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

The BurmaNet News: August 12, 1996
Issue #488

Noted in Passing:
============

HEADLINES:
==========
NATION: RALLIES STAGED TO MARK BURMESE ANNIVERSARY
FBC: DR. SEIN WIN'S ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA
REUTERS: BOOMS SHAKE RANGOON
NCGUB: SLORC  BOMBINGS  CONDEMNED
AP: BURMA LEADERS TO VISIT MALAYSIA 
STATEMENT: HEINEKEN DID NOT PULL OUT YET!
AP: U.S. UNOCAL'S CHIEF MEETS WITH BURMA'S MILITARY
PIW: ASIANS, EUROPEANS EYE MYANMAR AS US SANCTIONS
SLORC PRESS: WONDER OF WONDERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATION: RALLIES STAGED TO MARK BURMESE ANNIVERSARY
August 9, 1996

ABOUT 40 Burmese students and Thai activists staged separate
protests yesterday in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to
commemorate the eighth anniversary of the 8-8-88 pro-democracy
uprisings.

The rallies went ahead without any major outbreaks of violence
amid a large contingent of Thai police and plain-clothes
intelligence officers who tried to prevent the mass gatherings
from spilling onto Sathorn Road, which is normally filled
with traffic.
     
Leading the protest at around 11 am were eight Japanese-based
campaigners including four Japanese members of the Burma Relief
Centre who arrived about a month ago to oversee the Burmese
refugee situation along the  Thai-Burmese border.

At about noon, a few students slashed their arms and spread their
blood on the embassy wall to mark the event named after the date
8-8-88 on which Burmese troops opened fire on unarmed
demonstrators.
     
Htun Aung Gyaw, the first chairman of the All Burma Students
Democratic Front (ABSDF), who returned to Thailand after having
resided in the United States for about five years, said he was
both happy and sad about the student movement.
     
He said that most of the students he had known were now married
and had children, but "all remain very committed to the political
cause".
     
The former student leader said he was more confident than ever
that the two factions of the  ABSDF, which split about four years
ago, would be able to reunify by next month.
     
He said that he had already met Dr Naing Aung, who   leads one of
the ABSDF factions, and will meet soon with Moe Thi Zun of the
other to discuss the matter.
     
"I found out after a trip to a student camp in Kanchanaburi that
the camp there is well-established and self-sufficient, but they
are still committed to an armed struggle," said Htun Aung Cyaw.
      
During the protests,  Burmese from vary junta for its human
rights abuses and for its refusal to transfer power to the
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).

The rallies in Bangkok were part of campaigns that took place in
several European and Asian capitals to commemorate the event and
to voice  opposition to the Burmese regime of the State Law and
Order Restoration Council.

But in Rangoon itself, an Associated Press report said that the
streets were quiet, as Nobel laureate and NLD leader Aung San Suu
Kyi attended a Buddhist memorial service for Hla Than, a member
of her party who democracy activists say died from torture last
week while serving a 25-year sentence in Insein Prison.

She also released 15 birds to mark the anniversary of the bitter
event. Releasing birds or fish is a way of making Buddhist merit
and is symbolic of freedom.

A Reuter story from Tokyo said a group of Burmese activists
started a 36-hour hunger strike in central Tokyo to demand  that
the Japanese government halt its economic assistance to Burma's
military government.

"The blood on the ground is still red," said a poster in a Tokyo
park where about two dozen Burmese activists staged their
protest.

"We urge the Japanese government to suspend ODA [official]
Development Assistance] to the military regime out of respect for
the people who are suffering under the military dictatorship and
the people who died fighting  it," the activist group said in a
statement

(added: Bangkok Post)
The students in Bangkok were not alone. In Japan, Australia, the
Netherlands, Denmark Germany and France, other small groups of
exiled Burmese gathered for 48-hour hunger strikes to mark the
anniversary and call attention to their struggle for freedom.

Japan is the biggest aid donor to Burma and has so far held off
using its aid of about US$140 million (Bt3.5 billion) a year as a
lever in  ensuring the country moves towards democracy.

"Burmese people do not need ODA. What we really need is democracy
and human rights," the activists' statement said.

"We urge Japanese business investors competing- with  China to
extend their  economic influence throughout Asia to wait until
real democracy comes to Burma,: it said. Suu Kyi has called for
international sanctions against Burma to force its rulers to
implement change. The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 general
elections but the military refused to allow it to govern.

