The BurmaNet News, June 6, 1997

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------       
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"       
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The BurmaNet News: June 6, 1997       
Issue #743

HEADLINES:       
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THE NATION: ARMY SHUTS DOWN FIVE PORTS ON MOEI RIVER
THE NATION: OBSERVER FROM BURMA TO ATTEND BISTEC
REUTER: ASEAN EXPANDS DUE TO WORRIES OVER CHINA 
UPI: GROUP WARNS OF INCREASED PROSTITUTION
THE NATION: GOVERNMENT LOSING OUT IN BATTLE
BKK POST: RALLY DRAWS FEW LOCALS
THE NATION: AN ILLEGAL POPULATION TAKES ROOT
SLORC PRESS RELEASE: WHENCE THE THREAT TO THE U.S.?
NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE: THANK YOU 
JAPAN JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE: JUNE ACTIVITIES
ANNOUNCEMENT: DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA
REQUEST: ASSISTANCE ON BURMA DOCUMENTARY
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THE NATION: ARMY SHUTS DOWN FIVE PORTS ON MOEI RIVER
June 5, 1997 [abridged]

TAK - The Army has closed commercial ports on the Moei River north of a
disputed islet between Mae Sot and Myawaddy in what authorities say is an
attempt to fight illegal immigration and goods smuggling.

The five ports are located north of the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge and
extend along the river from Ban Khok Chang Puek, where the islet is located,
to Ban Tha Ard in Mae Sot District's Tambon Sai Laud.

A boundary dispute last month when Burmese authorities brought heavy
machinery to Khok Chang Puek islet to dredge the river and restore its
original course, which they claim has been diverted by flooding.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro said the closure, effective
June 2, was initiated because the provincial administration was concern with
smuggling and illegal immigration.

Provincial authorities and the military yesterday downplayed the move,
saying it was a temporary measure.

Col Chatchapatch Yaem-ngamrian, commander of the Fourth Infantry Division's
special task force which carried out the order, said the ports will be
closed until order is restored.

He said the closure would not affect the border trade between the countries
as local traders still have use of five other ports.

Local villagers have been asked to dismantle their makeshift stalls and
lodgings, which, Chatchapatch said, are used to shelter illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, Col Phadung Yingpaibulsuk, chief of staff of the special task
force, said the closure of the port is in keeping with border policy that
has been in place since January.

Phadung said transit at the ports are theoretically restricted to goods, but
in practice, people are also able to cross. He said Tha Ouad  and Tha
Thakhian are particularly easy points of entry for illegal immigrants.

Pichai Harnthalom, Mae Sot's chief customs official, said the closure will
affect both boat and port operators. Pichai said that since the re-opening
of the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border checkpoint in March, the export volume has
been estimated at Bt200 million a month. He said the June volume had been
expected to increase by another Bt100 million.

Vice president of the Tak Chamber of Commerce Suchart Triratwattana,
however, said he does not believe the overall increase in export volume
would benefit traders in Mae Sot, because only 20 per cent of exports
ordered by Burmese traders in Myawaddy come from locals.

The vast majority of the exports, he said, come directly from factories and
dealers in Bangkok and its environs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday ordered the
setting up of a subcommittee - comprising officials from the Foreign
Ministry, the Royal Survey Department, the Hydrology Department and the
Army's Third region - to handle the border dispute.

Chettha said the Army will cooperate with the Foreign Ministry in every way
to facilitate negotiations with Burma. (TN)

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

THE NATION: OBSERVER FROM BURMA TO ATTEND BISTEC MEETING
June 5, 1997

Burma has decided to send an observer to participate in a new economic
grouping to be launched in Bangkok tomorrow, a senior Foreign Ministry
official said yesterday.

Kobsak Chutikul, director general of the Economic Affairs Department, said
Burmese Ambassador to Thailand U Hla Maung would attend the launching of the
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation (Bistec) as
an observer.

He said the ambassador would participate in today's senior officials'
meeting to wrap up the terms of reference and draft framework before the
deputy foreign ministers of the member countries sign the declaration
tomorrow. Burma had declined to join the grouping when approached two years
ago, but changed its mind following Asean's foreign ministers' decision last
week to admit it, along with Laos and Cambodia, to the grouping in July.

