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The BurmaNet News, July 24, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: July 24, 1997        
Issue #780

HEADLINES:        
==========   
BKK POST: REPATRIATION PUT OFF AMID TENSIONS
VOA: BURMA REFUGEES
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: MYANMAR: NEW ASEAN PROBLEM
VOA: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND ASEAN
TACDB MEDIA RELEASE: OVER 400 BURMESE HUNGER STRIKE
AFP: US, EUROPE FAIL TO RESOLVE DISAGREEMENT 
US CONGRESSMEN: LETTER TO USTR ON MASS. BURMA LAW
THE NATION: PTT READY FOR LAWSUITS
BKK POST: ASEAN PICKS UP DELAY BILL
BKK POST: BURMESE HELD ON HEROIN CHARGE
THAILAND TIMES: ASEAN FACES JOB OF TAKING IN BURMA
ALTSEAN MEDIA STATEMENT: BURMA ADMISSION TO ASEAN
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A.0070(I)
HINDUSTAN TIMES: NSCN FACTIONS MUST ATTEND MEET
FBC-AUSTRALIA: AUGUST 8TH COMMEMORATION RALLY
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

BKK POST: REPATRIATION PUT OFF AMID TENSIONS
July 23, 1997 [abridged]
Chittagong, AFP

Bangladesh authorities yesterday delayed the planned repatriation of Burmese
Muslim refugees from one of two transit camps amid fresh tensions, local
officials said.

The repatriation of 200 refugees from the troubled Noapara camp was
postponed after most of them refused to draw their weekly rations on Monday
and some of the listed refugees went into hiding.

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

VOA: BURMA REFUGEES
July 22, 1997
Lisa Schlein

Intro:  the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, reports
Bangladesh has forcibly repatriated 212 Muslim refugees to Burma.  This is
the second forced repatriation since Sunday, when more than 180 refugees
were deported.  More from reporter Lisa Schlein in Geneva.

Text:  the UN refugee agency calls the conduct of the Bangladesh authorities
a disgrace.

U-n-h-c-r spokeswoman Pam O'toole says the agency initially thought Sunday's
forced repatriation of Burmese refugees may have been ordered by some local
officials ...

                        ///O'toole act///
But this obviously appears to be something that has been ordered by fairly
senior authorities in Bangladesh.  So we have to do everything we can now to
make sure it doesn't happen  again.  Apparently, there is a plan now for
another repatriation in two days time.
                          ///end act///

The UN refugee agency plans to urgently take the matter up with the
Bangladeshi foreign ministry.  And, if the forcible repatriations continue,
the agency says it will go directly to Bangladesh's prime minister to stop,
what it calls, "this unacceptable practice." 

There are some 21,000 Muslim refugees in two camps. Burma has agreed to
accept 7,500 of them.  Ms. O'toole says before Tuesday's repatriation took
place, police asked volunteers to come forward from the refugee population.
She says, however, that only two families volunteered.

                    ///second O'toole act///
Nevertheless, this morning (Tuesday morning) a group including  many women
and children and sick people were herded onto buses and taken to the border.
They were put into a holding center overnight, they'd been taken out of
their huts yesterday.  The huts were dismantled behind them and the plastic
sheeting was taken away.
                    ///end act/// //end opt//

Ms. O'toole describes the refugees as distraught.  She says many Muslim men
have fled into the hills to avoid being forced back to Burma.  While these
deportations are taking place, Ms. O'toole says more refugees are arriving
in Bangladesh.  She says the refugees have told UN staff members they had
been evicted from their land and pushed into forced labor by the Burmese
authorities.

