First Government Head Meets Suu Kyi

Thailand’s prime minister holds talks with the opposition figure who says she is anxious to get elected.

Aung San Suu Kyi (L) speaks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Rangoon, Dec. 21, 2011.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held unprecedented talks on Wednesday with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who conveyed her eagerness to get elected and lead the country, according to Yingluck’s spokeswoman.

The talks were held during a two-day visit to Burma, making Yingluck the first ever head of state to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest for most of the past two decades until her release a year ago.

Yingluck’s spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang told RFA that the discussions were primarily held in order to “get to know each other.”

“Aung San Suu Kyi [said] she would like to manage the country and she wants to be elected—she would like to win the election, but that it depends on the people. So Prime Minister Yingluck cheered Aung San Suu Kyi on to get the win,” Thitima said.

Aung San Suu Kyi is preparing to stand as a candidate in a by-election in early 2012. She could not participate in landmark general elections held in November last year as she was released by the then-ruling military junta after the polls.

Yingluck also asked Aung San Suu Kyi about her goals as head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, the spokeswoman said.

“Aung San Suu Kyi told us that she wants to use the ideas and opinions of the people as the fundamental [strategy] and would like to make benefits for the people and would like to cooperate with the people,” she said.

Yingluck met with the Nobel laureate at 7:30 p.m. in Rangoon after meeting with Burmese President Thein Sein earlier in the day, Information Committee member of Aung Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party Ohn Kyaing told RFA.

"Aung San Suu Kyi and the Thai prime minister met at the Thai ambassador's residence for nearly an hour. They talked very friendly and frankly," he said, without providing further details of their discussion.

The pro-democracy leader also discussed national reconciliation in Burma and relations with neighboring countries, particularly neighbor Thailand.

“She said [that no matter whether a] short- or long-term [bilateral] relationship, we should take it seriously … because we have to stay with people. People from these countries have to meet with people of the other countries—this is her idea,” Thitima said.

Aung San Suu Kyi stressed to Yingluck that Burma and Thailand should work together to set an example.

Leaders meet

Earlier, Yingluck met with President Thein Sein in the capital Naypyidaw where she had been attending the 4th General Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) Summit to discuss development of land transport in the region.

The GMS comprises Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and China.

In addition to energy and transport proposals, Yingluck also discussed a number of humanitarian issues with Thein Sein, according to spokeswoman Thitima.

Burma agreed to reopen the border crossing at Myawaddy and to release eight Thai prisoners from Kawthaung prison.

The Thai prime minister expressed her hope that reforms would continue in Burma and congratulated Thein Sein on initiating peace accords with ethnic armed groups located in the country’s remote border regions.

Yingluck informed Thein Sein that Thailand would repair the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge and a connecting road in Myawaddy as requested by Burma, and asked for support on a plan to develop a roadway from the Dawei industrial complex in southern Burma to western Thailand.

Both countries also pledged to increase their joint offshore gas production in Burma.

Thaksin backing

Yingluck’s visit to Burma was initially explored by her brother, ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a trip to the country last week, the Bangkok Post reported Tuesday.

Thaksin told the Post in a telephone interview from Dubai, where he lives in self-imposed exile, that he travelled to Burma last Thursday and visited Thein Sein and former military junta chief Than Shwe.

He said that he helped to smooth the way for Yingluck to visit with Aung San Suu Kyi and that the meeting shows the importance Burma places on relations with Thailand. Burmese leaders have never before allowed the heads of other countries to hold a sit down with the opposition leader.

"Relations between Thailand and Burma have never faded since my time. I never used a stick to deal with Burma like the superpowers did. I always used a carrot to deal with it," Thaksin told the Post.

He also said that as prime minister, he had once offered Burma an opportunity to use Bangkok as a venue to draw up its constitution and a stage from which to plead its case to Western countries for lifting economic sanctions against it.

Critics say Thailand’s plan to build transport and energy ties with Burma may ultimately end up lining the pockets of Thaksin and his closest allies.

During his tenure between 2001 and 2004, Thaksin’s government invested heavily in land transport, energy, and telecommunications development in then-military ruled Burma.

He specifically ordered the Thai Foreign Ministry to help Burma secure a 4 billion baht (U.S. $127.7 million) loan from the Export-Import Bank of Thailand to buy equipment from his telecoms empire.

When asked by RFA about Thaksin’s previous business dealing with the Than Shwe regime in Burma, Yingluck spokeswoman Thitima refused to answer any further questions and ended the interview.

