The BurmaNet News, September 12, 19

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------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------       
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"       
----------------------------------------------------------       
   
The BurmaNet News: September 12, 1997          
Issue #819
  
Noted in Passing:

Representatives of the Bureau of Special Investigation came to her residence
after her death and demanded that NLD documents be surrendered to them.

-- OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP 

HEADLINES:          
==========   
THE STRAITS TIMES: MYANMAR WILL NOT ATTEND ASEM II
OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP 
SCMP: TERROR OF JUNTA DASHES REFUGEES' DREAM OF HOME 
KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO.54/97
BURMANET: SEEKING REFUGE IN KAREN CULTS
NEW YORK TIMES: AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION IS UP, U.N. SAYS
USA TODAY: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION BILL OPPOSED
TRANSCRIPT: U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIAL PRESS ROUNDTABLE 
GALONNI SANGHAS' LEAGUE: APPEAL TO SANGHA
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: IT IS TIME OF TEST...LET'S BE UNITED
XINHUA: UPGRADE ROAD TO BOOST TRADE WITH YUNNAN 
NLM: MINISTER INSPECTS FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS 
BKK POST: PTT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PIPELINE OPPONENT
NATION: PTT LETTER- PTT GAS PIPELINE PROJECT IS FRIENDLY
ANNOUNCEMENT: ASSK TO UNHCR VIDEOTAPE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

THE STRAITS TIMES: MYANMAR WILL NOT ATTEND ASEM II
September 11, 1997 
AFP, Kyodo

MANILA - Myanmar will not join the second Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem II) next
year despite its membership in Asean, Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo
Siazon said yesterday. "Well, we never thought that Myanmar will be accepted
in time for the London meeting. There was never that issue," he told reporters. 

Mr Siazon, chairman of the Asean standing committee, said Myanmar's
non-attendance at the Asem was not a problem at this time for the
nine-member regional grouping. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad threatened last week
that Asean might boycott the London meeting if Myanmar was excluded. 

Asem links Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China and South Korea with the 15-member European
Union. 

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook had said during an Asian visit earlier
this month that sanctions against Myanmar's ruling junta by the EU, which
denies visas to ministers and officials, would make it impossible for them
to attend. 

The United States and the EU have opposed Myanmar's membership because of
the ruling junta's human rights record. 

Philippine Foreign Under-secretary Rodolfo Severino said earlier this month
that Asean ministers may discuss the grouping's common position on Myanmar's
joining Asem on the sidelines of the UN general assembly meeting in New York
this month. 

Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said in Jakarta yesterday his
counterparts might meet Cambodian First Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Ung Huot as part of efforts to seek a political solution in that country. 

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

OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP 
September 8, 1997

It is reported that Daw Tin Saw Oo, who was elected as representative from
Mon State's Mudon-1 constituency in the 1990 elections, died on 14 March.
Daw Tin Saw Oo, who had a heart condition, was repeatedly subject to
intimidation and harassment by the SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration
Council] and eventually succumbed to a stroke, reported Htet Aung Kyaw.
Two days prior to the death of Daw Tin Saw Oo, some officers from the
Bureau of Special Investigation [BSI] came to her residence and urged her
to resign as a representative of the NLD [National League for Democracy]. 
Daw Tin Saw Oo hurled abuse at them and drove them out of the house. 
According to a close friend who is now in Bangkok, she had suffered from
high blood pressure since then and died eventually.
Daw Tin Saw Oo attended the National Convention as one of the NLD
delegates until the NLD left the convention and she is a close associate of
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  Daw Tin Saw Oo was 53 when she died.  She was born in
Nyaungwaing village in Mudon in 1944.  She attended Mudon High School and
passed the university entrance exam in 1961 and earned a law degree from
Rangoon University in 1967-68.
She had served as an advocate until the time of her death.  She joined
the NLD in 1988 and was assigned as chairman of the Mudon Township NLD. 
She was detained by the SLORC authorities in connection with the sixth
anniversary of the elections last year.
An obituary on the death of Daw Tin Saw Oo was sent to Myanmar Alin
and Kyemon newspapers and the newspapers held it for a week, saying the
SLORC banned it due to the reference to a member of the National Convention
and NLD representative.  The obituary was included only after a week when
references to her as a member of the convention and NLD representative were
dropped.
Representatives of the BSI came to her residence after her death and
demanded that NLD documents be surrendered to them.  When the family
refused they left with a threat of retaliation.
Six representative of the NLD Central Committee attended the funeral
of Daw Tin Saw Oo and brought a letter of condolences from Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi.  The NLD representatives took care of the funeral which was attended
by over 5,000 people, including students and youths despite the closure of
some roads by the members of the township law and order restoration
council.

