BURMA ALERT

JULY-SEPTEMBER 1997

Volume 8, No.7-9

News Chronology:

SHAN VILLAGERS MASSACRED

On June 6, twenty-six people from Chianglom village, Kunhing, Shan State, were

tied up and shot by troops of the State Law and Order Restoration Council

(SLORC) for refusing to relocate.

On June 10 and 16, thirty-two more people were killed by SLORC troops in

Kunhing district [DY970702, SHAN970708].

N.L.D. PARLIAMENTARIAN RESIGNS

On 14 June, Maung Maung Myint, NLD member for Meikhtila, resigned citing health

concerns and old age [RR970814].

RESTRICTIONS ON REFUGEES

On 14 June, Governor Pongpoyom Wasaputi of Tak said that Burmese

refugee camps will be cordoned off and a curfew imposed to prevent

unauthorised entry [N970615, Reu970621].

TALKS WITH RUSSIA

On 19-22 June, SLORC deputy Foreign Minister Nyunt Swe visited Moscow and met

with Russian Security Council deputy secretary Yuriy Deriyabin [IT970620,0623].

FLIGHTS FROM TAIWAN

Starting 21 June, Taiwan's China Airlines will operate twice-weekly flights

from Taipei to Rangoon [N970622].

G-8 URGES DIALOGUE IN BURMA

On 21 June, the Group of Eight countries urged SLORC to begin a dialogue with

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The G-8 also urged the Association of South East Asian

Nations (ASEAN) to pressure SLORC to restore democracy in Burma [Reu970621, AFP970622].

MAE SOT-RANGOON HIGHWAY

On 21 June, a Thai official announced that SLORC has agreed to build a highway

from the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge (Mae Sot) to Rangoon [TT970622, B970706].

BRITAIN CONSIDERS SANCTIONS

On 23 June, shortly after Britain embargoed funds for the promotion of trade

with Burma, a foreign office official said Britain was considering ``the full

range of measures at our disposal'' against SLORC [BAG970619, Reu970623,

B970704].

ROCKETS HIT MYAWADDY

On 24 June, four 107mm rockets were fired into Myawaddy from Thailand. SLORC

blamed the Karen National Union but the KNU rejected the claim [B970625,0626].

TWO KHUN SA AIDES EXTRADITED

On 27 June, Wei Ming and Chang Yin Lung, aides to drug lord Khun Sa, were flown

to the United States from Thailand to stand trial for heroin smuggling

[UPI970627].

SLORC PREDICTS 24.5% GROWTH

On 17 June, SLORC National Planning Minister, Brigadier-General David Abel,

predicted a 24.5% growth in the Burmese construction sector in 1997

[TT970623, NLM970618].

JAPAN, E.U., IN W.T.O. COMPLAINT

On 4 July, Japan said it would join the European Union in filing a complaint

with the World Trade Organization over the US State of Massachusetts' law

against trade with companies doing business in Burma [B970622, A970702,

JT970705, AFP970708].

SLORC MEETS N.LD. LEADERS

On 17 July, National League for Democracy (NLD) Chairman Aung Shwe and

Vice-chair Tin Oo, met SLORC Secretary-1 Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt to

refute SLORC's claims that the NLD accepted US\$85,000 from US secret agents

[AA970718, B970719].

MARTYRS DAY CEREMONY

Burma's Martyrs day celebrations went smoothly on 19 July amid rumours that

SLORC was planning to arrest Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Daw Suu laid a wreath at

the tomb of her father, General Aung San, who was killed 50 years ago

[AP970719, F970724].

End Page

News Chronology:

HEADLESS CORPSES LINE ROAD

On 11 July, travellers along the Kunhing road from Tachileik to Keng Tung

reported seeing the corpses of 27 beheaded Shan villagers lined up along the

route [SHRF9707].

PETROLEUM AUTHORITY SUED

On 22 July, the Wildlife Fund, Thailand and Kanchanaburi-based environmental

groups said they would sue the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) over its

proposed route through pristine rainforest for the Yadana gas pipeline

[N970723, B970724].

CONSTRUCTIVE INTERVENTION?

In July, Anwar Ibrahim, acting Prime Minister of Malaysia, said ASEAN must

intervene in the political affairs of Burma and Cambodia to prevent

violence [AAP970720].

COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT ?

Thai Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasan said that ASEAN's constructive

engagement policy with Burma should be changed to `comprehensive engagement'

- a policy that produces results [A970808].

ROHINGYAS FORCED BACK

On 20 July 200 Rohingyas were forcibly sent back to Burma according to a BBC

report. Bangladeshi officials entered Maobra camp, beat women and children,

and dragged them onto a boat to take them across the Naf river back into Burma.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed concern at not

being allowed access to the refugees [B970719,0725, F970720, BLC970721].

ABUSE OF SHANS WORSEN

In July, the Shan Human Rights Foundation reported more forced relocations in

Shan State, bringing the total to 250,000. It said SLORC troops' brutality

towards civilians had increased. SHRF estimates that 34,000 Shan refugees have

fled to Thailand since March [SHRF9707].

HUNGER STRIKERS PROTEST

On July 22, Thai and Burmese students went on a hunger strike at the Malaysian

Embassy in Bangkok. They wanted ASEAN to consult with the democratic

opposition in Burma and oversee a transfer of power to the NLD [TAC970722].

100 VILLAGERS MASSACRED

On 22 July, 100 villagers in Kengkham who had been relocated to Kunhing town

returned to their village to collect wood. They were shot and killed by SLORC

troops [SHRF9707].

SLORC BUYS FIGHTER PLANES

In July, a Thai source reported that SLORC has bought 21 planes including

Chengdu F-7MG fighters and some bombers from China. The planes were delivered

in February and March. Burmese pilots have also been sent to train with the

Chinese Air Force. Nine of the aircraft and 30 Chinese pilot trainers have

been stationed in Namzarng, Shan State, since March [TT970721].

ANOTHER DRUG AIDE EXTRADITED

On 23 July, Thailand's Appeals Court upheld a Criminal Court verdict to

extradite alleged drug smuggler and Khun Sa associate, Charlie Yangviriyakul,

alias Yang Sue HuaYang. He is charged with smuggling heroin to the US between

1990 and 1996 [B970724].

STRIKE AT `SAFE' CAMP

On 23 July, another 400 Burmese students at the Safe Camp in Rajaburi went on

a hunger strike demanding that ASEAN start a dialogue with the NLD [TT970724,

JT970810].

SAW MAUNG DIES AT 65

Senior General Saw Maung, 65, died of a heart attack 24 July. Saw Maung was

the first Chairman of SLORC when it was established on 18 September 1988.

Senior General Than Shwe replaced him in 1993 after he suffered a nervous

breakdown [Reu970724, SLORC970724].

SLORC DENIES RUMOURS

SLORC's state newspaper denied on 26 July that its 500 kyat denomination notes

would be demonetized. The rumours had caused the unofficial exchange rate to

drop from 180 to 300 kyat to the US dollar and caused merchants in Mae Hong

Son, Thailand, to refuse to accept 500 kyat notes [N970726, NLM970726].

RESERVES EXCEED CLAIMS

SLORC's foreign exchange reserves stand at 1.2 billion kyat while private

claims to foreign exchange reserves are 2.2 billion kyat [F970807].

End Page

News Chronology:

DOWNER MEETS SLORC F.M.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer met SLORC Foreign Minister Ohn

Gyaw on 26 July at the ASEAN Regional Forum. Ohn Gyaw agreed to facilitate

the visit to Burma of John Dauth, former Australian ambassador to Malaysia

[AAP970726].

ROHINGYA HUNGER STRIKE

Refugees at Nayapara and Kutupalong camps in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, staged

a hunger strike to protest forced repatriation by authorities. Bangladeshi

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdul Hasan Chowdhury said on 28 July that

all the refugees will be sent home if SLORC agrees. Thailand recently

resettled 280 muslim Burmese in a refugee camp after SLORC refused to accept

them [KP970728, Reu970731].

REFUGEES FACE ABUSE - A.I.

In July, Amnesty International called on Bangladesh to recognise that Rohingyas

who return to Burma face human rights abuses including forced labour and forced

portering [B970811, SCMP970815].

N.C.G.U.B. MEETS IN DENMARK

On 24-29 July, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma held a

strategy planning meeting in Frederiksdal, Denmark. The full NCGUB cabinet,

composed of representatives elected in Burma's 1990 general elections, had not

met since 1995. The NCGUB reaffirmed its commitment to a non-violent struggle

and a tripartite dialogue amongst the democratic movement led by

Daw Suu, ethnic leaders, and SLORC [NCGUB970731].

