October 1993 No.10, Volume 4 Burma News: NEW SLORC CONSTITUTION TO LEGALIZE COUP D'ETATS On 16 Sep, SLORC Chief Justice U Aung Toe announced that the National Convention in Rangoon had adopted basic principles for Burma's future. Under the principles, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is authorized to seize power in `national emergencies threatening the security of the state'. The Commander-in-Chief will also appoint a number of military personnel to legislatures and in administrative posts down to the district level. Under the system, an electoral college will select a president to head the government. He must have `vast experience in political, administrative, economic and military affairs' [B930908,18 & N930908]. SLORC SNUBS THAI FOREIGN MINISTER PRASONG SOONSIRI The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) rebuffed Thai Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri's invitation to join the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). In response to the overture made by Prasong on his visit to Rangoon in September, SLORC Foreign Minnister U Ohn Gyaw on 17 Sep said, ``As the time approaches, we will think seriously about participating. But at the moment we are concentrating on domestic economic development.'' He also said that SLORC did not quite agree with everything ASEAN stands for. Considering that Prasong had been personally championing SLORC's acceptance by ASEAN, the cool response was a calculated insult. Speaking earlier at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Bangkok on 15 Sep, Prasong had said that no obstacles remained to prevent SLORC's entry to ASEAN. He said that both Japan and Malaysia now supported the Thai initiative and he even went to the extent of saying that, ``If ASEAN cannot reach a consensus (to invite SLORC) I will probably invite Burma as a special guest in my capacity as Chairman (of ASEAN in 1994)''. This is not the first time SLORC has rebuffed overtures from Thailand. In Aug.93, the Thai Deputy Transport Minister surveying the Burma portion of the proposed highway linking Burma, Thailand, Laos and China, was turned back in Kengtung at gunpoint by SLORC troops (Alert No.9, Vol.4, Sep.93) [KR930915, N930918]. PETER LIMBIN NO LONGER NCGUB FOREIGN MINISTER U Peter Limbin, Foreign Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), was replaced on 15 Sep. No reason was given in the official NCGUB statement. In a subsequent interview with the British Broadcasting Service, Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said that the cabinet decision was taken after Limbin refused to return to answer questions about Minister of Information U Hla Pe who disappeared in Bangkok on 16 Jun (Alert No.6, Vol.4, June 1993). U Hla Pe's body was found in Samut Prakarn, 100 km from Bangkok. He had been shot twice through the head. It is reported that U Hla Pe was last seen alive at the Morakot Hotel in the company of Limbin. After U Hla Pe was missed, Limbin was assigned to investigate but failed to find any clues. Limbin then left for Europe. About a month later, U Hla Pe's body was identified in a police morgue. Limbin claims that he has nothing to add to his earlier report and he saw no reason why he should return. He is seeking asylum in the USA. U Bo Hla Tint, Minister for Construction, Energy Resources and Mines, was assigned the additional responsibility for Foreign Affairs by the NCGUB [A931013, B930922]. SLORC TO OPEN NEW UNIVERSITY IN RANGOON SLORC announced the opening of Dagon University in Rangoon in Nov.93 for high school students who graduated at the end of the 1991 academic year. Observers suspect the new university might be another attempt by SLORC to divide the student body and defuse potential anti-government protests [BWR930827]. On 7 Jul, Rangoon University students marked the 31st anniversary of the first student massacre by hoisting a student flag - a fighting peacock on a red ensign - and marching around the campus. The demonstrators were arrested [B930724]. Burma News: BURMESE MONK SEEKS ASYLUM IN THIRD COUNTRY Ashin Siri Okhantha, 37, is seeking asylum in a foreign country. The Burmese monk who left Burma in 1979 to study in India returned in November 1992 and found the situation as bad as he had heard. ``There are no human rights, only military control'', he said. Disillusioned by what he saw and experienced, he left for Bangkok in April 1993. He said, ``It was impossible for me to reconcile the lack of religious freedom with my duties. If I had stayed in Burma, they would have arrested me and put me in jail'' [A930818, BWR930924]. The following are some senior Burmese monks who are under detention: Bandanta Tilokabiwuntha, 60, Insein Ywama Monastary Insein Prison, 1990 Bandanta Panitalingara, 60, Rangoon Mahabodi Monastary Arrested 1990, Insein Prison Bandanta Kawidabiwuntha, 67, Masoeyein Monastary Mandalay Prison, 1990 Bandanta Yazadammabiwuntha, 60, New Masoeyein Monastary Mandalay Prison, 1990 Bandanta Tumingala Lingayabiwuntha, Kaba Aye Monastary Myitkyina Prison, Released 1993 International Action: INT'L PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF BURMA FORMED Members of Parliament from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Laos, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom attending the 153rd session of the Inter-Parliamentary Council in Canberra in Sep.93, formed the INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF BURMA to support the cause of liberty and democracy for the people of Burma. The parliamentarians agreed in principle to give tacit recognition to the representatives elected in the May 1990 election and to assist the NCGUB at the United Nations. They also undertook to help overcome political and diplomatic barriers in their own countries that prevent assistance from reaching the people in liberated areas. Chair: Senator Stephen Loosley (Australia), Deputies: Prof Ole Espersen (Denmark) and Mr Francois Borel (Switzerland). Secretary: Senator Vicki Bourne (Australia), GPO Box 36, Sydney, NSW.2000. Tel: 61 2 247-3377, Fax: 247-9681. 8.8.88 PROTEST IN INDIA BY BURMESE STUDENTS About one hundred Burmese students staged a demonstration at Connaught Place, New Delhi, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the popular revolt against military rule in Burma. The ALL BURMA STUDENTS UNION issued a statement calling for SLORC to hand over power, release all political prisoners and end the civil war. AMERICAN LABOUR CALL FOR CLINTON TO SUPPORT NCGUB On 04 Aug, the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting in Chicago, called on the Clinton Administration to give direct assistance to the NCGUB, the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) and other groups struggling for democracy and human rights in Burma. The AFL-CIO also called for a full trade and investment, and arms embargo against SLORC. US GROUPS PROTEST UNOCAL\slash TEXACO GAS PIPELINE US-based GLOBAL RESPONSE, PROJECT MAJE and RAINFOREST ACTION NETWORK launched campaigns to protest UNOCAL and TEXACO's plan to build a natural gas pipeline from the Gulf of Martaban through Burma's tropical forests to Thailand. Readers were asked to write the oil companies calling for the withdrawal of their investments from Burma which supports the military's human rights abuses and environmental destruction. Holders of Union 76 or UNOCAL credit cards were urged to cut them up and enclose the pieces with their protest letters - Richard Stegemeir, Chairman & CEO, UNOCAL Corp, PO Box 7600, Los Angeles, CA.90051 and Alfred C DeCrane Jr, Chairman & CEO, TEXACO Inc, 2000 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY.10650, USA. Readers were also urged to write Warren Christopher, Secretary of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC.20520, to call for economic sanctions against SLORC. Foreign Trade & Investments: DENMARK: MAERSK is the drilling contractor for the French oil firm TOTAL that is spending US$20 million to drill 4 test wells to appraise the natural gas supply from Blocks M5 and M6 in the Gulf of Martaban. The first two wells tested at rates of 25 million cubic feet per day [B930908]. HONG KONG: The NEW WORLD GROUP is being favoured by the Pioneer Industries faction of Strand Hotels International shareholders to manage the 3 hotels it is renovating in Rangoon [AWSJ930129]. PIONEER INDUSTRIES Chairman and Managing Director Anthony Gaw is a Burma-born American businessman who bought Strand Hotels International shares from J F Asia Select in 1992, to block the management contract for the 3 hotels in Rangoon going to Zecha [AWSJ930129]. STRAND HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, the British Virgin Island incorporated company, which is renovating the Strand Hotel, the Inya Lake Hotel and the Thamada Hotel (Alert No.8, Vol.1, Aug.90), is owned by: ADRIAAN ZECHA 29%,, PIONEER INDUSTRIES 26.5% (17% purchased from J F Asia Select Venture Capital Fund in late 1992), SUN HUNG KAI SECURITIES 21%, Bangkok Bank's SOPHONPANICH family 16% and BERNARD PE WIN 7.5% [AWSJ930129]. SINGAPORE: GENERAL HOTELS MANAGEMENT LTD formed in 1992, by Adriaan Zecha and others was to manage the 3 hotels being renovated in Rangoon by Strand Hotels International (Hong Kong). However, it was reported in Jan.93 that Zecha's other partners wanted to give the management contract to a company controlled by Hong Kong's New World Group [AWSJ930129]. GOLDEN GLORY CO gave Toshiba TVs and Konica cameras to Burmese medal winners at the last South East Asian Games [A930818]. ASIA PACIFIC BREWERIES donated Kyat 200,000 (US$28,000) for a song and dance contest and an esquestrian festival organized by SLORC to revive customs and values ``threatened by decadent Western influences and elements sowing disunity in the Union'' [A930818]. THAILAND: ANANDA TOURS of Chiang Rai and TRITHAM AIR SYSTEM of Bangkok are launching ROYAL ORCHID AIR SYSTEM (ROS Air), a new charter flight service between Kengtung in the Shan State of Burma and Chiang Rai. Ananda Managing Director Ashok Jagota who owns 20% of the Baht 10 million (US$0.4 million) venture said that direct charter flights will begin in November. Flights to Taunggyi and Mandalay are also being planned. ROS Air is prepared to help SLORC develop ground and maintenance services in Kengtung. Cabin crew will be recruited locally in Kengtung. ROS Air will initially use 30-seat Fokker Friendship aircraft [H930729]. BANGKOK AIRWAYS was granted permission by SLORC to fly between Chiang Mai and Mandalay [BWR930820]. SUKANAND LTD PART (SUK-UAH-ANAND CO, Alert No.5, Vol.4, May 93) which won the US$16 million contract to build the 164 km Kengtung-Tachilek highway is seeking private Canadian and French loans to finance the project after local and locally-based international financial institutions turned it down. Sukanand's Manager and Mae Hong Son Provincial Council Chairman Anand Uahtrakul said he can apply for a Thai government loan but that it will require cabinet approval. Thailand has a policy to provide soft loans for Burma [B930908]. NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE: A = Asiaweek, AWSJ = Asian Wall Street Journal, B = Bangkok Post, BWR = Bangkok Post Weekly Review, H = Horizons, KR = Knight-Ridder, and N = The Nation, Bangkok, Foreign Trade & Investments: UPDATE: FOREIGN FIRMS IN BURMA - 4 Source: Burma Alert CHINA: CHINA, since 1988 30, T-69II medium & 30, T63 light tanks - Arms CHINA, since 1988 6, `Hainan' class fast attack patrol boats - Arms CHINA, since 1988 10, F-7 jet fighters & 2, FT-7 jet trainers - Arms CHINA, Dec.89 Rangoon-Syriam bridge, US$13.8 million - Infrastructure CHINA, May.90 2 Satellite Ground Stations, US$28 million - Infrastructure CHINA, Nov.90 8 trucks loads of arms - Arms CHINA, 1991 Gift of 60, Armoured Personnel Carriers - Arms