The BurmaNet News: June 18, 1999

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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

The BurmaNet News: June 18, 1999
Issue #1296

Noted in Passing: "We really hope Myanmar will comply. If not, we expect to
take the judgement from the ILO into every other U.N. forum." - Bill Brett,
ILO Workers' Delegate from Britain and ILO Governing Body Vice Chairman
(see REUTERS: UN LABOUR AGENCY PUTS MYANMAR OUT IN COLD)

HEADLINES:
==========
ILO: RESOLUTION ON BURMA 
REUTERS: UN AGENCY PUTS MYANMAR OUT IN COLD 
AFP: MYANMAR LASHES WEST FOR ILO EXPULSION 
NLD: STATEMENT 69 - FORCED LABOUR IN PEGU 
ALIN: PEOPLE BEING HELD IN HIGHEST ESTEEM 
NLOM: MINISTER MEETS UN-SIAP OFFICIALS 
BBC: UN TO SEND ENVOY TO BURMA 
AUNG SAN SUU KYI: MESSAGE FOR WOMEN OF BURMA 
MIZZIMA: ASSK'S B'DAY AS ASIAN WOMEN'S DAY 
****************************************************************

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION: RESOLUTION ON BURMA 
June, 1999 from osolnick@xxxxxxxxxxxx 

International Labour Conference 

Provisional Record 
Eighty-seventh Session, Geneva, 1999 

Resolution on the widespread use of forced labour in Myanmar 

Submitted by Mr. Brett, Workers' delegate, United Kingdom, and Mr. Thusing,
Employers' delegate, Germany, in accordance with article 17 (2) of the
Standing Orders of the Conference 

The International Labour Conference, 

REAFFIRMING   that all member States have an obligation to apply fully, in
law and in practice, the Convention that they have voluntarily ratified,

RECALLING that Myanmar (Burma) ratified the Forced Labour Convention, 1930
(N0. 29), and the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), on 4 March 1955,

TAKING NOTE of the provision of United Nations General Assembly resolution
53/ 162 of 9 December 1998 and of United Nations Commission of Human Rights
resolution 1999/17 of 23 April 1999, which also address the use of forced
labour in Myanmar ,

RECALLING the decision of the Governing Body to place on the agenda of its
November 1999 session an item entitled: "Measures, including
recommendations under article 33 of the ILO Constitution, to secure
compliance by the Government of Myanmar with the recommendations of the
Commission of Inquiry",

GRAVELY CONCERNED by the Government's flagrant and persistent failure to
comply with the Convention, as concluded by the Commission of Inquiry
established to examine the observance of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930
(No. 29), 

APPALLED by the continued widespread use of forced labour, including for
work on infrastructure projects and as porters for the army, 
	
NOTES the report (dated 21 May 1999) of the Director-General to the members
of the Governing Body on measures taken by the Government of Myanmar
following the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry;

1. DEEPLY DEPLORES THAT: 

(a) the Government has failed to take the necessary steps to bring the
relevant legislative texts, in particular the Village Act and Towns Act,
into line with the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29), by 1 May 1999,
as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry;  Reaffirms that this issue
should be further considered by the Governing Body in November 1999 


(b) at the end of twentieth century, the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) has continued to inflict the practice of forced labour --
nothing but a contemporary from of slavery  -- on the people of Myanmar,
despite repeated calls from the ILO and from the wider international
community for the past 30 years; 

(c) there is no credible evidence that those exacting forced labour in
Myanmar have been punished under section 374 of the Penal Code; 

2. RESOLVES: 

(a) that the attitude and behaviour of the Government of Myanmar  are
grossly incompatible with the conditions and principles governing
membership of the Organization; 
 
(b) that the Government of Myanmar  should [cease] to benefit from any
technical cooperation or assistance from the ILO except for the purpose of
direct assistance to implement immediately the recommendations of the
Commission of Inquiry 

(c) that the Government of Myanmar should henceforth not receive any
invitation to attend meetings, symposia and seminars organized by the ILO,
except such meetings that have the sole purpose of securing immediate and
full compliance with the said recommendations until such time as it has
implemented the conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry. 

