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The BurmaNet News, May 27, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, May 27, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 26 May 1997 23:25:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: May 27, 1997
Issue #733
Noted in Passing:
There are two strategies we can use to end this dispute. One; dialogue, two;
military force.
--Thai Maj Gen Chalor Thongsala on the Moei River dispute with Burma
(Thailand Times: Thailand and Burma send in troops to disputed island)
HEADLINES:
==========
AP: BURMESE JUNTA ARRESTS 316
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0047
BBG: COMUNE DI ROMA PRIZE FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI
ABSDF STATEMENT: ON THE 7TH ELECTION ANNIVERSARY
THAILAND TIMES: THAILAND AND BURMA SEND IN TROOPS
FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: BURMESE DAZE
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S INDUSTRY GROWTH
BKK POST:QUEEN'S AIDE QUESTIONS PTT PROJECT
THE NATION: HEAT FORCED DO MUOI TO CUT SHORT VISIT
FEER: JACQUES CHIRAC INTERVIEW "LEADING EUROPE EAST"
BKK POST: UN LAUDS THAILAND FOR KARENS' TRANSFER
THE NATION: DEMOCRATS IN CALL TO CHARGE LI
THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS
THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS
SAMPLE LETTER: TO ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL- MAY 31
ALTSEAN: BURMA WOMEN'S DAY
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AP: BURMESE JUNTA ARRESTS 316
May 26, 1997
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's pro-democracy opposition said Monday that
the military junta had arrested 316 of its senior members in an effort to
stop party leader Aun San Suu Kyi from holding a congress.
The National League for Democracy is to meet Tuesday at the Rangoon home of
Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring
democracy to Burma.
Tuesday marks the seventh anniversary of parliamentary elections in which
the opposition won 82 percent of the vote. The military government
dissolved the parliament before it could convene.
Party Vice Chairman Tin Oo said by telephone from Rangoon that between 50
and 60 of the party members held by military authorities were elected to
that parliament.
The detainees, all from outside the capital, did not include party members
who heeded official requests not to travel to Rangoon for the congress, he
said.
Relatives of party members also were arrested. A party official in
Lemeyethna, 90 miles northwest of Rangoon, reached the capital only to find
that authorities had seized his wife and daughter, Tin Oo said.
Party leaders announced last week that a roundup of NLD officials had begun,
a claim corroborated by Burmese intelligence officials speaking on condition
of anonymity.
While not publicly confirming the arrests, the military regime said recently
that governments must sometimes detain ``individuals who threaten actions to
create chaos and cause social disruption.''
Authorities arrested 262 people last year to prevent Suu Kyi holding a
similar congress. Most were freed after a few weeks, but about two dozen
were held and sentenced to long jail terms.
The military regime, led by Senior Gen. Than Shwe, has accused Suu Kyi's
party of exaggerating its claims of government persecution for ``propaganda
purposes.''
Tin Oo said Monday the party was prepared to provide a list of detainees in
reply.
********************************
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0047
May 26, 1997
U Myo Khin (39 yrs) from Yankin Township of Yangon Division was sentenced to
imprisonment for fraudulent of documents by the Yankin Township Court on the
23rd of May. U Myo Khin, a salesman had made fraudulent alterations in the
family registration list and the citizen registration card. Thus on 12th of
May the Yankin Township Immigration officer from the Township Immigration
and Manpower Department lodged a criminal complaint at the Yankin Township
Police Station. Action had been taken by the police under section 465/471
(Fraudulent of Documents) of the penal code and criminal proceedings had
been filed at the township court.
On the 23rd of May, Yankin Township Court after hearings found U Myo Khin
guilty of both accounts and sentenced him to (4) years imprisonment. U Myo
Khin coincidently happens to be the Secretary of the Yankin Township NLD and
thus being a political party member of a certain political party does not
grant him the right to make any fraudulent alterations on official documents.
This incident can very well be exploited by the NLD for their propaganda
purpose and raise the number of so called detainees by another (+50) to make
their head count go up to (300) or conveniently accuse the government of
beginning to detain or oppress party members from Yangon area.
************************
BBG: COMUNE DI ROMA PRIZE FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI
May 26, 1997
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won Comune Di Roma Prize
On the occasion of the 7th. anniversary of the landslide victory of the
National League for Democracy (N L D) Party in 27th.May 1990 general
election in Burma, General Secretary and Nobel Peace Laureate Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi has been awarded with a highest prestigious prize of
HONORARY CITIZENSHIP OF ROME
(della cittadinanza onoraria romana).
