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

The BurmaNet News:  May 24-25 , 1996
Issue #418

Noted in Passing:

        That's their business how they want to run their country. We are not in the
        business of telling people how to run their country. And we certainly hope
        no one will tell us how to run Malaysia, as we think we know what is best
        for us.
        -Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
        (See S.E. ASIAN GOVERNMENTS SILENT ON BURMA CRACKDOWN.)

HEADLINES:
==========
ASAHI SHIMBUN : BURMA MUST BE PERSUADED NOT TO STIFLE
 DEMOCRACY
AI : PARTIAL LIST OF NLD MEMBERS AND MPS ARRESTED
THE NATION : SUU KYI SAYS 191 HELD, CONGRESS TO GO AHEAD
THE NATION : RAGNOON SHOWDOWN
REUTER : S.E. ASIAN GOVERNMENTS SILENT ON BURMA CRACKDOWN.
REUTER : SWITZERLAND: U.N. RIGHTS CHIEF COMPLAINS TO BURMA ON ARRESTS.
REUTER : BURMA ACTIVIST ARRESTS UP TO 217, SUU KYI SAYS.
REUTER :  ANA MAY RECONSIDER JAPAN-BURMA ROUTE. 10:06 GMT
JAPAN TO MAINTAAIN PRESSURE FOR ELECTIONS IN BURMA,
BUT WILL NOT HALT AID.



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

EDITORIAL
BURMA MUST BE PERSUADED NOT TO STIFLE
DEMOCRACY
(Asahi Shimbun, May 23)
A new crisis confronts the pro - democracy movement in
Burma.

Activists in Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy, the largest opposition element, have been
arrested one after another by the military junta, the State
Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)

The National League for Democracy is planning a rally
beginning Sunday in front of Suu Kyi's house to mark the
sixth anniversary of the 1990 election, in which the
organization won by a landslide.  Those arrested had
expressed their intention to join the demonstration.  It is
clear that SLORC intends to block the rally.

About 90 have been arrested, and there are fears fro the
freedom of the league's leaders, including Suu Kyi.  The
situation is disconcerting.

It has been a little more than 10 months since Suu Kyi was
freed from a six - year - long house arrest.  We had hoped
and urged that a dialogue be reestablished between the
military junta and the pro - democracy elements.

Each nation has its own history and certain states of
development, so the question of democracy cannot be
addressed uniformly.  But the guarantee of free speech and
assembly is a universal element of democracy.  SLORC has
warned that the planned demonstration by the National
League for Democracy would be contrary to law and order,
and said it would take resolute action to stop it.  In Burma,
gatherings of five or more people are prohibited.

But arresting people just because they intend to join a
peaceful assembly must be regarded as being counter to
development of democracy.  Such forcible action cannot be
condoned.

It may be said that SLORC seems confident of being able to
forcibly suppress the pro - democracy movement.  But the
junta may also be acting out of haunting fear.

The military junta came to power in 1988 through bloody
suppression of the democracy movement, conducting a
general election in 1990 while holding Suu Kyi under house
arrest.  With the stunning victory for the National League
for Democracy, however, the junta retained control by
asserting that a change of government would be conditional
upon enactment of a new Constitution.  The junta has
continued to cling to power while controlling the process of
writing a new Constitution.

Rangoon and some other parts of Burma are a bustle of
economic activity.  The government's statistics indicate an
annual growth in Burma's gross domestic product of 5% to
10% since 1993.  Increased foreign investment has also
been a boon to the economy, in turn building the confidence
of the military junta.

But how much has this economic growth enriched the lives
of the people?  And how much poplar support has the junta
gained?

Diplomatic sources very familiar with the internal situation
say that, while some Burmese benefit from the economic
growth and are satisfied with the status quo, many more
have become increasingly disgruntled by the hardships
imposed by the accompanying inflation.  And the same
sources express concern about an ever - spreading anti -
military sentiment, even among peaceful people.

The power base for a government that does not even have
the support of its people is fragile indeed, however vibrant
the economy may be.  Perhaps because it is aware of that,
SLORC is in constant fear of a resurgence of the pro-
democracy movement and has resorted to strong - arm
tactics.

The cause for concern is that Suu Kyi and other leaders of
the democracy movement are seen to have changed their
approach, adopting a desperate effort to mobilize the masses
to press for a breakthrough.  This pent - up discontent could
erupt and very suddenly get out of control.  The tragedy of
1988 proves that.

And because of that, we urge the democracy advocates to be
cool - headed.