Kobsak said senior officials decided yesterday to retain the name Bistec
until further developments, such as new members.

India has taken a keen interest in the new grouping, hoping it would become
a vital link between Asean and the South Asian Association for regional
Cooperation. It has appointed Saleem Iqbal Sherwani, who is currently
minister of state for health, to attend the inauguration tomorrow as its
deputy minister. (TN)

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

REUTER: ASEAN EXPANDS DUE TO WORRIES OVER CHINA - EXPERTS
June 4, 1997
 By Rene Pastor

 SINGAPORE, June 4 (Reuter) - Southeast Asia has embraced international
pariah Burma despite strenous Western objections partly due to rising
apprehension over the growth of China's economic and military might,
security experts said on Wednesday.

 They said trepidation among leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) that China's robust growth will boost its military prowess
was a vital factor in the decision to accept Burma, Laos and Cambodia into
the group.

 The seven members of ASEAN agreed last weekend the three countries would be
admitted at a July summit in Kuala Lumpur.

 ``You cannot discount the possibility that it (China) will exercise the
rights of a Middle Kingdom,'' Carolina Hernandez, president of the Institute
for Strategic and Development Studies in the Philippines, told Reuters.

 She said during a one-day conference of defence experts there were
lingering doubts ``about the possible hegemonic ambitions of China'' in the
region especially since it has expressed its ``clear intention of
modernising its army.''

 ``With 10 countries, we have enough resilience and enough capacity to also
determine our own future and face the pressures from anywhere, including
China,'' said Jusuf Wanadi, chairman of the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies in Indonesia.

 ``I think that's a major consideration,'' said Carlyle Thayer, the head of
the Department of Politics in University College at the University of New
South Wales in Australia.

 ``In the case of Burma, it could be a loose cannon on the deck that is
being supplied by China. ASEAN would very much prefer to lash Burma down by
at least getting it into ASEAN than leaving it on the outside,'' Thayer said.

 ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, decided on a date for expansion soon after
the United States imposed sanctions on Burma, where ruling generals had just
clamped down on the pro-democracy opposition.

 China and Burma have grown closer over the last few years, causing concern
in ASEAN. They signed an economic and trade agreement soon after the U.S.
sanctions were imposed.

 Beijing's claims to all islands and reefs in the South China Sea has landed
it in several disputes with ASEAN members.

 Hernandez said distrust of China in the region was rising. While saying it
would not ``undertake unilateral action that can cause tension and
destabilise the region, (Beijing is) undertaking a creeping occupation of
these islands,'' she said.

 Manila and Beijing were locked in an angry dispute recently over
Scarborough Shoal, a group of rocks barely visible at high tide and the
construction by China of facilities at Mischief Reef in a part of the
Spratlys claimed by the Philippines.

 Wanandi said China ``still has to learn how to behave'' in the region.

 ``But I don't think, in the longer term, China will be a bully at all. With
her opening up and her integration into the society regionally and globally,
she will become an important and a responsible partner,'' he said.

 The experts said ASEAN felt Rangoon must be weaned away from China and the
feeling overpowered qualms over Burma's internal politics.

 ``It's important in the view of ASEAN countries to have Burma included so
that the resources and capabilities of Burma do not get under the control of
only one power and you know China is a rising power,'' Hernandez said.

 ``The purpose of ASEAN is not to bring in nice guys into a club. The
 purpose of ASEAN is to live at peace among ourselves,'' said Noordin
Sopiee, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in
Malaysia.

 Said Hernandez: ``We don't want to be told by Western powers on what to do.
We feel we have earned a right to play an independent role in the region.''

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

UPI: GROUP WARNS OF INCREASED PROSTITUTION
June 5, 1997

MANILA_ A human rights group has accused the Association of Southeast Asian
Nation of being ``too hasty'' in admitting Burma into the bloc, warning the
decision could aggravate prostitution on the Thai- Burma border.

The Asian Women's Human Rights Council said Thursday the seven-member ASEAN
should have seriously considered the ``very grave human rights conditions of
the people.''

