The BurmaNet News - 28 January, 199

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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
   
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The BurmaNet News: January 28, 1998
Issue #922

HEADLINES:
==========
BKK POST: OFFICIALS AIM TO SETTLE FEUD OVER BURMA
ABSDF PRESS RELEASE: POLICE CHIEFS FORCED TO RESIGN IN
REUTERS: MYANMAR SAYS HEROIN, OPIUM SEIZURES UP IN
BKK POST: CHARTER DRAWN
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN: SHAN FACE POVERTY OR ETHNIC
BKK POST: ARMY CHIEF TRIES TO SOLVE FISHING ROW
AP: PLANE CARRYING 44 PEOPLE CRASHES IN BURMA, AT
BKK POST: ACTIVISTS FACE ARREST THREAT
THE HINDU: UN MISSIONS TO CAMBODIA, MYANMAR DRAW A
NEW YORK TIMES: ECONOMIC CRISIS IS PROOF THAT ASIANS
KNU: ATROCITIES BY THE SPDC
SDU & SSA: AMNESTY LAW APPEAL
ANNOUCEMENTS:
THAI ACTION COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN BURMA
AUSTRALIA MON ASSOCIATION
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BKK POST: OFFICIALS AIM TO SETTLE FEUD OVER BURMA
27 January, 1998
by Achara Ashayagachat

BRITISH PROPOSAL UNDER DISCUSSION

Thai and British officials are exploring a compromise between
Asian and European governments over Burma's participation in the
second Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in April, foreign ministry
sources said yesterday.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European
Union, which are core organisers of the ASEM, have yet to resolve
a bitter feud over Burma's standing in the two grouping's joint
activities.

The EU withdrew from a scheduled meeting in Bangkok last November
after negotiations broke down.

ASEAN, which admitted Burma as a full member last July, insisted
that all its partners sit "at the same table" in the ASEAN-EU
cooperation committee meeting.

The EU maintained that Rangoon should be allowed  only a "passive
presence" due to the ruling military regime's poor human rights
record.

In a bid to c] ar the air before the second ASEM in London,
Britain has proposed that Burma attend smaller ASEAN-EU meetings
with the least possible formality, foreign ministry sources said.

The proposal is under discussion but ASEAN continues to stand
firm on its position that Burma take part in ASEAN-EU meetings as
a full member not as an observer, the sources added.

Thai foreign ministry officials stressed that the problem was one
of principle, and one that required a solution as such. They said
that if merely a technical solution were found, the problem of
Burma's participation in the two groupings' activities would
continue to recur.

Thailand is involved in the discussions as a coordinator for the
ASEAN participants of ASEM.

ASEM brings together the 15 member states of the EU, seven ASEAN
member states- Brunei, Indonesia,

Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam - as
well as China, Japan and South Korea.

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

ABSDF PRESS RELEASE: POLICE CHIEFS FORCED TO RESIGN IN BURMA
27 January, 1998

Burma's military regime, the State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) has forced five police chiefs to resign and sacked the
Rangoon Division police chief, according to sources in Rangoon.

Myo Tint, a former army lieutenant-colonel, was forced to resign
as Rangoon police chief on 2 January after being appointed to the
position at the beginning of 1995. Sources in Rangoon say Myo
Tint is a member of a faction of three generals - Htun Kyi, Kyaw
Ba and  Myint Aung - who are all now being held in custody in
Rangoon by the Military Intelligence Service.

Five other police chiefs based around the country have been
forced to resign. The SPDC forced the five to take their pensions
early. The five are Police Chief Sein Win of northern Shan State;
Police Chief Soe Tint of Chin State, Police Chief Myat Soe of
Karen State; Police Chief Hla Ni of Kayah (Karenni) State; and
Police Chief Tin Aung of Pegu Division.

At the same time, the deputy-police chiefs and personal
assistants who served under these five chiefs have been 
interrogated by the authorities.

Sources in Rangoon say the SPDC acted against the police chiefs
and other police officials accusing them of bad administration
and blaming them for an increase in crime across the country.

