The BurmaNet News - 13 February, 19

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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies
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The BurmaNet News, 13 February, 1998
Issue #934

Noted in passing:

"We just want the respect that should be accorded to the winners of a 
legitimate election and to speak to the authorities as equals, not
inferiors." 
-- U Tin Oo, NLD (see AFP: TACTICS)

HEADLINES:
==========
AAP: FOREIGN DIPLOMATS JOIN AUNG SAN SUU KYI AT HOME
AFP: TACTICS 
OSLO DVB: OVER 100 BURMESE STUDENTS ARRESTED JAN-FEB 
AFP: AUNG SAN SUU KYI THREATENS REGIONAL STABILITY
AFP: EXILED GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR DIALOGUE, END TO
AP: BURMA -KAREN INSURGENTS
SCMP: GLOBAL CONCERN OVER FORCED LABOUR
RADIO MYANMAR: DEPUTY MINES MINISTER VISITS NAMTU
OSLO DVB: BURMESE MINERS STOP WORK, STAGE PROTEST
BKK POST: JUNTA AIMS TO CREATE A NEW MIDDLE CLASS
BKK POST: KHUN SA IS HARD UP, JUNTA CLAIMS
ABSDF MEDIA RELEASE: REFUGEES PROTEST THAI FORCED
REUTERS: FIVE KILLED IN VIOLENCE AHEAD OF INDIAN

Union & Karen National Day Statements:
NLD (LA): 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF UNION DAY DECLARATION
SHAN: PANGLONG DAY MESSAGE
UNLD-LA: ANNOUNCEMENT - 1/98
KNU: PRESIDENT SAW BO MYA'S SPEECH ON GOLDEN JUBILEE
---------------------------------------------------------------- 

AAP: FOREIGN DIPLOMATS JOIN AUNG SAN SUU KYI AT HOME
BURMA ANNIVERSARY 
12 February, 1998

RANGOON -- Foreign diplomats were among about 700 people joining 
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi today to celebrate the 51st 
anniversary of the founding of the Union of  Burma today.

Diplomats from Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Great 
Britain were joined by others from the United States, Japan, 
Thailand, the Philippines and Korea in Union Day celebrations with 
members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) at Suu Kyi's 
lake-side home in Rangoon.

Most Western countries have curtailed diplomatic, military and 
economic contracts with Burma since military authorities cracked 
down on pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988 and ignored the results 
of an election won by Suu Kyi's party in 1990.

Although diplomats were allowed to enter her compound today, 
many of Suu Kyi's Burmese supporters were kept outside by Burmese 
military guards.

Speaking to the gathering, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate 
stressed the need for dialogue between all parties in Burma "to 
address the general crisis of the society".

"Human rights are not to be doled out by the government but it 
is the duty of government to protect them. The struggle for the 
emergence of such a government is the concern of all in the union 
of citizens."

The celebration marked the anniversary of the establishment of 
the Union of Burma on February 12, 1947, when representatives 
from  the country's ethnic minorities signed an agreement granting 
limited autonomy along with Burma's leader at that time, Suu Kyi's 
father, Aung San.

In his own Union Day Message, State Peace and Development 
Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe said the union spirit 
was kept alive with patriotism and national spirit.

But the Burmese military leader warned: "Internal and external 
destructive elements are harming and threatening the sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the Union of Myanmar (Burma) and 
attempting to disrupt the national solidarity with the use of their 
lackeys at a time when the union spirit is flourishing."

He credited the country's military government with "laying 
favourable political, economic and social foundations" and stated 
the new government has been "constituted to further the momentum 
we have gained".

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

AFP: TACTICS 
11 February, 1998
 by Marc Lavine  

YANGON -- Myanmar opposition figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi's 
political party has reached a painful crossroads as it questions its 
strategy after 10 years of battling the ruling junta, analysts say. 
 
Senior figures in her National League for Democracy (NLD) are 
asking whether it is time to change tactics as it becomes clear their 
decade-long struggle has failed to move Yangon towards democracy. 
 
"There is a lot of soul-searching going on within the party at the 
moment over tactic and strategy," an informed source here said. 
 
"There are no doubts over what Suu Kyi and the party want to achieve -- 
freedom and democracy here -- but there are different points of view 
within the leadership over how to get there." 
 
But a senior member of the NLD's decision-making Central Executive 
Council, U Tin Oo, denied the party was split over the issue and 
rebuffed charges that it had become inflexible in its domestic isolation. 
 
