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IRRAWADDY: 31 MAY 1995



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BURMA INFORMATION GROUP: IRRAWADDY NEWS

------------------------THE IRRAWADDY----------------------------
                         ===========
------------------INDEPENDENT NEWS & INFORMATION-----------------
                    ==========================
--------------------VOL.3, NO.17, 31 MAY 1995--------------------
                    =========================

CONTENT:
ARTICLE: AUNG SAN SUU KYI: BETWEEN SLORC AND A HARDLINES
ARTICLE: HOLE APPEARS IN KHIN NYUNT'S INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
ARTICLE: BANGKOK LAUNCHES SWEEP AGAINST ILLEGALS
INSIDE STORIES: HOLIDAT IN HELL
INSIDE STORIES: KAREN WHO SPEAK NO KAREN
INSIDE STORIES: BACK IN PRINT?
INSIDE STORIES: NO RETURN TICKET TO RANGOON

-----------------------------------------------------------------
AUNG SAN SUU KYI: BETWEEN SLORC AND A HARDLINES

BY AUNG ZAW 

During his visit to Rangoon last year, US Con gressman Bill
Richardson was told by de tained leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be
sure to ring the bell at the Shwedagon Pagoda before he left. By
doing so, he would herald a return trip at some future date. 
It is not known whether the US lawmaker followed Suu Kyi's advice
but his follow up visit to Burma earlier this week was fraught
with difficulties. 
Despite fears that Richardson's trip would be cancelled by junta
leaders at the last minute, he eventually made it to the Burmese
capital. Just before the trip a Burmese veteran journalist based
in Rangoon said: "They won't let him to see 'the woman.' They
don't want to see him." 
As the journalist predicted Richardson's wishes were not
fulfilled. Richardson's request to meet Burma's most prominent
opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi
was denied.
Richardson described his latest trip as "unsuccessful,
frustrating and disappointing. "I was stiffed. I failed. I was
unable to see Aung San Suu Kyi." 
At the Foreign Correspondents of Thailand (FCCT) Richardson
expressed his disappointment, frustration and anger. 
"There is no commitment to resume a dialogue with Aung San Suu
Kyi. It is my view that she will not be released by July 19." 
Richardson did, however, meet Burma's most powerful intelligence
chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. 
Khin Nyunt who Richardson considers a moderating force among the
top Slorc leadership, reiterated his earlier position that Suu
Kyi is surrounded by communists and that her supporters had been
forgotten her. 
There had been promising signs last year that political progress
was being made when Slorc leaders allowed Richard-son to meet Suu
Kyi, and the London-based Burmese monk, U Rewatta Dham-ma was
acting as a go-between for Slorc and Suu Kyi. 
Since the beginning of this year analysts have noted the return
of a hard-line faction within Slorc. As a result, the
headquarters of Karen and dissidents were attacked and captured
and refugees seeking refuge on Thai soil were attacked by
marauding Burmese army. Dissidents have been facing stepped-up
severe surveillance, arbitrary arrests and detention. 
A Rangoon-based diplomat who asked to be called James said: "The
hard-line faction put pressure on Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt not to let
Richardson to meet Aung San Suu Kyi. He suggested, "Why don't he
(Richardson) try to meet Gen Maung Aye (vice-chairman of Slorc)
so that to know his position on Suu Kyi. 
"It is obvious there is another faction [within Slorc] on the Suu
Kyi matter so there is not only Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt we have to meet
and talk to," he added.
James said Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba, Lt-Gen Htun Kyi, Foreign Minister Ohn
Gyaw are real hardliners.
Michael Myint, a well-connected Burmese businessman in Rangoon
said, "Last year, they (Slorc leaders) decided to meet her in
good faith but she didn't want to 'compromise' with them." 
The Slorc leaders made conditions that Suu Kyi could not accept
sources in Rangoon suggested including - Slorc's bottom line is
that Suu Kyi must quit Burmese politics or go into exile, . 
Michael Myint continued: "They (Slorc leaders) do not care if Suu
Kyi cannot accept their conditions, they have money and power so
they will continue their own way." 
James said one group, possibly led by Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt wanted to
play a PR game to gain more international kudos. 
"This group care about their image, want aid and recognition," he
added.

