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The BurmaNet News, April 27, 1997



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------  
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"  
----------------------------------------------------------  
  
The BurmaNet News: April 27, 1997  
Issue #705

Noted in Passing:

Burma's human rights performance is so woeful, so irresponsible, that surely
it should not be treated as normal country and should not be rewarded by
membership in one of the most prestigious and important pan-Asian
organizations, with which the United States is affiliated.

- Nicholas Burns, US State Department spokesman
(REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR)

HEADLINES:  
==========  
BKK POST: SUU KYI LAUDS US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR
THE HINDU: CHAKMA REPATRIATION TO BE MONITORED
BKK POST: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE PUSHED BACK
KNU: SLORC/DKBA ATTACK ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMP
BKK POST: KARENS CHANGE MILITARY TACTICS IN WAR
KNU: BATTLE NEWS
KNU: STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA
NCGUB: BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON
SUNDAY TRIBUNE, SA: UNIVERSITY TO REWARD ASSK
FINANCIAL TIMES: US COMPANIES RUSH TO BEAT SANCTIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

BKK POST: SUU KYI LAUDS US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
April 26, 1997
Rangoon, Reuters

BURMESE opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday praised the
United States for standing by its convictions and imposing
economic sanctions on Burma because of the military government's
human rights record.
	The Nobel Peace laureate, one of the most vocal proponents of
economic sanctions, said President  Bill Clinton and the US Congress should
have a clear conscience that they made the right decision in banning all new
investment in the country.
	"I respect Clinton ... it is good to know there are people in this world
who are serious about what they say,' Ms Suu Kyi said in her first formal
comment since sanctions were imposed.
	Washington on Tuesday banned new investment in Burma as a public
condemnation of human rights abuses and the military regime's
repression of the democracy movement led by Ms Suu Kyi.
	"When the bill was introduced in Congress it was made quite clear that
sanctions would come in if there is large scale repression
of the movement for democracy in Burma," Ms Suu Kyi said.
	"And I think all of you who have been following events here over
the last five or six months would ...know that repression has increased
rather than decreased," she told reporters who gathered at a home near her
house for a hastily arranged news conference.
	Access to Ms Suu Kyi's house is off limits to reporters and
others by barricades erected by the military governments.
	Ms Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party won elections
in 1990 but has been barred from taking up government, said the US decision
had come at the right time because of the increased repression.
	Several thousands NLD members or supporters have been arrested, some of
whom have been released, since last year as part of the
government's crackdown on the democracy movement.
	Ms Suu Kyi said the authorities in the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc) had recently moved jailed NLD members, including
her personal assistant U Win Htein, to prisons outside Rangoon and away form
their families.
	"This is just a gratuitous piece of cruelty," she said. "It is
punishment enough to put people in prison for their political beliefs."
	Ms Suu Kyi said she had not been surprised by the reaction of
Burma's neighbours, who said the sanctions would not impact Burma's
application to become an official member of the regional Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
	But she said she hoped Asean would come to understand the
position of Burma's opposition.
	"We're not children. We know what to expect," she said. "We are
not anti-Asean at all...we are in favour of joining regional organisations,
but at the right time of course."
	Asked to comment on a Slorc statement that the move was aimed at derailing
Burma's plans for membership of Asean, which is expected later this year,
she replied. "Well, then, the obvious question to ask is why do they think
the United States does not want Burma to join Asean? And it's a question
that Slorc must answer."
	Asked whether she had celebrated the United States decision, she
said: "No".
	"One does not like to get emotional in politics. We will celebrate when we
have democracy."
	Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to extend its existing
sanctions on Burma for a further six months in response to the refusal of
the country's military regime to stop human rights abuses, diplomats said in
Brussels.
	The moves has been agreed by EU governments and will be approved formally
at a meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday in
Luxembourg, officials said.
______________________________________
[excerpts from related article]

AFP: DAW AUNG SAN  SUU KYI WELCOMES US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BURMA
April 25, 1997

