Mekong River Summit to tackle dam controversy
By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer - Sunday, April 4
BANGKOK (AP) – Leaders of four countries whose citizens depend on the Mekong River for their livelihoods get the chance Monday to confront China over claims that it is draining off their lifeblood with the building of large dams upstream.
They meet as the Mekong _ which provides food, transport and irrigation for 65 million people in six countries _ has dropped to its lowest level in nearly 20 years.
China and Myanmar will join the summit meeting of the Mekong River Commission, whose members are Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Chinese officials _ as well as the Mekong Commission's technical experts _ say the scientific evidence does not support environmentalists' allegation that the dams are the main cause of reduced downstream flow.
Blame Mother Nature, they say, or climate change. This year's low flow and consequent drought is attributed to an early end to the 2009 wet season and low rainfall during the monsoons.
Political considerations are also at work. As Asia's superpower, China wields considerable economic and political leverage over its southern neighbors.
The four Mekong commission nations plus Myanmar are themselves heavily invested in hydropower projects to meet great shortfalls of electricity and have little interest in examining their drawbacks too closely.
But all acknowledge that the water crisis is real, something signaled by the summit meeting itself, the first in the Mekong Commission's 15-year history. It was proposed three years ago.
"I think it is coming now because you are seeing more intensity in terms of the issues facing the (Mekong) basin, whether it's hydropower or flood or drought," says Jeremy Bird, head of the Mekong Commission's secretariat, which carries out research and coordination work.
"The topic is not specifically dam construction, the topic is on the wider issues of regional cooperation for the (Mekong) Basin," he said. "It covers many, many areas _ navigation, flood management, hydropower, irrigation, fisheries."
Symptoms of the crisis vary by area and intensity. Near where the borders of northern Thailand, Laos and China meet _ where most of the water does come from China _ the river's level is so low as to be navigable only by the smallest of boats.
Further downstream _ where a lesser proportion of the water originates from China _ drought, salt deposits and reduced soil nutrients poses the more alarming threat of disrupting food production in the "rice bowls" of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Another variable concerns the dam's state of construction. Operational dams are normally able to alleviate downstream shortages with the release of water during the dry season.
But filling mainstream dams is a water intensive and extended process.
China's massive Xiowan dam at 958 feet (292 meters) high will be the world's tallest. Its storage capacity is equal to all the Southeast Asia reservoirs combined. But there are concerns about the 10 years it is supposed to take to reach a level where it can start operating.
In an unusual diplomatic gesture of openness, China last month began releasing previously closely held information on dry season water flows in its sections of the Mekong, making it easier to forecast problems downstream.
It is sending 27-person delegation to the summit meeting, second in size only to host Thailand.
"We already have very good cooperation but want to make it more extensive and alleviate the current severe drought situation for whole basin area," says Yao Wen, a Chinese Embassy official in Bangkok who defended his county's policies at a seminar last week.
In the spirit of "we're all in this together," China has tried to focus attention on the woes it is facing from the drought.
The drought, which has left southwestern China suffering since last year, has affected about 61 million people and left more than 12 million acres (about 5 million hectares) barren in Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing and Guangxi, the official Xinhua News Agency cited the Ministry of Civil Affairs as saying.
For parts of Yunnan, it is the worst drought in a century, with about 5.4 million people facing water shortages, a provincial official said last month. Neighboring Guizhou province has been hit with its worst drought in 80 years, while in Guangxi it is the worst in 50 years, according to a report posted on the National Flood Control and Drought relief Web site.
Environmental activists have modest hopes for the summit, hoping mainly that it will raise public awareness.
"We have learned there are many questions about how the Mekong is drying up, how that is related to the dams in China, and so far I think the debate shows us that there a lack of information and good cooperation has led to the problem," says Witoon Permpongsacharoen of Thailand's Mekong Energy and Ecology Network.
"We hope that more public pressure or understanding might make them improve things, but to be fair I would say that the people are also learning about the impact of the mainstream dams more and more."
By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer - Sunday, April 4
BANGKOK (AP) – Leaders of four countries whose citizens depend on the Mekong River for their livelihoods get the chance Monday to confront China over claims that it is draining off their lifeblood with the building of large dams upstream.
They meet as the Mekong _ which provides food, transport and irrigation for 65 million people in six countries _ has dropped to its lowest level in nearly 20 years.
China and Myanmar will join the summit meeting of the Mekong River Commission, whose members are Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Chinese officials _ as well as the Mekong Commission's technical experts _ say the scientific evidence does not support environmentalists' allegation that the dams are the main cause of reduced downstream flow.
Blame Mother Nature, they say, or climate change. This year's low flow and consequent drought is attributed to an early end to the 2009 wet season and low rainfall during the monsoons.
Political considerations are also at work. As Asia's superpower, China wields considerable economic and political leverage over its southern neighbors.
The four Mekong commission nations plus Myanmar are themselves heavily invested in hydropower projects to meet great shortfalls of electricity and have little interest in examining their drawbacks too closely.
But all acknowledge that the water crisis is real, something signaled by the summit meeting itself, the first in the Mekong Commission's 15-year history. It was proposed three years ago.
"I think it is coming now because you are seeing more intensity in terms of the issues facing the (Mekong) basin, whether it's hydropower or flood or drought," says Jeremy Bird, head of the Mekong Commission's secretariat, which carries out research and coordination work.
"The topic is not specifically dam construction, the topic is on the wider issues of regional cooperation for the (Mekong) Basin," he said. "It covers many, many areas _ navigation, flood management, hydropower, irrigation, fisheries."
Symptoms of the crisis vary by area and intensity. Near where the borders of northern Thailand, Laos and China meet _ where most of the water does come from China _ the river's level is so low as to be navigable only by the smallest of boats.
Further downstream _ where a lesser proportion of the water originates from China _ drought, salt deposits and reduced soil nutrients poses the more alarming threat of disrupting food production in the "rice bowls" of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Another variable concerns the dam's state of construction. Operational dams are normally able to alleviate downstream shortages with the release of water during the dry season.
But filling mainstream dams is a water intensive and extended process.
China's massive Xiowan dam at 958 feet (292 meters) high will be the world's tallest. Its storage capacity is equal to all the Southeast Asia reservoirs combined. But there are concerns about the 10 years it is supposed to take to reach a level where it can start operating.
In an unusual diplomatic gesture of openness, China last month began releasing previously closely held information on dry season water flows in its sections of the Mekong, making it easier to forecast problems downstream.
It is sending 27-person delegation to the summit meeting, second in size only to host Thailand.
"We already have very good cooperation but want to make it more extensive and alleviate the current severe drought situation for whole basin area," says Yao Wen, a Chinese Embassy official in Bangkok who defended his county's policies at a seminar last week.
In the spirit of "we're all in this together," China has tried to focus attention on the woes it is facing from the drought.
The drought, which has left southwestern China suffering since last year, has affected about 61 million people and left more than 12 million acres (about 5 million hectares) barren in Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing and Guangxi, the official Xinhua News Agency cited the Ministry of Civil Affairs as saying.
For parts of Yunnan, it is the worst drought in a century, with about 5.4 million people facing water shortages, a provincial official said last month. Neighboring Guizhou province has been hit with its worst drought in 80 years, while in Guangxi it is the worst in 50 years, according to a report posted on the National Flood Control and Drought relief Web site.
Environmental activists have modest hopes for the summit, hoping mainly that it will raise public awareness.
"We have learned there are many questions about how the Mekong is drying up, how that is related to the dams in China, and so far I think the debate shows us that there a lack of information and good cooperation has led to the problem," says Witoon Permpongsacharoen of Thailand's Mekong Energy and Ecology Network.
"We hope that more public pressure or understanding might make them improve things, but to be fair I would say that the people are also learning about the impact of the mainstream dams more and more."
**********************************************************
China dismisses Mekong dam criticism at regional meeting
by Rachel O'Brien – Mon Apr 5, 6:42 am ET
HUA HIN, Thailand (AFP) – China rejected criticism Monday of its dams on the shrinking Mekong River, telling Southeast Asian leaders that it was not to blame for a regional drought affecting millions of people.
At a landmark meeting with the heads of four Southeast Asian nations, Beijing's Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao denied activists' criticism that the hydropower dams had exacerbated decades-low water levels downstream.
"Statistics show that the recent drought that hit the whole river basin is attributable to the extreme dry weather, and the water level decline of the Mekong River has nothing to do with the hydropower development," he said.
The leaders of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- the member-states of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) -- convened in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin to discuss management of the river, on which more than 60 million people rely.
China -- itself suffering the worst drought in a century in its southwest, with more than 24 million people short of drinking water -- attended the talks as a dialogue partner of the MRC, as did military-ruled Myanmar.
"China itself is also a victim of the present severe drought," Song told the summit, where the four MRC states signed a treaty pledging to prioritise tackling climate change and responding to drought.
The so-called "Mighty Mekong" has dropped to its lowest level in 50 years in northern Thailand and Laos, alarming communities who depend on the critical waterway for food, transport, drinking water and irrigation.
More than 60 million people rely in some way on the river, which is the world's largest inland fishery, producing an annual estimated catch of 3.9 million tonnes, according to the MRC.
The commission has warned that the health of the Mekong Basin and the river's eco-systems could be threatened by proposed dams and expanding populations.
The abnormally low levels have raised fears over already endangered species such as the Mekong giant catfish.
At the first summit in the commission's 15-year history, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the Mekong "will not survive" without good management.
"The Mekong River is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustainable use of water and the effects of climate change," he said, adding the meeting was "an important wake-up call."
The Chinese delegation arrived Sunday and met for bilateral talks with MRC countries seeking more information about the economic power's dams, seen by activists as being behind the current water shortage.
In a bid to end speculation about its river projects, China -- which has eight planned or existing dams on the mainstream river -- recently agreed to share data from two stations during this dry season.
During the talks, Beijing offered to release further information from its mainstream dams -- which was hailed as a "significant step forward" by the MRC Secretariat's chief, Jeremy Bird.
Abhisit for his part said he hoped China's cooperation would become "more regular" in the future.
Priorities laid out in the summit's declaration included identifying the opportunities and challenges of hydropower and other infrastructure development in the Mekong Basin, as well as improvements in information sharing.
Environmentalist Anond Snidvongs, director of the Southeast Asia START Regional Centre, which researches environmental change, called for the data also to be made available to the general public and scientific communities.
Thailand invoked a tough security law and deployed thousands of troops in Hua Hin to ensure protesters did not disrupt the summit, in light of mass anti-government "Red Shirt" rallies in Bangkok since mid-March.
by Rachel O'Brien – Mon Apr 5, 6:42 am ET
HUA HIN, Thailand (AFP) – China rejected criticism Monday of its dams on the shrinking Mekong River, telling Southeast Asian leaders that it was not to blame for a regional drought affecting millions of people.
At a landmark meeting with the heads of four Southeast Asian nations, Beijing's Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao denied activists' criticism that the hydropower dams had exacerbated decades-low water levels downstream.
"Statistics show that the recent drought that hit the whole river basin is attributable to the extreme dry weather, and the water level decline of the Mekong River has nothing to do with the hydropower development," he said.
The leaders of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- the member-states of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) -- convened in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin to discuss management of the river, on which more than 60 million people rely.
China -- itself suffering the worst drought in a century in its southwest, with more than 24 million people short of drinking water -- attended the talks as a dialogue partner of the MRC, as did military-ruled Myanmar.
"China itself is also a victim of the present severe drought," Song told the summit, where the four MRC states signed a treaty pledging to prioritise tackling climate change and responding to drought.
The so-called "Mighty Mekong" has dropped to its lowest level in 50 years in northern Thailand and Laos, alarming communities who depend on the critical waterway for food, transport, drinking water and irrigation.
More than 60 million people rely in some way on the river, which is the world's largest inland fishery, producing an annual estimated catch of 3.9 million tonnes, according to the MRC.
The commission has warned that the health of the Mekong Basin and the river's eco-systems could be threatened by proposed dams and expanding populations.
The abnormally low levels have raised fears over already endangered species such as the Mekong giant catfish.
At the first summit in the commission's 15-year history, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the Mekong "will not survive" without good management.
"The Mekong River is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustainable use of water and the effects of climate change," he said, adding the meeting was "an important wake-up call."
The Chinese delegation arrived Sunday and met for bilateral talks with MRC countries seeking more information about the economic power's dams, seen by activists as being behind the current water shortage.
In a bid to end speculation about its river projects, China -- which has eight planned or existing dams on the mainstream river -- recently agreed to share data from two stations during this dry season.
During the talks, Beijing offered to release further information from its mainstream dams -- which was hailed as a "significant step forward" by the MRC Secretariat's chief, Jeremy Bird.
Abhisit for his part said he hoped China's cooperation would become "more regular" in the future.
Priorities laid out in the summit's declaration included identifying the opportunities and challenges of hydropower and other infrastructure development in the Mekong Basin, as well as improvements in information sharing.
Environmentalist Anond Snidvongs, director of the Southeast Asia START Regional Centre, which researches environmental change, called for the data also to be made available to the general public and scientific communities.
Thailand invoked a tough security law and deployed thousands of troops in Hua Hin to ensure protesters did not disrupt the summit, in light of mass anti-government "Red Shirt" rallies in Bangkok since mid-March.
**********************************************************
Mekong nations join forces on shrinking river
by Rachel O'Brien – Mon Apr 5, 1:36 am ET
HUA HIN, Thailand (AFP) – Southeast Asian nations on the Mekong River pledged Monday to step up cooperation over the shrinking waterway amid fears China's dams are exacerbating a severe regional drought.
Leaders of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- the member-states of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) -- convened in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin to discuss management of the river, on which more than 60 million people rely.
"Without good and careful management of the Mekong river as well as its natural resources, this great river will not survive," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said as he opened the summit, the first in the MRC's history.
"The Mekong river is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustanable use of water and the effects of climate change," he warned.
China -- itself suffering the worst drought in a century in its southwest, with more than 24 million people short of drinking water -- attended the talks as a dialogue partner of the MRC, as did military-ruled Myanmar.
Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao led the Beijing delegation to the summit, which comes after river levels in northern Thailand and Laos hit five-decade lows, according to the commission.
The situation has alarmed communities along the Mekong, which is the world's largest inland fishery and vital for the region's transport, drinking water and irrigation.
The abnormally low levels have raised fears over already endangered species such as the Mekong giant catfish.
The Chinese arrived Sunday and met for talks with MRC countries seeking more information about the economic power's hydropower dams, seen by activists as being behind the current water shortage.
"Sharing knowledge and data is among the crucial measures to mitigate problems... in each country as well as helping alleviate poverty in the region as a whole," Abhisit said.
He thanked Beijing, which has eight planned or existing dams on the mainstream river, for recently agreeing to share data from two stations during this dry season.
"I also hope that such genuine effort of cooperation would become more regular," said Abhisit.
China insists extreme dry conditions have caused the current ebbing flows -- a claim backed up by the MRC's own analysis.