HOLE APPEAR IN KHIN NYUNT'S INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

A CORRESPONDENT

Perhaps Burma's powerful military in telligence chief Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt has no intelligence but only intentions to make more
enemies. 
Khin Nyunt raised many eyebrows when he accused Thai politicians
of stocking border tensions between Ran-goon and Bangkok.
The state-owned New Light of Myanmar quoted Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as
saying that "some Thai politicians traditionally turn to
diversionary tactics whenever they face an unstable political
situation." He said recent border tension was the result of a
"political ploy" by Thai politicians to "divert" the attention of
the Thai people from a political crisis.
But at the time of the serious incursions by Burmese soldiers it
was no one but Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who said Burma did not regard
any existing misunderstanding with its neighbours as a serious
problem. 
Khin Nyunt, however, has changed his tone and said, "Such border
problems were created by the "self-seeking" Thai politicians and
were aided and abetted by the foreign media, some
non-governmental organizations and lackeys of foreign governments
bearing ill-will against the Slorc."
Why did Khin Nyunt make such a brazen attack? Is it sheer
ignorance or poor intelligence? 
Surin Pitsuwan, Acting Foreign Minister of Thailand, rebuffed
Khin Nyunt saying, "No one could set up border conflicts with
Burma as a political ploy." Then Surin went to the point: "I
don't think Mr Khin Nyunt understands that Thailand is a
democratic country, which is totally different to Burma."  
In fact, it was not the first time Khin Nyunt made a such strange
statement. In 1990 Khin Nyunt made a 7-hour long speech in which
he alleged the democracy movement in Burma was created by the
Communist Party of Burma. Ironically, at the time, the CPB which
was based near the China border had collapsed because serious
mutiny. Besides,  the handful of senior communist leaders did not
pay serious attention to the urban-led democracy movement.  
On April 1, Khin Nyunt spoke at the closing ceremony of Special
Refresher Course No.15 for Basic Education Teachers.
Again, he accused Khun Sa of using his wealth of drug money to
organize many "bogus organizations with former Shan rebels who
escaped to foreign countries, including the United States, to
indulge in anti-Myanmar activities." Nine such groups had
attended a conference in New York in January which was organized
by the Shan State Association (USA) which Khin Nyunt said was a
drug trafficking organization.
He also accused Karen leader Gen Mya, a Khun Sa colleague "with
whom he has been secretly trafficking in heroin since 1991." 
He also named Peter Bourne, a former adviser to the Carter
Administration on anti-narcotics, as an example of "some
influential persons in the US" Khun Sa was trying to gain the
sympathy of. 
Chao Tzang (Eugene Thaike), son of the first president of Burma
who helped organize the Shan Conference in New York spoke to
Burma Alert bulletin in Canada. "If you look carefully at Khin
Nyunt's speech, you will notice that his claims are not true. For
example, it is not true that everybody except Khun Sa has stopped
opium production. It is also well-known that Bo Mya is not
engaged in drug trafficking. Either Khin Nyunt is trying to fool
the Burmese public or the quality of the intelligence he is
receiving from his spy network is very poor."
Chao Tzang continued: "From his allegations, I think Khin Nyunt
must have a very high opinion of Khun Sa and his organization. I
do not need to attend a course in Ho Merng given by Khun Sa in
order to learn how the world works. Khin Nyunt's allegations
about Peter Bourne shows how ignorant he is about how things work
in US. Maybe he needs to take one of Khun Sa's political
courses."
Indeed, the question again is: how did Khin Nyunt find out the
information? As a military intelligence chief does he really know
what is going on around him or is he just trying to make up
stories? Or Khin Nyunt still think that whatever he say will be
believed and listened by Burmese people. 
In the past, it was claimed that Khin Nyunt maintained one of the
most efficient military intelligence service in Asia. 
But now it may not be true. 
Since Khin Nyunt cannot find out the information for himself he
must rely on his men. But the question again is who can he trust?
Who has given him the false information?
It is possible that Khin Nyunt's trustworthy network in Thailand
has been receiving wrong information from some unreliable
sources. 
Or else is there ploy within DDSI try to ridicule Khin Nyunt or
hurt the DDSI?
Nevertheless, a source in Rangoon suggested Khin Nyunt's rival
faction has penetrated the DDSI. The result was that some of Khin
Nyunt's men were replaced or transferred. 
One Burma observer suggested Khin Nyunt wants to show off the
power of his intelligence service. "He always does it that way
but most of his information are not intelligent or true." 
A diplomat in Rangoon said recently: "Watch Col Kyaw Win, he is
a
rising star." Col Kyaw Win, Deputy Chief of the DDSI recently
made strong statements against Bangkok and dissidents in exile.
"He is relatively young and bright. But it is uncertain whether
he will become the head of DDSI," a diplomat said.  
 Journalist Bertil Lintner wrote in an article two years ago:
"Kyaw Win has on three separate occasions in his career served
directly under Than Shwe _ first as adjutant to Than Shwe when he
served as commander of the 88th LID in the late 1970s, then as
chief intelligence officer of the same unit. Kyaw Win is still
very close to Than Shwe and has only formal relations with Khin
Nyunt." 
Thus, the assumption is Col Kyaw Win was placed by Than Shwe and
the anti-Khin Nyunt faction to watch Khin Nyunt. 
In any case, Khin Nyunt's recent statement indicated that he has
no intelligence information nor a clear understanding and
knowledge of the outside world, even his neighbouring countries. 