Suu Kyi Urges Japan to Promote Democracy in Burma

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has urged Japan to strengthen Burma’s democratic institutions as Tokyo launches a fresh engagement initiative with Naypyidaw that promises more investment for economic and social development.
“If democratic institutions are strengthened in the country, economic development will be stronger too,” Suu Kyi told reporters at a press briefing after she met Japanese Foreign Minister Kocihiro Gemba at her lakeside house in Rangoon on Monday evening.
“Therefore, I hope Japan will consider strengthening democratic institutions in the country while it aids humanitarian works as well as social and economic development,” she added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, left, at a press briefing in Rangoon with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Nobel Laureate also emphasized the importance of national reconciliation, resolving civil wars and maintaining peace for the development of democracy in the country. And she added that humanitarian aid and development should reach all ethnic minority areas equally.Gemba held a meeting with President ex-Gen Thein Sein in Naypyidaw and Suu Kyi in Rangoon, indicating that the East Asian superpower is looking for investment opportunities in Burma.
He said that Japan wants to help Burma fight poverty and that the two nations agreed to discuss a treaty to protect Japanese investments in the country.
Apart from investment and help combating poverty, Japan will also provide aid for Burma’s health, education and agriculture sectors, claimed Gemba.
Gemba also met his Burmese counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin in Naypyidaw on Monday before flying to Rangoon.
“This visit will be a big turning point for Japan-Burma relations,” Gemba was quoted by Kyodo News Agency as telling Wunna Maung Lwin.
On the meetings between Thein Sein and Gemba, state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported: “They cordially discussed matters related to bilateral multi-faceted cooperation, including strengthening of bilateral friendly ties, bilateral economic cooperation, seeking of ways and means to render assistance by Japan, encouragement and assistance for Myanmar’s democratization, national reconciliation and bilateral culture exchanges.”
Gemda is the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Burma since 2002. His visit came after a Japanese delegation, led by Kimihiro Ishikane, deputy director-general of the Japan Foreign Ministry’s Southeast & Southwest Affairs on Official Development Assistance (ODA), last month.
Both sides talked about the new Naypyidaw government's development policies and Japan’s assistance programs through ODA for sustainable economic development in Burma, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although Japan is keen to invest in Burma and cooperate with the Burmese government to achieve development, Burma’s tentative moves towards democratization and protecting human rights have also been significant in Tokyo's policy of providing assistance.
“Japan believes that it is important for Myanmar, having just recently shifted to civilian rule, to become a democratic nation based on a market economy and social stability,” said a statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 28.
“Therefore, Japan intends to implement economic cooperation while watching for improvements in democratization and human rights situations.”
Burma is one of the areas in which Japan has used “ODA diplomacy” effectively. From 1960 to 1988, Japan was the main contributor of development aid to the Southeast Asian nation—a value totaling US $2.1 billion including compensation for the Japanese occupation during World War II.
However, Japan stopped ODA to Burma in 1988 in reaction to the military junta's coup and brutal crackdown on the democracy uprising. But Japan still assisted Burma in less direct methods—such as loans for Rangoon International Airport and the Baluchaung Hydropower project in Karenni State.
From 1991 to 2003, Japanese aid to Burma totaled over 900 billion yen and was closely aligned to democratic reforms.
Tokyo decided to approve the airport loan following Suu Kyi's release from her first house arrest in 1995, and the hydropower project aid was offered after her subsequent release from house arrest in 2002.

BGB increases raids in border areas to curb Malaysia sea voyagers

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Since the accident of December 14, a series of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) raids in Burma-Bangladesh border---Teknaf and Shapuri Dip---and have prevented a number of boats from illegally setting sail, said a local trader from Shapuri Dip.

According to police, dozens of wooden boats overloaded with Rohingyas and Bangladeshi migrants, have attempted to go to Thailand or Malaysia since October after the monsoon came to an end.

On December 14, a boat carrying 110 boatpeople - mostly Rohingya community - capsized in the Bay of Bengal, some of them died and some were missing.

Bangladesh authorities have deployed secret agents along the border to see any move by traffickers to get sea voyagers into the boats to attempt the risky journey to Malaysia, said an aide of BGB from Teknaf.

“However, many boats have avoided Bangladesh authorities and went to Thailand and Malaysia.”

There are over 28,000 registered refugees, who live in two official Nayapara and Kutupalong UN camps. But, there are about 200,000 to 300,000 "unofficial" refugees, according to government official.

Refugees, by utter frustration in the un-official camps, mostly they try to attempt the boat trip to Thailand or Malaysia. “We have no food, no education, and no health and even we have no security in the camp,” said a refugee preferring to be named said. 

“The risky sea journey is better than the unpleasantness and starvation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Refugees know that the trip is like a suicide. But do we have any alternative?”

