Weekly Diary, No. 204 (24 – 30June 2006)

• POTS CRACK DOWN ON KETTLES !
• SWISS ENTER FRAY AGAINST JUNTA !
• THAIS, JUNTA CLEAN SLATE ?

Think Piece

It is not hard to find fault with one another, because nobody’s perfect.

Gen Gawnzoeng (1926-1991) Shan resistance leader

The World

29 June 2006
UNDP’s 2006 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report says China’s stunning economic growth is in some cases creating difficulties for its neighbors. Hit especially hard are the region’s 14 poorest economies:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Kiribati, Laos Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon, Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Asia is also home to 510 million hungry people, more than any other region of the world. (AP)

29 June 2006

Cpl Gilad Shalit: Photo: AP

Israeli troops detain 64 Hamas ministers and officials, following the abduction of 19-year old Cpl Gilad Shalit. Israel has over played its hands, say critics. (Bangkok Post)

18 June 2006
UNHCR delegation led by Ann Bras, an Australian, visits Bulthidaung and Rathedaung townships in Arakan State to open health centers. They not allowed to take photographs and only villagers nominated by authorities are able to meet them. (Kaladan)

25 June 2006
21 Indians are facing a trial in a Burmese court for illegal timber trafficking. They were arrested on the Indo-Burma border on 6 May. (Indo-Asian News Service)

26 June 2006
The ICRC says it has reduced its staff since January:

• Burmese staff from 278 to 240
• Foreign staff from 54 to 28

Deputy head of mission Thierry Ribaux says the ICRC and the health ministry has been unable to find common ground on the issue of prison visits. (Irrawaddy)

26 June 2006

Amanda Vanstone

Australian Federal Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone, who has been visiting Mae Lah camp, says she expects to take 900 refugees which is more than double Australia took the year before. (ABC)

26 June 2006
503 parliamentarians from 34 countries sign a petition calling on the UN Security Council to pass a resolution to restore democracy in Burma. Of the 15 UNSC members, MPs from 5 countries have supported the petition: US, UK, Demark, France and Slovakia. (Irrawaddy)

 
27 June 2006
Burma’s international Express Mail Services (EMS) will expand its service to 30 more countries starting July, says Weekly Eleven News. It is currently servicing 32 countries. The services started in 1995 with Singapore and Thailand in 1996. (Xinhua)

 
27 June 2006

Kofi Annan

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says the UN has not disengaged from the Burma issue. The petition from the 503 parliamentarians however has yet to reach the UN HQ. (DPA)

 
28 June 2006
More than 30 NGOs from 20 counties demand action by UN to counter hard line rule in Burma. (BBC)

 
29 June 2006
Switzerland tightens sanctions on Burma, freezing assets held by members of the ruling military elite, in line with the action taken by the European Union since 2000.

At least 2 Swiss companies: Swiss Reinsurance and Diethelem Travel are operating in Burma, according to Burma Campaign UK. (Irrawaddy)

22 June 2006
Due to pressure from Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MCWA), no brothel  in Three Pagoda pass is in operation and sex workers are working under severe restrictions. Two brothel operators San Yu and Daw Win were nabbed last month. (IMNA) 

23 June 2006

Kantathi Suphamongkol

FM Kantathi Suphamongkol says Asean shares the same feeling of frustration that the process in Burma is very slow and wants the UN to take a greater role in pushing forward democracy in Burma, echoing his Malaysian counterpart Syed Hamid Albar (see WD#203). (AFP) There is a feeling that time is not unlimited, he says. (Thai Day)

26 June 2006
Refugees in Mae la-oon camp have been ordered not to go out of the camp and allow new arrivals in the camp. It is believed to be related to the Thai concern over Karen IDPs who are poised to enter Thai territory. (BBC)

27 June 2006
Longneck Kayans are reluctant to move to Huei Pu Keng on the border. One reason is that the Burmese military has threatened the Huei Pu Keng villagers over their alleged support for the anti-Rangoon KNPP. (Mizzima)

27 June 2006
900 of the Karen IDPs are sheltering in Ei Tu Hla camp under the protection of KNU. Another 800 are expected to arrive over the next few weeks. Says Saw Hla Henry, secretary for the Committee of Displaced Karen People (CIDKP). (Irrawaddy)

27-29 June 2006

Min Aung Hlaing

Min Aung Hlaing with Saprang Kalayanamitr

Regional Border Committee meeting # 23 (RBC 23) in Chiangmai, between regional commanders on both sides of the border. The talks are “successful” but no details have been divulged. (Irrawaddy)

