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The BurmaNet News, June 10, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, June 10, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 01:42:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: June 10, 1997
Issue #745
HEADLINES:
==========
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: AUNG SAN SUU KYI LETTER #5
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO-A-0052
SAIN: EUROPEAN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN SELLING POISON
MANILA BUSINESS WORLD: RAMOS JUSTIFIES BURMA
THE NATION: BURMA ENTRY TO HIT ASEAN SOLIDARITY
THE NATION:ASEAN 'MAY BE HIT BY TWIN-TRACK APPROACH'
KNU: BATTLE NEWS
TT: TWO ILLEGAL WORKERS KILLED IN ACCIDENT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: AUNG SAN SUU KYI LETTER FROM BURMA # 5-1997
June 9, 1997
Times Of Transition Often Breed Uncertainty: "Transitions 1"
Letter from Burma (No. 5) By Aung San Suu Kyi
The process of significant change from one state to another is often
fraught with difficulties. In Burma, we tend to attribute vague,
unidentifiable sicknesses with seasonal change. People generally feel ill
at ease and uncomfortable in these in-between periods where everything from
the temperature to the state of their bones seem uncertain. How much more
unsettling it must be during periods of social and political transition.
Burma is supposed to have started the transition from a one-party socialist
authoritarian state to a democratic society eight years ago. Leaving aside
for the moment the question of whether or not we have made any progress
along this path we can certainly confirm that all the difficulties and more
associated with times of transition are being experienced in our country.
There is uncertainty about matters to which people would not give a second
thought in normal societies. For example, school children, university
students and their parents all over Burma are waiting to hear when the
"summer vacation" will come to an end. Some universities have been closed
since the student demonstrations of early December last year. As for the
schools which closed for their usual summer holidays at the beginning of
March, the new term was meant to have started at the beginning of this
month. But for some reason there has not yet been any indication as to when
this new term will begin. As an added complication there are rumors that
the color of the children's uniform, which is known as "school green," might
well be changed. There is some speculation as to whether the new color is
to be blue or purple (blue is considered to be the safer bet). One wonders
whether such decisions are based on esthetics, politics or astrology. None
of this helps to alleviate the confusion of the people who are already
uncertain of the road ahead of them.
The subject of inflation is both tedious and irresistible. A housewife
comes back from the bazaar muttering a litany of the price rises that have
taken place since the last shopping expedition which could have been as
recent as the previous day. It does not make for security to be unable to
calculate your daily household expenses. Perhaps the only ones who have
received a temporary respite from the worry of inflation are the school
children who do not for the moment have to haggle with their parents over
the pocket money they need. In Rangoon, a decent school lunch costs the
equivalent of the average daily pay earned by the lowest-ranking civil
servant. This makes the fact that some families of state employees can
still manage to send their children to school a near miracle.
But, of course, most people are aware that this is more the age of bribery
and corruption than of miracles because our civil servants are obliged to
supplement their official income to make ends meet.
Burmese Buddhists talk constantly of /annica/, the law of impermanence.
Nothing is forever, everything is in a process of change. But it would be
so much more bearable if that change could be a smooth journey rather than a
series of rough leaps and bounds across precarious terrain. While accepting
that nothing is permanent it would still be nice to think that electricity
supply is more, rather than less, permanent and lights can be turned on at
the flick of a switch. The erratic nature of our electricity supply may
confirm the basic fact of life that we cannot take anything for granted. But
it certainly doesn't make life any easier. It came as a surprise to many
Burmese people when the power failure in Kuala Lumpur last year was
considered news of international importance. We reckon that if every time
there was a power failure in Rangoon and had to be reported in the
newspapers there would not be much room for other news items. The
unreliability of our electricity supply is nothing new -- it was very much a
part of Burma under socialism. But according to some people, the element of
unpredictability has increased since the frequently proclaimed transition to
what is said to be a free market economy. We all feel vulnerable when the
process of change is not cushioned by the necessary mechanism to take away
some pains of adjustment.
********************************************
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO-A-0052
June 9, 1997
U Tin Shwe (67) yrs. a member of the National League for Democracy (Mandalay
Division) who is serving a jail sentence died of heart disease at the Yangon
General Hospital on the 8th. of June at 13:30 hrs.
