---------------------------------BurmaNet-----------------------------------
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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: September 9, 1996
Issue #509

Noted in Passing: 

                There is still a dual exchange rate but the official rate of
                exchange is now irrelevant. We are just withholding from 
                announcing it.
                 - Set Maung, senior economic advisor to the SLORC
                (see BKK POST: BURMA'S DUAL EXCHANGE RATE)

HEADLINES:
==========
BURMANET: NEWS FROM INSIDE BURMA
DAWN: FORCED RECRUITMENT FOR MILITARY BASES 
DAWN: BURMESE INMATES IN THAI DETENTION HIGH
DAWN: MASS EXODUS OF KARENNI REFUGEES
THAILAND TIMES: BURMESE TROOPS SAID POSITIONED
BKK POST: EX-MTA MEN JOIN SHANS AGAINST JUNTA
BKK POST: BURMA'S DUAL EXCHANGE RATE DISAPPEARING
NATION: PADAENG ASIA INVESTMENT SET FOR R&D IN BURMA
BBN: ACADEMICS IN THE SERVICE OF TYRANTS AND MERCHANTS
NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: EDITORIAL - SEEING IS BELIEVING
NLM: EDITORIAL - NEEDED: OBJECTIVE REPORTING 
NLM: SLORC PRESS CONFERENCE ON U.S. EMBASSY REPORT
ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE IN AUSTRALIA MARCH FOR DEMOCRACY
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BURMANET: NEWS FROM INSIDE BURMA
September 8, 1996  (inside sources)

On Myanmar TV today, the surrender of the soldiers from the No: 203 
battalion of the ABSDF stationed at the Htatsakae near Prakyuat in the 
Southern region was reported. Between the 31st of August and the 1st of 
September, more than 79 armed soldiers and 52 family members surrendered 
to the Coastal Command.  Assorted arms including  more than 70 small fire 
arms, RPGs, ammunition and wireless radios were laid down. 

On the 6th of September, an official surrender ceremony was held at 
Mergui and attended by Major Gen: Sit Maung, the commander of that area. 
1.1 million kyats and rice bags were handed over by the townspeople and 
they were provided with national identity cards. 
        
On September 2, 1996 Khun Myart, the chief mediator from the SLORC,
met with KNU leaders, including General Bo Mya, along the Thai-Burma
border.  He conveyed an ultimatum from the SLORC.  If the KNU does 
not surrender by the end of this month, there will be a SLORC military
offensive.

On September 6, 1996, a group of DKBA soldiers entered Mawker refugee
camp, south of Mae Sot, and stole 50,000 baht and took 6 people back 
to Burma with them.

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

DAWN: FORCED RECRUITMENT FOR MILITARY BASES 
July/August 1996 (DAWN is an ABSDF publication)
From: caroline@ksc15.th.com

Since 1988, Slorc has been dramatically expanding its military might adding 
entire new battalions with the expected result that the armed forces will have 
grown from 186,000 in 1988 to an eventual half a million troops under arms.     

Due to this policy of  rapid military expansion, recruiting new soldiers has 
become a serious problem for Slorc authorities. In order to solve this problem, 
Slorc has stepped up forcible recruitment of new troops on the village and  
township level by a strict quota system.        

While the Slorc claims the Burmese army, the Tatmadaw, is a volunteer army 
which does not accept recruits below the age of eighteen, there is plenty of
strong 
evidence of  forced recruitment, especially of under-aged boys.         

In Tanessarim Division, the cost of recruits has soared to 80,000 kyats 
per person  as the Slorc is desperately recruiting new soldiers for their 
recently-established  coastal regional division military headquarters and 
for new battalions under the  command of No.8 Strategic Command Headquarters.  
Previously, the price for a substitute recruit was 20,000 kyats for one person, 
but because of the  demand for the rapid expansion of the armed forces 
the amount has gone up sharply.         

According to the order issued by the division Law and Order Restoration 
Council, village and ward Lorc members were required to find two new 
recruits from each village and ward within the ten townships of Tanessarim 
Division.  "The Slorc has ordered every village and ward to provide two village 
youngsters," said U San Nyunt from Mintha village, Yebyu village. New 
recruits are usually chosen by drawing lots.  His son, Maung Than Naing, 
a seventh grade student and another classmate were chosen in this way. 
Neither boy had any alternative but to join the army, according to U San 
Nyunt.  Later they both escaped from the Military New Recruit Training 
Center and they and their families decided to flee to the Thai border, 
where they arrived recently.    