There is still much the international community can do to
promote democratization of Burma.  Japan, especially,
maintains several channels of communication, both to the
military junta and the pro - democracy movement.  It should
persist in urging both elements to communicate.

Letters to the Editor

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

PARTIAL LIST OF NLD MEMBERS AND MPS ARRESTED
SINCE 20 MAY 1996

Name and Constituency/ other details

1. Daw Hla Hla Moe (f) MP- Minhla 2, Pegu division
2. Daw Khin Aye Myint (f) MP. Yankin township, Rangoon
3. Daw May Hnin Kyi (f) MP. Mogok-1, Mandalay Div.
4. Daw San San (f) MP. Seikkan, Rangoon, previously arrested between
October 1990 and May 1992
5. Daw San San Win (f) MP. Ahlone, Rangoon, previously arrested between
Nov 1990 and May 1992
6. Dr. Aung Khin Sint MP. Minglataungnyunt, Rangoon, previously arrested
between August 1993 and Feb 1995.
7. Dr. Aye Zan MP. Kyaikto-2, Mon State
8. Dr. Daw Wun Myint (f) MP. Mayangone-2, Rangoon
9. Dr. Hla Win MP. Kyaunggon-2, Irrawaddy Div.
10. Dr. Khin Maung Latt MP. Thaketa-1, Rangoon, previously arrested
between October 1990 and Jan.1995
11. Dr. Khin Maung Swe MP. Sagaing-2,  Sagaing Div.
12. Dr. Myint Thein ********
13. Dr. Sit Tin MP. Ngaputaw-2, Irrawaddy Div.
14. Dr. Than Aung Htay MP. Ye-U-1, Sagaing Div.
15. Dr. Than Nyein MP. Kyauktan-1, Rangoon
16. Dr. Than Win MP. North Okkalapa-1, Rangoon
17. Dr. Than Win MP.Tanyin-2, Rangoon
18. Dr. Tin Min Htut MP. Pantanaw-2, Irrawaddy Div.
19. Dr. Win Naing MP. Tanyin-1, Rangoon
20. Ko Thaung Htut MP. NLD activist from Danubyutownship, Irrawaddy  Div.
21. Nan Khin Htwe Myint (f) MP. Pa-an-3, Karen State
22. Thakin Khin Nyunt MP. Yenangyong-1, Magway Div.
23. U Aung Myint MP. Latpadan-1, Pego Div.
24. U Aung Zaw MP. Dagon township, Rangoon
25. U Aye MP. Thegone-1, Pegu Div.
26. U Aye Than MP. Paungde-2, Pegu Div.
27. U Aye Win assistant to and cousin of DASSK.
28. U Aye Yar MP. Tada-U-1, Mandalay Div.
29. U Ba Ba MP. Myinmu-1, Sagaing Div.
30. U Chit Hlaing MP *****
31. U Chit Khaing MP.  Ngazun-1, Sagaing Div.
32. U Cho Hlaing MP, Ngazun-2, Sagaing Div.
33. U David Hla Myint MP. Ngapataw-1, Irrawaddy Div. previsouly from 1991
to 1992
34. U Han Than Myint MP. Budalin-1, Sagaing Div.
35. U Khun Myint Tun MP. Thaton-1, Mon State
36. U Hla Kyi MP. Bassein East-2, Irrawaddy Div.
37. U Hla Soe MP.Minbu-2, Magway Div.
38. U Hla Shein MP. Yatsauk, Shan State
39. U Hla Thein MP. Homalin-2, Sagaing Div or Tamwe-1, Rangoon
40. U Hsan Maung MP. Kyaukphyu-1, Arankan State
41. U Khin Maung Than MP. Kani-1, Sagaing Div.
42. U Khun Pe Htwe MP. Taunggyi-2, Shan State
43. U Kyaw Khin MP. Taunggyi-1, Shan State
44. U Kyaw Min NLD activist
45. U Kyaw Min MP. Bassein West-2, Irrawaddy, previously arrested between
Oct 1990 and May 1991.
46. U Kyaw Nyunt MP. North Okkalapa-2, Rangoon
47. U Kyi Soe MP. Monywa-1, Sagaing Div.
48. U Kyi Win MP. Mingladon-1, Rangoon
49. U Mahn Johnny MP. Kyonpyaw-1, Irrawaddy Div.
50. U Mahn Nyunt Thein MP. Pantanaw-2, Irrawaddy Div.
51. U Maung Aye MP. Tharawaddy 2, Pegu Div.
52. U Moe Thu NLD activist, previously arrested between July 1989 and May
1992
53. U Myat Hla MP. Pegu-2, Pegu Div.
54. U Myint Swe MP. Moemauk, Kachin State
55. U Myint Thein MP. Chauk-1 (or) Thangangyun-2 (0r) Myaungaung-2
56. U Nay Oo MP. Lanmadaw, Rangoon
57. U Nyan Win MP. Paung-1, Mon State
58. U Nyunt Hlaing Myayde-1, Magway Div.
59. U Nyunt Hlaing MP. Bassein East-1, Irrawaddy Div.
60. U Ohn Hlaing MP.*****
61. U Ohn Maung MP. Yawnghwe-2, Shan State, previously arrested and
released April 1992
62. U Ohn Myint MP. Taketa-2, Rangoon
63. U San Hla Baw MP. Basseingyi-2. Mandalay
64. U San Tin MP. Hlegu-2, Rangoon
65. U Tin Tun Maung MP. Mingaladon-2, Rangoon
66. U Saw Aung MP. Monywa-2, Sagaing Div.
67. U Saw Mya Thein MP. Hlaing-2, Rangoon
68. U Saw Win MP.****
69. U Sein Bo MP. Myawaddy, Karen State
70. U Sein Lwin MP. Shwepyitha, Magway Div.
71. U Than Oo MP. Tada-U-2, Mandalay
72. U Than Tin MP. Kyeiklatt-1, Irrawaddy Div.
73. U Thaung Sein MP. Prome-2, Pegu Division.
74. U Thaung Tin MP. Wundwin-1, Mandalay
75. U Thaung Yi MP. Danubyu-2, Irrawaddy
76. U Thein Maung MP. Manaung, Arakan State
77. U Thein Nyunt MP. Thingangyun-1, Rangoon
78. U Thein San MP. Kawlin, Sagaing Div.
79 U Thein Tin MP.*****
80 U Thein Tun MP. Thegon-2, Pegu Div. previously arrested between  Oct
1990 and May 1992
81. U Tin MP. Kyonpaw-2, Irrawaddy Div.
82. U Tin Kyaw MP. Mandalay Southeast-1, Mandalay
83. U Tin Oo MP. Myanaung-1, Irrawaddy Div.
84. U Tin Soe MP. Kyauktada, Pegu Div. previously arrested  between
August 1993 and 1995
85. U Tin Win MP. Kyeiklatt-2, Irrawaddy Div.
86. U Toe Po, MP. Yebyu, Tenasserim Div.
87. U Tun Chit MP. Pa-an-2, Karen State
88. U Tun Myaing MP. Wetlet-1, Sagaing Div.
89. U Win Htein NLD spokesman, previously arrested between July  1989 and
Feb.1995.
90. U Win Mynt Aung MP. Tabayin-2, Sagaing Div.
91. U Yu Gan MP. Kyungyangon, Rangoon.

