Federal Register/Vol. 83, No. 24/Monday, February

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Load more

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Notices 5159 [email protected]). The mailing paper prepared by the Secretariat pursuant to the authority vested in me address is U.S. Department of State, L/ entitled ‘‘Reducing the legal obstacles by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. PD, SA–5, Suite 5H03, Washington, DC faced by MSMEs’’ (UN Doc. A/CN.9/ 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), E.O. 12047 of 20522–0505. WG.I/WP.107). Once those tasks had March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The been completed, the Working Group Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 foregoing determinations were made would resume its consideration of the (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 pursuant to the authority vested in me draft legislative guide on an UNCITRAL note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. Limited Liability Organization found in No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), E.O. 12047 of documents A/CN.9/WG.I/WP.99 and A/ of Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs CN.9/WG.I/WP.99/Add.1. Draft texts, 2000 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 along with the reports of earlier sessions Authority No. 257–1 of December 11, (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 of the Working Group will be available 2015). I have ordered that Public Notice note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority at http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/ of these determinations be published in No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation commission/working_groups/ the Federal Register. 1MSME.html. of Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, Alyson Grunder, 2000 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Time and Place: The ACPIL public Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Bureau Authority No. 257–1 of December 11, meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 2015). I have ordered that Public Notice Department of State. p.m. EDT via teleconference. of these determinations be published in [FR Doc. 2018–02189 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] the Federal Register. Public Participation: Those planning to participate should email [email protected] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P Alyson Grunder, to obtain the call-in number. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Michael J. Dennis, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Department of State. Attorney-Adviser, Office of Private [FR Doc. 2018–02190 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] International Law, Office of the Legal Adviser, Office of Foreign Assets Control Department of State. BILLING CODE 4710–05–P [FR Doc. 2018–02175 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions BILLING CODE 7410–08–P AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets DEPARTMENT OF STATE Control, Treasury. [Public Notice: 10294] DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACTION: Notice. U.S. Department of State Advisory [Public Notice: 10298] SUMMARY: The Department of the Committee on Private International Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting in Notice of Determinations; Culturally Control (OFAC) is publishing the names Advance of Meeting of United Nations Significant Objects Imported for of one or more persons that have been Commission on International Trade Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Icons of placed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group I- Style: A Century of Fashion Nationals and Blocked Persons List Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Photography, 1911–2011’’ Exhibition based on OFAC’s determination that one Enterprises SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in The Office of the Assistant Legal following determinations: I hereby property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of Adviser for Private International Law, determine that certain objects to be these persons are blocked, and U.S. Department of State, hereby gives notice included in the exhibition ‘‘Icons of persons are generally prohibited from that the Micro, Small, and Medium- Style: A Century of Fashion engaging in transactions with them. Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) study group Photography, 1911–2011,’’ imported of the Advisory Committee on Private from abroad for temporary exhibition DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION International Law (ACPIL) will hold a within the United States, are of cultural section. public meeting via teleconference to significance. The objects are imported FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: discuss the next session of the pursuant to loan agreements with the OFAC: Associate Director for Global UNCITRAL Working Group I scheduled foreign owners or custodians. I also Targeting, tel.: 202–622–2420; Assistant for March 12–16 in New York. This is determine that the exhibition or display Director for Licensing, tel.: 202–622– not a meeting of the full Advisory of the exhibit objects at The J. Paul Getty 2480; Assistant Director for Regulatory Committee. Museum at the Getty Center, Los Affairs, tel.: 202–622–4855; Assistant UNCITRAL has established a working Angeles, California, from on or about Director for Sanctions Compliance & group aimed at reducing the legal June 26, 2018, until on or about October Evaluation, tel.: 202–622–2490; or the obstacles faced by MSMEs throughout 21, 2018, and at possible additional Department of the Treasury’s Office of their life cycle, and in particular those exhibitions or venues yet to be the General Counsel: Office of the Chief in developing countries. UNCITRAL determined, is in the national interest. Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), tel.: further directed that the work should FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 202–622–2410. start with a focus on the legal issues Elliot Chiu in the Office of the Legal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: surrounding the simplification of Adviser, U.S. Department of State registration and incorporation. At its (telephone: 202–632–6471; email: Electronic Availability upcoming session, the UNCITRAL [email protected]). The mailing The list of Specially Designated Working Group I will attempt to address is U.S. Department of State, L/ Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN complete consideration of a draft PD, SA–5, Suite 5H03, Washington, DC List) and additional information legislative guide on key principles of 20522–0505. concerning OFAC sanctions programs business registration (UN Doc. A/CN.9/ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The are available on OFAC’s website (http:// WG.I/WP.106) and an introductory foregoing determinations were made www.treasury.gov/ofac). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:08 Feb 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 5160 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 24 / Monday, February 5, 2018 / Notices Notice of OFAC Actions District, Chiang Rai, Thailand; DOB 01 Jan to act for or on behalf of, directly or 1977; nationality Thailand; Gender Male; indirectly, Zhao WEI. On January 30, 2018, OFAC National ID No. 5–5715–00025–50–6 4. KING ROMANS COMPANY LIMITED, determined that the property and (Thailand) (individual) [TCO] (Linked To: 292, Wiang, Chiang Saen, 57150 Chiang Rai, interests in property subject to U.S. ZHAO WEI TCO). Designated pursuant to Thailand; 292 Mu. 1, Tambon Wiang, Chiang jurisdiction of the following persons are section 1(a)(ii)(B) of E.O. 13581 for having Saen District, Chiang Rai, Thailand; 422/44 blocked under the relevant sanctions materially assisted, sponsored, or provided Chang Khlan Road, Tambon Chang Khlang, authority listed below. financial, material, or technological support Mueang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand; for, or goods or services to or in support of, Registration ID 0575552000132 (Thailand) Individuals the ZHAO WEI TCO. Also designated [TCO] (Linked To: WEI, Zhao; Linked To: pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(C) of E.O. 13581 1. WEI, Zhao (a.k.a. CHIO, Wai; a.k.a. RUNGTAWANKHIRI, Nat). Designated for having acted or purported to act for or on HWEI, Jao; a.k.a. SAECHOU, Thanchai; a.k.a. pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(C) of E.O. 13581 behalf of, directly or indirectly, the ZHAO WAI, Chio; a.k.a. WEI, Chao; a.k.a. WEI, Jiao; for being owned or controlled by, or having WEI TCO. a.k.a. WEI, Zhang), Flat G, 19 FL Maple acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, Mansion, Taikoo Shing, Quarry Bay, Hong Entities directly or indirectly, Zhao WEI and Nat Kong; Room 2410, 24/F, Block Q, Kornhill, RUNGTAWANKHIRI. Quarry Bay, Hong Kong; DOB 16 Sep 1952; 1. ZHAO WEI TCO (a.k.a. KINGS ROMANS Dated: January 30, 2018. CASINO; a.k.a. KINGS ROMANS GROUP; POB Heilongjiang Province, China; alt. POB John E. Smith, Liaoning Province, China; nationality China; a.k.a. ZHAO WEI NARCOTICS Gender Male; Passport MA0269785 (Macau); TRAFFICKING GROUP), Laos; Thailand; Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control. alt. Passport M0178952 (China); alt. Passport Burma; China [TCO]. Designated pursuant to [FR Doc. 2018–02161 Filed 2–2–18; 8:45 am] MA0162634 (China); National ID No. section 1(a)(ii)(A) of E.O. 13581 because it is BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P 12756003 (Macau) (individual) [TCO] a foreign person that constitutes a significant (Linked To: ZHAO WEI TCO). Designated transnational criminal organization. pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(B) of Executive 2. KINGS ROMANS INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Order 13581 of July 24, 2011, ‘‘Blocking (HK) CO., LIMITED (a.k.a. DOK NGEW Property of Transnational Criminal KHAM CASINO CO. LTD.; a.k.a. DOK NGIEO Office of Foreign Assets Control Organizations’’ (E.O. 13581), for having KHAM COMPANY; a.k.a. DOK NGIU KHAM materially assisted, sponsored, or provided KING ROMAN CASINO; a.k.a.
Recommended publications
  • Mong La: Business As Usual in the China-Myanmar Borderlands

    Mong La: Business As Usual in the China-Myanmar Borderlands

    Mong La: Business as Usual in the China-Myanmar Borderlands Alessandro Rippa, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Martin Saxer, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich The aim of this project is to lay the conceptual groundwork for a new understanding of the positionality of remote areas around the globe. It rests on the hypothesis that remoteness and connectivity are not independent features but co-constitute each other in particular ways. In the context of this project, Rippa and Saxer conducted exploratory fieldwork together in 2015 along the China-Myanmar border. This collaborative photo essay is one result of their research. They aim to convey an image of Mong La that goes beyond its usual depiction as a place of vice and unruliness, presenting it, instead, as the outcome of a particular China-inspired vision of development. Infamous Mong La It is 6:00 P.M. at the main market of Mong La, the largest town in the small autonomous strip of land on the Chinese border formally known in Myanmar as Special Region 4. A gambler from China’s northern Heilongjiang Province just woke up from a nap. “I’ve been gambling all morning,” he says, “but after a few hours it is better to stop. To rest your brain.” He will go back to the casino after dinner, as he did for the entire month he spent in Mong La. Like him, hundreds of gamblers crowd the market, where open-air restaurants offer food from all over China. A small section of the market is dedicated to Mong La’s most infamous commodity— wildlife.
  • L'asie Du Sud-Est Dans Le « Siècle Chinois

    L'asie Du Sud-Est Dans Le « Siècle Chinois

    L’ASIE DU SUD-EST DANS LE « SIÈCLE CHINOIS » (CAMBODGE, LAOS ET VIÊT NAM) 1 Danielle Tan est docteur en science politique (Sciences Po Paris 2011). Spécialiste de l’Asie du Sud-Est, ses principaux axes de recherche portent sur l’économie politique de la péninsule indochinoise, en particulier les dynamiques transnationales, ainsi que les transformations politiques, socio-économiques et territoriales qui résultent de la globalisation et de l’influence croissante de la Chine dans la région. Elle a commencé ses recherches au Cambodge en retraçant l’histoire de sa diaspora chinoise et a ensuite exploré le rôle joué par les réseaux transnationaux chinois dans la transformation de l’État au Laos. Ses recherches postdoctorales s’orientent désormais vers une analyse comparée des transformations contemporaines survenant dans les « enclaves chinoises » du Triangle d’or (nord de la Thaïlande et du Laos, État Shan en Birmanie). Après deux postdoctorats à ANU (Australian National University, Canberra) et à IIAS (International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden), elle occupe actuellement un poste d’ATER à Sciences Po Lyon, et est rattachée à l’IAO (Institut d’Asie Orientale – CNRS, ENS Lyon). Elle est également chercheure associée à l’Irasec. Avec la contribution de Caroline Grillot Caroline Grillot est anthropologue (Paris X-Nanterre) et sinologue (Inalco). Elle a passé plus de dix ans en Chine où elle a étudié le chinois à l’Université du Shandong (1994-1995) et du Sichuan (1998-2000) grâce au soutien du ministère des Affaires Étrangères et Européennes. Elle a également travaillé dans divers domaines, assistant notamment le bureau de l’Unesco à Pékin dans la mise en place de programmes en sciences sociales.
  • On the Butcher's Block

