Residents of Meepya village in Kyauk Tan township, Rangoon, have been forced to work on a reconstruction project in order to receive aid materials given by private donors.
The villagers were told they would not receive the supplies unless they contributed labour to rebuild a dam that was damaged in the cyclone.
About 500 households in Meepya village, which is located on an estuary, were damaged in the cyclone, leaving many people homeless.
The village received assistance from private donors, but village Peace and Development Council chairperson U Aye Kyaw Myint and other members of the council seized the items and forced villagers to work on the dam on 26 May in return for aid.
Villagers were angered by the demands, particularly as the PDC had already collected around 4.5 million kyat from local businesses and residents for the reconstruction of the dam but were not putting the funds to their designated use.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Labourers forced to work on seized cyclone lands
Jun 24, 2008 (DVB)–Government authorities have forced unemployed people across Burma to work for low pay cultivating farmlands seized from cyclone victims in the Irrawaddy delta, according to locals.
A resident of Bogalay told DVB daily paid labourers from Mandalay had been brought to the township in military trucks in recent days by people wearing Union Solidarity and Development Association clothing to work on farmlands seized by the authorities after their owners were killed during the cyclone in May.
"Apparently the labourers were told they were to give assistance to farmers in devastated areas," said the Bogalay resident.
"The people are from Mandalay – the authorities demanded one person from each household in their neighbourhood."
He said government authorities had claimed ownership of farmlands left without owners after the cyclone but they have also been seizing land belonging to farmers who survived the cyclone.
"They were also seizing plots owned by farmers who are still alive, which are located in between the ownerless lands," he said.
He added that more labourers had been brought into the area from Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar township with a promise of 10,000 kyat for a day's work, but they were only given 1000 kyat a day after starting work on the Bogalay farms.
"Between 400 and 500 labourers were seen this morning at the port area – they said they had to sign agreement letters with the authorities and they couldn’t leave until they finished all the work," he said.
"They want to go back to their homes now but they have no money to travel and they don't get proper meals either – some even had their ID cards taken away by the officials."
A resident of Hlaing Tharyar township said the local USDA had been persuading people in the township to go and work in the Irrawaddy delta.
"A female USDA member in ward 14 told people here the labourers would be paid 10,000 kyat a day for cleaning out shrimp breeding tanks in the Irrawaddy delta," the resident said.
"Of the first group of about 100 people who went to work there, 90 people have already come back here as they couldn't stand the rotting smell and the presence of the spirits of lost souls."
A resident of Bogalay told DVB daily paid labourers from Mandalay had been brought to the township in military trucks in recent days by people wearing Union Solidarity and Development Association clothing to work on farmlands seized by the authorities after their owners were killed during the cyclone in May.
"Apparently the labourers were told they were to give assistance to farmers in devastated areas," said the Bogalay resident.
"The people are from Mandalay – the authorities demanded one person from each household in their neighbourhood."
He said government authorities had claimed ownership of farmlands left without owners after the cyclone but they have also been seizing land belonging to farmers who survived the cyclone.
"They were also seizing plots owned by farmers who are still alive, which are located in between the ownerless lands," he said.
He added that more labourers had been brought into the area from Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar township with a promise of 10,000 kyat for a day's work, but they were only given 1000 kyat a day after starting work on the Bogalay farms.
"Between 400 and 500 labourers were seen this morning at the port area – they said they had to sign agreement letters with the authorities and they couldn’t leave until they finished all the work," he said.
"They want to go back to their homes now but they have no money to travel and they don't get proper meals either – some even had their ID cards taken away by the officials."
A resident of Hlaing Tharyar township said the local USDA had been persuading people in the township to go and work in the Irrawaddy delta.
"A female USDA member in ward 14 told people here the labourers would be paid 10,000 kyat a day for cleaning out shrimp breeding tanks in the Irrawaddy delta," the resident said.
"Of the first group of about 100 people who went to work there, 90 people have already come back here as they couldn't stand the rotting smell and the presence of the spirits of lost souls."
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the 63rd Birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 63rd birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma:
"The 63rd birthday today of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma offers an opportunity to remind the world community of the continuing tragedy in her country and the responsibility we have to press for change there.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Burma's 1988 democracy movement and of Daw Suu's emergence as its inspirational leader. She has sacrificed family and ultimately her freedom to remain true to her people and the cause of liberty. And she has done so using the tools of nonviolent resistance in the great tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King, earning the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Since her last birthday, the world has watched in horror as Burma's ruling junta first crushed the "Saffron Revolution," gunning down and rounding up Buddhist monks and other Burmese citizens peacefully demonstrating for political reform and social justice, and then, last month, resisted and impeded international provision of critical assistance to millions of Burma's people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Tens of thousands died from the immediate impact of the cyclone itself, and at least 2.4 million people, 40 percent of them children, remain homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
"For decades, the junta has overseen the continued deterioration of living standards, basic human rights, and general well-being of the Burmese people. Two million refugees, thousands of political prisoners in Burma's jails, and the retreat of the junta's leaders themselves to an Orwellian capital cut off from its people are further testament to the alienation and devastation that Burma's current leaders have brought upon their nation.
