Weekly Digest No

Weekly Digest No. 66 (2019-5 October 2003)

The World
19 October
Mother Teresa beatified by Pope John Paul. (Reuter)

24 October
10 new nations will be joining the already 15-member European Union, designed to rival the United States next May. (Bangkok Post)

24 October
Mme Chiang Kaishek, born Soong Mayling, once the most powerful woman in China, dies at the age of 106 at her home in New York.

International Relations
1 October
Aung San Suu Kyi, during her meeting with UN envoy Razali, demands formation of an inquiry commission on Dipeyin incident. Razali seems to have lost hope and is willing to work along the line of SPDC roadmap with some adaptations, according to a source from UN. (DVB)

18 October
Colin Powell joins Australian, New Zealand and Japanese counterparts in urging a stronger stand against Rangoon's regime and to use "all tools at their disposal" to free her and bring democracy to Burma. (AP/SMH)

19 October
Visiting president Bush urges PM Thaksin to "help push for democracy and Suu Kyi release". Both "care deeply" about her, says Bush. (AP) 

Asean's Apec members, 7 in all, are steadfast Burma issue should not be discussed at Bangkok summit as it is not an economic issue. (Bernama)

20 October
Paris-based Reporters without Borders (RSF) ranks Burma 164th out of 166 countries listed. It is ahead of Cuba and North Korea and behind Bhutan and China. 

We did not call for liberal democracy where people can riot or bring down the government. We should have democracy, basic democracy, where people have the right to choose the government without having to have a revolution. 
Mahathir Mohamad, 21 October, Bernama

23 October
Asian countries will continue to press for democracy reforms in Burma, although the issue was sidestepped in the junta concluded Apec summit, says Blas Ople, Philippines FM. (Agencies) 

Thai-Burma Relations
19 October
PM Thaksin hailed by his Singaporean counterpart as the next Asean leader, because he has "the vision and the drive," qualities espoused by CEO bibles. (Bangkok Post/ S.H.A.N.)

President Bush announces that Thailand has been given non-Nato ally status, the second country in Asia following the Philippines. Observers fear closer defense ties can stir suspicion in Burma, China, Laos and Vietnam. (Bangkok Post)

20 October
Thaksin will be Asean's voice on Burma at the APEC summit, says an Asean diplomat. (AFP) Blas Ople of the Philippines confirms it. (The Nation) 

21 October
China has agreed to join a Thai-organized international forum on Burma if the ruling junta aggress to take part, says FM Li Zhaoxing to Thai counterpart. Thailand hopes the meeting can be held before the end of the year. Burma will be allowed to explain its roadmap. (The Nation/ AFP) Gen Khin Nyunt had responded positively to the idea at Bali earlier this month. (Bangkok Post) 

24 October
PM Thaksin will travel to Rangoon on 10 November to discuss regional economic strategy. (AFP)

Politics
27 September
Maj Gen Maung Oo, Western Region Commander, says the day Aung San Suu Kyi wins power is the day civil war will break out and granting self-autonomy (to the non-Burmans) will be tantamount to allowing two lions to share a single cave. "We shall therefore prevent her from getting power even at the cost of our lives," he vows at a meeting Arakan state's Pawktaw township. (Narinjara)

17 October
New Light of Myanmar reports rally in support of SPDC roadmap in Haka, Chin State. MP Pu Lian Uk says buildings shown in the pictures in the paper are not in Chin State. (Statement)

19 October
Religious riot in Kyaukse kills 11 and among injures 14. A one-year old child is among the dead. Two Muslim mosques, 2 big stores, 26 homes and some vehicles are torched and destroyed. No one knows how the riots start, but the authorities have cut off telephone links and issued a state of emergency for Kyaukse. 

