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BurmaNet News: December 23-24
************************** BurmaNet **************************
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
**************************************************************
BurmaNet News: Friday-Saturday, December 23-24 1994
Issue #86
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Contents:
BKK POST: STUDENTS CONDEMN LI PENG'S PLANNED TRIP TO BURMA
NATION: LI PENG'S VISIT TO BURMA REFLECTS WARMING RELATIONS
BKK POST: KAREN MORTAR KILLS 15 RANGOON GOVT TROOPS
KAREN REFUGEE COMMITTEE: MONTHLY REPORT (NOV 94)
NATION: NORTHERN TELECOM WINS MANDALAY PHONES DEAL
NATION: CAMBODIA AND BURMA OFFERED HELP IN TOURISM
BKK POST: FUN-FILLED HOLIDAY CRUISES ON THE ANDAMAN
FEER [BOOK REVIEW]: UP COUNTRY
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BKK POST: STUDENTS CONDEMN LI PENG'S PLANNED TRIP TO BURMA
Saturday, December 24, 1994
[Photo caption: Burmese students protest in front of the
Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to oppose the planned visit to
Rangoon of Chinese Premier Li Peng.]
THE All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) has strongly
condemned the official trip to Burma by Chinese Premier Li Peng
due to take place from Monday to Wednesday.
Mr Li has been invited by State Law and Order Restoration
Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe in what has been
described by SLORC as an "important event."
As well as stating its opposition to the visit, the ABSDF
labelled SLORC as an illegitimate ruling government. It said
the Burmese regime is facing investigation by the United
Nations as well as international criticism and possible action
at the United Nations General Assembly because of its failure
to adopt democratic reform and its continued human rights
abuses.
The ABSDF also blamed the Beijing government for continued arms
sales to the Burmese junta and for its military operations in
the Irrawaddy delta and Mergui archipelago as these would
undermine regional stability. The ABSDF said it was afraid that
these attempts by China might have crucial effects on future
China-Burmese bilateral relations when a democratic government
comes to power.
**************************************************************
NATION: LI PENG'S VISIT TO BURMA REFLECTS WARMING RELATIONS
Friday, December 23, 1994
"Premier's trip brings smiles to junta leaders, Aung Zaw
writes"
LI Peng's trip to Rangoon next week will mark the first visit
by a Chinese prime minister to the strife-torn country since
the Burmese military's brutal crackdown of a democracy uprising
in 1988.
A foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing said the visit was
"aimed at promoting good neighbourly relations and bilateral
cooperation." But Burmese are increasingly expressing anger at
what they see is increasing Chinese control of Burmese economic
and military affairs.
The visit follows the recent signing of a defence contract for
China to supply Burma with $400 million worth of helicopters,
armoured vehicles, field guns, assault rifles, parachutes and
six Hainan Class patrol boats. Reliable reports said the
weapons appear destined "for a planned offensive against
Burmese drug lord Khun Sa." Bangkok-based analysts predicted
that Rangoon might attack Khun Sa's stronghold in the beginning
of January 1995.
The arms deal was made public shortly after SLORC Army Chief of
Staff Lt-Gen Tin Oo visited China in November. Members of Tin
Oo's delegation included Lt-Gen Maung Hla and senior military
officers of the Defence Service.
Li's visit comes as Beijing and Rangoon reflections grow ever
warmer, much to the concern of governments in Southeast Asia.
China became SLORC's most important military ally as early as
1989 despite its earlier support for the Communist Party of
Burma (CPB). In 1985, Chinese Chief of Staff Gen Shuashin of
the People's Liberation Army (PLA) visited Burma and is
believed to have agreed to cease its support to CPB.
Relations were stepped up to another level after the 1989
Tiananmen square massacre. Powerful SLORC member Khin Nyunt
expressed support towards Beijing: "We sympathise with the
People's Republic of China as disturbances similar to those in
Burma last year broke out in the People's Republic. Shortly
after a high level delegation went to China, led by the then
vice-chairman Than Shwe.
It is believed that shortly after, the Chinese began to deliver
military supplies to Rangoon as well provide military advisers.
