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BURMA RELATED NEWS - OCTOBER 19, 2005. LONDON (AFP) - Sleaze watchdog Transparency International reported that Chad, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan and Myanmar were perceived as the most corrupt countries in the world, while Iceland was the cleanest. Transparency International said in its annual report that serious levels of corruption existed in two thirds of the 159 countries surveyed, and that there was a clear link between poverty and corruption. Half of the countries that landed at the bottom 10 on the list were African countries, while those which came in at the top were industrialized Asian and Western countries, according to Berlin-based Transparency International. The nations perceived as the most corrupt also rank among the world's poorest, which shows how corruption and poverty feed off each other, according to the organization's 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). "Corruption is a major cause of poverty as well as a barrier to overcoming it," locking poor countries in "a cycle of misery," said Transparency International Chairman Peter Eigen. "Corruption must be vigorously addressed if aid is to make a real difference in freeing people from poverty," he said. Despite progress on many fronts, including the imminent entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, 70 countries scored less than three on the CPI, indicating a severe corruption problem, the report said. The CPI index score relates to perceptions of the degree of corruption as seen by business people and country analysts and ranges between 10, which is highly clean and zero, which is highly corrupt. For example, the United States was ranked 17th with a score of 7.6. Iceland topped the list with a score of 9.7, followed by Finland (9.6), New Zealand (9.6), Denmark (9.5), Singapore (9.4), Sweden (9.2), Switzerland (9.1) Norway (8.9), Australia (8.8) and Austria (8.7) Bottom of the list was Chad (1.7) followed by Bangladesh (1.7), Turkmenistan (1.8), Myanmar (1.8), Haiti (1.8), Nigeria (1.9), Equatorial Guinea (1.9), Ivory Coast (1.9), Angola (2.0) and Tajikistan (2.1). Other African countries like Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia were in the bottom 20, as were Pakistan, Indonesia, and Iraq. Several Arab countries and Israel ranked near the top of the list, with Israel and Oman listed at 28 with a score of 6.3 points. The United Arab Emirates was 30 at 6.2 and Qatar was was 32 at 5.9. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria ranked 70 at 3.4. The rankings included shifts in performance over the last year. An increase in perceived corruption from 2004 to 2005 can be measured in countries such as Costa Rica, Gabon, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay, it said. With a score of 3.2, Sri Lanka ranked number 82 on the list. And while Canada (8.4) and Ireland (7.4) ranked in the top 20 cleanest countries, the report warned that they were perceived as increasingly corrupt over the last decade. On the other hand, a number of countries and territories show a decline in perceptions of corruption over the past year, including Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, Taiwan and Turkey, it said. Hong Kong ranked 15 at 8.3, Japan was 21 at 7.3, France was 18 at 7.5, Taiwan and Qatar were both ranked 32 at 5.9, Jordan was 37 at 5.7, and Turkey was 65 at 3.5. Among other countries on the list, South Africa ranked 36 at 4.5, Malaysia was 39 at 5.1, Thailand was 59 at 3.8, while India was 88 at 2.9. Imphal, October 18: Though the External Affairs Ministry of India has raised three points to resolve the boundary disputes with Myanmar, the Myanmar authority is yet to respond and is keeping mum over the matter. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that the Indian Government had raised three points with the Myanmarese authority to settle the long pending border dispute with Manipur. One significant point among the three proposals raised by India include asking Myanmar to give 250 yards of land at Tamu to adjust the border dispute. The boundary dispute comes in the backdrop of the still festering wounds felt by the people over the gifting away of Kabaw valley to Myanmar and to make sure that the sentiments of the people are not hurt further, successive State Governments have been leaving no stones unturned to ensure that Myanmar does not intrude into Manipur's territory. Along with the proposal put forward by India to Myanmar to yield 250 yards of land at Tamu, the External Affairs Ministry of India had also proposed that in lieu of the land at Tamu, India would adjust the boundary at Choro, Choro Khunou and Molcham, said the source. The total area of land to be adjusted against the 250 yards of land sought by India is approximately 1.43 sq kms. The reasoning behind India's proposal to exchange the said