    On the Butcher's Block

    Wildlife On The Butcher’s Block: The Mekong Tiger Trade Trail 5 March, 2020 Wildlife ©tigersintheforest.co.uk ©EIAimage We would like to thank ABOUT EIA EIA UK Above: As indicators of the CONTENTS 62-63 Upper Street, health of the ecosystem Ximporae.EIA would Utlike aut to fugitisthank restithe ut atia We investigate and campaign against they live in, the forests that London N1 0NY UK secure water for millions of Introduction 4 nobitfollowing ium foralici their bla conesupport consequam for environmental crime and abuse. T: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 people and mitigate climate cusresearch aci oditaquates and analysis dolorem on the volla tiger change, tigers are a symbol of Fighting extinction 5 Our undercover investigations E: [email protected] good governance. Of cultural vendam,trade: Sophie consequo Rhodes molor Legacy, sin net David expose transnational wildlife crime, eia-international.org importance and a source of Cultivating demand 7 fugitatur,Shepherd qui Wildlife int que Foundation, nihic tem The tourist income, they are making with a focus on elephants and a comeback in countries that aspedRufford quei Foundation oditaquates and dolorem Ernest Lacking leadership 9 tigers, and forest crimes such as still value them alive and in the vollaKleinwort vendam, Charitable conseqci Trust. oditaquates EIA US wild. illegal logging and deforestation for Thailand 10 dolorem volla vendam, consequo PO Box 53343 Under a partnership project funded cash crops like palm oil. We work to Front cover: butchered tiger molor sin net fugitatur,
  • Sin City: Illegal Wildlife Trade in Laos' Special Economic Zone

    Sin City: Illegal Wildlife Trade in Laos' Special Economic Zone

    SIN CITY Illegal wildlife trade in Laos’ Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTENTS This report was written by the Environmental Investigation Agency. 2 INTRODUCTION Special thanks to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), the Rufford Foundation, Ernest Kleinwort 3 PROFILE OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE SPECIAL Charitable Trust, Save Wild Tigers and Michael Vickers. ECONOMIC ZONE & KINGS ROMANS GROUP Report design by: 5 WILDLIFE TRADE AT THE GT SEZ www.designsolutions.me.uk March 2015 7 REGIONAL WILDLIFE CRIME HOTSPOTS All images © EIA/ENV unless otherwise stated. 9 ILLEGAL WILDLIFE SUPERMARKET 11 LAWLESSNESS IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE 13 WILDLIFE CLEARING HOUSE: LAOS’ ROLE IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL WILDLIFE TRADE 16 CORRUPTION & A LACK OF CAPACITY 17 DEMAND DRIVERS OF TIGER TRADE IN LAOS 19 CONCLUSIONS 20 RECOMMENDATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (EIA) 62/63 Upper Street, London N1 0NY, UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7354 7961 email: [email protected] www.eia-international.org EIA US P.O.Box 53343 Washington DC 20009 USA Tel: +1 202 483 6621 Fax: +202 986 8626 email: [email protected] COVER IMAGE: © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com 1 INTRODUCTION This report takes a journey to a dark corner of north-west Lao PDR (hereafter referred to as Laos), in the heart of the Golden Triangle in South-East Asia. The Environmental Investigation While Laos’ wildlife laws are weak, there The blatant illegal wildlife trade by Agency (EIA) and Education for Nature is not even a pretence of enforcement in Chinese companies in this part of Laos Vietnam (ENV) have documented how the GT SEZ.
  • The Chinese Special Economic Zone and Its Impact in Northwestern Laos

