The BurmaNet News: September 27, 19

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Subject: The BurmaNet News: September 27, 1999

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The BurmaNet News: September 27, 1999
Issue #1367

Noted in Passing: "There is a geographical divide in the understanding of
this problem. [Human rights]."  - Dr. Kyaw Win Burmese ambassador to the UK
(see BBC: GIVE DEMOCRACY TIME)
"We fully subscribe to the human rights norms enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights." -Win Aung, Burmese Foreign Minister (see
REUTERS: JUNTA "OPEN TO ALL HUMAN RIGHTS IDEAS")

[BurmaNet Editor's Note: The BurmaNet News was not distributed on Friday,
September 24, 1999]

HEADLINES:
==========
REUTERS: JUNTA "OPEN TO ALL HUMAN RIGHTS IDEAS"
BBC: GIVE DEMOCRACY TIME
AP: ACTIVISTS DENOUNCE MYANMAR ABUSES
AFP: MYANMAR DISSIDENTS PRAISE  CHINA INVOLVEMENT IN EAST TIMOR
NEWS AND VIEWS: LITERACY IN MYANMAR
THE NATION: PTT ADVOCATES USE OF BURMESE NATURAL GAS
BKK POST: DRUG SUPPRESSION CALLS FOR SACRIFICE
ANNC: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS YEAR BOOK AVAILABLE
*****************************************************

REUTERS: JUNTA "OPEN TO ALL HUMAN RIGHTS IDEAS"
26 September, 1999

WIN AUNG TELLS UN AIM IS FOR DEMOCRACY
United Nations

Burma's foreign minister defended his country's human rights record, to the
United Nations General Assembly, several hours after pro-democracy exiles
described persistent abuses by the military government.

"We fully subscribe to the human rights norms enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights," Foreign Minister Win Aung said on Friday.
"Here, I wish to underscore that the government does not condone any
violations of human rights."

But the foreign minister said that if "there is an imperative need for
improvement in areas of human rights, we are willing and ready to receive
sensible suggestions and take whatever action we possibly could".

"The type of democracy we envision will guarantee the protection and
promotion of human rights, particularly the rights to basic needs such as
clothing, food and shelter, " he said.

But activists from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
denounced repeated abuses by the government and said humanitarian aid could
be used for political ends.

"The list-of abuses almost defines the possible range of ways a human
being's rights can be abused," said Bo Hla Tint, the group's director for
North and South American affairs, who said such abuses included forced
labour, arbitrary arrests, torture, rape and a clamp drown on any political
opposition.

Thaung Htun, the coalition's representative for UN affairs, told a news
conference that several countries, the UN and the World Bank had offered
Burma aid "to entice the military regime into a political dialogue".

But he said that any humanitarian assistance had to be monitored carefully
"or there is a risk of manipulation by the government".

Thaung Htun said the government created relief groups to work with UN
agencies and pretended they were independent bodies.


"There is no space in the society where community-based organisations can
work freely without interference from the military," he said.

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

BBC: BURMA- 'GIVE DEMOCRACY TIME'
24 September, 1999 by Tim Sebastian

Burma will not be ready for democracy until its people understand how to use
it, the Burmese ambassador to the UK has told the BBC.

Speaking on BBC World's Hardtalk, Burma's ambassador in the UK Dr Kyaw Win
said people needed to be educated and the country stabilised before
multi-party politics could develop.

"You think once they are free to do anything they want, they understand what
democracy is all about?" he said. "Democracy is a very delicate flower, it
doesn't grow easily anywhere and is not easily transplantable." he said.

Dr Win was on the programme to defend his country's human rights record.
Burma, or Myanmar - the name chosen by the military regime -, has come into
the spotlight this month with the imprisonment of two young British
protestors who publicly declared support for the country's democracy
movement.

A Foreign Office report in London has accused the government in Rangoon of
presiding over a system of summary executions, torture, rape and detention
without trial.

But Dr Win dismissed this report and a United Nations report that has also
condemned Burma's human rights record, as a simple cultural difference
between east and west. He accused "certain western-based organisations" of
having vested interests.

