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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________

June 21, 2000

Issue # 1560


The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com


*Inside Burma

AP: MYANMAR MEDIA, RILED BY CONDEMNATION, SAYS ILO MAY BULLY OTHERS 

AFP: JUNTA CHEERS END OF SANCTIONS LAW

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE INSPECTS YANGON 
DIVISION VEGETABLE CULTIVATION SPECIAL ZONE

MUSLIM INFORMATION CENTRE OF BURMA (MICB): SPDC ORDERS TO DESTROY 
MOSQUE OR PAY  KS. 5 MILLION IN EXTORTION MONEY


*Regional

BANGKOK POST:  ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO FACE NEW ROUND-UP


*International

THE TIMES OF INDIA (NEW DELHI):  SUU KYI'S TAPED SPEECH FOR DEMOCRACY 
MEET


*Economy/Business

XINHUA: JAPANESE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INITIATE JOINT VENTURE WITH 
MYANMAR

XINHUA: MYANMAR TO SET UP MORE FISH, PRAWN BREEDING FARMS 

		
*Opinion/Editorials

MYANMAR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND THE MYANMAR COUNCIL OF  CHURCHES: AN 
APPEAL TO THE STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL


*Other

CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES INTERNATIONAL:  CALL FOR PROPOSALS-- OSI 
POLICY FELLOWSHIPS, 2001




__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
	


AP: MYANMAR MEDIA, RILED BY CONDEMNATION, SAYS ILO MAY BULLY OTHERS 


June 21, 2000

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  Myanmar mounted an attack Wednesday on a U.N. 
agency condemning it for using forced labor, claiming in the state-
controlled press that the move could presage bullying of smaller 
nations by the big powers. 

 The International Labor Organization approved unprecedented measures 
against Myanmar, also known as Burma, last week for its widespread 
use of forced labor, but gave the country four months to prove its 
willingness to change. 

 A three-part commentary entitled ``Be Considerate'' published in the 
state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper Wednesday said the ILO has 
been manipulated by some big nations, making Myanmar the first victim 
of an unprecedented act. 

 ``The domineering act of some big nations in which Myanmar had been 
victimized as a target nation caused member nations to suspect the 
ILO's basic principles,'' it said ``If Myanmar was singled out to be 
put under political pressure this year, other member nations will be 
bullied one after another at the conferences every year.'' 

 ILO delegates in Geneva agreed in a 257-41 vote, with 31 
abstentions, to recommend that ILO members _ governments, workers and 
employers _ ``review their links with Myanmar and take appropriate 
measures to ensure (Myanmar) cannot take advantage of such relations 
to perpetuate or extend the system of forced or compulsory labor.'' 

 The commentary in the New Light of Myanmar urged the ILO to give 
serious consideration to the response by the Myanmar government, 
which denies the problem and points out that forced labor is banned. 

 ``To give serious consideration to the Myanmar government's response 
to the accusations would reflect the esteem and dignity of the 
respective body and their officials,'' it said. 

 It said that Myanmar joined the ILO in 1948 and had no problem with 
the organization until 1996, when 25 labor delegates attending the 
group's annual conference alleged that Myanmar had been using forced 
labor in violation of ILO conventions. 

 Last year the ILO barred Myanmar from receiving assistance after a 
commission of inquiry reported on the widespread use of forced labor 
for infrastructure projects. Myanmar said the work was offered freely 
for the development of the nation. 

 A report by last month's ILO mission to Myanmar found officials to 
be more open and cooperative, though noncommittal about stopping 
forced labor and generally maintaining that the problem did not 
exist. 

 The newspaper commentary said the ILO commission made its 
observations based on information from expatriate dissident groups 
and the opposition within the country, who are plotting to get 
Myanmar expelled from the ILO by constantly sending fabricated 
reports. 

 Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. The current regime, 
which took power in 1988, held a general election in 1990 but refused 
to yield power after the National League for Democracy won a 
landslide victory. 




