(1) Ceasefire leader fighting fit
(2) Business premises built for the workers' welfare
demolished in
Akyab
(3) Convention reps: one more, one less
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ceasefire leader fighting fit
=============================
Shan Herald Agency for News
The leader of the Mongla ceasefire
group, who had been rumored to be
in poor health the past few weeks,
is in great shape and on the go,
according to one of his officers on
a visit to Maesai, reports Tai
Touch from Chiangrai.
Sai Leun,
a.k.a Lin Mingxian, 58, a
former Communist commander who had
made peace with his erstwhile
enemy,
ethnic groups that broke away from
the Communist Party of Burma in
1989, has been in excellent health since his spectacular
recovery
early this year from the stroke
that left him paralyzed for a year,
said the source, an officer from
his 369th Brigade. "He hasn't missed
any monthly meetings since his
return," he claimed.
Politics, the military, health, trade and development are
said to be
the main topics discussed at each
monthly gathering of his National
Democratic
"Our current policy is to follow political developments
closely and
strengthen ties with our
allies," the source, who requested his
identify be withheld, stated.
"All units have also been placed on full
alert since Oct. 19 (when Gen. Khin
Nyunt was
dismissed and reportedly
detained)."
So far, the only government agencies in Mongla,
officially labeled as
Shan State Special Region No.4, are Immigration and Customs.
"We have
been requested to let in a small
police force to help keep order," the
source said, "but we told them
we could manage our own affairs."
With regards to its northern adjoining neighbor, the United Wa State
Army, he confirmed that Bao Youxiang, its commander-in-chief, was in
what the Wa leader was suffering
from.
proposed that their territories be
placed under direct authority of
the President of the Union of Burma
instead of the Shan state
government.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Business premises built for the workers' welfare
demolished in Akyab
====================================================================
Narinjara News
Akyab, Nov 30: Business premises
built for the welfare of government
employees are now being demolished
by the local authority, who claims
these premises are violating
government policy guidelines.
The premises were already rented to private businesses at a
high price.
"The local authority demolished the shop premises that
we rent from
the Electrical Power Corporation
paid by 1.2 million kyats as deposit
for a shop. They are not going to
refund the money we have already
paid. We lost a lot here,"
said a victim who lost her shop in the
demolition.
The people lost their deposits as well as large sums they contributed
to building the premises. At the
same time, they also lost their
businesses.
"Government policy is always changing, and it is really
hard to know
what their policy is," the
victim continued. "It was the local
authority that made government
employees set up these premises for
their welfare. Now they are the ones who destroy these premises,
saying it is in accord with the
policy. At the end of the day, it is
the ordinary people who suffer from
this."
The Arakan State Electrical Power
Corporation built shops in front of
their Akyab
office to benefit the employee's welfare and have been
renting the premises out since
2000. The demolition of the shops comes
about after the abolition of fund
collecting for government employees.
"We don't know what is going to happen. We paid three
million kyats
for a shop each for deposit.
Because of the rumors of demolition of
all the premises that have been
built, those concerned are really
anxious now," said a businessperson
who rented a shop at the Akyab
Police Headquarters.
In Akyab, 30 shops for university
staff, 45 at No. 1 Police Station,
seven for Myanmar Air, four for
Post and Communications, and 12 for
Waving School staff members are said to be in danger of demolition.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Convention reps: one more, one less
===================================
Shan Herald Agency for News
At least one replacement is necessary to complete the full
quota of
1,088 delegates attending the next round of the National
Convention to
be held in February, reports Tai
Touch from Chiangrai:
Yawna, 50, leader of the Lahu militia force from the village of
Kaeolong, Hawngleuk
tract, in Tachilek township
opposite Maesai,
passed away on Nov. 18. He had been
chosen by military authorities as
one of the delegates of the
National Races grouping during the May 17 -
July 9 National Convention.
He had for years been suffering from tuberculosis, said
sources. Yawna
was one of two known delegates
addicted to methamphetamines at the
Convention, the other being Col. Mahaja,
a former officer in the
defunct Mong
Tai Army of Khun Sa and currently president of the Homong-
based Shan State South Company.
"Both of them had gone to Nyaunghnapin
(where the National Convention
was held) well stocked with dope," said a resident of Tachilek who
knows both,"But
authorities conveniently turned a blind eye to them."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
______________________________________________________________________
Burma News International is a network of nine exiled media
groups
such as Mizzima
News, Shan Herald Agency for News, Kao Wao News Group,
Khonumthung News Group, Narinjara News, Kaladan Press
Network,
Independent Mon News Agency, Karenni Information
Network Group and Network Media Group.
_______________________________________________________________________
.........................
Contact: Duty Editor
+66 9 54 94 296
bni_newsimna@yahoo.co.uk