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Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: May 11, 2000

  
  ______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
          An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
  ______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
  
  May 11, 2000
  
  Issue # 1528
  
  
  This edition of The BurmaNet News is viewable online
  at:
  
  http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com/stories/storyR
  eader$390      
  
  NOTED IN PASSING:
  
  'You will not be surprised to learn that it is not
  possible for me to leave Burma at present.'  
  
  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in a letter to Taiwan's President-
  Elect. (See KYODO: SUU KYI UNABLE TO ATTEND TAIWAN
  PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION)
  
       
  *Inside Burma
  
  KYODO: SUU KYI UNABLE TO ATTEND TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL
  INAUGURATION
  
  KNPP: REPORT OF EXECUTION OF CAPTURED BURMESE SOLDIERS
  FALSE; REPORTERS INVITED TO INTERVIEW THEM
  
  AVA: SPDC HOLDING MANDATORY ANTI-NLD MEETINGS IN THE ARMY
  
  DVB: POLICE FORCE ORDERED TO CRUSH DEMOCRACY PARTY
  
  MICB: MAN APPEALING TO SPDC TO PREVENT DESTRUCTION OF
  MOSQUE DISAPPEARS
  
  MICB: FIVE HUMAN MINE-SWEEPERS KILLED
  
  MICB: MUSLIM PRAYERS PROHIBITED
  
  
  *International
  
  THE NATION: THAILAND REACTS WITH ANGER TO CHARGE IT
  PROFITS FROM BURMA'S REFUGEES
  
  TV MYANMAR: LEADER SAYS NEOCOLONIALISTS DISRUPTING
  COUNTRY'S ECONOMY
  
  KYODO: THAILAND, MYANMAR RELATIONS CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE
  
                 
  *Opinion/Editorials
  
  BURMA PEACE FOUNDATION:U MAUNG MAUNG, ILO ETC
  
  
  
  
  __________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
       
  
  KYODO: SUU KYI UNABLE TO ATTEND TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL
  INAUGURATION
  
  TAIPEI, May 10 Kyodo 
      
  
      
      
  Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said in a letter
  Wednesday she is unable to leave Yangon to attend the
  inauguration of Chen Shui-bian as Taiwan's second
  democratically elected   president later this month. 
      
  'You will not be surprised to learn that it is not
  possible for me to leave Burma at present,' Suu   Kyi
  wrote to Chen. 
      
  Suu Kyi, whose movements are closely monitored by
  Myanmar's ruling junta following the lifting of her house
  arrest in 1995, also said 'there are great difficulties'
  to find someone suitable to attend the May 20 inauguration
  on her behalf. 
      
  Suu Kyi, who heads the National League for Democracy
  (NLD), said Taiwan's democratization gives 'fresh hope' to
  all who seek political change in line with the will of the
  people.  
     
  'Your election to the presidency represents the victory,
  through fair and free elections, of a brave and
  persevering opposition over a long entrenched government,'
  she said.     
  
  While thanking Chen for the invitation, she added she
  hoped to have an opportunity to meet   Chen in the future. 
      
  Chen's inauguration will mark the first time Taiwan's
  longtime ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) cedes central
  government power to an opposition force.     
  Suu Kyi's NLD won parliamentary elections in a landslide
  in 1990, but the junta subsequently   refused to convene
  parliament. 
      
  Chen is also believed to have invited other prominent
  pro-democracy activists such as former South African
  President Nelson Mandela and South Korean President Kim
  Dae Jung to the    ceremonies.
  
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
  KNPP: REPORT OF EXECUTION OF CAPTURED BURMESE SOLDIERS
  FALSE; REPORTERS INVITED TO INTERVIEW THEM
  
  
  Karenni National Progressive Party
  
  Date: Tue, 09 May 2000 22:16:30 +0700
   
  
   
   Three junta soldiers were captured by the Karenni army on
  12 Feruary 2000 in a clash between the Karenni and SPDC
  troops inside Karenni.
   
