News & Articles on Burma-Saturday, 23 July, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Saturday, 23 July, 2011
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'Reforms Needed Soon'
China limits border crossings after Burmese mortar fire on the KIO capital
AIPMC urges ASEAN to review Burma issue cautiously
Suu Kyi to meet Myanmar minister: official
Canada opens relations with Burma, sanctions continue
Canada Begins Engagement With Myanmar: Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird
Suu Kyi to meet Myanmar minister
Academics: Thailand doesn’t need Burma’s coal
Despite gold price rise globally, Burmese traders can not increase price
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'Reforms Needed Soon'
2011-07-21

In her latest weekly conversation with listeners, Aung San Suu Kyi assesses the first 100 days of the new government.

Q: How do you assess the work of U Thein Sein’s government during its first 100 days in office in Burma? Do you see that it is moving toward change in the country?

A: I have not been able to gauge yet whether the government of U Thein Sein has had any intention of moving toward change, based on their first 100 days in office. A hundred days is not a very long period, but if they really want change there are things that can be done to show that they want change. I think that it would be in the best interest of the country if they do the things that need to be done as soon as possible. I would like to urge them to do those things accordingly.

Q: The deputy foreign minister of Japan visited Burma recently and met with the government of U Thein Sein, as well as with yourself. What are your thoughts with regard to the attitude of Japan toward Burma? What do you think the role of Japan should be in the struggle for democracy in Burma?

A: Since Japan’s position in Asia as well as in the world is important, many assume that Japan will have a sense of responsibility when forming its political policies. The National League for Democracy believes that with regard to Burma, Japan should—with a sense of responsibility and a long-term view—support the emergence of a political system that will benefit the people of Burma. When we met with the group from the Japanese foreign ministry, we conducted our discussions based on that belief.

Q: Some groups in France who are working for Burma’s democracy, as well as others who are interested in Burma, have been asking about the NLD’s May 20 statement regarding tourism in Burma. Does that statement rescind the NLD’s previous boycott on tourism? Or does it allow tourism with certain restrictions? And if so, what would these restrictions be? Also, many travel agencies operating abroad are now doing business directly with companies in Burma that are connected to the generals. What effect will this NLD statement have on the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe on the generals and the companies connected with them?

A: The answers to all your questions are included in the NLD report on tourism. The website where you can obtain the report is www.nldburma.org.

Q: How can the monks living in Burma help to support your travels around the country to make speeches and gather support from the people? I would also like to know what you expect and wish for from the people during your travels.

A: We believe that getting in touch with the people is an important part of the National League for Democracy’s political activities. That is why we plan to travel around the country and get in touch with the masses. In our meetings with the people during the last 20 years or so, I have never encountered any riots or disturbances. The only groups that have disturbed the peace and stability of the country are those groups that have systematically planned to disrupt our tours by harshly attacking us in an uncivilized manner. That is why we would like to respectfully submit to the venerable monks that they teach and guide the people so that they may enthusiastically support our efforts.

Q: Some time ago, at a seminar held in Naypyidaw, the economist Professor U Myint submitted a paper on poverty eradication. Could you explain to us your thoughts on that paper?

A: Just as the Internet carries comments on and analyses of Dr. U Myint’s paper, it also carries Dr. U Myint’s responses. There are usually different views on papers dealing with academic thoughts and ideas. Dr. U Myint’s paper is 20 pages long, so it would take a long time for different views concerning it to be discussed. If I were to explain my own view in a simple manner, I would say that we have to examine to what extent such theories can actually be put into practice. It will not be enough to write just one paper to cover all the problems in our country and analyze them, let alone propose the necessary changes. That is why I think there have to be more wide-ranging discussions.

Q: The government of U Thein Sein is soliciting advice from experts for the benefit of the rural population. My opinion is that if advice is taken from real farmers who are actually doing the farmwork, then the farmers will truly benefit. What do you think of my idea?

A: Not long ago, an education program for farmers was held at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy. At that three-day training course, the experts who conducted the course gained a lot of knowledge from the farmers who attended. That is why I can say that what you have said is true, based on our experience.