NO SLORC AT ASEAN-EU MEETING

On 28 July, at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, European Union

Foreign Ministers told ASEAN that the EU will not allow SLORC to join

ASEAN-EU talks unless it meets certain conditions. EU officials said SLORC

must release political prisoners, stop arresting dissidents, engage in

dialogue with democracy leaders, stage a new general election, and guarantee

freedom of speech and movement to its people [Reu970725, F970731, N970729].

W.N.O. SIGNS CEASEFIRE

The Wa National Organization reached a ceasefire agreement with SLORC on 29

July. The surrender was arranged by WNO Colonel Chao Maha San and his brother

Col Maha Cha, and Major Cho Aung Thein of SLORC military intelligence

[KNU970728, TT970808].

BURMA-CHINA DRUG TALKS

On 31 July, Soe Win, Secretary of the SLORC's Drug Control Committee, flew to

Beijing for drug talks with senior government officials. Bai Jingfu, Deputy

Director of the PRC National Narcotics Commission, visited Rangoon on 13 July.

At a UN Drug Control Program meeting from 9-11 July in Bangkok, China, Burma,

Laos and Thailand signed four major drug control agreements [B970709,

ABC970731].

OFFENSIVE AGAINST K.N.P.P.

In August, the Karenni National Progressive Party said that SLORC has launched

a new offensive against the Karenni people. Four regiments - 261, 102, 531

and 427 - under the command of Lieut-Colonel Ye Aung, were sent to the Mawchi

area in southeastern Karenni State. The SLORC troops were reportedly ordered

to kill all civilians, seize all animals, destroy all rice paddy and fields,

and burn down all villages in the area [KNPP970802 BN970806].

K.N.U. DENIES ATTACK PLAN

After SLORC refused a Thai request to send a caravan from Myawaddy to Rangoon

claiming that the KNU would attack it, KNU spokeman Mahn Sha on 4 Aug denied

that the KNU had planned to attack the `goodwill' convoy from Thailand

[B970729, DVB970804].

UNIONS SUPPORT MASSACHUSETTS

On 7 August, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General

Workers' Unions (ICEM), which represents 20 million workers in 113 countries,

wrote to Charlene Barshefsky, US Trade Representative at the World Trade

Organization, asking the US government to defend the Massachusetts Selective

Purchasing law which bans contracts with companies investing in Burma

[AFP970722, AWSJ970723, ICEM970807].

End Page

News Chronology:

FLOODS DESTROY RICE CROP

Floods in the fertile Irrawaddy division and high water in Mon State

destroyed rice crops before harvest time. The annual rice yield of 14 million

tons was reduced by at least 3 million tons. The flooding in Pegu division

and Mon State also caused over 100 deaths. The price of rice rose from Kyat

2,000 to 3,000 per 50 kg bag of husked rice. Farmers are still required to

sell their unhusked rice to SLORC at the controlled price of

Kyat 70 per basket, about 15% of the market rice. To date, only 160 tons of

rice have been exported this year [N970727, B970812,0814].

CANADA IMPOSES SANCTIONS

On 7 August, Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced Canada will impose

limited sanctions on Burma to pressure SLORC to end political repression and

stop drug trafficking. Canada will withdraw Burma's General Preferential

Tariff eligibility; require all Canadian exporters to Burma to have an export

permit; and encourage businesses not to invest in the country. Canada, which

embargoes the sale of arms to Burma, cut off bilateral aid in 1988 [OC970728,

0729, CFOB970729, Reu970807].

8.8.88 ANNIVERSARY

On the 9th anniversary of the 8 Aug 1988 general strike and demonstrations,

the NLD called for dialogue with SLORC. Burmese embassies in Thailand and the

Phillippines were picketed by demonstrators, and in Tokyo 30 Burmese dissidents

went on a one-day hunger strike in remembrance of those who died [Reu970808,

AFP970808, B970814].

