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The BurmaNet News, May 13, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, May 13, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 02:13:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: May 13, 1997
Issue #719
HEADLINES:
==========
INDEPENDENT REPORT: NEWS FROM KACHIN STATE
ABSDF: FTUB CAMP BURNT DOWN BY THAI ARMY
KNU: FIGHTING INSIDE THAILAND-SITUATION UPDATE
INTERNAL INFORMATION: INFO ON SLORC, ASSK IN DANGER
FBC PRESS RELEASE: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN DIVESTS
VOA: BURMA PRESSURE-NYC
REUTER: BURMA CRITICISES ADB FOR SUSPENDING AID
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0039
BKK POST: AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH BURMA
BKK POST: POLICE SEIZE KAREN REBELS' WEAPONS
THAILAND TIMES: NEW DISPUTE ERUPTS OVER RIVER
THAILAND TIMES: SCANDAL THREATENS GAS DEAL
AMERICAN GEM TRADERS ASSOCIATION: LETTER
BURMESE STUDENTS- AUSTRALIA: BURMESE LUNCH
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT REPORT: NEWS FROM KACHIN STATE
May 12, 1997
[This report was compiled by a source in northern Burma]
TORTURE
Aung Myo Naing, a student from Shwe Gu, was beaten by SLORC Captain Thi Hun
and Lt. Aung Aung Zaw in late March in front of the "Tat Oo" monastery in
Shwe Gu. On that evening Aung Myo Naing was riding a bicycle when the two
army officers saw him in front of the "Tat Oo" monastery. The army officers
accused him of blocking the road and beat him. As he was being beaten, some
army personnel from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 56 arrived and joined the
other officers in beating him. Then he was taken to LIB 56 headquarters and
put into a military prison cell for one night. Aung Myo Naing was seriously
injured due to the beatings.
ARRESTS
Two Japanese tourists and a Burmese driver were arrested by SLORC military
intelligence from MI (Military Intelligence) 8 on January 14 at La Gya Yan
checkpoint in Kachin State. The two Japanese tourists visited Kachin State.
They crossed the Irrawaddy river from Myitkyina to Wynemaw on January 8 and
hired a Toyota Hilux (No. BA/7671) with 8,000 Kyats and visited Lisa, a
market village on the border of China. When they returned from Lisa on
January 14 they were arrested by SLORC military intelligence at La Gya Yan
checkpoint for going into a prohibited area. The Japanese tourists were
interrogated and released in Myitkyina but the driver of the Hilux, Ko Ngwe,
remains under detention.
SLORC LIB 348 arrested 81 Chinese citizens in KIO controlled areas on March
30. These Chinese are from Kadu, Yin Jian, Htain Choang, Bao San, and Sima
districts of China. They paid tax to the KIO and worked at logging sites in
KIO controlled area. They were arrested by two platoons of LIB 348 led by
Major Than Lwin and two sections of LIB 348 led by Captain Kyaw Aye on March 30.
They have to pay 100,000 kyats each for their release.
FORCED LABOUR
The villagers from Aung Myae Tit, Shwe Nyaung Pin, Khat Cho, Garra Yan, and
Kazu villages were forced to work at the paddy fields near Aung Myae Tit
which are owned by SLORC LIB 321 from the beginning to the end of the paddy
season. These paddy fields are 200 acres wide. Villagers have to work
without receiving any payment.
SLORC LIB 384 seized the land between Sihet and Shochi villages in Moemauk
township in Kachin State from the villagers without any payment, in order to
build a military post. Villagers from nearby villages such as Kong Law, Mar
Khwe, Naung Koni, Dali, and Naung Makaw were also forced to work on the
paddy fields seized by LIB 384. The villagers also have to send food for
the pigs and cows bred by LIB 384.
The villagers from all the villages in Monyin township in Kachin State were
forced to work in making fences along the road between Nansi Houng and
Hopin, about 30 miles long, without any payment since December 1996. Every
household is expected to contribute 300 feet to the fence along the road.
SLORC LIB 385 and 386 forces the villagers to work. Absent villagers were
fined 500 kyats per person per day. The villagers were also forced to work
in the army paddy fields. A group of three villages is assigned to work for
one battalion.
