The BurmaNet News February 14, 1997

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: February 14, 1997
Issue #638

HEADLINES:
==========
BURMESE RELIEF CENTER: BORDER UPDATES
BBC REPORT: SLORC-KNU FIGHTING
NATION: THOUSANDS CROSS BORDER AS SLORC ATTACKS KAREN
KNU: SITUATION UPDATE ON THAI-BURMA BORDER
UPI: AUNG SAN SUU KYI CALLS FOR NEW DIALOGUE
THE NATION: SUU KYI AT HOME WITH SUPPORTERS FOR UNION DAY
THE NATION: YOUTH STAGE PROTEST IN BANGKOK
THE NATION: ASEAN, EU TREAD SOFTLY
THE NATION: BURMA ISSUE IMPEDES ASEAN-EU AGREEMENT
BKK POST: PTTEP'S BURMA VENTURE APPROVED
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A -0020
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 2/8/1997
RANGOON RADIO MYANMAR: ARMED FORCES' MYAWADI
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A -0021
UNDC: STATEMENT ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF PANGLONG
BURMA PEACE FOUNDATION: BURMA ACTION DIRECTORY UPDATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

BURMESE RELIEF CENTER: BORDER UPDATES
February 12-13, 1997
Ken and Visakha Kawasaki <brelief@xxxxxxx>

2/13/1997
There are more than 20,000 SLORC troops and 500--1000 DKBA in the 6th
Brigade area. Sakhandhit fell to Slorc around noon today.  The clinics in
Chogali and Sakhandhit have been burned; there are no clinics left in 6th
Brigade area.  All medics and their families are accounted for.

2/12/1997
Burmese Relief Center--Japan has just received information that the border
has been closed by Thailand and no one is allowed to cross.  In Chogali area
there are more than 3000 SLORC troops, accompanied with DKBO who are
familiar with the area.  The SLORC troops are attacking Kyeik-don area also.
Naung  Ta Man and Naung Ta Kho villages are occupied.  Those villages are
only about a six-hour-walk from Kyeik-don. Casualties and the extent of the
fighting are not known. Karen refugees inside Thailand are extremely fearful
as there is no definite demarcation of the border in many places.

http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm

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

BBC REPORT: SLORC-KNU FIGHTING
February 13, 1997
darnott@xxxxxxxxxx
 
In addition to the following interview, Newshour quoted relief agencies as
saying that Karen refugees are fleeing to Thailand, and that up to 10,000
are expected to join the 80,000 Karen refugees already there.
   
                       ....................
 
BBC World Service (Newshour) of 13.00 GMT, 13/Feb/97 carried
the following interview:
 
Announcer: .....Karen rebels in the town of Sakhandhit. Fighting is reported
to be continuing between Government soldiers and rebels of the Karen
National Union around the town, which has been their base since they were
driven out of
the border town of Manerplaw two years ago. Joining me now is Larry Jagan,
the BBC's Burma specialist. How severe a blow to the KNU is the loss of
Sakhandhit?
 
LJ: Well, they never really had their headquarters in the township, although
the township was important in terms of their economy, and they did derive
finance from it. Most of the headquarters have been outside in the nearby
jungles.
There's no doubt that in fact what happened is that the Karen actually
withdrew and allowed the Burmese troops to come into the township, and there
is intense fighting going on.
 
The other key area some 100 kilometres to the east of this township is also
under threat, and this is where General Bo Mya, the actual head of the Karen
National Union is based, and some 2000 Burmese troops are launching an
onslaught on that. So there is intense fighting and there is no doubt that
the KNU is under great threat at the moment.
 
Announcer: So if I hear ... what is reported to be going on at the moment
around Sakhandhit could be more crucial to the KNU's survival.
 