BANGKOK LAUNCHES SWEEP AGAINST ILLEGALS

BY KYAW SWA

Recently, Thai authorities stepped up a crack-down on illegal
aliens. Thousands of Burmese, Cambodians, Laotians, Indians and
Chinese were arrested and deported to border areas.
Hundreds of Burmese are arrested and detained and are waiting to
be deported to the border areas. Their crime? _ illegally
entering Thailand.
Despite the crackdown many more Burmese are coming to Thailand.
Last month, the Interior Ministry ordered the Police Department
to crack down on illegal immigrants in order to protect national
security. More than 500,000 illegal immigrants are now in the
country, a ministry source said. The same source added that
Burmese make up the highest number.
 Thai authorities, NGOs and concerned individuals have expressed
their concern on  the matter. The immediate question is how to
control or halt the continued illegal immigration. Is there any
plan at all to address this problem? To date, the answer is no.
A police officer recently said: "The country's border stretches
to about 800 kilometres, so it is difficult for us to prevent
illegal entries." He also admitted that corruption is rampant
among the Thai police and immigration officials.
As Thai police regularly conduct raids around Suthisan,
Bangkhaen, Ramkhamhaeng, Ladphrao, as well as Chiag Mai, Mae Sot
and other provinces. 
As a result Burmese asylum seekers were rounded up and detained
at the Immigration Detention Centre. Many Burmese including
political asylum seekers revealed their stories as they were
caught by police and sold farms or fishing boats.
A Burmese man, Maung Maung was arrested near Kanchanaburi
province. Police took all his money (about 3,000 Baht).
Afterwards, police promised to set him free. He was put in jail
for one week. 
One evening, he was taken out by police to a house where he met
five more Burmese and Mons. They were told police sold them to
work on fishing boats. Police received 4,000 Baht for each
person. 
At midnight Maung Maung and Mons tried to escape.    
Despite this, Maung Maung has no intention to return to Burma.
His wife work in a factory near Kanchanaburi area. "About 200
workers, all Karens and Burmans, have been working there for
years. The owner told us not to go out, if we did, he won't
guarantee our security," Maung Maung said. 
"It is hard for us to make the decision to leave our home, but
the situation is so bad that we have no choice but to come to
Thailand," said a Shan illegal worker.
But Sai Khun Pha said he is homesick and wants to go back home.
"Do you think I'm happy here?" He shook his head. But he said,
"It's easier to earn money in Thailand." He added he left because
of Burmese soldiers. In 1989, Sai Khun Pha was forced to work for
the Burmese army for a week. He could not pay the 5,000 Kyat
fine, the amount needed to avoid conscription. "How can I
possibly raise this amount?"
A Burmese prostitute, Thanda, 19, was arrested in Chiang Mai
three months ago. She was taken to Bangkok where she received
good care from an NGO. When asked if she wishes to go back to
Burma, she said, "I miss my home but I now have no money I want
to save the money first." But Thanda said she will not go back to
work as prostitute but find a job in a factory in Bangkok.
Thailand's dilemma is it needs cheap labour at the same time the
authorities want to send all illegal immigrants back to their own
countries. 
While Thai authorities have taken tough measures against the
illegal aliens there is strong opposition against it. They
included businessmen, some government officials, NGOs and
individuals. They argue these illegal immigrants should be better
treated.
Charnvit Kasetsiri, rector of Tham-masat University, argues Thai
businessmen and politicians who have taken advantage of Burma's
resources, as well as its cheap and illegal labour which fled to
Thailand to escape Slorc persecution. 

