Burma Issues Weekly Burmadoc summar

[durham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Burma Issues Weekly Burmadoc summary May 8 

 Burma Issues, a Bangkok-based organization, maintains a documentation
center that archives a wide variety of materials (newspaper clippings,
reports, statements, press releases, books, videos, etc.) related to
Burma.  We currently have over 12,000 sources in our archives.  Every week
a summary of the past week's entries is made.  In the past, this list has
been used within the organization to keep our volunteers and friends
up-to-date on current developments. Each article is followed by an
abbreviation that corresponds to the source of the document, a date and a
code that corresponds to our internal indexing system used to retrieve
copies of the original document.  For people who are interested in a
document contained in the list, feel free to request a copy.  Bear in mind
that, in most cases, the document will take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive via
international post.  In urgent cases we can fax documents.  

Burma Issues
PO Box 1076
Silom Post Office
Bangkok 10504
THAILAND

Recent News Items & Other BurmaDoc Entries: 
2 May to 8 May 1997


Themes: issues concerning border areas; the pipeline & environmental
issues, issues concerning women and children; continued reaction to US
decision to impose economic sanctions; Asean;  regional issues; drugs;
foreign investment and divestment; inside Burma; labour issues; human
rights violations - re sponse from UN agencies and other organisations

Issues concerning the border areas

The volume of Thai-Burmese border trade already amounts to millions of
baht even though construc tion of the Mae Sot bridge had yet to be
completed.  It was noted that US and EU boycotts has some impact but as
Burma will join Asean it will raise Burma's bargaining power.  BP970503
OA/9CAA/071

The army has ordered another reshuffle involving those responsible for
handling the situation on the Thai-Burmese border under the jurisdiction
of the Third Army Area following frequent attacks by the DKBA on Karen
camps in Tak and Mae Hong Son province.  The reshuffle was aimed at
reorganising units responsible for combat and intelligence operations
along the border.  BP970503 OA/9J/018

Chetta insisted on moving the temporary shelter for Karen refugees away
from the border in spite of the Interior Ministry's opposition.  He said
its present location close to the border has made it prone to attacks.
BP970505 OA/10G/036

At least 26 Karen refugees who fled fighting in Burma and sought refuge in
camps along the western Thai border have died from diarrhoea over the past
two months, according to refugee officials.  Refu gee officials said an
outbreak of malaria was feared as the rainy season approached later this
month.  Some 7,000 Karen refugees in three camps in Ratchaburi province
were forced to sleep on the ground in makeshift shelters covered with
plastic sheets because Thai authorities would not allow them to cut trees
to build above-ground structures.  TN970506 OA/10G/037

Thailand told Burma it would continue to build an embarkment along the
Moei Rive, saying that con struction did not encroach on Burmese
territory.  The Burmese claim the concrete embarkment will destroy a new
island in the Moei River, which formed after a channel was dug in the
waterway.  BP970506 OA/9J/019

Bo Mya, the KNU's leader is living safely inside that country's rugged,
mountainous border region, despite a massive government offensive aimed at
capturing him.  His son, Ner Dah said the Karen were willing to continue
peace talks, and said they'd had contact with Burmese negotiators in
recent weeks.  By reaching cease-fires with most other ethnic groups, the
Burmese have been able to concentrate their firepower on the Karen.
AP/moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/3D/001


The Pipeline & Environmental Issues

Burma's KNU, led by Gen bo Mya, have halted plans to destroy the Yadana
gas pipeline and are willing to talk with Rangoon's military leaders.  The
KNU is the last major rebel group still fighting the Slorc.  15 other
ethnic groups have signed cease-fire deals against the Slorc since it
seized power in 1988.  TN970502 OA/4EC/031

