The BurmaNet News: October 15, 1998

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: October 15, 1998
Issue #1118

HEADLINES:
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BBC: AUNG SAN SUU KYI INTERVIEW 
REUTERS: NE WIN SAID FRAIL 
SCMP: OFFICERS REAP GOLD FROM DRUG WARLORDS 
AFP: DRUG LORD KHUN SA'S TROOPS SURRENDER TO MYANMAR JUNTA 
DVB: FORMER DRUG LORDS CONTINUING NARCOTICS 
REUTERS: CONGRESS PASSES ANTI-TORTURE BILL 
PROJECT MAJE: LASCO'S DICTATOR-SHIPS 
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BBC: AUNG SAN SUU KYI INTERVIEW 
8 October, 1998 

The BBC Burmese Section contacted and interviewed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from
Burma's National League for Democracy, NLD, on the prevailing situation in
Burma.  When the BBC Burmese Section asked Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whether the
government's report that 23 persons among the 54 persons arrested were NLD
members was true, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi replied as follows.

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  The arrested NLD members now number almost 1,000. It is
neither 54 nor 23.

[BBC]  What did you hear about those who are arrested? 

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  We heard that one of our NLD youth members was alleged
to have contacted the students and we also heard that he was said to have
confessed.  We really do not know that this youth had any contact with the
students.  But, what we do know at this moment is that our detained
ordinary NLD members and People's Assembly delegates-elect were coerced and
pressured into signing testimonies and documents not supporting NLD's
activities and the Committee Representing Parliament.  Those who resist
pressure will remain detained and are warned that action will be taken
against them and that they will be sent to prison.  But, we heard that
those who bend under their pressure and agree to sign the testimonials will
be released.  What we understand is, some members and delegates who refused
to yield under their pressure and have stood firmly behind the NLD have
already been sent to the [infamous] Insein Jail.

[BBC]  The government said at today's news conference that foreign
religious organizations and the Open Society [Institute] were involved in
recent student activities and student protests. What is your view on that?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  I do not know about that.  As far as I understand, I
know that the Open Society supports democratic causes.  I do not know what
religious organization from which country they are talking about.

[BBC]  We heard that many students were arrested.  We also heard that as
many as 50 girls were also included in those arrests.  What do you hear
about that news?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  We did not exactly hear anything because the students
are not from the NLD.  Students are not allowed to join political parties.
If they join, then they are not allowed to attend school and sit for the
exams.  So students cannot join the NLD.  So we do not know how many
students were arrested.  We only know how many of our members were arrested
because we were informed by other members.  But, we can guess many students
were arrested because they were active and wanted change.

[BBC]  What do you want to say in addition?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  What I want to say is, in any country, whenever the
people are dissatisfied, the persons that demonstrate the dissatisfaction
first are the students.  When the students are dissatisfied, when they are
staging protests, when they do not want the government, then we must
consider these protests as the people expressing their thoughts and views.

[BBC]  What future plans does the NLD have?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  We are not in the habit of revealing our future plans.
We will continue to do what is necessary.  We will continue to implement
activities that are in accordance with the people's desires.  I mean the
genuine people's desires.

[BBC]  What do you plan to do to gain more people's support?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  We have already received the people's support. But, to
gain continued people's support and trust we must bravely carry on
implementing activities in accordance with the people's wishes. 

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REUTERS: NE WIN SAID FRAIL BUT IN "NO IMMEDIATE DANGER"
14 October, 1998 

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (Reuters) -- Ne Win, the officially retired architect of
military rule in Myanmar, is apparently in frail health but not in
life--threatening danger, a Yangon--based diplomat said on Wednesday.

Myanmar and foreign sources said the 88-year-old Ne Win travelled to
Singapore for medical treatment last month and had recently returned to
Yangon, the Myanmar capital.

"He's definitely back and he's in as good a shape as you can be at his
age," the diplomat told Reuters by telephone.

"I've heard he's still mentally very acute, but becoming more frail, but
not in any immediate danger.

Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that began Myanmar's past three and a half
decades of military dominated rule. He officially retired from politics in
1988, the year the military seized direct control by bloodily crushing a
pro--democracy uprising.

Between 1962 and 1988 he implemented the "Burmese Way to Socialism" a
disastrous doctrine that reduced Myanmar from one of Southeast Asia's
richest countries to one of its poorest.

His name is rarely mentioned in public and he has scarcely been seen since
he officially relinquished power but many political analysts believe he
continues to wield considerable influence from behind the scenes.

The diplomat said there were rumours Ne Win had suffered a minor stroke
earlier this year.

He said there were indications his departure for Singapore on September 27
was not a sudden one, suggesting he had not suffered a sharp decline in
health.

"At the airport, we understand that three days before he left they were
practicing putting his wheelchair on an off the plane, so it wasn't really
a last minute emergency. They were aware of where he was going several days
before hand.

"He doesn't walk with ease apparently, he has to be assisted when he walks."

