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Weekly Diary, No. 256 (30 June – 6 July 2007)
Weekly Diary, No. 256 (30 June – 6 July 2007)
· FALLING GREEN BACKS GOOD FOR US?
· WOMEN'S DAY OF BURMA: 19 JUNE OR 3 JULY?
· CHINA CONSULTS CEASEFIRE GROUPS!
· PHYU PHYU THIN RELEASED!
Think Piece
We know they are going to divide us. But if we are agreeing to the scheme because we fear resistance would only place ourselves in danger, that is an act of selling one's own country.
Hkun Tun Oo, leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), quoted by an SNLD member, 1 July 2007
One precept politicians should abide by even at the cost of their precious lives is their fierce loyalty to the people.
Sai Nood aka Sai Nyunt Lwin, General Secretary, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), quoted by a member, 2 July 2007
The World
18 June 2007
Since the dollar's peak in 2002, it has fallen 20 percentage points against a basket of global currencies. Falling green-backs used to induce economic panic, but no more. We may possibly be seeing the demise of the dollar.
But it may ultimately be a good thing for the United States and the world. The rebalancing would offset America's $ 765 billion trade deficit.
Other benefits:
Reduction of cost of labor and keeping more work at home
Easing US political tensions with China and Mideast by diminishing the notion that those countries stockpile dollars
A more balanced global economy
(Newsweek)
International Relations
28 June 2007
Japan is providing Burma $ 3.8 million aid assistance:
Human resources development scholarship
A reforestation in the drug zone
Notes regarding the provision of grant aid are given to the minister of planning by the Japanese ambassador. (Xinhua)
29 June 2007
Social problems faced by the people of Burma are due to several causes, according to a confidential report by UN Humanitarian Coordinator to Burma, Charles Petrie in April:
Ill informed and outdated socio-economic policies
Neglected social services
Uncompromising attitude towards opposition
Insufficient understanding of what the UN and NGOs are trying to do. (Irrawaddy)
According to S.H.A.N.'s Drug Watch bulletin, humanitarian crises in Burma are the direct outcome of the junta's determination to cling to power come what may – Editor
3 July 2007
Soe Win
In response to ICRC's denunciation of the regime for abuses against civilians and detainees, Than Than Nwe, wife of PM Soe Win, and President of Myanmar Women's Federation, accuses the Red Cross of having clandestine links with anti-junta rebels. (Agencies/ Bangkok Post)
3 July 2007
Radhika Coomaraswarmy
Radhika Coomaraswarmy, UN special representative for children and armed conflict, on her return from Burma, has said that talks with three major groups, Karen, Karenni and Shan, have not started yet because of regime's sensitivities. (IPS)
4 July 2007
EU calls on Burma to lift restrictions against ICRC. (AP)
Thai-Burma Relations
4 July 2007
Lae Manthu, leader of the long-necked Karenni in Maehongson, has turned down Burma's latest call for them to return to their motherland, saying it is not safe because of continued fighting there. There are 177 Padaung long-necks living in Ban Huay Sua Tao, 233 in Ban Naisoi and 199 in Ban Huay Pukaeng, totaling 609. (Bangkok Post)
4 July 2007
Sathien Thanprom, a representative of The Prevention of HIV/AIDS among Migrant Workers in Thailand Project, urges Bangkok to revise its policy of identifying illegal migrant workers from Burma by nationality, fearing it could affect their safety. Illegal workers who have to return to Burma to obtain a Burmese passport may encounter difficulties and "no one can guarantee their safety." He is talking at a two-day seminar on migrant policy workers in Bangkok, organized by the ministry of labor. (Irrawaddy)
Politics/ Inside Burma
29 June 2007
The order to step up efforts to issue ID cards to ethnic civilians in preparation for a referendum was reportedly issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Population last weekend and was relayed to ceasefire group via regional commands. (DVB)
3 July 2007
Aung San Suu KyiBurma holds Women's Day celebrations. It only represents the SPDC members' wives, says Nang Yain of the exiled Women's League of Burma Su Su Nway, woman activist in Rangoon, says Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday should be the day for women of Burma. (Irrawaddy)
3 July 2007
Phyu Phyu ThinHIV activist Phyu Phyu Thin calls for cooperation between the military regime and the opposition in the fight against the disease, a day after she was released from detention. She was detained on 21 May. (Irrawaddy)
4 July 2007
USDA leader Than Oo, who used to harass the NLD, struck by lightning in his hometown in Tharawaddy township, Pegu Division. "He was punished for his bad karma," says one resident. (DVB)
4 July 2007
In an attempt to free the Sino-Burma border of strife, China has begun to meet border-based ceasefire groups. It has already met two groups last month. (Mizzima) The groups met by the Chinese officials last month included Kachin and Mongla. (BBC)
Shans/ Shan State
21-22 June 2007
Former General Secretary of SNLD Sai Aung Mart attends two-day conference in Ekne, Norway. The meeting calls for UN Security Council resolution calling for Tripartite Dialogue (TD). So far TD has been the UN General Assembly's resolution.
