Burma Alert, February 1995

Volume 6, No.2


Headlines

U.N. ENVOY DENIED ACCESS

UN Assistant Secretary-General, Alvaro de Soto, representing Secretary-General Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, visited Rangoon, 5-8 Feb. He wasaccompanied by Francesc Vendrell, Director of the East Asia and Pacific Division of the UN's Political Affairs Department. The UN envoy was in Rangoonto continue the UN's dialogue with SLORC which was started in Oct.94. TheUN delegation requested and was refused permission to see Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.The UN officials were reportedly disappointed by SLORC's response to therequest. It is also understood that no progress was made in the UN-SLORC dialogue [Reu950213, VOA950207].

RAMOS WELCOMES N.L.D.

President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines welcomed a delegation of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) at Malaca\~nan Palace on 10 February. The delegation headed by Chairman U Win Khet was attending a meeting of the Socialist International - Asia Pacific Committee. President Ramos expressedsupport for the people of Burma's quest for democracy and referred to hisexperience at the EDSA Revolution in 1986 when the Filipino people overthrewFerdinand Marcos. The NLD(LA) delegation also met with former President Corazon Aquino and former Foreign Minister Raul Manglapus. Aquino is a Co-President and Manglapus is the Secretary-General of the Forum for Democratic Leaders in the Asia Pacific, which was set up in December 1994 in Seoul. The FDL-AP has established a Burma Commission to promote Burmese democracy. The NLD(LA) will be opening an information office in Manila and the Burma Support Group established in July 1994 when Dr Sein Win visitedwas strengthened [NLD950215].

CHUAN ORDERS ASSISTANCE

On 11 Feb, Thai government spokesman Akapol Soensuchart said that Prime MinisterChuan Leekpai has ordered the Third Army Region, the Governor of Tak and thePolice Department to provide safety and assistance to Karen refugees in Thailand."The Prime Minister is concerned because the refugees are fleeing for theirlives and it would not be right to mistreat them,'' he said [BPWR950224].

NORWAY PROVIDES ASSISTANCE

The Norwegian Government, concerned about the SLORC offensive against Manerplawand Dagwin, immediately provided NOK 1.8 million (US$250,000) in humanitarian assistance to the Burmese democracy movement. State Secretary Egeland madethe announcement after meeting on 10 Feb at the Foreign Ministry with Prime Minister Dr Sein Win of the National Coalition Government. Norway will also examine thepossibility of a UN Security Council action against SLORC [NBC950210].

KNU LEADER KIDNAPPED

A Karen National Union official was kidnapped from Ban Bae Krwa refugee camp in Thailand on 9 Feb by the Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization (DKBO). The official, Pado Mahn Yin Sein, 55, is the KNU Governor of Pa-an District, and the highest-ranking Buddhist in the KNU. Sim Bo, the Governor's nephew, MaungAye, the second Vice-Governor of Pa-an and son-in-law of Mahn Yin Sein, and Sai Jed, a KNU judge, were also kidnapped. Maung Aye later managed to escapebut the other three were taken to the SLORC Army camp at Moe Pa Zu, oppositeTak's Mae Ramat district. It is believed that the DKBO will attempt to persuade Mahn Yin Sein to join them [B950215, N950213]].

REFUGEE SUPPLIES SEIZED

On 8 Feb, DKBO and SLORC troops crossed the Salween river into Thailand andseized 400 sacks of rice provided for Karen refugees near Pu Kwe Hta village.They also ordered the refugees to cross back into Burma with them [ABSDF950214].

ABSDF BOAT AMBUSHED

An All Burma Students Democratic Front boat was ambushed on the Salween riveron 8 Feb by DKBO and SLORC troops, 15 miles north of Dagwin. All sevenstudents on board were wounded but 4 managed to swim to Thailand and escaped.The boat driver, Soe Naing was killed on the spot. Khin Tun Kyi, an ABSDFCentral Committee member, was wounded and captured. He was later summarily executed.The remaining student is still missing but presumed to be dead [ABSDF950214].


Burma News:

AUNG KHIN SINT RELEASED

Radio Rangoon announced that 23 political prisoners including Dr AungKhin Sint were released on 4 Feb. Aung Khin Sint, an NLD elected representative,was arrested in Aug.93 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for writing pamphletsprotesting SLORC's National Convention [N950206].

