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The BurmaNet News, March 6, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, March 6, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 22:10:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: March 6, 1997
Issue #658
HEADLINES:
==========
NEW YORK TIMES:TRADE VS. RIGHTS: A U.S. DEBATE
BKK POST: PERSECUTION UP, SUU KYI WARNS
NCUB:PRESS RELEASE [12]
THE NATION: INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR AID, SAFE HAVENS
NATION:RIGHTS SPOKESMAN FINDS NO PROOF
REUTER: THAI ARMY SAYS TO ACCEPT ALL UNARMED KAREN
BKK POST: REFUGEES MOVED TO NEW CAMP
VOA:NEW YORK CITY IS CONSIDERING PASSING BILL
AP: HK SIGNS BILATERAL AIR SERVICES DEAL WITH BURMA
KYODO:JAPAN TO GIVE MYANMAR 370,250 DLRS HOSPITAL AID
KYODO: MYANMAR STATE FIRM TO SELL GEMS, JADE, PEARLS
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS (1-3-97)
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS (2.28.97)
DPNS: CHAIRMAN MYINT ZAW PASSED AWAY
ANNOUNCEMENT: REALAUDIO OF ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
BURMANET:NOTE RE- STATEMENT ON DECISION TO RELOCATE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK TIMES:TRADE VS. RIGHTS: A U.S. DEBATE WITH A BURMESE FOCUS
March 5, 1997
Steven Lee Myers
WASHINGTON -- Despite pressure on Capitol Hill and a new appeal by a Nobel
Prize-winning dissident, senior members of the Clinton administration are
sharply divided over whether a new law requires the United States to impose
tougher sanctions on Burma, administration officials say.
The law, signed by President Clinton five months ago, states that the
administration must ban all new American investment in Burma if its
military steps up repression of the democratic opposition, particularly the
dissident Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The law has forced the administration to confront the issue of whether
concern for human rights is outweighed by economic ties.
If the administration imposes sanctions, it risks criticism that it is
singling out Burma while ignoring others, including China.
If the administration does not impose sanctions, it becomes vulnerable to
accusations that its policy of economic engagement supersedes its concern
for rights.
One faction -- including the new U.S. representative to the United Nations,
Bill Richardson -- has concluded that the conditions requiring sanctions
have been met. But an equally influential group argues thatsanctions would
have little effect on the military government.
This latter group -- including the president's economic and trade advisers
and Defense Secretary William Cohen, who as a senator was one of two
sponsors of the law -- has recommended instead that the United States
continue to apply diplomatic pressure.
The divisions reflect a larger debate over sanctions as a tool of foreign
policy. In the case of China, for example, the administration has argued
that economic engagement will lead to greater political freedom. And just
last week, the administration appeared to sidestep sanctions againstMexico
in connection with the drug trade because of its economic importance.
Burma, with relatively little American investment, is a more likely place
to take a stand in the name of human rights.
The administration's divisions became clear at a Cabinet-level meeting two
weeks ago, according to administration officials who spoke on condition of
anonymity. The issue is now expected to be taken up by Clinton.
A spokesman at the White House, David Johnson, declined to discuss the
wrangling, except to say, "We are now considering what course ofaction
supports the law and the purposes of the law."
The military Burmese government -- the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, or SLORC -- continues to suppress the political opposition. In the
last week, it also intensified its attacks on ethnic Karen rebels and
refugees, prompting renewed criticism by the State Department.
"The United States is increasingly frustrated by the policies of the
SLORC," said State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns.
Rights organizations and members of Congress see the debate as a testof the
administration's willingness to wield sanctions. "The longer they hold off,
the more credibility they lose," said Mike Jendrzejczyk, the director in
Washington for Human Rights Watch Asia.
The Burmese government, which is dominated by Gen. Khin Nyunt, seized power
in 1988. It held elections in 1990 but rejected the results after losing to
the National League for Democracy, which is led by Mrs. Suu Kyi, who later
won the Nobel Peace Prize. While she was released in 1995 from six years
under house arrest, the government has continued to harass supporters.
