BurmaNet News: October 29, 1995 #26

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Received: (from strider) by igc4.igc.apc.org (8.6.12/Revision: 1.15 ) id QAA23885; Mon, 30 Oct 1995 16:52:04 -0800
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 16:52:04 -0800
Subject: BurmaNet News: October 29, 1995 #265


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

The BurmaNet News: October 29, 1995
Issue #265

Noted in Passing:
"I'm concerned that a certain country in this region is still
spending a huge budget on building up its arms which we are
concerned about. - Thai Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, 
in reference to Burma.  (quoted in: NATION: CHINA TELLS 
CHAVALIT AID TO BURMA ENDED)


HEADLINES:
==========
NMSP: NAI SHWE KYIN'S SPEECH TO THE SLORC IN RANGOON
INDEPENDENT REPORT: REPORT FROM INDIA
ISBDA: NICHIMEN OF JAPAN TO COOPERATE SLORC IN AGRICULTURE
ISBDA: JAPAN TO HELP SLORC  IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INDEPENDENT LETTER: IMF SUPPORT FOR SLORC
ASAHI EVENING NEWS: JAPAN TO RESTORE AID TO BURMA
INDEPENDENT REPORT: TOUR TO BURMA
INDEPENDENT LETTER: RE: TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR
NATION: CHINA TELLS CHAVALIT AID TO BURMA ENDED
NATION: THIRTY RELEASED EARLY FROM BURMESE PRISON
BKK POST: BURMA ALSO TO BLAME FOR RIVER ENCROACHING
**************************************

Produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G)
and the Research Department of the ABSDF {MTZ}  

The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma.
Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire
services and the Internet as well as original material are published.               

The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is
also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l
mailing lists and is also available via the reg.burma
conference on the APC networks. For a free subscription to
the BurmaNet News, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxx   
   
In the body of the message, type "subscribe burmanet-l"
(without quotation marks) Letters to the editor, comments or
contributions of articles should be sent to the editor at: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx

-------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA VIA THE WEB AND GOPHER:
Information about Burma is available via the WorldWideWeb at:

FreeBurmaWWW http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/freeburma.html
[including back issues of the BurmaNet News as .txt files]
BurmaWeb:  http://www.uio.no/tormodl

Burma fonts: http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~lka/burmese-fonts/moe.html

Ethnologue Database(Myanmar):
    
http://www-ala.doc.ic.ac.uk/~rap/Ethnologue/eth.cgi/Myanmar 

TO ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA VIA GOPHER:

 gopher csf.colorado.edu.

Look under the International Political Economy section, then
select Geographic Archive, then Asia, then Burma. 
----------------------------------------------------------
BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST

BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different 
topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the 
following subjects, please direct email to the following volunteer 
coordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put you 
in contact with someone who can:

Arakan/Rohingya/Burma-	Michael W. Charney: GoMaha@xxxxxxx
Bangladesh Border	
Campus activism: 	tlandon@xxxxxxx
Boycott campaigns: [Pepsi]   wcsbeau@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     
Buddhism:                    Buddhist Relief Mission:  brelief@xxxxxxx
Chin history/culture:        plilian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Fonts:                  		tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
History of Burma:            zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kachin history/culture:      74750.1267@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Karen history/culture: 	Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mon history/culture:         [volunteer needed]
Naga history/culture: 	Wungram Shishak:  z954001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Burma-India border            [volunteer needed]
Pali literature:            	 "Palmleaf":  c/o burmanet@xxxxxxxxxxx
Shan history/culture:        [volunteer needed]
Shareholder activism:       simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   
Tourism campaigns:      	bagp@xxxxxxxxxx     "Attn. S.Sutcliffe"   
World Wide Web:              FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx
Volunteering:           	christin@xxxxxxxxxx  

[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]

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

NMSP: NAI SHWE KYIN'S SPEECH TO THE SLORC IN RANGOON
August 30, 1995

The Speech of Nai Shwe Kyin, President of the New Mon State Party,
at the Ministry of Border Development in Rangoon
August 30, 1995

(Nai Shwe Kyin orally translated his speech from Burmese to English, and
I transcribed his translation.  Any errors are my mistake. - Christina Fink)

Respected senior general Khin Nyunt, all other members of the State Law
and Order Restoration Council, and ministers and officers of your respective 
ministries:

For eternal peace in the country, for the development of the country into a 
modern state, and for reconciliation in the whole country, we have come here
to meet with the officers of the State Law and Order Restoration Council.