areas of land is premised on the point that there is hardly any human settlement at Choro, according to findings from remote sensing maps. As for Molcham, the proposal was forwarded as Myanmar is keen on this area for geo-political reasons. However Myanmar has stopped evincing any interest at Molcham, said the source further. The other proposal put forward by India is to stick to the present international boundary. However Myanmar is yet to respond to the proposals of India. According to this proposal, both sides would respect the existing boundary and no construction would come up within 10 metres on either side the border. Out of the total boundary pillars erected along the border area, nine pillars are under dispute, said the source and added that some pillars at Chandel district are in contentious positions. A report to this effect has been submitted by the DC. Both the countries will start the process of maintenance and restoration work of the international pillars from November 18. At the moment the Director and Deputy Director of the National Security Council Secretariat are presently at Moreh to over see the infrastructure work underway there. Though the Union Home Ministry had sought 50 acres of land at Moreh to set up a Composite Checkpost, so far the State has been able to give only 12 acres. NANNING, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said that China will continue its friendly policy towards Myanmar and enforce reciprocal cooperation with Myanmar, XINHUA News Agency reported Wednesday. In a meeting with Myanmar's Prime Minister Soe Win, Zeng said China and Myanmar are friendly neighbours and the relationship between them has kept moving forward despite the volatile changes of international situations and various challenges. The vice president also said that China will continue to support Myanmar's efforts in maintaining political stability and national reconciliation. "China and Myanmar enjoy great potential for further cooperation," Zeng said, adding that the two countries should make joint efforts in pushing forward the bilateral cooperation in electric power, telecommunication and mine resources. "The Chinese government supports Chinese companies to invest in Myanmar," he said. Soe Win said the Myanmar government and people appreciates China's long-time support and help. He said his government believes that the Myanmar-China friendship, which was cultivated by the older-generation leaders of both countries, will be further consolidated in the new era. Myanmar hopes to expand trade cooperation with China, especially in the fields of railway, hydro electricity and construction of chemical fertilizer plant, Soe Win said. After the meeting, Zeng and Soe Win attended a signing ceremony of a framework agreement, in which the Chinese government promises to provide loans to Myanmar with preferential conditions. Myanmar has established an international-level fishes and crustaceans trading zone in Yangon to enhance production of high-quality marine products and for export, an official newspaper reported Wednesday. The Ngwepinle Fishes and Crustaceans Trading Zone, inaugurated on Tuesday by the private-run Asia Prosperity Manufacturing Co Ltd in the new satellite town of Hlaingtharya in the northern part of the capital, will enable producers and buyers to get direct access for trading, the New Light of Myanmar said. Meanwhile, Myanmar will also set up its first fish and prawn breeding zone in Ayeyawaddy division's Pandanaw in the southern part of the country, to boost export of marine products. According to earlier reports, the project covers 100 fish and prawn breeding ponds with an area of nearly 700 hectares and investment from local and foreign entrepreneurs is being invited. According to official statistics, Myanmar exported over 255,000 tons of fish products in 2004-05 which ended in March, up 50,000 tons from 2003-04. During the year, the fishery exports through normal trade earned US$191 million and 8.25 million euros, while that through border trade fetched nearly US$10 million, 5,000 euros and 131 billion Kyats. Half of the country's fishery products were exported through border trade, mainly to China and Thailand. Myanmar's fishery sector remains as the third largest contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) with an output value of 310.31 billion Kyats (about US$344 million according to market exchange rate) in 2003-04, taking up about 8 percent of the GDP. With a long coastline of over 2,800 kilometers and a total area of 500,000 hectares of swamps along the coast, the country has an estimated sustainable yield of marine products at over one million tons a year. (Xinhua) Myanmar will take part in the Chinese Golden Rooster Hundred Flower Film Festival due to be held in Sanya City, Hainan province of China, mid next month to introduce Myanmar film to the outside world. A film delegation, headed