sources Amnesty International /USA and inside Burma

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

SUU KYI SAYS 191 HELD, CONGRESS TO GO AHEAD
24.5.96/The Nation

RANGOON - Pro-democracy lead r Aung San Suu Kyi announced
yesterday that Burmese authorities have detained 191 activists
from her National League for Democracy (NLD), ahead of a key
opposition meeting on Sunday.

"To date, 191 members or supporters of the NLD have been
arrested. Of the 191, all but four are elected representatives of
the party," she told a news conference at her home. Only two of
the total had so far been charged, she added.

Related reports: A8

Suu Kyi said the arrests were made by the ruling State Law and
Order Restoration Council (Slorc) because they did not want a
Sunday party congress of the NLD to take place.

"We still intend to go ahead with the conference," she said. "It
is quite clear [the Slorc] are frightened."

Suu Kyi said the detentions "did not come as a complete surprise"
and pledged that the congress of NLD candidates who won seats in
the 1990 general election will go ahead.

Responding to the growing domestic and international outcry
against its sweeping crackdown, the Slorc earlier yesterday held
a rare press conference to defend its action, saying no one has
been arrested, but those detained are being held for questioning
to prevent anarchy and a repeat of the bloody uprising in 1988.

The junta denied having immediate plans to re-arrest Suu Kyi, who
was freed after six years of house arrest last July. "We have no
plans to do that yet." said Col Kyaw Win, deputy director of
military intelligence and one of the ruling junta's most powerful
figures.

Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent
promotion of democracy, said she has been left alone
deliberately. "Their policy is to lop o the branches and leave
the trunk alone. What they don't know is that new branches will
sprout from the trunk."

