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The BurmaNet News, March 15, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, March 15, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 22:42:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: March 15, 1997
Issue #667
HEADLINES:
==========
THAILAND TIMES: ARMY UNDER FIRE
UPI: CANADA WANTS SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
AP: THAILAND TO BUY GAS FROM BURMA AND TEXACO
FEER: SPOT THE STRONGMAN
UPI: CONGRESSIONAL TRIP CRITICIZED
JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: WELD LETTER A NEW WRINKLE
AP: GENERAL BLAMES TRAITORS AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
BKK POST: BOARD TO CONSIDER PIPELINE IMPACT STUDY
NATION: OFFICIAL TRANSFERRED, LOGGING SCAM EXPOSED
THE NATION: ITD PLANS TO INK BURMESE PORT AGREEMENT
THAILAND TIMES:MAE-SOT MYAWADDY BORDER PASSAGE
BEIJING ZHONGGUO XINWEN SHE: STUDY WITH BURMA
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
ANNOUNCEMENT: UPDATE ON GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THAILAND TIMES: ARMY UNDER FIRE FOR TREATMENT OF REFUGEES
March 14, 1997
BANGKOK ; House committee on justice and human rights accused local
military officers of making last minute improvements to a
Karen refugee camp in Kanchanaburi province in order to impress
visiting inspectors and journalists.
The committee spokesman Suwarote Palang said the outward
appearance of the Ban Pu Muang refugee camp in Dan Makhamtia
district was a charade perpetrated by the military in anticipation of the
justice committee's arrival.
He said the brand new plastic tents were proof of the military's
efforts to stage a positive photo opportunity to impress the international
community.
Maj-Gen Thaweep Suwansilp, the 9th Infantry Battalion commander, did not
deny the accusations outright, but said the accommodations were well in line
with their limited budget.
Suwarote, unsatisfied with Thaweep's justification, said he was
outraged the refugees only began to receive adequate assistance a
few days before his visit.
After the press briefing chariman of the House committee Suthep
Ngernmeun said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should be given access
to the camps to provide much needed assistance to the Karen refugees.
Citing safety concerns, the Thai government has banned NGOs from the camps
near the Burmese border.
Suthat also said the media should be allowed to enter the area
and monitor the camps in order to verify Thai military claims
that the refugees are receiving adequate humanitarian assistance.
*****************************************
UPI: CANADA WANTS SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
March 13, 1997
OTTAWA, March 13 (UPI) -- Canada is urging several countries to take
collective action against Burma to pressure the military junta in
Rangoon to move toward democracy and respect for human rights.
Foreign Affairs Department official Christine Stewart says, however,
that Ottawa cannot act alone to impose ``sanctions against a country
like Burma.''
Stewart was speaking shortly after activists from the Canadian
Friends of Burma demonstrated outside the Parliament building in Ottawa
to urge the government to impose sanctions against Burma, now officially
known as Myanmar.
In response to a question by an opposition Reform Party member of
Parliament, Stewart said Canada is speaking with other nations,
particularly those in the region, ``and we hope to be able to encourage
them ... to take some collective action with us.''
The objective is to ``try to influence the government in Burma to
change (its) ways and promote good governance and democracy and respect for
human rights,'' she says.
The demonstrators outside Parliament were commemorating the 9th
anniversary of mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Rangoon, or Yangon.
Reports trickling out of Burma later said the junta reacted to the
mass demonstrations with a campaign of repression and massacres.
***********************************
AP: THAILAND TO BUY GAS FROM BURMA AND AMERICA'S TEXACO
March 13, 1997
RANGOON, Burma (AP) _ The Petroleum Authority of Thailand signed
a 30-year contract Thursday with the Burmese government and a consortium led
by Texaco of the United States to buy 200 million
cubic feet per day of Burmese gas.
The gas will come from the Yetagun gas field, 200 kilometers (125 miles)
off the Tenasserim coast in the Andaman Sea. The Yetagun field has an
estimated 1.1 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves.
It lies immediately south of the Yadana field, which is being developed
by a consortium that includes Total of France, Unocal of the United States
and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand.
Production at the Yetagun field is scheduled to begin in late 1999 or
early 2000, said K.D. Sniffen, a Texaco executive.
