The presidium of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the united front of Burma's ethnic organizations, held a two-day emergency meeting in Karenni State from 24-25 April 1996. This was the first meeting of the NDF since the fall of Manerplaw in January 1995. The meeting was attended by representatives from: the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Pa-O People's Liberation Organization (PPLO), the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), and the Wa National Organization (WNO). All the NDF leaders agreed that it was essential for member organizations to hold firm to the basic principles of equality, self-determination, and federalism. The NDF reaffirmed its determination to oppose military dictatorships and to work with Burmese democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Front also agreed to the tripartite dialogue to resolve Burma's problems as proposed by the United Nations General Assembly. Lieut-Gen Tamalabaw (KNU) assumed the Presidency. Gen Aung Than Lay (KNPP), Col Hkun Okker (PPLO) and Salai Myo Aye (CNF) were appointed to executive positions. The NDF also resolved to convene the Fourth Congress of the NDF and a National Democracy Seminar to further consolidate the political position of Burma's ethnic peoples [NLD-LA960428].
CEASEFIRE GROUPS MEET
Senior representatives from several cease fire groups met on 1 Feb.96 in the Loi Kha area of Hsipaw in northern Shan State to discuss a common strategy to resist increasing pressure from the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to lay down their arms. Participants included the Palaung State Liberation Organization led by Ai Mung, the United Wa State Party from Pang Sang, the Kokang group led by Peng Kya Shin, the Kachin Defence Army led by Mathu Naw, the Shan State Army led by Sao Sai Nong, Sao Kai Fah, and Sao Pang Fah, the Shan National Army led by Karn Yord and Sai Yi and the Shan United Revolutionary Army led by Sao Yod Serk. A delegation from the KNPP also attended the meeting [SHAN960410].
GENEVA CONDEMNS SLORC
The United Nations Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 6th consecutive year adopted a consensus resolution condemning the State Law and Order Restoration Council's (SLORC) continued human rights violations in Burma including forced labour and abuse of women [Reu960423].
THINGYAN CELEBRATION BLOCKED
On 16 Apr, SLORC prevented the National League for Democracy (NLD) from celebrating the Burmese New Year (Thingyan). The plan called for participants to walk from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house to a place by the lakeshore to perform a fish releasing ceremony to gain merit for the New Year. On 15 April, SLORC informed the NLD that they would not be permitted to do so. The NLD then decided to continue with the portion of the ceremony (paying respect to elders) that could be carried out indoors at Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence. But SLORC barricaded the road in front of her house and stopped people from entering. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi believes that SLORC did so because it was afraid that public support for her might become too obvious [A960503].
GANDHI AWARD TO DAW SUU
The 1996 Indira Gandhi Golden Award for International Understanding was given Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 6 May by the Asiatic Society of Calcutta [FTUBWB960502].
MA THIDA WINS P.E.N. AWARD
The 1996 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Award was given to
Ma Thida by the PEN American Center at its 1996 PEN Literary Gala
on 25 April at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. Ma
Thida is a qualified physician, founder of a clinic for women
and a prolific writer of fiction, most of which is banned in Burma.
She served as a campaign assistant to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during
the 1990 elections. She was arrested and sentenced to twenty years'
imprisonment for ``endangering public peace, having contact with
illegal organizations, and distributing unlawful literature''.
She is being held in solitary confinement in Insein Jail [PEN960423].
On 28 April, a six-member delegation led by Karen
National Union (KNU) Joint General-Secretary Mahn Sha Lar Phan
left for Moulmein for the third round of talks with SLORC. The
KNU wants a comprehensive peace agreement with the Rangoon military
government, including political concessions. But to date, SLORC
has refused to discuss any political issues [IA960429].
Glenys Kinnock, Labour Member of the European Parliament from South Wales East and member of the Group of the Party of European Socialists, organized a Burma briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in April. NGOs from Canada, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands, and the NCGUB Netherlands participated.
The International Network of Political Leaders Promoting Democracy in Burma was launched in Geneva in April. The chairman of the network is former Norwegian Foreign Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, who presented a five-point plan to promote the democratization process in Burma by:
Leading politicians from Asia, Europe and the USA are members of the Network. Contact: PD Burma Secretariat, Sporveisgt 2, 0354 Oslo, Norway. Tel: 47 2256-4830, Fax: 2260-6399, Email: pdburma@telepost.no
Kevin Heppner of the Karen Human Rights Group presented testimony of SLORC human rights violations to the UN Commission for Human Rights, the International Labour Organization and the European Commission.
