The BurmaNet News, October 15, 1997

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The BurmaNet News: October 15, 1997             
Issue #845

HEADLINES:             
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STRAITS TIMES: RAMOS VISIT TO PROCEED DESPITE CRITICISM 
KYODO: BURMESE ACTIVIST FILES SUIT FOR REFUGEE STATUS 
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: TIME FOR COMPROMISE 
BKK POST: BURMA SETS FREE 29 THAI FISHERMEN
ORCHESTRA BURMA: RESULTS OF KNPP-SLORC MEETING
KYODO: YKK OF JAPAN TO BUILD 33 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR TOWER
BKK POST: EXIM LENDS $ 21M TO BURMESE SUGAR MILL
PEOPLE'S DEFENCE FORCE: REPORT ON FLOOD
BKK POST: 500 ILLEGAL PIECES OF LOGS SEIZED
BKK POST: SLORC ADVANCE OR TACTICAL RETREAT?
NLM: MINISTER SAYS FDI IN BURMA TOTALS $ 6.439 BILLION 
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
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THE STRAITS TIMES: RAMOS' YANGON VISIT TO PROCEED DESPITE CRITICISM 
October 12, 1997

MANILA -- Philippine President Fidel Ramos will this week become the first
Asean leader to visit Myanmar since it joined the grouping as he seeks to
define his country's role as a Western-style democracy. 

Even before he set foot on Myanmar, the trip has drawn controversy, with
Yangon issuing denials to a suggestion that Mr Ramos would meet
pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Mr Ramos also issued a denial last Thursday, a day after saying such a
meeting was "being worked out" by the Philippine Foreign Department. 

The visit "establishes the Philippines as a player within Asean", said Mr
Julius Parrenas of the Centre for Research and Communication, a Manila-based
think-tank. 

"It will define how the Philippines will play that kind of role in trying to
promote the idea of openness, both on the economic and political fields in
the region. 

"The Philippines is somehow caught in between, being a democratic society
with very strong undercurrents favouring democracy in the domestic scene,
but on the other hand it has to continue dealing in a pragmatic way that
Asean has been using to deal with issues." 

The Philippine opposition has criticised the visit, saying it would amount
to legitimising a regime accused by the West of wanton human-rights abuses
and of being involved in narcotics trafficking.  

But Mr Ramos, cautioning critics not to underestimate the potential of
Myanmar and Laos, dismissed the charges: "Our main purpose is to meet,
consult, dialogue with leaders of Myanmar and, at the same time, encourage
economic ties, particularly in trade, investment and tourism. 

"There are many important complementarities that we see in the economies of
Myanmar and Laos." 

Myanmar and Laos joined Asean in July despite appeals by Western nations to
keep Yangon out to force its military leaders to improve their human-rights
record. 

Details of the Philippine leader's itinerary were not released, but he said
he would proceed to Myanmar after two days in Hong Kong, during which he
would address the World Economic Forum. 

Opposition senator Ernesto Herrera urged Mr Ramos to skip Yangon, saying he
did not know "of any possible marketing gain Mr Ramos would find in a
country conquered by a military junta and run by drug-dealing generals.
Their regime will be sanitised by his visit". 

But Mr Ramos insisted that "because we are part of the Asean family, then
certainly the most senior, the older brother must reach out to the new ones
in the association". -- AFP. 

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KYODO: BURMESE ACTIVIST FILES SUIT FOR REFUGEE STATUS 
October 9, 1997

Tokyo, Oct. 9 Kyodo -- A Myanmarese [Burmese] pro-democracy activist filed a
lawsuit Thursday with the Tokyo District Court seeking repeal of a Japanese
Government decision not to grant him refugee status, his lawyer said.
Mya Wai, 44, has been taken into custody by the junta four times for his
activities and will be in great danger if he is sent back to his native
land, lawyer Shogo Watanabe said.
In October 1995, Japan's Justice Ministry rejected Mya Wai's application for
refugee status.  The objections he filed with the ministry were rejected in
August this year.
The Justice Ministry has rejected Mya Wai's request for refugee status
because he did not file an application within 60 days of his arrival in
Japan, Watanabe said.
Mya Wai has been living in Japan with another Myanmar activist who has been
named by the junta as a suspect in a parcel bomb attack in April on the home
of a senior junta official, Watanabe said.  Mya Wai could be held
responsible for the attack if he is sent back, the lawyer said.
Shortly after the parcel bomb attack that killed Lt. Gen. Tin Oo's daughter
April 6, the Myanmar junta said they suspect the parcel was sent by
antigovernment groups in Japan because it bore a Tokyo postmark.
Myanmar activists in Japan have denied involvement in the attack.
Mya Wai, who entered Japan using a false passport in 1992, is currently
being detained by the Tokyo regional immigration bureau, Watanabe said.

