Two articles from new frontiers, Ma

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Subject: Two articles from new frontiers, May 1996

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Two articles from: new frontiers 

 - SOLIDARITY ACTIONS IN FRANCE - A DIFFICULT TASK
 - JACK NICKLAUS URGED TO WITHDRAW FROM ANDAMAN
CLUB'S GOLF COURSE PROJECT


new frontiers May 1996
Monthly Briefing on Tourism, Development and Enviornment
Issues in the Mekong Subregion
Vol. 2, No. 5
(Prepared by Tourism Investigation and Monitoring Team)
 E:mail TERRAPER@xxxxxxxxxx



SOLIDARITY ACTIONS IN FRANCE - A DIFFICULT TASK

(TI: 29.2.96; BP: 23.4.96)  - UNLIKE in other countries where
Burmese democracy campaigners and support groups are raising
awareness on Burma issues and urge governments to impose
political and economic sanctions against the SLORC, the French
public has little information on Burma, say activists of Info
BIRMANIE, a Paris - based group. 

They point to what they charge is a press campaign in the pro -
Chirac daily Figaro to give the junta in Burma a more respectable
'face'. The Figaro articles in question were written by Thierry
Desjardins, a friend and long - time supporter of Chirac. In one he
states: "Burma is now on the right track economically. Expert
foresee this country will become one of the most powerful of Asia's
dragon in the 21st century." 

A Burmese member of Info BIRMANIE said Desjardins articles
paid little attention to human rights and environmental issues and
did not reflect the reality in Burma.  "Burma's prisons are filled with
political prisoners. More recently, the military regime cut a deal with
notorious drug dealer Khun Sa. These are important things the
Chirac administration should focus on," he said, adding "Like it or
not, France's position on human rights issues are wishy - washy."

France is among the leading Western countries doing business in
Burma. As of September 1995 French investment there totalled
US$455 million, according to Burmese statistics. A large portion
was money invested by the French firm Total in oil and gas
exploration projects. 

French tourists also topped other Westerners visiting Burma,
followed by Germans and Italians. Burma activists in Paris cite this
as evidence of the leading role French travel agencies are taking in
promoting Burma's official  Visit Myanmar Year' campaign. A
French airline may also be the first European carrier to offer direct
flights between Europe and Rangoon, they said. 

At a world tourism fair in Paris, Salon Mondial du Tourisme, held
beginning of April, Burma was awarded the "Revelation of the Year"
trophy. The majority of tourism press chose Burma after seeing
programmes on its tourist attractions telecast by French television,
and Burmese Ambassador to France U Nyunt Tin accepted the
award. 


JACK NICKLAUS URGED TO WITHDRAW FROM ANDAMAN
CLUB'S GOLF COURSE PROJECT

(GAG'M 1996; AW: 19.25.4.96; BPSM: 7.-13.4.96; TN: 4.5.961 -
THE Global Anti-Golf Movement (GAG'M) addressed an open letter
to American golf course designer Jack Nicklaus on occasion of
World No Golf Day, 29 April 1996, urging him to cancel his
participation in socially and environmentally damaging projects all
over the world. In relation to the Nicklaus - designed golf course at
the Andaman Club on Thahtay Kyun island in southern Burma, the
GAG'M letter says: 

"The international community, including the United Nations, have
condemned the Burmese military junta for its unlawful ruling and
gross human rights violations. Furthermore, human rights advocate
worldwide and Burmese democracy forces have called for political
sanctions, including a boycott of 'Visit Myanmar (Burma} Year' as
forced relocations, slave labour and other atrocities against
Burmese citizens have been common to boost tourism
development. In the light of this, it is highly irresponsible and
unethical that foreign companies like yours become engaged in
Burma and make a profit out of people's immeasurable sufferings." 

The Andaman Club, Burma's first and only five - star resort, is just
a 15 - minute boat ride away from Ranong City in Thailand. While
the Club's 205-room hotel and its main attraction, a casino, opened
in late 1995, the Nicklaus - designed golf course is under
construction and scheduled for opening beginning of 1998.

The resort has its own private boat service, operating between
Ranong and Thahtay Kyun Island, an the construction of a helipad
is almost completed. An immigration office for foreign visitors has
been set up right on the hotel's premises. 

The project is owned by the Ves Group headed by Thai
businessman Vikrom Aisiri who was awarded concession for the
1,800 - acre island from the Rangoon regime for 30 years. Vikrom
also runs the Dusit Island Resort in Chiang Rai in northern
Thailand and is involved in logging and gems businesses in
Burma. He is said to have good relations to the SLORC. 

The resort is mostly visited by Thais, particularly gambling tourists
as casinos are prohibited in Thailand. In recent months, it has run
an aggressive advertising campaign to lure more visitors. In concert
with Bangkok Airways, which has started direct flights between
Bangkok and Ranong, the Andaman Club is offering package tours
at special prices. It has also worked with a public relations
company that organize special trips for the media to promote the
resort and surrounding tourist attractions. 

While construction workers are Burmese, most of the staff at the
resort are foreigners. All equipment and commodities have been
imported from Thailand and other countries. Even fresh water
needs to be brought in from Ranong which will make the
maintenance of the golf course extremely problematic. 
The only beneficiaries of tourism projects like the Andaman Club
are unscrupulous businesspeople and the SLORC who have no
concerns for safeguarding the environment and people's well -
being and rights. Besides, the proliferation of such casino - cum -
golf resorts all over the Mekong sub - region has given rise to
suspicions that much of these investments are made to launder
"dirty' money from illicit activities, i.e. the drug trade, prostitution
and smuggling. 

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