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

The BurmaNet News: April 16, 1996
Issue #384

HEADLINES:
==========
MAINICHI: LETTER FROM BURMA #21 BY AUNG SAN SUU KYI
FBC ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERNATIONAL DOWN WITH PEPSI DAY
ASIAWEEK: WHY VISIT THIS YEAR?: SPECIAL PROMOTIONS HAVE
NATION: WA GATHERS TO DECIDE FUTURE PLANS
BKK POST: THE SOLAR ECLIPSE OF SLORC
THE NATION: BURMESE WASH AWAY THEIR WOES
NATION: EFFORTS UNDER WAY TO BOOST TRADE WITH BURMA
BKK POST: GOVERNOR CALLS FOR BURMA TALKS OVER BORDER LINE
THE NATION: BURMA SET TO INVESTIGATE BORDER CRIME
CHIN REFUGEE COMMITTEE: REQUEST FOR CHIN CENTRE
BAG: CAMPAIGN DOCUMENT- 'DON'T VISIT BURMA YEAR 1996'
ISBDA: WATER FESTIVAL HELD AT LOS ANGELES
PRESS ASSOCIATION: GENERAL'S MEDALS FETCH WORLD RECORD
INDEPENDENT REPORT: AUSTRALIAN_KAREN WELFARE ASSN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAINICHI: LETTER FROM BURMA #21 BY AUNG SAN SUU KYI
April 14, 1996
From: Carol Schlenker & Aung Thu <carol@gol.com>

GATHERING AT TEASHOPS POPULAR PASTIME
"Taking Tea"

Tea plays a very important part in the social life of Burma.  A pot of
green tea, refilled again and again, is the hub of many an animated circle
of conversation.  There is also pickled tea leaves, /laphet/, soaked in good
oil and served with such garnishes as sesame seeds, dried shrimps, roasted
beans, peanuts and crisp fried garlic.  It is indispensable as a traditional
offering of hospitality, either as a conclusion to a meal or as a savory
snack between meals.

While there is nothing more refreshing than a cup of pale amber tea made
from roasted leaves grown in the Shan plateau, the Burmese people have
become increasingly fond of "sweet tea."  This is tea made from milk and
sugar -- but not the English way.  "Sweet tea" stalls were originally run by
Indian immigrants so the tea is made in a way not unfamiliar to those who
have frequented "char" shops in India.  Tea leaves are boiled up with
sweetened condensed milk in large vessels.  The resulting pinkish brown
beverage is thick and of a full flavor quite unknown to those who pour out
their tea into individual cups before adding a dainty splash of milk and
restrained spoonfuls of sugar.

In Burmese teashops one does not ask for "lapsang souchong" or Earl Grey or
flowery orange pekoe or English breakfast blend.  Instead one asks for
"mildly sweet," "mildly sweet and strong," "sweet and rich," or
"/Kyaukpadaung/" (very sweet and thick).  If the tea is made with imported
condensed milk instead of the locally produced variety it becomes "/she'/"
("special") and costs and extra couple of kyats.

Friends gathering at teashops is so popular a pastime the expression
"teashop sitting" is practically a verb in its own right.  It is in teashops
that people exchange news and, when it is not too dangerous an occupation,
discuss politics.  In fact there is an expression "green tea circle"which
implies an informal discussion group.  There is even a book of that title,
based on a political column written between May 1946 and October 1947 by a
famous newspaper man.  The teashop is still one of the best places for
catching up on the latest gossip around town, whether it is about the
marital adventures of film stars or about nefarious dealings in high circles.

Writers also go in for "teashop sitting."  Sometimes such a gathering is
the equivalent of an informal literary meeting or a poetry reading.
Students and other young people too, congregate at favorite tea shops to
hold discussions ranging from pop music to political aspirations.  Pungent
catch words and phrases often emerge from such teashop talk and quickly
spread around town.  These days there is a tacitly accepted dividing line
between young people who go in for "teashop sitting" and those who prefer to
spend their leisure hours in discos and expensive restaurants.  The
difference between the two categories is to a considerable degree, but not
altogether, financial.  "Teashop sitting" students are more in the tradition
of those young men and women who turned Rangoon University into a bastion
of the independence movement before the Second World War while their
disco-going counterparts tend to look upon the yuppie as their role model.

