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BurmaNet News: December 12, 1994
- Subject: BurmaNet News: December 12, 1994
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- Date: Mon, 12 Dec 1994 19:58:00
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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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BurmaNet News: December 12, 1994
Issue #79
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Contents:
NCGUB: SLORC TROOPS ATTACK MANERPLAW, DAWNGWIN AS BUDDHIST,
CHRISTIAN KARENS CLASH
BURMANET: REQUEST FOR HELP--ORGANIZING BURMA FILM FESTIVAL
BPF: SUPPLIERS AND USERS OF INFORMATION ON BURMA
SCB: BURMA'S MOSAIC PAGES
SCB: FONT AVAILABLE FOR APPLE MAC ?
BURMANET: AND THEN THERE WERE TWO
SLORC: NEWS OF MYANMAR
SLORC: FACTS ABOUT MYANMAR
BKK POST: THAI ARMY TEAM IN BURMA TO BOOST TIES
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NCGUB: SLORC TROOPS ATTACK MANERPLAW, DAWNGWIN AS BUDDHIST,
CHRISTIAN KARENS CLASH
Manerplaw, December 10 -- The Burmese military today launched a surprise
attack on the headquarters of the Karen National Union (KNU) at Manerplaw
and on Dawngwin where the All Burma Students' Democratic Front is
headquartered. The attack is timed to coincide with reports of a growing
tension between the Christian and Buddhist members of the Karen National
Union.
The ruling military junta knowing that the conflict provided an
unprecedented opportunity for it to make some progress in its military
campaign against the KNU appears to have suddenly abandoned its widely
propagandized efforts for cease-fire with the Karens.
The internal strife within the Karen National Union reportedly started
last year when some KNU Christian officials stopped a Buddhist monk from
building a pagoda on top of a hill near Manerplaw. The Karen officials
stopped the project for security reasons as the construction site was too
close to a restricted war zone.
The Buddhist monk who headed the pagoda project was from a monastery near
the junction of the Salween and Moei rivers and is revered by the Buddhist
Karen community in the Manerplaw area. The banning of the project angered
the Buddhists. The Buddhist monk was also reported to have been preaching
the Karen Buddhist community to become vegetarians and told them to stop
supporting any one bearing arms.
The Burmese Army exploited the situation. It conscripted members of the
Christian Karen community as porters to carry war supplies while the
Buddhist Karens were spared from this. This further aggravated the tension
between the local Christians and Buddhists.
To defuse the situation, General Saw Bo Mya, chairman of the Karen
National Union, requested the Buddhist monk to come to Manerplaw for
discussions but the Buddhist monk refused.
On December 4, about a 300-strong faction of the Karen National Liberation
Army (KNLA) headed by a Buddhist Non-commissioned Officer Kyaw Than took
control of an area between Taw-lae-hta and the junction of Moei and
Salween rivers, north of Manerplaw, and demanded that the Karen officials
who stopped the pagoda project be transferred.
The faction however retreated southwards on December 11 when KNU soldiers
from Manerplaw headquarters retook control of the area and the checkpoints
along the Salween River.
General Saw Bo Mya in an effort to mediate the conflict sent his team of
negotiators to the area. The negotiating team has succeeded in securing a
truce between the two sides which were earlier reported to have exchanged
fire a number of times.
Because of the clashes, some Karen troops defending Mae-Nyaw-Khei opposite
Hti-Pa- Wai-Kyo (a hill-top on Sleeping Dog range occupied by the Burmese
Army during the Manerplaw offensive in 1992) were mobilized and moved to
different strategic areas.
The Burmese Army took advantage of the situation and occupied
Mae-Nyaw-Khei. Artillery shells are being launched on to Manerplaw from
Mae-Nyaw-Khei which is just four miles west of Manerplaw.
The Salween river between Mae-Nyaw-Khei and Manerplaw is a natural barrier
preventing an all-out attack on Manerplaw from the west. But the foothold
on high grounds has enabled the Burmese military to bombard Manerplaw
without an actual assault.
Analysts say the Burmese Army will launch a ground assault on Manerplaw
from the north and this strategy will involve the occupying of the
headquarters of the ABSDF at Dawngwin.
The movement of the units of the 1st Brigade away from the frontier
positions to the junction of the Moei and Salween rivers gave the Burmese
Army a chance to easily penetrate the Dawngwin area.
A military column under Tactical Operations Commander Colonel Thura Aung
Ko from the Papun-based Southeastern Military Command is now reported to
be at Lae-Toe, 10 kilometers from the ABSDF headquarters in Dawngwin, and
poses a threat to the 700 Burmese student dissidents residing there.
The 400-strong frontier column is backed by about 1,000 reserved forces
from the 19th Infantry Regiment and the 340th and the 434th Light Infantry
Regiments.
The Burmese military authorities are reported to be inciting Buddhists in
Papun area and providing them with food rations to join forces with the
KNLA muntineers.
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BURMANET: REQUEST FOR HELP--ORGANIZING BURMA FILM FESTIVAL
December 11, 1994
LIST OF FILMS ON BURMA
Could anyone that knows of films relating to Burma please send contact the
Burma Centre Netherlands as soon as possible. They are organizing a Burma
film festival. Their email adresses:
bcn@xxxxxxxxx or gijsh@xxxxxxxxx
Here is a list they have assembled of Burma-related movies: 1
TITLE(TAB)Beyond Rangoon DIRECTOR(TAB)John Boorman YEAR(TAB)1995
DURATION(TAB)feature film FORMAT(TAB)film COLOR(TAB)yes DISTRIBUTION
producer:(TAB)Castle Rock (TAB)335 North Maple Road (TAB)Suite 135
Beverley Hills (TAB)California CA 90210 (TAB)tel 310 285 2300 , fax 310
285 2345 QUALITY(TAB)high REMARKS(INDENT)First script is made in 1986.
Based on the life of Aung San Kyi.
2 TITLE(TAB)Battle for Peace DIRECTOR(TAB)students fled from Burma YEAR
DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY(TAB)amateur REMARKS(INDENT)VHS
at BAG-London 3 TITLE(TAB)Everyman: 40 million Hostages
DIRECTOR(TAB)Martin Smith YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR
DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Dispatch series QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)Documentary 4
TITLE(TAB)Dying for Democracy DIRECTOR(TAB)Martin Smith YEAR DURATION
FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Dispatch Series QUALITY
REMARKS(INDENT)Documentary 5 TITLE(TAB)The Burma Deception DIRECTOR YEAR
DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY REMARKS 6 TITLE(TAB)Faces of
Burma DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Burma Issues
(TAB)Postbox 1076 Silom P.O. (TAB)Bangkok 10504 (TAB)Tel/fax 66 22346674
QUALITY REMARKS 7 TITLE(TAB)Barefoot Student Army DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Images Asia
QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)In 1994 broadcasted by Channel 4 (TAB)Film of two
Australian women about the Burmese(TAB)students 8 TITLE(TAB)Silence & Fear
DIRECTOR(TAB)Leon Desclozeux YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR
DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Leon Desclozeux (TAB)Zeaux Production (TAB)25 Reu Henry
Mornier (TAB)75009 Paris (TAB)tel 33 1 42851333 (TAB)fax 33 1 42802935
QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)Documentary about Aung San Suu Kyi, including
speeches by her 9 TITLE(TAB)working title ? DIRECTOR(TAB)Tom Sheahan and
Damian Lewis (TAB)120 Ferndalroad, 10 Gayhurst Road (TAB)London SW4 7SE,
London E8 3EH (TAB)Tel 071 9249290, Tel 071 2496250 YEAR(TAB)in production
DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)BAG London QUALITY
REMARKS(INDENT)Documentary about the oil companies and pipelines 10
TITLE(TAB)Burma's Railway DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION(TAB)1''30' FORMAT COLOR
DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Broadcasted by ABC Australia QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)From
Rangoon to Lashio. Railway built in Second World War. 11 TITLE(TAB)Etat
d'Urgency DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY
REMARKS(INDENT)about the Second World War, focused on the Japanese 12
TITLE(TAB)Footage about Aung San Suu Kyi DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT
COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)via producer from Silence and Fear QUALITY REMARKS