"This situation offends the conscience of the American people, as it does for millions of others around the world. If the junta continues its failure to protect the dignity, health and well-being of the Burmese people, the international community must be prepared to work harder toward effective coordinated action, including but not limited to action through the United Nations Security Council.
"Aung San Suu Kyi will spend her birthday the way she has spent 13 of the past 19 birthdays, under house arrest. Nonetheless, she continues to serve as a consistent manifestation of hope even as hope has been on the retreat in Burma. As we honor Daw Suu today, we must do so the way she would want it done: by honoring the people of Burma, and keeping faith with them in their struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy."
"The 63rd birthday today of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma offers an opportunity to remind the world community of the continuing tragedy in her country and the responsibility we have to press for change there.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Burma's 1988 democracy movement and of Daw Suu's emergence as its inspirational leader. She has sacrificed family and ultimately her freedom to remain true to her people and the cause of liberty. And she has done so using the tools of nonviolent resistance in the great tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King, earning the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Since her last birthday, the world has watched in horror as Burma's ruling junta first crushed the "Saffron Revolution," gunning down and rounding up Buddhist monks and other Burmese citizens peacefully demonstrating for political reform and social justice, and then, last month, resisted and impeded international provision of critical assistance to millions of Burma's people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Tens of thousands died from the immediate impact of the cyclone itself, and at least 2.4 million people, 40 percent of them children, remain homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
"For decades, the junta has overseen the continued deterioration of living standards, basic human rights, and general well-being of the Burmese people. Two million refugees, thousands of political prisoners in Burma's jails, and the retreat of the junta's leaders themselves to an Orwellian capital cut off from its people are further testament to the alienation and devastation that Burma's current leaders have brought upon their nation.
"This situation offends the conscience of the American people, as it does for millions of others around the world. If the junta continues its failure to protect the dignity, health and well-being of the Burmese people, the international community must be prepared to work harder toward effective coordinated action, including but not limited to action through the United Nations Security Council.
"Aung San Suu Kyi will spend her birthday the way she has spent 13 of the past 19 birthdays, under house arrest. Nonetheless, she continues to serve as a consistent manifestation of hope even as hope has been on the retreat in Burma. As we honor Daw Suu today, we must do so the way she would want it done: by honoring the people of Burma, and keeping faith with them in their struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy."
Brown, Sarkozy Call for Immediate Release of Suu Kyi
Britain and France demanded Thursday that Burma's regime release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as she marked her 63rd birthday under house arrest.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that her release is essential.
Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years under detention, since her party swept national elections in 1990. Military rulers refused to honor the results.
"You have sacrificed your freedom for the freedom of others. You have shown exceptional courage and dedication to your people. Your release from house arrest and your freedom to participate in Burma's political future remain essential," the leaders said in a joint letter to Suu Kyi.
Brown and Sarkozy met in Paris on Thursday, before a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium.
In their letter, Brown and Sarkozy also deplored Burma's response to the May 2-3 Cyclone, Nargis, which Burma's ruling junta says killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing.
The men said it was regrettable that Burmese people "already deprived of basic human freedoms and economic opportunities, have fallen victim to such a major natural disaster."
Their letter rebuked the military regime in Burma for failing to take up sufficient offers of aid.
Sarkozy and Brown criticized the junta's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The constitution, which gives the military broad powers, was overwhelmingly approved in the national referendum held on May 10, about a week after the cyclone.
"We believe the recent referendum lacks credibility as a genuine reflection of the people's will and the new constitution cannot provide a sound basis for Burma's future political development," the European leaders said.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that her release is essential.
Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years under detention, since her party swept national elections in 1990. Military rulers refused to honor the results.
"You have sacrificed your freedom for the freedom of others. You have shown exceptional courage and dedication to your people. Your release from house arrest and your freedom to participate in Burma's political future remain essential," the leaders said in a joint letter to Suu Kyi.
Brown and Sarkozy met in Paris on Thursday, before a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium.
In their letter, Brown and Sarkozy also deplored Burma's response to the May 2-3 Cyclone, Nargis, which Burma's ruling junta says killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing.
The men said it was regrettable that Burmese people "already deprived of basic human freedoms and economic opportunities, have fallen victim to such a major natural disaster."
Their letter rebuked the military regime in Burma for failing to take up sufficient offers of aid.
Sarkozy and Brown criticized the junta's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The constitution, which gives the military broad powers, was overwhelmingly approved in the national referendum held on May 10, about a week after the cyclone.
"We believe the recent referendum lacks credibility as a genuine reflection of the people's will and the new constitution cannot provide a sound basis for Burma's future political development," the European leaders said.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Diesel fuel needed to restart farming
A senior United Nations official has said that Burma needs one million gallons of diesel fuel to restart rice production in the cyclone-affected Irrawaddy delta.
Noeleen Heyzer, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, called on the international community to donate one million gallons of diesel fuel that the regime says is needed to operate mechanical tillers donated by other countries.
“The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,” Heyzer said.
“The planting season in the Delta is June to July after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.”
U Min Swe, the 1990 elected people's parliament representative in Phyar Pon township, said local farmers are suffering shortages of diesel fuel and farming vehicles.
"So far I haven't heard anything about the solution from the government about fuel – but a number of tractors have arrived into the region," said Min Swe.
