-------------------------- BurmaNet -------------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: July 2, 1996 
Issue #457

Noted in Passing:

                Life is certainly not dull for dissidents in Burma.
                - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (SEE DASSK: LETTER 
                FROM BURMA  #32)

HEADLINES:
==========
DASSK: LETTER FROM BURMA  #32
THE NATION: SLORCS HARSH EDITORIALS ON SUU KYI
NCUB: MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT UNION FORMED
BKK POST: AUST TO RESPECT ASEAN RULING ON MEMBERSHIP
BKK POST: GROUPS UNITE TO FIGHT JUNTA
ABSDF: ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF "CRIES FROM INSEIN"
BKK POST: 'CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT'-THAILAND 
FEER: BATTERED BURMESE KYAT/INFLATION
BKK POST: BO MYA ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF DAB
BKK POST: BURMA, KNU IN NEW ROUND OF PEACE TALKS
THE NATION: TIME EU SUPPORTS THE BURMESE STRUGGLE
THE NATION: BURMA'S BUSINESSMAN THRIVES ON DIVERSITY
APPLICATION: AUDIOVISUAL TRAINING - BRUSSELS 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DASSK: LETTER FROM BURMA  #32
July 1, 1996   (printed in Mainichi Daily News)
From: Carol Schlenker & Aung Thu <carol@gol.com>

NLD conference sparks threats from SLORC
"A dissident's life 2"

In Burma, one should approach the telephone with a prayer on the lips and a
determination to try, try and try again.  Getting through to the required
number at the first attempt is such an event to greet with incredulity and
an expression of thanks to all powers, seen and unseen.  The post office is
no more reliable then the telephone system.  I cannot quite make up my mind
whether so many letters addressed to me fail to arrive because of the
inefficiency of the post office or because of the efficiency of the Military
Intelligence.  My dear Japanese teacher Michiko-san sent me a little note
through somebody who came to Rangoon to let me know she has been writing to
me regularly through the post.  None of those letters have reached me.
Other friends also send messages to tell me they have written but their
letters have not arrived either.  Lately, the authorities have even
prohibited courier services from delivering magazines and papers addressed
to me.

With such unreliable communications services, inviting people from all over
Burma to an NLD conference in Rangoon is not something that can be done 
with ease by a secretary sitting at a desk.  It requires time and
organization.
It was therefore not  surprising that some of our elected representatives
found security personnel on their doorstep before they had even received
invitations to the conference.  The representatives were asked if they
intended to attend the conference and when they answered "yes" they were
whisked off into detention.

During the week before the conference was scheduled to take place, nearly
300 elected representatives were arrested.  In the face of the protests of
the NLD and an international outcry, SLORC claimed that the representatives
had merely been taken in for questioning and would be released shortly.
This statement was partly correct: our representatives were certainly
questioned.  There were variations in the questions asked from one part of
the country to the other but there were some which come up everywhere: 
Why was the NLD holding this conference?  Was the party going to set up a
parallel government?  How did the representatives assess the current
political situation?  What were their political beliefs?  How did they think
the situation had changed since my release from house arrest?  What was
their opinion of SLORC?  What did they think of its aims and achievements?
Did they think dialogue was possible between the NLD and SLORC?  What did
they think were the chances of success for such a dialogue?

It seemed to us that the authorities were unnecessarily nervous about the
idea of the NLD carrying out its routine works as a political organization.
We saw no reason why a conference of some 300 people should be viewed as 
an event which would create chaos and throw the country into confusion.  We
decided to adapt plans to accord with the situation.  As the great majority
of our elected representatives were in detention we decided that we would
expand the conference to a congress, the first of a series which would lay
down a future work program for our party.

In addition to our elected representatives, the authorities had also taken
into custody a number of party workers and members of my office staff.
Other party workers rallied around to fill the gaps that had been left and
preparations for the congress proceeded in an atmosphere that was a cross
between a crusade and a carnival, with everybody determined to keep faith
with those who had been arrested by making a success of the occasion.  The
people also rallied around to demonstrate their solidarity.  On the weekend
of the congress our usual public meetings outside my house were attended by
record numbers of supporters in spite of the inclement weather.

The three days of the congress went by quickly, leaving us all exhausted but
thoroughly satisfied with what had been accomplished in the face of so much
harassment and intimidation.  But it was of course not the end of the story.
A few days after the congress was over the authorities started releasing
those who had been arrested.  We then learned that there had been a
systematic campaign to try to make our elected representatives relinquish
their status as members of Parliament and to give up their membership in our
party.  To some it was merely suggested that such steps would be desirable
but there were cases where pressure was exerted.  There were threats of
prison sentences, loss of business opportunities, evictions from state-owned
apartments, dismissal from their jobs of family members who belonged to the
civil service.

NLD workers are often "reminded" of the possible consequences of continued
involvement in politics.  In the middle of the night there could be a
pounding on the door that signals arrest.  Members of the security forces
could be lying in wait at a dark corner of a market place, ready to pounce.
Life is certainly not dull for dissidents in Burma.

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

THE NATION: SLORCS HARSH EDITORIALS ON SUU KYI
June 30, 1996

RANGOON - Burma's official press maintained its attacked on 
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday, as pressure mounted 
from abroad on the junta to improve the country's troubled 
political situation.

The official English-language New Light of Myanmar carried a 
scathing editorial against "destructionists" bent on undermining 
the state - clearly referring to Suu Kyi and her National League 
for Democracy (NLD).

Another article in the newspaper detailed the junta's gripes 
against the charismatic opposition leader and her attempts to 
keep foreign investors out of Burma and encourage governments to 
bring pressure to bear on the junta.

The article accused her of being a puppet of foreign governments, 
adding that her behaviour proved "she cannot ever be trusted with 
(Burma's) top politics, security and defence".

The attacks on Suu Kyi came amid international condemnation over 
the death in prison of Leo Nichols.

Suu Kyi and the junta have been engaged in a long standoff which 
culminated in the detentions of 262 NLD activists in May as the 
opposition party geared up to hold a key party congress.

The NLD has come under attack from the military authorities for 
its plans to write a new state constitution and economic plan, 
sparking threats form the junta to shut down the party.

The New Light of Myanmar also attacked Suu Kyi for trying to keep 
tourists away and encourage the US to slap stiff economic 
sanctions on the military-ruled country.

In Washington, the State Department said on Friday it would work 
with Congress on legislation that would impose strict sanctions 
on Burma, a day after a key Senate panel approved the measure.

"We think that sanctions are certainly an option that the US 
government can use," State Department spokesman Glyn Davies said.

The State Department is "willing to work with (congress)on this. 
And we hope to, in the future, work with them to design a 
legislative approach that makes sense," David said.

Acting on a bill proposed by Republican Sen Mitch McConnell, the 
Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday voted 27-0 in favour 
of a foreign operations bill that would bar any US aid or 
investment in Burma. The sanctions would remain in force until 
the US government can certify that Slorc has handed over power to 
an elected government.

A similar bill in meanwhile pending in the lower House of 
Representatives.

The White House  recently sent two envoys to the region to press 
Burma's neighbours and Japan to forge a common approach aimed at 
pressing the junta to step down. Few concrete results have 
emerged so far.

The US has called for the immediate release of all political 
prisoners in Burma, including more than 100 NLD activists who 
were picked up in May and remain in detention. 

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

NCUB: MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT UNION FORMED
June, 1996

The Members of Parliament Union was formed with 14 Members of
Parliament (MP) electedin the 1990 election during a meeting of MP's
held between 14 - 15 May 1996. The meeting was attended by 10 people's
representatives and the remaining four, who were not able to attend the
meeting, expressed their support for the formation of the MPU. If there
is an increased number of people's representatives in the liberated areas,
the number of members in the MPU will be increased accordingly.

The main objectives of the MPU are as follows:

(a) to implement the will of the people by upholding the result of the
     1990 multi-party democratic General Election.

(b) to work together with the National Coalition Government of the
      Union of Burma, as the two groups poolitical aims and objectives
      are the same.

