BurmaNet News December 11, 1995

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The BurmaNet News: December 11, 1995
Issue #298

HEADINGS:
=========
WEST BURMA GROUPS: COOPERATION AMONG PRO-DEMOC GROUPS
ASSK: MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE ASAHI SHIMBUN AND WIESEL 
NCGUB: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST THE KARENS IN 
MS MAIREAD MAGUIRE ET AL: OPEN LETTER ON TRADE WITH BURMA
THE STRAIT TIMES INTERACTIVE: LIN MINGXIAN: GREATER THAN KHUN SA
BKK POST: BURMA OFFERS CERTIFICATES FOR CASH EXCHANGE
NATION: TWO KILLED ON BURMA BORDER.
BURMANET: BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF
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WEST BURMA GROUPS: COOPERATION AMONG PRO-DEMOC GROUPS
December 4, 2995

It is informed that Indian sector of Burmese struggle for democracy 
staged a remarkable occasion of diamond jubilee of Rangoon University 
in New Delhi this afternoon. The organizing committee arranged a grand 
celebration with full cooperation of all different groups in India.

NCGUB  ministers and a monk of the ABYMU were the chairpersons of the 
ceremony. Messages from ABSDF, ABSL, FTUB, YOUNG, IBSA were read.
According to the agenda, all participants saluted the Union of Burma 
and paid respect to those sacrificed in the revolution. A band of music 
sang the songs of pro-democracy struggle. Papers regarding to the occasion were 
read out. A group of Burmese students entertained an amusing "Anyeint" to the 
audience. The ethnic songs of Arakan, Chin and Karen were also entertained.

The NCGUB, in the speech said that such a cooperation was very encouraging 
for the cause of democracy in Burma and asked all groups to intensify their 
effort towards the goal in accordance with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD's stance.

Among others were Indian Burmese who extend their full support to the 
cause of peace and democracy in Burma. It is also to be noted that Indian media 
is writing a lot about Burma now-a-days which was rarely seen before. 
While Thailand is incorrectly trying for pro-SLORC policy, India deserves 
acknowledgment.

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ASSK: MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE ASAHI SHIMBUN AND WIESEL 
FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN HIROSHIMA
December 6, 1995

Message
HOPE BUILDS WILL AGAINST REPRESSION

Excerpts from a message relayed to the conference from
Rangoon, Burma, by Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 Nobel Peace
Prize laureate, and general secretary of the National League
for Democracy.

Asahi Evening News, December 6, 1996

What is hope?  It is that spark in all of us that reaches out to
the light even at times when it seems darkness must prevail
forever.  It might be asked if hope is not after all self.
deception, a foolish persistence in believing good can still
come out of a situation that seems wholly fashioned from the
ingredients of despair.  I would like to make a distinction
between meaningful hope and wishful thinking.  There is to
hope a positive force that calls for intelligent action.  Mere
wishfulness unaccompanied by endeavor cannot qualify for
the honorable epithet of hope.

Hope is the prerogative of those who strive continuously to
go beyond the barriers of complacency and ignorance, of
hate and fear, of resignation and apathy.  Those who have
lived under long years of authoritarian rule understand best
the unquenchable spirit that insists on the sacred nature of
human dignity in the face of brutal repression.  It is because
there are always great minds and hearts which hold out hope
for the downtrodden and oppressed that the world has turned
again and again from the brink of disaster, that humanity has
again and again risen, phoenix - like from man-made
holocausts.

The hope of the great majority of people in Burma today is a
very simple one - We want a secure, dignified existence,
protected by the rule of just laws and a political system that
guarantees the basic human rights recognized by the United
Nations as indispensable if the future is to be free of
'barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of
mankind.' As the party which received the mandate of the
people through free and fair elections, the National League
for Democracy of which I am the general secretary has a
duty to work for national reconciliation and the restoration
of Burma to full and early democracy, guided by the will of
the people and the dictates of the highest political and
humanitarian values.

There are no problems that cannot be surmounted if all
concerned are prepared to look for solutions together in
mutual good will and trust.  The National League for
Democracy and all others working to bring peace and justice
to Burma will continue to strive for conditions that will
promote a substantive political dialogue through which the
aspirations of the people can be realized.  The way ahead
may be fraught with difficulties and dangers, but we will
persevere, strong in the knowledge that we have behind us
the moral force of all right - thinking men and women.  

