From editor@burmanet.org Wed Dec 18 16:25:30 2002 From: editor@burmanet.org (editor@burmanet.org) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 11:25:30 -0500 (EST) Subject: BurmaNet News: December 18 2002 Message-ID: <37881.207.10.94.131.1040228730.squirrel@webmail.pair.com> December 18 2002 Issue #2142 INSIDE BURMA AFP: Myanmar junta raps Suu Kyi over backing of international sanctions IMNF: Mon teacher arrested for portering Myanmar Times: 16m to tackle AIDS, health, maternal care DRUGS Washington Post: Reward for Burma’s anti-drug efforts unlikely WMA: Military regime rights to have Myanmar’s status changed on US drug-producers list AFP: US, Myanmar at odds over drugs status MONEY Guardian: Rights activists put 70 firms on Burma ‘dirty list’ REGIONAL AP: Drunken elephants kill six in northeastern India Kaladan: Burmese junta leader reached Dhaka yesterday Nation: Sulak loses round one of legal fight Narinjara: Burma Bangladesh on new course: improved relations and road link INTERNATIONAL Irrawaddy: International migrant day recognized STATEMENTS US State Department: Excerpt: Cooperation with US anti-narcotics efforts INSIDE BURMA Agence France-Presse December 18 2002 Myanmar junta raps Suu Kyi over backing of international sanctions Myanmar's ruling junta Wednesday rapped opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi over her continued backing of sanctions against the regime, saying they only harmed ordinary people in the impoverished country. In the most hostile comments since the two sides began tentative reconciliation talks two years ago, the government said it "could not understand the logic behind some of her ideas" aired in a recent BBC interview. "Whether her views reflect reality is up to the listeners or viewers to make their own judgement," it said, abandoning an agreement to cease criticism of each other in a bid to support the UN-sponsored talks. Aung San Suu Kyi has been a staunch supporter of sanctions introduced following the brutal repression of 1988 pro-democracy protests and 1990 disallowed elections won by her National League for Democracy. Under the measures led by the United States and the European Union, all but a small amount of humanitarian aid is banned. In August Aung San Suu Kyi appeared to soften her stance on the issue, saying development aid might be acceptable if it fell within strict guidelines. But as the reconciliation process sagged, with the government reneging on promises to begin a fully fledged political dialogue with the opposition, her stance appears to have hardened. In the BBC interview last week she indicated it was not yet time to ease the sanctions, which have helped cripple the Myanmar economy. "Our policies with regard to sanctions will not change until such time as political dialogue is in place. So our policy remains the same," she said. "The sanctions are very limited in scope and the people in Burma who are affected by it are therefore consequently very few," she said, referring to the country by its former name. "The reason why there is not as much investment in Burma as there might have been is because the political climate is not healthy." She also backed a vigorous campaign mounted by pro-democracy groups in the West to deter tourists from visiting Myanmar -- another bugbear to the junta which has battled to capture the tourist dollar. "Our policy with regard to tourism has not changed which is to say that we have not yet come to the point where we encourage people to come to Burma as tourists," she told the BBC question-and-answer program. The government said there was "no doubt that any form of economic sanction and tourism embargo negatively affects the lives of the mass population of a country." "It is definitely difficult to understand when a political party supports or even stays neutral by allowing the rich and powerful nations to impose hardship on the same people it vows to serve," it said. However, Aung San Suu Kyi was upbeat about the prospects for political reconciliation, telling the BBC she was confident political change would come to the military-ruled country. "We are confident change will come -- not as quickly as most of us would wish, but it will come," she said. The Nobel peace laureate's remarks boosted confidence in the slow-moving national reconciliation process, which observers in the Myanmar capital Yangon had feared was on the verge of complete breakdown. ________ Independent Mon News Forum November 30 2002 MON TEACHER ARRESTED FOR PORTERING Burmese soldiers from LIB No 282 arrested Nai Ma Nu Ong, 60 during his checking school yard at Southern Ye Township a source from New Mon State Party said. The soldiers brought him for portering about three days. The Burmese soldiers claimed no reason why he is arrested but according a local Mon teacher, this is a tactic of psychological attack that makes him to discontinue his job. A local Mon teacher added that Burmese soldiers visited the village prior to one day and asked about his personal story before he is arrested. He was born and lives at A Nyer village where he also administers Mon National Education School in the areas. After cease-fire agreement in 1995, he is the first NMSP member who is arrested and forced for portering as a chairman of a high profile of the Teacher Association. Another Mon Teacher said "this is an act to damage our Mon National Education system". He asked not to mention his name for safety reasons. Many Mon teaches have been experienced various kinds of treat and pressure to leave to job by the Burmese soldiers in Mon Territory. ____________ Myanmar Times December 9-15 2002 16m to tackle AIDS, health, maternal care By Nwe Nwe Aye TheUnited Nations Population Fund has made a massive increase in financial aid for Myanmar, allocating US$16 million for the four years from 2002 to 2005. About $2.6 million had been provided this year by the UNFPA, which since 1995 had allocated about $1 million a year for projects in Myanmar. The head of the UNFPA’s Yangon office, Mr Najib Assifi, told Myanmar Times that the increased allocation followed a decision by the agency’s executive board in September last year to approve a special program of assistance for Myanmar. Mr Assifi said the program is aimed at reducing maternal mortality, providing educational programs on reproductive health and preventing the spread of HIV-AIDS. He said most of the funding, about $7 million, was aimed at expanding the availability of reproductive health services to a target of 110 townships by the end of 2005. The services are already available in 86 townships. Mr Assifi said more needed to be done to reduce Myanmar’s maternal death rate. The services are also aimed at increasing the number of ante-natal check-ups. "Ante-natal care is very low in Myanmar," said Mr Assifi, adding that at least four ante-natal check-ups were desirable to increase the chances of a safe delivery. He said the UNFPA was also providing about $3.5 million next year for new projects to curb the spread of HIV-AIDS and to create greater awareness among adolescents about a range of health issues. The HIV-AIDS project will promote condom use in 30 townships identified by the government’s National AIDS Program. The adolescent health awareness project will result in youth centres being set up in 30 townships in collaboration with Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association. Mr Assifi said the aim of the centres was to provide a relaxed environment where information could be provided to young people in an informal way. "They will include libraries and music lounges and we will invite specialists to give lectures and interactive presentations," he said. The balance of the funding will go towards research projects and reproductive health surveys. _______ DRUGS Washington Post December 18 2002 Reward for Burma's Anti-Drug Efforts Unlikely By Glenn Kessler The State Department has decided not to recommend that Burma be "certified" for its anti-narcotics programs, dealing a heavy blow to the repressive regime's efforts to improve ties with the United States, according to the Burmese government and congressional sources. Department officials, the leading advocates within the U.S. government for taking small steps to improve relations with Burma, had been close to recommending that the nation be rewarded for meeting anti-drug goals that the United States had set earlier in the year and made eligible for some drug eradication aid. But when news of the pending decision leaked last month, a series of negative editorials in newspapers in the United States and Asia, along with congressional protests, persuaded officials to reverse course, the sources said. The final determination is still up to the White House, but few expect President Bush to overturn the recommendation and risk congressional anger for a regime with few friends in the world. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the incoming Senate majority whip, sent national security adviser Condoleezza Rice a note last month that stressed the need to maintain a tough policy on Burma. In an unusual move, the Burmese government announced that it had been informed that its effort to win U.S. approval for its anti-drug efforts had been denied. In a statement issued by its Washington lobbyist, the country, also known as Myanmar, denounced the decision. "The denial comes after a massive effort by Myanmar to achieve a series of drug-eradication accomplishments, including significant decreases in opium production and cooperation with U.S. law enforcement authorities," said the statement, which added that "denial of U.S. certification followed an intense media and lobbying campaign in Washington by those who favored linking drug certification with political issues." "Drug traffickers and their associates will be pleased with the U.S. government's decision to remain on the sidelines in one of the world's largest narcotics control challenges," said Hla Min, a government spokesman. "Our regret is, without U.S. cooperation the time frame to totally eradicate drugs in Myanmar is significantly longer." In its statement, Burma suggested that a more rapid decrease in cutting opium poppy production would lead to a humanitarian crisis. But Burma is also the primary source of amphetamine-type stimulants in Asia, producing an estimated 800 million tablets per year. There is substantial evidence -- recently detailed in the Asian edition of Time magazine -- that the government is linked to major drug traffickers, including joint ventures with the military and frequent meetings between traffickers and junta leaders. "Given Burma's horrendous record on the drug front, it would have been an unmitigated disaster to take Burma off the list of the world's worst offenders on drugs," said Rep. Tom Lantos (Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House International Relations Committee. Officially, the State Department said no decision had been made. "The announcement, I would say, is premature at best," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. The Burmese government "may have formed an impression from some conversations," he added, "but we have a final determination to make over the next several months about whether or not they failed demonstrably to cooperate." _______ World Markets Analysis December 18 2002 Military Regime Fights to Have Myanmar's Status Changed onA,-US Drug-Producers List By Dr Tobias Nischalke Myanmar's military junta, notorious for its human rights violations, has devoted considerable resources to persuading the US State Department to upgrade the country's status on its blacklist of drug-producing countries. Myanmar claims that it has undertaken major efforts to reduce the production of opium, which is believed to be rampant in the country's inaccessible border areas. In recent weeks the regime has lobbied hard to gain an endorsement from the US State Department that it is co-operating in the fight against narcotics. The State Department today described as 'premature' statements from the Myanmar government that the country will be denied certification of co-operation. Along with Afghanistan, Myanmar has been regarded as the world's prime opium producer and many observers allege that elements within the military are benefiting directly from the drugs trade. Thailand has complained regularly that Myanmar's military is flooding Thailand with drugs, causing social instability; the US State Department is likely to take the position of its South-East Asian ally into account. _______ Agence France-Presse December 18 2002 US, Myanmar at odds over drugs status By Stephen Collinson Myanmar said Tuesday it had been told by the United States that it had not done enough to combat drugs production to be certified as cooperating in the fight against narcotics. But the State Department immediately denied that it had made a final recommendation, branding Myanmar's announcement, in a statement issued in Washington, as "premature at best." Any decision not to upgrade the US assessment of Myanmar's anti-narcotics performance would be a bitter blow to the military government's drive to get recognition for its anti-narcotics efforts. It would also be a disappointing return for a recent Myanmar charm offensive aimed at healing poisoned relations with the United States, which included the hiring of a Washington DC-based congressional lobbying firm. "The Government of Myanmar has been informed that its attempt to come into compliance with the US State Department's anti-narcotics program, and thus be certified by the Bush Administration for meeting certain basic anti-narcotics achievements, has been denied," the Myanmar statement said. "The denial comes after a massive effort by Myanmar to achieve a series of drug-eradication accomplishments including significant decreases in opium production and cooperation with US law enforcement authorities," it said. Yangon government spokesman Colonel Hla Min, said "our struggle to become a drug free society will continue on track, with or without American recognition for our efforts." But the State Department said no final determination had been made on whether Myanmar, in language set down by US legislation, had "failed demonstrably ...to make substantial efforts" to honor international anti-drugs agreements and other measures set out under US law. A certification that Myanmar had cooperated with the United States to reach minimum anti-narcotics benchmarks would clear the way for US anti-narcotics funding. "The announcement, I would say, is premature at best. We're going to be looking at the decisions involved to make final determinations in the next several months," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. Contacts on the issue take habitually take place with affected countries, and "Myanmar may have formed an impression from some conversations," Boucher said. A recommendation is made by the State Department on certification, but has to be cleared by the White House. No final decision is expected until at least next month. Myanmar has been campaigning in recent months to have its name taken off a US list of "major" producers altogether, and has won qualified American praise for its efforts to combat illegal narcotics production. It sent anti-drugs czar Colonel Kyaw Thein to Washington earlier this year, and has conducted a string of public events in which large quantities of seized narcotics have been torched. The Washington Post reported in November that there was debate within the administration on taking Myanmar off the major producers list. But Boucher said that such a move was not in the cards. "The question some have raised of removing Burma from what's called the Majors List is not under discussion and it's not being recommended or looked at," he said, using Myanmar's former name. "Also, we're not considering any bilateral narcotics assistance for