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BurmaNet News: January 25, 1995



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************************** BurmaNet **************************
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
**************************************************************
The BurmaNet News: Wednesday, Januar 25, 1995
Issue #100
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Contents:                                                    
                                                              
*************************INSIDE BURMA*************************
NATION: ASEAN'S PRESSURE ON SLORC CAN HELP SUU KYI'S FREEDOM
SEASIA-L: FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE; BOB HAWKE'S LATEST

**************************SHAN STATE**************************
NATION: THAKSIN TO TACKLE BURMESE OVER BORDER GAMBLING ISSUE 

***************************THAILAND***************************
BKK POST: FM HEEDS CALL FOR ACTION ON BURMA STUDENTS AT SAFE
AREA
NATION: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT NABBED AFTER 25 YEARS

****************************REGION****************************
SEASIA-L: THE COMFORT WOMEN
REUTERS: PORKY PIG, MADONNA ON THE OUTS IN ASIAN TV STAKES

**************************************************************

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*************************INSIDE BURMA*************************
NATION: ASEAN'S PRESSURE ON SLORC CAN HELP SUU KYI'S FREEDOM
January 25, 1995

Aung San Suu Kyi's struggle for a free Burma continues. The
Burmese opposition leader, still in the dark about her freedom
since the term of her house arrest officially expired two
weeks ago, issued a rare public statement, through her
husband, seeking to kill all rumours about any "secret deals"
being made with her captors_ the military junta calling itself
the State Law and Order Restoration Council or Slorc.
"I adhere to the principle of accountability and consider
myself at all times bound by the democratic duty to act in
consulation with colleagues and to be guided by the
aspirations on those engaged in the movement to establish a
truely democratic political system in Burma," Suu Kyi said.
"I remain dedicated to an active participation in this
movement," she added.

The Slorc which has confined the Nobel Peace laureate without
any official charge or a trail, devised, amended and
interpreted retroactively a security law which permits her to
be held under house arrest for up to five years. Last July,
the military junta made another change and also applied it
retroactively to prolong her confinement for one more year,
with six month's written notice at a time.

Constitutional process 

Last week, hopes for the imminent release of Suu Kyi faded as
the Slorc said the leader of the national League for Democracy
(NLD) would be freed only when a constitution noow being
written is complete. This was confirmed by Thai Foreign
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who told the reporters after
returning from an official trip to Burma that the Slorc "will
not release her until the constitution is complete". Ovservers
believe it could take at least three years before the drawn
out constitutional pocess reaches a conclusion.
Slorc itself has given hard-to-swallow excuses that "domestic
stability takes priority" and Suu Kyi's release "might
encourage dissidents to cause domestic disruptions".
So what is the current reality in Burma? If we are to believe
the official Asean line that things are getting better there,
then it is high time we started having second thoughts in the
light of Asean, Japan, certain European governments and
Australia cozying up to the rangoon military junta.
The harsh fact remains: The Slorc suppressed democratic voices
through the murder of more than 3,000 people in 1988 and
continues to refuse to cede power to the pro-democracy parties
led by Suu Kyi's NLD, which won an overwhelming majority of
the contested seats in the national elections held in 1990.
Yet the Slorc claims it is comitted to national reconciliation
by pointing to constitution-drafting under taken by a
so-called national convention.
In its latest report on Burma, the London-based Amnesty
International painted a gloomy picture. Despite the officially
reported release of more than 2000 political prisoners since
April 1992, Amnesty said political detention in Burma
continues to be a major tool of repression used by the Slorc.
Hundreds of political prisoners arrested since the
pro-democracy movement began in 1988 remain in detention,
including more than 50 prisoners of conscience. Also, 28
members of the 1990 parliament-elect, most of whom were
arrested in late 1990, are still in detention.
The 89th conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
recently noted that the slorc was guilty of the world's most
serious human rights violations against parliamentarians. In
fact, 50 per cent of the IPU's workload has been devoted to
cases of imprisoned Burmese parliamentarians.
Under the pretext that "we in Asean do not interfere in the
internal affairs of a neighbouring state," many Asean
governments, Thailand included, are more than willing to bend
over backwards to whitewash the atrocities comitted by the
Slorc against the Burmese people.

