February 1993 No.2, Volume 4 Burma News: LAUREATES SEEK RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI In an unprecedented solidarity with a fellow laureate, a group of Nobel Peace prize winners tried to visit Rangoon in Feb.93 to seek the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (1991 Nobel Peace Prize). This unique initiative was led by Dr Oscar Arias, former Costa Rican president (1987). Other fellow laureates who participated in this mission of mercy included Rigoberta Menchu, a Mayan human rights activist from Guatemala (1992), the Dalai Lama of Tibet (1989), Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa (1984), Adolfo Perez Esquivel, a human rights activist from Argentina (1980), Ross Daniels representing Amnesty International (1977), Mairead Maguire and Betty Williams, peace activists from Northern Ireland (1976), and Donna Anderton representing the American Friends Service Committee. Although Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union (1990) and Mother Theresa of Calcutta (1979) were unable to participate in the Mission, Gorbachev wrote that he was gravely concerned for Daw Suu's well-being and hoped that she would be released, ``In my heart, I am with you''. Mother Theresa wrote to the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) urging them in the name of God ``to release Aung San Suu Kyi''. SLORC, however, unequivocally and categorically denied entry to the Nobel Peace laureates. The SLORC Embassy in Ottawa claimed that the organizers of the trip, the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, (ICHRDD) which was established by the Parliament of Canada, has `links with terrorists'. The ICHRDD has, since 1991, provided funds for the legally elected National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) to lobby internationally against the military dictatorship in Rangoon. The laureates travelled to Bangkok on 15 Feb. In spite of a protest from China, the Dalai Lama was granted a Thai visa indicating a change in Thai policy. The Dalai Lama was denied entry to Thailand in 1987 and 1990. Earlier, the Thai Foreign Minister had warned the laureates not to use Thailand as a base to attack SLORC. The laureates visited Burmese refugees and continued on to Geneva to report to the United Nations Commission for Human Rights [ICHRDD]. JAPAN WANTS SLORC TO TRANSFER POWER According to NHK News, prior to the convening of the `National Convention' in Rangoon in January, Japan urged SLORC to transfer power to civilian rule as soon as possible and to try to respect its citizens' human rights. The messsage was conveyed to the SLORC Ambassador in Tokyo by a senior Foreign Ministry official [NHK920128]. Japan is also concerned about the statement made by SLORC that it will not release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi until the situation in Burma is stabilized [Kyodo920113]. UNDP REPORT WARNS OF POLITICAL UNREST IN BURMA A recent UNDP report warns that Burma's economy is again slipping into recession and hyperinflation and that ``if the current trend continues, it could lead to social and political instability''. The report criticized SLORC's economic reforms as being only partial in nature. It said, ``The first step in bringing the economy back into line is poltitical stability. The military government must clarify, in a manner understandable and acceptable to the people, the temporary nature of its rule and also the process and schedule ... leading to a civilian government''. The report is remarkable on two points. Of all the UN agencies operating in Burma, the UNDP has been the most supportive of SLORC policies. Second, the report was compiled by Minoru Kiryu, a prominent Japanese economist and Burma expert who is known for his sympathetic attitude towards successive military regimes in Rangoon. According to the UNDP, the prices of all daily necessities, including rice, vegetables, meat, and even salt have