[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Burma Issues weekly summary (r)



 Burma Issues, a Bangkok-based organization, maintains a documentation
center that archives a wide variety of materials (newspaper clippings,
reports, statements, press releases, books, videos, etc.) related to
Burma.  We currently have over 12,000 sources in our archives.  Every week
a partial summary of the past week's entries is made.  In the past, this
list has been used within the organization to keep our volunteers and
friends up-to-date on current developments. Each article is followed by an
abbreviation that corresponds to the source of the document, a date and a
code that corresponds to our internal indexing system used to retrieve
copies of the original document.  Other bibliographic information is
available, but has been dropped to shorten the document.  For people who
are interested in a document contained in the list, feel free to request a
copy.  Bear in mind that, in most cases, the document will take 1 to 2
weeks to arrive via international post.  In urgent cases we can fax
documents.  

Burma Issues
PO Box 1076
Silom Post Office
Bangkok 10504
THAILAND

Recent News Items & Other BurmaDoc Entries: 
4 June to 11 June 1997

Themes: border issues and Thai-Burma relations; political prisoners;
illegal drugs; foreign aid; the Yadana Pipeline and Environmental Issues;
regional relations; Asean; Aung San Suu Kyi; sanctions and selective
purchasing legislation; miscellaneous.

-- Border Issues and Thai-Burma Relations
Article on the art work of Karen children in refugee camps in northern
Thailand which tells the world of their plight.  The art work forms part
of an exhibition being shown around Thailand, hosted by Burma Issues.
BP970609 OA/10G/047

Latest battle news from the KNU Information Centre concerning skirmishes
between the Karen National Liberation Army and Slorc troops.  Reports of
mines.  KNU Information Centre/Burmanet970606 OR/12C/001

Chavalit has proposed that Thailand and Burma agree on a permanent border
to prevent future disputes.  Tension between the two intensified recently
after Burma moved in heavy equipment and workers to dredge the Moei River
in Mae Sot district to change the river's course.  BP970604 OA/9J/034
 
  Chettha criticises Burma's military leaders for not reciprocating
Thailand's extension of its friendship.  TN970604 OA/9CA/070
 
The Thai Army has closed five commercial ports on the Moei River north of
a disputed islet between Mae Sot and Myawaddi in what authorities say is
an attempt to fight illegal immigration and goods smuggling.  TN970605
OA/9J/035

Thai and Burmese officials have failed to settle a dispute over Burma's
dredging of the Moei river opposite Mae Sot district.  BP970606 OA/9J/036

Gen Chettha denied Burmese claims that he had given his consent to Burma's
dredging of the Moei river opposite Ban Rim Moei in Mae Sot, Tak, which
attracted strong protests from local villagers.  Chettha said no agreement
had yet been made with Burma over the dredging site which was to be chosen
by Thai and Burmese technical committees.  Chettha declined to comment on
a widespread rumour that a casino would be opened in the border area in
Mae Sot.  BP970607 OA/9J/037

A recent boundary dispute between Thailand and Burma over an island in the
Moei River is not the first time both countries have argued over the still
undemarcated border.  Despite a claim by the Thai army of having a close
relationship with leaders of Burma's military junta, almost every time a
boundary problem occurs, troops are rushed in.  BP970608 OA/9J/038

Photo with caption "Burmese Labour To Divert Course of River".  BP970611
OA/9J/039
 
There  was still no progress yesterday after the third round of talks
between Thai and Burmese authorities to settle a border dispute over
Burma's dredging of the Moei River opposite Mae Sot district.  BP970611
OA/9J/040
 
Editorial: Mr. Prachuab Chaiyasarn's comment that he hopes people in other
Asean countries support Burma's Asean entry indicates that Thailand isn't
afraid to take an opposite stance to that of the US.  The House Foreign
Affairs Committee, however, urged the Thai government to delay Burma's
membership until human rights and democracy are evident.  The Burmese
junta continues to repress people, resulting in a flow of refugees into
Thailand.  The refugees take jobs from Thais.  The Thai government's
support of Burma runs contrary to international opinion and creates a
negative image of Thailand.  The disadvan tages of Thailand's pro-Burmese
policies far outweigh its advantages because Thailand has to take care of
hundreds of thousands of illegal Burmese.  BP970610 OA/10G/048

