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BurmaNet News November 19, 1995



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

The BurmaNet News: November 18, 1995
Issue #281

Noted in Passing:

	When we arrive in a village, we take all the goods except 
	clothes and money. But we take all the food. If we don't get 
	what we want, we get something else. If there isn't really anything, 
	we just get porters and beat them up.  - a SLORC soldier who
	defected (NATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS 
	CONTINUES TO BUILD)


HEADLINES:
==========
FTUB (WB): HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ARAKAN STATE
IGNORED REFUGEES COMMITTEE: IGNORED REFUGEES IN INDIA BY UNHCR
KYODO: MYANMAR OPPOSITION EXPELS MEMBERS WHO AGREED CEASE-FIRES
IHT: IMF DISCUSSING AID TO BURMA DESPITE ITS RIGHTS ABUSES
BURMA NEWS BRIEFS
ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TAUNGHU DISTRICT
ABSDF-MTZ: BATTLE NEWS (TENESSARIM DIVISION)
ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
REUTER: BURMA LEADER ASKS FOR SUPPORT FOR NEW CONSTITUTION
NATION: UNHCR WILL UNDERTAKE MON REPATRIATION IF BURMA SAYS YES
NATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS CONTINUES TO BUILD
BKK POST: PROGRESS ELUDES TALKS WITH BURMA
ISBDA: ANNOUNCEMENT -NEW NLD VIDEO INFO VOL #13 -->#16 AVAILABLE
************************************************************

FTUB (WB): HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ARAKAN STATE
November 16, 1995

ALP ambushed to army convoy near the Myat Wa village, Bu The Taung 
township. During the ambush one major and one soldier were killed by 
guerrillas in last week of September. After that army made mob operation in 
these area and they tortured  and killed two villagers.
 
In southern part of Mizoram there have many Arakanese refugees were fleet 
from Burma nearly about 450 individual. They are facing hardship condition. 
Very severely shortage of medicine and food supply. Now we collecting for detail.
 
RGDS 
FTUB (West Burma)

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

IGNORED REFUGEES COMMITTEE: IGNORED REFUGEES IN INDIA BY UNHCR
November 17, 1995

To : Legal Officer,  UNHCR
        New Delhi, India.
 
Subject : Requesting for prompt action
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
                We are requesting you not to delay in taking action regarding 
of refugee status to us.
 
Although your office has promised the committee on 14.11.95 that 18 out of 
35 of us would be provided refugee status and humanitarian assistance on 
15.11.95, 2 days have passed we are yet to receive any response from you.
 
You have been asked you not to discriminate us on the ground of ethnic 
differences. We do not want any such discrimination done to us. Chin are 
indigenous people of Burma and are entitled to the refugee status.
 
India, one of the largest democratic country in the world, has shown their firm 
and solid support to the democratic struggle of Burma by conferring our national 
leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award for 
International Understanding on 14th of this month.
 
UNHCR's position as to why they are not providing any assistance is absurd 
and inhuman.
 
We again strongly request to provide us equal status and equal treatment 
immediately.
 
We will not stop our indefinite hunger strike though it has entered third day till 
our demands are fully met.
 
"PROVIDE US REFUGEE STATUS AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 
IMMEDIATELY"
 
Yours faithfully,
 
R Thla Peng, President
Ignored refugees Committee
New Delhi.
 
Copy to : 1.U.N.H.C.R., New Delhi
                 2. U.N.H.C.R., Geneva
         3. NGO offices, New Delhi
         4. All News Agencies, New Delhi
         5. INSAF, Bombay
         6. Concerned.

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

KYODO: MYANMAR OPPOSITION EXPELS MEMBERS WHO AGREED CEASE-FIRES
November 15, 1995
from mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

   Myanmar's major umbrella group for parties opposing military rulers has
expelled members who signed cease-fire agreements with the ruling junta,
according to a report Wednesday from the border town of Mae Sot. 

   Following a resolution at a Nov. 7-8 meeting chaired by Gen. Bo Mya, the
Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB) expelled ethnic minority parties which agreed
to suspend fighting against the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC),
the report said.  

   Gen. Bo Mya is also chairman of the rebel Karen National Union, representatives 
of which took part in the meeting along with those from five other groups in DAB.

