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The BurmaNet News, November 4, 1997
- Subject: The BurmaNet News, November 4, 1997
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 00:03:00
------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------
The BurmaNet News: November 4, 1997
Issue #860
HEADLINES:
==========
REUTERS: BURMA SAYS TEXACO INC. FINDS NEW GAS/OIL FIELDS
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: THAI P.M. SAYS HE WILL RESIGN
BEIJING XINHUA: PLA DELEGATION LEAVES FOR BURMA
BEIJING XINHUA: WU BANGGUO ENDS VISIT TO BURMA
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES
FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: PACIFIC DIVIDE
THE NATION: MONKS JOIN IN RALLY AGAINST OIL PIPELINE
NLD(LA) JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA: STATEMENT ON DETENTION
BKK POST: LETTER - IS THERE ANY WORD?
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
ANNOUNCEMENT: GERMAN LUFTHANSA BOYCOTT
CORRIGENDUM: AI URGENT ACTION - FAX NUMBER
FBC: CALL FOR DONATIONS TO DR. CYNTHIA?S CLINIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
REUTERS: BURMA SAYS TEXACO INC. FINDS NEW GAS/OIL FIELDS IN BURMA
November 3, 1997
RANGOON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Burma's state oil enterprise and a unit of
Texaco Inc discovered a new oil and natural gas field off the southern coast
of Burma, official newspapers reported on Monday.
The state-run media said the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) and
Texaco Exploration Myanmar Inc, a subsidiary of U.S.-based Texaco, has
discovered a field which can yield oil and natural gas on a commercial scale
off the Taninthayi coast.
The new well, officially named Aung Zeya Test Well No.1, is located within
Block M-12, 25 miles northwest of Yetagun field.
Texaco has a 35.42 percent stake in the Yetagun field and will sell 200
million cubic feet per day of natural gas from the filed to Thailand,
starting in 1999, for 30 years.
Texaco and MOGE officials were not available for comment.
The newspaper did not give any more details.
*****************************************
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: THAI P.M. SAYS HE WILL RESIGN
November 4, 1997
[BurmaNet Note: In December, 1988, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh became the
first foreign dignitary to visit Burma after the SLORC?s takeover. The Thai
general returned with generous logging and fishing concessions, and agreed
to assist in the repatriation of Burmese dissident students. As prime
minister, the Thai general has maintained close ties with the military junta
in Rangoon.]
Thailand's embattled Prime Minister, Mr Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, announced
yesterday that he would resign later this week to make way for a new
leader, ending months of speculation over his future.
Mr Chavalit, who has been in power for 11 months, said he would seek an
audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday to inform him of his
decision.
The announcement came as hundreds of protesters rallied in Bangkok for
the second day demanding Mr Chavalit's resignation, and the Thai baht
plummeted to a record low against the United States dollar.
***************************************
BEIJING XINHUA: PLA DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THAILAND, BANGLADESH, BURMA
October 27, 1997
Beijing, October 27 (XINHUA) -- A delegation of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA), led by General Liu Jingsong, commander of PLA
Lanzhou Military Area Command, left here today for an official good-will
visit to Thailand, Bangladesh and Myanmar [Burma] at the invitation of the
armed forces of these countries.
**********************************
BEIJING XINHUA: WU BANGGUO ENDS VISIT TO BURMA
October 29, 1997
Yangon, October 29 (XINHUA) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo
concluded his three-day official visit to Myanmar [Burma] and left here
today for Thailand, proceeding with his final leg of the five-Asian-nation
tour which has brought him to Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
During his visit to Myanmar, Vice Premier Wu has met with Chairman of
the Myanmar State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and Prime
Minister Senior-General Than Shwe. He also called on First Secretary of
the Myanmar SLORC Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.
Talks were held in Yangon between Vice Premier Wu and Myanmar Deputy
Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, in which both sides expressed
the desire to further develop the good-neighborly ties and strengthen the
trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
A loan agreement was signed, under which the Chinese government will
provide a preferential loan to the Myanmar government.
