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

The BurmaNet News:  December 24, 1996
Issue #598

Noted in Passing:

                We simply cannot accept the military junta's conditions. 
                They have not negotiated, all they have done is offer 
                ultimatums. - KNU leader, General Bo Mya 
               (THAILAND TIMES: KARENS APPEAL TO PM FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE)
                
HEADLINES:
==========
OWAY NEWS AGENCY: MASS FORCED RELOCATION IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
ABSDF: PARTIAL LIST OF DETAINED NLD MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS
NATION: TOP NLD FIGURE SAYS 64 ARRESTED DURING PROTESTS
BURMANET: VISIT MYANMAR YEAR DOLL RECEIVES A FLEETING ADDITION 
NATION: MON NOT HAPPY WITH SLORC OVER CEASEFIRE
BKK POST: MON GROUP BREAKS FROM MAINSTREAM
PR NEWSWIRE: UNOCAL RESPONSE TO NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL
PR NEWSWIRE: UNOCAL'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE RE: THE YADANA GAS PIPELINE
BKK POST: YADANA HEARING ON THREAT TO WATERSHED
THAILAND TIMES: KARENS APPEAL TO PM FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE
AP: ASSK MISSING FROM THE MEETING
NATION: SLORC GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO MARATHON 
-----------------------------------------------------------

OWAY NEWS AGENCY: MASS FORCED RELOCATION IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
December 23, 1996
lurie@mozart.inet.co.th (Oway News Agency is run by ABSDF)

SLORC has been conducting a mass relocation operation in
Tenasserim Division since May this year that has resulted in more
than 25,000 people to be forcibly removed from their villages to
new areas under SLORC control.

Altogether over 5,200 families from 99 villages in Tenasserim,
Bokepyin and Kyunsuu townships in the Tenasserim Division in the
southern costal region of Burma have been affected by the forced
relocation.

The order for the relocation was issued by the newly established
Costal Region Military Command under the SLORC's on-going 'Four
Cuts' campaign in the area, which aims to cut off finance, food,
intelligence and recruits to the ethnic armed forces.

According to the order, the SLORC authorities accused the local
people of failing to obey previous obey orders that demanded them
to report the activities of ethnic armed forces and ABSDF
students.

Under the forced relocation, families were ordered to move out
from their native village within a very good short period of
time, and leave behind all their belongings. SLORC threatened
that any one found in their native village after the deadline
would be killed without any further questioning.

During this forced relocation, brutal massacres have also been
taking place in the area by the military. In June, 87 people were
killed in Kyunsuu township on Don Island, and May another 36
people were killed in the island's Eastern Mergui township. One
eyewitness said all of the victims were innocent people working
on the island and had no connection with the armed groups in the
region. 

In May, seven family members including an infant were brutally
shot and killed by Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 358 in Bokepyin
township in Kyein-me Taung. Six civilians were also killed by a
military column led by Major Htun Hla from LIB 17 in Tenasserim
township in Pawa Chaungwa.

For further information, please contact Aung Naing Oo, 66-2-300-0631

Oway News Agency
----------------
P.O Box 42, Hua Mark P.O
Bangkok 10243, Thailand
Email: caroline@ksc15.th.com
       lurie@mozart.inet.co.th

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

ABSDF: PARTIAL LIST OF DETAINED NLD MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS
December 24, 1996
lurie@mozart.inet.co.th

    Partial List Of NLD Members And Supporters Detained In Connection
                      With Recent Student Protests


