Daily News-June 19 - 2001- Tuesday

  • Uncertainty shrouds releases
  • Freed opposition chairman calls for release of other detainees
  • Veteran politician welcomes release of prisoners, urges reconciliation
  • Burmese Press Halts Anti-Thai Rhetoric Ahead Of Thaksin
  • Rivals agree to sign accords, build trust
  • Bangladesh navy intensifies vigilance in Bay
  • Islamic body accuses Burma of attacks against Muslims by "extremist Buddhists"
  • Minister, businessmen discuss travel promotion with China
  • Burma Takes Measures To Develop Tourism
  • NLD Marks Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday
  • Burmese opposition marks Suu Kyi's 56th birthday

    • Uncertainty shrouds releases

    source . SCMP

    DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR in Rangoon

    The junta released two top opposition leaders on Friday after nine months of house arrest, but it was unclear yesterday whether their release was temporary or final, military and opposition sources in Burma said.

    National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman Aung Shwe and vice-chairman Tin Oo were released to attend the funeral of Lieutenant-Colonel Sein Ban on Saturday, sparking rumours the ruling junta had lifted restrictions on their movements. Their whereabouts yesterday were unknown.

    The regime released another eight prominent leaders of the NLD and four other opposition figures on Friday. The releases came in the wake of a recent visit to Burma by United Nations envoy Razali Ismail.

    In its statement confirming last week's releases, the Government said they came about because of an understanding between the Government and NLD.

    Rumours in Rangoon suggest the military is about to lift similar restrictions on the movements of NLD secretary-general Aung San Suu Kyi, perhaps before her birthday on Tuesday.

    The release of Aung Shwe and Tin Oo followed the release of a group of NLD politicians from jail last week, in what was seen as a major move towards conciliation between the regime and the opposition party, which won the May1990 general election but has been denied political power for the past decade.

    Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been holding talks with the military since last October, has insisted on the release from jail of all NLD politicians as a precondition to keeping the dialogue going, opposition sources said.Nine fairly senior NLD political prisoners were freed from Insein jail on Wednesday and Thursday.The junta has also allowed more than a dozen NLD provincial offices to reopen.
    Freed opposition chairman calls for release of other detainees

    BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jun 18, 2001

    Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 16 June

    DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] contacted Dr Saw Mra Aung, chairman of the Committee Representing Peoples' Parliament [CRPP], who was released from the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] government guest house on Thursday [14 June], about his release. Our first question was about his living conditions there.

    [Saw Mra Aung] Well, living conditions there are so-so. They have separate living quarters though. It seems like an old office building. They have added a bathroom and a water tank. They never had that before.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] Yes. Do you mean to say living conditions were squalid and neglected before?

    [Saw Mra Aung] Well, the vicinity of the quarters was not clean. Only when I personally started to clean it myself then they began to clean the area with brooms and rakes. They also repaired the broken sewage pipes. First you had to take the initiative. Furthermore, the bathroom floor was cracked and uneven. It was also slippery. I started to complain and after some coaxing they repaired the floor. The bathroom was not big so they even put white tiles on the walls. Sometimes there was no water. I had to save some water for bathing, washing, and for toilet use.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] How about health care?

    [Saw Mra Aung] Well, a medical specialist team from Mingaladon military hospital came every fortnight and did all the checking. They even took videos and photos. If you bring your own medicines you can use them in an emergency. When there is an emergency like diarrhoea or vomiting and when you call them they will come immediately and give you treatment.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] Can you tell us about your future plans as the chairman of CRPP?

    [Saw Mra Aung] Firstly, they held the elections. They were free and fair and accepted by the world and the UN. Many wish for the convening of parliament. If there is a parliament then any future task could be carried out in accordance with the resolution of all the elected parliamentary members.That is what we want but we do not know when we will be able to reach that goal.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] Well, will you have a chance to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the general secretary of NLD [National League for Democracy] and member of the panel of secretary of the CRPP?

    [Saw Mra Aung] Well, I want to meet her. I want to discuss future plans with her, but I myself have only just been allowed to return to my house. So the idea of meeting her is not possible at the moment. No-one is allowed to enter her compound.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] What are your expectations about the prevailing situation?

    [Saw Mra Aung] I really cannot say anything much about the prognosis. It is very premature at this stage. I was just permitted to return home. I don't know what future lies ahead.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] You were recently released. How do you feel about the other colleagues who are still being held at the government guest houses?

    [Saw Mra Aung] There were many detained. Some were accused of crimes and later sentenced. I want all the political prisoners to be freed because although I alone was released, I feel for my colleagues. My desire is for the release of all the political prisoners and the people's elected representatives.

    Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Jun 01
    Veteran politician welcomes release of prisoners, urges reconciliation

    BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jun 18, 2001

    Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 16 June

    Democratic Voice of Burma [DVB] has contacted and interviewed veteran politician Thakhin Thein Pe to give his opinion on the release of some political prisoners including U Saw Mra Aung, chairman of the Committee Representing Peoples' Parliament [CRPP]. Our first question was the reaction among the people and the political forces.

    [Thakhin Thein Pe] Well, it was the release of some arrested leaders of Daw Suu's party. The people are under the impression that the situation has improved. Everyone hopes that they will continue to strive for national unity and peace.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] Yes. What about veteran politicians like you?

    [Thakhin Thein Pe] As for us, we too were very happy to hear the news. We believe the situation will gradually improve.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] We heard that U Thein Lwin, general secretary of Democracy Party, and the party vice-chairman were also released. But Democracy Party Chairman U Thu Wai and some prominent political prisoners are still being detained. What about that?

    [Thakhin Thein Pe] What is happening here is, we do not get any news from the media [laughs]. Furthermore, it did not say how many political detainees were released. We know only by listening carefully to foreign newscasts. There is nothing from the Burmese radio [laughs]. In reality, the release of political prisoners is a very good gesture. For all the people to be happy and to assess the situation, all this news should be in the local newspapers. About the release, we ourselves have to listen to foreign radio broadcasts. This is one of the things the people have been expecting, and it is a very good gesture. I cannot think of a reason why such news is not in the local newspapers.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] What you mean to say is that the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] government did not mention anything about the release in their own news media but they did send the information to foreign news media. What is your opinion about the non-disclosure in the local media?

    [Thakhin Thein Pe] That is hard to fathom. For a politician, this is a very good political move and they will benefit by informing the people through the local media. This will also make the people in the country happy. Since there is no news we are finding it difficult to understand what is going on. I think we still have to wait.

    [Khin Hnin Htet] Well, at the moment there are allegations that the SPDC government is deliberately inserting anti-Thai articles in school texts and inciting the recent religious riots. Some observers believe they are exploiting the situation to divert the people's attention from the country's woes. What is your opinion?

    [Thakhin Thein Pe] Well, as we mentioned before, there is only one way out. There is no other way except reconciliation. If the reconciliatory dialogue succeeds then the way out will be smooth.

    Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Jun 01
    Burmese Press Halts Anti-Thai Rhetoric Ahead Of Thaksin

    YANGON (AP)--Myanmar's state-dominated media suspended Monday its daily attacks on Thailand ahead of an official visit by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

    For the first time in months, none of the three official newspapers carried commentaries critical of Thailand, which they have featured daily since relations plunged after a border clash in February. In a bid to patch up ties, Thaksin was due in Yangon on Tuesday for talks with the leader of the Myanmar military regime, Gen. Than Shwe.

    It would be the first visit by a Thai prime minister to Myanmar, also known as Burma, since now-Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh went in 1997.

    The drugs trade that proliferates along the Thai-Myanmar border and lies at the root of the tensions is expected to top the agenda.Thailand accuses Myanmar of turning a blind eye to production and trafficking of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine, which is smuggled into Thailand in huge quantities.Myanmar accuses Thailand of failing to tackle the drug problem within its own borders, and of supporting Myanmar antigovernment guerrillas.

    Banners welcoming Thaksin were put up along the route from the airport to the government guest house where Thaksin was to stay. Flags of the two countries festooned intersections and roundabouts.
    Rivals agree to sign accords, build trust

    Bangkok Post - Thailand; Jun 18, 2001
    Wassana Nanuam

    Thailand and Burma will sign a memorandum of understanding on drug suppression and a 21-point joint communique during Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit, a military source said. Mr Thaksin will be in Rangoon tomorrow and Wednesday.

    In the communique, six points of which were proposed by Rangoon, Burma agreed to take part in a four-way drugs meeting in Kunming with China, Laos and Thailand.

    The source said Burma rejected Thailand's proposal to set up two joint task forces, one for joint border defence and the other for drug suppression operations.Burma proposed instead the two countries make use of existing mechanisms at all levels to peacefully solve problems. The mechanisms include the township border committee (TBC), regional border committee (RBC) and joint boundary committee (JBC). The JBC, which was responsible for border demarcation, was formerly co-chaired by deputy foreign ministers from the two countries.

    Since Thailand currently does not have a deputy foreign minister, it would be represented by Pracha Gunakasem, adviser to the foreign minister. Burma was not ready to agree on disputed border areas like Doi Lang in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, and Kuteng Nayong in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai.

    The communique just requires both sides to build mutual trust and respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The source said Burma was very careful with the wording of the MOU and joint communique, leaving details on several issues for further negotiations.In the joint communique, Burma wanted Thailand to support the construction of Myawaddy-Pa-an and Myawaddy-Tavoy roads to promote trade and tourism.