CHINA, May 91 2 bridges on China-Burma border - Infrastructure CHINA, 1992 Sold 100, Armoured Personnel Carriers - Arms CHINA, Jan.92, Small arms delivered, US$250 million - Arms CHINA, Feb.92 `Yuan 50 million' interest-free communications loan - Aid CHINA, Apr.92 Sold 4,000 tons of rail for Aungban-Loikaw Railway - Transport CHINA, Apr.92 Interest-free railway loan, US$20 million - Aid CHINA, Jul.92 Sold 3,000 tons of rail fm Nanking for Aungban-Loikaw Railway - Transport CHINA, Oct.92 Bailey bridge, Mus\'e - Infrastructure CHINA, Nov.92 Building new naval base, Hlainggyi Island - Arms CHINA, Nov.92 Upgrading naval facilities, Coco Island - Arms CHINA, Nov.92 Training Burma Navy personnel - Arms CHINA, Jan.93 Training troops in Chengtu, Sichuan - Arms CHINA, Jan.93 308 truckloads via Mus\'e - Arms CHINA, Jan.93 Kunming-Lashio Hwy - Infrastructure CHINA, Jan.93 Teng Chung-Myitkyina Hwy - Infrastructure CHINA, Jan.93 Yin Chiang-Myitkyina Hwy - Infrastructure CHINA, Jan.93 Nam Si Aung-Myitkyina Hwy - Infrastructure CHINA, Jan.93 Myitkyina\slash Bhamo Hydro Stn - Energy CHINA, Feb.93 Munitions factory, Mergui - Arms CHINA, Jun.93 Interest-free transport loan, US$30 million - Aid CHINA, Jul.93 Interest-free development loan, US$8.7 million - Aid CHINA NAT'L AERO-TECH IM-EX CORP, Jun.90 Demonstrated Y-12 aircraft - Arms CHINA NAT'L AERO-TECH IM-EX CORP, Jun.91 Proposed sale of aircraft - Arms CHINA NAT'L AERO-TECH IM-EX CORP, Oct.91 Demonstrated Y-8 aircraft - Arms CHINA NAT'L AERO-TECH IM-EX CORP, Jan.92 Air service with China - Transport CHINA NAT'L AERO-TECH IM-EX CORP, Mar.92 Proposed sale of K-8 fighter - Arms CHINA NAT'L COMPLETE PLANT IM-EX CORP, Oct.92 2 stations - Communications CHINA NAT'L MACHINERY IM-EX CORP, Jul.92 Feasibility Study - Mining CHINA RADIO & TELEVISION CORP, Oct.92 Building 2 ground stations - Communications CITIC via ASIA SATELLITE, Apr.90 Leased transponders - Communications GUANGDONG MACHINERY & EQUIP IM-EX, since '88 1,500 walking tractors - Agriculture GUANGDONG MACHINERY & EQUIP IM-EX, Apr.93 5,000 walking tractors - Agriculture HUAXIA HAINAN CO, Oct.92 Sold railway supplies, US$20 million - Transport HUANG YUI CO, Jan.93 Sales contract, Myanmar Co-op Trade Fair - Trade INT'L COMPUTER CORP, Apr.91 Rangoon Port Authority, US$0.5 million - Infrastructure NORTH INDUSTRIES CORP (NORINCO) Oct.89 Visited by SLORC delegation - Arms SECOND AUTOMOTIVE WORKS, Aug.92 Sponsored car mfg study team to China - Industry SHAANXI AIRCRAFT CORP, Sep.92 2 Shaanxi Y8-D aircraft - Arms Foreign Trade & Investments: UPDATE: FOREIGN FIRMS IN BURMA - 5 Source: Burma Alert CHINA: (continued) YUNNAN LANCHANG REGION May 92, Delegation on border trade & transport links - Trade YUNNAN MACHINERY CORP, Nov.91 Sold 100 railway cars, US$0.3 million - Transport YUNNAN MACHINERY CORP Nov.91 Sold railway tracks, US$3.6 million - Transport YUNNAN MACHINERY IM-EX CORP, Jun.93 To sell 42 riverine vessels - Transport YUNNAN PROVINCE Nov.89 Cross-border Trade Agreement - Trade YUNNAN PROVINCE Dec.89 Department stores in Burma - Trade YUNNAN PROVINCE Dec.89 Selling coal to Kachin State - Trade YUNNAN PROVINCE, Dec.89 To mine TIN in Shan State - Mining YUNNAN PROVINCE, Dec.89 To promote tourism to Burma - Tourism YUNNAN PROVINCE, Dec.89 Cross-border Trade Agreement - Trade YUNNAN PROV CHEM IM-EX CORP, Apr.92 Caustic Soda plant, US$6 million - Industry HONG KONG: ANDES ENTERPRISES, Feb.89 US$2 million - Fisheries ASIA SATELLITE TELECOM, Apr.90 Transponders, US$1.6 million\slash yr - Communications ASIA VOYAGES (Netour Ltd), 1990 US$8.5 million - Tourism ASIA VOYAGES, 1990 Charter flights to Pagan, Mandalay & Inle, US$0.4 million - Tourism CONCORD PEARL & GEMS, Oct.91 Pearls - Gems EMERALD LTD (EMERALD ROSE GARDEN), Aug.93 Hotel, US$15 million - Tourism GARMING MARINE PRODUCTS, Oct.91 Seafood - Fisheries GARMING MARINE PRODUCTS, Jul.93 Joint venture, US$4 million - Fisheries HUI CHEONG SHIN, Feb.91 Top buyer