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The BurmaNet News JAnuary 8, 1998



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: January 8, 1998        
Issue #907

HEADLINES: 
==========
ABSDF: SPDC WARNS NLD TO STOP ISSUING STATEMENTS,
BKK POST: BURMA IN BID TO HALT SMUGGLING
IPS: RIGHTS-SOUTH ASIA: WHITE SLAVERY STILL A THRIVING TRADE
INDEPENDENT REPORT: DEPORTATION POLICY ON THAI BORDER 
KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 1/98
KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CONTINUE
KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 70/97
KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION BY THAI SOLDIERS
NATION: PTT DENIES CHANGE IN YADANA PIPELINE ROUTE
BAG: BURMA: THE LITMUS TEST FOR UK ETHICAL FOREIGN POLICY
CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: ON BURMA'S 50TH
ANNOUNCEMENT: FRENCH HUMAN RIGHTS ORG. WANTS INFO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

ABSDF: SPDC WARNS NLD TO STOP ISSUING STATEMENTS,
CURB  AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S ACTIVITIES
January 7, 1998
 
Burma's military regime, the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC), has warned the National League for Democracy (NLD) to
stop issuing statements and to curtail the activities of its
general secretary, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

The warning was made in a meeting held on December 12, 1997,
between the SPDC Minister of Home Affairs, Colonel Tin Hlaing,
and a five member delegation of the NLD.

In a statement issued on December 19, the NLD said that they were
only informed of the meeting a few hours before it took place. An
official of the Ministry came at about 1:30 p.m. on December 12
and verbally informed the NLD chairman about the meeting, which
was held at 4:00 p.m. later that day. 

"A five member delegation of the party went to meet the minister
bearing in mind the importance of developing smooth relations and
mutual understanding with the state authorities," the statement said.   

"The Minister for Home Affairs primarily raised two issues: the
discontinuation of the NLD's regular practice of issuing
statements, which the NLD has published so many times, and
matters regarding official activities of the NLD, in particular
the organising activities of the general secretary of the party."

The statement added that the delegation did not include NLD
chairman U Aung Shwe, the two vice-chairmen, the party secretary
or General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

In an announcement a few days after the meeting, the SPDC also
warned that if the NLD didn't stop its activities, the holding of
a dialogue and national reconciliation would be "further away
from reality" and that the NLD would be responsible for this. The
NLD rejected this accusation as totally unfounded.

"Although this form of intimidation is nothing new, this is
probably the first time NLD leaders were officially told to stop
activities," said ABSDF vice-chairman Moe Thee Zun. 

"In March and April 1989, as officials of the Democratic Party
for New Society (DPNS), we were summoned to meet with the now
ousted Generals Myo Nyunt and Tun Kyi in Rangoon and Mandalay. 
We were ordered to stop our political activities as well as issuing
statements and papers," said Moe Thee Zun, the founder and former
chairman of the DPNS.   

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please call 01 654 4984.

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

BKK POST: BURMA IN BID TO HALT SMUGGLING
January 7, 1998
SUPAMART KASEM in TAK

Burmese authorities have intensified surveillance along the Thai-
Burmese border to prevent smuggling following the suspension of
exports from Thailand last November.

Police, soldiers, customs officials and volunteers have been
deployed at the checkpoints along the border to inspect caravans
of trucks entering the country, border sources said.

Thai goods worth millions of baht that were smuggled into Burma
via Ranong, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Kanchanaburi have been
confiscated, the sources said.

It is estimated that Thailand has lost about 16 million baht
daily since the suspension order was issued by the Burmese
government. Burmese authorities suspended border trade to improve 
the tax system, saying the trade would resume in one week.

The order was issued after the State Law and Order Restoration
Council -was changed into the State Peace and Development Council.

According to a bilateral trade agreement signed last year, Burma
and Thailand must inform their partner three months in advance if
they want to suspend border trade.

The sources also quoted Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, SPDC's First General
Secretary, as saying that the Burmese government would give first
priorities to Singapore, Japan and China to invest in the country.
"He did not say anything about Thailand," said one of the sources.

Local businessmen plan to seek help from the government when
Deputy Commerce Minister Pothipong Lamsam and Deputy Finance
Minister Pichet Phanvichartkul inspect trade in Mae Sot over the weekend.

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

IPS: RIGHTS-SOUTH ASIA: WHITE SLAVERY STILL A THRIVING TRADE
December 29, 1998  (Inter Press Service)  (abridged)

KARACHI, (Dec. 29) IPS - They are kidnapped, "married" off to agents by
unsuspecting parents, or enticed by prospects of a better life -- but these
Bangladeshi and Burmese women end up in the brothels of Pakistan. 

After making the perilous journey, often on foot across India, they would 
probably be luckier if sold into domestic slavery along with their children. 
But more likely, they are forced into abject prostitution by brothel owners. 

A Sindh police report in 1993 found that Bangladeshis comprise 80 percent, 
and Burmese 14 percent, of Karachi's undocumented immigrants. The report
indicates that border police and other law enforcement agencies are well aware 
of the trafficking through entry points into Pakistan like Lahore, Kasur, 
Bahawalpur, Chhor and Badin. 

"Yet no constructive, affirmative steps are taken by law enforcement agencies to
prosecute traffickers and stop the exploitation of women and children at the
hands of both police, agents and other individuals," Awan said. 

Big money is involved in the trafficking of humans. In 1988, posing as 
a potential client, this correspondent found that the going price for a 
Bengali or Burmese woman was between 1,500 to 2,500 U.S. dollars -- 
depending on age, looks, docility and virginity. 

The price has remained steady, as has the momentum of the "trade", 
thanks to the connivance of those tasked to prevent it. For each child or 
woman sold, the police is reported to claim a 15 to 20 percent commission. 

Justice Wajiuddin noted the problem was related to the overall status of 
women in male-dominated South Asia, where women are often perceived as
commodities or male property. 

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

INDEPENDENT REPORT: DEPORTATION POLICY ON THAI BORDER 
December 30, 1998

Update on the Recent Deportation of Burmese Refugees arrested at
Checkpoints along the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang Highway, northwest Thailand.

December 30, 1997

During the whole of December, Thai agencies have been setting up temporary
checkpoints along the southern half of the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang highway,
in an attempt to stem the flow of refugees and illegal immigrants
travelling to and from Mae Sot. These checkpoints have been set up in
different places and operated for different lengths of time, sometimes for
only one day.

There have been many legitimate Burmese refugees and others detained as a
result. Those caught are generally detained inside razor wire fencing until
the evening, without food or water, and then deported.

There now seem to be two deportation points. People caught at checkpoints
in the Mae Sot area (up to kilometer 56 on the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang
highway) are being deported from a place south of Mae Sot across to Maw Toh
T'Lay village, which is south of Myawaddy, in Karen State. Here, the
returnees are delivered directly into the hands of the DKBA. Reports seem
to show that this group of DKBA soldiers are relatively sympathetic to the
deportees.

Those caught in Tha Song Yang District (from kilometer 56 to approximately
kilometer 180 north of Mae Sot) are taken to the Thai village of Mae Tha
Waw (kilometer 137). Here, the Thai soldiers call their Burmese
counterparts to come and collect them. According to people who have
recently managed to return from here, there are both Burmese and DKBA
troops stationed on the Burma side of Mae Tha Waw. The DKBA's treatment of
the newly returned is reported to be a lot harsher than that of the Burmese
Army troops, who allow some to return to Thailand on the pretence that they
will fetch the rest of their family and come back to the Burma side in the
following few days.

Reports from a number of sources say that anyone deported to either site
who holds a Burmese Identity Card is allowed to return to their village.
Deportees who do not have Burmese identification, or were not carrying it
at the time of arrest, are being made to join the forced labour gangs on
local road projects.

At Maw Toh T'Lay, people without Burmese identity are conscripted to work
on the Myawaddy to Kawkareik road, while those who are deported to the
Burma side of Mae Tha Waw are having to work on the Mae Tha Waw to
Hlaingbwe road. There have also been reports of being allowed to join the
Burmese Army as an alternative to working on the road projects.

Certain details about the terms of the road labour are unclear, yet they
are not given wages, food or medicine.

The following information was supplied by a woman who was recently deported
to the Burma side of Mae Tha Waw and managed to return to Thailand.

Name: Naw ** ****
Address: House No. **, Section No. *, ***** refugee camp.

At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24th, a number of Thai soldiers
arrested her as she was walking along the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang highway.
They took her to their army post nearby, where she joined a group of 72
others awaiting deportation.

