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The BurmaNet News, June 26, 1997




------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: June 26, 1997        
Issue #759

HEADLINES:        
==========   
BURMA UN SERVICES OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE: ENVIRONMENT
BKK POST: RANGOON BLAMES KAREN FOR ROCKET ATTACK
VOA: G-7 DENVER-BURMA FOLLOWUP
AP: BURMA SIGNS DEAL WITH CHINESE COMPANY
TT: BURMESE STUDENTS CALL MASS HUNGER STRIKE
BKK POST: HIGHWAY PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM
BKK POST: MAPS DISPUTED IN MOEI RIVER ROW
BKK POST: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
NLM: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DESTRUCTIONISTS
NLM: RANGOON EXPECTS 24.5 PERCENT GROWTH 
BURMA UN SERVICES OFFICE: TEAK RETAILER LETTER
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

BURMA UN SERVICES OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE: ENVIRONMENT PANEL DURING EARTH SUMMIT
June 25, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 25, 1997	
Contact:   Dr. Thaung Htun, (212) 338-0048

The issue of the destruction of Burma's environment was highlighted today at
a public session organized by the Burma UN Service Office during the Earth
Summit.

Forty people gathered across from the United Nations to hear about the
environmental and human rights abuses of the military regime currently in
power in Burma (Myanmar), called the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, or SLORC.

The speakers included Dr. Thaung Htun, Representative for UN Affairs for the
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma; Edith Mirante, Director
of Project Maje and author of Burmese Looking Glass; and Tim Keating,
Director of Rainforest Relief, NY.

Dr. Htun also read a statement from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the
National League for Democracy, the main opposition party to the SLORC. Suu
Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and was kept under house arrest by the
generals for six years to prevent her organizing the people against the
military regime. She has been a strong critic of the SLORC's style of
development saying that it benefits the rich and powerful generals and their
friends, while having a negative affect on the people as a whole.

In her statement, Ms. Suu Kyi said, "I doubt that under the present
circumstances that you can do anything very effectively, in the way of
conservation," referring to the way in which the military constrains all
debate and impoverishes the people of Burma.

"About 80% of our population live in the rural areas," she added. 
". . .conservation is important for their livelihood as well as for their
happiness and for developing their aesthetic sense."

According to the panelists, the SLORC is in the midst of a massive sell-off
of the natural heritage of Burma and is using torture, forced labor, forced
relocation and summary execution to achieve their ends.

Dr. Thaung Thun gave an overview of the style of development that would be
acceptable to the NCGUB if they were able to assume the office into which
they were voted by the people of Burma. Quoting James Gustave Speth, Htun
said, "'Development that fails to benefit the poor has no soul. Development
that fails to safeguard the environment has no vision. Sustainable
development doesn't take place in a political or social vacuum but depends
both on effective governance and on the empowerment of communities in civil
society to participate in the decisions that effect their lives.'"

Dr. Htun went on to say that "Burma is the obvious example of a nation in
which, as the preamble to the draft declaration states, where 'human rights
violations lead to environmental degradation and environmental degradation
leads to human rights violations.'"

Dr. Htun went on to outline some of the ways in which the NCGUB would 
sustain the environment.

Edith Mirante gave a slide presentation that showed massive environmental
destruction under the SLORC including unregulated logging, strategic
deforestation, gas and oil exploration and gold  mining, tin dredging,
conversion of mangroves to shrimp farms and cutting for charcoal, the use of
dangerous pesticides such as paraquot and increases in pollution. Much of
Ms. Mirante's slides focused on excessive logging, the spoils of which are
flowing night and day over the borders into China, Thailand and India.

Ms. Mirante also spoke about the gas pipeline being pushed through Burma
into Thailand by Total of France and Unocal of the U.S. Ms. Mirante
speculated that part of SLORC's plan for the project was to strategically
deforest and militarize the southern part of Burma which had been under the
control of the Karen ethnic minority who opposed the SLORC. "It's not
impossible that stopping the pipeline might be accomplished by groups in
Thailand who are opposed to it," she said. "They've stopped projects like
this before. Thailand is an open society with a free press."

