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The BurmaNet News, August 21, 1997



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: August 21, 1997        
Issue #802

HEADLINES:        
========== 
BKK POST: SLORC DENIES DEAL ON SAN NAING
NCGUB PRESS RELEASE: CONDEMNS REPRESSION
NATION: BURMA SIGNS ACCORD TO DEMARCATE BORDER
JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE-JAPAN: LETTER TO ASEAN
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0097(I)
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
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BKK POST: SLORC DENIES DEAL ON SAN NAING
August 20, 1997
Nussara Sawatsawang

Dissident must want to return, says envoy

Burma will not take back a dissident accused of plotting to assassinate
intelligence chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt unless he volunteers to return,
according to the Burmese ambassador to Thailand, Hla Maung.

Mr Hla Maung said Burma preferred the use of diplomatic channels over trying
to press the Thai government to return any Burmese student in exile who
wants to go home.

"Even if [Thailand] hands him over [to Burma] we will not take him unless he
is willing," he said.

San Naing collaborated in the hijacking of a Fokker-28 from Burma t
Thailand in 1989.

He is due to complete a four-year sentence in December on charges of
possessing weapons.

On Monday he said he would not go back to Burma, as he fears for his safety.
Speculation was rife that Thailand might send him back to Burma in exchange
for drug suspect Li Yun-chung.

Rangoon handed the latter over to Bangkok in May even though there is no
extradition treaty between the two countries.

Ambassador Hla Maung said Slorc did not demand any reciprocity for the
return of Li Yun-chung.

He conceded that Slorc suspected San Naing of indirect involvement in a
recent parcel bomb blast that killed a daughter of Slorc's second secretary
Lieutenant-Gen Tin Oo.

There was no inquiry into the matter, as San Naing was still in prison, he
said.  San Naing was not so important that Slorc would want his return so
"eagerly," the envoy said.

The Burmese government was well aware that it would face public protest if
it punished him after he had already been punished in Thailand, he said.

San Naing reportedly made a claim for refugee status with the UNHCR in May.
The claim is still pending, but there is no indication that he will be sent
back.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak Inbrawithyanunt said he did not discuss San
Naing's case with his counterpart Nyunt Swe.

Thailand wanted to avoid sensitive issues that might hamper Thai Burmese
cooperation, he said.

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NCGUB PRESS RELEASE: CONDEMNS REPRESSION
August 19, 1997

Immediate Release - 8/19/97				
				
N.C.G.U.B CONDEMNS RENEWED REPRESSION

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) strongly
condemns the harsh prison sentences imposed on 15 August on U Myo Aung
Thant, an Executive Committee member of the Federation of Trade Unions -
Burma  (FTUB); U Cho Aung Than, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's cousin and close
aide; his sister (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than); and her husband (U Myint Swe).
 
This most recent outrage by the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(SLORC) is a clear indication that the generals believe its membership in
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a license to increase
its repression.  The other ASEAN countries argued that SLORC 
would modify its behaviour after becoming a member.  This is not the case.
Instead, SLORC has become even more repressive.  The government of the
United States of America and Canada were correct in perceiving that 
SLORC would become more repressive.  The USA imposed sanctions due to
SLORC's large scale repression of democracy activity and Canada imposed
sanctions after SLORC became a member.  The NCGUB once again calls on the
international community, especially the European Union 
and Japan, to act now and impose sanctions.

U Myo Aung Thant was accused of trying to smuggle in explosives into Burma,
charged with "high treason" and sentenced to life imprisonment.   At the 27
June news conference announcing the arrest of U Myo Aung Thant, Lieut-Gen
Khin Nyunt accused the NCGUB of sending in a number 
of terrorists to attack foreign embassies and the residence of SLORC
leaders.  The NCGUB was also accused of masterminding the bombing of
Lieut-Gen Tin Oo's home in April.  According to SLORC, the NCGUB and the
FTUB as well as other Burmese groups are being funded by the United States
Government to perpetuate acts of violence and terrorism to cause unrest and
instability in Burma.