    Burma also agreed to reopen border checkpoints at Mae Sai-Tachilek, Mae Sot-Myawaddy and Ranong-Kawthaung. "Burma refused to discuss fishery concessions. But Burma was expected to consider returning the concessions to Thailand after the opening of the Ranong-Kawthaung checkpoint," the source said.

    Burma asked Thailand for educational support through the Asean University project and public health education, especially regarding HIV and Aids. It sought information on the V-1 Immunitor pill, claimed by its manufacturers to be a health product and distributed to Aids patients here by a charity foundation.

    The MOU and joint communique were worked out in Rangoon by an advance team led by Gen Sommai Wichaworn, the armed forces chief-of-staff, Gen Vichit Yathip, chief of staff officers attached to the defence minister, and Krit Kanchanakunchorn, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's East Asian Affairs Department. The team visited Rangoon on Friday and Saturday and worked closely with Burma's Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win.
    Bangladesh navy intensifies vigilance in Bay

    The Independent Bangladesh

    BAGERHAT, June 17: Bangladesh Navy has intensified its vigilance in the Bay following arrest of a group of foreign nationals involved in arms smuggling, reports UNB.

    The arrested 23 Thai and Myanmar citizens were interrogated by a joint interrogation cell comprising members of police, navy, DGFI, NSI and SB.

    They were caught in December last from the Bangladesh territory in the Bay of Bengal along with 1,040 rounds of 5.5 mm bullets.The arrested foreigners informed the team that they were assigned by a man in Thailand to hand over the arms consignment to a smuggling gang in the deep sea. For the purpose,they came to Fairway Boyar, near the St Martin Island by three trawlers on December 18.But after being chased by the Navy patrolling team, they dropped two big packets into the deep sea.

    A source of the cell said based on the interrogation held on Wednesday and Thursday, the cell prepared some recommendations, including strengthening of security measures in the Bangladesh nautical area, frequent search in water vessels and keeping vigilant eyes on the movement of vessels.
    Islamic body accuses Burma of attacks against Muslims by "extremist Buddhists"

    BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jun 18, 2001

    Text of report in English by Saudi news agency SPA web site

    Jedda, 18 June: The organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) strongly condemned on Monday [18 June] inhuman and aggressive attacks of "extremist" Buddhists against Muslims in the Union of Myanmar (Burma).

    In a press statement released here today, the OIC said: "The extremist Buddhists have burned houses, killed women and children and destroyed eight historical mosques in Toungoo region and 26 mosques in Mindanao [as received] region."

    Deploring the criminal practices of the extremist Buddhists, the OIC called on the international community and the human rights organizations to intervene and to force the Myanmar government to halt their brutal attacks on Muslims and stop destroying mosques and Islamic historical places.

    It urged the international community to secure the safety of Muslims in the Union of Myanmar and enable them to exercise their political and social rights like other citizens and to save their Islamic identity.

    Source: SPA news agency web site, Riyadh, in English 1056 gmt 18 Jun01
    Minister, businessmen discuss travel promotion with China

    BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jun 18, 2001

    Text of report by Burmese TV on 16 June

    Managing Director U Kyi Myint of Star Travel Services Co and U Min Ein [general secretary of Shan State East Special Region-4, Mong La] of Shwe Lin Star Travel Services Co called on Minister for Hotel and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin at 1400 [local time] yesterday afternoon and discussed promotion of China-Myanmar [Burma] tourism services.

    The minister spoke on the need to carry out work in accordance with set rules and regulations and formation of supervisory groups to ensure systematic operation.
    Burma Takes Measures To Develop Tourism

    YANGON, June 18 (Oana-Xinhua) -- Myanmar is rich in tourism resources such as scenic beauties and cultural heritage including the world known Shwedagon Pagoda, Mandalay royal city and Bagan, a city of pagodas which constitutes the country's main tourist attractions.

    During the 40 years before 1988, the average annual number of foreign tourists coming to Myanmar was only 30,000, bringing to the country some US$10 million of foreign exchange income through the sector annually.

    Since the present Myanmar government came to power on Sept 18, 1988, it has taken various measures to promote the tourism industry, including enactment of tourism law, establishment of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and extension of the period of stay for foreign tourists in Myanmar.

    Myanmar enacted in June 1990 its first Tourism Law since it regained independence in 1948. The government had extended in May 1989 the period of stay for tourists from seven days to 14 and again further extended it in 1993 to 28 days.

    Meanwhile, the government also encouraged local private sector and foreign entrepreneurs to engage in the tourism industry.In the past, tourism was monopolized by the state until 1988 when there were only 39 hotels and motels with 1,240 rooms in Myanmar.

    Since opening to foreign investment at the end of 1988, Myanmar has attracted 1.054 billion dollars of tourism-related investment in the sector of hotels and tourism in 42 projects.So far, there has been 492 different hotels and motels with 13, 984 rooms in Myanmar. Of them, 21 are foreign-invested, four are joint ventures, 439 are private-run and 28 are state-owned.There has also been 521 licensed travels and tours companies in the country, of which 508 are private-operated, 12 are joint ventures and one is foreign-owned.

