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The BurmaNet News - 2 March, 1998



------------------------------ BurmaNet -----------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies
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The BurmaNet News, 2 March, 1998
Issue #946

Noted in passing:

"He had schemed and plotted to cause havoc in the country by attacking
ASEAN member Embassies with malicious intent to tarnish the prestige of the
Government and to cause a rift among ASEAN members. But his evil plots were
uncovered and stopped in the nick of time." 
(see SPDC: PRESS BRIEFING ON ARREST OF 'CONSPIRATORS')

HEADLINES:
==========
SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET N0.A.0334 (I) 
SPDC: PRESS BRIEFING ON ARREST OF 'CONSPIRATORS'
VOA: JAPAN/ BURMA
KYODO NEWS: MYANMAR STUDENTS DENOUNCE JAPAN FOR
ASAHI EVENING NEWS: AID TO MYANMAR 'INAPPROPRIATE'
BKK POST: HIJACKER GETS HIS FREEDOM
FEER: BURMA-CHINA BORDER BLUES
REUTERS: THAI PM WANTS CONTROVERSIAL GAS PIPELINE
VOA: THAILAND/PIPELINE
BKK POST: "ROMEO AND JULIET" LOVE DOOMED SON
NLM ARTICLES

Announcements:
PROSPECT BURMA 1998 SCHOLARSHIPS
BURMA.NET PUBLIC CHAT SESSION REMINDER
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPDC: INFORMATION SHEET N0.A.0334 (I) 
1 March 1998

SPECIAL PRESS BRIEFING ON TERRORIST PLOTS AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES HELD

A press briefing was held this morning in Yangon on the timely 
apprehension of terrorists who were caught in attempts to commit 
terrorist acts in Yangon and other bustling towns in the country.
		
The uncovering and apprehension of a terrorist gang and subsequent
interrogation has thrown light on the subversive acts of the all Burma 
student organization, which is an illegal outlawed group and a 
anti-government political activists, those inciting the activists and 
also the activities of the political party that is in close touch with 
armed insurgents and their attempts to create another unrest, in the 
nation.
		
The press briefing highlighted on the following points-

-  The discovery that the ABSDF- armed group was in search of opportunities 
to commit terrorist acts in the country.
-  The discovery that this terrorist group was not only planning destructive
schemes but also instigating public unrest in cooperation with the BCP-UG.
-  The infiltration of the students as well as the Sanga (monks).
-  It has been found that so-called veteran politicians also encourage and
give advice to illegal political groups.
-  The discovery of parties that are associated one way or another with the
NLD which claims to be a legal entity, yet the NLD maintains contacts with
illegal political parties.

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

SPDC: PRESS BRIEFING ON ARREST OF 'CONSPIRATORS'
1 March, 1998

A press briefing was held at Myanma Radio and Television Department,
Yangon on 1st March. Present were Deputy Ministers, journalists and invited
guests of about 72, it is learnt. 

The following speech was given at the press briefing:-

TIMELY ARREST OF CONSPIRATORS OF THE ABSDF INSURGENT GROUP AND BCP-UG
INVOLVED IN TERRORIST PLOTS AND SUBVERSIVE AGITATION NLD CLOSELY CONNECTED
WITH APPREHENDED TERRORISTS; DAW SUU KYI'S PERSONAL BODYGUARDS OF THE NLD
YOUTH FOUND TO BE MEMBERS OF
ABSDF INSURGENTS.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

Today's news briefing concerns the timely apprehension of terrorists led by
Ko Thein (a) Thein Tun who were caught in attempts to commit terrorist acts
under the supervision of the ABSDF insurgent group in Yangon and other
bustling towns.

Their aim was to undermine public confidence in the Government and to
deceive the international community into believing that peace and stability
was deteriorating in the Union by committing a series of terrorist acts by
bombing buildings and busy, crowded places. It has been brought to light
that they had even hatched a plot to assassinate State leaders if an
opportunity arose and to launch bomb attacks against embassies of ASEAN
nations.

While plotting to commit such acts of terrorism on the one hand they also
collaborated with the subversive,. BCP-UG (Underground) remnants to launch
a destabilization campaign and to instigate unrest by spreading rumours and
sending false reports on the internal situation to other insurgent groups.

Now all these ruthless terrorist plots have been exposed along with concrete
evidence relating directly to their destabilization campaign, instigation
programmes aimed at inciting public unrest, their contacts with insurgent
groups, the collaboration with the Ba Ka Tha and BCP-UG (Burma Communist
Party - Underground ) remnants.

It is a well-known fact that the ABSDF was set up in Manerpalaw Camp in the
KNU insurgent area on 5 November, 1988 with Tun Aung Kyaw as Chairman, Yu
New as Vice Chairman (1), Dr. Naing Aung as Vice Chairman (2) and Than Win
as General Secretary. Then at the meeting held on 20 February 1989 it was
reorganized with a 15-member Central Committee with Moe Thee Zun as adviser.

But at the Second Conference held in the Minthamee Camp (KNU Area) on 11
November, Moe Thee Zun was appointed chairman. But the ABSDF disintegrated
into two factions one led by Dr. Naing Aung and another by Moe Thee Zun on
27 September, due to internal struggles with student killing student, and
the KNU killing other students. They were also in financial difficulties.
After the collapse, each faction operated independently.

