The BurmaNet News: January 22, 1999

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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: January 22, 1999
Issue #1191


HEADLINES:
==========
BBC: SUU KYI EXPLAINS LAWSUIT AGAINST INTELLIGENCE 
ABSDF: NLD FINED FOR SELLING FOOD TO RAISE FUNDS 
BKK POST: CONDITIONS SET FOR BURMA AT TALKS
BBC: JAPAN URGED TO HOST BURMESE OPPOSITION 
BBC: JAPAN'S SOFTER STAND CRITICIZED 
XINHUA: MYANMAR ESTABLISHES TIES WITH UKRAINE 
THE NATION: BURMA TO HOTLINE WITH THAILAND 
BKK POST: RELOCATION PLAN SHELVED AFTER PROTESTS 
XINHUA: ANTI-NARCOTICS PROJECT COMPLETED 
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BBC: BURMA: SUU KYI EXPLAINS LAWSUIT AGAINST INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
14 January, 1999  

Telephone interview with Aung San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the
National League for Democracy, in Rangoon, by BBC Burmese Section's U Maung
Maung Than on 13 January

[Announcer]  Dear listeners.  The BBC Burmese Section reported on 12
January about the National League for Democracy's Announcement No. 4(1/99)
issued on 6 January whereby the National League for Democracy [NLD]
chairman has sued the National Intelligence Bureau in Burma.  Regarding
this matter, we would like to present BBC Burmese Section's U Maung Maung
Than's interview yesterday with NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Aung San Suu Kyi began by saying that the news about filing a lawsuit was
true and that it was filed because of unjustified acts.

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  We filed the lawsuit because we have the legal right to
do so.  We filed the suit because of unjustified acts.

[Maung Maung Than]  The government is very afraid that if the opposition
parties gain power they will be persecuted.  What is their reaction to this
lawsuit?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  This is not the first time that we have filed a
lawsuit.  Previously we also filed a lawsuit against the home affairs
minister over illegal restrictions on freedom of travel imposed on us.  So
far the authorities have done nothing regarding that matter.  We did that
within the framework of the law.  These matters are done in accordance with
the law.  Whatever we do, we do everything in accordance with the law.  We
do everything after careful consultations with legal experts.


[Maung Maung Than]  Well, what impact will this lawsuit have on the future
of talks and reconciliation?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  This is not relevant at all.  They will continue to do
more of these unjustified acts.  They are doing unjust things all the time.
 We are filing a lawsuit within the framework of the law because they broke
the law.

[Maung Maung Than]  We have also learned that the NLD has written letters
to the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee [ruling body of the Buddhist
clergy in Burma].  Is it true?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  Yes, it is true.

[Maung Maung Than]  What are the contents?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  Nothing much.  In some places, the sanghas [Buddhist
monks] have urged the NLD members to resign from the party.  We complained
to the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee that these acts are not in line
with the practice and ethics of the Buddhist clergy and we seek the
committee's help to discipline such monks.

[Maung Maung Than]  What is the response from the State Sangha Mahanayaka
Committee?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  So far we have not heard anything from them.

[Maung Maung Than]  What is your assessment of the present political
situation?

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  Concerning the present political situation, I see that
the authorities are bullying and engaging in unjustified acts against the
democracy-loving people.  This is nothing new.

[Maung Maung Than]  Yes.

[Aung San Suu Kyi]  But we totally do not accept the idea that we must all
bear these unjustified and bullying acts.

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ABSDF: NLD MEMBERS FINED FOR SELLING FOOD TO RAISE FUNDS
19 January, 1999 from lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Media Release 

On December 21, 1998 the Burmese military fined four officials of the
National League for Democracy (NLD) in central Burma for raising party
funds by selling the Indian food Biriani (Dan Pauk).

On December 17, the four - Myint Ngwe, Kyaw Zeya, Win Myint Hlaing and Aung
Soe Nyunt - the leaders of the NLD in Yenanchaung in Magew Division,
planned to raise funds by selling coupons for Biriani. However, the four
were summoned by the township Peace and Development Council and warned to
discontinue their activities.