U Tin Shwe was given a jail sentence since 1991 by the relevant Yangon
Division Court for his involvement in the instigation of civil unrest and
for the attempt to form a parallel government. He is known to be suffering
from heart disease and was given medical treatment and hospitalized twice
this year. Before he passed away on the 8th of June his family visited him
on the 6th. of June during visiting hours, it is learnt.
---------------------------------------------
[excerpts from related article]
AP: BURMESE DEMOCRACY ORGANIZER DIES
June 9, 1997
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- He was known to be in bad health, said an NLD
member in Bangkok, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Tin Shwe, a lawyer and well-known writer from Monywa, 380 miles northwest
of Rangoon, also was a prominent student activist during the democracy
revolt of 1962.
He had been arrested as he gave food to Buddhist monks in a
commemoration of victims in a failed democracy uprising three years
earlier, the NLD member in Bangkok said.
Burma's military government suppressed the uprising by gunning down more
than 3,000 unarmed civilians.
Tin Shwe spent quite some time in jail before being tried, and an NLD
source in Bangkok said he had been sentenced to 10 years that was
extended to 15 years.
Conditions in Burma's prisons, particularly for political prisoners,
have been described as cruel and inhumane by several human rights
groups. Prisoners are denied medicine and sometimes forced to live in
tiny cells.
***************************************
SAIN PRESS RELEASE: EUROPEAN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN SELLING POISON TO BURMA
June 9, 1997
SOUTHEAST ASIAN INFORMATION NETWORK
(SAIN)
EUROPEAN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN SELLING POISON TO BURMA
According to information received by the Southeast Asian Information Network
(SAIN) from the Asia Pacific Environmental Exchange (APEX), Denmark's East
Asiatic Company (EAC), and the Zenaca group of the United Kingdom, are
manufacturing and selling a lethal pesticide Paraquat to the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC), the military regime currently ruling
Burma. Paraquat has been banned in Denmark and many other countries due to
its extremely high toxicity.
Paraquat is manufactured in Thailand by Zenaca Agro Asiatic Ltd which is
owned by EAC Thailand whose share is 49% and Zeneca UK (51%). EAC Thailand
is owned by EAC Denmark whose shares in part are made from Danish pension
funds and foundations.
The Southeast Asian manager for Zeneca, Mr. Chatree Pitakpaivan is at
present visiting Burma following up a previous sale of 10,000 litres of
Paraquat earlier this year to the SLORC that are supposed to be used for
field tests in 1997. SAIN has learnt that this current visit is to promote
an intensification of trade in Paraquat to Burma.
Paraquat is extremely toxic to humans and is often lethal unless used with
the utmost precautions and proper safety equipment. Chemical companies such
as EAC and Zeneca are pushing their products to countries in the south where
workers rights protection and training are minimal, thus resulting in
sicknesses and in some cases death. Paraquat is considered one of the dirty
dozen pesticides targeted for a global ban by the International Pesticide
Action Network. It has already been banned in 9 countries including Denmark
as it is responsible for the poisoning of thousands of farmers every year.
"This is the lowest form of business, to export to others the poisons you
have outlawed at home and to a brutal military regime" said Faith Doherty
from the Southeast Asian Information Network (SAIN).
"In the case of Burma where the country is ruled through the barrel of a gun
and the right to free speech and the demand for workers rights are responded
by arrest, torture imprisonment and death, the selling of this product to be
used by Burmese sprayers is doubly criminal".
The company's involved say safety training is given before the use of
Paraquat. However, according to many countries such as Malaysia where a
1985 Department of Agriculture survey found that only 11% of workers
interviewed had been trained before handling Paraquat, and in Thailand where
sprayers are also not protected, the company's assurances are no more than
public relations rhetoric.
"There are no mechanisms used in Burma to ensure workers health and safety"
said Doherty. "It does not matter what assurances are given. It is certain
that the pesticide will be used by local people through the orders of local
military authorities. Information about the pesticide, safety and care will
not be distributed to the people. This substance is lethal no matter where
it is used, in Burma the sale of Paraquat amounts to aiding and abetting
more suffering and death for the farmers of Burma".
In an attempt to reverse the ban in Denmark, Zeneca is apparently lobbying
to have all countries in the European Union approve Paraquat which could
create a crisis in agreements related to environmental co-operation on
chemicals within the European Union. With Zeneca responsible for producing
80% of the world market for Paraquat reversing any ban on the pesticide will
only encourage further use of this lethal substance.