Taking a cup of tea is such a regular practice in Burma that, as in some
other Asian countries, a tip is known as "tea money."  However, when the gap
between the salaries earned by civil servants and the cost of living
increased, the interpretation of the phrase "tea money" underwent a
metamorphosis: it came to mean bribes given to clear obstacles that block
the bureaucratic process.  But this was in the day when such bribes were
relatively modest sums.  Nowadays, when the going rate for speeding up a
passport application is in five figures, "tea money" is no longer a
satisfactory euphemism for bribes: the current expression is "pouring
water," referring, one assumes, to the need for liberal "libations" at all
relevant department.

The price of a cup of tea in an ordinary teashop is about 8 to 10 kyats,
still not beyond the means of struggling writers and students.  However, the
cost of taking tea in one of the new, or newly renovated, starred hotels of
Rangoon is quite beyond the dreams of most people in Burma.  Tea for a
single person served in the English style costs three U.S. dollars.
        The official rate of exchange for one U.S. dollar is less than six kyats,
but in recent weeks official exchange centers have been opened where Foreign
Exchange Certificates (FECs) can be exchanged at the more realistic rate of
120 kyats to the dollar.  This makes the price of taking a gracious cuppa in
a luxury hotel equivalent to 360 kyats.  Compare this to the basic monthly
salary of the lowest eschelon of civil servant, such as a beginning
policeman, which is 600 kyats, hardly sufficient to feed a family of four
for one week.  It is then easy to understand why the supplementary income
needed by government employees can no longer be accurately described by the
expression "tea money," even when the tea concerned is of the most expensive
kind.

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

FBC ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERNATIONAL DOWN WITH PEPSI DAY
April 15, 1996
From:    "brian" <BGL103@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>

Students for a Democratic Burma at Penn State University is calling for
Free Burma activists everywhere to join us during the week of April 21-28
in International "Down with Pepsi" Week.  SDB will be focusing on the
Pepsi/Penn State connection and we are continuing to pressure the
university to vote it's shares of stock in Pepsi in favor of human rights
code of conduct resolution #6 which specifically mentions Burma and
objects to the company's presence there.  We believe that at some point
in the not-to-distant future, Pepsi will no longer be able to sustain
it's image without considerable costs in the face of slogans and and
sub vertising such as "Taco Hell: Run for the Thai Border" "You've got
the Wrong One Baybee-- Uh Uh."  And still our favorite, "Choice of a new
Genocide."  So let us know what you think, join us if you can
and keep up the great work.  By the way, Pepsico's annual meeting is on
May 1, 1996.  That's when the stock votes are counted.

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

ASIAWEEK: WHY VISIT THIS YEAR?: SPECIAL PROMOTIONS HAVE
EXPERIENCED MIXED RESULTS  By Ajay Singh
April 19, 1996   (EXCERPTS)
From: "Moe K. T." <moe@ORI.U-TOKYO.AC.JP>

IT MUST HAVE SEEMED a splendid idea at the time. In the late 1980s, the
Indian government decided that 1991 would be "Visit India Year." How was it
to know that three governments would fall within 16 months, pitching the
bureaucracy into turmoil? Or that, in mid-1991, former prime minister Rajiv
Gandhi would be assassinated? Suddenly, visiting India seemed as attractive
as swimming with sharks. In the year that the number of tourist arrivals was
supposed to have soared, 7% fewer than the year before arrived.

Visit Myanmar Year seems to be in trouble. Already the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC) has had to postpone the start from January to
October this year. Despite the country's many attractions, it has also
scaled expected arrivals down from 500,000 to between 200,000 and 250,000.
Reports that forced labor has been used to prepare the infrastructure have
also been damaging. Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called for an
international boycott of the event. "Burma will always be here," she says.
"Visitors should come later."

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

NATION: WA GATHERS TO DECIDE FUTURE PLANS
April 14, 1996
by Yidee Lertcharoenchok

BURMA'S armed ethnic Wa guerrillas will begin a three-day
conference today at their Pangshang headquarters on the Sino-
Burmese border to review political and military  strategies
and work out a future plan of action.

