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The BurmaNet News, July 3, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: July 3, 1997        
Issue #764

Noted in Passing

It's really quite shocking that the military will put the country's future
in jeopardy because it's afraid of some criticism.

-- U Tin Oo, vice-chairman of the National League for Democracy.
(see South China Morning Post: Learning Ban 'Harms Nation's Future')

HEADLINES:        
==========   
BCN: EU STATEMENT ON MYANMAR MEMBERSHIP
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASIA: LETTER TO PM CHAVALIT
SCMP: LEARNING BAN 'HARMS NATION'S FUTURE'
KATHMANDU POST: JAPAN, INTERPOL HELP BURMA ON BLAST
THE NATION: GREEN SNAGS TO BUYING BURMA POWER
FTUB: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE
THE NATION: CULTURAL TIES SOUGHT WITH BURMA
ASIA TIMES: BUSINESS SAYS NO TO SANCTIONS
TT: BORDER POLICE KEEP TIGHT WATCH ON MANAO ISLET
NLM: RUNNING AWAY WITHOUT BEING BANISHED AND COMING 
ANNOUCEMENT: EC TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO WTO!
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

BCN: EU STATEMENT ON MYANMAR MEMBERSHIP
June 26, 1997

PROVISIONAL VERSION of European Union statement about Myanmar's membership
of ASEAN (26 -06-1997). 

BURMA/ MYANMAR - CONCLUSIONS

The Council discussed the implications for the EU of the accession in 
particular of Burma/Myanmar to ASEAN.

The Council underlined that the deteriorating human rights situation in 
Burma/Myanmar is a matter of serious concern to the EU. On several occasions
the EU has reiterated its concern at developments in Burma/Myanmar. Most
recently, on 30 May, the EU issued a declaration on the anniversary of the
1990 elections in which the SLORC-regime is urged to release the people
detained on that occasion and to engage in a serious dialogue with the
pro-democracy groups. Furthermore, the Council called on the SLORC to accept
a visit to Burma/Myanmar by the UN special rapporteur at an early date.

The Council stressed the importance they attach to the strengthening and 
deepening of EU-ASEAN relations in accordance with the conclusions of the 
EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore in February 1997.

The Council confirmed the EU's commitment to the EU-ASEAN dialogue including
on human rights and democratic principles. It expects membership of ASEAN to
contribute to the promotion of thes values in Burma. It agreed that the
opportunity of the EU-ASEAN dialogue should be used to discuss the situation
in Burma/Maynmar.

Bearing in mind that the current circumstances, reflected in the 
prolongation of the EU Common Position for another period of six months, 
preclude starting negotiations on the possible accession of Burma/Myanmar to
the EC-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement, the Council considers that the presence
of Burma/Myanmar at the forthcoming ARF/PMC Ministerial Meetings does not
prejudge in any way its participation as observer at the upcoming EU-ASEAN
Joint Cooperation Committee in November 1997 and other meetings in the
institutional EU-ASEAN framework.

The Council reaffirmed that membership of Burma/Myanmar of ASEAN does not
automatically imply membership of ASEM.

On the subject of possible additional measures against Burma/Myanmar, the 
Council agreed to look into this matter again in September in the light of 
the ARF/PMC Ministerial Meetings and the future developments in Burma/Myanmar.

-----------------------------
BCN is an independent foundation. It aims to inform the Dutch society on 
Burma. It initiates and co-ordinates activities that promote democratization 
and sustainable development. The center aims to contribute to a constructive 
dialogue between de various groups in Burma.

BCN
Paulus Potterstraat 20
1071 DA AMSTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS
(31)20-6716952 (tel)
(31)20-6713513 (fax)
bcn@xxxxxxxxx
http://FreeBurma.org

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

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASIA: LETTER TO PM CHAVALIT
June 30, 1997

The following is an open letter released by Human Rights Watch/Asia to the
Prime Minister of the Royal Thai Government concerning the repatriation of
Mon refugees on June 6, 1997.