The United States has already imposed some sanctions against Burma, not only
for its rights policies but also for its lack of cooperation in fighting
drugs. In September Clinton also barred the military rulers from entering
the United States and banned arms sales.
The United States is one of the largest investors in Burma, after France,
Britain, Singapore and Thailand, with most of the investment coming in the
oil and gas sector. But investment has declined since 1991, when it was $80
million, in part because some American companies have responded to rights
protests.
But the largest American company operating there, Unocal Corp., announced in
late January that it had signed an accord to explore and
develop offshore gas fields.
A bipartisan group of seven senators -- led by Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
D-N.Y., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. -- has circulated a letter calling on
Clinton to impose the sanctions.
The law calls for a ban on new investment if the Burmese government has
"physically harmed, rearrested for political acts or exiled Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi or has committed large-scale repression of or violence against
the democratic opposition."
The senators cited instances in which Mrs. Suu Kyi had been harrassed and
detained in her home as recently as December, while members of the National
League for Democracy had been arrested.
"Since the bill was signed into law, the situation has gone from bad to
worse," the senators wrote.
Last month Mrs. Suu Kyi herself appealed for international sanctions,
saying there was a "large-scale repression of the democracy movement" under
way. In a rare meeting with reporters Tuesday, she complained of new arrests
and intimidation tactics, saying, "The situation is getting worse all the time."
What has made the administration's debate more interesting is the fact that
members of Clinton's foreign policy team have been publicly intertwined with
Burmese policies.
Richardson and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright have each met with Mrs.
Suu Kyi. And Cohen joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in drafting the
law, which was a compromise that headed off calls last year for immediate
sanctions.
Feinstein's office declined repeated requests for comment, but in an
interview last month in The Los Angeles Times, she said the conditions laid
out in the law had not been met.
Albright has indicated a willingness to impose sanctions but has advocated a
third option: giving Burma 60 days to improve conditions.
Marc A. Phiessen, a spokesman for Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who signed
Moynihan's letter, said the administration should simply follow the law.
"It's mind-boggling," he said, noting that a State Department report on
human rights in January showed that the conditions for sanctions had been
met by the continued pressure on Mrs. Suu Kyi. "Does she have to be
assassinated before they will impose sanctions?"
************************
BKK POST: PERSECUTION UP, SUU KYI WARNS
March 5, 1997
Rangoon, AFP
League members fear threats from militia
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi alleged yesterday that members of her
National League for Democracy (NLD) were the target of fresh "persecution of
unprecedented severity".
The authorities used harassment, threats, arrest and imprisonment and were
now "threatening the very lives of members of the NLD" with the aim of
eliminating the NLD as a political force, she said.
The pro-democracy activist told reporters that NLD chairman Aung Shwe had
sent a letter yesterday to Senior General Than Shwe to ask the ruling junta
to take action to stop such attacks.
Mrs Suu Kyi referred to a long list of NLD activists and members elected to
parliament in the abortive May 1990 elections who, she said, were victims of
"severe repression of the NLD and the forces of democracy".
Alleging widespread human rights violations by the junta and its agents,
she said that one of the most serious cases involved a Taungoo NLD official
who had been taken away with a dozen colleagues about two weeks ago. His
battered body was later found "dumped on a roadside".
The NLD had no news of the other Taungoo organizing committee members, she
said.
A government official said yesterday he knew of no such incident.
"Even if an NLD man passed away, she [Aung San Suu Kyi] would try to twist
it to suit other purposes," the official said.
In documents issued yesterday, the NLD cited a February 8 incident in
Shwegu township in which party members were allegedly warned their lives
could be endangered if they did not resign. They were warned that ailing
relatives would not be admitted to hospital and children would be barred
from school.
"You are fair game ... All we have to do is shoot. You will get only one
chance, not two," the Shwegu members were told, according to one document.
"You must understand that the army is governing. We will act according to
orders from above. We shall clear away all obstacles."
The document said authorities intended to destroy the NLD during March.
Periodically, the state-run press publishes Election Commission notices of
resignations by NLD member who won seats in the 1990 ballot. Most of those
resigning cite ill health or lack of interest in continuing in politics.