At 2:00 p.m. on the same day, she and the others were taken to Mae Tha Waw.
The Thai soldiers called to the Burmese soldiers on the other side of the
Moei river (which marks the boundary between Thailand and Burma along this
stretch of the border), and told them that they had some Karens to deport
back to Burma.

A number of Burmese soldiers came across the river by boat, and their
commander said, "OK, these people are not animals, so we will take them."
(The implication was one of sympathy). The deportees were then ferried
across the river and taken to the local Burmese Army camp. They were kept
here for one night.

The following morning, this woman, amongst others, pleaded with the Burmese
soldiers that she had to go back to Thailand. (It is not clear what reason
was given). At 8:00 a.m., she was allowed to go back to Thailand with a
number of others, each having paid 200 baht to the group of Burmese
soldiers. On the way some DKBA soldiers saw them, and told the Burmese
soldiers who were accompanying them not to let them go free. One Burmese
soldier replied, "These people have things to do, and will come back in a
day or two."

This particular woman then travelled by passenger car back to the refugee
camp where she lives. She arrived home in the evening of Thursday, December
25th.

She reports that some of the group of 73 deportees were allowed to return
to their villages in Karen State.

Interviewed: 27/12/97

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

KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 1/98
REGARDING OFFENSIVE AND TERRORISM BY SPDC (FORMERLY SLORC)
January 2, 1998

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, KAREN NATIONAL UNION
KAW THOO LEI

	The massive military offensive with widespread human rights 
violation, atrocities and wholesale destruction, started by the SLORC 
(currently SPDC) in February 1998 against the Karen people and KNU in 
7 districts stretching from Tavoy-Mergui in the south and Toun-goo in 
the north, is continuing.

Toun-goo District
	Military columns, under Tac. Commander, Lt.Col. Thein Maung, 5,000 
Kyat cash and Major Kyaw Shwe of LIB 708, committed looting and 
destruction, mentioned below, in Tan-da-bin township during the 
months of November and December, 1997.

* Twenty six houses in Yo-ser, 16 houses and a school building in 
He-daw-kor, 8 houses in Wa-so, 7 houses in Thay-gee-lar, 52 houses 
and a school building in Ho-kee, and 30 houses and a church building 
in Klay-kee were burnt down.

* In Klay-kee village, the troops looted 150 baskets of paddy, 10 
viss of cardamom seed and a trunk from Saw Maung Win, 145 baskets of 
paddy, a basket of rice and a trunk from Saw Ray Ko, 105 baskets of 
paddy, a basket of rice and trunk from Saw htee Mu, 95 baskets of 
paddy, 3 viss of cardamom seed and a trunk from Saw Cher May, 70 
baskets of paddy and trunk from Saw Ler Paw, 50 baskets of paddy, 
a trunk and 5,000 kyat cash from Saw Meh Ar, 70 baskets of paddy and  
a trunk from Saw Htoo Ler, 55 baskets of paddy, 50 viss of cardamom 
seed and a trunk from Saw Roo Ka, 10 viss of cardamom seed from Naw 
Paw Si Pweh, 10 viss of cardamom seed and 10,000 Kyat cash from Saw 
Ta Par, 15 viss of cardamom seed from Saw Reh Htoo, and 6,000 Kyat of 
cash, 2 gold rings and a trunk from Naw Eh Mwee. Moreover, the troops 
killed and ate all the live-stock found in the village.

* In He-dor-kor village, the troops looted 50 viss of salt, 2 1/2 
baskets of rice, clothes and a trunk from Saw Doh Ywa Pa, 12 viss of 
cardamom seed, 20 bottles of honey, 7 viss of salt and trunk from Hsa 
Ler Mu Pa, 32 viss of cardamom seed, a cassette-tape recorder and 2 
trunks from Saw Tu Ru, 30 viss of cardamom seed from Saw Lar Doh, 35 
basket of paddy from Saw Lar Bweh, 40 baskets of paddy from Saw Ta 
Heh, a pack-ox from Mor Hee Pa. Here also, the troops killed and ate 
all the live-stock found.

* In Sho-ser village, the troops looted 220 baskets of paddy from Naw 
Ta Tu, 35 baskets of paddy from Naw Theh Wah, 100 baskets of paddy 
from Tar Ta Moe, a buffalo and 85 baskets of paddy from Lar Htoo, 40 
baskets of paddy from Maung Chit, a buffalo from Nya Lay Lu and 200 
baskets of paddy from the village communal barn.

* In Wa-so, 40and 20 baskets of paddy were looted from Kay Ker Mo and 
Saw Bo Kyaw.