Wa leaders from both the northern and southern commands will
attend the meeting, according to senior Wa officials.

Pangshang was formerly the headquarters of the Burma Communist
Party (BCP) until the United Wa State Army (UWSA) toppled the
Maoist Burmese leaders in early 1989, forcing them to flee into China.

Although the UWSA held a big celebration last year on April 17
to mark the fifth anniversary of their mutiny against the BCP
leaders, this year's ceremony will be low-key.

The conference takes place amid growing tension between the Wa
group and Burma's Slorc. In February, the UWSA was asked to
withdraw their 500 soldiers from an area in the northern Shan
State under control of the ethnic Chinese Kokang, their allies.

The order followed the Slorc's takeover of the area after the
split of the Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance
army into three faction: the Yang family, the Pheung family,
and the Mong Zhala ad Li I-ming faction.

The Wa and Kokang struck a ceasefire deal with the Slorc in
1989 shortly after their revolt against the BCP.

Ethnic sources confirmed the Burmese army has gained full
control of the Kokang area in the northern Shan Plateau west
of the Salween River. Several Burmese battalions are being
deployed across the terrain, they said.

"The Burmese army has exploited the serious split of the
Kokang group to move its troops into the area. They (Burmese
troops) have tried to force the Kokang factions to surrender
their arms, but so far the Pheung family and Mong Zha-la still
resist," said one ethnic source.

However, the source said the two factions were too weak to
resist the Slorc forces for much longer. He said it would be
difficult for the Kokang factions to reunite and predicted
that the Burmese army would later transform the Kokang
soldiers into a militia force like opium warlord Khun Sa's MTA.
The Pheung family has less than 300 soldiers. Mong Zha-la has
about 400, he added.

The Wa official said about 500 Wa soldiers under the command
an Aie Neung were later instructed by the Burmese troops to
move out of the Kokang  area by Feb 26 or give up their arms.

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

BKK POST: THE SOLAR ECLIPSE OF SLORC
April 14, 1996
By Myint Thein

(Editor's Note: see Burma Debate for more extensive coverage of
Miriam Marshall Segal's remarks.  Burma Debate can be viewed on
the Soros Foundation homepage on the web.)

THE solar eclipse of October 24, 1995 predicted major changes
in the government and the death of several generals in Burma.
In January 996 the left and right men of Gen Ne Win died.
General Kyaw Htun died on January 26 and Gen San Yu died four
days later on January 30.

General San Yu wa a former Chief of Defence Services who
serves as president of Burma until 1988. He has been ill since
1982 and his death was not unexpected. I remember him coming
to Houston, Texas in 1983 for heart surgery,. Gen San Yu was
a mild mannered man who had few enemies and who always
followed General Ne Win's orders.

The death of General Kyaw Htin was a total surprise and
shocked Slorc. He died within a few days of his illness. One
day he was at the golf course. The next day he was Army
commander and Defence Minister in 1988 and was rumoured to be
Slorc's choice for president of Myanmar.

He was responsible for the appointment of S-1 Khin Nyunt as
Director of Intelligence. General Kyaw Htin continued to be a
very influential person in the Burma Army and he was able to
keep different army factions from fighting one another. His unexpected
death forced General Ne Win to come out of semi-retirement.

Many things in life happen in "Three". (Plane crashes is an example.)
Two former Army Commanders are dead. When will the third
one be. If Gen Ne Win, joins them, we (the Burmese democratic forces)
will act swiftly and decisively to restore freedom and democracy in Burma
(is not wishing death on anyone, the fact is death is imminent with Ne Win.
Besides  the deaths of the first two were played down by the Slorc regime).

It is becoming increasingly obvious that Slorc's attempt at an
economic take off has resulted in a "crash landing". Slorc's failed economic
policies have resulted in the prices increasing 500% since 1991. The
comsumer price index has increased 850% since 1986.

The survival of Slorc regime depends on hard currency. Slorc's
ambitious economic development plans which are designed to
accumulate hard currency have suffered major set-backs. Slorc
projected rice exports of 1.5 million tons last year. They reduced that
number first to 1.2 million tons and then to 700,000 tons. The actual
exports will be lower than 700,000 tons.  Slorc also projected 500,000
tourists for "Visit Myanmar 1996". They have reduced these projections to
200,000 tourists. The actual number will be much lower.

Slorc's economic desperation is best illustrated  by the deal
they negotiated with drug warlord Khun Sa. Our (you can change
this to reliable sources, I have been told about Khun Sa's
deal with Slorc by many sources) intelligence reports indicate
that Khun Sa deposited $200 million with the Central Bank of
Myanmar to "buy his freedom". This transition explains why
Burma's foreign exchange reserves was reported at $700 million, a
hefty jump from $400 million reported only a few months ago.

Slorc has repeatedly stated that it would never negotiate with
Khun Sa whom they always classified a terrorist. The desperate
economic situation in Burma forced Slorc to do a dirty deal
(Slorc had earlier declared emphatically that they would never
deal with the drug warlord bur changed their minds because of
the fear that Khun Sa would spill the beans if he should ever
get into the hands of the United States).

I received a phone call from a colleague friend who read my
"New Year's Message to Slorc" (Bkk Post Dec 24, 1995). His
simply said Slorc is running into people "they can't fool".

A Slorc relations campaign suffered major damage in the
VOA's Burmese section. A defector from the Burmese embassy in
Washington, D.C alleges that Myint Myint Zaw was acting as a
Slorc agent. VOA is investigating these very serious charges.

Slorc's public relations campaign ended in disaster when
Peregrine Investments of Hong Kong filed a $20 million lawsuit
against Slorc's main apologist Marian Marshall Segal who had
served as the chairman of peregrine's Burma subsidiary.

Peregrine submitted 12 memos as evidence. Teresa Duke, Ms
Segal's personal secretary, signed as affidavit in the presence of her
personal attorney, that Ms. Segal wrote these memos. All the documents
are filed at the US District Court, Southern District of New York.

The memo of June 21, 1995 states: "I am recognized throughout
the world as being the strongest and most influential person with the
government of Myanmar. My influence over the Burmese government and
the Burmese dependency grows stronger daily".   It's the colonial version of
the White Man's burden. In this case "A White Woman's Burden".

The memo of June 12, 1995 states "People in the Ministries
actually helping opposition" (We can confirm that). It also
states "Watch out for expats or ex-Burmese nationals. They plan to
organize local Burmese with money and strategy while they remain in the
background and act as business people".

(This is standard operating procedure in convert operations).  The memo of
June 12, 1995 also states: "The White House has now become involved
because of a friend of Hillary Clinton on Human Rights Watch. The State
Department was taking a softer stand. Now the White House won't allow this".

The Asian Wall Street Journal in the feature article of
January 24, 1996 states: The businesswoman also provided the
man she called 'my dear general' with advice on a range of
issues such as handling relations with the US, or how to spot
potential dissidents in Burma."

Slorc pretends that Bogyoke Aung San's daughter, is not
qualified to participate in the political process because she
is married to a foreigner. Yet documents submitted as evidence
by Peregine Investments in their $20 million lawsuit against
Mariam Marshall Segal clearly indicate that Burma's foreign
policy is directed and managed by Mariam Marshall Segal.

Ms. Segal was once a stateless person after World War Two who
was naturalized as an American citizen. Slorc foolishly thinks
that Mariam Marshall Segal is better qualified than Bogyoke to
guide the destiny of Burma. No Burmese will buy that rubbish.

The reason Slorc has not devalued the over-valued Burmese
kyats is very simple. The Slorc general buys dollars at the 6 kyat
rate which they use to import luxury goods and building materials.
This is how Slorc generals are getting rich, building homes and
buying luxury goods.

Slorc general are not educated enough to realise that the Burmese
economy is failing. This type of "fool's paradise" does not last long.

On the 8th Anniversary of 8/8/88 we will celebrate the restoration of
freedom and democracy in Burma. The Burmese Resistance is confident
that the flag of freedom will soon fly again in Burma.

Myint Thein is a Burmese economist based in Dallas, Texas and
an adviser to the Burmese Resistance movement. (BP)

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

THE NATION: BURMESE WASH AWAY THEIR WOES
April 15, 1996

RANGOON - The Burmese washed away their cares about rising
prices and the slow democratization process during the New
Year holiday celebrations of "Thingyan".

