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BurmaNet News: August 29




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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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BurmaNet News: Monday, August 29, 1994


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Contents:

1:  BURMANET: THAI NSC CHIEF HEADS FOR RANGOON TODAY
2:  BKK POST: A BUSINESS PRIORITY
3:  BKK POST: SLORC-SUU KYI TALKS A POSSIBILITY
4:  BURMANET: DEAL FOR SHIPS NOT YET SIGNED
5:  FEER: SNOOPING AROUND
6:  BI: NGOS IN BURMA
7:  DA: BURMA LETS HAIR DOWN TO PROMOTE TRADE

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BURMANET:  THAI NSC CHIEF HEADS TO RANGOON TODAY
August 29, 1994

BurmaNet has a report that Thailand's National Security Council Chief, Gen
Charoen Kullawanich is on his way to Rangoon today for a round of meetings. 
His itinerary is not yet known but there are reports that something is afoot. 
The current situation in Halockani is sure to be on the agenda but one
observer is speculating that Charoen's purpose may be to coordinate military
actions with his Burmese counterparts for the coming dry season.  Rumor has
it that SLORC, with Thailand's cooperation, will finally mount a sustained
attack on Khun Sa once the rains clear up.  If the offensive shapes up as
expected, observers foresee a fairly large number of refugees showing up on
the Thai/Burma border.  The disposition of these anticipated "illegal
immigrants" may also be a subject of discussion.  

There has been intermittent heavy fighting over the past half year, centered
on Khun Sa's base area along the Thai/Burma border north of Chiang Rai.  Naeo
Na, a Thai-language newspaper reported in late July that Thailand had
provided aerial imagery to SLORC in support of these operations.

A number of as yet unverified reports have also emerged that Khun Sa's forces
have mounted raids on SLORC troops across Shan State, even to the north of
Lashio, which is well away from his base area.  The raids seem to be an
attempt to force SLORC to worry about security across a wide area and thus be
unable to concentrate enough troops for an effective assault on Khun Sa's
base area.

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BKK POST:  A BUSINESS PRIORITY
August 28, 1994
by Ralph Bachoe

The Mon were once no threat to Thailand or Burma.  Nor were the Karen.  Both
these ethnic minorities of Burma have long been waging war against Rangoon
governments first led by U Nu, then Gen Ne Win and now, still U Ne Win and
the SLORC.

The Mon and Karen, whose states border Thailand, and a dozen other ethnic
minorities have been fighting successive Rangoon authorities for greater
autonomy since Burma gained independence from Britain in 1948.

During this time they posed no security risk to Thailand nor were they of any
significant challenge to the Burmese military regime which paid little or no
attention to these two ethnic Burmese races confined to the border areas
covered with dense jungles and mountain ranges.

Nor were the cause and plight of the ethnic minority guerrilla forces of
concern to the international community.

But the developments in the last few years have changed all this.  Suddenly
they have become a threat to the national security of Thailand and an
obstacle to development in Burma.

The catalyst for change in adopting a new strategy to deal with these once-
minor irritants, the rebel minorities is the ugly specter called business,
often associated with greed and vested-interests, and the desperation for
recognition in the international community by an illegitimate military
regime...

To ensure smooth business transactions between the two nations, both sides
have recently pressured ethnic minorities guerrillas to enter ceasefire
agreements with the Rangoon government.  Rangoon wants the guerrillas to
surrender without any promise of a political settlement.  Thailand wants the
guerrillas to quit fighting and return to the legal fold because it
recognizes the Slorc and the wealth it has to offer in natural resources.

Last September, Thailand approached the Mon and offered to mediate peace with
Rangoon and clear the way for a gas pipeline between the two countries.  Nai
Shwe Kyin, president of the New Mon State Party, turned down the offer
because the Mon were unable to negotiate a peace accord of their own as they
belonged to the Democratic Alliance of Burma...

