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The BurmaNet News, June 22, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: June 22, 1997        
Issue #755

HEADLINES:        
==========   
ALTSEAN: PRESS RELEASE - RESPONSE TO SLORC ARRESTS
BURMA OFFICE: TRANSLATION OF STATEMENTS 5/97, 6/97
THE NATION: THAILAND TO CELEBRATE TIES WITH BURMA
THE NATION: APPROACH TO EMPLOY PERSUASION
NEW STRAITS TIMES: ENVOY: AVOID HOTEL INVESTMENTS 
SLORC: TRUTH AND ETHICS 
BKK POST: MOEI RIVER WORK AGAIN A HEADACHE
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 
ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE STUDENTS' REUNION
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

ALTSEAN: PRESS RELEASE - RESPONSE TO SLORC ARRESTS
June 21, 1997

ALTSEAN-BURMA
A L T E R N A T I V E   A S E A N   N E T W O R K  O N   B U R M A
tel: 66 2 275 1811,  66 2 693 4515            fax: 66 2 693 4515
<altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
c/o FORUM-ASIA  109 SUTHISARNWINICHAI RD  SAMSENNOK   HUAYKWANG   BANGKOK
10320   THAILAND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 June 1997

MEDIA STATEMENT: 

ALTSEAN - BURMA RESPONSE TO SLORC ARREST IN CONNECTION TO ASEAN VIDEO

Bangkok: The Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-BURMA) today
condemned the Slorc regime for using Aung San Suu Kyi's message to Asean as
an excuse to arrest five of her close associates.  ALTSEAN-BURMA produced
the 5-minute video message from Aung San Suu Kyi to Asean leaders. The
video, which was released on May 28, days before the Asean Foreign Ministers
Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, is also the last available footage of the democracy
leader.

ALTSEAN-BURMA coordinator Debbie Stothard said: "When we organised the
production of the video, we preferred not to ask for details of the people
involved. However, we are sure that those arrested did not smuggle the video
abroad. "

"It is distressing that the Slorc used this video as an excuse to harass the
democratically-elected government of Burma."

"The arrests are further proof that formal acceptance of the Slorc into
Asean will lead to greater repression and harassment of NLD, Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi and the peoples of Burma."

"We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the people
arrested and we call for their immediate and unconditional release."

"We also call for the immediate cessation of harassment and attacks on
people engaging in peaceful and legitimate activities in Burma."

"We condemn these arrests and interpret them as cowardly acts by a regime
which should be engaged in tripartite dialogue with the democracy movement
led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities", said Stothard.

International news agencies today reported that Slorc arrested Ms. Suu Kyi's
relatives and personal photographer for allegedly smuggling a videotaped
message by the Nobel Laureate opposing Slorc's admission to Asean.

Those reportedly arrested are Cho Aung Thau, a cousin of Ms. Suu Kyi, his
sister and her husband as well as photographer Ko Sunny and U Hon Myint.

Transcripts of the video in question are available upon request from: tel:
+66 2 275 1811, fax 662 693 4515 and email: altsean@xxxxxxxxxx	

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

BURMA OFFICE: TRANSLATION OF STATEMENTS 5/97, 6/97
June 17, 1997

[The following is translated from NLD transcripts (Statement No. 5 & 6)
written in Burmese.]

National League for Democracy
No: 97/B, West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan township, Rangoon

Statement No. 05/97

1. The National League for Democracy is a legally founded political
party which is duly registered [with the Election Commission].  The NLD
has clearly announced to the Nation that it is an organisation which
lays down principles upon which to systematically build democratic
procedures.

2.  NLD is the political party which contested in the multi-party and
democracy general elections in accordance with democratic principles and
won an overwhelming victory.  

3. The victorious party planned  to hold  meetings on 27 and 28 May 1997
with its members and its Representatives of the People (members of the
parliament) at State/Division/Township level to discuss ways and means
for the establishment of a sustainable and genuine democratic system for
the people.

4.  When responding this, the State Law and Order Restoration Council
never ever took into account the aim of NLD's meeting, but echoed
earlier accusations that NLD was creating disturbances and threatening
the security of the country.