First and foremost, the NCGUB and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have always advocated
non-violence.  Political problems must be resolved by political means.
SLORC on the other hand, came to power in 1988 by killing thousands of
unarmed civilians.  Since then, SLORC has brutally suppressed all dissent
and carried out summary executions and mass 
relocations by threatening violence, especially in rural and ethnic areas.
Earlier this year, SLORC also launched massive attacks on the Karen, Karenni
and Shan peoples bordering on genocide.  The National league for Democracy,
students, Christians and Muslims have also recently been the target of
violence instigated by the military leaders.  If anyone is guilty of
terrorism, the generals are. 

Second, according to SLORC's own account, U Myo Aung Thant was arrested at
Rangoon's Mingaladon Airport.  The alleged explosives were seized in
Kawthaung, hundreds of kilometres south of Rangoon.  How can U Myo Aung
Thant then be guilty of smuggling in the explosives?  Where is the
undeniable proof?  Forced confessions extracted through torture and
psychological abuse are not acceptable evidence.  There is no due process in
Burma.  SLORC's Special Court which handed down the sentence was a mockery.
It lasted less than ten days and merely confirmed SLORC's pre-
determined conclusion without observing any of the internationally accepted
standards for a fair trial.  At the press conference on 27 June, SLORC also
listed a number of organizations funded by the US Government through the
National Endowment for Democracy.  The list allegedly show how the US was
secretly funding 'terrorist' groups in Burma.  In actual fact, the list is
not a secret document.  In  a democracy 
like the USA, transparency about sources of funding is paramount.  They are
openly acknowledged and made freely available to the public.  By contrast,
SLORC - a narco dictatorship is not transparent about its sources of funds.
At a time when the people of Burma are having a hard time making ends meet,
the generals are spending lavishly and enjoying life.  The funds mentioned
at the press conference were given by the US government to legitimate
organizations involved in promoting democracy or providing humanitarian
assistance to refugees.  Only under a paranoid dictatorship like SLORC could
such activity be construed as 'terrorist' or anti-government activity.
Treason is when one acts against one's own country.  The people of Burma in
1990 called for democracy and voted for the NLD.  Working to establish
democracy in Burma through the NLD is, therefore, not treason.  Those who
ignored the people's will in 1990 and 
continue to prevent democracy from being established in Burma are the ones
who are actually guilty of 'high treason'.

Third, these recent acts on the part of SLORC point to the ruling generals'
increasing nervousness about the current situation in Burma.  The crackdown
against dissidents has increased in frequency and severity. The rhetoric
used is becoming more hysterical and irrational - for example, the 
accusation, without proof, that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi accepted a cash
donation of $80,000 from an American and the prediction that "she will
perish after her raft has dashed against the consolidated rock of national
politics" are clear indications. Therefore, based on SLORC past pattern of 
behaviour, and SLORC's statement that it will take "preventive measures"
against the NLD, it is not unreasonable to assume that the generals are
becoming desperate and are planning further drastic action.  A repeat of
1962 when all political leaders in Burma including those at the township
level were arrested and also a repeat of the violent 'coup' of  1988 cannot
be ruled out.  People should, therefore, be prepared for any eventuality.

The NCGUB is not looking on passively.  SLORC must understand that
repression carries a high price tag.  For example, SLORC will have to answer
to the international community at the coming United Nations General Assembly
for its increasing repression.  It is unfortunate for SLORC that it does not
require foreigners or expatriate Burmese to cause 
unrest and instigate instability in Burma.  The generals themselves are the
cause of the unrest and instability. The events of 1988 were caused in large
part by the two demonetizations ordered by the Burmese Socialist Programme
Party.  The recent drastic rise in the price of rice also has its 
origin in SLORC's export of a million tons of rice a couple of years ago at
the expense of the people. The current economic uncertainty, the falling
value of the kyat, the hardships faced by the Burmese people will be
aggrevated if SLORC persists in its repressive ways.  Should this happen,
SLORC's downfall will surely follow swiftly.

