Daily News-November 23 - 2001- Friday

  • Bush Letter Regarding National Emergency With Respect to Burma
  • Five Canadian Cities Join in Global Action for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
  • SPDC Bans the Entry Visa of a Korean Activist
  • Dagang Net helps Myanmar jump-start e--commerce
  • Thai Villagers’ fears remain
  • Pollution chief defends project

    • Bush Letter Regarding National Emergency With Respect to Burma

    U.S. Newswire -21 Nov

    Letter From President Bush Regarding National Emergency With Respect To Burma

    To: National Desk
    Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2580

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the White House:

    TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

    November 21, 2001

    Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

    As required by section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(c), I transmit herewith a 6-month periodic report on the national emergency with respect to Burma that was declared in Executive Order 13047 of May 20, 1997.

    Sincerely,

    GEORGE W. BUSH

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    Five Canadian Cities Join in Global Action for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    By Tin Maung Htoo
    Burma Media Association

    Nov 21, 2001 Toronto-- Five Canadian cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Admonton have joined in hand with dozens of other cities around the world in a global action calling for the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and about two thousands political prisoners in Burma.

    Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of her Noble Peace Prize, a high profile committee was formed in Norway comprising a number of Noble Peace Laureates and politicians including Norwegian Prime Minister, former U.S. State Secretary Madeleine Albright, and former Philippine president Corazon Aquino.

    Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house arrest, along with severe restriction for years, is unlikely to attend the centennial ceremony of the Noble Peace Prize in Norway while three dozens of living award winners are expected to gather in Oslo on Dec 10.

    As a result, the new setup committee call a worldwide action on Dec 8, and in response, supporters and activists from almost two dozens of countries including Canada have joined in solidarity movement. And it is expected that more cities and countries will take part in the action.

    In Canada, a conference call took place this Monday and representatives from Canadian Friends of Burma, Burmese Students' Democratic Organization, Burma Watch International, Toronto and Vancouver Burma Roundtables participated for the preparation and coordination of a variety of actions in Canada. Toronto- and Vancouver-based activists also held their Roundtables last Sunday and finalized their action plans ranging from exhibitions, candlelight vigils to press conferences, ceremonies and MPs signatures collecting campaign.

    Activists in Canada are now collecting signatures of Federal Members of Parliament in support of a call for release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma as activists in other countries are doing. The leading campaign committee is also collecting signatures online at -     www.burmapeacecampaign.org in support of this global action.

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    SPDC Bans the Entry Visa of a Korean Activist

    By Nay Htun Naing
    Burma Media Association

    Nov 21, 2001 Seoul-- A Korean activist Lee Kwan Yee was put on the blacklist banning entry visa to Burma after her implication with opposition was discovered, according to a note sent out to Burmese embassies abroad.

    According to the note, Ms. Lee went to Burma by plane on the 12 Sept. and met with members of opposition parties in Rangoon and other cities, adding that she also consulted with politicians on future programs of Burma. However, the names of those involved and the nature of programs were not disclosed.

    The note that is based on inquiry of Military Intelligence Unit asserted that Miss Lee came to Burma with duties of NLD-LA (Korea Branch) from Seoul. However, the spokesman of NLD-LA (Korea Branch) tuned down the accusation, saying they do not have such link with Ms. Lee. However, the spokesman admitted that she might content herself with NLD-LA (Korean Branch) in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the cause of Democracy. The NLD-LA (Korea Branch) said they are aware of the ban of SPDC.

    The ruling military government has blacklisted a number of tourists and journalists who tried to dig out the real situation in Burma, as the country's real situation is veiled. Paris-based Reporters without Borders reminded the Burmese military government that "to prevent the international public opinion from knowing the real situation in the country is a grave violation of the right to be informed."

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    Dagang Net helps Myanmar jump-start e-commerce

    Bernama

    Kuala Lumpur, Nov 19, 2001 -Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd (DNT), an e-commerce service provider and e-government pioneer in Malaysia, plans to use its extensive expertise to help Myanmar jumpstart its e-commerce implementation.

    DNT's chief executive officer, Hazree Mohd Turee said the company's experience in doing the same for Malaysia in the early 90s would be a definite advantage. He said the company has the necessary tools to help fast track the integration of Myanmar into the global economy using proven e-commerce models.

    "In doing so, we are answering the government's call to foster closer cooperation between Asean members by sharing knowledge and expertise," he said in a statement here today. Hazree had a briefing with Brigadier General Thein Swe, chairman of the e-application committee, e-national task force of Myanmar.

    In the statement, General Thien was quoted as saying that Myanmar's e-commerce iniatiative was still in infancy. He said in its maiden effort towards e-commerce, Myanmar planned to electronically link wholesale markets around the country to help farmers market their produce more effectively.

    "Information on the type of produce, the volume available and the prices being qouted could be effectively shared by the farmers and brokers to spur e-commerce. It is essential for Myanmar due to our geographically large area," he said.

    General Thien said the implementation of a trade facilitation system similar to the ones developed by DNT and implemented at Port Klang, KLIA and other entry and exit points would be the eventual goals.

    Thai Villagers’ fears remain

    The Nation

    The government’s public hearing yesterday in Chiang Rai on the planned transport of equipment through the province for the construction of a lignitefired power plant in Burma, failed to ease local villagers’ concerns over pollution.

    The National Security Council’s deputy chief, Prakit Prajonpatjanuek, chaired the meeting in an attempt to explain the need for the Chinese equipment to be shipped from the province to the Burmese border town of Tachilek.

    Stating that the oral arguments were not clear or persuasive, representatives of the villagers called on the government to put in writing that it would take responsibility for any adverse health and environmental effects from the plant and promise to pay compensation.

    Residents of the province’s Mae Sai district earlier this year blocked the first attempt to convoy the equipment for fear that the plant, to be located just five kilometres from the border, would burn lignite coal to generate electricity and emit pollution.

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    Pollution chief defends project

    The Bangkokpost

    A lignite-fired power plant in Burma would not cause serious environmental impact on the Thai side of the border as new technology would cut dust and sulphur dioxide emissions, said the Pollution Control Department yesterday.Chief Sirithan Pairotboribun said electrostatic precipitators at the Tachilek plant could eliminate 99% of the dust particles.

    New technology would also cut emissions of sulphur dioxide and toxic substances, Mr Sirithan told a meeting called by the National Security Council in Chiang Rai.China wants Thailand to allow power generators to pass through Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district en route to the plant.

    Local people worried about the environmental impact blocked a convoy of 14 trailer trucks carrying the parts on April 20.Prakit Prachonphatchanuek, NSC deputy chief, said the builders, Golden Triangle Hydro Power Plant, had assured Thai authorities that the plant met ISO standards.Mr Prakit said Burma did not want to change the route as the Mae Sai checkpoint was close to the plant.However, local people want the plant to be moved further inside Burma.

    Praphan Srivichai, a member of the Rak Mae Sai group, said the plant should be moved 50 kilometres inside Burma.Ronnarong Sukthavorn, a Mae Sai customs official, said the plant was now 80% complete, adding that the shipment delay had cost about 20 million baht.The generators were being kept at a warehouse in Samut Prakan pending approval.

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