EXECUTION
At 10:00 pm on the second day of "Thingyan", April 15, two civilians from
Monyin were shot by a section of IB 15 led by cobra Saw Ye Chin, on the road
near the east entry to Monyin. These two people were on their way back home
when the sentry section from IB 15 shot them. Maung Zau Mon (37), son of U
Sin Wa Zau Phan, who lives at Aung Thabyae, 3rd quarter of Monyin, was shot
dead. The second civilian was Yaw Hton (38), son of U Htaw Nay Manaw, who
lived in Aung Theyae, 1st quarter of Monyin. He was arrested by IB 15
under suspicion of sabotage during the Thingyan festival.
ROBBERY
The farmers from Monyin were forced to sell rice at a very low price to
SLORC, with a quota of 10 tin (nearly 10 bushels) for every 1 acre. They
have to sell at the rate of 140 kyats per tin while the market rate is 500
kyats per tin. If they cannot sell the quota, they are arrested by SLORC
officials. Some of the farmers have to buy rice from outside at the rate of
500 kyats per tin, and sell it to SLORC at the rate of 140 kyats per tin.
In Monyin, people celebrate the Law Ka Man Aung pagoda festival every year.
But, this year Monyin township LORC demanded 300,000 kyats in exchange for
permission to hold the pagoda festival. The people of Monyin could not
afford so much money and the pagoda festival was cancelled.
INCIDENTS
A students' demonstration occurred in Wynemaw on January 22. The
demonstration was staged after a car accident. On the morning of January
22, Ma Ohmar (18), daughter of Major Zaw Win, Battalion commander of SLORC
IB 58, drove a car into two students who were standing beside the road. The
two students were Ma Bauk San, a ninth standard student, and Ma Bauk Taung,
a fifth standard student, who both attend Wynemaw State High School. Ma
Bauk San's leg was broken and Ma Bauk Taung's spine was injured. In the
afternoon, the students from Wynemaw State High School left the school to
demonstrate, asking that action be taken against the driver and proper
medical care be administered to the injured. As the driver was the daughter
of a military officer, the police did not take any action. During the
night, the injured students were secretly sent to Myitkyina by boat.
Kachin state police seized fake 500 kyat notes in Phakant Jade mine area and
Wynemaw township in early April. The total amount of this fake money was
1,824,000 kyats. The fake money was first discovered in the Phakant jade
mine area. Police traced it and more fake notes were found in other places
in Kachin State. A jade merchant, Hin Poun from Wynemaw, allegedly got the
money from China. He sold a jade stone at Khar Samt village in China to a
Chinese merchant for 2 million kyats, who paid with 500 kyat notes. Hin
Poun took all the money to Kachin State and used it on the way. It was
reported that a lot of fake Burmese notes have appeared in China during the
past six months.
Pyi Gyi Mon 2 ship, running between Mandalay and Bamaw, sank near Tha Baik
Kym on 16th March. The ship was the first Chinese ship to sink. Due to
this incident, 112 people drowned and 530 people were rescued. SLORC,
however, announced that only 35 people were killed. The ship sank because
it was overloaded.
SLORC opened two border points to allow Chinese citizens to visit Burma in
"Visit Myanmar Year". These points are Muse and Lwe Je. Three Chinese
people visited Bamaw crossing Lwe Je point in April. On 19 April, these
Chinese people hired a pony cart and visited Bamaw. On the way, the pony
cart capsized and three Chinese, Wan Kyan Shein, Khe Ywe Kyu Yin, and Sheli
Kyin, were seriously injured. They were admitted to Bamaw hospital. The
pony cart driver, Chit Thaung, was arrested by police.
A column of SLORC IB 47 led by Captain Aung Khan seized 15 bullock carts
with 30 cows and 31,000 cane sticks on 15 April between Le Lone village and
La Gya Yan checkpoint. These carts are owned by villagers of Num San Yan
village in Momauk Township. The villagers from Num San Yan collected canes
and tried to sell them for funding the collective noviciation ceremony.
Although the Buddhist bishop Maha Tha Dama Zaw Tika Daza Ban Data Gan Damar
asked that the seized goods be released as they are for a religious
ceremony, SLORC refused to release the canes.
***************************************
ABSDF: FTUB CAMP BURNT DOWN BY THAI ARMY
May 9, 1997
All Burma Students' Democratic Front
FTUB CAMP BURNT DOWN BY THAI ARMY
---------------------------------
Date: May 9, 1997
A jungle camp under the administration of Free Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB)
was burnt down by Thai rangers in an apparent attempt to coax Burmese
counterparts across the border.