'Be vigilant and do not be afraid.  We will prevail.  Be prepared to protect
your freedom and participate in the struggle for our second independence" 
Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister

"I do not believe in an armed struggle because it will perpetuate the
tradition that he who is best at wielding arms wields power... Some people
think that non-violence is passiveness it is not so... Non-violence is
positive action.  You have to work for whatever you want."
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

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NATION: BURMA SIGNS ACCORD TO DEMARCATE ENTIRE BORDER
Don Pathan, Puangthong Rungswasdisab 
August 20, 1997

THAILAND and Burma yesterday reached a breakthrough agreement for a
comprehensive approach to settle boundary problems by agreeing to jointly
demarcate the entire stretch of boundary between the two countries.

Unlike in the past when Burma had requested the two governments discuss
disputed areas, on a case-by-case basis, the agreement yesterday called on
both countries to survey and demarcate the entire border and to pass over
any disputed areas which are difficult to define, Deputy Foreign minister
Pitak Intrawitayanunt said.

Pitak yesterday co-chaired the Third Meeting of the Thailand-Burma Joint
Boundary Committee with Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Nyunt Swe.

The agreement will also allow progress in other less problematic areas and
prevent any further political tension between the two countries.

Relations between Thailand and Burma have improved very much since Burma
became a full-fledged member of Asean last month, as indicated by last
week's opening of the Thailand-Burma Friendship Bridge over the Moei River
at Mae Sot and Myawaddy, as well as Burma's application to join the
Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka- Thailand Economic Cooperation.  The cordial
atmosphere will help speed up the border demarcation process.  It's also
good for trade between the two countries," Pitak said.

The joint boundary committee has divided 2,400 kilometres of border into 10
sectors, and two joint survey teams will be set up: one dealing with the
land boundary and the other with the river boundary.

On a note of success, at the end of the two-day committee meeting in Bangkok
yesterday, Pitak signed the Agreed Minutes of the Meeting.

The first meeting of the committee was held in Rangoon in 1993 when both
sides agreed that the mandate of the committee should cover the entire border.

Territorial disputes have often severed ties between Thailand and Burma and
led to either military clashes or an abrupt closure of cross border trade.
The latest case was Burma's dredging of the Moei River at Thailand's Ban Kok
Chang Puek in the Mae Sot district of Tak province in June this year.  

Rangoon claimed that it lost an area of land to Thailand when the 1994 flood
altered the Moei River's course.

Thailand yesterday also proposed that Burma study aerial and satellite
photos that show the course of the Moei River before it was changed by a
heavy flood in 1994 as a basis to solve the demarcation issue.

"We are glad that Burma agreed to study the photos and we will hold our next
meeting soon,' Pitak said.

'We suggested that Burma fill in the new course of the Moei River which cut
through its land, and that will allow the river to return to its old course.
Then we can discuss restoring the Moei River's course later,' said Somboon
Sangiambut, director general Treaties and Legal Affairs and head of the Thai
border committee.

Since June, negotiations over the Moei River at Ban Kok Chang Fluek have
faced an impasse as the joint border committee was unable to reach an
agreement on which map would be used.

In the Agreed Minutes of the Meeting, Thailand and Burma included the issue
of maintenance of the Boundary Reference Pillars on the Mae Sai-Nam Ruak
River Sector as well as Thailand's proposal to discuss three disputed
islands near Thailand's Kraburi River estuary in Ranong province and Burma's
Victoria Point.

Thailand claims that Britain seized Koh Lam, Koh Khan, and Koh Kheenok and
placed them under Burmese sovereignty, at the time Burma was a British
colony, although the three islands are closer to the mainland of Thailand.
Thus, according to international law, they should belong to Thailand,
Somboon said.

