October 1994 No.10, Volume 5 THE GENERALS MEET THE LADY On 20 Sept, Rangoon Televison shocked the nation by showing democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and SLORC Secretary 1, Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt. The meeting took place at the No.1 Defence Services Guest House but the telecast did not include a sound track. The voiced over news report said that the meeting was `cordial'. Dr Sein Win, Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), welcomed the meeting because ``the way to solve Burma's problems is through dialogue, not with force.'' However, he cautioned that if SLORC is sincere, ``they should give Aung San Suu Kyi access to the media.'' Aye Saung, Information Secretary of the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB), the umbrella group of pro-democracy forces on the border, said that SLORC is trying to influence the UN General Assembly with the publicized meeting and suggested that the talks were one-sided. He said, ``It would be more fair if she is allowed to meet with her supporters and the press.'' A Bangkok Post editorial said, ``It is far too early to show confidence in the goodwill of Burma's rulers...SLORC will prove its good intentions when it negotiates with Suu Kyi instead of only meeting with her...A small but important step in that process would be to free Suu Kyi from her house arrest. When the elected leader of Burma meets with the military leader voluntarily rather than under armed escort, then the junta will deserve some trust. Until Suu Kyi can act of her own free will, she remains a prisoner, and also do her fellow Burmese.'' The Nation of Lahore, Pakistan also commented ``What emerges ... is that they are not likely to relinquish power at any time soon'' [BWR941007, NP941001]. E.U. WANTS DAW SUU RELEASED German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel representing the European Union met with SLORC Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw in New York on 3 Oct. The meeting was the first since the EU announced in Bangkok in July that it was changing to a `critical dialogue' policy with SLORC. No details were released except that Kinkel reiterated the EU's stance on Burma by calling for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi [B941004]. ``NO CHANGE'' - KHIN NYUNT Interviewed by Time Magazine (3 Oct.94), Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt said that the National Convention whose proposed constitution would bar Daw Suu from politics, ``will go on'' without change. He also said that he did not think Daw Suu would like to get ``too involved in these complicated subjects (the constitution).'' KACHIN-SLORC TRADE TALKS A 10-member Kachin delegation headed by Brig-Gen Tu Jai, Vice-president of the Kachin Independence Council, travelled to Rangoon in early Sept to hold trade, economic and development talks with SLORC. According to the leader of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Maj-Gen Zau Mai, the mission also wants to discuss the resettlement of 60,000 internally displaced people in Kachin state and 12,000 Kachin refugees in China. The Kachins are unhappy that SLORC has not revoked the illegal status of the KIO under SLORC laws. ``Some local (SLORC) frontline commanders have told people that they cannot trust the KIO and fighting might soon break out... They also told people that nobody was allowed to participate in KIO programmes or they would face arrest,'' said Zau Mai. Other problems facing the Kachins is the increase in the number of SLORC troops in the Kachin State. Some estimates place it at 60,000 men, double the level before the cease-fire. SLORC's resettlement of lowland Burmans in the Kachin jade mining area is causing concern. SLORC's seizure of 8,000 kg of raw jade on its way to China in Sept has not improved matters. The KIO's highly effective drug eradication programme is also being seriously undermined by SLORC's dismantling of Kachin checkpoints on the trade routes. These setbacks, in spite of SLORC's professed desire to negotiate