  KNPP is concerned with the spread of opium poppies being
  grown in Karenni. Opium poppies have not existed in
  Karenni until the last few years. Between 1994 and 1996,
  opium seeds were brought to Karenni for cultivation,
  particularly in No. (3) District, West Karenni. 

  The Karenni were not able to operate the area for a few years,
  but at the begining of this year, they managed to penerate
  the area and were able to destroy 200 out of a total of
  2000 acres. A man was interviewed who have been forced to
  grow opium poppies. He said that every year the products
  of opium are transported back to Shan States for
  refinement to produce amphetamine and heroin. A total of
  3000 acres has been targeted for poppy cultivation this
  year.
   
   SPDC troops from battalion No. 428, 427 and 27 are
  operating in the area along with the Karenni National
  People Liberation Front (KNPLF). The troops from both
  sides are encouraging the villagers to grow opium poppies.
  They provide seeds and security for the poppy fields.
   
  The three Burmese soldiers were captured, interrogated for
  information and later brought to a Karenni stronghold.
  They have been released, but have not chosen not to return
  to Burma or the Burmese junta army. The quote from Aung
  Myant in the Bangkok Post ( 9 may 2000) stating that they
  have been executed was false. It was stated to try and to
  deter journalists from pursuing the story. For security
  reasons, the whereabouts of the three was hoped to be kept
  secret.
   
   Journalists and concerned individuals are invited to come
  and interview the men. For more information contact
  ooreh@xxxxxxxxxxx
   
   If you have seen media reports that have stated anything
  contrary to the above , please forward this information to
  them.
   
   KARENNI FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
AVA: SPDC HOLDING MANDATORY ANTI-NLD MEETINGS IN THE ARMY
  
  
  May 10, 2000
  
  State Peace and Development Council has been holding weekly 
mandatory anti-National League for Democracy (NLD) meetings within 
the army. The main objectives of these meetings have been in 
condemning the NLD along with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On April 4, LIB 
255 based at Salin in Magwe Division held an anti-NLD meeting led by 
Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Win. These anti-NLD 
meetings have been ongoing and dated as far as July of 1999 when LIB 
326 at Tangyan in Northern Shan State held one. 
  
  A confidential source in the army informs Ava that the meetings are 
conducted in a similar manner all throughout the country. Articles 
from SPDC's two newspapers "The Mirror" and "The New Light of 
Myanmar" are read and are forced to be supported by the attendants. 
Anti-NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sentiment are also promoted through 
discussions led by Regiment Commanders and high-ranking officials. 
Such meetings have been taking place not only throughout the army but 
also with the army families. 
  
  Ava News Group May 10, 2000
  For further information please contact + 66 1 950 9533
  
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
  DVB: POLICE FORCE ORDERED TO CRUSH DEMOCRACY PARTY     
  
  BBC Summary of World Broadcasts
  
  Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1245
  gmt 8 May 00     
  
      
  Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 8th May     
  
  It has been learned from a reliable source that at a
  meeting held on 20th April, the SPDC [State Peace and
  Development Council] Home Ministry has issued a directive
  to the police force to completely crush the National
  League for Democracy [NLD] within this year. 
      
  At the meeting, SPDC Home Minister Col Tin Hlaing directed
  all the regional police chiefs and the commandants of riot
  control police battalions to employ all administrative
  techniques to completely crush the NLD within the year.
  The meeting was also attended by Col Soe Win,  director
  general of Myanmar Police Force. 
      
  The minister also ordered the respective police chiefs
  from the states and divisions to relay the directive to
  their subordinates and to supervise the strict
  implementation of the directive.    
   
  Since the government has increased the salaries of the
  state employees, the minister said, they should show
  loyalty to the government and firmly follow orders. He
  also ordered them to take action against those who do not
  fulfil their duties. 
      
