BurmaNet News March 21, 1996

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: March 21, 1996
Issue #366

HEADLINES:
==========
ABSL: STATEMENT ON THE THAI PREMIRE'S OFFICIAL VISIT
ABSL: STATEMENT ON THE 8TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARCH 16th
S.H.A.N.: SHAN STUDENTS MEET IN MANDALAY
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: STUDENTS ANGRY ABOUT FIRM
THE ASIAN AGE: KHUN SA'S SOLDIERS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO
BKK POST: BANHARN IS CENTREFOLD IN BURMESE PAPER 
NATION: DEEDS NOT WORDS ARE NEEDED IN BURMA TIES
BKK POST: BANHARN UNDER FIRE OVER CHINA AND SLORC
BKK POST: SLORC PUTS OFF UN OFFICIAL'S VISIT
NATION: BURMESE REFUGEES TO BE MOVED NEARER SLORC 
BKK POST: BURMA RICE DEAL
BKK POST: JUNTA WOOS THE TOURIST DOLLAR 
BKK POST: BURMA TO GET $ 150M CREDIT FACILITIES
NATION: DANISH BUSINESSMEN MEET INDUSTRY LEADERS IN 
BKK POST: JUNTA CHIEF INVITES BRASS TO RANGOON
BKK POST: VILLAGERS CELEBRATE AS BORDER OPENS
ANNOUNCEMENT: SF PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEL. PURCHASING
------------------------------------------------------------

ABSL: STATEMENT ON THE THAI PREMIRE'S OFFICIAL VISIT TO 
SLORC, THE OPPRESSIVE MILITARY REGIME OF BURMA.
19 March 1996.

The situation inside Burma firmly proves that the ruling military regime 
which is also known as the SLORC has been oppressing the people since 
it took over the power in military coup in September, 1988. Since then all 
the public sectors have been strictly controlled and misused by the army officials.

In accordance with the officail fact and figures, the SLORC regime was listed 
as the highest human rights violators in the world. In fact, on one hand, the 
regime is trying to legitimize its illegal role by perpetuating the so-called 
national convention which is said to draft the future constitution of Burma 
and on the other hand, the SLORC is using the might of arms and various 
kinds of machiavellian techniques on the people of Burma so as to jeapordize 
the people's desire of the restoring democratic system in Burma. 

Though the government of China and ASEAN countries, especially Thailand, 
are well aware of the great suffering of the people of Burma under the iron rule 
of SLORC military regime, they turned a blind eye and are hobnobbing with 
the SLORC in order to gain their selfish interest. Regarding this we particularly 
would like to urge the government of Thailand to review its adopted foreign 
policy on Burma whether it's benefited the majority of the population or fuelled 
the machinery of the oppressive military regime.

In fact, in long term no government cannot go along with the policy of run with 
the hare and hunt with the hounds. Because dictatorship is totally opposite to 
democratic system.

In conclusion, we would like to urge the government of Thailand:

1) Not to oppress Burma democratic activists in Thailand, until normalcy is 
returned in Burma, in order to gain return favour from SLORC.

2) Not to repatriate Burmese refugees in Thai-Burma border. But to provide 
humanitarian aid or allow the assistance extended by NGOs.

3) Not to fuel the SLORC killing machine by trading with the SLORC regime 
that is spending 30% of the national income on military hardware being used 
for oppressing innocent civilians.

4) Not to concentrate on business interest alone but to view widely in the fields 
of regional security, peace and development of democratic and human rights.

5) Last not but least, if the government of Thailand really wish to preserve the 
good will with Burma they should support the democratic struggle of Burma 
that is burning desire of the people of Burma.

The Central Committee.
ALL BURMA STUDENTS LEAGUE.
3, Krishna Menon Marg,
N-Delhi - 110011.
Tel : 301 7172; 3016035
Fax: 0091-11-3793397

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

ABSL: STATEMENT ON THE 8TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH
16 AFFAIR
March 16, 1996


***********************  ABSL **************************
        Statement on the 8th Anniversary of the March 16 Affair
*******************************************************
Date : March 16, 1996                                             New Delhi

On March 16, 1988, the blood of the students and youth was spilled 
over the ground because of the brutal killings of the military 
dictators in Burma. The people of Burma were oppressed and deprived 
of their fundamental democratic rights under one-party dictatorial rule of 
"Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) headed by General Ne Win. 
The students and youth led the battle against this administrative system, 
demanding for the greater political freedom. The day of March 16 is 
honoured by the people of Burma as the students and youth fought not 
only for the students' rights but also for the fundamental human rights of 
the whole people of Burma.