nearly tripled since SLORC assumed power in 1988 - ``the common people ... especially urban workers and poor farmers, are seriously affected by the price increases''. Money supply has soared at an average annual rate of 53% leading to a lack of confidence in the currency and an increasing demand for land, jewels, precious metals and other hedges against inflation. SLORC's fiscal policies have not encouraged savings and investment in productive capacity. Cross-border trade agreements, especially with China, have flooded the country with cheap consumer goods further undermining the domestic manufacturing industry. Excessive consumption, imports of military hardware and luxury goods from abroad have widened Burma's trade deficit to Kyat 2.2 billion (US$385 million) from Kyat 550 million in 1990. In spite of attempts to earn more hard currency, SLORC's foreign exchange reserves fell to US$137 million from a high of US$313 million in 1991 [F930114]. Burma News: THAILAND SIGNS TRADE PACT WITH SLORC Thai Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri and his Burmese counterpart U Ohn Gyaw signed an agreement on 21 Jan to set up a joint commission to promote economic and trade cooperation. Prasong said that the pact is not intended to bolster SLORC and that it is Thai policy to treat all countries equally. The NCGUB, however, voiced concern that the pact will not benefit the Burmese people. Referring to Thailand's recent border problems with Burma, the NCGUB pointed out that the `Constructive Engagement' policy is not working. Instead of appreciating Thai sincerity, SLORC is interpreting the Thai position as one of weakness and timidity in the face of a superior military power. The Overseas National Students Organization of Burma called the signing of the pact ``an act of great political corruption''. The Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma, the Coalition for Peace and Development, the Co-ordinating Group for Religion in Society, the Friends of Women Foundation, the Students Federation of Thailand, and the Union for Civil Liberties, also protested the pact. They fear that it will strengthen SLORC at the expense of the Burmese people and that development projects such as dam construction will damage the environment [GUB930122, B930122, N930124,27]. BANGLADESH ALLOWS UNHCR TO SCREEN RETURNEES Following the publicity surrounding the UNHCR's protest about the forced repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Burma, Bangladesh on 28 Jan agreed to allow the UNHCR free access to interview possible returnees. SLORC continues to ignore calls for the UNHCR to be allowed to participate in the resettlement program in Arakan State. Up to 17 Jan, 17,073 persons had been repatriated without any independent monitoring of either the repatriation or resettlement [BAG9301, RR930117]. SHANS SEEK RECOGNITION AND UNPO MEMBERSHIP A joint delegation of the Shan State Organization and the Shan Human Rights Foundation to the 3rd Assembly of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) held at the Hague, 19-24 Jan, sought recognition for Shan independence and membership in the organization. Similar to the Karennis, the Shans claim that General Ne Win's 1962 coup broke their legal tie to Burma and that the Shan State is now an independent state. The SSO wants the United Nations to protect the sovereignty of the Shan State and wants the International Court of Justice to compel Burma to pay reparations to the Shan State for war damages since 1962. The Shans are ethnically from the same stock as the Thais and the Laotians. Shan kings dominated most of present day Burma in the 13th century. By the time the British arrived in the 19th century, their influence had diminished and the independent Shan states were ruled by a variety of hereditary rulers. Under the British, the Federated Shan States were formed in 1928, which in turn became the Shan State of Burma in 1948. The Shan