The BurmaNet News, November 13, 199

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------          
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"          
----------------------------------------------------------          
      
The BurmaNet News: November 12, 1997             
Issue #866

Noted in Passing:

Many of the released prisoners are suffering from permanent disabilities due
to substandard care.

-- see BKK POST: 98 PARDONED THAI FISHERMEN RETURN HOME 
FROM RANGOON

HEADLINES:             
==========      
THE NATION: ASEAN STEPS UP PRESSURE ON EU
KNU REPORT: REFUGEES TO BE MOVED
KNU REPORT: SLORC RESUMES DRY SEASON ACTIVITIES
BKK POST: 98 PARDONED THAI FISHERMEN RETURN HOME 
REUTERS: FIFTEEN HURT IN CLASHES IN BURMESE REFUGEE CAMP
DOW JONES: AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION AWARDED CONTRACT
DPA: PHILIPPINES TO ASSIST LAOS AND BURMA
BUSINESS STANDARD: UNOCAL, PAHARPUR LINK-UP FOR UNIT
XINHUA: ASEAN BUSINESS FORUM DELEGATION VISITS MYANMAR
XINHUA: JAPAN PROVIDES GRANT AID TO MYANMAR
DOW JONES: PREMIER OIL TO ANNOUNCE NEW GAS FIND 
RANGOON RADIO MYANMAR: KHIN NYUNT WARNS NLD 
THE STRAITS TIMES: PROGEN PLANS TO EXPAND BUSINESS 
BKK POST: GOVERNOR TO RULE IN TEAK - IMPORT SCANDAL
JEWELRY NEWS ASIA: NEWS BRIEFS
SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0205(I)
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------   

THE NATION: ASEAN STEPS UP PRESSURE ON EU
November 12, 1997
Rita Patiyasevi - The Nation

ASEAN has threatened to restrict the number of European Union (EU)
representatives in future joint political, economic and swing meetings if it
insists on excluding Burma from the upcoming Asean EU Joint Cooperation
Conference (JCC), an informed source said yesterday.

The sources said Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Saroj Chavanviraj told
Dutch Ambassador to Thailand Laetitia van den Assum and European Commission
Ambassador Michel Callouet yesterday that the EU's opposition to Burma
attending the meeting could affect EU representation in the annual Post
Ministerial Meeting (PMM) and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

The Bangkok meeting, scheduled from next Monday to Wednesday, could turn
into the first major international controversy to greet Chuan Leekpai's new
government. Currently, three EU representatives attend the PMC, which covers
political and economic issues, while two take part in the annual ARF.

As a coordinator of Asean-EU relations, Thailand wants Burma, as a new
member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to attend the meeting.

However, in reaction to continued repression and human rights violations by
Burma's ruling military junta, the EU has barred Burmese officials from
entering EU member countries.

It believes that Burma should be excluded from future meetings, even as an
observer, until the situation there improves significantly, but has no
objections to Laos' participation as an observer.

Saroj said Asean decided at a recent meeting of senior officials in Manila
to go ahead with the JCC by observing previous meetings when Brunei and
Vietnam joined Asean.

He said it was a matter of principle and that Asean's decision was carefully
considered and done in good faith.

Brunei became an Asean member in 1984 and Vietnam in 1995. Both initially
attended the JCC meetings as observers.

Saroj said Somkiati Ariyapruchya, Thailand's ambassador to Brussels, will
send a letter to the EU, informing them of Asean's decision to allow Laos
and Burma to attend the meeting as observers.

"There will be no discrimination between the participation of Laos and Burma
as observers to the meeting. They will sit with us as observers with their
countries' flags hoisted. However, we will mention their status as observers
in a press statement," he said.

Saroj said Asean foreign ministers agreed last September in New York to
accept the Asia-Europe Meeting's (Asem) requirement that each participating
country agree to a new member joining the meetings. 