No. Name                 Township       D. of Arrest   Remark

1.  Ko Maung Maung Aye   San Chaung     6/12/96        NLD Youth
2.  Ma Thida Myint            "            "                "
3.  Ma cho                    "            "                "
4.  Ma Khin Mar Cho           "            "                "
5.  Ko Mya Shwe               "            "                "
6.  Ko Nyi Nyi Naing     South Oakkalapa   "                "
7.  Ko Tin Aye                "            "                "
8.  Ko Zaw Win           Kyimyindine    3/12/96             "
9.  Ma Kyi Kyi Win            "         6/12/96        TOC member
10. Ma Thi Thi Aung       Kamayut        3/12/96        NLD Youth
11. Ma Myat Sabel Myo         "         6/12/96             "
12. Ko Tin Hla           Lanmadaw       3/12/96             "
13. Ko Kyaw Soe          Sangyung          "                "
14. Ko Naing Ko Oo       Insein            "                "               
15. U Kyaw               Thangangyun    6/12/96        NLD Member
16. U Khin Maung Oo      North Oakkalapa   "                "         
17. U Hla Maung          Kyimyindine       "                "
18. U Maung Maung        Kamayut        3/12/96             "
19. Ko Kyaw Zaya         Kyimyindine       "           Student
20. Ko Myo Kyaw Oo           "          6/12/96        Student   
21. Ko Tin Maung Kyi         "          3/12/96        S. of NLD
22. U Zaya               Thangangyun    6/12/96             "
23. Dr. Hla Myint        North Oakkalapa7/12/96             "
24. Dr. Than Win             "          10/12/96       NLD Rep 
25. U Than Oo            South Oakkalapa9/12/96        
26. U Chit Khin              "             "           DOC member
27. U Maung Maung Lay    Insein            "                "
28. U Phee Myint         Pazundaung     7/12/96        S. of NLD

Abbreviations:
1. D. of Arrest     Date of Arrest
2. TOC member       NLD Township Organizing Committee member
3. S. of NLD        Supporter of NLD
4. NLD Rep          NLD Representative
5. DOC member       NLD Divisional Organizing Committee member

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

NATION: TOP NLD FIGURE SAYS 64 ARRESTED DURING PROTESTS
December 23, 1996  AFP

RANGOON - Sixty-four members of Burma's main opposition National
League for Democracy (NLD) were rounded up by military
authorities following student demonstrations this month, an NLD
co-vice chairman said yesterday.

Tin Oo said party leader Aung San Suu Kyi was still under virtual
house arrest because of the blockade of her house and
restrictions on her movement. 
 
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has not left her residence on
University Avenue for over two weeks, while a blockade of the
road either side of her house has been in place since the start
of the month.

Tin Oo said only 10 of the 64 NLD members picked up since Dec 3,
when the student demonstrations started, have been released.

Others have been taken to Rangoon's notorious Insein jail or are
being kept at police and military intelligence detention centres,
he said.
     
He added that at least two party officials are known to have been
sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to two years.

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

BURMANET: VISIT MYANMAR YEAR DOLL RECEIVES A FLEETING ADDITION 
December 23, 1996

Large statues of the Visit Myanmar Year mascot, a somewhat gruesome looking 
doll with  pigtails (adapted from a well-known puppet), have been placed at 
central locations throughout Rangoon. One of these 10 foot tall statues is 
standing on a grassy plot at U Wisara Circle, not far from the Shwedagon 
Pagoda.  The doll is carrying a black briefcase, an odd accessory for a 
tourism doll.  

According to Rangoon sources, on last month's full moon day, November 25, 1996, 
a small group of people painted a #4 on the suitcase to symbolize #4 grade 
heroin, one of Burma's primary exports. Heroin has been linked to tourism 
because it is widely assumed that some of the country's drug profits are 
laundered through hotels and other tourism-related businesses.  By morning, 
the #4 had already been painted over by local authorities. 

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

NATION: MON NOT HAPPY WITH SLORC OVER CEASEFIRE
December 23, 1996
Yindee Lertcharoenchok

NYI SAN, on State, Burma - More than a year after the signing of
a ceasefire with the military junta in Rangoon, Burma's ethnic
Mon guerrillas are as far as ever from achieving their political
goal of ethnic rights and self- determination. 
     
In fact, the situation on the ground has worsened in several
aspects. Not only has the governing State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc) violated several points of the
bilateral agreement, including a promise to end forced la our and
relocations, the truce agreement has brought about a serious
split within the organisation.

Interviewed after attending the silver jubilee of the Mon
National Liberation Army last Tuesday, several on leaders
attributed the split to Slorc's demand that on forces withdraw
from Mergui district.

Some 100 on fighters under the command of Col Oung Seik Hlein and
Maj S in Ba Than have ignored the order and in early November
declared their withdrawal from the New on State Party (NMSP) to
form their own movement, the Mon Army.

NMSP vice president Nai Htin said his group had recently informed
southern Burmese commander Lt Gen Ket Sein and Maj Gen Sit Maung,
commander of the newly-established coastal military command, of
the breakaway group but asked the Burmese army to restrain from
the use of force against the faction.

