------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: May 3,1996
Issue #398

Noted in Passing:

    I know you guys joined the army not because you love
    your country but because you have your personal problems
    and conflicts with your families. - SLORC drill sargeant to
    new recruits.
   (THE IRRAWADDY: EYE WITNESS REPORT)

HEADLINES:
*****************************************
THE IRRAWADDY: A PRISONER'S TALE OF HORROR II
THE IRRAWADDY: EYE WITNESS REPORT
THE IRRAWADDY: INK, BLOT AND RIP: CENSORSHIP IN BURMA
THE IRRAWADDY: CHILD PORTER IN BURMA
THE IRRAWADDY: SLORC ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE SUU KYI
THE IRRAWADDY: JAPAN'S KEY FOREIGN INVESTMENT ROLE
THE IRRAWADDY: EDUCATION IN BURMA
THE IRRAWADDY: UN, SLORC IN HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE
THE IRRAWADDY: NO ONE SUPPORTS SLORC
THE IRRAWADDY: WAITING FOR THE WORD
THE IRRAWADDY: LT GEN KHIN NYUNT'S WATER DIPLOMACY
BKK POST: ASIA WORLD TO BUILD NEW BURMA WHARF
BKK POST: BURMA LAUNCHES NEW FIVE-YEAR ECONOMIC PLAN
THE NATION: BURMA MAY DAY MESSAGE
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THE IRRAWADDY: A PRISONER'S TALE OF HORROR II
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

Tay Za and four others were locked up in an 8' by 10' cell for
thirty days and were given only two mats. While in Insein prison,
he saw Aung Kyaw Oo and Aung Aung from NLD. They were Aung San
Suu Kyi's bodyguards and were released in 1994.

In September 1989, political prisoners including Tay Za organised
a small ceremony for the one year anniversary of the bloody coup
in their cell. Prison officials entered and all 48 political
prisoners, were clubbed and beaten.

Then U Maung Maung Tin, U Myo Aung [PDP], U Shwe Aye, U Thein
Win, Tin Than Oo, U Hla Htwe, Kyaw Han Htwe, Moe Gyo [a] Tin
Htut and Soe Aung were accused of being organisers of the ceremony.
They were sent to 'dog cells,' previously used as a kennel for
army-trained dogs. The cell was infested by fleas.

"Food was so bad, and we refused to work," said Tay Za, we had
rights, we asked them to feed us properly, demanded access to
health care, we were not even allowed to take a bath, nor were
our family members allowed to visit us." Later there was a new
torture as protest by political prisoners went on.

About 225 political prisoners were chained and seated97their heads
keep down from 12pm to 4am.

Tay Za said U Bo Kyi, head of Insein prison, is brutal and hates
political prisoners.

Tay Za was sent to Thayawaddy prison. Conditions in prison were
appalling. There was not enough medicines. The food was bad and
in short supply. Many political prisoners became sick. As a
result, on January 1, 1991 Than Win [NLD] died in prison.

"If prisoners took a bath, they had to walk out of their cell
with their heads down. If not, they were clubbed." Tay Za recalled.

After spending years in Thayawaddy, he was sent to Myin Chan
prison. He witnessed the most dreadful incident that occurred in
prison. Hundreds of Karen were sent there after a fierce battle
broke out between them and government troops in Bokalay, in the
Irrawaddy delta. All the Karen villagers, former members of the
insurgent group and other suspected rebels were subjected to
severe torture and beaten up savagely.

As a result, 93 Karens died in prison.

On June 21, 1994, 12 political prisoners from Insein prison
arrived in Myin Chan. They were bound, blindfolded and clubbed
before being thrown to a tiny cell. Prison officials destroyed
all their possessions.

He saw seven political prisoners who are mentally ill. "If you
are criminals they treat you nicely but not to us [political
prisoners] 97 ironically, we were considered real criminals," he said.

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

THE IRRAWADDY: EYE WITNESS REPORT
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

In March, five Slorc soldiers defected to KNPP controlled area.
The main reason was personal conflict with their superior
officers. As soon as the group arrived at the camp they received
a pleasant welcome and 3,000 Baht each.

"We got drunk and fought," said Cpl Maung Win. Seemingly, the
five cited Tatmadaw's strict regulations as a main reason that
forced them to defect to the Karenni. Myo Min Aung said most
people joined the army because they fail exams, don't want to
study anymore, quarrelled with parents or girl friends, find it
difficult to find a job, or have committed crimes.