   The five groups are the Committee for the Restoration of Democratic Burma,
the All Burma Students' Democratic Front, the People Liberation Front, the
Arakan Liberation Party, and the All Burma Muslim Union, according to a written
statement reportedly released after the talks.

   The DAB was formed in November 1988 as an umbrella organization of 21
opposition groups -- expatriate organizations, groups of student dissidents, and
armed groups from ethnic minorities.

   However, 15 of the ethnic minority groups have since signed cease-fire
agreements with SLORC, leaving only the Karens still fighting, led by the KNU.

   The KNU represents the largest of the minorities that have been fighting for
autonomy since 1949.  However, they lost their headquarters at Manerplaw in
January after a battle with troops from the ruling junta, and their Kawmoora
stronghold fell in February.

   There have been reports that the KNU has itself been attempting to negotiate
peace with SLORC, which may lead to a cease-fire agreement.

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

IHT: IMF DISCUSSING AID TO BURMA DESPITE ITS RIGHTS ABUSES
November 17, 1995  (Intl Herald Tribune) by Kevin Murphy

Overlooking widespread concern about abuses of human rights in Burma, the
International Monetary Fund is discussing the resumption of assistance to
Rangoon, according to IMF and Burmese officials.

   Rangoon's military-led government still must commit to a demanding economic
reform agenda before the IMF starts a monitoring program, which would be the
first step toward providing financial aid, an IMF official in Washington said.

   But Burma appears to be at a political and economic crossroads and willing to
consider such steps, diplomats here said.  

   The Burmese regime has long been condemned for its harsh treatment of
political opponents, and any sign of improved relations with the IMF will
bolster its campaign against international isolation, the government and its
critics agreed.

   ''It's a victory for us,'' said Kyi Aye, governor of the Central Bank of
Myanmar, the name by which the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council
refers to the country. ''Our friends, like Japan, France and Germany, understand
how Myanmar is doing.''

   ''I am optimistic that once we have a program with the IMF it is easier for
the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to offer whatever assistance they
can under their rules,'' Mr. Kyi said in an interview.

   An unpublicized IMF staff-level decision in late October to lay the
groundwork for increased engagement with Rangoon did not require the endorsement
of its board nor did it include financial aid of any type, according to an IMF
spokesman in Washington.

   At the same time, more IMF technical assistance and advice remain conditional
on clear progress on a number of economic fronts, including the devaluation of
Burma's currency, a complex issue not easily resolved.

   The fund's targets will be difficult for the Burmese government to meet
immediately, officials in Rangoon admit.  However, signs of a thaw in the
relationship are widely seen as easing the way toward greater engagement with
Burma by the fund, other aid organizations and individual countries. 

   A moratorium on IMF or World Bank assistance to the Burma has informally been
in place since the State Law and Order Restoration Council cracked down on
dissent and ignored the results of a 1990 national election that would have seen
it voted out of power.

   An opposition leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released in July from six
years of house arrest, and supporters including the United States government
have argued successfully against any relaxation in this policy before
substantial political changes in the country.

   ''We are aware of the IMF's decision and hope to learn more about it,'' Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi said in an interview. ''I can't comment specifically on this
until we do learn more but, as I have said before, it is too early to decide it
is time to pour investments into Burma.

   ''In the last five or six years we have not seen that there is sufficient
change on the economic front to decide the argument that you can progress
economically in Burma without political change. You can never separate politics
and economics.''

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

BURMA NEWS BRIEFS
from mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

RADIO AUSTRALIA: BURMESE OPPOSITION LEADER SUU KYI HIGHLIGHTS 
STUDENTS' ROLE IN DEMOCRACY EFFORT
November 16, 1995

   Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has highlighted the role of
students in riots to bring down the military government eight years ago. Evan
Williams reports from Bangkok that Ms Suu Kyi marked the role of students in
Burma's struggle for democracy on the 75th anniversary of the first anti-British
strike in Burma's colonial days.

