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BurmaNet News: November 25, 1995 #2
- Subject: BurmaNet News: November 25, 1995 #2
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 26 Nov 1995 14:46:00
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Date: Sun, 26 Nov 1995 14:46:44 -0800
Subject: BurmaNet News: November 25, 1995 #288
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The BurmaNet News: November 25, 1995
Issue #288
HEADLINES:
==========
NEWS & INFORMATION DEPARTMENT, FTUB (WEST BURMA)
SUU KYI: NLD HAS A DUTY TO THE PEOPLE
THE WORLD IS A STAGE FOR DRUG WARLORD KHUN SA
BURMA, LACKING BASIC TOURIST FACILITIES, CLAIM THAI TRADERS
BURMESE EXILES SLAM 'SHAM' CHARTER CONVENTION
*****************************************************************
NEWS & INFORMATION DEPARTMENT, FTUB (WEST BURMA)
On 2nd September 1995, 7 Kuki civilians were severely beaten and arrested
by police. They were put lock up at Home Ma Lin town more than
2-1/2 months without any trial. Police accused them, They had contact to
Kuki National Army.
They are;
1. U Khin Kho Lon Home Ma Lin Twon
2. U Man Kho Zan Home Ma Lin Town
3. U Paung Kho Htan Home Ma Lin Town
4. U Htang Kho Yan Khin Yan village
5. U Let Kho Lon Khin Yan village
6. U Do Kan Lein Wan Zan village
7. U Khat Khaing Tun Do village
Indo-Burma Drugs control meeting was held on Nov 9th at Tamu
township Saggaing Division. Tamu, the border town where there
is no electricity in civilian houses. There is only electric supply
for road. But government collect taxes form every civilian houses.
On 22.10.95, 8 bullock cart from Chaung Net Kyi and Nan Phar
Lon village were forcibly used for logging by the order of Capt.
Cow Zan (Tamu Township Law and Order Restoration Coucil).
*****************************************************************
SUU KYI: NLD HAS A DUTY TO THE PEOPLE
Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday moved one step closer to
political confrontation with the Burmese regime when she
ejected the military's National Convention set up to draft the
constitution. This is the full text of her statement.
The Nation/25.11.95
A state constitution is a contract between the people and the
government of a nation. Only a constitution that is willingly
accepted by the people will endure the test of time.
The National League for Democracy believes that if a genuine
multi-party democracy is to be established in Burma, a
constitution based firmly on democratic principles is an absolute
necessity.
The NLD was founded with the aim of achieving a genuine
democratic system which accords with the will of the people, and
of constructing a strong and lasting union in Burma.
It believes that the ultimate power of 1 state derives from the
people and that in a democratic nation there should be the rule
of law and a constitution that guarantees basic human rights,
including freedom of worship, freedom of speech and expression
and freedom of association.
Further, as stated in its election, manifesto, the NLD believes
that the foundation for a strong, lasting and prosperous union
has to be laid through a national convention where all the ethnic
groups of Burma can jointly decide the future course of the
nation.
The overwhelming success of the NLD in the elections of 1990 was
an endorsement by the people of its principles and policies.
The State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) has said it
wishes to establish multi-party democracy in Burma and to return
power to the people as soon as possible.
Slorc Declaration No 1/90 (July 27, 1990) states that it is the
duty of the elected representatives of the people to draw up a
constitution.
On Oct 18, 1990, Slorc Secretary (I) confirmed in a speech made
at the Kyunchaung fertilizer plant that it was the duty of
political parties and elected representatives to draw up the
state constitution. During the preliminary discussions on the
National Convention, the chairman of the convention's convening
committee also stated that the elected representatives would be
responsible for drawing up the constitution and that decisions
based on the presentations of delegates would be arrived at
through a democratic process.
Political parties were made to sign an undertaking to abide
by the terms of Declaration 1/90 which remain valid to this day.
However, the National Convention has not been conducted in
accordance with the terms of the declaration. The role of
political parties, clearly delineated in the declaration, has
been obfuscated.
