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The BurmaNet News: August 16, 1999



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

The BurmaNet News: August 16, 1999
Issue #1337

Noted in Passing: "This period will be the beginning of a wave of force
that will topple the regime" - Min Zin, ABFSU (see REUTERS: MYANMAR
DISSIDENTS SAY 33 HELD) 

HEADLINES:
==========
THE NATION: EXILES CLAIM 120 ARRESTED BY MILITARY 
AFP: MYANMAR JUNTA WARNS SEPTEMBER UNREST WILL FAIL 
REUTERS: MYANMAR DISSIDENTS SAY 33 HELD (IN SOUTH) 
NLM: PARTICIPATION IN INT'L TRADE FAIR IN S. AFRICA
REUTERS: TOURISTS NOT AMUSED BY MYANMAR FUNNY MONEY 
THE HINDU: A MELLOWING JUNTA? 
AFP: JAPAN TO DONATE $81,000 TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL 
*****************************************************

THE NATION: EXILES CLAIM 120 ARRESTED BY MILITARY 
15 August, 1999 

Bid to thwart revolt planned for Sept 9

An opposition group of exiled Burmese students yesterday claimed the
country's military regime has taken 120 people into custody over the past
two weeks to thwart a revolt that dissidents have called for Sept 9.

The All Burma Students' Democratic Front, composed of students who fled
Burma after an uprising 11 years ago was crushed in bloodshed, also claimed
that a virtual curfew had been imposed in Mandalay, the country's
second-largest city, and other places since last week. 

The claims came a day after Burma's government announced it had foiled an
alleged plot by the students, ethnic rebels, die-hard communists, drug
traffickers and the party led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to
instigate a mass uprising next month.

The government claimed that four people, including two ABSDF leaders and
two mid-ranking members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, had
been arrested, and said anyone engaged in the plot was subject to "severe
punishment".

Opposition groups have been urging a new uprising for Sept 9, 1999 - or
9-9-99 - and claim the date is auspicious. Many people in Burma take
numerology very seriously, though nine is usually associated with former
military strongman Ne Win.

There was no immediate government comment on the ABSDF's claims. A week
ago, exiles marked the 11th uprising - Aug 8, 1988, or 8-8-88. But Burma
was quiet, as it was last year on the 10th anniversary.

Meanwhile, the government said that two people who had helped arrange peace
deals with breakaway factions of an ethnic rebel group, the Karenni
National Progressive Party, had been ambushed, tortured and killed by KNPP
loyalists on July 31. 

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

AFP: MYANMAR JUNTA WARNS SEPTEMBER UNREST WILL FAIL
14 August, 1999 

YANGON, Aug 13 (AFP) - Myanmar's military rulers said Friday they had
uncovered details of a plan to instigate a massive uprising next month and
warned of firm action against pro-democracy activists. 

Military spokesman San Pwint showed reporters in Yangon documents which
purportedly listed the names of those involved and details about the
planned uprising on September 9.

He also displayed T-shirts emblazoned with slogans such as "Victory in
9/9/99" and "Head bloodied but not bowed".

San Pwint said four dissidents had already been arrested and interrogated
about the planned unrest. Three other people allegedly involved in the
campaign were on the run, he said.

"Due to the timely arrests and exposure, as well as the people's distaste
for public unrest, the 9999 campaign will fail," he said.

He said the military government would continue to "diligently expose and
take firm action" against those planning dissent.

Exiled pro-democracy activists based in Bangkok have made no secret of
their calls for a mass uprising against the junta on September 9, a day of
numerical significance for many Burmese.

The Thailand-based National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), an
umbrella group of exiled activists and politicians, said a total of 44
people had been detained recently.

Four activists aged 18-23 were arrested on August 2 and were being held by
military intelligence in the town of Bago north of Yangon, an NCUB
statement said.

