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BurmaNet News March 23, 1996
- Subject: BurmaNet News March 23, 1996
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 24 Mar 1996 08:15:00
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Date: Sun, 24 Mar 1996 08:07:46 -0800 (PST)
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: March 23, 1996
Issue #367
Noted in Passing:
It is dangerous and worrying that Burmese refugees
are being compelled to return into the very forced
labour conditions from which they sought to escape.
- Bill Armstrong, President of the Australian Council for
Overseas Aid
(see NATION: AUSTRALIA TO AID BURMESE REFUGEES)
HEADLINES:
==========
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: ASSK'S LETTER FROM BURMA #17
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH/ASIA: SENTENCING OF NLD SUPPORTERS
INDEPENDENT REPORT: SHAREHOLDERS - 1; UNOCAL - 0
NATION: AUSTRALIA TO AID BURMESE REFUGEES
ABSDF-MTZ: INTERVIEW WITH A PRISON IMMATE WHO ESCAPED
THE NATION: MERCHANTS SEE GAIN IN MYAWADDY REOPENING
BKK POST: TRADERS AT BURMA BORDER GET WARNING
NATION: HIRED YOUTHS REFUSE TO HURL TOMATOES AT SUU KYI
ABSDF-DNA: FORCED RECITAL OF VERSES, FORCED LABOUR
ASIAN AGE: THAILAND, BURMA TAKE FIRST STEP TO BETTER TIES
BKK POST: COOPERATION ACCORD REACHED WITH BURMA
PROSPECT BURMA: SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT: S.F. SEL PURCHASING HEARING POSTPONED
ANNOUNCEMENT: MASSACHUSETTS BURMA BILL DELAYED
------------------------------------------------------------
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS: ASSK'S LETTER FROM BURMA #17
March 18, 1996
HOOLIGANISM HOLDS NO ATTRACTION FOR MANY BURMESE
"An Eventful Week"
by Aung San Suu Kyi
This has been a rather exhausting week. February 13, the day after Union
Day, which we had celebrated so vigorously, was my father's birthday as well
as Children's Day in Burma. One hundred and thirty children, ranging from
little tots still unsteady on their feet to slender 12-year-olds on the
verge of teenage self-consciousness, came to our Children's Day celebration,
which has been organized by the youth wing of the National League for
Democracy.
The children's entertainment program included a short skit, poetry recitals
and three performances of traditional Burmese dancing. The /nabanhsan/
dance that depicted a village belle with her hair tied in bunches above her
ears (nabanhsan refers to this particular hairstyle) enchanted everybody.
It was performed by an exquisite 6-year-old with a vividly expressive face
and a delicious dimple on one cheek. As she danced and acted out her role
of coquettish beauty, two little boys, one standing on either side of her,
went through the motions of admiring rural lads. They had handkerchiefs
tied around their heads in the accepted style of rakish young manhood and
mimed expertly to the words of the song that accompanied their act. The
movement of their hands and motion of their bodies as they parodied
flute-playing drew thunderous applause. One of the little boys had such a
look of sweet deviltry, mischief sparkling in his eyes, that his face was a
whole entertainment in itself. On the basis of the nabahsan dance alone
many in the audience were ready to vote the children more talented than the
adults who had performed on Union Day.
The seriousness with which these young children approached their artistic
training was impressive while the pure enjoyment, unadulterated by stage
fright, with which they went through their performances was thoroughly
delightful. We were strengthened by the spirit and success of our Union Day
celebrations but our Children's Day program was truly refreshing and we felt
appropriately rejuvenated.
Feb. 14 was the first anniversary of the death of U Nu, the first prime
minister of independent Burma. His family and political associates had
arranged a memorial ceremony at a large monastery in Rangoon. On Feb. 13,
the committee responsible for organizing the ceremony was told by the
authorities that no politicians were to be invited. The committee explained
that invitations had already been sent out and that as U Nu himself was a
politician, many of those who would be attending the ceremony were bound to
be politicians. That night the local authorities held a meeting to plan
what should be done the next day.
