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BurmaNet News: December 8, 1994



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BurmaNet News: December 8, 1994
            
Issue #77


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Contents:                                                        


1 BURMANET: CONCERNING FONTS            
2 NATION (U.S.A.): "WATCHING RIGHTS" 
3 REUTERS: OPIUM WARLORD SAID PREPARING NEW BASE NEAR CHINA 
4 XINHUA: MYANMAR ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY
5 XINHUA: REPATRIATION OF MYANMAR REFUGEES IN FULL SWING
6 RADIO MYANMAR: BURMA BUYING CHINESE SHIPS
7 BNA: TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN BURMA REACHES $1.3 BILLION, 
  OFFICIAL SAYS
8 IHT: CARROT AND STICK FOR BURMA
9`XINHUA: MYANMAR-INDIA CIVIL AUTHORITIES TO HOLD MEETING
10 DAILY TELEGRAPH: OBITUARY OF BRIGADIER G L ROBERTS (BURMA VET)


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BURMANET: CONCERNING FONTS            
December 8, 1994
                         
A Burmese True Type font and a Keymap are available via anonymous
ftp at linux.colgate.edu or 149.43.80.1.  To login, type:

 ftp linux.colgate.edu

Once connectec, log in as anonymous
The password will be your email address.


Once connected, type: cd pub/fonts

The filename of the Burmese keyboard and font are: 

burkey.gif and bur1_1n.ttf.                                  

To move them to your system, type: get burkey.gif
And then type get bur1_1n.ttf

There is also a Karen font and keyboard at this site. The file
names are kare3_On.ttf and keymap3.gif

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NATION (U.S.A.): "WATCHING RIGHTS" 

Aryeh Neier 

THE NATION (New York) 28 November 1994 

[Note: The Nation usually cited by BurmaNet is a daily newspaper
in Bangkok. This article appeared in a magazine in the United
States with the same name. There is no connection between the
organizations. Aryeh Neier is the founder of Human Rights Watch
and currently the director of the Open Society Institute.--
Editor]




 

In 1990, a year before the Haitian armed forces seized power to
nullify the elections that had brought President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide to office, something similar happened on the other side
of the world in Myanmar, better known as Burma. Though the
Burmese military junta, SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration
Council), had banned the candidacy of opposition leader Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the National League for
Democracy (N.L.D.), her party won an electoral victory
approximately as sweeping as that of Aristide: nearly 60 percent
of the votes and 80 percent of the seats in Parliament. There
were differences, however. In Haiti, Aristide formed a government
and held office for seven months before he was ousted, whereas in
Burma arrests of N.L.D. leaders took place as election results
were announced, and some 500 were soon imprisoned. Another
difference is that 3,000-4,000 Haitians are estimated to have
been killed in the political violence that followed Aristide's
ouster; in Burma, the number has been roughly ten times as great
during the same period. 

 Whether or not you supported military intervention in Haiti to
restore Aristide (I did not), now that it has taken place it is
worth celebrating the result and the relatively bloodless way it
was accomplished. For Haitians, for whom proximity to the United
States has long been a factor in their suffering, it is a happy
circumstance that they should now derive some benefit from their
geographical location. For Burmese, however, there is no prospect
that the regional powers that have important stakes in their
country, China and Thailand, will intervene militarily or
otherwise to support democracy. They reap substantial gains from
SLORC's rule. Burma's military rulers are leading customers for
China's arms industry and have made deals with their counterparts
in the Thai armed forces for the exploitation of such rich
natural resources as Burma's hardwood forests, the fishing off
its long coastline and its precious gems. 

 Most Western governments and, to a lesser extent, Japan have
treated Burma as a pariah state because of the bloody suppression
of an uprising for democracy in 1988 and for SLORC's assumption
of power, its cancellation of the results of the 1990 elections,
its continued confinement of Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest
and its grotesque abuses of human rights -- such as constcripting
peasants as "porters" to walk ahead of the military through
conflict areas that may be mined. Yet now, a number of voices are
calling for an end to Burma's isolation. Some advocates of
"constructive engagement" are foreign investors, such as the
multinational oil companies attracted by Burma's natural gas
reserves. Others who question whether isolation is in the best
interest of Burma's long-oppressed masses include Martin Smith, a
British scholar and journalist who has been a leading critic of
SLORC's abuses of human rights and is the author of an important
1991 book, Burma: Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity. 