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INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: TIME FOR COMPROMISE IN BURMA
October 14, 1997
James Finch

RANGOON - Recent developments show that there may be room for compromise in
Burma's long political stalemate.  Two events suggest that the time is right
for a pragmatic solution.

The military government offered an olive branch by proposing a meeting with
Aung Shwe, chairman of the National League for Democracy, the opposition
party that won the 1990 elections by a landslide but was not allowed to take
power.  (The invitation was refused because Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi, general secretary of the league, was not invited to the meeting.)

Second, the league was allowed by the government to hold the congress
commemorating the anniversary of its founding without major interference,
something that has not happened in several years.  In turn, Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi publicly thanked the government for allowing the meeting and reiterated
her promise that she will never seek revenge against the military.

The downturn in Burma's economy has played a significant role in creating a
new atmosphere of opportunity for the country.  Economic growth is expected
to slow to less than 5 percent this year and next, while inflation is
running at about 27 percent.  There has been an alarming drop in foreign
exchange reserves to about $183 million, from $663 million a year ago.
Exports have fallen 15 percent and imports have risen nearly 7 percent in
the same period.

The military government has shown some flexibility.  The league is reluctant
to compromise, however, for fear that direct talks with the government would
result in a split in the league's leadership.  Moreover, the league's broad
base of support in the country is dependent on economic hardship.

The government and the league can survive a long standoff, especially if
they see it as the only means of self-preservation.  But vital foreign
investment will not come in the amounts required and to the needy sectors
until real stability comes.  Ordinary Burmese will be the losers.

It is doubtful that either side will of its own accord get negotiations on a
settlement going.  Neutral countries, especially those of the Association of
South East Asian Nations, should use their influence to nudge the parties to
the table.  A program should be proposed providing a faster track to reform,
without revenge or reprisal against any party.

Equally necessary will be commitments by both sides to respect the popular
will but leave the armed forces intact and taking order from the chief
executive of an elected government.

Any elected leader of Burma will need the military.  Armed ethnic minority
groups in a number of areas seek independence by force.  The result could be
chaos and national division.  Heavily armed drug lords ply their trade in
some of the ethnic areas.  Without a trained, cohesive military, such
problems cannot be effectively controlled in the future.

An impartial foreign mediator is needed.  Candidates should include
officials or representatives of countries or nongovernmental organizations
that have sought to retain good relations with both sides.

A compromise political solution would require concessions from both the
government and the league.  Each would have to give up something, but the
people of Burma would be the victors.

-----------------
The writer, managing partner in an international law office in Rangoon,
contributed this comment to the International Herald Tribune.

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BKK POST: BURMA SETS FREE 29 THAI FISHERMEN
October 14, 1997

Some 29 Thais charged with illegal fishing in Burmese waters have been
released, the Foreign Ministry announced.

The crewmen had been sentenced to one and a half years in prison for
violating Burma's fisheries law.

They have been granted a pardon, and will return home on flight TG 304 next
Tuesday.

Another Thai prisoner identified Boonlert and jailed for illegal entry will
be on the same flight. 

The 29 were working on trawlers 001 and 003 of WWF Co when they were
arrested in July and August.

Meanwhile, four Thai trawlers were seized by the Burmese navy off Surin
island in the Andaman Sea on Saturday allegedly for violating Burma's
territorial waters.

