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bnet 492
-----------------------------BurmaNet--------------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: August 18, 1996
Issue #492
Noted in Passing:
We are confident that in the not-too-distant
future democracy will prevail in Asia.
- Sam Rainsy, Cambodian ex-Finance Minister
(see AP: SUU KYI, RAINSY FORGE ASIAN PRO-DEMOCRACY
ALLIANCE)
HEADLINES:
==========
REUTER: DANISH BURMA COMMITTEE LAUNCHES BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN
AP: SUU KYI, RAINSY FORGE ASIAN PRO-DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE
THE NATION: FEAR AND GREED IN THE NEW BURMA ECONOMY
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: RAILROADS BUILT WITH DEFENSE
INDEPENDENT LETTER FROM RANGOON: LETTER TO POST BAG
BKK POST: LETTER - MONEY TALKS
THE NATION: KARENS SEE HOPE FOR PEACE
MYANMAR ALIN: FOREIGN-DEPENDENT SKINNY PERSON
FTUB(WB): NEWS ON BURMESE REFUGEES IN MIZORAM STATE
ACTION CALL: BY NLD, ABSL, CSU, CNC
IHT: LETTER TO THE EDITOR - PRISONERS IN BURMA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REUTER: DANISH BURMA COMMITTEE LAUNCHES BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN
August 16, 1996 By Christopher Follett
COPENHAGEN, Aug 16 (Reuter) - The Danish Burma Committee
stepped up its offensive against Rangoon's military rulers on
Friday, announcing the launch of a campaign to boycott companies
trading with the country. Its main targets were France's Total oil group
and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS).
'The campaign urges companies to withdraw from business in
Burma and calls on customers to act against the companies that
continue business in the country,' committee chairman Anton
Johannsen said in a statement.
'This call is a signal to the leaders of SLORC (Burma's State Law
and Order Restoration Council). Millions of people all over the
world see (in Burma) the brutal abuse of even the most
fundamental human rights,' he said.
The committee threatened action against SAS if it did not
stop purchasing aviation fuel from Total.
It said it planned to issue protest postcards to be sent by
consumers to SAS and that if the airline failed to react the
committee would call for a consumer boycott of the carrier.
Total is involved in the largest foreign investment project
in Burma, a $1.2 billion gas pipeline joint venture with Burma's
state-owned Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise, Thailand's PTT and
U.S. Unocal Corp.
The committee became prominent on a wave of public outrage
over the June death in a Rangoon jail of honorary Danish consul
James Nichols. It says it has never before received so many
donations and membership enquiries.
Within the European Union, Denmark has been the main driving
force for sanctions against Burma following Nichols' death.
Total and Unocal are the targets of international activist
groups protesting at the Burmese military government's human
rights record and its crackdown on democracy campaigners.
The Danish importer of Total and Peugeot cars cancelled a
sales campaign for the brand last month and says he has changed
the Total oil in newly imported Peugeots to another product.
The importer says he has also asked Peugeot to fill its cars
bound for Denmark with another make of motor oil.
Denmark's Carlsberg brewery last month dropped plans for a
Burmese joint venture and halted all beer exports to Burma
following threats of a boycott and industrial action from the
committee. Carlsberg's move was followed by Dutch brewer
Heineken, which ended all its operations in Burma.
Industry sources say that the committee's success with
Carlsberg could be linked to chairman Anton Johannsen's position
as a leader of the brewery workers' union and it has fared less
well with other sectors.
Earlier this month Danish wholesale and shipping group East
Asiatic dismissed calls by the committee to withdraw from all
its activities in Burma as did toymaker Lego.
Burmese democracy campaigner and Nobel prize winner Aung San
Suu Kyi called last month in a smuggled video for international
sanctions to be imposed on Burma to force political change.
*****************************************************************
AP: SUU KYI, RAINSY FORGE ASIAN PRO-DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE
August 16, 1996
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) _ Outspoken Cambodian dissident Sam
Rainsy said Thursday he had forged an alliance with Burma's Aung
San Suu Kyi to promote democracy in Asia. Suu Kyi, winner of the
1991 Nobel Peace Prize and defiant opponent of Burma's military regime,
met Rainsy during his recent trip to Burma.