Article with photo of students campaigning against the construction of the
pipeline from Burma to Ratchaburi province and staging a street side show
outside Government House to mock the project.  The Committee for the
Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment of 16 Institutes said
the project is being condemned worldwide, because it will help generate
foreign currency for the military rulers in Burma.  It accused the Burmese
junta of using the money from the gas field to buy weapons to use in the
suppression of its own people, particularly ethnic minorities.  The group
demanded that the Thai government halt the project to avoid being
condemned by the global community for collaborating with the regime in
violation of human rights in Burma.  BP970503 OA/4EC/033

Debate over the Burma gas pipeline project has been dominated by politics
but there are serious environmental issues at stake, too.  The pipeline
has become the main symbol of Thailand's policy of constructive
engagement.  Building the pipeline will cause problems for the survival of
endangered species and will damage local forests.  TN970505 OA/4EC/034

The Yadana pipeline project shows that the environmental approval process
must be fixed if development is to proceed smoothly.  TN970506 OA/4EC/035

Issues Concerning Women and Children

The alleged rape of four Laotian girls in a prison cell at Muang Rayong
police station raises the question of what has gone wrong with the Thai
police whom we entrust to keep law and order and reveals serious flaws in
the government's handling of illegal workers.  Rayong province is no
stranger to foreign workers from Burma, Laos and Canada.  It is one of the
provinces where illegal immigrants are allowed to work to ease the labour
shortage.  TN970505 OA/11BD/001

ASSK's letter from Burma on the political activism of women in Burma,
embodying the spirit of freedom.  The Burmese word May means young woman
or mother. Article includes a poem from a woman calling herself Fighting
peacock Maiden, titled "Thorn and Pride".  Mainichi Daily
News/carol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/9FA/005

Continued Reaction to US Decision to Impose Economic Sanctions

Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary One, of the Slorc vowed that it would not
change its current political and economic course despite recent US
economic sanctions which bar new American investment in the country.  He
also blamed unidentified groups opposed to the Slorc of being behind the
latest diplomatic setback for Rangoon.  TN970505 OA/9A/017

American pilot Linda Finch is half way through her bid to emulate the
legendary Amelia Earhart's around-the-world journey 60 years ago.  The
only difference in her flight is that she did not go via Burma and stop
there like Earhart did because "of the political situation there and I was
told not to go."  BP970503 OA/9CB/058 and TN970503 OA/9CB/057

Of the many arguments against economic sanctions, the one that we have
always found the most persuasive is the simplest: they don't work.
Sanctions work only as a bluff.  Once invoked, everyone loses.  Burma is
its own best argument against isolationism as it's managed to reduce
itself to a third- world basket case through a self-imposed policy of
closed-door self-sufficiency.  The US sanctions are so obviously
half-hearted, applying only to new investment.  Asean's eagerness to take
Burma straight to the altar raises its own questions.  The pressures to
incorporate Burma so soon after last year's admission of Viet Nam are more
emotional than strategic.  By all means trade with Burma.  But don't marry
it.  FEER970508 OP/9C/002

Malaysia's Umno Youth will send a delegation to Myanmar to study the
situation there following allegations by the US that the ruling Slorc was
violating human rights.  Umno Youth spokesman said he does not want the US
economic sanctions to worsen the situation in Myanmar and jeopardise its
chances of joining Asean this year.  He said that from the briefings
received from Myanmar leaders that he felt the US actions was based on
one-sided reports filed by the Western press.  moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OL/9CA/005

China declared that the US economic sanctions against Burma were a
failure, and warned that the imposition of such sanctions for political
motives was futile in the post-Cold War era. The sanctions against Burma
will only aggravate tensions between Rangoon and Washington and "will
benefit no side".  ausgeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/9A/003

Asean 

Western pressure on Asean to delay Burma's entry appears to be backfiring
after the group vowed to push ahead with its expansion plans.  TN970502
OA/9CAA/066    BP970502 OA/9CAA/069

Thai and Burmese students protested against human rights abuses in Burma
and condemned three international oil companies (Unocal, Total and PTT)
for allegedly encouraging the continued use of forced labour through their
investment in the country.  Aung Myo Min said the students of the Burmese
pro- democracy movement were encouraged by the US announcement of economic
sanctions and thinks Asean should delay its decision to admit Burma into
the grouping.  TN970502 OA/4EC/032

