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The BurmaNet News, July 4, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: July 4, 1997        
Issue #765

HEADLINES:        
==========   
REUTER: BURMESE EXILES WARN OF CHINA-RANGOON TIES 
TT: NEPO TO SIGN MOU TO BUY ELECTRICITY FROM BURMA
BKK POST: STUDENTS CALL FOR GOVERNOR'S DISMISSAL
VOA :BURMA/ASEAN.CHINA
SLORC: INFORMATION  SHEET  NO.A-0059
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

REUTER: BURMESE EXILES WARN OF CHINA-RANGOON TIES 
July 2, 1997

STOCKHOLM, July 2 (Reuter) - The self-proclaimed Burmese government-in-exile
said on Wednesday it was concerned that Rangoon was strengthening its ties
with China at the expense of its other relationships in the region. 

 ``We are very concerned about China's involvement,'' said Sein Win, prime
minister in the Washington-based National Coalition Government of the Union
of Burma (NCGUB). 

 China was heavily investing in Burma's infrastructure and trade between the
two countries was increasing, Win told an annual forum of the
Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral
Assistance (IDEA). 

 Harn Yawnghwe, an adviser to the NCGUB, said sales of Chinese-manufactured
weapons to Burma were thought to have been worth more than $1.8 billion
since 1989. 

 Harn told the seminar that India had taken a step back because Burma had
moved closer to China. ``What they have in Burma now is not a stable
arrangement so they needed to look at other options,'' Harn said. 

 The NCGUB was set up by elected members of parliament of the opposition
National League for Democracy (NLD) party after they fled Burma. 

 Win said that allowing Burma to join the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) would not counteract China's influence in the country. 

 ASEAN will formally embrace Burma as a member in Malaysia on July 24-25 at
its next ministerial meeting. 

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

THAILAND TIMES: NEPO TO SIGN MOU TO BUY ELECTRICITY FROM BURMA
July 2, 1997

BANGKOK: Prime Minister's Office Minister Sompong Amornviwat, who
oversees the National Energy Policy Office (NEPO), said that on July 4, 1997 
NEPO will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Burma to buy 
1,500 megawatts of electricity per year by the year 2010.

After the contract signing, both parties will set up a working-party to hold 
talks in detail. Burma will prepare the details of the projects to generate the 
electricity to be sold to Thailand. The projects must be studied in detail
first 
or the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) will not buy it.

Four projects which are to produce the electricity are as follows: 
     
1.The Run-off River Power Plant to be located on the Kok River will have a 
production capacity of 100-150 megawatts. The project is to be constructed 
by MDX and Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) and is scheduled to be 
completed in 2001. The project will distribute electricity to Thailand through 
Chiang Rai province.

2. The Hutgee Power Plant Project is situated on the Salawin River and will 
have a production capacity of 700-800 megawatts, but only 300 megawatts 
will be sold to Thailand. The electricity will be distributed through 
Maesarieng district, Maehongsorn province. The project will be run by 
Jasmine International Plc and ITD.

3.The Birin Project which will produce 600 megawatts of electricity and will 
be built by Daewoo situated in the heart of Burma. This project will supply 
electricity to Thailand in 2004 through Maesod district, Trad province. 
     
4. The Combined-Cycle Power Plant is situated in the south of Burma on 
Mor Ta Ma Island. It will be completed within three years from now and will 
produce 1,500 megawatts of electricity. The electricity will be distributed to 
Thailand through Prachuab Khiri Khan province.

EGAT' s Policy and Planning Department Assistant General Manager, 
Siritas Klankwarmdee, said that EGAT has hired the US- based company 
EDS to conduct a study on Thailand's future electricity requirements to 
ensure electricity supplies will be adequate without any risk of a power 
shortage for Thailand.

Loxley Plc managing director Suchin Suwancheep revealed that he went to 
participate in the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contract signing 
ceremony to purchase electricity from the Huay Hoh Power Plant Project in 
Laos with high ranking executives from the Electricity Generating Authority 
of Laos (EGAL), Daewoo Corporation and EGAT officials.

Suchin said that the Huay Hoh Power Project construction is 75 percent 
complete and will produce 126 megawatts of electricity to be sold to Thailand 
starting on September 1, 1999.

The contract is for 30 years starting from 1999.

