Burma Issues - BI Weekly No.325

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BI Weekly No. 325

November 2nd - November 11st, 2007

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

Disobedient Commanders promoted to Deputy Minister positions as punishment

Two Commanders who ignored orders to shoot at protestors were promoted to Deputy Minister Positions, according to The New Light of Myanmar.

Brigade General Win Myint is up for the post of Deputy Minister of Electric Power No.2 and Brigade General Tin Tun Aung for Deputy Minister of Labor.

"They (Win Myint and Tin Tun Aung) were kicked upstairs to become deputy ministers as punishment for not strictly listening and responding to Than Shwe's order to shoot in Rangoon and Mandalay respectively," said Win Min, a Burmese civil military analyst based in Chiang Mai.

Because of the disobedience of the two commanders, additional troops were mobilized. "New LIB 66 based in Prome and LIB 88 based in Magwe were sent into Rangoon and Mandalay respectively overnight," added the analyst.

"Top military leader shelves two disobedient commanders" November 8, Mizzima News

Aung San Suu Kyi meets NLD colleagues for first time in three years

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent two and a half hours with four NLD leaders at a government guest house in Rangoon, according to a party spokesperson.

The four NLD leaders that met with Suu Kyi were Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin, Nyunt Wai and spokesperson Nyan Win. They held talks from 12:30 p.m. to about 3:00 p.m., said spokesperson Han Thar Myint.

Han Thar Myint said “they [the NLD leaders] talked freely at the meeting. They discussed the conditions for talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and junta chief Than Shwe.”

“They also discussed ways for helping protesters who were arrested and injured during the monk-led demonstrations in September,” he said.

Suu Kyi earlier met with Aung Kyi, the recently appointed Minister for Relations. Suu Kyi is said to be “very optimistic” about the prospects of a UN-supported process for reconciliation between the military government and the pro-democracy parties.

“Aung San Suu Kyi meets her colleagues”, The Irrawaddy, November 9th, 2007

Protestors mock Than Shwe with panties

Around 50 Students in Botahtaung township, Rangoon, held pictures of senior general Than Shwe with underwear superimposed on his head while shouting slogans condemning the governments crackdown on monks, an eyewitness said.

The demonstration was brief before security forces arrived and the protestors dispersed. It isn't clear if any arrests were made as the students were quick to flee.

“Small-scale protest in Rangoon”, Democratic Voice of Burma, November 9th, 2007

Burmese intelligence chief meets ceasefire groups

Major General Ye Myint, chief of the Burmese Military Affairs Security (MAS), has met with leaders of seven ethnic armed groups based along the Thai-Burma border since October, sources said.

Many of the groups have made to ceasefire agreements with the junta for many years ago.

It is believed that the Burmese military's long-term goal is to convince the opposing ethnic groups of a voluntary disarmament.

The recent meetings took place at Kyaing Tong and Lashio in Shan State and Myitkyina in Kachin state from October 24 to November 3.

Ye Mint met with representatives from the following groups; United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Army (North), the Kachin Defense Army (KDA) special region (1) based Kokang armed groups, New Democratic Army Kachin (NDAK) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) sources said.

The meetings could not be independently confirmed with the ceasefire groups.

“Burmese intelligence chief meets ceasefire groups”, Mizzima News, November 9th, 2007

More than 50 villagers arrested in Karenni State

Villagers accused of assisting soldiers from the Karenni National Progressive Party during a skirmish between the Burmese army and the KNPP were arrested and are currently being detained by Burmese authorities, according to a villager in Karenni State.

From Loikaw, Chitkeh, Palong and Suplong the villagers were arrested after October 8 and accused of aiding frontline Karenni soldiers during the skirmish as well as failing to keep the Burmese troops informed.

They are currently being detained at Loikaw’s police station and the army’s Regional Command Center, said the source. Family members have not been allowed to visit those detained.

“They [the Burmese soldiers] regularly do this kind of thing,” said the KNPP general secretary. “They tell villagers that the Karenni soldiers cannot survive without the villagers’ support. They also accuse the villagers of feeding Karenni soldiers,” he added.

“Over 50 villagers arrested in Karenni State”, the Irrawaddy, November 9, 2007

Informer Killed

An informer of the Nasaka, Burma's Border Security Force was stabbed to death by a local villager.

The informer had been instrumental in depriving villagers of work, angering them, said a village elder on condition of anonymity.

The informer was identified as Lukman Hakim (40), son of Abdul Haque, hailing from "Kawliza Banga" village in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, Burma, he added.

Before his death, Lukman Hakim, the informer had handed over a local Eliyas to Nasaka along with a Bangladeshi mobile phone. Bangladesh mobiles are banned in Burma and anyone found with it punished and jailed, villagers said.

The Nasaka tortured Eliyas and later sent him to jail, angering many villagers.

This was probably the reason that Lukman Hakim was stabbed to death by a close relative of Eliyas or a sympathizer of his. It was not clear who stabbed Lukman Hakim, villagers said.

“Nasaka informer stabbed to death”, Kaladan News, November 1, 2007

Women and children arrested

Eight Chin women and thirteen children were recently arrested and are now being unlawfully detained by Malaysian authorities, according to a Chin rights group.

The twenty-one detainees were traveling to Kuala Lumpur to meet with family and relatives on October 29 leading to the arrests of those on board, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).

The victims, according to a statement from the CHRO, had fled Burma in search of physical and economic security.