June 30, 1997

Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Nakhorn Pathom Road
Bangkok 10300
Thailand

Dear Prime Minister Chavalit,

I write on behalf of Human Rights Watch/Asia to express our grave concern
about the repatriation on June 6, 1997 of some 300 to 400 Mon refugees . The
Royal Thai government sent them back to Burma from an area approximately
nineteen kilometers south of Thap Sakae directly to a local army commander
of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).

The group had sought refuge in Thailand as a result of a fear of persecution
by SLORC. You may be aware that the Mon Army Mergui District, a splinter
group from the New Mon State Party and established in December 1996, was
fighting with the Burmese Army in Tenasserim Division in the area from which
the refugees fled.  The Mon Army Mergui District surrendered to the Burmese
Army on May 25, 1997.  

While we at present do not have the details of the surrender agreement,
previous experience has shown that these Mon refugees may still have good
reason to fear persecution from the Burmese army. Such agreements are often
not of a lasting nature and in any event, as has been evident in the Karenni
and Shan states, human rights abuses still continue even when a ceasefire is
in place.  Human Rights Watch/Asia has, over the past eight years,
documented a disturbing range of serious human rights violations which SLORC
has perpetrated against its own nationals including forced labor, forced
relocations, torture and other serious forms of ill treatment. Such abuses
have been particularly severe in relation to Burma's ethnic minorities. 

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Burma recently confirmed this in
his report on the situation of human rights in Burma. He states that,  

     Detailed reports and photographs seen by the Special Rapporteur lead
him to conclude that extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the
practice of torture, portering and forced labor continue to occur in
Myanmar, particularly in the context of development programmes and of
counter-insurgency operations in minority-dominated regions.

Return of refugees to a territory where they face persecution constitutes
refoulement and a breach of customary international law. It is therefore
imperative that any refugees who return to the territory from which they
fled do so on a voluntary basis. The principle of voluntariness has been
described as the cornerstone of international protection with respect to the
return of
refugees.  In addition to the work of the Executive Committee of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the question of voluntary
repatriation and in particular its Conclusion 18 (XXXI) , UNHCR has also
published a handbook on voluntary repatriation to ensure that the standards
which should be applied during such a process are met.

Human Rights Watch/Asia is concerned that a number of those standards were
violated on June 6, 1997. It is unclear in this case what steps, if any,
were taken to effectively establish that the return of the Mon was
voluntary. We understand that an announcement was made before the refugees
were loaded onto trucks stating that anyone who did not want to return
should step aside. In our view, this is not the same as establishing that
the return was
voluntary. Indeed we have information that at least thirty families
expressed to one of the nongovernmental organizations present that they did
not want to return to Burma and it is not apparent what steps were taken to
follow up the concerns of these families.  It also unclear what alternatives
to repatriation were offered to the refugees. It therefore appears that this
repatriation is not one that can be said to have been conducted in "safety
and dignity" as stipulated by UNHCR in their voluntary repatriation
handbook. Also of deep concern is the absence of any monitoring mechanism
inside Burma to follow up on the condition of the returned refugees.  

We are aware that there was a representative of UNHCR present during the
repatriation but  UNHCR has stated that it had no formal role in the
repatriation and has acknowledged that a number of the standards which
should apply in any voluntary repatriation were not met.

We ask that you clarify the circumstances surrounding this repatriation and
in particular the procedure established by the Royal Thai government to
ensure that the refugees returned voluntarily. We look forward to hearing
from you.

Yours sincerely,

Sidney Jones
Executive Director
Human Rights Watch/Asia

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

SCMP: LEARNING BAN 'HARMS NATION'S FUTURE'
July 2, 1997
by William Barnes in Bangkok

The junta's refusal to reopen universities and schools for fear of political
unrest is doing incalculable damage to the country, says a leader of the
opposition National League for Democracy.