The award was received by Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win of the National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (N C G U B) on May 23, 1997 in
Rome from the President of the City Council (Comune Di Roma) Mrs. Luisa
Laurelli in the presence of U Myint Swe (Canadian Friends of Burma, Canada),
Maung Kyaw (Karen National Union-KNU, Germany) and U Nwe Aung (N C G U B -
Europe). Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win and his delegation have been warmly
welcomed by the Members of the Italian Parliament and the leaders of the
major Italian political parties such as Gruppo VERDI-L' ULIVO, Partito
POPULARE ITALIANO, Partito DEMOCRATICO della SANISTRA and Partito della
RIFONDAZIONE
COMUNISTA.
Nwe Aung / Burma Bureau Germany
Fax : +49 2173 907334
*******************************
ABSDF STATEMENT: ON THE 7TH ELECTION ANNIVERSARY
May 26, 1997
****************************************************************
8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888
****************************************************************
Statement on the 7th Anniversary of the May 1990 Election
Tomorrow - 27 May 1997 - marks the seventh anniversary of the only
multi-party elections held in Burma in 35 years of military rule. On this
occasion, the ABSDF again urges the State Law and Restoration Council
(SLORC) to recognize the results of the 1990 election and hand over power to
the winning party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The ABSDF urges the SLORC to enter into a tripartite dialogue with the
democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic representatives to
solve the country's political problems by peaceful means.
The United Nations General Assembly has also warned the SLORC many times to
respect the results of the general election.
Since the election the SLORC has continuously harassed and intimidated
Members of Parliament (MPs) from pro-democracy parties. In particular the
SLORC has singled out MPs from the NLD. Since the election:
two NLD MPs have died in prison,
43 NLD MPs have been forced to resign from the party,
68 have been dismissed as Members of Parliament by the SLORC,
25 NLD MPs remain in detention serving long sentences, and
recently, more than 30 NLD MPs have been arrested.
The 1990 election was held under Martial Law which was imposed by the
military regime following the brutal crackdown of the 1988 pro-democracy
movement.
Despite the oppression of the military regime, the people of Burma
overwhelmingly expressed their will for democracy with the NLD winning 82%
of the seats. The SLORC refused to accept the election result or hand over
power to the elected representatives.
On the 7th anniversary of the May 1990 election, the ABSDF appeals to the
people of Burma, including members of the armed forces, to support and
assist the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the struggle for democracy.
Central Committee
ABSDF
For further information call (661) 654 4984.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Burma and the 1990 Election
On 27 May, 1990 Burma held a multi-party democratic election for the first
time in thirty years. The NLD, the main party opposing the ruling military
junta, won 392 of 485 seats in the parliament, 82% of the seats. Now, seven
years later, the regime still refuses to turn over power to the NLD.
1. On 31 May, 1989, a year after a bloody military crackdown, the SLORC
issued law no. 14/89, the Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law. Sub-article one of
chapter one stated: 'Hluttaw means Pyithu Hluttaw.' This means that
Burma's parliament would be an elected parliament. Article three, chapter 2
states that 'the Hluttaw shall be formed with the Hluttaw representatives
who have been elected in accordance with this law from the Hluttaw
constituencies.' This means that the national parliament would be composed
after an election of representatives from designated constituencies.
Clearly, this is proof that the NLD, as the winning political party, has the
legal right to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw (national parliament).
2. When the SLORC did not cede power two months after the elections, the NLD
convened a meeting comprised of the elected members of parliament. It was
scheduled for 28 July, 1990 at Gandhi Hall in Rangoon. However, on 27 July,
one day before the meeting was to be convened, the SLORC issued law no.
1/90. The law was an overt attempt to stop the opposition from pressuring
the regime into turning over power. Article three of paragraph twelve
stated that 'the Hluttaw shall be formed with the Hluttaw representatives
who have been elected from Hluttaw constituencies. The State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) will take the responsibility for convening the
Pyithu Hluttaw.'
Paragraph twenty of law no. 1/90 had also stated that ' the elected
representatives shall have the responsibility of drafting a constitution for
Burma.' The same proclamation stated that the 'SLORC will never accept the
drafting of an interim constitution which aims to form a government and
secure power. Necessary action will be taken against attempts to carry out
such tasks.'