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

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: MYANMAR: A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEM FOR ASEAN 
July 22, 1997

AI INDEX: ASA 16/22/97

As ASEAN members admit Myanmar into the regional grouping, they must accept
responsibility for the protection of human rights there, Amnesty
International said today.
     In a report issued on the eve of the ASEAN ceremony, the organization
details atrocities committed by the Burmese army against ethnic minority
groups in eastern Myanmar -- including killings and beatings of forcibly
seized porters and using death threats to  relocate entire villages.
     "The Burmese army regularly kills and tortures civilians and the SLORC
government coerces women, children and the elderly to build roads, railways
and dams in slavery-like conditions," Amnesty International said.
     "The high level of  human rights violations and political instability
in Myanmar is having a major regional impact on its new ASEAN partners --
for example, more than 200,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries."
     "ASEAN claims that constructive engagement with SLORC will lead to
improvements in human rights in Myanmar. With Myanmar's admission to ASEAN,
that approach is now going to be put to the test."
     Amnesty International called on ASEAN governments to put the human
rights situation in Myanmar on the agenda at all regional meetings and to
ask for regular reports from the SLORC, to pressure the government to allow
entry to the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in
Myanmar, and to ensure that any ASEAN investment in Myanmar does not lead to
further human rights violations -- in particular investments in projects
using forced labour.
     In extensive interviews with refugees living along the Thai-Burmese
border, Amnesty International has documented testimonies of the tatmadaw
(Burmese army) killing and torturing men it has kidnapped and forced to work
as porters if they do not perform their duties 'satisfactorily', and the
shooting of villagers who are alleged to have supported armed opposition groups.
     Cases include Pa Nya Paw, who was arrested in April 1997 by the army.
During interrogation, he was allegedly punched, kicked until his limbs were
broken, smothered with plastic and had boiling water poured over him until
he died from his injuries.  Hla Du was seized from his village with nine
other men and forced to carry ammunition and food supplies. According to a
fellow villager, he was beaten, had his eyes gouged out, limbs broken and
then was stabbed to death.
     As part of its counter-insurgency campaign against armed ethnic
minority opposition groups in the Kayin (Karen), Kayah (Karenni) and Shan
States in eastern Myanmar, the tatmadaw has forcibly relocated entire
villages in ethnic minority areas using death  threats and harassment. Since
1984, the army has forcibly relocated tens of thousands -- the most recent
relocations resulted in at least 16,000 Shan refugees fleeing to Thailand in
April and May 1997.
     In March 1997, the army arrived in a Gyadown township village in Kayin
State, and told the 300 Muslim families: "you have 50 minutes to leave this
town. You have no place in this country. If you don't leave within 50
minutes we will shoot you".
     The report also documents the widespread use of forced labour
throughout the country. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens have been
forced to work on projects including building roads, railways, dams and
military structures for up to 12 hours a day. Most of the refugees in
neighbouring countries interviewed by Amnesty International had been forced
to work by the army.
     Amnesty International has published information about 16 work sites
around the country including Ye-Thawair Railway in Tanintharyi Division, the
forced building of a Buddhist Temple in Gout Kyi township, Kayin State,
prison work camps in the Mon State and the forced building
of army barracks in Shadaw and Ywa Thit relocations sites in Kayah State.

(Amnesty International, 22 July 1997)

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

VOA: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND ASEAN
July 21, 1997 [abridged]
Khin Maung Htay

Amnesty spokeswoman Donna Guest says ASEAN, which is meeting in Malaysia
this week, cannot ignore the report's findings and should act upon them.

                                    // Guest act  //
Repression of ethnic minorities is continuing. We are seeing massive forced
relocations throughout eastern Myanmar (Burma).  We are seeing massive
forced labor, forced portering, killings by the army.  We are also hearing
stories -- very recent stories of people fleeing into Bangladesh because of
forced labor.  It behooves ASEAN to take a look at this and take some
positive steps.

We're trying to encourage the Thais at every opportunity to stick with their
policy of allowing safe refuge. Just because fighting has stopped does not
mean that human rights violations go away.  It's just not that simple. They
continue and I think that Thailand really needs to acknowledge this and to
allow the united nations on the border, and seek help from other nations.
Certainly, it's a big burden for Thailand. We understand that. I think other
people there are ready to help them.

