March 1993 No.3, Volume 4 Burma News: NCGUB FINANCE MINISTER ASSASSINATED IN CHINA U Win Ko, 45, Finance Minister of the Manerplaw-based National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) and National League for Democracy (NLD) Member of Parliament for Ye-U, Sagaing, was assassinated on 27 Feb in Kunming, China. His body was found on his bed at the Tea Garden Hotel by Chinese authorities. He had been stabbed twice in the chest and had his throat slashed. There was no sign of a struggle. His belongings including US$800 were found undisturbed. Only his Burmese passport was missing. U Win Ko had been sent on a mission to Kachin State in 1992 to organize the democratic opposition in northern Burma against the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Most observers suspect the murder was politically motivated. It is known that Colonel Ye Myint, Deputy Commander Northeastern Military Region, Lieut-Col Than Tin from the Military Attache's office in Beijing, Lieut-Col Kyaw Thein from Military Intelligence headquarters in Rangoon and a Major Tin Yu, met in Muse in Jan.93 with senior Chinese military officials [F930211, N930321]. SLORC IN SECRET PEACE TALKS WITH KACHINS Following numerous preliminary contacts, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) held peace talks with SLORC on 22 Feb, in Myitkyina. The KIO delegation was led by Colonel Tujai. It is believed that the two parties agreed to meet following Chinese advice . The KIO, a prominent member of the opposition Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB), had previously insisted that it would not meet with SLORC on its own but that it would only negotiate with SLORC as part of the DAB. The last peace talk offer proposed by Australia in Oct.92 was rejected by SLORC. The pre-conditions proposed for peace talks were: third party mediation, a neutral venue, a joint DABash NCGUB delegation, and a nation-wide ceasefire. None of the conditions has been met and the Kachins continue to deny that they are talking to SLORC. It is understood that SLORC is willing to grant the Kachins a local ceasefire, a measure of local autonomy and the right to retain their arms. These are the same conditions offered to former units of the Communist Party of Burma who are now SLORC's allies and the main drug traffickers in Burma. The KIO is reported to have called for a nation-wide ceasefire and the participation of other ethnic groups in the talks [F930225, N930321]. CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS RANGOON Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen arrived in Rangoon on 1 Feb for a 3-day visit. Contrary to protocol, he was met by both Major-General Khin Nyunt, head of Military Intelligence and Secretary 1 of SLORC, and Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw. Observers surmise that Khin Nyunt wanted to show that he has powerful friends and allies. Qian met with SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe in Rangoon and visited Sandoway in Arakan State where he was hosted at a dinner by U Ohn Gyaw. During the visit, the possibility of navigation on the Mekong River, border trade and regional economic cooperation were discussed. Qian said that he hoped all countries in the region would maintain their stability and progress economically [F930218, RR930203, X930201, 0202]. NLD CALLS FOR MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS U Aung Shwe, Chairman of the NLD, speaking on 24 Feb at the plenary session of SLORC's National Convention to draft a new constitution said, ``Under the present circumstances ...it is still necessary for the Defense Services to participate in national politics in accordance with its historic traditions''. This statement directly contradicts the opinion of NLD delegates to the Convention who had earlier produced an 8-page document questioning the military's role. It asked, ``Can the idea of developing genuine democracy be in harmony with the principle of permitting the military to play a leadership role? SLORC has ruled that all public servants should stay clear of politics ... all soldiers ...should also stay clear of politics. This is because soldiers are public servants.'' Prior to the Convention, local units of the NLD had condemned their present leadership for cooperating with SLORC. U Aung Shwe is a retired Brigadier-General and, under his leadership, 1991 Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was