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BurmaNet News: August 8, 1997
- Subject: BurmaNet News: August 8, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 08 Aug 1997 02:27:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: August 8, 1997
Issue #792 (Ninth Anniversary of the August 8, 1988 Uprising)
Noted in Passing:
We humbly appeal to the SLORC and representatives of the NLD
which include Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet and discuss how to
get over the crisis of the country for the benefit of the entire nation.
- Bo Hmu Aung and other veteran politicians
(see REUTER: VETERAN BURMESE POLITICIANS)
HEADLINES:
==========
BURMANET: REFLECTIONS ON THE 9th ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
REUTER: VETERAN BURMESE POLITICIANS CALL FOR DIALOGUE
BURMESE STUDENTS/ACTIVISTS: JOINT STATEMENT FOR 9TH
FTUB: STATEMENT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF 8.8.88
SYCB: STATEMENT ON THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
NLD-LA(YOUTH): STATEMENT ON THE 9th ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
REUTER: CANADA PRESSES BURMA WITH NEW ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: REBELS CRITICIZE BURMA REGIME
DVB: KARENS REJECT SLORC CHARGE OF INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORISM
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: ON BURMA AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
RADIO MYANMAR: TIN OO URGES PEOPLE TO CRUSH 'PUPPETS
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: "THE LASS AND 80,000 DOLLARS"
ANNOUNCEMENT: SAN FRANCISCO VIGIL AND DEMONSTRATION
ANNOUNCEMENT: HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST SLORC MEMBERSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW AT BURMASONG
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BURMANET: REFLECTIONS ON THE 9th ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
August 8, 1997
Until 1988, few people outside Burma were aware of the real situation in Burma.
The fact that the Burmese government chose to keep the country isolated was
often interpreted as reflecting the governments' desire to preserve Burmese
culture and traditions. Actually, the military government sought to keep the
country closed so that it could more easily consolidate its control over the
people. In August 1988, the international community was stunned by the
massive demonstrations calling for democracy. These demonstrations
represented the long pent-up feelings of the majority of the people, who had
until then kept fearfully silent.
Nine years later, the military is still in charge, and the level of
oppression has
only increased. While the military regime before 1988 did not tolerate
criticism,
the SLORC has made peoples' lives harder by using forced labor to build
everything from roads and railroads to military installations. While
privatisation
has benefited some people, at the same time, the military has confiscated huge
tracts of peoples' land, for sale to foreign investors or for the army's own
use.
Moreover, in ethnic minority areas, the SLORC has forcibly relocated hundreds
of villages and resorted to widespread killing and looting in order wipe out
organized opposition to its rule.
Due to the efforts of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other activists inside the
country, as well as Burmese activists and supporters outside the country,
people
around the world are now well-aware of the degree of suffering inside the
country and the coercive nature of the SLORC's rule.
At this juncture, it is critical that all concerned individuals and groups work
together to set an agenda for the future. How can a transition to democracy
be effected? What should the future Burma look like in terms of political,
economic, and educational policies? What principles must be incorporated
into the Constitution?
The process of drawing up draft policies and guidelines can in itself have
positive ramifications. As these discussions develop, BurmaNet looks forward
to posting the ideas and recommendations that emerge.
*************************************************************
REUTER: VETERAN BURMESE POLITICIANS CALL FOR DIALOGUE
August 7, 1997
RANGOON, Aug 7 (Reuter) - A group of veteran Burmese
politicians has written to the military government urging it to hold a
dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi's democracy party.
The letter, dated August 5 and received by Reuters on Thursday,
said a dialogue between leaders of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) and Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy (NLD) party was the only hope for the nation which it
said was mired in an economic and political crisis.
The letter was signed by 23 politicians, including former colleagues of
Suu Kyi's father, national hero General Aung San.
``We humbly appeal to the SLORC and representatives of the NLD
which include Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet and discuss how to
get over the crisis of the country for the benefit of the entire nation,''
the three-page letter said.
Suu Kyi has made repeated unanswered requests for dialogue with the
SLORC since she was released from six years of house arrest in July, 1995.