The gas is to be delivered to Ban I Thong in the Thai province of
Kanchanaburi through a 270-kilometer (167-mile) pipeline. At Ban
I Thong, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand will transmit gas from
both the Yadana and Yetagun fields through a single pipeline to a
plant in Ratchaburi province.
The Yetagun project is owned nearly 43 percent by Texaco, nearly
26 percent by British Premier, 18 percent by Nippon Oil of Japan
and 14 percent by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand.
Burma's state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Exploration has an
option to take up to 15 percent of the project.
``Today's agreement is another milestone in Burmese-Thai
relationships,'' said Khin Maung Thein, Burma's minister of energy.
Asked if the possibility of U.S. economic sanctions on Burma for
political repression would affect the project, Sniffen of Texaco
said, ``A lot of American businessmen have said that sanctions are
counterproductive and are not going to help anybody.''
He said the project would generate jobs, transfer technology and
improve the living standards of local employees.
***********************************
FEER: SPOT THE STRONGMAN
March 20, 1997
By Bertil Lintner in Bangkok
Signs of a power struggle within the ruling junta
This is not divide and rule, it's decimate and rule," Burmese opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi recently told an acquaintance. Arrests of members of
her party, the National League for Democracy, have risen markedly nationwide
over the past few weeks.
But this time, an increased army presence in many towns indicates that it's
more than yet another crackdown on the NLD: "We see much more of the army
now than before, when military intelligence officials came and knocked on
your door in the middle of the night," says a source in Rangoon.
The stronger army showing, Rangoon-based diplomats say, may be a reflection
of a power struggle between the country's army chief, Gen Maung Aye, and the
intelligence boss, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who for years was considered Burma's
strongman.
Opinions very as to when their rivalry escalated into a more serious
personality clash, though there's a consensus that the ruling State Law and
Order Restoration Council is divided not over whether to crush the
opposition but how best to do so.
An Asian diplomat suggests that the rift between the two men became evident
after the highly publicized visit to Burma by American Congressman Bill
Richardson in February 1994. Richardson was the first nonfamily member
allowed to see Suu Kyi, then under house arrest in Rangoon.
In September the same year, Khin Nyunt met Suu Kyi, taking the first step
towards what could have become a dialogue. "All that was Khin Nyunt's idea,"
the diplomat says. "He basked in publicity, but achieved nothing for SLORC.
The other generals were quite annoyed with the whole thing."
A Western diplomat argues that the conflict between Khin Nyunt's policy of
neutralizing opponents through negotiation rather than force was even more
apparent in dealings with ethnic-Karen rebels in late 1994: "Khin Nyunt
favoured a more tactful approach, and several rounds of talks were held with
the rebels near the Thai border. But the military wanted to use force."
The talks led nowhere, so the military launched an offensive. Karen
headquarters at Manerplaw fell in January 1995, and the rebels have been on
the defensive ever since.
Khin Nyunt, meanwhile, has been pushed into the background, and it is
uncertain how much power he wields today. Significantly, he was not in a
high-powered delegation that went to Beijing in October to negotiate the
terms of future cooperation with China. Until then, Khin Nyunt had been seen
as the architect of Burma's close relationship with China. This time, the
delegation was headed by Maung Aye and his army chief of staff, Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
With Slorc's chairman, Gen Than Shwe, getting older and more removed from
day-to-day decision making, Maung Aye is clearly consolidating his grip on
power. Burmese sources say he is behind the current crackdown on the NLD.
Adds a Western NGO worker who recently visited Rangoon: "Maung Aye is
sending his boys out to finish off the opposition. They're everywhere now."
Since December, 28 members of the NLD's youth wing have been rounded up,
along with 42 older members and 56 others, according to a list compiled by
the League. Sweeps against the NLD have been reported from places as diverse
as Mandalay, Pegu, the Irrawaddy delta, Yawnghwe in Shan state and the
Kachin state capital of Myitkyina.
Among those targeted in Rangoon is Than Nyein, a doctor and prominent NLD
organizer. He also happens to be the brother of Khin Nyunt's wife, Khin Win
Shwe. Than Nyein has had his medical licence revoked for "operating an
unlicensed clinic." Although his relationship to Khin Nyunt may be
coincidental, the move has nevertheless embarrassed the intelligence chief.
Cautious observers stress that the government has so far maintained a
remarkable unity, overriding serious internal disagreements. Despised by the
majority of Burmese, its unity is precious to its survival. So is its
military muscle.