It said 40 others in the Bago area were detained earlier, including
representatives of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) led
by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The crackdown seems to be a result of the fear of the military of a
repetition of the countrywide demonstrations in 1988 that brought about the
downfall of former dictator General Ne Win," the council said.

Last Sunday marked the 11th anniversary of the popular uprising on August
8, 1988, in which hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators were gunned down
and a junta took power from Ne Win.

Opposition groups said the Myanmar people felt they had an "appointment"
with 9-9-99 -- nine is a powerful figure in Myanmar numerology -- to repeat
the events of 1988 and end the military's 37-year domination of politics.

"No one can predict the future but there is an atmosphere of possibility
all over Burma, that this period will be the beginning of a wave of force
that will topple the regime," said All Burma Students Federation Union
spokesman Min Zin.

Military spokesman San Pwint said dissident students and activists were
planning to enlist underground communist forces and insurgent ethnic groups
based along the Thai-Myanmar border to take part in the September uprising.

"We know of and have discovered that several underground elements have been
sent in who made contact directly or indirectly with two members of the NLD
in Mandalay," San Pwint said.

The NLD won an overwhelming victory in 1990 elections but the military
junta ignored the result.

Brigadier Kyaw Win, deputy director of the junta's military intelligence
unit, warned the NLD not to encourage people to take part in any uprising.

"Responsible persons in the NLD had warned their members not to be involved
in it in any way ... however the leadership is not in a position to know
everything that is going on at the lower levels," said Kyaw Win.

"But if the NLD in exile and the NLD here begin to make concerted and
synchronized efforts once the 9999 movement accelerates ... then we'll have
to do something about it," he said.

However, after issuing the warning to the NLD, the junta also released a
statement Friday welcoming what it described as "interest from the NLD to
participate in improving living conditions in Myanmar."

It did not elaborate but said the government had "continuously encouraged
the NLD to become a constructive force in helping Myanmar along the path to
a strong and stable democracy." 

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

REUTERS: MYANMAR DISSIDENTS SAY 33 HELD (IN SOUTH) 
16 August, 1999 

BANGKOK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A Myanmar dissident group said on Monday the
ruling military had detained 33 students, most of them of high-school age,
for demonstrating in the far south of the country last week. 

Aung Thu Nyein, general-secretary of the All Burma Students' Democratic
Front (ABSDF) said the detentions in the town of Mergui were part of a
crackdown to prevent mass civil unrest that dissidents have called for next
month. 

They were in addition to the arrest of about 120 activists his group
reported last weekend. 

The government said some students were being questioned by authorities
after an incident in Mergui but gave no numbers. 

Aung Thu Nyein said the 33 students, aged 14-23, were detained in the town
after about 150 staged an hour-long demonstration there last Thursday. He
said they faced charges under Myanmar's Emergency Provisions Act, which
carried a minimum seven-year jail sentence. 

"They are undergoing interrogation, I think some will be charged and others
released," he told Reuters.

A government statement said some high school students in Mergui were being
questioned by local authorities and their school faculties after "a small
group of people attempted to create civil unrest by agitating the students." 

It said the agitators escaped and the purpose of the questioning was to
"expose and prevent the agitators from exploiting school children for their
vested interest." 

On Sunday, the government said the earlier ABSDF report on the detention of
120 dissidents was "fabricated and blown out of proportion" and accused
dissidents of a "smear campaign."

An ABSDF statement said the Mergui protests were for adequate supplies of
text books, releases of student prisoners, rights to form a union and also
against high school fees. 

Students also chanted slogans in support of a general uprising, which
dissident groups in exile have called for on "four-nines day" -- September
9, 1999. 

[ ... ] 

Anti-government sentiment remains strong in Myanmar but the military has
kept a tight rein on dissent since ignoring the result of a 1990 election
the NLD won by a huge margin. 

The government has halted many university classes for much of the past
decade to prevent a resurgence of student activism.  