Suchin said that the electricity will be transmitted a distance of 160 
kilometers from the Huay Hoh River to the power station in Ubol Ratchathani 
province. The project is costing 530 million baht.

The Huay Hoh Power Plant will have two electricity generators with each one 
generating 75 megawatts.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) recently pointed 
out, that if liquefied natural gas (LNG) is imported into Thailand, local 
petrochemical operators using the gas will be forced to shoulder increased 
costs in order to prevent electricity charges from increasing. 
     
Preecha Chungwatana, EGAT's governor, said if LNG is used to generate 
electricity, it will certainly cause supply charges to increase, because it is 
more expensive than other fuels.

However, he said that if it is really necessary for EGAT to use LNG, other 
industries that to use LNG as a raw material, S should also share the
increased cost burden.

However, Korn Dabbaransi, the industry minister has assigned the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) to revise its ' import plan
and compare the quality of LNG imported from the Oman and Natuna
sources.

To revise the plan, Korn may be of the opinion that LNG is A more
useful to petrochemical industries than other natural gases. 

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

BKK POST: STUDENTS CALL FOR GOVERNOR'S DISMISSAL
July 3, 1997
Chakrit Ridmontri

Student activists yesterday-urged Interior Minister Sanoh Thienthong to
remove Kanchanaburi Governor Kwanchai Wasawong for allegedly mistreating
villagers opposed to the Burma-Thai gas pipeline.

The Student Federation of Thailand and a coalition of green clubs from 16
universities held a press conference at Thammasat University to condemn Mr
Kwanchai. They also criticised tambon and village chiefs for intimidating
villagers in Tambon Dan Makham Tia through which the pipeline will pass.

Although the villagers initially agreed to let the Petroleum Authority of
Thailand lay the pipeline across their land they changed their minds and
returned compensation money to the PTT due to safety fears over the pipeline.

Villagers staged a peaceful protest at the construction site early in the
week but were allegedly later rudely treated by local officials who accused
them of pressing for more compensation rather than being genuinely fearful
of any danger.

Federation deputy  secretary-general Chonlakan Phandermwong said: "The
kamnans and village chiefs are  arrogant because they have the support of
Governor Kwanchai who is also chairman of the provincial committee
monitoring the project."

The committee is supposed to mediate between the PTT and protesting
villagers and conservationists.

"We urge Mr Kwanchai to stop taking the PTT's side because he was
supposed to be neutral and solve the conflict peacefully," she said.

She called on the interior minister to consider removing Mr Kwanchai if he
did not stop promoting the project.

Both students and villagers demanded that the government halt construction
until the dispute is settled.

The PTT is pressing on with laying the 260-kilometre pipeline in an attempt
to meet next year's June deadline.

Once completed, gas from the Yadana and Yetagun fields in Burma will be
delivered to the PTT at a tied in  point at the border village of I-Tong.

The gas will  serve a gas-fired power station in Ratchaburi.

The PTT says that if the pipeline is not finished on time, it will be
subject to a daily fine by the Burmese government equal to the price of gas
to be delivered. This is estimated to be approximately 40 million baht per day.

The prime minister instructed the PTT last week to make the contract public.
But after receiving a copy from the PTT, Mr Kwanchai refused to do so,
claiming that conservation groups and Kanchanaburi residents would
misinterpret it because of their poor English.
---------------------------------------------------------
[excepts from related article]

THE NATION: CONCERN OVER PIPELINE RALLY 
July 3, 1997

Villagers of Tambon Jorakhae Phuank, in Kanchanaburi's Dan Makham
Tia district, have planned a rally to express their opposition to the laying
of the gas pipeline, which would pass through their village student leader
Chanakarn Pandermwong said.

Chanakarn claimed that the governor plans to rally local officials to
disperse the protest tomorrow in a bid to project an image of full local
support for the pipeline project. She called on the prime minister and the
Interior minister to force the governor to drop his plan as it would disrupt
a public gathering to express the people's legitimate opinion.

Seri Ratanaseri, Dan Makham Tia district chief, said he has met protesting
families in order to forge a better understanding of the villagers'
complaints about the gas pipeline. "I will try to solve the villagers'
complaints regarding construction work related to the gas pipeline," he
said, adding that protesters
were mostly concerned about the inconvenience that would be caused by the
construction.