THAI - "EXCLUDE SLORC''

On 02 Feb, House Foreign Affair Committee chairman, Suthin Nopaket, said that SLORC should be excluded from the Association of South East Asian NationsRegional Summit planned for Dec.95, as a punishment for its capture of Manerplaw.Suthin said that SLORC's attack on Manerplaw ran counter to ASEAN's ConstructiveEngagement policy. The assault on Manerplaw is not just an internal Burmesematter, he said, because 10,000 people fled into Thailand. "We demand to see peace in Burma. Rangoon should treat its ethnic people gently because theyhave their rights. Burma must behave in order to achievedemocracy. It should release all prisoners of conscience, and Aung San Suu Kyiin particular. Thailand should not only look at the economic gains itwould get from Burma. The human life issue is more important than anythingelse,'' he added. According to Suthin, excluding SLORC will send a clear message to the Burmese junta to "shape up'' [AFP950202, B950203].

CASINO OPENS ON BORDER

On 19 Jan, the "Wa and Burma VIP Casino" opened in Tachilek. It is less than1/2 km from Thailand's Mae Sai. The Casino is reported to be a joint venture between Thai businessmen and Wa leaders previously aligned with the Communist Party of Burma. The Casino is operating with the unofficial permission of SLORC. Thai authorities are concerned that Thais, rather than foreign tourists, will be lured to the gambling den [B950127].


Passage:

U NU,

87, Burma's first post-independence Prime Minister, passed away in Rangoon on 14 Feb.95 of heart failure. Born in 1907 in Wakema, Myaungmya District, U Nu graduated from Rangoon University in 1929. He returned toread Law and was elected President of the RU Students Union in 1935. Afterthe assassination of General Aung San in 1946, U Nu took over the leadership of the Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League. Prime Minister from 1948-1958 and 1960-62, he was deposed in a military coup led by then Army Chief General Ne Win. He was imprisoned until 1966 and in 1969 travelled to Thailand to lead the Parliamentary Democracy Party against Ne Win. After his efforts on the Thai-Burmese border failed, U Nu went into exile in 1973 in India.He returned to Burma under a 1980 amnesty. During the 1980's he avoided politics and spent much of his time quietly but emerged again in 1988 when democracy demonstrations swept Burma. In September 1988, just before the formation of SLORC, he declared himself Prime Minister of a parallelgovernment. He was placed under house arrest by the SLORC from Dec.88 toApr.92. Present at his death were his son, U Aung, and daughters, Daw ThanThan Nu and Dr Cho Cho Nu [Reu950214].

YAN GYI AUNG,

26, a Karen activist, died in prison in March 1994from cholera, after receiving no treatment. Raised in Pa-an, he fled toManerplaw after the 1988 uprising. In 1989, he returned to Burma under anamnesty offer, but he was arrested and sentenced to death by a militarytribunal in 1990. His sentence was commuted to life after influential monks in Karen State appealed on his behalf.


International:

ENGAGE OR ISOLATE ?

The Harvard Institute for International Development organized a workshop on"Burma: Constructive Engagement or Isolation,'' on 20 Dec.94. Panellistsincluded Lucien Pye, MIT, Sydney Jones, Asia Watch and Joan Plaisted, US StateDepartment.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

The University of Toronto's Centre for South Asian Studies in associationwith the Canadian Friends of Burma presented a symposium, "Politics andthe Economy of Burma Today'' on 17-18 Feb. Speakers included Paul Copeland,barrister, Ronald Findlay, Columbia U, Peter Globensky, InternationalCentre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, Bush Gulati, George BrownCollege, Israel Halperin, U of Toronto, Brian John, McMaster U, Kyi May Kaung,U of Pennsylvania, Mya Maung, Boston College, Josef Silverstein, Rutgers U,and Murray Thompson, CFOB.

LAND OF TYRANNY

The Burma Forum and Orange Coast College will present a Symposium on: "Burma - Land of Tyranny, Aids and Source of Heroin'' on 29 April 95,at Orange Coast College. Registration form and brochures are availablefrom Fax: 1 (714) 635-7266 (Att: Burma Forum).

MASSACHUSETTS ROUNDTABLE

The Massachussetts Burma Roundtable meets every second Monday of the month, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Franklin Research & Development Corp, 711 Atlantic Ave., Boston. Information: Simon Billenness, tel. 1 (617) 423-6655 ext.225.

