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The BurmaNet News: September 28, 19



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: September 28, 1998
Issue #1105


HEADLINES:
==========
AFP: JUNTA STEPS UP ATTACKS 
THE NATION: KHIN NYUNT WARNS NLD OF STERN ACTION 
FBC FORUM: ANALYSIS OF PRESENT POLITICAL SITUATION 
BURMANET: CHRONOLOGY OF RECENT EVENTS 
BKK POST: MTZ - PEOPLE YEARN FOR A FREE SOCIETY 
REUTERS: ONE KILLED IN CLASH AT MYANMAR REFUGEE CAMP
****************************************************************

AFP: JUNTA STEPS UP ATTACKS AS OPPOSITION GROUP MARKS MILESTONE 
27 September, 1998 

YANGON, Sept 27 (AFP) - Myanmar's military government stepped up its
offensive against Aung San Suu Kyi's main pro-democracy opposition party
Sunday as it marked the 10th anniversary of its founding.

The state-controlled media carried commentaries and reports attacking the
National League for Democracy (NLD) party as illegal and working with
foreign backers to stir up "anarchy and unrest" in Myanmar.

Witnesses and the media said a crowd of some 20,000 people in the central
Myanmar city of Mandalay had packed a sports stadium Saturday, a day before
the party's anniversary, to protest against the opposition group.

The rally was organised by the ruling military and followed a similar event
in Yangon last week, residents said.

A commentary in the state-mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper Sunday
said speakers at the Mandalay demonstration charged the NLD with
destabilising the country.

"These people expressed their disgust at what is being done by the NLD and
their external cohorts to lay obstacles in the path of progress that the
current leadership has made together with the entire people."

About 20,000 people, mostly civil servants, packed a sports stadium east of
Yangon on Thursday in a rally to show their support for the junta and
denounce the NLD.

The rallies have been among the junta's most visible efforts to counter
mounting pressure from the NLD demanding the convening of a parliament
elected in 1990 and which the military has not allowed to sit.

The crowd in Yangon backed calls to protect "peace and stability" in the
military state, and denounced the pro-democracy opposition and other
"destructionists".

The NLD anniversary is expected to be marked by party faithful in a low-key
fashion.

"We have not been invited on this occasion, which is indicative of what
scale of ceremony it's going to be," one diplomat told AFP on Saturday.

Diplomats said it was possible the occasion would be used to further the
opposition's political agenda, including its demand for parliament to be
convened. But NLD leaders have remained tightlipped on their plans.

The party has said more than 1,000 members have been detained since the
demand for parliament was made in May.

Opposition groups, including the Thailand-based exiled government, said it
is the harshest crackdown on dissidents since the brutal suppression of
student demonstrations by the military in 1988.

The New Light of Myanmar denounced opposition claims that the call for a
parliament was backed by ethnic minorities which had formerly signed
ceasefires with the junta.

Myanmar's embassy in Washington earlier said the groups had "withdrawn all
statements that might be misconstrued as supporting the NLD's illegal move."

Exiled opposition groups have said the retractions were made under heavy
pressure and threats by the junta.

The NLD, founded shortly after the junta crushed a nascent student movement
and imposed martial law, proved an instant threat to the generals in power
in one form or another since 1962.

Leaders Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of national independence hero Aung San,
and ex-defence minister Tin Oo, who had been jailed for four years from
1976 for failing to report an assassination plot against former dictator Ne
Win, quickly began attracting large crowds at rallies throughout Myanmar.

The junta reacted by placing them under house arrest in July 1989, less
than a year after Aung San Suu Kyi made her maiden political speech calling
for democratic reform and respect for human rights.

Tin Oo was subsequently given three years with hard labour.

Despite these setbacks, the NLD managed to win 392 of the 485 seats in the
fray in 1990.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the party's general secretary, was released from house
arrest in 1995, but her movements are still strictly controlled.

The NLD's latest move was the setting up of a parliamentary committee on
September 16, which it claims has the support of more than half the MPs
elected in 1990 to act as a de-facto parliament. 

[from Reuters, 27 September, 1998:]

YANGON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government on Sunday said it
had released six opposition members, bringing to 13 the number of National
League for Democracy (NLD) supporters released in the last few days.

But the NLD, which marked its 10th birthday on Sunday, said hundreds of its
faithful continued to remain in detention.