  The Home Ministry had already issued a directive to the
  police force on 23rd May last year that the SPDC regard
  the NLD as the enemy and the police should begin
  eliminating the party. The present directive is to
  completely crush the NLD. 
      
  Since last year, grass-roots NLD members and organizers,
  NLD chairmen from various townships, states and divisions,
  and NLD People's Assembly representatives were forced to
  resign from the party and some were even arrested and
  jailed. They are also gathering the names  of NLD members
  who have refused to resign. 
      
  Although the directive was to employ all administrative
  techniques to completely crush the NLD, it is not clearly
  known what kind of administrative techniques they are
  going to implement. 
      
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
  MICB: MAN APPEALING TO SPDC TO PREVENT DESTRUCTION OF
  MOSQUE DISAPPEARS
  
  MUSLIM INFORMATION CENTRE OF BURMA(MICB)
  P.  O. Box 96, Chiangmai 50000, Thailand:  P. O. Box 85,
  Maesot, Tak  63110, Thailand.
  
  
  On April, 01, 2000, a Kaw Kyaik villager,  Mr. Abdur
  Rahman who appealed to higher authorities of  State Peace
  and Development Council(SPDC) to spare their mosque from
  destruction  was arrested by the SPDC officers  and later
  disappeared. The authorities of Democratic Karen Buddhist
  Army (DKBA) had ordered  Kaw Kyaik villagers to destroy 
  their mosque.
  
  Kaw Kyaik village, in Pa-an township of Karen state 
  consists of about 80 Muslim houses, a mosque and about 300
  non-Muslim houses. Moreover, the authorities in that area
  have been  seizing  most of the Muslim land and selling it
  off.
  
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
  MICB: FIVE HUMAN MINE-SWEEPERS KILLED
  
  April 28, 2000
  
   On April, 11, 2000, five porters, two of them Muslims
  were killed  when they were used as mine-sweepers while
  fighting took place  between SPDC and Karen National Union
  (KNU) soldiers , on hill No. 6, near Shan Ywa Thit village
  in Hlaing Bwe township.  The two Muslim deceased were  (1)
  Hashim, 30, from Kaw kata/ Thaya gong village and (2) 
  Younus, 22 Zathabin/ Kaw Ri village. Both of the villages
  are  in Hlaing Bwe township of Karen state.
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
  
  MICB: MUSLIM PRAYERS PROHIBITED
  
  Muslims in block No.114 of Dagon township in Rangoon
  division have not been allowed to pray in the mosque since
  April, 10, 2000 by the members of the Union Solidarity and
  Development Association (USDA), a pro-SPDC organization.
  The members of USDA also instigated anti- Muslim agitation
  there.  Many Muslims have therefore been leaving for other 
  new places.
  
  
  
  __________________ INTERNATIONAL ___________________
  
  
  THE NATION: THAILAND REACTS WITH ANGER TO CHARGE IT
  PROFITS FROM BURMA'S REFUGEES
  
  May 11, 2000
  
  THAILAND yesterday reacted angrily to a charge by a Burmese state 
run newspaper that its humanitarian policy of receiving Karen 
refugees was a smokescreen for seeking political and economic gain. 
  
  Contrary to the charge, Thailand has been the one suffering the 
most from the 15 years of political and economic chaos in Burma, 
Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Oum Maolanon said. 
  
  At present, he said, there are about 102,000 Burmese refugees, 
mostly of Karen origin, scattered in a string of camps along the Thai-
Burmese border.

  There are also close to 100,000 illegal migrant workers and exiled 
Burmese dissidents in the Kingdom. 
  
  All these problems stem from the deteriorating economic and 
political situation inside Burma, the Foreign Ministry said. 
  
  Oum said that the majority of the Burmese refugees are children, 
women and elderly who sought refuge from bloody fighting between 
Burmese troops and opposition groups and who cannot even look after 
themselves. 
  