However, he said, although membership to Asem is an issue to be agreed by
all participants the Asean-EU JCC is different as it is a bloc-to-bloc meeting.

The source said a recent letter from the EU reminded Asean that Rangoon was
not party to the 1980 cooperation agreement signed between the two blocs.
Consequently, Burma should not participate in the JCC meeting in any form as
it would require the explicit agreement of all participating members.

However, in an effort to find a path that is mutually acceptable to both
sides, the source said the EU has suggested that Burma's presence at the
meeting could be arranged. 

According to a senior official, the EU has compromised by allowing Burma to
attend the meeting in an "informal and passive" manner, which would mean a
different seating arrangement and that it not display its flag.

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

KNU REPORT: REFUGEES TO BE MOVED
November 12, 1997

A Thai officer in Tak province has indicated this week that Hway
Kaloke (Wong Kha) refugee camp will be moved to Beklaw refugee camp,
Mawker refugee camp will be moved to Noh Poh refugee camp in Umphang
District.
 This follows a recent meetings between Gen. Chettha Thanajaro and
 SLORC officials in Rangoon and a meeting between Thai 3rd Army Region
 commander and Burmese Southeast command commander Maj. Gen. Ket Sein
 and the 33 LID commander in Myawaddy this week. Shoklo refugee camp
 has also been told it will move to Beklaw in December. Once Skoklo
 and Hway Kaloke have moved to Beklaw camp, its population will be
 around 40,000.This will undoubtedly cause difficulties with
 sanitation and water supply. The relocations also mean that the
 refugees will have to rebuild their houses and start all over again.
 For the refugees from Mawker it also means a long and dangerous
 journey over the mountain road to Umphang district. The result will
 be more refugees will return to Burma. The Thai officer also made it
 clear that any KNU leaders found in Thailand will be arrested. More
 news on this situation will be posted as new information comes in.

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

KNU REPORT: SLORC RESUMES DRY SEASON ACTIVITIES
November 12, 1997

	Now that the rainy season has ended, a column from LIR (35) form 
Shwegyin has returned to Mae Way village, in Mu Traw district to rebuild
their post there. They are also constructing a rice barn for themselves at
their post.
	On 18/11/97 and 25/11/97 column commander Myo Myint Thein took 1,024 tins
of rice from a trader from the village.
	Once this rice is finished, the column intends to take the paddy from the
villagers. They will then thresh it themselves to keep in their new rice barn.
	Fifty porters which were seized in town came along with the column. 
The villagers have been ordered to provide food for the porters every day.
Mae Way villagers will be held for any porters which escape and punished.

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

BKK POST: 98 PARDONED THAI FISHERMEN RETURN HOME FROM RANGOON
November 12, 1997 

Ninety-eight Thais jailed in Burma returned to Bangkok yesterday after being
pardoned by the ruling junta.

Their release follows talks between' Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha
Thanajaro and Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council's First
Secretary Khin Nyunt, who agreed to release the prisoners to commemorate His
-Majesty the King's birthday.

On hand to welcome the inmates were Gen Chettlia, Air Force
Commander-in-Chief ACM Thananit Niamthan, the Army's Civil Affairs
Directorate's Col Chongrak Panichkul, and some 500 relatives who thronged
the Air Force runway.

Three freed women held portraits of Their Majesties' and led their male
colleagues in single file. Some used wheel-chairs because they were too weak
to walk.

All were housed in Rangoon's Insein Prison and flew into Thailand on board
an Air Force C-130.

Gen Chettha told the Thais not to commit further offences on Burmese
territory fearing it could touch off a diplomatic row. Most had been charged
with illegal logging or encroaching on territorial waters.

The army chief said it had not been easy to get them freed. One inmate
called Klin Thongprachote, could not be released as he had been unable to
pay the US$100,000 fine. Mr Klin was arrested for fishing illegally. 

Another inmate, Thawee Thongkham, who had served a three-year jail term for
smuggling fake Burmese currency, was released instead.