The following are present members of the MPU:

        NAME                    PARTY                   RANK

(1) Dr.Sein Win                 PND                     Leader
(2) Khon Teddy Buri             NLD                     Member
(3) Khon Manko Ban              DOKNU           Member
(4) U Than Noe                  ALD                     Member
(5) Dr. Zahlethang              CNLD                    Member
(6) U Daniel Aung               LNDP                    Member
(7) Dr. Tint Swe                        NLD                     Member
(8) U Maung Maung Aye           NLD                     Member
(9) U Bo Hla Tint               NLD                     Member
(10) U Thien Oo                 NLD                     Member
(11) Dr. San Aung               Independent             Member
(12) U Maung Maung Latt NLD                     Member
(13) U Bo Thaung                NLD                     Member
(14) U Than Sein                        NLD                     Member

ABBREVIATIONS:

PND             Party of Natioal Democracy
ALD             Arakan League for Democracy
NLD             National League for Democracy                           
LNPD            Lahu National Development Party
CNDF            Chin National League for Democracy
DOKNU   Democratic Organization for Kayan National Unity

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

BKK POST: AUST TO RESPECT ASEAN RULING ON MEMBERSHIP
June 29, 1996
By Nussara Sawatsawang,

AUSTRALIA, despite its concerns over problems in Burma, will not 
interfere in Asean's decision on whether Burma should be admitted 
to the group within the next two years.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made the comment to 
Deputy Foreign Minister Jarus Puachuay in their talks here on 
Wednesday.

It was the first time Canberra responsed to reported to reports 
that Burma is seeking to join Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the 
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as a full member of 
the Asean by 1988.

Ambassador to Australia Laxanachantorn Laohaphan quoted Mr 
Downer as telling the deputy foreign minister that Canberra respected 
Thailand and Asean's policy of non-interference in Burma's 
internal affairs but adding that there would be no political and 
economic stability in that country without democracy and human 
rights improvement.

One of the Australia's concern was that minority groups which had 
yet to reach a deal in peace talks with Rangoon could pose a 
threat to Burma's stability, he said.

Rangoon's clear indication that it wants to join Asean as a full 
member within two years comes amid international concerns over 
rising political tension in Burma after the military regime, 
known as the Slorc, last month arrested 262 members of the NLD 
led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The US has recently sent two envoys to Asean members and Japan to 
seek a common stance on how to handle Burma, while the European 
Parliament last week urged the European Union to isolate the 
country economically.

But Mr Downer said Australia would neither encourage nor 
discourage its people to do business in Burma.

"The Australian government is not in favour of economic sanctions 
against Burma. But if asked whether to encourage its people to 
invest in Burma, it prefers other countries in the sub-region 
like Laos, Cambodia and southern China," Mrs Laxanachatorn said.

Mr Jarus also held separate talks with Australian Deputy Prime 
Minister and Trade Prime Minister Tim Fisher and Parliament 
Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Andrew Thompson.

"The Australian government will not either encourage or 
discourage trade, investment and tourism regarding Australia and 
Burma, and in the next context I will not want to encourage joint 
activities between Australian and Thai companies in Burma," Mr 
Fisher told Thai reporters.

Asked what Canberra is reviewing in its policy on Burma, he said 
the issue was in a continuing process, with no formal dimension 
or timetable.

Mr Jarus said he told the Australian ministers that Thailand, as 
a country sharking more than a thousand kilometres of common 
border with Burma, "is to be tolerant to see positive changes in 
Burma. But good relations are based on economic growth that 
Thailand helps contribute and on the similarities of traditions 
and culture".

Mrs Laxabachatorn described Australia's new policy on Burma as 
"more under standing" toward Asean, although nothing has been 
changed from the previous government's line.

Burma will be an observer at next months annual meeting of Asean 
foreign ministers and will join India and 12 other countries in 
security talks at the Asean regional forum.

Mr Fisher, who met Mrs Suu Kyi during his visit to Rangoon last 
November, said he was very concerned over human rights and the 
NLD's situation, but also acknowledged that Burma's economy was 
expanding and opening up.

