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Burma Issues weekly summary



 Burma Issues, a Bangkok-based organization, maintains a documentation
center that archives a wide variety of materials (newspaper clippings,
reports, statements, press releases, books, videos, etc.) related to
Burma.  We currently have over 12,000 sources in our archives.  Every week
a summary of the past week's entries is made.  In the past, this list has
been used within the organization to keep our volunteers and friends
up-to-date on current developments. Each article is followed by an
abbreviation that corresponds to the source of the document, a date and a
code that corresponds to our internal indexing system used to retrieve
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document contained in the list, feel free to request a copy.  Bear in mind
that, in most cases, the document will take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive via
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Burma Issues
PO Box 1076
Silom Post Office
Bangkok 10504
THAILAND

Recent News Items & Other BurmaDoc Entries: 
16 May to 22 May 1997


Themes: issues concerning border areas; the drug trade; inside Burma;
environmental issues; labour is sues; issues concerning women and
children; sanctions; Asean;  regional issues; literature.

Issues Concerning the Border Areas

Battle news from May 1 to May 16, 1997 according to the KNU Information
Center.  KNU Information Center/Burmanet 970521 OL/12C/001

The US Committee for Refguees appealed to the Thai government not to let
business links with the Slorc dictate the treatment of refugees along the
Thai-Burma border.  Mr. Ruiz, a representative of the organization,
recently travelled to 5 refugee camps to assess the situation.  He
reported that most refugees and aid workers attribute Thailand's hardening
attitude towards refugees to new business ties with Rangoon.  He added
that camps under the control of the 9th Division were as desperate as any
he has seen in the world.  He cited a lack of consistent supply of food
and medicine and security threats as serious problems.  BP970516
OA/10G/041

Press release from the Office of the Supreme HQ KNU Kaw Thoo regarding the
Slorc 1997 major offensive against the KNU.  KNU Information Centre970517
OL/3D/004

According to a radio intercept, Slorc is planning to build a new battalion
to control the area from Mitta to Htee Hta.  The soldiers have
instructions to use refugees as constructon labor for the battalion camp,
suggesting that they expect the refugees to be repatriated.  Two porters
arrived at Bong Htee and reported that from April 21 to May 15, 50-60
Burmese soldiers were wounded or killed.  A defecting Burmese soldier gave
the KNU a small, yellow pill from China.  The soldiers received these
pills which they call Ya Ti.  They're more powerful than Thai Ya Ma and
prevent the soldiers from feeling tired or pain.  It is being analyzed by
the US DEA.  At least 20 porters come to the KNU seeking refuge, but the
KNU can't take care of them.  970517 OR/12FA/014

Thailand and Burma have agreed to work for an early withdrawal of troops
from a disputed border area between Doi Lang and the Shan State.  The two
countries also agreed to speed up the settlement of other demarcation
problems to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
The announcement was made after an hour-long discussion between Than Shwe
and Chavalit.  Burma is believed to have deployed 1,200 to 1,500 men in
northern Shan State adjacent to Thailand's Doi Lang hill where Thailand
has also stationed troops that cost about 100 million baht annually.  The
conflicts began after Burmese troops gained access to territory formerly
controlled by the MTA.  Two other disputed areas are Hill 491 between
Chumphon province and Tenasserim division and around the islands of Koh
Ganga, Koh Nok and Koh Kan.  General Than Shwe was quoted as saying that
Burma was trying to solve its internal problems and that the country
needed to join Asean in order to obtain funds and technology for
development projects.  BP970517 OA/9J/022

Provincial authorities plan to send more than 5,000 Burmese refugees
living in the Salween national park to a refugee camp in Sop Moei district
to stop illegal logging there.  The move is aimed at preventing the
Burmese refugees from cutting more trees in the national park after
thousands of rai of forest have already been destroyed.  BP970518
OA/10G/042

The leverage Thailand can apply against Burma on key issues has been
diminished and it would not be surprising if Burmese troops encroach on
Thai territory to flush out Karen rebels again in the future.  In
addition, repatriation of the estimated 800,000 illegal Burmese workers in
Thailand appears unlikely.  TN970519 OA/10J/056

