The BurmaNet News: November 23-24,

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Subject: The BurmaNet News: November 23-24, 1998

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 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: November 22-23, 1998
Issue #1144

HEADLINES:
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BKK POST: JUNTA SLAMS UN ACCUSATIONS
BKK POST: 80 ILLEGAL WORKERS HELD IN BOAT RAID
GPA: SPY CHIEF CEMENTS CONTROL IN RESHUFFLE
NLOM: PYAPON TOWNSHIP NLD DISSOLVED
NLOM: MESSAGE FROM SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE
REUTERS: VIETNAM VILLAGERS SAVE STRICKEN MYANMAR SAILORS
REUTERS: MYANMAR MILITARY SAYS MORE OPPOSITION OFFICES SHUT
YOMIURI : NEWSPEOPLE / BOOK CHRONICLES TIME SPENT WITH WA 
ASIAWEEK: MYANMAR'S NEW PR MAN
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BKK POST: JUNTA SLAMS UN ACCUSATIONS

November 21, 1998

RANGOON, AFP

'ARCHAIC' COLONIAL LAW USED TO ARREST ACTIVIST

Burma yesterday  reacted angrily to United Nations allegations
that serious human rights violations including rape and torture were rife
in the country.

The claims, in a resolution by the UN General Assembly's human rights
commission were "highly selective and extremely partial," said a foreign
ministry spokesman.

"The allegations of continuing violations of human rights are not new...and
are completely untrue and stem mainly from the insurgents or those
associated with them."

"There is nothing to substantiate these allegations.  Therefore we totally
reject them."

Burma's permanent representative at the United Nations had disassociated
his delegation from the resolution, the spokesman said, adding that Rangoon
would continue to cooperate with the UN even though its claims were
"completely at variance with reality".

The resolution, issued in New York on Thursday, deplored "continuing
violations of human rights in Myanmar, including extrajudicial and
arbitrary executions, rape, torture, inhuman treatment, mass arrests,
forced labour [and] forced relocation".

It also urged the military government "to urgently expand and intensify its
contacts with the National League for Democracy with a view to engaging in
a substantive political dialogue with ... [Nobel prize winning NLD leader]
Aung San Suu Kyi".

The junta has been conducting a sweep against the NLD in recent months,
arresting hundreds of activists and taking them to government "guest houses".

Many party members have subsequently resigned-proof the opposition says of
coercion by military intelligence.

The resolution also urged that steps be taken to "permit unrestricted
communication with and physical access to Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as
other  political leaders, and to protect their physical well-being".

Foreign journalists permitted to visit Rangoon in recent weeks have been
prevented from meeting the NLD leader.

The resolution was based on work by the UN's special rapporteur, Rajsoomer
Lallah, who has not been allowed to enter Burma.

The 185-nation UN General Assembly is to vote on an annual resolution in
December condemning the junta for human rights abuses.

* The All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) said yesterday -NLD
township organiser San Maung was jailed for 15 days for not signing a
"guest list" at his friend's house in Zutchee village on November 8.

The  NLD member was charged under the Village Act, a 90-year-old colonial
law which demands households keep a list of inhabitants and inform.
authorities before 9 p.m. of any guests staying overnight.

The 'guest list' is an example of the extreme repression under which the
people of Burma live," ABSDF spokesman Aung Naing Oo said.

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BKK POST: 80 ILLEGAL WORKERS HELD IN BOAT RAID

November 20, 1998

Phuket - Eighty  illegal Burmese  workers were arrested by naval officers
in a raid on two boats with logging equipment off Surin Island 0 Wednesday.

Third Fleet commander Vice Admiral Somphop Phuridej said naval officers on
vessel Tor 78 searched two boats east of Surin Island, about 20 nautical
miles from Burmese waters, and found a total of 80 aliens, 16 chainsaws and
communications equipment on the boats.

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GREMAN PRESS AGENCY: SPY CHIEF CEMENTS CONTROL IN RESHUFFLE

November 21, 1998

FROM: BURMA [Greman Press Agency]

By BRUCE HAWKE in Rangoon

Burma's intelligence chief, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, has used a
recent leadership reshuffle to cement his position at the head of the most
powerful bloc in the Government, according to analysts.

Under his effective control, the junta - criticised around the world for
gross human rights abuses - seems set to embark on a campaign to try to
gain legitimacy both at home and abroad.

A newly appointed foreign minister is expected to lead an international
public relations offensive under General Nyunt, who is first secretary of
the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

Inside Burma, General Nyunt may be preparing to set up a political party to
counter the popular opposition group of the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The move could even pave the way for limited parliamentary representation -
a "shamocracy" in the words of a foreign banker - where 51 per cent of
seats would be reserved for the military or military appointees.

