BurmaNet News: September 13, 2000

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______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
        An on-line newspaper covering Burma 
_________September 13, 2000   Issue # 1618__________


INSIDE BURMA _______
*AFP : Epidemic kills thousands in Myanmar drug country 
*NLD (LA): On the Forced arrest of Daw Aung San Su Kyi
*Shan State Army News: Battle In Kaeng Tung Front
*MICB: SPDC sends wives to porter

REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL _______
*Reuters: U.S. Defends Burmese Opposition Leader
*Sydney Morning Herald: Protesters want Tougher Stand on Burma 

ECONOMY/BUSINESS _______
*AP: Black market price of gasoline jumps in Myanmar *Bernama 
(Malaysia): Oil palm credit to Burma junta
		
OPINION/EDITORIALS _______
*Govt of France: Letter of the french minister of education to ASSK
*Myanmar Times (SPDC): Myanmar adamant in clarifying no NLD member 
'under arrest'  


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__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
	

AFP : Epidemic kills thousands in Myanmar drug country 

by Thanaporn Promyamyai


   CHIANG RAI, Thailand, Sept 13 (AFP) - An epidemic of malaria, anthrax 
and typhoid is ravaging Myanmar's notorious drug-producing region, 
killing thousands and infecting even more, including a reputed 
international narcotics kingpin, Thai military sources said.

   Since mid-July, the three diseases have killed at least several 
thousand residents of Maung Yawn, a northeastern Myanmar province of 
over 100,000 and a headquarters for the ethnic minority militia United 
Wa State Army (UWSA), one
of the world's leading drug producers.

   One military source said that as many as 10,000 residents of Maung 
Yawn have died since July, a figure that would make the epidemic one of 
the worst of its kind to hit Southeast Asia in recent years.

   "Many people are dying every day, and hundreds are getting sick. It 
is an uncontrollable situation," said one Thai military source posted 
along the Myanmar border near Chiang Rai, a northern Thai city 800 
kilometres (640 miles) from Bangkok.

   Some sick residents of Maung Yawn have been straggling across the 
border into Thailand in an attempt to obtain care, the source said.    
Among those infected with anthrax reportedly is Wei Hsueh-kang, one of 
the top leaders of the UWSA and perhaps the most powerful drug warlord 
in Southeast Asia.

   Although the Bangkok Post Wednesday reported that some Wa leaders 
were slipping into Thailand for medical care, army sources told AFP that 
Wei Hseuh-kang was receiving treatment in the Myanmar town of Tachilek, 
near the Thai border.

   The UWSA signed a peace treaty with the Yangon junta in 1989 after 
years of fighting the central government and then used the peace to 
consolidate its control over the area and move into amphetamine, opium 
and heroin production and smuggling.

   Since the ceasefire the Yangon authorities have been effectively 
absent from the region.

   Foreign critics charge that Myanmar agreed to turn a blind eye to the 
Wa's drug trafficking business. Myanmar is the world's second-largest 
producer of opium as well as a major source of amphetamines.

   Army sources say the epidemic has yet to have much impact on the Wa's 
drug business as most of the people who have died are civilians, since 
whatever medication exists in Maung Yawn is given to UWSA soldiers 
first.    But even the medication that the soldiers are receiving is 
outdated, as clinics in Maung Yawn are basic and lack most essential 
drugs, Thais who used to work in Maung Yawn have said.

   Thai army sources said that Chinese doctors will be arriving soon to 
help deal with Maung Yawn's medical crisis.

   Although the epidemic, along with a brewing battle between the Wa and 
other drug trafficking groups in Myanmar, threatens to send thousand of 
refugees into Thailand, the Thai army said it would not let in migrants 
or provide much assistance to those suffering in Maung Yawn.

   Army sources privately told AFP that the border across from Maung 
Yawn has now been tightly sealed.

   A truck full of Maung Yawn residents infected with malaria and 
anthrax was recently turned back at the Thai border, they said.

