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The BurmaNet News, August 27, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, August 27, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 22:52:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: August 27, 1997
Issue #806
Noted in Passing:
Although the Defense Services can rule the country militarily with an iron
fist it was never autocratic towards its people.
-- Thila [Rangoon Kyemon: Not To Become A Thabauk Slave]
HEADLINES:
==========
CNN: BANGLADESH MAY SEAL OFF BURMA REFUGEE CAMPS
THE ECONOMIST : MYANMAR'S SECRET PLAGUE
BKK POST: NARCOTICS TO DOMINATE TALKS
BKK POST: ARRESTS OF DEALERS YIELD 30,000 PILLS
MEDIA STATEMENT: SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY
FBC-PHILIPPINES: OPEN LETTER
ICFTUB LETTERS: CONDEMN SLORC ARRESTS
FTUB PRESS RELEASE: CONDEMNS SLORC TERRORISM
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER: LETTER- CITY COUNCIL RIGHT
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0103(I)
RADIO MYANMAR: SLORC APPOINTS NEW DEPUTY MINISTER
NLM: A TURNING-POINT IN MYANMAR'S ECONOMY
RANGOON KYEMON: NOT TO BECOME A THABAUK SLAVE
ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA ISSUES' WEEKLY SUMMARIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNN: BANGLADESH SAYS MAY SEAL OFF BURMA REFUGEE CAMPS
26 August 1997
CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Aug. 25 (Reuter) - Bangladesh said on Monday it
might seal off camps housing some 21,000 Burmese Moslems to stop clandestine
food reaching the refugees.
"We have tightened security around the Nayapara and Kutupalong camps and
may seal them off completely," one government official said.
They said they had to "plug illegal channels" for sending food to the
refugees and end outside interference that "often ignites unrest in the
camps," the official told Reuters in Chittagong.
More than 12,000 refugees at Nayapara have refused rations since July 21 in
protest against alleged attempts by Bangladesh to send them home by force.
More than 8,000 refugees at Kutupalong, although accepting rations, have
voiced support for the Nayapara refugees who have asked to stay in
Bangladesh until Burma's military rulers are replaced by a democratically
elected government.
The officials said the refugees would have softened their stance and
received rations if they had no clandestine supplies.
"It's not possible for anyone, especially the children and the old, to
survive without food for more than a month," one official said.
"They are not only alive but have enough physical strength to agitate and
even attack security men," he added.
But he said the government had no plans to starve the refugees into
submission. "We are ready with food and other help, but they are not
accepting them," he said.
The 21,000 refugees are remnants of some 250,000 Burmese Moslems, known as
Rohingyas, who fled west Burma's Arakan province in early 1992 to escape
alleged military persecution.
The majority returned to Burma under the supervision of the U.N. High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Bangladesh says the Rohingyas are economic refugees who must go back but
that no one will be pushed back against their will.
The refugees, apparently not satisfied by such promises, clashed with
police on July 20, forcing the repatriation process to be suspended.
Dhaka is negotiating with Rangoon to extend a repatriation deadline for
some 7,000 Rohingyas whom Burma had already cleared for returning.
The deadline expired on August 15, officials said.
***************************************
THE ECONOMIST : MYANMAR'S SECRET PLAGUE
August 23, 1997
YANGON -- As IF life in Myanmar was not grim enough, with its poverty
and its brutal government, it now turns out to have an AIDS epidemic.
Thousands of young adults have died without ever having heard of the
disease that killed them, let alone of ways to prevent it. In parts of
Myanmar, funerals of people in their 20s or 30s are an everyday
occurrence.
The disease took root in the late 1980s among intravenous drug-takers.
Myanmar is at the heart of the " golden triangle" of poppy farming. The
use of opiates has long been common, but addicts started injecting refined
heroin rather than smoking opium. Many shared dirty needles, or visited
professional injectors who would use one syringe for a number of
customers.