Tim Keating gave a report on the use of forced labor for logging and
described a systemic and widespread use of coercion and force by the army to
denude the forests above and around local villages. Logs from these
operations are sold illegally by army personnel for their own financial
gains. The villagers themselves are forced to cut their own trees (upon
which their livelihoods depend) and sometimes saw them into lumber. They are
left with a barren landscape, dried streams and ponds and faced with an
inability to grow food. SLORC is systematically pulling the rug out from
under the people for their own personal profit.

Mr. Keating read from his report, quoting a farmer who fled into Thailand to
escape the horrors of SLORC's forced labor, "They have been cutting so many
trees that the climate is now changing here and it has become drier, so
every year the rice harvest is worse." Another farmer was quoted as saying,
"All the trees around the water ponds were cut down so the ponds have all
dried up, and so have most of the streams and wells. We can't understand why
they're doing it. . . from Kengtung up to Mong La. . . there's only a small
bit of forest left. . . they'll never stop cutting down the trees."

The panelists together said that the deforestation of Burma has increased
threefold since the SLORC took power. Forest cover has gone from 48% in 1988
to as little as 20% by some estimates, with others putting the figure closer
to 35%. Teak makes up 50% of the hardwood exports from Burma, and timber is
the second largest legal export by value (not including opium).

Panelists called for increasing pressure on the oil companies Unocal, Texaco
and Arco to cease their projects in Burma. In an effort to stop the abuses
of local people and the forests, the panelists called for an international
boycott of teak from Burma. Activists plan to demonstrate at numerous teak
re-sellers across the U.S. between July 1 - 7.

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

BKK POST: RANGOON BLAMES KAREN FOR MYAWADDY ROCKET ATTACK
June 25, 19997
Tak

Rockets were fired into Myawaddy yesterday, causing a fire but no injuries.

Four 107mm rockets were fired from an area north of the Burmese town at 1.30
a.m., three of which landed on a market opposite Tambon Tha Sai Luad, Mae
Sot, and one on a plantation in Ban Tha Aj, Tak.

Burmese soldiers in Myawaddy fired two mortar rounds at the attackers and
closed peripheral routes while villagers fled to bunkers.

In Tak, Pol Maj Noppadol Chatiwong, commander of Border Patrol Police Unit
346, led troops to Ban Tha Aj while soldiers from the 4th Infantry Regiment
Task Force were posted along the Moei River.

A source said Burmese authorities blamed the Karen National Union for the
attack, a claim that was denied. Karen officers linked the attack to a
conflict of interest among officials.

The incident took place shortly before a meeting of senior Thai and Burmese
officials on the opening of the Friendship Bridge and the 16th Local
Thai-Burmese Border Committee Meeting to be held today.

Burmese authorities were reported to have cancelled the border meeting,
citing security reasons.

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

VOA: G-7 DENVER-BURMA FOLLOWUP
June 23, 1997 [abridged]
             
As we reported over the weekend, leaders of industrialized countries
included burma on a list of regional political issues of concern to them.  

In Denver, foreign ministers of the ªgroup of eightª (the former G-7 group
plus Russia) called on Burma¹s military government to begin a meaningful
political dialogue with the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities. 

Following the Denver summit, President Clinton was asked in a news
conference whether the United States pursues double standards in its
policies  toward various countries.  In responding, Mr. Clinton referred to
his administration¹s decision to impose new sanctions on Burma:

[ª I don¹t think (the question is) fair.  For example, if you look at our
policy toward Burma, which unlike China had a democratically-elected
government and reversed it, and represents the most severe abuses of
political and civil rights, that we have dealt with recently in terms of our
action  -- we have been for sanctions against Burma, but we haven¹t repealed
MFN.  And when you look at China, we still have Tiananmen Square sanctions
on China that we haven¹t gotten rid of.  We have given up a lot of business
in China clearly, and they made it clear that we have, by continuing to
press our rights concerns in  rights forum.  What we do not believe is that
it would be fruitful  to withdraw normal trade from China -- something we
have with virtually every country in the world, in a way that would estrange
us further from them, prevent us from working together on problems like
North Korea, weapons proliferation and other issues, and endanger our
ability to be a partner with China in the 21st century. That¹s what we don¹t
believe.  We have paid quite a price from time to time for our insistence on
human rights and I just don¹t think we¹re, you know, taking trading status
away from them is much of a way to influence them over the long run.  I
think it¹s a mistake.ª]

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

AP: BURMA SIGNS DEAL WITH CHINESE COMPANY FOR TWO SUGAR MILLS 
June 25, 1997

   RANGOON, Burma (AP) _ Burma has signed an agreement with a Chinese
company to build two sugar mills with a capacity of 2,000 tons a day, the
state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday.
   The state-owned Myanmar Sugar Cane Enterprises will enter into a joint
venture with China National Complete Plant Import and Export Yunnan Corp. to
build the mills.
   The Chinese company will supply dlrs 41 million worth of equipment for
the venture, the paper said, but other financial details the deal and the
location of the mills were not disclosed. 
   This is the third sugar mill joint venture agreement signed by Burma in
recent weeks.
   In early June, Burma signed a contract with Sutech of Thailand to build a
2,000 ton-a-day sugar mill. The government already had signed agreements
with Guang Don Zuhai Corp. of China for two 1,500 ton-a-day sugar mills.
   Burma's economy is largely dependent on agriculture.

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

TT: BURMESE STUDENTS CALL MASS HUNGER STRIKE
June 25, 1997
By Benchamas Chumworatayee

BANGKOK: Students worldwide will join a hunger strike with Burmese
pro-democracy students in protest against ASEAN's decision to admit Burma as
a new member next month.

Exiled Burmese student Myat Kyaw Auang yesterday called on ASEAN
members to suspend the decision to allow Burma into the regional grouping at
their annual ASEAN ministerial meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 24 and 25.

He said that Rangoon's membership of ASEAN will never bring about better
times for Burma, it will only encourage increased suppression of poor people.

He said if the grouping failed to adhere to his demand, all Burmese students
including those living abroad will commence a hunger strike for at least 10
days starting from July 20 to 30 in an attempt to display to all nations
their strong disapproval of the move.
     
He also vowed to encourage all allied organizations including Burmese
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to join the mass fast.

As a representative of Burmese students, Myat Kyaw Auang said he expected
Thai students to show solidarity by participating in the event.

Suriyan Tongnu-iad, secretary-general of the Student Federation of Thailand
(SFT) promised to mount a hunger strike between July 24 and 25 durinq which
an official ceremony will take place.

He said Thai students will initially discuss the matter with other students
in the United States, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India.

Moreover, Thai and Burmese students will stage a rally in front of the
Malaysian Embassy on July 6, said Suriyan.

He added the SFT will also organize a "Burmese Study" week between the 8th
and 15th of next month at Thammasat University . 

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

BKK POST: HIGHWAY PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM
June 25, 1997 [slightly abridged]
Supamart Kasem 
Phitsanulok

The government has joined hands with the private sector in nine northern
provinces to push for a 1,188-km-long highway project linking the North, the
West and the South.

The project is aimed at supporting the Thai-Burma Development Plan and
boosting the economies of the two countries, said a senior official.

The Central Development Centre yesterday called a meeting of representatives
of relevant agencies including the North Development Centre, the Highways
Department, the Industry Council of Thailand and the Chamber of Commerce to
consider the 20-billion-baht project. The meeting was chaired by CDC
director Weera Sritranond.

According to the plan, the new highway will run parallel to the existing
Phaholyothin Highway but will not pass through Bangkok. It will pass through
the border provinces of Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani,
Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Weera said the planned highway project would
increase the economic potential of these provinces and also support the
so-called Thai-Burma Development Area.

