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BurmaNet News: June 23, 1996




-------------------------- BurmaNet -------------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: June 23, 1996 
Issue # 450

Noted in Passing: 
				
                         "We all need to cooperate and work together to 
			eradicate the negtive image and tell the world that
			Myanmar is politically safe, economically stable and socially
			socially sound."
		Kyaw Ba, SLORC Tourism Minister
		(see REUTER: MEDIA BLAMED FOR FAILURE OF 
		'VISIT MYANMAR YEAR" )

HEADLINES
==========
FBC: DEATH OF JAMES LEANDER NICHOLS
REUTERS: SUU KYI NOT ANGRY WITH LEE KUAN YEW
U.S. CONGRESSMAN ABERCROMBIE: ON DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
NATION: A STRANGE KIND OF NON-INTERFERENCE
FTUB(WB): REPORT FROM CHIN STATE
NATION: UN AGENCY PULLS UP BURMA FOR FORCED LABOUR
NATION: VIROJ SEEKS BORDER TALKS WITH BURMESE LEADERSHIP
REUTER: BURMA TO BECOME ASEAN MEMBER BY 1998
ABSDF (WB): INDO-BURMA BORDER SITUATION
REUTER: BURMESE BANKS TO PAY INTEREST ON DEPOSITS
AP: BURMA DISSIDENT: 94 MISSING 
REUTER: MEDIA BLAMED FOR FAILURE OF 'VISIT MYANMAR YEAR" 
NCGUB: DR. SEIN WIN'S SPEECH ON DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S BIRTHDAY 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FBC: DEATH OF JAMES LEANDER NICHOLS AND HUMAN RIGHTS PHOTOS
June 22, 1996

BurmaNet Editor's Note: Leo Nichols assisted the NLD in many ways.
Besides providing financial assistance to Aung San Suu Kyi for household
expenses, he also handled a lot of communications for the NLD.  His death
is a serious loss for the NLD.  He had been sentenced to 3 years in prison
earlier this spring for the possession of 9 fax machines and 2 phone lines 
which were not registered with the government.

It has also been reported that his family has not been officially notified
and it is not known at this time whether his family will be allowed to enter
Burma and hold a funeral service for him.
------------------------------------

A Rangoon businessman, who was a close friend of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is
reported to have died of a stroke on June 22, 1996 (Saturday). while under
house arrest by Slorc. He was officially charged with the supposed
infringement of the telecommunictions act of the early 1900's but the real reason 
was probably his association with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Slorc claimed that Mr.
Nichols was in possession of nine illegal fax machines.

Any further information on Mr. Nichol's death in the hands of Slorc will be
greatly appreciated.  Please drop a note RE: further info to
bsimpson@xxxxxxx

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

REUTERS: SUU KYI NOT ANGRY WITH LEE KUAN YEW
June 23, 1996

RANGOON, June 23 (UPI) ) -- Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu
Kyi on Saturday said she was not angry with Singapore's former prime
minister Lee Kuan Yew for backing the army in its battle against Burmese
democracy advocates.
        Speaking to about 5,000 supporters defying the military government's
ban on political gatherings, Suu Kyi said Lee had a right to express
views on Burmese politics.
        ``As a firm believer in democracy,'' she said, ``I accept that
everybody has the right to express his opinions and beliefs freely, so I
am not angry with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
        ``But,'' she added, ``I would like Mr. Lee Kuan Yew to understand
that we in Burma are in need of a system whereby everyone has the right
to free expression.''
        Suu Kyi's remarks came in reaction to a speech June 7 in which Lee
was quoted as saying Suu Kyi was incapable of ruling Burma and should
``remain behind a fence and be a symbol.''
        ``I have visited (Burma) and I know that there is only one instrument
of government, and that is the army,'' Lee said.
        Lee, known for his authoritarian rule in Singapore and his outspoken
criticism of liberalism, has been one of the strongest advocates of
``constructive engagement'' with Burma's ruling military junta.
        Singaporean companies have led the way in breaking the economic
isolation of Burma, while the city state's government has pushed for
early inclusion of Burma into the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, possibly by 1998.
        Lee's pro-junta speech to a forum in Singapore drew the condemnation
of democracy supporters inside and outside Burma.
        His effigy was burned in New Delhi by Burmese students who expressed
outrage at the Singaporean's support for the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), which seized power in 1988.
        SLORC sanctioned a democratic election in 1990, but ignored the
results when Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won by a landslide.
        In her regular weekend meeting with supporters in front of her
Rangoon residence Saturday, Suu Kyi read aloud a letter signed by
Burmese philosophy students critical of Lee's comments.
        ``We are of the view that senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore
has interfered in Burma's internal affairs by flattering the military
and disparaging civilians in Burma, turning a blind eye to the realities
of the situation in Burma and looking solely at the interests of his own
people,'' said the letter.