Nelia Sancho, the group's representative in Manila, said, ``We are afraid
Burma will continue its policy of forcing thousands of Burmese women to
choose prostitution since life under the military junta is extremely
difficult.''

Sancho cited a fact-finding commission report finding about 40,000 Burmese
girls and women are working in Thai brothels.

Ranging in age from 10 to 16, the report said they were virtually ``slave
prostitutes,'' sold for $560 each and forced to endure brutal conditions.

Sancho added the prostitutes were initially ethnic and hill tribe people of
Burma.

``In the name of total military victory and uniting Burma,'' Sancho said,
``the State Law and Order Restoration Council has made unremitting attacks
on communities of ethnic Burmese communities, burning entire villages,
destroying crops and conscripting ethnic Burmese.''

Despite international protests over human rights violations, ASEAN foreign
ministers met late last month and decided to admit Burma to the seven-member
regional group at the annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July. Cambodia was
also included.

Sancho said Asean, which groups the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore,
Malalysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam, ``has been too hasty in the
admission of Burma.''

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

THE NATION: GOVERNMENT LOSING OUT IN BATTLE AGAINST 
AMPHETAMINES
June 3, 1997
Piyanart Srivalo

THE Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) announced yesterday 
that the government is losing the fight against amphetamine abuse, saying 
12 to 18 million tablets of the drug have been smuggled into Thailand in 
the past six months.

An ONCB report submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Sukhavich 
Rangsitphol said that regular crackdowns on amphetamine production 
have forced manufacturers to relocate their operations to Burma, Laos and 
Cambodia. The majority of the amphetamines smuggled into Thailand 
come from Burma, the report said. 

Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district was found to have the highest rate of 
amphetamine smuggling, with about one million tablets a month coming 
across the border.

The report said the production of amphetamines in Burma increased
following drug warlord Khun Sa's surrender to the Burmese government. It 
said his surrender caused small ethnic groups, which were once under 
Khun Sa's control, to turn to the production of amphetamines for sale to 
Thailand because the trade has become more lucrative than heroin 
production.

The ethnic groups which produce amphetamines, including Wa, are 
located along the Chinese-Burmese border and the Burmese border 
opposite Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak and Kanchanaburi.

Although the ONCB believes that two million to three million 
amphetamine pills have entered Thailand each month over the last six 
months, authorities have only managed to seize a million, the report said.

It adds that manufacturers in Burma have begun to use Laos as a transit 
route to smuggle the drug into Thailand following increased checks along 
the Thai-Burmese border.

The ONCB also believes that amphetamine tablets are being produced 
along the Lao border opposite Nakhon Phanom and Loei provinces. The 
report also said some amphetamines are produced in Koh Kong in 
Cambodia.

More than half of the amphetamines consumed in Thailand make their way 
through Burma and Laos, according to the ONCB report.

It said that amphetamine producers have set up warehouses for distributing 
drugs in several spots across the Thai border such as Burma's Thachilek 
province opposite Mae Sai, Laos' Ban Huaysai village opposite Chiang 
Rai's Chiang Khong district and an area opposite Loei's Tha Li district.

The report said that because of the lucrative nature of the business and 
because more people have turned to amphetamines, more traffickers have 
joined the trade.

It said that frequent crackdowns deterred the smuggling of the drug for a 
short period, however, increased production by minority groups in Burma 
has meant that the drug is still widely available in Thailand.

The ONCB proposed that the government seek cooperation from 
neighbouring countries to crack down on manufacturers and smugglers of 
the drug. It also suggested that the government launch a public awareness 
campaign to warn people about the dangers of amphetamine abuse.

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

BKK POST: RALLY DRAWS FEW LOCALS
June 5, 1997
Thaksina Khaikaew Suebpong Unarat , Kanchanaburi

A rally in Kanchanaburi by groups opposing the Yadana gas pipeline failed to
draw the interest of local people.

Billed as a rally to force the Petroleum Authority of Thailand to re-route
its pipeline, it attracted only 50 people to the City Pillar to hear
speeches and view exhibition boards.