3. The SLORC stepped up its campaign against the NLD after this declaration.
Specifically, the regime revoked many NLD members' status as elected
representatives and forced them to resign from their party.
4. Trying to undermine the NLD, the SLORC organized the National Convention,
claiming they would draft a constitution. This was a clear violation of the
regime's own law. When they had issued law no. 1/90, it stated that the
elected representatives of the May 1990 elections would be responsible for
drafting constitution for Burma. However, the SLORC allowed only 15.24% of
all elected representatives to participate in the National Convention.
Moreover, the SLORC did not allow freedom of speech at the convention and
all delegates were commanded to submit to the SLORC's agenda in the creation
of the constitution. While some representatives brought alternative plans
and ideas forward, these were immediately censured, and the representatives
were often arrested. Furthermore, in an attempt to stamp out all opposition
to its agenda, the SLORC has repeatedly ordered postponements when a
controversial issue has arisen. This has resulted in the National
Convention lasting for four
years. There is no way to know when it will end.
Even worse, the SLORC issued a set of guidelines which the delegates to the
Convention must follow. The SLORC's attempt to stay in control is blatantly
obvious in guideline number six, which states that the 'Army will be given a
leading role in the affairs of future Burma.'
When the NLD recognized the uselessness of the Convention, it walked out on
28 December, 1995.
5. Six years after the NLD was formed, the SLORC detained a large number of
representatives and members when the party attempted to convene a meeting
commemorating the sixth anniversary of its founding. Since then the SLORC
has increased its pressure on NLD elected representatives and members to
resign from the NLD through various means. They even revoked the limited
freedom of speech the party enjoyed, forcing Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi to stop giving her weekly addresses to the public.
6. According to statistics compiled by the ABSDF Research and Documentation
Centre, as of March 1997, 43 NLD Members of Parliament (MPs) had been forced
to resign from the party, (a further nine resigned from the NLD for their
own reasons), 68 have been dismissed by the SLORC as Members of Parliament,
and 25 are under detention serving long sentences. Twenty eight members are
in exile and 13 have died, two of whom died in prison.
With the latest round of arrests in Rangoon before the seventh anniversary
of the national election, the number of elected members of parliament will
significantly increase. Even though the SLORC has claimed that its arrests
are only for "questioning," detainees frequently receive long prison terms.
All Burma Students' Democratic Front
26 May, 1997
******************************************
THAILAND TIMES: THAILAND AND BURMA SEND IN TROOPS TO DISPUTED ISLAND
May 26, 1997
by Assawin Pinitwong
TAK: The tense situation along the Thai-Burmese border threatened to flare
up into open warfare yesterday when hundreds of heavily-armed troops from
both nations were deployed to stand guard over a disputed island in the Moei
River.
One hundred Thai soldiers, protecting the island with armored cars and
gunship copters, were confronted by 400 Burmese troops sent in to reinforce
the soldiers who have been stationed here since Friday. Maj Gen Chalor
Thongsala, commander of Naresuan Camp, led a delegation of officers to
survey the disputed area with three jeeps and three V-150 armored cars.
"There are two strategies we can use to end this dispute. One; dialogue,
two; military force," he said. "But for the time being a continued army
presence is necessary to prevent an unwanted situation."
Tension neared explosion point when Thai officers laid down Thai flags next
to the Burmese flags which had been placed on the island earlier this month.
Kok Chang Phuak island has been a bone of contention between the two nations
since 1995, when severe flooding changed the course of the river. Friday 's
decision by Burma to send in troops to begin digging a water diversion
course was greeted by a stiff letter of protest from Thailand, and urgent
meetings were called between Thai officials from the local joint border
committee and the Burmese authorities.
While Burma claims the island as its own, Thai villagers living nearby have
complained that their farming land has been destroyed by the Burmese
excavation. Maj Chalor warned of harsh reprisals if Burma continues to
ignore Thailand's request for the digging to stop.
"From now on, we are on the offensive, and will not just keep quiet," he said.
Other military sources echoed his sentiments, saying that confrontation
cannot be avoided if Burma refuses to comply with Thailand's demand. A
day-long-meeting of the Thai-Burmese border committee yesterday resulted in
deadlock, with neither side agreeing to back down.