Other testimony was given by a 14-year-old secondary school student 
from Kan Bauk district, Tanessarim division. Due to the worsening 
demand for forced labor, he and his family fled to the Thai border last July.   
According to him, SLORC ordered every household with male members in 
Kan Bauk to provide one person (between 16-30 years of age) as a recruit 
for the army or to pay a 5,000 baht fine. "We cannot avoid this because 
they have a list of all households with male members"  his 50-year-old
father said.    

The soldiers came to their neighborhood and made all the young men stand 
in front of them.  They selected those who were tall and heavy enough 
regardless of age.  "Some students showed their ID cards, but it did not 
make any difference." the student reported.   According to him, his friends, 
Toe Toe, a student in sixth standard in the State Middle School and Soe Pyne, 
who was out of school, were selected and taken to LIB 104 in Tavoy. They 
later fled and escaped to Three Pagodas Pass.  Their whole families also 
fled to Thailand because they were afraid of being arrested by troops after 
their sons deserted.    

A similar situation is taking place in the Naga region of Chin State by local 
Slorc troops. Since last June 1996, the local military battalion has been 
recruiting Naga youth from village to village. Naga youth in the Naga 
Hills do not dare to stay at home or in their village for this reason and 
many have fled and taken refuge in Indo-Burmese border.         

Forced recruitment by quota system had been practiced for a long time 
in the region. In the past, recruitment depended on village size and the 
price for substitute was 30,000 kyat.  
        
Now, however, the tactic being employed bypasses the quota system entirely, 
with young men being forcibly recruited entirely at random.  As a result, 
the price for a substitute has recently gone up to 75,000 kyats.        

According to Naga youth who escaped and reached the Indo-Burmese border, 
there were many physical and psychological torture methods employed 
during the military training period.  Salaries were also cut off for some 
reason, it was reported.  Many of those interviewed spoke of terrible suffering 
during their time in the army.

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

DAWN: BURMESE INMATES IN THAI DETENTION HIGH
July/August (DAWN is a publication of the ABSDF)
ABSDF(DAWN GWIN)" <caroline@ksc15.th.com>

Due to continued political repression and extreme economic hardship inside 
Burma, thousands of Burmese flee to neighboring countries with hope for 
survival and the dream of a better life.  Although they have managed to 
escaped from the terror of their home country, they still have to face new 
problems as illegal immigrants in foreign lands.  
        
As illegal immigrants, they are subjected to arrest, harassment and deportation 
under the immigration laws of foreign countries. They face many social and 
labor problems since they do not have legal status or work authorization.  
Various forms of labor discrimination including low pay, harsh and dangerous 
working conditions, threats and force,  are frequent. Abuse and unlawful 
treatment after their detention orduring the deportation period, especially 
against women and children are frequent.        

In July, Ko Thaung (not his real name), formerly an inmate in Thom Pha 
Phom, Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand claimed four Burmese inmates 
(two men and two women) died in detention center during the 36 days he 
was detained during May and June 1996.  

Ko Thaung is 31-year-old Karen originally from Kyar Ein Seik Kyi township, 
Karen State. He came to Thailand three years ago due to the economic hardship, 
the constant threat of forced labor, and the incessant demands for taxes by the 
local Slorc authorities in Burma drove him to escape to Thailand.  "I have 
worked at so many odd jobs in Thailand.  The money I earn here is not very 
attractive, but it's much better than staying in Burma." he said.       

In mid-May, while he was working at an illegal logging operation run by a 
local Thai business man, he was arrested near Thom Pha Phom for cutting 
wood unlawfully and also charged under the immigration act. He spent 36 
days in jail. According to his account of conditions in Thom Pha Phom 
Detention Center, there are two big halls with bars on one side while the 
other three sides are walls without windows.  The ceiling is zinc. One hall 
is for male prisoners and other is for females.  Each hall is 18' x 18' wide 
where the bathroom and toilet is annexed. There are always at least 40 men 
but sometimes male prisoners number over 200.   

Beatings in the detention center were common.  Inmates were sometimes 
beaten by the Thai prison officers over small matters, according to him. 
He said "once while I was in detention, two inmates fought over money 
matters and an officer came and asked the problem. The two were singled 
out and handcuffed; then they were taken outside the room and forced to 
lay down on the floor with their faces down, while the officer and three 
policemen beat them with batons. After their injuries healed, they had 
scares on their backs from that beating." he said.      