CAMPAIGN FOR A FREE BURMA

The Campaign For a Free Burma meets regularly at the offices of Citizens for Participation in Political Action (CPPAX) at 25 West Street, Boston. Information: 1 (617) 426-3040.

PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS

The International Parliamentary Friends of Burma is meeting 30 Mar.95, at the Informal Meeting room, Conference Centre, Madrid, Spain. Information: Anne Hazelton, tel. 61 (6) 277-2000.

CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

An international movement supported by more than 100 Nobel Laureates and leaders in all walks of life, has launched a campaign for the freedom of1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Campaign is seeking to stopeconomic support for SLORC. Information: Prof Israel Halperin, Dept of Mathematics, U of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1.


Publications:

THE MON: PERSECUTED IN BURMA

Human Rights Watch/Asia on 1 Dec.94, released a 23-page report entitled "The Mon: Persecuted In Burma, Forced Back From Thailand''. The reportdocuments human rights violations by SLORC and the abuses by the Thai government of the Mon people. Available from: Human Rights Watch/Asia, 485 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 100017-6104, USA.

HUMAN RIGHTS STILL DENIED

Amnesty International in Nov.94, published a 24-page report entitled, "Myanmar--Human Rights Still Denied''. Available from: Amnesty International,International Secretariat, 1 Easton St, London, WC1X 8DJ, UK.

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER

"Towards an Asian Human Rights Charter: The Draft of the Charter on Asian Human Rights'' by the Asian Human Rights Commission is now available. Your comments on fundamental issues relating to the concept of human rights, as well as problems relating to the enforcement of human rights standards,are invited. The Asian Legal Resource Center, AHRC, CCA Center, Pak Tin Village, Mei Tin Road, Shatin, Hongkong. Tel: (852) 698-6339, Fax: (852) 698-6367, E-mail: AHRC@craver.air.org.

H.R. INFORMATION MANUAL

"Human Rights Information Manual: Tools for Grassroots Action,'' is available from Burma Issues, P.O. Box 1076, Silom P O, Bangkok 10504.

UNOCAL ACTION PACKET

The Burma Forum and L.A. Rainforest Action Project have prepared a UNOCAL Action Packet. This can be used to approach Unocal/Union 76 outlets in your area. To receive a packet, e-mail your mailing address to Tamar Hurwitz of the Rainforest Action Network at ranla@igc.apc.org.

Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City by Paul Strachan.

The anecdotes in Mandalay deal mainly with Burma's long isolation and the country's distinctive Buddhist culture. Available from Kiscadale Publications, Gartmore, Scotland, Tel: 08772 776 [F941222]

The Life of the Buddha by Patricia Herbert.

An introduction to the story of the Buddha and rich Buddhist art of Burma. Published Apr./93. Available from Kiscadale Publications.

Burmese Puppets by Noel F. Singer.

This book describes the customs, regulations and changing patterns of this art form as well as the efforts being made to keep the tradition alive. Published Feb/93. Available from Kiscadale Publications.

Who Killed Aung San? by Kin Oung.

This provides a graphic reconstruction of a controversial episode in Burmese history - the murder of U Aung San and his six ministerial colleagues on 19 July 1947. First Edition May/93. Available from White Lotus UK, 12 Slaidburn St., London SW10 OJP, United Kingdom.

TWILIGHT OVER BURMA

"Twilight Over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess'' by Inge Sargent was published in Sep.94 by the U of Hawaii Press. Available from Trevor Brown Associates, Bilke House, 1st Floor, Malet St., London WC1E 7JA. Tel: 071-436-1874 Fax: 071-436-1868.

RELIEF NOTES 1994

A summary of events in '94 by the Buddhist Relief Mission and Burmese Relief Center-Japan. Address: 266-27 Ozuku, Kashihara, Nara 634, Japan. Tel: 81 (7442) 2-8236 Fax: 4-6254.

KAYAN & KAYIN IDENTITY

"On the Development of Kayah and Kayan National Identity: A study and a Bibliography'' by Jean-Marc Rastorfer, is available from Southeast Asian Publishing House, Bangkok. The paper discusses Kayah State problems.

SHAN AGENCY FOR NEWS

An eight-page report of the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) givingthe background and aims of the organization, is available from: S.H.A.N., P.O. Box 101, Wianghaeng District, Chiangmai 50350, Thailand.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA

The Australian Parliament has compiled in two volumes, 17 submissions in response to its inquiry on the "Situation of human rights and lack of progress towards democracy in Myanmar(Burma)''. Available from Ms. Margaret Swieringa, the Secetary, Human Rights Sub-Committee, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Parliament House, Canberra, Act 2600, Australia.