a peace settlement, have raised doubts about SLORC's sincerity [N940916,0926]. HURD WANTS SLORC TRADE TIES British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd on a three day official visit to Thailand said that trade with SLORC can help open up the country. In Mar.94, the British Ambassador in Rangoon organized `British Week' to encourage British firms to do business in Burma [B940914]. Burma News: SEIZED CHINESE SHIPS CARRIED CLASSIFIED MAPS OF INDIA Intelligence sources say that the 3 Chinese trawlers seized by the Indian Coast Guard in Indian waters on 18 Aug.94 (BA No.9, Vol.5, Sept.94) carried classified charts and maps prepared by China's People's Liberation Army. The detailed maps showed coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands and neighbouring countries. Military sources say the trawlers tried to evade capture and dumped material overboard before they were stopped. India is very concerned over the incident since China is helping SLORC to upgrade its naval base on Coco Island just north of the Andamans. If the base is designed for offensive naval operations, it could have very serious implications for India [VOA941006]. KHIN NYUNT IN CHINA SLORC Secretary 1 and Intelligence Chief Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt visited China, 7-14 Sept, at the invitation of Luo Gan, Secretary-General of China's State Council. He met with Vice-President Rong Yiren who said that friendly Sino-Burmese relations should be ``passed on from generation to generarion.'' Lieut-Gen Thein Win, Transport Minister, Brig-Gen David Abel, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, U Ohn Gyaw, Foreign Minister, Colonel Than Shwe, Minister for Industry-2, Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Northern Military Region Commander, four Deputy Ministers and senior officials accompanied Khin Nyunt [X940907,0908]. KARENS SEEK HELP The Karen National Union (KNU) requested Thailand and the world community to use their influence to persuade SLORC to begin talks which go beyond a military cease-fire agreement. However, the KNU insisted that a meaningful dialogue would require the presence of an independent international observer on `neutral ground.' The KNU has since 1993, been under tremendous pressure from Thailand to begin cease-fire negotiations with SLORC. To date, no talks have taken place, although in August, the Anglican Archbishop, Andrew Mya Han was sent to Manerplaw to mediate (BA No.9, Vol.5, Sep.94). The Karens had earlier insisted on a UN observer and a third country venue. Mya Han met with Karen leader General Bo Mya for a second time on 21 Sep. He said that he had a feeling that the two parties will soon be `meeting for initial talks somewhere' [N940929,1002, AFP941008]. REPATRIATED MUSLIMS SENT BACK On Sep.28, SLORC sent 70 muslim refugees back to Bangladesh two days after they were repatriated under a UNHCR program. Rangoon claims their papers were not in order. To date, 81,000 refugees have been repatriated. 170,000 remain in 18 refugee camps in the Cox's Bazaar district of Bangladesh. On 7 Oct, SLORC stopped the repatriation program claiming that the returning refugees might be carrying the plague and might spread the disease. Deputy Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Raqibuddin Ahmed said that the fears are unfounded since no one in Bangladesh has contracted the plague which was reported in India [Reu940928,1007]. NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE: AFP = Agence France Presse, ASI = Anti-Slavery International B = Bangkok Post, BBC = British Broadcasting Corporation, BD = Burma Debate, BT = Business Times, BWR = Bangkok Post Weekly Review, F = Far Eastern Economic Review, FT = Financial Times, JIJ = Japan Industrial Journal, N = The Nation, Bangkok, NP = The Nation, Pakistan, Reu = Reuters, SCB = Soc.Culture.Burma, SCMP = South China Morning Post, ST = Straits Times, VOA = Voice of America, and X = Xinhua News Agency. International Action: ALL BURMA STUDENTS LEAGUE Following a preliminary meeting in Jun.94, India-based