Health problems were rampant in the cells. Most of the inmates were 
Burmese and suffered from malaria and malnutrition even on their way to 
Thailand. When they got sick in jail, they suffered more severely than other 
prisoners. No proper treatment was ever given nor were regular medical 
examinations conducted. "I did not see any sick people sent to hospital 
even when they were critically ill." he said. The prisoners informed the 
authorities about the ailing people and requested they be sent to the hospital, 
but no action was taken.  The Thai policemen always said, "You aliens had 
better die; we will burn your body,", Ko Thaung reported.       

Due to the lack of proper medical care,  Ko Thaung claimed that he himself 
witnessed four people die in prison.  He saw three people's deaths within two 
days. The first one was 24 year-old man from Kaw Bein, Karen state. He 
died at 2:00 am on the 1st or 2nd of June. His body was taken to the 
hospital in the morning and the other dying man was also taken to hospital. 
"We did not hear anything about him, so all of his friends believe that he 
was also dead."         

The next day, one women, about 24 years old died in the women prisoners' room. 
The three of them who died were from the same region. "They had been sick 
for at least one week and their friends had informed the police several times." 
he said.  Prison officials also saw their condition, but they did not send them 
to the hospital while they were still alive, said Ko Thaung. When people 
died, hospital staff came and took photos and then the bodies were taken 
away. Nobody knew what happened after that. The officials later told the 
inmates that the bodies were cremated, but no one knew if it was true.  

Another death was Ni Ni Win, 16-year-old single girl from Moulmein. 
She came to Thailand with a group of sixty-one men and women who were 
all arrested on 18 June. They were apprehended in Sankhlaburi while 
waiting to go into Thailand. About five days after their arrest, many of 
them got sick including  the girl, said Ko Thaung. In the evening, the girl 
began vomiting blood and then she suffered convulsions. An official came 
but did nothing. She died about 1:30 am of 24, June.  The other women 
covered her body with a blanket until the medical staff came and took 
away her body.          

Similar stories are heard about other local police cells, lock-ups, detention 
centers and jails.  Because Burmese are aliens in Thailand, no proper action 
is taken nor are they accorded any protection whatsoever.   

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

DAWN: MASS EXODUS OF KARENNI REFUGEES
July/August 1996 (DAWN is an ABSDF publication)
from: <caroline@ksc15.th.com>

During the past 40 years, civilians, especially ethnic people, have borne
the brunt of government attempts to crush the resistance against the central
government.  The inhabitants of the war-zones also suffer as a result of
human rights abuses committed during the military operations, especially
during the forcible relocation of villages, enforced portering and the
seizure of land and property. The Slorc always claims these tactics are
"Counter-insurgency" operations.  Under the "Four Cuts" campaign, entire
communities have been forcibly relocated from their homes and army
operations have created large numbers of refugees and displaced peoples in
the border area. The number of displaced or forced to resettle since 1988 is
as high as four million which amounts to a full ten per cent of the population.
        
>From every corner of Burma, there is irrefutable evidence that the forcible
relocation of civilians by the Slorc military is taking place on a massive
scale in both government-controlled areas and ethnic minority zones of
conflict. Not only are such moves themselves a major cause of poverty and
deprivation, but it is in the context of such relocations that many of the
worse human rights abuses by the security forces have occurred. 
        
The most recent massive forced relocations, begun in March 1996, are being
carried out by Slorc in Shan State and Karenni State.  To date, at least
70,000 villagers in Shan and Karenni States have been ordered to move to new
sites under the Slorc control. Those who fail to comply face death,
according to orders issued by township Lorcs.  
        
Karenni Nationalities Progressive Party (KNPP) signed a cease-fire
agreement at a ceremony in Loikaw on March 21, making it the fourth and
final armed group in the Karenni State to do so. But on June 28, the KNPP
issued a statement claiming that the Slorc had broken the terms of the
agreement by sending an additional 2,000 troops into its territory and
continuing to take civilians for porters from the area.  Two days later,
fighting broke out after the Slorc launched an attack on the KNPP
headquarters near the Thai border.
        
