.

____________________________________
HEALTH / AIDS

October 30, Mizzima News
Indian states keen on Burma fighting AIDS - Subhaschandra M

Indian states in the north east affected by the Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) have been trying hard to convince the Burmese authorities
to take part in the ongoing global war against the dreaded disease.

"We've held a meeting with Myanmar (Burma) officials thrice in Tamu town.
The discussions will continue," Dr Kh Pramodkumar, Project Director of
Manipur State AIDS control Society said.

According to official reports, 8.3 million Asians were afflicted with HIV
in 2005 due to an AIDS epidemic that hit under-developed and developing
countries in Southeast Asia.

The situation in India is alarming as the country has more than five
million HIV infected people according to a survey report last year end.

"But we have heard it's difficult to conduct a survey in Myanmar. Being
ruled by the Army it's difficult," Dr Pramod said. Manipur officials led
by the project director held discussions in this regard with Burmese
officials headed by the Chairman of the Tamu Town recently.

But so far no joint effort has been initiated on the porous international
border areas to combat the disease. Non Governmental Organisations of
Manipur said most of Burma's drug users as well as sex workers living
along the Indo-Burma border went underground fearing punishment of up to
10 years in prison by the Burmese military junta.

"It is very dangerous, as the disease may spread faster," an NGO official
said. Drug users as well as sex workers should be rehabilitated to
identify their problems and issues and also to stop the disease spreading
to the Indian population particularly those residing along border areas.

Manipur, an Indian border state with a population of two million, has as
many as 23,564 persons with HIV positive infection including 5,194 women.
This was detected in a survey of drug users in Moreh, the border town in
1990. So far 547 persons were "officially" reported to have died, not to
speak of the "unreported cases".

A two-day media consultation workshop to fight the disease in India's
northeastern states was also held in Guwahati from October 25 to 26 under
the aegis of Centre for Advocacy and Research, MACS and Project ORCHID.

_____________________________________
DRUGS

November 1, Shan Herald Agency for News
Pills smuggled by fowls

Fighting cocks are being used by a drug ring in Tachilek headed by a close
associate of reputed drug lord Wei Hsuehkang as a front to transfer
methamphetamine from central Burma to the border since September,
according to a well-informed source from eastern Shan State.

The associate has already imported at least 6 million yaba
(methamphetamine) pills since September to Thailand through this method,
according to the businessman, who has for three years been one of
S.H.A.N.'s principle sources.

Ah Kuang aka Win Maung (35) who has a license as a breeder, had shipped
600 fighting cocks from Monywa, Sagaing Division, where the Wa had set up
an agricultural project, to Tachilek in five Dyna six-wheelers. The WY
Tiger Long Tail R-20 (orange colour), a favourite brand among drug users,
was conveniently camouflaged by the odour of the fowls as well as bags of
garlic.

The fowls were purchased for Kyat 5,000 to 20,000 ($ 4 to 15) apiece and
kept in a 100 acre plum and mango orchard outside Monywa before travelling
more than 1,000 km to Tachilek. A drug refinery, relocated from Shan
State, is reported to be in the orchard.

The fighting cocks were left by themselves following their arrival in
Tachilek, across Thailand's Chiangrai. "Many of them had died," he said,
"but Ah Kuang did not seem to be worried. In fact, he has already
despatched his men to Monywa again for another consignment."

He was contracted to deliver another 8 million pills before the end of the
year, according to the source.

Ah Kuang is a native of Taunggyi and attended university before joining up
with the Wei brothers. He has a home near the Mekong River Hotel in
Tachilek, popularly known as the 9 storey hotel.

"He knows all the VIPs in both southern and eastern Shan State , including
the Shan State police chief, which is to be expected of every successful
drug trafficker. For instance, La Soe Myint is known to be close to Gen
Maung Aye and Zhou Sang of Nayai to (Eastern Region Commander) Thaung
Aye," added the source.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

November 1, Bangkok Post
PM hopes for progress on illegals

Thailand hopes to see progress in joint efforts with Burma to end the
problem of illegal Burmese labourers working in the kingdom, Prime
Minister Surayud Chulanont said yesterday.