    Williams In a direct reference to continuing military rule, Suu Kyi told
several hundred people at her Rangoon compound Burma had achieved independence,
but the people have not. She was one of four speakers, including a member of
Burma's first organized independence group, marking Independence Day, the
anniversary of the first Burmese strike by university students against British
rule. Suu Kyi highlighted the leading role of students in Burma's fight for
democracy ever since, including their lead in the 1988 riots against military
rule that left hundreds dead after soldiers opened fire. Her reference to the
students and their fighting peacock symbol will rankle senior military
officials, who can see any active opposition as illegal.

XINHUA: MYANMAR HOLDS NATIONAL DAY DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION
November 16, 1995     Rangoon

A grand ceremony was held at the people's park here this morning to mark the
Myanmar national day diamond jubilee.  Over 150,000 people from all walks of
life attended the ceremony sponsored by the Myanma government.  A message from
chairman of tshe SLORC senior general Than hwe was read on the occasion by 
Yangon commander brigadier general Khin Maung Than.  In his message, senior 
general Than Shwe urged all the nationals to play an enthusiastic and active role in 
marching towards building of a modern, developed, peaceful and new democratic nation, 
and to stop, eliminate and prevent all hindrances, instigation, schemes and incitements 
to destabilize the peaceful situation.  Myanmar lost its independence in 1886 after
british colonialist forces waged three aggressive wars. 75 years ago by the
Myanmar era today, patriotic students launched the university boycott against
"rangoon university act" which symbolized colonial education. it led to the
national movement against oppression and exploitation of the colonialists and
gradually developed into independence struggles and finally regained the
Myanmar's independence in 1948.  Since the boycott signified the national
spirit, the day then was designated as the national day and has been observed
annually.  As it is having its 75th anniversary this year, the national day
diamond jubilee is being observed in grand scale.  To mark the festival,
entertainment programs are being held at three separate venues here from
november 7 to 17.  Further more, a commemorative ceremony sponsored by the
political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was also held here
today at the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, attended by several thousands of
people. NLD party leaders including vice chairman U Kyi Maung and general
secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered speeches on the occasion.

 (note from mbeer: This last paragraph is remarkable in that xinhua news agency usually
 is just a mouthpiece for SLORC news releases. Their mention of the NLD here is unusual)

RADIO MYANMAR: EXCERPT FROM REPORT BY BURMESE RADIO
November 13, 1995

   ...U Mahn Aung San, chairman of the central region from expatriate Sein Win's
prime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma group,
surrendered in Myawadi on 23rd October. He was warmly welcomed by responsible
personnel and given necessary assistance.
(note from Michael Beer: this is disinformation...there is no such position.  Has 
anyone heard of this guy? or is this another example of SLORC's wild imagination.) 

XINHUA: NEW HOTEL INAUGURATED IN MYANMA BORDER TOWN
November 17, 1995

A new modern hotel was inaugurated Wednesday in the Myanma border town of
Mongla in Kengtung, eastern Shan State of the country.  According to an official
report today, first secretary of the Myanmar state law and order restoration
council lieutenant general Khin Nyunt was present on the occasion.  The
newly-completed Mongla hotel was built at a cost of 168 million Myanmar kyats
(28 million us dollars) contributed by local residents.  A 620 meter long
asphalt road, which links Mongla-Hsamtauk-Nampan, was also built at a cost of
6.3 million kyats (1.05 million dollars), the report said.  Meanwhile, an
archway is being built on the Myanmar-China border, the report added.
Considerable change has taken place in Mongla during the past two and a half
years with modern building, shopping centers, hotels, banks, streets and
concrete bridges rising in the town and the accomplishments are believed to
contribute a great deal to the development of tourism in Myanma border areas.

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

ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE SLORC IN TAUNGHU DISTRICT
November 17, 1995

In the area of KNU Brigade (2), Taunghu district of Pegu division;

On October 11, 1995, an old Karen woman from Baydaw kho village in Taungu 
district, aged 65, was killed and beheaded by the 26th regiment commanded 
by Major Aye Khaw. The same day, Saw Saw, the headman of Khaw Bu Hto 
village, was also killed by the 26th Slorc regiment.

On October 20, 1995, Karen villager Saw Lu Tha, 46, and his son Saw 
Joseph, 15, of Phel Thae Dae village, were killed by the 26th Slorc 
regiment for unknown reasons.

