The BurmaNet News, May 16, 1997

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------    
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"    
----------------------------------------------------------    
    
The BurmaNet News: May 16, 1997    
Issue #722
  
HEADLINES:    
==========  
THE NATION: BURMESE ARMY FORCES ETHNIC TAIS TO LEAVE 
AP: BURMA WANTS PRESS KEPT FROM SUU KYI
KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 22/97
KNU: BATTLE NEWS
THE NATION:BURMA CAMPS TO BE CORDONED OFF
AFP: SLORC TO PUBLISH BOOK ON OPPOSITION "TRICKERY"
THE NATION: PM URGED TO RECONSIDER RELATIONSHIP 
BKK POST: BURMA TAKES PRECEDENCE
ASIA TIMES: ONE STOCK DOES NOT A MARKET MAKE
THE NATION: GREEN LOBBY QUITS  YADANA PIPE PANEL
BKK POST : BURMESE AGREE TO STOP DIGGING
RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK:CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S GDP OF MINES UP 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  

THE NATION: BURMESE ARMY FORCES ETHNIC TAIS TO LEAVE 
May 13, 1997

Hundreds of ethnic Tais living in Burma's Shan state have fled into
Thailand to escape atrocities and harsh treatment inflicted by the Burmese
military, a National Security Council (NSC) border officer said yesterday.
The officer said about 1000 men, women and children of ethnic Tai
background were forced from their homes and crossed into Thailand through
various points in Mae Hong Son province.
Quoting the villagers, the officer said they had been intimidated by
soldiers of the Burmese army, robbed of their cattle and forced to stand
guard outside their homes at night. "They have gone through all kinds of
abuse, making it unbearable for them to live there, thus they have had to
flee their homeland," he said.
The officer said the action by the Burmese army was akin to ethnic
cleansing because Rangoon wants to resettle Burmese nationals in the area,
especially in Ban Hua Mueng, which was once populated by ethnic Tais.
Meanwhile, 600 Burmese soldiers, led by the deputy commander of the
Burmese 358th battalion, launched raids on two Karen bases in Ban Pu Te
Shouy and Ban Klong Sai Pid opposite the Thai-Burmese border on Sunday.

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

AP: BURMA WANTS PRESS KEPT FROM SUU KYI
May 15, 1997
Robert Horn, Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's military rulers have asked the Thai
government to bar Thai reporters from meeting with democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi, Thai officials said today.

About 15 Thai journalists will accompany Prime Minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh when he travels to Burma to confer with leading members of that
country's military government Friday and Saturday.

The Burmese regime has been tightening restrictions on, and denying visas
to, most foreign journalists to prevent them from trying to interview Suu Kyi.

The generals are keeping the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize-winner in a state of
near-house arrest, with military roadblocks around her home preventing most
supporters from reaching her.

Chavalit has billed himself as a friend of Burma's generals who can use his
close ties to try to expose them to international norms of behavior and help
moderate their repressive tactics.

Burmese democracy activists and human rights groups charge,  however, that
in his rush to help Thai companies that want to do business in Burma,
Chavalit has backed the military government's policies.

Thai government spokesmen refused to comment on the Burmese request, calling
it ``a very sensitive matter.''

A Thai diplomat, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, said,  however,
that Burma's Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the request to its Thai
counterpart while preparations  for the trip were being arranged.

He said that it was the government's duty to inform the local journalists of
the Burmese request. The government would advise them that although Thailand
has a tradition of press freedom, they were visiting a country that did not,
the diplomat said.

However, because Thailand observes freedom of the press, the government was
not in a position to bar them from attempting to meet Suu Kyi, he said.

He added that a Burmese liaison officer would be posted with the news corps.

Thai journalists who accompanied former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa
to Burma in 1996 complained that Burmese intelligence officers prevented
them from leaving their hotels unescorted.

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

KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 22/97
May 15, 1997

                        OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
                              KAREN NATIONAL UNION
                                     KAW THOO LEI


                                            Press Release No. 22/97
    Regarding the SLORC 1997 Major Offensive Against the KNU

              While proclaiming the slogans of "Non-disintegration of the
Union"- "Consolidation of National Unity" ----, the SLORC has been waging a
barbaric war of aggression, slaughter, desruction, rape and etc, and
perpetrating atrocities against the Karen people. 

