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FATF Keeps Junta Blacklisted Despite Japan Push
The Financial Action Task Force is keeping Myanmar on its blacklist, leaving banks responsible for scrutinization of business with the country. Japan had been pushing for Myanmar’s removal from the list, reportedly with backing from at least one other big Asian country, but the watchdog remains unmoved, particularly because of widespread ongoing fraud and cyber scams. The FATF might even tighten oversight or restrict banking further if the junta doesn’t make any further progress by February. Myanmar state TV has been reporting that central bank governor Khin Naing Oo's delegation has already done 13 of the 15 necessary steps to get off the blacklist, and as a result won support from some influential members of the task force. Only Iran and North Korea join Myanmar on the blacklist.
Read more: The Diplomat (blacklist decision), DVB (Japan's lobbying), Myanmaritv (junta account)
Junta Threatens Migrants Over ID Boycott
The junta is threatening to stop migrant workers in Thailand from returning home if they boycott a new Certificate of Identity. Applicants are being required to prove they are sending at least a quarter of their wages back to Myanmar via official channels (where the exchange rates are appalling), AND paying a 2 percent income tax. Few workers are taking the time to show up at the five centers orchestrating this in Thailand. Labor Minister Maung Myint says those without the junta's paperwork will be treated as undocumented and will be barred from visiting home. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the boycott is spoiling his hopes of matching last year's $5.6 billion in remittances.
Read more: The Irrawaddy (document boycott), Khaosod English (migrant protest)
US Connects Peace Push to Rare Earths Access
A State Department strategy is trying to attach it’s horse of US peace diplomacy to the cart of rare earth deposits that now mostly get sent to China. Washington wants to see a ceasefire and a peace deal by 2030, and its planned federalism forums are also intended to open access to Burma's "bountiful" resources. Michael Vance, State’s top intelligence official, has met with the military-backed administration about reaching deposits in conflict zones.
Read more: Reuters
China Eases Curbs at Rebel-Held Crossings
China is easing up on trade curbs that were previously put in place at the junta's request, and some border crossings controlled by ethnic armed groups are again allowing fuel, medicine and building materials to pass. In Muse, the rebel-held gate is taking those goods even as regime-held crossings stay restricted. The TNLA-held crossing at Namhkam is allowing only food and household goods for now. Min Aung Hlaing, unhappy that armed groups are collecting taxes from smugglers, is working with his ministers on a tougher crackdown.
Read more: The Irrawaddy
Russian LNG for Thailand Could Pass Dawei
The junta and Thailand are in talks about a roundabout potential route for Russian liquefied natural gas to land in Thailand by way of Dawei. Energy ministers from the three countries all held (separate) talks in Bangkok. Min Aung Hlaing pitched the terminal in Russia in August as part of another attempt to revive Dawei's long-stalled port and economic zone. The junta has signed Russian fuel deals and says it expects an energy agreement to come with Thailand “soon.”
Read more: The Irrawaddy (LNG talks), ReliefWeb (Dawei plans)
UN Investigator Says Scam Money Drives the War
Scam compounds, illegal mining and human trafficking are no longer by-products of the war, but rather are helping to drive it, according to UN Special Rapporteur Kelley Eckels-Currie. Her report says Chinese criminal networks are the backbone of many illicit enterprises, using (cryptocurrency) Tether and social media to move money and find victims. She says that the profits are helping to pay for military weapons from China and Russia.
Read more: UN News (investigator's report), DVB (regional response)
Junta Bombs Damage Thai Border Village
Two of the junta’s bombs intended for a Karen National Union base on the Salween River damaged about 17 buildings in the Thai village of Mae Sam Laep instead. Shrapnel and blast waves hit a health center, a school, and places of worship, though nobody was reportedly injured by the indiscretion. The KNU says the junta had warned Thai officials and traders not to supply the group through its Saw Lae Tha checkpoint and had previously threatened to bomb the base. Boats have stopped running and riverside shops are closed.
Read more: The Nation (village damage), Khaosod English (junta warning)
Mission Ends Without Public ASSK Meeting
ASEAN envoy Maria Theresa Lazaro has ended a two-day visit to Myanmar without any sign that the junta allowed her to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. The Philippine foreign secretary, did, however, oversee aid distribution in Taunggyi and met Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe in Naypyitaw. The junta's foreign ministry said they took the opportunity to restore Myanmar's "original role and rights" in ASEAN. Manila's account mentioned only the humanitarian crisis and ASEAN's ignored peace plan. Lazaro said she asked about Suu Kyi and was told she was "doing well."
Read more: Reuters (ASEAN peace plan), The Irrawaddy (Suu Kyi request), The Irrawaddy (airstrikes), The Diplomat (envoy's mission)
Arakan Army Claims Three More Navy Ships
The Arakan Army says it destroyed three navy vessels at the mouth of the Kaladan River, sinking two and wrecking another. The claim would bring navy losses to six ships in a month. The regime's nearly two-month counteroffensive has failed so far to take Nga Pyi Island, which prevents further upriver access to Pauktaw and Ponnagyun. Capturing the island would break the AA's river blockade and support the protection of the Shwe Mingan naval base in Sittwe.
Read more: The Irrawaddy
Rakhine Deported by Malaysia Go Free
The junta says that it is (finally) releasing some of the more than 400 people from Rakhine whom Malaysia deported last month. After their arrival back to Myanmar, they were held for questioning in Yangon military facilities. The releases began two days after Malaysia's foreign minister got a grilling in parliament about what was going on. Kuala Lumpur (despite some pushback) continues to plan for the further deportion of 5,000 Myanmar more nationals in stages; it still holds more than 10,300.
Read more: The Irrawaddy
That's all for this week, thanks for reading. Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back- hit reply and tell us what you think.
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