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ORCHESTRA BURMA: RESULTS OF KNPP-SLORC MEETING
October 14, 1997
[slightly edited by BurmaNet News Editor]

The final status regarding second attempt of SLORC and KNPP to meet

A KNPP central committee meeting was held on October 10,1997 and the
following decisions were made:
KNPP representatives are not going to Rangoon to discuss matters related to
the cease-fire agreement.
If SLORC wants a conference, it must be held in a neighboring country
and the results obtained must be declared officially.  
The SLORC needs to accept and agree to the demands of KNPP from previous
meeting which include 16 facts.
It will not be possible to make agreements unofficially as in previous
meetings and it must be done according to law with signing of a deed of
agreement.
KNPP will respond with talks to the talks of SLORC.

In response to these decisions U Khun Mya, leader of the SLORC delegation
replied that there would no peace conference would emerge. The authorized
persons from KNPP said that U Khon Mya was merely a representative of SLORC
and he was responsible to talk to KNPP whenever the SLORC asked him to do.
Then he had to inform to SLORC about what KNPP said.

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KYODO: YKK OF JAPAN TO BUILD 33 MILLION U.S. DOLLAR TOWER IN RANGOON
October 14, 1997

YANGON, Oct. 14 (Kyodo) - The foundation-laying ceremony of a 20-story
service tower, to be built by YKK Corp. of Japan, was held Tuesday on
Kaba-Aye Pagoda Road, three kilometers north of downtown Yangon. 

Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, secretary of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC), Myanmar ministers, Japanese Ambassador Yoichi Yamaguchi and
YKK Director Yoshiki Takeda took part in the bricklaying for the foundation. 

YKK will invest 33 million U.S. dollars to build the 20-story building, to be
known as the Golden Hill Tower, which will have offices and residential
apartments. 

Mitsui Construction Co. will build the tower for YKK, a leading zipper maker.
Construction is expected to be finished within three years. 

YKK will operate the building for 30 years, and hand over the establishment
after that period to the Myanmar government under the
build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) agreement. 

This is the first investment in Myanmar by YKK, company officials said. 

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BKK POST: EXIM LENDS $ 21M TO BURMESE SUGAR MILL
October 14, 1997

The Export and Import Bank of Thailand has extended US$21.06 million in
credit to Thai-Burmese Myanma Sutech Co to build a $23.4- million sugar mill
in Burma, according to Exim Bank vice-president Kittiporn Limpisawasdi.

Myanma Sutech is a 55:45 joint venture between Sutech of Thailand and Myanma
Sugarcane Enterprise, a state enterprise under the Ministry of Agriculture
and Irrigation. The sugar mill will be built at Pyay. The Exim Bank loan has
a seven-year term with repayments every six months.

The mill is scheduled to start production in November 1998 with a capacity
to crush 2,000 tons per day of sugarcane grown in Pyay and nearby provinces.
Sixty percent of the sugar output will be exported to earn foreign exchange.

Mr Kittiporn said the deal would also create jobs and earnings for Thailand
as the Thai-Burmese joint venture has hired Sutech Engineering Co to design
and install the sugar refining machinery.

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

PEOPLE'S DEFENCE FORCE: REPORT ON FLOOD
October 12, 1997
[excerpts]

[This report was received by BurmaNet, but the information has not been
independently confirmed]

FLOOD NEWS

	On 2/8/97, due to heavy rain, Rangoon-Moulmein rail and road were seriously
flooded. The flood covered a large area from Waw township in Pegu Division
to Thein-za-yart township near Sit-taung river. 
	There was a landslide in Thein-za-yart, burying a SLORC check-point,
killing four -  a soldier, a policeman, a woman and a child.
	There was also a landslide at the foot of a  mountain to the west of
Kyeik-tee-yoe, burying a Karen village of 20 households, reportedly killing
from about 50 to 100 people.
	The flood also affected villages near Moulmein, a satellite town near
Nyaung-bin-zeit and Oak-pho village  were flooded. New settlements relocated
from areas near Mu-pon Navy Gate were also flooded. 
	The homeless people were moved to stay on the premises of Buddhist
monasteries. By estimate, from 40 to 50 persons were drowned in this area.
	Up to the end of September, there had been no direct transport by rail or
road between Rangoon and Moulmein. SLORC authorities were known to make
arrangement  for transport by ship, as a temporary measure.

Reported by People's Defence Force
October 12, 1997

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BKK POST: 500 ILLEGAL PIECES OF LOGS SEIZED
October 13, 1997

Mae Hong Son --Thai authorities have so far seized over 500 pieces of logs in a 
suppression drive against illegal logging along the Thai-Burmese border in 
Mae Sariang district of this northern province.

