BI Weekly No. 360

October 14th - October 20th, 2008

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

Inside Burma

Border

International

Relief group refused to deliver food aid in chin state

The local authorities in Chin State refused permission on Monday to a Chin development agency in Rangoon to deliver emergency food aid to about 1,000 villagers in Chin State, western Burma, who are suffering from severe food shortages, said a source close to the agency.
The Country Agency for Rural Development (CAD), a Roman Catholic-based NGO which facilitates sanitation, education and construction projects in the most remote parts of Chin State, was told by local officials that it would not be allowed to send Chin villagers free packages of emergency food—mainly rice.
The CAD had planned to transport the food packages to 20 villages some 80 km (50 miles) south of Haka Township, an area where it recently conducted an assessment of the crisis before announcing last week that some 1,000 villagers were facing a severe and immediate food shortage with supplies due to run out by the end of this month.
According to the Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee, a relief group based in Mizoram, eastern India, about 100,000 of the 500,000 people in Chin State currently face food shortages.
The food crisis broke out in December 2007 when an infestation of rats destroyed crops.
In August, the Chin National Council reported that 31 children had died from conditions caused by a lack of food, such as diarrhea.

“Local authorities deny Chin villagers food aid” Irrawaddy, October 15, 2008

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Aid groups criticize official report on Burma’s relief efforts

A coalition of humanitarian groups heavily criticized a report on Burma’s cyclone disaster, saying it glossed over the junta’s obstruction of aid and human rights abuses.
The Burma Partnership, which represents 19 aid organisations, released an “alternative” report to provide what it said was a more accurate picture of the response to Cyclone Nargis, which left 138,000 people dead or missing in May.
“When we studied the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment report prepared by the UN, ASEAN and the Burmese regime, we realised that it failed to describe the obstruction of aid and human rights abuses committed by the military regime in the areas affected by the cyclone,” Khin Ohmar of the Burma Partnership told a press conference.
The generals ruling Burma drew international outrage by refusing to allow a foreign-led aid response in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
The official joint report was released too much fanfare at an ASEAN conference in Singapore in July. But Ohmar said it failed to highlight issues such as blocking and misappropriation of aid and substandard treatment of survivors at relief camps.
It omitted cases of human rights violations such as orphans turned into child soldiers, survivors forced to do reconstruction work and farm land confiscated by the military regime.
The coalition’s recommendations include an independent system to monitor aid distribution and for all relief agencies to make public their activities.
“We hope international governments will consider using the new report to ensure funding reaches people who need the most help and that the recovery process will be implemented with the most transparency and accountability,” Ohmar said.

Efforts have been made to resolve the problems between National League for Democracy youth members and party chairman Aung Shwe after 109 youth activists resigned on 16 October due to disagreements over the restructuring of the youth wing.
Youth members said that the reforms were being forced through with no consultation.
NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said that the central executive committee would meet for discussions next week to find a solution.
The NLD spokesperson added that the party believed in solving problems within the party and with the regime through dialogue.
Khin Tun, one of the youth members who quit the party who was in charge of NLD youth affairs for Lower Burma, agreed that there was hope for reconciliation.
 “The two sides need to cooperate. From our perspective, if we have permission to have a free and open discussion based on democratic principles and mutual respect, this matter can be solved.” Khin Tun said.

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2 names tipped for Burma’s president after 2010 election

Burma’s ruling generals favor one of two candidates—a Than Shwe protégé and a hard line government minister—for the post of president after the 2010 election, according to intelligence sources.
A source within the government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) said members of the mass organization were discussing the chances of Lt-Gen Myint Swe, a protégé of Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife, and Minister of Industry-1 Aung Thaung.
“Aung Thaung is a strategic and influential player of the USDA, while Myint Swe is a favorite of the junta’s head, Snr-Gen Than Shwe,” the source said. They both had the potential to take on the task of president, he said.
Under the junta backed constitution, the president of Burma will be chosen by the parliament, a quarter of whose members will be appointed by the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw (Burma’s armed forces) while the rest will be elected in the 2010 election.
A Rangoon woman journalist said the names of Myint Swe and Aung Thaung also cropped up in teashop political discussion.
Myint Swe rose within the Tatmadaw to become commander of the Rangoon Regional Command in 2002, with the rank of major general.
Aung Thaung has been accused by Burmese dissident groups of being one of the masterminds behind the 2003 ambush of a convoy carrying democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Depayin, Sagaing Division in northern Burma. Human rights groups estimate that about 100 Suu Kyi supporters were killed by pro-government thugs.
Aung Thaung is also said to be one of the richest persons in Burma. His family runs at least three companies—Aung Yee Phyo Co, IGE Co Ltd and Queen Star Co— which are gaining footholds in oil, gas, agricultural products, timber and rice trading industries and the importation of computers and other electronic goods.
 “Two names tipped for Burma’s post-2010 presidency” Irrawaddy, October 15, 2008

