BurmaNet News: August 5, 1996

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: August 5, 1996
Issue #482

HEADLINES:
==========
NCGUB: JAILED NLD MP DIES IN RANGOON HOSPITAL 
REUTER: SUU KYI WARNS INVESTORS BURMA ECONOMY POOR
NATION: SLORC CRITICISES US FOR REPORTS
BKK POST: KNU WILL CONTINUE TALKS WITH SLORC
NATION: ASEM MINISTERS TO MEET IN SINGAPORE
NATION: DON'T LAUGH-OR ELSE
AP: BURMA REGIME MEETS PRESS
NLM: IF YOU WANT ANY NEWS, COME AND GET IT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NCGUB: JAILED NLD MP DIES IN RANGOON HOSPITAL 
July 4, 1996 (English slightly corrected)
by National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Information Ministry 

National League for Democracy elected representative U Hla Than, 
Cocogyunn constituency, Rangoon Division was died in Rangoon General 
Hospital on 2nd August 1996. He was in poor health and did not received 
any treatment in Insein Prison for a long time. When he became serious 
unhealthy, the authorities sent him to the hospital on 9th July. He was 
arrested on 23rd October, 1990 for his involvement in attempting to form 
a parallel government. He was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment with 
hard labour. His body will be buried tomorrow and
the family is having finance problems.

(added: ABSDF)
Dr. Aung Khin Sint, elected representative of NLD was rearrested
on July 23, 1996 by MI 12.

Recently, Dr. Myo Nyunt, elected representative of NLD (Pantanor
Township, Irrawaddy Division) has been arrested and charged with
Medicine Act 18/19.

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

REUTER: SUU KYI WARNS INVESTORS BURMA ECONOMY POOR
August 4, 1996

HONG KONG, - Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi 
has warned off potential investors in Burma, saying the economy was 
``very clearly in bad health'', Hong Kong television station ATV reported 
in a statement on Sunday.
	
``It's not just inflation, it's the very uncertain state of
the value of the kyat (the Burmese currency), it's rising
unemployment and the construction boom is beginning to fizzle
out,'' Suu Kyi said in an interview to be aired on Monday.
	 
``The buildings under construction now are what was started a
couple of years ago and if you look at the hotels you will
probably see large empty buildings and one wonders what will
happen to all those who invested in such projects,'' she said.
	
Suu Kyi urged Burma's military rulers, the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC), to listen to international
calls for dialogue with the democratic opposition.
	 
``What we are doing is putting off the time when we can do so
much to improve the situation of the country,'' she said. ``Why is
there a need to put this off? There is a dire need to change the
situation.''
	
 The Nobel Peace laureate said her National League for
Democracy was confident it could make a success of dialogue, but
added, ``everything has a price attached to it and we can't
expect democracy to fall into our laps without a struggle.''
	 
Last month, Suu Kyi called for international sanctions to be
imposed on Burma to force political change on the government.
	 
Burma's Minister for National Planning and Economic
Development lashed out on Saturday at reports saying the
nation's economy was not as strong as the government portrayed.
	 
Brigadier-General David Abel said the reports, written by
the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, were misleading and aimed at
discrediting the Rangoon government.
	 
One of the reports, on economic trends, said growth rates
were much lower than the government maintained and might not be
sustainable

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

NATION: SLORC CRITICISES US FOR REPORTS
August 4, 1996
Rita Patiyasevi

RANGOON- A Burmese minister yesterday lashed out at new US
reports criticising the country's economy, describing them as
misleading and politically motivated to discredit the ruling
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).

National Planning and Economic Development Minister Brig Gen
David Abel said he spent the night going through the two re ports
one a commercial guide to Burma and the other on economic trends
which were prepared by the US Embassy in Rangoon.

He said they were politically slanted, contained unofficial
statistics and therefore could not be considered economic
documents.