At the Conference held in Htee Ka Pale Village in the KNU area from 23 to
28 May, 1996, the two factions were reunified after a bargain was made to
appoint Dr. Naing Aung as Chairman, Moe Thee Zun as Vice Chairman and with
the General Secretary appointed from Moe Thee Zun's faction. But the ABSDF
was again reconstituted on 15 September, 1996 with a 27- member Central
Committee headed by Dr. Naing Aung as Chairman, Moe Thee Zun as Vice
Chairman and Aung Thu Nyein as General Secretary. After this a Central
Military Commission was formed to coordinate and step up underground
activities and military action with terrorist bomb attacks within the
country. That commission was headed by Dr. Naing Aung as Chairman, Moe Thee
Zun as Vice Chairman, Sai Myint Aung as Secretary ( I ) and
Myo Win as Secretary (2). Myo Win was given the responsibility of closely
supervising terrorist bomb attacks, but he in turn delegated authority to Ko
Thein (a) Thein Tun - a former ABSDF Central Committee member and Central
Committeee Chairman of ABSDF - Unit 207 to carry out subversive programmes
and acts of violence. Ko Thein (a) Thein Tun established his base in Be
Klot refugee camp near Maela village from which to launch his campaign of
subversion and terror.

Before the 1988 unrest Ko Thein (a) Thein Tun had once run a photographer's
shop on Sule Pagoda Road, but during the period of unrest he had
participated in demonstrations under the banner of the Hiking and
Mountaineering Association while eking out a living by distributing an
illegal journal under the name Nyi Nyut Ye (Unity). At the end of the
unrest, he went underground and underwent military training in various
camps and served in the other ranks of the ABSDF unit 207. At the Second
ABSDF Conference held in 1989, he was elected as chairman of Unit 207. Then
he was chosen together with 31 other trainees to attend a political
training course known as GREEN NOVEMBER 32 in Bangkok. The training was
organized by the National Democratic Front and was
conducted by instructors from England, Thailand, Colombia and Norway.
Towards the end of 1990, when he had completed demolition training in the
KNU Popahta Camp, he dispatched fellow trainees Nyi Nyi Tin and Soe Min (
Thaton) into the country fully equipped with Explosives and demolition
equipment in August 1997. This terrorist group dispatched by Ko Thein was
apprehended and their terrorist schemes were foiled. The news was reported
in all Myanmar Newspapers issued on 31-8-1991. Furthermore, in April 1992,
Ko Thein dispatched Thant Zaw
Swe (a) Thant Zin of Wakema and a member of ABSDF unit 207 who had
completed demolition and telecommunications training to the country to
gather information and recruit new members. According to reports, Thant Zaw
Swe while in Thaton, recruited workers, Khin Tun, Soe Myint and Min Thu of
the Yangon Railway Station by deceiving them with offers of well paid jobs.

Ko Thein is said to have attended another explosive training course together
with ABSDF members Tun Aung Kyaw (a) Than Toe, Kyaw Win and Tun Tun and Kar
Kar Gyi from Lu Baung Thit (Democratic Party for New Society) in December,
1995. The course was organized by Major Robert Zan in the KNU Mahn Ba Zan
Camp and was conducted by one English instructor, and one Japanese and
Robert Zan. The course was sophisticated and covered techniques in setting
up time bombs, planting land mines and priming parcel bombs, mining bridges
and buildings as well as techniques for home- made bombs. Ko Thein managed
to obtain explosives and detonators from KNU Brigade Commanders Htain Maung
 and Shwe Saing which he secretly sent from Maela to Yangon via Sakhan Thit
- Kyaik Don - Kawkareik - Hpa-an. The explosives were hidden in the house
of Mya Han (a) Myint Han in Ba-Wa-Myint Villa, Thingangyun Township. Myint 

Han was instructed to find another place in the Delta Area to be used as a
cache for weapons. During his stay in Yangon, his sister Daw Khin Myint
madearrangements for Ko Thein to put up at an apartment in Maw Tin 8th
Street, Lanmadaw Township. While there, he met an old friend, Han Win, as
well as Let Ya Tun who had been convicted and sent to prison in 1991 as an
accessory in a bomb attack, and Aung Din, and gave them the task of
procuring information and books and to locate a place for establishing a
Headquarters. In September 1996, the first batch of books procured by Let
Ya Tun was sent to Mae La Camp with the help of one Naw Saida of Hpa-an. He
himself returned to Mae Hong Song through jungle routes from Kayah State.
Then he met Sai Myint Thu, ABSDF CC Secretary (1) and Secretary (2) Myo Win
at Mae Sariang and requested much needed funds and men.

In November 1996, Ko Thein attended the Green November 32- Meeting held in
the KNU New Camp No.6 which was sponsored by the National Democratic Front,
together with Chairman Naing Aung. He received Baht 20,000 from Myo Win
(ABSDF Central Committee ) for the purpose of accelerating the underground
movement and terrorism within the country. In March 1997, Ko Thein arrived
in Kyi Taung Kan Village, Pyinmana Township and set up a base-camp for
launching terrorist attacks under the cover of an animal husbandry farm
with a few goats, chickens and pigs on land that belonged to U Chit Tin,
father-in-law of Han Win. During his visit to Yangon, Ko Thein met and
advised Let Ya Tun to study in detail the security system and compounds of
the Embassies of ASEAN member countries.