HOLIDAT IN HELL

A family decided to spend their summer vacation at the
newly-opened resort beach near Chaung Tha, which is believed to
be run by the army. While the whole family was in the water a
teenage girl was molested by a soldier who was also in the water.
It was found out later that the soldier was working at the
resort.  
The family went back to Rangoon _ their holiday having been a
real disaster. A family member who used to work in UN did not
dare to complain but told this story to his close associates
saying, "Please tell others if they bring their daughters, they
will be harassed or molested like my daughter."
(Inside sources)

KAREN WHO SPEAK NO KAREN

Regarding the recent serious incursions into Thai soil, some Thai
military officers and media blamed the refugees and said the
intruders were Buddhist Karens and not Burmese soldiers. However,
independent sources in Mae Sot confirmed that most of the
intruders were Burmese soldiers. Last month, four intruders who
claimed to be DKBA members were caught. When investigations began
none of them spoke Karen and one reportedly admitted he is from
Light Infantry Division (LID) No 110. (Sources in Mae Sot)

BACK IN PRINT?

BIG reported that two well-known magazines were shut down in
Rangoon. (See: Vol.3 No.16) In following upon the closure we
found out that Kyi-pwa-yay magazine might be permitted to reopen
and might continue to publish its monthly-business magazine. 
Sources close to Kyi-Pwa-yay reported that the editor, Myat Khine
negotiated with some officers from the Press Scrutiny Board as
well as powerful Slorc members. 
As Myat Khine himself is close to some Slorc ministers and his
magazine itself supports Slorc's Visit Myanmar Year and open
market economy it is believed that officials decided to reopen
his magazine. But sources said the military intelligence
suspected that Myat Khine leaked the closure of his magazine to
BIG and The Nation in Thailand. (The Nation May 12, Slorc intent
on switching off the flickering lights of Myanmar)


NO RETURN TACKET TO RANGOON

A well-established businessman from Singapore was in hot water as
he brought a pretty Burmese girl to his hotel room. 
After visiting Karaoke club in Ran-goon the businessman took one
of the girls to his hotel room. But the trouble began at the
reception, he was told to register his "special guest." The
Singaporean refused to do so 
"This is not a way to do it," he said. "But in Burma you must
register whoever you bring to your room this is our regulation,"
a hotel manager said. As they continued to argue the hotel called
police and officials. Next day, the businessman packed his bag
and went back to Singapore as his visa was revoked. 
(Inside sources)


