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The BurmaNet News, May 2, 1997



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------  
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"  
----------------------------------------------------------  
  
The BurmaNet News: May 2, 1997  
Issue #710

HEADLINES:  
========== 
ABSL REPORT: NEW KABAW VALLEY PROJECT IN SAGAING
AFP: 66 BURMESE REFUGEES RETURN HOME 
BFDB PRESS RELEASE: COLORADO SENATE RESOLUTION
NLD STATEMENT: MAY DAY 97 - NLD
AFP: SLORC USES MAY DAY TO WARN WORKERS 
THE NATION: OHN GYAW THANKS ASEAN
SF BAY GUARDIAN: UNOCAL ACCUSED IN FEDERAL COURT
BKK POST: ELEPHANTIASIS PROGRAMME STARTS NEAR BURMA
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ABSL REPORT: NEW KABAW VALLEY PROJECT IN SAGAING DIVISION
May 1, 1997 

NEW KABAW VALLEY (OR) DEATH MESSENGER PROJECT
BY THE MILITARY REGIME IN BURMA

Kabaw Valley, a fertile agricultural place, is situated in Sagaing Division
and borders India. The present military regime, SLORC, has been trying to
establish this deserted valley as a human-settlement. This project, namely
"New Kabaw Valley Project" is being assisted by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP). Although the regime officially stated the
objective of the project as a part of its "border developmental programme",
the two ulterior motives behind the project are : (1) to counter armed
groups based in the region, and (2) to prevent any external invasion (of
India, in this case) in the future.

However, the SLORC, starved with the foreign exchange reserves at hand, has
been misusing the financial assistance provided by the UNDP. Instead of
spending the money for its stated objective, SLORC is using it for the
military expenses of its armed forces. The prisoners, mostly political
prisoners, are being used in the construction works under the project. The
villagers from the Upper Burma were lured by promises of money and job
opportunities to settle and work in the Kabaw Valley but later they were
forced to work as "voluntary labourers" without receiving any of the
financial and material benefits promised. Hundreds of local people in the
region, particularly from Sagaing Division, are being forced to work in the
various construction projects as "voluntary labourers" as the government
terms it.

The "New Kabaw Valley Project" was started in 1990. It is being monitored
and implemented by the Office of Regional Control under the army based at In
Thein Kyi in Kalay Township of Sagaing Division. In the beginning of the
project, the authorities lured the farmers from Shwe Bo, Mon Ywa, Ye Oo, Pa
Le townships with (20) acres of land, Kyat 5,000.00 for house building and
materials for farm ploughing for each person to come and settle down in the
valley. New villages, such as "Aung Zay Ya", "Ba Yint Naung" and "Yan Gyi
Aung" were set up in the valley and the farmers were moved into the new
villages. However, after some time, they ran away from the villages to other
parts of the region due to the difficult terrain, problems with several
diseases and the absence of the promised assistance from the authorities.

"Prisoners Camps" are set up in the townships of Aung Zay Ya, Yan Gyi Aung,
Watt Shu, Myo Thit, Tha Nan, Yar Za Gyo, Sa Khan Gyi  in Sagaing Division
for the use of labour of the prisoners in the construction works of the
project. The camps are under the control of Prison Department and the
various units of the Office of Army Regional Control. Makeshift huts are
made inside the camps for the prisoners to stay in. The camps are surrounded
by three-layers of barbed wire. About 250 to 300 prisoners are put into a
camp and a total of 4,000 prisoners are in all the camps to serve the New
Kabaw Valley Project. According to the information given by an escapee from
a camp, between 1 and 5 prisoners die in a week due to mal-nutrition,
over-fatigue, malaria, typhoid and other seasonal diseases and lack of
medicine. Sometimes, in bad weather, from 15 to 20 people die in a day. The
escapee who was interviewed by the members of ABSL in Moreh said that half
of the prisoners either died or ran away during the past four years.

The vacancies left by the dead or escapees are filled up by the new
prisoners from Insein (Rangoon) Jail, Tharawadi Jail, Myin Gyan Jail,
Mandalay Jail and Mon Ywa Jail. Between 1,000 and 1,500
prisoners whose jail sentence are above one year are rotationally sent to
the camps every six months for the New Kabaw Valley Project. A prisoner has
to bribe the concerned jail authorities with 25,000-30,000 Kyats to avoid
being sent to this infamous project. Therefore, the project is named by the
prisoners as "Death Messenger Project".