In the last week of June 1997, Ko Thein left Kyi-Taung-Kan, crossed the
border to a neighbouring country via a jungle track from Naung Htaw, Shan
State. On arrival at the ABSDF headquarters he received Baht 20,000 again
from Myo Win and returned to Maela refugee camp. On 30 October, 1997, he
and Naing Aung (a) Fighter Aung carrying explosives and demolition
equipment and with escort provided by KNU 7th Brigade, left for Yangon via
Hlaing Bwe - Thamanya and Hpa-an. In Yangon Ko Thein had shown Naing Aung
the buildings and busy roads targeted for bombing attacks as well as the
kind of vehicles used by State leaders. They kept all explosives materials
at their farmhouse in Kyi Taung Kan Village and keeping a low profile,
searched for contacts and collected information. In the last week of
December, 1997 he returned to Yangon and through Let Ya Tun met with Khin
Hlaing (a) Po Saung a UG of the ABSDF. He instructed the latter to gather
information, recruit suitable persons who would have no scruples about
committing violence. In fact, Ko Thein harboured a plot to assassinate
State leaders and blow up public buildings, government offices and busy
main skeets. He had schemed and plotted to cause havoc in the country by
attacking ASEAN member Embassies with malicious intent to tarnish the
prestige of the Government and to cause a rift among ASEAN members. But his
evil plots were uncovered and stopped in the nick of time.

Now I would like to give an account of how the ABSDF insurgent group in
collaboration with some NLD party members and BCP-UG, in the guise of Ba Ka
Tha, (that is the all Burma Students Union ) attempted to instigate public
unrest by spreading rumours.

A BCP-UG member Min Naing (a) Kyaw Kyaw again tried to revive the Ba Ka Tha
and had pulled the strings behind the scene in the aborted 1996 December
Student Movement but had gone underground afterwards. But Min Naing, even
when he was a fugitive from justice had continued efforts to revive the Ba
Ka Tha in collusion with Set Aung Naing (a) Ko Set, son of BCP-UG Hla Shwe,
Aung Kyaw Hein (a) Kyaw Zaw, son of BCP-UG Kyi
Tin Oo, Nay Lin Soe son of BCP-UG San Win, Thet Naing Oo (a) Pyar Laung who
went underground at the end of 1988 unrest, and trainee of the Da Nya Ta,
(Democratic National Front) demolition training course, a former tuition
teacher Khin Hlaing (a) Po Saung, ABSDF-UG and BCP - UG and another former
tuition teacher Thu Ta Aung  (deceased).

Fully aware of the fact that in political movements students provided a good
cover and can be politically exploited and pushed to the forefront, by using
the word. Ba Ka Tha as bait, they also coined a new name Committee for the
Protection of Student Rights to lure the students. It posed as an
organisation with the students' best interests at heart, but its main aim
was to foster student dissatisfaction against the government and incite
them and thus strengthen their own forces. Former tuition teachers Khin
Hlain (a) Po Saung and Thu Ta Aung (a) Thu Ta were put in charge for the
realization of these schemes.

Min Naing in collaboration with his hardcore comrades Set Aung Naing (a) Ko
Set, Aung Kyaw Hein (a) Kyaw Zaw and U Sandar Thiri (a) Myint Han
cyclostyled and circulated anti-government leaflets in the name of the Ba
Ka Tha. The typewriter, cyclostyle machine, seals and other printed
pamphlets have been confiscated. While Min Naing took care of preparing the
leaflets in the name of the Ba Ka Tha, U Sandar Thiri took care of leaflet
distribution in the name of the Young Monks Association. U Sandar Thiri
with the cooperation of U Pyinya Zawta (a) Myint Maung Maung attempted to
instigate the monks and to circulate the printed pamphlets.

Min Naing and associates prepared the anti-government leaflets in the name
of various Tha Ma Ga ( Associations ) and distributed them by hand or by
post to businesses, companies, publishing houses, to authors and even to
addresses taken from obituary notices in the newspapers. These tactics were
intended to acquaint the people with the Ba Ka Tha and arouse antipathy
against the Government.

Min Naing went into hiding about October, 1997. However, based on the
premise that the universities might reopen in January, 1998, arrangements
had been made in advance to distribute the subversive leaflets to coincide
with the opening of schools and universities to cause student unrest which
would be the fuse to set off mass unrest. 'These activities were to be
executed systematically by Set Aung Naing and other hardcore members even
in the absence of Min Naing.

In addition Min Naing instructed Set Aung Naing to infiltrate workers in
order to spread general unrest among various strata in the country. Min
Naing met Bomhu Aung in September, 1997, and the latter advised him to
maintain unity among the Ba Ka Tha instead of letting the Association split
into two or three factions. When Min Naing gave Bo Hmu Aung 20 of the
latest pamphlets of the Ba Ka Tha under the title "Declaration To The
People", Bomhu Aung assured him that he accepted it in principle, but he
advised the youths to be prepared for the right time and gave assurance
that he and the other veterans were still actively engaged in politics and
would always stay in touch and consult the youths, but that the current
political situation was crucial and should be handled with circumspection.

