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The BurmaNet News: December 23, 199
- Subject: The BurmaNet News: December 23, 199
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 04:26:00
Subject: The BurmaNet News: December 23, 1996
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: December 21, 1996
Issue # 597
HEADLINES:
==========
ABSDF: CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA(6)
ABSDF (WB): INSIDE NEWS
ABSDF (WB): RECENT STUDENTS UPRISING IN UPPER BURMA
NATION: SLORC EMISSARY MAKES CONTACT WITH SUU KYI
THAILAND TIMES: EXILED DISSIDENTS APPOINT NEW EXEC COMM
LIBERATION ALLIANCE OF BURMA: POLICE OFFICER SHOT DEAD BY
NLD CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: PRESS STATEMENT
ABSDF: SLORC EXTORTS MONEY FROM VILLAGERS IN TOUNGOO
IMPHAL FREE PRESS: AMSU SUPPORTS BURMESE STUDENTS
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: ASEAN DOES INTERFERE IN BURMA
BANGKOK POST: CAUTION ON BURMA ADVISED
NATION: ANOTHER BOYCOTT OF BURMA
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: 5 PRISONERS RELEASED
NYT: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ISOLATING MYANMAR
INDEPENDENT REPORT: PEOPLE'S FORUM ON BURMA INAUGURAL
INDEPENDENT REPORT: DEMONSTRATION IN D.C.
-------------------------------------------------------------
ABSDF: CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA(6)
December 20, 1996
lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1) SLORC Appropriates State-Own Textile Factory & Arrests
Protesting Workers
On 13/12/96, immediately after the violent crackdown on the
students protesting against police brutality, the military regime
appropriated one of the largest textile factories in Burma.
The Thamine Textile Factory, located in the township of Insein,
was appropriated by the military and its name has been changed to
the 'Tatmadaw Textile Factory'. (Tatmadaw is the Burmese word for
the armed forces.)
The SLORC arrested 34 workers who were among many protesting over
the appropriation and the changing of its name.
2) SLORC Continues Arresting Former Activists
The SLORC has continued to round up former activists for alleged
connection with student protests that ended last week after a
crackdown, followed by an unofficial closure of educational institutions.
The arrests are in line with SLORC's accusation that the ABSDF
and Communist Party of Burma were behind the 'unrest' because
some of those arrested were at one time close associates of Moe
Thee Zun, current vice-chairman of the ABSDF. Also, left-wing
activists are always subjected to questioning and are detained
whenever 'unrest' occurs in Burma.
3) Students Held At Kyaikkasan Race Course
According to an unconfirmed report, a total of 108 students
including 3 female students are being held at Kyaikkasan Race
Course. The old race course has been used by successive military
regimes as a meeting place, and since the crackdown on the NLD
which has seen the arrests of more than 600 people in May, it has
been used as temporary detention and interrogation center by the SLORC.
4) Students Still Receiving Treatment at the RGH
Reliable sources in downtown Rangoon confirmed the news that more
than 100 students are receiving medical treatment in a special
ward in Rangoon General Hospital (RGH). The students are being
treated for wounds sustained during the violent crackdown on
their peaceful protests earlier this month. Sources close to the
RGH told ABSDF that groans can be heard from the special ward.
Hospital visitors, who were previously free to come and go, are
now being strictly checked following the arrival of the students.
No house surgeons (medical students interns) are allowed to go
into this ward - only senior doctors are permitted entry.
4) The SLORC Continues To Investigate Biographies Of the Children
Of Teachers And Civil Servants
In an effort to prevent the participation in the protest of the
children of teachers and civil servants, who are students at
various educational institutions, the military regime has
continued checking their biographies. It is easier for the
military to curb the activities of these students by putting
pressure on their parents.