RANGOON, April 25 (AFP) -
	[Aung San Suu Kyi] twitted the junta for saying that the sanctions would
have no domestic repercussions.
	"All those who have asked for sanctions can have a very clear conscience
because, according to the words of the authorities themselves, it was not
going to affect the country unfavorably in any way." 
	Aung San Suu Kyi called again for talks with the junta, but noted: "The
reason why we have not reached dialogue is because the authorities do not
wish for dialogue."
	Stressing that differences should be settled through dialogue, not
repression, she said the NLD was ready for dialogue at any time and without
any preconditions. 
	Between 1,000 and 2,000 prisoners of conscience are languishing in Burmese
jails, with more than 300 arrested in the past year, she said.
	Other subjects touched on in the news conference included the security
checks barring access to her home and her frequently-interrupted telephone
service. Breaks in service, she noted, were longer than ever.

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

REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR
April 26, 1997 (received)

WASHINGTON (Reuter) The United States came out Friday in open opposition to
Myanmar joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and
stated it was lobbying the group to drop a proposal to admit Yangon this year. 

"We don't believe that ASEAN should take this step," State Department
spokesman Nicholas Burns said. His comments appeared to step up
long-standing Western unhappiness about the plan to admit Myanmar, where
Washington banned new U.S. investments Tuesday with fresh sanctions over the
human rights record of the military rulers in Yangon.

The U.S. charge d'affaires in Myanmar, Kent Wiedemann, said in an interview'
Thursday that while Washington would find it "awkward" to deal with an ASEAN
that included Myanmar its admission was "something ASEAN has to decide for
itself. 

ASEAN, founded in 1967 to promote regional economic, social and cultural
cooperation, comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The group is expected to admit Myanmar,
Cambodia and Laos in July. 

 "The United States has very strong concerns about the proposal by ASEAN to
bring in Burma (former name of Myanmar)," Burns said. "We have no objection
as to Laos and Cambodia. We have an objection to Burma." We're trying to use
our influence with the ASEAN partners to make the point that Burma should be
given a stiff message that it's not welcome." Burns added. "I have no idea
at this point what action ASEAN will take. 

The United States and other Western countries criticize Myanmar for human
rights abuses and for failing to recognize the 1990 election victory of the
opposition National League for Democracy, or NLD, led by Nobel Peace
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. "Burma's human rights performance is so woeful,
so irresponsible, that surely it should not be treated as normal country and
should not be rewarded by membership in one of the most prestigious and
important pan-Asian organizations, with which the United States is
affiliated," Burns said.

 Even before the investment ban, the United States halted direct financial
assistance and blocked much international aid to Myanmar since the State Law
and Order Restoration Council. or SLORC, took over there in 1988. 

But U.S. attempts to rally Asian countries against Myanmar have had little
success. ASEAN opposes interference in the domestic politics of neighboring
states and members say "constructive engagement" will work better than
sanctions. 

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, the current chairman of ASEAN,
said Wednesday the latest U.S. sanctions would not delay Myanmar's entry
into the grouping. The issue of admission of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos is
expected to be discussed at an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting May 31 in
Kuala Lumpur.

YANGON RESPONDS

BANGKOK (Reuter) Myanmar urged Saturday its neighbors in resist pressure
from the United States aimed at preventing Yangon's entry into the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, this year.

"ASEAN will have to stick is guns to show that nobody dictates to us, a
government official said. "Generally. we believe if ASEAN gives in this
time, then ASEAN will have to give in every time.'

MEMBERSHIP TO BE DISCUSSED

MANILA (Reuter)-The Philippines said on Saturday that the seven-nation ASEAN
group would next month discuss plans to admit Burma as a member despite the
opposition of the United States. Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, reacting
to a U.S. call on Friday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to
drop plans to admit Rangoon, said it was "normal" for governments to lobby
others to support their views. 

Commenting on the U.S. sanctions and opposition to Burma's entry to ASEAN,
Siazon told reporters: "Normally, among countries, you lobby each other
trying to convince them to adopt to your position. That's normal but of
course we have taken note of their action."

