BurmaNet News, August 18, 2009

[Editor]

August 18, 2009 Issue #3778


INSIDE BURMA
Irrawaddy: Suu Kyi clarifies her sanctions policy
AP: Myanmar junta's media lauds US senator's visit
Khonumthung News: SPDC prepares military training program for civilians
IMNA: Monks searched as they travel through Mon state
Kachin News Group: Ethnic Kachins banned from having cultural symbols in
their state in Burma

ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Rohingya teenagers die in Thai detention camp
Karen News (KIC): DKBA-Thai authorities work on return of IDPs – Nan Htoo San

ASEAN
Irrawaddy: Asean officials to discuss Suu Kyi pardon proposal

INTERNATIONAL
Reuters: U.S., U.N. welcome Myanmar's release of American
National Post (Canada): Former Myanmar child soldier allowed to stay in
Canada

OPINION / OTHER
Boston Globe (US): Don’t relax Burma sanctions
Irrawaddy: The junta’s new balancing act – Htet Aung
New Light of Myanmar: The first step of a long journey – Kyaw Ye Min





____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

August 18, Irrawaddy
Suu Kyi clarifies her sanctions policy – Wai Moe

Burma’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi told US Senator Jim
Webb on Saturday that “interaction” must first be established inside the
country, according to her lawyer.

The comment was made in response to Webb’s assertion that, with regard to
sanctions, Burma “needs interaction with the international community,” the
lawyer said.
A pro-democracy activist holds a portrait of Burmese opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in New Delhi in August. (Photo: Reuters)

“Daw Suu told me that when she met with Senator Webb on Saturday she
reiterated the need for the Burmese regime to first interact ‘inside the
country.’ She said only when that happens ‘will Burma benefit from
relations with the international community,’” said Nyan Win, Suu Kyi’s
lawyer, who met her for about one hour on Monday afternoon.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, Nyan Win said he asked Suu Kyi about
the recent reports in several British newspapers that she had agreed to an
overturn of the international tourism boycott on Burma. “She replied that
she had not discussed the issue with anyone recently,” Nyan Win said.

According to the lawyer, who is also a spokesperson for Suu Kyi’s National
League for Democracy (NLD) party, Suu Kyi’s stance on sanctions has not
changed since she issued a statement in 2007.

“Suu Kyi said that as she was not the one who imposed sanctions against
the Burmese regime, she is not in a position to lift those sanctions,” he
said.

The NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate has in the past, however,
offered an olive branch to the ruling generals. In November 2007,
following the crackdown on monk-led demonstrations, she said, “In the
interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the government in
order to make this process of dialogue a success 
”

Suu Kyi said she explained to Webb that despite some early agreements with
Maj-Gen Aung Kyi, the minister of relations, who was appointed by the
government to liaise with her after the monk-led protests, nothing
ultimately transpired from the meetings.

Nyan Win said that one of topics raised during Suu Kyi’s conversation with
Webb was China’s influence within the Burmese regime. The US senator
apparently referred to Beijing’s involvement in Burma as a “fearful
influence.”

“However, Daw Suu told Webb that she rejects such terminology with regard
to China, and she wants Burma to be on good terms with all its neighboring
countries as well as the international community at large,” Nyan Win said.
“She said China is Burma’s neighbor and wants to be a good friend of
Burma. She said she did not see China as a fearful influence.”

Another issue raised by Webb on Saturday was about the participation of
her party, the NLD, in the coming elections in 2010. She told Webb that
she needed to discuss the matter with members of her party thoroughly, her
lawyer said.

Suu Kyi met with the Democratic senator in Rangoon on Saturday. On Monday,
Webb told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok that Suu Kyi favors
the removal of some of the international sanctions applied by the US and
EU.

“I don't want to misrepresent her views, but my clear impression is that
she is not opposed to the lifting of some sanctions,” Webb said.

Webb is known for his strong criticism of the US administration’s Burma
sanctions, arguing that isolating Burma has strengthened China's grip,
weakened US influence and done nothing to improve the junta's behavior.

According to Nyan Win, Suu Kyi made no comment on whether she considered
the US senator’s trip to Burma to have been beneficial.