With national strongman, General Ne Win, now believed to be on his
deathbed, and the ailing SPDC chairman and Prime Minister, Senior General
Than Shwe, taking a limited role in politics, General Nyunt has quickly
risen to the top of the country's hierarchy.

General Nyunt, a protegee of long-time leader Mr Ne Win, staged what was
widely regarded as a palace coup in November last year, when he ousted most
of his Cabinet rivals.

Even his greatest threat, the army chief, General Maung Aye, lost his post
as deputy defence minister when the portfolio was replaced with that of
military affairs.

General Nyunt now either chairs or sits on at least 15 working committees.
Though he holds no portfolio, he addresses and controls every Cabinet
meeting. The notification of the reshuffle last weekend was signed by
General Nyunt, according to dissident groups.

His biggest problem has been his lack of standing within the army due to
his lack of field experience, and resentment in some quarters over his
efforts to build closer ties with China.

To gain a better foothold in the military, General Nyunt has handed a
deputy premiership, one of three such posts, to a close associate, Military
Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Tin Hla. General Hla played a pivotal
role in the brutal repression of pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988. 

On September 18, Rangoon announced the formation of a 16-member political
policy committee chaired by General Nyunt. Members include four senior
Cabinet ministers, the head of the Rangoon army regional command and senior
members of the feared Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, the
secret police widely accused of torture and extra-judicial executions.

Exiled Burmese dissident and academic Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe believes the new
committee is a precursor to General Nyunt setting up a political party and
introducing reforms intended to outflank Ms Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy, Burma's largest legal opposition party.

- Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
---------------------------------------------------
To find out more information, go to the web page: http://www.myanmar.com/

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: PYAPON TOWNSHIP NLD DISSOLVED


November 21, 1998

YANGON, 20 Nov -Altogether 41 members of National; League for Democracy in
Pyapon Township, Ayeyawady Division, including Chairman of Township NLD U
Maung Maung, have tendered their resignations and dissolved the Township
NLD out of their own volition.

Pyapon Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division was first formed on 7 December
1998. Now 41 member of the Township NLD including the township chairman
resigned from the party membership out of their own volition since they no
longer wish to continue to participate in NLD's political activities. They
notified the office of Pyapon Township Multiparty Democracy General
Election Commission and the chairman of the party concerned. On 17
November, personnel of the township NLD dissolved it by handing over the
signboard, seals, document to the Township Multiparty Democracy General
Election Commission.

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: MESSAGE FROM SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE 


November 21, 1998

CHAIRMAN OF STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL & PRIME MINISTER OF MYANMAR
TO FIRST JOINT MEETING OF JAPAN MYANMAR CCI BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE

YANGON, 20 Nov - On this auspicious occasion of the First joint Meeting of
the Japan-Myanmer. Business Co-operation Committee, I take great pleasure
in sending you best wishes for the success of the Joint Meeting. It is my
hope that this Meeting will contribute to greater coherence in economic and
technical cooperation.

The relations between Myanmar and Japan have been characterized by close
friendship, mutual understanding and genuine goodwill. It.is based on this
film foundation that concerted efforts should be made for long lasting
friendship between the peoples of Myanmar and Japan.

The end of Cold War has brought new prospects and new challenges. It has
also imparted new dimensions, new trends and new directions in the
relations between States as well. One of the features has been the impetus
for more cooperation and consultation among the nations of different
regions of the world. The salient features of the 21st century are likely
to be advantages in industrialization, technological innovations,
globalization, information technology, digital revolution and electronic
commerce. The long-term trend is the development of borderless societies
and economies.

In the world of interdependence, in spite of the economic turmoil,
uncertainties and challenges, good opportunities exist for economic
cooperation and trade. It is indeed an appropriate time for the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Myanmar and Japan to join hands and together face
the challenges of the 21st century and take full advantage of the
opportunities in the global trade.

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REUTERS: VIETNAM VILLAGERS SAVE STRICKEN MYANMAR SAILORS 

November 21, 1998 Eastern 

HANOI, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Vietnamese villagers in a central coastal
province rescued 21 Myanmar sailors after their ship ran into trouble
during a tropical storm, official media reported on Saturday. 

One sailor was killed and three others injured out of the crew of 22 when
the storm battered the vessel on Thursday evening off the coast of
Vietnam's Phu Yen province, the official Nhan Dan (People) daily reported.
It said the 7,000-tonne ship, called the Sunny, was en route from Hong Kong
to Malaysia. 