MRC member-states ratified a Hua Hin declaration Monday committing to sustainable development of the river basin.
The MRC has warned that the health of the Mekong Basin and the river's eco-systems could be threatened by proposed dams and expanding populations.
Thailand has invoked a tough security law and has deployed thousands of troops in Hua Hin to ensure protesters do not disrupt the summit, in light of mass anti-government "Red Shirt" rallies in Bangkok since mid-March.
Abhisit arrived at the summit Sunday from a tense Bangkok, where tens of thousands of red-shirted supporters of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra have paralysed the capital's tourist heartland, seeking snap elections.
by Rachel O'Brien – Mon Apr 5, 1:36 am ET
HUA HIN, Thailand (AFP) – Southeast Asian nations on the Mekong River pledged Monday to step up cooperation over the shrinking waterway amid fears China's dams are exacerbating a severe regional drought.
Leaders of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- the member-states of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) -- convened in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin to discuss management of the river, on which more than 60 million people rely.
"Without good and careful management of the Mekong river as well as its natural resources, this great river will not survive," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said as he opened the summit, the first in the MRC's history.
"The Mekong river is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustanable use of water and the effects of climate change," he warned.
China -- itself suffering the worst drought in a century in its southwest, with more than 24 million people short of drinking water -- attended the talks as a dialogue partner of the MRC, as did military-ruled Myanmar.
Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao led the Beijing delegation to the summit, which comes after river levels in northern Thailand and Laos hit five-decade lows, according to the commission.
The situation has alarmed communities along the Mekong, which is the world's largest inland fishery and vital for the region's transport, drinking water and irrigation.
The abnormally low levels have raised fears over already endangered species such as the Mekong giant catfish.
The Chinese arrived Sunday and met for talks with MRC countries seeking more information about the economic power's hydropower dams, seen by activists as being behind the current water shortage.
"Sharing knowledge and data is among the crucial measures to mitigate problems... in each country as well as helping alleviate poverty in the region as a whole," Abhisit said.
He thanked Beijing, which has eight planned or existing dams on the mainstream river, for recently agreeing to share data from two stations during this dry season.
"I also hope that such genuine effort of cooperation would become more regular," said Abhisit.
China insists extreme dry conditions have caused the current ebbing flows -- a claim backed up by the MRC's own analysis.
MRC member-states ratified a Hua Hin declaration Monday committing to sustainable development of the river basin.
The MRC has warned that the health of the Mekong Basin and the river's eco-systems could be threatened by proposed dams and expanding populations.
Thailand has invoked a tough security law and has deployed thousands of troops in Hua Hin to ensure protesters do not disrupt the summit, in light of mass anti-government "Red Shirt" rallies in Bangkok since mid-March.
Abhisit arrived at the summit Sunday from a tense Bangkok, where tens of thousands of red-shirted supporters of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra have paralysed the capital's tourist heartland, seeking snap elections.
**********************************************************
Vietnam PM visits Myanmar for talks, economic pacts
Sat Apr 3, 3:10 pm ET
YANGON (AFP) – Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has met with Myanmar's junta leader and signed economic pacts during a visit ahead of a regional summit in Hanoi, state media said Saturday.
Senior General Than Shwe and other junta figures welcomed Dung to Myanmar's administrative capital Naypyidaw on Friday, but it was unclear if the Vietnamese premier raised the thorny issue of upcoming elections in Myanmar.
"The two sides exchanged views on further cementing of the friendly relations between the two countries and promotion of economic cooperation," said an editorial in the state-run daily "New Light of Myanmar".
"They also frankly exchanged views on international and regional issues," the newspaper said.
Seven contracts and joint agreements were signed during the visit, the editorial said, covering investment promotion and various economic sectors including agriculture, finance, communication and mines.
Vietnam's imports and exports to Myanmar totalled less than 100 million dollars last year.
The visit comes ahead of a regional summit in Hanoi on Thursday, which Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein is due to attend.
Myanmar's pledge to hold elections later this year is likely to be a key issue at the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Myanmar has imposed severe restrictions on the elections, expected in October or November, including the effective exclusion of jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread international condemnation.
Communist Vietnam holds this year's chairmanship of ASEAN and will host a summit of its leaders in Hanoi on April 8.
Philippines' Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo said last week he would urge members of the 10-nation bloc to call at the summit for a reversal of Myanmar's decree governing the elections.
Dung arrived in Myanmar on Friday on state-owned Vietnam Airlines, which this month began a direct service between the Vietnamese capital and Myanmar's largest city, Yangon.
A Myanmar official said Dung would meet business leaders in Yangon on Saturday and would visit the famed Shwedagon pagoda on Sunday morning before returning to Hanoi.
Sat Apr 3, 3:10 pm ET
YANGON (AFP) – Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has met with Myanmar's junta leader and signed economic pacts during a visit ahead of a regional summit in Hanoi, state media said Saturday.
Senior General Than Shwe and other junta figures welcomed Dung to Myanmar's administrative capital Naypyidaw on Friday, but it was unclear if the Vietnamese premier raised the thorny issue of upcoming elections in Myanmar.
"The two sides exchanged views on further cementing of the friendly relations between the two countries and promotion of economic cooperation," said an editorial in the state-run daily "New Light of Myanmar".
"They also frankly exchanged views on international and regional issues," the newspaper said.
Seven contracts and joint agreements were signed during the visit, the editorial said, covering investment promotion and various economic sectors including agriculture, finance, communication and mines.
Vietnam's imports and exports to Myanmar totalled less than 100 million dollars last year.
The visit comes ahead of a regional summit in Hanoi on Thursday, which Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein is due to attend.
Myanmar's pledge to hold elections later this year is likely to be a key issue at the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Myanmar has imposed severe restrictions on the elections, expected in October or November, including the effective exclusion of jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread international condemnation.
Communist Vietnam holds this year's chairmanship of ASEAN and will host a summit of its leaders in Hanoi on April 8.
Philippines' Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo said last week he would urge members of the 10-nation bloc to call at the summit for a reversal of Myanmar's decree governing the elections.
Dung arrived in Myanmar on Friday on state-owned Vietnam Airlines, which this month began a direct service between the Vietnamese capital and Myanmar's largest city, Yangon.
A Myanmar official said Dung would meet business leaders in Yangon on Saturday and would visit the famed Shwedagon pagoda on Sunday morning before returning to Hanoi.
**********************************************************
ASIA: People’s voice absent in Mekong river talks - activists
BANGKOK, 5 April 2010 (IRIN) - Millions of people living in and around Southeast Asia’s largest river, the Mekong, need a greater voice in determining its future, say activists.
“There needs to be more recognition of the voice of the people who depend on the river and what their vision of the river is,” Carl Middleton, the Mekong programme coordinator for the US-based NGO International Rivers, told IRIN.
“Decision-makers should listen better to the people that are affected by [infrastructure] projects.”
His comments coincide with the conclusion of the first ever Mekong River Summit on 5 April in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin, which brought together leaders from China, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand and Myanmar to discuss its management.
The summit, organized by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to mark its 15th anniversary, comes at a critical time: the river’s water-level is at its lowest point in 50 years in Laos and northern Thailand.
Boat traffic has been halted along many parts of the 4,350km river, and fisheries and irrigation systems have been adversely affected.
Dams in China
While unusually low rainfall is widely believed to be responsible for the current low level of water in the Mekong, many environmentalists and NGOs claim China has exacerbated the situation by damming the river upstream.
China has four dams on the river and four more planned, but Beijing denies the dams are contributing to the current low level of the Mekong, and used the MRC meetings to reiterate its stance that natural causes are to blame.
"The current extreme dry weather in the lower Mekong river basin is the root cause for the reduced run-off water and declining water level in the main stem Mekong," Chen Mingzhong, deputy director-general of China’s Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, told a conference on 2 April that preceded the international summit.
On 4 April, China’s delegation promised increased cooperation among Mekong river countries on water management issues, particularly concerning its dams. This comes after China agreed for the first time ever late last month to share water-level data at two dams.
“This is a positive step,” Middleton told IRIN. A lack of rainfall is obviously a very important factor in the low level of the Mekong, he said, but questions remain as to whether China’s dams have also exacerbated the situation, or whether the dams could be used to alleviate the problem.
The summit focused on regional cooperation in solving drought and flooding problems in the Mekong region. The final joint declaration covered how the river can be used to reduce poverty, boost sustainable energy development, help people adapt to climate change, improve infrastructure and increase the involvement of civil society stakeholders in planning and decision-making.
BANGKOK, 5 April 2010 (IRIN) - Millions of people living in and around Southeast Asia’s largest river, the Mekong, need a greater voice in determining its future, say activists.
“There needs to be more recognition of the voice of the people who depend on the river and what their vision of the river is,” Carl Middleton, the Mekong programme coordinator for the US-based NGO International Rivers, told IRIN.
“Decision-makers should listen better to the people that are affected by [infrastructure] projects.”
His comments coincide with the conclusion of the first ever Mekong River Summit on 5 April in the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin, which brought together leaders from China, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand and Myanmar to discuss its management.
The summit, organized by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to mark its 15th anniversary, comes at a critical time: the river’s water-level is at its lowest point in 50 years in Laos and northern Thailand.
Boat traffic has been halted along many parts of the 4,350km river, and fisheries and irrigation systems have been adversely affected.
Dams in China
While unusually low rainfall is widely believed to be responsible for the current low level of water in the Mekong, many environmentalists and NGOs claim China has exacerbated the situation by damming the river upstream.
China has four dams on the river and four more planned, but Beijing denies the dams are contributing to the current low level of the Mekong, and used the MRC meetings to reiterate its stance that natural causes are to blame.
"The current extreme dry weather in the lower Mekong river basin is the root cause for the reduced run-off water and declining water level in the main stem Mekong," Chen Mingzhong, deputy director-general of China’s Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, told a conference on 2 April that preceded the international summit.
On 4 April, China’s delegation promised increased cooperation among Mekong river countries on water management issues, particularly concerning its dams. This comes after China agreed for the first time ever late last month to share water-level data at two dams.
“This is a positive step,” Middleton told IRIN. A lack of rainfall is obviously a very important factor in the low level of the Mekong, he said, but questions remain as to whether China’s dams have also exacerbated the situation, or whether the dams could be used to alleviate the problem.
The summit focused on regional cooperation in solving drought and flooding problems in the Mekong region. The final joint declaration covered how the river can be used to reduce poverty, boost sustainable energy development, help people adapt to climate change, improve infrastructure and increase the involvement of civil society stakeholders in planning and decision-making.
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GroundReport - Election in Myanmar - All is Not Well
by SYED ALI MUJTABA SYED April 04, 2010
With the announcement of the Political Parties Registration Bylaw, the scene is now set for the holding of the long-awaited 2010 elections in Myanmar. While some groups are registering parties, many existing opposition parties remain undecided.
The parties do not now have the leisure of debating the legality of the Constitution or the electoral laws since they have to register within 60 days of the announcement of the Political Parties Registration Bylaw. Decisions will need to be made quickly if they want to compete, while at the same time, the parties will need to focus on their election manifestos.
At least seven political groups are now preparing to register with the Election Commission. They include: 1. National Unity Party (NUP) formerly the Burmese Socialist Programme Party, 2. Democratic Party (DPM), 3.Union of Myanmar National Political Force, 4.88 Generation Students Union of Myanmar, 5.Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), backed by the SPDC.
The government-backed USDA and some of its allied parties have been allowed to campaign extensively even prior to the promulgation of the election laws, for over a year now. It is learnt a prominent Shan political leader, Shwe Ohn is also planning to contest the elections.
The Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) led by Dr Manam Tuja, former leader of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is entering the electoral fray with the requisite 15 Central Committee members and a minimum of 500 party members in Kachin State. The party is now preparing to register itself within the 60 days as stipulated in the party registration law, and its leaders have promised to work for the progress and development of education, health and the social status of Kachin nationals.
The Democratic Party - Myanmar (DPM) headed by veteran politician U Thu Wai along with few alliance partners are gearing up to contest the forthcoming elections. The DPM has been working towards forming a political party since the end of last year to contest the elections but could not do so officially because electoral laws were not announced till recently.
A group of Chin politicians are now preparing to participate in the general elections. It maybe recalled in the 1990 elections, Chin State was divided into 13 constituencies and Chin National League for Democracy won four seats, Zomi National Congress won two seats, Mara People’s Party won one seat, National United Party won one seat and the National League of Democracy won four seats in Parliament. However, as part of a crack-down by the regime on politicians and parties, many parties including the Chin National League for Democracy-(CNLD), Zomi National Congress-(ZNC) and the Mara People’s Party-(MPP) were banned. Now Chin political activists want a new party to contest the election, which can include all politicians in the various townships in Chin State.
Similarly, several prominent Karen nationals are reportedly busy forming political parties to contest this year's general election, while others are preparing to stand individually. Three Karen political parties were formed at the time of the 1990 elections: the Karen State Nationals Organization (KSNO), the Union Karen League, and the Karen National Congress for Democracy. The KSNO won in one constituency while the National League for Democracy (NLD) won in 10 of the 14 constituencies in Karen State.
The ruling Junta have issued the white ID cards used for foreign nationals to Muslim communities in northern Arakan State to vote in the election However, its likely that Muslim communities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung may vote for their Muslim leaders and not junta associates. This is due to their dislike of the regime and the oppression and discrimination of Muslims in Myanmar.
However, Myanmar’s biggest Opposition party the National League for Democracy (NLD) has announced that it would not register for 2010 election because it’s of the opinion the election laws are unfair and unjust. This means Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s party; NLD will have no role in the military-led political process
The NLD is angered by the military junta’s restrictive election laws, which bar current and former prisoners from taking part. Many NLD members are among the 2,100 political detainees in Burma, the most famous of whom is Ms Suu Kyi. The party faces dissolution if it refuses to register. The NLD won the last election in 1990 by a landslide but was never allowed to rule.
Similarly, some of the Kachin, Chin and Karen nationals have taken the decision not to take part in the election. This will allow the ruling SPDC to disband them or take whatever necessary measures against them. However, if the SPDC miscalculates and the ethnic ceasefire groups fight back and the fighting intensifies, the SPDC may change its game plan and use the instability as a pretext to postpone elections indefinitely.
The election in Myanmar has been widely dismissed as unfair. This is because while electoral laws provide for a relatively ‘free’ vote on voting day with representatives of political parties present at the polling station, the extensive powers given to the Election Commission effectively nullifies that ‘freedom’.
In other words, the Election Commission will pre-screen political parties and candidates that will be allowed to run. Only those who are not deemed ‘dangerous’ to the SPDC will be allowed to proceed to the voting stage. At that point, the people will be ‘free’ to choose between SPDC candidates and candidates that are friendly to the regime.
Once again these measures expose the well-orchestrated strategies of the regime and its determination to shape the outcome of the elections. The political parties and the candidates that want to compete and represent their constituencies will have to come up with strategies that will not disqualify them prior to voting day.
