BurmaNet News, May 17 2007

[Editor]

May 17 2007 Issue # 3206


INSIDE BURMA
Mizzima News: 88 students urge junta to stop using civilians to attack
worshipers
Irrawaddy: Free USDA clinics open in Rangoon division townships
AP: Authorities accuse pro-Suu Kyi activists of using religion to stir unrest
AFP: Myanmar defends Suu Kyi's detention ahead of review
SHAN: Anti-SSA militia's war chest fattened
Independent Mon News Agency: 'Not the time to go nuclear': Ethnic leaders
Khonumthung News: Myanmar junta involves villagers in militia training

REGIONAL
Independent Mon News Agency: Malaysian government cracks down on Burmese
refugees

INTERNATIONAL
Reuters: U.S. questions Myanmar nuclear deal with Russia
The Toronto Star: Burma jails democracy advocate
AFP: British foreign secretary urges China to be force for good

OPINION / OTHER
The 88 Generation Students: Statement

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

May 17, Mizzima News
88 students urge junta to stop using civilians to attack worshipers

Student activists of the 88 generation today urged the Burmese military
government to stop using so-called "people" to attack and arrest those
praying peacefully for the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi.

The 88 generation students in a press statement condemned the junta saying
it is "inappropriate and unethical" to use civilians to attack, disturb,
harass and arrest those praying peacefully for Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Burmese junta today, in the state-run media New Light of Myanmar, said
two groups of people, with the intention of stirring unrest, held prayer
services and staged a march on Tuesday demanding the release of Aung San
Suu Kyi, at two different locations.

"These groups were stopped and handed over to the authorities by people
who oppose unrest and love peace," the report said.

The 88 generation students also urged the government to release Aung San
Suu Kyi for the sake of national reconciliation and solve the political
and economic problems ravaging Burma.

People in Burma desire transformation of the current situation and people
will never think of disturbing those who are praying peacefully in keeping
with their own religious customs, the students said.

"We seriously urge the authorities at every administrative level to take
action to stop using so-called civilians to threaten and attack peaceful
worshipers," the students added.

____________________________________

May 17, The Irrawaddy
Free USDA clinics open in Rangoon division townships

The government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association has
opened free clinics in municipal buildings in some townships of Rangoon
Division, and its members have launched a door-to-door campaign to draw
local people to the clinics.

“Ward Peace and Development Council and USDA members visited my house and
urged us to see the doctors in their free clinics whatever we suffer
diseases,” said a resident of Mayangone Township.

Phyo Saydana and Myotaw (capital) clinics are set to open in Mayangone,
Insein, Thaketa, Thingangyun and South and North Dagon townships, and will
open clinics in all townships of Rangoon Division in the future, according
to an executive member of USDA, which is notorious for its role in
attacking the motorcade of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in Depayin on
May 30, 2003.

“The USDA has pressured businessmen to donate at least 300,000 kyat (US
$242) to be able to open the clinics,” said a businessman in Insein
Township.

Some physicians in Rangoon are being asked by the USDA to staff the clinics.

“I was urged to sit in their clinic, but I don’t want to work under the
signboard of the USDA,” said a Rangoon doctor, who is also well-known as a
writer.

Though free, collection boxes are placed in the clinics and the staff
usually asks patients to donate after they have received medical
treatment.

The military government recently denied renewal licenses to two
non-profit, non-government hospitals and the well-known Free Funeral
Service Society, a non-government civil organization that provides free
funeral services for the poor.

Zargana, Burma’s best-known comedian, told The Irrawaddy, “Even death is a
worry now for poor Burmese when an efficient civil organization like the
Free Funeral Service Society is instructed to close.”

____________________________________

May 17, Associated Press
Authorities accuse pro-Suu Kyi activists of using religion to stir unrest

Yangon: Myanmar's military regime, which arrested 40 Buddhist worshippers
earlier this week, has accused followers of detained pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi of using religion as a pretext to incite unrest, the
state-run media said Thursday.