I'd like to comment on forced relocation because this is happening in the
Shan state and the Karenni state -- even as we speak.  It was happening last
year. It's still happening now. These people are not being re-located on
their own safety or because of imperative military reasons. They're being
moved around to break up alleged links with insurgents, and they are being
treated very, very badly.

We don't oppose its (Burma's) admission. Now that you've taken the decision,
what you (ASEAN) need to do is to bring up human rights in every meeting and
to really be strong with the SLORC about this. Pressure them to allow the UN
special rapporteur into the country and to ensure that ASEAN investment does
not lead to any kind of forced labor.
                                 // end act //

[excerpt from related article]
------------------------------------------------------------
ABC: AMNESTY CALLS FOR AUSTRALIA PRESSURE ON ASEAN
July 23, 1997

The human rights group, Amnesty International has asked Australia to
pressure Association of South east Asian Nations into taking an active role
in protecting human rights in Burma.

Amnesty Australia's David Begg, says ASEAN members must accept
responsibility for the protection of human rights - and wants Australia to
ensure that responsibility is acted on.
	
***************************************

TACDB MEDIA RELEASE: OVER 400 BURMESE ON HUNGER STRIKE
July 23, 1997

400 Burmese Students on Hunger Strike at the Burmese Students Area, Ban
Maneeloi, Ratchburi Province, Thailand.

Over 400 Burmese students will commence a hunger strike inside the Ministry
of the Interior (MOI) - run "Safe Area for Burmese Students" in Ratchburi
Province today. The action is held in parallel with ASEAN's welcoming
ceremony for Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
in Kuala Lumpur, amid similar protest actions throughout the region.

The action comes in response to ASEAN's blatant disregard of repeated calls
for policy review concerning relations with Burma's military regime. The
students, in a statement read inside the compound this morning, stated that
"ASEAN is fully aware of the current social, economic and political
situation inside Burma", and that "...by recognizing SLORC as a new member
of the ASEAN grouping, regional government heads have done a grave injustice
to the Burmese people". 

The students demand that ASEAN abandon its constructive engagement policy
immediately and show due respect for the Burmese people's will and the
wishes of ASEAN citizens by taken more time to consider the issues raised by
Burma's union with the regional grouping. They further demand that ASEAN
recognize the 1990 general election results in Burma by engaging with the
democratic opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

The protesters have dubbed themselves the 'Leading Action Committee'. The
group is comprised of representatives of the All Burma Basic Education
Students Union (ABBESU), All Burma Students League (ABSL), Burmese Students
Association (BSA), New Blood Comrades Union of Burma (NBCUB), Overseas Karen
Refugee Students Organization (OKRSO) and the Overseas Mon National Students
Organization (OMNSO).

Police vans have been stationed outside of the safe area compound for over
two days as local authorities anticipated protest action to coincide with
the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The MOI have placed restrictions on the
activities on Burmese students since the establishment of the Safe Area in
1993. Regulations for the safe area forbid students in engaging in anything
deemed a 'political activity'. Today's protest is a great show of courage in
the face of such adversity. 

The hunger strike will continue indefinitely.

For further information please contact TACDB in Bangkok on (+662) 216 4463.
email: <carol@xxxxxxxxxx>
---------------------------------------
Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB),
328 Phayathai Road,
Rajthevee,
Bangkok 10400,
THAILAND.