The reluctance of the opposition parties and ethnic parties, to participate in the elections suggest it’s a sham electoral process orchestrated by an oppressive military regime that’s in power for nearly three decades.
Similarly it also reflects that Myanmar’s national reconciliation process leading to democratization of the country could not be achieved without the participation of all the ethnic groups and political parties in Myanmar. All this reflects that every thing is not well with the election in Myanmar.
---
Syed Ali Mujtaba is a working journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com
by SYED ALI MUJTABA SYED April 04, 2010
With the announcement of the Political Parties Registration Bylaw, the scene is now set for the holding of the long-awaited 2010 elections in Myanmar. While some groups are registering parties, many existing opposition parties remain undecided.
The parties do not now have the leisure of debating the legality of the Constitution or the electoral laws since they have to register within 60 days of the announcement of the Political Parties Registration Bylaw. Decisions will need to be made quickly if they want to compete, while at the same time, the parties will need to focus on their election manifestos.
At least seven political groups are now preparing to register with the Election Commission. They include: 1. National Unity Party (NUP) formerly the Burmese Socialist Programme Party, 2. Democratic Party (DPM), 3.Union of Myanmar National Political Force, 4.88 Generation Students Union of Myanmar, 5.Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), backed by the SPDC.
The government-backed USDA and some of its allied parties have been allowed to campaign extensively even prior to the promulgation of the election laws, for over a year now. It is learnt a prominent Shan political leader, Shwe Ohn is also planning to contest the elections.
The Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) led by Dr Manam Tuja, former leader of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is entering the electoral fray with the requisite 15 Central Committee members and a minimum of 500 party members in Kachin State. The party is now preparing to register itself within the 60 days as stipulated in the party registration law, and its leaders have promised to work for the progress and development of education, health and the social status of Kachin nationals.
The Democratic Party - Myanmar (DPM) headed by veteran politician U Thu Wai along with few alliance partners are gearing up to contest the forthcoming elections. The DPM has been working towards forming a political party since the end of last year to contest the elections but could not do so officially because electoral laws were not announced till recently.
A group of Chin politicians are now preparing to participate in the general elections. It maybe recalled in the 1990 elections, Chin State was divided into 13 constituencies and Chin National League for Democracy won four seats, Zomi National Congress won two seats, Mara People’s Party won one seat, National United Party won one seat and the National League of Democracy won four seats in Parliament. However, as part of a crack-down by the regime on politicians and parties, many parties including the Chin National League for Democracy-(CNLD), Zomi National Congress-(ZNC) and the Mara People’s Party-(MPP) were banned. Now Chin political activists want a new party to contest the election, which can include all politicians in the various townships in Chin State.
Similarly, several prominent Karen nationals are reportedly busy forming political parties to contest this year's general election, while others are preparing to stand individually. Three Karen political parties were formed at the time of the 1990 elections: the Karen State Nationals Organization (KSNO), the Union Karen League, and the Karen National Congress for Democracy. The KSNO won in one constituency while the National League for Democracy (NLD) won in 10 of the 14 constituencies in Karen State.
The ruling Junta have issued the white ID cards used for foreign nationals to Muslim communities in northern Arakan State to vote in the election However, its likely that Muslim communities in Maungdaw and Buthidaung may vote for their Muslim leaders and not junta associates. This is due to their dislike of the regime and the oppression and discrimination of Muslims in Myanmar.
However, Myanmar’s biggest Opposition party the National League for Democracy (NLD) has announced that it would not register for 2010 election because it’s of the opinion the election laws are unfair and unjust. This means Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s party; NLD will have no role in the military-led political process
The NLD is angered by the military junta’s restrictive election laws, which bar current and former prisoners from taking part. Many NLD members are among the 2,100 political detainees in Burma, the most famous of whom is Ms Suu Kyi. The party faces dissolution if it refuses to register. The NLD won the last election in 1990 by a landslide but was never allowed to rule.
Similarly, some of the Kachin, Chin and Karen nationals have taken the decision not to take part in the election. This will allow the ruling SPDC to disband them or take whatever necessary measures against them. However, if the SPDC miscalculates and the ethnic ceasefire groups fight back and the fighting intensifies, the SPDC may change its game plan and use the instability as a pretext to postpone elections indefinitely.
The election in Myanmar has been widely dismissed as unfair. This is because while electoral laws provide for a relatively ‘free’ vote on voting day with representatives of political parties present at the polling station, the extensive powers given to the Election Commission effectively nullifies that ‘freedom’.
In other words, the Election Commission will pre-screen political parties and candidates that will be allowed to run. Only those who are not deemed ‘dangerous’ to the SPDC will be allowed to proceed to the voting stage. At that point, the people will be ‘free’ to choose between SPDC candidates and candidates that are friendly to the regime.
Once again these measures expose the well-orchestrated strategies of the regime and its determination to shape the outcome of the elections. The political parties and the candidates that want to compete and represent their constituencies will have to come up with strategies that will not disqualify them prior to voting day.
The reluctance of the opposition parties and ethnic parties, to participate in the elections suggest it’s a sham electoral process orchestrated by an oppressive military regime that’s in power for nearly three decades.
Similarly it also reflects that Myanmar’s national reconciliation process leading to democratization of the country could not be achieved without the participation of all the ethnic groups and political parties in Myanmar. All this reflects that every thing is not well with the election in Myanmar.
---
Syed Ali Mujtaba is a working journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com
**********************************************************
RI to focus on Myanmar elections at summit
Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 04/05/2010 10:34 PM | World
Indonesia will highlight the progress made in Myanmar’s reforms and the implementation of ASEAN blueprints on economic, political, security and sociocultural issues at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Vietnam this week, the Foreign Ministry says.
“Indonesia will address the issue of Myanmar at the summit and voice concerns over the urgency to ensure that the upcoming elections in Myanmar will be inclusive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Monday.
Leaders of 10 member states of ASEAN will convene from April 8-9 in Hanoi, while the senior official- and ministerial-level meetings will run from April 5-7.
Asia Forum activist Yuyun Wahyuningrum said Indonesia had to bring the Myanmar elections to the fore as the junta had tried to ban the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi in the first elections there in two decades.
“This is a landmark election that can change the ASEAN image in the international world,” she said.
“Indonesia has to take the lead in pushing for reform in Myanmar. We should not spoil the chance to bring about change in Myanmar.”
Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 04/05/2010 10:34 PM | World
Indonesia will highlight the progress made in Myanmar’s reforms and the implementation of ASEAN blueprints on economic, political, security and sociocultural issues at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Vietnam this week, the Foreign Ministry says.
“Indonesia will address the issue of Myanmar at the summit and voice concerns over the urgency to ensure that the upcoming elections in Myanmar will be inclusive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Monday.
Leaders of 10 member states of ASEAN will convene from April 8-9 in Hanoi, while the senior official- and ministerial-level meetings will run from April 5-7.
Asia Forum activist Yuyun Wahyuningrum said Indonesia had to bring the Myanmar elections to the fore as the junta had tried to ban the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi in the first elections there in two decades.
“This is a landmark election that can change the ASEAN image in the international world,” she said.
“Indonesia has to take the lead in pushing for reform in Myanmar. We should not spoil the chance to bring about change in Myanmar.”
**********************************************************
April 05, 2010 22:30 PM
Indonesia To Propose Asean Cooperation In Fighting Transnational Crime
JAKARTA, April 5 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to raise the issue of cooperation in fighting trans-border crime at the 16th Asean Summit to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 8, Antara news agency reported.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday, cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to fight various trans-national crimes was important.
He said neighboring countries also needed to play effective roles to help an Asean member fight crimes like human and narcotic drug smuggling and terrorism.
"At the upcoming Asean Summit, Indonesia will put forward the need for member countries to cooperate in cross-border or trans-national crime fighting. Effective regional cooperation will be needed to deal with such crimes successfully," he said.
President Susilo said cross-border crimes deserved more serious attention from countries in the Asean region.
"It must never happen that we have no mechanism or better cooperation framework to handle the problem," he said.
The President will attend the summit on April 8-9 which will also discuss the integration of regional economies.
Indonesia To Propose Asean Cooperation In Fighting Transnational Crime
JAKARTA, April 5 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to raise the issue of cooperation in fighting trans-border crime at the 16th Asean Summit to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 8, Antara news agency reported.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday, cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to fight various trans-national crimes was important.
He said neighboring countries also needed to play effective roles to help an Asean member fight crimes like human and narcotic drug smuggling and terrorism.
"At the upcoming Asean Summit, Indonesia will put forward the need for member countries to cooperate in cross-border or trans-national crime fighting. Effective regional cooperation will be needed to deal with such crimes successfully," he said.
President Susilo said cross-border crimes deserved more serious attention from countries in the Asean region.
"It must never happen that we have no mechanism or better cooperation framework to handle the problem," he said.
The President will attend the summit on April 8-9 which will also discuss the integration of regional economies.
**********************************************************
Court grants refugee status to dissident Myanmar missionary
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has ruled in favor of a Myanmar missionary seeking refugee status in South Korea after fleeing the Southeast Asian country for fear of political persecution, officials said Monday.
The Seoul Administrative Court said Monday that it has ordered the South Korean government to reverse its earlier decision not to recognize the Myanmar man's refugee status here.
In its ruling, the court said "there is a high likelihood that the plaintiff will be subject to persecution by the Myanmar government" should he be repatriated because the missionary was branded as a "dissident" in his home country due to his participation in pro-democracy activities in South Korea.
The court noted that the Myanmar man has been consistent in insisting that he fled his country for fear of persecution from the military after engaging in Christian missionary work in the predominantly Buddhist country.
South Korea signed the U.N. Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees in 1992. Since then, 2,492 foreigners have applied for refugee status and 175 have been granted asylum. The first refugee was accepted in 2001.
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has ruled in favor of a Myanmar missionary seeking refugee status in South Korea after fleeing the Southeast Asian country for fear of political persecution, officials said Monday.
The Seoul Administrative Court said Monday that it has ordered the South Korean government to reverse its earlier decision not to recognize the Myanmar man's refugee status here.
In its ruling, the court said "there is a high likelihood that the plaintiff will be subject to persecution by the Myanmar government" should he be repatriated because the missionary was branded as a "dissident" in his home country due to his participation in pro-democracy activities in South Korea.
The court noted that the Myanmar man has been consistent in insisting that he fled his country for fear of persecution from the military after engaging in Christian missionary work in the predominantly Buddhist country.
South Korea signed the U.N. Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees in 1992. Since then, 2,492 foreigners have applied for refugee status and 175 have been granted asylum. The first refugee was accepted in 2001.
**********************************************************
Rediff News - Elusive white elephant could shape Myanmar's future
April 02, 2010 17:14 IST
Elephants hold a special place in the hearts of Southeast Asians. And if it's a white elephant, it becomes a matter of hope and good fortune.
So when an elephant handler spotted the rare elephant in the forested hills behind Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar, news spiralled through the corridors of power like wild fire.
The military dictatorship of Myanmar led by Senior General Than Shwe immediately dispatched a company of some 50 soldiers, with an entourage of elephant handlers and veterinarians armed with tranquilliser darts, The Independent reported. The search for the rare animal is on at present White elephants have been objects of reverence and envy. They have brought glory to the kings who possessed them and have been the objects of dreadful wars, launching not ships, but battalions of lesser elephants.
While the military junta hopes that the white elephant prolongs their hold over power even after the country's first elections in more than 20 years. It is a different story that it could do so without the pachyderm, as the Opposition has already decided to boycott the polls following the junta's decision to bar detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from contesting.
But for Myanmar citizens, the spotting of the albino elephant comes as a ray of hope for peace in the nation, which is dogged by rampant poverty.
The legend of the white elephant originates in tales of the birth of Buddha: A white elephant reputedly appeared before his mother and presented her with a sacred lotus flower. The ancient Burmese kings believed that white elephants were found only during the reign of good kings and that the possession of one would help a country prosper. Conversely, the death of one of these creatures could spell disaster.
April 02, 2010 17:14 IST
Elephants hold a special place in the hearts of Southeast Asians. And if it's a white elephant, it becomes a matter of hope and good fortune.
So when an elephant handler spotted the rare elephant in the forested hills behind Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar, news spiralled through the corridors of power like wild fire.
The military dictatorship of Myanmar led by Senior General Than Shwe immediately dispatched a company of some 50 soldiers, with an entourage of elephant handlers and veterinarians armed with tranquilliser darts, The Independent reported. The search for the rare animal is on at present White elephants have been objects of reverence and envy. They have brought glory to the kings who possessed them and have been the objects of dreadful wars, launching not ships, but battalions of lesser elephants.
While the military junta hopes that the white elephant prolongs their hold over power even after the country's first elections in more than 20 years. It is a different story that it could do so without the pachyderm, as the Opposition has already decided to boycott the polls following the junta's decision to bar detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from contesting.
But for Myanmar citizens, the spotting of the albino elephant comes as a ray of hope for peace in the nation, which is dogged by rampant poverty.
The legend of the white elephant originates in tales of the birth of Buddha: A white elephant reputedly appeared before his mother and presented her with a sacred lotus flower. The ancient Burmese kings believed that white elephants were found only during the reign of good kings and that the possession of one would help a country prosper. Conversely, the death of one of these creatures could spell disaster.
**********************************************************
Rediff News - India-Myanmar smoke peace pipe in Tawang
April 05, 2010 15:47 IST
Starting Monday, India and its least understood neighbour, Myanmar, will hold joint secretary-level talks on subjects ranging from joint anti-militant operations to preventing cross-border smuggling of drugs and Chinese-made weapons.
Nations hold parleys all the time. So why is this meeting significant?
For one, it is a follow-up to parleys held in Myanmar capital Naypyidaw in January.
India's Home Secretary Gopal Krishna Pillai headed the Indian team while the Myanmar delegation was led by Brigadier General Phone Swe.
But more importantly, the Myanmar delegation is travelling to Tawang in western Arunachal Pradesh, an area described by China as South Tibet [ Images ] and claimed as its own. It may just be tokenism but by taking the Myanmarese, considered China's close ally, to Tawang, New Delhi [ Images ] is sending a subtle message to Beijing [ Images ] that no matter what it says, Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang, is non-negotiable.
That symbolism apart, the joint secretary-level meeting between the home ministry and Myanmar's interior ministry is a step forward in the new-found bonhomie between the two nations who share a 1643-km boundary, largely un-demarcated and unmanned.
So why is Myanmar important for India?
By engaging with Myanmar's military rulers, New Delhi wants to ensure that its strategic as well as tactical interests on the eastern flank are protected.
In tactical terms, India wants Myanmar to help in cracking down on insurgent groups taking shelter in the adjoining jungles. The other worry that New Delhi has is the ease with which narcotics and arms smuggling from Myanmar into India's north-east takes place.
Strategically, of course, India wants to counter China's looming presence in Myanmar by extending easier credit line, by doling out military aid and holding Myanmar's hand in international forums.