    The number of registered tourist guides reached 3,768, of whom English language guides accounted for 2,644, while Japanese guides took 486, Chinese guides 222 and French guides 189.Meanwhile, Myanmar also enhanced construction of tourism- related infrastructures and improved tourism environment.The government, in addition to renovating the Yangon International Airport, has also built another international airport in the second largest city of Mandalay which can accommodate larger aircraft.At present, the government is also building a third international airport -- The Hantharwaddy Airport -- in Bago city, 80 kilometers from Yangon.

    Besides, Myanmar has also forged international aviation links with countries and regions like Brunei, India, Malaysia and China' s Macao in the last few years in addition to the existing links.At the same time, Myanmar's domestic private airlines have also extended their flights to the border towns of neighboring Thailand, and their chartered planes are allowed to land on Myanmar's tourist sites since 1993.

    Myanmar also cooperates with other countries in the sector of tourism. In the last few years, Myanmar signed a number of tourism cooperation accords with China, Thailand, Singapore and others.Myanmar also sponsored a series of travel shows in Thailand and Singapore, sending selected students to Singapore to receive tourism-related knowledge and skill training.

    According to the data released by Myanmar's Central Statistical Organization, in 2000, the number of foreign tourists visiting Myanmar reached 234,900 and the foreign exchange earning reached 30 million dollars.

    At present, the main obstacles that restrain the development of the tourism industry in the country are the impact of the Asian financial crisis, the economic sanctions imposed by the United States-led Western countries as well as the 10-year-long political crisis between the Myanmar military government and the opposition National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

    Myanmar's short-term target is to draw 500,000 foreign tourists annually.
    NLD Marks Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday

    YANGON (AP)--The National League for Democracy held a quiet ceremony Tuesday to mark party leader Aung San Suu Kyi's 56th birthday, while the would-be guest of honor remained under virtual house arrest, party officials said.

    About 400 persons, most women and members of the NLD, attended the ceremony at the party's headquarters in downtown Yangon.

    Since 1998, the NLD and dissidents abroad have designated Suu Kyi's birthday as Myanmar Women's Day, although the ruling military regime marks that on July 3.

    Most members of the NLD's central executive committee were present except for party chairman Aung Shwe and vice chairman Tin Oo, who like Suu Kyi are under confinement.

    Suu Kyi, who has been held at her lakeside residence since Sept. 22 last year after trying to defy official travel restrictions, was to offer alms to Buddhist monks to mark her birthday, said NLD secretary U Lwin, who meets with Suu Kyi once a week at her home.

    The organizers of Tuesday's celebration, the NLD Women's Affairs Committee, released six-page statement calling for the speedy release of Suu Kyi and wishing success to the pro-democracy and human rights movements.

    The NLD won a general election in 1990 but was blocked by the military from taking power. Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize the following year for her peaceful struggle for democracy. Since then, the military government has kept up a more or less constant campaign of harassment and repression of her party.
    Burmese opposition marks Suu Kyi's 56th birthday

    source . Reuters

    YANGON, June 19 — Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) celebrated the 56th birthday of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi without her on Tuesday -- the Nobel peace laureate is under de facto house arrest.

    More than 300 NLD members, mostly women, attended a low-key ceremony in the party's central Yangon headquarters to hear speeches praising Suu Kyi, who has been confined to her lakeside house since September.

    ''May Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be free as soon as possible from restriction and confinement. May democracy and human rights prevail as soon as possible,'' the women's wing of the NLD said in a six-page statement read at the ceremony.

    Suu Kyi has been in regular, confidential talks with Myanmar's military government since October, aimed at resolving the political deadlock that has gripped the country for more than a decade. The NLD won elections by a landslide in 1990 but has never been allowed to govern. While the talks are going on, the NLD and the government have agreed to refrain from public criticism of each other. NLD members said Suu Kyi had requested that Tuesday's ceremony be low-key for this reason.

    ''We held this ceremony with a very low profile, attended only by members, at the request of the lady herself,'' one NLD member said.

    The NLD member said Suu Kyi had instructed party officials not to do anything that could embarrass the government and affect the talks.Both sides have agreed to keep the dialogue confidential, but concerns are growing among foreign diplomats that the talks may have hit an impasse. The government last month denied the talks had stalled, but said no timeframe could be set for the negotiations to produce results.

    Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmar independence hero General Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947 when the country was on the threshold of independence from Britain.

    The NLD has designated Suu Kyi's birthday as Myanmar Women's Day since 1998, angering the government which has designated July 3 for the occasion.

    (Additional reporting by Andrew Marshall in Bangkok)