* 20-3-97: Sergeant Tway Nge and a private from the SLORC LIB* 208, under
the command of Maj. Tay Aung raped Naw Paw Lweh, 15, of Pu-yay village which
is situated near Kyaik-don village in Kya-in-Seik-Kyi township. The crime
took place at 8 p.m. on the upper floor of her own house. The two threatened
Naw Paw Lweh's aunt with death if there was any leak of information about
the matter.

* 23-3-97: Company (1) commander from SLORC LIB 205, Capt* Thein Aung and
his whole company of soldier gang-raped Naw Aye Win, 35, and her sister Ma
Thein Za, 17, from Gar-lay-kee village of Kya-in-Seik-kyi township and,
then, shot them to death. The naked bodies of the two were left at the edge
of a forest.

* 28-4-97: Saw Pa Nar, a member of the ally of the SLORC, DKBA * shot to
death Par Thay Thar, 25, from No-law-pa-law village at a place between
Too-chaw and Pa-lo villages in Thaton district.

* 29-4-97: A DKBA member Than Tun and friends burnt down the house of Maung
Aung Than of Kyauk-pya village causing a loss of property worth 500,000 Kyat*.

* 2-5-97: Intelligence officer Capt. Tin Ngwe from LIB 230 of the SLORC army
arrested without reason Saw Maung Kyaw, 38, of Ma-yan-gon village, Thaton
district and beat him up. He was seriously injured, as a result.

* 3-5-97: Captain Tin Ngwe arrested U Par Kya, 40, of Me-jaung-aing village
and took him to Maj. Thet Tin Win of Naung-ga-doke camp. At about 5 p.m,
Maj. Thet Tin Win took U Par Kya and villagers of Me-jaung-aing to the
cemetery and made the villagers dig pit in the ground. Then U Par Kya was
made to lie down in the pit and shot in front of the villagers. Again, Maj.
Thet Tin Win stabbed U Par Kyi, 50, and U Par Leh, 40, of Naung-ga-doke
village with a knife and dragged them into the village with blood dripping
from the wounds and summoned the villagers to come and take a look.

LIB = Light Infantry Battalion
Capt = Captain
DKBA = Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army
Kyat = Name of the Burmese currency

KNU Information center

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

KNU: BATTLE NEWS
May 16, 1997

SKIRMISHES IN APRIL

     From 1.4.97 to 30.4.97, (95) clashes broke out between the KNLA troops
and SLORC troops, (65) KNLA mines were exploded. 46 SLORC soldiers were
killed and 62 SLORC soldiers were injured. 63 SLORC soldiers lost their
legs. KNLA troops suffered (7) dead, (11) KNLA soldiers were injured and
lost (1) M-16 and (1) M-203. 
-----------------------------------------------

BATTLE NEWS

2.4.97
(No.(5)Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops SLORC troops at Htee Hgaw
Lu. Casualties are unknown.

8.4.97

(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at
Paw Wah Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured.

13.4.97
(No. (5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops at Yo Po Lu. One SLORC soldier was killed.

14.4.97
(No.(1) Brigade, Thaton district, Belin township Area) A clash broke out
between KNLA troops and SLORC troops. One SLORC soldier was injured.

(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at
a position between Htee The Lay and Htee Law The Hta. A clash broke out
again between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at western Htee The Lay.
Casualties are unknown.

15.4.97
 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at
Maw Kee village. Casualties are unknown.

17.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) At 1850 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at Ta Ru Kyo. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC
soldier was injured. At the same day, at 2130 hours, KNLA troops attacked
LIR (547) at Lay Kyo. Casualties are unknown.

18.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at
Hpo Ler. One SLORC was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. At the same
day, KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at Hta Per Der. One SLORC soldier was
killed.

19.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) At 0700 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at Thay Pler Kyo. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC
soldier was injured. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at
Boe Ler. Casualties are unknown.
                   At 0700 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIR (34) at Hsaw Ler
Der. One SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, at 1240 hours, a clash
broke out again between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops. One SLORC soldier
was killed and one was injured. At the same day, at 1330 hours, KNLA troops
attacked again at Hsaw Ler Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and one was
injured. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hpo Ler.
Casualties are unknown.

