Burma Issues - BI Weekly No. 267

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BI Weekly No. 267

February 16th - February 22nd, 2006

The BI Weekly archive is available on our website: www.burmaissues.org

Than Shwe takes his place in 'Pyinmana Naypyidaw'

Burma 's military leader Senior General Than Shwe arrived in the country's new administrative capital, which will be known as "Pyinmana Naypyidaw" which means "capital where the king resides", signalling the completion of a surprise relocation of power from Rangoon .

As Than Shwe was due back in Rangoon Saturday afternoon, it was unclear in which city he would be based permanently, the source said. Ministries have held individual opening ceremonies, but sources have said that Than Shwe will not hold an official opening for the new capital or the military zone.

A private contractor said on condition of anonymity most of the junta's top leadership had taken possession of their new homes this week, except Prime Minister Soe Win who was expected in Pyinmana Saturday afternoon after returning from a state visit to China .

"Myanmar military supremo arrives in new capital: sources", Agence France Presse, February 17, 2006

Burma to create a body in charge for NGO's

The Burmese government will form a Central Coordination Committee (CCC) to work with United Nations agencies operating in the country with their aid projects. Besides the UN agencies, other international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and domestic NGOs are also governed by regulations of the CCC, a latest release of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development (NPED) was quoted by the weekly newspaper as saying.

NGOs' projects to be implemented in Burma are to seek approval from the CCC now in addition to the Health Ministry and the Foreign Policy Committee which are the only steps to go through previously in the formalities.

The CCC designates that all NGOs assisting Burma are to be registered with the government for their operations and the travelling in the country of their project staff is so limited that they must be accompanied by at least a responsible official of the government.

There are 80 international NGOs in Burma including those that have signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with the government and it also has 300 Domestic NGOs.

"Myanmar to form coordination committee to work with UN", Xinhua General News Service, February 17, 2006

Soldiers in Arakan State sent to the battlefields in Karen State

Infantry Battalion No 34 based in Kyaukpru, the second largest city of Arakan State, has been dispatched to Karen State to wage a battle with Karen guerillas, said a female teacher close to an army family from Kyaukpru. There are over 100 soldiers in Infantry Battalion 34, and the battalion consists of four columns. The teacher said that the family members from IB 34 cantonment are worried about their relatives who are soldiers, and they are now visiting the nearest pagodas to make offerings to Buddha for the safety of their relatives.

In Arakan State there are over 50 army battalions, which are frequently send to the eastern border area to wage battles with Burmese ethnic insurgents who have been fighting the government for self-determination and a federal union since Burma 's independence.

"Infantry Battalion 34 Dispatched to Karen State ", Narinjara News, February 21, 2006

Intensification of the security has set after riots

Security in the town of Maungdaw , a western border town of Burma , has been tightened recently since a riot broke out between local Buddhists and Muslims in the central part of Burma on February 17.

According to a local source, several groups of armed police have been deployed at every intersection and mosque in Maungdaw to suppress any untoward incidents should unrest breakout. Currently, however, the situation in Maungdaw Township is still normal.

The decision was made by Military Operation Bureau based in Buthidaung during a meeting with law enforcement agents including: the Maungdaw Township authority, the District Council, the police department, and officials from the special riot police department, said an official. Furthermore, Nasaka forces are on high alert and are closely watching the situation in Maungdaw.

"Security Tightens in Maungdaw ", Narinjara News, February 22, 2006

People's militia to act as a defense against internal insurgent and external invasion

The Burmese military junta has formed a people's militia in the western border area to act as a defense against either internal insurgents or external invasions in cooperation with the Tatmadaw, or the Burmese army, on 14 February.

A military team led by Lt Col Maun Maung Lwin from Dakasa, the regional security control force, has a plan to form the people's militias with the local villagers of the villages in southern Maungdaw Township .

After military training is given to the enlistees in the militia, the military authority will arm members of the militia with sophisticated guns.