DKBA rebels have robbed a Thai village headman of about 100,000 baht worth
of valuables.  Police said about 20 heavily armed DKBA troops penetrated
15 kilometers into Thai soil to carry out the raid.  They appeared to be
looking for Lt-Col Per Kha Chu, a former officer of the KNU who was
thought to be taking refuge at Somyo's house.  BP970519 OA/11W/001

A Karenni leader and his 12 year old daughter were seriously injured
Monday when armed men sprayed bullets at a Karen refugee camp at Ban Nai
Soi in Tambon Phang Mu.  They were rushed to hospital for treatment.
About 50 security officers attached to the 336th Border Patrol Police Unit
were immediately rushed to the scene to ward off the intruders and beef up
security at the camp.  The Governor of Mae Hong Son said the attack would
not affect relations betweenThailand and Burma.  BP970521 OA/10G/043 see
also TN970521 OA/10G/044

The Ta Per Poo camp will be closed down soon after Karen refugees housed
there are relocated to the new Nu PHo site situated 13 kilometres from the
border.  BP970522 OA/10G/045

The district chief of the Thai border town of Umphang yesterday imposed a
curfew banning night access to Taperu and Nu Pho camps, which house more
than 13,000 Karen refugees.

Hundreds of refugees have returned to Burma and thousands of others have
left to work as cheap labour in Thai cities.  TN970522 OA/10G/046

In addition to expressing concern over extra-judicial killings in
Thailand, Amnesty International sited the forcible return of Burmese
refugees and the continued detentin of refugees and aslyum-seekers in poor
conditions as other worries in Thailand.  The report "Thailand:  Human
Rights in Transition" mentioned the cases of three ethnic Karen refugees
who were shot dead by Thai forestry officials in Aug. 1996.  TN970520
OA/10GA/012

Two Mon refugee camps in the Mergui area were burnt down by Slorc troops
on April 27.  Mon State Party leaders planned to move these refugees to a
camp opposite Kanchanaburi province but the refugees have refused to move.
According to the Mon National Relief Committee both camps are being
controlled by Slorc troops and the border crossing point into Thailand has
been closed.  The new Mon State Party is negotiating with the Slorc to
withdraw its troops from the camps.  Burmanet970520 OL/10G/013

Article on the Karen refugees at Mae La camp.  The author describes the
apathy of the refugees who have been waiting to return to Burma, some for
more than a decade.  Some have found jobs, often illegal and at
slave-labour wages in Ma Sot.  Article describes the attacks earlier this
year and the repatriation by the Thai army in March.  It is the children
who suffer the most from being denied the chance to hope for a future.
FEER970522 OP/10G/001

A section of the report summarizes:
-Numbers of Burmese refugees living in neighboring countries
-The human rights abuses by SLORC that these refugees are fleeing
-The situation of Burma refugees in Thailand, including newly arrived
refugees and forced repatriation.  U.S. Committee for Refugees970519
OR/10G/014

Amnesty International's report on Thailand: Human Rights Violations Still
a Cause For Concern, which mentions calling on the Thai government to
establish a national human rights commission to ensure that refugees are
properly protected and not sent back to face danger in their home
countries.  In early 1997, at least 4,000 Burmese refugees were forcibly
returned, despite grave concern from the UNHCR and other refugee
organisations.  Burmanet970520 OL/11AA/002

The Drug  Trade

According to official reports, a Burmese court has sentenced two convicted
drug traffickers to death and jailed five others for life.  Six of the men
were arrested in Aug. in northeastern Shan State with more than 142 kg of
heroin in their possession.  With increased anti-narcotics activities in
Thailand, most opium gum and refined heroin produced in Burma is
trafficked through China.  TN970519 OA/10J/050

The Burmese junta returned Li Yun-chung to Thai authorities after he
jumped bail in Thailand and fled to Burma.  He was detained under drug
trafficking charges and awaited extridition to the US.  The handover
occurred during Chavalit's visit to Burma, but Washington had been
informed about the handover before it occurred.  Though Li was returned to
Thailand, the Slorc refuses to return several other drug traffickers
wanted by the US.  When Khin Nyunt held a ceremony on April 23 to
inaugurate an "anti-drug muesum" in Mongla, Shan State, Lai Lin and Pao
Yuchiang (two druglords wanted by the US) were on hand to welcome Khin
Nyunt.  Chettha indicated that he knew about the handover one week before
Chavalit's trip to Burma.   TN970518 OA/10J/051

