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BurmaNet News March 31, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------  
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"  
----------------------------------------------------------  
  
The BurmaNet News: March 31, 1997  
Issue #681

Noted in Passing:

HEADLINES:  
==========  
VOA: ARMED FORCES DAY OVERSHADOWED BY RECENT UNREST
ASIAN AGE: CURFEW IN BURMA TOWN AFTER SKIRMISH
THAILAND TIMES: DRUG GROUP UNDER JUNTA PRESSURE 
REUTER: U.S. ARCO STRIKES NEW GAS WELL IN BURMA
NLM: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE DELIVERED AN ADDRESS 
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A0030
AFP: GERMAN LEGISLATORS MEETS BURMESE LEADERS IN RANGOON
BANGKOK POST: "VICIOUS CIRCLE" DRAWS PROTESTS
INDEPENDENT REPORT: CHAT WITH U TIN WIN, SLORC AMB. TO US 
BANGKOK POST: AERIAL MAP URGED TO END BORDER ROW
XINHUA: PRC, BURMA SIGN BORDER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THE HARTFORD COURANT: LEGISLATORS URGED TO PUNISH 
NLM: NEWS BRIEFS (MARCH 23-27, 1997)
ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA WEEK AT RMIT (MELBOURNE)
ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW SLIDE SHOW ON BURMA AVAILABLE
ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA PHOTO SHOW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------

VOA: ARMED FORCES DAY OVERSHADOWED BY RECENT UNREST
March 27, 1997
by Gary Thomas in Bangkok

intro: Burma is to celebrate Armed Forces Day Thursday, an
important event for Rangoon's military government.  But as Gary
Thomas reports from our southeast bureau in Bangkok, the
celebration is overshadowed by recent unrest between the majority
Buddhist and minority Muslim communities, and speculation about a
government re-organization.

text:  A Rangoon-based diplomat who asked not to be named says
trying to figure out what is going on in Burma's leadership is
like watching the Soviet Union in the days of the cold war.

Just as observers of the Soviet Union would try to figure out who
was up and who was down by their places on the platform on may
day, burma watchers will be scrutinizing the line-up on March
27th, for signs of cracks in the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council -- the SLORC.

As the diplomat put it, the ruling council is not a monolith.
although government-run media outlets portray the council as
solidly united, analysts say some factions  want Burma to
improve its international image to attract more foreign
investment, while the hard-liners want to maintain a strong hand
against dissent.

There has been much discussion among journalists and diplomats
recently about the position of General Khin Nyunt.  He is the
head of the country's powerful Military Intelligence apparatus
and second in power only to General Than Shwe, the head of state.
Khin Nyunt is widely seen as a "liberal" by SLORC standards.
Rangoon-based Burma watchers -- who asked not to be named -- say
there may be a struggle between the hardliners and what might be
described as the more pragmatic faction in the council.

Khin Nyunt is credited with instituting a new policy toward the
western media last year.  Western reporters suddenly found
themselves invited to Rangoon for monthly government news
conferences.  While officials often only regurgitated stale news
at these meetings, reporters were allowed to directly question
them on policy matters.  Requests for interviews were quickly
granted, an unofficial spokesman was made available to field
telephoned questions from journalists, and some reporters were
also granted background briefings.

The responsibility for this media policy was taken out of the
hands of the Ministry of Information -- whose job, as several
journalists have said, is to withhold information.  It was given
to a new unit in the Defense Ministry.  Most of the time Defense
officials handling the media policy were Military Intelligence
officers close to Khin Nyunt.

But for the past two weeks, the openness appears to have ended.
The government spokesman suddenly fell silent and was unavailable.  
A few -- information sheets -- were faxed to reporters, but no one would 
answer questions.

The murky situation is further clouded by recent troubles between
the Buddhist and Muslim communities.  For more than a week, the
government was silent on the issue -- and reporters could find no
one willing to talk.  The government issued its first official
statement Tuesday.