Last month an unprecedented meeting took place between military
intelligence leader Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt and NLD chairman
Aung Shwe. Although the NLD said it was not dialogue without Suu Kyi's
involvement, a government official said it was an important step for both
sides.
The letter, a copy of which was sent to the NLD, urged the government to
unite with the opposition to solve the nation's problems.
``We honestly think the problems Myanmar (Burma) is currently
facing are not of a single person nor a single organisation. It has
become a national crisis concerning all people,'' it said.
``It is high time for all people to together solve the national crisis,''
said the
letter which detailed the political, social and economic situation in Burma.
The letter was signed by Bohmu Aung on behalf of the veteran politicians
-- most of whom took part in the nation's struggle for independence.
Bohmu Aung was a member of the Thirty Comrades, a group of young
nationalists smuggled out of then British-ruled Burma in the 1940s and
trained in Japanese-occupied China to fight for Burma's independence.
The Thirty Comrades, who included Suu Kyi's father who negotiated
independence from Britain in the aftermath of World War Two, are
modern Burma's national heroes.
The group wrote a similar letter in November 1995, but it was never
heeded by the government. ^REUTER@
*******************************************************
BURMESE STUDENTS/ACTIVISTS: JOINT STATEMENT FOR 9TH
ANNIVERSARY OF 8888 DEMOCRACY UPRISING
August 7, 1997
Today, 8 August 1997, is the 9th anniversary of the uprising in Burma.
A detestable dictatorship began to take root in Burma on 2 March 1962
through inappropriate military force and robbed the state power
from parliamentary government. Thus the Union of Burma
fell under their totalitarian rule. Four months later a coup was staged,
and the butchers led by Gen. Ne Win washed their boots with the blood of
students from Rangoon University.
On the 8th of August 1988 there was an uprising against military rule in
Burma. It was led by students, but people from all walks of life were
involved. It came about from people's desire for democracy and fundamental
rights such as freedom of speech, thought, presentation and participation in
politics. Many people have, on frequent occasions, confronted gunfire ordered
by the military leaders and sacrificed their lives for their beliefs.
We strongly believe that the military must be ousted from power and
people must strive to achieve a democratic society in Burma. With the
cooperation of the democratic forces and democracy lovers worldwide, we
pledge on this memorable day of 8 August to struggle against the military
dictatorship and totalitarianism. We wish to do this in order to follow up our
comrades' sacrifices and fulfill our unswerving objectives.
Furthermore, although the people in Burma still face oppression and are
denied basic human rights, ASEAN has welcomed the SLORC as one of their
members. This support has served to be legitimate their power. ASEAN,
in upholding the dictatorship, must therefore take responsibility for
further abuses and oppression of the Burmese people.
We warmly invite and welcome democracy lovers, whether individuals or
groups, whether they are nationals or foreign friends, to cooperate with
us in restoring and perpetuating genuine peace and democracy in Burma.
We therefore make the following demands:
1. That the SLORC recognize the legitimacy of the 1990 election and
hand over power to the election winners, the NLD led by Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi.
2. That all political prisoners of conscience in Burma must be released
including student leader Min Ko Naing.
3. That the SLORC must accept the political dialogue proposed by Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi.
4. That the SLORC must reopen all schools immediately and accept free
education system for New generation of future Burma.
5. That the SLORC shall bring genuine peace to the country by stopping
all kinds of political, economic and military campaigns against
the races of Burma, especially minorities along the border.
6. That ASEAN must abandon actions which permit the SLORC's oppression
of the Burmese people.
7. That ASEAN must encourage the development of democratic government
in Burma.
We also urge the International community to,
1. Pressure the ASEAN not to fuel the SLORC killing machine
2. Cooperate and participate with U.S led trade sanction against the SLORC.
3. Take action against those international business corporations who
are dealing with the SLORC.