Bangladesh stopped an UN-managed program to help Rohingya refugees resettle in third countries last year.

“We went to Malaysia as we think that Malaysia is the best country for carving out a new life. The huge majority hopes to secure unregistered work as manual laborers on construction sites,” said another refugee leader.

“The boatpeople knew that their journey was risky such as--- the threat of capsize and drowning in the sea and the arrest of Thai authorities, if their boats go astray into Thai territorial waters. So, it is a big question that why do the Rohingyas go to Malaysia leaving their motherland?”

UN described that Rohingya community is one of the most persecuted minorities on earth.

46 sea voyagers arrested in Cox’s Bazar district

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Coast Guard arrested 23 Malaysia sea voyagers on December 24, night nearby Saint Martin Island while going to Malaysia by a fishing trawler and police arrested 23 sea voyagers in Cox’s bazar while boarding to a fishing trawler on December 25, said a fisherman from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.

“A fishing trawler with more people was suspected, chased and seized by coast guard on December 24 which was going to the deep sea crossing nearby Saint Martin Island,” according to Coast Guard official. 

According to one of the boatpeople, “We were boarding to an engine boat since December 20, from Soyonkhali river of Sokoria upazila under the Cox’s Bazar district for Malaysia sea voyage. But, the engine was stopped and the trawler has been floating in the sea for three days after giving trouble by engine.”

“A fishing boat rescued us but dalal (agent) accompanied by driver (Maji) taking their equipment fled to the seashore by taking another boat at night.”

“The arrestees are - 11 Rohingyas and 12 Bangladeshis who were handed over to the Teknaf police station, filing a case against sea voyagers.”

“The Coast Guards are red alert for 24 hours for human trafficking from the Bay of Bengal to Malaysia,” said Coast Guard officer Masood Sickdar of Saint Martin.

In addition, on December 24, at about 8:30 pm, another Rohingya Mohamed Abu Taher (22), son of late Mohamed Ismail, hailed from Akyab (Sittwe) accompanied by one Bangladeshi was arrested by BGB of Shapuri Dip when driving an engine boat at the Bangladesh side. He has no any document. Later, they were sent to Teknaf police station, said BGB Company Commander Shabuddin.

Similarly, police arrested 23 more Malaysia-bound people, including 13 Bangladeshis and 10 Burmese nationals, from different areas of the Cox’s Bazar town early yesterday.

Of them six were held at Bak Khali`r Ghat in Nuniarchhara, one was held at Shahid Swaranir More and the rest were rounded up from Al Farid Hotel in Laldighir Par area after midnight.

Of the arrestees, five hailed from Jessore, two from Bogra, two from Pabna, four from Narsingdi and the rest, including the two brokers, are Burmese nationals.

The boatpeople have to pay Taka 20,000 to 30,000 per each to the agent in advance and the rest money (Taka 70,000)  will be paid after reaching at Thailand or Malaysia, said another boatpeople.  

Police said sea voyagers were gathering at the Ghat of Cox’s Bazar from different parts of the town as part of their plan to get on a boat and sail for Malaysia at dead of night with the aim to illegally enter the South-East Asian country.

No rests passengers vehicles in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The passengers’ vehicles which ply from Maungdaw – Anndin are not able to take a rest in Maungdaw south after arriving, said a driver from Maungdaw.

“The Officer of Burma border security force (Nasaka) camp number 18 of Inndin is requisitioned the passengers’ vehicles which arrived in Inndin and kept the vehicles with security personnel whole night where the officer didn’t pay anything.” 

“Aung Zaw Min, Sub-lieutenant, the officer in charge, is giving order to requisition the passengers’ vehicles.”

The security personnel move with requisition vehicles whole night and where the driver and staff are not able to take a rest to work the next day and the security personnel didn’t pay anything to the driver for vehicles, said an officer from village administration office.

“The security personnel used the vehicles to move around the Thawin Chaung (Baara) and Tinnbawkway (Khudaung) which far from camp 18 of Inndin.”

“No vehicles want to ply Maungdaw- Inndin route for security personnel requisition and haven’t able to take a rest in the night while the vehicles are in Inndin. The local people are facing more difficult to go and back Maungdaw and Inndin.”

“Sometimes, the motorcycles are also requisition by security personnel for their personnel purpose and the cycles owners have to full fuel the tank of cycles.”

In the camp, there are motorcycles for use of camp, but the security personnel are using public cycles to use for ther personnel, said a trader who always ply to Maungdaw  for his business.