*********************************************************
FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: BURMESE DAZE
May 29, 1997
Henny Sender
HONG KONG-Kerry Securities," says a former staffer, "is 1% of Robert Kuok's
assets and 99% of his headaches." The Myanmar Fund is a small part of that
1% and it too accounts for a disproportionate part of Kerry's headaches.
As one of the few plays on Burma, the fund seemed on to a good thing when it
was established in 1994 with a $28 million kitty for direct investments.
While other emerging-markets funds have had trouble finding anything to
invest in, the Myanmar Fund piggy-backed on its owners to take stakes in
attractive Kuok projects in Rangoon, including stakes in the Shangri-La and
Traders Hotel. The largest shareholder was Government of Singapore
Investment Corp., but HSBC Asset Management, several private Swiss banks and
top British pension funds also took stakes.
Now it appears that the Myanmar Fund is one more casualty of the disarray
that has plagued Kerry Securities since December, when falling profits
prompted the firm to slash staff and close some of its international
offices. Since then, a new team has taken over both Kerry Securities and the
Myanmar Fund.
The Dublin-listed fund currently trades at a significant discount to net
asset value -- when it trades at all. A market maker in London says the
illiquid, closed-end fund (one with a fixed life span) was last traded in
the fourth quarter of 1996. Since then, things have deteriorated, partly
because of newly announced American sanctions against Burma.
A new fund-raising last year swelled the size of the fund to $46 million.
But virtually none of the new money has been invested, and former Kerry
Securities staffers say the new management has neglected the fund while
pocketing lucrative 2.75% annual fees.
At a meeting with shareholders in February, the new management denied
allegations of inactivity, claiming the new team needed time to sort out the
mess surrounding earlier deals. They cite doubts regarding the accuracy of
net asset values and in at least one investment, a $2.5 million stake in a
plastic-bag manufacturer for which there was no clear legal title.
Since that meeting some shareholders have met with Peregrine Securities to
discuss winding down the fund. (Peregrine would assist in selling the fund's
assets.) Says David Masters, who heads investment management for the new
regime at Kerry, "We have heard rumours that Peregrine had approached
shareholders about realizing the value of the fund, but there has been no
decision to wind it up."
Peregrine sources confirm discussions with shareholders, "who would like
something to happen," according to one, but say the fate of the fund is up
to the board of directors.
***************************************
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S INDUSTRY GROWTH SLOWS
May 26, 1997
Myanmar's industry growth reached 5.2 percent in the just-ended 1996-97
fiscal year, according to the latest official statistics. The 1996-97 is the
first fiscal year of Myanmar's present five-year plan (1996-97 to
2000-2001). During the previous four-year plan (1992-93 to 1995-96), the
industrial sector achieved an average growth of 9.05 percent. Myanmar has
set the target of 10.7 percent growth of the sector in the 1997-98, the
second year of the five-year plan. Myanmar's agriculture accounts for the
majority of the national gross domestic product, in which the industrial
sector shares a 9.2 percent only, according to the statistics. The
government has called for greater efforts for promotion of the private
sector's involvement in the industrial sector. In recent years, Myanmar has
been establishing industrial zones throughout the country, especially in the
capital Yangon, to attract foreign investment in the sector and there have
been three major foreign-invested industrial zones in the capital.
************************************
BKK POST:QUEEN'S AIDE QUESTIONS PTT PROJECT
May 24, 1997
PM asked to review Burma gas pipeline
The private secretary of Her Majesty the Queen has raised concern over the
threat of forest destruction from a Thai-Burmese gas pipeline project which
will go through a lush forest in Kanchanaburi.
Thanphuying Suprapada Kasemsant wrote a letter to the prime minister in
March calling for a review of the project owned by the Petroleum Authority
of Thailand.
Thanphuying Suprapada's move was lauded by environmental and conservationist
groups who want the pipeline rerouted.
In her letter, Thanphuying Suprapada referred to petitions submitted by two
businessmen to Her Majesty explaining that a 50-kilometre section of the
pipeline route was planned to go through a forest reserve although there
were alternative routes.
In addition, a forest near the project site called Muang Taodum was
suffering from serious encroachment, but so far none of the government
agencies concerned had paid due attention to the problem of forest
destruction linked to the pipeline project.
Meanwhile, an environmental official who requested anonymity argued that the
chosen route was "the best" and would cause a minimum of impact on the
environment.
Sonkiet Tansamrit, a public relations director of PTT, yesterday said PTT
was ready to explain the matter to the prime minister.
