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BurmaNet News April 2, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------  
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"  
----------------------------------------------------------  
  
The BurmaNet News: April 2, 1997  
Issue #683

Noted in Passing:

		China ..."loves Thailand more than Burma"
		- Thai Army source
		(BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA)

HEADLINES:  
==========  
BKK POST: JUNTA DELAYS NEWS BRIEFING AFTER UNREST
BKK POST: SLORC DRIVES KAREN ACROSS THAI BORDER
BURMANET: SITUATION UPDATE: REFUGEES AT KANCHANABURI AND 
BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA
AFP: MILITARY JUNTA REJECTS REPORT OF DRUG SUSPECT 
THE NATION: KEY TRAFFICKING SUSPECT ARRESTED
BKK POST: PTT MOVES QUICKLY ON YADANA PIPELINE
THE STAR: MAHATHIR VIEWS TOKYO'S WAR PAST, BURMA
BKK POST: NUCLEAR BAN TAKES EFFECT
RANGOON TV MYANMAR: MYAWADDY TELEVISION 
ANNOUCEMENT: OCAW'S  "THREE DAYS FOR BURMA"
ANNOUNCEMENT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE (UPDATED)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

BKK POST: JUNTA DELAYS NEWS BRIEFING AFTER UNREST
April 1, 1997
Rangoon, AFP

Burma's ruling military junta announced yesterday that it had
postponed its monthly news conference after an outbreak of unrest
earlier this month.

The April media briefing was postponed "due to unforeseen
circumstances", a government statement issued from Rangoon said.

Curfews have been imposed in Mandalay, the central Burmese city
where the unrest erupted two weeks ago, and in Toungoo, one of
several cities between Mandalay and the capital where Muslim
property has been attacked.

The situation in Rangoon appeared to have stabilised over the
weekend after at least 100 Buddhist monks were detained for
questioning last week. Groups of monks vandalised mosques and
private Muslim homes.

The government says elements opposed to Burma's expected entry
into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) - whose
members include predominantly Muslim Brunei, Indonesia and
Malaysia were behind the unrest.

But analysts and opposition groups say the attacks were
expressions of discontent with the junta, which has shut off
virtually all other forms of dissent.

The statement form Rangoon also announced the surrender of a
local branch of the Burma Communist Party (BCP) to the
authorities in the country's southwestern Arakan State.

The group "crossed over into Myanmar with various small arms and
traded their arms for peace," it said. Myanmar is the junta's official name 
for Burma. The statement did not indicate where the group crossed over 
from, but Arakan borders Bangladesh.

More than 25 0,000 Muslims, ethnic Rohingyas, fled to Bangladesh
in 1991 due to persecution by the Burmese army.

*****************************************************************

BKK POST: SLORC DRIVES KAREN ACROSS THAI BORDER
April 1, 1997  AFP

Hundreds of Burmese Karen refugees fled to Thailand at the weekend and were
still streaming across the border yesterday as the Rangoon junta swept
through rebel enclaves, according to the Thai military.

About 1,200 Karen villagers have found shelter in Ban Bo Wi in Suan Phung
district of Ratchaburi since Friday, said Col Somdej Seumak of the Ninth
Infantry Division.  The refugees, mostly women and children, but also including 
some men, were continuing to arrive yesterday morning, he said. (BP)

*****************************************************

BURMANET: SITUATION UPDATE: REFUGEES AT KANCHANABURI AND 
RATCHABURI PROVINCES
March 31, 1997

31.3.97

KANCHANABURI PROVINCE 

Pu Muang [Noh Pa Doh]
It seems that conditions have changed for the better for these refugees.  It is 
reported that a military officer visited the camp over the last few days and 
promised better conditions as well as assuring them that they would not be 
sent back to Burma forcibly.  There is some suggestion that a Thai NGO may 
be allowed to assist with maternal and child care.  Lights out time has been 
pushed back from 7pm to 9pm.

The refugees report that they heard gun fire on the nights of March 26th, 
27th and 29th.