Railway Police Chief Sein Htun Aung, who is a brother-in-law of
General Khin Nyunt and who is infamous for his corruption, was
not included among those targeted by the authorities.

Central Committee
All Burma Students' Democratic Front

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

REUTERS: MYANMAR SAYS HEROIN, OPIUM SEIZURES UP IN 1997
27 January, 1998
       
YANGON - Myanmar (Burma) said on Tuesday that its anti-narcotic squads
seized a total of 1,401 kgs (3,082 lbs) of heroin and 5.03
million amphetamine tablets in 1997. 

 Also seized were 7,884 kgs (17,345 lbs) of opium and 288 kgs (633.6 lbs)
of marijuana, according to a report released by the Central Committee for
Drug Abuse Control. 

It said the total amount of drugs seized last year was much bigger than in
1996, when 504 kgs (1,108.8 lbs) of heroin, 1,300 kgs (2,860 lbs) of opium
and 263 kgs  (578.6 lbs) of marijuana were seized. 

 The street value for a kilogram (2.2 lbs) of heroin was $1.5 million in
Tokyo and $2.0 million in New York, a committee spokesman told Reuters. 

Myanmar authorities took action against 5,361 persons, including 915 women,
in connection with 3,864 drug-related cases last year, the report said. 

In 1996, action was taken against 5,540 persons, including 1,013 women, in
3,771 drug-related cases, it said.

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

BKK POST: CHARTER DRAWN
26 January, 1998 
by Cheewin Sattha

MAE HONG SON - Burmese resistance group leaders attended a 
two-week brainstorming session in the nation's Kayah State to draw up
their draft constitution.

The event, which ended yesterday, was organised by the National
Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) the umbrella organisation
for the opposition groups, said a border official.

About 40 representatives from leading resistance groups,
including the Shan State Army and the Karenni National
Progressive Party, attended the meeting opposite Khun Yuam
district.

After the draft is completed, the NCUB plans to send copies to
other ethnic minority groups in Burma and foreign organisations.

The source said the Burmese government has been drafting the new
charter for five years but there has so far been little progress,
prompting anti-Rangoon groups to do their own.

The ruling junta has also tried to convince some ethnic groups
such as the Shan United Revolutionary Army  to surrender.

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

THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN: SHAN FACE POVERTY OR ETHNIC CLEANSING
25 January, 1998
by Ron Corben in Bangkok

Human rights abuses by Burmese troops in the northern Shan region have
forced thousands of villagers from their homes, driving many to poverty 
and despair in Thailand.

The abuses, including massacres and forced relocation of Shan villagers, 
has resulted in the region's rebel armies breaking ceasefire agreements, 
uniting and making hit-and-run attacks on government troops.

Many Shan have fled into Thailand to escape the abuses, only to be caught 
up in poverty and fresh uncertainties.

A refugee aid source in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai told 
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN that the circumstances of Shan in Thailand were
"very dire". The refugees face poverty and unemployment, but "no one can go
home".

Those who had been employed in Thailand's recession-hit building 
industry have not been paid.

If they returned home "they can hide in the jungle but there they 
can be shot on sight", the source said.

Health workers in Thailand say that many of the Shan have no work 
and are trying to survive on just plain rice.

The Shan armies have been often linked with the opium trade -- the 
best known being former drug warlord Khun Sa, who led the Mong Tai 
Army and profited from heroin trafficking.

Khun Sa capitulated in 1996 to the junta and now lives in Rangoon. 
The regime refuses to extradite him to the US, where he is wanted 
due to his opium-trafficking activities.

The Shan, as with other ethnic groups in Burma, have sought greater 
autonomy from Rangoon through long years of fighting, with ceasefire 
agreements coming amid official promises of development.

The country's military junta, now known as the State Peace and 
Development Council, has increasingly militarised the Shan region.

A decision by the armies -- the Mong Tai Army, the Shan United 
Revolutionary army and the Shan State National Army -- to unite 
came during a breakdown in talks with Rangoon.

American journalist Jeanne Hallacy, whose documentary, entitled 
Burma Diary, was recently released, said that moves by the armies 
to unite had begun "as far back as mid 1997".