On November 2, 1995, villager Saw Shee Lay of Than nar Cho village was 
shot dead by the Slorc Light Infantry (34).

On November 8, 1995, villagers from Bawga Li, Kaw Soe Kho, War Tho Kho, 
Kaw Thae Dae, and Kalae Soe Kho, were forced to carry ammunition and food 
supplies to the Bo Sar area for the Slorc Light Infantry (440). None of 
the porters have been allowed to return to their villages yet, and are still 
being forced to serve the army for its construction work.

On November 11, 1995, the 55th regiment from Western Command HQs arrived 
at Zayat Kyi town with porters to reinforce their forces in KNU Brigade 2.

_________________________________________________________________________
Sources: KNU
Translation: Information Department of the ABSDF

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

ABSDF-MTZ: BATTLE NEWS (TENESSARIM DIVISION)
November 17, 1995
---------------------------------

KNLA: There was a clash between KNLA Battalion 11 and Slorc LIB
103 in Tha Baw Laik Gyi, Tenessarim township, on 15.9.95. Two
Slorc soldiers were killed and one injured. One KNU soldier was wounded. 

ABSDF: There was a big clash between the combined troops of both 
factions of the ABSDF and the MTUF (Mergui Tavoy United Front) with Slorc 
troops in Bartaung and Set Pu villages of West-Mergui township in
Tenessarim Division on October 2 (4:00PM-4:20PM), 1995. Slorc LIB
No. 224 engaged in fighting with combined troops of both factions of the 
ABSDF (Battalions 201, 102 and 203) and the MTUF. 

Tun Aung of the ABSDF and a soldier from MTUF sacrificed their
lives for the cause of the country. Tin Maung Win and Aye Cho of
ABSDF were injured. Initial reports say that there were five
casualties on the Slorc side. 

There was also a small clash between a troop of Battalion 203 of the 
ABSDF and Slorc troops in the beginning of October in Tha Gyet 
village of Tenasserim township. Than Zaw, a sergeant from Battalion 
203 of ABSDF sacrificed his life in the battle. Three Slorc soldiers 
were killed and five wounded, according to the local sources.

Voice of the Peacock
ABSDF

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

ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION OF THE SLORC IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
November 16, 1995

>From October 15 to 31, 1995
Location: Southern Burma (Tanasserim division)

Pieces of rock  ( in October)
-----------------------------
The villages in Tanasserim township were ordered by the Township law and order
restoration council of Tanasserim township that all villages in that area have
to send and gather necessary pieces of rock to the place which were fixed by
the authorities for the construction of motor road from Mergue to Victory
point. The Slorc authorities have warned that if a village couldn't send
necessary ratio of pieces of rock to fixed place, they will be punished
effectively by the Slorc's township authorities, said by the local people.


Tax for rice mill ( in October)
-------------------------------
Every private rice mill owner who has a registration receipt from Mergui
agricultural inspection authorities in the area of Tanasserim township has
regularly to pay 1,600 kilo of raw rice as tax to Tanasserim agriculture
authorities for every year. The owners of rice mill who don't have the receipt
from agriculture authorities are not allowed to run their rice mail. In
addition, they can be arrested and punished by the Slorc authorities. Some
owners of rice mill who do not have registration from Mergue agricultural
inception authorities were arrested. Another problem is that the owners of
rice mill have to buy the raw rice according to the outside price and they
have to pay the tax to authorities with government limited price.


Health situation of forced labors 
----------------------------------
There are about 1,200 local forced labors in 36 mile railroad construction
camp in Yay Phu township and on October 9, 1995, two forced labors among the
80 sick labors in the camp died of malaria and one was dead by poisonous
snake. However, the camp authorities of Light Infantry No.(410) did not expand
necessary clinics and wards for patients in the labor camp. 

Tax for twice
-------------
In July, 1995, the owners of private motorboat in Tavoy township, whose boats
running in Gamon creek from Myitta village to other villages were ordered to
pay tax 1,000 Kyat each to No.(19) military intelligence branch located in
Taung Thonlon area. The owners of 17 motorboats have collected the 17,000 Kyat
and sent to them. Unfortunately,  village state law and order restoration
council members have handed the money to army infantry unit and later No.(19)
MI branch knew that event. But, the boat owners were ordered again in October,
1995 to pay tax to No.(19) MI branch directly and finally they collected
17,000 Kyat again and handed to them.