____________________________________

August 18, Associated Press
Myanmar junta's media lauds US senator's visit

Myanmar's government-controlled newspapers on Tuesday lauded the visit of
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who secured the high-profile release of a jailed
American, as "the first step" toward improving relations with Washington.

The full-page commentary titled, "The first step of a long journey," was
published in all three state-run newspapers that serve as mouthpieces for
the junta. The tone was highly uncharacteristic for Myanmar media, which
typically blast the U.S. as a "neocolonialist," a "loudmouthed bully," and
the "superpower nation" that has imposed harsh economic and political
sanctions against the country.

The Virginia senator's three-day visit, which ended Sunday, and the
junta's concessions have fueled questions over whether this could mark a
turning point in relations between the two countries and lead to a
softening of longtime sanctions.

"The visit of Mr. Jim Webb is a success for both sides as well as the
first step to promotion of the relations between the two countries," said
the article published in the Myanma Ahlin and Kyemon newspapers and the
English-language New Light of Myanmar.

"It is indeed the first step toward marching to a 1,000-mile destination,"
said the commentary, which said the junta "enthusiastically cooperated
with (Webb) because of its stance to deepen the bilateral relations and
relieve the disagreements between the countries."

Webb's visit included rare meetings with detained opposition leader Aung
San Suu Kyi and junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe. It was the reclusive
general's first meeting with a senior U.S. political figure.

Webb also won the release of John Yettaw, who a week earlier was sentenced
to seven years of hard labor for sneaking into Suu Kyi's home.

Webb told reporters in Bangkok on Monday that it was time for "a new
approach" to dealing with the junta, since sanctions have failed to win
the release of Suu Kyi or move the junta closer to democratic reforms. His
comments echo similar remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton.

During his meeting with Suu Kyi, he got the "clear impression from her
that she is not opposed to lifting some sanctions," Webb said Monday.

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. Relations with Washington
have been strained since the junta crushed pro-democracy protests in 1988.
The military government called elections in 1990 but refused but refused
to honor the results when Suu Kyi's party won overwhelmingly.

____________________________________

August 18, Khonumthung News
SPDC prepares military training program for civilians

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) authorities have been
preparing a military training programme for civilians of Matupi Township,
in Chin State, western Burma.

According to a report, nine villages near the Lensin-based military camp,
Matupi Township, were supposed to undergo military training from August 7,
by the order of Mr. Zaw Myint Oo, Second Chief Tactical General of Chin
State, northwestern Burma. The list of participants has been prepared.

Military personnel under the Matupi-based IB 304 camp have taken
photographs and bio-data of 70 people from the nine villages for the
training, which means each village, has at least eight participants, who
will undergo the training.

Although it is uncertain when the training will actually begin, the army
personnel have prepared everything in order to start when the time comes.

“The authorities have ordered each village to send at least eight trainees
and they have to get ready before the training starts. So the military
personnel have collected all data relating to the participants,” a local
from Lensin village said.

The nine villages in the area of the Lensin-based military camp are
Valangpi, Kala, Valangte, Thibuai, Lesin, Wankai, San ta, Lalui and Tadom.

____________________________________

August 18, Independent Mon News Agency
Monks searched as they travel through Mon state – Panorkkyar

Beginning this month, Burmese government authorities in Mon State have
been increasing security measures and investigating Buddhist monks who are
traveling – searching through their saffron robes and requiring them to
open their bags.

According to one monk who was searched on his way from Moulmein to Mudon
at the checkpoint in Ro Go, "At 5:00 PM I reached Ro Go checkpoint by bus.
A soldier in uniform asked me to opened up my bag. As he found nothing he
made me lifted up my robe and again found nothing. Then he allowed me to
proceed on my way."

The security increase has come as tension has mounted after the recent
re-incarceration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was found guilty of
violating her house arrest and was sentenced to serve an additional 18
months.  After her return to her home, every town gate and roadblock
between Moulmein to Ye has been checked thoroughly, though some say these
checks have been the standard military security practice even before the
verdict.

The practice of so strictly checking Monks has only more recently
developed, as, according to a monk from Moulmein, roomers have spread that
monks in Rangoon are going to hold uprising soon.

