Weekly Digest 100

Weekly Digest, No. 100 (13-19 June 2004)

Quotes

Asean has come down with an internationalized case of Stockholm Syndrome, as if Burma were the very soul of Asean.
Kavi Chongkijthavorn, The Nation, 14 June 2004

Kiss the hand you cannot cut off.
An Arab saying, quoted in Under the Sweetwater Rim, Louis L�amour

I think (the affair with Monica Lewinsky, White House intern was) just about the most morally indefensible reason anybody could have for doing anything.
Bill Clinton, former President (1992 � 2000), to CBS, 14 June 2004

To stop the rift (between Asean and EU) from widening, it would be best if Hanoi (the host country for Asem in October) and its Southeast Asian friends stopped pushing Burma�s case and pursued other substantive issues.
Bangkok Post editorial, 18 June 2004

The World

16 June
Independent commission investigating the 11 September attack says no evidence exists al-Qaeda had strong ties to Saddam Hussein, but Bush administration stands by its claims. (AP)

Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn of Thailand, 93, former military dictator, who was over thrown in 1973 after 3 days of unrest that saw more than 70 protestors killed and a rare intervention by HM King Bhumibhol, dies.

He had ruled with an iron fist but left the mundane business of administrating the country in capable hands. Thus while Thai citizens cowered politically under his boots, the country continued to progress economically and socially, opening itself to the global marketplace of ideas. By the time Thanom decided to roll things back, it was already too late. (The Nation)

International Relations

14 June
PM Khin Nyunt has postponed a scheduled visit to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, 15-16 June, citing preoccupation with National Convention, says Laotian ambassador Chanthapy Bodhisane. Proposals made by ethnic militia groups need his attention, says another diplomat. (Irrawaddy)

Two meetings between Asean and Europe, July and September, have been called off because of divisions over Burma, but EU still hopes the October ASEM summit can go ahead. (AFP)

US House of Representatives votes by 373-2 to extend one year ban on all imports from Burma. The Senate is expected to be voted on soon. (AFP)

16 June
While Thailand is Tier 2 in the US report on human trafficking 2004, Burma is in Tier 3. According to Burma, there were no prosecutions relating to forced labor. The governments� efforts to prevent trafficking are inadequate. Protection efforts are hampered by lack of funding. (Excerpt)

More than 200 birthday cards have been sent to Burma�s Nobel laureate by supporters from the UK and around the world for her birthday on 19 June. Nearly 20 UK parliamentarians (12 MPs and 7 lords) have also added support for calls by Malaysian MPs on 8 June for change. (Asia Tribune)

Thai-Burma Relations

June issue
Many diplomats in Rangoon believe Maung Aye and Shwe Mann are beginning to build a coalition with Khin Nyunt. (NEJ)

12 June
As the Euro 2004 soccer matches begin, many Thais are crossing the border into Tachilek where they can bet freely. Hotel rooms in Maesai and Tachilek on the other side of the border are fully occupied. (Bangkok Post)

14 June
There is a noodle shop chain with more than 80 branches in Bangkok bearing the name �Suu Kyi Mikiao�. The proprietor Mr Sunthon Petchluan says he even names her daughter Aung San owing to his respect for The Lady. (Min Htoon)

Burma�s government in exile, NCGUB, updates situation on Mps elected in 1990. Out of 485 elected representatives, 14 remain in jail, 27 in exile, 184 (forced to) resign and 79 deceased. (Text)

Number of MPs still living, 496. Number of MPs remaining after taking into account those deceased, dismissed, gone to exile and imprisoned, 181. (S.H.A.N.)

15 June
Population survey of refugees in Maesod, Umphang and Maehongson are being taken today by the Ministry of the Interior. The work in the past was in the UNHCR�s province. (NMG)

Bars and restaurants in Mandalay are being forced to pay contributions for the ongoing National Convention: 5,000 � 1,500,000 in proportion to each establishment�s outlay. (DVB)

16 June
Migrants who qualify for temporary work pass during the July registration period will have their information sent to Burmese embassy for review before receiving official work permit. We can get arrested by Rangoon when we go back, protests a Burmese street vendor in Chiangmai. (Irrawaddy)

17 June
Min Thu, 50, who was arrested in 1998 for helping to write a book about student unions dies in detention of heart disease, says AAPP. (Irrawaddy)

18 June
Refugee International says the situation for Burmese in Thailand, even passport holders, medics in Dr Cynthia�s Mae Tao Clinic and those with Person of Concern cards is getting increasingly difficult. RI was told in May that a broader definition than �fleeing fighting� would be adopted and UNHCR made a member of the boards. No one said when these boards will come into being. Thai officials also think economic development would solve the Burmese refugee problem. Even UNHCR considers the Burmese �increasingly at risk� and is asking third countries to join US and Norway in �burden sharing� with Thailand. (Asian Tribune)

Politics

14 June
KIO holds public meeting in Momauk�s Laiza. Forewarns tendency to break up into several �KIOs� and urges people to stick to the leadership of the Central Committee. (Mizzima)

16 June
Foreign book retailers are still waiting for permission to distribute Time�s 14 June issue, which includes Irrawaddy Aung Zaw�s article on the ongoing National Convention. There are 400 Time subscribers in Burma. Pages that carry articles considered inappropriate are regularly torn out by Press Scrutiny Board. (Irrawaddy)

19 June

Aung San Suu Kyi�s birthday celebrated by supporters across the globe.

