The BurmaNet News, July 21, 1997

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------     
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"     
----------------------------------------------------------     
 
The BurmaNet News: July 21, 1997        
Issue #777

Noted in Passing:

It's a good start but a dialogue is not complete without Aung San Suu Kyi.

--Tin Oo, NLD vice chairman, on recent talks between Khin Nyunt and Than Shwe 
(AP: Burma's Suu Kyi Honors Slain Dad)

HEADLINES:        
==========   
USIA: UNHCR REQUESTS ACCESS TO REFUGEES 
AP: BURMA'S SUU KYI HONORS SLAIN DAD 
BKK POST: ASEAN CASH NEEDED TO HELP AILING KYAT
PRESS STATEMENT: MR. LIM KIT SIANG ON BURMA (18-7-97)
BKK POST: TALKS BETWEEN GENERALS AND OPPOSITION 
AAP: POSSIBLE SHIFT IN ASEAN APPROACH TO PROBLEMS
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A-0067 ( I )
THAILAND TIMES: KHUN SA'S SON JUNKS CASINO PROJECT
BKK POST: GATHERING OF ACADEMICS IN RANGOON 
ASIA TIMES: 'HYSTERIA' TAKES TOLL ON MYANMAR
XINHUA: BURMA, CHINA AGREE TO PROMOTE ANTIDRUG
XINHUA: CHINA TO BUILD MORE SUGAR MILLS FOR BURMA 
THAILAND TIMES: ACTIVISTS ASK LST TO SUE PTT
THE NATION: GOVT HASTENS THAI-BURMA COOPERATION
RANGOON KYEMON: THE US, SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES
NLM: ARMY CHIEF ON CRUSHING DESTRUCTIONISTS 
----------------------------------------------------------------- 

USIA: UNHCR REQUESTS ACCESS TO REFUGEES IN BANGLADESH
July 18, 1997
By Wendy Lubetkin

Geneva -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says an estimated
5,000 to 7,000 Burmese Muslims have entered Bangladesh over the past
two months, some of them claiming that they were tortured or subject
to forced labor in Burma.

"We are not being given access to these people," said UNHCR
spokesperson Pam O'Toole. "Many of them are being jailed or forcibly
returned to Myanmar."

While it is true that people often cross the border at this time of
the year for economic reasons, O'Toole said, "some of the new arrivals
have told reporters that they are fleeing because of excessive forced
labor and some have even alleged that they have been tortured."

UNHCR has asked the Bangladesh government for access to the refugees,
but has not yet received a reply.

UNHCR believes some of the refugees "may genuinely fear persecution if
they return to Myanmar," O'Toole said. "We again call on the
Bangladesh government to allow us to interview these people and
establish who might be deserving of UNHCR protection."

Beginning in 1991, some 250,000 Burmese Muslims have crossed into
Bangladesh, but most have since been repatriated. Of the approximately
21,000 who remain in the country, some 7,500 have been cleared by the
Burmese government for return. But Bangladesh has told UNHCR it wants
all the refugees to return home.

O'Toole said UNHCR is appealing to Bangladesh to "show flexibility in
their treatment of the final caseload."

"Quite apart from the problem that many are not cleared by the Myanmar
authorities as genuine Myanmar citizens, we believe that a proportion
of the remaining refugees may also risk persecution if they return
home," she said.

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

AP: BURMA'S SUU KYI HONORS SLAIN DAD 
July 19, 1997 [slightly abridged]

RANGOON, Burma (AP) -- Embattled pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi paid
solemn tribute to her father -- Burma's independence leader and greatest
hero -- on the 50th anniversary of his assassination Saturday. 

Although her movements have been sharply restricted by the country's
military rulers, Suu Kyi was allowed to take part in ceremonies at the white
marble mausoleum where Aung San is buried. 

Suu Kyi, the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has endured house arrest,
harassment and the jailings of many followers, but observers say her
father's prestige protects her from imprisonment, or worse, by the military
junta. 

