Daily News-June 18 - 2001- Monday

  • Protestors heat Ivanhoe Mines in summer
  • Copper miner denies using forced labour in Burma
  • Canadian imports from Burma on steep upward curve
  • Condition of elderly political prisoners deteriorates
  • Thai PM urged to tip hat to Suu Kyi
  • Thaksin taking risk in Burma
  • Premier sends party ahead of his arrival
  • Son of Burma strongman killed in crash
  • Rangers shoot two dead, seize pills
  • Burma may export 300,000 Tons of rice
  • Burma Seizes Large Amount of Stimulant Drugs

    • Protestors heat Ivanhoe Mines in summer

    By Tin Maung Htoo
    Burma Media Association (BMA)
    June 6, 2001

    About 50 protestors holding colorful posters and banners gathered in front of the Pan Pacific Hotel as Ivanhoe Mines called on its annual shareholder meeting yesterday in Vancouver, Canada, a disturbance for a young mines company earnestly seeking its reputation in public and among shareholders.

    Protestors consisted of labors, students and activists loudly denounced Ivanhoe's investment and involvement in Burma's Monywa Copper Project, giving speeches and chanting slogans against their home-based company.

    They stated that Ivanhoe is one of the main sources that generate foreign currency for the long lasting of Burmese military and accused of direct or indirect implication in forced labor and environmental destruction resulted from chopper productions.However, the company retorted activists in today's press release, boasting the Copper Mine in Burma was awarded ISO 14001 Environmental Certification in March, for their efforts in preserving and endeavoring environment protection.

    The company also turned down the allegation of profit derived from the ongoing project only goes to the military regime. "The 600 well-paid jobs are a vital generator of a tapestry of meaningful economic benefits in communities in the vicinity of the mine," the press quoted as saying of the president.

    But it is certain that the greater profit goes to the military regime since the project is clearly a 50/50 joint venture between the state-owned Burma Company and the Ivanhoe Mines Company.

    A day before the shareholder meeting, the Canadian Labor Congress and the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions called the company to abandon its investment in Burma because of alleged forced-labor practices in the country. However, the company firmly rejected their request, saying the suggestion is unrealistic and unacceptable.

    "There is not a whit of evidence that Ivanhoe's investment is contributing to the use of involuntary labor in Myanmar (Burma)," the press release cited as speaking of the president.

    One exceptional thing that calmed down the discontented activists came out from the shareholder meeting is that the company did not show any sign of going ahead with the $400 million new Letpadaung project as reported in earlier. Shareholder activist Eric Snider who attended the shareholder meeting said that he came away with the impression that funding for the Letpadaung extension is not anywhere close to being finalized.
    Copper miner denies using forced labour in Burma

    Financial Post - Canada; Jun 16, 2001
    BY DREW HASSELBACK

    VANCOUVER - Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. denied yesterday it uses forced labour at its copper mine in Myanmar and said it remains committed to a US$280-million expansion of the project. Ivanhoe, which is chaired by mining promoter Robert Friedland, owns 50% of the Monywa Copper Project in Myanmar. The other half is owned by the Myanmar government.

    "Forced labour is something that is abhorrent to directors, to all of the management, and to anyone right-minded. We have a policy where, I can assure you, we do not use forced labour," Daniel Kunz, Ivanhoe's president,told shareholders at the company's annual meeting yesterday.

    About 40 protestors yesterday picketed the Vancouver hotel where Ivanhoe's annual meeting was held. They complained of Myanmar's human rights record and handed out leaflets criticizing the country for allowing forced labour. Some critics have demanded Ivanhoe quit Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, entirely.

    Mr. Kunz said Ivanhoe's investment in Myanmar uses no government-produced infrastructure that has been built with involuntary labour. The company was prepared to be challenged about the human rights issue at yesterday's meeting. Ivanhoe handed out a prepared statement to all shareholders. "There has never been any evidence that Ivanhoe has ever used forced labour, and there is not a whit of evidence that Ivanhoe's investment is contributing to the use of involuntary labour in Myanmar," it said.

    In an interview after the meeting, Mr. Kunz said Ivanhoe has received "competing offers" to supply the US$280-million in loan financing the company needs to expand the second phase of the Monywa project. The company wants to increase annual production to 125,000 tonnes by 2003,up from the present level of 30,000 tonnes. Ivanhoe has been looking for the financing since February, when Mr.Friedland conducted a week-long Canadian road show to promote the company.