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

THE HINDU: CHAKMA REPATRIATION TO BE MONITORED
April 26, 1997

New Delhi

        A month after the repatriation of Chakma and other tribal
refugees began  afresh from Tripura to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in
Bangladesh, the  movement is slated to witness a pause for a month to
allow for a stock-taking of the situation.
               According to Home Ministry sources here, the month-long
pause would  facilitate monitoring by a team of representatives of the
refugees to judge if the rehabilitation in the CHT had taken place in a
proper manner.
               As of now, the sources pointed out, there are about 50,000
refugees in half-a-dozen camps in Tripura. About 6,000 Chakma refugees
had crossed over to the CHT so far, sources said. The repatriation of the
second batch of the Chakmas would begin as soon as the monitoring team
gave the go-ahead. If the exercise continued, sources said, the
repatriation would hopefully be completed by the end of this year. The
Central Government had reimbursed Rs. 6.78 crores to the Tripura
Government for maintenance of the refugees till the end of the third
quarter (October-December) of 1996-97.
               The repatriation of Chakma and other tribal refugees from
Tripura to CHT  resumed on March 28 after the CHT Jumma Refugees Welfare
Association, led by Mr. Upendra Lal Chakma, signed an agreement with  the
Bangladesh Government.
               Coupled with the Ganga Waters Agreement between India and
Bangladesh, the repatriation of refugees marked a distinct change in the
relations between the two neighbours. The Bangladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina's repeated warnings that insurgents from North-Eastern
States would not be allowed to use her country's soil to carry on
anti-India  campaign has had ``desired effect'' in the sense that the
rebels have started   abandoning their sanctuaries in Bangladesh.
               However, it was pointed out that the Bangladesh
Nationalist Party (BNP) was espousing the cause of the rebels and also
there was some opposition  to the return of Chakmas to CHT on the ground
that it was against the interest of those already settled there.
               On the construction of roads and fence along the
Indo-Bangla border to prevent infiltration into India, the sources said
that by the end of March 1,756 km of roads, 11.38 km of bridges and 655
km of fence had been completed at a total cost of Rs. 626 crores. This
was against the target  2,784 km of roads, 23.8 km of bridges and 996 km
of fence for which Rs.  831 crores had been earmarked and had to be
completed during the  1992-97 period. However, more funds and a time of
two years would be  needed to achieve the target.
               The Home Ministry is also embarking upon the second phase
of construction of border roads and fencing passing through Assam,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal. ``Our emphasis will be to
plug the gaps in some of the areas from where infiltration had been
taking place,'' sources pointed out.
               Inhospitable terrain and problem of insurgency were cited
as two of  major factors that affected the construction of roads and
fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
               Of the seven North-Eastern States, Assam, Manipur, Tripura
and  Nagaland are the most affected by insurgent activities of various
groups. During 1996-97, the law and order situation in Assam continued
to be affected by violent activities of the insurgent outfits. The Annual
Report of the Home Ministry for 1996-97 expressed concern over the
escalation of violence over the levels of past two years. The United
Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was responsible for 141  incidents
during last year resulting in 107 deaths. This was higher than the number
of deaths caused by the ULFA during 1995.
               In Arunachal Pradesh, the militant group NSCN (K) was
active in Tirap and Changland districts, bordering Nagaland and Myanmar. The
ULFA and Bodo elements took shelter in the thick forest areas along the
Assam-Arunachal border whenever counter- insurgency operations were
launched. The State Government has taken steps to strengthen its
intelligence machinery. A proposal to constitute commando units from amongst
State Armed Police jawans is under consideration. In Tripura, violent and
subversive activities of about 15 tribal extremist
continued. The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All
Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) were the most active. The number of violent
incidents during last year was 391 resulting in 178 deaths, less than
those  reported in 1995.