Twenty rangers in black uniforms arrived at Lake Chaung camp in the early
morning of May 9 along with an interpreter from a nearby camp known as Zala
refugee camp. The rangers held 12 occupants of the camp at gun point and
told them they had been sent to the camp by their superiors. The rangers
said they would burn the camp down because the authorities did not want
opposition groups to exist inside Thailand. The rangers also told the FTUB
members to move into the refugee camp.
The commander of the unit said FTUB members could report the incident to
anyone they liked as his unit was merely carrying out orders.
The FTUB was allowed to take pictures of the burning camp. The rangers also
took pictures of the burning huts and told the FTUB through the interpreter
that they would give the pictures to the SLORC.
The FTUB camp, located at Htataphang in Mae Sarieng District, was
previously occupied by the NLD-L.A.
As a result of the fire, the FTUB lost a hall, 10 huts, 5 houses, a
barracks, a kitchen, a chicken house, a pigsty, a small warehouse for food,
and office equipment and materials that couldn't be moved in time.
Source: FTUB
***********************************************
KNU: FIGHTING INSIDE THAILAND-SITUATION UPDATE
May 12,1997
On 9.5.97, fighting between the KNLA and the SLORC broke out near a
traveler's rest house close to Bongti, Thailand, on the Thai-Burma border.
Intercepted messages from the SLORC radio reported that 3 boats of
casualties were sent to Myita, Burma.
On 10.5.97, 12 armed SLORC soldiers from the Light Infantry 104 entered
Thailand near Bongti village at Kamla Di, where logs are stockpiled. This
area is 2 kilometers inside Thailand. These soldiers did not follow the car
road, instead they came through the jungle, thereby avoiding the Thai check
point. The Thai border patrol police learned that the SLORC soldiers had
entered Kamla Di, so they went to this area to meet them. The SLORC
soldiers claimed they were there to buy food, but the Thai border patrol
police did not allow them to stay. The Thai border patrol police agreed to
send them food if they needed it, but they told the SLORC soldiers that they
could not enter Thai territory with arms. Both groups agreed to meet to
further discuss the problem the next morning at the fork of Ka Saw Wah and
Amoh road. The next day, the Thai border patrol police and local village
headmen arrived at the agreed meeting place, however the SLORC troops did
not show up. On this same day, fighting occurred between the KNLA and the
SLORC near another traveler's rest house on the Thai side. It was reported
that more
than 100 SLORC soldiers had been stationed at this traveler's rest house
inside Thailand. Again, intercepted SLORC radio messages revealed that 2
boats of SLORC casualties were sent to Myita.
On 12.5.97, at 8:15 a.m., fighting began between the KNLA and the SLORC at
the traveler's rest house in Thailand. The fighting quieted, then at 11:30
a.m., the fighting erupted again. It was reported that the SLORC troops are
still staying in that area inside Thailand.
*********************************************
INTERNAL INFORMATION: INFO ON SLORC, ASSK IN DANGER
May 8, 1997
Forwarded from: Amanda Zappia <azappia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[BurmaNet Editor's Note- This report is not confirmed, but is included for
the reader's information]
Information has been received that the USDA will attack Daw Aung Suu
Kyi, even to the extent of physically hurting her.
The USDA "attack group" that assaulted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's car is
undergoing a new training program now in Hlegu.
In Rangoon, house owners who have rented to NLD members are told to
come to the local Law and Order Restoration offices and at the office are
told to get rid of their tenants as there was the danger of the houses being
damaged because of the hatred for the tenants. The local USDA people are
also present when this discussion takes place.
----------------------------------------------------------------
May 6, 1997
The Commander of the 12th Military Intelligence Unit called a meeting
of all the township adminstrative, judicial and departmental heads in
Rangoon division and gave a discription of the actual political,
economic and social situations. There is a big question to why it was
done.
Others.
It has been confrimed that retired General Tin Oo, the former chief of
military intelligence and his team are now working again under U Ne
Win.
U Tin Aung Hein and U Min Gaung [ former ministers of BSPP ] are
working with U Ne Win.
Chief of the NUP met [ was sent by U Ne Win ] with U Aung Shwe to
negotiate an unofficial meeting between SLORC and the NLD. The
NLD refused on the grounds that it needed to be official.
******************************************
FBC PRESS RELEASE: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN DIVESTS FROM TEXACO
May 9, 1997
The Free Burma Coalition
225 North Mills Street
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Madison, WI 53706
U.S.A.