According to the Far Eastern Economic Review's latest edition:
More recently, intelligence reports indicated that China is
pressing Burma too allow its access not just to Coco Island but
also to other strategically located listening posts: Ramree
island, south of Sittwe off the coast of Arakan state; and an
island off Tanassermin state. The later is especially
sensitive: A long, rugged island, it's located off Burma's
southernmost point, Kawthaung or Victoria Point, close to the
northern entrance of the Straits of Malacca."
However, Rangoon's dilemma is that many Burmese are unhappy
with Chinese presence, disliking their domination of the
economy and of politics. Mandalay, Burma's northern second
capital is dominated by Chinese. "It is a real disgrace in our
modern history -- this is China's unofficially invasion," said
a Burmese writer in Rangoon. He criticised cooperation between
the Chinese and Burmese leaders. The should notice the fact
that people are not so happy," he added.
Rangoon's recently-finished Fifth Student Festival which was
held in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State, included
traditional Chinese dance.
"At our student festival why did the SLORC leaders have to
order a performance Chinese dance?" asked one student.
Analysts believe that Rangoon leaders are pleased to be China's
brother and consider Beijing, one of their best friends. But
things are still uneasy to Burmese military leaders. Burmese
soldiers complain about quality of Chinese military equipment
because it is not very good.
Li Peng's upcoming visit is being dubbed an "important event."
Perhaps it is important to both authoritarian regimes but not
to ordinary people.
Members of Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA)
have been ordered to welcome Rangoon's special guest as well as
schools and colleges.
**************************************************************
BKK POST: KAREN MORTAR KILLS 15 RANGOON GOVT TROOPS
Saturday, December 24, 1994
FIFTEEN Burmese government troops were killed when a Karen
rebel mortar hit an ammunition dump, a rebel source said
yesterday.
The incident happened on Thursday after the Karens fought off
an assault on a rebel position at Wangkha by forces of the
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), as the Burmese
junta is known, the source said.
"We pushed them back and regrouped further as they intended to
attack again," said the Karen National Union (KNU) official at
Mae Sot on the Thai-Burma frontier.
"We hit them with a mortar shell and an ammunitions stockpile
exploded. When we reached the place, we found 15 corpses left
behind," he said, adding that the KNU suffered three wounded.
The SLORC has stepped up attacks on KNU positions since ending
a two-year cease-fire two weeks ago. The KNU is the biggest and
oldest of the ethnic groups fighting the military government in
Rangoon.
According to the KNU source, the government troops will be
reinforced by between 500 and 60 men from the 118th light
infantry battalion.
Sporadic shelling continued throughout yesterday, he added.
The source said other battle fronts were calm and that the KNU
headquarters at Mannerplaw, around 20 km north of Wangkha, was
not under threat.
**************************************************************
KAREN REFUGEE COMMITTEE: MONTHLY REPORT
NOVEMBER 1994
Time goes by and one more month has passed rather quietly. With
no significant change in the general situation here along the
border. Movement of troops and occasional skirmishes still
occurred however in some places further inside Burma. Life in
general remains to be hard but life especially for civilians in
areas affected by those activities proved to be very difficult
and moreover, very perilous at times.
Here in the Karen refugee camps, life goes on quietly as usual.
The refugees are provided with the very basic items of need and
on their part, they struggle from day to day to get those other
items of daily necessity that they are not provided with.
After a ten day visit to Burma earlier during the month, Prof.