   Thais who used to work in Maung Yawn building new structures for the 
Wa now are prevented by the army from going into Myanmar, although the 
army said there are still some Western missionaries living in Maung 
Yawn.    Thus far there are no reports of major anthrax, typhoid or 
malaria epidemics in the Thai provinces bordering Maung Yawn.



NLD (LA): On the Forced arrest of Daw Aung San Su Kyi

National League for Democracy, Liberated Area

(9 September, 2000 )

The Vice-Chairman of NLD U Tin Oo, General Secretary Daw Aung San Su 
Kyi, 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate, Central Executive member U Soe Myint and 
12 NLD youths were stopped by the SPDC authorities at the town of Dala 
on the 24.  August, 2000, when travelling to Kungyangon and Kawmu for 
party political activities. During their stand-off they faced food and 
water shortages. The blockade lasted from 24 August, 2000 to 1 
September, 2000. On the 1 September, 2000 at 11:30 pm Commander Hla 
Myint Maw from the special unit of Military Intelligence (12) was 
ordered by Major -General Kyaw Win, Deputy Director of Military 
Intelligence to arrest Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo and U Soe Myint , 
and the (12) NLD youths, and to return them to Rangoon. 

In carrying out the orders, (5) policewomen from the information unit of 
the office of the Bureau of special investigation (BSI) stationed at 9th 
mile, Mayangone Township, and Major Than Tun from the Directorate of 
Defence Service Intelligence (DDSI) and Office of Strategic Studies 
(OSS) travelled to Dala. Whilst Major Than Tun was talking to Daw Aung 
San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, the (5) policewomen without warning forcibly 
apprehended and handcuffed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and violently pushed her 
into a car and drove her to Rangoon . At the same time the electric 
supply to Dala was temporarily cut off. 

U Tin Oo was dropped off at his home and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was 
temporarily taken to an unknown destination. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
including (9) members of CRPP were then pressured to sign documents 
dissolving the CRPP. They were all threatened with being immediately 
driven to where U Aye Thar was being held and then imprisoned, if they 
did not sign the documents dissolving the CRPP. 

The Committee members of the CPPR were separated from each other, and 
their telephone lines disconnected. They were told not to attend the 
party offices or go outside their homes, and they were all placed under 
house arrest. The (12) NLD youths who were separated from Daw Aung San 
Suu Kyi at 12:30 pm have been placed in special solitary confinement at 
Insein jail, and held for investigation. The persons in charge of this 
investigation is said to be Major Hla Thet Maw, and Major Than Tun. 

Dr Myo Aung, and Ko Tun Zaw and an unknown youth (from the (12) NLD 
youths) are said to be dangerously ill. On the 2 September, 2000, Major 
Than Tun and security personnel arrived in two trucks at the 
Shwegondaing Road NLD office, and ransacked the offices and the library, 
and took away documents and files, and (4) responsible members who were 
in the office. This press release is issued by way of notifying the 
international community and all the Burmese people of the SPDC military 
regimes lawless actions.                                                 
                                              News and Information 
Department 
                                                                        

National League for Democracy                                            
                                     
(Liberated Area) 




____________________________________________________


Shan State Army News: Battle In Kaeng Tung Front
 
12 September 2000
 


On the 11th September 2000, at 09:00 hrs., a skirmish between SPDC 
troops from 360th Infantry Battalion and men from SSA's Kaeng Tung front 
were engaged in a battle at Phak Tu Mong, opposite of Chiangrai province 
of Thailand. The battle lasted for about 2 hrs., but the details are 
still not yet known, at the time of this reporting. 

A 200-men-strong SPDC's team together with their Lahu militia and UWSA 
are said to be ready for combat at Naa Kong Mu, Mong Ton township. They 
are believed to make an offensive against SSA troops in this area. 

The SSA is said to be on alert and ready, should the unavoidable 
conflict break out. Reportedly, the SSA has time and again made it known 
of wanting to avoid open conflicts with other non-Burman ethnic groups, 
in principle. 










MICB: SPDC sends wives to porter

Muslim Information Center of Burma

September 5, 2000

state of Burma On July, 28, 2000, SPDC authorities arrested two men with 
many other civilians and sent them as porters  to the front line in the 
Karen state of Burma.