The Chinese entrepreneurs who accompanied the vice premier for the
visit held separate discussions with Myanmar economic department officials
on investment and trade.
Vice Premier Wu Bangguo, who led a 40-member delegation, arrived in
Yangon Monday from Laos on the fourth leg of his five-Asian-nation trip at
the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart Maung Maung Khin.
*************************************
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: EDITORIAL - CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES
October 24, 1997
FOREIGN Secretary Domingo Siazon is pursuing Asean's "constructive
engagement" policy on Burma with mixed, if not dubious, results. Following
President Ramos' departure from Burma, which he visited on Oct. 15 to 17,
Siazon stayed behind and was allowed by the Burmese junta to meet the
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her Rangoon home.
The fact that Siazon made contact with Suu Kyi is a small opening for
an Asean dialogue with her, although Siazon is secretive about what this
meeting accomplished. Earlier, the junta gave a cold shoulder to a request
by Mr. Ramos to meet Suu Kyi. Mr. Ramos is the first Asean head of state to
visit Burma after its accession to Asean and in that respect, he has even
surpassed the enthusiasm of Malaysia, which insisted on Burma' s admission
at the Asean ministerial conference in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad is not itching to humor the Burmese generals with a state
visit.
The dialogue between the President and the junta in Rangoon was rather
surreal and bizarre. He urged the regime to moderate its behavior and open
dialogue with Suu Kyi. He said that law and order would come through a more
democratic government. In the joint communiqué issued at the end of the
Ramos visit, the junta did not waste time to contradict their visitor. They
emphasized their "achievements made in establishing political stability and
national reconciliation."
The communiqué reflects sharply the contrasting perspectives between
the Philippines and Burma on the question of political rights and, by
implication, the futility of a dialogue between two countries who do not
speak the same political language. It indicates how little ground the
"constructive engagement" approach has made and how difficult is the role
played by Manila as an "honest broker" to establish a dialogue between the
opposition and dictators.
Siazon often repeats that at least in constructive engagement, one can
talk with the junta and something could happen from talking rather than
shouting at them and giving them lectures on democracy. The problem,
however, is that the non-confrontational Asean approach is not softening
the junta at all. There is, however, a political reason behind the rush to
admit Burma as Asean's ninth member. The reason is that Asean fears that if
Burma were isolated, it would fall into the orbit of China, which is now
having extensive economic relations with Burma. Well, talking of orbit,
Burma is already there.
Asean, especially Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, fear Chinese
hegemony over the region. Partly because of these fears, that also infect
the Philippines, it is not important to them whether the State Law and
Order Restoration Council troops fire at people or the Burmese remain under
the heels of a repressive regime. This China context has doomed efforts by
Mr. Ramos and Siazon to moderate the junta which has defied so far Western
pressure and threats of economic sanctions in order to force the generals
to begin a dialogue with the opposition.
**************************************
FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: PACIFIC DIVIDE
November 6, 1997
By Michael Vatikiotis in Bangkok
Southeast Asians are smouldering over what they see as America's cool
response to their economic woes. And that could nudge the region closer to
China and Japan.
Rarely has the United States been at a loss for words or actions when an
international situation affects its interests. But Washington's muted
response to the currency crisis sweeping Southeast Asia is sowing suspicion
among its allies in the region and fuelling anti-American sentiment.
In those Asian capitals most affected by the crisis, there's a growing
feeling that Washington is neglecting the region in its time of dire need.
There is no Mexico-style bailout offer, or other substantial pledges of aid.
And though the U.S. already makes considerable contributions to the region
through the International Monetary Fund, these are accompanied by relentless
pounding on the need for painful economic reforms.
Southeast Asia's resentment smacks of scapegoating, and may be largely
unfair. But that hasn't stopped America's standing with key economic
partners in the region from receiving a battering. And it is allowing other
Asian countries, including Japan and China, to boost their influence at
America's expense.