LJ: In some ways in terms of their finances, certainly; but after Manerplaw
fell I think that the KNU actually found it very difficult to continue the
fighting, to get resources, and they relied very heavily on Thai support
which was also cut
off because the Burma-Thai relationship had improved. But I think what
happened after that was that the KNU decided that they were going to
maintain a guerrilla force, and we've got two major guerilla camps in this
area that are now continuing to fight, and the Burmese troops have moved in
something like
14,000 soldiers, so there's no doubt that they are trying to push them or
crush them. I think what has actually prompted this is the KNU and other
ethnic groups coming out at the beginning of January and saying that they
actually rejected the military dictatorship and wanted to have tripartite
talks with both Suu and the military.
 
Announcer: So by all accounts, what the Burmese Government is trying to do
is some kind of decisive offensive against the KNU.
 
LJ: It is indeed; this is the beginning of the end, I think, for the KNU.
And the real issue is [whether] there is going to be any scope for talks or
not. 
 
(Burma Peace Foundation Monitoring Service 13/Feb/97)

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

THE NATION: THOUSANDS CROSS BORDER AS SLORC ATTACKS KAREN REBEL POSITIONS
February 13, 1997
By Yindee Lertcharoenchok 

THE Burmese Army launched a major military offensive against Karen rebel
strongholds along the Thai-Burmese border yesterday, driving thousands of
refugees into the Umphang district of Thailand's northern Tak province. 

The operation, which targeted the Sakanthit headquarters of the Karen
National Union (KNU) and neighbouring areas under its control, began at
around noon and came on the same day that the Burmese ruling junta informed
Thailand of its decision to use force against the rebel ethnic group. 

A Thai Army colonel said yesterday that Burmese Defence Attache Lt Col Kyaw
Hann called on senior Army officials yesterday morning to inform them of an
impending Burmese military offensive against the KNU as a result of the
rebel group's rejection of the junta's peace initiatives. 

He said that in the afternoon, Burmese Ambassador to Thailand U Hla Muang
called on Suvidhya Simasakul, director general of the Foreign Ministry's
East Asia Affairs Department, and conveyed a similar message. 

A KNU spokesman said yesterday that his group wanted to resolve their 50-
year-old dispute with Rangoon peacefully and said it ''is regrettable" that
the ruling Burmese State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) chose
instead ''to use force to resolve problem". 

Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, the Karen spokesman and other
officials said the KNU had repeatedly informed Slorc that it wanted to
continue peace talks with Rangoon, which began in December 1995, and has
tried hard to find the means to break the current deadlock. 

They said Slorc had imposed ''unacceptable" pre-negotiation conditions on
the KNU that were tantamount to a total surrender. Slorc insisted that the
KNU, which has been fighting Rangoon for greater autonomy since January
1949, ''return to the legal fold" and renounce armed revolt. 

According to KNU and Thai officials, some 3,000 to 4,000 Burmese troops
equipped with heavy weaponry are undertaking a three-pronged offensive from
the North, West and South to capture ground controlled by the KNU's 6th
Brigade, which is located opposite Umphang. 

In contrast to the dogged defence of its former headquarters at Manerplaw,
the Karen guerillas decided, after a minor resistance, to abandon Sakanthit
shortly after coming under attack. 

They said that Sakanthit, which is close to the Thai border, was just one of
a number of mobile guerilla units that could be abandoned should they come
under Burmese assault to avoid high defence costs and casualties. 

The latest Burmese offensive against the KNU did not come as a total
surprise to KNU and Thai officials, as the Burmese rulers have stepped up
threats to use force since November, when the fourth round of talks between
the KNU and Slorc failed to achieve a breakthrough. 

In the past few weeks, the Burmese Army has also strengthened its military
presence and power in the vicinity of the KNU's 6th Brigade, sending in
fresh troops and heavy artillery. 

KNU officials and relief workers said that some 2,000 Karens from Kyaidon
town had already fled across the border ahead of the Burmese assault, and
that Thai officials are expecting up to 15,000 civilians to arrive in the
country in the next few days. 

The Thai colonel said that Kyaw Hann had called on his colleagues to convey
Slorc's intentions to launch the military operation and its desire not to
violate Thai sovereignty, as well as to stress the good friendship and
understanding between Thailand and Burma. 