   


BURMA INFORMATION GROUP: IRRAWADDY NEWS

------------------------THE IRRAWADDY----------------------------
                         ===========
------------------INDEPENDENT NEWS & INFORMATION-----------------
                    ==========================
--------------------VOL.3, NO.17, 31 MAY 1995--------------------
                    =========================

CONTENT:
ARTICLE: AUNG SAN SUU KYI: BETWEEN SLORC AND A HARDLINES
ARTICLE: HOLE APPEARS IN KHIN NYUNT'S INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
ARTICLE: BANGKOK LAUNCHES SWEEP AGAINST ILLEGALS
INSIDE STORIES: HOLIDAT IN HELL
INSIDE STORIES: KAREN WHO SPEAK NO KAREN
INSIDE STORIES: BACK IN PRINT?
INSIDE STORIES: NO RETURN TICKET TO RANGOON

-----------------------------------------------------------------
AUNG SAN SUU KYI: BETWEEN SLORC AND A HARDLINES

BY AUNG ZAW 

During his visit to Rangoon last year, US Con gressman Bill
Richardson was told by de tained leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be
sure to ring the bell at the Shwedagon Pagoda before he left. By
doing so, he would herald a return trip at some future date. 
It is not known whether the US lawmaker followed Suu Kyi's advice
but his follow up visit to Burma earlier this week was fraught
with difficulties. 
Despite fears that Richardson's trip would be cancelled by junta
leaders at the last minute, he eventually made it to the Burmese
capital. Just before the trip a Burmese veteran journalist based
in Rangoon said: "They won't let him to see 'the woman.' They
don't want to see him." 
As the journalist predicted Richardson's wishes were not
fulfilled. Richardson's request to meet Burma's most prominent
opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi
was denied.
Richardson described his latest trip as "unsuccessful,
frustrating and disappointing. "I was stiffed. I failed. I was
unable to see Aung San Suu Kyi." 
At the Foreign Correspondents of Thailand (FCCT) Richardson
expressed his disappointment, frustration and anger. 
"There is no commitment to resume a dialogue with Aung San Suu
Kyi. It is my view that she will not be released by July 19." 
Richardson did, however, meet Burma's most powerful intelligence
chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. 
Khin Nyunt who Richardson considers a moderating force among the
top Slorc leadership, reiterated his earlier position that Suu
Kyi is surrounded by communists and that her supporters had been
forgotten her. 
There had been promising signs last year that political progress
was being made when Slorc leaders allowed Richard-son to meet Suu
Kyi, and the London-based Burmese monk, U Rewatta Dham-ma was
acting as a go-between for Slorc and Suu Kyi. 
Since the beginning of this year analysts have noted the return
of a hard-line faction within Slorc. As a result, the
headquarters of Karen and dissidents were attacked and captured
and refugees seeking refuge on Thai soil were attacked by
marauding Burmese army. Dissidents have been facing stepped-up
severe surveillance, arbitrary arrests and detention. 
A Rangoon-based diplomat who asked to be called James said: "The
hard-line faction put pressure on Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt not to let
Richardson to meet Aung San Suu Kyi. He suggested, "Why don't he
(Richardson) try to meet Gen Maung Aye (vice-chairman of Slorc)
so that to know his position on Suu Kyi. 
"It is obvious there is another faction [within Slorc] on the Suu
Kyi matter so there is not only Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt we have to meet
and talk to," he added.
James said Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba, Lt-Gen Htun Kyi, Foreign Minister Ohn
Gyaw are real hardliners.
Michael Myint, a well-connected Burmese businessman in Rangoon
said, "Last year, they (Slorc leaders) decided to meet her in
good faith but she didn't want to 'compromise' with them." 
The Slorc leaders made conditions that Suu Kyi could not accept
sources in Rangoon suggested including - Slorc's bottom line is
that Suu Kyi must quit Burmese politics or go into exile, . 
Michael Myint continued: "They (Slorc leaders) do not care if Suu
Kyi cannot accept their conditions, they have money and power so
they will continue their own way." 
James said one group, possibly led by Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt wanted to
play a PR game to gain more international kudos. 
"This group care about their image, want aid and recognition," he
added.