It seemed the politicians whom the authorities were particularly anxious to
bar from the ceremony were those who belonged to the NLD. It was ordered
that things were to be made unpleasant for us when we arrived for the
ceremony: We were to be pelted with tomatoes. A number of those who
received the orders were filled with disgust and we were quickly informed of
the plan. We decided to attend the ceremony as already arranged and should
we come across any tomato throwers to ask them what -- or who -- had moved
them to such action.
At half past 6 on the morning of the fourteenth, hundreds of people unknown
to the organizers of the memorial ceremony turned up at the monastery.
There was parked in the vicinity a Toyota car filled with three crates of
tomatoes, which were said to have been bought by a police corporal. It was
very likely the uninvited guests were members of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association, a so-called social welfare organization formed
under the patronage of SLORC. We were told that it was the secretary of the
association's eastern district wing who had ordered the tomato offensive.
In the event, nothing happened, perhaps because there were too many bona
fide guests who were staunch supporters of democracy, or perhaps because
those who had been sent to create trouble had no stomach for the task that
had been set for them.
We were not able to stay long at U Nu's memorial ceremony because that same
morning the first of a series of NLD educational lectures was scheduled to
take place. The speaker was Dr. Tha Hla, one of the most eminent academics
Burma has produced. He had been the rector of Rangoon University and later
worked for many years with UNESCO. The scope of his scholarship was such
that although he had received his doctorate in geology, he chose to speak on
a prince from the late 13th to early 14th century whom he saw as the first
ruler of Burma to promote unity between the Shans and the Burmese. The
lecture, which was both informative and interesting, was followed by a
lively discussion between Dr. Tha Hla and U Wun, the foremost poet of our
country. What a pleasure it was to listen to well-bred men of outstanding
intellect courteously exchanging views. How wonderfully reassuring to know
that we had among us minds totally removed from the kind of mentality that
moves along the lines of organized hooliganism.
**********************************************
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH/ASIA: SENTENCING OF NLD SUPPORTERS
March 20, 1996
For further information:
Zunetta Liddell, London 44-171-713-1995
Sidney Jones, NY 212-972-8400, ext. 290
Mike Jendrzejczyk, DC 202-371-6592, ext. 113
Human Rights Watch/Asia condemns sentencing of NLD supporters.
Human Rights Watch/Asia condemned the harsh sentences given on
Monday, March 18, to four members of the Burmese political opposition
and said they were not given a fair trial. Par Par Lay, Lu Zaw, U Htway and
U Aung Soe, all members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), were
given seven-year prison terms under the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act. The
sentencing took place not in a courtroom but in Mandalay jail where the four
have been held since their arrest on January 7, 1996.
Another NLD member, U Saw Hlaing, was sentenced to five years in prison
on Monday apparently in relation to a minor traffic accident on March 16, in
which the car he was driving collided with a rickshaw in Kyungone village near
Toungoo. Human Rights Watch/Asia said the charges against U Saw Hlaing were
politically motivated, and that his trial, held in a closed session in Kyungone,
was also unfair.
Members of the NLD, the party of the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, have
been systematically persecuted since the party won an overwhelming victory in
the elections of May 1990. Human Rights Watch/Asia called on the Burmese
authorities to release all five men immediately and unconditionally and to
allow all Burmese to fully exercise their right to freedom of association.
Human Rights Watch/Asia also called on the international community at the
current session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva to press for
a representative of the UN to be permanently present in Burma to report on
abuses of fundamental rights.
Par Par Lay and Lu Zaw are both comedians who appeared at an
Independence Day celebration at Aung San Suu Kyi's house in Rangoon on
January 4, 1996. U Htway is the manager of the dance troupe which also
particpated in the event. Nine other dancers and musicians from the troupe who
were also arrested between January 7 and 10 were released without charges in
early February.
U Aung Soe was arrested in Mandalay on January 10 in connection with the
distribution of videos of speeches by Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo and U Kyi
Maung at the weekly "People's Forum" gatherings outside Aung San Suu Kyi's
house.
**********************************************************
INDEPENDENT REPORT: SHAREHOLDERS - 1; UNOCAL - 0
March 20, 1996
To all concerned about Burma, the good news is that we won with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in our fight to present our Code
of Conduct proxy resolution with the Unocal Corporation.
The Security and Exchange Commission [SEC] denied Unocal Corporation
permission to omit a shareholders' resolution requesting that the Board of
Directors review and update the Company's Statement of Principles (the
"Principles"), the Company's code of conduct for doing business
internationally.
The resolution was submitted by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers,
Maryknoll NY, the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Bloomfield Hills MI
[board members of the Interfaith Center on CorporateResponsibility,
[ICCR] and The University of Washington, Seattle WA.
The SEC's response, dated March 11, to Unocal's request, dated
February 2, to omit the resolution
from its 1996 proxy based on the "ordinary business" argument stated:
"...the proposal raises significant policy issues that are beyond the ordinary
business operations of the Company."
So we are full steam ahead now as we move deeper into working the
Code with PepsiCo and Unocal.
***********************************************************
THE NATION: AUSTRALIA TO AID BURMESE REFUGEES
March 21, 1996 Reuter
CANBERRA - Australia's new conservative government announced
yesterday A$2 million (Bt37.5 million) in new aid for
Burmese refugees but said it would consider calls by aid
groups to review its support for refugee repatriation.
"I am aware of reports about alleged ill-treatment of
returning Burmese refugees," Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer said in a statement announcing the new aid.
Downer said he would consider reports of abuse of refugees,
but added: "It is beyond doubt that there remains an urgent
humanitarian need in the Burmese border refugee camps." The
Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) yesterday
released a report on Burmese refugees, claiming they were
returning to forced labour conditions.
The council urged Canberra to withdraw support for the
return to Burma of ethnic minority refugees from camps in
Thailand and Bangladesh unless it could be certain they were
not being pressed into forced labour.
The peak umbrella group for Australia's aid agencies also
urged Australia to push Slorc to allow UN officials to
monitor the repatriation programme. "Slorc's continued abuse
of its citizens is reprehensible," Council president Bill
Armstrong said in a statement.
"It is dangerous and worrying that Burmese refugees are
being compelled to return into the very forced labour
conditions from which they sought to escape," Armstrong said.
"We cannot and should not strive to be a policeman or a
preacher in regards to Burma.... but we can be a positive
force for mutual gain and democratic progress," Australia's
Deputy Prime Minister said in the Australian - Thai Chamber
of Commerce journal earlier this month. (TN)
****************
ABSDF-MTZ: INTERVIEW WITH A PRISON IMMATE WHO ESCAPED
FROM LABOR CAMP
March 21, 1996
>From lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Name: U Aung Myint
Age: 35
Marital Status: Married with two children
Address: Sint Ngu Quarter, Aung San, Insein Township,Rangoon
Occupation: Merchant
Crime: Arrested in 1992 while on his way back from
Nyaungleban town after buying some teak.
Thayawaddy District Court charged him under Ah Pa Ka (3), which
is a law concerning protection of economic interests of the
country, and sentensed him to 10 years with hard labor.
Prison Labor Camp Experience
U Aung Myint was sent to Tha Baw Leik Prison Labor Camp in
Tenasserim Division in early 1993. He was among 250 immates in
the camp. The security of the camp was carried out by a platoon
of soldiers from Infantry 103, 30 Lon Htein or the riot police
from No. 3 Lon Htein Unit, one warden, one sergeant, one coporal
and two lance-coporal from the Department of Prisons.
The prisoners lived in the barracks built by the local villagers.
They had to get up at 6 in the morning. They were given a
condensed milk tinful of watery rice soup for breakfast. For
lunch, the prisoners had rice with boiled chik pea. Dinner
mainly consisted of rice and boiled banana stem or leaves found
in the forest. The rice quota for a prisoner was one pound and 8
ounces, but they received only one pound and 2 ounces. Supplies for
the prisoners were then sold at the local market. Prisoners did not
receive prison clothes. All prisoners were shackled.
After breakfast, they had to go to the work site which is 3
miles away from the camp. Two sessions of soldiers walked in
front and behind the immates. The work was to unearth the stones
and boulders sunk in the ground. Lunch break was at 11:30. The
work was finished at 4:00. It was very laborious work. There was
no roof to stay out of rain or sunshine. They had to work rain or shine.