The strength of the armed forces has increased from about 185,000 before
the 1988 pro-democracy uprising to more than 300,000 today. At the same
time, Burma's military-intelligence apparatus has grown from 17 battalions
in 1988 to at least 21 today, supported by a network of thousands of
neighbourhood informants.
"But their duty is also to spy on the military, and to detect dissent
within the ranks," says a Western military analyst. "Khin Nyunt's military
intelligence has become a state within the state, and that's not tolerated
in Burma."
That, combined with his general muscle-flexing and publicity-seeking,
hasn't made Khin Nyunt popular with Maung Aye's professional military. Or,
as a Western military analyst put it: "Slorc is no longer the monolith it
used to be."
For the first time, Burma watchers are witnessing a serious power struggle
within the regime. And judging from recent developments, Khin Nyunt is on
the losing side. (FEER)
************************************
UPI: CONGRESSIONAL TRIP CRITICIZED
March 14, 1997
DALLAS, March 14 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas,
is defending his trip to Burma last year along with three other lawmakers
after groups critical of Burma's military dictatorship questioned the visit.
The Dallas Morning News Friday quotes DeLay spokesman John Feehery
describing the visit as educational and useful. ``It was a good trip for
Tom. He learned a lot about how to deal with China on trade issues and
human rights issues as well.''
The December trip came as President Clinton weighed economic
sanctions against Burma on human rights grounds. Burma's anti-drug
efforts have also been criticized.
Larry Dohrs, of the Free Burma Coalition, says the United States has
to ask whether cooperating with Burma's generals serves U.S. interests.
DeLay, who is House majority whip, traveled to the Southeast Asian
nation with three other members of Congress: Bill Paxton, R-N.Y.,
Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, and Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
Dohrs says the DeLay group did not speak to pro-democracy groups in
Burma who oppose the dictatorship, and one month later Burmese officials
refused to allow a visit by other U.S. lawmakers who wanted to discuss human
rights.
The trip by DeLay and the other lawmakers was funded by the Asia-
Pacific Exchange Foundation, a non-profit group to which Burma's biggest
U.S. investor Unocal, of California, contributes.
Following the December trip, Burma in January denied visas to a
seven-member official delegation led by Rep. John Edward Porter, R-Ill.,
which wanted to raise human rights questions.
*****************************
JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: WELD LETTER A NEW WRINKLE IN EU-MASSACHUSETTS SPAT
March 13, 1997
Michael S. Lelyveld
An international dispute about Massachusetts sanctions against Myanmar and
Indonesia has sent U.S. trade officials rummaging through the archives to
dust off a written pledge made by Gov. William Weld.
In a growing conflict with the rambunctious state, the European Union has
objected to a Massachusetts government ban on procurement from companies
doing business in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and similar Indonesian
curbs that are planned to protest repression in East Timor.
The EU said last month that it may take a complaint to the World Trade
Organization.
The dispute underscores the complex jurisdictional issues that result
when states and even municipalities take a broader interest in global labor
and trade issues.
The Europeans have argued that Massachusetts' restrictions violate a 1994
agreement with the Clinton administration that was supposed to keep
government purchasing open to all bidders on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Europeans say Washington agreed to ""cover'' Massachusetts and 38
other states when it signed the pact.
That claim prompted the State Department to wag its finger and remind
Massachusetts of its obligations. But two weeks ago, State Rep. Antonio
Cabral, a New Bedford Democrat and co-sponsor of the Indonesia measure, said
there was never any written commitment from Massachusetts to abide by the
agreement.
Now, the U.S. Trade Representative's office has dug up a Dec. 3, 1993,
letter from Mr. Weld to then-USTR chief Mickey Kantor, stating that the Weld
administration has reviewed terms of the agreement and ""has no present
intention'' of going against it.
That was two years before Mr. Weld agreed to support the Myanmar
sanctions, which he signed into law last June.
""If you wanted to call it a change of mind, you could do that,'' said Weld
spokesman Jose Juves, who stressed that Massachusetts has been in the
forefront of human rights campaigns since it pioneered state procurement
sanctions onSouth Africa in the 1980s.
LOTS OF WIGGLE ROOM
Mr. Weld's no-present-intention pledge also appears to give him oodles of
wiggle room, in keeping with his background as a former Justice Department
lawyer and an attorney at Hale & Dorr.