State has a population of about 4 million, equivalent to Norway and a land area of 158,000 sq km or about half the size of Norway. The UNPO was founded in 1990 to represent nations and peoples not recognized by the United Nations. It now has 39 members representing 130 million people. Other delegates from Burma included the Karennis, the Kachins and U Peter Limbin, Foreign Minister of the NCGUB [SSOash SHRF930104, T930201]. THAI POLICE BREAK UP AND ARREST HUNGER STRIKERS On 8 Jan, fifteen Burmese students-in-exile started a hunger strike in front of the SLORC Embassy in Bangkok to denounce the `National Convention' in Rangoon. Thai police broke up the hunger strike on 10 Jan and arrested the protesters who are recognized by the UN High Commission for Refugees as `persons of concern'. They were taken to the Immigration Detention Centre but it is not known what they will be charged with. The students had not registered with the Thai Interior Ministry when it began screening Burmese student refugees for its proposed controversial `safe' camp [N930111]. \cl NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE: A = Asiaweek, AB = Asian Business, AFP = Agence France Presse, AP = Associated Press, B = Bangkok Post, BA = Burma Alert, BAG = Burma Action Group, UK, BW = Bangkok Post Weekly, F = Far Eastern Economic Review, Focus = All Burma Students Democratic Front, Norway, GUB = National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, ICHRDD = International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, IHT = International Herald Tribune, JRS = Jesuit Refugee Service, Bangkok, Kyodo = Kyodo News Agency, N = The Nation, Bangkok, NHK = NHK News, Tokyo, P = Working People's Daily, RR = Radio Rangoon, Reu = Reuters, SHRF = Shan Human Rights Foundation, SSO = Shan State Organization, and T = Time Magazine. Foreign Trade & Investments: CHINA: China delivered two Shaanxi Y8-D transport aircraft in Sep.92 as part of its US$1.5 billion arms deal. Four more are expected soon. The Y8-D is China's equivalent of the U.S. C-130 Hercules [Reu921202]. On 11 Jan, 130 heavily laden Chinese Army trucks from Ruili crossed the Shweli river to Muse, Shan State, to deliver arms and ammunition to SLORC. The delivery is believed to be part of the 1989 US$1.4 billion arms deal. To date, only about half the purchase has been delivered. The trucks used the new concrete bridge built by China in Oct.92 to replace the old WW.II `Bailey' bridge [F930204]. CANADA: COLLINS AND LITTON CANADA is the supplier of the avionics used in the Shaanxi Y8-D transport aircrafts that China recently delivered to Burma. INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM CORP is involved in oil exploration in Burma. Details not yet available. Address: 1320, 885 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E8. Tel: 1 (604) 689-7842. Note: Eighteen new concessions for oil and gas exploration have been offered to foreign oil companies by SLORC. Five are in Arakan State and 13 are in the Gulf of Martaban. Bids are due by April 1 [F930128]. INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES: The ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK is organizing a conference to be held this spring for SLORC officials to meet with delegates from other Southeast Asian countries. It is understood that the ADB is studying loan proposals from SLORC [IHT930128]. In May.92, Panas Simasathien, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Finance Ministry urged the ADB to resume lending operations in Burma [BA9205]. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is seeking international loans to build several dams on the rivers bordering Burma [BA9111] and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand is also planning a US$2 billion natural gas pipeline from Burma's Gulf of Martaban [BA9104,05,9208]. KOREA: POHANG IRON AND STEEL CO Managing Director Koo Jay-young signed an agreement with Myanmar Metal Industries to set up a 50-50 joint venture to produce 25,000 tonnes of steel bars, 10,000 tonnes of nails and 6,000 tonnes of corrugated and galvanized sheet steel [Reu921126ash Focus]. MACAU: MYANMAR MACAU INTERNATIONAL was set up in Dec.92 by Myanmar Economic Holdings as a joint venture to build a six-storey, 84 room, 3-star hotel in downtown Rangoon [F921224]. MALAYSIA: SEAL INCORPORATED formed a joint venture, MYANMAR SEAL LTD, with SLORC to harvest timber from a 200,000-hectare forest concession in southwestern Burma. The venture will take over an existing plywood mill and 3 sawmills. SLORC and SEAL, through its Hong Kong subsidiary SEAL INVESTMENT LTD, each hold a 45% share and the remaining 10% is held by a Japanese firm. SEAL said its initial investment is US$1.13 million [AP921010]. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: GENERAL ELECTRIC THAILAND is planning to develop new markets for GE's consumer and industrial goods and financial services in Laos, Burma and Cambodia. In Jun.92, GE appointed Sun Chanthol, a Cambodian-American as its national executive in Thailand [A921204]. The US$3 million PEPSICO bottling plant on the outskirts of Rangoon is 35% owned by PEPSICO INTERNATIONAL and 60% owned by PEPSI-COLA PRODUCTS MYANMAR Chairman U Thein Tun, 56, who is also Chairman of two trading companies, MYANMAR GOLDEN STAR CO (1988) and JV3. Myanmar Economic Holding Co (SLORC's investment arm) has a 45% share in JV3. U Thein Tun is also a Director of the Myanmar Citizens Bank. He started in the construction business in 1960 and later became a representative of foreign firms including Berli-Jucker of Thailand. Production at the Pepsi plant is 100,000 bottles a day with plans to increase to 400,000 bottles a day in 1993 [AB920930]. Foreign Trade & Investments: THAILAND: Faced with higher licensing fees and fear of overcrowding, Thai fishing companies with concessions in Burma have formed a confederation to negotiate with SLORC [B921008, N920930]. They are: $$\vbox \settabs 4 \columns \+Company: & Trawlers: & Purse-seiners: & \+THAI-MYANMAR & 60 & 40 & \+THAI BURMA & 40 & 20 & \+NARONG CANNING & 70 & 20 & \+PORNCHAI RANONG & 20 & 20 & \+J.V.O. & 20 & 20 & \+OCEAN FOOD & 30 & 20 & \+TALAY THONG PATANA & 20 & 20 & \+SIN PETCHRATNA & n.a. & n.a. & \+PAKNAM FISHERIES & nil & 20 & $$ Note: Paknam Fisheries is not listed as a member of the fishing confederation but it has a concession in Burma. SLORC recently raised the licensing fee from US$500 to US$600 per gross tonne and fines for fishing outside their concession areas have been raised from US$20,000 to US$70,000. YES GROUP CO LTD Managing Director Vikrom Aisiri signed a joint venture agreement with Myanma Gem Enterprise [P920822]. CHIANG RAI Provincial Governor Kamron Booncherd travelled to Kunming in Dec.92 and went to Shan State in Jan.93 to discuss plans to build a road to link China and Chiang Rai via Burma [AFP930106]. In early Feb, RANONG Provincial Governor Chamnong Chalermchat and FOURTH ARMY Region Commander Lieut-Gen Kitti Rattanachaya organized a three-day seminar titled ``Thai-Burmese border Problems following the Hill 491 Crisis'', which dealt with illegal labour, fishing in the Andaman Sea, log trading and trade problems. Lieut-Gen Kitti said that the military has revamped its strategy to concentrate on the development of security and economic issues along the border and that Ranong will be developed as the gateway to Burma in order to boost bilateral relations and trade ties [BW930212]. On 10 Feb, SIAM CITY BANK President Som Jatusipitak announced that the Bank will be opening a branch in Burma to serve its customers in the gem and jewellery business [BW930219]. International Activities: INDIA: The BURMESE STUDENTS MOVEMENT IN INDIA (BSMI) organized a ``SAVE BURMA FROM CIVIL WAR'' week including a demonstration and a 4-day exhibition of 500 photographs, 20 paintings and posters