tel/fax:  (+662) 216 4463
email:	  carol@xxxxxxxxxx

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

AFP: US, EUROPE FAIL TO RESOLVE DISAGREEMENT OVER STATE BURMA LAW
July 22, 1997

   WASHINGTON, July 22 (AFP) - US officials failed at talks in Geneva on
Tuesday to resolve a dispute with Japan and Europe over a state sanctions
law aimed at military-ruled Burma, the US Trade Representative's (USTR)
office said.
   "They didn't reach a settlement today," one trade official here said
after European, Japanese, and American negotiators ended day-long talks in
Geneva on the controversial "Massachusetts Burma law."
   The provision bars state-owned entities from buying goods from companies
doing business in Burma. That has led to the black-listing of roughly 150
foreign firms, including major players such as Honda and Siemens.
   The European Union (EU) has until mid-September to ask the World Trade
Organization to convene formally a dispute-settlement panel on the 1996 law,
USTR spokesman Jay Ziegler said.
   "We do not believe this is a constructive course," Ziegler said. "Japan
and the EU are on record expressing concern about the situation in Burma,
and we believe this action is fundamentally inconsistent with that position."
   "We hope we can resolve our differences here," he added.
   The talks followed months of barbed exchanges and a protracted US effort
to assuage European ire over the federal Helms-Burton sanctions law, which
permits civil lawsuits here against foreign firms operating in Cuba. 
   President Bill Clinton has so far prevented that particular Helms-Burton
provision from taking effect.
   Informing USTR Charlene Barshefsky on June 20 that Europe would take the
Burma law to the WTO, EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan said that "it
would not appear that progress has been made" on the matter.
   Further, he added, "there are no indications that Massachusetts is
considering amending this law, in spite of the efforts you have been making."
   Barshefsky said at the time that she was "surprised and very
disappointed" at the European move, given the shared US and European
interest in improving the human rights situation in Burma.
   EU officials say the law violates a WTO provision committing most states
to open all government contracts to international competition.
   The Clinton administration has yet to take a clear and public position
that would set a precedent for similar state and municipal laws that have
sprung up around the country, mainly targeting Burma and Indonesia.
   Opposing those laws could make the White House look hostile to human
rights or beholden to foreign or corporate interests. Not fighting it at all
would enrage US trading partners and the powerful business lobby.
   Members of Congress from Massachusetts are meanwhile urging the USTR to
put up a strong defense of the Burma sanctions law.
   "It is not the place of the European Union and Japan to dictate how the
Massachusetts legislature and state government should spend its own
taxpayers' money," nine legislators wrote to Barshefsky on Tuesday.

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

US CONGRESSMEN: LETTER TO USTR ON MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW
July 22, 1997

July 22, 1997

Charlene Barshefsky
U.S. Trade Representative
Winder Building, Room 201
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20508

Dear Ambassador Barshefsky,

As Members of the U.S. Congress from the State of Massachusetts, we are
deeply disturbed by the decision by the European Union and Japan to
formally challenge the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law at 
the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

We are wholly supportive of fostering good relations between Europe, 
Japan and the United States. However, we strongly believe that it is highly
inappropriate for the European Union and Japan to involve themselves in 
the internal affairs of Massachusetts. It is not the place of the European
Union and Japan to dictate how the Massachusetts legislature and state
government should spend its own taxpayers' money. The people of
Massachusetts have long vested the power to levy taxes and spend public
money with our elected representatives, not European and Japanese 
bureaucrats.

We also note that the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law is
strongly supported by the legitimate leader of the Burmese democracy
movement. Aung San Suu Kyi. The leader of the party that won the 1990
Burmese elections, Aung San Suu Kyi remarked in a recent interview that
selective purchasing laws are very effective means of restoring democracy
in Burma. She also specifically praised the Massachusetts Burma law.

We fear that, by placing European and Japanese corporate interests first,
the European Union and Japan risk undermining their principled stand
against the Burmese military junta. In March, the European Commission
revoked Burma's tariff preferences because of the military junta's
pervasive use of forced labor. The new British government recently cut its
support for trade promotion in Burma and has "not ruled out the possibility
of further measures, including economic sanctions" against the illegal
military junta. Japan has called for dialogue between the military junta
and the democracy movement.

Opinion in Europe in particular towards business in Burma is best typified
by the recent and unanimous resolution on Burma passed by the European
Parliament. The resolution called on the European Union to enact 
economic sanctions on Burma. Moreover, in its resolution, the European 
Parliament specifically urged the European Commission not to take action 
against the Massachusetts Burma law under the WTO dispute settlement 
procedures.