  "Therefore, it is impossible in whatever way that Thailand will 
benefit from these people especially in economic terms. On the 
contrary, Thailand has to shoulder this burden and continue to absorb 
its adverse effects." 
  
  The Burmese state-run paper New Light of Myanmar on Monday 
published a scathing editorial saying that Thailand had benefited 
economically and politically from taking in Burmese refugees, 
especially the Karens. It claimed that black market trade, not 
humanitarian principles, was the real reason for Thailand's refugee 
policy. 
  
  Oum said that the only reason Thailand continues to open its arms 
to these people is for humanitarian concerns and the effort to show 
that it is a responsible member of the international community. 

  Thailand's treatment of Cambodian refugees 20 years ago is a good 
example of the kingdom's unwavering humanitarianism and sincerity, he 
said. 

  The ministry's statement said it might be hard for a paper like New 
Light of Myanmar to understand "humanitarian" and "international 
responsibility". 

  Oum reiterated Thailand's wish for sustainable development and 
peace in every neighbouring country and hoped that the refugees would 
one day be able to return with dignity and safety to help reconstruct 
the country. 
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
      
  TV MYANMAR: LEADER SAYS NEOCOLONIALISTS DISRUPTING
  COUNTRY'S ECONOMY  
     
  Source: TV Myanmar, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 8 May 00  
    
  BBC Summary of World Broadcasts 
  May 11, 2000, Thursday 
      
  Excerpts from report by Burmese TV on 8th May 
      
  Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, chairman of the Work Committee for
  Development of Border Areas and National Races and
  secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
  [SPDC] met with local authorities and departmental
  personnel in Myitkyina, Kachin State, on 7th May...     
  Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt held a meeting with local authorities,
  departmental personnel and members of USDA and other
  social organizations at the town hall in Myitkyina in the
  afternoon... 
      
  In his address at the meeting, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
  Nyunt said he and the ministers have come to Kachin State
  to attend to the needs Kachin State for development. He
  said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe often comes,
  almost once a year, to Kachin State to give guidance for
  its progress. Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
  Development Council Gen Maung Aye had visited the state in
  the previous month, he noted. He expressed his belief that
  local authorities and officials are realizing the counsels
  given by leaders of the state for progress of Kachin   
  State... 
      
  He said, according to the reports presented by officials,
  Kachin State is making progress. The state now is selling
  its surplus produce including rice to other regions. Due
  to the harmonious efforts of local authorities and
  departmental personnel, Kachin State is making progress.
  Development undertakings can be carried out more as peace
  and stability prevails in Kachin State. As the national
  groups have returned to the legal fold with the aim of
  developing Kachin State and its people, the region is
  gaining peace, stability and progress. As Kachin State is
  gaining peace and stability, the government is enhancing
  its endeavours for further progress of   the state and its
  people... 
      
  Roads and bridges are being built for ensuring smooth and
  secure transport in the region. Travel time between
  Myitkyina and Putao has been cut to 12 hours from one
  week. Bridges including Bala Minhtin have been built in
  upgrading Myitkyina-Bhamo Road. Shwebo-Naba-Mogaung-
  Myitkyina Road on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River
  and Mandalay-Tagaung-Shwegu- Bhamo-Myitkyina Road on the
  eastern bank has also been completed at present. The Union
  Highway stretches on both banks of the Irrawaddy. 
      
  He said Lweje has been upgraded to town level and a border
  trade point has opened. Another border trade point was
  opened in Lizer region. Plans are under way to open a new
  border entry point for progress of trade and tourism in
  the region. 
      
  The government is giving assistance and encouragement with
  a view to accelerating the rate of regional development
  and improvement of living conditions of national brethren
  in Kachin State with a view towards ensuring equitable and
  balanced development. He said tourism will soon be  
  developed in the region... 
      