Apart from this, it would also reduce traffic congestion in Bangkok and its
surrounding provinces.

More meetings on the subject will be held in Kanchanaburi next month to
discuss the project details before it is forwarded to the National Economic
and Social Development Board for consideration.

Patthana Silapakanchanamalai, vice president of the Industry Council in
Kanchanaburi, said a sub-committee of the cabinet's economic affairs had
resolved in August 1995 that a feasibility study and economic viability of
the project be conducted by his agency and representatives from the Office
of the Permanent Secretary for Industry, the Highways Department and the
private sector in 9 northern provinces.

Sources said Mr Patthana and NESDB representatives are scheduled to meet
Burma's Planning Minister David Abel next Saturday to discuss a joint
development scheme to link the regional highway with Tavoy, a major coastal
town in southern Burma.

Earlier, the private sector in Kanchanaburi proposed 12 different plans to
the Burmese government to develop Tavoy, said Mr Patthana, including the
construction of a deep-sea port and tourism promotion on the Andaman coast.

The Tavoy deep-sea port, which would have the capacity to hold large-sized
vessels, would be a transit route for goods from Thailand, Burma and
Indochina to other countries. The port would provide a short-cut for the
transportation of goods without having to pass through the Straits of Malacca.

Thailand, Burma and other neighbouring countries would stand to immensely
benefit from its contruction as it would help save millions of baht annually
in transportation costs, said Mr Patthana.

Phanithi Tangphati, vice president of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, said the
project would help spur the economies of towns along the Andaman coast.

**Inauguration of the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge across the Moei River
linking Mae Sot district of Tak province with Burma's Myawaddy town has been
set for August 14.

The decision was reached at a meeting yesterday attended by among others,
Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak Intrawithayanunt and Democrat MP for Tak
province Udorn Tantisunthorn who initiated the bridge project and Tak
Governor Chaiwut Banawat.

Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and State Law and Order Restoration
Council chairman Than Shwe will jointly preside over the opening of the
bridge which was completed last month.

The two sides have still to work out details of the inaugural ceremony.

The meeting concluded that Thai and Burmese transport ministries should set
up three committees. One panel would operate the bridge, the second would
look after maintenance, and the third would lay down procedures to turn the
bridge into a permanent border pass, Mr Chaiwut said.

As a permanent border pass, immigration officers will be empowered to issue
visas to people crossing the border.

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

BKK POST: MAPS DISPUTED IN MOEI RIVER ROW
June 25, 1997
Nussara Sawataswang
Phitsanulok, northern Thailand

Officials prepare for more border talks

Thailand would use the 1994 map of the disputed area on the Moei River
border with Burma in talks on the issue in Rangoon next week, Third Army
Region Commander Lt Gen Thanom Watcharapuk said here yesterday.

This map was "more appropriate" because it recorded the situation before
floods later that year, and was closer to the conditions pertaining in the
area today than the 1989 map advocated by Burma, he said.

Speaking at a seminar organised by Naresuan University, Lt Gen Thanom said
Thai officials reached the decision during consultations in Bangkok on
Monday, as part of preparations for the June 30 to July 2 talks in Rangoon.

Burmese Ambassador to Thailand U Hla Maung, who attended the seminar
entitled "Learn about our neighbour Burma," refused to comment on Thailand's
map choice or on Burma's preference for the 1989 document as the basis for
settling the dispute.

Burma's main concern was that villagers did not build structures in the
disputed area, the ambassador said.

Thai and Burmese troops almost clashed late last month when Burmese troops
began dredging the area near Wat Khok Chang Pheuak, in what they said was a
justified bid to reclaim land they said they lost during floods in 1994.

Burmese troops stopped the dredging after protests from local villagers bur
made it clear it was only a temporary halt.

Director-general of the Thai foreign ministry's legal affairs and treaties
department Somboon Sangiambutr said Burma presented a new dredging plan
about two weeks ago that threatened to enlarge "by several times" the
disputed area.

International law allows Burma to reclaim lost land but in this case they
should do so by closing rather than dredging the river channel, Mr. Somboon
said.

