Burma Issues - BI Weekly No.332

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BI Weekly No.332

DATES 07-01-2008 11-01-2008

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

Junta continues to arrest political activists

More than 10 political activists, including one monk, have been arrestedsince 1 January in Rangoon alone, according to sources from the pro-democracy movement.

National League for Democracy spokesperson U Nyan Win, said that three NLD youth members, were arrested on 4 January. On 3 January, one monk and four civilians were arrested at the Sate Taing Kya teashop on Lewis Road.

All-Burmese Federation of Student Unions leader Kyaw Ko Ko narrowly escaped arrest when the house where he was staying was raided by the authorities.

Arrests have continued in Rangoon and elsewhere in Burma since the public demonstrations in September 2007, despite the regime’s promise that no further detentions were taking place and in defiance of repeated appeals from the international community.

"Junta continues to arrest activists ¬ Maung Too", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 7, 2008

University privileges granted to Burma's junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s grandson

Denied a university place in Singapore, the pampered grandson of Burma’s junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe is having an easier time pursuing his studies at Rangoon’s Technological University.

Nay Shwe Thway Aung—aka Pho La Pyeit—has reportedly been granted special privileges that include hand-picked teachers, security guards and a special classroom shared with 17 other favored students.

The football-loving youngster, a favorite grandson of Than Shwe, enrolled at the Technological University last month.

In April 2007, during a visit by Than Shwe and members of his family to Maymyo a helicopter was reportedly dispatched to Rangoon on a special mission to buy roast duck for Nay Shwe Thway Aung. Reports of his pampered lifestyle circulated among Burmese students in

Singapore, fuelling fears at home that he could be exposed to abuse and even attack if he attended university there.

"University privileges granted to Than Shwe’s grandson - Saw Yan Naing", Irrawaddy, January 9, 2008

Three human rights activists' appeal denied by court

Three human rights activists who are currently serving time in Taung-ngu prison in Bago division had their appeal rejected by Prome court on Monday.

Thet Oo, Zaw Htun and monk U Panita, who are members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network, were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by district judge U Maung Maung on 7 November 2007 at Prome prison court.

HRDP network leader U Myint Aye said that they were sentenced for their involvement in the September protests and contact with the media.

“They have been imprisoned for talking to the media and for assisting the monk protests in September,” U Myint Aye said.

“Jailing people for talking to the media is a violation of the right to freedom of speech.”

"Rights activists' appeal denied by court", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 9, 2008

Forced labor on road construction In Burma

Township authorities have forced villagers to work on motor road construction in Pauktaw Township, 20 miles east of Arakan State's capital

Sittwe, without payment, reports a villager from the area. The road is being constructed to connect Taungfu and Thawin Chaung Village a few miles outside of Pauktaw, and many residents from both villages have had to work on the road's construction.

"We heard the government allocated 6 million kyat for the road construction from the state revenue, but township authorities forced us to work on it after they took the money for their own interests," the villager said.

Every household in the two villages has been working on the road construction in twelve-foot lengths as allocated by the authority. The township authority ordered the villagers to complete the road before Burmese army day.

"In two villages, there are over 1,000 households and all villagers are now working at the road construction to be finished before March 2008," he said.

Moreover, the authority forced some residents of other nearby villages to work at breaking the stones needed to pave the road.

"Forced labor on road construction", Narinjara News, January 10, 2008

Burma's detained opposition leader Suu Kyi meets junta’s liaison officer again Burma’s detained opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, met with the Burmese junta’s liaison officer, ex Maj-Gen Aung Kyi, on Friday, according to sources in Rangoon.

A protester residing in Japan holds a poster of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a march demanding human rights in Burma The meeting has not been officially confirmed by authorities or Suu Kyi Supporters.

“In the past we couldn’t talk with the junta. If we can talk, it is a good sign for the political process,” said Nyan Win, a spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD) The third meeting between Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi was on November 19, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Singapore.

“We will release information related to the meetings when necessary,” he said. “Regarding the time frame, we will continue to hold meetings with

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We need to consider what to discuss and why. We are choosing ‘What’ and ‘Why.’ So, we will take ‘Where,’ ‘How’ and ‘When’ into consideration in the future.” The NLD sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recentlyexpressing its readiness to accept the U.N. special envoy’s mediation efforts for political dialogue and national reconciliation.

"Suu Kyi meets junta’s liaison officer again - Wai Moe", Irrawaddy January 11, 2008

Burma arrests two over human trafficking

Authorities in military-ruled Burma, listed by Washington as among the world's worst human trafficking offenders, arrested a couple trying to smuggle four women to China, state media said Thursday.

