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The BurmaNet News, June 1, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, June 1, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 18:42:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: June 1, 1997
Issue #738
HEADLINES:
==========
BBC: ASEAN TO ADMIT BURMA IN JULY
NATION:TWO KILLED, INTRUDERS PLUNDER REFUGEECAMPS
THAILAND TIMES: RANGOON SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED
ALTSEAN: BURMA ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN KUALA LUMPUR
THE NATION: ENTRY TO SUU KYI'S HOME BANNED
EUROPEAN UNION: DECLARATION OF CONCERN OVER ARRESTS
SHAN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION: REPORT MAY 1997
TT: THAILAND DEFENDS POLICY OF FORCED REPATRIATION
REUTER: BURMA SIGNS ECONOMIC PACT WITH ALLY CHINA
THAILAND TIMES: BORDER DISPUTE TAKES A NEW TWIST
TT: THAI LOGGERS' ARREST LINKED TO DISCONTENT
RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK: USDA MEETINGS
BRC-J ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BBC: ASEAN TO ADMIT BURMA IN JULY
May 31, 1997
According to the BBC World Service news bulletin of 8.00 hrs GMT, 31 May
1997, (Announcer) "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, has
decided to admit Burma as a member in July, ignoring pressure from Western
nations who wanted Burma's admission delayed until its human rights record
improved. Cambodia and Laos will also be admitted. The announcement was made
after the foreign ministers of the
existing seven member countries met in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
>From there Enver Solomon sent this report:"
"ASEAN has sent a clear message to the world that it believes Burma's
military leaders can be influenced by dialogue rather than by isolating
them. The United States recently imposed economic sanctions on Burma, and
the US Secretary of State Madelaine Albright said last week that ASEAN
shouldn't accept Burma as a new member. But the ASEAN foreign ministers
believe that they shouldn't interfere in the domestic affairs of the
countries in the region. The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Mr
Abdullah Badawi, who chaired the meeting, said ASEAN would now
pursue a constructive dialogue with Burma's leaders, and he said this had
been a unanimous decision amongst All seven members. But human rights groups
say that allowing Burma to join ASEAN would simply encourage the country's
military leaders to continue to suppress the opposition. Members of the
Malaysian non-governmental organisation who'd gathered outside the meeting
in Kuala Lumpur to lobby the foreign ministers were immediately detained
when they tried to voice these concerns".
(Announcer) "The ruling military authorities in Burma have welcomed the
ASEAN decision. A senior official of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council in Rangoon said Burma had always had confidence in the wisdom of
ASEAN leaders".
**************************************
THE NATION: TWO KILLED AS INTRUDERS PLUNDER REFUGEE CAMPS
May 31, 1997
TAK - About 100 armed Karen intruders burned and plundered two refugee camps
in Tak province early yesterday morning, killing two people, including a
Thai man, and leaving at least 11,000 people homeless.
Members of the Burma-based Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) attacked
and torched Baan Huay Kalok and Huay; Bong about 12.15 am.
About the same time, at Baan Huay Kalok, or Wangka, in Mae Sot district,
raiders burned down 2,500 homes, one school, two Christian churches and a
Muslim mosque, leaving 8,000 Karen refugees homeless.
At Huay Bong, or Don Pa Kiang, in Mae Ramat district, 633 houses were set
ablaze and more them 3,000 people left without shelter.
It was the second time the two camps have been attacked by the
DKBA, a renegade breakaway faction of the Karen National Union (KNU). In
late January violent raids left two people dead, including a Thai man, and
two Karen refugee children seriously hurt.
Yesterday morning Suthep Chankhamsaeng, 32, and a Karen refugee, Kasim,
were killed. The intruders also stole refugees' belongings
and five motorcycles before retreating across the Moei River back into Burma.
A Karen refugee resident of the sprawling Huay Kalok said the
intruders robbed shophouses on the outskirts of the camp before opening fire
to scare the refugees and setting alight their thatched and wooden shelters.
Mae Sot District Chief Somchai Hathaitanti and Pol Col Noppon
Chatiwong, commander of the 306th Border Patrol Police Unit, rushed to Huay
Kalok after being informed of the attack. Flames spread quickly and fire
fighters were unable to prevent widespread destruction.
In Mae Ramat, District Chief Manit Sriworakul and a team from the 345th
Border Patrol Police Unit rushed to the Huay Bong but strong winds
frustrated their attempts to put out the fires.