In a statement, the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) said
the six opposition members had returned home at the end of last week after
a successful ``exchange of views.''

``View exchanges between the government and other NLD members are
continuing,'' the statement said.

``The government expects more of the NLD members to return home after more
view exchanges successfully conclude in coming weeks,'' it added.

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

THE NATION: KHIN NYUNT WARNS NLD OF STERN ACTION
26 September, 1998 

REUTERS

RANGOON - Burma's military intelligence chief warned the opposition
National League for Democracy (NLD) yesterday to refrain from activity that
could push the government into taking stern action against it.

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary One of the ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC), said the party was trying to act as a parallel
government and this had placed it in direct confrontation with the nation's
military rulers.

"Effective action will have to be taken if the NLD continues unlawful
activities to destroy peace and tranquility and national unity," he said at
the opening of a teachers' course in the outskirts of Rangoon.

But the NLD vowed in a defiant statement to strive on for democracy and
reiterated its demand that the military government convene a parliament of
elected representatives from the May 1990 general election to carry out
state duties.

[ ... ]

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

FBC FORUM: ANALYSIS OF PRESENT POLITICAL SITUATION 
23 September, 1998 from <zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

Dear Fellow Free Burma Activists and Supporters:

In this forum we are sharing with you a careful analysis on the present
political situation in Burma (and possible lines of action suggested)
written by a Free Burma supporter.  It touches upon the issues of
international legitimacy, recognition and the possibility of real support
for democracy by the rank and file of Burma's Armed Forces.  It seems our
grassroots campaign which has by far focused on economic activism should
embark on a well-coordinated campaign [encouraging] foreign democratic
governments to recognize the NLD, NOT the so-called State Peace and
[Development] Council, as the sole, legitimate government of Burma.  We in
the Free Burma Coalition are best positioned to undertake this
international campaign.  Please contact Dr. Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe at
tzang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx if you wish to support this worthwhile campaign in
support of Burma's democracy movement. 

--------

If the NLD can form a rival government, and get diplomatic recognition from
the international community, especially, the U.S. and the European
Community, and Japan, that would marginalize SPDC.

According to international law they were never a government 'dejure' (that
is according to International Law which Burma signed concerning the
formation of government) when it joined the U.N. in 1948. The SPDC is only
what in International Law is called the 'de facto' government -- a
government in fact (or in charge of effective administration through use of
force in their case). In many cases in history, de facto governments try to
become the de jure government by getting the mandate from the people.

The military once did it with the Pyithu Hluttaw and the so-called
Constitution of 1974. It has a semblance of legality. There was the
Constitution and the 'elected' representatives (albeit only from BSPP
party). Ne Win used it to show that he was acting according to
International Law. No other political organisation was legitimate under the
1974 Constitution. That was the law then -- like it or not. It was exactly
the model of the East European communist states during the Cold War period.

In the NLD's case, the world knows that it was overwhelmingly elected by
the will of the people by free and fair elections. The SLORC then even
invited foreign journalists to observe the elections. Diplomats in Rangoon
at the time said the elections were free and fair. It was the SLORC's
greatest political miscalculation of all. They thought that no one party
could become an outright winner, given the number of political parties that
sprang up in 1990. It also showed how out of touch they were with the
feelings of the Burmese people.

Then the SLORC went back on their word to hand over power to the party that
won the majority of seats. They issued what is known as directive 1/90
which declared that the elected members could not form a government.

They could only form a National Convention for drafting a constitution. The
new Constitution that is to be drafted was to have the approval of SLORC.
Then new elections would be held and a government elected. Of course, one
of the clauses that would be included in the new Constitution would be that
the military must always be allowed to play a dominant role in Burmese
politics. By that they meant more than 50% of the members would not be
elected but be nominated by SLORC (or SPDC now).

In such a situation, the military would have a built-in majority always in
parliament. This has been the case in Indonesia since Suharto set up the
Gokal Party back in 1967, at the height of the Cold War. Because Indonesia
was strongly anti-communist, it got its full backing from the United
States. Times are different now.

The Cold war is over. The US and EU are on the side of ASSK. Aung San Suu
Kyi saw through all of SLORC's intentions. She asked her NLD delegates to
withdraw from the National Convention. This made the National Convention
defunct. It has even been suspended since 1996. The SLORC cannot even put
up a semblance of political mandate as Ne Win was able to  do with his 1974
Constitution. They made use of more force and got themselves into more and
more trouble on the international scene.

