MUSLIM-BUDDHIST TENSIONS IN TOUNGOO, FOUR MUSLIM LEADERS MURDERED*
LEPROSY REMAINS PROBLEM IN BURMA
UNICEF TRIPLES SPENDING ON AIDS EDUCATION IN BURMA
BURMA SLOWLY EASES INTERNET ACCESS
BURMA SAYS TOURIST PROBLEM BECAUSE OF LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE
IVANHOE MINES GOING FURTHER TO FINANCE COPPER MINE
NAGA GROUP SAYS IT KILLED 50 BURMESE SOLDIERS*
THAI POLICE RESCUE BURMESE AND HILLTRIBE SEX SLAVES, ONE IN CHAINS
BURMESE FORCES WILL BACK THE WA*
CONTINUED BURMESE SHELLING A 'DELIBERATE ACT
U.S. AND CHINESE FORCES TAKE SIDES IN THAI-BURMESE CONFLICT
FOUR PM TO MEET ON DRUGS
THAI CELEBRITIES ATTEND SSA MEETING IN SHAN STATE
THAI NATIONALIST MOVIE SEIZED IN TACHILEK
PROTESTORS MOBILIZE AGAINST UNOCOL IN CALIFORNIA
PREMIER OILS SAYS THEY CONDUCT BUSINESS TO HIGHEST INTL STANDARDS
RAZALI ISMAIL INVITED BACK TO BURMA
ILO ALLOWED BACK INTO BURMA
EU RECEIVES GREAT CRITICISM FOR GRANTING BURMA OFFICIAL'S VISA
THAI PM FIGHTING FOR POLITICAL SURVIVAL
CHAVALIT SAYS HE IS MISUNDERSTOOD
SE ASIA NUCLEAR FREE ZONE TREATY UNDER DISCUSSION BY NUCLEAR STATES
ADB INVITES BANKS VERY CLOSE TO THE JUNTA TO GATHERING
JAPAN TO IMPROVE BURMA'S WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
FTUB SAYS 3 MILLION STILL IN FORCED LABOR IN BURMA
CHINA WANTS TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF ASEM
23 THAI LOGGERS HELD HOSTAGE IN THE CONGO
SOUTH KOREA TO PROMOTE BILATERAL TRADE
(* indicates that BI comments were added)
At least four Islamic spiritual leaders were killed in Burma and hundreds of Muslims forced to flee after clashes last week between Buddhist and Islamic residents. One Muslim, who managed to escape, said a curfew was imposed in Pegu division after riots in Toungoo district on Friday and in Swa and Pyu districts on Sunday. The fighting erupted after Buddhist monks and their followers raided 14 mosques in Toungoo district while Muslims were praying, a source said. Four spiritual leaders died when the raiders cut their throats and the owner of a nearby restaurant was beaten to death. Buddhists also attacked Muslim passengers on Rangoon-Mandalay buses arriving in Toungoo and set fire to more than 100 houses owned by Muslims outside the town. A curfew was imposed on Toungoo and security forces were sent to control the situation. The source said nearly 1,000 Muslims became homeless after their houses were burnt down in similar riots in Thagaya and Pyu districts on Sunday. A curfew was then enforced all over Pegu division. Trains that regularly stop in Toungoo have been instructed to pass through the station without stopping, since the riots began. Motorized traffic through Toungoo, considered the half-way point on the main highway between Rangoon and Mandalay, has been diverted around the city since the incidents took place. "We had to go around the outside of the city, instead of passing through downtown," said one traveler from Mandalay. Unconfirmed reports say the violence has spread to the Shan state capital of Taunggyi, which has a history of anti-Muslims riots. State-controlled media have not released any news about the incidents. "The blackout of news by the junta makes people feel more worried and caused more rumors," said one Rangoon-based journalist. In early February of this year there were anti-Muslim riots in several cities of Arakan state, in which at least 20 deaths were reported. On Monday, a Muslim spiritual leader in Rangoon told BBC Radio the situation had returned to normal and riots followed the destruction of an ancient mosque in the town.
BI Comment: The conflict between Buddhists and Muslims is not a new or surprising event, it is known as low intensity warfare by the SPDC. Anytime when the government feels insecure, especially when they feel there is more public attention on their internal affairs, they create events that will divert public attentions from more important affairs. This time, it could be the issues of the secret ongoing dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi and SPDC leaders which attracted public attentions. The Burmese residents who know the roots of conflict well often report that the SPDC have privately orchestrated the conflicts. In past conflicts, Burmese have reported seeing SPDC soldiers secretly involved in the religious conflicts, with shaved heads, robes, pretending as monks to fight against the Muslims.
"Curfews declared after riots erupt in two cities," May 18. Irrawaddy On-Line
"Reports: Religions Clash in Myanmar," May 22. AP
"Four Muslim leaders die in clashes," May 23. Bangkok Post
"Clash spurs curfew in Burma," May 23. The Nation
A 10-year global campaign to control leprosy has been a major success, but the disease remains a threat in six countries, the United Nations said Wednesday. The World Health Organization said global leprosy cases had been cut by 90 percent since the launch of an international campaign in 1991, with the disease eliminated in 98 countries. ``We can take pride in this victory in reducing to very low levels one of the most dreadful diseases to have ever afflicted mankind,'' said WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland. Seventy percent of the estimated 600,000 sufferers worldwide are in India, WHO said. The disease is also still endemic in Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Burma and Nepal.
Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world, first mentioned in writing in 600 B.C. It can incubate in the human body for up to 20 years and is transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during contact with untreated, infected sufferers. The disease affects skin and nerve endings, and can cause permanent damage to a patient's limbs and eyes.
"U.N. Says Leprosy Cases Cut," May 16. AP
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it will triple its annual spending on the prevention of HIV/AIDS among Burma’s youth, according to Dr Myo Zin Nyunt, a local UNICEF official. Spending will rise to the level of US$ 1.5 million annually during the period 2001-5, he said.
The announcement came as the latest report from the Ministry of Health indicated that the number of HIV/AIDS cases has risen. However, Dr Myo Zin Nyunt cautioned that such estimates can be the cause for controversy among experts. "What we can be sure of is that the rate of HIV infection among youths is high compared to that in the elderly and children", he said. The UNICEF official said that to carry out individual screening and blood tests to verify the number of infected youths would be a huge challenge due to the expense.
"Unicef triples spending on HIV/AIDS education in Burma," May 14. Myanmar Times
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt has urged teachers in the country to protect youth against possessing wrong belief such as assuming the material progress and wealth and undisciplined freedom as modernization and development. Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, said that rapid emergence of new technologies and globalization has brought not only the scientific and technological progress to the nations but also associations between their social behaviors, social values, traditions and culture. Under these circumstances, failure to nurture the youth to have a clear national outlook will lead to the end of their life because of uncertain desires, forlorn expectation, uncertain ventures and wrong enticements resulting from the repercussion of a plethora of information data and cultural penetration, he stressed. It is required to train youth to understand and value the Burmese social norms such as loving kindness, sympathy, kindness, politeness, compassion, nobility, the will to serve other's interests, humanitarian duties and humanitarian codes of conduct, the Burmese leader said.
"Myanmar Teachers Urged to Protect Youth Against Wrong Belief," May 19. Xinhuanet
BURMA SLOWLY EASES INTERNET ACCESS
Burma's deprived Internet users - 2,000 government-approved people who have been limited to using e-mail and barred from the World Wide Web - came a step closer to joining the cyber bandwagon when they were permitted access to a domestic Intranet. Burma has one of the most restrictive Internet policies in Asia, with more restrictions than such tightly-controlled communist nations as Vietnam and Laos. The government's Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications is the country's only Internet Service Provider. Aside from some government ministries and 11 information technology companies, no one in Burma has had anything more than e-mail. However, a notice mailed on Friday to e-mail subscribers said they would be able to access 'Myanmar Intranet services' operated by a local private company at a cost of US$3 (S$5.40) per hour. The websites operated by Bagan Cybertech are local commercial websites. There are six websites under the category e-shopping, one under e-banking, four under e-reservation and one under e-media. 'There are very few web pages to visit, but for Burmese users who have no Internet access, it is a start,' said Mr Kyaw Thura, a 27-year-old computer enthusiast. The country's military government is sensitive to the large number of websites and news groups operated overseas by exiled dissidents and foreign supporters of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Myanmar allows domestic Intranet access," May 20. The Straits
Burma’s director general of tourism, Khin Maung Latt, plays down the impact of the Western led tourism boycott in discouraging tourists. Infrastructure is the problem, he says. He also blames a shortage of direct flights into the country and the difficulty in getting visas. “I don’t believe (it’s) because of that campaign,” he said. “It’s because of the lack of infrastructure and some of the airlines,” he told reporters during a recent conference in Rangoon. “We don’t have many direct ... long-haul flights —that’s the constraint for us.”
"Tourists face tough times is Myanmar," May 20. MSNBC online
Ivanhoe Mines says it has received a letter of intent from "a large Japanese trading house" to cover the financing and construction of a major expansion of the copper mine the company jointly owns and operates with Burma’s military government. The planned extension will exploit the Letpadaung copper deposit, a few kilometres to the southeast of the current Sabetaung pit, that the joint venture company is mining on the west bank of the Chindwin river opposite Monywa in Upper Burma. The huge Letpadaung deposit is estimated to contain reserves of 804 million tonnes of copper ore. With a price tag calculated at US$389 million, the Letapadaung project will be by far the largest single mining investment in Burma. The country is reputed to have rich mineral resources but up till now has not managed to attract a major investment by any of the world’s corporate mining giants.