Many of the released prisoners are suffering from permanent disabilities due
to substandard care. Chan Phungao, 50, who lost the sight of his right eye,
said he was praying for those left behind.

Perm Pimpo, 29, who was jailed for crossing into Burmese waters, said his
legs became emaciated after he was given injections to fight off the flu.

He spoke of harsh living conditions where more than 100 prisoners were
cooped up in a small cell. Mr Perm had no relatives to return to having lost
contact with them.

Sophee Insee, 43, caught for possessing amphetamines, said she was
transferred from a prison in Moulmein, lower Burma, a few days before
learning about the planned release.

Rachen Plengvithaya, who coordinated the release, said he was surprised that
a number of sick prisoners were not pardoned.

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

REUTERS: FIFTEEN HURT IN CLASHES IN BURMESE REFUGEE CAMP
November 11, 1997

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Nov 11 (Reuters) - At least 15 people were injured
in clashes between police and inmates at a camp for Burmese refugees
in southeastern Bangladesh on Tuesday, police said. 

They said one of the injured was a police officer. Others were refugees. 

The fighting broke out after one group of Moslem refugees, called Rohingyas,
prevented an attempt by others to shelter Burmese ``militants'' in the
Nayapara camp, police said. They did not identify the militants. 

The Nayapara camp, not far from the Burmese border, houses over 12,000 of
the 21,000 Rohingyas which have been awaiting repatriation to Burma for years. 

They were among 250,000 Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh in early 1992 to
escape alleged military persecution in west Burma's Moslem-majority state
of Arakan, which borders Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district. 

Nearly 230,000 refugees had returned home under supervision of the U.N. High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) before the process was abruptly halted
last April. 

Bangladeshi officials said they were discussing with Burma's military junta
how to resume the repatriation process. They gave no details.

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

DOW JONES: AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION AWARDED GAS PIPELINE CONTRACT
November 12, 1997
 
Energy Service News Summary

Australia's McConnell Dowell Corp., a construction and 
engineering concern, said Wednesday it has been awarded a US$75 
million contract to construct a gas pipeline in Burma. [63469]

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

DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR: PHILIPPINES TO ASSIST LAOS AND BURMA
November 12, 1997

  Manila (dpa) - President Fidel Ramos announced Wednesday the Philippines
was preparing development and technical assistance packages to Laos and
Burma, newest members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

  Ramos said the programmes aim "to help Laos and Burma in harnessing the
potentials of their respective peoples" on such areas as management,
education, public health, agriculture, women, finance and infrastructure.

  A journalists' training programme will also be added to the technical
package for Burma on the request of the editor of its only English-language
newspaper.

  Ramos noted there are currently six Burmese and five Laotian diplomats
attending an eight-week training about the regional grouping, the ASEAN
Free Trade Area, and the World Trade Organisation.

  The diplomats also will receive special instruction on the English
language under the Department of Foreign Affairs Service Institute.

  ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand,
Vietnam and Singapore. Laos and Burma were inducted into the regional
group in July, despite criticism from Western governments.

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

BUSINESS STANDARD: UNOCAL, PAHARPUR LINK-UP FOR RS 1580CR HALDIA UNIT
November 11, 1997
Pradeep Puri 

NEW DELHI--  The multinational integrated energy resource company, Unocal,
has tied up with Paharpur Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd, a subsidiary of
Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd, and the West Bengal state government to set up
a Rs 1580-crore ammonia-urea plant at Haldia. While both Paharpur and Unocal
will each have a 45 per cent stake in the project, West Bengal will hold
the balance 10 per cent.

  The project will have a capacity to produce 1350 tonnes per day of
ammonia and 2200 tpd of urea. Being governed by the retention price
scheme, the promoters will be paid a cost-plus price for the urea
produced at the plant.