The fighting was fierce until the Slorc captured some of the strategic
locations in the region.  During the operation named "Pyi Nyein Aye", Slorc
used between 2000-3000 of its armed forces from 27 battalions. Slorc also
launched an air attack, sending its Swiss-made PC-7 planes against KNPP
strongholds. Skirmish are still taking place, followed by orders demanding
forced relocation of the civilians in the region.  The purpose, of course,
is mainly to eliminate the KNPP forces from the region by cutting off all
food, information, communication and recruitment.
        
In Karenni state, ninety-six villages in Shar Daw township, between Pun
Creek and the Salween River received relocation orders in the first week of
June 1996. An original order, given to the ABSDF by newly arrived refugees
on the Thai border, gave a deadline of June 7, 1996 for relocation in Shar
Daw town.
        The letter dated May 31, 1996 issued by Chairman of  Shar Daw 
Township Lorc reads as follows:

Stamped         : Township Lorc
                   Shar Daw Township
Letter No.      : 101/0-1/Ya Ta-1 (tha wa)
Date            : May 31, 1996

Village headman
xxxxxx village
Shar Daw South Village group

Subject         : Building concentration village with the villages in Shar 
                  Daw township
ref:            : Letter No. 337/01/Oo-1 dated May 30, 1996 on the front 
                  line LIB 337.

Regarding the above-mentioned case, we order you to move the villagers from
the villages between Salween River and Pun Creek as well as villages in
southern and northern part of Shar Daw into Shar Daw town by June 7, 1996.
This is in order to restore peace, law and tranquillity in the region.
Anyone who fails to comply the order will be considered an enemy and dealt
with accordingly.
Thus, we inform you to move your whole village into Shar Daw not later than
June 7, 1996. The relocating village will be resettled by the Township Lorc.

Signed by
Chairman
Shar Daw Township Lorc

- Chairman State Lorc, Kayah State
- Chairman District Lorc, Kayah State
- Front line office, LIB 337, Shar Daw town
- Chairman, Market Ward, south, middle and Aung Chan Tha- in order 
to assist the resettlement.

Over 20,000 people in Karenni State were affected by the orders. About
10,000 of them went to Shar Daw as ordered while 2,300 fled and reached the
border. Villagers were not allowed to take their livestock or food supplies
with them and had to move with just the barest of essentials, such as
cooking pots and what clothing they could bring. All their property
including silver coins that are being still used for trade in that area were
left  behind. 
        
In Daw Leh Ku village alone, 22 houses, 300,000 baskets of paddy and about
10 cattle and buffaloes were left behind. 
        
About 10,000 villagers went to stay in Shar Daw town while the rest of them
either moved to Shan State or fled to Thai-Burmese border. Those who went to
Shar Daw according to the order were placed in the churches and schools and
other built makeshift shelters. Slorc intended to make no provision for
them, they found out later.  These shelters were very crowded and no food or
medicine was provided for the arrivals. Due to overcrowded conditions and
lack of medical assistance, diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and cholera
are rampant.  At least 150 newly relocated Karenni refugees, mostly the
elderly and the very young, died during the month of July at the new
relocation site in Shar Daw town. 
        
When the villagers asked permission to go back to their villages in order
to fetch rice and other food supplies for themselves, they were allowed to
go back for three days.  Upon their return to the relocation site, all the
food stuffs and rice they had carried back from the villages were seized by
the troops, who later redistributed only six tins of rice per family back to
them for their daily use.
        
Experiencing the overcrowding and large number of deaths in the new site,
many fled to the border after staying some time in the camp. Many refugees
reported that their villages had been razed, after soldiers had taken all
the livestock and destroyed the remaining crops and barns. One hundred
houses in Daw Tama and Daw Bo Leh villages as well as the local schools and
churches were burned down on June 15 by the Slorc.  Soldiers looted more
than 10,000 silver coins from that village alone.  One of the villager
reported that he himself had left 6,000 silver coins behind. Many villagers
reported that they saw soldiers using and selling silver coins in Shar Daw. 
        
In some cases,  people were shot in the deserted villages.  A 70-year-old
refugee woman reported that U Law Reh, a 53-year-old Karenni from Daw Tama
village was burnt to death in the last week of July when his house was fired
while he was still inside. The woman herself had been left behind in the
village by her family because they thought she could not walk to the border.
However, she managed to reach the border with two companions in the first
week of August; she hadn't dared remain any longer in the abandoned village.
        