Gen. Aung San, then 36, and six of his ministers were shot and killed less
than six months before Burma gained independence from Britain in January
1948. A former prime minister, U Saw, was charged with the assassinations
and executed. 

The charismatic, handsome Aung San led Burma's largely peaceful independence
struggle and is widely revered. His death is annually marked as Martyrs Day. 

Dressed in a white jacket and black sarong and shawl, Suu Kyi laid three
baskets of orchids at the gravesides, touched the ground three times with
her forehead and clasped her hands in a sign of Buddhist reverence. 

Representatives of Burma's ruling military council attended the ceremony. 

At her lakeside home, Suu Kyi held a private religious observance for about
500 supporters and diplomats. Offerings of food and robes were presented to
50 Buddhist monks. 

The ceremonies came three days after a rare meeting between the military and
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.  Although the reason remains
unclear, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt met with three members of the party, including
chairman Aung Shwe. Suu Kyi was not included. 

``We all welcome the meeting. There is a ray of hope,'' said Tin Oo, vice
chairman of the party, at the mausoleum. ``It's a good start but a dialogue
is not complete without Aung San Suu Kyi.'' 

Suu Kyi refused to comment on the meeting and asked whether others might
follow she said: ``I don't believe in speculation in politics.'' 

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

BKK POST: ASEAN CASH NEEDED TO HELP AILING KYAT
July 19, 1997
Nussara Sawatsawang

Neighbours more apt to attempt rescue via management advice

Burma is planning to seek financial aid from the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations to spur an economy depressed by depreciation of the national
currency, the kyat.

Key members of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc)
were "discussing" how to approach Asean members on the plan, said a diplomat
who recently visited Rangoon.

If Asean agreed, it would be the grouping's first assistance to Burma, which
is to be formally inducted as a new member on Wednesday, along with Laos.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam are current Asean members.

Market depreciation has matched the US dollar to 260 kyat, down from 180.

The actual value is different from the Slorc-set official exchange rate,
which remains at six kyat.

Observers were pessimistic about Rangoon's appeal for aid, saying its chance
of getting money from Asean looked slim.

What Asean might do is send financial experts to advise the regime on
monetary management, an Asean diplomat based in Rangoon said, speaking on
condition of anonymity.

The association never channels funds to help stabilise the economy of member
nations, he said.

Medhi Krongkaew, an economist at Thammasat University, said the Slorc needed
a "huge" financial boost for its foreign currency reserve, something only
big economies like Japan or the United States could do.

But Rangoon must sacrifice, he said. Drastic political changes would be
needed as a condition for foreign help.

"Myanmar cannot resolve its economic problem by itself without financial
assistance from outside, but this assistance will not be forthcoming until
its political problems are realistically attended to," Mr. Medhi said.

The International Monetary Fund, pressured by the United States, has
demanded that the military government improve its democracy and human rights
record and open dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic
minorities before aid will be granted.

The Japanese government has frozen loans from its Overseas Development
Agency and has allowed only humanitarian aid to Burma since 1988, when Slorc
took power.

A Japanese diplomat said Tokyo might realign its position to match Asean's
cooperation framework after Burma's admission  into the bloc.

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

PRESS STATEMENT: MR. LIM KIT SIANG ON BURMA (18-7-97)
July 18, 1997 [excerpts only]

Media Conference Statement - the launching of the book "From Consensus to
Controversy - ASEAN's Relationship with Burma's SLORC" by Lim Kit Siang -
Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Democratic Action Party
Secretary-General & Member of Parliament for Tanjong
============================================================================

(Petaling Jaya, 18 July 1997, Friday): There is no more meaningful way to
mark ASEAN's 30th anniversary than the establishment of an ASEAN Commission
of Human Rights to uphold human rights in the region and address regional
concerns that Burma's admission would be a setback
for democracy and human rights, not only in Burma, but also for the other
ASEAN nations.

The ASEAN Commission of Human Rights should ensure that with Burma's
admission, Rangoon does not set the benchmark to become the region's
lowest-common-denominator on democracy and human rights.