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

VOA :BURMA/ASEAN.CHINA
July 2, 1997
Khin Maung Htay

Intro:  Burma along with Cambodia and Laos will be admitted to the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later this month.  Burma's
membership will become a reality despite the objections of western nations
and Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.  As Khin Maung Htay of the
Burmese service reports many observers say Southeast Asia's desire to
counter-balance Chinese influence in the region is a main reason ASEAN
decided to admit Burma:

Text:  since the ASEAN decision, there has been a flurry of comments in
Asian and western media, as well as by regional experts on the issue of the
three entries.

A main explanation, heard from ASEAN leaders and officials, is that the
admission of Burma, Laos and Cambodia fulfills the vision of a Southeast
Asian community ("ASEAN 10") as the organization celebrates its 30th
anniversary.

However, some observers say the real reason behind the decision is more
long-term in outlook -- and involves concerns about the growing major
regional power of China.

Former White House and state department official Peter Rodman  is currently
director of strategic studies at the Nixon Center in  Washington and an
editor at the conservative weekly magazine --  National Review.  He said
western nations look at Burma against  the background of the "realpolitik"
of China -- which Mr. Rodman says is "wooing" Burma to gain strategic access
to the Indian Ocean:

                              /// Rodman act ///
         The west is isolating Burma because of the human rights situation,
and I was just pointing out a dilemma because I share the general feeling
that the system of government in Burma is a great violator of human rights.
But the dilemma is that the American policy of isolating Burma and punishing
Burma may just be pushing Burma into the arms of China as a military partner.
                                 // end act //

Mr. Rodman says some diplomats share his view.  He says based on his
assessment of the geo-political situation in southeast Asia, ASEAN accepted
Burma because it sees Beijing as a long-term threat to smaller nations in
the region:

                              /// Rodman actuality ///
Well, there are some diplomats who tell me that that is the case.  Of
course, China is having friendly relations with many countries and maybe the
problem is more a future problem than a present problem.  On the other
hand, I think ASEAN countries are worried about the long-term implications
of China's power.  And one of the things holding ASEAN together is a common
desire to have a counterweight to China and to be strong so that China
doesn't overwhelm them.  I think that is one of the motives of bringing
Vietnam into ASEAN and one of the motives of bringing Burma into ASEAN
                         /// end act ///

//opt// Mr. Rodman also says the American military presence in the pacific
and east Asia is another counterweight to China, and US allies rely on that
as well. //end opt//

Professor Sheldon Simon of Arizona state university thinks southeast Asian
countries have concerns about china's sphere of influence:

                        /// Simon act ///
         Everybody in southeast Asia has, I think, as the primary object on
its political radar screen, China.  ASEAN would never identify China
publicly as an adversary.  In fact, one of the major reasons for the
creation of the ASEAN Regional Forum (a-r-f) back in 1994 was to attempt to
incorporate China into a larger security discussion arrangement in hope that
by bringing China into security discussion, somehow China's behavior could
be molded in such a way that China would  not  openly threaten the use of
force to resolve its claims of  southeast Asian waters and territories.
                         /// end act ///

James Guyot (pron: goo-yoh), professor of political science and public
affairs at City University in New York, thinks China will stick to bilateral
dealings with both ASEAN and Burma.  He says ASEAN is unlikely to be able to
take advantage of China's influence over Burma in trying to bring about
change in the military-ruled country:

                     /// Guyot actuality ///
         I guess I really can't speculate seriously about what China might
do.  I simply note that China, in its relations with ASEAN, has always
preferred dealing in a bi-lateral way rather than dealing with ASEAN as a unit.
                         /// end act ///

Burma and China have a long history of close relations -- a situation that
remained even when Beijing supported the Burma Communist Party (BCP) -- a
guerrilla group that fought successive Burmese governments since
independence in 1948. 

Beijing strongly supported the Burmese military government in the aftermath
of its bloody suppression of the 1988 pro-democracy movement in Burma.
Burma has since strengthened its relationship with china --politically,
economically and militarily. (signed)

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

SLORC: INFORMATION  SHEET  NO.A-0059
June 3, 1997

(A) In the July 2nd. Nations newspaper (Thailand) appeared a story by
Reuters titled " Shan Rebels say SLORC shot dead (58) villagers." Myanmar
authorities concerned refute such allegations and strongly denies any
incident of such nature taking place in the Shan State. It is believed that
the insurgents are deliberately spreading false information to counter the
incident that took place on the 13th. of June where a break away group of the
former Mong-Tai Army ambushed and killed (25) civilians and wounded (5).
(B) On the 3rd. of July 0.99 million tablets of Amphetamine was intercepted
by the law enforcement authorities from a vehicle travelling 20 miles north
of Kyaing Tong in the Eastern Shan State. One person involved was
arrested at the scene while two other accomplices absconded. The local
authorities together with people from the nearby villages are in pursuit of
the (2) abscondees.