The Burmese democracy movement spearheaded by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) successfully lobbied at the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights in Geneva for a strong resolution against SLORC. Delegates included Prime Minister Dr Sein Win, Col Khun Okker, representative of the National Council of the Union of Burma and the National Democratic Front, Dr. Zahleithang, NCGUB Social Welfare Minister and elected Chin representative, Saw Nadah Mya, KNU representative, and Dr. Thaung Htun, head of the Burma-UN Affairs Office in New York. The mission was supported by various NGOs and Burmese from Canada, France, Germany and Switzerland.
NCGUB Prime Minister Dr Sein Win led a delegation to Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway in Feb.96 to brief the various governments on the situation in Burma. He met with parliamentarians, Foreign Ministry officials, business executives, support groups and members of the Burmese community.
Prime Minister Dr Sein Win led another mission in
March to Warsaw at the invitation of the Polish Government. He
led a similar mission to the Czech Republic last year.
On 23 March, a SLORC patrol was ambushed by Shan United Revolutionary Army troops. SURA headed by Sao Yod Serk is a break-away faction of the Merng Tai Army which refused to surrender to SLORC after Khun Sa made his deal with Rangoon. The SLORC patrol was led by Capt Myo Min Oo of No.5 Company from the 346th Light Infantry Regiment stationed at Wan Long village in Mong Kung. One lieutenant, one 2nd lieutenant, one sergeant and three privates were killed. Many were wounded [SHAN9604].
After Khun Sa's deal with Rangoon, SLORC officials in Ho Mong, Mai Soong, Mong Hsat, Kengtung and Tachilek have been issuing temporary identity cards to Mong Tai Army members who surrender. But in places like Piang Long, Mai Soong and Tachilek, Chinese traders and muleteers who had never belonged to the MTA are bribing SLORC officials for identity cards. In Tachilek, Chinese who live in Hin Taek, Mae Chan, Huey Khrai, Huey Nam Khun, Ban Tham, Nam Cham and Mae Sai, are getting ID cards immediately. However, bone fide Shan soldiers and officials of the MTA from the former strongholds of Par Ko, Loi Lam, Par Zang and Phak Tu Mong, usually have to wait 5-6 days [SHAN9604].
1,000 VEHICLES SEIZED
Between late March and early April, SLORC commandeered about 1,000 vehicles in the Shan State to facilitate transport requirements for tactical operations in the Kun Hing, Mong Nai, Nam Sarng, Loilem, Mong Kung, Laikha and Kese areas [SHAN9604].
FORCED RICE PRODUCTION
On 7 March, SLORC 99th Infantry Battalion in Langkho
ordered the people of Pang Thun village to grow rice for them.
When the Pang Thun villagers refused to comply, villagers from
three other wards, 12 miles to the north of Langkho were forced
to come and work in the fields. Ten villagers from each village
took turns to work the fields until the rice was harvested and
taken to the military camp at Pang Keng [SHAN9604].
Ming Hnin, a United Nations Development Programme representative in Chin State, was found shot on the road between Haka and Thlantlang in early May. A Chin graduate of the University of Rangoon, Ming Hnin held a Master's degree and was supervising UNDP projects in the area - water supply, bridge and road building, and distributing pencils and exercise books to school children. A local police investigation said that Ming Hnin had been shot by an M16 rifle and they also found footprints at the crime scene consistent with marks made by Burma Army boots. The report was, however, never, published. In the meanwhile, the Burma Army claimed that Ming Hnin had been mistaken for their Military Intelligence Chief in Thlantlang and murdered by the Chin National Front. Both men travelled on motorcycles. The Intelligence officer mistreated the Chin people and was hated by them. Ming Hnin's family refused to sign a document provided by the Burma Army stating that he had been killed by the CNF. On 16 May, the Military Intelligence Chief in Thantlang was killed in retaliation for Ming Hnin's murder [CNF960519].