Cpl Maung Win said life in the KNPP camp is easier and better,
"There are fewer restrictions, no shortage of food. When we were
in the army, we were afraid of anyone who had a higher rank. We
had to salute everyone we saw."

Myo Min Aung estimated that during training 120 of the 260
recruits were under the age of 16. "I know you guys joined the
army not because you love your country but because you have your
personal problems and conflicts with your families," he recalled
the drill sergeant as saying to them.  [BIG]

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

THE IRRAWADDY: INK, BLOT AND RIP: CENSORSHIP IN BURMA
NO.4 VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

IT was the second time Thintbawa was heavily censored by the
Press Scrutiny Board. The February issue's cover story was about
journalism in Burma.

"This was about whether journalism in Burma is still alive or
not. It was a good debate," said one well-informed source. The
source continued: "But they [authorities] did not want it. Nor
did they want the public to read it."

Journalism in Burma is virtually dead. Only the Slorc way of
journalism still exists: one-sided reporting and writing.

Whatever the case, approximately 78 pages were ordered torn out.
Thint-bawa's current senior writer Ludu U Sein Win has been
contributing a series of articles about journalism. He is a well-
known journalist, who works for Ludu newspaper and journal.

Prior to this incident, 58 pages were torn out of the January
issue of Thint-bawa by PSB officials. 

Sarpay journal was also warned not to print full cover
photographs of well-known writers on its cover.  The journal
recently published an autobiographical series about Dagon Tayar,
Mya Than Tint, and Ludu Daw Ah Ma and Burma's well-known writers
and artists. They are well-experienced, well-respected writers.
Ludu Daw Ah Ma, for instance, is a friend of Gen Aung San.

Dagon Tayar and Mya Than Tint, were accused of being communists
and were sent to jail at least three times. Mya Than Tint was
sent to Co Co island in 1960s. In the 1980s and 1992 he won
national literature awards. (Inside Sources)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: CHILD PORTER IN BURMA
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

THE civil war in Burma is still going on.  As it is, many people
have suffering and many killed during the battles. Soldiers from
government and ethnic armies have committed serious human rights
violations. They have killed and tortured many villagers without
reason and forced many people including children, and women to
work as porters. The tatmadaw, especially, has been using
children as porters on the front-line when they attack ethnic groups.

Many child porters have been killed in the fighting. Some died in
the jungle because of malnutrition and lack of sanitation. Some
were used as mine sweepers.

There are many reasons for Slorc using the child porters: some
child porters who have fled to the Thai-Burmese border said,
"When they (tatmadaw soldiers) arrived in the village, they
usually take villagers for porters."

Villagers usually knew the troop movements beforehand so that
they could hide in the jungle. But women and children remained in
the village. Troops arrived and found no men but arrested the
children and women."

There are many sad stories about child porters. Ken May Lo is 14
years old. His parents are U Pan Lan and Daw Mi Ton , of  Padaung
nationality. He was arrested by soldiers from LIB.250. Coy: (4),
when he went back home from town he was sent to a military column
as a porter. He saw some children, elderly men and women working
as porters as well.

He was often beaten, punched, and kicked by soldiers because he
could not carry heavy loads. He wasn't given enough food. [Only
one can of boiled rice per male two times a day.]

On the way to the battlefield, he recalled he could not walk and
was crying every day as he had to carry heavy loads. He saw a
porter shot dead for trying to escape.

Another porter was sick and could not walk any longer. An army
officer, about 45, came in and  beat him. Other soldiers joined
in and beat him to death.

Ken May Lo and some remaining porters buried him.

Finally, he persuaded other porters to escape. When he and two
porters did  he stepped on a land mine. He suffered splinter
injuries to the knee, lower leg, upper right and left leg and
right upper hand and some splinters were still inside the body.
Now he is in Karenni refugee camp No 1.

It is not only Slorc but also some ethnic armed groups which use
children as porters. [Reported by Zaw Htun]

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

THE IRRAWADDY: SLORC ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE SUU KYI
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

IN February Aung San Suu Kyi said that since her release, the
junta has become more repressive. In February, UNDCP Executive
Director Georgio Giacamelli was villified in the New Light of
Myanmar just because he had visited her, even though he notified
Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw. Ohn Gyaw informed the UNDCP that they
should have no dealings with Suu Kyi. 

In February, Nakajima, the head of WHO, made arrangements to see
'the lady' on his way back from Mandalay. However, according to
sources, his plane was inexplicably delayed for 2 hours so that
he missed his appointment with her and had to continue on abroad
without even being allowed access to make a phone to call her.