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

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: CENTRAL SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PARTICIPATION OF
MYANMAR IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IN SOUTH AFRICA MEETS
13 August, 1999 

YANGON, 12 Aug- A meeting of the Central Supervisory Committee for
Participation of Myanmar in Internationa1 Trade Fair in South Africa was
held at the Tatmadaw Convention Centre on U Wisara Road this afternoon,
attended by Secretary- l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary- 1 said it is the first time for Myanmar to take part in a
trade fair in an African nation, and despite the sparse relations and
contacts between Myanmar and South Africa in the past, bilateral relations
have been promoted after the establishment of diplomatic relations between
the two countries.

The Secretary-1 said he had noticed there are mutual interests, trade
prospects and possibilities of Myanmar's products to penetrate into the
African market during his visit to South Africa to attend the inauguration
ceremony of the newly-elected President of South Africa.

Thus, arrangements were made for participation of Myanmar in the
International Trade Fair to be held in South Africa in October, and the
arrangements are going well now, he said.

Through participating in the trade fair, African nations will know Myanmar
and her products more, and that will promote relations between Myanmar and
African nations, he noted.

Therefore, the trade fair is important as it will open a new role for
promotion of trade, communication and relations between Myanmar and African
nations, he said.

The Secretary-l called on those, who will participate in the trade fair, to
work in one mind as well as in unison.

Afterwards, Chairman of the Central Committee Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Than
reported on preparations for participation in the trade fairs, followed by
a report of Chairman of Work Committee Deputy Minister Commander Myo Tint
on arrangements for it.

After the meeting, the Secretary-l inspected goods to be displayed at the
trade fair by Myanmar.

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

REUTERS: TOURISTS NOT AMUSED BY MYANMAR FUNNY MONEY 
11 August, 1999 by Aung Hla Tun 

YANGON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Myanmar, hungry for foreign exchange, prices
$300 out of every visitor to the country and in return issues them with its
own, unique brand of currency. 

But neither the foreign tourists nor the country's local merchants find
Myanmar's funny money at all amusing. 

The paper trail starts at the airport, where tourists are obliged to swap
their coveted hard currency for foreign exchange certificates, or FECs --
which are worthless outside Myanmar. 

UNLOVED CERTIFICATES 

The government keeps the real money, and the FECs, denominated in dollars,
begin their unloved journey through the country's crippled economy. 

``We don't refuse to take them, but we prefer dollars where possible,''
said one hotelier in the capital, Yangon. 

``This is simply because they (dollars) are acceptable throughout the world
but the FECs' domain is strictly within Myanmar.'' 

``And another thing, although one FEC is officially pegged at one U.S.
dollar, it is not worth as much as the dollar when they are exchanged for
kyats,'' he said. Kyats are the local currency. 

This also makes FECs a headache for tourists, who not only find it
difficult to exchange FECs at what they consider a fair rate but also
cannot convert them back to hard currency on departure. 

``We find most shopkeepers reluctant to give the prevailing exchange rate
values when we pay them in FECs,'' said one foreign tourist who declined to
be identified. 

Friendless, FECs quickly erode in value as soon as they are put to use.
Restaurants, department stores, jewellers and other retailers are all loath
to give the prevailing exchange rates. 

On August 10 an FEC bought 345 kyats, while the dollar itself fetched 352
kyats. 

UNHAPPY TOURISTS 

The military government, considered a political and economic pariah in the
West because of its human rights record, can ill afford to leave tourists
feeling cheated. 

The official Myanma News Agency reported in May that only 477,362 tourists
visited the country in the year ended March. The government is unhappy, but
does not see FECs as the culprit. 

``National traitor destructive elements are spreading fabricated news on
Myanmar in collaboration with some foreign broadcasting stations and so
tourism has not developed as it should be due to their plot to belittle the
dignity of the state,'' the agency quoted Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt,
powerful Secretary One of the ruling State Peace and Development Council,
as saying. 

Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, led by Nobel Peace
Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and its international backers want a boycott
of Myanmar in support of democracy. But Myanmar's rich history and beauty
keep the visitors trickling in. 