As early as 1989, 96% of drug injectors tested in a prison in the town of
Bahmo were HIV-positive, destined therefore to get AIDS. Now almost
two-thirds of Myanmar's drug-injectors are estimated to carry the virus, the
highest rate of infection in the world.
Sexual contact has transmitted the disease from drug-takers into the
general population. The rate of HIV infection among prostitutes, people
with venereal diseases and pregnant women suggests that heterosexual
contact has become the most common form of transmission. However,
there are indications that, among homosexuals, the infection rate has
reached 30-40%.
The government has not acknowledged that there is an epidemic. It says
that, up to September 1996, Myanmar had 13,773 people with HIV and
612 had AIDS. Myanmar has a population of about 44m, so these figures
would not seem to be too alarming. However, the government's own
National Aids Programme offers a different picture. Since 1992 its small
but dedicated staff has been testing high-and low-risk groups in 19 places
in the country twice a year. Its unpublished results indicate that at least
500,000 people in Myanmar are carrying HIV. Even that figure is probably
an under-estimate, since it does not include children and homosexuals. It
also omits those, believed to be many thousands, who have died of AIDS.
So far, Myanmar has taken few effective measures to limit the epidemic.
The strain of HIV prevalent in Myanmar is probably similar to that found
in neighbouring Thailand, which is relatively easily spread by sexual
contact. Myanmar, however, has preferred to deny that promiscuity and
commercial sex thrive in a Buddhist society.
Some of the current counter-measures are actually counter-productive.
Heroin-takers and prostitutes are simply put in jai1. And new quarantine
centres to house people with HIV are being built. Myanmar's military junta
is sadly a government of concealment.
***************************************************
BKK POST: NARCOTICS TO DOMINATE TALKS
August 26, 1997
Cheewin Sattha
Pills seen as threat to national security
Chiang Rai -- Cooperation on amphetamine suppression will be on top of the
agenda when Thai and Burmese border authorities kick off their two-day
meeting today.
On the eve of the 15th Regional Thai-Burmese Border Committee meeting
yesterday, Lt-Gen Thanom Watcharaput, commander of the Third Army Region,
said the spread of the drug along the border was a threat to the national
security of both countries.
Without Burmese cooperation, suppression of illicit drugs would be
difficult, noted Lt-Gen Thanom.
To support his claim he cited a northern narcotics suppression agency report
which said several amphetamine factories were located along the Burmese
border, opposite Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces.
"Several drug suspects have confessed to buying drugs in Thachilek, Burma.
The town, opposite Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, is the production base of
amphetamines and other illicit drugs," said the 3rd Army Region commander.
Other issues to be discussed are the opening of three permanent cheek-points
and repatriation of Burmese refugees.
Burma has delayed the opening of the border passes at Mae Sai in Chiang Rai,
Mae Sot in Tak, and one in Ranong, stating that it needs three more months
for preparation.
Thailand is expected to push for quick opening of the checkpoints, said
Lt-Gen Thanom, adding that any further delay would adversely affect tourism
and cross-border trade.
Meanwhile, Maj-Gen Gade Seng, commander of Burma's Southeast Army, and his
delegation arrived in Chiang Rai yesterday. The Thai side will be
represented by senior military officers from the Third and Fourth Army
Regions and the governors of 10 provinces bordering Burma.
********************************************
BKK POST: ARRESTS OF DEALERS YIELD 30,000 PILLS
August 24, 1997 [abridged]
Police seized more than 30,000 amphetamine tablets and arrested two
Burmese nationals and a H'mong man in two separate incidents in Muang
and Chiang Khong districts Friday.
In Muang district, police manning a road block at the Kok river bridge
stopped a motorist and his pillion rider. A subsequent search of the
pillion rider, identified as Sa, allegedly revealed 5,800 amphetamine pills.
The two Burmese confessed that they were hired by a Thai to deliver the
drug to a buyer at the municipal bus terminal. When the potential buyer
did not show up, they headed back to Burma but were stopped by the
police.