Revellers in every available open-top vehicle visited roadside
stalls, where people doused each other in water to cleanse away
the concerns of the old year, and so start fresh for the New Year of 1358.

Yangon Mayor Ko Lay formally inaugurated the festivities on New Year's
Eve on Friday, but traditional water throwing started in most government
offices last Thursday. The Burmese New Year starts on Wednesday.

Officialdom made its customary call for a "cultured" Thingyan, warning
against words, deeds and dress that go against Buddhist and traditional
Burmese culture, or that might affect national unity or instigate
disturbances.

There was to be no drunk-driving and no water throwing before 6 am or after
6 pm. Anyone possessing, using or manufacturing water balloons and plastic
ice bags faced between one and three years in prison.

In the past, the Burmese kicked off Thingyan with a litany of
criticism against grievances real and imaginary from the year before.

In Rangoon, the focus of the festivities was the grand reception and
water-throwing pandals, richly decorated with billboards advertising
items such as beer and cigarettes. They were set up at various points of
the city by government ministries, departments, the government-sponsored
Union Solidarity and Development Association, banks, universities, private
business houses, foreign and construction firms.

The hub of the celebrations was the mayor's pandal, a sprawling wooden
structure decorated with red, gold and green tinsel in front of the city hall
in
central Rangoon.

But the biggest and the most impressive of the pandals is naturally the
pandal of the Slorc near the Parliament complex in west Rangoon.

Droves of young revellers were seen driving through the
streets of Rangoon in open trucks and jeeps braving the April
sun, and queuing up before one pandal after another to get themselves
thoroughly doused by jets of water released from pipes manipulated by
well-dressed damsels from inside the pandals.

They sang and danced in defiance and teased the damsels as
water hit them.

Dissident leader Aunt San Suu Kyi was to celebrate Thingyan
yesterday inside her residential compound and give her weekly
address to listeners assembled on the street outside.

Informed sources said that there would be no "Thingyan politics"
this year, unlike 1989 when members of the National League for
Democracy sang satirical songs and rhymes chiding officialdom.

Meanwhile, Burmese astrologers predicted that Portugal, France and
some European countries would face starvation in the ensuing year while
Malaysia and Australia would face difficulty in their reform programmes.

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

NATION: EFFORTS UNDER WAY TO BOOST TRADE WITH BURMA
April 13, 1996   (abridged)
By PIYANART SRIVALO

DEPUTY Prime Minister Amnuay Viravan will in the near future
lead a high-level delegation of economic ministers and
business people to Burma in an attempt to promote stronger
economic relations between the two countries.

Amnuay's decision to embark on the Burma trip was made during
Wednesday's first meeting of a committee established by Prime
Minister Banharn Silpa-archa on March 21 to promote trade with
Thailand's four neighbours and Vietnam.

AN official source at the meeting said the 19-member
committee, which is headed by Amnuay and comprises top
officials from various ministries and government agencies,
agreed that in terms of trade with its neighbours, Burma was
Thailand's biggest problem.

Burma has a lot of bureaucratic red tape and has developed
"a strong mistrust" towards the Thai private sector, an attitude which
Thailand has to dispel "at the earliest," the source said.

Political instability, lack of basic infrastructure and
developed human resources, as well as internal ethnic
conflicts, double currency rates and numerous investment laws
were identified as the major obstacles for foreign business
people and investors wanting to operate in Burma.

Another major obstacle is that Burmese banks will not open
letters of credit for Burmese importers with local Kyat currency,
thus forcing the country's own traders to resort to barter trade.

The source said although Thailand and Burma established a
joint Thai-Burma Commission on Trade on Feb 2, 1990, the panel
has never met to discuss bilateral issues.

Despite several existing obstacles, Burma has great economic
potential and remains very attractive to foreign traders and corporations.

Thailand's trade deficit with Burma decreased gradually from
1991 to 1993, from Bt3.23 billion in 1991 to Bt75.5 million in
1993. Thailand then started to develop a trade surplus. In
1994 the Kingdom earned Bt2.06 billion and in 1995 increased
its balance of trade with Burma to Bt3.22 billion.