The number of local forced labourers for Ye -Tavoy railroad construction
---------------------------------------------------------------------
>From October 16 to 31, 1995.

NO.      LOCATION                               NUMBER OF FORCED LABOURERS

1.   (21) mile camp                     nearly   2,000 local forced labourers
2.  (27) mile camp                        "      3,000 local forced labourers
3.  (30) mile camp                        "   400 forced labourers (prisoners)
                                          "      1,000 local forced labourers
4.  (36) mile camp                        "        900 local forced labourers
5.  Hein Sae camp                         "      1,700 local forced labourers
6. Hnan Kyal camp                         "      1,000 local forced labourers
7. Nwe Lein camp                          "      1,200 local forced labourers
8. Zinba camp                             "      1,200 local forced labourers
                                          "   300 forced labourers (prisoners)
9. Raphu camp                             "      1,000 local forced labors
10. Kyauk Gadin camp                      "      1,200 local forced labors
11. Ray Bone camp                         "        500 local forced labors 

All the local forced labourers have been working at the railroad construction
site without any payment and medical take-care, they have to go and work there
with rotate system from different villages.

Security for soldiers' family
-----------------------------
Since November of this year in Tavoy township, for the security of army
families from Slorc's LIB (401) and (410) when the troops going to frontline,
every army wife who are over 16 years old and doesn't have children has to
join military training, said local people.

Porterage
---------
The local villagers from Palaw township in Margue district and Thayat Chaung
township in Tavoy district have been arrested to serve as porters for Slorc's
army since the beginning of October this  year for the dry season offensive
against the ethnic Karen armed forces and students of the ABSDF, said the
local people.

Village burnt down 
------------------
According to the source from local people, on October 14, 1995, the Slorc's
army of LIB (101) came to Taung Paw village in Palaw township and it was burnt
down. It was happened after the clash between KNU regiment No.(7) of 4 Brigade
and LIB (101). All the houses and a church were burnt down by the Slorc's troops.

Forced labour again 
-------------------
Since October of this year, every villagers from four townships in Tavoy
district have been summoned by the Slorc authorities for Ye-Tavoy railroad
construction. Every township has to provide forced labourers approximately
between 2,500 and 3,000 by order of Slorc's army.

Restless labouring
------------------
On October 21, 1995, the local forced labourers who had returned from railroad
construction after their turn of works said, some forced labourers who did not
work well because of illness during their turn in camp are not allowed to go
back home and forced to work again for Slorc's army such as making bamboo
baskets for carrying ammunition, chopping logs and animal farms of army's own.

Six month for punishment 
------------------------
On October 22, 1995, 27 local forced labors who form Hein Sae camp were sent
to Tavoy to carry things for railroad construction have escaped and went back
to their villages when they have got in Tavoy. The Slorc's Col. Myint Oo has
ordered that the responsible persons from the villages have to sent them back
to 30 mile camp because all these forced labourers have been already charged
for six month punishment with hard labour for their escaping, said the local
forced labourers who came back form Hein Sae camp.

School teacher raped
--------------------
On October 21, 1995,  Ms. Thuzar Myint, a primary school teacher from Klan
Aung village in Yay Phu township was raped by Second Lt. Aunt Maung of Slorc's
LIB (409) round about 3.00 pm when she came back from school, said local villagers.

Death sentence
--------------
On October 21, 1995, four prisoners of forced labour have escaped form 30 mile
railroad construction site at the night time, because of intense oppression of
camp authorities. All of them were shot by the armymen when they were found,
and a prisoner was shot to death and other three escaped.

Money and chicken for fine (in October)
---------------------------------------
According to the sources from local people, during October, the Slorc's LIB
(405) has instructed that each villager from Thae Chaung Gyi village has to
come to outpost of LIB (405) for daily works for the troops such as cooking,
washing clothes, cleaning the campus, etc. If the villagers fail to serve for
those kinds of work, every has to pay 100 Kyat for their turn through village
state law and order restoration council members. At the same time, if a
villager who slaughters cattle to sell has to pay at least 6 kg of meat to LIB
(405), and if he fails to do so, he must pay 3 chickens as fine.