Several prominent foreign dignitaries have also been denied visas
because of plans to see her. Dr Michael Aris was also denied a
visa to see his wife.

One observer said: "Suu Kyi believes the Slorc has become nervous
about contacts with her, because their legitimacy is precarious."
Sources said monthly meetings of NGOs in Rangoon, came to a
decision not to visit Suu Kyi's house or meet with the NLD. The
reason is their visits would jeopardize the ability of NGOs to
work in Burma.

"The junta is in a very ugly mood right now.  They are mad at all
the high- level people who want to see Suu Kyi and mad that
interest in her has not died down," commented a source. [Inside Sources]

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

THE IRRAWADDY: JAPAN'S KEY FOREIGN INVESTMENT ROLE
NO.4, VOLUME. 6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

IN Suu Kyi's opinion, 1996 is a critical year for the stability
of the Slorc, and curtailing investments would be a major setback
for the junta. The Slorc cannot maintain the current level of
economic development because the system is not truly open. Only a
few in the society benefit.

Those trying to establish new enterprises often find themselves
denied necessary permits97and their project ideas are then taken
over by those better connected.

Politicians and activists in Burma asked the international community
and campaingners to pressure the Japanese not to invest. 

Some in Burma believe the Japanese government is actually
providing far more aid than appears on paper, and that Japanese
aid and investment is helping the Slorc considerably.

They  think that the Japanese government and businesses have been
encouraging the Slorc to hang on and perhaps giving them a false
sense of hope about economic successes in the future. (Inside Sources)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: EDUCATION IN BURMA
NO.4 VOLUME. 6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

A UNDP report said an estimated 80 per cent of students enrolled
in primary school drop-out before completion. Some 35 per cent of
children never enroll in primary school and only 25 per cent
complete the five year cycle. Ethnic border regions are severely
deficient. Worse still, in remote areas, ethnic minorities have
virtually no public services because of armed conflicts.

Slorc leaders know education is the only way to achieve democracy
and human rights. They themselves are not well-educated,
therefore the junta is deliberately stifling education because
they are afraid of educated students.

Since 1988 schools have been repeatedly shut and opened again due
to the unrest.

All professors and tutors are forced to become 'security
officers' or 'informers' to watch students activities.

The order from Khin Nyunt is that professors must do security
work97make sure students do not write posters, manifestos, or do
political organizing.

Some professors even miss classes to do their security duty.

At the same time, as one professor put it "my salary is 2000
kyat, if you don't want to be corrupt, you can't stay in the system".

Professors, doctors and intellectuals have been leaving Burma
since 1962. More have followed since 1988. Some went to work in
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, and Africa. One Burmese well-
known writer, also a doctor, is also washing dishes in Japan. (Inside Sourc
es)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: UN, SLORC IN HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw has conferred with a senior UN
official as part of an ongoing dialogue about the human rights
situation in his country.

The meeting, with Alvaro de Soto, an assistant secretary-general
for political affairs, was seen as the continuation of the
efforts which Secretary-General Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali had
been making under a General Assembly resolution adopted last
December dealing with the human rights situation in Burma.

The assembly resolution strongly urged Burma to release all
political prisoners and take steps toward a restoration of democracy.

Under the assembly resolution, Boutros-Ghali is to submit a
report to the current session in Geneva of the UN Human Rights
Commission and to the Assembly session opening in September.

Ohn Gyaw said any dialogue with Suu Kyi would put her on "an
equal footing with the government". According to the Slorc, the
National Convention was the forum in which political leaders,
including Suu Kyi, could engage in dialogue.

At home, politicians and activists criticise UN agencies.

Many UN employees are not really dedicated to their work. They do
not want to close their offices even if they are not helping,
because they will lose their jobs or their positions of prestige.

So what are UN agencies really up to? There was a report that the
World Health Organistion [WHO] recently gave three scholarship
awards for study in England, and one went to a colonel in the
Military Intelligence Service.

Moreover, local officials declared that those involved in
politics, especially those associated with the NLD, were not
allowed to participate in a UN- sponsored project teaching
mushroom cultivation.

Some said such things should not happen.

Suu Kyi and Burmese intellectuals said the UN agencies in Burma
should abide by measures passed by the UNGA, which insists that
UN projects must be in accordance with the will of the people.

Since the NLD won more than 80% of the vote, the NLD represents
the will of the people and should be involved in both the
decision-making and monitoring processes. "The NLD and the Slorc
should have equal voices in these processes," said a politician.

Unlike other UN agencies, the UNDP has gone to see Suu Kyi many
times and is now in trouble with the Slorc. Some suggested that
the Slorc might throw UNDP out of the country.