Speech:

FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA

National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Chairman U Win Khet spoke atthe meeting of the Socialist International - Asia Pacific Committee, 11-12 February 1995 in Manila. Following are excerpts:

... The military dictatorship in Rangoon known as SLORC tried to legitimize and consolidate its position (in 1994)... It at first seemed that SLORC might succeed... New hotel investments especially from Singapore, increased trade delegations and the sale of Burmese natural gas also boosted SLORC's income. However, ...the Karen, Mon, and Karenni ethnic resistance armies withstood pressure to sign military cease-fires with SLORC. Instead, they pushed for expanding the cease-fire talks to include a political dialogue; ...four of the thirteen ethnic armies that had previously signed cease-fire agreements ...called for political reforms including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; the Shans who have previously not joined the democracy movement ... also recently called for a political settlement; SLORC has not been able to complete the National Convention process as delegates refused to accept the new Constitution which would give the military the legal right to guide Burma's future; the meetings between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the SLORC generals were discontinued as she insisted on consulting her colleagues in the NLD who are still in prison; the Philippines ...last July... effectively kept SLORC out of ASEAN; the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma reported that in spite of reported changes ...the move towards democracy or the human rights situation had not improved; and the UN General Assembly passed its fourth consecutive consensus resolution against SLORC in December.... Frustrated by its political setbacks, it (SLORC) launched a military offensive against our headquarters. When it became clear that heavy casualties would result ...Manerplaw was abandoned by the defence forces of the Karen National Union on 26 January. These events reveal ... (that)SLORC was never serious about a political solution to Burma's problems; if necessary, SLORC will attempt to remain in power by force; SLORC is prepared to divide the country further, to remain in power; it will continue to try and deceive the international community; SLORC does not recognize the enormous problem it is facing; (and that) the situation in Burma can get out of hand affecting regional security and prosperity...
...SLORC is like a drunkard struggling to keep on his feet at the edge of a cliff... If SLORC were to fall ... it will take the nation of Burma and itspeople with it. The question is how to save the Burmese people?According to SLORC and the military, they have been `saving' Burma for the last 33 years. But instead we see the country becoming increasingly fragmented under successive military regimes. The attack on Manerplaw is a typical example of how the military is destroying the nation. Instead of responding positively to the Karen people's request for political talks, SLORC built up its forces. At the same time, it exploited a difference of opinion within the KNU, and split the group along religious lines. Claiming that the Christian leadership in the KNU was discriminatory, SLORC gave support to a group of dissidents to form a Buddhist Karen group. This attracted about 5-10% of the KNU, who then gave away strategic secrets essential for the defence of Manerplaw. SLORC like its predecessor, is a very destructive force. It does not know how to build up a nation. Its only aim is to remain in power even if it ends up destroying the nation.
Is the Burmese democratic movement defeated because of the fall of Manerplaw? Will SLORC now succeed in consolidating its power? No, ...The KNU troops were not destroyed at Manerplaw. Instead, the Karen troops slipped behind enemy lines and are now continuing to fight as a guerilla army. Given SLORC's purchase of almost US$2 billion worth of arms from China, it is the only logical way to respond. Defending Manerplaw would not have given us any strategic advantage... The main thing SLORC has done ...by attacking Manerplaw is to show the world that it was deceiving the international community. Last October, SLORC told the UN that it was working for national reconciliation. It is now no longer possible for anyone to believe that claim. All the various policies on Burma including ASEAN's Constructive Engagement policy, Australia's `Benchmark' policy, the European Union's `Critical Dialogue' and the US's `Two Visions' will have to be reconsidered. The world was ready to accommodate SLORC if it was willing to be reasonable. By attacking Manerplaw, SLORC ...is challenging the international community.... SLORC's return to the use of force shows how much it is losing political control in Burma. I am confident that as the momentum grows, SLORC will be forced to negotiate a real political settlement with the ethnic peoples of Burma and the democracy movement.

The SI Asia Pacific Committee adopted a resolution which called on all of SI's 111-member parties to assist the NLD(LA) restore democracy in Burma. The Committee will also attempt to send an SI mission to Burma.


