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The BurmaNet News: July 15, 1998



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: July 15, 1998
Issue #1049

HEADLINES:
==========
Scmp: Karen Rebels "Ready for Junta Strike Force" 
Scmp: Drug Find "Covered Up" 
SPDC: Information Sheet No.A-0503(I) 
Bkk Post: Tourism Booming, Claims Military Junta 
NCGUB: Junta's Future Hangs on Safety of NLD Leaders 
Disabled Co-Operative (Huay Kaloke): Support for NLD
Dab: Statement on Current Situation 
The Nation: Nigerian Junta Can Show Burma the Way 
Bkk Post: Chuan Bids to Ease Wows 
The Nation (Letter): Asean Push Needed
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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: KAREN REBELS "READY FOR JUNTA STRIKE FORCE" 
14 July, 1998 

Karen guerillas based near the Thai border are preparing for an attack by a
much larger junta force reported to be massing in the area, a resistance
official said yesterday.

Karen National Union spokesman Nerdah Mya said up to 1,500 troops were
gathering opposite Mae Sot district in Thailand's northwestern Tak province.

He said he was "70 per cent sure" they were poised to attack the 500 to 600
soldiers at the rebels' Seventh Brigade headquarters in the area.

The spokesman said the brigade -- one of the largest rebel forces -- was
well-trained and the base was surrounded by mines and traps.

"We are confident we can hold on," he said, adding that the situation in
the contested area was otherwise quiet as roads were in poor condition due
to the rainy season.

The reports could not be confirmed. Foreign aid workers in Tak province
said they had heard of no troop movements on the Burmese side of the border.

The rebels are one of the last ethnic guerilla forces holding out in their
struggle for independence from Burma's ruling military council. 

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: DRUG FIND "COVERED UP"
15 July, 1998 by William Barnes 

Narcotics seizures have been covered up by the military regime in Rangoon
to protect their drug-dealing allies in the Golden Triangle, according to
the All Burma Students Democratic Front.

The Bangkok-based exile group said that by not reporting the interceptions
of drug shipments, the junta was showing itself to be the traffickers'
accomplice.

The exiles said 6kg of heroin were confiscated on the Chinese border after
a gunfight on June 6 when members of two powerful gangs clashed.

Drug-runners from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance snatched the
illicit merchandise from the United Wa State Army.

The student exiles said that instead of reporting the drug find, military
intelligence mediated between the two groups. 

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SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A-0503(I) 
14 July, 1998 

(1) Secretary-1 and Wife Leaving to Attend Ceremonies of 52nd Birthday
Anniversary of His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin
Waddaulah,  Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam,   Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife  Dr
Khin Win Shwe left Yangon for Brunei Darussalam by air on 13 July to attend
the ceremonies of the 52nd Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the Sultan
and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. 

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

THE BANGKOK POST: TOURISM BOOMING, CLAIMS MILITARY JUNTA 
14 July, 1998 

Tourism is booming in Burma, despite political tensions, the country's
military leaders said in a statement yesterday.

Arrivals soared from 150,000 in fiscal 1995/96 to 307,000 the following
year, it added. The 1995/96 visitors brought in revenue of $70 million
(2,940 million baht), the statement said, without giving a figure for 1996/97.

"(The) tourism industry in Myanmar (Burma) is developing in the past years,
despite groups of self-seekers attempts to hinder the industry's progress,"
the statement prepared by the country's embassy in Australia said.

Tourists were drawn to Burma by the "pleasant home" atmosphere, cultural
heritage and ancient buildings, it said.

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NCGUB: JUNTA'S FUTURE HANGS ON SAFETY OF NLD LEADERS 
13 July, 1998 from <ncgub@xxxxxxxxxxx> 

PM warns generals that "it is their own futures they hold in their hands as
well."

