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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
_________August 25-26, 2000   Issue # 1604__________

INSIDE BURMA _______
*BLSO: Daw Suu stopped by SPDC at Dala
*SPDC: Daw Su Kyi and Companions Continue to Rest in Dala Township
*AFP : Military halts Aung San Suu Kyi on road outside Yangon
*Reuters: Britain deplores restrictions on Myanmar's Suu Kyi
*DPA: NLD Presses for Labour Unions at Garment Factories
*CRPP: Arrest of Aye Thaung condemned
*NLD: Regime using intimidation to force sham renunciations
*DVB: State Launches "Misinformation" Campaign
*DVB: Burmese Naval Vessels Collide During Military Exercises
*KNU: Burma Army raped and killed three cattle traders
*SHAN/Lahu Network News: Wa no better than Burmese, say Lahu Villagers

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Reuters: World anger mounts over Myanmar's Suu Kyi standoff
*U.S. State Dept.: US Deplores Treatment of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi 
*Reuters: Britain deplores restrictions on Myanmar's Suu Kyi
*Inter Press Service: Ambassador Sees No Change in Junta's Posture 

OPINION/EDITORIALS _______
*NCGUB: Restricting Daw Suu's Movement a 'Cowardly Act'
*Toronto Star: We need to keep pressure on Burma


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


[On Sunday, August 27, BurmaNet will post an update on the current 
standoff between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese police.]


__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________


BLSO: Daw Suu stopped by SPDC at Dala

[BurmaNet adds: This was the first report that emerged about the 
current standoff]

Information Release # 5/20 of the Burma Labour Solidarity 
Organization (BLSO)
Date: August 25, 2000

At 1 p.m. on August 24, 2000, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi , the secretary of 
NLD, 
left Rangoon with two cars to travel to Dala township, opposite of 
Rangoon, in order to meet with NLD  members. She was traveling with 
16 
people, including herself and U Tin Oo, the vice-chairperson of the 
NLD. 
The local SPDC authorities stopped both cars on the way to Dala and 
didn't 
allow them to continue their trip.  The authorities asked her to 
return to 
Rangoon but she refused.  At present, she has been held in her car by 
the 
Military Authorities for one day and one night.

This incident is similar to a situation that occurred in August of 
1998 
which captured international attention.  At that time Daw Aung San 
Suu Kyi 
attempted to visit NLD members in Bassein.  Her car was stopped by 
SPDC 
authorities near Anyar Su village in Nyaung Done township. She was 
unable 
to move for 12 days due to the fact that SPDC had surrounded her car 
with 
barbed wire. After two or three days she refused to accept food from 
SPDC 
and staged a hunger strike.  The confrontation ended when female 
police 
officers forced Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from her car and she was driven 
back 
to Rangoon by the authorities.  She received minor injuries as a 
result of 
this incident and was in poor health due to lack of drinking water 
and 
food during her ordeal.

We, BLSO, are concerned about the welfare of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and 
demand that the authorities release her immediately and allow her to 
resume her peaceful activities.  If something should happen to the 
health 
or safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the SPDC must be held responsible.




____________________________________________________



SPDC: Daw Su Kyi and Companions Continue to Rest in Dala Township

Myanmar Information Committee 
Yangon,Myanmar

Information Sheet -N0. B-1494(I/L) 25th August, 2000



        Daw Su Kyi, U Soe Myint, U Tin Oo and her personal chauffeur 
together 
with the 12 travel companions continue to rest in Sarpachaun ward of 
Dala 
town today, while the local authorities make every effort to ensure 
their 
comfort and safety.

        NLD sources in Yangon said Daw Su Kyi had taken extra food 
supplies 
but government officials together with Dala township NLD members 
provided 
some fresh fruits while her travel companions bought some bottles of 
mineral 
water and soft drinks from the nearby food stores.

        Until safety conditions improve, Daw Su Kyi is visiting Dala, 
a small 
but charming town which is (10) minutes by boat from Yangon.

        In case of emergency the Government has provided Daw Su Kyi 
with an 
ambulance from Yangon with one physician and six medical attendances 
remaining nearby around the clock to ensure her maximum comfort and 
welfare.



____________________________________________________


AFP : Military halts Aung San Suu Kyi on road outside Yangon

YANGON, Aug 25 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was
Friday in a new stand-off with the junta on a road outside Yangon 
after
defying a travel ban which restricts her to the capital, sources said.
   Members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) said the Nobel 
laureate
has been facing off the military authorities since Thursday afternoon 
when
her car was stopped at Dallah township.

   She had been on her way to a meeting of the party's youth wing in 
the
nearby town of Kawhmu, they said.

   The NLD has not been in contact with her since then and has no more
information on the situation in Dallah, about 32 kilometres (20 
miles) from
Yangon, they said.

   NLD chairman U Aung Shwe said Aung San Suu Kyi was merely 
attempting to
carry out "legitimate party organisation work."