Kyaw Win said the NLD figures had been "taken in as a preventive
measure for questioning. They are being treated with dignity and
respect and are guests of the government.

"None of them is imprisoned. We had arranged in advance where and
how they would be kept during questioning," he added.

Two of Suu Kyi's spokesmen, Win Htein and Aye Win, were detained
during the sweep.

But Suu Kyi ridiculed the government's attempt to play down the
arrests. "In a civilised society, if you want to put questions to
people you make an appointment with them " she said. "You don't
drag them away in the middle of the night and put them in
detention centres unknown to their families.

"I believe there will be more arrests, but it doesn't come as a
complete surprise. Aside from an appropriate amount of
indignation, we're calm because we expected it."

The NLD congress might have gone largely unnoticed but for the
massive roundup of delegates expected to attend. Suu Kyi noted
that the arrests were getting our movement a lot more
international recognition".

Kyaw Win said the regime has made no decision on whether to allow
the NLD congress to proceed, but the arrests amount to a de facto
"no" and roadblocks could easily be erected to prevent anyone who
slipped the dragnet from attending.

He said the regime had feared that Suu Kyi was calling the
meeting to set up a parallel government that would cause chaos
and unrest. "What if they take to the streets?" Kyaw Win said.
"Economic development will be stunted and the government will
seem weak in the eyes of the ethnic rebels."

Deputy Information Minister Thein S in yesterday accused the NLD
of "indulging in confrontational activities against the
government" to make people take to the streets and "create unrest
like in 1988".

He said the planned NLD congress is "an attempt to disrupt peace
and tranquility in the country, using youths within and activists
abroad".

The senior information official said only those who planned to
attend the conference had been rounded up, and the detainees "are
being well-treated at rest houses during the interrogation.

"NLD members who did not plan to attend the conference in Rangoon
were not touched," Thein Sein said.

Asked whether the Slorc will prohibit Suu Kyi's weekly address to
supporters outside her home or arrest her, he avoided a clear-cut
answer, saying there is "no such plan at the moment. It will
depend on the situation."

Thein Sein did, however, indicate that the junta is not ready to
open a dialogue with the NLD on the implementation of the 1990
election results and other moves towards democracy that have been
demanded by Suu Kyi.

"Though she was talking about dialogue, she has been always
showing a confrontational stance in attacking the government,
asking foreign diplomats and journalists to stop aid to Myanmar
[Burma], to prevent its entry into Asean. Such a situation is not
conducive to a meeting between the two sides," he said.

In Bangkok, Burmese charge d'affaires U Nyunt Maung Chein
yesterday called on Phithak Phrombubpha deputy director-general
of the Foreign Ministry's East Asia Department, to explain the
Slorc's position on the arrest of NLD members.

According to Nyunt Maung Chein NLD detainees have not been
charged with any crime and were rounded up by authorities for
questioning.

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

RAGNOON SHOWDOWN

24.5.96/The Nation
The NLD's most serious challenge to the junta since the release
of Suu Kyi has prompted a nationwide crackdown on opposition
figures, Aung Zaw writes.

In the past three weeks Burma's official press and the speeches
of the ruling military leaders have been filled with venom. At
the beginning of May, Tourism Minister Lt Gen ~yaw Ba told a
foreign journalist that "opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
power crazy and "she had better watch out".

Shortly after, a senor military intelligence officer told another
foreign journalist that his government had tolerated the
opposition but then stressed, "Now is time to crush them. We are
going to smash them."

On Monday the state-owned newspaper likened Suu Kyi to to a snake
whose appearances should be curbed.

But this was no empty talk and earlier this week the military
leaders followed through on their threats.

Since Monday, at least 90 National League for Democracy delegates
called to attend an NLD's biggest assembly since the 1990
elections were rounded up throughout Burma. Two wives of NLD
members were also arrested as authorities couldn't locate their
husbands.

Among those detained were prominent politician Dr Aung Shin and
outspoken critic Win Htein. A source in Rangoon also said that
six members of the Democratic Association Youth (DAY) were
apprehended

"Students and the youth are going to react in the near future.
They are very angry," the Rangoon resident said.

Most of those detained were not imprisoned but placed under house
arrest. It was expected the junta would release them in a few
weeks.

The main reason for the crackdown appears to be plans by the
opposition NLD to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the
general election which was held on May 27, 1990.

~About 300 party delegates were expected to attend the three-day
assembly.

After a Central Committee Meeting on March 22, NLD chairman Aung
Shwe sent a statement to the chairman of Slorc calling on the
military regime to prepare to convene the first Pyithu Hluttaw
(legislature) as soon as possible. The NLD won 392 of the 485
seats contested in the 1990 election organised by the Slorc but
the junta refused to respect the outcome.

The Slorc responded to the NLD challenge in two press articles
which appeared in the New Light of Myanmar in April saying the
elections, after six years, could no longer be considered valid.

Since the Slorc refused to convene the legislature, the NLD moved
to organise the assembly.

"This is a formidable challenge to Slorc and I don't think they
will allow it [assembly] to take place," said a Western diplomat.
He predicted that the the Slorc would instead try to fracture the
assembly.

But nothing can stop the the assembly from opening on Sunday, Suu
Kyi has warned.

"We will go ahead," she vowed shortly after the junta began its
nationwide round up of NLD members. Suu Kyi said the crackdown
shows that the junta lacks confidence.

Some veteran journalists and intellectual groups in Rangoon said
the opposition had foreseen the crackdown.

"The opposition knows what to do and how to react  they are
[cold-blooded]," said one well-connected source. However, he said
the NLD is wary that Slorc is looking to provoke turmoil and put
the blame on Suu Kyi and her party.

Prior to the arrest of the NLD delegates, two prominent military
leaders gave strong warnings against the NLD.

Gen Maung Aye, who is groomed to take over from Senior Gen Than
Shwe, and powerful military intelligence chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt
said the junta would "annihilate anyone who disturbs peace and
tranquility in the country"

Asked on the BBC's Burmese language world service why the
military was cracking down, Suu Kyi replied: "Because they are
frightened."

Whether the Slorc is really frightened or not, the arrests show
the regime is getting tougher with the opposition.

Senior NLD members Tin Oo, Kyi Maung and Suu Kyi have openly said
that the junta remains as incompetent and repressive as ever
despite the release of the Nobel Peace Prize Winner.

Since the NLD pulled out of the Slorc organised National
Convention the junta has grown more belligerent. Some senior
politicians, including Tin Oo who is a former army chief, were
said to be preparing their bags to go back to prison.

The regime, on the other hand, claims it is leading the country
towards multiparty democracy.

As part of this they have taken tough action against a number of
accused dissidents. Two comedians, Par Par Lay and Lu Zaw, who
poked fun at the military regime, and NLD supporter Saw Hlaing,
who had a minor car accident all received heavy sentences and
were sent to hard labour camp in Kachin state. Slorc also
increased the sentences of 21 political prisoners for passing
information to the UN human rights investigator.

Leo Nichols, a close associate of Suu Kyi and her family was
sentenced to three years despite protests and petitions from
ambassadors and the international community. Nichols is a former
honorary consul for several European countries.

Burma watchers and NGO workers based in Thailand have expressed
concern over the fate of the top NLD leaders. The question is
will they re-arrest Suu Kyi? Suu Kyi has told news agencies
anything is possible.

Bo Hla Tint, a former NLD member, said the Slorc press in the
recent months has suggested such a course of action will take
place ..."For Slorc there is no alternative except to crack
down."

Last month, Bangkok was rife with speculation that Suu Kyi would
be arrested. A source in Rangoon claimed that about two months
ago, top military leaders met and decided to re-arrest Suu Kyi
and begin a nation-wide crackdown 'for the sake of the country".

Their decision marks a reversal of policy within the military
regime.

"There has been a significant change in Slorc policy towards Suu
Kyi and her party," said a Western diplomat in Rangoon.

Two months after Suu Kyi was released, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt told
foreign visitors that Slorc was considering opening a dialogue
with her, but only after "internal consultations" within the
leadership.

But not long after, contradictory comments emerged from Rangoon
with the junta saying the Slorc doesn't need dialogue with
anybody.

The Burmese ambassador to Thailand told reporters, "We don't need
dialogue with anybody."

Subsequently, political activists began being arrested and Slorc
renewed its attacks on Suu Kyi and the democracy movement in its
newspapers in September.

It seemed, analysts said, "internal consultations" had been
completed and the outcome was a decision to crush the opponents
to the military government.

"One thing is clear, the Slorc is out to crush the NLD - even
moderate army officers will be happy to see," said on observer
who has been following the events since the release of Suu Kyi.

A few weeks ago, Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw announced at a meeting
with the UN representative in New York that any dialogue with Suu
Kyi would put her on "an equal footing with the government."

Sources in Rangoon also suggested that a minor reshuffle within
the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) saw hard-liners gain more powerful
positions.