In a rare acknowledgement of the problem, the Burma-language Mirror paper said the two were held as they tried to bring four women to board a train in the commercial hub Rangoo to the border town of Muse.

From there they would have been smuggled into China to work as maids, the newspaper quoted police as saying, and identified the couple.

The government admits women from Buma have been lured to China with the promise of good jobs but were instead sold and forced to marry older men.

Burma made human trafficking illegal in September 2005, but in an annual report last year the United States accused the government of complicity in the smuggling of people to Bangladesh, China, Malaysia and Thailand.

Among the reasons were sexual exploitation, domestic service and forced labour. Burma sentenced 33 human traffickers to life in prison in February lastar, while in 2006, Chinese and Burma police arrested 64 people for human trafficking.

"Myanmar arrests two over human trafficking: state media", Agence-France Press, January 10, 2008

Bomb Blast near Burma's New Capital Nay Pi Taw kills one

In a rare instant, a small bomb today exploded at the Pyinmana railway station near the tightly guarded Burma's new jungle capital Nay Pi Taw killing a woman, a railway official said.

The bomb exploded at about 4:30 a.m. (local time) in the toilet of the Pyinmana railway station, instantly killing a woman, who was believed to be using the toilet, said the railway officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the press.

While the culprit behind the bomb blast could not be identified yet, an officer at the Nay Pyi Taw police station said, they are investigating.

"As of now we cannot give any clue as to who is behind the blast. We are still investigating the case," said the police officer, of the rank of a sergeant.

Though such small bomb explosions are not uncommon in Burma, the blast is the first in Nay Pyi Taw, which the ruling junta made its new capital in November 2005.

"Bomb Blast near Burma's New Capital kills one", Mizzima News, January 11, 2008

Two Burmese Army arrived in Thailand Maela Refugee camp

Two Burmese Army Sergeants, who allegedly deserted their camp in fear of reprisal after refusing to attend junta organize riot control training, has arrive the Maela refugee camp along the Thai-Burmese border.

The two soldiers, said they fled their based at Mingalardon Health battalion in Rangoon for fear of reprisal for refusing to attend the riot training, aimed to equipped the soldiers with skills to handle any possible future uprising. The two arrived the Maela refugee camp in Thailand's Tak province, opposite Burma's Myawaddy town, on December 31.

"In their [the junta] riot control training programme, most of the names listed are ethnic groups. This training will equipped the soldiers with skills to handle any uprising. It is a preparation and if we are included in the training, we will be their hardcore members, so we refuse to attend." According to the deserters, they fled Rangoon in end December and arrived Mae Sot in Thailand from Myawaddy and after enquiring entered into the Maela camp.

"Two Burmese army defectors arrives Thailand - Than Htike Oo", Mizzima News, January 7, 2008

Exiled Kachin accuse regime of taking over their politics and traditions

Kachin leaders in exile accuse Burma’s military regime of taking over not only Kachin politics but such special traditions as Thursday’s Kachin State Day observances.

Uma Tu, spokesman of the Kachin National Organization in exile, told a press conference in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, that, by organizing the traditional Kachin Manua festival, the regime appeared to be trying to send out the message that the Kachin people and other ethnic groups are happy under military rule.

The Kachin ethnic movement within Burma, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), signed a ceasefire agreement with the military government, in February 1994. The KIO was founded in February, 1994, and is based at Laiza, on the China-Burma border.

Uma Tu claimed the Kachin people were prevented from even studying their own history. Young people, denied political involvement, were at risk from reliance on drugs.

More than 100,000 Kachin people under the age of 40 died from drug abuse or AIDS between 1997 and 2007, according to Kachin research results.

"Exiled Kachin accuse regime of taking over their culture ¬ Saw Yan Naing", Irrawaddy, January 10, 2008

Karen community grateful for escaping violence, dictatorship

It‘s also a chance to share their story as an immigrant community that has escaped violence and harsh dictatorship.

That, and explain to visitors why they‘re celebrating the year 2747.For the 120 members of an ethnic minority from Burma living in Thunder Bay, a New Year's celebration is not just a time to dance, sing and share a meal.

Karen count that arrival in the Burma and Thailand area 2,747 years ago as the beginning of their calendar. Originally, the ethnic minority pushed the then-ruling colonial British for a Karen national day, but were granted a New Year‘s Day instead.

As well, the guest list for the Thunder Bay New Year's party includes leaders from the Sleeping Giant Refugee Sponsorship Group, the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association and the Canadian Council for Refugees, ,many Karen here.

His people have all the qualities of a nation, said Winning in his overview of the Karen for the guests, from their own history, language and culture to their own economic system of life.