The US Senate voted last month to direct president Bill Clinton
to impose economic sanctions on Burma if it increases its
repression of the pro-democracy movement.

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

FBC: DR. SEIN WIN'S ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA
August 9, 1996
From: azappia@spirit.com.au (Amanda Zappia)

Canberra, -- Dr. Sein Win, prime minister of the National 
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, attended a protest rally 
organized by the Australia-Burma Council in front of the Burmese embassy 
in Canberra on August 8, 1996.  The rally was attended by about 300 
members of the Burmese community was given extensive coverage by the 
Australian media.   All five Australian TV stations -- Win, Prime, SBS, 
ABC and Capital -- as well as radio stations covered the story.

The rally was also attended by Senator Vickie Bourne who called for
Australian investments to be withdrawn from Burma "because it is immoral" 
to deal with the ruthless military junta.  Sir William Keys in his address 
to the rally expressed his support for the Burmese democracy movement 
saying that "it was time for Australia to impose sanctions" because "good
-will gestures were no longer good enough."

Earlier in the day Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win met with former Foreign
Minister Senator Gareth Evans, who is currently the shadow Treasurer, 
and discussed measures that can be taken to bring democracy to Burma.   
He also met Senator Vicki Bourne who pledged to support the boycott 
call by Dr. Sein Win and the Burmese democracy movement against 
Australian businesses working with the military junta.

On August 6, he met Senator Margaret Reid who is slated to be the new
President of the Senate.  Dr. Sein Win told the Senator that it was vital
that regional countries like Australia voice their protest against the
increasing repression against the democracy movement in Burma.   
The Senator agreed with Dr Sein Win's suggestion.

During the tour, Dr. Sein Win will also be meeting the Australian foreign
minister Alexander Downer and Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer 
to discuss Burma.

The following is Dr. Sein Win's speech to the protest rally in Canberra 
today:

"Today marks the eighth anniversary of the popular uprising for democracy
in Burma. The people who had lived under a military dictatorship for over 
26 years eagerly responded to a call for nationwide strike by the students 
and brought down that government.   The generals loyal to that government
however staged a bloody coup gunning down thousands and arresting 
many more.

However, the 'Spirit of 8-8-88' had given birth to an organized movement 
for democracy in Burma.  Even though the military had murdered and 
imprisoned thousands, the movement for democracy refuses to die and 
has grown steadily. As evident by the gathering here today, the 
movement for democracy has gained many friends and supporters 
worldwide.

The core strength of the movement however is the people inside Burma 
who continue to support the National League for Democracy led by Daw 
Aung San Suu Kyi.  Despite the threat of arrest and harsh prison terms, 
thousands turn up at Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence at weekends 
to listen to her speeches and express their support for the NLD.

The massive support for the NLD is being seen as a threat by the ruling
military junta.   It has stepped up its threat against NLD supporters and
increased the suppression of the NLD members.  The most glaring 
examples are the massive arrests of NLD representatives in May and the 
very recent deaths in custody of elected NLD representative U Hla Than 
and of the honorary Norway consul Leo Nichols both of whom underwent 
harsh treatment in prison.

Today, the military junta, while promising the international community it
will restore democracy to the country, is refusing to settle national
problems through dialogue and the process of national reconciliation as
called for by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  It is trying to reinstate a political
system that is under the control of the military and legitimized through a
constitution that is being drafted by delegates, most of whom are
hand-picked by the generals.

This ambitious scheme of the generals is being financed by businesses which
place their profits above human suffering.  Without the inflow of funds from
investments and businesses who arm the massive army that protect the wealthy
generals, democracy would have long prevailed in Burma.

The main goal of the National Coalition Government of the Union of 
Burma has always been identical to the aspiration of all the people in 
Burma,  That is, to restore democracy and human rights.  It has time 
and again appealed  to the international community not to invest in 
Burma at this time because investments dissuade the generals from 
entering into any meaningful talk to settle political problems.

In memory of the thousands of people that were killed by the military on
August 8, 1996, I am repeating that call today. On behalf of the National
Coalition Government, I wish to express my thanks to the conscientious
companies that have stopped doing businesses with the Burmese generals. 
I also urge the people here in Australia and all over the world to boycott
businesses that continue to abet the generals.  Stop the investments.  It is
time to stop the suffering in Burma.