In Maungdaw Township , the authority used to form people's militias at the border areas close to Bangladesh in the northern part of the township. This time, however, the military has formed a militia in the southern part of the township and at least 10 villages in the same area will be host to militias formed one after the other by the military team.

“People's militia formed at Western Border”, Narinjara News, February 17, 2006

Unrest offensive by the SPDC taking place in Karen State

The Burmese military have launched fresh attacks on residents of Toungoo district, northern Karen state, killing and arresting people at random and forcing thousands to flee to the surrounding jungles.

Fresh batches of troops moved into Toungoo last month as part of an operation against the Karen National Liberation Army brigades one and two.

Burmese infantry battalions 66 and 124 have been operating in Thandaung and Htantapin in Toungoo and have banned farmers from their land and planted landmines around villages.

According a report by the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, between February 8 and 14, at least 135 people were kidnapped from Kaw Thay Der, Kaw Law Kar, Ku Thay Der and Sar Bar Law Khi villages for use by the military as forced labourers.

The Karen National Union's information officer, David Takabaw, said about 20 Karen civilians were reported to have been killed by the Burmese military. Moreover, thousands of the Karen villagers are now hiding in the jungles and some are on the way to flee into Thai-Burma border.

Burmese military launch new attacks on Karen”, Mizzima News, February 22, 2006

Soe Win expresses hope for further investment

Prime Minister Soe Win visited China last week. Soe Win and his party arrived in Xi'an , capital of northwest China 's Shaanxi Province , in the morning of the 16 th February to continue a five-day official visit.

There he welcomed Chinese firms and enterprises to invest in Burma . During his meeting with Zhao Zhengyong, executive vice provincial governor, Soe Win said he and Burma would warmly welcome any further foreign investment.

He visited a compressed natural gas program of a local car producer. On his trip Win visits Beijing and Shaanxi Province and he will also travel to the southern province of Guangdong before the end of his tour on Feb. 18.

"Myanmar PM welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Myanmar", Xinhua Economic News Service, February 17, 2006

Indian President to visit Burma

President APJ Abdul Kalam will visit Burma from March 8 to 10 to enhance bilateral ties and economic cooperation between the two countries. This has been confirmed by the Indian government.

The initiative for the meeting came by Than Shwe. In an official statement India has underlined the good quality and the diversity of the relation between both countries.

Following India 's announcement ‘the meeting shall also signal the interest in developing a long-term economic partnership with Burma and it shall demonstrate the commitment to assist the people of Burma through infrastructure projects, scientific and technological support and human resource development.

"India confirms presidential trip to Burma", Mizzima News, February 16, 2006

Indonesian President to deal new engagement with Burma

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will make an official visit to Burma on 1 March. This happens after the junta has rejected a visit of the ASEAN delegation because of the move to Pyinmana.

Paolo Serghio Pinheiro, UN envoy for Burma , has reportedly been in touch with the Indonesian officials, probably to give last advices for the talks. Also, the junta seems to reconsider the ASEAN visit. After being really hardliners, breaking down with nearly all international connections the visit could be a chance to reconnect with ASEAN and the world.

It is expected that Susilo will sign an agreement with Burma that will aim at improving bilateral relations, pointing to a new wave of engagement.

"Indonesian President's Forthcoming Visit to Myanmar May Signal Resumption of Engagement", World Market Analysis, February 22, 2006

Chirac concern about Burma during Asia visit

Jacques Chirac, French President, urged Burma to move towards democracy and also to release all its political prisoners. He also raised the issue of Burma during talks with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok where Chirac has been for his first visit as a head of state.

In an official announcement he said that he was talking about the Burmese country and the military dictatorship he is concerned about. He also expressed the demand to release all political prisoners, especially Aung San Suu Kyi. Despite he said that there is nothing new about the position of France and that he already before addressed those issues.

France with other members of the EU has imposed sanctions for Burma and as permanent member of the UN Security Council has supported the wish of the US to bring the case Burma in the Security Council.

‘French president tells Myanmar ( Burma ) to 'move towards democracy'' , Agence-France Press, February 19, 2006