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

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: TERROR OF JUNTA DASHES REFUGEES' DREAM OF HOME 
 September 11 1997

AFP, Dhaka --A group representing about 21,000 Burmese Muslim refugees in
Bangladesh yesterday said they wanted to return home, but only once it was
safe to do so.

The Rohingya Solidarity Organisation said in its latest newsletter: "We too
feel that the Rohingyas should not be a catalyst in the population time-bomb
of Bangladesh and would prefer going back home to live there peacefully."

But it added Burma's ruling junta had "evil designs" on the Rohingyas and
they could not go back yet.

The statement comes amid pressure from the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) to allow them to remain in the country following the
Government's repatriation debacle.

It had to be suspended after violent protests at two camps in southeastern
Cox's Bazar district in July. About 25 people were wounded.

Dhaka has now initiated what it calls a "motivation programme" to encourage
them to return voluntarily, and has denied claims that the refugees were
being forcibly repatriated.

The Rohingya organisation earlier claimed that up to 14,000 new Burmese
Muslims had crossed the border into Bangladesh since June, while the UNHCR
put the number at 7,000.

Bangladesh officials would only say that "several thousand" Rohingyas arrived.

But the latest newsletter said the flow of refugees had been stemmed by
Dhaka, which has deployed a large number of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles
on the 150-kilometre border.

More than 280,000 Muslims from Burma's Arakan state fled to Bangladesh in
1991 to escape repression and human rights violations.

Most were repatriated under a 1991 agreement between Dhaka and Rangoon,
followed by a second accord in 1993 between the UNHCR and Burma.

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

KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO.54/97
September 12, 1997
win1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
               KAREN NATIONAL UNION
                         KAWTHOOLEI

                Press Release No.54/97
Regarding SLORC Military Offensive against KNU

                                            			September 12,1997
Kaw-ka-reik District

* 1.7.97: A unit from SLORC LIB 356, led by Major Zaw Myo Tet, came to
Chauk-kwa on border and crossed into Thailand. The troops then forced the
villagers to dismantle iron roofing sheets, 77 in number, from a Thai
Forestry Department building and took them across the border. The troops
tried to sell the roofing sheets to villagers near the border. When the
villagers refused to buy out of fear, the troops forced them to carry the
sheets back to their camp.

* This same unit, on the way, seized 21 buffaloes and 29 cattle of the Karen
villagers and sold them back to the villagers by force at the rate of 3,500
Baht per buffalo and 1,600 Baht per cattle.

* 3.8.97: Troops from SLORC IB 61 Company 1, forced Kwi-ler-teh villagers to
carry heavy bags of lime to Tee-ta-baung village. Those who could not carry
well were severely beaten and, as result, 2 villagers Saw Ko Plaw and Ah Dee
came close to death due to serious injuries.

* 3.8.97: Troops from SLORC IB 61 forced villagers from Kwee-lon-taing,
Chauk-kwa, Ga-daw, Meh-tha-raw-ta, Meh-nor-taw, Kwee-kler, Poe-chee-mu,
Taw-wah and etc. villages in Kaw-ka-reik township to carry cement bags to
Tee-ta-baung village. The villagers had nothing to eat on the way. Some who
became very weak from hunger and fell off the line were kicked and beaten
severely.

* Ten families from Pu-ray and 10 families from Thay-part-taw villages,
consisting of 157 person together, fled from their villagers, when they
could no longer been ill-treatment by the troops from SLORC IB 357. To avoid
the SLORC troops, they had to take several days on very difficult tracks to
reach the Thai border area in Umphang Township on 6.8.97.