"They [Thai authorities] told us that if we made a peace agreement with the
Slorc, the refugees would be repatriated and could have good jobs working on
the ongoing gas field project," said Nai Shwe Kyin. However, since then, the
Mon had unsuccessfully met Slorc representatives three times in December last
year, and in March and July this year to find a peaceful and amicable
solution to their problems.  A newspaper report in early July said NMSP
representatives were flown from Thailand's Kanchanaburi province either to
Rangoon or Moulmein, the Mon state capital in southern Burma to hold talks
with the military regime...

The Mon are reluctant to return to Halockhani claiming that it was not safe
being placed so close tot he Burmese army.  They say the don't trust the
Burmese guarantee that they would be left alone....

Three deadlines have passed since the Kanchanaburi-based 9th Division issued
an ultimatum on Aug 10 for the Mon refugees to vacate the present premises at
Ban Ton Yang...  As of last Thursday's (Aug 24) deadline, the 6000 Mon
refugees and about 2000 Burmese illegal immigrants rounded up from
Immigration Detention Centres around the country are still on Thai soil.

A senior Mon official at New Halockhani Camp told [the Post] on Sept 17, the
day of the second deadline when the Mon were reportedly to be forcefully
pushed back into Burma, that the repatriation dates meant nothing.

"They [the 9th Division] could force us back any day.  It's only a matter of
time."  He did not elaborate....

Meanwhile, life goes on in the muddy valley bisected by a single road flanked
by rows of huts with thatch and plastic sheets for roofing to shelter its
8000 unwanted habitants from the scorching rays of the sun and the monsoon
downpours.  About 4000 of them are said to be infants and children oblivious
to the hardship and impending danger.  Two more have been born within the
last month to accompany their parents who are dreading the day when they
would be pushed back into Halockhani and delivered into the hands of a brutal
regime.

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BKK POST:  SLORC-SUU KYI TALKS A POSSIBILITY
August 28, 1994
by Aung Zaw
[abridged]

Rangoon leader recently allowed prominent Burmese monk U Rewata Dhamma to
meet Aung San Suu Kyi at her house in Rangoon.  U Rewata said dialogue
between Aung San Suu Kyi and junta leaders would begin soon....

 ...The monk said he advised junta leaders and Suu Kyi to open talks. 

"Both sides responded positively," he said.  Two junta leaders have agreed to
begin dialogue "very soon".  U Rewata said Suu Kyi still remained firm in her
determination not to go into exile in exchange for her release. 

Additionally, it was learned that Suu Kyi was prepared to call on Senior Gen
Than Shwe, chairman of the SLORC, as he is a more senior person.  Burmese
expatriates in exile suggested that Than Shwe may be a better choice because
they think he is more pragmatic.  It is hardly surprising why Burmese do not
like Khin Nyunt who is considered to by Godfather Ne Win's adopted son and
known as Burma's "prince of evil."...

Some Burmese expatriates were surprised to learn of U Rewata's visit--and
they said "something went on".  U Rewata is an outspoken monk against the
junta's political persecution, human rights abuses and the country's
problems.  He is respected by Burmese dissidents.

Many remaining senior monk in Burma are bought off by SLORC.  Democracy-
loving monks are persecuted, imprisoned and some have fled to other countries
or border areas.  This some people thought that U Rewata's visit to Rangoon
would be more meaningful than [Rep.] Richardson's visit....


*************************************************************
BURMANET: DEAL FOR SHIPS NOT YET SIGNED

Jane's Defence Weekly recently reported that Burma had purchased two Jianghu
class frigates from China.  Jane's staffers have now revised the earlier
report to say that the Burmese intend to purchase, but have not yet signed
the contract.  The Jianghu class boats are fairly significant because they
can fire ship to shore missiles, which is a capability the Burmese navy has
not had heretofore.  

The Burmese have ten Hainan class patrol craft also purchased from China and
are set to acquire two more.

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FEER:  SNOOPING AROUND
[exact date unavailable, late July-early Aug]

A recent visit to Burma by Gen Li Jiolong, commander of China's Chengdu
military region, has produced some puzzling reports.  Chengdu is the command
headquarters and major supply base for Chinese troops in Tibet.  In recent
years it has also served as the source of Chinese arms and ammunition for
Burma.  But oddly enough, Gen Li is known to have paid special attention to
Burma' naval facilities during his visit.  According to subsequent reports,
Rangoon has come under pressure to allow Chinese access to three islands off
the Burmese coast for signals intelligence--Ramree Island south of Sittwe in
Western Arakan State, Coco Island in the Indian Ocean, and Zedetkyi Kyun or
St Matthhews Island off the Tenasserim coast in the southeast.