Meanwhile, analysts say they are watching to see if Army Chief
general Maung Yye rises in prominence.  He is the Vice-Chairman
of the ruling council, and widely perceived as a member of the
hardline faction.   (signed)

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

ASIAN AGE: CURFEW IN BURMA TOWN AFTER SKIRMISH
March 30, 1997

Rangoon, March 29: Burmese authorities have imposed a curfew in the town
of Toungoo, north of Rangoon, following a spate of attacks against
Muslim properties in the past week, official sources said on Saturday.

The curfew at Toungoo has been imposed since Wednesday after shops and
houses owned by Muslims were attacked, the sources said, adding that
since then security around mosques in the town had been tightened.

Toungoo, a small railway town, is about 200 kin from Rangoon on the main
line to the northern city of Mandalay.  Although the communal unrest,
which erupted two weeks ago in Mandalay and later spread to Rangoon
appeared to be abating, few incidents of anti-Muslim attacks had still
been reported across the country. Attacks have been launched against
mosques in the central towns of Pegu and Prome in the past week,
although no injuries have been reported.

In Rangoon, the situation has been calm for the past few days amid tight
security around Rangoon's leading mosques after a number of attacks
against Muslim-owned facilities over the past week.

The authorities on Friday cancelled exams for monks which were scheduled
for next week in Rangoon and Mandalay, apparently to keep the unrest
from spreading further.

Buddhist monks have attacked dozens of Muslim properties across the
country in the past two weeks and at least 100 have been picked up for
interrogation by security forces in Rangoon. A night curfew was still in
place in Mandalay on Saturday.

The unrest was sparked off by the alleged attempted rape of a Buddhist
girl by a Muslim man in Mandalay, although many analysts say the monks
are just using the Muslims as scapegoats to express dissatisfaction with the
public.

The Burmese government has blamed the unrest on agitators bent on
sinking Burma's bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,
whose membership includes the majority Muslim nations of Brunei,
Indonesia and Malaysia. (AFP)

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

THAILAND TIMES: DRUG GROUP UNDER JUNTA PRESSURE TO SURRENDER
March 30, 1997
by Khajorn Boonpath

MAE HONG SON: The Burmese junta has launched repeated attacks
against ethnic Wa troops in an attempt to force them to surrender
and vacate the territory they control in Burma's Shan State,
according to an informed Shan source.

The officer from the Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA), who
requested anonymity, said Rangoon has sent soldiers into the
areas of Doi Lang and Mong awn opposite the Thai  province of
Chang Mai, where the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are fighting the
military regime.

Between March last year and January this year, at least six
clashes have occurred between the two sides and over 100 lives
have been claimed, the source said.

War is an inevitability, he said, following the failure of peace
talks in July last year, when Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye
visited UWSA's Pang Chang stronghold and told the rebel troops to
withdraw immediately form Doi Lang Mong Yawn and to lay down
their arms by 1999. 

The junta's overtures come after the surrender of drug baron Khun
Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) earlier that year. 

Some 35,000 soldiers are currently fighting for the UWSA, led by
Pao o Chiang, Li Tzu Ju, and Wei Hsueh Kang.

Previously the army fought under the banner of the Communist
Party of Burma (CPB) but when the CPB collapsed in 1989 the
troops defected and agreed to fight against the junta alongside
Khun Sa's troops.

Despite the MTA's surrender, the UWSA, who are believed to be
large scale opium producers vowed to continue the armed struggle
and refused to retreat from their stronghold in northern Shan state.

According to the United State's 1997 narcotics report, the UWSA
are the largest producers of opium and heroin in the Golden Triangle 
region, and the army's leaders are directly involved in the drug trade.

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

REUTER: U.S. ARCO STRIKES NEW GAS WELL IN BURMA
March 28, 1997

RANGOON, March 28 (Reuter) - Atlantic Richfield Co (ARCO) has found a new
commercial-scale offshore natural gas well on Block M-9 off Rangoon's Moattama
coast, official newspapers reported on Friday. 

