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BurmaNet News: November 16, 1994
- Subject: BurmaNet News: November 16, 1994
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 1994 23:30:00
************************** BurmaNet **************************
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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BurmaNet News: Wednesday, November 16, 1994
Issue #65
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"This draft report is restricted and must not be
reproduced or quoted."
Warning on the cover of a 700-page report on
the energy sector in S.E. Asia (including
Burma) written for the Asian Development Bank
by Norconsult.
"For sale, xerox copies of a 700-page report on the
energy sector in S.E. Asia (including Burma) written
for the Asian Development Bank by Norconsult. See
below for ordering information."
BurmaNet
"There is absolutely no connection between our pipeline
construction project and the railroad extension"
Unocal, denying links between the
construction of their natural-gas pipeline
and the Ye-Tavoy railroad, being built by
slave-laborers.
"Pipeline construction requires roads and railroads to
transport material and equipment to the construction
site."
Norconsult
**************************************************************
Contents:
1 BURMANET: SUBREGIONAL ENERGY SECTOR STUDY FOR THE A.D.B.
2 UNOCAL: SEVENTY SIX
3 BRC-J: BURMA'S REVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT
5 BURMANET: LETTER ON STUDENT ACTION AT UW-MADISON
6 BRC-J: BURMA STUDY/ACTION WEEKEND IN JAPAN
7 REUTERS: U.N. RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR MEETS BURMESE GENERAL
8 REUTERS: BURMESE ETHNIC SEPARATISTS SAY FIGHTING CONTINUES
9 REUTERS: KAREN GUERRILLAS SUSPECTED OF BURMA ATTACK
10 REUTERS: BURMA, VIETNAM AGREE TO COOPERATE IN DRUGS FIGHT
11 REUTERS: BURMA TO OPEN UP KACHIN STATE TO FOREIGN VISITORS
12 S.C.B.: THE SHAN STATE AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
13 S.C.B.: BURMESE/MIYANMAR MINERALS
14 S.C.B.: BURMA 1979 - 1983
15 S.C.B.: UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES
16 NATION: THAI FM OUTLINES HIS ECONOMIC VISION
17 BURMANET: THAI FOREIGN POLICY WATCH
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**************************************************************
BURMANET: SUBREGIONAL ENERGY SECTOR STUDY FOR THE A.D.B.
November 16, 1994
The Asian Development Bank will be bankrolling much of the
infrastructure development in Southeast Asia in the coming
decades. A draft final report written by the consulting firm
hired by the bank lays out plans for an enormous variety of
energy related projects in the region, including hydropower plans
for the Salween River, natural-gas development in the Andaman Sea
and the pipelines to Thailand to carry the gas to market. This
report also details proposed projects in Burma which are not yet
common knowledge, including large scale hydropower projects which
will flood vast areas.
BurmaNet will make copies of this report available at cost.
Xeroxing and binding should be about US$20 and mailing costs to
North America and Europe will be about $10. Contact BurmaNet
directly if you, your organization or someone you know wants a
copy of this report. This report may also be of interest to
people working on environmental issues in Cambodia, Laos,
Thailand, Vietnam and China as well.
*****
Cover page
*****
Promoting Subregional Cooperation Among
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,
Thailand, Viet Nam, and Yunnan Province of
The People's Republic of China
Subregional Energy Sectory Study for
Asian Development Bank
Draft Final Report
June 1994
This draft report is restricted and must not be reproduced or
quoted.
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and
do not necessarily replect the views and policies of the Asian
Development Bank.
Norconsult
Norconsult International A.S.
*****
[One highlight from the report, from the section on pipe-line
systems, 3-32]
CONSEQUENCES DURING CONSTRUCTION
Pipelines will create a lineal impact along the route
of the pipeline. During the construction period the
land immediately around the poipeline will be excavated
and disrupted. The pipe will normally be buried and
the land will be returned to the same state as before
the construction. Where the pipeline is buried,
excavation will increase the opportunity for greater
environmental disturbance. Slopes will need particular
attention to avoid the pipeline being threatened by
landslides or soil erosion which will jeoardise the
pipeline's stability.