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

BKK POST: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE PUSHED BACK
April 26, 1997
Supamart Kasem
Tak

	Security forces will push some 300 Burmese illegal immigrants
living near the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot back to Burma
today, according to the commander of the 346th Border Patrol Police Company
Pol Maj Noppadol Chatiwong.
	Pol Maj Noppadol said military officers form the 4th Infantry
Regiment Task Force, Border Patrol Police and local police will push the 300
Burmese illegal immigrants in Mae Sot back to Burma and remove their
shelters unless the aliens return to their home towns by Friday.
	Some 80 Burmese families, who illegally entered Thailand and
encroached on many plots along the Moei River from ban Rim Moei to Ban Huay
Muang over a period of many weeks, refused to leave the country despite
being warned by the border police, he added.
	He said many aliens worked without permission.
	An official from Mae Sot Immigration Office said these Burmese
illegal immigrants came form many villages in Myawaddy of Burma to Mae Sot
to work at many ports and sell liquor and foreign cigarettes to tourists.
	Kyaw Myint, a Burmese illegal immigrant, said he, his wife and
two children had to leave their home town, Kawkareik, because they could not
find jobs there, adding that they had stayed in Mae Sot for more than one month.

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

KNU: SLORC/DKBA ATTACK ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMP
April 27, 1997

Update information

On the mid-night of 26 April 1997, at 0030 hours, SLORC and DKBA troops
attacked the Toe Per Poo refugee camp . They looted things and money from
the houses and shops, and then they set fire to the camp. Thirty houses were
burnt down. They forced some people to carry the things. Those people did
not come back until now. A villager was killed by SLORC. 

KNU Information Center

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

BKK POST: KARENS CHANGE MILITARY TACTICS IN WAR AGAINST BURMESE FORCES
April 27, 1997
Supamart Kasem
Mae Sot, Tak

	The Karen National Union has adopted changes to its military strategy in
which its president Bo Mya has agreed to decentralise his military control.
	The changes was adopted after the KNU ended a meeting of its executive
committee members including senior military commanders last week at Gui Ta,
opposite Tak's Umphang district.
	"The meeting chaired by Gen Bo Mya agreed to appoint KNU Supreme Commander
Lt Gen Tamalabaw to supervise military affairs in ares south of Myawaddy to
an area controlled by Tenasserim Division-
which is the operating area of the KNU's 4th, 6th and 7th divisions," noted
a source.
	The source added that Maj Gen Ka Ze Doe was given full authority
supervising the security situation in the north from Myawaddy
upwards to the middle part of Karen state near the area controlled by the
Karenni National Progressive Party, opposite Mae Hong Son's Mae Sarieng
district.
	Formerly, Gen Bo Mya's troops were in full control of the two
areas and the KNU leader would directly command any military operations.
	The latest changes were seen by several border observers as a
move to unite the divided KNU.
	The meeting also agreed to change the military strategy with
emphasis on more use of guerrilla warfare tactics and dismantling
unnecessary military bases that could become sitting targets for
Burmese security forces.
	During the meeting, Gen Bo Mya stated clearly that the KNU was
still ready to conduct truce talks with Burma's State Law and Order
Restoration Council and would give up its armed struggle on conditions
acceptable to the KNU.
	During the past two years, the KNU has held truce talks with
Burma four times but little progress has been made.
	The last discussion took place last January in which Khun Mya
represented Slorc in the meeting held at former KNU headquarters
Htee Ka Pler opposite Umphang district.
	"We doubt Slorc's sincerity regarding the truce talks," noted one
senior KNU official.
	A Thai border official said the KNU was facing more military
difficulties under the present military onslaught form Slorc. The officer
raised doubts over the KNU's military  capability to continue its struggle -
saying that defections of several KNU officers to the government side has
weakened its military strength.
	The latest defection occurred in February when Lt-Col Tu Mue Hae, commander
of the KNU's 16th Battalion, surrendered with 400 armed
men to Slorc.
	The local security officer admitted that there was a conflict of
opinion among senior KNU officers regarding the truce talks.
	* Twenty Thai workers from two logging companies who had been held by a
Karen rebel force inside Burma for five days have been
freed after officers from the 7th Infantry Regiment helped negotiate their
release, a Thai border official in Mae Hong Son said.
	The official said the workers from Ska-B and S.T. Billion companies went
into Karen state's Ban Sai Khao on April 20 with 10 trucks to haul logs
felled under a logging concession granted by the Burmese government and
disappeared without contacting their companies.
	It was discovered later that they had been held by the rebels in
a bid to extort money from the two companies.
	The businesses then asked the 7th Infantry Regiment to help.
	A number of military officers went through Ban Sao Hin pass to
negotiate with the Karens on Friday. The 20 Thais and the trucks were
released and returned to the Thai side.
	It was not know if the release was made with any conditions.