Immediate Release May 9, 1997
The University of Wisconsin divests from Texaco
Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin System has divested itself of
Texaco stocks amidst a concerted campaign by students, local politicians,
and community leaders for immediate divestment from Burma.
Wisconsin is the first university in the world to divest itself from a
multinational corporation that does business with Burma's dictatorship.
Since 1994, the UW owned 11,000 shares of preferred stock, worth
$239,000, in Texaco Corp. It was a leader in the divestment campaign
against apartheid.
Regent Jonathan Barry stated," Divestment from Texaco is consistent with
the current investment policy of striking a balance between getting
(financial) returns and respecting ethics." Another Regent Sheldon Lubar
added that he believed Burma's dictatorship, namely the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), is "repugnant" and that the UW has a duty to
divest from the Texaco corporation, which currently finances SLORC.
For the past two years, the Madison-based Free Burma Coalition has
launched its local divestment campaign pressuring UW Regents to divest from
Texaco. Local community activists, lawmakers, and students fully supported
the Free Burma divestment campaign.
"The Regents' action sends a clear signal that making profit off other
people's oppression is unconscionable," said Burmese exile and UW
graduate student Zarni, who coordinates the coalition via Internet. "I hope
other universities will follow Wisconsin's lead in pressuring multinationals
to withdraw from Burma," added Zarni
Texaco is among the oil corporations that have come under public pressure
to withdraw from Burma, where the ruling junta routinely commits serious
human rights abuses including forced labor, the use of civilian as mine
sweepers, ethnic cleansing, rape, and torture. The others include Unocal,
ARCO, and Total.
Currently, Texaco is involved in a natural gas concession off the coast of
Burma in the Andaman Sea.
Contact: Peter D. Fox (608)-262-6448 for UW Regents
Zarni (608)-827-7734 or 233-2199
****************************************************
VOA: BURMA PRESSURE-NYC
May 12, 1997
Dan Robinson
Intro: this week, the New York City Council is scheduled to decide whether
to ban financial dealings with companies that do business in Burma.
Activists seeking to draw attention to human rights and political problems
in Burma say the New York vote (Wednesday) is the most important in a
"selective purchasing" campaign that has spread across the country. V-o-a's
Dan Robinson reports, that campaign appears to have benefited from President
Clinton's decision to impose new economic sanctions on Burma:
Text: the Burma activist community is confident that "Bill 647" will be
approved, marking a big victory in the selective purchasing campaign that
has recently gained momentum.
The bill would prohibit New York City from signing contracts with companies
and banks doing business in Burma, and prevent city agencies from using
vendors who have relationships or investments in the country. Nina Resnick
speaks for the New York "Burma Support Group":
/// Resnick act ///
There are some contracts that New York City already has with companies who
do business in Burma, which of course the bill would directly effect, and it
is thought it will have an impact on those companies that think they might
want to do business with the city in the future, or who have large
businesses in the United States, that it would deter them from continuing to
deal with Burma.
/// end act ///
The bill has the support of city council president Peter Vallone. He says
New York City's huge 34-billion dollar budget has often enabled it to have
an impact on important political and human rights issues:
/// Vallone act ///
Our power in New York City, only has to do with tax dollars in New York City
-- which are substantial. But we also can refuse to do business with any
corporations that do business in these countries which is a tremendous thing
because just about every corporation in the world does business in the city
of New York and does business, for instance, in a country like Saudi Arabia,
or China where they are looking to create more business.
/// end act ///
// opt // in particular, Mr. Vallone cites similar actions taken by New York
city to help hasten the end of apartheid in South Africa, and more recently
its impact on the situation in Northern Ireland. // end opt //
If the bill is approved, New York would join at least a dozen other cities
and states -- among them San Francisco and Massachusetts -- that have
enacted selective purchasing laws concerning Burma.
Recently, the Colorado senate approved a resolution calling for the state to
discourage purchasing of goods or services from businesses active in burma.
Similar bills have been introduced in the Texas and California legislatures.
Also continuing are moves to pressure three US oil companies -- Unocal, Arco
and Texaco -- to get out of military-ruled Burma or to have them accept
"rules of ethics" for future foreign investment.