RATCHABURI PROVINCE 

Huay Sut
The camp population has increased due to the arrival of the group who had 
crossed earlier to Thailand at Meh Hta Kee (approx. 500), and 150 or so 
new arrivals from inside the border.  There are still reports of people
trapped  
inside former KNU-controlled area who chose to run deeper inside down to 
the river rather than chance crossing the border.  The number of these is 
unknown but could be as high as 400-500.  By this time many may have 
found their way  to the next exit point at Peh Pya Kee [see below].   
The camp committee reported a population of 2682 as of 30.3.97.

The water sanitation is still not good as there is only a small stream to serve 
the whole camp for bathing.  Water is trucked in for drinking and chlorinated, 
but the refugees report that the amount of water is not sufficient and they are 
limited to only a few litres per person.

On the 24th it was reported that the 9th Division met with the camp committee 
and made statements such as: 

*	Why are you frightened to go back to your country?
*	So don't you love your country and village?
*	So like this you will have to fell for generations to come?
*	We have already talked to the SLORC leaders and they are willing 
              to accept your return

On the 25th the committee was told to be ready to go and meet with the 
SLORC at the border.  The camp committee and village headmen were invited 
to go.  The committee decided to turn down the offer.

On the 26th they were again approached ad told to be ready to go for a meeting 
if necessary.

The camp still has no permission to put up bamboo and thatch shelters.  They 
are presently still under plastic which is unbearably hot for the babies and
old 
people.  Diarrhoea continues to be a problem but is better than before.

It would appear that some individuals in the camp have been singled out and 
asked to mingle with the other residents and talk to them about the possibility 
of returning to Burma.

Ban Bo Wi
As reported in the last update the refugees have begun to arrive at this 
border village south of Suan Phung, having crossed over from Meh Pya Kee.  
The first arrivals came on Friday 28th and more have been arriving every day 
since then.  Some are crossing at points other than the border pass at Meh Pya 
Klo and have been picked up by the military and trucked to the Bo Wi site.

The treatment of the arrivals at this point has, to date, been very good, with 
the refugees enjoying good relations with the authorities whether military, 
border police or local authorities.  Kind gestures such as soldiers helping 
tired children on their way in the camp area have been seen and are to be 
highly commended.  The local community on the Thai side is overwhelmingly 
Pwo Karen and they have been most generous in helping to provide vegetables 
and other help.

People have arrived from 13 villages along the Tenasserim River and from 
points west.  Refugees report that many more are on the way, but that many are 
weary and will take time to find their way out.  Some villagers, especially
from 
Kase Hta and Bloa Hta, may not be able to get out now that the SLORC has
advanced so far south cutting off exit points.  It is reported that
villagers from 
as far south as Hta Pi Lay Kho may have started to move to the border.  They 
will find their way out at any location and made their way back up north to the 
Ban Bo Wi camp site.  

The refugees have many horror stories to tell - the villagers of Htee Ne Paw 
report having to run away being chased by the SLORC troops following close 
behind.  Many houses have have been burnt.

It is also said that 5 people were captured at Kle Thu and may have been 
killed.  Some people too tired to carry on were reported to have been left 
behind on the way out, those abandoned along the way include a paralysed 
young boy, a blind lady and a woman with a new baby  that she could neither 
feed nor carry.  The fate of these people left alive in the jungle is not known 
but they preferred to take their chance staying rather than continue the 
difficult way to Thailand.

The camp is just getting set up and lacks plastic sheeting (there have been
heavy
 rain storms), but this is being taken care of by the NGOs as quickly as
possible.

Following is a list of villages from which the refugees have arrived:

Maw Ma Sah				Ka Deh
Pychha					Kle Thu
Aw Poo					Ah May
Mi Chaung Theit				Maw Hta
Si Pyei					Htee Kee
Way Toray				Ah Moh
Htee Ne Paw

Maw Ma Sah and Pychha are to the west of the Tenasserim and the fact 
that refugees have left from these areas indicates SLORC activity right 
across to the sea coast.  The situation further south in Ler Mu Lah and 
Tenasserim township is still not clear.