"Since the statistics are unofficial as stated, we can come to
the conclusion that the intention of floating such a report is to
seed doubt and cause mischief and to maliciously discredit the
State Law and Order Restoration Council," he said.

Abel said he would write a reply to the United States.

"The US clearly stated in the reports that all the statistics in
the reports are unofficial," he said.

He said the reports, which had been circulated to other embassies
in Rangoon, had no credibility because the information in them
had probably been picked up from newspapers.
     
Abel accused the US State Department of orchestrating the
publications.

"You can see  that this has been orchestrated from the State
Department itself, because they specifically ask for
feedback from readers.

"And this feedback is to be addressed to the US Embassy in
Rangoon or the US State Department in Washington DC.

"I think normally the State Department would know that such a
report has been circulated in Rangoon and other places," he said.

Abel claimed the reports were erroneous in many areas, including
economic and social conditions, defence spending and drug issues.

Visitors arrive in Burma with preconceived ideas, but change
their minds when they realise how different it is from the press
reports, he said.

The minister denied allegations in the reports about a lack of
in government budget policies and that defence spending absorbed
at least half of all central government operating expenditure,
and in turn had cut spending on heath and education.

He said Slorc had been most transparent in its financial dealings
and that budget spending for the past 20 years could be accounted
for and data made available.

Defence spending was 8 per cent to 10 per cent of the budget,
which was justified. Burma's policies were not aggressive, but
every country had a right to protect its national interests, Abel
said.

"We have been friendly with all our neighbours, with all
countries in the  region. I think Asean has appreciated that very
much and therefore  has taken us in as an observer," he said.
     
Abel distributed a booklet giving official economic and social
indicators dated March 1996, to local and foreign journalists,
which he said showed the US documents did not accurately reflect
the economy of Burma.

The US figures were presumptuous, he said, and warned that the
data should not be used.

While the US reports showed negative economic trends, there were
some 15 large US companies investing about US$243.57 million
(Bt6.08 billion) in Burma, he said.

Major investing countries included Britain, which ranked first in
investment with $1.003 billion, followed by Singapore ($896
million), France ($465 million), Thailand ($422.58 million) and
Malaysia ($420 million), Abel said. 

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

BKK POST: KNU WILL CONTINUE TALKS WITH SLORC
August 4, 1996

INTERVIEW: The Karen National Union leadership give their
views of the recently concluded third round of ceasefire
negotiations with the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, the ruling Burmese military regime in Rangoon. 
The council, the ruling Burmese military regime in Rangoon. The
eleven-member delegation held talks for three times with 
Slorc in late June in Moulmein, the Mon State capital
in late June in Moulmein, the Mon State capital.

Could you explain the latest ceasefire talks with Slorc, What is
your view? How would you assess the whole situation? 

Gen Bo Mya: We have still to reach a ceasefire agreement. Slorc
is still insisting that we lay down arms once we return to the
"legal fold". This, of course, is out of the question as far as
the KNU is concerned.

We understand a ceasefire pact is to help resolve the problems
that exist between the KNU and Slorc. And the main issue here is
a political settlement. This is the crux of what the Karen
revolution is all about.           

For us to agree to a ceasefire, Slorc must first agree to concede
to whatever political concessions are  necessary. Only then we
would be able to come to terms with them.

What are the terms, this time, agreed upon? What does Slorc want
and what are KNU terms or proposals? 

Gen Tamalabaw: We have submitted 12 proposals. First, for a
complete ceasefire. This is our basic principle. We tried to
propose without any preconditions that we discuss the related
principles in achieving such an agreement.

Clauses like returning to the "legal fold" and laying down arms
should not be included in the agreement. Also we believe the
ceasefire should be a nationwide affair. After this is agreed
upon we are willing to sit down at the table. This should be a
step-by-step process in which all parties and groups in the
country should participate.

On the other hand, what they are demanding is a complete
ceasefire followed by regional development, after which a promise
of disarmament from the KNU. This, of course, is not acceptable
to us. These are the points of contention between the Slorc and
the KNU. Slorc has assured us that our proposal would be taken
into consideration and will be further discussed when both sides
meet again in the near future.

