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The BurmaNet News, November 5, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, November 5, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 01:21:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: November 5, 1997
Issue #861
HEADLINES:
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BURMANET: UPDATE ON REFUGEES TO BE REPATRIATED
BKK POST: RIOT POLICE DISPATCHED TO SHUT NLD MEETING
BKK POST: BURMA, LAOS MAY HAVE TO TAKE BACK SEAT
BKK POST: CHETTHA DUE IN BURMA THURSDAY
NE BURMA ROUNDTABLE: NEWTON (MA) ENACTS BURMA LAW
SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION: TO SHAN EXPATRIATES
THE STAR: MYANMAR INVITES MALAYSIAN INVESTORS TO SET UP
REUTERS: EU ALARMED BY RASH OF HOMEMADE BOYCOTT LAWS
BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
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BURMANET: UPDATE ON REFUGEES TO BE REPATRIATED
November 5, 1997
There are up to 2000 Karen villagers who have fled to the southern part
of Umpang District in Thailand from Duplaya District in Burma. The
SLORC achieved control over Duplaya District after its offensive against
the KNU in February 1997. Many Karen villagers who originally stayed
in their villages have left their homes in recent months. Others came out to
the refugee camp at the time of the offensive, returned home after the
SLORC promised they would not be mistreated, and have now fled to
Thailand again.
The refugees came to Thailand hoping to be able to enter a refugee camp
where they would not have to endure the human rights abuses committed
by SLORC troops in their villages.
Since the SLORC took control over Duplaya District, the troops have used
the villagers extensively for forced labor on roads into the area. While doing
forced labor, the villagers receive no food or medicine and are often beaten
if the SLORC soldiers are not satisfied with their work. Villagers must
also serve as porters for the SLORC troops who are moving through the
region, carrying their ammunition and supplies. Many people who go as
porters never come back, because they are fed very little food and often
develop infected wounds from carrying the heavy loads. Sick and weak
porters are usually left to die or are killed. Villagers who are suspected
of having had connections with the KNU are also harassed and in some
cases tortured.
When the Karen from Duplaya District came into Thailand, they hoped
to be able to enter Nupho refugee camp, which has a population of over
10,000 people. However, the Thai military did not permit them to
enter the camp. This year, the Thai military has adopted a new
definition of refugees which says that a person is only a refugee if they
are fleeing from a situation of active fighting. Because there is no
major fighting currently taking place in Duplaya District, the Karen
who have fled from there are not considered refugees according to this
definition.
The Thai army's definition does not correspond with the United Nations'
definition, which considers a refugee to be anyone who is fleeing with
a well-founded fear of persecution.
The Karen who have fled have sought refuge in Thai-Karen villages
in the area around Nupho camp. NGOs have been able to provide some
limited assistance to these people. Last week, a captain in the Thai
army said that these displaced Karen would be sent back to Burma on
November 1st. Some NGOs and embassies registered their concerns
about this decision with various Thai authorities, and the pushback
was put on hold.
Outsiders have occasionally blamed Thailand's Ministry of Interior (MOI),
which oversees the refugee camps, for Thailand's increasingly strict policy
on refugees. In fact, this blame is misplaced, because it is the National
Security Council which is making the policy. A meeting is expected to take
place soon in which the MOI and the National Security Council will review
Thailand's policy on new arrivals.
There is a growing population of displaced people from Burma who have
been denied access to other camps besides Nupho. Karens who have arrived
over the past few months have not been allowed to enter several of the existing
refugee camps. There are also tens of thousands of Shans from Northeastern
Burma who have fled to Thailand because of human rights abuses, but no
refugee camps have been set up for them.
Because of the economic slowdown in Thailand, migrant workers, many of
whom are fleeing human rights abuses but could not get access to camps, are
being laid off. Many of the people from Burma who are now in Thailand
do not dare to go home, and the presence of displaced people may become
a growing problem for the Thai government.
In effect, the Thai government is bearing the brunt of a problem which
originates in Burma. One would think that the Thai government might feel
incredibly frustrated. The only way to solve this problem is for there to be a
transition to a government in Burma which respects human rights and rules
with the support of the people rather than by force. Perhaps Thai Army
Commander Chettha will raise the issue with his counterparts on his upcoming
trip to Burma.
-------------------------------
[related excerpts]
BKK POST: KARENS FLEE ROUND-UP BY BURMESE SOLDIERS
November 4, 1997
Supamart Kasem - Tak
Karen refugees in groups of between 50-100 people, mostly women, children
and old people, have entered Ban Letongkhu, Ban Thijochi and Ban Kuilertor
in Umphang, about two kilometres from the border, over the past few weeks
since Burmese troops started to round up and send Karen civilians to a
controlled area away from the border.
