Daily News-May 17 - 2001- Thursday

  • Japan hit for Burma grant
  • Japanese trade union group to urge government to postpone sending aid to Burma
  • US backs army's position in its stand-off with Burma
  • Bank guests 'close to junta, drug lords'
  • Exiled Burmese minister says cabinet reshuffle not to affect political situation
  • Publications reportedly instructed to carry anti-Thai articles
  • Burma intelligence official warns of external threat
  • Wattanachai says Burma is concealing 'speed' labs
  • Thai Army to drill troops in night combat along the Burmese border

    • Japan hit for Burma grant

    source :The Japan Times: May 17, 2001

    Powell says dealing with current regime is inappropriate

    WASHINGTON (Kyodo) U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized Japan on Tuesday for offering the largest aid package to Myanmar in a decade, saying it is inappropriate to deal with the country's military rulers.

    "The Japanese are making an investment in a hydroelectric plant" in Myanmar and this is "not a proper investment to be made at this time with this regime," Powell told a panel of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

    Powell said the State Department has already conveyed to the Japanese government Washington's opposition to the aid.

    In April, then Foreign Minister Yohei Kono told Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win in Tokyo that Japan is ready to offer a grant for his country's hydroelectric project.

    Tokyo has begun studying resuming the provision of the Myanmar grant, which it halted in 1988 after the country's junta took power, following the start in October of dialogue between the Myanmar government and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a hiatus of seven years.

    The resumption of dialogue provided "a few rays of hope" but they are "few and dim," Powell said, adding that he will take up the issue of human rights in Myanmar when he visits Hanoi in July to attend a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

    "We do need to do a better job in mobilizing a comprehensive approach to this problem with our friends in the region," he said.

    Rengo questions aid

    The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) will ask the government to postpone the full resumption of official development assistance to Myanmar, Rengo officials said Wednesday.

    Calling the resumption of aid at this time "premature," one of the Rengo officials stressed that, apart from humanitarian assistance, Japan "should not give aid that will consequentially benefit the junta."

    A major reason for the group's opposition to the resumption of funding, which Japan is currently considering, is that "no concrete progress has been made in resolving the forced labor issue in Myanmar," the official said. Rengo officials said they are in the process of putting their request in writing to Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka or Vice Foreign Minister Yutaka Kawashima.
    Japanese trade union group to urge government to postpone sending aid to Burma

    Tokyo, 16 May(Kyodo): The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) will ask the government to postpone the full resumption of official development assistance (ODA) to Myanmar [Burma] that is currently being considered by Japan, Rengo officials said Wednesday [16 May].

    Calling the resumption of such aid at this time "premature," one of Rengo officials stressed that apart from humanitarian assistance, Japan "should not give aid that will consequentially benefit the (Myanmar's) junta".

    A major reason for the group's opposition to restarting such funding is that "no concrete progress has been made in resolving the forced labour issue in Myanmar," the official said.

    Rengo officials said they are in the process of putting their request in writing, for delivery to Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka or Vice Foreign Minister Yutaka Kawashima.

    The formal request will be handed over by either Rengo President Etsuya Washio or General Secretary Kiyoshi Sasamori, who is set to visit the Foreign Ministry by the end of this month, the officials said.

    Tokyo is considering resuming grant provisions to Myanmar, following the launch last October of dialogue between the Myanmar government and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a hiatus of seven years. Japan suspended its ODA to Myanmar in 1988 when the country's junta took power.
    US backs army's position in its stand-off with Burma

    source : The Nation
    Kulachada Chaipiat

    US Pacific commander-in-chief Admiral Dennis C Blair said yesterday the United States was fully committed to helping Thailand combat the flow of narcotics that has sparked recent border disputes between the Kingdom and Burma.

    Blair said he supported Thailand's efforts to enforce the patrols along the border, but added he was "not an expert" about Thai-Burmese affairs so he could not predict what would happen in the dispute."I am more concerned with anti-narcotics efforts," he said, when asked how he viewed the current border tension.