Burma." US officials have nevertheless admitted that certain members of the military regime in Yangon are sincere about the anti-drugs drive, despite their fierce criticism of the government's record on human rights, economic management and political repression. Any change of drugs status for Myanmar has been fiercely resisted by supporters of the embattled opposition of Aung San Suu Kyi in the US Congress and the non-governmental organisation community. Campaigners fear that the junta would showcase its new status and portray it as international acceptance of its rule. MONEY The Guardian (London) December 18 2002 Rights activists put 70 firms on Burma 'dirty list' By Terry Macalister Nearly 70 companies including the Cordiant advertising agency, City law firm Norton Rose and Sea Containers, rail and holiday company, have been targeted by human rights activists for their activities in Burma. A "dirty list" of businesses whose operations are said to be helping to finance the military dictatorship in south east Asia is published today by the Burma Campaign. Activists are hoping that members of the public and investors will steer clear of these companies, putting pressure on them to break links with Burma. "Foreign investment helps finance a regime that uses rape, torture and murder to suppress its own people," Yvette Mahon, director of Burma Campaign UK, said. Cordiant is listed because it owns the global advertising company Bates which handles contracts for foreign investors in Burma. Similarly Norton Rose is targeted for providing legal help to investors in Burma. The bulk of the firms listed by the campaign are involved in the tourist trade where forced labour is said to have been used to build holiday infrastructure. This month Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratic opposition in Burma who was released from house arrest in May, repeated her call for foreign visitors to stay away. "We have not yet come to the point where we encourage people to come to Burma as tourists," she said. This has not stopped companies such as Abercrombie & Kent or Sea Containers' subsidiary Orient Express offering holidays to the area and not mentioning the repressive regime operating in Burma in their promotional literature. The Lonely Planet company which produces a travel guide is already facing boycott action for encouraging tourists. Sea Containers confirmed that its subsidiary offered river boat tours. "We leave it to the informed traveller to decide for themselves whether they want to visit Burma," said a spokesman. British American Tobacco, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and ABN Amro are also among the companies that appear on the "dirty list" along with Carnival Cruises. A "clean list" of companies including household names such as Bhs, Adidas and Carlsberg is also published today. The Burma Campaign is keen to publicise those firms which have taken a deliberate decision not to work in the area. REGIONAL Associated Press December 18 2002 Drunken elephants kill six in northeastern India By Wasbir Hussain Rampaging elephants drunk on rice beer killed six people in northeastern India, where the world's largest population of wild Asian elephants is running out of control, destroying crops and property. Herds of migratory elephants from neighboring Myanmar have crossed the border into India's Assam state, joining the Indian elephants already struggling to survive in the shrinking forest. Some farmers have resorted to killing the growing number of beasts. Last week, a herd of elephants descended on a tea plantation and broke down sheds to get to the traditional rice beer the tea-pickers had made, said Forest Minister Pradyut Bordoloi of the northeastern state of Assam. They feasted on the standing rice crops and ransacked homesteads, killing six people in the state's Tinsukia district, 570 kilometers (350 miles) east of the state capital, Gauhati. "They guzzled down fermented rice beer ... and ran amok, leading to the tragedy," Bordoloi told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday. Four other people were killed in the area earlier this month. Bordoloi expressed alarm at "the violent man-elephant conflict" and said authorities had begun a huge campaign to raise awareness at the plight of the elephants. According to the last elephant census in 1999, Assam had 5,400 wild elephants, more than half of India's 10,000 or more. Assam's is the world's largest concentration of Asiatic wild elephants. "In this part of the year, the problem increases because elephant herds from Myanmar migrate into Assam, making the state overflowing with them," Bordoloi said. Experts say the growing incidents of elephant attacks and destruction of property are due to shrinkage of their habitat as humans encroach into forest reserves and illegally cut down trees. In the past, villagers would drive occasional marauding herds away by beating drums or exploding firecrackers. Nowadays, the villagers kill the animals. Bordoloi said 27 adult wild elephants had been poisoned across Assam over the past two years. Five more, including calves, died after crowds chased them until they fell or died of exhaustion, he said. Another reason for the rise in the elephant population is the federal ban on their capture imposed in 1992. Before