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

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
[excerpts only]

June 21, 1997

EXTENDED PRODUCTION OF WOOD-BASED, VALUE-ADDED 
GOODS WILL TERMINATE LOG EXPORTS

     YANGON, 20 June Extended production of wood-based, value-added         
     goods in Myanmar will lead to termination of log exports, especially    
     teak, stated Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe during his inspection 
     of a wood-based, value-added products factory today.
     Myanmar is the main teak log exporter in the world, he noted, adding
     if the nation stops teak log exports at the time local furniture
     industries are achieving momentum, it can have a good opportunity to
     win foreign investments and know how for the industry.
     Plans are afoot made to form joint ventures between Myanma Timber
     Enterprise and private entrepreneurs to manufacture more
     international-class furniture and value-added goods, he revealed.
     Accompanied by officials, the minister inspected a finished-products
     factory of Win Yadana Co Ltd in Dagon Myothit (South).
     Local entrepreneurs should form partnerships with foreign
     counterparts to set up advanced wood-based industries in the nation,
     he stressed.
     The minister and party then inspected a furniture mart of United
     International Group Ltd in Tarmway Township. The company is    
     exporting various types of parquet, door frames and furniture to Spain,  
     Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.

MYANMAR DELEGATION RETURNS FROM SRV

     YANGON, 20 June - A six-member Myanmar delegation led by 
     member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity 
     and Development Association Minister at the Office of the Prime 
     Minister U Than Shwe arrived back here by air yesterday after 
     attending the Second Asia Pacific Conference for Solidarity with Cuba 
     in Hanoi, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

June 23, 1997

YANGON COMMAND UNDERTAKES EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK 
BREEDING FOR WELFARE OF TATMADAWMEN, OTHER 
CONSUMERS

     YANGON, 22 June - Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of
     Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected No 1 Livestock Breeding Station
     of Yangon Command in Insein Township this morning and gave counsel 
     to the officials.
     The Yangon Command operates three livestock breeding stations with 77
     poultry farms, 42 main fish ponds in Danyingon and 22 Shwemayin fish
     ponds in Twantay Township. It is raising and selling not only
     chickens and fish but also pigs.
     At present, there are over 1.6 million chickens being raised for meat
     and eggs under projects and also on manageable scale at battalions
     and units under the Yangon Command.
     As a result, altogether 900,000 chickens for about 500,000 viss and
     over 1.2 million eggs have been sold and the Command plans to extend
     the operation.
     Altogether 5,849 pigs are being raised under project and 13,825 pigs
     on manageable scale and 1,672 pigs for about 40,000 viss have been
     sold.
     In fish breeding, there are about six million fish and about 400,000
     viss have been sold.
     Proceeds from the sales are used for the welfare of, the Tatmadawmen
     and their families. Yangon Command is also selling the produce to
     hospitals and other organizations at rates less than openmarket
     prices.

27 ARMED GROUP MEMBERS EXCHANGE ARMS FOR PEACE

     YANGON, 22 June While the State Law and Order Restoration Council is
     striving to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation in accord
     with the 12 political, economic and social objectives, it is also
     fulfilling to the needs of the families of the armed groups which
     exchanged arms for peace after realizing their wrongs.
     Armed group members are continuously exchanging arms for peace
     individually and in groups.