For immediate release: July 13, 1998

Prime Minister Sein Win, speaking from Australia today, warned Burma's
military junta not to harm Aung San Suu Kyi and the other N.L.D. leaders.
"If the generals hope to live out long and peaceful lives in honorable
retirement, their best chance is to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi and her
fellow N.L.D. leaders also lead peaceful, secure lives in a democratic Burma."

The Prime Minister added, "Daw Suu and the National League for Democracy
are committed to dialogue, to a peaceful resolution of Burma's crisis and
to reconciliation without revenge.  They offer a second chance not just for
Burma, but to the generals as well."

The N.C.G.U.B. leader's statements come in response to a press release this
week from the junta's Ambassador in Canada, who said that "there are known
elements who are trying to create political unrest by putting her to some
form of bodily harm."  In an apparent reference to the death in custody of
Nigerian democracy leader Mashood Abiola, the junta warned that if Aung San
Suu Kyi had persisted in trying to meet her supporters, "undesirable
events" could occur "similar to ones taking place in a major African
country following the death of a prominent politician."

Prime Minister Sein Win responded, saying that "the generals do not need to
remind us that they hold the power of life and death in Burma.  But each
should remember this.  It is their own futures they hold in their hands as
well."
The reference to Chief Abiola's death came just as a high ranking Nigerian
military delegation was on an official visit to Burma's military junta.
Abiola, like Aung San Suu Kyi, led his country's democracy movement to
victory in democratic elections only to have the results blocked by a
corrupt and brutal junta.  Abiola died in custody on July 7th from
untreated heart disease.  He had been denied medical care while being held
for years in isolation.  Abiola was jailed for insisting that the Nigerian
military honor his country's election results.  In a final letter published
after his death, Abiola wrote "There is no statute of limitations on valid
elections."

In Burma, military intelligence agents began arresting dozens of Members of
Parliament and N.L.D. members in late June, placing them under restrictions
akin to house arrest.  The arrests followed an article in the junta's
official paper that implicitly threatened the N.L.D. leader with death,
saying that if she did not learn her lesson, she could end up like South
Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem.  Diem was murdered on orders of South
Vietnamese general in 1963.

The National League for Democracy has called for the convening of the
Parliament based on the 1990 election results by August 21st.

TEL +1 202 393 7342
FAX +1 202 393 7343 
EMAIL: NCGUB@xxxxxxxxxxx 
815 FIFTEENTH STREET, N.W., SUITE 910,  
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
The N.C.G.U.B. is constituted by Members of Parliament democratically
elected in 1990.

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THE DISABLED CO-OPERATIVES (HUAY KOLOKE): SUPPORT FOR NLD'S CALL FOR
PARLIAMENT 
30 June, 1998 

The Disabled Co-operatives, No.  (2)/ 98

We, 37 members of the Disabled Co-operatives from Huay Kaloke refugee camp
would like to express our views on the NLD party's recent statements in Burma.

We became disabled persons because of the military dictatorship and
oppressions of the junta.  Therefore, to abolish the military dictatorship
in Burma, we would like to request the following:

1. We fully support the NLD party's demand to call the parliament within 60
days.

2. We call the international workers' community to pressure the military
junta to implement the 1990 May election result.

3. To achieve peace in Burma and to cease the 50 years long civil war in
Burma, the tripartite dialogue which includes the democratic parties and
forces, the ethnic forces and the SPDC.

4. To pressure and help to establish the genuine federal state in Burma.

5. To support the struggle for democracy rights, human rights and the
ethnic rights and support to achieve the unity among the nationalities in
Burma.

6. To support the current activities of the NLD party led by Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi which we strongly appreciate.

Fraternally,
Saw Sai Key
President, Disabled Co-operatives
Huay Kaloke refugee camp

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DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE OF BURMA: STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION 
14 July, 1998 from <lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

Media Release

We would like to express our grave concern at the escalating tension in
Burma, and also declare our support for the MPs who are currently being
persecuted and arrested by the SPDC.

Tension between the SPDC and the NLD is increasing daily. It has already
been 8 years since the NLD won the 1990 elections, but the SPDC is still
ignoring the result and trying to crush the NLD. The latter have repeatedly
asked for dialogue, but the SPDC has simply responded by arresting and
torturing their members.