13 TITLE(TAB)? DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)?
QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)Film about Tigerhunting in Burma 14 TITLE(TAB)Lions
of Fire DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY
REMARK(INDENT)About Karen and Khun Sa 15 TITLE(TAB)Edge of Burma DIRECTOR
YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)Broadcasted
in England (TAB)Tom will search for details 16 TITLE(TAB)The Longest
Struggle DIRECTOR(TAB)with anthropologist Tom Sheahan YEAR(TAB)1993
DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Granada LWT International
(TAB)Disappearing World Series QUALITY(TAB)Broadcast quality
REMARKS(INDENT)Filmed by the Karen people 17 TITLE(TAB)Who are the Karen?
DIRECTOR(TAB)made by Karen people YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR DISTRIBUTION
QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)Drama and popmusic?? 18 TITLE(TAB)The Greening of
Thailand DIRECTOR(TAB)Edward Milner YEAR(TAB)1989? DURATION(TAB)52'
FORMAT(TAB)Betacam COLOR(TAB)yes DISTRIBUTION(TAB)TVE Distribution Zeist
QUALITY(TAB)broadcast quality REMARKS(INDENT)about logging in Thailand,
approx. 5 min about logging in and Burma 19 TITLE(TAB)Welcome to Karenni
DIRECTOR(TAB)Margriet Jansen YEAR(TAB)1994 DURATION(TAB)40'
FORMAT(TAB)Betacam COLOR(TAB)yes DISTRIBUTION(TAB)Stichting Vista
Amsterdam QUALITY(TAB)broadcast REMARKS(INDENT)About the Karenni people,
filmed in refugeecamps in(TAB)Thailand , their culture and their struggle
20 TITLE(TAB)The Two Faces of Burma DIRECTOR(TAB)Manfred van Eijk en Johan
van Ommeren YEAR(TAB)1994 DURATION(TAB)12' FORMAT(TAB)Betacam
COLOR(TAB)yes DISTRIBUTION QUALITY(TAB)broadcast REMARKS(INDENT)Rangoon
and Pagan, the consequences of oppression in the(TAB)eve ryday life of the
Burmese people 21 TITLE(TAB)? DIRECTOR YEAR DURATION FORMAT COLOR
DISTRIBUTION QUALITY REMARKS(INDENT)About the waterfestival at april 30
each year. The celebration o f the Buddhist newyear. 22 TITLE(TAB)World
at War, part of this series, probably titled the War in Burma
DIRECTOR(TAB)? YEAR(TAB)? DURATION(TAB)60' FORMAT COLOR(TAB)B&W
DISTRIBUTION(TAB)BBC? QUALITY(TAB)Good REMARKS(INDENT)About the British
operations in Arakhan and Kachin State during WWII. Shown by BBC on dec.
5th (TT, 20:00) 23 TITLE(TAB)Merrils Marauders DIRECTOR(TAB)Sam Fuller
YEAR(TAB)1962 FORMAT(TAB)? COLOR(TAB)B&W DISTRIBUTION(TAB)BBC?
QUALITY(TAB)good REMARKS(INDENT)Partly biographical war-movie on genreal
Frank Merril and his men in Burma. With Jeff Chandler. 24
TITLE(TAB)Escape to Burma DIRECTOR(TAB)Allan Dwan YEAR(TAB)1955
FORMAT(TAB)? COLOR(TAB)B&W DISTRIBUTION(TAB)BBC? QUALITY(TAB)good
REMARKS(INDENT)Standard fifties-drama wherein Robert Ryans is a suspected
murderer. He hides on the tea-plantation of Barbara Sandwyck (in Burma).
Shown by BBC2, dec 3 1994, 13:20
Hope you can read it!
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BPF: SUPPLIERS AND USERS OF INFORMATION ON BURMA Burma Peace Foundation
This list is intended to enable people seeking or offering information on
Burma to link up. It does not try to cover the whole of the Burma support
community or the organisations interested in Burma. Many of the groups and
individuals have specialised in terests and information which may be
mentioned where not obvious from their titles. Please send any
corrections and additions to the Burma Peace Foundation.
Email: darnott@xxxxxxx
NB. The Burma Peace Foundation is on the 6th Floor of 777, UN Plaza, it is
not c/o UMOUN, and the fax is 692 9748. Communications addressed otherwise
may not arrive. Please adjust your lists.
SPECIALIST BURMA INFORMATION SUPPLIERS
Burma Issues (formerly B.U.R.M.A.), PO Box 1076, Silom Post Office,
Bangkok 10504, Thailand. Tel/Fax (+66-2) 234 6674 (The most comprehensive
Burma information service in Thailand. Information on companies investing
or interested in investing in Burma. Publishes a monthly newsletter, Burma
Issues)
Burma Alert. Harn Yawnghwe, R.R. 4, Shawville, Quebec, Canada JOX 2YO.
Tel (+1-819) 647 6131; Fax 647 5403 ("Burma Alert" published monthly.
Good, systematic presentation. Especially good on companies. Also
publishes lists of prisoners and other documents).
Burma Information Group P.O. Box 1027, Suan Phlu Post Office, Bangkok,
Thailand. Publishes The Irrawaddy twice a month, with summaries of
(mainly) local press and radio news on Burma. (BIG is also especially good
on info relating to Burmese students in Bangkok)
Southeast Asia Information Network (SAIN) P.O. Box 217, Chiang Mai
University, Chiang Mai 50002, Thailand Tel/ (+66-53) 217 298; Fax 278 152;
email sain@xxxxxxxxxxx (For hard news, including video footage)
Images Asia 90/4 Soi Tantawan, Vieng Bua-Chotana Rd, Changpuak Muang,
Chiangmai 50300, Thailand. Tel (+66-53) 217 004; Fax 277 419 (Similar to
SAIN, above)
Karen Human Rights Group, Box 22, Mae Sot, Tak 63110, Thailand (Puts out
high quality human rights information including interviews)
Burma Bro c/o S. Aung Lwin, Josephinenstr 71, 44807, Bochum, Germany Tel
(+49-234) 940 9362. (News clipping service on Burma, plus other
documentation. Publishes quarterly "Burma News Bulletin" in German) The
Bro is in the process of moving to K"ln
SPECIALISED BURMA GROUPS
THAILAND
Green November 32 P.O. Box 201, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50002,
Thailand. (Specialises in ecological factors and foreign companies.