UNICEF and WHO are much worse, as they work closely with the
Slorc. (TN&BIG&Inside sources)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: NO ONE SUPPORTS SLORC
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

"Don't think that public and civil servants support Slorc," said
a man in Rangoon. He explained many in government service at all
levels do not support the Slorc. For one thing, the inflation is
hurting almost everyone. Also, people know the Slorc has no
principles. One source was particularly concerned to have
outsiders realize that university professors should be worked
with because very few actually support the Slorc. (Inside Sources)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: WAITING FOR THE WORD
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

"The movement isn't over97it is still happening," said a student
activist in Rangoon.

On March 13, students planned to march from Rangoon University
to Suu Kyi's house, but troops blocked University Avenue and
nobody was allowed to pass through the area.

Sources said students might not like the current political
climate. Thus they might start taking political moves, but the
problem is how and when to start, said one observer.

"They [students] will follow Suu Kyi. They were ready to do
something at the Rangoon Diamond Jubilee, but  nothing happened
because Suu Kyi said 'no' to them. "They may be looking for a
spark to make them move," said one source.

People will take to the streets if Suu Kyi calls them to, said
the same source. But when will she call? (Inside sources)

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

THE IRRAWADDY: LT GEN KHIN NYUNT'S WATER DIPLOMACY
NO.4, VOLUME.6-7, APRIL 15, 1996

"Do you know who this year's Thingyan star is?" asks Maung Win
Hlaing [not his real name] in Rangoon over the phone. Ye Aung,
Yan Aung, Soe Thu,  Sai Htee Hseng, May Than Nu Burma's famous
movie stars and singers who participated in the Slorc-organised
Thingyan tour in Rangoon.  "No, it is none of them," says Win Hlaing.

The star was none other than Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, military
intelligence chief and Secretary One of Slorc. 

Lt Gen Khin Nyunt's recommendation to the Burmese people just
before the Thingyan was: "Don't commit treason" 97 "participate in
a gentle and polite way" during this week's water festival, or Thingyan.

"For all to take part merrily, revellers should stay clear of
making disturbances and agitations that may lead to
disintegration of national unity and a state of unrest," the
powerful general said. Water should refresh people's minds so
they can "energetically discharge national duties".

Special courts were set up to try wrongdoers during the
traditional New Year celebrations. He also warned against the
wearing of unsuitable clothes, drunkenness and "acts, speech and
behaviour injurious to the state, individual persons and organisations".

When Thingyan began no senior military officers but Khin Nyunt
wearing colourful Batik and a sport shirt visited performances at
government ministries, played the water with staff members and
government servants.

Imitating neighbouring Thai politicians Lt Gen Khin Nyunt was
singing a famous Myananda song with other singers and throwing
water at girls.

One said the general almost danced.  Another Thingyan spectator
said Khin Nyunt was accompanied by many intelligence officers and
some ministers who are believed to be his followers. But some
senior Slorc officers including Senior Gen Than Shwe did not show
up. Than Shwe, said a source, went to meditate at a quiet place.

"He [Khin Nyunt] is totally different from all senior leaders,"
said a source. He is just a shrewd politician, very polite and
charming," the source added. Khin Nyunt's Thingyan activities
were shown on Myanmar TV for hours.

He and Than Shwe's wife, Daw Kyaing Kyaing also visited some
departments at Rangoon University to play water. "Because of them
[Khin Nyunt and senior leaders] we were told to make necessary
arrangements and preparations," complained one professor. "We
didn't invite any of them," he said.

During the Thingyan, Khin Nyunt and his men visited all of their
strongholds to consolidate their power, sources said. But when he
paid a visit to see entertainment at the Defence Ministry stage
he was accompanied by deputy chairman of Slorc, Gen Maung Aye.

Analysts suggested Khin Nyunt lacks broad support within the
army. But Khin Nyunt's recent appearances at Thingyan festival
indicated that he is  Burma's pretender. (Inside Sources)

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

BKK POST: ASIA WORLD TO BUILD NEW BURMA WHARF
April 29, 1996

BURMA'S Asia World Co Ltd has signed a deal to build a new wharf
in Rangoon to handle sea-going vessels to meet the demands of the
country's growing economy a report said yesterday.

The contract for the new wharf, scheduled for completion in two
years, was awarded by the Myanma Port Authority the New Light of
Myanmar reported, without giving figures for the value of the project.

Minister for Transport Thein Win said it was the first time a
local firm had been charged with such a major project, adding
that all the country's imports and 90% of exports were handled at
the Rangoon port.