    The Chinese Special Economic Zone and Its Impact in Northwestern Laos

    Canadian Journal of Development Studies / Revue canadienne d'études du développement ISSN: 0225-5189 (Print) 2158-9100 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rcjd20 Negotiating post-resettlement livelihoods: the Chinese special economic zone and its impact in northwestern Laos Pinkaew Laungaramsri & Souksamone Sengchanh To cite this article: Pinkaew Laungaramsri & Souksamone Sengchanh (2018): Negotiating post- resettlement livelihoods: the Chinese special economic zone and its impact in northwestern Laos, Canadian Journal of Development Studies / Revue canadienne d'études du développement, DOI: 10.1080/02255189.2019.1524748 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2019.1524748 Published online: 18 Oct 2018. Submit your article to this journal View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rcjd20 CANADIAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES REVUE CANADIENNE D’ÉTUDES DU DÉVELOPPEMENT https://doi.org/10.1080/02255189.2019.1524748 Negotiating post-resettlement livelihoods: the Chinese special economic zone and its impact in northwestern Laos Pinkaew Laungaramsria and Souksamone Sengchanhb aSociology and Anthropology Department, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; bFaculty of Economics, Souphanouvong University, Luangprabang, Lao PDR ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY Special economic zones (SEZs) are often employed by the state as a Received 20 June 2017 development mechanism to attract foreign direct investment and as Accepted 18 May 2018 a key engine for rural transformation. Drawing on fieldwork in KEYWORDS northwestern Laos, this article examines the development impacts Special economic zone; post- of the SEZ, the broker state and the development investor. resettlement; broker state; Deprived of their lands, many post-resettlement villagers were not Laos; negotiating livelihood incorporated into the economy of the SEZ.
  • Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone

    Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone

    Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (Lao: ເຂດ ເສດຖະກິ ດພິ ເສດ ສາມຫຼ ່ຽມທອງຄໍ າ, Chinese: 金三角经济特区) is located along the Mekong River in the Ton Pheung District of Bokeo Province in Laos. The zone has an area about 3,000 hectares and was created in 2007 by the Lao Government together with the Chinese- owned Hong Kong registered company Kings Romans Group with the hope of generating economic development. The zone is dominated by the Kings Romans casino which attracts mostly Chinese visitors, and several hotels. It is part of a wider trend of casinos emerging in the Mekong region following the displacement of money laundering from Macao in 2014.[1] Since its commencement, it has gained a reputation of being a Chinese city rife with illegal activities such as drug, human and animal trafficking[2][3] although Kings Romans' owner has denied the The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone by the banks of the allegations[4] while Lao authorities have also carried out some Mekong River enforcement action following the reports.[5] In January 2018, the United States Treasury Department sanctioned Kings Romans, its owner, Zhao Wei, and the "Zhao Wei Transnational Crime Organization," alleging the casino was used to launder money and traffic drugs, among other serious crimes.[6] Despite this, consignments of drugs and precursors still transit near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone. Seizures of high-grade crystal methamphetamine traced back to the Laos border are up over 200% in 2020 in northeast Thailand,
  • Special Economic Zone and the Neoliberalization of the Lao Frontier1

    Special Economic Zone and the Neoliberalization of the Lao Frontier1

    Commodifying Sovereignty: Special Economic Zone and the Neoliberalization of the Lao Frontier1 Pinkaew Laungaramsri2 ABSTRACT Laos has followed its Chinese neighbor in creating the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as part of the new economic engine that allows distinctive economic policies and flexible governmental measures conducive to doing business in certain areas of the country. SEZs in Laos operate as one form of “self-imposed extraterritoriality” tailored to foreign investors especially the Chinese. Vast areas of local land have been turned into entertainment and tourist complex. This paper uses the case of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to examine the paradox between the desire to civilize and the will to survive played out in the border zone of northern Lao PDR. It investigates the means and mechanism that facilitate the process of the civilizing mission by the Chinese investor. Commodifying sovereignty has contributed to the creation of the space of exception necessary for the new economic possibilities to reshape the “wild zone” and its people into a productive resource. Negotiation and reluctance by the Lao villagers to participate in the new economic enterprise has kept them in the state of “abeyance”. The paper also analyzes the role of the Burmese migrant workers as the key actor -- the neo-liberal subjects that help make the Chinese civilizing mission possible. Keywords: Special Economic Zone, commodifying sovereignty, Neoliberalism, abeyance, neoliberal subjects INTRODUCTION The condition of exception is thus a political liminality, and extraordinary decision to depart from a generalized political normativity, to intervene in the logics of ruling and of being ruled (Aihwa Ong, 2006: 5).
  • China's Role in Wildlife Trafficking and the Chinese Government's