It is, however, probably not quite so helpful for the GOP governor's
current quest to become Mr. Clinton's next ambassador to Britain, an EU
member that has been enraged by U.S. sanctions policies. The Myanmar curbs
also recently drew fire from the Bank of Japan.
Among the many loopholes in Mr. Weld's promise is the little problem of
the Massachusetts Legislature, which is not under the governor's
constitutional control.
""The letter didn't speak for the legislative branch or the judicial branch
of the government,'' said state Sen. Marc Pacheco, a Plymouth Democrat, who
is co-sponsoring the Indonesia bill.
Mr. Weld has yet to take a position on the measure, which is opposed by
numerous business and trade groups. But even if he were to change his mind
again about honoring the EU pact, the Indonesia bill could still become law
over his veto by a two-thirds vote.
The whole imbroglio has raised questions about the negotiating process
that led to the agreement, which has since been embodied in the WTO.
MORE STATE INITIATIVES?
""We certainly felt we had gotten some assurances in writing,'' said an
EU official. The promises from U.S. ""subfederal'' entities were seen as
essential because the EU can bind its 15 members, while the United States
might have to take its authority over the 50 states to court.
In fact, the USTR received commitments from only 39 states and seven of
the 24 largest U.S. cities. Now, because of rights-conscious states like
Massachusetts, it appears that none may be worth the paper they're written on.
Myanmar sanctions efforts are also under way in Connecticut and
California. At some point, the spread of state initiatives is bound to make
it harder for Washington to conclude future pacts.
On Monday, the problem of Indonesia's treatment of the East Timorese is
expected to surface in Congress with the introduction of bipartisan
legislation sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.
The measure is designed to send a message to Jakarta by cutting off the
small amount of remaining U.S. military aid to Indonesia, about $600,000, a
Kennedy staffer said.
Rights advocates say that some 200,000 citizens of East Timor have died
as a result of Indonesia's occupation of the former Portuguese colony in 1975.
*********************************
AP: BURMA GENERAL BLAMES REBELLION ON TRAITORS AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
March 14, 1997
RANGOON, Burma (AP) _ A senior military junta member has blamed
foreign countries and internal traitors for encouraging ethnic Karen rebels
to continue fighting the government, a state-run newspaper said Friday.
Burma launched a massive military offensive in February to wipe out the
Karen National Union, which has been fighting for autonomy since 1949.
Nearly 15,000 refugees have fled to Thailand because of the fighting.
``Using internal traitors, the neo-colonialists are trying to cause
disunity among nationalities and disintegration of the country,'' said Gen.
Khin Nyunt, head of military intelligence, according to the New Light of
Myanmar newspaper.
The military government frequently refers to Nobel Peace Prize winner and
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as an internal traitor and a stooge of the
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Several Burma watchers, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Bill Richardson, consider Khin Nyunt the moderate among Burma's top generals.
The intelligence chief also criticized Suu Kyi and ``colonial'' news
agencies for calling the country Burma. The military government changed the
country's name to Myanmar in 1989.
Suu Kyi has said she refers to the country as Burma when talking with
reporters because foreigners pronounce Myanmar so poorly.
The New Light of Myanmar also reported that the army seized four
SAM-7 missiles and several pieces of 107mm, 82mm and 75mm mortars
from Karen rebels when it occupied their bases of Hti Hta and Hti
Kee near the Thai border.
The government claims 37 rebels and 22 government soldiers have been
killed in 59 clashes since fighting began on Feb. 11. Karen rebels claim
there have been more government than rebel casualties.
************************************
BKK POST: BOARD TO CONSIDER PIPELINE IMPACT STUDY
March 13, 1997
Kanittha Inchukul
Already approved by experts in principle
The National Environment Board will meet March 24 to consider a study on the
impact of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand's (PTT) pipeline project to
transport gas from Burma's Yadana field to a power plant in Ratchaburi province.
On Tuesday a panel of experts from the Science, Technology and Environment
Ministry approved the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in principle,
and told the PTT to launch an intensive information campaign to educate the
public about the project, its possible adverse fallout and its impact on
flora and fauna of the region through which the pipeline will pass.
