Saturday, March 1, 2014

Democratic Voice of Burma

Democratic Voice of Burma

Race, religion protection bills create ‘needless’ restrictions: Htet Myat

Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:38 AM PST

On Thursday Parliamentary Speaker Shwe Mann delegated draft legislation for the protection of race and religion in Burma, after monastic lobbyists petitioned for the laws. The Organisation for the Protection of National Race and Religion (OPNRR), headed by monk Ashin Tilawka Biwuntha, drafted four bills: the Faith Conversion Bill; the Marriage Bill; the Monogamy Bill; and the Population Control Bill. The group urged that the drafts be submitted to Parliament, claiming that protection of Burma’s race and religion is urgently needed to avoid such conflict as has ravaged parts of the country since 2012.

The proposed laws restrict interfaith marriage and could impose childbirth limitations.

DVB staff reporter Shwe Aung spoke with writer and former political prisoner Htet Myat about the proposed legislation, which he views as unnecessary and counter-productive to the nation’s efforts towards peace and social stability.

 

SA: Do you think now is an appropriate time to create racial and religious protection laws?

HM: The aim of the race protection laws was to address problems in Arakan State. I cannot accept these bills. I would like to say, frankly, that these bills are unnecessary. What we are seeing today is reminiscent of the 1960′s; They are trying to make Buddhism the national religion.

But these laws will prohibit the rights of women in Burma. When I read the meeting minutes of the monks who proposed the bills, I realised that not only does it prohibit women’s rights but also abuses the right to freedom of religion. I think at this moment, we don’t need this in our country. There is no such threat against Buddhism. I believe that the bills should not be approved at this time. I can’t accept this legislation.

SA: The leading monk from the OPNRR, which put the legislation forward, said that the new laws are necessary to stop racial and religious violence in Burma. Do you have any comment on this?

HM: The way he worded it, it seems like a threat. It meant that if the bills are not approved, there will be more conflict. If we consider the Meikhtila incident, it is obvious that people are behind it… some authorities didn’t do enough to control the situation. The conflict began in Arakan State and broadened to reach other parts of the country. Also in Pegu division, incidents happened in one town after another. There are people creating these problems. These problems were created by some people behind it.

People of different faiths have been living together for a long time without any problems. If there is no agitation from behind, there is no problem. Those who are creating problems should take responsibility. Relevant authorities should take legal action against them. If there are people creating conflicts, they should be held to account.

SA: The draft legislation was sent to the President last July. Why is it just reaching Parliament now?

HM: I think there are movements to launch propaganda against Aung San Suu Kyi, to prevent her from becoming President in the 2015 elections. The monks who proposed these bills are also organising against the amendment of Article 59 (f) [which disqualifies Suu Kyi for presidency]. It is co-incident with the submission of these bills. The election is only one year away. I am very suspicious about these moves.

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DVB talks to Chinese Ambassador to Burma

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 10:31 PM PST

DVB Interview International spoke to the Chinese Ambassador to Burma, Yang Houlan, about Chinese investment in the country, local development projects, and China's involvement in the peace process.

Ambassador Yang said mutual cooperation with Burma was important and that the Burmese people will benefit from Chinese investment projects.

"The Chinese government has stressed that we should have mutual beneficial cooperation and we hope that neighbouring countries would be able to benefit from China's fast development."

The ambassador likened Burma's history to China's, and referred to China opening up 30 years ago.

"China's opening up and reform [process] was just 30 years before Myanmar [Burma]. So we can share our experience with Myanmar," he said. "I think if Myanmar gets into a quick development period, they will provide more opportunities for cooperation between Myanmar and China."

Construction of the Chinese-owned Myitsone dam in Kachin state was halted in September 2011 after fierce public opposition. Ambassador Yang acknowledged there was not enough public consultation before the project went ahead.

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"The feasibility studies are not enough," he said. "There are some worries for the dam building and there involved in some cultural issues. But if the Myanmar government and people want to [re]start the project, both sides they can solve the problems through negotiations."

However last month the Kachin Development Network Group (KNDP) slammed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report compiled by Chinese state-owned Chinese Power Investment (CPI). The KNDP said that local Kachin groups were never consulted about the project and that many villagers were forcibly relocated to make way for its construction.

Ambassador Yang recognised that they needed to change their old models when it came to transparency.

"We tried to change our former models — doing more and speaking less. So now we are trying to do more and speak more and [have] more communication with local people and different sections of society," he said.

"Without the local people's support it is very difficult for them to proceed with the projects."

Ambassador Yang said the Chinese Embassy accepted responsibility for advising Chinese companies to act responsibly and to conduct local outreach programmes.

"We would like to give some advice to them — what they should do and should not do. It's our responsibility to do more in this regard," he said.

"We encourage Chinese companies to take more input on the social affects and benefit of the local people."

There have been protests throughout Burma over land rights issues, land confiscation, and forced relocation when big investment projects  — many of them Chinese — move in to an area.

The ambassador said that at the moment it was the investors who were taking all the responsibility for it, but everyone should work together to resolve these issues.