HOLE APPEAR IN KHIN NYUNT'S INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

A CORRESPONDENT

Perhaps Burma's powerful military in telligence chief Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt has no intelligence but only intentions to make more
enemies. 
Khin Nyunt raised many eyebrows when he accused Thai politicians
of stocking border tensions between Ran-goon and Bangkok.
The state-owned New Light of Myanmar quoted Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as
saying that "some Thai politicians traditionally turn to
diversionary tactics whenever they face an unstable political
situation." He said recent border tension was the result of a
"political ploy" by Thai politicians to "divert" the attention of
the Thai people from a political crisis.
But at the time of the serious incursions by Burmese soldiers it
was no one but Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who said Burma did not regard
any existing misunderstanding with its neighbours as a serious
problem. 
Khin Nyunt, however, has changed his tone and said, "Such border
problems were created by the "self-seeking" Thai politicians and
were aided and abetted by the foreign media, some
non-governmental organizations and lackeys of foreign governments
bearing ill-will against the Slorc."
Why did Khin Nyunt make such a brazen attack? Is it sheer
ignorance or poor intelligence? 
Surin Pitsuwan, Acting Foreign Minister of Thailand, rebuffed
Khin Nyunt saying, "No one could set up border conflicts with
Burma as a political ploy." Then Surin went to the point: "I
don't think Mr Khin Nyunt understands that Thailand is a
democratic country, which is totally different to Burma."  
In fact, it was not the first time Khin Nyunt made a such strange
statement. In 1990 Khin Nyunt made a 7-hour long speech in which
he alleged the democracy movement in Burma was created by the
Communist Party of Burma. Ironically, at the time, the CPB which
was based near the China border had collapsed because serious
mutiny. Besides,  the handful of senior communist leaders did not
pay serious attention to the urban-led democracy movement.  
On April 1, Khin Nyunt spoke at the closing ceremony of Special
Refresher Course No.15 for Basic Education Teachers.
Again, he accused Khun Sa of using his wealth of drug money to
organize many "bogus organizations with former Shan rebels who
escaped to foreign countries, including the United States, to
indulge in anti-Myanmar activities." Nine such groups had
attended a conference in New York in January which was organized
by the Shan State Association (USA) which Khin Nyunt said was a
drug trafficking organization.
He also accused Karen leader Gen Mya, a Khun Sa colleague "with
whom he has been secretly trafficking in heroin since 1991." 
He also named Peter Bourne, a former adviser to the Carter
Administration on anti-narcotics, as an example of "some
influential persons in the US" Khun Sa was trying to gain the
sympathy of. 
Chao Tzang (Eugene Thaike), son of the first president of Burma
who helped organize the Shan Conference in New York spoke to
Burma Alert bulletin in Canada. "If you look carefully at Khin
Nyunt's speech, you will notice that his claims are not true. For
example, it is not true that everybody except Khun Sa has stopped
opium production. It is also well-known that Bo Mya is not
engaged in drug trafficking. Either Khin Nyunt is trying to fool
the Burmese public or the quality of the intelligence he is
receiving from his spy network is very poor."
Chao Tzang continued: "From his allegations, I think Khin Nyunt
must have a very high opinion of Khun Sa and his organization. I
do not need to attend a course in Ho Merng given by Khun Sa in
order to learn how the world works. Khin Nyunt's allegations
about Peter Bourne shows how ignorant he is about how things work
in US. Maybe he needs to take one of Khun Sa's political
courses."
Indeed, the question again is: how did Khin Nyunt find out the
information? As a military intelligence chief does he really know
what is going on around him or is he just trying to make up
stories? Or Khin Nyunt still think that whatever he say will be
believed and listened by Burmese people. 
In the past, it was claimed that Khin Nyunt maintained one of the
most efficient military intelligence service in Asia. 
But now it may not be true. 
Since Khin Nyunt cannot find out the information for himself he
must rely on his men. But the question again is who can he trust?
Who has given him the false information?
It is possible that Khin Nyunt's trustworthy network in Thailand
has been receiving wrong information from some unreliable
sources. 
Or else is there ploy within DDSI try to ridicule Khin Nyunt or
hurt the DDSI?
Nevertheless, a source in Rangoon suggested Khin Nyunt's rival
faction has penetrated the DDSI. The result was that some of Khin
Nyunt's men were replaced or transferred. 
One Burma observer suggested Khin Nyunt wants to show off the
power of his intelligence service. "He always does it that way
but most of his information are not intelligent or true." 
A diplomat in Rangoon said recently: "Watch Col Kyaw Win, he is
a
rising star." Col Kyaw Win, Deputy Chief of the DDSI recently
made strong statements against Bangkok and dissidents in exile.
"He is relatively young and bright. But it is uncertain whether
he will become the head of DDSI," a diplomat said.  
 Journalist Bertil Lintner wrote in an article two years ago:
"Kyaw Win has on three separate occasions in his career served
directly under Than Shwe _ first as adjutant to Than Shwe when he
served as commander of the 88th LID in the late 1970s, then as
chief intelligence officer of the same unit. Kyaw Win is still
very close to Than Shwe and has only formal relations with Khin
Nyunt." 
Thus, the assumption is Col Kyaw Win was placed by Than Shwe and
the anti-Khin Nyunt faction to watch Khin Nyunt. 
In any case, Khin Nyunt's recent statement indicated that he has
no intelligence information nor a clear understanding and
knowledge of the outside world, even his neighbouring countries. 

