Recent BurmaDoc entries (r)

[durham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

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 13,000 sources in our archives.  Every week
a partial 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.  Other bibliographic information is
available, but has been dropped to compress the email.  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: 
26 June to 3 July 1997

Themes: labor issues;  ethnic activities;  trade;  foreign investment;
the oil & natural gas industry;  electricity;  the clothing industry;
Shwedagon pagoda;  general politics;  Thai-Burmese politics;  Asean
relations;  refugees;  illegal drugs;  human rights;  national convention;
and civil war.


-- Labor issues:

A total of 182 illegal Burmese immigrants were arrested at a Vitafood
factory owned by the president of the provincial industry council
yesterday.  Some of the illegal immigrants said they sneaked across the
Thai-Burmese border into Kanchanaburi and paid brokers Bt3,000 each to
take them to work at the factory.  TN 970626  OA/1D/022

Letter to General Than Shwe, chairman of the Slorc, by the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions against the arrest on June 13 in Yangon
of two executive members of the Federation of Trade Unions-Burma (FTUB).
Burmanet 970628  OL/1H/002


-- Ethnic activities

Joni Odashao, an outspoken Karen hilltribe leader explains how Thailand's
forests can be saved if people return to their cultural roots.  Karen
ancestors have taught to respect and care for nature.  He has led an
effort to plant 50 million trees in the North.  He follows a Karen
ecological crop rotation system and other traditional land care
techniques.  He was educated by the Catholic church and mixes Christianity
with traditional beliefs that call for nature's respect.  Most of his
learning has come from studying the world around him, doing and self
teaching.  He experimented with business to see what it was about.  Now
he's working to foster traditional Karen teachings among younger people
via weekly non-formal extracurricular classes.  He believes that if the
Karen's don't stop chemical farming their environment will be poisoned.
The push for modernization at the cost of traditional wisdom and rights
violations threaten are threatening indigenous people.  In 1994 he helped
form the Northern Farmer's Network and has used integrative farming
methods in his community for 14 years.  BP 970702  OA/3CA/003

May report by the Mon National Relief Committee concerning the lack of
time for transportation of supplies to the refugees.  Burmanet 970500
OR/3CC/003


-- Trade

Burma has decided to join the Bangladesh-IA-Sri Lanka-TH Economic
Cooperation (Bis-Tec).  Senior officials of the existing four member
countries will convene in Bangkok on July 10 to discuss the question of
new membership of the grouping, which was set up in Bangkok on June 6.  BP
970628  OA/4AD/011
An ambitious Avon Products Inc hopes to use Thailand as its springboard
into the emerging Indochinese market.  The US-based Avon is studying
business potential in Laos, Cambodia and Burma and has expressed hope that
it may begin selling in those countries in 3-5 years.  BP 970627
OA/4EC/055


-- Foreign Investment

Burma has obtained US$20 million in payments as of February from the
international consortium that includes Thailand's Petroleum Authority of
Thailand Exploration & Production Plc (PTTEP) for the Yadana gas interests
in the Gulf of Martaban.  The payments were made to Myanma Oil and Gas
Enterprise (Moge), the Burmese state oil company, under the Yadana
production-sharing contract.  Disclosure of the amount comes amid
continued allegations by anti-Rangoon groups that the Yadana consortium
was providing funds to the Burmese junta for cracking down on
pro-democracy movements led by Aung San Suu Kyi.  The consortium led by
Total, maintains that the payments represent only standard bonuses typical
to the petroleum industry.  BP 970627  OA/4EC/054

Burma, in a move to expand its sugar production capacity, signed a
contract to buy $41 million tones worth of equipment from China for the
construction of two sugar mills.  The construction of the sugar mills will
start soon and is expected to be completed in 18 months.  Recently,
Thailand's Sutech Engineering Co Ltd signed a joint venture contract with
MSE to build a $23 million sugar mill with 2,000 tonne-per-day capacity.
Reuter/Burmanet 970625  OA/4EC/056


