BI Weekly No. 275

April 13th - April 19th, 2006

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

Inside

Border

International

The Burmese government has charged four outlawed anti-government associations with committing terrorist acts and disrupting the peace and stability of the country by planting bombs at many locations.

The member groups and individuals of the four associations, namely Sein Win-led National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), Hla Oo and Pyithit Nyunt Wai (alias) Maung Maung- led Federation of Trade Union - Burma (FTUB), Than Khe-led All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and Win Khet-led National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (NLD-LA), were declared by the Ministry of Home Affairs as terrorists.

" Myanmar charges 4 anti-gov't associations with terrifying country", Xinhua General News Service, April 14, 2006 .

Burma 's military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) chairman Gen Than Shwe, was reported to have arrived at Sittwe (Akyab) on 13 April in order to pay visit to the nearby ancient Arakan capital Mrauk-U (Myauk-U).

Than Shwe, accompanied by his family members and followers went to worship at the revered the Dulamala Pyilonechantha (The Nation Enriching) Pagoda. Local people think that than Shwe came to Sittwe to ‘thread on victorious land' as a way of warding off evil during the Thingyan (Water Festival) period before the New Year.

"Burmese junta chief visits Arakan state reportedly to ward off evil" Democratic Voice of Burma , April 13, 2006

Pegu College 's students released

Students from Pegu College in lower central Burma who had been arrested and detained by authorities for writing and distributing a poem titled Daung Man (the strength of the fighting peacock), were released on 10 April.

But it is not known why and how they were released.

The seven students were arrested on 29 March, included the proprietor of A20 Desktop Publishing Business for printing the poem. The owner of teashop in Pegu was also detained in the border town Myawaddy with copies of the poem.

"Burmese students from Pegu College detained for writing poem released", Democratic Voice of Burma , April 12, 2006 .

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SPDC troops deployed in border areas of northern Arakan

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) have been deploying the army in the border areas of northern Arakan.

According to local people, the troops of Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 354 and 234 have been deployed in the northern part of Maungdaw starting from Kyein Chaung (Bawli Bazaar) and its surrounding area under the Maungdaw Township , Arakan State .

The reason for deploying troops in the area stems from the belief of the SPDC government that pro-democracy opposition groups have entered these areas from Bangladesh .

The troops are not only watching over the places but have also forced Rohingya villagers to keep a watch along with them day and night.

"SPDC deploys army in border areas of northern Arakan", Kaladan News, April 17, 2006.

The Burma Army has extended its operations in Western and Northern Karen State resulting on over 8,500 people having to flee their homes. Over 6,500 now are in hiding, 1,000 attempting to return and remain in their homes and 1,000 already fled to the border (on the Salween River ). Free Burma Rangers reported 1,000 of the IDPS in Kyauk Kyi township had returned to their homes, after hiding since March, but with the approach of the Burma Army, they may have to flee again.

It also is reported that the Burma Army plan to build a new camp in southern Mon Township to attempt to control the population more efficiently.

The situation in Western and Northern Karen State is now worse than at anytime since the offensives of 1997. There is an immediate need for rice and medicine for the people who are now displaced and in hiding. The people are trying to stay and not go to the refugee camps.

"Over 8,500 people displaced as the Burma Army extends its attacks against civilians in Northern and Western Karen State , Burma ", Free Burma Rangers, April 17, 2006 .

China and India should help promoting democracy in Burma

ASEAN should work with China and India to persuade army-ruled Burma to reform since the regional powerhouses have stronger economic leverage, the bloc's chief Ong Keng Yong said on Indonesia 's Bali Island before an informal retreat.

Ong said there was "certain impatience" among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with Burma 's foot-dragging on democracy but the grouping had limited leverage to pressure its fellow member.

"The best way is to work with our neighbors who have better leverage with Myanmar . China and India have common borders with Myanmar ," he said.

"They are also very involved in cross-border trade, in investment, in tourism and in other things," he added. "They can help by promoting democracy in Myanmar . They can help in any way they can."

Singapore 's Foreign Minister George Yeo also said last month that China 's and India 's open policy on Burma diluted the impact of Western sanctions.

"China and India should use economic leverage to persuade Myanmar: ASEAN chief", Agence France Presse, April 19, 2006.

Demonstrations against Daewoo around the world

Demonstrators gathered at South Korean embassies and offices of Daewoo International Corp around the world on 18 April to demand the country stop all investment in the proposed project in military-ruled Burma 's Shwe gas fields.

Protestors claimed that the revenue from the project would only bolster the oppressive ruling junta and would do nothing to help impoverished Burmese people, as well as further damage the country's already fragile environment.

The demonstrations were being held outside Daewoo International offices and South Korean embassies in the US , UK , Sweden , Japan , India , Bangladesh , Malaysia , the Philippines and Thailand .

Daewoo holds a 60 percent stake in the Shwe gas field, located in the Bay of Bengal off Burma 's Arakan coast. It is expected to begin commercial production in 2010, at an estimated annual profit of US $106 million.

Korea Gas Corp and Gail India each hold a 10 percent stake, while India 's ONGC Videsh has an investment of 20 percent

"S Korean investment in Burma sparks international protests", Irrawaddy, April 18, 2006.

Korean companies to join copper mine in Burma

A consortium of Korean companies is pushing to participate in a Canadian company's copper mine development project in Burma .

Korea Resources Corp. said it and two other Korean companies – Taihan Electric Wire Co. and Daewoo International Corp. - signed a preliminary agreement in January with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. to jointly develop a copper mine in Monywa, central Burma .

Korea Resources said the Korean consortium plans to buy a 25 percent stake - 10 percent for the state mining firm and 7.5 percent each for Taihan and Daewoo - in the copper mine for $120 million.

"Korean firms to mine copper in Myanmar", The Korea Herald, April 13, 2006.

Malaysian, Thai firms seek oil palm investment in Tenasserim

Companies from Malaysia and Thailand are seeking permission from the Burma authorities for investment in oil palm cultivation in the country's southern Tenasserim division, a prospective oil bowl in Burma, said a latest report of the local Khit Myanmar weekly.

Some four Malaysian companies and some Thai's have been interested in engagement in the sector since last year with some of them having sought for investment approval from Burma's Foreign Investment Commission, while some making feasibility study.

Of the companies intending to invest in the sector, TDM and Agoo Venture of Malaysia are leading.

Burma is implementing a project to transform the Tenasserim division into an edible oil pot next to the Magway division in the central part in a bid to ensure domestic oil sufficiency.

"Malaysian, Thai companies to invest in oil palm cultivation in Myanmar", Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2006