* Similarly, 62 villagers of Naung-ta-ko, Naung-ta-man fled from their
villages because of ill-treatment by the SLORC troops and arrived at the
Thai border area in Umphang Township on 13.8.97. Seventy two villagers from
Win-lon arrived on 16.8.97. At one point on the way, they were sighted and
attacked by the SLORC troops. Nine families consisting of 49 persons, from
Ka-mar-kler village, arrived on 18.8.97.

(Translated, printed and distributed by the Karen Information Center)

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

BURMANET: SEEKING REFUGE IN KAREN CULTS
September 11, 1997

Rallying fearful villagers in a formerly peaceful part of southern Karen State, 
a pair of eight year old twins are leading them into battle with the assurance 
that no bullets will strike.  That is, as long as the followers truly
believe and 
obey the dietary restrictions which the twins have laid out.  Since an initial 
victory against SLORC troops in late February 1997, the fame of the twins 
has spread throughout Karen State and into Tenasserim Division.

One devoted mother who is now staying in Thailand related with pride how 
her 24 year old son is a member of the twins' army.  "My son is with them.  
I'm happy.  I'm not afraid.  If they don't drink and don't kill, no bullets
will 
hit them."

The two Karen boys were born to spirit-worshipping hill Karen parents 
and have had no formal education.  Their father is an alcoholic who is 
known to steal chickens and their mother is slightly retarded or crazy. 
Despite their unpromising background, the twins began having visions 
which they say came from God. One twin has declared himself a general 
(thuh ko) and the other a pastor (thera).  In early 1997, they established 
what they call "God's Army" (Guhsuh Doh Yuwa Thu Muh Do). They are 
assisted by two Baptist Karen preachers and, in battle, a number of KNLA
 soldiers.

"God's Army" is fighting against the SLORC so that peace can be restored 
in the KNU's 4th Brigade, but the twins have also warned that if they need to 
fight the KNU, they will.  For the time being, relations between the KNU and 
the twins seem to be friendly enough, with the KNU providing ammunition 
and KNLA troops, some of whom are also believers. The twins now command 
between 80 and 100 soldiers, mostly villagers with little training.

The army came into being after the twins made a number of predictions which 
later came true.  A former Bible teacher who is a dedicated follower
reported that in one instance, the twins told some villagers not to eat pork
or they would become ill and disfigured.  The villagers didn't listen, and
later they got diarrhea and one man's mouth became permanently askew. 

In another instance, the villagers heard the sound of many footsteps in the 
night.  The village sentry was looking for the troops but couldn't see
anything.  
The boys told the villagers not to worry, these are "friendly troops" which 
have come to help.  Because the area was heavily mined, the villagers thought 
they would hear the sound of mines exploding, but they heard nothing but the 
footsteps.  In the morning, all the landmines were no longer underground but 
sitting on top of the soil.  The villagers believed that God's invisible
troops had 
indeed arrived.

The twins have ordered followers to refrain not only from alcohol and narcotics 
but also pork and eggs.  Before going into battle, they also insist on pure 
vegetarianism for a prescribed number of days.  In battle, the twins have told 
their soldiers that they must not curse or loot, and they should try to capture 
enemy troops rather than kill them.  (Captured troops are handed over to the 
KNU).  According to one supporter, there have been several instances of battle 
injuries and deaths, but only to people who have broken the rules.  In one
case, 
a soldier cursed while in a skirmish, so his protection was gone.  He was shot 
by SLORC troops and injured in the mouth.

In another instance, a group of villagers wanted to attack the SLORC troops 
on a particular day, but the military twin said, "I didn't receive any
information 
from God, so I don't want to go into this battle."  The group didn't listen and 
went to fight anyway.  On top of that, they had reportedly also stolen chickens 
in the past. Many were injured.

The military twin told people not to call him by the name his parents gave him 
but instead to call him Johnny Htoo.  Johnny Htoo was a skilled KNLA 
commander who had formed a regiment called God's Army in the KNU's Sixth 
Brigade and died several years ago. Orthodox Christian denominations reject
the concept of reincarnation, but many of the villagers suspect that the famous 
military leader may have been reborn in the body of this skinny little
eight-year 
old boy.

The twins attend religious services three times a day, at 6 a.m., noon, and
6 p.m.  Although the twins cannot read the Bible, devotees report that when
the Holy Spirit enters them, they can easily recite verse after verse. When
they have 
visions, they leave the church and go sit under a tree with a candle.  When 
they are not busy with religious services and military matters, they play like 
any other eight year olds.