-- The oil & natural gas industry

Unocal Corp and other US companies may find the White House ban on new
investment in Burma has implications extending far beyond that country,
potentially jeopardizing projects in other Southeast Asia economies as
well, according to some experts.  TN 970630  OA/4EC/058

More than 200 residents of Dan Makham Tia district plan to converge at the
PTT's headquarters in Bangkok today to return the compensation paid to
them in protest against the construction of the Yadana gas pipeline
project.  The Petroleum Authority of Thailand paid cash compensations to
the residents in areas the pipeline passes, but the residents are now more
concerned about their safety than money.  TN 970627  OA/13A/003

A Kanchanaburi villager affected by the construction of the Yadana gas
pipeline yesterday returned Bt20,000 in compensation she received from the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand, saying the agency deceived locals about
the potential risks posed by the controversial project.  About 80 people
gathered outside the Parliament building to submit a petition to the prime
minister yesterday,  TN 970628  OA/4EC/057

Student activists urged Interior Minister Sanoh Thienthong to remove
Kanchanaburi Governor Kwanchai Wasawong for allegedly mistreating
villagers who were opposed to the BU-Thai gas pipeline.  The Student
Federation of Thailand is a coalition of green clubs from 16 universities
held a press conference at Thammasat University.  They also criticized
tambon and village chiefs for intimidating villagers. Villagers changed
their minds about the pipeline and returned compensation money to the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand, but received rude treatment from
officials.  My Kwanchai is supposed to be a neutral mediator and students
want him removed if he continues to promote the project.  He has yet to
make the PTT's contract public.  BP 970703  OA/4GH/027


-- Electricity

Egat announced that Thailand will sign a memorandum on Friday to buy 1,500
mW of electricity from Burma by 2010.  Chavalit will preside over the
signing which will be attended by Burmese Energy Minister U Khin Maung
Thein.  The agreement will contain a bilateral agreement to plan the
construction of a transmission system for both countries along with the
Burmese government's permission for Thai businessmen to participate in
power generating projects.  BP 970703  OA/4GC/001


-- The clothing industry

Urgent action alert in Burma re Ralph Lauren and Warnaco increase apparel
imports from Burma.  Burmanet 970625  OL/4GJ/002


-- Shwedagon pagoda

Shwedagon pagoda is a surprisingly clean chedi visible from everywhere in
Rangoon.  Burmese people have always gone to pay their respects at the
chedi so it's common to see hundreds of people there.  Apparently if you
make a wish at the chedi, it will come true.  If you can't make it to
Shwedagon, you can pay an officer there to make merit for you.  BP 970702
OA/8B/008


-- General politics

To counter the NLD, the Slorc has held several rounds of talks with the
Alliance for Democratic Solidarity, a civilian opposition group led by U
Aung, the son of former Prime Minister U Nu.  Envoys from the ADSB have
traveled from Chaing Mai to Tachilek for meetings with military officials
which have been arranged by Khin Nyunt.  However, U Aung's popularity
within Burma is questionable.  FEER 970703  OP/9A/005

The NLD's vice chairman, Kyi Maung, said the Burmese government's charges
that the US is sponsoring terrorism against it is groundless.  Khin
Nyunt's accusations underscore worsening relations between Washington and
Rangoon over repression by the Slorc.  The State Department rejected the
charges, saying they are an attempt at turning attention away from the
military regime's human rights record.  TN 970630  OA/9A/028

The Burmese government charges that Washington is sponsoring terrorist
attacks against it are groundless, the NLD's vice chairman said yesterday.
BP 970630  OA/9A/027

Letter discussing the latest attempt by the Slorc to discredit the
democracy movement of Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi as proof of its growing
desperation.  Altsean/burmanet 970629  OL/9A/011

Information sheet from the Burmese government concerning the commemoration
ceremony held on June 26, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse
and Illicit Trafficking.  It lists items which were publicly burnt and
destroyed in Eastern Shan State.  Burmanet 970626  OST/9A/004