____________________________________________________



AFP: JUNTA CHEERS END OF SANCTIONS LAW

June 21, 2000

Court: US states can't make foreign policy

Rangoon, AFP

Burma's military government yesterday welcomed the US Supreme Court's 
move to strike down a Massachusetts law imposing unilateral sanctions 
on the country. 

"The US court took the right decision," a senior spokesman for the 
junta said.  "One can just imagine what kind of chaos there will be 
if the 50-plus states of the US adopt not only their own foreign 
policies but defence policies as well." 

The attempt to force change in Burma by imposing restrictions on 
companies who do business with the military regime was misguided, the 
spokesman said. 

''Myanmar like many other countries in the region believes that 
cooperation, sharing responsibilities and building mutual confidence 
are the most important factors to achieve success rather than 
imposing sanctions and boycotts to slow down the economic development 
of any developing nation." 

In a serious blow to the US campaign to loosen the junta's iron grip 
on power, the Supreme Court judges unanimously upheld an appeals 
court ruling that the law violated the federal government's 
constitutional right to make foreign policy. 

The court also found that the legislation was invalidated by a 
federal law on the same subject. 

The legislation, which has been taken up by a number of other US 
states and cities, added a 10% surcharge to government contracts on 
companies doing business in Burma- effectively barring them. 

Its passage in 1996 was a triumph for vigorous campaigns to punish 
Burma for its failure to recognise the overwhelming election victory 
by Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy in May 
1990. 

Massachusetts state Representative Byron Rushing said he would 
introduce new legislation that complies with the Supreme Court's 
ruling. 

"It is a shame the Supreme Court has ruled against a strategy that 
helped end apartheid in South Africa," he said. 

"I want all advocates for human rights and democracy, especially in 
Burma, to be assured that the campaign for human rights and democracy 
is redirected, not blocked," Rep Rushing said. 

____________________________________________________


NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE INSPECTS YANGON 
DIVISION VEGETABLE CULTIVATION SPECIAL ZONE

YANGON, 19 June - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe 
inspected Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone in 
Hmawby Township and construction of Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago 
Expressway this morning. 

The Senior General, accompanied by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace 
and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services 
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 of the State 
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win 
Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of 
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin 
Maung Than, Minister and Deputy minister and officials of the State 
Peace and Development Council Office and departments, went to Yangon 
Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone in Nyaunghnapinkwin in 
Hmawby Township at 9 am. 

Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than reported on works of Vegetable 
Cultivation Special Zone undertaken by Yangon Division Peace and 
Development Council at the supervisory office of Vegetable 
Cultivation and Production Centre. 

He said over 3,200 acres have been reclaimed as first phase for 
cultivation of vegetables. Later over 7,000 acres are,to be reclaimed 
in three special zones and they will be allotted to cultivators and 
organizations. 


In his guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said as the region is 
designated as Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation Special Zone, 
organization and those who have been given permits are 8 to reclaim 
the land. He spoke of the need for them to undertake cultivation of 
vegetables successfully. 

The Senior General spoke of the need to give priority to better 
transport. The Senior General and party viewed the special zone from 
the watch tower. The Senior General and office for construction of 
Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway being undertaken by Development 
Affairs Department. 

Yangon -Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway starts from the crossroad of 
Yangon-Bago Highway and No 3 Highway and links Taikkyi-Bago, Road, 
passing Kya-kansu and Kya-in (East3 Villages through Ngahsudaung. 
Yangon-Ngahsudaung-Bago Expressway is being built in three sections 
Hsatthwataw Village to Kyakansu Village as section 1, from No 3 
Highway to Kyakansu Village as section 2 and from Kyakansu Village, 
to Kya-in (East) Village Ngahsudaung, as section 3. 
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo gave supplementary report on construction 
of roads and cultivation. Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance. 

The Senior General and party inspected vegetable patches of the 
Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and 
Development Affairs. The Senior General and party inspected 
construction of the road at the crossroad of Yangon-Bago Highway and 
No 3 Highway. Senior General Than Shwe inspected maintenance of No 3 
Highway and construction of No 7 Highway or circular road to be 
linked with Nos 4, 1, 2 and 3 Highways. The Senior General and party; 
left for Yangon at noon.