One of the escapees from these camps is Maung Maung Oo, aged 18, from Dawae
Township. He escaped from Kan Gyi Village Camp in 1995. Due to his family's
economic hardships, he decided to board a boat as a boatman at the age of
14. He only realized after he was at sea that the boat he had boarded was a
smuggling boat. On his very first trip, he, along with 15 boatmen were
caught by a Burmese navy boat. While others were
released by bribing the concerned persons, he without any money, was
arrested and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by a trial court in 1992. His
age was 15 at that time. After serving one and half year in Insein
Jail, he was sent to the Kabaw Valley to use as a labourer. He ran away from
the camp in July 1995.

The Imphal-based ABSL members interviewed him in 1996. According to him, a
camp has only one tractor intended for use in ploughing new land. However,
this single tractor was usually occupied by Camp Officials for their trips
and transportation. Therefore, most of the hard work was done by the labour
of the prisoners. The prisoners were made to work in digging, ploughing,
cutting trees and clearing forest in the areas. For ploughing purposes, iron
roles of length-six feet and weight-500 to 750 Kilos with four people
sitting on it were pulled by four prisoners. The prisoners were forced to
work from 7 A.M to 4 P.M with one hour lunch break from 11 to 12 noon.
Moreover, the prisoners were being shackled while working. The prisoners
suffered from mal-nutrition, typhoid, malaria, skin diseases and there was
not enough medicines for them. When they could not bear any more of pain and
suffering, the prisoners had to take care of themselves with whatever
medicinal leaves and fruits available in the jungle. Although a prisoner got
two sets of rough clothes at the time of their arrival at the camp, their
clothes were easily torn apart within 3 months of their work in the area.
They did not have spare clothes and had to wear the same clothes all the
time. Sometimes, they had to dry themselves under the sun without any
clothes. The regular meal for them is
rice, watery peas and Ngapi.

One civilian who took part in the project estimated that a total of 3500 to
4500 prisoners died between 1990 and 1996 and 6000 acres of agricultural
land were explored in the above-mentioned period. News came out that in
March 1997, a 12 year-old prisoner died because of the camp officials'
beating in Yar Za Gyow Camp situated on Kalay-Tamu road. The prisoners of
this camp are made to work in the farms owned by the Burmese Army. It was
estimated by the officials that they had a stock of more than 3000 Tins (one
Tin is approximately equal to a bushel) of peas. However, in reality, only
1500 Tins of pigeon pea were found when the army came and to collect. The
prisoners were accused by the camp officials of stealing the peas and the
said 12-year old prisoner was beaten to death in the process of investigation.

In fact, the prisoners were often beaten to the point of vomiting blood if
they were caught eating peas even before they were reaped. Usually, camp
officials and concerned departmental personnel smuggled the peas out
of the camps and the prisoners were made the victims of their actions.

Therefore, the project being done by the military government as a part of
their "Border Area Development Programme (BADP)" is given a new name by the
local people and prisoners as "UN-sponsored BAD programme).

Compiled by :

News and Information Bureau
All Burma Students League

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

AFP: 66 BURMESE REFUGEES RETURN HOME FROM BANGLADESH
April 30, 1997

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, April 30 (AFP) - A group of 66 Moslem refugees were
repatriated to Burma Wednesday from frontier camps in Bangladesh, refugee
officials said.

With the departure of the refugees, known as Rohingyas, the number of 
returnees in the past five years has totalled 229,100 with more than 21,800 
still to go, they said.

The refugees fled their homes in Burma's predominantly Moslem Arakan
province in 1992 and took shelter in 20 makeshift camps in Bangladesh's
Cox's Bazar region, alleging persecution by Burmese troops. Burma had denied
the allegations.

Rangoon later agreed to take them back following an April 1992 repatriation
agreement signed in Dhaka during visit of Burmese foreign minister.

Bangladeshi repatriation officials claim the slow pace of return was mainly 
due to delayed clearance by Burmese authorities.

But others have blamed the reluctance of the refugees to return to the 
rigorous life inside Burma after years in camps supported by the Bangladeshi
government, the United Nations and other refugee agencies. Many have also
opposed repatriation because they fear for their safety.

The speed of repatriation picked up a year ago when Rangoon agreed to allow
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to supervise the return
and oversee their safety inside Burma.

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

BFDB PRESS RELEASE: COLORADO SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION AGAINST BUSINESS WITH
BURMA
May 1, 1997

   The State of Colorado has joined other states, counties and cities
in the United States in expressing concern about Burma's dismal
human rights record. On May 1, 1997,  Colorado Senate Resolution 97-5,
originally introduced by Senator Dorothy Rupert (D - Boulder) and
Senator Tilman Bishop (R - Grand Junction), was passed unanimously
(35 - 0).

   The Resolution noted that Burma has "institutionalized torture and
rape as political instruments and embarked upon campaigns of forcible
relocation, forced labor and slavery, persecution of ethnic minorities,
and other human rights violations". It cited the February 1997 report
of violations of human rights in Burma to the United Nations Human
Rights Commission by Special Rapporteur Lallah.

   The Resolution noted that former U.S. Senator Hank Brown from
Colorado made an emotional appeal to his Senate colleagues to
encourage and support democratic efforts in Burma during Senate
debate in July of 1996. Major corporations that have voluntarily pulled
out of Burma were listed.

   By this measure, the Senate of the Colorado General Assembly
"strongly discourages both public and private entities from purchasing
tangible property and services from persons who conduct business in
Burma". In addition, "the State of Colorado is especially discouraged
from purchasing any good or service from any persons or entities
currently involved with Burma".

   Boulder, Colorado passed (in December, 1996) a selective purchasing
ordinance prohibiting the city from doing business with companies
having direct investment or employees in Burma.

May 1, 1997

Boulder Friends for a Democratic Burma
P.O. Box 21146
Boulder, CO 80308
(303) 543-8939

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

NLD STATEMENT: MAY DAY 97 - NLD
May 1, 1997

SEAL of the NATIONAL LEAGUE for DEMOCARCY

National League for Democracy
1997 Workers Day (Mayday) Statement
Statement No: 3/97

1)  Through the strength of more than  600,000 workers uniting in a strike,
on May 1, 1886, in the United Sates of America the working hours were agreed
upon as  8 hours in a day. With regard to the blood spilled to achieve this
victory, the first of May was recognized as the  "Worker's Day" by the
Second Conference of the International Workers League held in 1890 at Paris
and  has  been  celebrated  worldwide everywhere since then.

2)  In Burma, May Day was initiated and celebrations held by  the  Oil Field
Workers in May 1, 1938. At that time, although Burma  was under British
rule, more than 2000 white and blue collar oil workers of the oil fields in
Yaenanchaung and Chauk entered into a strike and succeeded in demanding
higher wages and annual increments.

3)  In 1945, the Second World War was over and Burma again fell under
British rule.  In 1946/47, based on the sound national spirit and for the
national cause, Government servants from many ministries and departments
including the Police, Post and Telegraph, Railways and workers from the
companies made a general strike unanimously opposing the White Paper Project
of the British Government. As a result, the colonial government had to allow
General Aung San, the national leader of Burma to form and lead a government
and to have a right to form and shape the future of Burma. 

4)  In 1948, a constitution was promulgated, by which Burma was to be formed
as a democratic country guaranteeing the basic human rights of all races and
walks of the people including equality, freedom of organizing, freedom of
expression, freedom of livelihood, equality under the law. In the same year,
Burma joined the United Nations as a member.

5)  After independence, in February of 1949, under the AFPFL ( Anti-Fascist
People's Freedom League) government, a nation-wide general strike of all
walks of government servants was held expressing dissatisfaction at lay-offs
and reduction of salaries and through this freedom of expression, their
demands were achieved.

6)  In 1946, the ILO , which was founded in 1910, was recognized as a
special institution of the United Nations. From Burma, a representative of
the Trade Union Congress of Burma TUCB, a representative of employers and
that of the government started regularly attended the ILO Annual Conference
held at Geneva in every June. In accordance with the resolution of that ILO
Committee, the government's role was to guarantee the security of the
workers' lives promulgated laws. The living standard of the workers in Burma
was highly regarded in the world and looked up to by other countries.

7) But, after the military coup in 1962 by the Revolutionary Council, the
democratic constitution and laws were revoked and the country was ruled by
decrees and orders. Since then, the freedom of association once exercised by
the workers has disappeared and guarantees for the life  of workers and job
security have become almost non-existent. The Workers' Association formed by
the authorities only do what the authorities like to see. 

