The BurmaNet News - 22 January, 199

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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: January 22, 1998
Issue #918

Noted in passing:

"First Secretary Khin Nyunt, and Hun Sen look so much alike that they could
be identical twins separated at birth... Neither understands the need to
restore basic freedoms to establish peace and democracy in their
countries."  - in a letter to the Editor (see THE NATION: IN BURMA, THE UN
DEALS WITH THE MONKEY)

HEADLINES:
==========
REUTERS: UN SPECIAL ENVOY ARRIVES IN MYANMAR
VOA: A UNITED NATIONS ENVOY HAS ARRIVED IN BURMA
UN PRESS BRIEFINGS ON UN ENVOY'S VISIT
THE NATION: IN BURMA, THE UN DEALS WITH THE MONKEY
INDEPENDENT COMMENT: THE UN, NEW ELECTIONS AND THE
DPNS: INSIDE NEWS
DVB OSLO: LEAFLETS CRITICIZE BURMESE SHAM POLITICAL
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: US SAID RESISTING TOKYO'S ODA
NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
THE NATION: ACTIVISTS TOY WITH BUILDERS OVER PIPELINE
BKK POST: SUPPORTERS THREATEN SIT-IN PROTESTERS
THE NATION: DEPORTEES OWED REFUND
SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A -0287(I)
SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A -0286(I)
ANNOUNCEMENT: UNHCR RESETTLEMENT REPORT 1997
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REUTERS: UN SPECIAL ENVOY ARRIVES IN MYANMAR FOR TALKS
20 January, 1998

YANGON - A United Nations special envoy arrived in Yangon on
Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at prodding Myanmar's (Burma's) ruling
junta towards democracy and encouraging dialogue with opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Alvaro De Soto, who arrived from Singapore, was likely to urge the ruling
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to speed up the drafting of a
new constitution and to hold elections as soon as possible, analysts said. 

De Soto is a special envoy of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arranged
the visit after meeting Myanmar's prime minister, Senior General Than Shwe,
at a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur last December. 

The envoy was scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw on Wednesday and
hold separate talks with Suu Kyi, who leads the National League for
Democracy (NLD). 

He was expected to urge the SPDC to hold a dialogue with Suu Kyi to help
bring lasting peace to the country, one analyst said. 

The SPDC has repeatedly refused to hold direct talks with Suu Kyi since she
was released from six years of house arrest in July 1995. It has also
limited her political activities. 

NLD members declined to comment on De Soto's planned meeting with Suu Kyi. 

But exiled Myanmar opposition activists in Bangkok said the NLD was against
new elections and instead wanted the junta to recognise the results of the
1990 national election, which the NLD won by a landslide. 

The military ignored that result and has kept a tight grip on power ever
since. 

``The NLD and our organisation share the political stance that we do not
want to have new elections. We want the military regime and the UN to
recognise the 1990 election,'' said Aung Naing Oo, secretary general of the
All Burma Student's Democratic Front (ABSDF). 

``Maybe Mr. Annan has made a mistake. Why should we have a new election
when a valid election was already organised in 1990?'' Aung Naing Oo told
Reuters. 

In an open letter to De Soto, the ABSDF urged the envoy to ask the
government to re-open universities and colleges recently closed because of
student unrest. 

``Continued closures will adversely affect Burma's (Myanmar's) development
and result in further animosity between the students and the regime,'' it
wrote. 

It also asked De Soto to raise the question of the more than 1,000 political
prisoners held by the military and to seek their release. 

The ABSDF urged De Soto to press the government to hold dialogue with Suu
Kyi and other Myanmar ethnic group leaders to foster national reconciliation.
 
************************************************************

VOA: A UNITED NATIONS ENVOY HAS ARRIVED IN BURMA FOR TALKS
20 January, 1998
 
A United Nations envoy has arrived in Burma for talks.
The envoy -- a special representative of Secretary-General Kofi 
Annan -- is expected to meet with both government officials and 
leaders of the pro-democracy movement.

VOA correspondent Gary Thomas reports from our Southeast Asia
bureau in Bangkok.

"UN special envoy Alvaro De Soto arrived in Rangoon Tuesday
to start a three-day visit expected to focus on political reform and
human rights.