"There was a state of confusion after Khun Sa's surrender over what 
would happen if the MTA split," said Ms Hallacy, who met with Shan 
commanders inside the region last year.

Roadworks in the Shan region have gone ahead using forced labour 
provided by 80,000 people pressed to leave their crops and village homes.

"People have been seen (on the road sides) literally begging for 
food," Ms Hallacy said.

Under the relocation program, troops give villagers three days to 
evacuate their homes. The houses are then burnt to the ground and 
those who return are shot on sight.

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

BKK POST: ARMY CHIEF TRIES TO SOLVE FISHING ROW
27 January, 1998 
by Uamdao Noikorn & Wasana Nanuam

A longstanding Thai-Burmese  dispute over illegal fishing in
Burmese waters by Thais is likely to be settled soon as Rangoon
has offered to revive its relations with Bangkok based on
transparency. 

A significant progress was seen yesterday after a meeting between
top officials of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and
the army chief, Gen Chettha Thanajaro, who visited Burma last
week.

"The offer by the Burmese government is a very good sign for
Thailand. The fishery industry is very important here and I'm
sure Thais don't want to lose this big fishing ground," Gen
Chettha said in a press conference yesterday.

A newly formed committee will start working out proposals and
measures to curb rogue Thai fishing boats for submission to the
ministry in 15 days.

The committee is made up of the ministry's deputy
director-general Kookiat Suwannalak and representatives of its
Department of Fisheries and the armed forces.

It is expected future talks with Burma would be fruitful since
this was the first time the armed force had agreed to lend a
hand. Previous talks yielded little success partly due to Thai
fishing operators' reluctance to play by the rule and the
country's lax law enforcement.

Rangoon has warned its renewed relations with Thailand would be
successful only with a clear-cut policy and strong commitment
from the Thai side, said Gen Chettha.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Virat Rattanaset yesterday admitted
the bad image of Thai fishermen posed a major obstacle to future
talks with Rangoon, citing the fact Thais, whether intentionally
or not, have continued to fish outside their concessioned areas
in Burma.

Mr Virat also planned to look into a report on Burma's refusal to
accept concession payment in baht following the economic downturn
in Thailand, insisting on being paid in US dollars only.

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

AP: PLANE CARRYING 44 PEOPLE CRASHES IN BURMA, AT LEAST 7 KILLED
27 January, 1998

RANGOON, Burma - A passenger plane crashed and caught fire today while
trying to take off from a city on Burma's west coast.

Authorities said at least seven people died. 

Three foreigners two French citizens and one Italian were among the dead,
 according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The victims'
names were not made public. 

Authorities said the plane, operated by the state-owned Myanmar Airways,
was  taking off from Thandwe, 150 miles northwest of Rangoon, when it
suddenly swerved to the right on the runway. 

The Fokker Friendship F-27 crashed, catching fire after most of the
passengers were evacuated, the officials said. 

Seven people were reported killed and several others were injured. 

Thandwe is near a Ngapali, a beach resort on the Bay of Bengal.

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

BKK POST: ACTIVISTS FACE ARREST THREAT
27 January, 1998
by Chakrit Ridmontri & Suebpong Unarat

Thong Pha Phum police are ready to arrest conservation group
members camping out in a Kanchanaburi forest if senior officers
decide the protest has hampered the laying of the Thai-Burmese
gas pipeline.

"We will have to arrest them if our superiors give the order,"
said chief investigator Pol Lt-Col Phichai Pokpong yesterday.

Local police have been on alert since the groups began setting up
camps at an entrance to Huay Khayeng forest to stop tree cutting
and the laying of the pipe.

The project director lodged a complaint with police at the
weekend saying the protesters had made it difficult for the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand to lay the pipe. He asked police
to evict protesters from the site.

Police investigators asked Phinant Chotirosseranee, a core leader
of the groups, to explain her actions yesterday. The information
will be passed to the police commander for further consideration,
said Pol Lt-Col Phichai. 
     
Mrs Phinant insisted the blockade would continue and it was a
constitutional right to be allowed to protest. 