Although DKBA forces have repeatedly violated Thai territory and raided and
pillaged several Karen refugee camps since the group broke away from the
main body of the KNU over two years ago, the attacks in January and on
Friday were the most serious acts of DKBA aggression yet against Karen
civilians on Thai soil.
The January raids prompted the Army to send reinforcements to
protect against farther intrusions. Yesterday's attacks occurred only one
day after Thai and Burmese forces withdrew from a disputed islet in the Moei
River, defusing a tense confrontation.
No government spokesmen were available for comment yesterday.
In January, Foreign Ministry spokesman Surapong Jayanama termed the DKBA
attacks "acts of terrorism" and "a blatant violation of
Thai sovereignty".
********************************
THAILAND TIMES: RANGOON SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED
May 31, 1997
AFP
RANGOON: Schools and universities closed in Rangoon during student unrest
late last year are likely to stay shut until August, sources said yesterday.
Schools were unlikely to open for the new semester due to start
soon because of upcoming activist anniversaries, commemorating the
pro-democracy uprising of 1988 which was put down by the military, they said.
The summer holiday usually ends in late May and there was
speculation arrangements would be made for final year university students to
sit exams in Rangoon townships rather than congregate at campuses around the
Burmese capital.
**************************************************
ALTSEAN: BURMA ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN KUALA LUMPUR
May 31, 1997
Media Release of arrests
ALTSEAN-BURMA
A L T E R N A T I V E A S E A N N E T W O R K O N B U R M A
tel: 66 2 275 1811, 66 2 693 4515 fax: 66 2 693 4515
<altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
c/o FORUM-ASIA, 109 SUTHISARNWINICHAI RD, SAMSENNOK, HUAYKWANG, BANGKOK
10320, THAILAND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 31, 1997
MEDIA RELEASE
BURMA: ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AT ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
Bangkok, Saturday - Nine Malaysians were arrested this afternoon for
attempting to deliver a memorandum on Burma to the Asean Foreign Ministers
Meeting at the Regent Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
The activists were obeying police orders to leave the venue when they were
grabbed by police and bundled into a waiting Black Maria at about 12.45 p.m.
local time. One of those arrested, Ms Elizabeth Wong said the police action
stunned the activists: "We don't understand how this can happen when we were
obeying the police. Is this a sign that the rest of Asean is going to adopt
the ways of Burma's junta?" asked a perplexed Ms Wong.
Ms Wong explained that two people went to the hotel lobby and were able to
hand a copy of the memo to Singapore Foreign Minister Professor Jayakumar
while the others spoke to media in front of the hotel:"The police surrounded
us and ordered us to leave. We immediately dispersed but they followed and
grabbed us."
The text of the memorandum signed by Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia
Coordinator Mr. Fan Yew Teng read:
[passage omitted, see BurmaNet News Issue #737]
The activists also attempted to deliver the transcript of a video message
from Burma democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Asean as well as a copy of
the Burma resolution adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Council at its 160th
session.
It is believed that the activists will be detained until Monday June 2.
ENDS
For more information, contact
Bangkok (66 2) 693 4515 or 275 1881 <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
or Kuala Lumpur (603/093) 794 3525 <wkpeng@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Update:
It has just been learnt that the police have no intention of releasing the
arrested activists this weekend.
Ocpd (office-in-charge of police district) Zainal has decided to keep them
behind bars until Monday for a possible remand hearing.
OCPD ACP Zainal Abidin
Stadium Police Station
Fax: ++ 603 202 3237 (Replace 603 With 093 If Dialing From Thailand)
___________________________________________________________
3. Those arrested were:
Mr. Fan Yew Teng, writer and peace activist
Mr. Raymond Chong, social activist
Mr. Sharaad Kuttan, human rights activist and journalist
Mr. Steven Chan, social activist
Mr. Tian Chua, labour activist and writer
Ms. Elizabeth Wong, Co-ordinator of SUARAM (human rights NGO) and writer
Ms. Lee Siew Hwa, human rights activist
Ms. Sieela Colandai, environmental activist
Ms. Teresa Kok, social activist
________________________________________________________
If you would like to lodge a protest at your nearest Malaysian diplomatic
mission, please remember, if you are doing this in an Asean member state, to
be careful - Burmese activists will be an easy target for the authorities.