The NLD leadership had "no regrets" about any decision it had taken,
he said.
 
But, he said, the party was open to new ideals and was always 
reevaluating its strategy and would consider low-level talks between 
the government and the NLD provided they built up to a summit of 
the leaders. 
 
The NLD, formed by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1988, won 
the country's last general election in 1990 by a landslide only to see 
the results ignored by the ruling State Law and Order Restoration 
Council. 

Since then the party has waged a tenacious but peaceful struggle 
against the generals in a bid to cow them into relenting by halting 
repression and allowing the democratic opposition to take power. 
 
But, despite the imposition of foreign sanctions against Myanmar 
(Burma) and a groundswell of support for the charismatic Aung San 
Suu Kyi from both within and outside the country, the junta's grip 
has remained firm. 
 
"It's clear that there is a lot of discussion between the key leaders 
and in some cases differences of opinions," a foreign source said. 
 
"It is time to at least take a close look at the way they do things 
and to decide whether their very principled but rigid stance towards
the junta is going anywhere," he said. 
 
"It's a valid argument considering that while the NLD position has 
been admirable and sincere, it has done little to end repression even 
if it has managed to help rally world opinion against the junta." 
 
The NLD has refused to make major concessions towards the junta, 
fearing any relaxation would be seen as weakness which could
become the thin end of the wedge in the junta's campaign to neutralise
the vocal opposition. 

Last August, the NLD leadership rejected a round of talks with senior 
government officials as the generals said they would talk to the party 
chairman Aung Shwe, but not to secretary-general Aung San Suu Kyi. 
 
The junta, which analysts say is attempting to create rifts among NLD 
leaders, said it wants talks with all political parties "at chairman level, 
not at secretary-general level." 
 
But some foreign observers here said the outright refusal to allow the 
August talks to go ahead was a "serious political error" which could 
result in claims of intransigence on the part of the NLD. 
 
"Some may find this politically incorrect, but there have been mistakes 
made, so maybe its time for the NLD to alter its course if not its 
destination as at the moment we are locked in a stalemate," one said. 
 
The only way the deadlock will be broken is through dialogue, 
something the junta has repeatedly refused, he added. 
 
"The reality of the matter is that like it or not the government has the 
upper hand and a military mentality which makes reflection and shifts
in stance very unlikely in the foreseeable future." 

Other foreign analysts said the NLD was bound to stick to its guns on
major issues -- including negotiations which may not include Aung 
San Suu Kyi -- to avoid faultlines appearing in its support base both 
here and abroad. 
 
"They stand for what is morally right and for the will of the people and 
its dangerous to say they should bow down to brute force," one said. "It 
would set a precedent for the group's destruction." 
 
U Tin Oo said the "repression continues" and that Yangon was trying to 
divide its leadership. That is why we have said firmly that there cannot
be top-level talks without both Aung Shwe and Aung San Auu Kyi being 
present. 
 
"We just want the respect that should be accorded to the winners of a 
legitimate election and to speak to the authorities as equals, not
inferiors," 
he said. 
 
**********************************************************

OSLO DVB: OVER 100 BURMESE STUDENTS ARRESTED JAN-FEB 
10 February, 1998 [translated from Burmese]

The Democratic Voice of Burma [DVB] has received a report saying 
that over 100 students were arrested in January and early February in 
connection with their demand to reopen universities.  It was learned
that majority of those arrested were involved in the December 1996
student demonstrations and some have been detained in the past.

The students signed a letter calling for the reopening of universities
and the holding of dialogues to find a solution to the political problems. 
They delivered it to Mr. Alvaro de Soto, special United Nations envoy.
Mr. de Soto arrived in Rangoon on 20 January and stayed for three 
days.

It was learned that 18 students were arrested on 23 January for writing
a letter to Mr. de Soto.  Following the arrests, those students who
were involved in the December 1996 student demonstrations and those 
known to be politically active were also detained.  Over 100 students 
have already been arrested as of early February.

Although the list containing the names of those detained is not known,
among those arrested were RIT [Rangoon Institute of Technology] 
graduate Ko Aung Tun and Rangoon University alumnus Ko Soe Moe. 
The two were arrested in 1990.  Ko Aung Tun was jailed for 15 years 
and Ko Soe Moe was jailed for 6 years.

It was learned that leaflets calling for the reopening of universities
and a statement on the December 1996 student demonstrations, staged
by the All-Burma Students Union, are widely distributed in Rangoon.