Followers who live outside the community of believers can maintain their 
connection by obeying the dietary restrictions and also praying three times 
a day. At each prayer session, they should sing Hymn Number 277 from the 
Karen Hymn Book, "Forth to the Fight Ye Ransomed", and  recite from the 
Bible 1st Timothy Chapter 6 Verse 12: "Fight the good fight of the faith.  
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your 
confession." 

Messianic cults and claims of spiritual protection against bullets have a long 
history in Burma.  When Saya San lead Burmese peasants against the British 
colonial administration in the 1930s, he also promised his troops immunity 
from bullets. At the same time, a number of prophetic movements have 
developed among Buddhist and spirit-worshipping Karens in the Thai-Burma 
border area over the past 100 years.  

One current cult resides at the base of Zwe Gabin Mountain in Pa-an.  After 
having a vision when he was 17, a Pwo Karen boy who used to teach Karen 
dancing started a community to prepare for the imminent arrival of the Ariya 
(Maitraya) Buddha.  He set up the village next to a sacred spring, while he 
himself resides in a cave halfway up the mountain and is carried up and down 
4 days a week.  Now 20, he is called Pu Padoh, or great grandfather, by his 
300 plus followers, and adorns himself with brightly patterned flowing robes, 
a headband, and a golden hair piece.

Adherents living at the site, called Toh Jai Kah Wee, must follow strict 
rules in order to be saved.  Besides wearing woven Karen clothes at all 
times, they must refrain from drinking alcohol and chewing betel nut, 
practice vegetarianism, and spend their days praying and dancing. Cult 
members attend three worship services a day, and follow Pu Padoh or an 
elder attendant in repeating sacred verses.  Pu Padoh reportedly possesses 
a holy book but has not shown it to his followers, some of whom believe he
 is actually the Maitraya Buddha. According to devotees, their leader has 
been fasting for over a year, and he often goes into trance and speaks in 
other tongues such as Chinese and English, but never Burmese.

Cult members have been told by Pu Padoh, that they should stay three years, 
three months, and three days, after which a new directive will come. Followers 
consist primarily of uneducated Karen villagers who have been victims of
trauma - most had come from villages which had experienced repeated SLORC
raids, and many had previously fled to Thailand where they stayed in refugee
camps or worked illegally.

Donations of food are brought every day by relatives of the cult members and 
other supporters.  Although Pu Padoh has visited U Thuzana, the leader of a 
similar vegetarian Karen community, he says that he does not like the fact that 
U Thuzana's supporters, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, carry guns. 
Left alone by the SLORC throughout 1996, the supporters spent their days 
blissfully removed from the continuing civil war engulfing Karen State.

Seeking peace and reassurance, the members of the Toh Jai Kah Wee cult and 
the God's Army, have found temporary solace.  Confusion and fear have been 
replaced by the certainty that by following a simple set of rules, their
well-being 
will be guaranteed.  Fascinating in their details and histories, these cults
are 
tragic in their implications.  They are the products of tremendous human
suffering and indications of how profoundly once-stable communities have
been shaken by Burma's civil war.

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

NEW YORK TIMES: DESPITE TALIBAN VOW, AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION IS UP, U.N. SAYS
September 11, 1997 [abridged]
Christopher S. Wren

The Muslim fundamentalist Taliban movement has pledged to crack down on
opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, but opium production there has
jumped by 25 percent over the last year, with almost all of the increase
occurring in Taliban controlled areas, United Nations International Drug
Control Program officials said Wednesday.  

The United Nations agency's 1997 survey, scheduled for release Thursday,
estimates that Afghan opium production rose to about 2,800 metric tons this
year from 2,300 tons in 1996.  United Nations officials report that
Afghanistan now produces the raw ingredient for nearly half of the world's
heroin.

Last year, Afghanistan ranked second to Myanmar, which produced 2,500 metric
tons of opium, according to a State Department estimate.

Officials say the Taliban, which has seized power in 22 of Afghanistan's 32
provinces, now controls 96 percent of its poppy-growing areas.

The increase resulted from higher poppy yields, which were attributed to
favorable weather, improved cultivation techniques and the shifting of some
farmland to poppy cultivation.