In the history of Burmese people's struggle against the oppression and 
repression, the students and youth were always in the forefront of the battle. 
The students led the peoples' movements for independence and peace 
during the colonial rule.

The military dictators are destroying the real history of Burma and the 
nation is being propagandized in order to strengthen the military's active 
role in the politics of Burma. The lives of the Burmese people today under 
the military regime are deteriorating day by day with the lack of right to 
self-determination in their political, social and economic affairs in the country.

Instead of solving the problems with peaceful means, the military leaders of 
Burma, namely "State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)" are 
using weapons, force and power in their suppression against opposition and 
thus making the situations worse and the problems deepened. 

We strongly believe that the only way to the freedom of the people and 
country from oppression is the revolution and this revolution must be 
strengthened with the active participation of the entire people of Burma. The 
words of our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for the younger 
generations and who were killed by the inhumane soldiers on the streets 
of Rangoon on March 16th, 1988 are always echoed.

On this historic day of Burma, we solemnly pledge to continue our struggle 
for the downfall of military dictatorship and for the democratic and human 
rights in Burma. We urge the patriotic peoples of Burma from different walks 
of life in general and the students and youth of Burma in particular to join 
hands in hands with us.


			Wipe out  Military dictatorship
			 Evolve    Peoples' struggle
			Carry on  National revolution

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ABSL ////////////////////////////////////
*******************************************************

S.H.A.N.: SHAN STUDENTS MEET IN MANDALAY
20  February 1996

>From 10 to 13 February 1996, a meeting was held in Mandalay by university
students from Shan State. It was attended by 30 students, 15 male and 15 female,
from Universities in Rangoon; 30 students, 15 male and 15 female, from Taunggyi
University; 10 students, 5 male and 5 female, from Lashio University; 5
students, 2 male snd 3 female, from Myitkyina University; and 5 students, 3 male
and 2 female, from Yesin University in Pyinmana.

On the last day of the meeting, it was agreed that all the Shan University
students would continue to promote and preserve their culture and literature and
to find ways to conduct reserch work on Shan literature, culture and history.
The most important outcome of the meeting was that all the students unanimously
elected Zai Kham Lake, the most famous modern song composer, to be their leader
and chairman of all the Shan university society of the whole Union.

The decisions of the meeting and the structure of the Shan Student Society will
be issued shortly.


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

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: STUDENTS ANGRY ABOUT FIRM'S 
LINKS TO BURMA
March 7, 1996
By Bill Workman (Chronicle Pennisula Bureau)

Stanford University students are being asked to choose between human rights
issues in a distant Southeast Asian nation and the attractions of having a
Taco Bell on campus.

A group of students is protesting plans for the Taco Bell because the
fast-food chain's parent company, PepsiCo, does business in Burma.  The
military junta that rules the country has been condemned by the
international community for human rights abuses.

The protest comes as university officials come close to decision on whether
to put a Taco Bell in the Tresidder student union, after more than two
years of delays in negotiations.

Petitions with more than 1,200 signatures urging the university to drop
Taco Bell as a possible vendor are scheduled to be presented to the student
affairs office tomorrow.

"We thought most students would just prefer to have a Taco Bell, but a lot
more are getting behind this than we expected," said sophomore Nick
Thompson of Students for Environmental Action at Stanford, leader of the
petition drive.

Among those endorsing the Taco Bell ban, he said, are several student
government officers who had earlier urged that the fast-food chain be
invited to set up shop in the union building.

So far, the drive has not affected the sale of other PepsiCo products, such
as Pepsi, at Tresdidder Union.

However, Thompson said the protesters are seeking a general student council
resolution banning any products made by corporations with investments in
Burma.

The arrival of a Taco Bell has long been anticipated by students because
the student union lacks a place that sells snacks late at night.

PepsiCo has become a target of protest on several college campuses across
the nation.  San Francisco-based Levi Strauss is one of several companies
that have pulled out of Burma in recent months.

Pepsico runs a bottling company in Burma and also buys agricultural
products there for sale overseas.  Students for Environmental Action
suspects that some of the country's farmers resort to slave labor.

However,a PepsiCo spokeswoman denied yesterday that the company has any
links to alleged slave labor, although she acknowledged that PepsiCo
purchases products from Burmese farmers.