The universities have been on "vacation" since December after hundreds of
students took to the streets in anti-authority protests.

"It's really quite shocking that the military will put the country's future
in jeopardy because it's afraid of some criticism," said U Tin Oo,
vice-chairman of the National League for Democracy.

Last year's student protests were the first mass demonstrations since a
popular uprising in 1988 that forced shadowy dictator General Ne Win to
withdraw into the background.

The universities were subsequently closed for three years - encouraging many
students to flee.

Although the State Law and Order Restoration Council is trying to encourage
economic growth, it has virtually zero tolerance for dissent.

"How on earth is poor Burma ever going to prosper in a very competitive
world if even the schools are closed," said Mr U Tin Oo.

A junta spokesman merely repeated the official line that colleges would be
reopened when appropriate.

Zaw Min, a member of a student exile group in Bangkok, said the educational
establishments were likely to remain closed for another two months at least.
"There are some very sensitive anniversaries coming up."

On July 7, 1962, the military first seized power in modern Burma, and on
July 8, blew up Rangoon's students' union building.

Next month also sees the anniversary of the start of the 1988 riots.

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

KATHMANDU POST: JAPAN, INTERPOL HELP BURMA ON BLAST PROBE
July 2, 1997
AFP

Rangoon-- Japanese police and Interpol are cooperating with Burma in
investigating an April parcel bomb attack at thet home of a top Rangoon
general, a senior military intelligence official said. 
Colonel Kyaw Thein told a news briefing Monday that a delegation from Japan
was "recently" in Burma to help probe the blast which killed the elder
daughter of army chief of staff, Lieutent General Tin Oo.  Kyaw Thein said
the delegation "exchanged information" with Burmese military intelligence,
but he did not provide any further details.  Burma's ruling junta has blamed
exiled Burmese opposition groups for carrying out the parcel-bomb attack,
saying the package had been posted from Japan.
On Friday the chief of military intelligence, Lieutenant-General Khin
Nyunt, accused the prime minister of exiled National Coaliation
Government of the Union of Burma(NCGUB), Sein Win, of masterminding the attack .
On Tuesday, Kyaw Thein repeated Khin Nyunt's accusation that the United
States was actively funding anti-junta "terriost" groups.
Opposition groups, including the NCGUB, receives funding of more than two
million dollars allocated annually by Washington to promote democracy and
human rights in Burma. 

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

THE NATION: GREEN SNAGS TO BUYING BURMA POWER
July 2, 1997
Watcharapong Thongrung

ENVIRONMENTAL concerns in Burma - which is scheduled to sign a memorandum of
understanding with Thailand on power supply on Friday - may lead the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to consider buying electricity
from China as an alternative, according to Governor Preecha Chungwatana.

Preecha said Egat does not have high expectations for buying electricity
from Burma because power and power transmission projects in that country are
likely. to face environmental problems.  According to the MoU, Thailand has
tentatively agreed to buy 1,500 megawatts of electricity from Burma.

Citing the pipeline project to import gas from, Burma as an example of
problems faced by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, he said it is
difficult for power pro-jests in ]Burma to materialise as transmission lines
for this electricity have to be built through Burma's rich forests before
they can reach the Thai border.

"If we buy electricity from Burma, the problems that will be faced by Egat
will be as severe as those currently faced by PTT which is running into
strong opposition from environmentalists.  If transmission lines for Burmese
electricity are to be built, they have to be located in the northern region
where forests are even richer," he said.

Unless environmental problems are resolved, Egat will not push to buy
electricity form Burma and will consider other alternatives such as buying
from China which has already sent a list of potential projects to Egat for
consideration.

The MoU to be signed with Burma resulted from a recent trip by PM's Office
Minister Sompong Amornwiwat to Rangoon.