An examination of actual conditions within the National
Convention reveals that there has been a shift away from its
original declared aims. The following are some of the features of
the present convention:
** The elected representatives of the people constitute only
15.24 per cent of the delegates and thus are permanently in the
minority;
** Neither the objectives of the convention nor its working
procedures were drawn up in consultation with delegates;
** Papers to be presented at the convention are censored and have
to be corrected in accordance with the wishes of the authorities
** Decisions are laid down before an issue has been discussed;
** The convention is making decisions not only on broad
principles for the proposed constitution but also on its details;
** There is no fixed timetable for the convention.
The NLD as the political party that has received the mandate of
the people has a duty to point out that its expectations with
regard to the National Convention have not been realized. The
work procedures of the convention are not democratic and the
basic principles for the proposed constitution include some which
are not consonant with a truly democratic state.
The problems can only be resolved through dialogue. The NLD
invites an concerned to join together in mutual trust and
goodwill to work towards building up a genuinely democratic
nation in accordance with the wishes of the people.
If the National Convention continues in its present form it
cannot assist in achieving national reconciliation, genuine
multi-party democracy, or a state constitution that enjoys the
support and confidence of the people. These aims can only be
achieved through discussion and dialogue.
The National Convention in its present form is not acceptable to
the people of Burma because it is not acceptable to the majority
of our people and it is not acceptable to the National League for
Democracy. And a constitution that is drawn up by a national
convention that does not enjoy the confidence of the people will
itself not get the support of the people. And a constitution that
is not supported by the people will be nothing more than a piece
of paper.
So we call upon all those concerned to 8 discuss the matter of
bringing about a National Convention that is truly acceptable to
the people and drawing up a constitution that will create a
lasting democratic union of Burma.
It is for this reason that we have now put out this statement
because the National League for Democracy has a duty to proclaim
its position to the people who voted for it in 1990.
We believe that our statement, our stance will be supported by
the great majority of the people of Burma and it is our intention
to continue along a path that is always consonant of the will of
the people.
*****************************************************************
THE WORLD IS A STAGE FOR DRUG WARLORD KHUN SA
On Wednesday, drug kingpin Khun Sa claimed to have stepped down
once and for all as leader of the Mong Tai Army, which is
fighting for Shan self-determination. Many, however, are
sceptical over his move because he has never been known to match
his words with deeds.
While there is a real likelihood that Khun Sa will step back,
doubts remain whether the Shan leader will step down fully. The
Mong Tai Army is essentially the creation of Khun Sa, and many
senior cadres in the organization owe their position and wealth
to the drug warlord.
While his position has been weakened by the defection in June of
some of his troops to the Burmese military regime, the State Law
and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), Khun Sa still has a strong
core group that is very well armed and could thwart any rebellion
within the ranks of the separatists.
The existing power structure and hierarchy of the Mong Tai Army
ensures that Khun Sa will still be able to exert ideological
influence among the Shan fighters.
Leading actor
For Khun Sa, the world has always been a stage. Right now, he
sees himself as a leading actor in a new drama where he wants to
portray himself as a nice guy. That drama is about opium, and
Khun Sa wants the United States to be convinced that he and his
men never grew the narcotic drug themselves and merely taxed it
as convoys moved across their territory in a bid to transport the
opium to distribution centres in neighbouring China and Thailand.
The taxes, Khun Sa argues, were necessary to fund the aspirations
of a separate Shan state through an armed struggle against the
Burmese military regime.
Therefore, Khun Sa's announcement on Wednesday can be construed
as a strategic move by the drug warlord to try to get into
Washington's good books.
Slorc's propaganda that it has cornered the Shan, and for that
reason Khun Sa is stepping down as leader of the Mong Tai Army,
can be disregarded outright.
The Burmese army has been pathetic in its battle against Khun
Sa's forces. The Slorc declared war on Khun Sa two years ago and
brought in a number of divisions into his area. But the Burmese
regime has been unable to capture him or his headquarters, nor
cut his opium distribution system.