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

BKK POST: GROUPS UNITE TO FIGHT JUNTA
July 1, 1996

MAE HONG SON : Four ethnic resistance groups with more than 
10,000 members have joined to fight the Rangoon Government, 
according to a Shan rebel in Ho Mong.

The Shan State National Army, the United Wa State Army, the Shan 
State Army and the SRA last month agreed to merge and be known as 
the Shan State Peace-keeping Council.

The rebel said the council has mapped out several strategies to 
tackle Burmese soldiers who allegedly had robbed the Shan 
community in Hok Mong, the former stronghold of drug warlord Khun Sa.

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

ABSDF: ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF "CRIES FROM INSEIN"
July 1, 1996
from: absdf-mtz <lurie@mozart.inet.co.th>

The ABSDF has recently published a booklet entitled "Cries From
Insein" - a report on conditions for political prisoners in
Burma's infamous Insein Prison. The report is based on personal
experience of Win Naing Oo - its main author, who was jailed in
May 1990 for undertaking non-violent duties assigned to him by
the ABSDF. After three years of incarceration, abuse and torture
in prison, he was finally released from prison and able to leave
Burma.

The book is being distributed free of charge excluding postage.
Please send us your snail mail address plus postage charges of US
$4 (Europe, America) $2 (Asia)to P.O Box 42, Hua Mark P.O,
Bangkok 10243, Thailand.

Excerpts from "Cries From Insein"

...The next morning, at 7am, the chief warden, prison officials
and 100 warders came into the solitary-confinement cell-block
shouting angrily and beating on the walls with sticks......

...Subsequently, all the students inside that solitary-
confinement cell-block were taken out and beaten unconscious....

...It is estimated that there are nearly 200 Buddhist monks in
Insein prison alone......

...The prison system of a country reflects the type of Government
ruling that country. The situation in prisons gives an indication
of the situation in the country as a whole.....

...On behalf of the political prisoners in Burma, I would like to
make it clear that all we sought was freedom, justice and
personal security- fundamental rights enjoyed by any civilized
society. What we were given were imprisonment, torture and even
death......

...I was a seventh grader when in 1975 the Burmese military
authorities hanged Ko Tin Maung Oo for organizing and leading the
students protests against the Burmese military. He was the first
student to be officially sentenced to death. Rumor had it that he
was forced to apologize for his wrong-doings to General Ne Win,
the then president of the country and chairman of the only legal
party, the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) in exchange for
clemency. He refused and subsequently hanged at Insein Prison. 

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

BKK POST: 'CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT'-THAILAND 
July 1, 1996

THROUGH 'constructive engagement', Thailand is trying to engage 
Burma in a cooperative effort to build stability and security in 
the region, according to Foreign Minister Amunay Viravan.

"We want to engage Burma in this region, we don't want to isolate 
it', he said.

"What does constructive mean? Constructive does not mean complete 
hands-off, complete non-involvement. We must do certain things 
together for the benefit of the region, for the stability and 
security of the region.

"How do we engage them? By doing things with them that are mainly 
for the good of their people."

But as for Burma's internal affairs, Thailand will abide strictly 
by the principle of non-interference, said the Foreign Minister.

Thailand sent an observer to the May 27-28 congress of Aung San 
Suu Kyi's NLD because it was "invited" and felt this was a 
"legitimate" things to do, the minister said.

Thailand has seen that "differences" exist between the NLD and 
the Slorc over the constitution draft, and "would like to see 
them sort out their differences by negotiation, rather than 
confrontation." 

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

FEER: BATTERED BURMESE KYAT/INFLATION
July 4, 1996
From: brelief@gol.com

Talk in Rangoon about an insect plague which may have decimated
about a third of the rice crop as well as political uncertainty have
battered the Burmese kyat and caused a steep rise in the prices of
essentials.  The black - market rate for the kyat has plunged to 145 to
the U.S. dollar, from 135 two weeks ago and 120 in May.  At the same
time, the prices of rice, onions, and cooking oil are climbing rapidly.  It
is uncertain how the ruling junta will react, but recent reports in the
state - run New Light of Myanmar are putting the blame on opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.  Some observers believe that the junta may
use the economic crisis as a pretext to arrest the opposition leader.