It's a tall order, no doubt, especially the task of countering China's influence in Myanmar. But over the past decade, India has at least managed to sustain a policy of engagement if not overt friendship with the hardliner military rulers in Myanmar. New Delhi is now moving into a new phase of closer cooperation. The talks currently on in Tawang are just one step in that direction.
After these negotiations, measures to prevent narcotics and arms smuggling are likely to be stepped up. In the 1990s and in the first decade of this century, most of the weapons were sourced from black market operators in China's south-western Yunnan province. The arms were produced by Chinese State-owned weapons factories, but they are reported to have been trafficked by unscrupulous factory managers.
A Jane's Intelligence Review report in 2008, however, felt that a plausible source for these weapons could be the United Wa State Army. The group has acted as a broker for Chinese-produced arms as well as selling weapons from its own arms factory near Panghsang on the China border.
Whatever the source, the fact is Indian insurgent groups, notably the two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Meitei groups like the United National Liberation Front and People's Liberation Army (not to be confused with its Chinese namesake), and the United Liberation Front of Asom have been heavily dependent on these arms. Now with Myanmar coming on board, New Delhi is hoping that the Myanmarese army will agree to carry out coordinated operations with the Indian army [ Images ] against insurgent camps along their mutual border.
One big target in these operations would be Ulfa's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, who is believed to be hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border in the country's north-eastern areas. The crackdown -- whenever it happens -- will come as a big blow to these insurgent groups, especially those from Manipur and Assam since they have already lost out sanctuaries in Bangladesh following the decision of the Awami League government to cooperate with India. In November 2009, Ulfa's chairman, head of the political wing Arabinda Rajkhowa and Baruah's deputy, Raju Baruah, were arrested and handed over to India by the Bangladesh authorities. Many bank accounts operated by the Ulfa in Bangladesh were also frozen.
Six years earlier, Bhutan had acted in a decisive manner to oust the Ulfa from its territory, forcing the group to shift its remaining cadres and weapons to Bangladesh. Now, if Myanmar keeps its promise, the remaining hardline cadres would be under tremendous pressure to surrender. Many of them are currently stationed in camps located along the Myanmar-Arunachal border. The Nagas and the Meiteis, on the other hand, have joint sanctuaries in north Myanmar.
Given the renewed warmth between the military rulers in Myanmar and New Delhi, the coordinated action looks promising.
In return, India is likely to step up its military aid to Myanmar and also shield the military junta from international criticism of its human rights and civil liberties record.
With elections due in Myanmar later this year, the military dictators would look for support from India to legitimise its hold over the government. The junta's decision to bar Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's [ Images ] supporters from contesting the upcoming polls will ensure that Myanmar will be ruled by the military in the foreseeable future.
At a larger strategic level, however, India will have to do much more to make its presence felt in Myanmar which has increasingly tilted towards China in the past two decades. That New Delhi has been late in realising the dangers of Beijing making inroads in the Indian subcontinent is a well-known fact. What is not generally recognised, however, is India's silent efforts to woo the junta in Myanmar and the gains New Delhi has made in the past half a decade.
Although New Delhi launched its new 'Look East' foreign policy in 1991 aimed at countering growing Chinese influence in South-East Asia, it really gained momentum post-2005. India's military aid to Myanmar has ranged from artillery, radar and radio systems, to T-55 tanks. Helicopters and armoured personnel carriers and maritime surveillance aircraft were also quietly transferred to Myanmar.
All that help is now bearing fruit, with a mechanism for intelligence-sharing, border liaison cells and regular high-level meetings put in place between India and Myanmar over the past six months.
The four-day meeting happening in India's north-east this week is thus a step in the right direction, although there is a long way to go before India can exert even half the influence that the Chinese wield over Myanmar's military rulers.
April 05, 2010 15:47 IST
Starting Monday, India and its least understood neighbour, Myanmar, will hold joint secretary-level talks on subjects ranging from joint anti-militant operations to preventing cross-border smuggling of drugs and Chinese-made weapons.
Nations hold parleys all the time. So why is this meeting significant?
For one, it is a follow-up to parleys held in Myanmar capital Naypyidaw in January.
India's Home Secretary Gopal Krishna Pillai headed the Indian team while the Myanmar delegation was led by Brigadier General Phone Swe.
But more importantly, the Myanmar delegation is travelling to Tawang in western Arunachal Pradesh, an area described by China as South Tibet [ Images ] and claimed as its own. It may just be tokenism but by taking the Myanmarese, considered China's close ally, to Tawang, New Delhi [ Images ] is sending a subtle message to Beijing [ Images ] that no matter what it says, Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang, is non-negotiable.
That symbolism apart, the joint secretary-level meeting between the home ministry and Myanmar's interior ministry is a step forward in the new-found bonhomie between the two nations who share a 1643-km boundary, largely un-demarcated and unmanned.
So why is Myanmar important for India?
By engaging with Myanmar's military rulers, New Delhi wants to ensure that its strategic as well as tactical interests on the eastern flank are protected.
In tactical terms, India wants Myanmar to help in cracking down on insurgent groups taking shelter in the adjoining jungles. The other worry that New Delhi has is the ease with which narcotics and arms smuggling from Myanmar into India's north-east takes place.
Strategically, of course, India wants to counter China's looming presence in Myanmar by extending easier credit line, by doling out military aid and holding Myanmar's hand in international forums.
It's a tall order, no doubt, especially the task of countering China's influence in Myanmar. But over the past decade, India has at least managed to sustain a policy of engagement if not overt friendship with the hardliner military rulers in Myanmar. New Delhi is now moving into a new phase of closer cooperation. The talks currently on in Tawang are just one step in that direction.
After these negotiations, measures to prevent narcotics and arms smuggling are likely to be stepped up. In the 1990s and in the first decade of this century, most of the weapons were sourced from black market operators in China's south-western Yunnan province. The arms were produced by Chinese State-owned weapons factories, but they are reported to have been trafficked by unscrupulous factory managers.
A Jane's Intelligence Review report in 2008, however, felt that a plausible source for these weapons could be the United Wa State Army. The group has acted as a broker for Chinese-produced arms as well as selling weapons from its own arms factory near Panghsang on the China border.
Whatever the source, the fact is Indian insurgent groups, notably the two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Meitei groups like the United National Liberation Front and People's Liberation Army (not to be confused with its Chinese namesake), and the United Liberation Front of Asom have been heavily dependent on these arms. Now with Myanmar coming on board, New Delhi is hoping that the Myanmarese army will agree to carry out coordinated operations with the Indian army [ Images ] against insurgent camps along their mutual border.
One big target in these operations would be Ulfa's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, who is believed to be hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border in the country's north-eastern areas. The crackdown -- whenever it happens -- will come as a big blow to these insurgent groups, especially those from Manipur and Assam since they have already lost out sanctuaries in Bangladesh following the decision of the Awami League government to cooperate with India. In November 2009, Ulfa's chairman, head of the political wing Arabinda Rajkhowa and Baruah's deputy, Raju Baruah, were arrested and handed over to India by the Bangladesh authorities. Many bank accounts operated by the Ulfa in Bangladesh were also frozen.
Six years earlier, Bhutan had acted in a decisive manner to oust the Ulfa from its territory, forcing the group to shift its remaining cadres and weapons to Bangladesh. Now, if Myanmar keeps its promise, the remaining hardline cadres would be under tremendous pressure to surrender. Many of them are currently stationed in camps located along the Myanmar-Arunachal border. The Nagas and the Meiteis, on the other hand, have joint sanctuaries in north Myanmar.
Given the renewed warmth between the military rulers in Myanmar and New Delhi, the coordinated action looks promising.
In return, India is likely to step up its military aid to Myanmar and also shield the military junta from international criticism of its human rights and civil liberties record.
With elections due in Myanmar later this year, the military dictators would look for support from India to legitimise its hold over the government. The junta's decision to bar Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's [ Images ] supporters from contesting the upcoming polls will ensure that Myanmar will be ruled by the military in the foreseeable future.
At a larger strategic level, however, India will have to do much more to make its presence felt in Myanmar which has increasingly tilted towards China in the past two decades. That New Delhi has been late in realising the dangers of Beijing making inroads in the Indian subcontinent is a well-known fact. What is not generally recognised, however, is India's silent efforts to woo the junta in Myanmar and the gains New Delhi has made in the past half a decade.
Although New Delhi launched its new 'Look East' foreign policy in 1991 aimed at countering growing Chinese influence in South-East Asia, it really gained momentum post-2005. India's military aid to Myanmar has ranged from artillery, radar and radio systems, to T-55 tanks. Helicopters and armoured personnel carriers and maritime surveillance aircraft were also quietly transferred to Myanmar.
All that help is now bearing fruit, with a mechanism for intelligence-sharing, border liaison cells and regular high-level meetings put in place between India and Myanmar over the past six months.
The four-day meeting happening in India's north-east this week is thus a step in the right direction, although there is a long way to go before India can exert even half the influence that the Chinese wield over Myanmar's military rulers.
**********************************************************
Last updated: 17:48 - April 5, 2010
Nhan Dan - PM pledges to facilitate investment in Myanmar
The Government of Vietnam will facilitate and create most favourable conditions for its businesses to conduct offshore investment, including investment in Myanmar, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The Vietnamese government leader made the affirmation at a conference to promote Vietnam’s investment in Myanmar held in Yangon on April 3 as part of his on-going visit to the country.
He expressed his hope that the Myanmar government and State agencies would adopt measures to encourage and assist Vietnamese investors for mutual benefits.
He pledged that the two governments would negotiate to solve policy hindrances between the two countries in the spirit of friendship, co-operation and most convenience for two-way investment and trade.
PM Dung said over the past time bilateral relations saw fruitful development, not only in politics, diplomacy and culture but also in trade, tourism and investment, bringing practical benefits to both sides.
The two countries signed and implemented numerous legal documents on bilateral co-operation and set up necessary mechanisms for coordination in development of their ties.
According to the PM, despite many objective difficulties in connecting the two economies, bilateral economic and trade relations constantly increased in recent years. Two-way trade reached US$97 million in 2007 and hit US$108 million in 2008.
He stressed that the signing of economic co-operation agreements and contracts, especially the open of a direct air route between the two countries, were optimistic signs, creating an important prerequisite for development of tourism, trade and investment relations in the coming time.
Addressing the conference, Myanmar Trade Minister Tyn Naing Thein affirmed that Myanmar was ready to support investment projects and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country, particularly in financial and banking sectors, telecom, mining, agriculture and fisheries.
After the conference, PM Dung and ranking officials of Myanmar witnessed the granting of investment license of the Vietnamese Government to Vietnam’s investment projects in Myanmar and the debut of the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Myanmar.
The same day, PM Dung and his entourage attended the opening ceremony of the Fair of Vietnamese products and the representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Myanmar. (VNA)
Nhan Dan - PM pledges to facilitate investment in Myanmar
The Government of Vietnam will facilitate and create most favourable conditions for its businesses to conduct offshore investment, including investment in Myanmar, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The Vietnamese government leader made the affirmation at a conference to promote Vietnam’s investment in Myanmar held in Yangon on April 3 as part of his on-going visit to the country.
He expressed his hope that the Myanmar government and State agencies would adopt measures to encourage and assist Vietnamese investors for mutual benefits.
He pledged that the two governments would negotiate to solve policy hindrances between the two countries in the spirit of friendship, co-operation and most convenience for two-way investment and trade.
PM Dung said over the past time bilateral relations saw fruitful development, not only in politics, diplomacy and culture but also in trade, tourism and investment, bringing practical benefits to both sides.
The two countries signed and implemented numerous legal documents on bilateral co-operation and set up necessary mechanisms for coordination in development of their ties.
According to the PM, despite many objective difficulties in connecting the two economies, bilateral economic and trade relations constantly increased in recent years. Two-way trade reached US$97 million in 2007 and hit US$108 million in 2008.
He stressed that the signing of economic co-operation agreements and contracts, especially the open of a direct air route between the two countries, were optimistic signs, creating an important prerequisite for development of tourism, trade and investment relations in the coming time.
Addressing the conference, Myanmar Trade Minister Tyn Naing Thein affirmed that Myanmar was ready to support investment projects and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country, particularly in financial and banking sectors, telecom, mining, agriculture and fisheries.
After the conference, PM Dung and ranking officials of Myanmar witnessed the granting of investment license of the Vietnamese Government to Vietnam’s investment projects in Myanmar and the debut of the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Myanmar.
The same day, PM Dung and his entourage attended the opening ceremony of the Fair of Vietnamese products and the representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Myanmar. (VNA)
**********************************************************
Joint statement on Vietnam-Myanmar cooperation released
13:37' 04/04/2010 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid a three-day visit to the Union of Myanmar from April 2-4 at the invitation of Prime Minister General Thein Sein. On the occasion, Vietnam and Myanmar released a joint statement on bilateral cooperation.
During his visit, PM Dung met with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and held talks with Prime Minister General Thein Sein. He also attended a conference on Vietnam investment promotion in Myanmar along with a trade fair for Vietnamese products in Yangon and several ceremonies to debut the Vietnamese Investors’ Association, to open a direct air route between Hanoi and Yangon and to inaugurate a representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV). A number of cooperation agreements and business contracts were signed by ministries, sectors and businesses from the two countries.
Leaders updated each other on the political and economic situation in their respective countries and discussed ways to promote the time-honoured friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. Both sides pledged to continue mutual support on issues of common concern at regional and international forums. Talks were held in an atmosphere of friendship, understanding and mutual trust.
Myanmar congratulated Vietnam on its assumption of the ASEAN Chair in 2010. PM Thein Sein briefed his Vietnamese counterpart Dung on recent developments in implementing the seven-step roadmap for democratization and socio-economic development, including announcing election laws and establishing an electoral committee.
The Vietnamese government leader expressed his understanding and sympathy for the complex situation in Myanmar and re-affirmed Vietnam’s support for the nation in carrying out the roadmap. The Vietnamese PM encouraged Myanmar to make a greater effort to ensure a free and just election in 2010.
The two PMs noted with satisfaction the positive development of bilateral cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment, telecommunications, civil aviation, banking and agriculture while praising the fine cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums.
They agreed to enhance all-round cooperation, particularly in economics by effectively tapping into the two countries’ growth potential. In that sprit, the two PMs consented to boost cooperation in the 12 key areas with the following specific orientations:
Agriculture
The two countries will focus on effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
They will intensify efforts to create high-quality varieties of rice, maize, coffee and tea for commercial use and promote investment in the field.
The two sides will accelerate their negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding on investment in rubber growing in Myanmar between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. They will strive to reach a trade target for growing rubber and create favourable conditions for investment run by the Vietnam Rubber Group, the HCM City Young Volunteers and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group. They agreed to expand cooperation in growing other industrial crops.
Aquaculture
Vietnam and Myanmar agreed to encourage and facilitate the establishment of fishing and fish farming joint ventures, entailing the one between the A.S.V Holdings and suitable partners from Myanmar.
Banking- Finance
Both sides praised the opening of a representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Yangon and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Myanmar Central Bank which will create a basic legal framework for banking activities in the near future.