Mr De Soto is scheduled to meet with foreign minister Ohn Gyaw  on
Wednesday.  The rest of his schedule has not been disclosed, but he is
expected to meet with senior generals of the ruling State Peace and
Development Council, and with Aung San Suu Kyi, Leader of Burma's
pro-democracy movement.

Burma's rulers have resisted any visits to their country by human rights
monitors.  Permission for the trip was granted in a December meeting
between General Than Shwe and UN Secretary Kofi Annan in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. De Soto is expected to urge the government to open talks with
the  democracy movement, speed up the writing of a new constitution, 
and to hold free and fair elections.

The last election, held in 1990, was overwhelmingly won by Aung 
San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, but the generals 
threw out the election results.  Since then, the government has 
firmly held on to power and kept a tight rein on political 
activity.

The leader of one Burmese exile organization is quoted as saying 
that  Burma does not need new elections, but needs the results of
the 1990 polls reinstated.  However, some Rangoon-based 
diplomatic analysts say that would not be practical since many of
the elected members of parliament have died, gone into exile, are
in frail health, or have resigned their seats -- often under 
government pressure.

In an open letter, the All Burmese Students' Democratic Front 
also urged Mr. De Soto to ask the government to re-open schools 
and universities closed because of student unrest, to raise the 
issue of political prisoners, and to spur the government to hold 
a dialogue with the National League for Democracy.

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

UN PRESS BRIEFINGS ON UN ENVOY'S VISIT
16-20 January, 1998 [excerpts]
UN homepage - http://www.un.org/

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL, 16
January 1998

[Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General]

Turning to other business, Mr. Eckhard said that pursuant to the          
agreement made between the Secretary-General and Senior General Than Shwe,
Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Myanmar as well as Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council, at the meeting held in Kuala Lumpur
during the Secretary-General's December visit, Assistant Secretary-General
for Political Affairs Alvaro de Soto would visit Myanmar from 20 to 23
January as the Secretary-General's envoy.  That visit would be part of the
ongoing dialogue between the Secretary-General and the Government of Myanmar.

Correspondents would recall that the Secretary-General had received a
mandate from the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights to
pursue that dialogue.  Mr. de Soto's last visit to Myanmar had been in May
1997. 

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DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL, 20
January 1998

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Alvaro de Soto arrived
in Myanmar today for a three-day visit, Mr. Eckhard said.  His schedule of
appointments would be finalized after he met with Foreign Ministry officials. 

What would Mr. de Soto be discussing with the officials in Myanmar?          
a correspondent asked.  Mr. Eckhard said the mission to Myanmar was decided
on at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur between the Secretary-General and the
Chairman of the Committee which ran the country.  The Chairman had
indicated to the Secretary-General that the Government was interested in
democratizing and the Secretary-General said that he would like to send his
Special Envoy again, on the understanding that he would consult both with
the Government and with opposition figures.                 

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

THE NATION: IN BURMA, THE UN DEALS WITH THE MONKEY
21 January, 1998
Letter to the Editor

The Straits Times of Singapore, in an 1 editorial entitled
"Birthday wish for Myanmar" (Jan 6, 1998), states "it is no less
necessary for the [the government] to compose its differences
with Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, not because of any personal
charisma but because her National League for Democracy still
remains, in the basis of the last election held in 1990,
Myanmar's most representative and popular organisation." 
     
The Times further stated that "Perhaps the visit to [Rangoon]
this month of UN envoy Alvaro de Soto will take Myanmar a little
further along the road that its Asean partners and the UN see as
desirable. The Myanmarese people could hope for no better a
birthday present". The Burmese resistance welcomes the visit of
UN envoy de Soto, but I do not think his mission will accomplish
anything significant. You do not cut a deal with the monkey, you
have to cut a deal with the organ-grinder. The UN envoy will not
be visiting with Gen Ne Win who, is still the most powerful man
in Burma.

I was amused last week when I heard a report that Cambodian
Second Prime Minister Hun  Sen at an NGO seminar on "good
government", blasted Asean for lacking clear principles. Hun Sen
stated that his government is more democratic than the military
government in Burma.

Hun Sen's government at least is preparing for "free and fair"
elections this year and permits campaigning by opposition
leaders.

The leader of Burma's SPDC (known among Burmese as the State
Prevention of Democracy Committee). First Secretary Khin Nyunt,
and Hun Sen look so much alike that they could be identical twins
separated at birth. Both are hard working and have excellent
organisational skills. Neither understands the need to restore
basic freedoms to establish peace and democracy in their
countries.