He would not say if the NMSP would assist in the event the Mergui
group came under Burmese attack. Mon leaders are trying hard to
reunite the Mon movement, he said.
     
Under the ceasefire deal the NMSP retains control of 12
designated areas but will gradually hand over eight others,
including two strategic outposts in Mergui district and two
others in Tavoy district, where the French oil giant 
Total's US$1-billion (B 25 billion) natural gas pipeline will
cross into Thailand. NMSP secretary-general Nai Rotsa said the
Mon group will withdraw some forces from Tavoy, however, the
civilian population will remain where they are.

Nai tin and Nai Rotsa both said that although the ceasefire has
brought an end to military activities, it has not brought about
political, economic or social improvements on the ground. They
said Slorc has not fully respected the June 29, 1995, agreement
but has instead tried to restrict and apply pressure on the on
movement.

Human rights violations against Mon civilians in the form of
forced labour and forced relocations have neither stopped nor
subsided. People continue to flee harassment to Thailand or camps
along the Thai-Burmese frontier, he said.

While the camp population stands at around 12,000, many of the
fugitives opt to cross the border into Thailand for employment,
where they are valued as cheap labour.

Nai Tin said Slorc has also forbidden the teaching of the on
language in more than 100 NMSP schools, again in contravention of
the ceasefire agreement.

Nai Rotsa said some on civilians are not happy with the ceasefire
as it has not brought about genuine peace and prosperity, but
expressed hope the people will not stop supporting the Mon group.

The NMSP agreed to the ceasefire because it believed the truce
was the initial step in  political dialogue toward ending five
decades of armed revolt by ethnic minorities against Rangoon, he
said.

The Mon group has written to the Slorc twice, in August 1995 and
March of this year, urging military leaders to engage ethnic
groups and also pro-democracy activists in tripartite political
dialogue.

Slorc has not replied to the request and instead has reiterated
its claim that the National Convention, which has met
intermittently since January  1993 to draft a new constitution,
is the proper platform for a political solution.

The NMSP does not recognise the National Convention and will not
participate in it, Nai Rotsa declared.
In a declaration released to mark the 25th anniversary of the on
army, the NMSP said on was once a great kingdom and the on
people, like other Burmese ethnic minorities, want all their
national and ethnic rights respected. 
     
The ceasefire is not the answer to peace and national and ethnic
rights and national reconciliation, it added, stating that this
can be achieved only through tripartite dialogue involving all
races and political parties.

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

BKK POST: MON GROUP BREAKS FROM MAINSTREAM
Complains of too many concessions
December 23, 1996
by Suthep Chaviwan
Prachuap Khiri Khan

A group of armed Mon rebels numbering about 300 have broken away from their
mainstream New Mon State Party.

They say it has been making too many concessions in truce talks with the
ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc).

They declared last week that they want to fight against both the Slorc and
the mainstream NMSP should it continue in talks with the Rangoon junta, a
well-informed source in the breakaway faction told the Bangkok Post.

The new Mon rebel group, led by Col Aung Seik Hliang, comprises mostly young
men.

In its statement released last week, the group expressed dissastisfaction
with the NMSP, headed by Gen Nai Shwe Kyin, for making too many concessions
to the military regime, including withdrawing from areas now under Mon
influence and laying down weapons next year.

The breakaway Mon rebel group, known as the Mon Army of Mergui district,
have their headquarters near the Thai border of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

So far there as been no armed contact between the two factions, but the
leaders of the mainstream NMSP including Gen Nai Shwe Kyin have been banned
from entering the area now under the new group's control.

Since last month, two Burmese infantry battalions have been deployed to
suppress the Mon dissidents.

Some 80 people, most of them villagers supporting the breakaway group, have
been killed in several firefights, the source said.

Meanwhile, some 4,000 Mon villagers from 16 villages under NMSP influence
have fled their homes to escape being relocated elsewhere by the Burmese
soldiers to facilitate suppression drives against the Mon rebels.

About 500 of the Mon villagers have arrived at a point near the Thai border
but have been barred from entering Thailand by the authorities, the source said.

They are suffering from shortage of food and medicine.