     In the South-East Command area from 1 to 15 May this year, pvt Thaung
     Myint of KNU central security unit, platoon commander Zee Lei of No
     16 battalion of No 6 brigade, sgt Saw Ei Wah, pvt Aung Tin Win,
     township office superintendent Saw Tga Sein, forester Saw Lei Htoo,
     group leader Palet Wah (a) Ei Ru, office clerk Ta Wah (a) San Tun,
     members Hmat Gyi, Pha Ka Lauk, Saw lia Din and Saw Di Pho, and
     Dawzangyi village supervisor Pha Kwee exchanged arms for peace,
     bringing in five AK 47 automatics, three M 16 automatics, one pistol
     and 72 rounds.
     In the Southern Command area, pvts Kyaw Min Oo and Saw Ei Gaw of 
     No 2 company of No 7 battalion, platoon bodyguard commander Saw 
     Than Nyunt of No 8 battalion and pvts Kyaw Lwin and Ohn Myint 
     exchanged arms for peace bringing in one AK 47 automatic, one grenade 
     and 30 rounds.
     Pvt Saw Hsa Mu Ha of KNU armed group, cpl Myo Set of No 4 brigade
     with one pistol, two US-made grenades and seven rounds and wife Naw
     Saw Pay and daughter Ma Saw Hse Wah, pvt Phone Naing (a) Po Htaung 
     of ABSDF group, platoon commander Naung Pyoo (a) Yu Lwin of No 
     203 battalion with one carbine, one .38 revolver and 35 rounds exchanged
     arms for peace in Taninthayi Division, and pvts Thein Oo, Ye Win and
     Ah Taung of ABSDF group with one AK47 automatic, one carbine, six
     grenades, seven TNTs and 310 rounds swapped armed for peace in the
     Northern Command area. 

June 24, 1997

MINISTER FOR SWRR RECEIVES PRC AMBASSADOR

     YANGON, 23 June - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen
     Soe Myint received Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Ms
     Chen Baoliu, who has. completed her tour of duty, at his office this
     afternoon.

25 ARMED GROUP MEMBERS SWAP ARMS FOR PEACE

     YANGON, 23 June - In the South-East Command area from 16 to 31 
     May this year, ration officer Maung Maung Soe and pvts Saw Lei Mu, Nu 
     Rei Mu, Ta Ko Bo Ko and Ei Tha Kei of KNU armed group, treasurer 
     Phado Thaw Phwe of No 6
     brigade, wife Naw Hla Sein, wife Saw Kyi Lin and wife Monalisa,
     intelligence officer sub-Lt Saya Lay (a) Kyi Win of No 16 battalion
     exchanged arms for peace, bringing in one .38 revolver, two carbines,
     one AK 47 automatic, one M 16 automatic and one BA 63 automatic.

     In the Northern Command area, 1/cpl Phu Hsi Sha Ah Phu and pvt Hla
     Shwe of ABSDF and pvt Ye Aung (a) Maung Miung of No 701 battalion
     exchanged arms for peace.

     Pvts Saw Kun, Saw Kawt  Pha, Maung Tho and wife Daw Aye Shwe,  
     sons Win Ko Ko and Lin Naing and daughter Ma Aye Hla with one M 16
     automatic and 68 rounds, and BCP (Myeik) divisional committee member
     Chit Than, deputy commanding officer Win Shein and wife Daw Ma Tun
     and daughter Ma May May Oo with one .38 revolver, one US-made
     grenade, one M 14 mine and 14 rounds swapped armed for peace in
     Taninthayi Division.

June 28, 1997

SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE RECEIVES DEPUTY MINISTER FOR 
NATIONAL DEFENCE OF VIETNAM PEOPLE'S ARMY

     YANGON, 27 June - Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than
     Shwe received Deputy Minister for National Defence and Chief of
     General Staff of Vietnam People 's Army Lt-Gen Pham Van Tra of the
     Socialist Republic of Vietnam and party at Dagon Yeiktha of the
     Ministry of Defence this morning.

ACTS OF TERROR PLOTTED TO BRING ABOUT DOWNFALL OF 
GOVERNMENT, CREATE INTERNAL CHAOS AND ANARCHY, MAR 
PEACE, STABILITY AND CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION OF 
PEOPLE REVEALED

     YANGON, 27 June - Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt clarified how some Western powers had been
     aiding and abetting terrorism committed by certain organizations
     operating under the guise of democracy and human rights by giving
     them assistance in cash and kind, at the meeting hall of the Ministry
     of Defence at 9 am today.