____________________________________________________


MUSLIM INFORMATION CENTRE OF BURMA (MICB): SPDC ORDERS TO DESTROY 
MOSQUE OR PAY  KS. 5 MILLION IN EXTORTION MONEY


June 20, 2000.

On May, 25, 2000,  the ruling State Peace and Development Council 
(SPDC) ordered troops to destroy  " Shwe Gwin mosque"  or to pay a 
five million Kyats bribe, before June, 25, 2000 to the authorities in 
Karen state of Burma. According to an officer, Bo Win Aung of  
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army(DKBA), the order was given by the 
commander of Light Infantry Battalion (338). Shwe Gwin village is in 
Hlaing Bwe township of Karen state. 




___________________________ REGIONAL ___________________________

  
BANGKOK POST:  ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TO FACE NEW ROUND-UP

June 21, 2000

  Wassayos Ngamkham

  Police will launch another nationwide crackdown on illegal 
migrants, especially   Burmese children who are begging on Bangkok 
streets.

  The move is part of police measures to clamp down on the hiring of 
illegal foreign   labourers.

  Pol Gen Sant Sarutanon, deputy national police chief, yesterday 
said the crackdown   would focus on some 350,000 Burmese children 
under 13 who were roaming Bangkok   streets as beggars.

  "If we allow these children to grow up in Thai society without 
giving them education, it   may give rise to social problems and 
crimes," he said.

  A police investigation of more than 10 Burmese children arrested at 
Ratchaprasong   intersection indicated there were many networks 
controlling these young beggars, he   said.

  According to him, there are now some 1.5 million illegal Burmese 
migrants in Thailand.   

__________________ INTERNATIONAL __________________
	
	
THE TIMES OF INDIA (NEW DELHI):  SUU KYI'S TAPED SPEECH FOR DEMOCRACY 
MEET


June 21, 2000

WASHINGTON: A video taped speech by the leader of the Pro-democracy 
movement in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, will be the highlight of an 
upcoming conference on democracy in Warsaw to be attended by leaders 
from around the world, including External Affairs Minister Jaswant 
Singh.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will introduce the tape of 
the speech at the 'community of democracies' ministerial-level 
conference to be held at the Polish capital from June 25 to 27, US 
assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour 
Harold H Koh told reporters here Monday.

Singh, representing the largest democracy in the world, is expected 
to play a major role at the conference to be co-sponsored by India, 
US, Chile, the Czech Republic, Mali and South Korea. Koh said the 
conference, to be attended by 102 countries, would focus on issues 
like how democracies can cooperate more effectively. (PTI)


_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
 

XINHUA: JAPANESE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INITIATE JOINT VENTURE WITH 
MYANMAR

Tuesday, June 20, 2000 9:43 PM EST 

YANGON (June 21) XINHUA - The Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance 
Company of Japan is making preparation to initiate a joint venture 
with the state-run Myanma Insurance (MI) following the signing of a 
memorandum of understanding between them in 1997. 

The Yasuda company is determined to channel its experience, expertise 
and financial resources into Myanmar, the latest issue of the local 
Myanmar Times journal quoted a statement of the company as saying.  
The joint venture, which will be the first of its kind in Myanmar, is 
likely to positively change the face of the industry in the country 
to help develop the sector, the statement predicted. 

The Japanese company, which has a financially strong reinsurance 
system, has been arranging in preparatory gesture a series of 
seminars in Myanmar and personnel training for the MI staff at its 
headquarters in Tokyo, the journal said. 

The Yasuda company operated in Yangon during the period 1958-64 and 
reopened a representative office in 1995 participating as a reinsurer 
with the MI. 

The company is liaising with the MI for all major types of insurance 
except for marine hull, aviation and life, and has signed a 
facultative obligatory reinsurance treaty with the MI for motor 
vehicles insurance business written by MI in foreign currency. 

In addition to the Yasuda, there are also two other Japanese 
insurance companies, the Mitsui and the Tokio, which have signed MOUs 
with the MI to set up similar joint ventures in the country. 