democratic Burmese students met again on 28 Jul.94 in New Delhi and formed a unified ALL BURMA STUDENTS LEAGUE. The president is Ko Nyi Nyi Lwin. Address: 3 Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi 110 011. Tel: 91 (11) 301-7172/6035. Fax: 379-3397. BURMA WITHDRAWAL MEETING The COALITION FOR CORPORATE WITHDRAWAL FROM BURMA met in New York on 11 Aug to discuss strategies for coordinating shareholder activism. Unocal, Texico, Pepsico, and Eddie Bauer were some of the firms targetted. Josef Silverstein, Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University and Dr Thaung Htun, All Burma Students Democratic Front, were guest speakers. Information: Simon Billenness, Franklin Research & Development Corporation, 711 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA.02111, USA. Tel: 1 (617) 423-6655. Fax: 482-6179. FOREIGN FIRMS WARNED Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on 16 September, Prime Minister Dr Sein Win of the NCGUB warned foreign companies doing business with SLORC that they stand a good chance of losing their investment when a democratically elected government assumes office. Slave labour and SLORC's involvement in the illegal drug trade were cited as reasons why foreign firms should divest from joint ventures with SLORC. INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION At its 155th session on 17 Sept, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the IPU adopted a resolution without a vote, rejecting the notion that SLORC's National Convention can be regarded as a step towards restoring democracy in Burma. It also called on SLORC to agree to an IPU mission to investigate the condition of imprisoned parliamentarians. The IPU has also taken up the cases of U Sein Hla Oo and U Khin Maung Swe, who were arrested in Aug.94 (BA No.9, Vol.5, Sep.94). Information: IPU (Human Rights), Place du Petit-Saconnex, 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland. Tel: 41 (22) 734-4150, Fax: 733-3141. PROTEST IN BANGKOK On 18 Sep, 50 Burmese students staged a demonstration in front of the SLORC Embassy in Bangkok and dispersed without incident. DEMONSTRATIONS IN TOKYO On 18 Sep, 120 Burmese and Japanese demonstrated at the SLORC Embassy in Tokyo to protest the 6th anniversary of SLORC rule. On 19 Sep, another 320 Burmese including the Burma's Rohingya Association in Japan, demonstrated at the Embassy. NORWEGIAN LAW STUDENTS Norwegian law students organized a Burma Seminar at the University of Oslo on 22 Sept and launched a country-wide `Humanitarian Action' fund-raising campaign in support of the Burmese democracy movement on 23 Sept. Seven hundred law students in 3 cities in one day raised over US$100,000 to support human rights-related projects on the Thai-Burmese border. One of the projects will collate and publish a Human Rights Annual Report. AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION The Australian Foundation for Democracy was launched in Sydney with a fund-raising dinner on 23 Sept. One of the objectives of the Foundation is to support the democracy movement in Burma. Chairpersons are Sir William Keyes, AC, OBE, MC, and the Honourable Justice Marcus Einfeld, QC. Contact: P.O.Box 455, Queanbeyan, NSW.2620. Tel. 61 (6) 281-6553. Fax: 281-6112. CAMBODIANS PROTEST Ten groups in the CAMBODIAN ACTION COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS signed a statement on behalf of the Cambodian people on 26 Sep, expressing concern over human rights abuses in Burma. The Committee also called on Foreign Minister Prince Norodom Sirivudh to raise the issue of Daw Suu with SLORC. BLACKLISTED BY SLORC According to a University of Rangoon inter-departmental memo dated 27 July 1994, the following non-government organizations were blacklisted by SLORC's Foreign Ministry : International Federation of Human Rights International Fellowship of Reconciliation International Peace Brigade International Educational Development World Council of Religion and Peace Anti-Slavery International Publications: ASYLUM-SEEKERS AT RISK AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL on 8 Sep.94, release a 17-page report entitled, ``Thailand - Burmese and other asylum-seekers at risk.'' The report states that ``the treatment asylum seekers in the Kingdom of Thailand does not meet minimum international standards... (and) directly contravenes the principle of non-refoulement, as stated in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.'' International Secretariat, 1 Easton St, London WC1X 8DJ, UK. AI Index: ASA 39/02/94. `BURMA DEBATE' LAUNCHED In Aug.94, the OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE, a SOROS FOUNDATION organization, lauched a new bi-monthly magazine to examine critical issues on Burma. The first issue carried the transcript of Daw Aung San's Suu Kyi's interview in Feb.94, and examined AIDS, Humanitarian Assistance and Constructive Engagement in Burma. The Open Society's Burma Project is also supprting a number of educational and information initiatives. Information: Maureen Aung-Thwin, Director - Burma Project, 888 Seventh Ave, Suite 1901, New York, NY.10106, USA. Tel: 1 (212) 887-0632, Fax: 489-8455. E-mail: maungthwin@sorosny.org. PARADISE LOST? In Sep.94, ARTICLE 19 (International Centre Against Censorship) published a report by Martin Smith titled, `Paradise Lost? The Suppression of Environmental Rights and Freedom of Expression in Burma.' The environmental impact of de-forestation, gas pipelines, dams, tourism, national parks and wildlife in developing Burma are examined. Address: 33 Islington High St, London, N1 9LH, UK. Tel: 44 (171) 278-9292, Fax: 713-1356. REVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT ``Burma's Revolution of the Spirit: The Struggle for Democratic Freedom and Dignity'' by Alan Clements and Leslie Kean was published in September. An excellent coffee table type photographic essay with a forward by the Dalai Lama and an essay by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is a compelling visual introduction to the grave situation in Burma, especially for busy people who do not have time to read detailed reports. Available from: Aperture, 20 East 23rd St, New York, NY. 10010-4463, USA. Tel: 1 (212) 505-5555 ext.309, Fax: 979-7759. CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS In Sep.94, the BURMA LAWYERS COUNCIL published the first issue of the bilingual Journal of Constitutional Affairs. English articles include `The Theory and Practice of Federalism' by Ian Robinson. Address: P.O.Box 31, Mae Sarieng, Mae Hong Son 58110, Thailand. Foreign Investments: SLORC is inviting foreign companies to prospect for gold and copper in central and upper Burma. Sixteen blocks totalling 1,400 sq-km are being auctioned. Sealed bids must be submitted by 30 Nov.94 [AFP941002, F941013]. BRITAIN: British Ambassador to Burma Julian Hartland-Swann gave a breakfast briefing on `Trade and Investment Opportunities in Burma' at the Hong Kong Club on 2 Oct [SCMP941002]. GLAXO, the pharmaceutical firm, will open a branch office in Burma. It plans to help local hospitals conduct medical research as well as promote its own products [F941013]. CHINA: CHINA will build a 131-metre high dam and install four 70 MW turbines for the Paunglaung power plant in Mandalay District [BBC941001]. CHINA SHIP BUILDING TRADING CO will supply new ships for the Myanmar Five Star Shipping Line. An interest-free loan to finance the purchase will be provided by Beijing according to an agreement signed by SLORC Transport Minister and Air Force Commander-in-Chief Lieut-Gen Thein Win [B941001]. Wang Jinchou, vice-president of the CHINA NATIONAL COMPLETE PLANT IMPORT & EXPORT CORPORATION, signed a contract to sell 5,000 tons of steel truss to SLORC's Ministry of Construction. It will be used to build a 1,275 metre highway bridge across the Irrawaddy River at Prome. China will also provide engineers to supervise the construction and technical assistance [Reu940927]. GERMANY: THEODOR NAGEL, owner of a furniture company that is one of the biggest German wood importers told the International Building Workers