Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Burma minister slams govt response to Sandoway violence
• Suu Kyi calls for ‘cool heads’ in wake of bombings
• At least 20 Burmese fishermen missing in Bay of Bengal
• Thai firm says no to Burma due to unreliable electricity supply
• One suspect detained after Rangoon hotel blast
• Bomb explodes in Rangoon’s Traders Hotel
• Tensions rise at Latpadaung

Burma minister slams govt response to Sandoway violence Posted: 15 Oct 2013 05:15 AM PDT A local government minister has blasted Burma's "weak" response to the recent Muslim-Buddhist clashes in Arakan's Sandoway township, which claimed seven lives. Speaking to DVB on Monday, the Rangoon government’s Arakan Ethnic Affairs Minister, Zaw Aye Maung, blamed the violence on government corruption and mismanagement. "Just taking verbal action by making announcements via newspapers and radio isn't enough," he said. "The [authorities] need to issue clear directives to their subordinates and take immediate action against those who disobey them." Eye witnesses have accused local security forces of failing to prevent mobs of Buddhists torching Muslim homes in western Burma's Sandoway, fuelling riots that left nearly 500 people homeless. It follows earlier allegations of state-complicity in a spree of communal riots which has swept through the country since last year. The government has come under fire for its failure to dismiss or prosecute state officers implicated in the violence, including some identified in video footage as standing idly by as Muslim citizens were burned alive. Zaw Aye Maung blamed endemic state-level corruption for the government's inaction, suggesting that officials could avoid penalisation by bribing the right people. "I see the mechanism to take against [insubordinate] government officials has been very weak," he said. "Instead of taking proper action, they just shuffle them around different departments so they can pocket [bribe money] … If this continues, more problems will arise in the future." A spokesperson for the Arakan state government was unable to comment on this story. However, on Tuesday the government claimed to have secured the confessions of six men responsible for all seven murders, and identified 28 others for their role in burning houses. According to state media, four men have admitted to murdering two Buddhist men in Linthi village. Another two men reportedly took responsibility for the deaths of five Muslims in Thabyuchaing, which included a 94-year-old woman who was too immobile to run away from the mob. "Punitive actions will be taken against those who were convicted of crimes," said the report, adding that investigations were underway to uncover the masterminds behind the violence. There was no mention of the involvement of police officers or state personnel despite allegations of complicity by outside observers and Muslim groups.  Five men were also released due to "a lack of evidence". President Thein Sein has already blamed "outsiders" for staging the attacks, fuelling speculation that nationalist groups such as the anti-Muslim 969 movement could be behind the violence. But rights groups have questioned the government's sincerity, describing the president's comments as a distraction from his own failure to stem the unrest. Over 140,000 people, mostly Muslims, have been uprooted since the first bout of clashes between the stateless Rohingya and Buddhists Arakanese last year. In March, a scathing report by Human Rights Watch accused the government of complicity in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims and called for accountability. On Tuesday, a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report warned that communal trust between Kaman Muslims and Buddhist Arakanese in Sandoway, also known as Thandwe, has been completely eroded as a result of the violence. Thirty-six schools across several villages in Sandoway remain closed. Related Stories Police detain 78 for Sandoway riots as death toll hits seven Burma's beach paradise still safe despite riots, say officials 45 detained in connection with Sandoway riots "Both communities are however still wary of sending their children to school across each other's neighbourhoods," said the report, adding that the government needs to replace lost school books and teaching materials as a matter of urgency. OCHA also called for increased security in the region to ensure that all villagers could return to their jobs as soon as possible. "Over 90 percent of affected families are farmers who are unable to participate in the rice harvest which would be due in the next few weeks as they feel unsafe," it said. Although the UN agency acknowledged that the government has provided essential humanitarian assistance to all displaced, it noted that widespread fear has gripped the community. Girls reported being too afraid to go out alone, while many displaced Buddhists from the Muslim-majority Thabyuchaing village – which bore the brunt of the violence – wanted to be relocated elsewhere. "The riots are breaking out because there is no rule of law," said Zaw Aye Maung. "It is the government's responsibility to ensure rule of law as well as the public’s. I believe that calm will be restored if the government and the people work together."

