------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: May 18-21, 1996=20
Issue # 413

Noted in Passing:


HEADLINES:
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
THE NATION: SUU KYI LIKENED TO A SNAKE
THE NATION: FORCED RAIL LABOURERS PERISH
BKK POST: COURT TO RULE ON FATE OF KHUN SA ASSOCIATE TODAY
BKK POST: OVER 100 KARENS ENTER THAILAND TO ESCAPE FIGHTING=20
INSIDE BURMA
BKK POST: KHUN SA GIVEN BUS CONCESSION
BKK POST: BURMESE VILLAGERS KILLED IN LANDSLIDES
THE NATION: HAKUHODO TO OPEN BURMA OFFICE
THE NATION: BURMA OPPOSITION 'WILL SEEK TALKS WITH SLORC'
THE NATION: RANGOON JAILS SUU KYI ALLY
BKK POST: BORDER TRADE IN NORTH TO GET A SHOT IN THE ARM
THE NATION: BURMA AIRPORT LOAN PASSED
BKK POST: MANDALAY AIRPORT CONTRACTS
BKK POST: OPPOSITION MEET IN RANGOON
BKK POST: THAI-BURMA GAS PIPELINE PROJECT SUFFERS SETBACK
THE IRRAWADDY: DEFECTING ACROSS SLORC LINES
THE IRRAWDDY: IS THE MIDDLE WAY VIABLE IN BURMA?
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THE NATION: SUU KYI LIKENED TO A SNAKE

May 21, 1996

Reuter

RANGOON - Urging a crackdown on Burma's pro-democracy movement=20
ahead of a planned major gathering, the state-run press yesterday=20
likened opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to  a snake whose=20
appearances should be curbed.

The attack reflected rising tensions as Suu Kyi's National League=20
for Democracy plans to hold a three-day meeting at her home in=20
Rangoon starting on Sunday, bringing together party members who=20
won parliamentary seats in the 1990 general election. (TN)

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

THE NATION: FORCED RAIL LABOURERS PERISH
May 21,1996
Reuter

Some 20 people forced to work on a railway in eastern Burma were=20
killed in landslides last month, bringing the total number of=20
such deaths to 50 in four months, a Burmese dissident group said=20
on Monday.

The 20 were killed in landslides on April 6 and April 12 while=20
toiling on a section of the Ye-Tavoy railway line, the All Burma=20
Students' Democratic Front said. (TN)

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

BKK POST: COURT TO RULE ON FATE OF KHUN SA ASSOCIATE TODAY
May 21,1996

The Criminal Court will today consider a request by the Office of=20
the Attorney-General to withdraw the case involving the=20
extradition of an associate of Khun Sa to face drugs charges in=20
the United States.

If the request is approved, Chao Fu-sheng could be extradited to=20
the United States by this weekend, an informed police source=20
said.

The Office of the Attorney-General made the request after the=20
Cabinet agreed last month to revoke a January 17, 1995 resolution=20
which allows a Thai court to consider if the United States'=20
request for extradition of Chao Fu-sheng and nine other drugs=20
suspects must be met.

The Cabinet's decision to revoke the resolution on Chao Fu-
sheng's case was made according to the proposal of the Foreign=20
Ministry after the suspect made a formal request to be extradited=20
to the United States.

Under Article 15 of a 1983 Thai-US treaty, if a request for=20
extradition is made by a suspect, the government of the country=20
where he/she was arrested can decide to extradite him/her to the=20
other signatory country right away without having to go through=20
legal procedures.

The Police Department's Foreign Affairs Division has been=20
coordinating with the US Embassy in Bangkok on the extradition of=20
Chao- Fu-sheng, alias Vicha Sitthiphan or Somboon Khamdaeng, the=20
source said.

In a related development, the Criminal Court late last month has=20
approved the extradition of another suspect, Wu Chang-Lee or=20
Meechai Pathumanee, to stand trial on drugs charges in the US.

The case is now with the Appeals Court. He could be sent to the=20
US within three months if the Appeals Court upholds the ruling.=20
For the other eight suspects, the court would continue=20
considering whether they can be extradited to the US.

