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The BurmaNet News: January 20, 1999



------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
 "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
----------------------------------------------------------

The BurmaNet News: January 20, 1999
Issue #1189

HEADLINES:
==========
BPF: THE SPDC'S ALL-SEASON OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE NLD 
NLD: STATEMENT #8 (1/99) 
PHUCHATKAN (BANGKOK): BURMESE TROOPS PLANTED MINES 
BKK POST: CAMPAIGN TO "SELL" ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN 
AFP: EXILED STUDENTS PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY 
BKK POST: AMBASSADOR URGES TALKS TO PREVENT CLASHES
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BURMA PEACE FOUNDATION: THE SPDC'S ALL-SEASON OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE NLD 
15 January, 1999 by David Arnott < darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx>

In the SPDC's current offensive against the NLD, aimed ultimately at
driving the Party underground, the "closure" of the NLD branches (the NLD
says they are not legally closed) is one of the principal tactics being
used, There is also the long-standing harassment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
and her close colleagues, some of whom are now serving long prison terms,
the holding of NLD hostages -- both MPs-elect and party officers -- in
prisons and "guesthouses", the forced and falsified "resignations" of NLD
officers and ordinary members, and the statements various ethnic groups
have been required to make criticising the NLD (to undermine non-Burman
support for the NLD's project of convening the Parliament).

I have squished together the previous figures (already posted to several
lists), done a bit of arithmetic, and offer the results here.

There are a number of considerations not covered by the figures, which may
also enter into SPDC strategy. These include population density, strategic
and economic factors, the possibility of wiping out all the NLD branches in
a given area. (e.g. in Arakan, which returned only 8 NLD MPs in 1990, 10
branches have been "closed"; does anyone know if there are any NLD branches
left in that State? I imagine that once a branch is "closed", the SPDC will
not be excessively cooperative in helping it to open again). There is also
the major element of opportunity.

Some of the figures suggest further questions, e.g. why are there so many
guesthoused officers from Mon State? Why the large number of "resignations"
in Irrawaddy and Pegu? Why the relatively light treatment of Mandalay
compared with Rangoon, etc.

David Arnott (Burma Peace Foundation, Geneva)

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GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN OF THE VARIOUS TACTICS BEING USED TO DAMAGE THE NLD


RANGOON DIVISION  	 			
Guesthoused NLD MPs 29  (number elected in 1990 59)
Guesthoused NLD officials 345
NLD branches closed 2
Members and officials "resigned" 282

SAGAING DIVISION	 			
Guesthoused NLD MPs 28   (number elected in 1990 53)
Guesthoused NLD officials 10
NLD branches closed 3
Members and officials "resigned" 563

PEGU DIVISION 					
Guesthoused NLD MPs 25  (number elected in 1990 48)
Guesthoused NLD officials 47
NLD branches closed 4
Members and officials "resigned" 1715

MAGWE DIVISION 				
Guesthoused NLD MPs 23   (number elected in 1990 39)
Guesthoused NLD officials 13
NLD branches closed 0
Members and officials "resigned" 218

IRRAWADDY DIVISION 				
Guesthoused NLD MPs 23   (number elected in 1990 49)
Guesthoused NLD officials 43
NLD branches closed 2
Members and officials "resigned" 3349

MANDALAY DIVISION 				
Guesthoused NLD MPs 22   (number elected in 1990 55)
Guesthoused NLD officials 56
NLD branches closed 1
Members and officials "resigned" 325

TENASSERIM DIVISION 			
Guesthoused NLD MPs 6   (number elected in 1990 13)
Guesthoused NLD officials 2
NLD branches closed 5
Members and officials "resigned" 48

SHAN STATE 					
Guesthoused NLD MPs 18   (number elected in 1990 22)
Guesthoused NLD officials 7
NLD branches closed 8
Members and officials "resigned" 267

MON STATE 					
Guesthoused NLD MPs 11   (number elected in 1990 17)
Guesthoused NLD officials 122
NLD branches closed 4
Members and officials "resigned" 101

ARAKAN STATE 			 	 	
Guesthoused NLD MPs 3   (number elected in 1990 8)
Guesthoused NLD officials 10
NLD branches closed 10
Members and officials "resigned" 111

KAREN STATE 			 	 	
Guesthoused NLD MPs 4   (number elected in 1990 10)
Guesthoused NLD officials 3
NLD branches closed 1
Members and officials "resigned" 4

KACHIN STATE 						
Guesthoused NLD MPs 1   (number elected in 1990 14)
Guesthoused NLD officials 8
NLD branches closed 2
Members and officials "resigned" 94

CHIN STATE			 	 	
Guesthoused NLD MPs 0  (number elected in 1990 3)
Guesthoused NLD officials 0
NLD branches closed 2
Members and officials "resigned" 31

KARENNI STATE				 	
Guesthoused NLD MPs 0  (number elected in 1990 4)
Guesthoused NLD officials 0
NLD branches closed 0
Members and officials "resigned" 0

--------------------------------------------


ANTI-NLD STATEMENTS BY VARIOUS NON-BURMAN ETHNIC GROUPS

These statements were orchestrated in response to the support the NLD's
Committee of 10 (CRPP)  was receiving from a number of ethnic organisations
and alliances.


