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"Kha-mauk" Bamboo Hats Now A Popular Symbol of Defiance

     Since the reopening of high schools and elementary schools in
Burma in last June, many students have worn the traditional
"Kha-mauk" bamboo hats on raining days instead of carrying their
usual umbrellas.   Especially in the Rangoon Division, students wore
the "Kha-mauk" which was the symbol of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's
party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), during the 1990
election.  People popularly regard the "Kha-mauk" as the symbol of
political defiance against the military regime, Slorc. 
     In retaliation, Slorc has ordered school headmasters in
Rangoon Division to seize all "Kha-mauk"  from students.   Many
confiscated "Kha-mauk" can be seen in headmasters' offices in the
region.  Slorc has even gone so far as to ban the transport of "Kha-mauk" 
into Rangoon and to 
prohibit trading "Kha-mauk" in
Rangoon's markets. 


Dissatisfaction High among Rangoon People

     There are signs that political talk is increasing among the
people in Rangoon. Except for members of the military clique and
their close relatives, people in the city have been suffering from many
orders and regulations.  Due to the worsen economic situation and the
hardships it is causing, people's sentiment against Slorc is rising.  
     In Hlaing Township in Rangoon, residents in the township
were ordered to raze their traditional wooden or bamboo homes and
build brick houses instead.  Should anyone fail to comply with the
order, his land is confiscated with a mere 100,000 kyats compensation.
So far, fully one third of the houses of local residents in Hlaing
Township have been pulled down and the families relocated to Hlaing
Thara Satellite Town.  


Open Market Merely for Slorc

     Slorc is claiming that they have introduced an "Open Market " 
economic system in Burma, and it is true.   However, that open market
system is merely for Slorc's senior members and their immediate
families, but certainly not for the entire Burmese people.  All the
business and trades are being monopolized by the Slorc and army
officers.  Ordinary people re suffering a more miserable life than ever
before.
     The two- storey building which is a office of the Press and
Publishing Corporation, situated at the corner of Merchant Street and
Pansodan street in Rangoon was rented to Gen. Tun Kyi, the  Minister
for Trade for 70,000 kyats per month.  Gen. Tun Kyi then converted
the building's space into a number of small shops which he now rents
to other well - connected businessmen. From this one building alone,
he earns at least 500,000 kyats per month in rental fees.  People in
Rangoon have now nicknamed the building "Tun Kyi's Department
Store." 


ABSDF News Agency
ABSDF (DAWN GWIN)