Publishes Mya Yadana -- latest issue on Thai/Burmese energy projects is
particularly good)
Indigenous Womens' Development Center P.O. Box 169, Chiang Mai University,
Chiang Mai 50002, Thailand Tel/Fax (+66-53) 278 152
Burmese Relief Centre P.O. Box 48, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
50002, Thailand. Tel/fax (+66-53) 278 152 (Reliable and wide general
knowledge. Good on border conflict, notably in Karen State)
INDIA
Burma Student League,
Delhi Office, 3, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi 110011, India
AUSTRALIA
Australia Burma Council
Amanda Zappia, 41, Ingamells St, Garran ACT, Australia 2605
Tel (+61-6) 281 6553; Fax 281 6112
NGO Burma Forum,
Alison Tate, c/o AUSTCARE, 69/71 Paramatta Rd, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
Tel (+61-2) 565 9111; Fax 550 4509
NORTH AMERICA
Burma Peace Foundation,
(Working on Burma issues in the UN context. Produces analyses and documentation on selected issues),
Free Suu Kyi, Free Burma,
(Puts out a periodically updated dossier on Aung San Suu Kyi)
6th Floor, 777, UN Plaza, NY, NY 10017, USA
Tel (+1-212) 338 0048; Fax 692 9748; Email darnott@xxxxxxx
Karuna Center,
Paula Green, 49, Richardson St, Leverett, MA 01054, USA Tel (+1-413) 367 9520, Fax 773 7507 (Good on Burmese monks)
Project Maje, Edith Mirante, 14, Dartmouth Rd, Cranford NJ 07016, USA Tel
(+1-908) 276 8494 (Long-term Burma specialist. Wide general knowledge.
Especially good on investment, ecological devastation, non-burman ethnic
groups and women's issues)
Burma Project (USA), Leslie McKim, Alan Clements, 45, Oak Rd, Larkspur, CA
94939, USA Tel (+1-415) 381 1326, Fax 924 6101. (Good on Buddhist monks.
Has recently published a book on Burma and narcotics)
Institute for Asian Democracy, Michele Bohana, 1518 K St NW, Suite 410,
Washington DC 20005, USA. Tel (+1-202) 737 4101, Fax 347 6825 (Good
contacts with US senators and congresspeople. They work also on Tibet and
Mongolia)
Canadian Friends of Burma, Murray Thompson, 145, Spruce St, #206, Ottawa,
ONT K1R6P1, Canada Tel (+1-613) 230 0860, Fax 563 0017. (good on companies
investing in Burma)
JAPAN
Buddhist Relief Mission, Burmese Relief Center-Japan, Ken Kawasaki, 266-27
Ozuku-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara-ken 634, Japan. Tel (+81-7442) 28236, Fax
46254. (specialises on Burmese monks, including those in prison)
International Network for Burma Relief Kyaw Tint & Htay Htay Kyi, 202
Heights Shinoda, 601 Chohai 3 Chome, Nagakute Cho, Aichi Gun, Aichi Ken,
Japan 480-11 Tel (+81-561) 638 752; Fax 638 753
EUROPE
Association France-Birmanie, Stefan & Judith Collignon, 21, Bvd Henri IV,
Paris 75004, France. Tel (+33-1) 40 27 87 75 (home), 45 22 33 83 (office),
Fax 45 22 33 77. (Publishes a quarterly and material on Burma in French)
Burma Project, Berlin U Khin Maung Yin, Dorothee Wenner, Silberhammer 78,
13503 Berlin, Germany. Tel/Fax (+49-30) 618 8192, Tel 431 0665 (Somewhat
academically inclined. Has organised seminars of Burma, and is currently
working on the DAB/NCUB constitution, among other things)
European-Burmese Association, Kipp Kho Lian, Hasencleverstr 27A, 22111,
Hamburg, Germany Tel (+49-40) 655 6944
Burma Centre, Netherlands Irene Bloemink, Paulus Potterstr 20, 1071 DA
Amsterdam, Netherlands Tel (+31-20) 671 6952; Fax 671 3513
Burma Affairs Monitor (UK) 3A, Chatto Rd, London SW11 6LJ, UK Tel/Fax
(+44-71) 924 3147 (Publishes "Burma Affairs Monitor" quarterly)
Burma Action Group UK, Sarah Sutcliffe, Collins' Studios, Collins' Yard,
Islington Green, London N1 2XH, UK. Tel (+44-71) 359 7679 Fax 354 3987.
(Publishes "Burma News" quarterly and thematic briefing documents; good on
general information. Conducting campaign on oil companies in Burma)
Association Suisse-Birmanie Matthias Huber, Claude Schauli, c/o Editions
Olizane, 11, Rue des Vieux Grenadiers, 1205 Geneva. Tel (+41-22) 328 5252
Fax 328 5796 (Produces material on Burma in French)
Burma Project (Czech Republic) U Zaw Win, Harusova 1316, 14900 Praha 4,
Czech REpublic Tel/Fax (+42-2) 791 8848
Norwegian Burma Council, Josefinesgate 9, 0351, Oslo, Norway Tel (+47-22)
567 910; Fax 567 920
The Danish Burma Committee Anton Johannsen, NNF, C.F. Richs Vej 103,
Postboks 79, DK-2000 Fredriksberg, Denmark Tel (?) (+45) 21 29 60 66/62
19; Fax 31 87 20 03 (Strong links with the trade union movemnet)
HUMAN RIGHTS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN BURMA
(Many publish reports on Burma. Some may be in need of information)
ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian Human Rights Commission, Wong Kai Shing, 4E, 57 Peking Rd, Kowloon,
Hong Kong. Tel (+852) 368 3874; Fax 369 9895 (Active campaigns, especially
in the region)
Asian Students' Association, Steven Gan, 511 Nathan Rd, 1/F, Kowloon, Hong
Kong. Tel (+852) 388 0515, Fax 782 5535.
Jesuit Refugee Service Edie Bowles, 24/1 Soi Aree 4 (South) Phaholyothin
Rd (7) Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Tel (+66-2) 279 1817; Fax 271 3632
(Well-informed on Burmese students and events along the Thai/Burmese
border)
Medecins Sans Fronti res Gilles Delmas, 211/3 Soi Hutayana, off Soi Suan
Phlu, Sathorn Tai Rd, Bangkok 10120, Thailand. Tel (+66-2) 287 3435; Fax
287 3436
International Network of Engaged Buddhists Information Service, G.P.O.
1960, Bangkok, Thailand. Tel (+66-2) 437 9445; Fax 437 9450; email:
ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Project for Ecological Recovery 77/3 Soi Nomchit, Nares Rd, Bangrak,
Bangkok 10500, Thailand Tel (+66-2) 236 1462; Fax 234 5363; E-Mail
per@xxxxxxxxxxx (Ecological issues, particularly the proposed Burmese/Thai
dams on Salween and Moei)
International Rescue Committee Jennie McCann, 19 Soi 33, Sukhumvit Rd,
Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel (+66-2) 260 2870-1; Fax 258 5653 (Information
on the Karenni)
Tribal Refugee Welfare in South East Asia, C.V. Allmark, P.O. Box 215,
Mirrabooka, Western Australia 6061. Tel (+61) 349 4073, 342 5729
(Especially on non-burman ethnic groups)
NORTH AMERICA
Asiawatch,
Sidney Jones, Therese Caouette, Asiawatch, 485, 5th Avenue, NY NY 10017, USA.