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

BKK POST: GOVERNOR CALLS FOR BURMA TALKS OVER BORDER LINE
REPAIRS     April 13, 1996
Chiang Rai

THE provincial governor has urged the Foreign Ministry to hold
talks with Rangoon on repairing damaged border demarcation
stakes to avoid any possible territorial disputes.

Kamron Booncherd said several stakes along the 200km border
line dividing by the Sai River had disappeared or been  damaged.
Thai officials could not unilaterally make the repairs as this would risk
accusations of encroaching on Burmese territory, Mr Kamron said.

Mr Kamron also called for the upgrading of the Mae Sai-Tachilek border
checkpoint to cope with the increase in Burmese visitors.

They are not allowed to stay overnight on Thai territory and
have to return to Burma in the evening. However, many Burmese who
cross into Mae Sai through the checkpoint do not return and stay on to
work in the province or venture out to other cities.

All incoming Burmese should be required to carry a passport or a border
pass so Thai immigration officials can keep track of them, he said.

The Thai Governor last year allowed employers in provinces
bordering Burma to hire Burmese laborers on the condition the
employers put up a 5,000 baht deposit at the provincial labour
office for each worker.

However, officials said this regulation has not been popular
among employers. About 10 percent of the Burmese workers have
work permits, they claimed.

Business in Mae Sai District is slowly picking up following
the reopening of the border last month.

*********************
 
THE NATION: BURMA SET TO INVESTIGATE BORDER CRIME
April 14, 1996
Somchit Rungchamratrasmee, The Nation

MAE SOT - Burmese authorities in Myawaddy township have
established an ad hoc committee to investigate the robbery of a Dutch
man and the rape of his wife last weekend by an unidentified armed group.

Lt Col Kyaw Hlaing, commander of the 7th Army Battalion at
Myawaddy, which is just opposite Thailand's Mae Sot district
of Tak, decided to set up the committee as the incident could
affect the reputation of the Burmese army.

Lt Moe Soe Htun will head the panel. The five unidentified
soldiers fled across the Moei River to Burma after the incident ,
which took place at Wang Takien village in Mae Sot.  The village is
located opposite the Burmese military camp of Yebu.

Sources here said Kyaw Hlaing himself led a group of armed
soldiers to Yebu to investigate the incident. He asked Thai
provincial authorities to allow the panel 10 days for the probe.

The Dutch couple are researchers with Mahidol University's
anti-malaria research project. The victims reported to the Mae
Sot police after their motorcycles and other belongings worth
about Bt 40,000 were stolen.

The two researchers were riding along the border near Yebu
when they were attacked by the group. About 200 Burmese
soldiers under the 22nd Division are stationed at Yebu.

After the attack, Col Suvit Maenmeun, commander of the forth
Army Special Task Force Unit in Mae Sot, submitted a letter of
protest to Burmese authorities asking them to help find the
culprits as soon as  possible.

He also asked the Burmese to help locate and return the victim's stolen
belongings.  Myawaddy officers earlier denied that Burmese troops were
involved tin the crime and accused armed ethnic forces active in the region
of the offence.

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

CHIN REFUGEE COMMITTEE: REQUEST FOR CHIN CENTRE IN
NEW DELHI
April 13, 1996
From: Salai Nilian <9605673z@lux.levels.unisa.edu.au>

The Centre, that has been serving as the meeting place, the counselling
centre, the guest house and the class room for Chin refugees in India
is running short of finance. "the rent has been paid for up to the month
of April, 1996 and no money is left for the future", stated a letter of
the Centre's managing committee.

In early 1995, the Chin refugees collected donations and rented a small
unit in a southern suburb of New Delhi. To accommodate the growing number
of refugees, one more room was added to this Centre in early this year.

Chin Refugee Committee, based in New Delhi has estimated that the number
of Chin refugees in India is currently over fourty thousand. The
refugees under the protection of UNHCR are required to report to the
latter's office in New Delhi regularly.

Before they had a centre, the Chin refugees who went to New Delhi to
visit UNHCR office could hardly find a place to stay within their budget
limit in India's capital. A number of refugees who rented a room or a
unit in the city were told to vacate their room(s) because they let
their friends to stay with them.