The reclusive former strongman was spotted in July at a private family
banquet at a Yangon hotel. He appeared frail then and had to be supported
by his daughter Sanda Win.

A personal visit to Indonesia in September 1997 was the last time he has
been in the public eye since 1988. 

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: OFFICERS REAP GOLD FROM DRUG WARLORDS 
14 October, 1998 by William Barnes 

The army is squeezing increasing amounts of money from the narcotics trade
in the so--called Golden Triangle, according to a report.

The ruling junta has repeatedly claimed it is actively trying to suppress
the country's drug business -- much of which is carried out by heavily
armed ethnic groups.

But a report from the London-based Jane's Defence group claims that only
token measures are made to suppress the trade in northeast Shan state.

Rather, the military habitually taxes drug factories -- which often operate
near army camps -- and also the narcotics and amphetamine traffic on its
way to other countries.

Over the past decade, ambitious officers have greased their promotion
through military ranks by providing cash for the army, the report states.
The ripest source of this money comes from creaming off the Shan state drug
trade.

The army chief, General Maung Aye, was formerly that region's commander.
He, like some other senior officers, "owe their rapid promotions to their
ability to provide money for the army fund", according to Jane's.

Most of the known drug trafficking gangs -- albeit with fancy political
names -- have cease--fire deals with the State Peace and Development
Committee, which claims to be trying to "persuade" the gangs to give up
their trade.

Many leading "godfathers" in the Golden Triangle appear to work comfortably
alongside the Burmese military.

Wei Hsueh--kang, who runs much of the ethnic Wa's heroin and amphetamine
refining just north of the Thai border, obtained an "immunity deal" from
the army soon after the United States put a US$2 million (HK$15.5 million)
bounty on his head.

Another ethnic Chinese, Lin Ming--xian, a former Red Guard, discovered the
joys of capitalism ages ago.

"His 4,000--man army has taken on the appearance of a large
narcotics-trafficking government militia," Jane's said.

The report notes that despite heavily publicised drug busts, seizures
remain below one per cent of probable production. 

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AFP: DRUG LORD KHUN SA'S TROOPS SURRENDER TO MYANMAR JUNTA 
14 October, 1998 

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (AFP) - Remnants of former opium drug lord Khun Sa's Mong
Tai Army (MTA) surrendered to military authorities in eastern Myanmar's
Shan State, state-run media reported Wednesday.

A total of 42 MTA fighters gave themselves up to government forces in
Namsam town, TV Myanmar said in a broadcast monitored here.

The fighters brought along a large number of weapons and ammunitions, it said.

Since Khun Sa retired in January 1996, more than 15,000 MTA members have
surrendered to the junta.

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DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: FORMER DRUG LORDS CONTINUING NARCOTICS
ACTIVITIES IN BURMA 
7 October, 1998 by Thet Naing 

Dear listeners.  It has been learned that drug lord Lo Hsin Han, who was
instrumental in negotiating a deal between the SPDC [State Peace and
Development Council] and the drug army [Mong Tai Army led by Khun Sa], and
his sons-in-law are not only engaged in drug trafficking but have also
received road construction contracts from the SPDC.  DVB [Democratic Voice
of Burma] correspondent Thet Naing provides the details.

[Begin Thet Naing recording]  Although drug kingpin Khun Sa pledged that he
would not engage in narcotic activities when he surrendered to the SPDC
government, it has been learned that drugs have been produced in various
areas of Shan State.  It is said the Wa and the Kokang, which have signed
peace agreements with SPDC, are the most active in the cultivation and
production of drugs in regions east of the Salween river. Furthermore, they
are also engaged in long haul transportation activities and have received
logging concessions.

It has been learned that the heroin produced has been sent to China and the
Indian border by their company's long haul trucks.  Narcotic activities in
Hsenwi and Kutkai regions, northeast and north of Lashio, are supervised
and controlled by the once infamous drug kingpin Lo Hsin Han.

Lo Hsin Han's son-in-law, a Singaporean and owner of Asia World Company,
was also awarded the Lashio-Muse highway renovation project.  Lo Hsin Han,
who is highly influential with the SPDC generals, is said to have stashed
away great amounts of money in Singaporean banks.  It is learned that in
the Mogok region, he is engaged in distributing and selling heroin apart
from his gems mining business.

Lieutenant Moe, who is one of Khun Sa's adopted sons, is said to be in
control of the drug activities east of Lashio in the Loimaw region where
the climate and topography are best suited for poppy cultivation.  One Shan
farmer who is actively involved in poppy cultivation said, where five or
six kg of raw opium from other regions is needed to produce one pound of
heroin only four kg of raw opium from Loimaw area is needed.  Lt. Moe is
said to be the commander of the 16th Regiment when Ho Mong was Khun Sa's
headquarters.  It is known that he was in charge of the heroin refinery in
Ho Mong.