Gen Surayud told his Burmese counterpart Soe Win that Thailand would like
to end the problem of illegal Burmese in the country.

He hoped that their countries would be able to make progress on this issue
by the end of next month, according to a Public Relations Department
statement that quoted Gen Surayud.

The two leaders met yesterday on the sidelines of a summit held in China's
Nanning city between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) in Nanning.

It was their first meeting since Gen Surayud took office as prime minister
last month.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said Gen Surayud assured his
Burmese counterpart that bilateral relations would remain unchanged.

''Thailand ... will strengthen her bilateral relations with Burma as a
neighbouring countries as well as being a member of the Asean countries,''
he said.

''Any projects that have been agreed upon will be continued
transparently,'' he added.

''There will be continuity of foreign policy, which includes the
development of diplomatic relations between the countries. That will be
carried on as it was before,'' he added.

Gen Surayud has been travelling overseas to introduce himself to other
Asean leaders since he became prime minister on Oct 1.

However, he has not visited Burma. Analysts attribute this to Gen
Surayud's firm actions taken towards the country when he was chief of the
Thai army, as well as the political sensitivities of a military-installed
prime minister visiting the junta next door.

In an indication of the formal atmosphere of the meeting between Gen
Surayud and Lt-Gen Soe Win, Mr Yongyuth said both men agreed not to
interfere in each other's affairs, and stuck to updates on their domestic
situations.

''Both sides agreed that they would not interfere in each other's internal
affairs. This is according to the principles of the Asean community,''
said Mr Yongyuth.

''They just expressed each other's position at the present time, what's
been happening in their countries,'' he added.

Gen Surayud also held separate meetings with Brunei leader Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao yesterday before returning
to Bangkok.

____________________________________

November 1, Irrawaddy
Burmese political cartoons on show in Bangkok - Khun Sam

The first ever exhibition of political cartoons by Burmese artists opened
on Wednesday in Bangkok.

The month-long exhibition, by cartoonists Harn Lay and Win Tun, is being
staged at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. It features about
40 cartoons which have appeared in various publications and on the
Internet.

The exhibition is intended to introduce the work of Burmese cartoonists to
a wider audience and to highlight political events in Burma, according to
the organizers.

“Cartoons amuse people but at the same time provoke awareness of what is
happening around them,” says Harn Lay. The Shan ethnic artist, a graduate
of Rangoon’s School of Fine Arts Academy, fled to neighboring Thailand
following Burma’s pro-democracy uprising in 1988.

Harn Lay says politics made him a cartoonist. “If there is something wrong
or someone is cheating and oppressing another I want to stand beside the
victim and illustrate his story.” Harn Lay is a staff cartoonist for The
Irrawaddy, which is publishing a book of his 100 best cartoons this month.

Win Tun followed Harn Lay into exile in 1990 after official attempts to
censor his work and warnings of possible arrest. He now lives in New York,
contributing his work mainly to the Japan-based weekly newsletter Voice of
Burma under the pen-name Mr Burma.


_____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

November 1, Irrawaddy
‘It’s the military, stupid
’ - Aung Zaw

Video footage of the extravagant wedding of junta chief Snr-Gen Than
Shwe’s daughter has angered many Burmese at home and abroad.

The July 2006 ceremony, sarcastically dubbed the “wedding of the year” by
some Burmese, was attended by top junta leaders, their cronies and many of
the country’s wealthiest business leaders.

Some observers have suggested that the footage was deliberately leaked to
the public by a family insider. The motive for such a leak is difficult to
determine, but one result is quite clear. The video images remind many of
the rise and fall of Burma’s previous “khaki” leaders.

Political observers in Rangoon recall the late dictator Gen Ne Win’s
90th—and last—birthday in early 2001. He was accompanied to a gala event
at Rangoon’s plush Hotel Sedona by his favorite daughter, Sandar Win, his
son-in-law Aye Zaw Win and his grandsons.