   "As a private citizen she is entitled to travel along that road 
and should
not be stopped from doing so," he told AFP.

   A senior spokesman for the military regime confirmed that Aung San 
Suu Kyi
and a group accompanying her had been halted at Dallah and told to 
remain
there or return to Yangon.

   The opposition leader had been travelling without proper security
arrangements and was stopped for her own safety, he said in a 
statement.

   "Due to threats by armed insurgent separatist forces, travel by 
prominent
persons to some parts of the country is at present inadvisable," he 
said.

   "As a prominent citizen of Myanmar ... the government will take all
necessary action in protecting her from these threats while also 
safeguardng
her human rights, as much as possible including the right to freedom 
of
movement."

   Although she is no longer under house arrest as she was between 
1989 and
1995, Aung San Suu Kyi is confined to Yangon and her movements are 
closely
monitored.

   Attempts to test these restrictions in 1998 resulted in a dramatic 
13-day
stand-off with her military escort which ended when she returned to 
Yangon
amid fears for her health.

   She had been camped out in a minibus on a bridge northwest of the 
capital,
after being blocked from attempting to travel to meet provincial 
supporters.
It was her fourth failed bid to travel outside Yangon in just over a 
month.

   The episode was seen as emphasising her political impotency and the
stalemate into which Myanmar has sunk.

   The NLD won a crushing victory in 1990 elections but the results 
have
never been recognised by the military which has carried out a 
campaign of
intimidation against the opposition since the student uprisings of 
1988.

   In the decade since the elections, Aung San Suu Kyi has become more
isolated than ever. The junta has systematically dismantled her power 
base
and jailed scores of followers.

   The opposition leader has been separated from her two sons as they 
grew to
maturity, and was forced to choose between her political struggle and 
family
obligations as her husband lay dying of cancer in Britain last year.

   The military has been in control of Myanmar, formerly known as 
Burma, in
various guises since 1962. It has branded Aung San Suu Kyi a traitor 
and an
agent of foreign countries, especially former colonial ruler Britain.

   The junta is widely accused by the international community of 
gross human
rights abuses, including slave labour, rape and torture. It rejects 
these
allegations and contends that it intends to make democratic changes 
once
peace and stability has been achieved.



____________________________________________________

BBC: Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi

Friday, 25 August, 2000, 15:12 GMT 16:12 UK 

By BBC News Online's Joe Havely 

As a symbol of heroic and peaceful resistance in the face of 
oppression, Aung San Suu Kyi has come to be regarded in Burma and 
around the world as the Nelson Mandela of south-east Asia. 

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in absentia in 1991, she had by then 
been held under house arrest by Burma's military authorities for two 
years. 

It would be another four years before she was finally allowed to 
leave her home, although she remains restricted to the capital, 
Rangoon, and her movements are closely monitored. 

Now aged 55, Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of the assassinated 
Burmese nationalist leader, General Aung San. 

His resistance to British colonial rule culminated in Burma's 
independence in 1948 and her relationship to him gives her a unique 
position in Burmese society as the daughter of a national hero. 

Political destiny 
 
After receiving her initial education in Burma and India, Aung San 
Suu Kyi travelled to the UK where she studied at Oxford University. 

It was there that she met and married her husband, Michael Aris, an 
Oxford University academic. 

At the time Dr Aris knew his wife's destiny might ultimately lie with 
her returning to Burma. 

"Before we were married I promised my wife that I would never stand 
between her and her country," he recalled. 

It was not until 1988 however that Aung San Suu Kyi first came to 
prominence in Burma when she returned to the country leaving her 
husband and their two sons in Britain. 

Democracy movement 

There she quickly became the leader of a burgeoning pro-democracy 
movement following the brutal repression of a pro-democratic uprising 
earlier that summer. 

It was a mission she labelled "Burma's second struggle for 
independence". 

The movement quickly grew into a political party that went on to win 
an overwhelming 82% of the vote in national elections in 1990 - 
despite the fact that by that time she had already been under house 
arrest for more than a year. 

The military regime, however, refused to relinquish power and stepped 
up repression of her party, the National League for Democracy. 

Natural leader 

Martin Smith, a writer on Burmese affairs, says there are several 
reasons why Aung San Suu Kyi proved such a natural leader. 

"Her father was the founder of the democratic movement. So Suu Kyi in 
a way had inherited that kind of tradition. 

"But the second thing is of course down to Aung San Suu Kyi herself, 
her role in the democracy movement and her speeches about the need 
for change in Burmese society." 

Inspired by the non-violent campaigns of the American civil rights 
leader Martin Luther King, and India's Mahatma Gandhi, Aung San Suu 
Kyi organised rallies after her return to Burma, and travelled the 
country, calling for peaceful democratic reforms and free elections. 

Popular support 

She has tirelessly campaigned for change through dialogue and 
negotiation. 

