Document Actions
International relations 16 January Congressman Joe Pitts and Lord David Alton
Independence Weekly, No. 28 (20 - 26
January 2003)
International relations
16 January
Congressman Joe Pitts and Lord David Alton, House of Lords, leave for ten-day human rights inspection trip. Pitts is also a member of International Relations Committee and Lord Alton is the founder of Jubilee Campaign.
19 January
FM Win Aung leaves for India. It is the first trip made by a Burmese foreign minister in 17 years. (NMG)
20 January
Legislators Pitts and Alton visit Mae La refugee camp in Tak Province.
Visiting Deputy FM of Japan meets Aung San Suu Kyi, explaining Tokyo's washing off Burma's debt is the decision of Japan for Least Developed Nations. (DVB)
23 January
Phone conversation between British FM Mike O'Brien and Aung San Suu Kyi is hindered by constant interference and line cutting. (AP)
24 January
Rangoon permitted to attend two-day Asean-EU talks that begins 27 January. Hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough despite continued EU sanctions. (AFP)
Peter Rider appointed as New Zeland's new envoy to Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and Laos. He replaces Alan Williams. (Government press release)
Amnesty International invited by Burma to see current developments. Two investigators are to spend 10 days there. Dates yet to be fixed. (BBC)
Thai-Burma relations
16 January
Thai delegation led by Dr Adisai Bodharamik, Minister of Commerce, arrives in Rangoon. (Asian Tribune)
17 January
Lt Gen Kasemsak Plooksawat, Commandant of Thai National Defense College, received by Lt Gen Kyaw Win, Chief of Armed Services Training. (Asian Tribune)
19 January
Education minster Pongphol Adireksarn, who has been in Rangoon since 17 January, ends visit. He is there as chairman of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo). He has suggested to Gen Khin Nyunt children living on either side of the border learn both Thai and Burmese at school. (The Nation)
20 January
9 Burmese activists arrested in Sangklaburi. (Irrawaddy)
22 January
Burmese spies have infiltrated Thailand, blending in with illegal workers, says a report prepared PM Thaksin. (The Nation)
23 January
All Women's Movement Committee of Burma appeals to His Majesty the King not to hand the detainees over to Rangoon until democracy is restored, but only to the UNHCR and human rights organizations. (Statement)
24 January
Bangkok is planning to deport seven of the activists arrested for illegal entry and overstaying.
25 January
Army chief Somdhat Attanand's Burma visit re-scheduled to 31 January - 1 February, preceded by his order of a nationwide crackdown on activist groups. (Bangkok Post)
The junta
17 January
More than 2,000 military officers caught up in the reshuffle that comes into effect today. (DVB)
24 January
More than 7 battalions are laying siege to at least 2 Wa battalions along the Mekong's western bank from the Namyawng to Namkai river mouths. (Bangkok Post / S.H.A.N.)
The opposition
23 January
Burmese soldiers from LID 88 engaging in firefight with KNU across Tak's Phop Phra District, suffers at least six killed, as 1,000 villagers flee the fighting. (AFP)
24 January
Burmese troops seizes one of KNU's strategic camps, Lay Khaw, causing an estimated 700 villagers to flee to Tak province's Phop Phra District. (Irrawaddy)
The Shans
19 January
The last Shan princess of Chiangmai, Chao Suganta, 93, cremated.
21 January
Col Yawdserk says he is "ready to surrender if the world believes drugs can be eradicated by" his surrender. (Statement)
23 January
6 Shan State Army fighters, dressed in UWSA uniforms, attacked IB 227 on 17 January, killing 2 and wounding five, says Burma. Denied by the SSA.
Human Rights
8 January
Special Investigative Team #1 arrives in Mongpan to interrogate villagers over allegations made by SHRF. (S.H.A.N.)
20 January
Three Burmese army defectors from IB 226 testify that company sergeant Myint Htay boasted to them of having raped 5-6 women in Shan State.
They also say there are child soldiers as young as 12 stationed opposite Chiangmai's Wiang Haeng District. (SWAN)
If officers feel comfortable boasting to their troops about raping women, it is clear that the culture of impunity for sexual violence in the Army is still in place. |
25 January
Thai government should follow principles of 'non-refoulement' and grant protection to Shans, says Refugees International.
Environment
20 January
The MDX signs road-building contract with Thai Sawad, a Wa-based Thai company. The 12-15 km road is to be constructed from Shan State's Tasarng to the dam project site. (S.H.A.N.)
21 January
22 personnel from MDX and EGAT arrive at Tasang escorted by 2 platoons from IB 225. They crossed the border the previous day at Tachilek. (S.H.A.N.)
23 January
A feasibility study for another dam on the Salween between Thailand's Mae Saring District and Burma will begin soon, says House energy committee chairman Saravit Konsomboon. (Bangkok Post)
Drugs
17 January
Joint Burma-UN poppy survey will be conducted in 50 Shan State towns, says Col Hkam Awng, joint secretary of CCDAC. (Myanmar Time)
The only way to avoid (a humanitarian crisis rising out of Rangoon's promised 50% reduction in opium output) is to ensure that Burmese drug programmes have enough financial support
And that's become a political issue
|
Thai drug agencies' August 2004 targets
1. Arrest of 4,000 hardcore traffickers, dealers and producers.
2. Arrest of 40,000 retailers.
3. Identification in each province of 3 active drug networks.
Bangkok Post, 19 January 2003
When Yaabaa is being produced
in one particular area, production from that plant seeps onto the local
market and brings down the price, according to a western specialist. The
shifts in local prices should therefore be monitored to be able to narrow
the search for these drug factories. So far they have avoided adopting
this strategy, leading specialists to believe that there are indeed many
of the Wa members still heavily involved in the production. |
Shan ceasefire group mum on meeting results
