Weekly Diary, No. 262 (11 – 17 August 2007)

Weekly Diary, No. 262 (11 – 17 August 2007)
 
·         FUEL PRICES GO SKY HIGH!
·         HUSH-HUSH RAPE IN KENG TUNG!
·         MORE THAN 500 MOURN FOR LATE SHAN!
 
Think Piece
While enlightened humanitarian concern and support for the ideals of democracy should never be discounted, neither should the commercial and national interests of those interceding be underestimated.

_{Alfred Oehlers, The Irrawaddy, 16 August 2007}
 
Globalization is a new word to describe an old process. Globalization really began about 60,000 years ago, when the first migrants walked out of Africa. Marco Polo was a forerunner of today's global traders. (There are) four groups that have done most to bring about (globalization): traders, preachers, adventures and warriors. Today's missionaries include secular NGOs who preach human rights and the need to take care of the environment.

_{Nayan Chanda, director of publications at the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, in Bound together, reported by The Economist, 4 August 2007}

The SPDC is acting like a wolf in the children's story book, where he accuses the little lamb of muddying the water.

_{President Saw Ba Thin Sein, Address on 57th anniversary of Karen Martyrs Day (Text)}

 
The World
15 August 2007
A magnitude 7.9 quake hits Peru, killing at least 500 and injuring 1,050. (Agencies)

 
International Relations
10 August 2007
Project Maje, a US based independent project, releases report: We built this city Refugees from Burma at risk in Malaysia, revealing the plight of Burmese refugees who have worked on Malaysia's massive infrastructure projects but receive no gratitude for their labor. (Mizzima)
 
14 August 2007
_{Nguyen Tan Dung}
Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung arrives in Burma on a two-day visit. He is on a five-nation tour that includes Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei. (AFP)
 
14 August 2007
The UN is working towards evolving a multi-prong strategy towards restoration of democracy in Burma, says Faran Haq, spokesperson for UN chief Ban Ki-moon says. Any effort to promote positive changes there requires not only direct dialogue with the junta and the people of the country but also with all key interested countries including its neighbors, according to him. (Irrawaddy)
 
14 August 2007
Visiting Vietnamese delegation signs Strategic Cooperation in oil and gas agreement with Burma. (DPA)
 
15 August 2007
_{Gen Shwe Mann}
Gen Shwe Mann meets visiting good will delegation of the People's Liberation Army led by Gen Liu Dongdong. (Xinhua)
 
15 August 2007
US State Department lists 5 countries as a Security Council priority: Burma, Iran, Lebanon, North Korea and Sudan. (Mizzima)
 
16 August 2007
_{Nicolas Sarkozy}
It may appear the French government under Nicolas Sarkozy is shifting position on Burma. The French ambassador attended the NLD organized Martyrs Day ceremony and extended Bastille Day invitations to pro-democracy activists. But looking at the recent release of Bulgarian prisoners being tied to an agreement to supply Libya with anti-tank guided missiles, it appears any assistance that accompanies may come with strings attached. (Irrawaddy)

 
Thai-Burma Relations
10 August 2007
Burma is planning to set up more Border Liaison Offices with Thailand to curb human trafficking following the first such office establishment at Muse, opposite Ruili, namely: Tachilek, Myawaddy and Kawthoung. The law on prevention of trafficking in persons was passed in September 2005. (Xinhua)
 
11 August 2007
_{HM Queen Sirikit}
Speaking on the eve of her 75th birthday, HM Queen Sirikit says religion should not be mixed with politics and Buddhism should be kept out the constitution. Buddhist activists decide to discontinue their campaign for Buddhism to be acknowledged as state religion on the next day. (Bangkok Post)
 
14 August 2007
Soldiers arrest a gambler with 300,000 baht ($ 8,800) in cash which he claims to have won at the Golden Triangle Paradise Resort in Tachilek across Maesai. Soldiers believe cash from casinos in Burma could be used to shoot down the draft constitution on 19 August referendum. The hotel belongs to a well-known Thai politician. (Bangkok Post)
 
15 August 2007
10th anniversary of the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge between Maesod and Myawaddy. Bridge, yes, but friendship is still a distant dream. (Bangkok Post)
 
16 August 2007
Thai police raid Mahachai district, Samut Prakarn Province, and arrest about 570 illegal Burmese migrant workers. (Irrawaddy)

 
Politics/ Inside Burma
9 August 2007
_{Pu Cin Sian Thang}
Pu Cin Sian Thang gets a 'final demolition notice" for his house in Kalemyo, which authorities claim is encroaching on the street. It must be moved before 26 August. He had already received two notices in June and is preparing to "face the case legally." (Mizzima)
 
10 August 2007
_{Dr Sui Khar}
Dr Sui Khar, joint general secretary of the Chin National Front (CNF), who led the first round of talks with the junta in March, says the group is likely to meet junta delegates for the second round of talks following the conclusion of the National Convention. (Mizzima)
 
17 August 2007
Kachin Independence Organization delegation led by Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra meet Burma Army's Maj Gen Ohn Myint, following tension caused by the group's 19 point proposal to the National Convention. (Irrawaddy)
 
18 August 2007
Col San Aung, former deputy commander in Chin State, under investigation for a murder case:

• 7 March     Three villagers suspected of having links to the Chin National Army(CNA) killed
• 30 May      Letter of appeal for investigation submitted to Gen Than Shwe
• July            San Aung transferred to Mongwa. (Khonumtung)