SLORC:

MYANMAR DEFENCE SERVICES

The State Law and Order Restoration Council seized power on 18 September 1988. Despite losing a general election in 1990, the number in the ruling elite has more than tripled:

State Law & Order Restoration Council

(January 1995)
RANK:		NAME:		TRAINING:

01. S-Gen 	Than Shwe * 	OTS-09
02. Gen 	Maung Aye 	DSA-1
03. V-Adm 	Mg Mg Khin * 	UK
04. L-Gen 	Tin Tun * 	UK
05. L-Gen 	Khin Nyunt 	OTS-25
06. L-Gen 	Tin Oo		OTS-22
07. L-Gen 	Aung Ye Gyaw * 	OTS-06
08. L-Gen 	Phone Myint 	OTS-09
09. L-Gen 	Sein Aung * 	OTS-10
10. L-Gen 	Chit Swe * 	OTS-08
11. L-Gen 	Myint Aung * 	OTS-12
12. L-Gen 	Maung Hla 	OTS-22
13. L-Gen 	Kyaw Ba *	OTS-21
14. L-Gen 	Maung Thint * 	OTS-18
15. L-Gen 	Mya Thinn * 	OTS-09
16. L-Gen 	Kyaw Min * 	OTS-14
17. L-Gen 	Tun Kyi * 	DSA-1
18. L-Gen 	Aye Thaung * 	OTS-13
19. L-Gen 	Myo Nyunt * 	OTS-18
20. M-Gen 	Soe Myint 	OTS-26
21. M-Gen 	Nyan Lin 	DSA-1

Note: Than Shwe is SLORC Chairman. Khin Nyunt is Secretary-1, and Tin Oo is Secretary-2. (*) = Cabinet Minister. S-Gen = Senior General, V-Adm = Vice Admiral, L-Gen = Lieutenant General, M-Gen = Major General, OTS = OfficerTraining School, and DSA = Defence Services Academy.

The SLORC Cabinet

(January 1995)
RANK:		NAME:		POSITION:

01. S-Gen 	Than Shwe * 	PM
02. S-Gen 	Than Shwe * 	Defence
03. V-Adm 	Mg Mg Khin * 	D-PM
04. L-Gen 	Tin Tun * 	D-PM
05. L-Gen 	Aung Ye Kyaw * 	Culture
06. L-Gen 	Sein Aung *	Industry 1
07. L-Gen 	Chit Swe * 	Forests
08. L-Gen 	Myint Aung * 	Agri
09. L-Gen 	Kyaw Ba * 	Hotels
10. L-Gen 	Maung Thint * 	Border A
11. L-Gen 	Mya Thinn * 	Home
12. L-Gen 	Kyaw Min * 	Mines
13. L-Gen 	Tun Kyi * 	Trade
14. L-Gen 	Aye Thaung * 	Labour
15. L-Gen 	Myo Nyunt * 	Religious
16. V-Adm 	Than Nyunt 	Health
17. L-Gen 	Thein Win 	Transport
18. B-Gen 	David Abel 	Planning
19. B-Gen 	Myo Thant 	Info
20. B-Gen 	Thaung Myint 	Soc Wel
21. B-Gen 	Win Tin 	Finance
22. B-Gen 	Maung Maung 	Livestock
23. B-Gen 	Lun Maung 	P.M.O.
24. Col 	Pe Thein 	P.M.O.
25.		Pan Aung 	Education
26.		Ohn Gyaw 	Foreign
27. L-Col 	Khin M Thein 	Energy
28. Col 	Win Sein Rail 	Transp
29. Col 	Than Shwe 	Industry 2
30.		Soe Tha 	Comm
31.		Khin M Yin 	Constr
32.		Than Aung 	Coop
33. Col. 	Aung Thaung 	DM Trade
34. Col 	Than Zin 	DM Health
35. Col 	Kyi Maung 	DM Education
36. Col 	Nyunt Swe 	DM Foreign
37. L-Col 	Hlaing Win 	DM Mines 1
38. Col 	Tin Hlaing 	DM Home
39. L-Col 	San Wai 	DM Transp
40.		Thein Sein 	DN Info
41.		Myint Thein 	DM Mines 2
42.		Kyaw Aye 	DM Religious
43.		Tin Hlaing 	DM Agri
44.		Win Naing 	DM Soc Wel
45.		Tin Tun 	DM Energy
46. Col 	Aung San 	DM Constr
47. L-Col 	Soe Nyunt 	DM Culture
48. L-Col 	Than Nyunt 	DM Industry 1
49.		Saw Tun 	DM Industry 2
50.		Kyaw Tin 	DM Border A

Note: (*) = Member of SLORC, PM = Prime Minister, D-PM = Deputy Prime Minister, P.M.O. = Prime Minister's Office, DM = Deputy Minister, B-Gen = Brigadier General, Col = Colonel, and L-Col = Lieutenant Colonel, Agri = Agriculture,Border A = Border Areas Development, Soc Wel = Social Welfare, P.M.O. = Prime Minister's Office, Comm = Communications, Constr = Construction, Coop = Cooperatives, and DM = Deputy Minister.