Another case involved two farmers - a man and a woman - who were alleged to
have been hit by township officials when they said they could not meet the
government quota for paddy production because of late rains and rat
infestation, the NLD documents indicated.
NLD members were later accused of inciting the farmers to resist official
pressure, Mrs Suu Kyi said.
Part of the official campaign to end the NLD's influence involved tearing
down party signboards which had been legally authorized, she noted.
Mrs Suu Kyi was addressing a news conference at the home of a senior NLD
colleague. Access to, her own home is restricted by security forces, who say
their mission is to protect her.
The junta acknowledged several recent cases in which the NLD alleged that
charges had been fabricated against doctors because of their NLD membership.
It said the cases had nothing to do with the party and were being
publicised to show the charges were not political. (BP)
******************************************************
NCUB:PRESS RELEASE [12]
March 5, 1997
NCUB STATEMENT ON SLORC PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON MARCH 4, 1997
Date: March 5, 1997
At the SLORC press conference held yesterday in Rangoon, Col.Kyaw Thein
explained the reason behind their recent attack on the KNU as being due to
their use of border bases to conduct acts of terrorism inside the country,
such as the bombing of the Mandalay-Rangoon Railroad, and the bombs planted
at Gaba Aye Pagoda in Rangoon last Christmas.
The NCUB would like to make it clear that these accusations against the KNU
are completely untrue. As we have previously stated, due to the SLORC's
history of brutality and of bombing its own embassies in Bangkok and Tokyo
in order to discredit pro- democracy groups and divert international
criticism against them, we the NCUB believe that they are the only group
capable of such despicable acts. In our previous statement we explained our
belief that the SLORC conducted these acts and accused the KNU of being
responsible in order to provide them with justification for
an attack. Our expectations were proven correct by SLORC's press
statement given yesterday.
We the NCUB strongly denounce both such acts of terrorism, and the current
SLORC offensive against the Karen people. Both the KNU and the NCUB have
repeatedly asked the SLORC to resolve the political problems by peaceful means.
The NCUB would like to appeal to the international community particularly
the Royal Thai Government to help protect the safety of the refugees who
have fled from SLORC's recent offensive against Karen villagers, and to
continue to pressure the SLORC to enter dialogue in order to solve Burma's
problems peacefully.
Information Committee
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
*************************
THE NATION: INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR AID, SAFE HAVENS FOR KAREN REFUGEES
March 5, 1997
Letters to the Editor
Canadian Friends of Burma;
Burma Action Group;
UK Burma Action Ireland;
Association Suisse-Birmanie
Society for Threatened Peoples;
Germany Fractures;
Reseaujeunes Solidaires, France;
Burma Centrum, Netherlands;
Norwegian Burma Council;
Anti-Slavery International;
Karen Youth Organisation, Canada;
Seattle Campaign for a Free Burma;
LA Campaign for a Free Burma;
Burma Forum, USA;
Bay Area Burma Roundtable, USA;
Burma UN Service Office, USA;
Burmese Relief Centre, Japan;
Buddhist Peace Fellowship;
Buddhist Relief Mission, USA;
Free Burma Coalition, USA;
Burma Office, Sydney;
Australia Burma Council;
Euronet, Paris;
Karen refugees who have fled the fighting in the Minthamee area, Tenasserim
Division in Burma, are not being guaranteed refuge on Thai soil. Acting upon
orders by the Commander of the 9th division of the Thai army, Karen
civilians fleeing conflict and human rights abuses committed by the SLORC
(State Law and Order Restoration Council) in the Karen National Union's 4th
Brigade area, have been forcibly repatriated back into Burma.
Upon arrival on Thai soil, male refugees, most of whom are not soldiers and
some of whom are under the age of ten, have been immediately repatriated
into the conflict area.
Women and children have been allowed into Thailand but have since been
rounded up by Thai authorities and are being sent back to Burma through a
''safe corridor". Many dispute the security of this ''safe corridor".
Refugees are clearly being repatriated into an active war situation in order
to prevent a ''refugee situation" in this area of the Thai-Burma border.