The NLD has declared that all laws made by SLORC since 1988 are null and
void. Quite rightly so. The SLORC or the SPDC, could not simply make laws
by announcing over the State Radio or TV. This is not the way laws are made
in civilised countries. So the NLD can declare any laws made by SLORC/SPDC
invalid. It is only the NLD which has the national mandate to make laws.

If the international community start to give diplomatic recognition to
NLD's parallel government, the SPDC is in real trouble. Theoretically, all
diplomats would then deal with a legitimate government that is recognized
by their own governments. Some ASEAN members like Singapore, Indonesia and
Malaysia might continue to recognize SPDC government. This would cause real
chaos.  Foreign companies including those from the West, would not know who
really is the legitimate government. In short the political situation
becomes very volatile. This kind of environment is not conducive to
long-term investment. This situation will put off more would-be investors
from abroad. The only alternative for the military is to show that there is
no physical opposition in Burma, which they can do by arresting more NLD
members and elected MP's (whatever number that is left), and even arrest ASSK.

But on what grounds? The SLORC/SPDC has been politically out-maneuvered by
ASSK time and time again. She is a political giant and the military has no
political brains to deal with her. They know well enough that they can't do
just what they like anymore. The UN General Assembly is just around the
corner. The UN delegates could say to SPDC representatives that they don't
represent Burma. They have had enough bad publicity with ASSK's sit-in in a
car twice already. They do not know which way to move.

You must have heard about 18 colonels of the Burma Army who went to see
ASSK. They were not retired officers but still in uniform. They went to see
her and tell her there is a faction within the Army that supports her. All
18 were arrested. Among the 18, one is from the Air Force and one from the
Navy.

Burma is coming to a crisis point. I think the Military can split if there
is a mass uprising, student-led or poor people-led. There are some whose
quality of life is so bad that they don't care whether they live or die.

It is political tinder box now in Burma. Unless the military come to their
senses, or at least some of the relatively clever ones like Khin Nyunt, and
reach an understanding with the NLD, the country is heading for political
turmoil. I don't think you, or me, or anyone wants that, for our people who
have already suffered enough for far too long.

I have just given you the kind of talk on Burma as I would at Cornell, when
asked for my opinion on the current situation in Burma today. Tell me if
you like my talk. I am a bit free, so I could 'lay-pun dai' a bit. You can
share my thoughts and discuss my ideas with your friends.

---------

The campaign in support of NLD's latest call for the formation of
government and convening the parliament of legitimately elected
representatives will be seriously explored at the upcoming working
conference of the Free Burma Coalition at the American University in
Washington, DC (Oct. 24-26).  Come meet your fellow Free Burma folks from
Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, Canada, and the United States.

For those of you who are planning to be part of this conference, please
register at a FBC website at http://www.freeburmacoalition.org.  For those
of you who are making travel arrangements, please plan to stay until Monday
late afternoon, if you can.  Drop Zarni a note at zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(cc: to the Conference Convenor, Jeremy Woodrum, at jw1970a@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
if you need a formal invitation for travel grant applications or
reimbursement.

Thank you.

peace, love, and hope,
Free Burma Coalition

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

BURMANET: CHRONOLOGY OF RECENT EVENTS 
25 September, 1998 

Editor's Note: Because of the heightened level of activity over the past
month, BurmaNet has compiled this chronology for easy reference. We will
continue to provide a chronology such as this as needed.

STUDENT/MONK PROTESTS

AUGUST 24
-12:30 p.m. 150 students, 1,000 on-lookers gather at Hledan intersection
(near Rangoon University); leaflets and slogans called for an end to
military rule and called for the convening of parliament.  The protest
lasted about 90 minutes; dozens "rounded up"; intersection sealed off by
authorities
-7:00 p.m. 100 students at Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) stage
demonstration

AUGUST 26
-SPDC closes off Shwe Dagon Pagoda on the 10th anniversary of ASSK's famous
speech which drew over 700,000

AUGUST 27
-Shwe Dagon re-opens

AUGUST 28
-RIT, closed since demonstrations in December, 1996, re-opens for short
courses in preparation for September 7 exams

SEPTEMBER 2
-Over 3,000 students at RIT Main and Hliang campuses hold demonstration.
Riot police seal off both campuses.  Demands center around freeing student
political prisoners and delaying exams.  Teachers help negotiate for some
students return to their hostels. 100-150 students remain and continue
demo.  At 10pm, riot police raid and students disperse.