"Americans mustn't forget that the Asia-Pacific region is their largest
trading partner," says Karim Raslan, a Malaysian political commentator and
corporate lawyer in Kuala Lumpur. "You do not neglect a part of the world
which is your largest trading partner."
At worst, such perceptions are feeding wild conspiracy theories which hold
Western interests responsible for Asia's currency crisis. But other
criticism is more constructive. Some analysts warn that the debate over how
to handle the economic downturn is as sensitive as the one over human rights
and democracy; the latter drove a wedge between East and West earlier in the
1990s.
The negative sentiment is unlikely to affect U.S. investment and trade in
the region, at least not in the short or medium term. American investment in
many countries in the region is increasing, and trade volumes remain high.
But the perception of neglect may have a longer-term impact on the
Washington's political standing in the region-with implications for security
relationships.
Southeast Asian impatience with the U.S. is illustrated by a confidential
diplomatic report of a meeting between Asean ambassadors and U.S. Deputy
Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers on October 16. The report, penned by a
senior Southeast Asian diplomat and obtained by the REVIEW, relates how
Summers told the diplomats that the U.S. was troubled by the financial
situation in the region.
However, the report stresses, Summers offered no concrete U.S. initiative.
He insisted that the region's prosperity was well served by the IMF. He also
expressed concern over a Japanese proposal to set up an Asian Monetary Fund.
Such an institution, Summers implied, could undermine the credibility of the
IMF.
Even more revealing were the diplomat's observations about the possible
motives for the meeting. The diplomat attributed the meeting to "persistent
reports from Asean of general disappointment and dissatisfaction with the
level of the U.S. response to assist friends and allies to overcome the crisis."
Summers' boss, U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, made clear in late
October that U.S. policy wasn't going to change any time soon. He pledged
support for Southeast Asia's economies, but added: "The country's themselves
have to establish sound policy regimes."
All that is fair enough, from the Western point of view. Economists say that
reforms mandated by the IMF are crucial to Southeast Asia's future if
confidence is to return to international capital markets. What's more,
Washington's room for manoeuvre is severely limited.
A U.S. Senate resolution passed after the $50 billion Mexican bailout in
1995 prevents Washington from committing more than $1 billion in aid in any
one year without congressional approval, unless the administration can prove
it is vital to U.S. interests. Certainly, it's much easier for the
administration to demonstrate vital interests in neighbouring Mexico than in
Southeast Asia.
And gone are the foreign-aid programmes that once allowed the U.S. to wield
considerable financial influence in the region. Even if they still exist, as
in the case of military aid to Indonesia, they have been blocked by
human-rights concerns.
What's more, acceptance of the primacy of market forces rules out criticism
of currency speculators. The administration is also legally committed to
pursuing trade liberalization in compliance with World Trade Organization
commitments.
What this creates, though, is the perception that the U.S. is unsympathetic
to the region's woes. For instance, as Thailand searched desperately for
financial aid last August, a group of U. S. trade representatives showed up
in Bangkok looking for pledges of further liberalization. "It seems like the
U.S. is being gratuitously neglectful and condescending about Thailand's
problems," comments an American stockbroker in Bangkok.
Washington's muted response contrasts sharply with moves by other Asian
countries to help out, both with cash up front and soothing symbolic gestures.
Japan led the group of donors which pledged $17 billion in standby credit to
Thailand last August. China pledged $1 billion of this_plus another $1
billion from Hong Kong_and sent a high-level delegation led by the chairman
of its State Planning Commission, Zhen Jinhua, to scout for investment
possibilities in Thailand.
In late September, Japan gave Thailand a soft-loan package of yen 105.9
billion ($900 million). It was the second-largest amount in the history of
yen loans to Thailand. This money is separate from both the IMF and possible
Asian Monetary Fund initiatives. And in contrast to IMF loans, the Japanese
funds do not come with reformist strings attached.