Aimed at developing its insurance market following the liberalization 
of its financial market and banking, Myanmar enacted its first 
Insurance Business Law in June 1996, granting local private companies 
as well as foreign investors to run insurance business in the country 
which cover life insurance, fire insurance, cash-in-safe insurance 
and fidelity insurance. 

Meanwhile, the Myanmar Foreign Investment Law emphasizes that foreign 
firms buy insurance policies compulsorily from the MI. 


____________________________________________________


XINHUA: MYANMAR TO SET UP MORE FISH, PRAWN BREEDING FARMS 


YANGON (June 21) XINHUA - Myanmar is planning to set up more fish 
breeding farms in Twantay township, the country's Yangon division, 
where there are over 688 hectares of lands remaining for such 
farming, official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported 
Wednesday.  
These farms are to be allotted to organizations and individuals who 
will undertake the activities, the report said. 

There are altogether 11,745 hectares of livestock breeding farms in 
the Yangon division and Twantay township is the largest area for fish 
breeding among the states and divisions. 

According to the newspaper's another report, arrangements are also 
being made to establish 2,025 hectares of prawn breeding farms in 
Mayanzweba and Kyauktan townships in the same division. 

The Myanmar fishery authorities are calling for drawing up a three-
year plan for development of prawn farming not only in the Yangon 
division but also in other states and divisions such as Ayeyawaddy, 
Bago, Rakhine, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi where favorable conditions 
prevail for such undertakings with the use of conventional as well as 
scientific methods. 

There are 40,480 hectares of fish and prawn breeding ponds in Myanmar 
and the output from them goes to 90,000 tons annually. 

Fishery sector is the third largest contributor to the country' s 
gross domestic product (GDP) after agriculture and forestry, sharing 
7.3 percent of the GDP. 

Myanmar annually exports 58,900 tons of fish and prawn, of which fish 
accounts for 45,700 tons, while prawn represents 13,200 tons.  
Export earning from them totals about 150 million U.S. dollars 
annually with the sector also standing as the third largest foreign 
exchange earner after agriculture and forestry. 

Myanmar's per capita fish and prawn consumption is 18 kilograms.  



_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________


MYANMAR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND THE MYANMAR COUNCIL OF  CHURCHES: AN 
APPEAL TO THE STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

[BurmaNet adds: This 1999 letter, recently obtained by the Chin 
Freedom Coalition and provided to BurmaNet,  is the  first from one 
of Burma's national Christian organizations letter to the Burmese 
military  regime since 1962.]



An Appeal of the Myanmar Catholic Bishops and the Myanmar Council of  
Churches to the State Peace and Development Council

September 24, 1999
Yangon
Myanmar


May the Peace and Grace of Jesus Christ and God be with you! 

A. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council 
of  Churches were formed with the objectives of all Christians in 
Myanmar to  work for Christ's Mission.

The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference, an organization comprised of 
13  Bishops, has been working hard leading 12 Catholic regions. 

The Myanmar Council of Churches, a leading national Christian 
ministry, is  comprised of 13 members of national Christian 
denominations that are  affiliated with 9 other prominent Christian 
organizations such as the Young  Women Christian and the Young Men 
Christian Association.

The leaders, as well as the members of these organizations, under the 
above  two major organizations are all citizens of Myanmar.

Although both of the two major organizations are cooperating with 
other  organizations around the world, they are freely operating in 
their own  cause.

B. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council 
of  Churches are working for human developments for the benefit of 
the mission  and the country. They establish hospitals, clinics, and 
schools that are  basic necessities for a peaceful society; and 
selfless doctors and teachers  are sacrificing in the good cause. 
Until today, they have established such  things as a hospital for 
leprosy, school for the deaf, school for the blind,  school for 
elderly care, school for orphans and are providing their best  
possible care for the abandoned and refugees.

They are also working with their best possible efforts for better  
environments, efficient transportation, welfare and developments of 
the  lives of young people, women, and children.