The FECs saga goes back to February 1993 when they were introduced to earn
a guaranteed stream of tourist dollars for cash-strapped Myanmar. They were
also promoted as a way to help tourists beat the vagaries of an official
exchange rate. 

Tourists could go into the open market and get value for their dollars via
the FECs at kyat rates that truly reflected market exchange rates as
closely as possible. 

AIMED AT SAVING TOURISTS FROM BLACK MARKET 

A central bank official told Reuters the foreign exchange certificates were
introduced with ``very good intentions.'' 

``We did not want foreign visitors to suffer because of the huge difference
between the government-controlled rates and the floating rates in the
parallel (informal) market.'' 

The official rate of six kyats to the dollar still exists, but only on paper. 

At first, FECs could only be exchanged for dollars. But from December 1995
they were allowed to be swapped for kyat. However, this can only be done at
10 authorised exchanges in the capital. 

The central bank official said FECs should not have hit problems because
all local shopkeepers were allowed to accept and exchange them for kyats
with authorised dealers. 

The government recently announced it was allowing all telephone subscribers
to make overseas calls directly and pay for them with FECs, a move dealers
and analysts said should help raise some confidence in the units. 

But shopkeepers are still scratching their heads. One said he did not even
know where to convert the FECs into kyats. 

``Some people don't even know if it is legal to accept FECs,'' said one
local analyst. Others knew it was legal but worried that sudden exchange
rate changes could set them back, he added. 

``Most of them undervalue FECs when they accept them, not because of their
greed but because of ignorance.''

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

THE HINDU: A MELLOWING JUNTA? 
15 August, 1999 by P.S. Suryanarayana

In one sense, the ASEAN policy of engagement with the Yangon regime has
given the international community some leeway in dealing with the junta,
writes P.S. SURYANARAYANA. 

Is a new modus vivendi emerging imperceptibly between the military
government in Yangon and the international community, particularly
Myanmar's South East Asian neighbours? Or, is a storm in the wake of the
current phase of low-key activism by Myanmar's ``pro-democracy''
campaigners in exile. The latest noisy demonstration in Bangkok against the
Myanmarese junta would have passed off as a non-event but for the prying
urges of photo journalists. 

Whatever the answers to these imponderable questions, the Yangon
authorities have lost no time warning the administrators and people against
unrest being stoked up by an alleged alliance between ``neo-colonialists''
and Myanmarese activists owing allegiance to Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and her
National League for Democracy (NLD). The military government, known as the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), is looking over its shoulders
to prevent a new upsurge of dramatic ``pro-democracy'' agitations by either
the NLD activists or their sympathisers in exile or even by foreigners
sneaking into Myanmar in the guise of tourists as some of them did last year. 

At another level, there is some relief for the SPDC. It did not have to
cope with an avalanche of criticism at the latest meeting of the ARF (the
Association of South East Asian Nations' Regional Forum) in Singapore
unlike as it happened at the time of a similar meeting in Manila last year.
Ms. Suu Kyi's roadside stand-off with the Yangon authorities, which led to
a stinging criticism of the SPDC by the U.S. during the ARF meeting last
year, is now almost faded memory. In fact, the tone and tenor of the
utterances by the U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Madeleine Albright, at this
year's ARF session points to Washington's qualitatively different concerns
now. 

Ms. Albright said ``the United States urges Burma to shift direction and
begin a dialogue with the democratic opposition, including (Ms.) Aung San
Suu Kyi, and other representative groups.'' In a language of diplomatic
courtesy, as distinct from her usual stridency on this theme, she told the
ARF, ``we (the U.S.) support the U.N. role in encouraging this (idea of
dialogue) and (we) are disappointed that Special Envoy DeSoto has not yet
been able to return to Burma despite several requests (by the U.N.) over
the past six months.'' The U.S. was calling upon the SPDC to ``allow such a
visit as soon as possible.'' 