20.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) A clash broke out between the KNLA troops
and SLORC troops at Thay Kho Klo. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops at HtarMae Der. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA
mine at Ku Lu Klo. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.
                          LIR(341) stepped on a KNLA mine at Bu Ka Lar Area.
One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

21.4.97
(No.(2) Brigade, Taungoo district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC military
base at Than Taung Way Thaw (15 miles). One SLORC soldier was killed and
three SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one officer was injured.

(No.(7) Brigade,Paan district Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at
Pya Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at
Thay Nay Kyo. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked LIR (341) at Hsaw Ler
Der. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on (10) KNLA mines at Ko Day,
Htee Mwee Khee, Ler Ko Wah, Weh Lay Lu, Du Do Lu, Yo Po Law Lu, Maw Lo Klo,
Lay Bulo, Htee Lae Hta, Ta Kaw To Baw. Ten SLORC soldiers lost their legs.

24.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) SLORC troops stepped on three KNLA
mines at Hgaw Daw and Ler Taw Day. Three SLORC soldiers lost thier legs. At
the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Thwee Khee.
Casualties are unknown.

26.4.97
(No.(1) Brigade, Thaton district Area) At 0800 hours, KNLA troops attacked
SLORC troops with Claymore mine at a position between Mya lay and Htee Hse
Baw. Eiht SLORC soldiers were killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured.
Including one Lieutenant was dead.

(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) At 0800 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC
troops at a position between Maw Lo Klo and Lay Po Hta. One SLORC soldier
was injured. At the same day, SLORC troops attacked KNLA troops at Htee Thay
Day. KNLA suffered no casualties. SLORC casualties are unknown.

28.4.97
(No.(7) Brigade, Paan district Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA
troops and SLORC troops at Htee Klay Kaw Pwe village. The battle lasted (4)
hours. Four SLORC soldiers were killed and four SLORC soldiers were injured.

(No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hto
Ree Kyo. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hto Ree
Day. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

29.4.97
 (No.(7) Brigade, Paan district, Ta Nay Char township) At 1340 hours, SLORC
troops attacked KNLA troops at Ko Pway. The battle lasted (4) hours. Eight
SLORC soldiers were killed and twelve SLORC soldiers were injured. Including
one second Lieutenant, two Sergearnt were dead and one Lieutenant was
injured. Three KNLA soldiers were injured.

(No.(5) Brigade, KNDO No.(1)BN., Mu Traw district Area) KNDO troops attacked
SLORC troops at Day Bu Plaw.

(No.(2) Brigade, Taungoo district Area) LIB (53) stepped on a KNLA mine at a
position between Hse Day and Bu Hser Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg.

30.4.97
(No.(5) Brigade, KNDO No.(1) BN., Mu Traw district Area) Three clashes broke
out between the KNDO and SLORC troops at Ler Mu Plaw Area. At the same time,
KNDO troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler Mu Plaw village. Two SLORC were killed.

KNLA = Karen National Liberation Army
KNDO = Karen National Defence Organization
SLORC= State Law and Order restoration Council
LIR = Light Infantry Regiment
LIB = Light Infantry Battalion 

KNU Information Center

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

THE NATION:BURMA CAMPS TO BE CORDONED OFF
May,15,1997

TAK authorities will set up a security cordon around camps for Burmese in
the province, to prevent further intrusion into the areas by unidentified
armed groups, Tak Governor Pongpoyom Wasaputi said yesterday.

Pongpoyom said there were four camps for the displaced Burmese who had fled
the fighting in their homeland between ethnic guerrillas and Burmese
government troops- at Tha Song Yang, Mae Sot, Phop Phra and Umphang.

"From now on the Army will take care of areas outside the camps and defence
volunteers will be in charge of the camp compounds.

"If the camp is invaded, the soldiers will be responsible for shooting at
the invaders,"Pongpoyom said.

He was speaking after chairing a security meeting to discuss the
Thai-Burmese border, attended by local district chiefs and police and army
officers stationed along the frontier.

"A curfew will be imposed from 6 pm to 6 am. Any entry or departure during
that period will clearly show suspicious intent. Those who break the curfew
will face tough measures.

"A security centre will be set up in each camp to ensure the safety of the
Burmese.

We will also provide more sanitation services", the governor said.

Unidentified armed groups have repeatedly invaded and burned the camps for
displaced Burmese. The Army has been unable to prevent them.

Pongpoyom said the planned repatriation of 114 Burmese belonging to 25
families in Umphang camp, who had volunteered to return home on May 20, had
been postponed because the Burmese were not ready to receive them.