Despite the warning, the four officials went ahead with their plan as they
did not believe it would disturb the public or the authorities. They cooked
the food, a spicy meat and rice dish, at a party member's house and sold it
to party supporters.

On December 21, all four officials were detained and charged under section
73 of the Municipal Act for defying the order of the local authorities.
Subsequently, the four were fined 5,000 Kyats each, and were ordered to
serve sentences of three years imprisonment if they did not pay.  The four
paid the fines to escape the prison terms.

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BANGKOK POST: CONDITION SET FOR BURMA'S PARTICIPATION AT TALKS
21 January, 1999 by Achara Ashayagachat

EU URGED TO SOFTEN STAND

The European Union has set a new condition for Burma's participation in an
Asean-EU meeting that has raised fears of a second postponement of the-
event, Foreign Ministry sources said yesterday.


Just a week before the 13th Asean EU joint co-operation committee was due
to open in Bangkok on January 25, the EU proposed that Burma and Laos sit
behind a plaque that reads "new members."

The proposal came despite an agreement last October that Burma would attend
the meeting as observer, and refrain from speaking if not necessary. The
agreement also provided for the meeting to display the flags of Asean and
the EU rather than those of member states.

In November 1997, the EU called for a postponement of the meeting after
Asean insisted on Burma's participation as an observer.

Burma and Laos entered the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in July
1997, joining Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam. Neither has acceded to the Asean-EU co-operation
agreement.

"When Vietnam joined Asean in July 1995, we did not put a 'new member'
plaque on the table. So there should not be such- a fuss for this
significant cooperation meeting, which should start discussing economic and
development issues," a source said.

The new condition was seen as an expression of "second thoughts" by the EU
on the question of Burma's participation in order to appease socialists in
the European Parliament currently in session.

Unless the EU softens its stand, Thailand, as host, simply could ignore the
new proposal, and follow the provisions of last October's agreement.
Ministry sources however hoped a compromise could be found "so that we can
sit down and discuss assistance programmes."

Barring a hitch, senior Asean officials are due to meet among themselves on
Sunday before joining their European counterparts on Monday and Tuesday
(Jan 25-26).

Asean Affairs Department Director-General Anucha Osathanond and the
European Commission's Deputy Director of External Relations Santiago Gomez
Reino are to co-chair the joint meeting expected to touch on cooperation in
trade economic and industrial affairs, science and technology, and forestry.

The meeting is also to consider the EU's proposal for co-operation in
narcotics suppression and environment protection, such as training
programmes for anti-narcotics officials or education scheme to promote
public awareness on the issue.

The discussions on trade will cover the minimisation of trade and nontrade
barriers as well as simplification of customs procedures, and market
access. Malaysia's foreign exchange control and Thailand's increase of wine
tax are also due to be raised.

"There will be fewer [assistance] projects, but issues of collaboration
will be real and mutually beneficial such as the recognition standards for
Asean exports," he said.

The EU has also provided know how in natural resources managements,
training in energy-related projects, haze prevention, and information
technology, as well as networking and academics.

The meeting will be an occasion for Asean members to propose new projects,
including those related to aviation and port management, sources said.

"With or without Burma, once the Asean-EU talks resume, they have to
proceed in a new manner, with a fine-tuning of the pre and post- crisis
expectations of the two sides," said an academic who requested anonymity.


Burma remains a "noble cause" for the international community and Asean
cannot afford to defend Burma at the expense of cooperation with the EU,
she added.

"Asean's international clout has diminished since the start of the Asian
crisis, which coincided with Burma's admittance into the grouping.  Asean
can no longer ask the EU  to deal with them solely on their own  terms,"
she said.

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BBC: JAPAN URGED TO HOST VISIT BY BURMESE OPPOSITION FIGURES
21 January, 1999 

A leading figure in the Burmese opposition National League for Democracy
has urged the Japanese government to invite NLD representatives to visit
Japan.

The NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo told the BBC this would prove Japan was taking
seriously its promise to communicate with both the military government and
its opponents in Burma.

Japan is currently hosting a visit by one of Burma's top military
intelligence officials, General Kyaw Win.