BURMA'S SCHOOLS RE-OPEN

Schools were re-opened on 12 August, allowing 7 million students to continue

their studies. But 20 universities and colleges including Rangoon University

and the Rangoon Institute of Technology remained closed. The universities and

high schools were closed in December 1996 after riot police clashed with

students. Other schools, which closed in March for the summer break, were not

allowed to re-open in June [AP961210, Reu961210, AP970808, Reu970812].

BURMA-INDIA ASIA HIGHWAY

SLORC and India agreed that a planned highway linking South and Southeast Asia

will enter Burma from Tamu (northern India), rather than from Teknaf

(Bangladesh). SLORC said that the Kalay-Tamu road will be financed by India

[HT970812, SLORC970813].

THAIS REFUSED USE OF BRIDGE

After the Thai-built Mae Sot-Myawaddy `Friendship Bridge' was opened by Thai

Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi and SLORC Construction Minister Maj-Gen

Saw Tun, Thailand was barred from using the bridge by SLORC `for security

reasons' [B970730, 0816, TT970810, 0813].

POSSIBLE EXTRADITION PROTEST

On 13 Aug, the All Burma Students' League wrote to the UNHCR and Thai Prime

Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to protest the possible extradition of Ye Thiha.

Ye Thiha was jailed in 1993 on a weapons charge. It is feared that

when his prison term expires in December, he will be deported to Burma in

exchange for 50 Thai fishermen detained in Burma. SLORC officials have visited

Ye Thiha to persuade him to go home [SL970731, SR970814, B970819].

POLITICAL PRISONERS SENTENCED

On 17 Aug, four political detainees were sentenced in Insein. Cho

Aung Than, his sister Nge Ma Ma Than and her husband Myint Swe, were each

sentenced to 10 years under the Unlawful Association Act and the

Emergency Provisions Act. Federation of Trade Unions of Burma member Myo Aung

Thant was sentenced to life imprisonment for high treason and terrorism

[SLORC970817, ST970818,0819].

BANGLADESH ARMY VISIT

On 18 Aug, Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Army, Anwar Hossain, arrived in

Rangoon. Hossain was invited by SLORC Chief of Staff Gen Tin Oo [RR970818,

NLM970819].

PRISON SENTENCES CRITICISED

On 19 Aug, the NCGUB condemned the sentencing of Cho Aung Than, Nge Ma Ma Than,

Myint Swe, and Myo Aung Thant. The US condemned the `lack of due process' at

the trial. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook criticised the trial and

called on SLORC to respect human rights [NCGUB970819, Reu970819,0821].

End Page

News Chronology:

THAI-BURMA BORDER AGREEMENT

On 20 Aug, SLORC and Thailand signed an agreement to demarcate all 2,400 km of

their shared border. The meeting of the Thai-Burmese Border Committee 26-28

Aug also agreed to open permanent border checkpoints at Ban Nong Bu and Ban

Peng Lang in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district, and Ban Hua Muang in Mae Hong

Son [N970820, B970828].

NEW DEPUTY MINISTER

On 20 Aug, Brigadier-General Khin Maung was appointed deputy minister of

SLORC's Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation [RR970820].

SOROS BLAMED FOR CRISIS

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed accused US financier George Soros

for the collapse of the Ringgit, which fell to an all-time low of 2.8250

to the US dollar. Mahathir said Soros was punishing ASEAN, particularly

Malaysia, for its policy towards SLORC. Soros has denied Mahathir's

allegations [Reu970821].

INDIA-SLORC DRUG ACCORD

On 21 Aug, SLORC Colonel Tin Cho and G S Grewal, DGP of Manipur, India, met

in Tamu on the India-Burma border and signed three major agreements concerning

the control of drug trafficking [ABSDF970921].

THAI ENDORSES INTERVENTION

At a political seminar on 21 Aug, Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak

Inthrawithayanunt said the threat of `overspill' of other countries'

instability justified ASEAN intervention into member countries' internal

political affairs. The meeting was organized by the Sesakawa Southeast Asia

Cooperation Fund of Japan [B970822].

N.L.D. PARLIAMENTARIANS RESIGN

On 21 Aug, NLD Member of Parliament Ba Nyein from Banmauk township, Sagaing

division, resigned for health reasons. The next day, Tun Kyi, MP for Thandwe

in Arakan State, resigned but gave no reason. Three days later, Dr Khin Maung

Swe, MP for Sagaing Township Constituency-2, also resigned citing health

reasons [RR970820,0822,0825, Reu970821].

JAPAN REJECTS REFUGEES

On 21 Aug, 17 Burmese who applied for refugee status in Japan were

denied asylum. One of the applicants, Thomas Gon Aung, was

accused by SLORC of involvement in the April 1997 bomb attack on General Tin

Oo's house. Thomas denies being involved [K970821].

MAE SOT TOURISM RESTRICTED

On 22 August, representatives from Mae Sot and Myawaddy agreed that tourists

would be allowed to stay in Myawaddy for only 12 hours, between 6 am and 6 pm.

Tour buses will not be allowed in Myawaddy, and tourists will not be allowed

to bring video cameras, mobile phones, or walkie-talkies with them [B970822].

RAPE BY TOTAL EMPLOYEES

According to a 23 Aug report, Mi Tin San, a 15-year old Mon girl, living in Mi

Chaung Hlaung village, Yepyu township, Tenasserim division, was raped by three

foreign employees of TOTAL on 23 June. The men reportedly paid Kyat 80,000

(US\$800) in compensation to Mi Tin San who had to undergo surgery

[PDF970823].

ASEAN DEPARTMENT HEAD

U Aye Lwin, SLORC's former director-general for Consul and Treaties Affairs,

was appointed Chief of SLORC's ASEAN department [B970823].

KARENNI FORCED LABOUR

The KNPP reported the massive use of forced labour by SLORC in Karenni areas

in August. The report also documented the murder of Saw Jelley, 23, who was

travelling from Kho Baw Deh village to Mawchi to buy salt and fish paste. He

was shot dead by Captain Min Ko Oo of SLORC LIB 531 on suspicion of being a

KNPP intelligence agent [KNPP970829].

BANGLADESH TO SECURE CAMPS

On 25 Aug, the Bangladesh government said that it will seal off camps housing

Burmese refugees from outside food supplies. Residents of the camps

(Rohingyas) are protesting forced repatriation by refusing food from

Bangladeshi authorities. Bangladesh officials suspect that the refugees have

a clandestine supply of food. On 27 Aug, Bangladesh Ambassador Jahangir

Saadat will meet with Lieut-Gen Maung Hla, SLORC Minister for Immigration and

Population, in Rangoon [Reu970816, AA970819, CNN970826].

 

End Page

News Chronology:

AUSTRALIAN FLOOD AID

In late August, the Australian government said it would give A\$50,000 in

emergency aid to help SLORC cope with the recent flooding.

MASSACHUSSETS LAW UNDER FIRE

A powerful coalition of US businesses, `USA Engage', is planning to file a

constitutional challenge to the State of Massachussetts' sanctions banning

trade with corporations working in Burma. The group of 634 companies alleges

that the State sanctions change US foreign policy, over which only the US

President has jurisdiction. USA Engage also says that the sanctions pre-empt

a full US embargo, which the president chose not to apply; and that they usurp

the federal government's authority to regulate international trade. The

challenge may be filed after the US Congress's October recess [JC970828].

BURMESE LABOUR IN THAILAND

Reports released 27 Aug said 75% of Thailand's one million registered migrant

labourers who entered the country last year came from Burma. Studies estimated

that among these 750,000 were 20,000 female workers entering Thailand's sex

industry. The research suggested that Thai-Burmese smuggling rings perpetuated

the large scale of immigration, as did differences in wages in the two

countries [N970828].

THAI HELICOPTER SHOT DOWN

A Thai Army helicopter, which disappeared 28 Aug while flying south of

Umphang's Phophra district in Tak, was shot down by SLORC. The Thai Army

could not confirm or deny the report about the Jet Ranger, which disappeared

during a heavy rainstorm and was carrying 4 Thai soldiers. A KNU statement on

14 Sept said the helicopter was shot down in the Ganaleh area by the

4th and 1st companies of SLORC LIB32 commanded by Captain Kyaw Hsan and

Captain Thein Lwin. A SLORC deserter to the KNU reported that he had heard

explosions coming from the area. SLORC will not allow the Thai Army access to

the area where the chopper was believed to have been shot down

[B970831,0902,0910, BN970909, SCMP0910, KNU0914].

GENERAL IS A DRUG SUSPECT

A 31 Aug report said that Maj-Gen Khin Maung, commander of SLORC's No.9

Tactical Command in Shan State, is involved in smuggling drugs and

counterfeiting money. Maj-Gen Khin Maung took over Ho Mong in July 1996 after

Khun Sa surrendered to SLORC. He and an associate, Sai Nyunt, allegedly

produced heroin, amphetamines and counterfeit money in Khut Kwar village 120

km from Ho Mong. Sai Nyunt's wife, Mya Mya Thein, was arrested selling

counterfeit notes in Taunggyi market. Maj-Gen Khin Maung was replaced by

Brig-Gen Myint Thein at the end of 1996 [DVB970831].

BURMESE WORKERS EXPLOITED

A Sept 1 report said 80 Burmese migrant workers in Bangkok's Ramkamhaeng

district were starving because their employer had not paid them in six weeks.

The employer, who refused to register the workers as legal migrant labourers,

is Pi Chankaphan. He is a sub-contractor for STNC Construction company, which

is building the new National Stadium (venue of the next Asian Games) under

government contract [TAC0901].

NO U.K. VISAS FOR SLORC

On 1 Sept, British Foreign Minister Robin Cook said in Singapore that

SLORC officials would not be granted visas to attend the ASEAN-EU Meeting

(ASEM) in London in April 1998. Cook said SLORC is a `deeply repressive'

regime that smuggles drugs [Reu970901, S970902].

SLORC TO FILE W.T.O. COMPLAINT

On 2 Sept, SLORC said that it would file a complaint with the World Trade

Organization over the State of Massachussetts' and other city-level Selective

Purchasing Laws [B970903].

N.L.D. ORGANIZERS TORTURED

According to a 3 Sept report by the US-based Free Burma Coalition, Win Hlaing,

34, NLD Member of Parliament for Tatkon Township, and Myint Soe, 36, Central

Committee member of NLD youth, have been tortured in prison and are suffering

broken bones due to their recent ordeal. They were arrested in 1990 and

sentenced to ten years' hard labour for their role in the Gandhi

Hall declaration [FBC970903].

End Page

News Chronology:

THAI ARMY TO ATTACK SPEED

Thailand's Third Army has set up a special task force, `Strategy North Star,'

to assist police in northern Thailand stop the trafficking of amphetamines from

Burma. Bunpot Piamdee, director of the Northern Narcotics Control Centre, said

that Thai police do not have the resources to fight drug dealers.

Police Col Panurat Meepien, Chiang Rai Superintendent, however, said that

anti-drug attempts were futile, since several Burmese drug dealers are running

trading houses near the Mae Sai river [B970822].

NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR

On 3 Sept, Liang Dong, the new Chinese ambassador to SLORC, arrived in Rangoon

[X970910].

DRUG CONTROL CENTRE IN C'MAI

On 4 Sept, SLORC and Thailand agreed to set up a coordinating centre in Chiang

Mai to stop border trade in narcotics [B970904].

LEADERS' LOYALTY SUSPECTED

On 4 Sept, a senior Mon Buddhist monk said that the New Mon State Party

representatives currently negotiating with SLORC are no longer to be trusted.

The team currently in Moulmein is led by Nai Shwe Kyin, NMSP President. The

monk said many people suspect the team of accepting SLORC bribes and not

honestly representing the Mon people [B970904].

N.L.D. PARLIAMENTARIANS DIES

According to a 8 Sept report, Daw Tin Saw Oo, 53, elected NLD MP for Mudon-2

constituency in Mon State died 14 March after being harassed by agents from

SLORC's Bureau of Special Investigation to resign from the NLD. Daw Tin

suffered from high blood pressure and died after an interrogation [DVB970908].

JAPANESE FLOOD AID

On 8 Sept, Japan announced it would give SLORC US$150,000 in relief aid,

including a US$50,000 cash grant.

NEW ROUTE TO CHINA

On 9 Sept, SLORC Secretary-1 Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt inaugurated a 163km road

linking Muse and Lashio in Shan State to Ruili in Yunnan, China [X970909].

CHINESE MEETS THAN SHWE

On 10 Sept, Liang Dong, the new Chinese ambassador met with SLORC Chairman

Senior-General Than Shwe [X970910].