"The Burmese have also made it clear that the Burmese who return must be
Burmese", he said. (TN)   

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

AFP: SLORC TO PUBLISH BOOK ON OPPOSITION "TRICKERY"
May 14, 1997
     
Burma is publishing a book documenting the "political trickery" of
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to an advertisement carried in
the state-run press on Wednesday.
     
The book, a compilation of Burmese-language newspaper commentaries, 
is to appear before the end of the month, the ad placed by the government 
News and Periodicals Enterprise said.
     
Written in an uncharacteristic Western style, the ad in the English-language
New Light of Myanmar advised readers that copies were limited and they
should rush to place their orders.  
     
 The goal of the book was "to place on record with historical evidences ...
the characteristics of those who emerged at the turn of Myanmar political
history and practised political trickery," the ad said.
     
It was apparently referring to Aung San Suu Kyi's emergence in 1988 as a
leader of the pro-democracy movement.
     
Her National League for Democracy (NLD) went on to win general elections in
May 1990 although she was held under house arrest for six years until July 1995.
     
"Who is Aung San Suu Kyi? Is she an advocate of democracy or peace?      Is
she a person who disrupts peace and stability? ... Is she making dollars by
engaging in democracy show-job?" the ad asked rhetorically.
     
"While trudging along the path of Myanma (Burma) politics, the person
unknowingly loses the way. To keep the public informed, assessment is
thus made on where she is heading," it said.
     
An editorial in the New Light of Myanmar on Wednesday warned the     public
to "beware of traitorous maggots" who sought to disrupt Burma's progress
toward development and destabilize the nation.
     
The editorial contained a fresh attack on foreigners and their "stooges"
inside the country who were said to be interfering in domestic affairs,
seeking to cause conflicts between races and between religions.
     
Burma's military rulers have frequently accused Aung San Suu Kyi of
putting foreign interests above those of Burma through her contacts with 
foreign embassies and international organizations and because she is married
to a British national.

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

THE NATION: PM URGED TO RECONSIDER RELATIONSHIP WITH BURMA
May 15, 1997
Yindee Lertcharoenchok, The Nation

Rights activists warns of links to 'brutal regime'

A group of Thai and International human rights activists yesterday urged
Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to disengage from the Burmese junta and
to reconsider the country's bid for membership in the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.

They also called on the premier to reconsider the controversial Yadana
natural gas pipeline project, saying it will destroy pristine forest and
wildlife in both Thailand and Burma and to halt a plan to repatriate ethnic
Burmese refugees.

The requests were made during a meeting yesterday afternoon between the
human rights group led by social critic Sulak Sivalaksa and the premier's
secretary-general Boonchong Weesommai.

The activists had requested a meeting with Chavalit before his official
two-day visit to Burma starting tomorrow. The premier, who ,was engaged with
another official duty, assigned his secretary to meet the group which
included campaigners from Canada, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Sulak said Chavalit, "who rose to premiership through a legitimate electoral
process", should not associate himself with the Burmese junta which "is a
brutal illegitimate regime". Instead, Chavalit should establish contact and
engage with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he said.

He warned that Thai economic projects, including the US$1.2 billion (Bt31.2
billion) Yadana project which will transport Burmese natural gas from the
Gulf of Martaban through a pipeline for sale in Thailand, could be annulled
if a democratic Burmese government came to power.

Gothom Arya, adviser to the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma,
urged Chavalit, also defence minister, to halt any plans to send about
100,000 mainly Karen refugees back to Burma.

A hasty repatriation without the proper mechanisms in place to monitor their
safety would be tantamount to pushing "the weak" into the hands of "the
power who bears arms", he said.

"I would like to urge the prime minister not to make any commitment [with
the Burmese junta] on the repatriation. If we [Thailand] don't move
cautiously in the repatriation operation, there might be serious
repercussions for Thailand," Gothom warned.

Former MP Suthin Noppaket said economic development could cause both
positive and negative impacts on a country and Thailand should not engage in
any economic activities that would thrive or be implemented at the expense
of people suffering in other countries.

He said Thai investment in Burma now only helps to strengthen the Burmese
junta's "military power" that is used to suppress the Burmese people, who
are then forced to flee the repressive rule into Thailand.