With Slorc's continued offensive and the recent fall of the KNU's 4th
Brigade stronghold, thousands of civilians will continue to seek refuge in
Thailand. Karen civilians who are prevented from seeking refuge in Thailand
or who are forcibly returned to Burma are at considerable risk of being
taken as porters and human mine sweepers by Slorc troops. There are numerous
incidents of rape and ill-treatment of women. Villagers are arbitrarily
executed if they are thought to be linked with the KNU.
We, an international coalition of groups and organisations working for
democracy and human rights in Burma, deplore the forced repatriation of
Karen civilians by the Thai authorities which is in direct violation of
international law. We call on the United Nations and our respective
governments to immediately communicate to the Thai government, their
insistence that all refugees be protected, including male civilians, and
that no Karen civilians be forcibly repatriated into Burma.
We call upon the Clinton administration, the Canadian government and the
European Union to impose economic sanctions on Burma as a matter of urgency.
We also call upon the European Union to withdraw immediately, without
further procrastination, preferential market access for Burmese industrial
and agricultural goods into the European market. The Canadian government
should further consider the immediate suspension of Burmese garment imports
into the country.
We urge all those concerned for the welfare of the refugees to hold
demonstrations in front of Thai embassies and consulates, calling for the
Thai government to protect the refugees.(TN)
******************************************************
NATION:RIGHTS SPOKESMAN FINDS NO PROOF OF REPATRIATIONS
(abridged)
March 5, 1997
Agencies
House Committee for Justice and Human Rights spokesman Suwaroj Phalang
yesterday called into question world press reports that
say the Thai Army is sending Karen refugees back into Burma.
Democratic MP for Chumphon province Suwaroj Paland, returning from a one
day fact finding mission arranged by Thai based human rights groups said it
appeared that Thai authorities were treating the 2,300 Karen at the Phu Nam
Rawn refugee camp in Kanchanaburi province quite well, but many visitors
doubted whether the army's reported decision to send some of them in
particular unarmed males back to Burma was the right one.
"It is questionable how the safety of returnees can be guaranteed and their
where about determined after they return," he said. Suwarj urged the
government to clarify its position on the repatriation of unarmed male Karen.
The spokesman said it appeared as if there had been a serious lack of
coordination between the government and local authorities handling the
refugees, which , he warned , could lead to misunderstandings. "I have been
informed that there have been no visits to the sensitive areas by provincial
health officials or the governor," he said.
He said he would present his findings to the committee today to
rebut press reports that stated the Thai Army forcibly sent some
900 Karen refugees across the border from Ratchaburi.
He said, if necessary, he would try to bring refugees from the
camp itself to testify before the committee.
Associated Press reported that refugees at Pu Nam Rawn, Thai villagers and
even some Thai soldiers had insisted that hundreds of boys were sent back.
"They don't even know how to hold a gun, " Daphne Tunbaw, a 75 year old
school teacher said on Sunday.
Thai village militia helping guard Pu Nam Rawn said more than 300 Karen at
the camp had been forced back to Burma. "They [the army] said the men can't
stay here because it will cause a problem with Burma," militiaman Samor
Suphap said as he patrolled the perimeter of the camp with a hunting rifle.
What the young men and boys face when they are back in the hands of Burma's
military government is uncertain. People at the camp tell of Burmese troops
burning their villages, looting their homes, executing men and raping women.
"If we go back they will kill us." said Kaw Paw, 55, the wife of a farmer.
"We just want to live in peace."
*****************************************
REUTER: THAI ARMY SAYS TO ACCEPT ALL UNARMED KAREN REFUGEES
March 5, 1997
BANGKOK, March 5 (Reuter) - Thailand's army chief said on Wednesday that
all unarmed Karen refugees crossing into the country at its northwestern
border with Burma would be accepted.
General Chetta Thanajaro told reporters that unarmed Karen National
Union (KNU) guerrillas who wanted to seek refuge in the country could also
enter but should not use Thailand as a base to fight the Burmese government.
Thailand was recently accused by the United States, rights and refugee
groups of forcibly repatriating Karen refugees who fled last month's
fighting between the rebel KNU guerrillas and Burmese troops.
Bangkok denied the charges but said it would not allow those suspected
of being Karen guerrillas from entering the country.