- Here I would like to give some clarification in relation with Bomhu Aung.
He is indeed worthy of respect as he was a member of the thirty comrades
who played a vital role for our country's independence. Unfortunately he
committed high treason by joining an insurgent group against the State in
1972. Anyway he entered the legal fold under the amnesty granted in 1980
and was even awarded the Naing Ngan Gon Yi ( First Class) by the State. On
9th August, 1982, he was caught red handed gambling, along with 2-1 other
persons in his compound. Legal action was taken against all. As a result
his award was revoked. This shows the flaw in his character. Now also, he
is found actively engaged in subversion not only by association with the
BCP-UG but encouraging them to create unrest. This is quite normal for him
because since the unrest of 1988, he has just been waiting for the chance
to dabble in anti-government movements. Pursuing the right political course
in the true interests of the country and the people is prestigious, but
sending a note begging military assistance from Indian Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi in order to stage an armed rebellion against the State Law and Order
Restoration Council is indeed high treason. When Bomhu Aung was questioned
about this matter, he answered that he did not know about the contents in
the note and signed it because he assumed
it was just a letter of introduction. At present, letters addressed to old
comrades in politics signed by Bomhu Aung appears now and then.
Superficially, these letters seem to be attempts at reconciliation between
the Government and NLD by a politician of impeccable credentials, but he is
in fact throwing support behind the NLD. If he signed these letters too
without knowing the contents, it could be assumed that he was used by the
hot-blooded youths who never hesitate to employ underhand political tactics.

Now we will look into the activities of BCP- UG, tuition teacher Khin
Hlaing who worked in name of the Ba Ka Tha together with Set Aung Naing and
acquired funds from ABSDF - CC Secretary Myo Win and Thet Hmu from Lu Baung
Thit by providing them local news with the help of Moe Kyaw Aung and Soe
Moe Aung who are antigovernment extremists and who had also gone
underground. They went back to the jungle in December, 1997, to request
some funds from ABSDF members
in Mae Sot. In October 1997, Ye Myint an ABSDF member now residing in the
USA gave Moe Kyaw Aung 150,000 kyats to buy a photo copier. Moe Kyaw Aung
failed to buy a photo copier so he gave 50,000 kyats to Thet Naing Oo as
his share and he planned to set up a tea-shop in Yankin with the rest of
the money.

While Moe Kyaw Aung and Soe Moe Aung planned to continue their
anti-government activities in the county and recruited a monk U Pyinnya
Zawta from Zawtanarama Monastery. The former were to be responsible for
political agitation both above and underground and U Pyinnya Zawta was
given responsibility for organizing the monks. Furthermore, on 16 November,
1997 Moe Kyaw Aung and U Pyinya Zawta and Po Toke met with Australian
citizen Miss Carol Jane Ransley, gave her false information concerning the
dispute between some Buddhist monks and Islamists in Mandalay. According to
Miss Carol Jane Ransley, she even met
with U Tin Oo of the NLD and obtained more news. 

Moreover, Ba Ka Tha Aung Tun in cooperation with the above-mentioned ABSDF
members illegally printed and distributed some papers entitled Political
History and First Hand Experience. Aung Tun was the one who had become
acquainted with politicians, Thakin Ohn Myint and BCP-UG Hla Shwe while
serving prison terms together in Insein and Tharawaddy prisons. Once out of
prison, Aung Tun wrote some articles entitled History of the Student
Movements, Me and They and Witnesses to History in collaboration with
Thakin Ohn Myint and U Hla Shwe and distributed them illegally. These
articles are largely exaggerated and biased accounts of events based on a
few facts. Some books and papers were sent to about thirty politicians
including Daw Suu Kyi. In addition to that he received 100,000 kyats as
funds for illegal Ba Ka Tha activities from Phone Myint Tun who is an
illegal resident in Japan and an anti-government activist.

Now I will touch upon how some youths on personal security detail for Daw
Suu Kyi, established contact with the UG and went underground and on
information on the close collaboration between the NLD members and the
ABSDF -UG members.

NLD youths are responsible for the security of Daw Suu Kyi. Those NLD
youths are in turn given support and protection by the ABSDF members. In
November, 1997 Po Khwa and Myo Thant, close guards of Daw Suu Kyi went
underground. Aung Tun a close friend of Daw Suu Kyi provided assistance to
send them to the jungle. Aung Tun once assisted Nyan Win, an ABSDF - UG who
attempted to bomb the War Office during the 1988 commotion. Nyan Win
provided his assistance to Po Khwa and Myo Thant to take them to Thet Hmu
via Thaton-Hpaan-Myawaddy- Mae Sot. Expenses were borne by Aung Tun.