The activists also called on Chavalit not to agree to the Burmese junta's
request from membership in Asean this year. Boonchong, who will accompany
Chavalit on the Burma trip, agreed to convey the human rights group's
message to the premier.

Associated Press Adds: A US-based refugee advocacy group appealed to the
Thai government yesterday not to let business links with Burma's military
government dictate its treatment of Burmese refugees in Thailand.

"The Thai government and people have done much to be proud of on behalf of
refugees," said Hiram Ruiz, policy analyst for the US Committee for
Refugees, based in Washington. "But now economic interests threaten to
tarnish Thailand's record."

Ruiz recently travelled to five of the refugee camps in Thailand sheltering
more than 100,000 people who have fled military campaigns and human rights
abuses in Burma.

The government of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has been striving to
improve relations with the Burmese regime, in part to help Thai companies
with business deals and infrastructure contracts with its neighbour. (TN)

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

BKK POST: BURMA TAKES PRECEDENCE
May 15, 1997

The two week official visit to the US by Army Commander Chettha Thanajaro
has been rescheduled after Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh insisted the
army chief accompany him to Burma on May 16 and 17.

Gen Chettha, who was to be a guest of US Army Chief- of - Staff Dennis J.
Reimer, had planned initially to visit the US from May 14-28.

"The army commander was surprised to learn the premier wanted him to join
the Burma trip", said a military insider. "Initially, the army commander was
not included in the delegation".

It is an open secret that the army commander has established close ties with
several key Burmese military figures, including Army Commander Maung Aye and
State Law and Order Restoration Council Secretary-1 Khin Nyunt.

The insider said Gen Chettha might take the occasion to discuss fishing
problems and border security with key Burmese military officers.

The army commander now will fly immediately to the US on May 18 after he
returns from Burma.

During the trip, Gen Chettha will view the US Army's rapid deployment forces
as he has just approved the formation of a similar unit under the First Army
Region's 31st regiment in Lop Buri province.

"The unit was formed with the purpose of tackling  security problems along
the border area quickly and will also be used for UN- led international
missions", said a military insider, adding that Gen Chettha is the first
army commander in a decade to receive an official invitation from the US
Army.(BP)

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

ASIA TIMES: ONE STOCK DOES NOT A MARKET MAKE
May 15, 1997
Stephen Brookes, Yangon, 15th May 1997

Hong Kong's bourse is thriving while Bangkok's is plunging, but trading
fever has yet to strike Asia's newest - and tiniest - stock market: The
Myanmar Securities Exchange Center (MSEC). 

In fact, since opening last December as a 50/50 joint project between the
Myanmar Economic Bank and Japan's Daiwa Research, the center so far lists
only one company, with a total of 600 investors - most purchasing only a
single share. 

"We're in an educational stage now," explained Eiji Suzuki, MSEC's managing
director, as he showed a visitor around the empty trading floor in downtown
Yangon. "The plan is first to create a market, and if it expands, turn it
into an official stock exchange. It would be nonsense to have an exchange
without a market." 

How long it will take to grow that new market is still unclear, although
Daiwa officials hope to see four or five companies listed by the end of the
year. A fully functioning secondary market was still some years off, said
Suzuki, noting that one hurdle was the hesitancy of Myanmar's traditional
business community. 

"A number of private companies are thinking of changing their status to
public companies," he said. 

"They want to expand, and they need capital. Bank loans require security,
and interest rates run as high as 21 percent, so it's better to go to the
stock market to raise cash. But most of the companies are family-owned, and
they don't want to share management or profits with outsiders." 

Analysts in Yangon said there were some 27 companies now issuing stock
privately in Myanmar, but the majority only sold to friends and business
partners, and many of their practices needed to be updated before they could
realistically participate in a stock exchange. Dividends are only paid at
the close of the fiscal year in March, for example, and shareholders must
produce their certificates in person to collect the dividend. "If you own
more than a few stocks, you have to run all over town in March," said one
Myanmar business advisor. "And if you sell in February, you lose the year's
dividend. Shareholders are expected to hold their shares for life. It's a
19th century system." 

Nevertheless, bringing a modern stock market to Myanmar - whose economy was
totally isolated under a socialist military regime until 1988 - is one way
to free up much-needed capital and funnel it into the expanding private
sector. But significant roadblocks remain. Aside from antiquated business
practices and a dearth of stock-issuing companies, Myanmar still lacks such
basics as a securities law, although one is now under deliberation in the
Attorney General's Office. There are no institutional investors, despite the
existence of about 20 private banks and one insurance company in Myanmar,
and potential individual investors still have little understanding of how
markets work. 