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

KNU: BATTLE NEWS
April 26, 1997

1.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Nar Day.
SLORC casualties are unknown.

2.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Paw Bo Baw Daw.
SLORC casualties are unknown.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hta Law Plo
Day. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped again on a KNLA mine at Hto
Lu.Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.

3.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) At 1845 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA troops
and SLORC troops at Nwar Soe Kho. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead.

4.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC
troops at Ta Nay Hpar. KNLA troops suffered (2) dead and one KNLA soldier
was injured.

5.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Ler Baw Lu.
SLORC casualties are unknown.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Du Oh Mar Day.
One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

(No.(6) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and LIR
(204) at Kya Ka Wa and Aw Lar Area. SLORC casualties are unknown.

6.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Khaw Lu. One
SLORC soldier lost his leg. 

 SLORC troops stepped on two KNLA mines at Paw Thaw. Two SLORC soldiers lost
their legs.

7.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at Shwe Tar. Two
SLORC soldiers were killed, four SLORC soldiers were injured and one SLORC
truck was destroyed.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hlee Pway Day.
One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

8.4.97
(No.(7) Brigade Area) At 0800 hours, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at
Hpe Ta Kha Kee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. At 1530 hours, SLORC troops
stepped on a KNLA mine at Paw Khay. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

9.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htaw Thwe Day. At
the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at War Me Khee. Two SLORC
soldiers were injured.

(No.(3) Brigade Area) At 0904 hours, a battle broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops at Mae Aw Ker. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC
troops at Hto Hta, War Kha Der, Nyar Lee Hta and Hto Ler.

10.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Mae Bu Hta. One
SLORC soldier was killed. At 1420 hours, a battle broke out
between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at a position between Mae Nee Khee and
Thae Khee. SLORC casualties are unknown. At the same day, three KNLA were
exploded, casualties are unknown.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) Two clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and
SLORC troops at Po Ma Hae and a position between Ta Ro Day and Htee Klee
Khee. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead. 

11.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Saw Thae Hta.
SLORC casualties are unknown.  SLORC troops stepped on (3) KNLA mines. Three
SLORC soldiers lost their legs. Four clashes broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops. Two SLORC soldiers were killed and four SLORC
soldiers were injured.

(No.(4) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops
at Maw Po. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Paw Paw Lu.
SLORC casualties are unknown.  SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at a
position between Po Ler and Po Mae. Two SLORC soldiers were injured.
Including one battalion commander.

12.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade) At 1515 hours, KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at a
position between Ta Kaw Der and Au Khae Khee. SLORC casualties are unknown.

13.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops
at Ler Kwar Kaw. SLORC casualties are unknown. 

(No.(2) Brigade Area) At 1700 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA and
SLORC at a position between Kler Der and Ka Mar Sai. SLORC casualties are
unknown.

14.4.97
(No.(3) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at a position
between They Kho Ser Der and Per Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. A
KNLA mine exploded at Nae Soe. One SLORC soldier was killed and five SLORC
soldier were injured. At the same day, two KNLA mines exploded again at Htee
Daw Lay. Two SLORC soldiers lost
their legs.

(No(2) Brigade Area) At 1000 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a
position between Ku Ler Der and Kaw Thay Der. One SLORC soldier was killed
and one SLORC soldier was injured.

(No(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Baw Lo Der. SLORC
casualties are unknown.

15.4.97
(No.(6) Brigade Area) At 0830 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIR (204) at Akyu
village. SLORC casualties are unknown.
 
(No.(5) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC
troops at Baw Lay Der, Baw Lo Der, Wa Wah Kyo, Thee Kho Klo and Paw Thaw Lo Klo.

16.4.97
(No.(4) Brigade Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC
troops at Min Htaik. The battle lasted the whole day. SLORC casualties are
unknown. 