Pipeline construction requires roads and railroads to
transport material and equipment to the construction
site.
[Editor's note: Total and Unocal deny that forced labor is being
used on the pipeline but do not deny that it is being used on the
construction of the nearby Ye-Tavoy railroad. The companies do
however, deny any links between their pipeline and the railroad
--Strider]
**************************************************************
UNOCAL: SEVENTY SIX
April 1994 (Special Edition)
This special edition of Seventy Six was produced by the Corporate
Communications Department, Unocal Corporation, P.O. Box 7600,
Los Angeles, CA 90051 USA.
[Photo captions:
#1 From 1990 to 1992, during an onshore exploration program in
Myanmar, Unocal people -- both employees and contractors -- had
the opportunity to participate in community life, helping to
build mutual understanding and respect.
#2 To make sure wages are fair and working conditions safe,
Unocal strictly supervises the construction of all project
infrastructure. Shown above, roadbuilding carried out for Unocals
onshore exploration program conducted in central Myanmar, 1990
through 1992.
#3 For the Myanmar pipeline project, the portion approaching the
Thai border is the most environmentally sensitive because it
crosses forested areas. These are not teak forests, however, and
care will be taken to cut as few trees as possible.]
ENERGY PROJECTS BRING A POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Unocal in Myanmar
Over the past year, Unocals activities in Myanmar (formerly
Burma) have become a source of controversy. "Human rights groups
and environmentalists have come to us with their concerns," said
John Imle, Jr., president of Unocals Energy Resources Division.
"So its important to communicate our beliefs and values, as well
as the facts about our activities there."
From 1990 to 1992, Unocal operated an onshore exploration
program in Myanmar. When no commercial quantities of crude oil or
natural gas were found, the project ended. Now Unocal is
participating in a natural gas project offshore Myanmar.
"We share a very fundamental belief at Unocal," Imle said,
"based on 40 years experience doing business in the international
arena.
"Time and again, weve seen how our presence has helped improve
the quality of life for people in developing countries --
regardless of a country's politics."
People benefit from our presence
During Unocals onshore exploration program in Myanmar, the
company employed a total of some 2,000 nations, both directly and
indirectly.
"The people also benefited," said Imle, "in ways that go beyond
economic gains. Our project exposed people to valuable knowledge
and experience that will stay with them the rest of their lives."
Imle noted that local doctors received modern training and
medical supplies. Cooks learned basic principles of hygiene to
help stop the spread of disease. Drillers and other field
personnel were taught safer work practices and techniques.
Workers had access to high-quality medical care, some for the
first time in their lives.
Unocal expatriates lives and worked alongside the local
employees, who represented a wide range of ethnic groups and
religious beliefs.
"These Unocal people were, in effect, ambassadors for a system of
ideas and values from a world far beyond the borders of Myanmar,"
Imle said.
Gas project based on ethical values
"At Unocal, its one of our core values to meet the highest
ethical standards, wherever we do business," Imle explained. "I
feel very strongly about that and want people to know that this
applies absolutely to our current project in Myanmar."
Unocal and its partner, the French oil company Total, plan to
develop the Yadana natural gas field, about 50 miles offshore
Myanmar. Total is the operator. Because of the major market for
the gas is Thailand, the project includes plans for construction
of a gas export pipeline.
The pipelines total length from the offshore field to the Thai
border is approximately 260 miles. While most of the pipeline if
offshore, a segment roughly 40 miles long will cross land in
Myanmar.
Imle added, "Our operator-partner Total is as committed as we
are to seeing that this entire project follows exemplary
standards for ethical conduct and environmental care. Theres
full cooperation between the two companies, and we communicate
regularly about all aspects of the project."
Environmental care a priority
The exact path of the pipeline has not yet been determined along
the eastern section through Myanmar, where three options are
under consideration. "Final route selection depends in large
part on which path has the least environmental impact," Imle
said.
Much of the proposed pipeline route follows river valleys with
mostly scrub vegetation and some farmland. Construction of the
buried pipeline will require clearing a path about 100 feet
wide. After construction, the width of the cleared corridor will
be reduced to about 50 feet.
