Burma News (r)

[mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx]

                        BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
                         September 14, 1994, Wednesday
SECTION: Part 3 Asia - Pacific; SOUTHEAST ASIA; BURMA; 
FE/2100/B ; 
LENGTH: 177 words
HEADLINE: KAREN REBEL ATTACKS;
Rangoon Radio reports attacks on villages and vehicles by Karen 
"bandits"
SOURCE: Radio Burma, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 12 Sep 94

   "Armed groups in the jungle are disrupting local peace and 
tranquillity and
attacking villages," the radio reported. A 12-strong Karen armed 
group launched
a 10-minute attack on Dindaye village in Kyauktalon Village Tract, 
Pa-an
Township with small arms and rocket launchers on the evening of 28th 
August.  
Four villagers, including a 10-month old child, were injured.

   On the morning of 5th September, a 20-strong armed group, led by 
Pho Lone of
the jungle-based Karen group, tried to stop a vehicle, travelling from 
Tavoy to
Rangoon, near Thalein Taw and Sakangyi villages in Thanbyuzayat 
Township. When
the vehicle failed to stop, the "bandits" attacked it with small arms, 
injuring
two passengers.

   The same group attacked another vehicle at the same spot a little 
later on
5th September. The two front wheels were blown off and the vehicle 
was forced to
stop. Passengers were robbed of 30,000 kyat-worth of valuables and 
cash. The
driver and a passenger were killed, and five passengers injured in the 
attack,
the radio reported .
                        BBC Summary of World Broadcasts

                          September 13, 1994, Tuesday

SECTION: Part 3 Asia - Pacific; SOUTHEAST ASIA; burma; 
FE/2099/B ; 
LENGTH: 64 words
HEADLINE: Muslim refugees from Bangladesh continue to return
BODY:
   'The New Light of Myanmar,' Rangoon, in English 7 Sep 94
   Editorial Report
   A total of 552 persons from 103 households returned to Ngakhuya 
and
Kanyinchaung camps from Bangladesh on 1st and 2nd September 
under the agreement
reached between Burma and Bangladesh.

   Altogether 64,837 persons from 14,396 households have returned 
from
Bangladesh so far since 22nd September 1992.

               Proprietary to the United Press International 1994

                     September 13, 1994, Tuesday, BC cycle

SECTION: International

LENGTH: 353 words

HEADLINE: Burmese governnment legislates mining

BYLINE: BY CHIT TUN

DATELINE: RANGOON, Sept. 13

BODY:
   The Burmese government passed a new law to regulate all mining 
for gems,
industrial material and stones, officials said Tuesday.  ''All naturally
occurring minerals'' on or under the soil of Burma or its ''continental 
shelf''
are now owned by the government, the recently enacted law declared.  
The law
classifies minerals into four categories. The ''gemstones'' group 
includes
rubies, sapphires, jade and other precious rocks.  ''Metallic minerals'' 
refers
to gold, silver, platinum and similar valuable metals.  ''Industrial 
minerals''
covers coal, gypsum and other minerals commonly used for factories.  
''Stone''
is a catchall classification for limestone, quartz, marble and other 
substances.
Under the new law, all prospecting, exploration and production of 
gemstones and
metallic minerals will require permits from the Ministry of Mines.  
These
permits are also now required for large-scale production of industrial 
minerals
and stones.  Small-scale production of industrial minerals or stones 
would only
require a permit from the Department of Mines, the law added.  
''Large-scale
production'' is defined as ''commercial production with substantial 
investment
and special technical know-how and technology.'' ''Subsistance 
production'' in
which ordinary hand-tools are used, also requires a permit from either 
a
government-owned enterprise involved in the extraction or from the 
Ministry of
Mines.  Punishment under the new law allows for up to seven years 
imprisonment
and a fine up to $8,200, or both, for anyone prospecting, exploring or 
producing
minerals without a permit.  Miners with permits who disregard its 
environmental
protection clauses or its instructions on the safety and health of 
workers, face
punishment of up to three years in jail or a $3,300 fine, or both.   The 
law
repeals the Upper Burma Ruby Regulation of 1887, and its related 
1923 and 1961
acts.  Burma boasts a bevy of gems, minerals and stones and has 
invited foreign
investors to hunt or purchase them in an effort to bring in more money 
for the
impoverished nation.



Michael Beer
mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx