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BurmaNet News: 22 March 1995
**************************BurmaNet***************************
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
*************************************************************
The BurmaNet News:22 March 1995
Issue #128
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTED IN PASSING:
Nevertheless, intellectual and artistic life survive.
New business magazines struggle to increase coverage
of social issues. Video filming, though censored,
constitutes a new industry. Hints of change are found
in unlikely places; readers comb the business press
for news excluded from mainstream papers, and official
denunciations of the "inaccuracies" of foreign news
reporting are scrutinized for hidden information about
Burma.
<See ARTICLE 19: POLITICAL DEADLOCK DEFIES
STIRRINGS OF ECONOMIC CHANGE>
Contents:
***********************INSIDE BURMA***************************
ARTICLE 19: POLITICAL DEADLOCK DEFIES STIRRINGS OF ECONOMIC
CHANGE
BKK POST: BURMA'S "NEW LIGHT" CONSPIRACIES
AP: KARENNI REBELS HAND OVER ARMS
***********************SHAN STATE*****************************
BKK POST: PRE-DAWN RAID FIERCEST IN 40 YEARS, CLAIM REFUGEES
NATION: FEAR OF RANGOON FORCES DRIVES SHAN INTO THAILAND
S.H.A.N.: BATTLE NEWS FROM SHAN STATE
**********************INTERNATIONAL***************************
USG: SHATTUCK--"THE REGIME MUST CHOOSE."
SENATOR MURRAY [DEM, USA]: INT'L WOMEN'S DAY SPEECH ON SUU KYI
U.WASHINGTON BOARD OF REGENTS: DECISION ON BURMA INVESTMENTS
************************THAILAND******************************
BKK POST: DEPUTY FM WILL VISIT BURMA TO CO-CHAIR MEETING
NATION: ITD THREATENS TO QUIT BURMA
BKK POST: TACHILEK TRADE DROPS SHARPLY AFTER CLASH
NATION: TROOPS STAND READY AS BORDER REOPENS AT BURMA BATTLE SITE
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*************THE BURMANET NEWS--MARCH 22, 1995***************
**************************************************************
*************************INSIDE BURMA*************************
ARTICLE 19: POLITICAL DEADLOCK DEFIES STIRRINGS OF ECONOMIC
CHANGE
Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9JH, UK
On 21 March 1995, ARTICLE 19 publishes CENSORSHIP PREVAILS:
Political Deadlock and Economic Transition in Burma. The ruling
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) is attempting to
promote economic development while reinforcing the structures of
military rule. Harsh laws stifle political debate; opposition
politicians are imprisoned; censorship controls all media; and
despite a number of recent ceasefires, the military government
continues a civil war against its own ethnic minority peoples.
In the midst of economic upheaval, the SLORC is promoting
tourism, natural gas and mineral resource development, and
international business of all kinds.
ARTICLE 19's Executive Director, Frances D'Souza, comments :
"Burma cannot sustain these contradictions. Future stability and
economic development depend upon opening up the political process
to debate; the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and political
prisoners; and the repeal of laws which deny the rights of
association. Military operations against minority ethnic groups
must give way to renewed dialogue."
The report examines Burma's censorship laws, and its record of
repression. These conditions create what the UN Special
Rapporteur on Human Rights has described as the "atmosphere of
pervasive fear" in Burma. No aspect of life escapes the
consequences of the 1988 military coup, and the SLORC's refusal
to yield power after the 1990 election victory of the National
League for Democracy.
Alarmingly, the SLORC continues to defy UN resolutions and calls
for access by the International Committee of the Red Cross to
Burma's prisons.
Nevertheless, intellectual and artistic life survive. New
business magazines struggle to increase coverage of social
issues. Video filming, though censored, constitutes a new
industry. Hints of change are found in unlikely places; readers
comb the business press for news excluded from mainstream papers,
and official denunciations of the "inaccuracies" of foreign news
reporting are scrutinized for hidden information about Burma.
For further information, please contact: Catherine Drucker
(Campaigns): Tel: (44 -71) 713 -1357, Fax: (44-71) 713-1356 or
Martin Smith: Tel (66-2) 255-0190-9, Fax: (66-2) 253-8492
Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights:
Everyone has the right to freedom
of opinion and expression; this
right includes freedom to hold
opinions without interference and
to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any
media and regardless of frontiers.
BKK POST: BURMA'S "NEW LIGHT" CONSPIRACIES
Sunday, 12 March 1995
"Guest Columnist" feature, Sunday Perspectives
By Alan Dawson
Burma's "New Light" Conspiracies
THE Rangoon government had nothing to do with recent fighting
in the Karen state opposite Thailand, at least according to
lengthy descriptions of the battles in the official Burmese
media. A series of articles in _The New Light of Myanmar_
newspaper not only claims Burmese forces didn't gas, didn't
bombard, didn't besiege and didn't overrun Mannerplaw, Kawmoora
and other sites. They purport to prove Karens fought both sides
of the battle against themselves in a conspiracy to discredit the
Burmese regime. Just because it's paranoid doesn't mean an
international conspiracy directed by Karens isn't out to get the
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), according to the
series.
Wonderfully discordian articles are nothing new for Burma's
government-run media, where Newspeak has reached heights unknown
this side of Pyongyang. But the series late last month entitled
"Whither KNU?" reached a new high -- or low.
According to the newspaper series, unnamed Burmese officials
monitored conversations among Karens, and between Karens and
officers of "the other country" (Thailand). The monitoring was
possible because whenever these people talked or even acted, they
were next to "three big communication sets" supplied by "the
other country."
Because of this, we get to hear Nga Mya (Bo Mya) order his
Karen forces to shoot up Karen villages and kill civilians, and
to kill a few of his own soldiers with poison gas.
"I have asked Soe Soe to get me some chemical bombs," Bo Mya
says into the conveniently placed radios so _The New Light of
Myanmar_ reporters can hear him. "Must explode them among my men,
must explode them at Kawmoora. We may lose four or five men. I
will have their bodies photographed. I will have them videotaped.
I have asked them to bring in two Japanese to see for themselves
how the Na Wa Ta (Burmese) army has been using poison bombs. The
Na Wa Ta government will then become another Iraq. Do you know
what happened to Iraq...?" "It suffered an international trade
embargo, Bogyokegyi," answers the dutiful Law Wadi, who is Bo
Mya's straight man for the conversation. "Yes, that is what
they told me," says Bo Mya. "Well, get more potassium cyanide,
poison bombs and bacteria bombs. Try and get them urgently".
"Law Wadi's eyes bulged," notes the newspaper series,
supposedly bulging right over the powerful communications setup.
In fact, however, this was only a demonstration of the power
of this radio network from "the other country." Later, we learn
from _The New Light of Myanmar_ of a dispute between two Karen
military men. One insists on firing into civilian villages (to
discredit the Burmese); the other is hesitant about this.
"As the (Karens') Mae Sot Committee and the Myawaddy Committee
kept trading protests, Htaw Hla kept grinning secretly," writes
the newspaper. Listening to eye-bulging seems like peanuts next
to the ability to monitor secret smiles of demented but genocidal
Karen officers.
From the beginning of its offensive against the Karens,
Burmese spokesmen have maintained the fighting at Mannerplaw and
beyond was an internal Karen dispute.
The fanciful newspaper accounts of passive and magical radio
monitoring of conversations and eye bulges will convince few
outside Burma. But Burmese themselves have few news sources in
a country where all outside publications and other media are
banned.
Bo Mya, by the way, is controlled by his wife, or so "the
other country's" magic radios reveal. "Everybody at the KNU
central headquarters knew that Nga Mya was henpecked."
And Naw Larmu, the henpecker of the newspaper series, tells
Bo Mya, "We are already very rich and should be satisfied with
that much. We can always go and live either in Chiang Mai or in
Bangkok and live in peace and luxury."
According to _The New Light of Myanmar,_ the Karen are so good
at conspiracies, one wonders just how they lost their
headquarters last month. Among other achievements Rangoon
attributes to the Karen, they: - conspired to call off a
planned visit to Rangoon by a Thai deputy minister, who is
unnamed in the report;
- managed to end chances of a visit to Bangkok any time soon
by the head of the Burmese regime, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt;
- fooled the Norwegian foreign ministry into denouncing
(mythical, of course) Burmese attacks on the Karen.
The newspaper series makes it clear these are unjust events,
since Burma itself took no action in the fighting along the Thai
frontier. Only the United States, apparently, is immune to
Karen magic, for the powerful communications setup records a
conversation between Soe Soe and Htaw Hla.
"Why don't you then try to stop Americans from going to
Rangoon," asks Htaw Hla. "Aren't Americans going there to gather
information about poppy fields?"
"That is where I can't do anything, Bogyoke".
Htaw Hla cursed Soe Soe and he heard Soe Soe chuckle at the
other end, the newspaper series reveals.
And they say SLORC has no sense of humour.
* Alan Dawson is a free-lance journalist based in Bangkok
AP: KARENNI REBELS HAND OVER ARMS
22 March 1995
RANGOON, Burma (AP) -- Another rebel ethnic group
surrendered its weapons Tuesday, leaving only two of Burma's 16
major guerrilla organizations without ceasefire agreements with
the government. The rebel groups, many of which had been
fighting the government since the country became independent in
1948, were demanding greater autonomy. But most of the groups
have responded to a recent call for national reconciliation from
Rangoon.
On Tuesday, members of the Karenni National Progressive
Party handed over 8,000 weapons to the state military commander
in a formal ceremony in the eastern border province of Kayah, the
government news agency reported.
Led by party Vice President Htebu Phe, the rebels also
turned over a list of 7,000 members. Leading members of the
ruling junta were present, the report said.
The ceremony brought to 14 the number of major ethnic
insurgent groups that have concluded ceasefires or otherwise come
to terms with the government.
Three other rebel groups in Kayah state previously
reached accommodations with the government, along with nine
groups in Shan state and one in Kachin.
One of the more powerful groups, the Karen National
Union, has not reached any agreement with Rangoon. But it was
severely weakened in late January when government forces drove
the rebels from their longtime jungle headquarters.
The other group still fighting the government is the much
smaller Mon New State Party, based along the eastern border with
Thailand.
Government forces in eastern Shan state, meanwhile,
continued battling another guerrilla force, the so-called Mong
Tai Army of drug warlord Khun Sa. Khun Sa is thought to be the
biggest drug trafficker in the Golden Triangle, the region where
the borders of Burma, Thailand and Laos meet.
The region is the source of most of the heroin smuggled
into the United States.
Burmese military sources on Tuesday confirmed reports in
Thai newspapers that the guerrillas had attacked Tachilek, a town
220 miles northeast of Rangoon, then retreated across the border
in Thailand.
A military official said government troops killed at
least four of the guerrillas and captured two, including the
captain who led the unit.
***********************SHAN STATE*****************************
BKK POST: PRE-DAWN RAID FIERCEST IN 40 YEARS, CLAIM REFUGEES
22 March 1995
Monday's pre-dawn raid by Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army(MTA) troops on
the Burmese government border town of Tachilek opposite Chiang
Rai's Mae Sai district was the fiercest battle in 4o years,
according to Burmese refugees who fled to Thailand to escape the
fighting.
The raid killed 12 and sent baout 1,500 people fleeing across the
border from Tachilek to four temples in Mae Sai District.
Most of them, however, returned yesterday. Only about 300 who had
lost their homes remained in Thailand but said they will return
when the situation has returned to noemal.
Kham Hee, a 70-year-old woman, displayed genuine fear when asked
to given an account of the raid.
The woman, a native of Kengtung who moved to Tachilek over 10
years ago, said she paid some people 200 baht to carry her to the
Thai side of the border when the shooting started.
Chang Sou, 60, a Shan man living in Tachilek, said he had never
seen a battle as fierce as the fighting between the MTAand
Rangoon forces. He recalled hearing the ear-shattering sound of
gunfire from every direction and MTA soldiers southing in
Burmese: "Kill them all, Burmese soldiers."
He said as the battle engulfed the town he decided to take his
wife and young son across the Mae Sai River to Thailand.
"I want to stay here for a few days to wait for the situation to
return to normal. I am afraid the MTA will attack again.
If I return I don't know if my family would survive another
attack.
"Our house was destroyed by fire. We managed to save only a few
pieces of clothing," Chang Sou said, adding that the fighting
raged for several hours.
Tan, a 14-year-old girl who sells spectacles in Tachilek market,
said she swam across the river with her nine-month-old brother
on her back. She then left her brother on the Thai side as she
swam back to get her mother. She said she neraly fainted at the
end of the life-saving ordeal.
Tan said she made about 1,000 baht a month selling spectacles she
got from Thai teacher in Tachilek. She was one of his students
of the Tahi-langue class, paying a monthly tuition fee of 30
baht. "I don't think we will be able to resume class. All the
books were reduced by fire to ash. The teacher's house also went
up in flame," she said.
Tan said she was so frightended that she forgot to save about
1,000 baht she had put aside for a "rainy day."
Roun, a 19-year-old girl from Kengtung who visited her aunt in
Tachilek at the time of the attack, said she would return home
when the situatiion returns to normal.
"But because of the ongoing suppression drive she will have to
pay 1,500 baht for safe conduct and transportation back home
which is about 160 kilometres away.
More than 10 houses in Tachilek were burnt down in the pre-dawn
raid. Five vehicles were also set ablaze. Twelve people were
killed, including a police captain and an army lieutenant.
Seventeen people were injured.
Several people who flocked to see the charred remains of the
houses were taken by Tachilek authorities in for questioning.
They included SupolChitwichak, a reporter of the Siam Post, and
another Thai.
Supol said he was released after being questioned for about an
hour. All his film was seized. (BP)
NATION: FEAR OF RANGOON FORCES DRIVES SHAN INTO THAILAND
22 March 1995
Tachilek, Burma - Thaousands of Burma's Shan minority have fled
to Thailand as Burmese troops in the northeastern town of
Tacjilek hunt for rebels and sympathisers after a Shan guerrilla
raid, civilian in Burma said yesterday.
More than 30 houses in Pongthune district on the edge of the
normally busy trade and tourist town of Tachilek were burned down
during the fighting on Monday when guerrillas loyal to Burma's
opium rebel Khun Sa raided Tachilek.
"Burmese soldiers attacked and burned down thisvillages because
most of the people living here are Shan," one distraught man told
Reuters. He said his house was destroyed.
The bodies of two men in civilian clothes were lying on a road,
their heads shattered by what appeared to be point-blank gunfire.
A third charred body lay in a burnt-out house nearby.
A Thai intelligance source later told Reuters the two men were
executed by Burmese soldiers late on Monday because they were
suspected collaborators with Khun Sa's Mong Tai (Shan state) Army
(MTA) guerrillas.
Thai authorities on the border said most of tachilek's Shan
inhabitants had fled into the jungle on the Burmese side or
crossed into Thailand.
Some 60 MTA fighters attacked Burmese army positions in Tachilek
in the early hours of Monday.
The raid was the latest in a series of guerrilla atacks which
rebel officials say are aimed at deflecting a Burmese army
offensive launched against a rebel bese area in mountains 25 km
to the west last week.
Fighting in Tachilek raged until early Monday afternoon after
many of the rebels were trapped by Burmese troops.
One Thai police officer said 29 MTA fighters crossed a border
river on Monday into Thailand, where they and their weapons were
seized.
Others were believed to have been killed in Tachilek. An MTA
official said three were cornered in a house in the town and
killed by Burmese troops while another five were wounded.
Thai officials said at least 12 Burmese soldiers were killed and
many civilians were killed or wounded in crossfire. (TN)
S.H.A.N.: BATTLE NEWS FROM SHAN STATE
SHAN HERALD AGENCY FOR NEWS (S.H.A.N)
P.O. Box 41 MaeHongSon 58000 Thailand
For Immediate Release Monday, March 20, 1995
Contact: Hseng Jern Fax: 66 53 278 152 (Thailand) Fax:
(301) 208-8012 (United States)
--------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Homong, March 14, 1995 -- A 1,000-strong force from the military
regime's (SLORC) 43rd, 327th and 221st Infantry Regiments
accompanied by 800 conscripted porters and 150 mules carrying
heavy weapons set out to attack the Moung Tai Army (MTA) and the
Shan people at Loi Hpaleng, west of Takhilek, on March 11.
The first skirmish broke out at 1130 on March 13 when a Shan
patrol led by Aungsa intercepted a SLORC's advance column from
the 43rd Infantry Regiment at Ban Pangkawtai.
At 0930 on March 14, SLORC Army units attacked Huanamsai, north
of Pangkawtai. The battle raged all day.
Commenting on the fighting, a Liaison Officer in Maesai said,
"Shan troops are putting up a good fight and doing well in the
battle," and added, "the Burmese military regime may declare
that it is fighting 'drug traffickers', but it's quite evident
that their aim is to remove us from the strategic Economic
Quandarangle area."
Meanwhile, on March 14, a SLORC military column with about 3,500
to 4,000 soldiers was dispatched to the area. Fierce battles
broke out south of Pangkaw village, south of Mak O, Kung Hsa
villages, Loi Taw Kham Township, about 10 miles from Takhilek
Township.
The intruding forces made up of troops from the 311st, 334th and
335th Infantry Regiments in Mong Yawng, the 43rd, 528th and 360th
Infantry Regiments in Mong Peng, the 331st, 526th and 316th
Infantry Regiments in Takhilek and the 227th Infantry Regiment
in Mong Hpayak, were armed with G2, G3, G4 and M-79 automatic
weapons and 60mm, 81mm, 82-105mm and 120mm heavy weapons. The
Moung Tai Army was equipped with M16, M22, M23, M79 automatic
weapons and RPG2, RPG5, RPG7, 60mm and 81-82mm heavy weapons.
The running battles, fought between 1115 and 1500 hours, left 17
SLORC soldiers dead, including one captain and Lieutenant Colonel
Myo Win, commander of the 311st Infantry Regiment from Mong
Yawng, who died in Takhilek after suffering battle wounds. In
addition, more than 40 SLORC soldiers were wounded, including one
captain who lost a leg, and six others with full military
equipment surrendered to the MTA.
The MTA lost three soldiers while 12 others were wounded. It
seized four 60mm, nine G3 and G4, and 17 mules laden with
supplies.
March 15:
The MTA encircled and attacked the SLORC troops at the new
Pangkaw village, Loi Taw Kham Township. In that encounter that
lasted from 0430 to 1300 hours, a total of 21 SLORC soldiers were
killed, more than 50 of them were wounded and 17 porters took
refuge with the MTA at Ya Aye village.
The MTA suffered one dead and seven wounded. It captured five
G3-G4 and seven horses. Over 200 war refugees took shelter in
Thailand while 13 other porters took refuge with the MTA.
March 16:
A fierce battle broke out at Huai He (village of the Akha people)
in Loi Taw Kham Townhip today. Over 30 SLORC soldiers were
killed and 60 of them were wounded.
Eight porters and five mules were also killed in crossfire.
March 17:
Another major battle took place at Phak Koot village of the Akha
people, Loi Taw Kham Township, from 0900 to 1500 hours. After
the battle, bodies of 18 SLORC soldiers were found at the battle
site while 27 others were reported to be wounded.
Thirteen porters lost their lives while 10 others were wounded.
Seventeen mules were captured at Kung Hsa village. The MTA lost
three men while 13 others were wounded.
In the ensuing engagements in the same area on March 17, the MTA
killed 36 SLORC soldiers and wounded more than 60 others.
Fifty-six SLORC soldiers surrendered with arms to the MTA and six
others fled to Maesai on the Thai side of the border.
Five porters were killed and three were wounded.
The MTA also ambushed the SLORC's supply line at Nam Mae Hok
bridge, five miles from Takhilek, and at Ho Yang bridge, 10 miles
from Takhilek. Two military trucks were destroyed and the bridge
at Nam Mae Hok was left partially destroyed.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Chief of
Staff on March 17, the ambush was carried out by a commando unit
from the Eastern Command of the Shan Resistance.
The unit captured 11G3s and G4s, one 9mm pistol and a submachine
gun.
The Chief of Staff has expressed his satisfaction with the
outcome of the battle.
March 18:
Fierce fighting is continuing in Pangkaw region with heavy
casualties on the Burmese side. Details of the battles will be
reported as soon as they are available.
**********************INTERNATIONAL***************************
USG: SHATTUCK--"THE REGIME MUST CHOOSE."
Testimony of Asst. Sec. of State Shattuck with commentary by Phil
Roberton.
March 16, 1995
For all those interested in what one part of official Washington
says about Burma, I'm posting the Burma portion of the
Congressional testimony that John Shattuck, the Assistant
Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, gave
before two subcommittees of the U.S. House of Representatives on
March 16, 1995.
While I'd be the first to argue that State's actions on Burma
have not been all that I would wish -- for instance, they were
extremely slow in moving to condemn the SLORC offensive against
Manerplaw in the days before Manerplaw fell and they still come
up with the "we neither promote nor discourage" U.S. investment
in Burma when they know that the economic officer in Rangoon is
certainly (in a de facto way) promoting investment by providing
assistance and contacts to U.S. businessmen when they call the
Embassy in Rangoon -- I can also say that this statement is OK.
Now the question to ask is what will the State Department really
move ahead and take actions to punish SLORC, after the attacks
on the KNU and the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, as
they said they would under the U.S. "two visions" policy if SLORC
continued to act appallingly.
All of the Congressman present at the hearing -- especially Asia
and Pacific Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter (R-Nebraska) who
asked two tough questions about Burma -- strongly condemned SLORC
and their refusal to release Aung San Suu Kyi and transfer power
to the elected peoples' representatives of the NLD. I also saw
a representative of Lester Wolff's group (Washington lobbyist
scumbag for dictators around the world and SLORC paid go-fer...no
money too bloody for him to accept!) at the hearing, which means
SLORC heard the message too.
==============================================================
====== Here's the Burma part of Shattuck's statement:
"Since the Burmese military's assumption of power in 1962, and
especially since its usurpation of the 1990 democratic elections
-- which overwhelmingly rejected military rule -- Burmese
citizens have been subjected to the arbitrary and sometimes
brutal dictates of the military. Government security forces
commit serious abuses, including extrajudicial killings and rape,
and forced labor on public works projects. Although some
political prisoners have been released, Nobel Laureate Aung San
Suu Kyi began her sixth year of house arrest last July, and key
leaders of her National League for Democracy Party remina in
prison under harsh conditions.
The military regime, or SLORC, has also renewed it's offensive
against the Karen ethnic minority, pushing some 10,000 refugees
across the border to Thailand, and undermining its avowed policy
of reconciliation with ethnic minorities. And in a situation
with devastating impact on our interests, opium production has
doubled in Burma since the SLORC took power, and the drug trade
has become more deeply ingrained in Burma's political and
economic life. In the long run, our interest in narcotics
control in Burma is inextricably linked to our interest in
accountable government and the rule of law.
Multilaterally, we have succeeded in passing strong resolutions
on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly and at the UN
Human Rights Commission, and will do the same this year at the
International Labor Organization. We also oppose multilateral
loans to Burma. In November 1994, a U.S. delegation led by EAP
Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Hubbard and Nancy Ely-Raphel, my
Principal Deputy, met with the military leadership in Rangoon to
outline two visions of a future relationship with Burma -- the
first, an improved relationship based on improvements in human
rights, democratization, and counternarcotics; the second,
further isolation and deteriorating relationship in the absence
of such improvements. The regime must choose. We have been
disappointed by the lack of progress on human rights to date and
have expressed our displeasure to the Burmese government."
At the end of his statement, Shattuck finished by saying:
"I will...close with this human rights appeal to the world from
Aung San Suu Kyi: 'It is precisely because of the cultural
diversity of the world that it is necessary for different nations
and peoples to agree on those basic human values which will act
as a unifying factor...the values that democracy and human rights
seek to promote can be found in many cultures. Human beings the
world over need freedom and security so that they may be able to
realize their full potential'."
SENATOR MURRAY [DEM, USA]: INT'L WOMEN'S DAY SPEECH ON SUU KYI
March 8, 1995
Date: Tue, 21 MAR 1995 21:16:43 -0800
Posted by: Timothy Landon <tlandon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Newgroups: soc.culture.burma, soc.culture.thai, rec.travel.asia
Subject: Int'l Women's Day Speech on Suu Kyi
The following speech was given at the International Women's Day
Conferance on March 8,1995 by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).
*******
Thank you for inviting me to speak today on this very special and
important occasion. As we commemorate International Women's Day
this year, I am very pleased to note that the President is
announcing today a renewed U.S. commitment to help girls remain
in school around the world - especially in the poorer nations of
Africa, Asia, and Latin America. I share the President's firm
belief that poverty around the globe will not end until the lives
of women and families are substantially improved. And ensuring
access to education for girls around the world will make an
incredible contribution to this goal.
Promoting and supporting increased opportunities for women.
whether at home or abroad, is one of my highest priorities as a
US Senator.
Towards this goal, during the last Congress I joined with
Representatives Joe Moakley and Jan Meyers in founding the
Congressional Working Group on International Women's Human
Rights. Everyday, human rights abuses against women go
unpunished around the world. These violations often receive
little or no attention from governments and even the
international human rights community. The Congressional Working
Group's mission is to bring increased attention to abuses against
women around the world, and to press for accountability from the
governments involved.
I am proud to be a part of this effort, and I take this
opportunity to thank Human Rights Watch for their support of the
Working Group. And, of course, I invite all members of the House
and Senate to join us in promoting this very worthwhile cause.
Today we pause from our busy lives to reflect upon the price paid
by so many women around the globe who courageously defend human
rights despite extreme opposition and hardship.
Perhaps no woman deserves our honor and respect more today than
Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of Burma.
As most of you know, Suu Kyi is currently under house arrest in
Rangoon. Her crime: exercising non-violent protest against the
State Law and Order Restoration Council, which is the military
regime in Burma. Although her political party, the National
League for Democracy, received 80% of the vote in the 1990
elections, the military regime in Burma continues to deny Suu Kyi
the right to participate freely in the political process, and has
prevented her from taking her rightful place as the leader of
Burma.
The people of Burma exercised their political right at the polls,
and should be granted their duly elected leader.
Suu Kyi's accomplishments are great. When she was honored in
1991 with the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Committee stated that
she had become "one of the most extraordinary examples of civil
courage in Asia in recent decades." Sadly, since she was still
under house arrest, she was unable to accept the award. Her 18
year old son accepted the prize in her place. In reaction to Suu
Kyi receiving this prestigious tribute, the military regime in
Burma blocked all news of the award and launched a series of
media attacks against her.
Suu Kyi has spoken out on the principles of democracy, and on
behalf on all ethnic minorities. She should not be punished for
exercising her right to free expression of thought. It is
obvious by the continued captivity of Suu Kyi that the Burmese
military regime respects no opinions other that their own.
The military would like to see Suu Kyi leave the country. She
has been given this option numerous times in exchange for
permanent exile from her country, but she has refused, remaining
steadfast to her
principles and her cause. Her determination to remain in Burma,
with her people, and to see her democratically elected party take
its position as leader of the country is admirable and deeply
courageous, and I am proud to be among those honoring her today.
Despite the international community's demands, the military
government continues to deny Suu Kyi her fundemental human
rights. It is our responsibility to continue to speak out
against the Burmese government's blatent disregard for human life
and democracy. As I learned a long time ago, when people tell
you you can't make a difference, they are usually just afraid you
will. Together, our voice on behalf of women victims of human
rights can make a difference. So I am proud to be with you all
today, in support of Suu Kyi and so many women like her around
the globe. ----
Senator Patty Murray, from Washington State.
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-4704
U.WASHINGTON BOARD OF REGENTS: DECISION ON BURMA INVESTMENTS
UW Board of Regents Decision on Burma Investments (fwd)
On Thursday, March 16, 1995, the University of Washington Board
of Regent's Finance Committee passed the following resolution:
******
Delegation of Authority - Shareholder Resolutions
V'Ella Warren
Treasurer, Board of Regents
Recommended Action:
It is the recommendation of the administration that the Finance
Committee delegate authority to the Treasurer of the Board of
Regents to act on behalf of the Board of Regents with regard to
shareholder resolutions related to human rights violations in
Burma. This delegation will remain in effect up to five years
from the date of approval.
Background:
For the past several months, the administration has been working
with a group of students concerned about human rights violations
in Burma, to identify the ways in which the University could
publicly voice its concern. Unlike the South Africa movement,
the actions which have been identified revolve not on divestment
which has a direct portfolio impact, but on actions around
shareholders resolutions. These actions include: 1.voting on
shareholder resolutions; 2. communicating the position of the
Board of Regents to a corporation; and 3. participating in the
sponsorship of shareholder resolutions.
By policy, actions related to shareholder resolutions are
delegated to the University's outside investment managers. At
its discretion, the Finance Committee may make proxy
determinations and/or request the action of the entire Board on
proxy matters.
To identify companies with operations in Burma and to track the
progress of shareholder resolutions, the University will rely
upon the Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC). The
IRRC is an independent, nonprofit corporation located in
Washington, D.C., which provides a variety of tracking and
monitoring services around issues of social policy. Based on the
preliminary research, there are only a handful of publicly traded
companies in the U.S. with confirmed ties to Burma.
The Burma movement has attracted attention on campus with
numerous articles appearing in The Daily in recent months. The
ASUW Student Senate recently passed a resolution urging the
University of Washington to support shareholders resolutions
regarding proposed reports on and proposed cessation of corporate
operations in Burma. A petition urging the Board of Regents to
recognize the human rights violations in Burma was signed by over
200 students, faculty, and staff in February.
The Burma movement has spread to other University campuses as
well. Harvard University and Williams College voted in support
of a shareholder resolution involving UNOCAL last year. In
addition, other public agencies, e.g., TIAA/CREF and the State
of Connecticut, have taken actions in support of the movement.
The recommended action, if approved, will have no direct impact
on the performance of the University's investment portfolios.
**************************************************************
*************** Burma Action Group
University of Washington
tlandon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Box 119, HUB 207, FK-30
(206) 548-9029 Seattle, WA 98195
************************THAILAND******************************
BKK POST: DEPUTY FM WILL VISIT BURMA TO CO-CHAIR MEETING
22 March 1995
Deputy Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan will visit Burma this
month to co-chair the Thai-Burmes Demaracation Committee talks
on border problems which include the ownership dispute over Hill
491 on the border of Chumphon's Thasae District.
Mr Surin said he would hold talks on the hill with a deputy
foreign minister with the aim of reaching a clear solution. He
said Interrior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart told the Cabinet
yesterday the sttuation at Mae Sai District in Chaing Rai had
returned to normal.
The fighting between Rangoon forces and Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army
has hurt Thailand's trade and tourism, said Mr surin, as it was
impossible for the country to avoid some impact. (BP)
NATION: ITD THREATENS TO QUIT BURMA
22 March 1995
Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) said it is ready to cancel
Bt300 million hotel project in Burma unless the Rangoon
government reduces the tax burden on the project.
Chaiyuth Karnasuta, chairman of Thailand's largest construction
company, said the Burmese government has placed a five per cent
tax on the project's gross revenue and asked for an up-front
payment of US$3 million.
"There have been some changes. Previously, the Burmese government
asked for US$2.5 million," said Chaiyuth.
"We can't accept it. We don't mind if they find other investors
(in the project)," he said.
Italian-Thai is the majority shareholder of the Amari Group of
Hotels which operates an extensive hotel network in Thailand.
Chaiyuth said the Burmese government should accommodate investors
in the hotel which will be situated in the historic city of
Pagan, located about 800 km from Rangoon. (TN)
BKK POST: TACHILEK TRADE DROPS SHARPLY AFTER CLASH
22 March 1995
Monday's clash between the Burmese army and the forces of Khun
Sa's Mong Tai Army left a normally busy border trading point in
Mae Sai District deserted.
Although Tachilek trading point has reopened, trading volume is
reported to have shrunk considerably and only a handful of people
braved their way to the trading area yesterday.
"Burma assured us it had the situation under control and said it
would prevent a recurrence of the violence," said Mae Sai
district Chief Pakdi Rattanapol.
Mr Pakdi said many goods had been left on the Thai side because
truck drivers had stopped for their own safety.
The number of people crossing over to Burma at Mae Saiwhich is
normally 3,000 to 5,000 a day on weekdays and double that on
weekends, has dropped sharply.
Mr Pakdi said the stateagencies concerned should in form people
that the situation has returned to normal. He added that he
believed the Burmese Government would have to protect its
Tachilek trading point because what was at stake economically.
The head of Mae Sai districtcustoms checkpoint, Therdsak Pensuk,
said Tachilek is currently the only trading point along the
Thai-Burmes border which still allows goods to be exchanged. (BP)
NATION: TROOPS STAND READY AS BORDER REOPENS AT BURMA BATTLE SITE
22 march 1995
Mae Sai, Chiang Rai - Thai troops remained on alert yessterday
as the border with Burma was reponed a day after guerrillas loyal
to opium warlord Khun Sa attacked a neighbouring Burmese town.
Army Commander in Chief Wimol Wongwanich told reporters there
were no reports of Thai casulties after the major clash between
Khun Sa's troops and Burmes soldiers near the border.