* In Ho-kee, 150 baskets of paddy from Ma Tin Aye Pa, 2 cattle from 
Naw Be Meh Pa, 3 cattle from Seh Ray Htoo Moe, a buffalo and 4 cattle 
from Bar Hso Hgay Pa, 356 pigs and a number of chicken were looted.

Abbreviations:
1 Basket = 8 gallons (A basket of rice weighs 33.3 kg)
1 viss = 1.6 kg

( Translated, printed and distributed by Karen Information Center)

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

KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CONTINUE
December 30, 1997   (KNU Information Unit)

Human Rights Abuses in Taungoo District

Thandaung Township
	On 5.12.97, LIR 540, led by commander Kyaw Win Oo entered Per Kaw 
Der village, Maw Koe Der, Der Doh and Show Soh villages and forced 
the women to be porters. The men usually flee when news of the 
approaching Burmese troops arrives for fear of being arrested or 
taken as porters.
	On 6.12.97, the soldiers of LIR 540 stole the following items from 
Der Doh village:
(1) Saw Tah Ghay		10 Viss of Cardamom
(2) Saw Poe Dah		1 watch
(3) Saw Bloo Heh		1 watch
(4) Saw Kler Say Doh		1 watch

	At Thay Moo Der village, these same troops cut down the trees in the 
villager's coconut and betel nut plantations. After cutting down the 
trees, the villagers were forced to sell the coconuts and betel nuts 
in Kler Lah village which has a large market. The money was then 
given to the soldiers.
	Oo Per village was burned down by LIR 540 on 9.12.97.
	On 10.12.97, Saw Par Doo and his two nephews from Maw Koh Der 
village were returning with two cows from Kler Lah village when they 
were arrested and tied up by Burmese troops. The soldiers took the 
two cows and rice and medicine which Saw Par Doo had just bought in 
Kler Lah villag. The cows were latter forcibly sold to the villagers 
for 100,000 kyat per cow. Saw Par Doo and his nephews were accused of 
being revolutionaries and tortured by various methods.