Although most local people are against the 16.5-billion-baht project, many
are passive in their opposition.

Also conspicuous by their absence were state officials who oppose the
project but want to keep their jobs, but protesters said they would not give up.

Meanwhile, a source at the Industry Ministry said a study indicated
re-routing the natural gas pipeline would create more problems than
retaining the original route.

Tasco Mannesmann, building the pipeline, has asked Her Majesty the Queen to
have the project re-routed to minimise the environmental impact and tone
down the protests.

The petition reportedly prompted the Bureau of the Royal Household to advise
the prime minister to consider the project more carefully.

The source said the alternative route along Highway 3272 in Thong Pa Phum
district passes rugged terrain, making pipe-laying difficult and dangerous.

Moreover, Burma was unlikely to approve the change of route which might pose
a threat to the minorities living near a new route.

The source said the move also stands to hurt relations between the Thai and
Burmese military who surveyed and agreed on the original route.

PTT sources have raised suspicions about the motive of the re-routing
suggestion. They said construction was behind schedule and by changing the
route, the construction period would be extended and the contractor would
avoid paying fines to the PTT.

The company would also earn more from the extended route, they said.

The source said the Industry Ministry now feels uncertain about the project
implementation after Tasco lodged its petition.

Chucheep Harnsawat, the agriculture minister, has said the Forestry
Department has not approved plans to build the pipeline through a forest
reserve and a national park. (BP)

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

THE NATION: AN ILLEGAL POPULATION TAKES ROOT
June 2, 1997
Puangthong Rungswasdisab

In pre-colonial times human workers were a precious source of wealth and 
power for the ruling classes throughout Southeast Asia. The cost of defeat 
in war was invariably enslavement for the losing side which was herded 
back to the victor's territory to become the work force for building 
economic and military might.

In some ways it seems little has change since and Thailand continues to 
look for cheap labour from its neighbouring countries to maintain its 
competitive edge in the world market.

But one year after the Banharn government legalised the employment of 
foreign workers from neighbouring countries in Thailand, a mountain of 
problems have resulted from this hasty and poorly thought-out decision.

With little prospect of the Thai security agencies being able to reduce the 
population of illegal immigrants it is becoming apparent that illegal 
workers are staying longer and looking to reside permanently in Thailand. 
Lacking any effective protection, these immigrants have been exploited and 
abused extensively by both Thai businessmen and state agencies. 
     
Last week, the problems related to foreign workers in Thailand was the 
subject of an extensive discussion by a group of researchers and 
participants at a seminar entitled, "Policy Options for Importation Foreign 
Labour in Thailand: A Study of Interest Parties, Legal Issues, and the State 
Management System." The seminar was organised by Thailand Research 
Fund and Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social 
Research.

It is estimated that Thailand is currently home to one million illegal 
immigrants, 75 per cent of which come from Burma, and the rest from 
Laos, Cambodia. Vietnam and China.

A joint study by Kusol Soonthornthada and Umaporn Pattharavanich from 
Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research showed 
that their movement is following the pattern of migration set by 
Northeastern Thais who left home to work and settle in Bangkok. 
     
The study indicates that 41.5 per cent of these workers had travelled to 
Thailand more than twice and 50.4 per cent had stayed in Thailand more 
than two years. They have become familiar with the country, learning how 
to survive, adjust to difficult situations, and have apparently decided to 
resettle in Thailand. Thirty per cent of the informants also stated their wish 
to live in Thailand permanently, while another 10 per cent said they were
uncertain about their future. This group usually brought along their 
families, or were joined by their families later. It's noteworthy that the 
Karens form the biggest group that do not want to return to their 
motherland and thus brought along their families. The Karen influx has 
been triggered by the serious suppression they face from the Burmese 
military junta and also conflict between different Karen factions.   The 
wish to live in Thailand permanently leads to another serious problem - the
number of stateless children is rising. Between 1993 and 1996, the Mae 
Sot Hospital in Tak Province near Thailand-Burma border delivered 2,202, 
2,026, 2,031 and 2,077 stateless babies respectively. Between 1992 and 
1996, 6,209 stateless children were born in 17 provinces in Thailand. 
Kusol and Umaporn also pointed out in their report that the exploitation of 
illegal immigrant child workers who accompanied their parents to 
Thailand had become increasingly visible during the past two to three 
years.