************************************************************

BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA
April 1, 1997
by Wasana Nanuam

Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh leaves for China tomorrow together with the
military's senior-most brass.

Defence is expected to top the agenda of Prime Minister Gen Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh's official visit to China this week.

Gen Chavalit is visiting his "good old friends" in the dual capacity of
premier and defence minister. He will be joined by Defence Permanent
Secretary Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, Supreme Commander Gen Mongkol
Ampornpisit, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro, Navy
Commander-in-Chief Adm Vijitr Chamnankarn and Air Force 
Commander-in-Chief ACM Amorn Naewmalee.

The visit scheduled for April 2-4 is the first time a Thai prime minister
has travelled abroad on an official mission together with the armed forces
leaders.

Gen Chavalit's ties with the Chinese military go back to when he was army
chief. He visited the country last year as defence minister in the Banharn
Silpa-archa government.

This time he heads the delegation as a national leader whose objectives
include strengthening bilateral ties and introducing the armed forces
leaders to their Chinese counterparts.

Gen Chavalit will also represent Thailand in conveying a message of
condolence on the death of paramount leader Deng Xiaoping.

The premier sees the China trip as an ideal opportunity to introduce the new
batch of armed forces leaders, all of whom were appointed in last year's
reshuffle, to their Chinese counterparts.

Gen Chavalit maintains a close friendship with the Chinese top brass
including Defence Minister Chi Hao Tien.

The three-day trip, which has been put off and brought forward several
times, will have a tight schedule.

On April 2, the delegates will spend the morning touring Shanghai factories
co-owned by Thai investors and a military shipyard in Hu Tong. Gen Chavalit
later will preside over the official opening of the Thai consulate in
Shanghai before travelling to Beijing to be welcomed formally by Chinese
President Jiang Zemin at the Great Hall of the People.

There, the two leaders will officiate over the signing of bilateral agreements.

On April 3, the military commanders and Gen Chavalit are scheduled to meet
their defence counterparts and tour Chinese armed forces units and arms
manufacture plants.

Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn will head a separate group in meeting
his Chinese counterpart while businessmen will be taken to special economic
zones around Beijing.

In the afternoon, Gen Chavalit will address a meeting of Chinese investors
before attending a session with key members of the Communist Party. The
premier will also spend some time in the evening talking to Thai investors
in China.

On the last day, the whole delegation will journey to the special economic
zone in Quangzhou.

The visit by the Thai leader is expected to generate enormous bilateral
interests and will be significant for China since Thailand plays an
important role in Asean and Indochina.

Negotiations on expanding trade with cities in southern China will also resume.

Gen Chavalit will discuss the possibility of China and Thailand co-investing
in a merchant fleet to help reduce Thailand's rising current account deficit.

He will consult Finance Minister Amnuay Viravan on the possibility of easing
income tax restrictions so the ships can be registered in Thailand.

Diplomatic talks will avoid sensitive issues such as China's supply of arms
to Burma and their use to crush minority groups, often resulting in
incursions of Thai soil.

A defence source said the government would not raise the issue at the
discussion table for the sake of etiquette. The Chinese defence minister has
given an assurance his country's policy on Burma will not hurt relations
with Thailand.

The source also stressed that in return for China's hospitality, Thailand
would stand firmly by the One-China policy.

China says its support for Burma is largely on an economic basis with the
aim of opening a trade route to the Indian Ocean.

The assistance China extends to Burma is similar to that offered to
Thailand, according to Beijing. It sells weapons to both countries at cheap
prices and even offers some free for the first 10 years, but those offered
to Burma are newer models.

But there is nothing to worry about, according to an army source, as China
has made it known it "loves Thailand more than Burma".

The army is fascinated by China's efforts to retain its position as a world
power. China's economic boom following the adoption of free trade mechanisms
means the country can afford to promote arms proliferation and strengthen
its position vis-a-vis the United States in the world power game.

China is no longer a "sleeping giant", and thousands of Soviet scientists
have made it their home and are helping boost its arms production capability.

One of the highlights of the official trip is the tour of the Shanghai
shipyard where many Thai warships including the frigates were built.