 
Shans/ Shan State
7 August 2007
Namkham township chief Capt Aung Min Latt issues order directing local residents to be on guard duty against Shan State Army (SSA) rebels operating the area. Similar order issued by Muse township chief Nyunt Han on 10 August. (Mizzima) This is the first time the SSA South's presence on the Sino-Burma border is reported – Editor
 
13 August 2007
_{Sao Seng Suk}
Sao Seng Suk aka Khun Kya Nu, 72, passes away in Chiangmai of lung cancer. (Agencies)
 
14 August 2007
_{Ellen Bruno}
Sacrifice, a film documenting the plight of girls from Shan State working in Thai sex industry, released in 1998, screened in Chiangmai. It is the work of US based filmmaker Ellen Bruno. (Mizzima)
 
18 August 2007

More than 500 hundred friends and democracy activists attend Sao Seng Suk's funeral held in Chiangmai. (SHAN)

 
Economy/ Business
14 August 2007
Amyothayay Win Naing and activists, over the past month, have opened several donation centers around Rangoon to provide rice to people who are being forced to skip meals. Rice prices are rising more than 1,000 kyat per two kg and cooking oil while people only earn about 1,500-2,000 kyat a day. (DVB)
 
14 August 2007
Weekly Eleven News says Burma is planning to establish 6 special economic zones to attract foreign investment. They are:

• Thilawa Port                            -           Rangoon
• Moulmein                                -           Mon State
• Myawaddy                              -           Karen State
• Pa-an                                       -           Karen State
• Kyaukphyu                             -           Arakan State
• Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)        -           Mandalay

(Xinhua)
 
15 August 2007
Oil and gas prices raised without prior notice:

• Gasoline                                  1 gallon           -           1,500 kyat to 2,500 kyat
• Diesel                                      1 gallon           -           2,000 kyat to 3,000 kyat
• CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)        1 unit               -           5.5 kyat to 30 kyat

_{Min Ko Naing}
No reason has been given so far for the abrupt change. "I used to pay 1,700 kyat to fill my CNG tank," says a driver. "But it'll be 10,000 kyat from now on." (SHAN) 88 Generation Students leader Min Ko Naing blames rise of oil prices without consultation with people. The fuel prices first took a major upsurge in October 2005, when gasoline 180 kyat per gallon became 1,500 kyat. (Network Media Group) Many believe the increase stems from the junta's shortage of foreign currency to purchase fuel from abroad. (AP) The cost of the public transport in Rangoon and Mandalay has doubled:

• K 50 ($0.03) to K 100 ($0.07)            in Rangoon
• K 200 ($0.15) to K 400 ($ 0.30)         in Mandalay

Some transportation companies say they can no longer afford to operate. The price of black market diesel has also gone up from K 3,000 ($2.26) to K 5,000 ($3.77). The black market foreign currency exchange rate has also been affected. It is K 1,325 to one US dollar, up from K 1,280. Burma's skyrocketing gas prices could be a combination of economic mismanagement and panic in view of stock market plunges around the region, says an analyst in Bangkok. (Irrawaddy) The price of rice has risen by 16% while vegetable and fruit prices have doubled by 17 August. (DPA)
 
17 August 2007
A group o activists release statement warning the military government to reduce fuel prices by 22 August or face widespread public protests. (DVB)

 
Human Rights
4 July 2007
A 10 year old Lahu girt of Hpa Yang village, Mongkhawn Tract, 14 miles south of Kengtung, raped by Sgt Thein Tun and 4 other soldiers. The girl's parents were given K 700,000 ($540) by the regional commander as compensation and warned not to talk about the incident to anybody. (SHAN)
 
11 August 2007
Thein Shwe Maung, arrested in Rambree after filing a forced labor claim with ILO last month freed. His movements are restricted for one year. (DVB)
 
13 August 2007
Pregnant women in Myitkyina are expected to carry candles and torch lights, a hospital worker says, as power is available to the hospital for only two hours per day, 1900-2100. (Kachin News Group)
 
16 August 2007
Insein jail officials recently ordered in males to pay for prison services with cash saying 20% of all their money would have to be donated to the jail. (DVB)

 
Environment
16 August 2007
_{Su Su Nway}
Clothes donated to 300 flood victims in Rangoon's Hlaing Thaya township stolen by three policemen who warn anyone accepting aid "from us" (ie. Su Su Nway's group) will be punished. (DVB)

 
Drugs

 
War
13 August 2007
The number of civilians displaced by the latest military campaign in Karen State has surpassed the 30,000 mark, says Free Burma Rangers. (DVB)
 
14 August 2007
Aung Kyaw Zaw, Burmese analyst based on the Sino-Burma border, says both the junta and Wa camps are conducting military exercises in preparation for battle. Other ceasefire groups including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Shan State Army (SSA) North and the Kokang Army are also reportedly training new recruits. (Irrawaddy)
 
14 August 2007
The Burmese military is launching fresh recruitment drive in Kachin townships, forcing people to sign up at random:

• People are being snatched off the streets. Anyone outside after 20:00 will be considered fair game, warn authorities
• Fire brigade officials are forced to detain people seen near brothels, drug dealers and gambling dens to be handed to the military later

(DVB)
 
15 August 2007
Leh Kee, an IDP camp near the border between Karen and Karenni states, attacked by a Burma Army patrol, forcing nearly 200 villagers to flee. (Irrawaddy)
 
16 August 2007
Cho Cho Win, the mother of a 16-year old boy, has filed a complaint with home ministry and the ILO, claiming her son was recruited by the Burma Army in January 2006. The boy says the military forged all the necessary documents and enrolled him as a 19 year old. Boys even young than him were with him at the basic training camp in Taungdwingyi, Magwe division, he claims. (DVB)