"The UN is controlled by a few countries that are more powerful than the
rest," he said. "There is a geographical divide in the understanding of this
problem.

Jailed Britons

Earlier this month Rachel Goldwyn, 28, was jailed for seven years for
chaining herself to a lamppost in Rangoon and singing pro-democracy songs,
while 26-year-old James Mawdsley was jailed for 17 years for distributing
anti-government leaflets.

Dr Win described Mr Mawdsley as "a chronic, recurrent violator". In the case
of Rachel Goldwyn he said there was every chance she could be released after
an appeals process, but he stood by Burma's legal system.

"It wasn't singing," he told Hardtalk's Tim Sebastian. "She came in, she
shackled herself to a fence and this was part of a big scenario they were
trying to create on 9-9-99. Everybody knows.

"The laws are laws. In the face of laws the opinions of individuals do not
count. It is the laws that count."

"This girl is going to get a proper appeals process and her parents will be
going there and making appeals with the lawyers. It's is a judicial process,
this is not a political process. You people are politicising it."

"They were not just there to hand out leaflets and sing songs. They wanted
to cause this particular uprising and they wanted to lend their support to
it."
The government that Dr Win represents came to power in 1988 as a
transitional government before democracy was to be set up.

In 1990 elections, Burma's main opposition party, the National League for
Democracy, won 82% of the vote. But the country's military leaders ignored
the results and the NLD leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi spent almost six years under
house arrest.

But Dr Win said basic rights to food had to come before democracy could be
put in place

"We in developing countries, first of all have to have the basic rights to
sufficiency of food, shelter and other basic needs as a priority, he said.

"Political rights will come when the time is right."

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

AP: ACTIVISTS DENOUNCE MYANMAR ABUSES
24 September, 1999 by By Peter James Spielmann

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Exiled pro-democracy activists warned Friday that U.N.
humanitarian aid to Myanmar may backfire and strengthen the ruling military
junta.

As Myanmar's foreign minister defended the country's human rights record
before the General Assembly, activists from the exiled National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma denounced what they said were rampant
rights abuse by the military government.

[...]

``What we want is for the international community, through the United
Nations, to speak with one voice and act with one purpose,'' said U Bo Hla
Tint, the coalition's minister-in-exile for North and South American
affairs.

Dr. Thaung Htun, the coalition's representative for U.N. affairs, noted that
the United Nations and World Bank had offered Myanmar, also known as Burma,
humanitarian aid ``as incentives to entice the military regime into a
political dialogue.''

However, he said, the regime might try to manipulate foreign aid and delay
reforms if there was not a concrete proposal for democratic transition,
including specific goals and a time frame.

He also warned that the premature resumption of foreign aid would jeopardize
the effort to establish democracy. In June, the 174-nation International
Labor Organization barred Myanmar from receiving U.N. assistance because of
widespread use of forced labor.

The opposition National League for Democracy, led by Nobel Peace laureate
Aung San Suu Kyi, swept 1990 elections, capturing 82 percent of 485
parliamentary seats. But the military, which has run Myanmar since 1962,
refused to yield power.

The U.N. General Assembly has condemned Myanmar for human rights violations
and for jailing and harassing the opposition.

[...]

*****************************************************
AFP: MYANMAR DISSIDENTS PRAISE CHINA'S INVOLVEMENT IN TIMOR
22 September, 1999

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (AFP) - A leading group of Myanmar dissidents Wednesday
praised China's decision to join the United Nations force in East Timor as a
remarkable shift in Beijing's foreign policy.

"It was a positive development and we view it as a remarkable shift in the
foreign policy of the Peoples' Republic of China," said the National Council
of the Union of Burma (NCUB) in a statement received by AFP.

Last week Beijing announced it would send a civilian police contingent to
the devastated territory.

The Chinese government, which faces opposition to its rule in Tibet, has in
the past strictly adhered to a policy of non-interference in the internal
affairs of other countries, the statement said.

The statement said China's move shows it has recognised the desire of the
East Timorese for freedom from Indonesian rule.