Taliban officials say they cannot stop peasants from growing opium poppies
without other crops to substitute, and contend that persuading them to
switch depends on economic assistance from the international community.  

The United States and many other countries have kept the Taliban at arm's
length because of its violent rise to power and repressive policies like the
relegation of women to inferior status.  But international officials and
journalists traveling in Afghanistan reported that the Taliban is not just
tolerating opium production but also taxing it for desperately needed
revenue and that Taliban militiamen have been seen guarding opium warehouses
and helping transport the crop.  

Afghanistan is one of six countries identified by the State Department as
not cooperating sufficiently in the international fight against illegal
drugs.  The other countries are Colombia, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Syria.

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

USA TODAY: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION BILL OPPOSED
September 10, 1997
Andrea Stone

WASHINGTON- The Clinton administration left no doubt Tuesday it will oppose
a major push by conservatives to punish foreign nations for religious
persecution abroad.

The proposed Freedom from Religious Persecution Act would withhold
nonhumanitarian financial aid to foreign governments that persecute
religious groups.  It also would set up a White House office to monitor
religious persecution overseas.

"The bill could seriously harm the very people it seeks to help - those
facing religious persecution," Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights
John Shattuck told the House International Relations Committee.  "We fear
reprisals by repressive governments against victims, as well as an end to
any dialogue on religious freedom, in retaliation for sanctions."

Among some of the countries potentially vulnerable to the bill, sponsored by
Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., are Sudan, China,
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Burma.

"I don't know of any American who is not in favor of freedom of religion,"
Specter says.

"This is one of our tope legislative priorities," Christian Coalition
spokesman Arne Owens says.  He says the White House if "following a policy
of appeasement" toward trade and political partners, like China and Saudi
Arabia.

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

TRANSCRIPT: U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIAL PRESS ROUNDTABLE IN BKK:U.S POLICY TOWARDS
ASIA
September 9, 1997 [short excerpt only]

Bangkok -- A delegation of U.S. defense officials is visiting security
leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region to make sure they
understand the full commitment of the United States to the security of
the region, according to Franklin D. Kramer, assistant secretary of
defense for international security affairs.

Kramer said U.S. policies toward Burma and Cambodia were subjects of
discussion in Thailand and elsewhere on their trip.

"With respect to Burma," he said, "U.S. policy is well known. We have
grave concerns about the activities of the SLORC, and it's for that
reason that we have the policy that we have. We have a difference to
some extent with the ASEAN countries. That decision has been made by
them. We maintain the same objectives, and I had some extensive
discussions with the National Security Council here as to how to go
forward and achieve those objectives which of course are bringing
about a democratic, free Burma.

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

GALONNI SANGHAS' LEAGUE: APPEAL TO SANGHA
September 1, 1997

An appeal for the Burmese Sanghas to observe the 9th anniversary of military
Coup d'etat by staying inside their respective monasteries.

September 18, 1997 marks the 9th anniversary of bloody crackdown of peoples'
uprising by the Slorc, military junta.

As a result of 9 years of military rule, Burma's economy has touched the
bottom and the people are suffering acute economic crisis. Many times over,
the Sanghas have to return to their monasteries with empty bowls. It is
shameful that in Burma, where Buddhism flourishes and rice are plenty; the
Sanghas should experience starvation.

Despite their promise of a new democratic society, Slorc ignored the results
of the 1990 general election, attempting to prolong their rule by convening
so-called national convention and placing opponents in jail. These acts show
that all the Slorc's promises are empty.

323 Sanghas have been killed since 1988 uprising. 16 Sanghs died in prison
after military takes over. After military coup, 500 Sanghas were arrested
by the Slorc, of which 152 Sanghas are still in various prisons in Burma.
Those 152 Sanghas are disrobed and sent to labor camps. Due to fear of
arrest, over 30, 000 Sanghas returned to layman life. Over 200 Sanghas
left for border areas controlled by revolutionary groups.

In some remote areas, Slorc inducted native people into Buddhism by force.
Slorc deliberately involves Sanghas in bloody killings created by them
(e.g. Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw and DKBO-KNU conflict). Religious conflicts
instigated by the Slorc indicate their attempt to undermine Buddhism
(e.g., Buddhist-Moslem conflict in March 1997).