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

THE HINDU: UN MISSIONS TO CAMBODIA, MYANMAR DRAW A BLANK
25 January, 1998 [abridged]
By V. Jayanth

Manila, Jan.24: Two leading emissaries of United Nations agencies were
in Southeast Asia this week, dealing with the crises in Myanmar and
Cambodia. While the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms
Mary Robinson, wound up her visit to Phnom Penh, without getting much
out of Cambodian strongman and co-premier, Mr Hun Sen, the UN
secretary-general's special envoy, Mr. Alvaro de Soto held meetings in
Myanmar with both Ms Suu Kyi and the leader of the junta, Sr. Gen. Than
Shwe.

Sources in Yangoon said the U N envoy spent more than  three hours at
Ms. Suu Kyi's house discussing the situation in the country and exploring
ways to initiate a dialogue to end the political impasse. Mr de Soto
who also met with all top military leaders, said he would submit a
report to the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annnan, on his return to New
York. The sources said that the  UN envoy, during his three day visit,
raised the issues of political stalemate and human rights with the
junta.

All that the envoy revealed was that he was exploring ways of breaking
the deadlock and opening a dialogue between the junta and the
pro-democracy movement as part of national reconciliation. He paid
homage to the former UN Secretary General, U Thant. Opposition
National League for Democracy sources said their senior party leaders,
Mr Tin Oo, presented a set of letters and papers to substantiate their
change in human rights situation. The demand of the NLD is also the
objective of the UN, to open a three way dialogue involving the junta
and, the opposition and the national tribes or races for genuine
national reconciliation.

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

NEW YORK TIMES: ECONOMIC CRISIS IS PROOF THAT ASIANS NEED DEMOCRACY
25 January, 1998

Hong Kong - Philip Tose, chairman of what was until last week Asia's
largest investment bank outside Japan, was one of the biggest fans of what
came to be known as "Asian values."
 
In 1992, one of the boom years, Mr. Tose extolled the virtues of "strong
government- some would call it dictatorship," which delivered "much better
economic growth." His Hong Kong-based Peregrine Investment Holdings Ltd.
went into bankruptcy this Jan.12 because it has placed too large to bet on
one of those strong governments, Indonesia's.
 
He was not alone in his preference for unrepresentative governments
admired for their "efficiency." Other prominent Asian and Western business
leaders shared his admiration for authoritarian countries such as
Indonesia and China, and mocked the "inefficiency" of democracies such as
India and the Philippines.
 
 It is no accident that Indonesia is now suffering the most from the Asian
financial flu. Its causes? A despotic ruler who learned to cash in on his
absolute political control, investors who relied on cronyism instead of
market forces, and a lack of accountability and commonsense financial
controls.
 
Last week, under IMF pressure, President Suharto finally signed on to
economic reforms, including dismantling the monopolies controlled by his
friends and family.
 
Let us hope that the region's economic reckoning and Indonesia's
disastrous path will help put to rest the myth of "Asian values": that
democracy and human rights are "western" concepts inimical both to Asia
and to economic growth. Now across Asia, people increasingly see the
advantages of having open and accountable government and are beginning to
demand it.
 
The countries that have weathered the Asian financial storm best are
democracies- Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan. And those nations that are
in the process of recovering, including South Korea and Thailand, have
done so only after jettisoning their corrupt former regimes through a
democratic process.
 
The first lesson from the Asian crisis is that a government that is not
answerable its people will not be likely to have open markets or the
institutions required to impose discipline to overcome a financial crisis.
 
A second lesson is that guanxi, or connections, are never a substitute for
the rule of law. Why is it a shock to discover that rulers in Indonesia,
Thailand and China had taken advantage of the wealth created by foreign
investment and their own people to line their pockets?
 
It is important for the west to seek not only economic restructuring from
Asia's teetering autocratic regimes, but substantial political reform as
well. A failure to diagnose the need for democratic and accountable
government will bring only more economic misery.
 
[The writer is chairman of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong. He
contributed this comment to New York Times.]

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

KNU: ATROCITIES BY THE SPDC
15 January, 1998 [abridged, English slightly corrected]

News dated 8/1/98. At Papun area, Taw Ta Two district, the SPDC 
Troops infantry battalion 39 entered Kaw Thay Du village and killed a 
Karen civilian Saw Lu Luh who is 22 and he is the son Saw Ler Du. The SPDC
troops also encroached Kaw Thay Du village and detained two Karen unarmed
civilians. One is Saw Ka Neh and the other one is Saw Per Per. The SPDC
soldiers suspected them of being collaborators of the KNU. They were
severely tortured and mistreated. The soldiers cut their leg and hand
joints and cut their blood vessels open and let them bleed to dead.

The SLORC has changed their name to SPDC but their atrocity towards 
unarmed civillians has not changed. The atrocity of the SPDC is 
perpetuating and human rights violations has been increased. The KNU 
will not stand this kind of oppression and atrocity. The KNU said " The
improvement of human rights violation and peace in the country is 
our desire". The SPDC is rejecting peace by killing its own people 
and other nationalities in Burma.

The KNU continues their military activities and political activities 
and joins hands with other democratic forces in order to establish 
genuine federal union, freedom, self determination, equality and 
democracy in Burma.

Office of the Supreme Headquarters, Karen National Union
Kawthoolei

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

SDU & SSA: AMNESTY LAW APPEAL & 50th ANNIVERSARY INDEPEDENCE DAY MESSAGE
26 January, 1998


Date: 21 January 1998

To: 	H. E. Senior General Than Shwe 
              Chairman,
	State Peace and Development Council

	H. E. General Maung Aye
	Vice Chairman,
	State Peace and Development Council

	H. E. Lieutenant -General  Khin Nyunt
	Secretary - 1,
	State Peace and Development Council

	H. E. Lieutenant-General Tin Oo
	Secretary - 2,
	State Peace and Development Council

	H. E.  Dr. Sein Win
	Prime  Minister
	National  Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

	H. E. General Saw Bo Mya
	President
	National  Council  of  the  Union  of  Burma

	H. E. General Shwe Hser
	President
	National Democratic Front

	Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
	General Secretary,
	National League for Democracy

	Khun Htoon Oo
	President,
	Shan Nationalities League for Democracy

Your Excellency / Dear Sir / Dear Madam,

On behalf of the Shan Democratic Union (SDU) and Shan State Army (SSA), and
by extension, the people of Shan State, I respectfully enclose for your
kind attention and wise consideration, a Message on the Occasion of the
50th Anniversary of Independence Day (January 4 1998).

Although the people of Shan State has suffered grievously from military
atrocities and extensive human rights violations -- since the mid-1950s,
which has got progressively worse -- they, like true Buddhists, do not hold
any grudge. Inspired by our people's Buddhist spirit, endurance, and
courage, we are moved to attempt to break the political impasse that has
contributed to the increased the misery of all the people of Burma.  

We cannot believe that those who hold power and leaders who have inspired
the people to strive for better conditions in Burma, are prepared to see
the country destroyed for the sake of pride, narrow ambitions,
self-interest, rancor, and hate.  

Rather, we believe all leaders in, or out of, power are gripped by fear.
Fear is a powerful force, and unless it is disarmed, no leader can do what
he/she knows is necessary.  

To enable all of us, and all leaders, to move away from paralyzing fear and
begin a journey on the path toward dialogue, reconciliation, and peace there
is a need for amnesty, forgiveness for whatever has transpired and for those
who have transgressed. Then, and only then, can those whose minds are
frozen by fear, begin to think rationally and act sanely, and with
compassion and in patriotic spirit.  

To this end, we made an appeal for amnesty, for an Amnesty Law to be
granted all by the only body legitimately authorized to do so -- the
Parliament of 1990. We further believe that only the parliament possesses
the authority to set in motion a process -- one that is accepted by all as
legitimate and right -- of dialogue and reconciliation. 

We believe that the Amnesty Law will assuage the fear of those who have
hitherto refused to accept the Buddhist law of change and impermanence. We
also believe that the passage of an Amnesty Law by a legitimate parliament
will mark the opening of a new chapter in our history, a chapter where
political passions are modified by the rule of law, and the exercise of
power is governed and constrained by the force of law. 