In return, Kyaw Hann was informed that Thailand will retain a neutral
position in relation to Burmese affairs and will strongly defend against
violations of its territory and sovereignty by armed foreign intruders. 

The Karen Refugee Committee is evacuating women and children from the areas
which are under threat from the Burmese offensive. (TN)

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

KNU: SITUATION UPDATE ON THAI-BURMA BORDER
February 11,1997
So_Nou@xxxxxxxxxxxx (So Nou)

On 10 February 1997, Slorc's General Khin Nyunt announced that the Karen
National Union had broken off negotiations and that Slorc would always
welcome any ethnic group that was willing to hold negotiations with open
arms.

This same day eye-witnesses reported between 350-400 army trucks arriving in
the border town of Myawadi opposite Maesot. These are troops of the 88
division of the Slorc army. These eye-witnesses also reported hearing 
that the troops were given orders to use any means to try to eliminate the
KNU including entering Thai territory as deep as needed. The troops were also
told not to take notice of the Thai military as it was a force too weak to be
taken into consideration and eliminate any resistance in the way of their
objective whether it may be the Thai army or Thai civilians. The Slorc
foreign ministers would then smooth things out with the Thai government.

As of 11 February 1997, Troops of the 88 division have left Myawadi. The 77
Division have left Paloo to attack the KNU headquarters at Hteekable. The 44
and 22 divisions have left Kya-In-Seik Kyi to attack the KNU 6th Brigade
headquarters at Sakanthit. The 66 division is sent to reinforce the 3 pagodas
pass. There have already been 2 battles near the Hteekable area and Slorc
artillery battalions have set up positions within range of the Hteekable
camp. Air support by the Slorc air force is also expected.

A large number of porters rounded up from the villages and towns and
prisoners from the various prisons have been brought up for this offensive by
the Slorc. As most of the Karen refugee camps are on the border within range
of Slorc artillery and since air raids are expected, Thai officials have
issued orders for the refugees to evacuate  and move to safer areas.

KNU Information Center

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

UPI: AUNG SAN SUU KYI CALLS FOR NEW DIALOGUE
February 12, 1997

RANGOON, Feb. 12 (UPI) _ Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi marked
Burma's Union Day with a call for a tripartite conference of ethnic national
leaders, the government and democratic forces. 

Aung San, the Nobel peace laureate, spoke to about 1,500 people at her
residential compound in west Rangoon. 

Members of her party, the National League for Democracy, and some foreign
diplomatic officials attended the ceremony. 

The celebrations marked the signing 50 years ago by Suu Kyi's father,
Burmese independence hero General Aung San, of a treaty of national
unification at a conference in Pinglong. 

Aung San said national unity is the basic requirement of democracy, and
genuine democracy will not emerge in an environment where basic human rights
such as freedom of expression are absent. 

All roads in the vicinity of Aung San's residence were closed to vehicular
traffic. 

Political observers said the proposal amounted to an offer for a renewed
dialogue with the military junta that has run Burma since 1988. The State
Law and Order Restoration Council has snubbed the NLD since it won the
general election of 1990. 

At celebrations by SLORC, the party's leader Gen. Than Shwe, told a rally of
some 20,000 that his government has been striving for rapid progress in the
economic and social life of the people. 

But he complained that ``neo-colonialists'' are interfering in the internal
affairs of other countries. 

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

THE NATION: SUU KYI AT HOME WITH SUPPORTERS FOR UNION DAY
February 13, 1997
AFP

Rangoon - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi opened her home to
supporters yesterday for Union Day celebrations, despite military efforts to
blockade the approaches to her lakeside compound.

Hundred of people were being turned away by armed riot police as they tried
to gain access to University Avenue, where Suu Kyi's home is situated, to
attend the opposition-organised celebrations for Burma's 50th Union Day.

The junta's attempts to scuttle the celebrations at Suu Kyi's home came as
human rights watchdog Amnesty International said political repression in
Burma 1996 was the worst since a military crackdown in 1988.

