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The BurmaNet News - 9 March, 1998



------------------------------ BurmaNet -----------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies
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The BurmaNet News, 9 March, 1998
Issue #952

Noted in passing:

"This is also a wonderful opportunity for me to thank all those women,
young and old, from across the globe who have demonstrated the most 
heart warming solidarity for the cause of democracy in Burma."
- Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
(see A MESSAGE FROM AUNG SAN SUU KYI FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY)

HEADLINES:
==========
REUTERS: AUNG SAN SUU KYI URGES EQUALITY FOR WOMEN
REUTERS: ONE MYANMAR INSTITUTE TO REOPEN, OTHERS
AFP: BURMESE REFUGEES ARRESTED IN BANGLADESH
REUTERS: THAI PTT CONFIDENT GAS PIPELINE COMPLETE BY
BKK POST: BURMESE TROOPS DIG IN FOR LONG HAUL
BKK POST: REFUGEES SENT TO CAMP

Features:
BKK POST: BURMA MUST DO MORE
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: BURMA, GENERALS, CLEAN STREETS...
JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: CLINTON FACES CONSTITUTIONAL

International Women's Day Special:
A MESSAGE FROM AUNG SAN SUU KYI FOR INTERNATIONAL
BURMESE WOMEN UNION (BWU) STATEMENT FOR
BURMA.NET: WOMEN OF BURMA PUBLIC CHAT SESSION

MON UNITY LEAGUE: MUL REJECTS NAI SHWE KYIN'S RECENT
SHAN ALERT: HELP FOR SHAN, PA-O, PALAUNG REFUGEES
SHAN: 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILITARY TAKEOVER MESSAGE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REUTERS: AUNG SAN SUU KYI URGES EQUALITY FOR WOMEN 
8 March, 1998 [abridged]

[* see full statement in International Women's Day Special below]

BANGKOK -- Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi marked International 
Women's Day in Myanmar (Burma) on Sunday with a call for equality for 
women, saying discrimination hurts the human race. 

"It cannot be doubted that in most countries today women, in 
comparison to men, still remain underprivileged," Suu Kyi said 
from Yangon (Rangoon) in a statement obtained by Reuters in 
Bangkok. 

The 1991 Nobel Peace laureate noted that many girls in the world 
were deprived of a proper education and even proper medical care 
because they were not valued by society. 

"Such discrimination not only constitutes injustice to women, it is
hurtful to the whole human race," said Suu Kyi. 

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

REUTERS: ONE MYANMAR INSTITUTE TO REOPEN, OTHERS SOON 
8 March, 1998 [abridged]
 
YANGON -- At least one institute of higher education in Myanmar
(Burma) will reopen on Monday after being closed for more than a 
year to prevent unrest, a government official said. 

``The Technical Institute in Thanlynn Township will reopen on 
Monday, 9th March,'' a government spokesman told Reuters. He said 
there were about 1,000 students at the school. 

Most of the country's universities and colleges were closed in 
December 1996 after a series of anti-government protests. 

At the time, the military government said the universities and colleges
would be reopened when the situation normalised. 

Some 200,000 students were affected by the closures, and there are 
now another 200,000 who have passed entrance exams but are waiting 
to begin their higher education. 

In addition, some 400,000 high school students will complete a new 
round of entrance exams on Monday. Those who pass will also be 
eligible for a university place. 

The spokesman told Reuters that the government has decided to upgrade many
colleges to university status to cope with the overflow of students. 

"We are going to have classes overlapping because of the closure of
colleges and universities for a year," he said. "In order to solve this
problem the colleges are being upgraded to university level so that they 
can take in the double load." 

"The preparations I assume are almost over and in the very near future the
universities will reopen."

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

AFP: BURMESE REFUGEES ARRESTED IN BANGLADESH
7 March, 1998

CHITTAGONG -- Bangladesh police arrested 64 Burmese refugees 
from a camp in southeastern Bangladesh yesterday following clashes 
during which part of the camp was set ablaze, officials here said.