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

BKK POST: BO MYA ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF DAB
June 30, 1996

THE chairman of the National Council of the Union of Burma, Gen 
Bo Mya, was elected chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Burma 
yesterday during a five-day special meeting of DAB members in Burma.

Forty-six representatives from 18 democracy groups reportedly 
attended the meeting in Pha Toei Village, opposite Umphang 
District of Tak, starting yesterday to follow up on Burmese politics.

Members of important democracy groups including the NLD, the 
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and the 
National Democratic Front also joined the meeting, as well as 
those from several other overseas Burmese Liberation Federation, 
the Burmese Students Union in Australia, and the Overseas Karens 
Organisation.

Participants at the meeting are expected to continue to support 
Aung San Suu Kyi's political movement against the State Law  and 
Order Restoration Council.

The previous meeting of DAB members was held at the same place on 
May 8-15.

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

BKK POST: BURMA, KNU IN NEW ROUND OF PEACE TALKS
June 29, 1996

ANOTHER round of peace talks are underway between the Karen 
National Union (KNU) and the Burmese regime at the latter's 
headquarters at Moulmein, a border official said.

Representing the KNU are members of the Standing Central 
Committee Maj-Gen Tamla Baw and Joint Secretary-General Mahn Shar 
Lar Phan.

An unidentified KNU official said strong cooperation from both 
side is needed to bring about a breakthrough in the peace process.

The KNU is ready to negotiate with the Burmese military 
government in a straightforward manner.

The talks are expected to focus on the prospect of a permanent 
ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

If a ceasefire cannot be reached, the junta may designate 
exclusive zones where KNU soldiers would be permitted carry weapons.

The sources said the government's proposed project to lay a gas 
pipeline from the Yadana area in the Andaman Sea may also be 
raised for discussion as it is likely to affect more than 400,000 
Karen residents living on the Thai-Burmese border.

Meanwhile, at least 10 people were killed and scores injured in 
the second day of heavy fighting between KNU troops and renegade 
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) forces opposite Tha Song 
Yang district of this northern province.

The pro-government DKBA began its first round of attacks 
yesterday on the KNU's Bophawta Camp headquarters. Three 81mm 
mortar shells also fell near Ban Nong Bua.

Border checkpoints in Mae Hong Son town and Mae Sariang districts 
could open early next month, Mae Hong Son Governor Somjate 
Viriyadamrong said yesterday.

Entry regulations have been drawn up to control Burmese merchants 
who will be allowed into the municipality on a day pass basis to 
buy goods.

However, the traders can request a three-day pass in the event of 
emergencies such as illness, he said.

Rangoon is considering a proposal to allow Thai traders into Khun 
Sa's former Ho Mong bastion, which is 5km from the border.

Somjate said Lt-Gen Thanom Watcharaput, the Third Army commander, 
is to open the Ban Huay Pheung checkpoint in the town on July 2 
and the Ban Sao Hin checkpoint in Mae Sariang on July 9.

The governor, however, expressed concern about long-term problems 
and urged the Joint Border Demarcation Committee to complete its 
work quickly. 

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

THE NATION: TIME EU SUPPORTS THE BURMESE STRUGGLE
June 30, 1996(abridged)

The Burmese pro-democracy movement and Western diplomats strongly 
believe that Nichols' arrest and incarceration were politically 
motivated.

Since the release last July of Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta has 
never ceased to take harsh measures and punitive actions to 
undermine her popular support and calls for democracy.

Despite Suu Kyi's open challenge against the regime, after her 
repeated pleas, for dialogue had been rejected, the Slorc as 
ignored her and instead concentrated on harassing her supporters 
and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD)>

Nichols is just the latest victim of the Burmese military regime 
which has ruled, as well as ruined, Burma without challenge since 
1962.

While Nichols was not fanatically political, he had a dream for 
his country - the Burma he loved and was living in since June 
1931. Through Suu Kyi, he saw hope for Burma and firmly believed 
that her determination and commitment to democracy would one day 
free Burmese people.