To be able to undertake the above mentioned mission responsibilities, 
the  Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference has formed the "Peace and 
Justice  Commission" and the Myanmar Council of Churches has formed 
the "Reconciliation and Peace Commission." The basic Biblical 
principle of the  Commission is as follows:

Being faithful believers of the peaceful God, who governs with 
everlasting  love, we believe that as we are responsible to build and 
prosper the virtues  that will end conflicts and promote justice and 
peace, which has always been  desired by the people, we will carry 
out this task so long as we are alive.  (Biblical References: Hosea 
2:4; Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 2:14-16). 

C. We would like to present the hardships and obstacles we have faced 
while  undertaking these tasks in recent years to the national heads. 

Prohibition of Christian evangelical works in some states and 
townships,  expulsion of mission workers, prohibition of worship 
services, arrests and  persecutions, forced renunciation of Christian 
faith, and destroying of  Christian crosses have been encountered. In 
some states, repairing of  Christian buildings was not allowed. 
Permission for building was not allowed  or permission was delayed. 
For Christians, crosses are very important  because they are the 
symbols of sacrifice and service for human beings.  Therefore, a 
place for worship and a place for erecting Christian crosses  are of 
prime importance.

In publication of Christian literature, some words and vocabularies 
were not  allowed or were restricted by the censorship board. This 
restriction can  consequently lessen the warm relationship among 
religious organizations. 

Due to the above obstacles, Christians have no peace of mind. 

Therefore, with the aims of building a new developed and modern 
country by  joining hands in unity with all ethnic nationalities and 
Burmese, we would  like to request and present to the national 
leaders to solve the above  mentioned obstacles. Also, in the future, 
we will present the needs and  difficulties to you as necessary.

D. The Myanmar Catholic Bishops Conference and the Myanmar Council 
of  Churches would also like to state that on the basis of love and 
justice, we  would always try to build a long lasting reconciliation 
and peace. May the  grace and peace of the ever-lasting God bestow 
upon our national leaders and  our motherland!

Amen.

******
Note: This document was obtained and distributed freely and 
independently by  the Chin Freedom Coalition (CFC) based in 
Washington D.C. who also provided  translation from Burmese into 
English. The original Burmese version of this  document is available 
on file with the CFC. For further information please  contact: 
webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or visit the  WWW.Chin-Freedom-
Coalition.org


_____________________ OTHER  ______________________


CENTER FOR POLICY STUDIES INTERNATIONAL:  CALL FOR PROPOSALS-- OSI 
POLICY FELLOWSHIPS, 2001

Website: www.osi.hu/ipf 
 
All applications must be submitted online at 
http://www.osi.hu/ipf/apply.html by  August 1, 2000


 The Central European University Center for Policy Studies (CPS) is 
calling for  proposals for its year 2001 International OSI Policy 
Fellowships (IPF) program,  which is affiliated with the CPS and the 
Open Society Institute-Budapest. Broadly  speaking, an open society 
is characterized by a reliance on the rule of law, the  existence of 
a democratically elected government, a diverse and vigorous civil  
society, and respect for minorities and minority opinions. Launched 
in late 1999,  the CPS works with a broadening circle of policy 
analysts and institutions to  promote the development of policy 
center networks throughout Central and Eastern  Europe, the former 
Soviet Union, and Mongolia, as well as countries in South and  
Southeast Asia.The CPS International OSI Policy Fellowships are 
intended to support the  analytical policy research of open society 
leaders and to provide these Fellows  with professional policy 
training. The program aims to improve the quality of  analysis in 
countries where the Soros foundations work by ensuring that these  
leaders are able to conduct research in their home region while 
maintaining local  affiliations and a high degree of mobility and 
intellectual freedom.
 
For the full text of this announcement, go to: http://www.osi.hu/ipf/

All initial queries must be entered online via the internet directly 
into the IPF  application database found at 
http://www.osi.hu/ipf/apply.html. Those who have no  possibility to 
access the internet (including from public libraries, Internet  
centers, or national Soros foundations) should send an e-mail to 
fellows@xxxxxx  or call the IPF offices at (36 1) 327-3863 to discuss 
the best alternate  application solution. 

________________


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