    China's Role in Wildlife Trafficking and the Chinese Government's

    December 6, 2018 China’s Role in Wildlife Trafficking and the Chinese Government’s Response Suzanna Stephens, Policy Analyst, Economics and Trade Matthew Southerland, Policy Analyst, Security and Foreign Affairs Acknowledgments: The authors thank Dr. Peter J. Li, Dr. Vincent Nijman, staff of a number of international nonprofits, the Environmental Investigation Agency, and officials from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Interior for their helpful insights and reviews of early drafts. Their assistance does not imply any endorsement of this report’s contents, and any errors should be attributed solely to the authors. The authors would also like to express their admiration for the organizations, researchers, and personnel dedicated to the fight against wildlife trafficking. Disclaimer: This paper is the product of professional research performed by staff of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and was prepared at the request of the Commission to support its deliberations. Posting of the report to the Commission’s website is intended to promote greater public understanding of the issues addressed by the Commission in its ongoing assessment of U.S.- China economic relations and their implications for U.S. security, as mandated by Public Law 106-398 and Public Law 113-291. However, the public release of this document does not necessarily imply an endorsement by the Commission, any individual Commissioner, or the Commission’s other professional staff, of the views or conclusions expressed in this
  • The Murder of 13 Sailors on the Mekong Was the Deadliest Attack on Chinese Nationals Overseas in Modern Times. China Has Respond

    The Murder of 13 Sailors on the Mekong Was the Deadliest Attack on Chinese Nationals Overseas in Modern Times. China Has Respond

    SPECIAL REPORT | JANUARY 2012 The murder of 13 sailors on the Mekong was the deadliest attack on Chinese nationals overseas in modern times. China has responded with military muscle in the opium-growing Golden Triangle MURDERS ON THE MEKONG BY ANDREW R. C. MARSHALL ON THE MEKONG RIVER, JAN 27 REUTERS/SUKREE SUKPLANGREUTERS/SUKREE SIGN OF DANGER: A marker at the Thai village of Sop Ruak on the Mekong river at the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. thin line divides tourism, trade boatman, cutting his engine as he drifts just The Thai military says the victims were and terror in the Golden Triangle, inside Myanmar waters from Thailand. “It’s killed upriver before their ships floated where the lawless borders of too dangerous.” downstream into Thailand. But evidence Thailand, Myanmar and Laos It was here, according to the Thai military, gleaned from Thai officials and unpublished Ameet. that 13 Chinese sailors on two cargo ships police and military reports suggests that In Myanmar, where the jungly banks of the laden with narcotics were murdered in early some, if not all, of the sailors were still alive Mekong River vanish into the mist, lies an October. It was the deadliest assault on when their boats crossed into Thailand, anarchic realm of drug smugglers, militiamen Chinese nationals overseas in modern times. and that they were executed and tossed and pirates on speedboats. “I’m scared to But a Reuters investigation casts serious overboard inside Thai territory. go any further,” says Kan, a 46-year-old doubts on the official account of the attack.
  • Treasury Sanctions the Zhao Wei Transnational Criminal Organization | U.S

    Treasury Sanctions the Zhao Wei Transnational Criminal Organization | U.S. Department of the Treasury PRESS RELEASES Treasury Sanctions the Zhao Wei Transnational Criminal Organization JANUARY 30, 2018 Action targets criminal network tied to drug trafficking, money laundering, bribery, and human and wildlife trafficking facilitated through Laotian Casino WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Zhao Wei Transnational Criminal Organization (Zhao Wei TCO) pursuant to Executive Order 13581, "Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations." Based in Laos within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ), the Zhao Wei TCO exploits this region by engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, bribery, and wildlife trafficking, much of which is facilitated through the Kings Romans Casino located within the GTSEZ. OFAC also designated a network of four individuals and three entities across three jurisdictions – Laos, Thailand, and Hong Kong – for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the Zhao Wei TCO, or for being owned or controlled by persons designated as part of this action. As a result of today's action, all assets of those designated that are under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. "The Zhao Wei crime network engages in an array of horrendous illicit activities, including human trafficking and child prostitution, drug trafficking, and wildlife trafficking. We are targeting key figures in this transnational criminal organization, which stretches from the Kings Romans Casino in Laos throughout Southeast Asia," said Sigal Mandelker, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
  • Are Commitments to Tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade Being Met?