The 260-km pipeline will pass through a mountainous region of Kanchanaburi
rich with lush green forests which are home to rare and endangered wildlife
species such as grate hornbills, regal crabs, Kitti's hog-nose bats and
reptiles.
Natural gas from Burma will be delivered to a 4,600-megawatt power plant to
be built in Ratchaburi.
Srisuwan Kuankachorn, a member of the expert panel, however had
reservations about the EIA presented by the PTT, saying some serious
questions such as the impact on forest and wildlife remain unanswered.
"More information is needed. The EIA needs to be studied more thoroughly
before sending it to the NEB," he said.
The Forestry Department concluded the pipeline will pass through virgin
forests and its impact on the habitat will be minimal, though it conceded
that reptiles would be most affected and a study has yet to be commissioned
to determine how to protect reptiles, regal crabs and Kitti's hog-nose bat,
Mr Srisuwan said.
Sonthi Wannasaeng of the environmental impact evaluation sub-division said
it was impossible to change the pipeline route because the contract signed
between Thailand and Burma specifies Ban E-Tong in Kanchanaburi as the
transfer point.
The pipeline route was chosen after a thorough study of three alternatives
to minimise any adverse impact it may have on wildlife, but
environmentalists and academics still view the project with concern. (BP)
*******************************************************
THE NATION: OFFICIAL TRANSFERRED AS LOGGING SCAM EXPOSED
March 14, 1997
THE superintendent of Mae Hong Son's Salween National Park has been
transferred following revelations that trees in the park were illegally cut
down, shipped across the river to Burma and then ''imported" by Thai companies.
The Royal Forestry Department (RFD) will set up an investigative committee
to determine whether park chief, Jaen Thafong, is guilty of participating in
the illegal timber trade.
On Wednesday, Jaen received a transfer order to the position of deputy
chief of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in Chiang Mai. The move, considered a
demotion, serves as ''light punishment", said RFD Director General Sathit
Sawintorn. The illegally-felled timber seized by forestry officials
consisted of 195 teak logs, or about 200 cubic metres of wood. They also
found another 500 teak logs lying along the Salween River bank, awaiting
shipment to Burma.
Officials cannot immediately remove the logs because of ongoing military
conflict across the border, but according to government policy, they will
eventually become the property of the Forest Industry Organisation (FIO).
Information about the illegal scheme was reported to the RFD by a forestry
officer who identified himself only as ''C5 Paa Mai" a reference to a
civil service level. The source also supplied the names of the companies
involved.
The RFD said that once the trees were felled they would be floated across
the Salween River which forms the border in that area and stamped to
indicate that the logs came from Burma. They were then brought back to
Thailand at Tha Sam Lap port in Mae Sariang district, processed in a saw
mill there and sent to Bangkok.
Four companies are still allowed to import timber from Burma through
Salween National Park and the adjacent Salween Wildlife Sanctuary: Ska Bee
Co Ltd, SC Co Ltd, STP Co Ltd and Sor Prapakarn Co Ltd.
The whistle-blower also claimed that many influential businessmen and
officials involved are in the scam, including police and customs officers,
FIO officers, district RFD officers, as well as Kamnan and village headmen
in the province's Mae Sariang district.
Agriculture Minister Chucheep Harnsawat said that should Jaen be found
guilty, legal action would be taken against him, and added that as there are
too few forestry officials to monitor the situation, local people should be
enlisted to help out.
''We must implement measures to screen logs and make sure they come from
Burma," Sathit said. (TN)
******************************************************
THE NATION: ITD PLANS TO INK BURMESE PORT AGREEMENT
March 14, 1997
Sophon Phettae
CHUMPHON Italian-Thai Development Plc plans to ink an agreement with the
Burmese government to construct a deep-sea port in Tavoy which will have the
capacity to handle 200,000 deadweight tonnes, by the end of this month.
Manu Sattayataewa, a senior official of the National Economic and Social
Development Board, revealed the plan at yesterday's seminar. He said the
project is part of a Thai private sector plan to relocate investments into
the resource-rich country.
Manu was speaking at the Western seaboard project seminar. The Western
seaboard, covering Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri
Khan and Chumphon, will boost trade and investment with Burma.
Earlier, Italian-Thai Development Plc signed a memorandum of understanding
to construct the deep-sea port.