Journalists and rights activists in Thailand this week condemned a
government proposal to close media outlets that report information that is
false, speculative or has the potential to "incite the public."  The ban
proposal, issued by a new government-appointed committee charged with
monitoring media coverage, follows a flood of reports on the country's
economic and political woes.  The reporting on Li Yun-chung is mentioned
as journalists have been asking hard questions about how Mr Li escaped to
Burma in the first place, and whether he bribed Thai officials to arrange
his freedom.  AWSJ970611 OA/11G/005

Thailand's foreign policy towards Burma came under fire from Thai
academics and NGOs for seeking to exploit its neighbour's economic
potential while ignoring the lack of its political, social and human
rights development.  TN970611 OA/11AA/007 
 

 Political  Prisoners
The Slorc arrested at least 316 senior NLD members to prevent the group
from holding a congress on May 27.  Riot police blocked roads and used
barbed wire to seal off the NLD office amid its planned cele bration of
its unrecognized landslide victory in  the 1990   election.   FEER970605
OP/11BB/001

 The junta has started releasing most of the detained members and
supporters of the NLD detained two weeks ago to stop her from holding a
party congress.  BP970604 OA/11BA/009.  A few are still under government
custody.  The roadblocks to ASSK's house are still being maintained.
TN970604 OA/11BA/010

The junta has released over 300 Aung San Suu Kyi supporters who were
prevented from attending an opposition party congress last month.  The NLD
announced that although supporters had been unable to attend the congress,
they had managed to approve 21 resolutions through letters, word of mouth
and group discussions.  Only a handful of senior party members were able
to reach Suu Kyi's house for the congress, after hundreds of armed riot
police were deployed to scupper the meeting.  The party has re vealed it
had drafted an 80 page document which should form the basis of a new
constitution.  TN970607 OA/11BA/011

The Burmese government reported that Tin Shwe died of heart failure after
being jailed since 1991.  He died at the Rangoon General Hospital on
Sunday, and apparently had been known to suffer from heart disease.  He
was a 67-year-old NLD organizer and prominent student activist during the
pro-democracy revolt in 1962.  BP970610 OA/11BC/001

 Tin  Shwe, 67, an organiser for ASSK's NLD died Sunday at Yangon General
Hospital.  He was arrested on Aug. 8, 1991, as he gave food to Buddhist
monks in a ceremony to remember those who died in 1988.  Tin Shwe was
sentenced to an unknown period and was known  to suffer from heart
disease.  Conditions in Burma's prisons, particularly for political
prisoners, have been described as cruel by several human rights groups.
The Japan Times/Burmanet970610 OA/11BC/003


 Illegal Drugs
Article about the extradition of Li Yun-chung who has the potential to
implicate Thai officials in his re cent escape to Burma.  The Burmese who
handed Li over have also come into scrutiny for their role in the affair.
At first, Rangoon denied that Li was in Burma.  When he was arrested in
Burma, officials stated that Li had been hiding in Northern Thailand and
had only crossed the border three days earlier.  This contradicts all
other intelligence reports from the area that say Li entered Burma quickly
after his escape and moved around in Burma trying to link up with Khun Sa.
Analysts say Li's handover was a political move to make Chavalit's trip to
Burma better and to divert attention from US sanctions.  FEER970605
OP/10J/005

Li Yun-chung was hurriedly sent off on Thursday to the US despite the
strong opposition and disap pointment of the Thai public which believes
the major narco-trafficking suspect should have been prose cuted in
Thailand first for other related crimes.  TN970607 OA/10J/060

Extradited drug suspect Li Yun-chung and two alleged accomplices were
charged in an indictment un sealed with taking part in the biggest
shipment of heroin ever seized in the US.  The indictment alleged that the
three men obtained the heroin from the inner reaches of the Golden
Triangle, an area that in cludes parts of Burma, Laos and Thailand.  Li
was first arrested in Thailand last July, he was freed on bail 7 months
later and fled to Burma where he was arrested and returned to Thailand.  A
release from the New York Drug Enforcement Administration Office, said
that Thailand and Burma had played key roles in the investigation.
TN970608 OA/10J/061

The article poses the question whether Burma is really fighting drugs when
the country's production of opium has increased so that it is now the
world's largest opium producer.  Burmanet970607 OL/10J/006
 
Li Yun-chung has pleaded innocent to federal charges that he master-minded
the biggest heroin shipment ever seized in the US.  Li is considered to be
a significant middleman - his boss is Burmese opium war lord Khun Sa,
reportedly Southeast Asia's biggest heroin trafficker.  BP970611
OA/10J/062  No trial date has been set TN970611 OA/10J/063