Two weeks ago the East Timorese people voted overwhelmingly in favour of
independence in a UN-administered referendum -- the result sparked an orgy
of violence in the former Portugese colony.

"We have no doubt that China has come to participate now in the maintenance
of regional peace and respects international norms and standards," said NCUB
general secretary Maung Maung Aye.

The exiled dissident group also called on the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations
(ASEAN) to review its policy of non-interference in members' internal
affairs.

Myanmar has voiced sympathy for its Indonesian "brothers" and hinted at
uneasiness that some ASEAN members, including Thailand, the Philippines and
Malaysia, joined the East Timor force.

At a press conference in Bangkok last weekend, the NCUB called the United
Nations to send an international force into Myanmar, similar to the
multinational contingent bound for East Timor.

"We would welcome the UN to take similar action in Myanmar like East Timor
because there are also wide abuses of human rights in both countries," it
said.

ASEAN comprises Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei,
Cambodia,Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.

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

NEWS AND VIEWS: LITERACY IN MYANMAR
24 September, 1999 source Vol-1 No-36

The Literacy rate of Myanmar was considered quite high since precolonial
times because of monastic education. The literacy rate went down to as low
as 35 percent only when monastic education had been disrupted with the
colonization of Myanmar.

After the regaining of independence in 1948, the Mass education law was
promulgated and mass eradication of illiteracy programmes were introduced.
In 1964, national literacy campaign was launched and due to its successful
movement, Myanmar was awarded Mohammed Reza Pahlavi Literacy Prize in 1971
and the Noma Prize in 1983 by UNESCO.

After 1988, the new government continues to promote literacy in accordance
with its one of the social objectives, " Uplift of health ,fitness and
education standards of the entire nation". Like other countries, Myanmar has
its own Education for All (EFA) 2000 Programme after the World Conference on
Education for All held in Thailand in 1990. The national EFA Co-ordination
Committee has laid down policy guidelines and various committees down to the
village level had been implementing these programmes.

Myanmar held the 1999 International Literacy Day on September 8, 1999 at
Myanmar Educational Research Bureau with an address by the Chairman of
Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. In his address, Secretary-1 pointed out that
"Literacy is a tool for education" which enables us to create a modern and
developed nation. He also emphasized the requirements of continuing
education programme for those who had obtained basic literacy. He added
continuing education programme covered literacy promotion, income generation
and better life programmes through reading circles and community learning
centres. He also mentioned the cooperation of international organizations
like Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) and UNESCO (PROAP) in
this field. As a result of the cooperation between the Ministry of Education
and these organizations, Myanmar literacy Recourses Centre (MLRC) is going
to emerge in the very near future.

After Secretary-1 had given an address, Resident Representative of UNDP Mr.
Patrice Coeur-Bizot made a speech. Then, General Secretary of Myanmar UNESCO
National Commission U Han Tin read the message of Mr. Frederico Meyor,
director-general of UNESCO. The ceremony was followed by a paper reading
session which presented papers on Literacy efforts of Sagaing Division,
Mandalay Division and Ayeyawady Division and papers on EFA the year 2000
Assessment and an Overview of Literacy in the Asia and the Pacific.

With the concerted efforts of the government, people and international
organizations, it can be expected to wipe out illiteracy and achieve
literacy in the near future.

Interested participants may contact Myatmikhin Wuntha Rekkhita Association
(Tel: 00951-220721).


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

THE NATION: PTT ADVOCATES USE OF BURMESE NATURAL GAS
27 September, 1999

THE Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has urged usage of natural gas
originating from Burma on the grounds that it was less expensive than oil
fuel and that it had been confirmed that it would be delivered to customers
as scheduled.

Piti Yimprasert, president of PTT Gas, disclosed that early this year, PTT's
natural gas procurement and sale for 1999 had been planned at 1,920 million
cubic feet per day (MMCFD) - comprising gas from the Gulf of Thailand, the
Namphong Field and Burma.