The anniversary for the 2007 protests led by Monks is next month. 
Popularly known as the “Saffron Revolution” due to the color of the monks
robes, the protest grew over frustration with the government as gas prices
increased after price subsidies were removed. In a remarkable display,
Monks joined the protests calling for a lowering of prices, and peaceful
demonstration.  The protests were ultimately put down by the Burmese
military on September 26th, resulting in estimated 138 deaths though some
sources cite higher numbers.

Though rumors have spread, the exact reason for the searches cannot be
confirmed.  According to a monk,  “We don’t know why they’re carrying out
these searches. They always do like this when some sort of news brakes
out. Previously they just checked residents, but now they’re also
thoroughly checking monks.”

According to residents in Moulmein, a few days ago a rumor spread that
people are preparing for an uprising. This has been seen as one cause why
authorities have tightened security in every corner of the city.

A resident stated, “I heard the news that people are going to demonstrate,
but I don’t know who will act as a leader to hold the uprising.”

“In Moulmein the police are just taking role of travelers at different
checkpoints,” A civilian in Thanbyuzayat told IMNA. “But,  in
Thanbyuzayat, the police, members of the USDA [Union Solidarity and
Development Association] and the fire-fighter brigade, were also taking
part in searching people at checkpoints.”

A Khitpyaing News article published on yesterday described a rumor that
there will be a saffron revolution soon in Rangoon. As a result, people in
Rangoon have been stocking food supplies, and have been worried about the
increase in the price of goods.

____________________________________

August 18, Kachin News Group
Ethnic Kachins banned from having cultural symbols in their state in Burma

In a fresh repressive measure the Burmese military junta has banned
Kachins, an ethnic nationality, from constructing its cultural symbols –
the "Manau Pole and Manau House" in their State, said Kachin cultural
leaders.

In Bhamo, the second largest city in Kachin State, the ban comes in the
way of construction of the cultural Manau Pole and House on the 13-acre
wide Bhamo (also called Manmaw in Kachin) Kachin Literature and Culture
compound (BKLC) in Aung Ta village in Two Miles. It was bought from the
Bhamo Zonal Kachin Baptist Church in 1996, BKLC committee members said.

Maj-Gen Soe Win, commander of Northern Regional Command (Ma Pa Kha) and
the junta's most powerful man in Kachin State thrice rejected the official
request for permission to construct the Manau Pole and House this year by
the BKLC committee, a committee member told KNG today.

Last July, some committee members met commander Maj-Gen Soe Win in the
Kachin State's capital Myitkyina in its latest effort. However the
commander rejected their request saying "Looking at genuine peace in
Kachin State, the construction of Bhamo Kachin Manau Pole and House was
banned," said committee members.

Earlier, the military authorities of Kachin State had twice rejected 
BKLC's letters to the junta's Bhamo District Administrative Office, called
Bhamo District Peace and Development Council (or Kha-Ya-Ka) on March 31
and Kachin State Administrative Office, called Kachin State Peace and
Development Council (or Pa-Ya-Ka) on May 19, according to the BKLC
committee.

Committee members said, both rejection letters came up with the same
reasons ---- first, the Kachins already have the cultural venue with Manau
Pole and House in Myitkyina indicating "Kachin Traditional Manau Park" in
Shatapru quarter in the town, which was constructed in early 2002.
Secondly, there are different ethnic nationalities in Bhamo and
constructing Kachin traditional symbols may harm unity among them because
the Kachin Manau Pole and House represent ethnic Kachins, alone.

BKLC committee members disagreed with Commander Soe Win's rejection notes.
They believe that the construction of the Kachin cultural Manau Pole and
House will not harm the ethnic unity in Bhamo and Kachins have to build
their cultural symbols in every Kachin village, said committee members and
Kachin cultural leaders.

On June 22, five BKLC committee members of a total of 40 members were made
to forcibly sign in the Bhamo District Administrative Office (Kha-Ya-Ka)
to abandon construction of Kachin cultural buildings by the Kha-Ya-Ka
chairman Col. Khin Maung Myint, said committee members.

According to Article 22 and 27 of the United Nations' Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to show, develop and
protect their culture and literature.