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

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE-JAPAN: LETTER TO ASEAN
August 18, 1997

For your information, the following letter was sent to the heads of state of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

August 18, 1997

Once again, the so called State Law and Order Restoration Council has made a
mockery of the law, this time by slapping three of Daw Aung San 
Suu Kyi's relatives with 10 year sentences for allegedly endangering 
national security, and by handing down a life sentence to U Myo Aung Thant,
a sailor accused of terrorist activities.  Once again, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations has stood by in silence as one of its members 
commits a gross injustice against innocent citizens.
U Cho Aung Than, U Myint Swe and Daw Nge Ma Ma Than were accused of
smuggling videotapes of Suu Kyi's speeches abroad.  In what other 
country is the dissemination of the words of its rightfully elected leader
considered treason?  Such acts do not endanger national security; they
merely endanger the SLORC's security. "Martial law means no law at 
all."  Those words are as true today as they were when uttered by a 
delirious SLORC general years ago.  The "law" under which Suu Kyi's
relatives were convicted is in fact a military decree issued for the sole
purpose of crushing the democracy movement.  
Meanwhile, under the same system of justice, drug lords like Khun Sa are 
permitted to live free and prosper from their trade, posing a true danger to
the security of not only Burma but also its ASEAN neighbors.  
It is therefore the SLORC, not U Myo Aung Thant, who is the true terrorist.
ASEAN approved Burma's membership with the promise that it would use its
influence to foster national reconciliation.  We, the 48 million 
citizens of Burma, are still waiting for results.

Joint Action Committee
======================
Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)
Students' Organization for the Liberation of Burma (Japan)
National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) -- Japan Branch

++++++++

Information Committee
Burma Youth Volunteer Association ( Japan )

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SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0097(I)
August 20, 1997 [abridged]

(1)  MCWA  Provides Stipend to Poor Students in Pathein

Pathein Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association presented  stipend
and school uniforms to the poor students at Eya Shwewa Hall in Pathein
township on 17 August.

(2)  Red Cross Medal (First Class) posthumously awarded to Maung Than Hsaing

 Member of Mayangon Township Red Cross Brigade Maung Than Hsaing, who died
while on duty, was awarded posthumously the Red Cross Medal (First Class)
for outstanding performance at the Myanmar Red Cross Society meeting hall
here. Speaking on the occasion, MRCS President Dr. Hla Bu said Maung Than
Hsaing was taking care of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which was brought from the
People's Republic of China and kept for public homage in the Maha Pasana
Cave, and assisting the pilgrims on 25 December 1996. He then died in a bomb
explosion, he said. The highest honour of MRCS would be awarded to him
posthumously for discharging duty fully.  Dr. Hla Bu presented the Red Cross
Medal (First Class) to mother Daw Hnin Yi.

OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 19 AUGUST

(A)Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime Minister
Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Managing Director Mr. David R Walton
Masters of Merry Investment Management Ltd. of Hong Kong and party at his
office.

(B)Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt.Gen. Kyaw Ba received Managing
Director Mr. Chongcharern Thitadilaka of Moey Riverside Complex Co. Ltd,
Thailand, at his office.

(C)Minister for Transport Lt.Gen. Thein Win received a delegation led by
Managing Director Mr. Y M Pang of Jaya Holdings Ltd. Singapore, at his
office.

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NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
August 8 - 19, 1997 [excerpts]

8-8-97:

SECRETARY 1 RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF INSTITUTE OF WORLD  PEACE

YANGON, 7 Aug-Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Gen Khin  Nyunt received Chairman of the Institute of World Peace Mr
Hideo Watanabe and party of Japan  at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of
Defence this afternoon.

August 11, 1997:

HEARTY WELCAME EXTENDED TO SIX KNU MEMBERS, 16  FAMILY MEMBERS IN
ARMS-FOR-PEACE EXCHANGE

YANGON, 10 Aug. At 2.30 am on 23 July, six members of KNU No 1 Company, No
10 Battalion, No 4 Brigade, led  by Company Commander Saw Khawra and 16
family members exchanged arms for peace at  Taungthonlon military camp in
Dawei Township, Taninthayi Division.

 They brought together with them one .45 pistol, one magazine, six rounds,
Six M-16s, six long  magazines, 11 short magazines, 392 rounds, one 107-mm
rocket grenade and one American hand  grenade.

The KNU members exchanged their arms for peace at a ceremony at
Taung-thonlon village  primary school in Dawei Township at 11 am on 7 August.