  The project would be based on import of natural gas "from neighbouring
countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar " where Unocal has substantial
presence. However, till the arrangements for the import of gas are tied
up, it is proposed to use naphtha as feedstock, managing director of
Paharpur Fertilisers and Chemicals A K Mukhopadhyay told the Business
Standard yesterday.

  He said the project proposal has already been submitted to the Central
government and the promoters have sought the requisite clearance and
naphtha linkage.

  Mukhopadhyay emphasised that naphtha would be used as a feedstock only
for a year or two 'till we start getting gas'. However, he said, even
this option would work out quite economical for the government since the
plant could be given naphtha from the 'refinery next door'. This way the
government would be making a saving of Rs 15 crore every year on
transportation of naphtha which would help it cut down on ballooning
fertiliser subsidy.

  Besides the proximity to the source of naphtha, Haldia has the
advantage of being located in a state that does not have any worthwhile
urea-manufacturing facility. Therefore, the project would have a ready
market. Unocal has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary, called Unocal
Bharat Ltd, in India. Besides supplying gas and liquid fuel in the
country, the Indian subsidiary also plans to develop low-cost power
projects and set up energy related infrastructure.

  Unocal Corporation has 87 million tonnes of oil and 192,000 million
cubic metres of gas reserves all over the world. It produces 31,200
tonnes of oil per day and 50 million cubic metres of gas per day.
Moreover, its power plants produce 4,500 mw across the globe.

  Unocal is also the world's largest producer of geo-thermal energy for
electricity generation.

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

XINHUA: ASEAN BUSINESS FORUM DELEGATION VISITS MYANMAR
November 10, 1997

YANGON (Nov. 10) XINHUA - A 43-member ASEAN Business Forum delegation led by
Ajit Singh, secretary general of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), arrived here today to explore business cooperation
between the regional grouping and Myanmar. 

It is the second time for Singh to visit Myanmar since the country was
admitted into the ASEAN along with Laos in July. Singh last visited the
country in September.

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

XINHUA: JAPAN PROVIDES GRANT AID TO MYANMAR ORGANIZATIONS
November 10, 1997

YANGON (Nov. 10) XINHUA - Japan will give nearly 200,000 U.S. dollars to
local Myanmar organizations in grant aid to help rural development projects
and agricultural education, according to a press release by the Japanese
embassy here today. 

Contracts were signed here today between the Japanese ambassador to Myanmar
and these organizations. 

According to the contracts, some 57,000 U.S. dollars was provided to
associations of Baptist churches for their integrated rural development
projects in the Thantlang and Kalaymyo areas of Sagaing division. 

The rest of the money was extended to the OSICA-International and Education
Uplifting Association of Greater Pakhangyi for their agricultural education
training program and construction project in Pakhangyi. 

Japan also extended to Myanmar in June about 16.5 million U.S. dollars used
for debt relief.

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

DOW JONES: PREMIER OIL TO ANNOUNCE NEW GAS FIND IN BURMA
November 10, 1997

 Premier Oil Shares Gain 4% To Trade At New Record High

  LONDON (AP-Dow Jones)--Positive comment in the weekend press on future
prospects for oil exploration company Premier Oil PLC (U.PMO) helped the
FTSE 250 stock rise more than 4% Monday morning.

  The share's gain on volumes just over 1 million follows a recent 'buy'
reiteration from broker Robert Fleming. That note was featured in The Sunday
Times newspaper.

  At 1127 GMT, the stock was trading at 55.5 pence, up 2.25 pence at new 
record high.

  Fleming analysts rated the stock 'cheap relative against the sector.' The
group has been judged on its past performance rather than its future 
prospects, especially on the exploration side, they conclude, and they 
set an 80 pence price target by the end of 1998.

  Premier shares were languishing at 30 pence at the beginning of the year.

  For a long time, the company was considered to have the worst exploration
record in the sector. Indeed, last year the group failed to strike oil in 35
exploration wells.

  Over the last year Premier has made strides refocusing its business, with
some successes, particularly in Asia.