Japan and China weren't the only Asian countries to score points at the
expense of the U.S. and the IMF. In late October, Singapore pledged $10
billion in aid to Indonesia, according to Indonesian President Suharto.
Malaysia, despite its own financial problems, pledged $1 billion. The
pledges came as Jakarta pursued difficult negotiations with the IMF on
conditions for aid, and allowed Suharto to declare that he needed only
expertise and not money from the fund.
American diplomats in the region admit that the lack of similar gestures
from Washington has made their job difficult. "We're on the defensive," says
one senior U.S. diplomat serving in a Southeast Asian country. Privately, he
blames the Clinton administration's allergy to Asia on allegations that
Asians gave money illegally to the Democratic Party.
The "Donorgate" scandal has given the Republican-dominated U.S.
Congress_with its domestically driven agenda focusing on trade
liberalization and human rights_the upper hand in Asian policy-making, U.S.
officials in the region say.
An American diplomat quotes a congressional staffer as vowing that Asean
would be "punished" for admitting Burma to the association last July. "Many
Thai people now believe that bringing Burma in turned America against us,"
says Kraisak Choonhavan, a political commentator who works for the Bangkok
governor's office.
Conspiracy theories are also flourishing in Malaysia. One holds that the
U.S., tired of constant needling by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, decided
that it would try to force him out by pushing U.S.-based hedge funds to
attack the ringgit. "How do you know if some of the money being used by the
funds isn't coming from the CIA?" asks the Malaysian head of research for a
stockbroking firm in Kuala Lumpur.
As ridiculous as that sounds to anyone who knows how little leverage
Washington has over Wall Street, it reflects a genuine sentiment. Even
senior Asean officials, who don't buy the conspiracy theories, say the U.S.
response to the economic crisis compares unfavourably with that of
neighbouring countries. "The American attitude is driving us closer to Japan
and China," says a senior Thai diplomat.
Tokyo's commitment in cash and diplomatic kind already seems to be helping
Japan pursue policy objectives in the region. Asean officials say that
Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto will hold the bilateral security
talks he has requested with Asean leaders at the forth-coming Asean summit
in December.
Wary of losing the diplomatic initiative in the region, U.S. officials
counter that there is a false logic behind Southeast Asia's perception of
Japan as a more accommodating economic ally. Japan runs a huge trade surplus
with Thailand, for instance. In 1996, by contrast, the U.S. trade deficit
with Thailand was $4.1 billion.
But the large reservoir of goodwill towards Thailand in the American
corporate community makes the lack of official attention in Washington even
more glaring. Corporate America shows no sign of abandoning Thailand_even
if the fund managers have for now. American direct investment in Thailand
amounted to $4.6 billion in 1996, up 22% from 1995.
But in other Southeast Asian capitals, the separation of business and
politics is not so obvious. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir's allegations
against speculators were unambiguously anti-Western and garnered as many
supporters as detractors. In fact, the financial meltdowns in Taiwan and
Hong Kong have boosted Mahathir's credibility. "A lot of people now feel
that 'Dr. M's' comments on regulating the speculators are right," says K.S.
Jomo, an economics professor at the University of Malaya.
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's visit to the recent Asean
economic ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur didn't help things much.
According to one diplomat, her meeting with Mahathir was "a disaster."
America's inability to communicate in Southeast Asia may also be helping
Asean and China forge a closer relationship_despite mistrust over Beijing's
intentions in the South China Sea. Sino-Asean ties have been nurtured by the
kinds of symbolic gestures Washington is not very good at making. When
Chinese Premier Li Peng went to Malaysia in September, he pledged support
for Asean currencies and attacked currency speculators.
The political benefits for China are already at hand. Asean and China will
agree on a joint political statement at the forthcoming Asean summit in
Kuala Lumpur in December. The specifics of the document may be vague, but
in the realm of perception it will be important, says Juwono Sudharsono, deputy
governor of the National Defence Institute in Jakarta. "There's a sense,"
says Juwono, "that it's going to be a much more Asia-centric picture in the
security field."