We therefore appeal to you -- personally, and as a leader of men -- to
reach out to fellow and compatriot leaders, and to together set in motion a
process that will bring forgiveness to those who need it, and hope to those
that thirst for the opportunity to rebuild their shattered lives.  

What we ask of you is not, we can safely assume, too much to ask, and not
beyond your power to set in motion.  

Yours, in compassion and with respect, 

Khamzam Payakwong
for
Joint Committee 
Shan Democratic Union-Shan State Army 

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MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY (4
JANUARY, 1998)

1. Today should be appropriate for all the parties concerned, including the
State Peace and Development Council, the National League for Democracy and
the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, to seriously consider working
hand in hand to bring good tidings to our long suffering people.

The piece of news that our people have been longing for urgently day and
night is peace, reconciliation and the end to human rights abuses which
include endless forced labor, forced relocations, plunders, rapes and
killings. If this cannot be conveyed, the extravagant celebrations would
mark nothing other than a meaningless independence which has plunged our
people into an endless living hell.

2. Therefore, for the sake of our people, we would like to present the
following proposal for consideration.

(a) A nationwide dialogue for reconciliation is an absolute necessity. To
be able to convene a nationwide dialogue, we firmly believe that an Amnesty
Law must be promulgated. We the Shans who have suffered very grievously
from military atrocities and ethnic cleansing actions nonetheless support
the offer of amnesty, in the interest of lasting peace, democracy, human
rights and racial harmony.

(b) We believe that the democratically elected Parliament has the
legitimacy and authority to pass an Amnesty Act. No other body has this right.

(c) We believe that professional leaders within the military desire
dialogue and genuine national reconciliation as all other ethnic
nationalities do.

(d) We therefore call upon the State Peace and Development Council to
allow parliament into session with the purpose of ( 1 ) passing an Amnesty
Act and ( 2 ) sanctioning an assembly to be participated in by all ethnic
elected and non-elected leaders, leaders of all social sectors, military and
civil servants as a preparatory body leading to nonviolent national conflict
resolution under the rule of law.

(e) We appeal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy,
the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma and all grassroot
leaders of democratic groups to support our appeal for calling parliament
into session for this stated purpose.

3. We also appeal to world leaders, national governments, the UN, the EU
and ASEAN governments and leaders to constructively engage by assisting the
process of reconciliation leading to Lasting Peace in Burma.

Joint Executive Committee,
Shan Democratic Union - Shan States Army

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

ANNOUCEMENTS:

THAI ACTION COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN BURMA (TACDB)
23 January, 1998

A PLEA TO HELP SAVE CONSERVATIONIST'S LIVES 
IN THE CASE AGAINST THE YADANA GAS PIPELINE
The controversial Yadana gas pipeline project has caused much suffering
to both the Thais and Burmese minorities along the border, as well as
rendered much destruction to the bountiful forested area. The
construction of this 649 kilometers long to bring natural gas from the
Moutaban Bay, off-shore of Burma , has been almost completed both of the
sections in Burma and Thailand. However, due to opposition of
environmental groups and human rights groups in Thailand, as well as
from international organizations, the construction of the section that
will destroy a large part of a National Park in Thailand to pave a road
of 8.4 Kms with 20 meters wide has been delayed since last 21 Dec., when
50 activists and locals camped out there to guard the forest.

The conservation groups asked the government and the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand to review the projects for both the environmental
and human rights reasons. 

First, researches have confirmed that the forest is so important to the
surrounding environment. Many rare animals have been found living in the
area including wild elephants, smallest bats, and a special kind of
crab. Second, the project has been known to involve gross human rights
abuse by the SLORC against the minorities living along the pipeline
route, who have been forced to be labour in the project. Moreover, the
pipeline was intentionally routed to pass to through strongholds of the
minorities as the Burmese troops expected that the Thai officials will
help them in the ethnic cleansing operation since the project is a joint
venture between the Thai and Burmese authorities. Most importantly, the
huge revenue from selling natural gas from the biggest sources ever
found in Burma, will eventually be used to buy arms to strengthen
SLORC's  armies which have categorically prevented democracy from taking
place in Burma. 