 The Yadana Gas Pipeline and Environmental Issues
Photo with caption concerning the protest by Kanchanaburi residents
against the construction of the Yadana gas pipeline by the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand.  TN970605 OA/12A/007

A rally in Kanchanaburi by groups opposing the Yadana gas pipeline failed
to draw the interest of local people - it attracted only 50 people.  Also
conspicuous by their absence were state officials who oppose the project
but want to keep their jobs.  The Petroleum Authority of Thailand has
asked Her Majesty the Queen to have the project re-routed to minimise the
environmental impact and tone down the protests.  BP970605 OA/12A/008

A Thai-German consortium's call for the Petroleum Authority of Thailand to
reroute the Thai section of the Yadana gas pipeline would cause greater
destruction of environment, according to a Petroleum Au thority of
Thailand executive.  BP970607 OA/4EC/042

Twenty-five village headmen and Kamnan from Kanchanaburi province
submitted letters to Prime Minis ter Chavalit and Industry Minister Korn
Dabaransi yesterday in support of the Yadana gas pipeline pro ject, which
has been strongly opposed by environmentalists.  TN970607 OA/4EC/043

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand is speeding up the Yadana pipeline
construction despite opposition from certain local grassroots
organisations.  The only obstacle that can delay the work is the decision
by the Forestry Department whether to allow the pipeline to be laid
through one of Kanchanaburi's forest reserves.

Besides worries over environmental impacts, the awareness on their own
safety is growing among the villagers.  The issues include security along
the border which will affect the project and the quality of en gineering
technology and maintenance.  BP970608 OA/4EC/044

The Committee for Natural and Environmental Protection of 16 institutes
yesterday issued a statement condemning the PTT's continued construction
of Thailand's continued construction of a gas pipeline in Kanchanaburi
despite strong opposition from environmentalists.  In the eyes of the
world the project has resulted in heavy suppression of ethnic minorities
in Burma and the fact that the project will result in the loss of an area
in the tropical forest with invaluable bio-diversities.   BP970609
OA/4EC/045

Burma's efforts to develop its gas reserves has already triggered a
firestorm of controversy, most of it cen tering around the wisdom of
foreign companies helping the repressive Slorc.  Parallelling the foreign
in vestment questions, serious environmental and human rights questions
remain unanswered.  TN970608 OA/4EC/046

Lawyers for the plaintiffs, hoping to block Unocal Corp's development of
the natural gas project in Burma, postponed a hearing scheduled for Monday
in US District Court in LA.  Reuter/Burmanet970609 OA/4EC/048

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand is willing to reduce the width of its
gas pipeline through fertile for ests from 20 metres to between 12 and 15
metres.  Opposition has recently intensified against the project from
local environmentalists and NGOs who say the pipeline will threaten the
ecology and endangered wildlife species in Kanchanaburi.  The new route,
which will necessitate felling fewer trees, will go through 6 km of
fertile forests.  BP970610 OA/4EC/047

Activists from Kanchanaburi asked for support from the House Environment
Committee to have the Pe troleum Authority of Thailand reroute its natural
gas pipeline.  The activists say the pipeline will damage one of the most
fertile watershed forests in Asia, is in an earthquake-prone area, and
could face terrorist attacks mounted by ethnic minorities.  The group
proposes that the Petroleum Authority of Thailand lay the pipeline
underwater from the Yadana field up to Ban Saphan district and then to
Ratchaburi.  The new route would be 30% shorter and cost less.  The
activists also challenged the Petroleum Authority of Thailand to reveal
its contract with Burma to see if they really had to pay late fines.
BP970610 OA/4GH/022

The Southeast Asian Information Network (SAIN) charged Zeneca Agro Asiatic
Thailand, owned by the East Asiatic Co of DE and Zeneca of England, sold
10,000 litres of paraquat pesticide.  SAIN reported that Zeneca officials
are negotiating an even larger sale of the toxin, but a Slorc officer
denied that Burma was importing paraquat, which has not been banned by the
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN.  Paraquat is banned in 9
countries (including DE) because it's believed to cause cancer and other
diseases.  The Burmese economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, and
crops have been hurt by insect infestations during the past years.  Zeneca
executives were unavailable for comment.  TN970610 OA/4GK/001