People's solidarity

It is important to point out that the policy considerations of
the goverments of Asean with regard to Burma, do not
necessarily reflect the opnions and positions of the citizens
of the regional grouping. The people of Asean are in
solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese people's
struggle for democracy.
Diplomatic engagement can only bring progress when the
governments doing the engaging drive tough bargains and insist
that their terms be met. Asean's constructive engagement has
been to the contrary_and has been used as a quick way to rake
in profits at the expense of the Burmese people.
However, it is not too late for Asean to change. In order to
erase the disturbing question mark over the regional
grouping's moral conscience, Asean must call for the
unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political
prisoners. The diplomatic dissimulation that internalizes
human rights abuses as all in the family has to stop. Aung San
Suu Kyi and Burma can be free if Asean turns the screws on the
Slorc. (TN)

*************************INSIDE BURMA*************************

SEASIA-L: FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE; BOB HAWKE'S LATEST
Gehan Wijeyewardene                      
bit.listserv.seasia-l          
Jan 21, 1995 


The Thi-Yunnan project held a most interesting seminar
yesterday, Friday 20 Jan. on Local and regional trade in
mainland Southeast Asia. It is hoped the papers will be
published in the Newsletter, due in March. One item of
information which emerged concerned the Friendship Bridge and
I, among many, would appreciate firm information on this. As
many observers have reported the lack of pedestrian creossing
and other restrictions meant that the old ferry was still
operating with established fares and time tables. We were told
that the ferry has now been forced to cease
operations and that this may have been through the
intervention of Australian authorities who felt the bridge
should be getting more use. It would be much appreciated if
anyone with more knowledge on this would keep us informed. 
Talking of the bridge and remembering our Australian
initiator, it was reported on Australian radio yesterday that
Bob hawke and current partner and biographer Blanche d'Alpuget
(author of 'Monkeys in the dark', 'Turtle Beach'- novels with
SEAsian themes) were in Burma discussing business
opportunities, probably with Malaysian introductions.

It is indeed sad to see an ex-Australian Labor prime Minister,
sucking up to SLORC.

Gehan Wijeyewardene

**************************SHAN STATE**************************
NATION: THAKSIN TO TACKLE BURMESE OVER BORDER GAMBLING ISSUE 
25 January 1995

Foreign Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he would
discuss the recent opening of a casino in the Burmese town of
Tachilek with that country's government, as the casino is near
the Mae Sai-Tachilek border checkpoint.
Thaksin said he would discuss the issue in detail with the
Burmese government, as well as advising them that it was inap-
propriate to allow gambling house to operate so near the bor-
der checkpoint.
He said the Mae Sai-Tachilek border checkpoint, which is soon
to become permanent, was set up to facilitate traders and was
not for gamblers to access their pleasure.
However, he said he was informed by the Burmese embassy here
that the Burmese government did not usually grant permission
for casino operations.
The "Wa and Burma VIP Casino" was opened last Thursday in Bur
ma's Kengtng province. It was believed to be a joint venture
between Thai investors and members of the Red Wa, and with the
becking of the Burmese government.
Thaksin said casinos would not be legalized  in Thailand and
the government was looking into ways to stop Thai people from
gambling in foreign countries.
The foreign minister said he would discuss the issue with In-
terior Minister Sanan Kachorprasart and draw up  plans to pre-
vent Thais from gambling in the Burmese town. (TN &BP)

***************************THAILAND***************************
REUTERS: THAILAND SAVES BURMESE BEARS FROM THE COOKING POT
bit.listserv.seasia-l    
Jan 20, 1995 (at MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU)  


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 95 17:03:44 -0500
Subject: Thailand saves Burmese bears from the cooking pot 
This is an edited version of a story that appears in a
clarinet.com hierarchy.

         LONDON (Reuter) - Environmentalists Friday heaped
praise on Thailand for saving 21 Burmese bear cubs from South
Korean cooking pots.

                

         The society said the bears, an endangered species,
were seized en route to restaurants in South Korea after being
illegally smuggled out of Burma.

         ``The animal dealer, whose only punishment was an
on-the-spot fine, was said to be unrepentant, stating that
already this year he had smuggled over 70 bear cubs to Korea
alone,'' the society said.