No one is saying they don't want U.S. aircraft carriers patrolling the
region because Washington hasn't bailed out their economy. But in a context
where economics rather than security is key, Washington has been slow to
react. President Clinton's big recent overseas visit was to Latin
America_not to Asia. He'll have an opportunity to meet Asean leaders at the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vancouver next month. But
even Thailand, Washington's treaty ally sine 1961, isn't yet sure if it can
secure a bilateral meeting to discuss the crisis.
****************************************
THE NATION: MONKS JOIN IN RALLY AGAINST OIL PIPELINE
November 3, 1997
Reuters
KANCHANABURI - Hundreds of villagers, monks and environmentalists protested
yesterday against the multi-billion baht Yadana gas pipeline which runs
through pristine forest here.
The protesters gathered at Ban Rai Pah in Sai Yok National Park on the
border with Burma to condemn the government for its recent controversial
decision to allow the 250-kilometre Thailand-Burma pipeline to run through
the park.
As part of the protest, monks took the unusual step of ordaining dozens of
trees on the land where the pipeline is due to be installed.
"With ordination, the trees will be sacred," Sor Sivalak, a prominent social
critic and the main speaker at the protest rally said. "Hopefully the ruling
elites will also respect our tradition and our culture ... we will protect
our trees."
Chanting resounded through the forest after about 20 saffron-robed, monks
crossed a river and went into the dense jungle to ordain the trees. After
saying a prayer they blessed the first tree and wrapped a saffron robe
around it.
The protesters followed and helped put robes on dozens of other trees along
the area where the pipeline will be laid. According to a Cabinet decision on
Oct 21, construction can begin on the Sai Yok portion of the pipeline
immediately, and is likely to start after the monsoon ends in the next few
weeks.
About 110 km of the gas line has already been laid in Kanchanaburi and
Ratchaburi, according to the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT), the
sponsor of the Btl6.5 billion project.
PTT has said it is confident the laying of the pipeline would be completed
by July as scheduled, despite the slight delay caused by protests which
resulted in the government requiring an environmental assessment before the
line could be laid through the park.
Activists claim the government conducted a cursory environmental impact
study, and said the 8.4 km of pipeline, covering about 42 acres will have a
disastrous ecological impact and will disrupt the wildlife in the area.
"It will disturb a lot of species, especially elephants," said Soraida
Salwala, secretary-general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant foundation.
"There is a salt lick [on the planned line] and if it goes through it will
disturb the habitat of the wildlife. The salt lick is very important to all
mammals."
Government officials have said the impact on the forest and the wildlife
will be only minimal, and after the pipeline is laid new trees will be
planted and the animals should return.
But Soraida said that was unlikely. She said the trees that are planted to
replace those cut down would only be small plants as their roots will not be
able to go through the pipes.
"Also the scent of human beings around will drive all the wildlife away.
They won't come back."
Burmese exiles also took part in the demonstrations yesterday.
The Burma portion of the pipeline has been fiercely opposed for years, as
human rights groups and other activists say Burma's military government used
forced labour for the roads and other infrastructure built for the pipeline.
The pipeline will deliver natural gas from the Yadana gas field in Burma's
Gulf of Martaban to the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of
Thailand's power plant in Ratchaburi.
Under the 30-year contract with the Yadana developing group, led by French
oil firm total SA, the PIT is to start taking delivery of natural gas from
the field on July 1 next year at the rate of 525 million cubic feet per day.