If time permits, the tour could include inspections of submarines, although
the top brass are not confident they will have the money to make a purchase.

"I don't know if we have the money to buy one. The purchase, if there is to
be any at all, is up to the prime minister," said Gen Chettha.

The government has shelved the navy's submarine procurement plan worth
billions of baht, saying the country could not afford it.

China reportedly has said it wants to sell its submarines to Thailand at
cheap rates based on counter-trade, but mechanical flaws have prompted the
government to think twice.

Chinese submarines are obsolete and have no oxygen-generating equipment,
meaning they can only stay submerged for a few days. But the deal could
still be tempting if the navy wanted to use the submarines for training.

Gen Chettha said the army had prepared an educational exchange programme
with China so more officers could learn Chinese.

The army source said the army commander hoped to send army
attache-designates to China for short courses on language and culture before
they take up their diplomatic posts.

If possible, the army chief also wants the attaches to join courses at the
national defence college in China so they become military experts on China
affairs.

In a recent visit to Thailand, China's Military Committee was keen to
continue its co-operation with Thailand and offered to sell weapons and
parts at "friend-to-friend" prices.

China is an established supplier of Thai armaments. Most navy equipment,
including the fleet of frigates and missiles, comes from China.

Chinese ships cost only 20 percent of the price of a European model,
according to a navy source.

China is also a popular supplier for the army. Gen Chavalit has made
large-scale purchases of anti-aircraft artillery and military trucks from
the arms supply giant, Noringo.

Still in service are ageing T-69 tanks which were acquired from China
shortly after the Vietnam War, the T-85 tanks, anti-aircraft artillery, and
Red-Eye missiles.

Army attempts to decommission this equipment in the wake of budget cutbacks
have been to no avail.

The enormous volume of arms from China has resulted in jokes among some
observers that the armed forces are being "colonised" by the Chinese.

An army source said Gen Chavalit plays an important part in deciding arms
procurements and in most cases opts for Chinese imports even though the
cheap price could suggest low quality.

"During the current economic doldrums, it's better to buy whatever we can
than have nothing. This helps us feel secure," said the source. (BP)

*****************************************************

AFP: MILITARY JUNTA REJECTS REPORT OF DRUG SUSPECT IN 
RANGOON  (slightly abridged)
March 26, 1997

BANGKOK, March 26 (AFP) -- Burma military intelligence responded
indignantly Wednesday to a Thai newspaper report that a suspect wanted in
connection with the largest ever US seizure of heroin is staying in Rangoon.

"Myanmar (Burma) has nothing to do with this mess," the source said in
a fax received here.

The suspect, Li Yun-chung, alias Pongsak Rogjanasakul, is wanted in
the United States for allegedly masterminding heroin shipments, including a
record 486 kilogrammes (1,069 pounds) seized in California in 1991.
To the distress of US narcotics officials, he was granted bail in
Thailand in February and failed to turn up in court earlier this month.
Thai police reported that he has since crossed into northern Burma.

The Bangkok Post daily said Wednesday that Li was now staying in the
Burmese capital with the knowledge of the ruling military junta and was
unlikely to be returned to Thailand.

Commenting on the Post report, the military intelligence source said
that "very conveniently and automatically Myanmar (Burma) becomes a
scapegoat when there seems to be a problem in the world."
"The allegations are so ridiculous that Myanmar does not think it is
worth refuting."

Burma's military government has been repeatedly under fire, particularly from 
the United States, for allegedly failing to clamp down on narcotics production 
and trafficking.  Burma is the world's leading producer of opium and its 
derivative heroin.

***********************************************************

THE NATION: KEY TRAFFICKING SUSPECT ARRESTED
April 1, 1997  
Reuter

Police said yesterday they have arrested a heroin trafficker in the infamous
Golden Triangle poppy growing region who is also wanted in the United States.

Li Wei Ming, 57, an ethnic Shan lieutenant of former drug warlord Khun Sa,
was detained at his house in the Golden Triangle, which straddles the
borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma, over the weekend, police told a news
conference in Bangkok.