In late May, the Danish newspaper Politiken exposed EAC and Zeneca's
involvement in the selling of Paraquat to both Thailand and Burma. In
Interviews published on June 3-4, the director of EAC Denmark Mr.Fiorini
admitted to Politiken that EAC cannot control the use of pesticides in
remote rural districts. With the respect to the sale of Paraquat to Burma,
Mr.Fiorini responded:
"We are convinced that Paraquat does more good than bad for the rural
population of Thailand, and therefore it is also a good product for the
farmers in Burma. It is wrong to boycott Burma. Through economic
co-operation we can create the foundation for a middle class which can lead
to political liberalisation."
"It makes no difference for the export of Paraquat whether the country is
ruled by a military government or a democratic government. The important
thing is whether the government can ensure appropriate education of the
farmers for the correct management of pesticide".
"Mr.Fiorini is obviously unaware of the fact that the SLORC cannot provide
basic education in the country with schools and universities closed since
December of last year, let alone allow education on health and safety for
the rural community" said Doherty.
"It will not be the middle classes in Burma exposed to Paraquat but local
people ordered to do so by a military that implements their instructions
through the barrel of a gun. The global community cannot allow the
continuation of this investment with the Generals of Burma. We call on the
Danish and British communities in their countries to use their democratic
rights to stop the selling of Paraquat to the South, and their countries
investments in Burma" concluded Doherty.
For more information please contact:
Faith Doherty (SAIN)
tel: 66 53 278549 // email:sain @cm.ksc.co.th
-----------------------------------
WHAT IS PARAQUAT?
_____________________________________________
Dirty Dozen Campaigner
A Publication of the
Pesticide Action Network
September 1989
An Introduction to Paraquat
Mary O'Brien
"Paraquat is probably the most effective herbicide that exists right now on
the Earth. It is also one of the world's worst poisons." -Edward Block,
lung specialist at the University of Florida
Paraquat is a nonselective contact herbicide, defoliant, desiccant, and
plant growth regulator manufactured by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI,
United Kingdom) and produced by a number of other companies in other
countries (e.g. Chevron Chemical Company in the United States). It is used
for desiccation of cotton, potato vines, and other crops; for weed control
in rubber and coffee plantations, rice paddies, industrial sites and
rights-of-way, and among fruit trees, shade trees and ornamentals; for
pasture renovation; and for aquatic weed control. Paraquat is sold worldwide
(i.e., in over 130 countries); its damage to humans is similarly worldwide.
Paraquat's acute toxicity is extreme; 3-5 g (approximately 3-5 ml, or less
than a teaspoon) is the approximate lethal dose (LD50) of paraquat for an
adult male. Death results from lung failure within weeks of ingestion. This
is because paraquat concentrates in lung tissue, causing cells critical to
oxygen exchange to die and be replaced by connective tissue cells,
suffocating the victim. If very large doses of paraquat are ingested (as in
suicide cases), death will occur within a few days from damage to several
vital organs, including the brain, adrenals, liver, kidney, and lungs.
There is no antidote for paraquat poisoning, so survival depends on the
amount ingested and time before beginning intensive medical measures to
inactivate and eliminate the paraquat from the gut and blood. Severe
paraquat poisoning is always fatal.
Absorbed following skin exposure, inhalation, or ingestion, paraquat is
toxic to epithelial tissues such as skin, nails, cornea, liver, kidneys, and
the linings of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Systemic damage
can result from skin contact. Symptoms of systemic illness include pain and
burning in the chest and throat, weight loss, aching joints, pain in the
eyes, nervousness and rash, dizziness and nausea. Symptoms of eye injury
include conjunctivitis (inflammation of the inner surface of the eyelid),
marked swelling, and eye irritation.
At very low levels of exposure, paraquat can cause skin injury,
including severe dermatitis, second degree burns, a rash all over the body,
discolored or itching hands, and an itching rash on the face and neck.
Premalignant skin lesions develop where skin exposed to paraquat is also
exposed to sunlight.
Given paraquat's extreme acute toxicity and its potential for chronic
toxicity, it is callous to export it to hot southern countries where worker
protection is minimal or nonexistent and the essential protective clothing
is unbearable.
A California Department of Food and Agriculture report on paraquat
poisonings of California workers during 1975 repeatedly notes that the
workers were not wearing every piece of protective equipment required for
mixing and loading of paraquat: "a rubber apron, rubber gloves, a full face
shield, rubber boot coverings, and a waterproof hat or helmet." Is this
likely to be the protection a Malaysian plantation worker receives? Could
the worker function in high heat and humidity wearing that clothing?