Aviation
Both sides highly valued the establishment of a direct air route between Hanoi – Yangon and the opening of a representative office of the Vietnam Aviation Corporation there. They agreed to consider an agreement on granting visa exemptions to the flight crews of their airlines and the possibility of forming partnerships to exploit Myanmar’s international flight routes.
Vietnam also showed eagerness to partner with Myanmar in exploiting the latter’s domestic flight routes.
Telecommunications
The two PMs praised the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel) for its establishment of a representative office in Yangon. Myanmar pledged to considered investment projects submitted by Viettel and to create better conditions for the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to run business in Myanmar.
Oil and gas
Myanmar vowed to create mutually-beneficial conditions for the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to explore and produce oil and gas offshore Myanmar. Myanmar also agreed to consider the proposal by A.S.V. Holdings to explore and exploit oil and gas in Myanmar.
Minerals
Vietnam praised Myanmar for permitting the SIMCO Song Da joint stock company of Vietnam to mine white marble in the Patle-in area, Thabyaw Taung, in Mandalay while Myanmar agreed to offer suitable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to conduct mineral exploration and exploitation there.
Electrical equipment production
Myanmar allowed Vietnamese businesses, including the Viet A Investment Commercial Industrial Group Holdings Company and the Hanaka Group, to cooperate with Myanmar firms to produce and supply electrical equipment in Myanmar.
Automobile assembly
Myanmar encouraged Vietnamese businesses, including Vinaxuki company, the Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) and the Vietnam Motor Industry Corporation (Vinamotor), to invest in automobile assembly and production in Myanmar.
Construction
Myanmar allowed Vietnamese businesses, including the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group and the SIMCO Song Da joint stock company, to invest in projects to build hotels and cultural and trade centres, as well as in other development projects in Myanmar.
Investment and trade
The two sides agreed to facilitate bilateral cooperation in commodities trade and services, encouraging trade promotion and exchanges between their businesses. Vietnam showed interest in wholesale and retail trade in Myanmar. The two countries also agreed to negotiate an agreement on mutual recognition of product quality.
They pledged to boost trade promotion in each country in accordance with the MoU on Trade Promotion between the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Myanmar Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
They also praised the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) for its plan to establish the Myanmar Investment and Development Company (MIDC) in Myanmar.
Cooperation in other fields
In addition, the two PMs reached consensus on strengthening cooperation in other fields, such as culture, education, sports, tourism, transport, security and national defence, as well as promoting negotiations on the signing of the MoU on bilateral national defence.
They discussed measures to enhance cooperation in forestry, including negotiations on the Agreement on Forestry Cooperation.
Both sides were eager to see the early signing of an agreement on visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders in conformity with the ASEAN agreement on visa exemptions.
A joint statement on the points above was made in Naypyidaw on April 2, 2010.
13:37' 04/04/2010 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid a three-day visit to the Union of Myanmar from April 2-4 at the invitation of Prime Minister General Thein Sein. On the occasion, Vietnam and Myanmar released a joint statement on bilateral cooperation.
During his visit, PM Dung met with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and held talks with Prime Minister General Thein Sein. He also attended a conference on Vietnam investment promotion in Myanmar along with a trade fair for Vietnamese products in Yangon and several ceremonies to debut the Vietnamese Investors’ Association, to open a direct air route between Hanoi and Yangon and to inaugurate a representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV). A number of cooperation agreements and business contracts were signed by ministries, sectors and businesses from the two countries.
Leaders updated each other on the political and economic situation in their respective countries and discussed ways to promote the time-honoured friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. Both sides pledged to continue mutual support on issues of common concern at regional and international forums. Talks were held in an atmosphere of friendship, understanding and mutual trust.
Myanmar congratulated Vietnam on its assumption of the ASEAN Chair in 2010. PM Thein Sein briefed his Vietnamese counterpart Dung on recent developments in implementing the seven-step roadmap for democratization and socio-economic development, including announcing election laws and establishing an electoral committee.
The Vietnamese government leader expressed his understanding and sympathy for the complex situation in Myanmar and re-affirmed Vietnam’s support for the nation in carrying out the roadmap. The Vietnamese PM encouraged Myanmar to make a greater effort to ensure a free and just election in 2010.
The two PMs noted with satisfaction the positive development of bilateral cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment, telecommunications, civil aviation, banking and agriculture while praising the fine cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums.
They agreed to enhance all-round cooperation, particularly in economics by effectively tapping into the two countries’ growth potential. In that sprit, the two PMs consented to boost cooperation in the 12 key areas with the following specific orientations:
Agriculture
The two countries will focus on effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
They will intensify efforts to create high-quality varieties of rice, maize, coffee and tea for commercial use and promote investment in the field.
The two sides will accelerate their negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding on investment in rubber growing in Myanmar between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. They will strive to reach a trade target for growing rubber and create favourable conditions for investment run by the Vietnam Rubber Group, the HCM City Young Volunteers and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group. They agreed to expand cooperation in growing other industrial crops.
Aquaculture
Vietnam and Myanmar agreed to encourage and facilitate the establishment of fishing and fish farming joint ventures, entailing the one between the A.S.V Holdings and suitable partners from Myanmar.
Banking- Finance
Both sides praised the opening of a representative office of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Yangon and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Myanmar Central Bank which will create a basic legal framework for banking activities in the near future.
Aviation
Both sides highly valued the establishment of a direct air route between Hanoi – Yangon and the opening of a representative office of the Vietnam Aviation Corporation there. They agreed to consider an agreement on granting visa exemptions to the flight crews of their airlines and the possibility of forming partnerships to exploit Myanmar’s international flight routes.
Vietnam also showed eagerness to partner with Myanmar in exploiting the latter’s domestic flight routes.
Telecommunications
The two PMs praised the Vietnam Military Telecommunications Group (Viettel) for its establishment of a representative office in Yangon. Myanmar pledged to considered investment projects submitted by Viettel and to create better conditions for the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to run business in Myanmar.
Oil and gas
Myanmar vowed to create mutually-beneficial conditions for the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to explore and produce oil and gas offshore Myanmar. Myanmar also agreed to consider the proposal by A.S.V. Holdings to explore and exploit oil and gas in Myanmar.
Minerals
Vietnam praised Myanmar for permitting the SIMCO Song Da joint stock company of Vietnam to mine white marble in the Patle-in area, Thabyaw Taung, in Mandalay while Myanmar agreed to offer suitable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to conduct mineral exploration and exploitation there.
Electrical equipment production
Myanmar allowed Vietnamese businesses, including the Viet A Investment Commercial Industrial Group Holdings Company and the Hanaka Group, to cooperate with Myanmar firms to produce and supply electrical equipment in Myanmar.
Automobile assembly
Myanmar encouraged Vietnamese businesses, including Vinaxuki company, the Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) and the Vietnam Motor Industry Corporation (Vinamotor), to invest in automobile assembly and production in Myanmar.
Construction
Myanmar allowed Vietnamese businesses, including the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group and the SIMCO Song Da joint stock company, to invest in projects to build hotels and cultural and trade centres, as well as in other development projects in Myanmar.
Investment and trade
The two sides agreed to facilitate bilateral cooperation in commodities trade and services, encouraging trade promotion and exchanges between their businesses. Vietnam showed interest in wholesale and retail trade in Myanmar. The two countries also agreed to negotiate an agreement on mutual recognition of product quality.
They pledged to boost trade promotion in each country in accordance with the MoU on Trade Promotion between the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Myanmar Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
They also praised the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) for its plan to establish the Myanmar Investment and Development Company (MIDC) in Myanmar.
Cooperation in other fields
In addition, the two PMs reached consensus on strengthening cooperation in other fields, such as culture, education, sports, tourism, transport, security and national defence, as well as promoting negotiations on the signing of the MoU on bilateral national defence.
They discussed measures to enhance cooperation in forestry, including negotiations on the Agreement on Forestry Cooperation.
Both sides were eager to see the early signing of an agreement on visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders in conformity with the ASEAN agreement on visa exemptions.
A joint statement on the points above was made in Naypyidaw on April 2, 2010.
**********************************************************
People's Daily Online - Myanmar PM to attend 16th ASEAN summit in Vietnam
11:47, April 05, 2010
Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein will attend the 16th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi, Vietnam, an official announcement from Nay Pyi Taw said Monday.
At the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, Thein Sein is to attend the summit slated for Thursday-Friday.
Vietnam stands the 2010 ASEAN chairmanship.
According to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dao Viet Trung, three major issues will be discussed at the meeting, which include promoting efforts in building the ASEAN Community and implementation of the ASEAN Charter, enhancing cooperation in response to global challenges affecting the region and boosting the external relations of the ASEAN with a focus on maintenance of the central role of the ASEAN in regional cooperation process.
The summit will also give priority to discussions on concrete measures in building ASEAN economic community, one of the three major pillars of the ASEAN community. The other two are political security community and socio-culture community.
11:47, April 05, 2010
Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein will attend the 16th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi, Vietnam, an official announcement from Nay Pyi Taw said Monday.
At the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, Thein Sein is to attend the summit slated for Thursday-Friday.
Vietnam stands the 2010 ASEAN chairmanship.
According to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dao Viet Trung, three major issues will be discussed at the meeting, which include promoting efforts in building the ASEAN Community and implementation of the ASEAN Charter, enhancing cooperation in response to global challenges affecting the region and boosting the external relations of the ASEAN with a focus on maintenance of the central role of the ASEAN in regional cooperation process.
The summit will also give priority to discussions on concrete measures in building ASEAN economic community, one of the three major pillars of the ASEAN community. The other two are political security community and socio-culture community.
**********************************************************
EarthTimes - China postpones execution of Japanese man for drug trafficking
Posted : Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:55:54 GMT
Beijing - China on Monday postponed the planned execution ofa Japanese citizen convicted of drug trafficking until at least Tuesday, Japanese media said.
Relatives of Mitsunobu Akano, 65, were believed to have met him on Monday at a detention centre in the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian, the Kyodo News reported.
The relatives and Japanese diplomats were "waiting for a report from China about the planned execution," which was postponed until Tuesday, the news agency quoted unidentified sources as saying.
Contacted by telephone, a Japanese embassy spokeswoman referred all questions to the Japanese consulate in Dalian. The consulate's main switchboard was unanswered on Monday, a national holiday in China.
On Saturday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao defended the death sentences against Akano and three other Japanese citizens convicted of drug smuggling, Kyodo reported Sunday.
At a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Naoto Kan, Wen said the four convicted drug traffickers had committed a "serious crime" and that the sentences were "based on Chinese law," the agency said.
If Akano's execution goes ahead, it would be the first of a Japanese citizen in China since the two nations normalized diplomatic relations in 1972.
Despite pleas for clemency from the British government and international rights groups, China executed British man Akmal Shaikh for drug trafficking in December, the first execution of a European national in China in 50 years.
China has reported several other executions of foreigners convicted of drug trafficking. Most of them were citizens of neighbouring Asian countries such as Myanmar and Taiwan.
In September, Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper said Akano had been wanted by Japanese police since he fled the country in 2002.
Akano was "believed to be the ringleader of a group of Japanese and Chinese accused of pulling off a string of robberies in Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures between 2002 and 2003," the newspaper said.
He was arrested in China in 2004 and sentenced to death in June 2008. The death sentenced was confirmed last year by a higher court, Chinese media said.
London-based Amnesty International last week appealed to China to make public its annual number of death sentences and executions, which remain a state secret.
Amnesty said China again executed more people than the rest of the world put together in 2009, adding that "evidence from previous years and a number of current sources indicates that the figure remains in the thousands."
On Thursday, five Chinese citizens convicted of drug trafficking were executed in the south-eastern province of Fujian, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Posted : Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:55:54 GMT
Beijing - China on Monday postponed the planned execution ofa Japanese citizen convicted of drug trafficking until at least Tuesday, Japanese media said.
Relatives of Mitsunobu Akano, 65, were believed to have met him on Monday at a detention centre in the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian, the Kyodo News reported.
The relatives and Japanese diplomats were "waiting for a report from China about the planned execution," which was postponed until Tuesday, the news agency quoted unidentified sources as saying.
Contacted by telephone, a Japanese embassy spokeswoman referred all questions to the Japanese consulate in Dalian. The consulate's main switchboard was unanswered on Monday, a national holiday in China.
On Saturday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao defended the death sentences against Akano and three other Japanese citizens convicted of drug smuggling, Kyodo reported Sunday.
At a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Naoto Kan, Wen said the four convicted drug traffickers had committed a "serious crime" and that the sentences were "based on Chinese law," the agency said.
If Akano's execution goes ahead, it would be the first of a Japanese citizen in China since the two nations normalized diplomatic relations in 1972.
Despite pleas for clemency from the British government and international rights groups, China executed British man Akmal Shaikh for drug trafficking in December, the first execution of a European national in China in 50 years.
China has reported several other executions of foreigners convicted of drug trafficking. Most of them were citizens of neighbouring Asian countries such as Myanmar and Taiwan.
In September, Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper said Akano had been wanted by Japanese police since he fled the country in 2002.
Akano was "believed to be the ringleader of a group of Japanese and Chinese accused of pulling off a string of robberies in Aichi and Fukuoka prefectures between 2002 and 2003," the newspaper said.
He was arrested in China in 2004 and sentenced to death in June 2008. The death sentenced was confirmed last year by a higher court, Chinese media said.
London-based Amnesty International last week appealed to China to make public its annual number of death sentences and executions, which remain a state secret.
Amnesty said China again executed more people than the rest of the world put together in 2009, adding that "evidence from previous years and a number of current sources indicates that the figure remains in the thousands."
On Thursday, five Chinese citizens convicted of drug trafficking were executed in the south-eastern province of Fujian, the official Xinhua news agency said.
**********************************************************
OpEdNews.com - US and EU should pressure more on Burma
For OpEdNews: Zin Linn - Writer
The withdrawal of the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition party from an election wished-for this year has added to the awareness that the votes would bring no change to Burma's political setting, other than a magic show of the generals who aim changing into civilian clothes to maintain power.
The withdrawal decision is in line with a statement made by the NLD's leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who said last week that she would "not even consider" the elections after unreasonable laws were released that forbid her from participating and call for her expulsion from the party if it is to run.
Burma has been under military dictatorships since 1962. The last polls in 1990 were won significantly by the NLD, which secured 82 per cent of the parliamentary seats and more than 60 per cent of the popular vote against more than 93 contesting parties.
As the NLD won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections, it has been regarding as the figurehead of Burma's democracy movement for more than 20 years. Consequently, as the NLD constantly refuses to bow to the junta's unjust election "laws," it will be closed down by the junta soon. According to U Win Tin, one of the founding members of the party, the NLD will not disappear. It will be along with the people, in the midst of the people. NLD will keep up struggle for democracy, human rights and equality among all ethnic nationalities, by peaceful means.