There are Kachins (also spelled Jinghpaw in Kachin language or Jingpho-su
in China and Singpho in India) in three of Burma's neighboring countries
like China, India and Thailand and they are authorized to build their
cultural symbols - Manau Pole and House.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

August 18, Irrawaddy
Rohingya teenagers die in Thai detention camp – Lawi Weng

Two young Rohingya migrants have died in the past three months in a
detention camp in southern Thailand, the Bangkok English-language daily
newspaper, The Nation, reported on Tuesday.

13 other inmates are in poor health, The Nation reported.

The Ranong camp, near Thailand’s southern border with Burma, is holding 55
Rohingya illegal migrants who were arrested on the Thai coast in January
after they fled in open boats from Burma. Thai authorities allowed the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to visit the camp in
January and February but have not granted access since then.
Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh. (Photo: Reuters)

The two dead migrants were aged 19 and 15. An immigration officer, Pol Lt
Col Nattarit Pinpak, told The Nation that they had refused food or drink
for several days. They were depressed and homesick, the police officer
said.

UNHCR regional spokeswoman Kitty McKinsey, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday
that requests for access to the camp had not been granted.

“We have asked the Thai government many times for access there. We told
the Thai government that we are ready to help them [the detained
migrants]. We want to know what their protection needs are. But we are not
getting access.”

Twenty nine Rohingyas who were also arrested in January were deported to
Bangladesh after their documents showed they were Bangladesh citizens.

Despite extensive discussions with Thai immigration officials, Burma has
refused to take back the remaining Rohingyas, saying they are not Burmese
citizens.

Hundreds of Rohingyas, Muslim victims of discrimination and human rights
abuses in Burma’s Arakan State, have been fleeing in open boats, hoping to
reach Malaysia. Unknown numbers have drowned on the open sea, and
international rights groups have accused the Thai navy of turning back
boats that tried to land in Thailand. The Thai government has denied the
charges.

____________________________________

August 18, Karen News (KIC)
DKBA-Thai authorities work on return of IDPs – Nan Htoo San

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and Thai authorities have been
cooperating with each other to send internally displaced people back to
their country of origin. The IDPs fled to neighbouring Thailand because of
clashes in their area.

Yesterday, DKBA's officials and Thai authorities met the IDPs staying in
Mae Thari, Tharay Hta, Mae Thawal, Au Thuu Hta in Thasaungyang township,
Thailand. According to locals, authorities said that they will begin the
process of the return of the IDPs on August 24.

"DKBA and Thai authorities met refugees in Mae Thari and Tharay Hta
yesterday. Villagers can go back to their homes. There are no clashes now.
Refugees will be sent back on August 24 so they must prepare to return
home," said Saw Hser Kalo from Mae Euu Hsu village.

Lt. Col. Saw Pho Kali, commander of No. 5 battalion of DKBA's brigade 999,
who is liasing with Thai authorities for the return of the refugees told 
KIC about their discussion yesterday. "Villagers are not being forced to
return. We are giving them a message that they can go back home and live
peacefully. Now it is their wish. The Thai authorities will arrange their
trip."

DKBA and Thai authorities met twice on August 14 in Mae Thari and August
15 in Mae Thawal for discussions about the process of the return of
refugees. After the discussion they officially informed the refugees.

Refugees in temporary camps are afraid because DKBA commanders and
officials come directly into the camps and are talking about their return,
said Saw Tar Hsunyar who helps refugees.

"Refugees are afraid of being forced to return home. Some refugees in Mae
Thari have been hiding in the jungle. If Thai authorities send them back,
they will hide in the jungle and some are looking for places to hide."

These refugees are from Pai Kyon and Hlaing Bwe Township, Pa-ann district,
Karen State. They fled to neighbouring Thailand because of military
offensive in their area. DKBA's brigade 999, 555 and 333 launched attacks
on KNLA in early June. They arrived at temporary camps in Mae Thari,
Thalay Hta, Au Thuu Hta and Noe Bo area. Over 4,000 refugees are living in
these camps.