The continued use of paraquat worldwide is a testament to the senseless
addiction of agriculture to murderous toxins and the willingness of the
chemical industry to congratulate itself for making a profit on a pesticide,
even as people are dying from it. Paraquat use is not necessary anywhere; it
is environmentally dangerous and a human health hazard everywhere; and its
sale in Third World countries is unconscionable.
Mary O'Brien is Staff Scientist with the Northwest Coalition for
Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP), and editor of the Journal for Pesticide
Reform. She has worked with diverse agencies to develop pest management
policies, and serves on the PAN North America Steering Committee.
This article was excerpted from a longer piece which appeared in the Summer
1989 issue of the Journal of Pesticide Reform. For a copy of the original
article or the entire issue, contact NCAP at P.O. Box 1393; Eugene, OR
97440; USA.
_________________________________________________
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center
116 New Montgomery Street,#810
San Francisco CA, 94105
Tel:(415)541-9140
FAX:(415)541-9253
Internet e-mail:panna@xxxxxxxxxxx
**********************************
MANILA BUSINESS WORLD: RAMOS JUSTIFIES BURMA'S MEMBERSHIP IN ASEAN
June 5, 1997
The decision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to
welcome Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos into its fold is a sign of its
independence from superpowers, President Ramos said during his weekly news
conference yesterday.
To accept the three despite the objections of the United States and
the European Union shows the ASEAN cannot be bullied by big countries, he said.
He noted ASEAN members banded together in 1967 despite cultural,
political, geographical and economic differences so as not to be "overcome
by the superpowers and rich countries in terms of development." "That was
the original, and still is the objective of the ASEAN," Mr. Ramos added.
****************************************
THE NATION: BURMA ENTRY TO HIT ASEAN SOLIDARITY, SAYS RP PAPER
June 9, 1997
AFP
MANILA- The decision by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos has "sowed the seeds of discord" that
could disrupt the group's solidarity, a leading Philippines newspaper said
yesterday.
"Burma's accession opened cracks in the wall of Asean solidarity that were
papered over by the official statement," the Philippine Daily Inquirer said
in its editorial.
It said the decision to admit the three countries was opposed by the
Philippines and Thailand, while Singapore had reservations on economic
grounds and that "for the first time in its 30-year history, Asean was not
one happy, harmonious family."
Asean groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam. Burma, Cambodia, and Laos are to be formally admitted
to Asean in July.
The inclusion of the three would merely expand Asean's scope "without
deepening the basis of its solidarity," the newspaper said.
"Burma injects the potential for intra-Asean conflicts over issues related
to the group's relations with the West and China."
It added that Asean's decision was not based on "cold calculations of the
strategic advantage of the accession" but as a message by some Asean states
to the West to refrain from interfering in regional affairs on the issues of
human rights and democracy.
Reuter reports from Kuala Lumpur: Speakers at an Asia-Pacific conference
this weekend said that a newly enlarged Asean will find it challenging to
keep to its fundamental creed of not interfering in the internal affairs of
member states.
Yusuf Wanandi, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Indonesia's Centre for
Strategic and International Studies, called for Asean to give Rangoon "a
road map" for political and economic reforms.
"Despite the principle of non-intervention in each other's domestic affairs,
there is always an exception to be made, and on Burma, it is right to do
so," Wanandi said at a seminar on Asean at the Asia-Pacific Roundtable.
Brunei delegate Timothy Ong questioned whether all Asean members are
prepared to see the group abandon its cherished principle of non-interference.
"Strict adherence to that principle made it possible for Brunei to join in
1984. And strict adherence allowed Asean to withstand the excesses of the
Marcos regime [in the Philippines]."
Wanandi said in response that the media and the non-governmental
organisations in Asean countries have broken the taboo of non-criticism over
issues such as Indonesia's human rights record in East Timor and Burma.
"Are we going to recognise this and come to some terms of reference on how
to intervene? It is a real problem we have to face from now on."
***********************************************
THE NATION: ASEAN FREE-TRADE PLAN 'MAY BE HIT BY TWIN-TRACK APPROACH'
June 9, 1997
AP
Singapore - Asean faces the risk of hobbling its ambitious free-trade plan
while trying to create a regional market of half-a-billion people when it
admits Burma, Cambodia and Laos next month, analysts warn.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) also has to guard against
the danger of being divided into rich and poor clubs as it pursues a
"twin-track" approach to tearing down protective tariff barriers, they said.
