BI Weekly No. 316

January 29th - February 4th , 2007

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

Inside

Border

International

Tutu seeks India 's help for Suu Kyi's release


* denotes BI commentary

Anti-Chinese sentiment has been spreading among Burmese people since China vetoed the UN Security Council resolution on Burma earlier this January.

In Burma , most Burmese people supported the resolution of Burma 's current issues being solved through the UN Security Council because there is so little hope for change or progress with the current political dilemma. People were extremely disappointed that Russia and China used their vetoes on the UN Security Council resolution on Burma .

National politician U Win Naing said in an interview with BBC recently that some of his colleagues are considering boycotting Chinese goods in Burma after the neighboring country used its veto. China lost support and credibility among Burmese people after the UNSC vote.

Another source said that not only the common people but also monks are dissatisfied with the Chinese veto, and there is a chance that untoward incidents involving Chinese people will happen in Burma in the near future.

"Anti-Chinese Sentiment Spreads in Burma ", The Narinjara News , January 31, 2007

A new group of Karen

The break-away commander of the Karen National Union's 7th Brigade, Brig-Gen Htain Maung, has formed a new Karen organization, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council. The announcement came on January 31, the 58th anniversary of the Karen revolution.

Htain Maung, promoted to major general, was named chairman of the new group. Lah Poe, the wife of the late Karen leader Gen Bo Mya, was named vice chairperson.  She currently holds the position of chairperson of the Karen Women's Organization.

Mahn Sha, the general secretary of the Karen National Union said, “We are not recognizing the groups." He said he could not say anything more until the KNU Central Committee meets. The KNU dismissed Htain Maung from his position on January 30 for his failure to follow KNU policies.

Col Ner Dah Mya, son of Bo Mya, tactical commander of the Karen National Libration Army and commander of KNLA Battalion 201, was appointed secretary-1 of the group. He was promoted to brigadier general.

His brother, Col Nay Kaw Mya, also known as “Saw Nay Kaw” has also joined the new group.

"Karen split group formed a new group", Irrawaddy , February 2, 2007

Prisoners from Myinchan prison in Mandalay township are being contracted out as cheap labour for local businesses by prison authorities, officials and former prisoner.

A recently released inmate from the prison told DVB on condition of anonymity that prisoners who had served most of their terms were forced to work outside the prison in chains and without pay.

Staff at the prison confirmed they had received orders from the military government to use inmates as a means of creating income. The prison reportedly earns about 800 kyat per day for each inmate that works. The money is transferred into national funds, one official said.

The scheme has outraged local workers and labourers who said yesterday they found it harder to find work after the prisoners started offering cut price labour.

“The prison department offering inmates' labour at cheap prices is making our daily business difficult,” a general labourer from Mandalay township said.

" Mandalay prisoners used as cheap labour", Democratic Voice of Burma , January 30, 2007

Bomb exploded on the Mon National Day

A bomb exploded behind the stage where the Mon National Day celebration in Three Pagodas Pass was being held on the Thai-Burma border.

A resident attending the celebrations said two people were injured and sent to hospital. But the injuries were not serious. One was hurt on the waist and the other on the neck.

The NMSP detained a man who witnessed the explosion. The explosion occurred in a shop called ‘Swe –Ar'. The bomb was quite powerful, but no one knows what kind of bomb it was. Investigations will begin tomorrow.

The NMSP was trying to restart performances by Mon artistes at night when this report was being filed. But the performers also ran away from the celebration venue. It will be difficult to get them to come back.

Residents felt the culprits only wanted to disrupt the celebrations.

The officer said there has been no explosion like this before. This is the first time there has been a blast in Three Pagodas Pass during celebrations.

He added that “It is very sad for the Mon people and Mon National Day that the explosion disrupted peaceful celebrations”.

"Bomb blast at Mon National Day celebration venue", IMNA , February 2, 2007

Migrants to be allowed into the war zone

Thailand , which has a sizeable migrant population from neighboring countries like Laos , Burma , and Cambodia will offer 10,000 new jobs to migrant Burmese workers.

Decision also covers a new agreement between the Thai and Burmese governments to allow 10,000 more Burmese workers into Thailand , and the registration of foreign laborers in five southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun.

The Young Chi Oo Burmese Workers Assistance Association spokesperson Ko Moe Swe said it is good for workers to get a job but the area they are focusing on is in the war zone so workers who are going to be there should be careful.

Legal foreign workers will allowed because could solve Thailand 's labour shortage. Since insurgency threatens southern Thailand , most workers move to other areas.

"Ten thousand new Burmese migrants to be allowed into Thailand ", Independent Mon News Agency , January 31, 2007

Seeking help for Suu Kyi's release

South Africa 's Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu has urged India to help secure the release of Burma 's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Accepting the peace prize from President APJ Abdul Kalam in New Delhi the Archbishop dedicated it to the people of South Africa , the victims of Darfur and Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We thank you for giving refuge to one of the greatest human beings, the Dalai Lama, and pray that you will help bring about freedom of his Tibet , and the release of our sister Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma ." Tutu said.

Tutu is the second South African to receive the Gandhi Peace Prize, the first being Nelson Mandela. He was the first non-white Archbishop of the Anglican Church in South Africa during the apartheid regime.

"Tutu seeks India 's help for Suu Kyi's release", Mizzima News , February 1, 2007