During the Thaton, Suwannaphumi, and Pagan periods and again today, we 
Mon and Burman brethren have worked together.  We have jointly struggled 
for the existence of our country.  We have both inherited Buddhism, which 
came from India 2000 years ago, and together we have spread it all over the 
country.  United through Buddhism, we have experienced good and bad together.  
During the latter part of our history, in the Hongsawaddy, Toungoo, Ava, and 
Konbaung dynasties, the Mon and the Burmans became less united because 
of the ambitions of Mon and Burman kings.

In 1885, we became a colony under imperialist rule.  Refusing to be dominated 
by the colonial powers, we fought together against the imperialists.  Mon 
anti-imperialist leaders include a rich man by the name of Nai Auk, who 
struggled against the British in the Irrawaddy inland waterways, and he also 
used his riches to built pagodas and other religious structures for Buddhism. 
Another, Thammada Chit Hlaing, set up a petroleum factory in Thilohwa to 
compete with the British Oil Company, which ended up resulting in his 
bankruptcy. He was also known as Wathanu U Chit Lyne, and his name was 
known all over the country when he worked as a national leader.  Before
World War II, he even became the chairman of the legislative council.
	
During the period of rebellion against the imperialist powers, when
the Thirty Comrades fought against the British and the Japanese, thousands 
of Mon worked together with the Burmans.  After independence in 1948, 
even though other nationalities were accorded their respective rights, the 
Mon were not.  So because of dissatisfaction from that time onwards, the
Mon have had to engage in a civil war in Burma for nearly half a century.  
We brethren have had to fight against each other.
	
Just as good citizens from our side were lost, so the Burmese Army also 
lost several lives because of the civil war.  The people countrywide 
suffered too, and development in the country has stagnated.  That is why 
all the people wanted this abominable civil war to stop so that they might 
achieve lasting peace.  They were longing for peace, and we should not 
leave a legacy of war to posterity.

To upgrade the quality of life for the people and to serve them again, we 
should sacrifice our selfishness together with our parties'' narrow interests.  
And we should respect the wishes of the people rather than the interests
of individuals and political parties.

Instead of resolving our differences through arms, we should resolve them 
through a dialogue in which we have equal status.  The international 
community demands that we two groups meet together to bring about 
peace in the country instead of continuing to fight with weapons.  That is 
why on June 29, the New Mon State Party and the SLORC came to a 
successful cease-fire agreement.

We should forget all the losses suffered on both sides.  We should forgive 
each other.  We should stop hating and start loving each other.  We should 
treat each other as brothers again.

With our reconciliation we should endeavor to develop our country.  The 
world today is also looking forward to the end of armed conflict and the 
expansion of economic development.  We should rebuild the country so 
that it is economically independent and can be accepted in the international 
community as one of the progressive countries.  Only with a modernized 
open-market economy can we raise the standard of living of the people.  
	
Because ours is a country of many nationalities, the unity of all these 
ethnic nationalities is very important.  We should work from the 
basic principle of the equality of all brethren so that we can build up a 
true union.  Only after a brotherhood of equality has been established 
can a true union be built.  

We should not pride ourselves for being in the majority instead of
the minority or being part of stronger rather than weaker groups.  We should
give up all these attitudes.  Instead we should follow the Burmese saying
that the crow and the wild pheasant respect each other.  We should adopt
that attitude and put love first.  We must not destroy our nest, but find a
way to go on living together.

I would like to relate an experience I had.  In 1992, I went to the Moral 
Re-armament Association Conference in Switzerland.  Switzerland is 
united into a federation with more than 20 cantons.  In that country 
there are four official languages: German, French, Italian, and a native 
language mixed with Latin.  At that conference, a professor from a 
Swiss university came and gave a lecture.  He said, "my country is a
small country, but we have 4 official languages.  Is that too much?"
He explained that the three former languages are quite stable, but the
native language is used less and less, so now the Swiss government
has to actively support it so that it doesn't die out.  Because the 
government is looking after that language, it is still alive.
	
In our country, we should adapt what they've been doing in Switzerland.  
We shouldn't copy their policies exactly, but we should adapt them
to the situation in our country.  I urge that we preserve the various 
languages, cultures, and literatures of our country just like the
progressive countries of the world are doing.