At the recent Arco shareholders meeting in Texas, a resolution challenging
Arco's presence in Burma received nine percent of shareholder votes. That
is only a slight increase in support, but one that ensures the issue will
appear on next year's agenda. Simon Billenness is an investment banker and
critic of Burma's military government:
/// Billenness act ///
I think what we were able to do was to continue to keep the issue of Burma
on Arco's agenda, and continue to let Arco know that the pressure is just
going to continue, whether it be from shareholders, from consumers
boycotting their products, from state and local selective purchasing laws,
or from possible lawsuits and future further federal sanctions.
/// end act ///
Like Unocal, which has the largest (US) investment stake in Burma, Arco
officials say engagement -- not isolation -- will help bring about
conditions for democracy and growth. However, Arco chief executive Mike
Bowlin was quoted as saying he could "make no excuses" for how the Burmese
military government treats its own people.
Burma's military government ridicules both selective purchasing efforts in
the United States and the recent US sanctions move against Burma. The
ruling state law and order restoration council (SLORC) says other companies
will continue to invest in Burma even if American firms pull out. (signed)
************************************************
REUTER: BURMA CRITICISES ADB FOR SUSPENDING AID
May 12, 1997
FUKUOKA, Japan, May 12 (Reuter) - Burma criticised the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) on Monday for suspending its aid and charged that the bank was
being manipulated by negative press reports.
``Since 1988, multilateral aid to Myanmar (Burma) has been suspended due to
malicious reporting by some media in some influenced countries,'' Brigadier
General Win Tin, the nation's finance minister, told the ADB's annual
meeting, which began Sunday in this southern Japanese city.
The ADB suspended loans to Burma in 1986 and technical aid in 1987. It says
it is monitoring the economic conditions there and that it will plan an
operational strategy when appropriate.
``Unfortunately, following misled allegations and unfair judgment on
Myanmar's situation for political reasons by some media, the bank has
neglected all the true facts...and is still suspending its financial
assistance as well as technical assistance,'' Win Tin said.
He said the ADB was bound by its charter to provide assistance to all member
countries ``without any influence in its decisions by the political motives
of the member concerned.''
He said despite the lack of aid, the Burmese economy had steadily grown, and
foreign direct investment reached $6.55 billion in 1996-97 compared with
$3.23 billion the previous year.
``Myanmar could have had more expeditious achievements in the economy if the
aid had never been halted,'' Win Tin said. ``Myanmar really desires to
maintain mutual cooperation with multilateral organisations, as it ever did
before.''
Thailand also complained about ADB loans.
The bank should extend concessional financial assistance for projects in the
Greater Mekong Subregion, Thai Finance Minister Amnuay Virawan said in a
speech to the ADB's board of governors.
``Full support should also be extended to all countries participating in the
regional and subregional programmes without political bias,'' Virawan said
without elaborating.
The ADB has launched a programme under which it is steering economic
development in the Greater Mekong sub-region, which includes countries that
skirt the Mekong or through which it flows -- Cambodia, China, Laos, Burma,
Vietnam and Thailand.
The annual meeting of the 56-member ADB ends on Tuesday.
***************************************
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0039
May 12, 1997
1. Assistant Secretary - General of the United Nations, Mr. A. De Soto
visit the Union of Myanmar from 7th May to 10th May. During his stay in
Yangon the Assistant Secretary - General called on :-
(a) Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary(1) of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council.
(b) Minister for Foreign Affairs.
(c) Chairman of the work Committee of the National Convention
convening Committee and the Chief Justice.
(d) Mayor of Yangon and the Secretary of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association.
(e) The Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races.
(f) Deputy Head of the Office of Strategic Studies.
(g) Ambassadors / Deputy Chiefs of Mission of the ASEAN member
countries and Japan.
(h) U Kyi Maung, U Tin Oo and Mrs. Aris of the National League
for Democracy Party.
(i) Some members of the Shan (NLD) Party.
2. Narcotic drug seizures in various parts of the country in the month of
April to the 1st week of May amounts to a total of: -
(a) 60.5 Kilos of 2nd Grade Heroin
(b) 49.0 Kilos of 3rd Grade Heroin
(c) 182.52 Kilos of 4th Grade Heroin
(d) 1096.856 Kilos of opium
During the seizures a number of mobile refineries were destroyed by
the law enforement officials and some skirmishes also took place in the
vicinities, it is learnt.