The state-run newspapers said ARCO Myanmar Inc and its partner Myanma Oil and
Gas Enterprise presented reports to the government showing that ARCO struck
natural gas at a depth of 10,750 feet at Shwepyihtay Test Well number one
off the Moattama Coast. 

The papers did not say the amount of the deposit and an energy ministry
official on Friday would not give further details. 

ARCO and Myanma Oil and Gas signed production sharing contracts for offshore
Block M-9 in July 1995. 

Two other U.S. companies, Texaco Inc and Unocal ( UNC Inc ), are making
preparations to produce gas from two other offshore gas fields off Burma's
coast. 

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

NLM: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE DELIVERED AN ADDRESS 
AT THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY ARMED FORCES DAY
March 28, 1997
                                        
     YANGON, 27 March - Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Commander-in Chief of the Defence Services Senior General
     Than Shwe delivered an address at the 52nd Anniversary Armed Forces
     Day Parade in the Resistance Park on U Wisara Road here today.
     
     Our Tatmadaw was conceived in the anti-colonialist freedom struggle
     and gained prominence as it emerged in the anti-fascist resistance.
     A modern army means one that has a regulated recruitment system. It
     has to have a distinct organizational set-up and comprehensive
     training. It has to be equipped with modern weapons. It has to be
     ready at all times. It is necessary for you, Comrades, to remember
     that our nation fell into servitude because we did not have such an army.
     
     The Thirty Comrades strove to establish the Myanma Tatmadaw. From
     this, you, Comrades, will find in history evidence of how crucial a
     modern army is for a nation to regain its independence and how
     crucial it is for a nation to remain a sovereign entity. 
     
     The Tatmadaw was conceived in the anti-colonialist struggle and born
     of the anti-fascist resistance. As it was the rallying point of
     patriotic youths, it fitted into the good tradition of a patriotic
Tatmadaw.
     
     Our Tatmadaw had to confront all kinds of hardship. When internal
     insurrection broke out after regaining of national independence, our
     Tatmadaw had had to face the enemies who greatly outnumbered us. It
     had to repulse external infiltration which received assistance from
     powerful military blocs.
     
     The Tatmadaw as the State Law and Order Restoration Council has been
     making endeavours directed at emergence of a peaceful, modern and
     developed new nation. In so doing, it can be found that political,
     economic and social objectives have firmly been laid down and are
     being implemented accordingly.

     While our Tatmadaw is steadfastly endeavouring to serve national
     interests out of genuine goodwill based on firm objectives,
     destructive and traitorous elements within the country with intent to
     seize power through short cut are employing various ways and means
     and planning attacks against our country in collaboration with
     external neo-colonialists with expansionist aims. 
     
     A modern Tatmadaw is a characteristic of a peaceful, modern and
     developed nation. Hence, we are building our Tatmadaw to be modern in
     accord with the status of the nation.
     
     Sovereignty is the life-blood of a nation. The three
     powers-legislative, executive and judicial-must be understood as
     sovereignty. These three powers must be in the hands of our citizens
     and our national races.

     Comrades, you are to play as much a role as possible in building a
     peaceful, modern and developed new nation. It is based on discharging
     the Three Main Duties while upholding Our Three Main National Causes.
     After taking lessons from history, it is also necessary to defend the
     nation to ensure that it does not relapse into servitude. 
                                        
****************************************************

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A0030
March 31 1997
Reply-To: OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx

 (1)     An outlawed organization called  the Burma Communist Party (Rakhine )
traded arms for peace on the 29th of March. A group of nearly (300) members
including families of  the (BCP) Rakhine headed by Central Committee
Chairman, U Saw Tun Oo crossed  over- into Myanmar with various small arms
and traded their arms for peace. They were being warmly welcomed by the local
authorities and population. Necessary assistance were also being extended by
the authorities concerned.