Manu said the government plans to turn the Western seaboard into a huge
industrial area.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency completed a framework study of
the Western seaboard. The agency found that the project would require an
investment of Bt100.75 billion. (TN)
******************************************************
THAILAND TIMES:MAE-SOT MYAWADDY BORDER PASSAGE TO BE PERMANENT
May 14, 1997
by Assawin Pinitwong
TAK: The Mae Sot-Myawaddy temporary border check-point is like to
be made permanent in response to the imminent opening of the
Thai- Burmese Friendship Bridge, a senior local official said
yesterday.
Pol Lt-Col Chinnapat Tansrisakul, deputy superintendent of Mae
Sot Immigration Bureau, said that once the passage was open a simple border
pass might be the only documentation required for local Thai and Burmese
people to cross the border for a period of a month's stay.
Foreigners will also be allowed to use the checkpoint, but its is
unlikely that they will be permitted to cross without a passport and visa,
he said.
One alternative being considered is the establishment of a
Burmese consulate in Mae Sot, said the officer, adding that the temporary
border pass currently required will be abolished after the new system is
implemented.
The officer said immigration and customs officials were at
present working on the details of the new document, and are also
drawing up a design for the area's new immigration station.
The existing border check-point allows residents of Mae Sot and
Myawaddy to cross the border between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, once
they have been issued with a temporary border pass.
Chinnapat said the Friendship Bridge is expected to open in two
months's time.
The bridge construction was halted by Burma in June 1995 after
Burmese authorities disagreed with a Thai building of a causeway
in the middle of Moei river.
The construction resumed last week after Thailand dismantled the
controversial causeway.
************************************************************
BEIJING ZHONGGUO XINWEN SHE: STUDY WITH BURMA ON WATER TRANSPORT ROUTE
March 4, 1997
Beijing, March 4 (CNS) -- A jointly conducted study has been completed
by a Sino-Burmese expert group on the possibility of land and water
transport, via Yunnan Province and into the Irrawaddy River valley in
Burma. The report concludes that it is feasible to open an outlet into the
Indian Ocean by this method.
Currently both the Chinese and Burmese Ministries of Communications,
as well as the Yunnan provincial government, are working on a draft accord
on land and water co-ordinated transport involving the Irrawaddy River which
originates in Tibet and runs through northern and western Yunnan and then
into Burma.
The group carried out the study on land transport routes linking up
Dehong Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan and the Burmese ports of
Bhamo and Myitkyina, and other water transport routes connecting with
Rangoon, capital of Burma.
Experts in the group were of the opinion that it was feasible to open
such a channel along the Dehong--Bhamo land route and the Bhamo--Rangoon
water route.
The highway linking the Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan Province and Bhamo in
Burma can be readily converted to a high-grade road, and the river section
between Bhamo and Rangoon enjoys sound transport conditions. Some of the
Bhamo--Rangoon section can accommodate vessels of over 3,000 tonnage.
Rangoon is considered an ideal transfer port bordering as it does on the
Indian Ocean.
It is expected that construction of a terminal in Rangoon with nine
berths for vessels of over 10,000 tonnage will be completed this year, and
it can provide an all-weather shelter for vessels of up to 15,000
tonnage.
The proposed transport network can cut short the journey time by about
one week compared with the route of between 3,000 and 5,000 kilometres
along coastal areas in southeastern China.
********************************
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
March 11, 1997
DEPUTY C-IN-C DEFENCE SERVICES RECEIVES MILITARY ATTACHES OF MALAYSIAN EMBASSY
YANGON, 10 March - Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council Deputy Commander in-Chief of Defence Services General Maung Aye
received Military Attach? of Malaysian Embassy Lt-Col Shahrir Bin Hashim who
is leaving Myanmar at the conclusion of his tour of duty and his successor
Lt-Col Marzuki Mohd Rusli Bin Hj Ahmad at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of
Defence at 9 am today. Present together with General Maung Aye were
Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chief of the
Office of Strategic Studies Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Tin Aye and
Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe.
_______________________________
19TH WORKING GROUP MEETING OF REGIONAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR ASIA AND
THE PACIFIC (RCA) HELD
YANGON, 10 March - The 19th Working Group Meeting of Regional
Cooperative Agreement for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) was held at Mya Yeik
Nyo Royal Hotel this morning. Present were Minister for Science and
Technology U Thaung, Deputy Minister for Industry-l U Than Nyunt, Deputy
Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for Health Col Than Zin,
Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, delegates from
RCA member states Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
and Vietnam, RCA coordinators, officials of International Atomic
Energy Agency, directors-general, coordinators from RCA projects
being implemented in Myanmar, officials of Myanma Science and
Technology Research Department and guests.