We ask the U.S. Trade Representative to weigh the support for the
Massachusetts Burma law from the peoples of Europe, Japan, 
Massachusetts and, most importantly, Burma itself.  We strongly urge the 
U.S. Trade Representative to oppose the unfair and inappropriate efforts by 
the European Union and Japan to force Massachusetts to amend its Burma 
law. 

Rep. Barney Frank
Rep. Edward Markey
Rep. Joseph Kennedy
Rep. Matin Meehan
Rep. John Tierney
Rep. Richard Neal
Rep. Joseph Moakley
Rep. John Olver
Rep. James McGovern
-------------------------------

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

THE NATION: PTT READY FOR LAWSUITS
July 23, 1997

THE Petroleum Authority of Thailand said yesterday it is ready for
environmental groups to take it to court over its Yadana gas pipeline
project as it has done nothing illegal.

The Law Society of Thailand  announced on Friday it will assist lawsuits
against the PTT for violating environmental laws and regulations in
constructing its gas pipeline.

Songkiat Tharnsamrit, director of PIT's public relations department, denied
the project violated laws.  "If they want to sue, we're ready.  If we had
done anything wrong, the government would not have allowed us to continue
the project this far," he said. "The Cabinet approved PIT's use of the
conservation area and the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning [OEPP]
considered the projects environmental impact assessment report." 

"The report was conducted by a consultancy company registered with the OEPP.
If the company wasn't qualified, how could it register," he asked.

Four environmental groups - the Wildlife Fund of Thailand, the Green World
Foundation, the Seub Nakasathien Foundation and the Friends of Elephants
Foundation - sought the society's help.

Songkiat said the groups have not taken a firm enough stand against the
project.  "Initially they were interested in the impact it would have on
forest areas, later on wildlife and then human rights.  We have tried to
explain the situation to them, but it's useless," he said.

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

BKK POST: ASEAN PICKS UP DELAY BILL
July 23, 1997
Bhanravee Tansubhapol
Kuala Lumpur

Each Asean member will have to pay $50,000 (1.5 million baht) as the price
for delaying Cambodia's entry.

Laos and Burma, which join today, will join the other seven members in
chipping in to cover the contribution Cambodia should have made to the
science fund.

The nine are to share the group's $6.325 million operating budget equally.
Until two weeks ago, a contribution from Cambodia was factored in by the
accountants.  Now, it has been split into nine bills for the other members.

Now the seven old members - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - will each pay $736,243. Burma and Laos
will each pay $585,648 because Asean is two months into its fiscal year.

In addition, the new members must pay $1 million each to the Asean Fund and
$50,000 to the Asean Science Fund as up-front membership dues.

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

BKK POST: BURMESE HELD ON HEROIN CHARGE
July 23, 1997

A Burmese man was arrested yesterday in Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son on charges
of having more than half a million baht's worth of heroin in his possession.

Local police arrested "San" and seized 1.1 kilos of heroin from him in a id
at a bus terminal in Tambon  Khun Yuam, Khun Yuam.

Police said the suspect admitted that he had delivered the drug to Bangkok
twice.

He bought from a dealer in Ban Tao, across the border from Tambon Mok Cham
Pae, on Monday and was to deliver it to a customer in Bangkok, according to
police.

*******************************************************
	
THAILAND TIMES: ASEAN FACES JOB OF TAKING IN BURMA, LAOS
July 23, 1997 [abridged]
AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN faces a Herculean task of accepting Burma and Laos into
its rapid program of tearing down tariffs as the two economies officially
join the group last Wednesday, analysts and officials say.

"It will be a very difficult process because we are talking of economies
which may not even have tariff schedules in place yet. I think we have many
milestones ahead," Indonesian economist Mari Pangestu told AFP. 
     
Pangestu said a key problem for ASEAN was to make Burma and Laos less
reliant on tariffs as income. "So you cannot ask them to liberalize without
any alternative source of funding to cushion them initially," she said.