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

U.S. CONGRESSMAN ABERCROMBIE: ON DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
June 22, 1996

HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE in the House of Representatives

     Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, today there was a ceremony commemorating 
the 51st birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the rightful leader of Burma . It 
highlighted the continuing repression occurring in Burma . As you know, Burma 
is ruled by a brutal military dictatorship which rejects the mandate of the 
democratic elections of 1990.

     Although Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under house arrest, the military 
regime has been stepping up its repressive measures against her and her party, 
the National League for Democracy. As the sixth anniversary of the democratic 
election approached, over 200 people were arrested. Recently, the regime 
released half of the detainees. These arrests were the latest example of the 
egregious human rights situation in Burma .

     Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the National League for Democracy did not 
give in to the fear of retribution. They held rallies these past two weekends 
and will continue to meet.

     I say to Aung San Suu Kyi, thank you for your courage and devotion to 
principle, you inspire all of us. You are a very courageous woman, who has 
endured uncomprehensible hardships. We will continue to help restore you and 
the rightfully elected parliament to power in Burma and end the horrendous human 
rights violations.

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

NATION: A STRANGE KIND OF NON-INTERFERENCE
June 22, 1996

Perhaps Lee Kuan yew did anticipate what the impact of his
comments would be. But just the same, supporters of Burma's
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi were outraged last week when
he said that it would be better for the Nobel Prize laureate to
remain a political symbol.

In response, Burmese students burned an effigy of Lee in New
Delhi. In Thailand they sent a letter to Singapore's former prime
minister, demanding a public apology from him. More protests are
planned.

Speaking at a rare conference recently, Lee had said, If I were
Aung San Suu Kyi, I think I'd rather be behind a fence and be a
symbol than be found impotent to lead the country." Lee also said
that Burma could collapse "like Bosnia" into various parts
because of outside pressure.

"I have visited the place and I know that there is only one
instrument of government, and that is the army," he said.

Burmese dissidents in exile said Lee's comments were "an insult
to the Burmese people." In an open letter to the 71-year old Lee,
five student groups wrote: "The support for [Suu Kyi] by the
people was clearly expressed in the 1990 election and is evident
now in the increasingly growing gatherings in front of her
residence."

The letter asked Lee to "recognise the crucial importance of
active participation in politics". 

It described Lee's comments as a "preposterous contradiction",
voicing his opinion about Suu Kyi, while the Singaporean
government "is saying they do not want to interfere in Burma's
affairs".

The letter said several countries, and Singapore in particular,
are turning a blind eye to human rights abuses perpetrated by
Burma's military government, which is officially known as the
State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc). It called on
Singapore to end trade with Burma and stop alleged arms sales to
the Slorc.

Military assistance

According to defence analysts, Singapore was the first country to
supply adequate arms and ammunition to Burma's current crop of
military leaders when they came to power. Since 1998, the
analysts noted, Singapore has provided radar equipment, mortars,
ammunition for 84mm recoilless guns, automatic rifles, and raw
material for arms manufacturing.

In effect, Singapore was one of the first states to come to
assistance of the pariah regime.

Soon after it staged a bloody coup in 1988, the junta faced
difficulties. The most immediate danger came from the ethnic
insurgencies, whose rebellion was bolstered by the urban-led
democracy uprising and whose ranks were swelled by many students
and activists who fled to the jungle.

One source of quick relief came in October 1998, shortly after
the Slorc was established.

In a port in Rangoon, workers saw boxes marked "Allied Ordnance,
Singapore" being unloaded from two vessels of Burma's Five Star
Shipping Line and onto about 70 army trucks bound for the
Mingalodon military area.

Areport, TransformingtheTatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces since
1988, which was published by the Strategic and Defence Studies
Centre in Canberra, said "These shipments reportedly included
mortars, ammunition, raw material for Burma's arms factories. The
consignment also contained 84mm rockets for the Tatmadaw's M2
Carl Gustav recoilless guns, which were supplied by Sweden-based
Forenade Fabriksverken (FFV)

The shipment thus violated an agreement under which the original
export license had been granted, requiring that any re-exports
only be made with the permission of the Swedish government.

Rangoon's economic policies under strongman Gen Ne Win had been
such a spectacular failure that by 1987 Burma was accorded Least
Developed Country status. Moreover, shortly after the massacre
in 1988, international aid programmes were frozen and foreign
exchange was drying up.

The junta leaders faced strong domestic opposition but were
determined to survive. Bangkok-based analysts suggested that the
first shipment was likely to have been a barter deal.

The first arms shipments made in the months immediately following
the 1988 massacres did not significantly alter the structure or
military capabilities of the Tatmadaw.

"They simply replenished the army's dwindling reserves and gave
the Slorc greater confidence that it could retain its iron grip
on power, even in the event of renewed outbreaks of popular
unrest in Burma's population centres," Australian defence analyst
Andrew Selth wrote in the report.

Again, in August 1989, more munitions arrived in Rangoon by ship
from Israel and Belgium via Singapore. This was, according to
Selth, assisted by SKS Marketing a newly-formed Singapore-based
joint venture with the Burmese military regime.

The shipments included second-hand 40mm RPG-2 grenade launchers
and 57mm anti-tank guns of Eastern Europe origin.

Selth noted Singaporean companies are thought to have sold the
Slorc M16A1 automatic rifles and 5.56mm ammunition in defiance of
US export laws. With these and more military assistance provided
by Singapore and other countries such as Pakistan, Poland and
China, the Slorc's confidence was boosted and the Tatmadaw was
better able to resist the pressures being applied by the ethnic
insurgent groups, communists and dissidents based around the
country's rugged periphery.

In the recent years, China has provided not only military
hardware but also assistance and training to Tatmadaw officers.

Additionally, according to the report, Singapore also provided
training for a Burmese army parachute unit.

Selth's report noted: "The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have
developed a very close relationship with the Tatmadaw since 1988.
They have provided training [in Singapore] for a Burmese army
parachute display team and there have even been reports that SAF
units have been seen in Burma itself. It is also possible that
Singaporean companies have provided training packages with
computer equipment which they are thought to be installing in the
Burmese Defence Ministry.

"It is understood that Singapore may also be training Burmese
military personnel in the use of modern information technology
systems and other electronic equipment being provided to the
Tatmadaw by Singaporean companies."     

Ajournalist based in the region, Bertil Linter, said, "In any
event, the firepower of the Burmese army has increased
considerably [since 1988] in Rangoon, and especially on the
battlefront frontier areas. It has also contributed to the
military's ability to reassert its power."

Special ties with Ne Win

Analysts also noted Lee personally knew former dictator Ne Win.
That's one reason Lee defended the regime, they said.

Ne Win went to Singapore in 1994 for medication. Soon after, a
rumour emerged that Ne Win met Lee. If it was true, it wasn't
the first time.

"It is quite possible that they have met before because they have
known each other since the 1960s," said a Burma watcher in
Bangkok.

In 1986, Lee visited Rangoon where he said. "Burma-Singapore
relations have been close and friendly. No problems have
disrupted the even tenor of our relations.

During the state dinner hosted by then prime minister Maung Maung
Kha, Lee did not forget to mention his old friend. My first visit
to Rangoon was in April 1962, when I got to know Gen Ne Win. Our
friendship has grown these last two-and a-half decades."

Again, Lee's most recent remarks will be much appreciated by
Burma's generals, including Ne Win himself.

Business links

Singaporean leaders and businessmen see Burma as a land of
opportunity. Burma is Singapore's latest and most promising
hinterland after Malaysia.

According to Singapore's Trade Development Board, as of 1995,
total Singaporean investment in Burma had surged to US$603
million (Btl5.075 billion).

While some US companies are pulling s out of Burma, Singapore's
companies are apparently prospering. Singaporean companies are
building hotels, supermarkets and parks and are also buying and
selling seafood, timber and rubber.

Last week AP-Dow Jones quoted Singaporean businessman Ty Thiam
Peng saying that trade with Burma grew 40 per cent last year to
$1.2 billion and could reach $1.5 billion this year. Tay said
without constructive engagement, the economic situation in Burma
is not likely to move fast, and without growth development in
other areas will also lag.

Lee's successor, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, visited Burma in
1994, a time when Burma's prisons were filled with political
prisoners and the junta was committing serious human rights
violations throughout the country.

After he met powerful leaders Gen Than  Shwe and Lt Gen Khin
Nyunt, Goh defended Asean's constructive engagement policy with
Burma. He said isolation will not work but stressed the
international community can help Burma by engaging in
constructive dialogue.

But the question remains: How is Goh's constructive dialogue
working in Burma? The junta has stepped up its heavy-handed
manner with the opposition in recent months and two weeks ago
introduced new laws to give it more power to crush the opposition
led by Suu Kyi.

Burma's dissidents believe that growing foreign investment in the
country has encouraged the junta leaders to stay in power. "They
have money, power and guns so they can do whatever they want,"
said Aung Saw Oo, an exiled former member of the opposition
National League for I Democracy (NLD).

Goh's Burma visit sowed the seeds for a strong business
connection. Since then the Singaporean government has sent at
least 17 trade missions and the country is now Burma's
second-largest trading partner. Singapore's Trade Development
Board (TDB) opened a trade office in Rangoon to cement the closer
economic links, This office m Burma is the TDB's 31st over seas
office and its 19th in Asia.

Analysts in Rangoon said many businessmen from the tiny island
are establishing a strong and friendly relationship with Burma's
leaders and business community. Burma's current military leaders
are impressed with Singapore's economic growth under hardline
rule.

But Burma's democracy supporters are unhappy with Singapore's
money-making attitude.

Aung Saw Oo was quite upset when he learned about Lee's comments.
He pointed out that during the recent crackdown L and detention
of NLD members the Singaporean leader didn't speak out. His first
comments were in response to news that two special envoys from
the US were coming to the region to drum up support for the NLD.

A Burmese writer who attended the business conference held in
Rangoon said, "Singapore's businessmen and officials are
concerned about making profits and nothing else."

Sources also said that notorious Burmese drug traffickers Lin
Mingsian, also known as Sai Lin, and former drug trafficker Lo
Hsing-han have visited Singapore many times. Lin Mingxian is one
of the biggest heroin traffickers in eastern Shan State. But
since he cut a deal with the regime in Rangoon in 1989 he has
been allowed to continue doing his dirty business, analysts t
said. He is a former member of the Communist Party of Burma,
which has reached a ceasefire agreement with the junta.

Ironicaly, Singapore is a most vociferous advocate of harsh
penalties for drug traffickers. 

And yet those involved in the war against drug trafficking widely
believe that Lin Mingsian and Lo Hsing-han have established and
opened companies in Singapore d as a way of possibly laundering
drug s money.

In any case, not surprisingly, Lee's remarks were republished in
publications ' that serve as the Slorc's official mouthpiece. e,
The Rangoon generals are quite happy with Lee's "intervention".
But last week the war began between Lee and Burma's democrats.

Aung Zaw is a freelance journalist. He contributed this story to
The Nation.

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

FTUB(WB): REPORT FROM CHIN STATE
June 22, 1996   (English edited)

Slorc has reinforced its military strength throughout Chin State. 

A company of LIB 269 is stationed at Kyi Kha Village, Tedin 
township, when LIB 269 is stationed at Tedin. They use Kyi Kha 
villagers for portering their rations. As this is the season for cultivation, 
they face difficulties to get human porters. As such on 5th June 1996 they 
ordered the Township LORCs and village LORCs from altogether 12 
village tracts to pay 3,500 Ks from each village tract as porter charges. 

These village tracts are:
1. Hai Pee
2. Phai Satt
3. Son Zan
4. Kan Saung
5. Kyi Kha
6. Thwi Mu
7. Haik Kyin
8. Pan Mahwal
9. Ton Kyeen
10. Swan Pyi Mwan
11. Zan Pee
12. Thwi Man and
13. Kyaw Bin.
-----------
The villagers are very poor, they have problems of survival, but they can not 
go against the commands of the military. In villages which have few 
households they are liable to pay 150 to 200 Ks per household. Villages with 
bigger populations are liable to give 50 to 100 Ks per household.

Win Naing, 2 nd year Botany, Kale College was arrested at 2 pm in the 
night on 3rd June 1996 from his house.  The reason given was that he has 
communication with the students abroad. Win Naing has been sent to 
the notorious Insein Jail, according to confirmed information.

Win Naing was to appear for his examination on 6/6/96. This arrest was done 
one day before a Slorc rally held on 4th June 1996 at Kale Myo.

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

NATION: UN AGENCY PULLS UP BURMA FOR FORCED LABOUR
June 22, 1996  (abridged)

GENEVA- The UN international labour agency condemned forced
labour in Burma and set up a three-man commission to investigate
what is believed to be a wide-spread practice there.

Such steps have been resorted to by the agency only twice before,
against the former Communist regimes of Romania and Poland,
International Labour Organisation spokesman John Doohan said.

Delegates to the agency's annual three week assembly, which ended
on Thursday, alleged that many Burmese were being forced to work
on railways, roads and' other projects aimed at promoting tourism

A UN report late last year also cited forced labour at Burma's
Mandalay Palace and the Mong Kwan electric power station. It said
labourers were expected to work up to 60 days for the power
project, and had to make their own arrangements for food

The Burmese delegation at the agency's assembly denied coercion
and said it was in keeping with Burmese culture for workers to
set aside time for building pagodas, monasteries, roads and
canals.

The investigatory commission, to be named soon, will seek
permission from Burma to visit the country and will be
responsible for reporting on forced la our there.

******************************************************
NATION: VIROJ SEEKS BORDER TALKS WITH BURMESE LEADERSHIP
June 23, 1996

SUPREME Commander Gen Viroj Saengsanit has called on leaders of -
Burma's ruling military junta to visit Thailand for higher-level
boundary talks in a bid to break the current deadlock in the
northern boundary dispute. 
     
Viroj said he has conveyed an invitation to Gen Than Swe and Gen
Maung Aye through a Burmese delegation led by Southeastern
Commander Maj Gen Khet Sein, which was here earlier this week for
a meeting of the Thai-Burmese joint border committee.

"I asked [the delegation] to convey the message to Gen Than Swe
and Gen Maung Aye that if possible they should come to Thailand
to discuss the business themselves," Viroj said.

Burmese Premier Than Swe visited Thailand last December to attend
the Fifth Asean Summit in Bangkok.

Viroj said last week's talks, held in the northern Thai town of
Phitsanulok, failed because Thailand could not yield to Burma's
demand to acknowledge in writing that the Doi Lang ridge and
Ban Huay Ha areas were in Burma.

"How can we do that? The Thai people would condemn us.

"So let's leave it that way for the time being," the Thai supreme
commander said.

The presence until February this year of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army
in the disputed zone formed a buffer zone for both countries,
leaving the disputed ownership of Doi Lang ridge - which is
between northern Thailand's Chiang Mai province and northeastern
Burma's Shan state - untouched for decades.

The senior army officer said he believed Burma would not be
receptive to Thailand's proposal for troop withdrawal by both
sides from the areas, although they said they would consider it.

"The Burmese said that despite the absence of Khun Sa's military
force, the area is still plagued by drug trafficking. [They said
they] would later consider the Thai proposal when the situation
improves," the officer said.

Viroj downplayed the impact of failed talks on the border
situation.

"We do not have problems with maintaining troops there [without
causing tension]. Only, we think it wastes millions of baht each
year to keep the troops there just to protect the land. Don't you
think it would be better to withdraw the troops on both sides?"
he asked.

Several thousand Burmese and Thai troops have been face to face
along the ridge since the start of the year, when guerrillas
loyal to opium warlord Khun Sa handed control of their side of
the border to Burmese troops following his surrender.

Lt Gen Thanom Yatcharapuk, commander of Thailand's Third Army
Region, said that at the end of the meeting on Friday
disagreement over Doi Lang prevented any other matters from being
settled.

Large parts of the Burmese side of the border have been
controlled by anti-Rangoon guerrillas for decades. Border
disagreements have begun to surface as Burmese government forces
gradually gain control of more of their frontier territory.

Thai Prime Minister Banharn Silpaarcha visited Rangoon in March
to try to improve the often strained relations between the
neighbours.

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

REUTER: BURMA TO BECOME ASEAN MEMBER BY 1998
June 22, 1996
from: julien moe <moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

     BANGKOK, June 22 (Reuter) - Burma is seeking to become a full member of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) within the next two
years, newspaper reports said on Saturday.

    The reports quoted Sukhum Rasmidatta, director-general of the Thai
Foreign Ministry's ASEAN Department, as saying on Friday the Burmese
government had reaffirmed it wanted to be an ASEAN observer this year and
had strongly indicated that it would seek ASEAN membership in 1998.

    It is the first time Rangoon has offered a timeframe for joining the
association, which groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

    Laos and Cambodia, which now hold observer status, have officially
informed the association they will seek membership next year.

    According to Sukhum, Burma will be officially welcomed as an observer at
a two-day ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta starting on July 20.

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

ABSDF (WB): INDO-BURMA BORDER SITUATION
June 21, 1996  (English edited)

Two logging trucks from India side were confiscated on 
15.6.96 by Burmese authorities within territory. The 
Indian O.C of police at Moreh went to negotiate with Burmese 
authorities at gate No.(1).   Immigration officials from Burma side 
asked O.C for border-cross ticket. They had some hot debate. The 
Indian O.C got angry and returned to the Moreh side and confiscated 
two motorcycles. After an Indian businessman negotiated, these two 
motorcycle were released. In the meantime, the immigration officials 
at gate No. (2) telephoned to Burmese army unit located in the vicinity. 
Then a unit of Burmese soldiers rushed to the site. The unit 
commander of the Burma side talked to an Indian army major. 
The Burmese army officer spoke abusively to the Indian Major.  The 
Indian Maj. got angry and he kicked the interpreter.
 
The situation became strained between the two units of troops. At last 
the Indian troops drove away in anger. They closed gate No. (2) and 
began to arrest the people from Burmese side in the market. A feeling of 
unrest spread in the market of Indian side for that day.
 
Two logging trucks, drivers and other on the trucks have 
been sentenced to 7 years jail terms, according to the 
information reaceived here. 

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

REUTER: BURMESE BANKS TO PAY INTEREST ON DEPOSITS
June 22, 1996
from: julien moe <moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

       RANGOON, June 22 (Reuter) - Burmese private banks that are authorised
to conduct foreign banking business will for the first time be allowed to
pay interest on foreign currency deposits, official media reported on Saturday.

    Finance and Revenue Minister Brigadier-General Win Tin said banks would
be allowed to pay interest on the deposits effective July 1, state-run
newspapers reported.

    He said these banks could earn foreign exchange income to pay interest
by depositing their foreign exchange in interest-bearing accounts with banks
abroad or by extending loans in foreign currency locally.

    The central bank would notify the banks of the deposit and lending rates
to be used, based on the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (SIBOR).

    There are 17 local private banks in Burma with 21 branches in major
cities. Seven of them have been authorised to conduct foreign exchange
transactions.

    The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council has been working to
liberalise the economy since it took power in 1988. Part of the military
government's plan is to allow local banks to deal in foreign exchange and to
let foreign banks open offices in Burma.

    To date, 35 foreign banks have been permitted to open representative
offices.

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

AP: BURMA DISSIDENT: 94 MISSING 
June 21, 1996                    

RANGOON, Burma (AP) - The military regime said Friday it has  freed 
nearly all the detained members of Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy 
movement, but the Nobel Peace prize-winning dissident's  group said 
dozens are missing.       

A senior government official told The Associated Press that the  government 
has freed 240 of 262 jailed followers of Suu Kyi. Seven  still in detention 
are likely to be charged under security laws that  could end in long prison 
terms, said the official, who spoke on  condition of anonymity.       

But leaders of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy said they  know of 
only 168 who have been freed. About 20 of the 94 not  accounted for are 
believed held in a prison near Rangoon notorious  for torture.       

The ruling council started freeing the delegates shortly after  the congress, 
but Suu Kyi's party says those who have not checked in  with the party's 
office are presumed detained.       

Norway sent a diplomat to Burma on Friday with the aim of making  any 
attempt to arrest Suu Kyi herself more difficult.      

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

REUTER: MEDIA BLAMED FOR FAILURE OF 'VISIT MYANMAR YEAR" 
June 21, 1996

    RANGOON, June 21 (Reuter) - Burma's tourism minister said on Friday the
bad press the country had received in the international media had hurt the
tourism industry just before the launching of "Visit Myanmar (Burma) Year."
     "The negative images created by some media are still hindering some
tourists from visiting Myanmar despite her richness in all sorts of tourist
attractions," Hotels and Tourism Minister Lieutenant-General Kyaw Ba said.
     A crackdown last month by the ruling State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC) against the pro-democracy opposition received widespread
media coverage.
     Dozens of governments condemned the military government for arresting
more than 250 members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy
(NLD) ahead of a party meeting in late May.
     The Burmese government said it detained the politicians only for
questioning to avoid unrest, and released most of them after about 10 days.
But the opposition and Amnesty International say many remain in prison.
     Kyaw Ba, who is a member of the 20-member SLORC, made the comments as he
announced a Japanese company planned to invest $22 million in a hotel project
near Burma's ancient ruins of Pagan.
     "We all need to cooperate and work together to eradicate the negative
image and tell the world that Myanmar is politically safe, economically
stable and socially sound," he said.
     After the crackdown in May, the United States urged its citizens to
curtail non-essential travel to Burma due to the possibility of violence.
     Burma will launch its "Visit Myanmar Year" in September (sic: November), 
after the rainy season. The government expects about 300,000 tourists.

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

NCGUB: DR. SEIN WIN'S SPEECH ON DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S BIRTHDAY
June 19,1996

Opening Address by Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win At the Event
To Mark the 51st Birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Room 562, Dirksen Senate Office Building
June 19, 1996

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are gathered here today to celebrate a very special occasion--the 51st
birthday of Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  I see familiar 
faces around --faces of people who have been friends of Burma over the years.  
They are the people who have embraced the cause of restoring democracy 
and freedom to Burma as their very own and have gone out of their way to 
help the people of Burma.  I take this opportunity to say, on behalf of 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, my cousin, thank you, thank you,thank you all.  
Without your help, the struggle of our people would have been much more
difficult.

As many of you are aware, the political situation in Burma has worsened
because the military junta has instituted measures that allow harsh prison terms
against democracy activists. Everyone in the democracy movement, from 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to someone who comes to listen to her speech can be 
imprisoned between 5 and 20 years if the generals decide to do so.

Knowing Aung San Suu Kyi well, I can say that this would not deter her from
continuing her work for democracy.  She has never been known to give up a good
cause just because there is a personal risk involved.  Also knowing the Burmese
people well, I can say with certainty that they will continue supporting
her.  The 4,000 to 10,000 people attending her weekend speeches despite the blatant threat
from the military proves my point.

I am also happy to say that the international community, particularly the
democratic nations, have been strong in their support for Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and the democracy movement of Burma.  When SLORC began to crackdown on
the elected representatives from the National League for Democracy and its
supporters, the international community rallied behind Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi. 

In this light, I wish to thank the Free Burma Coalition which started a
grassroots campaign here in the United States and has now spread all over
the world. It has been unparalleled in helping Burma. Burmese and American
students from the Free Burma Coalition decided to stage a relay hunger
strike beginning May 23 to express their solidarity with the people in
Burma and to show the U.S. lawmakers especially the co-sponsors of the
Burma Freedom and Democracy Act that they enjoy grassroots support in
their call for economic sanctions. 

A total of 70 students from Stanford to high schools in Madison,
Wisconsin, from Philadelphia to New York undertook this noble act of
self-sacrifice for others' freedom.  The news of the Fast for a Free Burma
broadcast into Burma over the BBC,VOA, and DVB have moved the people
inside and gave them a glimpse of hope in the darkest moments. Mission
accomplished these students have decided to end their fast on this
important day for Daw Aung Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma. 

On a graver note, we have received word that the SLORC is already making
plans to crack down on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement. 
They are planning to withdraw security personnel from weekend fora in
front of Daw Suu's home and create an incident.  They are also coercing
Daw Suu's neighbors to complain about the weekend speeches.  All of these
are designed to take action against democracy activists. 

Yet, only two days ago, at a meeting with his Thai counterpart, the SLORC
foreign minister gave assurances that the military junta was trying to
enter into a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This was also the very
person who was denying that any arrests were being made in Burma while the
military was rounding up over 260 elected NLD representatives and other
activists.  Experience have taught us not to trust the military junta or
its officials. 

The message I am trying to get across on this auspicious occasion is that
the military junta is bent on retaining power and will only give it up
when left with no options.  We need concerted action from the
international community to persuade the junta that it is in its best
interest to negotiate. 

In this connection, I wish to thank all the Senators and the
Representatives who are sponsoring and supporting the Burma Freedom and
Democracy Act of 1995 and also the Administration for sending special
envoys to seek out a common policy to work out national reconciliation in
Burma. Coupled with an unwavering determination of the Burmese democracy
movement and the assistance from other countries, I am confident that the
initiatives taken by the United States will help DawAung San Suu Kyi and
the National League for Democracy to attain democracy for Burma. 

Please join me in wishing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi happiness and success in her
quest for freedom and democracy in Burma.

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