(2)     Mrs. Aris received the spouse of the British Ambassador Mr. Gordon
at her
    residence on the University Avenue on the afternoon of 14th and 26th of
March.

(3)     Mrs. Aris received U.S Charge d' Affairs Mr. Kent Weidemann at her
University Avenue residence on the afternoon of 18th and 29th March.

(4)     British Ambassador Mr. Gordon met with Mrs. Aris at the residence of U
Kyi Maung on the evening of 18th March.

(5)     On the morning of 27th March some diplomats and journalist attended the
Armed Forces Day celebration held by the N.L.D at Mrs. Aris's residence.

(6)     The Government Press Briefing for the month of April has been postponed
for a later date, due to unforeseen circumstances it is learnt.

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

AFP: GERMAN LEGISLATORS MEETS BURMESE LEADERS IN RANGOON
March 26, 1997

BANGKOK, March 26 (AFP) - A group from Germany's lower house
of parliament called on leading Burmese military government officials in 
Rangoon Wednesday, state-run Burmese radio reported.

The delegation was headed by Williams Winner, a senior member
of the lower house's committee for foreign affairs, the radio said
in a broadcast monitored here.

According to Radio Rangoon, the legislators held separate talks
with the ruling military junta's first secretary and national intelligence 
chief, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, and National Planning and Economic 
Development Minister Brigadier General David Abel.

The group also met chief justice and chairman of the national
convention work committee, Aung Toe, it said.

The talks were also attended by Rangoon-based German diplomats, the 
report added without given further details.

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

BANGKOK POST: "VICIOUS CIRCLE" DRAWS PROTESTS
March 30, 1997
Kanchanaburi

Local people yesterday stepped up protests against what they
called a "vicious circle" involving the Petroleum Authority of
Thailand, a natural gas pipeline from Burma, an earthquake and a
devastating fire. 

They threatened to go on with the rally until PTT agreed to
divert the course of a pipeline system from Burma's Yadana gas
field which would cut through Kanchanaburi to supply gas for a
power plant in Ratchaburi.

The pipeline which would pass through Kanchanaburi's tropical
forest would also destroy precious trees and wildlife.

Wasant Pongvithayaphanu, chairman of the Kanchanaburi Local
Organisation, said PTT should help his province avoid possible
catastrophe by switching to an underwater pipeline form Yadana
field via Yetagun in Burma to Ratchaburi.

He said Industry Minister Korn Dabbaransi had earlier voiced
support for the pipeline to the laid under the sea.

The distance would also be shorter and the cost lower, Mr Wasant said. 

As the pipeline will run parallel to the Kwai Noi River for about
100 kilometres, Mr Wasant said local people feared that it would crack 
and the gas would leak and go as far as  50 kilometres into the river.

They also fear an earthquake, as Kanchanaburi is situated on a fault. 

Gas leakages would cause a huge fire which would destroy all
tourist attractions and local communities along the river, he said.

Mr Wasant said the pipeline may drive tourists away from
Kanchanaburi, thus affecting its tourism industry which was among
the top income earners.

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

INDEPENDENT REPORT: CHAT WITH U TIN WIN, SLORC AMB. TO US 
March 26, 1997   by Michael Beer

Subject: conversation with the Myanmar Ambassador to US

Many have asked about my conversation with U Tin Win, the Myanmar 
Ambassador to the U.S., Saturday, March 22nd in Washington, DC at the Chin 
cultural celebration.

My paraphrasing below is only my side of the story.

I started by asking the ambassador to defect to the democracy movement.
His immediate reaction will remain confidential.  Then he said SLORC is 
moving toward democracy.

I encouraged him, as an outsider, to see the need for dialogue.

UTW said plenty of dialogue was happening at National Convention.  The NLD 
made up the bulk of the elected officials at the convention and they left.
SLORC is ready for dialogue, the NLD isn't.

I said, according to a person I have met who attended the 
Convention, Daniel Aung, Karrenni MP, that the convention was a joke and 
that no dialogue was taking place at the time of NLD attendance.