"Ivanhoe coy about financing for Letpadaung expansion," May 17. Courier News
An Indian separatist guerrilla group operating out of bases in Burma said Friday it repelled a Burmese army attack and killed 50 soldiers in less than two weeks. "Since Wednesday, the area is again under our control," Kitovi Zhimomi, general secretary of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang Group), said when reached by the phone at his base in India's northeastern state of Nagaland. Zhimomi said three rebels also were killed in the fighting that began May 6. There was no immediate comment by the Burmese military junta. The gun battle was fought in northwest Burma, across the Mon and Tuensang districts of India's northeastern state of Nagaland. Nearly 900 Burmese nationals have fled their villages in the battle zone and taken refuge in the adjoining Indian territory in Nagaland, state police chief Lokhe Sema said. The Indian and Burmese governments are providing food and relief to the civilians, Sema said. The NSCN, fighting for an independent Nagaland state, split in 1988 into two factions - NSCN (Isac-Muivah) and the NSCN (Khaplang). The NSCN (Isac-Muivah) group has signed a cease-fire agreement with India and is holding peace talks with the government for a solution to the Naga insurgency problem. The rival group, the NSCN (Khaplang), has also signed a truce accord with the Indian government, but it is yet to begin peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the Indian Army has denied local newspaper reports that it has launched a joint offensive with the Burmese army against the NSCN (Khaplang) separatists. The Indian army has no role in the fighting in the Burmese territory, an Indian Army officer said on condition of anonymity. It is not yet clear if Burma, which has played down the offensive from the very beginning, has reacted to the outcome.
BI Comment: As India and Burma are seeking to open more routes to increase trade between the two countries, Nagaland had identified four such trade centers in their state to boost two-way trade with Burma. This becomes the most obvious reason why the governments in India and Burma would seek to control this region. Another opposition group, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim
"India Separatist Group Says It Killed 50 Myanmar Soldiers," May 18. AP
"Burma hit by Indian rebels," May 22. BBC
THAI POLICE RESCUE BURMESE AND HILLTRIBE SEX SLAVES, ONE IN CHAINS
Police yesterday rescued 30 hilltribe and Burmese women who were being held as sex slaves at two houses in Lat Phrao district, Bangkok. The Crime Suppression Division's (CSD) 20member commando unit searched the isolated houses after receiving tipoffs from local residents. In addition to the women aged between 20 and 25, police also found six hilltribe men, allegedly hired by Kitti Tochaicharoenporn, the owner of the houses, to guard the captives. Police found Lhong, a 20 year old Burmese girl, chained to a staircase when they raided the house. She told the officers that she was chainedup because she once attempted to escape. Her right ankle was bruised and swollen from being shackled. According to the findings of the initial investigation, Kitti allegedly paid the parents between Bt20,000 and Bt30,000 for each girl. They were then taken to the houses where they were forced to provide sexual services. Most of the women had been captives inside the homes for several months. Local residents contacted police after becoming suspicious of all the visitors the houses attracted. Colonel Sopon Pisutiwong, who headed the police team, said Kitti had not been caught. But he said based on the interrogation of the other men, the suspect would be charged with illegally detaining people, procuring prostitutes, and sheltering illegal foreigners. "After questioning, we will send the women home," he said.
"Sex slaves freed, girl, 20, shackled for trying to escape," May 18. The Nation
"Women kept under guard and in chains," May 18. Bangkok Post
"Sex slaves," May 18. Bangkok Post
BURMESE FORCES WILL BACK THE WA
In a clear warning to Thailand, Burma yesterday said its troops will join an ethnic army, accused of producing drugs, in defending its homeland from external attacks. The remarks by Maj-General Kyaw Win, deputy director of the military intelligence, are the latest salvo in a war of words between Burma and Thailand, whose relations have sunk to their lowest point in years. "Myanmar's army will defend its territory and will join with ethnic Wa troops against any aggressor who launches attacks on Wa territory," he said. The Wa has been named by the United States State Department as a major drug producer in the area. But Burma's ruling junta has defended the Wa, saying the group stopped producing drugs after the 1989 cease-fire, and is now concentration on developing its homeland, just as other former rebel groups are doing in other border areas after giving up their armed struggles. "Development of border regions depends largely on honest cooperation with friendly neighbours, " Kyaw Win said, citing the Kokang region bordering China as an example. "Kokang developed quickly with materials and technology provided by a friendly China. In Thailand's case, it has prevented, and placed restrictions on imports to Burma of materials for development projects," he said. Thai troops have been put on alert at the border with Burma following Rangoon's Warning. The alert order for the Third Army, which supervises the northern border, came directly from the army commander-in-chief, Gen Surayud Chulanont.Gen Surayud said the border situation was very volatile at the moment and anything could happen. The army chief said he was surprised by Burma's pledge to have its soldiers
fight alongside Wa guerrillas in future border clashes.
BI Comment: This year, local Thai people along the border have now taken actions against the Burmese junta two times already. Demonstrations by local Thai people is quite uncommon in the past. Also starting from this month, the New Light of Myanmar had many articles criticizing Thailand as a “poisoned neighbor,” the worst being a denouncement of a former Thai king, an act considered by Thais as the greatest kind of disrespect that a country could give.
"Burma to back ethnic forces," May 18. AP
"Junta vows to fight alongside Wa army," May 18. Bangkok Post
"Surayud puts army on alert," May 19. Bangkok Post
CONTINUED BURMESE SHELLING A 'DELIBERATE ACT'
Five artillery shells were intentionally fired across the border from Burma yesterday, landing in the compound of the Royal Project at Doi Angkang in Chiang Mai's Fang district, according to Third Army Commander Lt Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong. This prompted return fire and a strong protest from the Thai military, he said. Wattanachai said the shells landed in the peach orchards of the Royal Project, which is situated near Hua Lone Hill, the scene of recent fighting between the Army and troops from the United Wa State Army (UWSA). There were no reports of casualties or serious damage. "It was a deliberate act," said Wattanachai, adding that it was the first time that shells had fallen into the Royal Project, which is less than a kilometre from the border. However, he said the overall border situation remained calm due to the rainy season.