Program broadcast in Burmese on July 15, 2011.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved. http://www.rfa.org/english/women/conversation-aungSanSuuKyi/conversation-07212011163619.html
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Saturday, 23 July 2011 07:00
China limits border crossings after Burmese mortar fire on the KIO capital
Kachin News Group [KNG]

China limited the hours for crossing at its key border gate at Laiza, the capital of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), beginning July 22, after the Burmese Army fired mortar rounds at KIO positions in the area, residents said.

Residents of the KIO capital have been prohibited from crossing into the Chinese-controlled area of Laiza by Chinese border authorities between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to Laiza residents.

The Burmese Army’s Dawhpumyang-based Infantry Battalion No. 142 fired about 20 rounds from 120 mm mortars at the Alaw Bum-based Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s Battalion No. 24, near Laiza, on July 22 between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Laiza residents believe China is trying to block the movement of Burmese refugees into its territories by limiting the hours of crossing at the border gate.

Both Burmese and Chinese citizens in Laiza have been fleeing to Chinese territory after the mortar fire by Burmese troops, said witnesses.

Over 16,000 refugees have fled to KIO areas near the China border in eastern Kachin State because of the escalation of the two-month old civil war.

Currently, China has not accepted Kachin refugees and refugee camps on its soil.
http://www.kachinnews.com/news/1993-china-limits-border-crossings-after-burmese-mortar-fire-on-the-kio-capital.html
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AIPMC urges ASEAN to review Burma issue cautiously
By Zin Linn Jul 23, 2011 9:17PM UTC

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) released a press statement yesterday on Current Military Offensive and Rights Abuse by the Myanmar or Burma Army in Ethnic Areas -Monitor recent rape cases, reject Myanmar’s bid to chair ASEAN and cut financial lifelines for despots, AIPMC urges ASEAN.

The AIPMC highlighted about atrocities against civilians during Burma Army offensives against ethnic armed groups in Shan State and Kachin State. It also denounced Burmese soldiers’ sexual violence against women and girls, including gang-rape by order of high level officials.

The statement continues revealing warfare in North and Eastern Burma which has been worsening since last year’s election. Almost two-decade long ceasefire with the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have already been broken by the Burma Army.

According to Shan community based organizations, the statement says, 65 battles have taken place in Shan State over the last three weeks and now thousands people are displaced inside northern Shan State.

In Kachin State, more than 16,000 refugees fled to China from escalating fighting across ten townships since early June, according to the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT). In both areas, Burmese soldiers committed systematic sexual violence against women and girls, quoting local sources AIPMC said.

AIPMC also underlined the main cause of the combating in those ethnic areas. The ongoing battles are closely linked to the Burmese government’s economic interests in the resource rich ethnic areas, including hydropower dams on the Salween and Irrawaddy Rivers and trans-national oil and gas pipelines across northern Shan State, the statement criticizes.

It needs to clear out resistance forces and seize control of these areas to proceed with these projects. AIPMC pointed out that Burma has had no mechanism prepared to watch the impact of such projects for local people. Instead, they have taken control over ethnic areas and get rid of ethnic armed groups, rather than seeking a solution to essential political problems in the country.

Severe human rights violations have already occurred concerning these projects, including forced labor, land confiscations, torture, murder and rapes, causing an influx of refugees to neighboring countries, AIPMC said.

“Only the military rulers of Myanmar and their business cronies will benefit from these projects, which are built on the lives, blood and tear of ordinary civilians”, said Kraisak Choonhavan, AIPMC Senior Advisor in Thailand.

The current civil war comes on top of an already critical political situation in Burma. There has been no meaningful political progress since the elections. Besides, 2,000 political prisoners continue to languish in notorious prisons of Burma.

“We call on the Myanmar Army to immediately end rights abuses, particularly the systematic use of rape as a weapon to suppress ethnic women and to urgently engage in peace talks with ethnic armed groups”, said Eva Kusuma Sundari, Member of Indonesian Parliament and President of the AIPMC.