Most of the illegally-cut logs were found by the joint suppression force of the 
Forestry Department, forestry police and Border Patrol Police in the Salween 
National Park in Tambon Mae Yuam. The suppression drive began on 
September 13.

The Joint suppression force is commanded by Pol Col Sithiporn Srichanthap,
commander of the 2nd Subdivision of the Forestry Police Division.

About 80 of the seized logs were believed to have been felled by Karens who
crossed the border from Burma.

The Thai authorities said their operation had occasionally been obstructed
by soldiers of the anti-Rangoon Karenni National Progressive Party whose
operational area is opposite Mae Hong Son in Burma's Kayah state.

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

BKK POST: SLORC ADVANCE OR TACTICAL RETREAT?
October 13, 1997
Editorial

There may be some reason for careful optimism over Burma. The Rangoon
regime's decision to allow the recent meeting of the National League for
Democracy was extraordinary compared with its recent violence. Aung San Suu
Kyi saw reason to hope, although it is also clear that much remains to be done.

There is still a long way to go before the Burmese people are free. But
credit where credit is due.

Slorc's decision to allow a two-day meeting of the National League for
Democracy in Rangoon deserves recognition as a step forward. Aung San Suu
Kyi, leader of the NLD, was careful to do just this as she wound up the
congress the week before last. She thanked authorities for helping to keep
the peace.

Hard-liners in the Burmese pro-democracy camp were not all so kind. They
noted that Burmese police kept away both some NLD delegates and all
spectators. Those who did not pass muster were shoved into police trucks and
shuttled into the far Rangoon suburbs where they were unloaded and left to
their own devices. A foreigner was grabbed and summarily deported. Slorc, in
its version, remained intransigent and as violent as always.

This has not, however, been the version stressed by Mrs Suu Kyi since she
began her campaign for Burmese freedom, democracy and basic human rights
nearly 10 years ago. She has consistently stressed national reconciliation.
The army and its ruling regime, she believes, must become convinced that
democracy is in its own interest. She has absorbed both punishment and the
most disgusting personal abuse from Slorc and its mouthpieces. Then, as she
did two weeks ago, she has been quick to flatter even the smallest privilege.

There is no clear agreement just why Slorc bent its policy of breaking up
meetings of Mrs Suu Kyi's party. Slorc has had major success in dividing and
conquering political and ethnic groups, and there is no doubt it would
welcome a split in the pro-democracy group. Just before the congress, the
generals scheduled talks with Mrs Suu Kyi's senior adviser, Aung Shwe. He
turned down the offer on the grounds the party leader was not invited, and
Slore spokesmen criticised him as a hostage to the whims of Mrs Suu Kyi.

But even the Burmese generals are not so badly ill-advised as to expect a
split during a party meeting. Members of the NLD rallied around Mrs Suu Kyi
at the congress. There has been no suggestion by any of them of throwing
their leader out in the name of cooperation with Slorc.

Others see the hand of the shadowy Ne Win in these recent developments. As
reclusive and secretive as ever, the true power behind the Slorc throne is
said to be dissatisfied with the rule of the generals. Khin Nyunt, Slorc's
Secretary One, has been rumoured as the main source of the old man's
displeasure.

The reason for Slorc's reasonable actions may not matter. It is enough that
Mrs Suu Kyi, her supporters and her well-wishers move forward. Slorc must
hold meaningful talks with Burmese democrats. That includes Mrs Suu Kyi,
Burma's only elected leader. Those talks must begin sooner rather than
later. Foreign countries, particularly neighbours and Asean partners, must
encourage such talks.

Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn addressed this directly on his recent
trip to the United States during a series of speeches to influential
American groups. Asean as a group and Thailand on its own, said the
minister, expect Slorc to move rather quickly on two important matters,
democracy and human rights.

This is the right track for friends of Burma to take. Increasing pressure
must be put on Slorc. The country is an embarrassment to Asean. Now, as a
full member of the group, it has an obligation to loosen up and to begin
dismantling its violence towards all Burmese. Like Mrs Suu Kyi, we hope the
peaceful meeting of the NLD is a small, but necessary step towards democracy
and freedom in Burma.

