UN Special Rapporteur Yozo Yakota of Japan, in a report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights issued in Geneva in March, said that detailed reports, photographs, video recordings and a variety of physical evidence indicated that the practice of forced labour, forced portering, torture and arbitrary killing are still widespread in Burma [UN/DPA/HinT960315].
SYSTEMATIC ABUSE BY SLORC
The US State Department in its annual report on human rights worldwide designated Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria and North Korea as countries where ``governments continued systematically to deny basic rights to their citizens'' [US9603].
U.N. ENVOY REFUSED VISIT
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy for Burma was told he could not visit Burma in March. Mr de Soto had planned to hold talks with Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), and Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, to prepare for the Secretary-General's report to the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. According to U Tin Winn, SLORC Ambassador to Thailand, March is a very busy month when the SLORC leadership is away from Rangoon to inspect various parts of the country. He added that the junta is also busy preparing for the Burmese New Year on April 16. Meanwhile, both Khin Nyunt and Ohn Gyaw met with Thai Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa's delegation on 17-18 March [B960320].
U.N. RESOLUTION WELCOMED
The Central Executive Committee of the National Democratic Front, the coalition of Burma's ethnic armies, in a 31 March statement welcomed the December 1995 United Nations General Assembly resolution on Burma and supported the UN's call for a `tripartite dialogue' to resolve Burma's civil war. It also called on SLORC to cooperate fully with the UN and declare a nationwide cease fire [NDF960331].
SLAVE LABOUR - ARAKAN
Residents of Mrauk-U (Mrohaung) were ordered in Mar.96 to vacate their homes on the orders of Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt, SLORC Secretary 1. They were also ordered to contribute labour in the construction of a highway between Mrohaung and Kyauktaw where SLORC is renovating the Maha Ratmuni and other Buddhist shrines. A fine of Kyat 1,000 was levied on those who failed to contribute [RDF960408].
FORCED LABOR IN SAGAING
Villagers in western Min Kin township, Sagaing Division have been forced to work simultaneously on the Kyauk O-Ye Poke Chaung embankment and the Kyauk O-Min Kin motor road since May 1995. About 1,800 people from six villages in Kyi Nyine village group, Kyauk O village group, Ain Kyin Taung village group and Min Sar village group have been working on the two-mile long Kyauk O-Ye Poke Chaung embankment. Each household has to contribute 1 person per week. Groups of ten are assigned to dig a 5 x 49 x 6 ft embankment. People who fail to do so have to either hire another person to replace them which costs Kyats 75 (US$12) per day or pay a Kyat 100 (US$17) per day fine. Those who fail to comply are subject to beatings or torture by the local LIB 228. At the same time, the same requirement is made for the 6 ft high, 15 ft wide, 4-mile long, Kyauk O-Min Kin motor road. People in the region usually end up working one week on the embankment and another week on the motor road every month [AB-DG9603].
HARVARD DUMPS PEPSI
Harvard University Dining Services has cancelled a US$1 million contract with Pepsi after students raised concerns over the company's collaboration with SLORC in Burma. ``We have to be socially and ethically responsible... There is a problem doing business with such a company (Pepsi),'' said Michael Berry, Harvard Food Services Director. Stanford University students are trying to keep Pepsi-owned Taco Bell off their campus. Dozens of high schools and college campuses across the US and Canada are involved in similar efforts [FBC960408].
SWISS ACTIONS ON BURMA
The Swiss Federation of Travel Agencies in October 1995 recommended that its members should refrain from expanding travel to Burma and ignore `Visit Myanmar Year'. An information kit on Burma has now been published. For more information, contact: Working Group, Tourism & Development (AKTE), Missionstr 21, 4003 Basel, Switzerland, Tel: 44 (61) 261-4742, Fax: 44 (61) 261-4721.
WARNING TO `DESTRUCTIONISTS'
Sr-Gen Than Shwe, Commander-in-Chief and chairman of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), said at a parade to commemorate the 51st Armed Forces Day that Burma is enjoying stability and peace as never before despite `external and internal destructionists' who continue to attempt to drive a wedge between the tatmadaw (military) and the people. ``We shall not be divided no matter who tries and must, together with the people, ostracize, oppose and remove these destructionists,'' he said [N960328].