-All Burma Basic Education Students' Union
-All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation
-All Burma Students' League
-Burmese Student Association (Safe-Area)
-Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)
-Democratic Burmese Student Organisation
-National League for Democracy (LA-Japan branch)
-Overseas National Student Organisation of Burma
-Students' Organisation for Liberation of Burma
"WE ARE THE REAL WITNESSES OF THE 8888 UPRISING IN BURMA"
*******************************************************
FTUB: STATEMENT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF 8.8.88
August 7, 1997
August, 8 is the 9th anniversary of the countrywide democratic uprising
in Burma. On behalf of the working people of Burma, we humbly salute
the students, workers and monks who have laid down their lives and made
sacrifices for democratic changes in the motherland.
The Burmese people have suffered under political repression and economic
chaos and have been social victims for nearly three decades under the
misgovernment of the former Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP) and
its protege - the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) -
which are one-party authoritarian regimes. Movements for justice by
students, workers and the other people continue to be brutally crushed
by the secret services and police.
Popular demonstrations for democracy, initiated by the students from,
Rangoon Institute of Technology after the riot police killed student
leaders in Rangoon, erupted in 1988. The protest movement rapidly
spread all over the country as workers, monks and people from all walks
of life joined in. August 8, 1988 is the day where millions of people
took to the streets and joined hands with the students and workers.
During the short period of nationwide uprising, people came to learn
what freedom was. They were exposed to democratic principles, such as
freedom of association, assembly and speech. Student and worker unions
and other social associations were also formed during this period to
uphold the same cause. In September 1988, representatives of local
unions held a general conference and successfully formed the All Burma
Labor Union (ABLU)-- the last of the federated unions that existed in Burma.
The military then turned brutal. Troops deployed on the streets killed
thousands of people. The military commanders designated all major
cities, including Rangoon, as battlefields and troops massacred thousands
of unarmed demonstrators. Thousands more were arrested by the riot police;
Freedom and peace died on September 18, 1988 when the military,
calling itself the SLORC, staged a coup. Today, SLORC continues to be
known as the most brutal regime in the world.
'The Federation of Trade Unions-Burma (FTUB) pledges that it will
resolutely struggle for democracy, human rights and trade union rights
until a democratically elected government is installed. On the occasion of the
9th anniversary of the nationwide uprising on August -8, the FTUB urges
the SLORC to immediately:
Transfer power to the elected representatives of the 1990 general election.
Hold talks with the democracy movement, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
and the leaders of the ethnic nationalities,
Unconditionally release all political prisoners. students and trade
unionists, and
Restore the basic democratic principles of freedom of speech, assembly
and association.
Federation of Trade Unions, Burma (FTUB)
************************************************************
SYCB: STATEMENT ON THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
August 7, 1997
STUDENTS & YOUTH CONGRESS OF BURMA
August the 8th, 1997, marks the 9th anniversary of the dynamic
nation-wide uprising in Burma that aimed to eliminate the dictatorship
and establish a democratic government for the whole of Burma.
So far, the spirit of the 8888 that represents the brave and
bright students' movements on August 8 of 1988 continues to
flourish despite the iron fist and brutality of cruel military
rulers, and the people of Burma unwaveringly carry on their fight
for the restoration of human rights and democracy.
Since the military took power in 1962, the economic conditions in
our country have worsened, the environment has been irreparably
damaged, and thousands of innocent civilians have been forced to
work as slaves and suffered gross human rights abuses at the
hands of the dictatorship. The admission Burma as a new member of
Asean is a fuel to maintain the dying dictatorship on power stage
that leads continuous abuses and refuses democracy process in Burma.
Yet the greater the hardship and the more extreme the brutality
that the military applies to oppress our people, the stronger our
determination to succeed grows.
We the SYCB strongly believe that the students and youths generated
from the 8888 movements have been still struggling to alter the situation
in Burma and establish democratic societies. This grants for the equal
rights and amity and unity amongst all of ethnic nationalities, and for the
fundamental human rights across the country.
With the integration of the strengths of these students and youths we the
SYCB perform as a front to resist the abuses of the brutally ruling military
junta, the Slorc, and to restore democracy in Burma.
To settle the current crisis with less blood, we call on the international
democratic community and people of Burma to concretely demand that the Slorc:
1. Unconditionally release all political prisoners including student leader
Min Ko Naing
2. Cancel all of its unjust laws and orders
3. Declare the genuine nation-wide cease-fire
4. Abolish the sham national convention
5. Enter dialogue with the democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Moreover, approaching Burma with genuine constructive engagement
should be a main task for the Asean member leaders to keep
away from the biases of the Slorc, we strongly consider.