A leaflet entitled "Let us rise up; let us rise up" by P. K. Prunto
received by DVB says that those conceited people are behaving in a
condescending manner because we are kneeling down. Let us rise up. 
The leaflet concludes that we remain enslaved for so many years 
because we are not aware of our capability.

It was learned that in view of the spiraling prices of commodities and
difficult living conditions, the SPDC [State Peace and Development 
Council] is worried about the prospect of a public uprising similar to 
the one in 1988.

[Democratic Voice of Burma--anti-government radio run by the 
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma]

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

AFP: AUNG SAN SUU KYI THREATENS REGIONAL STABILITY 
AND SECURITY: JUNTA 
11 February, 1998
 
YANGON -- Myanmar  opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize 
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi would pose a threat to Asian peace and 
security if she came to power here, a junta official said. 
 
The democracy figurehead, whose party won the last elections here in 
1990 by a landslide but saw the result ignored by the generals, would 
spark instability and tension by antagonising neighbouring China, he said. 
 
But opposition figures loyal to the oppposition chief dismissed the claim
as "scare-mongering" and said a peaceful government would not threaten
its neighbours. 
 
Her embracing of "western style" democratic ideals, alleged backing 
of  her by western powers and her criticism of China's 1989 bloody 
Tiananmen Square crackdown would force Beijing to defend itself by 
creating a buffer zone of insurgencies between it and  Myanmar, the 
government official said.
 
"If the west managed to put her ladyship into power in  Myanmar 
China would create a buffer because here here back yard would no
longer be secure," the official said. 
 
He said  Myanmar  was in a strategic position between Southeast 
and South Asia, sandwiched between two rival giants, India and 
China. 
 
"During the cold war China supported insurgency groups on our 
borders to make sure it was buffered against India and could do so 
again if it feels in any way  threatened." 
 
The official alleged that Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership would 
worry China as Myanmar (Burma)  is currently the "weak link" 
in an alleged US "containment" policy for China. Yangon is 
"everybody's friend but nobody's ally." 
 
"China regards the region as her backyard and (Aung San Su Kyi) 
wants to prove she is pro-west and anti-China and  Myanmar  will 
then form part of the US containment belt around China, threatening 
Beijing," he said. 
 
"This is not a clever policy as it will just lead to instability in the 
region which nobody wants." 
 
Other elements in the "containment belt" designed to stop China
expanding its influence in the region include India and Vietnam, 
he said. 
 
A leading member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for 
Democracy, U Tin Oo, dismissed the official assertion as "scare-
mongering" and said an NLD government would "pose no threat
to anyone." 
 
 "We would work hard to maintain good ties with all countries," 
he said. 
 
********************************************************
 
AFP: EXILED GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR DIALOGUE, END TO 
MILITARY RULE 
11 February, 1998 [abridged]
 
BANGKOK -- Myanmar's  government in exile called Wednesday for 
political dialogue and lamented the lack of basic human rights on the 
eve of the country's 51st anniversary of national union. 
 
The National Coalition Government of the Union of  Burma  (NCGUB) 
said in a statement issued here that an end to military rule in  Myanmar 
(Burma) was necessary for unity between the country's varied ethnic 
groups. 

"(For) the restoration of unity of all nationalities, it is necessary to 
terminate the military dictatorship," the statement said. 
 
"Therefore it is necessary to hold politically genuine ... dialogue to 
solve the two fundamental political issues ... the ethnic question, and 
the question of democratic rights for all the people," it added. 
 
The NCGUB is made up mostly of MPs who won 1990 elections in  
Myanmar  in a landslide under the umbrella of opposition leader 
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, but fled when 
the military refused to recognise the results. 
 
Their call for dialogue comes on the eve of the country's 51st Union
Day, which marks the signing of an accord between the government 
and the country's ethnic minorities in 1947. 
 
General Aung San, father of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi 
and a leader in the country's struggle for independence from Britain, 
signed an agreement with  Myanmar's  ethnic minorities to work towards 
independence. 
 
**********************************************************
 
AP: BURMA -KAREN INSURGENTS
11 February, 1998

THA KO SUTHA, Burma -- Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 
struggle for autonomy from Burma's  central government, ethnic Karen 
rebels said Wednesday they will not give up their fight - even though 
their war is all but over. 
 
The leader of the Karen National Union, Gen. Bo Mya, told reporters at
his jungle base here that his 12,000-strong army has the will to continue 
fighting and that morale is still high. 
 