Malaysia's state oil company, Petroliam Nasional Bhd., or Petronas, is
studying a possible bid for Texaco Inc's stake in the Yetagun natural gas
field off Burma.  AWSJ970611 OA/4EC/049


 Foreign Aid
The World Bank's risk guarantees help everyone except the ones they were
designed to - the local people.  The Asian Development Bank (the ADB)
maintains that around $40 million will be needed in the coming years to
complete over  a hundred priority infrastructure projects, mainly roads,
telecommunications and hydro-electric dams in the South Asian region.
However the debate over the huge implications of guar antees is by
invitation only.  Risk guarantees are a form of corporate welfare, but at
the public's expense.  They allow the World Bank to be even less
accountable, less democratic and more insensitive to the con cerns of the
local communities.  TN970611 OA/4B/003

The Slorc is pressuring foreign corporations doing business in Burma to
act as guarantors for loans from foreign banks.  Mitsui of Japan is in the
process of agreeing to become guarantor for a $150 million loan channelled
through the Bank of Tokyo.  This is the first time since 1987 that
commercial loans to Burma have been guaranteed by private sources.  It
indicates that Rangoon is facing an acute shortage of foreign exchange and
that official growth statistics have been inflated.  Burma's Central Bank
issued a confiden tial report that indicated the growth rate has been
declining since 1995.  FEER970605 OP/4E/001


 Regional Relations
Burma will not announce a decision on whether to join a new regional
economic grouping, known as Bistec, until the end of the year.  Bistec
will provide a key economic link between Asean and the South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).  TN970604 OA/9CAA/117

Burma has expressed interest in joining a new economic cooperation scheme
with Thailand and South east Asia nations, but at a later date to its
launching on Friday.  Thailand welcomes the participation of Burma as a
transportation link between Thailand and Southeast Asia countries.
BP970604 OA/4CD/019

Burma has decided to send an observer to participate in a new economic
grouping to be launched in Bangkok on Friday - the Bangladesh, India, Sri
Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation (Bistec).  TN970605 OA/9CA/071

Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka support Thailand's proposal to freeze
membership of a new economic cooperation scheme once Burma joins.  It is
felt that cooperation among the four existing members was 'already
feasible' and that new members should not be sought.  BP970605 OA/9CA/072

Thailand and three Southeast Asian countries launched a new economic
grouping yesterday, and the new organisation will make the setting up of a
regional airline a priority project.  Burma attended the cere mony as an
observer.  TN970607 OA/9CA/073

China has kept the door open to Burma and as a result, the Burmese
government has relied heavily on weaponry imported from China - and lately
from Russia as well - to keep its military forces equipped. Buying
military equipment from China is one of several ways that Burma has been
able to evade the Western-led embargo.  Drug merchants in China have also
played a helpful role in Burma's continued export of near-record levels of
opium gum for heroin production. The entry into Asean has "effectively
annulled the West's attempt to induce domestic political change through
international pressure."  Wash ington Post/Burmanet970606 OA/9CA/074

Thailand and China are seeking to open a new chapter in bilateral
relations by fostering mutual economic benefits for themselves and the
sub-region.  The aim of connecting cities in China's south and southwest,
Burma's north, Thailand's north and northeast, in Laos, Cambodia and
Vietnam, is to help boost tourism and facilitate the transportation of
goods and people.  TN970609 OA/9CA/075

Article profiling Prime Minister Chavalit and his role in the region to
make Thailand a regional leader.  BP970608 OA/9F/003


 Asean
The Straits Times said Burma is on 'probation' in Asean and its ruling
generals should be taught to stay in line.  TN970604 OA/9CAA/116

Asean members have been put on notice that they will be judged by their
ability to bring Slorc into line with international norms.  The Japan
Times/Burmanet970604 OA/9CAA/123

In defying US-led pressure from the West against granting early membership
to Burma along with Laos and Cambodia, Asean believed it was carrying out
a mission of honour, hoping to turn a 'bad' guy into a well behaved one.
Doubts remain about whether Asean can prove that its decision was
justified.  In turn ing the membership issue into a probation period for
Burma, Asean has committed itself to making all necessary efforts to bring
about positive changes in the country.  If it fails, the constructive
engagement policy is dead.  TN970604 OA/9CAA/118

The head of the Philippines Senate foreign relations committee said on
Friday that Burma should not be allowed to join Asean until its rulers
ended their 'brutal repression'.  Reuter/Burmanet970604 OA/9CAA/119