5) SLORC Forms USDA And Yawata (Ward Law And Order Restoration
Council) Into 'Pyit Swan Arr' Vigilante Organization
Reliable sources in Burma informed the ABSDF that the SLORC has
formed an organization called 'Pyit Swan Arr' or 'Strength Of The
Nation' to watch over the activities of the students. It is a
vigilante organization of SLORC comprising members of the Union
Solidarity Development Association (USDA) and Yawata or the Ward
Law And Order Restoration Council. The same sources also reported
that the SLORC is drawing up contingency plans for the
possibility of another student protest.
*****************************************************************
ABSDF (WB): INSIDE NEWS
December 22, 1996
1. A students protest was reported to have taken place at
No(1.) State high school in Monywa on 11/12/96 and 12/12/96.
A rumor that the Burmese students from India had arrived in
Monywa, was also spreading in Monywa. On hearing that rumor,
SLORC officials were busy conducting house to house search for the
said students.
2. Schools in Mandalay, Monywa and Kalay have been
shut down by the authorities without any prior notice. Students
were said to have been sent back to their respective hometowns
and were made to sign in at every check-point on their way home.
3. The students who are not residents of Rangoon were
asked by the officials to leave Rangoon for their respective
hometowns. Only female students complied with the officials
order. But most of the male students, in spite of the SLORC
officials order, decided to remain in Rangoon. The students
have made a declaration that the day schools and colleges are
reopened must be the day the students union is formed.
*************************************************************
ABSDF (WB): RECENT STUDENTS UPRISING IN UPPER BURMA
December 22, 1996
There were peaceful student demonstrations in Mandalay capital of
upper Burma last week. Mandalay university students took place in such
uprising because they disliked the brutal army crackdown on the peaceful
demonstrations of Rangoon universities' students against the present
military regime (SLORC).
The student demonstrations of Mandalay were also cracked down by
the army, and forty students were arrested and put in jail, 32 male
and 8 female students. Among them two student leaders, executive
members of strike committee, Han Wim Aung and Zaw Lin Tun who are both
3rd year students of zoology, were severely and cruelly tortured by
military Intellegence in jail. These student demonstrations were led by
six student leaders from Rangoon Institute of Technology who came from
Rangoon. The demands of students are:
1. To allow the formation of free and independent student unions.
2. To release all student prisoners unconditionally and
immediately including student leader Min Ko Naing who has been in
jail since 1988.
3. To implement tripartite dialogue without any delay among Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi lead democratic forces, ethnic nationalities
leaders and the SLORC.
On 20.12.96 Burmese democratic forces staying at Indo-Burma border
performed a joint activity including poster campaign and distributing
pamphlets and memorandum that mention the student movement inside
Burma and ask the people to support the student movement and join actively
to become countywide mass uprising like as 1988.
On 18.12.96, five leaders from the NLD party Tamu branch were arrested by
the military intelligence because of anti-government papers and books were
seized from their residents. They are chairman of Tamu branch NLD party U
Kyin Swan Khan, secretary U Cho, and executive members U Chan Hla, U Tin
Aung and U Hla Sein. On 2012.96 they were sent to the army lock up of
Kalamyo.
- ABSDF (WB) News and information Unit
*****************************************************************
NATION: SLORC EMISSARY MAKES CONTACT WITH SUU KYI
December 22, 1996 Reuter
AN EMISSARY of the Burmese military government has been in
contact with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but both sides
denied yesterday that this was the start of a dialogue between them.
A government spokesman said that "a channel of information flow"
had been opened between the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc) and the leader of the National League
for Democracy (NLD) party.
However, he added: "It is premature to call it the start of a
dialogue. In this way it is direct and we don't have to rely on hearsay."
Deputy Secretary- General of the NLD, U Tin Oo, confirmed that a
government r official had visited Suu Kyi this week, but said
the meeting was to clarify the government request for her not to
leave home without permission.
"There is a linkage between the Slorc and Aung San Suu Kyi.
A liaison officer came to explain to her about her confinement to
the house, he said. "It is not opening of a channel for dialogue."
Suu Kyi, who was released after six years of house arrest in July
1995, has sought dialogue with the Slorc to bring about more
freedom and democracy in Burma.