"But we are hearing complaints about the authorities asking from 200,000 to 500,000 kyat from the farmers for each tractor."
"They are only providing one tractor for every 10 farmers – this is not going to work."
A private donor who recently went to the Irrawaddy delta said farmers from Sein Yati, Htaw Pai, Thabyay Chaung and Taung Yar Chaung villages some distance from Bogalay were facing difficulties restarting production after losing all their equipment and cattle in the cyclone.
"Farmers in Seint Kyun, Kat Tha Yaung and Kat Tha Myin villages have also appealed for donations of farming equipment as well as crop seeds," the donor said.
"They were asking sympathetic people to donate rice grain, but that is now priced at 700,000 kyat for 100 tin which is a lot for donors to afford."
Noeleen Heyzer, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, called on the international community to donate one million gallons of diesel fuel that the regime says is needed to operate mechanical tillers donated by other countries.
“The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,” Heyzer said.
“The planting season in the Delta is June to July after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.”
U Min Swe, the 1990 elected people's parliament representative in Phyar Pon township, said local farmers are suffering shortages of diesel fuel and farming vehicles.
"So far I haven't heard anything about the solution from the government about fuel – but a number of tractors have arrived into the region," said Min Swe.
"But we are hearing complaints about the authorities asking from 200,000 to 500,000 kyat from the farmers for each tractor."
"They are only providing one tractor for every 10 farmers – this is not going to work."
A private donor who recently went to the Irrawaddy delta said farmers from Sein Yati, Htaw Pai, Thabyay Chaung and Taung Yar Chaung villages some distance from Bogalay were facing difficulties restarting production after losing all their equipment and cattle in the cyclone.
"Farmers in Seint Kyun, Kat Tha Yaung and Kat Tha Myin villages have also appealed for donations of farming equipment as well as crop seeds," the donor said.
"They were asking sympathetic people to donate rice grain, but that is now priced at 700,000 kyat for 100 tin which is a lot for donors to afford."
Phyar Pon cyclone victims fear food shortage
Cyclone survivors in Phyar Pon township in the Irrawaddy Delta will run out of food in a month if they don’t receive sufficient supplies from the authorities, according to a National League for Democracy member.
NLD MP-elect U Min Swe, who has been working on relief efforts, came back from the area on Friday.
“Their food situation will be desperate in a month, especially for those who live in remote villages, if the state doesn’t provide them with enough food because the amount of private donations has noticeably decreased these days,” said U Min Swe.
The MP-elect told DVB that dried food for victims was stockpiled at local military units but soldiers did not distribute it among refugees in time and eventually the food was thrown away because it had gone rotten.
“It was sad to learn that donated onions and potatoes stored at Pakhan monastery, where the local military unit was based, were dumped into a stream as they had rotted,” the MP said.
“I was informed that the soldiers didn’t distribute food to refugees because they were not given orders to do so.”
DVB has learned that cyclone victims in Phyar Pon have so far survived on aid distributions from other townships and from private donors.
“The authorities haven’t provided people there with enough food supplies,” U Min Swe said.
“They are more or less dependent on private donors. Now there are getting to be fewer donors every day, which means those in desperate needs are getting less food.”
NLD MP-elect U Min Swe, who has been working on relief efforts, came back from the area on Friday.
“Their food situation will be desperate in a month, especially for those who live in remote villages, if the state doesn’t provide them with enough food because the amount of private donations has noticeably decreased these days,” said U Min Swe.
The MP-elect told DVB that dried food for victims was stockpiled at local military units but soldiers did not distribute it among refugees in time and eventually the food was thrown away because it had gone rotten.
“It was sad to learn that donated onions and potatoes stored at Pakhan monastery, where the local military unit was based, were dumped into a stream as they had rotted,” the MP said.
“I was informed that the soldiers didn’t distribute food to refugees because they were not given orders to do so.”
DVB has learned that cyclone victims in Phyar Pon have so far survived on aid distributions from other townships and from private donors.
“The authorities haven’t provided people there with enough food supplies,” U Min Swe said.
“They are more or less dependent on private donors. Now there are getting to be fewer donors every day, which means those in desperate needs are getting less food.”
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Monday, 9 June 2008
Group slams environmental impact of dam projects
The Burma Rivers Network has urged foreign companies to reconsider their investments in dam and gas projects in Burma due to the devastating impact on the local environment.
In a statement released to mark World Environment Day yesterday, the group called on companies involved in dam building and extraction of natural gas in Burma to withdraw their investments.
The secretary of the Burma Rivers Network, U Aung Nge, said steps needed to be taken to protect against deforestation and air pollution in Burma.
“There are about 25 massive dams in Burma built by Chinese and Thai state companies and there has been large-scale deforestation around the dam sites,” Aung Nge said.
“Eighteen percent of Burma’s forests have been wiped out, and that’s higher than anywhere in the world.”
Aung Nge said that companies investing the dam building and natural gas projects in Burma needed to be aware of their impact on the local population.
“It is the Burmese people who are going to have to suffer the detrimental social and environmental consequences of these investments,” he said.
“So we urge the Thai and Chinese governments and Thai companies who are involved in these investments to think hard about these consequences and reconsider their investments.”