SEPTEMBER 3
-At 6:30 p.m., 1,200 students at Hliang campus launch demonstration.
Authorities seal off roads to campus.  Demonstration continues until
September 7.

SEPTEMBER 4
-Mandalay - 200 Buddhist monks gather near Phaya-Gyi Kyaung-tite monastery
to protest against the military government.  12 monks are arrested.
-Buddhist monks from Zaw-Ti-Ka Ywer-Ma Kaung-tite monastery of Mon-Ywer
Township in Upper Burma stage a demonstration*

SEPTEMBER 7
-Scheduled exams take place; 10% of students refuse to sit for exam 

SEPTEMBER 9
-170 monks demonstrate in Tavoy, Tenasserim Division*


POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

AUGUST 21
-NLD Deadline for SPDC to convene Parliament passes; ASSK announces NLD
will call Parliament to convene; SPDC responds calling the potential move
illegal
-Suu Kyi in 10th day of standoff, trying to travel to Bassein 
-Kyat hits low point of Ky400 to US$1

AUGUST 24
-ASSK returns home, citing health concerns 
-2 NLD CEC Members U Than Tun and U Soe Myint meet with SPDC Minister for
Home Affairs Col. Tin Hlaing; NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe previously had met
with Gen. Khin Nyunt on 18 August.

AUGUST 26
-Lt.-Col Hla Min meets with 14 foreign military attaches to announce that
it will neither allow to convening of Parliament nor enter into talks with
ASSK

AUGUST 29
-ASSK announces to 500 NLD members gathered at her house that Parliament
will be convened in September
-SPDC threatens to dissolve NLD if it attempts to convene Parliament

AUGUST 30
-ASSK, through foreign radio broadcasts, appeals to soldiers to support
convening of Parliament

SEPTEMBER 2
-NLD leaders meet with foreign diplomats
-ASSK issues statement outlining NLD's position on role of military; calls
on military to support convening of Parliament

SEPTEMBER 4
-Bohmu Aung (one of the 30 comrades), on behalf of 23 veteran politicians
announces appeal to military and NLD to hold talks
-NCUB announces that on 11 August, the Karenni Nationalities Peoples'
Liberation Front   KNPLF), the Kayan Newland Party (KNP) and the Shan
Nationalities Peoples' Liberation Organization (SNPLO) -- all cease-fire
groups -- called on SPDC to enter into tripartite dialogue with NLD and the
representatives of the ethnic groups; they also supported ASSK's call to
convene Parliament
-World Bank announces cut in financial ties with SPDC for failure to repay
past loans

SEPTEMBER 5/6
-50 NLD MP inculding Thakin Khin Nyunt, U Ba Swe (Myaung Mya Township) are
arrested.

SEPTEMBER 7
-110 NLD Members arrested, approximately 50 of whom are elected MP's

SEPTEMBER 8
-More arrests, totaling 220 including 63 MP's
- State papers call for deportation of Aung San Suu Kyi
- U.S. and Australia issue statements criticizing SPDC for arrests

SEPTEMBER 9
-Arrests of NLD members continue.  Total soars to 303, 129 of whom are
elected MP's
- SPDC announces that NLD members are not arrested; they have been "invited
to guest houses"
- Great Britain, Germany, and France criticize increased repression of NLD
by SPDC

SEPTEMBER 12
-Arrests continue; total rises to 702, including 194 MP's

SEPTEMBER 13
-State press warns that NLD U Tin Oo faces possible arrest for
"masterminding" the letter to the tatmadaw (see Sept. 2)

SEPTEMBER 14
- 15 military officers arrested for trying to meet with Suu Kyi
(unconfirmed, but reported in South China Morning Post)
- Thakin Khin Nyunt (85), a senior member of the NLD, is released from
detention

SEPTEMBER 16
-"Committee Representing the People's Parliament" (CRPP) consisting of 10
persons and headed by U Aung Shwe, is formed

SEPTEMBER 17
-CRPP announces that it has been vested with the authority of the
parliamentary representatives and will carry out tasks on behalf of the
Parliament.  
-Its first act is to name Saw Mra Aung, head of the Arakan League for
Democracy, Chairman of Parliament.  
-It also announces that any laws, statements, etc. issued since September
18, 1988 are not legal so long as they are not approved by the People's
Parliament
-CRPP announces Parliamentary terms would last until a constitution
acceptable to the people and conforming to democratic principles was
approved and adopted by the parliament.
-CRPP statement welcomes the support of the Shan State People's Liberation
Organisation (SSPLO), the Karenni All People's Liberation Army (KPLA), and
the New Mon State Party (NMSP) (ceasefire groups) and the New Kayan State
Party (NKSP).