But the Slorc has refused to hold a dialogue with Suu Kyi and her
NLD. It had demanded that talks be held through the
government-appointed national convention which is drawing up a
new national constitution.
Suu Kyi and her NLD walked out of the convention in November 1995.
Political sources in Rangoon said they had heard rumours that the
Slorc and NLD had held talks through a mediator recently.
Some believed that the opening of a channel between the two
sides could be the harbinger of real dialogue but others doubted
it was substantive.
Suu Kyi was told by the Slorc to remain indoors earlier this
month after anti-government student demonstrations in the streets
of Rangoon. She protested against the curb and critics called it
another form of house arrest.
Suu Kyi's aide said she had been at her lakeside residence on
University Avenue since Dec 3 but had been visited by senior
party members.
Public access to Suu Kyi's residence has been barred for several
weeks and connecting roads remain blocked.
However, on Friday afternoon the deputy charge d'affaires of the
US embassy in Rangoon, Douglas Rasmussen, was allowed to visit
Suu Kyi. The Nobel peace laureate updated him on her confinement
and the latest political situation, NLD sources said.
On Dec 13, the week after some 2,000 students staged street
protests in Rangoon, the Slorc prevented the embassy's charge
d'affaires Kent Widemann from meeting Suu Kyi at her house.
The emissary said Rasmussen's visit to Suu Kyi's house showed
that the opposition leader was not under house arrest.
"It is only a temporary action and when the security situation
improves the restriction can be lifted," he added.
*****************************************************************
THAILAND TIMES: EXILED DISSIDENTS APPOINT NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
December 22, 1996
by Assawin Pinitwong
TAK: An exiled-Burmese government has elected its new central
executive committee in the Thai-Burmese border area in a recent
administrative reshuffle, Burmese dissident sources said.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) - Liberated Area elected
Tin Aung as its new president while Win Khet was appointed the
deputy president. Than Tu, Maung Maung Hla and Aung Saw U will
respectively serve as first, second and third secretaries in the
central executive committee, the NLD sources said.
The party also picked up 13 NLD central executive committee members.
The NLD - Liberated Area had set up office in border area of
Manerplaw controlled by ethnic Karen National Union (KNU) in late
1990 after Rangoon's military regime refused to accept election results.
Most of the CEC members were elected as people's representatives
in the military-held multi-party general elections in May that year.
The NLD source said the CEC plans to meet once a month at one of
the NLD offices along the Thai-Burmese border opposite Umphang
district, Tak, to discuss their ongoing struggle against the
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
In another development, SLORC's Secretary 1 and intelligence
chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt had sent two government mediators Khun
Mya and Tun Aung Kyi to hold further talks with rebel KNU
President Bo Mya at the KNU headquarters in Tegaplaw opposite
Umphang district. Rangoon had demanded the rebel group be
disarmed before signing a peace agreement. The result of the
meeting was yet to be known.
*****************************************************************
LIBERATION ALLIANCE OF BURMA: POLICE OFFICER SHOT DEAD BY
CEASEFIRE 'WA' OFFICER
December 19, 1996 (posted by the ABSDF)
------------------------------------------------------
The Liberation Alliance of Burma (LAB) is a coalition of youth
and students inside Burma working to achieve democracy and human
rights there.
---------------------------------------------------
"No charges would be brought against the Wa officer in the name
of national interest', says the commander of Mandalay Division
Military Command.
'People in the Mandalay area plan to counter violent acts by Wa
officers through non-violent means'.
Mandalay, 25/11/96, Full Mon Day of Tazaung Mone
A police officer was shot dead by Wa revellers during the
Kathin festival in Mandalay last month. Drunken Wa revellers
belonging to the former communist group, which signed a ceasefire
with the Burmese military regime in 1989, caused problems with
local people on November 25 during the Kathin festival.