"A key point," Imle emphasized, "is to make sure theres minimal
environmental impact every inch of the way." The pipelines last
section of 15 miles or so -- just before it reaches the Thai
border -- is the most environmentally sensitive. Each of the
three route options includes forested areas, but none are teak
forests. Said Imle, "Well take care to cut as few trees as
possible. But this project in no way requires any massive
destruction of rain forest or teak trees."
Villages undisturbed, workers treated fairly
"When I meet with critics of this project and listen to the
misinformation thats out there, what disturbs me most are the
allegations that people may be suffering as a result of our
project,"
Imle said. "We would not allow that to happen. Speaking simply as
a Unocal employee, Im saddened to think there could be such a
fundamental misunderstanding of who we are and what we believe
in."
Route largely uninhabited
The proposed pipeline route was selected because it passes
through a largely uninhabited area, Imle pointed out. A few
villages are along the way, the closest thing being Da Min Seik,
where the pipeline comes ashore. Weve found no evidence here or
elsewhere on the route, Imle said, of any villagers being
displaced because of the pipelines proposed path.
There have also been allegations that forced labor was being
used to build infrastructure Unocal needs for construction of
the project. Imle pointed out that because of Unocals onshore
exploration program, the company has first-hand experience on
how infrastructure is built in Myanmar to support a project.
"We strictly supervise how work is carried out on our behalf by
constructors," he said. "We make sure wages are fair and working
conditions are safe. This is the only way we have done business
or will do business."
Isolation vs. positive involvement
"I have pro-found respect for people who work to help the world
become a better place," Imle said. "All of us share that vision.
But I just cant agree with those who would close the door on the
people of Myanmar."
"If you ask the citizens there who have worked with us -- and
some are now involved in the Yadana gas project -- I dont think
youll find anyone who believes we should pack up our project and
leave the country."
UNOCAL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Unocal operates highly successful energy production projects in
Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These projects, like
the natural gas venture in Myanmar, make significant
improvements in the lives of the people who reside in these
countries.
* Transfer of U.S. technology and expertise. * Support of
community services, including schools and medical
facilities.
* Support of local businesses through purchase of goods and
services for Unocal projects and employees.
* More than 95 percent of Unocals employees in Southeast Asia are
nationals, who hold a total of more than 3,000 jobs in
Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
* More than one-third of Thailands electricity is generated by
power plants running on Unocal-produced natural gas. Since 1981,
Unocal has produced more than 2 trillion cubic feet of gas and
73 million barrels of condensate in Thailand.
* On the Philippines main island of Luzon, 25 percent of the
electricity is generated using steam from Unocal-operated
geothermal wells at Tiwi and Mak-Ban.
* Unocal has produced more than 625 million barrels of oil and
1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Indonesia since 1972,
supporting economic development through energy exports and
utilization. * Unocal is now developing geothermal resources in
Indonesia to provide electricity for growing populations. *
Since 1980, Unocal Thailands technical training centre has
graduated more than 800 workers in advanced petroleum
technology for jobs in offshore operations.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
A Code of Conduct for Doing Business Internationally
Meet the highest ethical standards in all of our business
activities.
Conduct business in a way that engenders pride in our employees
and respect from the world community.
Treat everyone fairly and with respect. Offer equal employment
opportunities for all host country nations, regardless of race,
ethnic group or sex.
Make sure that a very high percentage of the work force is
nationals.
Train and develop national employees so they have full access to
opportunities for professional advancement and positions at
higher levels in the organization.
Maintain a safe and healthful workplace. As employees, value and
protect each others health and safety as highly as we do our
own.
Use local goods and services as much as practical, whenever
theyre competitive and fit our needs.
Improve the quality of life in the communities where we do
business.
Contribute -- and not just economically -- to local communities,
so that our presence enhances peoples lives in long-lasting,
meaningful ways.
Protect the environment.
Take our environmental responsibilities seriously and abide by
all environmental laws of our host country, as we do in the
United States.
Communicate openly and honestly.
Maintain our policy of encouraging meaningful dialogue with
concerned shareholders, employees, the media and members of the
public.