____________________________________
ASEAN

August 18, Irrawaddy
Asean officials to discuss Suu Kyi pardon proposal

A Thai government proposal for a request by the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean) to the Burmese junta to pardon Aung San Suu Kyi is
expected to be discussed at a meeting of senior Asean officials in the
Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Monday that the pardon
proposal had been winning more support among Asean member countries,
according to a report in the Bangkok English-language daily The Nation.

Cambodia and Vietnam, however, were reported to be still opposed to the
proposal.

“We respect Burma's justice system but are concerned about the unity of
Asean too, since Aung San Suu Kyi's case makes Asean and Burma a common
target,” Kasit was quoted in The Nation.

Kasit noted that Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as Indonesia and Singapore,
had spoken positively about the rate of progress in Burma.

American Senator Jim Webb, who met Burmese junta leader Than Shwe in
Naypyidaw last week, said in a CNN interview on Monday that an Asean
request for a pardon for Suu Kyi would be a “major step forward in
resolving the situation.”

Webb said: "I am of the understanding that we are possibly going to see
from Asean. a petition of some sort that would ask for amnesty for her as
well.”

During his visit to Burma, Webb, chairman of a US Senate foreign relations
sub-committee on East Asia, secured the release of John Yettaw, the
American who intruded into Suu Kyi’s home and then found himself on trial
alongside the pro-democracy leader. Yettaw was sentenced to seven years
imprisonment, while Suu Kyi was given a further 18 months’ house arrest.

Burma will also be on the agenda of an Asean summit in October in
Thailand, when leaders of the grouping will announce the formation of the
Asean Human Rights Body.  Observers say Burma is one of the issues
challenging the credibility of the first human rights body in the region.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

August 18, Reuters
U.S., U.N. welcome Myanmar's release of American

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama and U.N. Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon on Monday welcomed a U.S. senator's success in winning the release
of an American jailed in Myanmar and meeting with detained opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar's military junta freed John Yettaw during Senator Jim Webb's visit
to the Southeast Asian nation last week. The American politician also met
junta leader Than Shwe on Saturday before visiting Suu Kyi at a guest
house.

"The President is pleased that Senator Webb has facilitated the release of
American citizen John Yettaw from detention in Burma. He appreciates this
decision by the Burmese government," The White House said in a statement.

Ban "welcomes his engagement with Myanmar's leaders as well as Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi toward a peaceful, united, democratic Myanmar," U.N.
spokeswoman Marie Okabe said in a statement. "The secretary-general also
welcomes the release of Mr. Yettaw on humanitarian grounds."

Webb, a Democrat, landed in Bangkok on Sunday with Yettaw, whose swim to
Suu Kyi's home in May led authorities to extend her detention. Myanmar
officials said Yettaw's uninvited stay breached the terms of the Nobel
Peace laureate's house arrest.

Ban met with Than Shwe and the other junta generals last month in
Myanmar's new capital, Naypyidaw. The generals rejected Ban's request to
also meet with Suu Kyi, citing her trial as the reason.

The trial ended last week with the extension of Suu Kyi's house arrest.
Two days later, the U.N. Security Council voiced "serious concern" about
the verdict, in a watered-down statement designed to win the consent of
China and Russia.

Both the White House and U.N. statements called for the release of all
political prisoners in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Although Britain and other Western countries would like to see U.N.
sanctions imposed on Myanmar, Western council diplomats say that China, a
neighbor and trade partner of Myanmar, opposes them.

Beijing is backed by Russia, which, like China, is a permanent
veto-wielding member of the Security Council.

(Reporting by Louis Charbonneau at the United Nations and Patricia
Zengerle in Washington; editing by Paul Simao and Todd Eastham)

____________________________________

August 18, National Post (Canada)
Former Myanmar child soldier allowed to stay in Canada

OTTAWA -- A Saskatoon man was told Saturday he will not be deported to his
native Myanmar after two federal government ministers intervened directly
in the case.

Nay Myo Hein, who said he was forced into the military at age 12 in the
country formerly known as Burma. He escaped to Canada three years ago and
had his appeal for refugee status rejected by three separate hearings. The
Saskatoon man was set to be deported Tuesday.

Widespread public outrage has accompanied the highly-profile case, with
various groups including Amnesty International urging Canadians to contact
members of the Conservative government and express support for Hein.

Protests were planned for Saturday afternoon in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa
and Saskatoon.