UTW encouraged expatriates to join with SLORC to work for a better 
myanmar.  He doesn't think economic sanctions are helping the country.
Despite this, he stated, the economy has done very well since 1988.
Things are getting better.

Dr. Vum Son and his daughter interjected, why are so many Burmese were 
leaving Burma and working illegally abroad?  UTW said this is human nature and 
even people from rich places like Taiwan, leave to work abroad.

I said comparing the economic performance to BSPP times was not much to 
boast about.  If he really wanted a strong economy, it was obvious that 
an NLD led government would be more capable.

Then Dr. Sein Win walked in the room, and he and the military attache 
quickly left.

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

BANGKOK POST: AERIAL MAP URGED TO END BORDER ROW
March 30, 1997
Supamart Kasem

Thailand's army chiefs will soon ask Burma to allow an American
company to conduct aerial mapping along the border so that an
accurate map of the area can be made.

The map is needed so that Thailand and its neighbour can settle
long-running border disputes along the 2,400km frontier. This
would allow Thailand to reduce its armed presence in certain
disputed zones.

The move follows the apparent resolving of differences concerning
the digging of the Moei River channel and the construction of the
Friendship Bridge.

A Supreme Command source said Thailand would ask Burma to allow
the aerial mapping to go ahead.

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

XINHUA: PRC, BURMA SIGN BORDER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
March 25, 1997

Yangon, March 25 (XINHUA) -- China and Myanmar today signed here an
agreement on border area management and cooperation.
Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State
Council Luo Gan and First Secretary of Myanmar State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt signed the
agreement on behalf of their respective governments. Second Secretary of 
the Myanmar SLORC Lieutenant-General Tin Oo attended the signing 
ceremony.

According to the agreement, the local authorities in border areas of
the two countries will establish a liaison system for the purpose of
strengthening the management and cooperation in trage the exchange of
locally-produced gooc, cultural and sports cooperation in the border areas,
it said.

The two sides will add some ports for entry and exit along the
China-Myanmar border to facilitate traveling across the border and exchange
of goods, it said.

The two sides will cooperate in the prevention and suppression of all
cross-border crimes including drug-related activities, the agreement said.
China and Myanmar will enhance border trade on the basis of equality
and mutual benefit, the agreement added.

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

THE HARTFORD COURANT: LEGISLATORS URGED TO PUNISH 
COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN BURMA
March 25, 1997 (Hartford, Connecticut, USA)
by Maxine Bernstein

Republican state Rep. Ronald San Angelo's constituents in Naugatuck would
probably be surprised to lea rnthat their representative was deep into a
debate Monday about, of all things, Burma, rather than property tax relief
or the state income tax.

Even San Angelo was a bit perplexed.

"To be totally honest with you, I don't know a heck of a lot about Burma,"
San Angelo said during a legislative hearing on a topic that took lawmakers
far beyond the state's borders.

The documentation of human rights abuses, forced labor and the production
of heroin under Burma's repressive military regime has prompted some
lawmakers to propose a bill that would bar the state from buying goods or
services from companies that do business in Burma. Their statements stood
in stark contrast to the dry testimony of state government employees who
commented on the governor's data processing privatization plan at the same
hearing.

"You make us appreciate the freedom that we have in this country," state
Rep. Susan Byslewicz, D-Middletown, told one of the Burmese speakers.

Supporters of the Burma bill say that foreign investment in Burma supports
the brutal military regime in power there. They contend that the bill would
send a message to the military junta that its repressive policies are
unacceptable.

But opponents, from the president of United Technologies Corp. to
international trade investment officials, criticize the measure as a
"feel-good" gimmick that could discourage companies from relocating to the
state. Bill critics, largely free-trade advocates, say the state should not
play a role in foreign policy.  "If the United States is going to do
something, it should come from Washington," said Joseph F. Brennan, vice
president of legislative affairs for the Connecticut Business and Industry
Association.