A Japanese spokesman said that during talks with the general, Japanese
officials had urged the Burmese authorities to start a dialogue with their
opponents.

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BBC: JAPAN'S SOFTER STAND CRITICIZED AS SENIOR BURMESE OFFICIAL VISITS TOKYO
20 January, 1999   

Japan wants to keep communication channels open with Burma

A senior Burmese official, Brigadier General Kyaw Win, is in Tokyo at the
invitation of the Japanese government. But his ten day trip has already
sparked outrage among human rights campaigners, who staged protests outside
Kyaw Win's hotel. There's particular anger about Tokyo's strategy towards
the Rangoon junta.

In 1995, the Japanese lifted its ban on economic aid, imposed after
thousands of democracy activists were shot dead on the streets of Rangoon
in 1988. And subsequently, Tokyo has taken a softer stand than the US or
the European Union.

For more on why Japan invited in the Burmese General, East Asia Today
presenter, Christopher Gunness called Sadaaki Numata, the government
spokesman in Tokyo:

Sadaaki Numata: It is very important that somebody keeps the channels of
communication open to both sides. It is also important that people in the
Myanmar government have an opportunity to be exposed to the spectrum of
views that exist outside Myanmar in general, and in Japan in particular.
That's precisely what the visit is designed for.

Christopher Gunness: Am I to read into that, that Japan will talk tough on
issues such as dialogue with the opposition and human rights?

Sadaaki Numata: The position that we have consistently been taking - why we
keep our channels of communication open to both sides in Myanmar, is that
we do attach importance to the progress of democratisation and also the
improvement of the human rights situation in Myanmar. That has been a
consistent theme.

Christopher Gunness: I imagine that you're visitor will also take the
opportunity to drum up support among Japan's business community.

Sadaaki Numata: I think that is reading a little too much into the visit.
He will have an opportunity to meet a whole spectrum of people in the
government and in the parliament and also in the journalistic sector,
perhaps some business people. What we do attach importance to is to
maintain this evenhanded, balanced approach to all this and, I emphasize
again, to keep our channels of communication open.


Christopher Gunness: What evidence is there that this policy of a balanced
approach, keeping the channels of communication open, has borne any fruit
whatsoever?

Sadaaki Numata: We have to keep trying. There have been instances in which
we have urged restraint on the part of the Myanmar government - especially
as some situations of confrontation developed last year between the
government and the opposition forces. It's not the kind of effort that can
bear immediate fruit, you have to keep working at it for a long time. But
it is also true to say, when you talk about the carrot and stick approach,
that if everybody takes the stick approach perhaps the result will be
counter-productive. So there should be somebody who tries to play a
balanced role - and that is what we aspire to play.

For background on the visit, and to gauge concerns among the activists,
Christopher Gunness then called Mike Jendrezic, of Human Rights Watch Asia:

Mike Jendrezic: The Japanese government historically has a long
relationship with Burma. They have tried to maintain that relationship,
both in former military connections including personal connections with Ne
Win, as well as the fact that Japan has provided most of the bilateral aid
to its Official Development Assistance Programme. Since the crackdown in
1988, and the elections in May 1990, the Japanese government has been
trying to serve as some sort of bridge between the West and some of the
governments that are trying to isolate Burma whilst maintaining its links
with the Burmese government to encourage respect for human rights and a
process of democratisation. The Burmese government has also nurtured ties
with Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, and this military official coming to
Tokyo is of course one of his right hand men. It is entirely consistent
with Japan's strategy.

Christopher Gunness: My understanding also is that the Japanese are waiting
for some kind of concrete response from the Burmese to the General Assembly
resolution passed at the end of last year, which was of course very
critical of them.

Mike Jendrezic: I think the Japanese government would like to see Burma
begin to take positive steps in response to international condemnation by
the United Nations. And pressure from the European Union and the United
States. They've urged the Burmese government in the past to take specific
steps such as releasing political prisoners as well as other initiatives
that might include dialogue between the military government and Aung San
Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. My expectation is that the
General's visit will be used precisely for that purpose - to communicate
the fact that Japan would like to see Burma welcomed into the international
community - but it would require steps to be taken by the military
government and compromises on both sides. Both on the side of the
pro-democracy forces, but primarily on the part of the military government.