"Burmese shelling a 'deliberate act'," May 23. The Nation
Some 5,000 American troops are moving into northern Thailand not far from the Chinese border this weekend as part of long-scheduled Cobra Gold 2001 military exercises. Among the troops are about 20 instructors from the U.S. 1st Special Forces Group who will stay behind after the maneuvers to train Thai commandos in anti-guerrilla warfare. The United States and China are playing key roles on opposite sides, just weeks after the U.S. spy plane incident strained relations.Navy Adm. Dennis Blair, chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, confirmed this week at a press briefing that Washington has sent Special Forces guerrilla warfare specialists to act as "instructors" for a Thai commando unit known as Task Force 399. Thai military officials said there initially would be 20 U.S. instructors but more could arrive. Their main enemy on the other side of the border will be the United Wa State Army, an ethnic force loyal to the Burmese military junta. By sending the Wa away from their own border, the Chinese dramatically reduced drug trafficking into China, which had become a major problem for their own population. Sending the Wa to the Thai border meant dumping the problem on the Thais and their Western allies," said a narcotics expert who requested anonymity. Asian intelligence sources said Beijing supplied the Wa with sophisticated weapons and money in exchange for Wa help in constructing a network of roads through Burma from China. The road system would give Beijing access to seaports and naval bases on the Burmese coast, an access the Chinese have coveted for years. Brig. Gen. Kyan Win, deputy director of Burma's military intelligence, praised China for "offering material and technology to develop the border area."Thai intelligence sources say the Wa have been given sophisticated Chinese-made HN-5N surface-to-air missiles capable of knocking out low-flying airplanes and helicopters. On the other side, the U.S. has supplied Thai forces with the latest night-vision, radar and digital mapping equipment. As U.S. forces prepared this week for the annual two-week Cobra Gold Thai-U.S. exercises, the largest in Asia this year, the Pentagon left no doubt which side it supports in the looming Thailand-Burmese drug war. "As a military man, I support Thailand," Adm. Blair said. The location of the exercises in the Third Army Region, which covers the border with Burma, was a matter of rotation, he said. Neither the location nor timing was intended as a signal for Burma or any other country. Rangoon earlier alleged that the US unit was intended for intervention in Burma. China and Vietnam did not take up invitations to observe Cobra Gold this year but China had made known it might do so next year, he added. The exercises, which this year drew observers from nine countries, are part of a US bid to encourage the formation of "security communities" in the region. The observer countries-Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Australia and France-were all considering the question of full participation in Cobra Gold in the future.
"US backs army's position," May 17. Bangkok Post
"U.S., China take sides in border skirmish ," May 19.
FOUR PM TO MEET ON DRUGS
Thailand and China yesterday agreed to involve prime ministers in talks to curb drugs and to draw Laos and Burma into the effort, said Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai. China offered to host the first conference of the four prime ministers in Kunming which would take place after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visits Laos, he said. Mr Surakiart was speaking after two hours of talks between prime ministers Thaksin and Zhu Rongji. Mr Thaksin cited minorities, smuggling of chemical precursors, and proliferation of production plants as problems that obstructed efforts to curb drugs. He believed getting prime ministers involved would speed up solutions. Normally such talks are carried out at foreign minister level. Mr Zhu asked about Burma's position and was told that Rangoon supported the idea of extending co-operation beyond bilateral limits. Mr Thaksin asked China to consider special privileges to ease trade and communications between northern Thailand and southwestern China. In what Mr Surakiart described as a gift, China agreed to send trade officials to discuss cutting tariffs on dried lamyai, which face stiff competition. China allows special tariffs on imports of such goods from Burma and Laos. But China reiterated its plan to invest in a US$1 billion project to produce paper from eucalyptus trees in Thailand that would be sold exclusively in China.