    Mr. Kunz said it has not been hard to interest lenders from Asia in backing the expansion. Two potential lenders have submitted bids. "That's not a lot of money when you consider the size of resource we're talking about here." Mr. Friedland did not attend.
    Canadian imports from Burma on steep upward curve

    BURMA COURIER No. 274 -Jun 10 - 16, 2001

    OTTAWA, June 14 (CNS) - Figures released by Canada's Trade Commissioner Service show that imports from Burma were up by more than 65% in the first quarter of 2001.

    Burma's clothing exports to Canada during the quarter were valued at C$13.367 million (US$ 8.783 million) up by 57% over the same period last year.The export of fish, prawns and seafood products to Canada was up even more sharply by 177% to total C$ 4.159 million (US$ 2.732 million) over the same period in 2000.

    Burma's legal exports to Canada more than doubled last year to a total of C$ 60,794 million (US$ 39.941 million). Clothing imports amounted to 77% of the total, while seafood and related products came to 17%.The increases have been registered in spite of Canada's refusal to extend favoured nation preference to Burma.

    Promises by major Canadian retailers not to buy clothes sourced in Burma have apparently had no effect on the import of cheap clothing produced by Rangoon sweatshops.

    Burma's imports from Canada are tiny in comparison to its exports. In 2000 the total came to only C$ 139,000 (US$ 90 thousand), consisting mainly of a single shipment of sulphur.

    No figures exist to account for the value Burma's major export to Canada --No. 1 grade white heroin - which arrives indirectly through other countries in the southeast Asia region, China and Fiji. Vancouver serves as a major transfer point to other North American centres for the clandestine trade.
    Condition of elderly political prisoners deteriorates

    BURMA COURIER No. 274- Jun 10 - 16, 2001

    MAE SOT, Jun 16 (AAPP) - A bulletin released by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says the health of U Aye Tha Aung, one the key members of the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP) has taken a serious turn for the worse and that he has been removed to the prison ward at Rangoon's General Hospital.

    According to the AAPP bulletin, Aye Tha Aung is being treated for heart disease, stomach problems and neck pains. It attributes his deteriorated condition to the "absolutely inhumane prison conditions" he suffers in prison and the lack of medical care at Insein prison where he is being held.

    U Aye Tha Aung, the representative on the CRPP of four political parties representing Shan, Arakan, Mon and Zomi nationalities, was arrested in April, 2000, after he met with representatives of other minority political groups on issues related to political dialogue. Following torture at the infamous interrogation centre of the military junta's intelligence service,he was sentenced to three consecutive 7-year terms in prison. He was denied legal defence at his trial.

    In an accompanying bulletin, the AAPP notes the chronic poor health of four elderly MPs who have been in prison for years. It says that U Ohn Maung,73, serving a 7-year term in Insein prison, is suffering from a liver condition and unable to control his bowels.

    It notes that U Sein Hla Oo, 63, a prominent journalist who has already finished his seven-year sentence but continues to be detained, is suffering from heart disease. As a result he has become "thinner and thinner" while incarcerated at the Myitkyina prison.

    Dr. Than Nyein, 64, has been suffering from heart disease. He underwent two operations that removed hemorrhoids and his gall bladder after he was sent to the prison ward in Rangoon General Hospital last year. He has since been returned to Insein Prison where he is serving a seven-year sentence.

    U Tun Kywe, 76, is currently hospitalized for an unknown reason. He has been detained since his arrest in September of 1998.

    "We are deeply concerned about their safety," the bulletin says. "Since the military seized power in 1988 at least 43 political prisoners have died as a result of torture and neglect."
    Thai PM urged to tip hat to Suu Kyi

    source : The Nation
    Jeerawat Na Thalangbr

    Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should send a delegate to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit to Burma, Kobsak Chutikul, deputy chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said yesterday.

    Kobsak said it would show Thailand's determination to support national reconciliation in the country, and rid the Burmese of suspicions about Thailand.Kobsak, an MP under the Chat Thai banner, also said in an interview with The Nation that the prime minister should expect to achieve some fundamental short-term gains such as the reopening of border checkpoints and an agreement on stopping cross-border drug-smuggling.

    Describing the visit as Thailand's last card, Kobsak said the fact Thailand had made the first move in visiting Burma meant it would "lessen our bargaining strength." Thaksin believes the visit will reduce tension and dispel mistrust, crucial to the resumption of normal border activities and the firming up of anti-drug-smuggling cooperation.

    But Kobsak said Thaksin should think of long-term solutions rather than short-term sentiment with regard to his visit. He said the prime minister's visit should certainly reduce tension between the two countries, but added: "I am doubtful if this will be sustained."He said that since Thai-Burmese tensions were the result of internal problems in Burma, Thailand should aim to help Burma address the root causes.