As long as Slorc exists, there can be no political stability; where there
is no political stability there can not be peace and prosperity. We
strongly believe that in order to become a just, peaceful and prosperous
country the present military dictatorship must be eradicated from the
Burmese soil.

Therefore, we earnestly appeal all the Sanghas to observe the occasion
that falls on 18 September 1997 by staying inside their monasteries and
temples.

Sanghas, orders of Buddha, can not die from missing a meal.

Date- 1 September 1997.



Central Executive Committee
Galonni Sanghas' League.
Upper Burma.

This statement has been unofficially translated by the Burma Info Group
(India).

Appendix

1. The Sanghas should be careful, for Slorc can diverge the movement by
instigating religious conflict.
2. The people should support the Sanghas in their movement by sending
foods and offerings to their monasteries.

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

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: IT IS TIME OF TEST...LET'S BE UNITED
September 6, 1997
by Sithu Nyein Aye

I, Maung Nyein Aye, once said that the West had held a monopoly of the
world's economy for a long time and now, the East could have restored the
balance.
The West is watching, not quietly, the effort to recover balance. I
warned that the West is waging counter attacks instigating political
instability in the East with purported accusations under the pretexts of
human rights, equal wages, child labour and forced labour.
Especially, they may fear that all 10 nations of the South-East Asia
become integrated into the ASEAN and the region maintains peace and
tranquillity. They seem to have a dread of the union of the integrated
South-East Asia and Japan, Korea and the People's Republic of China to
overtake the West's economy.
That is the reason they tried many times to undermine the ASEAN 10
objective. They employed various tactics to disrupt admission of Myanmar to
ASEAN. They imposed pressure, made coercement, and instigated the
opposition groups within the country to shout as they instructed.
However, when the ASEAN Summit drew closer, they noticed that they
were far away from their goal. ASEAN nations were not subject to their
coercement.
Meanwhile, Cambodia's internal affairs arose unexpectedly. It was
heard that ASEAN would reschedule new membership if Cambodia problem was not
solved.
Myanmar, however, became ASEAN member at last after overcoming all hurdles.
As I ponder over, I doubt that the unexpected Cambodia's internal
problem could be the outcome of their guile and wiles. But as I usually
work out every matter simply, I am not qualified to get a proper answer.
It could be just a coincidence!
I once considered that they might use computers to find strategy to create
new problems. The strategists, who apply computers, might plan the Cambodia
problem. Who knows?
Amidst their interruptions, Myanmar became a member of ASEAN. They do
not appear to be pleased; they feel grudged, maybe.
Perhaps, their computers gave a signal to them to punish 'such a stubborn'
ASEAN.
George Soros of New York, an American money broker, unscrupulously attacked
the frail Thai baht.
George Soros is the one who drew and is implementing a scheme called "Burma
Project" to cause trouble to Myanmar.
Baht fell. It was accompanied by ringgit of Malaysia, rupiah of Indonesia
and peso of the Philippines. Even the strong Singaporean dollar was hit.
Of course, Myanmar kyat was no excuse.
The central banks had to prop up their currencies. They had to purchase
their own currencies with their own foreign currency reserves. Though
Thailand protected against her currency sacrificing billions of her own
foreign currency reserves, baht fell violently. Thailand had to take
billions of monetary aid from IMF and other countries.
The East's stock markets were also attacked while the East's monetary market
was under attack.
It was heard that a total of 480 million dollars of US investment was
withdrawn from the East's market.
Stock markets of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore capsized.
[Table omitted]
Thailand's economy with over 90 billion dollars debt overturned
unbelievably. The economic structure believed to be the most progressive
all over Asia collapsed in no time. Most tycoons with BMWs and Mercedes
suffered.
Loans obtained from abroad are to be repaid under obligation. If all
the debts were settled, what would be left?
Compared to them, Maung Nyein Aye does not have foreign debts. What a
relief!
While attacking the East by speculation, the West came to be affected.
When cash-strapped nations of the East were caught in a position to
stop their giant projects, companies of the West, who had won contracts in
the industrial sector, were alarmed.
They felt anxious lest the East might not buy weapons from them. They were
concerned about their economy which might go down unless the expensive
West-made weapons were sold.
It is certain that the East, faced with this plight only provisionally,
would be able to find outlet from it soon.
Persons who own assets cannot let their money lie in the banks. They
have to seek ones who are hardworking and promising markets.
Their estimation that Latin America and East Europe would become their
new markets where they can make investments is actually not certain.
Then, they have to turn towards the East which is bold and dare to
risk in doing business.
Under this situation, Myanmar is in the best position. Myanmar workers
are disciplined, productive and dexterous. They learn easily.
Resource-rich, food-sufficient Myanmar is geographically in an
advantageous location from which it can reach large markets.
If there is stability in the nation and all political problems can be
solved, foreign investments, not less than 100 billion dollars, will roll
into the country.
At that time, everyone will be employed and the nation is certain to
become a tiger, a golden tiger, in South-East Asia.
For our nation to become a golden tiger, all of us at different ages
and in different ranks must be in unity, harmony and amity.
Nothing will come out from blaming, quarrelling and disparaging one
another.
If all are bent on engaging in demonstrations and protests, chanting
"Doh Ayay! Doh Ayay! [Our Cause, Our Cause]", they will sink into the sea
of trouble.
In the time of our parents, they chanted slogans like "Thakin myo hay,
doh Bamar" (We, Myanmars, are masters!).
I, too, chanted "Doh Ayay! Doh Ayay" in my youth.
It is time for one to consider whether he or she is patriotic if he or
she continues to put the nation to trouble while transferring this art of
chanting "Doh Ayay!".
I strongly wish to shout at the top of my voice. "Oh, our nationals!
We are in a crucial time. Let us all be united!" so that the nation would
not be part of the declining regional economy.

