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The BurmaNet News: December 15, 199 (r)



Subject: The BurmaNet News: December 15, 1998

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 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: December 15, 1998
Issue #1158

HEADLINES:
==========
ABYMU: ALERT ON BUDDHIST MONK ACTIVISTS INSIDE BURMA 
SHAN: SPDC CONTINUES PRESSURE ON SNLD AND SSA 
AFP: SINGAPORE'S LEE SAYS PINOCHET-LIKE SITUATION 
XINHUA: JAPAN DONATES ORAL POLIO VACCINE TO MYANMAR 
ANNC: AUSTRALIA LOCAL COUNCIL IMPOSES SELECTIVE PURCH
ANNC: BURMA-RELATED DOCUMENTS IN JAPANESE 
ANNC: CONFERENCE ON TORTURE CALL FOR PROPOSALS 
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ALL BURMA YOUNG MONKS' UNION: ALERT ON THE SITUATION OF BUDDHIST MONK
ACTIVISTS INSIDE BURMA
11 December, 1998 

The ABYMU is seriously concerned at the fate of seven monks who were
involved in the November 23, 1998, demonstration inside Burma. The SPDC
military regime is currently hunting down the following seven monks:
 
1. Ashin Wilartha - Mya Taung Monastery - Mandalay
2. Ashin Za Nin Da - Khin Makan Monastery - Mandalay
3. Ashin May Gi Da - Gwe Cho Monastery - Mandalay
4. Ashin Wi Lar That - A Kaut Khun Monastery - Mandalay
5. Ashin Te Za - Moe Kaung Monastery - Mandalay
6. Ashin Zaw Tiparla - Moe Kaung Monastery - Mandalay
7. Ashin Sein Di Mar - Moe Kaung Monastery - Mandalay

Military intelligence agents are demanding that the abbots of the
monasteries concerned hand over the monks for their participation in the
recent demonstrations. However, we the ABYMU have not received any
information up till now that the monks have been captured.

The November 23 demonstration started at 9.00 p.m. 300-400 monks
participated in the event, demanding the following:

1. Removal of the military dictatorship
2. Release of monks who have been imprisoned
3. A legal inquiry into the case of the Maha Mrat Muni Buddha image.
4. Recognition at the State level of Buddhist religious literature
examinations.

While the monks were chanting their demands peacefully, a conflict broke
out between demonstrators and policemen from Aung May Tha Zan police
station. During the conflict, policemen opened fire, so some bystanders
also joined in on the side with the monks. The demonstrators then started
throwing stones at the policemen and their police station, which was
slightly damaged. The local SPDC office located at Pyi Kyaw Market was also
destroyed by an angry mob. The demonstrators dispersed at 10 pm.

Following the demonstration, the regime's troops took up position around
the Maha Wi Thu Dar Ron, Moe Kaung and Htee Lin Monasteries in Mandalay,
and have been closely watching the monks there. The authorities are clearly
extremely worried at the monks' movement, which was also staged in nine
other parts of Burma during the month of  November 1998.

To divert attention from the monks' movement, the SPDC has been using its
old tactic of seeking to stir up religious unrest between Muslims and
Buddhists.  They have distributed anti-Muslim leaflets in Myin Gyan, Myan
Aung and Pegu. They have also orchestrated an attack on a Muslim shop in
Myin Gyan and then brought in a curfew.

The All Burma Young Monks' Union 

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SHAN: SPDC CONTINUES PRESSURE ON SNLD AND SSA
11 December, 1998 

Reports coming in from Shan States indicated that the Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy (SNLD) that won the most seats in the Shan States
during the 1990 elections is being pressured to release a statement
denouncing the NLD's "Committee of Ten" (CRPP).

So far most of the 20 ceasefire groups and 10 political parties have been
forced to issue statements in line with the junta policy. However, the
biggest Shan party and one ceasefire group, the Shan State National Army
led by Gunyord, have so far not "followed orders".

"What can we do? If we followed their wishes, then we would be against
those of our own people," said one SSNA officer.

The SNLD had reportedly confirmed that they would attend the Parliament "if
it is called by the NLD" to the junta's notorious Military Intelligence
Service. "They want the SNLD to back off from their stand" said the source,
"but the party says it would need to hold a Central Committee meeting to do
that, and, given the circumstances, it is difficult to fill a quorum".

The SSNA also known as the Shan States Army Central, meanwhile is being
deprived of its former privileges such as buying rice at a "government price".

The SSA Southern led by Yawdserk that has no ceasefire agreement with the
junta has issued statements in favor of the CRPP. 

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AFP: SINGAPORE'S LEE SAYS BURMESE GENERALS FACE PINOCHET-LIKE SITUATION
11 December, 1998 

SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (AFP) - Singapore elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew warned
Friday some of Myanmar's military junta may face the same fate as former
Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, fighting extradition in Britain for
alleged human rights abuses.

"Let's put the matter brutally. They have seen what's happened to General
Pinochet. Some of the things some generals have done in Burma (former name
of Myanmar) may well put them into similar predicament," Lee told
television network CNN International in an interview.

