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The BurmaNet News: June 23, 1998 (r)



please unsubcribe me from all burma net news

thanks
Tim Thurmond

BurmaNet Editor wrote:

> ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
>  "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> The BurmaNet News: June 23, 1998
> Issue #1032
>
> HEADLINES:
> ==========
> THE NATION: SUU KYI'S BIRTHDAY CAUSES A STIR
> VOA: THAN SHWE
> NLOM: REPORT ON EXCLUSIVE THAN SHWE INTERVIEW
> NEWS FROM THE BORDER: COST OF LIVING IN TACHILEK
> BKK POST: BURMESE CALL OFF TRUCE TALKS WITH REBELS
> BKK POST: BURMA SAYS "NO" TO JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING
> ASIAWEEK: JAPAN ENGAGES MYANMAR
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> The Nation: Suu Kyi's Birthday Causes a Stir
> 20 June, 1998
>
> RANGOON -- Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi celebrated her 53rd
> birthday yesterday, with her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD)
> party defiantly declaring it Burmese Women's Day.
>
> Burma's military junta had said that it was strongly opposed to the
> opposition's plan to mark the event as a national day for women.
>
> About 300 guests, mostly NLD members, arrived at her lakeside house in
> Rangoon early yesterday morning to wish her well.
>
> Arriving guests were not prevented from gathering by the military junta,
> but were checked by soldiers posted outside her compound before they
> entered her home, witnesses said.
>
> Earlier, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner went to a pagoda for a Buddhist
> religious ceremony at which she offered a meal to monks and asked them to
> bless her, the witnesses said.
>
> "We are celebrating her birthday and declaring June 19 as Burmese Women's
> Day," an NLD member said as he entered Suu Kyi's residence.
>
> State-run newspapers, which act as a mouthpiece for the ruling State Peace
> and Development Council (SPDC), on Wednesday had dubbed Suu Kyi the "Veto
> lady".
>
> They said plans to mark her birthday as Women's Day were an insult to
> Burmese patriots and to her late father Aung San who helped lead the
> country to independence.
>
> "It will amount to an insult to the mother and father who slapped the face
> of colonialists if attempts were made to designate the birthday of the Veto
> Lady as Burmese Women's Day," the papers said. Suu Kyi's NLD swept the
> general election held in 1990 but the party's landslide victory was ignored
> by the military, who later put her under six years of house arrest.
>
> Since then, the military and the NLD have been at political loggerheads.
> The opposition claims that the military abuses human rights and suppresses
> democracy, a charge the military has denied.
>
> Suu Kyi was freed in mid-1995 and is allowed to leave her house, but her
> political activities and those of the NLD have been curbed by the junta.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> Voice of America: Than Shwe
> 17 June, 1998 by Gary Thomas
>
> Intro: Burma's most senior general says the ruling military government
> harbors no ill will toward the United States for its efforts to isolate
> Burma. His comments came in an unusual magazine interview. From VOA's
> Southeast Asia bureau, correspondent Gary Thomas has details.
>
> Text: Diplomatic analysts based in Rangoon admit they are puzzled by the
> apparently conciliatory comments toward the United States, which come from
> General Than Shwe, Chairman of Burma's state peace and development council.
>
> In what the analysts call an extremely rare interview, Than Shwe told
> "Leaders" magazine, an obscure quarterly publication, that his government
> harbors no antagonism or hostility toward the United States, even though
> the United States has imposed sanctions on Burma and pressured other
> countries to follow suit.
>
> His comments are a far cry from the usual anti-American rhetoric emanating
> from Burma's leadership, through the tightly-controlled state-run media.
>
> What analysts find even more puzzling is that the interview was reprinted
> in its entirety in the state-run newspaper, "New Light of Myanmar."
> [BurmaNet Editor's Note: see next article for text.]
>
> Noting Burma's position between China and India, Than Shwe says Burma could
> envision a strategic relationship with the United States, similar to the
> ties between Washington and Thailand.
>
> // opt // The general says international assistance will help the process
> of democratization in Burma, while what he calls "hostile attitudes" by
> other countries could delay any political liberalization. // end opt //
>
> Some Rangoon analysts -- all of whom asked to remain anonymous -- speculate
> the interview is a public-relations attempt to brush up Burma's image and
> show its rulers to be reasonable men.
>
> The analysts point out the interview was not with a major media outlet, but
> with a little-known magazine. They add that the general was not asked any
> difficult questions, with his interviewers avoiding topics such as human
> rights and Burma's pro-democracy movement.