8) The Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) promulgated the constitution of
the Socialist Republic Union of Burma, with the aim of withholding the power
forever. Under their rule, Burma, which was one of the richest countries in
the region, became a least developed country (LDC) status. The life of the
workers became very harsh and government service personnel were reduced to
corruption to fulfill their daily life. 

9) In 1988, the State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC) made a coup
after the people's democratic movement. Since the coup, the authorities have
been using "forced labor"  including children in infrastructure projects of
transport and communication, dams and reservoirs, roads and bridges and
construction projects. It also has been using people of all ages and sex as
forced conscripted porters for military offensives and operations at the
border. Due to these situations, the United Nations, ILO and the human
rights organizations have pointed out and denunciated its human rights
record. ILO has urged the SLORC not to continue the practice of forced
labor, in accordance with the resolutions in its 29th convention. 

10)  ILO has also urged the SLORC to abide by Convention No. 87 and 98,
which concerns the right of freedom in organization, which is instrumental
for the full guarantee of the workers' rights. 

11)  ILO has pointed out and objected to the violation by the Burmese
authorities of the resolutions prohibiting children 18 years old and under
from joining the labor force.

12)  In accordance with the policy of the NLD on workers affairs, there must
be the right of the worker's unions and trade unions to participate and
demand in the legal fold in its' proper accredited rights in the democratic
system.

13)  NLD has been striving for a genuine democratic state which will
guarantee full workers' rights. On this auspicious  108th anniversary of the
World's Workers' Day, the NLD calls upon all the workers from all walks of
life to join hands with us in our struggle.

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
9th waning day of Tagoo, 1359
May 1, 1997        

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

AFP: SLORC USES MAY DAY TO WARN WORKERS OF ANTI-DEVELOPMENT FORCES
May 1, 1997
           RANGOON, May 1 (AFP) - Burma's top general Thursday urged workers
to "crush" forces seeking to block investment and thus hinder the
company's development.

           In a May Day message published on the front page of the official
New Light of Myanmar, Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling
junta, said the threat came both from inside and outside the country.

           He named no names, but his mention of efforts to discourage
investment clearly referred to the US announcement last week of a ban on new
investments in    Burma as a protest against human rights abuses.

           Foreign efforts to hinder Burma's development were supported by
colonialist "lackeys" inside the country, as well as government opponents
who had fled abroad and who had also resorted to "destructive and terrorist
acts," he said.

           Burma faced a "danger of internal and external destructive
elements in political, economic and social spheres," Than Shwe added.

           These elements were trying to "prevent and hinder the flow of
technology and investment from outside that will provide the workers with
skills and technological know-how, improve their living standards and
contribute towards national development," he alleged.

           "It is time to oppose and crush the stooges of the colonialists
who are obstructing improvement of the workers' living conditions and
jeopardizing national development," Than Shwe said.

           May Day is a holiday in Burma.

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

THE NATION: OHN GYAW THANKS ASEAN
May 1, 1997
Agence France-Presse

RANGOON - The Burmese govnerment has expressed its "sincere appreciation"
for the "support and understanding" of Asean in planning to admit Burma to
the regional group, the official press said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw made the comments on Tuesday at a meeting of
Burmese and Asean officials here, a week after the US imposed an investment
ban on Burma and appeal to the regional grouping to bar Rangoon's admittance.

"We are indebted to the Asean secretariat, as well as to our Asean friends"
for their support, Ohn Gyaw said, adding Tuesday's consultative meeting
served to provide a vital link between Burma and the Asean countries.

"It illustrates the kind encouragement on the part of our Asean friends, as
well as our sincere commitment regarding Myanmar's (Burma's) membership,"
Ohn Gyaw was quoted as saying in the New Light of Myanmar.

He did not, however, mention the investment ban on US companies in Burma,
which was announced by Washington a week ago in response to the junta's
continued repression of the pro-democracy opposition.