"The situation in Burma is certainly not a good one," said Elaine Franklin,
in a telephone interview from corporate headquarters in Purchase, N.Y.

"But we are not in business with the (military junta)," she said.  "In
fact, we are in competition with the government, which before we arrived
had a monopoly on soft drinks.  From our point of view, we are creating
jobs and investing in people."

Stanford Dean of Students Marc Wais, who has the final say on whether to
bring in Taco Bell, was out of town yesterday and could not be reached for
comment.

Wais has had several meetings with members of Students for Environmental
Action, who came away encouraged, said sophomore Jason Burnett. "He's been
willing to listen to our concerns."

Burnett said many students he asked to sign a petition at first balked at
the idea of losing the proposed Taco Bell.  "But after we explained what is
going on (in Burma), they were willing to make that sacrifice."

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

THE ASIAN AGE: KHUN SA'S SOLDIERS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO
March 19, 1996 (New Delhi)

Bangkok, March 18: More than 500 boy soldiers from the opium warlord Khun 
Sa's defunct rebel army have been left homeless in North-Eastern Burma despite 
authorities urging families to take them in, traders said on Monday.
   Traders arriving in Thailand from north-eastern Burma's Shan state said local 
officials of Burma's ruling military, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, 
have urged people to adopt children aged between 10 and 14 to work as a 
domestic or farm helpers.
   "Burmese soldiers announced that any family which wants to adopt these 
children can take them in.... The Army has no budget to feed them," a Burmese 
trader in the north-eastern Thai border town of Mae Hong Son province told 
reporters by telephone.
   But the traders said so far only a few families have adopted the children as 
many local people were too poor to be able to afford an extra child.
   Most of the boy soldiers were in the Shan state towns of Langkho, Mong Pan 
and Mong Nai. They were wandering the streets by day looking for food and 
steeling at night in the military compounds, the traders said. Juvenile 
delinquency is on the rise in Shan.  (AFP)

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

BKK POST: BANHARN IS CENTREFOLD IN BURMESE PAPER 
by Nussara Sawatsawant,  Rangoon
March 19, 1996

BURMA's official media, for the first time in many years had
something good to say about Thailand, with all aspects of Prime
Minister Banharn Silpa-archa's official visit being given prominent coverage.

The New Light of Myanmar, the mouthpiece of the military
government in Rangoon, devoted its front, centrefold and back
pages to Mr Banhrarn's two-day visit, which ends today.

Details were given of Mr Banharn's arrival, meeting with senior
Burmese leaders, dinner hosted by the SLORC, the signing of
border trade agreement, and even the sight-seeing tour of the
Shwedagon Pagoda and the Gems Emporium.

Pictures of the events, including Khunying Jaemsai Silpa-archa's
activities, filled two full pages.

The newspaper described the visit as "exemplifying the closeness
of ties" which have traditionally existed between Thailand and Burma.

Relation between Thailan and Burma was strained during the past
few years.

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

NATION: DEEDS NOT WORDS ARE NEEDED IN BURMA TIES
March 19, 1996

After the Asean and Asia-Europe summit meetings in Bangkok, Prime
Minister Banharn Silapaarcha was claiming another high-profile
political success when he returned from a brief official visit to
Burma. 
     
His two-day trip, the first by a Thai premier in 16 years, took
place only one day after the Burmese junta reopened the frontier
with Thailand.

The Burmese move was widely applauded and welcomed by both the
Thai government and the public as the Kingdom had been trying
desperately for the past year to persuade the ruling State Law
and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) to reverse its tough stand
on the border.

To most Thais, the re-opening of the Burmese border crossings at
Tachilek and Kawthaung came as a Burmese present for which
Thailand should be grateful.

But the mood of self-congratulation at the end of the visit
belied the reality of what had taken place behind the scene.

For months, top Thai army officers and senior government
bureaucrats have shuttled between the two capitals, negotiating
endlessly and intensively with Burmese leaders at all levels.

They eventually came to realize that unless Thailand met all the
demands laid down by the Slorc, the Burmese frontier with
Thailand would remain closed and the so-called Thai border
economy would continue to suffer.

The Slorc shut down the existing three checkpoints of Tachilek,
Myawaddy and Kawthaung one after another because of growing
dissatisfaction over a number of unfortunate incidents involving
Burmese citizens, and frustration over Thailand's decades old
policy of allowing ethnic guerrilla groups to operate along the
Thai-Burmese frontier.