"Four PMs to meet on drugs," May 20. Bangkok Post
"China PM Pledges To Help In Golden Triangle War On Drugs," May 20. AP
Three Thai celebrities could find themselves in trouble for joining Shan rebels in celebrating their National Day yesterday. The three, Noppol Komarachoon, Preeyanuch Panpradab and Surachai Chantimathorn, were invited along with other foreigners and journalists by Shan State Army (SSA) leader Colonel Yawd Serk to attend the lively ceremony, in which about 5,000 rebel troops participated at Loi Tai Lang in Shan State. Loi Tai Lang is over the border from Ban Pang Mapha in Mae Hong Son province. Actor turned TV producer Noppol and his actress girlfriend Preeyanuch planned to shoot a new TV series, using Shan locations, after their success with "Keb Phaen Din" ("Preserve Our Land") which Noppol produced and directed and Preeyanuch scripted. The series, broadcast last year on military-run television Channel 7, depicted the struggle and suffering of another ethnic Burmese insurgent group, presumably the Karen. When asked however on their return, actress Preeyanuch Panpradab and her boyfriend, TV producer Noppol Komarachun, denied going to Loi Tai Lang. Preeyanuch said she was shooting a new TV series in Pathum Thani on Monday. "I never thought of going there. How could I join the party, when I dare not go even to the border," she said. Meanwhile Surachai, veteran songwriter and musician, wrote the score and sang a song for the series, showing sympathy for the minority struggle. Surachai Chantimathorn, a veteran singer, attended a ceremony Monday at Shan State Army base across the border from Thailand to mark the Shan Resistance Day and performed for the troops. The other singer, Add Carabao, who co-founded the folk-rock group Carabao, didn't attend the ceremony but sent 50 cases of beer, said the Shan officer, contacted by telephone. He spoke on condition of anonymity. Surachai, also known as Nga Caravan, attended the ceremony to provide "moral support for the Shan fighters," said the officer. Surachai's attendance couldn't be independently confirmed, but he was known to be in northern Thailand near the Shan area this past weekend. Surachai in the 1970s founded the folk-blues group Caravan, which was very popular with the student movement that helped topple a military dictatorship in 1973. When a right-wing coup took place in 1976, Surachai and most members of his band fled to the jungle to join the guerrillas of the Communist Party of Thailand. They rejoined society in the early 1980s after the government granted a blanket political amnesty. Add, the other singer, is the advertising spokesman for the Thai beer company whose product he sent for the Shan. Add, whose real name is Yuenyong Opakul, had previously recorded a song in support of the Shans' struggle. Earlier this month, he met with the guerillas' leader, Col. Yawd Serk, at a Shan base, said the guerillas' news agency. The agency quoted him as saying afterward that "... in a national independence struggle, you need a hero to keep you going through hell and water. I'm sure Yawd Serk fits that role." Returning from Loi Tai Lang yesterday, veteran singer and songwriter Surachai Chantima-thorn said his trip had nothing to do with the dispute between Thailand and Burma. "I joined them as one of their friends who sympathises with their struggle. I see nothing wrong with my trip. Everyone has freedom of thinking," he said. Thai immigration officers said yesterday the three would face arrest and a Bt2,000 fine for illegally leaving Thailand and their films would be confiscated. Sources close to the celebrities said they expected them to return to Thailand today. The Shans' celebration of Resistance Day normally attracts a small group of foreign media, but this year's, the 43rd, was deliberately enlivened to boost morale. Reports that the three attended the ceremony further infuriated Rangoon, which has been accusing Thailand over the last three months of supporting the Shan rebels. Thai Immigration Police feared the three celebrities might face arrest by Burmese authorities or be caught in the fighting amid intelligence reports that Burmese troops planned to launch a major offensive against the Shan rebels to coincide with their national day. But heavy downpours yesterday turned out to be a blessing for the rebels since the bad weather discouraged the planned attacks by Burmese troops supported by Wa rebels.
"Thai Pop Stars Lend Moral Support To Myanmar Guerrillas," May 21. AP
"Three join Shan 'party'," May 22. The Nation
"Thai singers support Shan struggle with songs, beer," May 22. Bangkok Post
"Burmese shelling a 'deliberate act'," May 23. The Nation
THAI NATIONALIST MOVIE SEIZED IN TACHILEK
Shops renting videotapes in Tachilek across the Thai border were being raided recently and VCDs of the hit movie, "Bang Rajan", confiscated by the local military authorities, reported Moengzay from Chiangrai. On 13 May, police in the Shan State's Tachilek, opposite Maesai District, Chiangrai Province, searched the 9 video-shops in town and seized VCDs of the Thai historical romance. They told the arrested owners that they were acting on the orders of the Township Peace and Development Council, the official name for the local military government. They were released later with a warning not to rent anymore the VCDs, depicting the courage of the Thai villagers who fought against the Burmese invading army to their death prior to the fall of Ayuddya in 1767. On 17 May, all the owners of the VCD-shops, about 20, were summoned to the township office to sign affidavits pledging not to rent and sell any video tapes that had political connotations. Another historical movie, "Suriyothai", due to hit the theaters soon, "will not help foster any better relations with Burma", according to a well-known Thai newspaperman.
"Bang Rajan seized again," May 23. SHAN
Unions, disgruntled shareholders, environmental, human Rights and religious activists and Burmese exiles mobilized for a lively protest at Annual Unocal Shareholder Meeting on May 21 in Brea, California. Unocal, a Los Angeles oil company and France's TotalFinaElf, are business partners with Burmas' brutal military regime in the Burma Yadana gas pipeline project. The Yadana pipeline is one of the single largest sources of revenue for the illegal military regime. Democratically elected leader of Burma and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, has condemned Unocal for its business partnership with the military and has called upon Unocal and TotalFinaElf to leave Burma until democracy is restored. As Suu Kyi has declared, "Total knew what it was doing when it invested massively in Burma while others withdrew from the market for ethical reasons. The company must accept the consequences. The country will not always be governed by dictators. "Street theater was performed Unocal's human rights abuses, including the company's profit from forced labor in construction of its Burma gas pipeline project to take. Unocal is facing a growing shareholder revolt. Shareholders have re-introduced a resolution that would link executive compensation with the company's ethical and social performance, including their involvement in Burma. Last year, shareholders registered their growing dissatisfaction with Unocals poor human rights record -which is beginning to affect the company's bottom line- by voting for the executive compensation resolution.