The source does not believe the Mon rebels and the Slorc will reach a peace
settlement, as the majority of the Mon people do not agree with their top
leaders who have negotiated with the ruling junta, whose precondition for
peace is for the rebels to first lay down their arms.

The conflict between the Mon factions will also cause more trouble in the
areas, including the area where a gas pipeline from Burma to Thailand will
be laid.

The area is under the influence of another Mon faction which comprises about
200 armed rebels under Nai Cho Aung, operating in Mergui and Tavoy
districts, said the source. (BP)

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

PR NEWSWIRE: UNOCAL RESPONSE TO NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL
December 19, 1996

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.,  Unocal Corporation today issued
the following statement from Roger C. Beach, Unocal chairman and chief
executive officer, in response to a recent editorial in The New York Times
calling for Unocal's withdrawal from the Yadana natural gas pipeline project
in Myanmar. 

In its editorial, The New York Times argues that the people of Myanmar would
best be served by economic isolation -- and that the inevitable hardships
this would cause will somehow result in the flowering of democracy and human
rights. 

If history has shown us anything, it has shown exactly the opposite: economic
isolation generally causes chaos, suffering and hardship for the very people
it was intended to help.  It rarely does anything to advance democracy or
improve human rights. 

In the case of Myanmar, 30 years of self-imposed isolation brought only
poverty and misery to the nation's people.  Now, Myanmar is finally opening
up to foreign investment and ideas.  Certainly, the transition to democracy
is not taking place as quickly as everyone would like.  But given its
economic hardships and long-standing ethnic divisions, Myanmar cannot be
expected to instantly transform itself into a democracy.  It is only through
economic development that a strong framework for lasting social change can be
established. 

The Times asserts that Unocal "cannot claim it is bringing change to this
blighted nation."  But the Yadana project is doing just that.  Our project
has already provided significant benefits to the 35,000 people who live near
the pipeline area -- an extremely poor and undeveloped region of Myanmar.  In
addition to creating high-paying jobs, Unocal and Total (the French oil
company serving as project operator) have begun a program to provide improved
medical care, new and refurbished schools, electrical power and agricultural
development in the pipeline region. 

The editorial implies that Unocal is profiting indirectly from the use of
forced labor to build a railroad to "transport government troops to protect
the pipeline."  But there is absolutely no connection between this railroad
and construction of the Yadana pipeline.  In fact, the railroad right-of-way
runs perpendicular to the pipeline, and the railway itself will not be
completed until long after the pipeline is up and running. 

Furthermore, the Yadana project has adhered to strict standards covering
employment practices.  There has been no forced or conscripted labor on our
project.  All workers are paid a higher-than-average wage, and are paid
directly. 

The editorial is also inaccurate in its characterization of Unocal's shipment
of fertilizer on credit to Myanmar as a "bailout" and a "lifeline" for the
government.  This is unfair and simply untrue.  Unocal shipped the fertilizer
to enable Myanmar to increase its agricultural production.  We will be paid
back -- with interest -- from future pipeline revenues. 

Would the people of Myanmar be better off if Unocal left, or if we'd never
come?  Would their prospects be brighter without the Yadana project?  They
certainly don't think so! 

Earlier this year I visited seven villages in the pipeline region -- none of
which have been "relocated," as some groups have charged.  I saw first-hand
the positive impact of the good works we're undertaking.  Our group was
warmly received by the local residents everywhere we went.  Everyone we spoke
with supported the pipeline project.  They clearly do not want us to leave.
 Our project is directly and tangibly improving the quality of their lives. 

Unocal's withdrawal would only serve to reduce U.S. influence in Myanmar. It
would also further marginalize our nation's influence with ASEAN and other
Asian nations that have commerce and diplomatic contact with Myanmar.  Our
departure would certainly not foster democracy or advance human rights, and
would have virtually no economic impact.  That's because our investment would
be easily replaced by foreign companies. 

The people of Myanmar desperately need projects such as Yadana to provide
employment, improve living standards and demonstrate the value of free-market
economics.  Economic advancement, in turn, will help pave the way for social
and political reform.  This is the only effective and lasting way to advance
human rights.  We've seen this kind of progression take place in Thailand,
Indonesia, the Philippines, and many other developing nations in the region.
We're seeing it take place, slowly but surely, in China.  And we will see it
in Myanmar.  Shutting off American investment and influence would not
accelerate the nation's transition to democracy.  The best way for America to
advance this process is by remaining engaged and involved in the nation's
economic development. 