His arrest comes a month after another key drug suspect, Li Yung Chung, a
Chinese national who is also wanted by a US court on drug trafficking
charges, jumped bail in Thailand.

"He [Liu] is among the top 10 in Khun Sa's drugs syndicate," Maj Gen
Nophadol Somboontrap, chief of the Narcotic Suppression Police, said.

Liu has been wanted in the US since a New York court indicted him on heroin
trafficking charges in 1995, police said.

The minister-counsellor at the US Embassy in Bangkok, Ralph Boyce, said Liu
is wanted for involvement in the smuggling of 168 kilogrammes of heroin into
New Orleans in August 1993 which US police intercepted.

Liu, who was also present at the news conference, said he previously lived
in the Golden Triangle at Khun Sa's former headquarters. He refused to
discuss drugs.

The half-Shan-half Chinese Khun Sa, 64, now lives in Burma under government
supervision after surrendering to the Burmese military in January 1996. The
Golden Triangle is said by US drug enforcement officials to produce about 60
per cent of the world's opium, the raw material used to produce heroin.

Nophadol said 31 suspects have been arrested since late 1994, when Thailand
and the US launched an operation called "Tiger Trap" against drug suspects
wanted by US courts.

Nine have already been extradited to the US, one has jumped bail and the
rest are in the process of being extradited.

Li Yung Chung, known also as Pongsak Rogjannsakul, jumped bail.

He was indicted by a New York court in May 1996 in connection with the
largest heroin haul ever in the US - 486 kg, in Hayward, California, in 1991.

He was arrested by Thai police last year and released on Bt5 million bail on
Feb 7.

Li failed to appeared in court on March 7 and the judge who granted him bail
is now under investigation by the Thai judiciary. Rangoon has denied reports
that Li has sought refuge in Burma. (TN)

*****************************************************

BKK POST: PTT MOVES QUICKLY ON YADANA PIPELINE
April 1, 1997
by Boonsong Kositchotethana

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is moving quickly to begin laying
the Thai section of the Yadana gas pipeline which was delayed by
environmental worries.

A PTT spokesman yesterday confirmed that work had begun in earnest following
the National Environmental Board's approval last week of the Environmental
Impact Assessment report on the project.

But the state oil firm will wait for the next dry season toward the end of
this year or early next year before it begins pipe-laying in the sensitive
area - the initial 50 kilometres that partly pass through fertile forests in
Tong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi.

Certain Kanchanaburi environmentalists and non-government organisations
oppose the PTT's 16.5-billion-baht gas pipeline on the grounds that it would
pass through fertile forests and could threaten endangered and rare flora
and fauna near the Thai-Burmese border.

Current efforts will focus on laying the pipeline through the non-sensitive
area - a stretch of 210 km from Ta Pha Phum to the power station being built
by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ratchaburi.

Songkiert Tansamrit, director of the PTT's corporate relations department,
said the plan to lay the pipeline in the sensitive area would allow the PTT
to minimise the impact on the environment as detailed in the assessment
report and environmentalists.

Laying of the pipeline needs to be completed in mid-1998, ahead of the July
start of natural gas delivery from Burma's Yadana field in the Gulf of
Martaban to the PTT.

Dr Songkiert said laying of the pipeline in the sensitive area, a six-km
stretch from kilometre posts 18-24, would be only temporary and that the
area would be restored after the work is completed. The forest area affected
covers 112 rais.

Industry analysts earlier estimated the PTT would have to pay about 45
million baht a day to Burma and international oil groups for its failure to
take delivery of offshore Burmese natural gas under the established timeframes.

The payment is compulsory disregarding whether PTT actually offtakes the
contractual gas supply from the Yadana and other gas field in the Gulf of
Martaban - Yetagun - or not under the "take-or-pay" accords.

Aside from Yadana, the PTT is committed to take delivery of Yetagun gas,
developed by the consortium led by the US oil firm Texaco, in the year 2000.