Even though we Mon have a long history of having our own language,
literature, and culture, because we don't have the privilege of developing
them, they are lagging behind other languages and other people.  We Mon
haven't received our due rights under the previous governments.  Only
in 1974 did the Mon State come into existence.  Only then were the Mon
recognized as a separate people.  
	
Former governments failed to stop the armed conflict, and it has only 
been during the SLORC period that this cease-fire agreement was able to 
be reached.  The realization of this cease-fire has been gladly welcomed not 
only by the NMSP, but also by other armed organizations and other political 
parties as well as the monks and the people.  To retain our sovereignty, the 
unity of all ethnic groups is the primary objective.  Only after that can peace 
and tranquillity, an open market, and regional development materialize.

The negative effect of the armed conflict has been that our country's progress 
has been slowed down.  To rebuild our country, we must take 10 steps forward 
for every one step that other peoples take, so that we can catch up with them.  
We should try our hardest, both physically and spiritually.

I have full confidence in the SLORC, so on behalf of the Mon people and the 
New Mon State Party, I have come to meet the head of SLORC and
the SLORC leaders.

To attain harmony among all the ethnic nationalities, the New Mon
State Party will try its best to encourage them to accept cease-fire agreements.
I strongly believe that if the SLORC, together with all the other
ethnic groups and other political parties can sit together and discuss possible
solutions, we can surely find a workable policy for the future of our union.

In conclusion, in order to have very warm relations between all ethnic groups, 
to ensure the longevity of our sovereignty, to uplift the standard of living 
of the people, and to rebuild our country into a moral and progressive nation, 
the New Mon State Party will work together with the State Law and Order 
Restoration Council to the best of its abilities.  With that, I conclude my speech.

Thank you all very much.

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

INDEPENDENT REPORT: REPORT FROM INDIA
October 27, 1995

Nonviolence International funded by the National Endowment for Democracy
sent Bob Helvey, Dr. Vum Son and myself to India to respond to the request
of pro-democracy groups for a course in nonviolent struggle.

We taught a 14 day course in late September and early October which was
attended by 80 participants. Participants came from a large spectrum of
the anti-SLORC groups including:
NLD/LA
NCGUB
ABSL- All Burma Students League
ABSDF (Western Border)
Chin Liberation Organization
Chin United Movement
Chin National Front
Overseas Chin Organization
Arakan Students Congress
All Burma Young Monks Union (Arakan)
All Burma Young Monks Union
Arakan League for Democracy
Kachin Student Congress
Federation of Trade Union, Burma (Western Border)
WRWAB-Women's Group
Independent Students and people

The number of groups is an indication of the growing strength of the
anti-SLORC forces.  Demonstrating in New Delhi is as easy as 
demonstrating in Washington, DC.  On Sept 18, 1995, 80 Burmese 
demonstrated on the streets near the Burmese embassy.  The police 
were most cooperative and blocked off a major road to allow the one 
hour demonstration.  Burmese are not hassled, jailed, or extorted by 
the Indian authorities as they are in other countries such as Thailand. 
 The course was held in New Delhi where a few hundred Burmese live.

A number of new initiatives are worthy of notice.
1) The Committee for Nonviolent Action in Burma.
This is the first coalition of groups in India. It will facilitate and
coordinate activities on the border and inside Burma in support of Aung
San Suu Kyi.  All of the major groups participate.=20

2) The Computer Coordinating Committee, made up of a coalition of groups
which will coordinate computer and internet resources.

3)The Chin National Council, formed a New Delhi chapter at a meeting of
about 50 people.  Swedish, German, US, and other chapters are in
formation.

4) The Chin Student Congress formed with more than 40 students attending
an opening congress.

5) A number of working committees of the Committee for Nonviolent Action
in Burma have been set up including a refugee committee, (there are 40,000
Chin refugees in Mizoram), a boycott Pepsi committee, a lobbying
committee, and an artists/musicians/poets group.

There are conflicts between the different pro-democracy groups in India.
This is quite normal and OK. They all support Aung San Suu Kyi.  The
biggest changes going on is the increased communication and cooperation
between the Chin groups and the Burmans.  This is what SLORC most fears.

Forced labor and many forms of onerous taxation and restrictions continue
in western Burma.  Ethnic Burman have been moved into the Chin Hills as a
provocative attempt at Burmanization.  Border trade increases but not
greatly.