Moreover, it was found that Set Aung Naing and U Sandar Thiri sent draft
messages for the Golden Jubilee Independence Day Ceremony to be held in Daw
SUU Kyi's compound written in name of the Ba Ka Tha, Young Buddhists
Association and Student Rights Protection Committee on 3-1-1998 through Nay
Oo, an NLD youth in Dagon Township. Nay Oo made a fair copy and handed it
over to Dagon Township NLD Chairman U Kyi Lin. At 11:00 arn that day U Kyi
Lin went together with carpenter Soe Naing (a) Maung Gyi to Daw Suu Kyi's
residence and handed it to U Tin Oo. It is quite obvious that the NLD
leadership are in close cooperation with the UG and insurgents. Moreover at
the instigation of the Ba Ka Tha - UG, NLD members Soe Maung and Aye Aye
Myat are active participants in the Jonathan Circle of Readers ( probably
named after Jonathan Livingstone Seagull ) which was set up by ABSDF - UG
Nay Lin Soe and Set Aung
Naing. Once this group received a donation of 30,000 kyats from Htoo Htoo
Han who is an illegal resident in Australia. The activities of ABSDF-UG
from the Jonathan Circle were closely connected with the Reading Circle
often organised in Daw Suu Kyi's Residence.

The uncovering and apprehension of a terrorist gang and subsequent
interrogation has thrown light on the subversive acts of the Ba Ka Tha-UG,
anti government political activists, those inciting the activists and the
activities of the political party that is in close touch with armed insurgents
and their attempts to create another unrest.

To sum up:
It has been found that the ABSDF- armed group was in search of
opportunities to commit terrorist acts in the country.
It has been found that this terrorist group was not only planning destructive
schemes but also instigating public unrest in cooperation with the BCP - UG.
They have infiltrated the students as well as the Sanga (monks).
It has been found that so-called veteran politicians also encourage and give
advice to illegal political groups.
It has been found that these parties are associated one way or another with
the NLD which claims to be a legal entity, yet, it is obvious that the NLD
maintains contacts with illegal political parties.

Nowadays the State Peace and Development Council is paving the way for
rebuilding the Union of Myanmar into a developed and modernized State. From
the political aspect also, it has successfully healed the wounds that were
inflicted on the country together with independence and has overcome all
obstacles to achieve national reconciliation with our national kith and
kin. Moreover we are striving towards the emergence of a firm and strong
constitution which will ensure a bright future for the whole nation. With
vast good will the Government has also laid down political, economic and
social objectives as guidelines to fulfill the goal of a peaceful, stable and
prosperous democratic state.

It can clearly be seen who is serving the country well and who is doing a
disservice. In conclusion, our citizens are urged to carefully discriminate
between the constructive work of the Government from the destructive work
of the so-called politicians and be vigilant against the danger of their
ruthless plots.

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

VOA: JAPAN/ BURMA
27 February, 1998
by Thomas Caldwell in Tokyo

Intro: Human rights activists and Burmese exiles in Japan say they 
are concerned the japanese  government will soon  resume development 
assistance loans to the Burmese military government. As Thomas 
Caldwell reports from Tokyo, the activists are calling on Japan to 
continue its ban on aid to Burma.

Text:  Japanese newspapers and members of parliament say the 
Government is planning  to extend a so-called official development 
assistance loan of nearly 20 million dollars to the Burmese 
government.  The money would be earmarked for repair work at 
Rangoon's international airport.   

The move -- which has not been officially announced by the 
government -- would effectively end Japan's decade-long freeze on
loans to the country, that began after a bloody military crackdown on 
pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988. The main reason given  for 
renewing aid is that the runway at the nation's primary port of entry 
has become dangerous to travelers, and fixing it would be a 
humanitarian act.   

Members of the Burmese community in Japan, many of whom became 
exiles following the military crackdown 10 years ago, say they are
incensed by the reports.  Ang thu, editor and chief of the Voice of 
Burma, a Burmese language newspaper published in Tokyo, has been 
living in Japan for six years. He says he fled his homeland following 
his release from custody for his part in the 1988 democratic uprising in
Rangoon. Mr. Thu says Japan should not pay for the repair of Rangoon's 
runway.

THU: "They can build Rangoon runway by themselves. I don't think 
they need the Japanese government to support this."

Ken Kawasaki, the director of the Burma Relief Center in Japan, 
which assists Burmese refugees, says funding the airport repair 
project would benefit Japanese industry and the Burmese military 
government, at the expense of the Burmese people.

KAWASAKI: "Any loans simply go to enrich them and prolong 
their power. Japanese construction companies, trading companies
want to establish themselves and to have business there. And if the 
Japanese government is loaning money to the military government, 
who will turn around and give it to a Japanese company, then they
are benefiting; but the people certainly are not going to benefit."

Several members of the ruling liberal democratic party expressed 
dismay at the reports of the resumption of assistance to Burma. 
There are plans for a discussion of the issue in parliament next week. 

Source: Voice of America

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

KYODO NEWS: MYANMAR STUDENTS DENOUNCE JAPAN FOR PROVIDING LOANS
27 February, 1998 [abridged]

BANGKOK -- The All-Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)blasted 
Japan on Friday for its plan to provide loans to Myanmar's ruling
junta. 

"To the dismay and disappointment of Burmese democrats, the Japanese 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Feb. 26, 1998, to resume 
official development assistance (ODA) to the military junta in Burma,
officially known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)," 
said the organization in a statement issued in Bangkok. 

The ABSDF said Myanmar democrats viewed this decision as a boost to the 
cash-strapped military government, which has been widely condemned for 
its human rights violations against its own people. The organization 
said the assistance would strengthen the military government's 
non-compromising stance toward the democratic opposition. 