At villages and bases inside Burma and at refugee camps inside Thailand, 
Karens held celebrations to mark the day in 1948 when hundreds of 
thousands of their brethren in cities around Burma demonstrated for self-
rule, just one week after Burma became independent of Britain. 
 
The move for autonomy has been led by the Karen National Union - 
KNU which was founded in 1947. Armed struggle began in 1949, and 
Since then, with little respite, the group has carried on against long odds. 
 
Until just over three years ago, the KNU could stake claim to having 
de facto control over large areas of Karen state near the Thai border. 
 
But other ethnic groups, which had been the Karen's allies, made their 
separate cease-fire agreements with  Burma's  military government, 
increasing the pressure on the KNU. In December 1994 the Burmese
army, with the help of a breakaway Karen faction, ousted the KNU 
from its long-time headquarters at Manerplaw, putting the group on 
the run. 
 
A year ago a fresh government offensive flushed the Karen out of their 
new strongholds. Many civilians crossed over into Thailand to take 
refuge. 

On Wednesday, however, some 300 Karen villagers and about 50 
KNU troops came together here on the bank of the Moei River, opposite 
Thailand's Tak province to celebrate with a morning of traditional dances 
and music, followed by a midday church service. Many Karens, especially 
the leaders, are Christians. 
 
One of the youngest guerrillas watching the festivities was 15-year-old 
Naw Gy, who was toting an M-16 rifle almost as tall as himself. 
 
"I don't really know what the day means to me but I'm happy to be here 
watching the parade," he said, explaining that otherwise he would be
out defending the perimeter of the camp, which is the headquarters of 
the KNU's 7th brigade. 
 
Naw Gy said that in a year-and-a-half of combat, he has been in firefights 
four times, and has killed some of the "enemy".
 
About a dozen European missionaries, along with six journalists and 
representatives from other ethnic minority groups also attended the event. 
 
Speaking to reporters, Bo Mya dismissed claims that the KNU is weaker 
than ever, saying that guerrilla warfare has proven fruitful for his troops. 

''In a revolution, you don't lose. You just keep changing your tactics,'' Bo 
Mya said. 
 
Over the past few years, there have been fitful attempts at talks between
the KNU and Burma's military government. 
 
Bo Mya said he will only consider a cease-fire agreement with Rangoon
if the government troops are willing to put down their arms as well. 
 
"Instead they want us to come under their legal fold and put down our 
weapons before any negotiation," he said. 
 
"My troops are stronger than ever," said Bo Mya. "I will never surrender 
to an evil regime. Look at what they have done to the people of  Burma." 
 
Burma's  military junta has been widely criticized by international 
human rights organizations and Western governments for abusing 
the rights of its citizens and failing to move towards democratic rule. 
 
Bo Mya said the human rights abuses in  Burma  are well documented 
but the international community has yet to take drastic measures. 

"The world knows how evil this government is and should not deal with 
them," he said. 
 
One of the oldest soldiers at the ceremony was Akoh, a captain in the 
guerrilla army who has been serving for 50 years. he received a token 
gift from Bo Mya Wednesday in recognition of his service. 
 
"I would like to see the new generation live in peace," he said.
"I've never lived a peaceful life. But I will never quit fighting." 
 
*********************************************************

SCMP: GLOBAL CONCERN OVER FORCED LABOUR 
11 February, 1998
by William Barnes in Bangkok 
 
The International Labour Organisation still hopes to send representatives
to Burma  to investigate reports of widespread forced labour 30 years 
after it started probing the military regime. 
 
Burma's  military Government, a member of the organisation, openly 
admits "voluntary contributions" of labour are vital to its plans to develop 
the country's meagre infrastructure. 
 
But the organisation now fears the population is under more pressure 
than ever because so many people are being coerced into working for 
government projects or into carrying ammunition for army patrols. 
 
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has claimed that parents - outside 
a privileged circle of entrepreneurs and officials - are so poor they are 
sometimes forced to send children to fulfil the forced labour requirement 
so they are free to earn food money. 
 
*************************************************************

RADIO MYANMAR: DEPUTY MINES MINISTER VISITS NAMTU 
SILVER MINE
11 February, 1998 [translated from Burmese]
 
Deputy Minister of Mines U Myint Thein, accompanied by Director U 
Myint Swe and responsible officials, visited the Namtu silver mine site on 
7th February and inspected the open pit, smelter, underground mines, and 
other operations. 
 