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

BKK POST: TALKS BETWEEN GENERALS AND OPPOSITION IS A KEY STEP
July 19, 1997 [abridged]
Bangkok, Reuters
Deborah Charles

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, one of the most powerful men in Burma's military
government, met National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman Aung Shwe and
two other party leaders on Thursday for talks.

"It's an absolute shock, a real surprise," said one diplomat about the
talks, which government and NLD sources said dealt with recent allegations
by Slorc that the NLD was involved in terrorist activities and had received
financial assistance from foreigners to help in their actions.

A senior government official told Reuters by telephone from Rangoon that
Thursday's meeting was part of a government plan to improve communication
between the two sides.

"This is the government's step-by-step approach according to its own
schedule," said the official. "Both sides have had a chance to express what
they want to say... and get explanations on whatever they have doubts about.
It is good."

"We decided the time had come to meet with them, but it's not due to
external pressure."

He said it was not timed to coincide with Burma's admission to the
Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) next week. Some Asean
officials had been reported to have urged Slorc to hold talks with the NLD.

Diplomats welcomed the talks but were cautious over whether it signified the
beginning of a true dialogue.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction and we haven't seen any step
in the right direction since I've been here," said one diplomat who has
lived in Rangoon for two years.

"It's certainly positive, but whether it's going to run on or not we'll just
have to wait and see," he said.

The government official was also wary of saying this was the beginning of a
series of talks.

"It's premature at this stage to expect future meetings," he said. "It would
depend on the deeds or actions the NLD will pursue in the future."

NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo told Reuters on Thursday the talks did not
constitute a dialogue as they did not include Ms Suu Kyi.

"But we welcome the talks in general," he said. "We would also welcome any
dialogue with the Slorc if it is in the true spirit of reconciliation," he said.

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

AAP: POSSIBLE SHIFT IN ASEAN APPROACH TO PROBLEMS
July 20, 1997 [abridged]

	   JAKARTA, July 20 AAP - The Cambodian crisis could point to a radical
shift in the powerful Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) due to
hold major talks this week - including related talks with Australia.
	   At least some in ASEAN want to take a bold new interventionist 
role when member countries face internal strife, a big shift from a strict
policy of non-interference adopted for years.
	   "The madness in Cambodia calls for a reconsideration of the way
South-East Asia handles its interstate engagements," wrote Malaysia's acting
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Newsweek magazine last week.
	   "(ASEAN) must now move from being a largely reactive 
organisation to one that is proactive.
	   "We need to 'intervene' before simmering problems erupt into 
full-blown crises, like the one now unfolding in Cambodia."
	   "Perhaps it is now appropriate for ASEAN to seriously consider 
the idea of 'constructive interventions'."
	   It's hard to imagine Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahatir Mohammad, on
extended leave, saying the same thing. Mahatir, along with Indonesia's
President Suharto, are ASEAN's elder statesmen.
	   ASEAN has long talked about 'constructive engagement' and stuck rigidly
to the view that it's not appropriate to intervene in the 
domestic affairs of a member country - certainly not in public view.
	   Anwar, widely seen as Malaysia's Prime Minister in waiting, is 
seen as part of a younger, liberal-thinking group of regional leaders though
some wonder if words will translate to action.
	   But others, like Indonesia's long-time Foreign Minister Ali 
Alatas insist there has been no change in ASEAN's approach.
	   Some observers have posed the question: how will the so-called 
ASEAN model of authoritarian military-based rule be looking in say  five years?
	   Potentially, Mr. Suharto may have been replaced, possibly by a 
more democratic form of government, Mr. Anwar may be Malaysian PM and The
Philippines may have consolidated its democratic traditions.
	   Elsewhere, Thailand with a functioning albeit corrupt democracy appears
less likely to see another military coup unless there is a 
dispute over the succession after the present king.
	    
