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The BurmaNet News, June 27, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, June 27, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 27 Jun 1997 01:45:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: June 27, 1997
Issue #760
Noted in Passing:
The minimum wage in Burma is 16 baht per day.
--The Bangkok Post: New Tak Border Economic Zone
(Editor's Note - 16 baht is approximately US$ 0.62)
HEADLINES:
==========
AFP: BURMA DEMOCRACY STAND
REUTER: EU MINISTERS SEE NO EU-ASEAN TALKS WITH BURMA
BKK POST: THAILAND ACCUSED OF AIDING KAREN
TACDB: EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING OF BURMESE NATIONAL
THE NATION: ILLEGALS CAUGHT WHILE WORKING
BKK POST: NEW TAK BORDER ECONOMIC ZONE
DAILY YOMIURI: 8 MYANMAR MUSLIMS DROWN
THAILAND TIMES: BURMA SEIZES ARMS, NARCOTIC CHEMICAL
MNRC: MONTHLY REPORT OF MON NATIONAL RELIEF
SLORC : INFORMATION SHEET NO. A- 0057
RESOLUTION: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE SAMATA PARTY
BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AFP: BURMA DEMOCRACY STAND
June 27, 1997
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Rangoon - Aung San Suu Kyi has told a US delegation
that her political party would only participate in a convention to frame a
new Burmese constitution if the convention were more democratic.
Burma's official press on Tuesday said the National League for Democracy was
sending out signals that it wanted to re-enter the convention.
The ruling junta expelled the party from the convention in late 1995 after
it launched a boycott to protest at clauses granting extraordinary powers to
the Army.
********************************************
REUTER: EU MINISTERS SEE NO EU-ASEAN TALKS WITH BURMA YET
June 26, 1997
BRUSSELS, June 26 (Reuter) - European Union foreign ministers said on
Thursday the human rights situation in Burma was worsening and that
Rangoon's membership of the ASEAN trading bloc did not imply it could take
part in EU-Asian talks.
ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations, will formally embrace
Burma as a member at its next ministerial meeting in Malaysia on July 24-25.
``The deteriorating human rights situation in Burma is a matter for serious
concern to the EU,'' a statement issued after the ministers met in
Luxembourg said.
Ministers had confirmed the EU's commitment to the EU-ASEAN dialogue
including on human rights and democratic principles.
``(The Council of ministers) expects membership of ASEAN to contribute to
the promotion of these values in Burma,'' the statement added.
But it said ministers had reaffirmed that this membership did not
automatically mean Burma could join ASEM, the main EU-Asia discussion forum.
The EU, reacting to accusations of human rights abuse by the Rangoon
military government, has cut off high-level contacts.
****************************************************
BKK POST: THAILAND ACCUSED OF AIDING KAREN
June 26, 1997
Supamart Kasem, Tak
Rocket attack leads to letter of complaint
Burma has accused Thailand of allowing Karen rebels to use its territory to
launch a rocket attack on the border town of Myawaddy.
Myawaddy authorities yesterday sent an aide memoire signed by Lt-Col Saing
Phone, chairman of Burma's Local Thai-Burmese Border Committee, asking Thai
officials to explain why they let Karen National Union rebels fire from
inside Thailand at least four 107mm rockets on Myawaddy on Tuesday.
Thai TBC chairman Col Chatchapat Yaemngarmriab responded with a letter
saying that no foreign troops were found to have entered Thailand and opened
fire on Burma.
In the letter, Burmese authorities were also told that one of the four
rockets had landed on a border area in Ban Tha Aj, Tambon Tha Sai Luad of
Mae Sot district.
A source who has close ties with high-level KNU staff said Karen soldiers
from the 7th Division led by Maj-Gen Htay Maung set fire to Myawaddy in
retaliation for a recent Burmese attack on KNU forces opposite Mae Ramat
district.
The source also said KNU troops had fired rockets from an area inside Burma,
not from Thai territory as charged by the Burmese.
Four 107mm rockets were fired on Tuesday from an area north of Myawaddy at
1.30 a.m. Three landed on a market opposite Tambon Tha Sai Luad of Mae Sot
and the other on a plantation in Ban Tha Aj.