The London-based rights group said that more than 2,000 people were arrested
for activities which were deemed to be anti-government in 1996 and that
severe restrictions were imposed on the speech and movements of Suu Kyi.

Burmese officials have so far been unavailable for comment on the Amnesty
report which branded 1996 as the worst year for human rights in Burma this
decade.

Despite the heavy security presence, sources inside Suu Kyi's compound said
between 2,000 to 3,000 people had managed to make it to the celebrations,
most of whom had arrived early in the morning.

"She gave a speech to the people in the compound," said a source from Suu
Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), reached by telephone from Bangkok.

"I would say there were between 2,000 and 3,000 people."

Other participants who left the compound early put the number of those
attending the celebrations at closer to 1,000.

The NLD source said he was expecting about another 2,000 people to arrive at
Suu Kyi's home for the celebrations later in the day.

"All celebrations are still on but the road is still blocked," the source
said. "They are trying to come to our compound from all over Rangoon."

The military has maintained almost constant blockades of University Avenue
since late September, when hundreds of NLD activists were detained as the
party attempted to hold its second successive congress of the year.

Blockades were briefly lifted sporadically over the next two months, but
have been firmly in place since the beginning of December, when student
unrest rocked Rangoon campuses and sparked a security clampdown.

Despite the continued presence of tanks in the grounds of a downtown
government building, the situation has been clam in the Burmese capital
since December.

"It doesn't feel tense at all," said one Rangoon diplomat. "The tanks are
still there but I think everyone has got used to them."

Union Day marks the signing of the Peng Long agreement by nearly all the
ethnic groups in the country and calling for the setting up of a federal
union after gaining independence from Britain. Independence came the
following year.

In a message printed in the official press, the head of Burma's ruling State
Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), Than Shwe, said the junta's
efforts had helped bring unprecedented peace to the country's warring ethnic
groups. "In the Union of Myanmar [Burma] today, the kind of national
solidarity which was not experienced in the past has been restored," he said.

The Burmese government has forged ceasefire agreements in the past few years
with almost all the country's ethnic insurgencies, with the notable
exception being the Karen National Union (KNU).

The KNU has so far refused to be a part of any deal. KNU officials in the
Thai border town of Mae Sot said this week that Rangoon is poised for a new
offensive against the few pockets of territory still held by the KNU in
eastern Burma. (TN)

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

THE NATION: YOUTH STAGE PROTEST IN BANGKOK
February 13, 1997
AFP

In Bangkok, a group of Burmese students held a demonstration outside their
embassy to mark Burma's Union Day and call for the international community
to exert more pressure on the military junta.

About 30 Burmese and Thai students participated in the protest, calling on
Slorc to release jailed students and political prisoners.

They also demanded that the military government begin immediate dialogue
with Suu Kyi, as well as dissolve a state-sponsored constitutional convention.

The students appealed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
to review its constructive engagement policy towards Burma and hold off on
offering Rangoon full membership in the seven-member grouping.

"To support constructive engagement with Slorc is to support violence and
human-rights violations in Burma," they said in a statement.

Asean insists that constructive engagement with the military junta is the
best way to bringing about democratic reforms in Burma, and has announced
that Rangoon would be admitted along with Cambodia and Laos.

A date has yet to be set for the admittance of the three countries, but
diplomats say they expect that to happen before the end of the year. Asean
groups Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. (TN)

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

THE NATION: ASEAN, EU TREAD SOFTLY
February 13, 1997 (abridged)
Kyodo

Singapore - Senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) and the European Union (EU) were holding preparatory talks on
Wednesday for their ministerial meetings from Thursday, trying to steer
clear of a collision course on human rights issues.

The seven-member Asean wants a joint declaration to be adopted tomorrow, the
final day of the two-day meeting of Asean-EU foreign ministers, not to
mention "extraneous issues" in relations between Asean and the EU such as
the question of East Timor and Myanmar, diplomatic sources said.