Burma has been passing through a critical historical point in time. Since October, 2001, the secret talk has been proceeding between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the NLD and State Peace and Development Council. People welcome this procedure with the view that the root cause of all problems in Burma, economic crisis, systematic human rights violations, humanitarian crisis, drugs trade, human trafficking, child soldier issue, forced-labor problem, armed conflict, is political in nature and it is believed that those issues can be resolved politically only through dialogue, negotiation and compromise. The NLD and its ethnic alliance parties fully support the principle, reaffirmed by consecutive UN resolutions that dialogue between SPDC, NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of ethnic groups is the best modus operandi for early restoration of democracy and national reconciliation Burma.
If we look back to contemporary Burmese history, it can be found that the Burmese military has in the past altered when there was a crisis and their survival was in jeopardy. It transformed the 1962 Revolutionary Council to the Socialist Regime based on 1974 Constitution. In 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) abandoned "socialism" and adopted "market economy" with the hope to replace foreign aid with foreign investment. Then the SLORC started restructuring itself into the State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) on November 15, 1997. In last quarter of 2000, the State Peace and Development Council again changed tactics from confrontation to engagement.
No noteworthy political harmony reached. However, the SPDC or the junta just like before seemed to be taking the path of half-hearted reform with minimum conciliation. Even though the secret talks commenced in October 2000, no noteworthy political harmony has been reached. The demand made by Aung San Suu Kyi for the release of all
political prisoners essential for confidence-building between the two parties, is being responded at a sluggish speed. The regime has not committed to finding a solution to the crisis in Burma through dialogue, negotiation and compromise.
The then "secret talks" are designed to drop off the internal and international pressure and give the military ruling time to consolidate its power base. The aim is to retain its grip on power.
The talks have stalled on at least two occasions while the SPDC's the late Foreign Minister, Win Aung has continued to insist that every thing is in good shape. He kept to this line even when Special envoy Razali's visit to Burma was postponed, and when Aung San Suu Kyi refused to attend the official ceremony on Martyr's Day on 19 July 2001. Her absence on that occasion was the most obvious indication that the talks were in serious gridlock.
At that juncture, the exiled dissident groups believed that the European Union can play a key role in helping not only to ensure that the talks do not break down, but that the process does develop into a genuine and substantial political dialogue. The SPDC only embarked on a dialogue strategy in October 2000, after the strengthening of the EU Common Position in April 2000 and the ILO decision in June 2000. Take lesson on this, it is critical that the EU Common Position not be relaxed at any time soon before the
junta sit at dialogue table with the Lady.
People of Burma are looking forward to the international community to stand with them. They hope not only from European Union but also from governments around the globe to say publicly that they do not take into account the regime's election and prearranged outcome, and pressure the regime to make substantive and positive change for
Burma.
It should commence with the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the termination of the regime's military operations against ethnic minorities. The SPDC should negotiate with Burma's existing democratic alliance, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic representatives for a peaceful solution toward national reconciliation and prosperous Burma.
Japan calls for "an open election"
The government of Japan, one of Burma's largest donors, warned that Tokyo will not expand economic aid to Burma as earlier proposed unless the junta ensures the participation of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others in the country's general election this year, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said.
Okada conveyed the stance to Burmese Ambassador to Japan U Hla Myint on March 26, and also told reporters he would like to discuss the situation in Burma with his counterparts on the sidelines of a Group of Eight foreign ministerial meeting in Canada next week. Okada said he told the ambassador that Japan is hoping for "an
open election" that will allow anyone concerned and willing to participate.
The United States and Australia denounced the ruling junta, which cancelled the NLD's victory in last elections held in 1990, for pressing the party into a narrow corner and undermining hope for change after decades of military rule.
"We think this is an opportunity lost in terms of Burma's ability to demonstrate that it is willing to contemplate a different course of action, a different relationship with its own people," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
"I don't believe that any election without the National League for Democracy can be a full, free and fair election," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told ABC Radio.
US and EU should pressure more Most people in Burma believe that it is vital that United States and European Union clearly state that the pace of progress is not yet sufficient for relaxing the US's sanctions and the EU Common Position.
People of Burma believe both US and EU should look to imposing additional sanctions if the credibility of the reconciliation continues to be undermined.
In such a serious moment of planning a sham election, US and European governments should make necessary preparations now for the commitment of financial sanctions and arms embargo in Burma, While arranging the groundwork for such sanctions, US and EU should simultaneously help to prevent the junta's deployment by clearly defining now what would be done sufficiently in the upcoming elections handled by the junta. If the junta is truly made progress then an easing, rather than a strengthening of sanctions could be offered to the regime. If the regime is insincere in its attempt to talk national reconciliation ahead of the polls, then western democracies, using a concerted effort, ought to increase pressure on the Burma's military dictator.
For OpEdNews: Zin Linn - Writer
The withdrawal of the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition party from an election wished-for this year has added to the awareness that the votes would bring no change to Burma's political setting, other than a magic show of the generals who aim changing into civilian clothes to maintain power.
The withdrawal decision is in line with a statement made by the NLD's leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who said last week that she would "not even consider" the elections after unreasonable laws were released that forbid her from participating and call for her expulsion from the party if it is to run.
Burma has been under military dictatorships since 1962. The last polls in 1990 were won significantly by the NLD, which secured 82 per cent of the parliamentary seats and more than 60 per cent of the popular vote against more than 93 contesting parties.
As the NLD won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections, it has been regarding as the figurehead of Burma's democracy movement for more than 20 years. Consequently, as the NLD constantly refuses to bow to the junta's unjust election "laws," it will be closed down by the junta soon. According to U Win Tin, one of the founding members of the party, the NLD will not disappear. It will be along with the people, in the midst of the people. NLD will keep up struggle for democracy, human rights and equality among all ethnic nationalities, by peaceful means.
Burma has been passing through a critical historical point in time. Since October, 2001, the secret talk has been proceeding between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the NLD and State Peace and Development Council. People welcome this procedure with the view that the root cause of all problems in Burma, economic crisis, systematic human rights violations, humanitarian crisis, drugs trade, human trafficking, child soldier issue, forced-labor problem, armed conflict, is political in nature and it is believed that those issues can be resolved politically only through dialogue, negotiation and compromise. The NLD and its ethnic alliance parties fully support the principle, reaffirmed by consecutive UN resolutions that dialogue between SPDC, NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and leaders of ethnic groups is the best modus operandi for early restoration of democracy and national reconciliation Burma.
If we look back to contemporary Burmese history, it can be found that the Burmese military has in the past altered when there was a crisis and their survival was in jeopardy. It transformed the 1962 Revolutionary Council to the Socialist Regime based on 1974 Constitution. In 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) abandoned "socialism" and adopted "market economy" with the hope to replace foreign aid with foreign investment. Then the SLORC started restructuring itself into the State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) on November 15, 1997. In last quarter of 2000, the State Peace and Development Council again changed tactics from confrontation to engagement.
No noteworthy political harmony reached. However, the SPDC or the junta just like before seemed to be taking the path of half-hearted reform with minimum conciliation. Even though the secret talks commenced in October 2000, no noteworthy political harmony has been reached. The demand made by Aung San Suu Kyi for the release of all
political prisoners essential for confidence-building between the two parties, is being responded at a sluggish speed. The regime has not committed to finding a solution to the crisis in Burma through dialogue, negotiation and compromise.
The then "secret talks" are designed to drop off the internal and international pressure and give the military ruling time to consolidate its power base. The aim is to retain its grip on power.
The talks have stalled on at least two occasions while the SPDC's the late Foreign Minister, Win Aung has continued to insist that every thing is in good shape. He kept to this line even when Special envoy Razali's visit to Burma was postponed, and when Aung San Suu Kyi refused to attend the official ceremony on Martyr's Day on 19 July 2001. Her absence on that occasion was the most obvious indication that the talks were in serious gridlock.
At that juncture, the exiled dissident groups believed that the European Union can play a key role in helping not only to ensure that the talks do not break down, but that the process does develop into a genuine and substantial political dialogue. The SPDC only embarked on a dialogue strategy in October 2000, after the strengthening of the EU Common Position in April 2000 and the ILO decision in June 2000. Take lesson on this, it is critical that the EU Common Position not be relaxed at any time soon before the
junta sit at dialogue table with the Lady.
People of Burma are looking forward to the international community to stand with them. They hope not only from European Union but also from governments around the globe to say publicly that they do not take into account the regime's election and prearranged outcome, and pressure the regime to make substantive and positive change for
Burma.
It should commence with the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the termination of the regime's military operations against ethnic minorities. The SPDC should negotiate with Burma's existing democratic alliance, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic representatives for a peaceful solution toward national reconciliation and prosperous Burma.
Japan calls for "an open election"
The government of Japan, one of Burma's largest donors, warned that Tokyo will not expand economic aid to Burma as earlier proposed unless the junta ensures the participation of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others in the country's general election this year, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said.
Okada conveyed the stance to Burmese Ambassador to Japan U Hla Myint on March 26, and also told reporters he would like to discuss the situation in Burma with his counterparts on the sidelines of a Group of Eight foreign ministerial meeting in Canada next week. Okada said he told the ambassador that Japan is hoping for "an
open election" that will allow anyone concerned and willing to participate.
The United States and Australia denounced the ruling junta, which cancelled the NLD's victory in last elections held in 1990, for pressing the party into a narrow corner and undermining hope for change after decades of military rule.
"We think this is an opportunity lost in terms of Burma's ability to demonstrate that it is willing to contemplate a different course of action, a different relationship with its own people," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.
"I don't believe that any election without the National League for Democracy can be a full, free and fair election," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told ABC Radio.
US and EU should pressure more Most people in Burma believe that it is vital that United States and European Union clearly state that the pace of progress is not yet sufficient for relaxing the US's sanctions and the EU Common Position.
People of Burma believe both US and EU should look to imposing additional sanctions if the credibility of the reconciliation continues to be undermined.
In such a serious moment of planning a sham election, US and European governments should make necessary preparations now for the commitment of financial sanctions and arms embargo in Burma, While arranging the groundwork for such sanctions, US and EU should simultaneously help to prevent the junta's deployment by clearly defining now what would be done sufficiently in the upcoming elections handled by the junta. If the junta is truly made progress then an easing, rather than a strengthening of sanctions could be offered to the regime. If the regime is insincere in its attempt to talk national reconciliation ahead of the polls, then western democracies, using a concerted effort, ought to increase pressure on the Burma's military dictator.
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Tonic - Free Burma Alliance Hosts N.Y.C. Benefit To Support Burmese Children
James Taylor is on a mission to expose the human rights violations that run rampant in Burma and help its children in a major way.
Story by Erica Liepmann, originally published on Causecast.
Monday, April 5, 2010 10:32 AM ET
When filmmaker Jeremy Taylor read about Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of Burma who has been imprisoned by the ruling military junta for almost 20 years, he was inspired to take action. For the last several years, Taylor has dedicated himself to producing and directing the documentary film, Burma: An Indictment, set to be released this year, to shine a light on the rampant human rights violations committed by the country's cruel dictators.
To further his work on behalf of the Burmese people, Taylor has also founded the Free Burma Alliance, which in Taylor's own words, is a "coalition of human rights and humanitarian relief organizations dedicated to bringing freedom to the ill-treated and oppressed people of Burma. We want to unite all the Burmese organizations under one umbrella so we can act as one strong unified front to deliver the same message ..." Causecast recently had the opportunity to speak with Taylor about his ongoing work with the Free Burma Alliance and the organization's upcoming fundraiser.
This April, the Free Burma Alliance is teaming up with Network 355, a group of women entrepreneurs who use their expertise to support humanitarian causes, for a fundraiser to benefit the Mae Tao clinic on the Burma/Thailand border.
The clinic provides health care for Burmese children who have fled their country into neighboring Thailand. By the time they reach the clinic, the children are often starving, suffering from tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases, missing limbs that were blown off by landmines or facing other life-threatening health problems. In their homeland, these children were often raped, enslaved or forced to be child soldiers. Taylor explains the clinic's mission is to "help the orphaned Burmese children who escaped death and destruction in Burma [and] were lucky enough to have made it across the border into Thailand."
Currently, about 2,500 Burmese children are living at the Mae Tao clinic. In addition to health care services, they are also being provided with a safe environment, nourishing food and an education. Just $300 will provide one Burmese child with food, education, shelter and health care for an entire year.
Taylor explains that fundraising to support this organization is especially important because the situation in Burma lacks the mainstream media attention countries like Haiti are receiving. Due to the recession, international aid to the region has been cut. Canada, for example, recently cut 40 percent of the aid they usually contribute to the Mae Tao clinic.
The Burma Benefit is taking place Wednesday, April 7 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Friar's Club in New York City.
James Taylor is on a mission to expose the human rights violations that run rampant in Burma and help its children in a major way.
Story by Erica Liepmann, originally published on Causecast.
Monday, April 5, 2010 10:32 AM ET
When filmmaker Jeremy Taylor read about Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of Burma who has been imprisoned by the ruling military junta for almost 20 years, he was inspired to take action. For the last several years, Taylor has dedicated himself to producing and directing the documentary film, Burma: An Indictment, set to be released this year, to shine a light on the rampant human rights violations committed by the country's cruel dictators.
To further his work on behalf of the Burmese people, Taylor has also founded the Free Burma Alliance, which in Taylor's own words, is a "coalition of human rights and humanitarian relief organizations dedicated to bringing freedom to the ill-treated and oppressed people of Burma. We want to unite all the Burmese organizations under one umbrella so we can act as one strong unified front to deliver the same message ..." Causecast recently had the opportunity to speak with Taylor about his ongoing work with the Free Burma Alliance and the organization's upcoming fundraiser.
This April, the Free Burma Alliance is teaming up with Network 355, a group of women entrepreneurs who use their expertise to support humanitarian causes, for a fundraiser to benefit the Mae Tao clinic on the Burma/Thailand border.
The clinic provides health care for Burmese children who have fled their country into neighboring Thailand. By the time they reach the clinic, the children are often starving, suffering from tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases, missing limbs that were blown off by landmines or facing other life-threatening health problems. In their homeland, these children were often raped, enslaved or forced to be child soldiers. Taylor explains the clinic's mission is to "help the orphaned Burmese children who escaped death and destruction in Burma [and] were lucky enough to have made it across the border into Thailand."
Currently, about 2,500 Burmese children are living at the Mae Tao clinic. In addition to health care services, they are also being provided with a safe environment, nourishing food and an education. Just $300 will provide one Burmese child with food, education, shelter and health care for an entire year.
Taylor explains that fundraising to support this organization is especially important because the situation in Burma lacks the mainstream media attention countries like Haiti are receiving. Due to the recession, international aid to the region has been cut. Canada, for example, recently cut 40 percent of the aid they usually contribute to the Mae Tao clinic.
The Burma Benefit is taking place Wednesday, April 7 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Friar's Club in New York City.
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The Malay Mail - Myanmar worker found brutally murdered
Submitted by amir azree on Monday, April 5th, 2010
KLANG: A Myanmar factory worker was found dead in front of a pipe factory's guard post in Bukit Raja industrial area last night.