Members of SYCB:
1. AASYC (All Arakanese Students and Youth Congress)
2. ABSDF (All Burma Students' Democratic Front)
3. ABSL (All Burma Students League)
4. CSU (Chin Students Union)
5. DPNS (Democratic Party for New Society)
6. KSDF (Kachin Students Democratic Front)
7. KYO (Karen Youth Organisation)
8. NLD(LA.Youth) (National League for Democracy-Liberated Area)
9. OMNSO (Overseas Mon National Students Organisation)
*****************************************************************
NLD-LA(YOUTH): STATEMENT ON THE 9th ANNIVERSARY OF 8888
August 7, 1997
The Statement Issued by National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (Youth)
on the occasion of 9th Anniversary of 8-8-88 Uprising.
Today marks the 9th anniversary of nationwide upheaval in Burma primarily
led by students and youth protesting the removal of one party military
dictatorship
demanding restoration for the genuine democracy.
In the attempt to protest the Burmese military dictatorship thousands of
demonstrators led by students and joined by Buddhist monks, as well as
citizenry whose general will was not only disregarded but were brutally
massacred by military regime resulting the loss of thousands of lives of our
own people.
Furthermore on September 18, 1988 the Burmese military transferred their
hold of power among themselves to stabilize people anger, anguish and agony
by forming State Law and Order restoration Council (SLORC). It was looked
upon by the Burmese people as insult added to injury. To try to satisfy the
people's urge for multiparty elections, SLORC held a general election on May 27,
1990, whereby the NLD under the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won the
landslide victory with 82 percent of the votes. However, SLORC did not keep
the pledge by refusing to hand-over the reins of government since then.
With the objective to solidify and reinforce their power over the entire
people, the SLORC, behind the shield of what came to be known as
"open market economic system" disposed of Burma's natural resources to
foreign opportunists and exploiters without any taste of discrimination.
Foreign exchange thus earned then and still being used to import lethal
weapons and other military logistics to continue suppress our people. As
for the entire nation the people have to face soaring prices of goods, high
prices of standard of living and high rate of unemployment.
We, NLD-LA (Youth), strongly register our solemn protest to the ASEAN
group for unwittingly accepting the SLORC as its one of the member-countries
which surely will benefit SLORC to continue to retain the power and continue
suppressing our people at will. The action of ASEAN is deemed by democratic
forces around the world as pouring water over the poisonous tree, which is
SLORC.
NLD-LA (Youth) earnestly make the request to the United Nations and world
community to exert their pressure over SLORC for it to hold tripartite
dialogues,
i.e. democratic forces led by NLD, SLORC and ethnic groups.
Before the advent of genuine democracy in Burma we insist all concerned
countries to refrain from providing material and monetary support to SLORC
dictatorship. Coupled with our request to world community now we devote our
solemn attention to NLD party under the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
students, youth and democratic forces struggling against SLORC and hand in
hand with all of our countrymen to work for solid unity and cohesion,
cooperation
and complete understanding among themselves.
Again, on this 9th anniversary of 8-8-88 Nationwide Uprising in honor and
memory of students, youth, Buddhist monks and people - The Fallen Heroes -
we NLD-LA (Youth) give our somber pledge that we shall leave no stone
unturned in our struggle against and removal of SLORC by all means.
Central Working Group
National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (Youth)
******************************************************
REUTER: CANADA PRESSES BURMA WITH NEW ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
August 7, 1997
By Randall Palmer
OTTAWA, Aug 7 (Reuter) - Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd
Axworthy announced additional economic sanctions against Burma
on Thursday to increase pressure on the country's military leaders to
improve human rights and move toward democracy.
Canada will withdraw Burma's General Preferential Tariff eligibility,
require all Canadian exporters to Burma to have an export permit and
encourage businesses not to invest in the country, he told a news conference.
``Burma's military leaders have made no effort to improve the
current situation and have repeatedly failed to respond to the
international community's attempts to open channels of
communication,'' Axworthy said in a statement.