Burma has returned accused heroin trafficker Li Yun-chung to Thai control.
Li absconded after he was released on bail by a Thai judge in February as
his trial for extradition to the US was drawing to a close.  Burma said
publicly that it had no knowledge of Li or his whereabouts, which proved
to be false.  Burma continues to shelter and to profit from known drug
traffickers and their laundered riches.  Khun Sa and Lo Hsing-han are only
two of the best known narcotic warlords now under Slorc protection in
return for 'investing' their drug profits in the Burmese economy.
BP970519 OA/10J/052

Alleged drug kingpin Li Yun-chung fears for his life if sent back to jail
and has asked to be extradicted quickly to the US to face drug trafficking
charges there.  He also sought police protection for his wife and family,
saying that they might be kidnapped by people who arranged his bail.

Reports that Li went into hiding in Burma were confirmed after Burmese
authorities contacted Thai army chief Gen Chettha to tell him that they
had captured the drug fugitive.  Rangoon handed Li over to PM Gen Chavalit
during his visit to Burma late last week.  BP970519 OA/10J/053

The Burmese government yesterday handed over drug fugitive Li Yun-chung -
wanted in Thailand and the US - in a gesture coinciding with the end of a
two-day official visit by PM Gen Chavalit.  Analysts were quick to point
out that the Burmese government, which has been criticised for condoning
drug trafficking and for harbouring drug warlords and fugitives, hoped to
smooth its entry into Asean this year in the face of an intensifying
international campaign against its membership.

Slorc in a statement, said the total eradication of drugs was a national
task and the return of Li to Thai custody contributed to regional efforts
to tackle narcotics and to the development of Thai-Burmese bilateral
relations.  BP970518 OA/10J/054

Recaptured drug suspect Li Yun-chung has revealed details of how he was
granted bail under controversial circumstances in February.  TN970519
OA/10J/055

The handover of Li serves as a classic example of how the military leaders
of Thailand and Burma collaborateand complete their deals.  The return of
Li was arranged weeks before Chavalit's visit.  Since it would be the
highlight of the trip, Burma was able to impose sanctions against the
accompanying press corps not to go out of its way to report on the
opposition, especially Aung San Suu Kyi.   TN970519 OA/10J/056

The flourishing drug trade and lack of stability in Burma are bothering
Beijing.  Chinese authorities do not care which government is in power in
Burma as long as there is stability and the Chinese realise that Slorc
cannot guarantee this.  In recent years, China has become Burma's major
arms supplier and trade partner, has been seeking access to various
seaports and in early 1997 they signed an agreement to strengthen military
cooperation.  At the domestic level this is fuelling the tensions between
local Burmese and Chinese.  TN970519 OA/9CA/065

Burma suggested that Thailand had been less than diligent in seeking the
return of a drug suspect who fled Thai custody.  Burma also denied Li
Yun-chung had almost immediately crossed the border and had travelled
uninhindered in Burma, saying he was detained 3 days after entering the
country.  Burma said it was returning Li in the interest of bilateral
relations and "with the aim of contributing towards the success and
effectiveness of the fight against narcotics in the region."  Rangoon
handed Li over fully aware that he would be extradited to the US.
BP970521 OA/10J/057

The surprise return from Burma last Saturday of drug fugitive Li Yun-chung
was no accident, but a carefully orchestrated piece of theatre to coincide
with the two-day visit to Rangoon by PM Chavalit.  BP970522 OA/10J/058

Inside Burma

The president of the American oil company Unocal, the largest foreign
investor in Burma, met Friday with Aung San Suu Kyi, who advocates an
economic boycott of her country's military regime.  Details of their
discussion were not available.  AP/Burmanet970517 OL/4EC/012

The military government has arrested at least 50 senior members of ASSK's
NLD ahead of the May 27th election anniversary and others had been told to
return home and not attend the celebration at ASSK's residence.  The
arrests are reminiscent of last May when about 261 elected MPs and senior
members of the NLD were detained by the government on their way to attend
a party congress timed to coincide with the anniversary of the 1990
election win.  Government officials were not immediately available for
comment on the arrests.  TN970522 OA/11BA/004 also see  BP970522
OA/11BA/003