"There are human rights violations elsewhere," he said. "Does that mean
there will be similar proposals for China, Indonesia and Northern Ireland?
Where do you draw the line? Foreign policy gets just a little dicey when
you get individual states passing these laws."

San Angelo agrees. "Somehow, I don't think we're foreign affairs advisers
here on the [government administration and elections] committee," he said.

State Rep. Jessie G. Stratton, D-Canton, introduced the bill, and 12
Democrats and one Republican are co-sponsors. If it becomes law,
Connecticut would become the second state in the nation to pass sanctions
against Burma. Massachusetts adoped a similar bill last year.

At a bill-signing ceremony in June, Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld
estimated the Burma restrictions would affect more than $1 million in state
contracts. Connecticut state officials said they did not have a listing of
companies with business ties to Burma.

"One law passed by one state will not end the suffering and oppression of
the people of Burma," Weld, a Republican, said, "but it is my hope that
other states and the Congress will follow our example, and make a stand for
the cause of freedom and democracy around the world."

Bill proponents argue that state actions do have an impact on companies.
Several major companies, such as Apple Computer, Motorola and
Hewlett-Packard, have cited the Massachusetts law in pullling out of Burma.
Backers of the bill also point to pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi,
a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has called for stiff sanctions against
her country's government.

"Political momentum at the grass-roots level builds for action at the
federal level," said Simon Billenness, an analyst with the Boston-based
Franklin Research & Development Corp. who spearheaded the push for the
Massachusetts bill and was in Connecticut Monday.

Bo Hla-Tint, who was elected to Burma's Parliament in 1990, but has not
served because the military refused to recognize the election results, told
lawmakers that foreign investment only strengthens the military regime.

"Investing in Burma today will only prolong military rule," Hla-Tint said.

Some international trade and investment officials disagree. UTC President
George David led a delegation of US companies to Southeast Asia this month
and criticized economic actions that would isolate Burma.

"We feel that the policy of engagement is a better way to produce change.
We're better off having engagement, participation and investments," David
said. David heads the US-ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Business Council, which is expected to accept Burma as a member this year.
UTC has no holdings in Burma.

"What this does is diminish the state's effort to attract new companies to
Connecticut," said Todd M. Malan, executive director of the Organization
for International Investment.

Gov. John G. Rowland and the state Department of Economic and Community
Development have not taken a position on the bill.

Several other Connecticut companies oppose the measure. Bruce Talley,
director of government affairs for ABB Corp., a Swiss engineering company
with offices in Norwalk, is worred about the proliferation of state and
local purchasing laws.

"A lot of these things are done for domestic political consumption," Talley
said. "It's a nice 'feel-good' step, but their ability to affect the
problem in the country where there is a human rights problem is next to nil."

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

NLM: NEWS BRIEFS
March 23-27, 1997  (New Light of Myanmar)

JMSHC PRESIDENT CALLS ON MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT 
March 27, 1997
                                     
YANGON, 26 March-President Mr Tatsuro Izumiya of Japan and Myanmar
Society for History and Culture called on Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein 
Win at his office this afternoon.  They discussed cooperation in transport 
sector on a mutual basis.
     
The guest donated a fire engine to the ministry.
Also, present were officials of the Ministry of Transport.


SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES ENTREPRENEUR OF USA 
March 25, 1997
     
     YANGON, 24 March - Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Dr M Segal and entrepreneur Mrs M
     Segal of United States of America at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of
     Defence this afternoon.
     
     Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen
     Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of
     Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also present. 
     

FEASIBILITY STUDY SHOWS EXISTENCE OF 400 MILLION TONS 
OF COPPER DEPOSITS 
March 25, 1997
                                        
     YANGON, 24 March-A three-member team of Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd
     led by Vice-Chairman Mr Jack Devitt presented a feasibility study
     report on the Letpadaung Hill mineral deposit for No 1 Mining
     Enterprise and Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd joint venture under
     taking at the former's office at 3 pm today.