 It is easy to dismiss the arguments for doing business with
SLORC from companies such as Unocal and Texaco from this country,
Total of Frnace, Premier of Britain and Nippon of Japan. The
pipeline Unocal and Total plan to build would hasten the
destruction of the Burmese rain forest and the habitat of some of
the country's indigenous peoples and varied wildlife. The income
would strengthen SLORC and could lead to an increase in conscript
labor such as has been used, according to a number of human
rights groups, to build a coastal railroad. A few corporations,
notably Amoco, Levi Strauss and Liz Claiborne -- have pulled out,
the last two expressly because of SLORC's abuses of human rights.


 As was the case in Haiti, the maintenance of economic isolation
poses a dilemma. If the option of military intervention is
excluded, how does one bring effective pressure to bear on a
brutal military regime that has suppressed a democratic movement
and that maintains its power through constant cruelty? Aside from
denunciations, economic means seem best. Yet it must be
recognized that it is not the military leaders of such a country
who are denied medical care or who go hungry because of economic
pressure. 

 Arguments such as Martin Smith's for ending Burma's isolation
must thus be taken seriously. He notes that SLORC has negotiated
a cease-fire with a powerful ethnically based insurgent group,
the Kachin Independence Organization, and is making headway in
its talks with other such groups. This is providing villagers in
some areas of Burma their first experience of peace in several
decades. In addition, the reduction in armed conflict provides an
opportunity for the international community to address such
urgent humanitarian issues as the high incidence of maternal
morality and the rapid rise of H.I.V. infection -- estimated by
the World Health Organization to exceed 100,000 cases. 

 One factor in the spread of H.I.V. has been the trafficking in
Burmese women and girls to serve in the Thai sex trade. The
prospect of mistreatment by Burmese authorities if they are
deported by Thailand has the effect of coercing such women to
endure virtual enslavement in the Thai brothels, where they
become infected. If they are then returned to Burma they conceal
their infection, thereby contributing to the spread of the
disease. In such fashion, SLORC oppression is fostering a
humanitarian disaster. Dealing with the symptom -- the spread of
infection -- also requires eliminating the cause. 

 Perhaps the least bad alternative for dealing with so awful a
regime as SLORC is simultaneously to try to stop corporations
from doing business in Burma and to advocate engagement by
international humanitarian donors. Unquestionably, SLORC will
exploit humanitarian assistance to enhance its own legitimacy
internally and internationally. Yet this is the price that must
be paid to aid its victims. 

*****************************************************************
REUTERS: OPIUM WARLORD SAID PREPARING NEW BASE NEAR CHINA 

By Sonya Hepinstall 

BANGKOK, Nov 29 (Reuter) - Golden Triangle warlord Khun Sa has
sent soldiers to fight Burmese troops on the Chinese border to
secure the area in case he has to move his headquarters north,
rebel sources confirmed on Tuesday. 

 Sources with Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) said about 2,000 MTA
soldiers, assisted by local people, are fighting government
troops in the Shweli valley on the northern border of Shan state
in eastern Burma. The MTA troops have been there since August,
they said. "It is because of the (invitation of the) local people
that we went there," said one rebel source. In one recent battle
the MTA rebels claimed as many as 21 Burmese government
casualties, he said. No independent confirmation of the
casualties or movements was possible. Khun Sa is being squeezed
at his long-time headquarters at southern Ho Mong, facing attacks
by government troops from the west and a newly sealed Thai border
to the south and east. The half-Shan, half-Chinese warlord
proclaims himself head of an army fighting for Shan independence
from the repressive government in Rangoon. But international
narcotics authorities say Khun Sa is at the centre of an opium
and heroin producing and smuggling cartel based in the so-called
Golden Triangle where the borders of Laos, Thailand and Burma
meet. 

Thai authorities have recently set out to crack down on activity
along its notoriously porous borders, exploited most notably by
the Khmer Rouge rebel faction in Cambodia and drug smugglers and
anti-Rangoon movements in Burma. "A new task-force has been
deployed to seriously implement government policy to distance
ourselves from all illegal rebel factions, so we have to seal off
all illegal passes," a senior Thai government official told
Reuters. International officials and analysts say the impetus
stems from 

 Thailand's efforts to improve economic relations with its
neighbours and build up regional trading blocs. Despite pressure
from all sides at Ho Mong and reports of residents fleeing the
area, the MTA rebel source said: "Right now it is the safest
place. If we have to move it has to be safer." Before any
settlement along the Chinese border can replace Ho Mong, a
bustling border town, the Burmese armed forces must be forced out
and an understanding reached with the Chinese. 

 "The first thing is the Chinese. Will they stay neutral?" the
rebel source said. "I am quite confident that we can deal with
the Chinese." He said he based his assessment on a sense that
Khun Sa's operation could exploit Chinese mistrust of the Burmese
government. Any move would likely be years away, the source said.