The researchers found that about 40 per cent of male child workers in 
Ranong province had never attended school, and they did not find a single 
child who possessed more than a primary school education. The child 
workers surveyed were aged between six to 16 years old, though more than 
half of them were under 10 years of age.

Almost 80 per cent of them said they worked to help feed their families 
while 10 per cent said that they were simply forced-to work. In 1994 
Laotian children (59.6) accounted for the biggest number of immigrant 
child workers, but they were taken over by Burmese children (51.8%) in 
1995.

Although they are children, they predominantly work in the three "D" 
areas as do their parents. These are the most dirty, dangerous and difficult 
jobs such as garbage collection (highest), fish sorting, charcoal packing, 
household work and other fishery work.

Further, many of the children have become beggars in the cities. Statistics 
show that 54 per cent of child beggars arrested between 1992 to 1995 were 
illegal immigrant children. 

These children are a social-economic problem that will grow, since they 
have no access to proper education or health care. They will become 
unskilled illegal immigrants like their parents. They are more vulnerable to 
exploitation than Thai child workers. For example, if arrested, they will be 
put in jail with adults. Besides, their poor language skills make the 
situation worse for them.

The increasing number of illegal immigrants reveals how unsuccessful 
government agencies have been in controlling the influx. While the 
number of illegal immigrants now is around one million, only about 35 per 
cent of them are registered.

Once the immigrants become adjusted to the country controlling them 
becomes very difficult. The tax-payers in Thailand also have to bear the 
cost of health services for these illegal immigrants. About a 100 million 
baht was spent on illegal workers last year, an amount that is likely to 
increase every year.

Thai industrial operators who gain the most benefit from the cheap foreign 
labours appear to be free from all these burdens.

Voravit Chareoanlert and Bandit Tanaehaisettawut said in their joint study 
"Industrialisation and Employment in Relation to Policy on Importation of 
Foreign Labour" that Thai employers are estimated to be able to save 
around Bt35 million a day or Bt12.94 billion a year in labour costs because 
of illegal workers.

Therefore, the government should force them to shoulder social welfare 
and health care costs.

A start would be forcing employers to purchase health care cards for their 
foreign labourers. But it's unlikely that the government will impose such 
regulations to bother the business sector particularly as businessmen are 
now complaining about the economic slowdown and decline of Thai 
exports. Keeping Thailand's competitive edge in the world market is the 
country's highest goal at present.

FOREIGN WORKERS WOES

? Cabinet decides on June 25, 1996 to allow immigrants from Laos, Burma 
and Cambodia, who arrived in Thailand before that date to register and 
have work permits.

? By March 7, 1997, 340,819 immigrant workers had reported to the 
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and 288,511 received work 
permits.

? More than 50,000 workers registered but did not apply for work permits. 
They possibly left their areas, nullifying their registrations.

? Among the legalised workers are 246,679 immigrants from Burma
(Burman, Karen, Shan, Mon. etc.), 11,086 Laotians, and 24,746
Cambodians.

? First problem is the foreign workers can't prove they arrived
before June 25. Other problems:

? Thai officers cannot identify the nationalities of the immigrant workers. 
Bangladeshis and Indians claim they are from Burma, and Vietnamese say 
they are from Cambodia.

? Most immigrants use Thai names for registration making it impossible to 
identify their origins.

? In some provinces, such as Lop Buri and Samut Songkram, the number of 
immigrants seeking work permits is higher than the number registered at 
the provincial Labour Control Centre.

? Although the immigrants are not allowed to work outside the area stated 
in the work permit, none of the existing measures can control their 
movement. Besides it opens the door for police corruption. 
     
? Sometimes police even arrest those carrying work permits, and seize 
documents in exchange for money.

? Although the government legalised the workers, they are extended no 
basic rights protection.

Source: Kritaya Archavanitkul et al., Complication and Confusion
of the Transnational People in Thailand, 1997. 