Tel (+1-212) 972 8400, Fax 972 0905.
Mike Jendrzejczyk, Asiawatch, 1522 K St, NW Suite 910, Washington DC, USA
Tel (+1-202) 371 6592; Fax 371 0124 (Good general information on human
rights in Burma. Publishes reports)
International Human Rights Law Group, Janelle Diller, 1601, Conn. Ave NW,
Suite 700, Washington DC 20009, USA. Tel (+1-202) 232 8500, Fax 232 6731.
(Especially good on constitutional and international law. Publishes
reports)
Refugees International Mary Pack, 21, Dupont Circle NW Washington DC
20036, USA Tel (+1-202) 828 0110; Fax 828 0819
US Committee for Refugees,
Hiram Ruiz, 1717, Massachussets Ave, Suite 701, Washington DC 20005, USA.
Tel (+1-202) 347 3507, Fax 347 3418.
(General expertise, with specialised knowlege of refugee issues)
International Center,
Ginny Foote, 731, 8th St SE, Washington DC 20003, USA.
Tel (+1-202) 547 3800, Fax 546 4784
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights,
330, 7th Avenue, NY NY 10001, USA
Tel (+1-212) 629 6170, Fax 967 0916; Email lchr@xxxxxxxxxxx
(Has produced several good reports on Burma)
International League for Human Rights Charles Norchi, 432, Park Avenue
South, New York, New York 10016, USA Tel (+1-212) 684 1221; Fax 684 1696
(Puts out consise, high-quality briefing sheets on Burma, especially
focussing on briefing diplomats at the UN. Working on issues of religious
intolerance, in Burma and elsewhere))
PEN American Center,
Siobhan Dowd, 568, Broadway, Suite 401, NY, NY 10012, USA.
Tel (+1-212) 334 1660, Fax 334 2181.
(Freedom of information and expression)
Greenpeace
Pam Wellner, 4th Floor, 139, Townsend St, San Francisco 94107, USA
Tel (+1-415) 512 9025; Fax 512 8699
Rainforest Action Network, 490, Sansome St, Suite 700, San Francisco CA
94111, USA Tel (+1-415) 398 4404; Fax 398 2732; E-Mail
rainforest@xxxxxxxxxxx (Ecological issues. Publishes Action Alerts on
Burma; calling for corporate withdrawal, especially oil companies)
Coalition for Corporate Withdrawal From Burma
Simon Billeness, Franklin Research & Development Corporation
711, Atlantic Avenue, Boston MA 02111, USA Tel (+1-617) 423 6655; Fax 482 6179
(Is organizing shareholder resolutions at various companies involved in Burma)
Asia Resource Center,
Roger Rumpf, Kumar Ramanathan, P.O. Box 15275, Washington DC 20003, USA.
Tel (+1-202) 547 1114, Fax 543 7891.
International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Carole
Samdup, Peter Globensky, 63, Rue de Brsoles, Montral, Qubec, Canada H2Y
1V7 Tel (+1-514) 283 6073; Fax 283 3792 (Has organised various missions on
Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma with Nobel Peace Laureates)
EUROPE
Agir ici Martial Cozette, 14, Passage Dubail, F-75010 Paris, France. Tel
(+33-1) 4035 0700; Fax 4035 0620 (North-South pressure group. Part of the
emerging campaign to get Total to pull out of Burma)
Observatoire Geopolitique de la Drogue, Francis Christophe, Alain
Labrousse B.P. No. 190, 75463 Paris Cedex 10, France Tel (+33-1) 4036
6381. Fax 4038 1165;
Mdicins Sans Fronti res Jean-Herv Bradol, 8, Rue St Sabin, 75544 Paris
Cedex 11, France. Tel (+33-1) 40 21 29 29; Fax 48 06 68 68
Federation Internationale des Droits de l'Homme: Olivier Monange, 8, Ave
Bertie Albrecht, Paris 8e, France Tel 1-4563 4570; Fax 1-4563 9392
(Particularly effective in the human rights forums in Geneva. Is working
on forced relocations)
Reporteurs sans Frontieres,
Jean-Louis Donnadieu, Gil Gonzalez-Foerster (Yves Gemain)
Tel 6779 8182; Fax 6779 6080
(Freedom of information, protection of journalists)
Index on Censorship
Judith Vidal-Hall, 33 Islington High St, London N1 9LH, England
Tel (+44-71) 278 2313; Fax 278 1878
(Freedom of information and expression; publishes a magazine and reports)
Article 19,
Frances D'Souza, 33 Islington High St, London N1 9LH, England.
Tel (+44-71) 278 9292; Fax 713 1356.
(Specialises on freedom of information and expression. Publishes reports)
Amnesty International, Burma Researcher, 1, Easton St, London WC1, England
Tel (+44-71) 413 5500, Fax 956 1157. (Good on political prisoners, forced
labour and human rights in general. Effective in the human rights forums
in Geneva. Publishes reports)
International Fellowship of Reconciliation
Shelley Anderson, Spoorstraat 38, 1811 BK Alkmaar, Netherlands
Tel (+31-72) 123 014; Fax 151 102
Rene Wadlow, C.P. 161, 1211 Geneva 16, Switzerland. Tel (+33-50) 047 406;
Fax 047 452 (Working on Burma at the UN Human Rights Commission and
Sub-Commission)
International Commission of Jurists, Dilbur Parakh, 26, Chemin de
Joinville, CH-1216, Cointrin, Geneva, Switzerland Tel (+41-22) 788 4747;
Fax 788 4880 (Good information on human rights in Burma, with special
interest in constitutional and legal issues. Publishes reports)
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Ingeborg Schwarz (Human Rights) Place du
Petit Saconnex, BP 438, CH 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland Tel (+41-22) 734
4150; Fax 733 3141 (Particularly involved in working for imprisoned
Burmese parliamentarians, as well as constitutional issues)
International Committee of the Red Cross
Jean-Michel Monod, 19, Ave de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel (+41-22) 730 2277; Fax 733 2057
International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) Delmar Blasco, PO Box
216, 1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland. Tel (+41-22) 732 6600; Fax 738 9904
(Did a mission and wrote a report on the possibilities of NGO programmes
in Burma)
International Peace Bureau,
Colin Archer, Rue de Zurich 41, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland.
Tel 731 6429; Fax 738 9419; email GreenNet:ipb
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs,
Clement John, 150, Route de Ferney, 1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland
Tel (+41-22) 791 6111 (check); Fax 791 0361
Swissaid,
Hanspeter Finger, Case Postale CH-3000, Jubilaumstr 60, Bern 6, Switzerland
Tel (+41-31) 351 3311; Fax 351 2783
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions George Martens, 155,
Boulevard Emile Jacqmain, B-1210, Brussels, Belgium Tel (+32-2) 224 0211;
Fax 218 8415, 219 7503; Email GEO2:ICFTU (Has been active on Burma for
several years, particularly in the International Labour Organisation)
International Union of Food and Allied Workers' Associations,
Dan Gallin, 8, Rampe du Pont-Rouge, 1213, Petit Lancy, Geneva, Switzerland.