As a private company, Unocal does not support or oppose governments.  Our
proper responsibility is to find, develop and market resources to help people
meet their growing energy needs. 

I am proud of our involvement in the Yadana project.  It will provide
substantial, long-term benefits to the people of Myanmar, and help open the
country to new ideas and opportunities.  As the first cross-border project
between Thailand and Myanmar, it is also helping to foster much-needed
regional cooperation and stability. 

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

PR NEWSWIRE: UNOCAL'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE RE: THE YADANA GAS PIPELINE
December 23, 1996

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to a news release
distributed by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union
(OCAW), Unocal issued the following statement regarding the company's
participation in the Yadana natural gas development project in Myanmar
(Burma):

The news release issued by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers
International Union is an unfounded and reckless attempt to smear Unocal and
its thousands of honest, dedicated employees.  The allegation that any
Unocal executive would ever condone drug money laundering is totally untrue
and outrageous.  Unocal has explicit policies against any type of
involvement in unethical or illegal behavior and strictly adheres to those
policies.

The allegations concerning the Yadana project's labor standards are likewise
unfounded and irresponsible.  The Yadana project's employment practices and
standards are designed to ensure that there is no forced or conscripted
labor on this project.  All workers are paid a higher-than-average wage.

Furthermore, the Yadana project is providing significant benefits to the
35,000 people who live near the pipeline area -- an extremely poor and
undeveloped region of Myanmar.  In addition to creating high-paying jobs,
Unocal and Total (the French oil company serving as project operator) have
begun a three-year, $6 million program to provide improved medical care, new
and refurbished schools, electrical power and agricultural development in
the pipeline region.

Unocal has conducted tours of the project for government officials and news
media representatives -- all of whom have witnessed first-hand the positive
impact of the project's human development programs.  Local villagers are
very supportive of the project and encourage the company to remain in
Myanmar.  Because the project is directly and tangibly improving the quality
of their lives, withdrawing from the project in response to false,
politically motivated statements would be reprehensible.

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

BKK POST: YADANA HEARING ON THREAT TO WATERSHED
December 23, 1996
Boonsong Kositchotethana

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) will next month hold a
technical hearing into the planned controversial Yadana gas
pipeline which threatens a watershed area in Kanchanaburi.

The hearing, to be held in the western province on January 21-23,
will allow the three main parties involved  the project owner,
government agencies and non-government agencies to inspect the
site and air their views. 
     
Songkiert Tansamrit, director of the PTT's corporate relations
department, said up to 200 people were expected to attend and a
report would be prepared.

This would form part of an environmental impact assessment study
which is to go before the National Environmental Board.
     
A small section of the 42-inch thick and 260-kilometre pipeline,
which will run from Yadana gas field in Burma's Gulf of Matarban
to Ratchaburi, is planned to cross conservation class A1
watershed area in Tong Pha Phum district.
               
PTT said only a six-kilometre section of the line, will pass
through the' most sensitive area between kilometre posts 18 and 24.

However, environmentalists may attempt to prevent PTT from taking
delivery of the gas.

The pipeline contract is being carried out by a consortium headed
by French oil firm Total.

The 30-year deal involves an average daily delivery of 525
million cubic feet (MMcfd) of gas, starting from mid-1998. PTT
has the option to increase this to 604 MMcfd.

The senior PTT official said efforts were being made to ensure
the Thai section of the Yadana pipeline was completed on time.

The cabinet has already given PTT clearance to lay the pipeline
through the area. The company is spending 16.9 billion baht
laying the Thai side of the line.

The laying of the Burmese section through Mon State to the Thai
border province of Kanchanaburi has reportedly made good
progress. Total is confident it can complete the line in time
despite the security threat of anti Slorc elements in the region.

*****************************************************************
     
THAILAND TIMES: KARENS APPEAL TO PM FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE
December 23, 1996
by Assawin Pinitwong

TAK: From his jungle compound near the Thai-Burmese border, Karen
National Union (KNU) President Gen Bo Mya asked newly appointed
Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to support the embattled
ethnic minority in their fight for autonomous rule within a
Burmese federation.