Amnesty condemned the arrest of at least 50 NLD leaders by the ruling
Slorc over the past few days, calling for their immediate and
unconditional release.  They were arrested from around the country while
travelling to the house of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi to attend a
meeting to celebrate the seventh anniversary of their election victory on
May 27, 1990.  Amnesty said "Last year was the worst year for human rights
since the government annulled the elections.  Now the Slorc seems
determined to eliminate the party altogether."  AI urged all governments,
but particularly Asean, to protest to the Slorc about these arrests and
pressure the government to improve its human rights record.  Slorc is as
repressive as ever, despite the emphasis placed on constructive
engagement.  AI/Burmanet970521 OL/11AA/003

Japan's chief government spokesperson has confirmed reports that up to 60
members of the NLD have been detained without trial.  JA's Chief Cabinet
Secretary urged the military junta to release the detained opposition
party members, fearing the arrests will slow the country's quest for
democracy.  UPI/Burmanet970522 OL/11BA/002

The US said on Wednesday Burma's arrest of some 50 senior opposition
members demonstrates the "perfidious and inhumane nature" of the Asian
country's military government."  Reuter/Burmanet970521 OL/11BA/003

The checkpoint on the road leading to ASSK's home is blocked to foreigners
according to the police captain "because of the order."  The junta is
accustomed to issuing orders without providing explanations.  However,
despite the public's animosity and the growing hostility of the Clinton
administration, the military's grip on power in the country shows no sign
of slackening and may even be getting stronger due to new repressive
measures instituted in the last seven months against Aung San Suu Kyi and
her supporters.

Environmental Issues

Over 200 politicians, academics, students and activists have signed a
letter urging Chavalit to call off the US$1.2 billion Yadana pipeline
project until Slorc stops violating Human rights and there is substantial
progress in dialogue between the Slorc, Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic
minorities.  The letter also called for freedom of the press, freedom of
speech and association in Burma as well as scientific studies of the
environmental impact of all joint Thai-Burmese projects.  Democrat MP's
have also asked Chavalit to review his policy towards Burma.  TN970516
OA/9G/013 also see   BP970518 OA/4EC/037

Delays, chiefly caused by resistance from local villagers and NGOs, in
building the Yadana gas pipeline have cost the Petroleum Authority of
Thailand 3-billion-baht.  Petroleum Authority of Thailand officials
predict the delays will cost the project an additional 10-billion-baht by
the middle of next year.   Locals protested the pipeline saying that it
will threaten villagers' livlihoods, fertile forests and rare animal
species.  So far the Petroleum Authority of Thailand has been able to
complete only 5% of  the   pipeline.   The Petroleum Authority of Thailand
has been inef fective in convincing the people that they need the pipeline
and it will be safe.  BP970519 OA/4GH/015

More than 15,000 logs have been smuggled into Thailand by a group of Thai
businessmen through Ban Huay Pueng Checkpoint in Maung district.  The
lumber was transported out of Burma by three trucks afer the Burmese
government refused to sell more logs to Chaing Mai boonsawat & Friend
Company.  In other news, the KNPP will meet with representatives from
Rangoon early next month to negotiate deliveries of logs out of KNPP-held
areas.  BP970520 OA/13B/006

Labour Issues

The Interior Ministry will ask the cabinet to give employers a 45-day
persiod in which to register alien workers.  The NSC also wants the matter
discussed.  According to the cabinet resolution of June 25, 1996, the
Labour, Inte rior and Public Health ministries and the Immigraiton Police
were to set up centers where employers in 43 prov inces could register
workers within 90 days of dates between Sept. 2 and Nov. 29.  However,
only 344,096 of 733,640 workers reported to the authorities.  BP970516
OA/1D/019