The group also pointed out how the loss of mangrove to deforestation exacerbated the impact of Cyclone Nargis, and warned that such disasters could become more frequent or more devastating in future if the problem is not addressed.
Aung Nge said the Burma Rivers Network would continue to advocate for environmental issues.
“Climate change and global warming issues are major concerns for people all over the world,” Aung Nge said.
“We are going to keep releasing statements for as long as there are countries and individuals who don’t protect the environment,” he said.
“And we will work with those who have influence over them to convince them to change their ways.”
In a statement released to mark World Environment Day yesterday, the group called on companies involved in dam building and extraction of natural gas in Burma to withdraw their investments.
The secretary of the Burma Rivers Network, U Aung Nge, said steps needed to be taken to protect against deforestation and air pollution in Burma.
“There are about 25 massive dams in Burma built by Chinese and Thai state companies and there has been large-scale deforestation around the dam sites,” Aung Nge said.
“Eighteen percent of Burma’s forests have been wiped out, and that’s higher than anywhere in the world.”
Aung Nge said that companies investing the dam building and natural gas projects in Burma needed to be aware of their impact on the local population.
“It is the Burmese people who are going to have to suffer the detrimental social and environmental consequences of these investments,” he said.
“So we urge the Thai and Chinese governments and Thai companies who are involved in these investments to think hard about these consequences and reconsider their investments.”
The group also pointed out how the loss of mangrove to deforestation exacerbated the impact of Cyclone Nargis, and warned that such disasters could become more frequent or more devastating in future if the problem is not addressed.
Aung Nge said the Burma Rivers Network would continue to advocate for environmental issues.
“Climate change and global warming issues are major concerns for people all over the world,” Aung Nge said.
“We are going to keep releasing statements for as long as there are countries and individuals who don’t protect the environment,” he said.
“And we will work with those who have influence over them to convince them to change their ways.”
Prisoners suffer illness after being fed rotten rice
Inmates of Insein prison have become ill after being given rotten rice to eat by prison authorities, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Rice stores were damaged when Cyclone Nargis hit the prison on 2 May, the AAPP said in a statement.
“The roof of the food warehouse was completely blown away so bags of rice were soaked and destroyed by heavy rain,” the statement said.
“The rice bags became moldy, foul and inedible so [the International Committee of the Red Cross] replaced them with new bags of rice as soon as they found out about the situation.”
The prison authorities fed the prisoners with the new rice from 19 to 21 May, but then switched to using the damaged rice.
The AAPP said that prisoners had developed various illnesses as a result of eating the rice.
“Prisoners are mainly suffering from diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting and dizziness, skin allergies (having bumps on the whole body), swollen stomach and typhoid,” the group said.
We have come to know that female prisoners in the women’s compound of Insein prison have been suffering even more severely than others,” it went on.
“Furthermore, it has been reported that prison authorities haven’t provided any adequate medical care for those who suffer.”
AAPP secretary Tate Naing said the prisoners’ conditions would deteriorate if the authorities did not act quickly.
“The health situation of prisoners will worsen and become critical if they are fed that bad and inedible food any longer,” he said.
“Contagious diseases will spread very quickly in a crowded place like prison if authorities do not take appropriate actions promptly.
Tate Naing told DVB that urgent action was needed to address the situation.
"The government should investigate this case as an urgent matter, find out who is really responsible for it, and take immediate action," he said.
"We have also sent a letter to the ICRC informing them about this case. They provided new rice for the prison inmates after the cyclone but it is no longer reaching them, so we pointed out that they need to take action on this."
Rice stores were damaged when Cyclone Nargis hit the prison on 2 May, the AAPP said in a statement.
“The roof of the food warehouse was completely blown away so bags of rice were soaked and destroyed by heavy rain,” the statement said.
“The rice bags became moldy, foul and inedible so [the International Committee of the Red Cross] replaced them with new bags of rice as soon as they found out about the situation.”
The prison authorities fed the prisoners with the new rice from 19 to 21 May, but then switched to using the damaged rice.
The AAPP said that prisoners had developed various illnesses as a result of eating the rice.
“Prisoners are mainly suffering from diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting and dizziness, skin allergies (having bumps on the whole body), swollen stomach and typhoid,” the group said.
We have come to know that female prisoners in the women’s compound of Insein prison have been suffering even more severely than others,” it went on.
“Furthermore, it has been reported that prison authorities haven’t provided any adequate medical care for those who suffer.”
AAPP secretary Tate Naing said the prisoners’ conditions would deteriorate if the authorities did not act quickly.
“The health situation of prisoners will worsen and become critical if they are fed that bad and inedible food any longer,” he said.
“Contagious diseases will spread very quickly in a crowded place like prison if authorities do not take appropriate actions promptly.
Tate Naing told DVB that urgent action was needed to address the situation.
"The government should investigate this case as an urgent matter, find out who is really responsible for it, and take immediate action," he said.
"We have also sent a letter to the ICRC informing them about this case. They provided new rice for the prison inmates after the cyclone but it is no longer reaching them, so we pointed out that they need to take action on this."