                


***************************THAILAND***************************
NATION: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT NABBED AFTER 25 YEARS
25 January 1995

Immigration police have arrest a Burmese in Nakhon
Ratchasiam's Muang district on charges of illegal entry,
foreign passports, and using faked official rubber-stamps for
visas to Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore, a group of
immigration officers said yesterday.
Wair-asir Kahong, 46, has lived illegally in Thailand for 25
years without being discovered by the police, according to the
group's leader, Pol maj Gen Veera Pitakphol.
In yesterday's press conference he alleged that Kahong produce
fake passports and used forged rubber stamps to give "visas"
to foreigners - mostly from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma and
Bangladesh - who wanted to enter Thailand, Laos, Malaysia or
Singapore.
At Kahong's rented house police found two fake passports, an
identity card, a military summons, a number of rubber stamps
for visas of many countries and other equipment used to
falsify documents.
Another Burmese immigrant, arrested earlier for illegal entry,
tipped-off the police to Kahong's criminal activities. (TN)


***************************THAILAND***************************
BKK POST: FM HEEDS CALL FOR ACTION ON BURMA STUDENTS AT SAFE
AREA
25 January 1995

Foreign Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday supported a call
by the Interior Ministry for strict measures on Burmese
students at the Maneeloy Safe Area in Ratchaburi.
Mr Thaksin said the Foreign Ministry will follow any measure
proposed by the Interior Ministry to prevent a repetition of a
brawl between the Burmese at the safe area and the
authorities.

Strict legal action should be taken against Burmese students
who break Thai laws, he told reporters before a Cabinet
meeting at Government House.

The Interior Ministry plans to propose that the Cabinet review
Thailand's policy toward Burmese students after the incident
last week.

At the same time, the National Security Council will take with
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on measure
to prevent the students from engaging  in political
activities.

The Foreign Ministry agreed with the interior Ministry and the
National Security Council to use strict measure on students
who do not respect Thai laws, he added. (BP) 


****************************REGION****************************
SEASIA-L: THE COMFORT WOMEN

SEASIA-L: THE COMFORT WOMEN
moe     bit.listserv.seasia-l    
Jan 20, 1995
(at MINERVA.ORI.U-TOKYO.AC.JP)  

Title           : The Comfort Women
Author          : George Hicks
                  (An economist & writer w/ a lifetime's
experience of Asia.                    He divides his time btn
Singapore & Australia.) Publisher       : YENBOOKS
                  1-2-6 Suido, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 112, Japan.    
              (by special arrangement w/ Allen & Unwin Pty
Ltd., Australia.) Copyright       : 1995 by George Hicks
Listed price    : 1240 Yen (about US$ 12) (paperback)

(From the back cover)
        In 1938, Japan's imperial armed forces established in
Shanghai what they designated a "comfort station." This
pleasant-sounding facility in fact represented the first step
into an unending nightmare for women across East Asia, as the
Emperor's forces rampaged across the continent. Sexually
enslaved by the invaders, over 100,000 young women- many of
them
prepubescent- were trafficked across Japan's wartime empire by
its soldiers and their collaborators         

Using official documents and other original sources
unavailable until now, George Hicks tells how prevalent,
organized, and concealed the comfort system was. He also
traces the fight by Japanese and Korean feminist and liberal
groups to expose the truth and tells of the complicity of the
Japanese governm- ent in maintaining the lie. "The Comfort
Women" is an account of a shameful aspect of Japanese society
and psychology. It is also an exploration of  Japaneseracial &
gender policies.

        Above all else, "The Comfort Women" allows the victims
of this unacknowledged war crime to tell their own stories
powerfully and poignantly: their shame, and the full magnitude
and brutality of the system.         

Nearly 50 years after the war former comfort women are
beginning to speak out, to fight for compensation and demand
that their stories be acknowled- ged in the official history
of the war. This book is an important step in that process.
(With 22 rare photos of comfort women & stations in China,
Korea, Japan, Burma,  Malaysia and Indonesia.)

****************************REGION****************************
REUTERS: PORKY PIG, MADONNA ON THE OUTS IN ASIAN TV STAKES


REUTERS: PORKY PIG, MADONNA ON THE OUTS IN ASIAN TV STAKES
bit.listserv.seasia-l    
Jan 19, 1995 

Subject: 1995/Jan/Jan 18/Porky Pig, Madonna on the outs in
Asian TV stakes From: C-reuters@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Reuter / Jane
Blennerhassett) 