Threats of Slorc's army (in October)
------------------------------------
The following villages in Thayat Chaung township have been threatened by the
Slorc's LIB (403) :

1. Kyauk Hlay Gar village
2. Saw Phar
3. Padat Chaung 
4. Kyauk Phu
5. Taung Zin .

In October, the Slorc's LIB (403) has ordered all the villagers form above
mention villages that they have to send necessary woods and bamboo for
repairing of army buildings in LIB (403) campus. If they fail to serve, all
the villages will be relocated to previous collective village near Saw Phar
village. In addition, 15 or 20 villagers from each village have to work for
railroad construction with their own food and charges every month. If the
villager wants to substitute forced labour for him, he must pay 2,500 Kyat
to LIB (403) through village state law and order council members. All these
five villages were relocated to collective village in 1991, after the accusing
of collaborating with armed resistance groups by the Slorc's army. In the
beginning of 1995, all villages have been allowed to move back to their
original location. Now, the villagers are very concerned about forced
relocation again.

_______________________________________________________________________
Sources: Information Dept, KNLA Brigade (4), Mergui Tavoy District, KNU
Translation: Information Dept., ABSDF 

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

REUTER: BURMA LEADER ASKS FOR SUPPORT FOR NEW CONSTITUTION
November 17, 1995

     RANGOON, Nov 16 (Reuter) - Burma's leading general on Thursday called on
all Burmese people to support the upcoming national convention process to
draw up a new consitution.

    Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the military-led State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC), made the comments in a message read at a
ceremony to celebrate Burma's 75th National Day.

    ``The people of all the national races are to extend welcome and support
for the success of the national convention at which delegates...are holding
discussions for the emergence of a new state constitution which is essential
for Myanmar (Burma).''

    ``A new state constitution will emerge only after a successful convening
of the convention and only after the emergence of a new state constitution a
modern and developed new nation can be established,'' he said.

    Constitutional talks, which have been intermittent since January 1993,
will resume on November 28 when nearly 700 delegates, most of them
hand-picked by the military, meet to draw up the guidelines for a new
constitution.

    The SLORC has been ruling since 1988 when it assumed power after
suppressing bloody pro-democracy demonstrations.

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

NATION: UNHCR WILL UNDERTAKE MON REPATRIATION IF BURMA 
SAYS YES         November 17, 1995            Rita Patiyasevi

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will 
arrange the repatriation of ethnic Mon refugees living along the 
Thai-Burmese border if the Burmese junta allows the organisation 
to monitor the entire process, including their resettlement.

UNHCR representative Ruprecht Von Arnim said on Wednesday his 
agency would visit Rangoon next week to hold talks with the 
State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) to see whether 
they would agree to international monitoring, a UNHCR pre-
condition for the refugees' safe return.

Arnim said some 18,000 Mon refugees and other displaced persons 
at temporary border camps were to be repatriated following a 
ceasefire agreement between Slorc and Mons on June 29. The 
wording in the ceasefire, which subsequently led to plans for 
the return which was scheduled to begin this month, had no 
mention of international monitoring, Arnim said.

As the UNHCR was concerned with the "safe and dignified" return 
of the people, the organisation would hold discussions with 
Slorc to establish a memorandum of understanding as previously 
acquired involving the repatriation of Rohingyas, Burmese 
Muslims, to Rakhine state in the north-western of Burma.

Arnim said UNHCR's presence in the Rakhine state was an 
essential element to ensure their safe return was upto 
international standards. He said the UNHCR has been instrumental 
when it came to confidence building between nations, using the 
example of improved relationships between Thailand and Laos, as 
well as Thailand and Vietnam, and hoped to achieve a similar 
feat between Thailand and Burma.

He said as Indochina had solved many of its regional problems 
and conflicts, and as Thailand was taking a lead in the peace 
developments in the surrounding areas, it could become the UNHCR's 
head office in the region. He said the head office be established next year.