Police, with help from the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles, raided
the troubled Kutupalong camp near the frontier town Cox's Bazar
early yesterday, they said.

There was no violence or resistance reported.

The previous day's violence, reportedly spearheaded by an
anti-repatriation group, left 30 people injured, including
policemen, local refugee officials said.

Earlier reports said paramilitary troops were deployed at
Kutupalong and nearby Noapara camps, sheltering some 21,000 of
the refugees, after local authorities reported tension among
rival groups following the death last week of an elderly inmate.

The refugees claimed he was tortured to death by police, who deny
the charges, saying it was a natural death.

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

REUTERS: THAI PTT CONFIDENT GAS PIPELINE COMPLETE BY JULY 1
6 March, 1998

BANGKOK -- State-run Petroleum Authority of Thailand said it was 
confident that the controversial pipeline which will transport 
natural gas from Myanmar (Burma) to Thailand will be completed 
on scheduled despite hurdles. 

Piti Yimprasert, president of PTT Gas, told reporters that it will 
cost PTT $40 million more to speed up the construction in order to 
be able to receive the natural gas from Myanmar by July 1. 

Piti said PTT officials will travel to Myanmar soon to sign a contract 
to purchase natural gas from Myanmar. 

"Myanmar government sent us a letter expressing concerns on the project. 
We will assure them that everything should go on schedule," he said. 

The pipeline had been delayed by protests from environmentalists 
who claimed it would disrupt flora and fauna as part of the pipeline 
running through Thailand was due to go through a forest and wildlife 
sanctuary. 

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on Saturday ordered PTT to resume 
construction of the pipeline. 

The PTT is responsible for the contract and pipeline laying must be 
completed by July 1 or it would have to pay hefty penalties for delays. 

The operator of the Yadana field is Total SA, which has a 31.24 percent 
stake, Unocal Corp with a 28.26 percent share, PTT Exploration and 
Production Plc -- a unit of PTT -- with 25.5 percent and state-owned 
Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise with 15 percent. 

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

BKK POST: BURMESE TROOPS DIG IN FOR LONG HAUL
8 March, 1998
by Cheewin Sattha

TO WORK ON PILING OF DEMARCATION POSTS

MAE HONG SON -- A unit of Burmese troops has encroached on 
Thai soil in Mae Sariang district since Thursday to work on the 
piling of border demarcation posts.

The alleged encroachment was reported to Tambon Sao Hin
provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Manas Marutan.

More than 30 local and border patrol police, local officials and
military volunteers went to the scene to convince Capt Kyaw Win
Naing, chief of the Burmese troops, to order his men to return to
the Burmese side.

However, Capt Kyaw Win Naing told the officials that the
operation  was directly under 430th Battalion commander Lt-Col
Kyaw Min Than who was away on a trip to inspect a border pass in
Burma and nothing could be done until his return.

In another development, a border official said some 14 Burmese
soldiers had set up an operational base in Ban Mai Kai Luang and
Ban Mai Kai On of Pang Ma Pha district near temporary shelters of
more than 500 ethnic Karens who  had earlier fled the fighting in
Burma.

The commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment's special task force
Col Thawatchai Wattana has asked the provincial Thai-Burmese
border coordinating committee to submit a protest letter to
Burmese authorities on the territorial violations, the source
added.

Meanwhile, Thai security forces arrested six Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army soldiers for border intrusion in Sop Moei district
on Friday.

Soldiers from the Salween Special Task Force and rangers from the
3602 Ranger Company bumped into the boatload of Karens close to a
Salween River bank north of Ban Mae Sam Laeb in Sop Moei district
while patrolling the area.

After stopping the boat for a search, the officers handcuffed the
six identified as Pulu, Pu Tin, Netu, Alan, Sa Yee and Su, and
seized two 9mm pistols, a shotgun, an M16 assault rifle and two
M26 hand grenades from them.