****************************************
NLD(LA) JAPAN AND NLD(LA) AUSTRALIA: JOINT-STATEMENT ON DETENTION OF NLD
MEMBERS BY SLORC
November 3, 1997
We have been cautiously watching the current developments in Burma. We
have deeply appreciated and applauded the positive steps taken by SLORC
towards restoration of democracy in Burma, allowing the NLD Congress to be
held peacefully and successfully in last month and lifting the restrictions
on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's movements and activities. We were so pleased to
see that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed to visit Thaketa township on
the NLD Youth Wing organizational trip and to observe a Buddhist
traditional ceremony as well at the NLD headquarters with other NLD Senior
and high ranking members in last month. We take those steps as good signs
for reconciliation and dialogue processes between the two opposition
forces. But on 28th of October 1997, a meeting with the NLD Youth Wing at
Mayangone NLD Office was barricaded and blocked by the authorities. It has
been learnt that many supporters were taken away forcibly by trucks and
Eight NLD members were arrested on the night of 28/29 October 1997.
Those detained were as follows :
Daw San San, NLD Seikkan divisional vice-chairman and NLD Women's leader
U Soe Myint, the chairman of Thaketa NLD
Dr Than Nyein, an MP-elect from Kyauktan township
Ma Win Win Htay, a member of the Yangon Youth Division
Daw May Win Myint, NLD divisional organizer and an MP-elect from Mayangone
Ko Khin Maung Myint, Central Youth member and Secretary of Latha township
U Win Thaung, the chairman of Mayangone NLD and
U Mya Thaung, the landlord of the Mayangone NLD office.
Their whereabouts have not been known yet. As human rights abuses are
common in detention centers by practicing torture and ill-treatment
methods, we are very much concerned about the well-being of the above
mentioned detained NLD members. NLD is a legally registered party in Burma
and functioning according to the law. We strongly condemn SLORC for its
unfair and heavy-handed treatment on a legally formed NLD party and demand
SLORC to release unconditionally and immediately all those detained NLD
members. We also warn SLORC that those kinds of acts can not bring
democracy to Burma as smoothly and rapidly as you make known to the world.
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (LIBERATED AREA) JAPAN
NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (LIBERATED AREA) AUSTRALIA
*******************************************
BKK POST: LETTER - IS THERE ANY WORD?
November 1, 1997
As a member of the Alkmaar group of Amnesty International, I am writing to
express my concern for a prisoner of conscience named San Myaing. Despite
repeated inquiries by Amnesty International members, there are many questions
about San Myaing's case that remain unanswered. This raises concern that his
legal rights may be violated.
San Myaing, a young man, was one of thousands of students arrested in
Rangoon and Mandalay after joining demonstrations on Dec 10 and 11 1991,
calling for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. San Myaing was imprisoned
in Insein prison, in the THI THANT section.
On June 24, 1994 he and 30 other political prisoners were transferred to either
Myingyan prison in Magway division or Taungoo prison in Bago division. San
Myaing is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for his non-violent
exercise
of the international right to express political opinions. I am seeking
information
about his arrest, the charges against him, details of his trial and the
sentence,
and his current place of detention.
Pauline De Jong
The Netherlands
**********************************************
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
October 28, 1997
TECHNOLOGY MYANMAR '97 EXHIBITION COMMENCES
YANGON, 27 Oct - Technology Myanmar '97 F.Exhibition, co-sponsored by Myanma
Industrial Development Committee and Munich International Trade Fairs Pte
Ltd (MMI) of Germany, was opened at the Convention Centre (Tatmadaw Hall)
on U Wisara Road this morning.
K 700,000 FIRST AID KITS DONATED TO TOWNSHIPS IN NO 1 MILITARY REGION
YANGON, .27 Oct Maha Danan Monetary Service and General Economic Cooperative
Society Limited presented 1,097 first aid kits valued at K 700,000 to the
seven townships in Yangon Division No 1 Military Region today.
Of the 1,097 first aid kits donated by Maha Danan Monetary Service and
General Economic Cooperative Society Ltd, 700 will be provided to Red Cross
Brigades of seven townships in No 1 Military Region, 84 to USDAs, 42 to
Auxiliary Fire Brigades, 14 to Township Law and Order Restoration Councils
and 277 to primary schools.
