The BurmaNet News: June 12, 1998

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: June 12, 1998
Issue #1025

HEADLINES:
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BKK POST: SUU KYI APPEAL 
BKK POST: PROTECTION COURSE 
NATION: UNHCR GIVEN ROLE 
BKK POST: REGIONAL SITUATION WORSENED BY SLUMP 
BKK POST: THE PARTY NEEDS FUNDS 
XINHUA: CHI HAOTIAN MEETS BURMA'S AIR FORCE CHIEF 
KA HSAW WA: STATEMENT AT UNOCAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING 
IHT: BURMA'S HEALTH (LETTER)
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The Bangkok Post: Suu Kyi Appeal 
11 June, 1998  

Manila -- Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to
Philippine President elect Joseph Estrada to take the lead in supporting
the pro-democracy movement in Rangoon, a non-government group said yesterday.

Merci Ferrer of the Free Burma Coalition said Mrs Suu Kyi made the appeal
in a taped message handed to her during a meeting June 5 in the Burmese
capital. 

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The Bangkok Post: Protection Course
12 June, 1998 

Burma's Social Welfare Ministry opened the country's first course on
protecting women against violence, a government statement said yesterday.

The three-day course would instruct an undisclosed number of ministry
workers on how to collect data relating to violence against women. 

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The Nation: UNHCR Given Role 
11 June, 1998 by Marisa Chimprabha 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will be allowed
to participate in the administration of all 12 border camps for displaced
Burmese as a "co-partner", a senior government source said yesterday.

However, because of the UNHCR's shortage of staff, it will adopt a rotation
monitoring team so they can effectively provide assistance for the Burmese,
the source said.

A proposal detailing the role of the UN agency in the camps has been
drafted by Thai authorities and the UNHCR and submitted to the National
Security Council for final endorsement.

The NSC is expected to approve the proposal soon, the source said.

"The UNHCR will work as a co-partner with Thai authorities from the
beginning, starting with deciding whether the Burmese should be received
into the camps, screening them to determine their status and registering
them," the source said.

"Importantly, the UNHCR will cooperate with Thai authorities in deciding
whether to repatriate the Burmese. The agency and Thailand will decide
whether it is timely to sand them back, but repatriation will not be
against the will of the Burmese. The joint mission will also determine
whether the areas where the Burmese will be repatriated are safe," the
source said.

Thailand changed its policy stance earlier this year when Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai publicly announced that he agreed in principle to the UNHCR
playing a greater role in the camps for displaced Burmese.

Previously, the UN agency was refused any role in the camps. Due to the
international organisation's absence, Thai authorities have often been
criticised for their handling of the camps and for forcibly repatriating
the Burmese.

"Thailand has to accept the UNHCR's role in the camps because we need
financial assistance as the country has suffered from the economic crisis.
We cannot handle it by ourselves," the source said.

The proposal under consideration by the NSC does not include the budget the
UNHCR will provide for the camps' administration.

At present there are 12 Burmese camps situated in four provinces -- Tak,
Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi --housing about 96,000 Burmese.
The large number of displaced people has caused problems for Thailand in
terms of national security, public health and social and economic issues.

"In granting the UNHCR a role in the camps we have to recognise that all
the procedures will require more time as it is different from in the past
when Thailand could run everything in the camps itself," the source said.

The source added that the UNHCR will not be authorised to provide security
for the camps or refugees, leaving those duties to voluntary forces, border
patrol police and soldiers. 

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The Bangkok Post: Regional Situation Worsened by Slump 
11 June, 1998 by Achara Ashayagachat 

The economic slump has worsened the region's migration situation, and
Thailand faces a humanitarian dilemma in accommodating international
responsibilities and at the same time addressing the needs of its people,
Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said.

He said Thailand's rising unemployment is compounded by its special status
as a sending, receiving and transit country for migrant workers, being home
to 1.3 million migrants, 809,000 of them illegal, and 700,000 of them from
Burma.

Mr Saroj was speaking at the third meeting of a conference entitled
"Asia-Pacific International Governmental Consultations on Regional
Approaches to Refugees and Displaced Persons", hosted by the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for
Migration.