5.  The authorities imposed the following measures in order to prevent
the meeting from taking place:

a) Barring representatives from States/Divisions/Townships from
attending the meeting.
b) Arresting representatives from States/Divisions/Townships from
attending the meeting.  In some cases, wives and children of NLD members
were subjected to arrest when their husbands were not found by the
authorities.  
c) Strictly blocking the University Avenue and other roads in Rangoon
which lead to NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. 
Moreover, they plotted, attempted and threatened to arrest members of
the NLD who temporarily gathered at the home of one of the executive
members of the NLD by the use of force.
d) The aforementioned acts of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council are in great contradictory to their claims to establish the
country with a democratic system.

7.  The NLD, therefore, strongly denounce, all these kinds of
aforementioned acts.

Rangoon
Central Executive Committee
27 May 1997
National League for Democracy 
------------------------------
National League for Democracy
No: 97/B, West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan township, Rangoon

Statement No. 06/97

1.  It is lamentable that Monywa Tin Shwe (a.k.a) U Tin Shwe (Monywa)
(High Court Lawyer and National League for Democracy founding member) passed
away on 8 June 1997 (Sunday) aged 68 years.

2.  U Tin Shwe was arrested on 29 November 1990 by the authorities,
tried under Section 5(a), (e), and (j) of Emergency Provisions Act and
sentenced to serve 18 years imprisonment.  He was serving his term in
Insein Jail.

3. On 23 April 1997, upon learning that the health of U Tin Shwe was
greatly deteriorating, the Chairman of the NLD sent a letter to the
SLORC in which the following was stated: 

"...Hereby, the NLD would like to inform that it will hold the authorities
if U Tin Shwe was to pass away without enjoying proper rights of a patient
such as proper food and admission to a hospital in order to receive proper
care treatment."

4.  Regarding U Tin Shwe's health situation, we heard as follows:

a) He suffered from heart disease and was admitted to the hospital
inside the jail in April 1997 (a few days before the Water Festival).
b) On 21 April 1997, his family made an appeal to the authorities for
permission to allow him to have treatment with physicians and
specialists outside the jail. The appeal was in vain. On the same day he
was sent back from the in-jail hospital to the cell where he had been
kept.
c) On 30 April 1997, due to his worsening health condition, he was
admitted to the Insein prison hospital again
d)  On 3 June 1997, he was discharged and sent back to his cell.
e) On the morning of 8 June 1997, his room-mate found that he had
collapsed in his cell while he was meditating. It was reported that he
died on the way to in-jail hospital while he was being carried by the
prison authorities.
f) When he was taken from there to the Rangoon General Hospital, the
doctor-on-duty reportedly stated that he had already died. 

5.  The aforementioned facts clearly confirm that the health situation
of U Tin Shwe was worsening.  It should be noticed that he died because
the concerned authorities were responsible for denying him a treatment
with the physicians and specialists outside the jail after his family
had appealed for the necessary treatment. 

6. U Tin Shwe was denied access to enjoy his rights as a patient while
his health condition was worsening.  We urge the authorities to
cooperate with [his surviving] family members in order to cremate him
according to the rights of Buddhist traditions and customs.

Rangoon
Central Executive Committee
Nayon 5th waxing day, 1359
National League for Democracy
June 10, 1997

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

THE NATION: THAILAND TO CELEBRATE TIES WITH BURMA
June 21, 1997
Rita Patiyasevi

THAILAND and Burma plan to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in
style next year to reflect the close relations between the two countries,
Foreign Ministry Spokesman- Surapong Jayanama said yesterday.

Surapong is leaving for Rangoon today to discuss the details and the
programme for next year's celebration.

In a joint communique issued at the end of Prime Minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh's visit to Burma in May, both sides agreed to hold a series of
events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
Thailand and Burma.
     
Surapong said he will talk with his counterpart about organising seminars by
academics and experts on various aspects of bilateral political, economic,
social and cultural ties. "We [Thailand and Burma] will produce
documentaries to be broadcast on Thai and Burmese television which we hope
will forge closer understanding between the two peoples," he said. Economic
seminars are being planned to disseminate information and opportunities in
trade, investment, tourism and potential border trade, he said.

The celebration will include exchange performances of Thai and Burmese
cultural troupes and exhibitions.

Surapong said that the event fits in with Thailand's policy of cultural
diplomacy, which is aimed at cementing closer cultural links with
neighbouring countries. He has led several Kathin [a ceremony to present
saffron robes to Buddhist monks during the period after the three-month
Buddhist lent] tours to regional Buddhist nations Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia,
Burma as well as to Southern China to strengthen the common religious bonds.

The Thai delegation will visit historical cities of Mandalay, Pagan and
Taunggyi.

Surapong said that he will follow up the Bt 1million donation Thailand gave
to a Buddhist temple near Rangoon last year and will make preparations for
the Royal Kathin ceremony in Burma in October.

"We will decide which temple will lead the Royal Kathin ceremony." he said. 

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

THE NATION: APPROACH TO EMPLOY PERSUASION
June 21, 1997 [abridged]

THE National Security Council's (NSC) three-year strategic plan towards
Burma will focus on convincing Burmese leaders to be aware of the growing
trend in other countries to respect human rights and of the benefits
democratisation would bring the country.

The 1997-to-1999 NSC plan to be submitted for Cabinet approval next Tuesday
will also focus on exploring more avenues of economic and technical
cooperation with Burma, to the benefit of both countries, and to prevent
Burma's natural resources being exploited.

The plan, which follows on from the 1994-to-1996 plan, aims at eliminating
mutual suspicion between Thailand and Burma. It suggests that Thai
authorities put more control on fishermen, illegal loggers and other
influential groups who go to Burma to exploit the country's natural resources.

As a way of eliminating mutual suspicion, the NSC has suggested tough
measures against these ill-intentioned groups as their activities could
affect bilateral relations and tarnish Thailand's image.

According to the plan, in order to increase safety along the Thai-Burmese
border, the government will seek more cooperation from the media, both
government-run and private, to present constructive news reports which could
promote bilateral relations. 

The media will be given more opportunities to have firsthand experience of
all events in the area so they can relay correct news reports to their
readers or viewers.

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

NEW STRAITS TIMES: ENVOY: AVOID HOTEL INVESTMENTS IN MYANMAR
June 19, 1997

MALAYSIAN companies should not rush into investment in hotel and apartment
projects in Myanmar because of the present slow growth in those sectors,
said Malaysia's ambassador to Myanmar, Datuk Abdu1 Wahab Harun.

But Wahab advised that they could invest in sectors such as energy,
telecommunications, roads, agriculture and timber. "They are good
investments," he said, adding that local businessmen should move fast to
take up the offers if they do not want to be left out.

He said that investors in hotels and apartments that that they might
difficulty due to "certain (investment) rules which are a bit tough".

"At the moment, I would also not encourage Malaysians to go into hotels
andapartment projects because the growth is a bit slow," said Wahab, who has
been posted to Yangon since October 1995.

Currently, many Malaysian companies had invested these projects although
they seem to do well . IGB Corporation Bhd is among a few Malaysian
companies which will embark on a RM50 million Micasa Yangon Hotel Apartments
in Myanmar in partnership with Tan & Tan Developments Bhd, IJM Corporation
Bhd and Malaysia South-South Corporation Bhd.

"But with very slow tourist arrivals in Myanmar due to the the adverse
publicity by the foreign media, there may not be high demands for hotels,"
he said.

Wahab cited the Visit Myanmar Year '96 as example which he said received
only "luke warm" response because of "bad PR (public relations)".

"But at the same time, there are people who are curious.  And they realise
that the country is not as bad as portrayed by the foreign press," he said.

 The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council has attracted
 international criticism for alleged human. rights abuses.  And last month,  
 the United States banned new US investments in Myanmar.

 Malaysia is the sixth largest investor in Myanmar after Japan, Singapore,
 France, Thailand and US.

 Myanmar Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw said that Malaysia's total investment in
Myanmar accounted for nearly US$6 billion (RM15 billion) mostly in the
offshore gas and hotel industry.

Ohn Gyaw said the future looks good for Malaysian investment in Myanmar, a
country which will become a full member of Asean next month along with
Cambodia and Laos.

Wahab said Petronas, which is currently engaged in producing side products
like lubricants in Myanmar, has expressed interest to go into oil and gas
exploration.

"I would encourage that as Myanmar is rich in offshore oil," he said, adding
that Petronas officials had held discussions with him and Myanmar  officials
on the possibility of a joint venture.

To date, four Malaysian based banks also have set up their operations in
Yangon,  among them May bank,  Public Bank, Bank of Commerce and MBF Group.

Wahab also 'disclosed that investment incentives in Myanmar not really that
bad."

"It is for our investors to understand the background of Myanmar," he said.

On the US sanctions, Wahab said it would have no effect on Malaysian
investments.