Other participants include David Taw (KNU) and Khin Ohmar (NDD). (Statement)
2 July 2007
At a press conference held today on the border opposite Maehongson, Khun Thurein, former general secretary of the SNPLO that broke away from the ceasefire agreement with Pyinmana on 10 June, says, "There is no way to win against the military government except through armed struggle." The SNPLO cannot stoop to become pro-junta militia or special police force as offered by the regime unless democracy unity and a federal union are realized. (Irrawaddy/ Mizzima)
Economy/ Business
29 June 2007
China Nonferrous Metal Mining Co. (CNMC) says it has gained approval to start construction its $ 600 million nickel project in Burma. (Comtex News Network)
1 July 2007
China Southern Lines opens new direct flights between Rangoon and Guangzhou. Two other airlines in operation are China Air and Air China. (Irrawaddy)
2 July 2007
Since May, Burmese officials have ordered local fishing companies in Kawthaung, opposite Ranong, to pay taxes in dollars rather than kyat. Before the regulation went into effect, one company paid $ 6,000 per month. In May, it was forced to pay $ 100,000. The taxation has affected small fishing business owners. (Irrawaddy)
2 July 2007
Asia World of Law Hsing Han has been contracted to build a deep sea port in Arakan's Kyauk Pru (Kyauk Phyu). His son Tun Myint Naing arrived on 22 June to look over the area. The port is intended to connect with Yunnan province. (Narinjara)
3 July 2007
The textile production in upper Burma will be tripled thanks to Brunei's tax exemption measure, textile trades in Mandalay say. (Xinhua)
3 July 2007
Hundreds of illegal Chinese motorcycles are entering Burma each day.
Price at Ruili $ 320 – 480
Price in Burma $ 360 – 560
Legal imported, they would cost more than $ 800. (Irrawaddy)
3 July 2007
There are 18 multi-governmental agencies that forcibly collect taxes on all exports and imports to and from Laiza, KIO controlled town on the Sino-Burma border. They are unlawfully collected taxes. (Kachin News Group)
4 July 2007
The Kyauk Phyu port will have a water depth of 29 meters, says Xinhua, deeper than the Shanghai port. "In that case they would have to build a fairly wide, straight highway up into China to be able to accommodate trucks with 20ft or even maybe 40ft containers," says Bangkok-based shipping agent Sven Kaarstad. "You cannot move container trucks on two-line roads." (Irrawaddy)
5 July 2007
Sophisticated equipment is normally not allowed to use in Phakant jade mines. But Te Ze's Htoo and Myanmar Dagaung (from the UWSA's Hong Pang Group) have been permitted to use unlicensed hydraulic earth diggers and Volvo 12-wheel trucks. (Kachin News Group)
Human Rights
29 June 2007
Than Soe aka Ye Yint and Thit Lwin, who hijacked a plane in 1989, has lost a case against Canadian immigration authorities who want to deport him for terrorism. Nevertheless he is unlikely to be sent back to Burma where he faces torture and detention. Soe entered Canada in 2003. (National Post)
2 July 2007
Muslims from Burma are flocking to China's cities like Liuku and Jinghong. "Here in China, you can work in peace," says a jeweler in Jinghong. (Economist)
3 July 2007
Win TinBurma Media Association calls for release of journalist Win Tin, 78, who has already spent 18 years of a 20-year sentence in prison. (Asian Tribune)
Environment
28 June 2007
Tornado rips through Rangoon killing 3, injuring at least 5 and destroying about 90 houses. Worst hit is South Dagon township, where more than 1,000 trees are uprooted and 500 houses lose their roofs. (Irrawaddy)
3 July 2007
Rising temperatures are causing more landslides in Nepal, dengue fever cases in Indonesia and flooding in India, and threatening to put greater strain on health systems, say the meeting of health officials in Malaysia. (AP)
5 July 2007
About 2,000 houses in Thandwe (Sandoway) township in Arakan State flooded in rains since 1 July. (Narinjara)
Drugs
4 July 2007
Al Gore III, 24 year old son of former Vice President Al Gore nabbed in Los Angeles for possession of marijuana. (Agencies)
War
4 July 2007
Naga Homeland in Danger: The Politics of constitution making in Myanmar, published by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN, Isak-Muivah faction), released. It accuses Burma's military junta of dividing the homeland of the Naga community. (Mizzima)
5 July 2007
Mae Tao Clinic on The Thai-Burma border says the number of land-mine casualties has increased this year. In previous years, there were as few as 10 landmine cases a year but in the first six months of this year, we already had 30 cases, says Saw Eh Thamwe from the clinic. The casualty toll has been attributed to increased fighting between the KNU and the DKBA. (DVB)
Shan ceasefire group mum on meeting results