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

NLM: MINISTER SAYS FDI IN BURMA TOTALS $ 6.439 BILLION TO SEP 
[abridged]
October 8, 1997

YANGON, 7 Oct - Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister at
the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung addressed the
opening ceremony of National Workshop on Promotion of Foreign Direct
Investment [FDI] in Myanmar sponsored by MIC at Yuzana Hotel at the corner
of Shwegondaing Street and Yedashe Street in Bahan Township this morning.
Present also were Minister for National Planning and Economic
Development Brig-Gen Abel, Minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister U Khin Maung Yin, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the
State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Min Thein, officials of the
Office of Resident Representative of UNDP, Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and MIC, department heads and
participants.
Brig-Gen Maung Maung said: The Union of Myanmar Foreign Investment Law and
the Procedures relating to the said Law were promulgated in late 1988
providing generous incentives to foreign investors in the form of taxes and
duties. The Law also provides repatriation of profits as well as capital.
Moreover, there is an irrevocable State guarantee against nationalization.
The promulgation of the Law has been considerably effective in inducing
foreign direct investment. Up to the end of September 1997, a total number
of 279 projects have already been approved, amounting to total foreign
direct investment of US$ 6.439 billion. Leading investors are UK, Singapore,
Thailand, United States of America and Malaysia. You can see that there are
three ASEAN countries in the list of leading investors. For your
information, five ASEAN countries namely Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia and the Philippines are investing in Myanmar, and the total amount
of FDI of these countries is US$ 3.15 billion, realizing 48.9 percent of the
total FDI in Myanmar.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Participants, Ladies and
Gentlemen. It has come to my knowledge that during the two-day workshop,
the ESCAP experts will discuss national policies for the promotion and
attraction of FDI for less developed economies and economies in transition
as well as problems and recommendations on financing of small and medium
enterprises. Myanmar resource person will also exchange the views on FDI
promotion in Myanmar. By exchanging views and opinions among those who
attend this workshop in the light of mutual understanding, I really expect
that the outcome of this workshop would be very fruitful and successful.

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

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
[excerpts only]

October 7, 1997

FEASIBILITY STUDY OF GOLDEN GATEWAYS DEEP-SEA PORT  CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
PRESENTED

YANGON, 6 Oct-A ceremony to present feasibility study of Golden Gateways
Deep-sea Port  Construction Project was held at the Ministry of Transport
this morning. Present were Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win,
officials of ministries concerned and  members of the board of directors led
by Mr Adisak Lowjun of Sahaviriya Group Corporation  Ltd.

October 9, 1997

UNIVERSITY ADMISSION FORMS TO BE ISSUED ON 14 OCT

YANGON, 8 Oct-Students who passed the Basic Education High School
Examination held in  1996 in the A List may obtain their University
admission guide books, application forms and mark  certificates from
supervisors of the
examinations centres concerned at K 60 per set beginning 14  October.

 Those who passed the BEHS examinations before 1996 in the A List and have
not applied for  university admission are to obtain the guide book and
application forms from supervisors of the  examination centres concerned at K
60 per set to apply for admission to the University of Distance  Education or
Workers College or Mandalay University Evening Classes.

 Course graduates of University for Development of National Races who would
like to seek  admission to the University of Distance Education are to obtain
the guide book and application  forms from the Offices of State/Division
Education Officers at K 60 per set.

The students are to send in their applications attached with original mark
certificates to the Higher  Education Department on Thaton Road, Yangon, not
later than Tuesday, 4 November 1997

October 13, 1997

INDONESIA MILITARY DELEGATION ARRIVES

YANGON, 12 Oct - A 28-member Indonesia military delegation led by Brig-Gen
Sukirno of  Joint Staff College of Indonesia arrived here by air this
afternoon. The delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by
Commander of Command and  General Staff College Brig-Gen Soe Tint, Deputy
Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen  Thura Myint Maung and senior Tatmadaw
officers of the Ministry of Defence, Defence and  Military Attache of
Indonesian Embassy Col Hary Bambang Poernomo and officials.
Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Saw Lwin hosted dinner in honour of
Brig-Gen Sukirno  and party at Karaweik Hotel in the evening.

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