Chao, Wu and the eight suspects were arrested in Bangkok, Mae=20
Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in November 1994 at the=20
request of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Of the suspects, eight are Thai. Chao and Wu could be the second=20
and third drugs suspects extradited to the US after former Chart=20
Thai MP Thanong Siripreechapong.=20

The suspects, now in Bang Khwang Prison, Nonthaburi, have been=20
indicted by a New York court on suspicion of involvement in an=20
attempt to smuggle 300 kg of heroin into the US three years ago.

On Jan 17, 1995, the Cabinet resolved to allow the courts to=20
consider Washington's request, which was made on January 10, 1995=20
under the 1929 Extradition Act and the 1983 Extradition Treaty.

The other suspects whose cases are pending court consideration=20
are Ho Ming-te or Chatchai Pattha-raviboon, Kuo Fu-mou, Liu Feng-
te, Na Tsai-kuei or Chukiat Nimitpakpoom, Chang Te-tsai, Lo Te-
ming or Somwang Oonmun and Ying Chaweng or Chalee Yangwi-rikul.=20
(BP)

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

BKK POST: OVER 100 KARENS ENTER THAILAND TO ESCAPE FIGHTING=20
INSIDE BURMA
May 21,1996

More than 100 Karen civilians yesterday fled to a Thai border=20
village in Tha Song Yang district to escape fighting inside=20
Burma, a Border Patrol Police source said.

On Sunday evening, about 100 soldiers of the Democratic Karen=20
Buddhist Army (DKBA), led by Capt Kyaw Tae, shelled Karen=20
National Union's Purupaw Camp about eight kilometres from Thai-
Burmese border opposite Ban Nong Bua in Tha Song Yang, prompting=20
the KNU troops to return fire.

Both sides were locked in fierce fighting, which lasted over the=20
five hours, before the DKBA retreated to its base, said the=20
source. During the attack, four rounds of stray mortar shells=20
landed on Thai territory at Ban Nong Bua, no damage or casualties=20
were reported.

More than 100 Karen civilians _ mostly women, children and the=20
elderly _ fled to Ban Nong Bua as they feared getting caught in=20
the crossfire.=20

Pol Lt-Col Pairote Rimprakhon, commander of the 344th BPP=20
company, said a number of soldiers on both sides were killed and=20
injured during the fighting, but details were not available. (BP)

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

BKK POST: KHUN SA GIVEN BUS CONCESSION
May 21,1996

The Rangoon junta has given Khun Sa a concession to run bus=20
services on three lucrative routes, a source said yesterday. The=20
services, starting in June, will run-on the Rangoon-Taunggyi,=20
Taunggyi-Lashio and Loi Kaw-Tachilek routes.

Khun Sa was in charge of the Mong Tai Army until his January=20
capitulation to the State Law and Order Restoration Council,=20
which rewarded him with the bus deal as one of many business=20
privileges.

Under the deal, he said, Khun Sa will pay only half the=20
concession fee levied on ordinary bus operators. The buses and=20
vans to be put into service have been bought from companies in=20
Rangoon. The source said Khun Sa may be looking to use the bus=20
business to launder his enormous wealth generated from the heroin=20
trade. (BP)

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

BKK POST: BURMESE VILLAGERS KILLED IN LANDSLIDES
May 21,1996

At least 15 villagers forced to work on the construction of a=20
railway line in southeastern Burma have been killed in landslides=20
in recent weeks, a Burmese dissident group said yesterday.

Four people, including a schoolgirl, were killed in a landslide=20
on the railway line between the southeastern town of Ye and Tavoy=20
on April 6, the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) said=20
in a statement.

Eleven people were killed and 10 seriously injured in another=20
landslide in the same area on April 12, the ABSDF said. Some of=20
the victims could not be recovered because they were entombed=20
under an avalanche of earth, the opposition group said.