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

SLORC PRESS RELEASE: WHENCE THE THREAT TO THE 
NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES ?
May 26, 1997

Press Release by the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, Washington D.C

The fact that President Clinton signed an executive order on May 20, 1997
prohibiting new investment in Myanmar should surprise no one. It merely
formalizes his earlier announcement to do so. What should surprise his 
fellow countrymen and men of conscience everywhere is his sweeping 
statement that, "the actions and policies of the Government of Burma 
constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and 
foreign policy of the United States..."
                It is one thing for the Clinton Administration to feel that
the situation in Myanmar is ripe for indignation and that therefore 
sanctions should be employed as a tool to influence the course of events in 
Myanmar. But it is quite another for the President to go so far as to state 
that, the Government in Myanmar, thousands of miles from the American 
continent, poses a threat to the national security of the US.This statement 
only serves to strengthen the perception that US foreign policy is 
floundering and is not free from double standards. Small wonder then that 
US policy in Asia remains short-sighted and its current stand on Myanmar 
continues to be characterize by appalling misconceptions.
                Consider the following: Myanmar is a small country with
great diversity in its population.It is home to 135 ethnic groups. Only with 
the advent of the present government, have ethnic rivalries been overcome 
and the fabric of the nation strengthened. Yet no fundamental credit has 
been given to the current leadership for its success in literally bringing 
home thousands of prodigal sons without firing a shot. Following 
negotiations, 15 out of 16 armed groups that challenged successive 
governments have returned to the fold, leaving only the KNU in armed 
position. The olive branch is still being extended and as a result units upon 
units of the KNU continue to exchange arms for peace. Guns are falling 
silent and it is anticipated that even the diehard remnants of the KNU will 
opt to join their brethren before long. The peaceful resolution of long 
fastening ethnic rivalries in Myanmar stands out in stark contrast to the 
armed conflicts and subsequent disintegration of nations in other parts of 
the world. The peaceful resolution of internal conflict, through negotiations 
in Myanmar may be regarded as a model for others to emulate.
                Myanmar has enmity towards none. Indeed it has been
Myanmar's consistent policy to cultivate good and friendly relations with 
all countries, in particular with her neighbours. When problems do arise, 
as is normal between countries sharing common borders, different have 
been bridged based on friendship and mutual understanding.
                Because of the strong ties of friendship and systematic
management of bilateral matters at the local as well as at the state level, 
that has never been resort to force to settle bilateral issues. An outstanding 
example of the peaceful settlement of the problems between neighbouring 
countries is the resolution of the issue of transboundry movement of 
inhabitants between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Myanmar government 
agreed to accept the voluntary and safe return of over 200,000 border 
inhabitants who could prove that they had previously reside in Myanmar. 
Timely and effective action by the governments of Myanmar and 
Bangladesh resulted in the satisfactory resolution of a problem that had the 
potential to get out of control.
                With regards to narcotic drugs, it is regrettable that
little credit 
is given to Myanmar for carrying out its responsibility to overcome the 
scourge of narcotic drugs. Since independence, Myanmar is waging a 
relentless war against drug traffickers. In recent years, major offensive 
have been launched by the armed forces and as a result numerous drug 
refineries in the remote areas have captured and significant amounts of 
opium, heroin, precursor chemicals and drug paraphernalia have seized 
and destroyed. Representatives of UN organizations and Embassies in 
Myanmar, including that of the US have witnessed public destruction of 
seized drugs on 11 occasions. In 1996 alone, the law enforcement 
authorities in Myanmar seized 1300 kg of opium, 504.6 kg of heroin, 13.81 
kg of  morphine and 11789.86 kg of marijuana among others.
                As a result of the relentless action by the Myanmar authorities 
against drug traffickers, the Mong Thai Army of some 20,000 men led by 
Kun Sa, surrendered unconditionally on 5 January 1996. This development 