On the 22nd August 1996 at the National Press Club I will launch a 
campaign on behalf of the Burmese Women's Union, the National Union 
of Students and the Australia Burma Council.  This campaign will 
encourage a boycott of companies in Australia choosing to do business 
with the SLORC.  We will encourage you to join that boycott."

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

REUTERS: BOOMS SHAKE RANGOON
August 8, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

RANGOON - Loud booms echoed across the Burmese capital on Thursday 
but a military official said the sounds were caused by military aircraft 
testing and not explosions.
         
Residents reported hearing loud explosion-like sounds around mid-morning, 
and speculation swept Rangoon that bombs had been set off to mark the eighth 
anniversary of a bloody day during pro-democracy uprisings in 1988.
         
Hundreds of people were killed on August 8 in one of the bloodiest days during

the uprising, according to reports at the time.
         
The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
repeatedly refers to ``8-8-88'' in speeches and official media
to remind people of the unrest that swept the country before the
SLORC was formed and took power.
        
The military official said the sounds were caused by sonic booms that 
resulted from routine testing of aircraft, probably jet fighters.
          
``This is quite a day to be doing military testing,'' said
one Rangoon resident.

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

NCGUB: SLORC  BOMBINGS  CONDEMNED
August 9, 1996
From: tmwin@mozart.inet.co.th

RANGOON,BURMA----The National Council of the Union of Burma 
(NCUB) today accused the State Law and Order Restoration Council 
(SLORC) of setting bombs as an excuse to launch a crackdown on 
democracy activists.

" The NCUB is extremely alarmed that bombs have apparently been 
detonated in Rangoon.This follows a favorite  SLORC tactic of blaming 
the democratic forces for acts of violence it in fact is responsible for," 
stated Tin Maung Win, presidiummember of the NCUB. " SLORC is 
desperate and trying very hard to smear democracy activists as terrorists 
and communist sympathizers. Everyone inside Burma knows that the 
democracy movement is committed to non-violent struggle to liberate 
Burma from the illegal military junta, "he stated.

It was reported by democratic sources inside Burma that three bombs 
exploded in the ALONE area of Rangoon. This follows a bombing that 
took place in July 20 very  close to the United States Embassy. Democratic 
sources stated that the embassy bomb was plainly the work of SLORC agents. 
The bomb was detonated in the early afternoon on a street corner that is 
the traditional hangout for SLORC's military intelligence agents who monitor 
the embassy." The democracy movement is committed to regaining our 
freedom through the use of political defiance activities," stated Win. " We 
have been using audio tapes,pamphlets,and spray painting democracy slogans 
on walls throughout Rangoon,Mandalay and the rest of Burma to inspire the 
democratic hopes of all the Burmese people. Our weapons are democratic 
ideals, not guns or bombs." Win added.

SLORC is trying to bait the democratic forces into committing acts of
violence. We will not lower ourselves to their failed tactics.Terror and
violence are their instruments of support, ours are a commitment to the
values of justice, democracy, and the protection of human rights" Win said.

" SLORC is feeling the pressure from our increased coordinated campaign of
action," Win stated." The bomb blasts and recent SLORC edicts designed to
restrict the circulation of audio and video tapes show just how desperate the
generals are trying to cling to power," Win said. " I want to tell the
people of Burma to remain strong and stand behind Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 
The NCUB is stepping up political defiance activities inside Burma. The day 
is rapidly approaching when we will regain our freedom. We must all be 
united to restore democracy and respect for human rights in Burma...

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

AP: BURMA LEADERS TO VISIT MALAYSIA 
August 9, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

RANGOON -- The head of Burma's military government and a delegation of 
top military officials will pay a goodwill visit to Malaysia next week at the 
invitation of that country's king, the state-run New Light of Myanmar said 
Friday.

Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council 
(SLORC) that rules Burma, will be accompanied by Gen. Khin Nyunt, head 
of military intelligence.

The delegation will leave for Malaysia Aug. 12. The length of the visit and 
the generals' agenda wasn't announced.

Burma's leaders were invited to visit by King Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 
Malaysia's constitutional monarch.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is an outspoken critic of 
Western countries and a staunch defender of Burma's military regime, 
which has been criticized by Western governments, human rights groups 
and Burmese democracy activists for a wide range of human rights abuses.

In July, over the objections of the regime's opponents, Burma was granted 
observer status - a precursor to full membership - in the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations, a regional grouping of which Malaysia is a 
member.

The trip will be Than Shwe's second this year, having already visited 
China, Burma's closest ally.

Than Shwe has been credited with steering Burma toward a deeper 
relationship with its Asian neighbors built around trade and investment.

Since becoming SLORC chairman in April 1992, Than Shwe has visited 
Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and China.

Under previous military regimes, Burma adhered to a policy of socialist 
isolationism and shunned contact with most of the world.

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

STATEMENT: HEINEKEN DID NOT PULL OUT YET!
August 9, 1996
>From uucp@antenna.nl 

Heineken announced July 11 that it will cease all its operati-
ons in Burma. This decision followed an international campaign
by groups in Burma, the US and the Netherlands who had called
the company to do so, and stop its cooperation with one of the
most oppressive regimes in the world. 
Heineken had planned to build a brewery in Rangoon through a
venture between its Asia Pacific Breweries (APBL) unit, which
was to have a 60 per cent stake, and Union of Myanmar Economic
Holding Ltd (UMELH), a public company which is essentially
controlled by the military and under accusation of laundering
of drug money. 
The Myanmar brewery has now been bought from APBL for an
undiscloded price by its main shareholder Fraser & Neave, a
Singapore based company, with whom Heineken intensively coop-
erates since 65 years. The Fraser & Neave Group owns 50% of
the shares of APB, Heineken owns 42,5% of the shares and a 50%
management share. So basically Heineken turned the job over to
an old partner with whom it is still very much linked through
their common particpation in APBL. The brewery will produce
Tiger Beer, as was also planned by APBL. This Tiger-beer will
be brewed under APBL-licence. APBL has 15 breweries all over
Asia and Tiger beer is their main product. But will then the
future Myanmar profits not simply end up at APBL? Heineken
spokesperson Margriet de Meier: "All our personell has left.
We don't want to have anything to do anymore with Burma and we
don't want Heineken or APBL to get anything of the future
profits of the brewery. Therefore we are currently investiga-
ting a legal construction that will enable that all profits
coming from Burma will be isolated from APBL-money and will go
to Fraser & Neave."
Heineken claims to be ending all exports to Burma. "Not only
have we withdrawn, we will not have any interference in Burma
at all. Out means out." In a rather childish attempt to reta-
liate, the SLORC announced August 5 that the consumption of
Heineken and Carlsberg will be banned from Burma. State tele-
vision warned beer drinkers that it was their patriotic duty
to avoid Carlsberg and Heineken. This sounds odd after Heine-
ken's statement that they would end all exports to Burma.
Plenty of reasons to keep a close look on Heineken!

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

AP: U.S. UNOCAL'S CHIEF MEETS WITH BURMA'S MILITARY
August 9, 1996
From: John Scherb <mcs@primenet.com>

BANGKOK -- As the U.S. Congress debates economic sanctions against 
Burma, an American oil company executive is in Rangoon discussing how 
to  improve relations between the U.S. and the country's military regime.

John Imle, chairman of U.S. oil company Unocal, met with Gen. Khin 
Nyunt, chief of Burma's secret police, and Generals David Abel and Khin 
Maung Thein, the country's economic and energy ministers, the state-run 
New Light of Myanmar reported Friday, a copy of which was seen in 
Bangkok.

The paper said they discussed improvement of bilateral relations, 
economic cooperation and offshore oil and gas projects.

Unocal has been under fire from some U.S. lawmakers and democracy 
activists, environmentalists and human rights groups in several countries 
for its involvement in the construction of a $1.2 billion pipeline that will 
pump natural gas from Burma to Thailand.

The company was part of successful lobbying effort in the U.S. Senate last 
month, which passed a watered down version of a sanctions bill against 
Burma.

A tougher bill that would require Unocal to pull out of Burma, is still being 
considered by the House of Representatives. Several lawmakers are 
pushing for the harsher version as a means of forcing Burma's military 
regime toward a dialogue with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi 
and Burma's democracy movement.