Preecha said the MoU will be modelled on the document signed with Laos.
After signing the MoU, Burma win send a list of projects which will be
developed to Egat.  Egat will then negotiate with project developers.  Both
sides will sign a head of agreement and power purchase agreement,
respectively, if terms and conditions are accepted.

Under the MoU, Thailand will buy electricity from 2007 and 2008.  There is
no specific requirement on sources of energy which will be used in Burmese
power projects but most are expected to be hydropower schemes like those in
Laos.  Projects are likely to be located on the Kok and Salween Rivers.  MDX
and Italthai are among the Thai firms which have conducted feasibility studies.

Preecha said the MoU is a point for energy cooperation and it can be
scrapped if there is no progress in developing projects. (TN)

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

FTUB: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND
SLORC's PRESS
July 2, 1997

FEDREATION OF TRADE UNIONS - BURMA
			    Responsibilities & Rights
			-----------------------------------

CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SLORC's
PRESS

2nd July 1997

1. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed on 14th October
1991 by trade union members who were fired from their jobs and hounded
by the SLORC for trade union activities.

2. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed entirely by trade
union representatives of their own will and has it's own constitution.

3. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma fully supports the National
League for Democracy as the political party that won the general
election in 1990 and acknowledges the National Coalition of Government
of the Union of Burma as the Government of the people.

4. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma believes in Social Democracy
and through introduction of independent trade unions and
self-development programs, has always been striving for equality amongst
the working people, regardless of race or religion.

5. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never been influenced by
any political party and will never allow the Federation to become a tool
of any political party or group.

6. The Federation of Trade Union - Burma firmly believes that political
dialogue is the only way for solving the differences and achieving a
democratic system in our country.

7. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never held arms and never
resort to terrorism.

8. The claims by the SLORC in their 27th June press conference does not
answer the call by the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma issued on the
23th of June to release our Executive Committee Members. Instead, The
SLORC has side stepped it's violation of ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of
Association) and tried to discredit the National League of Democracy
NLD.

Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt has tried to slander the FTUB, U MYO AUNG THANT and U
KHIN KYAW but the veracity of the reports sent out by them is seen in the EU
GSP withdrawl, ILO Special Committee investigation on Forced
Labor and the US Sanctions.

9. The SLORC, especially Lt. General Khin Nyunt is taking advantage of
the arrest of U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW as a mendacious outlet for
their chaotic internal issues, the biggest crux being the
unexplained bombings.

10. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma demands the SLORC to release
U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW, their wives and children and respect the
rights of the workers of Burma to form independence trade unions.

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

THE NATION: CULTURAL TIES SOUGHT WITH BURMA
July 2, 1997
Yindee Lertcharoenchok

Thailand and Burma should strengthen cultural relations and support
grassroots engagements to promote a better understanding between the
countries and help reduce border tension, conflict and suffering, the
Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

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 department, that his country
would soon become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean), so its relationship with Thailand should be broadened to cover
cultural cooperation.

He told the senior official that Thai-Burmese relations have always been
confined to, or seen in the context of, border trade, border conflicts and
disputes and problems with ethnic minorities and narcotics.

Surapong said he wanted to see both countries broaden their engagements to
cover other activities, particularly those of a cultural nature.

He said he suggested that local people from both sides of the border hold
regular cultural exchange programmes and joint activities., such as Songkran
festivities, to establish and promote strong relationships.

"If we don't do this [support local grassroots contact], Thai-Burmese
relations will still be seen in the context of suffering and
misunderstanding.  We should use cultural cooperation as a vehicle to
promote better understanding and reduce conflict and tension," Surapong said.

He said Aye Lwin had assured him during a meeting on June 26 that Burma
would be able to and sign an agreement on cultural cooperation with Thailand
later this year - as earlier agreed by top leaders from the two countries.

The Burmese official was quoted as saying that the country's Foreign
Ministry had studied and approved a draft agreement and had already
forwarded it to the Ministry of Culture for study and final approval. 