Hefty compensation  High-level army and government officials
admitted last week that Thailand had eventually given in by
complying to most if not all the Burmese demands, including huge
amounts of financial compensation for the murder of Burmese
fishermen last August and a lightning raid into Tachilek,
allegedly from Thai soil, by opium warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai
Army in March last year.
 _
But they insisted that the money given to the Burmese did not
come from government coffers but from contributions by local Thai
businessmen in Raining and Chiang Rai's Mae Sai who were feeling
the pinch because of the closure of the Kawthaung and Tachilek
checkpoints.

Deputy Army Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro was the key figure in
negotiating settlement of the problems and conflicts.

During his last three-hour trip to Rangoon on Feb 23, during
which he met for about half an hour Slorc leader and powerful
defence intelligence chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Chettha was, told
that the Burmese would reopen Tachilek and Kawthaung on March 16.

But Khin Nyunt also mentioned that local Burmese people and
authorities in those areas, who were still upset with the fishing
murders and the MTA raid, expected to receive some financial
compensation in return.

Despite an unreasonable initial demand of Bt2.7 million for the
Burmese sailors deaths and Bt34 million for the destruction of
property and casualties in Tachilek, Chettha managed to settle
for much lower amounts. Eventually, sums of Bt5.5 -million and
Bt3 million were handed over to the Burmese authorities.

Unreasonable demand

At Tak's Mae Sot township, the Thai government early this month
agreed to a Burmese demand that it dredge the Moei River channel
and remove soil filled in years ago to help locals control the
waterway. The move prompted the Slorc to agree to reopen the
Myawaddy crossing point on the other side of the river. The
reopening is scheduled to take place today. 

This last piece of compliance provoked strong public criticism of
Banharn, with critics accusing the government of selling out Thai
soil and doing anything, even with national interests at stake,
to appease the Burmese.

Although Banharn and his big delegation of 60 members was given
red-carpet treatment upon arrival in Rangoon, the trip was more a
symbolic gesture than anything of real substance.

The signing on Sunday of the Thai-Burmee,e border trade agreement
in Rangoon in the presence of leaders from both countries has yet
to prove its legality or usefulness.    

Thailand expects the  agreement to serve as a guarantee that
Slorc would not be able in the future to unilaterally close down
the frontier without first informing Thailand.

Apart from meetings with top Slorc leaders including Gen Than
Swe, a practice which all state visitors are normally treated to,
Banharn's trip was devised more or less as a photo opportunity.

Banharn was confident when he announced last week at all the
disputes and problems with Burma would be resolved and relations
between the two countries would return to normal as a result of
his visit.

He added that the primary objective of his trip was to strengthen
bilateral relations and to promote better mutual understanding
between Thailand and Burma.

But the two countries need more than just exchanges of visits by
leaders or paper documents to end the strong animosity and mutual
mistrust that exists between them. Both sides have to prove their
pledges with deeds and concrete action.

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

BKK POST: BANHARN UNDER FIRE OVER CHINA AND SLORC
March 20, 1996  (abridged)

THE Prime Minister's stand towards the Rangoon junta and China
could damage Thailand's standing, the Democrats said yesterday.

During his two -day visit to Burma, Banharn Silpa-archa dealt
with economic issues,not the regime's poor record on human rights
and democracy, said Surin Pitsuwan.

"We are concerned that the Government took no interest in efforts
to promote democracy and human rights in Burma," said the former
foreign  minister.

"Instead, the Government only tended to problems at hand and
matters of vested interest. "

Mr Banharn's position with he State Law and Order Restoration
Council could cast Thailand in a negative light on the
international stage, said the Nakhon Si Thammarat MP, pointing
out that fishing problems remained.

Mr Juti Krairirk said Mr Banharn was using his position to help
private concerns with interests in Burma.

"Relations should mean give and take but we seem to be doing all
the giving," he said.

Mr Juti criticised the Government for offering the SLORC a
3.75-billion-baht loan from the Exim Bank to develop an
international airport at Mandalay.

Deputy leader Suthat Ngernmuen said Mr Banharn's stands on the
SLORC and China as well as the deficit could be used as censure
weapons.

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

BKK POST: SLORC PUTS OFF UN OFFICIAL'S VISIT BECAUSE 
MARCH IS TRIP TIME INBURMA
March 20, 1996
Rangoon

RANGOON cannot receive a senior United Nations official this
month because its leaders are busy and out of town, according to
ambassador to Thailand Tin Winn.