The intruders were later sent to Sop Moei Police Station for
detention.

Following the arrest of the DKBA soldiers most of the Ban Mae Sam
Laeb villagers reportedly abandoned the village for fear of
reprisals from DKBA troops.

The Naresuan Task Force has deployed two more artillery pieces
and three helicopters to ensure security in border areas of this
district ranging from Ban Mae Sam Laeb to Ban Sop Ngae.

The Chiang Mai-based Wing 41 has been requested by the task force
to send its OV-10 aircraft to conduct air surveillance  flights.

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

BKK POST: REFUGEES SENT TO CAMP
8 March, 1998

MAE HONG SON -- A group of 33 long-necked Karen villagers has 
been sent back to a refugee camp here for a reunion with their 
families and friends-after three years of separation, police said.

They had been abducted from the camp in the province and were
recently rescued from a private farm in Chiang Mai's Mae Ai
district where they were illegally detained to attract tourists.

Immigration police said yesterday they will cooperate with
provincial authorities in arranging the deportation of these
villagers to Burma.

However, police said seven of them will remain in their custody
as witnesses as they are preparing to take legal action against
the farm owners for illegal detention.

Meanwhile, the farm owners have reportedly hired Thai Karen
villagers to pose as long-necked Karens to keep the business
going.

The provincial authorities here said yesterday the province will
not promote any tourist business which violates human rights.

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

BKK POST: BURMA MUST DO MORE
8 March, 1998
by Ahmed M. Khalid 
[*Reproduced from TRENDS: A monthly publication of the Institute
of Southeast Asian Students (Iseas) in Singapore.]

REGIONAL GROUPS: ECONOMIC REFORM IS NECESSARY BEFORE BURMA WILL BE 
ADMITTED TO OTHER FORUMS SUCH AS APEC.

Regional integration is advancing rapidly in Asia as a result of
both market forces and government policies. The successful
experience of some of the Southeast Asian countries of
cooperation in Asean has further enhanced the prospects for
closer regional cooperation. Burma too is eager to be part of
regional networks. In July 1997, Burma was admitted as a member
of Asean. 
     
It is evident that the relatively more developed member countries
of Afta-Apec are at a different stage of development in terms of
economic growth, trade, financial liberalisation, technological
progress and labour-market conditions including manpower skills,
wage rates, and so on, as compared with the emerging economies.

There is, thus, a place and role for every actor within the
framework of the regional grouping to gain benefits and to make
an effective contribution. Movement towards economic
liberalisation is, therefore, essential to gain membership in
such regional groupings. Economic reforms initiated in Burma in
1988 have produced mixed results. At the early stage of these
reforms, the economy experienced a sharp decline of 11.4 percent
in GDP accompanied by high inflation of 32.5 percent, money
supply "growth of 31.3 percent and a fiscal deficit of  5.7
percent of GDP.

The recovery started in 1992 and continued in later years with
moderate real GDP  growth of around 6 percent. Though fiscal
deficits are on the decline, because of limited availability of
external resources and an inefficient system of taxation,
financing through central bank borrowing  remains the- only
source.

Hence, money supply growth and inflation have remained at over 20
percent on average. The gap between the official and black market
exchange rate is extremely high with the official exchange rate
at around six kyat and the black market rate at over 300 kyat per
US dollar at the end of 1997.

The process of macroeconomic management involves reforms in
various sectors of the economy. The financial sector-plays a
critical role in the process of economic growth but financial
sector reforms may not be successful without fiscal reforms. At
the same time, the market mechanism has to be enforced to
determine the pricing system including commodity prices, interest
rates and exchange rates. Thus in the process of transformation
from command to market economy, it is natural that policy makers,
regulators, bankers,.economists and business communities try to
find the dynamic balance fostered by the monetary, financial and
fiscal reforms.