Yozo Yokota, the UN Special Rapporteur and his team visited Mae
La and Dong Pa Kiang Karen refugee camps here on November 18
and November 19 respectively. This is the third of his annual
visit so far to Karen refugee camps here along the Thai-Burma
border.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS
CAMP NO.OF OVER -12 YRS 5-12 YRS UNDER 5 YRS TOTAL
M FAMILIES M F M F M F
A Wang Ka 803 1222 1565 481 442 350 317 4377
E Dong Pa Kiang 503 940 857 305 291 234 269 2896
Mac La 1196 1581 2163 1040 954 235 260 6233
S " 12
O Kamaw Lay Kho 696 1177 1216 407 374 319 320 3813
T Kler Kllo 579 1111 1041 361 375 286 314 3538
Sllo Klo 1334 2027 2535 1329 1280 578 487 8236
A Mac Sa Lit 631 994 1278 460 461 166 174 3533
R Mac Ta Waw 963 1719 1976 871 857 506 490 6419
E Maw Ker 870 1749 1679 477 417 497 454 5273
A Klay Mo Hta 563 953 1060 413 381 216 201 3224
(Subtotal) 8138 13473 15370 6144 5832 3387 3377 47554
Kler Tllay Lu 164 246 286 99 84 49 38 802
N Mac Po Hta 218 156 250 333 81 53 46 919
O Mae Paw Moo Hla 361 789 860 261 238 188 207 2624
R " 81
T Ka Hlce Hta 493 686 851 396 421 212 262 2828
H " 63
Wei Gvi 136 199 151 165 133 89 162 839
(Subtotal) 1372 2076 2398 1254 957 591 715 8156
S
O Per Kler 588 1316 1097 455 365 172 193 3598
U Pang Sa Nok 410 690 618 263 263 149 159 2142
T Nat In Daung 300
H 6040
(Total) 61750
RICE AND OTHER ITEMS RECE1VED FOR THE MONTH
FROM RICE SALT F.PASTE BLANKETS NETS
100 Kgs.1Kg. 16Kgs. PCS PCS
Sacks bags Tins
B.B.C. 6934 16690 2606 40 20
" 390 970 140
" 550 1020 150 480
COERR 350
(Total) 18224 18680 2896 520 20
B.B.C.: Burmese Border Consortium
COERR: Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees.
DlSTRIBUTION OF RICE AND OTHER lTEMS RECEIVED
CAMP RICE SALT FISH PASTE BLANKETS NETS
WANG KA 673 1610 233
DON PA KIANG 437 1010 152
MAE LA 944 2400 362
" 85 200 30
KAMAW LAY KHO 576 1400 200
KLER KHO 534 1160 186
SHO KLO 1351 3100 500
MAE SA LIT 535 1270 192
MAE TA WAW 971 1930 342
" 155 350 55
KLAY MO HTA 473 1080 169
" 145 320 50
KLER THAY LU 40 20
MAE PO HTA
MAE PAW MOO HTA 100
KA HTEE HTA
WEI GYI 450 1020 150 480
(Total) 8224 18680 2896 520 20
The Karen Refugee committee takes this opportunity to reiterate
its expression of sincere gratitude to the Thai authorities and
the people of the Kingdom of Thailand for the kindness and
understanding that has been shown to the Karens and other
displaced people from Burma who are in trouble and need. The
committee is fully aware of the fact that this is utterly vital
for the survival of these people during their time of refuge in
Thailand. This noble gesture of goodwill is sincerely
appreciated and will forever be remembered by the Karens of
Burma.
The committee also takes this opportunity to express its
sincere gratitude to the individuals and organisations who
through the years have done what they can to make life easier
for these people in the various Karen refugee camps in
Thailand.
Efforts to bring peace back to Burma is greeted with high
expectation by these people in the camps as it also is by the
people of Burma and by the world community. One more month and
the new year will arrive. It is our fervent wish and prayer
that through the sincere and concerted efforts of all peace
loving people at home and around the world, a practical
solution to the Burma problem could be found. The new year will
then be a year of joy and peace for the Karens and for people
of all nationals in Burma.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgn)
Robert Htwe
**************************************************************
NATION: NORTHERN TELECOM WINS MANDALAY PHONES DEAL
Saturday, December 24, 1994
Rangoon, AP
Loxley Plc and US-based Northern Telecom (NT) have signed an
agreement to install a cellular telephone system in Burma, said
the government.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, will allow the American
company to install 1,000 cellular phones in Mandalay, Burma's
second largest city. NT also is to build microwave stations in
Mandalay and in the nearby city of Sagaing, according to New
Light of Myanmar.
Sumitomo of Japan, and Ericsson of Australia also competed for
the contract to extend the use of cellular telephones in Burma
a year since they were introduced in December 1993.