  For example last week, rumors suggested that the group was poised to 
announce a potentially significant natural gas find in the Yetagun field 
area, around 150 miles off the coast of Burma, industry sources have 
revealed.

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

RANGOON RADIO MYANMAR: KHIN NYUNT WARNS NLD NOT TO 
ENGAGE IN UNDESIRABLE ACTS 
November 5, 1997

The closing ceremony of Special Refresher Course No.29 for basic
education teachers was held at the Mingalar Hall of the Central Institute
of Civil Services in Hlegu Township at 1500 this afternoon.  Lt. Gen. Khin
Nyunt, chairman of Myanmar [Burma] Education Committee and Secretary-1 
of the State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC], attended the 
ceremony and delivered an address.
SLORC Secretary-1 Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt remarked, recently the so-called
party leaders from a major political party [National League for Democracy
-- NLD] have put personal matters at the forefront of party politics.
The secretary-1 pointed out that recently officials of a major political
party have 
started acting randomly disregarding the government's systematic and legal 
arrangements.  He remarked such acts that implied confrontation and 
opposition to the government must not be committed and reminded the so-
called party leaders placing their personal affairs in the fore should not
commit 
such undesirable acts.
He told the teacher trainees to guide the students to participate in the 
movements of the Union Solidarity and Development Association [USDA]
that is creating opportunities for youths to take active part in
nation-building 
tasks.
In conclusion, he asked the teachers to participate fully in the successful 
implementation of the political, economic, and social objectives of the
State; to 
strive for bringing about intellectuals and technocrats on whom the State could 
rely for materializing a peaceful, modern, and developed nation; to guide the 
student youth to prevent with patriotic spirit the various acts conspired by 
internal elements in collusion with external elements to destabilize the State 
and to hinder and obstruct nation-building tasks; and to organize the student 
youth to take part in successful implementation of programs of national 
interests of the USDA.

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

THE STRAITS TIMES: PROGEN PLANS TO USE LISTING PROCEEDS TO EXPAND BUSINESS 
November 8, 1997 [abridged]
By Patrick Tan 

AIR-CONDITIONING and ventilation systems supplier Progen Holdings plans to
use the proceeds from its planned Sesdaq listing to fund business expansion. 

Market sources expect the company to offer fewer than 25 million shares in
its initial public offering which will be launched on Monday. DBS Bank is
the issue's lead manager. 

Progen managing director Lee Eng said more than $1.5 million from the
net proceeds would be invested in a manufacturing joint venture to make
low-noise fans, cooling towers and control panels in Singapore. 

"We would now like to concentrate more on manufacturing," he told The
Straits Times yesterday. 

The funds would also be used to pay off part of the costs of building a $22
million plant in Woodlands. The plant was completed last month and it would
be used to house all of Progen's operations under one roof. 

The homegrown company plans to expand its operations in Indonesia, Malaysia
and Myanmar to capitalise on the region's infrastructure demands. 

Progen started in 1981 as a contractor involved in the installation of
air-conditioning and ventilation systems for public and private industrial
and commercial buildings.  

Over the years, it has expanded into Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei,
Sri Lanka and the Philippines. 

It has also ventured into providing after-sales maintenance services, and
distributing its products in Australia, South-east Asia, Japan and Europe. 

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

BKK POST: GOVERNOR TO RULE IN TEAK - IMPORT SCANDAL
November 12, 1997

Integrity of customs officials under doubt

Mae Hong Son --The provincial governor will decide whether customs officials
had observed legal procedures in allowing the recent imports of processed
teak wood worth millions of baht from Burma.

Pol Col Amnuay Disdayadej, superintendent of Muang police station, said he
has asked the governor to rule on the matter.

He said access was being sought to documents involving timber imports from
the provincial forestry office, the customs office and the commerce
department for consideration.

Muang district police last week confiscated 2,800 cubic feet of processed
teak wood from four trucks near the border.