According to Foreign Minister Prachaub, Rangoon has agreed to cooperate in
stemming the influx of illegal Bur mese workers into Thailand.  Thailand
and Burma will also cooperate in training workers to improve their skills.
Thailand is seeking Rangoon's cooperation to certify the citizenship of
about 700,000 Burmese illegal workers allowed to work in Thailand.
Authorities fear the workers won't return to Burma after their two-year
temporary permits expire.  In terms of Burma constitution drafting
process, Prachuab mentioned that "the Burmese are now debating a clause
dealing with the powers of various sections ofsociety which they said is
very delicate and needs to be carefully considered."  The Burmese leaders
assured Thailand that the transfer of  power to the people will definitely
come about, but priority should be given to the development of strong
economic and social foundations.  Burma and Thailand agreed to expediate
border demarcation issues, increase airline services between the two na
tions and allow citizens from each country to enter the other with a
border pass.  TN970518 OA/1D/020

Issues Concerning Women and Children

Article focused on why there are few women in Thai politics.  Contains a
paragraph about Aung San Suu Kyi cit ing her bravery for standing up to
the Slorc's harassment and intimidation by using nonviolent, diplomatic
tech niques rather than military ones.  TN970520 OA/5F/002

Sanctions

President Clinton's executive order prohibiting new investment in Burma.
Office of the Press  Secretary/Burmanet 970520  OL/9C/027

Letter to the Congress from President Clinton reporting his determination
that the Burmese government has, after September 30,1996, committed
large-scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma and has
exercised his statutory authority to declare a national emergency to
respond to the actions and policies of the Government of Burma and has
issued an Executive order prohibiting US persons from new investment.
Office of the Press  Secre tary/Burmanet 970520  OL/9C/028

US President Clinton issued an executive order on Tuesday putting into
effect a ban on new American investment in Burma in response to "a
deepening pattern of severe repression" by the Burmese junta.  In signing
the order, Clinton said the junta's policies and its "large scale
repression of the democratic opposition in Burma" after Sept 30 last year
"constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security
and foreign policy of the US."  Analysts are calling the order "very
tough" as it invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
"which has been used against pariah regimes like Libya and Iraq".

The day following the order, news broke out of the junta's renewed
large-scale crackdown on the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of a planned
party congress on May 27, the seventh anniversary of the abortive general
elec tions.  This occurs ahead of a crucial meeting of Asean foreign
ministers on May 30 to 31 in Malaysia to decide on the Asean membership of
Cambodia, Burma and Laos.  TN970522 OA/9C/048

A ban on new US investments in Burma went into effect just as a new
crackdown on pro-democratic activists by military rulers was reported from
Rangoon.  The order appears to allow US companies to continue a wide range
of business activities in Burma after last month's sanctions announcement.
Unocal Corp, the biggest foreign investor said it was giving up developing
two new natural-gas fields because of the sanctions.  AWSJ970522 OA/9C/050

Thai hotel operators in Burma are feeling the pinch following the US' ban
on new US investment in BUas room occupancy has dropped to 10% of rooms
thanks to the squeeze on industry.  Thailand ranks third in the foreign
investment lineup, with US$996 million recorded as of the end of last
year.  Hotels and related services are Thai land's main investment
activity.  BP970518 OA/4CF/011

New York's Ctiy Council voted to stop doing business with companies
involved in Burma in a move to use city funds "to do goon and not
encourage evil".  The council passed the measure by a vote of 50-0.  The
mayor opposes the bill, but backers say they could easily get the
two-thirds needed to override the veto.  BP970516 OA/9CA/060

Asean Membership

Social critic Sulak Sivaraksa joined local and overseas Human rights
groups in opposing Chavalit's visit to Ran goon which will begin tomorrow.
Sulak and organizations from Malaysia and Canada told Boonchong Veesommai,
the PM's secretary-general, that the Slorc was a dictatorship with whom
Thailand should not associ ate.  The Thailand government should establish
ties with Aung San Suu Kyi, and keep Burma out of Asean as an alternative.
Sulak also said Chavalit should not a Chart Pattana minister take care of
Thailand's relations with Burma because that person is "only interested in
making and sharing financial interests with Slorc".  BP970516 OA/9G/011

Article discusses the crackdown on students following the demonstrations
in December, the latest offensive against the KNU, the drug situation, the
imprisonment of as many as 300 members of the NLD, restrictions imposed on
Aung San Suu Kyi, the economic condition of the country, the US decision
to ban new investment and the poten tially grim outcome for Aung San Suu
Kyi if Burma is is accepted as a member to Asean.  Washington
Post/Burmanet970518 OL/9M/002