Tel (+41-22) 793 2233 (-37), Fax 793 2238.
(A long-term interest in Burma, active in the ILO and elsewhere)
International Federation of Journalists, Aidan White, Boulevard
Charlemagne 1, Bte 5, B1041, Brussels, Belgium. Tel (+32-2) 238 0942, Fax
230 3633. Email GEO2:IFJOURNALISTS (Protection of journalists, freedim of
expression. Convenes the Human Rights Forum of the International Trade
Secretariats )
International Federation of Chemical, Energy and General Workers' Unions
Victor Thorpe, Ian Graham, 109, Avenue Emile de Bco, B-1050 Brussels,
Belgium Tel (+32-2) 647 0235; Fax 648 4316 (Some of their members are
involved in oil and gas exploitation in Burma. They are in the process of
merging with the miners' International Trade Secretariat)
International Transport Workers' Federation,
David Cockroft, 133-135, Great Suffolk St, London SE1 1PD, UK.
Tel (+44-71) 403 2733, Fax 357 7871; Email GEO2:ITF
(Has worked particularly to protect Burmese seamen)
OVERSEAS BURMESE ORGANISATIONS
National Council of the Union of Burma,
General Bo Mya, President,
PO Box 22, Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma Dr Sein Win (Prime
Minister) currently in exile in the USA with some of his colleagues. Tel
(+1-202) 393 7342; Fax 373 7343 NCGUB Office, Bangkok Tel/Fax (+66-2) 591
5839
Democratic Alliance of Burma
c/o Dr Em Marta, PO Box 22, Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
Louisa Benson, (USA rep) 708, Kingman Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90402, USA
Tel (+1-310) 454 3123; Fax 459 8263
All Burma Student Democratic Front
c/o Khin Than (Thailand) Tel/Fax (+66-2) 379 6678
Dr Thaung Htun (USA) Tel (+1-202) 393 7342; Fax 373 7343
Federation of Trade Unions (Burma)
c/o Maung Maung, P.O. Box 1270, GPO Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Tel/Fax (+66-2) 300 0123 (in USA on (+1-202) 393 7342; Fax 373 7343)
(Particularly for labour issues)
All Burma Student Democratic Front (Europe Office)
Publishes "Burma Focus"
Democratic Voice of Burma
(Broadcasts Burmese language programmes into Burma.)
PO Box 6720, St Olav's Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway. Tel/Fax (+47-22) 41 41 43;
Email absdf@xxxxxxxxxxx
ORGANISATIONS OF THE NON-BURMAN NATIONALITIES
Karen National Union
Dr Em Marta, Arthur Shwe, PO Box 22, Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
Kachin Independence Organisation
Seng Raw, Bangkok, Thailand Tel (+66-2) 300 1949; Fax 300 1972
Mon New State Party
Nai Shwe Kyin, GPO Box 1983, Bangkok 10501, Thailand. Tel/Fax (+66-34) 595 080
Mon National Refugee Committee,
PO Box 1, Sankhlaburi 71240, Thailand. Tel/Fax (+66-34) 595 080)
Karenni National Progressive Party Aung Than Lay, Abel Tweed, (PO Box 707)
P.O. Box 19 Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand. Tel (+66-53) 611 691; Fax 612
469
Pa-O People's Liberation Organization Khun Okker (Arkar Thainurak), P.O.
Box 30 Mae Hong Son 58000 Thailand Fax (+66-53) 611 303)
Shan
Shan Human Rights Foundation, P.O. Box 41, Mae Hong Son, 58000, Thailand
BURMA ROUND TABLES (periodic meeting of Burma-interested groups)
Burma Meeting, Bangkok
c/o Jack Dunford, CCT Tel (+66-2) 2360 211 Fax 236 7000
Burma Briefing UK
c/o Ed McGovern, 18 Victoria Rd, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0EU, Devon, England
Tel (+44-392) 875 095; Fax 876 525
Burma Round Table, Washington DC
c/o Mary Pack, Refugees International, Tel (+1-202) 828 0110; Fax 828 0819
Burma Round Table, San Francisco c/o Pam Wellner, Greenpeace, 4th Floor,
139, Townsend St, San Francisco 94107, USA Tel (+1-415) 512 9025; Fax 512
8699
Burma Round Table, Massachussetts c/o Simon Billeness, Franklin Research &
Development, 711 Atlantic Ave, Boston MA 02111, USA Tel (+1-617) 423 6655;
Fax 482 6179
Burma Round Table, New York
c/o Sidney Jones, Asiawatch, 485, 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
Tel (+1-212) 972 8400 (ext.290); Fax 972 0905, 687 9786
INDIVIDUAL BURMA WATCHERS
Dr Michael Baumann, (Germany) Tel (+49-221) 43 56 60; (228) 165 705; Fax
168 6063
Josef Silverstein (Rutgers University, Dept of Political Science) 93,
Overbrook Drive, Princeton New Jersey 08540, USA Tel (+1-609) 924 7654;
Fax (+1-908) 932 7170
Bernard Genier (France/Geneva) (+1-41-22) 708 9070; Tel/fax (+33-50) 350
610 (knows about the Shan and Wa)
David Steinberg, (School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University) 6207,
Goodview St, Bethesda MD 20817, USA. Tel (+1-202) 687 8987; Fax 687 1431.
Tel/Fax (+1-301) 320 3319(h)
UNITED NATIONS
UN Secretary-General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali,
38th Floor, UN Secretariat, New York, New York 10017, USA
Department of Political Affairs
Francesc Vendrell, 32nd Floor, UN Secretariat, New York, New York 10017, USA
Tel (+1-212) 963 5122; Fax 963 1395
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Linda Hazou, 36th Floor, , UN Secretariat, New York, New York 10017, USA
Tel (+1-212) 963 4632; Fax 963 9489
UN Development Program (UNDP)
Shanti Balloo, East Asia Division, One UN Plaza, NY, NY 10017, USA
Tel (+1-212) 906 5829; Fax 906 5825
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
154 Rue de Lausanne, CH 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
Patrick de Souza (Western border) Tel (+41-22) 739 8195
Mr C.G. Lennart Hansson (Eastern border) Tel (+41-22) 739 8695
International Labour Organisation
Lee Swepston, Tel (+41-22) 799 7151; Fax 798 8685
UN International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) Nobuko Horibe, UNDCP, PO Box
500, Vienna International Centre, A-1400, Vienna, Austria Tel (+43-1)
21131 4011; Fax (+43-1) 230 7002
UN Human Rights Special Procedures System
Special Rapporteurs on:
* Myanmar * Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions * Torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment * Religious
Intolerance * The sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography * Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance * Freedom of opinion and expression *
Violence against women * Internally displaced persons * Independence of
the judiciary * Use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of
the right of peoples to self- determination
Chairmen of:
* The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention;
* The Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearences
Communications for all of these
c/o UN Centre for Human Rights,
Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland.