The deputy minister met responsible officials and workers in the reception 
hall, discussed production targets for 1997-98 and coordinated measures for 
the distribution of rice and workers' welfare. On 8th February, the deputy 
minister attended and addressed the closing ceremony of Basic Mining 
Training Course No 8 in Namtu and presented diplomas and awards for 
outstanding performance. 
 
*************************************************************

OSLO DVB: BURMESE MINERS STOP WORK, STAGE PROTEST
10 February, 1998 [translated from Burmese]
Report by Aung Khin Than

It has been learned that over 8,000 employees and family members from
Namtu mines in the Northern Shan State have staged a protest through 
work stoppages.  The protesters, in justifying their action, claimed their 
needs for basic food, clothing, and shelter are not met and that they are
deprived of their fundamental rights as workers.

One mine worker said the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council]
Mines Ministry, citing the need to meet targets, increased the miners'
working hours.  The miners now work from 0630 to 1700.

Another worker said they are losing their rights and their low salaries is 
not enough with the present inflation and rising prices of basic 
commodities.

The workers presented an 11-point demand.  They demanded that they 
be allowed to buy rice at 17.50 kyat [Burmese currency unit] per pyi
[approximately 1/16th of a bushel] in order to get a sufficient  quantity
of rice instead of four pyis per worker, that those who take more risk by
working underground be paid 5 kyat an hour, that hospitalization costs
should not be deducted from their wages, that expenses for medicine 
should be reimbursed, that those working on Sundays be paid in full and 
be given a compensatory day off, that the dilapidated workers quarters 
be repaired, and that they be allowed to meet with the mines minister.

In light of the workers' demands, (?21) leaders who represented the
workers met with the chairman of Namtu Township Peace and 
Development Council, the commander from the No. 324 Light Infantry 
Regiment, and the mining officer from Namtu Mines for four hours. 

Although the results of the talks were not immediately known, it was 
learned that the Northeast Military Command and the Mines Ministry 
will try to find a solution to the problem due to fears that the protest 
might become widespread.

At the moment, refined silver ingots from Namtu mines that are ready
for export are being transferred to another place for safekeeping just in
case the situation gets worse which might result in the destruction of 
the Ministry of Mines property by the workers.

The dependent families of Defense Services personnel who are in charge
of security at Namtu mines were given free rations which included rice
and other social assistance during those times when the miners and their
families were experiencing hardships.

The Namtu mines, with over 3,000 workers, is the biggest mining site
in Burma. It produces over 250,000 tons of silver metal from its open 
pits and another 150,000 tons from its underground mines. Moreover, the 
Namtu smelting plant is producing 120,000 tons of refined silver which 
are for export annually.

[Democratic Voice of Burma--anti-government radio run by the National 
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma]

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

BKK POST: JUNTA AIMS TO CREATE A NEW MIDDLE CLASS
12 February, 1998 [abridged]

EXILED GOVERNMENT SAYS SPDC MUST GO

RANGOON, AGENCIES -- Burma's ruling military junta aims to create
a new middle class in the country which is vital for economic revival and 
for democracy to flourish in coming years, a government spokesman
said yesterday. 
     
The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) believes a 
Middle class is necessary before people could engage in a multi-party
democratic system that was envisaged for Burma in the future,
spokesman Colonel Hla Min said.

"We believe that in the coming phase, our new constitution will
be drafted and we will concentrate on our economy. We hope we 
may be able to create a strong middle, class, and in order to do
that, we have to have a stable and strong economy," he said.

The spokesman would not set a time-frame for achieving the
objective, but said: "I stress that a strong middle class is very
important. Without a strong middle class, democracy will not
function."

Most of Burma's 43 million people live in poverty, and there is a
big social gap between them and the relatively small ruling and
business elite.

In Bangkok, Burma's government in exile yesterday called for
political dialogue and lamented the lack of basic human rights on
the eve of the country's  51st anniversary of national union.

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

BKK POST: KHUN SA IS HARD UP, JUNTA CLAIMS
12 February, 1998

LAUNDERING OF DRUG PROFIT RULED OUT

RANGOON, REUTERS -- Burma's military government yesterday
denied speculation that former opium warlord Khun Sa was laundering
ill-gotten money to finance businesses in the capital Rangoon, where he 
now lives.

"We do not know whether he has money deposits in banks in foreign
countries or not, but rumours of Khun Sa laundering money are
totally untrue," said government spokesman Colonel Hla Min.