**********************************************

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A-0067 ( I )
July 19, 1997

( 1 ) U Aung San Oo (elder brother of Mrs. Aris / Daw Us Kyi) and wife Daw
Le Le Nwe Thein, who have arrived at Myanmar from the United States to
attend the 50th Anniversary of the Martyr's Day donated cash for the
disabled Armed Forces personnel and disabled persons from the various
national groups which made peace with the government. The donations were
accepted by responsible officials at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in
the morning of the 18th of July. U Aung San Oo also spoke words of
appreciation to those who rendered every assistance to the successful
holding of donation ceremonies for Dagon University Library on 16th. July,
Myanmar Nurses' Association on 17th. July and this present one.

( 2 ) The government of Myanmar since 1990 has implemented 81 dam projects
benefiting 1,300,000 acres of farmland and pumped water projects are also
being implemented.

( 3 ) Myanmar Computer Company Limited opened MCC Facility II of
international standard in Yangon on the 18th of July. Responsible Myanmar
and Foreign Officials explained the work program, training program of
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and salient points of computer
technology, advanced computer course and writing of advanced computer
programs respectively.

An official from the British Council presented certificates of International
Diploma in Computer Studies to the students who attended the computer
courses at MCC and passed the examination for the diploma outstandingly.

( 4 ) Armed Forces personnel made concerted efforts to help open up
underdeveloped areas in the country. A (22.35) mile Gangaw-Yaymyetni
railroad section of Chaung U-Pakokku-Gangaw-Kalay Railroad was commissioned
into service at a ceremony at Gangaw Railway Station on the 17th of July.
This railroad was built by personnel and experts of Myanmar Railways and
Armed Forces personnel for the development of Myittha Valley of
Pondaung-Ponya region and Kabaw Valley of Chin State.

( 5 ) Local and foreign journalists led by President of the Foreign
Correspondent Club U Sein Win toured Minyekaungbon Bridge Project and
studied establishment in Hlaingthaya Industrial Zone on the morning of the
18th of July. Responsible engineers and official concerned briefed the
visiting group on the salient points of the projects and later responded to
the questions raised, it is learnt.

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

THAILAND TIMES: KHUN SA'S SON JUNKS CASINO PROJECT
July 19, 1997
By Assawin Pinitwong

TAK: A son of drug lord Khun Sa  is running a jewelry business near the
disputed Khok Chang Phuak islet instead of constructing a large casino, a
Burmese source from the Myawaddy authorities said yesterday.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said the luxury hotel and casino
construction project, launched by Chao Charl Huang, Thai investors and
leaders of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), has been
abandoned because there has been no resolution to the sovereignty debate
between Thailand and Burma.
     
Over 200,000 kilos of uncut jade, worth 150,000 million baht, together with
rubies and sapphires have been accumulated by Khun Sa's son. Khun Sa is a
very influential figure in the S an state and the jewels have been brought
out for sale to businessmen from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Khun Sa is to construct a new jewelry factory to cope with the demand for
his product. He has previously had success with a sapphire factory in Rangoon. 
     
Chao Cham Huang has allocated more than 1,000 million baht for the
construction of a five-star hotel complex in Rangoon which is expected to be
opened before the end of next year. 

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

BKK POST: GATHERING OF ACADEMICS IN RANGOON GETS SUDDEN DEATH
July 20, 1997
Nussara Sawatsawang, Saritdet Marukatat

Traders pray border trade will improve

Burma has cancelled a scheduled gathering of Thai and Burmese academics in
Rangoon next week after questioning Thammasat University's plan to offer an
honorary degree to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Medhi Krongkaew, of Thammasat's Faculty of Economics, said Burmese officials
cited "inconvenience" as the reason for the sudden cancellation on July 14
of a seminar that had been planned some time ago.

Thammasat and Rangoon universities were to be co-hosts of the seminar due to
take place in Rangoon July 22 - 23, Mr. Medhi noted. The academics were to
discuss opportunities for Burma after it is formally admitted into the.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations on July 23.

A Burmese embassy official contacted by the Bangkok Post denied knowledge of
the cancellation.

But according to Mr. Medhi, the cancellation came after he was asked by a
Burmese official why Thammasat was planning to offer an honorary degree to
Mrs. Suu Kyi.