Her tolerance, patience and confidence - born from the knowledge that 
she has immense popular support - have contrasted sharply with the 
paranoia and bullying tactics of generals who hold power. 

Much of her time is spent in military imposed isolation inside her 
run-down villa on Rangoon's University Avenue - guards outside keep 
all but a select few visitors well away. 

To her millions of supporters across Burma she is known simply 
as "The Lady". 

Movement restricted 

Despite Aun San Suu Kyi's official release from house arrest, there 
are still de facto restrictions on her freedom to move and speak, and 
oppression of pro-democracy activism continues. 

In July 1998 she spent five days in a stand-off with military 
officials outside Rangoon before being forcibly returned to the 
capital. 

A month later she tried again and spent 13 days stationary on a road 
west of the capital before medical concerns finally forced her to 
return to the city. 

But her commitment to her cause was perhaps most starkly and 
tragically illustrated a year later when her husband, still living in 
the UK, became terminally ill with prostate cancer. 

Believing that she would be blocked from returning to Burma, she 
declined the generals' offer of a visa to visit him in England for a 
final reunion. 

Denied the chance for a final farewell visit Michael Aris died in 
March 1999 - the couple had not seen each other for three years.


DPA: NLD Presses for Labour Unions at Garment Factories

Deutsche Presse-Agentur  August 14, 2000 

YANGON -- The chief opposition party in Myanmar (Burma) on Monday 
urged
the ruling military junta to allow the establishment of labour unions 
at foreign-owned factories, citing widespread abuses of worker 
rights. 

The National League for Democracy (NLD) issued a three-page 
declaration
asking the military regime to invoke the International Labour 
Organization (ILO) Convention 87 on freedom of association, which 
Myanmar has ratified,to allow the establishment of labour unions in 
the country. 

NLD cited poor working conditions at three foreign owned factories in 
the Hlaing Thaya Industrial Zone near Yangon, formerly Rangoon. 

It claimed that workers were dismissed if they refused to work 
overtime
at the Korean-owned "Myanmar Yes" garment factory, and implied at one 
woman worker, identified as Ma Moe Htuy, had recently died on the job 
from unknown causes after suffering a fever. 

The Taiwanese-owned "Tai-win" garment and Jong Lih factories were 
cited as
other examples where labourers were forced to work overtime, skip 
public holidays and limit toilet time to 6 minutes. 

"Social security, workers welfare and fringe benefits are unknown of 
in these factories," said the NLD declaration. 

Myanmar has one of the lowest minimum wage rates in Asia, at about 
15 dollars per month. 

The junta, which has ruled Myanmar since 1988, is already in the ILO's
bad books for widespread abuses of forced labour on public works and 
as porters for the military, and was earlier this year barred from 
attending ILO meetings as a form of punishment.

____________________________________________________


CRPP: Arrest of Aye Thaung condemned

Representatives of the People elected to the Parliament in the 1990 
multiparty democratic elections
(Committee Representing People's Parliament)


Notification  15 ( 08/ 00)


1. The multi-party democratic elections of May 1990 resulted in 
victory for 392 National League for Democracy candidates. From the 
ethnic national groups there were 23 Shan National League for 
Democracy candidates, 11 Arakan League for Democracy candidates, 5 
Mon National Democratic Front candidates, 2 Zomi National Congress 
candidates who became Pyithu Hluttaw representatives elect. The 
voters made their choice freely. This was a percentage of 89.28 
because the 433 candidates were elected from a total of 485 
constituencies.

2. Chapter 2  of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law (decreed on 31 May 
1989, by the State Law and Order Restoration Council which has been 
transformed to the State Peace and Development Council is 
entitled "Formation of the Pyithu Hluttaw" and Section 3 makes it 
compulsory for a Pyithu Hluttaw to be convened.

3.Ten years have passed and despite the fact that the power holders 
have announced the names of the representatives of the Pyithu 
Hluttaw, the military anashins have brazenly breached the provisions 
of the law they themselves decreed and have refused to convene a 
Pyithu Hluttaw.

4.(a) On 6 June 1998, the above mentioned national political parties 
addressed a letter to the Chairman of the SPDC setting out that 

" .... Having the good of the country as our only consideration, we 
respectfully place these facts before you....."

" ...... Not implementing the outcome of the elections is a blemish 
in the history of the nation. The only way that this blemish can be 
removed is by convening a Pyithu Hluttaw as soon as possible....."

"... The Union of Myanma is facing a crisis.  Solutions have not been 
found to problems relating to politics, business, social affairs and 
ethnic affairs.... "

".....There is no reason why all our problems cannot be solved 
through cooperation and genuine good will for all the people of this 
Union and without harboring any resentment or grudges.  This is our 
firm belief and we sincerely urge you to...... "

4(b) In addition, the National League for Democracy by its letter 
dated 23 June 1998 to the Chairman of the SPDC urged them to keep 
their promises and convene a Pyithu Hluttaw in accordance with the 
Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law by the 21 August 1998.