>
> Than Shwe does not give interviews. On those occasions where he appears
> publicly, he ignores reporters' questions, if any happen to be close by. He
> told "Leaders" magazine he has been misinterpreted by the media and
> therefore keeps a low profile.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> New Light of Myanmar: Report on Exclusive Than Shwe Interview
> 14 June, 1998
>
> [In his first interview with the press since assuming military leadership
> of the government of Myanmar, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe,
> chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, discusses several
> troubling and often misunderstood issues facing his country and its people.
>  In this exclusive interview, which opens our special report on the Union
> of Myanmar starting on page 62, Shwe discusses the circumstances that
> necessitated the military's assumption of government leadership and the
> steps the military government is taking to assist in the country's reform
> to a democratic system of government.
>
> [The difficulties involved in the political and social amelioration of the
> Union of Myanmar are further exacerbated by the imposition of Western
> sanctions, primarily by the United States.  Removing those sanctions, Shwe
> contends, would hasten the country's economic development and ease the
> democratic transition. "My genuine desire," he states in his interview, "is
> to see our country develop and prosper, and to see the emergence of a
> democratic system."
>
> [LEADERS Magazine is published quarterly and circulated to distinguished
> leaders of the world.  Circulation is strictly limited.  To receive LEADERS
> Magazine one must be the leader of a nation, an international company, a
> world religion, an international institute of learning or an international
> labour organization, or a chief financial officer, a major investor on
> behalf of labour or corporate pension funds, a chief information officer, a
> Nobel Laureate, or a leader in science or the arts. --New Light of Myanmar
> Editors' Note.]
>
> In his first conversation with the press after assuming military leadership
> of the government of Myanmar, chairman of the State Peace and Development
> Council, Senior General Than Shwe, is eager to explain exactly what is
> taking place in his country and to set the record straight on his attitude
> toward the West.  "In spite of any sanctions the United States has against
> us," he says, "we bear no hostility and no antagonism toward the United
> States."
>
> Although Myanmar is using its wealth of natural resources to develop its
> economy and has good trade relations with its neighbours in the East, Shwe
> feels that lifting the sanctions imposed by the West because of the
> opposition to military rule would, in fact, help build the economy further
> and lead to the establishment of a democracy.  Most important, Shwe
> stresses that by removing sanctions and offering assistance, the West would
> facilitate the "handing over of state power back to the people more
> quickly".  "My genuine desire," he says, "is to see our country develop and
> prosper, and to see the emergence of a democratic system".
>
> [Leaders Magazine] Is this the first conversation you have had with any
> member of the press?
>
> [Than Shwe] Yes.
>
> [Leaders Magazine] Why have you decided to speak now?
>
> [Than Shwe] In our previous experiences with people from the media,
> whatever we said was usually misinterpreted, and sometimes
> misinterpretation, can give rise to misunderstandings.  I wanted to clarify
> these misunderstandings.  But I personally live a very quiet life, so I
> don't push myself to task to the press.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  This is a good opportunity to show the world that you
> are a statesman who is concerned for your nation and its future.  As such,
> one of the things you are focusing on now is rebuilding the country; for
> you, politics comes later.  But as you know, countries in the West are
> under the impression that you think it's necessary to have the security of
> a nation before you have democracy--that you can't have people voting if
> the votes are not honestly counted.  Can you explain this to those in the
> West who seem to be anti-Myanmar?
>
> [Than Shwe]  As you are aware, we are vigorously engaged in the national
> reconstruction of the country.  We are working for the development and
> peace of our nation.  At the same time, we are trying to place our country
> on the path of democracy, and to build a democratic system.  So, first we
> have to establish conditions of peace and tranquility, and law and order.
> At the same time as we are trying to establish political stability,
> however, we must also build up the economic foundation of our nation.  So
> we're definitely trying to do both.
>
> Of course we believe it's not natural for the armed forces to assume
> responsibility for the state for a very long time, but you must realize
> that because of the particular circumstances and conditions in our country,
> the armed forces have to assume responsibility for a certain period of time.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  US sanctions have hurt business investment in Myanmar.
> Here you are, on the border of India and also of China, a country the
> United States has had an up-and-down relationship with; sometimes it's good
> for trade, sometimes it's bad for human rights.  Aren't the sanctions the
> United States has imposed on Myanmar, and the influence it's using on
> European nations, driving you more toward China?
>
> [Than Shwe]  It's true, the United States has instituted sanctions against
> our nation.  But because we have developed a vibrant border trade with our
> neighbouring countries of India, China, and Thailand, and because of the
> assistance and support from other countries in the region, the impact of
> the sanctions is not so great.