However, the shareholders' resolution calling for Unocal Corp. (UCL) to adopt and enforce a workplace code of conduct for the oil company's Burma operations was defeated Monday, a company spokesman said. Of the shareholders who own 90% of Unocal's 250 million shares of outstanding common stock, 22% voted in favor of the resolution at the shareholders meeting, said Unocal spokesman Barry Lane. "Seventy-eight percent of the votes cast support our code of conduct, and believe that our guiding principles are appropriate," Lane said. The board regularly reviews its code of conduct. The code of conduct resolution was the first ever considered at a Unocal annual meeting that dealt with the company's Burma operations. Similar resolutions have been offered recently - and defeated - at other companies with operations in Burma, including Haliburton Co. (HAL), Rio Tinto Ltd. (RTP) and McDermott International Inc. (MDR). The resolution was based on a code of conduct adopted by the United Nations' International Labor Organization. Its sponsors want the right to form unions on Unocal's natural gas project in Burma, and for the country's military dictatorship to end human rights abuses. Lane said the resolution has no impact on the company's plans for Burma, formerly known as Burma. Unocal arrived in Burma in 1993 to help build the Yadana offshore gas pipeline to Thailand, now among Burma's most profitable operations. A second shareholders' resolution calling on Unocal to "link executive compensation with the company's ethical and social performance," again citing the company's Burmese involvement, was defeated, Lane said. Last year, 85% of the company's shareholders rejected the resolution. This year, 86% voted against it, Lane said. Unocal is currently facing costly lawsuits in both the State of California and a U.S. federal court for human rights violations connected to its Burma Yadana pipeline project. These ongoing lawsuits seek more than $1 billion in damages. As U.S. Federal Judge Lew who presided over the Federal case last year concluded "the evidence does suggest that Unocal knew that forced labor was being utilized that [Unocal and Total] benefited from the practice." Due to consumer boycotts, selective purchasing laws and various levels of sanctions, the Free Burma movement has successfully pressured more than 30 corporations, including ARCO, Texaco, and Amoco Oil to leave Burma. The Free Burma movement, the Unocal Campaign at Global Exchange, and AFL-CIO, are members of an ever growing coalition to pressure U.S. corporations to leave Burma. The coalition is now focusing all their energies on Unocal.
"Unocal Campaign," May 18. Media release by Global Exchange
"Unocal Hldrs Reject Myanmar Code Of Conduct Resolution," May 22. Dow Jones
UK Premier Oil's share price could almost double before the year is out because of increased hydrocarbon production, Chief Executive Charles Jamieson told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview Wednesday. The rise in output will take place when the company's existing gas operations in Indonesia's West Natuna Sea come fully onstream later this year and oil production in the North Sea begins. The CEO also underscored the company's commitment to its business activities in Burma and Pakistan, despite criticism by human rights and environmental groups, respectively. "We conduct business to the highest international standards," he said. He also pointed to Premier's new social audit document, introduced Wednesday, which describes its plans to work closely with employees and different partners on issues such as human rights and social policy. The CEO said he is confident that Premier can continue to function as a small independent company. "We are one of the few remaining independent exploration, development and production companies; that's a hell of a calling card." Since the 1998-99 oil price crash, consolidation in the oil industry has created giant oil companies, leaving fewer smaller players. Despite a request from the U.K. government last year for Premier to withdraw from Burma, Jamieson said the company remains committed to its business operations there. The U.K. government made the request following allegations of human rights abuses by Burma's ruling junta. Premier's Yetagun gas fields in Burma produce 200 million cubic feet a day, Jamieson said. Its main partner in the project is Petronas.
"Premier Oil CEO sees output boosting shares," May 17. Dow Jones
RAZALI ISMAIL INVITED BACK TO BURMA
UN special envoy Razali Ismail is expected to visit Burma on June 1 to pursue his bid for reconciliation between the military junta and pro-democracy forces. A diplomatic source said Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, took steps towards inviting Mr Ismail about two weeks ago. A Malaysian diplomat, Mr Razali last visited Rangoon in early January, and observers were concerned about the long lapse. Appointed UN special envoy in April last year, he had visited Rangoon in late June and October last year. But the breakthrough came after his January trip, when he announced that Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Aung San Suu Kyi, of the opposition National League for Democracy, began talks late last year.