"We hope we will have more cooperation with the government and make the people understand why we want to start these projects."

Chinese investment in Burma has fallen from US$12 billion between 2008-2011 to $407 million in 2012-2013. Ambassador Yang said the halting of the Myitsone dam and Latpadaung copper mine in Monywa, may have put some Chinese businessmen off from investing.

"After it [Myitsone dam] stopped it worried some Chinese investors. So there was a negative impact on the investment from China," he said.

"If the investment environment improved there would be more investment here. China is still the number one investor in Burma."

Road-testing Burma’s wineries

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:48 PM PST

Burma is blessed with a gilded, gravity-defying rock, thousand year old temples and a natural lake that's bigger than South Korea, yet one of the country's more understated experiences is no less memorable: drinking local wines where the grapes are grown. Burma has two wineries, both located in mountainous Shan State, where the elevation is high enough to produce very decent white wines and velvety reds.

"We've had only positive feedback [about the winery]," said Bert Mosbach, the managing director of Myanmar's first wine producer, Myanmar Vineyard Estate Co. Ltd. Its Aythaya label is named after the village the winery is located in, which lies at an altitude of 1,200 metres.

However Mr Mosbach said he plans to have a sound barrier installed at the winery to wipe out every last trace of noise from cars en route to or from nearby Taunggyi, the state's bustling capital.

"Paradise shouldn't have any noise," said Mosbach, who boasts that his winery, which is run by fellow German compatriot, winemaker Hans Leiendecker, "is the nicest place in southern Shan State."

Indeed, by the time the sampling of four wines was complete (K2,000) and as the sun was casting its final glow over the rolling hills, it was easy to imagine that life doesn't get any better. By the time the first bottle of sauvignon blanc was emptied and the shiraz delivered to the table by our friendly Chin waiter, it was more than mere imagining. The only distraction to conversation became conversation itself: a plump, bossy white duck chased a smaller version of itself across the pond in front of the restaurant's balcony with as much huff and puff as Daffy Duck.

Gradual intoxication, the murmurings of French tourists nearby and a dozen or so Burmese taking selfies on the pavilion created a pleasant sense of confusion. My husband ordered spicy chicken wings and I had an avocado and a seafood salad – one local, one Western style.

According to Mosbach, the cosmopolitan nature of the guests at the winery – the majority of whom are now locals – is something he's always tried to cultivate.

"It used to be only the Europeans, Americans and Canadians who came to the winery, but lately a lot more Asian tourists have been coming. While I'd say that wine appreciation is definitely growing in Myanmar [Burma], there wasn't a tipping point as such… It kept Hans and I wondering when that moment came, when local consumers took over as the majority."

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After years of trials and tribulations – such as having his basmati rice farm in Loikaw, Karenni [Kayah] State, confiscated by the former military government, then having to abandon his first winery (also in Loikaw) due to armed conflict between government troops and ethnic rebels, Mosbach is now literally reaping the fruits of his labour.

He told DVB that Aythaya's sales are at an all time high. Whilst it's no surprise that local wine sales benefitted from the government's sudden crackdown on imported alcohol and tobacco in the lead-up to Christmas last year, Mosbach said that many consumers were converted.

"It was a moment for many wine drinkers who had never touched Myanmar wine to try it. And they've stayed with us since, which is wonderful," he said.

Mosbach said that sales in January broke December's record, and that February was even stronger. Although he declined to provide sales figures, he said sales volumes are "already double what they were in 2013."

In fact, it's now local wines that are out of stock.

"We sold out of our white wines last Friday. It's still in the shops, but we can't fill our new orders. It's the first time we've had this problem. We can't sell more until the wine is ready – which is about three weeks from now."

Mosbach is considered the pioneer of wine-making in Burma, having set up Myanmar 1st Vineyard in 1999 – however he does have one award winning competitor: Red Mountain. Its winery has a more rustic feel and lies in a valley close to Nyaung Shwe, with magnificent views of Inle Lake. Its altitude is slightly lower, at 950 meters above sea level. Unfortunately however, the white wine was served in a bucket with an awkward slab of ice and wasn't properly chilled, while the food and service was somewhat mediocre.

"Competition stimulates business and there's room for more of it," Mosbach said with a smile. He added that Aythaya is outperforming Red Mountain with "significantly more sales."

Mosbach is also adamant that Burma's climate is "perfect" for making quality white wines, which gives it an edge over regional rivals. In Thailand, for example, most vineyards have been set up in low altitude, tropical climates, of between 0-200 meters above sea level. According to Red Mountain's winemaker Francois Raynal, "Thailand's sauvignon blanc and pinot noir are not growing well."

"It's no accident that we've sold out of white wine," Mosbach said.

"There was a 300 person function held recently for the German President's visit, and people there told us that Aythaya is the best white wine in Asia. This confirmed my own opinion."

When DVB told Mosbach it had heard through the grapevine that an Asian Wine Producer's Association is in the process of being set up, and that it already has 10 founding members from the wine producing countries of Japan, Thailand, China, India and Indonesia, he sat bolt upright in his chair.

"Tell [the association] that we want to join," he said.
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