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


The BurmaNet News: July 22, 1996 
Issue #471

Noted in Passing:               
                Making an issue of human rights in Burma would be touchy 
                for its fellow neighbors in the region, many of which, have 
                troublesome human rights records of their own, said a 
                Western Diplomat at Asean (see: VOA: 
                ASEAN OPENING)
HEADLINES:
=========
HKS: SUU KYI, UNDER ATTACK, COMMEMORATES MARTYRS
VOA: ASEAN OPENING
PRESS STATEMENT: DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY (Malaysia)
AP: ASIAN STATES WELCOME BURMA
NATION: OHN GYAW FINDS RELIEF FROM WESTERN CRITICS
AWSJ: ASEAN COURTSHIP OF BURMA ANNOYING ALLIES
NATION: GROUP URGED TO TAKE SOLID STEPS ON BURMA
BKK POST: STUDENTS PROTEST AS JUNTA GAINS ASEAN
ST: ALATAS TO WEST ON MYANMAR 
NCUB STATEMENT: THE BOMB EXPLOSION IN RANGOON
BKK POST: FRENCH OIL FIRM DENIES FORCED LABOUR 
AP: BURMA'S REGIME BLASTS SUU KYI
KYEMON: SLORC TO PEOPLE - DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HKS: SUU KYI, UNDER ATTACK, COMMEMORATES MARTYRS
July 19, 1996(abridged)
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

RANGOON: Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday made 
a low-key appearance at an official Martyrs' Day ceremony as state-run 
media attacked her for urging the West to impose economic sanctions on 
Burma. 

A solemn-looking Ms Suu Kyi, dressed in a black traditional longyi 
(sarong), a white blouse and black shawl, placed three baskets of flowers 
at her father's tomb at the Martyrs' Mausoleum, bowed before it and then 
left the ceremony. 

She arrived in a government car, and was accompanied by Lieutenant 
Colonel Then Tun, the man who used to be the liaison officer between the 
military and Suu Kyi when she was under house arrest. 

Minister of Culture Aung San represented the military government at the 
ceremony, a solemn occasion held each year to remember the nine martyrs 
who were murdered on July 19, 1947. 

Ms Suu Kyi's father General Aung San, the architect of Burma's 
independence from Britain, six of his pre-independence cabinet colleagues 
and two others were gunned down while they were holding a meeting six 
months before Burma's independence. 

Diplomats and observers had said earlier in the week if Ms Suu Kyi refused 
an invitation to the ceremony, or if the military did not invite her to 
attend, it could hurt already shaky relations between the government and 
the opposition. 

Editorials and commentaries in state-run newspapers on Friday attacked 
Ms Suu Kyi for trying to hurt the country with her calls to Western 
nations to impose economic sanctions on Burma as an effort to try and force 
political change. 

An editorial in the New Light of Myanmar (Burma) newspaper said Ms Suu 
Kyi and the NLD have caused ``mischief'' by urging investors to leave 
Burma. 

``They would rather let their fellow citizens suffer when they should be 
encouraging foreigners to do business here,'' the editorial said. 

Several US apparel firms have also decided not to renew contracts with 
Burmese suppliers. 

``Does it please the NLD and its leader, Daw Suu Kyi, to make the job 
holders jobless? Does it also please them to have no aid coming our way? 
No loans?'' the editorial said. 

Ms Suu Kyi did not make any comments after appearing at the mausoleum. 
She was due to offer a meal to Buddhist monks later in the morning to 
honour the memory of her father and other martyrs, NLD officials said. 
Relatives of the other eight martyrs arrived separately after Ms Suu Kyi, 
to lay wreaths at the mausoleum as a steady drizzle fell across the city. 

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

VOA: ASEAN OPENING
July 20, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

The 29th annual ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast 
Asian nations, or Asean, opened in Indonesia Saturday. Burma was 
formally granted observer status in the organization, a step on the path 
to full membership.  following the ceremony, the foreign ministers of 
the seven-nation organization, plus the observer states, gave their opening 
statements. 

