Review of 2005 in Burma and the Region
By The Irrawaddy
DECEMBER, 2005 - VOLUME 13 NO.12
(Page 5 of 5)
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Indonesian police claim Malaysian members of Jemaah Islamiyah are responsible.
12—The Open Net Institute—a collaboration of Harvard, Toronto and Cambridge universities—releases a new report suggesting internet censorship in Burma is worsening following the introduction of a new firewall produced by California-based IT company Fortinet.
18—London-based environmental watchdog Global Witness releases a report calling on China to stop importing illegal timber—mainly teak—from Burma in a bid to halt an already drastic decline in Burma’s forest cover.
Burma is ranked the third most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International.
20—Burma’s military government raises fuel prices eight-fold in a move later described as “reasonable” by Minister of Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan. The price hike comes on the back of already high inflation in Burma, as the kyat falls to a new low against the US dollar.
Head of the Rangoon Division military command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, a Than Shwe loyalist, is promoted to Lieutenant General, exactly one year after becoming intelligence services chief.
22—A small bomb explodes outside Traders Hotel in downtown Rangoon. No injuries or damage are reported.
28—The International Labour Organization releases a report stating Burma’s Ministry of Labor has indicated it plans to leave the Geneva-based workers’ body. The same document includes an example of the 21 death threats sent to the personal residence of Richard Horsey, the ILO’s chief representative in Rangoon.
30—Thailand’s ruling Thai Rak Thai party loses to the opposition in four provincial by-election races. The resulting claim by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that regions failing to vote for his party will receive lesser central government funding prompts an outcry by opposition parties and Thailand’s press.
31—Shan rights campaigner Charm Tong meets US President George W Bush in Washington.
November
1—The UN Office for Drugs and Crime announces a 26 percent drop in Burma’s opium production for 2005, but warns of an impending crisis if poppy farmers are not provided adequate alternative means of generating income.
Early November—A Rangoon court hands down lengthy sentences to ethnic Shan leaders charged with high treason—Sao Hso Ten gets 46 years and three life sentences, while Hkun Htun Oo received 53 years and two life sentences and Sai Nyunt Lwin 25 years and two life sentences. Following the sentencing, Hkun Htun Oo is sent to Putao Prison, Kachin State, while Sai Nyunt Lwin and Sao Hso Ten are transferred to Kalay and Hkamti prisons in Sagaing Division.
3—A study by the Asian Development Bank warns that bird flu could reduce economic growth in Asia from about 6 percent to zero, representing a US $283 billion loss in GDP.
Meanwhile, Thailand imposes martial law in two districts of Songkhla province following the army’s claim the areas are being used to stockpile weapons for the insurgency movement in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
6—Burma’s military government begins moving civil servants from a reported nine ministries from Rangoon to Pyinmana, effectively relocating Burma’s administrative capital nearly 400km to the north.
10—A report by the ILO, released during its tri-annual Governing Body meeting in Geneva, includes letters from world governments, many of which say the junta’s lack of progress on forced labor means action must be stepped up against Rangoon.
17—Asean leaders say they will continue to engage the Burmese military regime despite pressure and criticism by US President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the APEC Summit in Busan, South Korea.
23—The US State Department eases restrictions on arms sales to Indonesia as relations between the countries continue to warm. Washington had imposed a ban on military interaction with Jakarta over human rights concerns, mostly related to violence following East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999.
25—A dozen foreign diplomats and journalists join 400 supporters and members of the opposition National League for Democracy at its headquarters in Rangoon to mark Burma’s National Day.
27—Burmese police officers visit the home of National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as her detention is reportedly extended for six more months.
29—French oil giant Total announces that a euro 5.2 million (US $6.12 million) out of court settlement has been reached in a dispute for its alleged role in human rights abuses in Burma.
30—US’s attempt to put Burma agenda at UN Security Council is forced to postpone upon complaints of some members among the 15 council members.
12—The Open Net Institute—a collaboration of Harvard, Toronto and Cambridge universities—releases a new report suggesting internet censorship in Burma is worsening following the introduction of a new firewall produced by California-based IT company Fortinet.
18—London-based environmental watchdog Global Witness releases a report calling on China to stop importing illegal timber—mainly teak—from Burma in a bid to halt an already drastic decline in Burma’s forest cover.
Burma is ranked the third most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International.
20—Burma’s military government raises fuel prices eight-fold in a move later described as “reasonable” by Minister of Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan. The price hike comes on the back of already high inflation in Burma, as the kyat falls to a new low against the US dollar.
Head of the Rangoon Division military command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, a Than Shwe loyalist, is promoted to Lieutenant General, exactly one year after becoming intelligence services chief.
22—A small bomb explodes outside Traders Hotel in downtown Rangoon. No injuries or damage are reported.
28—The International Labour Organization releases a report stating Burma’s Ministry of Labor has indicated it plans to leave the Geneva-based workers’ body. The same document includes an example of the 21 death threats sent to the personal residence of Richard Horsey, the ILO’s chief representative in Rangoon.
30—Thailand’s ruling Thai Rak Thai party loses to the opposition in four provincial by-election races. The resulting claim by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that regions failing to vote for his party will receive lesser central government funding prompts an outcry by opposition parties and Thailand’s press.
31—Shan rights campaigner Charm Tong meets US President George W Bush in Washington.
November
1—The UN Office for Drugs and Crime announces a 26 percent drop in Burma’s opium production for 2005, but warns of an impending crisis if poppy farmers are not provided adequate alternative means of generating income.
Early November—A Rangoon court hands down lengthy sentences to ethnic Shan leaders charged with high treason—Sao Hso Ten gets 46 years and three life sentences, while Hkun Htun Oo received 53 years and two life sentences and Sai Nyunt Lwin 25 years and two life sentences. Following the sentencing, Hkun Htun Oo is sent to Putao Prison, Kachin State, while Sai Nyunt Lwin and Sao Hso Ten are transferred to Kalay and Hkamti prisons in Sagaing Division.
3—A study by the Asian Development Bank warns that bird flu could reduce economic growth in Asia from about 6 percent to zero, representing a US $283 billion loss in GDP.
Meanwhile, Thailand imposes martial law in two districts of Songkhla province following the army’s claim the areas are being used to stockpile weapons for the insurgency movement in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
6—Burma’s military government begins moving civil servants from a reported nine ministries from Rangoon to Pyinmana, effectively relocating Burma’s administrative capital nearly 400km to the north.
10—A report by the ILO, released during its tri-annual Governing Body meeting in Geneva, includes letters from world governments, many of which say the junta’s lack of progress on forced labor means action must be stepped up against Rangoon.
17—Asean leaders say they will continue to engage the Burmese military regime despite pressure and criticism by US President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the APEC Summit in Busan, South Korea.
23—The US State Department eases restrictions on arms sales to Indonesia as relations between the countries continue to warm. Washington had imposed a ban on military interaction with Jakarta over human rights concerns, mostly related to violence following East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999.
25—A dozen foreign diplomats and journalists join 400 supporters and members of the opposition National League for Democracy at its headquarters in Rangoon to mark Burma’s National Day.
27—Burmese police officers visit the home of National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as her detention is reportedly extended for six more months.
29—French oil giant Total announces that a euro 5.2 million (US $6.12 million) out of court settlement has been reached in a dispute for its alleged role in human rights abuses in Burma.
30—US’s attempt to put Burma agenda at UN Security Council is forced to postpone upon complaints of some members among the 15 council members.
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