    Blair was on two-day visit to Thailand to witness the launch of Cobra Gold 01, the 20th instalment of an annual military exercise between Thailand and the US.

    The military exercise on Tuesday in Phitsanulok coincided with increased border tension, sparked in February by the spill-over of fighting between Burmese forces and Shan rebels.

    The senior US officer yesterday allayed concerns that the timing of the Cobra Gold exercise, and the presence of US troops in Thailand, were directed against Burma or any other Thai neighbours.

    "If there is a feeling in Burma or somewhere else that Cobra Gold was directed against them, then that is incorrect," he said.

    In a related development, some of the US troops taking part in Cobra Gold will participate in a separate training programme for a combined military and patrol-police unit to enforce patrols of the Thai border against the drug flow from Burma.

    Blair held talks with Third Army Commander Gen Wattanachia Chaimuenwong on Tuesday about future cooperation between the US army and its Thai counterpart in the latter's anti-narcotics suppression efforts.He did not say how long the US troops would stay, adding it would depend on Thailand's needs.

    Present cooperation included intelligence exchanges, the use of US satellite sensors for accurate mapping, and a US supply of small and portable survey and weapons equipment during patrol operations.Blair also fully supported ongoing efforts by Thailand to engage China and Laos in the anti-narcotics drive.

    Thaksin said he would propose that Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji invite leaders of Laos and Cambodia to join the drugs summit."I believe we need comprehensive international efforts to eradicate this problem," he said.Blair asserted that common problems such as the war on drugs reinforced his belief for the need to set up a multilateral security arrangement for the region.He said he believed that China was considering a move in this direction, citing the fact that it was keen to observe the Cobra Gold events.He confirmed that China had told Thailand before the April spy-plane drama that it would send observers to Cobra Gold next year.
    Bank guests 'close to junta, drug lords'

    source : SCMP
    WILLIAM BARNES in Bangkok

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was wrong to admit senior Burmese bankers to its annual meeting when they were close to the ruling military junta or linked to drug traffickers, exiled Burmese activists said yesterday.

    The "invited guest" list at the ADB's well-attended Hawaii gathering that ended at the weekend included representatives of four Burmese banks, one of which, sources in Burma say, is backed by the country's premier trafficker, Wei Hsueh-gang. Other bank guests were described by informed observers as extremely close to senior regime members.

    All these banks were created, or have blossomed, since the mid-1990s after the military partially opened up the economy. The State Department's latest narcotics review says that in recent years, "drug profits formed the seed capital" for many legitimate businesses, including banks.

    US officials refused to comment on whether it was correct to issue visas to friends of the military regime to visit Hawaii. Under restrictions signed by former US president Bill Clinton five years ago, "persons who formulate or implement policies that are impeding the transition to democracy in Burma, or who benefit from such policies" should be barred admission to the US.

    The invited guests included the chairman of the new and rapidly expanding Kanbawza Bank, Aung Ko Win, who was apparently a little-known schoolteacher but acquired in the 1990s a reputation of being, effectively, army chief General Maung Aye's "adopted son". He hails from the important border town of Tachilek, in the Golden Triangle region of Burma. He is married to the daughter of a senior general.

    Thein Tun, known as "Mr Pepsi" until his American partner was forced to pull out of Burma, is one of the country's most powerful businessmen and chairman of the Tun Foundation Bank. He is known to be close to the regime's powerful intelligence chief, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.

    The Myanmar Universal Bank, whose chairman Tin Sein was an invited guest, is said by informed sources to be closely associated with Wei, an ethnic Chinese drug gangster with a price on his head in the US and Thailand. Wei is an associate of the United Wa State Army, which has been described by a US official as the "biggest armed gang of drug traffickers in the world".

    Tin Sein is said to be an ethnic Chinese who, because he is unable to speak Burmese, has refused to give interviews to the domestic press. He also claims to be from the Tachilek region.