Gas from the Gulf of Thailand and the Namphong Field is delivered to the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) as required. However,
Egat has failed to complete Ratchaburi Power Plant construction, causing a
revision in the plans in the middle of this year. It was an unexpected
development when Egat appeared to be unable to utilize gas delivered from
Burma via the PTT's pipeline with a transmission capacity of 1,000 MMCFD,
which had already been completed over a year before. At present, PTT is
ready to supply 525 MMCFD of gas from Burma, which costs less than oil by
Bt8 per one million British Thermal Units.

PTT says that this year it can supply natural gas to every customer as
planned. For the full year 1999, total sales are expected to reach
approximately 1,740 MMCFD, representing a growth of 10 per cent over the
same period of the previous year. Especially, the demand from small power
producers (SPP) has climbed 115 per cent from 146 MMCFD in 1998 to 312 MMCFD
this year.

At the end of 1999, independent power producers (IPP) will start receiving
100 MMCFD approximately. The gas price for both SPPs and IPPs is
significantly cheaper than that of oil.

While the price of fuel has been rising continuously, Egat should accelerate
the construction of the Ratchaburi Power Plant to use natural gas instead of
oil for the ultimate benefit of the nation. In addition, Egat's purchase of
electricity from SPPs and IPPs, using natural gas as fuel, needs to be
hastened.
Normally, an incremental rise in gas delivery, especially of a great amount,
calls for a plan mutually agreed over a year in advance, since the
construction, an increase in the pipeline efficiency as well as funding,
requires a length of time for preparation. Regarding the Egat's inquiry in
the media about a further delivery of 500 MMCFD of gas from the Gulf of
Thailand, PTT stated that it had never been officially informed on the
issue.
*****************************************************

BANGKOK POST: DRUG SUPPRESSION CALLS FOR SACRIFICE
26 September, 1999

Regional cooperation is needed to fight the amphetamine scourge, which
claims more young Thai victims each year, according to Pol Maj Gen Viraj
Jutimitt, deputy commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Office's Narcotic
Suppression Bureau (NSB).

The closure of border passes in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai has helped stem
the flow of amphetamines from areas controlled by the United Wa State Army
(UWSA) in Burma. But the problem is not over because the UWSA is likely to
shift its bases elsewhere.

"It's quite certain that they'll move to border areas in Laos, opposite
Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai. If so, the trafficking
route . will likely be shifted to the northeast across the Mekong River,"
said Pol Maj Gen Viraj in an interview with Sunday Perspective.

"But this would mean the drug guys will have to pay more to get their stuff
to Bangkok, which is the main distribution centre. The police will also have
more time to halt them".

Yet, there are many other potential production sites along the border with
Burma in Mae Hong Son province, he said. From, there, it is easier to
smuggle the drug into Thailand than the northeastern route. From Mae Hong
Son, amphetamines can be smuggled to Tak and then on to Uthai Thani and
Suphan uri, which is close to Bangkok.

Pol Maj Gen Viraj is concerned about China's plan to build a deep sea port
Muang-Mom in Laos, north of Chiang Saen. The port could facilitate an influx
of petrol, military equipment and drugs into the area. At present, China
mainly transports agricultural produce and electrical appliances via Chiang
Seang harbour.

But Pol Maj Gen Viraj stressed that Thailand and Burma have worked together
to tackle the drug problem.. Both countries have set up joint suppression
units in Thachilek, Myawaddy and Koh Tong in Burma.

"We can see that the Burmese authorities are sincere about helping us combat
the illicit drug activities even though there is a limit to what they can
do. They are aware of the gravity of the problems, both in their country and
ours," he said.

Drug abuse is a growing problem in Burma. The Burmese government is also
under pressure to prove to the world community that it does not turn a blind
eye to the narcotics problem.

The seriousness Of the Burmese authorities can be seen in their successful
operations, he said.

Large quantities of drugs, particularly of amphetamines, have been seized
during the first six months of this year. As many as 20-30 million
amphetamine tablets were confiscated by Burmese authorities. "When they
burned the drugs, I was one of the people invited to light the bonfire,"
said Pol Maj Gen Viraj, who has been involved in drug suppression for over
30 years.

