Daily News- May 02- 2002- Thursday

  • Dialogue `began 18 months ago'
  • Marriott International Shareholders Force Company to Divest from Burma
  • Hess is Mess: Spring Cleanup Launched
  • Wa blamed for latest rise in tension
  • Third Army wants Sgt Sawang back
  • NLD expects Suu Kyi release in days


  • Dialogue `began 18 months ago'

    Bhanravee Tansubhapol and Reuters
    The Bangkokpost

    The eventual release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is one objective of the dialogue which began more than 18 months ago, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday.

    ``I'm not surprised'', the minister said when asked to comment on speculation about the release of Mrs Suu Kyi.``I have not received confirmation that they [the Burmese junta] will release her, or on what day it will take place, but I would not be surprised if it does take place,'' he said.

    Mr Surakiart said he had discussed the possibility with Win Aung, his Burmese counterpart, on the sidelines of the Thai-Burmese Joint Commission meeting, which they co-chaired, in Phuket in January.``Mr Win Aung did not tell us that they would release her,'' the minister said. ``But we know the [dialogue] process will lead to this point.''

    Mr Surakiart pointed out he had repeatedly said the dialogue had advanced further than reported by the media.Thailand, he said, supported the dialogue between Mrs Suu Kyi and the ruling State Peace and Development Council, and had agreed to observe the secrecy around it.

    Razali Ismail, the Malaysian diplomat serving as the United Nations special envoy to Burma, had helped broker the start of the dialogue in September 2000.Speculation about Mrs Suu Kyi's release followed his latest four-day trip to Rangoon which ended on Friday.

    Mrs Suu Kyi was taken for a secret meeting with government leaders yesterday, a Burmese military official said.She was accompanied by a top leader from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party for the secret meeting.The official speculated that Mrs Suu Kyi and NLD secretary U Lwin had met with powerful military junta intelligence chief and Secretary One, Khin Nyunt, or his deputy Kyaw Win.

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    Marriott International Shareholders Force Company to Divest from Burma

    WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2002--Today, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (HERE) and the AFL-CIO called on Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) to expand on its recent claim to stop supporting the military dictatorship in Burma by adopting a workplace code of conduct. The code would be based on the International Labor Organization's (ILO's) conventions on workplace human rights.

    HERE filed a shareholder proposal for consideration at Marriott's May 3, 2002 annual meeting requesting that the company adopt a global workplace code of conduct, and the AFL-CIO submitted a proposal requesting that Marriott review its operations in Burma, a military dictatorship widely condemned for human rights abuses.

    Marriott sought to exclude the proposals from the company's proxy statement, but was overruled by the Securities & Exchange Commission.

    "Marriott has now informed us that the company will end all business ties with Burma, but working people investing in the hotel company want to be assured that their investment does not prop up a military regime, which disregards basic human rights. We urge the company to adopt a global labor standard that respects basic human rights in all countries," said Bill Patterson, Director of the AFL-CIO Office of Investment.

    In a letter to the AFL-CIO, Marriott disclosed that the company will "end business ties with the Republic of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). We persuaded the [hotel] owner's representative to allow us to terminate the management agreement. We removed the Renaissance brand flags so that neither hotel is operated under one of Marriott's brand names," the Marriott letter said.

    "Our members are gratified that Marriott has committed to stop supporting the military dictatorship in Burma by doing business in the country," said Chris Bohner, Senior Research Analyst at HERE. HERE, a shareholder of Marriott, represents thousands of workers at the company's U.S. hotels. "But Marriott still has a long way to go towards improving its corporate responsibility guidelines," added Bohner.

    In 2000, Human Rights Watch cited Marriott's labor dispute at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel as a case study of violations of workers' freedom of association in the United States. In addition, Marriott operates in many countries where basic labor rights are not adequately protected. HERE is seeking shareholder support for a proposal requesting that Marriott adopt a workplace code of conduct based on the ILO's conventions on workplace human rights.

    In a major boost for the initiative, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) -- the leading provider of proxy voting and corporate governance services - has recommended that shareholders vote for the proposal, citing "recent concerns regarding the company's labor practices." ISS noted that Marriott "could benefit from the adoption of a formal policy that seeks to create and maintain safe and quality working conditions for its employees by outlining clear protections of rights for members of its workforce."

    CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the world with more than $150 billion in total assets, has also disclosed that it will support HERE's proposal.

    The AFL-CIO represents 13 million working men and women who participate in the capital markets as investors through defined benefit and defined contribution plans, as well as through mutual funds and individual accounts. The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (HERE) represents approximately 300,000 members across the United States and Canada in the hospitality industry.