Lt-Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr and Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing sign an MoU of cooperation. Burma will be “putting into order” (Jad rabiabs) the border on its side in order to prevent adverse impact on Thailand, says Gen Saprang. The meeting has yet to fix the date for the next RBC which will take place in Burma. Thai foreign ministry official also comments there are so many issues to discuss but very little time to do so. (Manager Online)

28 June 2006
In Sangklaburi, over 1,000 students are being taught from Grade 1-9 by 11 Mon teachers in Mon literature and culture. In Burma, it is no allowed to teach Mon in government schools, unlike Thailand. (IMNA)

Thailand’s constitution encourages preservation and promotion of local culture-Editor

28 June 2006
Plans to set up nationality identification centers for Burmese migrant workers in Thailand are being stalled by Burmese authorities insistence to establish the centers deep inside Burma: Hpa-an and Moulmein. The Burmese proposition if accepted would take as long as 3 weeks to complete the process. Migrant workers are also usually labeled as criminals by Rangoon unlike Laos and Cambodia, whose centers in Thailand have already processed some 70,000 workers. (Irrawaddy)

29 June 2006
Naing Khin, 30, a migrant worker attacked by a group of Thais in Bangkok’s Mahachai and hospitalized. He does not know why he was attacked. At least 20 workers have been attacked by Thai gangs in the area during the past few months. One of them, Myint Aye, 18, was gang-raped on 18 June. (Mizzima)

30 June 2006
Thailand: Facts and Figures

Population                   64.5 million

Mobile phone users     30.5 million (end of 2005)      32.4 million (end of March 2006)

Foreign tourists           11.5 million (end of 2005)      3.3 million (end of March 2006)

(Bangkok Post)

24 June 2006
Home ministry has recently issued an order to arrest NLD members on frame-up charges. A USDA source says he received a directive to distribute papers disparaging the regime by organizations in exile to NLD members so the police who raid their homes can use as evidence. (DVB)

It has been about a week that the Burmese authorities have blocked the Google search engine and its mail service gmail, says internet users in Rangoon. (Irrawaddy)

Customs Department office in Rangoon raided by police an 40 of its officials, including the director-general Col Khin Maung Lin and his deputy Thiha Thura Thein Tun Tin, arrested. The latter however is released on the same day. A number of airports and seaports staff have also been removed. (Irrawaddy)

Min Ko Naing Photo:voanews.com

Former students leader Min Ko Naing says he and other activists have come under increased surveillance by junta agents, 3 men waiting, watching and following him alone. A commentary carried today by several newspapers also describe him as a “puppet” of western neo-colonialists. (Irrawaddy)

Crime rate has increased with the World Cup soccer season: murder cases due to losses of bet, burglaries and illegal gamblings. (DVB)

In an attempt to counter the evil power of the ruling junta, people are carrying small owl figurines on their bags. Some also keep owl statuettes at home. They are also giving each other owl figurines and statuettes as presents. (DVB)

31 staff from Lashio Customs and Border Trade departments and 2 prominent businessmen, Yee Pho and U Htay, arrested this week. Most of more than 100 customs and trade personnel detained last month have been released and either demoted or transferred. (Mizzima)

24 June 2006

Shan State Constitution Drafting Committee launched its first draft. It can be read in www.shanland.org Special features include:

• System of proportional representation
• More power to the Upper House i.e. House of Nationalities ( The executive branch is appointed by the Upper House)
• English as the state’s official language (S.H.A.N.)

Economy/ Business

23 June 2006
70 truck drivers arrested and 90 cargo trucks seized in Lashio in connection with more than 100 border trade officials who were detained last month. It may be linked to the arrest of customs director general Khin Maung Lin and others in Rangoon on the same day. (Mizzima)

Yoma Strategic Investments, controlled by Burmese-born Serge Pun, plans to list on the Singapore stock exchange. (Irrawaddy)

Burma is planning to sell a 49% stake in 11 factories to raise much-needed cash, reports Mirror newspaper. Each share will be 1 million kyat ($763). (AFP)

Since the end of May the Moulmein-Tavoy train was moved to the new capital. Out of the 3 trains running in Mon State, only 2 operating between Moulmein and Ye remain. (IMNA)

23 June 2006

Zargana

Zargana, Burma’s best known comedian, has been refused a passport to travel to Singapore for an International Burma Studies Conference next month. Others involved to the conference have had no trouble getting their passports. (Irrawaddy)