When the Wa revellers started causing problems, employees from
'Lone Khen' Hotel called the police for help. The police at the
nearby No.8 Police Station, located in Yodaya Quarter, sensed
possible trouble and a scuffle involving the Wa and decided not
to send less experienced younger officers to the scene. Instead,
a 40-year Police Lieutenant named U Saw Maung was sent to
defuse the problem. This choice was appropriate because U Saw
Maung was an Arakan and not a Burman.
The noise and disturbance caused by the Wa was so intense that
U Saw Maung finally had to arrest one of the Wa officers. He
hand-cuffed the officer, at which other Wa officers violently
protested. U Saw Maung understood that the situation was
uncontrollable and fired warning shots into the air. At this
point, one of the Wa officers shot him dead in front of hotel
employees and many other locals. He died instantly on the spot.
Many eye-witnesses went to the police station out of anger to
recount the incident to the police. While the commander of the
police station was filing the case, the commander of the Mandalay
Divisional Military Command arrived at the station. He snatched
the file from the police commander and said in front of the police
and eye-witnesses, 'We cannot let our country be disintegrated because
of the death of a policeman. Wa have been contributing much to the
country. The police, instead, are destroying the country by taking bribes'.
Police forces in upper Burma, including the Police Commander of
the Mandalay Division, were extremely unhappy with the action and
words of the military commander, but were unable to do anything.
The people who were at the scene of the crime were also
displeased with the whole episode. An eye-witness also reported
that he and many others overheard a soldier, who was with the
Mandalay Military Commander at the police station, express his
disgust at the actions of his commander. He said, "Being a
Burmese has no value. We (soldiers) have to watch all these Wa
opium bandits have their own way in the towns. I wish our paths
will cross'.
Subsequently, the military ordered the police not to file any
charges against the culprit. However, he should have been charged
under Section 302 for murder, which is punishable by death, and
charged for resisting arrest. As well as this, the military
ordered the bereaved family not to place an obituary in the
paper. This order however was reversed at his family's request.
Following this case, Burmans, police officers, and even soldiers
in the Mandalay area have become extremely resentful towards Wa
officers and their unruly behavior, which is sanctioned by the
Burmese military.
In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, ceasefire groups such
as the Wa are allowed to set up liaison offices in major cities.
These groups have also been allowed to set up businesses. The Wa
is the only such group known to be permitted to carry firearms.
('Lone Khen' hotel is situated between 76 st and 77 st,
Kansanamahi Quarter in Chan Aye Thazan township, Mandalay).
***************************************************************
NLD CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: PRESS STATEMENT
December 9, 1996 Rangoon
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY
97-B West Shwe Gon Daing, Bahan Township, Rangoon
Press Statement
---------------
Since the students' demonstrations began on Monday, 2 December, a
number of young women and young men from the Youth Wing of the
National League for Democracy have been taken into custody by the
authorities. There is no evidence that these young people were
involved in the demonstrations. However, it has become official
practice to victimize the NLD whenever there are signs of public
discontent. In addition to the arrest of NLD members, access to
the house of the General Secretary, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has
been shut off and restrictions have been placed upon her
movements. Such measures constitute wrongful restraint upon Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi personally, as well as upon the activities of the NLD.
The demonstrations arose out of the perception that the
legitimate grievances of university students have been ignored by
the authorities. The NLD deplores the use of violence to put down
the demonstrations. We believe that long term solutions to social
and political problems can be found only through a process of
negotiation and reconciliation.
The NLD urges the State Law and Order Restoration Council to
release immediately all those who have been taken into custody;
to address the grievances of the students urgently; to refrain
from resorting to further violence and to lift all restrictions
imposed on the General Secretary, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and on
the activities of the NLD.
************************************************************
ABSDF: SLORC EXTORTS MONEY FROM THE VILLAGERS IN TAUNGOO DISRICT
December 20, 1996
from lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
According to sources in Taunggoo area, Aung Naing Tun, the
commander of Tactical Command (1) arrived with his troops at
Bawgali village in Taunggoo District on 27/11/96 and forcibly
collected 300 Kyat per household for porter fees. In addition, he
demanded 500 Kyat per household for permanent porter fees. The
villagers therefore ended up paying 800 Kyat per household.