The officer Pol Maj Gen Viraj said the success of drug suppression depends;
on cooperation among Asian neighbours, particularly Burma. Thai-Burmese
cooperation such as in Tachileik shows that both countries are sincere and
serious in eradicating the drug problem," he said.

Problems faced by Burma and Thailand are similar. Government officials,
soldiers, politicians and influential local figures all engage in the drug
trade.

We are in a difficult situation," lamented Pol Maj Gen Viraj. ."In the old
days, we fought hard against the influx of heroin that passed through
Thailand to third countries. Now we face the spread of ya baa(amphetamines)
which destroy our human resources, particularly young people.

"So it's important for Asian countries which are affected by the problem
such as China, Burma, Laos are Thailand, to stick together and help one
another."

BELATED ACTION

"The checkpoint should have been closed a long time ago," he said, referring
to Ban San Ton Du pass in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai, which was ordered
closed on August 4 this year.

"Apart from stemming the drug flow, it can effectively control the rapid;
expansion of the UWSA and its arsenal It also cuts the supply line to the
area," he added.

The UWSA has pursued the drug trade aggressively. Goods and equipment sent
through San Ton Du pass had transformed its stronghold in Mong Yawn into a
thriving township. The Wa is building a hydro-electric dam, which can feed
its drug factories.

"Heroin will end up in third countries, while amphetamines are aimed for
Thailand," Pol Maj Gen Viraj said.

The spread of drugs, particularly in schools, has become a major problem, in
Thailand. Two million young Thais are believed to be addicted to
amphetamines, and the number will grow unless the authorities step up
suppression.

All border passes should be closed with the exception of the one in the Thai
district of Mae Sai, opposite Thachilek in Burma, suggested Pol Maj Gen
Viraj. Random checkpoints should be set up on highways.

The suppression needs to be pursued vigorously and continuously to ensure
success, he said. Strategies must be reviewed and upgraded constantly.

"We need to be pro-active and aggressive... We must be prepared to sacrifice
economic gains for the sake of our younger generations,'' Pol Maj Gen Viraj
said.

To weed out the drug networks, influential people behind the scenes must be
exposed and penalised, he said. Firms which supply goods, whether food or
building materials, must be thoroughly checked to see if there are any money
laundering activities involved.

The Money Laundering Bill, which has been in effect since August 20, must be
strictly enforced.

The supply of petrol to the border areas should also be strictly controlled,
| he said. Without petrol, the UWSA can not produce drugs or transport them
over the Thai border.

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

ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW HUMAN RIGHTS YEAR BOOK AVAILABE
23 September, 1999 from: kyaw@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Human Rights Documentation Unit (HRDU) of the National Coalition Government
of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) is pleased to announce that the Human Rights
Yearbook 1998-99 was available for sale and distribution. This 436-page
annual book is one of the most comprehensively documented reports on the
situation of human rights violations perpetrated by the military regime of
Burma. Fourteen chapters; Extra-judicial Executions, Arbitrary Detention,
Rights of Child, Forced Labor, Forced Relocation, Deprivation of Livelihood,
Rights of Minorities, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Expression and the
Press, Freedom of Assembly and Association, Freedom of Movement, Abuse of
Women, and the refugee situation are included with intensive interviews with
the witnesses of abuses.

In his preface in the book, H.E. Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the NCGUB
says "This yearbook is intended to methodically describe the abuses
routinely inflicted on large number of Burma's people. But there is nothing
routine in what each of the victims has suffered and for then, this book is
a remembrance." This book is dedicated to the countless citizens of Burma
who have sacrificed their homes, their freedom, and their live to lifting
the veil of terror that shrouds the truth in Burma today.

For those who want to get copies of this Yearbook, please contact
Aung Myo Min
Director
HRDU
P.O.Box 14, Ngam Wong Wan Post Office
Nonthaburi, 11001, Thailand.
(email: kyaw@xxxxxxxxxxxx)

or

NCGUB Information Office
815, Fifteen street, NW. Suite 910
Washington D.c. 20005
(Email: ncgub@xxxxxxxxxxx)
*****************************************************