You and your organisation may choose to just fax the closest Malaysian
diplomatic mission and the following contact:
Mr Mohd Arshad M. Hussain
Under-Secretary, South-East Asia Region
Foreign Ministry of Malaysia
Wisma Putra
Kuala Lumpur
Fax no: ++ 603 2425125, 2424551
(if you're faxing from Thailand, replace 603 with 093)
***********************************
THE NATION: ENTRY TO SUU KYI'S HOME BANNED
May 31, 1997 [abridged]
Reuters
RANGOON - Burma's authorities will bar entry to democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi's home and blockade her party's headquarters until after a crucial
Asean membership meeting this weekend, an official source said yesterday.
He said the military government wanted to avoid clashes with
members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which has urged the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to refrain from admitting Burma.
"They know that the NLD is planning to make some move during the Asean
meeting, so they are banning people from access to the NLD
to deter them from gathering," the source said.
"Slorc [the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council] is
applying this deterrent because they want to avoid the use of force on the
eve of the ASEAN meeting".
NLD sources confirmed that they are planning to hold a meeting or come up
with a resolution before the seven-nation group's foreign
ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur today to decide when to admit
Burma, Cambodia and Laos.
The authorities this week thwarted NLD plans for a mass meeting
at Suu Kyi's house to mark the anniversary of the party's 1990 landslide
election win, which was not recognised by Slorc.
Security around the 1991 Nobel Peace laureate's University
Avenue home was relaxed on Thursday as barbed wire barricades and
riot police were withdrawn.
But witnesses said yesterday that police are still stopping traffic from
entering the road and two barbed wire barricades are blocking access to the
NLD's headquarters in the centre of the capital.
There was no word on the 316 party supporters, including about 50 members
of parliament, who the NLD says were arrested in a
nationwide swoop to stop the congress from taking place.
The government denies having detained any party members and has asked the
NLD to prove its claims.
*********************************************
EUROPEAN UNION: DECLARATION OF CONCERN OVER ARRESTS
May 30, 1997
http://www.bz.minbuza.nl/europa97/frameset/fs-nieuws.html
30 May
1997,Declaration by the
Presidency on behalf of
the European Union on
Myanmar/Burma
The European Union is gravely concerned at the continuing deterioration
of the political situation in Myanmar/Burma, in particular the
increasing repression of the population, and the arrests and detention of
members of the National League of Democracy (NLD), related to the
celebration on 27 May, last, of the anniversary of the 1990 elections. These
actions constitute a further flagrant breach of fundamental freedoms and
human rights. The European Union is of the view that it is the legitimate
right of any legal political party to peacefully assemble and to discuss
matters of common interest.
The European Union urges the State Law and Restoration Order Council
(SLORC) to immediately and unconditionally release those NLD
members who are still detained as well as all other political prisoners.
In this respect, the European Union recalls its Common Position as well as
its earlier statements on Myanmar/Burma and calls upon the SLORC to enter
into a meaningful and substantive dialogue with both Aung San Suu Kyi and
other representatives of pro-democracy groups, as well as with national
minorities to restore democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms, and to bring about national reconciliation.
*************************************
SHAN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION: REPORT MAY 1997
May 30, 1997
FAMILIES BOMBED TO DEATH AT KHO LAM RELOCATION SITE
On 21. 2. 97, at about 09:00 pm, 2 Shan families were blasted to death in a
dugout by Slorc troops at Kho Lam relocation site, Namzarng township. On
that evening, some SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army) members had come
into the site, shot a few times at the police station and left. Hearing the
gunfire, Slorc troops assumed the rebels were still in the village and fired
many mortar shells into it. After that they came to search for the rebels in
the village, and not finding any, they harassed the villagers, shouting,
asking, abusing and beating.
During the shellings, many villagers had sought cover where they could and
2 families --- altogether 8 people --- had gone into a dugout hole close to
their houses to hide from the shellings and were still remaining there when
Slorc troops came and dropped a bomb into it.
The blast instantly killed 5 and seriously wounded the others. One more
died on the way to hospital. Below is the list of the dead and wounded:
(1) Ka Ling, 47, son of Pha Zak & Nai Zarm --- killed
(2) Nai Leng, 35, Ka Ling's wife --- wounded
(3) Ai Lu, 15, their son - wounded
(4) Ai Pi, 4, their son - killed
(5) Za Ling Ta, 28, son of Khing Ta & Nai Pe --- killed
(6) Nang Nu, 28, Za Ling Ta's wife --- killed
(7) Nang Myint, 7, their daughter --- killed
(8) Nang Zang, 5, their daughter --- killed
These people were originally from Ton Hoong village which had been forced
to move to Kho Lam relocation site.