Video footage of the event subsequently made the rounds in Rangoon, and
general opinion held that members of Ne Win’s family engineered the leak
to show the public that the old general was still going strong.

One year later, Ne Win and his daughter were placed under house arrest,
and his grandsons were charged with treason—actions green lighted by the
general’s protégé Than Shwe. Sandar Win remains in custody.

Could history repeat itself? One theory suggests that moderate members of
the regime—if such people actually exist—might be trying to damage the
image of Than Shwe and his family.

The video footage certainly does that. Such mindless indulgence—smiling,
well-fed guests wrapped in their finest clothing and most expensive
jewels—is an affront to the millions of Burmese suffering under the
incompetence and brutality of the country’s military leadership, and the
millions of Burmese migrants trying to scratch out a living on foreign
soil because no proper employment is available at home.

Photographs and video of the opulent ceremony—held at the Zeyathiri
government guesthouse in Rangoon—show the bride, Thandar Shwe, virtually
encased in strings of precious gems, most of them diamonds, with her more
casually attired groom, Maj Zaw Phyo Win, dutifully by her side.

The display has given rise to a new nickname. Thandar’s surname has
changed from Shwe to sein, which means “diamond” in Burmese. Some of her
many diamonds are thought to have been imported from Belgium, Switzerland
and South Africa.

Prominent Burmese tycoons and former drug
traffickers-turned-businessmen—now claiming to operate legitimate
enterprises in the construction, transportation and tourism sectors in
Burma—are thought to have provided most of the funding for the ceremony
and reception.

Guests showered Thandar Shwe and her bridegroom—a deputy director at the
Ministry of Commerce—with such lavish gifts as luxury cars, houses and
precious stones, said to be worth as much as US $50 million.

This vulgar and wanton display of a dictator’s—and his daughter’s—wealth
illustrates well the unbridgeable divide between Burma’s ruling tyrants
and the innocents under their heels.

The money spent on this senseless spectacle might have saved the lives of
HIV/AIDS patients dying in the thousands because of the regime’s ignorance
and denial. Thousands of Burma’s children might have had the opportunity
for a better education, or adequate healthcare.

Burma remains one of the world’s poorest nations, and while the junta
blithely proclaims its goal of building a “modern and developed nation”
with a “discipline-flourishing democracy,” its true intentions are much
different. The military’s capitalist entrepreneurs are building
multi-million-dollar empires on the backs of Burma’s most vulnerable
citizens.

More than 1,000 political prisoners languish and die in the Burmese gulag,
while hundreds more seek refuge in neighboring countries. Thousands of
villagers in Burma’s ethnic areas hide in jungles or flee across the Thai
border to escape escalating military offensives, particularly in Karen and
Shan states.

Sadly, the junta has no shortage of friends and sympathizers—in the region
and beyond— who can look past such trivial details. China, India and
Thailand continue to fund Burma’s extravagant and vicious regime with soft
loans and military hardware, despite its excessive red tape and
fly-by-night trade policies.

Rangoon-based diplomats and well-paid UN staff also make substantial
contributions to the regime’s coffers, while turning a blind eye to its
corruption and violence. They even criticize opposition groups in and
outside Burma for advocating a tougher stance—regionally and
internationally—against the junta.

Attempts have been made to discredit Burma’s democratic opposition and to
paint those who advocate sanctions against the country as hurting ordinary
Burmese. In fact, some Burma-based aid workers believe that money
earmarked for HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases will never reach those
who desperately need it because project money will first be used to cover
overhead, consultant fees and expatriates, who will undoubtedly be the
first to benefit.

It’s crucial—and right—that Burmese people benefit from international aid
and foreign investment. But they never do. Their sufferings continue,
while the generals line their pockets.

This is why reporting on a wedding in a far corner of the world is worth
the trouble—and worthy of further discussion in addressing a solution to
the many problems facing Burma. It might even warrant mention at the
upcoming Wilton Park meeting organized by the British government.

Perhaps then, the international community might finally uncover the reason
for Burma’s decades of strife—one that has been hiding in plain sight.

It’s the military, stupid.