At present, Lt. Moe, who was awarded the Lashio-Tangyan road construction
contract and based at Thangu Village between Lashio and Nantpaung, is
engaged in the production and trafficking of drugs under the guise of
leader of an anti-insurgent group.  [end recording]

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REUTERS: CONGRESS PASSES ANTI-TORTURE BILL 
14 October, 1998 

WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) -- President Clinton is expected to sign a
bill cleared by Congress Saturday that would authorize $31 million over the
next two years to fund treatment of torture victims.

The measure authorizes grants for rehabilitation, social and legal
services, and research for torture victims both in the US and foreign
treatment centers. Currently there are 15 such treatment centers in the US
and 175 around the world. The bill would also provide for specialized
training for US Foreign Service officers to help them identify and
interview torture victims. An estimated 400,000 victims of torture are
currently living in the United States.

``This legislation helps those people after they have been abused to get
through that crisis and come to healing and to reconciliation with the
trouble and ordeal they have experienced,'' said Rep. Christopher Smith,
R-N.J., the measure's sponsor in the House, during that chamber's debate.

According to Rep. Bruce Vento, D-Minn., 124 nations around the world
``still practice various types of torture and intimidation of the civilian
population.'' Vento's state is home to the Center for Victims of Torture,
one of the oldest such facilities in the country, which has treated nearly
600 torture victims over the last 13 years.

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PROJECT MAJE: LASCO'S DICTATOR-SHIPS 
14 October, 1998 from Edith Mirante 

LASCO'S DICTATOR-SHIPS: A Burma Connection in Oregon

Lasco Shipping Co. is privately owned by the Schnitzer family of Portland,
Oregon USA. Their company, Schnitzer Steel, has been, according to The
Oregonian newspaper, "America's top exporter of scrap metal." The Lasco
ships load up with Schnitzer scrap metal in Portland and bring it to Asia
and Australia. The wealthy Schnitzer family is very high profile in
Portland (the local concert hall is named for one of them), but are
uninformative about their shipping company, Lasco. Many of the Lasco ships
have Burmese crew members. Five Lasco ships have been flying the "flag of
convenience" of Burma (Myanmar): Pacdream, Pacstar, Pacsea, Pacsun, and
China Glory.

"Flags of convenience": In this practice, condemned by international labor
unions, shipping companies "flag" or license their vessels with other
countries. They often chose countries which, for a price, will grant their
"flag" or licensing without high standards for safety, environmental
protection, or the rights of the crews to fair pay and treatment. Often
this involves companies from developed industrial nations such as the
United States paying repressive regimes in poorer nations to "flag" their
ships. Thus they may avoid costly safety standards, union inspections, and
other expenses that would be incurred under their own countries' flags.
Lack of real accountability is the problem -- and imagine being on a ship
which is only accountable to the greedy, bloodthirsty generals of Burma's
junta, who have run their own country into the ground.

Here is a statement about conditions in general for Burmese seafarers, from
an October 1998 report from the US Government's Department of Labor: "It
has been reported that Burmese seafarers work for much lower pay, and in
far worse conditions than most other seafarers. They are vulnerable to
exploitation by unscrupulous ship owners, particularly those which operate
under the flag of convenience vessels."

Observers of conditions for Burmese crews on the Lasco ships in particular
have noticed that their pay is very low, and much lower than an American
sailor on an American flag ship would receive. While their pay might be
high by Burmese standards, keep in mind that the Burmese seafarers have to
"kick back" a lot of it to agents, brokers and the regime of Burma.
Observers have noticed that on at least one Lasco ship, heavy fines and
punishments are imposed for doing ordinary culturally Burmese things such
as wearing longyis (sarongs) and eating with their hands. This seems to be
a form of harassment or extortion by non-Burmese officers on the Lasco ships.

Please write to Lasco and Schnitzer; tell them to stop flagging their ships
with the brutal military regime of Burma. Tell them to insure proper
treatment and pay for all their Burmese crew members. Please send a letter
to both Lasco and Schnitzer (by email to Lasco if you prefer).

Address for Lasco: Company President, Lasco Shipping Co., 3200 NW Yeon
Ave., Portland OR 97210 USA, LASCO@xxxxxxxx

Address for Schnitzer: Mr. Robert W. Phillips, President, Schnitzer Steel
Products Co., 3200 NW Yeon Ave., Portland OR 97210 USA

Sample text:

Dear Company President,

I am very concerned about Lasco using Burma (Myanmar) as a flag of
convenience on several ships. This profits one of the world's most brutal
military dictatorships. The regime ruling Burma has been condemned by the
United Nations and the US Government for its abuse of human rights and its
suppression of democracy. By flagging your ships with that regime, you are
condoning and supporting its torture, rape and murder. Please cease
flagging ships with Burma immediately, and please ensure that the Burmese
crew members on any of your ships are treated and paid fairly according to
proper international standards!
Sincerely,

-- 10/98 letter campaign by Burma Action Committee, Portland Oregon,
maje@xxxxxxxxxxx

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