The wives of the two men, from Thayagon village, Hlaing Bwe township of 
Karen state went to the SPDC authorities concerned and asked them  the 
whereabouts of their husbands.

The SPDC authorities from  Battalion No.339,  who said it was a 
disturbance during office hours, arrested the two wives and sent also 
them to the front line as porters.



___________________ REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL___________________

					

Reuters: U.S. Defends Burmese Opposition Leader

Tuesday September 12 11:47 AM ET
U.S. Defends Burmese Opposition Leader 

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States defended Burmese opposition 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, likening her to such icons who 
fought oppression through non-violence as Indian independence leader 
Mahatma Gandhi and U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King.  
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, in a speech to the U.N. General 
Assembly, said the government of Burma could not ''fool'' the world into 
thinking Suu Kyi was responsible for the suppression of the country's 
democracy movement.  

Suu Kyi has been confined to her home and barred from all contact with 
the outside world since September 2, while the Rangoon headquarters of 
her National League for Democracy (NLD) remains closed and guarded by 
police.  

The government says she and other senior NLD members are being 
temporarily confined to their homes while the authorities investigate 
the alleged involvement of some NLD members in what it calls ``terrorist 
activity.''  

The government of Myanmar, which the United States continues to call 
Burma, has called members of the opposition ''destructive elements'' and 
has vowed to crush them.  

Albright said: ``When the Burmese government tries to blame the victims 
for the crime, and say that Aung San Suu Kyi and her party are 
responsible for their own repression, I can only say that much the same 
was once said about Gandhi and Martin Luther King, (South African 
leader) Nelson Mandela and (Czech President) Vaclav Havel.''  

``The world is not fooled, and we must not be silent,'' she added. 
 
Albright has discussed the case of Aung San Suu Kyi in bilateral 
meetings with foreign ministers in New York, including Yohei Kono of 
Japan on Monday. 
 
A U.S. spokesman said Albright and Kono agreed that the Burmese 
government's treatment of Suu Kyi was unacceptable. 


____________________________________________________

  

Sydney Morning Herald: Protesters want Tougher Stand on Burma 

Saturday , September 9 , 2000

 

Demonstrators outside the Burmese embassy in Canberra yesterday faced an 
impenetrable line of riot police as they protested against the contiuing 
house detention of democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi . About 50 
demonstrators were met by about 70 police officers , including 30 from 
the Operational Support Group in full tactical uniform. Mr Par Parr of 
the Free Burma Action Committee said " our message to Burma's military 
regime is to recognise the elected Members of Parliament.... We want the 
Australian government to at least make clear where they stand . We need 
them to take tough action...."  

( picture of protesters confronting a line of riot police with shield in 
full gear, Page 4) Photo : Gabriele Charlotte    






____________________________________________________






_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
 

AP: Black market price of gasoline jumps in Myanmar 

September 13, 2000
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) The black market price of gasoline in Myanmar has 
jumped by more than 10 percent this week because of shortages, traders 
in Yangon said Wednesday. 

 The price of one gallon (3.8 liters) of gasoline rose from 340 kyats 
(85 cents) on Monday to 380 kyats (95 cents) Wednesday, amid concerns it 
could trigger price increases in other commodities like rice, onion, 
potato and beans that are transported from upcountry to the capital. 

 Gasoline is sold by a rationing system in Yangon at a state-subsidized 
rate of 180 kyats (45 cents) per gallon. Each car has a gas-ration book 
permitting purchase of three gallons (11.4 liters) per day. 

 Those who need more buy from streetside black marketeers, who buy fuel 
from car owners and state employees selling off excess quotas. 

 ``The price is going up due to shortage of gasoline,'' said one black 
market seller. He couldn't say whether the shortage was linked to high 
global oil prices, which reached a record high this month. 

 To meet increasing domestic demand, the government imports crude oil 
from Asian countries, including Japan, Singapore and South Korea. 

 Domestic oil production over the past two decades has declined in 
Myanmar, also known as Burma. But the number of vehicles on the roads 
has risen sharply _ up threefold in the past decade in Yangon.
 