BANGKOK LAUNCHES SWEEP AGAINST ILLEGALS

BY KYAW SWA

Recently, Thai authorities stepped up a crack-down on illegal
aliens. Thousands of Burmese, Cambodians, Laotians, Indians and
Chinese were arrested and deported to border areas.
Hundreds of Burmese are arrested and detained and are waiting to
be deported to the border areas. Their crime? _ illegally
entering Thailand.
Despite the crackdown many more Burmese are coming to Thailand.
Last month, the Interior Ministry ordered the Police Department
to crack down on illegal immigrants in order to protect national
security. More than 500,000 illegal immigrants are now in the
country, a ministry source said. The same source added that
Burmese make up the highest number.
 Thai authorities, NGOs and concerned individuals have expressed
their concern on  the matter. The immediate question is how to
control or halt the continued illegal immigration. Is there any
plan at all to address this problem? To date, the answer is no.
A police officer recently said: "The country's border stretches
to about 800 kilometres, so it is difficult for us to prevent
illegal entries." He also admitted that corruption is rampant
among the Thai police and immigration officials.
As Thai police regularly conduct raids around Suthisan,
Bangkhaen, Ramkhamhaeng, Ladphrao, as well as Chiag Mai, Mae Sot
and other provinces. 
As a result Burmese asylum seekers were rounded up and detained
at the Immigration Detention Centre. Many Burmese including
political asylum seekers revealed their stories as they were
caught by police and sold farms or fishing boats.
A Burmese man, Maung Maung was arrested near Kanchanaburi
province. Police took all his money (about 3,000 Baht).
Afterwards, police promised to set him free. He was put in jail
for one week. 
One evening, he was taken out by police to a house where he met
five more Burmese and Mons. They were told police sold them to
work on fishing boats. Police received 4,000 Baht for each
person. 
At midnight Maung Maung and Mons tried to escape.    
Despite this, Maung Maung has no intention to return to Burma.
His wife work in a factory near Kanchanaburi area. "About 200
workers, all Karens and Burmans, have been working there for
years. The owner told us not to go out, if we did, he won't
guarantee our security," Maung Maung said. 
"It is hard for us to make the decision to leave our home, but
the situation is so bad that we have no choice but to come to
Thailand," said a Shan illegal worker.
But Sai Khun Pha said he is homesick and wants to go back home.
"Do you think I'm happy here?" He shook his head. But he said,
"It's easier to earn money in Thailand." He added he left because
of Burmese soldiers. In 1989, Sai Khun Pha was forced to work for
the Burmese army for a week. He could not pay the 5,000 Kyat
fine, the amount needed to avoid conscription. "How can I
possibly raise this amount?"
A Burmese prostitute, Thanda, 19, was arrested in Chiang Mai
three months ago. She was taken to Bangkok where she received
good care from an NGO. When asked if she wishes to go back to
Burma, she said, "I miss my home but I now have no money I want
to save the money first." But Thanda said she will not go back to
work as prostitute but find a job in a factory in Bangkok.
Thailand's dilemma is it needs cheap labour at the same time the
authorities want to send all illegal immigrants back to their own
countries. 
While Thai authorities have taken tough measures against the
illegal aliens there is strong opposition against it. They
included businessmen, some government officials, NGOs and
individuals. They argue these illegal immigrants should be better
treated.
Charnvit Kasetsiri, rector of Tham-masat University, argues Thai
businessmen and politicians who have taken advantage of Burma's
resources, as well as its cheap and illegal labour which fled to
Thailand to escape Slorc persecution. 