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

NCGUB: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST THE KARENS IN 
KNU'S TOUNGOO DISTRICT
December 4, 995

On November 30, 1995, troops from No. 1 Tactical Operations led 
by Myo Hla, Tactical Operations Commander of the Western 
Military Command surrounded Kaw Thay Dae - Khalelar  village and 
abducted 100 villagers to serve as human mine sweepers and to 
carry war supplies.

One of the villagers who were made to walk in front of the 
troops carrying military supplies stepped on a mine at Palo Mude 
village on that same day and lost a leg.  He is Saw Pya Reh, 30, 
a villager from Kaw Thay De and a father of five.  Also, a 
villager from Baw So Kho village lost both his legs and an arm 
when he stepped on a mine in Bu Sar Htar field on December 2, 1995.
The villagers are still being forced to work as porters and 
human mine sweepers today.

On November 30, Aung Kyi Sein, commander of the 440th Light 
Infantry Regiment under No. 1 Tactical Operations of the Western 
Military Command, shot and killed Saw Tha Kale, 30, father of 
four, from Kaw Thay De village.

It is reported that six columns of troops -- two columns each 
from the 55th Infantry Regiment, the 20th Infantry Regiment and 
the 535th Light Infantry Regiment -- are actively operating in 
areas along the road in Thandaung township.

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MS MAIREAD MAGUIRE ET AL: OPEN LETTER ON TRADE WITH BURMA
4 December, 1995, London

Sir: The British Government, through the Department of Trade and Industry,
is holding a seminar in London on Tuesday this week aimed at stimulating
interest in investment and trade in Burma. This seminar is the prelude to a DTI
trade mission to Rangoon in February next year.  

    Despite the welcome release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from six years of house
arrest, there have been no other positive changes in Burma. In fact, under the
brutal State Law and Order Resolution Council, hundreds of political prisoners
remain in jail, including MPs elected in 1990, and there have been further
arrests. Serious human rights abuses continue, many of them directly linked to
energy and tourism projects. Contrary to the British Government's claim that
"trade access provide s a degree of leverage", increased trade and investment
with the military regime only exacerbates suffering in Burma.

    The DTI's promotion coincides with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's firm request that
overseas investors should "wait" until peace and democracy have been restored to
Burma. In the US, selective purchasing legislation is being adopted by city and
state councils who refuse to support the regime.

    The recent events in Nigeria are a reminder of the consequences of investing
in countries with ruthless military regimes. Unfortunately, this is a lesson
that the British Government appears to prefer to ignore. Instead of doing
business with the generals, we should be looking at way to encourage the regime
to stop its business of repression.

    Yours faithfully,

    Mairead Maguire (Nobel Laureate), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Laureate),
Glenys Kinnock (MEP), Sir David Steel, MP, Yvette Mahon (Burma Action Group),
Patricia Barnett (Tourism Concern)

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

THE STRAIT TIMES INTERACTIVE: LIN MINGXIAN: GREATER THAN KHUN SA
December 8, 1995, Singapore

A GREATER threat than the notorious drug lord, Khun Sa, has emerged in the
Golden Triangle heroin trade.  Lin Mingxian, a former field commander of 
Myanmar's Communist Party, heads an operation in the Golden Triangle, an 
area that extends from eastern Myanmar to Yunnan province in China with 
drug routes running through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

According to a report in this month's issue of the Reader's Digest, Lin is
more dangerous than Khun Sa because his allies are none other than the
leaders of the ruling military junta in Myanmar.  Officially recognised by
Myanmar as a "local militia commander", he enjoys a public life, unlike
Khun Sa, who has to hide out in the jungle.

The Reader's Digest reported that Lin, born around 1950 of Shan-Chinese
parentage, had led thousands of tribesmen in several successful military
campaigns against government forces in the 70s.  He first entered the drug
trade in 1980 with his marriage to an ethnic Chinese whose father was a
Communist military commander trafficking in opium as a flourishing
sideline. Lin and his father-in-law became rich and developed a taste for 
expensive imported goods. In 1989, they ended their links with the communists 
and seized the party's armoury.

The ruling junta in Yangon reached an understanding with Lin for fear that
his well-armed rebels would link up with other non-communist insurgent
groups such as the Karens and the Mons, according to the article.  Lin was
allowed to engage in any kind of trade as long as his troops did not join
other guerrillas in attacking the government.