Bawgali village has 340 households and the military made off with
272,000 Kyat.
Likewise, villagers from Kawthaytae which has 150 households had
to pay 45,000 Kyat in porter fees. Another village known as Lelko
was forced to pay 16,000. All the money collected went to
Commander Aung Naing Tun.
Further extortion was carried out by the troops under his
command. The following are the villages which were forced to pay
porter fees to Commander Aung Naing Tun;
- Kawsoekho (80 households) 64,000 Kyat
- Wathokho (24 households) 12,000 kyat
- Kalaw Medae (50 households) 56,000 Kyat
The same sources also reported that the people in the area
surrounding Htan Tapan (both in the mountains and on the plains)
are going through a difficult time because the SLORC troops have
been extorting money from the villagers. SLORC troops have been
operating in the area in small groups, patrolling and laying in
wait for KNU troops.
********************************************************
IMPHAL FREE PRESS: AMSU SUPPORTS BURMESE STUDENTS
December 20, 1996
The All Manipur Students Union, (AMSU)
Manipur state, India pledged supports to Burmese students
movement to restore democracy in Burma.
The AMSU, in a release, said it morality supported the
Burmese students movement and the worldwide demonstrations
to be held tomorrow in support of their demand.
Expressing concerning that a number of students were
killed by the military govt. of Burma, the AMSU called on the
international community to extend their support to the
movement for democracy.
The All Manipur Young Pioneers Organization also denounced
the military govt. of Burma for violating Human Rights in that country.
It described killing of students by the Burmese military in
1988 as inhuman.
*******************************************************
NATION: BURMA CROWS OVER CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS
December 22, 1996 AFP
RANGOON - Eager to combat international criticism of alleged
inaction against the drugs trade, Burma's official press
yesterday reported that police had cracked nearly 300 narcotics
ceases last month.
The New Light of Myanmar daily reported that this had led to the
seizure of 112 kilogrammes of heroin and 174.5 kg of raw opium.
More than 450 suspects were arrested during November and taken to
court under legislation that carries a maximum death penalty for
drug trafficking, the report said.
Burma is the world's largest producer of opium, from which heroin
is derived, accounting for over half of the global crop.
The rulling military junta has come under harsh international
criticism, particularly from the United States, for its alleged
involvement in the narcotics trade and failure to clamp down on
the production of drugs.
According to US estimates based on satellite photography, Burma
produced 2,560 tonnes of opium in this year's crop, with a
potential for over 250 tonnes of refined heroin.
US drug officials also say that metamphetamine production is
growing alarmingly in Burma to satisfy a growing market for the
drug in neighbouring countries, particularly Thailand.
To counter the criticism, the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (Slorc), as the junta is officially known, has recently
been on a public relations offensive.
While admitting that Burma is the leading opium producer in the
notorious Golden Triangle , senior officials have defended the
junta's track record in drug seizures.
******************************************************
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: ASEAN DOES INTERFERE IN BURMA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS
December 22, 1996 by Peter Hadfield
>From Carol Schlenker & Aung Thu <carol@xxxxxxx>
At a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations earlier
this month, the distinguished ASEAN leaders promised to let Burma join their
club, in due course. They saw nothing odd about warming to a country run by
a military dictatorship -- possibly because the track record of other ASEAN
countries is not much better.
ASEAN's main argument is a familiar one: Trade has nothing to do with
human rights. If Burma wants to join ASEAN as a trading partner, other
members are not going to question its morals or ethics. They do not, in the
parlance of the region, interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
Unfortunately, ASEAN leaders are missing a rather crucial point. Like it
or not, they ARE interfering in Burma's internal affairs.
Trading with Burma today means having to do business with its military
rulers, simply because they have a financial stake in just about every major
project in the country, from oil exploration to hotel development. Doing
business with the generals means financially rewarding and propping up a
regime that is ruling illegally -- and putting at a disadvantage the real
government that was overwhelmingly chosen by Burmese people in a 1990
general election. If that is not interfering in Burma's internal affairs
then Gen. Than Shwe is a banana.