ASEAN is banking on unconditional Japanese aid to help Burma and Laos,
rather than the World Bank or International Monetary Fund, which could
impose stringent macro-economic policies that may not be workable, officials
say.
     
One argument raised against an enlarged ASEAN is that it is going to create
a two-tier economic system of richer and poorer members.

But Thailand's Commerce Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said efforts would be
made to assist the; new members in coping with tariff reduction programs.

These cover areas such as improving databases and data collection systems on
trade, investment, industry and human resources development.

Narongchai said he expects Burma and Laos to chalk up impressive economic
growth rates after they join ASEAN.

"If the so-called Asian miracle of the '80s produced dragons and tigers, the
ASEAN miracle of the first century of the next millennium expects to see at
least Myanmar (Burma) and Laos emerging as tiger cubs." he said

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

ALTSEAN MEDIA STATEMENT: BURMA ADMISSION TO ASEAN

ALTSEAN-BURMA
A L T E R N A T I V E    A S E A N   N E T W O R K  O N   B U R M A
tel: 66 2 275 1811,  66 2 693 4515            fax: 66 2 693 4515
<altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
c/o FORUM-ASIA  109 SUTHISARNWINICHAI RD  SAMSENNOK   HUAYKWANG   BANGKOK
10320   THAILAND

MEDIA STATEMENT
BURMA'S ADMITTANCE A DAY OF SHAME FOR ASEAN

Today's welcoming ceremony for the admission of Burma's State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc) as a full member of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean) is a mark of shame to peoples of the region who value
human rights, justice, democracy and peace.

This act of recognizing the infamous regime as the government of Burma is a
direct, oppressive interference in Burma's affairs.  To deny the people's
vote in 1990 that granted 82% of parliamentary seats to the National League
for Democracy (NLD) and instead recognize the brutal junta, which won only
5% of the seats, amounts to an obscenity. 

Asean's refusal to dialogue with the government-elect of Burma is further
proof of its poor commitment to the peace, justice, rule of law and social
progress espoused in the Bangkok Declaration of 1967, which established Asean. 

Asean's choice to welcome Slorc and therefore squander its leverage to
ensure genuine reform in Burma is a sell-out of our 48 million neighbors in
Burma.  The proposed Asean Vision 2020 which is supposedly aimed at
achieving peace, freedom, prosperity and neutrality is therefore more of a
hallucination.

We hold this silent protest in solidarity with the peoples of Burma and
other parts of Southeast Asia who continue to be killed, jailed, tortured,
harassed and deprived of education, health services and food.  We stand in
solidarity with them because we, too, are subject to oppression.  In the
past few days, several activists in Kuala Lumpur have been summoned by the
authorities and warned not to participate in any protest actions.  We have
been sternly reminded that a gathering of 5 or more people constitute an
"illegal assembly".  This law and other unjust laws prohibiting peaceful and
legitimate activities are similar to those being enforced in Burma and other
parts of Southeast Asia.

Therefore, we call on the member states of Asean to confirm that they do
value peace, democracy, justice and human rights as expressed in a range of
Asean declarations.  We urge them to prove respect for their citizens by
ensuring positive reforms to develop a civil society.  We urge them to prove
that the content and spirit of these declarations go beyond mere lip service.

Further, we strongly urge member states of Asean and its dialogue partners
to prioritize on its agenda, the deteriorating situation in Burma during the
next few days.  We strongly urge the Asean Regional Forum to formulate and
implement with determination and firmness, a coordinated and comprehensive
strategy to ensure a prompt cessation of human rights violations and a
restoration of democracy in Burma.