_____________________________________
PRC COMPANY TO PRODUCE 300,000 CONCRETE SLEEPERS YEARLY IN MYITNGE
YANGON, 10 March Officials today drove in stakes to begin construction
of a factory by a Chinese company under BOT system
in Myitnge, Amarapura Township, which will produce 300,000
reinforced concrete sleepers annually. China National Complete
Plant Import and Export Yunnan Corporation (Complant) of the
People's Republic of China will invest $ 12 million to build the
factory, offices and quarters for employees and to install machines,
said Minister for Rail Transportation U Win Sein-at the ground
breaking ceremony. Managing Director of Myanma Railways Thura U Thaung Lwin,
General Manager of the PRC company Mr Zhang Lianju and Vice-Governor of
Yunan Province Mr Li jai Ting also spoke.
Minister U Win Sein, Vice-Governor Mr Li Jai Ting, Chairman
of Mandalay Division Law and Order Restoration Council
Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Deputy Director-General of
Foreign Economic Relations Department of Yunan Mr Zhang Rui
Kun drove in the stakes.
____________________________________
MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF DEUTSCHE BANK
YANGON, 10 March Minister for National Planning and
Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel received Senior Vice-
President of Deutsche Bank, Corporate and Institutional Banking
Asia Pacific, Ms Franca V Peters and party at his office this
afternoon. They discussed bilateral economic cooperation and
regional development affairs. Present also were officials of the ministry.
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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (12 March 1997)
SEMINAR ON FACILITATION OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRAFFIC COMMENCES
YANGON, 11 March Seminar on Facilitation of International
Maritime Traffic, co-sponsored by Ministry of Transport, International
Maritime Organization (IMO) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific (ESCAP), commenced at Inland Water Transport this morning.
Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win delivered an address.
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MILITARY ATTACHE OF EMBASSY OF PRC
YANGON, 11 March- Secretary-2 State Law and Order Restoration Council
Chief of Bureau of special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo
received Military Attache of the Embassy of the people?s Republic of China
Senior Col Wu Huachang who has completed the tour of his duties here at
Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 4.30 pm today.
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MIC CHAIRMAN RECEIVES D-G OF INVESTMENT PROMOTION, FRANCE
YANGON, 11 March- Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Deputy Prime Minister Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral
Maung Maung Khin received Director-General M Yves de Roissart of Investment
Promotion, France, at his office at 10 am today. They discussed measures to
be taken by companies of France
for investment in Myanmar and other investment possibilities.
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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (13 March, 1997)
DELTA INTERNATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT CALLS ON MIC CHAIRMAN
YANGON, 12 March - Vice-President Mr Nasir M Al-shiha of Delta
International of Saudi Arabia called on Member of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime
Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin at the latter?s office this
afternoon. They discussed building of Yangon-Dalla Bridge across Yangon.
River and investment opportunities concerning housing
development and establishment of a economic zone in Dalla region.
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MEMBER OF CHINA?S SC SAYS DESTRUCTIONISTS? EVIL SCHEME CANNOT SINO-MYANMAR
FRIENDSHIP
YANGON, 12 March - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Religious
Affairs Lt-Gen Myo Nyunt, while in Beijing, paid a courtesy call on Member
of the State Council and Chairman of the National Affairs Committee Mr
Simayi at the National Affairs Committee office on 6 March. Mr Simayi said
that the subversive elements? detonating the
shrine housing the Buddha?s Tooth Relic in Yangon was aimed at
breaking up Sino-Myanmar friendly relations. He said they understood and
accepted what Myanmar leaders undertook for that matter and noted that the
destructionists? evil scheme could not mar Sino-Myanmar friendship, but made
it firmer. Minister Lt-Gen Myo Nyunt conveyed the message of Chairman of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe wishing the
Chinese leaders ability to discharge State duties successfully in
peace of mind. He stated that Sino-Myanmar friendship will perpetually
exist and be firm due to the efforts of the farsighted leaders of the two
nations whatsoever any one attempted to break up. The delegation spent the
night at Holiday Inn in Beijing.