The KNU is fighting for greater autonomy for the eastern Burmese Karen
state from the Rangoon government.
Burmese troops overran KNU mobile jungle bases inside Burma in the
latest attacks on the KNU, sparking a refugee exodus.
"Unarmed people, young or strong men, we regard them as the displaced
persons fleeing from fighting and allow them to seek the refuge in our
country. I reassure to you that we continue to receive them," Chetta told
reporters.
"Once they enter the country, we must put them under special
surveillance. They should not be allowed to return if they mean go back to
fight," he said.
A Karen refugee official based in western Kanchanaburi in Thailand said
the authorities had relocated refugees.
"The Thai army said the old place is very dangerous because it was very
close to the borderline which Burmese soldiers are occupying," said Zaw Oo
by telephone.
"But the Karen people want to remain there because the area is close to
their homeland where they can return home when the Burmese troops retreat,"
he added.
A senior Thai army official said that the thousands of Karen refugees,
living in sprawling refugee camps near the border with Burma, would be
separated from guerrillas.
"The camp is not the rest and recreation place for the
guerrillas any more," he said.
*************************
BKK POST: REFUGEES MOVED TO NEW CAMP
(abridged)
March 5, 1997
By Ralph Bachoe
Intruders retreat as Thais hold firm
Refugees from Phu Nam Rawn were moved deeper into Thailand yesterday after
a heated debate between the community leaders and the 9th Infantry Division
in Kanchanaburi on Monday.
They were relocated in Phu Muang in Muang district of Kanchanaburi, 20
kilometres south of the present site, and five kilometres from the Burmese
border. Phu Nam Rawn is about two to three kilometres from the border.
A 9th Infantry Division source said the relocation was necessary because
the last camp was within the range of Burmese mortar attack.
Four Thai rangers were reported to have confronted 100 Burmese soldiers on
the border near Phu Nam Rawn on Sunday after the Burmese troops intruded
into Thailand. The rangers were told to hold their ground after
reinforcements were dispatched.
After tense negotiations the intruders stepped back into Burmese territory
with the excuse that they "did not see the Thai flag" which fluttered on a
tall tree.
A total of 2,316 Karen and Burmese refugees were moved in four trucks on
the half-hour journey to the new site where a small reservoir is located.
The evacuation began at 9 a.m. under the watchful eyes of the military, the
rangers and local militia.
The evacuation was witnessed by journalists, human rights groups and
Democrat MP Suvaroj Phalang of Chumporn.
The refugees refused to budge on Monday despite orders from the 9th
Infantry Division commander for them to be relocated immediately to the new
site. But they eventually relented after District Chief Pitak Saket assured
them of their safety and the advantages of their new home.
Meanwhile, Mr Suvaroj, who is also the spokesman for the House Justice and
Human Rights Committee, said he strongly believed that Karen men were forced
to return to Burma.
He said he would report it to the committee which would convene today,
including his complaint that no high-ranking officials were present during
the relocation of the refugees.
Mr Suvaroj planned to lead the whole committee, and possibly the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, to make another fact-finding trip to the site in
the future.
He said economic benefits between the two countries dictated the forced
repatriation policy. He was also concerned about Thailand's deteriorating
human rights image as a result of the forced return.
However, Mr Suvaroj said he needed more explanation from the Thai army to
verify the allegations.
He was confident that he had enough evidence to counter army chief Gen
Chetta Thanajaro's remarks that Thailand did not force the Karens back.
He said the committee would report to the prime minister to reconsider the
issue of forced repatriation.
Commenting on the US condemnation on the issue, he said that if it proved
to be correct, it meant violation of basic human rights which went against
the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.(BP)
******************************************************
VOA:NEW YORK CITY IS CONSIDERING TO PASS THE SELECTIVE PURCHASING BILL
March 4, 1997
Max Ruston
New York City is considering legislation that would ban the city government
from doing business with any firms that have economic ties to Burma. The
legislation, discussed at a hearing today (Tuesday) in New York, is aimed at
pressing Burma's military government to improve the country's human rights
conditions and allow democratic reforms. VOA's Max Ruston reports from New
York.