Friday, 6 June 2008
Military Dictators Against Innocent Civilians
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA: Burma stands out among the very few countries still ruled by dictatorial regimes in the world because of the ruthlessness of its dictatorial military leaders. One example of the vicious offenses committed by the Burmese regime was exposed only recently by Major Aung Lin Htut, one of the former diplomats in charge of the Burmese Embassy in the United States .
Major Aung Lin Htut was serving in the Burmese Defense Services Intelligence before he was transferred on special duty to the Foreign Affairs Department. He sought political asylum in the United States in 2005 and had previously avoided speaking to the media.
But, since Cyclone Nargis, he became very disturbed with the way the Burmese military junta had inconsiderately been treating the people and decided to give this interview.
In his interview, he recounted his personal experience about the order Senior General Than Shwe had given to the Burmese military to massacre 81 innocent people -- 59 villagers and 22 Thai fishery workers -- on Christie Island {geographical location 0937N 9759E} -- a small island in the Burmese territorial waters off Tenasserim Division.
Aung Lin Htut: In May 1998, I was stationed at the naval base on Zadetkyi Island {0958N 9813E} in Kawthaung {0959N 9833E} Township, Tenasserim Division. Christie Island , our tactical frontline base, was near our maritime boundary with Thailand . On that island then were also Commander in Chief of Navy Admiral Kyi Min, who, as far as I know, is now the vice chairman of the War Veterans Organization, Major General Myint Swe, who later became the commander in chief of Air Force but has now retired after he was dismissed in connection with the case of U Ne Win's grandsons, and Major General Thura Myint Aung who is now the Adjutant General.
Senior General Than Shwe had designated the three leading officials to represent the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the joint operations to be conducted off Zadetkyi base. The commander in charge of that naval base then was Naval Captain Maung Maung Thit.
The commander based in Kawthaung was Colonel Zaw Min who is now the Miniser for Electric Power No 1 and joint general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. He was also the designated Tactical Operations Commander in charge of Christie Island . The regimental commander under Colonel Zaw Min's charge was Lieutenant Colonel Soe Tint who was the commander of the 262d Infantry Regiment based in Kawthaung. As far as I know, he is now a director with the Ministry of Industry-1. Another regimental commander was Lieutenant Colonel Win Swe, who was in charge of either the 403d or the 404th Infantry Regiment based in Bokpyin.
When Tactical Operations units headed by Colonel Zaw Min entered Christie Island to find strategic positions, they found 59 people who were earning their living by chopping and collecting bamboo and wood. Among these people were a three-year-old girl and a woman who had had recently given birth to a child. They were ordinary civilians who had been earning a livelihood in the region. As far as I can remember, they were arrested under Section 144 of the decree that Regional Commander Thiha Thura Sit Maung had issued, which stipulated that no civilians were allowed to be on that island.
What I had believed and thought was that these civilians would be sent to Kawthaung for legal action or charged under the security act and later released. These people, as far as I can recall, were arrested around April. But, some time in May, an order was surprisingly received at night. I learned about it because the then Brigadier General Staff, Major General Myint Swe {another Myint Swe at Army headquarters} , said he wanted to speak to Admiral Kyi Min on the communications set. When Admiral Kyi Min came back, he summoned everyone, including me, and told us that he had received an order that 59 people being detained must be eliminated. Major General Myint Swe had given that order.
VOA: Why do you think that was ordered?
Aung Lin Htut: It is difficult to say why. They were unarmed people, including children and women, and it was really very depressing to receive the order to kill them. It should not have happened at all. That was my experience. Admiral Kyi Min gathered everyone around him and I, as a duty officer of the office, was there also. When Admiral Kyi Min gave us news about the order, the first person to respond was the present Adjutant General, Major General Thura Myint Aung, who said it was an order from the superiors and it must be obeyed. Major General Myint Swe said he was a religious person, that the matter should be handled delicately, and that he wanted to confirm the order again because the time the order was received was around 1430, a time when General Maung Aye usually got drunk, and that the order might have been given while he was drunk.
After listening to the two, Admiral Kyi Min decided not to pass the order on to Colonel Zaw Min yet and to call the General Staff Brigadier again in the morning. Around 0900 in the morning, Admiral Kyi Min spoke to Major General Myint Swe and came to us. He said Major General Myint Swe had told him that the order was not from "Aba Aye" {Father Aye} but from "Aba Gyi" {Great Father}. Senior General Than Shwe is whom we referred to as "Aba Gyi" in the military.
VOA: Was that order ever rescinded?
Aung Lin Htut: No, the order was never rescinded. The main issue was that the person in charge of the region then was Major General Thura Myint Aung who was the commander of the 33d Light Infantry Division and Colonel Zaw Min was the tactical operations commander under him. To explain it more clearly, the former had given the order and it was carried out by his subordinates. I found out that all the civilians were shot on the beach and buried there the same day. Their remains can still be dug up today.
VOA: If I heard you correctly, the tactical operations unit under Colonel Zaw Min carried out the order. Is that true?