A Burmese official insisted yesterday that the dredging took place last
month after Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh reached an agreement during
talks with Burmese leaders in Rangoon in mid-May.

According to the official, who declined to be named, Gen Chavalit then
promised to abide by the 1989 map in exchange for the withdrawal of troops
from both sides of the border, and the despatch of a technical survey to the
area.

Thai technical officials involved in the survey later denied that they had
been instructed to use the 1989 map.(BP)

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

BKK POST: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
June 22, 1997 [abridged]
Kyansitha 

It is still too early to tell if the decision by Asean to admit Burma as a
full member in July is a correct one.

Indeed, the decision may have been a blessing in disguise for the forces of
democracy so valiantly represented by Aung San Suu Kyi. What Slorc is
touting as a major political victory may yet backfire on it and lead to
consequences that Slorc never expected nor desired.

Whether or not admission to Asean will lead to economic as well as political
improvements in Burma remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that
it does not represent a political victory for Slorc nor does it signal a
major political defeat for the forces of democracy.

When and if the forces of democracy gain power in Burma as surely they 
must in the near or distant future (hopefully it will be in the near future),
they will certainly want to join Asean anyway. So why not join the
organisation now and allow the people of Burma to enjoy the privileges 
Asean offers to citizens of its member states. For so long, the people of
Burma have been kept isolated that it is almost a sacrilege to deny them the
opportunity to partake of the benefits membership in Asean will bring.

But as a prominent Asian leader pointed out, the decision to admit Burma
should not be seen as a "pardon". In other words, it should not be construed
as tacitly supporting the repressive regime of Slorc. If that is really
true, then Asean in future dealings with Burma must press for genuine
reforms and urge Slorc to enter into negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi-
led democratic forces.

I am in essence arguing that the decision to admit Burma as a member of
Asean is not wrong if Asean in the future can exert strong pressure on 
SLORC to mend its ways and start a meaningful dialogue with the opposition.

Aung San Suu Kyi needs the cooperation of Slorc or at least some members 
of Slorc if her dream of building a democratic and prosperous Burma where
people can enjoy full human rights is to ever come true. In the same way,
Slorc needs her if it is to cling on to power in one way or another.

Both sides in Burma - the democratic forces of the opposition and Slorc -
are aware of this yet despite repeated calls by Aung San Suu Kyi for
dialogue, Slorc has consistently ignored her. But can they remain so
arrogant and unyielding in the face of a diplomatic onslaught from the 
West? The answer is probably "yes".

In fact, unwittingly, the West may have played into Slorc's hand by so
strongly supporting Aung San Suu Kyi. In an impoverished and generally
underdeveloped nation like Burma, resentment and suspicion of the West 
is unusually high and government propaganda can be very effective 
especially in the absence of a free and credible press.

Hence, it is counterproductive for Aung San Suu Kyi to be seen as favoured
by governments of the West. While vicious attacks by Slorc on the 
character of the "Iron Lady of the East" may be seen as crude and awkward
and even ludicrous to many of us who are educated, they may ring true to the
uneducated masses of Burma.

But strong support by Asean for the Nobel laureate would be a different
matter. The people of Burma are familiar with the organisation and have a
lot of respect for it. Endorsement by Asean would certainly give the
embattled opposition leader of Burma a new weapon in her valiant but so 
far vain struggle against Slorc.

Admission of Burma to Asean can be a positive factor in our struggle to
bring democracy to the people of Burma if Asean would but exert its
considerable influence and power to force Slorc to negotiate with Aung 
San Suu Kyi and relinquish its full control on the country.

In short then the opposition forces in Burma may have lost a battle but may
now have a golden opportunity to win the war. All now depends on Asean.

Having disappointed the forces of democracy by admitting Burma as a 
member, will Asean now reverse itself and exert pressure on Slorc to enter
into earnest negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi? The world waits with bated
breath. Let's hope Asean will not disappoint us a second time.