Suu Kyi calls for ‘cool heads’ in wake of bombings Posted: 15 Oct 2013 04:23 AM PDT Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has spoken out following a string of bomb explosions in Rangoon and central Burma over the last few days, which has left four people dead and several injured. "The public may be worried, but I believe that our people know how to keep a cool head," she told reporters in Naypyidaw following Tuesday's parliamentary session. "These [bombings] are deliberate attempts to cause public panic and it is important for people not to fall into the trap." Burmese police have stated that they believe the various bombings in Rangoon, Mandalay and Taungoo are related, but to date the authorities have not accused any group or organisation of planting the devices nor has any organisation claimed responsibility for the attacks. Related Stories One suspect detained after Rangoon hotel blast Bomb explodes in Rangoon's Traders Hotel Bomb blast at Rangoon market injures two youngsters According to an official address by state media on Tuesday, two suspects have been identified. Saw Myint Lwin is being questioned for his suspected role in a spate of bombings to hit Rangoon, including Monday’s attack on Traders Hotel that injured an American tourist. Another man, identified as Saw Tun Tun, is wanted for questioning in connection with the bombing of a guesthouse in Taungoo on Friday, which claimed two lives. "This is a very unacceptable and inappropriate act and I know the authorities will carry on investigating to expose the culprits," said Htay Oo, the general-secretary of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party. "It is very inappropriate and very unproductive during efforts to reform the system. I don't see that this has anything to do with the efforts to amend the constitution, but only the culprits will know their motive." Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut said the bomb blasts will not interrupt the current peace process. "Since both sides are determined to establish peace, we are looking to an agreement, signed by November, as per the president's expectations," he said. "As these are separate matters, the [bombings] will not harm the peace effort. If we delay, it will make the culprits' objective successful and we won't let that happen."

At least 20 Burmese fishermen missing in Bay of Bengal Posted: 15 Oct 2013 02:07 AM PDT At least 20 fishermen from Irrawaddy division's Bogale and Pyapon townships are missing in the Bay of Bengal after getting caught in swirling winds caused by Cyclone Phailin. According to Bogale resident Aung Ko Latt, the total number of fishermen missing at sea is difficult to estimate as no one maintains comprehensive records of which fishing boats and how many crew depart from the delta's ports. He said the reason data is not collected is because of a simmering dispute between the local fishery administrations and the labour department, though he added that the fishery operators have launched their own rescue mission to find the missing men. He claimed that the operators neglected storm warnings by delta authorities cautioning them about allowing fishing vessels to sail in the Bay of Bengal over the weekend. Nu Nu Htwe, a family member of one of the missing fisherman, said, "We heard the boats had sunk in a storm. The operator said my [loved one] survived, but then he wouldn't let us talk to him. We don't really know what to do." She said that each vessel carried about 30 to 40 fishermen. Related Stories ILO warns of 'serious abuses' in Thai fishing industry Severe weather affecting rice fields across Burma Burma begins to move displaced Rohingya as cyclone nears

Thai firm says no to Burma due to unreliable electricity supply Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:19 PM PDT Despite surging demand in Burma, Thailand’s leading calcium-carbonate producer SurintOmya Chemicals ruled out the possibility of investing in the neighbouring country in the short term, citing unreliable electricity supply. Sasis Monsereenusorn, chief executive of SurintOmya (Thailand) Co Ltd, said the company does not plan to invest in Burma in the near future, although demand for calcium carbonate for plastic compounds has risen there. “The reliability of the electrical supply is keeping the company from opening up a new facility there because of the high start-up and shutdown cost of the machinery,” he said. Founded in 1987, SurintOmya is a joint venture between the Thai partner and Switzerland-based Omya AG with ownerships of 51% and 49%. Related Stories World Bank approves US$140 million electricity loan for Burma Suu Kyi warns weak Rule of Law may scare off investors China pledges, Burma dredges As part the Omya group of companies, the Thai unit is the headquarters for Thailand, Burma, Indochina and southern China. The company operates plants and quarries in Lop Buri and Dong Nai, Vietnam. The former has a capacity of 900,000 tonnes of calcium carbonate a year, while the Vietnam location offers 100,000 tonnes per year, of which up to 95% is used domestically. Annual demand for calcium carbonate in Thailand is 800,000 tonnes, with SurintOmya owning 80% of the market. SurintOmya cut its growth estimate to 5-7% this year before rebounding to 10% in 2014. SurintOmya produces two grades of calcium carbonate. The high-quality grade is used in the production of paper, plastic, paints and consumer products, while mass production is for cement, roof tiles and agriculture. “If the 10% growth projection can be maintained, there is enough calcite deposits to last another 70 years,” said plant director Somnuk Tengchatapan. “Should flooding on the scale of 2011 occur in Lop Buri, the fuel cost for water pumping alone would force us to abandon the quarry,” said Mr Sasis. This article was first published in the Bangkok Post on 15 October 2013.