     The clarification was attended by members of the State Law and Order
     Restoration Council, the chairman and members of the Security and
     Management Committee of the State Law and Order Restoration Council,
     ministers,the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of
     Civil Service Selection and training Board, the Chairman of Yangon
     City Development Committee the mayor, the Auditor-General, deputy
     ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence,
     members of the National Convention Convening Commission, members 
     of the Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission,
     directors-general and managing directors of departments and
     enterprises, members of the information Committee of the State Law
     and Order Restoration Council, feature writers, rectors and
     registrars of institutions of higher learning, director and deputy
     &rector of Literature Scrutiny and Registration Division, secretaries
     of State and Division Law and Order Restoration Councils, Chairmen of
     District Law and and Order Restoration Councils, chief editors and
     editors of News and periodicals Enterprise, the chief editor and
     editors of Myanmar News Agency, chief editors of publications of
     departments, the patron and members of Myanmar Foreign Corre-    
     spondents Club, members of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar  
     Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Medical Association, 
     MyanmarWriters and Journalists Association, Myanmar Theatrical Artists
     Asiayon, Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon,
     Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon, Myanmar Women
     Entrepreneurs Association and Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and
     Industry and guests. Director-General of Office of the State Law and
     Order Restoration Council Lt-Col Pe Nyein was master of ceremonies.
     First, the Secretary-1 clarified how some Western powers had been
     aiding and abetting terrorism committed by certain organizations
     operating under the guise of democracy and human rights by giving
     them assistance in cash and kind. (Reported separately)
     The clarification ended at 11.30 am.

     Then, those present viewed the exhibits-photos of the terrorists who
     took the instructions from the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB),
     newspapers and documents, photos of foreigners who had interfered in
     the internal affairs in person at Myanmar-Thai who plotted the
     explosion of a parcel bomb at the residence of the Secretary-1 by
     taking-the instructions from the National Council of the Union of
     Burma (NCUB) and related document, photos on-the process of the
     parcel bomb explosion ad material evidence: , photos of Americans and
     other West We nationals who interfered in the -internal -affairs of
     the nation and related documents, explosives brought into the country
     in a bid- to assassinate leaders of the nation and destroy some
     embassies in Yangon, documents seized from those involved in the
     process, photos of seized materials, related documents, biodata of
     those involved in the case and exhibits showing links between those
     who plotted destruction with the explosion of bombs and who
     orchestrated to cause internal unrest and the National League for
     Democracy.

 SECRETARY 1 DETAILS WESTERN POWERS' AIDING, ABETMENT 
OF TERRORISM COMMITTED BY CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS 
UNDER GUISE OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS RECOUNTED AT 
NEWS BRIEFING

     YANGON, 27 June - A news briefing was held in Studio A of Myanma
     Television and Radio Department on Pyay Road at 2 pm today to recount
     the clarification given by Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order
     Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the Ministry of Defence this
     morning on how some Western powers had been aiding and abetting
     terrorism committed by certain organizations operating under the
     guise of democracy and human rights by giving them assistance in cash
     and kind.

     The news briefing was attended by members of the Information
     Connmittee of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, local and
     foreign journalists, correspondents of newspapers and television and
     radio stations such as Yomiuri Shimbun, ABN, Reuter, AFP and NHK,
     Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea,
     Malaysia, Singapore and the People's Republic of China, cultural and
     information counsellors of the Embassies of the Philippines, Japan,
     Indonesia, the United States, Thailand, Australia, Laos, Egypt,
     France, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the United
     Kingdom, Yugoslavia and Vietnam and officials of the UNICEF office
     here.

     First, Heads of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col
     Kyaw Thein and Col Thein Swe recounted the Secretary-1's
     clarification. Then, Col Kyaw Thein and Col Thein Swe replied to the 
     questions asked by the media persons, after which those attending the 
     news briefing viewed the exhibits of documentary and the evidence in the 
     lobby of MTRD.

     The briefing . ended at 3.40 pm.

BYUCKSAN ENGINEERING PRESIDENT CALLS ON MINISTER FOR 
FORESTRY

     YANGON, 27 June President Mr Jay Woo Kim of Byucksan Engineering 
     Co Ltd of the Republic of Korea and party called on Member of the State
     Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit
     Swe at international Business Centre this afternoon.

July 1, 1997

GENERAL MAUNG AYE SEES OFF DEPUTY MINISTER FOR 
NATIONAL DEFENCE OF VIETNAM PEOPLE'S ARMY

     YANGON, 30 June- Vietnamese military goodwill delegation led by
     Deputy Minister for National Defence and Chief of General Staff of
     Vietnam people's Army Lt-Gen Pham Van Tra of the Socialist Republic
     of Vietnam left here by air this morning at the conclusion of visit
     to the Union of Myanmar at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the
     State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of
     Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye.