SEPTEMBER 18
-10th anniversary of Junta takeover

SEPTEMBER 19
-U.S. State Department issues statement warning of a possible terrorist
threat to U.S. diplomatic and business interests in Burma

SEPTEMBER 20
-SPDC Ambassador to US says US-Myanmar relations "are at their lowest ebb."

SEPTEMBER 24
-20,000 people gather at stadium for pro-SPDC rally in Rangoon

SEPTEMBER 26
-20,000 people gather at sports stadium for pro-SPDC rally in Mandalay

SEPTEMBER 27
-10th Anniversary of the founding of the NLD; low-key ceremony held in Rangoon
-Total arrests rises over past week to 200 MP's and 712 party members
-SPDC releases 6 detained NLD members bringing total to 13 released over
the previous few days

*Though there were no political demands during the above mentioned
demonstrations, demands were made such as to release all the monks under
detention and to solve misery loss of ancient precious stone that taken
place at Maha Myaymuni Pagoda in Mandalay. A boycott action was also called
for the monks in the country to stage a boycott against the SPDC and their
families, by not receiving any alms from them and not doing any religious
functions for them, which was mentioned in accordance with the Buddha
Dhamma. A similar boycott was carried out country-wide by the monks in 1990.

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

THE BANGKOK POST: MOE THEE ZUN - BURMESE PEOPLE YEARNING FOR A FREE SOCIETY 
27 September, 1998 by Ralph Bachoe 

A Burmese student leader has called on students at home, overseas, and the
people in Burma to participate and help realise Aung San  Suu Kyi's dream
of a free and democratic society.

-----

The word parliament has a magic ring among the Burmese people who yearn for
a free society, says the vice-chairman of the All Burma Students'
Democratic Front.

Moe Thee Zun was referring to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's call last month to
convene parliament. Though the Aug 21 dateline has passed, the Nobel
laureate and her National League for Democracy are determined to go ahead
with plans to convene one at the earliest possible date.

The word parliament serves as a reminder to the people that the rights they
previously enjoyed will soon be restored and their dreams of a brighter
future fulfilled.

Moe Thee Zun said: "It takes them back to the days when they enjoyed life
under a parliamentary system of government. The word has renewed their
hopes for a better lifestyle. And because of this I believe the country
will be united again."

He has urged students at home, overseas, and the people in Burma to
participate and help realise Aung San Suu Kyi's dream of a free and
democratic society.

Citing the need for change, he pointed to the recent experience China and
eastern European countries have gone through.

"Even in China, changes are gradual, leaning toward a freer and democratic
society," he said. "The economy in the region has suffered because it had
failed to implement adequate demands and reforms to keep up with changing
times."

Southeast Asia, with the exception of Burma, are democracies by about
40-50%. But this is inadequate. They need to embrace democracy fully to
ensure a better society because that is what the people want.

"So the Burmese call for a democratic system of government is not an
isolated case," Moe Thee Zun said. Without a doubt, he said, Burma will
have democracy. "The call for a democratic system of government is not
confined to Burma alone but worldwide. No one can stop us from attaining
this goal.

"We must continue to march bravely without wavering," said Moe Thee Zun.
"Students, workers and the ethnic minorities must keep up their fight to
regain their rights. And I urge you to follow in the footsteps of Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi in calling for the convening of parliament."

Moe Thee Zun is optimistic Burma will see the light before the year 2000.
To affect change, which is inevitable, "the present military government and
the opposition must come to terms and find an equitable solution".

Though the people of Burma yearn for a peaceful transition, he warned that
in the process of effecting change, there remains the possibility of
bloodshed. "As things now stand [with the military clinging to power and
refusing to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi] there is every possibility it will
happen. And should a bloodbath take place, it would be far worse than that
of 1988, but the benefits this time would be far greater."