*****************************************************

THE STAR: MAHATHIR VIEWS TOKYO'S WAR PAST, BURMA
March 28, 1997  (from Kuala Lumpur, Internet Version)
by Charles Chan  (EXCERPT only)

Dr Mahathir also answered questions on the following issues:

MYANMAR'S pending admission to Asean: "We know there are people
outside of Asean who have reservations about this.
"They feel Myanmar is not democratic enough.  The record of human
rights in Myanmar is not very good.
"We feel the best way to overcome the situation is by getting closer
to it, so as to influence Myanmar through direct exposure to the system of
government and economic system in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
"I am sure Myanmar can be convinced that a democratic government and
market economy are systems which can benefit Myanmar."

SANCTIONS against Myanmar: "We do not think we can influence people by
twisting their arm.  We may end up twisting the wrong arm.
"Sanctions will only hurt the people, not their leaders.  The people
will then have to pay for their leaders' mistake.  So don't take it out on
the people."

****************************************************************

BKK POST: NUCLEAR BAN TAKES EFFECT
April 1, 1997

A treaty banning the use of nuclear weapons in Southeast Asian came into
effect late last week, the Thai Foreign Ministry's acting spokesman,
Thinakorn Kanasuta, said yesterday.

The treaty bans signatory states from developing, producing, possessing and
acquiring nuclear weapons in the region except for use in peaceful ways.
The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, signed by 10 regional
states in Bangkok in December 1995, required ratification from at least
seven signatory states before it could take effect.

The spokesman said the treaty came into effect on Thursday after Cambodia
and Singapore submitted "instruments of ratification" to Thailand. Burma,
Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Thailand had ratified it earlier.
It was signed by heads of government from Burma, Cambodia and Laos and 
the seven member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) -
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam. (BP)

*************************************************

RANGOON TV MYANMAR: MYAWADDY TELEVISION TO 
BROADCAST EVENING PROGRAMS
March 26, 1997  (translated from Burmese)

Myawaddy Television began broadcasting regular morning programs on 27
March 1995 on the Golden Jubilee of Armed Forces Day using the ASIASAT-1
satellite, which is used by Television Myanmar Network.

Myawadi Television has leased the ASIASAT-2 satellite to use a 
separate transponder, and it will be able to broadcast regular evening
programs beginning at 1600 [0930 GMT] on 27 March 1997 -- the 52d 
Armed Forces Day.

The technical data on satellite television are as follows: Myawadi
Television will be using a digital system to broadcast its programs via
ASIASAT-2.  Broadcasts for Rangoon and environs will be via VHS 
Channel 9 on 199.25 MHz; for Sagaing, Mandalay, and environs via VHS 
Channel 8 on 199.25 MHz; and for Bassein and environs via VHS Channel 
10 on 255.25 MHz.

**************************************************************

ANNOUCEMENT: OCAW'S  "THREE DAYS FOR BURMA"
April 1, 1997

OCAW
Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International. Union, AFL-CIO
International Office
255 Union Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80228

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

	I am writing to urge your participation and that of your Local in 
the OCAW "3 Days for Burma" mobilization and campaign on April 22, 23 
and 24.  The United Mine Workers of the America are also participating in 
this mobilization with us.

	As you are probably aware, OCAW has been a leading force in the 
struggle against the military dictatorhsip in Burma.  We undertook this task 
for three reasons: (1) the evidence of abuse practiced by Burma's dictatorship 
and ignored by the companies--ranging from forced labor and outlawing unions 
to drug trafficking and routine murder--could not be ignored by us; (2)
corporate 
support for the military dictatorship in Burma is found mainly among companies 
(Unocal, Total, Texaco and ARCO) with whom we have collective bargaining 
agreements; and (3) the events in Burma represent an all too brutal example of 
how the globalization of the world's economy has linked OCAW members to the 
people of Burma.

	We are outraged that Unocal locked out our members for eight months 
in Illinois and sold all of its U.S. refineries and gas stations to raise
cash for 
investment in one of history's most brutal and corrupt regimes.  We find it 
despicable that multinationals slash and burn their U.S. operations and put 
workers and communities at risk, so they can invest these "savings" in places 
where workers have no rights and where companies are free to exploit and 
brutalize others.  Finally, we recognize that corporations have one goal--to
treat 
all workers alike, not as human beings but as slaves.  We must fight back.