One of the major failures of Burma's reform process is the
domestic pricing structure. The economy still has a dual-price
structure that creates other distortions such as inflation,
subsidies, rationing system and dual exchange rates.

Liberalisation of the price structure would require market forces
to determine the prices independent of any political and or
social pressures. If financial markets are well developed and
individuals have undiscriminated credit facilities, there will be
no need for subsidies to purchase inputs. The farmers would be
able to borrow, purchase inputs at the market rate, sell their
produce at the market rate, pay back their loans and could still
make some profit. Such a policy will increase productivity (by
removing artificial shortages), eliminate the need for rationing
and will establish a unified price system in the country.

The capacity to export and willingness to import would determine
the demand for and supply of foreign exchange, and eventually,
the exchange rate for a country. In a reforming economy where
limited resources are available to the industrial sector, these
exports are heavily dependent on imports of raw materials.

Thus, .a policy to open the economy for imports and reduce
tariffs would increase the production capacity of the economy and
stabilise the  exchange rates. 

In other words, outward oriented policies to promote exports
combined with policies to attract foreign investment and imports
of capital and technology are essential for exchange rate
stabilisation. Such policies would reduce and eventually
eliminate the gap between official and black market exchange
rate.
               
Public confidence, transparency and sustainability of policies
determine the credibility of the regime not only for foreign
investors but domestic investors as well.
               
Unfortunately, Burma has a long way to go in gaining such
confidence and establishing credibility.

This should be the priority, as any reform package would be
meaningless and ineffective without public support and
confidence. Such confidence will help to boost the domestic
investment and saving, inflow of foreign capital and operations
of banking and other financial institutions.
               
Regular policy evaluation is important and helps to decide
whether to continue or modify the existing policies. Such policy
evaluation requires sufficient data, at least, on the main
macroeconomic variables.           

Developing countries, in general, face the problem of data
inadequacy. Data availability on basic economic and social
indicators is even more serious problem in the case of Burma.
Statistical services should be improved both in volume and
frequency.
               
Burma's economic reforms still face enormous challenges and
problems. Distortions such as supply bottlenecks, monopolistic
pricing, inefficient capital structure, and overvalued exchange
rate still prevail in the economy and there is a need to further
improve the system by reducing these distortions.

Furthermore, the resource mobilisation and regulatory
environments have to be improved for an efficient system.
               
Although, Burma has joined Asean as a member, formal entry to
other prestigious economic forums such as Apec will depend on
future economic performance and sustain ability of economic
growth. Policy makers have to formulate and implement the right
mix of policies to speed up the reform process and maintain it to
achieve target levels of growth. The prospects for Burma would be
promising if there is a continued focus on the reform process.

[Dr Ahmed M. Khalid is a lecturer with the Department of
Economics and Statistics at the National University of Singapore.]

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

MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: BURMA, GENERALS, CLEAN STREETS ... OMAE!
8 March, 1998
Editorial - "With Respect" by Peter Hadfield

Kenichi Omae is best known as a management wizard and economics guru and, 
I must say, a likeable guy.  His views are often sought by the foreign 
media here because he is a straight talker and an independent thinker, 
two rare and refreshing qualities in Japan.

But on one issue that straight talking is marred by a strange amount of
skewed thinking.  I am still trying to separate the intelligent man from the
deluded dreamer that Omae becomes when he writes about Burma.

The latest claptrap was in the January edition of the organ paper of the
Japan-Myanmar Friendship Association.  "To our surprise, the Myanmar
military government is doing well," was Omae's headline.  Accompanying
Japanese businessmen to Burma he says he found a paradise where business 
was booming and workers were content.  "The streets are so clean. And 
there are no slum quarters because there is no disparity of wealth."
	
This rosy picture appears to be a reprint of an Omae story that was first
published in Sapio magazine last November.  (Mainichi Daily News readers 
may remember it was partially translated at the time by Michael Hoffman.)