Slorc troops committed many other brutal killings against the Karenni
villagers. Bu Me, 50-year-old Karenni woman from Daw Hti Kaw Le village 
was dragged out from her house by the Slorc troops in the last week of July.
Shot twice in the stomach, she died instantly, according to Ngar-Reh, a
witness from Daw Htaw Vee Me Le village. 
        
Over 2,000 Karenni villagers reached the Thai-Burmese border sheltering in
existing Karenni refugee camps near Mae Hong Son. Although the villages and
the border is only two days walks far, many refugees took at least five days
to reach to the border. The heavy rain on the way and Slorc's attempts to
prevent their escape forced the refugees to hide by day and walk only at
night.  Troops from IB. 54 based in Loikaw, IB.94 based in Shwe Nyaung in
Shan State and LIB.530 based in Lawpita have been sent to the region to
prevent the people from escaping to Thailand.  Some people were arrested on
the way to border and sent back to the concentration camps in Shar Daw.  In
one case, a group of villagers from Htee Saw Ku were arrested while they
stopped to help one woman in the group give birth en route to the border.
        
Despite the heavy monsoon rain and flooding in the region, the new arrivals
reach the camps every day.  These refugees are also facing terrible
shortages of food and medicine. "At least ten of them, mainly children, have
died of malaria and diarrhea since July and many are very sick," according
to a medic working with the Karenni refugees.  "Many of these people are
seriously ill due to their exhausting journey to the border and the heavy
rains" said another aid worker. "There are many Karenni hiding in the jungle
because they couldn't go to relocation site but they couldn't manage to walk
to the border either. We do not know their fate, but we believe that their
situation must be getting worse." added by other worker.
        
Slorc has also issued the order of forced relocation to the villages in
Prusoe and Maw Chi townships in Karenni state. Similarly forced relocation
is widely practiced in Shan State.  The victims of human rights abuses by
Slorc are taking refuge along the border. They are in desperate need of
assistance as very few international aid agencies are operating. 
        
The exodus of thousands of Karenni refugees to the border because of the
forced relocation orders by the Slorc in the region clearly indicates the
level of human rights violations going on in Burma.  
        
Also relocations in this area are designed to pressure the KNPP into
signing a new binding cease-fire agreement which would enable the 
government to open up the area to tourism after October 1996, the start 
of "Visit Myanmar Year." 
        
Besides, Slorc is desperately attempting the regain cease-fire with KNPP in
order to cover its renewed repression against opposition forces inside Burma. 
        
"Cease-fire agreements" which lack the genuine desire and means for
internal peace can not last long.  Pressuring a group with threats and
harassment to its people clearly shows that Slorc has neither the desire nor
the way to establish internal peace in the country.  

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

THAILAND TIMES: BURMESE TROOPS SAID POSITIONED TO 
PRESSURE KNU
September 4, 1996 

Tak -- The recent deployment of Burmese troops along Thai-Burmese 
border was aimed at pressuring ethnic rebel group the Karen National 
Union (KNU) to surrender, according to an informed border police source.
The Thai officer who spoke on condition of anonymity
yesterday said Rangoon has deployed about 7,000 troops
opposite Tak province to force the KNU to accept its defeat
and surrender amid lingering peace-talks between the two sides
. 
Rangoon and the KNU had held talks four times. The
latest round, which took place in late May, failed to reach
any substantial agreement as the rebel group refused to lay
down its arms, the condition demanded by the State Law and
Order Restoration Council (SLORC). 

More than 10,000 Burmese troops have been moved areas
opposite Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces since July. 
The source said Rangoon was showing off its military might ahead of the 
next round of negotiation scheduled in Moulmein and Rangoon month. 

The source said at least 2,500 Burmese soldiers were deployed near KNU's 
Tegaba headquarters, opposite Um Phang district in Tak. KUN President 
Gen. Bo Mya is reportedly residing at the base 

The KNU's 6th Division, located at the nearby Ar Sein strategic base, is 
also bracing for defense under the command of the group's deputy president 
Suay Chai, the source said. 

The officer said the Burmese troops, particularly the 101 Division led by 
Brig-Gen. Sein Win, were ready to launch an attack on the rebels as soon 
as the order was issued.  However, a KNU senior officer said the real purpose 
of Rangoon's frontier deployments was still unknown. 

He said the KNU, which has been fighting for greater autonomy from central 
government for more than 40 years, would never give up its arms to surrender 
before reaching peace agreement despite the pressure. 