Japan is considering providing 2.5 billion yen in loans to the SPDC to 
help repair the runway of the country's international airport. ODA was
suspended following the 1988 military crackdown on the pro-democracy 
movement. 

''This decision comes at a time when all major international lending 
agencies such as the World Bank, IMF (International Monetary Fund) and 
ADB (Asian Development Bank) have stayed away from the SPDC,'' said 
ABSDF Secretary General Aung Thu Nyein. 

The ABSDF urged Japan to reconsider its decision to reopen ODA assistance 
to the SPDC, and to deny any assistance until the military government 
agrees to open a substantive dialogue with the democratic opposition and 
ethnic minorities. 

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

ASAHI EVENING NEWS: AID TO MYANMAR 'INAPPROPRIATE'
28 February, 1998

WASHINGTON -- The United States said Friday it would be inappropriate 
for Japan to resume at this time non-humanitarian aid to Myanmar (Burma).

"We've discussed this matter with the government of Japan.  And we, for 
our part, do not support the resumption of large scale aid projects to 
Burma at this time," State Department deputy spokesman James Foley told
reporters.

"The U.S. government continues to believe that non-humanitarian bilateral
assistance tot he government of Burma, absent significant improvements 
in the human rights and narcotics situations there, is inappropriate," 
he added.

Foley addressed the issue in response to a question from a reporter who 
said Japan had made a decision to resume aid to Myanmar, which is ruled 
by a military junta.

Myanmar democracy urged
A group of Diet members Friday urged the government to exert pressure on
Myanmar (Burma) for democracy despite Tokyo's plan to resume granting
official development assistance (ODA) to the Southeast Asian country, 
group members said.

Japan should clearly tell Myanmar that the resumption of ODA does not 
mean an end to criticism of Yangon's (Rangoon's) suppressions of the
pro-democracy movement, said the association of lawmakers, led by former
Education Minister Takashi Kosugi of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The lawmakers said Tokyo should also declare that progress in democracy 
in Myanmar is a condition for Japan's future economic cooperation with 
that country.

The group made the call in a document submitted to Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto and the Foreign Ministers.

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

BKK POST: HIJACKER GETS HIS FREEDOM
1 March, 1998

ACTIVIST FACES AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

REUTERS -- Thai officials have released a Burmese student activist 
jailed for more than five years for hijacking a plane to demand 
democracy in his country.

A Bangkok-based human rights group, Forum Asia, said yesterday that
San Naing's future remained uncertain because he refused to go home 
and had yet to be granted asylum by a third country.

The former convict, now housed  in a Thai immigration department 
detention centre, told reporters late on Friday when he was released 
that he would fight to the end against repatriaction to Burma where 
he believed his life would be in danger.
  
"If they send me back, I will receive big punishment although I never 
did anything wrong there except being involved in a non-violent 
demonstration," he told reporters.

He said he would apply for refugee status with the United Nations
High Commissioner  for Refugees(UNHCR).

The 32-year- old was convicted and jailed for the 1989 hijack of a 
Burmese plane which was on a flight to eastern Thailand. 

San Naing hijacked the Burmese Fokker-28 airliner to demand the 
release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was then under 
house arrest.

Chalida Thajaroensuk, Bangkok coordinator for the human rights 
group Forum Asia which is helping San Naing seek asylum, said that 
his criminal record made it harder for the group to get him assistance.

Australia, Canada and the United States have already rejected San Aaing's
request for asylum.

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

FEER: BURMA-CHINA BORDER BLUES
5 March, 1998

The once-booming Burma-China frontier has fallen on hard times as the
Burmese kyat has plunged along with Southeast Asia's other currencies.  

Not only has the kyat dropped against the U.S. dollar, but also against
China's renminbi.  The exchange rate, which had for many years hovered
around 20 kyats for each renminbi, fell in August to 25 and by December,
stood at 43 kyats per renminbi, where it has languished since.  Six months
ago, up to 200 trucks carrying Chinese consumer. goods crossed the border
each day, but now there are no more than 30-40.

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

REUTERS: THAI PM WANTS CONTROVERSIAL GAS PIPELINE LAID
28 February, 1998

BANGKOK -- Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said on Saturday
that he wanted work to continue on a controversial pipeline to 
transport natural gas to Thailand from neighbouring Myanmar 
(Burma). 

"The project is important and will benefit the country in the long run.
I want to see it continue," Chuan told reporters after inspecting the
construction site in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. 

"I have asked the industry ministry to coordinate with the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand to deal with villagers and make them aware of 
the benefit of the project and solve any problem that they might face,"
he said. 

Environmentalists have protested the construction, claiming parts 
of the pipeline were being laid in a first class watershed forest and 
wildlife sanctuary and would affect flora and fauna there as well as
local villagers. 

The 260-km (160-mile) pipeline will transport natural gas from 
Myanmar's offshore Yadana field overland through Kanchanaburi 
province to a 4,800-megawatt power plant now under construction 
in nearby Ratchaburi province. 

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is responsible for the 
contract, and pipeline laying must be completed by July 1 this year 
or the state agency has to pay fines to the consortium mining the gas
for the delay. 

The operator of the Yadana field is Total SA, which has a 31.24 percent
stake along with Unocal Corp, which has 28.26 percent, PTT Exploration 
and Production Plc, a unit of PTT, 25.5 percent, and state-run Myanma 
Oil and Gas Enterprise, 15 percent. 