The last of these islands is an especially sensitive as it is located off the
coast of Burma's southernmost tip, Kawthahjng or Victoria Point, close to the
northern entrance to the Straits of Malacca.  Satellite images also indicate
that a 45 metre antenna for monitoring radio traffic has been installed on
Coco Island.  Rangoon's reaction to the Chinese demand for better access to
these areas is not yet known.

*************************************************************
BI: NGOS IN BURMA
July, 1994

The debate on whether or not NGO's should be setting up inside Burma is
intensifying.  A recent UNICEF document listed 31 international NGOs either
currently working, or seriously considering working in-country.  Even when
reduced to the 19 listed as actually operating there, it curiously included
a number which have never even visited Burma, let alone decide to initiate
projects.

Clearly, UNICEF is spearheading a push to make it respectable to go into
Burma, and funds are being made available to do so.  Two years ago it
presented a report to the UN Secry-Genl. containing a package of possible UN
initiatives which included:

-Supervised cease-fires negotiated between he DAB and the SLORC, to enable
possible humanitarian relief activities;

-Unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners;

-Sanctuary for people fleeing recruitment as porters;

-Assistance for the internally displaced and refugee populations;

-Immediate cessation of the policy of forced resettlement, conscription of
children and exploitive daily labor;

No-one disputes Burma's crying need for international assistance.  The
question is: can this assistance be offered in a way which genuinely helps
the people who need it?  Too often in the past, and indeed the present, money
and resources poured into the country has failed to produce hospitals,
schools and trained personnel:  instead it lines the pockets of corrupt
officials or, in the case of many infrastructure projects, actively adds to
the misery by causing displacement and forced labor.

"Constructive engagement" in practice has often proved to be no more than a
hypocritical veneer of self-interest and greed to support the insupportable
in return for profit.  But perhaps there is some way to creatively address
the obvious needs of a beleaguered people which does not serve simply top
mask or perpetuate their condition.

A very few international NGOs are attempting to work officially within Burma. 
Foremost among them are Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF),, working on basic
health services in Rangoon and malaria control in Arakan State, and Action
Internationale Contre le Faim (AICF), working in health, sanitation and water
supply in Arakan and Chin states.  Both organizations found it necessary to
drive tough bargains with he SLORC.  The London-based Burma Action Group
(BAG) set out a proposal for Constructive Involvement in Burma in Nov 92 and
AIDAB is currently drafting operational guidelines for Australian NGOs
working in Burma.

A broad general consensus seems to be emerging.  With the SLORC showing
itself to be a master of cosmetic compromise--signing individual cease-fire
agreements with some minority groups, opening up the country to foreign
investment, holding verbose constitutional "debates" at protracted intervals,
and most recently, agreeing to hold dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi (but of
course setting no date), it is clear that they will cling to power for just
as long as the international community...can be bought or duped....

The difficulties of working within a dictatorship are many, and the following
points are just some of a number to be considered.

-The financial and administrative independence of the NGO must be established
from the outset, with continued operations conditional upon this
independence;

-NGOs should ensure that they have direct access to the target beneficiaries:

-NGOs should not be trapped into any appearance of collaboration with he
SLORC by way of photographs or presence at official ceremonies.

Even with all the above safeguards, there are two further considerations. 
Firstly, it is unlikely that any NGO will be given permission to operate in
war zones, border areas or opium growing areas.  NGOS may be kept away from
the places of greatest need.

Secondly, in a country where communications are poor, even when not
deliberately subverted, agreements made in Rangoon may need to be ratified by
local authorities in the actual working areas.

It would be wrong to suggest that working inside Burma will not impose
complex difficulties and frustrations on any NGO attempting it.  But with
determination, astuteness and patience, it just may be possible.