  He said, today, some neocolonialist nations are attempting
  to disrupt the rate of development of the Union of Myanmar
  through traitorous destructionists in order to dominate
  the country. He said although the traitorous
  destructionists, relying on external elements, are trying
  to undermine national development, strong internal forces
  and many volunteer social organizations in the country,
  striving for peace and tranquillity and development of the
  nation, have stood firm as reserve forces. The government
  has managed to build development infrastructures such as
  roads, bridges, dams, embankments and communication
  facilities by relying on internal strength.
       
  As armed struggles come to an end, peace and tranquillity
  reign supreme in the entire nation, and favourable
  economic conditions are emerging. It is, therefore,
  necessary for public servants to participate in the
  efforts of the government for the further strengthening of
  the nation and for  the further accelerating the growth
  rate... 
      
  
  ____________________________________________________
  
      
  KYODO: WAHID MAKES PITCH FOR DEMOCRACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
  
  Tim Johnson 
      
  BANGKOK, May 10 Kyodo 
      
     
      
  Abdurrahman Wahid said Wednesday he looks forward to the
  day when all countries grouped together in the Association
  of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can enjoy democratic
  rule.
       
  'Now the Indonesian people, as well as the Thai people,
  work very hard to establish democratic rule,' Wahid said
  in a speech at Thammasat University in Bangkok on the
  final day of a two-day   visit to Thailand. 
      
  The democratically elected leader, who took office last
  October, added he hopes he will be able to see in the near
  future 'that other governments, other states and other
  peoples will do the same.'  
     
  Wahid was at the university to commemorate the centenary
  of the birth of its founder, the late Thai statesman Pridi
  Banomyong, who is widely regarded among Thais as the
  father of democracy in Thailand for helping end the
  absolute monarchy in 1932 and drafting the legal 
  framework for a constitutional monarchy. 
      
  'I believe that all of you, together with other people in
  ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), will try
  always for the spirit that's set out by Pridi,' Wahid told
  his Thai audience.   
    
  The president did not elaborate which countries in ASEAN
  lack democratic rule, but he appeared to be referring at
  least party to Myanmar, which has been under continuous
  military   rule since 1962. 
      
  He created controversy shortly after taking office when he
  indicated his hope to meet pro- democracy leader Aung San
  Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy resoundingly
  won the 1990 elections but was never allowed to take
  power.  
     
  But after visiting the military-ruled country in early
  November, he said he was unable to meet  her without
  offending the generals. 
      
  Wahid said Indonesia, which only recently emerged from
  decades of authoritarian rule, 'has learned from Thailand
  how to establish democracy.' 
      
  But he said that while individual Indonesian soldiers have
  been responsible for human rights violations, the
  Indonesian military as an institution should not be
  condemned.     
  'We should respect the armed forces as an institution, but
  not be afraid of giving sentences to those individuals who
  were making mistakes when they were in power,' he said.    
  
  'In the effort to establish democracy, we have to remind
  ourselves also that we have to fight for the rule of law,'
  he said. 'It's imperative that the rule of law should be
  based on something very   firm and strong.' 
      
  Wahid's remarks came a day after 13 Indonesian soldiers
  testified at an unprecedented military- civilian trial in
  Aceh, the first of five human rights cases planned in the
  restive province. They are charged with executing students
  last July under orders from their superiors.
       
  Since coming to power in October, Wahid has chipped away
  at the enormous power enjoyed by the military during
  Suharto's 32-year reign as president that ended in May
  1998 when he resigned under public pressure. But no senior
  commanders have yet been put on trial for human rights
  violations. 
      
  Efforts are also underway to investigate generals linked
  to last year's violence in East Timor where pro-Jakarta
  militias went on a rampage of killing, looting and burning
  after the East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for
  independence from Indonesia in a U.N.-organized  
  referendum on Aug. 30. 
      
  Comparisons have been drawn between Wahid and Pridi in the
  way both used nonviolent strategies to fight for democracy
  in their respective countries.    
   