Statement by Alexander Padilla, chairman of Initiatives for International
Dialogue, an NGO based in The Philippines, condemning Asean's acceptance
of Burma as a member. Initiatives for  International Dia
logue/Burmanet970604 OST/9CAA/005

Asean's decision to admit Burma, Laos and Cambodia may be a cause for
concern rather than celebration for the grouping, as there are costly
favours that must be paid for the grouping's support, particularly for
Burma's entry.   TN970605 OA/9CAA/120

Cartoon depicting Asean's logo with a stick of dynamite around it ready to
be lit.  TN970605 OA/9CAA/121

Strategic concerns as much as economic reasons dictated Asean's decision
to spurn western appeals and admit Burma according to defence experts.
Asean also had to weigh the possibility that the junta may embrace China
which maintains close ties with the junta.  BP970605 OA/9CAA/122

Asean's decision to realize the founders' dreams of establishing an
all-inclusive regional organization by admitting Burma, Cambodia and Laos,
is controversial but if the organization makes good its promise to
"constructively engage" the new members, ASEAN may become the force for
regional peace and prosper ity it was designed to be and a unified South
East Asian bloc is the best counterweight to China's grow ing power.

A group of student activists yesterday picketed the secretariat general of
Asean to protest the grouping's decision to admit Burma.  BP970606
OA/9CAA/124

Cartoon depicting Uncle Sam (US depiction) shaking his fist with Asean and
Burma struggling together in his hat.  BP970606 OA/9CAA/125

Editorial from The Australian, Sydney: It would be wrong to be overly
cynical about Asean's motivation to admit Burma.  It shows the
ineffectiveness of isolation pursued by the US, Europe or Australia, if
China, Asean and India are pursuing a policy of constructive engagement.
Limiting official contact with Burma shows no sign of having any effect
whatsoever on the development of human rights there.  It is time now to
move on to a simultaneous and parallel path of engaging Burma in the
interests of its own people and, not incidentally, in Australia's
interests as well.  TN970606 OA/9CAA/126

Article concerning Asean's decision to admit Burma considering the
aspiration of Asean's founders to build one Southeast Asia thus creating a
community with the resilience to quell local conflicts and resist
intervention by outside powers.

Discusses how it must be accepted that there is no easy way of dealing
with Burma - attempting to pres sure Slorc through 'constructive
engagement' won't necessarily make it change as it pursued its own iso
lation policy from 1962 to 1988, even rejecting Asean's invitation to join
the grouping at its inception in 1967.  The impetus for any transformation
is likely to come from within Burma, with outsiders having only a marginal
role.  Whether Asean will be any more successful in modifying Slorc's
behaviour once Burma is inside the tent remains to be seen.

While Asean makes a point of not meddling in members' domestic politics,
it has no choice but to start talking frankly, albeit privately, to
Rangoon.  By opting to disagree with Aung San Suu Kyi in delaying
membership Asean has assumed the moral obligation to see that their fear
isn't realised.  AWSJ970607 OA/9CAA/128

Malaysia's acting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim slammed those opposed to
Asean's decision to admit Burma for "playing to the gallery".  Anwar said
the critics were apparently "influenced by the oscillating moods of the
moment rather than a clear-eyed vision of the future".  TN970607
OA/9CAA/129

Asean warded off Western pressure in opening its doors to both Burma and
Cambodia. The West had been apprehensive of the junta's rule in Burma and
the instability in Cambodia.  TN970607 OA/9CAA/131

Asean expects to complete the implementation of a free trade plan by 2000,
three years ahead of sched ule.  It should move on to create an open
investment area in the region, according to an Asean official.  The AFTA
plan calls for lowering tariffs on most goods traded within the region to
a maximum five per cent by 2003.  Asean's secretary general Ajit Singh
said that the tariff reduction schedules of the Asean member countries
indicate that over 87% of total tariff lines will have tariff rates of no
more than 5% by 2000.  It is predicted that an Asean Investment Area (AIA)
would be set up "somewhere in the next de cade or so."  The Indonesia
Times/Burmanet970607 OA/9CAA/132

The decision of Asean to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos came as no
surprise.  The Slorc government has not only committed numerous crimes and
violated human rights on a regular basis, but also betrayed its own
people.  The junta took back its words to return the ruling power to the
people.  Thailand is con vinced that isolating Burma economically or
condemning human rights violations in the country will not help improve
the situation.  However, so far Slorc has neither learned anything nor
showed any inclina tion towards democracy.  The junta continues to
suppress its people and human rights organisations and the friendship
Thailand has extended has not been reciprocated.  Integration of Burma
into Asean will put Slorc on a freer rein and in the author's opinion
Asean should at the very least impose some condi tions to force the
country to impose reforms and respect human rights and democracy to a
certain extent and discourage it from acting like a criminal at large.
BP970608 OA/9CAA/133