BUILDING OF HANTHAWADY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 
COORDINATED

     YANGON, 30 June-A coordination meeting on building of Hanthawady
     International Airport was held at the office of Commanderin-Chief
     (Army) this afternoon, attended by Vice Chairman of the State Law and
     Order Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
     Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye.

MYANMAR DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THE PHILIPPINES

     YANGON, 30 June Myanmar delegation led by member of the State Law 
     and Order Restoration Council Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of
     Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin left 
     here by air for the Philippines to attend the Third Meeting of Senior
     Investment Officials of ASEAN Member countries to be held 1-2 July
     and the Meeting of Heads of Investment Institutions to be held 3-4
     July in Manila.

     Myanmar delegation includes Secretary of Myanmar Investment
     Commission Minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
     Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Director-General of Directorate of Investment
     and Companies Administration U Maung Maung Yi, Director U Thin 
     Maung and PSO to the Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Cmdr Thaung Kyaing.

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION RECEIVES- VICE-CHANCELLOR

     YANGON, 30 June Minister for Education U Pan Aung received
     vice-chancellor of Canberra University Professor Don Aitkin and party
     of Australia at his office this morning.

OFFICIALS OF ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINE AND AERO 
INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON MINISTER

     YANGON, 30 June-Director of Sales and Services of Royal Brunei
     Airline Mr George Tan and Mr Patrick Gavin, Chief Executive Officer
     of Aero International (Regional) called on Minister for Transport
     Lt-Gen Thein Win at his office this morning.

July 2, 1997

DALLA SHIPYARD LAUNCHES FIRST OF THREE PUSHER-TUG

     YANGON, 1 July-A launching ceremony of the medium sized Hsin-haing 
     3 pusher-tug built at Dalla Shipyard of Inland Water Transport under an
     agreement between the Inland Water Transport of the Ministry of
     Transport and Yunnan Machinery Import and Export Corporation (YMC) 
     of the People's Republic of China was held at 1.15 pm today and
     Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen
     Khin Nyunt launched the boat.

MINISTER OF NPED RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF OISCA 
INTERNATIONAL

     YANGON, 1 July -Minister for National Planning and Economic
     Development Brig-Gen Abel received Chairman Dr Yoshika Y Nakano 
     and party of OISCA International of Japan at his office at 10 am today.
     Officials of the Ministry of National Planning and-Economic
     Development were also present.

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ARRIVES BACK AFTER 
ATTENDING L9TH SPECIAL SESSION OF UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     YANGON, 1 July-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the
     National Con:mb sion for Environmental affairs U Ohn Gyaw arrived
     back here today after attending the 19th Special Session of the
     United Nations General Assembly held in New York from 23 to 27 June.

     In New York, Minister U Ohn Gyaw delivered an address at the Plenary
     of the 19th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on
     24 June 1997. The minister was received on 26 June by Mr Kofi Annan,
     Secretary-General of the United Nations, Minister for Environment of
     Bangladesh on 25 June and Assistant Under Secretary-General Dr Nay
     Tun of the United Nations Development Programme on 27 June.

     The Special Session was convened to review and appraise the
     implementation of Agenda 21-the programme of action adopted by the
     United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) 
     in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

     The Special Session, also known as Earth Summit + 5 or the Second
     Earth Summit, was attended by over 60 Heads of State and Government,
     ministers and high-ranking officials from 170 countries.

MYANMAR DELEGATION LED BY MAYOR LEAVES FOR 
MALAYSIA

     YANGON, 1 July - Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of Yangon City
     Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay left here by air this afternoon
     to attend South-South Mayor's Conference in KualaLumpur, Ma1gysia;
     from 3 to 4 July.
     The delegation was seen off at Yangon lnternational Airport by
     Minister at the office of Prime Minister U Than Shwe, Minister for
     Cooperatives U Than Aung, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary U 
     Kyaw Win, YCDC members, family members and Ambassadors of the 
     People's Republic of China and Singapore.

MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF OISCA 
INTERNATIONAL OF JAPAN

     YANOON, 1 July F Member of the State Law and Order Restoration
     Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received Chairman Dr
     Yoshiko Y NaFano of Organization for industrial Spiritual and
     Cultural Advancuement International of Japan at International
     Business Centre at 3 pm today.
     _______________________________________

    English :     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/
    German:     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/

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[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]
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