5.  The military anashins gave no reply to the letters mentioned 
above. This failure to convene a Pyithu Hluttaw was tantamount to 
ignoring the will of the people. Furthermore, the military anashins 
smashed and shattered the promises they gave to the people. In the 
matter of convening a Pyithu Hluttaw and in the matter of all 
political parties (nationalities and others) and the independents, 
there was the responsibility to respect the wishes of the voters and 
masses and the responsibility to maintain and observe the provisions 
of the Pyithu Elections Law. Consequently, on 16 September 1998 the 
Committee Representing the People's Parliament was formed.

6.  In the said committee the Shan National League for Democracy, the 
Arakan League for Democracy, the Mon National Democracy Front and the 
Zomi National Congress were represented by U Aye Tha Aung (Secretary 
of the Arakan League for Democracy).  He and U Than Tun (Central 
Executive Committee member of the NLD) acted as Secretaries.  

7.  The said U Aye Tha Aung who was representing four ethnic 
nationality parties was illegally arrested on the 24 March 2000 by 
the military anashins and sentenced to suffer 21years imprisonment.  
Our information is that the sentence was passed on 7 June 2000. 

8.  From the date of his illegal arrest and forced detention till 
sometime after he was sentenced his family was not granted permission 
to visit him.  The first visit was on the 27 July 2000.  His trial 
was not open to the public. He was not allowed a defense lawyer.  It 
was conducted as hastily as possible. The heavy sentence was 
unwarranted and unjust.

9.  The stability and strength of the Union of Burma depends on 
collective support, collaboration and help of all the nationalities.  
Everyone is aware of this. This means that we must work together 
unitedly, equally and strongly. This unjust sentence to years of 
imprisonment is a heavy penalty to a man of  U Aye Tha Aung's 
caliber, a man who was dedicated to working for the unification and 
harmony between the different ethnic nationalities.  This will only 
be detrimental towards achieving a national and united spirit between 
the nationalities and we strongly denounce them for this. 


Committee Representing People's Parliament 
9 August 2000







(Distributed by National League for Democracy)


____________________________________________________


NLD: Regime using intimidation to force sham renunciations


National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

Statement No. 122 (8 / 00)

1.  Information received is that on 1July 2000, every house in  North 
Zaing-ga-naing ward 
(Pegu township, Pegu division) was visited by USDA organizer U Htay 
Win (owner of 
Shwe-aing San Travellers' Lodge) and members of the ward military 
authority.  By 
intimidation and coercion and unlawful display of authority and power 
they forced the 
householders to sign papers for the purpose of denouncing the NLD and 
for its 
dissolution.

2.  Similarly on the 2 July at the shopping area in the centre of the 
town USDA organizer U 
Soe Myint (hard of hearing Soe Myint) and his group consisting of 
other USDA members 
and members of the military authorities) went around illegally 
forcing people to sign 
papers indicating their loss of confidence in the NLD.  When a lady 
at one store 
expressed her confidence in the NLD and refused to sign she was 
threatened with 
withdrawal of the shop license and great pressure was applied to get 
her signature.

3.  Similarly on the 2 July, at Myothit (d) ward, for no given reason 
the authorities went 
around preparing the list of all over 18s and applied the same 
pressure and threats to get 
their signatures. The next day (3 July) the same process was 
conducted by ward military 
dictator authority chairman U Myint Lwin Soe and his group at Myothit 
ward (19).  
Again the next day (4 July) in Myothit Ward 1/6 every house was 
entered by the military 
dictator authority representatives and USDA members for the same 
purpose using the 
same tactics.

4.  We have been informed that on 5 June 2000 at Chauk township 
(Magwe division) an 
illegal shouting demonstration was staged against NLD Pyithu Hluttaw 
representative U 
Myint Thein.  Also for the closing down of the NLD which was referred 
to as a party with 
bad doctrines.

5. An organizing committee comprising township USDA members, township 
military 
dictator authorities, and township election commission 
representatives was formed for the 
specific purpose of accomplishing this unlawful and deliberate 
breaches of the law and to 
intimidate the people to force them in this sham performance.

6.  The door knocking exercise to get every 18 year old and above to 
append their signatures 
was thus accomplished.  Those who refused were taken to the offices 
of the 
administrators and seriously threatened.  Civil servants were given 
notice of dismissal. 
Pressure was applied through threats and intimidation.