Fax (+41-22) 917 0123
GOVERNMENTS
State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Rd, Yangon, Myanmar
Ministre des Affaires trangres (France)
Quai d'Orsay, Paris, France
M. Claude Blanche-Maison Tel (+33-1) 4753 4600; Fax 4753 4644
Chantal de Bourmont Tel (+33-1) 4753 4630; Fax 4753 4644
French Mission to the UN (Geneva) Batrice Le Fraper Tel (+41-22) 758 9111;
Fax 758 2449 (France is the main drafter of the Burma resolution at the
Commission on Human Rights, which meets every yearin Geneva throughout
February and the first part of March)
Swedish Mission to the UN (New York)
Ulla Str m, 885, 2nd Avenue, NY, NY 10017-2201, USA
Tel (+1-212) 751 5900 (ext. 3205; Fax 832 0389
(Sweden is the main drafter of the Burma Resolution at the UN General Assembly which meets in New York from September to December every year)
UK Mission to the UN
Rob Vaughn Fenn, 885, 2nd Avenue, 28th Floor, NY, NY 10017-2201, USA
Tel (+1-212) 745 9366; Fax 745 9316
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK)
Carole Robson Tel (+44-71) 270 2449
UK Mission to the UN (Geneva)
Tel (+41-22) 734 3804; Fax 734 5254
US National Security Council,
Eric Schwartz, NSC, White House, Washington DC 20506, USA
Tel (+1-202) 395 3736. fax 395 1199
US State Department (East Asia and Pacific)
John Finney, Room 4312 Dept of State, 2201 C St NW, Washington DC 20520, USA
Tel (+1-202) 647 7108; Fax 647 6820
Bruce Malkin, Rm 5313, Dept of State, 2201 C St NW, Washington DC 20520, USA
Tel (+1-202) 647 2722; Fax 647 7388
S State Department (Human Rights)
John Shattuck, Room 7802, Dept of State, 2201 C St NW, Washington DC 20520, USA
Tel (+1-202) 647 2126; Fax 647 9519
European Commission
Balthasar A. Benz
Directorate-General 1, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Tel (+32-2) 299 0677, 296 2971; Fax 299 1061
(Thailand and Burma Desk Officer)
European Parliament
Rue Belliard 97-113, 1047 Brussels, Belgium
Lydia L. van de Fliert, Tel (+32-2) 284 5297; Fax 284 9297
(Assistant to Ken Coates -- Socialist Group -- Chair of European Parliament Human Rights Group)
Dick Gupwell Tel (+32-2) 284 3065; Fax 284 3068 (Socialist Group)
Richard Moore, Tel (+32-2) 284 2077, 2767 (Assistant); Fax 284 230 2485
(Liberal Group; knows more about Burma than anyone else in the Parliament)
Sabine Meyer Tel (+32-2) 284 3353; Fax 284 9141
(Green Group; specialises on development issues. Possesses the best- arranged Burma files in the European Parliament )
PUBLICATIONS, WIRE SERVICES ETC
Reuters, IPS, AFP, UPI etc cover Burma. The Daily Reports, published by
the US Govt. Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) are good on
political and military information, while the BBC's Summary of World
Broadcasts (SWB) tends to have better econo mic and company material.
The Far Eastern Economic Review, the Bangkok Post and The Nation (Bangkok)
frequently carry news and articles about Burma. The New Light of Myanmar,
published in Rangoon (from Burmese embassies, or by subscription), is an
important source of information, particularly on foreign companies
interested in investing in Burma.
Kiscadale Publications, Murray House, Main Street, Gartmore,
Stirlingshire, FK8 3RJ, Scotland/U.K. Tel (+44-8) 772 776; Fax 772 778
publishes books on Burma
Le Mekong, Jean-Christophe Mikhailoff, 129 bis Bvd Murat, 7516, Paris, Tel
(+33-1) 4050 1565
NB the Internet/PeaceNet conference REG.BURMA
This already has several hundred news stories, articles etc on Burma. It
is also a place to request information, publicise Burma events, campaign
on Suu Kyi and contact others. For further information contact:
Email strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
Please send corrections and additions to this dossier to:
Burma Peace Foundation, 6th Floor, 777, UN Plaza, NY, NY 10017, USA
Tel (+1-212) 338 0048; Fax 692 9748; Email darnott@xxxxxxx
26 September 1994
**************************************************************
SCB: BURMA-MYANMAR
lintner
bit.listserv.seasia-l
10:32 AM Dec 10, 1994
by Bertil Lintner
(at KSC.AU.AC.TH) (From News system)
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
F.K. Lehman's posting re Burma-Myanmar today was most informative and I
have absolutely no disagreements with him. Myanmar and Burma are indeed
the same word, which I made clear in my previous posting. The point I
wanted make is that the Slorc's explanation for changing the name of the
country in 1989 was wrong. Likewise, the thakins were wrong in the 1930s.
I just wanted to clarify why many writers, myself included, are extremely
reluctant to use the supposedly new name Myanmar, and to point out the
dangers inherent in accepting the "new"
**************************************************************
SCB: BURMA'S MOSAIC PAGES 1 response tun soc.culture.burma 8:01 PM Dec 7,
1994 (at macpsy.ucsf.EDU) (From News system)
I was able to conect to www.virtualvegas.com's mosaic/netscape pages. It's
pretty nifty. I hope some of you who are fortunate enough to have SLIP/PPP
can check it out...
Ct
Response 1 of 1
from jrchien@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
soc.culture.burma 2:57 PM Dec 9, 1994
() (From News system)
In article <9412080401.AA10521@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, tun@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Coban Tun)
writes:
> I was able to conect to www.virtualvegas.com's mosaic/netscape pages.
> It's pretty nifty. I hope some of you who are fortunate enough to have
> SLIP/PPP can check it out...
>
As of December 9, there is no link to burma homepage from www.virtualvegas.com. Home page is located at www.interactivist.virtualvegas.com or 199.172.179.200.
**************************************************************
SCB: FONT AVAILABLE FOR APPLE MAC ?
logname soc.culture.burma 3:23 AM Dec 8, 1994
(at cee.hw.ac.uk)
(From News system)
Hi ,
Is burmese font available for apple macintosh , if so please let
me know , I am very interested.
thanks.
**************************************************************
BURMANET: AND THEN THERE WERE TWO
December 11, 1994
BurmaNet welcomes the appearance on December 10 of unique.com.
Unique.com, like BurmaNet, seeks to use the net to distribute information
about Burma (sometimes called Myanmar). Unique.com represents the first
organized effort by SLORC to use the Interne t to promote their views.
BurmaNet intends to carry material on Burma regardless of the source,
including the material posted by unique.com. BurmaNet will begin today to
post material from the New Light of Myanmar. For those who are not
already familiar with the New Light of Myanmar, it is the state-run
newspaper in Rangoon.
(If the gentlemen at unique.com would consider posting the New Light
themselves, it would relieve BurmaNet of the burden.)
**************************************************************
SLORC: NEWS OF MYANMAR
soc.culture.burma 1:13 AM Dec 10, 1994
by news.reporter@xxxxxxxxxx
Page 1
NEWS OF MYANMAR
Issued by
The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
12th December 1994
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Teachers duty-bound to nurture pupils to become well-developed
and able future leaders
YANGON, 31 Oct - The Special Refresher Course No. 12 for
Basic Education Teachers was opened at the Central Institute of
Civil Service this morning.
Chairman of the Myanmar Naing-Ngan Education Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt delivered the course opening address.