There was no independent confirmation of the accidents.=20
International human rights officials, have condemned forced=20
labour n public projects in Burma, including the 130 km Ye-Tavoy=20
railway. (BP)

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

THE NATION: HAKUHODO TO OPEN BURMA OFFICE

May 20, 1996

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

The Nation

JAPANESE advertising agency Hakuhodo plans to open a liaison=20
office in Burma before furthering its expansion into Indochina,=20
with support to be provided by Bangkok-based Thai Hakuhodo.

The agency plans to open offices in Cambodia and Laos following=20
the establishment of a representative office in Vietnam last=20
year.

Hideo Hamanaka, president and CEO of Thai Hakuhodo Co, said that=20
the parent company aims to expand its network to serve its=20
established clients, which are flocking to the region's growing=20
markets.

Japanese All Nippon Airways, a major client of the agency, plans=20
to establish a direct flight between Kansai airport and Rangoon=20
by mid-year. Other clients, including Ajinomoto, National and=20
Konica, are also set to enter the country. The agency has created=20
an advertising campaign through its liaison office to promote=20
them in Burma.

Amidst fierce regional competition, the company has tried to=20
provide quality advertising services for clients through its=20
existing offices in Malaysia, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing,=20
Indonesia, the Philippines and its three in Taiwan.

"They are an advantage to help the company fight against western=20
multinational advertising agencies," Hamanaka said.

The company hopes to maintain its growth at 15 per cent per year.=20
Last year, it generated Bt 700 million in billings and expects=20
the figure to reach Bt770 million this year. A survey released by=20
Advertising Age magazine in April showed that Thai Hakuhodo=20
ranked ninth among local advertising agencies. But Hamanaka=20
refused this positioning, saying he thought it should be=20
eleventh.

Hamanaka intends to push its business in a bid to reach the Bt1=20
billion threshold within two years, during which time it will=20
strengthen its business either through billings or manpower. The=20
firm will be responsible for recruiting professional manpower for=20
Indochinese markets. (TN)

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

THE NATION: BURMA OPPOSITION "WILL SEEK TALKS WITH SLORC"
May 19, 1996
Reuter

RANGOON- Burma's leading opposition party, the National League=20
for Democracy (NLD), has said it plans to keep open the=20
possibility of talks with the country's ruling military junta.

"The NLD will continue to seek a dialogue so as to fine solutions=20
for existing political, social and economic problems facing the=20
country... and will always leave the door open for it," a=20
statement received yesterday said.

"Leaders of State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) have=20
yet to pave the for such a dialogue."

The NLD is boycotting the ongoing national convention organised=20
by Slorc to draft a new state constitution, saying the=20
constitution would cement a central role for the military in=20
government and sustain the junta's domination.

Since the NLD won democratic election held in 1990 by a=20
landslide, Slorc has maintained it will not hand over power until=20
a new constitution giving the military a central role is=20
established.

The NLD statement listed efforts made by the party since its=20
foundation in 1988 to initiate talks with the junta.

It denounced a Slorc campaign against the NLD in the official=20
media and rejected the junta labelling of the opposition as=20
"destructionists"-an epithet seen around Rangoon on huge=20
billboards which proclaim: "Annihilate all destructionists."

The NLD has announced that it will hold a conference between May=20
26 and May 29 to be attend by NLD candidates victorious in the=20
1990 elections, when the party won 392 of 485 seats.

The New Light of Myanmar said in an editorial that this=20
conference would threaten "the political stability already=20
attained."

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

THE NATION: RANGOON JAILS SUU KYI ALLY
May 19, 1996
Reuter

RANGOON- Leo Nichols, a well-known businessman and close friend=20
of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to three years=20
imprisonment in Burma, an opposition source said yesterday.

Nichols, who was arrested by the ruling State Law and Order=20
Restoration Council (Slorc) last month, was accused of using=20
illegal telephone and fax machines.

A source from National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition=20
party, co-found by Aung San Suu Kyi, said was handed down on=20
Friday.

Nicols, an Anglo-Burmese, also work as honorary consul for=20
several European nations over the past few decades.

Representatives from the countries visited Burma over the past=20
few weeks to urge the government to free Nichols but they said no=20
senior Burmese officials would meet them.

The NLD source said Nichols was also accused of financing the=20
league.