Klang district police chief, ACP Muhammad Mat Yusop, said a factory executive had found the body at 8pm. The victim was covered in blood and had a stab wound in his chest.
Identified as Min Saw Oo, 33, the victim was believed to have been attacked by a group of men armed with various weapons including a knife.
"We have arrested three suspects including a factory supervisor and two security guards, following the incident," said Muhammad.
He added police were investigating the motive for the attack but did not discount revenge.
"The police are now looking for a 35-year-old security guard who fled the scene after the incident. Police found a seven-inch knife, believed to be the murder weapon, at the guard post."
The body was sent to the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah here for a post-mortem.
Submitted by amir azree on Monday, April 5th, 2010
KLANG: A Myanmar factory worker was found dead in front of a pipe factory's guard post in Bukit Raja industrial area last night.
Klang district police chief, ACP Muhammad Mat Yusop, said a factory executive had found the body at 8pm. The victim was covered in blood and had a stab wound in his chest.
Identified as Min Saw Oo, 33, the victim was believed to have been attacked by a group of men armed with various weapons including a knife.
"We have arrested three suspects including a factory supervisor and two security guards, following the incident," said Muhammad.
He added police were investigating the motive for the attack but did not discount revenge.
"The police are now looking for a 35-year-old security guard who fled the scene after the incident. Police found a seven-inch knife, believed to be the murder weapon, at the guard post."
The body was sent to the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah here for a post-mortem.
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The Nation - JTC outlines steps for 3-fold rise in Thai-Burma trade
By PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
Published on April 6, 2010
Bilateral trade between Thailand and Burma is expected to grow three times to US$13 billion (Bt421 billion) in 2015 from the current $4.3 billion, thanks to closer economic cooperation under the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) and the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the JTC meeting has come up with four concrete plans to facilitate trade, tourism and investment growth.
The outcome followed the meeting between Alongkorn and Brig-General Aung Tun, Burma's Deputy Minister of Commerce, and the private sector during the fourth JTC meeting held in Hua-Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, yesterday. It was the first government-level meeting in six years after they had been suspended.
Bilateral trade was worth $4.3 billion (Bt150 billion) last year, with Thai exports valued at Bt54 billion and imports of Bt96 billion.
The four agreements were:
n The two nations agreed to exchange trade information and promote growth via trade exhibitions. A Single Service Inspection will be opened at Mae Sot, Thailand, and Myawadi, the border-trade zone in Burma, to reduce duplicated customs procedure.
n They agreed to reap the benefits from the North-South and East-East corridors from the construction of the roadway linking Burma and Thailand. Both nations also agreed to set up a plan for constructing the second friendship bridge.
n Accelerated opening two more permanent border checkpoints at Huay Ton Nun, Mae Hong Son and Shan State, Dan Sing Khon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Myeik in Burma to boost cross-border trade.
n Open two new trading roadways called Myawadi-Moulmein, and Kanchanaburi-Tavoy, and develop a new trading roadway between Mae Hong Son and Nay Pyi Daw to facilitate logistics growth.
The joint trade committee is an efficiency mechanism to increase trade growth between Thailand and Burma.
The economic activity in 10 provinces along the border should increase significantly after the implementation of the plan, said Alongkorn.
By PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
Published on April 6, 2010
Bilateral trade between Thailand and Burma is expected to grow three times to US$13 billion (Bt421 billion) in 2015 from the current $4.3 billion, thanks to closer economic cooperation under the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) and the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the JTC meeting has come up with four concrete plans to facilitate trade, tourism and investment growth.
The outcome followed the meeting between Alongkorn and Brig-General Aung Tun, Burma's Deputy Minister of Commerce, and the private sector during the fourth JTC meeting held in Hua-Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, yesterday. It was the first government-level meeting in six years after they had been suspended.
Bilateral trade was worth $4.3 billion (Bt150 billion) last year, with Thai exports valued at Bt54 billion and imports of Bt96 billion.
The four agreements were:
n The two nations agreed to exchange trade information and promote growth via trade exhibitions. A Single Service Inspection will be opened at Mae Sot, Thailand, and Myawadi, the border-trade zone in Burma, to reduce duplicated customs procedure.
n They agreed to reap the benefits from the North-South and East-East corridors from the construction of the roadway linking Burma and Thailand. Both nations also agreed to set up a plan for constructing the second friendship bridge.
n Accelerated opening two more permanent border checkpoints at Huay Ton Nun, Mae Hong Son and Shan State, Dan Sing Khon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Myeik in Burma to boost cross-border trade.
n Open two new trading roadways called Myawadi-Moulmein, and Kanchanaburi-Tavoy, and develop a new trading roadway between Mae Hong Son and Nay Pyi Daw to facilitate logistics growth.
The joint trade committee is an efficiency mechanism to increase trade growth between Thailand and Burma.
The economic activity in 10 provinces along the border should increase significantly after the implementation of the plan, said Alongkorn.
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'The Regime is a Political Rapist': Win Tin
By THE IRRAWADDY - Saturday, April 3, 2010
Win Tin, a leading member of Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), likened the country's ruling regime to “a political rapist” intent on destroying the party that has led the pro-democracy movement for the past two decades.
“They want to strip us of our 1990 election victory so that we are like a 20-year-old girl, naked and exposed. We cannot allow ourselves to be raped,” he said in an interview with The Irrawaddy, explaining why the party chose not to contest this year's election.
The outspoken critic of the junta said that the NLD wanted the regime to re-open a dialogue with detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and review the Constitution. But he added that the chances of this happening were very slim.
He also admitted that he and several other NLD leaders were naive to believe that the regime would introduce election laws that were flexible enough to allow the party to participate in the new polls.
“The election laws made it very clear that the regime doesn’t want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or the NLD to have any part in the election,” he said.
The NLD decided last Monday that it would not participate in the election because it was required under a new party registration law to expel Suu Kyi and other members serving prison sentences. The party now faces dissolution for refusing to register for the election.
Win Tin said that the NLD leaders will ponder their next move at a meeting next Monday. He also stressed that the party is counting on the international community to send a strong message to the regime that its handling of the election is unacceptable.
“We know that they have limited power [to influence Burma’s political situation], but we want them to react and show that they know what’s really happening here,” he said.
The US and the UN expressed regret last week that the NLD was forced to make a decision that now jeopardizes the party's continued existence, but blamed the move on the Burmese regime's draconian election laws.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said earlier this week that “[the NLD] have every freedom to decide on their own affairs. So I honor and I respect [their] decision.”
On Wednesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa visited Burma and told his Burmese counterpart in Naypyidaw that Jakarta expected the regime to “uphold its commitment to have an election that allows all parties to take part.”
Win Tin said that NLD leaders wanted to see more reaction from the region and beyond. “We want China, India and the European nations to speak up,” he said.
By THE IRRAWADDY - Saturday, April 3, 2010
Win Tin, a leading member of Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), likened the country's ruling regime to “a political rapist” intent on destroying the party that has led the pro-democracy movement for the past two decades.
“They want to strip us of our 1990 election victory so that we are like a 20-year-old girl, naked and exposed. We cannot allow ourselves to be raped,” he said in an interview with The Irrawaddy, explaining why the party chose not to contest this year's election.
The outspoken critic of the junta said that the NLD wanted the regime to re-open a dialogue with detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and review the Constitution. But he added that the chances of this happening were very slim.
He also admitted that he and several other NLD leaders were naive to believe that the regime would introduce election laws that were flexible enough to allow the party to participate in the new polls.
“The election laws made it very clear that the regime doesn’t want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or the NLD to have any part in the election,” he said.
The NLD decided last Monday that it would not participate in the election because it was required under a new party registration law to expel Suu Kyi and other members serving prison sentences. The party now faces dissolution for refusing to register for the election.
Win Tin said that the NLD leaders will ponder their next move at a meeting next Monday. He also stressed that the party is counting on the international community to send a strong message to the regime that its handling of the election is unacceptable.
“We know that they have limited power [to influence Burma’s political situation], but we want them to react and show that they know what’s really happening here,” he said.
The US and the UN expressed regret last week that the NLD was forced to make a decision that now jeopardizes the party's continued existence, but blamed the move on the Burmese regime's draconian election laws.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said earlier this week that “[the NLD] have every freedom to decide on their own affairs. So I honor and I respect [their] decision.”
On Wednesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa visited Burma and told his Burmese counterpart in Naypyidaw that Jakarta expected the regime to “uphold its commitment to have an election that allows all parties to take part.”
Win Tin said that NLD leaders wanted to see more reaction from the region and beyond. “We want China, India and the European nations to speak up,” he said.
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NLD Members Will Continue 'Democratic Struggle'
By THE IRRAWADDY - Monday, April 5, 2010
Members of Burma's opposition National League for Democracy will continue “the democratic struggle” after the party's expected dissolution on May 7, veteran NLD official Win Tin said on Monday.
Parties have until May 7 to register for the upcoming election, but the NLD's central executive committee (CEC) decided on March 29 not to reregister, opening the way for the regime to ban the party.
“With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as our leader, our party members will continue the democratic struggle,” said Win Tin.
Win Tin and two other CEC members, Ohn Kyaing and Han Thar Myint, proposed that party members across the country, with Suu Kyi and NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo as their nucleus, should create a network and continue the democratic struggle.
But CEC member Khin Maung Swe said he rejected the proposal “because it will take us on a confrontation line with the regime.”
Khin Maung Swe said that the party will also issue a statement on Tuesday apologizing to the public for its failure in the democratic struggle. “The statement itself will be titled 'Appeal to the Public,' but it is actually an apology to the people,” he said.
At its first meeting since March 29, the party's central executive committee also decided on Monday to form a 17-member committee to oversee the party's property and finances.
“This is to prepare for the party if something happens after May 7,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win said.
The committee will be headed by NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo.
It is still unclear what the party will do after May 7. NLD sources say some party officials will probably form their own political parties to contest the election.
Dr Than Nyein, a CEC member who favored party registration and participation in the election, said “the activities of the party officials after May 7 can no longer be called NLD party activities. They will only be individual activities.”
By THE IRRAWADDY - Monday, April 5, 2010
Members of Burma's opposition National League for Democracy will continue “the democratic struggle” after the party's expected dissolution on May 7, veteran NLD official Win Tin said on Monday.
Parties have until May 7 to register for the upcoming election, but the NLD's central executive committee (CEC) decided on March 29 not to reregister, opening the way for the regime to ban the party.
“With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as our leader, our party members will continue the democratic struggle,” said Win Tin.
Win Tin and two other CEC members, Ohn Kyaing and Han Thar Myint, proposed that party members across the country, with Suu Kyi and NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo as their nucleus, should create a network and continue the democratic struggle.
But CEC member Khin Maung Swe said he rejected the proposal “because it will take us on a confrontation line with the regime.”
Khin Maung Swe said that the party will also issue a statement on Tuesday apologizing to the public for its failure in the democratic struggle. “The statement itself will be titled 'Appeal to the Public,' but it is actually an apology to the people,” he said.
At its first meeting since March 29, the party's central executive committee also decided on Monday to form a 17-member committee to oversee the party's property and finances.
“This is to prepare for the party if something happens after May 7,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win said.
The committee will be headed by NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo.
It is still unclear what the party will do after May 7. NLD sources say some party officials will probably form their own political parties to contest the election.
Dr Than Nyein, a CEC member who favored party registration and participation in the election, said “the activities of the party officials after May 7 can no longer be called NLD party activities. They will only be individual activities.”
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Cease-fire Group Decisions Expected in April
By SAW YAN NAING - Monday, April 5, 2010
The Burmese regime could declare ethnic Wa and Kachin cease-fire groups illegal organization if they fail to agree to the border guard force order by late April, according to sources close to the militias.
Sources said that the period between April 22 and 28 is the “final deadline” set by the Burmese regime, after meetings with the leaders of the two strongest cease-fire groups, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in early April.
Burmese authorities met with leaders of the UWSA on April 1 in Shan State, and with KIA officials on April 4 in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
After Naypyidaw's border guard force negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint met UWSA officials led by Bao Youxiang in Tangyan in Shan State on April 1, the regime is almost certain to declare the UWSA an illegal group if it fails to agree to the order by April 22, said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese observer on the Sino-Burma border.
Aung Kyaw Zaw said that if the regime announces the cease-fire groups are illegal organizations, it will not negotiate with the cease-fire groups.
“They will outlaw them and demand surrender,” he said.
The KIA reached a cease-fire agreement with the regime in 1994. The UWSA agreed to a cease-fire in 1989.
During the meeting with the KIA delegation led by Chairman Zaung Hkra in Myitkyina on April 4, Lt-Gen Ye Myint told KIA officials that the junta expected a clear answer by April 28, sources said.
“They only want a 'Yes' or 'No' answer. There is no alternative option,” said James Lum Dau, an assistant officer in the KIO Foreign Relations Office.
The regime will likely close down offices run by the KIA political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), in Myitkyina if the militia fails to follow the order, sources said.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, a KIO official who asked for anonymity said, “It took one year [to complete the plan for border guard forces]. And they [the junta] want to go ahead with the election. So, they will likely make a decision.”
“If they declare the KIO illegal, the cease-fire agreement will break down and conditions will return to the period before the cease-fire agreement,” he said.
Sources said some Kachin splinter groups including the Kachin State Progressive Party led by Tu Ja, a former KIO vice-chairman, wrote letters to the KIA urging it to follow the regime's border guard force order.
Meanwhile, a source on the China-Burma border said Burmese authorities have reinforced troops, and the KIA has conducted military training exercises.
Observers said that if the junta takes military action against ethnic armies that oppose the border guard force order, it will lead to civil war.
Some observers, however, say the regime is not likely to mount a military offensive against the cease-fire groups before the national election this year, expected sometime in the fall.
Meanwhile, sources said that during a meeting on March 29, Lt-Gen Ye Myint reportedly urged the Mongla-based militia, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), a cease-fire group allied with the UWSA, to respond positively to the border guard force order by April 22 or face repercussions by April 28.
By SAW YAN NAING - Monday, April 5, 2010
The Burmese regime could declare ethnic Wa and Kachin cease-fire groups illegal organization if they fail to agree to the border guard force order by late April, according to sources close to the militias.
Sources said that the period between April 22 and 28 is the “final deadline” set by the Burmese regime, after meetings with the leaders of the two strongest cease-fire groups, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in early April.
Burmese authorities met with leaders of the UWSA on April 1 in Shan State, and with KIA officials on April 4 in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
After Naypyidaw's border guard force negotiator Lt-Gen Ye Myint met UWSA officials led by Bao Youxiang in Tangyan in Shan State on April 1, the regime is almost certain to declare the UWSA an illegal group if it fails to agree to the order by April 22, said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese observer on the Sino-Burma border.
Aung Kyaw Zaw said that if the regime announces the cease-fire groups are illegal organizations, it will not negotiate with the cease-fire groups.
“They will outlaw them and demand surrender,” he said.