Mr. Medhi stressed that the university's policy had nothing to do with his
faculty's plan to cultivate academic ties with counterparts from
neighbouring countries. He regretted that his sincerity had been
misinterpreted and the loss of an opportunity to exchange views with Burmese
academics.

Mr. Medhi noted that the cancellation also followed a campaign staged at
Thammasat University against Burma's admittance into Asean. 
     
The campaign also coincided with the cancellation of a scheduled visit to
the campus by a Burmese minister, whose identity could not be confirmed.

But Burmese Deputy Education Minister Than Nyun ended a visit to Bangkok on
July 19 after calling on the Education Ministry, the Asian Institute of
Technology and Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, where a Burmese studies
centre was recently established to promote Thai-Burmese relations.

Hope for political calm in Burma runs high after its entry into Asean to
fulfill traders' dreams of turning the border city of Mae Sot into a main
gateway to Rangoon.

Amnart Nanthaharn, secretary of the Federation of Thai Industries in Tak,
admitted that many Thai traders and investors were weary of political
troubles and instability in Burma which is shaking business confidence.

Despite their satisfaction about cheap, unskilled Burmese labourers, they
complained about business risks and safety, he said in a recent seminar in
Bangkok to study industrial links along a road from Mae Sot and Rangoon. 
     
The development of the sub-standard road from the Thai-Burma Friendship
Bridge, due to be opened in mid-August, to the Burmese capital through
Moulmein is under the government agencies' plan.

Once it is completed, Mae Sot will become the most important gateway for
goods from Thailand to Rangoon which is about 450 kilometres to the west,
said Niyom Wairatchapanitch, adviser to the Tak Chamber of Commerce.

The paved road will see goods reaching Rangoon within one instead of two days.

The study by the International Consultancy Network for the Industry Ministry
suggests 13 potential s projects, worth about 26.6 billion baht, will be
undertaken to serve the plan, including road and port refurbishment.

Money needed to finance the scheme is beyond the financial resources of the
Burmese government.

Furthermore, the regime has no access to key financial institutions such as
the Asian Development Bank World Bank and International Monetary Fund due to
its poor human rights record and suppression of Mrs. Suu Kyi and members of
her National League for Democracy.

"As long as the political situation in Burma remains this way, it will be
very difficult for the study to materialise," Mr. Amnart said.

Varin Vongharnchao, chairman of the consulting firm, admitted the
difficulties the Rangoon government faced in getting a loan to finance the
project under the present political circumstances.

Pornchai Rujiprapa of the Office of the National Economic and Social
Development Board turned to Asean which he said could make the situation
better for Burma.

"We hope that the situation in Burma will improve and that would make it
easier to obtain international financial support," the senior NESDB official
said.

"It depends on how soon Burma will tackle its problems," he added.

Asean will accept Burma as a full member at the same time as Laos in the
annual meeting of its foreign ministers hosted by Malaysia.

Mr. Pornchai admitted that Thailand, which has engineered the plan, was
unable to be the lone financier for the project due to its tight budget and
economic problems.

But the Finance Ministry has squeezed 200 million baht from the Indochina
Fund so Burma can improve the road section from Myawaddy to Moulmein.

"At least it will help get the project moving forward, " said Mr. Pornchai. 
     
*************************************************

ASIA TIMES: 'HYSTERIA' TAKES TOLL ON MYANMAR CURRENCY
July 18, 1997
Stephen Brookes, Yangon

The Myanmar kyat plummeted to a record low of 300 to the United States
dollar on July 15 from about 250 on the previous day, in an atmosphere
that one Yangon banker described as "mass hysteria". 

Official currency exchange centers closed their offices on Tuesday
morning and some traders stopped operations, as prices of imported
consumer goods rose by as much as 40 percent. The price of gold also
rose by about 30 percent. 

Bankers in Yangon, however, reported no run on assets, and most stores
stayed open. Prices for local goods remained largely unchanged, or
only slightly higher. 