Indian authorities are less friendly when dealing with the CNF, the NUPA,
National United Party of Arakan, or the Arakan Liberation Party, ALP.
These groups have armed units along the border and have been accused of
cooperating with Indian (and Bangladesh) insurgent groups.  India tortured
and killed a few CNF leaders this April.

India is seen as the best ally for the pro-democracy movement because of
the concerns that Burma will increasingly become a client state of China
and that a democratic government in Burma will be good for India's
interests. My experience there leads me to the same conclusion.

Burmese activists in India need resources. Money, computers, and more 
money. They deserve the kind of support we have given the Thai side.


Michael Beer
mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

ISBDA: JAPAN TO HELP SLORC  IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
October 26, 1995

Japanese Business and Technology newspaper 'Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun' 
reported today that Japanese government is planning to help the Burmese 
military regime through a pseudo-governmental body named 'Kokusai Johoka Kyoryoku Senta'
(Center for International Cooperation in Communication) CICC. 

According to the report, the Center guides various projects on
modernization of communication structures in the countries of  Asia, Middle
East and Latin America regions through their governments. 

As preliminary work has been done in Tokyo, CICC will send its
representatives to Burma for hearing (interviewing) and opinion exchanges
with  the military-controlled government agencies. After these visits, CICC
will send  Japanese experts to Burma to give technical seminars and also to
set collaborative  research programs for implementation of the proposed
projects. The plan also includes categorical acceptance of technical
trainees sent by SLORC,  opening of technical seminars in Burma, and
offering hi-tech instruments required by the government agencies.

Although the report did not mention the name and total cost of project, it
is expected that  to power-up SLORCÕs intelligence branches, the CICC will
offer the regime a duplicate of the 'IT2000 Program' designed for increase of
computer facilities like those which are used by the Government of Vietnam.  

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

ISBDA: NICHIMEN OF JAPAN TO COOPERATE SLORC IN AGRICULTURE
October 27, 1995 (abridged)

Nichimen's president Mr. Akira Watari and his group are planning to see 
SLORC leaders in  November.  Although the details prepared for the closed-door
meeting are not  available, it is expected to make agreements for trade and
investment in Burma. 

Japanese giants such as Marubeni, Mitsui & Co, Mitsubishi Shoji, Nissho
Iwai and Sumitomo Shoji have recently signed agreements  to work  with the
military government  in Burma. All these conducts followed after Japanese
government's encouragement  in February to do business with SLORC by 
issuing insurance policies for Japan money to be invested in Burma.

It is important to note here that the Japanese business watchdog body has
decided this week to punish all these trading houses to return a total of
1.6 million dollars as a  fine to the government because  misconduct 
practiced by these companies in sharing Japanese ODA funds was partly
exposed.

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

INDEPENDENT LETTER: IMF SUPPORT FOR SLORC

Dear Burma Activists:

I have just received a copy of a press story that appeared recently in the
Japanese press.

According to the story, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seriously
considering a package of assistance for the SLORC.  If this assistance is
granted by the IMF, it would greatly improve the SLORC's chances to attract
foreign investment. 

Since releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, the SLORC has been working hard to obtain
assistance from the IMF and World Bank. IMF and World Bank officials have
visited Burma in the last few months and have met repeatedly with SLORC
officials.

Ironically, the IMF appears to be giving the SLORC extra consideration for
its release of Aung San Suu Kyi even though she has specifically stated that
nothing has changed in Burma since her release and that governments and
corporations should not "rush" to invest in Burma.

The story names Japan, France, Germany and Switzerland as some of the
countries that support this assistance package. It should be noted that,
although the United States has opposed IMF and World Bank assistance to
Burma in the past, the United States represents only 18% of the vote on the
IMF Board.  Consequently, the IMF could approve the assistance package to
the SLORC over US opposition.

I would suggest that Burma action groups and concerned individuals in Japan,
France, Germany and Switzerland lobby and organize demonstrations against
their government to stop supporting IMF assistance to the SLORC. 

The Massachusetts Campaign for a Free Burma will deliver letters of concern
to the Japanese, French, German and Swiss consulates in Boston to protest
this action. We urge other Burma action groups to take similar action.

Please post details of your actions on Burmanet. Please email me directly if
you have any questions or ideas on how to move forward this new aspect of
the campaign for a Free Burma.