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

BEIJING XINHUA: UPGRADE BURMESE BORDER ROAD TO BOOST TRADE WITH YUNNAN 
September 9, 1997

Yangon, September 9 (XINHUA) -- A 163-kilometer road linking Lashio and Muse
in Shan State in northeastern Myanmar [Burma], which leads up to the
northern end of the country and runs towards China's southern city Ruili in
Yunnan province, was inaugurated today after being upgraded. State-run Radio
Myanmar said this evening that Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, first
secretary of Myanmar's governing body the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, and other ministers attended the opening ceremony. The construction
of the road began in July last year. The completion of the road is expected
to promote the development of Myanmar's border areas and its border trade
with China.

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NLM: MINISTER INSPECTS FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS IN TENASSERIM 
September 7, 1997

YANGON, 6 Sept - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Soe Myint
accompanied by officials, inspected regions affected by floods and land
erosion in Taninthayi [Tenasserim] Division yesterday.
Yesterday morning, the minister and party arrived at Myeik [Mergui]
where they were welcomed by Chairman of Taninthayi Division Law and Order
Restoration Council Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung and military and
civilian officials.
They then proceeded to Dawei [Tavoy] where they were welcomed by
Brig-Gen Zaw Tun of Dawei Station and officials.
Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, the Chairman of Dawei District Law and Order
Restoration Council, and the Senior Engineer of Public Works briefed the
minister on floods and land erosion which occurred in Launglon, Yebyu and
some regions in the last week of August and relief measures.
The minister and Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung gave
instructions.
Afterwards, the minister and party helicoptered to Kyauknimaw Village
and inspected villages, motor roads and plantations in the flood-affected
area.
They inspected land erosion and houses affected and met residents.
In meeting with members of Auxiliary Fire Brigade, the minister gave
instructions on fire prevention, carrying out organizational work and
buying light fire engines.
The minister and party then proceeded to Panyit Village, Launglon
Township, where 117 houses were destroyed by land erosion on 24 August and
met the residents.
The minister explained relief supplies to be provided by the
Government and resettlement programme for those who lost houses.
Brig-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung also said rice worth Kyat 100,000
will be added to the relief supplies.
The minister and party also went to Maungmagan Village and inspected
Laytha Monastery destroyed by land erosion on 23 August there.
They met village residents at the local station hospital and told them
to take care of areas where flood is likely to occur.

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BKK POST: PTT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PIPELINE OPPONENT
September 11, 1997 [abridged]
Kanittha Inchukul, Chakrit Ridmontri

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has taken legal action against a
local opponent of its gas pipeline construction project in Kanchanaburi. 
     