The War Office, Rangoon

(January 1995)
RANK:		NAME:		POSITION

01. S-Gen 	Than Shwe ** 	C of S
02. Gen 	Maung Aye * 	V-C of S
03. Gen 	Maung Aye * 	C-in-C/A
08. L-Gen 	Khin Nyunt * 	DDSI/OSS
11. L-Gen 	Tin Oo * 	Spc Ops 1
10. L-Gen 	Maung Hla * 	Spc Ops 2
09. L-Gen 	Myint Aung ** 	Adj-Gen
04. V-Adm 	Than Nyunt * 	C-in-C/N
05. L-Gen 	Thein Win * 	C-in-C/AF
06. L-Gen 	Sein Aung **
07. L-Gen 	Chit Swe **
12. Cmdr 	Tin Aye 	C of S/N
13. B-Gen 	Tin Ngwe 	C of S/AF
14. M-Gen 	Min Thein 	Qtm-Gen
15. B-Gen 	Tin Aye 	Insp-Gen
16. B-Gen 	Than Oo 	J Advo-Gen
17. B-Gen 	David Abel 	Procurement
18. B-Gen 	Aung Thein 	Psycho War
19. B-Gen 	Kyaw Win 	Medi Serv
20. B-Gen 	Nyunt Tin 	Arty/Armour
21. B-Gen 	Than Htay 	Supp/Transp
22. B-Gen 	Thein Tun 	Ordnance
23. B-Gen 	Saw Lwin 	Training
24. B-Gen 	Win Shein 	El/Me Eng
25. B-Gen 	Thaung Myint 	Army Eng
26. B-Gen 	Myint Lwin 	M Police
27. Col 	Sein Lay 	Signals
28. Col 	Ye Htut 	DS Museum
29. Col 	Khin Mg Win 	D Industries
30. Col 	Myo Swe 	Resettlement
31. Col 	Aung Naing 	DS Academy
32. Col 	San Aung 	Staff College
33. L-Col 	Kyaw Win 	D-DDSI

Note: (*) Member of SLORC or Cabinet, (**) = Member of SLORC and also Cabinet Minister, C of S = Chief of Staff, VC of S = Vice-Chief of Staff, C-in-C/A= Commander-in-Chief, Army, /N = Navy, /AF = Air Force, DDSI = Directorateof Defence Services Intelligence, OSS = Office of Strategic Studies, Spc Ops = Special Operations Bureau, Adj-Gen = Adjutant General, Qtm-Gen = Quartermaster General, Insp-Gen = Inspector General, J-Advo-Gen = JudgeAdvocate General, Arty = Artillery, El/Me Eng = Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, M Police = Military Police, DS = Defence Services, D Industries= Defence Industries, D-DDSI = Deputy Director, DDSI.

Regional Commands

(March 1995)
RANK:		NAME:		COMMAND:

1. L-Gen 	Myo Nyunt ** 	Rgn, OTS-18
2. M-Gen 	Aye Kyaw 	NE, OTS-28
3. M-Gen 	Saw Tun 	E, OTS-29 ?
4. M-Gen 	Soe Myint * 	S, OTS-26
5. M-Gen 	Saw Lwin 	N, OTS-26
6. M-Gen 	Hla Myint Soe 	NW, OTS-30
7. M-Gen 	Kyaw Than 	C, OTS-25
8. M-Gen 	Win Myint 	W, OTS-27
9. M-Gen 	Tin Hla 	SW, DSA-3
10.M-Gen 	Ket Sein 	SE, OTS-29 ?