Aung Lin Htut: Yes, Colonel Zaw Min and the two regimental commanders. I was given to understand that Colonel Zaw Min gave the order and it was carried out by the regimental commanders. There were photographs of the incident; of course, they were in the cabinet in my office. We had the pictures because the commander of No 19 Intelligence Unit, Major Myint Oo, who is now being imprisoned, was there together with Colonel Zaw Min. The photographs were taken without the latter's knowledge. When we returned to our headquarters in Rangoon , we showed the pictures to Brigadier General Kyaw Thein and Brigadier General San Pwint, the latter was our G-1 then. I placed them in my cabinet for safekeeping. I do not know what has happened to them now.
VOA: Was there ever any discussion among the military leaders about the incident or were there any comments about what is right and wrong concerning the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: Ko Than Lwin Tun {name of interviewer} , that is just a trivial matter for them. You probably heard about a quarterly operation launched around 1997 when an order was officially given to "eliminate all, do not even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'". The order was carried out by Major General Maung Bo and he is still in service now {commander of Bureau of Special Operations}. You must know about the number of villagers he had killed as a regional commander.
VOA: What does "Do no even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'" means?
Aung Lin Htut: It means to kill everyone, including fetuses in the womb or pregnant women. We, in the military, refer to fetuses in the womb as "A Seik Tha". That was an official order and it was a verbal order given to us at a conference on military operations. Orders like that would not be put down in writing.
VOA: Which are the regions you are referring to?
Aung Lin Htut: All of them. The main targets were the areas we designated as "Brown Areas" which were in Shan State , Mon State , Karen State , and Tenasserim division. The main reason for the order then was because we were trying to relocate villages and bring them together. Of course, villagers who had their homes and farms did not want to destroy their property or relocate. But, they were made to by force. Many people were killed because they did not want to. Officers who were in charge of the regions know best what they had done.
VOA: So, you personally were a witness to the killing of 59 civilians on Christie Island , in the southern part of Burma ?
Aung Lin Htut: It was not just the 59 civilians they killed. About a day or two after the incident, a Thai fishing boat, officially registered in Arakan State for fishing rights and carrying fish for delivery to { Thai Port } Ranong, sailed close to Christie Island . It was captured by our naval boat, either No 304 or No 305 and I cannot remember which, but it was I believe commanded by Naval Lieutenant Aung Gyi. Since the top naval commander then was Admiral Kyi Min, the news of the capture was reported to him. The admiral, as usual, had to report about the incident to the Army Command and he was given an order to "eliminate" the problem.
After the order was received, the navy took charge of killing all the 22 people on the Thai fishing boat on Christie Island . They were also buried there. After that, they made holes in the hull and burned the boat until it sank into the sea. Even then, it took about seven days for the boat to sink completely.
I was a witness to the two incidents which happened consecutively in which a total of about 81 people were killed. All of them were unarmed civilians.
VOA: Was there any problems with neighboring Thailand over the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: No, because no one knew about it. There was a standing, official order then to not take anyone alive and to clear that area. So, all boats were seized whether they were poaching vessels or not, and were destroyed. People on board were killed. Previously, we tended to seize boats and property only. But later, around 1996 and 1997, things got worse and boats as well as crews were eliminated.
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA: Burma stands out among the very few countries still ruled by dictatorial regimes in the world because of the ruthlessness of its dictatorial military leaders. One example of the vicious offenses committed by the Burmese regime was exposed only recently by Major Aung Lin Htut, one of the former diplomats in charge of the Burmese Embassy in the United States .
Major Aung Lin Htut was serving in the Burmese Defense Services Intelligence before he was transferred on special duty to the Foreign Affairs Department. He sought political asylum in the United States in 2005 and had previously avoided speaking to the media.
But, since Cyclone Nargis, he became very disturbed with the way the Burmese military junta had inconsiderately been treating the people and decided to give this interview.
In his interview, he recounted his personal experience about the order Senior General Than Shwe had given to the Burmese military to massacre 81 innocent people -- 59 villagers and 22 Thai fishery workers -- on Christie Island {geographical location 0937N 9759E} -- a small island in the Burmese territorial waters off Tenasserim Division.
Aung Lin Htut: In May 1998, I was stationed at the naval base on Zadetkyi Island {0958N 9813E} in Kawthaung {0959N 9833E} Township, Tenasserim Division. Christie Island , our tactical frontline base, was near our maritime boundary with Thailand . On that island then were also Commander in Chief of Navy Admiral Kyi Min, who, as far as I know, is now the vice chairman of the War Veterans Organization, Major General Myint Swe, who later became the commander in chief of Air Force but has now retired after he was dismissed in connection with the case of U Ne Win's grandsons, and Major General Thura Myint Aung who is now the Adjutant General.
Senior General Than Shwe had designated the three leading officials to represent the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the joint operations to be conducted off Zadetkyi base. The commander in charge of that naval base then was Naval Captain Maung Maung Thit.
The commander based in Kawthaung was Colonel Zaw Min who is now the Miniser for Electric Power No 1 and joint general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. He was also the designated Tactical Operations Commander in charge of Christie Island . The regimental commander under Colonel Zaw Min's charge was Lieutenant Colonel Soe Tint who was the commander of the 262d Infantry Regiment based in Kawthaung. As far as I know, he is now a director with the Ministry of Industry-1. Another regimental commander was Lieutenant Colonel Win Swe, who was in charge of either the 403d or the 404th Infantry Regiment based in Bokpyin.