Early this year, Slorc was dealt a very embarrassing blow when
Khun Sa's troops overran the town of Tachilek on the Thai-Burmese
border and held it for a while. The Mong Tai Army later left
without being driven out by the Burmese army. The Slorc as a
fighting force is not very effective despite its size and
sophisticated weaponry, and has a very poor record in the field
against the minorities. Most of Rangoon's successes have come
about as a result of ceasefire diplomacy between Slorc and
leaders of the minorities, rather than straight battlefield
victories.
Just how strong an influence Slorc will be on the breakaway group
led by Khun Sa's enemies is anyone's guess. The rebels are about
3,000 strong and control a large area in the central part of
Burma. So far, they have indicated some willingness to enter into
a truce arrangement with Rangoon in exchange for Shan autonomy,
coupled with a guarantee that they would be able to preserve and
protect their controlled territories.
Wa threat
Khun Sa's greatest threat, however, is from the Wa, who have been
fighting him recently on behalf of Slorc. In 1989, when these
ethnic minorities made peace with Rangoon, Slorc promised them
that they could continue their "economic activities" provided
they gave up their armed struggle. These economic activities were
an obvious reference to opium-growing.
Because of this, the Wa continue to grow and export their opium
through China and Thailand. Essentially, regardless of whatever
happens to Khun Sa, the world will still see the Golden Triangle
as the largest producer of opium because most of it comes from
the Wa state, or the area known as the Kokang, which is next to
the Wa state in the Shan area.
The US, of course, after waging a long campaign against Khun Sa,
will be watching events in the Shan state very closely. The only
thing Washington is interested in now is getting its hands on the
drug warlord.
Bearing in mind that there is an outstanding US indictment
against him, will Washington offer Slorc some reprieve if the
Burmese junta manages to capture Khun Sa and hand him over to the
Americans? It remains to be seen if that will really happen.
In the meantime, there will be only ripples in Washington over
Khun Sa's statements because he is still seen as a wily fox who
manages to land on his feet no matter what happens.
*****************************************************************
BURMA, LACKING BASIC TOURIST FACILITIES, CLAIM THAI TRADERS
SOMCHIT RUNGCHAMRATRASMEE
The Nation/25.11.95
MAE SOT - The Burmese junta's campaign to promote 1996 as Visit
Myanmar (Burma) Year has met with little success as the country
is still short of hotel accommodation while food remains very
costly, said Thai traders doing business there.
The traders said the junta, known as the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc), expect 300,000 foreign visitors next
year but tourism logistics are still inadequate to accommodate
the high figure.
They expressed the fear that foreign tourists visiting the
country might be disappointed because of the lack of basic
tourism facilities.
The Slorc has done a lot of promotion, but not much progress has
been made. Hotel services and management of tourist spots are not
yet prepared, they said.
Burma currently has only 4,000 hotel rooms, of which only 1,000
meet international standards and another 1,000 meet general
tourist standards. Hotel room and ;service charges are also some
of the highest in the world, said the traders who recently
returned to Thailand.
"Not only are hotel costs very high, but also the service is
still very poor. Many foreign visitors who had made room
reservations were turned away because some VIPs showed up and
wanted rooms," complained one trader.
"The hotels usually do not inform the guests first that they
could not get rooms, while VIP guests usually walk in without
prior booking. Such guests often cite security concerns for
having not made reservations," he added.
Burma also faces a food problem, added the businessmen. Not only
is food, especially in hotels or restaurants, extraordinarily
expensive but the quality remains far below standard, they added.
Transportation is another obstacle for the success of the tourism
year, they noted, saying that travel from one city to another is
still time consuming and road transport is out-dated and
insufficient.
However, the businessmen said Burma has many attractions that
will draw tourists in the long run. The country, they said, is an
ethnically diverse society with over 100 ethnic groups.
*****************************************************************
BURMESE EXILES SLAM 'SHAM' CHARTER CONVENTION
Bkk Post/25.11.95
ANTI-Rangoon exiles yesterday declared Burma's national
constitutional convention to be "a sham" and called on the junta
to halt it immediately.
In a statement received in Bangkok, the National Council of the
Union of Burma (NCUB) demanded a nationwide ceasefire and general
amnesty followed by talks between the junta and the opposition.