****************************************
BKK POST: AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH BURMA
May 10, 1997
Thailand to purchase power for 10 years
Thailand will sign a memorandum of understanding in July to buy electricity
from Burma for 10 years, says PM's Office Minister Sompong Amornvivat.
During his trip to Burma, Mr Sompong said it was agreed with Burma's Energy
Minister U Khin Maung Thein that the two countries work together in energy
development.
Thailand will buy 1,500 megawatts of electricity per year from Burma over
the next 10 years, but under certain conditions.
Electricity sold by Burma must come from power plants which have at least a
25% Thai holding and the construction of substations and power lines used in
the delivery of energy to Thailand must not affect the environment in Burma.
During the meeting, Burma finally also agreed to Thailand's request to pump
out water from the Salween River for consumption in Thailand.
Mr Sompong said he also discussed a plan to buy natural gas from a new gas
field in Burma, south of Tavoy, where US-based Atlantic Richfield Co (ARCO)
is drilling.
Detailed negotiations will be soon held. If both sides agree the gas field
will become the third field from which gas is sold to Thailand.
Burma expressed its concern that possible protests in Kanchanaburi over the
construction of the gas pipeline from its Yadana gas field might stall
deliveries. Mr Sompong assured his counterpart there would be no delays.(BP)
*******************************************************
BKK POST: POLICE SEIZE KAREN REBELS' WEAPONS
May 11, 1997
Tak- Border patrol police seized arms, including rocket launchers and 30
AK47 rifles, believed to belong to Karen National Union rebels. The border
police found the rifles, one RPG launcher, two anti-tank rocket launchers, a
heavy machinegun, and assorted mortar ammunition near the Thai-Burmese
border in Umphang district on Friday.
It was found buried on Hill 1242 near Ban Thoeng Moeng in Tambon Mae Chan.
Police suspect the arms had been hidden by Karen rebels who fled across the
border into Thailand after Burmese troops attacked and seized their
strongholds in February.
The cache was the second to have been found in less than a week.
Col Suwit Maenmuan, the commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment Task Force,
said more weapons were thought to be hidden along the border.
There would be an attempt to find them in order to prevent them from falling
into the hands of criminals or smugglers.
Border officials have already this year found a large quantity of weapons
and ammunition near the border in Tak. (BP)
*******************************************************
THAILAND TIMES: NEW DISPUTE ERUPTS OVER RIVER EMBANKMENT
May 12, 1997
By Assawin Pinitwong
TAK: Relations between Thailand and Burma suffered a fresh setback yesterday
when Thailand demanded that Burma put an immediate halt to construction of
an embankment on the Moei River, saying it blocks the flow of water and
prevents the transportation of goods.
A military source, who asked to remain anonymous, said Thailand accused
Burma of violating an agreement made in the ninth meeting of the local
Thai-Burmese border committee, and warned that it will step up its action
against Burma if the construction continues.
Long-tail boat drivers from both countries have experienced massive
difficulties as a result of the embankment, which juts 15 meters into the
river near Mae Sot district, he said.
A Thai border official, who declined to be named, said Thailand will dump
rocks in the construction area if Burma refuses to obey the ultimatum. He
added that Burmese Deputy Sports Minister Sein Win is believed to be behind
the encroachment.
Warning of new disputes surrounding the Thai Burmese Friendship Bridge, the
official said more than 200 Burmese have come over from Myawwady to set up
camp on an islet under the bridge in the mistaken belief that the land
belongs to Burma.
***********************************************
THAILAND TIMES: SCANDAL THREATENS THAILAND'S LUCRATIVE GAS DEAL WITH BURMA
May 12, 1997
By Valaiporn Pipanmakaporn
BANGKOK: Thailand's multi-billion-baht deal to pipe natural gas from Burma
looks set to explode in scandal, with the revelation by petroleum experts
the gas is of such poor quality that the project should be discontinued.
Speaking to Thailand Times on condition of anonymity, a senior official from
the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) hinted that the "Golden Gateway"
project in Prachuab Khiri Khan province could well turn out to be a waste of
taxpayers' money.
Run by the Sahaviriya Group, the project receives support from the Thai
government, who have lauded the undertaking as one of the feathers in the
crown of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The PTT official's findings are bound to call into question the government's
links with Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC),
whose involvement in the project has drawn widespread accusations of human
rights abuses.
Last month, the Sahaviriya Group revealed it had reached an agreement with
the SLORC to use natural gas from Burma's Yetagun and Yadana gas fields to
fuel electricity plants and iron smelters in Prachuab Khiri Khan's Bang
Saphan district.