If they are required to vacate their Centre, they will have to face the
same problem again. Can we help them?

If you can help OR for more information, please contact:

                          Salai Van Kip Thang
                          Chin Centre Manager
                          Tlang Inn, F-184 Ladosarai
                          Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 030, INDIA

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

BAG: CAMPAIGN DOCUMENT- 'DON'T VISIT BURMA YEAR 1996'
15 April 1996
bagp@gn.apc.org

>From  Yvette Yvette Mahon Burma Action
Group Collins Studios Collins Yard Islington Green London N1 2XU
Tel: 44 171 359 7679 Fax: 44 171 354 3987 E-mail: bagp@gn.apc.org

BAG is compiling an updated tourism campaign information
document, following that released in April 1995, in an effort to
improve the information available and further the exhange of
campaigning ideas on the specific issue of tourism in Burma. The
format will be similar to that of the first document and will
contain a section on the specific tourism campaign plans / actions
of the various active groups and individuals worldwide, with a
section of contacts and addresses of organsations and individuals
interested in the issue, and resources they have available. This
is intended for groups/individuals who are already involved in the
tourism campaign or who are now considering an active campaign on
the tourism issue.

Please contact Yvette at bagp@gn.apc.org, putting "Tourism
Coordination" as the subject as soon as possible, with a brief
summary of your activities and plans so that we can include you in
this document. We would appreciate an update even if your
organisation was included in the 1995 document. We would be
grateful if you would also let us know of the tourism related
activities and contact names/addresses of any other organisations/
individuals you may be aware of who, do not have access to e-mail.

The recently launched second edition of Burma -The Alternative
Guide is now available from the BAG office at #3.99 plus #1.00
postage and packing. Discounts for bulk orders.

Looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible With many
thanks.

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

ISBDA: WATER FESTIVAL HELD AT LOS ANGELES BY THE BURMA
ASSOCIATION
April 14, 1996
From: ktint@earthlink.net (Kyaw Tint)

More than 1000 people participated at the  traditional "Water Festival"
held at Los Angeles, today, which is sponsored by the Burma Association in
California.  The participants were very pleased to have chances to try
Burmese foods as well as  to observe the ThinGyan Dance and Song
performances organized by  Burmese refugees currently residing at L. A.
area.  The Burma Association was formally established on May 13, 1974,
and is approved as a non-profit organization by the State of California.
The objectives specified by by-laws are to: (a) foster  friendly relations
among its members; (b) promote and present educational and cultural
activities and programs for its members and their friends;(c) promote the
welfare of the members of the Association.

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

PRESS ASSOCIATION: GENERAL'S MEDALS FETCH WORLD RECORD
April 11, 1996
BYLINE:  Finlay Marshall

A new world record was set today when decorations won by a Second
World War general were sold for L56,500.  The medals and other memorabilia
of Major General Orde Wingate, legendary leader of the Chindits in Burma,
included his triple Distinguished Service Order. They were bought by an
anonymous British collector at Sotheby's in Billingshurst, West Sussex.
Also included was his Colt service revolver, Royal Artillery captain's khaki
drill tunic and a battered pith helmet worn throughout campaigns in Abyssinia,

Palestine and in Burma.  Wingate's tactics are credited with turning the tide
of
the war in the Far East.

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

INDEPENDENT REPORT: AUSTRALIAN_KAREN WELFARE ASSN
April 15, 1996
From: Dr Paul Webb <P_WEBB@BANKS.NTU.EDU.AU>

Just for your information:
The Australian-Karen Welfare Association was formed in April 1995 in
Melbourne Vic Australia to help new arrivals settle into their new
country, to provide welfare services to the Karen community, to
retain Karen culture and to promote cultural exchanges with fellow
Australians.

Address: PO Box 249 Niddrie Vic 3042
Office Bearers: President - Saw Ganemy Kunoo
Vice-President - Revd Alan Nichols
Secretaries - Mahn Peter Gabriel & Revd Alan Marr
A Newsletter is published and can be obtained from the above address.

Dr Paul Webb, Director
CSEAS NT University
Darwin NT Australia 0909