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

NATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS CONTINUES TO BUILD
November 17, 1995

The UN and NGOs are compiling a growing dossier of testimonies, 
video tape and witness accounts detailing Rangoon's dirty war 
against ethnic rebels, AUNG ZAW reports.

"We surrounded the thief's house... we couldn't find the thief 
so we took his wife and child instead. We shaved his wife's head 
and confined her to the stockade. When her husband came, we 
released her. After that, we killed her husband," a captured 
Burmese soldiers told makers of a video called Caught In The Crossfire.

The video, made by Images Asia, was shown at the fourth UN Conference 
on Women in Beijing this year. Although the tape was only 18 minutes 
long, it provides a shocking testament to the suffering endured by Burmese 
women under the State Law and Order Restoration Council.

In a scene showing women cooking in the jungle, a background 
voice narrates their plight. "The military uses rape to punish 
civilians, especially women, for perceived sympathies with the 
enemy and to demonstrate the soldiers' control and domination 
over civilians. Rape is not just an attack on the women, but on 
the social and social structure of entire communities."

Much of the rest of the tape is told in the voices of the women 
themselves. UN human rights investigator Yozo Yokota confirmed 
the charges in his recent report to the General Assembly, 
stating: "The rape of women serving in forced labour camps, or 
as porters, is said to be common."

The report further described the appalling violations of human 
rights, including the systematic rape of women by Burmese 
soldiers. Burmese soldiers view rape as a right, the report 
said. It added that rape was encouraged by officers. "Women are 
sometimes singled out for portering or other types of forced 
labour in order to be raped," the report said.

Images Asia's human rights workers documenting ceases of Slorc 
abuses against women and children said soldiers particularly 
target women those husbands are fighting with the rebel armies. 
A member of  Images Asia said they have heard the same name 
again and again while they interviewed women. That name is Sgt 
Ba Kyi and among his victims was a six-year-old girl. The girl's 
parents sent her to gather vegetables at a farm and Ba Kyi is said to 
have raped her by the roadside. She was unable to walk after the 
attack and villagers later found her. She died later in the hospital.

Burmese soldiers who have been captured or defected to rebel 
armies have admitted rape is common. Many women and children in 
Shan, Karen and Mon states told their stories to NGO workers and 
human rights workers who have been closely watching the situation.

One woman said she saw soldiers seize a woman from her village. 
"I was so scared of them I ran away. I hid in the jungle for more than 
two weeks and subsisted only on rice soup." When she returned to her 
village, she was confronted by a Slorc patrol, forcing her to flee again.

A soldier who defected revealed what they did to villagers. 
"When we arrive in a village, we take all the goods except 
clothes and money. But we take all the food. If we don't get 
what we want, we get something else. If there isn't really anything, 
we just get porters and beat them up." The soldier said they were 
usually drunk and violent. Upon arriving at the next village, they did 
the same thing. "Not one village is left untouched," he said.

The villagers, who live in of the world's poorest countries, do 
not have much, but soldiers robbed them anyway. "They took 
everything and raped us," said a woman. The Karen woman said: 
"In Nomboh, the Slorc was searching for a KNU soldier. But when 
they couldn't find him, they beat up his wife. One soldier went too far. 
He forced the young daughter to hold his penis while he kicked her unconscious."

The Karen National Union (KNU) is the remaining rebel group 
which has not reached a ceasefire agreement with Slorc. Torture 
wasn't confined to prisons, said a human rights worker in Chiang 
Mai who has seen many refugees fleeing to the Thai border.

"Many came because of the economic situation in Burma, which is 
so bad." The human rights worker, who has been monitoring the 
situation since the 80s, added, however: "I saw many women from 
Shan and Karen state come here because they did not want to be 
raped or harassed by soldiers."

In his recent trip to Rangoon, Professor Yokota was able to meet 
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But he was not able to meet 
and talk freely to as many victims as he requested. However, 
Yokota said in his well-documented report: "Violations include 
undressing women in public... raping and gang-raping women 
individually or in groups."