When Tactical Operations units headed by Colonel Zaw Min entered Christie Island to find strategic positions, they found 59 people who were earning their living by chopping and collecting bamboo and wood. Among these people were a three-year-old girl and a woman who had had recently given birth to a child. They were ordinary civilians who had been earning a livelihood in the region. As far as I can remember, they were arrested under Section 144 of the decree that Regional Commander Thiha Thura Sit Maung had issued, which stipulated that no civilians were allowed to be on that island.
What I had believed and thought was that these civilians would be sent to Kawthaung for legal action or charged under the security act and later released. These people, as far as I can recall, were arrested around April. But, some time in May, an order was surprisingly received at night. I learned about it because the then Brigadier General Staff, Major General Myint Swe {another Myint Swe at Army headquarters} , said he wanted to speak to Admiral Kyi Min on the communications set. When Admiral Kyi Min came back, he summoned everyone, including me, and told us that he had received an order that 59 people being detained must be eliminated. Major General Myint Swe had given that order.
VOA: Why do you think that was ordered?
Aung Lin Htut: It is difficult to say why. They were unarmed people, including children and women, and it was really very depressing to receive the order to kill them. It should not have happened at all. That was my experience. Admiral Kyi Min gathered everyone around him and I, as a duty officer of the office, was there also. When Admiral Kyi Min gave us news about the order, the first person to respond was the present Adjutant General, Major General Thura Myint Aung, who said it was an order from the superiors and it must be obeyed. Major General Myint Swe said he was a religious person, that the matter should be handled delicately, and that he wanted to confirm the order again because the time the order was received was around 1430, a time when General Maung Aye usually got drunk, and that the order might have been given while he was drunk.
After listening to the two, Admiral Kyi Min decided not to pass the order on to Colonel Zaw Min yet and to call the General Staff Brigadier again in the morning. Around 0900 in the morning, Admiral Kyi Min spoke to Major General Myint Swe and came to us. He said Major General Myint Swe had told him that the order was not from "Aba Aye" {Father Aye} but from "Aba Gyi" {Great Father}. Senior General Than Shwe is whom we referred to as "Aba Gyi" in the military.
VOA: Was that order ever rescinded?
Aung Lin Htut: No, the order was never rescinded. The main issue was that the person in charge of the region then was Major General Thura Myint Aung who was the commander of the 33d Light Infantry Division and Colonel Zaw Min was the tactical operations commander under him. To explain it more clearly, the former had given the order and it was carried out by his subordinates. I found out that all the civilians were shot on the beach and buried there the same day. Their remains can still be dug up today.
VOA: If I heard you correctly, the tactical operations unit under Colonel Zaw Min carried out the order. Is that true?
Aung Lin Htut: Yes, Colonel Zaw Min and the two regimental commanders. I was given to understand that Colonel Zaw Min gave the order and it was carried out by the regimental commanders. There were photographs of the incident; of course, they were in the cabinet in my office. We had the pictures because the commander of No 19 Intelligence Unit, Major Myint Oo, who is now being imprisoned, was there together with Colonel Zaw Min. The photographs were taken without the latter's knowledge. When we returned to our headquarters in Rangoon , we showed the pictures to Brigadier General Kyaw Thein and Brigadier General San Pwint, the latter was our G-1 then. I placed them in my cabinet for safekeeping. I do not know what has happened to them now.
VOA: Was there ever any discussion among the military leaders about the incident or were there any comments about what is right and wrong concerning the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: Ko Than Lwin Tun {name of interviewer} , that is just a trivial matter for them. You probably heard about a quarterly operation launched around 1997 when an order was officially given to "eliminate all, do not even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'". The order was carried out by Major General Maung Bo and he is still in service now {commander of Bureau of Special Operations}. You must know about the number of villagers he had killed as a regional commander.
VOA: What does "Do no even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'" means?
Aung Lin Htut: It means to kill everyone, including fetuses in the womb or pregnant women. We, in the military, refer to fetuses in the womb as "A Seik Tha". That was an official order and it was a verbal order given to us at a conference on military operations. Orders like that would not be put down in writing.
VOA: Which are the regions you are referring to?
Aung Lin Htut: All of them. The main targets were the areas we designated as "Brown Areas" which were in Shan State , Mon State , Karen State , and Tenasserim division. The main reason for the order then was because we were trying to relocate villages and bring them together. Of course, villagers who had their homes and farms did not want to destroy their property or relocate. But, they were made to by force. Many people were killed because they did not want to. Officers who were in charge of the regions know best what they had done.
VOA: So, you personally were a witness to the killing of 59 civilians on Christie Island , in the southern part of Burma ?
Aung Lin Htut: It was not just the 59 civilians they killed. About a day or two after the incident, a Thai fishing boat, officially registered in Arakan State for fishing rights and carrying fish for delivery to { Thai Port } Ranong, sailed close to Christie Island . It was captured by our naval boat, either No 304 or No 305 and I cannot remember which, but it was I believe commanded by Naval Lieutenant Aung Gyi. Since the top naval commander then was Admiral Kyi Min, the news of the capture was reported to him. The admiral, as usual, had to report about the incident to the Army Command and he was given an order to "eliminate" the problem.