Myint Thein
Dallas, Texas

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

INDEPENDENT COMMENT: THE UN, NEW ELECTIONS AND THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN
BURMA
21 January, 1998
by David Arnott, Burma Peace Foundation, Geneva <darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx>

 There have been a number of press reports recently, quoting
the UN Secretary-General in Kuala-Lumpur on 17 December 1997,
and "UN sources" in Rangoon on 19 January 1998, as saying that
the United Nations is urging the Burmese military to hold new
elections and to speed up the National Convention. These
reports do not correspond to the UN position on Burma, which
is determined by General Assembly (GA) resolutions.  These
consistently advocate restoration of democracy in Burma "in
the light of the results of the election held in 1990".

The most recent GA resolution on Burma (adopted on 24 November
1997) states that the General Assembly is:
 
"Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still
has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps
towards democracy in the light of the results of the election
held in 1990."
 
The GA "Urges the Government of Myanmar to pursue its contacts
with the National League for Democracy with a view to
engaging, at the earliest possible date, in a substantive
political dialogue with the National League for Democracy
General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi and other political
leaders, including representatives of the ethnic groups, as
the best means of promoting national reconciliation and the
full and early restoration of democracy" (Operative paragraph
6);
 
"Again urges the Government of Myanmar, in conformity with its
assurances given at various times, to take all necessary steps
towards the restoration of  democracy in accordance with the
will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections
held in 1990 and to ensure that political parties and non-
governmental organizations can function freely" (Operative
paragraph 8);
 
The only references to the National Convention are negative --
the General Assembly:
 
"Expresses its concern that .... the National Convention does
not appear to constitute the necessary steps towards the
restoration of democracy" (Operative paragraph 10).
 
The UN's position is thus to encourage dialogue between the
junta and the NLD.  The mandate of the UN Envoy who arrived in
Rangoon 21 January, is based on by Paragraph 21 of the
latest UN resolution on Myanmar, which"      
 
"Requests the Secretary-General to continue his discussions
with the Government of Myanmar in order to assist in the
implementation of the present resolution and to report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-third session and to the
Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-fourth session;"
 
There is nothing whatsoever in the resolution about new
elections or speeding up the National Convention.
 
[Incidentally, so far as I know, it is only SLORC/SPDC that
favours new elections, with some junta spokesmen implying that
the term of the Pyithu Hluttaw elected in 1990 is now over,
since the elections were held more than seven years ago. 
However, the 1974 Constitution states that: "The Pyithu
Hluttaw is the highest Organ of state power.  It exercises
sovereign power on behalf of the people" (Article 41), and
that  "The regular term of the Pyithu Hluttaw is four years
from the date of its first session" (Article 43, emphasis
added).  So, since the Pyithu Hluttaw elected in 1990 has not
yet been convened, the clock has not yet started, and still
has four years to go - David Arnott]
 
***********************************************
 
DPNS: INSIDE NEWS
21 January, 1998 [English slightly corrected by BurmaNet Editor]

In Rangoon in January, 18 students and a monk whose name is U Sanda Thiri,
have furtively been arrested due to their demand to release monks
linked with the Mahar Myat Muni Buddhist statue's incident (which occurred
in Mandalay). Last year, this statue's stomach was burgled by the SLORC and
monks were demanding an investigation into the theft, but they were refused
and some of them were unlawfully arrested.
	
Now, only 19 political prisoners remain in the Insein jail and the rest of
prisoners have been relocated to different jails because of a UN
envoy who is currently visiting Rangoon.

Democratic Party for a New Society
	
*************************************************
 
DVB OSLO: LEAFLETS CRITICIZE BURMESE SHAM POLITICAL SOLDIERS CLIQUE 
15 January, 1998 [translated from Burmese]
Dispatch from Maung Paing Tun

After the renaming of the SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration
Council] to the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] on 15 November,
the SPDC Advisory Group was formed with former senior generals of the
SLORC. Soon after, the SPDC took action against former SLORC ministers --
Lt. Gen. Tun Kyi, Lt. Gen. Kyaw Ba, Lt. Gen. Myint Aung, and Lt. Gen. Thein
Win [members of the Advisory Group].  It has been learned that this has
caused much dissatisfaction in the Defense Services and many leaflets
addressed to patriotic soldiers of Myanmar [Burma] have been circulating in
recent days.