``The actions we have taken today are intended to convey the
seriousness of our concerns over the suppression of political
freedoms and our frustration with Burma's failure to curb the
production and trafficking of illegal drugs.''
Burma is the largest source for illegal heroin entering North
America, the Foreign Affairs Department said.
Axworthy spent much of his news conference seeking to justify
differences in treatment by Canada, which has applied sanctions
against countries such as Nigeria and Burma while opting for
dialogue with China, Cuba and Indonesia.
He was unable to provide an example of how talking with Beijing
had improved the human rights situation in China, which was criticised
recently in a U.S. State Department report on religious persecution.
But he said dialogue with Cuba had led to the release of some political
prisoners. ``I wouldn't want to underestimate the importance simply of
having a face-to-face dialogue,'' Axworthy said.
But in the case of Burma, he said, the government was unwilling to
engage in any meaningful dialogue.
Axworthy met in Kuala Lumpur on July 29 with Burmese Foreign
Minister Ohn Gyaw, who he said failed to respond to any of eight
Canadian proposals.
These included the release of political prisoners, the return to Burma
of the International Committee of the Red Cross, a clear timetable
for the constitutional process and an agreement to let a U.N. human
rights representative visit.
Axworthy also announced C$350,000 (US$252,000) in
humanitarian aid for Burmese refugees in Thailand.
Canada suspended bilateral aid to Burma in 1988 and previously
had cut off military sales, suspended its diplomatic presence and
frozen export aid and commercial promotion for Canadian firms
doing business in Burma.
Axworthy said proposed exports to Burma by Canadian companies
would be scrutinised on humanitarian grounds, with items like
powdered milk for children receiving a permit.
Canada maintains a dialogue with Burmese human rights activist
Aung San Suu Kyi through Canada's ambassador to Burma, who is
resident in Thailand, and insists that the Burmese government also
talk with her. ^REUTER@
******************************************************
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: REBELS CRITICIZE BURMA REGIME
August 7, 1997
Bangkok- The Karen National Union, the last major ethnic group fighting
the Burmese government, said Wednesday that the Burmese military has
burned 178 villages and killed 83 civilians in a bid to cut off
support to the Karen group.
About 46,000 civilians have been left homeless or forced to relocate
in four districts in Karen state and in the Pegu division in eastern
Burma since junta forces launched a major offensive against the Karen
National Union in February to flush out resistance.
"The SLORC do forced relocations, they kill, they rape, they even burn
the food supplies of villagers, to scare them, to make them obey,"
said Mahn Sha, the Karen group's joint general secretary. The SLORC,
or the State Law and Order Restoration Council, is the official name
of the Burmese junta. (AFP)
--------------------------------------------------
details from an expanded version of the story in BKK POST: SLORC PUTS
(August 7, 1997, AFP)
In a press release issued yesterday, the Karen rebels said the
tolls would be much higher if the "onslaught of Slorc" in six
other districts was added.
The rebels' contentions could not be independently confirmed.
Mr Mahn Sha said that KNU guerrillas massively outnumbered by
government forces were keeping up resistance in the KNU's various
"brigade areas", using mobile units of troops in hit-and-run attacks.
Slorc troops dislodged the KNU from its last enclaves in eastern
and southern Burma in the offensive launched in February.
More than 10,000 Karens escaped to Thailand, bringing to over
90,000 the numbers of Karens sheltering in camps along the Thai border.
The KNU, which until recent years held swaths of territory along
the frontier, has been battling the central government in Rangoon
for nearly 50 years.
The group has refused to reach a ceasefire agreement with the
Slorc, which has persuaded 15 other insurgencies to enter the
"legal fold" through a combination of military pressure and
promised development assistance.
**********************************************************
DVB: KARENS REJECT SLORC CHARGE OF INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORISM
August 4, 1997 (Democratic Voice of Burma Radio Station, Oslo)
Interview with KNU General Secretary Phado Mahn Shar; date and
place not given
[Phado Manh Shar] The Thai-Burma friendship bridge will be
inaugurated on 15 August. We have learned that about 40 Thai entrepreneurs
and leaders have requested for SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration
Council] permission to cross the bridge and proceed to Rangoon by car. We
also learned that the SLORC has denied such permission citing danger posed
by the KNU [Karen National Union]. We deemed it is appropriate for us to
refute this matter.