    "They should not have been invited. They are not independent, neutral businessmen. They are very close to the military junta. The ADB should be more careful," said Maung Maung Aye, a spokesman for the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.

    There was a row at the last ADB annual meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2000, when it was discovered that the chiefs of the Asia Wealth Bank and the Mayflower Bank attended. Both banks have been strongly linked to drug traffickers.
    Exiled Burmese minister says cabinet reshuffle not to affect political situation

    Tex of report by DVB radio on 11 May

    DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has learned that the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] has appointed two new ministers and one deputy minister. The announcement, signed and issued by SPDC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, has appointed Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, chairman of Magwe Division Peace and Development Council, as minister of communications, post and telegraphs; U Tin Win, SPDC ambassador to the USA, as minister of prime minister's office; and U Chan Nyein as deputy minister of science and technology. Former Communications, Post, and Telegraphs Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin was dismissed without cause while former Deputy Science and Technology Minister U Win Hlaing's portfolio was changed to Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. The SPDC announcement did not give any reason for the cabinet shake-up.

    According to news received by DVB, Communications, Post and Telegraphs Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin after holding talks with Skylink Company owned by Daw Sandar Win, daughter of U Ne Win [former general and chairman of now defunct Burma Socialist Programme Party], delayed a proposal by U Aye Zaw Win [husband of Daw Sandar Win] to permit the import of 100,000 GSM mobile phones. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt became angry with the decision and dismissed him from his post.

    U Tin Win, SPDC ambassador to the USA, was appointed as Minister of Prime Minister's Office to replace Prime Minister's Office Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung who died in the February helicopter crash.

    A total of 16 persons including SPDC Secretary-2 Lt Gen Tin Oo, ministers, commanders and senior military officers died in the helicopter crash in February. Just as the SPDC authorities have been unable to give any official report about the crash till now, they have also been unable to appoint substitutions to replace important positions including that of SPDC Secretary-2 Lt Gen Tin Oo and Southeast Military Commander Maj-Gen Sit Maung.

    News has emerged that the helicopter crashed due to shootings inside the helicopter and the rift between Military Intelligence Chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Army Commander in Chief Gen Maung Aye has been the underlying cause for not being able to fill the vacant SPDC secretary-2 and the commander positions.

    DVB has contacted National Council of the Union of Burma Secretary U Maung Maung Aye and asked him how the SPDC's cabinet reshuffle could affect the development of Burma's political situation.

    [U Maung Maung Aye] We do not think any new ministerial appointments and changes in ministerial portfolios will have an effect on the political situation in Burma. It is under a totalitarian regime and the situation in Burma is unlike any other democratic country. The cabinet does not have much role to play. In reality, the country has been monopolized and manipulated by the so-called SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration Council]-SPDC clique. That is why we believe that the appointment of any new minister or the dismissal of a current minister will not be a cause for any significant change. The important thing is the fact that whether the SPDC will be able to replace those who perished in the helicopter crash especially Secretary-2 Lt Gen Tin Oo's position and the position of Thura Sit Maung [Southeast Military commander]. That will definitely be of interest to Burma and the Burmese people. We can only see that as the cause for unusual events.
    Publications reportedly instructed to carry anti-Thai articles

    Text of report by DVB radio on 14 May

    The Thai defence minister, foreign minister, and supreme commander have all remarked that relations between Thailand and Burma are back on track and that both sides have vowed to stop making public accusations against one another. But the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] Internet news is still carrying articles criticizing Thailand while the Office of Strategic Studies [OSS] has instructed all publications including magazines and journals to include anti-Thai articles. DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] correspondent Myint Maung Maung filed this report.