But student activists accused the authority of intimidating villagers after
a group of armed men were seen accompanying PTT officials during a survey of
an area in dispute.

The authority last week filed a complaint with police against Wisant
Pongwithayapanu, a local businessman from Thong Pha Phum district, for
obstructing its project and violating the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Act.

Mr Wisant was accused of hampering PTT officials from laying the pipeline in
Ban Punoi and Ban Kaeng Rabued in Tambon Wang Krajae, Sai Yok earlier this
month.

He was said to have put up barbed wire around a plot which PTT claimed did
not belong to him.

The land belonged to Salad Krutcha, who has been compensated for allowing
the PTT to lay the pipeline through it, the PTT claimed.

Mr Wisant was believed to have agreed to buy the land from Mrs Salad.

But the deal has not yet been officially inked.

A group of student activists yesterday held a press conference to condemn
the PTT for what they described as persecution of a local villager.

A group of men armed with M-16 assault rifles accompanied PTT officials to
the scene of the dispute to intimidate opponents, said Penphan Inthapantee,
coordinator of the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment
Conservation of 16 Institutes.
     
She said Mr Wisant has since gone into hiding after a warrant for his arrest
was issued fearing for his personal safety.

A PTT official who spoke on condition of anonymity admitted that local armed
volunteers were accompanying PTT officials during their survey of the
disputed site to ensure that the pipeline construction could proceed.

She said the action was necessary to protect company officials because Mr
Wisant was known to be an "influential figure" in the area and to carry
weapons with him.

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THE NATION: PTT LETTER- PTT GAS PIPELINE PROJECT IS FRIENDLY TO THE ENVIRONMENT
September 11, 1997

In response to the article "Feeling the Pinch" in The Nation's Focus section
on Sept 1 the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) would like to clarify
parts of the story which related to its gas pipeline project: that the PTT
refused to conduct a study on the Royal crab species .

**About 50 kilometres of the total 260 kilometres of the pipeline
construction will pass through forest area which is mostly deteriorated.
Conservation groups have made observations that two protected species, the
Royal crab and the Kitti bat, might be affected.

So, PTT joined the Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT) [led by Suraphol Duangkhae]
and the Kanchanaburi Environmental Group [led by Phinan Chotirosseranee] to
survey the area and found that an area two kilometres from the pipeline at
KP 33 is a swamp area inhabited by the Royal crab. And also that an area
near KP 50 of the pipeline is inhabited by the Kitti bat.

**Suraphol informed the PTT that the pipeline route is out of the swamp area
and suggested that the project could continue if the construction technique
is environmentally friendly, saying that the Royal crabs in the area will
not be affected.

**Suraphol also said Kitti bats live in the limestone caves and fly for food
only two times a day, for about 30 minutes each time, in the morning and
evening. So, if construction activity can avoid those periods it will not
affect the species.

**Based on PTT's environmental mitigation plan, stated in the environmental
impact assessment (EIA) report, the project will not affect the two species.

**Suraphol suggested PTT create a project to conserve the Royal crab species
in the long term. The PTT will consider the suggestion.

**During the technical hearing on the project, the PTT asked the WFT to
conduct a study of the Royal crab species and wild elephants near the route.
Suraphol said he would, but has not yet.

**The National Environment Board approved the EIA report together with the
establishment of a committee headed by the Kanchanaburi governor to monitor
the project following all nine measures stated in the EIA report. But the
conservation group which was part of the committee resigned, so the position
was filled with other experts.

SONGKIAT THANSAMRIT
DIRECTOR OF PTT'S PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

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ANNOUNCEMENT: ASSK TO UNHCR VIDEOTAPE
September 11, 1997
Sender: Wrightson Tongue <wtongue@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Dear Friends,

The full videotape address of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the United Nations
Human rights Commission has been posted at Burmasong in RealVideo. There
are four segments concerning the repression of the NLD, the human rights
situation in Burma, the refugee situation on the border, and an appeal
for support from the international community.

The audio portion is in English.

The URL is:

http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue/assk2.html

A number of audio files in RealAudio are also posted on this page in
English and Burmese.

Peace and Courage,

Wrightson

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