A letter dated 16 December claimed many instances of injustice which
threaten the unity within the Defense Services.  "Four lieutenant generals,
including Lt. Gen. Tun Kyi, have been purged and  now Lt. Gen. Myo Nyunt
and Lt. Gen. Mya Thinn are being trampled. Our top military officers are
well aware of how much Lt. Gen. Maung Thint respected and defended the
chairman [of SPDC].  Brothers, you can now see clearly that anybody can be
trampled when the need arises." The letter further claimed that Lt. Gen.
Myo Nyunt was a soldier who discharged his duty well. "Sham political
soldiers now have the upper hand over genuine soldiers.  What would you
do,brothers?  Everybody knows who is doing what from the commander in chief
down to regional commanders.  Lt. Gen. Myo Nyunt was trampled.  The sword
of sham political soldiers can fall upon our throats any day."

In conclusion, the letter quoting the words of Gen. Aung San said the
duty of soldiers is to defend the nation and to safeguard the people is
very correct.  "We have no reason whatsoever to protect the sham soldiers
clique who are engaged in politics and to take orders from them.  They only
look after their own interests.  They are not reluctant to be brutal when
it comes to defending their interests.  Brothers, you are urged to give
serious thought to putting our Defense Services back in its correct place."

[Democratic Voice of Burma--anti-government radio run by the National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma]

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

MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: US SAID RESISTING TOKYO'S ODA
FOR BURMA
15 January, 1998
by Kaori Onaka

The Japanese Government is puzzled about the resumption of its
overseas development assistance [ODA] to Burma, which is shaken by a
movement toward democratization. Obtaining membership in ASEAN, Burma
returned to the international arena last July.  However, its comeback has
invited US resistance. While the ASEAN side expects that Japan's ODA to
Burma will resume, the United States is indicating opposition to the ODA
extension.  In this way, Japan is "sandwiched between Asia and the United
States."

Since the inauguration of a military government in 1988, Japan's ODA
to Burma has been virtually suspended except humanitarian aid.  Japan has
taken the unprecedented stand of extending economic cooperation in an
effort to encourage the Burmese Government to democratize the nation. 
Therefore, Japan's position is different from the United States' policy of
isolating Burma.

Last June, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto sent Hiroshi Hirabayashi,
director of the Cabinet Councilors' Office on External Affairs, to Burma. 
In a personal letter to Than Shwe, (Prime Minister and) Chairman of the
State Law and Order Restoration Council, Prime Minister Hashimoto said: "If
your nation, through dialogue and reconciliation with the people, steadily
promotes work to frame a constitution that is truly legitimate (passage
omitted [Mainichi Shimbun editorial notation])... [ellipses as published]
if such a tendency becomes apparent (omitted [Mainichi Shimbun editorial
notation]) it would become possible for us to resume our cooperation even
in a project to promote the safety of the Rangoon International Airport." 

The letter indicated the prime minister's intention of scoring diplomatic
points by making the Burmese counterpart make forward-looking remarks
toward democratization.

Behind the ASEAN giving membership to Burma is ASEAN members'
intention to hold in check China's possible enhancement of its influence
over Burma because there is concern over China's presence.  Nevertheless,
because of financial crises in ASEAN members, it is difficult for ASEAN to
provide economic assistance, and therefore Japan is the only nation that
ASEAN considers to be capable of extending economic aid.

However, US Secretary of State Albright, in a meeting with Foreign
Minister Keizo Obuchi, held in check Japan's move toward resuming aid. 
Following this Prime Minister Hashimoto has turned to take a cautious
attitude.  At an informal ASEAN meeting in Malaysia last December, "the
Japanese prime minister side rejected Burma's strong request for bilateral
talks on the grounds that there is not enough time" (according to a Foreign
Ministry source).

As for the government's stance, there is a view that the government
"just wants to find an excuse for resuming the ODA" (as stated by an
opposition party member).

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

NORWEGIAN BURMA COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE: NO NORWEGIAN CONCESSION FOR FRIEDLAND
7 January, 1998

The Norwegian Burma Council and the Burma Support Group Norway call on the
Norwegian authorities to prevent Australian Bulk Minerals Ltd (ABM) from
setting up mining operations near Kirkenes in Northern Norway.