Rainsy told a news conference they had ``agreed to help each
other to promote,to advocate and to uphold democratic values and
principles.''
``We acknowledge that the fight for democracy throughout Asia
will not be easy, but we are confident that in the not-too-distant
future democracy will prevail in Asia.''
Rainsy is an ex-finance minister and former star of the royalist
FUNCINPEC party, which shares power with ex-communists in a
coalition that emerged from U.N.-sponsored elections in 1993.
Rainsy accuses both parties of corruption. The government has
refused to recognized his Khmer Nation Party, and party workers
have been harassed and sometimes killed.
Suu Kyi has gained international stature for her non-violent
opposition to Burma's entrenched military regime, which kept her
under house arrest for six years.
``We share common views that neither Burma nor Cambodia can
contribute to the stability and growth of the region given the
situation prevailing in our two countries,'' Rainsy said.
Rainsy said that he and Suu Kyi had agreed to work together in
various, unspecified forms and to establish contacts with other
Asian pro-democracy movements.
*********************************************************
THE NATION: FEAR AND GREED IN THE NEW BURMA ECONOMY
August 16, 1996
Heavy-handed politics carries a hard economic cost, businessmen
tell BJ Lee in Rangoon.
Despite the assertions of Asean officials at their recent meeting
in Jakarta that politics and economics are separate issues, many
businesspeople in Burma say the two are linked.
"Human rights abuses are bad for the economy," says a businessman
from a Southeast Asian country who employs dozens of Burmese in
Rangoon. "people won't work properly if they are scared. They'll
work hard if they believe their life is going to get better."
While military-led Indonesia has independent television stations,
and Thailand, the Philippines, and even Cambodia a lively press,
the Burmese government still strictly controls the voice of
Burmese people. The result, say analysts in Rangoon, is a stiff
economy lagging behind its dynamic competitors in Asia.
"Unlike most countries in the region, there is no forum in
Myanmar for our complaints," says a Burmese entrepreneur. "If
something is wrong in the economy, we have no way of telling the
government. We're afraid of being called 'destructionists'. So,
even if they want to fix it, the government leaders have no way
of knowing what's wrong."
"If they want a capitalist, market economy, they need to
encourage people to think creatively and act boldly," he adds.
"But people won't do that if they see academics and intellectuals
in prison."
While returning refugees are sparking the economies of Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia, most of Burma's most educated exiles remain
outside the country. Many are blacklisted, and they say they fear
they won't be allowed to leave Burma again if they return.
Several business sources said the stormy investment climate is
keeping Burma at least five or 10 years away from becoming the
next Asian tiger.
According to an old adage of Western businessmen, money is a
coward. A few Western breweries, soft-drinks makers and textile
manufactures have pulled out of Burma this year. Local investors
say they are also cautious. The opening of a stock market remains
at least three years away, say officials involved in a project
with Japan's Daiwa corporation.
Observers say the government needs legitimacy to get big
international loans for infrastructure projects to pave the way
for an economic boom, but won't get legitimacy as long as human
rights abuses continue.
Human rights activists and investors also question the quality of
roads and railways built with dubious labour practices. Critics
charge the government with enslaving villagers and prisoners in
the south to clear the way for pipeline and transportation
projects. The government has said the labour is part of national
volunteer service to help develop the country. Most employees in
Burma earn less than US$10 (Bt250) a month.
Many businessmen say privately that they themselves have to be
careful inside Burma. "You can talk about business, don't talk
about politics," advises a Singporean businessman.
The death of James Leander Nichols in prison sent shockwaves not
only through diplomatic circles, but through the business
community as well. According to diplomats in Rangoon, Nichols, a
former consul for Denmark and other European countries, was a
"respected member of the business community." Others claim he had
connections with senior Slorc generals as well as the democracy
movement.
Regardless of the government's political motives in sentencing
him to prison, or the business dealings of Nichols, his
conviction for violating laws concerning phone lines and fax
machines caught the attention of businessmen who rely on
telecommunications but are also unsure of local laws. "Even
people in the government aren't daring enough," says an Asean
businessman working with generals on infrastructure projects.
"They are still testing, still thinking about whether to open or
close the door. They are obsessed with control, and they are
afraid of cutting their own throats."
The source, however, noted that the human rights situation in
Burma was different from China where he also does business.
"If Aung San Suu Kyi was in China, they would throw her in prison
and nobody would hear from her for about 40 years. In Myanmar,
the government has to tolerate her. Maybe they would like to shut
her up but they can't because of their respect for her father."
He also explained about the differences between Burma and China
in the global business community. "They world has to trade with
China, because it fears China as a superpower and wants to
contain it and avoid another Cold War like with the Soviet Union.
The Chinese market is also too big to ignore. It's not this way
with Burma. If business is too risky here, the world will go
somewhere else." (TN)
*****************************************************
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: RAILROADS BUILT WITH DEFENSE
SERVICES PERSONNEL LABOR (abridged)
August 8, 1996
[BurmaNet Editor's Note: All the railroads mentioned below are
actually being built with forced labor. Because so many documented
reports of forced labor have come out on Burma, the SLORC now does
publicity stunts by sending SLORC soldiers (tatmadawmen) to do photo
ops on railroad and road construction projects. The soldiers are brought
in and work or pretend to be working for 10-20 minutes while they are
being filmed for Myanmar television. Once the cameras are turned off,
the tools are turned over to the villagers who are ordered to get back to
work.]
Documentation of and honouring the Bago [Pegu] Yoma Ring Railroad
Construction Project implemented solely by the Tatmadawmen
[Defense Services personnel] was discussed at the office of the Commander
-in-Chief, Army, at 1330 today and Secretary-2 of the State Law
and Order Restoration Council, Chief of Bureau of Special
Operations, and Chief of Staff, Army, Lt-Gen Tin U delivered
an address.
He said the Tatmadaw being a patriotic one is concentrating on community
welfare work. The Bago Yoma Ring Railroad, he said, is being built solely
by the Tatmadawmen. Speaking next, Minister for Rail Transportation
U Win Sein said new railroads stretching 448 miles have been built
during the time of the State Law and Order Restoration Council. He
declared that there are no railroads that have been built without the
Tatmadawmen's labour, adding, local people also extended their
assistance in the projects.
In addition to the Bago Yoma Ring Railroad, Tatmadawmen
under Military Commands and LIDs are building Mongpyin-Keng
Tung road; Dawei [Tavoy]-Myeik [Mergui] road, Myeik-
Taninthayi-Bokpyin- Kawthaung road and Ye-Dawei railroad,
Ye-Paukpingwin and Kaleinaung- Paukpingwin sections of the
railroads as well as NyaungU-Myingyan railroad.
***********************************************************
INDEPENDENT LETTER FROM RANGOON: LETTER TO POST BAG
(Post Bag is the Letters to the Editor Section in the Bangkok Post)
August 16, 1996
Dear Post Bag:
I was astonished by the level of ignorance displayed by Ithiphon
Khemmarat in his recent letter criticizing Bangkok Post's editorials on
Burma. His assertion that this newspaper is "quite unpopular over there"
is ludicrous, given the fact that it is unavailable over here except to
those entitled to very "special benefits" indeed. It is not even for
sale in the hotels which cater almost exclusively to foreigners. Either
your reader went around asking people if they read the Post and took
their negative response to indicate that they didn't because they didn't
agree with its "biased attitude", or he canvassed only his Burmese
friends who, if they are entitled to receive it, are recipients of the
"special benefits" that only the very privileged few enjoy. Anyone who
reads the government-controlled Burmese newspapers is very familiar with
how unpopular "totally negative" attitudes, such as those expressed by
the Bangkok Post, are among the governing elite.
Most Burmese do indeed want a chance to enjoy the things that any decent
human being wants. I have lived here for several years, have talked to
many hundreds of "locals" around the country, and would like to add that
the Burmese people also want to live in a country where they can be
confident that justice is upheld and individual rights respected, where
people are safe from the cruel and arbitrary actions of a government that
is accountable only to itself.
Your reader's assertion that corruption is the same everywhere, whether
the government is elected democratically or not, reveals a very narrow
world view. The problem of "special benefits going to the nearest people
to any government" is much reduced in countries where strict laws on
corruption, bribery, nepotism, and conflict-of-interest are passed and
upheld, where a free and vigorous press can expose corruption and
violations of such law, where government is accountable to the people and
its powers are checked by an independent judiciary and elected
legislature.
The people of Burma can only dream of living in such a country, and of
opening a newspaper to find an editorial that disagrees with the
government's policies or actions. If the Bangkok Post were freely
available alongside the government-controlled newspapers in Burma, there
is no question which would be more "popular".
I wish that your reader's kind thoughts for his "friends'" health and
prosperity would be extended to the millions of Burmese who are suffering
under the present regime. I also hope that, on his next trip to Burma,
your reader is willing to open his eyes a bit further.
A foreign resident of Rangoon
*************************************************************
BKK POST: LETTER - MONEY TALKS
August 17, 1996
US Secretary of State Warren Christopher told Sen Mitch McConnell
that Burma was discussed exclusively for one whole hour during
the dinner for ASEAN foreign ministers and their dialogue partners.
Christopher expected some support from the Thai and Philippine
foreign ministers. The big surprise was several other ASEAN
foreign ministers also criticised SLORC's refusal to engage in
dialogue with the Burmese democracy movement.
It is obvious that SLORC suffered a major diplomatic setback at
the ASEAN meeting in Indonesia. While ASEAN pretended that Burma
was not an issue as a courtesy to the Suharto government, the
hard reality was that Burma was indeed the major issue at the
ASEAN meeting.
There is a saying "money talks" During the past month the Burmese
currency declined to 170 kyat/US dollar in Burma and 200 kyat/US
dollar in New York. The higher New York rate indicates that
someone in Burma was willing to pay a premium to get their money
out of Burma fast.
Some speculated that Gen Ne Win died. Others suggest an imminent
military showdown between the Gen Muang Aye and Lt Gen Khin Nyunt
factions since SLORC chairman Gen Than Shwe had suffered a stroke
and was in poor condition.
The Burmese currency has since stabilised at 162 ky /US dollar in
both Burma and New York. But the decline from 120 ky /US dollar
in the past few months is the best indicator of a lack of
confidence in the Burmese economy. I have never seen a country
achieve sustainable economic development when its currency is in
free fall.
The official exchange rate is 6 kyat/US dollar. At the present
rate of 162 kyat /US dollar we have seen the functional
devaluation of the Burmese kyat. Devaluation of the Burmese
currency has in the past precipitated political uprisings in Burma.
The black market rate of the Burmese kyat is a better indicator
of the Burmese economy, and SLORC's future, than the construction
of new hotels (they could be soon empty and bankrupt) or a few
people getting rich in Burma (they could leave Burma on short
notice with their money).
Myint Thein
Dallas, Texas
*****************************************************************
THE NATION: KARENS SEE HOPE FOR PEACE
August 16, 1996 (abridged)
After four decades of fighting, the largest of Burma's ethnic
insurgencies is taking peace with Rangoon. And to the surprise of
the Karens, the government appears sincere this time, Aung Zaw writes.
Padoe Mahn Sha left his hometown in the Irrawaddy delta in 1960s
and never returned. But last month Padoe Mahn Sha, who is a joint
secretary of the Karen National Union, was in Rangoon for talks
that may one day pave the way for his return to his homeland.
"We have to solve our political problems in our country by
political means," the soft-spoken Karen leader said. "Then I
believe we will achieve genuine and lasting peace in Burma."
The KNU is the only remaining ethnic insurgent group yet to reach
a ceasefire agreement with the ruling junta but talks are being held.
Last month, the guerrillas group sent its third delegation, led
by Gen Tamalabaw, to Rangoon. Padoe Mahn Sha was deputy chief of
the mission. The trip was his second to the capital where he met
Burma's most power generals including Lt Gen Khin Nyunt,
secretary one of the State Law and Order Restoration Council.
In February, he had led another peace mission to Rangoon.
In July, the Karens held talks with senior Slorc officers in Moulmein in
Mon State. The government side, led by Col Kyaw Win, later brought
Karen leaders to Rangoon for the meeting with Lt Gen Khin Nyunt.
The agenda for the peace talks was laid down in December when a
KNU team arrived in Rangoon. The team met Slorc officials and
laid out an agenda for the first KNU-Slorc meeting since the
failed 1963 peace talks.
In February the KNU's official ceasefire negotiations team left for Burma.
There, the Karen delegation proposed a 12 points paper to the junta.
As expected the Slorc rejected five of the items. They were: to
declare a nation-wide ceasefire; to allow villagers who were
forced to relocate their villages to return to their homes and
allow NGOs to resettle them, to allow the UN to supervise KNU and
Slorc troops when the ceasefire is in effect, and to discuss
issues such as politics, the civil war and national peace and
reconciliation within 30 days after reaching a ceasefire agreement. After
the five points were rejected, both sides postponed their meeting.
The last meeting was held from June 29 to July 2 in Moulmein.
The KNU officials participated in the last and third round talks admitted
that talks were cordial and open but they found little room for compromise.
"We have two main problems," explained 53-year-old Padoe Mahn
Sha. "One is a demand from Slorc" that the KNU abandon the armed
struggle and return to the "legal fold".
Hardly surprising, that demand hit a raw nerve of the KNU. "I
don't like it - I don't think it is necessary".
"Surrender and legal fold"? Padoe Mahn Sha disagrees with the
terms Slorc has been using.
The second issue is the junta's refusal to discuss basic political issues
after reaching a ceasefire.
The junta's position is it is not a government nor a political party
therefore political discussion is not needed. "It is not a time to discuss
politics," a senior Slorc army officer said during the talks.
A Burmese dissident close to the KNU said Slorc is not being sincere.
They said they are not a government but they are acting like a
real government. Slorc has been expanding its cabinet, he said.
The Slorc cabinet currently has over 35 ministers.
There are no personal conflicts involved in current political problems in
Burma but Padoe Mahn Sha pointed out the Slorc itself declared its political,
economic and social objectives.
"Our country can be benefit from the political discussion," he stressed. Padoe
Mahn Sha urged Slorc to take a path which can lead to solutions.
"When they talk to ethnic groups, they always refuse to discuss
political issues," charged a senior Karenni official.
Whatever the case, both sides are not going back to war in the
near future. They believe talking is better than shooting.
During the talks, Slorc's sharp, polite and soft-spoken negotiator Col Kyaw
Win took the KNU's proposals and suggestions seriously.
Col Kyaw Win is currently deputy director general of Military
Intelligence. "He is," says Padoe Mahn Sha, "more like a politician."
"They sat down and chatted - no one got angry or upset though
they raised some serious issues," said one well-placed source.
At the last meeting both sides focused on unresolved previous
issues. But the main sticking points were the declaration of a
nationwide ceasefire and political settlement, Padoe Mahn Sha
said. But the Slorc could not agree.
If the junta was seriously taking the initiative in striving for
peace, Padoe Mahn Sha's delegation urged the Slorc delegation to
consider what could be done to achieve nationwide peace and
political settlement.
An analyst based in the border town of Mae Sot said. "The Slorc
persuaded them to do business and permit them to control some
territory but ignored (attempts) to discuss existing problems,
that could cause more troubles and conflicts in the future."
He also said that some ethnic groups are complaining because Slorc has
broken promises. But he gave credit to the junta for initiating peace talks.
"This is very important, ethnic groups are happy to sit down and
talks." But he said to achieve lasting peace, political settlement and
national reconciliation, then all parties in Burma must work together.
Slorc, he said, is still practicing the-divide-and-rule method as the
government still prefers to talk to each group separately.
But there is no doubt that Rangoon is eager to reach a deal with
KNU. Before joining Asean, Rangoon leaders want to declare that
they have signed ceasefire agreements with all ethnic groups.
It is said that the junta wanted Gen Bo Mya, president of the KNU
to come to Rangoon. But Gen Bo Mya isn't in a hurry. All senior Karen
leaders including Gen Bo Mya are observing the current situation carefully
said a source in Mae Sot.
And there are numerous thorns on the way to peace. Since Slorc opened its
talks with the KNU, there has been no halt to the alleged rights abuses
carried out by Burmese troops in Karen state.
In Nyaunglebin, Thaton, Thaungoo and Papun divisions there are many
cases of forced labour, forced relocation, arbitrary arrests and extortion.
Whenever these incidents occurred, the KNU informed its Slorc
counterparts. "It shouldn't happen while we are talking to
achieve peace," says Padoe Mahn Sha.
Some informed sources in Mae Sot said the Slorc troops have been
positioned in Thaungoo and Papun areas. If Karens drag their feet, they
(Slorc) might attack them, one dissident in Mae Sot said. Nevertheless,
Padoe Mahn Sha is confident that there will not be any major operations.
Initially, some unconfirmed reports indicated that some factions
within the KNU wanted to sign ceasefire agreement with Slorc as
immediately as possible. But inside the KNU there are no
difference of opinions the Karen leader insisted.
The senior KNU official revealed that the last meeting also
included the issue of Karenni rebels. Padoe Mahn Sha expressed his
concern that some of the ceasefire groups may resume fighting. "It will be
difficult if one group stops fighting and started to talk and another group
resumes fighting," he said.
But Padoe Mahn Sha isn't quite sure when he can return to his
home in the Irrawaddy delta. Indeed, when the time has come, he
would like to go back there, not as a rebel who has surrendered
but as a hero who strove for genuine and peace in Burma. (TN)
***********************************************************
MYANMAR ALIN: FOREIGN-DEPENDENT SKINNY PERSON
August 8, 1996 (translated from Burmese) (excerpts)
A stick falling on a wound can cause an excruciating pain. Why is
this said? Because the solo actress with the two clowns attending on
her left and right side [referring to U Tin U and U Kyi Maung] of the
Flat Earth Society Dance Troupe [derogratory reference to the
National League for Democracy], who are held in disgust
by the entire country, suffer bitterly when they are being
called foreign-dependent axe handles; they put on an act
gritting their teeth with tears welling in their eyes.
These democratic leaders resort to this Academy Award
winning act when they are described in such terms.
They are not now relying only on the foreign elements, though they
did so during the 1988 events. The royal mother of the West [derogatory
reference to Aung San Suu Kyi] relied heavily upon external assistance.
She is fully aware of her situation in the country as time goes on -- her
continued and unimpeded fall into the gutter. She is fully aware, but she
cannot stop herself. The aged persons near her have accelerated
her fall further. Her foreign patrons do not appear to be aware of the
plight of their democracy puppet. They readily confer
titles, awards, and medals on her in order to help her save
her political prestige, which has fallen beyond repair inside the country.
The royal mother uses her feminine wiles in approaching the United
Nations and the European Union to isolate the country. She raised her
objections directly to the ASEAN. She writes letters to the Prime Ministers
and foreign ministers of neighboring and regional countries.
There were also embarassing incidents for the royal mother of the West.
For instance, she wrote a letter dated 14 February 1996 for distribution in
the UNDP [United Nations Deveopment Program] Executive Board.
However, Mr. James Gustave informed her he could not distribute her
letter, citing advice from the UN legal advisor. The UN legal advisor said
that only UN member nations can distribute letters among the UN agencies.
The royal mother of the West acted smart in writing a letter to the UNDP
complaining that the poorest class is not benefiting from its HDI [Human
Development Indicator] projects. Siba Kumar Das of the UNDP replied
saying: "The UNDP investigated a claim that only wealthy farmers received
chemical fertilizers distributed in the hot zone, but investigation of the
distribution system did not find any evidence to substantiate the claim."
The royal mother of the West will go home nicely if she views the truth
objectively. If not, she will be driven out with banging of metal cans.
***********************************************************
FTUB(WB): NEWS ON BURMESE REFUGEES IN MIZORAM STATE OF INDIA
August 14, 1996
There are many Burmese nationals taking refuge in India since
1988(#1) . Manipur and Mizoram States are where all Burmese people
entered India. Since 1990, students started moving to Delhi to seek
UNHCR recognition. So far 300 plus are holding UNHCR
certificates. About 30 are still under consideration. Some recognized
refugees went back to the border areas after receiving the lump-sum
grant from UNHCR from Delhi.
In Mizoram, apart from the immigrant workers(#2) , there are three
categories of Burmese: (1) UNHCR certificate holders(#3) , (2) those
who do not seek UNHCR protection and assistance(#4) and (3) those
who have under-ground activities. For the Chin ethnic people from
Burma, Mizoram has been alternative soil to reside for decades.
Mizos, the people of Mizoram, like other tribal people from the
North-East States of India are reluctant to cope with the people of
different blood. Non-Mizo sentiment is embedded in their mind.
Recently, the situation in Mizoram became tense.
Misunderstanding between an anti-SLORC(#5) armed group(#6) and
the host government provoked the problem. Not long ago, a
couple of clashes took place near the border. Since then local
government was pressured by local political parties and
associations like YMA(#7) . About 100 people, both Burmese and
Chins were detained or interrogated currently in Aizawl. The
police warned them to leave Mizoram before 13th August 1996
otherwise would be pushed back to Burma.
Accordingly, by 8/12/96, all members of the NLD/LA(#8) and
ABSDF(#9) had left Aizawl. A few students(#10) and Dr. Zahleithang,
an elected MP(#11) from Chin State remained there. Dr.
Zahleithang tried to appeal the government of Mizoram by
meeting the Ministers and local authorities. Those who are
residing in Delhi also make an effort to raise the issue to the
notice of the Central government and human-rights organizations(#12).
On 13-8-96 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Zahleithang was taken into
custody by CID, Mizoram police while he was in his residence
at Zoin street, Israel point, Barabazar, Aizawl. He and his
family are holding the UNHCR certificate, BU-85. His wife is
left there. Their two sons are studying out of Aizawl.
Tint Swe
Member of Parliament (Burma)
Tel/Fax: +91 11 550-6715
E-Mail c/o FTUB (WB) <aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Notes
-----
#1. When the present regime seized the power after killing thousand of
pro-democracy demonstrators.
#2. 80% of all hand-loom workers in Mizoram are from Burma.
#3. Students apart from ABSDF and some members of the NLD/LA.
#4. Mostly from the ABSDF.
#5. State Law and Order Restoration Council, the military junta of Burma.
#6. CNA, Chin National Army
#7. Young Mizo Association.
#8. National League for Democracy/ Liberated Area. Some of them are
holding UNHCR certificates.
#9. All Burma Students Democratic Front.
#10 From the ABSL group.
#11 There are five Burmese MPs seek asylum in India.
#12 Dr. Tint Swe wrote letters to Home and External Affairs Ministers.
And put up the issue to Amnesty International, Human-rights Watch, and
the UNHCR.
***************************************************
ACTION CALL: BY NLD, ABSL, CSU, CNC
August 14, 1996
Dear Colleagues,
We have been informed by our friends in Mizoram that the
authorities in Mizoram State government have announced that
Burmese refugees must leave Mizoram before August 13 1996.
The arrest of Dr. Zahleithang, CNLD(MP) on the night of
August 13 made this information confirmed.
According to our knowledge, most of the Burmese who have
taken refuge in Mizoram are either political refugees or
economically displaced persons who were forced to flee the
neighboring countries because of repressive and dictatorial
regime of Burma(SLORC). If these Burmese refugees are sent
back, they would definitely be subjected to arrest and
torture in the hands of the military authorities.
We, therefore, urge you to send appeal letter to the
Government of India through the Embassy of India in your
country and human rights Organisations so as to save the
lives of our fellow country men from being sent back to Burma.
Sincerly yours,
Sd/-
NLD(National League for Democracy, Liberated Area)
ABSL(All Burma Students League)
CNC(Chin National Council)
CSU(Chin Students Union)
For more information, please contact :
ABSL
3, Krishna Menon Marg
New Delhi - 110011, India.
Ph : 3017172 , 3016035 Fx : 3793379
Email : shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
=======================================================
What you can do?
=======================================================
Please write letters expressing concern over arrest,
torture and threat of deportation of refugees to Myannmar.
A) Request Indian authorities:
--------------------------------
- to stop the Mizoram police and CID in
harassing, torturing and threating
deportation of refugess in to Myannmar.
- to release all innocent Chin and other
refugees from police cutody and detention.
- to give protection and succour to all refugees.
b) Request UNHCR, Geneva.
---------------------------
- to take up the issue with Government of India.
- to protect and give succor to Burmese refugees in India.
Mr.Dennis Mcnamara - 00-41-22-739 7377
Director, Protection Division
UNHCR, Geneva, Switzerland.
To whom you should send the appeals:
------------------------------------
Fax Numbers
1) Sh.H.D.Dewe Gowda - 301 4773
Prime Minister of India
7, Race Course Road, New Delhi.
2) Mr.I.K.Gujral - 301 1463
Min.of External Affairs
G-13, Maharani Bagh, New Delhi.
3) Mr.Inderjit Gupta - 301 5750
Home Minister
North Block, New Delhi.
4) Chief Minister of Mizoram - 91-(0)-389-22245
Aizawl -796 001, Mizoram
======================================================
Sample Letter of Appeal
======================================================
We express our deep concern over the arrest, torture
and threat of deportation by Mizoram police and CID of
Chin and other refugees from Burma who have taken
shelter in Mizoram, India because repression let loose
by SLORC on Chins and those who supports pro democracy movement.
The reign of terror let loose by the Mizoram police is
going to affect an estimated 40,000 Chin refugees and
others in Mizoram state, India. Deporting refugees
back into Myanmar would be like sending them to
gallows. They would be arrested, jailed tortured and
probably done away with. Hence we request you:
- to ask the Mizoram government to stop harassing,
arresting, torturing and threatening deportation
of Chin and other refugees from Burma.
- to ask the Mizoram government to release all
innocent people who have been arrested so far.
- to compensate all those who were tortured.
(( Please do not repeat the same letter. This is only a sample ! ))
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IHT: LETTER TO THE EDITOR - PRISONERS IN BURMA
by Cesar Chelala, New York
August 10, 1996
from cd@xxxxxxxxxx
The recent death, reportedly under torture, of James Leander Nichols -
who served as honorary consul for several Scandinavian countries - is
just the latest of the Burmese military junta's challenges to supporters
of democracy and human rights.
Among those still under arrest is Ma Thida, a 29-year-old physician,
writer and political activist who was a campaign assistant to Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi. In October 1993, Ma Thida was sentenced to 20 years'
imprisonment for " endangering public tranquility, having contact with
unlawful organizations and disturbing unlawful literature. "
It is possible that Ma Thida was punished for being among several
physicians who treated civilians duing th pro-democracy demonstrations of
1988.
She is being kept at Insein Prison in Rangoon under conditions that
Amnesty International says amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading
treatment.
Burma's jails are inaccessible not only to human rights and humanitarian
organizations, but, in many cases, to the families of the detainees as
well. Since late 1989, more than 500,000 people have been forcibly moved
from their homes to resettlement towns by the military. In adddition,
forced relocation and persecutions are responsible for the exodus of
hundreds of thousands of people to nearby countries.
Following the latest wave of abuses by the military, several
international companies are pulling out of Burma, indicating a more
definite change in the international community's attitude toward the
military junta. I that resolve is maintained, it could signal that the
time of the Burmese generals is over.
TO SEND A LETTER TO THE INTL HERALD TRIBUNE:
Walter Wells, News Editor
Jonathan Gage, Finance Editor
IHT
181, ave Charls e Gaulle
92521 Neuilly sur Seine, France
tel 33 1 41 43 93 00 fax 33 1 41 43 92 10
E mail : iht@xxxxxxx
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