According to a border official, the attack prompted Burmese authorities to
step up measures to prevent arms smuggling into Burma from Thailand. They
also cancelled the 16th TBC meeting scheduled for yesterday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing preparations for opening of the
Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge, as well as ways to solve border problems
over Burma's dredging of the Moei River opposite Mae Sot.
Many businessmen in Tak were concerned the situation following the attack on
Myawaddy could further delay the bridge opening and called on Thai and
Burmese officials to be rational in their efforts to solve existing border
problems. (BP)
*******************************************************
TACDB: EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING OF BURMESE NATIONAL IN THAILAND
June 26, 1997
Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma <carol@xxxxxxxxxx>
Thai Action Committee for Democoracy in Thailand (TACDB)
URGENT PRESS RELEASE!
Extrajudicial Killing of Burmese National by Thai Authorities in Mahachai,
Sumut Sakhon Province, Thailand.
Bangkok, 26th June, 1997.
On the evening of the 17th June, 1997, 22 year old Win Htwe, a Burmese
National from Karen State, was hiding from police in bushes close to the
main river bank when he was arrested and then beaten with a stick around the
head and the shoulder areas by a Thai police officer. Eyewitnesses to the
event, both Thai and Burmese nationals, saw the police officer in question,
who was wearing a white T-shirt with the number 6 printer on the back in
large letters, pick up the Win Htwe's body, shake it, and then throw it down
into the bushes. The police officer then left the scene of the killing to
transport four Burmese nationals he had previously arrested in the area to
Tatckalaung Police Kiosk, where the accepted bribes from Burmese nationals
in return for not sending them into more long term detention at the local
police station.
Win Htwe was beaten to death by a Thai police officer for being a Burmese in
Thailand. He had fled to Thailand from the civil war in Karen State and was
working as a registered seaman out of Mahachai port.
Win Htwe was in a group of Burmese men and women who were trying to escape
the arrest and harassment of the local authorities. Thai Police officers
routinely round up Burmese nationals, regardless of whether they possess
legal documentation for their stay in Thailand, to extort money from them.
Exploitation of Burmese nationals at the hands of Thai Authorities in
Mahachai in Sumut Sakhon province is rife and the situation is reaching a
crisis point. The presence of such abuse and exploitation is a major blemish
on Thailand's international image as a civil and democratic society.
Khun Laddawan Tantivitayapitak, coordinator of the Bangkok-based
organization, Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB) stated
that "...the human rights and humanitarian issues raised by the presence of
so many Burmese nationals along our borders as refugees, as well as the
presence of the anti-SLORC pro-democracy movement and the many migrant
Burmese workers inside our borders should be one of the Kingdom's gravest
concerns at the moment.".
She went on to say that "...Thai official treatment of Burmese nationals
within our borders and especially our governments position on Burma, is the
next biggest impediment to resolving the problems of the Burmese, after the
brutal military junta itself. The systematic abuse, torture, arbitrary
arrest and detention, summary deportation and forced repatriation of Burmese
nationals must cease in order for us to find a long-term, durable solution
to the problem".
For more information or further comment please contact Adisorn Kerdmongkol
(Thai) or Khin Pyu Win (English) on (+662) 216 4463 or email
<carol@xxxxxxxxxx>. Photograph available.
----------------------------------------
Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB),
328 Phayathai Road,
Rajthevee,
Bangkok 10400,
THAILAND.
tel/fax: (+662) 216 4463
email: carol@xxxxxxxxxx
******************************************************
THE NATION: ILLEGALS CAUGHT WHILE WORKING
June 26, 1997
KANCHANABURI - A total of 182 illegal Burmese immigrants were arrested at a
factory owned by the president of the provincial industry council yesterday,
police said. Police said 104 Burmese men and 78 women were found working at
the Vitafood factory in Tha Maka district when they raided the plant.
Investigators said the factory was owned by Sing Tangcharoenchaichana,
president of Kanchanaburi Industry Council and a member of the Federation of
Thai Industries.