Bang Saphan will be connected by a transport corridor to the Burmese town of
Bokyin, where the Sahaviriya Group hopes to develop petrochemical operations.
But the PTT official told Thailand Times that while the gas can be used
successfully in the Thai-based operations, its use in Burma's petrochemical
industry is highly questionable.
He said petrochemical operations require the gas to contain quantities of
Ethane, Propane and Butane - in which the Yadana gas is lacking, and while
the Yetagun gas makes the grade, there are insufficient quantities of it to
make large scale investment worthwhile.
However, rumors that the project might have to be scrapped were dismissed by
Adisak Laochan, managing director of Sahaviriya steel Industries Plc, who
said the possibility of the project being discontinued when the studies have
been completed in four months time is remote.
The Sahaviriya Group is now looking for partners to invest in the project,
he said, adding that the PTT will be solely responsible for building the
pipeline as the safety factor is at a premium.
And the zeal with which certain politicians have pursued the project is
unlikely to be dampened by the PTT official's revelations.
Industry Minister Korn Dabbaransi, as one of the keenest advocates of the
enterprise, into which the government is planning to pump 20 billion baht,
the chances of it falling by the wayside are slim.
Matters could still become complicated however, as final approval
for the project will face a series of hurdles.
An internal source at the Industry Ministry said the ministry has not even
received the paperwork for the enterprise, and the government are far from
having made an official decision on the issue.
Various organisations involved, including PTT, the National Security
Council, the National Energy Policy Office, the National Economic and Social
Development Board and the Cabinet itself will also have to approve the
project before it gets off the drawing board.
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AMERICAN GEM TRADERS ASSOCIATION: LETTER TO AMBASSADOR
April 7, 1997
April 7, 1997
Ambassador U Tin Winn
Myanmar Ambassador
Embassy of Myanmar
2300 S St. Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
Dear Ambassador U Tin Winn:
I am writing in response to the current perceived environment of human
rights in your coutnry. On behalf of the American Gem Trade Association I
would like to express our concern over what is believed to be an
environment that is sorely lacking in the area of personal and political
Freedoms.
The American Gem Trade Association is comprised of over 700 wholesale and
retail gemstone and jewelry providers within the United States. Having been
creatd in 1981 we have long been champions of ethical business practices
within our trade.
In that our memebers market products from your country, the American Gem
Trade Association repectfully acknowledges that current conditions in your
country are of great conern. Myanmar has long had the reputation of
producing some of the finest quality materials available to the colored
gemstone industry. The recent history of political repression in your
cournty has made marketing of these products extremely difficult.
In the absence of human rights and lack of political freedom American
citizens view your coutnry and its products with great suspicion. While
it is not our practice to become involved with steering political
situations, when our efforts and integrity are called into question as a
result of doing business with a country that does not afford the same
human rights and privilages as the U.S.A., we must express our concern.
The American Gem Trade Association would be interested in establishing a
dialogue with someone within your political structure. This could provide
our members with a clearer understanding of the political climate in
Myanmar. We trust that improvements are being made so as to provide basic
human rights and a political mechanism that will serve your country and its
citizens.
We acknowledge that each country has the right to self-determination.
However, we would encourage the existence of whatever political structure
is desired by the majority of the people. In the interest of providing a
climate that more positively impacts the world and your purchasing
countries the American Gem Trade Association encourages your country to
make changes that will better the standard of living and increase the
level of political freedoms.
Please have someone contact me at their earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Ron S. Ainsworth
Executive Director
The American Gem Trade Association
enc.
RSA/kst
World Trade Center
Suite 181
2050 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
PO Box 420643
Dallas TX 75342-0643
(214) 742-4367
1-800-792-1162
FAX (214) 742-7334
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BURMESE STUDENTS- AUSTRALIA: BURMESE LUNCH
May 12, 1997
DISCOVERING BURMA
"Burma Lunch"
***********
Date: Sunday 25th May
Time: 12:30 pm
Place: Uniting Church Hall
142 Normanby Road, East Kew
Melbourne, VIC Australia
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Traditional Dancing, Music & Photo Exhibition
presented by BURMESE STUDENTS.
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BURMESE & Australian Food
proceeds for Burmese Refugee Airfares.
TICKET - $10
Contact to - Tel: 9836 8497
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