Many of those being detained are hoping to be given third-country asylum along with United Nations registered relatives already residing in Malaysia.

The rights organization says that the plight of this group of refugees provides further evidence of "Malaysia's consistent disregard for the rights and protections of Chin women and children living in Malaysia."

The condition of Chin women and children in Malaysia, of which CHRO says around 70 are currently being held in Malaysian Immigration detention centres, is stated as in direct conflict with international conventions to which Malaysia is a signatory state.

“Chin women and children detained”, Mizzima News, November 9th, 2007

Monk from the saffron revolution reaches the border

A Buddhist monk from Karen State arrived in Mae Sot after escaping arrest by the Burmese army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.

The 48 year-old monk, Ashin Sein Tita, from Arr Kaung monastery in Kawkareik Township in Karen State, fled to the border fearing reprisals for his involvement in the pro-democracy demonstrations in August and September.

Ashin Sein Tita was one of prominent monks who led hundreds of protesters through the streets in Kawkareik Township, chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness).

“They [the Burmese authorities] came to arrest me after I twice led protests and gave interviews with the exiled Burmese media three times,” said Sayardaw Sein Tita.

He said that he narrowly escaped from the monastery when authorities came to arrest him. He had been followed by the security forces for several weeks.

Ashin Sein Tita traveled to the Thai border by foot, avoiding DKBA checkpoints along the way. It took him two weeks to get to Mae Sot.

He said that police and about 30 soldiers—mostly DKBA troops—have surrounded Arr Kaung monastery since he left for Thailand last month.

“Monk from Karen state flees to Thai border”, The Irrawaddy, November 8th, 2007

Migrant worker dramatic escape from abductors

A Burmese woman migrant worker is recovering in hospital in Malaysia after allegedly jumping from a second-floor window to escape abductors.

Ma Win Win Maw, from Natmauk district in central Burma, traveled to Malaysia with about 70 other Burmese women in 2004 to work in garment factories in Jaho province, an industrial zone in southern Malaysia. They were hired by a Malaysian agent.

Friends of Ma Win Win Maw claim she was abducted by gangsters after complaining to her employer about working conditions.

Her sister said Ma Win Win Maw was blindfolded and then held prisoner in the building from which she leapt, seriously injuring her back.

Ye Min Htun of the Burma Workers Rights Protective Committee said Ma Win Win Maw had argued with her employer about overtime payments.

The employer had threatened to send her back to Burma unless she agreed to do off-duty tasks without payment, Ye Min Htun said.

“Burmese woman’s freedom leap highlights Malaysian abuses”, The Irrawaddy, November 8th, 2007

Covering Burma themselves

People inside Burma are increasing awareness among the international community of what is happening in Burma by reporting on the situation.

"Citizen reporters, stringers and correspondents working for The Irrawaddy, The Democratic Voice of Burma and other news groups bravely sent images and news from inside Burma using all the available technologies," said Aung Zaw, the editor of the Irrawaddy.

"It was very encouraging," he said. "Burmese people inside and outside the country worked very impressively during the recent uprising."

"They had no cover and protection, and they took a huge risk by sending out information." Citizen reporters, he said, could face up to 20 years in prison if prosecuted by the Burmese authorities.

It was important that the uprising and bloody crackdown took place in Rangoon, said Aung Zaw, where it was captured in on-the-scene images and reports that quickly spread around the world.

He recalled that in May 2003, the regime attacked Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade in Depayin, a remote area in central Burma, far from cameras and journalists. No images and footages were available, and at least 100 persons died.

“Exiled media essential to reporting events in Burma, say journalists”, The Irrawaddy, November 8th, 2007

Suu Kyi hopeful about dialogue

The detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is "very optimistic" about the UN-promoted process for reconciliation between the military junta and pro-democracy forces, leading members of her party.

The comments came after three executive members of the National League for Democracy, along with a party spokesman, were allowed to meet her for the first time in more than three years.

Burma's government allowed the meeting after the UN special envoy to the country, Ibrahim Gambari, completed a six-day visit to promote a dialogue between the ruling junta and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Aung San Suu Kyi also held talks with Aung Kyi, who was appointed the junta's minister for relations with her amid global outrage over a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

Mr Gambari met Aung San Suu Kyi for an hour yesterday, issuing a statement on her behalf after leaving Burma.

"In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the government in order to make this process of dialogue a success," the statement said.

"I am committed to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and invite the government and all relevant parties to join me in this spirit."

“Aung San Suu Kyi 'optimistic' over UN-backed talks”, Associated Press, November 9th, 2007

International Outrage and Political pressure fade since the September protests in Burma

Only six weeks after Burma's generals brutally suppressed pro-democracy protests, international outrage is fading and, with it, political and diplomatic pressure for change.

Campaigners say the unrelieved plight of the Burmese people is again in danger of being forgotten. In some ways, repression has actually grown worse.

Western diplomats say widespread condemnation of the junta, and additional sanctions imposed by the US and EU, Australia and Japan, have had limited but measurable impact.

The UN Security Council formally took up Burma's case for the first time, following the violent crackdown on protestors. It told the generals to stop killing and start a genuine national dialogue.

The UN's envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, visiting the country this week, and is expected to be allowed to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, the veteran pro-democracy leader held under house arrest, but not General Than Shwe, the junta leader.

"Anger fading over Burma - ", The Guardian, November 7th, 2007