What’s Asean’s real policy towards its troublesome member, Burma? Officially it’s still the much-criticized “constructive engagement.” But when the international heat is on the entrenched Burmese military regime, as it is now, the regional grouping somewhat changes its tune.
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Southeast Asian nations on Friday demanded that military-ruled Myanmar expedite democratic reforms and free Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, in the strongest display yet of their growing frustration with the junta.
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Published December 7, 2005

For the first time the Burmese military authorities have showed concern over increasing HIV infection. It held a meeting in Three Pagoda Pass yesterday to assess HIV infection in the town. The doctor in-charge revealed that only 30 percent of the people used condoms.

While this is the first occasion that the Burmese authorities have evinced interest in finding out about increasing HIV infection in the area their Thai counterparts are doing whatever they can to prevent spread of HIV.

Dr.Soe Win, in charge of the Health Department in Three Pagoda said at the meeting, “We have to check HIV cases here because HIV infection is spreading.”

Burma has not bothered to list HIV patients. More than 30 patients from here have asked for help from Thai NGOs, Pattanarak Foundation. The Foundation has launched a strong campaign for prevention of HIV.

“HIV patients do not admit to being infected due to fear of bring ostracised by society. Therefore it is difficult to prevent spread of HIV infection,” Dr. Soe Win said during his speech.

The Burmese military government has failed to set up safe houses for HIV patients. But some safe houses have been opened in the Thai side for HIV patients.

“Some patients are helpless. They have no relatives. Even if they do have relatives they do not care. Some were sent to us,” said Naw Paw Lu Lu who has six HIV patients from the Three Pagoda Pass area in her safe house.

Naw Paw Lu Lu’s safe house was started in 1993 for helping Burmese migrant workers who were sick and helpless. It was set up in the Thai side, in Sangkhalaburi district near the Thai-Burma border. It is located about 20 kilometres south of Three Pagoda Pass.

According to a community leader, the authorities had done precious little to prevent spread of HIV. There was no strong policy decision on this and neither was there an awareness programme.

There are about 70 sex workers working in brothels and no one is listed. Again it is easy to access Amphetamine in Three Pagoda Pass.

Published December 8, 2005

Burmese fishermen detained at Pattalaboo Prison on the Indian Andaman Islands, have been suffering from many kinds of disease and some of them had died as a result.
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An eight-member Chinese delegation, traveling the old silk route to Bangladesh, is waiting on the China-Burma border to enter while Burmese officials stall over giving them permission.
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Myanmar’s military government told foreign diplomats on Friday that their countries can start building embassies in the country’s new capital by the end of 2007, but it is up to them whether they move or not.
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Aung Moe proudly notes that the jewelry she sells in Yangon’s Bogyoke Aung San Market is all made of locally produced jade.
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In a ruse which has been tried successfully earlier, the Burmese military junta is offering economic incentives to Arakanese insurgents who are willing to surrender, says a local source.
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A headman recently elected by one of the six quarters of Muse, opposite China’s Ruili, has been forced to take a backseat to the one chosen by Rangoon’s local authorities, reports Hawkeye from the border:
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