expelled from the party in Dec.91. The National Convention which first convened on 9 Jan was adjourned to 1 Feb when delegates refused to enshrine in the constitution the military's right to play a leading role in the nation's affairs [F930218, RR930224]. Burma News: NOBEL LAUREATES SEEK SUSPENSION OF SLORC FROM U.N. On 22 Feb, the Nobel Peace Mission to Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reported to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. An eight point recommendation, including the suspension of Burma's membership in the UN until Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners have been released and democracy restored in Burma, was presented. Other recommendations called for the UN Security Council to act against SLORC to maintain regional stability; for ASEAN to use its influence to help restore democracy in Burma; a comprehensive arms embargo; economic and investment sanctions; cessation of all aid to SLORC - bilateral and multilateral; recognition of the Burmese democratic movement by the international community; and a strongly worded resolution from the Commission. The laureates also participated in a seminar on Burma organized by the Association Suisse-Birmanie [ICHRDD930222]. ARMY, OPPOSITION, ATTACK THAI FM FOR LAUREATES VISIT Thai opposition MPs debating the Foreign Ministry's budget in Parliament on 25 Feb criticized Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri for allowing the Dalai Lama to enter Thailand and damage its relations with a `friendly neighbour' and a superpower. Earlier, Army Commander General Vimol Wongwanich and Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Gun Pimarnthip had also warned that the visit by the Nobel Peace laureates including the Dalai Lama could seriously damage Thailand's relations with Burma and China. Prasong and Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai had argued that Thailand is a democratic country and cannot discriminate against the Dalai Lama. The exiled Tibetan leader was refused visas to Thailand in 1984, 1987 and 1990 out of deference to China. At a press conference, the Dalai Lama called on fellow laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to persevere and to not lose hope. He said he was confident that the Nobel laureates' mission to seek her release would eventually `bear fruit'. Asked about whether the laureates were interfering in Burma's internal affairs, he maintained that human rights have no frontiers. In a rare gesture of support for the objective of their mission, the laureates were granted an audience with the King of Thailand and a private meeting with both Chuan and Prasong [F930225,0304, BW930226,0305]. KHIN NYUNT INCENSED BY LAUREATE MISSION Major-General Khin Nyunt denounced the Nobel laureates who had sought to visit Burma to secure the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He accused the laureates of ``using the land of a neighbouring country to attack Burma's internal affairs.'' Referring to the laureates' visit to Burmese refugee camps on the Thai border, Khin Nyunt said, ``They call their visit a peace mission, but now they are meeting with terrorist groups'' and he added that ``We have no plan to change our internal political and human rights policies'' because of the laureates mission [BW930226, F930304]. THAI PM CALL FOR REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FORMULA After the Nobel laureates left Thailand, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on 22 Feb said in a speech opening the forum called ``Towards One Southeast Asia in the 21st Century'', that Southeast Asian nations should stop acting defensively about human rights and come up with their own guidelines. He stressed that democracy and economic liberalization are supportive of each other and should move forward together. Chuan also pointed out that human rights are very closely linked with democracy and called for a regional effort to deal with the issue. The forum was organized by Chulalongkorn's Institute of Security and International Studies and the Information and Resource Centre of Singapore [BW930305]. ASEAN MAY INVITE SLORC TO MEETING Thailand is lobbying to have SLORC Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw invited to the next ASEAN Annual meeting to be held in Jul.93 in Singapore. A similar initiative to invite SLORC to Manila in Jul.92 failed because of objections by Indonesia and