Analysts were mixed on the causes of the steep decline of the kyat,
which was trading on the semi-official "gray market" at 180 kyat to
the US dollar as recently as two weeks ago. Some observers said the
government may have been printing kyat to buy dollars on the market to
pay for recent large imports of urea, a widely-used fertilizer, or to
meet other hard-currency obligations. 

Officials denied that, saying that the decline was caused by
widespread fears that the kyat would be devalued in the wake of
Myanmar's entry into ASEAN, scheduled for the end of this month. 

"After we enter ASEAN, things will settle down," said Set Maung, a
senior economic advisor to the government, adding that there would not
be a devaluation. The current depreciation, he said, was the result of
several rumors, including reports that certain kyat notes would be
withdrawn from circulation. 

"The government will have to take certain confidence-building
measures," he added. "But I think the kyat is undervalued now, and
will come down." 

One international banker in Yangon agreed, saying that recent falls in
the Thai baht, the Philippine peso and the Malaysian ringgit had given
rise to irrational fears about the kyat. "No one really knows why the
kyat has fallen so fast," he added, saying that he thought it was
partly due to "mass hysteria". 

In the meantime, some traders have stopped doing business, and one
developer in Yangon complained that it was impossible to buy building
materials, which are largely imported. In Yangon, a number of shops
selling imported consumer goods were closed, while appliance dealers
quoted prices as much as 40 percent higher than last week. 

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

XINHUA: BURMA, CHINA AGREE TO PROMOTE ANTIDRUG COOPERATION 
July 14, 1997

Yangon -- Chinese and Myanmar anti-drug officials have agreed to promote
cooperation in the field of drug abuse control between the two countries.
The agreement was reached here today after the talks between the
Chinese Vice Minister of Public Security Bai Jingfu, who is also
deputy-director of the National Narcotics Control Commission, and
Major-General Soe Win, secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse
Control (CCDAC) of Myanmar, who is director-general of the Police Force.
The Chinese vice minister also called on Chairman of the Myanmar CCDAC and
Minister for Home Affairs Lieutenant-General Mya Thin earlier today.
Bai Jingfu, who led a six-member Chinese delegation of anti-drug
officials, arrived here last Saturday on a week-long visit to Myanmar at
the invitation of the Myanmar CCDAC chairman.

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

XINHUA: CHINA TO BUILD MORE SUGAR MILLS FOR BURMA 
July 14, 1997

Rangoon, July 14 (XINHUA) -- China and Myanmar signed a contract here today
on building two more new sugar mills in the country.
Under the contract between the China National Heavy Machinery
Corporation and state-run Myanmar Sugarcane Enterprise, the Chinese firm
will build the two sugar factories, each with a capacity of 2,000 tons of
sugarcane per day.
Myanmar Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Lt-Gen Myint Aung and
Chinese Charge d'Affaires Yu Tiegen attended the signing ceremony.
Last month, the China National Complete Plant Import and Export
(Yunnan) Corporation signed a contract with Myanmar to build two sugar
mills in the country.
Myanmar is rich in sugarcane resources, but sugar is still in great
demand.  The country's sugar output in the 1996-97 fiscal year ended in
March was 76,000 tons with a per capita consumption of only 1.6 kilograms,
according to official statistics.

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

THAILAND TIMES: ACTIVISTS ASK LST TO SUE PTT
July 19, 1997

BANGKOK: Environmentalists have called on the Law Society of Thailand (LST)
to take legal action against the Petroleum Authority of Thailand  (PTT) over
its Thai-Burmese gas pipeline project.

Representatives from the Elephant  Friend Foundation, Wildlife Fund
Thailand, Seub  Nakasatien Foundation and Green World Foundation yesterday
submitted a petition to the LST chairman through Udom Krairit, the committee
chairman of the Environment Conservation Project.
     
The four representatives said the PTT is guilty of breaking the 1992 Act for
Quality Environment Promotion and another act concerning national forest
reserves.

The natural gas pipelines are to be constructed from Burma's Yadana and
Yedagun through to Thailand's Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces. The
groups suggested that the project was implemented too quickly without due
concern being given to its environmental impact.