Last year, the Thai Foreign Ministry proposed that the two countries sign an
agreement to promote and strengthen cultural relations and exchange
officials, academics and local people.  Last August, it was submitted to
Burma for study and was similar to one signed on August 8,1996, with Vietnam.

Surapong said Aye Lwin had reassured him that the Burmese junta remained
committed to the joint communique, which was released after the official
visit to Burma on May 26 to 27 by Prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

In the joint communique, both sides expressed hope that the agreement would
be signed 'by the end of the year' to mark the 50th anniversary of
Thai-Burmese diplomatic relations in August next year.

Burma had initially showed reluctance to enter into the cultural agreement
and asked for more time to study the initiative and the draft document.  It
has so far only signed cultural agreements with China and Cambodia while
Thailand has such agreements with 18 Asian and European countries.

Surapong said he had proposed four activities to Aye Lwin that the two
countries could participate in to commemorate the 50th anniversary - the
exchange of cultural troupes; a broadcast of felicitous speeches by both
prime ministers; showing promotional documentaries about the two countries
and an academic seminar on Thai-Burmese relations.

Last year, Thailand held similar activities when it celebrated the 20th
anniversary of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.  This year, it has
organised a series of similar programmes to mark its 50th anniversary of
diplomatic ties with India.(TN)

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

ASIA TIMES: BUSINESS SAYS NO TO SANCTIONS
July 2, 1997

A group of business advisors to United States President Bill Clinton has 
recommended restricting the use of unilateral US economic sanctions and 
eliminating extraterritorial sanctions and secondary boycotts. 

The report from the President's Export Council, released at a council 
subcommittee meeting on June 30, reflects unhappiness among many US
exporters  with the burst of sanctions passed by Congress over the past two
years aimed at Cuba, Iran, Libya, Burma, Sudan and other countries. 

According to the report, unilateral sanctions cost US business not only 
directly by prohibiting specific transactions, but also indirectly by 
encouraging foreign competitors and by tainting the reliability of US 
suppliers. A recent econometric analysis estimated the value of lost exports 
in 1995 at between US$15 billion and US$19 billion, affecting from 200,000
to 250,000 export-related jobs. 

Besides eliminating extraterritorial sanctions, the report also recommends a 
number of other restraints on unilateral sanctions, including a list of 
conditions for imposing them in the first place and a target date for ending 
them if they have not achieved their objective. 

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

THAILAND TIMES: BORDER POLICE KEEP TIGHT WATCH ON MANAO ISLET
July 2, 1997
By Assawin Pinitwong

TAK: Provincial border patrol police are keeping a close watch on an islet
in the Moei River to prevent Burmese troops stationed immediately opposite
the contested territory from seizing control, a border security source said
yesterday .

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said police were put on the alert
after local villagers reported sighting Burmese soldiers gathering across
the border from Manao islet in Mae Sot district.

A border patrol police officer said that although the islet became connected
to Burmese soil after a spate of heavy flooding it still belongs to Thailand.

Thais have legal documents giving them the right to farm there, he said.

A local villager said the police must take urgent action to prevent the
affair from blowing up into a major conflict.

The scenario bears striking similarities to the dispute over Khok Chang
Phuak, over which the two nations have yet to reach a successful compromise. 
     
The villager said that if the Burmese junta takes military action the
livelihood of nearly 50 Thais who farm corn on the islet will be severely
affected.

He called on Thailand to send a letter of protest to Burma before the
incident goes any further.

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

NLM: RUNNING AWAY WITHOUT BEING BANISHED AND COMING 
BACK WITHOUT BEING INVITED
June 24, 1997 [abridged]
Pauk Sa

Political stunt actress Bogadaw (wife of British citizen) and the puppet troupe 
schemed to organize a rebellious gathering to mark the seventh anniversary 
election victory on 27 and 28 May 1997 but it did not materialize due to a 
mild handling of the matter by the Nawata Government. The show which 
was designed to instigate unrest issued the so-called resolution and the so-
called attitude.
In the declaration a resolution was passed that the puppet troupe would
rejoin the National Convention and conclude the Convention honourably, and
clarifications were made that it was not that the puppet troupe had
abandoned the National Convention but its delegates were expelled from the
Convention while they were waiting for an answer from the Convention
Commission for their proposal.
At a meeting with correspondents on 12 July, [1995] Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
said the National Convention was only in name.  She also told foreign
correspondents on 14 July that she did not like the current convening of
the National Convention and that there were many things to be changed and
they had to be changed.  In a statement on its attitude towards the National
Convention issued on 22 November 1995, the NLD criticised National
Convention delegate participation, procedures and discussions.  It was also
stated that national solidarity could not be achieved from the National
Convention, nor could genuine democratic system emerge; moreover the
constitution the people have faith in would not materialize if the National
Convention went on that way. [The NLD] also sent another letter to the
Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission saying that all the
NLD delegates would not attend  the National Convention under the pretext
that the address of the National Convention Convening Commission Chairman at
the plenary session on 28 November did not include the dialogue between the
State Law and Order Restoration Council and the NLD as proposed in the
letter critical of the National Convention.  The National Convention
Convening Commission then appraised the moves of the NLD that its demands
for cancelling the basic principles laid down by the National Convention as
they were not in conformity with the opinion of their party; thereafter
organizing with persons they like so as to be able to lay down principles as
the party likes; and laying down new methods and procedures to be followed
in the Convention and carry on as they like were obviously made with ill
premeditation to mar the on-going work of the National Convention and
success achieved after systematic discussions and coordinations. In a news
release issued on 30 November 1995, it was stated that five Convention
delegates of NLD, included in the political parties' delegates group, and
81 delegates of NLD, included in the Hluttaw representatives-elect group,
were revoked as being National Convention delegates as provided in the
paragraphs 48 and 49 of the National Convention Procedures for failing to
attend the plenary session regularly and to ask the Panel of Chairmen in
advance for leave if they cannot attend as provided in paragraph 5,
sub-paras (d) and (e) of the National Convention Procedures respectively.

Or, does Bogadaw show up one-upmanship looking down on Myanmar people
thinking that they have never attended Oxford University, that all 45
million people do not know and see as much as she does leave alone gaining
three dozen degrees like her and that they will believe whatever she says
even if she tells lies?  Is that a stunt? Though Myanmar people did not
study at Oxford University like the political stunt actress Bogadaw and
though they did not gain three dozens of concocted degrees and titles
conferred by the international neo-colonialist bloc, I dare say that our
patriotism, nationalism, the conviction to safeguard the race, promote the
national pride and prestige
and the determination never to let their life and cultural heritage
eclipsed under the boots of the aliens are stronger and more brilliant than
the Bogadaw's.
As we possess the national political traditions and convictions for
our own nation and race, and as they are homogeneous with the life of
Myanmar people, they know and differentiate exactly who loves and
safeguards the race, who is the dollar-earner politician, who is traitor to
the nation and who will flee to her husband and sons in England by jet and
will never stay here if the nation and race face trouble.
Then, why are they giving groundless reasons?  By the absolute order
of the political stunt actress Bogadaw and in accord with the instruction
of the neo-colonialists, the delegates of the puppet troupe were ordered to
quit the National Convention.  The withdrawal was not carried out by the
decision of executive committee or central committee.  Bogadaw even railed
at some delegates who pointed out that it was a false step to withdraw from
the National Convention.  The so-called chairman U Aung Shwe who led the
delegates attending the National Convention was put to shame because of the
tyrannical nature of so-called democracy leader Bogadaw who was criticizing
from outside like a shrew.
Let us leave this matter alone.  The major scheme of the political stunt
actress Bogadaw and her puppet troupe in boycotting the National Convention
was to disrupt the National Convention thinking that if they did
not attend, the National Convention would end up in dirt and smoke. 
Contrary to their expectation, the National Convention continued
systematically and peacefully. Bogadaw continued to create her stunt by
disparaging the National Convention and the expatriate group leader Sein Win
and others also continued to attack the National Convention.  The
neo-colonialist bloc also launched the campaign against it in the
international community.

Why and for what aims do you want to rejoin the National Convention which
the political stunt star Bogadaw, the puppet troupe, her relatives and her
masters have slandered against, criticized and opposed to the extent of
reducing its worth to nought?  Do you, the political stunt star Bogadaw and
the puppet troupe, regard the National Convention as a licenceless bootleg
liquor shop which you can go in and come out without discipline?  (Forgive
me if I may be rude!) If you say that the National Convention will come to a
prestigious conclusion only when the delegates of the puppet troupe led by
the political stunt star Bogadaw participate in it, doesn't it amount to a
meaning like "claiming to be superior despite one's inferior status"?  I
would like to ask, "Does the political stunt star Bogadaw actually have any
worthy political esteem if you say that the National Convention will come
to a prestigious conclusion only when the delegates of the puppet troupe
led by the political stunt star Bogadaw participate in it?"  Do you dare
answer these questions?  Does the puppet troupe have any worthy,
respectable political programme, political policy and directive ideology? 
Let's say nothing of the election results or winning only 31 percent of the
number of persons eligible to vote without making much of a passing fancy. 
Let us talk about the objective conditions in 1997.  I challenge you with
these questions.
No matter what excuses the political stunt star Bogadaw is citing,
there are talks of doubt and disbelief in the puppet troupe's second
thought to send its delegates to the National Convention.  We do hear them.
It is said in the decision reached at the puppet troupe's ceremony
celebrating the anniversary of its victory in the election to the effect
that the National League for Democracy put on record its pleasure with the
US President's signing of the 1997 act on the foreign rights and
utilization of the budget regarding the export finance, submitted to the US
Congress with a view to establishing democracy and human rights in 
Myanmar.
 It is like this.  The puppet troupe led by the political stunt star
Bogadaw has expressed its enthusiastic welcome to the blatant, shameless
encroachment of the US Government, incompatible with its status, upon the
sovereignty of Myanmar, by allowing the use of not less than US $ 2.5
million for funding the instigation of disturbances in the country and
supporting KNU insurgents led by Bo Mya, called by the colonialist group as
remnants of the ethnic rebels at the border, gangs trafficking in opium and
smuggling timber and gemstones and internal traitorous elements who are 
the CIA spies.
The delegates of the puppet troupe turned their back on the National
Convention at the whistle blowing of the political stunt star Bogadaw, not
because they were ordered out by anyone, didn't they?  This time, the
Bogadaw has played a political stunt of her own will in deciding to rejoin
the National Convention.
Yes, it is running away without being banished and coming back without
being invited.

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

ANNOUCEMENT: EC TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO WTO!
July 2, 1997

NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE: JULY ACTION ALERT

EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO TAKE MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW TO THE WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION!

"Q: In the United States there have been some cities and the state of
Massachusetts that have chosen not to do business with companies that deal
with Burma. Is this an effective means of supporting democratization in
Burma?"

"A: Very much so. We would like to see more of this. It's consumer power.
It's good to know that the people of different countries are really
concerned and involved in the movement to help Burma. I think in some ways
it's better to have the people of the world on your side than the
governments of the world, even if governments can be more effective in
certain directions."

- Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel peace Prize Laureate and leader of the Burmese
democracy movement in an interview with the Progressive, March 1997

In this alert:

1.  European Commission Moves to Destroy the Massachusetts Burma Law at the
World Trade Organization.
2.  What you can do if you live in Massachusetts
3.  What you can do if you live outside Massachusetts

1. European Commission Moves to Destroy the Massachusetts Burma Law!

On June 20, the European Commission (EC) requested formal consultations
with the United States about the Massachusetts Burma law under the World
Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement procedures. These consultations
are the final step before the dispute goes to a formal WTO dispute
settlement tribunal. 