by secretaries of the Myanmar Film Association (MFA) and comprising the film director and the film stars, will attend the festival with a selected Myanmar film " Secret Snow" to be screened at the event scheduled for Nov. 10-22, film circle said on Tuesday. Attached with English subtitles, the film was shot at a cost of 160,000 US dollars, according to the MFA. The contesting film, which had been presented at similar film festivals held in Singapore and South Africa, was shot at a snow- capped mountain in northwestern Myanmar's Chin state. During the last five years, two Myanmar films entered Chinese film festivals, the first, which is "Master of Flowers", was screened in 2001, while the second "The Hearts of the Givers" in September 2004's Yinchuan Film Festival. Meanwhile, as part of its bid to penetrate the international film industry market, Myanmar introduced a movie featuring ancient king era to Malaysian audiences last year. The movie, Kyansittmin, based on the life of the Bagan era monarch King Kyansittha, who reigned from 1084 to 1113, was shot by the Everest Film Company with Academy winner Lu Minn directing and playing King Kyansittha himself, according to film industry sources. The movie was shot with technical assistance from Malaysian company PWT Co Ltd at Bagan and other locations including the former royal palace in Mandalay, Myanmar's ancient capital. The movie has also been screened in Singapore. To upgrade Myanmar film and help penetrate the international market, Myanmar, in cooperation with Japan, jointly produced a film titled "Thway" (blood) and released in 2003. To encourage Myanmar's film production and bring up its quality, the government has been presenting domestic academy awards to successful artists annually since 1952, stressing the need to create films that are artistic, educative, informative and entertaining. Meanwhile, a Myanmar Motion Picture Museum was established in Yangon in November 1998 to display the efforts of pioneers, successful film artists and promoters and innovation in the motion picture history of the country. (Source: Xinhua) BANGKOK -- China knowingly aids trade in illegal timber from northern Myanmar worth around 300 million dollars a year, some of which is sold in developed countries, a new report said Tuesday. Environmental watchdog Global Witness said the unofficial trade involves about one million cubic meters (35 million cubic feet) of timber a year, costing Myanmar's state coffers about 250 million dollars annually in lost taxes. The trade also exacerbates military-ruled Myanmar's HIV problem, with many loggers injecting drugs and using prostitutes. Most loggers and prostitutes are unaware of how to avoid the disease, the report added. "The destructive logging and illegal timber trade take place with the full knowledge and complicity of the (Myanmar junta), the Chinese authorities and ceasefire groups," said the 100-page report, "A Choice for China". China has signed international treaties and agreements pledging to fight the trade, but still has to implement its promises at the provincial level, officials from the London-based watchdog said. "Two-thirds of the total Burmese exports of timber are illegal, the large majority of that goes to China," Global Witness official Susanne Kempel told a press conference, using Myanmar's former name. "When we looked at the timber trade between the two countries, more than 95 percent of it is illegal, according to Burmese law, and according to Chinese law." Chinese customs statistics say more than one million cubic meters (35 million cubic feet) of timber passes into China annually, much of it from Myanmar's Kachin state, against the 18,000 cubic meters (630,000 cubic feet) Myanmar's government allows to be exported, Kempel said. China is a major exporter of wood products to countries including Japan and the United States, with the latter importing about 3.0 billion dollars worth of wood-based products from China in 2003, most of it furniture, the report said. Among the report's recommendations is for the international community to pass laws forbidding timber imports bought contrary to national laws, and help communities in Myanmar through education and environment awareness programs. The illegal trade involves rebel groups which have signed ceasefires with the junta and who vie with each other to fell patches of forest first, Kempel said. Myanmar forbids teak and softwood exports into China, but Global Witness researchers found plenty of such timber, she said. "This is out in the open, it's easy to see, and it's taxed by the local Chinese authorities all along the border." Myanmar's government told Global Witness only one checkpoint at the Myanmar-Chinese border legally permitted timber exports, but the watchdog's staff said they spent a month in the area and counted at least 15. These extra checkpoints were all staffed by Chinese