One suspect detained after Rangoon hotel blast Posted: 14 Oct 2013 11:09 PM PDT One suspect has been detained in connection with the explosion that went off at Rangoon's Traders Hotel just before midnight on Monday, according to police who said the blast was caused by a small, homemade time-bomb. Speaking to DVB on Tuesday, the police officer in charge at Kyauktada police station said that a Burmese national was in custody and that he has been preliminarily charged under the Explosives Act. A 43-year-old American woman who is based in Hong Kong was slightly injured with wounds to her thigh and hand, and taken to a Rangoon hospital for treatment. Her husband and their two children, aged five and seven, were reported to be unhurt. It is suspected that the bomb exploded in the bathroom of family's ninth-floor room in the prestigious 22-story hotel. The blast shattered at least one window sending shards of glass raining down on the street below. Related Stories Suu Kyi calls for ‘cool heads’ in wake of bombings Bomb explodes in Rangoon's Traders Hotel Bomb blast at Rangoon market injures two youngsters Police with sniffer dogs have cordoned off the hotel in central Rangoon and security forces wearing bullet-proof vests are surveying the scene. US consular staff are reported to be assisting the injured woman. The Traders Hotel blast was followed by two small explosions at 3am and 5am in Sagaing, central Burma, where police have told DVB there were no reports of injuries. A district police commander in Sagaing said the first bomb went off at a restaurant on the third floor of the Shwepyisone Hotel at around 3am, followed by a second blast at around 5:45am in the parking lot of the Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin pagoda on Sagaing Hill. "We have learnt they were time-bombs and the investigation is currently ongoing," he said. "There were no casualties or significant property damage." The police commander added that security in the area has been increased. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts or any of the other string of incidents involving explosions and detonated bombs across the country in recent days. Police have called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious packages found at bus or train stations or at the seaport.

Bomb explodes in Rangoon’s Traders Hotel Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:24 PM PDT A US woman was injured when a bomb exploded at the Traders Hotel in central Rangoon on Monday night, the latest in a string of incidents involving explosive devices in the former capital and elsewhere in Burma. Citing police, AFP reported that the injured American was taken to hospital with wounds to her thigh and her hand after the blast ripped through a guest room at the hotel late on Monday. Military officials and soldiers with sniffer dogs were seen at the hotel while shattered glass covered the road outside, AFP said, noting that the Traders is part of the Shangri-La group, is located in the heart of Burma's commercial hub, and is popular with foreign tourists and visiting business people. Earlier on Monday, Burmese police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squads were called in to investigate other incidents involving bombs and suspicious packages in Burma's two main cities. At around 10am on Monday morning, a bomb was found inside the Western Park restaurant in Rangoon's Ahlone township. An EOD team was called in and the device was defused. Related Stories Suu Kyi calls for ‘cool heads’ in wake of bombings One suspect detained after Rangoon hotel blast Bomb blast at Rangoon market injures two youngsters A few hours later, in Mandalay, a bomb was found at the intersection of 80th and 16th streets in Mandalay. The device, made from three batteries, was detonated from a safe distance by an EOD squad after attempts to defuse it had failed, Mandalay division Police told DVB. Then at 4pm in Mandalay, an abandoned blue rucksack aroused suspicions when it was spotted at the entrance of Waipula Rama Monastery in Chanayetharzan township between 29th and 30th streets. Police cordoned off the area and were determining how to deal with it. Other bomb scares were reported in Rangoon and Pyinmana, but both were found to be false alarms. On Sunday, two teenagers were slightly injured when a handmade bomb exploded in front of the tax-free market in Tharkayta [Thaketa] township in eastern Rangoon. And on Friday in Taungoo, central Burma, two people were killed and one injured when a bomb exploded in a room at the Chanmyay Guest House. Rangoon police have urged the public to stay vigilant and to inform them of anything unusual.

Tensions rise at Latpadaung Posted: 14 Oct 2013 08:57 PM PDT Once again tensions have peaked at the Latpadaung mining project after officials began fencing off farmland that falls within the project zone. Locals have been refusing compensation for land that was taken from them by the mining company. They say they want their land back. Many protesters were visibly distressed to see fences being built around their farm plots. Farmer Yin Mar said she lost over three acres of her land, which was used for growing sesame. Related Stories Locals protest Latpadaung mine resumption Latpadaung protestors demand Buddhist site left untouched Factory workers end strike A strong police presence guarded those who were building the fence, while authorities bulldozed some of the plots. Police say they were there to uphold a curfew that had been put in place. "We are here to guard the area with a curfew in place under article-144, in accordance with the law," said Police Lt-Col. Tin Htun. "We came here to prevent locals from entering the restricted area. We don't want any confrontation with the people." On Friday 150 people protested at the Latpadaung site as copper mining activities resumed. Explosions, signaling the resumption of the Chinese-backed project, angered locals. They say the recommendations put forward by the investigation commission, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, to look into mining operations, were not being implemented. The chances of these protesters getting their land back are slim – but it seems, they won't give in just yet.

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