The 40 were arrested in two separate incidents for marching in processions
to pagodas to pray for the release of Suu Kyi, whose official detention
period is set to expire May 27, the New Light of Myanmar said.

The processions, which continued Thursday, have been called for every day
until May 27.

"These people are trying to politicize a normal event and ignite unrest by
visiting pagodas and marching in procession, praying for the release of
political prisoners," the newspaper said.

The paper added that "those including Daw Suu Kyi who were under
restrictions were detained for attempting to disrupt peace and tranquility
and cause unrest in the country."

Suu Kyi, head of the National League for Democracy party, has been held
continuously since May 30, 2003, when her motorcade was attacked by a
pro-junta mob during a political tour of northern Myanmar.

Her latest official detention period is set to expire on May 27, when it
is likely to be renewed again. In all, she has spent more than 11 of the
last 17 years in detention.

A group of 15 of her supporters who had gone to pray for Suu Kyi's release
were detained for three hours Wednesday morning.

Two groups totaling some 40 supporters, many of them wearing T-shirts with
Suu Kyi's photograph, were arrested in Hlaingtharyar, a northern Yangon
suburb Tuesday and are still being held.

Suu Kyi's party won a 1990 general election, but the junta, which seized
power in 1988, refused to recognize the result, and instead has continued
to persecute members of the country's pro-democracy movement.

____________________________________

May 17, Agence France Presse
Myanmar defends Suu Kyi's detention ahead of review

Yangon: Myanmar's military government said Thursday the detention of Nobel
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was "nothing unusual", after a crackdown on
supporters ahead of a review to decide whether she will be freed.

Some 55 supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested in the past two days
as they went to temples to pray for the democracy leader's freedom ahead
of a May 27 junta review of her detention.

"Those including Daw (Aung San) Suu Kyi who were under restrictions were
detained for attempting to disrupt peace and tranquility and cause unrest
in the country," government mouthpiece the New Light of Myanmar newspaper
said.

"Arrest and detention like this are nothing unusual," the paper added.

About 40 people remain in custody after their arrest Tuesday. Most are
members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy political
party, which won 1990 elections but was never allowed to take office.

Fifteen others were freed Wednesday after a brief period of detention.
They were arrested after holding a prayer vigil for Aung San Suu Kyi at a
pagoda in Yangon.

"If they want to pray for the freedom of political prisoners, they can do
so at their homes," the New Light of Myanmar said.

Twenty-four independent organisations here were also ordered to shut down
on Wednesday in an apparent crackdown ahead the review of Aung San Suu
Kyi's house arrest.

Analysts here said the moves to stifle dissent indicated the junta had no
intention of freeing the 61-year-old, who has spent most of the past 17
years under house arrest.

She is the only Nobel peace prize winner currently being detained, and
calls for her release have been growing ahead of the review date.

Former US president Bill Clinton and 58 other former world leaders earlier
this week appealed to the military regime to free Aung San Suu Kyi.

____________________________________

May 17, Shan Herald Agency for News
Anti-SSA militia's war chest fattened

The former Shan State Army (SSA) South commander who had grabbed headlines
by declaring independence and then surrendering to the Burma Army both
within a span of one year has recently received funds from Naypyidaw to
rebuild his forces against his erstwhile boss Col Yawdserk, according to
ceasefire and civilian sources.

"We weren't told exactly how much," said a local close to the 180-strong
militia force led by Col Moengzuen, former commander of the SSA's 758th
Brigade and former commander-in-chief of the splinter group SSA Central.
"Only that it was more than 10 million kyat. In addition, he also received
4 trucks, 2 four-wheels and 2 six-wheels."

Moengzuen had traveled to Naypyidaw on 27 April and was back in Laikha, 79
miles northeast of the state capital Taunggyi, on 5 May, according to a
ceasefire source. Among the top Burma Army officers he reportedly met were
Vice Senior General Maung Aye, the number 2 man, and Lt-Gen Thein Sein,
the number 4 man.