customs officers, busy attending to numerous logging trucks. Chinese companies are building and expanding roads in northern Myanmar to increase the trade, Kempel said. In 2004-2005, forest products became the Myanmar government's second most important source of legal foreign exchange worth about 428 million dollars, or 15.0 percent of the government's total, the report said. The cross-border illegal trade grew by almost 60.0 percent between 2001 and 2004, it added. Illegal trade in timber across the Burmese-Chinese border is costing the Burmese people $250m (£143m) a year, campaign group Global Witness has said. The group said illegal exports from northern Burma into China rose 60% between 2001 and 2004 despite both governments being aware of the issue. It has called on the European Union and the United States to exert pressure on China to put a stop to the trade. The trade had resulted in "rampant destruction" of forests, it claimed. Exceeding limits Publishing a new report, Global Witness - which campaigns against the exploitation of natural resources through war and corruption - said the trade dated back to the late 1980s but had got worse in recent years. Between 2001 and 2004, the amount of timber illegally crossing the border into the Yunnan province had increased by 60%, it said. More than 1 million cubic metres of timber crossed the border in 2004, above the legally permitted limit in Burma of 18,000 cubic metres. The exports - accounting for about 95% of total timber trade between the two countries - were also breaking Chinese law because they were not accompanied by the correct paperwork. According to Global Witness, a handful of Chinese and Burmese companies were running the trade with the tacit support of local officials in Yunnan Province and autonomous Burmese groups in the region. There was evidence of links between Burmese army commanders and companies involved in the trade, the group said. Better enforcement Global Witness said the Chinese government had failed to honour a series of multilateral agreements made in 2001 with other Asian nations to co-operate over illegal logging and other environmental crime. "It is our understanding that the Chinese government is interested in not having a lot of illegal timber entering the country and has signed up to these agreements," said Suzanne Kempel, a campaigner with Global Witness. "We are asking the Chinese government to enforce these agreements and to take a much more proactive approach." There was evidence of significant environmental damage caused by the trade including an increase in flooding, although there has been no independent corroboration of this. Global Witness criticised the international response to the trade. The EU and US had not produced coherent proposals to address the environmental impact on the region, it said. The Chinese and Burmese governments have both declined to comment on the report. RASSADA: Four Burmese fishermen were murdered yesterday in what appears to have been the slaughter of the crew of one boat by the crew of another at the fishing port. One badly injured man is in Wachira Phuket Hospital, and police believe that more bodies may yet turn up. Phuket City Police Station Inspector, Pol Maj Yongyuth Krongmalai, told the Gazette this morning that two of the dead were found floating yesterday in Klong Tah Chin, and another two were found this morning in the same vicinity. The area has come to be known as the “Burmese Cemetery” because of the number of murders that have occurred there in recent years, almost all of the dead being Burmese. Each of the victims in yesterday’s slaughter had been stabbed at least five times about the head and face before being thrown into the water. All were identified as crew members of the fishing boat Issaraporn 1, which had moored near the fish market to unload its catch. “The information we have is that two groups working on different boats were heard arguing at a karaoke bar near where the boat was moored,” Maj Yongyuth said. “Then, at about 3 am yesterday, a group of as many as 20 people, led by the crew from the other boat, boarded the Issaraporn 1 and killed the victims as they slept, then threw them in the sea. “After that they smashed up the boat and then ran away,” he added. “So far we have found four bodies and one person is still being treated at Wachira Phuket Hospital,” he said, admitting that police are not yet sure how many people were killed; the number may be as high as six or seven, he said, because it appeared that the entire crew of the Issaraporn 1 had been stabbed and thrown into the sea. “I don’t know why the fight happened,” Maj Yongyuth said, adding, “They still have animal-like instincts. They are not developed and have no sense of morality. When I saw the bodies I was horrified. But I believe that, in this case, we will be able to apprehend the perpetrators.” Oct 18, 2005 (DVB) - Two Thai policemen attempted to rape a Burmese girl on 15 October at the Thai border town Mae Sod near Burma. 