He said should US companies pull out of Myanmar, Malaysian companies should
take the opportunity immediately to fill the vacuum. --- Bernama

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

SLORC: TRUTH AND ETHICS 
June 18, 1997 
by Mya Thinn 
 
        I heard President Clinton's  voice over the radio about a fortnight
ago.  
Being up against the  wall  bout white water and the sexual harassment  
affairs, he was making a pathetic plea to the " press ; urging that they  
should base their reports  on  true facts and publish only the truth; that they 
should uphold " Journalistic Ethics" at all time. I trust  that Mr. Clinton  
will now understand how utterly disgusted we feel with the irresponsible  
attitude and behavior of the international media. It appears that the truth is  
no longer important in ultra free  societies; rather it is now much sensation  
one can  stir up is what matters.  Mrs. Hilary Clinton summed it up be very  
aptly on the "Larry King Show". Quote- " Now adays anything can be  
twisted- People are no longer given the benefit of the doubt"- unquote. 
        On 25 February 1997, so- called Drs. Mary Clark and Mark Levy of  
Trinity  College, Cambridge arrived at tile gate of the Ministry of Forestry  
in Yangon. Although they did not have a prior appointment, they were  
ushered in and met by Advisor U Ye Myint, who believing them to be 
genuine environmental scientists, explained matters concerning   
environmental and Forestry policies, issues, concerns and efforts being  
undertaken  to concerns What we have now, for posterity. 
        On 23 March 1997, the article "Burma's Junta goes green", save the  
rhino, Kill the people" appeared in the London Observer. It was written by  
Adrian Levy, Cathy Scott-Clark and David Harrison. Quote "Nature groups  
work with Junta in Burma's ethnic killing fields. World renowned wildlife  
groups are working with Bun military regime on huge conservation  
projects on sites being cleared by systematic slaughter of the Karen ethnic  
Minority. Human rights groups condemned the conservation groups' 
collaboration and demanded their immediate withdrawal"- unquote Their  
main focus was to discredit our plans to establish the Myinmoletkat Nature  
Reserve, and deprive us of all international assistance. 
        They openly admitted to having entered Myanmar illegally across the  
border from Thailand and flirting with illegal insurgent groups. They came  
to the Ministry of Forestry in Yangon, under false pretenses. Then went  
back and wrote a whole bag full of lies. The Ministry of Forestry is not at  
the end of a long tree lined road, but just off  the main road down a short  
lane. There is only one main gate and no road blocks. The security  
personnel are the police not the military. Their uniforms are Khaki not  
blue. They don't carry their weapons with bayonets fixed. There are no 
sinister military intelligence officers with reflector sunglasses around. 
        Yes, the Myinmoletkat  Nature Reserve is large, comprising almost  
1.2 million hectares and represents a large expanse of tropical rain forest  
ecosystems remaining in pristine conditions which is home to rare flora  
and fauna as they have rightly observed. It is however not a political face 
saving exercise, but committed endeavour to save what is left of the natural  
environment it is not in the'' Karen area " as claimed, but in the  
Tanintharyi Division much  farther south, that is mostly inhabited by the  
Tavoy and Myeik people who are basically Burmese. There are cluster, of 
Karens, Mons, Shans, Malays, Chinese, Indians widely dispersed along the  
narrow strip. The K.N.U insurgents are a later addition as they extended  
their territory  Southwards after the army had squashed the former  
occupants, the Burma Communist Party. Pockets of K.N.U groups are  
merely economic bandits, who are hindering development of the border  
areas, and do not in any way represent the Karen interest. 
        We have not sought assistance from any international conservation  
organization; and none of them have been involved in the Myinmoletkat  
project till now. Organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the  
Wildlife Conservation Society are here because they have travelled 
extensively inside Myanmar and know at first hand our true situation.   
W.C.S is not involved in establishing a management plan for Lampi  
National Marine Park, but merely assisted us in acquiring of expertise in  
assessing our coral reefs.  We have never claimed close relations with the 
World Wildlife Fund; though we have made some overtures to invite them  
over so that they could see things for themselves. But we have been  
working closely with subsidiaries of  W.W.F such as the Asian Elephant  
Specialist Group. These renowned organizations dedicated to conservation  
have been helping us with what little resources they can muster, mainly in  
capacity building at the grass roots level. It is beyond comprehension how  
degenerate, unprincipled and unethical people can become; to the extent of  
compromising environmental conservation for political and personal  
interests. 
        The news that gullible politicians in Washington had reacted swiftly  
to this insidious article, was stunning. Immediately a thought occurred to  
me, that perhaps this was a deliberate pre-meditated and carefully  
coordinated move to discredit the international recognition we have  
received for having conserved our natural environment. Honourable, 
dignified and dedicated scientists were summoned before a congressional  
panel, put to the grind and ordered to stop all activities in Myanmar. It is a  
blatant display of dictatorial, undemocratic practises. We grieve at the  
thought of our honourable colleagues in conservation being made to cower 
under the misguided dictates of politicians of dubious calibre and  
intentions, who neither understand nor  care about the environment and its  
relation to the susceptibility of the human race. 
        Myanmar is one of the highest biodiversity countries in Asia, all the  
more reason why it should be accorded the utmost assistance. The  
programme for the expansion of the protected areas is being undertaken in   
conformity will the Forest Policy which advocates increasing our protected  
gas coverage to 50% in the short term and 10% in the long term. The   
inclusion of this reserve will raise the coverage to 3.5% We have identified  
other worthy areas too, and will plod along, regardless of  support or no  
support; and the likes of Levy, Scott-clark and Harrison trying to upset our  
plans. 
        It is against the ideals and principles of the U.N charter to
victimize a   
sovereign state that is a full fledged member of the international previleges.  
Myanmar having signed the Biodiversity Convention and ratified it, has  
undeniable rights to financial resources technological and other inputs  
from the U.N and its related organizations; including the conservation  
NGOs who are obligated to assist nations with their conservation  
endeavors. No government has the right to coerce those organizations to  
turn their backs on any country; and reputable organizations should not  
allow themselves to be intimidated; instead, they should make a moral  
stand for what is right. 
        President Clinton in  his address delivered in London recently, with  
Prime Minister Mr. Blair, stated that preventing environmental  
degradation was one of the priority commitments of his government . If it  
is so, I would like to urge the President to have the US government ratify 
the Biodiversity  Convention immediately, as they have not done so yet;  
and stop ill informed, self centred politicians and journalists from   
undermining noble environmental conservation efforts being undertaken  
the interest of the future of mankind. 
 