Meanwhile, Thai soldiers, border patrol police and military volunteers in
Umphang have been posted in the to ensure safety for the prevent more Karens
Thailand.
Col Chatchapat Yamngarnriab, chief of the Fourth Infantry Regiment's task
force, met with the Umphang district chief and the chief of the Border
Patrol Police Company 347 yesterday afternoon to discuss ways to deal with
the problem.
Col Chatchapat said the Karen refugees would be treated as illegal
immigrants and would be sent back to Burma once Thai authorities felt
confident about their safety.
*********************************************
BKK POST: RIOT POLICE DISPATCHED TO SHUT DOWN NLD MEETING
November 5, 1997
'Official permission' crucial to gatherings
Rangoon, AFP --Dozens of riot police were deployed yesterday to stop a
meeting of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), but the
party decided not to go ahead with the gathering, witnesses said.
Armed security forces were posted around the NLD's office in the eastern
Rangoon township of Tamwe, but Ms Suu Kyi and the NLD leadership had decided
on Monday night not to proceed as planned, a party source said.
It would have been the third gathering at NLD offices around the Burmese
capital, spearheaded by the party leader, to organise an NLD youth wing.
The government later issued a statement that the NLD intended to hold
another political gathering today, for which the authorities had not given
approval unless it took place at Ms Suu Kyi's home.
Last week, hundreds of police and troops blockaded an NLD office in northern
Rangoon, to stop Ms. Suu Kyi from addressing patty members in Mayangone
township.
The NLD said that eight party members were arrested after that incident,
including one elected MP, Than Nyein, who is the brother in law of the
ruling junta's chief of military intelligence.
The military government said it blocked last week's meeting to maintain
stability.
The NLD source said the party leadership had decided not to go ahead with
yesterday's meeting because they expected a similar response from the
authorities.
Riot police, as well as plainclothes military intelligence, were manning
entries to the NLD office in Tamwe, with some bystanders looking on,
although it was clear the meeting would not go ahead, witnesses said.
Barricades were ready, but not in place. There were no arrests or trouble,
they said.
However, the government appeared to hint in yesterday's official statement
that it might tolerate an outside meeting if it did not become a public.
rally, a Burmese analyst in Rangoon said.
The authorities would "extend every effort to be sure that these political
meetings are held conveniently", it said, stressing that such gatherings
must comply with the law.
Burmese citizens face long jail terms if they gather for unauthorised public
rallies, including the once regular addresses of Ms Suu Kyi which the junta
stopped last September.
*******************************************************
BKK POST: BURMA, LAOS MAY HAVE TO TAKE BACK SEAT
November 5, 1997
Bhanravee Tansubhapol
Senior Asian and European officials, unable to settle on new countries to
join the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), have handed off the issue to their
leaders to decide, a senior Foreign Ministry official said yesterday.
Permanent secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said the leaders, who are to meet in
London next April, would consider only countries which had already applied
for membership.
That means Burma and Laos will be excluded from the candidates because,
according to Mr Saroj, they have not yet officially applied.
Mr Saroj led the Thai delegation at a senior officials' meeting of Asem
members last Thursday and Friday in Luxembourg.
Australia, New Zealand and India are among countries wanting to join the
forum on the Asian side.
Burma and Laos became new members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations in July, but that does not give them automatic entry into the
one-year-old Asem forum.
Asem includes Asean - without Burma and Laos - and the European Union, plus
China, Japan and South Korea.
Apinan Pavanarit, director-general of the European Affairs Department, said
Asian and European leaders in the London summit would set up the Asia-Europe
Vision Group, comprising experts from the two continents.
*******************************************************
BKK POST: CHETTHA DUE IN BURMA THURSDAY
November 4, 1997
Army commander-in-chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro leaves for Burma on Thursday
to meet military leaders and strengthen ties.
Gen Chettha will meet army commander Gen Maung Aye and the second secretary
of the State Law and Order Council, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt.
The question of Thai inmates of Insein prison will be raised.
A group of 50 inmates are expected to be freed in December.
An army source said that trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations
rather than freeing Thai inmates.
"The negotiations for the release of Thai inmates come second on the agenda.
The priority is to strengthen ties. When they are secured, other good things
will follow," said the source.
Gen Chettha is scheduled to visit China on Nov 12-16 as a guest of the
Chinese defence ministry.
The army commander will meet Chinese premier Li Peng and other senior
military officers.
The talks will focus on military cooperation between Thailand and China and
weaponry purchase schemes.
******************************************
NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE: NEWTON (MA) ENACTS BURMA SELECTIVE PURCHASING LAW
November 4, 1997
Last night, the Newton Board of Aldermen voted 22-2 to enact a Burma
selective purchasing ordinance. This is the second Burma law to be enacted
by a city in Massachusetts.