7.  This widespread abuse of authority for the accomplishment of 
illegal activities, these 
wrongful acts, these deceitful and misleading methods constitute 
breaches of the law. We 
strongly disapprove and condemn the participants.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
4 August

____________________________________________________


DVB: Burmese Naval Vessels Collide During Military Exercises

Text of report by Burmese opposition radio on 22nd August

The Democratic Voice of Burma [DVB] has learned that two naval vessels
collided during the joint military exercises of the State Peace and
Development Council [SPDC] army, air force, and navy in Tenasserim
Division. Four men were injured and two are missing. The collision 
occurred
while the two naval vessels were participating in military exercises 
around
Mali Island in Palau Township, Mergui District, on 14th August. Six 
naval
personnel fell overboard and the subsequent rescue attempt saved only 
four,
who were injured. The remaining two are missing.

The two naval vessels involved in the incident are from Tenasserim 
naval
headquarters. Despite the bad weather, the SPDC authorities ordered 
the
exercises to continue. Military exercises have been taking places in
Mergui, Palau, Tenasserim, and Kyunzu Townships in Tenasserim Division
since 24th July. They will last for 45 days.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 22 Aug 
00.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring


____________________________________________________


DVB: State Launches "Misinformation" Campaign

Text of report on 18th August by Oslo-based anti-government radio run 
by
the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

The Democratic Voice of Burma has learnt that the State Peace and
Development Council [SPDC] Foreign Ministry and the Office of 
Strategic
Studies [OSS] are working together to cause international 
broadcasters and
the Burmese-language services of foreign radio stations to carry false
news. A seminar on the subject was held at the Protocol Office of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20th July. It was attended by officers 
from
the Foreign Ministry, the OSS and the Directorate of Defence Services
Intelligence.

According to a reliable source, two strategies were laid down to send
misinformation to international broadcasters and the Burmese-language
services of foreign radio stations and to block all routes for 
sending news
from inside the country to abroad. A special news group is to issue
fabricated news and rumours and SPDC embassies abroad are to be in 
charge
of dissemination to international media. Arrangements are being made
systematically so that these reports will be broadcast by the Burmese
services of foreign broadcasters and Operational Command Nos 8 and 7 
under
the Operations Bureau and No 19 and 25 military intelligence units 
have
been assigned this duty. They are to train members of armed groups 
who have
surrendered and send them back to the border area, while some will be
issued with legal passports.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is to be in charge of blocking the 
outflow of
news from inside the country and a special information police squad 
and the
Bureau of Special Investigation are in charge of it. Measures include
exposing information routes inside the country, intercepting suspected
telephone numbers and opening mail to and from abroad.

The Democratic Voice of Burma received some fabricated news last week 
and
did not broadcast it when it was found to be false. The majority of 
the
news reports were on the arrest and torture of members of the National
League for Democracy.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 18 Aug 
00.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring

____________________________________________________


KNU: Burma Army raped and killed three cattle traders


KNU Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department


25 August 2000


Ten traders killed in 3 days

 

TENASSERIM DIVISION, BURMA. Burma Army's Infantry Battalion 285 raped 
and killed three cattle traders in Thuka border pass, opposite 
Kanchanaburi province on August 3, 2000.

 

On August 3, three villagers from Burma, Ha Min Kyi village in Tavoy 
District were travelling to Thai-Burma border to sell some cattle. 
When they arrived to Mo Kyi Pyan Mountain, they were stopped and 
arrested by a group of 15 soldiers of Burma's army. The soldiers 
identified as Burma army's No.2 Column of Infantry Battalion 285 that 
take security at Thu Ka border pass. 

 

The soldiers arrested three villagers, U Pu Lu, 45 yr. (male), Ma 
Chaw Su, 18 yr. (female), and U Aung Than, 40 yr. (male), with their 
six cattle and took along with them to Thuka border pass. After that, 
it was learnt that all of them were shot dead by that troop. Ma Chaw 
Su was repeatedly raped before she was killed. All their cattle were 
taken by that troop.

 

>From August 1, 2000 to 3, in three days period Burma army's Infantry 
Battalion 285 has killed 10 traders and confiscated more than 30 
cattle in Thuka border pass, reported by our field reporter. 

 

Burma army's troop that stationed at Thuka border pass continuously 
taxed the traders from Burma, looting of their properties, cattle, 
robbing, killing and raped of the traveller. It is a route that the 
Burmese people used to trade cattle and travel to work in Thailand.


____________________________________________________


SHAN/Lahu Network News: Wa no better than Burmese, say Lahu Villagers

22 August 2000

Shan Herald Agency for News
Reported by: Lahu Network News

According to sources coming from Mongton, across from Chiangmai, the 
local 
people are being treated no better by the Wa authorities than the 
Burmese 
rulers.

Hopang-Hoyawd, an integrated village 30 miles northeast of Mongton, 
has a 
market set up by the United Wa state Army. Shopkeepers there, most of 
whom 
are Shans and Chinese, are said to be paying B.3,000 per month to 
both the 
Wa and Burmese authorities.

The local populace, most of whom are Lahu, are required to sweep the 
marketplace every 15 days. Households that fail to present their 
delegated 
sweepers are being fined B.500 or K.5,000, in accordance with the 
local 
exchange rate.