The people of Burma have chosen the NLD as their representatives. The NLD
therefore have the right to convene parliament and form a government. It is
the SPDC who have illegally seized power against the will of the people,
and who are the source of the current problems. The SPDC will have to take
responsibility if the people rise up and use whatever means they can to
gain democracy.

The DAB supports the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the movement of
the people. People from all walks of life in Burma are currently facing
economic, social and political crises. To solve these problems, there must
be a tripartite dialogue between the democratic forces led by Aung San Suu
Kyi, ethnic representatives and the SPDC. The SPDC has to decide whether to
hold a dialogue while there is still time.

If there is no dialogue, the DAB calls on all the peoples of Burma to act
in order to gain democracy and not give up until they have achieved their
goal. The events of 8.8.88 have already given us a costly lesson.

Executive Committee Democratic Alliance of Burma
For more information please contact 053-278 152

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THE NATION: NIGERIAN JUNTA CAN SHOW BURMA THE WAY 
15 July, 1998 

Editorial

Officially General Sani Abacha, Nigeria's ruthless and paranoid former
dictator, died of a heart attack. But the rumour mills in Africa's most
populous nation are working overtime -- the general, many believe, died
from ''over-exertion in bed'' after popping a few Viagra anti-impotence pills.

It's no surprise this story has gained currency: Abacha was known to enjoy
the company of prostitutes, and many were flown into Abuja, the capital, by
businessmen cronies. Abacha would meet these women -- many from Russia and
eastern Europe -- in military safe houses or his fortified presidential
compound, Aso Rock.

If the rumours were true, Abacha would be the first dictator to fall victim
to Viagra. Yet another rumour had it that Abacha was poisoned by a member
of his inner circle who realised that Nigeria was doomed so long as the
dictator remained.

The death of Abacha's arch-nemesis, opposition leader Moshood Abiola, while
not as salacious, was no less controversial. He collapsed last week while
meeting a delegation from the US to discuss the release of political
prisoners. An international team of doctors was rushed to Nigeria to help
verify the circumstances of his death in the bid to put a lid on political
unrest. Riots subsided after the doctors found he died of ''natural causes''.

Nevertheless, Abiola couldn't have died at a worse time. On the day of his
death, there was widespread expectation that he would be released by new
military chief Abdulsalam Abubakar to negotiate a way around the political
roadblock left by the 1993 elections which Abiola was widely believed to
have won. This was ignored by the ruling military and when Abiola declared
himself president a year later, he was jailed by Abacha.

Since then the junta has faced tremendous international pressure to respect
human rights, so much so that Abacha promised to restore democracy by
October. But many took this with a pinch of salt, especially after the
general was declared the sole candidate for presidential elections set for
next month.
It appears that new leader Abubakar is determined to set Nigeria on a
democratic path. As a show of good faith, he released a number of political
prisoners soon after taking power. Abiola's death, however, has thrown a
spanner in the works. After all, the opposition leader had the electoral
mandate to play a key role in a new Nigeria.

But despite Abiola's death, Abubakar should not shirk from his mission to
nudge Nigeria back onto the track to democracy. This week he is expected to
announce a plan for political transition. This will be a clear step forward
for a country which has only enjoyed 10 years of civilian rule over the
past four decades.

The hope for democracy in Nigeria has thrown the spotlight on the plight of
another opposition leader who, like Abiola, won an election which was later
nullified by the military -- Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi. Only last week, the
Burmese junta sought to tighten the screws on Suu Kyi and her National
League for Democracy.

Nigeria's apparent bold move towards democracy is in clear contrast to
Burma's retrogression. This is partly due to the different roles played by
the Commonwealth and Asean. The Commonwealth, a 53-nation grouping of
Britain and its ex-colonies, has consistently kept the Nigerian military on
its toes. It suspended Nigeria's membership after Abacha executed
playwright and pro-democracy activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and it gave the junta
until October to bring in democratic reforms or face expulsion.