The programme "Brennpunkt" ("Focal Point") broadcast on Norwegian state
television 06.01.98 exposed the man behind ABM, Robert M. Friedland, to be
a major partner of the military regime in Burma. 

Through the mining company Indochina Golffields, Friedland has already
invested USD 28 million in the search for gold and copper in Burma, with
plans of further investments in 1998. ING runs a copper mining project near
Monywa in Central Burma, and is exploring six other concessions. Through a
British Virgin Islands subsidiary, ING has entered a 50-50 joint venture
with the military-controlled No. 1 Mining Enterprise.

Full commercial production will be in place by the end of 1998, and will
provide the junta with badly needed foreign exchange in a period of
economic distress, both in Burma and in the region as a whole. In addition,
the regime will receive royalties of 3-4% of all minerals sold. 

Robert Friedland's activities in Burma contrast sharply with the unison
international condemnation of the regime by the UN, USA and EU. The
Norwegian government of Mr. Bondevik has repeatedly made harsh statements
against the regime and against trade and investments with Burma. On this
background the Norwegian Burma Council and the Burma Support Group Norway
demand that Australian Minerals not be given any concession or licence in
Norway.

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

THE NATION: ACTIVISTS TOY WITH BUILDERS OVER PIPELINE
21 January, 1998 [abridged]
by James Fahn 

KANCHANABURI - It should have been a moment of triumph. Phinan
Chotirosseranee, a Kanchanaburi housewife who is leading a
rag-tag group of activists protesting against the construction of
the Yadana pipeline, was  returning from a two-day foray deep
into the jungle, having successfully defended a stand of thick
forest from the workers' chainsaws, at least temporarily.

Her exploits had made Sunday's newspapers, and her colleagues at
the protesters' main camp were abuzz at the striking photos
splashed across front pages showing students wrapping their
bodies protectively around stately old trees. They eagerly waited
to greet Phinan as the 51year-old environmentalist struggled up
the final hill.

But upon reaching the top, Phinan immediately collapsed into the
arms of her friend and burst into tears. Perhaps it was the
arduous trek which had gotten to her, or perhaps she had simply
become overwhelmed at the enormity of the task she had set for
herself, but over the next few minutes all the despair borne of a
battle fought against tremendous odds poured out in the sobs
which wracked her body.

"May mii kray ma chuay raw jring," she cried. "Nobody has come to
help us." 

For weeks now, pipeline opponents have played a cat-and-mouse
game with Tasco Mannesman, the contractor building the project on
behalf of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) to pipe
natural gas from Burma's Yadana field to a power plant in
Ratchaburi.

Taking advantage of a nine-kilometre road built by Tasco
Mannesman to bring in equipment, the protesters have set up a
camp at KP26, a site along the pipeline's route 26 kms from the
border post at Ban I-Tong where the pipeline is to enter
Thailand.  Communicating by walkie-talkie, students and villagers
from the protest camp carry out surveys of the mountainous 
terrain as their leaders plot how to protect the forest. Nor are
they above petty sabotage. "Sometimes if we come across [the
contractor's] bamboo markers which lay down the route for the
pipeline, we'll take them out," confided one protester. "And in
some cases, we have tried to cover up the marks put on trees
signifying they should be cut down."

Most recently, upon receiving word that some loggers hired by the
PTT had been spotted moving into the most pristine section of the
Huay Khayeng Forest Reserve, a team of protesters led by Phinan
marched . five kilometres through the jungle to KP22 (a site on
the pipeline route 22 kms from the border). There, using
non-violent tactics, they managed to save the trees for the time
being.

Nevertheless, everyone knows who is the cat and who is the mouse
in this contest, and the game itself may soon be over. The
protesters are vastly overmatched, and pipeline construction is
moving ahead both to the east and west of their camp. In fact, if
they truly want to "close the forest" to the contractor, they
will have to maintain two camps and try to protect the forest in
between.

The question now is what will happen when the pipeline builders,
who have already reached KP31 and are advancing by an estimated
one km per day, finally reach the demonstrators' encampment.

If the protesters' cause seems doomed, however, so does the
forest itself, despite the claims of the PTT that it will grow
back as good as new.