Some of the illegal immigrants said they sneaked across the Thai Burmese
border into Kanchanaburi at the Three Pagodas Pass and paid brokers Bt 3,000
each to take them to work at the factory.(TN)
********************************************************
BKK POST: NEW TAK BORDER ECONOMIC ZONE
June 26, 1997
Phusadee Arunmart
May resolve problem of illegal workers
Thailand will join with Burma to set up a special economic zone in Myawaddy
in a bid to relocate and promote labour-intensive industry there.
The zone would house mainly light industry employing thousands of workers
from both countries, according to Veerakorn Kamprakob, minister of the Prime
Minister's Office.
It would also help solve the problem of illegal Burmese labour in Thailand,
providing jobs in labour-intensive industries including textiles and shoes.
The minimum wage in Burma is 16 baht per day.
Mr Veerakorn discussed the proposal last week with Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary
of the State Law and Order Restoration Council.
He said Burmese officials supported the establishment of the zone, which
would be located near the border opposite Mae Sot in Tak province, where a
bridge across the Moei River has been completed.
"The [Burmese] government has guaranteed the safety of all foreign investors
who invest in the special economic zone despite conflicts with minority
groups," he said.
Thousands of Karen refugees have fled into Thailand as clashes intensify
between Slorc troops who claim they are ready to crush a decades-old Karen
insurgency.
Burma will join Asean next month and is preparing to adapt to international
practices and Asean rules, Mr Veerakorn said.
Investors who locate production facilities in the economic zone will be
granted incentives, he added.
Mr Veerakorn suggested that the Burmese government allow Thai investors to
build infrastructure in Myawaddy, where 10,000 rai have been reserved for an
industrial estate.
Two Thai investors - Hemaraj Land Development and Bangpakong Industrial Park
- have expressed interest in participating in the development of the zone.
"I will ask Thai investors to donate about 50 million baht to renovate the
100-kilometre-plus road running from Myawaddy to Rangoon for convenience,"
he said.
Mr Veerakorn maintained that no human rights violations would be tolerated
in connection with the Myawaddy project.
"This is consistent with the support of Asean members to help develop the
economy of Burma, and Thailand will ensure that Thai investors do not take
advantage of Burma."
Staporn Kavitanon, secretary-general of the Board of Investment, expressed
confidence that the Myawaddy economic zone could be set up quickly under
Burmese law.
In the past, establishment of special economic zones in Thailand has been
difficult because of tougher regulations and wage differences between local
and migrant labourers.
Chokechai Aksaranan, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said
the Myawaddy economic zone would benefit both countries. But he cautioned
that Burma needed to create a more stable political climate.
Another major player in Burma is the Sahaviriya Group, which is promoting a
"Golden Gateway" linking Prachuap Khiri Khan on the Gulf of Thailand and
Bokpyinn on Burma's Andaman coast.
The Burmese government proposes to develop a deep seaport and industrial
estate at Bokpyinn with foreign investors' help, and the Thai government
will help develop the 70-kilometre road link. (BP)
*******************************************************
DAILY YOMIURI: 8 MYANMAR MUSLIMS DROWN WHILE FLEEING TO BANGLADESH
June 26, 1997
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuter) Eight Myanmar Muslims were feared drowned
when crossing a swirling border river in an attempt to reach Bangladesh,
police said Wednesday.
They said Bangladeshi border guards recovered three bodies but five were
still missing after a boat carrying 12 "Rohingya" Muslims from Buthidaung
area of Myanmar's western Arakan Province sank in the Naf river early Tuesday.
"The accident occurred apparently because of heavy load on the small boat
ferrying the Rohingyas to Bangladesh to join thousands of other illegal
entrants, one police officer said.
Bangladesh reported a fresh influx of Myanmar Muslims earlier this week that
the Rohingyas said was set off by a growing food shortage, unemployment and
forced labor in Arakan.
"Some 20 to 30 families sneak in each night," said one police officer in
Cox's Bazar, which borders Arakan.
"At least 5,000 Myanmar Muslims have entered Bangladesh in the last one
month," he said on Monday.
************************************************
THAILAND TIMES: BURMA SEIZES ARMS, NARCOTIC CHEMICAL
June 26, 1997
AFP
MAE SAI, Thailand Burma's military seized more than 4,000 M-16 automatic
rifles and several tons of a chemical used to refine heroin last month
from remnants of drug lord Khun Sa's army, a Thai intelligence source said
yesterday.