The 15-member EU agreed that a joint declaration would not make an "explicit
reference" to the issue of East Timor, the former Portuguese colony, but
still demands direct mention of the situation in the military-controlled
Myanmar, the sources said.

However, the EU repeated calls for Indonesia to improve its human rights
record in East Timor at a meeting in Dublin in December.

As for Myanmar, the EU is the most vocal critic of Myanmar's alleged human
rights abuses with a policy of isolation toward the junta and urges the
military government to commence dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi. (TN) 

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

THE NATION: BURMA ISSUE IMPEDES ASEAN-EU AGREEMENT
February 13, 1997
Rita Patiyasevi 

SINGAPORE ­ The Burma issue continues to block efforts by the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU) to conclude a
joint declaration aimed at giving a new thrust to their future relations, a
senior Asean official said yesterday. 

The official said after extensive discussions on Burma yesterday, senior
officials from both sides failed to reach a conclusion on the wording
regarding Burma and left the final decision to their Foreign Ministers who
are to meet today and tomorrow. 

The official said the 15-member EU agreed that a joint declaration would not
make an ''explicit reference" to the issue of East Timor, the former
Portuguese colony, but still demands direct mention of the situation in
military-controlled Burma. 

Other issues which demand the Foreign Ministers' attention before the draft
of the declaration is finalised are the Korean Peninsula issue and the
wording of the final paragraph of the draft which will reflect future
cooperation between the two groups. 

The two sides will consider whether to express support for the proposal of
four-party peace talks between the Koreas, China and the United States. The
United States and South Korea had proposed the four-way talks to seek peace
in the Korean Peninsula. Asean wants to check with China for approval before
giving the green light. 

The official said the EU is concerned about the wording of the final
paragraph of the proposal which will guide the two regions' future
cooperation, because the EU's proposal on economic cooperation has not yet
been approved by the Council. 

Indonesian Foreign Ministry's Director General of Politics, Izhar Ibrahim
said about 90 per cent of the draft declaration has been completed and no
references have yet been made regarding Burma or East Timor. 

Thailand's Permanent Secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said Asean and the EU have
different approaches to the issues of human rights and democracy. However,
the dialogue between the two has helped create progress towards
understanding, which will in turn dispel the problems between the two. 

The Philippines' Under-Secretary Severino Rodolfo said all Asean members are
committed to Burma's entry, which will be approved very soon. However, the
timing will depend on its readiness to comply with the Asean Free Trade Area
plan. ''We are talking here about the internal affairs of a country that is
very close to becoming an Asean member," he said. 

Severino said Asean is concerned and is not ignoring the current situation
in Burma. However, Asean has opted for Burma's entry because it believes it
is better to involve the Burmese junta in international forums rather than
to exclude it, he added. 

Severino said the draft prepared by senior officials also reflects other
concerns such as the Bosnia-Herzegovina issue, the situation in the Middle
East, the question of nuclear disarmament, the Asean Regional Forum, the
South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and human rights. 

The declaration is aimed at broadening political, economic and cultural ties
and will also reflect joint cooperation in trade, investment and continued
technological assistance. 

Danish Ambassador to Singapore Niels Kaas Dyrlund said the EU wants Asean's
constructive engagement policy with Burma to work toward progress in terms
of human rights and improving conditions. 

''The EU is not quite satisfied with the way things are developing in Burma,
we would like to see a faster pace," he said, adding that Asean's policy
should achieve some progress. In October, the EU imposed limits on contact
with Burmese officials by refusing entry visas to senior members of the
junta and their families. 

Asean agreed in November that Burma, Cambodia and Laos be admitted as full
members simultaneously and the three countries are widely expected to be
accepted this year. Burma became an observer of Asean last year.  (TN)

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

BKK POST: PTTEP'S BURMA VENTURE APPROVED
February 13, 1997
Phusadee Arunmart

Nepo also debates smuggling problem

The government yesterday approved a venture between PTT Exploration and
Production Plc and two partners to develop and explore Burma's Yetagun
offshore gas field.