Most of the countries of the Asean have already rebuffed the US appeal to
bar Burma's entry into the group, which is expected to occur later this
year. (TN)

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

SF BAY GUARDIAN: UNOCAL ACCUSED IN FEDERAL COURT OF CONSPIRING WITH
NARCO-TRAFFICKERS IN BURMA
April 23, 1997
by Dennis Bernstein and Leslie Kean

Los Angeles-based Unocal has become an active player in the expanding 
global heroin trade as a result of the oil giant's business activity 
with the narco-dictatorship of Burma (also known as Myanmar), according 
to an affidavit filed as part of an ongoing federal lawsuit.
	The affidavit - filed April 7 with the U.S. District Court in Los 
Angeles - states that the government-controlled Myanma Oil and Gas 
Enterprise (MOGE)  "has been the main channel for laundering the 
revenues of heroin produced and exported under the control of the 
Burmese army."
	The legal document was filed in support of a suit that seeks to 
hold Unocal - the largest American investor in Myanmar - liable for 
widespread human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Burmese 
regime. Francois Casanier, an associate researcher for the Paris-based 
Geopolitical Drugwatch, wrote the affidavit.
	Unocal and the French oil giant Total are  partners in a joint 
venture with MOGE to build a $1.2 billion gas pipeline project through 
southern Burma. The 14 plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit are ethnic 
minorities who live in the region where the pipeline is being built.  
They charge that the Burmese military, in providing security and 
infrastructure support for the pipeline's construction, is committing 
human rights abuses, including forced labor, forced relocations, rape, 
torture and killings.
	A little-noticed March 25 ruling by Federal District Judge 
Richard A. Paez held that Unocal and its executives could be held 
liable for illegal and repressive actions committed by the Burmese 
government in the course of their business dealings. 
	The court action, the first of its kind, was reported by several 
newspapers in mid April. But the explosive contents of Casanier's 
affidavit, which have received virtually no coverage, paint a 
disturbing picture of an oil giant benefiting from the international 
drug trade.  		
	According to a 1996 State Department report, Burma now supplies over 50% of
the world's heroin and 60% percent of the heroin sold in the United  States.
"Drug traffickers and their families are among the 
leading backers of high-profile infrastructure projects in Burma," said 
Robert Gelbard, Assistant Secretary of State for International 
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  "They launder their money with 
impunity in banks controlled by the military," he says.
	In announcing sanctions against Burma on April 22, President 
Clinton stated "The regime has shown little political will to stop the 
narcotics exports from Burma and prevent illicit drug money from 
enriching those who would flaunt international rules and profit by 
destroying the lives of millions. "  These sanctions are not 
retroactive, and will not affect companies like Unocal who are already 
invested in Burma. 
	The plaintiffs have submitted Casanier's sworn affidavit in 
support of a request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent 
Unocal from doing any further business in Burma pending the outcome of 
the case.
        In his affidavit, the French researcher lays out a compelling 
case that the foreign partners of Burma's ruling State Law and Order 
Restoration Council (SLORC) provide  "big shields for [the] money 
laundering" of drug dollars. Casanier states that because "heroin has 
become the country's highest valued export, accounting for 50 percent 
to 70 percent of the cash flow into the country," money laundering 
strategies have become an integral part of government operations.
         "MOGE has transferred hundreds of millions of dollars into 
Singapore banks since setting up the joint venture," states the 
affidavit by Casanier, "[yet] it has no assets other than the 
installments of its foreign partners and makes no profit."
        According to Casanier's four year investigation, MOGE has been 
able to purchase military hardware from Portugal and Poland, run 
embassies in Europe, and invest in companies at home, all through the 
use of drug money.
	Randy Renick, an attorney with Hadsell & Stormer handling the 
federal lawsuit, said that the drug allegations are directly related to 
human rights aspects of the case because the military has used its 
extensive arsenal, purchased with profits from the drug trade, against 
the Burma people while protecting foreign investments.
	According to Renick, Casanier's sworn declaration to the court 
"provides irrefutable evidence that Unocal is in partnership with 
criminal drug dealers who are making profits off the backs of the 
indigenous people of Burma."
	In January, the SLORC launched a series of on-going military 
offensives against the Karen and Mon, ethnic minorities living in the 
area surrounding the pipeline, sending thousands of refugees fleeing 
into Thailand.  The Karen, who have been struggling for autonomy and 
democracy in Burma for decades, have been hit particularly hard by the 
assaults.
        "UNOCAL and TOTAL knew or should have known that MOGE has been
heavily involved in laundering the proceeds of SLORC's heroin trade," states
Casanier's affidavit,  'both at the time they originally 
contracted with MOGE and in January of 1997 when they signed additional
[business] contracts." 
        In December - the month before Unocal signed those new 
contracts - a Unocal shareholders' resolution based on the drug 
allegations was introduced by the 90,000 member Oil, Chemical and 
Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW). The resolution calls for 
Unocal board members to investigate whether MOGE is a drug 
money-laundering front for the Burmese junta and also "the extent to 
which Company officials have been aware of any facts linking MOGE to 
drug laundering."
        Unocal's board of directors said that the company has yet to 
investigate the money laundering allegations. "Proving or disproving 
these allegations would require an investigation that is not 
only illegal but would subject Unocal officers and directors to 
criminal penalties [in Burma]," a board statement explained. 
        OCAW spokesperson Joe Drexler said he found that suggestion 
ridiculous. "It is absurd that Unocal would be concerned about 
legalities of conducting an investigation in a country controlled by an 
outlaw regime which deals in drugs, violates international law 
continuously and creates its own laws to suit its own purposes," 
Drexler said.
	Both the Burmese government and Unocal deny all charges.
	"The charges are politically motivated," said a spokesperson for 
the Burmese Embassy in Washington, D.C., who asked not to be identified 
by name. "MOGE is a state run company - run in accordance with rules 
and regulations - and it can't do anything outside the law."
	Barry Lane, a Unocal spokesperson in Los Angeles, said that the 
charges are "absolutely false and outrageous...It's an insult to think 
we'd involve ourselves in the drug trade."
	On March 5, Unocal was handed two major setbacks by the U.S. 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC}. It denied the the oil 
company's request to exclude the OCAW resolution from its upcoming June  2
shareholder's meeting. On the same day, the SEC also gave the 
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, composed of 256 
religious groups who control assets of $50 billion, the go ahead to 
introduce a second shareholders resolution attempting to restrain 
Unocal from doing business with Myanmar.
	"If the drug-laundering allegation is true, it is very unlikely 
that this could have occurred without the knowledge of Unocal 
officials," said Robert Wages, president of the OCAW. "Uncovering the 
truth may mean that Unocal bears direct responsibility for the rise in 
heroin use in the US."
	In an interview on April 19, Casanier expressed concern that if 
Unocal and Total are allowed to move forward unchecked, "it will be a 
green light for everybody to jump into the Burmese market and develop 
activities which will be definitely connected with drug money 
laundering on a big scale." 
	And, Casanier said, "not only in Burma, but everywhere where 
there is dirty money involved, the Burma case will be considered an 
example."
	Meanwhile, the great oil rush to Burma continues with Arco 
following Unocal's lead. In partnership with MOGE since 1995, ARCO 
notified the SLORC in late March about a new gas well just discovered 
off Burma's coast. On February 12, Reuters reported that Texaco signed 
a deal with Thailand to sell that country natural gas drilled in the 
same area as the Unocal drilling fields. 