Note:  The Selection Committee on Resolutions of the 87th ILO Conference
met on 15 June 1999 for the Third sitting. It took place at Room 20 of the
United Nations building.   About 15 Workers delegates, 20 Employers
delegates and 10 Government delegates attended the sitting.  The usage of
"Myanmar (Burma)" which had been insisted by the FTUB through the ICFTU to
the ILO at the Commission of Inquiry was changed to only "Myanmar"  at the
recommendation of the Japanese Government delegate.   -- News & Information
Secretariat - FTUB 

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

REUTERS: UN LABOUR AGENCY PUTS MYANMAR OUT IN THE COLD
17 June,1999 by Stephanie Nebehay 

GENEVA, June 17 (Reuters) - The International Labour Organisation (ILO) on
Thursday virtually expelled Myanmar, banning it from receiving aid or
attending meetings until it halts widespread forced labour, an ILO
spokesman said. 

The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the U.N. agency's
annual meeting, at which its 174 member states, as well as workers' and
employers' representatives vote. 

It denounced the military government for inflicting what it called "nothing
but a contemporary form of slavery," including work on infrastructure
projects and as porters for the army. 

Myanmar's foreign ministry, in a statement obtained by Reuters in Bangkok,
dismissed the interference as "deplorable and unscrupulous." It said the
ILO had fallen victim to "political tricks of Western nations, particularly
Britain." 

The move, which marked the culmination of ILO's 30-year bid to halt forced
labour in Myanmar, was unprecedented despite previous rebukes of Poland
under martial law and of apartheid South Africa. 

"This is as isolated as a country can get in the ILO, which does not have
any mechanism for formal expulsion," ILO spokesman John Doohan told
Reuters. The vote was 333 delegates in favour with 27 against and 47
abstentions. 


Government delegates named as joining Myanmar in voting against the text
were all Asian -- Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Several Asian countries had called for
giving Myanmar more time. 

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions estimates that more
than 800,000 Burmese are forced to labour. 

Bill Brett, the ILO workers' delegate from Britain who tabled the
resolution with the employers' representative, Germany's Rolf Thuesing,
said people were forced to work in dangerous areas of landmined jungle. 

"We really hope Myanmar will comply. If not, we expect to take the
judgement from the ILO into every other U.N. forum," Brett told reporters. 

"This is very much the last chance for Myanmar to realise the world
community cannot put up with slavery at the end of the 20th century," he
added. 

Brett, who is vice chairman of ILO's governing body, said that the
56-member body which meets in November cannot impose sanctions, but can
pass on urgent matters to other parts of the U.N. system. He added: "It is
unchartered water." 

U.S. President Bill Clinton, in a speech to the ILO forum on Wednesday,
singled out Myanmar for criticism, saying the military government was
violating human rights by forcing people into labour. He called for the
U.N. labour body to take action. 

The resolution said Myanmar was guilty of "flagrant and persistent failure"
to comply with a 1930 ILO treaty banning forced labour, which it has
ratified. 

It had ignored recommendations made last August by an ILO inquiry
commission, which called for halting forced labour after interviewing more
than 250 eyewitnesses and documenting abuses. 

The text said Myanmar's attitude and behaviour were "grossly incompatible"
with the principles governing membership in ILO, founded in 1919 to promote
social justice and workers' rights. 

The country would "cease to benefit" from any ILO technical assistance and
would not be invited to attend meetings until it had implemented ILO's
recommendations, it added. 

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

AFP: MYANMAR LASHES WEST FOR ILO EXPULSION 
17 June, 1999 

YANGON, June 17 (AFP) - Myanmar reacted furiously to its de-facto expulsion
from the International Labour Organisation Thursday, accusing the West of
using "biased" reports of forced labour as an excuse to intervene in its
politics.