is already having a positive impact on the illicit production, sale, 
trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs. Poppy cultivation and drug 
trafficking in the Loilang and Homong areas along the Myanmar-Thai 
border, which were once prominent drug producing centers are now totally 
free of poppy cultivation.
                That the Myanmar government is cooperating closely with the
UNDCP and her neighbours in the international campaign against the 
production and trafficking of illicit drugs appears to be conveniently 
ignored by the United States. It should be noted that Myanmar took part in 
the adoption in Beijing in May 1995 of the Plan of action by the signatories 
to the UNDCP Memorandum of Understanding between Cambodia, China, 
Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar has also signed 
agreements with India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Russia to exchange drug 
-related information and to increase cooperation in the fight against 
narcotic drugs. Perhaps more importantly, the Myanmar authorities joined 
hands with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 
1993, 1995 and 1997 in bilateral projects to collect basic data on opium 
cultivations in the remote regions of Myanmar.
                The bilateral and multilateral agreements that Myanmar has
signed with her neighbours has resulted in close regional cooperation in 
overcoming the problem of narcotic drugs. A good example is the handing 
over by the Myanmar authorities to Thai officials on May 17, 1997 
Pongsak Rojanasaksakul (a.k.a Li Yung Ching) a well- known Thai 
trafficker who had been indicted in Thailand on charges of drug trafficking 
and who had subsequently being granted bail. He escaped to Myanmar but 
was detained and extradited by the Myanmar government.
                It is noteworthy that opium free zones have established in
Myanmar. The Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Yangon, Mr. Kent 
Wiedemann was among the representatives of UN agencies and Embassies 
in Myanmar, who took part in the ceremony in Mongla, eastern Shan 
States on April 23, 1997 to mark the total eradication of narcotic drugs in 
one such zone. The effort to establish those zones are complements by 
infrastructure development. The remote areas are now experiencing an 
unprecedented mini-boom of their own. Mongla which used to be a sleepy 
village is now a bustling town with hotels, restaurants, religious edifices 
and round the clock electric supply. It receives as many as 2000 to 3000 
tourists daily from across the border from China. It stands testimony to 
what can be achieved by lawful means even after rejecting the cultivation 
of poppy, an easy cash crop.
                Indeed Myanmar's cooperation with UNDCP and China is 
paying off. Since the three and half year plan for Mongla region's 
development was implemented by Myanmar, China and the UNDCP, 
roads, dispensaries and schools have been built and potable water made 
available to the entire local populace. On the economic front, Myanmar has 
been undergoing a process of economic reform aimed at transforming the 
centrally planned economy of the socialist era to a market oriented 
economy. The GDP growth rates are climbing and it is generally 
acknowledged that the faltering steps of the earlier years are now
becoming strong strides. Myanmar's neighbors recognize the significant
changes taking place and are investing increasingly in the country. They 
are fully alive to the fact that a peaceful and prosperous Myanmar can 
contribute to the stability of the region and are ready to receive her as a 
member of the ASEAN.
                In the light of the vast changes taking place in Myanmar as
it seeks to forsake the isolationist policies of the past and to join the ranks 
of the fastest growing economies of the world, does it make any sense for 
the US to try to ostracize Myanmar because of alleged human rights? It is 
not difficult to understand why Myanmar is being signed out for punitive 
action, nor why such action is being taken at this particular time. Myanmar 
is a softer target compared to larger and more economically significant 
countries. The Myanmar question presents a high visibility, low risk 
opportunity for the Clinton Administration to be seen as taking forceful 
action with regard to human rights.
                Regrettably, Myanmar-US relations are at a low-ebb today. It
needs not remain so. The situation can be remedied. The US needs first to 
stop demonizing Myanmar. The sooner it can do it the greater the 
possibility that it can help promote constructive change in Myanmar and be 
in a position to cooperate with Myanmar to overcome the menace posed by 
narcotic drugs.