Article rehashing all the arguments as to why the Slorc were admitted as a
member to Asean but also looking at the strategic considerations and the
international implications of having Slorc delegations.  The Karen Human
Rights Group attaches a precis of the new members strengths and
weaknesses.  Asia Week/Burmanet970608 OP/9CAA/004

To help break its isolation and secure new sources of economic assistance,
trade and investment, North Korea has geared its foreign policy towards
engaging developing countries, especially members of the Non-aligned
Movement (NAM) and Asean.  North Korea believes that the Asean nations'
support for Burma's membership reflected their "independent determination
to reject outside influence and solve their problems by themselves."  The
statement has additional aims - to appease Burma and support its bid to
join Asean.  It is highly likely that North Korea.-Burma normalisation
will occur sooner than later.  TN970609 OA/9CAA/134

Analysts are warning that 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, Laos and Cambodia.  It also has to guard
against the danger of being divided into rich and poor clubs as it pursues
a "twin-track" ap proach to tearing down protective tariff barriers.  The
three under-developed nations have until the end of 2007 to carry out the
tariff cuts required to integrate into AFTA which comes into existence in
2003 for which there are considerable pros and cons.  TN970609 OA/9CAA/135

Burma's impending entry into Asean will damage the grouping's credibility,
an Indonesian analyst warned as it will result in a "heap of criticisms
from the international community, especially the Western countries."  The
move would in turn limit Asean's influence both regionally and globally.
Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies, also noted that opposition to Burma's en try had also been voiced
by NGOs within Asean member nations.  BP970608 OA/9CAA/136

Asean's decision to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos has "sowed the seeds of
discord" that could dis rupt the group's solidarity, a leading Philippines
newspaper said yesterday.  It said the decision was op posed 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." and "Burma in jects the potential for
intra-Asean conflicts over issues related to the group's relations with
the West and China."

Reuter reports that speakers at an Asia-Pacific conference 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.
TN970609 OA/9CAA/137

Burma's official press yesterday hailed the country's imminent membership
in Asean as a step towards regional unity, but local entrepreneurs say the
economic impact has yet to be seen.  Companies from Ma laysia and Thailand
are expected to retool and upgrade factories in textile and other
industries, and firms here fear they will take the opportunity to unload
their old machines.  Burmese industry could end up in an uncompetitive
position if Asean partners sell off obsolete technology rather than
investing in new equipment.  BP970609 OA/9CAA/138

A newly enlarged Asean will find it challenging to keep its fundamental
creed of not interfering in the internal affairs of member states,
speakers at an Asia-Pacific conference said.  Asean has insisted that its
policy of "constructive engagement" will nudge Burma's military rulers
along the path of reform.  Mr Wanandi, an advisor to the Indonesian
delegation at Asean's founding in 1967, said that the media and NGOs in
Asean have broken the taboo of non-criticism over issues like Burma and
Indonesia's human rights record in East Timor and Asean should recognise
this "and come to some terms of reference on how to intervene."  BP970609
OA/9CAA/139

Top Asean representatives said that Cambodia is ready to join the group
despite political tensions.  Asean informed Cambodia that it has concerns
about Cambodia's political situation because it's impor tant to Asean for
its members to be peaceful and stable.  Spokesmen for both Prince
Ranariddh and Hun Sen assured Asean that they will work for peace.
However, political tensions between Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh have
escalated in the run-up to 1998 general elections.  BP970610 OA/9CAA/140

A newly enlarged Asean will find it challenging to keep to its fundamental
creed of not interfering in the internal affairs of member states,
speakers at an Asia-Pacific conference at the weekend said.  Speakers
called for a regional assembly that could air potentially contentious
issues, saying that Asean was overly 
defined by its leaders and senior officials.  South China Morning
Poat/Burmanet970609 OA/9CAA/141

When it comes to allowing Burma to join Asean Ambassador Reynaldo Arcilla
says constructive engage ment is necessary.  And he says the West should
not be so ready to criticise - it once dealt with the apart heid regime in
SF before it was swept away.  BP970611 OA/9CAA/142