Be a good corporate citizen and a food friend of the people of
our host country.
**************************************************************
BRC-J: BURMA'S REVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT
<NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
16 Nov 94 2200 JST
YOUR LIBRARY NEEDS THIS BOOK
In order to increase sales of the book and awareness about Burma,
please ask your local libraries and bookstores to order Burma's
Revolution of the Spirit. Here's the info you'll need:
TITLE: Burma's Revolution of the Spirit: The Struggle for
Democratic Freedom and Dignity
AUTHORS: Alan Clements and Leslie Dean
PUBLISHER: Aperture foundation, Inc.
ADDRESS: 20 East 23rd Street, NY,NY 10010
COPYRIGHT: 1994
ISBN; 0-89381-580-2
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG NO: 94-70080
LIST PRICE; US$35
**************************************************************
BURMANET: LETTER ON STUDENT ACTION AT UW-MADISON
November 15,
1994 John E Peck/Barrows" <PECK@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Here's some info on the recent actions of the Free Burma
Coalition at UW-Madison that might be worthwhile to pass along to
the folks at UCLA.
We would also be very interested in networking with other student
groups doing Burma solidarity work.
The Free Burma Coalition at UW-Madison was established in mid
Oct. following a powerful campus performance by exiled Burmese
actress and singer, Yuzana Khin.
The FBC now has about 30 people on its contact list including
members of such varied campus groups as Amnesty International,
UW-Greens, Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) and the
Progressive Student Network (PSN).
Our first major action in late Oct. was an informational picket
outside the Taco Bell (Taco Hell) franchise just off campus to
expose the corporate collaboration of Pepsico with SLORC.
This protest generated a good article the next day in one of the
campus newspapers.
Most of the Pepsi vending machines on campus were also promptly
"decorated" with boycott Pepsi stickers.
A similar action is planned for the Pizza Hut (Pizza Yuck) outlet
near campus in a few days and we're expecting good media coverage
once again.
Meanwhile, members of FBC are researching the university's
investment and procurement policies related to Pepsi in
preparation for future informational pickets outside dorm
cafeterias and regent meetings. We already know that UW-Madison
owns 13,800 shares of Pepsico stock, which at $36 per share
translates into almost $500,000.
Since Pepsico also enjoys an exclusive supplier contract on
campus, we're sure the UW-Madison purchases $ millions of dollars
worth of soft drinks, snack foods, etc. each year, though we're
still waiting on specific figures.
The ultimate goal is to pressure UW-Madison to use its
institutional clout against Pepsi through shareholder resolutions
and boycott threats (as proved effective in the past with
companies invested in apartheid South Africa).
Other FBC members are also investigating the option of granting
an honorary degree to Aung San Suu Kyi next spring at graduation.
Other student groups wishing to start up a Burma campaign should
feel free to contact the UW-Madison Free Burma Coalition for
ideas, resources, and contacts.
We can be reached at:
Free Burma Coalition
c/o UW Greens
731 State St.
Madison, WI 53703
tel. (608) 262-9036
email: Peck@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A short list of good contacts to start with includes:
Burma-Tibet Group
OPIRG-Carleton
326 Unicentre, 1125 Colonel By Dr.
Carleton University
Ottawa, ON
K1S 5B6
Canada
tel. (613) 788-2757
email: wcsbeau@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Reid Cooper there has assembled a great info packet for $5.00.
Pepsi Boycott Campaign
P.O. Box 1926
Portland, OR 97207
tel. (503) 234-2893
email: brschmidt@xxxxxxx
Brian Schmidt will send you a 100+ Boycott Pepsi stickers for
$10.00.
Student Day of Action for Burma
19 Washburn Ave, 1st Fl.
Cambridge, MA 02140
tel. (617) 576-7779
Jooyun Lee is now coordinating nationwide actions for Jan./Feb.
1995.
Simon Billenness
Franklin Research & Development
711 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02111
tel. (617) 292-8026 x225
email: frdc@xxxxxxxxxxx (attn simon)
Simon is a great resource in terms of shareholder activism on
Burma.