 Present on the occasion were Commander of No 1 Tactical Operations Command
Col Chit Than,  member of Taninthayi Division Law and Order Restoration
Council Police Col Win Myaing,  members of Dawei District and Township Law
and Order Restoration Councils, military officers,  heads of department,
members of the Township and Village Union Solidarity and Development
Associations, Red Cross Brigade members and local nationals.

Leader of the arms-for-peace KNU members Saw Khawra took arms and ammunition
to TOC  Commander Col Chit Than.

 There are more members of the armed groups who will follow suit.

August 12, 1997:

MYANMAR, INDIA TO JOINTLY IMPLEMENT THREE-YEAR  KALAY-TAMU ROAD PROJECT

YANGON, 11 Aug-The Work Committee for Upgrading the Kalay-Tamu Road at the
Myanmar-lndia border held its first meeting at Public Works Head Office on
Shwedagon Pagoda  Road here this morning and Minister for Construction
Maj-Gen Saw Tun delivered an address.

August 13, 1997:

SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF FUJITSU LIMITED OF  JAPAN
 
YANGON, 12 Aug-Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Gen  Khin Nyunt received President Mr Tadashi Sekizawa of Fujitsu Limited
of Japan and party at  Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this afternoon.

SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES SECRETARY OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC  PLANNING OF THE PHILIPPINES
 
YANGON, 12 Aug-Secretary- 1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Gen  Khin Nyunt received Secretary of Socio Economic Planning Dr Cielito
F Habito of the Republic of  the Philippines and delegation at Dagon Yeiktha
of the Ministry of Defence this morning.

MAJOR KAT YE (A) THEIN TUN AND MEMBERS OF NUPA  RAKHINE ARMED GROUP EXCHANGE
ARMS FOR PEACE
 
YANGON, 12 Aug- Members of the NUPA Rakhine armed groups have recently
exchanged arms for peace in  separate occasions at the local Tatmadaw
battalion at Kwinchaung Village in Paletwa Township.

 Platoon commander Weh Set and sergeant Aung Kalay of NUPA Rakhine armed
group  exchanged arms for peace bringing along with them two M-22 automatic
rifles, three magazines  and 340 rounds of ammunition on 17 July; privates
Aung Aung and Kyaw Khine on 24 July;  11-member armed group led by major Kat
Ye (a)Thein Tun with two AR-18 arms, three AK-47  automatic rifles, one M-22
automatic rifle, eight 40-mm bombs, one No 36 hand grenade, three  AK-47
magazines, four M-16 magazines, 500 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 150
rounds of  M-16 ammunition on 25 July; and eight-member group led by
sergeant Kan Lwe on 28 July.

August 15, 1997

MYANMAR, ROK SIGN AGREED MINUTES ON AVOIDANCE OF  DOUBLE TAXATION ON INCOME
AND PREVENTION OF FINANCIAL  IRREGULARITIES

YANGON, 14 Aug  A delegation of the Republic of Korea led by Deputy Minister
of  Finance and Economic Affairs Mr Nam Koong Hoon arrived here on 7 August
and held  discussions with Myanmar counterparts the following,day.

Further discussions were held from 11 to 14 August at IRD on a draft
agreement on avoidance of  double taxation on income and prevention of
financial' irregularities between the two countries.

 Myanmar officials led by IRD Director-General U Than Nyunt and Korean
counterparts including  Director Mr Lee Kwang-Ho and Deputy Director Mr Lee
Kyung-Geun of the ROK Ministry of  Finance and Economic Affairs and
Counsellor Mr Chang Suk-Chul of the ROK Embassy took  part in the
discussions. Afterwards, the leaders signed the note.

August 19, 1997

CHIEF OF BUREAU OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS, CHIEF OF STAFF  (ARMY) RECEIVES CHIEF
OF STAFF (ARMY) OF THE ARMED  FORCES OF BANGLADESH

YANGON, 18 Aug - Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of Staff
(Army) Lt-Gen  Tin Oo received Chief of Staff (Army) of the Armed Forces of
People's Republic of Bangladesh     Maj-Gen Mohammad Anwar Hossain and party
at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of  Defence at 3 pm today.

 They discussed friendly relations between the armed forces of the two
nations.
_____________________________

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