(No.(6) Brigade Area) At 1643 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at
Kya Ka Wa. SLORC casualties are unknown. 

17.4.97
(No.(4) Brigade Area) A battle broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC
troops at Ka Mar Plaw. SLORC casualties are unknown.

(No.(6) Brigade Area) At 1900 hours, SLORC troops stepped on two KNLA mines
at Khaw Baw Lu. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
SLORC troops from Palu stepped on a KNLA mine. One SLORC soldier was killed,
two SLORC soldiers were seriously injured. Including (1) Major. 

(No.(7) Brigade Area) At 1100 hours, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at
Baw Tho Pu. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 

18.4.97
(No(7) Brigade Area) At 1200 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA troops
and LIR (549) at K'ser Klo village. SLORC casualties are unknown.

(No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ta Lay Day Kyo.
At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on  two KNLA mines at Plo Khee and Saw
Po Hta. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs.
KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Po Ler village. One SLORC was killed,
one SLORC soldier was injured and one KNLA soldier was injured. 

19.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Play Khee. One
SLORC soldier lost his leg.

20.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ta Nar Lu. SLORC
casualties are unknown.

22.4.97
(No.(7) Brigade Area) A KNLA mine exploded at Pa Nwe Po Klar. Four SLORC
soldiers were injured.

23.4.97
(No.(7) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Maw Krae. One
SLORC soldier lost his leg.

KNU Information Center.

KNLA = Karen National lieration Army
SLORC = State Law and Order Restoration Council
LIR = Light Infantry Regiment

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

KNU: STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA
April 25, 1997

                                 OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUATERS
                                           KAREN NATIONAL UNION
                                                   KAWTHOOLEI

1. In the first week of December 1996, the anti-SLORC movement of the
college and university students broke out and all the colleges and
universities had to be closed down, up to the present day. On December 25,
1996 a bomb exploded in the Kaba Aye Maha Pathana Cave. In February 1997,
the SLORC unilaterally broke off the dialogue with the KNU and started a
massive military offensive against the KNU and the Karen people, raining
terror death and destruction on an extensive scale. Starting from March 16,
1997, an anti-SLORC movement by the Buddhist monks broke out in Mandalay and
in the brutal suppression of it, the SLORC killed three monks and put more
than 100 monks under detention. Using its puppets, the members of the
so-called Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA), the SLORC turned
the incident into
an anti-Muslim conflict in the whole of the country. On April 6, 1997,  a
parcel bomb exploded in the house of the SLORC Secretary (2). The SLORC
issued various rules and orders restricting the people from freely
celebrating the water festival (Burmese New Year) falling in the middle of
April 1997. Up until now, the SLORC has to reinforce the security for
Rangoon with tanks and more troops. All these events do not indicate unity,
harmony, peace and stability. On the other hand, they indicate increasing
dissatisfaction, discord and tension.

2. Tension has been increasing, as it is, in the country, because the SLORC
has been using military offensive and brutal suppression to resolve
problems, instead of resolving the basic political problems of the country
by political means, through dialogue.

3. In connection with tension in the country, bomb attacks have occured in
the capital city of Rangoon. It is a common knowledge that on such
occasions, the SLORC levels its accusations and defamatory attacks at the
KNU and other opposition groups. It is necessary for us to notice that, at
the same time as making  defamatory attacks against the oppositions whenever
bomb attacks occur, the SLORC is arresting a large number of officers and
men of its own armed forces.

4. It is important for the people at home and the international community to
keep a careful watch on the situation, as there is the danger of the SLORC,
using the prevailing instability as pretext, intesifying its devious
activities such as creating tension by refusing to resolve political problems
by political means, terrorist attacks, arrests, increased repression of
political leaders, students, Buddhist monks and the people, and etc.

5. We, the KNU, have been resolutely resisting, in self-defence, the
offensive launched by the SLORC. The SLORC, while intensifying its war
against the KNU, has unleashed all the dirty tricks and revived up its
propaganda machine, making its utmost effort to paint the KNU as terrorists.
Accordingly, we would like to affirm that we, the KNU, apart from engaging
military activities to oppose the brutal offensive launched by the SLORC,
will never engage in terrorist activities either inside the country or
abroad, and that all terrorist activities are the work of evildoers who are
bent on complicating the situation. 