HOLIDAT IN HELL

A family decided to spend their summer vacation at the
newly-opened resort beach near Chaung Tha, which is believed to
be run by the army. While the whole family was in the water a
teenage girl was molested by a soldier who was also in the water.
It was found out later that the soldier was working at the
resort.  
The family went back to Rangoon _ their holiday having been a
real disaster. A family member who used to work in UN did not
dare to complain but told this story to his close associates
saying, "Please tell others if they bring their daughters, they
will be harassed or molested like my daughter."
(Inside sources)

KAREN WHO SPEAK NO KAREN

Regarding the recent serious incursions into Thai soil, some Thai
military officers and media blamed the refugees and said the
intruders were Buddhist Karens and not Burmese soldiers. However,
independent sources in Mae Sot confirmed that most of the
intruders were Burmese soldiers. Last month, four intruders who
claimed to be DKBA members were caught. When investigations began
none of them spoke Karen and one reportedly admitted he is from
Light Infantry Division (LID) No 110. (Sources in Mae Sot)

BACK IN PRINT?

BIG reported that two well-known magazines were shut down in
Rangoon. (See: Vol.3 No.16) In following upon the closure we
found out that Kyi-pwa-yay magazine might be permitted to reopen
and might continue to publish its monthly-business magazine. 
Sources close to Kyi-Pwa-yay reported that the editor, Myat Khine
negotiated with some officers from the Press Scrutiny Board as
well as powerful Slorc members. 
As Myat Khine himself is close to some Slorc ministers and his
magazine itself supports Slorc's Visit Myanmar Year and open
market economy it is believed that officials decided to reopen
his magazine. But sources said the military intelligence
suspected that Myat Khine leaked the closure of his magazine to
BIG and The Nation in Thailand. (The Nation May 12, Slorc intent
on switching off the flickering lights of Myanmar)


NO RETURN TACKET TO RANGOON

A well-established businessman from Singapore was in hot water as
he brought a pretty Burmese girl to his hotel room. 
After visiting Karaoke club in Ran-goon the businessman took one
of the girls to his hotel room. But the trouble began at the
reception, he was told to register his "special guest." The
Singaporean refused to do so 
"This is not a way to do it," he said. "But in Burma you must
register whoever you bring to your room this is our regulation,"
a hotel manager said. As they continued to argue the hotel called
police and officials. Next day, the businessman packed his bag
and went back to Singapore as his visa was revoked. 
(Inside sources)