18-year old Thet Thet was stopped and interrogated by the policemen, and they demanded 1000 Baht from her. She could only pay them 300 and the drunken policemen followed her to where she lived and attempted to rape her. The girl’s aunt Naw Ma tried to protect Thet Thet and the police also beat her up. “They said that they want to ‘destroy’ the girl. I didn’t allow them to do so. I intervened,” Naw Ma told DVB. “I will arrest you, he said. After saying that, he summoned all my children and me. If I can’t get this girl, I will get you. Come onto my motorbike, he said. When no one else was around, we told them that our husbands were around and shouted for help in a bluff. Then, they hit my head.” A Burmese woman from the neighbouring house who witnessed the attack told DVB that Naw Ma was hit three or four times. “I saw them go away. They were in uniform and as their guns were cocked, one bullet dropped on the ground. This morning, I retrieved the bullet. It is their bullet. We will report it. They came to insult us. Should we just let them insult us because we are Burmese citizens? The person they attempted to rape is only about the age of my daughter. When it comes to this matter, I dare to give up my life. I dare to confront them.” Oct 18, 2005 (DVB) - Renowned Burmese student leader Min Ko Naing celebrated his 43rd birthday at his parents’ home in Rangoon Thinganggyun Township on 18 October. It is the first time he could celebrate his birthday as a free man after spending the past 16 years in prison and it was attended by 88 generation students, 1996 and 1998 generation students, other former political prisoners and youths from all levels of the society and they were fed a traditional Burmese noodle salad dish. “Here, a fellow ex-political prisoner who was released recently, drew my portrait in one sitting. I really treasure getting a painting of his as the birthday present. Other friends also brought along whatever they think is good and afford for them. No great/expensive present was brought along. It’s very satisfying for me. Some wrote memorable things in my book. Some sketched caricatures of me with rough-lead pencil. Some are quite comical. They are the things to be treasured by me. I also showed them a drawing/painting of mine which I myself painted/drew. It reflects the same feelings I have on my birthday. This picture portrays a mother looking out of a window staring into the distance. Here are the symbols of her son; a guitar, a football, a school bag and text books. Behind that mother, a calendar is riddled with crosses in red ink. This is a picture of a mother staring into the distance and waiting with yearning. I showed this picture (to them) and everyone understood without having to say a word. In fact, as all people are not here at this event, I could not feel fully happy. That is what I want to say today for the record. I am hoping for the day when all students, our brothers and sisters are reunited. For this, I believe that we have to work together in unison. I want to say this for the record.” Min Ko Naing added that he feels both happy and sad on his birthday: “I want to give an example of how I feel both happy and sad on my birthday. Three or four days ago, our sister Su Su Nway (Rangoon Kawmoo Township Htan Manaing villager) who was with us, is now behind the iron bars of the prison. She will be eating rice (meals) on a formed plate inside the four walls of the prison. As for us, we are now able to eat what we can afford. When our domestic political forces, students and the population get involved in politics personally, their futures are not certain. We are in a situation where you see them in the morning and they disappear in the evening. We don’t forget this kind situation. Therefore, I want to say on behalf of everyone, for the record, that we are all feeling very sad that our sister Su Su Nway is not with us at this event.” Min Ko Naing’s beloved mother Hla Kyi also gave her reaction as follows: “As for me, I am very happy to see that everyone is participating with joy. I am also very happy for the words of comfort and encouragement given to me. I also want other parents to be happy like me. I have been wanting to speak like this and to be happy like this. I have been waiting for this chance for 17 years. I want other mothers who are missing their sons to be happy like me also.” She comforted other mothers whose sons are missing thus: “Don’t feel dejected. One day, you will be able to celebrate your sons’ birthdays like I do now. I keep and maintain my hope in this way. I offered my prayer for everyone when I pray, including other children and all. If they have some debts from their past lives, may they escape this Karma. I always pray, may they not face |
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