The Yadana project will initially provide 325 million cubic feet per day
(mmcfd) of natural gas to Thailand in 1998. Under the 30-year contract, 
this will increase to 525 mmcfd in 1999. 

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

VOA: THAILAND/PIPELINE
26 February, 1998
by Gary Thomas in Bangkok

Intro: Thailand's prime minister is to make a decision soon on whether 
to continue with a controversial project that would pipe gas from Burma.  
The project has aroused environmental and political concerns. As VOA
correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Bangkok, a government committee
investigating the project has refused to make a recommendation one way 
or the other.

Text:  A special panel set up by prime minister Chuan Leekpai to 
investigate concerns about the Yadana pipeline project has sharply 
criticized the government's handling of the matter, but has refused 
to take a stand on it.

In its final report, the committee, chaired by former prime minister
Anand Panyarachun, made no recommendation on whether the
project should be cancelled or the route should be altered, leaving 
the final decision squarely on prime minister Chuan.

The yadana pipeline is to carry natural gas from an offshore field in 
Burma to a power generating plant in Thailand.  The project, approved 
five years ago, has aroused the anger of human rights activists, who 
protest that it will produce revenue for Burma's military government, 
and conservationists, who fear its effect on the environment.

Opponents of the project have been waging a sit-in protest in the
pipeline's path in Thailand's Kanchanburi province.

The Anand committee report is sharply critical of the decision-making 
process surrounding the project.  It says the project "lacks transparency" 
and that the Petroleum Authority of  Thailand, which is responsible for 
the project, had failed to take into account public concerns, especially 
those of villagers directly affected by the pipeline.

The committee also criticizes the handling of the environmental impact
assessment on the project, saying it was incomplete and lacked public
participation.

The committee says it will recommend that a new subcommittee be set 
up to monitor the project's environmental impact, and it will be up to the
subcommittee to recommend a halt to construction if it is felt there will 
be adverse environmental effects.

Pipeline opponents say they are mystified by the committee's 
non-committal stance and want a new environmental assessment of 
the Yadana pipeline project.  But they add they will call off their 
protest once Mr. Chuan makes his decision. 

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

BKK POST: "ROMEO AND JULIET" LOVE DOOMED SON
27 February, 1998

AFP -- Burma's military strongman took the tough step of publicly
rejecting his son after he became embroiled in a "Romeo and
Juliet" romance with a foreigner: he later married, sources said
yesterday.

First Secretary Khin Nyunt on Wednesday disowned his son through
a newspaper announcement for committing an "unforgivable act
against the wishes of his parents".

The advertisement, while a common way of lending authenticity and
legality to some announcements, is however unusual, as it throws
a rift within the family of one of Burma's most powerful men into
the public arena.

Ye Naing Win's rejection came after he married a Singaporean air
hostess, despite his parents' protestations and attempts to split
them up. 

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

NLM ARTICLES
Week 22 February - 1 March, 1998 [abridged]

THAN SHWE'S MANILA VISIT CALLED 'FRUITFUL'
22 February, 1998

Editorial: "Close and cordial relations"

The successful visit of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development 
Council Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing to the Republic 
of the Philippines 17-19 February 1998 at the invitation of President 
Fidel V Ramos and Madame Amelita M Marcos must be hailed as another 
significant milestone in bilateral relations.

Both Heads of State recognize that Myanmar and the Philippines are not
only geographically linked but also as fellow-members of the ASEAN family 
of nations and are thus brought closer together and to enjoy more cordial 
ties. [sentence as published]

Both leaders are happy about their fifth meeting since Bangkok, 1995,
one that is characterised by three years of increasingly dynamic
interchange, better understanding and commitment to mutual help and
cooperation.

Significant memoranda and agreements signed during the visit of Senior
General Than Shwe have further enhanced bilateral relations and 
facilitated better opportunities for greater cooperation in various 
fields of human endeavour.

Senior General Than Shwe once again reiterated Myanmar's total
commitment to ASEAN and our resolve to play an active role in promoting
peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Moreover, the two sides were able to reaffirm their commitment to take
necessary steps in contributing toward the fulfillment of ASEAN's vision
that in the year 2020 there will be a concert of Southeast Asian nations,
outward-looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded 
together in partnership for dynamic development, and a community of 
caring societies.

The visit has also further consolidated the mutual sentiments of
friendship, goodwill and understanding existing between our two 
countries and peoples.

Among the agreements signed was a package of assistance in human
resources development which aims to benefit trainees who will be
accommodated by the Philippines through formal and informal scholarships.

In this day and age when the events in one ASEAN country or countries
are bound to have some effect on others, pooling of heads to seek 
suitable answers are more effective than going it alone, what with 
immense goodwill that abounds in this family of nations.

We are happy about the successful visit which must be deemed fruitful
for both.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NLM: FILM STARS, VOCALISTS TO ENTERTAIN TATMADAWMEN BUILDING ROADS 
IN KENGTUNG
23 February, 1998

YANGON -- The second group of 34 film stars and vocalists led by Capt
Zaw Win  Naing of the Ministry of Defence left here by special Tatmadaw 
flight for Kengtung this morning to  entertain Tatmadawmen building 
Kengtung- Mongphyat-Tachilek Road for ensuring secure and  smooth
transportation in east Thanlwin region, Shan State, and local people.