In an angry statement, the foreign ministry described the ILO move as a
"deplorable and unscrupulous" action by countries who wanted to "interfere
and meddle in the internal affairs of Myanmar.

"It is most regrettable that such an august assembly like the LLO should
fall victim to the machinations and political tricks of Western nations
particularly Britain" it said.

"It demonstrates the complete disregard of these countries to the rules and
procedures of the international organisations as well as the dignity of
these international fora"

ILO delegates voted in an unprecedented move Thursday to de-facto expel
Myanmar, accusing it of the widespread use of forced labour.


[ ... ]

It claimed the West was using the ILO as a way of imposing its "values and
systems" on the country.

"While paying lip service to workers rights they are making politically
motivated allegations with the sole intention of tarnishing the image of
the Myanmar government and people."

[ ... ]

Myanmar last month issued a forthright denial that it used forced labour
when it hosted a labour minister's conference of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Powerful First Secretary Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt said the West was
distorting events in Myanmar.

"If one is to believe some of the allegations found in the Western media,
the picture (of Myanmar) will be rather somber indeed," he said.

"We feel very strongly that these allegations were largely the result of
misperception and misunderstanding of the situation and the mentality of
the people.

Villagers were happy to work for the military or to speed up development
projects, he said.

"In Myanmar thinking contribution of labour not only brings immediate
material benefit in present life, but also merit in future life cycles," he
said. 

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

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY: STATEMENT 69 - FORCED LABOUR IN PEGU
2 June, 1999 

National League for Democracy
No:(97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Bahan

STATEMENT 69(6/99)(translation)

1. Information has been received about the forced labour demanded by the
Township PDC for the excavation of a silted up dry creek (one and a half
miles in length) in Pegu Division, Pegu District which runs through Moutala
village and connects with Thanatpin creek at Kyone-jou.

2. Cultivators and labourers from the villages of Saing-te , Moutala,
Oh-pho, Ka-twin-chan, Shwebo-su, Taungthu-su and Pjun-pauk have had to give
forced labour. The ward PDCs demanded that every household complete the
digging of 10 pits each since the 30th April 1999.

3. This was how the operation began. The villagers were notified by the
respective village PDCs that on the morning of the 30th April at the sound
of the beating of an iron bar, villagers would have to assemble with their
mattocks, chopping hoes, and baskets at the designated area where their
forced labour was required. Penalty for non-compliance was fixed at 200
Kyats per pit which would amount to Kyats 2000/- for 10 pits (half the
amount was to be paid in advance). They were warned that consequences for
non-compliance or non-payment would be dire meaning that action would be
taken against them in accordance with the provisions of the Village Act.

4.  This being the commencement of the rainy season, cultivators are busy
preparing for the cultivation of their crops. Most of the villagers are
daily wage earners having to cope with soaring prices (poorest quality rice
costing Kyats 100/- one pyi and Kyats 640/- a viss of oil). Problems and
hardships keep mounting on them from day to day.

5.  At Oh-pho village, the cost of not supplying labour is Kyats 3000/- per
household. Information received is that every household in the town of Pegu
had to contribute Kyats 600/- for the construction of a moat and that the
last date for such payment was 15 May 99.


6. We strongly urge the authorities holding power to have compassion on
people who are facing such physical and mental hardships and to refrain
from making such demands on the poverty stricken villagers.  We denounce
the practice of applying force and threats and the failure to appreciate
the surrounding circumstances of a given situation.

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

MYANMAR ALIN: THE PEOPLE ARE BEING HELD IN HIGHEST ESTEEM 
28 May, 1999 by Maung Hmat Kyauk

[BurmaNet Editor's Note: Myanmar Alin is a state-run Burmese language daily
newspaper.  This article has been translated and abridged.]  