Do you have any plans to lead the next delegation to the talks?
Gen Bo Mya: No, not at the moment. However, should they in one
way or another indicate that they truly want genuine dialogue
which would lead to a permanent ceasefire, then I might
consider leading the team. Is there any possibility of reaching
an agreement with Slorc in the near future? 

We cannot say right now. We will continue to negotiate not once,
twice or three times, but until they come to fully understand our
position. If they can't then they only have themselves to blame.

What did Gen Khin Nyunt have to say during your brief encounter?

Gen Tamalabaw: What he said was Slorc has been striving to
achieve nationwide peace. And because of these peace efforts many
of the armed ethnic forces have come to an understanding with
Slorc. He said the KNU should seriously consider the  peace
initiatives. 

And what did you to have to say t that?

We have' been working toward achieving peace since a long tim,
ago. [Gen Tamalabaw was present a the very first peace talks in
1963 during the era of the Revolutionary Council headed by Gen Ne
Win]. I have now come again to attempt to establish a genuine and
lasting peace. I told him that it was impossible to come to terms
all at once, and also that it would be impossible just for Slorc
and the KNU alone to achieve peace. Genuine peace would only be
possible if all parties concerned are involved in the talks.

The KNU already have principles laid down in finding lasting
peace a long time ago. But our approaches [peace process] differ.
However, we could gradually work toward coming to an
understanding to reach our objectives.

Where do the talks stand now compared to the second meeting in
February?

Padoe Mahn Sha: We carried on where we left off during our last
meeting based on the important points of the 12-point proposal
such as a nationwide ceasefire and finding a political
settlement. However, to abandon the armed struggle and return to
the "legal fold" are two issues that are unnecessary to talk
about at this stage. We have never even considered them for
discussion. The topics discussed during the second and third
meetings are basically the same. But one significant development
was the meeting this time round was more cordial and open.

Do you take this as in indication of a thaw in the relationship
between Slorc and the KNU?

Yes could call it as such.

Who were your Slorc counterparts during talks in Moulmein?

Team leader Deputy Director-General of the Military Intelligence
Col Kyaw Win, Col Kyaw Thein, Lt Col San Pwint, Lt Col Myo Myint
(G1), Maj Myo Myint (MI5), Col Khin Maung Kyi (MI25), Capt Kyaw
Thura who was accompanied by Col Kyaw Thein from Rangoon, and
Deputy Divisional Commander (Southeast Command) Major Gen Aung
Thein.

Did the delegation make an attempt to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
during your visit to Rangoon?

Gen Tamalabaw: We would love to meet her. However, as soon as we
arrived we were told to stay away from Daw Suu, and all embassies
even before we could put in for such a request.        

As one of the participants of the first peace talks in 1963 and
now a member of the latest, what differences do you see in the
approach and style?

The negotiation process is different. But the principle remains
the same. We [then] returned because we failed to reach an
agreement. They [then] said that if we wanted to continue with
the negotiations we would have to be restricted to a designated
grid line [area]. Nothing has changed since then. Their terms are
still the same.

When are the next round of talks scheduled?

We have agreed to continue with the negotiations. However no
specific date has been set.

What message do you have for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?

Gen Bo Mya: We believe what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, one way or
another, is working toward restoring democracy to the country. I
must say what she is doing is in the best interests of the
people. So it is imperative that  she continue with her work
until democracy is returned. 

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

NATION: ASEM MINISTERS TO MEET IN SINGAPORE
August 2, 1996
Jeerawat Na Thalang

FOLLOWING the first Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in March, foreign
ministers from Asia and the European Union (EU) have agreed to
hold their nest meeting in Singapore next February to discuss
their new agenda, expanding economic cooperation to new issues
such as labour standards.