Taw Ta Too township (Htantabin)
	On 12.12.97, LIR 707 and LIB 39 took 50 people from Kaw Thay Der 
village including women to carry their rations to their base at Naw 
Soe village.
	Two villagers from Kaw Thay Der village were arrested by LIB 39 and 
LIR 707 on 14.12.97. They are:
(1) Saw Poe K'neh from Ka Moo Der village 
(2) Saw Per Pae  from Hsaw Wah Der village
They are both teenager. Accused of  being revolutionaries, various 
methods were used to torture them. A few days latter, a village head 
asked to be able to see them, but the Burmese soldiers denied him 
permission.
	Also on 14.12.97, a column of LIR 707 led by battalion commander 
Aung Hein Mya burned down seven houses from Thay Koh Der village 
including one church. The soldiers destroyed, stole, and ate the 
villagers possessions.
(1) Saw Moo		80 tins of paddy, 2 tins of rice, 600 Kyat
(2) Saw Koh Doh 	14 viss of cardamom, 2 sets of gold earrings, 2 gold 
rings
(3) Saw Htoe Ler Wah	20 tins of paddy,1 pig,
(4) Saw Lah Poh	1 cow
(5) Saw Kyay Poe	1 pig
(6) Saw Pah Nah	5 viss of cardamon
(7) Saw Tah Teh	5 viss of cardamon, 300 kyat
Two gongs used by the church to call people to worship were also 
destroyed.
	From 8.11.97 to 18.11.97 soldiers under Tactical command No.2 
commander Lt.Col. Thein Maung, LIR 708 battalion commander Kyaw Shwe, 
and company commander Htin Kyaw burned and pillaged various villages 
in the area.
	They entered Klay Kee village and ate, burned, destroyed, and stole 
the following:
(1) Maung Poh Win 		300 tins of paddy, 20 viss of cardamon
(2) Saw Ray			280 tins of paddy, 2 tins of rice, 1 trunk
(3) Saw Htee Moo		210 tins of paddy, 2 tins of rice
(4) Saw Kyeh May		190 tins of paddy, 3 viss of cardamon, 1 trunk
(5) Saw Ler Paw		140 tins of paddy, 1 trunk
(6) Saw Htoo Lay Paw	140 tins of paddy, 1 trunk
(7) Saw Mar Deh		100 tins of paddy, 5000 kyat, 1 trunk
(8) Saw Ru Kah			110 tins of paddy, 5 viss of cardamon, 1 trunk
(9) Naw Paw See Pweh	10 viss of cardamon
(10) Saw T'yah			10 viss of cardamon, 1000 kyat and  all possessions
(11) Saw Yeh Htoo 		15 viss of cardamon
(12) Naw Eh Pwee		6000 kyat, 1 gold ring, all possessions
The soldiers also ate 3 pigs, 3 goats and 10 viss of chichens.
	At Show Soe village, LIR 707  burned down 26 houses and LIR 708 
burned down  16 houses and one school in Hee Daw Ghaw village. LIR 
707 burned down 8 houses in Wah Soe village, and 7 houses from Thay 
Ghee Lah village.
	Company commander Htin Kyaw fro LIR 708 burned down 52 houses and a 
school in Khoh Kee village. He also burned down 30 houses and one 
church in Klay Kee villae.
	At Hee Daw Ghaw village, LIR 707 took, burned, and stole the 
following items:
(1) Saw Doh Ya Pah		50 viss of salt, 10 tins of rice, 20 pairs of 
clothes, 1 trunk
(2) Saw Lah Moo Pah		12 viss of cardamon, 20 bottles of honey, 70 
viss of salt, 2 big pots, 1 trunk
(3) Saw T'roo			32 viss of cardamon, 2 cassettes, 2 trunk, knives, 
plates, dishes, pots
(4) Saw Lah Doh		30 viss of cardamon
(5) Saw Lah Pweh		70 tins of paddy
(6) Saw Tah Heh Doo		80 tins of paddy
(7) Maw Hee Pah		1 bull
(8) Heh Ray Htoo Pah		8 viss of cardamon, 20 tins , 1 sewing machine
(9) Naw Htoo Bleh		1 big pig (50 Kilo), 1 small pig (20 Kilo)
	The soldiers ate 20 goats, 10 pigs, 20 viss of chicken, They also 
destroyed 3 storm lanterns, 20 bottles of gasoline and 20 bottles 
Keroscense. One carbine was captured from Saw Htoe Th'kweh
	The follwoing possessions were taken from Show Soe, Wa Soe, and Khoh 
Kee villages.
	Show Soe village:
		(1) Naw Kluh Ma	400 tins of paddy
		(2) Naw Tah Htoo	440 tins of paddy
		(3) Naw Theh Pah	70 tins of paddy
		(4) Ta Ta Moe		200 tins of paddy
		(5) Saw Ler Htoo	1 buffalo
		(6) Maung Chit		80 tins of paddy
		(7) Nya Lay Loo		1 buffalo
	
	Wa Soe village:
		(1) Kay Kay Moe	80 tins of paddy
		(2) Saw Bo Kyaw	40 tins of paddy

	Khoh Kee village:
		(1) Ma Tin Aye Pah	300 tins of paddy
		(2) Naw Bee Beh Pah	2 cows
		(3) Theh Ray Htoo Pah	3 cows
		(4) Bah Soe Ghay Pah		1 buffalo
	 Other villagers lost 4 cows, 35 pigs, 50 viss of chickens.
On 20.12.97, The Burmese troops transported their rations to Kler 
Lah village. The ration were carried by 15 trucks which were taken 
from the civillians in Kler Lah and Kaw Thay Der village without compensation.

Mergui/Tavoy district

	After a battle between KNLA and LIR 280, LIB 285 and People's 
Militia on 22.12.97, the Burmese troops arrested and killed three  villagers.
	Naw Lar Loo, 22 year, from Teh Soo Kwee village was raped and shot 
to death. Her father's name is Kyeh Htoo.
	Saw Choo Poh, 55 year, from Tah Lay Kho village was arrested and 
then shot and killed.
	Naw Seeh Seeh, 30 year, also from the Tah Lay Kho village was raped 
and shot to death. Her two children, one girl (14 year) and one boy 
(8 year), were taken by the Burmese troops to their base. What has 
become of them is unknown.

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

KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 70/97
REGARDING SPDC (FORMERLY SLORC) OFFENSIVE AGAINST KNU
December 31, 1998

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, KAREN NATIONAL UNION
KAW THOO LEI

Taun-goo District

* 5.12.97: A military column from SPDC LIB 540, led by commander Kyi 
Win U, seized women from Peh-gor-doe, Mor-koe-doe, Deh-Doh, Sho-ser & 
etc. villages, in Tharn-daung township, and forced them to serve as 
porters for the column.

