Burma Alert, August 1995

Volume 6, No.8


U.N. PUSHES FOR DIALOGUE

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Alvaro de Soto, on behalf of UN Secretary-General Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, travelled to Rangoon on 13 Aug to meet with leaders of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in order to facilitate a dialogue to restore democracy in Burma. Since 1991, the UN has passed four consensus resolutions calling for SLORC to honour the results of the 1990 elections. Prior to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Jul.94, SLORC accepted a UN invitation to discuss human rights and the political situation in Burma. Four rounds of inconclusive talks have been held since then. On his last visit to Burma in Feb.95, de Soto was denied permission to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was then still under house arrest. This time, de Soto conferred twice with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi together with leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD). He also met separately with U Aung Shwe, the leader of the NLD delegation to SLORC's National Convention. SLORC, however, snubbed de Soto. Apart from a courtesy call on General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of SLORC and several meetings with Foreign Minister U Ohn Gyaw, the UN envoy did not get a chance to have any serious discussions with SLORC. An appointment with Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt, SLORC Secretary 1, was cancelled at the last minute citing `a conflict in the General's schedule' [UN950822, FT950814].

ASEAN KEEN TO INCLUDE SLORC

ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, at the end of July, welcomed SLORC's accession to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and its application for Observer status. If SLORC manages to avoid making major political errors, it will be admitted as an Observer at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting next year in Indonesia. As an Observer, SLORC will automatically be given a place in the 19-country ASEAN Regional Forum which involves virtually all the world powers. Vietnam was admitted as the seventh ASEAN member nation on 28 July and Cambodia was welcomed as an Observer. Members are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore, and Thailand. Laos is an Observer. The ASEAN Ministers stressed their unanimous agreement on expanding the regional body to become the `ASEAN Ten.' Thai Foreign Minister Kasem S Kasemsri defended ASEAN's Constructive Engagement policy with SLORC and said that it had advanced the cause of democracy in Burma. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said that the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi demonstrated SLORC's seriousness in ``its efforts to improve the political and socio-economic conditions of the Burmese people.'' The European Union and Australia, however, called for more solid evidence of genuine political and human rights improvement before improving relations. ASEAN's other dialogue partners are Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the USA [BPWR950811].

THAIS BOW TO SLORC PRESSURE

In an attempt to improve Thai-Burmese relations which had deteriorated since the beginning of the year, Thai Foreign Minister Kasem Kasemsri announced on 24 Aug.95 that Deputy Prime Minister Somboon Rahong will host SLORC Secretary 1, Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt before the ASEAN Summit on Dec.14-15. Khin Nyunt's visit scheduled for Mar.95 was postponed after SLORC troops intruded into Thailand. Both the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa are anxious to visit Burma to improve relations. SLORC has accused Thailand of providing assistance to ethnic armies fighting Rangoon and has closed all border crossings to Thailand. The situation worsened when some Burmese fishermen were murdered on a Thai fishing vessel after they reported irregularities to SLORC officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will make a pilgrimage to Rangoon in Sep.95 to `improve relations'. Finance Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said that he is planning to approve a US\$12 million loan to SLORC at a 1.5\% interest rate for the proposed Mae Sai-Kengtung highway [BPWR950818/0901].

INFO BIRMANIE

``Bulletin collectif des association et des pariculiers soucieux d'un meiller avenir pour la Birmanie,'' a French language Burma newsletter is now available from: 14 passage Dubail, F-75010 Paris. Tel: 33 (1) 4035-0698, Fax: 4035-0620.


Burma News:

SLORC JAMS B.B.C./V.O.A.

The British Broadcasting Corporation said in a statement on 21 Aug.95 that for the first time in 55 years, its World Service broadcasts in Burmese were being jammed. The jamming began shortly after a BBC interview with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was broadcast. The speculation is that SLORC does not want the people of Burma to hear the political program of the democracy leader who was released on 10 Jul.95 after 6 years of house arrest. BBC's Asia Pacific head, Elizabeth Wright said that jamming violates international broadcasting regulations. ``There is no possible justification for this systematic interference with our broadcasts which are simply setting out to provide accurate and impartial information about what is going on in the world, including Burma,'' she said. The BBC's English language broadcasts into Burma were not affected by the jamming. The BBC's only other broadcast currently subject to jamming are Chinese language programs within China which have been blocked since the pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing in 1989. The Voice Of America has also confirmed that its Burmese-language broadcast to Burma is being jammed [F950907, Reu/Net950821].

SHANS RE-ORGANIZE

Following the defection in June of Major Karnyod from the Merng Tai Army (MTA), the Shan State Restoration Council was re-organized. Khun Sa, the alleged drug kingpin stepped down from his leadership position and a new 11-man Central Executive Committee was appointed on 12 August 1995. Sao Gunzate, a respected Shan leader became the Chairman. The SSRC immediately announced that it is willing to cooperate with all parties to bring about an end to opium cultivation in the Shan State. The Council also enunciated its policy to work for a democratic system of government where all ethnic groups living in the Shan State can enjoy unity and peace under the rule of law, and have their human rights respected. The SSRC re-affirmed the Shan State's right to full autonomy and its willingness to work with other states to form a new Union of Burma. The Shans also affirmed their commitment to resolving existing political problems through political means. Other Executive Committee members include: Sao Zarm Mai, Vice-Chairman 1; Sao Pha Lung, Vice-Chairman 2; Sao Kwan Merng, Secretary General; and Sao Hseng Yod, Assistant Secretary General; ans Executive Committee members: Sao Mong Khorn, Sao Khun Duan, Sao Kyaw Myint, Sao Kawfah, Sao Kyaw Mong, and Sao Sarya [SHAN9508].

NINE-POINT ARAKAN DEMAND

The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) or the Rakhine Democracy League (RDL), which won 11 of the 25 Arakan parliamentary seats in 1990 (the NLD won 8), issued a statement on 15 July 1995 after the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. To facilitate the building of a peaceful, prosperous and genuine federal union, the ALD urged SLORC to release all political prisoners, recognize the 1990 election results, re-instate all Members of Parliament `disqualified' by SLORC, dissolve the National Convention, declare a nation-wide cease-fire, repeal all undemocratic laws, agree to equality and self-determination for all, guarantee human rights and basic freedoms, and hold tripartite talks between the armed forces, the democracy movement and ethnic leaders. The ALD foreign representative office can be contacted at: Dr Shwe Lu Maung, P.O.Box 7475, Columbia, MO.65205-7475, USA.

N.L.D. VIDEO TAPES

Video tapes recorded 27 Aug - 10 Sep.95, covering discussions (in Burmese) between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD leaders and NLD officials from Irrawaddy Division, Kachin State and Moulmein Township are available. The video tapes, `Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect', Vols.1-8 are being distributed by NLD HQ to its members. For copies, send a check or international MO for US\$25 for vol.s 1-4, US\$15 for vol.5, and US\$35 for vol.s 6-8, payable to Htay H. Kyi at ISBDA, 202-601 Chohai 3-chome, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan 480-11. A set of 5 Audio Tapes (C60s) is also available for US\$ 25.

NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE:

BPWR = Bangkok Post Weekly Review,
F = Far Eastern Economic Review,
FT = Financial Times,
N = The Nation, Bangkok,
Reu = Reuters,
Net = BurmaNet,
SHAN = Shan Herald Agency for News,
UN = United Nations, and
WPD = New Light of Myanmar.


Interview with DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

(1 August 1995)

Following are excerpts from the interview conducted in Rangoon by Chief Editor Suthichai Yoon and Editor Thepchai Yong of the Nation from Bangkok:

How do you see your role in the next step of the political solution? I feel that my role is ...to unite the democratic forces and to revive those parts of our movement which have been intimidated in the last six years.

Would you and NLD be willing to be part of the National Convention? It all depends very much on the kind of national convention to which we are invited.... There are all kinds of national conventions.

You have criticized the National Convention drafting the new constitution.... (is it) on the right track? The draft constitution is certainly not heading on the track to democracy....They should be open to negotiations.

What basic principles do you want to see in the constitution? The basic principle of any genuine democratic government is that the people should be able to decide whom they want to be at the helm of the nation and when to remove these people. Every truly democratic government must have the mandate of the people and proper institutions to ensure that this mandate is given.