SLORC OFFENSIVE CONTINUES

The KNU reported 221 skirmishes with SLORC troops in July and August. The

KNU also reported the forced conscription of 390 villagers from Bawgali and

Gawthaydoe. The villagers were held from 16 to 21 Aug against their will and

forced to carry supplies to Nawsoe camp at the front line in the Toungoo area

of Pegu division [KNU970910].

ASEAN WILL NOT PROTEST

On 11 Sept, Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, chairman of the ASEAN

Standing Committee, said that if SLORC is not allowed to attend ASEM, ASEAN

will not react strongly. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed had

earlier threatened an ASEAN boycott of ASEM if Burma is not included. ASEM

groups the seven ASEAN countries with the European Union, Japan, China and

South Korea [ST970911].

MAHATHIR - PRIVATE VIEW

In a CNN interview, Mahathir said that he was speaking for himself, not for

ASEAN as a whole, when he threatened an ASEAN boycott of ASEM [ST970911].

N.L.D. TO HOLD MASS MEETING

On 12 Sept NLD chair Aung Shwe said he has invited NLD members all

over Burma to attend a `mass meeting' from 27 to 28 Sept [N970913].

100,000 AFFECTED BY FLOODS

A UN disaster relief team reported 14 Sept that 106,650 people had been

affected by flooding in Rangoon, Irrawaddy and Pegu divisions, but no figures

were available from Mon state, where 200 people reportedly died after the Mon

river overflowed its banks [Reu970821, A970826, K970908, N970915].

End Page

News Chronology:

MYAWADDY-RANGOON HIGHWAY

Prime Minister's Office Minister Veerakorn Kamprakob said that a group of Thai

companies is planning to apply for a government loan as well as raise funds to

finance a Baht 100 million (US$7 million) highway from Myawaddy to Rangoon

[B970902,0915].

DAUTH MEETS KHIN NYUNT

Special envoy of the Australian Foreign Minister, John Dauth visited SLORC

leaders 9-14 Sept to promote democratic reform in Burma.

Dauth told SLORC Secretary-1 Khin Nyunt that Australia would like to see

``engagement with the NLD on reform.'' Dauth did not visit Daw Suu to avoid

antagonising SLORC leaders but Ambassador Lyndall McLean met Daw Suu

the previous week to discuss Dauth's visit. NLD vice-chair Tin Oo said the NLD

welcomed Australia's attempt to encourage political reform [SM970915].

NEWS SOURCES:

SLORC ACCUSES U.S.A.

On 13 June, Myo Aung Thant, a member of the All Burma Petro-Chemical

Corporation Union, and Khin Kyaw, an affiliate of the Internal Transport

Workers' Federation, both officials of the Federation of Trade Unions of

Burma (FTUB), were arrested.

On 18 June, Khin Maung Win a.k.a. Sonny, official photographer for the National

League for Democracy, and Ohn Myint, NLD advisor and a relative of NLD leader

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested.

On 20 June, Cho Aung Than, a cousin of Daw Suu's; his sister Daw

Khin Ma Than; and her husband, Shwe Myint Aung, were detained.

In a special 27 June press conference, SLORC Secretary-1 and head of the

Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, Lieut-Gen Khin Nyunt, accused

the US government of `aiding and abetting terrorism' in Burma. Khin Nyunt also

said US$80,000 was given to the NCGUB. It was then smuggled to

the NLD for bomb attacks.

US Charge d'Affaires in Rangoon, Kent Wiedemann, said that the accusation is

an `absolute lie.' International Republican Institute president Lorne Cramer said SLORC was being

`Orwellian' in its attempt to term non-violent IRI work as terrorism. The

NCGUB said that the SLORC claims were `absurd'. The NCGUB said that it is

dedicated to non-violent struggle and has never given money to the NLD. In

Rangoon, NLD vice-chair U Kyi Maung said that the NLD has never accepted money

from any organization abroad [N970628, SL970627, VOA970627, N970630,

NCGUB970627]. Except for editing for clarity, the following excerpts are in

Khin Nyunt's own words:

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

...In June, a number of terrorists ...( who were planning ) to carry out

bomb attacks on some foreign embassies in Yangon and the residences of Myanmar

leaders, were apprehended together with explosive devices and materials such

as electric and telephone cables, C3 plastic explosives, fuse wires and

detonators.... Those involved include anti-government groups,... the

expatriate Sein Win and his followers, NLD party members, and foreigners

intent on meddling in Burma's internal affairs ... in the name of democracy

and human rights.... These conspirators ... ( planned ) to install a puppet

government...( that will take orders from ... western powers... )