To create a market, the new Myanmar Securities Exchange Center has been
running seminars in Yangon for businesses, investors and government
employees, as well as running advertisements in the newspapers. "I'm
expecting interest to rise," said Suzuki, "simply because people don't know
about the stock market yet." 

The demand for investment opportunities is there, many analysts believe.
Individuals are now limited largely to investing in gems, gold or property,
and there is growing demand for government-issued Treasury bonds, which have
14 percent coupons for five-year bonds and 13.5 percent coupons for
three-year bonds. 

And interest is starting to rise in the business community, which is eager
to see new sources of funding emerge. Bank loans are difficult to arrange
and require large amounts of collateral, and private money brokers charge
annual interest of between 36 and 120 percent. 

Moreover, an exchange might also allow Myanmar's stalled program of
privatizing state-owned businesses to move forward. "Each of these
enterprises is so big," said Suzuki, "that no family can buy them alone. A
securities system could help the process; the government could split the
enterprises up into shares, then sell the shares." 

A functioning exchange could also draw hard currency from foreign investors,
said analysts, though barriers remain. If a company sells even one share to
a foreigner, it loses its status as a Myanmar company - and thus loses
privileges such as access to land. Also, the government may be reluctant to
open the market to foreign investors because of concerns over fluctuations
in foreign exchange flows, Suzuki noted. 

Nevertheless, Daiwa is working to open the fledgling market to outsiders. "I
am proposing that 10 percent or 20 percent of issued shares be allowed to be
owned by foreigners," said Suzuki. "It will bring in foreign exchange, and
foreign investors know how markets work. If they come in, it could be a good
signal to Myanmar investors." (AT)

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

THE NATION: GREEN LOBBY QUITS  YADANA PIPE PANEL
May 15, 1997
Walakkamon Eamwiwatkit

KANCHANABURI- A local environmental group yesterday resigned from
a sub-committee set up to monitor the environmental impact of the Yadana gas
pipeline project, claiming the developers were unable to explain some
curious issues and that the panel had no actual authority.

After being established by the National Environment Board (NEB)on
March 24, the sub-committee began its work yesterday with its first meeting
held in this western province. The pipeline will travel through several
pristine conservation areas in Kanchanaburi before it reaches a power plant
being built in Ratchaburi.

Committee members include about 20 representatives, made up of
government officials, project implementors and non-government organisations
(NGOs)-including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation (SNF), Wildlife Fund
Thailand (WFT), Friends of the Asia Elephant, the Thailand Environment
Institute (TEI) and the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group. The board is
chaired by Kanchanaburi Governor Kwanchai Wasawongs.

Phinan Chotirosseranee, a representative for the Kanchanaburi Conservation
Group, decided during the meeting to resign from the sub-committee.

She said that being a member would make it more difficult for the
conservation group to monitor and prevent any environmental impact caused by
the pipeline.

"We have not received any clear authority about begin a proper
sub-committee, and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is still unable
to answer several important questions, such as the impact on the forests and
wild animals, and the characteristics of the pipe, " Phinan said.

She said that her group has proposed that the PTT suspend construction of
the project for about three years until the impact were assessed and
solutions found.

She added, however, that the PTT and the chairman of the sub-committee
rejected the proposal, claiming that there was an international contract
with the Burmese government which must be followed, so the project cannot be
delayed any further.

Other NGO representatives-including those from WFT, SNF and the elephant
supporters- also threatened to resign unless the PTT indicated that it
intended to reveal all the information about the project.

Kwanchai said the sub-committee would try to carry out its duty and reduce
the negative impacts from the project while protecting the country's
economic benefits, "The sub-committee, which includes various parties, will
help the project be completed carefully," he said.

Songkiert Tansamrit, the PTT's public relations chief, said the company
would invite several neutral experts to the next meeting to clarify
questions about the project's impact, particularly concerning environmental
issues.

He said that 10 points form the monitoring framework would be implemented at
the next meeting on June 11 and that responsible parties would be set up.