>
> Whether the result of these sanctions has an effect on our relationship
> with other countries, I want to say that Myanmar has always tried to
> maintain friendly ties with all countries in the world.  We have been
> consistent in this policy throughout our history.  So, in spite of any
> sanctions the United States has against us, we bear no hostility and no
> antagonism toward the United States.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  But isn't that driving Myanmar closer to China?
>
> [Than Shwe]  No, I wouldn't say that US sanctions are pushing us toward
> China.  We want to continue to maintain good, cordial relations with all
> countries.
>
> Our country has a lot of natural resources, and we are able to utilize them
> very well to develop our nation's economy.  In addition, the countries in
> our region cooperate well with us, which also helps in our economic
> development.  Of course, if we get assistance from countries abroad, it
> will help us develop our nation even more. Having international assistance
> and support will greatly facilitate our economic and political endeavours
> and will also help us build a democratic system more quickly by
> facilitating the handing of state power back to the people. My genuine
> desire is to see our country develop and prosper, and to see the emergence
> of a democratic system.  It is toward this end that we are putting our best
> efforts.  I believe that if instead of imposing economic sanctions on our
> country, the world community would help us, we could reach this goal within
> three years.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  Everyone in the diplomatic community is asking when
> will your constitution be finished, and when will there be free elections?
> I know you're still working on the constitution, but the West wants to know
> when it will be complete.
>
> [Than Shwe]  Let me say that we have no intention of prolonging the process
> unnecessarily.  If we receive international assistance and support, the
> process of establishing a democratic system in our country will be sped up.
>  But if there is a hostile attitude from other countries, the process of
> democratization could be prolonged.  However, we, on our part, have no
> intention whatsoever to unnecessarily prolong this process.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  The American government has said off the record that
> they think the constitution will be written and that elections will be
> held, but not until a time when the military can win the elections.
>
> [Than Shwe]  Well, you know, the people will elect whom they like.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  Would you consider a high-level visit to the United
> States and Europe to discuss the World Bank, the sanctions, and the pride
> of the nation of Myanmar?  Also to urge the necessity for all those
> involved to understand that the sanctions are hurting the people of
> Myanmar, not the government, which will pursue its course and hold
> constitutional elections when the time is right?
>
> [Than Shwe]  The problem is that we are having difficulty getting a visa.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  But you should be able to get a visa to come to address
> the United Nations as a head of government?
>
> [Than Shwe]  If there is such an opportunity, of course.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  Since the United States has friendly relations with
> Thailand and has military bases there, Myanmar could offer the United
> States a strategic position between India and China.  Wouldn't be in both
> your interests if you could have discussions with the United States along
> these lines?
>
> [Than Shwe]  It is something to think about.  Because of the geographical
> and geopolitical fate of being located between India and China, two very
> big neighbours, we try to maintain good relations with both those
> countries. It would not help us if either China or India had unfavourable
> views toward us.  We believe that if there were a change of mind in the
> United States, we could develop cordial relations there, too.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  One of the most popular ways a big multinational
> company can invest in developing nations is by arranging to come into a
> country and build a power plant.  The company would have a contract to run
> the power plant for a certain number of years until it could make back a
> mutually agreed upon profit, and then it would turn over the entire plant
> to the developing country for free for future use.  Are any of these kinds
> of projects under consideration in Myanmar?  Would you welcome them?
>
> [Than Shwe]  One thing we chose to do after assuming the responsibility of
> running the government was to introduce an economic policy, and we invited
> foreign investment from abroad. Toward this end, we have set up necessary
> rules and procedures. We have our own regulations and laws for the kinds of
> investments you describe.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  And in which areas would you be interested in having
> this type of investment--power plants, roads?
>
> [Than Shwe]  One sector that comes to mind is hydroelectricity, because, as
> you know, we have resources for 3,000, 5,000, or even 10,000 megawatts.
> Another potential area is offshore drilling, because we have a lot of
> natural gas resources.  There are already companies interested in this area.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  You already have Texaco, ARCO, and Unocal. Is there
> still room for more competition?
>
> [Than Shwe]  Yes.  These companies are working with us on a joint venture,
> but we believe there is much more potential to be tapped in downstream
> industries, such as gas, fertilizers, and methanol.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  What is your vision for Myanmar in the next century?
> What are your present priorities and what are your priorities for building
> this nation in the future?