Former opium lord Khun Sa surrendered his ethnic Shan based Mong Tai Army
(MTA) to the Burmese military government early last year, but remnants of
the major drug-trafficking organization are believed to have continued their
activities.
About 5,000 kilograms of acetic anhydride, used to re fine heroin from poppy
opium gum, were found along with the weapons in a village in
Burma's Shan State, a few dozen kilometers west of this border town in
Thailand's, northern Chiang Rai province, the source said.
***************************************************
MNRC: MONTHLY REPORT OF MON NATIONAL RELIEF COMMITTEE
May, 1997
Lack of Time for Transportation of Supplies
After a rapid needs assessment survey was conducted by MNRC, BBC and MSF
before the end of 1996, it confirmed to provide main supplies to Mon
refugees who are remaining in the border area but on Burmese side, after
they faced spontaneous repatriation. Since their native homes are not
safe enough to return to because of the human rights situation they have to
stay in the border area.
Starting before the end of 1996, the MNRC has arranged transporting supplies
to those refugees and at the same time, encouraged them to foster
self-reliance. But the Tavoy camp's refugees were too unassured of safety to
plan for rice plantation in their area and aids agencies agreed to provide
them with more supplies than other camps' refugees. The transportation of
supplies to these camps had been smooth up to the mid-April, 1997.
Normally, from April up to the end of May, the MNRC has responsibility to
send all stock-piled supplies that refugees need for survival during
May to December. The donor organization, BBC, provided all supplies
in time and the Thailand's MOI permission also came to district office in
time according to time frame proposal summit of BBC. The MNRC has to arrange
the trucks, labourers and refugees for smooth transportation of those
supplies like every dry season.
While the MNRC tried to send all supplies before rainy season accordingly to
date and amount defined in MOI's serial permissions, the transportation
process was prohibited by the order that came from Ninth Army of Thai Army
in the third week of April. Without mentioning any reason, all arranged
transportation was stopped during the ideal time for trucks to
travel to the camps. Except to Halockhani camp, the supply transportations
to other camps such as Tavoy and Bee Ree were stopped.
By mentioning the instructed order of Ninth Army, the MNRC and BBC
(Sangkhlaburi office) were informed by the Sangkhlaburi District Office that
all supplies to Bee Ree and Tavoy were not allowed to be sent into camps.
Since then, the transportation of supply was stopped for three weeks and we
had to store it in MNRC's rice warehouse of Sangkhlaburi. The MNRC faced the
unexpected problem concerned organizations of the situation to convince the
Ninth Army to follow and agree with MOI permission. But all attempts failed
and the situation was very hopeless for the refugees to receive rice and
other foods.
Even though the MNRC and BBC accepted the MOI permission with humanitarian
consideration provided by Thai government, the opposite idea was held by the
army. The valuable time of dry season was wasted and MNRC was concerned
about the coming rainy season. It was very hard for all concerned
organizations to realize the role of MOI and local Thai Army.
For MNRC, it had no way to continue its transportation process and just
waited in hopeless situation. After three weeks prohibition of
transportation of supplies, the Army gave permission again in mid - May.
By that time was too late for MNRC to complete its transportation process.
The monsoon weather of rainy season had already started, the roads became
muddy and slippery, and it made trucks useless for travel. The local
district and border police were helpful in attempting to send leftover
supplies in time. The processes of signing permission and checking supplies
by district authorities of Sangkhlaburi were quick enough.
In sending supplies, MNRC also used both ten wheels and four wheels trucks.
Four wheels trucks could take and carry supplies on the half way that were
left by ten trucks. However, the rain did not allow to send supplies
smoothly and could send it only on the half way and store for a while where
the trucks reached. Thus, it had to keep supplies in temporary stores along
the way in several places and were roofed with plastic sheets. When the rain
was hard, the rice sacks also became wet. Sometimes the rain was continuous
and it had to stop transportation for some days before the sun came out and
work could resume.
Although the MNRC has tried to complete supply shipments weather has not
permitted. Estimatedly it could send supplies especially rice to Bee Ree
refugees which may provide them enough up to the mid of Ocotober while the
rice to sent to Tavoy was enough to last up to November. But the supplies
for Tavoy refugees were stored in many different places on the way and
refugees have to carry their supplies in this difficult rainy season.