Hope that is helpful, and we look forward to hearing from other
campuses.
Incidentally, the next issue of PSNews (which is done here in
Madison) will come out in Jan., so send us updates, photos, etc.
about whatever your campus does and we'll print them for
everyone's benefit.
Good luck. - John Peck
**************************************************************
BRC-J: BURMA STUDY/ACTION WEEKEND IN JAPAN
Nov 13, 1994
<NBH03114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
STATEMENT
BURMA STUDY/ACTION WEEKEND
Yamazaki, Kyoto, Japan
November 12-13, 1994
Burmese Relief Center--Japan,
Burma Youth Volunteer Association
Twenty activists from six countries gathered in Kyoto
this Saturday and Sunday to discuss Burmese issues and
to plan ways to support the democracy movement there.
During the fifth annual Burma Study/Action Weekend, held
by Burmese Relief Center--Japan, participants heard about
the latest political developments from several people who
had recently traveled in the impoverished country and to
the war-torn border region. They then developed strategies
for pressuring SLORC, the military government in Rangoon, to
transfer power to civilian rule and to unconditionally free
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. They reiterated their strong
opposition to the Japanese government's resumption of ODA to
SLORC. According to BRC-J director Ken Kawasaki, "It is absurd
to pretend that things are back to normal in Burma. Until
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is free to hold discussions on an equal
basis with her captors, nothing important will have changed."
Dean Chapman, a freelance photojournalist from Britain, showed
slides and black and white prints taken during the 16 months
he lived with the Karenni ethnic group along the Thai/Burma
border. "Despite ceasefire negotiations, SLORC is engaging
in large-scale offensives against the ethnic minorities," he
said. "As a consequence, the people continue to suffer, and
their standard of living deteriorates, despite SLORC's claims to
economic improvement."
Because SLORC is promoting tourism to procure desperately
needed foreign currency, participants in the Kyoto meeting agreed
to target travel agencies in Japan offering tours to Burma. They
will also launch a campaign to inform prospective Japanese
tourists of the implications of their travel to Burma.
Participants are sending letters and faxes to protest the
presence of SLORC at the 17th Session of the International
Tropical Timber Council in Yokohama . They are calling upon
delegates not to do business with SLORC. They also resolved to
expand ongoing campaigns, particularly the boycott of Nippon Oil
and other companies involved in the gas pipeline in Burma, which
is being built with the massive use of forced labor.
Scheduled activities for the near future include demonstrations
in Tokyo, Kobe, and Okayama on December 10, International Human
Rights Day, and January 4, Burmese Independence Day, in
coordination with similar actions by human rights groups around
the world.
**************************************************************
REUTERS: U.N. RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR MEETS BURMESE GENERAL
RANGOON, Nov 15 (Reuter)
- A United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Burma
has met a senior member of the ruling junta, Burma's official
media reported on Tuesday. Japanese professor Yozo Yokota met
military intelligence chief Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt for
``cordial talks'' on Monday which included discussion of the
government's endeavours in connection with human rights, the
media said.
Burmese generals including Khin Nyunt have in the past rejected
what the y called Western concepts of human rights, saying such
notions were inappropriate for Burma. Yokota arrived in Burma on
November 7 and has travelled around the country to investigate
human rights conditions. Yokota on Monday visited Rangoon's main
Insein jail and visited various facilities including the prison
kitchen, the media reported. There was no mention of him meeting
any of the political prisoners held there.
REUTER Transmitted: 94-11-15 03:49:00 EST
**************************************************************
REUTERS: BURMESE ETHNIC SEPARATISTS SAY FIGHTING CONTINUES
MAE SOT, Thailand, Nov 15 (Reuter)
- Ethnic minority Burmese separatist guerrillas said on Tuesday
they have killed or wounded scores of government troops in their
war for autonomy in southeast Burma in recent months. But they
gave no figures for their own casualties in their fight with
Rangoon for greater autonomy that began in 1949, a year after
Burma won independence from Britain.
The Rangoon junta's attempts to strike ceasefires with the Karen
and Mon ethnic minority rebels have failed, largely because the
rebels say the junta refuses to grant any political concessions.