FISH MINISTER TO MALAYSIA
SLORC Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung (Air) paid a visit to Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of Malaysian Agriculture Minister Dr Sulaiman Bin Haj Daud. Maung Maung also called on Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and discussed cooperation in agriculture, fisheries development, and animal treatment and medicines [B960326].
THAN SHWE ACCEPTS THAI INVITE
SLORC Prime Minister Than Shwe accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Thailand, said the head of Thai Armed Forces Information Office, Rattana Chalermsanyakorn. Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa extended the invitation during the visit he made with Supreme Commander Viroj Saengsnit to Burma 17-18 March [B960329].
INDIAN AIR CHIEF VISITS
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Gen Maung Aye met Indian Air Chief Marshal S K Sareen in Rangoon on 1 April. Sareen also met Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe. No details were given about the meetings [X960401].
FOILED TOMATO INCIDENT
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers escaped a pelting with tomatoes at a memorial ceremony in Feb on the 1st anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister U Nu. Members of the Union Solidarity Development Association, a SLORC mass organization, refused to carry out orders when they realized who their intended target was [AP/MDN/TA960319].
SLORC SOLDIERS DEFECT
Five soldiers from SLORC's 72nd Light Infantry Battalion based in Lawpita, Loikaw, Kayah State, defected to the Karenni National Progressive Party on 15 March. Platoon leader Corporal Maung Win (BC.676053); Ye Win Hteik (BC.88179), Myo Min Aung (BC.963954), Kyaw Win (BC.980955) and Win Htay (BC.980961) brought along one M-79 launcher and twelve shells, four G-3 assault rifles, 125 rounds of 7.62mm bullets, 2 assault mines and 2 land mines. They defected because of unjust orders and mistreatment by their officers. They said many more wished to flee and were waiting for their chance. During the Naung Lon battle, 2-11 March, 5 SLORC soldiers including one corporal defected to the KNPP [AB-DNA960321].
NEW SLORC BANK OPENED
On 1 April, a new state-run Myanmar Government Employees Bank was opened to promote the welfare of state service personnel and pensioners. The Bank will disburse loans to government employees in service, pensioners and those enjoying assistance funds from the state at the rate of 10 times their monthly salaries, pensions or assistance funds. There are over 1 million state service employees and over 5 million pensioners in Burma [X960401]. It is strange that the sole purpose of the bank is to disburse loans. State employees have reported that they are obliged to take out a loan whether or not they need it - Ed.
PEPSI KING DIVERSIFIES
Thein Tun, 59, the `Pepsi King of Myanmar' has diversified into a gold mining venture, a property development firm, a condensed milk factory, an amusement centre, a charitable bank (Tun Foundation Bank), and a steel plant (in partnership with Singapore's Nat Steel). The total assets of Thein Tun's Golden Star group are more than US$4 million [ST960130]. It is rumoured that Thein Tun is trying to sell his Pepsi franchise - Ed.
ERICSSON AUSTRALIA signed a contract with Myanmar Post and Telecommunications to install a cellular telephone system: supplying equipment for existing radio stations; building 4 new stations; and upgrading the radio communications system to a digital one in order to enable cellular phone links between Rangoon and Mandalay [B960130].
BRITAIN:
Bates Myanmar (1992), a subsidiary of BATES ADVERTISING is handling advertising for Myanmar Astra Chinthe Motors, the sole distributor of BMW and Land Rovers in Burma. Bates has 30% share of the advertising market in Burma and its clients include B.A.T., Heineken, Ovaltine, Bayer, Mitsubishi Electric and the UN Development Programme [BT960425].
CANADA:
IVANHOE CAPITAL GROUP's subsidiary, Ivanhoe Myanmar Holdings, signed a joint venture contract with state-owned No.1 Mining Enterprise to mine copper from the Monywa complex in Sagaing Division. The Letpandaung deposit contains 180 million tonnes of ore with a copper content of 0.66%. The initial feasibility study contract was signed in Mar.94 [Reu960411].
Canadian financier Robert Friedland is getting ready to tap international financial markets for the Monywa copper project in Burma. Friedland, now based in Singapore, will try to raise about $90 million for the Monywa deposit, a proposed 10,000-tonne-per-year copper operation held by INDOCHINA GOLDFIELDS LTD a private Ivanhoe firm. A financing syndicate including Toronto investment firms First Marathon Securities Ltd, Nesbitt Burns Securities Inc, Scotia-McLoed Inc, Britain's J.B. Were and Hong Kong-based Jardine Fleming are expected to underwrite the issue.
CHINA:
FIRST AUTOMOTIVE WORKS (FAW) in Jilin Province recently sold 1,525 `Jiefang' trucks to Burma. To date, they have sold more than 4,000 FAW-made cars and trucks to Burma including 200 nine-ton dump trucks [X960402/BBC96049].
SHANDONG QINGQI MOTORCYCLE GROUP GENERAL CORP opened its showroom, Myanmar Qingqi Co Ltd, on 9 April. It sells QINGQI and MULAN brand motorcycles [X960409].
Six passenger vessels made by SHANGHAI WU SONG SHIPYARD were delivered to SLORC in Feb.96. This was the first batch out of 30 vessels worth US$40 million under a contract signed in Nov.94 between state-run Inland Water Transport (IWT) and the YUNNAN MACHINERY IMPORT AND EXPORT CORPORATION. Of the 30 vessels, 23 will be made in China, and the other 7 will be assembled in Burma [X960202].
SLORC's Construction Ministry recently signed contracts to buy heavy equipment from YUNNAN MACHINERY EXPORT AND IMPORT CORP. The equipment will be used in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges in Burma's border areas [X9602].
FRANCE:
The third and last 33-megawatt EUROPEN GAS TURBINES/G.E.C. ALSTHOM gas turbines supplied to state-run Myanmar Electricity Power Enterprise for US$72 million for the Ahlone Power Station came on line in Feb.96. The station uses natural gas from the Aphyauk Gas Field 50 km south of Rangoon and will add 100 megawatts to Rangoon's main grid which currently provides 400 megawatts.
According to SLORC Energy Minister Khin Maung Thein, electricity consumption in Burma is increasing by 15-20% a year. Burma has a total generating capacity of 1,163 megawatts [SCMP960124].
GERMANY:
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG appointed Myanmar Astra Cinthe Motors as its authorized BMW/Land Rover importer [DJ960411].
INDIA:
INDIA is planning to import gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) from Burma, Indonesia and Qatar. India produces an estimated 55 million cubic meters each day against a demand of 260 million cubic meters a day [DP960129].
INDONESIA:
P.T. ASTRA INTERNATIONAL from Indonesia, MARUBENI from Japan and Myanmar Cinthe Motors, formed a joint venture - Myanmar Astra Cinthe Motors to set up a BMW/LAND ROVER showroom and servicing facility in Rangoon. A second bigger facility will be added this year and a third in 1997 in Mandalay. The investment in 1996 was US$5 million. Astra holds 70%, Cinthe Motors 25% and Marubeni 5% of the shares [DJ960411].
JAPAN:
JAPAN awarded a US$94,500 grant to the state-run Infectious Diseases Hospital [DPA960314].
JAPAN gave SLORC a US$38,000 grant to buy ambulances, medical equipment and medicines. The grant documents were signed on 8 March by Yoichi Yamaguchi, Japanese Ambassador and Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Chairman of the Women's and Children's Welfare Association [Kyodo960308].
DAIWA INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH was granted permission to form a joint venture with Myanmar Economic Bank to establish an over-the counter market in local shares. The joint venture brokerage house will be capitalized at US$3.3 million with Daiwa holding a 50% share [FT960314, Kyodo960326].
FUJITSU LTD gave 100 computers to SLORC's Myanmar Education Committee. Committee chairman Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt received the computers from Fujitsu Chairman Takuma Yamamoto on 7 March [Kyodo 960308].
The KANSAI ECONOMIC FEDERATION based in Osaka, is sending a 26-member delegation to visit Vietnam, Burma and Yunnan Province in southwestern China to investigate investment opportunities [Kyodo960311].
MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO and MITSUI & COMPANY will establish a joint shipbuilding venture in Burma. The two Mitsui companies will hold 60% of the shares and state-owned Myanmar Shipyards 40%. Planned construction capability is 20,000-ton class ships in 5 years [Kyodo960422].
NEWJEE CONSULTANT GROUP of KAJIMA CORP signed a contract with the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise of the SLORC Minister of Energy to build two diversion tunnels for the 280 megawatt hydro-power station in Paunglaung [X960503].
NISSAN established Nissan Myanmar in Rangoon to sell Nissan automobiles. Paid up capital is US$500,000 of which 20% was provided by Nissan [CL960419].
A.P.G. together with YAMAHA ASIA's subsidiary MUSIC PLAZA, and a local partner have formed a joint venture to run Burma's first modern showroom for Yamaha musical instruments, audio and video equipment. The joint venture's future plans include a larger showroom and a music school, as well as manufacturing facilities for musical instruments for other Yamaha dealers in the region. A.P.G. is also working on a food court in Rangoon.
YASUDA FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE CO opened an office in Rangoon in Jan.96. It is the second Japanese insurance company to open an office in Burma. MITSUI was the first to do so earlier in Jan.96. Yasuda is one of the largest general insurance companies in Japan. It opened an office in Burma in 1958 but closed it in 1964 when private insurance companies were nationalized by General Ne Win. At the opening ceremony, Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Win Tin said that SLORC has not as yet enacted a law to permit the setting up of private insurance companies in Burma, although earlier official reports claimed that a law to liberalize the insurance market had been drafted [WPD960125].
KOREA:
DAEWOO ELECTRONICS is setting up a US$20 million electronics plant in South Dagon to manufacture 200,000 colour TV sets, 200,000 VCRs, 70,000 refrigerators, and an unspecified number of parts and components [KED960410].
The KOREAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION FUND is extending a loan of US$15 million to SLORC to build a container terminal. The loan will carry a 2% interest charge and is to be repaid over 25 years, with a seven-year grace period. Seoul's Finance Ministry said the Fund was established in 1987 to help finance developing nations' economic programs [Reu960201].
MALAYSIA:
MALAYSIA will hold a 5-day exhibition of Malaysian products in Rangoon on 6 May. Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, and India have also staged trade exhibitions in recent years [X960502,0506].
CHEMICAL COMPANY OF MALAYSIA BHD (CCM) is exporting pharmaceutical products to Burma. Note: CCM has a 64% owned joint venture with Canadian Kinesys Pharmaceuticals to market and manufacture sports medication for the ASEAN region. It is also planning to set up a joint venture plant with A.C.I.C. Pte Ltd of Canada to manufacture the raw materials for pharmaceutical products in Malaysia [BT960126].
MAMEE-DOUBLE DECKER (M) BHD entered into a joint venture with Myanmar Golden Star Group to establish a food manufacturing operation (65:35) to be known as Mamee-Golden Star Ltd (instant noodles, snacks, confectionary, biscuits and other related food). Authorized capital: US$10 million. Initial capital: US$5 million [Net960305].
NOVA GAS INTERNATIONAL and O.G.P. TECHNICAL SERVICES were awarded a Baht 480 million (US$19 million) contract by the Thai Petroleum Authority (PTT) to build the onshore Ban-I-Thong to Rajburi segment of the natural gas pipeline from Burma. The gas will be utilised by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. OGP is 70% owned by PETRONAS, Malaysia's state-owned oil company. The chief executive officer of OGP Technical Services is Encik Abdullah Karim and the chairman and vice president (Asia-Pacific) of Nova Gas International is Harry van Zeist [BT960126].
PERCON CORP SDN BHD signed a memorandum of understanding with SLORC to conduct a study on the feasibility of undertaking privatization of hospitals in Burma. Percon Corp chairman Tan Sri Dr Jaffar Hussein said work on the privatization exercice will begin within the next six months if the study finds the project to be commercially viable. The study is to take three months [N960126].
NETHERLANDS:
ABN-AMRO BANK's representative office in Rangoon was opened on 14 March by Maarten Reuchlin, Senior Vice-President (International Division). The Bank's new country representative is U Ko Ko Gyi [AP960314].
RUSSIA:
A total of eight RUSSIAN Mil Mi-17 `Hip-H' helicopters have been purchased by SLORC (BA Vol.7, No.3). SLORC is also reported to be interested in buying Mil Mi-24 `Hind' assault helicopters and MIG-29 `Fulcrum' fighters. The Burma Air Force is already facing a serious shortage of trained pilots and technicians, and is also experiencing difficulties trying to operate and maintain aircraft from seven countries other than Russia [Janes960501].
SINGAPORE:
National Development Minister Lim Hng Kiang said that SINGAPORE is looking at Burma as one of the potential suppliers of inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Lim, who is also the Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, added that Singapore farmers who have developed expertise in marketing or production but cannot cultivate in Singapore, can invest in agro-business in Burma [ST960125].
SINGAPORE and SLORC on 23 Jan signed an updated air-transport agreement allowing their airlines to introduce more services [ST960125].
Wong Fong Fui, former managing director of QAF Ltd (Brunei), bought 65% of BOUSTEADCO. His business partners are Saiman Ernawan, president of a cement distributor in Indonesia, and James Lim, an executive director of listed Guthrie GTS. Both have experience in the construction-related industry. Analysts speculate that BOUSTEADCO will venture into infrastructure, construction and engineering projects in the region, especially Burma. Wong is founder and managing director of Myanmar Airways International. He is also credited with privatising Burma's international air routes. Wong is said to have won a contract to manage an airport terminal in Burma [ST960129, DBSIR960124].
COMFORT GROUP, its listed vehicle inspection arm, VICOM, and the Myanmar Growth Fund (a venture capital fund launched by the OVERSEAS CHINESE BANKING CORPORATION GROUP), formed a 45-20-35 venture in Burma known as Comfort Myanmar in Aug.95 to undertake transport-related businesses, including operating a taxi fleet, vehicle maintenance and vehicle inspection. COMFORT will also sell PEUGEOT cars in Burma. The company expects to sell 50 cars this year.
KERRY SECURITIES, which raised US$28 million for the Myanmar Fund, is a KUOK GROUP company. Kerry fund manager is Richard Neville. Myanmar Fund is managed by IRRAWADDY ADVISORS, which is in turn 51% owned by Kerry and 49% by the HO Family, a Sino-Burmese family now resident in Bangkok. Myanmar Fund's biggest holding in Burma is the Kuok-controlled Traders Hotel being built in Rangoon. The rest of the fund is invested in the Ho family's business ventures. The Ho family owns BIJOUX HOLDINGS and the JEWELRY TRADE CENTRE in Bangkok [F960125].
KUOK GROUP, through its subsidiary ACCEL MARKETING LTD, is distributing Japanese CANON brand photographic products. ACCEL opened an office and showroom in Rangoon on 6 May [X960507].
L.K. BIO-RESEARCH Managing Director, Professor Patrick Loh, said his company began technical collaboration with SLORC's Ministry of Agriculture in late 1993 to help improve the yield and quality of all manner of farm produce, including fragrant rice, strawberries and royal orchids. Later this year, technical collaboration between the company and SLORC will evolve into a commercial one when the first harvest of potatoes is ready for sale. Eventually, Prof Loh said the company can expand `downstream' into food-processing industries [ST960125].
The Sedona Hotel built by STRAITS STEAMSHIP LAND LTD held its topping off ceremony in north Rangoon 24 Jan. Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Yeo Cheow Tong, and the Minister for Communications, Mah Bow Tan, officiated. High-ranking guests included SLORC Secretary 1 Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt, the Hotels and Tourism Minister, Lieut-Gen Kyaw Ba, the Transport Minister, Lieut-Gen Thein Win, and the National Planning and Economic Development Minister, Brig-Gen David Abel. Another Sedona hotel is being built in Mandalay (US$ 33.5 million). The 450-room international class Rangoon Sedona business hotel will open for business in Oct.96 [DP-A960124].
SUM CHEONG EXPLORATION was awarded a contract by SLORC to explore and conduct a feasibility study for gold in the Mabein area of northern Shan State (see BA vol.6, No.9) [F960125].
TECHMAT HOLDINGS formed a joint-venture with SLORC's Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, called Myawaddy Trading in Sep.95. Myanmar Trading is now planning to open 4 duty-free shops at Ruili on the border with Yunnan in China, at Tachilek on the Thai border, at Mandalay Airport and at a border airport to which Air Mandalay flies. The 4 duty-free shops are expected to generate US$300 million in turnover in 1996. Myawaddy Trading has also clinched 2 orders from SLORC totalling about US$10 million to import steel bars and steel wire rods from Singapore. Myawaddy will import steel, construction materials, and commodities from Singapore for SLORC. From Burma to Singapore, it plans to send rice, agriculture products, timber and precious stones. Techmat's partners in Air Mandalay are Malaysian KEMAYAN CORP and state-controlled Myanmar Airways. Air Mandalay, is waiting for approval to fly to 7 other border airports in addition to Rangoon, Mandalay, Pagan, Heho, Thandwe, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It is expanding its existing fleet of three ATR-72 planes by adding one more ATR-72 plane in 1996 and two more in 1997. A Techmat subsidiary is an agent for these Franco-Italian planes. Techmat's Group General Manager is Shaukath Ali. Techmat is a private company that deals in defense trade, aerospace sales and service, commercial trading, air and sea freight, and surveillance systems [BT960122].
SWITZERLAND:
OMEGA was the official sponsor of the Asian Professional Golfers' Association Tour to Rangoon in January 1996 [F960125].
THAILAND:
EARTH INDUSTRIAL PLC confirms that its major shareholder is Burmese businesswoman Ma Khai Saw. She coordinates and facilitates timber deals with SLORC. Earth Industrial buys timber from Rangoon [B960131].
The THAI EXPORT-IMPORT BANK has agreed to extend a loan to build an international airport in Mandalay. The loan, worth US$150 million, will be repayable in 13 years. The agreement is scheduled to be signed this month between the Thai Bank and the Department of Civil Aviation. The construction contract was awarded to the ITALIAN-THAI DEVELOPMENT PLC (BA Vol.7, No.1, January 1996) [X960514].
PREMIER GROUP, led by building contractor NAWARAT PATTANAKARN PLC has embarked on a Baht 900 million (US$ 36 million) joint-venture project with Hong Kong developer SERGE PUN ASSOCIATES (SPA) GROUP to transform Rangoon's old train station site into a commercial/residential complex. PREMIER will take a 50% stake in Meeyahta International Hotel Ltd. The complex will include a five-star hotel, a luxury residential building, an office building and a recreation centre. The project was first proposed in April 1991. Construction began in Jan.96 and is due to be completed in five years [N960126].
TAIWAN:
TAIWAN FERTILIZER COMPANY is forming a consortium with Hong Kong's CHINA LIGHT & POWER, C.ITOCHU of Japan, and BROWN & ROOT, of the US, to bid for a US$800 million chemical fertilizer plant [SCMP960201].
U.S.A.
CLUETT PEABODY & CO INC's ARROW brand clothing licensee, People's Garment Plc of Thailand, is considering setting up a plant in Burma [BPWR960322].
TRITON ENERGY CORP General Manager Pat MacDonald met SLORC Energy Minister Khin Maung Thein in Rangoon. No details of their talks were available [B960326].
INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION will install 250-line auto-radio telephone systems in Mandalay and Moulmein under a contract signed on 5 March with state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT). This is the second contract. The first one signed Jul.95 was for the installation of a 500-line system in Rangoon. Companies that signed contracts last year to install auto-radio telephone systems include those from Israel and Japan. Official figures show that over 50 towns in Burma already have auto-telephones, while there are about 100,000 ordinary telephones across the country [Net960305].
McCANN-ERICKSON and its affiliate, Saan Aung Imaging Ltd (SAIL) signed a joint-venture agreement to form Sail McCann-Erickson. UNILEVER, GILLETTE, SAN MIGUEL, NESTLE'S MILO and NESCAFE will account for US$3 million in business for Sail McCann-Erickson [B951229].
NTUC Fairprice Cooperative of Singapore, a member of the INTERNATIONAL GROCERS ALLIANCE (IGA), is a partner of the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, SLORC's business arm [Kyodo/ST960108].
J. RAY MCDERMOTT won the US$180 million contract awarded by Total Myanmar Exploration and Production for the Yadana Development Project. The contract is for the management, engineering, supply, construction, installation, hook-up and commissioning of two well-head platforms, quarters, flare and production platform facilities, to produce about 900 million cubic feet of gas a day [Reu960502].
The PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS' ASSOCIATION held a `Burma Open' tournament at the Yangon Golf Club in January as part of its Asian PGA Tour. Tony Morgan is the Managing Director of Asian PGA Tour Ltd which organized the tournament. Morgan is planning to bring the tour back to Burma in 1997 [F960125].
UNOCAL, TOTAL (France) and MITSUI (Japan), signed a memorandum of understanding with the SLORC Ministry of Energy to build a 200-megawatt natural gas power station and a urea fertilizer factory in Rangoon [X960503].
YUGOSLAVIA:
INVEST IMPORT COMPANY signed a contract to sell US$28 million worth of cargo wagons to Myanmar Railways [X960216].
Arakan Forum, Published by the Rakhine Information Centre, is available from G.P.O.Box 2496, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
Australia-Mon Association was formed in February 1996. Contact: Chairman Nai Win Mon, 21 Investigator St, Redhill, ACT.2623. Tel: 61 (6) 282-3922. Fax: 239-7260.
Bo Han's Cassette of Burmese political songs now available for DM 12 (US$8) from Herrn Doring, Asia Kultur Zentrum, Feuerigstr 37, D-10827 Berlin, Germany.
Burma Democratic Association (Sweden): - Burmas demokratiska foreningen (Sverige) can be contacted via Khin Maung Soe, Spanvagen 11-C, 541 63 Skovde, Sweden. Tel/Fax: 46 (500) 43 55 23.
Birmanie: Annales de politique 'etrang\`ere, A 90-page review of Burma's foreign policy (1948-1995) in French by Dr Richard Sola. Published by the Paris-based Institute for the Study of International Relations (ILERI) and Guernsey-based Far East Intelligence Monitoring Ltd. Available for 75FF (US$18) from Librairie Sudestasie, 17 rue Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, France. Tel: 33 (1) 4325-1804, Fax: 4634-7275.
Birmanie: Annales politiques, A 52-page monograph on Burma's domestic policy (1948-1962) in French by Dr Richard Sola. Published by the Paris-based Institute for the Study of International Relations (ILERI) and Guernsey-based Far East Intelligence Monitoring Ltd. Available for 75FF (US$18) from Librairie Sudestasie, 17 rue Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, France. Tel: 33 (1) 4325-1804, Fax: 4634-7275.
Info Birmanie: Newsletter on Burma in French. Available from Info Birmanie, 14 passage Dubail, 75010 Paris, France. Tel: 33 (1) 4035-0698, Fax: 4035-0620.
Myanmar, Kayin (Karen) State: The Killings Continue - A 17-page report on human rights violations committed by the SLORC army and the Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army against Karen civilians. Published by Amnesty International, April 1996, AI Index: ASA 16/10/96. Available from AI International Secretariat, 1 Easton St, London WC1X 8DJ, UK.
The National Convention in Burma: An Impediment to the Restoration of Democracy by Janelle Diller. An excellent critique published April 1996 by the International League for Human Rights and the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development. ILHR, 432 Park Ave S, Suite 1103, New York, NY.10016, USA. Tel: 1 (212) 684-1221. Fax: 684-1696.
People's Tribunal on the Availability of Rice for the People of Burma is being conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. Contact: AHRC, Flat E, 3F, Kadak Building, 171 Sai Yee St, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: 852 2698-6339 or 2391-2246. Fax: 2698-6367. E-mail: ahrchk@hk.super.net
On 16 April, telephone numbers in Rangoon were changed to six digits as follows:
For more information call: 91 1 666-666.
NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE: