The BurmaNet News February 9, 1997

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: February 9, 1997
Issue #633

HEADLINES:
==========
REUTER: DEPORTED SOUTH KOREAN MP LASHES OUT AT BURMA 
NEWS RELEASE:LETTER-MASS. CONGRESSMEN TO P.M. HASHIMOTO
NATION: PATROL SUFFERS MINE BLAST
BBC: KAREN, KARENNI REBELS SAY GOV'T USING LAND MINES 
NATION: CHETTHA FIRM ON BID TO MOVE KAREN
ABSDF REPORT: FORCED LABOR CONTINUES IN CHIN STATE
NATION: KHUN SA EMPIRE THRIVES DESPITE PARTIAL PARALYSIS
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR:DRUG SUSPECTS GET DEATH SENTENCE
KYODO: JAPAN- BURMESE APPLY FOR REFUGEE STATUS  
BKK POST: NEW BOOM IN LOG TRADE EXPECTED
MOSCOW TRUD:RUSSIA-BURMA AGREEMENT SIGNED ON DRUGS  
SANKEI SHINBUN: REPORT OF THE THIRD VISIT TO MYANMAR 
LETTER REQUEST: WRITE GOVERNOR WELD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 


REUTER: DEPORTED SOUTH KOREAN MP LASHES OUT AT BURMA 
February 7, 1997

BANGKOK - A South Korean politician who was deported from Burma for what
Rangoon said was his previous interference in the country's internal affairs
lashed out at Burma's military on Friday. 

Kim San-woo, an opposition member of South Korea's National Assembly, 
told a news conference he was manhandled and forced back on a plane just 
an hour after landing in Rangoon for a one-day visit. 

``I was absolutely appalled at the treatement I had received. They 
physically forced me out, and manhandled me,'' Kim told reporters a day 
after returning from Rangoon. ``They say I am a troublemaker, but why 
issue a visa to a troublemaker?'' 

He said immigration officials pulled him away when he went to get his 
passport stamped. They then asked him to leave the country and when he 
protested and asked to see representatives of his embassy they forcibly 
put him on the plane to Bangkok. 

Kim, who as member of his government's Foreign Affairs Committee travels 
under a diplomatic passport, said he would call on his government to 
make an official investigation of the matter after returning to Seoul. 

A statement issued by Burma's military government said Kim was refused 
entry into Burma on February 6, and sent out of the country. 

``Dr Kim Sang Woo is a member of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the 
Asia Pacific Region and has visited Myanmar (Burma) during June of 
1996,'' the statement said. 

``During his first visit Dr Kim Sang Woo blatantly interfered in the 
internal affairs of Myanmar and also collaborated against the country 
with the anti-government elements residing abroad,'' it said. 

Kim said he had visited Burma twice before, and met with democracy 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, diplomats and representatives of 
non-governmental organisations. 

The Burmese government statement said Kim had submitted a proposal last 
November to the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Pacific Region 
Conference dissuading members of the Association of Southeast Asian 
Nations (ASEAN) from having ``constructive engagement'' with Burma. 

The seven-nation ASEAN follows a policy of non-interference in the 
internal affairs of other countries. Burma is seeking to enter the 
grouping soon, but several Western nations and human rights 
organisations have urged ASEAN not to allow Burma to become a member 
until it improves its human rights situation. 

Kim said he did not submit the proposal, but said the conference of 
leading democrats adopted a declaration urging an arms and economic 
embargo on Burma. It also urged the international business community to 
freeze investments until a new government was in place in Rangoon. 

Kim said he went to Burma to try and understand the current political 
situation, following unrest in December and increased pressure on the 
democracy movement and Suu Kyi. 

``To act like this ...was very stupid,'' he said. ``I wonder if they're 
that insecure to not allow me to stay one day. By their action this 
could be most detrimental to their efforts.'' 

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

NEWS RELEASE: LETTER FROM MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSMEN TO P.M. HASHIMOTO
February 6, 1997

News Release from Barney Frank
Congressman, 4th District, Massachusetts

Washington Office 2210 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C 20515
(202) 225-5931

February 6, 1997

For Immediate Release

Unanimous House Delegation Supports Massachusetts Against Japanese Complaint

Reacting to the Japanese government's recent criticism of a Massachusetts
law denying state contracts to those companies doing business in Myanmar
(Burma), Congressman Barney Frank today released a letter, signed by all the
members of the Massachusetts delegation, to Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto urging the Japanese government to end its opposition tot he law
and abandon any attempt to challenge it in the World Trade Organization.
"If the Japanese government chooses to place dollars ahead of human rights,
it has that sovereign right," Frank writes, "but Japan should not attempt to
intimidate Massachusetts into changing the standards it has established for
doing business with the state government."  Frank said that if more states
were willing to place as high a value on democracy and human rights as
Massachusetts, undemocratic regimes-- such as the military government in
Myanmar-- would quickly disappear.

The U.S. Department of State Annual Human Rights Report describes the
military government in Myanmar, known as the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC), as responsible for, "severe repression of human
rights,"raping female members of ethnic minorities, and subjecting civilians
into
forced labor.

A copy of the letter is attached.

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
February 3, 1997

His Excellency 
Ryutaro Hashimoto
Prime Minister of Japan
Tokyo, Japan

Dear Prime Minister Hashimoto,

As members of the U.S. Congress from the State of Massachusetts, we are
extremely disappointed by the Japanese government's recent comments
regarding the States's new law which denies state contracts to companies
doing business in Myanmar--a country that flagrantly continues to violate
the most basic human rights of its citizens.

We are wholly supportive of fostering good relations between Japan and the
United States, and we believe a strong relationship is critical to the
futures of both nations.  However, we do not believe it is appropriate for
the government of Japan to involve itself in the internal affairs of
Massachusetts.  If the Japanese government chooses to place dollars ahead of
human rights, it has that sovereign right, but Japan should not attempt to
intimidate Massachusetts into changing the standards it has established for
doing business with the state government.  Therefore, we strongly urge the
government of Japan to end its opposition to this law and drop any challenge
of it in the World Trade Organization.

We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.

(Signed)
Congressman Barney Frank
Congressman John Joseph Moakley
Congressman Richard Neal
Congressman Edward Markey
Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy, II
Congressman John Olver
Congressman Martin Meehan
Congressman James P. McGovern
Congressman William Delahunt
Congressman John Tierney

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

NATION: PATROL SUFFERS MINE BLAST
February 8, 1997
AP

Thai border police investigating a reported incursion from Burma triggered a
land mine explosion yesterday that severely wounded one officer and slightly
hurt another.

Tensions along the border have been high since pro-government ethnic Karen
guerrillas from Burma crossed into Thailand last week and burned camps
housing refugees loyal to a rival group.

Repeated incursions have since been reported along the Moei river separating
the two countries and thousands of refugees are afraid to return to their
camps for fear of attack.

It was reported that the border patrol was investigating a reported
incursion near the northeastern town of Tha Song Yang when the mine exploded.

The border attacks have been blamed on the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, a
faction cultivated by Burma's military government to fight the Karen
National Union (KNU),to which most refugees are loyal.

The KNU recently celebrated the 48th anniversary of an armed revolt to wrest
more autonomy for the ethnic Karen from the central government in Rangoon.

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

BBC: KAREN, KARENNI REBELS SAY GOVERNMENT FORCES USING LAND MINES. 
February 4, 1997
Democratic Voice of Burma  dvb@xxxxx

Karen and Karenni sources say that SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration
Council] forces are currently using more land mines. A Karenni commander
said SLORC soldiers from No 54, No 102, No 428, and No 429 LIR's [Light
Infantry Regiment] and No 530 and No 531 IR's [Infantry Regiment] had laid
many land mines near the vicinity of the Lawpita hydroelectric power
generation plant in Loikaw in Kayah State, and near the environs of the
Hsadaw, Demawso, Bawlake and Mawchi mines.
The KNU [Karen National Union] also said that SLORC forces have planted many
land mines in Papun, Thandaung and Bilin townships in Karen State. Some
local villagers and their livestock who stepped on the mines were killed or
maimed because these anti-personnel land mines were planted along the
pathways, jetties and village approaches...

 BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts. 

**********************************************
	
NATION: CHETTHA FIRM ON BID TO MOVE KAREN
February 8, 1997

ARMY Commander in Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro yesterday reiterated that his
proposal to move thousands of Burmese refugees to safer areas will, if
implemented , do more good than harm.

Gen Chettha said Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, as chief of the
National Security Council (NSC), will have a final say on whether to move
the Karen refugees to a new place safe from cross-border attacks by
unidentified armed gourps.

"(By moving the camps to safer areas) the world community will see that we
recognise our moral obligation to help the Karen. In addition the action
will clearly show our position toward the displaced foreigners," Gen Chettha
said.

"I believe the plan will do more good than harm, " he added.

Chettha proposed the move after three refugee camps in Tak's Mae Sot
province were attacked and torched early this month.

The aggressors were reportedly members of the pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army (DKBA). Six people, including one Thai, were killed and many
were injured.

"Gen Chavalit himself proposed the same idea when he served as deputy
premier and defence minister in the Banharn government. He was unable to
carry it out, probably because of monetary problems," Chettha said.

"The NSC recently agreed to the plan in principle, but they're still worried
about budget considerations. if the plan comes to fruition, I believe it
will have to be on as tight a budget as possible," Chettha said.

The restating of his wish to move the camps about 10 kilometres deeper into
Thailand follows Interior Minister Snoh Thienthong's disagreement with the plan.

Chettha said it was the Interior Ministry and the Department of Forestry's
duty to select the new location for the camp. The Army knew of a suitable
location but needed endorsement from the proper authorities.

He guaranteed that the Army will be able to protect the camps from any
aggressors if they were moved farther away from the border.

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

ABSDF REPORT: FORCED LABOR CONTINUES TO REIGN IN CHIN STATE
February 8, 1997
khtut@xxxxxxxxxxx

Since after taking over power in the bloody military coup in 1988 in Burma,
SLORC has been carrying out its infamous "national development programs"
which primarily include repairing bridges, building roads throughout the
country. The programs are basically aimed at beautification of the out-look
of the deteriorating conditions of the country. Through this cosmetic
changes, SLORC expects attractions of tourists coming to Burma.  However,
the programme is being implemented at the cost of local inhabitants. The
roads are being built and the bridges are being repaired with forced
laborers. The materials required for theconstructions were also forcibly
collected from the people of projected sites. In addition, people are fined
for being unable to contribute the labor. A person per household is ordered
compulsory for unpaid labor. Ironically this became official rule in Burma
under the SLORC regime.

On 28 December 1996, U Khin Latt, President of Tun Zan township in Chin
State of SLORC came under the order of Phalam-based SLORC regiment 268 and
Tetain-based regiment 269, the order being to build 100 miles long road
connecting Kale Town and Phalam Town. He then passed the order to the
villages viz, Hai Tuu, Tui Ton, Tan Twon, Phon Tong and Phai Tun
which happened to exist along the projected road to send a person per
household for the construction.

The people who are living in all the colonies of Tun Zan township are also
included in providing free-Labor for the same. Most of them are local ethnic
Chin nationalities. Under the dead-cold weather severed by freezing wind at
the mountainous site, unexperienced road builders are forced to carry rocks
and dig the ground. Besides, they have to work at their own expenses. Some
of them even do not have rice to eat. Therefore they survive with boiled
maize and work at the road construction site. The rocks are being collected
from the 3 hours away Manipur Streams. Each household is ordered to dig six
ditches of 10x10x1 foot big ditch. The construction is still going on till
date. The completion of the project is scheduled in April. Therefore, people
of that area are not even
allowed to go for harvesting their field. A group of 300 people with 6 group
works for the construction in rotation. Students in spite of being young
under 16 years old, three female and two male teachers of No.8, No.9 and No.
10 of Tun
Zan Township State High School are also ordered to provide free Labor for
the construction. The question remains unanswered in regard to whom the road
will benefit to. According to the local inhabitants of the projected
regions, the road
surely will benefit the army for the better communication which will help in
hunting down the dissidents who are operating in the area.

Information Unit
All Burma Students League

**************************************************************
		 
NATION: KHUN SA EMPIRE THRIVES DESPITE HIS PARTIAL PARALYSIS
February 8, 1997
Reuter

FORMER drug warlord Khun Sa, living in Burma under the supervision of its
military rulers, has been struck by partial paralysis, but his business
empire in Burma is thriving, an aide said yesterday.

The notorious former opium king of the Golden Triangle, which straddles the
borders of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, led his 20,000 strong Mong Thai Army
(MTA) and cultivated opium poppies until his surrender to Burmese troops in
January 1996.

"He is suffering from diabetes and his right hand is paralysed," said the
aide who was in Bangkok on visit from Burma.

Despite his sickness, the wealthy Khun Sa's vast commercial empire,
including transport and hotel businesses in Burma, continues to operate
smoothly, he added.

"The sickness will not have an impact on his businesses because all of them
are run by a well-organised holding firm might be one in which some senior
Burmese military figures may have interests.

Burma has refused a United States request to extradite Khun Sa on drug
trafficking charges. US authorities have offered a US$2 million (Bt 50
million ) reward for his capture.

The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) has said it will
deal with Khun Sa under its own anti-drug laws and that he is under close
government supervision. It has also declined to detail his whereabouts or
activities.

The aide confirmed that Khun Sa,   62, operates a transport service from
northern Mandalay and other northern areas to Rangoon, and ran hotel businesses.

"He has an 11 storey hotel under construction in Rangoon," he added,
reaffirming that Khun Sa lived in a luxury house near Inya Lake, the area
where many members of Burma's elite live.

Burma's military government has repeatedly denied that Khun Sa is doing
business in the country.

In his heyday, Khun Sa claimed that he was fighting for the independence of
his Shan state from the Burmese central government in Rangoon. But
international anti-drug agencies accused him of using the MTA to protect his
heroin business.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that about  70 per cent of
the world's heroin supply comes from the Golden Triangle. 

Since Khun Sa's exit form the Shan  area, the poppy growing and heroin trade
has been taken over more actively by another dissident guerrilla group, the
United State Army, and remnants of the MTA.

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

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: SLORC SENTENCES 20 SUSPECTS IN DRUG CASES TO DEATH 
January 30, 1997 (abridged)

Yangon [Rangoon], 29 Jan --The Tatmadaw [Defense Services], Myanmar Police
Force, andthe Customs Department have been carrying out prevention and
suppression of the menace of narcotic drugs as a national duty. In 1996,
altogether 5,540 persons -- 4,527 men and 1,013 women -- were seized in
3,771 cases and the seizures included 1,300.002 kilos of opium, 504.6033
kilos of heroin, 13.809 kilos of opium base, 263.786 kilos of marijuana,
1,789.8611 litres of Phensedyl, 5,081.55 gallons of acetic anhydride,
5,106.3873 gallons of other liquid chemicals, and 5,906,555 tablets of
stimulants.
Under the State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC], death sentence
was passed on 20 persons, an imprisonment of unlimited period on nine, an
imprisonment of 20 years and above on 28, life sentence on 48, an
imprisonment of ten years and above on 6,909 and an imprisonment of 10 years
and below on 25,783 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

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

KYODO: JAPAN- BURMESE APPLY FOR REFUGEE STATUS  
February 3, 1997

Tokyo, Feb. 3 Kyodo -- Thirty-six Myanmar [Burmese] nationals asked
immigration authorities Monday for refugee status in Japan, their lawyer
said.  The Myanmarese, who came to Japan after the country's junta crushed
the pro-democracy movement in 1988, told the Justice Ministry's Tokyo
immigration bureau that they will be persecuted if they return home. 
 Most of them have overstayed their visas, lawyer Shogo Watanabe said. 
 So far about 50 Mayanmar nationals have already applied for refugee status,
but immigration authorities haverejected the request. 
 Watanabe said the Myanmarese should be given refugee status, saying, "the
Japanese government has looked on the military regime in Manmar with
optimism but the junta used strong-arm tactics to suppress the pro-democracy
movement late last year." 

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

BKK POST: NEW BOOM IN LOG TRADE EXPECTED
February 8, 1997
Chewin Sattha

A new boom in log trading along the Thai-Burmese border in Mae Hong Son
province is likely as a Thai company has recently won a bid to import
Burmese logs.

Sources in the border log trading business said  yesterday Burma's State Law
and Order Restoration Council recently chose B&F Good rich Co to import more
than 25,000 tons of old logs, including teak, into Thailand through Ban Huay
Phueng village of Tambon Huay Pha in Muang district of Mae Hong Son.

The firm is an affiliate of Boonsawat & Associates Co owned by Boonsawat
Duangchai-ek, the elder brother of former Mae Hong Son councillor Uthai
Duangchai-ek.

B&F Goodrich defeated six other contenders in a bidding contest staged by
Slorc chairman Gen Than Shwe in Rangoon last June.

The other contenders were Thaisawat Import Export Co. Phol Phana Co, Sahai
Ruamrob Korea Co belonging to traders with close ties with senior Thai
politicians and military officers, Jewelry Luch Co of the Wa ethnic group, H
Group of former drug warlord Khun Sa, and Anglo Thai Marine Co of U Zaw, the
eldest brother of Burmese businesswoman Ma Khine Zaw who reportedly has
business deals with former deputy interior  minister Suchart Tancharoen.

B&F Goodrich is Licensed to import old logs seized by Slorc from Karen and
Shan troops in border areas opposite Mae Hong Son since their defeat by
Rangoon forces early last year.

The import will also seized from Ban Ho Mong, a former base of Khun Sa's
Mong Tai Army, which is about 60 kilometres from Ban Huay Phuentg villege in
Mae Hong Son.

Sources said Slorc decided to award the license to B&F Goodrich because the
company had always been straightforward in its dealings  with the Burmese junta.

Mr Boonsawat, managing director of Boonsawat & Associates Co, had twice
inspected the logs at Ho Mong since last August. 

The sources also said it was likely the Interior Ministry would consider
opening another border pass in Ban Huay Phueng in addition to the three
existing ones in Ban Sao Hin village in Mae Sariang district, in Mae Samlaeb
village in Sob Moei district, and in Ban Pratumuang in Khun Yuam district of
Mae Hong Son.

Sawmills in Mae Hong Son were preparing for the upcoming log import, the
sources said.

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

MOSCOW TRUD: RUSSIA- AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH BURMA ON COMBATTING DRUGS BUSINESS  
February 1, 1997 (translated from Russian)
Sergy Gorlenko

The so-called "golden triangle"in Southeast Asia is a major world center of
drugs production. The Russian Federal Security Service [FSB] will now
closely coordinate its efforts in the struggle against the drugs business
with one of the countries in that region-- the Union of Burma. During a
visit to Burma recently
Colonel General Valentin Sobolev, deputy director of the FSB, signed a
corresponding agreement with that country's special service. 
This is understandable, for the annual turnover ofdrugs in our country is
growing and now stands at approximately 200 tonnes. In recent years the
international drugs mafia has been trying to open up the as yet not fully
formed underground Russian market for this very dangerous poison. In three
ways at once: as a transit region, a sales market, and a raw materials base.
Almost every week staffers of the FSB special subdepartment for combating
this type of crime put a stop to operations on the international and federal
levels in cooperation with MVD [Ministry of Internal Affairs] organs and
expose secret dens and underground laboratories. 

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

SANKEI SHINBUN: REPORT OF THE THIRD VISIT TO MYANMAR 
January 6, 1997

(The following is from an article in the ewspaper, Sankei Shimbum, published
in Japan on 6-1-97)

Unofficial english translation

REPORT OF THE THIRD VISIT TO MYANMAR

by  Shingo Nishimura
Member, House of Representatives.

Now, Myanmar is going to joint ASEAN soon, but press and other news are
reporting the unstable political situation of the country by student
demonstrations.  So I had been longing to visit there to see the actual
situation of Myanmar. Fortunately, I could receive a reply from Secretary-1
General Khin Nyint that he would meet me. I visited Myanmar from 8th to 15
December.

I am afraid that reports about the situation of Myanmar by mass-media of
western countries including our country are very one-sided favoring to Mrs.
Suu Kyi. As long as we listen only her assertions, we never be able to
understand the real situation of Myanmar.

Since Myanmar shifted to the market economy, it's economy continues to
developing. We should see Myanmar, based on this fact.

Although it is a military government or dictatorship by a single party,
Myanmar is far free and open than North Korea or China. In Myanmar,
everybody can listen CNN, BBC and other broadcastings freely.  But our
country blame only Myanmar because of the infringement of human rights and
still maintaining the suspension of aid.

On the other hand, we never blamed North Korea or China on this matter. Even
they repeatedly carry on their nuclear tests, we keep giving aid to them. I
must say that this is because our diplomatic policy fell into so-called
double-standard.

As an object of my regional study, I choose Myanmar and wish to re-build the
new relations between our country and Asian countries for our national interest.

The attached sheets are the outline of the report of my 3rd visit to Myanmar.

Especially at the meeting with the Secretary-1 Gen.Khin Nyunt, I am strongly
impressed by the heavy pressure and agony of the burden which the leader of
a developing  country has to bear in trying to unify the state while coping
with the civil war with ethnic races since their independence day and at the
same time they must feed the people.

There is a rumor among citizen in Yangon that the Secretary-1 never sleep.

Myanmar is a LDC ( Least Developed Country ) but it is a pro-Japanese
country without doubt. Giving a helping hand to assist to this kind of
country where the people are in difficulty should be the spirit of ODA of
our country.

Summary of the Meeting with the Secretary-1 Gen. Khin Nyunt
(In the presence of Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw )

Date: December 12.
Place: Guest House of Defence Ministry.

NISHIMURA

This is my third visit and the third meeting with the Secretary-1.
Yesterday, I went Maymyo and visited the Japanese War Cemetery and saw
neighboring villagers taking care of the cemetery to keep it clean. Also, I
became aware that it is located in the compound of the Military Academy of
your country. I wish to thank your country and the people for the warm
hearty kindness to Japan.

(1) 	When are you going to join ASEAN? Do you have any conditions for that?

(2) 	It is surprising because everytime when I visit here, the economy is
further developed. It is far different from the images depicted by press
reports from western countries. You should spread more information from your
side too, and may be it is better to disclose when the new constitution is
going to be established and when the power will be transfer to civil government.

(3) 	Economic development will absorb student movements. In Japan, when I
was a student, we had large scale student movements too, but we had places
to work after graduation, so we found jobs. Then, the movement ceased before
we noticed. Breaking out of student movements means your society is
democratized. As a matter of fact, there are demonstrations in Japan,
America, France and others. It is also the evidence of democratization in
the country. Let reporters cover it freely. Please understand that.

(4)	You should use only police forces to cope with students movements or
democracy movements. Not with military forces.

(5) 	Each country has it's won style of development. Wherever I see faces
and expressions of children. They must be really happy. Please keep good
tradition of Myanmar and develop your country at the same time. I think it
is better to use your rich agricultural potential and than compete with
neighboring countries in light industrial field. Because, China has the
population of 1.4 billions and it will be a huge food importing country
soon. Japan is already a big food importing country.

You settled the civil war peacefully, with 15 anti-government minor races
already and now only the amicable settlement with Karen remains. I wish to
pay my grate respect to the leadership and efforts of the Secretary-1
General Khin Nyunt on bringing peace in all over the country. I understand
that it is the first time since the foundation of Burmar-Myanmar. However, I
feel real sorry and regret that such a great achievement which no government
ever made before, is not reported by Western mass-media.

GENERAL KHIN NYUNT    

             Thank you for your kind advice as a good old friend of ours.

(1) 	Myanmar government is making it's efforts for political stability and
economic development. We believe that economic development will bring us
stable political situation. Therefore , we adopted market economy and
expected that investments will increased. But, investments from Japan did
not increase as we anticipated. I think it is because of wrong information
about the political situation of Myanmar.

(2) 	The reasons why correct information not goes out is that, first of all,
we have no powerful channels distributing information. Also, western
countries American VOA or CNN have tendency to give only information which
they wish to spread. I can say something for British BBC. Both England and
America have no good feelings to us. Apparently, they are just promoting up
Suu Kyi to bring about the government which they desire.

(3) 	They thought that most of the people will follow her, because she is
the daughter of General Aung San. But, actually, only a few of our 45
million people are giving respect to her. I do not think she has the
character to be the leader of a state.

(4) 	She lived in England, married with an Englishman and has two children
who are living in England now. She bought a house in England with the Nobel
prize money so that they can live there. Even the constitution established
by General Aung San provides that the person who has a living base in
foreign country has no qualification to stand as a candidate. She is in
Myanmar now as a guest.

(5) 	I do not think she loves Myanmar. She just keeps repeating her stubborn
assertion and does not mind to destroy for her purpose. Then. our country
will split like Bosnia. She has a place to live in England, but we were born
here, live here and will die here. America is taking advantage of her.

(6)	Regarding the student movement, at first they demand as concern
students, but later it changed to political demand, because many NLD members
joined. They are trying to overthrow by suing students.

      	Our government has been making efforts on education. We do not want
to close down the universities. Students, their parents and the country also
do not want it. But some serious political influence came out and so we had
to close some of the universities. 

(7) 	It is not necessary to use soldiers. We are using security police, not
military forces. We do not fire any guns. We are showing military forces
behind, but this is just for deterrence. 

(8) 	We cannot say when we will join the ASEAN. I think the joining into
ASEAN by the 3 countries simultaneously may contribute not only the friendly
relations among 10 countries but also mutual development. In long range
view, western Asia countries may join it in future. Also it reduce the
economic differences among 10 countries and promote the mutual development.
we also wish to make efforts to strengthen the friendly relations with Japan.

NISHIMURA 

Mrs. Suu Kyi has no economic policy. She doesn't know how to improve the
living condition of the people. There are such woman in any country. She is
opposing our humanitarian aid under ODA, because she believes it only fill
pockets of politicians of both countries. It is an insult to our
humanitarian aid.

GENERAL KHIN NYUNT

She is making her assertion that she oppose everything. Despite the fact
that developing countries are receiving aid from foreign countries, she
doesn't  want to accept any investments, aids, ODA , etc,. We wish to
strengthen the friendly relations with Japan as well as with Mr. Nishimura
because you are a good friend of ours. I wish for your good luck and success.

Place I visited

(1) 9th December.    Japanese Embassy in Yangon.

      Before  the meeting with Secretary-1 Gen. Khin Nyunt, I  opinions with
the Ambassador YAMAGUCHI. Then had a dinner with the Ambassador and Mrs.
Yamaguchi.

(2)  10th December. Japanese Army Cemetery in Maymyo.

       Memorial visit for 180,000 soldiers who died at Burma front.

(3)  12th December.  Guest house of the Defense Ministry in Yangon. Meeting
with Secretary-1  Gen. Khin Nyunt.

(4)   13th December.  Called on two private houses In Bagan.

Compared to us their living condition are not high, but I could talk with
parents who has a great hope on the future of their children. One of the
families was a couple who are living by playing harp on the streets. (Their
monthly income is  Yen 3000-5000). In another family, there is a girl
working as a street vender of souvenirs at Bagan ruins. (Her monthly income
is Yen 5000). But they look very happy and joyful.

(5)   15th December.  Visit a school in Kyaik Taw and observed the 
        children vaccinating against Polio.

This is a humanitarian aid from Japan, and it is essential to protect
children from Polio. But Mrs. Suu Kyi and The Mainichi Shimbun are opposing
this aid. I cannot understand why. Mothers  with their children come to the
school one by one. They were lively and vivid.  The Minister Counselor of
the Japanese Embassy told me that, fortunately , the public noticed the
effectiveness, so almost all the children younger than 5 years in this
district took the vaccination.

(6)  15th December.   Visit a Temple and looked at a Japanese Language class.
 
I heard that a Japanese language lesson is been held in a temple and so I
visited there. There were not even writing desks and it was hot inside the
temple. I brought some Japanese language text books and ball point pens.
Mrs. Yamaguchi ( Ambassador's wife) and other Japanese Embassy staffs were
teaching more than 100 students.

(7)   Yangon City.

While I was staying in Yangon, I walked around all over the city. The
streets where students gathered were blocked and so traffic was congested.
But faces of the citizens were normal and no strained attitudes or sign of
tenseness among them. On 15th, I noticed some tanks were parked in front of
the city office. For Yangon citizens who still have the memories of incident
in '88, it must be an overbearing and pressure.

         In '88, when anti-government movements broke out, Mrs. Suu Kyi came
back by coincidence from England to see her mother. Because she is the
daughter of General Aung San, she was promoted as the leader. But, compare
with the economic situation at that time, it is far better now. So we often
could hear citizen's opinions repelling Mrs. Suu Kyi's unrealistic assertion
which is far from the present real situation of Myanmar.

         In conclusion, even though there are some demonstrations, I believe
there is no possibility that anti-government movement with several hundred
thousand people like in '88 may break out now. But one thing we should keep
watching is the confrontation between tough elements and moderate elements
among the military forces. At present, the Secretary- 1 Gen.Khin Nyunt is
holding down those tough elements and trying to settle the matter amicably.
But, if the tough group get the power, then it will be a real big crisis for
the country.

          In order to solve these two political and economic causes of
instability, we must resume the aid from our country. If we make our own
diplomatic policy which does not follow other country's opinions or
movements, then we can easily determine it by ourselves. 

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LETTER REQUEST: WRITE GOVERNOR WELD
February 7, 1997

The Japanese government and European Commission think thay can pressure
Massachusetts to drop its Burma selective purchasing law. They are
threatening to hold back investment or sue Massachusetts at the World Trade
Organization. Already, the entire Massachusetts delegation to the US House
of Representatives has written to the Japanese Prime Minister asking him to
stay out of Massachusetts politics. But Governor William Weld has not
indicated yet how he will respond to the pressure from the Japanese
Government and the European Commission. We need you to fax or mail a simple
one-page letter of support to Governor Weld. The more letters he receives,
the more he will defend the Massachusetts Burma law. And we need you to do
this OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS as Governor Weld determines his position.

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR LETTER:
*  Open your letter by thanking the Governor for signing the law last June.
Specifically request that Governor Weld defend the Massachusetts Burma law
in the face of pressure from the Japanese government and the European Commission
*  Describe your interest in Burma. Mention either:
 a) your deep roots in Massachusetts
 b) your appreciation for the Massachusetts law and your plan to enact a
similar law in your home state or home country
 c) IF YOU LIVE IN JAPAN OR THE EUROPEAN UNION, EXPLAIN THAT THE JAPANESE
GOVERNMENT OR THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DOES NOT REPRESENT YOUR VIEWS!
*  The political situation in Burma remains very grave. The military junta
has imprisoned over 100 members of the National League for Democracy and
prevented Aung San Suu Kyi from meeting with democracy movement supporters
* Mention that Massachusetts is not alone. Over ten other US cities and
counties have enacted similar laws. Activists in the US, Canada, Europe and
Asia are already working to introduce similar laws.
* Mention that if Massachusetts had not stood up to similar pressure after
enacting its South Africa law, Nelson Mandela might still be in prison today
* Remind him that Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese democracy
movement has specifically called for economic sanctions and expressed her
support for the Massachusetts Burma law
Send your letter to:
Governor William Weld                  (617) 727-3600
State House			(617) 727-9731 - fax
Commonwealth of Massachusetts    (617) 727-9725 - fax
Boston, MA 02133-1053
Please send a copy of your letter to:
Rep. Byron Rushing		(617) 722-2220
State House			(617) 722-2897 - fax
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Boston, MA 02133-1053

Simon Billenness
Franklin Research & Development		(617) 423 6655 x225
711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111	(617) 482 6179 fax
simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxx

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