The guerrillas, in battle reports obtained by Reuters on Tuesday
in this Thai town on the Burmese border, said government-rebel
clashes were continuing in many areas of Karen and Mon states.
The reports said nearly 100 government soldiers were killed or
wounded i n numerous small clashes and ambushes in September and
October. The Karen guerrillas, the largest rebel army, say they
are keen to begin peace talks with Rangoon, but insist they take
place outside Burma. Peace talks between the Mon rebels and
Rangoon broke down recently after three meetings. The Mon said it
was because the junta refused to make any concessions. The
Rangoon junta has struck ceasefire deals with 13 insurgent groups
and small splinter factions since 1989.
REUTER Transmitted: 94-11-15 00:42:47 EST
**************************************************************
REUTERS: KAREN GUERRILLAS SUSPECTED OF BURMA ATTACK
MYAWADI, Burma, Nov 16 (Reuter)
- Suspected ethnic minority Karen guerrillas fired five rockets
on Wednesday into the Burmese town of Myawadi, sending thousands
fleeing in panic but causing no injuries. Burmese soldiers said
five rockets landed in the town, which is on the Thai border, in
the early hours of the morning. Karen guerrillas have been
battling Rangoon for greater autonomy since 1949, a year after
Burma gained independence from Britain. Thailand and Burma
recently agreed to build a river bridge linking Myawadi with the
western Thai town of Mae Sot.
REUTERrsb Transmitted: 94-11-15 23:32:46 EST
**************************************************************
REUTERS: BURMA, VIETNAM AGREE TO COOPERATE IN DRUGS FIGHT
November 15
HANOI, Nov 15 (Reuter) - Burma and Vietnam have agreed to work
together to encourage hill tribes to grow crops other than the
opium poppy and to combat narcotics use, the official Vietnam
News Agency (VNA) reported on Tuesday. Major-General Maung Thint,
Burma's minister for development of border areas and minorities,
held talks on the issue with Vietnamese ministers over the past
week, the agency said. The two sides ``agreed to cooperate and
assist each other in planting other trees instead of the opium
poppy,'' it said. They discussed measures to prevent storage,
exchange and use of the drug in mountainous and border areas.
Thint met Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet on Monday, the latest in a
growing list of contacts between the two governments since Kiet
visited Burma last May.
REUTER Transmitted: 94-11-14 23:23:21 EST
**************************************************************
REUTERS: BURMA TO OPEN UP KACHIN STATE TO FOREIGN VISITORS
November 13
RANGOON, Nov 13 (Reuter) - A senior Burmese general was quoted on
Sunday as calling for journalists and tourists to be allowed to
visit Burma's northern-most Kachin state, out of bounds to most
foreigners for decades.
State-run media quoted military intelligence chief
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt as saying peace had prevailed in
Kachin state since the ethnic minority Kachin Independence
Organisation (KIO) guerrilla group ``returned to the legal fold''
earlier this year.
Khin Nyunt made the remarks in a speech to a student sports
committee in Rangoon on Saturday.
The KIO, one of Burma's most powerful guerrilla armies which had
been battling Rangoon for greater autonomy since the early 1960s,
sealed a ceasefire agreement with the junta earlier this year
after lengthy negotiations.
Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, has been chosen to host
Burma's next annual student sports festival.
REUTER
Transmitted: 94-11-13 04:36:24 EST
**************************************************************
S.C.B.: THE SHAN STATE AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
wowylie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nov 13, 1994
In studying history one learns that The 1923 Shan States' Opium
Act imposed by the British saw the opium harvest drop from 37
tons in 1926 to 8 tons in 1936.
Arrival of the Kuomintang (KMT) from China reversed this downward
trend. By the mid 1950s, opium production had increased to an
estimated 600 tons, and many Shan farmers had joined the Lahu,
Kisu and Wa hill tribes, which were growing opium.