    [Myint Maung Maung] The directive signed by Lt-Col San Aung, general staff officer grade-1 of the OSS, was issued on 11 May and sent to the Myanmar [Burma] Literary Works Scrutiny Department. According to the directive, all approved publications including the country's daily newspapers must include anti-Thai articles and all the magazine publishers are urged to write and include their own version of anti-Thai articles. All the necessary facts and photos needed to write anti-Thai articles can be obtained at the OSS Information Department during office hours.
    Burma intelligence official warns of external threat

    Text of report by DVB radio on 13 May

    Lt-Col Tin Hla, an SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] military intelligence official, at a recent secret security meeting alleges that foreign countries are taking advantage of the prevailing political and economic situation and planning to attack Burma. He delivered the remarks at yesterday's regional security meeting with divisional and township-level officials in Mergui, Tenasserim Division.

    He said foreign nations are planning to interfere in Burma's internal affairs from all corners and their men could enter the country posing as foreign visitors. Furthermore, he blamed the local bourgeois traders of exploiting and manipulating the money market causing the Burmese currency unit kyat to lose its market value. The value of Burmese kyat has nose-dived uncontrollably since last month and the kyat has fallen to an unprecedented low rate of over 800 kyat to one US dollar.

    DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has learned that the secret meeting was attended by Lt-Col Tin Hla, the commander of No 19 Military Intelligence Unit, and the director of Bureau of Special Investigation, BSI, from Tenasserim Division.
    Wattanachai says Burma is concealing 'speed' labs

    Source : Bangkok Post

    Thai Third Army commander Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong has claimed Mong Yawn is a major drug-producing area and said there are at least 60 methamphetamine plants in that part of Burma's Shan state.

    The Third Army commander said he was not fooled by Rangoon's attempts to change the town's image.

    Foreign journalists from China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand found no evidence of drug production in Mong Yawn during a recent press trip to the area.

    He said the Burmese organised the trip to fool the world and claimed some of the plants had modern laboratories and machines to produce methamphetamine tablets.

    "The Burmese government would definitely not allow outsiders to see them. The arranged trip would not clear Mong Yawn's image," Lt-Gen Wattanachai said.

    "Burma should instead show sincerity by joining hands with Thailand to destroy those plants."Burma's Triangle Region commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein and army chief Gen Maung Aye, both of whom promised to destroy the drug plants, remained silent on the matter, he said.

    He confirmed Thai soldiers would remain in Doi Lang in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, despite protests from Rangoon. Government-level talks to settle the dispute would begin soon.

    Meanwhile, drug busters vowed to keep an eye on Mong Yawn despite Rangoon's efforts to hide the drug factories.

    Chatchai Suthiklom, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said the recent press trip was very useful for Thai narcotics officials and the international community.

    For five years, the township was considered Southeast Asia's largest drug-producing area.

    The drug factories were run by the United Wa State Army and are now controlled by Rangoon.

    Burma denied this and organised the special trip to show Thailand and the international community the town was free of drugs.

    Mr Chatchai admitted seeing no drug-producing factories in the town but said there could have been plants "outside the town" or in the jungle near Thailand.

    He was taken to two electricity-generating plants, commercial buildings and 200 shacks belonging to ethnic Wa people, relocated from northern Shan state. Almost 50,000 ethnic Wa were moved there as part of Burmese efforts to establish opium-free zones.

    The military junta expects to relocate another 200,000.
    Thai Army to drill troops in night combat along the Burmese border

    Source : Bangkok Post

    The army will hold a night combat exercise on Sunday, to prepare troops for service along the Burmese border, sources said yesterday.

    Rapid deployment battalions, special warfare and infantry units, and the Army Aviation Centre will take part.

    The exercise will focus on helicopter transport of troops to target areas and night combat operations, including drug suppression.

    The drill, at the Muang Khom tactical training ground, Lop Buri, will be viewed by Gen Surayud Chulanont, the army chief.

    He will visit the Pha Muang task force in Chiang Mai tomorrow for a briefing and make an inspection trip to the disputed Doi Lang area in Mae Ai district, and Hua Lone hill in Fang district.

    Burmese and Wa soldiers seized the hill for three days last week before the army took it back.