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    Hess is Mess: Spring Cleanup Launched

    By Tin Maung Htoo
    Burma Media Association

    May 1, 2002--U.S-based activists today boost up campaign against American oil company, Amerada Hess, with a massive phone calls and faxes urging to withdraw its 25% stake in British Premier Oil. In addition, a demonstration is taking place in front of the company's general shareholders meeting at One Hess Plaza in Woodbridge, New Jersey at 1:30 p.m. local time with Human rights, environmental, religious activists, and Burmese exiles.

    Activists ask Mr. John B. Hess, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amerada Hess, "John Hess, clean up your Mess!" "I know that Amerada Hess prides itself on its clean stations? How can you label your company clean when you have blood on your hands, profiting from a partnership with a brutal military regime?" asked in a sample letter sends to the company's CEO. "How can you call yourself clean? When you profit from a pipeline project that has benefited from slave labor, torture and even murder?"

    The letter has been distributed widely among activists through Internet and flooded into the CEO office. New York-based Amerada Hess has been under fire since it acquired 25% stake at Premier Oil in 1999.

    Premier Oil, the biggest British investor in Burma, is operating natural gas pipeline project in Burma, along with US's Unocal and France's Total, amid reported human rights violation and environmental concerns. Activists asserted that Premier Oil is creating not only a major security zone in the pipeline region resulting in mass human rights violations, but also supplying the regime with a continuous stream of hard currency in gas revenue. "The last payment the regime received for gas was spent immediately on Russian MIG fighter jets," Heidi Quante, an organizer of today's action, charged.

    “Due to grassroots pressure by the Free Burma movement, over 50 corporations including ARCO, Texaco, Amoco, PepsiCo and Walmart have severed their ties with the military and pulled out of Burma. Hess can do the same, clean up its mess and save its good name by divesting from Premier immediately, stated Heidi Quante, who is also coordinator of the California-based Burma Project.

    Whether the Amerada Hess would conclude its position on Burma in the annual meeting is not clear, however, it is reported that the company reviewed its position following increasing pressure from its own employees, shareholders, and pressure groups.

    “It is high time for Amerada Hess to do the right thing. Supporting brutal forced labor and the suppression of democracy tarnishes Hess’ reputation,” said James P. Hoffa, International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is a broad-base truck union consists of millions of truckers including employees who drive the Hess petroleum trucks.

    Similar to this wide spread action, activists across East Coast surrounded more than 14 Amerada Hess Petrol Stations in November last year, demanding an end of keeping the stake in Premier Oil. However, there are some contrasted concerns arisen from different corner on the matter of the pullout of Amerada Hess's investment from Premier Oil. Some observers pointed out that the Malaysia stated-own Petronas could easily take over Amerada Hess' shares and international community would lose access to the country and opportunity to press social responsibility and code of conduct for the working condition in the country.

    Petronas is holding 25% stake in Premier Oil and would then become a major shareholder of Premier Oil. A Singapore Company Keppel has 3% stake in Premier Oil. What a observer noted is "a heavy Asian involvement all round."

    "Would a Petronas controlled company serve the people of Burma better than one in which Amerada Hess could continue to exert a beneficial influence," questioned Mr. Derek Tonkin, former British ambassador to Thailand. It is a view shared by some Sudanese activists who are wrestled with concerns when they come to respond to Canadian Oil Company Talisman which eventually decided to sale its Sudanese investment after growing pressure and implication of human rights violation there. The major concern is the dominant of Chinese Oil Company that would earn more negligence on Human Rights condition in the absence of western company in Sudan.

    However, Burma support groups have no doubt about this and continually press to sever all links and business with Burma. Today action in U.S is supported by many civil societies including Burma Campaign U.K. "We can't be there in person but we can make sure they get the message", says John Jackson, Director Of Burma Campaign UK, adding, "we are delighted that Hess are coming under so much pressure in the US. It is making life increasingly difficult for Premier Oil," he added. Last month Burma Campaign U.K used the Internet to flood Hess's U.K and U.S offices with e-mails demanding that they sell their stake in Premier Oil.

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    Wa blamed for latest rise in tension

    Wassana Nanuam
    The Bangkokpost

    The Third Army commander has blamed the latest tension in relations with Burma on armed provocation by the United Wa State Army. ``We did not want to stir up any tension with Burma since I'm fully aware of the government's policy to foster neighbourly ties and strengthen bilateral understanding with them,'' Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh said yesterday.

