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Independence weekly
Independence weekly, No. 6
(7 - 13 July 2002)
This week's message
Dear Reader:
Last week, I had not produced any piece of news for you except the weekly digest that resulted in valid complaints from some of you. And I humbly take this opportunity to ask you to accept my sincere apologies.
My reasons were two-fold: firstly, there were no hot news for me to follow; secondly, I had some pressing matters that demanded my total attention like preparing our quarterly report to the donors and drafting a proposal for renewed funding so we could continue to serve you with information on Burma affairs, especially those about Shan.
Now, thanks for your patience, I shall be able to serve you again. And, do believe me, it's really wonderful to know we're needed.
| Mysoong! (Wishing You Progress & Prosperity)
|
This week's highlights
Thaksin given his dues
8 July
PM Thaksin Shinawatra is praised by Forum Asia's Somchai Homla-or for sheltering Shan refugees in Chiangmai, reports Bangkok Post.
It is not with malice that Shan non-governmental organizations have posted accounts of the rapes suffered by the most vulnerable section of Shan (or any) society. (It is) to bring to the notice of the SPDC and the international community the plight of their people, the horrendous risk run by all Shan women everyday. |
More furor over 'License to Rape'
8 July
Shan web report 'License to Rape' selected by Asia Observer, a start page for people who follow news and developments in Asia, as The Site of the Week.
11 July
| For all the (regime's) pious
proclamation that it is preventing a Bosnia in Burma, it is creating one. |
Rangoon spokesman Col Hla Min issues statement 'License to Rape' is trying to "stand in our way of seeking cooperation with the United States on drug eradication, terrorism and promotion of human rights."
Defunct Shan party revived
Myanmar soldiers are well-trained and educated not to commit such acts as alleged by US representatives and the Yodaya media. |
9 July
Khun Htoon Oo, leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, discloses that 79-year old Shwe Ohn has reactivated his party, Shan State National Races League for Democracy, that was de-registered by Rangoon in 1990. (Shwe Ohn is known for his best-selling work: Towards The Third Union of Burma).
Source: RFA
Is NLD supremacy advisable?
9 July
Khun Htoon Oo, commenting on the reopening of NLD offices in Chin State, warns official sanction of NLD's political activities in non-Burman states at the expense of local parties, could end in total absorption by the NLD.
Source: RFA
Where is Yawdserk?
11 July
Following reports of Bangkok orders to arrest him, Col Yawdserk, leader of the Shan State Army, has been confirmed as moving north from the Thai border for meetings with commanders of other Shan groups, reports Bangkok Post.
(Gen Phon Wanakamon) is president of the Thai Yai (Shan) association but also a Thai citizen. The Burmese has learned about this and are embittered. |
Abducted Mon leader released
6 July
Nai Rossa, General Secretary of the New Mon State Party, a ceasefire group, who was abducted on 18 June by a rival non-ceasefire group of Col Pan Nyunt, freed.
Source: Kaowao
Karen camp retaken
9 July
Law Thee Hta, one of Karen National Union's strongholds along the Thai border District, taken by Rangoon forces. Saw Zarkis, KNU spokesman, states two days later that the camp is back in Karen hands.
Who fixed the posters?
7 July
Mysterious posters commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1962 student protest that ended in the demolition of the historic Student Union Building and death of more than 100 students are hastily to torn down by Rangoon police.
Source: RFA
The lady slammed by junta official
8 July
RFA reports Aung San Suu Kyi was blamed by name on 23 July in Sagaing's Palay Township by Brig-Gen Kyaw San, Deputy Minister for Commerce, for opposing humanitarian assistance from Japan and for not siding with the "nation" against "Yodaya". The allegation on humanitarian assistance was denied by the NLD, reports New York Times on 28 June.
Ten released but more still in jail
(D)iscovering a white elephant has nothing to do with a guarantee of rulership. The example is U Nu (former Prime Minister) who got kicked out of power soon after "his white elephant" was discovered. |
9 July
10 NLD members are freed from jail making a total of 283 released and 275 still in prison, according to statement by Rangoon authorities. U Lwin, NLD spokesman, however complains only 28 have been released since Aung San Suu Kyi regained her freedom on 6 May.
Source: VOA
Meanwhile, All Burma Students Democratic Front's 6th Congress claims despite hopes of national reconciliation brought by Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom, military offensives along the border have not lessened. Source: DVB
The political situation in Burma is characterized by a lack of rule of law and effective law enforcement. |
Computer network links banned
12 July
Rangoon says companies cannot operate unlicensed private computer networks linked to their overseas offices Offenders face 7-15 years in jail, according to order effective since 10 July but published today.
In Burma, individuals can subscribe to email service, but must give their passwords to authorities.
Thailand
Heroin from Burma seized
10 July
Two weeks after Rangoon bonfire, 55 kg of heroin are caught in Bangkok. Proof of manufacturing and trafficking by its ally, the United Wa State Army, says Police Commander Sant Sarutanond.
Tit for tat
12 July
15 Thai journalists: 4 from The Nation, 1 from Bangkok Post, 3 from Thai Rath and the rest from TV stations and other newspapers (Thai News, Daily News, Siam Rath, Matichon and Khao Sod) blacklisted by Rangoon for writing "anti-Myanmar" articles. The announcement comes 11-days after Dr. Ma Tin Win and the New Light of Myanmar's Maung Maung Aye were blacklisted by Thai police.
No border meeting in the offing
12 July
Gen Kyaw Win denies there is any plan to hold overdue border committee meeting that seeks to resolve problems along the border.
New war game in the offing
13 July
Burma army is bringing 13 battalions, T-69 tanks, armored cars and patrol vehicles to areas opposite northern Thai provinces for a joint military exercise with 400 Wa, says Thai army source.
Source: Bangkok Post (The SSA deputy commander-in-chief holds there are 4 battalions with a number of 120 mm mortars opposite Maehongson).
International
UN visit in August
8 July
Rangoon says Razali Ismail, UN special envoy, will make his 8th visit to Burma beginning 2 August in order to kick off the long-stalled talks between the military and the opposition.
Flash News
Shan ceasefire group personnel nabbed
A number of Shan State National Army's members were arrested after a gun battle that killed a military intelligence officer on Wednesday (10 July) near Muse, opposite Ruili, Yunnan Province.
Sgt Ah Nge Lay of MI-23 died on the spot where he stopped an SSNA truck going up to Muse from Tima in search of weapons, when a passenger opened fire on him, said the source. He was later identified as Sang Awn, a businessman working with the SSNA. He is still at large at the time of this reporting.
The authorities later raided the group's office in Muse, and took into custody a number of members among whom were four officers: Zai Oo, Kham Awng, Zai La and Liengmoeng.
"Most of them have been released except for Kham Awng who had some firearms in possession," said a senior officer from Rangoon.
The situation is still worrisome, according to some members, because the group is somewhat disoriented after its commander, Col Gunyawd, was injured in a car accident in February.
Shan ceasefire group mum on meeting results