* 6.12.97: The SPDC LIB 540 military column looted 10 viss of 
cardamon seed from villagers Saw Dar Hgay, and a watch each from Saw 
Poe Dah, Saw Ba Lon Heh and Saw Kler Htoo Dah of Der-Doh village in 
Tharn-daung township. In addition, the troops cut down coconut and 
beetle nut trees, and forced the villagers to go and sell for them 
the confiscated beetle nut at Baw-ga-leet, a market village.

* 9-12-97: Another column from SPDC LIB 540 burnt down all the houses 
in U-pa village in Tharn-daung township.

* 10-12.97: Troops from SPDC LIB 540 accused Saw Par Doo and nephew 
of Maw-ko-doe village, Tharn-daung township, who were on their way 
back from Baw-ga-leet, carrying medicine and rice which they had 
bought, of being rebels and beat them up. The troops confiscated the 
medicine, rice and 3 oxen from the two. the villagers were forced to 
buy the 3 oxen at 10,000 kyat per ox.

* 17.12.97: Troops from SPDC LIB 707 and IB 39 seized 50 men, women 
and children from Gor-theh-doe village of Tan-da-bin township, and 
forced them to carry supplies to Nay-soe military camp.

* 14.12.97: Troops from SPDC LIB 707 and IB 39 accused Saw Poe Kaneh 
of Hgar-mu-doe village and Saw Peh Per of Hsaw-wah-doe village, of 
being rebels, beat them up and detained them. Even their parents and 
relatives were not allowed to see them.

* 14.12.97: A column from SPDC LIB 707, led by commander Aung hein 
Mya, burnt down 19 houses and a Christian church in Thay-ko-doe 
village of Tan-da-bin township. Additionally, the troops looted a 
basket of rice, 40 basket of paddy and 600 kyat cash from Saw Mu, 14 
viss of cardamon seed, 2 pairs of gold earrings, 2 gold rings from 
Saw Soe Doh, 10 baskets of paddy and a pig from Saw Toh Ler Wah, an 
ox from Saw Lar Poe, a pig from Saw Chay Poe, 5 viss of cardamon seed 
from Saw Beh Nar and, 5 viss of cardamon seed and 300 Kyat cash from 
Saw Tar Neh Yaw, and destroyed 2 bells from the church.

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

KNU: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION BY THAI SOLDIERS
January 2, 1998 (KNU Information Unit)

On the 29th of December, at Maw Ker refugee camp, the Karen refugees 
were heaving Karen New Year celebration. They were given permission 
to celebrate the New Year by the Thai captain Mai Tree who is 
responsible for the security of Maw Ker refugee camp. The Thai 
captain Mai tree allowed the Karens to hold the celebrations up to 9:00 P.M.

At around 9:00 P.M, the Karen were gathering the musical instruments 
at the end of the ceremony. At the time one of the Thai soldiers who 
wanted to sing some songs, asked the Karen who was in charge of the 
celebration to give him more time to sing so the Karens could not 
refuse and the New Year celebration continued. But when captain Mai 
Tree heard the noisy music continuing, he got very upset and thought 
the Karens disobeyed his order and failed to keep their promise, so 
he came down form his place and slapped the person in charge of the 
celebration and wrecked three guitars, cursing and swearing. Moreover 
the Thai soldiers have detained three Karen men. It is said they were 
severely mistreated with beating. No one knows where they are at the present.

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

NATION: PTT DENIES CHANGE IN YADANA PIPELINE ROUTE
January 7, 1998
by Pennapa Hongthong

THE Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) yesterday denied that
it would reroute a section of the Yadana gas pipeline to avoid
destroying forest land as stated earlier by Science Minister
Yingphan Manasikarn.

Meanwhile, environmentalists plan to file a lawsuit against the
PTT this week for allegedly violating the Constitution and the
1992 Environmental Act.

Yingphan, also the. secretary of the National Environment Board
(NEB), said on Monday after the board met the PTT that the agency
would re-route a six kilometre section of the pipeline, which was
to pass through Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi, to a
nearby road along an electrical line.

Although the new route may cover a  distance and have a higher
cost, the PTT is willing to re-route and bear the increased
expense," the minister said.

However, PIT public relations head Songkiert Tarnsamrit said
yesterday that the PTT had not promised anything the sort.