A senior NLD official has denied his party receive funds from=20
Nichols. He said Nichols lent Suu Kyi a car but did not directly=20
contribute to the party. (TN)

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

BKK POST: BORDER TRADE IN NORTH TO GET A SHOT IN THE ARM
May 19,1996

The Foreign Trade Department plans to set up trade service=20
centres in seven northern provinces to boost border trade,=20
according to the Mae Hong Son chief of commerce.

Prasit Suwannamai said experts and officials from the department=20
inspected border trade in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Uttaradit,=20
Phayao, Nan and Mae Hong Son from May 7 - May 17 and conducted=20
feasibility studies on setting up the centres.

The centres would provide comprehensive services for=20
entrepreneurs in the North who trade with neighbouring countries=20
including Burma and Laos, he said.

Mr Prasit said the survey team also visited checkpoints at Ban=20
Huay Pueng, Tambon Huay Pha and at Nam Pieng Din, Tambon Pang Mu,=20
Maung Mae Hong Son which would be reopened by provincial=20
authorities soon.

The officials also plan to submit reports on border trade=20
problems in the seven provinces to the authorities so the=20
information can be used to find solutions, he said.

From=20January to April this years, 71.56 million baht in lumber=20
and miscellaneous goods were  imported from Burma via customs=20
checkpoints in Mae Hong Son. Only 11.18 million baht in Thai=20
products including rice, canned fish, sugar, salt, cooking oil,=20
towels and blankets were exported to Burma. (BP)

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

THE NATION: BURMA AIRPORT LOAN PASSED

May 18, 1996

The Nation

THE Export-Import Bank of Thailand yesterday signed a contract=20
with the Civil Aviation Department to provide a US$150-million=20
(Bt3.75 billion) loan for the international airport project in=20
Mandalay, Burma.

In the same ceremony, Italian-Thai Development Plc, Thailand's=20
largest contractor, also signed a turn-key contract with the=20
Burmese authority responsible for building the international=20
airport.

The construction work at the airport, which will be able to=20
accommodate 2,000 passengers an hour, is valued at $149 million.

The loan will have a withdrawal period of between three and=20
three-and-a-half years with the amount to withdrawn being in=20
accordance with the level of construction work.

The department will make repayments of $7.5 million every months=20
with the 10-year repayment period scheduled to begin six months=20
after the department completes the withdrawals.

Italian-Thai will construct the airport's passenger terminal, air=20
traffic control tower and other relevant systems, runway lights=20
and other international-standard control systems.

Italian-Thai is expected to start the construction in October,=20
with completion scheduled for September 1999. (TN)

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

BKK POST: MANDALAY AIRPORT CONTRACTS
May 18,1996

Construction of Mandalay International Airport came closer this=20
week with the signing of two contracts in Rangoon, according to a=20
statement from the Export and Import Bank of Thailand.

Italian-Thai Development Plc signed a US$ 149-million contract=20
with Burma's Civil Aviation Department to construct the airport's=20
buildings and buy and install all equipment.

The contractor must start detailed design work immediately and=20
begin construction within four months. Work will take about 36=20
months to complete. The other contract, for a $150 million loan=20
repayable within 10 years, was signed by the department and the=20
bank. The money will finance the construction. (BP)

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

BKK POST: OPPOSITION MEET IN RANGOON
May 18,1996

Rangoon: Burma's main  opposition party is said to be organising=20
a conference to mark the sixth anniversary of its overwhelming=20
election victory which was never acknowledged by the military=20
government, official media said yesterday.

State-run Burmese language newspapers said a conference of the=20
National League for Democracy (NLD) on May 27 was causing many=20
people concern as they did not know what the consequences might=20
be. The NLD is headed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. (BP)

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

BKK POST: THAI-BURMA GAS PIPELINE PROJECT SUFFERS SETBACK
May 18,1996

Plans to lay the Yadana gas pipeline through areas of ecological=20
significance have been set back by the Office of Environment=20
Policy and Planning.

An informed source said the environmental impact assessment by=20
the Petroleum Authority of Thailand has been rejected by the OEPP=20
because it was not comprehensive enough.