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

PIW: ASIANS, EUROPEANS EYE MYANMAR AS US SANCTIONS
July 8, 1996 (Petroleum Intelligence Weekly)
From: Zaliwin@aol.com

In an echo of last year's initial rush to take over Conoco's banned investment

in Iran, European and Asian companies are circling Unocal, Texaco,
and Arco well in advance of Washington's possible imposition of sanctions
agains Myanmar.  All three US firms have natural gas projects offshore the
country and must take seriously the threat of US action following a unanimous
vote on June 27 by the Senate Appropriations Committee to tack an investment
ban and other sanctions onto a pending foreign aid bill.  Mandatory sanctions
still face an uphill battle in Congress.  But some measure, probably giving
the White House an option to impose restrictions in the future, looms as a
potential brake to US involvement in this big gas play.  And that's enough to
get others knocking on US doors -- as there's no talk yet of the kind of
secondary sanctions that subsequently dented enthusiasm for Iran.  

No company has yet publicly expressed hunger for US assets in Myanmar, 
but potential sellers acknowledge being importuned.  Unocal reports an 
approach from an unnamed "leading Asian coporation" about its 28.26% 
interest in the Yadana gas project, led by France's Total.  Indeed, Total, 
which took Conoco's place in Iran, is seen as alikely candidate to expand 
its 32.24% share in Yadana, although probably not to the extent of Unocal's 
entire portion.  Similarly, UK's Premier and Japan's Nippon Oil, which are 
in a venture with Texaco, are mentioned as likely purchasers of its assets.
 Premier is also negotiating with Teheran.  Southeast Asian state companies
including Thailand's PTTEP and Petronas of Malaysia are also becoming 
more aggressive, and Japan's Mitusui, Mitsubishi and Idemitsu ahve 
pledged technical and financial aid in developing Myanmar gas (PIW's 
World Gas Intelligence March 29, 1996 p. 2)

Unocal has the most to lose.  Besides an initial $6.6 million up front
payment to the Myanmar regime for its share of the Yadana acreage, the
company has incurred substantial costs exploring and establishing the
commerical value of the 5-trillion cubic feet a day of gas to Thailand.
Pipeline construction is due to get under way late this year.
Understandably, Unocal has been the most vocal in opposing sanctions 
and is working closely with any and all to avoid a forced sale.  It's possible

that the mere threat of sanctions may lead other US firms to shy away from
Myanmar.  Gas reserves in Myanmar and Thailand form the centerpiece of 
a corporate strategy that has seen Unocal gradually shedding US domesitc 
assets (PIW's International Petroleum Finance, April 1996 p. 6).  Texaco 
is still negotiating a gas sales deal with Thailand and, along with its
partners,
delineating the Yetagun field, southeast of Yadana in the Gulf of Martaban.
Yetagun reserves are estimated at 1- to 1.5- tcf of gas and 50-million bbls
of condensate.  Texaco is likely to sell out quickly if sanctions are imposed.
 It has been appraoched periodically by European firms, but would like to
land a deal with Thailand first, in part because this would boost the value
of its reserves.  Arco is gathering gas on Block M-9, which it acquired last
year.  However, it will not drill before December and possibly until early
1997 -- giving it time to assess the prospects for the imposition of
sanctions and their likely nature.

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

SLORC PRESS: WONDER OF WONDERS
August 6, 1996 (Myanmar Alin)
From: wncprofile@mail.sorosny.org
Article by Maung Thitsar

[FBIS Translated Excerpt] "I don't read Myanmar [Burmese] newspapers 
at all and I don't listen to Radio Myanmar. I listen to BBC and VOA and 
read foreign newspapers."

Maung Thitsar heard it clearly. This was stated by Mrs Michael Aris 
[Aung San Suu Kyi], whom the Myanmar media has been recently labeling 
as the puppet princess, the West Maedawgyi, etc. According to her two 
minister followers [derogatory reference to National League for Democracy
leaders U Tin Oo and U Kyi Maung], they do not read Myanmar newspapers 
because they contain only obscene articles. I was involved in my own work 
so I was not interested in news from the newspapers about the soap opera on 
University Avenue Road where Mrs Michael Aris spoke with great political 
enthusiasm and vision to ruin the country and make the Myanmar people 
poor and miserable.