Burma, Cambodia and Laos may be given until 2009 to reduce tariffs under
the Asean nations free trade agreement.  Because their economies are not
as advanced as those of the other members, the three plan to ask for a
grace period similar to the one accorded Vietnam when it joined.  BP970502
OA/9CAA/067

The KNU appealed to members of Asean not to admit the Rangoon regime while
it still violates human rights.  Only the Philippines has voiced some
reservations with admitting Burma, saying the group should consider
delaying membership for all three.  The KNU said that Burma should be a
member, but now is not the right time referring to the gross human rights
violations committed in the latest offensive in Karen territory.  TN970503
OA/9CAA/073

Asean might rightly be irked at growing international concern at the
prospect of the admission of the military regime in Rangoon.  In making
what will be a momentous decision, it needs to focus on the real issue -
and that is the aspirations of a population that conflict with those of
the military rulers.  BP970502 OA/9CAA/068

If the foreign ministers decide to give the green light, Asean will, in
July, be transformed into a truly regional organisation, comprising all 10
countries of the Southeast Asian region.  The admissions will also help
provide one more reason for Asean to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its
founding year.  However, what seems to be the prelude to an auspicious
occasion is also the prologue to controversy and complications - they are
more likely to be liabilities, rather than assets, to Asean.  The question
is: Is Asean ready to admit the three countries and accept their inherent
weaknesses as Asean's own.

A logical alternative is to give "associate membership" to the applicants
which would confer all the rights and privileges that Asean membership has
to offer but they would not be allowed to participate in decision-making
sessions.  TN970503 OA/9CAA/070

Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) asked Malaysian government and
Asean countries to study more from different aspects about the Burmese
military junta's behaviour before accepting as a new member.
abim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/9CAA/006

>From June 1-13, Ambassadors and senior commercial officers from US
embassies in countries that belong to Asean will visit three US cities to
lead business seminars highlighting market opportunities in the region.
Asean, as a unit, is currently ranked as the US' third largest overseas
trading partner after the EU and Japan.  TN970503 OA/9CAA/072

In anticipation of the 10 SEA nations joining together to become one
community this year, members of Asean and Indochinese states have begun
allowing more freedom of movement for their citizens.  TN970506 OA/9CA/051

Burma claims budget problems  have delayed the formation of its Asean
department, a requirement for all prospective members of Asean.  Burmese
Foreign Minister also cited the need for further study of how other
countries proceeded.  BP970507 OA/9CAA/075

Leading Thai companies support Asean's planned admission of Burma as they
believe the move will persuade the country to adopt international
standards and strengthen business ties.

The US has no intention of intervening in a decision by Asean on whether
to admit Myanmar as a member, according to a US administration official.
US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright is scheduled to attend a meeting
of Asean with its dialogue partners in Kuala Lumpur in July following the
meeting there of Asean foreign ministers, at which the applicants
admission is expected to be announced.  soewin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/9CAA/007

Upset by US sanctions against Burma, Asean is growing closer to China.
But it remains suspicious of Beijing - and dependent on Washington as the
American security umbrella and the US market remain vital to the region.
However, the US sanctions have generated a mood of defiance in SEA
capitals.  A decision on Burma's admission may now be put off until the
Asean summit in December, say senior Asean officials privately.
Nevertheless, the association is committed to bringing Burma in.
FEER970508 OP/9C/003

Neither sceptics or supporters of the US' imposition of economic sanctions
against Burma, can be said to be totally right or wrong.  As much as Asean
does not wish to interfere with Burma's political justifications, it also
feels that the Slorc must show sincerity in wanting political reform.  The
Slorc's response that the sanctions are "not a problem for us" may be true
in dollar terms, but if Gen Khin Nyunt also meant that Slorc has "no
problem" resisting other forms of pressure to gradually accede to the
popular will, he should be told by Asean that this is not acceptable as
membership in Asean carries with it obligations and not just benefits.
TN970508 OA/9C/047