Shans

18 June
Burma Army raids Shans� most revered monk Khrubar Boonchoom�s Monghpong monastery in Tachilek. The monk has reportedly already slipped away to Thailand. He has been accused of dealing in drugs and dealing with the SSA �South� of Yawdserk. Unconfirmed report says Burmese leaders had been demanding he handed over the Buddha�s eyetooth said to be in his possession in order to extol their occult powers over the populace and he had refused. (S.H.A.N.)

Economy / Business

June

Rangoon has ordered foreign NGOs to exchange their dollar for Foreign Exchange Certificate at the licensed changer at the price of 450 kyat per dollar. As the market price for FECs are 850 kyat per dollar, the NGOs are grinding their teeth. They are also required to show vouchers to show how much they have spent. The dollar is still 7 kyat officially but unofficially it is as high as 870. (NEJ)

15 June
Burma�s three cooperative banks merge as CB Bank Plc, says CEO Khin Maung Aye, with a capital base of 1.5 billion kyat ($630,000). (Irrawaddy)

Authorities impose a 25% commercial tax on almost all imports in a surprise move. There has been no warning of the move, catching even government officials offguard. The rate of duty, previously 100-180 kyat per dollar has also been replaced with 450 kyat per dollar further undermining the importers position. (World Market Analysis)

Human Rights

May issue
There are 91 websites on Burma. (Committee for Concerned Political Refugees Rights)

14 June
Marriage restrictions imposed on Rohingya community since 1999 are still in force. Marriageable age is fixed at 25 years for the bridegroom and 18 for the bride. The couple also is required to see that they have no more than 3 children. The bridegroom is also not allowed to have more than one wife. Even so bribes, 70,000 � 200,000, are needed to receive approval for the planned wedlock. (Kaladan)

Three famous singers, Khin Maung Toe, Ringo and Htun Eindrabo, who went to Japan early this year for a concert, were conscripted by the military authorities to sing songs promoting the National Convention. �We live here,� says Khin Maung Toe. Fans are quick to abandon singers who yield to Rangoon�s demand to help promote state campaigns. (Irrawaddy)

15 June
Villagers in Maungdaw are being forced to build homes for 130 new settlers soon to arrive from Central Burma. The homes are being constructed at the site vacated by 200 villagers who were forced to evacuate following 1942 Rakhine-Muslim riots. There are about 20 new villages for settlers, locally known as Natala village, in Arakan�s Butheedaung, Maungdaw and Rathitaung townships. (Narinjara)

Students at primary schools in Mon State�s Mudon andThanbyuzayat are paying 2,500 kyat for primary school, 2,980 kyat for middle school and 3,600 � 41,000 kyat for high school in the new school term which began this month. Subsistence-based families are hurt by the fees. (Kao Wao)

17 June
92nd ILO conference in Geneva ends, with delegates expressing �deep concern� that forced labor continues in Burma. (Bangkok Post)

18 June
Rohingya cyclone victims barred from relief assistance although wealthy Rohingya had donated $ 267,000 (K 240 million). (Kaladan)

Environment

17 June

• Experts say pressure from China�s green movement was one factor behind Premier Wen�s order in February to suspend the Nujiang-Salween dam project until environmental impact assessments have been carried out.

• Another is the Environmental Impact Report Law, enacted in 2002, which requires all development projects to go through ecological assessment and for the public to participate in the approval process.

• Next was the pressure from downstream countries.

However, when it comes to the dams� technical implications, the activists are still long on emotion and short on hard evidence, says a senior Ministry of Water Resources engineer, who personally opposes the project. (SCMP)

Drugs

14 June
In Cambodia, official statistics reveal a 60% increase in drug-user arrests from 2002 � 2003. Some 100,000 methamphetamine tablets and 10-20 kg of heroin are being smuggled into the kingdom each day, according to the UN. (Wall Street Journal)

14-20 June
Maltesar, a German NGO, has been in southern Wa region of Mongpawk since July last year to fight scourge of malaria.

Mountain people who are being resettled in the valley for alternative livelihood projects are unhappy. Malaria is the reason despite the fact that economic life in the valley is better, says Dr Michael Pastoors, Maltesar�s country representative. (Myanmar Times)

17 June
More than 200 restaurants in Guizhou have been closed after they were discovered seasoning their dishes with poppy seeds or shells. Guizhou is adjacent to Yunnan that borders Burma. (Washington Times)

War

13 June
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi says activities of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom, strengthening it hands with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland of Nogalim-Issac Muiva, are increasing. It has made a strong base in Burma, he says. (Mizzima)

16 June
Burma�s nuclear program:

16 June
New Delhi has decided to move 3,000 strong 44th Mountain Brigade in Nagaland to Manipur near the Burma border. The urgency stems from the fact that rebels are running a parallel administration. (Newwindpress.com)

UWSA troops detain Burmese troops led by Capt Kyi Soe of IB 239. They were later handed over to Laukai based MI 29. The situation is still tense however. (Mizzima)

18 June
Clash between Karenni Army�s Battalion 2 and Burma Army�s LIB 422. Rebels capture 3 dead, 1 RPG, 1 60mm mortar and 1 9mm pistol. (KNPP)