Information Sheet NO.A0493(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                                Information Sheet

                      NO.A0493(I)         8th July 1998

(1)		Myanmar Travel Show Initiates Boosting Tourist Arrivals From
		Singapore
		Direct meetings between Myanmar entrepreneurs and Singaporean tourism
services and Singaporeans at Myanmar Travel Show has led to initiation of tour
arrangements for more Singaporeans and tourists to the island nation to visit
Myanmar. Organized by a Myanmar delegation comprising officials and 63
representatives of 38 hotel and tourism services, the show was held at
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore on 3 and 4 July. This is the first Myanmar's
tourism promotion campaign held in a foreign nation to boost arrivals. Plans
are under way to organize such shows in other neighbouring nations.

(2)		Opium, Stimulants Seized in Kyukok (pangsang), Myawady
		Acting on a tip-off, members of Defence Services Intelligence Unit, regional
battalion, Special Anti-Drug Squad and Myanmar Police Force searched a van
driven by Aik San, at Phaunghsai checkpoint in Kyukok (Pangsang) Township at
11.15 am on 20 June. The authorities seized opium weighing three kilos packed
by banana leaves from the rucksack of Chein Kyauk Hon 2, of Mongko. Similarly,
members of Defence Services Intelligence Unit, while discharging the duty at
Kyauktan checkpoint in Myawady Township at 1 pm, searched the two suspicious
Aik Myin and Phan Yu Da, and seized 59,800 stimulants tablets from their two
bags. Action is taken against the culprits under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotrophic Substances Law.
OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 7 JULY
(A)		Minister for Health received Chairman Mr Gil Yong Um and party of
Myanmar-Daewoo Ltd at his office. They discussed supplying of medical
equipment.

(B)		Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission received Managing Director Dr
Burkhard N Eisenlohr of Mandalay Mining Company NL at the commission office.

(C)		Minister for Industry-1 received Managing Director Dr Jan Skorupi and
party of Compagnie de Fives-Lille of France at his office.

A  Curse on One's Own Nation a Blessing
		It is regretful that the NLD has put on war paint and is deliberately trying
to create a head-on collision and confrontation with the government
disregarding the importance of national unity, peace and stability for which
the nation has not so long ago managed to achieve.  The SPDC has committed
itself to the systematic transformation of the country in becoming a
functioning and disciplining democracy embracing all the (135) ethnic groups
living in the country and preventing Myanmar from becoming a satellite nation
serving the interests of foreign governments rather than that of her own
people and nation.  NLD has obviously ignored the students, parents and the
teaching faculties in a fervent desire to pursue education without being
agitated and disturbed by any political exploitation of any political party.
In fact, it is obvious that the NLD has tailored its political agitation and
confrontation to coincide with the forthcoming resumption of the classes of
the universities, colleges and other educational institutions.
   
		NLD has clearly decided to take a hellish line of action for reason of party
politics. Radical attitude and action have not only been targeted to the
present military government but also to the people of Myanmar as well. They
have induced hardship to the majority of the people in Myanmar by seducing
sanctions and embargoes, disintegrating foreign investment and tourism and
manipulating and preventing health education and other humanitarian assistance
to the Myanmar people.  Non-political observers and even outsiders can fathom
how the NLD has gone astray to an extremity in punishing the Myanmar people in
the name of democracy and human rights. 
 
		Does NLD leadership really believe that direct foreign investment, tourism
and other assistance given to Myanmar by the UN and other foreign nations do
not serve the majority of the Myanmar people?  Does NLD leadership believe
that opposing and preventing those assistance  coming into the nation serve
the interests of the Myanmar people?  Does the party leadership really believe
that taking away food from the people's mouth serves the interests of those
same people, if not, then whose interest does it serve?  Does the NLD
leadership really believe that when one foreign investor has to close down his
or her factory on their account  hundreds and thousands of workers laid-off
are not affected at all costs,  only the ruling generals are being hurt?  The
worst of all is- Do the western governments who are backing the NLD up all the
way and all the time see things the way the NLD leadership sees?  Then those
governments are also responsible for the creation of  hardship the Myanmar
people are forced to encounter again and again in the name of democracy and
human rights.

		In reality, the overwhelming majority of the people in Myanmar as natural as
are elsewhere in the third world countries are not obsessed with politics.
They do not see freedom solely in terms of the right to vote periodically and
to demonstrate and express political views publicly.

		Moreover, they only care for the basic rights such as security and safety of
their lives and properties,  a decent job which will help put enough food on
the table for their families and also a decent place for them to live in.  Let
us be more realistic and move ahead on a suitable and proper-track in a
systematic manner rather than charging ahead in an improper way finally
leading to a disastrous derailment.
		Rumours have also being disseminated about imminently spontaneous social
unrest in Myanmar. The media and some governments have also been engaged to
believe that disturbances and violence are to be expected on Martyr's Day on
19 July or on 8 August ( the 10th anniversary of the 1988 incident).
Unfortunately, some countries have been misled by their disinformation
campaign and some have even expressed their concern over it. What they have
failed to see is the present government in the pragmatic process of fulfilling
its obligation to keep the country perpetually peaceful, united and stable
during its transformation period to a multiparty democracy, but alas! for
creating conflicts, violence and instability.
		There has been maximum restraint being exercised  in resolving the issues of
conflicts and confrontation in many cases and instances but deliberate
creation of confrontation by NLD to force the government to violently react
needs to be examined and more importantly stopped rather than putting all the
needless blame on the government in enforcing the laws  intended to maintain
the stability in the country. If governments are prevented from taking
appropriate legal action against people who are out to create instability and
chaos one needs not  be a genius to realize that lawlessness and anarchism
will prevail.

		It is quite frustrating when confusion, difficulties and hardship are
deliberately imposed on Myanmar in various ways while at the same time on
account of fabricating, criticising and condemning the country for the
unavoidable circumstances or situation the country needlessly has to face,the
upheaval of the problems and obstacles prefabricated by the same party
collaborating with the same foreign country is also very much regretful and
deterent.
		
		Arrangement Made For Meeting 
		NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe, Mrs. Aris and Party left for Yangon from Shwe Mya
Yar village on 8th July at 0845 hrs after meeting with a party member, Daw Hla
Hla Moe of Min Hla Township.
 
		Arrangements  were made by the local authorities for Daw Hla Hla Moe to came
to Shwe Mya Yar village on 8th July morning to meet with the party. Later on
after the meeting both parties left the venue, it is learnt.

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