KILLING DURING WATER FESTIVAL
On 14.4.97, during the water festival at Mark Larng village, Wan Long
village tract, Murng Phyak township, a villager called Sai Pawk and his
friends were roaming and visiting young women, dousing them with water
according to the traditional custom of the young Buddhists at this time of
the year. While Sai Pawk was throwing water at one of the village young
women, 3 Slorc soldiers in civilian clothes turned up and shouted at him,
preventing him from throwing water at that young woman.
One of the soldiers said, " This girl has nothing to do with you, I loved
her before you. How dare you flirt with the girl I love". And he hit Sai
Pawk on the head with a heavy stick which killed him right away.
Later, Sai Pawk's parents, village leaders and elders went to No. 221 LIB
military base and complained about it to the commander. But the commander
only responsed by threatening to arrest them, "Because you civilians opposed
the army, we have to kill Sai Pawk. If you are not satisfied with it, I will
put his parents and elders in prison".
WOMAN KILLED IN TREE
On 7.4.97, 3 young women from Kung Yung village, Laikha township were
collecting vegetable in a nearby forest. One woman was on a tree cutting
down branches of young leaves for the other 2 under the tree to pick, not
knowing that a group of Slorc troops were approaching. When the soldiers got
within hearing distance, they called out something in Burmese which the
women did not understand. Being extremely scared, the 2 women under the tree
threw down what they were holding and ran away, leaving their friend alone.
When the troops got nearer and saw the woman on the tree, they shot her down
right away.
After the girl fell from the tree, the soldiers covered her with 3-4 sheets
of old roofing thatch and set fire to her, without caring to look if she was
still alive, and immediately left the place.
ROBBERY
On 9.4.97, Slorc troops came to Parng Kwai village, Wan Parng tract,
Kunhing township, and ordered all the male villagers to gather at the
village temple. When only women were left at the houses, the soldiers
searched all the houses and took away all the money and valuables they
could find.
Sai Khe Ming lost half a baht's weight of gold and 8,000/Ks of money and
other property. The losses of the rest of the villagers were still unknown.
EXTORTION (TRICKERY OF SLORC TROOPS)
On 17.3.97, at the Lahu village of Lak Kak, in Murng Phyak township, SLORC
troops from No.221 IB sold a water buffalo which they claimed to be theirs,
to the Lahu leader for 7,000/Ks. He bought it because it was cheap.
Five days later, some officers from the same No.221 IB came to Lak Kak
village and asked the Lahu leader for that buffalo. When he told them that
he had sold it to a trader, the officers became very angry and beat him,
took him to the base of No.221 IB and tied him up while he was moaning and
crying from pain. They accused him of selling army property.
Later, the officers demanded 3 buffaloes from the leader for their lost
buffalo, threatening to punish him harshly if he did not comply. The Lahu
leader eventually had to give away his own buffaloes --- 2 white ones and a
big black one.
It was said among the Lahu villagers that Slorc troops had deliberately set
up a trap to get money and more buffaloes from their leader.
FORCED LABOR
Since the beginning of 1997, civilian population in all village tracts in
Murngpyak have been forced to work for the Burmese Army without any payment.
They have to build military camps, dig trenches, build roads, make lamp
posts etc.. The Burmese troops have issued an order that any one who fails
to perform his portion of work will be punished harshly. The people have
almost no time to earn their living.
TORTURE, RAPE AND KILLING OF A HAPLESS FAMILY
Sometime in late March, 1997, there was a Shan family of 5 in a remote hut
near a rice farm of Mark Kawk village, Wan Zae village tract, Laikha
township, when Slorc troops came and saw them. Their village was being
forced to move to Laikha relocation site, and they were on their way there,
but for some reason had stopped at the place to rest. They were husband and
wife, a teenage daughter, and a girl and a boy under 10 years of age.
Slorc troops tied up the husband and suspended him to the beam of the hut
with a rope and made a fire under him, roasting him over it. They then gang
raped the teenage girl and eventually killed her. A few days later, the
husband died after suffering much from the pain of the torture. The wife
suffered much from the agony of watching her husband being tortured and her
daughter being raped and killed, and has finally become mentally unbalanced.
FORCED RELOCATION, RAPE AND LOOTING
On the morning of 20.4.97, about 50 Slorc troops from Laikha - based No.64
IB, led by Maj. Khin Than Aye, came to Pa Lai village, Nar Kharn village
tract, Murngnai township and arrested the village headman Loong Awng La at
his house. They beat him again and again until he fainted 2-3 times and took
him to another house and tied him up. The Slorc major then ordered his
sergeant, Hla Phyu, and 2-3 of his soldiers to take away and rape the
headman's wife Pa Leng, while he himself raped their daughter Nang Nu Harn
in the house.