Saskatoon But on Saturday morning, Alykhan Velshi, a spokesperson for
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, emailed the following statement to The
StarPhoenix.

"Today, Minister Kenney personally intervened to ensure Mr. Hein remains
in Canada," the email said. "Following discussions with Minister (Peter)
Van Loan, the two ministers have issued instructions to their respective
departments."

Public Safety Minister Van Loan will stay the removal order and Minister
Kenney will grant Hein a temporary resident permit, which will allow him
to apply to become a permanent Canadian resident on humanitarian and
compassionate grounds.

If Hein was deported back to Myanmar, he would've faced imprisonment,
torture or the possibility of being killed for deserting the military.

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is under a harsh military rule and has become an
international pariah.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

August 18, Boston Globe (US)
Don’t relax Burma sanctions

SENATOR JIM WEBB of Virginia was acting as an advocate for a more
accommodating US policy toward Burma’s despotic junta during his weekend
visit to that country. But the folly of his project became obvious when
the regime’s numero uno, General Than Shwe, rewarded Webb with the release
of an American who received a seven-year sentence for swimming to the
house where Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has long been held
under house arrest - but not the freedom of that brave and dignified
woman.

Webb has argued that sanctions have failed to alter the generals’
behavior. But there was a telling irony to his audience with Than Shwe and
his rare, 40-minute meeting with Suu Kyi. The junta’s decision to grant
Webb these two interviews was plainly in response to worldwide
denunciations of the 18-month sentence of renewed house arrest imposed on
Suu Kyi - but also to expanded European Union sanctions on the junta and
US financial sanctions that President Obama signed into law at the end of
last month.

The narco-trafficking generals are guilty of using rape as a weapon of
war, forced labor on a massive scale, and the razing of thousands of
ethnic minority villages. They want to keep Suu Kyi incarcerated until
they conduct rigged elections next year under a constitution that will
preserve military rule under a veneer of civilian participation.

The time to end sanctions is after Suu Kyi and her 2,100 fellow political
prisoners are freed, and the junta enters a genuine political dialogue
with ethnic minorities and Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy,
winners of Burma’s last free election in 1990.

Webb may mean well, but he risks playing the dupe to a vicious dictatorship.

____________________________________

August 18, Irrawaddy
The junta’s new balancing act – Htet Aung

John William Yettaw has been released from Burma’s notorious Insein
Prison, where hundreds of the country’s political prisoners are currently
detained while dozens sacrificed their lives in the past two decades.

The Aung San Suu Kyi intruder is now able to return home, crossing
thousands of miles of ocean, not by swimming, but in the comfort of a jet,
leaving the innocent victim, Suu Kyi, to serve out her fourth house arrest
for another18 months.

The dismal end to the drama couldn’t be more frustrating to the Burmese
people who desperately want to see their beloved democracy leader free.
She is their hope for freedom under the ruthless military dictatorship.

US Sen Jim Webb may be satisfied with his mission: he accomplished two of
his three requests: the release of Yettaw and a meeting with Suu Kyi.

But Sen-Gen Than Shwe is smiling too, because he can now safely carry out
the 2010 elections with Suu Kyi safely locked away under house arrest.

Now the junta chief can fully concentrate on a major issue that has the
potential to unravel the smooth path to national elections—the unruly
ethnic armed ceasefire groups.
Than Shwe has two goals: to transform the ethnic ceasefire groups into a
Border Guard Force and to persuade the groups to form political parties in
their respective areas and to field candidates in the upcoming election.

So far, Than Shwe has convinced only one group, the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army, to transform into a Border Guard Force, under the command
of government officers.

The task must be done in line with the new constitution and its Section
338, which states: “All the armed forces in the Union shall be under the
command of the Defense Services.”

However, the most powerful ethnic ceasefire groups have not signed on to
the plan, especially the largest groups along Burma’s frontier bordering
with China. The United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Army, the
strongest of the armed ethnic groups, have rejected the government’s
order.

They don’t trust the junta. Their common position is they want to deal
with this issue after a parliamentary government is formed following the
2010 election.