T.A, an "ordinary" Karen, response to the view from the embassy of Myanmar
in Ottawa dated 18 June.  The education system of the BSPP is discussed;
cease-fire agreements; Asean; the difficulty of forgiving and forgetting
the present reality; the rape, mutilation and death of Karen women.
Burmanet 970629  OST/9A/005

Response by Tint Swe, Member of Parliament, to the Slorc's press
conference on Friday 27 June, where the NCGUB, NLD, FTUB and America were
charged with performing or sponsoring terrorist acts.  Burmanet 970628
OST/9B/011

Statement by the NCGUB concerning the Slorc's accusation that the NCGUB
was behind the bomb explosion at Tin Oo's home in April and was a
mastermind in the plot to blow up Chinese and Indonesian embassies in
Rangoon.  The NCGUB denies the accusations stating that the NCGUB believes
only in non-violent, peaceful means to resolve problems.  Burmanet 970627
OST/9B/010

Statement by the NLD clarifying its position on rejoining the National
Convention discussions.  The NLD will wait until a dialogue takes place
successfully.  Burmanet 970626  OST/9B/009

Statement issued by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR)
concerning Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky's regret at the EC decision to
challenge the Massachusetts law penalizing procurement bids from companies
doing business with Burma.  Burmanet 970620  OST/9C/003

Burma's military government accused exiled dissidents and some Americans
of masterminding a fatal parcel bomb attack in April and of planning other
terrorist acts in Rangoon.  Khin Nyunt said exiled terrorists, based in
Bangkok, Tokyo and in the US, collaborated with Americans believed to be
members of secret US organizations.  Reuter 970627  OA/9CB/072

Khin Nyunt told Burmese reporters that US government funds sent to support
the Burmese pro-democracy movement has been used to finance terrorist
activities by exiled opposition groups.  He accused relatives of Aung San
Suu Kyi as being instrumental in terrorist activities.  He identified two
US citizens of acting as couriers for money that was handed over to Aung
San Suu Kyi.  He charged that some of the US government's money - more
than $2 million this year appropriated for supporting democracy in Burma -
had funded anti-junta groups operating on the Thai border and inside
Burma.  BP 970628  OA/9CB/070

The US denounced as "outrageous" a Burmese charge that Washington was
plotting with opposition groups to carry out anti-government attacks.
Reuter/Burmanet 970627  OA/9CB/071
Lt Gen Khin Nyunt accused the US yesterday of sponsoring terrorist attacks
against top figures in the ruling junta.  He told reporters that US
government funds for supporting the Burmese pro-democracy movement had
been used to finance terrorist activities by exiled opposition groups.
The US charge d'affaires in Rangoon blasted the charge as an "absolute
lie."  Khin Nyunt accused prime minister of the exiled NCGUB Sein Win of
masterminding the attempted assassination of the chief of staff of the
armed forces, Lt-Gen Tin Oo in April.  TN 970628  OA/9CB/069

Burma's expected admittance into Asean next month has put in doubt the
future of the EU's cooperation with the grouping.  The EU has to consider
adjusting the legal basis for cooperating with Asean following the
latter's decision to expand membership to Burma, Cambodia and Laos.  Only
the current seven Asean member states are covered under the Asean-EU
agreement, adopted during the 1980s.  But Burma's failure to ensure human
rights and democracy, and pressure against this sustained by groups within
EU member states has raised suggestions that the EU should opt out of
future cooperative projects that involve Burma.  BP 970626  OA/9CB/067

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg issued their strongest warning
yet on Myanmar's membership of Asean.  The 15 EU governments warned Asean
not to press for Myanmar's participation in the EU-Asean cooperation
agreement and said Yangon will not be asked to attend an EU-Asia summit in
London next spring.  The strong line surprised Asean diplomats and
triggered concern that the issue could become a stumbling block in
Europe's expanding relations with the region.  The EU has cut off
high-level contacts with Myanmar and withdraw trade preferences.  EU
officials say the new line reflects continuing scepticism over Asean's
policy of constructive engagement, arguing this has not improved the human
rights situation.  Business Times 970628  OP/9CB/002