Like Maung Phone Maw, a student of Rangoon Institute of 
Technology whose death on March 12, 1988 sparked off the 
nationwide pro-democracy uprisings, Nichols' untimely death in 
prison has turned him into another martyr for Burma's cause.

"We're ready to call for economic sanctions," he said after 
receiving full support from the Danish Parliament. Petersen said 
he also will discuss sanctions with the Clinton administration 
during a one-day visit to the US on July 11.

Simultaneously, US congressmen and senators have in the past few 
months lobbied intensively for the passing of sanctions bill on 
Burma, much to the uneasiness of the Clinton administration which 
has not fully approved of the measure. Nichols, death would 
certainly increase support for the American bill.

Not only does Slorc owe an explanation to these European nations, 
the military junta also has to officially apologise to Nichols' 
family as well as provide them with a full clarification of the 
circumstances leading t the former honorary consul's death.

Many questions beg to be answered. First and foremost, why was 
Nichols' next-of-kin not informed of his death in Insein jail? 
And why was the ex-diplomat given a low-profile quick funeral 
service at the Saw Bwa Gyi Christian Cemetery in the absence of 
his family members and his body hurried so hurriedly?

Interestingly, the Danish initiative to push for EU sanctions on 
Burma on July 15 will coincide with the upcoming annual meeting 
of Asean foreign ministers.

For the first time, Slorc will be invited to attend the Asean 
Ministerial Meeting, to be held in Jakarta on July 19, as an 
observer - much to the opposition and disappointment of Burma's 
democracy movement which has over the past few years been urging 
the regional grouping to reconsider its relations with the 
dictatorial regime in Rangoon.

Slorc will also participate in the Asean Regional Forum where 
Asean foreign ministers currently discuss political and security 
affairs in the Asia - Pacific with their counterparts from the 
North such as Australia, Japan, the US and the European Union.

The EU, which has so far rendered only verbal support for 
democracy and human rights for the Burmese people and been 
virtually weak and inefficient in its past efforts to push for 
political change in Burma, now has an opportunity to prove its 
words with deeds. (TN)

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

THE NATION: BURMA'S BUSINESSMAN THRIVES ON DIVERSITY
July 1, 1996
By Deborah Charles

Biggest private corporation built in only seven years

RANGOON - What do Pepsi, a gold mine, a charitable bank and an 
amusement park have in common in Burma?

They are all run by Thein Tun, one of the country's leading 
businessmen who says he thrives on diversity.

"We brake for nothing, that's our motto," Thein Tun said in an 
interview at one of his modest Rangoon offices.

The 60-year-old, who describes himself as "just a businessman," 
says he has adopted a diverse a approach to business to take 
advantage of the rapidly-growing Burmese economy.

"We've done all this in seven years," said Thein Tun, gesturing 
to complicated charts showing the corporate structure of the 
dozens of companies in his Myanma Golden Star Co Ltd holding 
company - Burma's largest privately-owned corporation.

>From humble beginning as a local representative of some  foreign 
trading firms, Myanma Golden Star has grown to include five joint 
venture companies and two wholly-owned firms producing beverages, 
building materials, mining, running an indoor amusement centre 
and motor vehicles distributor.

His foreign ventures are with various Australian, Singapore and 
Thai companies, and Thein Tun says he is always looking for more 
partners.

But Thein Tun, who prefers the traditional Burmese sarong-style 
"longyi" and a sport shirt to business suits, is disarming casual 
as he talks about his holdings, which are estimated to be worth 
at least $40 million (Bt 1billion), and does not flaunt his 
status as one of the country's wealthiest businessmen.

He is best known for his lucrative stake in Pepsi Myanmar 
(Burma), which was recently increased to 100 per cent after the 
American soft drinks giant bent to public pressure from human 
rights organisations in the United States and pulled out of its 
investment in Burma.

"They were under some political pressure by students and the 
media, so they finally decided to sell to us," Thein Tun says to 
explain why PepsiCo International decided to sell its 40 per cent 
stake to him for $4 million cash and future payment.