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

NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE: THANK YOU FROM CONNECTICUT
June 5, 1997

"This is a matter of justice. This is one way of letting a business know
that what they're doing has the most profuond disapproval of many people
and the rest of the world. I'm not the only one that feels this way. I've
listened to the testimony of what's been going on in Burma. It's just very
disgusting. It's rare we get to vote on a bill of conscience." (Connecticut
State Representative Gerry Gerratana, New Britain [CT] Herald, May 27)

Connecticut's Burma selective purchasing bill cleared a key second hurdle,
passing the General Assembly's Appropriations Committee, but died at the
end of this year's legislative session on June 4. Last-minute partisan
wrangling over the state's budget resulted in 240 worthy items, such as our
bill, falling by the wayside, an unfortunate by-product of a part-time
legislature operating in a heavily populated state. The bill's chief
sponsor, Representative Jessie Stratton, plans to re-introduce the bill
next year.

Selective purchasing will be a tough sell for a number of reasons:
Connecticut is home to United Technologies, and since pre-Revolutionary
times, has profited from armaments manufacturing, national defense and the
nuclear power industry. United Technologies is also a leading member of the
US-ASEAN Business Council, one of the corporate lobbies that supports
investment with the Burmese military junta.

There's hope, though...years ago, Connecticut did take a principled stand
on South Africa. Many Connecticut legislators and citizens were moved by
the Burmese speakers who testified in support of the bill. We will be back
next year, wiser and stronger!

Thanks to all of you who made last-minute phone calls to the legislature.
It was immensely encouraging to hear from people all around the world who
took the time to call the Connecticut House Speaker as the last hours of the
legislative session wound down. We will be back in touch soon.

"If there's one lesson we have learned in the tragedies of World War II, it
is that no one has the right to ignore the sytematic repression of a
people. There are things in life that are more important than business
profit and I think that human rights sould be foremost in our minds."
(State Representative David Pudlin, New Britain [CT] Herald, May 27)

Simon Billenness
Ann Stewart
New England Burma Roundtable
c/o Franklin Research & Development Corporation
711 Atlantic Avnue, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423 6655
(617) 482 6179 fax
sbillenness@xxxxxxxx

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JAPAN JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE: JUNE ACTIVITIES
June 5, 1997

I am wounded
but I am not dead as yet
Lay me down and let me bleed awhile
Tomorrow I will rise and fight again
        -- Maung Thaw Ka

Attention:  Supporters of Burmese democracy, inside Burma and around the
world, of every religion, nationality and ethnic group!

We, your "yebaw" in Japan, will take the following actions this month.  We
invite you to join us by taking the same or similar actions on or around the
same dates:

June 15:  Blood drive in honor of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 52nd birthday
June 19:  Release of fish and ecumenical prayer service for Burma Women's
Day and Daw Suu's birthday
June 24:  Demonstration at Malaysian Embassy (this is the day that Asean
heads of state will officially sign their approval of Burma's admission to
the group)

For more information contact Aung Thu <carol@xxxxxxx> or Kyi Win
<kyi@xxxxxxxxxxx> or any member organization of the Joint Action Committee:

National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)--Japan Branch
Tel/Fax: +81-3-5974-1981

Democratic Burmese Students' Organization Tel/Fax: +81-3-3954-3606

8888 Group Tel/Fax: +81-3-3807-0432

Burma Youth Volunteer Association Tel/Fax: +81-3-3916-4996

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ANNOUNCEMENT: DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA
June 4, 1997

Announcement
Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB)

We are pleased to inform you that you can now tune in to the Democratic
Voice of Burma?s daily programs on Realaudio format beginning from 
June 1, 1997 at the following URL:

<http://www.communique.no/dvb/>

The DVB's daily programs will be uploaded everyday at 12:00 UTC. 

We welcome your comments.

Harn Yawnghwe
Director
Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB)
yawnghwe@xxxxxxxxxx/dvb@xxxxx

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REQUEST: ASSISTANCE ON BURMA DOCUMENTARY
June 4, 1997

SUGGESTIONS & MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE DOCUMENTARY ON BURMA

I'm involved in producing a documentary on Burma, focusing on political and
economic developments and human rights violations by the SLORC. The
documentary will cover past and present political and economic developments
and international relations affecting the situation in Burma.

Suggestions and materials will be appreciated.

Advice and ideas can be sent to me by email at the following address
:moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or
By Post to Julien Moe ,P.O.Box 1118 New York NY 10163 and by phone to
212-580-3751 or 212-362-0095.If your materials are used, you'll be paid.If
not ,materials will not be returned.

Julien Moe

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