In Burma's maiden address in its new status, foreign minister Ohn Gyaw 
made  no  mention of western objections to his country's human rights 
record or of democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.  He instead concentrated 
on assuring other member states that Burma -- which he referred to by the 
Rangoon government's preferred name, Myanmar -- will be able to integrate 
into the organization.

Mr. Ohn Gyaw said Burma is committed to a market economy and a 
multiparty democratic system, adding that what he termed "significant 
progress" has been made in drafting guidelines to a new constitution that 
will -- as he put it -- ensure the unity, solidarity, and stability of the
country.

         "Myanmar's national goal is to build a peaceful, 
         prosperous, modern and developed state based on a 
         multi-party democracy and a market-oriented economy. Due
         to the unswerving efforts of the government, Myanmar 
         today is enjoying peace, stability, and economic growth 
         as never before in the history of modern Myanmar."

The question of Burma is expected to loom large in discussions 
between Asean nations and their "dialogue partners," including 
the United States next week.

Most of the foreign ministers made similar general addresses in the 
public session talking of closer cooperation between Asean states.

However, Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas -- who is outgoing 
chairman of Asean -- sounded a jarring note when he echoed President 
Suharto's call earlier in the day to separate trade from human rights.  Mr. 
Alatas claimed western nations are trying to link the two as a form of trade 
protectionism, and said such issues should  not  be brought before the 
world trade organization.

         "We are, however, alarmed at the tendency of developed 
         countries to resort to a new form of protectionism in 
         the guise of linking labor standards and other social 
         and environmental concerns to trade.  not  only would 
         this stifle the trading capabilities of developing 
         countries, but could also lead to the unravelling of the
         hard-won balance of rights, obligations, and interests 
         of all parties that the w-t-o is mandated to foster.  we
         call upon all trading partners to refrain from 
         overloading the agenda of the w-t-o with issues 
         extraneous to trade."

In an interview after the public session, Marzuki Darusman, deputy 
director of indonesia's government-sponsored human rights commission, 
said the government does  not  want to disregard human rights, but only 
wants to keep trade issues from being complicated by nontrade issues.  
He said there is  no  proof linking trade to human rights leads to any 
improvement in human rights conditions in a given country."

         "What we're trying to do is simplify matters,  not 
         complicate things.   If linking these issues makes it 
         more complicated and holds back the agenda of human 
         rights, then why do it?  It has never been an  
         established fact that trade being related to human 
         rights issues have gotten anywhere.  It's  not  proven. 
         it's very hypothetical, and in fact, the proof, I think,
         is on the side of  not  linking it."

There is pressure in the United States and in Western Europe to 
impose sanctions on Burma or, at the very least, discourage firms
from investing there.  Aung San Suu Kyi has also called on other 
countries to refrain from doing business with Burma. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(added: VOA- ASEAN MEETING)

The Philippines foreign minister said his Burmese counterpart, Ohn Gyaw, 
told him Burma's new constitution will have a multi-party democracy, 
with a two-house legislature and a President.

One Asian diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said Asian nations 
do not not want to risk alienating burma and thus pushing it closer to 
China -- a move, he said, that would make india nervous. A western  
diplomat pointed out that making an issue of human rights in Burma 
would be touchy for its fellow neighbors in the region, many of which, 
he pointed out, have troublesome human rights records of their own.

Western criticism of Burma is expected to be raised at these consultations.  
But diplomats say a recent statement by Secretary of State Warren 
Christopher the United States will not press for sanctions against Burma 
at this time has lowered the temperature a bit.

*******************************************************.

PRESS STATEMENT: DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY (Malaysia)
July 20, 1996
From: khleee@pc.jaring.my

Press Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-
General and MP for Tanjong, Lim Kit Siang, in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 
July 19, 1996.

Even if ASEAN does not agree with mounting international pressures for
economic sanctions, ASEAN should not go against international opinion 
and become the defender and champion of SLORC in its crackdown against 
Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement in Burma.

It is most regrettable that the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in 
Jakarta tomorrow is committed to accord the Myanmese military junta, 
the State Law and Order  Restoration  Council (SLORC), the official 
status of ASEAN observer, preparatory to the admission of Myanmar 
as a member of  ASEAN.