of jade - Gems HUTCHISON WHAMPAO via ASIA SATELLITE, Apr.90 Transponders - Communications IRRAWADDY LTD Seafood, gems, etc. - Trade JARDINE FLEMING, Nov.90 Financed STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Finance KARENLAN CO, Mar.90 3 vessels in Burmese waters - Fisheries KIMMY SHIPPING AGENCIES, Oct.91 Shipping - Transport LAM KEE CHEUNG, Oct.91 Timber - Forestry LANON INVESTMENTS, Oct.91 Timber - Forestry MYANMAR CHAN, Jan.90 Joint venture by TSIN YUEN ENTERPRISES - Trade Feb.91, Showroom in Theingyize market - stationary & photographic goods - Trade NEW WORLD GROUP, Jan.93 Management contract (?), STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism ON KEE TIMBER, Oct.91 Timber - Forestry PE WIN, Bernard, Jan.93 Owns 7.5% STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism PIONEER INDUSTRIES, Anthony Gaw Own 26.5% STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism SOPHONPANICH (Bangkok Bank), Jan.93 Owns 16% STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism SPA INTERNATIONAL, Serge Pun, Apr.91 Luxury hotel, US$6 million - Tourism STARFORD TIMBER, Oct.91 Timber - Forestry STRAND HOTELS INT'L, Jun.90 3 Luxury hotels, US$12.5 million - Tourism STYLAND HOLDINGS, Kenneth Cheung Chi Shing, '91 Garment factory - Textile SUN HING SHIPPING, Oct.91 Agent for 5 Star Line - Transport SUN HUNG KAI, Jan.93 Owns 21% STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism TSIN YUEN ENTERPRISES, Jan.90 Owns MYANMAR CHAN, US$1.4 million - Trade WINNER CO (GARMENTS), Apr.92 US$0.65 million - Textiles UNIMIX, Mar.93 Garment factory, US$2.6 million - Textile ZECHA HOLDINGS, Adriaan Zecha, Jan.93 Owns 29% STRAND HOTELS INT'L - Tourism ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LIBERATED AREAS (May 27, 1990, General Elections - Burma) Responding to international pressure, SLORC agreed to hold general elections in 1990. In spite of a tightly controlled election campaign, the opposition National League for Democracy led by 1991 Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won 392 of the 485 seats contested. The military-backed National Unity Party won 10 seats. Instead of handing over power, SLORC instead started arresting elected representatives `for attempting to form a government'. A number escaped to areas not controlled by SLORC. They are: \+NO. NAME &&PARTY &CONSTITUENCY &&REMARKS \+01. Bo Hla Tint &&NLD &Mogok &&NCGUB \+02. Bo Thaung &&NLD &Yinmabin 2 &&In India &\cr \+03. Hla Oo &&NLD &Kyauk-dagar &&NCGUB &\cr \+04. Hla Pe &&NLD &Pyawbwe 1 &&NCGUB, killed Jun.93 &\cr \+05. Htun Oo &&NLD &Kyauk-kyi &&NCGUB &\cr \+06. Marko Ban &&DOKNU &Pekkong &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+07. Kyar Mya &&NLD &Monyin 2 &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+08. Kyaw Maung &&NLD &Monyin 1 &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+09. Lian Oke &&Indp &Haka &&In India &\cr \+10. Limbin, Peter &&Indp &Maymyo &&NCGUB, dismissed Sep.93 &\cr \+11. Ma Hpang Sim &&NLD &Khawbudae &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+12. Maung M Aye &&NLD &Mandalay &&NCGUB &\cr \+13. Maung M Latt &&NLD &Be Lin& &In Manerplaw &\cr \+14. Myint Maung &&NLD &Ein-me &&NCGUB &\cr \+15. N Nam Gum &&NLD &Machumbaw &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+16. Sann Aung &&Indp &Ingapu &&NCGUB &\cr \+17. Sein Win &&PND &Pauk-kaung &&NCGUB &\cr \+18. Than Sein &&NLD &Pa-le 2 &&In India &\cr \+19. Thein Oo &&NLD &Mandalay &&NCGUB &\cr \+20. Tint Swe &&NLD &Pa-le 1 &&In India &\cr \+21. Win Ko &&NLD &Ye-U 2 &&NCGUB, killed Feb.93 &\cr \+22. Yaw Si &&NLD &Putao &&In Manerplaw &\cr \+23. Zalat Htan &&CNLD &Falam 2 &&In India &\cr \+ Note: & CNLD = Chin National League for Democracy \+& DOKNU = Democratic Organization for Kayan National Unity \+& Indp = Independent \+& NCGUB = National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma \+& NLD = National League for Democracy \+& PND = Party for National Democracy