Lee was asked by Riz Khan, host of the network's "Q and A" programme, to
comment about the political situation in Myanmar following stepped up
efforts to bring about democracy in Indonesia.

Singapore has strong political and economic links with Myanmar, a member of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Pinochet was arrested in Britain and could be extradited to Spain, which
wants to try him in connection with killings and other human rights abuses
committed during his 1973-1990 iron-fisted dictatorship.

The former general, 83, was arrested in London on October 16 and is
currently under house arrest at a private estate west of the capital.

Analysts say his arrest and possible extradition marked a giant step
forward for international human rights and should serve to hold the world's
dictators responsible for their actions.

British colonial rule ended in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in 1948.
The country has been under tight military rule since 1962.

The junta has been widely condemned for human rights abuses including the
use of forced labour, summary executions, keeping political prisoners and
the rape and torture of ethnic minorities.

The junta denies all the allegations.

Lee said Myanmar was unique because it had previously cut itself from the
world for some time and chose its own road to socialism.

He said the country was now facing grave economic hardship because of the
Asian financial crisis but he did not expect its leadership to give up easily.

"I think they are in for a very difficult time because the meltdown has
meant no more investments in Burma and they are facing grave difficulties
getting the economy to grow," Lee said.

"But I don't see them surrendering and say 'Well, lets have democracy and
the Americans will lift the embargo and the Europeans will come and
invest'," Lee said.

After citing Pinochet's dilemma, Lee said: "So, I see them (Burma
leadership) as people who are going to dig their toes in and slog it out."

But he added: "So, short of economic collapse, I think it is going to be a
very difficult time for everybody in Burma."

Due to the Asian financial crisis, Myanmar's investment links with ASEAN,
which once accounted for 50 percent of outside funds, have all but dried up.

Coupled with international sanctions due to Myanmar's refusal to adopt
democratic reforms, the investment drought has plunged the economy into
decline.

Lee, Singapore's former prime minister who during his iron-fisted rule
transformed the island from a tropical backwater to a financial powerhouse,
answered wide ranging questions from the political, economic and social
situation in Asia to the hardships in Africa. 

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XINHUA: JAPAN DONATES ORAL POLIO VACCINE TO MYANMAR
11 December, 1998 

YANGON (Dec. 11) XINHUA - The Japanese government is donating 61 million
yen (458,646 U.S. dollars) worth of oral polio vaccine (OPV) to Myanmar for
its fourth National Immunization Days (NIDs), which are falling on Saturday
and on January 17, 1999.

The donation will cover 260,000 vials for 2.6 million children in Myanmar,
according to a press release of the Japanese Embassy here Friday.

A Japanese non-governmental organization (NGO) is also donating OPV and 23
other young Japanese donors, who are students, are visiting Myanmar to
acquire information on the effectiveness of their donation as well as the
health condition in the country, the press release said.

The Japanese government has donated about 977,443 dollars worth of OPV for
NIDs in Myanmar from 1995 up to now and also provided medical equipment
worth 225,563 dollars to the country's National Health Laboratory in 1996.
Apart from donations, the Japanese government also sent an expert in polio
virology for acute flaccid paralysis surveillance between November 1997 and
October this year.

The program of Myanmar's NIDs is implemented by the country's Health
Ministry in cooperation of WHO (World Health Organization), UNICEF (United
Nations Children's Fund), the Japanese government and NGOs.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: AUSTRALIAN LOCAL COUNCIL IMPOSES SELECTIVE PURCHASING
LEGISLATION
15 December, 1998 from <azappia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

The Council of The Town of Vincent, Perth, WA, has become the second
Australian local Council to impose Selective Purchasing Legislation against
companies in bed with the SLORC.  There will be more to come in the New
Year from Perth.  Marrickville was the beginning but not the end.

Passed 14th November 1998 in the tabled form.

Notice of Motion - John Hyde - Selective Purchasing Policy- Burma

Recommendation:

"That the Town of Vincent introduce a restrictive purchasing policy against
the current regime in Burma to;

(1) Recognise the Council's role to promote universal respect for union
rights and fundamental freedoms and the protection of democratic principles;

(2) Demonstrate the Council's commitment to these values by;

     a) supporting the rightful elected government of Burma, the National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, under the leadership of Aung
San Suu Kyi, which is subjected to violent oppression by the military
dictatorship of the State Peace and Development Council; and 

     b) condemning the system of oppression and the continuing denial of
human rights in Burma by the illegal military dictatorship of the State
Peace and Development Council;

(3) Recognise the Council's right to make economic decisions and to
determine on moral grounds with whom it will do business, by providing that
Council will not, in certain circumstances, purchase goods or services
provided by those who conduct business in or with Burma, or who are willing
to do so, until democracy has been restored and human rights violations
have ceased."

Free Burma Coalition, Australia

Working for the:
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Federation of Trade Unions, Burma
Australia Burma Council

PO Box 2024, Queanbeyan  NSW  2620
Ph: +61-2-6297-7734  Fax: +61-2-6297-7773

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ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA-RELATED DOCUMENTS IN JAPANESE
11 December, 1998 from yuki@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I have attached a list of documents that are available in Japanese. The
translation was done by a group of volunteers, so is not "official", but
nevertheless good.