  Wahid thanked the university for conferring on him an
  honorary doctorate of philosophy in law, saying, 'I hope
  this trust will not have been given mistakenly to me. I
  will work for the rule of law in my country, as well as in
  the region and, if possible, for the whole world.'  
     
  'It's not easy to give this to me and for me also to take
  this because I was a dropout from university. But I tried
  to educate myself and I'm thankful that opportunity has
  provided me with the ability now to tackle one of the most
  difficult jobs in the world.   
  
  
  
  ____________________________________________________
      
  
  KYODO: THAILAND, MYANMAR RELATIONS CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE
   
      
  BANGKOK, May 10 Kyodo 
      
  
      
      
  A strongly worded statement from Thailand's Foreign
  Ministry underlined new strains Wednesday in relations
  between Thailand and neighboring Myanmar. 
      
  Reacting to an article in the state-run New Light of
  Myanmar charging Thailand welcomes refugees from Myanmar
  for economic and political gain, not humanitarian reasons,
  the foreign ministry said Myanmar's 'illegitimate ruling
  and political system and inefficient economic management
  are the main driving force pushing all the problems into
  Thailand.' 
      
  Noting 'deteriorated and prolonged political and economic
  problems in Myanmar for more than 15 years,' the ministry
  added, 'It might be difficult for the New Light of Myanmar
  to understand 'humanitarian' and 'responsibility towards
  international community' ideals.'     
  The unusually harsh words are seen by many as expressing
  increasing frustration in Thailand  with the repressive
  government in Yangon. 
      
  The junta-controlled newspaper rarely, if ever, runs
  potentially controversial articles that do not  have the
  approval of the ruling generals. 
      
  Yet the newspaper had charged 'Thailand, which relishes
  saying that it has received the so-called refugees on
  humanitarian grounds, has done so because of economic
  profits and political favors    it gained.' 
      
  The foreign ministry press release retorted Thailand has
  'long suffered' from Myanmar's internal strife, not only
  from problems related to displaced persons fleeing the
  junta, but also from a flood of as many as 800,000 illegal
  laborers from Myanmar.     
  There are about 102,000 people fleeing the Yangon junta
  living in refugee camps in Thailand, who the Thai
  government allows to stay for their protection. 
      
  But the New Light of Myanmar, quoted by German news agency
  Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), claimed black market trade
  was the real reason for Thailand's refugee policy.     
  The newspaper claimed smuggling along the Thailand-Myanmar
  border amounted to 16 billion baht ($420 million)
  annually, with Thailand enjoying an annual 3 billion baht
  trade surplus in  the black market trade, according to
  DPA. 
      
  But the Thai foreign ministry said that since most of the
  refugees are women, children or elderly, 'It is impossible
  for Thailand to economically earn from these people. In
  contrast, Thailand has to shoulder consequences from their
  stay such as public health and environmental problems.' 
      
  The statement said Thailand hoped every Myanmar citizen
  who is now in Thailand would be able to safely return to
  Myanmar and 'join the country's development with
  integrity.'
       
  The Thai foreign ministry cited its handling of Cambodian
  refugees 20 years ago during the civil war there as a
  success and a reflection of Thailand's 'humanitarian
  policy' and 'sincerity' towards    its neighbors. 
      
  With the return to stability in Cambodia in the early
  1990s, most Cambodians are now back    home. 
  
  
  
   
  _________________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________
  
  
  BURMA PEACE FOUNDATION:U MAUNG MAUNG, ILO ETC
  
  [Edited]
  
  [Posted to soc.culture.burma and various lists, May 9, 2000]
  
  ...The most detailed and damning condemnation of  the SLORC/SPDC's 
policy and practice of forced labour has come from the  International 
Labour Organisation (ILO), particularly its Commission of  Inquiry 
into forced labour in Burma, whose report was published in July  1998 
(web reference below). U Maung Maung played a major part in
 the  process that led up to the Commission of Inquiry. In "The New 
Light of  Myanmar" and in statements to the ILO, the SLORC/SPDC has 
attempted to  discredit him and the Federation of Trade Unions Burma 
(FTUB).
  