People of Myanmar have a fine tradition which was handed down by the
ancestors. It is a tradition that has become a cultural trait of the
Myanmar people. In other words, it can be called the tender nature and mind
of Myanmar people who are living under the teachings of the Dhamma of
Theravada Buddhism. This tradition is the will to serve the well-being of
the community and the nation with goodwill or the will to fulfil the
requirements of other persons with pure cetena [goodwill].

The people of Myanmar have the tradition of collectively building houses
for the feeble and aged persons and poor families of their communities.
They always join hands in rendering assistance to a person of their
community who is going to roof his house. The host serves green tea,
pickled tea leaves, quid of betel, and cheroots to guests. All the people
of a village joyfully take part in fencing their village or in building a
road in their village. As building of a village fence or a road will ensure
security and easy transport for their community, the work benefits others
as well as the participants themselves. Myanmar people believe that serving
the interests of the community and others can gain remarkable benefits in
the present life as well as in the next existence.

[passage omitted]

National development task could not be carried out effectively in the
country in the past 40 years after regaining independence due to various
forms of insurgency, disturbances, and disintegration of national unity.
However, national development and construction tasks are being implemented
by the present government which has been able to maintain stability and
prevalence of law and order since 1988-89.

All can witness the emergence of many new dams, railroads, motor roads,
bridges, hospitals, schools, universities, colleges, institutes, farms and
electric power stations in all parts of the nation. The people are now
enjoying the fruits of the success of the nation-building endeavors.
Although donors of the pagodas and temples of Pagan region, which is
renowned internationally for the beauty of its rich architectural and
decorative arts, were the kings, ministers of the court and the rich, the
actual designers and builders were the people of Pagan. These monuments
were the fruits of their labor. The people of Pagan were able to
effectively express their goodwill and generosity which came out from their
hearts into an effective expression. Such practices, characteristics, and
customs are the adorable and honorable traditions of Myanmar. The nation
benefits from the joint endeavors of the people of various regions. The
Myanmar people are happily and eagerly taking part in the nation-building
tasks such as paving of roads, clearing of land, and building of dykes and
reservoirs throughout the country's history.


An evil practice is flourishing in this planet at present. The
neocolonialists always define a nation in their favor as a democratic one
although it is ruled by a dictatorial, belligerent government. However, the
neocolonialists always make accusations and slanderous statements against a
nation which goes against their wish and view it to be in a state of
turmoil although peace and stability prevail in reality. They view the
people as losing human rights and facing suppression although they are
living in a peace and enjoying freedom, security, and progress. They view
such a country as suffering from poverty and economic downturn although the
national economy is growing and the business is prospering. They view the
people as being forced to work although they actually are taking part with
pure goodwill in the task to develop their own community and nation. Such
is the strategy of the neocolonialists to dominate every corner of the world. 

[passage omitted]

Myanmar successfully hosted the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Subcommittee on
Labor Affairs Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting on ASEAN Labor Affairs
in May. It also successfully hosted the 13th ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting
on 14 and 15 May.

Beginning from the time preparations were being made to host these meetings
in Yangon [Rangoon], the Western bloc became edgy and started making false
accusations against Myanmar and saying those meetings should not be held in
Myanmar. The London-based Amnesty International, which never said a word or
issued a single statement to oppose the invasion and bombing of innocent
civilians by the Americans and NATO in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
made an announcement that it opposed the holding of the 13th ASEAN Labor
Ministers Meeting in Yangon as Myanmar was forcing the people to work
without pay.

Organizations, which are formed with handouts from the Western bloc, may be
formed with only two and a half members. These organizations have no
credibility. Another labour organization, which is serving the interests of
the neocolonialists, blindly issued from afar a statement, claiming there
were about 800,000 people who were put into forced labor without receiving
any payment.

Thanks to the benefits of the market-oriented economic system, Myanmar
people came to enjoy better job opportunities created by companies,
industries, and construction projects and earned higher salaries. However,
destructive elements from inside the nation in collusion with the
neocolonialist destructive group from abroad lashed out demands, exerted
pressure, and made threats to deter tourists from visiting Myanmar and
foreign entrepreneurs from making new investments in Myanmar and to
withdraw their invested money from the nation. Such method of operation has
caused job losses among many Myanmar.