At the end of May, no trucks could move any longer due to hard rain and
muddy and slippery roads and then the transportation of supplies ceased. The
construction of rice stores along the way did not cease due to the necessity
of keeping supplies sheltered from the rain. Because of the recent situation
of delay in sending supplies before the rainy season, the refugees may face
food- shortage problems in the near future before the harvest season arrives.
Unsafe Campsites of Mon Refugees
According to the ceasefire agreement that reached between NMSP and SLORC,
Halockhani campsite is situating in area for permanent troop location zone
of NMSP. When the NMSP delegation talked for ceasefire with SLORC, several
rounds of talk were held in Southeast Military Division of Moulmein, capital
of Mon State. The ceasefire agreement was also reached in there. But the
agreement remained unfair and the commanders from that military command
ignored the agreement and launched an intrusion on the Halockhani refugee
campsite in May.
On May 10, about 100 troops of LIB No. 106 led by Major San Lwin arrived
into Halockhani by crossing some part of Thai territory and tried to take
base in campsite. The troops were sent from Three Pagoda Pass and the
Southeast Military Division ordered to go into the camp. Along together with
them, about 40 porters were also arrested to carry ammunition and other
supplies of the troops.
Soon after they reached to campsite, they created check-points and collected
tax from everyone who crossed into the camp and passed border point. As the
campsite was situated on the border line, many traders and Thai citizens are
also travelling and crossing the border and they could get chance to collect
tax for those travellers.
According to Burmese troops, they came to campsite to check the border line
with Thai authorities and on May 11, the Thai military officials also came
and met with Burmese troops. They discussed about the border area and did
not reach any agreement in defining border line. Although they completed
discussion, the Burmese troops continued taking base for more days and
refused to leave from Halockhani. Their second reason was to launch military
offensives against KNU troops and they had to take base in Halockhani as a
strategic position.
Because of the intrusion, many organization concerned for the safety of
refugees and the refugees were also blocked by the troops inside camp and
they were in fear of maltreatment. When the troops were in the camp, they
also tried to collect thatches and bamboo to build the bases and asked some
foods from the villagers. Soon after taking base of Burmese troops, the NMSP
leaders sent message to SLORC commanders in Moulmein to withdraw their
troops and strongly complained about SLORC's broken promise. Then, on May
15, the Burmese troops moved out from Halockhani after isntructions from
higher commanders of Moulmein.
The refugees in Tavoy area also feel unsafe as the area have been remained
as temporary troop location zone of NMSP. The Burmese troops take base close
to campsite and could reach to the camp within 3 hours. Because of the
unsafe situation of the campsite, many familes of refugees also moved into
Bee Ree camp and some also fled into Thailand illegally. According to
NMSP-SLORC ceasefire agreement, the troops must leave the area and if no
more Mon troops are there, the situation for refugees became very unsafe.
Similarly, about 900 Mon refugees of the most southern camp, Prachuab, fled
into Thai territory on April 27, after the houses in camps were burnt down
by Burmese Army. On that day, the Burmese Army occupied Chaung Chi area and
drove out several hundred refugees to Thai territory and some displaced
inside Burmese territory. When they reached in Thai soil, they were allowed
only for temporary refuge and Thai authorities including Ninth Army, tried
to force them to return back to Sangkhlaburi district area and to resettle
in Halockhani camp or others. The refugees refused to return to Sangkhlaburi
and at the same time, they were also barred to return to their homes in
Chaung Chi.
Those refugees have been cared by border police for more than one month. On
May 25, when the Burmese Army turned back its offensives to Chaung Chi area
with many thousands troops to pressure armed force Mon Army Mergui District
(MAMD), all campsites were re- occupied by Burmese troops and the refugees
felt they were hopeless and no place to take refuge. As a result, the MAMD
troops also surrendered to Burmese Army and the Burmese troops are still
taking base in Chung Chi area. Starting by the end of May, MAMD, Thai and
Burmese authorities have discussed and planned to push those refugees to
Chaung Chi area back and will refuse to allow those refugees to take refuge
in Thai territory. Soon or after they may be forced to return back to unsafe
campsite where the Burmese Army is still taking base.