>
> [Than Shwe]  Our vision is to establish a peaceful, prosperous, modern,
> democratic, and developed state, utilizing the natural resources available
> in our country.  We are also a member of the Association of Southeast Asian
> Nations (ASEAN) and are trying to fulfill the vision set out for all ASEAN
> countries in what is called a "Vision 2020" statement.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  Which ASEAN country do you think best understands Myanmar?
>
> [Than Shwe]  Since we have been able to develop very close contacts with
> the leaders of all the ASEAN countries, I would say all of them have a good
> understanding of and very good relations with our country.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  And what are your feelings toward the United States?
>
> [Than Shwe]  Let me again reiterate that we have no ill feelings whatsoever
> toward the United States.  As you know, I am a soldier, but at the same
> time, I am also a Buddhist.  I faithfully try to follow the Buddhist
> teaching, which says one should not entertain antagonistic or hostile
> feelings toward other human beings.  So, even though I am a soldier, and
> even though I have to do certain things for the maintenance of peace and
> stability and for the welfare and security of the country, I don't have
> hostile or antagonistic feelings toward others.  Although the United States
> may have some ill feelings toward us, we have no ill feelings toward the
> United States.
>
> [Leaders Magazine]  World leaders are human, too.  You have seven children,
> and you are a grandfather.  You don't smoke, you don't drink, you are very
> quiet, and you probably have never shouted in your life.  How can you be so
> calm?
>
> [Than Shwe]  Actually, you know, I try to be calm and serene. Even now I am
> thinking that when I retire, I will devote myself to religion.  I don't
> have any worldly desires; I just want to live a quiet and peaceful life.
> What I am doing now is because I love my country.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> News From the Border: Cost of Living in Tachilek, Shan State, Burma
> Mid-June, 1998
>
> Cost of Living
>
> The following prices were gathered from the morning market in Tachilek.
> Most of them were displayed and only Thai baht was generally accepted. It
> was very difficult to buy items in Burmese kyat, and many traders didn't
> know the exchange rate, which at the time was 12 baht to 100 kyat.
>
> [Table consists of the following categories in the following order: item,
> cost (Thai baht) per kilo, cost (Burmese kyat) per kilo, length of time for
> a family of 6 to consume]
>
> Rice - broken: 9 baht, 75 kyat, 1 meal
> Rice - standard: 14 baht, 120 kyat, 1 meal
> Rice - high quality: 24 baht, 200 kyat, 1 meal
> Salt, 6 baht, 50 kyat, 2-3 weeks
> Fish paste: 22 baht, 180 kyat, 1-2 weeks
> Onions: 24 baht, 200 kyat, 1 week
> Chillies - fresh: 50 baht, 420 kyat, 2-3 weeks
> Cooking oil: 42 baht, 350 kyat, 3-4 days
> Yellow beans: 25 baht, 210 kyat, 3-4 days
> Potatoes: 15 baht, 125 kyat, 2-3 days
> Charcoal: 15 baht, 125 kyat, 2-3 days
> Eggs - chicken (x 6): 20 baht, 170 kyat, 1 meal
> Eggs - duck (x 6): 24 baht, 200 kyat, 1 meal
>
> The lengths of time quoted above are approximate, and when compared to the
> following salaries paid in Tachilek, they indicate the difficulties
> families are having in making ends meet.
>
> Primary school teacher -- 950 kyat / month
> Middle school teacher -- 1,200 kyat / month
> High school teacher -- 1,400 kyat / month
> Doctor (unspecified level) -- 3,000 kyat / month
> Government worker -- 1,500 kyat / month
> Soldier (private) -- 700 kyat / month
> Construction worker -- 80 - 100 kyat / day
>
> People were buying rice by the kilo rather than the 'bone' (the standard 16
> kilo measure for retail rice purchases). This was typical, as all rice
> prices were displayed per kilo. It again indicates that families are living
> day-to-day rather than being able to afford a stock of rice at home.
>
> All commercially grown food for sale had been imported from Thailand. There
> was no Burmese rice for sale in Tachilek - the only local produce being
> small quantities of wild vegetables and fruits, or those grown on
> small-scale farms, brought in by local Shan and Hmong villagers. The reason
> seems to be that there is not a good supply of Burmese produce this year
> (especially of rice), and the cost of transporting goods from Taunggyi and
> Mandalay is more expensive than the equivalent Thai produce in Mae Sai on
> the Thai side of the border.  The lack of supply of Burmese goods and
> increasing transportation costs has had a bad effect on the common people
> of Tachilek, and it can only be surmised that similar conditions exist in
> other outlying areas of Burma.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> The Bangkok Post: Burmese Call Off Truce Talks With Rebels
> 22 June, 1998
>
> Mae Hong Son
>
> Anti-Rangoon Karenni National Progressive Party soldiers have continued to
> harass Burmese government troops in Shan and Kayah states, prompting the
> Burmese junta to call off truce talks, a border source said.
