Weekly Digest

Weekly Digest, No. 75 (21-27 December 2003)

The World

8 December
Amount generated annually by Thai sex industry is $ 4.3 billion. (Time)

21 December Libya says it is abandoning efforts to build an atomic-bomb and chemical weapons so it can develop its economy and boost the living standards of its people. (Reuters)

23 December
Several nationals including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan halt US beef imports after announcement by US Agriculture Department today that a farm in Washington State has been quarantined because a cow tested presumptively positive for mad cow disease or BSE. (AP)

24 December
Freedom House's annual survey of 192 sovereign countries find 

• 89 free, 2.7 billion people (44%)

• 55 partly free, 1.3 billion people (21%)

• 48 not fee, 2.2 billion people (35%)

Out of top 10-despots, Liberia's Charles Taylor and Iraq's Saddam Hussein have gone. Among the rest is Burma's Than Shwe. Others are from North Korea, Belarus, Cuba, Turkmenistan, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi. (Scripps Howard News Service)

26 December
A 6.3 Richter scale earthquake in Iran kills thousands. The death toll may reach 40,000, says AP.

International Relations

14 November
Bai Enpei, Secretary of Yunnan Communist Party, pays courtesy call on Gen Than Shwe. (MNA)

30 November
Gen Shwe Mann receives Gen Wu Quanxu, deputy chief of staff, PLA. (MNA)

15 December
Saddam's arrest is tucked away in the down corner of The New Light of Myanmar. 

Thai-Burma Relations

3 November
Since October, Thailand has revised its visa regulations with regards to Burma. Those applying for tourist visas will need to show a plane ticket and bank balance. The visa has also been raised from $ 15 to $ 25. (Living Color)

23 December PM Thaksin cancels 26 December visit to Yawngkha citing security related issues. However, there are unconfirmed reports that the cancellation might be due to either external pressure or deficiency in protocol or both. (S.H.A.N.)	Courtesy: Bangkok Post
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23 December Gen Kriangsak Chamanand, 86, Thailand's 15th prime minister, who had negotiated for Khun Sa's release in 1974, passes away. He has gone down in history as the country's first and only prime minister who announced his resignation before parliament, writes Bangkok Post. He had made numerous achievements, especially in foreign affairs, during his three years in office, stabling cordial ties with Russia and China.  1977-78 Supreme commander 1977-79 Prime minister

24 December
Government spokesman denies it wants to sideline UNHCR role in handling Burma refugees, following PM Thaksin's rejection of its 4 million baht offer to pay for activities such as registration and documentation. (Kosajan)

Politics

17 November
Gen Khin Nyunt receives Bao Youxiang and party. (MNA)

29 November
Lamon Tujai, Kachin State Special Region #2, meets Gen Khin Nyunt, expresses support for 7-point program and inform him of their intention to attend the NC. (MNA)

5 December
Zakhun Ting Ring, Kachin State Special Region #1, received by Gen Khin Nyunt. They announce support for the 7-point roadmap and promise to attend the NC without fail. (MNA)

26 December
State-run media says Kayan New Land Party's vice chairman Than Soe Naing says the group has expressed its support for the regime's 7-point proposal. (AP)

Shans

22 November
PM Khin Nyunt receives SSA "North" leaders: Hsoten and Loimao. (MNA)

8 December Gen Maung Aye hoists Htidaw (umbrella) atop Mahateza Dhipati Pagoda in Mongpan. (MNA)

Courtesy: New Light of Myanmar

9 December
Gen Maung Aye hoists another Htidaw atop Mwedaw Katku Pagoda in Taunggyi. (MNA)
PHOTO NLOM 10/12

21 December
Sai Htoon, co-founder of the SDU, who died on 21 November, remembered in a ceremony held by Bangkok Shans. (S.H.A.N.)

Know Burmese, and you'll be no more than a Burmese underling. Know Chinese, and you'll be no more than a Chinese underling. But know English and you'll be the master of all. 
Sai Htoon, speaking to S.H.A.N. in 1995

23 December
Shan Democratic Union sends New Year message to the Karen National Union. Supports Karen stand i.e. putting the National Convention ahead of Tripartite Dialogue is like placing the cart in front of the horse. (Statement)

Economy / Business

26 November
Lt-Gen Aung Htwe visits Monglong in Kyaukme district and views sample gems mined from Lumaw exploration block. (MNA)

7 December
Gen Maung Aye inspects Kengtawng hydro electric power project in Mongnai township. It is expected to be complete in the 2005-2006 fiscal year. (MNA)

21 December
Paddy prices have dropped as a result of refusal to purchase by Rice Traders Association in Mon and Karen States. (MNA)

23 December
India, Burma and Thailand have agreed to begin construction next year of $ 700 million highway connecting Moreh through Burma to Mae Sod, stretching 1,360 km (845 miles), says Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha after talks in New Delhi with his counterparts. (AFP)

Human Rights

16 December
Thai authorities arrest 49 Rakhaings on their way from Arakan to Malaysia to find jobs. Among the arrested are several teenagers, 14-15 years of age. (Narinjara)

22 December
Amnesty International delegates who have completed their 18-day tour of Burma, 2-19 December, hold press conference in Bangkok. The authorities assurances to be patient and that change may come soon rings hollow in the face of "continuing repression." Urge Rangoon to release all prisoners of conscience. "Reconciliation and enduring security can best be achieved by protecting rather than curtailing fundamental human rights for all,' it concludes. (Statement) The investigators conclude there is "a slide in human rights" since their visit in February. (Agencies) 

People are being used as shields and bush-whackers during the Army's operation against Mon rebels. They have to bring their own knives and rice. (IMNA)

22 December
A Rohingya has to obtain recommendation first from the village council paying 200 kyat and another recommendation from the township immigration office paying 500 for traveling from Buthidaung to Maungdaw, a distance of 16 miles. The application form, Form, 4, is normally used for foreigners. (Kaladan)

23 December
Rangoon hits back at Amnesty that its criticism had come at the time when many nations around the globe including the secretary-general of the UN are hailing its efforts at national reconciliation. (AP) The secretary general used the word "all inclusive" meaning he will not bless any process that excludes Aung San Suu Kyi, points out Washington Post. 