****************************************** 

BKK POST: MOEI RIVER WORK AGAIN A HEADACHE
June 20, 1997
Nussara Sawatsawang

Dredging on agenda for territorial talks

Burma has submitted a new plan to dredge the Moei River that threatens to
enlarge "by several times" disputed territory with Thailand, a senior Thai
Foreign Ministry official said yesterday.

Somboon Sa-ngiambutr, director-general of the ministry department of 
treaties and legal affairs, said the plan was presented to him last week by 
his Burmese counterpart, Aye Lwin.

It will be a key point during a meeting of senior officials in Rangoon from
June 30 to July 2.

The Burmese claim the dredging is aimed at preventing flooding in 
Myawaddy, which they believe is more vulnerable than Thailand's Mae 
Sot, but Mr Somboon insisted that "dredging the channel would not help 
reduce floods".

Thai and Burmese troops came close to a military clash late last month 
after the dredging began close to Wat Khok Chang Pheuak, otensibly to 
reclaim land they said they  lost to heavy floodingin 1994.

The Burmese called off the dredging after strong protests from Thailand, 
but made it clear that it was only a temporary halt.

Under the new plan, Burma wants to dredge in the same area.

Burma based plans on a 1989 aerial map that both countries use to define 
the borderline.

The upcoming officials' meeting will examine documentary evidence from 
both sides.

Findings will be submitted to a joint boundary committee co-chaired by
Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak In trawithyanunt.

Bangkok recently acknowledged that Rangoon is entitled under 
international law to reclaim the land because of the 1994 flooding.

"But they should have done so by 'closing', not 'dredging', the river
channel", he said.(BP)

*******************************************************
 
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS 
 
June 5, 1997 
 
CHAIRMAN OF STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION  
COUNCIL CREDENTIALS OF AMBASSADOR OF  AUSTRALIA 
 
     YANGON, 4 June - Ms Lyndall Alexandra Mclean, newly accredited 
     Ambassador of Australia to the Union of Myanmar, presented her 
     credentials to Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration 
     Council Senior General Than Shwe at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of 
     Defence at 10 am today. 
 
MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES PRESIDENTS OF KINSHO- 
MATAICHI CORPOPORATION 
 
     YANGON, 4 June - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration 
     Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received President Mr 
     Toshio Kawachi of Kinsho-Mataichi Corporation of Japan at 
     International Business Centre on Pyay Road at 4 pm today. 
 