"Ruling junta invites envoy to Rangoon," May 23. Bangkok Post
ILO ALLOWED BACK INTO BURMA
An International Labor Organisation (ILO) team made an unpublicised visit to Burma last week to negotiate an accord on the eradication of forced labor with the ruling junta, officials and sources said. The four-man technical team was led by Francis Maupain of France, who ran a similar mission to Rangoon last October to assess the junta's efforts to stamp out the entrenched practice of slave labor, an ILO representative said. The following month the ILO's governing body made an unprecedented decision to call on its members to review their ties with Burma -- a move aimed at tightening the sanctions load that has already helped cripple the country's economy. Bitterly disappointed, the junta shot back by declaring it would "cease to cooperate" with the ILO, in an apparent declaration that the monitoring mission would not be allowed to return. However, sources in Rangoon said the team was permitted to visit on May 17 to 19 to negotiate the text of an accord under which the military government will independently monitor the eradication of forced labour in the country. An ILO official in Bangkok said the mission was likely to return to Rangoon within the next few months to implement the guidelines developed during the May visit. The renewed contact with the ILO is another sign that a political shift is under way in Burma, where top junta leaders have been meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in secret for the last eight months.
If it can convince the ILO and foreign governments that it is making headway on the issue of forced labor and taking steps towards democratic reforms, the junta may be able to start peeling back sanctions and start developing the creaking economy.
"ILO monitoring team allowed back into Myanmar," May 23. AFP
EU RECEIVES GREAT CRITICISM FOR GRANTING BURMA OFFICIAL'S VISA
The European Union (EU) is under fire for granting a visa to Burma's Economic Planning and Development Minister Soe Tha as an exceptional measure to enable him to take part in an ongoing UN meeting here of the world's poorest countries. "Granting a visa to such an individual so that he may come to Brussels was entirely unacceptable," the International Confederation of free Trade Unions, a powerful Brussels - based labour union, said in a recent statement. Soe Tha is taking part in the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which began on Monday and continues until Sunday.
"EU damned over Burma official's visa," May 17. The Nation
The new Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been in office for 100 days since his election, and a still stagnant Thai economy and serious political misteps are very much challenging his future. The Constitutional Court trying him in a corruption case is demanding explanations, posing the biggest threat to his political survival. The court is expected to rule in the next few months on an indictment against Thaksin by the state National Counter Corruption Commission that he illegally concealed assets while serving in a previous government. If the court upholds the ruling, Thaksin would be barred from holding public office for five years. Thaksin denies any wrongdoing. "I think the chance of Thaksin surviving the court's ruling is very slim," said Thongbai Tongpao, a prominent lawyer and senator. In fact, today his popularity still remains high, but only with one section of Thailand: the poor who hope to benefit from his populist polices. During his first 100 days, Thaksin did move to rapidly fulfill his campaign policies. A national asset management company has been established to take over the bad debts in the banking sectors; a low-cost medical care scheme has been launched; and the structure is being readied to deliver 1 million baht (US$1=THB45.275) in development funds to each of the country's more than 70,000 villages. "This is the government that we poor people long for," said Chusri Maleehom, 21, a Bangkok food vendor. "I beg the press to give him some more time. Do not rush to crush him and his government like they had done to previous governments." However, these days, Thaksin seems resigned to his possible ouster. In a recent interview with CNN, Thaksin said he is "ready to serve the country in other ways." On other occasions, he has told reporters that even if he steps down, his Thai Rak Thai party will remain in power, implying that he will continue to work behind the scenes.
"Thai PM Thaksin Fighting For Political Survival," May 18. AP
CHAVALIT SAYS HE IS MISUNDERSTOOD
Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the Thai deputy prime minister and defence minister, told his advisers recently that he was not concerned by all the criticism of him. He had been misunderstood all along, he said. It did not matter what he did or said, or how well meaning his intentions for the good of the country. N The stated resignation was apparently meant to pre-empt warnings from his advisers about his poor public standing as a result of his appeasement approach to Burma and his controversial remarks over the incursion by Rangoon - supported Wa rebels and their capture of Hua Lone hill. Gen Chavalit was reported as saying the intrusion was no big deal and could be settled peacefully. Gen Chavalit's message to his advisers was: "Thank you for your advice and good intentions, but I will not change. What I have done or said is meant for the good of the country."
"And he wonders why we wonder," May 22. Bangkok Post
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the five nuclear powers remain apart over a treaty to free Southeast Asia from nuclear weapons, although the two sides have narrowed their differences, ASEAN sources said Saturday, Kyodo reported. "The differences have been narrowed down, but key points have not been cleared yet," the sources said about direct consultations Saturday among officials from ASEAN, Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S. in Hanoi, according to Kyodo. During the meeting, representatives of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam negotiated with their counterparts from the nuclear powers over the conditions required to get the five to sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. The participants only agreed to continue their consultations, but the date and venue have not been fixed," the sources said. The nuclear powers, notably the U.S., want ASEAN to narrow the SEANWFZ, which now covers territories, continental shelves and the exclusive economic zones of the 10 ASEAN members. The U.S. is apparently concerned that acceding to the treaty as it now stands would affect the navigation rights of its nuclear-armed vessels, as well as its nuclear strategy. The Hanoi meeting was the second formal SEANWFZ meeting among the 15. The first was in Kuala Lumpur in 1997 shortly after the treaty took effect.