A trip to the construction site shows just how much devastation
building a pipeline can cause. The pipe itself is only a few feet
in diameter, but each segment weighs over  5,000 kilogrammes, and the
equipment needed to put it in place is massive.

As a result, Tasco Mannesman is cutting a swathe which looks to
be between 90 and 25 metres wide through dense forest: a bright
orange strip of earth running through brilliant green flora.

While the pipeline's impact on Burma has made it a source of
controversy the world over, the Thai protesters have barely
mentioned the subject Apparently, they  believe that raising the
human rights issue would be counter-productive.

"Most Thais don't see the importance of the Burma issue,"
explained Phinan frankly.  "Korn [Dabaransi, the former industry
minister] once said to us, 'It's a foreign issue, so let's not
talk about it'. In fact, a lot of people seem to think it's a
good thing to take resources from our  neighbouring country, but
we know what is happening to the minority groups there As one of
our banners says, 'the gas may be cheap, but our families will
have to pay a high price'."

All in all, Phinan's experience with the gas pipeline has been
vastly different from the successful fight she led against the
Nam Choan Dam a decade ago. "We had a lot more time with that
battle; we fought for nine years before we won," she reflects.

"And the students helped us a lot more because they were much
more idealistic then; today, most of them seem to care only 
about getting good grades and good jobs Also, Nam Choan was going
to destroy  very good forest in Thung Yai [Wildlife Sanctuary],
but in this case some Thais not all - are happy to see us
exploiting Burma's resources."

Despite all the hardships, however, and despite the temptation-to
give in to her obvious despair,  Phinan refuses to give up.
"We're not dead and buried yet,  so there's still hope," she
vows.

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

BKK POST: SUPPORTERS THREATEN SIT-IN PROTESTERS
21 January, 1998 [abridged]
by Chakrit Ridmontri in Kanchanaburi

SPECTRE OF MOB LAW RAISES ITS HEAD

Advocates of the gas pipeline project have threatened to take
action against conservation groups which are staging a sit-in
protest to prevent the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) from
laying the pipeline in the forest.

The pipeline's supporters announced at a press meeting in
Kanchanaburi yesterday that if the government failed to take
action against the groups, they would do it themselves.

"As the majority of the Kanchanaburi people, we cannot "How
protesters to obstruct the laying of the pipeline and to distort
information about the project. We will do something to stop
protesting activities if the government remains idle," said Warawuth'
Phongwitthiyaphanu, chairman of Kanchanaburi's chamber
of commerce.

The press conference was organanised by staunch supporters of the
project based in Kanchanaburi, such as the chamber of commerce,
the local Federation of Thai Industries, the press club, the
tourist business association, the farmers' committee and the
association of kamnan and village chiefs.

The pipeline supporters are convinced that the protesters are a  
minority and have an ulterior motive. If the PTT cannot finish
laying the pipeline by July 1, which is the gas delivery date, a
number of businesses will also be stalled.

Sunpetch Salisatakorn, deputy chairman of Kanchanaburi's
Federation of Thai Industries, said the federation in
collaboration with the chamber of commerce planned to make use of
gas from the pipeline for industry in the province.

"The industry will expand along the pipeline route because they
can use gas which will be provided through a dozen valves. As a
consequence, petrochemical and other industries which rely
heavily on energy will be relocated to this area," he said. 

But the conservation groups did not share the vision, saying the
industrial expansion meant that the vast area of lush forest in
the province would be devastated.

Pibhop  Dhongchai, coordinator of the groups, said any action to
be taken against the group's members who are camping in the
forests would violate their constitutional right to conduct a
peaceful protest and conserve natural resources.

"If the confrontation does occur, premier Chuan has to be
responsible for any violence emerging from the counter-action of
advocates' groups. The supporters of the gas pipeline especially
kamnan and village  chiefs would dare not confront the groups if
they are not backed by Kanchanaburi governor," he said.

The groups called on Mr Chuan to halt the project temporarily and
set up committees to review the project -in terms of the
environmental and economic impact.

The premier has yet to respond to the call despite legal experts
concluding that the PTT could delay the project without being
penalised by the pipeline's construction contractor and the gas
seller.