MYANMAR DELEGATION STUDIES FISHERIES IN INDONESIA
March 23, 1997 
     
     YANGON, 22 March - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Commerce
     Lt-Gen Tun Kyi went on a visit to Indonesia at the invitation of
     Minister of Industry and Trade Mr Tunky Ariwibowo from 16 to 20 March.
     
     They called on Minister Mr Tunky Ariwibowo on 16 March.
      They discussed matters pertaining to further consolidating the
     existing ties between the two countries, boosting trade, study of
     Indonesia's fisheries and signing of agreements for boosting trade.
     
     On 17 March, Myanmar delegation studied at PT Krakatua Steel Factory,
     the largest one in South-East Asia.
     
     Myanmar delegation called on Minister of Agriculture Dr Sjarifudin
     Baharsjah on 18 March.  They discussed the undertakings in the agriculture 
     sector and fish and prawn breeding.
     
     Later, Myanmar delegation studied fish and prawn packaging and export
     at Ancol Fishing Port and tuna fishing.
     
     On 19 March, they toured the world's biggest salt-water prawn
     breeding and off-shore cage culture fisheries at Lampung, Sumatra Island.
     
     On 20 March, Myanmar delegation had cordial discussions with Tritamas
     Group, which is investing in Myanmar to establish a cement plant and
     later toured the livestock breeding farm at Tapos.
 
***************************************

ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA WEEK AT RMIT (MELBOURNE)
March 27, 1997

INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA WEEK

Burma Week will be held at RMIT (Melbourne, Australia), at the city
campus, from April 7 to 11.

Burma Week has been organised to raise student and community
awareness about the political situation in Burma, where the
military dictatorship continues to commit many human rights
violations against its own people.

The program will include forums, speakers, performers,
documentaries and movies; a week-long photographic exhibition;
and Burmese food stalls. We will be highlighting the human rights
atrocities and the suppression of democracy in Burma and the
plight of Burmese refugees living on the Thai-Burma border. All events 
are open to the public, and admission is free (donations welcome).

Burma Week has been organised by RMIT Student Union, with the
International Students Collective.

Burma Week aims to raise funds for Burmese refugees in Thailand
and on the Thai-Burma border, therefore donations are welcome.

For more information contact:

Sai Thet Naing Oo (organiser), Ph. 9481 8726 or
RMIT Student Union, Ph. 9660 2055.

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

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW SLIDE SHOW ON BURMA AVAILABLE
March 27, 1997

In case you do not have many visuals detailing the situation in Burma, 
Earth Rights International, an NGO working along the Thai Burma border 
just arrived in the United States with many pictures.  They turned them 
into a slide show, and we here at American University have the slide 
show.  The slides are amazing.  They show the burning refugee camps, the 
women who were hit by gunfire schrapnel, signs the SLORC places all over 
the country stating that "all unstabilizing elements will be crushed," 
and many others.  The slide show has pictures from as early as 1990 up 
until this past February.  It is a powerful and effective tool to use.
If you want a copy, we can provide one at price.  The show is 43 slides 
long, and each copy will cost 1.50.  So $65 plus shipping for the whole 
thing.  Katie from ERI even put together a basic narration, and Patrick 
and I (Jeremy) will expand upon it so you know what each and every slide 
is.  So, let us know if you want a copy.  They really are amazing.  We're 
also working on getting them up on the web soon!
Peace,
Jeremy Woodrum
AU FBC

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

ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA PHOTO SHOW
March 30, 1997

Here is the schedule of Roland's Free Burma Photo Exhibit titled 
"Constructive Engagement."

March 31 - April 4		University of North Carolina
April 5-6			Butler University
April 7-13			University of Oklahoma/GrooveFest
April 14-18			University of Wisconsin-Madison
April 19-21			University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Roland is also planning to be in the Chicago area universities and 
U. of Illinois toward the end of May.  

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