The health care situation was at its worst. There was no doctor
in the camp. The shortage of medicine was always a problem. An
officer from the Department of Prisons was in charge of
medicines. If he was not satisfied with nature of the illness,
the prisoner would not be given any medicine when asked. Instead,
he would likely to be beaten up for such a request. So far 8
prisoners had died of dysentry. 60 more prisoners had fled the
camp owing to severity of workload and worsening prison conditions.
When a prisoner escapes, others will be beaten. Or when the
wardens are drunk, the prisoners will be beaten. Or when a
prisoner does something wrong, he will also be beaten. The
wardens use a big cane to beat the prisoners. A prisoner would be
beaten 30 or 40 times. If they try to escape, the guards open
fire on them. A prisoner lost an eye because the guards opened
fire when he attempted to escape. Another was shot in the hand
when a guard shot him at point blank.
Zawel Prison Labor Camp
U Aung Myint was sent to Zawel Prison Labor Camp in the middle of
1994. There are 30 guards from No. (3) Lon Htein Unit. There were
about 100 prisoners in all.
The food was the same.
The work was to dismantle stones from a stone hill-lock. The
prisoners had to work rain or sunshine. While U Aung Myint was at
the camp, a prisoner died of fatigue.
Health care was no better than the previous camp. A prisoner died
of cholera.
U Aung Myint escaped from the camp in February 1995. He entered
into Monkhood in Michaung Baw village, but was arrested again in
Mergui. The authorities added one year to his previous sentence.
As a second, he was sent to Boke Pyin Prison Labor Camp. There
were 60 of them. While travelling at night, he escaped into the
forest. After 3 days hiding in the jungle whithout any food, he
arrived at Sin Khuang Tai village where he met ABSDF troops.
U Aung Myint learned that there were more than 200 prisoners at
Poke Pyin Camp. He also learnt that the food there was worse than
the camps he had been. More deaths were reported. There was no
proper building for the prisoners. They had to sleep on the ground. The
buildings were only roofed with reed. It was a constant hell whether it
rained or sunshined.
(Information Department, ABSDF-MTZ)
**********************************************************
THE NATION: MERCHANTS SEE GAIN IN MYAWADDY REOPENING
March 21, 1996 (abridged)
MAE SOT - Authorities in this northern district are predicting an economic
rebound following Burma's decision to reopen the border checkpoint at
Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot, to travellers and trade.
Burmese traders who crossed the Moei River to Thailand said
thousands of merchants in Burma's, Pa-an and Kawkereik
townships were preparing to travel to Mae Sot to purchase
Thai commodities. They said 90 per cent of consumer goods
in the two Burmese towns were from Thailand.
However, prices had soared as goods had become scarce after
the military junta, the Slorc, closed the Myawaddy checkpoint in March
last year, following allegations of land encroachment by the Thais.
Burmese traders said they expected authorities in Myawaddy,
Kawkereik and Pa-an to shortly release about 50 trucks. The trucks
would be released only after the Myawaddy checkpoint reopened,
they added.
He said owners of the cargoes had to present an official
ticket issued when the trucks were seized and pay a fine of
3,500 to 6,000 kyat (Bt750 to Bt1,375) before they the
consignment was released.
*************************************
BKK POST: TRADERS AT BURMA BORDER GET WARNING
March 21,1996
Local traders sending goods to Burma could be charged with
smuggling because Rangoon has yet to officially open
international trade with Thailand.
Mae Sot Customs House officials issued the warning yesterday
following the reopening of a border checkpoint at Myawaddy,
opposite Mae Sot.
Deputy customs chief Sema Jatikanond said Rangoon has only
opened the checkpoint temporarily to facilitate trade in
necessary items for daily use.
Rangoon would consider commercial trade after the Thai-
Burmese Border Demarcation Committee resolves the problem of
unclear boundaries.
In Tak, deputy superintendent Pol Lt-Col Chinnapat Tansrikul
said Thais have to give a copy of their ID cards to checkpoint officials
and get a border pass without paying a fee.
But they must pay 15 baht or 80 kyats to Rangoon customs
officials if they enter Myawaddy and another 10 baht for a
round-trip boat fare, said Pol Lt-Col Chinnapat.
Before, Thais could cross to Myawaddy without informing
checkpoint officials. Since the reopening of the Myawaddy
checkpoint on Tuesday, about 200 Thais and 1,000 Burmese
have crossed over to sell goods. Most of the goods are liquor,
cigarettes and electrical appliances from Singapore and China.
***************
NATION: HIRED YOUTHS REFUSE TO HURL TOMATOES AT SUU KYI
March 19, 1996
Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner and democracy advocate Aung San
Suu Kyi and her followers escaped a pelting with tomatoes last month when
the young men hired to do the job refused to carry it out, Suu Kyi said
yesterday.
The incident took place at a memorial ceremony for former Burmese Prime
Minister U Nu, Suu Kyi wrote in her weekly column in the Mainichi Daily
News of Japan.
Suu Kyi said Burmese authorities had hired the young men to hurl the tomatoes
at the public ceremony marking the first anniversary of U Nu's death on Feb.14.
Relations between Burma's military government and Suu Kyi have become
increasingly acrimonious over the last several months, dashing hopes for a
dialogue between the two sides.
Chroniclers of the movement say the military planted peole among the
demonstrators to incite violence which the army could use as justification
for opening fire.
Suu Kyi has always advocated non-violence.
She said that some of the young me hired to pelt her with tomatoes informed
her of the plan, which Suu Kyi said was orchestrated by leaders of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).
The USDA is ostensibly a government-sponsored social welfare organization,
but most observers say the military uses it as a political tool and its members
as shock troops at demonstrations.
Suu Kyi said hundreds of USDA members gathered around a Toyota filled
with crates of tomatoes outside the ceremony. But nothing happened.
"Perhaps because those who had been sent to create trouble had no stomach
for the task," Suu Kyi said.
***************************
ABSDF-DNA: FORCED RECITAL OF VERSES, FORCED LABOUR
March 18, 1996
from caroline@xxxxxxxxxx
Press Release March 18, 1996 compulsory Recital groups of religious verses
in Sagaing Division
Commander of Northwest Military Commander, Gen. Hla Myint Swe
recently ordered the 28 townships in Sagaing Division to form the Recital
group of religious verses. According to his order, Recital group is a
compulsory duty of every township in Sagaing Division.
Every township group were required to recruit at least 5,000
members and wear the yogi (brown color, traditionally symbolic to Buddhist
religion). The responsible persons at township level were in very hard
time for recruiting their quota numbers. The recruitment is exactly the
same with the work of USDA. People were forced to join this traditionally
voluntary and religious group by force, said one resident from Sagaing, a
capital city of Sagaing Division.
Recently, the district level competitions of reciting religious
verses by township groups were held in Sagaing Division. One eyewitness
revealed her experience that every participating groups were asked to
donate 5,000 kyat as a fund for competition, and spent their own money
again for transportation, food and lodging in Kalay where the competition
was held.
First prize winner was awarded 5,000 Kyat and consolation price
winner was awarded 1,000 Kyat. Even the first prize winner received only
the cash prize of 5,000 Kyat which was just equivalent to their donation
for the competition. It is merely a publicity stunt of Slorc who wants to
show that they are pious, said the member of recital group of religious
verses. They (Slorc) can gain good publicity without spending any pennies,
or even some money left for them. Only the people have to spend their
money and their time. for this work, she added. forced labor in Yer
Modern Farm Project in Sagaing Division
Thousands of local people in Min Kin township, Sagaing Division
have been forcibly ordered to work at Yer Modern Farm Project which
isaimed to explore the new 3,000 acres of farming land in Min Kin
township.
Slorc has introduced this new project in Min Kin township recently
and forced thousands of local people to work in this project site. One
person from each household in entire Min Kin township was summoned to work
daily from morning 6:00am to 6:00 pm. There are 188 villages under 64
village groups in Min Kin township, Sagaing Division. Some village groups
were ordered to pay tax for the project in addition to the forced labor.
Each household were ordered to pay between 350- 700 kyat four times.
The new project is to make the Nga Thaw Di swamp which is situated
between Mauk Kataw, Let Cheik and Pin Tin village in Min Kin township into
cultivable land. Most of the outcoming 3,000 new cultivable areas would
be shared to the Slorc military Battalions based in the region. Out of
3,000 acres of new cultivable land, 1,000 acres each are for Slorc LIB 364
and 366, another 500 acres are for Min Kin Township USDA (Union Solidarity
and Development Association) and only the rest 500 acres will go to the
local people.
In Last month, altogether 15 people including Tin Tun (Min Kin
Immigration Office), tin Thura ( Cooperative Department), Maung Maung (
office staff from State High School No.1) and one school teacher were
beaten up by Corporal from LIB 364 at the labor site. They were beaten
because they attempted to intervene the beating to the female school
teacher by the Corporal, according to the local people who has escaped to
the Thai-Burmese border.
Development projects and forced labor
Under the name of Developmet Projects, Slorc is carrying out the
infrastructure projects across the country with using forced labor
practice. Thousands of local people are conscripted to work in these
projects such as construction motor road, railway road, bridges and dams
without any pay.
Local people in Taungoo township, Pegu Division have been forced
to work in the Pa Thi stream Project where Slorc is dyking and building a
dam. Villagers from Kyauk Tyne village, Ngwe Taung Lay village and Khun
Hnit Mile village were forcibly worked in the construction of dam for two
days in every week. They had to bring their own food and instruments to
the construction site. This project is five-year project and people have
been conscripted to work since then, said a local villager who has
recently arrived to the Thai- Burmese border.
Similarly, about 25,000 local people have been forced to work in
the construction of Kan Ni reservoir project in Magwe Division which was
inaugurated last year. Under the multi-development of Sittaung River Basin
project, the construction of Kaung Tu reservoir, Bine Dar dam, Kawliya
dam, Ye Nwe dam and Baw Ni dam are underway where local people are being
conscripted to conduct forced labor. Besides the unpaid labor, people are
required to pay taxes for security fees, porter fee and other numerous
form of taxation. ABSDF News Agency ABSDF (DAWN GWIN)
******************************************************
ASIAN AGE: THAILAND, BURMA TAKE FIRST STEP TO BETTER TIES
March 20, 1996 By Robert Birsel (Reuter)
Bangkok, March 19: Thailand and Burma hailed a new chapter in their rocky
relations following a visit to Rangoon by the Thai Prime Minister but analysts
said on Tuesday more time and effort was needed to dispel year of mutual
mistrust.
Thai Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa was given a warm welcome when he
arrived in the Burmese capital on Sunday, becoming the first Thai Prime
Minister to visit Rangoon in 16 years. Relations between the two have been
chilly for some time, largely because of Burmese suspicion of lingering Thai
support for rebel armies battling the Rangoon military government.
A perception in Burma that Thai business is driven solely by the desire for
fast profit has also soured ties, diplomats in Rangoon and Bangkok said.
Last year, an angry Burma shut its border crossing points with Thailand,
cutting off virtually all trade between the neighbours.
Analysts said Mr Banharn's visit followed a long campaign by Thailand to get
relations back on an even keel and ensure that Thailand does not miss out on
investment opportunities as Burma opens up to business after decades of
isolation.
While Mr Banharn returned home late on Monday with little in the way of
concrete agreements, Burma responded positively to the visit, which the
diplomats said was least a fist step to better ties.
"He got his piece of paper," said one diplomat in Rangoon, referring to the
only agreement signed during the visit, which sets out guide-lines for border
trade.
"Relations have been rocky, that's an understatement, and this visit hopefully
marks a fresh start, but it seemed the Burmese want to rebase it on their terms,
he said.
"The Burmese have been slow to respond to Thai attempts to settle grievances,
said another diplomat in Rangoon.
"A positive start has been made but there's a way to yet."
On the eve of Mr Banharn's trip, Burma reopened two crossing points on the
border with Thailand, one in Burma's north-east and the other in its deep south.
But the main trade crossing point, between the Burmese town of Myawadi and
the north-western Thai town of Mae Sot remained sealed because of a border
dispute in the area. As well as the border trade agreement, Burma promised to
release 100 Thai prisoners, most them fishermen jailed for intruding into
Burmese waters, a Thai official said.
"So much hype for so very little," was how one diplomat in Bangkok summed
up the results of the visit. (Reuter)
***********************************************************
BKK POST: COOPERATION ACCORD REACHED WITH BURMA
March 21, 1996
by Nussara Sawatsawang Rangoon
THAILAND and Burma have agreed to strengthen cooperation both at
the bilateral and regional level, according to the joint
communique released yesterday.
The 13-point, six-page communique was released on the occasion of
the official visit to Rangoon of Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa which
ended yesterday.
It said the visit "marked the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations"
in efforts to "further promote friendly relations and mutually beneficial
cooperation" between the two countries and peoples.
A warm welcome by Burma "reflects the long-existing close bonds
of friendship and good neighbourliness,' said the joint communique.
Mr Banharn reiterated that common destiny and that a prosperous
and secure Myanmar is vital for Thailand's own stability and
well-being, which is the statement made by Gen Prem Tinsulanonda
when he visited Rangoon 16 years ago.
His Burmese counterpart Gen Than Shwe reaffirmed the principles
of peaceful coexistence .
On the regional front, both prime ministers had the view that
efforts are being made vigorously by all countries in Southeast
Asia to establish durable peace and stability in the region.
It is therefore of great importance to enhance close bilateral
relations and cooperation among countries in the region.
Mr Banharn said he was gratified that the Burmese leader had
joined the historic meeting of ASEAN heads of government and from
Laos and Cambodia in Bangkok in December.
In commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of His Majesty the
King's Ascension to the Throne, Burma agreed to commute the
remaining terms of sentence and release 100 Thai prisoners now in
jail in the country.
The two prime ministers agreed to encourage initiatives to
enhance the expansion of transport and communications networks
between the two countries which is essential to strengthen
economic relations, the joint communique stated.
They reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen all
existing mechanisms to "make them more effective in enhancing
cooperation and understanding." These include the Joint Commission,
the Joint Boundary Committee and the Regional Border Committee.
They agreed that the Thai-Burmese Joint Boundary Committee shall
survey and demarcate the entire boundary " as soon as possible."
The two sides "wholeheartedly welcomed" the recent reopening of
the border checkpoints at Tachilek-Mae Sai and Ranong, and
Myawaddy-Mae Sot which opens today.
They welcomed the border trade agreement signed on Sunday which
would help promote trade "in a more systematic and orderly manner."
The second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Border Crossing
between the authorities concerned of both sides should be held as
soon as possible to work out ways and means to synchronize the
procedures and practices on border crossing at respective border
checkpoints, the joint communique stated.
The two prime ministers agreed that an exchange of visits is
instrumental in promoting friendship and cooperation between the
two countries and should be promoted at all levels.
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PROSPECT BURMA: SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCMENT
March 18, 1996
Scholarship Award for 1996: Prospect Burma is again offering a
Scholarship open to people of Burmese origin who meet the
following conditions:
They must be in one of the following three categories:
Category A: Students who have already started a first degree
course at a college or university. Category B: Postgraduate
students who have already started or who have a confirmed offer of
a place on a Masters degree course at a university in the academic
year starting in 1996. Category C: Postgraduate students who
have already started on a doctorate or who have a confirmed offer
of a place to read for a doctorate in the academic year starting in 1996.
In 1996, priority will be given to candidates:
1. who are resident in South East Asia or the Indian Sub-continent
AND
2. whose subject of study is one of the following:
Agricultural Development/Engineering; Teacher training/Education;
Urban/Rural Planning and Development; Women's Studies.
Those who fulfil the above conditions may obtain application forms
and further information by writing as follows ( requests by
e)mail, fax etc cannot be dealt with):
For residents of South East Asia to: PB Projects, GPO Box 322,
Bangkok 10501
For residents of the Indian Sub-continent to: Education Resources
Centre, D41 Sujan Singh Park, New Delhi 110003
For those not resident as above to: Prospect Burma, 143 Rivermead
Court, London SW6 3SE
The closing date (which will be strictly adhered to) for receipt
of completed application forms is 31st May 1996.
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ANNOUNCEMENT: SAN FRANCISCO SELECTIVE PURCHASING
LEGISLATION PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMITTEE REVIEW IS
POSTPONED TO APRIL 9, 1996!!!
March 21, 1996
The public hearing and committee review of the San Francisco selective
purchasing legislation has been postponed to April 9, 1996.
The purchasing department and the city attorney's office were trying to
work out a definitional difference which has been resolved. However, they
were'nt able to come to an agreement on time to calendar the hearing for
March 26. Since the committee meets every two weeks the review/public
hearing is now scheduled for April 9.
ALSO FOR YOUR INFORMATION FROM ZARNI:
Here is the list of US cities where Burma ordinances are being considered:
New York, Oakland, San Franscisco, Ann Arbor (MI), Bloomington (IN),
Cambridge (MA), Norman (Oklahoma), and Colorado Springs (CO).
There are several cities where city councils either have passed Burma
resolution or considering or doing so. They include:
Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland
Cities which have already passed ordinances are:
Berkeley, CA (Feb. 28, 1995)
Madison, WI (August 17, 1995)
Santa Monica (November 30, 1995)
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ANNOUNCEMENT: MASSACHUSETTS BURMA BILL DELAYED
BEFORE ITS SECOND READING VOTE
March 20, 1996
Today, Senator Brian Lees, the Republican minority leader, made a motion to
vote to table the Massachusetts Burma bill (H2833). It is widely suspected,
but it is in no way certain, that Senator Lees moved to table the bill at
the request of Governor Weld.
The vote to table H2833 will be taken at the next Senate session - which is
likely to be Wednesday, March 27. If the Senate does vote to table H2833,
the bill is dead. Alternatively, if the motion to table H2833 is defeated, the
Senate may well vote in favor of the bill on its second reading.
(If passed, H2833 would prohibit the state's purchasing managers from buying
the goods or services of companies doing business in Burma. Last year,
Berkeley (CA), Madison (WI) and Santa Monica (CA) passed similar
legislation. Legislation is currently also pending in New York City, Oakland
(CA) and San Francisco.)
CALL AND WRITE YOUR STATE SENATOR ONE MORE TIME!
1. Ask your state senator to vote:
a) AGAINST Senator Brian Lees motion to table H2833
b) IN FAVOR of H2833 at its second reading vote
Call your state senator at the State House Switchboard: (617) 727-2121
Write your state senator at:
Massachusetts Senate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State House
Boston, MA 02133-1053
If you are not sure who is your state senator, give your address to the
State House Switchboard and they should be able able to connect you.
2. Call Senator Brian Lees at (617) 722 1291 and ask (politely but
persistently!) that he withdraw his motion to table H2833 and vote in favor
of the bill.
DON'T DELAY! WRITE AND CALL TODAY!
Simon Billenness
Franklin Research & Development
(617) 423 6655 x 225
Senator ________
Massachusetts Senate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State House
Boston, MA 02133-1053
Dear Senator __________:
I am writing to ask your support for H2833, Representative Byron Rushing's
bill that would bar state purchasing managers from buying goods or services
from companies doing business with the Burmese military junta. Specifically,
I am requesting that you vote AGAINST Senator Brian Lees motion to table
bill. Instead, I would ask you to vote IN FAVOR of the bill when it comes
to the Senate floor for its Second Reading.
(Include a personal paragraph here. If possible, mention your personal and
family history in Massachusetts and in your State Senator's district.
Explain your interest in human rights and Burma.)
There are signs that the ruling military junta in Burma is cracking down on
the democracy movement. Human Rights Watch/Asia has reported that members
of the National League for Democracy, the party headed by Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, are now required to obtain government permission
to travel within Burma, attend meetings or distribute political literature.
The junta has recently referred to Aung San Suu Kyi and her party as
"subversive elements" that should be "annihilated."
Aung San Suu Kyi has asked that companies not invest in Burma at this time
as a way of putting pressure on the military junta. However, it was
recently reported that military leaders felt no need to even meet with
representatives of the democracy movement because the junta sees investment
in Burma as a vote of confidence in the military regime. Passage of H2833
would send a clear signal to the Burmese military junta and the corporations
with which it does business that Massachusetts supports the Burmese
democracy movement just as it supported the campaign against apartheid in
South Africa.
I hope that you support H2833 at this critical time. Please call and tell
me if you intend to vote in favor of the bill on its Second Reading.
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