After the order was received, the navy took charge of killing all the 22 people on the Thai fishing boat on Christie Island . They were also buried there. After that, they made holes in the hull and burned the boat until it sank into the sea. Even then, it took about seven days for the boat to sink completely.
I was a witness to the two incidents which happened consecutively in which a total of about 81 people were killed. All of them were unarmed civilians.
VOA: Was there any problems with neighboring Thailand over the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: No, because no one knew about it. There was a standing, official order then to not take anyone alive and to clear that area. So, all boats were seized whether they were poaching vessels or not, and were destroyed. People on board were killed. Previously, we tended to seize boats and property only. But later, around 1996 and 1997, things got worse and boats as well as crews were eliminated.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Modern art group holds cyclone memorial
Around 500 people attended a commemoration service organised by the New Zero modern art group in Rangoon yesterday to pray for those killed in Cyclone Nargis on 2 May.
Cyclone survivors from Labutta township in the Irrawaddy delta were among those who took part in the ceremony and helped light 6000 candles during the three-minute silent prayer session which was held in the group's exhibition hall.
Modern artist Aye Ko said the group had organised the event to express their condolences for those who died and to pray for their souls.
"We organised the service for the survivors to show their sadness for those who were killed by the cyclone," said Aye Ko.
"We can only pray for their reincarnation into a good life."
Aye Ko said the group planned to hold art exhibitions in Rangoon and Mandalay to raise funds for the cyclone victims.
"Artist Htun Win Nyein is organizing the show in Rangoon at the Yuzuna hotel on 14 June – all the contributing artists will donate a percentage of the money they make," he said.
The New Zero modern art group was formed by 32 artists in 2001. A self-titled exhibition organised by the group in December 2007 was banned by the authorities without explanation.
Cyclone survivors from Labutta township in the Irrawaddy delta were among those who took part in the ceremony and helped light 6000 candles during the three-minute silent prayer session which was held in the group's exhibition hall.
Modern artist Aye Ko said the group had organised the event to express their condolences for those who died and to pray for their souls.
"We organised the service for the survivors to show their sadness for those who were killed by the cyclone," said Aye Ko.
"We can only pray for their reincarnation into a good life."
Aye Ko said the group planned to hold art exhibitions in Rangoon and Mandalay to raise funds for the cyclone victims.
"Artist Htun Win Nyein is organizing the show in Rangoon at the Yuzuna hotel on 14 June – all the contributing artists will donate a percentage of the money they make," he said.
The New Zero modern art group was formed by 32 artists in 2001. A self-titled exhibition organised by the group in December 2007 was banned by the authorities without explanation.
Ethnic organisations appeal for border aid
Shan, Karen and Karenni groups have appealed to the international community to urgently grant much-needed funding for food provision to over 140,000 refugees living along the Burma-Thailand border.
The organisations said that the refugees, who have been living on the border for up to 20 years, would face difficulties due to cuts in assistance from the Thailand Burma Border Consortium, due to take effect in August.
The annual budget for food provision in camps along the border has been cut to US$ 6.8 million because of the decrease in the value of the US dollar, and the hike in world food prices will exacerbate the shortfall.
The groups said the TBBC funding crisis has sparked new fears and uncertainty among the refugees.
“Refugees are not allowed to go in and out of the camps freely to work outside so they are reliant on food assistance to survive, such as the rice, cooking oil, salt and chili given by TBBC,” said Aung Nge, a spokesperson from a Karenni refugee camp.
“It will be very concerning for our refugees if the existing donors stop or reduce their funding to TBBC.”
The TBBC has previously received financial assistance from the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, the USA, the UK, Canada and Spain.
According to the consortium, so far this year it has received funding from the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.
Aung Nge told DVB that refugees would continue to need outside support as it is impossible for them to return home while the civil war continues and the military regime remains in power.
“It would be best if we could go back to our homes and carry on with our lives as we are not officially recognised as refugees by the Thai government – we are only considered to be temporarily displaced persons,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go home because our lives are not secure under military rule.”
The organisations said that the refugees, who have been living on the border for up to 20 years, would face difficulties due to cuts in assistance from the Thailand Burma Border Consortium, due to take effect in August.
The annual budget for food provision in camps along the border has been cut to US$ 6.8 million because of the decrease in the value of the US dollar, and the hike in world food prices will exacerbate the shortfall.
The groups said the TBBC funding crisis has sparked new fears and uncertainty among the refugees.
“Refugees are not allowed to go in and out of the camps freely to work outside so they are reliant on food assistance to survive, such as the rice, cooking oil, salt and chili given by TBBC,” said Aung Nge, a spokesperson from a Karenni refugee camp.
“It will be very concerning for our refugees if the existing donors stop or reduce their funding to TBBC.”
The TBBC has previously received financial assistance from the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, the USA, the UK, Canada and Spain.
According to the consortium, so far this year it has received funding from the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.
Aung Nge told DVB that refugees would continue to need outside support as it is impossible for them to return home while the civil war continues and the military regime remains in power.
“It would be best if we could go back to our homes and carry on with our lives as we are not officially recognised as refugees by the Thai government – we are only considered to be temporarily displaced persons,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go home because our lives are not secure under military rule.”
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