Burma’s border security force Nasaka raids a number of villages in Buthidaung, uncovering 3 mosques illegally constructed, 2 couples illegally married and 18 families moving out from one village to another without permission. (Narinjara)

Mon families in Yebyu are still finding it difficult to pay for their children’s school fees despite support from Total Oil for people around the Yadana pipe line. Paungtaw highschool collects 15,000 Kyat ($17) from middle school students and 20,000 ($20) from high school students. The accumulated funds will be used for repairs and construction of new buildings:

1 bag of cement       6,000 kyat ($6)

200 bricks                 2,000 kyat ($2)

1 chair                      4,500 kyat ($4.5)

1 bookshelf              10,000 kyat ($10)

(Kaowao)

Environment

23 June 2006

New Light of Myanmar reports 545 farms affected by bird flu and subsequent culling program will be offered new stocks of birds and poultry feed, but has still to say when the plan will go into effect.

The outbreak that begins 8 March unto 8 April, when Rangoon claimed the disease had been contained, 342,000 chickens and 320,000 quail were culled and 180.000 eggs and 13 tons of poultry feed destroyed.

FAO meanwhile confirms that has been no new cases but warns Rangoon against complacency given Burma’s relative lack of preparedness. (Irrawaddy)

27 June 2006

Viset Chupiban

Egat and Chinese Sinohydro have signed MoU to invest jointly in the $ 1 billion Hutgyi dam: Egat 50%, Sinohydro 40% and Burma 10%. The construction will begin in 2007-2008, says Thai minister for energy Viset Chupiban. (Manager Online)

A working group to promote cooperation between organizations working to stop dam projects formed, says  Chana Maung, director of Earth Rights International (ERI) Asia office. (Mizzima)

War

24 June 2006

Military analyst comments on the recent set up of a new military region Naypyidaw by slicing up parts of the Central and Southern regions:

• To create promotions and roles for trusted lieutenants
• By creating new military commands, Than Shwe may believe that he can discourage any possible mutiny by some of them. (DVB)

Karen National Union’s statement says from 1 June 2005-31 May 2006, 624 clashes had taken place between the KNLA and the Burma Army: Enemy losses, 894 and Karen losses, 72. Most of the encounters took place in Toungoo, Nyaunglaybin and Papun, where the junta offensive is being launched. (S.H.A.N.)

A bomb explodes in Tachilek’s Akha market at 21:45 local time. Police suspects the target is a shop owner, Nang Sein, who is close to local authorities. No injury reported although there is minor damage to the shop. (Irrawaddy/S.H.A.N.)

Drugs

22 June 2006

The northern region of Burma at the Golden Triangle is still the main source of drugs and pose the biggest menace to China, says Chen Cunyi, deputy secretary general of the National Narcotics Control Commission. China now is facing pincer attack of narcotics from Burma and Afghanistan, he adds. (Xinhua) Gangs are taking up arms to defend themselves, says Chen. In border regions where drugs are sold, it is also easy to buy guns, he points out. (Reuters) Drugs coming across the border from places like Namkham in Shan State can be easily purchased beside public throughfares in Ruili, according to a Burmese businessman. (New Era Journal)

The inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announces that Burma now is the only country left on its non-cooperative list in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. It urges Burma

§         To fully implement its enacted reforms

§         To scrutinize transactions with  persons, business or banks

The FATF is planning to send a team to Burma to assess the level of progress. (Irrawaddy)

Maung Oo Photo:www.myanmar.gov.mm

Burma burns 1.65 ton of drugs to mark the international Anti-Drug Day. The fight against the scourge of drugs is a national priority, says home minister Maung Oo. Aung Kyaw Zaw, Burmese critic, however says drugs can easily be bought on the streets of Ruili and no solution can be found until political stability is established in Burma. (Irrawaddy/Financial Time/AP) Meanwhile, 3.5 tons of drugs go up in smoke in the neighboring Thailand. (The Nation)

Yunnan Police college in Kunming begins the latest training class on how to crack down on drug trafficking. China has so far trained 160 Burmese officials. The one month course includes methods of drug testing, narcotics control, mandarin and Kung Fu. (Xinhua)

28 June 2006

yaba

Pol Gen Kovit Wattana says more than 10 million yaba pills are poised at the border to enter the kingdom. He acknowledges that a number of police officers are involved in the trade: buying and selling, collecting protecting fee from drug agents and marketing part of the seizure. (Manager Online)