Dennis Bernstein and Leslie Kean have reported on Burma's heroin trade 
in the Boston Globe, The Nation, and for Pacific News Service, where 
Bernstein is an associate editor.                                       

*********************************************                                 
                                                  
BKK POST: ELEPHANTIASIS PROGRAMME STARTS NEAR BURMA BORDER
May 1, 1997

The Ministry of Public Health recently began distributing anti-elephantiasis
drugs to Burmese and Thai residents living in areas prone to the disease.

Communicable Disease Control (CDC) director-general Damrong Boonyuen said
diethylcarbamazin citrate (DEC) tablets are being given out to villagers in
Kanchanaburi and Narathiwat provinces.

Elephantiasis is caused by dysfunctioning of the lymphatic system, leading
to heavy swelling of body organs such as legs and scrotum.

Dr Damrong said though the government was closely monitoring alien workers
throughout the country to keep the disease under control, extra attention
was being paid to immigrant workers in Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi,
Surat Thani and Narathiwat provinces.

Last year the government allowed illegal aliens to work in 27 provinces of
the country for a period of two years to solve the problem of labour
shortage, and asked them to register with provincial authorities.

There are an estimated 700,000 immigrant workers in the country but only a
small percentage of them registered with the authorities. As such the
ministry decided to distribute DEC en mass, particularly to Burmese
immigrants who are considered prime carriers of the parasite.

"We can't only rely on the registration list because not all people who
illegally entered the country registered themselves," said Dr Damrong.