The three under-developed nations have until the end of 2007 to carry out
the tariff cuts required to integrate into the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta),
which comes into existence in 2003.
"There are pros and cons," Singapore's ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh said of
Asean's expansion.
"If we succeed in bringing Myanmar [Burma], Laos and Cambodia into the club,
and the transition process is successful, Asean will become stronger because
we will then have a combined market of 500 million people," Koh said.
Myanmar is the ruling junta's official name for Burma.
The veteran diplomat said Southeast Asia stood to gain "a collective
economic weight which we would otherwise not have".
"The con is that because we will now have economies of very different levels
of development, it may make the process of liberalisation more difficult
than if you have economies of comparable development," Koh said.
Asean groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore
Thailand and Vietnam.
The first six, the so-called core members, have agreed to cut their tariffs
to a range of zero-to-five per cent by 2003 to usher in Afta, the grouping's
most ambitious economic project. Vietnam, which joined in 1995, has until 2006.
"The fact that four out of 10 members will not be in a position to
liberalise at the same pace as the others could slow down the liberalisation
process," said Malaysian analyst Mohamad Jawhar bin Hassan.
Hassan, director-general of the Institute of Strategic and International
Studies of Malaysia, noted in Manila last month that Asean was admitting
"some of the poorest economies of the world".
"This change in Asean's economic complexion cannot but have some negative
Psychological impact on others' estimation of it," he said.
By 2003, tariffs on goods traded between the six core members would be
lowered to no more than five per cent. The average tariff rate is expected
to decrease from 7.1 per cent in 1996 to 2.7 per cent when Afta takes birth.
Concerns have been rife whether the new entrants would be able to meet the
market liberalisation measures of their more advanced neighbours, who are
considering even eliminating all tariffs by 2003.
Erlinda Medalla, a trade expert at the Philippine Institute for Development
Studies, said that "the disparity [in development] will create problems"
since the would-be entrants are "not really market economies".
"There are bound to be difficulties," she said, and Burma, Cambodia and Laos
would have a "lot of reforms to work out".
Officials, however, cited the huge potential held out by the start of an
economic transformation in resource-rich Burma, Cambodia and Laos and the
creation of a liberalised common market of 500 million consumers.
Intra-Asean trade has grown from US$27 billion (Bt702 billion) to $70
billion since 1990 - a small part of the grouping's overall trade amounting
to some $600 billion - and members hope it will multiply into the next century.
Agence France-Presse reports from Rangoon:
Burma's official press yesterday hailed the country's imminent joining of
Asean as a step towards regional unity, but local entrepreneurs have voiced
concerns over the economic impact.
"Some entrepreneurs have expressed concern about the possibility of a big
influx of obsolete second-hand machinery," if companies from Asean are
allowed in, an informed source said.
Companies from Malaysia and Thailand are expected to re-tool and upgrade
factories in textile and other industries, and companies fear they will take
the opportunity to unload their old machines.
Burmese industry could end up in a disadvantaged and uncompetitive position
if Asean partners sell off obsolete technology to their ventures in Burma
rather than investing in new equipment, local business sources said.
The state-run Mirror daily said in officially-inspired commentary yesterday
that the Burmese people gladly welcomed Asean's decision to admit the
country along with Laos and Cambodia during a ministerial meeting in July.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to arrive
tomorrow to officially convey the regional grouping's decision. (TN)
*******************************************************
KNU: BATTLE NEWS
June 6, 1997
BATTLE NEWS
1.5.97
(KNLA NO.(5)Bri, Mu Traw District Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at Yo Po Hse Law. Casualties are unknown. At the same day,
SLORC troops stepped on four KNLA mines at Lay Plaw Kho. Four
SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri. K'ler Lwe Hto district, Ler Doh township Area) KNLA
troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler Wah. Casualties are unknown.
2.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri. Mu Traw District Area) A clash broke out between the
KNLA troops and LIB(34) at a position between Baw Lay Der and Ta Ker
Der. One SLORC soldier was killed.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri. K'ler Lwe Hto Dsitrict, Moo township Area)A battle
broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Baw Kay
village. SLORC casualties are unknown. KNLA troops suffered one dead.
Two villagers died.
5.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw District Area) A SLORC bulldozer hit a
KNLA mine at Klo Pae Hta. One SLORC soldier was injured.