A curfew was declared by SLORC in the Chin State
following the shooting of Burma Army officers. The victims were
the Military Intelligence Chief in Tiddim, a major, who was making
excessive demands for bribes; the chairman of the Falam Law and
Order Restoration Council, also a major; and the tactical commander
of the Burma Army unit stationed in Haka, a colonel. The colonel
reportedly demanded locals to supply him with young virgins. The
assassinations have not been made public by SLORC [CNF960519].
SOURCES: B = Bangkok Post, F = Far Eastern Economic
Review, NST(M) = New Straits Times (Malaysia), Net/MB = BurmaNet/MB,
PRNW = PR NewsWire, and SCMP = South China Morning Post.
JOHNNIE WALKER
with the Myanmar Golf Association, is co-sponsoring
the May 17-18 golf tournament in Rangoon to select the team to
represent Burma this year in the Johnnie Walker International
Club Championship. In 1995, the Lashio Golf Club was crowned the
Johnnie Walker International Club Champions ahead of the Yoju
Country Club of Korea [Net/MB9960517].
HAKUHODO,
the advertising agency is opening an office in Burma. All Nippon Airways, a major client of the agency, is also planning to establish direct flights between Kansai airport and Rangoon. Other clients include Ajinomoto, National and Konica [N960520].
N.K.K.
is supplying 145,000 tons of steel pipes for the underwater portion of the TOTAL/UNOCAL Yadana natural gas pipeline. An Italian steelmaker will supply 25,000 tons for the overland portion of the pipeline to the Thai border [Net/MB960517].
N.K.K., NIPPON STEEL, SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES
and KAWASAKI STEEL are bidding to supply the remaining
111,000 tons of steel pipes for the Thai portion of the Yadana
natural gas pipeline [Net/MB960517].
I.J.M. CORPORATION BHD's,
wholly owned subsidiary, I.J.M. Overseas Ventures Sdn Bhd has
incorporated I.J.M. Investments Pte Ltd as its wholly owned subsidiary
in Burma. IJM Corporation said IJM Investments had a capital of
Kyat 500,000 (US$80.000) [NST(M)960213].
PHILIPPINES:
The INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
signed a five year agricultural cooperation agreement with SLORC
to boost paddy production and to provide training on cultivation
development and technical assistance. The Institute's Director-General,
George Rothschild, held talks with Agriculture Minister Lieut-Gen
Myint Aung during a recent visit. The Manila-based IRRI
has cooperated with Burma on improving rice quality since 1974
[B960319].
THAILAND:
ANDAMAN CLUB, the resort hotel built by Vikhom Aisiri on Thahtay Kyun Island in the Andaman Sea, is paying SLORC more than US$1 million per year in rent (35-year lease) [F960516].
SUNWOOD INDUSTRIES PLC's
holding company, the SANTI FORESTRY GROUP is opening a
high-technology teak wood factory in Burma, according to Thaveesak
Vayakornvichitr, Sun Managing Director. Sunwood is Thailand's
largest exporter of teak wood furniture. Its major export markets
are the United States, Europe and Japan. SLORC has granted the
Santi Group investment promotional incentives to build 2 factories
that will cost about Bt200 million (US$8 million). The factories
in Burma will be equipped with modern machinery from Europe [N960427].
U.S.A.
APPLE COMPUTERS is selling
3,000 computers to SLORC to enable its Ministry of Education to
teach computer science to students throughout the country. Basic
computer courses for 120 teachers have already been held. Computer
science in schools is now a compulsory subject [Net/MB960517].
WENTE VINEYARDS has set up a distribution network in Burma. Wente is one of California's most prestigious wineries based in the Livermore Valley. Wente's export portfolio consists of Wente Vineyards, Murrieta's Well, Ficklin Vineyards, Sergio Traverso, Ivan Tamas, Concannon Vineyard, Sokol Blosser Oregon Winery, and St. Stan's beer, a California microbrew. One of Wente's importers is the Central Floating Hotel in Rangoon. Wente's Burmese partner is Asia World Co Ltd, the Rangoon-based trading company which is engaged in import/export, real estate development, industrial development, and food and beverage distribution. Asia World is owned by a group of Burmese companies that include Kokang Export/Import Co Ltd, controlled by Mr. Steven Law; Myat Mon Yadana Co Ltd, headed by U Kyin Htun; Golden Mountain Co Ltd, controlled by U Than Myint; and Asia Light Co Ltd, which operates local supermarkets and distributes well-known wine and spirit brands [PRNW960208]. John Schwartz is the vice president of international operations of Wente Vineyards. Tel: 1 (510) 447-3606.
Students in Mandalay, Moulmein, and other cities
launched a boycott campaign in April against Pepsi and other products
produced by foreign companies doing business with the country's
ruling military junta. ``We realize how the Pepsi and other foreign
investments are collaborating with the military regime in suppressing
our struggle for democracy and human rights,'' a high school student
from Mandalay said. ``We are very encouraged by this international
campaign for Burma,'' the student said, ``That is why we decided
to act locally in Burma.'' He said the boycott Pepsi campaign
would be intensified when Burmese high schools and colleges reopen
in May following the summer holidays [UPI/ABSDF960425].
PEPSICO PULLS OUT
On 22 April, officials from the Pepsico International
Ltd announced in a press conference, that it is selling its 40%
stake in a joint venture in Burma. However, Pepsi is not going
to pull out of Burma totally. Pepsi will continue to honour its
contract in the `short-term' to sell syrup concentrate and allow
the use of the Pepsi trademark by the Burmese bottler.
SELECTIVE PURCHASING
Cities that have passed legislation prohibiting city
contracts with companies doing business in Burma:
Much of the credit for the above can be attributed
to the thousands of activists around the world in the Free Burma
Coalition - Ed.
The grassroots Free Burma Campaign is gaining momentum
especially in the US. Updates on FBC activities are compiled and
posted once a month on BurmaNet News. For greater efficiency,
the Free Burma Campaign has been re-organized as follows:
US Coordination:
International Coordination:
Website and Listserver Crew:
Ad Hoc Hunger Strike Committee:
Divestment/Shareholder Resolution/Selective Purchasing Group:
Free Burma Videos:
Grassroots Lobbying Group:
Information and/or Brochure Projects:
News Media:
Oil Group:
Pepsi Group:
Pre-college FBC Network:
Speakers Bureau:
Tourism Group:
The Free Burma Coalition,
University of Wisconsin,
225 North Mills Street,
Madison, WI 53706.
Tel: 1 (608) 256-6572
Fax: 1 (608) 263-9992
http://danenet.wicip.org/fbc/freeburma.html
In Oct.94, the Burma Alert published fax numbers in Rangoon to allow readers the chance to send news to Burma. In April, telephone numbers in Rangoon were changed. The following is an update:
A&T Int'l 95 (1) 282410/290597
Airborne Travel/Tours 95 (1) 273121
Akai Travel/Tours 95 (1) 289961
Ambika Tour Agency 95 (1) 289582
Asia Global Travels/Tours Co Ltd 95 (1) 286688
Aung Associates 95 (1) 272552
Bagan Inn Ltd 95 (1) 549660
Bandoola Int'l 95 (1) 289965
Banque Indosuez 95 (1) 223038
Barani Hotel 95 (1) 223104
Beauty Land Hotel 95 (1) 549797
BJC (Jeep Cherokee) 95 (1) 273787
Blue Diamond Int'l 95 (1) 294174
Budget Tours 95 (1) 289599
Calberson Asia 95 (1) 531543
Charle's Michels Garment 95 (1) 289960
Cheery Myko Auto Co 95 (1) 222312
Columbus Travel/Tours 95 (1) 274806/533063
Comfort Inn 95 (1) 524256
Cozy Guest House 95 (1) 292239
Daewoo Corporation 95 (1) 284246
Daewoo Electronic Myanmar 95 (1) 662870
Dandaryi Travels/Tours 95 (1) 286429
Delta Combine Co Ltd 95 (1) 226552
Development Bank of Singapore 95 (1) 524112
Doo Pung Co Ltd 95 (1) 530947
Dream World 95 (1) 223160
Eagle Co Ltd 95 (1) 286350
Excellent Enterprise 95 (1) 272288
Export Services Ltd 95 (1) 282929
Free Bird Tours 95 (1) 275638
Fuji Asia Co Ltd 95 (1) 283634
Glover Electrical Industries 95 (1) 665842
Golden Burma Trading Co 95 (1) 531178
Golden Express Tours Hotels/Trade 95 (1) 227636
Golden Global Group Ltd 95 (1) 281940
Golden Land Jewelry/Gems 95 (1) 289007
Golden Land Travel Service 95 (1) 283898
Goldwin Co Ltd 95 (1) 289706
Gracious Myanmar Travel 95 (1) 297502
Grand Hotel 95 (1) 283360
Green Hill Inn 95 (1) 549388
Guest Care Hotel 95 (1) 273573
Happiness Tours Co 95 (1) 286686
Htwe Eindera Win Management 95 (1) 530507
Inakoshi Industrial (Myanmar) 95 (1) 530654
Irrawaddy Princess 95 (1) 223104
Jade Pavilion Inn 95 (1) 531916
Kabs Myanmar Co 95 (1) 280149
Kaiwa Marketing (Myanmar) 95 (1) 280193
King Hotel 95 (1) 524049
Komy Trading Co Ltd 95 (1) 531317
Korea Myanmar Tourism 95 (1) 662355
Lai Lai Hotel 95 (1) 227342
Lee Wah Travel/Tour 95 (1) 287806
Makiya Trading 95 (1) 281684
Malar Myaing Motel 95 (1) 278312
May Flower Bank 95 (1) 278812
MCC Business Centre 95 (1) 294724
Mingala Than Myint 95 (1) 291443
Ministry of Information 95 (1) 287916
Miwon Shwe Tha Jin Co 95 (1) 226654
Mok Yang Co Ltd 95 (1) 665955
Moon Light Hotel 95 (1) 292885
Multigate Corporation 95 (1) 552062
Mya Kyun Tha Co Ltd 95 (1) 286185
Mya Yeik Nyo Deluxe 95 (1) 665052
Mya Yeik Nyo Royal 95 (1) 548318
Myanmar Elephant House 95 (1) 660700
Myanmar Daewoo Int'l 95 (1) 278811/280147
Myanmar Golden Star 95 (1) 220860
Myanmar Inspection & Testing 95 (1) 284823
Myanmar Int'l Moving 95 (1) 287806/667058
Myanmar Korea Timber 95 (1) 287863
Myanmar Leading Logistics 95 (1) 289887
Myanmar Media Int'l 95 (1) 226773
Myanmar Pilgrimage Tours 95 (1) 287806
Myanmar Pilgrimage Tours 95 (1) 526400
Myanmar Pilgrimage Tours 95 (1) 665052
Myanmar Plastic Co Ltd 95 (1) 665251
Myanmar Silver/Ruby 95 (1) 665645
Myanmar Singapore Int'l 95 (1) 289590
Myanmar VES Joint Venture 95 (1) 665503
Myanmar Win International 95 (1) 286509
Myanmar-Yangon Duty Free 95 (1) 532717
Myint & Associates Co Ltd 95 (1) 664882
Myint-Projectsasia Jt-Venture 95 (1) 664882
Myko Co 95 (1) 533606
Naing Yadana Co 95 (1) 665478
Nawarat Hotel 95 (1) 667777
New Kan Taw Yeik Hotel 95 (1) 226080
New Wave Travels/Tours 95 (1) 273121/281233
Novel Garden Hotel 95 (1) 533704/879
NTN Myanmar Co 95 (1) 295797
Number One Services 95 (1) 287874
OCBC Bank 95 (1) 525864
OEM (Myanmar) Co 95 (1) 665769
Olympic Co Ltd 95 (1) 287879
Owitchki Myanmar Co Ltd 95 (1) 662624
Pearl Inn 95 (1) 524260
Pegasus Travel & Tours 95 (1) 289580
Peninsula Enterprise 95 (1) 289885
PMK Co Ltd 95 (1) 222677
Prime Commercial Bank 95 (1) 532420
Princess Inn 95 (1) 524096
Public Bank (Berhad) 95 (1) 223223
Purple Plain Travel/Tours 95 (1) 284981
Queen Inn 95 (1) 526640
Queen Shin Saw Pu Hotel 95 (1) 227126
Rahu Indus & Chem Enterprises 95 (1) 664088
Regal Hotel 95 (1) 524196
Registn, Account& Consultancy 95 (1) 282574
Sai Travel Service (Myanmar) 95 (1) 530654
Samsung Co Ltd 95 (1) 277896
Santi Forest (Myanmar) 95 (1) 222308
Sanwa Trading 95 (1) 286648
SCS 95 (1) 285277
SEADE Tourism Co Ltd 95 (1) 277601
Segye International 95 (1) 661909
Seven O Seven Travel/Tours 95 (1) 283533
Shining Moon Co 95 (1) 289648
Shining Star Tour Express 95 (1) 289862
Showa Auto Enterprise 95 (1) 286090
Shwe Yee Win Co 95 (1) 284670
Silk Travel Co Ltd 95 (1) 553077
Simon Petroleum Technology 95 (1) 530032
SMI Corporation 95 (1) 667163
Soe San Trading 95 (1) 278045
South Asian Nautical Expl 95 (1) 665654
Sri Asia Tourism Service 95 (1) 227070/127
Sri Asia Tourism Service 95 (1) 283377
Strand Hotel 95 (1) 289880
Summit Parkview Hotel 95 (1) 227993
Sunkyong Co Ltd 95 (1) 553072
Tai Kwan Travels/Tours 95 (1) 227520/287806/887
Tai Yai Co 95 (1) 289972
Thai Military Bank 95 (1) 223127
Thanlwin Myanmar Ltd 95 (1) 284373
Thirinda Lodge 95 (1) 549872
Thitsar Travels/Tours 95 (1) 274670/284823
Thuriya Tours/Travels 95 (1) 525948
Tour Mandalay Co Ltd 95 (1) 287806
Tour Mandalay Co Ltd 95 (1) 297915/917
U Than Ohn & Sons 95 (1) 289271
UNDP Rangoon 95 (1) 292739
Unique Tours/Travels Co Ltd 95 (1) 524640
United Overseas Bank Ltd 95 (1) 525540
Venus Trading Co Ltd 95 (1) 278766
Virginland Tours/Travels Co Ltd 95 (1) 240103
W & W Co 95 (1) 292600
Welcome Hotel 95 (1) 525252
WHO Rangoon 95 (1) 530429
Win Vet Clinic 95 (1) 227274
Wooshin Sanghap Co Ltd 95 (1) 553268
Yadanabon Arts Gallery 95 (1) 533023
Yangon City Hotel 95 (1) 667763
Yiar Co Ltd 95 (1) 272373
YMCA 95 (1) 296848
YMCA Rangoon 95 (1) 273825
Yukong Corporation 95 (1) 553072
Zaburit Engineering Co 95 (1) 281364
Zizawa Tours/Travels 95 (1) 281706
Myanma Yaung Chi Oo Co 95 (2) 21743
James Leander `Leo' Nichols, 65, a well-known Burmese businessman and close family friend of 1991 Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to three years imprisonment on 18 May. Nichols was accused of using telephones and fax machines without permission, and was arrested by SLORC on 5 April. Nicols, an Anglo-Burmese, was also the former honorary consul and contact person for Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland [N/Reu960519].
CONCERN OVER TOURISM
British tour operators took a unique stand on human rights abuses in Burma by sending letters to SLORC. Symbiosis Expedition Planning, Himalayan Kingdoms, Nomadic Thoughts, and Cycle South East Asia wrote explaining that the extreme nature of the human rights abuses in Burma, which are directly linked to tourism development, have prompted their decision not to operate in Burma. They asserted that they will not be operating tours to Burma until they are confident that SLORC's policy of forcibly relocating people and using forced labour to build the tourism infrastructure has completely stopped. Other agencies who operate in Burma - Imaginative Traveller, Indochina Travel, Bales Tours, Andrew Brock Travel, Explore Worldwide, Exodus, Silk Steps and Association of Independent Tour Operators also sent a joint letter to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in Rangoon stating their objections to the human rights abuses associated with tourism. According to Patricia Barnett, Director of Tourism Concern, UK, this is the first time that tour operators have made statements on human rights abuses related to tourism
NEWS SOURCES THIS ISSUE:
A = Asiaweek,
ABSDF = All Burma Students Democratic Front,
B = Bangkok Post,
CNF = Chin National Front,
F = Far Eastern Economic Review,
FTUBWB = Federation of Trade Unions, Burma (Western Burma),
IA = IntelAsia,
N = The Nation, Bangkok,
NLD-LA = National League for Democracy - Liberated Area,
PEN = PEN USA Center,
Reu = Reuters,
SHAN = Shan Herald Agency for News, and
UPI = United Press International.