Prasith Klaythong, an official form the Royal Forestry Department commented
during yesterday's  meeting that the project's environmental impact
assessment was not clear, so more and better studies were needed to be
carried out to reduce the environmental impact.

[excerpts from related article]

BKK POST: LOCAL GREENIES QUIT MONITORING SUB-COMMITTEE
May 15, 1997
Kanittha Inchukul

The Kanchanaburi Conservation Group accused the Petroleum Authority of
Thailand (PTT) of lying and of failing to provide clear and adequate
information.

Phinan Chotirotsaranee, who represents the local conservation group, said
the group found that the pipe was thinner than the PTT had claimed in its
environmental impact assessment (EIA) study.

The PTT claimed the pipe was to be 25 millimetres thick when, in fact, the
pipeline passing through Saiyok district was found to be only 17.1
millimetres thick.

"The PTT has lied to us," said Mrs Phinan.

Mr Suwanan said that the thickness stated in the EIA was an estimate and not
the real specification. He said the thickness of the pipe varied depending
on location.

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BKK POST : BURMESE AGREE TO STOP DIGGING
May, 15, 1997

Burmese authorities in Myawaddy have agreed to stop digging a new Moei River
water channel in Mae Sot district after negotiations with Thai officials. 

The decision followed a meeting in Myawaddy between officials led by U Paye
Than, the director- general of the Burmese Hydrographic Department, and Thai
officials led by deputy Tak governor Somboon Ngamluck. 

The channel was being built in Tambon Sai Luad of Mae Sot district.

Mr Somboon said Burmese representatives accepted that local officials had no
authority to make any decision which would lead to changes in the border and
that the digging of the water channel had encroached on Thai soil. (BP)

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RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK : CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOT PERTURBED BY US SANCTIONS 
May 10, 1997 [translated from Burmese]

The Chamber of Commerce of the Union of Myanmar [Burma] and nine other trade
and enterprise organizations under the chamber today issued a policy
declaration, dated 9 May, on the US Government's decision to impose a ban on
new investments in Myanmar.
The statement says the US Government has been practicing the policy of
hegemony since the end of the Cold War and has unilaterally imposed
economic sanctions on 35 countries for 61 times during the past four years.
 It has now decided to ban new investments in Myanmar.  The statement says
that the traders and entrepreneurs under the chamber are not surprised or
shocked by the decision.
Since the assumption of state powers in 1988, the State Law and Order
Restoration Council has allowed a market-oriented economy based on national
economy, promoted private trade and industries, rendered assistance for
promotion of private entrepreneurs, and promulgated laws to invite
investments and technology from abroad. Due to these systematic measures, as
of 30 April 1997, foreign investment, excluding trade, has reached US $6
billion.
As a member of the United Nation, Myanmar has been conducting friendly
relations with countries of the world and has been adhering to the five
principles of the Bandung Conference laid down by nonaligned countries. 
The US, which is thousands of miles away from Myanmar and has very little
trade with Myanmar, does not have a thorough knowledge of the true
situation in Myanmar.  The US decision [on sanctions] is wrong and
one-sided.
At the time the ASEAN and other countries are expressing disagreement
with and opposition to the US policy toward relations with Myanmar and the
sanctions, members of the chamber very much regret that some individuals
inside the country have welcomed and thanked the US Government's decision. 
Traders and entrepreneurs of Myanmar, who have had experience in
self-reliance under any conditions, do not heed the US economic sanctions
and are not at all perturbed by them.  The traders and entrepreneurs are
alerted and urged to firmly repulse attempts by some resentful external
countries to interfere in internal affairs by upholding the patriotic
spirit based on national unity and mutual assistance in accordance with the
motto: the strength of the nation lies within.

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XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S GDP OF MINES UP 
May 14, 1997

Myanmar's gross domestic product of mines increased 6.5 percent in the
1996-97 fiscal year ending in March over the previous year's, according to
the latest official statistics.  the mining sector enjoyed an average annual
production growth of 19.5 percent during the previous four-year short-term
national economic plan (from 1992-93 to 1995-96).  Myanmar is striving to
exceed the planned sectoral growth of 7 percent in the 1997-98 fiscal year.
total foreign investment in Myanmar's mining sector amounted to 498.03
million US dollars in 42 permitted projects at the end of march this year
with 15 companies from five countries (Australia, Canada, Singapore,
Thailand and the United States) involved in mining mineral deposits
including gold and copper.

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