But, recently I came across articles in the newspapers about the unscrupulous 
"democracy" crowd attending the soap opera. The neighborhood suffered 
each week due to the rowdy "democracy" crowd -- the fences were always 
damaged after the soap opera and litter created an ugly site and emitted 
a foul smell. In another incident the "democracy" crowd that was caught 
in the rain patronized a nearby so-called tea shop and consumed illicit 
liquor to warm themselves. Some bus drivers, who earn their living 
driving buses for commuters, in performing their duties were unhappy 
due to road blocks and intimidation while a musician was unable to 
perform at a wedding reception because she was caught in a traffic jam 
after the soap opera. Last week, out of curiosity, Maung Thitsar attended 
that soap opera. Immediately after hearing her say "I don't read Myanmar 
newspapers at all and I don't listen to Radio Myanmar. I listen to BBC 
and VOA and read foreign newspapers," words from a traditional song -- 
"wonder of wonders" popped out of my mouth.

The speaker, clutching a microphone, continued to speak but Maung 
Thitsar, after hearing what she said, was left wondering.There are no 
Myanmar ways in her, only Western. No wonder they write and talk 
about her that she is not interested in Myanmar, she doesn't study about 
Myanmar, and she doesn't think highly of the Myanmar, only of Westerners. 

Maung Thitsar wonders "Why did she say this? Did she speak blindly 
because she didn't realize the adverse effect this would cause?" 
She didn't realize that she had admitted to the Myanmar public as 
alleged that "she is not interested in Myanmar, she doesn't study 
about Myanmar, and she doesn't think highly of the Myanmar but 
of Western broadcasting stations and newspapers." 

Although it has been pointed out that "she has no political knowledge 
and strategy; that she couldn't walk peacefully along the straight 
political path", but when she mentioned that she did not read Myanmar 
newspapers she was clearly admitting her lack of interest in current 
Myanmar affairs -- politics, education, economics, and social matters.

Maung Thitsar thought that since every politician in every country should 
know the politics, education,economics, and social matters of that country, 
then a controversy will arise why a person not interested in such matters 
should be a leader in a political party. I was deep in my thoughts and I 
didn't hear what she was saying. Later, one of her minister followers 
appeared  and reiterated that he also did not read [Myanmar newspapers] 
because they contained only articles. Maung Thitsar did not accept 
allegations without proof.

After returning home, Maung Thitsar picked the past week's issues of 
the KYEMON and MYANMAR ALIN newspapers and reviewed them. 
The articles "Lordship blood or slave blood"and "What and where Aung 
San Suu Kyi?", which they considered obscene, appeared only one at a 
time in one newspaper. These articles are not obscene; they are true,
and this coincides with the Myanmar saying; "the truth hurts more than 
being abused."

Other articles like "The general's [General Aung San -- Aung San Suu 
Kyi's father] anti-colonialist will" and "The CIA's interference in 
Myanmar's affairs" are articles the Myanmar people should be aware of, 
especially so-called political leaders. These articles occupy about three 
or four pages of a newspaper with the rest split equally between local 
and international news.

Foreign news need not be read because it had already been covered by 
the BBC, VOA, and the English language press but news on Myanmar 
politics, economy, education, and social affairs could only be obtained 
by reading Myanmar newspapers and listening to Radio Myanmar. Any 
Myanmar politician, regardless of whether on the ruling side or the
opposition, should always be studying and scrutinizing prevailing situations. 
[passage omitted explaining development news]
Persons who honestly admit their disinterest in Myanmar newspapers 
clearly show their disinterest in Myanmar's economic and educational 
matters. If a person is not interested in national projects beneficial to the
Myanmar people that person's pledge for political development is 
meaningless. Myanmar people are very much aware that the newspapers
and broadcasting stations which those people rely upon are only producing 
fabrications and the stations are thus termed -- foul air disposal
departments. 
[passage omitted refuting human rights allegations and other fabrications]
In fact, Mrs Michael Aris and her colleagues need not read Myanmar 
newspapers. They need not study Myanmar's development to provide 
political leadership. They need not have any interest. Although Myanmar's 
political leaders should know all current events in Myanmar, the higher
authorities [from the West] including her husband Michael Aris do not 
expect Mrs Michael Aris to become Myanmar's political leader. They 
also know that the Myanmar people will never accept a person with a 
foreign allegiance to be their leader. Maung Thitsar understands that 
what they really want is to create various disturbances and unrest in
Myanmar which is steadily and peacefully marching towards the 21st 
century.

I would like to urge all patriotic party members, who want to be engaged 
in politics for Myanmar's benefit, to scrutinize and review what Maung 
Thitsar has presented.

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

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