We, the KNU, issued a position statement on 25 May. It stated that
there was no peace and stability in the country--bomb explosions, the
closure of schools, protest by monks, and stationing of tanks in Rangoon-
-the blame is always put on us. Unscrupulous persons are trying to
paint the KNU as terrorists. They are also planning to create
misunderstandings against the KNU internally and externally. That is
why we had to issue that statement.
We are not involved in any bomb explosion and terrorist act, domestic
or abroad, and we are not going to resort to it. We believed that those
are the work of unscrupulous persons who are deliberately creating
misunderstandings against the KNU. All know well that we tried to solve
political problems politically but despite all these efforts the SLORC
canceled the peace talks and started the military offensive. We have the
right to defend ourselves. All our present activities are to defend ourselves.
These defensive acts are principally very different from terrorist acts.
Security matters relating to safety along Myawadi-Kawkareik road
straight to Rangoon do not concern us and we will not engage in terrorist
acts. Military columns are placed along the route as a security measure
and if anything should happen it is their responsibility.
******************************************************
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: ON BURMA AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
Aug 6, 1997
(An excerpt from her appearance at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.)
QUESTION: In many parts of your career you have fought for the right of
women as an international cause. I'd like to ask you about Burma, which is
known for trafficking in women, and whether or not the sanctions that have
been applied - the economic assistance sanctions and loan sanctions - have had
any effect on Burma both in the issue in regard to the trafficking of women and
also to the promotion of democracy there?
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I'm so glad to have a question on Burma. I not
only sang at the ASEAN, but made a big point of discussing the fact that we
believe that Burma's new membership in the ASEAN should be used by the
ASEAN members to make sure that in fact now there is some pressure on
the SLORC to move towards a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader
of the NLD - the democratic party there.
She is the rightful leader. We believe that it's important for the SLORC to
talk
with her in order to make sure that ultimately there is some ability for an
elected party - the ones who won in 1988 - to be able to have a voice in the
governing of their country.
We have imposed our set of sanctions. We believe that it was important to
do because of what it underlines and emphasizes in our approach to Burma.
I have to say that at this stage, I cannot tell you specifically what effect
there
has been on the specific subjects that you have discussed. But I think that it
was vital, essential that the United States take this position because we
believe
that democratically-elected governments should be allowed to run their
countries, and that there should be a dialogue between the NLD -- Aung San
Suu Kyi, specifically - and the SLORC.
********************************************************
RADIO MYANMAR: TIN OO URGES PEOPLE TO CRUSH 'PUPPETS
OF NEOCOLONIALISTS'
August 4, 1997 (translated from Burmese and abridged)
Sr. Gen. Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council [SLORC] and Commander In Chief of the Defense Services, attended
the inauguration of Thanlwin Bridge-Pa-an held at Pa-an Township in Karen
State at 0730 yesterday morning.
At the inauguration Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, SLORC secretary-2 and Chairman of
the Central Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth
Transportation, delivered the opening address.
He noted that at such a time overt and underground puppets of
neocolonialists who are placing their own selfish interest at the fore,
craving for power and indulging in anti-defense services acts by relying on
external elements and their neocolonialist masters must be crushed
decisively by all people.
In his greeting address, SLORC Chairman Sr. Gen. Than Shwe said the
building of the bridge for an enormous sum of money is not lucrative in
economic terms. However, it has been built with the determination to
ensure the development of Karen State and to raise the living standards of
Karen nationals who have been anguished by various difficulties and
hardships including insurgency.
Than Shwe explained that similar roads and bridges are also being
built and factories and mills will be constructed where viable depending on
the natural resources in Karen State.
Construction Minister Maj. Gen. Saw Tun next presented a commemorative
gift to SLORC Chairman Sr. Gen. Than Shwe.