The venture also involves state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE),
and others including Texaco Exploration Myanmar Inc (the project's lead
developer), Premier Petroleum Myanmar, and Nippon Oil Exploration (Myanmar) Ltd.

The partnership will develop, produce and transmit natural gas from three
exploration tracts in the Yetagun offshore gas field, and from two other
tracts nearby in which PTTEP is already taking part.

According to Sompong Amornviwat, minister attached to the Prime Minister's
Office and supervisor of the National Energy Policy Office (Nepo), PTTEP is
likely to hold a 14.16% stake in the venture. MOGE has an option to take up
to 15% but if it declines, PTTEP could increase its stake to 17.16%.

The Yetagun field is located in the Andaman Sea, 270 kilometres from
Thailand. It has gas reserves of 1.14 trillion cubic feet. It is due to
start producing in 1999, with capacity of about 210 million cubic feet per day.

According to Nepo Secretary-General Piyasvasti Amranand, PTTEP and its
partners expected to invest a combined US$570 million in project
development, with an additional $325 million representing the gas field
development, and another $245 million on a transmission line to Thailand.
The contribution of PTTEP itself will be about $101 million.

The venture will help boost Thailand's foreign petroleum reserves at a time
when the country's demand for energy is increasing rapidly, Mr Piyasvasti noted.

Yesterday's Nepo meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh,
also approved a plan by PTTEP to buy 70 million cubic feet of gas in 1999
from the Benjamas gas field being developed by Maersk Oil (Thailand) in the
Gulf of Thailand. It will also purchase 30 million cubic feet from Esso's
Nam Phong gas field in northeastern Thailand by the end of this year.

Thailand now consumes about 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas per year. By 2000
the figure is expected to exceed two billion cubic feet.

Mr Sompong also announced yesterday that the government seized more than 12
million litres of smuggled oil in 1996, compared with only two million
litres in 1995.

But smuggling persists, and according to Mr Sompong, Nepo officials had a
lengthy debate about how to suppress it. Avoiding tax allows oil smugglers
to sell the finished product at the pumps for as much as three baht per
litre less than for legally taxed oil products.

The possibility of reducing oil taxes to make smuggling less attractive was
discussed but rejected, he said. Thailand remains highly dependent on
earnings from such taxes due to the current economic slowdown.

Other proposals such as locating more oil metering stations along the
coasts, and increasing the Navy's patrol fleet, drew more favourable responses.

"So far, we cannot capture large smugglers. But as we know, the large
smugglers are foreigners who are related to Thai traders," Mr Sompong said.

He also predicted that Thailand could be short of oil in the next 20 years
if Thai consumers continue squandering the fuel. Daily consumption now is
about 114 million litres. (BP)

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

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A -0020
February 12, 1997
Ok Kar <OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx>

        In Myanmar, any organization which wishes to celebrate commemorative
days are required to request permission from the respective administrative
authorities and provide information on the ceremonial program, the estimate
number of people invited to attend, as well as the time and venue, in
accordance with the prescribed rules.

        Therefore, political parties desirous of holding the Union Day
Ceremony had, in adherence with existing rules asked for the required
permission and submitted the requisite details. All these parties had
therefore received permission to conduct the ceremonies.

        The National League for Democracy notified the regional
administrative authorities that its township party branch office would be
holding a commemorative ceremony for the Union Day at Mrs. Aris' No. 54
University Avenue compound. The administrative authorities informed the
township NLD party organizer to resubmit their request since the ceremony
was obviously not going to be held by township level but by NLD Headquarters
and also to cooperate by providing the requisite details as well.

        The NLD party ignored the injunction and rallied a mass of people
and held the commemoration ceremony at NO. 54 University Avenue at 1000 hrs.
on the 12th Feb. 1997.

        This ceremony at Mrs. Aris' residence was attended by some
diplomats, foreign correspondents and party members. Although, no proper
official request was submitted to the authorities concerned the authorities
avoided an intentional confrontation by allowing the ceremony to proceed.