Text: Within minutes of starting, the hearing turned into a heated debate
over the effectiveness of proposed sanctions against Burma. The debate was
sparked by the testimony of a representative from the city's human rights
commission, Robert Hamel, who spoke out against the proposed sanctions.
/// Hamel act ///
The basic concern is that the city may be using a method that is
going to cost the city a lot of money while doing very little to affect the
situation in Burma. One concern is that the types of sanctions outlined in
the bill may be easy to circumvent. Another concern is that the
administrative machinery to enforce this -- to gather the information -- may
be very costly.
/// end act ///
Mr. Hamel said the Human Rights Commission is a firm supporter of the aims
of the proposed legislation -- to improve the human rights situation in
burma. But, he said more thought needs to be put into exactly what
measures, if any, New York could take that would have a direct impact on the
country's leadership.
Mr. Hamel's testimony was immediately denounced by several city council
members. They said he failed to recognize the effectiveness of similar
measures in bringing about changes in places such as South Africa and
Northern Ireland.
Representatives of human rights groups speaking at the hearing also
questioned Mr. Hamel's conclusions. A spokesman for the Burma Support
group, Tom Lansner, rejected Mr. Hamel's claim that New York's business ties
with companies involved with Burma are so small that sanctions would have a
negligible effect on the country's military leadership -- known as SLORC
(state law and order restoration council).
/// lansner act ///
the SLORC generals notice -- make no mistake about it --they
notice, because they are heavily reliant on foreign investment and foreign
cash to sustain their dictatorship.
/// end act ///
But other speakers said similar sanctions adopted by other cities and
organizations have been effective, and prompted many large companies to cut
their ties with Burma.
/// opt /// Ted Jacobson spoke to New York's City Council on behalf of one
of the United States' largest labor organizations, the AFL/CIO.
/// opt /// jacobson act ///
Unable to live with their complicity any longer, many
multi-national corporations have indeed decided to disinvest from Burma --
Levi Strauss, Apple computer, Eddie Bauer, Motorola, Reebok, Liz Claiborne,
Macy's,Heinekin and Pepsi to name a few. But many other corporations
stubbornly hang on (stay), and by so doing, set themselves against the
democratic aspirations of the Burmese people.
/// end act ///
/// opt /// Mr. Jacobson and several other speakers said doing business with
burma not only helps keep Burma's military leadership in power, but also
has a direct impact on drug abuse in the United States. They cited studies
by US law enforcement officials showing that Burma is the largest supplier
of heroin to the United States, and said the Burmese government is directly
involved in the production and export of illicit drugs. /// end
Opt ///
Nobody at the hearing spoke on behalf of the Burmese government. But the
US-based multi-national oil company Unocal submitted a statement to the city
council, defending its position as one of the largest foreign investors in
Burma. The Unocal statement says sanctions against Burma are not
effective and often have a counterproductive influence by stiffening the
government's stance against a perceived threat to national sovereignty.
The city government will be giving further consideration to the proposal.
(signed)
*************
AP: HK SIGNS BILATERAL AIR SERVICES DEAL WITH BURMA
March 4, 1997
HONG KONG (AP-Dow Jones)--Hong Kong signed an air services agreement with
Burma Tuesday, the 17th bilateral air deal the Hong Kong government has signed.
Secretary for Economic Services Stephen Ip said he sees potential for
tourism, trade and other economic links between the two countries through
direct air services.
Ip said the agreement provides a 'firm and stable legal framework for the
development of air services' up to and beyond June 30.
Hong Kong has reached similar agreements with the Netherlands,
Switzerland, Canada, Brunei, France, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brazil, Sri
Lanka, Australia, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, India and Japan.
****************************
KYODO:JAPAN TO GIVE MYANMAR 370,250 DLRS IN HOSPITAL AID
March 5, 1997
YANGON, March 5 Kyodo - Myanmar and Japan exchanged notes
Wednesday in which Tokyo agrees to provide 370,250 dollars for
improvement of four hospitals in Myanmar.
Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Yoichi Yamaguchi and medical
superintendents of the four hospitals signed the agreement.
The grant-in-aid will be given under the grassroots grant
assistance scheme of the Japanese government.