Malaysia over the Rohingya issue. Indonesia is reported to have dropped its objection and Malaysia is undecided. At the regional forum on Southeast Asia in the 21st Century, held on 22 Feb in Bangkok, Malaysian Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that ASEAN should strive to increase its membership from six nations to 10 - meaning the eventual inclusion of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma. Thailand is also seeking to forge closer links between the U.N. and ASEAN to implement `preventive diplomacy' on a multilateral basis, rather than rely on the UN Security Council's crisis management. The Foreign Ministry's International Studies Centre is organizing the first of three workshops in Bangkok in March that will involve the UN, ASEAN and the Asian Development Bank. SLORC has expressed interest in the meetings [F930225,0304]. Foreign Trade & Investments: CHINA: China is building a munitions factory for SLORC in Mergui, southern Burma. Intelligence sources believe the factory will produce M21 semi-automatic rifles, M22 assault rifles and M23 light machine-guns, plus ammunition for these weapons, beginning in late 1993. Chinese engineers visited Mergui in 1991. SLORC's main munitions factory was set up by Fritz Werner of Germany and produces 7.62mm G3 assault rifles and G4 light machine guns [F930211]. China is also improving the infrastructure in northern Burma. A new concrete bridge across the Shweli River was completed in Oct.92 and the WW.II Burma Road from Kunming to Lashio is being upgraded. Three new roads will link Yunnan to Kachin State: Ta Haw Hka in Teng Chung district to Hka Shang and Myitkyina, Yin Chiang to Sima and Myitkyina, and Nam Si Aung to Myitkyina. A hydro-electric power station to supply Myitkyina and Bhamo is being planned [F930211, Focus930103]. In exchange for Chinese assistance, SLORC will establish an 80 mile-wide corridor between Bhamo and Myitkyina free from the KIO, import Chinese household goods, allow Chinese businesses to set up in Bhamo and Myitkyina, and allow the Chinese to extract natural resources from Kachin State [Focus9303]. Since Jan.93, 308 truckloads of arms and ammunition have been delivered to SLORC via the upgraded Shweli River bridge. They included light infantry weapons, 40mm rocket launchers, 81mm and 82mm mortars, 57mm and 75mm recoilless rifles, 122mm and 130mm multiple rocket launchers and spare parts for more than 100 armoured personnel carriers (APC) [F930211]. It was reported that China gave SLORC a gift of 60 APCs in 1991 and 100 more were purchased in 1992. Prior to this, Burma had only 20 APCs manufactured locally by Hino, 30 locally manufactured Mazda reconnaissance cars, 40 obsolete British `Humber' armoured cars and 45 obsolete `Ferret' scout cars. SLORC has to date acquired from China 30 T-69II medium battle tanks and 30 T63 light tanks. Previously, the Burma Army had only 26 `Comet' medium battle tanks [Focus930103, BA93]. Since 1988, SLORC has also taken delivery of 6 `Hainan' class fast attack coastal patrol boats, 10 F-7 jet fighters and 2 FT-7 jet trainers from China. Burmese troops are also reportedly being trained in Chengtu, Sichuan Province [Focus930103, BA93]. International Activities: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Kachin delegation led by KIO General Secretary Colonel Zau Seng gave a briefing on the situation in Kachin State on 25 Feb at the International Centre for Development Policy in Washington, D.C. Dr Stephen Morse, Director of Relief and Medical Assistance of the Kachinland Foundation and Jesse Yangmi, KIO Representative in the USA were also present. The delegation members had just participated in the Consultation on Burma at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and were in DC to meet with and brief members of the new US administration. The INTERFAITH CENTER FOR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY in New York has put together a shareholders resolution calling for Pepsi to withdraw from Burma until political prisoners are released and political power is transferred to the democratically elected government of Burma. The resolution will be presented at the Pepsi annual general meeting in April. For information: Fax 1 (212) 870-2023. osesec NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE: BA = Burma Alert, BW = Bangkok Post Weekly, F = Far Eastern Economic Review, Hong Kong, Focus = All Burma Students