 On an official level, China and Burma have signed a number of
trade deals in recent months, including a $40-million
interest-free loan by a Chinese cooperative to buy ships reported
on Sunday. Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council
refuses to recognise Shan state's once constitutionally mandated
right to secede. The junta has a record of human rights abuses in
fighting insurgents. REUTER  



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XINHUA: MYANMAR ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY

DATELINE: yangon, december 7; ITEM NO: 1207048

BODY:
   the myanmar government proclaimed a notification on national
environment policy last monday, saying that its objective is
aimed at enhancing the quality of the life of all its citizens. 
the myanmar ministry of foreign affairs said in a press release
that "every nation has the sovereign right to utilize its natural
resources in accordance with its environmental policies, but
great care must be taken not to exceed its jurisdiction or
infringe upon the interests of other nations." local press today
quoted the press release as saying that "environmental protection
should always be the primary objective in seeking development" in
the country.


**************************************************************   
XINHUA: REPATRIATION OF MYANMAR REFUGEES IN FULL SWING

DATELINE: dhaka, december 8; ITEM NO: 1208083

BODY:
   repatriation of myanmar refugees stranded in bangladesh has
entered its full swing and, currently, 500 to 700 refugees
returned to their home every week, according to local sources. 
in november alone, a total of 24,983 myanmar refugees were
repatriated from the camps in cox's bazar in southeast
bangladesh. till now, 117,606 of the total 255,261 myanmar
refugees have returned to their home.  the myanmar refugees
crossed the border to seek for shelter during the last few years,
and the repatriation has been carried out with the help of the
united nations high commission for refugees (unhcr).

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RADIO MYANMAR: BURMA BUYING CHINESE SHIPS

 Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 26 Nov 94 
   Editorial report

   The Ministry of Transport signed an agreement with China's
Machinery Import and Export Corp to purchase vessels under a 40m
US dollars long-term loan system on 26th November.








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BNA: TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN BURMA REACHES $1.3 BILLION,
OFFICIAL SAYS
 


  BNA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & FINANCE DAILY 
                                  Dec. 7, 1994

   BANGKOK, Thailand (BNA) -- Foreign investment in Burma
(Myanmar) has reached $1.3 billion, a top-ranking Burmese
official said Dec. 1.  
   Official media sources quoted the head of Burmese military
intelligence, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, as saying that the
$1.3 billion total includes 113 direct investment projects
involving firms from 17 countries.  
   Khin Nyunt promised a group of overseas executives in Rangoon
that foreign investors coming to the country would "get a fair
and just deal" from the government.   
 
   Manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and marine products were
some of the sectors identified by the lieutenant general as
attracting interest from overseas firms.
 
   The statement comes amidst a flurry of activity aimed at
ending Burma's economic isolation and helping the country carry
out its six-year effort to shift from a centrally planned to a
market economy.
 
   The Burmese government on Sept. 30 announced that it would
begin privatizing some of its state-owned enterprises.  The
announcement was followed a day later by a decision from Rangoon
to allow foreign firms to prospect for gold and silver in central
Burma (11 ITR 1573, 10/12/94).  
   A business group sponsored by Singapore's Trade Development
Board began an eight-day visit to Burma last week. Singapore is
the largest foreign investor in Burma, accounting for
approximately 40 percent of total overseas investment.
 
   In addition, an official with Thailand's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs declared November 28 that Burmese officials would be
invited to participate in next year's Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Brunei as a guest of Thailand. 
Burma also participated in this year's ASEAN summit in Bangkok at
the Thai government's initiative.
 
   The overtures from Burma's neighbors have not endeared them to
human rights groups and Western governments, who point out that
the country is still ruled by a military regime that annulled
democratic elections held in 1990.
 
 

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IHT: CARROT AND STICK FOR BURMA
December 7
International Herald Tribune

BYLINE: Clare Hollingworth

DATELINE: HONG KONG

BODY:
    The West is rightly angered by the continued house arrest of
the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese
junta.

   But the rigid isolation imposed on Burma by General Ne Win has
been slightly eased. Since the news was leaked that Ne Win, 83,
had Parkinson's disease, the junta's better-educated second
generation has gradually taken over most major state decisions.
And General Khin Nyunt has lifted some restrictions on visits by
tourists and foreign businessmen.  

   Meanwhile, Burmese relations with China have steadily
improved. Barter trade has gradually opened up along the border.
Shelves in the state shops of Rangoon and Mandalay are now filled
with Chinese goods.