If anyone has an afternoon or so to spare, cuddle up with the "Unity is No.
1" website

http://www.twics.com/~yangon/unity.htm

where you will find a number of statements by ceasefire groups:

Subject: Attitude of the ........ in connection with the NLD (National
League for Democracy)'s call for convening of the Hluttaw

The ones I looked at seemed to be from the same template. There may be some
variations, but I didn't have the patience to sit through the painfully
slow-loading pictures of jolly ethnic dancers, heroic Tatmadawmen and the
Senior General's words of wisdom in "Leaders" magazine, to get to all the
texts. 

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NLD: STATEMENT #8 (1/99)
12 January, 1999 

National League for Democracy
(97/b) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon

Statement 8(1/99)

For everyone's information, the directions given by the National League for
Democracy to the organising committees in the towns of Yenangyaung and
Chauk regarding the "unlawful entry and harassment at the offices of the
party by members of the township election commission " is herewith published.

(Start) " Despite the use of every means and device to get the NLD
Organising Committees in Chauk township to resign, the authorities have
failed because the members have displayed their solidarity and refused to
cave in.

The authorities have now responded with vengeance and demanded an
inspection of the records of town, ward and village committees. The
township committee refused to submit their records under any circumstances
for inspection in accordance with directions given by the Central Executive
Committee.

It now appears that the authorities have resurrected the defunct Township
Elections Commission to issue orders demanding the submission of all
records of political parties and their branches within six days for
scrutiny to examine whether they are operating systematically. Documents to
be produced are incoming and outgoing letters, attendance registers, all
other files and account books.

For the reasons given below, the resurrected Township Elections Commission
has no jurisdiction and is not empowered under the Political Parties
Registration Law to make such demands for inspection:-

(1) The Multiparty Elections Commission is not an administrative body,
hence it has no power to interfere in matters of administration.

(2) The Multiparty Elections Commission was charged to attend to matters
relating to the elections alone. After elections were completed which was 9
years ago, it has no more tasks to perform. It has no function in political
matters.

(3) A commission is appointed for the performance of a specific project or
business.

Therefore, the township organising committees are instructed that they are
not obliged to acquiesce to the illegal demands of any authority." (End)


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy 

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PHUCHATKAN (BANGKOK): BURMESE TROOPS SAID TO HAVE PLANTED MINES ALONG THAI
BORDER 
14 January, 1999

[BurmaNet Editor's Note: Phuchatkan is a business-oriented daily newspaper
published in Bangkok.  This article has been translated from Thai and is
abridged.]

Northern Region's News Center -- Some 7,000 landmines are still underground
along the Thai-Burmese border at Kiu Phawok border pass.  The authorities
said they had cleared all the mines along trails in the area. However,
entering the area from the wrong direction can be fatal.

Meanwhile, Burmese authorities have admitted that they planted the mine
that exploded recently and cut off the legs of a Thai policeman. Banluesak
Thephatsadin na Ayutthaya, chief official of Chiang Dao District, Chiang
Mai Province said on 3 January Police Captain Suwan Thaenphithak, deputy
inspector of Na Wai Police Station, stepped on a landmine and lost his
legs.  The Burmese troops were stationed in the area before and in August
last year they planted landmines all over the place.

According to the information initially obtained from the Burmese troops at
Base B.P. 1, located opposite Kiu Phawok border pass, Burmese troops have
planted some 7,000 landmines along the border area since August last year
to deter the anticipated advance of the Shan rebels of the SSA faction.
Banluesak cited a Burmese military source as saying that besides the police
captain, many villagers were wounded by mine explosions in the area where
the demarcation line is vague and which Burmese troops have mistaken as
their territory.  However, the border patrol police have already cleared
all landmines along the trails inside Thai territory.  A total number of 76
landmines buried on Thai soil were defused. One exploded when it was
stepped on by the Thai police officer.

Banleusak said: "We can say that there are no landmines left buried under
the trails inside our territory.  However, villagers should not stray from
the trails as the authorities cannot yet guarantee their safety.  We have
no right to defuse the mines inside Burma."

The situation inside Burma along the border areas adjacent to Thailand's
Chiang Dao District have been tense since August last year.  The Shan
rebels of the SSA faction have been infiltrating into the area.  The
Burmese troops have been very strict with the people who travel in and out
of the area.  Meanwhile, Thai authorities at all levels have been
instructed not to enter the border area inside Burma as it is unsafe.