that, professional elephant catchers used to capture about 200 elephants a year. They were sold to individuals or exchanged with zoos. "That kept the population in check," said Bordoloi. ____________ Kaladan News December 18 2002 BURMESE JUNTA LEADER REACHED DHAKA YESTERDAY The Burmese junta leader Gen. Than Shwe, also the chairman of Myanmar’s SPDC, arrived Dhaka yesterday morning for a two-day state visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Prime Minister Beguym Kahleda Zia received Gen. Than Shwe and Madame Kyaing Kyaing when they arrive Zia International Airport by a special flight of Myanmar Airways International at about 10:35am. Myanmar PM is leading a 54 member delegation that included his wife, two daughters and ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Industries and Commerce. Myanmar PM was given a red-carpet reception on his arrival. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services presented a guard of honor and gave 21 gun salutes. Bangladesh and Myanmar reached total understanding on road link between the two countries and decided to set up two task forces for studying technical and financial feasibilities in this regard. One agreement and MOU were also signed between the two countries yesterday following the formal talks of PM Begum Khaleda Zia with the visiting Myanmar PM Senior Gen. Than Shwe. Foreign ministers of two countries signed the agreement on Culture Cooperation between the two countries and the MOU on Annual Consultation between two foreign ministers. The Cultural accord aims at promoting and strengthening relations in different fields including art, music, education, research, media and tourism. During the talks, Bangladesh side said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar can be boosted, if border trade facilities can be expanded. Begum Zia stressed on concluding agreements on avoidance of double taxation and arrangement of coastal shipping of the benefit of the both countries. In response, Gen. Than Shwe said he would instruct his officials to look into the suggestions. Repatriation of some 22,000 Rohingya refugees, who are still staying in Bangladesh, also camp up for discussion. Shwe told Begum Zia that his Government is committed to solve the issue through dialogue. “Than Shwe was positive on Rohingya issue, he expressed willingness to take back remaining refugees from Bangladesh through proper way” the Foreign Secretary Mr. Shamser Mobin told a questioner. “The Myanmar leader also assured that his Govt. would support and help Bangladesh to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN”, the Foreign Secretary said. During the talks, Than Shwe apprised Begum Zia about the prevailing political situation in his country and said his Govt. has no intention to deny democratic rights of the people. “Presently, Myanmar is in a transition period to democracy”, he pointed out. ______ Nation December 18 2002 Sulak loses round one of legal fight In a setback to opponents of the Yadana gas pipeline, the Constitution Court ruled yesterday that PTT Plc's legal action against social critic Sulak Sivaraksa and other protesters at a construction site was not in violation of the Constitution. Constitution Court judges voted 12 to 1 that PTT could cite the Petroleum Act of BE 2521 in suing Sulak and others for obstructing construction of the pipeline, court chairman Jul Atirek said. Sulak and other activists formed a human chain and staged a sit-in protest in Kanchanaburi's Thong Pha Phum district against the project, which links Thailand and Burma. After PTT sued him and others, Sulak petitioned the Constitution Court through a criminal court, saying that the firm's action violated the Constitution's articles 35, 44 and 46, which allow members of the public to stage peaceful protests and take action to preserve natural resources. Jul said that although the PTT had become a public company, it still enjoyed the same rights as when it was a state enterprise. PTT was previously a state enterprise known as the Petroleum Authority of Thailand. With yesterday's ruling, it now depends on the criminal court to rule on the PTT case against Sulak and his group, Jul told a press conference yesterday. When asked whether the judgement would be a setback to the conservation movement, Jul said the court had merely referred to the Constitution without taking other factors into consideration. According to the Petroleum Act, anyone found to have obstructed the operation of one of its projects could face imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of no more than Bt1,000, or both. The 238-kilometre Yadana pipeline was built between 1996 and 1998. It carries natural gas from Burma across the border to an electrical power plant in Ratchaburi province which has been operating since October 2000. _____ Narinjara News December 18 2002 Burma Bangladesh on a new course: Improved relations and road link Burma and Bangladesh have agreed to establish road links at a prime ministerial level talk held yesterday. The two countries would sponsor two technical and financial taskforces to conduct feasibility studies on the Dhaka to Rangoon road link shortly, reported the local press. The Burmese leader said that Burma is ready for the establishment of road links. Prime minister of