***********************************************************
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: "THE LASS AND 80,000 DOLLARS"
August 3, 1997 (abridged)
by U Phyo
It was in the parlour of my home one morning. An arrogant NLD youth of
the same ward, who is a friend of my grandson's, was telling the latter
something in a strident tone. He said, "As clarified by the Secretary-1,
Daw Suu Kyi accepted the dollars, but it was not an offence. She accepted
what was willingly donated to her, out of goodwill. Nowadays, ministers
accept cash donations by the thousands or millions for restoration of
pagodas and building of schools and streets. It comes to the same thing."
No longer bearing to see the youth with only a little bit of knowledge
preaching my grandson, assuming an air of a master, I, Lubyandaw U Phyo,
joined them, interrupting him.
"Well, Maung. Your beliefs are wrong. I'll tell you. Listen carefully."
"Yes, do please."
I read to him a related paragraph from the 28 June Myanma Alin Daily:
"The next part of the briefing concerns how Myint Swe secretly accepted
80,000 US dollars from an American Philip Robertson and conveyed it to Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi.
On that, the NLD youth said, raising his voice, "I have already heard
and read that. At the prevailing rate, $ 80,000 is an equivalent of K
16,000,000. That's made our party funds fairly sufficient. Hasn't that?"
In response, I told him, "The political party organizations in Myanmar
must not obtain money or property from any foreign organization or person,
overtly or covertly. Even the Government has to consider any assistance or
support from abroad. What I mean is the nation and people may suffer if a
political party has been brought into the pocket of other countries." Only
on that introduction of my words, the youth put in with an excuse,
rebutting me, "I do not think so. In our country, there are so many
constraints. That's because of the lack of democracy. If our party were in
a country that exercises democracy, that matter would be `no problem'."
Then, I asked him, "Now, what would your party be like if it were in
Thailand that exercises democracy?" He replied with assertion, "How good it
will be! That's only success that our party would have achieved."
After quickly ruffling a pile of law books that I have collected by
hobby for years, I took out a book, flicked through it and told him, "Here
it is! According to what your NLD and Daw Suu Kyi are doing right now, they
will certainly face trouble." On that, the youth dissatisfied, refuted,
"You are sure of yourself. Political parties in Thailand have freedom. They
are not like here. I'm not telling you this as I've been there and
personally witnessed them, not like your reading from books."
I said, "How difficult it is to explain to you! I'll tell you. Take
note of it carefully. Even if your Daw Suu Kyi of NLD had happened to
accept only $ 80, let alone $ 80,000, the punishment would not have been so
lenient. It might be a ten years' jail term and a fine of Baht 1,000,000.
The youth continued to persist, asking me, "How can you say this with
what evidence? I do not think there will be such constraints on political
parties in Thailand."
On that, I read to him in English some sections from the Political
Parties Act BE 2524, promulgated about 20 years ago by King of Thailand His
Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, and explained them to him in Myanmar:
Section 40. No political party or its member shall receive money,
property, or any other benefit with a view to carrying out the activities
of political party or any political activities from:
(1) a person not being of Thai nationality;
(2) a juristic person under the law of a foreign country, which
carries out its business or activities or has registered branch in or
outside Thailand;
(3) a juristic person registered in Thailand consisting of persons not
being of Thai nationality who hold share capital or are shareholders of
more than twenty-five percent;
(4) an organization or juristic person receiving capital from a
foreign country and having an objective to carry out any activity for the
benefit of persons not being of Thai nationality or having its Manager or
Director who is not a person of Thai nationality;
Section 42. No person, organization or juristic person under section
40 (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) shall give money, property or any other
benefit to any political party or member with a view to carrying out the
activities of political party or political activities.
Section 61. Any person who violates section 42 shall be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to a fine not exceeding
one million Baht or to both, and if such offender is not of Thai
nationality, the Minister of Interior shall also order his deportation.
"Now, what do you want to say?"
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ANNOUNCEMENT: SAN FRANCISCO VIGIL AND DEMONSTRATION
August 7, 1997
You are invited to a...Candlelight Vigil & Demonstration
for Democracy in Burma Friday, 8/8/97, 8:30 p.m.