The KIA reached a cease-fire agreement with the regime in 1994. The UWSA agreed to a cease-fire in 1989.
During the meeting with the KIA delegation led by Chairman Zaung Hkra in Myitkyina on April 4, Lt-Gen Ye Myint told KIA officials that the junta expected a clear answer by April 28, sources said.
“They only want a 'Yes' or 'No' answer. There is no alternative option,” said James Lum Dau, an assistant officer in the KIO Foreign Relations Office.
The regime will likely close down offices run by the KIA political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), in Myitkyina if the militia fails to follow the order, sources said.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, a KIO official who asked for anonymity said, “It took one year [to complete the plan for border guard forces]. And they [the junta] want to go ahead with the election. So, they will likely make a decision.”
“If they declare the KIO illegal, the cease-fire agreement will break down and conditions will return to the period before the cease-fire agreement,” he said.
Sources said some Kachin splinter groups including the Kachin State Progressive Party led by Tu Ja, a former KIO vice-chairman, wrote letters to the KIA urging it to follow the regime's border guard force order.
Meanwhile, a source on the China-Burma border said Burmese authorities have reinforced troops, and the KIA has conducted military training exercises.
Observers said that if the junta takes military action against ethnic armies that oppose the border guard force order, it will lead to civil war.
Some observers, however, say the regime is not likely to mount a military offensive against the cease-fire groups before the national election this year, expected sometime in the fall.
Meanwhile, sources said that during a meeting on March 29, Lt-Gen Ye Myint reportedly urged the Mongla-based militia, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), a cease-fire group allied with the UWSA, to respond positively to the border guard force order by April 22 or face repercussions by April 28.
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NLD to plunge itself headlong into social work
Friday, 02 April 2010 21:43 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) – On the heels of its decision not to register with the Election Commission (EC) the National League for Democracy (NLD) is exploring ways to increase interaction with people and plunge itself headlong into more and more social work as part of the party’s future activities.
“We will continue with our international relations and at the same time work for the people. We will work for the welfare of the people and serve them,” NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Win Tin told Mizzima.
For instance, NLD will work for HIV/AIDS patients and provide assistance to political prisoners, he said.
The Committee for Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP) held its meeting today at the NLD party headquarters in Shwegondaing, Rangoon and discussed doing social work in cooperation with NLD, ethnic political parties and other allies.
Protesting the junta’s harsh and vindictive electoral laws, NLD decided not to register with the EC. After the deadline on registration, in the electoral laws, the party will cease to be a legal party raising questions about its fate in the Burmese political mosaic.
“We discussed the NLD’s political stand and how to cooperate with ethnic political parties in future,” CRPP Secretary Aye Thar Aung said.
The CRPP meeting was attended by NLD Chairman Aung Shwe, Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, CEC members, ethnic leaders Aye Thar Aung, Pu Cing Tsian Thang, Thaug Ko Thang among other CRPP members.
“All of us respect the NLD’s political stand. We are proud of the party. We discussed cooperation between NLD and CRPP,” Aye Thar Aung said.
The delegates who attended today’s meeting discussed and exchanged views on the party’s stand of continuing to operate as a political party even though the junta seeks to abolish it.
Friday, 02 April 2010 21:43 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) – On the heels of its decision not to register with the Election Commission (EC) the National League for Democracy (NLD) is exploring ways to increase interaction with people and plunge itself headlong into more and more social work as part of the party’s future activities.
“We will continue with our international relations and at the same time work for the people. We will work for the welfare of the people and serve them,” NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Win Tin told Mizzima.
For instance, NLD will work for HIV/AIDS patients and provide assistance to political prisoners, he said.
The Committee for Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP) held its meeting today at the NLD party headquarters in Shwegondaing, Rangoon and discussed doing social work in cooperation with NLD, ethnic political parties and other allies.
Protesting the junta’s harsh and vindictive electoral laws, NLD decided not to register with the EC. After the deadline on registration, in the electoral laws, the party will cease to be a legal party raising questions about its fate in the Burmese political mosaic.
“We discussed the NLD’s political stand and how to cooperate with ethnic political parties in future,” CRPP Secretary Aye Thar Aung said.
The CRPP meeting was attended by NLD Chairman Aung Shwe, Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, CEC members, ethnic leaders Aye Thar Aung, Pu Cing Tsian Thang, Thaug Ko Thang among other CRPP members.
“All of us respect the NLD’s political stand. We are proud of the party. We discussed cooperation between NLD and CRPP,” Aye Thar Aung said.
The delegates who attended today’s meeting discussed and exchanged views on the party’s stand of continuing to operate as a political party even though the junta seeks to abolish it.
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DVB News - Food imports to Wa state ‘blocked’
By KO THET
Published: 5 April 2010
Burma’s ruling junta has reportedly blocked the flow of food into the country’s volatile Wa state in a possible sign of looming hostilities against an ethnic army there.
Tension has been high recently between the Burmese army and United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s largest ceasefire group. The two are currently in talks over the transformation of the UWSA into a Border Guard Force.
The 30,000-strong Wa army has so far refused to transform, raising concerns about the future of the already tenuous ceasefire it holds with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The transformation would see it reduce troop numbers and come under direct government control.
UWSA spokesperson Aung Myint said that the army “would accept” the transformation if certain conditions were altered, although did not elaborate on what these are.
The two sides met on 1 April, where the UWSA was asked by Burma’s military security chief, Ye Myint, to submit a proposal regarding the transformation, to be enacted on 28 April.
“It is hard to say whether there will be fighting right after 29 April or just later,” said Aung Myint. “Now the SPDC has blocked imports of food into the Wa state.”
“There is no food shortage yet in the Wa state but it won’t be good for long if the blockade continues.”
China has expressed concern about possible outbreaks of fighting in the Wa region, which is located in Burma’s northeastern Shan state and borders China. Last year, fighting between Burmese troops and a nearby ethnic Kokang army forced some 37,000 refugees across the border into China.
“China is worried about a refugee influx and weapons smuggling problems on their side if fighting breaks out, and has expressed a wish to maintain peace and stability and see development on the China-Burma border,” Aung Myint said.
The Wa army is predominantly made up of ethnic Chinese and is rumoured to receive financial and military support from Beijing. It is one of nearly 20 ethnic armies to have signed a ceasefire with the Burmese junta, although many of these now look increasingly fragile.
The junta has threatened to use force against the UWSA if it finally rejects the offer, and the Wa told DVB recently that it was “preparing for the worst” should it shun the proposal.
By KO THET
Published: 5 April 2010
Burma’s ruling junta has reportedly blocked the flow of food into the country’s volatile Wa state in a possible sign of looming hostilities against an ethnic army there.
Tension has been high recently between the Burmese army and United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s largest ceasefire group. The two are currently in talks over the transformation of the UWSA into a Border Guard Force.
The 30,000-strong Wa army has so far refused to transform, raising concerns about the future of the already tenuous ceasefire it holds with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The transformation would see it reduce troop numbers and come under direct government control.
UWSA spokesperson Aung Myint said that the army “would accept” the transformation if certain conditions were altered, although did not elaborate on what these are.
The two sides met on 1 April, where the UWSA was asked by Burma’s military security chief, Ye Myint, to submit a proposal regarding the transformation, to be enacted on 28 April.
“It is hard to say whether there will be fighting right after 29 April or just later,” said Aung Myint. “Now the SPDC has blocked imports of food into the Wa state.”
“There is no food shortage yet in the Wa state but it won’t be good for long if the blockade continues.”
China has expressed concern about possible outbreaks of fighting in the Wa region, which is located in Burma’s northeastern Shan state and borders China. Last year, fighting between Burmese troops and a nearby ethnic Kokang army forced some 37,000 refugees across the border into China.
“China is worried about a refugee influx and weapons smuggling problems on their side if fighting breaks out, and has expressed a wish to maintain peace and stability and see development on the China-Burma border,” Aung Myint said.
The Wa army is predominantly made up of ethnic Chinese and is rumoured to receive financial and military support from Beijing. It is one of nearly 20 ethnic armies to have signed a ceasefire with the Burmese junta, although many of these now look increasingly fragile.
The junta has threatened to use force against the UWSA if it finally rejects the offer, and the Wa told DVB recently that it was “preparing for the worst” should it shun the proposal.
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DVB News - Communist sons to build ‘true capitalism’
By NAY THWIN
Published: 5 April 2010
A party formed from the ashes of one of Burma’s leading communist parties and looking to contest elections this year has said that the country can only flourish under a market economy.
The New Era People’s Party (NEPP), one of three parties born out of the Troksyite Red Flag communist party, a branch of the Burma Communist Party (BCP), has said it will register for the elections.
NEPP general secretary, Htun Aung Kyaw, told DVB that he was a “former personal assistance” of deceased Red Flag leader, Thakin Soe, who became one of Burma’s most influential communist politicians.
Joining the party will be the Alliance Federation of National Politics, which has already registered, and the United Democrat Party. Both are also formed of former Red Flag members and all have said that they “accept the 2008 constitution for now and believe that the elections will be free and fair and bring about a change”.
But in a surprising break with the past, the general secretary of the NEPP, Htun Aung Kyaw, said that the party “will try capitalism for the full development of the nation’s market economy”.
“Peasants, labourers and farmers can only benefit under industrial capitalism. We will strive for maximum development of the industrial capitalism, market economy and democracy,” he said.
He added that the party would install a brand of capitalism which advocates “land ownerships for nationals and freedom for trade and the elections”.
At least five political parties have now registered for controversial elections this year, while Burma’s main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party has said it will not participate.
Burma already looks set to break with its former ultra-nationalist economic policies, having sold off swathes of state-owned assets to private businesses, most however with close ties to the ruling junta.
Furthermore, foreign companies, mainly Chinese, Korean and Indian, have become increasingly involved in lucrative energy projects in Burma which look set to prop up the ruling regime, which is currently governing over a crumbling economy.
By NAY THWIN
Published: 5 April 2010
A party formed from the ashes of one of Burma’s leading communist parties and looking to contest elections this year has said that the country can only flourish under a market economy.
The New Era People’s Party (NEPP), one of three parties born out of the Troksyite Red Flag communist party, a branch of the Burma Communist Party (BCP), has said it will register for the elections.
NEPP general secretary, Htun Aung Kyaw, told DVB that he was a “former personal assistance” of deceased Red Flag leader, Thakin Soe, who became one of Burma’s most influential communist politicians.
Joining the party will be the Alliance Federation of National Politics, which has already registered, and the United Democrat Party. Both are also formed of former Red Flag members and all have said that they “accept the 2008 constitution for now and believe that the elections will be free and fair and bring about a change”.
But in a surprising break with the past, the general secretary of the NEPP, Htun Aung Kyaw, said that the party “will try capitalism for the full development of the nation’s market economy”.
“Peasants, labourers and farmers can only benefit under industrial capitalism. We will strive for maximum development of the industrial capitalism, market economy and democracy,” he said.
He added that the party would install a brand of capitalism which advocates “land ownerships for nationals and freedom for trade and the elections”.
At least five political parties have now registered for controversial elections this year, while Burma’s main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party has said it will not participate.
Burma already looks set to break with its former ultra-nationalist economic policies, having sold off swathes of state-owned assets to private businesses, most however with close ties to the ruling junta.
Furthermore, foreign companies, mainly Chinese, Korean and Indian, have become increasingly involved in lucrative energy projects in Burma which look set to prop up the ruling regime, which is currently governing over a crumbling economy.
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DVB News - US agency accused of sanctions busting
By FRANCIS WADE
Published: 5 April 2010
The US government aid agency USAID has denied charges levelled by a Burma campaign group that it is breaching US sanctions on the military-ruled country.
The prominent Washington-based US Campaign for Burma (USCB) said in March that USAID funding of the ASEAN Competitive Enhancement (ACE) project, which looks to promote the tourism and textiles industries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, was “not in line with US-Burma policy”.
Burma is a member of ASEAN, but is subject to strict US trade and financial sanctions. A campaign to boycott tourism in Burma has received strong backing from various campaign groups, although this has not been factored into the US sanctions package.
But USAID’s funding of the ACE remains a “violation” of US policy and should be challenged by Congress, USCB advocacy director Jennifer Quigley has told TTR Weekly travel website.
“The spirit of [US Burma sanctions] was to keep American dollars out of the hands of the Burmese regime,” she said. “The way the Burmese tourism economy is structured, it is not a stretch to assume the regime would benefit financially.”
USAID communications director, Hal Lipper, defended the charges by saying that ASEAN had requested funding to Southeast Asia “as a region”.
One of the main arguments against tourism in Burma is that, with the majority of property and services owned by the ruling regime, tourist money would eventually find its way into government coffers. Moreover, rights groups have said that many tourist resorts and services were built using forced labour.
Detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi had previously urged tourists to stay away from the country whilst it remains under military rule, although this stance appears have softened in line with growing international engagement with the junta.
The pro-tourism lobby argues however that interaction with locals, although often highly restricted by the government, can contribute towards pulling the country out of decades of isolation.
Tourism currently only contributes to around 0.7 percent of Burma’s GDP, meaning that the boycott is largely symbolic and would have little tangible effect on the country’s economy. The impact of sanctions has also been lessened by Burma’s growing trade with ASEAN countries, as well as China and India.
By FRANCIS WADE
Published: 5 April 2010
The US government aid agency USAID has denied charges levelled by a Burma campaign group that it is breaching US sanctions on the military-ruled country.
The prominent Washington-based US Campaign for Burma (USCB) said in March that USAID funding of the ASEAN Competitive Enhancement (ACE) project, which looks to promote the tourism and textiles industries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, was “not in line with US-Burma policy”.
Burma is a member of ASEAN, but is subject to strict US trade and financial sanctions. A campaign to boycott tourism in Burma has received strong backing from various campaign groups, although this has not been factored into the US sanctions package.
But USAID’s funding of the ACE remains a “violation” of US policy and should be challenged by Congress, USCB advocacy director Jennifer Quigley has told TTR Weekly travel website.
“The spirit of [US Burma sanctions] was to keep American dollars out of the hands of the Burmese regime,” she said. “The way the Burmese tourism economy is structured, it is not a stretch to assume the regime would benefit financially.”
USAID communications director, Hal Lipper, defended the charges by saying that ASEAN had requested funding to Southeast Asia “as a region”.
One of the main arguments against tourism in Burma is that, with the majority of property and services owned by the ruling regime, tourist money would eventually find its way into government coffers. Moreover, rights groups have said that many tourist resorts and services were built using forced labour.
Detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi had previously urged tourists to stay away from the country whilst it remains under military rule, although this stance appears have softened in line with growing international engagement with the junta.
The pro-tourism lobby argues however that interaction with locals, although often highly restricted by the government, can contribute towards pulling the country out of decades of isolation.
Tourism currently only contributes to around 0.7 percent of Burma’s GDP, meaning that the boycott is largely symbolic and would have little tangible effect on the country’s economy. The impact of sanctions has also been lessened by Burma’s growing trade with ASEAN countries, as well as China and India.
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