Simon Billenness
Massachusetts Campaign for a Free Burma

---------------------------------------------------

Subject: Myanmar Central Bank Governor on IMF Aid

Source: Tokyo-based Japanese-lanaguage daily newspaper, NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN
21 October 1995 morning edition, page 7

Author: Katsuhiko Iino

Text: Myanmar (Burmese) Central Bank Governor Kyi Aye, in a 20 October NIHON
KEIZAI SHIMBUN interview, said that the International Monetary Fund's (IMF)
Board of Executive Directors has decided to provide assistance to Myanmar,
and has submitted a proposal to the IMF's Board of Governors. This is the
first time the IMF has formed a policy to assist Myanmar since the 1988
military coup took place in the country. It is said that the IMF appreciated
the progress in Myanmar's shift to a market economy and the release of Aung
San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratization movement, from house arrest. If
the Board of Governors approves the proposal, Myanmar's change to a market
economy is likely to be further accelerated, and the introduction of foreign
investment will be spurred as well.

According to Kyi Aye, the proposal submitted by the IMF's Board of Executive
Directors to the Board of Governors is a technical assistance program called
a "Fund Monitoring Program", in wich the organization will inspect Myanmar's
economic situation and compile the necessary proposals for structural
reforms and funding.

If the Board of Governors, wich will hold a meeting as early as within the
next two weeks, approves the program, the assistance program for Myanmar
will officially begin, and eventually open the way for financial aid to the
country. Kyi Aye, expressed confidence in the Board of Directors' approval
of the program, because 1) the program is "strongly pushed" by the Board of
Executive Directors, and 2) Japan, Germany, France, Switzerland and other
countries support Myanmar.

Myanmar has been trying to eliminate its double exchange rate, wich
constitutes one of the stumbling blocks for the introduction of foreign
investment. It has asked for IMF's assistance as a "safety valve," to
prevent inflation, which is anticipated in the process of solving the double
rate problem. Having two exchange rates -- an official exchange rate of 5.75
kyats per dollar, and a parallel exchange rate of around 120 kyats per
dollar -- is "a little incovenient for foreign investment," Governor Kyi Aye
stated. It also results in a radical reduction of the tariff rate in real terms.

While the Myanmar Government has clearly stated that it will aim at unifying
the exchange rate, it was concerned that the forcible implementation of the
unification policy would cause a steep increase in the prices of imported
goods and would therefore bring about inflation.

Kyi Aye expressed his concern about the high rate of consumer price
increases, which is 22 percent at present, and disclosed a plan to raise the
intervention interest rate, which is 10.5 percent at present, to over 13
percent as early as next month to control inflation and raise the savings
rate. At the same time, the Governor stated that the government takes the
rice price increase seriously, and thus, "It has decided to put priority on
the supply for domestic consumers and will export only surplus rice."(end)

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

ASAHI EVENING NEWS: JAPAN TO RESTORE AID TO BURMA
October 28, 1995

Japan will resume non - humanitarian foreign aid grants to
Burma next week despite reports of continuing human rights
abuses there, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Initially, Tokyo will commit to 1.62 billion yen in aid.  The
papers for the aid will be signed Monday in Rangoon.

Japan, Burma's largest donor, suspended non - humanitarian
grants in September 1988 after a brutal military crackdown on
a pro - democracy uprising.  It did not cut off humanitarian aid,
but those projects have been small -scale.

After Burma's leaders freed opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi from house arrest in July, Japan said it would begin giving
Burma non - humanitarian grants again.

The grants will be used to build university buildings, to train
nurses and to purchase medical equipment, Japan's Foreign
Ministry said.  It said the need is critical because there are only
two nurses for every 10,000 people in Burma.

 - end of article-

brelief@xxxxxxx (Ken and Visakha Kawasaki) added the following: 

Letters protesting this unwarrented and untimely resumption of
ODA to the SLORC may be faxed to the following Japanese
officials in Tokyo.  (N.B. Foreign Minister Kono will be
meeting Gen. Maung Aye, No. 2 in SLORC,  in a few days).