I hate to disagree with a man five times more intelligent than me and
hundred times richer, but there most certainly ARE slums in Burma and 
there most certainly IS a great disparity of wealth.
	
Omae has often criticized people who disagree with his views for never
having visited Burma.  He tells them you can only understand the truth by
actually going there.

But apparently it is possible to visit Burma and spend so much time
drinking champagne with businessmen and army generals that any 
understanding of the truth is sucked right out of your brain.

I HAVE been to Burma and I KNOW there are slums there because I have walked
through them.  I know there is a disparity of wealth because I have seen 
12-year-old barefoot girls carrying baskets of rocks to a road construction 
site and other 12-year-old girls in neatly pressed school uniforms, the 
daughters of the military elite, being ferried around on a river in Rangoon 
by navy gunboats.  Both groups were surrounded by armed soldiers, but for
different reasons:  In the former case, to make sure they got on with the 
work; in the latter case to ensure their protection.

All this is admittedly difficult to see from a cocktail party at the Strand
Hotel, which could be why Omae could write that "it is almost impossible to 
find soldiers on the streets.  You feel as though you are not in a country
under military rule at all."

This is not the only distorted view of Burma to be propounded by the
Japanese press.  Kohei Hashimoto, a Senior Research Fellow at the P.H.P.
Research Institute, wrote in last September's issue of Voice magazine 
that pro-democracy advocates in Burma are "ignoring various steps which 
they must pass through to reach a democratic society."  Hashimoto does 
not go into much detail about what these steps are, but one of them is 
apparently to live under the dictatorship of a military government.  
The P.H.P. Research Institute, as you may be aware, is sponsored by 
Matsushita Ltd. and publishes venerable English language organs such 
as P.H.P. Intersect.
	
These views could be dismissed as absurd if they were not appearing in such
prestigious publications and written by high-profile writers and apparently 
having an effect on foreign policy.  The government, never willing to shrink 
from the challenge of sucking up to military dictatorships, announced
recently that it would be resuming overseas development assistance loans to
Burma.

The new policy sees to support the arrogant assumption of right-wing
writers:  that the Burmese people are too stupid to deserve democracy 
and that they have to go through various steps before being awarded the
privilege of our support.

History surely shows otherwise.

In what way were the Filipinos ready for democracy in 1986 and not ready 
in 1976, after Marcos had looted the economy of around 30 billion dollars? 
How were the Argentinians more ready for democracy in 1982 than in 1972?

Democracy does not occur in those countries because they had passed the
necessary steps but because people got fed up with repression, dictatorship
and economic ineptitude and staged their own rebellions.

Omae admits that the current Burmese regime rules by force after ignoring
the results of a general election in 1990 that overwhelmingly voted in the
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).  He also admits that the
head of the NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi, has the backing of two-thirds of the
country.  But he believes she would be no good at running the country, and
the military repression is therefore justified.

This line of logic begs the question: Who is to decide if the leader of a
country is competent enough to remain in power or incompetent enough to be 
ousted?  The generals?  Kenichi Omae? Voters?  On the basis of that elitist
argument one could also say that Ryutaro Hashimoto is an incompetent leader 
and ought to be replaced by a military junta, and that if Japanese voters 
are stupid enough to vote for the Liberal Democratic Party they deserve to 
have their vote taken away.

Whoops! Better not suggest the idea. Omae might agree with me.

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

JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: CLINTON FACES CONSTITUTIONAL BATTLE OVER MYANMAR 
SANCTIONS
6 March, 1998
by Michael S. Lelyveld, Journal of Commerce Staff

A pending suit against a Massachusetts sanctions law may force the Clinton
administration, which has played both sides of the issue, to take a stand
against such independent actions by states. 

The Clinton administration is likely to face some tough choices in a
constitutional battle shaping up over state trade sanctions aimed at
Myanmar, the renamed Burma.