These accusations about human rights violations and fabrications about
forced labor are undermining the tasks for national progress and
prosperity. At present, America and the NATO war group is bombing
industries in every corner of Yugoslavia in violation of the basic
principles of the United Nations Charter and the international laws and
norms. Thousands and thousands of workers in Yugoslavia are becoming
jobless. The Amnesty International, which is just a mercenary group, is so
wicked and of very low standard to keep silent on this conspiracy while
interfering in the internal affairs of the nations targeted by the
neocolonialists.


When all the attempts of the mercenary group to block the hosting of the
13th ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting in Myanmar failed, it shamelessly drove
in a wedge by sending letters to Labor Ministers of other ASEAN nations,
urging them to expose and criticize the alleged practice of forced labor in
Myanmar. All the ASEAN nations knew well the conspiracies and mischief of
the neocolonialists thoroughly and Myanmar was able to host the meeting
successfully. 

[passage omitted] 

Speaking at the 13th ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt,
secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council [SPDC], said: "Here
I wish to touch upon the allegations on the use of forced labor in Myanmar.
If one is to believe some of the allegations found in the western media,
the picture will be rather bleak, indeed. We feel very strongly that these
allegations were largely a result of misperception and misunderstanding of
the situation and mentality of our people. 

"Since a sound infrastructure is essential for economic development, our
government has placed special emphasis on this sector. Hence, a sustained
effort to improve the infrastructure of our economy by building roads,
bridges, rail network, dams, and reservoirs have been undertaken. Realizing
the benefits to the communities from these projects, people have
voluntarily contributed labor so that they can be completed sooner. 

"Moreover, in Myanmar thinking contribution of labor not only brings
immediate benefit in present life, but also merit for future life cycles."

Explaining that the allegations from outside the country were groundless
the Secretary-1 said that the government had issued instructions that only
remunerated labor must be used in infrastructure projects in order to
dispel the wrong impressions on Myanmar. He then elaborated on the
government's goodwill toward the labor force.

[passage omitted]

Myanmar was able to host the 13th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting despite
the obstacles laid by the destructive groups.

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

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: MINISTER MEETS UN-SIAP OFFICIALS 
17 June, 1999 

[BurmaNet Editor's Note: The New Light of Myanmar is the English language
state-run newspaper in Burma.]

YANGON, 16 June-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U
Soe Tha met Director Mr Lau Kak En and Lecturer Mr Bijoy Raychudhuri of the
United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UN-SIAP) who
called at his office this evening.

Also present at the call were officials of the Ministry of National
Planning and Economic Development.

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

BBC: UN TO SEND ENVOY TO BURMA 
3 June, 1999 

The United Nations says it wants to send an envoy on a new mission to Burma
to try to create conditions for a political dialogue inside the country.

The UN Deputy Secretary General, Louise Frechette, said the idea of a
mission had not been rejected by Burma.

Ms Frechette said some neighbouring countries had offered to encourage the
Burmese government to accept the mission, which is to be led by the envoy
to the Secretary General, Alvaro de Soto. He last visited Burma in October
last year.


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

AUNG SAN SUU KYI: MESSAGE FOR WOMEN OF BURMA 
18 June, 1999 from altsean@xxxxxxxxxx 

Statement by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
General Secretary, National League for Democracy
To Mark Women of Burma Day June 19, 1999

It is only by treating women with respect and by giving them their rightful
place that we can build a modern, progressive society.  In Burma, as in
other parts of the world, we need to work harder to correct the injustices
that have been imposed upon women throughout history: Lack of respect for
their gender, lack of equal opportunities with men in acquiring
professional skills, discrimination in the workplace, fewer chances of
serving in high administrative posts.