Prime Minister Tomiichi MURAYAMA:  Fax: +81 3 3508-3502

Foreign Minister Yohei KONO:  Fax:  +81 3 3508-7503

Cabinet Secretary Kozo IGARASHI:  Fax:  +81 3  3502-5817

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

INDEPENDENT REPORT: TOUR TO BURMA
October 25, 1995  From Chochowin@xxxxxxx

Mountain Travel-Sobek, "The Adventure Company" ,is offering a 16 day  photo
trip to Burma(6-21 January '96), to be led by Nevada Wier. Land costs begin
at $3590. As the prospectus says, "A visit to Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a
chance to glimpse one of the last unspoiled, exotic areas of the world.
 ...the tour will focus on in-depth, cross-cultural experiences , and there
will be ample photo opportunities with personalized attention gear to the
needs of individuals..." etc. etc.
If we would like to write them a letter to set them straight, Richard Weiss
is Mountain Travel-Sobek president. Address: 6420 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito,
CA 94530-3606. Phone: 510-527-8100 or 1-800-227-2384. Fax: 510-525-7710.
Nevada Wier's phone number (in New Mexico) is 505-982-0877. Her partner, Tom
Stanley, can be reached at 800-282-8747, ext.3004

Editor's Note: Coban Tun added the following: 

If you want send a fax to the people above, e-mail me the text and I will 
be more than happy to do it for you. It is in my local area-code!!!
They will sure cancel tour if they know that they are getting a lot of
negative publicity.

Or you can fax via e-mail, by sending to:
remote-printer.Richard_Weiss/President@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If it bounces, let me know. 
Thanks
	Ct 

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

INDEPENDENT LETTER: RE: TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR
October 26, 1995    from Edith Mirante

Last Saturday, while camping at Bear Trap, Montana, I had a dream about
TIME Magazine's annual "Person of the Year" cover story.  I woke up
thinking we should at least try to campaign to get Time to feature Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi as Person of the Year for 1995.  Letters from readers do
seem to influence the decision process; at least the magazine publishes
some of them around the end of the year.  And what's the competition this
year -- Newt?  OJ?  Colin Powell?  Bill Gates??  So it would be nice if
people could write to them with reasons why Daw Suu should be Person of
the Year -- her courage in the face of oppression, unbroken spirit, link
to Beijing womens' conference, universality of human rights, message of
nonviolent resistence, etc.  Materials such as previous Time
(international) cover stories, Vanity Fair article, etc. could be
enclosed.  The address to write to is:  Time Magazine Letters, Time and
Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020 USA; fax
1-212-522-0601; e-mail:  Timeletter@xxxxxxx

Thanks,

Edith Mirante
Project Maje
14 Dartmouth Rd.
Cranford, NJ  07016 USA

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

NATION: CHINA TELLS CHAVALIT AID TO BURMA ENDED
October 28, 1995  Reuter

Defence minister relieved to learn of arms restrictions

DEFENCE Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said yesterday he has won
an assurance from China that Beijing would cease supporting the
military build-up of "a certain neighbour" of Thailand.

Chavalit, returning from an official visit to Beijing, did not
name the neighbour but was clearly referring to Burma when he
said he had raised Thailand's concern about an arms build-up in
his talks with Chinese leaders.

"We discussed my concern about the arms build-up in this region,
especially in our neighbouring country," he told reporters.

"I'm concerned that a certain country in this region is still
spending a huge budget on building up its arms which we are
concerned about," he said.

Diplomats in Rangoon say Burma's military has spent more than
US$1 billion since the early 1990s on weapons, including jet
fighters, artillery, armoured vehicles and naval patrol boats.

Chavalit said China had given him its assurance that it would
cease supporting the military build-up in that country.

"From now on I can reassure you on behalf of China that it will
be no more, definitely no more," he said in reference to China's
support for the arms build-up by Thailand's neighbour.

Most of Burma's arms come from China, but Singapore and various
European countries have also been selling weapons to Rangoon.

China's close military ties with Burma have raised concerns in
both south and southeast Asia that Beijing might be seeking
access to Burmese ports on the Bay of Bengal.

Chavalit said that Chinese officials had denied they were seeking
an outlet to the sea via the unnamed "certain country".

The New Aspiration Party leader, who has tried to increase his
local and international profile, visited Beijing with a senior
entourage including the chiefs of the Thai armed forces. They met
senior military and civilian leaders of China.

"We [Thai and Chinese officials] agreed that although there have
been some trouble spots in this region, things are moving towards
peaceful solutions," Chavalit said.