Moengzuen, 45, whose base is at Namhu Phra Htam, southeast of Laikha, has
a home at the township seat where he lives with his third wife Nang Yen,
30.
Moengzuen-Thein Sein (MM)

Col Moengzuen with Lt-Gen Thein Sein

Recruiting has reportedly started even before his trip to Naypyidaw with
villagers hiring volunteers to serve in the militia force. The price is
1.6 million kyat ($ 1,230) per head, and in some places up to 1.7 million
kyat ($ 1,307).

"The junta hopes to use his men as guides to the SSA's hideouts and
strongholds like it did with the DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army)
against the KNU (Karen National Union)," commented the ceasefire source.

Col Moengzuen announced his allegiance to the Interim Shan Government
(ISG) formed by a little known group of Shan exiles on 17 April 2005. On
16 July 2006, he formally "returns to the legal fold", junta euphemism for
surrender, in Laikha following the arrival of 300-strong expeditionary
force from Loi Taileng, the SSA's main base on the Thai-Burma border.

____________________________________

May 17, Independent Mon News Agency
'Not the time to go nuclear': Ethnic leaders - Chan Mon

Ethnic leaders in Burma have reacted strongly to the military junta's
decision to build a nuclear reactor and research centre. They felt that
this is not the time to go for nuclear options and it proves that the
Burmese military government is not working for its people's development
but is trying to make the regime stronger.

"This is not the time for building a nuclear reactor and research centre.
It is time transform to democracy and improve people's living standards,"
said Phado Mahn Sha Gen-Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU).

"I do not see how it will benefit the people by having a nuclear reactor
and research centre," Mahn Sha added.

"It proves the Burmese military government has no intention of opting for
development for the people. They want to grow stronger in military terms
and retain power," said Nai Ngwe Thein, Vice President of the Mon
Democratic Front.

The Burmese military government has made its desire clear, that a stronger
military will make the country stronger. This desire is being broadcast
almost every day on the state owned MRTV.

This desire led the junta to sign a deal on May 15, 2007, with Russia’s
Federal Atomic Energy Agency to build a nuclear reactor in Burma
(Myanmar).

The contract was signed by Myanmar’s Science and Technology Minister, U
Thaung in Moscow.

The military government has already expanded the military in terms of
number of soldiers and armaments. Now they want to have nuclear weapons to
compete with the world, said U Htay Aung, researcher from Network for
Democracy and Development.

____________________________________

May 17, Khonumthung News
Myanmar junta involves villagers in militia training

A member of each family from several villages in Matupi town in Chin
state, Myanmar has been forced to undergo militia training. Attendance at
the training session has been made mandatory by Colonel San Aung, a
tactical commander of tactical (2) stationed in Matupi.

Locals from Lui Vang, An Thaw, Lei Sin, Dai Hnan, and La Lui village tract
were selected and forcibly made to participate in militia training that
commenced last April.

Colonel San Aung issued a directive to five village tracts that 10 locals
from the earmarked villages must join the militia training that is being
serially launched once a month.

“It is terrible to attend the training when we are struggling to support
our families. Since the training takes the whole month, we get no time for
cultivation,” said a local.

The training by military authorities does not provide for food and other
necessities for trainees. The locals are told to manage rations during the
training.

Though militia trainees have to be over 18 years of age, the authorities
are said to have involved under age locals of around 16 years old in the
recently held training.

“We attended the training because of the order, though we were bored
stiff. We were forced to work in tea plantations in the army camp before
the training,” said a local who joined the militia training in April.

It was also learnt that a transfer order for Colonel San Aung from the new
capital of Myanmar in Naypidaw was issued in the first week of April. The
Colonel is being shifted to Monywe town in Sagaing division.

The Myanmar military regime in Chin state holds militia training for
civilians every year where locals from different villages are forcibly
made to attend.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

May 17, Independent Mon News Agency
Malaysian government cracks down on Burmese refugees - Loa Htaw

The Malaysian government has come down heavily on Burmese refugees
recognized by the UNHCR in Kuala Lumpur. Its civil volunteer force, RELA
has been arresting Burmese refugees every Sunday, according to the refugee
community.