**************************************************************
NATION: CAMBODIA AND BURMA OFFERED HELP IN TOURISM
Friday, December 23, 1994
by Nongsuda Tirawatanawit
TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) will start the first
official cooperation programme with Burma and Cambodia by
offering plans for personnel training and development of other
tourism resources in the two countries.
The draft memorandum of understanding in tourism co-development
will reach the ministries in charge of tourism in the two
countries.
The TAT Governor Seree Wangpaichitir will meet the tourism
ministers from Burma and Cambodia who will be observers in the
ASEAN Tourism Forum '95, to be held in Bangkok between January
7-13.
"Thailand has never talked about tourism co-operation with
these two countries officially. So far, we have only bi-lateral
MoUs with Laos and Vietnam," Seree said.
The MoU between Thailand-Burma and Thailand-Cambodia will cover
general co-operation in the tourism industry in such things as
a training resource programme, in which the TAT intends to
upgrade its Hotel and Tourism Training Institute to be a
regional training centre next year.
Meanwhile, TAT's Deputy Governor Pradech Phayakvicien is now in
Vientiane, Laos, to join a meeting with high-ranking officials
of Laotian and Vietnamese tourism ministries next Monday.
The meeting in Vientiane is expected to draw master plans for
tourism development on the route connecting Thailand to Laos
and Vietnam. It is also to include a feasibility study of land
and water transport, the piers along the Mekong River for
instance.
"We also intend to ask the two countries to provide more
convenient entry permits for foreigners," Seree said, "and both
are interested in easing their entrance regulations, however,
the weak system and shortage of workforce hinders
implementation."
The coming ATF '95 is also the first time that tourism
ministers from Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- the non-
ASEAN countries -- have been invited to observe the ASEAN
Tourism Conference.
On the agenda of the Tourism Conference is the establishment of
an Asean Centre that is expected to be the major co-ordinator
of member countries and separate from the ASEAN Secretariat in
Jakarta.
The National Tourism Organizations of the six ASEAN countries;
Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and
Brunei, will sign a memorandum of understanding to endorse the
establishment of an ASEAN Centre.
The participation at ATF '95 of official delegates from Burma
and Indochina will help stress the importance of regional co-
operation in tourism since these countries and Thailand are now
joining in the Greater Mekong Sub-region's (GMS) development
programme financed by the ASEAN Development Bank.
After the GMS workshop in China last week, the GMS countries
also agreed to hold a GMS tourism forum in Thailand in the
first quarter of next year.
The GMS forum is expected to be similar to that of ATF, at
which the government and private sector in the tourism industry
are to meet to discuss the future tourism business.
**************************************************************
[Next stop...Rangoon? Mergui? The white coasts of Tenasserim? -
-Editor.]
BKK POST: FUN-FILLED HOLIDAY CRUISES ON THE ANDAMAN
Saturday, December 24, 1994
"Evening on board leave you with a choice of relaxing in your
cabin, or enjoying the evening with live entertainment,
karaoke, piano bar lounge, or taking to the dance floor. It all
depends on how much energy you may want to burn. The ship has
made all kinds of arrangements to see to it that there's never
a dull moment on your short but activity-filled holiday cruise
on the Andaman."
[Photo caption: #1 Enjoying the meal on board the Andaman
Princess. #2 The Andaman Princess has distinguished itself as
Thailand's largest luxury cruise ship. #3 A Jacuzzi is another
choice of relaxing on board the Andaman Princess. #4 Spend your
free time on the shop's deck to get a cool breeze. #5 Snacks
and coffee are served on the ship.]
LUXURY curises to the Andaman Sea have grown in popularity
among Thais only in recent years.
The Andaman Princess has distinguished itself as Thailand's
largest luxury cruise ship. It drops anchor at the Andaman's
crystal white beaches with verdant tropical islands,
breathtakingly colourful coral reefs, and exotic native ports.
The Andaman Princess sets sail for the Similan and Phi Phi
islands, Trang Sea the Surin National Maritime Park, and
Tarutao island. It also drops anchor in Pattaya Bay, and
cruises east to Koh Chang Island and Trat, or heads for Ang
Thong islands Samui island, and Chumphon west of the Gulf of
Thailand.
Longer cruises to neighbouring foreign shores include trips to
Singapore, and also to Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, or
Cambodia.