Leaders of the State Law and Order Restoration Council spend the
month touring the country, he said, and it was better that Assistant 
Secretary-General Al aro de Soto make the visit in August.

Mr de Soto had planned to hold talks with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt,
Secretary 1 of the SLORC, and Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, who met
Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa's delegation in Rangoon this week.

The UN official had hoped to visit Burma this month to prepare to
report to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Committee,
which convened on Monday.

U Tin Winn said: "The month of March is very busy. This is the
season for us to inspect all areas throughout the country, so
most of the leaders are away from the city area."

While on their inspection tours, he said, leaders of the SLORC
also attend meetings of various committee and participate in
religious affairs. 

Furthermore, the junta was also preparing for the Burmese New
Year on April 16.

Mr de Soto was curious about Rangoon's response and felt it might
have been unhappy about the meeting last month between Giorgio
Giacomelli, executive director Programme, and Aung San Suu Kyi,
the opposition leader.

The meeting, held at the UNDP office instead of Mrs Suu Kyi's
house, was a compromise with the SLORC, he said. But later the
meeting was termed " inappropriate" in the state-run press.

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

NATION: BURMESE REFUGEES TO BE MOVED NEARER SLORC 
ARMY
March 20, 1996

Mae Hong Son- Thai Army and provincial authorities will today
relocate over 2,000 Shan and Karenni refugees to another site
closer to where Burmese troops have dug in.

Aid workers have expressed strong concern over the "forced
relocation " of the 2,273 refugees taking shelter near the Thai
village of Huay Buub. They said the new location, former Karenni
refugee camp 3, lacks basic infrastructure including security
protection.

Huay Buub is northeast of Mae Hong Son's Muang district.
Camp 3 is just north of Muang district.

"[Camp 3] is a very unsafe area and it is about a 40-minute walk
from Ramboo Hill [in Burma] where the Burmese troops have dug
in," said one worker.

The workers said local Thai authorities planned to complete the
relocation within a day and that the refugees began to pack their
belongings yesterday.

Many of the fugitives wanted to return to their original refuge
site, known as Cholay, about an hour's walk from Huay Buub toward
the border, where some amenities such as lodgings and a water
supply already exist, they said.

The aid workers said there were no clear reasons why the
fugitives should be moved.

They quoted Thai authorities as saying that the relocation was
called for because the present site is close to the source of water supplies 
to local Thai people and to the Thai royal palace of Pangtong.

The workers said the refugees would have to walk downhill for
about one hour from Huay Buub to a lowland place from where Thai
authorities would take them by truck to the new site.        

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

BKK POST: BURMA RICE DEAL
March 19, 1996

THE International Rice Research Institute has signed a five year
agricultural cooperation agreement with Burma. No details are
available but the institute's director-general, George
Rothschild, held talks with Agriculture Minister Myint Aung
during a recent visit to sign the agreement, on how to boost
paddy production and to arrange courses on cultivation
development and technical assistance. He also visited the
Irrawaddy and Mandalay divisions to study summer paddy
cultivation. The Manila-based IRR has cooperated with Burma on
improving rice quality since 1974.

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

BKK POST: JUNTA WOOS THE TOURIST DOLLAR 
Supapohn Kanwerayotin and Nussara Sawatsawang 
Rangoon, Taunggyi and Kalaw in shan state
March 19, 1996

VISIT MYANMAR Year 1996 has induced the Burmese military junta to
make exceptions to a few rules.

In the interests of the tourism promotion, civil servants in the
provinces no longer have to sign a monthly paper to the effect
they are not interested in politics.
     
The country, which is looking forward to receiving 200,000
visitors this year, retains a "few names" of foreigners and
Burmese nationals living abroad on its national security blacklist.

The Shangri-La Traders Hotel in central Rangoon has been given
the nod to build a 32-storey premises although official policy
bans high-rise construction to preserve the capital's architectural integrity.
     
Employees of state-owned Myanmar Tours and Travels can freelance
as independent tour guides.
     
With the promotion, the ruling State Law and Order Restoration
Council hopes to make $80 million this fiscal year, said Lt Gen
Kyaw Ba, Minister of Hotels and Tourism. The travel and tourism
industry injected $34 million into the economy in fiscal 1994-1995.
     