EU foreign ministers said on Thursday the human rights situation in Burma
was worsening and that Rangoon's membership of the Asean trading bloc did
not imply it could take part in EU-Asian talks.  Ministers had confirmed
the EU's commitment to the EU-Asean dialogue including on human rights and
democratic principles.  Reuter/Burmanet 970626  OA/9CB/068


-- Thai-Burmese relations

Burma has accused Thailand of allowing Karen rebels to use its territory
to launch a rocket attack on Myawaddy.  According to a border official,
the attack prompted Burmese authorities to step up measures to prevent
arms smuggling into Burma from Thailand.  Many businessmen in Tak were
concerned the situation following the attack on Myawaddy could further
delay the bridge opening and called on Thai and Burmese officials to be
rational in their efforts to solve existing border problems.  BP 970626
OA/9A/026

Thailand is urging Burma to sign an agreement to promote cultural links as
part of a bid to diversify ties with Burma.  The Thai foreign ministry
believes that cultural exchanges are the "most harmless" activity in
bilateral relations.  Thai-BUese relations have been plagued by border
conflicts.  U Aye Lwin said the Burmese foreign ministry had agreed in
principle with the Thai initiative, but the decision rests with the
Cultural Ministry.  BP 970702  OA/9CA/082

Foreign Minister spokesman Surapong Jayanama who visited Burma from June
21 to 26 said that during his trip he told U Aye Lwin, director general of
the Burmese Foreign Ministry's consular, treaties and legal affairs dept.
that since Burma was becoming an Asean member, its ties with Thailand
should be broadened to include cultural cooperation.  In the past TH-Burma
relations have been confined to: border trade, border conflicts, and
disputes regarding ethnic minorities and narcotics.  He suggested that
local people from both sides hold regular cultural exchange programs.  Aye
Lwin said that Burma would be able to finalize and sign an agreement on
cultural cooperation before the end of the year.  Burma had initially been
reluctant to enter into the cultural agreement and asked for more time to
study the draft.  The exchanges would involve cultural troupes, a
broadcast of felicitous speeches by both prime ministers, showing
promotional documentaries about the two countries and an academic seminar
on Thai-BUese relations.  TN 970702  OA/9CA/083

Senior Thai and Burmese officials today begin discussions in Rangoon that
will test how much prospective membership of Asean affects Burma's
willingness to cooperate with a neighbor and founding member of the club.
The 3-day meeting will center on a disputed border area caused by heavy
flooding in 1994 which changed the course of the Moei River, and Burma's
new plan to reclaim the land it lost by dredging an adjacent area.  BP
970630  OA/9J/052


-- Asean relations

Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi announced that Burma is welcome
in Asean but the military junta must make moves towards answering concerns
expressed by the international community.  He visited all three Asean
newcomers and informed them of Asean's concerns, with particular reference
to constructive engagement.  He also expressed that Asean is willing to
help Cambodia with elections.  TN 970702  OA/9CAA/154

Asean's enlargement to include all the states of geographic South-East
Asia is a logical outcome of a continuous process of regional
reconciliation.  Myanmar's political notoriety has been an impediment to
that end.  The problems of enlargement include being a charge on the
resources of the existing members as well as complicating their
relationships with Western governments.  At issue is the extent to which
enlargement is a solution to Asean's problem of upholding a distinct
identity and prerogative regional role.  A key challenge will be the
ability of the association to forge a common policy on the complex
problems of the South China Sea.  The problem with enlargement is that the
power of numbers can be a double-edged sword.  Diversity is not a
guaranteed formula for diplomatic strength.  At issue for Asean is the
extent to which enlargement may give rise to even greater problems than
those for which it is intended to provide a solution.  Business Times
970628  OP/9CAA/006