Moreover, they added that the PTT has not revealed significant details about
the construction of the pipeline which contradicts certain human rights
written in the constitution. 
     
A working team, chaired by Warin Thiemcharas, met yesterday to discuss five
issues that may require legal action.

Tomorrow the team is to start investigating the accuracy of contracts, the
Cabinet's resolution on the matter, the possible breaking of the National
Park Act, misconducting the Environment Impact Assessment and the potential
threat to local people.

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

THE NATION: GOVT HASTENS THAI-BURMA COOPERATION
July 18, 1997
By Watcharapong Thongrung 

THE Industry Ministry is to hasten Thai-Burmese industrial collaboration
which is expected to draw investments worth Bt48 billion. 

An action plan is scheduled to be completed in the next two months which
will promote Thailand as a regional leader in trade, investment and 
services. 

A seminar on industrial cooperation between Thailand and Burma was 
organised yesterday by the Industrial Economics Office of the Industry 
Ministry, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai Industry Federation in 
Tak province, and the International Consultancy Network (IN), to be 
attended by the concerned government and private agencies. 

Deputy Industry Minister Sompop Amatayakul, who chaired the seminar, 
said the Industry Ministry will accelerate the action plan in order to 
increase the benefits of the industrial collaboration. Otherwise, he said, 
Thailand will lose its position as the industrial leader in Southeast Asia. 

The action plan, which outlines the responsibilities of each country as
regards the industrial cooperation, will be proposed to a committee chaired
by Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. 

Based on a feasibility study presented by IN chairman Warin 
Wonghanchao, development of the area of cooperation between the two 
nations will be in line with the policy of decentralising the industrial 
sectors. 

The targeted area will be developed in such a way as to be linked with the
ports at Thilawa and Kaleguak Island in Burma as well as the Danang 
deep-sea port in Vietnam. Thus, a new transport and shipping route 
connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans will be created. 

The industrial cooperation will be based on the manufacturing potential of
each country and the long-term benefits to the counterparts. It is expected
the investment value between the two countries will reach about Bt48
billion, of which Bt26.6 billion will be invested in Burma. Twenty projects
worth a total of Bt21.4 billion will be undertaken in the Mae Sot area. 

According to the initial plan, the investments in Burma will be to establish
an industrial estate and to develop a port, roads and waterways. Some
significant projects include the establishment of a deep-sea port at
Kaleguak worth Bt20 billion; industrial estates at Thanbyzayat and Hpa-an
requiring outlays of Bt2 billion and Bt1.5 billion, respectively;
construction of a new 250-kilometre route from Kawkareik-Thanbyzayat-
Three Pagoda Pass worth Bt1.25 billion; and a special economic zone in 
Myawaddy worth Bt560 million. 

The important projects in Mae Sot include an electricity development 
project valued at Bt15.56 billion; the establishment of a venture capital 
fund worth Bt1.06 billion; and a special economic zone worth Bt1.8 
billion. 

Sompop said labour-intensive industries such as the textile and agricultural
food processing businesses are suitable to be located in the area of
cooperation as Thai manufacturers are able to provide monetary support 
and manage the operations due to their experience in technology and the 
global market. Burma will be able to supply raw materials, labour and 
energy to the manufacturing plants. 

For the projects in Burma, it is expected that the nation will receive
overseas loans after becoming a member of Asean.(TN) 

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

RANGOON KYEMON: THE US, A COUNTRY SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES
July 6, 1997 [translated from Burmese, abridged]
by Taungdwin Bo Thein