Burma has opened an Asean department in preparation for full Asean
membership.  The dept. was opened a month behind schedule and Khin Maung
Win is the director-general.  Asean requires prospective members to set up
a special dept. to coorinate contacts and participation in more than 200
meetings a year.  Cambodia and Laos also have similar offices.  Asean
Foreign Ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur on May 31 to decide when
Burma, Cambodia and Laos will be admitted.  BP970517 OA/9CAA/078

Thai Finance Minister Amnuay Viravan rejected US pressure on Southeast
Asian nations to isolate Burma and said Rangoon was ready to join Asean
along wiht Laos and Cambodia.  He added that "Asean doesn't believe in
inter vention in our neighbours' internal affairs.  Asean believes the
three countries are now prepared to join the group and there is no reason
to discriminate (against) anyone because of their political ideology or
political activities."  It is expected that the recent sanctions from the
US will make Asean's decision regarding Burma's membership much more
difficult.  Burmese officials lashed out at the US's sanctions as
ineffective while a Viet Namese Foreign Min ister supported Burma's Asean
membership because it will imporve regional security.  BP970516 OA/9CA/055

BIese Communist Party chief Do Muoi will soon visit Burma where he is
expected to discuss ties and Burma's Asean membership.  Do Muoi's
delegation will likely visit Burma on May 22 to 25.  BP970517 OA/9CA/058

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has urged the government to review
a decision by Asean to admit Burma and to consider the implications for
Thailand and Asean as a whole.  They also called for a review of Asean's
deci sion to admit Laos and Cambodia into the grouping only in conjunction
with Burma.  This is the first time the com mittee took a differing view
from the government's stance.  The committee supports Asean's commitment
to collec tive decision making and to keeping out of the internal affairs
of neighbouring states, it insists that policy shouldn't bling the
grouping from looking into real issues.  The committee recommended that
the government make a five- point assessment of the benefits and pitfalls
of Burmese membership including:  the effect of Burma's internal trouble
on Asean and Thailand which has suffered an influx of refugees; the
implications of Burmese membership on Asean-US relations and especially
TH-US relations given the fact that the US is Thailand's largest trading
part ner; the impact of Burma's entry on Asean's relations wiht other
Western Countries backing the US position; the effect of the admission on
Asean's reputation.  TN970517 OA/9CAA/079

The by-line for the article is that the EU needs to be more than just an
Asean dialogue partner for a more stable global system.  Burmanet970520
OL/9CAA/008

Singapore's foreign minister has said President Clinton's executive order
would have "only limited impact" as American companies already investing
in that country would not be affected.  But he said it remained unclear
whether further investment by those companies was possible and whether the
order would force US representative companies outside the US to comply
with the ban on new American investments in Burma.  He also said it was
unlikely that the order would pressure Asean to defer its decision on the
admission of Burma this year and indeed may push Asean into pressing ahead
with its decision just to save face.  However, other Asian diplomats are
saying that the decision will not be a smooth one.  Mentions Cambodia's
fragile political decision perhaps being used as a reason to delay their
decision.  TN970522 OA/9C/049

Cambodia will re-apply for Asean membership next year and maintain ties
with member states should the group ing decide to reject the country's
application this year.  There is concern that Cambodia could become the
scape goat in the highly charged Burma issue.  TN970522 OA/9CAA/080

The Philippines Foreign Secretary said at a meeting last month that the
situation in Cambodia was more worrying than that in Burma.  Thailand's
House Foreign Affairs Committee called last week on Asean to review the
plan for simultaneous admission.  A former foreign minister Mr Bichai said
Thailand has faced fighting along its border with Burma, incursions into
Thai territory by Burmese forces and an influx of refugees.  BP970522
OA/9CAA/081

It appears to be a foregone conclusion, but there are still those who
wonder whether the membership of Rangoon is the most appropriate way for
Asean to celebrate its 30th anniversary.  BP970522 OA/9CAA/082

Regional Relations

Thai and Chinese scholars told a seminar that Burma's ambivalent position
on economic cooperation to open up the upper MEK River could largely be
attributed to security concerns over the participation of the rebellious
Shan state and fears of external influences.  Rangoon's agreement to
cooperate with other MEK countries hasn't been backed by action, but the
junta hasn't outrightly rejected any developments plans yet.  The junta is
wary of en abling navigation along the upper Mekong River which passes
through Shan state, an area that Rangoon is unable to fully control.
Economic growth in Shan state would benefit insurgency groups and open up
the area to influ ences from the US and China.  TN970516 OA/4A/003