“The challenge is on ASEAN to live up to its responsibilities to protect the people of Myanmar. A meeting between the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting and the UN is needed to stop this human rights crisis and its negative impacts on neighboring countries and regional stability. The international community should press upon ASEAN the urgency of such a meeting”, she emphasizes.

AIPMC calls on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to monitor these rape cases closely, and ASEAN and its member states must turn down Burma’s application to be the bloc’s chair in 2014, until and unless the government takes genuine steps towards ending human rights violations in the country.

Hence, AIPMC warns that ASEAN members states need paying attention to the repeated calls by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma (Myanmar), Tomas Ojea Quintana, for the creation of a UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in Burma.

It also reminds that prodemocracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has already supported CoI and altogether sixteen countries have already endorsed the establishment of such a CoI.

Finally, AIPMC calls Thailand and other investors to reassess their investments in Burma and discontinue financial lifelines that keep brutal and self-serving despots in power.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/60739/aipmc-urges-asean-to-review-burma-issue-cautiously/
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STRAITS TIMES: Jul 23, 2011
Suu Kyi to meet Myanmar minister: official

YANGON - MYANMAR'S democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will meet a minister on Monday in her first dialogue with the country's new civilian leadership, a government official told AFP on Saturday.

Ms Suu Kyi has frequently called for dialogue with the government since her release from house arrest just days after last year's November elections, which were marred by claims of cheating and the exclusion of her party.

'Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi will meet at Sein Lei Kan Tha state guest house on Monday afternoon. It will be the first meeting between them after the new government was formed,' a Myanmar government official told AFP, without elaborating.

Mr Aung Kyi, who is currently Myanmar's labour minister, was in charge of relations between the military junta and Ms Suu Kyi under Myanmar's previous regime.

The pair - who are not related - have met on several occasions, including in late 2009 when the Nobel Peace Prize winner was still under house arrest.

Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) were unable to confirm the meeting on Saturday. 'We have not been told anything yet,' spokesman Nyan Win told AFP. – AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_694004.html

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Canada opens relations with Burma, sanctions continue
The Canadian Press
Date: Saturday Jul. 23, 2011 11:09 AM ET

TORONTO — Canada has begun a strategic engagement with Myanmar that includes an exchange of ambassadors, but Ottawa has no plans to lift the economic sanctions imposed against the country anytime soon, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Saturday.

Baird, speaking from Bali, Indonesia, where he attended a regional security forum this week, said the "limited engagement" was focused exclusively on human rights.

He said he raised the issue during a meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister in Bali and that he had urged the government to release thousands of political prisoners from jail.

Canada imposed economic sanctions against Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 2007 because of its complete disregard for human rights.

Myanmar held elections late last year, officially handing power to a civilian administration after a half-century of military rule.

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. But many see the changes as cosmetic and believe the army will continue to hold sway.

"I underlined the significance concern that the government of Canada and Canadians have with Aung San Suu Kyi's ability to be mobile in the country and highlighted the ongoing concerns about her safety and her security," Baird said.

The minister also held talks with his Australian and New Zealand counterparts.

The three foreign ministers reaffirmed the long-standing relations between their countries and committed to enhanced co-operation across the full range of international challenges.

"I raised the human rights situations in Burma and North Korea with my counterparts," Baird said.

"We also looked at human smuggling and illegal migration and reaffirmed that we remain committed to combatting these and other abuses of our respective immigration systems."
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Politics/20110723/canada-opens-burma-diplomatic-relations-110723/
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Canada Begins Engagement With Myanmar: Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird
First Posted: 7/23/11 10:48 AM ET Updated: 7/23/11 10:54 AM ET

THE CANADIAN PRESS -- TORONTO - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says Canada has begun a strategic engagement with Myanmar that includes an exchange of ambassadors.

He says the "limited engagement" is focused exclusively on human rights and that Ottawa is urging the government to release thousands of political prisoners from jail.