The source said the KNU has sent its representatives to the third countries 
including the US, Australia, and other European countries, to seek assistance 
should the new round of peace-talks fails. 

Rangoon said its troops' deployments opposite Thai border provinces were to 
prevent illegal logging in its soil. 

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

BKK POST: EX-MTA MEN JOIN SHANS AGAINST JUNTA
September 7, 1996

Remnants of drug warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army have 
regrouped and formed a new alliance with Shan freedom fighters to
carry on their resistance against the Burmese government.

The new alliance, called the Shan State Nationalist Army (SSNA),
is led by Chao Jai Nong, a relatively unknown Shan scholar who
has dedicated himself to the struggle for the liberation of Shan
State from Burmese control.

A well-informed rebel source told the Bangkok Post that the
leaders of various Shan rebel factions, including Lt-Col Kan Yod,
an aide of Khun Sa, met in the middle of last month to forge a
new alliance to fight for an independent Shan State.

Lt-Col Kan Yod broke away from Khun Sa last November following a
bitter conflict over the warlord's dictatorship, nepotism and
corruption. The renegade scholar brought with him about 4,000
armed troops who were later joined by more troops after Khun Sa
capitulated to SLORC in January this year. 
 
Apart from Chao Jai Nong who was   appointed chairman of the
SSNA, the meeting also named Chao Harnsuek commander of Shan
troops, Lt-Col Kan Yod secretary-general, while Chao Gai Fah and
Chao Pang Fah were appointed deputy chairmen.

The source said the SSNA had chosen Hsipaw, a Shan township near
the Chinese border, as the site of its new headquarters.

"Since the Thai government does not want us near their border, we
moved further north and hope that we can rely on help from the
Chinese," said the source quoting a Shan rebel leader.

The SSNA, according to the source, only intends to prevent SLORC
from spreading its influence to central and northern Shan State
"which is our liberated zone".

"The SSNA will not get involved in narcotics. We earn revenue
from taxing all goods and vehicles which go through the
Sino-Burmese border in Shan State," the source quoted a rebel
leader as saying.

Asked to comment on Khun Sa who is now in Rangoon pursuing
business, the source said the new Shan liberation movement would
treat the former warlord as a non-person.

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

BKK POST: BURMA'S DUAL EXCHANGE RATE DISAPPEARING
September 6, 1996
Rangoon

Burma's dual exchange rate, which officially  values the kyat at
more than 25 times its market value, is "irrelevant" but
necessary for economic stability, a senior official said yesterday.

"There is still a dual exchange rate but the official rate of
exchange is now irrelevant," said Set Maung, senior  economic
advisor to Burma's ruling military junta. "We are just
withholding from announcing it."

However, Set Maung said there were no plans to officially scrap
the unwieldy system as doing so would spark inflation, adding
that Burma did not have the economic resources to protect the
kyat against speculation.

He said that any alteration of the exchange rate system would
require the assistance of the World Bank and ; International
Monetary Fund, both of which have frozen loans to Burma as a
result of US pressure.

The market rate for the dollar currently stands at over 160 kyat,
compared with the official rate of about six kyat to the US unit.

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

NATION: PADAENG ASIA INVESTMENT SET FOR R&D IN BURMA
September 6, 1996

PADAENG Industry Ple has a made a Joint investment agreement
with Asia Investment (1995) Co Ltd to sign a contract with the
Burmese government to invest in research and development of zinc
and copper Sources in Burma

Padaeng Industry Plc will hold 20 per cent of shares in the first
stage of the project, which is part of a company policy to expand
investment in the company's related business and also to expand
business in Indochina. Asia Investment Co Ltd has been authorised
by the Burmese government to do research and development of zinc and 
copper sources in 1,400 square kilometres in the north of the country. 

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

BBN: ACADEMICS IN THE SERVICE OF TYRANTS AND MERCHANTS
September, 1996 (British Business News - Advertisement)
From: zni@students.wisc.edu (zar ni)

Myanmar Britain Business Association: Myanmar the next emerging economy

Aims of the Association:
To promote commercial dialogue between Myanmar and Britain, and to assist
member in the promotion of trade, industry, investment and economic
relations between the two countries.  Forum for British businesses to get
to know Myanmar counterparts and other members to identify opportunities
for projects and joint ventures. To promote British know-how, technology,
services and industries. To compile news, information and statistics on
trade in general, on industrial affairs, and on legal and financial matters
worthy of interest, for distribution to members.