Huang Guan Yang, a lecturer at the Yunnan Institute of International
Studies, said the Burmese government de layed a road link in the Mekong
development scheme because it fears that providing easier access for
outsiders will weaken its grip over Shan State.  Shan State is far from
Rangoon and opening up the area would allow a greater Chinese and American
presence there.  SURA and UWSA are active in northern Shan State.  The
development project involves Thailand, China, Burma and Laos.  The four
countries have agreed to develop two roads, one from Thachilek to Keng Tun
and Jinghong.  The Slorc is not very serious about the project as they
would have to spend resources cracking down on the anti-government
insurgents in the area before construction can begin.  BP970516 OA/4CD/016

The road between Tavoy and Thailand coupled with a deep sea port at Tavoy
are on the agenda of Chavalit's trip to Burma.  The road would link Tavoy
with either Kanchanaburi or Ratchaburi and shorten transport times of
exports to India, EU and Mediterranean counties.  The development
projects, which include additional connecting routes, are aimed at
strengthening the competitiveness of Thai industries and export-oriented
products.  The Western Sea board Regional Development Master Plan Study
divides the Western Seaboard into three areas:  the upper area
(Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and upper Ptechaburi), the
central area (Petchaburi, Cah-am, Hua Hin and Prachuab Khiri Khan), and
the lower area (Bangsapan, Prachuab Khiri Khan and Chumphon).  The West
ern Seaboard is targeted at the agricultural and steel industries.  A
special economic zone will be added to the area that would reduce
production costs by allowing the hiring of foreign workers.  TN970517
OA/4CD/017

Manoon Pimsarn of the Lookchai Pooyai Tueng Group denied a report that
Rangoon was delaying road construc tion work that would link northern
Thailand to Shan State.  He remarked that Rangoon wants the work speeded
up and has asked if the road can be completed in one year instead of
three.  Manoon was reacting to a comment made by a Chinese academic at a
seminar about economic cooperation among Thailand, Burma, China and Laos.
BP970517 OA/4CD/018

PM Chavalit leaves for a two-day official visit to Burma amid strong
domestic and foreign opposition.  Unlike pre vious trips, this one doesn't
officially include a big entourage of leading businessmen and investors.
Only the pres idents of the Federation of Thai Industries, the Board of
Trade and the Thai Bankers Association are travelling with Chavalit.  The
junta has allowed about 10 selected Thai journalists to follow Chavalit,
but they have been warned to solely cover Chavalit's itinerary.  Foreign
Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn defended Slorc's restrictions regarding press
personnel.  In addition to expressing Thailand's backing of Burma in
Asean, the PM will sign trade and de velopment agreements, seek
cooperation to deal with about 700,000 illegal Burmese immigrants in
Thailand and urge the regime to reform the dual foreign exchange rate for
the kyat.  TN970516 OA/9CA/054

Much is expected of Chavalit's trip to Burma during which he will meet his
close friends in Slorc.  He has ex pressed confidence in his ability to
build up Thai-Burma relations.  Chavalit  has used military rather than
normal diplomatic channels to conduct relations with Burma, and Chettha
has been his main envoy.  In the past, the for eign ministry has been
ineffective in dealing with Burma.  Top leaders from Burma, such as Than
Shwe, have vis ited Viet Nam, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and
Cambodia, but not Thailand over the past two years.  In Burma, Chavalit
will witness the signing of two agreements, one covering jurisdiction over
the friendship bridge and the other an agreement to facilitate border
communications and trade.  Thailand would also like to discuss the
development of the Tavoy deep-sea port and wants Burma to take back an
estimated 700,000 illegal workers.  BP970516 OA/9CA/057

Photo w/ caption:  Members of the Burmese community in Australia burn
photos of PM Chavalit during a protest at the Thai consulate in Sydney.
The demonstration called for a boycott of Thai Airways International in
retaliation for Chavalit's official visit to Burma.  BP970516 OA/9G/012