At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Maj. Khin Than Aye ordered the headman
to tell his villagers to move to Nar Kharn and to complete the move on
21.4.97. Pa Lai was a rather new village with 37 houses, set up more than 3
years ago.
On 22.4.97, Capt. Aung Khin, from the same No.64 IB, headed 30 troops to Pa
Lai and took all the property which was left behind, because the villagers
had had no time to take it away in such a very short period, including 8
cart oxen.
KILLINGS NEAR KHO LAM
In April, people from Wan Nang village (40 houses) who had been moved to
Kho Lam, Namzarng township, came back to look for their cattle and their
household property and were shot dead by Slorc troops stationed at Nar Law
village at the time.
(1) Sai Thark Awn, 40, from Wan Nang
(2) Sai Zik Ta Awn, 35, from Wan Nang
(3) Sai Hurng, 30, from Wan Nang
(4) Sai La, 33, from Wan Nang
(5) Khat Ti Ya, 30, son of Loong Sai & Nai Ne, Wan Lar, Kho Ood
(6) Nang Sai, 16, daughter of Loong Zan Ta & Nang Yawn --- This girl had
been engaged and was about to marry in a few days time at Kho Lam quarter 1
where she and her family had been relocated.
ARBITRARY DETENTION
In late April, Slorc troops arrested 14 villagers, including 4 women, at
the old village of Wan Phai, Kaeng Lom tract, Kunhing township. The
villagers had gone back to their old village to look for their stray cattle.
After the arrest, they were brought and kept at the military out-post camp
at Kaeng Lom, close to the Kaeng Lom temple, and the women were raped every
night.
While on patrol, these same troops had spent a night at Nar Law old village
and burnt down 2 ox-carts belonged to an elderly woman Pa Loi Seng, 72, and
couple, Sang Saw, 45, and Nai Zawn, 40.
SEVEN VILLAGES BURNED DOWN
In April 1997, seven villages of Laikha township were relocated and burned
down by Slorc troops from No.246 LB.
(1) Wan Phar Wawng
(2) Wan Nawng Kern
(3) Wan Zalai Loi
(4) Wan Ho Nam
(5) Wan Nawng Wo
(6) Wan Kung Parng
(7) Wan Nam Maw Long
KILLINGS AND THEFT OF BICYCLES
In late March, Slorc troops from Langkhur base, while patrolling the road
from Kho Lam to Nar Law, met 4 villagers who were riding bicycles from the
direction of Nar Law, between Wan Nang and Kho Ood villages.
Slorc soldiers arrested all of them and took them to Nar Law where they
arrested 2 more villagers. The villagers were tortured, beaten and their
legs were stabbed with knives while being interrogated. All 6 villagers were
later beaten to death at a stream near a water-powered rice mill belonging
to Loong Zarae Ing Ta, close to the Nam Taeng river. No one dared go near
the place for several days, the corpses were left rotting in the stream and
some had floated down into Nam Taeng and were trapped about 60 yards
downstream, floating and stinking for several days.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the Slorc troops had taken the four
bicycles stolen from the villagers and sold them in the town of Namzarng.
Then in early April, Slorc troops No.246 LIB stationed at Kunhing shot at 4
villagers on the bank of Nam Parng river, 3 miles north of Kunhing. They
shot as soon as they saw the villagers without asking any questions, killing
3 instantly and wounded 1, who ran away and narrowly escape. No one dared to
go to bury the corpses.
KILLINGS IN KAE-SEE TOWNSHIP
01.4.97, Slorc troops under No.55 Division killed the following innocent
civilians:
(1) Sai Mon, 25, son of Lai Sai Lek & Nai Num - Nawng Parng village, Murng
Yarng tract, Murng Nawng Kae See township
(2) Sai Wa Ling, 23, younger brother of Sai Mon
(3) Ai Tark Ngo, 22, son of Loong Saw & Nai Sip, Nawng Parng, Murng Yarng
tract, Murng Nawng
(4) Ai Mon, 25, son of Lai Kham Awn and Nai U, Kung Kawk, Murng Yawng, Murng
Nawng
(5) Pi Lern, 40, elder brother of Sai Mon, Kung Kawk, Murng Yawng, Murng Nawng
(6) Loong Kham Leng, 70, Kung Kawk, Murng Yarng, Murng Nawng
They were accused of being SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army) members
and were killed.