At 1030 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at Blaw Kho.
At 1230 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops
at Ler Mu Kaw Hte. One SLORC soldier was killed, two SLORC soldiers
were injured. KNLA suffered one dead. At the same day, KNLA troops
attacked SLORC troops at Htee Hse Plaw, the battle lasted (30)minutes.
One SLORC soldier was killed, two SLORC soldiers were injured.
KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Hse
Hta. SLORC casualties are unknown. At the same day, LIR (349) stepped
on two KNLA mines at Hpo Htee Koe. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township Area)
KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Toe Hta. Three SLORC soldiers
were killed and a porter died.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Ler Doh township Area) SLORC
troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Htee Blay Hta. One SLORC soldier lost
his leg.
6.5.97
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district Hsaw Hte township Area) A
battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Saw Thae
Hta. Two SLORC soldiers were killed.
7.5.97
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo District) A clash broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops at Hse Day Area.
8.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) LIR (349) stepped on a KNLA mine
at Maw Kyo. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
9.5.97
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) SLORC
troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Mae Kler Day. One SLORC soldier lost
his leg.
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) At 1400 hours, a SLORC truck hit a
KNLA mine at Pway Hse Khee. A SLORC truck was destroyed.
10.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) A clash broke out between the KNLA
troops and LIR(440) at Htee Hse Plaw. Casualties are unknown.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'er Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) SLORC
troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Thee Mu Paw Lu. One SLORC soldier
lost his leg and one SLORC soldier was injured.
11.5.97
(KNLA NO.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) A battle broke out between the
KNLA troops and SLORC troops at That Baw village. Casualties are
unknown. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee
Hse Plaw. One SLORC soldier was injured.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) SLORC
troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Mae Tha Na. One SLORC soldier lost
his leg.
12.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) A clash broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops at Thay Baw area. At the same day, KNLA
troops attacked LIB 57/59 at Ler Mu Plaw. Two SLORC soldiers were
killed.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) A battle
broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Hsaw Oh Khee.
One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.
13.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) KNLA troops attacked LIB 57/59 at
Htee Hse Hta. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. At the same day, a battle
broke out between the KNLA troops and LIB (347) at Lay Ghaw area.
Casualties are unknown.
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1900 hours, a battle broke out
between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ler Klaw village.
Casualties are unknown.
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Ler Doh township) At 0830
hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Kay Lo Der. One SLORC
soldier was injured.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped o a KNLA
mine at Hse Day area. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
14.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) LIB (48) stepped on a KNLA mine at
Klo Pae Hta. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1630 hours, a battle broke out
between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Htaw Pwar Lo Khee. One
SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured. KNLA
troops suffered one dead and lost one M-16.
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC
troops at Kaw Thaw Thi. Casualties are unknown. At the same day, KNLA
troops attacked SLORC troops at Po Htee Koe village. Casualties are
unknown.
15.5.97
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) LIR (230) stepped on three KNLA
mines at Htee Nyar Lu K'ser. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA
mine at Hse Day area. One SLORC Captain lost his leg.
16.5.97
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) A clash
broke out betweeen KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Nyar Mu Kwee.
Two SLORC soldiers were injured.
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA
mine at Per Mu Plaw. One SLORC soldier was killed.
17.5.97
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) LIB(51) stepped on a KNLA mine at
Ta Au Khee. One SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldiers were
injured.
18.5.97
(KNLA No.(3)Bri, K'ler Lwe Hto district, Hsaw Hte township) SLORC
troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Mae Roo Khee. One SLORC soldier
lost his leg.
19.5.97
(KNLA No.(7)Bri, Paan district) At 0700 hours, a SLORC truck hit a mine
at a position between Htee Ghaw Htaw and Wan Kah and When they
cleaning the area, they stepped on three KNLA mines. Three SLORC
soldiers lost their legs.
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) Three clashes broke out between the
KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ta Kaw Kyo, Ner Ghaw Day and Htee
Thaw Tu Kyo.
20.5.97
(KNLA No.(7)Bri, Paan district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a
position between Htee Wah Blaw and Htee Law Thee. The battle lasted
(1)hour and (30)minutes. Eight SLORC soldiers were killed and three
SLORC soldiers were injured.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA
mine at Hse Day area. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
(KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at Kar Mar. KNLA troops captured one G-3 with (20) rounds
ammo, one carbine with (180)rounds ammo, one .45 with (30)rounds
ammo.