Than Shwe and Chavalit agreed to clear up remaining border problems and
boost trade and investment ties aimed at restoring bilateral relations.
They also agreed to develop a multi-mode transportation system linking the
two nations.  Thailand and Burma will discuss the establishment of a free
trade zone to allow the passage of labour between the two countries.
According to official statistics at the end of last year, Thailand was the
third biggest investor in Burma with projects totalling $996 million.
TN970517 OA/9CA/059

Aside from convincing the Burmese government to hand over Li, a drug
suspect wanted in the US, Chavalit's re cent visit to Burma didn't achieve
very much.  The most remarkable gain was Burma's agreeing to pull back
troops from a disputed border area between Thailand's Doi Lang and the
Shan State.  But no time frame was specified and there is no official
record of the decision.  However, no decision was made regarding border
demarcation disputes other than setting the border line at the middle of
the Friendship bridge.  Burma gave no answers to the request for Thai
Banks to be allowed to open representative offices on the border, and
illegal Burmese workers in Thailand would only be discussed by the
"concerned ministers".  Burma also avoided the topic of its constitution
drafting process.  BP970520 OA/9CA/061

Chavalit reported that during his visit to Burma, he told Than Shwe that
people "want to see the Myanmar govern ment slowly release freedoms...
release some freedoms, it's something all the world wants to see."
Chavalit men tioned that Than Shwe listened but had no comment.  Chavalit
also told Burmese leaders that Thailand supports Burma's entry into Asean
as soon as possible:  "This year or next year, I don't know, it depends on
the prepara tions.  We want them to join simultaneously... We want to
accept them as soon as possible, the sooner the better."  TN970520
OA/9CA/062

Vietnamese Communist Party chief Do Muoi will pay a four-day official
visit to Burma.  Muoi's visit shows that Viet Nam is throwing its support
behind Burma's bid for Asean membership.  The Viet Namese Foreign Ministry
released a statement that Washington's pressure on Asean not to allow
Burma into the grouping harms its image and interests in the region.
TN970518 OA/9CA/063

Report on the discussions at the Regional Conference on Human Rights and
Development Democracy, May 14-17.  Topics for discussion include: good
governance and constitutionalism; strengthening the civil society; towards
a transborder peoples' solidarity; and Teddy Buri's paper "Struggle for
Human Rights and Popular Democracy" in Burma.  BI970519 OR/11AA/001

News update containing information on: the NYC SPL; Texaco considering
pulling out of Burma; the curtailment of freedom of the press by the
Slorc; and regional concern about drugs from Burma.  OSI970519 ON/9C/001

Editorial on Thailand's PM Gen Chavalit, once a prominent participant on
the side of pro-democracy protestors during the May 1992 events, now
referring to Burma's Slorc leaders as his brothers despite the catalogue
of human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime on Burmese and minority
civilians.  BP970520 OA/9CA/064

Japan and Thailand agreed Tuesday to cooperate on promoting democracy in
Burma.  The Japanese foreign minis ter told the Thai foreign minister that
he hopes Burma's junta will take measures to allow pro-democracy groups to
take part in the process of drafting a new constitution.  The Thai foreign
minister said Thailand is seeking measures to create jobs in Burma in
order to realise its wish to repatriate some one million Burmese nationals
who are cur rently working illegally in Thailand.  Burmanet 970520
OL/9CA/007

Literature

Report on Burma's current struggle for democracy which is often cited as
the struggle for 'second independence'.  Both struggles are similar in
that they seek a totally new political order for the Burmese people and
have sought to participate in global and regional politics so as to
advance its own causes.  However, the current struggle is differ ent in
that the cause is of trying to liberate the people from their own
countrymen.   Burmanet 970518  OL/9KC/003

Burma's government revealed plans to publish a book portraying Aung San
Suu Kyi as a puppet of the US.  The book, to be titled What Is Aung San
Suu Kyi and Whither Goes She, is to be released at the end of May.
BP970520 OA/10K/006

A review of the book "A Journalist, a General and an Army in Burma" by U
Thaung.  U Thaung was a photogra pher and writer who recounts his
experiences in Burma, often describing how people cope with the stresses
of repression and events of historical significance.  He also includes
descriptions about the psychology of people from the common folk to Ne
Win, especially his superstitious tendencies.  BP970520 OA/15A/001