The source said the agency felt PTT's assessment "lacked=20
significant information about the project's environmental=20
impacts, especially those involving endangered wildlife species=20
and forest resources at the project site."

The project has been approved in principle by the Cabinet even=20
though the assessment should have been cleared first.

The 16.9 billion baht pipeline project is expected to bring 550=20
million cubic feet of natural gas per day from Burma's Yadana gas=20
field to Ban E-Tong, Kanchanaburi. The gas will be mainly used by=20
a the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's 2,800-
megawatt power plant in Ratchburi.

A stretch of the 230 km pipeline will be routed through 34.6km of=20
conservation forest and A-1 watershed areas in Tong Pha Phum,=20
Kanchanaburi. Part of the 112.5-rai area affected is a thriving=20
forest the Forestry Department wants designated as Thong Pha Phum=20
national park.

According to the assessment, the forest is rich in natural=20
resources with dense growths of intermixed saplings and trees. A=20
number of endangered wildlife species are in and around the=20
project area.

The assessment was vetoed by a panel of environmental experts=20
chaired by OEPP deputy secretary general Saksith Tridej which=20
told the Forestry Department to produce a detailed wildlife study=20
in the project site within 60 days. The panel said it would=20
examine the assessment again once the PTT has held a public=20
hearing. (BP)

***************
THE IRRAWADDY: DEFECTING ACROSS SLORC LINES
VOL4, NO.8-9, MAY 15, 1996

Moe Khine, 21, served in the Tatmadaw for five years. He was a=20
second corporal from Light Infantry Division 102. Seemingly, he=20
became fed up with his officers. There is no justice or fairness=20
for ordinary soldiers he complained. Most soldiers, Moe Khine=20
said, could not keep up   with the heavy duties demanded of them.=20
"If they couldn't they were beaten, kicked and treated very=20
badly." Most ordinary soldiers are abused by their officers but=20
no one dares to speak out, Moe Khine said.

Moe Khine joined the army of his own will when he was 16. He was=20
in 8th grade at the time. He is from Nyaun-glebin, Pegu division.=20
His parents are farmers.

While in the army in Karen and Kayah states he saw many villages=20
were raided by soldiers and burned down. His section was based in=20
Ngwe Taung village, Dimawhso township, Kayah state.

"I have seen over one hundred porters killed,"  he told a BIG=20
reporter. In fact, the chief reason he came to the Karenni-
controlled area was because he was depressed and angry with his=20
officers. "None of them were nice to us - they are very corrupt=20
and brutal". His salary was 850 kyat. "This salary cannot even=20
buy uniform for me," he complained.=20

Although soldiers are provided uniforms the quality is shoddy.=20
Therefore, all soldiers are forced to buy new uniforms for=20
special occasions. "We had no money," said Moe Khine.=20

On 9 March Moe Khine left his camp =97 and brought his G-3 rifle=20
with him.

San Win, 18 defected to the KNPP controlled area in February. He=20
is from Light Infantry Battalion 424 based in Hsi Hseng, Shan=20
state. Though his promised salary was 650 kyat he received only=20
250 kyat.=20

He said many Slorc soldiers including officers and battalion=20
commanders died in battle with Karenni insurgents. He saw Major=20
Than Maung and one sergant die on the way to front-line.=20

Bo Maung Maung always scorned and threatened the soldiers said=20
San Win. "If you run away from the army, you will be killed by=20
the Karenni and your parents will be punished," Bo Maung Maung=20
threatened. That's why San Win didn't dare to bring his gun when=20
he left.=20

San Win is an Arakanese, from Siittwe, Arakan state. He joined=20
the tatmadaw after he fought with his father. He saw 20 Arakanese=20
during the training but most ran away shortly after the training=20
began and only five Arakaneses remained. While in Hsi Hseng he=20
saw opium fields near his army barracks. He said many soldiers=20
including sergeants and corporals are using opium. He admitted he=20
used it once. (BIG)

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

IRRAWDDY: IS THE MIDDLE WAY VIABLE IN BURMA?
VOL4, NO.8-9, MAY 15, 1996

Recently, Tendzin Choegyal, brother of the Dalai Lama expressed=20
his worries to a foreign journalist in Dharamsala that the Dalai=20
Lama's middle way approach of non-violence has been a mistake.