Regional Issues

Thailand will probe Burma's readiness to establish a framework agreement
on cross-border transport during a two day visit by Thailand's Transport
and Communication Minister.  TN970508 OA/4AF/006  The Minister will try to
boost road and aviation links between Thailand and Burma during his visit
to Rangoon from May 8-9.  BP970507 OA/9CA/052

Once a supporter of the pro-democracy opposition in Burma, India has now
changed tack and is siding with the regime - this is a response to fears
over the growing ties between China and Burma.  TN970502 OA/12FA/034

Thailand is considering using a Burmese port on the Andaman sea as an
alternative route for Thai goods being shipped to markets in Europe.
Thailand's choice will depend on economic viability and related
infrastructure requirements.  Shipping goods through the Andaman sea would
save time and cost.  BP970502 OA/4EC/030

China and Burma have agreed to jointly develop a major Burmese river to
open a route to the Indian Ocean.  They will sign a land and river joint
transport agreement in the second half of the year and will also approve
the joint development of industrial and agricultural projects in Bhamo.
TN970506 OA/4CD/013  The trade volume between the two counties is expected
to soar.  AWSJ970506 OA/4CD/014

Hill tribe entrepreneurs network with their neighbours - Burma, Laos,
China - to tap new sources of wealth on China's southern fringes.
FEER970508 OP/4AF/001

Inside Burma

The Chins fear it may be next in line for a Rangoon offensive.  Shortly
after Indian army chief Gen Shankar Roychowdhury visited Rangoon in March
to meet Burma's top military leaders Chin rebels based along the border
with India began preparing for a major offensive against their jungle
camps.

An estimated 30,000 members of a Burmese government-sponsored mass
movement, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), held a
demonstration against the US decision to clamp economic sanctions on
Burma.  The USDA condemned ASSK at the mass rally in Rangoon, calling her
'unpatriotic'. A union official said to the crowd that 'external and
internal destructionists will be punished'. In November, Union members who
said they had been paid by the government attacked ASSK's motorcade.
AWSJ970505 OA/1H/002 and   BP970505 OA/9C/044

The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) was formed on
September 1993 aiming to mobilize Burmese populations, to implement
Slorc's political, social and economic tasks.  The organization is
presently used by the regime to oppose the NLD and ASSK, to harass NLD
supporters, to support the national convention, to organise mass rallies,
and to counterattack local and foreign NGOs.  The USDA is financed by its
own businesses and the Slorc.  There are benefits to membership including:
children are offered computer training; promotions; automatically
associated with military officers; and some members are selected to study
overseas.  ASSK calls the organisation "Nazi's Brown Shirts".  The
organisation started with an attack on ASSK's car last November, while she
was driving to a hotel to give her weekly address to democracy supporters.
waterly@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/1H/001

Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary One of the Slorc, vowed yesterday that it
would not change its current political and economic course despite recent
US economic sanctions which bar new American investment in the country.
BP970504 OA/9A/019

An editorial in the New Light of Myanmar alleged that ASSK and her
democratic opposition have undermined the Slorc's attempts to agree a
peace deal with the KNU.  BP970505 OA/1H/003

Armed guerrillas of the KNU stopped a ferry boat in southern Burma, robbed
its passengers and are holding 11 of them for ransom, the Burmese military
government said yesterday.  Officers of the KNU denied they were involved.
TN970506 OA/3D/003

The Burmese official press hinted that ASSK's NLD was connected to a bomb
attack last month in which the daughter of a top general was killed.
BP970507 OA/9H/024

Burma's official newspaper carried a commentary denying talk that discord
among the military government was behind a bomb attack which killed Gen
Tin Oo's daughter.  No group has yet to come forward and accept
responsibility.  TN970507 OA/9H/025

