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BurmaNet News: July 4, 1996
-------------------------- BurmaNet -------------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: July 4, 1996
Issue #459
Noted in Passing:
HEADLINES:
==========
ANNOUNCEMENT: FORUM ASIA
AP: PEPSICO CHIEF QUITS ABRUPTLY
REUTER: "DESTRUCTIONIST ELEMENTS"
REUTER: DENMARK RESEARCHES FOR ACTIONS
THE INDIAN EXPRESS: MESSAGE FROM BURMA
INDIAN EXPRESS: LETTER- MESSAGE FROM MYANMAR
REUTERS: TOURISM PLAN FOR DRUG LORD'S LAIR
LETTER: MYANMAR: A CHANCE TOO GOOD TO MISS
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ANNOUNCEMENT: FORUM ASIA
July 2, 1996
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia)
PROGRAMME: For the promotion of Non-Violence in Thai society
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL THAILAND, ACFOD
THAI ACTION COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN BURMA
and BURMA ISSUES are pleased to invite you to the acedemic discussion
on "The Situation in Burma : One year after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi"
VENUE: The conference room in the Institute of Asian Studies
4th floor, Rachatipok-Rumpipannee building
Chulalongkorn University.
DATE: July 10, 1996
TIME: 13.00-17.00 PM
AGENDA:
12.30 Registration
13.00 "Thai perspective on Burma: Dr.Chanvit
Kasetsiri Thammasat University
"Burmese perspective of Thailand: Mr.Kawee
Jongjttavon, The Excecutive Editor, The Nation
14.30 Panel discussion "The Situation in Burma: One
year after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi"
PANELISTS - Dr.Gothom Arya, Leader of Forum-Asias Burmese
Fact-Finding mission, Chairperson of the programme
for the promotion of non-violence in Thai Society
Chulalonghorn University.
- Ms. Songsan Udomsil, Amnesty International (Thailand)
- Mr Sithipong Kallayanee, Images Asia
- Representation from "The Migrant Research Project"
of the Institute for Population and Research, Mahidol
University.
- Representative from the Burmese Opposition Groups
MODERATOR - Mr. Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General, Forum-Asia
PLEASE NOTE THAT THAI AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION WILL BE
AVAILABLE - rsvp, Forum-Asia 2769846-7
************************************************************
AP: PEPSICO CHIEF QUITS ABRUPTLY
July 3, 1996 (abridged)
NEW YORK (AP) - Christopher A. Sinclair abruptly quit Tuesday as
head of Pepsi-Cola Co., just three months after taking control of
the $11 billion beverage unit of PepsiCo.
Sinclair was replaced by Craig E. Weatherup, who had been
president of PepsiCo since April.
In a letter to employees, Sinclair said that the "intensity of
the challenge and the frequency of the travel, coupled with the
recent broadening of my responsibilities, have exacted a price, no
only on me but on my family."
Sinclair in April took over as chairman and chief executive of
the newly created Pepsi-Cola Co., which includes the domestic and
international beverage businesses. A 14-year veteran of the company,
he most recently headed the overseas snacks and beverage business.
His resignation was effective immediately, and he also quit the
company's board of directors.
A company spokesman said the 45-year-old Sinclair was leaving for
personal reasons.
Sinclair had been perceived as a possible successor to Wayne
Calloway, who resigned as PepsiCo's chief executive officer this
spring after a decade at the helm. Instead, the job went to Roger Enrico.
In his short tenure, Sinclair had to confront fizzling sales in
Latin America and criticism of Pepsi's investments in Burma.
Although the announcement was abrupt, and one Pepsi staffer said
there was no sign it was coming, Detwiler said "This has been in
discussion for a while between Chris and Roger."
In addition to Pepsi beverages, the $30 billion company owns
Doritos and Lays chips, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC restaurants.
The announcement came after the close of financial markets, where
PepsiCo stock was down 25 cents at $37.37 1/2 a share on the New
York Stock Exchange.
**********************************************************
REUTER: "DESTRUCTIONIST ELEMENTS"
July 3, 1996
Burma "destructionists" set off small bomb
Burma's military government said on Wednesday "destructionists" were
responsible for a bomb attack on a propaganda billboard opposite the U.S.
embassy in central Rangoon but the small device caused only minor damage.