*************************************************************
DA:  BURMA LETS HAIR DOWN TO PROMOTE TRADE
Minn Thu
Rangoon
August 28, 1994

Fashion shows and karoake sing along sessions, which were once banned and are
still frowned upon in thios country for promoting decadence, highlighted this
year's 19 day Myanmar Trade Fiar held recently.

To the delight of many poepole, fashion showns and karoake sessions charging
US$3 to $5 were held twice a day to promote Burmese textiles and fabrics.

Described as "decadent," fashion shows, beauty contests and ballroom dancing
were banned by the BUrmese Socialist Programme Party, which was formed by the
military after the March 2, 1962 uprising.

The ban was lifted when the milityar came to power after the September 18,
1988 coup, which ended obth socialist rule and the pro-democracy movement.

So called "decadent" activities were allowed amid stern warning against
promoting "decadent culture and music."  

For the duration of the trade fair, fashion shows were encouraged.  Stalls at
the fair were turned into permanent showrooms.

Trade Min. Lt Gen Tun Kyhi described the fair as a success.  The value of
goods sold or contracted for sale during the exhibition totalled US$21.86
million, including US$17.73 million in much needed hard cvurrencyh.  About
500 kinds of commodities worth US$33.33 million were exhibited at the fair.

Though organisers expected only some 300 foreign businessmen to attend the
fair, over 1,500 came.  SOme 20 state economic enterprises, eight joint
ventures, 36 cooperatives and 71 private enterprises participated.

The fair aimed to promote export, find new markets, develop inport-
substitution produces and acquire high technology and mutually beneficial
joint investments.

To acquaint foreign businessmen with Burma's primary export commodities, five
business seminars were held during the fair.  Visitors were also treated to
the traditional water and pagoda festivals.

The private sector, which has been allowed to handle exports for the last
five years, now accounts for more than 50 per cent of exports, mr Kyi said.

He aded thtat imports were still high due to the requirements of foreign
investors in approved projects.

In fiscal 1993-94, the country's exports totalled US $687.53 million and
imports $1.2 billion.  In the fiscal year that began April 1, Burma is aiming
for $729.85 million in exports and $1.204 billion in imports.

Border trade has been formally opened with CHina and Thailnd, and there are
plans to involve other neighbours--India, Bangladesh and Laos.

The first border trade fair was held last December 21-31 in the Shan state
town of Tachilek on the Thai-Burmese border, known as the "city of the golden
triangle."

SInce Burma opened its doors, some $1123.32 million has poured in for 88
projects, 63 of them under implementation.

The country's baslance of trade has been in the red since it gained
independence from the British in 1948, according to official reports.

Burmese officials blame the falling prices of primary export commodities and
rising prices of imports for the trade imbalance.

It plans to trun border trade into a regular activity, find markets for
Burmese goods and boost foreign trade by organising trade fairs, not only in
the capital Rangoon but aslo in the border towns.

China, the only donor that contined funding when all other major donors
suspended aid and loans after the 1988 coup, has just made a 50 million yan
non interest bearing loand for economic development.

This brings China's total assistance in goods and servies to Burma to 40.28
million pounds sterling and 208.93 million yan since 1961.

Last year, the China assisted Rangoon Syriam road and rail bridge, described
by officila media as "the biggent, longest, grandest and the most beautiful,"
was opened.

China would also supply spare parts fot he electric power station in the Mon
state capital of Moulmein and a satellite ground station, and construct a new
television relay station.

On June 6 last year, Burma and Chnia signed a number of agreements, incluidng
contracts for timber in the Kachin state of Bhama near the SIno-BUrmese
border, and for $2 million worth of motor vehicles and equipment.

[abridged]

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ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET:

 AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS
 AFP: AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
 AWSJ: ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL
 BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
 BI: BURMA ISSUES
 BIG: BURMA INFORMATION GROUP
 BKK POST: THE BANGKOK POST
 CPPSM: COMMITTEE FOR THE PUBLICITY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE IN MONLAND
 DA:  DEPTHNEWS ASIA
 FEER: FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW
 NATION: THE NATION (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK)

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