"The army is very powerful and intelligence units would have to
follow orders," said a Rangoon-based observer. Hardliners now
have more of say in policy making, he said.

Aung Naing Oo, senior leader of the All Burma Students Democratic
Front (ABSDF). said: "At the moment, theY [Slorc leaders] have
the upper hand so dialogue is impossible."

Intelligence officers are believed to have infiltrated NLD and
gathered information .on what is really going on inside the
party.

The key question is whether big foreign companies, including oil
companies, will pull out of Burma if the junta re-arrests Suu Kyi
or steps up the political oppression.

Burma's neighbouring countries, China and Asean, will stick to
their constructive engagement policy under the same pretext of
not wanting to meddle in Burma's affairs. ~They [Asean] have no
intention to do anything but to stay as distant as possible,"
said a Western diplomat in Bangkok. Recently, Burma was invited
to become member of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

But soon after the crackdown a senior Thai Foreign Ministry
official expressed his government's concern about the sweep of
NLD delegates.

Burma is scheduled to attend the Asean annual meeting in July
where it is expected to gain observer status.

"Two months before the the Asean meeting they could do other nice
things. I'm sure they will," said a Western diplomat in Bangkok.

Journalist Bertil Lintner said: "They [Slorc] can re-arrest her
anytime if they want." He said businessmen and UN agencies won't
be concerned since the Nobel Peace Prize winner is very critical
of them.

But a Bangkok-based diplomat predicted Slorc had no intention of
completely wiping out the opposition or re-arresting Suu Kyi.

"It is just clipping the wings of the bird and not killing the
bird," she said.

"[If the Slorc re-arrest her] it will only invite international
reaction, so far she has not been touched. She can still
communicate and talk. You can see her on CNN."

Since she was released Suu Kyi has been shown to be very weak and
lost a lot of morale and strength, the diplomat said. "She is
more powerful when she is in prison," she added. She believed the
aim of the crackdown was to ensure NLD was rendered completely
powerless.

In a recent interview with Asia week magazine, Suu Kyi said that
looking back the only good thing for Burma about the last eight
years was the (1990) election.

For the Slorc leaders, when they look back, they would probably
say they had made a terrible mistake when they organised the free
and fair election.

Aung Zaw is a freelance journalist. He contributed this article
to The Nation.

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

THAILAND: S.E. ASIAN GOVERNMENTS SILENT ON BURMA CRACKDOWN.
12:37 GMT

By Rajan Moses
BANGKOK, May 24 (Reuter) - Most Southeast Asian governments have officially
remained silent on Burma's military crackdown on nearly 220 pro-democracy
activists, in sharp contrast to strong protests voiced by the United States,
Australia and Japan.

Foreign ministries of Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and
Malaysia gave no comment on the Burmese detentions when asked by Reuters
although their media reported events involving democracy leader Aung San Suu
Kyi and her aides.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, said on Friday that Burma's
military government was continuing to arrest members of her National League
for Democracy (NLD) party ahead of its planned Sunday congress.
Suu Kyi said at least 217 activists were now being held but vowed the
weekend meeting would go ahead.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in Kuala Lumpur that Burma's
affairs were none of his country's business.
"That's their business how they want to run their country. We are not in the
business of telling people how to run their country. And we certainly hope
no one will tell us how to run Malaysia, as we think we know what is best
for us," he said.

The offical reluctance to comment on Burma stems from a policy of
"constructive engagement" towards Burma's military government adopted by
Malaysia and the six other members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the
Philippines.

"This is the ASEAN way. We do not make loud public noises or protest," a
senior Southeast Asian foreign ministry official told Reuters.
"I am sure ASEAN governments have already transmitted their feelings on the
situation to Burma through channels in Rangoon," said the official, who
declined to be identified.

Constructive engagement aims to quietly bring change through dialogue in
Burma. It has long been isolationist and non-aligned but recently took the
first steps towards joining ASEAN.

"In constructive engagement adopted by ASEAN you do not interfere. That's
why the silence," said a political science professor at Bangkok's Thammasat
University.

The only ASEAN member to have commented on Burma is Thailand, which shares a
common border with Burma. Bangkok declared it was concerned about the
crackdown.
"We are concerned with the arrests which we consider counterproductive to
the democratisation and national reconciliation process in Burma," the Thai
foreign ministry spokesman said.

Shee Poon Kim, a political science lecturer at the National University of
Singapore, said developments in Burma show the military has no intention of
giving up control.