"The government has even loaned him some money to live on, and
he lives under our supervision.

"Khun Sa used to fight against the government for several years
when more than 720 Myamnar [Burmese] soldiers were killed and
2,300 of them wounded. Do you think he will bring the money -if
he had it - into Myanmar  [Burma],"  the colonel  said. 

Khun Sa, once a powerful controller of drugs flowing from the
infamous Golden Triangle along Burma's northeastern border,
surrendered to the Burmese government in 1996.

He has not been in the public eye since his surrender and little
is known about his activities.

As high-rise buildings and hotels sprout in Rangoon, there has
been speculation among the diplomatic and business circles and 
in the media that Khun Sa may be using wealth amassed from his
former drug trade to finance urban development in the capital.

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

ABSDF MEDIA RELEASE: REFUGEES PROTEST THAI FORCED 
RELOCATION
12 February, 1998
                           
Mae Hong Son Province: About 100 people -today staged a rally at
Mae Yae Hta refugee camp to protest against the Thai government's
plan to move four refugee camps. The people from Mae Yae Hta
camp, some 88 kilometres from the Maesariang district town, which
is one of those affected, held placards, posters at the roadside
outside the camp.

The four camps in Mae Hong Son province, Mae Yae Hta, Klopa, Uda
Hta and Mae Sa Kup are scheduled to be merged to another refugee
camp in Mae Ra Mu, about 200 km away.

The people from the camp are opposing the move for security
reasons, because Mae Ra Mu was previously attacked by troops from
Burma's Slorc and the Slorc-sponsored Democratic Karen Buddhist
Army (DKBA).

The planned move will involve relocating 10,321 people to the new
site which already houses 4,885 people. Refugee sources are
extremely worried at the prospect of increasing the camp
population by over 200% in an area which is smaller and hillier
than the current site.

The Thai authorities planned the relocation to curb illegal
logging in the area and will only allow aid agencies to deliver
assistance at Mae Ra Mu. The protesters do not want to move to
the new site and are asking to be allowed to stay and receive
assistance in the current location. They have pledged to
cooperate with the authorities to preserve the Salween national
park.

The protesters carried placards which read: "We do not want to
move to the new site and we want to continue to stay at the
current site following the Thailand's law", "We also against the
drug trafficking and illegal logging" and "We will immediately
return to our motherland when the genuine democracy was restored
in Burma".

Meanwhile, 40 trucks arrived at the scene to move 80 families
from Mae Yae Hta camp in the first stage of the relocation. The
authorities warned that if the refugees refused to move by the
deadline of noon today, they will be forced to move or will be
deported to Burma. Thai soldiers took the posters down in the
refugee camp. There are a number of people from the international
media closely watching the situation which is becoming
increasingly tense.

For more information, please contact 01-654-4984. 

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

REUTERS: FIVE KILLED IN VIOLENCE AHEAD OF INDIAN 
ELECTIONS
11 February, 1998

GUWAHATI, India -- Separatist rebels gunned down five people
in northeastern India on Wednesday, less than a week before the 
country goes to the polls, police said. 

They said Paitie tribesmen killed five members of the Kuki tribe
near the border with Myanmar (Burma) because the Kukis have
refused to join in a separatist boycott of the elections, which are 
scheduled to start on February 16. 

Police said 15 Paitie gunmen attacked the village of Dohailan in
Manipur state's Churachandpur district. 

India's northeast, comprising seven states with more than 200
Ethnic groups, has been rocked by separatist violence for decades.
Dozens of groups are fighting for either separate homelands or
political autonomy. 

India's mid-term elections are spread over four days until March 7.

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

NLD (LA): 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF UNION DAY DECLARATION
12 February, 1998

Declaration of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) on the
51st Anniversary of Union Day

It would not be wrong to say that the Panglong Agreement, signed by 
General Aung San and ethnic leaders 51 years ago on this, gave birth to the 
modern Burma. Since then the 12th of February has been celebrated as 
Union Day.

Sadly, however, if we review the current situation, the aspirations of those
who came together on that day to form of a prosperous and successful 
future union have been unattainable until now due to the assumption of 
power by military dictators.

For the last 36 years under the brutal rule of the military regime the
entire people of Burma including the ethnic nationalities have been 
deprived of human rights, justice, the rule of law, equality and mutual 
respect.

Additionally due to the mismanagement of the regime the economy has 
been thrown into disarray, and Burma has become a "Least Developed 
Country".

