BRC--J announces Study/Action Weeke

[NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: BRC--J announces Study/Action Weekend

Errors-To:owner-burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx
FROM:NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Burmese Relief Center--Japan
DATE:September 13, 1995
TIME: 7:27PM JST

BURMESE RELIEF CENTER -- JAPAN ANNOUNCES:

BURMA STUDY/ACTION WEEKEND
November 18-19, 1995
Takaradera, Yamazaki, Kyoto

The Theme:  "One Free--45 Million To Go!"

As Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said:
"I have been released. That is all.  Nothing has changed." 

Even while Burma's most prominent democracy leader has
been freed, the overall human rights situation in the country
is worsening: 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
recently closed its office in Rangoon after the failure of 
negotiations with the Burmese government to allow the
organization access to Burma's detention centers. 

SLORC has resumed offensives against ethnic minority
groups, including the Karenni Nationalities People's Party,
which signed a cease-fire agreement with the SLORC in
March 1995. There are more refugees sheltering in the
jungle along the border than ever before!

Tens of thousands of villagers have been forcibly taken from
their homes and fields to work for the army. Many have
died from beatings and exhaustion.  Charges of slave labor
have been raised by the International Labor Organization
(ILO) and even National Geographic, a non-political
magazine, took an outstanding, critical look behind
SLORC's whitewash in its July issue.  

SLORC totally ignored the recent high-level UN mission
attempting to encourage a dialogue between SLORC and
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

All indications are that SLORC is determined to continue
with  its National Convention on October 24 to draft a
constitution giving the military the major political role in
Burma.  

BOYCOTT VISIT MYANMAR YEAR 
To line their pockets and fund their oppression, SLORC has
declared next year "Visit Myanmar  Year."  Burmese Relief
Center --Japan can give you hundreds of good reasons why
not to visit Myanmar until Democracy comes.

SAVE THE SALWEEN--DAMN THE DAMS
Burmese Relief Center -- Japan is continuing a campaign to
stop the damns planned for the Salween River which would
be a disaster for the Karen ethnic minority and their rich
teak forested homeland. 

STOP THE PIPELINE
Burmese Relief Center--Japan joins the Rainforest Network
in opposing the Nat Ei Taung Gas Pipeline being built to
benefit SLORC, Thailand, Total, Unocal, and Texaco at
tragic cost to the environment and the people of Mon State. 

Well-informed Action is Effective
Burmese Relief Center-- Japan in cooperation with the
International Network for Burma Relief and the Burma
Youth Volunteer Association will hold the sixth annual
Burma Study/Action Weekend to consider the current
situation in Burma and to discuss avenues for action.  The
program will include videos, slides, and discussions with
visiting Burma experts and BRC-- J members who have
recently returned from the border.  Reference materials from
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch--Asia, Article
19, Medecins Sans Frontieres, International Rescue
Committee, Burma Issues, Burma Alert, BIG, Burmanet
and a number of other NGOs and sources will be available. 
Hand-outs, reprints, and newsletters with the most up-to-date information on a
ll Burmese issues will be provided to
participants.Items For Sale include:   Original BRC-J gem-stone
pictures, hand-painted silk scarves, Karenni blankets,
longyis, T-shirts, Shan and Karen bags, refugee made
woven goods, original BRC-J and Green November
postcards, notecards, telephone cards, books, documentary
videos, cassette tapes from ABSDF, Burmese jewelry,
Burmese delicacies 
with ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE BURMESE
DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT AND REFUGEE RELIEF.

Schedule and Directions: 

The Burma Study/Action Weekend activities will begin
early Saturday afternoon and continue until Sunday after-
noon.  Burmese vegetarian meals and Burmese refreshments
will be provided.  Discussion will be in English, Japanese
and Burmese.  We encourage all participants to come when
you can; stay as long as you can.  Historic, scenic Tenno-zan merits notice as
 well, so plan time for a hike!

Takaradera, a Shingon temple with important cultural
properties in Yamazaki between Kyoto and Osaka, and can
be reached by either JR or Hankyu.  Some  Rapid Service
(kaisoku) stop at JR Yamazaki, but only the local (futsu)
stops at Hankyu Oyamazaki.  From Hankyu Oyamazaki Sta-
tion, first walk to JR Yamazaki Station (about five minutes). 
>From JR Yamazaki Station cross the tracks and go
STRAIGHT up the hill.  (After you cross the tracks, DO
NOT TURN RIGHT.  That takes you around the hill to the
Tenno-zan cherry trees.)  You will pass one temple before
you reach the gate of Takaradera on the right.  By car,
continue past the stairs and turn right, going around the
main gate.  The parking lot is on the left.  The fifteen-minute walk up is qui
te steep.  A taxi from either station
costs about 750 yen. (The taxi stand at Hankyu Oyamazaki
Station is not right at the station.  You have to walk along
the road to the left after you come out of the station.)  

Participation fee:
10,000 yen  (includes a donation)

For reservations:
BURMESE RELIEF CENTER--JAPAN
266-27 Ozuku-cho
Kashihara-shi
Nara-ken 634
Tel:  (07442) 2-8236
Fax  (07442) 4-6254
e-mail:  brelief@xxxxxxx
(Ken and Visakha Kawasaki)
Takaradera telephone number:
(075) 956-0047 
(for directions to the temple, but not for  reservations!)