Although the junta enjoys China’s political support in keeping
international pressure at bay, it hasn’t received its neighbor’s support
on the border guard issue. Instead, China has pressured the junta to
tackle the issue carefully and not to destabilize the border area.

Having successfully drawn India, at one time a strong supporter of Burma’s
democracy movement, into its camp by playing a balancing act with China,
the junta can now play the same diplomatic game between China and the
United States.

If the US decides to practice a more flexible engagement policy, the
threat of UN Security Council might be reduced, meaning that it may not
need to rely so much on China’s veto in opposing anti-Burmese junta
resolutions. That could give the junta more bargaining power in tackling
the issue of the armed ethnic groups along the border with China.

If the Obama administration sees Webb’s achievement as a positive step and
an opportunity for engagement with the junta, it means the junta has more
leverage in playing the two superpowers off one another.

Furthermore, it means a significant diplomatic triumph for the junta to
win the official recognition of the US, the generals’ major foe that is
often accused of neo-colonialist meddling in the country’s internal
affairs.

If not, the junta has nothing to lose. The more it delays the release of
Suu Kyi, the more the US might feel responsible for Suu Kyi’s fourth
detention, which was triggered by the actions of an American.

But for the time being, the Democratic senator can bask in his
accomplishment of snatching Yettaw from the hands of a ruthless junta.

The author is an independent researcher and a graduate in International
Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

____________________________________

August 18, New Light of Myanmar
The first step of a long journey – Kyaw Ye Min

Senator Mr Jim Webb, Chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Subcommittee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has just
completed his visit to Myanmar. Mr Yettaw went along with Mr Jim Webb to
be home. The Senator's tour of Myanmar was welcomed and recognized both
locally and globally as a successful visit that helps deepen the relations
between the US and Myanmar and reflects Myanmar' s magnanimity and
consideration.

During his visit to Myanmar, Mr Jim Webb met Head of State Senior General
Than Shwe and also with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs
Minister and exchanged views. Moreover, he held meetings with the State
Constitution Drafting Commission, social organizations, national race
armed groups that have returned to the legal fold, and officially
registered political parties. He also had talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The meetings indicated that the government cooperated in all seriousness
with Mr Jim Webb in his mission.

International media praised Mr Jim Webb for the good job for his
compatriot Mr Yettaw. At his call on the Head of State, Mr Jim Webb made
two requests: to release Mr Yettaw who was punished for his violation of
Myanmar law, and to let him meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Jim Webb said that Mr Yettaw committed a serious crime according to the
Myanmar law, so he did not want to ask a pardon; that however he requested
that the government release Mr Yettaw from the social grounds; that the
Myanmar government fulfilled his request with goodwill from the
humanitarian grounds in the framework of the law; and that so Mr Yettaw
had reunited with his family.

In my opinion, Mr Yettaw was found guilty, but the case was worthy of
consideration due to his bad health - conditions. According to the
clarification the chief of the Myanmar Police Force made at the press
conference recently, he was in serious condition owing to the fact that he
did not have meals for months. The government provided health care to him,
spending a lot of money. At the requests of Mr Jim Webb and the US Embassy
in Myanmar, the government issued an order on humanitarian grounds to
commute half of the US citizen Mr Yettaw's seven years' prison term and
suspend the remaining prison term and to deport him for his health and
future and as a gesture of considering relations between the US and
Myanmar. Now, he has left Myanmar together with Mr Jim Webb.

After the order was read, Mr Yettaw and his 13 belongings and 17 kinds of
medicine were handed over to the US consul. It was made known to Mr Yettaw
that according to the order, he will have to serve the suspended term
alongside a three years' term under the Immigration Law if he enters
Myanmar illegally again. The order depicts that the nation has an upright
judicial pillar based on humanitarianism and magnanimity.

Some foreign media expressed the government's permission to Mr Jim Webb to
meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in his visit to Myanmar as a significant
fulfilment. Their expression implicitly pointed out that the United
Nations Secretary-General on his visit to Myanmar was not allowed to meet
with her, because they do not notice the difference between the two
situations. While the UNSG was on a visit, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was still
on trial at the court for her case and she was under the jurisdiction of
the court. Now, the trial is over and she has been permitted to live in
her residence under the suspended sentence. That means the government no
longer needs to seek the approval of the court concerned to arrange a
meeting between Mr Jim Webb and her. So, it is required of those foreign
media to view the two different situations.