US President Clinton issued an order on 22 May 1997 imposing
restrictions on US companies engaged in business with Myanmar [Burma] but
that did not generate any concern to anyone as it was just a matter of
legalizing an earlier announcement.
However, one thing that surprised me was Clinton's announcement that
the Myanmar Government's actions and policies have specially affected US
national security and foreign policy, which I heard on the VOA Burmese
program.
According to a Myanmar saying--ill will towards another will adversely
affect you--there will be an adverse impact on the US which has tried to
destroy Myanmar.
Reviewing, there had been quite a number of acts of terrorism in the US alone.
The FBI reported there were 162 incidents in 1982 including a
number of bombings. Acts of terrorism rose by 31 percent in 1990. They
include bombings which occurred 2,490 times in 1991, which increased to
2,989 in 1992. In 1992, bombings rose by 20 percent.
Islamic fundamentalists bombed the New York World Trade Center on 26
February 1995, killing five and injuring more than 1,000 people.
US embassies in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and Libya have all
been closed down in the past 15 years.  These reports clearly show the
adverse effects of US hegemonism and spotlight the lack of security in its
own backyard.
I would like to say that the US Government's actions based on the
false reports by Bogadaw [Westerner's wife] Suu Kyi and her clique is very
extreme.
In fact, each and every country has the right to walk its own path of
development without any external interference.
It is also unnatural to present Bogadaw Suu Kyi with various democracy
awards and draw up plans to put her to power. 
The assistance provided to the KNU [Karen National Union] rebels at
the border including their puppet Bogadaw Suu Kyi prove the US Government's
hostility against Myanmar.
As I have mentioned earlier, the US Government is facing retaliation
and threats domestically and abroad for its hegemonic policy.
Do not talk about other countries, even in our country Myanmar, which
is thousands of miles away from the US, the US Government is increasing the
momentum for Myanmar's destruction by using its influence to install its
puppet Bogadaw Suu Kyi--a woman who destroys her own race.  This is
reflected in President Clinton's announcement that the actions and policies
of the Myanmar Government have specially affected US national security and
foreign policy. Political observers have noted that President Clinton is
torn between the policy for community benefit and coercion from Republican
hardliners.
As terrorist activities increase at home and abroad, the United States
is currently seen as a scorpion being lifted off the ground in the
international scene. In the near future, they [the US and some Western
nations] will meet the same fate as the colonialists during the struggle for
independence. They failed despite giving assistance of dollars and weapons
to traitorous expatriates and internal puppets.

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NLM: ARMY CHIEF ON CRUSHING DESTRUCTIONISTS 
July 12, 1997 [abridged]
Report by Myanmar News Agency

Yangon [Rangoon], 11 July - A graduating parade of the 97th Intake of
Defence (Army) Officers Training School was held at Defence (Army) OTS
Parade Ground in Bahtoo Tatmyo this morning.
On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General
Maung Aye delivered the concluding address.
He pointed out that as all know, the Tatmadaw, in the interest of the
nation and the race, stood in the vanguard of the people and contain the
situation in 1988.
He also spoke of the Union Solidarity and Development Association's
mass meetings where over 500,000 people resolved to expand the
association's organization and actively participate in community welfare
tasks and to oppose internal and external destructionists.
He stressed internal strength in accordance with the maxim "The
strength of the nation lies within", saying it is time for the nation to
stand on its own feet and this amounts to uplifting of the prestige and
integrity of the nation and safeguarding of independence and sovereignty.
Realizing the great traditions of the Tatmadaw, could not influence
the nation as they wish, have resorted to other means to cause failure of
the constructive endeavours and brought about economic sanctions with the
barring of new investments, the General said.
He said they used pessimist internal traitors to create acts of terrorism
and bomb attacks and are still attempting to mar peace and stability in the
nation and cause panic among the people and difficulties in all sectors of
the nation.
The General remarked that the people and reserve forces must join hands with
the Tatmadaw to be able to crush them within a short period.
In conclusion, he called on the cadets to adhere to the code of
conduct for the Tatmadawmen, laid down by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services, and to expose and crush destructionists of certain Western powers
who, in collusion with internal traitors are engaged in all kinds of
destructive acts to foment internal unrest.
Reserve forces--the police and members of the Fire and Red Cross
Brigades, War Veterans Organization and the Union Solidarity and
Development Association--must cooperate with the Tatmadaw in exposing and
warding off the threats, he said.

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