        As the number of people exceeded 900 and because the latecomers
appeared to consist of riff-raff, further entry into the compound had to be
barred for the sake of security it is learnt.

Source: Myanmar Authority Concerned.

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

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 2/8/1997
February 8, 1997

SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF SEA CONTAINER SERVICES
	
	YANGON, 7 Feb- Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt Received Chairman Mr James B Sherwood of Sea Container
Services Ltd  of the United  Kingdom at Dagon Yeiktha of the Minister of
Defence this afternoon.

TOURISM PROMOTION DISCUSSED

	YANGON, 7 Feb- Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt- Gen Kyaw Ba received
Retired Minister of Industry and Commerce of  Brazil Mr Marcus Vinicius
Partini de Moraes at his office today. They discussed arrangement for
Brazilian tourists to visit Myanmar, tourism promotion activities and
cooperation based on common interest.

MYANMAR TRADE FAIR TO BE HELD FROM 27 FEB TO 5 MARCH

	YANGON, 7 Feb- The Minister of Commerce has made arrangements to sponsor
"Myanmar Trade Fair 97" from 27 February to 5 March 1997 at Yangon Trade
Centre on an international scale, said Minister for Commerce Lt- Gen Tun Kyi
today.  He was speaking at a meeting of the Central Working 
Committee for Holding the Trade Fair at his ministry.  Visit Myanmar Year
Trade Fair was staged successfully at the centre in Mingala Taungnyunt
township he said.  Efforts should be made for booth of foreign companies to 
meet international standard and to give priority to displaying of
export-quality goods of local industries, he noted, speaking of the need to
make concerted efforts for the fair's success and to avoid deficiencies
based on the previous year's experiences. Matters of displaying of local and
foreign goods, decorations 
arrangements, sales, holding of opening and closing ceremonies, finance,
health care and security were then presented by the respective subcommittees.

MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT MEETS THAI DELEGATION

	YANGON, 7 Feb- Minister for Transport Lt- Gen Thein Win 
received Permanent Under- Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce 
Mr Chachaval Sukitjavanich and party of Thailand accompanied by 
Ambassador of Thailand Mr Poksak Nilubol at the minister this 
morning.  They discussed construction of deep sea port and cooperation 
to mutual interest in transport sector.

MYANMAR DELEGATION TO ATTEND 5TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL IN LPDR

	YANGON,7 Feb- Myanmar delegation led by member of Myanmar Olympic Committee
Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Mya Thein
Han this evening left here by air for Lao People's Democratic  Republic to
attend the Fifth National Sports Festival in Luang Prabang Province from 9
to 18 February.  General- Secretary of MOC Director- General of Sports and
Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw also left together with
Brig- Gen Mya Thein Han. 
	
MINISTER RECEIVES BRAZIL'S FOREIGN TRADE ASSN CHAIRMAN 

	YANGON, 7 Feb- Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Minister for Commerce Lt- Gen Tun Kyi received Chairman Mr M V Pratini de
Moraes and party of Brazil's Foreign Trade Association (AEB) at his office
at 2 pm today.  They discussed cooperation in commerce and banking 
business.

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

RANGOON RADIO MYANMAR: ARMED FORCES' MYAWADI TELEVISION TO EXPAND BROADCASTS  
February 5, 1997 (translated from Burmese)

Myawadi Television Network [under Defense Services] has been broadcasting
normal programs in the morning since the Armed Forces Golden Jubilee on 27
March 1995. It has been reported that Myawadi Television Network will expand
its programs by start broadcasting evening programs soon on a separate channel. 

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

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A -0021
February 13, 1997
Ok Kar <OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx>

        On the 12th of Feb. 1997 an incident occurred at No. (22/A) of Kaba
Aye Pagoda Road of Bahan Township in Yangon, concerning with a neighbor
forcefully taking down the flag of the Union of Myanmar which was hoisted to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Union Day.