He said the financial crisis in Thailand has had a tremendous social
impact, particularly in terms of rising unemployment, and the number of
unemployed would reach 2.3 million by the end of this year.

Burma has so far responded positively and is cooperating with Thailand to
resolve the problem, he said.

Burma's deputy minister of immigration and population, U Maung Aung told
the Bangkok Post that he did not think the issue was too difficult or too
delicate to be resolved between neighbours.

"It's just how to start the talks, but we may have to do something about
immigration procedures like opening more checkpoints, perhaps in the
Myawaddy area," said the Burmese minister.

Mr Saroj said that even though more checkpoints were open, the porous
Thai-Burmese border could not prevent migratory flows.

"It is one of various means, and we are working on how to structure the
talks," he said.

While the Thai government is enhancing the role of the UNHCR in dealing
with the issue, Burma has yet to embrace the UNHCR role.

Burma seems to prefer bilateral dealing before allowing international
organisations to step in, Foreign Ministry sources said.

"Cooperation between Thailand and the UNHCR has already started.
Burma-Thailand is beginning but the Burma-UNHCR circle of cooperation has
yet to start," he said.

Apart from the repatriation of illegal migrant workers, the Thai government
has examined carefully the linkage between the crisis and internal
migration, and the match between the skills of newly unemployed local
labour and what is required to substitute for foreign illegal labour.

"We have to minimise the negative aspects of irregular migration by
promoting orderly and regular migration to support sustainable
development," Mr Saroj said.

The Foreign Ministry is now planning to organise an international symposium
on migration by early next year to focus international awareness on the
impact of the issue of transnational migration, particularly in this
region, and to search for international cooperation towards a more
manageable flow of migration including combating transborder crime, drug
trafficking, and human trafficking, he said.

Francois Fouinat, head of the UNHCR Bureau for Asia & the Pacific, said the
migratory dimensions of the economic crisis in the region will be the
predominant concern, and asylum and refugee issues cannot be ignored.

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The Bangkok Post: The Party Needs Funds 
11 June, 1998 

Burma's Thachilek province opposite Chiang Rai is attracting a lot of Thai
investment baht of late, with one major project the effort of a group
closely associated with the New Aspiration Party.

The 6,000-million-baht golf course, first-class hotel and shopping complex
on 1,000 rai is headed by Siri Thiwaphan, an adviser to the NAP, a former
commander of the third army region commander and a three-time MP, and Adul
Boonsert, who has represented Pichit for the NAP in the House in the past.

Of course the project would not be complete without the mandatory casino,
and it is scheduled to open later this year with earnings put at some 1,000
million baht each month. The profit-sharing agreement between the Burmese
government and the project investors is said to be a 40/60 split.

Pol Lt-Col Adul is said to be the driving force behind the project under
the name of NYM Group Ltd, which has entered into a joint venture with
Burmese businessman U Aung La's MY Enterprise Ltd.

Khint Tun, an economic adviser to the Thachilek governor, told us the
Burmese authorities had granted the concession to U Aung La.

The setting up of MY Enterprise by U Aung La reached fruition during a
meeting of Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's mobile cabinet last year in Chiang Rai.

"Burma will benefit from this Thai investment because it will bring a small
boom to the area," boasted Khint Tun.

But the benefits are not all Burma's. This is in no philanthropic gesture
on behalf of the Thai partners and the rewards are expected to find their
way into the NAP's war-chest in time for the next election.

Another group tied to a Thai political party that has been sinking baht
into Burma is headed by Prasit Phosuthon, the elder brother of Prapat
Phosuthon, the Chart Thai Party's deputy interior minister.

Mr Prasit's Vitawat International Co Ltd is investing in the Golden
Triangle Paradise and Resort Project on 2,500 rai in the Burmese divide of
that fittingly notorious piece of real estate overlapping Thailand, Burma
and Laos.

Yes, this project too will combine a casino, a hotel and a golf course. And
as a bonus, there's a health park.