This is a great setback for the cause of democracy in Burma and a great
disappointment to the peoples of ASEAN who had hoped that the ASEAN
governments would play a positive and constructive role to influence the
SLORC to embark on a serious process of democratisation and national
reconciliation in Burma.

Even if ASEAN does not agree with mounting international pressures for
economic  sanctions, ASEAN should not go against international opinion 
and become the defender and champion of SLORC in its crackdown against 
the democracy movement in Burma.

It is most regrettable that some of the statements made by ASEAN officials
to justify the  ASEAN decision to invite the Myanmese military junta to
become an official ASEAN observer and to join the ASEAN Regional Forum
appear to justify  the SLORC crackdown on the democracy movement in 
Burma in May and to take an adversarial and hostile position against 
Burmese democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San 
Suu Kyi.

How can ASEAN governments agree to admit Myanmar as an official 
ASEAN observer preparatory to admission as a full ASEAN member, 
when the ASEAN policy of "constructive engagement" has been a 
complete failure in  getting SLORC to embark on a serious process of 
democratisation and national reconciliation in Burma?

In fact, the ASEAN governments have not been able to get permission 
from SLORC to send a "constructive engagement" mission to Burma  
to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the democracy 
movement in Burma  to serve as a bridge to promote democratisation 
and national reconciliation.

ASEAN's "constructive engagement" policy must be able to show some
"constructive" results in promoting democratisation and national
reconciliation in Burma, or it is nothing but a cynical term to allow the
ASEAN governments to condone the undemocratic and repressive 
violations of human rights and democracy by SLORC in Burma so as 
to exploit the business and economic opportunities in Burma.

ASEAN governments should defer the admission of Myanmar as an 
official observer of ASEAN at the Foreign Ministers' Conference in 
Jakarta tomorrow, or if this is no more possible, ASEAN governments 
must make it very clear to SLORC that such admission must not be taken 
as blank-cheque or  condonation of its crackdown against the democracy 
movement and to serve notice that ASEAN expects meaningful progress 
to be made in the process of democratisation and national reconciliation 
in Burma - failing which, Myanmar's application to join ASEAN as a 
member would not only be rejected, her  ASEAN observer status would 
also be suspended.

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

AP: ASIAN STATES WELCOME BURMA
July 21, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>
by Geoff Spencer 

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Southeast Asia's biggest trade group embraced 
Burma's military regime Saturday, dismissing efforts to isolate the junta 
accused of abusing human rights and repressing pro-democracy activists. 

The foreign ministers warmly applauded Burmese Foreign Minister Ohn 
Gyaw when he took the podium for a first-ever address at their annual 
meeting. 

``Today is an historic moment for Southeast Asia,'' he said. Burma's 
induction topped the agenda, a reflection of its importance to the group. 

Faced with blanket opposition from the Southeast Asian states, Christopher 
and other western officials have backed away, however, from earlier 
threats of economic and other sanctions against Burma. 

Unrepentant, Ohn Gyaw justified his regime's behavior, including the 
repression of pro-democracy activists like Suu Kyi. 

``Basically human rights values (in Burma) are like those in most Asian 
countries: food, clothing and shelter,'' Saturday's Jakarta Post quoted Ohn 
Gyaw as saying. 

Instead of ostracizing Burma, the trade group is pursuing ``constructive 
engagement'' to encourage its generals to end the civil crackdown. They 
argue that sanctions interfere unjustifiably in Burma's affairs. 

In an apparent swipe at western anger against Burma's military regime, 
Indonesia's President Suharto called on powerful countries not to interfere 
in the domestic affairs of others. 

Suharto didn't mention Burma specifically. However, he called for ``global 
partnership'' of rich and poor nations to solve international problems. 

Critics including Sidney Jones of Human Rights Watch/Asia are skeptical 
that a neighborly approach to Burma will do any good. 

``In the last eight months we've seen a steady deterioration in human 
rights,'' he said in a statement released in Bangkok.

``ASEAN must either conclude that its policy of engagement is bankrupt or 
use its influence with Burma to halt the slide.''

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

NATION: OHN GYAW FINDS RELIEF FROM WESTERN CRITICS
July 20, 1996

JAKARTA- Although Burma continues to be the target of sharp
Western criticism for its harsh suppression of political
dissidents, Burmese Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw found "friends"
from the region when he arrived here to attend a meeting of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Ohn Gyaw's presence as an observer at the Asean Ministerial
Meeting on July 20 and 21, and as a participant in the Asean
Regional Forum (ARF) on July 23, has drawn strong opposition from
Burmese political activists and Western governments which are
Asean dialogue partners, including Canada, the European Union and
the United States.

But the Burmese delegation was given a warm welcome upon arrival
on Thursday evening and Ohn Gyaw was the first guest Indonesia's
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, host of this year Asean conferences,
met yesterday morning.

Emerging from the half-hour meeting with Alatas, the Burmese
minister told a hoard of waiting journalists, who had been
chasing him for comments, that Alatas had briefed him on the
schedule and procedures for the Asean Ministerial Meeting. 

Asked to comment on the European Union's recent non-binding
resolution calling for economic sanctions against Burma, the
minister dismissed its current impact on Burma.

"It is their decision. This is the Asean floor. There is no
relevancy," he said.

At the Asean Secretariat Office, where he later had a meeting
with secretary-general Ajit Singh, he said that there was no need
to impose economic sanctions on Burma as the country has "opened
up" and was enemy to no nation.

"You don't have to impose economic sanctions or whatever
sanctions. We are opened up, we are not enemies. All of the
countries in the world are our friends," he said.
     
Ohn Gyaw implicitly dismissed the possibility of dialogue between
the ruling junta in Rangoon and opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi. "Dialogue with an individual is different from our
perception of dialogue," he said. "One cannot select one
particular person," evidently referring to Suu Kyi, although he
did not name her.

Laotian Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad yesterday threw his
support behind Burma's integration into Asean. He lauded the
Asean policy of constructive engagement towards Burma and the
ruling Burmese State Law and Order Restoration Council for its
efforts to bring about "national stability" through ceasefire
pacts with armed ethnic groups.

"Asean has done its best [towards Burma].

We, neighbouring countries, know best about each other, and each
of us also knows best about itself. We should respect one
another," Somsavat said in an interview yesterday.

Ohn Gyaw said Burma could join Asean within two years, "but the
sooner the better". For the time being, the country would follow
Asean protocol by first becoming an observer and "then the next
step, we will become a member", he added.

The Burmese minister boasted his country's potential as a
prospective Asean member. "We have a sizeable population. We have
resources. We have manpower and we have dedication and a
commitment to regional stability."

He disagreed that political instability could hinder Burma's
entry into Asean. "We have no problems at home," he claimed
contradicting statements made by Suu Kyi that political turmoil
in Burma could destabilise the whole of Southeast Asia.

While Burma's relations with Southeast Asia are relatively
smooth, its ties with Western governments have always been
troublesome.  

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

AWSJ: ASEAN COURTSHIP OF BURMA ANNOYING ALLIES
July 21, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>
by Raphael Pura

JAKARTA -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is 
strengthening its web of diplomatic connections. But the group's 
intensifying courtship of Burma is annoying ASEAN's key Western allies, 
reports Friday's Asian Wall Street Journal.

On Saturday, ASEAN opens a six-day series of meetings on regional 
political, economic and security matters that will feature enhanced roles 
for India, China and Russia, as well as for Burma's military regime.

Next week, ASEAN will host the third session of its ASEAN Regional Forum 
on security, which will be expanded to 21 members with the inclusion of 
India and Burma.

ASEAN officials are trumpeting the group's growing network of affiliates as 
proof of its emergence as the premier diplomatic platform for 
Asian-Pacific political and security discussions.

The broader linkages advance ASEAN's goals of pre-empting or defusing 
regional crises and constraining aggressive behavior by Asia's big powers, 
they suggest.

'These things are meant to create a stable environment 15 or 20 years 
down the road, when China and India are major powers,' says a senior 
ASEAN official.

Still, the ASEAN meetings probably won't be an unmitigated love fest.

ASEAN's growing ties with Burma could prove to be the most 
contentious issue at next week's sessions. An ASEAN summit meeting in 
Bangkok last December formally endorsed the group's eventual expansion 
to include all 10 Southeast Asian countries.

Already, ASEAN 'observers' Cambodia and Laos are expected to become full 
members of the organization next year. Burma is next in line.

Observer status also qualifies Burma for membership in ARF. ASEAN 
officials have long contended that Burma's military regime is best coaxed 
into economic and political reforms by the group's policy of gradual 
'constructive engagement.'

The trouble is that Burma's unprecedently high-profile role in this year's 
ASEAN meetings coincides with a wave of fresh criticism of Rangoon's 
repressive junta, known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, 
or Slorc.

'The timing of (Burma's enhanced role in ASEAN) couldn't be worse from a 
public-relations aspect,' says a Western political analyst.

ASEAN's moves to embrace the Rangoon regime have upset some Western 
allies, who argue that ASEAN's overtures help entrench SLORC.

The 15-member E.U., in a statement issued this week, warned that making 
Burma a full member of ASEAN could jeopardize efforts to build closer E.U. 
ASEAN ties.

ASEAN officials expect the E.U. to bring its complaints to Jakarta next 
week. But they are watching to see whether other Western allies take an 
equally tough stand.

Some U.S. officials, including U.S. National Security Advisor Anthony Lake, 
have recently suggested that Washington might consider sanctions against 
the Rangoon regime, a move that has some support in the U.S. Congress.

But Winston Lord, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and 
Pacific affairs, said Wednesday that Washington didn't intend to 'lecture 
our (ASEAN) friends or tell them to change their policy' at the Jakarta 
meetings.

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

NATION: GROUP URGED TO TAKE SOLID STEPS ON BURMA
July 20, 1996

JAKARTA - A senior Australian scholar on Southeast Asia suggested
this week that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations set up
a fact-finding committee to go to Burma, and said the
organisation will lose a chance to strengthen the regional
association if it did not show its intention to help solve
Burma's political problems.

"It does not make sense to say that nothing is happening. You do
not solve that problem by saying nothing has happened," said Prof
Herbert Feith, a research associate at the Centre of Southeast
Asian Studies at Monash University in Melbourne.

"Asean as an institution would be stronger if they promote
dialogue [on Burma]. It is important that Asean takes note,
because the greatest human rights error in Southeast Asia is
there. No other regime violates human rights like Burma
No other regime ignores the vote of its majority like the Slorc
[the State Law and Order Restoration Council]," he said in an
interview with The Nation on Thursday.

The professor said Indonesia, as one of the most influential
countries in Southeast Asia, could have a chance "to demonstrate
its credential as a good international citizen" by encouraging
its Asean partners to send a fact-finding commission to Burma.

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

BKK POST: STUDENTS PROTEST AS JUNTA GAINS ASEAN
July 20, 1996

BURMESE and Thai students gathered at the Indonesian Embassy
yesterday to protest at moves to give Rangoon observer status in ASEAN.

About 25 protesters, including some foreigners, waved banners and
distributed statements calling on the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations to review its policy of "constructive engagement"
with the regime.

Banners read: "Constructive or destructive?", and "halt foreign
investment in Burma". The statements said ASEAN's policy enabled
the State Law and Order Restoration Council to consolidate its
dictatorship and investment enriched only the families of the regime.

Rangoon will participate as an observer in an ASEAN ministerial
meeting and will take part in talks with dialogue partners
starting today in Jakarta.

An assessment of ASEAN's decisions on Burma should be carried
out, said the Students Federation of Thailand and five
organisations representing Burmese students forced into exile
since the SLORC seized power in 1988.

In a statement, the groups said "constructive engagement" had
done nothing to promote recognition of the results of the 1990
election in which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy won by a landslide. 
     
Neither had the policy led to more immediate goals, such as a
start to the national reconciliation process through dialogue
with the NLD and a ceasefire with armed ethnic groups, the
students said.

Human rights groups have gathered evidence incriminating the
SLORC in widespread extrajudicial killings, torture, forced
labour, forced relocations and systematic intimidation and
mistreatment of opposition figures.

The students organisations also asked ASEAN to halt the process
of preparing SLORC for membership of ASEAN, which groups Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam. Observers Burma, Cambodia and Laos are expected to Join
in coming years.

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

ST: ALATAS TO WEST ON MYANMAR 
July 19, 1996(abridged) (The Strait Times)
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Ali Alatas yesterday asked the Western 
countries which attack Asean's policy of constructive engagement with 
Myanmar to come up with a better alternative. 

"If they could bring some new elements or new views, we are willing to 
listen," he said in response to a call from the United States for a 
coordinated response to the military regime in Yangon. 

The US, like the European Union, wants Asean countries to pressure the 
Myanmar generals to start talks with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San 
Suu Kyi and end their repressive policies against the pro-democracy 
movement. 

But Asean countries have sent a clear signal to the West that they will not 
change their current policy. 

The US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, Mr 
Winston Lord, acknowledged this when he said: "I would not expect total 
agreement on tactics." 

But Washington would still press for a coordinated response, he said on the 
eve of his departure for Jakarta to take part in the Asean Regional Forum 
(ARF) next Tuesday. 

Asean countries have made it plain that they would neither isolate nor 
impose economic sanctions on the generals in Yangon. 

Said Mr Alatas: "We don't believe that is the way to handle the situation." 

Asean had been talking to the military leaders on many things, he added. "So 
we don't need to be further told how to continue the dialogue." 

He also said he regretted the remarks of European Commission vice 
president Manuel Marin, who warned that Asean-EU relations would suffer 
because Myanmar was given observer status in Asean as a prelude to 
membership. 

"The criteria for observership or membership of Asean is not linked to the 
internal situation of a certain country. These are decided upon by different 
markers," he said. 

Asked what Asean's engagement policy had achieved, he listed the following: 
Ms Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest last July; the generals 
were opening up the country with economic reforms; and the regime was 
able to end the ethnic insurgencies through peaceful means. 

"Although we cannot say that all these have been the result of Asean's 
constructive engagement, I think it has had some influence," he said. 

He reiterated that Asean would not interfere in the domestic politics of 
Myanmar. 

Officials said Ms Aung San Suu Kyi was not likely to get a reply from the 
Asean leaders, to whom she had written to seek their help to bring about 
political change in her country. 

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

NCUB STATEMENT: THE BOMB EXPLOSION IN RANGOON
July 19, 1996
from: absdf-mtz <lurie@mozart.inet.co.th>

The following is the NCUB's response to SLORC's accusation that the 
bomb explosion at the propaganda billboard erected in front of the 
Embassy of the United States on Merchant Road in Rangoon, was the 
work of so-called subversive elements.

1. The SLORC is facing a dilemma as it has refused to hold talks  with 
the NLD, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other political organizations 
which are trying to solve Burma's political problems through peaceful means

2. As the debate over the imposition of trade sanctions on the SLORC 
gains ever greater media attention and public support around the world, 
the military regime is afraid that the political movement inside the country
will increase in response to this mounting pressure from the international
community. 

The SLORC is also being criticized for the arrest of NLD representatives 
and students, for the continued use of forced labor and portering, and for 
the imposition of unjust laws on Burma's democracy leader Daw Aung 
San Suu Kyi in the wake of NLD's boycott against the SLORC's National 
Convention. Additionally it has received further condemnation from a 
number of EU countries for the unexplained death of Mr. James Leander 
Nichols in Insein Prison. 
     
3. The SLORC is very worried that the worsening political, social and 
economic conditions within Burma if left unsolved will strengthen the 
political movements that oppose them.

It is blatantly obvious that the SLORC is attempting to portray the 
activities of the non-violent political movements for democracy as acts 
of terrorism in order to justify violent suppression of their opposition 
and thus preserve their hold on power indefinitely.

4. This is the work of a clique of military officers who do not wish to 
work for the prosperity of the country, and who do not wish to uphold 
the dignity of the armed forces. We would therefore like to urge patriotic
soldiers within the army to join forces with the people to build a new
democratic Burma. 
  
5. We NCUB hereby state that we believe that the bomb explosion at the 
billboard that bore the SLORC's propaganda slogan 'Oppose the stooges of
foreigners', erected in Maha Bandoola Park in front of the Embassy of the
United States was the work of the military regime itself and not that of
the organizations that are affiliated with the NCUB.
National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB)

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

BKK POST: FRENCH OIL FIRM DENIES FORCED LABOUR 
July 20, 1996

TOTAL has angrily rejected allegations about its activities in Burma.

The French oil group has been criticised by human rights groups,
and a Danish pension fund has sold its shares in the company.

Total said in a statement:

"It is totally wrong to suggest that Total uses, directly or
indirectly, forced labour or child labour. To make a link between
images of children at work and the gas pipeline of Total amounts
to misinformation.

"It is totally wrong to make a connection between the pipeline,
which is being constructed in an east-west axis under the
responsibility of Total and with equipment and crews specially
put in place, and the future railway between Ye and Tavoy, which
is being built under the responsibility of the Burmese army in a
north-south axis. 

"The use of criticism concerning the second project to protest
against the first is in no way justifiable."

Total said it had supplied all information asked by Carlton
Communications, the British TV firm that produced Inside Burma -a
Land of Fear. 
     
"On May 28, after a broadcast by the British ITV channel, Total
sent a letter to those companies to protest against the allegations in the 
broadcast which seriously damage its reputation," Total said.

Total said it was building the 63 km pipeline, part of an off
shore gas exploration project, with the same technologies and
employment rules it was using all over the world.

Shares in Total were depressed on Thursday after news that Danish
pension fund Kommunernes Pensionsforsikring had sold its 60
million crown (250 million baht) share holding in Total to
protest its involvement in the billion dollar pipeline project.

There's a lot of arbitrage with people selling Total in favour
of Elf-Aquitaine," the other major French oil group a broker
said. Another broker said the weakness in Total's stock was
linked to the company's project in Burma.

Total shares closed 0.44 percent lower at 359.40 francs in a
market which closed on average 0.61 percent higher. The share hit
a day low of 357.50 francs.

Total and Unocal own 31 percent and 28 percent of the pipeline
project designed to transport gas from the Yadana field, 70 km
off the Burmese coast in the Andaman Sea.

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

AP: BURMA'S REGIME BLASTS SUU KYI
July 21, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>
      
RANGOON,) - The military regime denounced pro-democracy leader 
Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday for marrying an Englishman and giving 
birth to mixed-race children.
        
The attack signaled the end of a one-day truce for a holiday marking the 
assassination of Suu Kyi's father, independence hero Gen. Aung San.
        
The state run-press, calling Aung San "Bogyoke," or general, castigated 
his daughter as a spy betraying his struggle that freed Burma, also called 
Myanmar, from British rule.
        
The article said that Aung San had been assassinated at the hands of the 
British, yet his daughter had married an Englishman, Tibet specialist 
Michael Aris. The couple have two sons.
        
"Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Bogyoke Aung San, had her blood
mixed with that of an Englishman and gave birth to two half-castes,"
it said.
        
The article suggested that had she received "the love of her father in his 
arms," Suu Kyi would have had a more authentically Burmese soul.
                
Both the junta and Suu Kyi claim Aung San's legacy. The regime claims 
Aung San's inheritance because it has resisted foreign domination over a 
country hampered by a history of colonialism. Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel Peace 
Prize winner, counters her father was an advocate of democracy who never 
intended for the army to rule.
        
At what has become a weekend tradition, she addressed about 2,500 people 
Saturday outside her home. One supporter complained Martyrs Day, 
commemorating Aung San's death 49 years ago, was not allowed to be 
celebrated in government offices and schools as is customary.
        
"What the authorities have done is very mean, undignified and
very shameful," said Suu Kyi, wearing a cone-shaped bamboo hat to
ward off monsoon rain. "What is more important is that you remember
the Martyrs Day in your hearts."
        
**********************************************************

KYEMON: SLORC TO PEOPLE-DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY
July 12, 1996
From: an675720@anon.penet.fi

Article by Bagyi Aung: "Nothing To Worry About; Cultivate More
Paddy Rice" in Burmese government daily KYEMON
Begin text (translated from the Burmese):

For a long time, I have wanted to write a true story.  It is difficult 
for me because I don't know how to write elaborately.  I read the 
report in Trade Minister Lieutenant General Tun Kyi's clear-cut 
words under the title "Will Export-Only After Striving For Domestic 
Sufficiency; [The government] Will Control Prices of Rice and Paddy" 
on the last page of  MYANMA ALIN dated June 11, 1996; and this 
has stimulated me to write this article.  I don't know how to write 
elaborately so I cannot help it if my article ends up in a waste basket.
I have been residing in a village for 13 years and I have considerable 
knowledge about matters concerning peasants, rice, and paddy.  I don't 
want to write about other matters because I may not be able to avoid 
commenting on those issues.  Therefore, I have decided to write about the 
feelings of peasants and the worries of rice consumers, especially the 
desires of the peasants.

"Words That Cool Down The Hearts of Rice Consumers" [subhead]

 "Paddy that is produced above the level for domestic sufficiency will be 
milled and exported." These are the precise and straightforward official 
words of Lt.  Gen. Tun Kyi, Minister of Trade and member of the State Law 
and Order Restoration Council, who has assumed state responsibility and 
has been administering the state.  The public, the 100 percent consumers, 
should notice these words.  Get rid of your worries.  I learned about 
similar words when I was young.  It was during the Revolutionary Council 
era more than 30 years ago.  Then the Revolutionary Council chairman 
said: "We will have to export surplus rice only after ensuring that our 
people have enough to fill their bellies." I remember these words.  I 
want to say that no state leader in Myanmar [Burmese] history has ever 
taken the attitude: "We don't have to care about the people as long as we 
earn foreign exchange; we can do whatever we like." This attitude 
alienates the leader from his people.  The new generation leaders also 
follow their predecessors.  I understand that the leaders never forget 
about the affairs of the people and they also care about the people.
In my village, there are envious people "like the characters in a Wolf 
and a Lamb story."  Allow me speak openly.  There are people who hate 
the Defense Services.  They still find ways to say bad things about the 
Defense Services. But these people are a minority.  My conversation has 
become too long, so allow me to go back to the topic -- that the rice 
consumers don't need to have worries.  This is how I see it.  In support 
of this, allow me to present the words of assurance of Lt. Gen. Tun Kyi.  
He said: "The state will control the extreme rise in the domestic rice 
price."

"Words That Cool Down the Hearts of Rice-Growing Peasants"
[subhead]

Lt. Gen. Tun Kyi said: "The Trade Ministry will work for the 
convenience of peasants by purchasing paddy rice at a price that 
is economically feasible for both parties, so as to avoid a situation 
in which the peasants lose interest in cultivating paddy because of 
the big fall in paddy prices."
So, the peasants have nothing to worry about.  If the peasants discharge 
their duties and cultivate more paddy rice then they will produce more.  
It is certain that their lives will be more comfortable.  Now, in my 
village, 60 percent of the peasants' houses have corrugated zinc roofs.  
Previously, they were thatch-roofed houses.  This is one of the examples.
The peasants whom I know have made various complaints.  They told me: 
"We face losses because the cultivation and production costs are so high 
and the price offered by the Trade Ministry is very low. Fortunately, we 
are helped by the price offered by the outside traders."   Moreover, 
problems also arise when the peasants are unable to sell a set amount 
of paddy to the purchasing centers.  Some peasants are unable to sell 
because of crop failure while some peasants sell all their paddy to the 
outside traders and say they had a crop failure.  I think these problems 
will also occur in the future.  The solution to these problems is that 
"there must be a small gap between the prices offered by the outside 
traders and the Trade Ministry." Another thing is to stop the public 
service personnel at the purchasing center "from fooling and tricking 
the peasants." Whenever they get the opportunities, the state leaders 
always mention this matter, but it is sad to see that the public service 
personnel are ignorant and unafraid, and this practice is still going on.