China also sells arms to Thailand and Chavalit's trip had prompted speculation 
that the visit might be linked to weapon deals. (part missing here)
officials denied that relations have been strained since the beginning of the year 
over various problems along the long, common land border and maritime boundary.

Both countries beefed up their forces along the border earlier this year after a 
series of raids into Thailand by ethnic minority guerrillas allied to the Rangoon 
government.

Chavalit visited Burma when tension peaked, and his personal
connections with some military leaders in Rangoon helped calm
down the volatile situation.

## Associated Press reports from Manila: Exiled Burmese
opposition leaders yesterday called for international pressure on
the military rulers of Burma to hold a dialogue with pro-democracy groups.

Meeting for the third time to draft a model constitution for their country, 
exiled leaders of the National Council of the Union of Burma said they were 
proposing a federal form of government.

 "Only when Burma has a democratic constitution that guarantees the human 
and civil rights of all people and safeguards the legitimate rights of the ethnic 
minorities will there be peace in the country," said Teddy Buri, of the National 
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.

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

NATION: THIRTY RELEASED EARLY FROM BURMESE PRISON
October 28, 1995    Reuter, AP

AUTHORITIES in Burma released 30 prisoners, including two women,
from a southeastern prison after their sentences were reduced,
state media reported yesterday.

The 30 were freed from prison in the city of Moulmein on
Thursday, the newspaper reports said.

The reports did not identify any the 30 or provide any details about their 
crimes except to say they had been sentenced under existing laws.

Authorities have freed some 2,000 political prisoners since a
1992 decree allowing the release of detainees deemed no longer a
threat to the state.

The London-based human rights organization Amnesty International
said in a report released on Thursday that thousands of political
prisoners remain behind bars in Burma.

Gen Than Shwe, government leader, said in April 1992 that
political prisoners who are not national security threats would
be released.

The number freed has now reached 2,277. They include
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, released from house arrest
in July.

Human Rights Watch Asia estimated in July that at least 1,000
political prisoners were still in jail in Burma.

*****************************************************************
BKK POST: BURMA ALSO TO BLAME FOR RIVER ENCROACHING
October 28, 1995            Mae Sot

THE concrete structures protruding into the Moei river do not
violate Burmese territorial sovereignty and were constructed to
prevent soil erosion on the Thai side, according to a report by
the committee investigating Burma's allegations regarding alleged
acts of encroachment on the river.

During the three months since June, the 15-member committee
chaired by Foreign Ministry Inspector-General Yont
Sunthornsarathoon has reviewed nearly 100 pages of documents, 62
photographs and more than 10 maps and official papers as well as
held interviews with those concerned.

According to an informed source, the report admits that rocks
were laid on the Thai side but said this was done right on the
bank to prevent soil erosion due to changing river currents
caused by Burma sinking stakes on its side for the same reason.

Since 1977, stakes have been placed in more than 20 locations
which has affected the river's course and led to soil erosion on
the Thai side.

The report also stated that the bank on the Thai side of the
river had lost large amounts of soil, as much as 100 metres of
land in some places. In certain locations, the stakes placed by
both countries were located very close to each other and
obstructing navigation.

After the problem had progressively worsened over the years, the
Thai side decided in 1992 to reinforce the river bank with rocks.

The report also stated that every time the Thai side has
reinforced the river bank it has informed the Burmese via the
Regional Thai-Burmese Border Committee. There have been no
objections since 1992.

The source said that in the Thai-Burmese Treaty of 1868 it was
clearly stated that the Moei river shall serve as the border line
between the two countries and that each country's territorial
sovereignty would be limited to where its land meets the water.
     
Thailand is also able to raise the argument that half of Myawaddy
is actually part of Thailand because the 1936 border line was set
at Wat Suan Noi in present-day Myawaddy. Two Thai nationals who
live in the area, born in 1923 and 1926, can confirm this.

Thailand also has aerial photographs dating from 1954 showing how
the river's course has gradually changed over the years, but the
Kingdom has never raised the issue.

The report has been forwarded to Deputy Prime Minister and
Defence Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, chief adviser to the
foreign minister Gen Siri Thiwaphan and deputy army commander Gen
Chetha Thanajaro.

Gen Chetha is due in Mae Sot on Monday to discuss the demarcation
of the common border with the commander of Burma's Southeastern
Force Maj Gen Khet Sein.

The source said the two sides have different perspectives on the
issue. Burma accuses Thailand of encroaching on the river.

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