Central Executive Committee
Karen National Union  

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NCGUB: BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON
April 22, 1997

NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA 
815 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005

       BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma applauds President
Clinton's action in imposing sanctions against the illegal military junta,
the State Law and Order Restoration Council, in Burma. This long-awaited
measure by the Administration reaffirms that the United States stands for
the rule of law, democracy and human rights and brings 
hope to the Burmese people. We also acknowledge the support of Secretary
Albright and others in the US government who worked to make this possible. 

We are particularly thankful for the bi-partisan support we have received in
the US Congress and we specially wish to thank Senators Mc Connell,
Moynihan, Leahy and D'Amato for introducing mandatory sanctions during the
last session of Congress. Also, to House members Rohrabacher, Pelosi,
Porter, Lantos, and their colleagues who co- sponsored legislation towards
this end.

Additionally, we want to thank the grassroots movement, the labor unions and
many other individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly and
selflessly in giving voice to the political aspirations of the Burmese
people. This Executive Order of the President outlawing new investments to
Burma should be seen by the international community as a response to
fulfilling the pleas of the democratic forces in Burma.

The National Coalition Government believes that sanctions imposed by the
United States will eventually create conditions conducive to a dialogue for
peace and national reconciliation in Burma. The sanctions should therefor
remain in effect until that goal is achieved. It is our hope that other
governments will follow the lead of the United States and join in
effectuating similar measures that will help restore democracy and human
rights in Burma

ooooo00000ooooo

For Additional Information Contact:
Tel: 	(202) 393-7342.
	(202) 393-4312
Fax:	(202) 393-7342 

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SUNDAY TRIBUNE, SA: UNIVERSITY TO REWARD HUMAN RIGHTS FIGHTER
April 20, 1997
Kiru Naidoo, South Africa

Burmese opposition leader and Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi , will later
this week receive an honorary doctorate  from the University of Natal in
recognition of her tireless campaign for democracy and human rights in the
South East Asian dictatorship.  Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burma's
assassinated independence hero, General Aung San.  
	She rose to international prominence  in 1988 when on her return to her
native homeland after two decades abroad, to care for her ailing mother, she
witnessed a spontaneous revolt against twenty six years of political
repression and economic decline. Of the epic events of 1988 in which the
military massacred some 10000 protesters, she said, "I could not, as my
father's daughter remain indifferent to what was going on."   
	In the ensuing political vacuum that saw thousands detained , 
and scores more fleeing into exile, Suu Kyi emerged as the most effective
and articulate leader of the pro-democracy movement.  The generals who has
had ruled Burma since 1962, when they ousted the country's fledgling
democratic government became acquainted with their most formidable opponent
yet.  
	Shaken by the revolts of 1988, the army was keen to legitimate itself. It
stage-managed a "coup" in which power passed to a 19-member State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC) which was quick to propose a general
election for 1990.  Suu Kyi and her supporters embraced the prospect of a
democratic contest and swiftly organised a political party, the National
League for Democracy (NLD).  The army, keen on an outcome favourable to
itself sponsored several hundred front parties and for added measure placed
Suu Kyi under house arrest in July 1989 for 'endangering the state'.  She
was to remain in detention for six years during which time she was only
permitted limited visits from her British husband and two sons.
	In the election that followed,  widely read as a referendum on 
military rule, the NLD secured 82% of the vote.  Surprised and outraged ,
the SLORC refused to acknowledge the election results and has retained its
repressive grip on power since.       
	Suu Kyi's release from detention in July 1995 reinvigorated the NLD and the
broader democracy movement.  Calling her campaign one for "freedom from
fear", a slogan drawn from the title of her book, she  continues to inspire
ordinary Burmese men and women who, until a crackdown earlier this year
continued to throng her front gate where she convened a parliament of the
streets emerging at weekends atop a rickety table, to answer questions from
the crowds. 
	Then US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Madelaine Albright,
on a visit to Suu Kyi in 1995 was struck by her presence, "Outwardly
fragile, she is clearly very strong, outwardly serene , 
her reserves of patience have worn thin; obviously determined, she 
avoids confrontation and seeks reconcilitation."  Often described as "Asia's
Mandela", Suu Kyi has emerged as a courageous leader in her own right
determined that Rangoon's generals honour their pledge to handover to a
democratic government.  
	Suu Kyi remains the fearless voice of the frightened in Burma.  The
governments policies have become increasingly brutal.  Slave and child
labour are as commonplace as the institutionalised torture and rape
perpetrated by the military.  In recent months ethnic minorities in the
jungles on the Thai-Burma border have had their homes razed to the ground.
In a growing humanitarian tragedy some 85000 refugees , mainly women and
children, are presently without homes and vulnerable to attack from the
military.  It is these tremendous responsibilities and tragedies that Suu
Kyi bears in the quest for basic human rights for her people   
	The Burmese are however not alone in their struggle.  An international
solidarity campaign , modelled on the  anti-apartheid 
movement has gained momentum around the world.  Governments and 
businesses that maintain links with the Burmese military are coming 
under increasing pressure to sever this lifeline to the authoritarian 
regime there.  
	Widespread condemnation greeted President Mandela's dismissive remarks
about the human rights situation in Burma whilst on a recent visit to South
East Asia.  With international attention focussed on South Africa 
this week , the University of Natal's award to Aung San Suu Kyi, may well 
be the jolt our collective conciousness needs for the struggle of the 
courageous people of Burma is starkly reminiscent of our own recent 
history.             
  