"ASEAN, Nuclear Weapon States Remain Apart," May 19. Dow Jones
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was wrong to admit senior Burmese bankers to its annual meeting when they were close to the ruling military junta or linked to drug traffickers, exiled Burmese activists said yesterday. The "invited guest" list at the ADB's well-attended Hawaii gathering that ended at the weekend included representatives of four Burmese banks, one of which, sources in Burma say, is backed by the country's premier trafficker, Wei Hsueh-gang. Other bank guests were described by informed observers as extremely close to senior regime members. All these banks were created, or have blossomed, since the mid-1990s after the military partially opened up the economy. The State Department's latest narcotics review says that in recent years, "drug profits formed the seed capital" for many legitimate businesses, including banks. US officials refused to comment on whether it was correct to issue visas to friends of the military regime to visit Hawaii. Under restrictions signed by former US president Bill Clinton five years ago, "persons who formulate or implement policies that are impeding the transition to democracy in Burma, or who benefit from such policies" should be barred admission to the US. There was a row at the last ADB annual meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2000, when it was discovered that the chiefs of the Asia Wealth Bank and the Mayflower Bank attended. Both banks have been strongly linked to drug traffickers.
"Bank guests 'close to junta, drug lords'," May 17. South China Morning Post
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to help improve the water supply system in two cities and other dry areas of Burma. According to the Yangon City Development Committee (CDC) Friday, the Japanese organization will implement the projects of improving water supply system in Rangoon and Mandalay, and the dry regions in central Burma. The minutes of discussion on the projects were signed here Thursday between the JICA and the Yangon CDC, Mandalay CDC and Burma's Development Affairs Department (DAD) under the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs. Meanwhile, the JICA has also started in April implementing a rural water supply project in the country's eastern Shan state in cooperation with the DAD, covering 250 villages and using heavy equipment of the JICA, according to an earlier official report.
"Japan to Help Improve Myanmar's Water Supply System," May 18. Xinhuanet
FTUB SAYS 3 MILLION STILL IN FORCED LABOR IN BURMA
The leader of an outlawed Burmese labour organisation said yesterday so far more than 3 million people have been engaged in forced labour under the military government in Burma. Maung Maung, secretary-general of the Federation of Trade Unions-Burma, who is currently visiting Japan, said Japan should not resume its official development assistance (ODA) to Burma, maintaining that such assistance will strengthen the junta. If foreign countries provided aid under the current situation, it would be used for militaryk-related purposes, Maung Maung said. Japan would be unable to clearly monitor the use of its ODA in his country, he said.
"3 million pressed into forced labour in Burma," May 21. The Nation
"Labor leader urges Japan not to resume Myanmar aid," May 22. The Japan Times
CHINA WANTS TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF ASEM
Beijing has asked Thailand to support its opinion that next week's Asia-Europe Meeting should focus on economic and social issues rather than politics. Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said after a working lunch with his Chinese counterpart, Tang Jiaxuan, the Chinese were concerned about issues to be discussed at the Beijing gathering on May 24-25. Mr Tang said China would like to see the meeting focus on economic and social co-operation rather than political issues. It should not be a forum for some countries to pressure others on human rights and political matters, he said. The two ministers agreed Asean members Laos, Cambodia and Burma be allowed to join the 26-member Asem group. Mr Tang said European members opposed the inclusion of some Asean members in the Asem forum.
"Keep politics out of ASEM, urges China," May 21. Bangkok Post
"Politics in back seat as EU, Asians meet in China," May 22. Reuters
23 THAI LOGGERS HELD HOSTAGE IN THE CONGO
The kidnapping of 23 Thai nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Mai-Mai tribal warriors has brought home a new concern, the growing numbers of "Indiana Jones" Thai businessmen who comb underdeveloped areas of the world looking for quick money or big returns on their investment. In this case, the Dara Forest Company gained a logging concession in disputed areas near the Congolese-Ugandan border. They relied on experienced Thai loggers and made a quick run into the site. A UN-commissioned report published this year named the Thai company as one of several concerns allegedly involved in plundering the Congo's natural resources. In a case study of the company, the report noted: "This logging activity was carried out without consideration of any of the minimum acceptable rules of timber-harvesting for sustainable forest management or even sustainable logging." Logs were smuggled through Uganda to European, Chinese, Japanese and American markets. This is not the first time that Thai workers have been held hostage overseas. In the past, the most common places were Cambodia, Burma and Laos. Hostages were either individuals or small groups.
"Thai adventures in African jungles," May 21. The Nation
Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Korea and officials of three Burmese government ministries held a business meeting here Wednesday to seek ways to promote bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries, according to official newspaper the New Light of Myanmar on Thursday. The business meeting, sponsored by the Myanmar-Daewoo Ltd of Korea investing in Burma, was attended by Korean entrepreneurs from Gamhae city and Burmese officials from Ministries of Industry-2, Mines and Rail Transportation as well as Myanmar Economic Corporation. Official statistics showed that in 2000, South Korea injected over 38 million U.S. dollars' investment in 6 projects in Burma, ranking the highest in the country's foreign investment line-up during the year. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Burma and South Korea amounted to 353.2 million dollars in 2000, accounting for 8.6 percent of Burma's total foreign trade during the year. The balance of trade was in favor of South Korea. South Korea stands as Burma's fourth largest trading partner after Singapore, China and Thailand.
"Myanmar, ROK to Promote Bilateral Trade Cooperation," May 17. Xinhua