Advantages for Members;
*Identification of potential business partners in Myanmar.  Consultancy
services can be arranged to carry out background research to identify
suitable potential partners.

*Access to laws on investment, company and copyrights laws, import/export
regulations and current business practices.

*Advice on business travel. Suggestions for hotels.  Visa and inoculation
for members in one hour.

*FAST TRACK VISA SERVICE.  The Myanmar Embassy has guaranteed 
visas for members in one hour.

*A quarterly newsletter covering latest development, foreign competitor
analysis, industry analysis, investment opportunities, tourism update and
enquiries from Myanmar and British companies.  Other articles and an
advertisement section.

*Seminar with visiting dignitaries from Myanmars for members at reduced
rates.  Private meetings with such dignitaries on priority basis for
members.

*Cocktail functions and lunches with prominent speakers.  Lunch is not
included in the fee.

*Introduction to organisations providing a variety of related consultancy
services.

*Bibliography of books on Myanmar and books sales services.
__________________________________________________________

Membership Fee
There is a non-refundable joining fee of $$ (X),...

Membership is aimed at Director to Senior Manager level.  A corporate
member can nominate two people, one of whom must be a Director or 
Senior Manager.

Committee
President: Mr Peter Godwin CBE, Manager Director, West Merchant Bank and 
chairman of Asia Pacific advisory group 

Chief Executive Officers:  Mr Keith Win Bsc, Fca, Frsa  chartered accountant 

Executive committee:
- Mr. Charles Jamieson (vice-president)., Chief Exexutive, Premier Oil plc.
- Robert Taylor (vice-president) pro director, School of Oriental and
African Studies
- Mr. Peter Grut, Director, United Plantations, a Malaysian Palm Oil plantation 
company
- Mr. Christopher Penn, Coordinator Asia Pacific, Pearson plc.
- Mr. Barry Evans, Director, Representation plc and ex-Marketing Director 
of KLM Airlines.
- Mr. Simon Dawkins FCMA (Treasurer).

Ex-Officio Members: (Britain's) Department of Trade and Industry and
Myanmar Embassy.

For further details contact:
Keith Win, P.O. Box 8756, London W 13 0WH
Phone: 0181-997-4350
Fax:  0181-810-8796 or cut out and return the form overleaf.
_______________________________________________________

Note from FBC  (abridged):

What is most interesting about the above ad is the composition of the
committee.

Professor Dr. Robert Taylor BA-Ohio University, Ph.D. in
government/political science (Cornell) is unarguably the best-known
apologist of the dictatorship in Burma. Like Lee Kwan Yew from 
Singapore, Bob Taylor has argued that Burma needs the military as 
the central institution because there are no civic or cultural alternatives 
that can hold the country together.

Another thesis he advances publicly in one of his talks in Europe is the
following: One of the reasons that generals in Burma are corrupt and morally 
bankrupt is because Burmese generals are underpaid compared to their 
counterparts in other countries.  One way to solve Burma's problems is to raise 
the payscale for the generals!

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

NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: EDITORIAL - SEEING IS BELIEVING
September 4, 1996

Attempts are being made at home and abroad to tarnish the image of 
Myanmar discrediting her to be an unworthy place for foreign investment. 
Still, reports of contract signing ceremonies for new projects have been 
quite common these days. Investers include major firms of big nations 
involving multi-million dollars of capital in each project.  
        
In some cases, plane-loads of businessmen from neighbouring countries 
have visited Myanmar to see for themselves what investment opportunities 
exist here. This was normally followed by starting new businesses or 
signing of new contracts. This is largely due to their first-hand 
knowledge about our country.  
        
Everyone will have to admit that Myanmar is in the process of change for 
the better. Myanmar today is much different from that some years back. 
This has been thanks to relentless and dedicated endeavours of the 
Myanmar leadership which is determined to establish a modern and 
developed multi-party democratic nation. In so doing, it has laid down 
projects in practically all sectors encompassed by the twelve political, 
economic and social objectives.
        
Through personal contacts between the Myanmar leadership and that of 
neighbouring countries, exchange of delegations with them and individual 
visits of businessmen and others prior to the Visit Myanmar Year 1996, 
the improving situation in the country is widely known to the world in 
general and the region in particular. After winning Observer status in 
the 29th Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN, Myanmar can now look forward to 
the association's full membership in the near future.  
        