They were seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Director of 
Public Relations and  Psychological Warfare Col Khin Aung Myint and 
officials of Directorate of Defence Services  Intelligence.
 
The artistes group and the previous group, which arrived there yesterday,
entertained to local  people at Myoma sports ground in Kengtung this evening.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOINT MYANMAR-AMERICAN SURVEY TEAM COLLECTS POPPY SAMPLES FROM 
PLANTATIONS IN EASTERN, NORTH-EAST COMMAND AREAS
24 February, 1998

YANGON --Under the joint operation against narcotic drugs eradication
programme between the governments of Myanmar and the United States, 
the Air Force helicopters flew to illegal poppy plantations in the 
Eastern Command and North-East Command areas in Shan State from 16 
to 21 February 1998 and gathered poppy samples and surveyed poppy 
plantations there.  The team also observed poppy plantations jointly 
destroyed by the military columns and local people. During the trip, 
members of the team held discussions on opium refineries exposed and  
destroyed by the military columns, possibilities for cultivation of 
opium-substitute crops and  narcotic drugs eradication programme.

 The team comprised officials of the Directorate of Defence Services
Intelligence, Myanmar Police  Force Special Narcotic Squad, Myanmar
Agriculture Service and local military columns plus Thomas Murphy, 
Douglas Rassmusen, Ms Sue Bromley and Dr Basil Acock of the US 
Department of Agriculture and US Embassy officials totalling 14 led 
by member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Head of 
Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein.

This is the fourth joint Myanmar-American survey on poppy cultivation.
Similar measures were taken in 1993, 1995 and 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MYANMAR ENERGY & MACHINERY EXPO '98 OPENS
25 February, 1998 

YANGON, 24 Feb -- A ceremony to open Myanmar Energy & Machinery Expo'98,
sponsored by the Ministry of Energy, was held at Tatmadaw Convention
Centre at 8 am today.

Altogether 60 companies of 17 countries show sectors of oil and gas,
electric power, textile, leather, plastic, foodstuff, instruments for
wood-based industries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASEAN PRIZE WINNERS LEAVE FOR JAKARTA
27 February, 1998

YANGON, 26 Feb-Maung Aung Gyi, a final part A student of the Institute 
of Medicine-l and  Maung Aye Maung Maung, a tenth standard student of 
No I Basic Education High School,  Kyauktan Township, left here for 
Jakarta this afternoon to attend prize distribution of 30th Founding
Anniversary of ASEAN commemorative Essay, Poster and Photo Competition
to be  held at the Office of ASEAN Secretariat on 27 February.

They were seen off at the airport by officials of the Ministry of Education
and Ministry of Foreign  Affairs, members of the Committee for holding
ASEAN commemorative Essay, Poster and Photo  Contests and relatives.

ASEAN Secretariat will award US $ 5,000 to Maung Aung Gyi, first prize
winner in essay  competition, and US $ 1,500 to Maung Aye Maung Maung, 
second prize winner in poster competition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIPLOMATS ARRIVE BACK AFTER VISITING NORTHERN SHAN STATE
28 February, 1998

YANGON, 27 Feb -- Heads of foreign missions and UN agencies in Yangon 
and their wives  led by Dean of Diplomats Ambassador of Lao People's 
Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham  arrived back here this afternoon 
by special Tatmadaw flight after paying a visit to Lashio, Kutkai, 
Muse, Kyukok and Namkham in northern Shan State. 

They left here by special Tatmadaw aircraft for Lashio on 24 February
morning.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

PROSPECT BURMA 1998 SCHOLARSHIPS
27 February, 1998

Prospect Burma announces its 1998 scholarship for Burmese students.
(Priority will be given to students who are now in south-east Asia or the
Indian sub-continent).

Details of the scholarship can be obtained from the Britain-Burma Society
web site - 
http://www.britainburma.demon.co.uk
When you get there, go to the "What's New" page (by clicking on the "?"
button.) Then follow the links to the page concerned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

BURMA.NET PUBLIC CHAT SESSION REMINDER
25 February, 1998

PUBLIC CHAT SESSION - MONDAY MARCH 2ND

Everyone with fingers is welcome to join in a public discussion via internet
"chat room" on Monday March 2nd at 9:PM EST (6:PM PST, 9:AM March 3rd in
Thailand).

The topic of discussion will be the schools in Burma.  Universities have
been closed for over a year.  Education is absolutely vital to the future of
every state.  What are the students doing instead?  Why were the primary
schools closed?  Were any 8-year-olds found to be destructive elements?
What can be done?  What's going on and how long can it last?

To join in, just enter the Burma.net chatroom.  There are two ways to enter:
1. Goto http://burma.net/chat with netscape or internet explorer (faster if
you get the ichat plugin from www.ichat.com)    OR
2. Use Telnet to connect to "burma.net" on port "4000".  (Use the command
"telnet burma.net 4000")

Once you're in, you can read what everyone else is typing, and they can all
read what you type!

The chatroom is free and open 24hrs/day.  So you might want to try it out
once before monday so you're familiar with the program.

If you have any questions contact sysop@xxxxxxxxxx
Hope to "see" you there!

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