The administration has effectively played both sides in the controversy,
sometimes defending the right of states to act independently on sanctions,
and sometimes asserting federal jurisdiction over foreign policy. 

Now it may be forced to take a stand against Massachusetts and other local
governments that acted to ban state purchases from companies that do
business in rogue states like Myanmar.

The quandary is the result of a reported plan by the National Foreign Trade
Council to file suit against the Massachusetts law, which discourages state
contracts with companies that do business with Myanmar. News of the planned
lawsuit was first disclosed in The Journal of Commerce. A memo on the details 
from NFTC President Frank Kittredge, printed in the newsletter Inside U.S. 
Trade, said the suit would be filed at the end of March.

"We are certainly considering it," said Mr. Kittredge in a phone interview
this week. 

The plan calls for filing in two jurisdictions at once, a move that could
eventually bring the case before the Supreme Court and challenge all
sub-federal purchasing laws targeting Myanmar, Indonesia and Nigeria.

Activists believe the second suit will come in California, where some
municipalities have adopted similar purchasing measures against the
military regime of Myanmar. So far, 18 cities and one California county
have joined Massachusetts. State legislation is pending in Vermont and New
York.

The Washington-based trade council argues that the Constitution gives the
federal government sole power to conduct foreign policy, said Mr.
Kittredge, who is also vice chairman of USA Engage, a coalition of
corporate interests that oppose U.S. unilateral curbs.

"We're not doing foreign policy. We understand that section of the
Constitution," said Massachusetts Rep. Byron Rushing, a Boston Democrat 
and author of the Myanmar legislation. "As a state, we can decide on moral
grounds who we buy from, just like an individual can."

Other advocates suggest that Massachusetts may defend selective purchasing 
as a form of free speech, opening larger constitutional questions for the 
courts to decide.

The administration's dilemma is that it first opposed the Massachusetts law
after the European Union and Japan lodged objections against it in January
1997, arguing that it violated the 1994 General Procurement Agreement on
open contracting between the United States and the EU.

When the EU then threatened to take a complaint to the World Trade
Organization, the administration switched to defending Massachusetts, at
least in its public statements. It could now be forced to switch back again
and fight the state law in order to defend its own power before the courts.

At its worst, the whipsaw on the issue could also put the federal
government in the uncomfortable position of trying to argue for the
Massachusetts law before the WTO and against it before the Supreme Court.

"An interesting hypothetical scenario," said Jay Ziegler, spokesman for 
the U.S. Trade Representative's office. But he doubts that it will come 
to that. One way to avoid a conflict is to stay out of the case and let 
the courts decide.

"At this juncture, we regard this as a private matter between the
litigants," said Mr. Ziegler.

But the stance could carry a high risk. If Mr. Rushing and Massachusetts
win on the principle that selective purchasing is protected by the First
Amendment or is some other right of the state, the federal government could 
lose a considerable chunk of trade negotiating power.

In the future, Washington could find it hard to guarantee that its trade
commitments would carry force if they are subject to independent actions by
states.

Recently, Mr. Rushing met informally with representatives of the European
Commission, the British Embassy and the State Department to exchange ideas, 
but it is unclear whether the meeting will lead to a compromise. 

[John Maggs in Washington contributed to this report.]

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

A MESSAGE FROM AUNG SAN SUU KYI FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
8 March, 1998

Today is a day for both thought and action. We have to give thought to the
reasons why there is a need to have an international women's day and we
have to be prepared to act in accordance with that need.

It cannot be doubted that in most countries today women, in comparison to
men, still remain underprivileged. Often we are reduced to the status of
the weaker gender not because of our physical fragility but because our
position has been weakened by social decree. In too many parts of the
world, the vulnerability of women is exploited. In some cases they are
subjected to such strong social strictures that their lives become a mere
travesty of the wholesome existence to which every human being has a right.