Without basic human rights, equality and self determination for all ethnic
groups, it is impossible to build a stable prosperous and genuine democratic
society.

In our struggle to find a solution to the countries ethnic problem the focus
of the NLD(LA) has been on the root cause; the chauvinism and narrow 
minded nationalism that has destroyed national unity. The NLD have been 
striving continuously to rid the minds of our countrymen of such destructive
ideologies. What is needed to achieve genuine national unity is a system
under which all the national groups in Burma can freely and fearlessly
express their hopes, objectives, concerns and grievances.

To foster the Panglong spirit, to achieve a genuine democratic federal union
responsive to the will of all ethnic groups, and to begin to repair the
damage wreaked upon our country by the military rulers, we should create a
political atmosphere under which the authorities, the leaders of the ethnic
nationalities and the democratic forces lead by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are
equally able to participate in solving the national problem.

Central Committee, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)
12th, February 1998

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

SHAN:PANGLONG DAY MESSAGE
12 February, 1998

PANGLONG IS NOT FOR SHANS ALONE

On this day, 51 years ago, the truly historic treaty was signed by leaders
of the Burmese, Chins, Kachins and Shans to form a union. The terms of the
treaty were: Political autonomy, Economic autonomy, Democracy and 
Human Rights. The constitution which was drawn later and regarded as an 
integral part of the Panglong treaty was the right of secession which was 
recognized by none other than Aung San himself, the greatest of all 
Burmese.

Although for various reasons, other non-Burmans i.e. the Karens, Karennis,
Arakanese and Mons were not included, the significant fact is that these
are the terms which all of them have always wanted in a union with any
other nationality. Another fact is that the very document became the ticket
to Independence. For those who keep demanding the non-Burmans that the 
call for right of self determination be shelved while the paramount struggle 
for the Second Independence i.e. democracy is raking place, this fact is a
reminder that without prior recognition of the non-Burmans' rights, the
quest for democracy may be doomed right from the start. 

Panglong had been the gateway to Independence. Let us hope that the
recognition of Panglong by all, including the SLORC/SPDC, be the 
gateway to Peace, Democracy and a Re-union.

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UNLD-LA: ANNOUNCEMENT - 1/98
12 February, 1998

United Nationalities League for Democracy (Liberated Area)

The United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) has, since its
inception, existed as a league composed of nineteen, political parties
representing ethnic nationalities and two independent ethnic elected
MPs.

But the chauvinistic and fascist military clique which is totally
against equality for the ethnic nationalities, has, not only refused to
recognize their right to equality, it has, 1992, purposefully and
unilaterally declared the political parties representing the ethnic
nationalities dissolved. Of the many works undertaken in preparation 
for its sham national convention, the dissolution of the UNLD and its 
seven member-parties from the states and other parties representing the 
ethnic nationalities, was evidently one of them.

The ethnic nationalities parties that had been dissolved came into
existence through the desire of the ethnic nationalities themselves.
Hence, although they had been declared dissolved, the parties are very
much alive and in operation, and are doing every thing possible to
continue the struggle for democracy and equality.

Currently, there are ethnic nationality leaders representing ten UNLD
member-parties and one independent ethnic elected MP in the liberated
area.

With a view to demonstrating the spirit and materializing the
objectives of the Panglong Agreement which was signed and solemnized by
General Aung San and leader of the ethnic nationalities in 1947, the
ethnic nationalities leaders in the liberated area, hereby, on this day
of February 12, 1998 -- the 51st anniversary of the Panglong Agreement --
declared the formation of the UNLD (LA)

The UNLD (LA) will abide by and adhere to the policy and political
principles originally adopted by the UNLD, and, exerting every effort,
will co-operate with other political parties in the struggle to topple
the military dictatorship, and to simultaneously achieve democracy and
equality for all nationalities

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KNU: PRESIDENT SAW BO MYA'S SPEECH ON GOLDEN JUBILEE 
OF KAREN NATIONAL DAY
11 February, 1998

We, the Karen people, are the earliest arrivals in this country now known
as Burma. When our earliest forebears arrived in this country, none of the
others, including those known as Tebeto-Burmans, had not yet come into 
this country. These earliest Karens had spread out and settled in the valleys 
of Blay-lo-klo (Irrawaddy river), Gaw-lo-klo (Sittang river) and Hko-loklo
(Salween river). Then, the country was known as Tee-lar-Gor-lar, or
Kawthoolei. There had been no such things as Chinese border or Thai 
border. 