Just as Burma's military is pushing for increased foreign 
investment, international human rights groups have been launching 
sweeping boycott campaigns against companies like Pepsi to urge 
shareholders to persuade their companies not to do business with 
Burma's ruling generals.

Pressure groups in the United States have criticised Burma's 
military government for human rights abuses. Pepsi was the 
biggest US firm to leave Burma when it announced in April it was 
selling its stake.

Thein Tun said he expects government approval for the deal, which 
is worth a total of $6million, by the end of June.

Pepsi has the largest market share of Burma's fast-growing soft 
drinks market. Thein Tun's Pepsi-Cola products Myanmar has an 
annual average sales volume of about $200 million.

But even though Pepsi sold its stake  to its Burmese partner for 
political reasons, Thein Tun says the situation in the country is 
stable.

"We are not interested in politics, we just want to do business," 
Thein Tun said with a laugh.

"If I were worried about politics I would not do these kind of 
projects," he said, pointing to brochures and posters on his 
companies involved in various infracture-related businesses.

But Thein Tun did say further expansion of his company was 
hampered by some government policies, like poor infrastructure 
and a hugely overvalued official exchange rate.

"For the time being aren't looking too much to expand our 
business," he said. "We have difficulties in getting financing. 
That's due mainly to the exchange rate."

Officially one dollar but 5.8 kyat, but on the black market it 
fetches about 135. Although the government has relaxed many of 
the rulers on currency, it still requires foreign financial 
dealings like loans to be done at the official rate.

Thein Tun, known in Burma as a philantropist, says although he 
likes to make money he wants to help others and so he was vowed 
to give 25 per cent of his wealth to charity.

"I want to help the people. This is one thing I can do if I have 
money," he said.

His bank, Tun Foundation Bank, donates its operating profit to 
charitable cause across the country and the Furture Foundation 
donates money to orphans.

Thein Tun also set up an educational programme to grant students 
university scholarship in an attempt to correct what he sees as a 
poor educational system in Burma. 

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


APPLICATION: AUDIOVISUAL TRAINING - BRUSSELS 
July 1, 1996
From: woo@sorosny.org
     
AUDIOVISUAL TRAINING COURSE IN BRUSSELS/BELGIUM
OSI/BURMA PROJECT  -  AUTUMN 1996
Please contact woo@sorosny.org if you have any questions.
     
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
APPLICATION FORM/Deadline: July 15, 1996
     
Please fill out Part 1 & 2 of the application in English and return it 
to Burma Project by July 15, 1996 (BURMA PROJECT/OSI, 888 Seventh 
Avenue, New York, NY 10106, Fax: (212) 489-8455)  The courses must be 
kept small, so only 3 of the most promising applicants will be chosen. 
Travel and related costs for successful applicants will be covered.
     
Use separate sheet if you need more space.
     
     Part 1
     
     Name:_____________________________ Alias:__________________________
     
     Address (number & street):____________________________________________
     
     City:________________ Post code:______________ Country:_______________
     
     Telephone:_______________ Fax:_____________ E-mail:__________________
     
     Age:_______________ Sex:______________ Ethnic Group:_________________
     
     Immigration status:__________________________________________________
     
     When did you leave Burma?___________________________________________
     
     Highest education received in Burma:__________________________________
     
     Subject studied:_____________________________________________________
     
     Education/courses elsewhere (in detail):______________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     
     English language ability: (check one)  good____ average______poor_____
     
     List name of non-Burman language you speak:___________________________
     
     List 3 of your favorite films:________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     
     Part 2
     
     Explain why you wish to have audiovisual training:
     
     _____________________________________________________________________
     
     _____________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     
     Describe the first project you would undertake with your audiovisual 
     training, if you could do anything you wanted:
     
     _____________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     
     Explain why it's important for people in a country like Burma to get 
     the opportunity to be trained at audiovisual techniques.
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     ______________________________________________________________________
     
     
     Signature:_______________ Print name:______________ Date:_____________
     
     g:\audio
     