Young girls start off life with a gross handicap when they are deprived of
proper education and even proper medical care because they are not valued
by their society. Such discrimination not only constitutes injustice to
women, it is hurtful to the whole human race. It is only by creating
conditions under which women are given an equal opportunity with men to
develop their talents that our world will be able to reap the full benefits
of a healthy community.

The disadvantages with which women are forced to cope have to be offset
through solidarity and endeavour. International Women's Day is an
appropriate time to focus attention on ways and means of strengthening 
our solidarity and developing our capacity for movements that will empower
women and enable them to take their rightful place in the social and
political development of their society.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for me to thank all those women,
young and old, from across the globe who have demonstrated the most 
heart warming solidarity for the cause of democracy in Burma. The 
dedication and intelligence which they bring to bear on their selfless 
task, their capacity for hard work, the humour and friendship they 
unfailingly demonstrate under the most trying circumstances, have filled
me time and again with renewed hope and courage. With such women, broad 
of mind and big of heart, there is every likelihood that civilized solutions
can be found to our most difficult problems.
	
May International Women's Day this year constitute a milestone in the
endeavour to make the world a safer, happier home not just for women but
for the whole human race.

(signed)
Aung San Suu Kyi
Rangoon
-------------------------------------------
A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma

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

BURMESE WOMEN UNION (BWU) STATEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, 1998
8 March, 1998

International Women's Day 1998 celebrates the commitment of Burmese women 
to gaining unity in the struggle for equality, liberty, peace and the
development of all women throughout the world.
   
In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the 8th of March 
as International Women's Day, aiming to honor and strengthen the efforts of
women in their struggle for social, cultural, economic and political rights.

International Women's Day unites women around the world in the belief that 
all women can join hands in cooperation with one another, and in solidarity 
for the struggle for women's rights globally. The Burmese Women's Union 
strongly believes that all women from Burma have a crucial role to play 
in the resolution of our country's problems. In addition, such a resolution 
must be found in concert with women from all ethnic areas.

Under a brutal military dictatorship, the people of Burma have, over the
past thirty years, lost the sense of real democracy and enjoyment of human
rights.  The country has been progressively falling into a social and
political abyss. Particularly, women from ethnic backgrounds in Burma have 
borne the brunt of much of the military's oppression and hardships. Women's 
rights cannot be enjoyed in Burma under a military dictatorship that fails 
to respect the human rights of its people, and fails to acknowledge the
contribution that Burmese women can make to rebuilding a new and better 
Burma.

We understand that it is essential to abolish the military dictatorship in
Burma in order for peace, safety and the true development of women from all 
ethnic backgrounds to flourish. Therefore, we declare that on the occasion 
of International Women's Day in 1998, Burmese Women's Union (BWU) will work
together, hand in hand, with women from all ethnicities in the struggle 
against the military dictatorship, and for the promotion of democracy, 
human rights and equality of ethnic nationalities in Burma.

Central Executive Committee, Burmese Women Union,
March 8,1998

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

BURMA.NET: WOMEN OF BURMA PUBLIC CHAT SESSION
8 March, 1998

Everyone with fingers is welcome to join in a public discussion via 
the Burma.net  internet "chat room" on MONDAY MARCH 9TH AT 9:PM EST 
(6:PM PST, 9:AM MARCH 10TH IN THAILAND).

The topic of discussion will be women of Burma. What are their roles in
their families as mothers, daughters, and sisters? Although they have to
manage the welfare of the whole family, do they have rights to make the
crucial decisions in their families. How can we suggest to our Burmese
society to become a better one by keeping some good traditional ways and
abolishing some unacceptable ways for today's modern society. What are 
good things about being a woman from Burma?

To join in, just enter the Burma.net chatroom.  There are two ways to enter:
1. Goto http://burma.net/chat with netscape or internet explorer (faster if
you get the ichat plugin from www.ichat.com)    OR
2. Use Telnet to connect to "burma.net" on port "4000".  (Run the command
"telnet burma.net 4000")

Once you're in, you can read what everyone else is typing, and they can all
read what you type!