Four environmental groups, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, the
Green World Foundation, the Friend of Asean Elephant Foundation
and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, yesterday
authorised the environmental division of the Lawyer Council of
Thailand to file a lawsuit against the PTT.

The Constitution gives non-governmental organisations and the
community the right to file a lawsuit against the government if
it launches or becomes involved in projects which affect the
environment and natural resources," Warin said.

Narong Changkamol of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation said he and
colleagues want a court order to revoke a resolution by the
Chavalit cabinet to allow the PTT to lay the pipeline through the
national park and a 1A watershed area.

There is a Cabinet resolution on July 9, 1996, that states that
the 1A watershed area is absolutely forbidden for any
construction project by any state agency,' Narong said.  'This
means the Cabinet's resolution on Oct 21, 1997, violates the
former resolution and should be revoked."

Warin said he would ask the court to order the government to
review the project and reveal all information, including every
contract related to the enterprise.

He said defendants include the PTT, Yingphan, former industry
minister Korn Dabaransi, former prime minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh and Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.  

The lawyer said he would request a court order for a temporary
halt to construction until the, lawsuit, which he planned to file
by Jan 10, was concluded.
 
'We tried to make compromise agreements with the government and
the PTT but nothing is better, so this is our last option,' Warin
said.  'We want the government to review and stop the project
because it affects the forest  brings high risk to the villagers.

'If we don't file a lawsuit, can-the Royal Army guarantee that
the sabotage will not occur and can the PTT give a life assurance
to the villagers living around there?"

Songkiert said the PTT was looking forward to having their day in
court and clearing the air once and for all.

'It's good if the environmentalists take legal action because
it'll make everything clear.  And I actually prefer to follow the
court order, even to stop the construction - but the country will
have a big amount of debt.'

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BAG: BURMA: THE LITMUS TEST FOR UK ETHICAL FOREIGN POLICY
January 5, 1998 (Burma Action Group)

Press release: Embargoed until 1/1/98

As the UK assumes the European Union Presidency on 1/1/98, and as Burma
approaches the 50th anniversary of independence from Britain on 4/1/98, the
Burma Action Group UK (BAG UK) urge the UK Government to take up the
challenge posed by Burma.

We urge the Government to use the fullest influence of its' six month
Presidency to further the movement for democracy in Burma. Burma is the
obvious litmus test for the Government's heralded ethical foreign policy
and offers a prime opportunity for the Government to regain the ethical
agenda it has been accused of losing.

BAG UK have welcomed and supported those steps already taken and promoted
by the UK Government and by the European Union (EU) to put pressure on the
recently formed State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), including
Britain's trade promotion embargo of 19/6/97 and the withdrawal of the EU's
Generalised System of (Trade) Preferences from Burma on 24/3/97 due to the
military junta's use of forced labour. We also understand the UK Government
to be currently involved in the drawing up of a package of "positive
measures" designed to strengthen civil society and assist humanitarian work
in Burma.

However we are extremely concerned at the lack of progress that has
currently been made in the exploration of other more "strategic measures";
measures more purposefully designed to encourage the SPDC into a tripartite
and meaningful dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and
the ethnic nationalities, and so promote national reconciliation and the
restoration of democracy. The current critical situation in Burma warrants,
and makes essential, the inclusion of such strategic measures in the
Government's package. With negligible British interests to protect in Burma
there is little to prevent the Government imposing tougher economic
measures on the SPDC.

Pre-election the Labour party pledged strong support for the Burmese
democratic movement;  Tony Blair invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to address
the 1996 Labour party conference and in a personal letter to her said: "The
Labour party is a consistent supporter of the Burmese movement. And we have
been deeply impressed by your own personal role as the leader of that
movement. Your courage and dignity have been an inspiration to democrats
everywhere."

On the 10/7/96 the Labour party called on the Conservative Government to
support sanctions against Burma. The then Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister
Derek Fatchett MP said: "The British Government has spoken against
sanctions in the past, arguing that such measures ultimately hurt the
ordinary Burmese citizen more than the ruling elite. This argument was
wrong when it was used to justify continued trade with the apartheid regime
in South Africa, and it is still wrong today in regard to Burma" .