The two also admitted they had made deliveries several times before and
were paid between 5,000-10,000 baht for each successful drop off.
Police charged them with trafficking in illegal narcotics and illegal entry.
********************************************************
MEDIA STATEMENT: SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY August 25, 1997
DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY
Media Statement
By Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for
Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang, in Petaling Jaya on Monday, August 25, 1997:
ASEAN governments should convey their concern to SLORC leaders at the
deteriorating human rights situation in Burma after admission into ASEAN
=====================================================
After defying regional and international opinion opposing the admission of
Burma into ASEAN until there is tangible success or progress in the ASEAN
"constructive engagement" policy to foster democratisation and national
reconciliation, ASEAN governments and leaders have a moral, regional and
international responsibility to ensure that the Burmese military junta does
not embark on new repressive measures against the people of Burma.
This is why ASEAN governments should act firmly to convey their concerns
and displeasure to SLORC leaders at the deteriorating human rights
situation in Burma after the country?s admission into ASEAN.
The recent jailing of four Opposition figures in Burma, three of whom are
relatives of Burmese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to 10
years jail each for breaching the country?s Unlawful Associations Act after
closed trials is completely unacceptable and ASEAN leaders must make clear
their disapproval that this is also an unacceptable norm and conduct under
the "Asian Values" interpretation of human rights and democracy.
ASEAN nations should also express support to Japanese Government efforts
demanding that SLORC establish political dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and
the National League for Democracy to pave the way for the return of
constitutional government in Burma.
Now that ASEAN has admitted Burma into the regional organisation, ASEAN
leaders must make SLORC leaders understand that they expect distinct
improvements in democratisation and national reconciliation by the time of
the ASEAN Leaders Summit in Malaysia at the end of the year ? so that ASEAN
can show the world that the admission of Burma has not led to the
deterioration of the situation of democracy and human rights in the country
but the reverse.
Lim Kit Siang
*****************************************
FBC-PHILIPPINES: OPEN LETTER
August 26, 1997
E-mail: iidmnl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
FREE BURMA COALITION- Philippines
26 August 1997
Open letter of the Free Burma Coalition- Philippines to the Honorable Chief
Justices attending the 7th Asia-Pacific Conference of Chief Justices
We, members of the Free Burma Coalition- Philippines, respectfully call the
attention of Your Honors to the presence of Chief Justice U Aung Toe who
represents Burma/Myanmar which is illegitimately ruled by a military junta,
the State Law and Order Restoration Council(SLORC).
Your honor are perhaps not unaware the National League for Democracy (NLD)
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won 392 of the 485 available seats, or 82
percent of the seats in the 1990 elections called by the SLORC. This
demonstrated that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD won the said elections.
Sadly the SLORC did not respect the decision of the people, but instead
subjected officials and members of the NLD and the peoples of Burma to
widespread human rights abuses, repression and exploitation that inevitably
led to the erosion of the rule of law.
There are numerous cases which involve the unlawful arrests and punishment
of members and supporters of the NLD by SLORC authorities,
and laying the new charges against NLD members and other political
prisoners already serving sentences in Insein Prison, as in the case of U
Win Tin and 23 other political prisoners. Due process was denied in numerous
instances.
Physical assaults were also carried against the leaders of the NLD as
exemplified by the November 9, 1996 attack on a three-car motorcade
bearing NLD leaders U Tin Oo, U Kyi Maung, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by some
200 people armed with metal batons, stones and other weapons. This act was
perpetrated with the not-so-far presence of SLORC's
security forces, military intelligence officers and traffic police. Army
officers were also stationed in the area. If such acts are done with
impunity to the leaders, what the ordinary people suffer must be terrible.
We beseech Your Honors to exert moral pressure on your honorable peers to
actively dispense without fear or favor lest the supreme courts, the last
recourse of citizenry for justice, becomes an object of cynicism and
mockery. We are articulating these sentiments due to our perception that
there is growing tolerance for injustice and increasing violation of the
rule of law within the Asia Pacific region, particularly member countries of
ASEAN. Massive human rights violations by the SLORC have been ignored in
ASEAN's acceptance of the same as a new member. So also is the silence of
ASEAN to the treatment of East Timorese by the Indonesian government. And
recently, ASEAN's attitude to the bloody coup d?etat of the Cambodian Second
Prime Minister Hun Sen betrays the association?s propensity towards strong
authoritarian rule. Our own Philippine Supreme Court needs to redeem its
prestige, credibility and respect of the community from the negative
perceptions that some of its members were involved in
improprieties and would align themselves with those bent on desecrating our
Constitution and install a virtual national security state.
We call on your honors to lead in the establishment of an independent
Asia-Pacific Human Rights Commission based on the internationally accepted
human rights instruments and affirm the universality of human rights.
----------------------------------
FREE BURMA COALITION-Philippines
c/o Initiatives for International Dialogue
Unit 15 D-15, 2nd Floor, CASAL Bldg.,
Anonas Road, Project 3, Q.C. 1102
Philippines
Tel/fax # 63-2-435-2900
E-mail: iidmnl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
********************************************
ICFTUB LETTERS: CONDEMN SLORC ARRESTS
Organization: Federation of Trade Unions - Burma
August 21, 1997
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
--------------------------------------------------
ICFTU CISL IBFG CIOSL
President: C. Leroy Trotman
General Secretary: Bill Jordon
To all Members of the Human and Trade Unions Rights Committee
To All affiliated organisations in Asia
To all International Trade Secretariats
To other interested organisations
In reply please quoted HTUR 23/1997
TUR/GM 21 August 1997
Dear Friends.
PRISON SENTENCE FOR BURMESE TRADE UNIONIST
------------------------------------------
On 24 June 1997 we wrote to you concerning the 13 June arrest of U Myo
Aung Thant, a Federation of Trade Unions - Burma (FTUB) Executive
Committee member. The ICFTU has just learned that Brother Thant
received a sentence of life imprisonment on 15 August. He was accused of
trying to smuggle explosives into Burma. Both the FTUB and Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party have always
advocated a non-violent solution to Burma's political problems. According
to the SLORC's own account, Brother Thant was arrested at the Rangoon
airport while the alleged explosives were seized in Kawthaung, hundreds
of kilometres south of Rangoon. No firm proof of his involvement was
presented and forced confessions extracted through torture are not
acceptable evidence. There is no due process in Burma, SLORC's Special
Court which handed down the sentence was a mockery, lasting less than
ten days, and merely confirmed SLORC's predetermined conclusion without
observing any of the Internationally accepted standards for a fair trial.
Three Burmese democracy supporters, all of whom are related to
opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, received ten year sentences for
political 'crimes' on the same day. These outrages against free trade
unionism and freedom of association are a clear indication that the
SLORC feels that its recent membership In the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a license to increase repression. Other ASEAN
countries argued that SLORC would modify its behaviour after becoming a
member. Instead, SLORC has become even more repressive.
The ICFTU urges you to express your opposition to the life sentence
imposed on Brother U Myo Aung Thant to ,
General Than Shwe, Chairman
State Law & Order Restoration Council
192, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Bahan Post Office,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Telex: (83)213,16
Telefax of London Embassy of the SLORC: 44-171-629 4169
Our protest letter is attached for Information. Please send a copy of your
letter of protest to the ACFTU so that we can keep the FTUB informed.
Yours sincerely,
Sd xxxxxxxx
Bill Jordon
General Secretary
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
-------------------------------------------------
ICFTU CISL IBFG CIOSL
President: C. Leroy Trotman
General Secretary: Bill Jordon
General Than Shwe, Chairman,
State Law & Order Restoration Council
192, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Bahan Post Office,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar
TUR/GM 21 August 1997
Dear General,
JAILING OF U MYO AUNG THANT
---------------------------
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions was outraged to learn
of the 15 August 1997 sentencing of trade union leader Myo Aung
Thant to life imprisonment. As I wrote in my latter of 24 June 1997, the
arrest of trade union activists in retaliation for the exercise of
legitimate trade union activities is a violation of internationally
guaranteed rights to freedom of association.
Myo Aung Thant was arrested at the Rangoon airport while the alleged
explosives were seized at Kawthaung, hundreds of kilometres south of
Rangoon. No firm proof was submitted at the trial and forced confessions
extracted through torture are not acceptable evidence. The Special Court
which handed down the sentence lasted less than ten days and merely
confirmed the SLORC's predetermined conclusion without observing any
of the International standards for a fair trial. We consider this a mockery
of justice.
I would once again urge you to recommend the unconditional release of
Myo Aung Thant from prison. When Burma was accepted as a member of
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), it was argued that
the SLORC would modify its behaviour concerning human rights abuses.
The jailing of Myo Aung Thant is the most recent proof that no change has
taken place and that SLORC is becoming even more repressive. The denial
of basic trade union and other human rights carries a heavy price.
International condemnations and economic sanctions continue to grow. To
promote stability and social justice in your country trade unionists such as
Myo Aung Thant must not be persecuted but be permitted to conduct their
legitimate activities.
Yours sincerely,
Sd xxxxxxxx
Bill Jordon
General Secretary
***********************************************
FTUB PRESS RELEASE: CONDEMNS SLORC TERRORISM
August 21, 1997
FTUB CONDEMNS SLORC TERRORISM
*****************************
The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma (FTUB) strongly condemns the
harsh prison sentences imposed on U MYO AUNG THANT, U CHO
AUNG THAN, DAW NGE MA MA THAN and her husband U MYINT
SWE.
U MYO AUNG THANT, a member of the Executive Committee of FTUB,
in particular was accused of high treason for "terrorist" activities and
for "smuggling in explosives". He was jailed for life and 10 years.
SLORC charges against U MYO AUNG THANT are a blatant lie. He was
arrested in Mingaladon Airport while the "explosives" were supposed to
have been seized by SLORC in Kawthaung, hundreds of miles away. U
MYO AUNG THANT is a unionist decided to the cause of restoring rights
of the workers. And, that was scared the SLORC.
SLORC's Special Court, which handed down the sentence, used forced
confessions extracted though torture and psychological abuse. The trial
lasted less than ten days and merely confirmed SLORC's predetermined
conclusion without observing any of the internationally accepted
standards for a fair trial.
SLORC has also accused the FTUB of being linked to a "HAWK" terrorist
group captured by the SLORC in 1990. For the record, FTUB was founded
only in 1991. SLORC should have checked before making unfounded
accusations.
Terrorism is the use of brute force, the handing out of extremely harsh
prison sentences on activists and the imposition of severe repression to
silence the nation. SLORC generals are guilty of terrorism.
Treason is when one acts against one's country. The people of Burma in
1990 called for democracy and voted overwhelmingly for the National
League for Democracy. The SLORC acts against the will of the people and
continues to prevent democracy from being established in Burma. SLORC
generals are guilty of treason.
The generals themselves are the traitors and terrorists in Burma.
U MYO AUNG THANT who was unfairly sentenced to life imprisonment
is a true patriot working for the rights of the workers. U CHO AUNG
THAN, DAW NGE MA MA THAN and her husband U MYINT SWE,
who received 10 years imprisonment each, are the true heroes of the
movement for democracy in Burma.
*****************************************************
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER: LETTER- CITY COUNCIL RIGHT,
PI WRONG ON BURMA ACTION
August 24, 1997
The P-I's recent editorial on the proposed city ordinance restricting
purchases from companies doing business in the narco-dictatorship of
Burma gives several facts about Burma: The Burmese junta participates
in the international heroin trade, President Clinton and Secretary of State
Albright have led a chorus of international condemnation and sanctions,
and the people of Burma are kept poor and subservient by "one of the
world? worst regimes." On these points we agree.
But the ordinance is condemned on the basis that it is "not an exercise of
meaningful power" and that it is the "first" case of "Seattle having a
foreign policy." On these points, the P-I is wrong.
Already 12 cities (including New York, San Francisco and Oakland) and
the State of Massachusetts have passed similar laws, putting more than 50
billion dollars of contracts out of reach of the small number companies
that choose to do business in Burma. In the New York City Council the
vote was 50-0. Why? Because the elected leadership of Burma, which
overwhelmingly won elections first organized, then voided by the military,
has openly called for sanctions against their own country. The only
parallel is South Africa, which the P-I avoided mentioning.
When I visited Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon in
June of 1996 (before she was physically attacked by pro-military thugs and
returned to house arrest), she told me that the junta was nearly broke,
due to corruption and mismanagement, and that a campaign of economic
pressure was the best way to force them into negotiations. Since then
the Burmese economy has faltered further, and is now described by the Far
Eastern Economic Review as "on its knees." The campaign is working, and
Seattle can, at almost no cost, do its part.
The P-I rightly respected Hong Kong democrat Martin Lee's credentials
when he spoke against revocation of China's MFN status. How much more
legitimate is Aung San Suu Kyi's call for sanctions? After all, her party
won 82% of the seats nationwide. Seattle's action is a measured,
effective and sensible use of local power to substantive effect.
The suggestion that local city purchasing decisions with local tax dollars
are an unprecedented foray into "foreign policy" is ludicrous. The city
joined the campaign against apartheid more than ten years ago. Seattle
has more than two dozen sister city arrangements with foreign countries
(as well as Taiwan, not recognized by the US as a country) and conducts
foreign trade promotions. This is only reasonable and natural for an
important Pacific Rim city.
More than 60% of the heroin on US streets comes from Burma. This is the
foreign policy of the Burmese Generals. We in Seattle pay millions of
dollars for this heroin invasion, in the costs of emergency hospital care,
crime and policing. Secretary of State Albright said last month that drug
money laundering was even being conducted by Burmese "joint ventures
with foreign firms." Do these companies deserve any of our tax money?
We support Council President Drago when she says they do not.
The Seattle City Council has taken a measured, careful approach to the
Burma contracting ordinance, examining the issue for more than two
years. It hasn't taken a similar action in more than a decade. The P-I
should respect Council Members for their cautious approach, rather than
expressing the fear that they will begin adopting sanctions thoughtlessly.
The proposed Seattle Burma ordinance meets the most stringent standard
imaginable:
It is a local law governing only local purchases, where the city has the
same freedom of choice as any other consumer.
It is consistent with US policy, and part of a well-established
international campaign.
It supports the legitimate, elected leaders of Burma, the only such
democratic movement in the world that calls for sanctions against its own
country.
It follows the example of the successful South African anti-apartheid
campaign, which showed clearly that, in the right circumstances,
international actions such as Seattle's can and do make a difference.
And it targets an odious, violent regime that floods the world, our
country and our city with drugs.
As Secretary of State Albright said last month in Los Angeles: "It is
only right that Burma is subject to international sanctions and consumer
boycotts." Council President Drago deserves kudos for her careful and
effective efforts to pass the Burma ordinance. And she deserves our
support.
Larry Dohrs, a trade specialist, is a consultant to the Burma Project of
the Open Society Institute, and media advisor to the Free Burma Coalition.
He chairs the Seattle Burma Roundtable.
************************************************
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0103(I)
August 26, 1997 [excerpts only]
(1) Diploma in Hotel Management Communication Module opens in Yangon
(2) Seminar on Export Market Developments opens
(3) Myamnar delegation arrives back from China
Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Industry-2 U Thein Tun
arrived back Yangon by air after studying industries in the people's
Republic of China. During their stay in China, Myanmar delegation discussed
purchase of machinery worth 150 million Yuans, and visited factories at
which the machinery to be purchased is manufactured.'
**************************************
RANGOON RADIO MYANMAR: SLORC APPOINTS NEW DEPUTY
MINISTER
August 20, 1997 [translated from Burmese]
Notification No. 31/97 issued by the SLORC on 20 August 1997 in
Rangoon
Appointment of new deputy minister
The State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC] has appointed
Brig. Gen. Khin Maung as deputy minister of agriculture and irrigation.
By the authority vested in me, Signed: Khin Nyunt, Lieutenant General
SLORC Secretary-1
*****************************************
NLM: A TURNING-POINT IN MYANMAR'S ECONOMY
August 15, 1997 [abridged]
by Hla Tun (Twantay)
Myanmar is rich in natural resources onshore or offshore. Only about
13 percent of its total area of 67.6 million hectares is put under crops
annually. It has a 2,832- kilometre-long coastline. Over 50.87 percent of
Myanmar is still covered with forest.
Twenty-two nations and regions have investments in Myanmar up to 30
June 1997 since foreign investment has been permitted in Myanmar.
The number of permitted firms and amounts of investment of the foreign
companies in Myanmar up to 30 June 1997 are shown in Table
The amounts of investments sectorwise up to 30 June 1997 are shown
in Table B.
Myanmar has permitted 78 businesses in fiscal 1996-97 up twice- fold
from 39 in fiscal 1995-96. Total investment of the 78 businesses amounted
to $ 2,814.25 million and the 39 businesses amounted to $ 668.37 million.
There was over 400 percent increase in the amount of investments during
the two years.
Table A
Sr. Country/region Permitted firms Amount of investment
($ in millions)
United Kingdom 29 1,318.81
Singapore 55 1,215.15
Thailand 41 1,132.80
USA 16 582.07
Malaysia 23 524.17
France 3 470.37
The Netherlands 5 237.84
Indonesia 4 210.95
Japan 15 195.89
Republic of Korea 14 72.62
Austria 2 72.50
Hong Kong 17 64.44
Australia 11 40.06
Canada 9 32.53
China 8 28.76
Germany 1 15.00
Denmark 1 13.37
The Philippines 1 6.67
Bangladesh 2 2.96
Macau 1 2.40
Israel 1 2.40
Sri Lanka 1 1.00
Total 260 6,242.76
EOT
Table B
Sr. Sector Permitted firms Amount of
investment
($ in millions)
1. Oil and gas 38 2,192.82
2. Production 88 1,140.13
3. Housing project 14 874.95
4. Hotels & Tourism 39 762.56
5. Mining 42 498.03
6. Transport/Communication 12 275.09
7. Livestock & fisheries 17 269.54
8. Industry 3 193.11
9. Construction 1 17.27
10. Other services 4 10.58
11. Agriculture 2 8.68
Total 260 6,242.76
********************************************
RANGOON KYEMON: NOT TO BECOME A THABAUK SLAVE
August 16, 1997 [translated from Burmese, abridged]
Thila
Ta par kyun [one-master-slave] is a slave who has one master and hnit
par kyun [two-master-slave] is a slave who has two masters and they all
have to obey the commands of their masters. But in Myanmar [Burmese]
nomenclature, a person who is being ordered by such low-down kyun or
slave is known as a thabauk slave [a slave of a slave].
Some big nations' outlook on Myanmar is to turn it into a thabauk
slave. They utilize both gentle and tough tactics by nurturing lackeys and
giving various forms of assistance using their charms directly and
indirectly from all corners to install a puppet regime in Myanmar. A
puppet government becomes their slave and people governed by such a
government become thabauk slaves.
Their intentions were made clear from the VOA news--"US Welcomes
Talks Between NLD and Burmese Government" and "UNHCR Requests
Bangladeshi Government To Meet With 7,000 Burmese Muslim
Refugees"-- and the VOA commentary--US Secretary of State to go to
Malaysia to attend ASEAN Meeting--broadcast at 6.185 MHz, 49
meterband at 0600 on 19-7-97.
An excerpt of the news "US Welcomes Talks Between NLD and Burmese
Government" stated that "although the NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo
welcomed the meeting in general he said it could not be taken as a prelude
to talks because of the absence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi".
We believed that the three NLD executives led by the chairman himself
did not attend the meeting according to their own choice and the statement
"it could not be taken as a prelude to talks" is considered an attempt to
jeopardize the situation.
In another instance, a State Department spokesman in Washington said
"we hope this is the beginning of a long awaited meaningful dialogue
between the NLD and the Rangoon Military Regime."
Here too, they used the term "military regime" instead of the State
Law and Order Restoration Council Government with the aim of creating a
wrong impression of the Defense Services.
An excerpt of the news "UNHCR Requests Bangladeshi Government To
Meet With 7,000 Burmese Muslim refugees" showed that the UNHCR is
trying to act like a savior and a redeemer and making a big deal out of the
situation where the Bengalis are returning to Bangladesh as it is common
with peoples sharing a common border. When they do not want to live in
Bangladesh they cross the border and reside in either Arakan or Chin State
which is adjacent to Bangladesh. If the UNHCR labelled such easy-life-
seekers refugees and began making inquiries then they will definitely say
what they want to the two governments. Every good citizen will know that
these news items are pure fabrications.
If the commentary on US Secretary of State going to Malaysia to attend
the ASEAN meeting is studied it will clearly reveal that they do not want
military-ruled Myanmar to be accepted as a new member if ASEAN
postpones the admission of Cambodia.
At one point, the US ambassador to Indonesia remarked on the awareness
of the difference in the US and ASEAN's approach in relations with
Burma. He said the important thing is both the US and ASEAN wanted
Burma to be governed by a government which represented the people and
the government should choose the path to improve its relations with the
people. He also reminded that any impact concerning the new members
should not hamper the desire of the US and ASEAN to work towards the
common goal.
I think they meant--an elected government--when they mentioned a
government that represents the people and--a democractic government--
when they said it should choose the path to improve its relations with the
people.
The Burmese people have encountered many failed systems of elected
governments and have had many bitter experiences. We are still in one
piece today thanks to the Defense Services.
Whenever the country faces a crisis the Defense Services turn out to
be the savior. The Defense Services have guided the country to a certain
stage utilizing a necessary period of time when faced with a crisis.
Although the Defense Services can rule the country militarily with an iron
fist it was never autocratic towards its people.
If there is genuine goodwill then ask yourselves these questions and
find an answer--will you support a government which is governing the
country with unity, peace, and tranquility? Or will you support a
bickering chaotic duly-elected government?
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ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA ISSUES' WEEKLY SUMMARIES
August 23, 1997
Dear Friends,
Several months ago we at the Burma Issues documentation center began to
post a semi-organized listing of recent items the center has received. The
listing was created about once every 7 to 10 days and usually contained a
listing of between 50 and 100 documents. For each document, we included
a brief summary, the date, the media source and an index number that
would allow us to locate the original article in our archives and send it to
anyone interested. Most of these summaries were from recent news articles
and the listing was primarily used to keep people up-to-date about
Burma-related developments in a systematic way (by using subject
categories). Additionally, the summaries contain summaries of documents
that are not widely distributed (such as thesis papers, letters and some
statements) and documents such as teaching resources that some activists
might find helpful.
At times this listing has been very large and, as a result, wasn't
distributed via the Burmanet-l server. Since it's likely the weekly
summaries will continue to be sizable, we will no longer post them on
Burmanet. Instead, we will use our own mailing list to send the summaries
to people who ask for it. An additional change is that the summaries will
be in the form of a text attachment, not within the actual body of the email.
If anyone who is not currently on our mailing list would like to receive
these weekly summaries of documents entered into the Burma Issues
documentation center, please send us (durham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) a
request to be placed on the mailing list. We're more than happy to provide
this service to all interested people.
Peace,
Burma Issues documentation center staff
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