When other peoples arrived, they harried the Karens by various means, who
were spread out in small numbers on a large area. Gradually, the Karens had
to give way and moved to safer areas. Even then, we, the Karens nowadays
are living in separate communities with our own areas and leaders in many
places, such as the Irrawaddy delta, Pegu Yoma hills, Toungoo district,
Doo-yor district, in the Eastern Yoma hills, in the border provinces of
western Thailand & so on.  There are many of us and, in fact, we are not a
minor people. The first who dominated the Karen people by force were the
Mon and the second were the Burman feudal lords. A large part of the 
Karen people had to live under their oppressive domination and harassment, 
for many centuries. Oral histories handed down to us by our forefathers tell 
us about severe repression and persecution.

After the Burman feudal lords, came the British overlords who started to
set up boundaries. As a result, Karens are found on both sides of the
Thai-Burma border. The coming of American Christian Missionaries,
particularly during the British rule, brought the benefits of modern
education and the invention of a  modern written language of the Karen. 

The Karens in general cooperated with the British. The Burman generally 
saw this as collaboration with the enemy, and the Burmans of extremist
persuasion held deep malice and rabid hostility against the Karens. Due to
this perception, the Burma Independence Army, which cooperated with the
Japanese occupiers during World War II, subjected a large number of 
Karens to extreme  atrocities, in many areas, such as Bassein, Myaungmya, 
Einme, eastern Papun district and etc.,. 

During the struggle for independence, after WW II, the independence hero,
Gen. Aung San, reached agreement with the leaders of other nationalities to
establish a genuine federal state of Burma and to let the other nationalities 
to secede from the union if they found it unsatisfactory, after a period of
10 
years. After his untimely death, power passed into the hands of  racist 
chauvinists among the AFPFL leadership and military leaders like Gen. Ne 
Win and his cohorts. 

Dear All the  Karen People,
As the KNU is an organization that stands firmly for the freedom of Karen
people, it resolutely opposes all activities aimed at damaging or being
hostile to the dignity and destiny of the Karen people, and it has
resolutely been striving in the interest and freedom of the Karen people.
The KNU gives political leadership to the Karen people and the Karen
National Liberation Army. It had endeavored, by peaceful means, to gain 
the rights and freedom of the Karen people, and equality for all the
nationalities in the country. However, the party in power, the AFPFL,
instead of resolving the political problems by political means, resorted to
brute force and armed suppression, which had ignited the civil war.

Though armed conflict had arisen between the KNU and AFPFL, the KNU 
had always tried to settle the problem of Karen people by political means 
and restore peace in the country. During the AFPFL rule, the KNU met with 
U Nu and he asked for the surrender of arms. Again, during the time of the
Revolutionary Council, the KNU tried again to settle the problems by
peaceful means. Again, the KNU was asked to lay down arms, unilaterally.
Similarly, the KNU tried again for a peaceful settlement with the SLORC.
Representatives of both sides met formally for 4 times and informally for 3
times. Again the SLORC demanded for a unilateral surrender of arms, and
when the KNU did not accept their demand, they launched a major 
offensive.   

It is the policy of the KNU to strive for a genuine and lasting peace. It
is not against peace and unity, and it is not for separatism. Our aim for
establishing a federal union does not mean separatism. The objectives of
the KNU are that, the Karens, as a separate nationality, are to have equal
rights as the others. Though the SLORC called for unity, it had never
accepted federalism, and had used military force to set up a unitary state.
Like the SLORC, the current SPDC embraces racist chauvinist ideology, 
and tries to divide us by various means. They try to intimidate us by 
barbaric military attacks and use sweet words to sow dissension among us. 
Therefore, we must always be on the alert against such trickery. Do not give 
in to the temptation of provincialism, self-interest and the interest of a
group 
or a faction. Let us always strive for the interest of the whole Karen
people. 

The KNU has been actively struggling for the freedom of the Karen
people for nearly 50 years now. The KNU has never wavered in its faith and
has always stood firmly on its principles, policies and programs laid down.
Whatever the difficulties and the hardships, it will continue to stand
firmly for the freedom of the Karen people. Therefore, do not let
yourselves be assailed by doubts and fear. Let us stand up unitedly under
the banner of the KNU, hold our hands together and follow the leadership 
of the KNU. Struggle on together, with unity and courage, for the freedom 
of the Karen people. Unity is Strength. Victory is Ours!

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