Kiru Naidoo is a specialist in Asian affairs at the University of 
Durban-Westville.

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FINANCIAL TIMES: US COMPANIES RUSH TO BEAT SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
April 25, 1997
Ted Bardacke in Rangoon

	US companies signed more investment deals with Burma in February than in
the whole of the past eight years as they dashed to conclude talks before
President Bill Clinton banned new US investment in the southeast Asian nation.
	More than $300m worth of deals were concluded with Burma's military regime,
according to official Burmese data. The ban - designed to punish the regime
for its poor human rights record and refusal to negotiate with the democracy
leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, and to spur further international isolation of
the junta - was announced by Mr Clinton on Tuesday.
	Most observers have been predicting since January that sanctions were
imminent after Ms Suu Kyi was attacked in Rangoon, students were rounded up
following demonstrations and Mrs Madeleine Albright, a severe critic of the
Burmese government, was named US secretary of state.
	Approved investment by US companies at the end of January was $243m,
according to statistics from the Myanmar Investment Commission published in
official Burmese media. By the end of February, the last month for which
figures are available, that amount had leapt up 139 percent to $582m.
 	The $339m in deals signed in February was a huge increase over the $21.4m
approved in 1995 and 1996 combined, and consolidated the US's position as
the fourth largest foreign investor in Burma, after the UK (including the
British Virgin Islands), Singapore and Thailand.
	Most of the new investment was in the oil and gas sector, with offshore
exploration rights held by Unocal and Texaco being converted into
production-sharing contracts.
	This distinction is important as the executive order implementing the new
investment ban is expected to allow existing investment contracts to be
fulfilled but not allow them to be expanded, modified or upgraded. Arco has
also been heavily involved in natural gas exploration but it is unclear
whether a production-sharing agreement has been reached.
	Foreign investment in the oil and gas sector during February increased by
$629m to $2.13bn. Total foreign investment in the month rose by $694m to
$6.05bn.
	The UK was the second-largest investor in February, with $291m. The UK's
Premier Oil is a junior partner in the Texaco-led consortium.
	The top US diplomat in Rangoon yesterday warned that Washington's decision
to impose sanctins could have implications for other foreign investors,
Reuter adds from Rangoon.
	Mr Kent Wiedemann, US charge d'affaires to Burma, said that while the
initial economic impact of the move might be small, there would be
shockwaves. "It's a powerful message to US and other [foreign] companies
that this is not a good place to do business if you do so in the US," he said.

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