Kyansitha is the pseudonym of a Burmese academic residing in Thailand.  
(BP)

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

NLM: "INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DESTRUCTIONISTS -- MUST 
BE CRUSHED!  MUST BE CRUSHED!"  
June 19, 1997 [abridged]
by Myo Chit Thu

Mass meetings of the Union Solidarity and Development Association
(USDA) on implementation of community service tasks were held in 16 
major towns and cities of the 14 States and Divisions on an extensive scale
in May 1997.
At those mass meetings, (1) motions on expansion of organization of
the association and participation of members at different levels in
community service tasks, and (2) a motion denouncing internal and 
external destructive acts were tabled and resolutely passed.
The USDA was formed on 15-8-93.  It is less than four years old. The
membership during the period exceeded the six million mark. The USDA 
will be a reliable force for the future of Myanmar.  Its objectives are noble. 
Every person who has attained 11 years of age can become a member in the
USDA.  In fact, the USDA is made up of the children of all the national
races.
The goal today is emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed
nation.  Each and every person is duty-bound to realize the goal. The
government, the Tatmadaw and the people must join hands and work 
together.
At present in the country, things are totally different from those in
the past. Market-oriented economic system is being practised in the
country under the open door policy.  It is totally different from the
planned economic system practised in the past.
Foreign investment and foreign joint venture enterprises are being permitted
systematically and encouraged.  Up to 30 April 1997, 22 countries around the
world had already invested over 6.057 billion US dollars in Myanmar.
Foreign investment is being allowed in 11 sectors to engage in 250 projects.
There are bright prospects for more foreign investments.
Myanmar had been in a state of self-isolation for nearly 30 years. 
The world situation, however, has changed today.  The Cold War period 
has ended and there is no more rivalry between the two power blocs.  No 
nation should follow the policy of hegemonism and monopoly.
However, the world today is witnessing a growing number of instances
in which powerful nations are bullying small nations in pursuing
hegemonism.  Under the circumstances, it would be impossible for 
Myanmar to remain aloof in international relations. It has become necessary
to cooperate with nations which maintain ties based on mutual respect and
mutual understanding.
There can certainly be progress if there is mutual assistance among the
ASEAN member nations.  Myanmar, on its part, will be able to contribute
toward regional progress, peace and stability by extending help to other
ASEAN members.
The above-mentioned points were included in the discussions of
Chairman of the ASEAN Leading Committee Secretary-1 of the State Law 
and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the first meeting of the
Leading Committee on 13 June.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt also highlighted other important points.
 He said:  "Considering that it was time to join the ASEAN, Chairman of 
the State Law and Order Restoration Council Commander- in-Chief of 
Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe took the initiative for Myanmar's
integration into ASEAN during his visit to Malaysia.
"The seven ASEAN members believe that Myanmar's membership will
contribute a great deal toward regional security and development.
"Some foreign nations strongly opposed and prevented Myanmar's
integration into ASEAN.  The internal axe-handles also made all attempts 
to prevent the membership.
"Since we have steadily moved on in spite of various obstacles and
obstructions, Myanmar will be admitted to the ASEAN."
The attitude of the present ASEAN members is quite clear and precise. 
They repeatedly stated that internal affairs of a nation would not be a
requirement for its membership into the ASEAN and that they would not
interfere in the internal affairs of a nation.
Moreover, they do not accept the interference and pressure of the US,
which is a big and powerful nation of the world, not to admit Myanmar 
into the ASEAN and to delay its membership under the pretexts of democracy
and human rights.  As they repeatedly stated the ASEAN members have now
decided to admit the three nations-- Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos--
simultaneously.
Ruthless and crafty attempts of the axe-handle Bogadaw (wife of
British citizen) group inside the country which relies on external elements
and holds negative views have come to nought.  All the attempts to 
prevent, delay and repeatedly delay Myanmar's integration into ASEAN harming
national and public interests have been smashed completely.
Still, destructive acts of internal and external elements have not run
out of steam.  Especially the condition of internal traitorous and
destructive elements relying on external elements is like a lighted candle
which is nearing its end. This fire must be extinguished totally.
Hence, out of the three slogans chanted finally at all the mass
meetings of USDA held in 16 major cities and towns in the States and
Divisions in May 1997, the third one is to be stated here once more.
Internal and external destructionists--must be crushed! must be
crushed!