Half a century ago at the time Burma regained her independence, the women
of our country enjoyed a reputation for their vigor and progressiveness,
and for their ability to work shoulder to shoulder with their men folk.
Today, it is especially important for our women to work actively to
overcome the difficulties with which our country is faced.  According to a
number of psychologists, women are better able to cope than men in crisis
situations.  We should use this ability to bring peace and progress to our
country, and to better the condition of peoples the world over.  There is a
great need for our women of Burma to use their capabilities to bring
democracy and human rights to our country.  It is no longer possible even
for housewives to keep out of politics, because politics has invaded the
traditional domain of housewives.  The root cause of upward spiraling
commodity prices, greatly increased charges for electricity, and rising
costs of education and health care is a political one.

As our country is a union of many peoples, it is only by building
understanding and unity between the different ethnic groups that we will be
able to achieve genuine success in any cause that we undertake.  Therefore,
I would like to request the women of all the ethnic nationalities of Burma
to strive together for our country.  The majority of the women who have
been driven by economic and political problems to live beyond our borders
as refugees are Karen, Mon, and others of our sisters from the ethnic
nationalities.  I would like to appeal to international aid organizations
to help these women who are struggling to cope with the difficulties of
refugee existence.  Let me also send a message of support to our refugee
sisters who await a future when they can return to their own land.  We are
working hard that you may be able to come back soon to a Burma that will be
a refuge for all our ethnic nationalities.  Please do not lose heart.

I would also like to take the opportunity to honor those women who are
making so many sacrifices for the cause of democracy and human rights in
Burma.  In particular, I would like to mention women political prisoners
and the wives, daughters, and mothers of political prisoners.  With
perseverance and with the loyal commitment to our political objectives, our
cause will surely prevail.  Let us all walk forward together with firm
hearts and minds to build a peaceful, prosperous union.


I send my warm greetings and love to the women of Burma.

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

MIZZIMA NEWS GROUP: AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S BIRTHDAY TO BE CELEBRATED AS ASIAN
WOMEN'S DAY 
16 June, 1999
 
Manushi, a leading women's journal in India, has proposed Aung San Suu
Kyi's birthday be celebrated as Asian Women's Day. Aung San Suu Kyi's
birthday, 19 June, has been celebrated by exiled Burma women groups as
Women of Burma Day since 1997.

Madu Kishwar, a well-known Indian woman activist and editor of the Manushi
journal said that Aung San Suu Kyi is the role model for the women in Asia.
"For me, Aung San Suu Kyi is the spirit of Asia and I would like to see
this day celebrated as not just Burmese women day but I would like this
celebrated as Asian Women's Day', said Madhu Kishwar.

Aung San Suu Kyi is widely hailed as the Mahatma Gandhi of Burma for having
led courageous non-violent struggle against one of the world's most
tyrannical military dictatorships. "She is one of the few women leaders who
has live up to Mahatma Gandhi's vision that 'in the war against war, women
of the world will and should lead' and made the Mahatma's dream come true
that women's entry into politics would act as a cleansing and humanising
force", said Madhu Kishwar.

The proposal to celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday as Asian Women's Day
will formally come up at a public meeting on Saturday, 19th  June at India
International Centre in Delhi. The meeting, under the theme of "Women and
Political Reforms: How to Make Politics Worthy of Women", will be initiated
by eminent political leaders of India including Mrs. Maneka Gandhi who is
the social welfare minister in the Indian government and Mrs. Najma
Heptullah, Deputy-Chairperson of the Indian Parliament (Raja Sabha). The
public meeting is jointly organized by Manushi, India International Centre
and India-based Women Rights and Welfare Association of Burma (WRWAB).

"Since this daughter of Asia has established high civilisational norms
through her leadership of the movement and done us all proud, we want to
see Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday celebrated as Asian Women's Day", said
Manushi's press statement on 16th June.

Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma's democratic movement and 1991 Nobel
Peace Laureate is entering her 54th birthday on June 19, 1999.

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