But the minister ruled out an early end to the economic sanctions imposed against Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 2007.

Baird was speaking from Bali, Indonesia, where he attended a regional security forum this week.

The minister says he raised the issue of human rights during a meeting with his counterpart from Myanmar.

Myanmar held elections late last year, officially handing power to a civilian administration after a half-century of military rule.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/07/23/canada-begins-engagement-_n_907664.html
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Suu Kyi to meet Myanmar minister
AFP – 39 mins ago
Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, seen here on July 19, will meet a minister on Monday in her first dialogue with the country's new civilian leadership, a government official told AFP

Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, seen here on July 19, will meet a minister …

Myanmar's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will meet a minister on Monday in her first dialogue with the country's new civilian leadership, a government official told AFP on Saturday.

Suu Kyi has frequently called for dialogue with the government since her release from house arrest just days after last year's November elections, which were marred by claims of cheating and the exclusion of her party.

"Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi will meet at Sein Lei Kan Tha state guest house on Monday afternoon. It will be the first meeting between them after the new government was formed," a Myanmar government official told AFP, without elaborating.

Aung Kyi, who is currently Myanmar's labour minister, was in charge of relations between the military junta and Suu Kyi under Myanmar's previous regime.

The pair -- who are not related -- have met on several occasions, including in late 2009 when the Nobel Peace Prize winner was still under house arrest.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) were unable to confirm the meeting on Saturday.

"We have not been told anything yet," spokesman Nyan Win told AFP.

Journalists have been invited to cover some parts of the meeting, but will not be present during the talks themselves.

Suu Kyi has this month tested the boundaries of her freedom, with her first visit outside Yangon and, after her return, leading hundreds of supporters in memorials for her father, Myanmar's independence hero General Aung San.

News of the talks comes on the same day that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Myanmar's rulers to make "concrete, measurable progress" towards meeting the international community's demands for reform.

In an address to foreign ministers at an Asian security forum in Indonesia, Clinton suggested first steps should include "meaningful and inclusive dialogue" with the opposition and the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a renewal of sanctions on Myanmar, first passed in 2003 in response to alleged rights violations and failure to adopt democratic reforms.

Suu Kyi's party, which won a landslide election victory two decades ago that was never recognised by the junta, was disbanded by the military rulers last year because it boycotted the latest vote, saying the rules were unfair.
http://news.yahoo.com/suu-kyi-meet-myanmar-minister-144435225.html
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Academics: Thailand doesn’t need Burma’s coal
Friday, 22 July 2011 12:02 S.H.A.N.

Academic activists at yesterday’s public forum in Chiangrai to discuss social and environmental impacts coming from the Mongkok lignite coal mines and a lignite-fired powerplant there across the border said Thailand could do without resorting to coal for its much needed electric power.

Supakij Nantaworakarn from Bangkok-based Healthy Public Policy Foundation argued, “With ample and practical options to use power from the sun, wind and biogas, Thailand doesn’t need Mongkok.”

If the projects were allowed to go on, he said, the people on this side of the border can expect 1,500 tons of dust, 102 kg of mercury, 29 million tons of greenhouse gas and megatons of sulpha dioxide and nitrogen dioxide each year destroying their environment especially the Kok river, which originates in Burma’s Shan State but flows through Thailand’s Mae Ai and Chiangrai’s Mueng districts before draining itself in the Mekong.

“We won’t drink mineral water (from the Kok)” is the slogan of the public campaign led by elected local administrative organizations.

Saraburi Coal, a subsidiary of Thailand’s construction giant Italian-Thai, received a 30 year concession in 2008 from Burma to mine for lignite in Mongkok subtownship of Monghsat township, opposite Chiangrai’s Mae Fa Luang district. It later received approval to develop coal-fired power plant in Mongkok for export of 369 MW of electricity to Thailand.

“Let us not celebrate the 750th anniversary of the founding of Chiangrai (in 2012) by drinking mineral water (from the Kok),” said Montree Chantawong, known environmentalist, after explaining how mercury would seep through the earth to wells used by the communities.