He said the chosen route was well-considered by experts and environment
agencies.
"It is very difficult to reroute the pipeline," he said.
Phunan Chotirotseranee, head of the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group,
yesterday called on the government to reconsider the project in the wake of
the concern raised by Her Majesty's private secretary.
She said it was necessary to reroute the pipeline to save the virgin forest
and its wildlife from destruction.
A recent survey made by non-government environmental organisations shows the
forest has many species of rare flora and fauna including hornbills, wild
orchids and a rare species of mushroom locally call hed nuad plameuk.
These environmental agencies including the Green World Foundation and Seub
Nakhasathien Foundation are planning to propose that the Muan Taodum forest
be turned into a "natural museum" to honour Her Majesty the Queen.
The forest covering thousands of rai is a tin mining area concessioned to
Thiwaporn Sriworakun, who has tried to preserve a large part of the forest
and lodged a petition to Her Majesty over the threat of its destruction as a
result of the pipeline project. (BP)
*******************************************************
THE NATION: HEAT FORCED DO MUOI TO CUT SHORT BURMA VISIT
May 26, 1997
AFP
Hanoi - Senior Vietnamese sources yesterday denied that Communist Party
chief Do Muoi cut short a visit to Burma because of ill health, saying he
left a day early because of the excessively hot weather.
"He ended the official part of his visit on Saturday," but cancelled the
informal portion of his stay after temperatures soared to 38 degrees
Celsius, an official source said.
"He will be at his desk today without any difficulty," he added.
Another source close to the 80-year-old party secretary denied reports from
Rangoon that Do Muoi ended his trip due to ill health, and said he was at
work in his office yesterday morning.
On Saturday, Burmese Foreign Minister sources quoted members of Do Muoi's
medical team as saying the party chief began suffering from headaches the
day before.
The No 1 of the politburo is the oldest of the triumvirate which includes
77-year-old President Le Duc Anh and 75-year-old Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet.
The party secretary had no record of health problems in recent years and
maintains a busy workload that belies his years.
Last November, President Le Duc Anh suffered a stroke and did not reappear
in public until April when he addressed the National Assembly.
The official Vietnam News Agency reported that Do Muoi had returned to Hanoi
on Saturday afternoon but did not indicate that he had originally planned to
leave Rangoon a day later.
The news agency said that the secretary sent a message of thanks to Gen Than
Shwe saying "the outcome of our useful talks has again affirmed our
determination to boost the traditional friendship and multifaceted and
effective cooperation between Vietnam and Burma."
Do Muoi was accompanied on his three-day visit to Burma by Foreign Minister
Nguyen Van Cam and Vice Premier Phan Van Khai.
The party leader arrived in Rangoon last Thursday and was due to have
visited Pagan and Mandalay on Saturday before returning to Vietnam.
Despite the shortened visit, the trip was described as successful in forging
unity between Burma and Vietnam against foreign "acts of domination and
oppression," a Burmese Foreign Ministry official said.
Do Muoi was the second high-ranking Hanoi official to visit Burma's ruling
junta, in what was widely viewed as a firm gesture of support to Burma's bid
to enter the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) later this year.
He met Senior Gen Than Shwe, chairman of the junta, officially known as the
State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), and first secretary Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt.
The visit came less than a week before a scheduled meeting of Asean foreign
ministers in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday to discuss the timing of the entries
of Burma, Cambodia and Laos into the grouping.
Asean currently groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam. (TN)
********************************************************
FEER: JACQUES CHIRAC INTERVIEW "LEADING EUROPE EAST"
May 22, 1997
Q: Last month at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
in Geneva, France refused to back an EU resolution criticizing China's
human-rights record. How do you explain this change of French attitudes
towards China?
In France we are very sensitive about human-rights questions. I am
convinced that the way the world is evolving today, each civilization, with
its own history and identity, is moving towards the recognition of a certain
number of universal values. WE can sense this evolution everywhere, but
each country is moving forward in its own manner, at different speeds.
In Geneva, for the last few years, we have had this traditional conflict on
human rights with China which produced absolutely no results. It was a
perfectly sterile procedure. That's why I felt that another approach was
needed, with the focus on dialogue and discussion. I suggested at the
Euro-Asian summit in Bangkok last year that we should move towards a
more constructive approach which would also be more effective. And this
has happened. China has responded favourably by announcing that it will
sign United Nations covenants on economic, social, and cultural rights.