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

NLM: RANGOON EXPECTS 24.5 PERCENT GROWTH IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR 
June 18, 1997 [abridged]

Yangon, 17 June - The Fourth Myanmar Building Materials, Construction
Machinery and Hardware Expo '97 jointly sponsored by the Ministry of
National Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Hotels and 
Tourism, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited and Somerford Agencies (Asia) Pte
Ltd of Singapore began at the Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road here at 9.30 am
today attended by Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
The opening ceremony this morning was also attended by Minister for
National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel, Minister at 
the Office of the Prime Minister Col Pe Thein, Minister at the Office of the
Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Brig-Gen Myo 
Thant, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win, Minister for Industry-2
Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister
for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 U
Thein Tun, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, Managing Director of
the Somerford Agencies (Asia) Pte Ltd and organizer of the exhibition Mr Koh
Kim Seng and members, departmental personnel, local and foreign journalists,
personnel of the companies displaying their products and guests.
First, Minister Brig-Gen Abel delivered an address.
He said:  It is always such a pleasure to be back specially with those
of you who have been around previously, at such a premier occasion as the
Myanmar Building Materials, Machinery & Hardware Expo '97, this 
being the forth.  In the first instance I would like to thank especially the
many familiar faces -- those of you who have had the foresight, conviction
and stamina to stick with us through thick and thin in the knowledge and
belief that this Government, will bring about the necessary reforms --
social, political, economic -- to ensure success and prosperity firstly and
without apologies in the narrower, context of Myanmar and secondly in the
broader regional zone of peace and prosperity within the Asean /Indochinese
ecopolitical geometry.
It would be superfluous for me to mention that in the ignorance of
those who coin names, we have earned ourselves some of the most 
unfounding accusations whatever it means, we need make no apologies because
those in the international community who are enlightened enough can see and
comprehend what we are up to and where we are headed.  Any party  misled
into believing that we shall indulge in byzantine government regulations has
only himself to blame.  The more so, when we have decided to plumb for a
free and open market economy.
Suffice it to say this Government will vindicate the faith and trust
you have placed in us and we will demonstrate to you that we will acquit
ourselves honorably and I might add perhaps a little immodestly, 
admirably.At this juncture, I would therefore let you in on some vital
statistics on what the Government has done in the last nine years, what it
intends to do in the future, from which you will be able to determine for
yourselves the opportunities ahead.
We are all set to achieve prosperity for Myanmar with freedom and
equality for all.
In 1998, the GDP per capita was Kyat 1940, and in the space of eight
years to 1996, the GDP per capita increased to Kyat 15701, a 800 percent
increase.
The annual GDP growth for the last 8 years, commencing 1989 has been
an average of 7.5 percent, and this year we expect an enhanced growth.
In terms of opportunities, in the construction industry the average
annual growth rate for the last 8 years has been rapidly growing.  We
expect the unprecedented growth of 24.5 percent bearing in mind the
relatively massive development projects of our ports, airports, industrial
park of 12 sq km, hotels making up over 5600 rooms, construction of
highways, Railways, Irrigation Systems, Universities, Schools, Hospitals
etc.
In the oil and gas industry, our LNG pipe line from Yadana to Thailand
is being constructed in association with TOTAL and UNOCAL, and the 
above has given the oil and gas industry a boost and is expected to begin
production by mid year 1998.  There are other world class gas fields and in
more recent times we have found valuable reserves of oil.
The hotel and tourist industry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, gem
stones and forest, telecommunication and power generation sectors are also
showing great promise.
What I have mentioned is but the tip of the iceberg and is not
designed to wet your appetite but merely to inform you objectively of what
is in store in Myanmar in the near future.  Indeed, we are working
assiduously towards enhanced privatization and liberalization of state
owned enterprises and corporations and you may view the future, in this
respect under these five scenarios:-
Total Privatization
Formation of Companies
Joint Ventures
Public Listed Companies