The documents can be used

- to give to interested Japanese friends

- to use when working on some campaign against Japanese companies (for
example by sending it to the companies.  They are much more likely to read
something in Japanese than in English.)

If you would like copies, please let me know.  I can send it by snail mail,
or if by any chance you have a Japanese system in your computer, by email.

Yuki
FBC Japanese Service Center

The following documents are now available in Japanese:

<<UNITED NATIONS>>

"HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED OVER INTENSIFICATION OF
REPRESSION IN MYANMAR", UNITED NATIONS, Press Release, 6 October 1998

"REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR", 10 September 1998 (A/53/364)

"1998 REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR TO THE UN COMMISSION ON
HUMAN RIGHTS", 15 January 1998 (E/CN.4/1998/70)

"UNCHR: 1998 RESOLUTION ON BURMA" 1998/...  Situation of human rights in
Myanmar, 20 April 1998  (E/CN.4/1998/L.81/Rev.1)

UNCHR: 54th Session, Agenda Item 9 (VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN), Oral
Intervention of Catholic Institute for International Relations, April 9, 1998

<<Aung San Suu Kyi>>

"MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS",
DECEMBER 10, 1998

"BURMA - INTERVIEW WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI: OPPOSITION LEADER READY TO STEP
UP THE CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE IN BURMA" BBC: East Asia Today, August 10th 1998

"VIDEO MESSAGE to the 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on
Human Rights", 1.30pm, Geneva, Tuesday 8 April 1997

<<Situations on the Thai-Burma border>>

"Continuous Attacks on Karen Refugee Camps around Thai-Burma Border Area",
article in Japanese compiled from Burmanet and other wired sources, March,
1998

"INDEPENDENT REPORT: SITUATION REPORT ON NU POE CAMP", The BurmaNet News:
November 29, 1997 (Issue #880)

"BORDER SOURCE #2: HUAY KALOKE SITUATION REPORT 2", The BurmaNet News:
October 31, 1997 (Issue #857)

"HUAY KALOKE SITUATION REPORT (August 18, 1997)", The BurmaNet News: August
20, 1997 (Issue #801)

"INDEPENDENT REPORT: KAREN REFUGEE BEATEN TO DEATH BY THAI ARMY",
Burmanet-l, March 17, 1998

"BORDER REPORT: ROUNDUPS AND REPATRIATIONS", The BurmaNet News: December
23, 1997 (Issue #898)

"INSIDE BURMA NEWS", Burmanet-l, 13 Dec 1997

"SLORC TROOPS BEAT, MALTREAT AND CONSCRIPT KAREN VILLAGERS", ABSDF: PRESS
RELEASE, The BurmaNet News: June 20, 1997 (Issue #753)

"KHRG REPORT #97-05: ATTACKS ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMPS", an Independent Report
by the Karen Human Rights Group, KHRG, March 18, 1997

<<Other>>

"Storm" by Ye Teiza and "My Interrogation" by Tin Tin Maw, two chapters
from "TORTURED VOICES: PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF BURMA'S INTERROGATION CENTERS",
All Burma Student Democratic Front, 1998

"DISPOSSESSED: Forced Relocation and Extrajuridical Killings in Shan
State", The Shan Human Rights Foundation, April 1998

"RENDEZVOUS IN RANGOON", Business Week (Apr 13,1998), 1998

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ANNOUNCEMENT: CONFERENCE ON TORTURE CALL FOR PROPOSALS
10 December, 1998 from human-rights@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Call For Proposals

The University of Chicago Human Rights Program is planning a conference on
the concepts of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.  This
conference will take place on March 4-6, 1999.  The conference will explore
issues such as the social construction of torture as a specific cultural
and historical institution, the mechanisms of proving torture, turning
legal proof into public knowledge and enforcement of sanctions against
torturers.  The conference will bring together human rights activists,
legal and historical scholars, forensic practitioners and anthropologists.
The goal for the conference is to produce new insights for litigation,
activism and scholarship on torture.

The Human Rights Program is soliciting proposals for papers. Speakers would
present at one of the conference sessions. Session topics are:

Session 1:  Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
as Definitions and Concepts in Modern Legal Thought

Session 2:  Torture as a Method of Domination and an Interrogation Technique

Session 3:  The Social Construction of Torture and its Limits

Session 4:  Proving Torture:  Creating Evidence and Knowledge

Session 5:  Why is Torture so Persistent?

Session 6:  Enforcing the International Prohibition Against Torture

Interested individuals should send a resume, a brief statement of interests
and an abstract describing current research activities on the topic of
torture by December 31, 1998 to:

The University of Chicago Human Rights Program Center for International
Studies 5828 S. University Ave. Chicago, IL  60637

For more information, please contact Jacqueline Bhabha at 1-773-702-9455,
Michael Geyer at 1-773-702-7939 or e-mail human-rights@xxxxxxxxxxxx

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