********************
KYODO: MYANMAR STATE FIRM TO SELL GEMS, JADE AND PEARLS
March 5, 1997
YANGON, March 5 Kyodo - Myanmar's state-owned gem enterprise
will put on sale over 13 million dollars worth of gems and pearls for
foreign merchants at the 34th Gems Emporium in Yangon between March 8 and
12, Deputy Minister for Mines Hlaing Win said Wednesday.
Jade, gems and pearls will be sold both by auction and at fixed prices
in the emporium that will be attended by over 300 gem merchants from 16
countries and territories including Australia, Britain, Canada, China,
France, Japan and the United States.
The largest contingent is from Hong Kong with 210 merchants,
followed by 30 from Thailand and 20 from Japan, Hlaing Win told reporters.
The other countries involved are Germany, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea,
Spain, Switzerland and the United Arab
Emirates.
************************
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS (1-3-97)
March 1, 1997
MYANMAR INVESTMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY RETURN FROM MALAYSIA
YANGON, 28 Feb-Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime
Minister ViceAdmiral Maung Maung Khin and Secretary Minister at the Deputy
Prime Minis. ters' Office Brig-Gen Maung Maung arrived back here from
Malaysia this evening by air after attending the High-level Coordination
Meeting on Investment held in Malaysia.
__________________________________________
MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND REVENUE RECEIVES THAI DEPUTY MINISTER
YANGON, 28 Feb-Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Win Tin
received Deputy Miriister of Finance Mr Chaturon Chai-sang of Thailand at
his office this morning. They discussed bilateral cooperation in the
financial sectors. Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyi Aye was
also present.
________________________________________
KENNEL LAND CHAIRMAN CALLS ON MINISTER FOR HOTELS & TOURISM
YANGON, 28 Feb-Chairman and Managing Director Mr Lim Chee Onn of Keppel
Land of Singapore called on Member of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council Minister for Slotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba at his office this
afternoon. They discussed building of a hill resort, promotion of tourism
advertising work on Myanmar and measures for increase of foreign investment
in Myanmar. Present on the occasion also were Director-General U Khin Maung
Latt of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism and officials. Keppel Iand is now
operating Sedona hotels in Yangon and Mandalay.
________________________________________
MYANMAR TRADE FAIR 97 CONTINUES
YANGON, 28 Feb-Myanmar Trade Fair 97 sponsored by the Ministry of
Commerce continued today at Yangon Trade Centre on Upper Pazundaung Road in
Mingala Taungnyunt Town-ship. Bulldozers and generators are put on display
in front of the center and latest modern cars are shown on the ground floor.
Personal and household goods, furniture, medicines, electrical and
electronic goods are on display at the booths of ministries,cooperative
syndicates, joint venture corps and local and foreign
companies. Local and foreign entrepreneurs and the public visited the fair.
Accel Marketing Ltd of Japan also displays electronic type writers,
photocopiers, printers and fax machines. The fair opens daily at the centre
from 9 am to 6 pm until 5 March.
************************************
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS (2.28.97)
February 28, 1997
"MYANMAR TRADE FAIR 97" OPENS AT YANGON TRADE CENTRE
YANGON, 27 Feb-"Myanmar Trade Fair 97", sponsored by
the Ministry of Commerce, commenced this morning with a ceremony at Yangon
Trade Ccntre on Upper Pazundaung Road in Mingala Taungnyunt Township.
Chairman of Central Committee for Organizing the Trade Fair Minister for
Commerce Lt-Gen Tun Kyi, Arnbassador of the People's Republic of China Ms
Chen Baol iu, Ambassadors of ASEAN nations, the Philippines, Singapore,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, and of Laos formally opened the fair.
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MYANMAR DELEGATION RETURNS FROM INDONESIA
YANGON, 27 Feb-A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Mines Lt-Gen Kyaw
Min arrived back here by air this afternoon from Indonesia after studying
gold mining, iron and steel factories at the invitation of Indonesian
Minister of Mines I B Sudjana. Managing Director of No 2 Mining Enterprise U
Tin Win, Managing-Director of No 3 Mining Enterprise U Mya Soe, Director of
No 2 Mining Enterprise U Soe Mya, General Manager of Kyaukpahto Special
Metal 2 Region U Win Maung, Minister's PSO Capt Htin Kyaw Soe and Head of
Office U San Thein also arrived back here on the same flight.