The vessel, registered in Panama, did not sink but the crew had to abandon
ship, the newspaper added. 

No further details were available nor was there any information on what
cargo the vessel was carrying. 

Tropical storm Dawn has lashed central Vietnam with heavy rains in recent
days, although few deaths have been reported. 

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REUTERS: MYANMAR MILITARY SAYS MORE OPPOSITION OFFICES SHUT 

November 22, 1998 Eastern 

YANGON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government said on Sunday at
least 10 offices of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) had
been closed by their members. 

A government spokesman told a news conference a further five NLD offices
were also being dismantled by their supporters and a total of 1,259 NLD
members had so far resigned from the party. 

"We understand that that these members have resigned of their own volition,
as they disagree with the NLD leadership's policy of confrontation and
divisiveness," spokesman Colonel Hla Min said in a statement. 

NLD officials were not available for comment on the report but said they
would hold a news conference on Monday. 

The pro-democracy party, led by 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu
Kyi, has in the past blamed coersion for the closure of its offices and has
said some of the dissolutions have taken place without the knowledge of
party headquarters. 

Yangon-based diplomats say NLD members are under intense pressure from the
military government following a promise by the party to act for a
parliament elected in the country's last general election eight years ago. 

The NLD won that election by a landslide but the military has not allowed
it to govern. 

The military have rounded up and detained hundreds of NLD elected
representatives and members in recent months to prevent them from carrying
out a threat to convene parliament. 

A government statement said on Sunday a total of 851 NLD members had been
detained in state guest houses since early October. Of these, 384 had
subsequently been released because they "undertook not to participate" in
illegal activities. 

It said the detainees were being treated well. 

"All throughout their period of stay at government guest houses, the guests
were provided with the best culinary fare, social arrangements and medical
attention," it said. 

It was unclear if the NLD members reported to have resigned were among
those detained. 

In the last official statement by the NLD, the party said 920 of its
members, including 183 elected representatives, were in detention as of
November 10. 

The government has said it is dealing leniently with the party but has
warned it may be forced to take stronger action if the party endangers
national unity and state security. 

Hla Min told Sunday's news conference he hoped those still in detention
would soon be reunited with their families. 

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THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN DAILY: NEWSPEOPLE / BOOK CHRONICLES TIME SPENT WITH WA
ETHNIC GROUP 

November 23, 1998

Susumu Arai Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer 

A district in northeastern Myanmar that produces about 40 percent of the
world's opium is the subject of a new book by free-lance writer and
translator Hideyuki Takano. 

Takano, 32, stayed in a district of Shan State for seven months from
October 1995. The district, run by the military government of the Wa ethnic
group, is virtually independent from Myanmar's military regime. 

The book--titled "Biruma, Ahen Okoku Sennyu-ki" (Chronicle of a Sneak Trip
Into Burma, the Opium Kingdom)--reports on the lives of people in the
district. The book, his fourth, was published by Soshisha. 

Takano first learned about the area while working as a Japanese-language
teacher in Thailand. With his interest piqued, he decide to go see it for
himself. 

After arriving in the district, he quickly became friends with the Wa,
joining them in sowing opium seeds and giving villagers photographs that he
took of them. 

The book contains observations of various aspects of their lives: the Wa
government officials who collect nearly half of the opium harvest as taxes,
the sorrow of mothers whose daughters are "drafted" into military service,
births and deaths in the villages, opium poisoning and the unique liquor
produced in the area. 

When he was a student at Waseda University, Takano joined the school's
expedition club. At one point, he led a team to the Republic of Congo,
where they searched for a dinosaur-like creature said to live in a lake
there. They did not find any trace of it, however. 

He continues to broaden his horizons, with trips to remote regions of South
America, Southeast Asia and China. 

There are few places in the world that have not been explored. Thus, Takano
has chosen to experience "'politically remote' regions through fieldwork."
"I attach more importance to my own experiences than to secondhand
information provided by authorities," he said. 

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ASIAWEEK: MYANMAR'S NEW PR MAN

November 27, 1998

One of the key to the remarkable staying power of Myanmar's military junta
is that it is not afraid to purge its own. The biggest casualty was its
first chairman. Senior Gen Saw Maung, in the early 1990s. The latest is not
a military man but a career diplomat _ Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw.

Though Myanmar entered ASEAN on his watch, he was perceived by outsiders as
a stubborn apologist for Yangon. His successor is Win Aung, 54, the
ambassador to Britain. A Colonel who turned diplomat in 1985, Win Aung is a
veteran of many multilateral conferences. He is likely to be a more
proactive spokesman for the regime than Ohn Gyaw who, ignominiously, was
"allowed to resign."
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