On 25 December last year, Battalion 529 was dispatched from Keng Tung to
replace Battalion 65 at Base B.P.1.  Captain Tanlai is now the new base
commander.  Some 300 to 400 fresh troops from Battalions 225, 519, and 43
in Mong Tuan have been sent to reinforce the base and defend the oil depot
of the Thai Petroleum Authority of Thailand built inside Burma and the
route from Pha Kiuwok to Mong Tuan as well as the three nearby villages
namely Ban Namyup, Ban Pong, and Ban Pakhaem.

Clashes between the Burmese troops and Shan rebels of the SSA faction took
place on 31 December last year some three kilometers northwest of the
border pass inside Burma.

Banleusak disclosed that despite the tense situation and travel
restrictions in the border area, border trade continues as normal with a
monthly value of 27 to 30 million baht because the border trade is under
the military protection.  The Shan rebels, however, are active in the areas
along the Salween River far away from the border.  In 1998, the total value
of exports through the border pass was recorded at 239,473,978.90 baht
while imports amounted to 1,713,678.40 baht only.

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THE BANGKOK POST: CAMPAIGN TO "SELL" ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN 
18 January, 1999 

AFP

Burma will launch a global public relations campaign to publicise the
results of its plan to stamp out drug production.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper yesterday quoted Secretary One
of the ruling junta Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt as saying the plan
announced last November, would begin this year and run through 2000.

Burma had achieved a success in eliminating cultivation and production of
drugs, despite a lack of international help, the general said.

A United States report accused Burma of producing 90 percent of Southeast
Asia's opium-about half the world's total supply.

The junta says the country produces far less than the US estimates.

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AFP: EXILED MYANMAR STUDENTS PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY 
19 January, 1999 

BANGKOK, Jan 19 (AFP) - A handful of exiled Myanmar students staged a
peaceful protest outside the Japanese embassy here Tuesday to demand Tokyo
harden its stance against the Yangon junta.

A student spokesman condemned the Japanese government for offering
financial aid to the junta, which is widely accused of grave abuses of
human rights.

He said planned talks between the Japanese government and Myanmar deputy
intelligence chief Major General Kyaw Win should be cancelled.

An embassy official confirmed the invitation had been made, but said it was
intended to advance the cause of human rights and "democratisation" in
Myanmar.

"In general the Japanese government would like to exchange views with the
Myanmar administration and we welcome the democratisation and improvement
of human rights in Myanmar," the official said.

Japan suspended all but a small amount of humanitarian aid to the
military-run state in the late 1980s but agreed in February to help finance
reconstruction of the airport in Yangon, Myanmar's capital.

Myanmar's ruling State Peace and Development Council has refused to
recognise the results of 1990 elections won in a landslide by the National
League for Democracy under Aung San Suu Kyi.

The student spokesman called on the Japanese government to "force ruling
junta groups to hand over power to the election winner" as well as stop all
assistance to Yangon.

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THE BANGKOK POST: BURMESE AMBASSADOR URGES TALKS TO PREVENT CLASHES 
19 January, 1999 

Thai proposal for joint patrols mulled

Burma's Ambassador to Thailand, Hla Maung, yesterday agreed that the two
countries should quickly discuss measures to prevent future clashes at sea,
a Foreign Minister source said.

The ambassador made his comments during talks with Foreign Ministry Deputy
Permanent Secretary Sawanit Kongsiri to examine Thai proposals for joint
patrols, the setting up of a hot line, and the stationing of Burmese
liaison officials at the border co-ordination centre in Ranong.

The talk followed a clash in a disputed area in the Andaman Sea on January
12 which reportedly killed three Burmese and damaged a Burmese patrol boat.
There were also alleged intrusions in a nearby area by two Thai naval
vessels on January 16.

In the latest incident, Mr Sawanit quoted the Royal Thai Navy as stating
that its vessels had never trespassed into Burmese waters. The RTN however
left open the possibility of their passing through unclear territory, the
source quoted him as adding.

But Burma's director-general for political affairs, Nyunt Maunt Sein, in
protesting the latest incident with the Thai ambassador in Rangoon, Pensak
Chalarak, on Sunday, emphasised that Thai naval boats had entered Burmese
waters.

They did so after a Burmese naval vessel had tried to communicate with them
by light signal, the Burmese official was quoted as saying. The Burmese
government considered such "deliberate and provocative actions" as being "
against the spirit of good-neighbourliness as well as of Asean community".
They also "could give rise to undesirable misunderstandings and consequences."

Meanwhile, a Burmese soldier has been arrested on suspicion of conducting
intelligence work in a refugee camp in Suan Phueng district, Ratchaburi.

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