_____________________________________
MINISTER FOR ENERGY RECEIVES FOREIGN COMPANY OFFICIALS
YANGON, 12 March - Minister for-Energy U Khin Maung Thein received
Chairman Mr W David Lyons of Ocelot International Ltd of Canada at his
office this afternoon. They discussed investment and cooperation in oil and
natural gas sector. Minister U Khin Maung Thein also received Managing
Director Mr G G Hartmann of AEG Power Engineering of Germany and Manager Mr
Joel Luchini of GEC Alsthom European Gas Turbines S A of France on separate
occasions.
________________________________
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT RECEIVES DIRECTOR OF INDIAN OCEAN-SOUTH ASIA-PACIFIC
YANGON, 12 March - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win received
Director Mr Andre Vessier of Indian Ocean-South Asia Pacific at his office
this morning. The guest was accompanied by Commercial Counsellor Mr Robert R
Igier of the Embassy of France. Discussions focused on the technical
assistant programme on civil aviation and technology and matters on mutual
interest.
_________________________________
MYANMAR ARAGAN TO PRODUCE TOYS FOR EXPORT
YANGON, 12 March Myanmar Aragan Toys Co Ltd of Aragan Group of Japan
agreed with Public Works yesterday to invest $ 600,000 here as an initial
step to produce toys for export. Managing Director of PW U Tint Swe and
Chairman of Aragan Group Mr Masato Yoshikawa signed the accord, which states
that production will start in June 1997, employing about 600 family members
of PW personnel at the factory and export cent per cent of the products. The
ceremony at Summit Parkview Hotel was attended by Minister at the Office of
Deputy Prime Minister U Khin Maung Yin and officials.
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http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/
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ANNOUNCEMENT: UPDATE ON GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR BURMA
March 14, 1997
Reverend David Eubank and his wife Karen, Christinas Concerned for Burma,
and the Church of Christ in Thailand will be extending the Global Day of
Prayer to include the following week (3/16-23) to honor requests from many
of you around the world & to further our opportunity for fasting, prayer and
meditation.
I ask each of you to reflect on this as we approach this time of
prayerful reflection. What is your responsibility; as a Buddhist, a Jew,
a Muslim, a Universalist, a Christian? What role in our spiritual life
is there for justice?
Update:
1) Karen & David report that 54 countries have responded to the call
2) Australia and the US have requested a week of prayer and fasting
and the world has responded. (March 16- March 23)
3) The Philippines, Initiative for International Dialogue and the Free
Burma Coalition/Philippines give their wholehearted support and
participation
4) Reverend Wrightson Toungue has invited the Presbetery/ United Methodist
Conference USA to participate
4) Globe of Dharma Productions/ Berkeley will participate
5) Roy Speckhardt & Charlene Gomes from Interfaith Alliance will lead a
grassroots network of clergy and concerned people of faith to participate
6) Myo Aye and many others in Australia will participate with a national
service on March 23.
7) Pwint Htun has invited 62 newsgroups to particpate/ approximately 2000
people via soc.religion.Christian
8) The Hong Kong Christian Institute and the International Ministries/
Hong Kong will particpate
9) Father Joe La Mar (USA) and Brother John Beeching(BKK) of Maryknoll
Fathers and Brothers are spreading the word to friends around the world.
10) U Vantu at NCGUB has invited the Chin to participate
11) Many Karen and Kachin have called and emailed to particpate
12) American University and many others too numerous to mention are
particpating
Many priests, ministers, students, high schoolers, friends and family are
responding from all over the globe and every hour brings new calls and
emails and faxes.
Thank you to each one of you. May the peace of God be with you.
Metta,
Please let us know if you will participate or if you wish to have
materials.
Materials available:
1) web site http://wicip.org/fbc (under breaking news)
2) fax
3) mail (this is air express or global express only)
4) coordination with others in your area or country who have materials
already
Please advise how we may help.
Rev. David Eubank/ Karen Eubank Coordinators
Christians Concerned for Burma
P.O.Box 48, Chiang Mai, 5000 Thailand
EMAIL: ccb@xxxxxxxxx
PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU WILL PARTICPIATE.
USA contact for materials & updates
Dana Dean
Fax: 206-842-5557, PH: 206-842-0883
EMAIL: dring@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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