Manuel Marin, the vice president of the European Commission, said
on Wednesday that the new agenda should set the direction between
Asia and Europe amid the changing political and economic
environment, in the aftermath of the first Asem in Bangkok in March.

Marin said that the EC was preparing a paper on the new agenda
for the EU and Asia, which should be ready for discussion before
the end of the year. Martin expects the paper to be tabled at the
next ministerial meeting.

Marin made an official visit to Bangkok on Wednesday following
the Asean Regional Forum in Jakarta last week. In Indonesia, the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations appeared to be on a
collision course with some developed countries, especially the
United States and those in the EU, over the linking of global
trade with working conditions, human rights and other social issues.

Marin admitted that Asem members might find it difficult to
discuss the social issues, but said "The new agenda  should carry
some elements that both sides can accept in terms of common
labour rules. I mean, who is in favour of forced or child labour?
I think it might be a little more difficult to discuss these
issues, but at least the debate should be open."

Marin confirmed that the EC has prepared a document on the
linkage of social clauses, such as labour standards, with
international trade rules. He said the document will soon be
forwarded to the Council of EU Ministers for discussion.

Asean members have not agreed to Western countries' attempts to
bring non-trade issues into the first World Trade Organisation
ministerial meeting. Marin, however, said, "it is likely that the
paper will be raised in December at the WTO."

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

NATION: DON'T LAUGH-OR ELSE
August 4, 1996
Taharn Teepasiri 

Humour is a staple of life, and perhaps even more so when living
conditions are tough. The Burmese people turn out in droves to
watch a nyeint, a package of burlesque, vaudeville and cabaret
performed at temple fairs, during merit making, and on Buddhist
festivals. The all night festivities are known in Burmese as pwe.

For the last 30 years, the Par Par Lay a-nyeint troupe has been
the most popular proponent of the art of punctuating classic
dance performances with short skits on the small incidents in
everyday life which affect ordinary people. 

Mobile a nyeint troupes seasonally travel from village to
village, building up anticipation by placing posters advertising
their show several months in advance of a visit.

"The Burmese love a nyeint because it's funny and combines dance
with humour. Pwe and a nyeint are the people's entertainment,"
says a Burmese exile. "They come to hear jokes - and jokes about
what they don't like gives them the greatest pleasure.

"But in Burma it's hard to make jokes which are not about
politics. When you joke about daily life, you can't avoid
economic or social issues. In Burma everything is political."

Nonetheless, Slorc has tried to curb the power of the pwe by
prohibiting all-night shows and warning performers not to make
political comments. In the south of the country, comedians must
provide the authorities with the jokes they intend to make prior 
to the show.

"How can they tell jokes that don't come from the heart? There's
no spontaneity left. The best comedians respond to their
audiences and draw them into the performance. Many have quit
rather than lose their integrity and popularity," the exile said.

All advertising of a-nyeint, pwe, television, movies and music is
strictly censored. By its very nature, the live performance of 
ba-nyeint is freer.

"They (SLORC) cannot control the pwe. The people will flock to
see pwe if there is a chance they will hear just one political joke."

After Slorc seized power in 1988, anyeint performances began to
die away in Rangoon. Then famous comedian Zaganar revived the art
through television. This intellectual member of Rangoon's social
elite gained an immense following and spurred a renaissance.

Zaganar is political by inference. For his subtle humour he has
been detained and questioned by military intelligence many times
and thrown in jail.

He once refused a request to perform for General Ne Win, the
ailing former leader of Burma who many suspect still controls
Slorc. The comedian was forced to go on stage but once there,
crouched on a chair, tightly gripping it and refusing to let go.
The chair was broken but he wouldn't get off even after he had
asked some of the members of the audience to fix it, alluding to
the military's refusal to relinquish power despite the
overwhelming victory of the NLD in the 1990 elections.