Enclosed are materials to be copied by your Local for the mobilization.  Please 
do your best to complete the following:

	1) Copies of the sample news release (please fill in the blanks) should 
be sent or preferably faxed to as many news outlets (newspapers, radio and TV) 
as possible in your area to be received by Monday, April 21.

	2) The handbill "3 Days for Burma" should be given out first on Tuesday, 
April 22 (enough copies should be made for every worker to receive one).  The 
handbill should be distributed by OCAW members on non-work time (breaks, 
lunch, before and after reporting to your work assignment) and in non-work
areas 
(parking lots, lunch room, bath houses, etc.).  Please be sure as many members 
as possible receive it.

	3) Use the handbill to learn about Burma, stir discussion and think 
about how globilization is connected to the restructring, downsizing and
outsourcing 
experienced by our members.  Use the handbill to start discussion on what 
corporations really have in store for us, given what we have learned about
Burma.
	
	4) There is also a sample letter-to-the-editor which should be sent to 
your local newspapers during and after "3 Days for Burma."  Get members to 
write original letters.  the more news we can create, the more people will learn
about Burma and question corporate behavior.

	5) The main action is to copy and distribute the petitions demanding 
that President Clinton impose sanctions on Burma now!  Again, we can 
solicit signatures at the work site in non-work areas and during non-work 
time.   The filled-out petitions should be sent back by April 28 to the 
International Headquarters: OCAW, Special Projects Department, P.O. 
Box 281200, lakewood, CO 80228-8200.  We will personally deliver them 
to President Clinton and also send copies to the Senators form your state.

	6) It is critical that we get as many workers as possible to sign the 
petitions.  It is not necessary to be a union member for a person to sign the 
petition.  What is critical is that President Clinton knows that the workers 
who organized the petition  drive and who carried it out are union members.

	7)  If you are experiencing downsizing at your workplace or are 
being squeezed by your employer, take some time to organize a delegation 
of workers to let the boss know what you really think of corporate America. 
 If you are employed at one of the oils companies doing business in Burma, 
go with a delegation of workers to see the boss and make a demand that 
the company withdraw from Burma.

	I have asked you to carry out a big task, and I know that our leaders 
will succeed.  Remember, significant historical change for the better is not 
made by a few luminary figures but by the countless and selfless acts of
courage 
and conviction made by the many.  Let's do our part and do what's right.

In solidarity,
Rober E.  Wages
President

******************************************************************

ANNOUNCEMENT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE (UPDATED)
April 1, 1997

Subject: Registration: Midwest Grassroots Conference * Indianapolis, IN , 
April 5-6 * Christian Theological Seminary, Butler University, Queen of 
Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant...UPDATED 31 MARCH!! PLEASE POST!!

WHAT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE ON DEMOCRACY, 
HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT: 
THE ROLE OF MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS 

WHEN: SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 5-6, 1997 
WHERE: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Christian Theological Seminary, 8am-3pm Saturday April 5
1000 West 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 931-2300

Butler University, Reilly Room, Atherton Union 6:30pm Saturday April 5

Roundtable Feast!: Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant, 11am Sunday 
April 6 

Who: International Human Rights and Environmental Activists Working 
Toward a Grassroots Democracy Movement In Nigeria, Burma, Colombia, 
East Timor,  Mexico & The United States Of America
     
  ** PRESENTED BY **

* THE FREE BURMA COALITION  Http://Wicip.Org/Fbc
* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
* SIERRA CLUB
*FREE NIGERIA MOVEMENT Http://Pw2.Netcom.Com/~Fnm	
*SPEAKOUT  
*COLOMBIA SUPPORT NETWORK Http://Www.Igc.Apc.Org/Csn/
*GLOBAL EXCHANGE
*MOSOP
*EAST TIMOR ACTION NETWORK
*PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