A stock exchange is expected to be put in place within the next two
years with a Capital Market already developing and your participation in
full or as joint-venture operations would be fully welcomed.
The developed North is invited to view for themselves the tremendous
changes that are taking place in Myanmar instead of living under the
misconceived, mischievous and archaic concept derived from
"parachute-cocktail-lounge" journalists who write of Myanmar in vacuo.  It
is your own visit which will persuade you that Myanmar is no "garrison
state".  We have said on more than one occasion that when the new
Constitution is in place, we will act accordingly.  The intention of the
Government is to "internationalize" Myanmar as much and as quickly as
possible and the first step I am happy to say consisting of our admission
to the Asean brotherhood of states come July '97, will take place to the
mutual benefit of Asean and ourselves.  This ought to propel us through to
the next stage of development.  In summary, we do not want to be what we
are not, nor would we want to try to be what we cannot be, nor would we 
try to be what we need not be.
Next, Mr Koh Kim Seng of the Somerford Agencies (Asia) Pte, Ltd
thanked all who had helped make the exhibition a success.
More than 100 companies from 15 nations exhibit their building
materials, construction machinery and hardware in over 100 booths.
The exhibition is open to public free of charge from 11 am to 6 pm
daily till 20 June.

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BURMA UN SERVICES OFFICE: TEAK RETAILER LETTER
June 16, 1997

6/16/97

To: All Teak Re-sellers


Dear Owner/Manager,

As Representative for UN Affairs of the National Coalition Government 
of the Union of Burma and Executive Director of Rainforest Relief, we 
are requesting that you cease selling Teak that has originated in Burma 
since 1962 in any and all of your stores, unless that Teak carries the 
label of an independent certifier accredited by the Forest Stewardship 
Council. Since 1962, when a military coup supplanted the democratically
elected government of Burma, illegitimate leaders have been oppressing the
people of Burma and committing large-scale human rights abuses as well as
selling off the natural heritage of the country.

General elections were held by the current regime in 1990. The 
National League for Democracy (NLD) party, led by Nobel Peace Prize 
laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, won 82% of the parliamentary seats. 
However, the military refused to yield power, nullified the elections 
and proceeded to arrest many of the NLD leaders, some of whom are 
still in prison today.

Logging of Teak in Burma has accelerated dramatically since the 
military takeover, especially since 1988 when a new set of generals 
took power.

There is no enforcement of sustainable forest management and Burma 
has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the region.

Additionally, all the income from the sale of Teak and other hardwoods 
goes directly to the government which uses this money to buy more 
weapons to further oppress the people. Especially oppressed are the 
ethnic minorities, some of whom are currently at the receiving end 
of a military offensive designed to wipe out their quest for democracy 
and self-determination.

Since Thailand instituted a ban on logging within its borders and 
Cambodia followed, Teak being sold by Thailand, Singapore, China 
and India is almost assuredly originating in Burma. Hundreds of trucks 
of hardwood logs stream out of Burma destined for processing in 
Thailand, China or Singapore. Much of this ends up as furniture in 
the U.S. and Europe.

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (the 
democratically elected government in exile) and Rainforest Relief 
consider that all Teak logged from public lands within Burma by the 
illegitimate military government as having been stolen from the 
people of Burma.

We respectfully request that you immediately cease your sale of any 
Teak that has originated from Burma since 1962. If you cannot cease 
your sales of this material immediately, please let us know within 
the next two weeks of a date by which you intend to do so, since we 
have targeted Teak re-sellers for further actions should we not hear 
from them within that time.

Thank you for your consideration of this highly important matter.

Sincerely,



Dr. Thuang Htun, Representative for UN Affairs	
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)


Tim Keating, Executive Director
Rainforest Relief

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