The bomb, planted at the base of the billboard, caused no
injuries and failed to topple the signboard but damaged an
adjacent wall, state-run television reported.
"Destructionist elements trying to undermine peace and
stability of the state and trying to hinder and jeopardise
national development caused a small explosion... with the aim of
causing public fear," the television said.
The "destructionist elements" were not identified but it is
a term used by the government to describe all opposition
including democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National
League for Democracy (NLD) party, as well as ethnic minority
guerrillas fighting for autonomy.
The sign was put up on June 9 and carried slogans in English
saying it was the "peoples' desire" to "oppose those relying on
external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views".
The billboard, across a street from the U.S. mission, also
said it was the desire of the people to "oppose foreign nations
interfering in the internal affairs of the state" and called on
the people to "crush all internal and external destructive
elements as the common emeny".
Officials at the U.S. embassy were not immediately available
for comment.
There have been no bomb attacks in Rangoon for more than
five years although the government blamed Karen guerillas for a
blast on the railway line between Rangoon and Burma's second
city Mandalay in late May which left nine people dead.
The autonomy-seeking Karen guerrilla army, which opened
peace talks with the government late last year, denied
responsibilty for the attack.
The Burmese government has erected propaganda billboards
throughout the country, most of them in the Burmese language.
Political tension in Burma increased in May after Suu Kyi
called a meeting of her NLD and more than 250 party members were
arrested in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the gathering.
Suu Kyi, has since then been regularly attacked as a "stooge of foreigners"
and a "destructionist" in the state-run media.
*********************************************************
REUTER: DENMARK RESEARCHES FOR ACTIONS
July 3, 1996 (abridged)
By Steve Weizman
Denmark takes its campaign for sanctions against Burma to European
Union President Ireland this week, where it will propose a trade boycott,
aid cuts and U.N. action, a Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday.
Denmark is outraged at the death last month in a Rangoon jail of
honorary consul James Leander (Leo) Nichols. It put its proposals to an EU
working group in Brussels on Tuesday but according to Danish media reports
made little headway.
"They had a discussion yesterday. This discussion will continue in the
political committee tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," the official said
on Wednesday.
Citing diplomatic sources in Brussels, Ritzau news agency said: "It
was made clear that the majority of member states would rather use
political than economic pressure to get the Burmese government to alter its
position on human rights."
The Danish official challenged the Ritzau account, saying talks were
still in progress and until Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen meets EU
counterparts in Brussels on July 15 it would be too early to predict the
outcome.
***********************************************************
THE INDIAN EXPRESS: MESSAGE FROM BURMA
June 24, 1996 (abridged)
from: "ftub (wb)" <aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
India should learn from ASEAN's policy of constructively engaging
Myanmar, argues K P Nayar
EVENTS in Yangon in the last fortnight have once again brought into
focus India's inability to reconcile its security interests in Myanmar
with its professed commitment to democracy in the neighbouring
country. Western reports, lapped up by the Indian media in recent
week, have concentrated on the crowd - averaging about 5,000 -
which regular gather at Aung San Suu Kyi's residence to listen to her.
It is an indication of the confidence of Myanmar's ruling State Law
and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) that, un-mindful of the stir
that Suu Kyi is creating in the western media. It is concentrating its
energies on an event that will soon make the dissident's leader crowds
insignificant and, perhaps, irrelevant.
The event that the military government in Yangon is carefully
preparing for is a tour of Buddhist relics from China which are due to
arrive in Myanmar in December. This will be the second such
exposition of Buddhist relics from China in Myanmar.
The first such exhibition about three years ago caused a major
sensation across the country. Millions of people came out to pay their
respects to the relics, many of them parting with precious possessions
as their tribute to the exposition.
For many Myanmarese it was an event of a lifetime. There is a lesson
in this for India as scenes of wild jubilation and religious fervour seen
across Myanmar three years ago are set to be repeated.
For several years now, India's Myanmar policy has flip-flopped
wildly, alternating between a realisation of the security dimensions of
Indo-Myanmarnese ties and the interests of a powerful lobby in New
Delhi which would like to see Suu Kyi in power.
The Rao government gave in to the demands of India's security
interests and turned around a relationship which was stagnating and
rapidly yielding ground to the Chinese.
As a result, in 1992, joint operations were initiated to ensure border
management and tackle drug trafficking and arms smuggling. A year
later, through a landmark agreement, trade along the 1,700 km, Indo-
Myanmarese border was legalised.
The thread of what the Rao government set in motion needs to be
urgently picked up by the United Front government. As External
Affairs Minister I. K. Gujral prepares to go for the ASEAN's post-
ministerial meeting in Indonesia next month, he could consider taking
a leaf out of the South-East Asian grouping's policy of engaging
Myanmar to shape India's own ties with Yangon.
The ASEAN sees the army as a stabilising influence in Myanmar and
believes that sanctions and pressure can have no effect on the military
government. In support of this argument it points out that America
has imposed sanctions against Myanmar for six years now, to little
avail.
Indeed, ASEAN leaders believe that their policy of constructive
engagement has produced more political liberalisation in Myanmar
than have treats of sanctions from elsewhere.
As the Gowda government reviews its options on Myanmar, one
proposal which ought to engage its attention is the idea of a " lower
silk route" from India to China and beyond via Myanmar.
The proposal, still in an embryonic stage, has potential for creating
enduring links among India, Myanmar and China to tap the
opportunities which are opening up in all three countries.
For India the proposal is also crucial because of its implications for
the security situation in the North-East. Viable and meaningful
exchanges across the Indo-Myanmarnese border can lead not only to
better border management but also reduce the incentive in that part of
the country to militancy.
If the arrangement works well Myanmar could, in the long run,
become India's gateway to South-East Asia. The possibilities are
tantalising, but they can be realised only through a show of political
will which upholds the national interest above all else.
To begin with, such a policy would have to eliminate from the action
the bleeding hearts who cry out for democracy in Myanmar, and
ensure a readiness to deal with the legal and effective government in
charge in Yangon.
*********************************************************
INDIAN EXPRESS: LETTER- MESSAGE FROM MYANMAR
July 3, 1996
by Tint Swe
Sir: It cannot be taken as an indication of confidence of the
SLORC that thousands of people assembled to listen to Aung
San Suu Kyi. The military rulers have not prevented it yet.
Because disciplined regular weekend gatherings, speaking on
the importance of rule of law and interpretation of democracy
etc. do not offer any reason for such a step.
A show of Buddha relics from China in December, if it is true,
is not right choice to counter Suu Kyis media popularity. That
was why SLORC hurriedly ordered the state-sponsored rallies
throughout Burma instantaneously after NLD conference
marking the sixth anniversary of the election. Not six months
later.
The western media do not cover such events. Considerable
coverage appeared in The Asiaweek, The Bangkok Post, The
Nation, The Asian Age and all India papers. While the Sri
Lankan politicians supported democracy in Burma, I. K. Gujral
wanted to being SLORC closer to the SAARC and a senior
journalist, K. P. Nayar, advocated a constructive engagement.
The word constructive is beautiful. But the people of Burma
would be happy of constructive relations with neighbours
provided the relation are productive and for the good of the
people. What the people long for is clearly a popular
democratic administration.
Many governments think about the interests of their respective
countries. All businessmen look for profit. I wonder if India,
which has been admire for Gautan Buddha and Gandhiji, would
be bond to such a silly idea of self- supporting policy.
Does anybody think a military government can last long in this
civilised era? Does any government want to sit precariously on
such a policy of so- called constructive engagement with a de
facto fickle government in Burma?
At the moment ASEAN may consider the Army as a stabilising
structure in Burma. But ASEAN could not and would not
hesitate to deal with a new popular government when the
mandate of the people is honoured in the near future. How was
the previous military- dominated BSPP regime before the
SLORC?
I dont think the problem can be solved just by better co-
operation with the military junta. I do agree that good relations
with Burma are significant for India. That does not necessarily
mean affaire d amour with the SLORC.
Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese democrats anticipate India
to play a major role in the struggle. So many I hope the new
coalition democratic government will reverse some
miscalculated, incorrect, immoral convictions?
TINT SWE
Member of Parliament (Burma)
NEW DELHI
*******************************************************
REUTERS: TOURISM PLAN FOR DRUG LORD'S LAIR
July 3, 1996
HO MONG: The son of Burma's former opium warlord Khun Sa has said he
will turn his father's old jungle headquarters in eastern Burma into a
tourism and trade centre.
``Ho Mong will be a tourist spot where all visitors are welcome to visit and
buy goods,'' Jam Herng said yesterday.
Jam Herng and provincial officials from Thailand presided over a
ceremony yesterday to mark the opening of a border crossing between
Burma's Shan state and the northwest Thai province of Mae Hong Son.
It will improve the supply of goods to the remote Ho Mong area. Earlier
this year anti-Rangoon guerillas attacked supply lines from central Burma
to the town.
After the ceremony Thai reporters travelled the 20 kilometres to Khun
Sa's old headquarters, the first time visitors from Thailand have been
allowed in since the former rebel commander surrendered at the beginning
of the year.
The market in the town was well-stocked with seafood and imported whisky
from Rangoon, as well as cigarettes and clothes from Singapore. The
checkpoint opening represents the first time Thailand has officially
allowed trade with the Ho Mong area since 1993. Then, the Thai military
had sealed the frontier at the request of Rangoon to put pressure on Khun
Sa and his powerful guerilla force fighting the Burmese government.
Following Khun Sa's surprise surrender in January, Rangoon said he would
not be extradited to the United States, where he has been charged with
heroin smuggling, but would be dealt with according to Burmese law.
There has been no indication he has yet been put on trial and Jam Herng
said yesterday his father was well and living in Rangoon.
Rangoon has allowed former members of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army to run
Ho Mong as a special administrative zone, with Burmese troops
supervising the area from a distance
**********************************************************
LETTER: MYANMAR A CHANCE TOO GOOD TO MISS
July 3, 1996 (The Strait Times)
By M.S. Dobbs - Higginson
Myanmar represents a unique opportunity for
Japan.
One may well ask -- why?
The answer is multifaceted yet simple. Myanmar
(then known as Burma) turned to Japan in the
late 1930s for assistance in getting rid of
the British. But during World War II, the
Japanese occupied the country.
Despite this development, the Myanmar people
have had, and continue to have, an admiration
for and an interest in Japan and the Japanese.
Today, Myanmar sees Japan as one of the
region's leaders -- as one of the major
players in the global arena, and as a country
with the technology and investment capital to
deploy in the region.
It also sees Japan as being an important
counterbalance to China, and to the West's
continuing demands that the rest of the world
adopt its political system and, as a
consequence, its cultural values.
>From Japan's perspective, Myanmar, with its
strong Buddhist base, its English language
proficiency, its defined English law - based
legal system, its abundant natural resources
and its demonstrated willingness to honor
promises and contracts once they are made, has
great appeal.
It also has literacy rates equivalent to
Malaysia and Indonesia and higher than those
of China and India.
All of these characteristics are already much
appreciated by the Japanese who have visited
Myanmar and particularly those who have also
had dealings with the Chinese and Vietnamese.
What is most interesting is that, of all the
Asian countries' relationships, there are only
two sets of Asian countries that could develop
a special relationship which would be mutually
very beneficial -- Singapore and China, and
Japan and Myanmar.
There is no question that Japan and Myanmar
could enjoy a special relationship. Myanmar
was the first Asian country to sign a
reparation and peace agreement with Japan.
Myanmar was also the first to allow the
Japanese government access to the country to
search for, and retrieve, the remains of their
soldiers killed in action. Other Asian
countries provided access only much later,
with greater reluctance and much less
assistance.
More importantly, despite the atrocities
committed by the Japanese Imperial Army in
Myanmar during World War II, retreating
Japanese troops were assisted toward the end
of the war, and some of those too ill to
travel were hidden and looked after by the
Myanmar people. When the war ended, Japanese
prisoners of war were treated well by the
local people, despite protests and even
punishment by the Allied powers.
For these reasons, the Myanmar people are
disappointed in Japan for siding with the U.S.
policy and now not wholeheartedly offering aid
and other assistance to Myanmar.
Myanmar is puzzled by the fact that Japan
seems incapable of developing a policy
position toward Myanmar independent of the
U.S.
The rest of the Asian countries are
disappointed that Japan has not shown a more
genuine and proactive leadership toward
Myanmar, and toward Asia in general.
They wonder why Japan has to look over its
shoulder nervously to see what the U.S.
government's reactions are to any of its Asian
initiatives.
The West and Japan have been obsessed with
treating Aung Sang Suu Kyi as the elected
savior of the Myanmar people from the evil
military government. What nonsense!
The Japanese media makes little effort to get
the facts, but instead portrays her as a
modern Joan of Arc.
They fail to appreciate that she was the
daughter of Gen. Aung Sang, the original
leader of Burma's independence movement in
1947. She has spent 28 years out of Myanmar,
is married to an English academic, and had
returned to Rangoon only because her mother
was gravely ill
Although a remarkable woman in many aspects,
she has no relevant qualifications to lead her
country. Many of her supporters allegedly
complain that she is arrogant, stubborn,
opinionated and often irrational because she
is ignorant of the facts relating to issues
being discussed.
One such example is her recent comment
published in the April 23 edition of the
International Herald Tribune. She accused
Japanese investors of exploiting Myanmar
workers.
She said: "Men, women and children toil away
without financial compensation under hard
(Japanese) taskmasters in scenes reminiscent
of the infamous railway of death," referring
to Japan's use of prisoners of war to build
the "Death Railway" from Burma to Thailand
during World War II.
This statement raises all the ghosts of
Japan's past behavior. It is also untrue and
absurd.
It is time, therefore, that the Japanese media
(and government) took a more objective look at
Suu Kyi.
In Rangoon, she has held meetings with her NLD
party members and supporters recently to
prepare an alternative constitution under the
auspices of celebrating the sixth anniversary
of the NLD victory in the elections.
Support in the international press for her
actions was oversimplified and somewhat
hysterical, considering the fact that the
current government did not employ any brutal
measures but merely detained some 250 members
of the NLD party, most of whom have already
been released.
Although there is a law against public
gatherings without prior permission, the
government allowed Suu Kyi and her followers
to hold the meeting at her house They also
allowed foreign governments to observe the
meeting without any restrains -- something few
other emerging countries' governments would
have allowed.
If, as the international press claims the
government was harsh and brutal why would they
have allowed this even to happen at all?
In a city with a population of between and 5
million people, if the majority believes in
the NLD's position, namely the there should be
no aid, no foreign investment and no tourism
to Myanmar until democratic government has
been established, why was it that the NLD was
only able to attract a paltry crowd numbering
only 5,000 to 8,000?
It is utter nonsense for Suu Kyi to say that
the current foreign aid, investment and
tourism benefit only the generals ir Myanmar
and do not in any way benefit the man in the
street. In short, the whole international
media's view of Suu Ky and the NLD has led to
unbalanced reporting and misinformation on a
massive scale.
Is the same international media giving the
same space and time to the fact that since the
NLD's meeting, there have been numerous
demonstrations in favor of the government's
policies and against the NLD?
The international press and Japanese press
should read the extremely balanced article
entitled "Angels fear to tread" in The Asia
Times (June 5).
While the article recognizes the contribution
that Suu Kyi and her NLD party has made, it
argues against their recommendations for
economic sanctions to be imposed and for a
constructive engagement of the current
government so as to allow the development of
an independent middle class and a more
democratic system of government.
To sum it up, why should Japan follow the U.S.
government's foreign policy signals, which are
based on U.S. self interest?
Surely, it is time for Japan to grow up for it
to take an adult, multidimensional view and
show some independent leadership toward
Myanmar and the Asian region.
Asia would like to see it, the world would
respect Japan for it and Myanmar needs it.
Japan could gain a unique and special
relationship with Myanmar, which could serve
both parties -- and Asia -- constructively in
the years ahead.
M.S. Dobbs - Higginson, author of "Asia
Pacific: Its Role in the New World Disorder, "
is a former chairman of Merrill - Lynch, Asia-Pacific region.
************************************************************
BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different
topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the
following subjects, please direct email to the following
volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or
try to put you in contact with someone who can:
Campus activism: zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boycott campaigns: [Pepsi] ai268@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission:
brelief@xxxxxxx
Chin history/culture: plilian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Fonts: tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
History of Burma: zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
International Affairs: Julien Moe: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society:
102113.2571@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed]
Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak:
z954001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Burma-India border [volunteer needed]
Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o
burmanet@xxxxxxxxxxx
Rohingya culture Kyaw Oo: myin@xxxxxxxxx
Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Total/Pipeline Dawn Star: cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tourism campaigns: bagp@xxxxxxxxxx "Attn.
S.Sutcliffe"
World Wide Web: FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx
Volunteering: christin@xxxxxxxxxx
[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]
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