Zaganar also refused to attend the high budget propaganda
performance staged by the People's Relations Department.
Officials gave him top billing at one Rangoon show, knowing it
would draw a huge crowd, and were upset when he did not show up.
When Military Intelligence went to his house he told them he
wouldn't perform because he was bound to say something they
wouldn't like and Earlier this year Zaganar performed under a
Visit Myanmar Year billboard in Rangoon as a hawker selling
traditional toddy palm leaf boxes which, in Burma, is a euphemism
for prostitution.

It is the comedians who are most aware of what is going on and
they bring this into their acts. With the arrest of Par Par Lay
some will become braver; the intelligent, bright and artistic
comics will be encouraged by Par Par Lay," said the Burmese
performer, optimistically.

Making jokes about the state is the people's way of countering an
efficient and extensive propaganda machine. Slorc directs all
media productions and the Directorate of Psychological Warfare,
Ministry of Defence, controls television programming.

The regime even has its own Military Cultural Group, an elaborate
dance troupe noted for extravagant costumes. Since 1985 it has
performed the state version of pwe. 
     
Popular propaganda themes depict murder, rape and mayhem at the
hands of the ethnic minorities. A new weekly television programme
"Gwettor" started last month featuring a caricature of Aung San
Suu Kyi: she is presented as a dirty trouble-maker.

Kyaw Thu a popular actor who has refused to perform in propaganda
films, was disqualified from the Burmese Academy Awards. Last
year around the time of Suu Kyi's release he was suddenly granted
access to the academy as part of Slorc's attempts to clean up its image.

But the Slorc line has since hardened and while the junta
continues to ignore international pressure, Par Par Lay, Lu Saw
and the other political prisoners remain at the mercy of the military.

"It is important that the international community does not forget
about Par Par Lay, as without them he is voiceless. His arrest is
a clear indication of the extent of violation of freedom of
speech in Burma," said the exiled performer.

The comedians appear to be keeping their spirits up. "They are
not depressed. They work happily, despite having wounds and cuts
on their hands and legs, because they believe strongly that one
day democracy will be achieved," said a recently released prisoner.

It is a Burmese trait to understate hardships. To make light
comedy about their situation is natural. The people can only
wonder if the generals have completely lost their sense of humour.

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

AP: BURMA REGIME MEETS PRESS
August 2, 1996

RANGOON, - In the first of a promised series of monthly news conferences, 
the military government said Thursday that pro-democracy leader Aung San 
Suu Kyi's party could not help write Burma's new constitution.
        
The National League for Democracy led by Suu Kyi walked out of a
convention to write a new constitution in November, claiming it was
stacked in favor of the government. Officials said Thursday that
convention rules would not allow the party to return.

Burma has been without a constitution since 1988, when the
military killed hundreds while suppressing pro-democracy
demonstrations. A National Convention picked by the military has
been laboring since 1993 on guidelines for a new charter.
        
"Dialogue began in 1993 at the National Convention," Ohn Gyaw
said. "The NLD boycotted the National Convention of their own will."
        
Ohn Gyaw was one of several officials from the State Law and
Order Restoration Council, or SLORC, to attend the first monthly
briefing promised by authorities at the urging of reporters for
foreign news organizations.
        
The meetings reflect the government's apparent desire to improve
its image after international criticism greeted a harsh crackdown of
Suu Kyi's followers in May.
        
The regime may also feel more confident since last month's
induction of Burma - also called Myanmar - as an observer to the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a coup in the junta's quest
for legitimacy.
        
The news conference was attended by 17 Burmese reporters, a
Chinese and some Japanese journalists, and press attaches from
various nations, including the United States, Britain and France.
        
No Western reporters were present. A military official said the
meeting was called on short notice, but was open to all journalists.
        
The government's last news conference was May 23, at the height
of a roundup of hundreds of Suu Kyi's supporters to stop a meeting
marking the sixth anniversary of parliamentary elections that pro-
democracy candidates overwhelmingly won. The regime never honored
the result.
        