Asean should assert its 'influence' for improvements in Burma now that it
had decided to admit the coun try into the fold on that basis, said Suchit
Bunbongkarn, dean of  Thailand's Chulangkorn University's Political
Science Faculty.  He said Asean's policy of non-interference posed an
obstacle and argued for the policy to be reviewed.  BP970611 OA/9CAA/143

Canada will uphold its 'critical engagement' policy toward Burma despite
the country's scheduled admis sion to Asean this July.  Canada is a full
dialogue partner of Asean and does not bar investment in Burma.  BP970604
OA/9CB/065

Letter condemning Asean's decision to admit Burma.  BP970605 OL/9CAA/016

Letter saying the member nations of Asean must know what kind of regime
the Slorc is and that it wears a mask of a friend in order to gain
legitimacy from relations with its Asian neighbours, and would just as
readily stab their friends in the back if it benefitted them to do so.
TN970606 OL/9CAA/017

Three letters to the editor expressing disapproval of the early admission
of new Asean members this year.  TN970607 OL/9CAA/018

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg last week issued a laconic
two-paragraphed reaction to Asean's decision to admit Burma.  EU hoped for
"continued cooperation" with Asean.  However, there are difficulties ahead
of both a political and of a more practical nature as governments will be
under pres sure from their human rights groups, trade unions and
parliamentarians to stop any direct or indirect dealings with a military
government that is routinely accused of human rights violations.
Burmanet970610 OL/9CB/015

Letter in support of Asean's decision to grant Burma membership to the
grouping.  BP970605 OL/9CAA/015


 Aung San Suu Kyi
Extracts from interviews with Aung San Suu Kyi, The Voice of Hope,
Conversations with Alan Clements.  Topics covered include: whether there
are areas where the NLD and the Slorc can find some sense of genuine
connection; how Aung San Suu Kyi defines the collective psychology of
Slorc; the hin drances to a dialogue; and analogies to South Africa's
Truth and Reconciliation situation.  TN970608 OA/9FA/026

Letter from Burma (No. 5) by Aung San Suu Kyi.  She discusses the seasonal
change, the closure of schools, inflation as it relates to housewives, the
Burmese Buddhist talk of impermanence, the unreliabil ity of Rangoon's
electricity supply and the increase of the element of unpredictability.
"We all feel vulner able when the process of change is not cushioned by
the necessary mechanism to take away some pains of adjustment."  Mainichi
Daily News970609 OA/9FA/027


 Sanctions; Selective Purchasing Legislation
Connecticut's Burma selective purchasing bill cleared a key second hurdle,
passing the General Assem bly's Appropriations Committee, but died at the
end of this year's legislative session on June 4.  Last min ute partisan
wrangling over the state's budget resulted in 240 worthy items, including
the SPL bill, to fall by the wayside.  The bill's chief sponsor plans to
re-introduce the bill next year.  Burmanet970605 OL/9C/031

The Student Union Assembly of the University of California's resolution on
corporations doing business in Burma.  It calls on the Regents of the
University of California to divest any of its shares in companies that do
business with Burma.  University of California, Santa Cruz/Burmanet970604
OL/9C/032


 Miscellaneous
Response from the KNU and KNU News, Information and Research Department to
"The View from the Embassy of Myanmar in Ottawa."  Discusses the struggle
of the Karen, the farce of the cease-fire agree ments, the sham "National
Convention" as the body is stacked with Slorc's handpicked delegates, the
propaganda, civil war, state of the economy and nation.  Burmanet970607
OST/3CA/004

Article analysing the cause of the riots led by Buddhist monks directed
against local Muslims, which started in Mandalay and spread throughout the
country.  Establishing the cause of this disturbance is a major challenge
in Burma, an isolated nation ruled by a xenophobic military government
that rigidly con trols the news media, rarely holds open court trials and
represses public dissent.  But one possibly telling detail about the riots
here has seeped into the accounts of citizens and Western diplomats
stationed in Burma - that some of the supposed monks who joined in the
vandalism at mosques were wearing army boots and carrying cellular
telephones.  The Washington Post/Burmanet970608 OA/9H/026

Calendar of international meetings, incorporating Burmese commemorate
dates and meetings.  Burmanet970609 OL/9G/004

A collection of statistics on foreign investments; Burma's governmental
system; Burma's economy; de fence system; general population; and the
transportation and communications infrastructure.  burmanet970610
OL/4A/003