22.5.97
(KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) LIR (342) stepped on two
KNLA mines at Mu Ka Ra. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC
convoy at a position between Than Taung Way Thaw (13 miles) and Than
Taung Way Law Li. Six SLORC soldiers were killed and (15) were
injured.
24.5.97
(KNLA No.(6)Bri, Doo Playa district) A SLORC truck hia a KNLA mine
at Ta Ru Paw. Six SLORC soldiers were killed and six SLORC soldiers
were injured.
25.5.97
(KNLA No.(5)Bri, Mu Traw district) Three clashes broke out between the
KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Htee Hse Hta and Lo Taw De. Two
SLORC soldiers were killed and six SLORC soldiers were injured. At the
same time, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler Wah Kyo. Two
SLORC soldiers were injured.
SLORC troops stepped on four KNLA mines at Lay
Ther Kho area. Four SLORC soldiers lost their legs. At the same day,
SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Po Htee Koe. One SLORC
soldier lost his leg.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 0645 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at Naw That Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and three
SLORC soldiers were injured.
KNLA troops seized a Lieutenant Aung Aung (From
LIB(35) at Kaw That Der.
26.5.97
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops
at a position between the Than Taung Way Thaw (13 miles) and Ohn Chit
Kone (18 miles). Three SLORC soldiers were injured.
At 1700 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops
at a position between Pae Kaw Der and Kaw Hoe Der. One SLORC soldier
was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.
27.5.97
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 1600 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at Koe Haw Der. One SLORC soldier was killed. At 2000
hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hsar Lu Blaw Day. One
SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.
(KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at Min Htaik Khee. Three SLORC soldiers were injured.
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops
at Noh Kher. Casualties are unknown.
28.5.97
(KNLA No.2)Bri, Taungoo district) Three clashes broke out between the
KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Sho Kho area. Two SLORC soldiers
were killed and Three SLORC soldiers were injured.
29.5.97
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) At 1700 hours, KNLA troops attacked
LIB(29) with claymore at a position between Kyo Waing and Pa Ya Yaw.
Three SLORC soldiers were killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured.
Including one lieutenant was injured.
(KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at Ler Pha Doh village. Three SLORC soldiers were killed. KNLA
suffered one dead.
30.5.97
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 1000 housr, a clash broke out
between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Thu Kho K'ser Tu. At 1500
housr, a battle broke out again at Thu Kho. Two SLORC soldiers were
killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured.
31.5.97
(KNLA No.(4)Bri, Merguie/Tavoy district) At 1145 housr, KNLA troops
attacked SLORC troops at Wee Hto Ree.
At 1000 hours, a clash broke out between the
KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Yae Hsay. One SLORC soldier was
injured.
(KNLA No.(1)Bri, Thaton district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops
at a position between the Htee Pha Doh Hta and Kyo Waing. One SLORC
soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.
(KNLA No.(2)Bri, Taungoo district) At 0900 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at a position between Kaw Thay Der and Klay Saw Khee.
Casualties are unknown.
KNU Information Center
KNLA = Karen National Liberation Army
SLORC = State Law and Order Restoration Council
LIB = Light Infantry Battalion
LIR = Light Infantry Regiment
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THAILAND TIMES: TWO ILLEGAL WORKERS KILLED IN ACCIDENT
June 9, 1997
AFP
BANGKOK: A Thai policeman smuggling nine illegal Burmese workers
to the capital seriously injured himself and killed two of the Burmese in a
road accident yesterday, television reports said.
The policeman was driving nine workers to Bangkok from the border
province of Kamphaeng Phet, 360 kilometers (220 miles) to the northwest,
when he fell asleep at the wheel.
The truck he was driving veered off the road and crashed into a tree in the
central province of Sing Buri.
The seven surviving Burmese workers were taken to hospital for treatment and
also arrested for being illegal immigrants, the reports said.
There was no immediate indication of legal action against the policeman, who
was in hospital with serious injuries.
Burmese nationals account for almost half of the more than one million
illegal workers in the country, according to researchers from Bangkok's
Chulalongkorn University.
A government program to legalize foreign laborers on a temporary basis in
certain sectors has registered only a few hundred thousand workers as Thai
companies do not want to take responsibility for their whereabouts nor pay
legal wages and benefits, the researchers said.
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