Economic problems caused by General Ne Win's restrictive state
and "Burmese Way of Socialism" left the government financially
strapped and unable to handle the growing tide of insurgency. In
1963, the government took a drastic step by creating township
militias, called Ke Kwe Ye (KKY), to fight the rebels, the
militias were permitted to join in government-sanctioned opium
trafficking. This program was successfully self supporting, but
in the long run it was also self-defeating for General Ne Win's
Burmese government. Although many rebel groups switched
sides to ride the government gravey train, they soon became
better armed than the Burmese army itself. With their relatively
small but consistant take from the overall drug trade, Shan
rebels and warloards had the money to buy the best arms the black
market had to offer, such as US M16s and M79s from the
battlefields of Indochina.
The Drug Enforcement Agency in mid 1985 made a conservative
estimate of the Golden Triangle heroin traffic reaching the US
was 25 percent. The Burmese army, the Thai army and the DEA has
been working to reduce and hopefully eradicate poppies in the
Shan State. Meanwhile, the livelyhood of Shan and the hill tribe
subsistence farmers who depend on opium as a cash crop is
constantly under attack.
Because of Myanmar's restrictions on free movement of foreigners
inside Myanmar (especially the area in question), objective
analysis of the situation and current production figures still
appear to be unknown.
Does anyone have any recent reliable information on the present
magnitude of the drug problem within this newly emerging nation?
**************************************************************
SCB: BURMESE/MIYANMAR MINERALS
Nov 12, 1994
by mindbender@xxxxxxx
I am interested in contacting persons who may be able to supply
me with good quality mineral specimens in small quantities for
the purpose of adding to my own collection and to vend to help
defray costs.
I am looking for good quality mineral specimens, usually crystals
or crystalline forms, of many different types of minerals in
clean, unbroken, and visibly aesthetic specimens.
I will be happy to discuss a reasonable price. I am interested in
Non gem quality "gemstones " in matrix. crystalline specimens of
ruby or sapphire which are not of gem grade are considered
specimens for me.
Need dependable and reasonable prices. quantities will vary as
time progresses. Email to Mindbender@xxxxxxx Walter S. Bowser
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SCB: BURMA 1979 - 1983
Nov 12, 1994
by schuh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm looking for anyone in the international community that lived
in Burma between the years of 1979 thru 1983. I'm trying to get
in touch with some old friends that I've lost contact with thru
the years.
Thanks, Paul Schuh
-- Paul Schuh
Physics + Music + Magic + HAM Radio + Robotics
schuh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
+ Theater + Society of Physics Students
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S.C.B.: UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES
michaelw@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Nov 13, 1994
Does anyone have information about universities or colleges
in Myanmar? I will be traveling to Myanmar next year and would
be interested in visiting the Universities there (I believe there
are only two - Yangon and Mandalay).
Thanks,
Michael Willemyns
Griffith University
Queensland
Australia
michaelw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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NATION: THAI FM OUTLINES HIS ECONOMIC VISION
Wednesday, November 16, 1994
by Yindee Lertcharoenchok and Achara Pongvutitham
[Photo caption: THAKSIN: Active economics]
JAKARTA - Embattled Foreign Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced
yesterday that his office would become more active in economic
affairs, and would launch a plan to consult and coordinate with
the Thai private sector on how they should prepare in order to
cope with the emerging free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific
region.
The private sector would be directly affected by free trade,
which he described as a big evolution in the region, and that
they needed to study and adjust themselves to the changing
economic environment.
The world economy, he said, was heading towards global free trade
and Thailand has to prepare itself in every aspect for the
change.
"I will convey the vision to Thai businessmen and warn them that
they have to be outward looking ... They have to come out and
compete with the world outside," Thaksin said.
The Foreign Ministry, with him at the helm, would play a more
active role in economic affairs and stand ready to coordinate and
facilitate the activities of the private sector.
But he said his office alone cannot perform the mission and
needed cooperation from other government economic agencies, such
as the Commerce and Finance ministries and the Board of
Investment to accomplish the task.
Thaksin said the Foreign Minister would also move towards
transforming its policies into tangible results, and promote and
strengthen relations with members of the world community.
Two areas which he identified as important work programmes were
the facilitation of passport applications and the protection of
Thai citizens overseas, as well as their interests, including the
Thai fishermen arrested for illegally fishing in other countries
waters.