Signed on July 23, 1997 in Kuala Lumpur:


Debbie Stothard					Fan Yew Teng
ALTSEAN-BURMA				Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia

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

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A.0070(I)
July 21, 1997

(1)             Commencing of Drilling Operation at Test Well
                Minister for Energy, U Khin Maung Thein arrived on the
morning of 22 July at the Stena Clyde, a drilling platform, at Offshore Oil
and Natural Gas Exploration Block No. M - 12 of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.
                The Minister then pressed the button to start spud-in at
Aunglaba Test Well No (1). Drilling will be down to 14,300 ft.
                In the afternoon, the minister attended the cornerstone
laying ceremony of natural gas power station at Kanbauk Region and
installation of Kanbauk-Dawei 66KV powerline. Utilizing natural gas from
Yadana natural gas pipeline, the Kanbauk power station will supply power to
Dawei, Kanbauk and its environs and Ye and Myeik regions.

(2)             International Neem  Network
                The Workshop of the International Neem Network will be held
on 28 July 1997 to 30 July at the International Business Centre in Yangon.
                The International Neem Network was established in 1993. With
the coordination of the Forest Resource Division of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the main objective to improve
the genetic resource of neem through seed exchange and establishment of
international provenance trials, 22 developed countries in Asia, Africa,
Central America and two developed countries which are now participating in
the network, including the Union of Myanmar.
                Myanmar has become involved in the Neem Network activities
soon after the signing of Letter of Agreement between the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Forest
Department of Myanmar in late 1993-94. Since then, the Forest Department of
Myanmar had exchanged neem seeds with the cooperating organizations in other
countries and internationally coordinated provenance trials of neem have
been established in July 1996.
                Neem (tamar) is an outstanding tree for the local people
providing fuelwood, timber, oils, tannin, pesticides, organic manures,
medicinal products, food and fodder. This workshop provides a very
significant contribution to promote the research and development of neem as
well as to strengthen future cooperation among the participating countries.
Finally, there will be a field trip to Aunglan Township, to study
international neem provenance trial.

             OFFICE CALL IN YANGON

(1)             Chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission VADM. Maung
Maung Khin received Deputy Chairman Mr. Edwin F. Stoyle of Pacrim Energy NL
of Australia and party at the Chairman's office on the 22nd. July.
(2)              Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Tin Tun received an economic
delegation led by Chairman of Jasmine International Public Co Ltd of
Thailand Dr. Adisai Bodharamik and Managing Director of Bangkok Broadcasting
& T.V Co Ltd Mr. Chatchur Karnasuta at the Deputy Prime Minister's office on
22nd. July.
(3)             Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig.Gen. Maung
Maung received Mr. Seiji Yoshimoto, Director of Overseas Activities
Department of Japan External Trade Organization (JETROS), and party at the
Secretary's office on 22nd July.
(4)             Minister for Transport Lt.Gen. Thein Win received Managing
Director Mr. Marc Ngan Bom of Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd and party at the
Minister's office on 22nd. July.
(5)             Minister for Hotel and Tourism Lt.Gen. Kyaw Ba received
Managing Director Mr. Toshi Yoneda of Hopeson Myanmar Co Ltd at the
Minister's office on the 22nd. of July.

------------------------------------
Excerpt from The Statement by H.E U Ohn Gyaw, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar to the admission of Myanmar to ASEAN
in Malaysia on the 23rd. of July 1997

                "ASEAN's enormous success as a mechanism for the progress,
peace and prosperity of the nations of Southeast Asia is evident for all to
witness and experience. Over the past thirty years, the Association has
overcome many critical challenges and has weathered the winds of change time
and again. From the original 5, ASEAN has welcomed first Brunei, then
Vietnam, and now Laos and Myanmar into the fold, thus forging the chain that
links more than 500 million people of the region together. The combined
strength of our resources and the ASEAN spirit of constructive cooperation
will certainly ensure a deeper enhancement of ASEAN's role and prestige
while bringing about development for all.
                We in Myanmar are very much aware that a harmonious approach
to any kind of development will ensure a sustained success, which is very
important for our future generations. It is for them that we are now laying
down the  foundations of a peaceful, prosperous, modern, developed state
with harmony among the national races. As I have stated at various fora,
progress and stability start at the national level. With our own house in
order we will be able to contribute towards order for the community we live
in. To this end, Myanmar will not be found lacking in any of her
responsibilities and obligations, at either the national or the regional level.