   Chinese engineers have supervised the repair of two main roads
running from thborder to the coastal town of Sittwe and to
Rangoon. By early 1993 the number ofChinese working in Burma had
surpassed 3,000. Some of them have helped rebuild rail lines or
modernize the telecommunications system; others have enlarged
naval docks to accommodate destroyers and subs.

   To India's chagrin, Beijing has promised Rangoon three naval
assault vessels. 
   The Chinese say their main objective in helping Rangoon is to
be able more easily to export goods through Burma to Bangladesh,
Pakistan and the West. But China is known to have obtained the
right to establish naval listening posts in the Bay of Bengal.

   Closer ties to China have not been all for the good. State
factories have had to reduce output, unable to compete with
Chinese consumer goods. This has causedserious levels of
unemployment, and discontent, in some towns. 
   Many foreign diplomats favor a hard-line policy against the
junta. They say itis opening the door to the West only because of
its urgent need for foreign currency; and they seek not just an
embargo on high-tech equipment but further steps to discourage
tourism and trade as well.

   The junta, no doubt sending a message to its critics, has
drafted a new constitution. It envisages modest civilian
participation in some parts of government.

                                                                  
   In dealing with Burma, it seems clear that both carrot and
stick are essentialPressure to prevent the junta from obtaining
military and high-tech equipment makes sense. But Western
tourists and traders can do little but good for Burma. Along with
the samples of their goods, Western traders frequently carry
thoughtson political and democratic issues - a lesson the Chinese
have learned.  International Herald Tribune.



    
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XINHUA: MYANMAR-INDIA CIVIL AUTHORITIES TO HOLD MEETING

DATELINE: yangon, december 7; ITEM NO: 1207049
                      DECEMBER 7, 1994, WEDNESDAY

BODY:
   myanmar and indian civil authorities are to hold their fourth
meeting on border cooperation in northwestern myanmar in next
february, an official report said here today.  the third meeting
of the regional level myanmar-india civil authorities was held in
mizoram state, india, last month.  the report said the meeting
will continue to discuss cooperation on security and suppression
of drug trafficking along the myanmar-indian border, border trade
and travels across the border of the two countries.


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DAILY TELEGRAPH: OBITUARY OF BRIGADIER G L ROBERTS (BURMA VET)

                          
December 7, 1994, Wednesday

SECTION: OBITUARY; Pg. 27

LENGTH: 391 words

HEADLINE: 
BODY:
   BRIGADIER G L "BOBBY" ROBERTS, who has died aged 93, commanded
a special unit formed to locate those isolated groups of Japanese
still holding out in the jungle of Burma after the main fighting
had moved to other areas in 1945. For his success with this
short-lived unit, known as "Robforce", Roberts was appointed OBE
and mentioned in despatches, for the third time. Gordon Leonard
Roberts was born on Oct 28 1901, and educated at Christ's
Hospital and Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1921, and,
destined for the Indian Army, spent a year attached to the 1st
Suffolk then serving in India. Immediately after Roberts arrived
the battalion was involved in the suppression of the Moplah
rebellion in southern India. He was sent out on long patrols and
anti-guerrilla operations. Roberts was next posted to his Indian
unit, the 1st Battalion, 4th Bombay Grenadiers, and liked to
recall the look on the faces of the older officers when they were
confronted by a brand-new officer, already wearing the Indian
General Service Medal. Roberts saw more action when the Bombay
Grenadiers served at the North-West Frontier from 1922 to 1923.
In 1937 he attended the Staff College, Quetta, and after various
staff appointments returned to the Frontier, where the Fakir of
Ipi was stirring up the tribesmen, creating a fracas that took
40,000 troops to suppress. After the outbreak of the Second World
War a 3rd Battalion of the Bombay Grenadiers was raised, of which
Roberts assumed command.   The Grenadiers were the only motorised
infantry battalions in the Indian Army, and the 3rd distinguished
itself in Burma, providing close support and protection for many
of the tank units taking part in operations. Roberts was twice
mentioned in despatches. He later commanded 80 Indian Infantry
Brigade, 36 II Brigade, and 268 II Brigade, making him the ideal
man for the "Robforce" operation. In 1945 regimental titles were
altered to reflect their more modern affiliations, and the Bombay
Grenadiers became the Indian Grenadiers. Roberts retired in 1948
but, as chairman of the Indian Grenadiers Association for nearly
20 years, he maintained a close working relationship with the
Grenadier Regiment in India. In 1984 he was created the first and
only president of the association. He married, in 1929, Evelyn
McDougall. They had a son and a daughter.


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END OF ISSUE
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