What kind of political role do you think the military would want to see you play? They might not all have the same opinion. It's possible that some military leaders think I should play a certain kind of role, while others think I should play another kind of role. I cannot speak for them at all. They did try to stop me from continuing my political role and offered me the freedom to leave the country.

Are you suggesting that there may be a split within the military leadership? No.... There may be differences of opinion as to what they want to see me do. I think on the whole they all agreed that it would be better for them if I left politics. But since I have not done so they may now have new ideas as to what they wish me to do.

Do you think the military should have a role in (the) future? The military, of course, has a role to play in the country because, after all, we need an army.

What about a political role? It's up to the people to decide. It's the people of Burma who must decide what role they wish to assign to which force within the country.

Personally, what do you think the role of the military should be? I have always said that I wish the military to be an honourable professional army because that is the best way they can protect their interests as well as the interests of the country. But what is important is how the people see their role.... Whatever role is assigned to whatever body, it will survive in the long run only if the people approve of it.

Are the military leaders on the right track in getting the minority groups to the negotiating table? Yes.... Cease fires mean a decrease in human suffering. But those are not permanent peace settlements and everybody has to admit that a cease fire is a cease fire. It is not ...peace. This is just the very first step. We will have to ...work for permanent peace.

How would you handle the problem of the minorities? There will have to be a negotiated settlement.... There are only two ways of settling conflict. Either you shoot each other or you talk. And I prefer talking.

What would be the proper framework for a real Union of Burma? First of all, we have to build up a climate of trust. This is what is missing in Burma. Until we build up a climate of trust we can't even start effective negotiations....So we have to show the ethnic people that there is a government which they can trust and which sympathizes with their aspirations and their problems. And then I think we have to take it from there. It is possible that some of the ethnic groups may already have their own suggestions as to what kind of framework they wish to be in place before they can negotiate effectively and it is also possible that the particular framework is something that will have to be negotiated.

Would you make the issue of the minorities a priority in your negotiation with the military leaders? The first thing is to start talking to each other. Then, of course, I accept that without the participation of the ethnic people we will not be able to really get lasting peace. So they certainly must come in.


Human Rights:

PARLIAMENTARIANS IN PRISON

Since 1991, the Inter-Parliamentary Union has been following the condition of Burmese Members of Parliament who were elected in the 27 May 1990 elections. The IPU's request to allow a fact-finding mission to Rangoon has been repeatedly turned down by SLORC. The following list was compiled by the IPU from information received from various sources including SLORC. Readers with specific information about any individual listed or others still detained but not on the list are requested to contact: The Secretary General, I.P.U., Place du Petit-Saconnex, Post Box 438, 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland. Tel: 41 (22) 734-4180, Fax: 733-3141.

NAME                  M.P. for               SENTENCE
Fazal Ahmed           Maungdaw 2              5yrs/03.93
Hla Than              Cocos Island           10yrs/04.91
Hla Tun               Kemendine              10yrs/04.91
Khin Mg Swe           Sanchaung              7yrs/10.94
Kyi Myint             Latha                  20yrs/10.93
Mya Win               Ingapu                 10yrs/04.91
Myint Naing           Kanbalu 2              25yrs/04.91 
Naing Naing           Pazundaung             10yrs/04.91
Ohn Kyaing            Mandalay SE2           17yrs/9.90
Saw Win               Htilin                 11yrs/08.91
Sein Hla Oo           Insein 2                7yrs/10.94
Tin Aung              Mandalay NW1           25yrs/04.91
Tin Htut              Einme 1                 7yrs/05.91
Wan Maung*            Tatkon 1               Not arrested ?
Win Hlaing            Tatkon 2               10yrs/04.91
Zaw Myint             Henzada 2              25yrs/04.91
Zaw Myint Aung        Amarapura 1            25yrs/04.91

Note: * SLORC claims he was never arrested.


Investments:

AUSTRALIA: BRITAIN: CHINA: FRANCE: GERMANY: HONG KONG: INDONESIA: ISRAEL: JAPAN: LAOS: MALAYSIA: NORWAY: PAKISTAN: PHILIPPINES: SINGAPORE: SWITZERLAND: THAILAND: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: