---------------------------------BurmaNet-----------------------------------
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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: September 26, 1996
Issue #523

Noted in Passing: 
                
                The democratically expressed will of the people must be
                respected and championed by the international community; 
                otherwise the legitimacy of our commitment to UN values 
                will be called into question - Mr. Lloyd Axworthy (see: CFOB: 
                CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, LLOYD AXWORTHY)

HEADLINES:
==========
AP: BURMA PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER IN DANGER 
RANGOON RADIO: ACTION TAKEN AGAINST 9 YOUTHS
CFOB: CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, LLOYD AXWORTHY
LETTER: ASEAN NATIONS DISCUSS INTERNET CONTROL
THE NATION: BATES MYANMAR AWARDED BIG ADVERTISING DISCOUNTS
BKK POST: EX-KHUN SA MEN JOIN SHAN TRUCE
RANGOON RADIO: SURRENDER OF 31 KNU MEMBERS, 15 DEPENDENTS  
TT: KAREN NATIONAL UNION TROOPS ATTACK BURMESE CAMP  
ASIA WEEK: CHIEF OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE KHIN NYUNT
RANGOON RADIO: SLORC ADMINISTRATION MIGHT BE PROTRACTED 
NLM: SEE THE MOTE IN YOUR OWN EYES, MR EDITOR, BKK POST 
NLM: PAPER SUMMARIZES DRUG SEIZURES FROM 18 SEPTEMBER '88 
NLM: EDITORIAL - TATMADAW'S DRUG BUST FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE
MYANMAR ALIN: POEM - ON THE PATH OF GOLDEN NATION
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AP: BURMA PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER IN DANGER 
September 25, 1996
From: moe@gramercy.ios.com 

RANGOON, Burma (AP) -- Burma's military government will soon charge
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi with political crimes, an official
newspaper reported Wednesday.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, already has spent six years
under house arrest for her role in leading Burma's democracy movement. The
military recently said she has been aiding exiled dissident groups in a plot
to topple the government.

``In the not too distant future she will be accused as a political
criminal,'' the state-run New Light of Myanmar said in the 57th installment
of a series of articles titled ``What Is Aung San Suu Kyi? Whither Goest She?''

The articles were written by Pe Kan Kaung, believed to be the pen name of a
high-ranking military officer, and they accuse Suu Kyi of working with
former colonial powers, such as the United States and Britain, in a
conspiracy to subjugate Burma.

Burma, which the military government has renamed Myanmar, was a British
colony from 1824-1948.

At the government news briefing this month, military intelligence officers
displayed charts and printed materials purporting to show Suu Kyi's
connections with exiled dissident groups.

Suu Kyi, who was released from house arrest last year, dismissed the threat
of arrest, saying she and her party members were always ready for the
possibility of detention, although they hadn't broken any laws.

``They can arrest anybody at any time,'' she said. ``No one would believe
the evidence anyway. I don't think the international reaction will be any
different just because they've built a bogus case.''

Arresting Suu Kyi could bring economic sanctions against Burma by the United
States if President Clinton signs a bill recently passed by Congress.

Burma's current military government seized power in 1988 after gunning down
thousands of democracy protesters across the country.

In the past three months, the military has arrested 70 of Suu Kyi's
supporters in what the human rights group Amnesty International called the
``largest wave of repression in Burma since 1991.''

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

RANGOON RADIO: ACTION TAKEN AGAINST 9 YOUTHS
September 21, 1996

[Translated Text] The authorities took action
against a group of juvenile delinquents for inciting the
people and spreading false news and fabricated leaflets with
the intention to upset the stability of the state and
community peace and tranquillity. 
Under the name of Independent Thakin Group, Kyin Thein,
Thant Zin, and Ngwe Soe from Sangyuang Township spread
rumors among the people. They wrote and distributed
instigative letters, addressed to Buddhist monks, people,
and students, with the intention to cause misunderstanding
between the public and the state government, and to create
panic among the public They especially distributed the
letters and spread rumors at the roadside talk shows on
Saturday and Sunday evenings on University Avenue [referring
to Aung San Suu Kyi's weekend public forum]. The
authorities investigated the case and found evidence that
the trio collaborated with Nyan Win, Hla Hla Win, Kyaw Aye,
Tun Aye, Myo Htut Aung, and Tun Naing and distributed the
leaflets in North Okkalapa, Kayan, Thongwa, Syriam, and
Prome. The authorities have taken action against the nine
juvenile delinquents for affecting and destroying the
restoration of law and order, and community peace and tranquillity. 

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

CFOB: CANADIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, LLOYD AXWORTHY
September 25, 1996
From: Canadian Friends of Burma <cfob@web.apc.org> 
Excerpt from a speech, at the opening of UN General Assembly yesterday.

"Nigeria, Burundi and Burma are among the most recent challenges to our
collective ability to support the democratic aspirations of peoples.  Canada
remains firmly committed to the restoration of democracy in these countries,
as well as to working to this end with our partners, bilaterally,
multilaterally and within the Commonwealth and La Francophonie.  In both
Nigeria and Burma, the democratically expressed will of the people must be
respected and championed by the international community; otherwise the
legitimacy of our commitment to UN values will be called into question".

Canadian Friends Of Burma challenges Minister Axworthy to put action to his
words.

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

LETTER: ASEAN NATIONS DISCUSS INTERNET CONTROL
September 19, 1996
From: Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace <apcjp@igc.apc.org>

On September 4, the ASEAN member nations (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) stated that they had agreed to
collaborate on finding ways to control expression on the Internet. On
September 16, a number of human rights, free expression and electronic privacy
organizations wrote the following letter to the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta,
Indonesia to convey their concerns about this development. Similar letters
were also sent to the ASEAN members.

          We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to express our deep
     concern about the decision announced on September 4 by ASEAN member
     nations to collectively regulate communication on the Internet. The
     agreement was announced in Singapore, at the close of a meeting of
     officials from ASEAN member nations that was organized by the Singapore
     Broadcasting Authority.

          We would like to respectfully remind the ASEAN nations that
     content-based restrictions on on-line communication violate
     internationally guaranteed rights of free expression. As stated in
     Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

          Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression:
          this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
          interference and to seek, receive and impart information and
          ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

          The agreement did not include the adoption of a common regulatory
     framework by ASEAN member nations. However, we are concerned that a
     number of delegates to the meeting reportedly expressed support for
     Singapore's recently established Internet Code of Practice. Human Rights
     Watch/Asia has written to the Singapore government to oppose these new
     regulations, which impose sweeping controls on content, including
     political discussion. The regulations have already resulted in arbitrary
     censorship of at least one newsgroup message. They will surely induce a
     chill on on-line speech in Singapore, and, as evidenced by the ASEAN
     decision, they will affect on-line speech throughout the region.

          It has been reported that one of the reasons for the ASEAN
     agreement was a concern for preserving cultural values. While we
     recognize the importance of representation for all cultures on the
     Internet, we oppose censorship as a means of ensuring respect for
     cultural norms. We believe that the most effective means of responding
     to offensive content is by disseminating  more content. Censoring
     offensive material will not remove it from the Internet; it will simply
     cause it to be reproduced on additional Internet sites.

          We believe that the lack of agreement on a common regulatory
     strategy by ASEAN member nations demonstrates the futility of attempts
     by nations or groups of nations to introduce on-line content regulation
     schemes. Within the ASEAN group itself, the cultural values of Vietnam,
     for example, differ significantly from cultural values of the
     Philippines. It is unlikely that the diverse group of ASEAN nations will
     reach an agreement on the specifics of what should be censored, and how
     that censorship should be accomplished. Moreover, because the Internet
     is a global medium, moves to restrict online content will initiate
     battles for competing cultural values on an international scale.

          In closing, we would like to add that the attempt to restrict
     Internet communication will detract from the many benefits that
     electronic communication is bringing to the region. We hope that the
     ASEAN nations will reconsider their unfortunate decision and instead
     focus on the new opportunities that the Internet can provide to the
     citizens of the region.

Human Rights Watch/Asia (http://www.hrw.org)
CITADEL-Electronic Frontier France (http://www.imaginet.fr/~mose/citadel)
Les Chroniques de Cyberie, Canada (http://www.cyberie.qc.ca/chronik/)
Electronic Privacy Information Center, USA (http://www.epic.org)
American Civil Liberties Union, USA (http://www.aclu.org)
cyberPOLIS, USA (http://www.cyberpolis.org/)
Electronic Frontiers Foundation, USA (http://www.eff.org)
ALCEI-Electronic Frontiers Italy (http://www.nexus.it/alcei)
Association des Utilisateurs d'Internet (AUI), France (http://www.aui.fr)
Fronteras Electronicas Espana (FrEE)--Electronic Frontiers Spain
     (http://www.lander.es/~jlmartin/)
Electronic Frontiers Austin, Texas USA (http://www.eff.-austin.org),
Digital Citizens Foundation Netherlands--DBNL (http://www.xs4all.nl/~db.nl)
Article 19, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH, UK
PEN American Center, 568 Broadway, NY, USA
CommUnity, UK <URL:http://www.community.org.uk/>

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

THE NATION: BATES MYANMAR AWARDED BIG ADVERTISING DISCOUNTS
September 25, 1996

ADVERTISING agency Bates Myanmar has signed an accreditation agreement with
the News and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Information entitling
it to media discounts of 15-20 per cent from the nation's leading newspaper,
according to general manager Iskandar Poole-Johnson.

This is further recognition of Bates' media buying power in Burma, where
last year its accounts contributed 20 per cent to the annual revenues of TV
Myanmar, he said.

The News and Periodicals Enterprise controls the country's two national
vernacular newspapers, Myanmar Alin and Kyaemon, with daily circulations of
220,000 and 190,000 copies respectively, as well as The New Light of
Myanmar, the only English language newspaper, which has a circulation of
some 25,000 copies daily.

Accreditation also covers Rangoon urban newspaper Myodaw, which has a
circulation of 8,000 copies per day, and Mandalay-based paper Yadanabon,
with a circulation of 10,000 copies.

Established in Burma in 1992, Bates now employs 22 staff with an expatriate
general manager and an expatriate accounts director. It claims to be Burma's
largest advertising agency at present.

The agency also claims to be the nation's best equipped, having taken
delivery of a massive 40 KVA generator set this month to overcome the all
too frequent computer-crashes resulting from black-outs.

Bates was the first agency in Burma to have a full electronic arts
production facility, which was further enhanced this month with the
installation of a high speed, high resolution A3 capacity printer for work
group operations and pre-process graphics proofing. A peer-to-peer computer
networking system has also been installed to optimize usage of the existing
nine standalone computers that the agency runs.

General Manager Iskandar (Chris) Poole-Johnson said by the start of 1997 all
client service said by the start of 1997 all client service personnel will
have individual PC terminals. "We are making a major investment in Burma to
ensure our clients receive the best service and support possible in the
marketplace," he said.

Bates Myanmar is a subsidiary of Bates Indochina, which operates
full-service agencies in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. 

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

BKK POST: EX-KHUN SA MEN JOIN SHAN TRUCE
September 25, 1996

Ethnic Shan groups which split from former drug warlord Khun Sa and
continued to fight Burma's government have joined the Shan State Army (SSA),
which has a cease-fire agreement, according to an SSA statement.

Khun Sa, ex-leader of the Shan based Mong Tai Army, surrendered his force in
January after field commanders Karn Yod and Yod Suk defected and formed new
armies to carry on fighting.

Their organisations, the Shan State National Army (SSNA) and the Shan United
Revolutionary Army (SURA), have now agreed to come and join the SSA in a
single organisation, a letter from SSA chairman Sai Nong said.

The SSA was one of the first of 15 groups to sign a cease-fire agreement with
the Burmese military's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council
(Slorc), which took power from the previous military government in 1988.

Sai Nong's letter of September 15 to Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of
the Slorc, requested the government's full support for the move for the sake
of "national unity" and the "interests of the state."

An SSA delegation was reported to be in Rangoon waiting to meet Khin Nyunt,
who is considered the prime mover behind the government's attempts to pacify
Burma's armed ethnic groups.

Rangoon hails its cease-fire agreements with 15 such groups, most of whom
have opposed the central government since Burma's independence from Britain
in 1948, as a crucial step towards national reconciliation. 

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

RANGOON RADIO: SURRENDER OF 31 KNU MEMBERS, 15 DEPENDENTS  
September 20, 1996

[Summary] 
On 20 September members of the Karen National Union [KNU] in
Mergui Township surrendered between 7 and 17 September. 
The report stated that Aung Than Sein, a private of Company-1,
Regiment-11, 4th Brigade of the KNU, returned to the legal
fold at the Gyotaung Military Camp in Mergui Township on 9
September. He brought in one AK-47 automatic rifle. 

The report adds that five KNU members led by Law Maung,
a hard-core KNU member of Pawatein Village which is under the
control of KNU's 4th Brigade, and five of their family
members returned to the legal fold at the local battalion in
Mergui on 13 September. They brought in one M-1, three AK-
47, one HK-33, and assorted ammunitions. 

The report also noted that two KNU members led by Kya Tin, a
hard-core KNU member of Milaunggwin Village which is under
the control of KNU's 4th Brigade, and two of their family
members also returned to the legal fold at the local
battalion in Mergui on 13 September. They brought in two AK-
47, one M-18, and assorted ammunitions. 

The reports states that four KNU members led by Maung
Aye, a hard-core KNU member of Inwaing Village which is under
the control of KNU's 4th Brigade, and four of their family
members returned to the legal fold at the local battalion in
Mergui on 16 September. They brought in one M-1, three AK-
47, and assorted ammunitions. 

Three KNU members led by Squadron Leader Than Soe of Company-1, 
Regiment-11, 4th Brigade of the KNU, returned to the legal fold at the local 
battalion in Mergui on 17 September. They brought in one M-16, one
hand-made shotgun, and four hand grenades. 

A total of 31 members of the KNU's 4th Brigade, and 15 of their family members 
returned to the legal fold in Tenasserim region on 7-17 September 1996. They
handed over a total of 38 small and heavy weapons --including one 82-mm
recoilless 
rifle and one 75-mm recoilless rifle -- bombs, shells, and assorted
ammunitions to the 
Defense Services. 

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

TT: KAREN NATIONAL UNION TROOPS ATTACK BURMESE CAMP  
September 22, 1996 (Thailand Times)

[Transcribed Text] Tak -- Over 100 Karen National
Union (KNU) soldiers yesterday launched an offensive against
the Burmese army at Tipabow camp on the Thai-Burmese border,
causing injuries to two Thais who were caught in the crossfire. 

A Thai border police said, during the 20-minute
fighting, five mortar shells fell on the Moei river bank on
the Thai side. A 65-year-old villager, Nor Yi, and another
villager, who remained unidentified, were injured from the
splinters after a mortar shell landed near his house. Both are still in
hospital. 

More than ten people were reportedly injured in the
fighting which was considered a fierce battle between the
two sides. Over 500 Burmese soldiers from Palu camp opposite
Mae Sot district were sent to reinforce the troops at
Tipabow camp during the battle, the border police said. 
Thai border patrol police sent some units of personnel
with armored vehicles to Baan Meun Leu Chai, opposite the
fighting area, to prevent intrusion into Thai territory. 

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

ASIA WEEK: CHIEF OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE KHIN NYUNT
September 27, 1996
From: Myo Aye <082903@bud.cc.swin.edu.au>

The First secretary of Mynamar's ruling State Law and Order 
Restoration Council. Appointed the chief of military intelligence in 
1983, Khin Nyunt has built up a secret-police network that observers say 
is ruthlessly efficient and sophisticated. As the portage of retired 
strongman Ne Win (who, though he no longer wields enormous powers, is 
still respected and consulted by SLORC members), Khin Nyunt has been 
untouchable and is arguably Myanmar's most powerful (and most feared) 
man. But once Ne Win dies, the "Prince of Evil," as Khin Nyunt has been 
dubbed by detractors, could well be shunted aside by the military's top 
brass, who have long resented his rapid rise over senior officers.

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

RANGOON RADIO: SLORC ADMINISTRATION MIGHT BE PROTRACTED 
September 20, 1996

[Translated Excerpt] The closing of the 24th
Cadet Officer Training Course for Under Officers was held at
the Parade Grounds of the Defense Services Officer Training
School, Army, in Bahtoo today. On behalf of the Defense
Services commander in chief, General Maung Aye, Defense
Services deputy commander in chief and Army commander in
chief, attended and delivered an address. 
In his address, Gen. Maung Aye said, 

"Comrades, on behalf of the commander in chief of the Defense Services, I
would address you at this closing of the 24th Cadet Officer
Training Course for Under Officers. The history of our
Defense Services emerged together with the struggle for
independence. You can see that it cannot be separated from
the present history of the Defense Services; they are
connected. [passage omitted] 
You can see that the internal minions -- who rely on
foreign elements, who are pessimists and imperialist
sycophants, and who are envious of the increasing efforts of
the [State Law and Order Restoration Council, SLORC] which
has laid down 12 objectives for the emergence of a modern
and developed nations -- are disrupting and disturbing [the
work of the SLORC]. Such acts are designed to delay,
disrupt, and destroy the National Convention that is working
for the emergence of a state constitution -- that the entire
national population has to pay attention to and obey -- so
as to smooth the future path of our country. If disruptions
continue then a state constitution will not emerge, and the
[SLORC] administration might be protracted like at the
present." 

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

NLM: SEE THE MOTE IN YOUR OWN EYES, MR EDITOR, BKK POST 
September 24, 1996 (The New Light of Myanmar - SLORC Press)
by Yarma
        
The newspaper is a necessary medium of mass communications for a 
country. Political and administrative systems may be different in 
different countries practicing multi-party democracy, single-party 
central control, constitutional monarchy or direct rule by monarchs or 
emirs, etc., but the newspaper is always the ears and the eyes of the 
people and the country. It can also be called the guiding 'star' that 
imparts knowledge and wisdom and gives guidance showing the right way not 
only for the people of the country but also for those in leadership. So 
it has to carry on with its duties of presenting the truth about news at 
home and abroad so as to provide knowledge and wisdom to the State, the 
government and the people of the country.  
        
A newspaper contains an assortment of features such as editorials and 
other genres on social, economic and political affairs, and no one can 
deny that, of them all, the editorial is the most important piece of 
writing that is to be acknowledged as the very life of the newspaper, 
reflecting its integrity, caliber and stand. News, reports, articles, 
letters to the editor, etc. in the newspaper, being not quite free of 
opinions of those who write them, can be at variance with the objective 
truth or may be biased, but as they are written and published in exercise 
of freedom of expression, it is nothing strange. However, the editorial 
would have to be dignified, unbiased and worthy of respect and trust. If 
not, the newspaper will not be one worthy of its name. It will merely be 
a propaganda sheet or a roadside hand-bill. It will lose public esteem. 
When the editorial goes beyond affairs of one's own country and meddles 
in the affairs of another country, the newspaper may go unscathed if it 
is condoned by that country, or it may have to face counteraction to 
varying extent if it provokes those who are wont to retaliate.  
        
When I read on Page 6  in 21-8-96 issue of Myanma Alin a translation of 
an article titled "Burma not as bad as Post makes out" written by 
Ithiphon Khemmaratin Bangkok Post, I rummaged through back issues of the 
latter as I wanted to know what had been written in the editorial of 
Bangkok Post on August 8 that caused the ire of the author of that 
article. I found it, and remembered that I had already read it, although 
at first I was unable to recall it.  
        
Bangkok Post may be well known in Thailand and fairly popular in various 
parts of the world, but as the columnist pointed out, it is not important 
in Myanmar Naing-Ngan. Let alone the 45 million people of Myanmar 
Naing-Ngan, not even as few as a hundred is influenced by it. Why, then, 
did it have to act as a time sounder, holstering the anniversary of the 
Four Eights, in its editorial titled "Burma's people will never forget" 
in its 8-8-96 issue? The entire editorial is devoid of hard facts but in 
the same tune as that sung by the chorus crowd and sermons delivered by 
BBC and VOA. It does nothing to uphold the integrity of the newspaper or 
maintain the friendly relations between the two peoples and governments. 
It is blatant interference in internal affairs of another country. It 
must only be concluded that there was one who did it because there was 
another one who told him to do it. If so, it is not hard any more to 
assess that newspaper's class.  
        
It was found that, soon after Thai national Ithiphon Khemmarat wrote his 
article in Bangkok Post on 12-8-96, expressing dissent against the 
editorial on 8-8-96, another contributor, Marlene Oku, wrote an article 
titled "Post one-sided about Burma" in 17-8-96 issue of Bangkok Post, in 
support of Ithiphon's article. Neither of the two authors is a Myanmar 
citizen but they are those who see the truth, and those who denounce 
untruth. Anyhow there came out disagreements between those who are right 
and those who are wrong even among themselves.  
        
I would like to say a little more. Call it, an advice to Bangkok Post, 
if you will. I would like Mr. Editor of Bangkok Post to have understanding 
and feeling for the lamentation with a heavy heart about the future of 
Thailand under the heading "What's happening to our country ?" by an 
observer in the Postbag in 20-8-96 issue of his paper. While sharing the 
people's cries of agony about how in Thailand prestigious persons and 
also some from the religious sphere were committing crimes such as rape, 
murder, misappropriation of funds, incestuous rape and murder, how youths 
and amnestied ex-convicts were committing crimes, how politicians were 
corrupt but would not let go of power, how students were killing one 
another, how there was drug abuse on a large scale, how business persons 
were misusing funds by billions of baht but were not prosecuted because 
they were in cahoots with people in power, how senior police officers 
were taking huge bribes and directly supporting and encouraging those 
violating laws, how well-known artists were being shown scantily dressed 
on the front pages of the newspapers, how poor rural people were at their 
wits end to find a meal while political party leaders were throwing away 
145000-baht wine bottles without so much as a thought, and how those 
making honest living were getting killed by those lying in wait just to 
do it but those manipulating from behind could not be exposed and the 
culprits were at large etc. etc., Mr. Editor should, to the best of his 
ability, carry out consistently the duties towards the State under 
constitutional monarchy, by writing editorials containing good ideas, 
good thoughts and good intentions for the future of the country.  
        
In Myanmar usage, there is a saying "One is not wont to see one's own 
semisolid discharge from one's eyes."  
        
I learnt that not long ago, while celebrating the birthday of Her 
Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Prime Minister's wife had advised the 
Ministers' wives in attendance to wear Thai traditional ladies dresses, 
not to wear revealing short skirts, to follow the example of women in 
neighboring countries of Myanmar, Lao and Cambodia who are still 
lovingly wearing their traditional dresses up to this day even though 
they might not be as attractive as those of the Thai women, and to revive 
Thai traditions at State festivals in future and set examples for the 
young. That is right. Mr Editor should try to see such disappearance of 
traditions and pursuit of whims and do his duty by means of his 
editorials to strive for what should be done, for what should be. I would 
like to advise Mr Editor to stop, as he should, clanging at the wrong 
opening, as it is to no benefit for himself or for anyone else.  

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

NLM: PAPER SUMMARIZES DRUG SEIZURES FROM 18 SEPTEMBER '88 
August 9, 1996 (abridged)

[Transcribed Text] Rangoon [Rangoon], 8 Aug. --
Tatmadawmen [Defense Services personnel], policemen, and 
customs officials seized the following during nearly eight
years from 18 September 1988 [the day the State Law and
Order Restoration Council took over power] to 31 March 1996.

The seizures included 13,969.258 kilos of raw opium,
126.2 kilos of opium base, 1,879.915 kilos of heroin, 58.15
kilos of opium oil, 91.66 kilos and 215 gallons of liquid 
opium, 5,754.387 kilos of marijuana, 30,236.024 litres of 
phensedyl, 220.6 kilos of opium powder, 446.47 litres of
cough syrup, 4,698.64 gallons of acetic anhydride, and
1,721.8 kilos and 115 gallons of other chemicals.

Namhkam Defence Services Intelligence [DSI] agents and Myanmar
Police Force [MPF] personnel -- narcotics division, seized
15.5 gallons of acetic anhydride, used in refining heroin,
and 30 -- five gallon -- empty acid containers from a
Toyota Hilux Bhagon/1698 [car registration number] near 
Hsehai Village in Namhkam Township on 28 July. They arrested
three persons -- Win Myint alias Ar Myint, Yan Si Chauk and
Khwe Win Chan. 

In the period from 28 July to 3 August 1996, MPF 
members and departmental officials led by Tatmadaw columns 
seized 365.5 gallons of acetic anhydride, 15.5 gallons of 
hydrochloric acid, 103.74 gallons of lysol, 150 kilos of
sodium carbonate -- white, four Penang bags [plastic bags],
24 gallons of chloroform and huts and paraphernalia.
Effective action will be taken against them.

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

NLM: EDITORIAL - TATMADAW'S DRUG BUST FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE
August 25, 1996 (The New Light of Myanmar)

[Transcribed Text] That the drug busts of the 
Tatmadaw [Defense Services] in the recent and distant past
is part of the ongoing national campaign against the
scourge that threatens humanity and the entire world is a
fact that must be recognized by all who have witnessed such action. 

Tatmadawmen [Defense Services personnel] going after
the producers have sacrificed life and limb. Many precious 
lives of our young Tatmadawmen have been sacrificed in order
that the multi-pronged action they take in going after those harming humanity.

The most recent bust was in Shan State from 7 to 15 
August 1996 when men under Officiating Commander of the
Tactical Operations Command of the North-East Command Lt-
Col Soe Yi, together with intelligence units and Myanmar
Police Force members hit the dens in the mountainous Kutkai
Township and seized four refineries with a considerable
number of paraphernalia and precursor chemicals.
These followed an earlier raid on a den some ten miles
trekking distance from the Muse-Lashio motor road.
What is significant is that in the wake of the return
to legal fold of 15 former armed groups and even men under
U Khun Sa had surrendered unconditionally, the effort to 
bring them to book has not been relented.

Rugged terrain into which the Tatmadawmen and police
have had to trek is a formidable challenge. Yet, risking 
life and limb, they have been continuing their good work.
In the border areas where access was difficult, there
could not be a proper switch to a new livelihood. However, 
under the guidance of the Chairman of the State Law and
Order Restoration Council, Senior General Than Shwe, crop 
substitution, generation of new job opportunities and a
switch over to new lifestyle have been possible.
The Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs has been working overtime to
bring modernization and development to these areas.
The Ministry, in coordination with other ministries 
and the Tatmadaw, has scored considerable success improving 
roads and bridges, building new ones, introducing new means
of livelihood for the local people and other acts
contributing to progress.
Every new hit, every nabbing of the miscreants, is a
signal achievement for the national campaign against drugs
and those who have sought to fatten their purses to the
detriment of the innocent lives claimed by opium and its
deadly derivatives.
More significant is the fact that we are doing our 
duty for the sake of mankind, the entire humanity, in
combating the scourge.

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

MYANMAR ALIN: POEM - ON THE PATH OF GOLDEN NATION
September 16, 1996
by Monywa Win Pe

[Translated Text] 
Our tranquil and peaceful Myanmar 
We gaze at and behold 
In amazement at 
Prosperity in towns and rural areas of 
Our powerful and advance nation. 
In place of huts, eight story buildings 
Rise soaring into sky 
In grandeur and all the things good 
Just like in a dream. 
For visitors 
Good standard hotels abound 
That rise high into the sky 
Appropriate for visitors to stay happily. 
Dams and bridges being constructed 
By blasting rock mountains. 
To towns and villages 
To conduct commerce in all directions 
Railroads being constructed continuously 
Throughout the country. 
More schools opened to pave way for 
Spreading of educational facilities 
That are free 
>From villages to the border areas 
Flowers bloom afresh. 
Higher education in progress 
Advancing higher and higher 
>From ordinary colleges to degree colleges 
>From degree colleges to universities 
These universities offering 
Natural and Social sciences, in complete array 
Medical science, dental science 
Education, Economics 
Industrial Science, Forestry, and Agriculture 
Subjects being taught upgraded 
For the future. 
In small and big towns 
Commerce abound, in markets 
Busy as bees, with much bustle 
Commerce conducted 
Foods and clothes galore 
Consumers goods in assorted form 
In abundance, commerce conducted. 
In our villages 
Farmers use tractors 
In recreation, cassette tapes to listen 
In evening, with television sets 
Watch news and commercials 
Favorite songs and feature films. 
With machinery, public servants 
Diligently discharge duty 
In accord with the leader's instruction 
In unison with respect and care 
They discharge their public duty. 
Soldiers from military commands and divisions 
Day and night contribute labor with hoe in hand 
Their community service so numerous 
That they cannot be all covered by writing. 
Such prosperity of our country 
Being viewed with envy [by elements] 
Claiming with authority and pride 
Myanmar people are impoverished 
The country's economy in dire strait 
Being said in accordance with 
The wishes of B/V [referring to BBC and VOA] 
Who is making these noises? 
Who could it be? 
Divide and cause bloodshed amongst fraternal people 
Seek to influence and breed suspicion 
Create misunderstanding, disintegration of the nation 
Carried out the act 
Dancing to the tune of the imperialist 
Race destroying external elements 
Internal axe handles. 
Race destroying external elements 
We shall crush. 
Internal axe handles 
We shall smash. 
The Defense Services and the people in cordial
relations 
The strength of the people is enormous 
We brothers march on 
The path toward the golden Nation. 