>
> The latest engagement took place on June 12 when the Karenni rebels
> attacked government soldiers near the Thai border opposite Ban Nam Phiang
> Din of Muang district. One Rangoon soldier was killed and many wounded in
> the exchange of fire.
>
> The Burmese government had earlier called on the Karenni group to hold
> ceasefire talks, but some rebel leaders rejected it and harassed government
> forces in the two states in order to disrupt the talks.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> The Bangkok Post: Burma Says "No" to Joint Committee Meeting
> 21 June, 1998 by Supamart Kasem in Tak
>
> "Postponement leaves problems unresolved"
>
> Burma has postponed indefinitely the 16th Regional Thai-Burmese Border
> Committee meeting, leaving many problems between the two countries
> unsolved, a source said.
>
> The meeting was to be held on June 22-26 in Kawthaung, southern Burma.
> Third Army commander Lt-Gen Sommai Wachiraporn was to lead the Thai
> delegation while Southeastern Force commander Brig Gen Myint Aung was to
> head the Burmese side.
>
> Burma gave no specific reason for the postponement, saying only that it was
> not yet ready.
>
> Not even a local-level meeting has been held since last August, leaving
> many outstanding problems between Thailand and Burma unsolved.
>
> Water currents have cut a 150-rai piece of land on the Burmese side of the
> Moei River to join the Thai side at Wat Phra That Khok Chang Phuek. At
> another location, a 340-rai piece of land on the Thai side was cut by the
> currents to join the Burmese side opposite Ban Mae Konken. This led to a
> local-level armed confrontation. The problem has not been solved despite
> several rounds of talks at local and governmental level.
>
> Burma has built a 500-metre concrete embankment on the Myawaddy side to
> encroach on the Moei River from the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge to the
> North to annex a 50-rai island in the middle of the river. Despite being
> asked by the Thai side to stop construction, Burma has never responded.
>
> In November last year, Burma suspended cross-border trade between Mae Sot
> and Myawaddy. Later on April 14, Rangoon ordered the closure of a border
> checkpoint and the friendship bridge.
>
> The two countries are required to hold talks over border points in dispute
> at Doi Lang in Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district, Hill 491 in Chumphon's Tha Sae
> district and Nok, Lam and Khan islands in the Andaman Sea.
>
> Thailand wants to discuss with Burma the issue of some 100,000 Karen
> refugees in Mae Hong Son and Tak, especially on the greater role of the
> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to supervise refugee camps.
>
> The two countries recently agreed in principle to hold talks over
> demarcation of permanent border posts. The talks have not yet begun.
>
> Huekharn Tomornsak, the Tak governor, said the RBC meeting, if held, could
> lead to solutions to some of these problems. He hoped Burma would soon be
> ready for the meeting.
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> Asiaweek: Japan Engages Myanmar
> 26 June, 1998
>
> On May 26 and 27, Japan's deputy foreign minister Haraguchi Koichi met in
> quick succession with Myanmar's Gen David Abel and the de facto top man in
> the junta, Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt. Haraguchi delivered a letter from PM
> Hashimoto Ryutaro stating that Japan was pleased to resume aid to Myanmar,
> but added that it hoped the government would continue to pursue political
> reform. It said that a more flexible attitude in allowing the National
> League for Democracy to hold its anniversary celebration would be admirable.
>
> The generals are nothing if not realists -- realists short of money. On the
> evening of May 26 -- and without reference to a prior warning not to hold
> the meeting -- a curt new message was sent out giving the NLD approval to
> hold a ceremony marking the eighth anniversary of "their election."
>
> The NLD did, and a week later its leader, Aung San Sun Kyi, was allowed to
> host a reception at her residence for the visiting leaders of several ASEAN
> women's groups. A Yangon Spring? Don't bet on it. Even after the junta's
> change of heart, plans for the emigration to Australia of the Thai-based
> leaders of the so-called Burmese government-in-exile went ahead at a June
> 12 meeting in Bangkok between Thai and Australian officials.
>
> As for Japan, it agreed to give Myanmar 2 billion yen in debt relief and
> has further plans for a 600 million yen grant for farm machinery.
>
> ****************************************************************