The Malaysian RELA does not care for Burmese refugees, whether they are
UNHCR document holders or migrant workers. They have been rounding up
both. The RELA stepped up its crackdown early this year, refugees said.

Alliance of Chin Refugees coordinator Robert said at least 120 Burmese
(Chin ethnic) migrants were arrested this month of whom, 30 are UNHCR card
holders.

Similarly, 19 Mon ethnic migrants were arrested on May 7 and an UNHCR card
holder was in the group. The UNHCR card holder is a Mon Refugee
Organization (MRO) executive committee member working as a volunteer for
health care program of Mon migrant workers in Malaysia.

“We have informed the UNHCR in Kaula Lumpur the day after he was arrested
but till now there is no information about his release. We then informed
SUARAM a local NGO into refugee advocacy activities to take up this case”
said chairman of MRO Nai Lawi Chan.

If the UNHCR works slowly, the document holders maybe detained at least
for two months, he said. Burmese refugees are now worried about their
security as RELA has cracked down on UNHCR document holders, he added.

According to a UNHCR report, the Malaysian government authorities deployed
at least half a million RELA members in 2005 to crackdown on migrant
workers.

Activists estimated that Malaysia has at least 150,000 refugees and asylum
seekers, including many with no valid immigration documents who fled
violence or persecution from places such as Myanmar, Indonesia’s Aceh
province and southern Philippines.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

May 16, Reuters
U.S. questions Myanmar nuclear deal with Russia

Washington: The United States expressed concern on Wednesday about a deal
between Myanmar and Russia for a nuclear research reactor in the Asian
nation, which it said lacked a regulatory framework for such a program.

Under the deal, Russia would build a 10-megawatt, low-enriched uranium
reactor as part of a center for nuclear research in the poor country
formerly known as Burma.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey said he had "no idea" what Russia's
motivation was for the agreement, made public on Tuesday.

"Burma has neither the regulatory nor the legal framework or safeguard
provisions or other kinds of things that you would expect or want to see
for a country to be able to handle successfully a nuclear program of this
type," Casey said.

"It's not a good idea," he added.

Casey said Myanmar did not, for example, have a nuclear regulatory
commission or safeguards in place to prevent accidents, environmental
damage or proliferation.

One risk was that nuclear fuel could be diverted, stolen or otherwise
removed because of a lack of accounting or other procedures in place to
prevent this, Casey said.

"There certainly would have to be a heck of a lot more work done by the
Burmese before I think we would feel comfortable that they could safely
deal with having a nuclear facility of this type on their soil," said
Casey.

The United States has been strongly critical of the ruling junta in
Myanmar for its human rights record and particularly for its continued
arrest of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Russia, along with China, has become a major supporter and supplier of
arms to Myanmar's junta.

____________________________________

May 17, The Toronto Star
Burma jails democracy advocate

Canadian group gave Su Su Nway freedom award last year in absentia -
Leslie Scrivener

It was inevitable that Su Su Nway would end up back in prison. The Burmese
human rights activist who defied the forced labour practices in her
country was arrested again this week with some 30 others.

Su Su Nway, who was honoured with Canada's John Humphrey Freedom Award
last year, was leading other members of the opposition National League for
Democracy in prayer in a Buddhist temple outside the notorious Insein
prison, where she was held for eight months in 2005 until international
pressure led to her release. She didn't attend the December ceremonies in
Ottawa, for fear she wouldn't be allowed back into Burma, renamed Myanmar
by its military junta.

The prayers, which have continued all month, were for the release of Aung
San Suu Kyi, the 61-year-old leader of the Burmese democracy movement, who
has been imprisoned for 11 of the past 17 years. The junta extends her
house arrest annually. The current term ends May 27; it is expected to be
renewed.

International groups, including Canada's Parliamentary Friends of Burma,
are demanding that Su Su Nway, 34, be released and Aung Sang Suu Kyi be
freed. "The arrest of Su Su Nway is ... a slap in the face to Canadians,"
said former secretary of state David Kilgour, chair of the Canadian
Friends of Burma advisory council.