SWE MYANMAR KARAOKE AND CLUB OF SAKHANTHA HOTEL  
OPENS 
 
     YANGON, 4 June Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw 
     Ba-attended the opening ceremony of the Swe Myanmar Karaoke and  
     Club of Sakhantha Hotel at the Central Railway Station here this      
     morning and delivered an address. 
 
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT RECEIVES GM OF INTERNATIONAL  
OPERATION DEPARTMENT OF MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES  
LTD 
 
     YANGON, 4 June - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win received   
     a delegation led by General Manager Mr Yukihiko Katayama of 
     International Operation Department of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd 
     at his office on Merchant Street at 5.15 pm today. 
 
MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF JAPAN- 
MYANMAR ECONOMIC COMMITTEE (KEIDANREN) 
 
     YANGON, 4 June-Minister for National Planning and Economic 
     Development Brig-Gen Abel received Chairman Mr Iwao Toriumi and      
     party of Japan-Myanmar Economic Committee (Keidanren) at his   
     office. 
 
June 7, 1997 
 
ENDEAVOURS BEING MADE TO FOSTER DISCIPLINE  
DEMOCRACY SYSTEM IN THE NATION 
 
     YANGON, 6 June - Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order  
     Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services  
     Commander inChief (Army) General Maung Aye and Secretary 2 of the  
     State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo yesterday met  
     in Myeik (Township) members of Mon armed group (Myeik District)  
     who had exchanged arms for peace with the Government. 
 
KOREAN COMPANY OFFICIALS CALL ON MINISTER FOR H &T 
 
     YANGON, 6 June-President Mr Chong Chang Kyo of Young Nan Rent  
     A Car Co Ltd of the Republic of Korea and party called on Member of  
     the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Hotels and 
     Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba at his office this morning. 
 
June 8, 1997  
 
YUZANA CENTRE, HEAD OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT STORE  
OPEN 
 
     YANGON, 7 June-Yuzana Centre, Head Office and Department Store  
     were opened at 130, Shwegondine Road, at the corner of new Yedashe  
     Road in Bahan Township, this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the  
     State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. 
 
     The 10/12-storey Yuzana Centre, 217 feet long and 125 feet wide, 
     includes a department store and offices of international standard and 
     a hotel. It was built on 1.039 acres at a cost of K 400 million 
     starting 1 October 1994 by Yuzana Construction Group in cooperation 
     with DHSHD. 
 
WB TAUNGGYI BRANCH OPENS 
 
     YANGON, 7 June-Asia Wealth Bank opened its branch in Taunggyi  
     this morning. 
 
46-ACRE MODERN HOUSING PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY  
BAGO RIVER 
 
     YANGON, 7 June- Delta Housing Co Ltd presented 21st Century  
     Resort Housing Project to be jointly operated by Delta and the Human 
     Settlement and Housing Development Department at Mya Yeik Nyo  
     Royal Hotel yesterday evening. 
 
     Managing Director U Zaw Win of Delta Housing Co Ltd, Director- 
     General U Arnt Kyaw of HSHDD and Director Dr Tan Loke Mun of      
     Archi Centre of Malaysia explained the project to those present and  
     replied to questions. 
 
MONYWA GETS TV RETRANSMISSION STATION 
 
     YANGON, 7 June - TV retransmission station (Monywa) of Myanmar 
     Television and Radio Department of the Ministry of Information was 
     inaugurated with the address of Chairman of Sagaing Division Law and 
     Order Restoration Council Commander of North West Command Maj- 
     Gen Hla Myint Swe at the station this morning. 
 
June 9, 1997 
 
MINISTER, FOR LABOUR LEAVES FOR 85TH ILO CONF 
 
     YANGON, 8 June Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Labour  
     Maj-Gen Saw Lwin left here by air this morning for Geneva to attend  
     the 85th International Labour Organization Conference there. 
 
29,116 USDA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN  
MOHNYIN TOWNSHIP 
 
     YANGON, 8 June-New office building of Mohnyin Township Union 
     Solidarity and Development Association of Kachin State was 
     inaugurated in Mohnyin Township and USDA membership applications  
     of ten village-tracts of Mohnyin Township were collectively submitted  
     at Nanma Village yesterday. 
 
     U Aung Thaung accepted a total of 29,116 USDA membership  
     applications in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. 
 