Elizabeth McWeeny, president of the Canadian Council for Refugees, noted Canada agreed in February 2007 to take in 2,000 more Karen refugees of the 140,000 Burmese living in Thai refugee camps, in addition to 810 this country agreed to resettle here in 2006. The challenge will be to keep the Canadian government aware that the tough

situation for the Karen people doesn‘t end when the two-year resettle project is over, she said.

"Karen community grateful for escaping violence, dictatorship ¬ Sarah

Elizabeth Brown",The Chronicle Journal, January 6, 2008

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) food aid in 2008

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will expand its assistance in Burma in 2008 after helping 500,000 people in vulnerable communities last year to overcome chronic food shortages.

Overall, the three-year programme plans to reach 1.6 million vulnerable people at a cost of $51.7 million.

“Not only have we helped marginalized communities to overcome the immediate difficulties they experience during the monsoon period, but through creative programming we are helping to reduce the size of the food gap in these areas by improving livelihood opportunities,” WFP Country Director Chris Kaye said.

The Government of Burma facilitates WFP’s work by granting access to several of the most marginalized areas of the country. Many of those supported are from former poppy growing communities in the eastern border areas of the country.

Working with 22 UN and NGO partners, WFP provides food to vulnerable people in Burma, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients and schoolchildren in marginalized areas, supplying food baskets consisting of rice, pulses, vegetable oil, salt and high-protein blended food.

"More vulnerable people in Myanmar to benefit from UN food aid in 2008", UN News Centre, January 9, 2008

US diplomat urges Burma leaders to start talks with opposition leader

A senior U.S. diplomat urged Burma's ruling military junta on Tuesday to begin talks with opposition leaders and release political prisoners.

Nicholas Burns, the State Department's No. 3 official, wrote in The Washington Post that the leaders in Burma, and their policies are the greatest threat to Burma's unity, stability and prosperity.

Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party is advocating for her freedom and for the release of prisoners seized during last year's crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks.

Burns said the generals have brought about a steady decline in living standards and a deterioration in educational and public health systems.

They have caused a continuing flow of refugees, narcotics and dangerous diseases into neighboring countries. The United States, Burns wrote, supports U.N. efforts to start a national dialogue.

Burns wrote referring to the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also why the United Nations should quicken the peace of its diplomacy.

"US diplomat urges Myanmar leaders to start talks with opposition", Associated Press, January 9, 2008

Calgary-based medical team to help Burma refugee's ¬ Bill Kaufmann

Victims of the brutal Burma regime will soon receive aid from 13 members of a Calgary-based medical team who departed today for the troubled region.

The Alberta doctors and nurses of the group Medical Mercy Canada (MMC) will assist refugees in camps along the Burma border in India and Thailand — some of whom have been exiles since a military coup overthrew democratically-elected Aung San Su Kyi and slaughtered thousands of civilians in 1988.

They’re bringing with them 15 tote boxes filled with medical supplies, clothing and gifts, said MMC spokesman Morris Prokop. “They’ll operate blood banks, help out with orphanages and hold medical dental clinics,” said Prokop, who’ll head to the refugee camps in March.

At the end of 2002, there were more than half a million Burma refugees in neighbouring countries, 350,000 of them in Thailand. “It’s a pretty sad story...they have medical needs and lack food, water, shelter,” he said. MMC leaders and founders, Calgary physician Myron Semkuley and his wife Elaine, will remain in the area then aid the poor in Nepal until mid-March said Prokop.

The group began its forays to assist Burma refugees, he added, nearly 16 years ago.

“They began helping out while visiting a refugee camp and decided then and there that’s where they’re needed,” said Prokop. MMC is funded largely from private donations.

"Calgary group to help Myanmar refugees ¬ Bill Kaufmann", Canoe.ca, January 10, 2008

The UN Special Envoy Gambari to visit India, China in January

The UN Special Envoy on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to visit India and China in January to continue his consultations with two of Burma’s key neighbors, a top UN official said on Thursday.

The UN spokesperson said the dates of his visit to the two countries have not yet been finalized. He is planning during this month to go to India and China, It is understood that Gambari is trying to schedule appointments with top leaders of India and China befor announcing the dates.

“As far as I know, he is just going to go further into discussions with two major actors in the situation in Burma” Gambari has an invitation from the Burmese government to return to the country to carry forward his mission of restoration of democracy and protection of human rights in the country.

“He has a standing invitation to go back to Burma,” said the spokesperson. The visit will be scheduled sometime after his Gambari’s visits to India and China.

"Gambari to visit India, China in January - Lalit K Jha" Irrawaddy January 11, 2008