21 October
A mass rally organized by USDA in Bagan (Pagan) passes a resolution supporting the generals' roadmap. (JEN)

22 October
NLD branch offices begins sending petitions to the Election Commission to let it reopen its offices. (AP)

23 October
Seven students who were handing out pamphlets issued by All Burma Federation of Student Unions, dated 25 September, in Rangoon were arrested during the last week of September, announces a statement from the group. One of the arrested is a female student. They have accused all those who were "trying to destroy the 1990 election result and attend the regime initiated National Convention" as "betrayers" of the people. (Statement, AFP) 

24 October
Since 7 October, Rangoon's Press Security Board has been sending media groups a story accusing dissidents of smuggling women's sarongs printed with Buddhist symbols into the country, say journalists in Rangoon. (Irrawaddy)

Shans
13-15 October
SSA "North" meets Wa and Mongla in Panghsang. Calls for freedom of discussion before and during the National Convention among groups. (S.H.A.N.) 

Economic / Business
6 October
Road Transport Department orders car owners to pay 15% tax on purchase price. Assessors have categorized 7 groups of cars with taxes ranging from 300,000 to 10.5 million kyat (US$ = 912 kyat). Cars that cost 2 million each in 1999 are now valued at 14 million. Many are finding ways to evade payment. (Irrawaddy)

20 October
Since 1 October, authorities in Arakan have been collecting agricultural census in the state's 17 townships. The task is due to be completed by mid-November. Needless to say, accommodations for the fact-finding teams have to be provided by the locals. (Narinjara)

21 October
Thai and Burmese travelers are illegally fishing in Bangladeshi waters, claims The Daily Ajker Desh Bidesh. (Narinjara)

Thailand's agricultural product magnate C.P. has shown interest in studying the development of 320,000 acres of farmland on Burma's side in Myawaddy under the contract farming system but has yet to make up its mind. (MGR online)

Yunnan woos investors. Gu Yu Chang, director of border trade department, says Yunnan needs the expertise of Thai investors, especially in fruit packaging and preservation. The province also has the potential for large investments in hydropower. So far the countries have signed a free trade deal for fruit and vegetables that started on 1 October, and industrial good to start in 2005. (Bangkok Post)

15-22 October
Burma fetches $ 17.95 million from gem sales at the mid-year emporium. Mid year emporium was in 1992 to boost earnings. Annual Gem emporium began in 1964 and since then Burma has earned $ 414 million. (XNA)

Human Rights
12 October
11 Burmese porters who reach KNLA positions say they had been used as "human mine sweepers". The offensive launched in August has forced about 1,000 families to flee their homes. (AT)

15 October
ICRC team, led by Guiliano Vascotto, visits Kholam in Namzang Township. (S.H.A.N.)

20 October
A Christian religious place 70 miles southeast of Myitkyina and close to the Chinese border confiscated by the Burma Army early this month. 4 big cannons had already been installed there. (KP)

25 October
Pre-trial hearing of Unocal, accused of joint responsibility for abuses carried out by the Burma Army, has been scheduled for 14 November. (AP)

Drugs
7 October
CCDAC special meeting resolves to reduce opium output this season and to punish those concerned for failure, says source from eastern Shan State. (S.H.A.N.)

9 October
Intelligence unit in Hsihseng reprimanded by Taunggyi more for not keeping the office "in proper form" than for involving in "illegal business activities." (S.H.A.N.)

15 October
Thailand's Pha Muang Force clashes with 50 Wa soldiers north of Nong Ook, in Chiangmai's Chiangdao district. The Force then finds a cave with Wa uniforms, a satellite phone, medicines and a large quantity of ammunition. (Bangkok Post)

Methamphetamine was classified as category-1 drug, the same as heroin, in 1996. (Yaba, by Wiroj Soomyai, 2000)

War
15 October
A Christian Freedom International hospital was overrun by attacking Burmese force. This is the 4th time the CFI has lost a hospital in 4 years, says Naw Baw Baw, chief medic. (US Newswire)

20 October
Burma Army calls off 21/2 month long Karen offensive. Casualties: 104 KIA, 213 WIA and 7 MIA. (S.H.A.N.) 

20-26 October
Myanmar Time names KNU and SSA "South" (SURA for Rangoon) as "remaining sizeable rebel groups" in Burma.

21 October
Junta troops from Shan State east march to Karen State to beef up Burma Army's attacking force. (S.H.A.N.)