US government sources cited in the article said that his operation had been
tracked for some time by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.  But they
said that the drug trade could not be stopped without political change in
Myanmar. Traffickers such as Lin Mingxian would continue to thrive with the
government's present attitude, they added.

According to the article, Lin was a delegate to a National Convention that
will draft a new constitution for Myanmar. And when the drug lord visited
Yangon, he was a guest of one of the military junta leaders.

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

BKK POST: BURMA OFFERS CERTIFICATES FOR CASH EXCHANGE.
December 10, 1995

THE government on Friday inaugurated ten counters downtown where
its official Foreign Exchange Certificates can be exchanged for
Burmese currency.

The system of foreign exchange certificates issued in
denominations of $10,5  and 1,-was instituted in February 1993 to
control a rampant black market in hard currencies. The Burmese
kyat has an official exchange rate of 5.60 to the dollar, while
on the free market a dollar fetches 100 to 120 kyat.

Foreigners can change their travellers cheques and hard
currencies for the certificates which are treated as the equivalent 
of the hard currencies, and an be exchanged for Burmese currency 
at government banks, authorised hotels and money changers.

It is illegal for Burmese citizens to old foreign currencies, but
they can keep and use the FECs legally. They are widely used for
certain transactions, such as facilitating the installaion of a
telephone line, which is accomplished much more quickly if the
payment is in foreign currency.

Central Bank Governor Kyi Aye aid the new counters were
opened to 'regulate the informal market" in the certificates.

The counters were offering 120 kyats per dollar value of the
FECs, and Kyi Aye said the rate would be adjusted according to
the market.
      
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NATION: TWO KILLED ON BURMA BORDER
December 11, 1995  Mae Sot

(BurmaNet Editor's Note: A DKBA attack on Shoklo refugee camp is rumored
to be about to take place tonight.  DKBA soldiers were sighted coming down
the Moei River in the direction of the camp earlier today.  One DKBA soldier
was said to have been killed when two boats crashed into each other.)

Gunmen from Burma killed a Thai border policeman yesterday in a clash
south of this northwestern town.  One of the gunmen also died in the shoot-out
and several other people were believed wounded, a Thai police officer said.

Fighting started after a border police patrol encountered a the gunmen about
a kilometre inside Thia territory and raged for several hours.

The Thai force called in support from an army helicopter gunship.  The gunmen
were believed to be members of Burma's Karen minority, but it was not clear if 
they were from a guerrilla group opposed to the Rangoon government or from a
breakaway faction allied with Rangoon, the officer said.

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

BURMANET: BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF
 (compiled from various sources)

TAISEI'S BURMA BASE 

Taisei [1801] is fortifying its expanding its overseas operations,
particularly in Asia.  For example, the construction company has establishing a
gateway office in Rangoon, Burma.  Built in anticipation of future economic
growth in the country, in the first half of FY95 this representative office
served as a gateway for communication with overseas Chinese companies and
succeeded in securing three large-scale construction projects. 

AIRLINES, TRAVEL FIRMS TARGETING BURMA

Japanese airlines and travel agencies are riveting their eyes on Burma,
hoping to cash in on tourists visiting the country slowly making its way toward
democratization.  Forecasting an increase in passenger demand, Japan Airlines,
All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System plan to start direct flights to the
Burmese capital of Rangoon next year.   Among travel agencies, Kinki Nippon
Tourist co. has started selling a package tour.  In 1994, foreign tourists visiting 
Burma totaled roughly 88,000, of which Japanese accounted for some 10 percent.

INDIA-BURMA AIR LINK RESTORED AFTER 20 YEARS

Air traffic between India and Burma is being restored after a gap of two
decades. Indian Airlines will for the first time in recent years introduce
Calcutta-Yangon Rangoon bi-weekly flights from Thursday 7th December. It will
be available on every Thursday and Sunday.

TOYOTA OPENS SERVICE CENTER IN BURMA

Toyota motor corp. has opened an after-sale service center in Rangoon,
Burma, to capitalize on expected growth in auto demand in that country, the
company said.   The new after-sale service center is called Aye and Sons
ltd;  Although Toyota exported only 11 vehicles to Burma in the first nine 
months of this year, the company plans to ship 150 to the country next year.

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