Also, the Wa authorities appear to be practising a policy of 
discrimination 
towards the populace, made up of Shan and Lahu natives and the new 
settlers 
from Panghsang, the Wa capital, in the north. "We have to pay a 
K.10,000 
(B.1,000) fine, if one of our buffaloes strays into the Wa fields" 
said 
local lahu villagers. "But if our fields are raided by buffaloes 
owned by 
the Wa, there is no official to take up on our complaints. One of the 
Lahus 
was threatened with a gun and driven away, when he went to present 
his 
grievances."





___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL____________________


Reuters: World anger mounts over Myanmar's Suu Kyi standoff

By Aung Hla Tun 

 YANGON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu 
Kyi entered the third day of a roadside standoff with police on 
Saturday as the military government blocking her freedom of movement 
faced mounting international criticism. 

 Suu Kyi and other members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) 
spent a second night in two cars by the side of a road south of 
Yangon. Police stopped them there on Thursday after they left the 
capital to visit supporters. 

 It was the first time the 55-year-old Nobel laureate had tried to 
leave the capital since another standoff two years ago, which ended 
after 13 days when an increasingly poorly and dehydrated Suu Kyi gave 
up her protest and returned home. 

 Myanmar says it stopped Suu Kyi for her own protection because her 
journey did not have ``proper security arrangements.'' 

 The National League for Democracy (NLD), which won elections in 1990 
by a landslide but has never been allowed to govern, said in a 
statement on Friday that the group was running short of food and 
water. 

 It called on local villagers to provide Suu Kyi and her party with 
supplies. 

 Witnesses said the group's cars were parked a short distance off the 
road where they were stopped. Nearby were an ambulance and a 
truckload of police. 

 INTERNATIONAL ANGER 

 As Suu Kyi stayed in her car, refusing to turn back, international 
criticism of the government's action grew. 

 ``The United States deplores the government of Burma's refusal to 
allow Aung San Suu Kyi and other National League of Democracy leaders 
to travel freely in their own country,'' the State Department said in 
a statement. 

 ``Freedom of movement is a fundamental, internationally recognised 
right. Its denial can only increase the existing tensions in Burma.'' 

 It said the United States was concerned about the health and safety 
of Suu Kyi's group and would hold the Myanmar authorities directly 
accountable for their welfare. 

 In London, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said he deplored the 
treatment of Suu Kyi. 

 ``We urge the authorities to lift these unnecessary and unlawful 
restrictions immediately, and call on the regime to open an immediate 
dialogue with... Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD,'' Cook said in a 
statement. 


 The European Union also called on Myanmar to lift travel 
restrictions on Suu Kyi. 


U.S. State Dept.: US Deplores Treatment of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi 

 (State Department statement, August 25, 2000) (240)

 Following is the text:

 (begin text)

 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 Office of the Spokesman
 For Immediate Release
 August 25, 2000
 2000/927

 STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

 U.S. DEPLORES TREATMENT OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI

 The United States deplores the government of Burma's refusal to allow
 Aung San Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy leaders to
 travel freely in their own country. Freedom of movement is a
 fundamental, internationally-recognized human right. Its denial can
 only increase the existing tensions in Burma.

 Since yesterday, Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National
 League for Democracy have reportedly been involved in a standoff with
 Burmese authorities at a roadblock about 30 miles south of Rangoon in
 Dala township. The authorities have not permitted the group to
 continue on to Kunyangon township where they planned to confer with
 local National League for Democracy members. The U.S. condemns this
 abridgement of Aung San Suu Kyi's right to freedom of movement and 
her
 right to visit whomever she chooses. We are concerned about the 
health
 and safety of the National League for Democracy group and hold the
 Burmese authorities directly accountable for their welfare.

____________________________________________________



Reuters: Britain deplores restrictions on Myanmar's Suu Kyi

LONDON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Britain urged Myanmar on Friday to lift 
travel restrictions on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and open a 
dialogue with the Nobel laureate. 


 Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said he deplored steps by police to 
stop Suu Kyi from leaving Yangon on Thursday -- the first time she 
had tried to travel outside the capital since a 13-day roadside 
standoff two years ago. 

 ``We urge the authorities to lift these unnecessary and unlawful 
restrictions immediately, and call on the regime to open an immediate 
dialogue with... Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD (National League for 
Democracy),'' Cook said in a statement. 

 Opposition sources said Suu Kyi left her Yangon residence on 
Thursday morning to travel to Dala township south of the city. She 
was still in her car after being stopped by police and refusing to 
return to Yangon as requested. 

 In a statement, the Myanmar government said a car carrying Suu Kyi 
and other NLD members had been stopped by police in Sarpachaun 
outside Yangon because it did not have ``proper security 
arrangements.'' 

 It said Suu Kyi, who was kept under house arrest for six years until 
1995, was stopped for her own protection. 