Apart from bending those rules, the junta has implemented
"beautification campaigns" in Rangoon and other tourist
destinations, including Taung gyi, the capital of Shan State, and
surrounding areas.

Visitors are instantly impressed with signs of prosperity in
Taunggyi, where abundant food and consumer products make for a
brisk trade at the central market.

Central Taunggyi has been affected by a policy to beautify the
city through a command requiring that houses facing streets to be
of at least two storeys high.

Consequently, owners of such houses not meeting the minimum
height requirement have been forced to sell up to make way for
those who can afford it.
     
The same rule is enforced in compact Kalaw, formerly a British hill 
resort on the tourist trail in picturesque Lake Inle region in Shan State.
     
Kalaw seems to have had it worse than Taunggyi, because this
sleepy town with no motorbikes and fewer than 10 motor vehicles
woke up 18 months ago to find itself hosting a Staff College of
the Military Academy, which has meant an invasion of soldiers and
members of their families.
     
In Rangoon, Minister Kyaw Ba dismissed accounts of conscript
labour as "misinformation" He said: we have no such thing as
forced labour. We hire them, we pay them, and in fact the people
are quite happy to be able to work for a wage of between 60-120
kyat a day (120 kyat for hard labour). We are building more hotels 
and a lot of people have come voluntarily, applying for work," he said.

Such issues as the forced relocation of people and conscript
labour have been used as ammunition by human rights groups for
anti-Visit Myanmar Year campaigns. The most vocal has been
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who maintains the time is not
right for a lot of foreigners to pour into "In the first place, it is very much 
as though they are endorsing the forced labour that has been used to 
prepare the country for tourism and in the second place, you must 
question who is going to make money out of this," she said.
     
But the ever increasing number of visitors indicates that the
boycott forces are fighting a losing battle as Burma's pristine
nature and unspoiled culture overshadow human rights issues.
     
"Travel and politics should not mix," said Sim Kok Chwee,
assistant marketing manager of Air Mandalay, a Burmese-Malaysian
joint venture domestic carrier.

While the regime is negotiating with international airlines to
fly to the country, another market segment is growing remarkably 
culture vultures drawn by Burma's rich history and culture.
     
Culture and commercialism always go hand in hand as tourism
industry development experiences in many countries show. And
Burma is heading along the same path. Pa-Daung women, renowned
for their necks stretched by silver bands, were brought from
their habitat in Loikaw to Yaungshwe to become a tourist attraction

At Kaung Daing Hotel; four Pa-Daung women have been there for two
years with the encouragement of the hotel management on prospects
for a new life.

Tourists have to pay 300 kyat (60 baht) to take pictures with
these women who live in newlybuilt huts 200m from the hotel The
fees reportedly are meant for the food and clothing go to finance
their livelihood.

No regulations are applied for them. At Kaung Daing hotel, the
Pa-Daung are allowed to accept tips from tourists or sell their
handed-woven cloth.

Eight children of Daw San, 40, are allowed to go to a village
school. She and her family can visit her hometown during the
water festival in April, or they can take turns to go on leave.
The only rule is that some must remain on duty at Kaung Daing to
meet tourists.

"It is good to live here because there is nothing to do at home,"
said Ma Namu, 19, of her life at Kaung Daing Hotel. That day she
made 600 kyat from the sales of fabric she wove and from posing
for pictures with tourists.

"But our old relatives in the village do not like what we're
doing. They said it looks like we come here just to beg for money
from tourists," she said.

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

BKK POST: BURMA TO GET $ 150M CREDIT FACILITIES
March 20, 1996

THE Cabinet yesterday approved a US$150 million (about 3,750
million baht) credit facilities for Burma to build an international 
airport at Mandalay, 620 kilometres north of Rangoon.

The approval came shortly after Prime Minister Banharn
Silpa-archa made a two-day official visit to Burma to foster
bilateral relations between the two countries.

While in Burma, Mr Banharn also inspected the airport
construction site.

The Export and Import Bank of Thailand is the lender, while the
Department of Civil Aviation of Burma is the borrower. A signing
of loan agreement is expected next month.

Italian-Thai Development Plc, which outbid other international
bidders, was awarded the contract for the airport project which
includes a passenger terminal, other buildings and infrastructures. 
The construction will take three years to complete.

Exim Bank president M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula said he expected
to sign a loan agreement with the borrower next month.