Among several campsite of Mon refugees, only Bee Ree camp is remained more
stable than others. While the campsites are in unstable situation with new
troop settlements of Burmese Army, the refugees lose chance reconstruct
their life and community reconstruction programs are also become uncertain.
On behalf of Mon refugees, the MNRC would like to request the international
community to review the situation of Mon refugees and give a helping hand
for the safety of them.
http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm
****************************************
SLORC : INFORMATION SHEET NO. A- 0057
June 26, 1997
In Kyaington Town of the Eastern Shan State (Golden Triangle Area) there was
a commemoration ceremony held on the morning of 26th June to mark the
occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The members of the diplomatic corps, UN representatives, News Media and
various Anti-Narcotic Agency representatives were invited to witness this
destruction of seized narcotic drugs from (5) refineries in Eastern Shan
States.
The following items were publicly burnt and destroyed :-
(1) Opium 2010.72 Kilos
(2) Heroin 4.41
Kilos
(3) Opium Oil 6
Gallons
(4) Liquid Opium 229 Gallons
(5) Inferior Opium 55.008 Kilos
(6) Morphine 49.3
Kilos
(7) Stimulant Drugs 733542 Tabs.
(8) Hydrochloride Acid 18.18 Gallons
(9) Acid 232.72
Gallons
(10) Ether 813
Gallons
(11) Sulphuric Acid 95 Gallons
(12) Amonia Chloride 817.7 Kilos
(13) Alchohol 36 Gallons
(14) Hydrogen Peroxide 12 Gallons
(15) Unknown Chemical 69.5 Gallons
(16) Sodium Carbonate 310 Kilos
(17) Ethyl Alchohol 124 Gallons
(18) Chenical Powder 15 Kilos
(19) Activated Carbon 45 Kilos
(20) Lysol 8 Gallons
(21) Codeine 0.18 Litres
******************************************
RESOLUTION: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE SAMATA PARTY
May 29,1997
shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Resolution on National Security:
The National Council of Samata Party draws the attention of the people of
India to the grave threats to the nation's security which seem to have
escaped the notice of those who should have known better.
India's failure to prevent China's military occupation of Tibet had not
brought the Chinese army to India's border, but had emboldened China
to occupy over 1,19,000sq kilometres of India territory in Jammu
and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and in the northeastern
region. While it engages India in talks on that calls rectification of
borders, China refuses to acknowledge that Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim
are parts of Indian territory. In the first week of April 1997, China
declined to issue a visa to the chief minister of Arunachal pradesh to
take part in a transnational conference on environment in Kunming
in Yunnan province of China. Not satisfied with this insult to a
citizen
of India, Chinese Embassy officials in Delhi suggested to the chief
minister that he could proceed to China without a visa, thereby implying
that China recognized him as its citizen, since it does not accept Arunachal
Pradesh as part of India.
In Burma, where Aung San Suu Kyi and her party-the National League
for Democracy-had secured 80 per cent votes and 82 per cent seats in the
election held in 1990, China is supporting the country's military
junta in all its repressive measures to suppress the movement for
democracy. China is training and equipping the Burmese army whose
strength has increased from 175,000men in 1994,to 450,000 and is due to
touch 5,00,000 by the turn of this century. China is building roads and
railways in Burma and constructing military airports and naval facilities,
which must necessarily be as a part of its design to encircle India.
India's policy to "constructively engage" Burma, by opening two overland
routes for trade with that country, has resulted in massive smuggling of
Chinese goods into India from Moreh in Manipur. These include cloth
and ready made garments, all types of electronic goods, Kitchenware,
cutlery and crockery, fountain pens and penknives, and other articles of
domestic use.
The most dangerous development in the north-eastern part of the country
is the unhindered smuggling of opium and other drugs through the Moreh
opening by the drug lords operating in Bruma. TIME magazine in a two-
page story in its issue of 21 December 1996, on opium smuggling via
Moreh through India to the rest of the world, assessed the value of the
contraband so smuggled at Rs. One lakh crore.
Along with drug smuggling, the border opening has become the road to
export AIDS into India. Consequently, the number of people afflicted by AIDS
has reached frightening proportions in Manipur, making the state
the virtual AIDS capital of the world.