at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. Inaugurating the exhibition, P N Haksar, a former diplomat, applauded the indomitable spirit behind the democracy movement in Burma and said that it will eventually conquer all the forces which are trying to suppress the people. The BSMI was formed in Dec.92, by the All Burma Students Union, the All Burma Young Monks Union (Arakan), the Burma Democratic Students Front and the Burma Students League. THAILAND: On 6 Dec, students from Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand demonstrated peacefully in front of the SLORC Embassy in Bangkok denouncing SLORC and expressing concern for human rights violations in Burma. The students were participating in the People's Plan for the 21st Century Youth Forum. Thai police manhandled some of the demonstrators and threatened them with arrest if they did not disperse. C W Hang, Secretary of the Asian Students Association, representing the students, later held a press conference to protest the police action and vowed to continue their struggle in support of Burmese students who were fighting for peace, justice and democracy. Human Rights: FORCED RELOCATION & CONCENTRATION CAMPS Prelude to an all-out Ethnic War? In ``Alert'' No.8, Vol.2, Aug.91, SLORC's mass uprooting of the Muslim population in Arakan State was reported. This campaign led to the exodus of 300,000 Rohingya refugees into neighbouring Bangladesh in early 1992. ``Alert'' No.8, Vol.3, Aug.92, reported the mass relocation of Karenni villages. In the past year, SLORC intensified its forced relocation campaign. Reports from various parts of Burma seem to indicate a pattern. The democratic opposition in Burma has expressed fears that SLORC is systematically moving the population in order to create ``free fire zones'' prior to launching an all-out offensive in the near future. This fear may be well-founded based on these facts: 1. SLORC purchased between US$1.4 billion worth of arms from China in 1989 even though, at that time, Burma's foreign exchange reserves were only US$77 million and Burma had a foreign debt of US$4.5 billion. To date, only half of the Chinese arms have been delivered. 2. The strength of the Armed Forces was increased to 280,000 men in 1992 from about 120,000 in 1988. SLORC plans to field an army of 500,000 men and the target for year-end 1993 is 400,000. Latest reports allege that the army is using domestic household lists to identify and visit homes to conscript men of military age. 3. The Army has a longstanding counter-insurgency strategy known as the `Four Cuts' which attempts to cut links of intelligence, food, money and recruits between armed opposition groups and local civilians. Large areas are declared `free-fire zones' by the military. All communities in the zone are forced to move to `strategic hamlets' under strict curfew and rigid controls. Crops and villages are destroyed and expulsion orders warn that any villagers remaining in their homes will be shot on sight. 4. On 4 Jan.93, SLORC announced that the aim of its controversial UN-supported Border Areas Development (BAD) program ``is to establish key villages where the infrastructure - roads, power and water supply, housing, etc., will be developed. In so doing, local people from the surrounding less-developed areas will voluntarily move to such key villages where living conditions would be appreciably better''. 5. Based on reports from various sources, the relocation of villages in rural areas in the border states to new sites near SLORC-controlled highways has increased (see page 6). In 1989 and 1990, we estimate over 80,000 Kachins in the Kutkai area were relocated by force from 324 villages. In 1991, over 120,000 villagers in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Palaung, Shan and Tavoy areas were displaced by SLORC's `four cuts'. In 1992, about 135,000 were relocated (not including the 300,000 Rohingyas). 