        The Myanmar family residing at No. (22/A) hoisted the flag of the
Union of Myanmar in the their compound on the morning of the 12th of Feb. to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Union Day. In this regard the wife
of an Australian Charge d' Affaires, Ms. Rosalind Eva Ransome who lives in
the next compound No. (22) sent over a local employee to house No. (22/A)
demanding the family living there to take down the flag. Ms. Rosalind Eva
Ransome, after (15) minutes, later again sent over another local employee to
tell the family from house No. (22/A) to take down the flag.

        The family living at No. (22/A) in an attempt to avoid unnecessary
confrontation went to the local administrative authorities and reported the
situation. While the family member of No. (22/A) were on their way to the
office of the local administrative authorities, Ms. Rosalind Eva Ransome
came over to
house No. (22/A) with another local employee and instructed this employee to
take down the flag from the flag pole. Her employee refused to comply with
her instructions on the  grounds that it was against the law and not proper
to do so. Ms. Rosalind Eva Ransome was told by her local employee twice not
to behave in that manner but she refused to listen and took down the flag
from the pole herself.

        The Australian Charge d' Affaires, Mr. Simeon Richard Giulding came
to the office of the local administrative authorities with his wife later
that day and tendered his apology for the incident it is learnt.

Source : Myanmar Authority Concerned.

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

UNDC: STATEMENT ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF PANGLONG AGREEMENT
February 12, 1997
"ABSDF (WB)" <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

        Today is fiftieth anniversary of historic signing of Panglong
agreement between the representative of Burmese government, General Aung San
and leaders of Chin, Kachin and Shan to achieve Independence of Burma from
the British rule the essence of this agreement was to establish a future
union which was constituted with the federated states having and
experiencing democratically the rights of equal status and privileges in unison.

        However, the future perspective and goal of "equality within
democracy" of the leaders of ethnic Nationalities and proper Burma has gone
away with the Independence of Burma. It is so evident that ethnic
nationalities are waging
armed struggle against the proper Burma regimes at the last resolution when
Democracy is no more to defend their grievances and suppression.

        In the mean time, the situations of Burma is in stalemate by the so
call "Cease-fire without agreement" and at the worst conditions of economic
corruption.

        Analyzing instuitionally the current politics of present Burma-

        We (UNDC, United Nationalities' Democratic Congress ) gravely
believe that antagonistic conflicts and contradictions in Burma will be
properly solved just by means of establishing Burma as a Federal Union based
on Democracy, granting equal status and self-determination for ethnic
nationalities and declare our confirmed stand with people of Burma to
continue our struggle for total elimination of Chauvinism and Dictatorship,
for National Reconciliation
and establishment of a prosperous Nation by genuine Federal system presuming
as our prime national responsibilities.

United Nationalities' Democratic Congress

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

BURMA PEACE FOUNDATION: BURMA ACTION DIRECTORY UPDATE
February 11, 1997
darnott@xxxxxxxxxx

The Burma Peace Foundation is almost ready with another update of its Burma
Action Directory (BAD), which as usual will be posted on reg.burma and
soc.cult.burma. SEND YOUR BAD UPDATES NOW if you want them to feature, to
darnott@xxxxxxxxxxxx or (Tel/Fax) (+41-22) 733 2040. Check the  version
posted on 30 October 96 and see if there are any corrections to make.
 
For the innocent who know not BAD, it is the most comprehensive list of
snail and email addresses, plus phone, fax and sometimes descriptions, of
groups and individuals in the Burma support community, plus the people
working on Burma in the UN, governments, human rights and development NGOs,
Burmese ethnic groups, and lots more. With the list of corporations (which I
have not updated recently, having given this task to another person, and
will not post this time), BAD is now about 200 pages. 
 
One area I have not been able to keep up with is North America. Could
someone send me a list (preferably in BAD format) of the student and other
groups active on Burma in North America.
 
Apart from what people send me between now and Upload Day, the main
additions since the last update (30/10/96) are for Japan, India and Thailand.
 
SLORC and its friends are invited to check the October 96 BAD and update
their addresses, websites, fax numbers etccontained therein. 
 
David Arnott (Burma Peace Foundation)
 
***************************************