Short cruises around the Andaman normally take from three to
four days. Passengers arrive in Phuket from Bangkok by air
coach. All short trips commence from the port in Phuket.
One popular short cruise goes to Ko Dam Hok and Dam Kwan in
Krabi province on the first day. Sailing time is about a couple
of hours. Refreshments are served upon arrival, and the day's
fun activities of playing on the beach, sunbathing, swimming,
snorkeling and others, are interrupted only by lunch and snacks
on the ship.
A major attraction in these pristine islands and beaches is the
great beauty and splendour of the Andaman's coral reefs.
Snorkeling lessons are given to help amateurs in this
aesthetically rewarding underwater sport develop the necessary
basic skills.
Day Two begins with arrival on the Similan islands the
following morning. Similan means eight, and that refers to the
eight islands of Similan. The day is spent on two of the
islands, the eighth is land named Similan, and the fourth one,
named Ko Miang.
Passengers spend the morning on Similan island, break during
mid-day for lunch, and then proceed to Ko Miang. A late
afternoon barbecue is served on Ko Miang. As dusk falls,
everybody returns to the ship.
Evenings on board leave you with a choice of relaxing in your
cabin, or enjoying the evening with live entertainment,
karaoke, piano bar lounge, or taking to the dance floor. It all
depends on how much energy you may want to burn. The ship has
made all kinds of arrangements to see to it that there's never
a dull moment on your short but activity-filled holiday cruise
on the Andaman.
Day Three is a visit to Phi Phi island and the most popular
attraction therethe Viking Cave. At the end of the day, the
ship returns to the deep-sea port in Phuket, and the short but
memorable trip is then over and completed and everybody
disembarks. At times when the ship departs for Bangkok via
Ranong province, however, that will mean another night on the
ship for those who would like to return to Bangkok aboard the
ship.
Long trips
Cruises to Penang or Langkawi in Malaysia or both destinations
on board the Andaman Princess can be booked at least once a
month from November through March.
Langkawi features duty free shopping, and Penang also has some
tax-free shops. A Malay village life cultural tour is arranged
in Langkawi, while Penang cultural attractions include some
beautiful temples and famous tourist spots such as Penang Hill.
There's also a visit to Snake Garden in Penang.
A visit to Tarutao island is scheduled on the way to Langkawi.
Tarutao is the site of a historical prison for Thai political
exiles. The prisoners have built a museum, one of the
highlights of the visit to Tarutao. Another worthwhile
attraction is watching and playing with baby turtles in the
place where turtle eggs are hatched.
On the six-day trip to Singapore, passengers have a full day of
shopping in Singapore before they fly back to Bangkok. Another
group of passengers wait in Singapore to board the ship. In
other words, you have a choice of boarding in Phuket and flying
back to Bangkok, or doing the opposite, flying to Singapore
first, boarding the ship there, and taking the cruise of the
Andaman, on this second routing, passengers return to Bangkok
by plane from Phuket.
Renovation continually takes place on the ship, even more so
compared to buildings, because of its exposure to salt water,
which necessitates frequent refurbishment of furnishings and
decor on board. The management is eager to show its regular
patrons that no expenses would be spared by way of constant
renovation to keep customers happy and satisfied, and to
encourage them to come back to take relaxing and enjoyable
cruises on their holidays and vacations.
For a full 50 weeks of the year the Andaman Princess set sail
on its short and long cruises. The ship needs only a couple of
weeks to comply with Lloyd's of London's annual maintenance
inspection requirement.
The Andaman Princess is the first and only luxury cruise ship
to have passed the highest safety standards of 100-A1 awarded
by Lloyd's of London, England. The Andaman Princess is fully
prepared for any emergency, with equipment such as top standard
quality life boats, life rafts, life vests, and an advanced
fire prevention system all of which have passed stringent
international standards set by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea).
Furthermore, the Andaman Princess is equipped with the most
advanced communications and navigation systems.
Besides its utmost regard for the safety of its passengers, the
Andaman Princess is just as concerned about conservation of the
beautiful islands and seas. Thus, the management has installed
an oil separator in their luxury ship's engine system. It
removes oil from water released into the sea.