It was reported today (21 Jan.98) that the delay of the construction of
the pipeline in Thailand caused by the blockade of the conservationists
has prompted the officers to "hire" and mobilize villagers from the area
and elsewhere to confront with the campers. Once violence breaks out,
some 200 security officers deployed in the area can justifiably
intervened and arrested the campers. Moreover, it was reported that they
are masterminding the kidnap of two prominent leaders of the opposition
group, namely, Ms. Bhinand Jotiroseranee, and Mr. Pibhop Dhongchai.
Several years ago a Thai worker union's leader, Mr. Thanong Bo-arn,
disappeared under the time the country was ruled over by a military
regime. Sources confirmed that he was killed by the officials to
suppress the worker movements.

Environmentalists camping out in the Huay Kae Yong area where the
Thai-Burmese gas pipeline is being built are under threat from the
Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) (See adjoining article).  A
warning has been received by activists in Thailand that the PTT may use
violence to force the closure of the protest camp on January 21 or 22. 
The environmentalists are determined to stay where they are and to
continue to use non-violence. Their camp is situated at KM27 and in the
warning received  the use of violence and the force of villagers are
being used to threaten those in the camp.  Dialogue is currrently
underway between representatives of the Prime Minsters office and
conservationists regarding the threats against those in the camps.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Immediately fax PTT and make it clear that the international community
is watching what happens to those in the camps.  This is an
international issue in that PTT  and Unocal are involved in this project
together. Any violence used against them will be strongly  condemned by
the international community. That this is not Burma but Thailand and any
kind of violence used on innocent people will hurt the image of Thailand
and is not acceptable.

Fax the Prime Minister's office and state your concerns of the safety to
those in the camps and that should any violence occur to those in the
camps all companies will be held responsible and will be severely
condemned by the international community which includes the
international campaigns focussed on the oil and gas industry in Burma. 
Under the new Thai constitution the people of Thailand have the  right to
voice opposition and to use violence against them will not only damage
Thailand's image abroad but hurt the "Amazing Thailand" tourism
promotion. 

Fax Unocal both in the US and in Thailand and let them know that if
anything happens to those in the blockade they will be held just as
responsible as PTT.  Urge restraint in all faxes and push for dialogue. 

CONTACTS:

PTT:  MR. PALA SOOKAWESS (GOVERNOR)
          MR. PITI YAMPRASERT. (He is responsible for this project)
          Fax # +66 2 5374389

PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND'S OFFICE:
Fax: +66 2 2801443

Unocal Thailand
VP of Planning, Patrick Murphy
Fax: +66-2-545-5554

Unocal Headquarters, El Segundo, California
CEO, Roger Beach
Fax: 310-726-7802

Please write along the line of this information and mail/fax it to 
1.  The Prime Minister of Thailand, Bangkok, Fax +662-2801443, 2812536,
2825131
2.  The Governor of Petroleum Authority of Thailand, Vibavadi-Rangsit
Road, Bangkok 10900, fax +662-5373498-9
and ask them not to use violence against the peaceful protest, and
suspended the pipeline project due to the above reasons. 

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AUSTRALIA MON ASSOCIATION
23 January, 1998

MON MEDIA

THE FIRST MON FOOD SHOP IN AUSTRALIA

The Australia Mon Association (AMA) participated in the National
Multicultural Festival on 17 February 1998, organised by the the National
Ethnic Council of ACT Inc.  It was held in Canberra, the capital city of
Australia. AMA opened a 'Mon Food Shop' in the heart of city. We sold
traditional Mon food, T-shirts and postcards.

 In the evening ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell visited the AMA. Nearly 200
guests visited the shop and received many questions from the guests (i.e.
"Where do you come from? What is the Mon?). 

AMA is the first Mon Association in Australia. It was founded in 1996. AMA
is sponsored by the Mon people in Thailand and Thai-Burma. 

Hongsa
Information Coordinator
Australia Mon Association