Burma and chairman of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) junta senior general Than Shwe arrived at Dhaka Tuesday morning on a two-day state visit as the head of a 55 member delegation. He was given a warm reception by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the Zia International airport. Burmese junta leader was given a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute on his arrival. Just before the official dialogue, the two leaders had a twenty minute long informal discussion at the Prime Minister's Office. Present in the occasion were Foreign Minister and the chief secretary. An agreement was reached when the Bangladesh side formally proposed for establishment of road links between the two countries in the bilateral talked. Both sides agreed to set off two task forces in this regard. On repatriation of Rohingya refugees the Burmese side expressed their determination to take all of them back through bilateral and normal course within a short time. Besides road link the two sides also agreed on coastal shipping agreement, stepping up border trade and easier visa procedures for the business community and doing away with the double-taxation that sometimes pose obstacles to smooth trade between the two countries. They also agreed to set up a joint business council. In the light of the success of a Bangladeshi Trade Fair in Rangoon, Burma announced to hold a Burmese trade fair in Dhaka. On including Bangladesh as a dialogue partner of ASEAN, Burma ensured that it not only supports the proposition but also would like to discuss with the other members of the regional forum on this regard. Agreement was also reached on improved bilateral trade. At the end of the official talks, foreign ministers of the two countries signed deals on two agreements: that the foreign ministers of the two countries would officially meet at least once a year to discuss bilateral issues in the two capitals, and that there would be promotion in the fields including arts, culture, scientific research, media and tourism development. The Burmese junta leader reached Dhaka on a two-day official visit at 10.40 am. Four air force fighter planes guarded the specially chartered plane carrying the guests. Bangladeshi prime minister welcomed the distinguished guests at the VVIP tarmac. A smartly turned out contingent of members of the air force, armed force and navy gave a guard of honour to the prime ministers. Among the 55 member delegation are the wife of the Burmese junta leader, two daughters, secretary 1 of SPDC junta, and other higher officials. >From the airport the Burmese delegation went to the National Mausoleum at Savar Nabinagar and paid homage to the martyrs of the liberation war of Bangladesh. The junta leader also planted a medicinal plant there. He attended a banquet at Bangabhavan hosted by the Bangladeshi prime minister. In the evening the two heads of state held a formal bilateral talk at the Prime Minister's Office. At a press conference held later in the office of the foreign minister the foreign secretary Shamser Mabin Chowdhury said that the talks was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The visit, he hoped, would strengthen the historical and friendly relations of the two countries. The secretary said that Madame Zia remembered the state visit of the late Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman, her deceased husband, in July 1977. The Burmese leader remembered the late president with a deep sense of honour and mentioned him as a great leader in the region. This was the first official visit of a high-ranking leader of Burma in the last sixteen years. The Burmese leader gave assurance to keep "Burma's door" always open to the bilateral trade, and increased trade and economic activities with Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi Prime Minister proposed poverty alleviation, development, rule of law, establishment of a corruption-free society and other related fields of development. She also stressed on her government's deep commitment to develop friendly relations with the neighbours and the world at large. She said that the trade has made headway, but there was a need for changing the accounting system for the trade. She also requested for extending visa to the Bangladeshi businessmen for up to six months and to facilitate travelling up to Sittwe with a border pass. The Burmese leader also said that his government is firmly resolved to establish democracy. He also mentioned about the presence of an interim arrangement in this regard. He expressed his satisfaction at the measures taken by the Bangladeshi government concerning the (Burmese) separatists and thanked her for the measures taken. To the proposal of the repatriation of the Rohingyas he agreed to take measures to repatriate them soon through agreement by discussion. At the end the prime minister of Bangladesh accepted the invitation of the Burmese junta leader to visit Burma. Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh to a question said that most of the Rohingya refugees have returned while the rest few would be soon repatriated through bilateral discussions between the two countries. But he did not mention any time frame for when would the repatriation take place. He also assured that the Burmese side have given clearance for five thousand Rohingya refugees out of the 22,000 remaining in the camps. To another question he said that the proposed road link with Burma is not related to the Asian Highway. But he said that Bangladesh wants to get linked with ASEAN by establishing road links with Burma. Bangladesh hoped to benefit from the proposed road link as it would open up trade up to the ASEAN countries and China through Burma. For repatriation of Bangladeshi prisoners in Burma he said that, there were four prisoners there while two have already been repatriated. The Burmese junta leader would call on the President of Bangladesh, Iaz Uddin Ahmed, this afternoon and join a lunch party hosted in his honour. Besides this the trade ministers of the two countries will meet today. The Burmese prime minister leaves for home this evening. INTERNATIONAL Irrawaddy December 18 2002 International Migrant Day Recognized By Naw Seng and Tony Broadmoor As the fifth anniversary of International Migrant Day is being celebrated all over the world today through a variety of photo exhibitions, panel discussions and public information drives, Burmese migrants continue to flow into Thailand due to forced labor, food shortages and a decaying economy. Neither Burma nor Thailand, which is home to over one million Burmese migrant workers, are holding ceremonies to mark the day, which was established five years ago and first recognized by the UN in 2000. The Kuala Lumpur-based Burmese Migrant Forum is holding a special session today to look at Burmese migrants in Malaysia, Burma’s internal situation as well as the status of migrants along the Thai-Malaysia border. Similar programs are being held in The Philippines, Spain, Israel, The UK and Nepal. Groups of villagers from Burma’s Tenasserim Division, however, recently fled to Thailand due to forced portering by the Burmese military, according to villagers from Mayan Chaung Village in Tenasserim Division. According to a report by the BBC Burmese service, this recent influx suggests continued forced labor as well as portering in rural areas. One villager said they must porter for soldiers every two weeks. Sources from Thailand opposite Burma's Shan State said migrant arrivals have been on the rise. One man estimated that over 200 people have been coming in each month, the majority being in their youth—including graduated students. A corn farmer from southern Shan State, who recently came to Thailand said, "We can't survive due to the authority's taxes and extortion." Farmers in Burma’s Mon State have also been fleeing to Thailand after flooding wiped out their rice crops. They reportedly left not only due to a lack of food but also because they could not supply the government with rice rations. Analysts say, thousands of other Burmese migrants will be heading to Thailand in the coming months due to soaring commodity prices, rampant unemployment and massive flooding. And on Monday of this week, more than 95 Burmese workers were arrested in Thailand's Tak Province, while being smuggled to Bangkok. In 1997, Filipino and Asian migrant organizations began celebrating and promoting December 18th as International Migrant Day. This day was chosen because the UN adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on December 18, 1990. STATEMENTS U.S. Department of State December 17 2002 Excerpt: Cooperation with US Anti-Narcotics Efforts Daily Press Briefing Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC TRANSCRIPT: QUESTION: This morning, the Burmese Government announced that they had been told by the United States that the administration would not certify them as cooperating fully with international and US efforts to combat narcotics production. First of all, can you confirm it and maybe give us some details of where exactly the Burmese were judged to be deficient? MR. BOUCHER: No, I can't give you that. The announcement, I would say, is premature at best. We're going to be looking at the decisions involved, make final determinations in the next several months. The question that some have raised of removing Burma from what's called the Majors List is not under discussion and it's not being recommended or looked at. Also, we're not considering any bilateral narcotics assistance for Burma. The issue that has to be decided, because the law has changed and this list is being compiled and done differently than in previous years, is whether Burma has failed demonstrably, is the language of the law. Based on specific objectives given to Burma to make substantial efforts to adhere to international counternarcotics agreements and to take the counternarcotics measures specified in US law. And so that's an issue we'll be looking at with Burma and others over the next several months. QUESTION: I mean, have you any idea why the Burmese have got the impression that they've been -- that they've kind of -- MR. BOUCHER: I don't know if we've had any conversations with them about it as we go forward with this process. We often do contact governments and try to understand what they've done or they haven't done. So they may have formed an impression from some conversations. But, as I said, we have a final determination to make over the next several months about whether or not they failed demonstrably to cooperate.