Since beginning of October, attacking DKBA troops have killed at least one villager, displaced more than 200, burned homes and destroyed food in new attacks on villagers and KNLA positions in Dooplaya District of Central Karen State. It is even reported that they have crossed into Thailand during these attacks and captured a KNLA soldier. The attacks are being conducted by DKBA battalions, supported with Burma Army weapons, ammunition and supplies. Troops are targeting villagers, shooting anyone they find and destroying all property they come across. The soldiers are also leaving behind landmines after they pass through an area, making it very difficult for villagers to return and salvage destroyed food or belongings.
It was reported on October 11, DKBA troops burn down homes and leave landmines in village close to the Thai Border. A Thai soldier is wounded by stepping a landmine as his unit inspects damage to the area.
IDPs in Karen state are now being squeezed between attacking troops and the Thai border. It is expected the attacks will continue along the border, and to the south and west of the area currently under attack.
“Villager Killed and More than 200 Displaced by New Attacks in Central Karen State.” FBR REPORT: October 14, 2008

First Karen woman leader elected Genearal-Secretary of KNU

An ethnic Karen woman, Zipporah Sein, was elected general-secretary of the Karen National Union on Friday, according to Karen sources in Mae Sot, Thailand.
Zipporah Sein was named the first woman leader to serve as general-secretary at the 14th KNU Congress held in Karen State in eastern Burma.
She assumes the position of the late KNU General-Secretary Mahn Sha who was assassinated on February 14, 2008, by two gunmen hired by Karen breakaway rebel groups.
Zipporah Sein also serves as general-secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO). One of the KWO missions is to collect data on human rights abuses committed by the junta against ethnic Karen.
In June 2007, she received the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award for her work to aid women’s struggle for freedom, democracy and equality in Burma. She was nominated by an international women’s organization for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

A 50-member team of high officials, including ministers and army officials, visited Maungdaw Township on the western Burmese border on October 16 to initiate projects after recent trade agreements were made during General Maung Aye’s recent trip to Bangladesh.
The visit came about just one week after General Maung Aye’s official visit to Bangladesh.
An official from customs said,” They started their tour to Maungdaw on Thursday to inspect some projects that will begin very soon. The official team is now visiting several important places along the border.”
The team is led by General Thein Zaw, minister of post, telegraph, and communications for Burma’s ruling junta. Many other ministers are on the visiting team, such as the ministers of livestock breeding and fisheries, construction and commerce, as well as the western command commander.
The ministers on the team reportedly inspected the path where the friendship road may be constructed between Bangladesh and Burma. They also reportedly inspected a large number of farmland that was confiscated from local farmers for the project.
After the visit to Kyin Chaung, the team visited Aung Sit Byint Village nearby, where a vocational training school for repatriated refugee women was opened by the UNHCR.
The team is expected to visit Kan Yin Chaung Village today to inspect the location for the harbor building.
“High officials visit western border” Narinjara news, October 17, 2008

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Burma PM to visit China

Burma’s Prime Minister Thein Sein will visit China for two regional economic summits, state media said, looking to extend ties with its closest ally.

The junta-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper said PM Thein Sein would attend the meetings between China and its neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) later this month.
China spend billions of dollars on Burma’s vast natural resources including natural gas, timber and precious stones.
China is particularly close to Burma, and has in the past vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions against its isolated neighbour.
“Myanmar PM to visit China” Associated Foreign Press, October 17, 2008

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Thailand and Singapore further invest hydropower in Burma

Thailand and Singapore have upped the stakes in the quest to secure access to Burma’s lucrative energy market, agreeing to a further investment into hydropower production with the ruling junta.
According to New Light of Myanmar, Burmese officials, on October 9, inked the latest memorandum of understanding (MoU) on hydropower projects with the Thai-based Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd and the Singapore-based Windfall Energy Services Ltd of the British Virgin Islands.
The MoU, for a reported 600 megawatt hydropower project, is but the latest in a series of investments in Burma’s hydropower market, as regional actors race to secure resources to meet burgeoning domestic energy needs.
The hydropower plant, to be located in Burma’s southern Tenesserim Division, will reportedly produce over 35 billion kwh annually.

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