Federation that he will continue to import teak from Burma. Forced labour and human rights violations are ``none of our business,'' he said [ASI9409]. Foreign Investment: SINGAPORE: INTRACO, KEN AIR, KEPPEL GROUP, NATSTEEL, SINGAPORE AIRLINES, SINGAPORE BUS SERVICE, and STRAITS STEAMSHIP LAND formed a consortium to invest in the tourist-related service industry in Burma. The KEPPEL GROUP is leading the SINGAPORE MYANMAR INTERNATIONAL LEISURE ENTERPRISE (SMILE) consortium [ST940919]. P.D. INTERNATIONAL, PLANNERS & ENGINEERS, R.S.P. ARCHITECTS have formed another consortium - SINMARDEV - to build a 140 sq-km industrial park and commercial centre in the Syriam-Kyauktan region. The US$4 billion plan will incorporate 5 new satellite towns for one million people. The architect of the plan is Liu Thai Ker, former chief planner of Singapore and head of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Housing Board [ST940919]. S & B SHIPPING AND SERVICES is the local partner of US(Atlanta)-based UNITED PARCEL SERVICE which extended its service to Rangoon in Jun.94 [BT941003]. SIAM SYNTECH CONSTRUCTION PLC on 30 Sept, resolved to form SIAM SYNTECH CONSTRUCTION (S) PTE LTD to carry out construction in Vietnam and Burma. Authorized share capital = S$ 500,000 [BBC940930]. TECHMAT HOLDINGS PTE's new charter airline AIR MANDALAY signed a joint venture with state-owned Myanmar Airways to operate domestic flights between Rangoon, Mandalay, Heho and Pagan, and package tours to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket in Thailand. Air Mandalay holds 60% and Myanmar Airways 40% of the US$35 million investment. Four French-made ATR72-210s will be used [N941011]. MALAYSIA: Tycoon Robert Kuok Hok Nien of the Shangri-La Group is offering investors an opportunity to invest in the Myanmar Fund on the Dublin Stock Exchange in Ireland. The Fund is seeking to raise US$100 million. It was established by KERRY SECURITIES and is managed by KERRY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, both owned by Kuok and based in Hong Kong. Halpin Ho, a Burmese-Chinese based in Bangkok is Director of the Fund. He is also director of Hong Kong-based Irrawaddy Advisors Ltd that helps investors put together ventures in Burma. The Myanmar Fund might invest US$20 million into a business complex that the Ho family is organizing in Burma [FT940526, BD9410/11]. Kuok and Ho are part of the informal network of overseas Chinese businessmen who dominate the economies of ASEAN - Ed. INDONESIA: The INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT wants to help promote SLORC's tourist industry. The message was conveyed to Lieut-General Kyaw Ba, Minister for Hotels and Tourism, on 7 Sept by Ambassador Mohammed Sanoesi in Rangoon. Indonesia suggested that tourists from Europe travelling to Indonesia could overnight in Rangoon instead of Bangkok or Singapore and in return, tourists in Indonesia could be flown directly to Rangoon. The ambassador also advised SLORC to take part in the Pacific and Asia Travel Association (PATA). Kyaw Ba followed up the interest by visiting Bali for three days at the end of Sept [X940908, AFP940929]. JAPAN: FUJITSU is finalizing plans to locate a new computer peripherals factory in Burma. Its Thai subsidiary's production capacity has reached a maximum and the new factory will be a satellite facility developing eventually into a full-fledged export base primarily to the USA [JIJ940802]. U.S.A.: ATLANTIC RICHFIELD CO (ARCO) wants to develop Burma's oil and gas resources. ARCO's Mark Sawyer met with Colonel Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Energy on 5 Oct [AFP941006]. Write: Lodwrick M Cook, CEO, ARCO, 515 South Flower St, Los Angeles, CA.90071, USA. Tel: 1 (213) 486-3511 and/or Marlan W Downey, President, ARCO International Oil and Gas Company, 2300 West Piano Parkway, Piano, Texas 75075-8499, USA. Tel: 1 (214) 754-4002. FRIENDSHIP AIRBORNE TOURS INC is offering a tour of exotic Burma in 1995. It includes training and jumping (by parachute) with the Burma Army, earning Burma Army Paratrooper Wings and an Airborne Certificate, and an anti-terrorist special operations demonstration by Burmese Airborne Rangers. Contact: Dr Frank Osanka, 82 Woodfield Court, Racine, WI.53402, USA. Tel: 1 (414) 639-0780, Fax: 639-7686. VISIT MYANMAR YEAR - 1996 SLORC has declared 1996 to be `Visit Myanmar Year.' Under the military, Burmese people have been isolated from the world since 1962. A large inflow of tourists may create quite a culture shock for the populace. To help prepare the people for 1996, BURMA ALERT is publishing and will continue to publish fax numbers in Burma. Readers are urged to send news and information to the following numbers. A word of caution: SLORC's intelligence services may be monitoring the fax traffic. Unless the recipient is a SLORC operative, please do not repeatedly send to the same number. The person at the other end might be interrogated or even arrested. You may also want to remove your return number before sending the faxes. If possible, send to all the numbers listed: Barani Hotel 95 (1) 23104 Thai Military Bank 95 (1) 23127 Dream World 95 (1) 23160 Myanmar Media International 95 (1) 26773 Sri Asia Tourism Service 95 (1) 27070 Golden Burma Trading Co 95 (1) 31178 Myanmar-Yangon Duty Free 95 (1) 32717 Columbus Travel/Tours 95 (1) 33063 Novel Garden Hotel 95 (1) 33879 King Hotel 95 (1) 34049 Princess Inn 95 (1) 34096 Mya Yeik Nyo Royal 95 (1) 38318 Golden Land Travel Service 95 (1) 61900 Golden Land Travel Service 95 (1) 62624 Mya Yeik Nyo Deluxe 95 (1) 65052 Myanmar VES Joint Venture 95 (1) 65503 Myanmar Silver/Ruby 95 (1) 65645 Nawarat Hotel 95 (1) 67777 Aung Associates 95 (1) 72552 YMCA Rangoon 95 (1) 73825 View Point Myanmar Arts 95 (1) 83063 Golden Land Travel Service 95 (1) 83898 Shwe Yee Win Co 95 (1) 84670 Purple Plain Travel/Tours 95 (1) 84981 Mya Kyun Tha Co 95 (1) 86185 Dandaryi Travel/Tours 95 (1) 86429 Happiness Tours Co 95 (1) 86686 Myanmar International Moving 95 (1) 87806 Tai Kwan Travel/Tours 95 (1) 87887 Golden Land Jewellery/Gems 95 (1) 89007 Ambika Tour Agency 95 (1) 89582 Shining Moon Co 95 (1) 89648 Strand Hotel 95 (1) 89880 Peninsula Enterprise 95 (1) 89885 Charle's Michels Garment 95 (1) 89960 Akai Travel/Tours 95 (1) 89961 Airborne Travel/Tours 95 (1) 91303 Cozy Guest House 95 (1) 92239 Moon Light Hotel 95 (1) 92885 Blue Diamond International 95 (1) 94174 MCC Business Centre 95 (1) 94724 Ministry of Mines 95 (1) 65092 Dir, Hotels/Tourism 95 (1) 82535 Ministry of Trade 95 (1) 89578 Ministry of Tourism 95 (1) 89588 Ministry of Tourism 95 (1) 89604 Ministry of Health 95 (1) 90581 UNDP Rangoon 95 (1) 92739 Embassy - Manila 63 (2) 817-5895 Permanent Mission - New York 1 (212) 737-2421 Embassy - Ottawa 1 (613) 232-6435 Embassy - Washington DC 1 (202) 332-9046 Readers are requested to fax or e-mail additional numbers in their possession to the BURMA ALERT at: Fax: 1 (819) 647-5403, E-mail: yawnghwe@hookup.net. Thank you. STOP THE PIPELINES! The multinational oil companies claim that they are not involved in politics and that they are only doing business. But it is clear that their business contract with the military will provide SLORC with hard currency to buy more arms and continue suppressing the Burmese people. Write to Unocal's external Board of Directors: * Malcolm Currie, Former Chairman, Hughes Aircraft Corp, P.O.Box 45066, Los Angeles, CA.90045, USA; * John Amerman, CEO Mattel Inc, 333 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CA.90404, USA; * MacDonald Becket, 1011 Celadon Dr, Durango, CO.81301, USA; * Richard Eamer, CEO, National Medical Enterprise, P.O.Box 4070, Santa Monica, CA.90404, USA; * Ann McLaughlin, CEO, New American Schools, 1000 Wilson Blvd, Suite 2, Arlington, VA.22209-2230, USA; * Frank Herringer, CEO, Transamerica Corp, 600 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA.94111, USA; * Donald Jacobs, Dean, J. L. Kellogs Graduate School of Business, 2001 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL.60208, USA; and * Charles Weaver, Former Chairman, Clorox Company, 1221 Broadway Ave, Oakland, CA.94612, USA.