OVER $ 4.5M REALIZED AT MID-YEAR MYANMA GEMS EMPORIUM
YANGON, 27 Oct Pearl lots were sold through competitive bidding at the
Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium on the final day today. Altogether 110 pearl
lots fetched over US $1.04 million. The proceeds of the seven-day gems
emporium totalled over US $ 4.5 million.
October 29, 1997
GENERAL MAUNG AYE RECEIVES ARCO ASIA, CNOOC PRESIDENTS
YANGON, 28 Oct- Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-inChief (Army)
General Maung Aye received President of Arco Asia Inc of the United States
Mr R Truitt and President of China National Offshore Oil Corporation
(CNOOC) Mr Wang Yan and party at Zeya Thiri Beikman, Konmyinttha, this
afternoon.
October 30, 1997
SECRETARY-2 WELCOMES ACTING CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, DEPARTMENT OF LAO
PEOPLE'S ARMY
YANGON, 29 Oct Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army)
Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo -
greeted Brig-Gen Douangchai Phichith, Acting Chief of General Staff
Department of the Lao People's Army, and delegation of Laos at Yangon
International Airport at 6.30 pm today.
October 31, 1997
SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES LOCAL NATIONAL RACES LEADERS
YANGON, 30 Oct Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas
and National Races Secretary- 1 of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received local national races leaders U Phon Kya
Phu (Kokang) of Northern Shan State Special Region 1, U Mon Hsa La of Monko
Region, U Kyi Myint of Shan State (East) Special Region 4, U Ma Htu Naw of
Special Region 5 in Shan State (North), U Aung Hkam Hti of Northern Shan
State Special Region 6 and U Tun Kyaw of Kayah State Special Region 2 at
Tatmadaw Guest House in Ooyin Street at 3 pm today.
November 3, 1997
NEW OIL AND GAS FIELD DISCOVERED OFF TANINTHAYI COAST
YANGON, 2 Nov - A new Oil and natural gas field has been discovered off
Taninthayi Coast, said a report released by the Ministry of Energy today.
The report said the new well, Aung Zeya Test Well No 1, is located within
Block M-12, 25 miles northwest of Yedagun Offshore Oil and Natural Gas
Field and 200 miles west of Dawei, Taninthayi Division.
The well from which oil and natural gas can be extracted on a commercial
scale has been drilled 12,387 feet deep since 6 September this year.
Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein, accompanied by Brig-Gen Zaw Tun of
Dawei Station and officials of the ministry, visited Aung Zeya Test Well No 1.
He arrived on "Stena Clydôe" drilling platform of the test well this morning
and was welcomed there by Executive Engineer Mr William Roger of Texaco
Exploration Myanmar Inc and officials of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.
Managing Director of MOGE U Kyaw Nyein, Mr Roger and other officials
briefed him on successful drilling of the well and the tests carried out for
production.
After presenting gifts to foreign and local workers, the minister inspected
computerized drilling control room and the burn-off.
------------------------------------
to view with photos, pls browse at:
English - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm
French -http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/fnlm
German - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm
Myanmar - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/mnlm
Pls use Win Myanmar fonts.
**********************************************
ANNOUNCEMENT: GERMAN LUFTHANSA BOYCOTT
November 3, 1997
Stop flying with German Lufthansa immediately
" Business as usual " seems to be a phrase of miracles, which is extensively
used by the German business circle nowadays. To make themselves more
clear conscience and feel justified, they supplement the phrase to " Wandel
durch Handel ", which means to accomplish a change through business.
Out of all conscience, they hope that political changes in Burma could be
brought about through doing business with the Burmese military dictators.
Certainly, doing business in Burma would bring up the military elites from
dictator to multimillionaire, while over 99% of the country's population
are suffering from severe poverty, epidemic and unhappiness. The children are
compelled to slave labour, the girls and young women are forced to
prostitution and the men are conscripted to forced labour in civil-war
zones. The remaining sick and aged persons have to pay fine to the military
for being unable to "contribute" work for them.