Christopher Gunness: Given the strength of Japan in terms of its economic
leverage and given the historic association between the two countries, how
important is Japanese pressure on Rangoon?


Mike Jendrezic: I think Japanese influence is probably just as important,
perhaps even more important, than the role of ASEAN. ASEAN of course is
greatly weakened because of the Asian economic crisis. Japan however,
despite its economic problems, is still in a position to offer the carrot
of resumed ODA - that is Official Development Assistance to Rangoon - that
has been for the most part suspended since 1988.

Christopher Gunness: As it courts the Burmese Generals, if that's not too
cynical an interpretation of this visit, how concerned is Japan about
Chinese influence in Burma?

Mike Jendrezic: From my conversations with politicians and policy makers in
Tokyo, I think there is growing concern about Chinese military influence
projecting into Burma as well as in South East Asia generally. There in
fact is a pro-Burmese government lobby now in the Japanese Diet - the
Japanese parliament - that is motivated in part by economic interests, but
also by this concern about Beijing's influence over Rangoon. I think to
some extent Japan would like the United States as well as Tokyo itself to
serve as a buffer or a counter weight to that influence from Beijing.

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XINHUA: MYANMAR ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH UKRAINE
20 January, 1999 

YANGON - Myanmar established diplomatic relations with Ukraine on Tuesday
at ambassadorial level, according to a press communique issued by the
Myanmar Foreign Ministry Wednesday.

Ukraine is the 74th country in the world with which Myanmar has established
diplomatic ties since its independence in 1948.

Guided by the principles enunciated in the Charter of the United Nations
and being desirous to establish relations of friendship and mutually
beneficial cooperation on the basis of the principles of equality,
non-interference in the internal affairs of others, and respect for
independence and territorial integrity, Myanmar has made the decision for
the move, the press communique said.

Last December, Myanmar established diplomatic ties with Kuwait at
ambassadorial level.

Since 1988 when the present government came to power, Myanmar has
established ties with more countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Columbia,
Papua New Guinea, Brunei, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya and Kuwait.

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THE NATION: BURMA AGREES TO HOTLINE WITH THAILAND
22 January, 1999 

BURMA has agreed to a Thai proposal to set up a hotline between their
foreign ministers in an attempt to prevent clashes at sea, Foreign Ministry
deputy spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said yesterday.

Burma's Foreign Minister U Win Aung mentioned the establishment of quick
communications in a letter dated Jan 19 to his Thai counterpart, Surin
Pitsuwan.

''Thailand believes the hotline between the foreign ministers will be an
effective and quick means for both countries to contact each other if there
is any incident at sea,'' Kitti said.

The establishment of the hotline is among three proposals put to Rangoon
after a series of violent naval clashes in the two countries' maritime
zones during the past few months, which resulted in deaths on both sides.


The other proposals are joint naval patrols and the despatch of Burmese
officials to a fishery coordination centre in Ranong province.

The deputy spokesman said these issues are expected to be discussed by the
Thai-Burma Regional Border Committee chaired by regional commanders and is
scheduled to be held in Phuket in March.

The incidents were usually caused by alleged intrusion of Thai fishing
boats into Burmese waters because of an unclear maritime zone, which led to
gunfire.

The clashes prompted both foreign ministries to summon each other's
ambassadors to submit protest notes.

Kitti quoted U Win Aung as saying in the letter that both countries should
cooperate to prevent further incidents and exercise restraint to prevent
similar misunderstandings and clashes.

According to the Burmese foreign minister, diplomatic channels will work
effectively to prevent further misunderstanding between both countries.

U Win Aung, who was appointed as foreign minister in November, accepted an
invitation to visit Thailand. Officials concerned are working to prepare
for the visit, which is expected in March or April.