The wood was being ferried from Ho Mong in Burma's Shan State via Ban Ton
Phuneng in Muang district by the SPA Richwood Co and some customs officials.

However, the company and the officials were found to be carrying no
certificates of origin or other documents to verify the imports, according
to police.

The officer said the wood would be returned to the customs office if it can
be proved the timber was being imported legally.

But he insisted that customs officials had failed to observe the legal
procedures.

"Although they insisted they were following proper procedures they could not
produce any documents to back their claims," Pol Col Amnuay said.

Suwachai Sarukul, one of the customs officials escorting the teak trucks,
remained adamant that the processed teak was being legally imported from Burma.

Meanwhile, angry villagers blocked roads and threw stones at police and
reporters after local authorities seized a large quantity of illegally
processed wood found in their villages yesterday.

Some 300 villagers of Ban Koko and Ban Namdip in Mae Sot district of Tak
province protested against the seizure by using farm trucks and tents to
block two main roads leading to their villages.

The protesters demanded that the authorities withdraw their men from the
areas and stop taking action against log poachers.

The protest followed raids by some 100 forestry officials and local police
who seized a large quantity of illegally processed teak wood from 12
families in the two villages.

According to police, the villagers have been making their living by
illegally felling teak trees in the Mae Lamoh reserve forest.

The logs would be processed into wood which they would use to build teak
houses for sale, the police said.

The protest turned violent when some villagers threw stones and other hard
objects at the police.

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

JEWELRY NEWS ASIA: NEWS BRIEFS
[excerpts only]

STUDY FARM TO CULTIVATE SOUTH SEA IN MYANMAR
May 1, 1997

A trial farm to cultivate South Sea pearls has been set up in Myanmar by
Tasaki Shinju Co Ltd in Kobe, Japan.

  "A contract was signed in March 1997 with the government in Myanmar
to set up a study farm for the cultivation of South Sea pearls," president
of Tasaki Shinju, Shunsaku Tasaki, said.

  "The farm is situated in western Myanmar in the Indian Ocean. Water
quality is ideal for pearl cultivation because the area is rich in plankton.

  "The trial project will take two years and if results are positive, we
plan to set up a company in Myanmar," Mr Shunsaku said.

  Myanmar used to produce South Sea pearls in good quality until the past 20
years when pearl production decreased in quantity, quality and size, South
Sea pearl wholesalers said.

  Pearls from Myanmar are white to pinkish in colour and pinkish pearls are
rare and highly price in the market, they said.
			------------------------
 
MYANMAR
May 1, 1997

  In Myanmar, estimated production increased 25.7 percent to 4.33 kan and
quality improved in 1996 compared with 1995, director of Myanma Pearl
Enterprise (MPE) in Yangon, Win Maung, said. "The increase is mainly because
more oysters were collected from natural oyster beds in open waters and
fewer oysters died. Quality of South Sea pearls improved mainly because of
the better water quality.

  "Production in 1997 is expected to increase 27 percent to 5.5 kan," he said.

  General manager of MPE, Khin Nyunt, said: "Most of the production ranges
from 12mm to 17mm. As the quality is better, the average price of a gram
increased to US$160. In good quality South Sea pearls, rounds account for 10
percent; baroque, 20 percent; and drops, 70 percent. In colour, South Sea
pearls in silver account for 60 percent and gold 40 percent. Pearls with a
clean surface are 40 percent."

  Mr Win Maung said Myanmar has six pearl farms, mostly located in the
Taninthayi Archipelago, previously known as Mergui, in the south of Myanmar,
near the border with Thailand. Three of the farms are state-owned and three
are joint ventures between companies in Myanmar and companies in other
countries including Japan. Most of the farms collect oysters for cultivation
from natural oyster beds in open waters.

  "MPE is part of the Ministry of Mines in Yangon. We provide training for
technicians and divers and we have established a laboratory to develop
farming techniques.