"It worked for Gandhi, but Gandhi was dealing with the British.=20
At least they [British] have a conscience." He went on to say=20
that the Chinese who invaded Tibet in 1950 have only contempt.=20

What about Burma's Slorc and Aung San Suu Kyi? The 1991 Nobel=20
Peace Prize winner and popular opposition leader takes a similar=20
path to the Dalai Lama.=20

Although her opposite side has chosen a totally different way: to=20
rule the country at gun point and to crush the dissent =97 the=20
violent way.=20

Slorc or the State Law and Order Restoration Council has no=20
desire to respect the value of opposition and has no sympathy=20
towards the democracy movement in the country. After all,=20
whatever they promised when mouthing the appropriate words in=20
1988 and 1989 shortly after they staged a bloody coup, their=20
entire system is based on lies and injustice.

But it was the ruling military leaders who feared the lady and=20
her strength and her leadership role in 1989, where Suu Kyi led=20
the democracy movement through discipline and non-violent=20
struggle.=20

Without doubt, it has gained ground. Nevertheless, the junta=20
leaders handled the situation not in a brave way but in a way=20
similar to Gen Sani Abacha, Mao Zedang, Pol Pot and Gen Ne Win:=20
they crushed and put down all opposition.

They have tried very hard to silence her voice and put down the=20
movement.

Now after freeing her in July they are doing the same thing=20
again.=20

A few weeks ago, at his secret camp on a mountain range on the=20
Thai-Burmese border one Karenni leader strongly expressed, his=20
beliefs about the urban-led democracy movement and Suu Kyi=20
herself.=20

He said, "They are suffering under this regime. It is difficult=20
for them since they have no arms. We at least have arms. If=20
[Slorc] come and bully us we can at least fight back because we=20
have guns." It is true in his situation. He continued to comment=20
that the junta is not worried over the urban opposition because=20
they know very well that the opposition have no guns. He said:=20
"They won't talk to Suu Kyi and the opposition unless they have=20
guns. Slorc only talks to those who have guns."

His perspective isn't wrong. The Karenni leader went to the point=20
indeed. He understood Slorc's mentality vividly.

The Karennis were invited to the table to discuss about their=20
future and the demands. But the Karennis who reached a deal with=20
Slorc, went back to the battle fields. "Slorc," he said bitterly,=20
you can never trust.

Except for the Karenni, all the ethnic armed groups are talking=20
with Slorc. About 15 armed groups have so far reached ceasefire=20
agreements with Slorc over the past six years. The Karens are=20
talking. They sent out a third mission to Rangoon recently.

It appeared that the junta gives particular attention to those=20
who hold guns no matter what or who. What about drug kingpin Khun=20
Sa? The warlord had been in the illicit trade for decades but=20
finally he was able to cut a deal with Slorc. He received no=20
punishment.=20

It appeared the junta has two different policies. One is to treat=20
criminals, their associates and those who were cowed into=20
submission leniently and but to punish harshly those who asked=20
for restoration of democracy, freedom and justice.=20

Ironically, while Khun Sa is a free man two comedians who poked=20
fun at the junta received severe punishment and are believed to=20
have been sent to a hard labour camp in Kachin state.

This is not right. Under such circumstances, the restoration of=20
peace and democracy in Burma is just a pipe dream.

Without doubt, the democracy movement in Burma is facing=20
tremendous obstacles. Ominously, many activists and dissidents=20
all over the country are facing a great danger. Sadly, there is=20
little hope that things will get better in Burma.

It is important that the international community, Asean, and=20
foreign businessmen in Burma should be reminded of the current=20
circumstances.

There is a climate of fear in the country with the junta having=20
no qualms about putting down dissent ruthlessly.