All these and prevailing objective conditions in the country indicate 
that Myanmar is a promising place for foreign investment. Two hundred and 
four projects with the total value of 4.3 billion US dollars are under 
way in ten sectors. This was disclosed by Minister for National Planning 
and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel at the recent News Briefing of the 
State Law and Order Restoration Council Information Committee.  
        
The Minister cited this figure based on contracts originally signed. He 
did not include soft cost or additional cost that has been added to the 
projects. According to the Minister, the contract was signed to build the 
Trader's Hotel for 50 million dollars. But it now costs 72 million.  
        
Many have realized the opportunities for mutual interest in Myanmar and 
are enjoying benefits. Those who are misled by biased reports will lose 
such opportunities. Hence, all interested persons are advised at least to 
come and visit Myanmar to see for themselves that those concoctions on 
Myanmar hold no water. 

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

NLM: EDITORIAL - NEEDED: OBJECTIVE REPORTING 
September 3, 1996 (The New Light of Myanmar)

[Transcribed Text] That the State Goodwill visit
of State Law and Order Restoration Council Chairman Senior
General Than Shwe to Malaysia at the invitation of the Yang
diPertuan Agong [paramount ruler] last month has added to
achieving greater political rapport is an undeniable fact. 
Mutual regard and esteem, better understanding and
mutually beneficial economic cooperation have been boosted
to a higher level as a result. 

Myanmar [Burma], in the time of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council, has achieved unprecedented success in
its relations with its Asian and ASEAN neighbours into the
noble fold of which it will soon be admitted. 
To lay to rest any doubts about Myanmar's success and
to apprise the local and foreign correspondents of the true
situation in the political, economic, social and other
spheres as exists today, the Information Committee held its
second Press Briefing yesterday. 
Newsmen are newsmen. With their different shades of
opinion and different bent on how they would want to report
a development or developments, they will cajole, excite,
incite or do whatever they would have to, to get the kind of
answer they would want. 

In answer to a question, a minister was obliged to
respond "You put your words in his mouth and then took them
out", which in certain cases can be true. In the absence of
other ready excuse to authenticate a source, newsmen are
bound to quote "a reliable official who spoke on condition
of anonymity", or something to justify what is being reported. 

What the Government here is doing is to provide its
side of the story, to provide quotable statements and the like. 

It would be naive to suggest our fellow men file
balanced reports, for though the word balanced in Myanmar
carries a lesser meaning than purposely having to balance
the news, it carries a more serious connotation in some other tongue. 

Be that as it may, journalists had a field day yesterday, taking the
opportunity 
to squeeze whatever information they would want from the authorities present. 
We would hope there will be objective reports now and in future, for that would 
only be fair. 

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

NLM: SLORC PRESS CONFERENCE ON U.S. EMBASSY REPORT
September 4, 1996  (excerpt)

YANGON, 3  Sept-The following is a continuation of the questions and 
answers at the Second News Briefing of the State Law and Order 
Restoration Council Information Committee yesterday [Sept.2].  
        
Correspondent U Sein Win of the Kyodo News asked the Minister for 
National Planning and Economic Development to explain a little bit about 
the recent economic report by the US Embassy in Myanmar.  
        
Minister Brig-Gen Abel said "It is a slanted report. It is not an 
economic report at all. He said so many points are to be contended after 
analyzing the report. But the worst thing, he said, is on the first page, 
para two, sub-small para three, line 14 which says that the export of 
opiates alone appeared to be worth about as much as all legal exports. He 
asked where that figure came from and who gave the figure of opiate 
export from Myanmar?"

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

ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE IN AUSTRALIA MARCH FOR DEMOCRACY
September 5, 1996
From: ricchie@netspace.net.au

On September 1st 1996, at the Burmese Family Sydney Community Centre a
meeting took place concerning the 8th anniversary of the military crackdown
against the people's pro- democracy uprising in Burma.

Representatives from several pro-democracy organisations in Australia
joined the meeting. The meeting decided to organise a forum on Sunday 
the 15th of September to expose the brutalities of the SLORC military 
dictatorship.

A march is also planned to take place on the 18th of September. This will be
on the 8th anniversary of the brutal massacre of students and pro-democracy
protesters in Burma. This massacre resulted in over 3000 deaths with several
thousands of others wounded and detained.

The march will meet at Martin Place in Sydney on 12:00pm and then move 
to the NSW Parliament to demand economic sanctions against Burma.