The PTT signed a gas deal contract to buy gas from Burma's Yadana
and Yetagun fields five years ago. It is responsible for building
the 260 pipeline to receive gas from the connection point at the
border of Thailand and Burma in I-tong village toward a gas power
plant in Ratchaburi. 

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

THE NATION: DEPORTEES OWED REFUND
21 January, 1998
Letter to the Editor
 
I read with interest your report that some 300,000 so-called
"illegal" migrants (actually, many of them are legitimate
refugees from Burma which Thailand has refused to acknowledge,
and which the UNHCR has failed to protect) are to be rounded up
for deportation.

May I inquire if the Thai government plans to refund the Bt3,000
most of them paid to Thai police and border authorities to cross
into the country, or if it plans to return the gold chains,
watches and petty cash which Thai police habitually take off them
in lieu of detention?

Thank God for men like George Soros.

Peter Bradgood
Bangkok

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

SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A -0287(I)
18  January, 1998

MYANMAR INTEGRATED PORT SERVICES PTE LTD LAUNCHES EDIBLE OIL WHARF AT
THILAWA PORT 

The soft-opening of Wharf 4 (Edible Oil Wharf ) of Yangon Thilawa Port was
held on 17 January. Myanmar Port Authority of the Ministry of Transport
entered into a contract with Myanmar Integrated Port Services Private Ltd
of Singapore on 10 July 1996 to build a modern wharf at the fourth quay of
Thilawa port.

The organization which undertook construction of the wharf was the first
one allowed to handle edible oil shipping in Thilawa Port Development
Project, and it was the third organization to which permission was granted
for undertaking services for the project and the second organization to
open the completed wharf. At the new wharf, 15,000-ton freighters, each
with a draught of 30 feet, can be moored and it can boost freight-handling
of Yangon port. Under the 25-year land-lease contract, Myanmar Integrated
Port Services Private Ltd has undertaken construction and will continue
with freight-handling of edible oil using modern equipment and also produce
edible oil in the wharf yard.

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SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A -0286(I)
17 January, 1998

WOMEN'S DUTY TO SAFEGUARD RACE, ADHERE TO CODE OF CONDUCT WHILE ENJOYING
FULL RIGHTS

The National Working Committee for Women's Affairs held its Work
Coordination Meeting 1/98 at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement on 16 January.

 It was also noted at the meeting that Myanmar women have no need to demand
their rights for they can enjoy their rights on equal terms with men and
that in successive eras, Myanmar women have enjoyed full rights and this is
due to the people's belief in Theravada Buddhism, social customs,
traditions and culture, and customary rules and existing laws.

The NWCWA adopted and is implementing Myanmar National Action Plan for the
Advancement of Women in respective sectors nationwide in order to implement
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.  In striving for
advancement of women, it is essential to make their full rights more
prominent, achieve harmonious multi-sectoral progress, preserve and promote
culture and to safeguard the race.  A general round of discussions followed.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: UNHCR RESETTLEMENT REPORT 1997
21 January, 1998

The UNHCR report from which following items are extracted has just been
issued.  Besides providing information about refugee resettlement last
year, the report looks ahead to the coming year and anticipates some of the
potential crisis areas around the world.  The overview provided is intended
to provide a basis for consultations with countries involved in
resettlement.  Those involved in direct assistance to refugees should note
especially the information about emergency resettlement provisions in case
these conditions apply to persons with whom you are working.  

"...Elsewhere in South East Asia, UNHCR is engaged in extensive operations
on behalf of Myanmarese and Cambodian refugees.  In 1997, resettlement has
only been sought for a small number of persons from among these refugee
groups, particularly from the *safe area* near Bangkok, Thailand and from
detention facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Developments continue to
be closely monitored, with a possibility that resettlement needs for these
refugees may increase in 1998...."


"...On average, during the course of 1997, the Resettlement Section
initiated more than one emergency submission per week, and the acceptance
rate exceeded 90 percent.  Emergency submissions involving refugees of 13
nationalities were made to nine receiving countries.  The willingness of
these countries - especially Denmark, Norway and Sweden - to consider
emergency submissions reflects a particular sensitivity to the protection
needs of these refugees as well as flexibility in implementing
resettlement.  A priority in 1998 will be to work with resettlement
countries to increase, where possible, capacity to address emergency and
urgent resettlement needs, and to improve co-ordination so that the
response time for regular submissions is reduced...."

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