The Slorc has denied the allegations and asked how can anyone 
from Burma commit such outrageous crimes as those mentioned in 
the summary of allegations. A member of Images Asia said 
delegates at the Beijing conference were shocked to see one 
scene. In it three soldiers holding guns were standing at the 
bank of a river, questioning a woman who was in the water. 
Suddenly, a soldier pulled down his pants and underwear. While 
showing his penis, he began thrusting his waist. It was taken in 
Moei River from the Thai side of the border.

Even though the junta has repeatedly announced that 15 of the 16 
armed insurgent groups have returned to the "legal fold" 
thousands of internally displaced persons are still in the 
jungle. They face harassment, abuse and possibly death if seen 
by soldiers. Some have been taken as porters, while others are 
routinely accused of being informers and supporters of rebels. 
They are interrogated or killed in front of fellow villagers. (TN)

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

BKK POST: PROGRESS ELUDES TALKS WITH BURMA
November 18, 1995

INFORMAL contacts between Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh and his Burmese counterpart have yet to yield
results in terms of relations, a source said yesterday.

Gen Chavalit and Vice-Adm Maung Maung Khin enjoyed a spot of
lunch and teed off at the Burapha golf course in Pattaya while
trying to negotiate bilateral problems.

The source said the admiral reiterated the Burmese junta's
accusations of encroachment on the Moei river and its claims that
Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army attacked Burmese forces from Thai territory.

Gen Chavalit disagreed with his partner on the fairways, who
repeated Rangoon's demand for compensation for Burmese troops,
the source said.

Any such payment, said the general, would mean Bangkok accepted
the allegation it supported the activities of the minority group.

There was, however, agreement on the trawler conflict, with both
sides saying each country should patrol their respective waters
to prevent any more bloodshed.

Gen Chavalit said Thailand planned to buy more natural gas and
petroleum from Burma and act as distributor for Cambodia and
other regional neighbours, the source said.

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


ISBDA: ANNOUNCEMENT -NEW NLD VIDEO INFO VOL #13 -->#16 AVAILABLE
November 17, 1995

Dear Friends:

ISBDA is pleased to announce that we have donated through INBR the ammount
of 50,000 yen (about US$500) obtained from this video tape distribution
related work to a student  who lost both of his arms and one eye. We hope
this to part  the installation of his artificial arms.

 (New Tapes)

ISBDA has just received new  video tapes, alias "Burma's Democracy Struggle
and Our Future Prospect, vol. #13, #14, #15, and  #16."The tapes were
recorded during August to October and distributed by the NLD HQ to its
members. 

Both video tape volumes of  (#13) and (#14) cover the discussions of NLD
leaders with  the party officials and members of Rangoon Division on August
25, 1995.  
Vol (#15) covers the discussion with Pegu Division NLD Youth members  and
NLD  leaders headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The tape #16 is one of serial video documents of public speeches and
discussions in Burmese by the NLD leaders headed by Daw  Aung San Suu Kyi,
based on the  questions by the people gathered every weekends in front of 
Daw Suu's resident.

People who interested in sharing these tapes must send return address  to
ISBDA, 202-601 Chohai 3-chome, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan 480-11 with enclosed
check or international MO payable to Htay H. Kyi.

_OnlY FoR YoU:_

Those friends who have reputation of sharing previous video & audio sets
are suggested to send an email mentioning that he or she has just mailed
the payment so that we can process for shipping the new volumes without
confirming the payment.   

copying + handling fees ==>

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #13, #14, #15. #16:
 ===========(new set -b)===============   US$ 60.0 per set.

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #9, #10, #11. #12:
 ===========(new set -a)===============   US$ 60.0 per set.

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #6, #7, #8:
 ===========(previous set)===============   US$ 35.0 per set.

Five Audio Tapes (C60s):
===========(previous set)===============   US$ 25.0 per set.

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 5:
 ===========(previous set)===============   US$ 15.0 per copy.

August 11 Press Briefing Audio Tape (C60):
===========(previous set)===============   US$ 10.0 per copy.

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 3 and 4:
 ===========(previous set)===============   US$ 25.0 per set.

Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 1 and 2: 
 ============(previous set) ==========   US$ 25.0 per set.

Please clearly mention the tape volume numbers in your order and we will
immediately air-mail  after receiving your payment. 

All video tapes are recorded by home video camera system on NTSC VHS format.

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