One wonders if Asean has the guts and gumption to do likewise: can the
forum summon the political will to threaten Burma with expulsion? Foreign
Minister Surin Pitsuwan has lately shown remarkable leadership by calling
for Asean to junk its much-criticised constructive engagement policy. But
he needs to do more if he is to get Asean's authoritarian members to lean
on the Burmese junta.

For the Burmese military, however, the writing is on the wall. The
Indonesian model it wanted to copy has fallen by the wayside since
Suharto's ouster in May. Now another military junta is providing the
example of a peaceful transition to democracy.  So what is Burma waiting for?

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

THE BANGKOK POST: CHUAN BIDS TO EASE WOES 
14 July, 1998 

Rangoon not ready to accept Thai remarks

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday cited today's freer flow of
information in defence of Thailand's call for more openness among member
states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Addressing a meeting of Asean information ministers, Mr Chuan said regional
heads of government had agreed to the idea of encouraging "open Asean
societies" in the longterm vision for the grouping they charted in Kuala
Lumpur last December.

But Burma's information minister, Major General Kyi Aung, emphasised that
Rangoon, as a participant in the Asean Vision 2020, had committed itself to
moving toward "closer cohesion" economically and socially.

The Burmese minister was critical of neighbours' remarks on growing
tensions in the country, in what was seen as a veiled swipe at Thailand.

Mr Chuan said new information technologies, together with the
liberalisation of trade and investment regimes, had connected economies to
the extent that events in one country "will unavoidably affect others".

Thailand has long recognised this freer flow of information would make the
world a more open society, and Asean heads of government had "incorporated"
this into the Asean Vision 2020. A section on a "Community of Caring
Societies" calls for "vibrant and open Asean societies consistent with
their respective national identities", he noted.

Mr Chuan at the same time urged the promotion of a "common regional
identity" among Asean member states in order to foster "a closer sense of
community".

The Burmese minister said his government's information policy conformed
with national, political and social objectives, as well as the country's
"independent and active" foreign policy.

"Our dissemination of information and news of other countries, especially
our neighbours, has always been guided by our will to be objective and
constructive," Maj-Gen Kyi Aung said.

"We do not play up the adverse conditions and happenings in other
countries. Accordingly, we would expect reciprocation from others," he
added, in a hardly veiled reference to Thailand.

Rangoon last week slammed Thai remarks on the situation in Burma as
presumptuous.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul last Wednesday expressed concern
about the growing tension in Burma and called for restraint from all sides.
With the statements, lie said he was applying Thailand's call for "flexible
engagement" among Asean member states on internal affairs that threatened
to destabilise the region.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Saturday said Thailand was
entitled to comment on the situation in Burma because it had made a
"political investment" in the country.

That investment, he added, was Thailand's repeated contention at
international for that isolating Burma was "not the right path".

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THE NATION: ASEAN PUSH NEEDED 
14 July, 1998 by Maung Maung, FTUB 

Letter to the Editor

By Maung Maung Burma Federation of Trade Union, Washington DC

The term "flexible engagement" being floated around is a sign that, as the
democratic movement has insisted, "constructive engagement" does not work
with the Rangoon junta.

Asean is facing an unenviable task of introducing the Rangoon junta to a
"flexible" way of thinking and acting but, as they had agreed to accept the
regime, they must deal with it.

The Philippine foreign secretary's warning that Burma seems to be heading
toward a new political confrontation and calling on the junta and
opposition leaders to resolve problems peacefully so as not to destabilise
Asean as a whole, still seems to be a statement made on economic, not
political, concerns.

The National League for Democracy has made repeated calls for dialogue and
recently made one on June 21, which was supported by most ethnic
nationalities and the democratic movement.

Asean should push the junta now to have an interim government formed with
the election winning parties and the ethnic nationalities or relinquish
power to pave the way for a democratically elected government.

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