    He had no wish to sour Thai-Burma relations which had greatly improved following the visit of Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye, deputy chairman of Burma's State Peace and Development Council.However, last week's border clash with UWSA fighters near Ban Pong Hai in Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang District was unavoidable because Thai border troops were assaulted first.

    ``We only responded to the situation as it developed at the time,'' Lt-Gen Udomchai said.``As Burma's close neighbour, we want to live in harmony with them but what was happening [at Pong Hai] became untolerable.''

    A Thai ranger was wounded last Friday during a minor scuffle with UWSA fighters who crossed the border to demand the immediate release of two UWSA members who were captured that morning near Ban Pong Hai, some 2km from the border, by Thai border troops.The UWSA launched a cross-border mortar attack on Friday evening when their demand was turned down by the Pha Muang Task Force, in charge of border security in the upper North.

    The Burmese military later protested over the incident by claiming that Thai border troops had distorted the facts and that the two UWSA members were captured while fetching water from a creek regarded by both sides as the natural border line. It also dismissed Thai military allegations of UWSA's involvement in cross-border shelling.

    Lt-Col Apisith Nutbusba, 241st Cavalry Battalion commander in charge of security at Mae Fah Luang, has insisted that the UWSA, regarded as the biggest drug traffickers in the Golden Triangle, left his troops no choice but to retaliate against the unprovoked shelling.

    Earlier, the UWSA had claimed that it was possible that Shan fighters in the nearby area, and not UWSA troops, were behind the shelling.``There are no Shan rebels in the nearby area,'' said the battalion commander.He could show material evidence to prove that the shells belonged to the UWSA.``The 82mm mortar shells that fell on our side were of the same type being used by the UWSA troops,'' he said.He was convinced that the two captured Musers were inside Thailand to scout the border area for the trafficking of drugs.The UWSA may have wanted to cause a misunderstanding between Thailand and Burma for its own benefit, he said.

    Third Army wants Sgt Sawang back

    The Nation

    The current border tension over the detention of two alleged Burmese spies last month could be resolved if Burma agreed to hand over in exchange a Thai sergeant arrested two years ago, the Third Army Region Commander said yesterday.

    "If Rangoon rejects the deal the two Burmese - believed to be Wa militia spying for Burma and now in the custody of the Thai army - will not be returned," Lt Gen Udomchai Ongkasingh said.

    The pair could be traded for a sergeant identified as Sawang Nokklai of a Calvary division in Uttaradit province, the general said. Sawang was detained by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Santondu pass border territory near Chiang Rai's Mai Ai district two years ago, he said.

    "What we have learned is that Sgt Sawang has been in the custody of UWSA, but we are not sure whether he is still alive or not. The army and his family have been trying throughout this time to secure his release, but to no avail," he said. Sawang was on a mission when was taken from a pickup truck in the border area, Udomchai said. A possible exchange of the detainees will be discussed when the Thai-Burma Township Border Committee meets next Wednesday.

    Thailand's northern border has been on alert following a cross-border skirmish after the Thai army detained two Wa militia in Chiang Rai province last month, accusing them of being spies for the Burma military. Rangoon has denied it has any control over the UWSA, and said the two ethnic Wa were looking for food when they were detained by Thai troops.

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    NLD expects Suu Kyi release in days

    YANGON (Reuters) May 2 - Myanmar's pro-democracy opposition said on Thursday it was optimistic their leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be released from house arrest in days amid growing signs of a breakthrough in reconciliation talks with the military.

    National League for Democracy (NLD) Vice Chairman Tin Oo said Suu Kyi told him after meeting top leaders of the ruling military junta to expect evidence of clear progress in the talks soon. ''We will hear good news within days,'' he told reporters at NLD headquarters in the capital, Yangon. ''We don't know when exactly she will be released... We are expecting some definitely good news about Aung San Suu Kyi in days,'' he said. But he added: ''I don't think she will be released today. For the time being she is under house arrest.''

    Tin Oo, along with NLD Chairman Aung Shwe and Secretary U Lwin, met Suu Kyi at her residence on Wednesday after she returned from a meeting with a top military official, thought to be the junta's powerful intelligence chief Khin Nyunt.

    ''She also asked her deputies who met her yesterday to tell the media there will be news about an obviously clear development,'' Tin Oo said. He declined to give details of what was discussed at the meeting with the junta, or whether Suu Kyi's release would be unconditional -- as sought by the United States. ''We think they talked about conditions on her movement after her release,'' an opposition source close to the NLD told Reuters.

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