On Monday, 59 former world leaders sent a letter to junta leader Gen. Than
Shwe, arguing for Aung Sang Suu Kyi's release. She is not calling for
revolution, it said, but "peaceful, non-violent dialogue between the
military, National League for Democracy and Burma's ethnic groups."

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton
and George Bush, and former British prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and
John Major signed.

The unblinking courage of both women shows that the fight for democracy in
Burma is by no means finished, dismal though it may look outside the
country, exiled Burmese journalist Soe Myint said in Toronto yesterday. He
is the founder of Mizzima news agency, which this week won the Free Media
Pioneer award from the International Press Institute, a press freedom
watchdog.

Mizzima is a multimedia news agency based in New Delhi, with freelancers
inside Burma. Its newspaper, The Mizzima Journal, is smuggled into Burma
and anyone found in possession of copies can be arrested, Soe Myint says.
Its website is banned but Burmese can access it through proxy servers.

"Some people think Burma is becoming like Tibet - a lost cause," said Soe
Myint, 39. "Next year will be 20 years (of military rule) and this tells
us of the resilience of the people."

Su Su Nway's arrest is a sign of their endurance, he added. "The people
are fighting, Su Su Nway knows she will be arrested and will go to jail.
It shows people are not giving up. This is all part of the political
struggle."

____________________________________

May 17, Agence France Presse
British foreign secretary urges China to be force for good

Beijing: British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett on Thursday urged
China's leaders to use the country's growing clout as a force for good
overseas while pursuing political reform at home.

On her first visit to China as foreign secretary, Beckett told an audience
at the Communist Party's political school that China should use its
growing engagement with Africa to promote good governance there and effect
other positive change.

"My basic belief is that creating a harmonious world will not come about
by default: it requires us to roll up our sleeves and get involved,"
Beckett said.

"The challenge, then, is to make sure we are part of the solution, rather
than part of the problem."

While praising China for its leadership in helping resolve the North
Korean nuclear issue and working to repair ties with Japan, she also urged
Beijing to use its "increasing soft power" overseas to bring more pressure
to bear on pariah states like Sudan, Zimbabwe and Myanmar.

"We all have an interest in embedding good governance and the rule of law
around the developing world and in the markets where we want to invest."

China's growing involvement in Africa has been criticised in the West as
motivated purely by a desire for the continent's energy and mineral
resources.

Beckett told an audience of Communist Party cadres that China could not
pursue economic reforms for long without political and legal change,
including greater freedom of expression and independent courts that uphold
the rule of law.

"Rapid economic growth means tackling these kinds of reforms becomes more
important, not less, because they are often the mechanism by which the
tensions inherent in rapid growth can be managed -- the valves to let off
steam," Beckett said.

"Reform, in other words, is not a force for fragmentation but a source of
stability."

Beckett also called on China to boost domestic consumption to produce more
balanced trade growth, develop insurance and financial markets and pursue
greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution.

The British foreign secretary is in Beijing on a six-day visit, during
which she will meet several top leaders.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

May 17, The 88 Generation Students
Statement

An Announcement of the 88 Generation Students, Regarding Disturbance and
Arrest of Peaceful Worshipers, Who Are Praying for the Release of Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi and All Political Prisoners in Burma

For the sake of national reconciliation and to solve the political and
economic problems in Burma, the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), the ruling military government, must take an essential political
initiative by releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.
Using so-called civilians in the name of "people" to forcibly attack,
disturb, harass and arrest those who are praying sincerely and peacefully
for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners is an
inappropriate and unethical conduct.

All people of Burma desire to transform the current situation to a better
one. People will never think to disturb those who are praying peacefully
according to their own religion.

Therefore, we, the 88 Generation Students, seriously urge the SPDC and
authorities at every administrative level to take action to stop using
so-called civilians to threaten and attack the peaceful worshipers.