Curiously enough, Western governments that advocate having nothing to do
with Burma are accused by ASEAN of "interfering" in its internal affairs."
Funny old world.
***************************************************************
BANGKOK POST: CAUTION ON BURMA ADVISED
December 21, 1996 (abridged)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations should think carefully
before it admits Burma as the decision will affect the grouping's
international clout, a senior American official said yesterday.
"We are supportive of the fact that Asean will expand," said
Sandra Kristoff, US President Bill Clinton's special assistant on
National Security issues. "We welcome Vietnam's joining Asean for
example," she said, citing the grouping's admission of Vietnam in
July 1995.
But, she added, "I think there are some differences between us,
frankly, on the appropriateness of the timing," when asked about
Asean's plan to include Burma, Cambodia and Laos in an expanded
community of 10 Southeast Asian nations by 2000.
Ms Kristoff was answering a question posed by Wiwant Mungkandi,
of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, one
of three Bangkok based American affairs specialists who took part
in the video conference organised by the United States
Information Service.
Asean "has set high criteria and standards" for the admission of
new members "and I think we would hope that Asean would think
carefully about whether Burma meets the criteria and standards,"
Ms Kristoff said.
"The entry of countries like Burma as well as Cambodia and Laos,
will reflect on Asean's international reputation and your
(Asean's) ability to become, and exercise greater political voice
on the Asia Pacific agenda," she added.
Asean has set participation in the grouping's free trade area as
a main criterion for admission.
*****************************************************************
NATION: ANOTHER BOYCOTT OF BURMA
December 21, 1996
Boulder, Colorado - The Boulder City Council has voted to stop
buying products from Burma in protest of the Asian nation's human
rights violations.
The 5-2 vote Wednesday makes Boulder the eighth US city to adopt
a boycott of Burmese products.
Advocates of the move said Boulder is joining a growing number of
cities and an expanding number of businesses that have stopped
doing business in Burma because of the behaviour of the
country's military rulers.
Mayor Leslie Durgin and Councilman Bob Greenlee said they were
sympathetic, but they voted against the boycott because of
concerns about how it might affect existing contracts with
Boulder companies. -AP
***********************************************************
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: 5 PRISONERS RELEASED
December 20, 1996 (abridged)
U Maung Maung (m)
U Than Oo (m), NLD organizing committee, Yangon
Chit Khaing (m), NLD organizing committee, Yangon
U Maung Maung Lay (m), NLD organizing committee, Yangon
Dr Thaung Win (m), NLD member of parliament-elect
Amnesty International has learned that U Maung Maung, U Than Oo, Chit
Khaing, and Dr Thaung Win were released from detention at 11.30am on 11
December 1996. U Maung Maung Lay was released the next day. No further
information about them is available. The other 22 individuals named in the
previous update (10 December, ASA 16/55/96) are believed to remain in
detention along with scores of other NLD members and students. According to
reports, they are being held at Insein Prison, Kyaikkasan racecourse, and an
army base in Yangon Division.
******************************************************
NYT: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ISOLATING MYANMAR WOULD ONLY CAUSE HARDSHIP
FOR ITS PEOPLE; CORPORATE STONEWALL
December 19, 1996
To the Editor:
Re "Doing Business in Myanmar" (editorial, Dec. 16): At the Unocal
shareholders' meeting on June 3, Roger C. Beach, chairman of Unocal, agreed to
work with a group of shareholders to have a neutral human rights organization
inspect the company's pipeline project in Burma.
As one responsible for setting up such an organization, I have been
stonewalled by management's failure to respond to my mail, faxes and phone
calls. The excuses blocking me from meeting face to face with Mr. Beach and the
corporate secretary last week would have been comical had not the human rights
violations of those suffering in Burma been the issue.