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BANGKOK POST: RELOCATION PLAN SHELVED AFTER PROTESTS
21 January, 1999 by Cheewin Sattha

MAE HONG SON

LONG-NECKED KARENS TO STAY PUT AS WELL

The province's plan to transfer 3,000 l Karen refugees, including
longnecked Karens, to two refugee camps has been called off due to protests
from tour operators and farmers.

A source said provincial authorities had cancelled the planned relocation
of 3,176 Karen refugees in Ban Nai Soi, Muang district, to Pang Tractor and
Pang Khwai camps in the same district.

Many villagers and tour businesses wanted them to stay because the
longnecked Karens are popular with tourists. They also said they used the
Karens as cheap farm workers.

Almost 1,000 Karens are paid 50-70 baht each per day to work on garlic and
soy bean plantations by many Ban Nai Soi villagers. They say assistance
from non-governmental organisations seems inadequate to help the refugees
who are increasing in number.

There was also a lack of cash to fund the move since the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees had refused to help out, a source said.

Muang Mae Hong Son district chief, Somboon Benmart, said the planned
relocation had been motivated by fears of the refugees destroying forests
but they had later changed their minds.

In another development, 382 people fled on Saturday to Mae Hong Son after
an attack by Burmese troops on villages in Chador district, Doi Kor, in Burma.

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XINHUA: FIRST ANTI-NARCOTICS PROJECT WITH BURMA COMPLETED
16 January, 1999 by Qu Mingguang 

Kunming, (Xinhua)- The first phase of a greening and antinarcotics project,
initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology [MST] and Yunnan
Province's Science and Technology Commission in cooperation with Burma, was
recently completed in the fourth special zone in Burma's Shan State.
Further, the project has passed the appraisal of experts and is greatly
praised by the United Nations.


The fourth special zone in the eastern region of Burma's Shan State has
some 74,000 residents of 13 ethnic groups.  It is part of the "Golden
Triangle," the world-renowned drug production base, and adjacent to Menghai
County of Yunnan Province's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. 

Before April 1989, 262 of some 500 villages here were engaged in planting
opium poppies, producing nearly 100,000 metric tonnes of opium and 600
kilograms of heroin annually.  There were more than 2,000 drug addicts in
the region. The grain production level was very low, and per capita
unprocessed grain was less than 100 kilograms per year.  It was necessary
to purchase 800,000 kilograms of grain from China every year to tide over
their food shortage.  Because of this, the MST and Yunnan's Science and
Technology Commission approved the Sino-Burmese "greening and antinarcotics
project," an international science and technology cooperation program with
projects such as a 1,000-mu pilot sugarcane farm and a 10,000-mu pilot farm
planted with high-yield hybrid rice.  The science and technology
departments of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and Menghai County
and other relevant departments have been responsible for the projects'
specific implementation.

After the projects were started, 800 mu of sugarcane were planted in this
region in 1995, and 150 mu were added in the following year.  By 1998, a
total of 9,000 mu of sugarcane were planted, with production expected to
reach 40,000 metric tonnes. In recent years, China has provided 120,000
kilograms of hybrid rice seed, which has been planted over an area of
40,000 mu.  The average output was 400 kilograms per mu, a threefold
increase in output over that of the original variety of the region.  The
total accumulated output of 16 million kilograms has solved the problem of
inadequate food in the region.  Meanwhile, China has also helped Burma to
develop 15,000 mu of economic crops such as rubber, tea, and fruits.

The implementation of this project has basically eliminated drugs from the
special region of eastern Burma.  Since the region has been able to take
its own measures now to eliminate drugs, UN antinarcotics inspectors, who
have stationed in the region for many years, were satisfied and withdrew
from the region. Meanwhile, the farmers' per capita income has been raised
from less than 100 in Burmese currency during the time of opium poppy
farming to 300 renminbi now.  UN Under-Secretary-General Arlacchi, who is
also executive director of the UN Drug Control Program, commented: 

"I am glad that China's assistance to Burma in substitute planting has
produced such a good result."  He expressed the hope that other
drug-producing regions in the world would also begin to work to eliminate
drugs based on this experience.

It is learned that the second-phase greening and antinarcotics project has
now been discussed and approved and is being put into operation.

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