Given recent reports of arrest and detention of those who are=20
close associates of Suu Kyi it can be seen the junta leaders=20
decided to knock down a peg or two.=20

The ongoing political crackdown is in fact the junta's clear=20
policy of inflexibility. But Suu Kyi who believes in non-violent=20
struggle has shown again that the opposition is flexible.=20

She said in a recent speech: "We believe in flexibility because=20
we're very much aware of the fact that circumstances could=20
change, something could arise which could make it necessary for=20
us to change our agenda."

Since her release the movement is active again but it seemed Suu=20
Kyi and her supporters realise they have to rebuild the strength=20
of the party, and should have the groundwork prepared for a right=20
moment.=20

She said to foreign correspondents recently she remains sure of=20
her principles and confident of eventual success.=20

Since the release the junta reinstalled a telephone line at her=20
house and there is also a line of communication between her and=20
her former captors. But the line isn't working. Ironically, Suu=20
Kyi's aides and spokesman don't dare to talk over the phone with=20
reporters and callers as they are aware of "Big brothe" is=20
listening.=20

Suu Kyi no longer gives the Slorc advance notice of her planned=20
movements.

Recently, she made an unannounced visit to Bogyoke Market and was=20
flocked by the women there. Slorc was very upset.

So therein lies the intriguing question what is Slorc's up to?=20
What do they want her to be?=20

The regime is in fact playing a game but not in a smart way.

SUU Kyi explained her party's current state and strength. She=20
said her party's stronghold is in the headquarters, "Because we=20
can quickly implement whatever we want to do. But it's difficult=20
to say where the NLD is strongest, because sometimes unexpectedly=20
you find the NLD is doing quite well in some small town in a=20
rural area where you would have expected a lot of oppression."

Indeed, it is oppression that will eventually lead people to the=20
streets to topple the authoritarian rulers.

In and out of Burma increasingly many Burmese and non-Burmese are=20
joining the movement and giving tremendous support and interest.=20

The truth is going to hurt Slorc and those who are supporting the=20
regime. The junta is still a pariah despite its past and present=20
attempts to whitewash its image.=20

Through the barrels of guns the regime survived but without=20
dignity. Slorc, many have now realised, is more ruthless than=20
ever and never keep its own promises.  (The editor)

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

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BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST

BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different=20
topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the=20
following subjects, please direct email to the following=20
volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or=20
try to put you in contact with someone who can:

Campus activism: =09zni@students.wisc.edu
Boycott campaigns: [Pepsi] ai268@freenet.carleton.ca    =20
Buddhism:                    Buddhist Relief Mission: =20
brelief@gol.com
Chin history/culture:        plilian@asc.corp.mot.com
Fonts:                  =09=09tom@cs.colgate.edu
History of Burma:            zni@students.wisc.edu
International Affairs:=09Julien Moe: moe@gramercy.ios.com=20
Kachin history/culture:      74750.1267@compuserve.com=20
Karen history/culture: =09Karen Historical Society:=20
102113.2571@Compuserve.com
Mon history/culture:         [volunteer needed]
Naga history/culture: =09Wungram Shishak: =20
z954001@oats.farm.niu.edu
Burma-India border            [volunteer needed]
Pali literature:            =09 "Palmleaf":  c/o=20
burmanet@igc.apc.org
Rohingya culture=09=09Kyaw Oo: myin@erols.com  =20
Shan history/culture: =09Sao Hpa Han: burma@ix.netcom.com
Shareholder activism:       simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net=20
Total/Pipeline=09=09Dawn Star: cd@utopia.EUnet.fr =20
Tourism campaigns:      =09bagp@gn.apc.org     "Attn.=20
S.Sutcliffe"  =20
World Wide Web:              FreeBurma@POBox.com
Volunteering:           =09christin@ksc.net.th =20

[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]
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The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma.
Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire
services and the Internet as well as original material are=20
published.  =20
It is produced with the support of the Burma Information Group=20
(B.I.G) and the Research Department of the ABSDF {MTZ}             =20

The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is
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For the BurmaNet News only: in the body of the message, type=20
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For the BurmaNet News and 4-5 other messages a day posted on=20
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Letters to the editor, comments or contributions of articles=20
should be sent to the editor at: strider@igc.apc.org