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MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES MD OF GERMAN CONSULTING FIRM
YANGON, 27 Feb-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development
Brig-Gen Abel received Managing Director of German Consulting firm Mr
Dieter Weinspach at his office at 2.30 pm yesterday.
They discussed matters dealing with possibilities of cooperation in various
lines of business. Present also were officials of the Ministry of National
Planning and Economic Development.
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GIFTS FOR YIT
YANGON, 27 Feb-Yokogawa Electric Asia Pte Ltd of Singapore has agreed to
provide electronic equipment worth US $ 358,000 and knowhow to Yangon
Institute of Technology in 1997 and 1998. The accord to provide the
assistance was signed by Managing Director of the company Mr T Jogan and
Rector of the Institute U Nyi Hla Nge at YTT this morning.
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MINISTER RECEIVES FOREIGN BUSINESS CENTRE MD
YANGON, 27 Feb-Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba received
Managing Director of Foreign Business Centre Sdn Bhn of Malaysia Mr William
Tan Kian Seng at his office today.They discussed establishment of recreation
centres in southern and western coastal areas in Myanmar. Director-General
of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt and officials were
also present at the discussions.
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MINISTER RECEIVES OFFICIALS OF ISRAEL
YANGON, 27 Feb-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development
Brig-Gen Abel received Director for Economic Department Mr Moshe Ham of
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel, together with Ambassador of Israel to
Myanmar Mr Gad Nathan, at his office this afternoon. They discussed
promotion of economic and technical
cooperation and investment opportunities in Myanmar. Present also were
officials of the ministry.
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DPNS: CHAIRMAN MYINT ZAW PASSED AWAY
March 5, 1997
Dear friends,
We have to inform sorrowfully that the Chairman of Democratic Party for New
Society (DPNS), Myint Zaw passed away this afternoon 1:20 PM, 5 March, 1997,
with malaria in Mae Klong Mai, Thai-Burma border.
Ko Myint Zaw was born on 23 July in 1964 in Kha Yan township, Rangoon
Division. His father is U Kyi Htun and his mother is Daw Kyi. He passed his
high school in 1980 and joined with correspondent courses for university
level. He specialized the subject of Physics and got a degree from Rangoon
University in 1986. Later Ko Myint Zaw worked for 2 years as primary school
teacher in Toe Kyaung Suu village, Kha Yan township.
Ko Myint Zaw became actively involved in the 1988 democracy uprising as a
general secretary of Kha Yan township general strike committee. After that
Ko Myint Zaw served as a member of DPNS. His own party member No. is 71191.
He served as an in charge of four eastern townships of Hansawaddy area and
executive member of Rangoon division DPNS.
He was elected as a vice-chairman of DPNS of Rangoon division and in 1990
was elected as a chairman of Rangoon division. In 1990 July, Ko Myint Zaw
was elected as a chairman of the DPNS Headquarters by the party's
extraordinary conference. After joining the armed struggle in jungle area in
1991, he was also elected as a chairman of DPNS. In the revolutionary area,
he served as a Joint-General Secretary of Democratic Alliance of Burma
(DAB), 1994-1995 and as a General Secretary of DAB from 1995 to up to now.
Since 1996, he is one the members of
Secretariat of National Council of the Union of Burma.
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ANNOUNCEMENT: REALAUDIO OF ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
February 28, 1997
An audio recording of Dr. Michael Aris delivering Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's
acceptance speech in Australia can be played back or downloaded as a
RealAudio File at the BurmaSong site:
http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue
The recording can be found in two places: at the beginning of the third
segment of the February 23 Democratic Voice of Burma program; or, at the
top of the page about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
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BURMANET:NOTE RE- STATEMENT ON DECISION TO RELOCATE DISPLACED PERSONS ON
OLD CAMP SITE
This statement, which appeared in BurmaNet News Issue 655, was submitted by
So_Nou@xxxxxxxxxxxx (So Nou)
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