Also present on the occasion were Minister for Religious
Affairs Lt-Gen Myo Nyunt, Minister for Progress of Border Areas
and National Races and Development Affairs Lt-Gen Maung Thint,
Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win, Minister for Social Welfare,
Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Thaung Myint, Ministers at the
Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Col Pe Thein, Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw, Minister for Rail Transportation
U Win Sein, Minister for Industry-2 U Than Shwe, Minister for
Communications, Posts and Telegraphs U Soe Tha, Auditor-General
U Aung Khin Tint, Chairman of the Yangon City Development Committee
Mayor U Ko Lay, Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training
Board U Maung Maung Gyi and members, senior Tatmadaw officers of
the Ministry of Defence, Director-General of the State Law and
Order Restoration Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, heads of department
and Rector of the CICS U Tin Tun and teachers.
The Secretary-1 said eleven such courses have been conducted
successfully and there are now a considerable number of teachers
who have learnt the subjects and the objectives of the course and
are practically implementing them. However, comparing this number
with the number of teachers in the whole country, he said, it will
be only 10 per cent. Therefore, it is necessary to continue opening
such courses.
He said as three special refresher courses for teachers of
institutions of higher learning and 11 courses for Basic Education
teachers have been conducted, it is seen that peaceful pursuance of
education is now being achieved and this shows that there is a lot
of benefit derived in the education sphere.
These courses are being conducted not to educate the teachers
but to revitalize nationalism in them, he said. They are to make them
thoroughly realize the essence of Our Three Main National Causes,
he said.
He said the subjects selected for the course will effectively
assist in realizing the objectives of the course and the teachers
will come to know thoroughly the State's education policy and
objectives.
He pointed out that it will not do for teachers to only
teach lessons and increase their knowledge, but also to study the
hobbies and habits of their pupils and guide them on the right path
which will make them outstanding in their respective fields. This,
he said, will enable them to take part in State development tasks
efficiently.
Management
He spoke of the need for teachers to pay careful attention
to the subject management which will be one of the subjects of the
courses.
He said the subject on social affairs will include topics
on how to give advice to the pupils and mould their characters,
social dealings, sports and physical education, Red Cross and
school health, among others.
The subject on teacher-pupil relationship, duties of pupils
towards teachers, code of conduct of teachers, their prestige,
rights and the concepts of teachers and preserving Myanmar culture
will be included in the subject culture.
Dealing with the subject law, he said discipline is vital
in the social sphere and laws, orders and directives have been
included in it to enable them to understand them well.
Continuing, he said political science and Myanma political
history are also included. This is to enable the teachers to know
the acts of the colonialists who manoeuvred to turn Myanmar
Naing-Ngan into a servitude, the national people who struggled
with the fervour of Union spirit and patriotism for the country
to regain its independence and the present neo-colonialists who
are trying to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries
and the noble traditions of the Tatmadaw which shouldered its
historical duties most gloriously and valiantly by sacrificing
life and limb for the country.
Sovereignty
He pointed out that it is the duty of all citizens to
perpetuate and safeguard the independence and sovereignty of the
State. The teachers, he said, are State service personnel and
persons who are to nurture and train the pupils to become good
sons of the soil who will protect and preserve the independence
and sovereignty of the State in future so they will have to play
a part in it. Therefore, military science will be taught and they
will be also given military training, he said.
The economy will be one of the subjects and topics on it
will include Myanma market economic policy, international economic
relations, agriculture, forestry, energy, mines, fish and livestock
breeding, trade and tourist industry, he said.
At this course, he said, teachers from all parts of the
country will meet in the spirit of camaderie and they will get
an opportunity to exchange and share general knowledge of
different regions. He spoke of the need to make practical use
of the knowledge and hold deliberations on how this would assist
in the peaceful pursuit of education.
He also said that they are coordinate among themselves
in the welfare of the teachers and the extra-hour classes at
schools so that the tasks implemented by the State will achieve
success.
Preservation
The Secretary-1 pointed out that as the country is
changing its economic and political aspects and is coming
into more contacts with other countries, it is necessary to
preserve own culture and traditions and customs. In making
efforts thus, it should begin right from schools as students
are prone to learn quickly and imitate what others do. That is
why the basic level has been included in traditional performing
arts competitions, he said.
He said the main task in the education sector is to
raise and nurture youths who are well-developed and who will
become able leaders in future and therefore, the teachers who
are their initial mentors, must train and nurture them so that
they will be well-educated and patriotic.
The Union Solidarity and Development Association which
is formed with the strength of the youths is training and nurturing
them to become youths possessing good morales, well-disciplined,
strong and united, he said. He stressed the need for the teachers
to learn the clarifications given and discussions on the USDA so
that they may lead and guide the youths well.
He said the State is seriously carrying out the national
reconciliation task, which is vital for Myanmar Naing-Ngan to
become peaceful and prosperous and for the perpetuity of the
Union so that all will take part in it with a Union spirit and
as a national duty.
He pointed out that at the time when Myanmar Naing-Ngan
was servitude for over a century, due to the divide and rule
policy and instigations, the national brethren who had lived
together since ancient times, became suspicious of one another
disunited and simultaneously, several armed groups surfaced.
He went on to say that due to armed insurgents, there
was no peace in the country and past governments in succession
were not able to bring development to the country as much as
they had aimed for and thus it lagged behind the neighbouring
countries in development.
He said it seen that although the previous governments
made efforts and invited the armed groups in the jungles to
return to legal fold, they were not successful as expected.
He said if a review of history will show that in 1958
during the time of the party Government, the AFPFL, the party
in power, split up and the AFPFL (Clean) called for peace
negotiations and the above-ground leftist political organizations
supported the AFPFL (Clean) Government and co-operated. However,
only three armed groups returned to the legal fold.
He said during the time of the Revolutionary Council
in 1963, armed groups in the jungles were invited to make
peace negotiations. At this invitations the following groups:-
- representatives of Rakhine Communist Party;
- representatives of the three parties-KNU, Mon Pvithit and
Karenni National Development parties;
- representatives of Communist Party (Red Flag);
- representative of Kayin Revolutionary Council;
- representatives of Shan National Front and Shan State
Liberation Front;
- representatives of Burma Communist Party;
- representatives of Kachin Liberation Council; and
- representatives of Ma Da Nya Ta. These eight armed
groups came forward and had thorough discussions with the
Revolutionary Council.
**************************************************************
SLORC: FACTS ABOUT MYANMAR
news.reporter soc.culture.burma 2:37 AM Dec 10, 1994
(at unique.com) (From News system)
Page 1
FACTS ABOUT THE UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Issued by
The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing of the country's name
There are 135 ethnic national races, where majority race of
the country being Burmese with the coverage of 70%. Our former name
"Burma" was the name dreamed up by the colonial British who invaded
and occupied the land during the 19th century and nearly half of the
20th century. Burma would represent only the Burmese, the majority
race of the country. The minority races feel neglected and are
afraid that they might lose their identity. Whereas the name Myanmar
is a collective name, embracing all the 135 ethnic races that comprise
Myanmar's population. Thus, changing back to the old, former,
original glorious name "Myanmar".
Geography
Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia and is bordered on the
north and northeast by China, on the east and southeast by Laos and
Thailand, on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and
on the west by Bangladesh and India. The country covers an area of
677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) in the shape of a
diamond, 936 kilometers (582 miles) from east to west and 2,051
kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south. It is a land of hills
and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain
ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain
barrier are the flat lands of Ayeyawwady, Chindwin and Sittaung River
valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population
is concentrated.