 According to official figures, crude oil production totaled 3.37 
million barrels in 1998-99, or 9,230 barrels per day, compared with 
32,000 barrels per day in 1979. 

 Meanwhile in Yangon, the black market currency exchange rate with the 
U.S. dollar has slipped to 400 kyats per dollar, down from an all-time 
low of 394 kyat reached last month.
 
 Dealers thought the drop may be due to the low value of the baht 
currency in neighboring Thailand against the dollar.
 
 The Myanmar unit started the year at 320 kyat to the dollar, but 
dwindled sharply after all civil servants were granted a five-fold pay 
rise in March.
 
 The slide has added to the many woes of the military state's moribund 
economy, which multilateral financial institutions say suffers serious 
structural problems, leading to high inflation and a dearth of foreign 
investment. 

 The official exchange rate is six kyats per dollar and is ignored in 
daily transactions.

____________________________________________________


Bernama (Malaysia): Oil palm credit to Burma junta

September 10 , 2000 20:38PM  

Strategy to counter plummeting palm oil price

KUALA PILAH, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The government has formulated a 
three-pronged strategy to counter the plummeting price of palm oil in 
the international market, said Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr 
Lim Ken Yaik on Sunday. 

He said the palm oil price had plummeted to an all time low of RM950 
from RM1,500 per tonne previously. 

"In 13 years, it has never fallen to such a low level," he told 
reporters after opening the Kuala Pilah Gerakan office, here. 

Lim said, under the strategy crude palm oil would be exported in crude 
to India and Europe, palm oil credit payment arrangement (POCPA) provied 
to potential buyers and counter-trade established with China.  

"The Finance Ministry has agreed to an initial export of 500,000 tonnes 
of crude palm oil to India and Europe in six months' time," he said.  

In addition to the federal government agency Felda, six companies have 
also been selected for the tax free export facilities. They are KL 
Kepong, Golden Hope, Pasir Gudang Edible Oil, IOI, Kwantas (Sabah) and 
United Plantation. 

On POCPA, Lim said it would be given to Russia US$50 million), Egypt 
(US$30 million), Bangladesh (US$25 million), Myanmar (US$20 million) and 
North Korea (US$10 million). 

"The palm oil credit of US$135 million would come to about 350,000 
tonnes of palm oil," he said. 

He said the counter-trade with China was made in view of China's 
interest in undertaking several infrastructure projects in the country 
such as power-generation and railway. 

"Recently, the government agreed to buy 33 diesel locomotives costing 
RM300 million for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) from China. This 
means we will export 200,000 tonnes of palm oil to China," he said. 

Lim said if the strategy worked out, the country would have exported one 
million tonnes of palm oil within the next five months or so, more than 
the normal export. 

"This will also help us reduce our stock at the end of the year or early 
next year, the effect of which will cause the price to go up," he said. 
-- BERNAMA
 



_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________


Govt of France: Letter of the french minister of education to ASSK

French Republic
Minister of National Education
110, rue de Grenelle
75357 PARIS 07 SP





The Minister


Paris, the 1rst september 2000


Madame,


The world has its eyes turned over you.

We are alarmed to know that you have been blocked on a road for so long, 
held by an arbitrary power and we admire your courage. At least you can 
be sure that we are attached to your person and to the cause your are 
fighting for : the most elementary human rights, the fredom of movement, 
democracy.....

You are giving us a lesson of dignity.


I would like to inform you of my emotion and of my conviction that one 
day you will triumphed, that, thanks to your action, democracy will win 
in Burma.

I hope that this letter will reach you.

Would you please be sure, Madame, of my deep respect.


Jack Lang.





____________________________________________________

Myanmar Times (SPDC): Myanmar adamant in clarifying no NLD member 'under 
arrest'  

September 11-17 ,2000                         
Volume 2, No.28

National News


The Myanmar Government has insisted incidents that had recently taken 
place in Yangon, including the escort of NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
from Dala back to her suburban home on University Avenue, was utterly 
between the Government and one of its political parties.It also reacted 
with "amazement" to a UK newspaper report claiming the British 
Ambassador in Yangon was manhandled while he attempted to gain access to 
a senior NLD official's home.