He was supported by Dr Kan Thongkaem na Ayuddhaya from Chiangrai’s Prachanukhroa Hospital.

The public meeting held at Chiangrai’s Wat Jed Yod temple was presided by Ms Tuenjai Deetes, another known environmentalist and politician.

More than a thousand people at the project site have been removed by military authorities after giving them 20,000 kyat ($25) per acre for their land. Villagers say it would take 3 years to develop a new paddy field. “Elections have brought us nothing,” complained a farmer who, like many others, has decided to seek his future in Thailand.

The Thai campaign against the project began in July 2009 when a group of Thai villagers on the border wrote a complaint letter to the Thai National Human Rights Commission and Thai Lawyers’ Council. A year later it was joined up by community leaders across Chiangrai who protested against the project. http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3871:academics-thailand-doesnt-need-burmas-coal&catid=90:environment&Itemid=287
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Despite gold price rise globally, Burmese traders can not increase price
Friday, 22 July 2011 21:59 Te Te

New Delhi (Mizzima) – An order by the Burmese government is preventing gold traders from speculating despite record high prices on the global market, gold merchants in Rangoon said.

Previously, the gold price in Burma depended on the price fluctuations in the global market.

Gold traders in Burma are not able to speculate based on global prices because of an order by the government, according to traders. Photo: Mizzima

Gold traders in Burma are not able to speculate based on global prices because of an order by the government, according to traders. Photo: Mizzima

However, in early July the gold price on the global market was US$1,480 per ounce (1 ounce= 1.76 ticals); on July 19, the price reached a record high of US$1,602. Since then, the Burmese government has forbidden gold merchants from speculating on gold prices.

The current gold price in Burma, 662,500 kyat (about US$ 828) per tical (about 16 grams), is 10,000 kyat lower than the price on the global market. If the Burmese government had not forbidden gold merchants from speculating, the gold price could reach 680,000 kyat per tical, according to estimates by gold merchants in Rangoon. Now, despite the stable price, gold trading is sluggish, according to sources.

“Earlier when the price in the global market was increased, the price in the local market was increased too. Now the merchants can not increase,” said a gold shop owner from Shwebontha Road in Pabedon Township. “To control the price, the authorities do not allow 'laypakkar' [‘Laypakkar’ is a method for speculation in which gold brokers and merchants estimate the possible fluctuation of local gold prices based on the possible fluctuations in the gold price in the global market and then buy gold by making a promise that they will make payment later]. Because Myanmar [Burma] currency is strengthening, people do not want to buy gold.”

On July 21, 7 Day News reported that Rangoon Region gold businessmen’s association secretary Win Myint said that the authorities told gold merchants not to make “laypakkar” and speculate in the local gold market. Mizzima tried to contact the association, but could get no response.

A member of the gold businessmen’s association said on the condition of anonymity:
“If there is ‘lakpakkar,’ there will be considerable fluctuations. If the price in the global market is likely to be increased, the price is usually increased in our trading, too. The speculators often trade about several viss (1 viss = nearly 1.6 kg) of gold and they often pay the following morning,” the member said.

He continued, “The price increase is not just because of 'lakpakkar' (speculation); it is also because of fluctuations in the dollar price and gold price in the global market. If the gold price on the global market is increased, nothing can control the local price not to be increased. Otherwise, people will sell gold (to other countries) via border areas.”

The gold price on the global market was US$1,588 on Friday. In Burma, the high quality gold price is 664,500 kyat per tical; the lower quality gold price is 663,000 kyat per tical.

Now, the exchange rate for one US dollar has fallen to below 800 kyat per dollar, which is another reason that the gold price in the Burmese market did not increase. Because of the relatively low gold price in Burma, it is likely that some people sell gold to neighbouring countries, especially China, through border areas, traders said.

On Friday, the currency exchange rate was 785 kyat per 1 US dollar. http://www.mizzima.com/business/5655-despite-gold-price-rise-globally-burmese-traders-can-not-increase-price.html
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