PORTERS KILLED
- 3.4.97, villagers killed while serving as porters
(1) Ai Mart, 30, son of Loong Kan Na & Nai Mu, Kung Sarm Kyawng, Hai Lai,
Namzarng
(2) Pan Zig Ta, 24, Loong Wi & Nai Zarng, Kung Sarm Kyawng, Hai Lai, Namzarng
(3) Ai Ti, 25, Loong Awn & Nai Yong, Kung Sarm Kyawng, Hai Lai, Namzarng
These three men were seized for porters while they were fishing and were
beaten to death near Wan Sai Khao. The Slorc troops were said to be under 55
Division.
RAPE AND KILLINGS IN LAIKHA
- 14.4.97, a Shan woman was raped and burnt to death with a mini-tractor
(Talagyi) near Wan Warn village, Laikha township. The remains of her body
and the tractor were found by local villagers. (Name --- unknown)
- 24.4.97, a villager (name + village unknown) was arrested by Slorc troops
and killed near Wan Ho Kho - Kung Sa village, east of Wan Pa Lai, Laikha
township.
- 29.4.97, Slorc troops arrested and shot dead a villager named Nan Zing,
28, son of Pu Zalawp & Nai Zalowp, Wan Pa Mai, Nar Poi tract, Laikha township.
MONK ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED
Slorc troops from Kunhing-based No.524 LIB arrested a Buddhist monk named U
Zing Ta Ta with 11 years of holy service, at his monastery at kho Lam and
forced him to disrobe. They brought him to their base and beat him while
asking about a meeting of SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army). Later he
was sent to Loilem prison and is still being held there.
Slorc troops had searched the monastery but found nothing illegal or
against them. According to many villagers, this monk had nothing to do with
SURA, but the fact that he used to organize Shan literary campaigns could be
the reason for his arrest.
RAPE AND KILLING
18.4.97, Slorc troops from No.378 LIB (brought in from Arakan State), 1
Capt. and 3 soldiers, raped 2 women named Nang Sa and Nang Sarm at the
village of Nawng Hai, Kho Lam circle, Kunhing township. After they had
finished raping the women, they went to Nawng Hai village and arrested a man
named Khing Sarng at a farm nearby. They beat him and asked about SURA
movement in the area. When he could not answer their questions, they stabbed
his chest, belly and neck, and killed him near Wan Sai Khao.
LAND SEIZURE IN KAENGTUNG
In late February, Slorc troops stationed at the Strategic Command post near
Kaeng Ka village in Kaengtung (on the road from the town to Kaeng Ka
village, and also close to the village and the main road to Tachilaek),
seized land from the villagers of Nam Khek, Sao Pet and Kaeng Ka. It was a
stretch of rice fields, about the size of 4-5 football fields, between the
villages and belonged to about 10 families of the surounding 3 villages. It
extended along the eastern side of the Kaengtung-Tachilaek road, from Nam
Khek at the edge of the town to the foot of the hill on which the military
base was situated.
One of the owners of the land was Sai Long Muay, 45, of Nam Khek, a former
member of the People's Council under the defunct BSPP (Burma Socialist
Programme Party). Sai Long had all along been one of Slorc docile helpers,
but his land had not been spared. The headman of Nam Khek was told that the
land would be used as a play-ground and foot-ball field.
It was almost harvest time and the paddy plants were stooping with heavy
seeds, turning from green to yellow, when Slorc authorities brought in an
excavator and dug two ponds, about 1,600 square metres each, near the foot
of the military hill, and paddy plants were swept flat by the machine.
PHOTOGRAPHS
These photographs of some of the bomb victims were taken by one of the
victims' relatives, after the bodies had been taken out of the dugout hole
by relatives and villagers, when the situation had become somewhat quiet.
( 1 ) Ka Ling, 47, killed in a bomb attack by Slorc troops while taking
cover in a dugout together with his family and relatives at Kho Lam.
(Story on page 1)
( 2 ) Ka Ling's 4 year-old-son. Killed with his father.
( 3 ) Za Ling Ta, 28, Ka Ling's relative killed in the same incident with
his wife and 2 daughters. The bodies of the other victims ere laid down in
the shadow behind him.
( 4 ) Nang Nu, 28, Za Ling Ta's wife, killed with her husband.
( 5 ) Bodies of the bomb victims prepared for burial.
( 6 ) Monks and relatives performing religious funeral rites at the burial
ground.