With Cambodia rocked, Burma is rolling along with audacious "evidence" of
its new-found regard for democracy and its sincere battle against the
drugs trade.  Calling Rangoon: Join Asean if you must, but please leave
your deceits at the door.  Article discusses the rumor of an NLD
resolution to rejoin the national convention; the EU Foreign Ministers
tough stance; the illegal drug trade; and the rhetoric coming from the
Slorc since the admission to Asean.  BP 970629  OA/9CAA/151

The seven foreign ministers of Asean will meet tomorrow to discuss and
finalize preparations for the admission of Burma, Cambodia and Laos to the
grouping in July.  The Asean foreign ministers will hold an official
ceremony to welcome the three countries on July 23, one day ahead of the
annual meeting.  The 10 Asean ministers will subsequently meet their 10
dialogue partners on July 28 and 29 at a gathering known as the Post
Ministerial Conference.  Both the US and the EU have said their relations
with Asean countries could sour as a result of the admission of Burma
while it is under the current military regime.  Apart from the bilateral
dialogue with existing members, foreign ministers of the three new members
will have talks with representatives of the UN Development Programme to
discuss fresh assistance for their smooth and quick integration into the
grouping, particularly their implementation of the Asean Free Trade Area
requirements.  TN 970630  OA/9CAA/152

A US think tank (Heritage Foundation) has supported Asean's decision to
admit Myanmar into the regional grouping so that the nation could be
nudged towards democracy.  The Foundation agreed with Asean's method of
"constructive engagement" rather than the US decision to isolate Myanmar
until it improved its human rights record.  The Star/Burmanet 970629
OA/9CAA/153

The Philippines President Fidel Ramos said that Burma's membership of
Asean will draw the military regime back into the international community.
He defended the decision to grant membership to Burma, saying that Burma
is "part of the Southeast Asian family is reason enough to bring her into
the fold."  TN 970628  OA/9CAA/150


-- Refugees

Eight Myanmar Muslims were feared drowned when crossing a swirling border
river in an attempt to reach Bangladesh.  Bangladesh reported a fresh
influx of Muslims earlier this week.  The Rohingyas said it was set off by
a growing food shortage, unemployment and forced labor in Arakan.  "At
least 5,000 Myanmar Muslims have entered Bangladesh in the last month"
said one police officer in Cox's Bazaar, which borders Arakan.
Reuter/Burmanet 970626  OA/10G/051
Bangladeshi border guards have sent back over 1,000 Burmese Muslims who
illegally crossed into Bangladesh in recent weeks.  Over 400 Rohingyas
were arrested on Thursday when security forces raided their forest
hideouts and put them on several boats across the Naf border river.  Eight
drowned on Tuesday as they crossed the naf river in an attempt to reach
Bangladesh, and over 500 were sent back earlier this month.  The
long-running repatriation process of 21,500 Rohingyas was disrupted on May
1 and officials blame the suspension on delay by Burmese immigration
authorities in giving clearance.  Reuter/Burmanet 970628  OA/10GA/014


-- Illegal drugs

The UN International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) estimated in their
report, that global trade in illicit drugs is worth about US$400 billion a
year, equivalent to about 8% of total international trade.  Burma and
Afghanistan are the two main countries of illicit opium production.  TN
970626  OA/10J/071

Thai, Burmese and Laotian narcotics officers yesterday separately burned
confiscated opiates, amphetamines and chemicals to mark the International
Day Against Drugs in one of the biggest drug producing areas on earth.  TN
970627  OA/10J/072

Two alleged members of the heroin-trafficking ring headed by warlord Khun
Sa were extradited yesterday to the US to stand trial on smuggling
charges.  Chang Yin Lung was arrested under a US-Thai anti-drug operation,
codenamed Tiger Trap, launched in 1994 against Khun Sa.  Tiger Trap lead
to indictments against 20 people, including Khun Sa who is said to be
living in Rangoon.  Authorities have resisted US requests to extradite
him.  TN 970628  OA/10J/073

