CIVIL WAR: Unlike previous years, SLORC?s fierce military offensives in the ethnic minority areas have remained deceptively silent... ENVIRONMENT: Burma has more reasons than meets the eye for not extending the concessions for Thai business men. People will hold a negative view of the government if Thai traders lose their investments because of Thailand?s backing for minority groups., ... ECONOMICS: A new economic "dream" has been partially unveiled which will develop the northern areas of Thailand. The plan, often referred to as the "Economic Quadrangle" or "Golden Quadrangle", would involve road and rail links between Chiang Rai in northern Thailand with Laos, Burma and China. HUMAN RIGHTS: A New State of Serfdom... POLITICS: Peace Talks (Since the civil war in Burma started in 1948, various attempts at peace talks have been carried out In 1963, the Burmese military called for peace talks with the various rebel groups.)... BUDDHISM: Buddhism and Human Rights... BRIEF NEWS ITEMS: Registered Companies, Ethnic Cleansing, Border Area Development, China, Drugs, Singapore, Tourism,