Many of the insurgencies in the north eastern part of India are financed
with drug money, even while several militant outfits and the women's
organisations in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram are engaged in an
unrelenting war against drug addiction and AIDS. The consequences of
all this to the nation's security in the north eastern part of India cannot
be overstated.
China is engaged in the construction of a naval base at Coco Islands,
which is Burmese territory only 40 kilometres north of the northern tip of
the Andamans. That this is a part of its plan to establish its naval
presence in the Indian Ocean and in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian
Sea does not need any emphasising.
Over the years, it has been a part of China's strategy to fan tensions
between India and Pakistan, by providing sophisticated weapons to
Pakistan and scuttling moves for dialogue between India and pakistan.
In the civil war situation now prevailing in Sri Lanka where the Tamils
are fighting to uphold their dignity and their democratic rights, and
against the second class status imposed through constitutional provision
on their language and religion, China, the United States, Israel and
Pakistan have found fertile ground to establish their influence by
helping the Sri Lankan government to pursue its war against the Tamil
people. The U.S is putting up a radio and television station on Sri Lankan
soil across the creek from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu; the Chinese
are seeking naval facilities in the trincomale harbour; the Israelis and
Pakistan along with the Americans are providing military and idelogical
training to the Sri Lankan army. India's silence over the assault on the
human rights of the Tamil people and its failure to facilitate a dialogue
between the Tamils and Sinhalese has isolated it not only from the Tamils
but even from those sections of the Sinhala people who are committed to
human rights and are seeding ways to restore peace to their strife-
torn country.
In short, India is, for all practical purposes, today encircled on all
sides. Any discussion on national security that overlooks these realities
will only encourage those who do not wish well by India.
The Samata Party believes that the nation needs to be alerted to these
dangers through a revival of the patriotic fervour that motivated the
generations which sacrificed their everything, including their lives, in the
struggle to secure freedom from colonial rule. Towards this end, the
National Council resolves;
1. That the party workers undertake a year long village to village campaign
to educate the people of the dangers to our freedom and security;
2. That the party units organise conventions at state and district levels to
express solidarity with and support to His Holiness. The Dalai Lama
and the Tibetan people in their struggle for securing their freedom
from China;
3. That the party units organism conventions at state and district levels to
express solidarity with and support to Aung San Suu Kyi and the
Burmese people in their struggle for the restorationof democracy in
their country;
4. That the party units and party members will remind members of
parliament of the unanimous pledge taken by the members of parliament
in 1962 that we shall not rest quiet till we have recovered every inch of our
territory forcibly held by China;
5. That the party organise an indefinite and peaceful blockade from 2
October 1997 at More in Manipur through a human wall at the
international border with Burma to draw the attention of the country
and of the world to the situation prevailing in Burma and the
Implication of the massive drug trade that goes via More through India
with the connivance of the Burmese military junta;
6. That the party organize a national-level convention on dangers to
national security, followed by similar conventions at the state level; and
7. That the party take the support of all patriotic Indians,
irrespective of their political loyalties, in these activities.
News and Information Bureau All Burma Students League.
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BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST
BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics
related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects,
please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either
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Boycott campaigns: ai268@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@xxxxxxx
Chin history/culture: [volunteer temporarily away]
Fonts: tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
High School Activism: [volunteer needed]
History of Burma: zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Pipeline Campaign freeburma@xxxxxxx
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Rakhaing history/culture Kyaw Tha Hla:thisthis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rohingya culture volunteer needed
Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Total - France Dawn Star: cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tourism campaigns: bagp@xxxxxxxxxx "Attn. S.Sutcliffe"
volunteering: refugee_help@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
World Wide Web: FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx
Geographical Contacts:
Massachusetts simon_billenness@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]
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FREE BURMA WEB PAGES:
http://FreeBurma.org
This single page serves only as an easy to remember URL and departure
point to resources promoting the establishment of democracy in Burma.
Please write to FreeBurma@xxxxxxxxx to add a site or for further
information." - Glen, system administrator
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to get involved in the Free Burma Coalition, send a message to:
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or visit their homepage, accessible through: http:// FreeBurma.org
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