(Rev.) JOSEPH P. LA MAR
Maryknoll, N.Y., Dec. 16, 1996
****************************************************************
INDEPENDENT REPORT: PEOPLE'S FORUM ON BURMA INAUGURAL MEETING
December 21, 1996
MYANMAR DISSIDENTS; JAPANESE SET UP PRO-DEMOCRACY FORUM
TOKYO, Dec. 21 - A group of Japanese supporting the restoration of
democracy in Myanmar formed a multinational group here Saturday, called the
People's Forum on Burma, forum officials said.
The forum, with some 100 members, received a letter of felicitation from
Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the officials said.
Made up mostly of Japanese and Myanmarese dissidents with some Americans
and Filipinos, the forum will enhance Japanese public awareness of what is
happening in Myanmar, said Shogo Watanabe, one of the founding members. It
invites individual participation of any nationality resident in Japan.
Watanabe, a lawyer helping Myanmarese seeking refugee status in Japan, said
the civic group will make public statements on various Japan-Myanmar issues
from time to time.
He said such a group is needed as the Japanese government has done little
to help Myanmarese who have fled military persecution in their country and
are seeking refuge in Japan.
A 15-member interim steering committee was appointed at Saturday's meeting
which will lead the group until elections are held in March. The committee
will be headed by Hiroshi Nagai, a professor of international studies at
Shizuoka Eiwa College and a former senior editor at the Mainichi Newspapers
who was responsible for translating into Japanese Aung San Suu Kyi's "Letter
from Burma" series. The remaining 14 members include lawyers, journalists,
teachers, students and four Burmese activists.
U Win Khet, of the NLD(LA), thanked all involved in the formation of the
PFB on behalf of the Burmese residents in Japan.
Yasuko Takemura, a Member of Parliament, said a multinational group of
parliamentarians were refused entry into Burma in January and a forum
scheduled in Rangoon was held in Bangkok. She said that on the contrary,
MPs on good terms with SLORC find it easy to get visas. She pointed out
that under such a discriminative regime, democracy could not flourish. They
can refuse us entry visas, but we will continue to work from outside till
democracy returns to Burma, she said.
Aung Thu of the Burma Youth Volunteer Association called for more Japanese
involvement including active participation in rallies against the SLORC
embassy in Tokyo.
Yayoi Matsui of Women's Information Center of the Pacific, who was in Burma
from Dec. 11-17, said people are poorer now: the HIV situation is serious
and those who are confirmed or even suspected of being HIV postive are kept
at a distance even by family members. Everywhere she went she kept hearing
the word "forced": forced labor, forced relocation, forced participation,
forced religious conversion. She said people should do more to make SLORC's
visit Myanmar Year a complete failure. SLORC at first expected 1 million
visitors, then 500 thousand, and now 250 thousand.
-- Compiled from Kyodo News and other sources
*****************************************************************
INDEPENDENT REPORT: GLOBAL CAMPAIGN--DEMONSTRATION IN WASHINGTON D.C (by
Ohmar Khin)
December 20,1996
Members of US based Democratic Burmese Students Organization and Burma
Action Committee staged a demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy in
Washington D.C today. The demonstration is a part of the global campaign
organized by democracy activists to denounce recent SLORC's brutal crackdown
on student demonstrators in Rangoon and Mandalay, and to commemorate the
60th anniversary of Bo Aung Kyaw's death. Bo Aung Kyaw was a student leader
who was killed by British during a student protest against British imperalism.
Similar demonstrations were also staged in other countries around the world
organized by Student and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB). Exiled students and
Burmese democracy activists around the world has pledged to stage a series
of demonstrations worldwide to denounce SLORC's handling on peaceful
demonstrators and to pressure SLORC to engage a genuine dialogue with
democratic forces.
Student leaders from various organization gave speeches denouncing SLORC's
stepped up oppresion in Burma. SYCB sent a statement to the demonstration
which was read by Maung Maung Lwin, a student activist. Reporters from Voice
of America were also present at the demonstration.
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