The Andaman Princess can drop anchor at any of the world's
deep-sea ports. It has a garbage separator and disposal system,
along with two desalination plants that ensure ample fresh
water for all on board at all times.
Not only does the Andaman Princess keep passengers happy, it is
also very much a home away from home for its entire staff and
crew of about 150 persons, the majority of whom are men and
about 20 per cent women. They don't have time to feel lonely
because their family and friends can join them on board during
short trips.
It's one of several incentives that help the management keep
employees happy, so that there is very little turnover among
the ship's staff and crew.[abridged]
***************************************************************
FEER [BOOK REVIEW]: UP COUNTRY
December 22, 1994; p.38
by Hans Vriens
Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City by Paul Strachan.
Kiscadale Publications, Gartmore, Scotland. US$40, 25 sterling.
When he was 18 years old, Scotsman Paul Strachan travelled to
Upper Burma. It was 1980. He had been hired by his father's
company to assist in the construction of a power station.
Instead of pipe fittings, however, the author became entranced
with Burma, then one of the most isolated countries in Asia.
Strachan returned to Burma five years later, after taking a
degree in art history, to write a thesis on Burmese
architecture. The result was a book entitled Pagan: Art and
Architecture of Old Burma. For nearly a year, Strachan lived
in Mandalay, the last capital of the Burmese kingdom. Burmese
kings preferred to locate their capitals inland, while the
British preferred the convenience of a port, and established
Rangoon as their capital.
Strachan succeeded in penetrating the bureaucratic curtain that
had isolated the country for decades. No small feat. "Burma's
xenophobic policy was not implemented through a simple ban on
foreigners living there. It was theoretically possible for any
foreigner to set up house and live there. Rather the procedure
to enable him to do this was so complicated that only the most
patient and determined, with unlimited amounts of time to hand,
could achieve it," writes Strachan.
He had to get permission from the Department of Religious
Affairs, Immigration Department, Customs, Myanmar Foreign Trade
Bank, Bahan Township Council, local district council, township
party office, People's Police, Tourist Burma Home Office and,
last but not least, the Foreign Office. "The actual aim of this
burdensome procedure was to make life for foreigners -- i.e.
Indians and other of the Raj's left-behinds, as miserable as
possible."
The publication of Mandalay is timely. No longer are tourists
or other foreign visitors restricted to seven-day visas. For
the first time since 1962, when Gen. Ne Win took over the the
economy and closed Burma off from the rest of the world,
Rangoon is actively promoting tourism and foreign investment. A
month-long visa is standard nowadays.
The anecdotes in Mandalay deal mainly with Burma's long
isolation and the country's distinctive Buddhist culture. But
Burma was never completely isolated. Strachan describes how
break dancing became fashionable in 1985. While the military
regime seemed determined to suppress it, youth in Mandalay
staged a spontaneous protest in the form of break dancing.
Restaurants are considered a treat in virtually every country
on earth. Not so in Burma, where restaurants are for weary
travellers unfortunate enough not to have a local acquaintance
or an affiliation with a monastery. Like public toilets, they
are best avoided. Similarly, toilets are to theBurmese what
Mercedes-Benzs are to many people: objects of status symbols
of power. Monks, being the most respectable members of society,
are offered these facilities by pious benefactors in exchange
for kuthow, or merit, the results of good deeds that improve
the status of one's rebirth.
Strachan's most interesting trip was to Arakan state on the
border with Bangladesh. Arakan was "liberated" by the British
in 1825. Since then it has been one of the most forgotten
territories in Asia, though the grand old houses in the port
city of Akayab testify to its importance as a commercial centre
before Gen. Ne Win embarked on his disastrous road to Burmese
Socialism.
Hans Vriens is the Southeast Asia correspondent of the Dutch
weekly Elsevier.
***************************************************************
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
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 EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW
IRRAWADDY: NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY BURMA INFORMATION GROUP
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-RUN NEWSPAPER, RANGOON)
S.C.B.:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP
S.C.T.:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP
SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA BITNET MAILING LIST
SLORC: STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COMMITTEE
USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
***************************************************************