6. As can be seen from page 6, the estimates are very conservative and the reports do not cover the entire country. Most are from Karen areas because of better communication links. Regular reports with specific information are difficult to obtain from Burma. This tends to cause observers to underestimate the extent of the problem. For example, Amnesty International painstakingly compiled a list of political prisoners by name and got about 1,500. This figure was thought to be too high by some analysts. However, when SLORC released 427 political prisoners in 1992, only 65 were known to Amnesty, indicating that the situation is worse than reported. SLORC does not make public the names of everybody arrested. Until 1992, SLORC had always denied that there were any political prisoners in Burma. 7. In May 1992, Asiaweek estimated 1 million people in Burma were compulsorily relocated in satellite towns by SLORC; 600,000 have fled the fighting in the civil war and 435,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Based on all these factors, it would be reasonable to conservatively estimate that since 1988, SLORC has dislocated at least 4 million people or 10% of the national population: 1 million to satellite towns, 1 million refugees in neighbouring countries and in the jungles, and at least 2 million by its `four cuts' and border development program. In the case of the Palaungs and the Karennis, the numbers relocated by force account for 25% of the entire Palaung population and 20% of the Karennis. Number of villages and population relocated (Reported figures - `e' indicates ADDB estimate) $$\vbox \settabs 7 \columns \+Date: &Ethnic Grp: &Area: & Villages: & Households: & People: & \+1989-90 &Kachin &Kutkai & 324 destroyed & & e 81,000 & \+Feb.91 &Karenni &Loikaw & 5 burnt & & e 1,250 & \+ &Palaung &Mong Mit & 118 & & 77,200 & \+ &Palaung &Mong Mit & 22 burnt & & e 5,500 & \+Apr.91 &Kachin &Bhamo & 8 & & e 2,000 & \+Jul.91 &Karen &Tenasserim & 8 & 1,000 & 5,000 & \+Sep.91 &Shan &Tangyan etc & 33 & & 3,144 & \+ &Tavoy &Thayetchaung & 17 & & 22,000 & \+Oct.91 &Karen &Bogale & 9 destroyed & & e 3,150 & \+ &Karen &Thaton & 2 destroyed & & e 400 & \+ &Karenni &Pruso & 1 & & e 200 & \+Dec.91 &Shan &Mong Nai & 1 & & e 200 & \+Jan.92 &Shan &Muse & 56 & 2,046 & 13,000 & \+Feb.92 &Karen &Tenasserim & 5 & & 1,159 & \+ &Karenni &Hoya & 50 & & 5,000 & \+Mar.92 &Kachin &Shwegu & 1 & & e 250 & \+ &Karen &to Hlaing Bwe & 22 & 1,520 & e 7,600 & \+ &Karen &Myawaddy & 11 & & e 2,750 & \+ &Karenni &Pruso etc & 76 & & 20,000 & \+Apr.92 &Karen &Nyaunglebin & 22 & 1,565 & 8,325 & \+ &Karen &Thaton & 3 & & e 600 & \+ &Karen &Toungoo & & & 1,500 & \+ &Karen &Toungoo & 8 & 630 & 3,150 & \+May 92 &Karen &Nyaunglebin & 11 & & e 3,300 & \+Jun.92 &Karen &Nyaunglebin & 1 & 30 & 140 & \+ &Karen &Nyaunglebin & 5 & & e 1,875 & \+ &Karen &Mudraw & & & 6,000 & \+ &Karen &Pa-an & & & 10,000 & \+ &Karen &Thaton & & & 1,600 & \+ &Karen &Toungoo & & & 1,850 & \+ &Karen &Twee Pa Wih Kyo & & & 5,917 & \+Jul.92 &Karen &Naga Nakee & 1 & & e 100 & \+Aug.92 &Karen &Moulmein & 1 & & e 350 & \+Oct.92 &Karen &Nyaunglebin & 5 & & 1,000 & \+ &Shan &Mong Yu & & 2,046 & 8,333 & \+Nov.92 &Karen &Kaw Lu Der & 9 & & 1,650 & \+ &Karen &Saw Hta & 1 & & 100 & \+ &Karen &Tee Moo Khee & 12 & & 4,360 & \+Dec.92 &Karen &Pa-an & 41 & & e 8,200 & \+ &Karen &Papun & 8 & & e 1,600 & \+ &Karen &Papun & 16 & & e 3,200 & \+ &Karen &Thaton & 10 & & e 2,000 & \+ &Karen &Thaton & 43 & 2,087 & 10,435 & $$ \end THE JAPANESE BUSINESS FAMILY (Source: Kigyo Keiretsu Soran'92, Toyo Keizai Inc, 1991) $$\vbox \settabs 7 \columns \cl \+ &MITSUI &MITSUBISHI &SUMITOMO &FUYO &SANWA &DAI-ICHI \+Industry: &&&&& &KANGIN \+AUTO &Toyota Motor &Mitsubishi & & Nissan Motor &Daihatsu & Isuzu Motor \+ & & Motors & & & & \+BANKING &Mitsui Taiyo &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo &Fuji &Sanwa &Dai-Ichi \+ & Kobe Bank & Bank & Bank & Bank & Bank & Kangyo Bank \+ &Mitsui Trust &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo &Yasuda Trust &Toyo Trust & \+ & & Banking & T & Banking & T & Banking & & Banking & & Banking & \+BREWERY & &Kirin Brewery & &Sapporo Brewery &Suntory & \+CHEMICAL &Mitsui Toatsu &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo &Showa Denko &Tokuyama Soda &Kyowa Hakko \+ & Chemicals & Kasei & Chemical &Kureha Chem &Sekisui Chem &Asahi Denka \+ &Mitsui & Mitsubishi &Sumitomo & Industry &Ube Industries & Sankyo \+ & Petrochem & Petrochem & Bakelite &Nippon Oil &Kansai Paint &Shiseido \+ & &Mitsubishi & & & Fats & & \+ & & Plastics & & & & \+CONSTRUCT &Mitsui &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo &Taisei Corp &Ohbayashi &Shimizu Corp \+ & Constr & Constr & Constr & &Zenitaka Corp & \+DEVELOP &Mitsui Real &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo &Tokyo & & \+ & Estate Dev & Estate & Realty Dev & Tatemono & & \+ELECTRIC & Toshiba Corp &Mitsubishi &NEC Corp &Oki Electric &Iwatsu Electric &Fuji Electric \+ & & Elec Corp & & Industry &Sharp Corp &Yasukawa \+ & & & &Yokogawa &Kyocera Corp & Electric \+ & & & & Elec Corp & &Fujitsu \+INDUSTRY &Mitsui Mining &Asahi Glass &Nippon Sheet &Tonen Corp &Takashimaya &Yokohama \+ &Mitsukoshi & & Glass & Kubota Corp &Orix Corp & Rubber \+ & & & & & &Seibu Dept Stores \+INSTRUMENT & &Nikon Corp & &Canon Inc &Hoya Corp &Asahi Optical \+INSURANCE &Mitsui Mutual &Meiji Mutual &Sumitomo &Yasuda Mutual &Nippon Life &Asahi Mutual \+ & Life Ins & Life Ins & Life Ins & Life Ins & Insurance & Life Ins \+ &Mitsui Marine &Tokio Marine &Sumitomo &Yasuda Fire &&Nissan Fire \+ & & Fire Ins & & Fire Ins &Marine & Fire & & Marine Ins && & Marine Ins \+METALS &Mitsui Mining &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo & &Hitachi Cable &Nippon Light \+ & & Smelt & Materials & Metal Mining & & & Metal \+ & &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo & & &Furukawa \+ & & Cable & Elec Ind & & & Electric \+PAPER &Oji Paper & &Sumitomo & & & Honshu Paper \+ & & & Forestry & & & \+SHIPBUILD &Mitsui Eng & Mitsubishi &Sumitomo & &Hitachi Zosen &Kawasaki \+ & & Shipbuild & Heavy Ind & Heavy Ind & & Corp & Heavy Ind \+SHIPPING &Mitsui OSK &Nippon Yusen & &Showa Line &Navix Line &Kawasaki \+ & Lines & & & & & Kisen \+STEEL &Japan Steel &Mitsubishi &Sumitomo & NKK Corp &Nissin Steel &Kawasaki \+ & Works & Steel Mfg & Metal Ind & &Nakayama & Steel Corp \+ & & & & & Steel & \+TEXTILE &Toray Ind &Mitubishi & &Nisshinbo Ind &Unitika &Asahi Chemical \+ & & Rayon & &Toho Rayon &Teijin & Industry \+TRADING & Mitsui & Co & Mitsubishi & Sumitomo &Marubeni &Nichimen &C Itoh & Co \+ & & Corp & Corp & Corp & Corp & Kanematsu \+ & & & & &Iwatani Corp & Corp $$ Note: The above list is not comprehensive. Nissho Iwai Corp, Kobe Steel, Hitachi, and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries belong to two or three of the above groups and are not listed. A membership list of the Japan Burma Association was published in ``Burma Alert'', No.3, Vol.2, Mar.1991. This powerful business lobby pressured Japan in Feb.89 to recognize SLORC and to resume Official Development Assistance for `on-going' projects that were suspended in 1988. According to the Far Eastern Economic Review (11 July 91), up to US$700 million in ODA funds can be disbursed to SLORC by Japan for `on-going' loan projects without resuming `Aid' to SLORC. This does not include aid that Japan can give by allowing SLORC to write off its debts under the provisions accorded to Burma by its Least Developed Country status. Burma's external debt is US$5 billion [F910808]. To date, Japan has given SLORC debt relief of US$81 million and France, US$82 million. The JBA is believed to be one of the major reasons Japan has been reluctant to take a strong stand against SLORC. The above list is to assist readers to more readily identify JBA members in their own countries, and organize protests more effectively. NAMES indicate direct involvement with SLORC.