    "If Thai leaders meet the junta leaders while ignoring 80 to 90 per cent of the population [who voted for Suu Kyi] it may leave feelings of distrust among the Burmese people," Kobsak said. He then cited the visits of other Asean leaders such as Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, Abdulrrahman Wahid of Indonesia and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who have all sent delegates to meet Suu Kyi. He said the absence of such a gesture from his schedule would send the wrong signal to the international community, especially after the more balanced engagement policy pursued by previous governments.

    Meanwhile, Thaksin yesterday remained unperturbed by the latest Burmese news report suggesting that he might not get a red-carpet welcome in Rangoon, saying he cared more for substance than for formality.Thaksin said he believed that high-level talks with the Burmese leaders would eliminate problems between the two countries, including negative media reports from both sides. The prime minister said an advance party preparing his visit had confirmed that all agreements he would sign during the visit had been secured.

    Thaksin was responding to the latest commentary by Burmese-language newspaper Myanma Ahlin suggesting he might not get a very warm welcome.

    The daily paper on Saturday blamed some Thai officials and members of the military, as well as the Thai media, for creating misunderstanding and driving a wedge in ties between the two countries.The author of the article pointed out that Thailand had portrayed Burma in a negative light in its school textbooks and films and repeated familiar charges about Thailand's support for Burmese anti-government groups.

    The commentary charged that Lt-General Wattanachai Chai-muanwong, the regional army commander for northern Thailand, had given military support to the "drug-trafficking terrorist" Yawd Serk when he was under attack by the Burmese army during its offensive against the Shan ethnic rebels.
    Thaksin taking risk in Burma

    source : The Nation

    Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves Bangkok today on official visits to Thailand's two close neighbours, Cambodia and Burma, countries which not so long ago shared one thing in common - an internal political armed conflict.

    The presence of tens of thousands of Burmese refugees along the border as a result of Burma's political conflicts and the spill-over of fighting between Burmese troops and ethnic armed rebels is clear in many people's memories. And this serves to remind us how painstakingly Thai border villagers had to endure the same problem during the Cambodian conflicts of the1980's and early 1990's

    Only at the end of Cambodian conflicts in 1991, did Thailand begin to move with speed in normalising its ties with Cambodia, not without leaving a legacy of ragged nerve-ends exacerbated by boundary disputes. Nevertheless, the leaders of both countries managed to resolve their problems amicably.

    Thaksin's visit to Cambodia will be "icing on the cake", building on past efforts to restore trust and resume normal economic relations with our neighbours.He will witness the signing of two historic agreements between Thailand and Cambodia during his two-day visit.One will delimit their mutual sea boundary and jointly develop their overlapping maritime borders. Another is a framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation. The late prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan helped open doors for economic opportunities to the war-torn Indochina by his popular policy of turning the Indo-Chinese battle field into a marketplace and thus laying the groundwork for boundary demarcation.

    Former premier Anand Panyarachun emphasised trust-building with Thailand's neighbours. Their successors, including Chuan Leekpai and Banharn Silpaarcha, have followed suit although with different emphases. Banharn was the first Thai prime minister to visit Burma in a decade when he travelled to Rangoon in 1995. However under Chuan's administration, Thailand has achieved a more balanced relationship with Burma. Whilst maintaining economic co-operation, the country fully encouraged political dialogue between the Burmese military junta and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

    Like it or not, Thaksin sets his own record as being the first Thai prime minister to visit Burma and is in favour of what he believes to be sincere efforts to solve pressing problems.His visit was preceded by three months of unprecedented turbulence, mainly stemming from his highly-publicised anti-drug campaign which blamed Rangoon for the massive influx of stimulant pills into Thailand. He dispatched Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and PM Office Minister Thammarak Issarangura on separate fence-mending missions to Burma only to encounter new obstacles.

    Rangoon has tactically pushed the limit too far, using the media to play up the historic rivalry between Thailand and Burma and by criticising this country's highly revered monarchy.Without giving a clear signal or a sign of repentance, this tactic effectively prompted Thaksin to hastily arrange his visit to Rangoon before Burmese Foreign Minsiter Win Aung's trip to Thailand next week.

    In the latest spate, widely publicised here this past week, Burma released a new history textbook for elementary schoolchildren, portraying Thais as servile and lazy.It seemed an unnecessary insult to throw at Thailand, particularly on the eve of an important visit such as the one taking place in Rangoon today.It would be interesting to be a fly on wall, tuning-in to the private discussions to be held between our two countries' most important leaders, to hear precisely how Thaksin deals with these latest slanderous attacks which were clearly authorised by those in charge in Burma.