"As for Aung San Suu Kyi, her future is bleak despite pressure from the U.S.
government," he said.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE

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

SWITZERLAND: U.N. RIGHTS CHIEF COMPLAINS TO BURMA ON ARRESTS.
11:45GMT

GENEVA, May 24 (Reuter) - U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Jose
Ayala-Lasso has complained to the Burmese government about the mass arrests
of opposition supporters in Rangoon, a U.N. spokesman said on Friday.
The spokesman told a news briefing that Ayala-Lasso met U Aye, Burma's
ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, on Monday and expressed his "profound and
acute concern after the arrests of dozens of members of the opposition".
"The ambassador denied that they had been arrested. According to him, they
had simply been detained for questioning," said the spokesman, Jemal Ben
Yahmed.
"Nevertheless, the High Commissioner asked the Burmese authorities to act
with the greatest restraint and with respect for political rights and
individual freedoms," he added.

Burma's military government has been rounding up opposition members ahead of
a congress planned for Sunday of the National League for Democracy (NLD)
opposition party.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday that the total of her
supporters arrested by the military government has risen to 217.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE

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

BURMA ACTIVIST ARRESTS UP TO 217, SUU KYI SAYS. 11:11 GMT
(Adds Suu Kyi news conference, number of arrests)
By Deborah Charles

RANGOON, May 24 (Reuter) - Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's National
League for Democracy (NLD) party, said on Friday at least 217 activists have
been arrested by the military government in an effort to stop a Sunday party
congress.

Suu Kyi told reporters at her home that 195 elected representatives of the
party had been detained, along with 10 regular members and 12 members of the
youth wing.

"During the last 24 hours they have taken to arresting those who are not
elected representatives. They seem to be concentrating particularly on those
in the youth wing of the NLD who have come to help us arrange the
ceremonies," she said.

"So I think the intention is to try and make it impossible for us to hold
our conference on Sunday," she said. "But we are still going to go ahead
with our plans unless they make it physically impossible for us to do so."
Officials from the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
have said they have only detained the NLD members for questioning in order
to avoid unrest or anarchy.

Suu Kyi said she did not know how long the NLD members would be held, but
Burmese foreign minister Ohn Gyaw said in Japan earlier they were being
detained for a short period.

The NLD, co-founded by Suu Kyi, swept a 1990 election, but the SLORC never
recognised the result and did not allow the party to take power.
The weekend meeting of about 300 elected NLD representatives was to be the
first gathering since the election. It would also be the first time for Suu
Kyi, who was released from six years of house arrest in July, to meet them
as a group.

Suu Kyi did not rule out the possibility that she and the other members of
the 10-person NLD Executive Committee might be arrested before the Sunday
meeting.

She also said she had heard officials might try and block off the road and
make it impossible for people to come to her house to attend the Sunday
meeting or the regular weekly speech she plans to makes on Saturday.
"I think tomorrow will be very interesting," Suu Kyi said. She then jokingly
suggested that reporters stay outside her gate and those of the executive
committee members to help stave off any arrests.

Meanwhile, as the arrest toll was rising, Burmese economic officials were
wooing foreign money at an investment conference by promising stability in
the resource-rich country.

"Whoever comes to Myanmar (Burma) for investment will have a just and fair
deal," deputy prime minister Maung Maung Khin told the "Myanmar: Open for
Business" seminar on Thursday.

"It will offer the best for equitable business opportunities to its
partners. This atmosphere is also supported by a sound and effective legal
system which investors can place their confidence upon," he told about 180
foreign businessmen.

The conference, closed to the media, continues until Saturday. The speeches
were in official papers on Friday.

Burma's open investment policy has resulted in approval of 171 projects from
19 countries, worth a total investment of $3.33 billion, vice admiral Maung
Maung Khin said.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE

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

BURMA: BURMA'S SUU KYI SAYS ARRESTS RISE TO 217. 10:07 GMT

RANGOON, May 24 (Reuter) - Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on
Friday that the total of her supporters arrested by the military government
has risen to 217.

Suu Kyi told reporters the government was continuing to arrest members of
her National League for Democracy (NLD) party ahead of a Sunday congress.
"During the last 24 hours they have taken to arresting those who are not
elected representatives. They seem to be concentrating particularly on those
in the youth wing of the NLD who come to help us arrange the ceremony," Suu
Kyi told reporters.

"So I think the intention is to try and make it impossible for us to hold
our conference on Sunday," she said.

She said the party still plans to go ahead with its meeting, which coincides
with the anniversary of its May 27, 1990, landslide election victory, which
was never recognised by the military government.