The chatroom is free and open 24hrs/day.  So you might want to try it out
once before Monday so you're familiar with the program.

If you have any questions contact sysop@xxxxxxxxxx
Hope to "see" you there!
women-moderator@xxxxxxxxx

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

MON UNITY LEAGUE: MUL REJECTS NAI SHWE KYIN'S RECENT STATEMENTS
6 March, 1998

Nai Shwe Kyin, the President of the New Mon State Party (NMSP), was met 
and interviewed by a Thai journalist on the 51st anniversary of       
Mon National Day Celebration held at Weabine Village in Mon State on 12
February 1998.  During the interview Nai Shwe Kyin was quoted as saying
many things which are contrary to the Mon people's struggle and general
opinion.  So we, the Mon Unity League (MUL) completely and strongly reject 
all that Nai Shwe Kyin said in the interview.  We also notice that there 
has been dissension within NMSP since its cease-fire agreement with SLORC 
in 1995.

MON UNITY LEAGUE

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SHAN ALERT: HELP FOR SHAN, PA-O, PALAUNG REFUGEES
6 March, 1998

Alert concerning the situation of Shan refugees in northern Mae Hong Son
province.

Between 12-13 Feb 98, 457 refugees from Shan, Pa-O and Palaung village in the 
area of Ho Murng fled into Bangmapha District of Mae Hong Son following
fighting between the Shan States Army and SPDC troops. These refugees
gathered at the village of Bang Yon, approximately 2 kms inside the Thai
border. Up until now, 
the Thai authorities have refused to allow NGOs to provide the refugees
with humanitarian assistance.

Beginning on 24 Feb, SPDC troops began entering Thailand in apparent
pursuit of the refugees. By 27 Feb, approximately 300 troops had entered at
three different places. At two of the border points, opposite Bang Yon and
Toong Na, these troops have planted mines inside Thailand.

Thai authorities have negotiated with the SPDC troops several times to
retreat, but at one site there are still 40-50 troops 2 kms inside
Thailand, and at the other two crossing points the troops remain right on
the border. There is no security being provided to the refugees. There are
only about 30 Thai Rangers stationed at the village of Boong Yam, 7 km to
the south of the refugee site.

The following actions are strongly urged:

1. Security must be provided for these refugees.
2. NGOs must be allowed to provide humanitarian assistance to these refugees.

Shan Herald Agency for News

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SHAN: 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILITARY TAKEOVER MESSAGE  (2 MARCH)
5 March, 1998

Today, 2 March, not only marks the beginning of military rule in "Burma"
but also the end of the Union of Burma. Before 1962, the various ethnic
territories of the former British Indochina were joined together by the
treaty at Panglong and the Union Constitution of 1947. But henceforth
Panglong was to be honored only by name but not in spirit or practice while
the Union Constitution no longer continued to be operative by the decree
from the Burma Army that took power on this day. The whole former British
Indochina in effect is now a Burmese Indochina, a string of colonies
governed from Rangoon.

Therefore, the present efforts made by any one or organization to
resurrect the Union without paying honor to the said treaties that they
richly deserve would be tantamount to marriage without consent, to state in
restrained terms.

The Shan Democratic Union and the Shan State Army had, on 4 January,
proposed that those who had won the Elections in 1990, including the NLD
and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), be allowed to
convene the long due Parliament in return for Amnesty for all those
concerned. This call has been favorably responded by the Opposition in
general and we hope the military government in Rangoon also sees it as a
proper beginning for reconciliation and peace, which shall benefit not only
the people they are supposed to serve but also themselves and their families.

All in all, we may be expecting too much. But if everyone concerned just
stop, breathe steady and ponder, our suggestion might no longer be so far
fetched as they seem to be.

S.H.A.N.

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