Those "benefits" are lessons the country has learned from the 1988
uprising, from the Edsa Revolution in the Philippines, the recent revolt in
Indonesia, and similar events in eastern European countries. "We have
learned valuable lessons from their experiences and from ours."

Putting it colloquially, he said: "If the goals and ideals are one and the
same, then the latecomer [meaning the Burmese] has the advantage [of
success] when faced with a similar situation. And the democracy Burma would
gain would be of a far higher caliber."

His reasoning for painting a gloomy future is based on factors such as the
catastrophic state of the economy, the recent student unrests and
dissatisfaction expressed by the railway workers over their salaries.

Moe Thee Zun said one of the major factors for the renewed student
activities is frustration at the inability to pursue their studies freely
without state interference, as well as the lack of facilities.

Three months ago, for example, the government introduced the "extra hour"
system whereby students are encouraged to take private tuition on school
premises rather than at the homes of tutors.

Private tuition at the homes of teachers is banned today. The government
had found that the students, besides their academic pursuits, were also
discussing politics with their mentors. Teachers and pupils were becoming
too close for state comfort.

High tuition fees did not bother the pupils because, in addition to
improving their academic skills, they were allowed the opportunity to
freely exchange views on important matters - talk politics, that is.

For teachers on a monthly salary of 1,200 kyat, the extra income of 5,000
kyat is a godsend.

The fee for extra hours at school was a mere 100-kyat for the teacher per
student, a far cry from what they earned teaching at home. Of this, after
tax deductions and other miscellaneous expenses involving school activities
such as entertaining government and party officials who frequently conduct
political indoctrination courses for students and teachers, the tutor is
left with about 25 kyat.

Railway workers, according to Moe Thee Zun, are holding daily meetings and
discussions on how to approach the government for a pay increase. Recently
it was reported they had submitted a petition to the government to boost
their salaries to 6,000 kyat a month. They have hinted of a strike if their
demands are not met. They earn 1,500-2,000 kyat a month. With the present
inflation rate, a worker needs at least 6,000 kyat to make ends meet. One
cannot imagine how a Burmese could survive on 1,500 kyat.

These workers operate the five main train lines which serve as junctions
for the nation's railway network. They are Rangoon, Mandalay, Moulmein,
Yataung and Myitkyina.

The government in return has formed a new work group comprised of former
military and intelligence personnel. They have absorbed about 2,000 of
these people into the original workforce of about 5,000 - a preventive
measure to blunt a strike should one be called.

Despite this, the allies, which include the ABSDF, the Karen National Union
and other minorities, are striving for a peaceful settlement to correct the
country's ills. They have ordered troops to refrain from armed offensives
in Burma proper.

"Unlike-on the border where armed warfare is waged to defend ourselves, we
have opted for a peaceful political offensive in the country. This began
about 10 months ago," said Moe Thee Zun.

There are three forces involved in the Burmese political scenario. They are
that of the opposition party and Slorc/SPDC in the country, and the
democratic forces operating on the borders and overseas, Moe Thee Zun
pointed out.

"It is important that we and the opposition party work together if we are
to ultimately emerge victorious," he added.

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

REUTERS: ONE KILLED IN CLASH AT MYANMAR REFUGEE CAMP 
24 September, 1998 

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Sept 24 (Reuters) - At least one man was killed
and 30 others injured when Moslem refugees from Myanmar clashed with
Bangladesh police on Thursday, witnesses said.

They said the clash erupted at Nayapara refugee camp at Teknaf near the
border with Myanmar. Local villagers supported the refugees, fighting
police with spears, knives, stones and sticks.

Police opened fire, killing one villager, witnesses said.

In protest against the death, the villagers blocked a highway connecting
Teknaf with resort town of Cox's Bazar until evening.

The trouble started when officials of the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) were refused entry by the inmates of the Nayapara camp,
which houses some 1,200 Rohingya Moslems from Myanmar.

Over 21,000 Rohingyas have been living in two camps, at Nayapara and
Kutupalong, since early 1992, and attempts to send them back home have
proved futile over the years.

Some 250,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh from west Myanmar's
Moslem-majority province of Arakan in 1992 trying to escape alleged
military persecution.

All but these 21,000 had returned home under UNHCR supervision until August
1997 when the process abruptly stopped, which Bangladesh said was because
Myanmar was unwilling to take them home.

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