This is an important step for those who believe in the universal values of
human rights ....
Does Asean's planned enlargement to include Burma worry you given the
country's poor record on human rights?
By receiving Cambodia, Laos and Burma in its midst, Asean will form a
coherent bloc of 10 countries covering all of Southeast Asia. I am
confident that the integration of these three countries in Asean will lead
to indispensable political and economic reforms at home, especially in
Burma.
***************************************
BKK POST: UN LAUDS THAILAND FOR KARENS' TRANSFER
May 24, 1997
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees yesterday commended the
Thai government for the "quick and efficient" transfer of 4,696 Karen
displaced persons on the Thai-Burmese border to a safe location inside Thai
territory.
"The speed of the move was especially praiseworthy in view of the time
constraints imposed by the advent of the monsoon season," a UNHCR statement
said of the transfer of Karens from Huay Sut and Bo Wi temporary camps to
Tham Hin, in Suan Phung District of Ratchaburi province, which was completed
within four days.
"The UNHCR also notes with appreciation that the new site, Tham Hin, is a
particularly secure location, situated approximately 16 kilometres from the
border."
UNHCR Regional Representative Amelia Bonifacio visited the site yesterday
with National Security Council Secretary General Boonsak Kamhaengridhirong,
and Ninth Infantry Division Commander General Thaweep Suwannasingkha. (BP)
*******************************************************
THE NATION: DEMOCRATS IN CALL TO CHARGE LI WITH BRIBERY
May 26,1997
THE democrat Party yesterday urged the authorities to charge suspected drug
trafficker Li Yun-chung with bribery or make him take the witness stand
before extraditing him to the United States.
This would force him to reveal who he had bribed to grant him bail in
February which allowed him to flee to Burma, deputy Democrat leader Suthas
Ngernmuen said.
If Li was extradited to the US before the bribery case was resolved, the
suspects may never be brought to justice he said. Suthas, who chairs the
House committee on justice, said national police chief Pracha Promnok and
Justify Permanent Secretary Kukiat Sunthornbura have been invited to testify
before the committee on Wednesday.
He accused the government of being slow in taking action against Li, or
Phongsak Rojjanasassakkul, over his bribery claim.
After being recaptured by Burmese officials and returned to Thailand earlier
this month, police investigators said Li admitted to bribing his way to freedom.
But Li on Friday told investigators that he had never resorted to bribery
and had only given money to his lawyer, police said.
The Criminal Court has decided to extradite Li to face drug charges in the
US as he had requested. The US authorities have accused him of smuggling
more than 400 kilogrammes of heroin into the country.
Chamni Sakdiseth (Dem- Nakhon Si Thammarat) said the case could not be
solved after Li was extradited. He said the government must find out who Li
bribed or the justice system will be badly affected. (TN)
*****************************************************
THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS IN MYANMAR BY YEAR-END
May 24, 1997
KUALA LUMPUR: MBf Holdings Bhd says it expects to have a full-fledged
banking operation in Myanmar by year-end.
MBf group chief executive officer Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong said the
group's first move in Myanmar was the setting up of a representative
office two months ago.
"We are in the process of identifying a local partner and would start
talking to the relevant authorities, including Myanmar's central bank,
for a licence," he said.
Loy said after MBf Capital Bhd's AGM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that the
capital of the proposed bank in Myanmar would depend on the size of its
operations.
The minimum amount set by the Myanmar government was US$5 million
(RM12.5 million), he added.
*******************************************
SAMPLE LETTER: TO ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL- MAY 31 ASEAN MEETING
May 26, 1997
As ASEAN's foreign ministers prepare to meet in Kuala Lumpur on May 31 to
discuss Burma's membership in the regional grouping, Burmese Relief
Center--Japan encourages you to voice your opposition to SLORC's admission
by faxing a letter (sample follows) to the ASEAN Secretary-General. Please
also e-mail or fax a copy of your letter to regional news media.