Labour Issues

Chavalit will officially visit Burma on May 16-17 when the problem of
illegal Burmese workers will be raised.  There are now some 700,000
illegal Burmese immigrants working in Thailand and the Thai authorities
need help from the Burmese government to stem the flow.  BP970503
OA/9CA/050

23 Myanmar nationals who worked as shipcrew of a ship registered in
Thailand were on route to take shelter in Thailand but couldn't return
because of a problem with the ship's engine.  They have been stranded for
8 months as the company is bankrupt and the captain's request for help to
the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur was rejected.  Utusan Melayu970505
OL/1D/001

Maung Maung, the general secretary of the Federation of Trade Unions in
Burma (not legally registered in Burma) response to Dr Kamal's earlier
email on the 23 Myanmar nationals stranded for 8 months in Tawau (Sabah).
Maung Maung  said he has forwarded the news to the Seafarers Union of
Burma and get ITF to look into the matter from Malaysia or Singapore.  He
asks Dr Kamal to contact some friends of the National Union of Hotel, Bar
& Restaurant Workers, Peninsular Malaysia as they might be able to assist
the crew.  osolnick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/1D/002

Thailand's Labour Minister wants to make four border provinces special
economic zones where illegal Burmese immigrants can work legally.  He
thinks this will deter them from coming to cities and aggravating the
already serious urban problems.  There are an estimated 300,000 illegal
workers from Burma in Thailand.  TN970507 OA/1D/011  PM's Office Minister
has backed the plan to designate part of the district as a special
economic zone to promote border trade and prevent influx of illegal
Burmese workers.  BP970504 OA/4AF/005

Foreign Investment and Divestment/Divestment Activities

Northwest Airlines has ended a controversial promotion which offered bonus
kilometres to frequent flyers who stayed at the Traders Hotel in Rangoon.
The Traders is part-owned by Lo Hsaing Han, once known as the "King of the
Golden Triangle", and now identified by the US State Department as a
"narco- trafficker".  This follows President Clinton's announcement of a
ban on new US investment in Burma - he made clear reference to Burma's
drug producing activities and trafficking.  BP970506 OA/4ED/009

South Korea's Hyundai Corp. said it had formed a consortium with Singapore
real estate company Sinmardev International Pte Ltd to build an
international complex in Burma  ausgeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/4EC/009

Colardo joined othe states, counties and cities in the US when it passed a
resolution against doing business with Burma.  The resolution was passed
unanimously and expressed concern about Burma's "dismal" human rights
record.  Major corporations that have voluntarily pulled out of Burma were
also listed.  The passage of the Colorado resolution was smoothed by
President Clinton's recent decision to impose sanctions on Burma.  Twelve
US cities have passed similar resolutions.  BP970506 OA/9C/045

New York City Council plans to approve on May 14, a bill that would
restrict the citys financial dealings with banks and companies doing
business in Burma.  The bill could affect American Express Co, Citibank
(Citicorp), International Business machines Corp, Texaco Inc, Proctor &
Gamble Co, and some Japanese car makers, including Toyota Motor Corp
7203.T.  The council said the measure would go further than the ban
approved by the Clinton Administration as the bill would not only ban the
city's future dealings with banks and contractors doing business in Burma,
but also prohibit agencies from using vendors who have a business
relationship with or investments in Burma, during any contracts with the
city.  A council member said "We can and we will use our legislative
capabilities to help restore democracy in Burma".  moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OL/9C/025

International Business Machines Corp (IBM) said it has not done any
business through its Burma office for years, but could not say if a ban
planned by the New York City council would include it.  moe@xxxxxxxxxxxx
(Reuter)970505 OL/9CB/009


Drugs and HIV/AIDS

The expanding heroin trade in Southeast Asia's "Golden Triangle" - the
world's largest source of illicitly grown pure heroin - is bringing with
it a wave of new HIV/AIDS infections in Burma and in India's northeastern
states due to the millions of migrants and refugees pouring out of Burma.
TN970502 OA/14CA/001

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, according to the affidavit of Francois Casanier, an associate
researcher for the Paris-based group Geopolitical Drugwatch, filed as part
of an ongoing federal lawsuit.  TN970502 OA/4EC/029