He said economic growth in Burma resulted in increased traffic at
the ps with the handling of conventional goods jumping 20-40% and
container services, jumping 60-80% in the past five years.

The port handled seven million tons cargo in the year to March
31, 1996, up 9.6% over the previous year, while container traffic
soared 63% over last year 73,198 units handled, he said.

Thein Win said that traffic at the port was likely to grow
rapidly in the next f years under the government's recently
unveiled economic plan, which targets domestic product (GDP)
growth at about 6% annually.

He added that the government planned to upgrade freight
facilities in Rangoon and in the southern port of Thilawa, where
four new wharves were being considered.

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

BKK POST: BURMA LAUNCHES NEW FIVE-YEAR ECONOMIC PLAN
May 2,1996
By Philip McClellan
Rangoon, AFP

Faced with rampant inflation and an unwieldy dual exchange
rate, Burma is lurching into its new five-year economic plan
with high hopes of expanding its rickety economy by 6% a year.

At the heart of Burma's efforts to propel its economy forward
is the agricultural sector, which the country's economic administrators
hope can be rapidly modernised with the aim of boosting output.

"Since we are moving gradually towards a stronger industrial
base, the main thrust will be to industrialise agricultural
production," David Abel, minister for economic planning and
state development, told AFP in an interview Saturday.

Abel said that while industries such as fisheries and mining
would be central to the five-year plan unveiled in mid-April,
the main goal was to double the yield of the agricultural sector.

"This is achievable because we have land and resources which
will be coming on stream to support the sector in harmony
with the plan," he said.

Almost half of Burma's gross domestic product can be traced
back to the agriculture sector, comprised mainly of rice,
wheat, beans and pulses. According to World Bank figures, the
agricultural sector, including livestock, fisheries and
forest products, grew an estimated 6.1% in the fiscal year
ending April 1995, to 28.6 billion kyat ($240 million at the
prevailing market rate).

Abel said that efforts at doubling agricultural production
would be geared towards improving seeds and fertilisers in a
bid to raise yields, and towards increasing the land under
cultivation through improved irrigation.

Economic analysts in Rangoon say that agriculture is one area
where Burma will be able to partly make up for its inability
to bring in development funds from abroad to keep the economy
on an upward path.

"Economic growth in the past has been largely due to boosting
agriculture, especially by improving irrigation to try to
expand 'green zones' during the dry season," one Rangoon-
based economic analyst said.

Growing is largely limited to the four-month rainy season in
Burma due to poor irrigation networks, even in the Irriwaddy
delta, where barren fields lie fallow during the dry season.

The government says it has been boosting efforts to develop
irrigation across the country, a drive for which human rights
groups have accused the junta of resorting to forced labour.

Backed by vast natural resources and a burgeoning
agricultural sector, many Rangoon-based economists believe
the Burmese economy is capable of growing by the targetted 6% a year.

However, the country remains saddled with a huge external
debt and is reeling under the effects of rampant inflation,
officially running at about 20%, but which economists say
could be as high as 30% a year.

Burma's battered infrastructure needs a complete overhaul, and
complicating matters further is a dual exchange rate which the
government is loathe to abolish for fear of sparking still more inflation.

At the official rate, one US dollar buys about six kyats, but the dollar is

exchanged for around 120 kyats at the prevailing market rate.

"On the economic front, people in urban areas are getting the
feel of what can be achieved," one analyst said, citing the
growing number of consumer goods flooding into Rangoon's
shops as evidence of an expanding economy.

But endemic poverty in the countryside will likely result in
a flow into the cities as rural residents hope to find work
in the booming construction sector, he said.

Despite the doom-mongers, Abel said he was confident that the
economy could expand by almost 40% in the five years ending
in 2001. The government says the economy grew by about 8% in
the fiscal year ending April.

Analysts agree that growth is on an upward trend but see
official estimates as greatly exaggerated. Many say that
Burma's economic statistics are usually skewed by selective
use of the dual exchange rate and incomplete data. (BP)

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

THE NATION: BURMA MAY DAY MESSAGE
May 2, 1996 AFP

Rangoon- Burma's military leader, Than Shwe, marked May Day
by urging workers to "exert their utmost efforts" to forge a modern
nation, building on what he described as government successes.

In a holiday message issued through state newspapers, he said
strict discipline and sustained effort were needed to make a modern
nation of Burma, which he said was enjoying unprecedented peace.

"The entire mass of the national people including workers and
peasants are urged to play their role in the task together
with the government," he said. (TN)

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