( 7 ) Bicycles are usually the fastest means of transportation a village
family in Shan State can afford. But now cyclists are often seized by Slorc
troops and accused of being or having connections with rebels and killed,
while their bicycles are taken to towns for sale.
End.
****************************************
THAILAND TIMES: THAILAND DEFENDS POLICY OF FORCED REPATRIATION
May 31, 1997
By Khachorn Bunphat And Weeraphan Wutthibunya
MAE HONG SON: Amid increasing concern over reports that 430 Shan
refugees have been forcibly repatriated back to a precarious future in
Burma, Thailand yesterday moved to defend the decision.
"If we let these people in, one day Thai people will have no
place to stand," said a senior provincial official, who asked to remain
anonymous.
He said the refugees, who were pushed across the border on
Thursday, used the false pretext of human rights abuses simply to find a
better job in Thailand.
The official dismissed the refugees pleas that their relatives had
been slaughtered by the Burmese army and that they were being sent back to
their deaths, saying that the Shan State is now free from fighting.
Thursday's repatriation of the refugees, who had been living in
Mae Hong Son's Pang Met Pha district since March, is the first known
incident of its kind since the United States launched a fierce protest
against the forced return of Karen refugees in February.
A senior national security officer, who declined to be named,
also insisted yesterday that the latest group to be returned were nothing
but illegal immigrants.
The refugees are the Burmese junta's responsibility and Thailand
will wash its hands of them, he said.
The asylum seekers were pushed back as far as Ho Mong, a Burmese
base which officers from the renegade Shan United Revolutionary
Army (Sura) have recently said they are preparing to launch an imminent
assault on.
Sura officials have warned of the possibility of fierce fighting
in the area, and have said that Burmese troops based in the Shan State
massacred 79 innocent villagers only last month.
An official from the Thai based Shan Human Rights Foundation
said yesterday that he has been flooded with calls from concerned agencies
across the globe in response to the reports of Thailand's latest action.
He said the US-based Human Rights Watch Asia was one of many
organizations anxious to check on the latest information, as it plans to
submit a letter of protest to the Thai government. Of particular concern to
the human rights watchdog was the fact that the repatriation came despite
the refugees' warnings that their lives were in danger, he said.
The spokesman said officials from the embassies of the United
States, Britain and Switzerland also called to request for more details.
Officials from Human Rights Watch Asia's London office said they have been
trying to verify the reports, but that until they have sufficient evidence
can launch no plan of action.
The forced repatriation of over 900 Karen refugees back to the
Burmese war zone in February provoked an international outcry, with
organizations across the world joining with the United States to condemn
Thailand's action.
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REUTER: BURMA SIGNS ECONOMIC PACT WITH ALLY CHINA
May 30, 1997 [abridged]
RANGOON, May 30 (Reuter) - Burma has signed a broad economic and trade
cooperation agreement with its major ally China, official media reports said
on Friday, a move that comes soon after U.S. sanctions on Rangoon.
The reports said China's visiting vice minister for foreign trade and
economic cooperation, Li Guo Hua, and Burma's national planning
and economic development minister, David Abel, also agreed on
Thursday to form a joint works committee for cooperation.
No further details were provided.
``The significance of this agreement is it was signed soon after the U.S.
decided to impose economic sanctions on Burma,'' an analyst
said.
``It can mean that the Chinese want to show the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) that they are dependable in
times of isolation,'' he said.
China is one of Burma's closest allies and is said to be its biggest
supplier of weapons.
Bilateral trade between the two countries totalled $500 million in
1995, Chinese embassy sources said.
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THAILAND TIMES: BORDER DISPUTE TAKES A NEW TWIST WITH ANOTHER OFFENSE
May 31, 1997
By Assawin Pinitwong
TAK: The Burmese technical authority yesterday violated an agreement made
between Thailand and Burma, by inviting its press to-take pictures of the
disputed islet without the presence of Thai officials.
The Burmese technical authority, established with its Thai
counterpart after the two sides agreed to withdraw troops from the disputed
Ko Chang Phuak islet on Wednesday, had led five Burmese press officials to
take pictures of the area without Thai officials as witnesses. The action is
considered a violation of the agreement which stipulates that Thai and
Burmese authorities must consult each other before entering the disputed area.
Thailand and Burma are currently at loggerheads after the Burmese military
junta ordered troops into the area to dig a channel intended to divert the
Moei River. As a result of the Burmese dredging, the river changed its
course after severe flooding in 1995 leaving the islet clearly on Thai soil.
