BI Weekly No. 286

June 29th - July 3rd, 2006

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

Inside

Border

International

The SPDC military is continuing its attacks in Karen villages throughout northern Karen State , trying to depopulate the northern hills.

According to Karen Human Rights Group report, seven battalions of the Military Operation Command (MOC) #15 set out from their base at Pwa Ghaw in Nyaunglebin district in the last week of May to sweep down the Bilin river destroying all villages as far as Baw Kwaw. Meanwhile, MOC# 10 troops based further north at Ler Mu Plaw, have been shelling and destroying villages in the Ler Mu Plaw and Naw Yo Hta areas. In mid-June MOC # 15 troops have withdraw back to their base because of suffering significant casualties, not only from landmines but also from many sicknesses which are particularly prevalent in the ongoing rainy season. Approximately 2,000 villagers who had fled to the jungle began to return and are hurrying to replant their rice fields in the hope that they may still be able to get a partial crop this year.

After resting at their base for a week, the MOC # 10 and # 15 troops have joined and already shelling the villages between Ler Mu Plaw and Naw Yo Hta areas. All villagers in the area have fled and are now in hiding in the forested hills again. Moreover, they cannot follow up on their planting, they are almost certain to go without a rice harvest this year.

On the other hand, three battalions of MOC # 15 headed west from Pwa Ghaw along the road to Mu Theh, then north to Nwa Hta and K'Pah Hta, where they looted and destroyed houses and shot at villagers before continuing north to Tha Pyay Nyunt in Toung Oo district, and later continued toward Bu Sah Kee. Free Burma Rangers also reported on June 19 that villagers were forced to clear land for a forced relocation site at Bu Sah Kee, which they were told was to house at least 70 families.

Karen National Union sources believe that three battalions of MOC# 15 will supply and move into Papun (Mutraw) District. Also, the reports of new attacks by MOC # 16 in Mone Township of Nyaunglebin District, and MOC# 21 in Shwegyin Township are coming in.

It was clear that the SPDC plans to entirely depopulate the hill areas of northern Karen State and if this offensive is successful, it will eradicate a unique people, their villages, their way of life and culture.

“New SPDC military moves force more villagers to flee” Karen Human Rights Group 4th July, 2006

Burmese battalion back to Arakan base, another leaves

A Burmese army battalion based in Arakan State left for the eastern Burma to wage a civil war against the Karen rebel groups on the Thai-Burma border soon after another battalion arrived at their base from the front lines of Karen State.

Burmese army Light Infantry Battalion 535 based in Buthidaung arrived at the Arakan base from the Karen front lines near Thailand on 30 June. Another battalion LIB 345, based in the same town, left on July 1 via ferry for eastern Burma to provide reinforcements.

Since the beginning of this year, a number of battalions stationed in Arakan State have left for the eastern side of Burma to wage war against the Karen soldiers. Battalion 345 is the most recent battalion sent out from Arakan State .

“Battalion Arrives in Rear, Another Departs”, Narinjara News, 3 July 2006

The clashes broke out between the Kachin Independence Organization and the New Democratic Army-Kachin on June 29 in Sadon, about 64 km east of the Kachin capital Myitkyina. Two members of the KIO were killed and nine soldiers were captured. NDA-K alleged KIO soldiers trespassed in its region and intended to take control of its territory.

The tension between the two groups began in late May this year following an unsuccessful coup, led by NDA-K Secretary General Layawk Zelum, at the group's Pang Wah headquarters that briefly unseated Zahkung Ting Ying. KIO soldiers were alleged to have been part of the coup attempt, which ended after troop loyal to Zahkung Ting Ying overthrew Layawk Zelum and his fledgling splinter group.

Gumgrawng Awng Wa, chairperson of the Kachin People's Party and former leader of the All Kachin Student and Youth Union condemned the fighting among Kachin ceasefire groups and urged both sides to find a peaceful solution.

“Fresh violence further divides Kachin ceasefire groups”, The Irrawaddy , July 03, 2006

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Condemns on signing Salween dam deal

A coalition of Thai and Burmese environmentalists voiced their opposition to the signing of a deal between the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and China 's Sinohydro for the construction of five dams on the Salween River . The memorandum of understanding was signed on June 26.

Salween River Watch issued a statement saying the, "the dams will be built in a war zone near the Thai-Burma border where the Burmese dictatorship has launched repeated military operations in an attempt to control the ethnic peoples of Burma, their land and resources".

The dam projects—reportedly worth more than US $1 billion—have been widely criticised by human rights and environmental activists who say they have resulted in forced labour, forced relocation and the displacement of thousands of ethnic Karen.

Construction on the dams is scheduled to start in 2007 after the dam areas have been properly surveyed and cleared.

“Activists condemn Thai-China Salween deal” Mizzima News, July 4, 2006.

The United Wa State Army declared its territory drug free, its leaders have again pledged to keep its promise to the world come what may, according to a translated version of a speech given by Xiao Minliang, Vice President of the Wa government, on 26 June, World Anti-Drugs Day.

“It has been a year since we made the supreme sacrifice,” said Xiao at a ceremony in Panghsang marking the event, “and we are determined to uphold it whatever the hardships.”

He asked for the international community to provide food and promote education for the Wa people and encourage investments, open up markets and reduce taxes on Wa products.

A total of 73.55 kg of drugs was put to the torch.

The group has been under heavy financial pressure since 26 March, when Beijing , at the request of Rangoon , closed down its borders to timber and minerals coming through Panghsang.

“Wa vows to uphold drug-free stance”, Shan Herald News for Agency, July 5, 2006.

Pinheiro to continue his role on Burma 1 more year

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma , Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, will continue his role for one more year, the newly-formed Human Rights Council has said. Before finishing the first two-week session of the body, council members voted to extend the mandates of all rapporteurs, meaning that Pinheiro will now serve until June 2007.

He had previously planned to end his term in April this year, but all rapporteurs have instead been kept in place “to ensure there is no gap in human rights protection during the transition from the Commission,” a UN statement said.

Pinheiro will now submit a report on Burma to the second session of the council before the end of the year, preceded by an update on the country for the UN General Assembly, which will cover events during the first six months of 2006.

“Pinheiro to serve one more year on Burma”, The Irrawaddy, July 03, 2006.

Burma seeks N. Korea nuclear weapons

Burma 's military junta has attempted to buy nuclear weapons technology from North Korea 's rogue regime in an alliance that presents a frightening new threat to regional security.

The prospect of the two pariah states of Asia joining together has alarmed Western intelligence agencies, with the US privately circulating a draft resolution condemning Burma 's actions for the UN Security Council.

The terms of the resolution would say that Burma constituted a ''threat to peace and security''.

This would be a Chapter Six resolution, which does not imply that the Security Council would authorise the use of force against Burma or move directly to sanctions. But it would be the first time Burma has been formally censured by the Security Council. It is understood that no nuclear material has been transferred.

Western intelligence agencies believe Burma gets surface-to-air missiles, artillery and small arms from North Korea . The Burmese have also asked the Koreans for Scud missile technology.

“Burma seeks nuclear weapons alliance with N Korea”, The Australian, July 5, 2006