It was reported in the 4 September edition of the London Times that Dr 
John Jenkins was manhandled by a Myanmar plain-clothes security officer 
as he attempted entry to U Tin Oo's house."The Ambassador was in no way 
manhandled but requested by the security official to turn back and the 
entrance was blocked to prevent the diplomat from forcing his way in," 
said a government media release."Secondly, it is difficult to understand 
why a foreign ambassador was so adamant to intrude into the internal 
affairs of an independent and sovereign nation," the release went on to 
say."The people who are involved are purely Myanmar citizens and not 
British at all," said the statement."Obviously, the British diplomat has 
overstepped universal diplomatic norms.

"It is interesting to know how the UK would handle such an incident if 
the role was reversed and a foreign diplomat attempted to interfere in 
the internal affairs of Britain."The Times also reported in its 5 
September edition an NLD source which said Daw Suu Kyi was safe and 
well. But, in a 6 September article in the tabloid paper The Sun, 
Amnesty International came out with a statement claiming "the Myanmar 
Government should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Daw Suu Kyi and 
her colleaguesüc.increasing fears for their welfare."Media information 
statements, numbered B-1517(L) and 1520(L), and forwarded to Myanmar 
Times, said all NLD members were well."U Hla Pe, one of the NLD's senior 
members, was requested to stay at home during the course of an 
investigation by the government. He went to see an opthamologist in 
downtown Yangon on 5 September at around 4.30pm and was freely allowed 
to move.

"The parents of NLD youth members who are staying at Daw Suu Kyi's 
compound, are also visiting their sons there, and, furthermore, 
attendants of Daw Suu Kyi manage her daily shopping while her personal 
physician Dr Myo Aung is staying with her to ensure her maximum comfort 
and welfare," the statement read.The Myanmar Government also roundly 
refuted statements made by Ms Priscilla Clapp, Charge d' Affaires for 
the US in Yangon.Ms Clapp made her comments in a CNN interview on 3 
September."We reject her words. The truth is the US and UK governments 
have never done any good to our country," said a government source."They 
have only committed actions that are detrimental to the country. And 
because of their acts innocent people have been hurt. The general 
population is suffering because of their actions.

"It is true to say that some diplomats breach diplomatic ethics. In some 
cases they deal harshly with officials here," said the source.Ms Clapp 
said in her interview that the Government seemed "inclined not to regard 
international pressure seriously, but ultimately it would have an 
effect."She said embassy officials had been requesting access to Daw Suu 
Kyi and NLD officials and to enter her compound. "We have also tried to 
visit other senior members of the party who are under house arrest but 
the government will not allow anyone except immediate family to see 
her."During the past week the Myanmar Government has sought to elucidate 
its position on a number of issues. "There has been 'a lot of rumors and 
speculation' floating around Yangon, in the diplomatic community and in 
the international media.

"In this regard the Government would like to clarify some points to 
clear those misunderstandings," said the statement."None of the NLD's 
Central Executive Committee are under house arrest," it 
said."Furthermore, we have an investigation underway at the NLD's Bahan 
headquarters in connection with information concerning activity made by 
a group of 14 foreigners and a team from the US Congress that visited 
these offices recently," the release said."As part of our investigation 
we have discovered reports which indicate that certain quarters of the 
NLD have been conspiring with armed outlawed youth organizations, an 
armed terrorist group based on the Thai-Myanmar border involved in the 
smuggling of five remote-controlled bombs into the country. In other 
words we have evidence that terrorist activity is being undertaken.

"Under these circumstances senior NLD members have been requested to 
stay at their respective residences and to cooperate with the Government 
in the course of their investigation," said the statement."The 
Government, together with the cooperation of senior NLD members, is 
working hard towards maintaining the existing peace, stability and 
tranquility the nation and its people are enjoying," it concluded.In an 
earler release issued of 2 September, the Government described the 
return of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to her home as having ended "happily."


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