Under the lending terms, the facilities have a repayment period
of 13 years. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue of Burma
guarantees the loan facilities, while the Central Bank of Burma
will keep the US$7.5 million or 190 million baht remaining
capital of the loan at the Exim Bank.

The Transport Ministry of Burma will also keep all revenues
gained from operating the airport in an account at the Exim Bank
for the principal and interest repayment. The Central Bank of
Burma will be responsible for any shortfalls from the repayment.

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

NATION: DANISH BUSINESSMEN MEET INDUSTRY LEADERS IN 
BURMA   AFP
March 20, 1996

A GROUP of 29 businessmen from Denmark met senior Burmese 
ministers to discuss investment opportunities in Burma, 
state-run Radio Rangoon reported in a broadcast monitored here.

The delegation held separate talks with Burmese Deputy Prime 
Minister Maung Maung Khin and National Planning and Economic 
Development Minister Brigadier General David Abel, it said.

Maung , who has the rank of vice admiral, is also the 
chairman of the country's Foreign Investment Commission.

During the talks, ministers explained current economic 
development and investment opportunities for foreign firms 
in Burma, the radio said.

Western nations suspended official aid to Burma after the 
present military regime seized power in a September 1988 
coup, crushing a nationwide pro-democracy movement.

However, several western business firms have maintained 
regular contacts with Rangoon. (TN)

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BKK POST: JUNTA CHIEF INVITES BRASS TO RANGOON
March 20,1996

Burmese Premier Than Shwe has invited Thailand's top 
military leaders to visit Burma, Supreme commander Viroj 
Saengsanit said.

Gen Viroj said the invitation was extended to him while he 
was accompanying Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa. The 
commanders of the three armed forces were also invited.

The Supreme Commander said he accepted the invitation but 
would have to consult armed forces commanders on when they 
would be available for the visit. (BP)

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BKK POST: VILLAGERS CELEBRATE AS BORDER OPENS
March 20, 1996

Some 1,000 Thai and Burmese villagers yesterday enthusiastically 
took part in the opening ceremony of a border checkpoint at Myawaddy 
in Burma, opposite this district.

Earlier, a meeting of local authorities, chaired by Tak 
Governor Kasem Nakkharat, agreed to hold the ceremony in the 
middle of the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge at 6 a.m.

The chairmen of the Local Thai-Burmese Border Committee 
proposed the ceremony be held on the Burmese side, however, 
on the grounds that Thailand had not ordered the border 
closed, according to a border source.

Some 1,000 Thai and Burmese nationals, including students 
and officials, reportedly witnessed the ceremony, which 
finally took place at 11.15 a.m. The ceremony, held on a 
concrete dyke under the friendship bridge at Myawaddy, was 
co-chaired by the Tak governor and his Myawaddy counterpart 
Lt-Col Maung Maung Yein.

Also joining the ceremony were committee chairmen Col Suvit 
Manmuen and Lt-Col Kyaw Hlaing. While addressing the 
ceremony, Mr Kasem said both Thai and Burmese civilians were 
happy about the reopening of the border pass as they could 
now resume cross-border trade, which occurs daily between 
7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

As for Thai and Burmese traders who bring export and import 
goods through the border checkpoint, he said a joint 
committee would be set up next week to consider the issue.

The Thai-Burmese border Demarcation Committee will meet 
simultaneously to resolve the problem of unclear demarcation 
lines along the common border.

The panel is also expected to discuss construction  bridge, 
which Rangoon has ordered suspended since the middle of last 
year. Col Suvit said boats would be used to transport goods 
until construction work on the bridge has been completed.

Tak Chamber of Commerce vice-president Panithi Tangphati 
claimed cross-border trade volume dropped over 60  percent 
while the Myawaddy checkpoint was closed.

In 1994, trade volume between Mae Sot and Myawaddy amounted 
to 2,079.8 million baht. Since the closure of the checkpoint 
last March, the volume of border trade has dropped sharply 
to only 807.7 million baht, noted Mr Panithi. (BP)

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ANNOUNCEMENT: SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR 
SAN FRANCISCO SELECTIVE PURCHASING LEGISLATION
>From Mafruza Khan: khan@xxxxxxxxxxx

Selective purchasing legislation banning contracts with companies 
which do business in Burma was introduced in San Francisco on 
March 4, 1996.

The following is the schedule for the public hearing and review by the
Government Efficiency and Labor Committee of the Board of Supervisors:

Date - March 26, 1996
Time - 1:00 PM
Venue - City Hall, Room 410

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