Thaksin admitted to having already faced several tough tests,
even before he officially became foreign minister.
Prior to his official appointment, he was the centre-piece of a
political tug-of-war as ousted ministers of the Palang Dharma
Party, including his predecessor Prasong Soorsiri, opposed his
nomination and that of other non-MP candidates that replaced
them.
He and his International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Company
Ltd in Cambodia were accused of being involved in the failed
coup.
On the first day in office, he led a group of Bangkok-based
foreign diplomats for an audience with His Majesty the King. The
next day he had to deal with the arrest of a fugitive coup leader
Gen Sin Song, whom Phnom Penh wants back. Sin Song wanted
political asylum here or overseas.
Next he had to resolve a war of words, when Thailand was accused
by the Australian Government of continuing to provide support to
the outlawed Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
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BURMANET: THAI FOREIGN POLICY WATCH
November 16, 1994
Thaksin Shinawatra, who was appointed as Thailand's Foreign
Minister last month, is an extraordinarily successful businessman
but he is also the embodiment of the main problem of Thailand's
conduct vis-a-vis her neighbours; the propensity of individual
financial interests to distort or completely displace the
legitimate national interest.
Until six years ago, Thaksin Shinawatra was a Police Lt. Colonel
and his family ran a second-rate silk company in Chiang Mai.
Thaksin, who has no previous experience in diplomacy, has been
unable to shake persistant reports that he was involved in the
July coup attempt in Cambodia; nor has he divested himself of his
US$ 2.5 billion stakes in companies holding concessions from the
Thai government. Nor has anyone been able to put forward a
plausible explanation of how one (cleanly) amasses one of the
largest fortunes in Asia in the space of six years.
Thaksin has no known business interests in Burma although he is
believed to be close to Gen. Charan Kullawanijaya, Thailand's
National Security Council Chief (who has also been linked to the
Cambodian coup attempt) and has recently received vocal support
from the Group of 16 faction of the Chat Thai party (the Group of
16 has among its members, two of the sons of Thailand's most
notorious mafia chief as well as several members of the former
Sammakee Tham party, which membership roll was a who's-who of
politicians implicated in heroin trafficking or associated with
the trade).
To mark Khun Thaksin appointment, BurmaNet is initiating
an occasional "Foreign Policy Watch" column. To determine
whether Thai foreign policy is successful on a given day,
BurmaNet looks at the stockprices of Thaksin's four major
companies. Stock prices as of today:
Advanced Info Services: shares closed at 430, up 10
(semi-monopoly concessionare on cellular phones):
Shinawatra Satellite: closed at 128, down 2 baht
(monopoly concessionaire for satellites, of which it owns
two)
Shinawatra Computer: closed at 744, up 4 baht
(monopoly concessionaire on telecommunications projects)
Intnl. Broadcasting Corp: closed at 182, down 2
(monopoly concessionaire for cable TV in Thailand, Laos and
Cambodia)
Altogether, a mixed day for Thai foreign policy with gainers
slightly outperforming losers.
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NEWS SOURCES REGULARLY COVERED/ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET:
AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS
AFP: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AW: ASIAWEEK
AWSJ: ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL
Bt.: THAI BAHT; 25 Bt.=US$1 (APPROX),
BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
BI: BURMA ISSUES
BIG: BURMA INFORMATION GROUP
BKK POST: BANGKOK POST (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK)
BRC-CM: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-CHIANG MAI
BRC-J: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-JAPAN
CPPSM: C'TEE FOR PUBLICITY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE IN MONLAND
FEER: FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW
JIR: JANE'S INTELLIGENCE REVIEW
KHRG: KAREN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP
Kt. BURMESE KYAT; 150 KYAT=US$1 BLACK MARKET
100 KYAT=US$1 SEMI-OFFICIAL
6 KYAT=US$1 OFFICIAL
MOA: MIRROR OF ARAKAN
NATION: THE NATION (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK)
NLM: NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (DAILY STATE-OWNED NEWSPAPER, RANGOON)
S.C.B.:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP
S.C.T.:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP
SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA BITNET MAILING LIST
USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
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