The opposition should be represented by "the democratic forces
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities," it
said.
The NCUB endorsed the opposition leader's warning that her
National League for Democracy (NLD) might boycott the convention,
which began meeting in January 1993 to frame a new constitution
for Burma.
The convention, set to resume deliberations on Tuesday after a
seven-month hiatus, "is a sham one and is totally against the
aspiration of the political parties that actually represent the
ethnic nationalities and masses of people," it said.
Comprising delegates hand-picked by the junta plus
representatives of ethnic minorities and political parties, the
convention was set up after the junta refused to hand over power
following the NLD's victory in 1990 general elections.
Known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), the
junta has said it would transfer power on adoption of a new
constitution, which is expected to codify a continuing role for
the military in government.
"SLORC should immediately stop this convention and open the way
for a just and right national convention," the NCUB held.
"Through this illegal convention, the emerging draft constitution
of the state shall be null and void," it held.
The NCUB groups the National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma (NCGUB), the NLD (Liberated Area), the Democratic Alliance
of Burma (DAB) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Amnesty International has reported the arrest in Rangoon of three
supporters of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said
it fears they may be facing torture.
In a statement received here yesterday, the London-based human
rights group said the three were representatives of the National
League for Democracy (NLD) youth organization.
*****************************************
FOR REFERENCE: 1994-5 PUBLICATIONS ON BURMA
November, 1995
1994 PUBLICATIONS ON BURMA
TITLE A Burmese appeal to the UN and US
AUTHOR Win, Kanbawza.
PUBLISHER Bangkok : CPDSK Publication, [1994?] 59 p.
SUBJECT United Nations--Burma., Burma--Politics and government.
Burma--Economic conditions.
TITLE A Report on the location of Burmese artifacts in museums
AUTHOR Blackburn, Terence R.
PUBLISHER Gartmore, Stirlingshire, Scotland : Kiscadale, 1994., 79 p.
SUBJECT Art objects--Burma., Burma--Antiquities--Catalogs.
TITLE Australia's relations with Colonial Burma : 1886-1947
AUTHOR Selth, Andrew.
PUBLISHER Clayton, Victoria : Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash
University,1994. iii, 22 p
SUBJECT Australia--Foreign relations--Burma., Burma--History--1824-1948.
TITLE Burma debate.
CORPORATE Open Society Institute. Burma Project.
PUBLISHER Washington, D.C. : Open Society Institute, 1994-v.
SUBJECT Burma--Periodicals.
TITLE Burma : encountering the land of the Buddhas.
AUTHOR Everarda, Ellis.
PUBLISHER Stirling, Scotland : Kiscadale, 1994., 114 p. : ill.
SUBJECT Burma--Description and travel--Pictorial works.
TITLE Burma in revolt : opium and insurgency since 1948
AUTHOR Lintner, Bertil.
PUBLISHER Boulder : Westview Press, 1994., xv, 514 p.
SUBJECT Minorities--Burma., Opium trade--Burma.,Politics and
government--1948-Burma--History--Autonomy and independence movements.,
Ethnic relations.
TITLE Burmese crafts : past and present / Sylvia Fraser-Lu.
AUTHOR Fraser-Lu, Sylvia.
PUBLISHER Kuala Lumpur ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1994.
SUBJECT Art objects--Burma., Art objects, Buddhist--Burma.
TITLE Comparative study of the two military juntas: Thailand and Burma : a
Burmese perspective. - 2nd ed.
AUTHOR Kanbawza Win.
PUBLISHER Bangkok : C.P.D.S.K. Publications, 1994. 74 p. : ill.
SUBJECT Military government--Burma., Thailand.
TITLE Culture shock! : Burma
AUTHOR Saw Myat Yin.
PUBLISHER Singapore : Times Books International, c1994. 207 p. : ill. ;
SUBJECT Etiquette, Description and travel, Social life, customs in Burma
TITLE Hard travel to sacred places
AUTHOR Wurlitzer, Rudolph.
PUBLISHER Boston : Shambhala, 1994. v, 161 p. ; 20 cm.