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Xinxua (China State-run English Language Paper): Chi Haotian Meets Burma's
Air Force Chief 
9 June, 1998 

Beijing -- Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chi Haotian said here today that
China is ready to further develop the friendly and cooperative relations
between the armed forces of China and Myanmar. Chi, also vice-chairman of
the Central Military Commission and State Councillor, made the remarks when
meeting with Major Gen. Kyaw Than, commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Air
Force, and his party.

Despite of the changing international situation, China and Myanmar have
always enjoyed a healthy and stable relationship, which has stood the test
of time, he said.

China treasures its ties with Myanmar and hopes the friendship between the
two nations and two peoples will pass from generation to generation, he said.

He expressed his belief that Kyaw Than's visit would promote the
development of relations between the two armed forces, especially their air
forces.

Kyaw Than said Myanmar leaders have pointed out many times that China is
the most reliable friend of Myanmar, because it helped his country in the
most difficult times.

He noted that the Myanmar government, armed forces and people are willing
to further develop the friendship between the two sides, and expressed his
belief that the cooperation between the two armed forces would be
strengthened.

The Myanmar guests arrived here at the invitation of Lieut. Gen. Liu
Shunyao, commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

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Ka Hsaw Wa: Statement at Unocal Shareholder Meeting 
1 June, 1998 from <bfla@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Good morning.  My name is Ka Hsaw Wa, and I am the Director of Earth Rights
International.  For three years, I have documented the abuses that are
happening because of Unocal's Yadana Gas Pipeline in Burma.  I want to
thank you for letting me speak today about the suffering that your pipeline
is causing my people.   In Burma, anyone who criticizes your pipeline faces
torture and even death.

I have traveled to your pipeline.  I have interviewed hundreds of villagers
who have connected to your pipeline.   Even now, men, women, and children
must go for forced labor on the pipeline route.  I have interviewed dozens
of people who now refer to themselves as "pipeline porters."   They are
forced to carry the heavy loads of the SLORC soldiers you have sent to
patrol your pipeline.

You say that Unocal's presence has improved the lives of my people.  I ask
you -- if that is true, then why are so many of the villagers living in
refugee camps now, instead of enjoying the great benefits that you say you
bring?    SLORC have shot and killed villagers who they think are trying to
flee to Thailand.   The villagers would still rather risk their lives to
escape than to stay in Burma living in fear.

We have all heard your praise your development projects.   Do you know what
the people in the villages say?   They told me: "These projects are like
when the man throws leftover bones to the dog, so that the dog won't bite
the man."   The villagers know that your projects are not generous gifts --
they are just another part of your security plan that has already ruined
their lives.

I would like to end today with a plea:  Right now, as I speak to you, your
security guards in the pipeline area are forcing [villagers] to carry their
weapons as they hunt wild elephants -- including one very rare while
elephant.  These are troops from LIB 282, 409, 410, 404 and 405 -- troops
[that] are there specifically to guard your pipeline.  I have heard you say
that you are committed to protecting the environment and the people near
your project. If that is true, please, for once, use your influence now to
stop your SLORC soldiers from enslaving these villagers and hunting these
elephants.

I will be happy to speak to anyone about this in more detail at any time.

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International Herald Tribune: Burma's Health 
10 June, 1998 

Letter to the Editor

Since assuming power in 1988, the Burmese military junta has transformed
the country into one of the most backward and repressive in Asia. The
continuing deterioration of the economy, and a leadership more interested
in holding on to its privileges than in the welfare of its people, have
significantly hurt the health of the Burmese people, particularly women and
children.

According to UNICEF, the national infant mortality rate in 1996 was 105 per
1,000 live births, compared with 33 in Vietnam, 31 in Thailand and 11 in
Malaysia. One million Burmese children are reported to be malnourished, 9
to 12 percent of them severely.

The health of the population can not be isolated from the political
situation in the country. Under present conditions, it is possible that the
people's health will continue to deteriorate. The only way to reverse this
situation is for the government to revise its priorities and set the health
and well-being of the people above its military concerns.

Cesar Chelala, New York  (The writer is an international medical consultant)

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