The Burmese junta does not agree with the Thai land claim.
But after the talks between senior officials from both countries,
both agreed on Wednesday to pull the troops back to allow technical officers
from the Joint Border Committee (JBC)- solve the problem. Yet, Burmese
tractors and equipment were left in the area and Thai people are scared of
being arrested by the Burmese.
A Burmese diplomatic source said the event took place because a
Thai businessman who visited Burma as part of the premier's delegation wants
to build a casino on the islet.
Meanwhile, Thai residents in the area said a Thai businessmen and two
Taiwanese investors interested in the land had recently hired
a cameraman to film the site in August of last year.
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THAILAND TIMES: THAI LOGGERS' ARREST LINKED TO DISCONTENT OVER PROTECTION MONEY
May 31, 1997
By Kachorn Boonpath
MAE HONG SON: Dissatisfaction over not receiving kickbacks is expected to be
the reason why Burmese officials arrested 38 illegal Thai loggers, according
to a source from the Shan State Army (SSA).
The Burmese soldiers had earlier captured 38 Thai workers from
the Thai Sawat logging company for illegally felling trees outside the
Chiang Tong township.
The company had been given logging concessions by the Burmese
government in the township of Pu Luang which is located on the northeast of
Chiang Tong, where logs are hauled into Thailand through Chiang Mai's Chiang
Down district.
The company has allegedly authorized its workers to illegally cut
trees outside concession areas because the authorized areas have already
been logged out.
However, former high-ranking officials of the SSA who spoke on
condition of anonymity believed that the real reason for the arrest was the
junta' s dissatisfaction with the company.
He said the company had willingly paid money to the Shan United
Revolutionary Army (Sura) for illegal logging concessions and protection in
the Chiang Tong region.
He added that the Burmese soldiers were dissatisfied with the
company for not paying them protection money which was given instead to the
Sura soldiers.
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RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK: THAN SHWE--OVER 500,000 MEMBERS ATTENDED 16 USDA
MEETINGS
May 28, 1997 [translated from Burmese, abridged]
Senior General Than Shwe, patron of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association [USDA], chairman of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council [SLORC], and commander in chief of the Defense
Services, delivered an address at the opening of Management Course No. 10
for USDA executives held at the Union Hall of the Central Public Relations
Unit in Hmawbi at 0900 today.
Gen. Than Shwe said the association was formed to serve the
interests of the people, comprising all the national races, and to defend
the nation. He recalled that mass panel meetings of the association on
implementation of community service tasks were held recently,
systematically and extensively, in 16 cities of the respective States and
Divisions. He claimed the mass meetings attended by over 500,000 USDA
members of the townships concerned firmly laid down resolutions in the
interest of the nation and the population. He noted that the mass meetings
dealt with objective conditions in the country and took a firm stand in
tabling motions to denounce internal and external destructive
elements.
Gen. Than Shwe noted that there is plenty of work that will enable
them to possess qualities such as a correct outlook and thinking power. He
urged them to cultivate themselves by becoming better informed as regards
international, national, and regional affairs. He said that only then will
they become able future leaders and good organizers upon whom the nation
can rely. ]
The SLORC chairman pointed out that the association has a specific
national conviction, objectives, and work programs serving the national and
public interests. The desired goal of a peaceful, modern, and developed
nation will certainly be realized if the association members organize the
public indicating those points. Gen. Than Shwe called on the trainees to
study seriously what is taught in the course seriously, observe discipline,
and work for the association's progress.
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BRC-J ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
UPCOMING SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
May 27, 1997
Corporate Headquarters
781 Third Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
U.S.A.
Telephone: 610-878-7800
Fax: 610-992-9432
New York Office
Two Huntington Quadrangle
Fourth Floor
Melville, NY 11747
U.S.A.
Telephone: 516-622-4000
Fax: 516-622-0100
E-mail: sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Webb, Gregory - Chief Executive Officer
Doyle, William A. - President
Goldberg, Howard E. - Executive Vice President, Legal Counsel, Secretary
Lemmo, Mark - Executive Vice President
Garrison, James W. - Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Tilden, Charles R. - Vice President
Bolgiano, D. Ridgely - Vice President, Subsidiary Officer
Directors/Nominees
Doyle, Willam A. - President
Bolgiano, D. Ridgely - Vice President, Subsidiary Officer
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 20, 1997
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of InterDigital Communications
Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Sheraton Valley Forge
Hotel, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. local
time.
****************************************