Wimol said the Mae Sai border is essential to local economies of
both countries and would only be temporaily and partially closed
during heavy fighting.
"We will close the border when the situation threatens the lives
of Thai people, but when the situation improves, we will reopen
it," Wimol said. He added that border crossings will be shut down
if they are believed to have served as drug smuggling routes.
Echoing Wimol's remark, Defence Minister Vijit Sookmark said the
Mae Sai border will be closed only if there isa threat of
fighting spillovers.
Thousands of eager market traders yesterday streamed across the
bridge spanning the Mae Sai River connecting Thailand and Burma.
Bicycles and carts loaded with goods flowed in both directiions
past border checkpoints which had closed early on Monday after
a small contingent of Khun Sa's Maung Tai Army (MTA) attacked
Burmese government positions in the market town of Tachilek with
rockets and machine guns.
"No one knows if [the MTA] will come back, but we have t o eat,"
a Thai jade vendor said, arranging her wares.
Several buildings in Tachilek were damaged in the battle before
the MTA strike team - some 70 troops according to Thai officials
- retreated north into Burma, towards their main force at
Pangma-O.
Thailand's Naraesuan Task Force, which supervises the border
here, reported that fighting continued ten km inside Burma.
Neither side has indicated the number of casualties they
suffered.
Reinforced Thai border police units were yesterday repatriating
the more than 1,000 refugees who had fled the area, a mix of
Burmese, Shan and ethnic Akha, according to Mae Sai district
chief Pakdi Rattanaphol.
He said he expects all of the refugees to be returned before
today.
Eighteen MTA soldiers who crassed the Sai River into Thailand had
also been sent back to Burma, east of the fighting, after they
were disarmed, a border officer added.
Several MTA soldiers were treated for wounds at Mae Sai District
Hospital, but were sent back on Mondau with their comrades, Pakdi
said.
Thai officials speculated the raid had been an attempt to draw
away Rangoon troops from the MTA's outppost at Pangma-O, which
came under artillery assault early last week.
As recently as May last year, Khun Sa and Rangoon fought
sporadically but bitterly in areas surrounding Tachilek, through
the notorious opium trader had not attacked the lucrative market
itself.
Mae Sai and Tachilek are reputed to conduct 20 million baht in
cross-border trade daily.
By yesterday morning, Thai and Burmese shops were open along the
crammed river front and thousands of traders and labourers
swarmed acros the bridge.
Some of the fiercest fighting took place less than a half
kilometre from the bustling trade bridge, at a clump of houses
along the river where Burmese troops concerned a small group of
MTA soldiers.
Several houses were destroyed in the two--hour skirmish, during
which Rangoon soldiers lobbed grenades and rockets at their
targets.
"Everything was just black smoke," said one Thai cloth trader who
abandoned her business to get a closer look. "You would hear an
explosion, see some fire and then there would be a lot of guns
suddenly shooting."
Maj Gen Pairot Vandrong of the Nareasuan Task Forces said: "It
was like a movie fora lot of the people here. They just sat and
watched at the edge of the river.
One Thai villager was wounded by a stray shell in that melee and
was being treated at Mae Sai District hospital, a border official
said.
Prime Minister chuan Leekpai yesterday confirmed Burma had
rejected Thailand's offer to mediate between Rangoon and ethnic
insurgent groups fighting for autonomy.
"I sent a direct message to the Burmese government that if they
want us to serve as a mediator in peace talks, we will be glad
to do so. But I have heard that Burma still wants to treatthe
issue as their own internal problem which should be solved
internally," Chuan said. (TN)
**************************************************************
NEWS SOURCES REGULARLY COVERED/ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET:
ABSDF: ALL BURMA STUDENT'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT
AMNESTY: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS
AFP: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AW: ASIAWEEK
Bt.: THAI BAHT; 25 Bt. EQUALS US$1 (APPROX),
BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
BF: BURMA FORUM
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
GOA: GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA
IRRAWADDY: NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY BURMA INFORMATION GROUP
KHRG: KAREN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP
KNU: KAREN NATIONAL UNION
Kt. BURMESE KYAT; UP TO 150 KYAT-US$1 BLACK MARKET
106 KYAT US$1-SEMI-OFFICIAL
6 KYAT-US$1 OFFICIAL
MOA: MIRROR OF ARAKAN
MNA: MYANMAR NEWS AGENCY (SLORC)
THE NATION: A DAILY NEWSPAPER IN BANGKOK
NCGUB: NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA
NLM: NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (DAILY STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER,RANGOON)
NMSP: NEW MON STATE PARTY
RTA:REC.TRAVEL.ASIA NEWSGROUP
RTG: ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT
SCB:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP
SCT:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP
SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA MAILING LIST
S.H.A.N.: SHAN HERALD AGENCY FOR NEWS
SLORC: STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL
TAWSJ: THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL
UPI: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
**************************************************************