         HONG KONG (Reuter) - Porky Pig is banned, heavy metal
music is on the scrap heap and Madonna's bra stays under
wraps.          Welcome to satellite television in Asia, where
Western broadcasters, including the usually unflappable Ted
Turner, bend over backwards to woo the region's more sensitive
viewers and ingratiate themselves with nervous regional
governments.
         In three weeks, China will kickstart the next phase
of the region's television industry when it launches its new
satellite Apstar-2 over Asia.
         Apstar-2 will carry the broadcasts of ambitious
broadcasters who have realized that their successes in the
United States or Europe cannot simply be relabeled and rerun
in Asia.          Take Porky Pig for example, a hit with
generations of kids in the West.
         But Muslim viewers, who don't eat pork, might see red
over the sight of Ted Turner's porcine character, especially
if tuning in to Asian cartoons at dinner time .
         Unasked, Turner banished Porky to the archives when
he launched his movie and cartoon network in Asia last year.   
      ``We are not having Porky Pig altogether. We are going
to be sensitive to regional viewers,'' a spokeswoman for Ted
Turner's TNT & Cartoon Network said in a recent interview.     
    Blanket broadcasting and Western tastes do not always go
over well in Asia, a region filled with races, religions,
cultures and languages as diverse as those found in the United
States or Europe.
         Rupert Murdoch, whose STAR TV pioneered Asian
satellite broadcasting in 1991, should know.
         This month STAR announced its pop-music ``Channel V''
was finally blessed by the Singapore government, well-known
for its tight grip on the media.
         But no nudity, rap or grunge will be seen on
Singapore's eight hours of STAR TV pop videos each week. STAR
has
substantially tamed its music broadcasts from its early days
to include more crooning love songs and less rock 'n' roll.
         ``We vet everything for not just vulgarity and sex
and violence but also for cultural taboos,'' said Channel V
program manager Don Atyeo.
         ``It's a real myth that music travels across
boundaries,'' Atyeo said. ``It's very hard for a kid in (Hong
Kong's
working-class area of) Mong Kok to relate to Madonna prancing
around with traffic cones on her tits. They relate more to
Andy Lau (a popular Asian singer) with a sports coat and a
turtleneck sweater.''
         Murdoch also yielded to China, axing STAR TV's BBC
news broadcasts over north Asia last year when Communist
officials found uncensored Western news too hot to handle.
         While Western broadcasters were rethinking their
Asian strategies, niche local broadcasters began to spring up,
promising sanitized family-style entertainment to please
Asia's increasingly wealthy but relativelytive middle class.
         Asian television veteran Robert Chua started China
Entertainment Television Broadcast Ltd (CETV), a variety
satellite channel in the main Chinese dialect of Mandarin.     
    Former Hong Kong publisher Yu Pun-hoi launched Chinese
Television Network, which plans to show Mandarin news and
entertainment.
         But Western broadcasters say they can still use their
popular material and play to their strengths in Asia, as long
as they give the locals in each country what they want.
         Ted Turner has archives full of movies about making
money, a favorite local pastime.
         This Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January,
while Asia's Chinese viewers are wishing each other good
fortune they will be bombarded with movies about wealth and
getting rich. Cartoons will feature poor little rich kid
Richie Rich.
         Advertisers, too, find generic ads rarely have
pan-Asia appeal, even for universal brands.
         Companies planning regional television campaigns
mostly buy ocal television stations, often creating a
different ad for each country.
         ``There's no such place as Asia. India is a very
different place to Malaysia and a very different place to
China,'' said television researcher John Kaye. ``Pan-Asian
advertising is as daft a proposition as pan-European
advertising" 




**************************************************************
NEWS SOURCES REGULARLY COVERED/ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET:

 AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS
 AFP: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
 AW: ASIAWEEK
 AWSJ: ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL
 Bt.: THAI BAHT; 25 Bt.3 DUS$1 (APPROX),
 BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
 BI: BURMA ISSUES
 BKK POST: BANGKOK POST (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK)
 BRC-CM: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-CHIANG MAI
 BRC-J: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-JAPAN
 CPPSM: C'TEE FOR PUBLICITY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE IN
MONLAND
 FEER: FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW
 IRRAWADDY: NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY BURMA INFORMATION GROUP
 JIR: JANE'S INTELLIGENCE REVIEW
 KHRG: KAREN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP
 Kt. BURMESE KYAT; 150 KYAT3DUS$1 BLACK MARKET
                   100 KYAT3DUS$1 SEMI-OFFICIAL
                   6 KYAT3DUS$1 OFFICIAL
 MOA: MIRROR OF ARAKAN
 NATION: THE NATION (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK)
 NLM: NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (DAILY STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER,
RANGOON)
 R.T.A.:REC.TRAVEL.ASIA NEWSGROUP
 S.C.B.:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP
 S.C.T.:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP
 SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA BITNET MAILING LIST
 SLORC: STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL
 USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
 XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
**************************************************************