She did not rule out the possiblity that she and other top NLD leaders might
be arrested before Sunday, or of the government making it impossible for
them to hold the conference by blocking the streets to her house where it is
due to be held.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE


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

 JAPAN: ANA MAY RECONSIDER JAPAN-BURMA ROUTE. 10:06 GMT

TOKYO, May 24 (Reuter) - All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (ANA) said on Friday it
might reconsider a plan to start flights to Burma, where there has been a
political crackdown this week.

It said it had applied to the Japanese Ministry of Transport to start a
service between Burma and Japan from July 16.

It plans a twice-weekly service between Rangoon and Japan's Kansai
International Airport near Osaka, using Boeing 767-300 aircraft, a company
spokesman said.

"Considering the recent political developments in Burma, we may have to
reconsider the plan. We may have to postpone the inauguration of the route,"
the spokesman said.

In Rangoon, Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Friday that
the total of her supporters arrested by the military government had risen to
217.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace laureate, reiterated a plea to foreign
investors not to come to Burma until the military government agrees to move
towards democracy. She also asked tourists not to visit Burma until
democracy was restored.

Japan's major airlines have expressed their wish to open a route to Burma
for a long time.

The agreement between the Japanese and Burmese governments last year says
that they will allow one carrier from each country to operate up to three
return flights each per week between Japanese airports and Rangoon.
Rival Japan Airlines Co Ltd, which is Japan's largest international carrier,
said after ANA's announcement that it understood that ANA would operate the
Burmese route under the existing agreement.

"In the future, however, when the two governments negotiate over an increase
in services, we would like to enter the market," a JAL spokesman said.
Passenger traffic to Burma has increased considerably in recent years, with
traffic from Japan in 1995 having doubled from 1994, ANA said.
ANA anticipates carrying 37,000 passengers on the route in the first year of
operation.
Vying for emerging markets, both ANA and JAL earlier this week said that
they would open routes to India from Japan later this year.
ANA on Friday also said that it plans to increase the number of weekly
flights to Rome from Kansai to five from two currently, from early September.
Two of the five weekly flights to Rome will stop at Frankfurt and one will
stop at Milan, ANA said.
The existing Rome service is a non-stop service to the Italian capital.
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE

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

JAPAN TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE FOR ELECTIONS IN
BURMA, BUT WILL NOT HALT AID.

Source: Radio Japan (Tokyo) in English 0700 gmt 23 May 96
Excerpt from report by Radio Japan
Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama says Japan will keep pressing
Myanmar's [Burma's] military government to hold democratic elections.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday [23rd May], he said the Japanese
government wants Myanmar to be reborn as a democratic nation, but Mr
Kajiyama said the government will not stop its economic assistance to
Myanmar as this would affect the people there. He said the Japanese aid is
intended for non-military use only - to dig wells, for example...
(c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts.
BBC MONITORING SERVICE
BBC MONITORING SERVICE: ASIA-PACIFIC 24/5/96

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

BURMA 'S DRILLING CONTRACT WITH ARCO

  RANGOON, May 24[INTELASIA]- Atlantic Richfield Co (ARCO) and Myanma Oil
and Gas Enterprise signed a production-sharing contract to drill on an
offshore block in the gulf of Mottama in the Bay of Bengal, official media
reported on Friday.

    The contract, to drill in block M-7 off the southwest coast of Burma, is
the second signed between U.S.-based ARCO and Burma, energy minister Khin
Maung Thein said. The first was signed last July for Offshore Block M-9.

    Khin Maung Thein said ARCO has already identified six prospective leads
for hydro-carbon accumulations in the first block.

    He said the second block for ARCO also appeared promising, as natural gas
had been tested in 1975 by Martaban Cities Services.

    Khin Maung Thein added progress was being made at the Yadana Project,
also in the Gulf of Mottama, which is being jointly developed by Unocal Corp
<UCL.N> and Total SA <TOTF.PA>.

    "Great efforts are being made to complete the Yadana Project in time to
supply natural gas to Thailand and discussions with the Petroleum Authority
of Thailand are at their final stage."

    Yadana has exploitable deposits of 5.7 trillion cubic feet of natural
gas, official data shows.
    The companies plan to produce 650 million cubic feet per day (mcfd) of
natural gas from the field.

    Of that, 525 mcfd will be sold to Thailand and the remainder will be used
to operate a 200 megawatt power plant and a Burmese urea fertiliser plant
which has an annual capacity of 500,000 tonnes.

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