It has a tropical monsoon climate with three seasons namely
summer, rainy season and winter.
Population
Population of the Union of Myanmar right now is 42 million
with the rate of growth of 1.98%. It is expected that the population
will reach the mark of 50 million by the year 2000.
Education
Children from 3 to 5 years of age are sent to Day Care centers
and kindergarten. Schooling age starts from 5 years of age. English
is taught as one subject up till the 8th grade and from 9th grade and
onwards, all lessons are taught throughout the medium of English.
There are 12 higher education universities, 7 degree colleges
and 15 colleges. Degrees and diplomas conferred by the universities
include bachelors and masters both in faculty of Arts and Science as
well as the fields in medicine and engineering.
Myanmar won the UNESCO's "Mohamed Reza Pahlevi" Prize
for its outstanding work in the literacy campaign in 1971. At
present, literacy is 75%.
Religion
Buddhism is the main religion which was in existence more
than 2,500 years ago with 86% of the country Buddhists, 8% of
Christians, 2% of Muslims and 4% of others.
Language and Writing
As there are 135 national races, there also are diversities
in languages amounting to 70 in number and writings, 40 in kinds.
According to the inscriptions, ancient Myanmar writings started
since a thousand years ago.
Customs and culture
It is the custom of Buddhist families to send the sons to
the monastery where they shave their heads and stay for a
few days wearing robes as Koyins (novices) keeping sabbath and
receiving religious instructions under the Phonegyis (Buddhist monks).
In our culture, we have no dates. Marriage has to be
approved by the parents and sometimes it is arranged. It might sound
strange, but as we are big hearted people, we love the ones we marry.
Once married, we stay married to the same person till the end of the
days. Separation and divorce are very rare; so much rare that you
would hardly see one in five thousand.
Young men and women do not move out of the family on attaining
the age of 18 or so. In fact, most of the families live together for
two or three generations. Members of the families are very close to
one another. In some circumstances when same members of the people
have to move out, they always keep in touch with one another. Just as
the parents have looked after the children from the day they are born
till they are properly and rightfully married off, the parents also
are well looked after by their children when they become old and unable,
till they lie in peace. Since we were kids, we were very thoughtfully
taught about the endless gratitude, and enormous greatness of the
parents that, it is the duty of the children as an act of gratitude to
look after the parents when they become old and unable. This teaching
and practice being handed over to our children generation after generation
and being adhered to, one can barely see any elderly family member
kept away in Home for Aged, unless he has no offsprings to depend upon.
<continue to Page 2>
SLORC: FACTS ABOUT THE UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Issued by
The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle and Food
Our Myanmar way of lifestyle is very simple and peaceful.
Our staple food is rice. We eat rice with curry. There are variety
of Myanmar dishes all of which are delicious. Some are spicy and
some are not. Myanmar relishes on salads and fresh water foods since
shrimps, lobsters, fresh water trouts and many such others are so
plentiful in our rivers.
Government and Politics
That State law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) directs,
supervises and co-ordinates the work of the central and local organs
of State power.
Myanmar, right now is on the road of Democracy with
multi-party system. In a near future, SLORC will hand over the
supervision power to the rightful democratic government that has to come.
Economics
Myanmar's economy is based upon its Oriented Market
economic policy.
Myanmar is making joint ventures with foreign countries.
Foreign investors who invest and operate on equitable principles
are given the right to enjoy appropriate benefits, to repatriate
them and to take their legitimate assets back home on closing their
business with the proper guarantee by the government against
nationalization of their business in operation by enactment of
Foreign Investment law of November 30, 1988.
Just as it is the producer of the best teak of the world,
Myanmar is the one and only country that produces the best Ruby,
the best Sapphire, the best cultured Pearl and the best Jade in
the world.
Curent Activities
Myanmar's current activities emphasize on renovation
and construction of the entire country.
Three big satellite towns bigger than Yangon
(capital city) are currently constructed near Yangon City.
Big and high storeyed buildings are erected in the places
available in the city and pagodas are renovated all over the country.
Old roads are expanded, new roads (car and rail) and new
bridges are constructed wherever necessary, not just in one place
but in the whole country reaching even to the most remote areas
for the purpose of easy transport and communications.
"Myanmar" well known to foreigners as "the land of smiles"
with Yangon as its capital is attractive in its own special way.
Towering over the city is the glittering world famous Shwedagon
pagoda with its spire rising to a height of 99.4 metres (326 ft).
It is the essence of Myanmar and a place that never fails to enchant.
Celebrations
Many traditional festivals and auspicious days are
celebrated in Myanmar and the following are the significant ones.
Independence celebration
January 4, 1948 was the day Myanmar became an independent
sovereign republic. That day is Myanmar's noble independence day which
we celebrate every year.
Union Day celebration
February 12 has been designated Union Day in order to remember
forever the beneficial advantages of the solidarity of all the
indigenous people which led to attain the country's independence
which we celebrate annually with pomp and ceremony.
Thingyan celebration (Water Festival)
This is the Myanmar New Year celebration called
Thingyan (Water Festival). This festival goes with Myanmar
month of Tagu which falls in the month of April. (April 14 to
16 and April 17th is Myanmar New Year Day).
Kason celebration of watering the Banyan Ttee
Kason Full-Moon Day (In May) is the noblest for Buddhists.
On this day Gautama, the Buddha-to-be was born, on this day Gautama
became enlightened; and on this day Buddha passed into Pirinirvana.
Waso celebration
Waso Full-Moon Day (In July) is a big day for Buddhists.
Gautama Buddha, after realising the Four Noble Truths preached
the First Sermon.
Thadingyut celebration
Thadingyut Full-Moon Day (Mid-October) is the day on
which Buddha completed the preaching of the Abhidhamma,
from preaching day and night throughout the lent period of three
months. In early part of Thadingyut Full-Moon night, Buddha
stepped down from the summit of Mount Meru. In commemoration
of welcoming of Buddha on this full-moon night the festival
of lights is celebrated with illuminations.
Tazaundine celebration
Full-Moon of Tazaundine (Middle of November). On this
full-moon night, Buddha preached the discourse on the advantages
of the life of a monk to King Ajatasattu. In celebration of
this full-moon night, lights are lit and robes are woven overnight
and offered to monks.
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BKK POST: THAI ARMY TEAM IN BURMA TO BOOST TIES
Approx December 9
ASSISTANT Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chetha Thanajaro yesterday led a group of senior officers on a visit to Burma to strengthen
military ties with key members of the Burmese military regime, an Army officer said yesterday.
The officers said Burmese eastern forces commander Gen Kae Seng had invited Gen Chetha for the visit to last two days.
The trip is aimed at strengthening understanding by key military figures from the two countries, said a senior army officer.
However, the officer said there might be good news from Gen Chethas visit on which he was accompanied by senior officers from the 1st, 3rd and 4th armies whose supervision area bordered Burma.
Gen Chetha, the former commander of the 1st Army, is former chairman of the Thai-Burma Regional Border Committee. It is Gen Chethas first trip to Burma since he was promoted to assistant army commander-in-chief last October.
Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Wimol Wongwanich is in France where he will have meetings with senior French armed forces officers.
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