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Monday, September 23, 2002

CRPP Comes Into Play

The recent celebration of the fourth founding anniversary of the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP) at the National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters on 16 September was a signal from the democratic movement that it was going to revive the political role of that body. The CRPP, a 10-member body representing political parties comprising the NLD, the Shan NLD, Arakan Democracy League, Mon Democracy Party, and Zomi National Congress, was formed in 1998. Over 275 elected representatives have endorsed the CRPP and have given it full powers to act on their behalf before the parliament can be convened,

The CRPP's founding anniversary was briefly announced in a statement distributed by the NLD which said CRPP Secretary U Aye Thar Aung, who was released from prison on 16 August, after being sentenced to 21 years prison in April 2000, "was given back his duties which were happily accepted by him." The statement said, "The CRPP will continue to work relentlessly until democracy is attained."

It has been a while that the CRPP has remained out of the political sight of Burma. This may be because CRPP leaders were in prison for some time and because of hopes that the talks that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) had initiated with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in October 2000 may result in something positive. The revival of the CRPP comes at a time when the generals in the SPDC are giving no indication as to when they are going to resume the talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The fourth anniversary of the CRPP was covered by China's Xinhua news agency under the heading, "Myanmar's alternative parliament marks anniversary."

Rice Crisis

The generals in the SPDC are confidently saying that they have enough rice stocks to feed the country and that there was no reason for rice prices to be soaring unreasonably. But the price of best quality strains of unhusked aromatic rice which was selling around 94,000 kyat per 100 baskets in September last year is now being sold at around 200,000 kyat. The price of lower grade unhusked rice usually consumed by low-income earners has also doubled in the past 12 months.

Heavy rainfalls in recent months that left rice fields inundated in many parts of the country have worsened the present crisis. Rice traders expecting a shortage of rice because of the floods are hoarding the staple and this has pushed up prices beyond the reach of the common people.

Traders are even offering high prices to farmers in advance for rice that has yet to be harvested. An observer said, "There is no sign that the government is about to release its rice stocks and rice traders paying in advance for unharvested rice at high prices means the problem is likely to stay with us for some time."

Looting

There have been reports of rice looting by the poor and desperate in many areas. Villagers stopping a government truck to loot rice and ransacking of rice stores were reported in Sittwe, Pyinmana, Bogale, and most recently in Mudon. The reported cases may be indicators of how far-reaching the problem may be: Sittwe is situated far West, Mudon is in the south, Pyinmana in the central region, and Bogale in the delta region.

Spiraling rice prices have also contributed to an alarming rise in number of crimes particularly in the poor quarters of major cities. Rangoon residents report increasing number of thefts, brazen demand for money by strangers on streets, and robberies committed against private taxi drivers, most of whom now drive around with a companion for security.

Understanding that the rice problem is a potential threat to its stability, SPDC has been distributing rationed quantities of low-grade rice at subsidized prices in urban areas. Burmese expatriates who work abroad and who recently returned from Rangoon say they have seen people queuing up for their small quota of rice at government distribution points.

The junta has also summoned rice traders and told them to do their part to overcome the problem. The traders were told to "donate" rice bags to the state during the crisis. About 150 privately owned rice warehouses in Bayintnaung trading area of Rangoon were forced to contribute 4,500 rice bags to the SPDC earlier this month.

Anti-Thai Feeling Continues

A witness said that during a meeting with publishers, editors, and others from the press and literary circles on 12 September, Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung, deputy minister for home affairs, suggested that "publications, journals, and magazines being published today should include anti-Thai materials in their issues." The witness, however, said "It's a good thing that he did not say it was an order that we must follow." (Brig Gen Thura Myint Maung)

Issued by the NCGUB Information Unit (Information Committee)