BI Weekly No. 315

January 22th - January 28th, 2007

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

Inside

Border

International

Welcomes bloc's efforts to impose sanctions
Differ on Burma : Vietnam and the Philippines

* denotes BI commentary

Copies of a forged statement by detained National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are being circulated in Magwe township.

Magwe NLD member U Myint Oo said the written statement was clearly not from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as it claimed.

According to U Myint Oo, the statement said, “We have officially stated that we will put the dictatorship to the point of no return in Burma 's future. In term of democracy, there needs to be multiplied number of parties.If there's just one party, then it's not democracy.”

It is unclear who wrote the fake statement but locals have that speculated Magwe officials could be involved causing it was widely distributed and was printed on expensive paper,

"Fake Daw Aung San Suu Kyi statement spread in Magwe", Democratic Voice of Burma , January 23, 2007

Than Shwe Thanks China for veto

Burma top leader Senior-General Than Shwe met with Li Tieying, visiting Vice- Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw.

Than Shwe said China and Burma are friendly neighbors since ancient time and the fraternal friendship has already been established between the two countries. Burma wishes to enhance the friendly cooperation in the sectors of politics, trade and economy, and learn as well refer from the successful experience gained by the Chinese National People's Congress in all the aspects of legislature.

He expressed heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government and people for the precious support and assistance extended to the Burma government and people, particularly China 's vetoing of a draft resolution regarding Burma issue, submitted by the United States to the United Nations Security Council.

The two sides agreed to maintain close exchange and cooperation and make positive contribution to the deepened development of the two countries'neighborly and friendly ties.

" Myanmar top leader meets Chinese NPC Vice-Chairman", Xinhua , January 23, 2007

Authorities in the new South Dagon township in Rangoon have ordered Muslim residents to sign statements agreeing not to hold public gatherings or preach in homes.

The statement, read to DVB by a resident, warns that discussions on Islam could harm the stability of the township.

But Muslims in the area say they should be allowed to practice their religion freely with one resident saying the Muslim community also had trouble getting permission to build mosques and Islamic schools.

Prominent Burmese lawyer and National League for Democracy member U Nyan Win said the South Dagon township officials did not have the legal authority to impose such regulations.

“We have never seen an act of law where this kind of authority has been given,” U Nyan Win said.

"Dagon Muslims forced to accept new restrictions", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 25, 2007

The Legend of King Naresuan

The first episode in a trilogy on Siamese King Naresuan, who liberated his country from Burmese rule in the 16th century, is breaking box office records and winning high praise from Thai and Burmese moviegoers.

The first of the three episodes of “The Legend of King Naresuan” grossed 120 million baht (US $3.3 million) in its first four days, breaking previous box-office records.

The film tells the story of Ayutthaya 's King Naresuan, who was sent as a prince to the court of Burmese King Bayintnaung, Siam 's conqueror. He emulates the warrior qualities of the Burmese ruler and finally wrests his country back from Burmese rule. The film has been praised for avoiding the conventional colored Thai picture of this phase of history and correcting anti-Burmese prejudices.

“Compared to previous Thais films, this one would be very much appreciated by Burmese,” said Naw Hkam, a Burmese activist living in Chiang Mai

“Thai-Burmese historical film breaks box office records”, Irrawaddy , January 25, 2007

India to continue supporting military aid

India has promised further military aid to Burma 's ruling junta and asked for increased cooperation in fighting Indian insurgent groups operating along its border with Burma .

The issues were raised during a three-day visit to Burma 's administrative capital Naypyidaw by a delegation led by India 's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who met Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye.

Among other measures discussed was the possibility of building a fence along the more than 1,600-km border. Indian officials say that the porous border allows insurgents to retreat after attacks in India . Burma has repeatedly assured India that it will not allow Indian rebels to operate on its soil.

Discussions between the two countries were also said to have focused on ways to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and on infrastructure projects.

“ India to Continue Arming Burma ”, Irrawaddy , January 22, 2007

Double Taxation Avoidance Movement

Burmese workers in Singapore have started a campaign to protest the double taxation of income paid to both the Burmese and Singapore governments.

Naing Moe Aung, a Burmese worker in Singapore and one of the campaign organizers, said the Burmese group has launched an email campaign called “Double Taxation Avoidance Movement,” in order to collect information from Burmese workers who have paid a double tax on income. The information will be turned over to the Singapore authorities.

Naing Moe Aung said his group needs tax receipts showing that a Burmese worker has paid income tax to the Burmese Embassy in Singapore and to the Singapore government. He said he has sent his own tax records to Singapore authorities as a test case. He estimated 10,000 Burmese workers in Singapore have paid the double tax. There are about 50,000 Burmese living in Singapore .

“Burmese Workers Protests Double Taxation in Singapore ”, Irrawaddy , January 22, 2007

Welcomes bloc's efforts to impose sanctions

European Union officials criticized Burma 's slow progress toward democracy and welcomed on efforts by Southeast Asia 's main bloc to create rules that would allow sanctions against errant members.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, the head of the European Commission delegation in the Philippines , welcomed a decision by ASEAN leaders at a summit in the Philippines earlier this month to start the process of drafting the bloc's charter that would adhere to the principles of democracy and human rights.

Government-appointed advisers have said that members that breach ASEAN's principles should have their rights and privileges suspended or even be expelled in extreme cases.

“EU says Myanmar slowing down ASEAN, welcomes bloc's efforts to impose Sanctions”, Associated Press , January 23, 2007

Differ on Burma : Vietnam and the Philippines

Vietnam and the Philippines differed on how firmly to coax Burma toward democracy, reflecting potential problems ahead on what constitutes interference into the internal affairs of other members of their 10-nation free trade zone.

In a major break with its consensus-based past, the 10-country body earlier this January agreed to discuss a plan for a more cohesive organization able to sanction -- or even expel -- members that do not follow its rules.

"We are increasingly vocal about wanting Burma to speed up its roadmap to democracy and to release Ang San Suu Kyi," said Arroyo, referring to the pro-democracy leader under house arrest in her home country.

Arroyo spoke as part of a panel at the World Economic Forum that also included Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the prime minister of Malaysia , and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

While not directly contradicting Arroyo, Nguyen raised the issue some ASEAN members feel uncomfortable about -- how far the organization can go in disciplining members without meddling in domestic issues.

“ Vietnam , Philippines differ on Myanmar ”, The Associated Press , January 26, 2007