The government succeeded an earlier military regime in 1988,
putting down street protests that saw Suu Kyi, daughter of independence 
hero Aung San, emerge as the country's leading democracy advocate.

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

NLM: IF YOU WANT ANY NEWS, COME AND GET IT
July 25, 1996 
>From strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
by Min Kyaw Min (editor of New Light of Myanmar)

The year 2000 is just around the corner. That's when we will be full-fledged 
member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations judging from the 
right moves made by us and by our friends in the region.

The opposition we countered in our bid for admission
to the prestigious regional grouping is negligible compared
to the enormous goodwill and understanding shown by our 
partners in progress.

The good news that came out of the conference hall in
Jakarta, the granting to Myanmar of Observer status 
in ASEAN, is not unexpected, for the Government and the
people of Myanmar have always been confident faith and
trust can properly be shared by all the countries in the region.

The warm welcome Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council, received as one
of the Asian Ten, statesmen in their own right, when he
joined his counterparts in Bangkok last year was itself
more than a harbinger of good things to come.
As we exit from the 20th century and prepare for the
21st when we must move with greater dynamism in concert with
the other nations of ASEAN, we have also to retool some of
our undertakings to be in line with what we must expect.

What Newsmen Like

Last week, there was the Visit Myanmar Year & Myanmar
Development Forum sponsored by the Myanmar Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry at the International Business Centre in Yangon.

It was a resounding success considering the revelations made by business 
leaders, entrepreneurs who have written a success story insofar as their 
venture into Myanmar is concerned.
Moreover, the Forum turned into a lively question-and-
answer session for most of the correspondents who were in
town and attended the occasion. This is what newsmen like.
For instance, newsmen of the FINANCIAL TIMES, the FAR
EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW, the ASIA TIMES and others 
representing the print media, as also the wire services and
TV crews had a field day getting answers for what they had
all along wanted to know.

On hand were authoritative source persons from the 
different ministries, departments and enterprises running
their side of the market-oriented economy, and others well
versed in their subjects.

"Really fascinating. You couldn't find so many people
like that together, and they knew what they were talking 
about. We should have more of this, often," said a friend at
the IBC [International Business Centre] lunch.

Regular Meets

My friend wanted that to happen often, so shall it.
Many of the same source persons who know what they're 
talking about, U Set Maung to single out one, who were
available at the Forum to answer newsmen's queries will in
future be available on a regular basis.
Call it briefing, PC [Press Conference], or whatever,
members of the newly reconstituted Information Committee of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council will be meeting
the Press on the 1st of every month, or the next day if the
1st coincides with a holiday.
Subjects for discussion will be designated in advance
so that the various groups of experts on a particular 
subject -- the economy; investments, drugs, etc etc can be 
assembled within short notice.

Arrangements will be made to accommodate the meetings
at a particular venue so that members of the Yangon Foreign
Correspondents Club and their counterparts who fly in from
nearby spots can be there together.
This is a revamped version of the Info Committee 
meeting the Press on Fridays regularly.
What is significant now is that those who can really
answer the questions impromptu will be grouped together, 
each group clarifying points raised by the newsmen.
A liaison group duly authorised will make it possible
for those who want to attend to be present and it will also
take up related formalities so that the get-togethers will 
be as convenient as possible.
Moreover, depending on the occasion, those who desire
satellite uplink will be assisted.

Write What You Like

Any newsman can write what he likes. There have been
requests for interviews with ministers and others among the leadership.

No country has a set of ministers sitting around 
waiting for newsmen's interviews, for they must attend to
their respective duties.
It does not, however, mean that the Press meets are a
substitute for interviews which may be arranged depending on
the importance of the issue and the availability of the person.

Specialised subjects like banking must understandably
be taken up by the Minister, or the Governor of the Central
Bank on his behalf.

Let's not talk about the past when there were complaints about the scarcity 
of persons one might quote, get an authoritative account from.
So, my message to fellow journalists is `Welcome on board'.

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

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