The successful passage of the Newton Burma law was largely due to the work
of Alderman Ken Parker. Feel free to email him a message of appreciation at
kkparker@xxxxxxx
The Brookline Town Meeting votes on a similar Burma ordinance tonight.
With the addition of the City of Newton, the number of state and local
Burma selective Burma laws has now grown to 17. (See below for a complete
list.)
Simon Billenness
* for the New England Burma Roundtable *
Franklin Research & Development Corporation
711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423 6655 x 225
(617) 482 1679 fax
sbillenness@xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------
BURMA SELECTIVE PURCHASING LAWS
Date Enacted/Signed
STATES: 1
Massachusetts 6/25/96
COUNTIES: 1
Alameda (CA) 12/10/96
CITIES: 15
Berkeley (CA) 2/28/95
Madison (WI) 8/15/95
Santa Monica (CA) 11/28/95
Ann Arbor (MI) 4/15/96
San Francisco (CA) 4/22/96
Oakland (CA) 4/23/96
Carrboro (NC) 10/8/96
Takoma Park (MD) 10/28/96
Boulder (CO) 12/17/96
Chapel Hill (NC) 1/13/97
New York (NY) 5/30/97
Santa Cruz (CA) 7/8/97
Quincy (MA) 10/20/97
Palo Alto (CA) 10/20/97
Newton (MA) 11/3/97
BURMA LEGISLATION PENDING
STATES: 1
California
North Carolina (bill to relax restrictions on municipal Burma laws)
CITIES: 2
Brookline (MA)
Los Angeles (CA)
Seattle (WA)
West Hollywood (CA)
******************************************
SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION: TO SHAN EXPATRIATES
November 2, 1997
TO SHAN EXPATRIATES
1. The Shan States is a distinct country with the characteristics of a
nation, a fact recognized by none other than the late Aung San, father of
the Nobel laureate Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. The fact that there had to be a
treaty signed between Burma and the Shan States before the union was formed
in 1947 further emphasizes this point.
2. The union, at present, is existent only in name but neither in form
nor essence since the 1947 union Constitution - the main bond between Burma
and the Shan States - was declared inoperative since 1962. The Shan States,
in effect, is a sovereign country under alien occupation. Since then, our
ancestral lands have been forcefully taken, our people robbed and subjected
to various abuses.
3. However, the Shan States and its peoples are not so unreasonably
vindictive that they shall refuse to join a new union with Burma,
regardless of foolproof legal safeguards of our rights offered by all those
concerned. We are ready to join hands with all in order to find ways to set
up a lasting union, in accordance with one of the resolutions made in New
York on 22 January 1995.
" Together with our friends and allies, explore various possible
political solutions, including a federal union. A new federal union will
be based on the amendments proposed by the constituent
states in 1961. The federal union must be based on mutual respect,
equality and justice for all. Failing that and other political solutions,
negotiate an amicable parting of Ways. "
4. The people of Shan States made their choice on 27 May 1990 of the
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy led by Khun Htoon Oo to speak for
them. On 13 September 1996, all the three Shan armies, collectively to be
known as the Shan States Army hence, met and resolved to respect the
people's decision. So did the overseas Shans who formed the Shan Democratic
Union on 16 November 1996.
5. We therefore urge all the Shans here to support the decision of your
people back home, to unite under the leadership of the SNLD and lend every
assistance possible to our delegate, Sao Ood Kesi.
Executive Committee
Shan Democratic Union
Dated : 1 November 1997
**********************************************
THE STAR: MYANMAR INVITES MALAYSIAN INVESTORS TO SET UP SMIS
November 3, 1997
By Jonathan Kwok
PENANG: Myanmar hopes to attract more foreign investors, including
Malaysians, to set up or develop small-medium industries (SMIs) for
export-based products, a Myanmar business delegation leader said in Penang
yesterday.
U Htein Win, who is heading the Myanmar Industrial Association business
mission delegation, said Myanmar was currently more interested in setting up
SMIs rather than huge high-tech industries.
"We know Malaysia is very much ahead of us technologically and we hope
local investors will transfer some of their technology and expertise to set
up SMIs in Myanmar. We intend to develop our marine, forest, mining and
agriculture products sector to increase exports of value added products and
improve the country's trade imbalance," he said.
U Htein said this during a meeting with members of the Penang Chinese
Chamber of Commerce (PCCC).
He said that at the moment, raw materials made up the bulk of Myanmar's
exports. Malaysia is the third biggest investor among the Asean countries,
after Singapore and Thailand.
Malaysia has investments in Myanmar worth US$524.17mil while Singapore and
Thailand have invested US$1.22bil and US$1.16bil respectively.