As of December 1996 only 313,671 illegal immigrants underwent blood tests to
check for communicable diseases. The figure represents only 44.81 percent of
the actual number of illegal immigrants in Thailand.

The elephantiasis parasite is usually active late in the night, during
midnight to 2 a.m., as such it is difficult to detect, but according to Dr
Damrong there is no reason to worry as each DEC tablets costs only 40 stang
and preventive treatment on a mass scale was the best way to deal with the
problem.

Dr Damrong said it is important to control the disease from the initial
stage to prevent micro filaria from developing into filariasis.If a six
milligram DEC tablet is given to a person diagnosed of carrying the parasite
every six months for a period of two years, it would be controlled to a
level that can not be transmitted.

On the other hand, a person diagnosed of carrying Wuchereria bancrofti is
treated with DEC continuously for 12 days in every six months, for a period
of two years.

A person diagnosed of Brugia malayi is given a tablet of DEC for continuous
six days, every six months for a period of two years.

Brugia malayi, elephantiasis which causes swelling of the legs and feet has
been in the country for a number of years and is mostly found among Thai
residents in Southern provinces like Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and
Surat Thani.

Wuchereria bancrofti, which often causes swelling of the sex organ among
males is reportedly found among Burmese workers in Thailand, particularly in
border areas like Ranong, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhorn, Kanchana Buri and
Ratchaburi.

Dr Damrong said Thailand is in a status where it can control elephantiasis,
but it needs cooperation from neighbouring countries. (BP)

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

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 

(28, Monday April, 1997)
	______________________________________
     
EXTENSION OF BO AUNG KYAW CONTAINER BRIDGE 
INSPECTED 
                                        
     YANGON, 27 April- Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win 
inspected extension of Bo Aung Kyaw container bridge of Myanma Port 
Authority in Botahtaung Township this morning. The minister was 
welcomed by Managing Director of MPA U Tin Oo, Project Manager, Mr 
Lu Zhia Long of China Harbour Engineering Corporation, Project 
Manager Chin Wai of Yunnan Machinery &. Equipment Import and 
Export Corporation and officials.
     Managing Director U Tin Oo reported on the project. He said the     
project is being undertaken by CHEC with the loan of 27 million US     
dollars by YMEC. The container bridge is 183 metres long and 30     
metres wide and has one grantry crane and one portal crane. Construction 
started on 21 May 1996 and is expected to complete in January 1998.
     ____________________________________
     
MYANMAR AGRICULTURE DELEGATION ARRIVES BACK FROM 
LPDR 
                                        
     YANGON, 27 April- Three-member delegation led by Deputy Minister 
for Agriculture and Irrigation U Tin Hlaing arrived back here by air     
yesterday evening after visiting Lao People's Democratic Republic to     
further strengthen friendship and cooperate in agriculture between the 
LPDR and the Union of Myanmar.
     ______________________________________
     
CSO STUDY TOUR DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THREE ASEAN 
COUNTRIES 
     
     YANGON, 27 April-A six-member study delegation led by Dr Sein 
Tin, Director-General of Central Statistical Organization left this     
morning by air to study vital registration and statistics system and social 
statistics in three Asean countries the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, 
under Myanmar-Unicef Country Programme of Co-Operation 1996-2000.     
The delegation includes Daw Khin Khin Nyunt, Director of CSO, Dr Win     
Lwin Nyunt, Magway Division Health Director, Dr Bo Kywe, Rakhine     
State Health Director, U Chit Yin, Assistant Director, and U Aung Naing, 
Staff Officer of Immigration and Population Department as the members.    
	_________________________________________  
 
(29, Tuesday April, 1997)

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES PRESIDENT AND CEO OF 
SSANG YONG INVESTMENT AND SECURITIES CO LTD 

     YANGON, 28 April - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration     
Council Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment     
Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received President and
CEO of Ssang Yong Investment and Securities Co Ltd Mr Milton S Kim 
and party of the Republic of Korea at his office this morning. They 
discussed investment opportunities in Myanmar. Present also were officials 
of Government Office and MIC Office.
     ________________________________________________
     
LPDR MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND MRS BOUPHA VISIT 
SHWEDAGON 

     YANGON, 28 April- Minister of Justice Mr Kham Ouan Boupha and 
Mrs Vanmely Boupha of Lao People's Democratic Republic and members     
visited Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.  The visiting minister later called 
on Chief Justice U Aung Toe at his office in Supreme Court. They 
discussed judicial and legal affairs, treaty for extraditing offenders who 
cross the border, maintaining of bilateral goodwill relations along the 
border, legal development in introduction of market-oriented economy and 
exchanged views.
_________________________________
     