 ``To restrict leaders of a democratic political party from moving 
around the country is a denial of fundamental human and political 
rights,'' Cook said. 
 The NLD won elections in May 1990 but has never been allowed to 
govern. Its members have been jailed, placed under house arrest or 
restricted by the ruling generals, who say the country is not ready 
for Western-style democracy. 

 In a rare interview this week, Suu Kyi renewed her call for 
international pressure to help achieve democracy in Myanmar and said 
the recent opening of universities, closed in 1996 after anti-
government protests, was a sham.



____________________________________________________


Inter Press Service: Ambassador Sees No Change in Junta's Posture 


 
CANBERRA, (Aug. 24) IPS - A leaked cable from the new Australian 
ambassador to Burma paints a bleak assessment of the prospects for 
improvement of human rights in the country, saying "there are clearly 
no grounds for optimism" the military will ease its crackdown on the 
pro-democracy movement.

"The (junta) shows no signs of being interested in relinquishing 
power," said the July 21 cable, which was sent by Ambassador Trevor 
Wilson to both Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign 
Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

The cable was published by the Melbourne newspaper, The Age, 
yesterday.

"There are clearly no grounds for optimism in the SPDC's unchanging 
approach to opponents of the regime. Nor do observers in Rangoon 
detect any signs that the regime is willing to bend in the direction 
of political dialogue or any hints that meaningful movement towards 
transition to a freely elected government is contemplated," said the 
cable.

"Rather, all the indicators point to the regime being determined to 
remain in power at all cost, allowing only marginal reforms in the 
economy and society. Neither the appointment of a new special 
representative by the U.N. Secretary-General, nor other attempts at 
more direct engagement with the regime have yet resulted in many 
substantive improvements," the cable warned.

The cable, written just four days after the first in a series of 
Australian government-sponsored human rights workshops for 75 
officials in the military regime, increases pressure on the 
Australian government to withdraw its funding of the controversial 
$100,000 training program.

The director of the Sydney-based Burma Office, Dr. Myint Cho, says 
the cable confirms what the democracy movement has been saying all 
along. "The human rights situation is not improving," he said.

"We don't believe the human rights training program will be 
successful in assisting with change. The Australian government should 
work with the international community to create constant pressure to 
force the regime to enter into dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi," Cho 
said.

"Unless they enter into political dialogue we can't see that the 
country can change," he said.

The shadow minister for foreign affairs, Laurie Brereton, has renewed 
his call for the Howard government to cancel its human rights 
training program with Burma's military regime.

"The political assessment by Australia's ambassador to Burma 
demolishes the credibility of the Howard government's engagement with 
the Burmese military," he said.

"This program comes in the absence of any real human rights 
commitments from Rangoon or benchmarks against which performance will 
be measured. We are the only country in the world cozying up to these 
people, and they will take great comfort from that," Brereton said.

A spokeswoman for Alexander Downer said the ambassador was supportive 
of human rights training program and that the Australian government 
had no illusions that change would only be slow and incremental.

Another multi-day workshop for 25 officers of the Burmese regime is 
scheduled for next month.

While the United States and the European Union remain committed to 
isolating Burma's military regime with sanctions, Australia has 
broken ranks and sought to engage the regime in the hope it can be 
encouraged to ease its tight grip on the Burmese democracy movement.

The deputy secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 
John Dauth, justified the government's engagement policy in a recent 
speech to a parliamentary committee.

"We are seeking to capitalize on a judgment that it is better to 
engage with the regime in Burma than to isolate them and, by engaging 
them in this way, to seek to have some effect at the margin, to chip 
away, so that over time human rights values are better respected."

While Dauth argues that "the policy of isolating Burma has had no 
effect whatsoever" he was candid about the impact of the training 
program. "We know very well that the likely impact of this exercise 
is at the margin," Dauth told the committee.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, in its recently released annual 
survey of human rights, confirms the bleak assessment of Australia's 
ambassador to Burma.

"The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) offered no 
signs during the year that fundamental change was on the horizon," it 
wrote.

"No progress was made on ending forced labor. Counter-insurgency 
operations by the Burmese military in several ethnic minority areas, 
accompanied by extrajudicial executions, forced relocation, and other 
abuses, led to the displacement of thousands inside Burma and the 
flight of yet more refugees across the border into Thailand," Human 
Rights Watch reported.

"Burma's ethnic minority areas were the sites of continuing violence 
and gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law. After 
relocation, soldiers frequently burned homes, uprooted crops, and 
looted belongings that villagers left behind."

"At the relocation sites, villagers had to contribute up to 15 days a 
month of forced labor on infrastructure projects, portering, night 
watch, and the physical maintenance of army camps," the rights 
watchdog added.