US marshals are flying back to the US with two of Burma's most notorious
heroin smugglers handcuffed to their seats.  UPI/Burmanet 970627
OA/10J/074


-- Human rights

At a fact-finding hearing that is part of an international investigation,
human rights and labor groups said the military government of Burma
organized its forced labor system around 1991, mostly to rebuild
infrastructure, such as highways and railroads.  The AFL-CIO, a federation
of 78 US labor unions, helped prepare a complaint last year by worker
delegates to the governing body of the International labor Organization,
which led to the creation of a Commission of Inquiry.  The commission will
hold six days of hearings in Geneva in November to examine charges that
Burma violated an ILO convention against forced labor that it ratified in
1955.  BP 970629  OA/11D/002

Article detailing the Commission of Inquiry into Burma's violation of the
ILO, which it ratified in 1955; foreign investment; the pipeline project
and the recent accusation by the Slorc against the US of sponsoring
terrorist attacks against Burmese leaders and foreign embassies.  TN
970629  OA/11D/003

Shan and Thai army sources accused Burmese troops of massacring 58
civilians in Shan state last month.  The SSA said that on June 6 Burmese
troops arrested 26 people in Chainglom village for relocating without
permission.  They were tied and shot at close range.  Similar incidents
occurred on June 10 and 16 when 32 people were killed in two other
villages.  A Thai army source said he had heard about the killings but
couldn't confirm them.  The action was part of the four-cuts plan.  The
Burmese government said that last month MTA guerillas killed 25 civilians
in eastern Shan State.  TN 970702  OA/11E/004

Statement by the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma, concerning
the killing of a Burmese national by Thai authorities in Mahachai, Sumut
Sakhon Province, Thailand on June 17.  The victim was in a group of
Burmese men and women who were trying to escape the arrest and harassment
of the local authorities.  Thai Police officers routinely round up Burmese
nationals, regardless of whether they possess legal documentation for
their stay in Thailand, to extort money from them.  Burmanet 970626
OST/11E/001

Karen Human Rights report on the destruction of all hill villages in Papun
district.  Burmanet 970625  OR/3CA/002

Six of the nine activists arrested outside the venue of the Asean Foreign
Ministers meeting on May 31, were interrogated by police on Tuesday.  The
activists were kept for several hours and told to make signed statements.
Questions covered matters pertaining to their jobs, personal details to
who made the placards and who funded their activity.  All those questioned
recorded a refusal to answer most of the questions on the grounds that
such information could be used against them.  Burmanet 970627  OL/12A/007


-- National convention

Article discussing the various factors to be considered in drafting a
federal constitution.  The three main questions to be considered are: 1.
how should the ethnic minorities be represented in the national/state
governments; 2. how can the new political order guarantee to protect human
rights of the ethnic minorities, and; 3. how should the people protect
their country if it reverts to having an authoritarian government.
Burmanet 970628  OL/12A/006

Statement by the Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan) on the recent
commentaries in Burma's state-controlled press regarding Aung San Suu Kyi
and the national convention.  Burmanet 970625  OST/12A/001


-- Civil war

Battle news from the KNU Information Center focusing on land mine
injuries.   From 970501 to 970531 75 clashes broke out between Karen
National Liberation Army troops and the Slorc soldiers.  65 mines were
exploded: 87 tatmadaw soldiers were killed, 104 were injured and 44 lost
their legs.  Karen National Liberation Army suffered 4 fatalities.  KNU
Information Center/Burmanet 970629  OR/3CA/003

KNU Press release No. 30/97 regarding the 1997 Slorc military offensive
against KNU.  KNU Kawthoolei/Burmanet 970627  OST/3CA/005

The Karenni National Progressive Party has vowed to continue its fight
with the Burmese government until the latter withdraws its four battalions
from Kayah State.  BP 970628  OA/3CF/001