Saturday night's keynote address, Reilly Room, Butler University, 6:30pm

*DR. OWENS WIWA Nigerian physician, brother of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa 
 and MOSOP activist, Toronto, CANADA 
*YUZANA KHIN Women's Representative, NLD (Liberated Area) Burma, 
 ONE ACT DANCE PERFORMANCE
*ROLAND WATSON: "CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT" A PHOTO 
EXHIBIT ON BURMA

Christian Theological Seminary: Saturday April 5, 8 am - 3 pm

workshops panelists/themes:
1. DEMOCRATIZATION
2. ETHNIC/REFUGEE ISSUES
3. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
4. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING STRATEGIES

*YUZANA KHIN Women's Representative, National League for Democracy 
 (Liberated Area) Burma, Baltimore, MD
*DR OWENS WIWA Nigerian physician, boycott Shell Oil campaign, Toronto
*EDITH BOWLES Formerly with Jesuit Refugee Service on Thai-Burma border, 
 Refugee advocate, Bloomington, IN
*HAFSAT ABIOLA Nigerian Human rights activist, founder of 
 K.I.N.D. (Kuridat Institute for Nigerian Democracy), Washington, DC
*TIM KEATING Executive Director of Rainforest Relief, Brooklyn, NY
*TUNDE OKORODUDU-Labor Activist, Pres. Free Nigeria Movement, Oakland, CA
*DAVID WOLFBERG- L.A. Free Burma Coalition and Dierector Rainforest Action 
 Network, Los Angeles, CA 
*NOBLE OBANI-NWIBARI-Vice-President MOSOP, St. Louis, MO
*KIM MIZRAHI Free Burma Activist and activist in Plastics Campaign, L.A.
*MUKHTAR DAN'IYAN- Sec.-Gen. Free Nigeria Movement, Indianapolis, IN
*PAUL KAWIKA MARTIN EarthCulture Activist, Laurel, MD
*MIRA TANNA-St. Louis Support Committee for MOSOP, St. Louis, MO
*CECILIA ZARATE-LAUN - Colombia Support Network, Madison, WI 
*GODFREY TANEH-MOSOP Activist, St. Louis, MO
*JAMES UEBARI-MOSOP Activist, St. Louis, MO
*KRISTIN SUNDELL-Field Organizer, East Timor Action Network, Boston, MA
*DR VINCENT IDEMYOR -President MOSOP-USA, Chicago, IL

Sunday's Roundtable Panelists:
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant 11am
936 Indiana Ave Indianapolis, IN 
(near Madame Walker Theater/IUPUI/IU Medical Center off West Street/MLK Jr)
(317) 638-8426						

*DAPO OLORUNYOMI-Nigerian dissent journalist, PANOS Institute, Washington,DC
*KEVIN DANAHER Co-Founder of Global Exchange, Author of 
 <Corporations Are Gonna Get Your Momma: Globalization and the Downsizing of 
 the American Dream>, San Francisco, CA 
*MARTHA OJEDA, Executive Director of the Coalition for Justice in the 
 Maquiladoras (CJM)
*DR. JOE DREXLER-Special Projects Director:OCAW (Oil, Chemical and Atomic 
 Workers Union), Denver, CO
*TUN MYINT- Founder of IU Free Burma Coalition, Bloomington, IN

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP ORGANIZE & FUND THE 
CONFERENCE
please contact conference coordinator with your suggestions:
			Dalia Brahmi
			9040 Wickham Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260
			(317) 573-9463,  fax: (317) 274-1108   
			email: dbrahmi@xxxxxxxxxxx

registration fee (includes housing friday-sunday, food friday-sat)

students/low-income $10 			full fee $20 or donation
optional ethiopian feast sunday $10	donations needed!

please bring sleeping bags, coffee mugs, spoons & bowls

DONATIONS & PRE-REGISTRATION CHECKS CAN BE SENT TO 
THE ADDRESS ABOVE***

HOUSING AVAILABLE FRI 8AM- SUN 10AM         DINNER PARTY FRIDAY APRIL 4, 7PM
at St. Maur Monastery			    graciously hosted by Kim Grissom
   4615 N Michigan				4638 N. Graceland
   Indianapolis, IN 				Indianapolis, IN
   (317) 925-9095				(317) 923-3295

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