SUBJECT Wurlitzer, Rudolph--Journeys--Cambodia, Thailand, Burma.
Buddhism--Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Description and travel.
TITLE Inked over, ripped out : Burmese storytellers and the censors
AUTHOR Allott, Anna J.
PUBLISHER Chiang Mai : Silkworm Books, 1994.,124 p. ; 19 cm.
SUBJECT Burmese fiction--20th century--History and criticism.
Authors, Burmese--20th century--Political and social views.
Burmese fiction--Authorship--Political aspects,Psychology in
literature, Censorship, Burmese fiction--20th century--Translations into
English.,m Burma--Politics and government--1988-
TITLE Mandalay : travels from the Golden City.
AUTHOR Strachan, Paul.
PUBLISHER Gartmore, Striling : Kiscadale Publications, 1994., xii, 226 p.
SUBJECT Burma--Description and travel.
TITLE Mawchi : mining, war and insurgency in Burma
AUTHOR Crozier, L. A.
CORPORATE Griffith University. Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia
Relations.
PUBLISHER Queensland : Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations,
Faculty ofAsian and International Studies, Griffith University, 1994.,
113 p.
SUBJECT Crozier, L. A., Australians--Burma., Insurgency--Burma--Mawchi--
History. Mawchi (Burma)--History., Burma--Politics and
government--1824-1948.
Burma--Politics and government--1948-
TITLE Mountbatten : the private story
AUTHOR Hoey, Brian.
PUBLISHER London : Sidgwick and Jackson, 1994., x, 272 p.
SUBJECT Mountbatten of Burma, Louis Mountbatten, Earl, 1900-1979.
Admirals--Great Britain--Biography., Viceroys--India--Biography.
TITLE Return via Rangoon : a young chindit survives the jungle and
Japanese captivity.
AUTHOR Stibbe, Philip.
PUBLISHER London : Leo Cooper, 1994. xv, 232 p.
SUBJECT World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Burma. World War,
1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese., World War,
1939-1945--Personal
narratives, English.
TITLE Thailand and Burma handbook.
PUBLISHER Bath, England : Trade and Travel Publications, 1994-v.
SUBJECT Thailand, Burma--Description and travel--Guide-books.
TITLE Twilight over Burma : my life as a Shan princess, foreword by
Bertil Lintner.
AUTHOR Sargent, Inge.
PUBLISHER Honolulu : University of Hawai Press, 1994. xxiv, 216 p. :
SUBJECT Kya Seng, Sao, Sargent, Inge., Shans (Asian people)--Kings and
rulers--Biography. Shan State (Burma)--Politics and governemnt.
1995 PUBLICATIONS ON BURMA
TITLE Burma the golden
AUTHOR Klein, Wilhelm., Pfannmuller, Gunter.
PUBLISHER [Bangkok] : Insight Topics, 1995. 168 p. : col. ill.
SUBJECT Buddhism, Description and travel--Pictorial works.
Religious life and customs--Pictorial works.
TITLE Constructive engagement in the Burmese context
AUTHOR Kanbawza Win.
PUBLISHER Bangkok : CPDSK, 1995., j, 210 p.
SUBJECT Burma. SLORC, Democracy--Burma., Politics and government--1988-
TITLE Cultural sites of Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia
AUTHOR Dumarcay, Jacques. Smithies, Michael, 1932-
PUBLISHER Kuala Lumpur ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1995. xi,
SUBJECT Monuments, Antiquities, Civilization--Burma.Thailand.Cambodia.
TITLE Freedom from fear : and other writings
foreword by Desmond Tutu ; edited with an introduction by Michael Aris. -
AUTHOR Aung San Suu Kyi. Aris, Michael.
PUBLISHER London : Penguin Books, 1995., xxxi, 374 p.
SUBJECT Aung San suu Kyi, Burma--Politics and government.
TITLE Norman Lewis omnibus
AUTHOR Lewis, Norman.
PUBLISHER London : Picador, 1995. 834 p.
SUBJECT Lewis, Norman--Journeys--Asia. Indochina--Description and travel.
Burma--Description and travel, India--Description and travel.
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