_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS_________________


NCGUB: Restricting Daw Suu's Movement a 'Cowardly Act'

NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA

August 25, 2000


Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of a legally registered political party, 
the National League for Democracy, is once again prevented from 
meeting her own party members.  The military junta that is running 
the country has stopped her from traveling to a township near 
Rangoon.  The press is also prevented from visiting the site where 
the car is being stopped.

A senior spokesperson of the military junta said the car she was 
traveling was surrounded, "Due to threats by armed insurgent 
separatist forces," and that "travel by prominent persons to some 
parts of the country is at present inadvisable."   This, coming from 
the very people who have taken every opportunity to claim they have 
for the first time since World War II established peace and stability 
in the country, is a ridiculous excuse.  The road leading to Kawhmu 
and Kungyangon, after all, is just a few miles from the capital city, 
Rangoon.

The spokesperson's claim that "... the government will take all 
necessary action in protecting her from these threats" goes without 
saying that it is a blatant lie.  Any protection Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
needs is from the irrational behavior of the generals and their goons.

Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win said, "It's just another cowardly act by 
those who are afraid of letting the people meet their leader.  The 
frenzied blockade demonstrates the continuing popularity and support 
of the people for the party they voted for in the 1990 elections."

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma condemns the 
dastardly act and calls on the generals to honor all fundamental 
rights of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political leaders, including 
the right to move about freely to conduct their legitimate party 
work.  The international community is urged to use all available 
means to dissuade the generals from resorting to brute force and to 
resolve problems through peaceful means.

____________________________________________________


Toronto Star: We need to keep pressure on Burma

[BurmaNet adds?This article was posted to the Internet with a useful 
background note by Tin Maung Htoo.  The background note and article 
are reprinted in full]

Dear colleagues and Burma supporters,

The following message published in Today's Toronto Star newspaper is a
response of Dr. Alice Khin Saw Win to What Ko Myint Swe advocated 
with an
article, We Build New Bridge to Burma, in the same newspaper in last 
two
week ago.

I hope that all you are aware of the debate whether we should have a 
soft
policy to approach the Burmese military, abandoning the current 
punitive
one.

Let me introduce briefly about these two persons in order to become 
familiar
with them.
Dr. Khin Saw Win is now residing in Admonton, Canada, and she used to 
work
for NLD and personal physician for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before she 
left the
country. She is now Director of Burma Watch International based in 
Admonton
and teaching medical stuff in University of Alberta.

Ko Myint Swe is 74 [SIC--BurmaNet adds?the age cited here appears to
be a typo]  student activist and now living in Toronto, Canada. He
used to be a prisoner for five years in Burma for his political 
activity and
belief and used to work for NCGUB and NLD (LA) and New Era Journal 
when he
lived in Thailand. He is now studying post-graduate at the York 
University
in Toronto.

I concern that his advocacy of having new approach is sensitive for 
all of
us involved in this movement. But I do not want to say that he is 
siding
with the military. The fact is that we could not say exactly that 
which
advocacy is right and wrong for the time being. But if we want to 
change our
strategy, then it would be a risky one and should have consensus. If 
someone
goes alone without consulting with his or her own way, it is definite 
that
he or she will be labeled as traitor.

Therefore, everyone should be aware of this important point before 
doing
something for any purpose in this movement.

With regards,

Tin Mg Htoo
Canada

The following is Dr. Alice's response.
------------------------------------------------------------      
      
We need to keep pressure on Burma regime

Re It's time we build new bridge to Burma, Opinion, Aug.13.

Until 12 years ago, Burma was not well-known to the international 
community.


After the bloody massacre in 1988, Burma lost the talents of many 
people,
including students and professionals, who have fled the country.

Nowadays, Burmese activists are dispersed all over the world, and thus
through their efforts Burma is under stern scrutiny by the world 
community. 


The brutal actions of the military junta have been condemned by the
international community through repeated consensus resolutions by the 
U.N.
General Assembly and the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.

Canada has also shown concern over the deteriorating human rights 
situation
in Burma. 
 
There are reliable reports that investments in Burma end up helping 
out only
relative and friends of the military bullies.

Donors, humanitarian aid agencies and NGOs who want to work in Burma, 
have
to sign a "memorandum of understanding" with the junta.  Though the 
content
of it has not been made public, it is known that all their movements 
will be
monitored and curbed.

If there should being offshore campus of Canadian universities 
established
in the near future, as suggested by Myint Shwe, the author of the 
article,
nobody can deny that it would be subverted for the sole use of the 
military
elite.

Humanitarian assistance and strict ethical standards for international
involvement must remain a priority and we should avoid any actions 
that will
give legitimacy to the junta.

By having no embassy in Burma, the Canadian government has 
acknowledged the
fact hat the "butcher regime" is not the legitimate government.  This 
kind
of action by the international community will only hurt the regime 
more than
it hurts the Burmese people.

DR. ALICE KHIN SAW WIN
Lecturer
Faculty of Nursing and Medicine
University of Alberta 
Admonton, Canada







____________________________________________________

________________


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