    His visit is considered highly risky since he has played Thailand's last remaining card in his dealings with Burma.Securing, the anti-drug cooperation as well as a united front on border controls would certainly help improve the atmosphere after the recent period of diplomatic turbulence. But Thailand's approach to its future relationship with Burma will never be the same.
    Premier sends party ahead of his arrival

    source : Bangkokpost
    Wassana Nanuam

    Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sent an advance team to Burma ahead of his visit on Tuesday. The move comes amid criticism about an overlap of responsibility between Defence Ministry staff and Mr Thaksin's adviser Gen Chettha Thanajaro, as staff prepare for the visit.

    Mr Thaksin's five people left for Rangoon on Friday. They will meet the Burmese foreign minister to discuss details of three pacts. The agreements on drug suppression, border demarcation, and trade co-operation will be signed by Mr Thaksin and Burmese military leaders.

    The advance team comprises Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen Sommai Vichavorn, Gen Vichit Yathip, head of the defence minister's staff officers, Maj-Gen Niphat Thonglek, chief-of-staff attached to Gen Chettha, director-general of the East Asian Affairs department Krit Kanchanakunchorn, and a National Security Council official.

    "The team was set up at the demand of Mr Thaksin who wants all people concerned to work with unity. "If there is success, it's because of them all," the source said.

    Third Army commander Lt-Gen Watanachai Chaimuanwong said the military would try to ensure normal relations along the Thai-Burmese border during the talks.
    Son of Burma strongman killed in crash

    source : The Bangkokpost

    The son of Burma's number three strongman Gen Win Myint was killed in a car accident in Bahosi township on the outskirts of Rangoon on June 11.

    According to sources in Rangoon, the 21-year-old ran his car into a truck. He was taken to Rangoon General Hospital where he died on arrival. Bahosi is where the Rangoon Prison was once located.

    Burmese people believe it was an act of God for the atrocities inflicted on them.

    Gen Win Myint is the third secretary of Burma's State Peace and Development Council. Second secretary Gen Tin Oo was killed in a helicopter accident a few months ago. His position is yet to be filled.
    Rangers shoot two dead, seize pills

    source : the Bangkokpost

    Chiang Rai-Rangers seized 50,000 methamphetamine pills and shot dead two Akha tribesmen in a clash with a drug convoy near the border in Mae Fah Luang district early yesterday.

    Acting on a tip-off, 10 rangers were sent to Ban Igor Arbae where a group of hilltribesmen was about to cross the border from Burma to deliver the drugs to Thai traffickers. At 2.45 am, the rangers spotted the convoy and ordered it to stop but the hilltribesmen opened fire. The rangers returned the fire.

    The group retreated into Burma, leaving behind two bodies, two assault rifles and 50,000 methamphetamine tablets.
    Burma may export 300,000 Tons of rice

    PlanetRice.net, Jun 16, 2001

    BANGKOK-- Myanmar is estimated to have up to 300,000 metric tons of rice to export, traders told Reuters. The military government, which controls the rice trade, was increasing efforts to capture overseas markets by making prices cheaper than other Asian rice, traders said.

    The Geneva-based trading firm Novel recently signed a contract with the Myanmar government to buy up to 10,000 tons of 25 percent broken rice grade at around $122 per ton FOB, traders said.

    London based-Louis Dreyfus has also bought 43,000 tons of Myanmar 25 percent broken rice grade for African markets for June/July shipment, traders said. During January-May 2001, Myanmar exported a total of 119,000 tons of rice, compared with only 23,000 tons exported in the same period last year, figures from cargo surveyor Societe Generale de Surveillance Myanmar (SGS) showed.

    The country shipped a total of 110,000 tons of rice in 2000, mainly to Bangladesh, compared with a total of 63,700 tons exported in 1999.
    Burma Seizes Large Amount of Stimulant Drugs

    Peopledaily

    The Myanmar authorities seized 131, 600 tablets of stimulant drugs in Tachilek, the country's eastern Shan state, earlier this month, state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported on June17.

    The seizure, which includes 62.8 kilograms of stimulant dough for producing such tablets, was made by a combined team comprising local intelligence unit and the police force when they searched a house in the area on June 9. A woman, who was also charged with illegally possessing a gun, was arrested in connection with the case, the report said.

    According to official statistics, in 2000, the Myanmar authorities confiscated 26.6 million tablets of stimulant drugs along with 1.52 tons of opium, 158 kilograms of heroin and 590 kilograms of marijuana.

    Besides, during the first quarter of this year, the authorities exposed a total of 766 drug-related cases, seizing 331 kilograms of opium and 13.28 kilograms of heroin and punishing 1,080 drug offenders involved in the cases, the statistics show.