"I've known Gen Chavalit for a long time. I'd like to ask him to
carefully consider his policy for the sake of KNU." Bo Mya told
the Thailand Times on Saturday at the KNU stronghold in Teekaper,
opposite the Thai district of Umphang.

The KNU leader thanked the Thai government for the assistance
provided to Karen refugees in Thai camps near the border. He
beseeched Chavalit not to force them back to their homeland while
negotiations continue to falter and the likelihood of renewed
hostilities increases.

Chavalit has close military and business ties with key members of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). There exists
widespread fears that the Thai government, under Chavalit's
direction, will force Karen refugees back to Burma into the
waiting hands of the military junta's soldiers.

The KNU is the last major rebel group in Burma not to have signed
a peace accord with the ruling regime that has refused to
recognize the landslide victory of the National League for
Democracy in the 1990 general election.

Five separate rounds of negotiations have come and gone
uneventfully as both sides have refused to concede to the others
demands.

"We simply cannot accept the military junta's conditions. They
have not negotiated, all they have done is offer ultimatums." Bo
Mya said.

"But if they launch another attack on us, they should know that
we're ready to fight back," the rebel leader warned.

During the interview, Bo Mya did not limit his international
scope to Thailand alone. Appealing to the world community's sense
of justice, he said financial support from overseas was absolutely
necessary if his people were to be successful in their struggle
for freedom.

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

AP: ASSK MISSING FROM THE MEETING 
December 22, 1996

RANGOON, Burma (AP) -- For the fourth consecutive weekend, pro-democracy
leader Aung San Suu Kyi did not appear Sunday to address supporters who
waited for her at an intersection near her home.

Burma's military rulers have since the end of September intermittently
thrown up road blocks leading to her lakeside villa, thus preventing crowds
from gathering to hear her speeches.

About 300 supporters waited for more than an hour at the Goodliffe Junction,
1.2 miles from her blockaded home. In recent weeks, Suu Kyi has driven from
her house to briefly speak to supporters gathered at the intersection.

``Whether she comes to meet us or not, we will wait for her every week,''
said Ms. Khin Nu, 48, who said she had earlier regularly attended Suu Kyi's
weekend rallies.

Authorities had earlier said that any meetings with supporters could only
take place inside Suu Kyi's compound. But the Nobel Peace Prize winner has
insisted that the ``spontaneous public rallies'' would be held outside her
villa.

In recent weeks, the number of supporters and others who have gathered at
the junction have dwindled. On Sunday they left peacefully, one of them
saying, ``See you next week.''

Suu Kyi has complained of being ``wrongfully restrained'' from leaving her
home, where she spent six years under house arrest until being released in
mid-1995.

She was basically confined to her house again earlier this month as students
staged the biggest demonstrations since 1988, when a nationwide
pro-democracy was brutally suppressed by the military.

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

NATION: SLORC GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO MARATHON
December 23, 1996  AFP

BurmaNet Editor's Note: The marathon was originally set to be
held on December 14, 1996.  According to Rangoon sources, rumors 
were going around Rangoon that some students intended to join in 
the marathon and protest while jogging along.
------------------------------------------------------------

Burma's military authorities announced late on Saturday that
Rangoon's annual marathon - cancelled last week because of
student unrest in the capital will be run on new date.

State - run Radio Rangoon, monitored in Bangkok, said the seventh
annual international marathon and the Rangoon mayor's cup mini-
marathon were now scheduled for Dec 30. The running of the
marathon will cause the closing of several major roads in the
capital, it added.

The race, originally planned for Dec 14, was called off after
hundreds of university students took to the streets of Rangoon to
demand the right to form a student union and the release of
detained students.

The resumption  of such activity indicates that the ruling
military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(Slorc), wants to show that the situation in Rangoon has returned
to normal, observers said.

However, tanks and armoured personnel carriers are still
stationed at strategic points around the capital.

Kyodo reports from Tokyo : A group of Japanese supporting the
restoration of democracy in Burma formed a multi- national group
on Saturday, called the People's Forum on Burma, forum officials
said.

The forum, with some 100 members, received a letter of
felicitation from Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi,
the officials said.