  "To increase production of South Sea pearls in Myanmar, the government in
Myanmar has invited investment from companies in Myanmar and overseas," he said.
			----------------------

SWAROGEM ADDS RUBIES, SAPPHIRES
June 1, 1997

A line of machine-cut natural coloured gemstones has been launched by
Swarogem, a division of D. Swarovski & Co in Wattens, Austria.

  "The new products are round sapphires and rubies 1mm to 3mm in 56-facet
brilliant cut," product manager of Swarovski, Stephen Kahler, said. "Plans
are to expand to princess-cut sapphires and rubies from 1.75mm to 3mm."

Supply of ruby rough is from Myanmar and sapphires from Australia and
Madagascar. "We have reliable suppliers and are increasing and
diversifying sources of rough supplies," he said.
			--------------

DEGUSSA AG JOINT JEWELRY VENTURE IN BURMA
August 1, 1997

  A 650-square-metre plant for refining and assaying precious metals in
Gemopolis in Bangkok, JJ-Degussa (T) Ltd, was established as a joint
venture between Degussa AG in Frankfurt, Germany and Jebsen & Jessen (SEA)
Pte Ltd in Thailand in November 1996 and is scheduled to begin production in
August 1997, managing director of JJ-Degussa (T), Volker Schmidt, said.

Degussa chose Thailand to establish a refinery because the country had a
developed industry but lacked good refining and assaying services of
international standard; and also because of Thailand's proximity to
manufacturing centres in Asia including Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and
Laos. "The joint venture has trading offices in Vietnam and Myanmar which
will help us enter those markets. While Laos and Cambodia are new markets,
potential for sales growth is high," Mr Schmidt said.
			---------------------

LOTUS DIAGEMS: SELLING MORE IN US WITH DIRECT MAIL
November 1, 1996

To increase sales in the United States, diamond manufacturer, Lotus Diagems
in Hong Kong, plans to expand its sales office in New York in 1997.

  "The United States is a potential market for coloured diamonds and we plan
to increase sales through direct mail and other marketing campaigns," owner
of the company, Vikas Jain, said.

  Lotus Diagems buys polished from wholesalers in India and treats the
diamonds at its laboratory in New York to produce the desired colours.

  Lotus Diagems also supplies rubies from Myanmar in beads and cabochons.

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

SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0205(I)
November 12, 1997 [excerpts]

(3)             1997 Annual Programme Review Meeting of Myanmar-UNICEF
Country Programme of Co operation 1996-2000
                The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its Myanmar
partner agencies are holding the 1997 Annual Programme Review meeting of the
Myanmar-UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation 1996-2000 at the Department
of Medical Research on 11 and 12 November. The Myanmar-UNICEF Country
Programme of Cooperation for the Period 1996-2000 consists of six programmes
and 17 projects with the total budget of US $ 32.5 million from UNICEF
General Resources and an additional US $ 23.5 million to be raised in
Supplementary Funds for the five-year programme cycle.

(4)             CSO Dy D-G Leaves for Thailand
                U Aung Myint Thein, Deputy Director-General of Central
Statistical
Organization, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development left
Yangon for Thailand on 11 November to attend the working group meeting of
statistical experts sponsored by the ESCAP. The meeting will be held from 11
November to 14 November.

(5)             38 Fishermen Rescued by Total Myanmar Ships
                Thirty-eight fishermen were rescued by ships of companies
working with Total Myanmar Exploration and Production (TMEP) in Myanmar
waters following a storm in the Bay of Bengal early on 11 November.

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

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

November 4, 1997

EFFECTIVE, TIMELY REPAIR OF ROADS, BRIDGES DESTROYED BY  
HEAVY RAINS STRESSED

YANGON, 3 NOV - A meeting was held today for effective and timely repair 
of roads and  bridges in Bago Division destroyed by heavy rains.

 Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo
said efforts should be  made to effectively repair some of the sections of
Bago-Zeyawady Road of Yangon-Mandalay  Highway destroyed by heavy rains.
 Damaged bridges and damaged sections of Zaungtu-Taikkyi Road and
Letpadan-Hinthada Road  should be rebuilt, he said. The two roads are under 
construction at present. He urged them to strive to complete Myitmakha River 
Bridge as scheduled and to put forward  requirements.

 They also briefed the meeting on allotment of funds and progress in building
Zaungtu-Taikkyi Road,  joined in by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw
Tun. Director-General U Pe Than of Waterways Administration Department 
reported on measures to  be taken to prevent bank erosion at Myitmakha during 
the rainy season and future programmes.

 Secretary of Bago Division Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Col Htein
Win and Chairman  of Thayawady District Law and Order Restoration Council
Lt-Col Myint Than explained plans to  repair damaged parts of Zaungtu-
Taikkyi Road and Letpadan-Hinthada Road in cooperation with  PW beginning 
first week of January 1 998.

November 7, 1997

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION TO BUILD 2,000-TON  
SUGAR MILL NEAR TABUHLA DIVERSION WEIR

YANGON, 6 NOV - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Lt-Gen Myint - 
Aung inspected  cultivation and production of crops and departmental functions 
in the townships west of Bago  Division today. On his way to Tabuhla 
Diversion Weir east of Okkan, Taikkyi Township, he inspected monsoon  
paddy fields. After inspecting the weir's regulation of water, he selected
the site 
for construction of a sugar mill of  Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise.

 Meeting the managing director of MSE and officials, the minister gave
suggestions on the plans for  water supply to the new sugar mill and
sugarcane farms, reclamation of land for expansion of  sugarcane cultivation
acreage, use of machinery in farming and distribution of quality strains.

 The new sugar mill capable of milling 2,000 tons per day to be built near
Tabuhla Diversion Weir is  covered by the ministry's project to establish
nine new sugar mills this year.

November 8, 1997

CHIEF OF STAFF (ARMY) RECEIVES COMMANDER OF LANZHOU  
MILITARY COMMAND OF CHINESE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY

YANGON, 7 NOV Chief of Bureau of Special Operation Chief of Staff (Army)
Lt-Gen Tin  Oo received Commander of Lanzhou Military Command of the 
Chinese People's Liberation Army  General Liu Jingsong and goodwill 
delegation at Zeya Thiri Beikhmam on Konemyittha at 2 pm  today.

 Present also were Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung 
Than, Chief of Staff  (Navy) Commodore Nyunt Thein, Chief of Staff (Air) 
Brig-Gen Kyaw Than, Director of Artillery  and Armour Brig-Gen Lun Thi 
and Director of Defence Industries Brig-Gen Khin Maung Win.

 The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of PRC Mr Liang Dong and 
Military Attaché  Senior Col He Yaokui.

MINISTRY FOR PBANRDA TO PURCHASE $ 6.4M MACHINERY  FOR 
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

YANGON, 7 Nov-The Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National 
Races and  Development Affairs today signed a contract with Kanematsu 
Corporation of Japan and Xuzhou  Construction and Machinery Group Import 
and Export Co Ltd of the People's Republic of China  for hire-purchase of 
heavy machinery for border region development projects.

 The Ministry for PBANRDA will purchase 30 bulldozers and three excavators
from Kanematsu  Corporation and 30 rollers, 100 tippers, 10 water carriers
and 10 bowsers from Xushou  Construction and Machinery Group Import and
Export Co Ltd. The total value of machinery will be $ 6.4 million.

November 10, 1997

SECRETARY-L ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY OF MYANMAR  
INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL THILAWA (MITT)

YANGON, 9 Nov - The opening ceremony of Myanmar International Terminal
Thilawa  (MITT) was held at the Terminal Thilawa in Kyauktan Township at 
3.45 pm today, attended by  Secretary:1 of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

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