  On 27 March 2000, the ILO Governing Body decided to refer the 
question of  forced  labour in Burma to the next ILO General 
Conference (30 May-15 June  2000). The  SPDC put in a lot of work at 
the ILO to oppose this Decision  (text below) and at the
  2000 session of the Commission on Human Rights, its  main lobby 
activity was an  attempt (via Japan) to remove the paragraph on  the 
ILO Decision from the  Commission resolution on the Human Rights  
Situation in Myanmar (it succeeded in  removing the description of, 
but not  the reference to, the ILO Decision).
  
  Going by the lobbying efforts it is making, particularly among 
Asian  governments, the Burmese military seems to be very anxious 
about what will  happen at the forthcoming  ILO Conference. It would 
no doubt be very happy  if U Maung Maung and the FTUB
were discredited, and will no doubt make  disparaging remarks about 
him in its statements to the ILO. However, the  status of U Maung 
Maung and FTUB is unlikely to influence what will happen  at the 
Conference, which will base its deliberations on the report of the  
ILO Commission of Inquiry (plus updates), very little of whose
information  came from the FTUB.
  
  The Commission of Inquiry was composed of two former Chief Justices 
(of  India and Barbados) and a prominent Australian lawyer, and 
supported by a  team of experts from the ILO Secretariat. It invited 
written submissions  and received about 10,000 pages from government 
and UN sources, and from  international and local NGOs. It then held 
hearings in Geneva under a  quasi-judicial procedure, at which it 
heard expert witnesses and direct  victims of forced labour. Having 
been refused entry to Burma, the  Commission then carried out a field 
mission to Bangladesh, India and  Thailand, conducting 246 
interviews. The activities of the Commission of  Inquiry into forced  
labour in Burma are widely regarded as exemplary, both  for its 
meticulous judicial procedure as well as its thoroughness and the  
sheer volume of its documentation.
  
  
David Arnott (Burma Peace Foundation)
  
  
  The text of the report, plus the updates, can be found on the ILO 
website:  www.ilo.org
  
  The report itself is on:
  
  
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb273/myanmar
 .htm 
  The current documents are on:
  
  
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb277/index.h
tm#GB 
  and the Decision of 27 March on:
  
  
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb277/pdf/gb-
6-add1.pdf 
  
  
  
  _______________
  
  
  Acronyms and abbreviations regularly used by BurmaNet.
  
  
  AVA: Ava Newsgroup. A small, independent newsgroup
  covering Kachin State and northern Burma.
  
  KHRG: Karen Human Rights Group. A non-governmental
  organization that conducts interviews and collects
  information primarily in Burma's Karen State but also
  covering other border areas.
  
  KNU: Karen National Union. Ethnic Karen organization that
  has been fighting Burma's central government since 1948.
  
  NLM: New Light of Myanmar, Burma's state newspaper. The
  New Light of 
  Myanmar is also published in Burmese as Myanmar Alin.
  
  SCMP: South China Morning Post. A Hong Kong newspaper.
  
  SHAN: Shan Herald Agency for News. An independent news
  service covering Burma's Shan State.
  
  SHRF: Shan Human Rights Foundation
  
  SPDC: State Peace and Development Council. The current
  name the military junta has given itself. Previously, it
  called itself the State Law and Order Restoration Council.
  
  
  ________________
  
  
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  comprehensive coverage of news and opinion on Burma
  (Myanmar). 
  
  
  For a subscription to Burma's only free daily
  newspaper, 
  write to: strider@xxxxxxx
  
  You can also contact BurmaNet by phone or fax:
  
  Voice mail +1 (435) 304-9274 
  
  Fax + (202) 318-1261
  
  ________________
  



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