Main Combat Units - Light Infantry Divisions

(March 1993)
RANK: 	NAME:		TRAINING: 	UNIT & BASE:

B-Gen 	Khin M Than 	OTS-31 	11 LID Hlegu
Col 	Tin Ngwe 	OTS-30 	22 LID Pa-an
Col 	Tin Htut 	OTS-30 	33 LID Sagaing
Col 	Tint Lwin 	OTS-29 	44 LID Thaton
Col 	Aung Htwe 	OTS-29 	55 LID Aungban
Col 	Nyunt Tin 	DSA-7 	66 LID Prome
Col 	Sein Htwa 	OTS-29 	77 LID Pegu
Col 	Kyi Aung 	OTS-32 	88 LID Magwe
Col 	San Maung 	OTS-32 	99 LID Meiktila
			101 LID Pakokku

Military Attaches in SLORC Embassies

(March 1993)
RANK: 	NAME:		TRAINING: 	EMBASSY:

Col 	Kyi Tun 	OTS-29 	Washington DC
Col 	Myo Myint 	DSA-6 	Moscow
Col 	Thein Kyi 	OTS-29 	Beijing
Col 	Saw Khin Soe 	DSA-4 	Tokyo
Col 	Aung Thein 	DSA-4 	Seoul
Col 	Hla Myint Kyaw 	DSA-4 	New Delhi
Col 	Aung Nwe		Islamabad
Col	Tin Win			Dhaka
Col (AF) Tin Htay		Jakarta
Col 	Soe Tint 	OTS-29 	Kuala Lumpur
L-Col (AF) Thein Swe 	DSA-10 	Bangkok

BUSINESS IN BURMA

1 February 1995

"Eddie Bauer is a company that believes in global sourcing of merchandise...However, after carefully reviewing the current situation in Burma, the companyhas decided to move its future business from all Burmese factories to otherfactories around the world upon fulfilment of current contracts... Afterseveral months of researching the situation, we deemed that the politicalclimate and growing opposition to trade in Burma posed a potential threat toour future manufacturing opportunities... We can no longer support futurebusiness in Burma.''

Contacts:

WOMEN OF BURMA

MON WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION, P O Box 1, Sanglaburi, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

KARENNI WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION, P O Box 19, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand

KAREN WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION, P O Box 5, Mae Sot, Tak 63110, Thailand

WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF SHAN STATE, P O Box 41, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand

INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, P O Box 169, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Tel/Fax: 66 (53) 278-945.

NEWS GROUPS

Asian HR Commission Fax: 852 698-6367

Burma Affairs Fax: 44 (171) 924-3147

Burma Alert Fax: 1 (819) 657-5403

Burma B\"uro Fax: 49 (2173) 83364

Burma Issues Fax: 66 (2) 631-0133

Burma Monitor Fax: 1 (718) 854-5910

Burma Review Fax: 1 (718) 639-8009

Burmese Relief Fax: 81 (7442) 46254

CRDB Bulletin Fax: 1 (714) 635-7266

DVB Radio, Oslo Fax: 47 2211-4988

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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.


BURMESE STUDENTS UNITE

On 12 Feb.95, Union Day, the Democratic Burmese Students' Organization (Japan)and the All-Burma Students Democratic Organization (Australia), issued a joint statement. They rejected SLORC's national convention, and called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, the recognition of all democratically elected representatives in the 1990 elections, and an arms embargo and economic santions against SLORC.

INTERNATIONAL ACTION URGED

On 27 Jan, the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development urged the Canadian government and the international community to take action to assist in restoring democracy and peace in Burma. President Ed Broadbent urged Heads of State of nations that co-sponsored UN Resolutionsto take stronger action.


Foreign Investments:

U.S.

Two more Petroleum concessions have been awarded to two US firms. US oil giant Texaco Inc. is expected to receive the rights to survey petroleum block number 10, located near the Yadana gas field. Texaco a shareholder of Caltex Oil Co. has a substantial retail network in Thailand. Dallas-based Caltex is also investing in a massive refinery complex in Rayong. It is also negotiating with PTT to supply the natural gas from Yetagun track in Burma to PTT. The name of the other firm has not been disclosed but the new concession awarded covers blocks 12, 13 and 14 in the Gulf of Mataban, near the Yadana gas field. [N950206]


NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE:
ABSDF = All Burma Students Democratic Front,
AFP = Agence France Presse,
B = Bangkok Post,
BPWR = Bangkok Post Weekly Review,
N = The Nation, Bangkok,
NBC = Norwegian Burma Council,
NLD = National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), Burma,
Reu = Reuters, and
VOA = Voice of America.