"Among the major Malaysian investors in Myanmar are the Hong Leong group
and Petronas," U Htein said, adding that most Malaysian investments were in
real estate, hotels, etc, but not much in the manufacturing line.
The 22 member Myanmar business delegation will leave today for a five-day
visit to Kuala Lumpur before heading to Singapore and Thailand to promote
bilateral trade and investments.
******************************************
REUTERS: EU ALARMED BY RASH OF HOMEMADE BOYCOTT LAWS IN U.S. [abridged]
November 4, 1997
By Bettina Vestring
BRUSSELS, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Europeans are looking across the Atlantic with
concern as a growing number of U.S. states and even cities pass sanction
laws to punish repressive governments and the companies that deal with them.
The European Union, already up in arms over U.S. federal trade laws
concerning Cuba, Iran and Libya, is alarmed at the new drive to enforce
human rights through selective purchasing bills at a regional or local level.
``Our concern is the absolute proliferation that has occurred,'' one EU
source told Reuters.
Though most sanctions laws to date have not hurt European companies very
badly, there are dangerous proposals in hand, the source explained. ``States
like California, New York and Texas are big purchasers.''
U.S. states and cities are pondering laws against countries as far apart as
Nigeria and Indonesia. New York City holds the record with sanction
proposals affecting a total of 15 countries, from Egypt to North Korea.
BURMA A FAVOURITE TARGET
One favorite target of sanction laws is Burma, where opposition leader and
Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is staging a highly publicised fight
against a military government which has been accused of violating human
rights and organising the drug trade.
The state of Massachussetts and 15 individual U.S. cities and counties have
passed legislation to bar the authorities from buying goods or services
from companies which do business in Burma. In another four states, similar
laws are pending.
The EU commission has asked the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for
consultations over the Massachussetts law. This is the first step in the
WTO dispute settlement procedure.
``We are using Massachussetts as a test case,'' the EU source explained.
The EU has been able to start the procedure against the Massachussetts law
because that state had signed up to a WTO agreement on public procurement.
But not all U.S. states have done so and EU officials are worried by the
fact that there are no rules at all for cities and counties.
``The laws don't fall under the normal WTO rules,'' the EU source said.
``This is very much a consumer boycott along the lines of: I am buying and
therefore I can chose who I will buy from.''
SANCTIONS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA APARTHEID THE MODEL
The selective purchasing proposals are modelled on the sanction laws which
helped bring down South Africa's former whites-only apartheid regime.
The fight against Burma was led by the Californian city of Berkeley, which
passed the first such law in early 1995.
``The citizens of the City of Berkeley, believing that their quality of
life is diminished when peace and justice are not fully present in the
world, adopted Ordinance No. 59085-N.S.,'' the decision said.
But even in the U.S., the legality of such measures is being questioned. In
an essay for the Vanderbilt law journal, David Schmahmann and James Finch
recently pointed out that they may constitute an impermissible usurpation
of federal authority.
Bryan Cassidy, a British Conservative member of the European Parliament,
put it more plainly. ``These measures are silly and absurd and likely to
harm American interests more than anybody else. The federal government is
alarmed and embarrassed.''
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BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics
related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects,
please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either
answer your question or try to put you in contact with someone who can:
Campus activism: zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boycott campaigns: ai268@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@xxxxxxx
Chin history/culture: [volunteer temporarily away]
Fonts: tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
High School Activism: [volunteer needed]
History of Burma: zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
International Affairs: Julien Moe: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society:
102113.2571@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed]
Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak:
z954001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Burma-India border Aung San Myint:
aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@xxxxxxxxxxx
Pipeline Campaign freeburma@xxxxxxx
Premier Oil UK/ Yetagun Oilfield: bagp@xxxxxxxxxx
Resettlement info: refugee_help@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rakhaing (Arakan) history/culture
Kyaw Tha Hla:thisthis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rohingya culture volunteer needed
Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Teak Boycott Tim Keating: relief@xxxxxxx
Total - France Dawn Star: cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tourism campaigns: bagp@xxxxxxxxxx
volunteering: refugee_help@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
World Wide Web: FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx
Geographical Contacts:
Massachusetts simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]
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FREE BURMA WEB PAGES:
http://FreeBurma.org
This single page serves only as an easy to remember URL and departure
point to resources promoting the establishment of democracy in Burma.
Please write to FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx to add a site or for further
information." - Glen, system administrator
FREE BURMA COALITION:
to get involved in the Free Burma Coalition, send a message to:
zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
or visit their homepage, accessible through: http:// FreeBurma.org
There is also an e-mail list-server especially for Free Burma activists
BURMANET SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma.
Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire
services and the Internet as well as original material are published.
It is produced with the support of the Burma Information Group
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Letters to the editor, comments or contributions of articles should be
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