Though there was nothing in her message to indicate a shift in Washington's
stance on the democracy puzzle in Myanmar, there was a hint of possible
intersection, as different from a convergence, of the relative new ways of
the U.S. and Myanmar. Ms. Albright's commendation of a U.N. role was
matched by the Myanmar Foreign Minister, Mr. U. Win Aung's separate
response, avoiding a hostile rejection of the idea of a special envoy
visiting his country. 

Even as Ms. Albright made no concession to the SPDC by setting the U.S.
sights lower on a democratic resurgence as Myanmar's destiny, Mr. U. Win,
too, did not yield ground on any substantive issue. He repeated the SPDC's
more recent refrain of Myanmar being headed for a rendezvous with democracy
at an indefinite future date and of the Council's more immediate
compulsions of sorting out assorted ethnic-political problems. However,
there was no mistaking the regime's new willingness to experiment with a
policy of tentative engagement with the international community in the
present circumstances defined, in part, by a certain loss of momentum, not
a reversal of course, of the pro-democracy movement. 

More central to the SPDC's calculations is the recent detente, as it were,
between it and the European Union, which has considered it worthwhile to
talk to the Yangon regime in a logical extension of a theory which, in the
first place, provided a rationale for the West's new engagement with China. 

At stake is the possibility of redefining the recent, absolutely informal,
proposal by some officials of the World Bank and the U.N. that the Yangon
regime be granted economic aid and goaded into making peace with Ms. Suu
Kyi and/or other leaders of the democracy movement. The idea is still just
that, but international interlocutors can no longer point to any
permanently locked doors in Yangon. 

In one sense, the ASEAN's policy of engagement with the Yangon regime - the
association's primary reasoning for admitting Myanmar into its fold - has
given the international community some leeway in dealing with the SPDC at
this time. Given the ASEAN's first principles, the association as also
India, whose External Affairs Minister met the Myanmarese Foreign Minister
on the sidelines of the ARF meeting, has not been inquisitional about the
SPDC record in internal politics. Not surprisingly, Mr. U. Win Aung said at
the latest ASEAN meetings that ``a country's affairs should be handled by
its own people.'' 

A concept of ``enhanced interaction'' among the ASEAN states, as
popularised by Thailand, would be put to test by its Foreign Minister, Mr.
Surin Pitsuwan, in his stewardship of the association's standing committee
from now. Myanmar may attract greater attention in the context of Mr.
Surin's agenda of human rights, democracy and human resource development
across South East Asia. 

It is, however, possible that trans-national issues such as the illicit
trade in drugs and environmental protection will bring Myanmar into new
international focus as much as the democracy riddle does. Ms. Albright has
recently identified Myanmar as ``a threat to regional stability'' because
of the SPDC's ``failure to prevent widescale narcotics production and
trafficking activities.'' She also blamed the SPDC for its ``repressive
policies'' at home which ``created strife and caused the outflow of
refugees.'' But the anticipated Thai focus on ``future security threats,''
in the form of ``economic disruptions'', ``illicit drugs'' and the like,
could bring the SPDC to account on a range of issues other than the Suu Kyi
question.

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

AFP: JAPAN TO DONATE 81,000 DOLLARS TO IMPROVE MYANMAR HOSPITAL 
14 August, 1999 

YANGON, Aug 13 (AFP) - Japan is to donate more than 81,000 dollars to
improve emergency medical treatment at Myanmar's Mandalay General Hospital,
Japanese officials said Friday.

The grant will be used to upgrade the telephone system with new digital
technology, a statement from the Japanese embassy said.

"This will enable the hospital to improve the communication network between
patients and doctors to work more effectively in emergency health cases,"
the statement said.

The grant will be administered by a Japanese non-government organization
working in Mandalay 450 miles (720 kilometres) north of Yangon.

In 1998-99 Japan provided more than 1.3 million dollars to Myanmar under
its Grass Roots Grant Assistance Scheme.

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