Post-election it is still wrong. Yvette Mahon, BAG UK Co-ordinator said:
"Trade and Investment can only promote democratic reform and respect for
human rights if there is the credible threat that they will be withdrawn
when these aims are clearly not being met. We have reached that point with
Burma. "

BAG UK urge the UK Government during its Presidency to explore, implement
and promote through the EU Council of Ministers the fullest range of
strategic measures, up to and including full economic sanctions, that can
be imposed on Burma's military regime in order to bring about the earliest
possible return to democracy and respect for human rights.

BAG UK ask the UK Government during its term as EU President:

*       to maintain pressure though the Council for an end to European
trade promotion activities with  regard to Burma as announced by the UK
Government on 19 June
         1997.

*       to respond to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's request that the EU implement
economic sanctions against  the SPDC by seeking to end all links between
the EU and Burma based on trade, investment and  tourism in  Burma by 
European companies.

*       to research thoroughly the possibilities for a unilateral embargo
on all new trade and investment in Burma by British companies, to timetable
implementation and to promote this policy through the Council of Ministers.

*       to explore thoroughly and impose where possible unilateral trade
restrictions on such items as Burmese tropical woods, textiles etc. and to
promote this policy through the Council of Ministers.

*       to explore thoroughly the full range of economic measures that
could potentially be implemented unilaterally by the UK and collectively by
the EU.

*      to unilaterally issue a statement discouraging tourism to Burma; to
support the World Tourism Organisation's Manila declaration on the social
impacts of tourism with regard to Burma, and to  promote this position 
through the Council of Ministers.

*      to research thoroughly possibilities for the repatriation of foreign
moneys invested in Burma which  are currently channelled through British
dependent territories and to timetable implementation.

*      to urge the European Commission not to take action against the act
regulating state contracts with companies doing business with or in Burma
passed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the dispute settlement
procedure of the World Trade Organisation.

*      to initiate an eminent persons mission from the European Union to
the NLD.

*       to push for a human rights component to ASEM proceedings using
Burma as the test case for the essential promotion of democracy and human
rights in trade and investment negotiations.

*       to ensure that the current Common position on Burma is properly
enforced, with regard to the ban on entry visas, the embargo on arms sales,
munitions and military equipment and to the suspension of non humanitarian 
aid or development programmes.


With South Africa we were wrong, with Burma the Labour Government now has
the chance to get its ethics right.

For further information contact: Yvette Mahon - 0171 359 7679

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CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: ON BURMA'S 50TH
January 5, 1998

The following message from Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy
was read by Canadian writer and Burma supporter John Ralston Saul at the
Burma Independence Event in Toronto which was attended by over 250 people.
In Ottawa, CFOB members demonstrated outside of the National Arts Centre
where the Burmese Embassy was holding a reception to mark the occasion.  

"Dear Canadian Friends of Burma,

I extend to you my best wishes as you meet to honour the ongoing struggle
for freedom and democracy in Burma. The 50th anniversary of independence
offers a stark reminder of how tragic Burma's post colonial history has
been. As we enter 1998, we still see no improvement in the human rights
situation and no commitment on the part of the military regime to the
restoration of democracy and to national reconciliation. Last year, Canada
imposed certain economic measures against Burma to underscore our concern
over the suppression of political freedoms and our frustration with Burma's
failure to curb the trafficking of illegal drugs. I would like to assure all
of you who have gathered here to mark this anniversary that Canada will
continue to press for reform in Burma and use every opportunity to encourage
the military regime to enter into a meaningful dialogue with Aung San Suu
Kyi and the leaders of the democracy movement.

Sincerely
Lloyd Axworthy
Minister of Foreign Affairs

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ANNOUNCEMENT: FRENCH HUMAN RIGHTS ORG. WANTS INFO
January 6, 1998

Dear BURMANET-1  AND BURMANEWS-1,

                The National Union of Universitaries Associations
Defending Human Rights/Union Nationale des Associations Universitaires
de Defense des Droits de l'Homme is an organization struggling for the
respect of the International Human Rights Charter of 1966 and the
European Human Rights Convention in putting together the energy of the
french students. If you wish further information, please feel free to
send us all questions about us and informations about you.

WE WOULD TO RECEIVE ALL ACTUALISED INFORMATIONS OF 
BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION.

                                Frederic EIGUER
                        Executive Director of the
                National Union of Universitaries Associations Defending
                        Human Rights
                        203, RUE d'ALESIA F-75014 PARIS
                Tel :00336.80.65.93.97 - Fax : 00331.454340162
                        eiguer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                http://www.place-publique.fr (goto UNAUDDH)

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