Environment

26 December
Five Thai engineers led by Mr. Punphong arrived in Mongton on 16 December through BP-1 Checkpoint. Three, except Mr. Punphong himself and another, left for Chiangmai again on 23 December. Nothing is being done at the damsite for sometime now. The only noteworthy achievement is the completion of the road from the Mongton-Mongpan highway to the damsite. Road repair however still goes on. (S.H.A.N.)

Drugs

21 December
"I saw large opium fields around Mongpeng (Mongpiang), Mongpawk, Monglar towns and other places," says a Wa businessman. Some Wa leader have called for postponement of the deadline to 2007, but Chairman Bao is still "overly-optimistic" on 2005. 

25 December
The overall Yaungkha project is expected to cost 130 million baht, but additional foreign aid is unlikely due to sanctions. (The Nation)

24-26 December Thai reporters allowed to visit Yongpang, new name for Mongyawn since 14 November. They also visit Wan Hong, near Monghsat.  Named Bao Youri as Commander of 171st Regional Army. However UWSA leaflet in April 2003 still named Wei as the commander. (Bangkok Post / S.H.A.N.)

Courtesy: Bangkok Post

26 December
The cough drop Dexto, available for one baht a tablet, has become popular following the crackdown on cough syrup containing codeine. Five to ten pills with soft-drinks or hot water will be sufficient for a Yala college student and his friends to get high, as a substitute for hard drugs. (Bangkok Post)

Col San Pwint confirms drugs will be eradicated by 2014. Three measures to be used: crop substitution, drug education and heavy penalties for drug offenders. 

Third Army commander Lt-Gen Picharnmeth Muangmanee, with Triangle Region commander Khin Zaw and Wa president Bao Youxiang opens Thai funded Youngkha hospital.

27 December
Bao Youxiang says Wei has fled into hiding and his whereabout is unknown. 

He thanks Thailand for allowing the export of tangerines via Kiew Pha Wok (BP-1) checkpoint. 

He denies his people are involved in speed production as they don't have the chemicals and the expertise to do so. 

He invites reports from Thailand to visit opium plantations in Wa areas in the north in February. "I'm ready to reveal everything so the global community will understand and help us." 

War

21 December
Outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), that has suffered major losses in Bhutan's flush-out operations, has shifted three of its bases to Kachin State, assisted by National Socialist Council of Nagaland. 

22 December
Indian rebel groups may be looking at neighboring Burma and Bangladesh to set up new bases amid a drive by Bhutan to expel them from the kingdom, says an Indian army official. (AFP)

The Karen New Year celebration held at Kawkareik Township in the 6th Brigade area ruined by artillery attack. SPDC troops also attack villages a nd burn them to the ground. Newly harvested paddy crops are also torched in Brigades 2 and 6 areas. (DVB)

23 December
Recently released Battle News #18-03 by the KNLA says there had been 74 clashes between it and the Burma Army, between 29 October to 13 December, 2 after a ceasefire order was issued. (Bulletin)

Gen Bo Mya says the two sides will meet soon in Rangoon, but he prefers Bangkok to be the venue for future rounds because "We can have free talks here." Rangoon however has yet to respond to his proposal, he adds. The talks, he says, can last two years. Karen refugees therefore should not go back to their homes because the situation remains dangerous. (AP) Rangoon has rejected his proposed venue in Bangkok, reason being internal affairs should be discussed inside Burma. KNU however points out that talks in Rangoon in the past have collapsed. The fresh proposal is to hold the meeting in Myawaddy, on condition that armed troops stationed there must withdraw first. (Bangkok Post) The next negotiations will resume by next week or just after New Year in Rangoon. (Daily Times) Rangoon no longer sets conditions as before: Abandon armed struggle, enter legal fold, renounce 1996 Mae Tharawhta Agreement etc, says Bo Mya. However, the clashes are still going on in 6th Brigade area. (DVB)

Quotes

Democracy and Human Rights
Continuede arrest and detention flies in the face of the new rhetoric about the willingness to change. 
Catherine Baber, Amnesty International, after her 2-19 December visit, 22 December. 

One thing we're absolutely sure about, one thing I can speak with authority about, is that the intelligence services never know nearly as much as people think they know. They always know less, and in the present environment they know much less. 
Gareth Evans, President, Brussels-based International Crisis Group, quoted by Far Eastern Economic Review, 4 December 2003

People who feel that giant media corporations have become state propaganda tools have turned to other channels… It is the internet however that has increasingly become the news source of choice for individuals all over the world who are leery of the media giants … One advantage of the internet is that it is not a one-way communication. Readers can voice their comments and interact… The internet has become a new channel for mass communication, where different views and opinions can be expressed and democratic discussion can take place. 
Bangkok Post, 21 December, on The World Electronic Media Forum, Geneva, 9-12 December 2003