The EC claims that the Massachusetts Burma law violates an obscure
provision of a WTO Agreement that bars the use of "political" criteria in
granting federal and state procurement contracts.

Modeled after previous South Africa-related legislation, the Massachusetts
Burma selective purchasing law effectively bars Massachusetts state
agencies from buying goods or services from companies that do business in
Burma. Citing the Massachusetts Burma law, several corporations have
withdrawn from Burma. The corporations include Apple Computer, Eastman
Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, Obayishi and Philips Electronics.

Under pressure from European corporations affected by the law, the European
Commission is now trying to use the WTO dispute procedures to dictate how
Massachusetts should spend its own taxpayers money!

2. WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS

It is vital that Governor Weld, Attorney General Scott Harshbarger and our
elected legislators hear from us on this issue. In response to our letters,
Attorney General Harshbarger has told Reuters of his firm support for the
Burma law.

Please write, call or fax. Let our elected officials know that:

1.  They should stand firm against pressure from the European Commission to
water down the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law.
2.  You strongly believe that elected Massachusetts legislators and
officials should decide how to spend Massachusetts taxpayers money, not
unaccountable European Commission bureaucrats.
3.  The European Parliament voted unanimously to request that the European
Commission *not* to take the Massachusetts Burma law to the World Trade
Organization. Why should Massachusetts legislators amend their law to suit
European Commission bureaucrats when elected European Parliament
legislators unanimously support the Massachusetts Burma law?
4. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese democracy movement, supports
the Massachusetts Burma law and has stated such laws are an effective means
of helping to restore democracy in Burma.

If you have already written ask a friend, coworker or family to write too!

Governor William Weld
State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133	
(617) 727-3600
(617) 727-5291 fax

Attorney General Scott Harshbarger
1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2200
(617) 727-5778 fax

Senate President Thomas Birmingham
State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-1500
(617) 248-3840 fax

House Speaker Thomas Finneran
State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2500
(617) 722-2008 fax

Call your state representative and state senator at: (617) 722-2000
Write to them at:
State House, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02133
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3. WHAT YOU CAN DO IF LIVE OUTSIDE MASSACHUSETTS

1.  You strongly support the Massachusetts Burma law as it currently stands.
 2.  European Commission bureaucrats should not be allowed to tell elected
American state legislators how to spend US taxpayers money.
 3.  On June 12, the European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution
that urged the European Commission not to take action against the
Massachusetts Burma law at the World Trade Organization. Why should
Massachusetts legislators amend their Burma law to suit European Commission
bureaucrats when elected European Parliament legislators unanimously support
the Massachusetts Burma law?
 4.  Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese democracy movement,
supports the Massachusetts Burma law and has stated such laws are an
effective means of helping to restore democracy in Burma.
5. Mention that you support the enactment of similar Burma selective
purchasing laws in your home state.
6. If you have already written ask a friend, coworker or family member
to write too!  

To Whom to Write:

President William Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

* send a copy of your letter to President Clinton to:

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Please also write to your US Senators and Representative. Ask them
specifically to write U. S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky to
urge her to strongly defend the Massachusetts Burma law from the European
Commission

You can write your US Senator at:

United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

You can write your US Representative at:

United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at (800) 972-3524.
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PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS ACTION ALERT TO OTHERS

Thank you for your help. Your efforts will protect the Massachusetts Burma
law. Please mail or fax me a copy of your letters so that we can gauge the
response to this action  alert.

Simon Billenness
* for the New England Burma Roundtable *
Franklin Research & Development, 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 292 8026 x225
(617) 482 6179 fax
sbillenness@xxxxxxxx

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