June 12, 1997  
 
MINISTER FOR ENERGY RECEIVES GM OF MARUBENI  
CORPORATION 
 
     YANGON-11 June - Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein  
     received General Manager Mr K Natori and party of Marubeni  
     Corporation of Japan at his office on Pyay Road at 2 pm today. 
     They discussed investment in energy sector, electric power 
     distribution and cooperation. 
 
COOPERATION IN HELICOPTER SERVICES DISCUSSED 
 
     YANGON, 11 June - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win  
     received Resident Manager Mr Dominique Savariau of Heli Union  
     (Yangon Branch) at his office today. 
 
     Talks were on launching of helicopter services jointly by Myamna 
     Airways and HeliUnion. 
 
AMBASSADOR U AUNG GYI PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO  
PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA 
 
     YANGON, 12 June U Aung Gyi, Ambassador Extraordinary and 
     Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Democratic Socialist 
     Republic of Sri Lanka, presented his Credentials to Her Excellency 
     Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of the  
     Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri- Lanka on 4 June 1997, in  
     Colombo. 
 
UNDER-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PHILIPPINES  
CONCLUDES VISIT 
 
     YANGON, 11 June Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic  
     of Philippines Mr Rodolfo C Severino, here at the invitation of Deputy 
     Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, left by air this morning. 
     The Under-Secretary was seen off at Yangon International Airport by U 
     Nyunt Swe, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador 
     of the Republic of Philippines Mrs Sonia C Brady and Embassy Staff. 
 
June 13, 1997 
 
YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC ASIA OFFICIALS CALL ON MIC  
CHAIRMAN 
 
     YANGON, 12 June - Deputy Managing Director Mr Hidehiko Bando  
     and party of Yokogawa Electric Asia Pte Ltd of Singapore called on  
     Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chairman of  
     Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin  
     at his office this morning. 
 
MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES VICE-PRESIDENT OF  
DAEWOO CORPORATION 
 
     YANGON, 12 June Member of the State Law and Order Restoration  
     Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received Vice-President  
     of Daewoo Corporation Mr Byung Ju Chang and party at his office this 
     afternoon. 
 
SECRETARY-L RECEIVES SPECIAL ENVOY OF PRIME MINISTER  
OF JAPAN 
 
     YANGON, 12 June-Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration 
     Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Mr Hiroshi Hirabayashi, Special 
     Envoy of Prime Minister of Japan, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of 
     Defence this afternoon. 
 
MOU FOR CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD  
HOTEL TACHILEK SIGNED 
 
     YANGON, 12 June - A ceremony to sign Memorandum of  
      Understanding for construction of international standard hotel with  
     220 proposed rooms in Tachilek region was held at the meeting hall of  
     the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism this afternoon. 
 
     Present were Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council 
     Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba, Deputy Minister 
     Brig-Gen Tin Aye, director general, managing director and 
     departmental officials and officials of Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd. 
 
     Director-General of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin 
     Maung Latt ,on behalf of the Quartermaster General's office of the 
     Ministry of Defence, and Managing Director of Golden Asia Inter Co 
     Ltd Mr Dhirah Taechalertpaisam signed the MoU. 
 
     The Hotel project will jointly be undertaken by the 
     Quartermaster-General's Office and Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd on the 
     basis of mutual interest. 
 
     According to the MoU, Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd of Thailand will 
     undertake the project for international standard hotel with 220 rooms 
     with cent per cent investment of US $ 18 million in Tachilek. 
----------------------------------------------------- 
English :     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/ 
German:     http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/ 
 
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ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE STUDENTS' REUNION
June 17, 1997

Union Night of 8888 Generation Youths and Students
                                     Sponsored  By   
            Democratic Burmese Students Organization - Midwest
                                 
                                                       INVITATION
To All !!!

We , DBSO ,  warmly invite  all Burmeses living in the   United States to
the "Reunion Night of 8888 Generation Youths and Students" Party  sponsored
by  DBSO-Midwest.  It will be held  on  the 4th   of July 1997  in  Fort Wayne. 

Please come and join  the  Reunion Party and share  an enjoyable night with
us.We'll send invitation letters of invitation of  DBSO-USA's conference to
all DBSO members individually.

Sincerely,

DBSO-MidWest

Place             L Shi Loh Hall
                     3127 Carroll Road
                      Fort Wayne IN 46818
Time             4th July 1997
                      6 pm to 12 pm

Information   219 492 2888
                      219 482 2096
                      219 471 1180

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