Camp Security police harass refugees intolerable

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Camp security police inspector Nurul Islam unnecessarily has been harassing the refugees of Nayapara official camp since he was transferred to the camp, said a refugee elder from the camp.

“The police inspector Nurul Islam poked Ms Hamida Khatun’s private organ with a stick on December 12 which was intolerable behavior for a female in social society for disregarded of his order by her husband.”

“Hamida (30), wife of Shabbir Ahmed, MRC # 23140, Block B/1012/ 4 of Nayapara official camp.”

Shabbir Ahmed was summoned to the police outpost of refugee camp by camp security police inspector Nurul Islam on December 12 as he was implicated in a false and fabricated stealing case where Shabbir did not go to the office of Inspector Nurul Islam which made police Inspector very angry with the victim’s husband, said a relative of Shabbir from the camp. 

“Hamida Khatun – wife of Shabbir Ahmed - was called to police officer office at about 8:00 pm for not appearing of shabbir. Police officer scolded very roughly and poked her private organ with a stick when she had reached at police officer office.After that, she was let to go to her shed. She was seriously wounded in her private organ that she did not dare to expose it because of shame and did not give any objection to the higher authority immediately.”

The inspector also threatened to Hamida Khatun, “I am a freedom fighter, no one can give me any harm.”

The inspector has been harassing to other refugees also since he was transferred here, a female refugee said preferring not to be named.

Later,Hamid gave a written complaint to the Camp-in-Charge against the police officer, but there is no action against the officer.

A refugee leader said, “We have been suffering here by police and local as well as we had suffered in Burma.”

Besides, on December 20, Mushana Begum (32), wife of Nurul Amin, MRC # Z-1643; Block# E/943/3, Nayapara official camp, was severely scolded, even she was called a prostitute by the said inspector for being late to enter  the camp ( at about 5:30 pm) after visiting the Leda refugee camp, but forced her standing position from 5:40 pm to 10:30 pm in officer office, said a close relative of Ms Mushana.     

Moreover, on December 24, Zubair, the secretary, the management committee of Nayapara camp, was severely humiliated by a police patrol group led by Saiful Islam for being late to locate a room in the camp, in which three Rohingyas came from Burma to see their relatives. Police wanted to arrest them.  But, the secretary did not know the exact location of the room, so he wanted to take time to know exact location. Therefore, he was late to say the exact location. This patrol party was also sent by inspector Nurul Islam, said a refugee leader from the camp.

BGB pushes back Rohingya to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) pushed back Rohingya to Burma on December 26, said a local from Teknaf.

“The pushed back Rohingyas were arrested at Whykong BGB check-post while they were going to Cox’s Bazar with vehicles.”

The BGB arrested them from different vehicles which were going to Cox;s Bazar from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, according to official.

“The arrested and pushed back Rohingyas are:- Abdu Sukkur, Nurul Alam, Abu Jamir, Mohamed Noor, Mohamed Jasim, Nabi Hussain, Ledu Meah, Mohamed Reiz and Abdul Majid.”

“BGB pushed back the Rohingya at about 3:00pm from Lamba Bill exit point under Teknaf police station,” according to Major Shamsuzaman Mohamed Ariful Islam, the operation officer from Battalion 42.

On the other hand, BGB arrested three Rohingyas from Shapuri Dip under Teknaf police station and pushed back to Burma on December 25, sources said

Judgments come from Nasaka Head office: Maungdaw Magistrate

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Most of the judgments come from Burma border security force (Nasaka) head office, stated U Khin Zaw ,Maungdaw Magistrate to the lawyers who are working in the Maungdaw law court.

“We are just reading the judgment in the court after hearing the case which had come to us from Nasaka head office.”

The statement came out after hearing a case of a young Rohingya –Syed Ali son of Ali Akbar hailed from block number 2 - where all the witness and medical reports favorer to him, but the court sentenced him five years and six months on December 23, said a lawyer from Maungdaw law court.

The false case – communicating a young girl - was filed against by block administration officer with Nasaka personnel. The Rohingya community in Maungdaw is not allowed to meet or communicate a girl which the authorities made it as a crime.

“The authority forced him with allegation of meeting with a girl at night and filed a case which sentenced him five and half year jail from Maungdaw law court.”

“But, the judgment had come to law court from Naska head office to read the judgment in the public after hearing the case,” said an officer from court.

“We are just sitting at court and the judgment comes from Nasaka head office and other concerned authority which we are reading at the court room.”

The authority mention, it is a crime for talking and meeting between young boy and young girl. It is free for young generation in 21 century and every can talk and meet anywhere if the boy and girl agree on it as per article number 16 of Universal Declaration Human Rights (UDHR).