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HINDUSTAN TIMES: NSCN FACTIONS MUST ATTEND MEET: 
JAMIR
July 18, 1997

	Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir hopes to bring peace to the 
people of Nagaland and this could be done if the two warring factions of 
banned militant outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) 
come together for talks in the conference on peace beginning from Monday 
in Atlanta, USA.
	However, he made it clear that political negotiation with the 
insurgent groups will not be on the agenda of the conference sponsored by 
the baptist Peace Fellowship of North America.
	"The conference will only deal with peace and reconciliation to 
create a congenial atmosphere in the State to being an peace process," the 
Chief Minister said in a Press conference here today.
	The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has invited the 
Chief Minister, two Naga MPs, leaders of NSCN and representatives of 
Naga Ho Ho, an apex body of tribals in the State, to the conference. The 
Chief Minister has got a green signal from the Prime Minister to attend the 
conference.
	He said that faction of NSCN (Khaplang) had already responded 
to the Ho Ho 's request to start negotiations with the Government.
	Jemir maintains that the peace conference will definitely help 
bring the two warring factions of the militant organizations together to end 
the decade old insurgency.
	The Naga underground guerillas have been fighting for the 
independence of Nagaland for more than four decades. Jamir laments that 
till the Chinese aggression, the Government could hardly recognize the 
problems of the State.
	 Of late, he admits, a big chunk of Myanmar jungle has become a 
safe haven for training of ultras. But the Myanmar Government does not 
help them at all, he adds.
	He says that with the changing political scenario in Bangladesh, a 
group of insurgents had shifted their bases elsewhere from the country. 
However, with the help of the neighbouring countries, the Government will 
be able to contain insurgency, he added.
	Chief Minister said that Nagaland cannot be a liability for the 
nation. "Rather the State will be an asset in view of its natural resources in 
abundance," he said.
	He has rejected the allegations that his Government is hand-in-
glove with the militants. "Efforts are on to deal with the ultras firmly, who 
indulge in criminal activities," he stressed.
	He insists that development of the State, which remained 
alienated for decades, can wean away the divisive elements. He lauded the 
Central Government's initiative to announce the recent economic package 
for the North-East.
	Answering a query, Chief Minister said that 125 years ago 
American Baptist missionaries brought a message of pace and love to the 
countries' remote and isolated State of Nagaland. "We were waiting for 
2000 years but nobody came to preach the way these people had done," he 
adds.

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FBC-AUSTRALIA: AUGUST 8TH COMMEMORATION RALLY
July 22, 1997

Free Burma Coalition, Australia

WHEN SPIDERS UNITE THEY CAN TIE DOWN A LION
____________________________________________________________

RALLY

Join the Burmese community in Australia to commemorate the massacres in
Burma which occurred on the 8th August 1988.

Place:  SLORC Embassy, 22 Arkana Street, Yaralumla ACT

Time:  12.30 PM

Date:  8th August 1997

The AGM of the Australia Burma Council will be held the following day.  If
you would like more information please phone. (06) 297 7734 (02) 9264 7694
or (02) 9620 7007.
_________________________________________________________
WORKING FOR THE: 
NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA
FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, BURMA
AUSTRALIA  BURMA COUNCIL

BURMA OFFICE, SYDNEY: MINN AUNG MYINT (burma@xxxxxxxxxx) 
Labor Council Build. Suite 6, 8th Floor, 377-383 Sussex St. Sydney 2000
Fax: (612) 9264 7693		Tel: (612) 9264 7694
AUSTRALIAN REP OFFICE, CANBERRA: AMANDA ZAPPIA (azappia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
PO Box 2024 Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Fax: (616) 297 7773		Tel: (616) 297 7734

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