Being a member of the United Nations, Myanmar has been cooperating
constantly with the international organization, and it will keep on
cooperating actively with it. Myanmar recognizes and appreciates the good
offices and efforts of the UN Secretary-General, but it did not attend to
his request because of unusual situations and time. I wish those foreign
media would realize that.

Furthermore, Myanmar is a member of the global family, and has positive
attitude to cooperate with all other members in a friendly way. Myanmar
deals friendly and equally with other countries in line with the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In viewing the international affairs,
Myanmar does not have any discrimination against or in favour of any
particular countries. On Mr Jim Webb's visit, Myanmar enthusiastically
cooperated with him because of its stance to deepen the bilateral
relations and relieve the disagreements between the two countries, not
because of his mother country, a superpower. If any other country is in
place of the US, Myanmar's stance will remain unchanged in that regard.

Mr Jim Webb issued a statement thanking the Myanmar government for its
moves as a gesture of taking heed of relations between the two countries
with correct vision. He said both the countries hoped to use the Myanmar
government's new moves as ways of building bilateral confidence and amity.
At a press conference before leaving Yangon Airport, Mr Jim Webb revealed
that he thanked the top leaders of the government for allowing him to meet
them. His visit would help promote mutual understanding between the US and
Myanmar and hold working discussions. The 2010 election needed to be free
and fair and it was hoped that it would be so. Mr Jim Webb added that he
was able to discuss how to overcome existing obstacles so that Myanmar’s
political process acheiving its goal. He hoped that the relations between
the US and Myanmar would continue to improve. He had already believed that
the barriers to building amity between the two countries would be overcome
some time. With a view to mending the bilateral relations, he would hold
discussions based on his visit to Myanmar with the US administration and
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

In response to a reporter's question, Mr Jim Webb said he supposed that
conventional economic sanctions against Myanmar would not yield any
benefits. In reality, he was the one who opposed the economic sanctions
against Myanmar. He pointed out that a negotiation through diplomatic
channel was necessary in order to lift the sanctions against Myanmar
gradually. But we had learnt before his visit that a spokesperson of a big
opposition party said that they could not recognize Mr Jim Webb, who
opposed the economic sanctions against Myanmar, as a politician who should
be welcomed and that they were indifferent to his visit as it could not be
democratically beneficial.

Even an influential US senator opposes the economic sanctions against our
country but it is found that anti-government Myanmar groups are demanding
further economic sanctions to get their own country into trouble. They are
indeed quislings. It was said that recently, the EU included more persons
and organizations in the list of the economic sanctions against Myanmar.
Those persons and organizations have been banned from entering the EU
countries and their assets will be frozen. To make matters worse, Nwe
Aung, a so-called activist of Myanmar affairs in Europe, made a shameful
remark. He said they had demanded legal staff as well as insurance
services and marine products should be banned. But they had not been in
time to ban them. Even though the EU sanctions worked to a certain degree,
they were not satisfied with that, he said. Actually, they did not do a
single thing to serve the interests of their own country and people but
have been sticking to destructive acts. Their attitude and acts are so
mean. If they still regard themselves as Myanmar nationals, they should
not be that disloyal to their own country and people. Even a senator from
a foreign country shows goodwill towards the Myanmar people. If so,
Myanmar people should show more goodwill and repay the gratitude of the
State.

The US government has issued a statement welcoming the visit of Mr Jim
Webb and his success. Internal and external media also remarked that Mr
Jim Webb was the first person as a US top official who was allowed to meet
the leader of Myanmar. His visit was more successful than expected due to
the positive responses of the Myanmar government.

Looking from our side, the government has been able to show positive and
friendly attitude in the area of international relations. It has also been
able to show respect for humanitarianism and human rights. Moreover, it
has respected the rule of law and could make a fair and right legal
decision. And this must be recognized. All in all, I believe that the
visit of Mr Jim Webb is a success for both sides as well as the first step
to promotion of the relations between the, two countries. Indeed, it is
the first step towards marching to a 1000-mile destination.


Translation: MS+ST