United Nation Plaza, 8th & Market Streets (Civic Center), San Francisco
Nine years after the massive uprising and massacres which marked the
beginning of the democracy movement in Burma, the Bay Area Burmese
community invites you to a commemoration. The candlelight vigil will
include refreshments and presentations by local activists and Burmese
students who took part in the 8/8/88 demonstrations. candles will be provided.
for more information, contact: Ko Ko Lay at: (415)487-0640
kkl@xxxxxxxxxx
sponsored by: Burma Image with: Burma Refief, C.R.D.B, Friends of Burma,
Free Burma, Bay Area Burma Round Table, Burma Project USA and I.S.B.D.A
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ANNOUNCEMENT: HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST SLORC MEMBERSHIP
IN THE ASEAN
August 7, 1997
(AUGUST 7-10, 1997) CANBERRA
The Revolutionary Council, the military dictatorship headed by General
Ne Win came into power in Burma on March 2, 1962. Two and a half
decades of mismanagement by the military has resulted in the decline of
the political, economic, and social aspects of the country, not to mention, the
disastrous effects on the education of the country's future generations.
As inevitable, a nation-wide uprising for democracy and freedom erupted
in 1988, as initiated by the students. Seizing the unrests, as an
opportunity, a military dictatorship known as The State Law and Order
Restoration Council ( SLORC ) came into being on September 18,
1988. The bloody coup resulted in the deaths of thousands of peaceful
demonstrators.
The incompetent and corrupt regime impoverished the country to its present
state- one of the poorest on earth from that of the richest in Southeast
Asia. Also, the SLORC has earned a pariah status, for its gross human
rights abuses and brutality on the people to prolong its dynastic rule,
as evidenced by refusing to honour the results of the 1990 polls, won by
the National League for Democracy Party of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ( 1991
Noble Peace Prize Winner ).
The SLORC's hold on power is further strengthened when the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) began to exercise the Constructive
Engagement on Burma. The ASEAN nations, Japan, and also Australia have
invested heavily in Burma. China's US $ 1.5 billion worth of arms on
credit, also, buoyed up SLORC's ego for eternal rule.
Recently, the ASEAN has embraced the SLORC as one of its members,
disregarding the norms of principle and decency and ignoring the will of
the 45 million people of Burma.
As a result, we envision a scenario, in which ASEAN's act of recognition
on the pariah regime and further economic collusion will only result in
more profound and negative impacts on the economic and social aspects of
the country, not to mention, its undue recognition given and considerable
monetary gain for its eternal rule.
Therefore, we, the undersigned twelve members of the All Burma Students
Democratic Organisation ( ABSDO ), by staging a 72 hr. hunger strike,
strongly demand the ASEAN to review its policy on the SLORC and put on
hold, its membership in the ASEAN, until democratic changes take place
in Burma.
1. WYNN AUNG 2. YE MOE
3. AUNG SOE NYUNT 4. SOE CHIT
5. U MIN SWE ( GEORGIE ) 6. PYI SOE
7. NYAN LYNN SHWE 8. MOE OO
9. TUN TUN OO 10. ANT TIN
11. BA TOE 12. TOE AUNG
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ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW AT BURMASONG
August 6, 1997
Dear Friends,
As part of the celebration of the 8888 anniversary, the following new
items have been posted at the BurmaSong site
<http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue.
1. The first segment of the videotape report made by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
to the U.N. Human Rights Commission is available in RealVideo from her
page. My Thanks to David Arnott for making the video and audio tapes
available for posting. The free RealPlayer necessary to watch the clip is
available from www.real.com. Other portions of that video will be posted
in RealVideo Format in the near future.
2. The full audio from that videotape is also available on that page in
RealAudio.
3. The infamous image on the 1 Kyat note, no longer in circulation, is
posted on the "Faces" page. Several sizes are there in case you would
like to display it too.
4. Also on the "Faces" page is a link to the latest collection of
pictures from the Thai-Burma Border made available through Larry Dohrs.
Caution: some contain graphic depictions of violence.
On this anniversary, I am proud to join with countless others around the
world in honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who made this a day
to remember. May it be celebrated next year in Rangoon.
Peace and Courage,
Wrightson
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