    Are Commitments to Tackle Illegal Wildlife Trade Being Met?

    MORE THAN WORDS: ARE COMMITMENTS TO TACKLE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE BEING MET? A REVIEW OF PROGRESS AGAINST COMMITMENTS MADE AT INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCES About WWF At WWF, we’re fighting for your world. We’re tackling the underlying causes that are driving nature’s decline – particularly the food system and climate change. And we’re working to ensure future generations have a world with thriving habitats and species. About IIED IIED is a policy and action research organisation promoting sustainable development and linking local priorities to global challenges. We are based in London and work on five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voice in the decision-making arenas that affect them. Published August 2019 by WWF-UK. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit WWF-UK as the copyright owner. © 2019 WWF-UK. All rights reserved. No photographs in this publication may be reproduced without prior authorisation. For further information, please contact Paul De Ornellas, chief wildlife adviser at WWF: [email protected] or Dilys Roe, principal researcher, IIED [email protected] © WWF / JAMES MORGAN CONTENTS Establishing national cross-agency coordination 1. INTRODUCTION 4 and collaboration 31 Strengthening regional and global enforcement network 31 2. METHODOLOGY AND Working with existing international agencies 32 Engaging the private sector 32 DATA HEALTH WARNINGS 6 Strengthening the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) 32 3. OVERVIEW OF PROGRESS Other actions 32 AGAINST COMMITMENTS 9 4.4 Sustainable livelihoods and economic development 32 3.1 Countries participating in the state-led conferences ahead of London 2018 10 3.2 Countries reporting on progress against 5.
  • Zoned out a Comprehensive Impact Evaluation of Mekong Economic Development Zones Acknowledgements

    Zoned out a Comprehensive Impact Evaluation of Mekong Economic Development Zones Acknowledgements

    ZONED OUT A COMPREHENSIVE IMPACT EVALUATION OF MEKONG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Acknowledgements About the Authors The authors would like to thank the following individuals Coby Goldberg is an Analyst at C4ADS on the for their contributions to the report: Darathtey Din, Ryn Counterproliferation Cell, where he specializes in Jirenuwat, Aung Khant Kyaw, Chan Muyhong, Trang China’s technology strategy and defense industry. His Nguyen, and Michael Tatarski provided research and writing has been published in Foreign Policy, the Los investigative support. Charles Dunst, Simon Menet, Angeles Review of Books, and by the Center for a New Son Mai Pham, and Devin Thorne supported analysis American Security. He holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies and production. Anna Wheeler and Tingting Xiong from Princeton University. improved the report’s layout and design. Patrick Baine, Artsem Kananovich, Kyla Sweeney, and Anna Max Kearns is a Data Scientist at C4ADS on the Data Wheeler have developed the report’s interactive and Technology Cell. He received a B.A. in Biology website, which will launch in July, 2021. Last but not from the College of the Holy Cross and also holds an at all least, the following current and former C4ADS M.S. from Georgetown University in Mathematics and staff shaped the writing and project design: Marcel Statistics, with a focus on statistical learning. Angliviel de la Beaumelle, Irina Bukharin, Bridget Connelly, Thomas Ewing, Eva Hines, Faith Hornor, Ethan Henry Peyronnin is a Senior Analyst at C4ADS. He holds Krauss, and Cecile Neumeister. a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Carleton College and an M.A.