The United Wa State Army has relocated its drug production bases from Shan
state opposite Chiang Rai to Karen State opposite Tak.  Chavalit will talk
with Burmese leader Gen Than Shwe about the problem during his forthcoming
visit to Burma.  BP970502 OA/10J/044

Burma produces and exports the majority of the world's heroin, and the
State Department reports that more than 60% of the heroin seized in the US
comes from Burma.  dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/4ED/004

A go-between made several phone contacts with a senior judicial official,
a lawyer and the wife of fugitive drug trafficker Li Yun-chung before and
on the day the alleged trafficker was granted bail.  Li was granted and
skipped bail and was believed to have made his way to Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,
where he crossed the border into Burma. Li and accomplice Cha Chung-chang
were arrested last year at the request of the US government for their role
in shipments of heroin to the US.  bp970505 OA/10J/045

Deputies at Vietnam's National Assembly have begun voting on proposals to
tackle the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs.  However,
there was no mention of laws on drug trafficking, which poses a growing
problem in Vietnam, particularly because of the neighbouring Golden
Triangle of Thailand, Burma and Laos, a major transit point for drug
trafficking to the West.  BP970505 OA/10J/046

After a shootout with 30 gang members near the Chinese border, Burmese
troops and anti-narcotics police captured a heroin refinery and seized 35
killogrammes of the drugs, according to the New Light of Myanmar.  The
report did not indicate which ethnic group the gang belonged to.  The Wa,
Kokang Chinese and Shan groups, who were all fighting for autonomy for
decades and funded their struggle through narcotics trafficking, have
signed cease-fires with the junta.  Burmese drug enforcement officials
have said they are giving these groups a few years grace to stop opium
growing and trafficking, but have displayed some impatience that
production is rising.  TN970506 OA/10J/047

The opium-cultivation has been increasing each year since Slorc took power
in 1988, in the Mann Tong region which is situated in Northern Shan State
of Burma.  It has further increased since the peace truce was reached
between the Slorc and forces of Palaung National Organization (PNO) which
controlled the area.  shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/10J/005

China is concerned with the flow of drugs into Yunnan province from Burma
which is getting out of hand.  The number of drug addicts in the country
has grown from 70,000 in 1989 to more than half a million today - and
narcotics experts consider this is a very conservative estimate.  Now
amphetamines are flooding China and the rest of the region - yaa baa, or
"mad medicine", users are surpassing the number of heroin users.
FEER970508 OP/4AF/002

Violation of Human Rights - responses to/ by UN Agencies and other
organisations

Senior UN official Alvaro de Soto Friday said he would travel to Burma
next week in an effort to encourage dialogue between the country's
military rulers and the opposition.  The UN Assistant Secretary General
for political affairs said he would meet senior officials in Rangoon for
"three or four days" beginning May 7 "to help in promoting dialogue."
ausgeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/11AC/002

'Voluntary Repatriation' a report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch
(HRW), accused the UNHCR of losing sight of its mandate to protect exiles
in the interests of 'return-oriented' solutions to refugee crises.  The
UNCHR's preferred policy since the 1980s has been the voluntary return of
refugees to their home country, as opposed to resettlement in a third
country or integration in the host country.  Especially at risk, according
to HRW are refugee women and children, who make up about 80% of the
world's refugees.  TN970504 OA/10GA/011

The Committee to Protect Journalists released a list of 10 people it has
singled out as "1997 enemies of the press", including the heads of state
of Albania, Burma (Senior Gen Than Shwe), China, Cuba and Nigeria.  These
individuals are "characterised by their relentless hostility to the
concept of a fee and independent press in their own countries and around
the world.   Reuter (NY)/moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OL/11G/001

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Burma, Alvaro de
Soto, heads for Burma today on a two-day mission.  He is expected to
discuss the latest UN resolution on Burma with high-ranking government
officials.  BP970507 OA/9C/046