The recent fortnight seemed to be German weeks ( Deutsche Wochen ) in
Rangoon, in which German-Myanmar Technology Exhibition '97 and German-
Myanmar Technology conference are commencing in full swing. These
performances are organised and implemented by the Munich International
Trade Fairs Ltd. of Germany (Messe Muenchen), against which the Burmese
community and the German colleagues have strongly protested. The managing
director of the Messe Muenchen Reinhold Unterburger spoke words of
greetings (greeds!) and boosted that 29 companies are participating in the
Rangoon exhibition. As the chairsoldier of the Myanmar Industrial
Development Committee (MIDC) dictator-general Myint Aung was opening the
ceremony in Rangoon, the Burmese expatriates together with their German
friends such as Society for Threatened People, amnesty international, etc.
were protesting against the Messe Muenchen in front of its headquarters in
Munich. The German news media took great interest and attention to the
protest. The Burma Bureau has provided the news media with comprehensive
press releases.
While German Foreign Minister Dr. Klaus Kinkel in Bonn was strongly
critisizing upon rude and undemocratic behaviors of the military rulers
SLORC towards Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD, German Ambassador Dr.
Wolfgang Wiesner in Rangoon might have been quite busy in organising
meetings and appointments for the Lufthansa delegation and Fritz Werner
armament factory with the top brass of the SLORC such as Generals Khin
Nyunt, Thein Win, Chit Swe, Abel, Min Thein, etc. Astonishingly, the signing
ceremony of the MoU between Lufthansa and the SLORC was attended and
witnessed by the German Ambassador, Managing Director of the LSG Dieter
Hemmer and General Khin Nyunt among others. Under the agreement, Lufthansa
will set up a 3-million dollar factory within one year to launch aircraft
catering services for international airlines.
We, therefore, call upon our Burmese community and friends worldwide to stop
flying with the German Lufthansa immediately and to cancel all your
scheduled flights with this airline.
We also call on our Free Burma Coalition spiders for aid to push and
implement the selective purchasing measures on the German Lufthansa as soon
as possible.
When spiders unite, they can tie down the German hansa.
With solidarity,
Nwe Aung
Burma Bureau Germany
Nov. 02, 1997
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CORRIGENDUM: AI URGENT ACTION - FAX NUMBER
November 3, 1997
[BurmaNet Note: This is a correction to an appeal which appeared yesterday,
BurmaNet News Issue # 659, in AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: URGENT ACTION APPEAL]
My apology for the inconvenience, but, as someone kindly remarked, the
mentioned faxnumber of Khin Nyunt is wrong and should be:
+95 1 222950
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FBC: CALL FOR DONATIONS TO DR. CYNTHIA?S CLINIC
November 3, 1997
Donations to Dr. Cynthia's clinic:
Burmese Refugee Care Project/Arete
P.O. Box 1774
Sebastopol, CA 95473
Dr. Cynthia will use 100 percent of your contribution for medical supplies
and humanitarian aid for Burmese refugees along the border. The Burmese
Refugee Care Project is a very small medical-relief organization run by
volunteers since 1990. Donations are tax-deductible.
Donations for general medical and humanitarian aid for Burmese refugees:
World Aid Inc. of Seattle
2442 NW Market #434
Seattle, WA 98107
You can direct you contribution to Burmese refugees in Thailand, displaced
people inside Burma, or for greatest need. World Aid will use 100 percent
of contributions for medical supplies and aid such as food, blankets, and
plastic tarps. World Aid is a v ery small relief project founded by
Vietnam veterans and run by volunteers since 1989. Donations are
tax-deductible.
Donations of medical supplies:
Bill Gardner of World Aid, Inc. (206) 784-7248
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"When spiders unite they can tie down a lion."
--Ethiopian Proverb
The Free Burma Coalition
University of Wisconsin
225 North Mills Street
Madison,WI 563706
Tel: (608)-827-7734
Fax: (608)-263-9992
http://wicip.org/fbc
http://freeburma.org
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