* * * * * * * *
SAMPLE LETTER:
H.E. Dato' Ajit Singh
Secretary General
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
c/o ASEAN Secretariat
70A Jalan Sisingamagaraja
Jakarta 12110
Indonesia
Fax: (6221) 7243504 / 7398234
Dear Sir:
We understand that ASEAN is planning to admit Burma, Laos and Cambodia as
members during 1997, its 30th anniversary year. While we support Burma's
eventual inclusion in the regional grouping, we strongly object to its being
admitted now, when the political situation is so explosive. Already this
year SLORC has launched a military offensive against the Karen National
Union that sent tens of thousands of Karen villagers (including many
Muslims) fleeing into Thailand; incited violence between Muslims and
Buddhists in Mandalay, Rangoon and other cities; sent thousands of Rohingya
Muslims fleeing into Bangladesh to escape continued religious persecution;
and arrested hundreds of members and supporters of the National League for
Democracy (NLD) as they prepared to attend a party congress in Rangoon.
Admitting Burma under such volatile conditions would make it extremely
difficult for ASEAN to fulfill its objectives of promoting regional
economic, social and cultural development, safeguarding the region's
political and economic stability, and serving as a forum for the resolution
of intra-regional differences. If ASEAN embraces Burma now, the grouping
will have surrendered its best weapon for promoting peaceful change in the
country -- change which can be achieved only through dialogue among SLORC,
the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and leaders of the ethnic minorities.
More importantly, Burma's premature admission to ASEAN would increase the
Burmese people's already unbearable suffering. SLORC's elevation to
observer status last year only emboldened it to increase repression. What
atrocities can we expect it to commit as a full ASEAN member?
We implore you to do what is best for the Burmese people and their ASEAN
neighbors: do not interfere in Burma's internal affairs by rewarding SLORC
with ASEAN membership.
Very truly yours,
* * * * * * * *
Media Contacts in ASEAN Countries
GENERAL Asia Times <letters@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Asiaweek <editors@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
BRUNEI Borneo Bulletin <brupress@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
INDONESIA Indonesia Times <indotimes@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Jakarta Post Fax: 6221-5492685
Kompas <kompas@xxxxxxxxxx>
Suara Merdeka <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Suara Pembaruan <pembaru@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Surabaya Post <sbypost@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
MALAYSIA Berita Harian <bharian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
The Star <editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
PHILIPPINES The Manila Chronicle Fax: (632) 530-1051
or (632) 530-1208
SINGAPORE The Straits Times <straits@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Business Times Singapore<biztimes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
THAILAND Bangkok Post <editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
The Nation <editor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Matichon Newspaper <matichon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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ALTSEAN: BURMA WOMEN'S DAY
May 25, 1997
ALTSEAN-BURMA
ALTERNATIVE ASEAN NETWORK ON BURMA
tel: 66 2 275 1811 / 693 4515 fax: 66 2 693 4515 <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
BURMA WOMEN'S DAY
It has been proposed that June 19, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday, be
dedicated as Burma Women's Day.
Burma Women's Day will acknowledge the essential role of women in Burma in
the promotion of social justice, peace, human rights and democracy. It will
honour the sacrifices made by millions of women who face military
aggression, abuse, looting, murder, imprisonment, torture, attacks on their
person and character, as well as attacks on their families and colleagues,
because of their commitment to peace.
June 19 is significant because it is also the birthday of one of the most
internationally admired women in contemporary times. It provides us with an
opportunity to reflect that there are millions of (sometimes invisible)
women who not only participate directly in the movement for positive change
in Burma, but also support the involvement of family members in the struggle.
Burma Women's Day also stresses with women's groups throughout the world
that the situation in Burma is a matter of grave concern for all women. The
safety and equality of women, let alone their rights as human beings, are a
casualty of the brutal oppression perpetuated by Burma's State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc).
HOW TO SUPPORT:
Encourage Burma networks to:
1. Inform ourselves on the situation of women in Burma.
2. Link up with women's groups, particularly on issues concerning women of
Burma (e.g. state-sponsored violence against women, women in politics,
trafficking of women).
3. Highlight the fact that in addition to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, millions of
women work in the struggle, inside and outside Burma.
4. Develop measures and supportive mechanisms to counter-act the structural
and other factors which inhibit women from taking a stronger profile in the
struggle.
5. Issue a statement, press release or letter to the media to mark Burma
Women's Day.
Encourage women's networks to:
1. Inform their networks about Burma Women's Day.
2. Issue press statements and letters to the editor to support the democracy
movement.
3. Generate articles and discussions about women in Burma.
4. Increase their support and involvement for the activities of Burma
activist groups around the world.
5. Include Burma on the agenda of projects and events.
Please support this initiative by making the appropriate statements in any
planned activities to celebrate Daw Suu's birthday.
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