Democratic Front, Norway, ICHRDD = International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, Canada, N = The Nation, Bangkok, RR = Radio Rangoon, and X = Xinhua News Agency, Beijing. osepg SLORC: ORGANIZATION OF MYANMAR DEFENCE SERVICES On 18 Sep 88, the State Law and Order Restoration Council seized power and a 9-man cabinet was formed on 20 Sep.88. The SLORC consisted of 9 top military leaders and the 9 commanders of the various Military Regions. Only 2 cabinet members were not members of SLORC. According to the then SLORC Chairman, General Saw Maung, the number of officers involved was kept small at 20 because SLORC was only an interim government, waiting to hand over power to an elected government. Four years later, SLORC is still in power, despite losing a general election in 1990, and the number in the ruling elite has more than tripled to 63 - SLORC 21, non-SLORC Cabinet 16, deputy ministers 13, non-SLORC War Office staff 6, and non-SLORC Regional Commanders 7. The expansion of the armed forces and the ruling elite indicates that the military does not intend to give up power. After Major-General Khin Nyunt and General Than Shwe, the most powerful commanders seem to be Major-General Myo Nyunt (Rangoon Command and Minister for Religious Affairs) and Major-General Tin Oo (Chief of Staff, Army). Lieutenant-Generals Sein Aung (Special Operations 1) and Chit Swe (Special Operations 2), and Major-General Maung Aye (Eastern Command) appear to have retained some power. Rising stars are Major-Generals Soe Myint (Southern Command), Maung Hla (Army Secretary) and Myint Aung (Agriculture). State Law and Order Restoration Council (March 1993) $$\vbox \settabs 5 \columns \+POSITION: & &RANK: &NAME: &TRAINING: \+01. Chairman &CoS, DS &General &Than Shwe * &OTS-09 \+02. Secretary 1 &Dir, DSI &Major-General &Khin Nyunt &OTS-25 \+03. Secretary 2 &CoS, Army &Major-General &Tin Oo &OTS-22 \+04. Member &ex-Navy C-in-C &Vice-Admiral &Mg Mg Khin * &UK-trained \+05. Member &ex-Air C-in-C &Lieut-General &Tin Tun * &UK-trained \+06. Member &Spc Ops 1 &Lieut-General &Sein Aung * & \+07. Member &Spc Ops 2 &Lieut-General &Chit Swe * &U-2 \+08. Member &ex-Adj-Gen &Lieut-General &Aung Ye Gyaw * &OTS-06 \+09. Member &ex-Qtm-Gen &Lieut-General &Phone Myint &U-2, OTS-09 \+10. Member &Army Secretary &Major-General &Maung Hla & \+11. Member &Rangoon Command &Major-General &Myo Nyunt * &5th std, OTS-18 \+12. Member &Eastern Command &Major-General &Maung Aye &DSA-1 \+13. Member &Southern Comm &Major-General &Soe Myint &OTS-26 \+14. Member &ex-Northern Comm &Major-General &Kyaw Ba * & \+15. Member &ex-NE Comm &Major-General &Maung Thint * & \+16. Member &ex-NW Comm &Major-General &Kyaw Min * & \+17. Member &ex-Central Comm &Major-General &Tun Kyi * &DSA-1 \+18. Member &ex-Western Comm &Major-General &Mya Thinn * & \+19. Member &ex-Southern Comm &Major-General &Aye Thaung * & \+20. Member &ex-SW Comm &Major-General &Myint Aung * & \+21. Member &ex-SE Comm &Major-General &Nyan Lin &DSA-1 $$ Note: CoS, DS = Chief of Staff, Defence Services; Dir, DSI = Director, Defence Services Intelligence; Gen = General; C-in-C = Commander in Chief; Adj-Gen = Advutant General; Qtm-Gen = Quartermaster General; Spc Ops = Special Operations Bureau; OTS = Officers Training School, Hmawbi - inservice training for officers rising through the ranks; DSA = Defence Service Academy, Maymyo - officer training for university graduates; 5th Std = 5 years primary education; and U-2 = 2nd year university education; (*) = Cabinet Minister. osepg SLORC: ORGANIZATION OF MYANMAR DEFENCE SERVICES continued: The SLORC Cabinet (March 1993) $$\vbox \settabs 5 \columns \+POSITION: & &RANK: &NAME: &CONCURRENT: \+01. Prime Minister & &General &Than Shwe &SLORCash CoS \+02. Minister &Defence &.. &.. &.. \+03. Deputy &Prime Minister &Vice-Admiral &Mg Mg Khin &SLORC \+04. Deputy &Prime minister &Lieut-General &Tin Tun &SLORC \+05. Minister &Industry 1 &Lieut-General &Sein Aung &SLORCash Spc Ops 1 \+06. Minister &Forests &Lieut-General &Chit Swe &SLORCash Spc Ops 2 \+07. Minister &Culture &Lieut-General &Aung Ye Kyaw &SLORC \+08. Minister &Religious Affairs &Major-General &Myo Nyunt &SLORCash Rgn Com \+09. Minister &Hotels & Tourism &Major-General &Kyaw Ba &SLORC \+10. Minister &Border Areas & Min &Major-General &Maung Thint &SLORC \+11. Minister &Mines &Major-General &Kyaw Min &SLORC \+12. Minister &Trade &Major-General &Tun Kyi &SLORC \+13. Minister &Home Affairs &Major-General &Mya Thinn &SLORC \+14. Minister &Labour &Major-General &Aye Thaung &SLORC \+15. Minister &Agriculture &Major-General &Myint Aung &SLORC \+16. Minister &Health &Rear-Admiral &Than Nyunt &C-in-C Navy \+17. Minister &Transport &Major-General &Thein Win &C-in-C Air \+18. Minister &Soc Wel & Resettle &Brigadier-Gen &Thaung Myint &Army Eng \+19. Minister &Plan & Econ Dev &Brigadier-Gen &David Abel & \+20. Minister &Information &Brigadier-Gen &Myo Thant & \+21. Minister &Livestock & Fish &Brigadier-Gen (Air) &Maung Maung & \+22. Minister &Finance & Revenue &Brigadier-Gen &Win Tin & \+23. Minister &P.M.'s Office &Brigadier-Gen &Lun Maung & \+24. Minister &Education &Colonel &Pe Thein & \+25. Minister &Rail Transport &Colonel &Win Sein & \+26. Minister &Industry 2 &Colonel &Than Shwe & \+27. Minister &Energy &Lieut-Colonel &Khin Maung Thein & \+28. Minister &Foreign Affairs & &Ohn Gyaw & \+29. Minister &Comm, Post & Tel & &Soe Tha & \+30. Minister &Construction & &Khin Maung Yin & \+31. Minister &Cooperatives & &Than Aung & \+32. Deputy Minister &Trade &Colonel &Aung Than & \+33. Deputy Minister &Health &Colonel &Than Zin & \+34. Deputy Minister &Education &Colonel &Kyi Maung & \+35. Deputy Minister &Mines &Lieut-Colonel &Hlaing Win & \+36. Deputy Minister &Mines & &Myint Thein & \+37. Deputy Minister &Home Affairs &Lieut-Colonel &Than Nyunt & \+38. Deputy Minister &Transport &Lieut-Colonel &San Wai & \+39. Deputy Minister &Information &Lieut-Colonel &Soe Nyunt & \+40. Deputy Minister &Religious Affairs & &Kyaw Aye & \+41. Deputy Minister &Agriculture & &Tin Hlaing & \+42. Deputy Minister &Soc Wel & Resettle & &Win Naing & \+43. Deputy Minister &Foreign Affairs & &Nyunt Swe & \+44. Deputy Minister &Energy & &Tin Tun & $$ osepg SLORC: The War Office, Rangoon (March 1993) $$\vbox \settabs 5 \columns \+POSITION: & &RANK: &NAME: &REMARKS: \+01. C of Staff &Defence Services &General &Than Shwe &SLORC, PM, Def \+02. V-C of Staff &Defence Services & &vacant & \+03. C-in-Chief &Army & &vacant & \+04. C-in-Chief &Navy &Vice-Admiral &Than Nyunt &Health \+05. C-in-Chief &Air Force &Lieut-General &Thein Win &Transport \+06. Commander &No.1 Spc Ops &Lieut-General &Sein Aung &SLORC, Ind 1 \+07. Commander &No.2 Spc Ops &Lieut-General &Chit Swe &SLORC, Forest \+08. Director &DS Intelligence &Major-General &Khin Nyunt &SLORC \+09. Adj-General & &Major-General &Myint Aung &Agriculture \+10. Army Secretary & &Major-General &Maung Hla &SLORC \+11. C of Staff &Army &Major-General &Tin Oo &SLORC \+12. C of Staff &Navy &Commodore &Tin Aye & \+13. C of Staff &Air Force &Brigadier-Gen &Tin Ngwe & \+14. Qtm-General & &Brigadier-Gen &Min Thein & \+15. Insp-General & &Brigadier-Gen &Tin Aye & \+16. Judge Advo Gen & &Brigadier-Gen &Than Oo & \+17. Director &Procurement &Brigadier-Gen &David Abel &Plan & Econ \+18. Director &Public Reln & &Brigadier-Gen &Aung Thein & \+ &Psycho Warfare & & & \+19. Director &Medical Services &Brigadier-Gen &Kyaw Win & \+20. Director &Art.y & Armour &Brigadier-Gen &Nyunt Tin & \+21. Director &Supply & Transp &Brigadier-Gen &Than Htay &OTS-25 \+22. Director &Ordnance &Brigadier-Gen &Thein Tun & \+23. Director &Training &Brigadier-Gen &Sein Ya & \+24. Director &Electash Mech Eng &Brigadier-Gen &Win Shein & \+25. Director &Army Engineers &Brigadier-Gen &Thaung Myint &Resettle \+26. Chief &Military Police &Brigadier-Gen &Myint Lwin & \+27. Director &Signals &Colonel &Sein Lay & \+28. Director &DS Museum &Colonel &Ye Htut & \+29. Director &Defence Ind &Colonel &Khin Mg Win & \+30. Director &Resettlement &Colonel &Myo Swe & \+31. Commander &DS Academy &Colonel &Aung Naing & \+32. Commander &Staff College &Colonel &San Aung & $$ Military Administrative Regional Commands (March 1993) $$\vbox \settabs 5 \columns \+POSITION: & &RANK: &NAME: &REMARKS: \+1. Commander &Rangoon &Major-General &Myo Nyunt &SLORC, Religious \+2. Commander &Northeast &Major-General &Aye Kyaw &OTS-28 \+3. Commander &Eastern &Major-General &Maung Aye &DSA-1, SLORC \+4. Commander &Southern &Major-General &Soe Myint &OTS-26, SLORC \+5. Commander &Northern &Brigadier-Gen &Saw Lwin &OTS-26 \+6. Commander &Northwest &Brigadier-Gen &Hla Myint Soe &OTS-30 \+7. Commander &Central &Brigadier-Gen &Kyaw Than &OTS-25 \+8. Commander &Western &Brigadier-Gen &Win Myint &OTS-27 \+9. Commander &Southwest &Brigadier-Gen &Tin Hla &DSA-3 \+10.Commander &Southeast &Brigadier-Gen &Ket Sein &OTS-29