SEMINAR ON INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES HELD AT IBC 

     YANGON, 28 April-A seminar on investment opportunities for 
Myanmar's economic development was held at the International Business 
Centre on Pyay Road today. In his opening address, Minister for National 
Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel spoke of the location, 
population, national races and other salient points about Myanmar. The 
minister called for open and frank discussions on mutual cooperation, 
investment and businesses.  Also present were Ministers at Office of 
Deputy Prime Minister U Khin Maung Yin, Secretary of Myanmar 
Investment Commission Minister at Office of Deputy Prime Minister Brig-
Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Transport U Sann Wai, officials 
of various ministries, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence and 
Security of Indonesia Lt-Gen Sugeng Subroto (Retd), local entrepreneurs 
and entrepreneurs from Australia.
     __________________________________
     
SINGAPORE AGRO-BUSINESS MISSION CALLS ON MINISTER FOR 
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES 

     YANGON, 28 April-An 18-member agro-business mission led by 
Director Mr George Tay of Primary Production Department of Ministry of     
National Development of Singapore called on Minister for Livestock and 
Fisheries U Aung Thaung at his office this morning.They discussed 
processing of Myanmar's marine resources, establishment of cold storage, 
ice factories and fish powder factories, raising of poultry, mutual 
cooperation and exchange of technique for development of meat and 
fisheries sector. Present were Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and 
directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises.
     ____________________________________
     
 (30, Wednesday April, 1997 )

MYANMAR MAKING MANY SIGNIFICANT STEPS FOR 
INTEGRATION INTO ASEAN FOLD

     YANGON, 29 April-The opening ceremony of Myanmar-ASEAN 
Consultative  Meeting on Myanmar's Integration into ASEAN was held at 
the Traders Hotel this morning, with an address by Minister for Foreign 
Affairs U Ohn Gyaw. Present were directors general of ASEAN member 
countries' ASEAN Departments, one official of the ASEAN Secretariat 
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN member countries led by 
Director-General of the Malaysian ASEAN Department Dato Abdul Majid 
Ahmad Khan, Ambassadors of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, 
Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, Charge d'Affaires ai of Brunei 
Embassy, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of

departments.     
     _____________________________________
     
SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONAL 
CORRESPONDENT 

     YANGON, 29 April Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order 
Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received correspondent of Radio 
France International Ms Helen da Costa at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry 
of Defence this morning.  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and 
Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also 
present.
     ______________________________________
     
MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES OFFICIALS OF JAPANESE 
CORPORATIONS 
     
     YANGON, 29 April Delegation led by vice-president of Tokiwa     
Corporation of Japan Mr Naoyuki Soga and General Manager of Kinsho     
Mataichi Corporation Mr H Hashimoto paid a courtesy call on Minister     
for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe at his office this morning. Investments for 
mutual benefit were discussed.
     ____________________________________
     
MINISTER RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF ITALY 

     YANGON, 29 April .s . Ambassador of ltaly Dr Benito Volpi called on     
Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe at his office today. They discussed 
strengthening of bilateral friendly ties environmental and forest 
conservation and cooperation in wood-based industries.
     _________________________________________

GOLDEN ASIA MD CALLS ON MINISTER FOR H & T 

     YANGON, 29 April -Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba     
received Managing Director of Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd Mr Dhirah     
Taechalertpaisarn and party at his office today. Construction of world class 
hotel in Tachilek Township, Shan State, was discussed.  Director-General 
of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt and Managing 
Director of Restaurant and Beverage Enterprise U Myo Min were also 
present.
     ___________________________________
     
MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES INDONESIA ENTREPRENEURS 
 
     YANGON, 29 April Indonesian entrepreneurs led by Chairman of PT 
Multi Satel Ekakama of Indonesia Mr Rahardjo Tjakraningrat paid a 
courtesy call on Minister for National Planning and Economic 
Development Brig-Gen Abel at his office this morning. They discussed 
cooperation for mutual interest in Myanmar's mining, communications, 
textiles and pharmaceutical industries. Officials of the ministry were also 
present.      
     _______________________________________

     English :     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/
     German:     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/   

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