Khin Nyunt gave an example of this by showing that some youth allegedly

involved in a failed 1993 assassination attemp against him are now living

abroad -

... Investigations into the whereabouts of these youth revealed that... Ye

Yint ... is attending an English Language Course at Indiana University with

a stipend from the US Information Agency; Ye Htin Kyaw... is continuing his

studies at Indiana University on a US Information Agency grant, ( and )

Myint Swe resides in America under a US Government grant.... Mya Zaw,...

Than Htay,... ( and) Soe Lwin,... are living in Australia with financial

assistance provided by the Australian Government. Maung Maung Lay and

Kyaw Kyaw (sic) ( are living in Canada) with financial aid provided by

the Canadian Government. These events prove that in giving asylum and

financial aid to these youths guilty of violence and terrorism, some western

powers ... are deliberately and systematically fostering a gang of henchmen

whom they can make use of whenever the occasion arises....

These young men were not convicted of any crime and are among hundreds of

Burmese who have been resettled in third countries as refugees. Normally,

refugees receive government assistance while they are adjusting to their

new homes. Only SLORC would read sinister intent behind assistance to

refugees - Ed

.... Another example given by Khin Nyunt was:

Expatriate Sein Win, ( Prime Minister ) of the NCGUB government-in-exile...

From America he toured the European countries, Japan, Australia and others,

always pandering to them with his pro-democracy and human rights stance. Yet,

on the other hand he was plotting and scheming in secret to commit terrorism

against his own country. Sein Win and his expatriate group are specially

favoured and have been given the freedom to come and go as they please in

America, Thailand, Norway, Japan and Australia and enjoy strong backing and

support from NGOs (non-governmental organizations)....

The United States of America, has ( under the Annual Foreign Assistance

Appropriations Act,) been extending financial assistance to underground armed

groups in Myanmar's border areas.... under the two headings:

a) The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour (BDHRL), and

b) The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM)....

All programmes of the BDHRL were supervised ...by USAID.... The amount of

funds under the BDHRL program received by the various anti-government

organizations and terrorist groups:

 

Under the BDHRL programme, US$2.38 million in the financial year 1996 and

US$2.5 million in the year 1997, were utilized... In 1996,

... US$1,079,000 was ( given ) to the National Endowment for Democracy

( which ) allotted ( the funds) to:

The aid alloted under the BPRM Programme was distributed by the International

Rescue Committe (IRC) and the American Refugee Committee (ARC) to the various

anti-groups for the purpose of launching terrorist attacks, causing

disturbances and exploding bombs:

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

In addition, the International Rescue Committee was allocated US$ 450,000

for distribution to KNU Dr Cynthia's Clinic and the Maesot Clinic through the

NGO, Burma Border Consortium (BBC). World Concern Development was allocated

US$ 450,000.

The IRC, ARC, BBC and World Concern are long-established and well-known

legitimate humanitarian organizations. Dr Cynthia operates a medical clinic

in Mae Sod and is not part of the Karen National Union - Ed.

... The US Congress ... terminated all aid ...to (SLORC)... and have

transferred assistance to underground armed groups and terrorist groups.

Moreover, the ...NGOs and welfare groups have been found to be conspiring

together in a cover-up to prevent the true facts of the situation from reaching

the American authorities concerned and are in fact relaying all kinds of false

reports and misinformation. For example, on 1 and 2 Feb'97, a conference

under the heading, ``Burma - The South Africa of the 1990's,'' was held at the

American University in Washington, D.C. ... Expatriate Sein Win, Gene Sharp,

Thaung Tun and Dr Mya Maung spoke ... and spread a lot of deliberate lies....

Harold Goldstein (University of California, Los Angeles), Alan Nairn (Human

Rights Activist, Survivor of the East Timor Massacre) and Mrs. Robin Stein

(American University) gave lectures and instructions on how to successfully

lobby ...US Congressmen.

The incidents ...so far mentioned only indicate how the US Government has

given encouragement and backing to the various armed insurgent and expatriate

groups on the Myanmar-Thai border to enable them to perpetrate acts of

terrorism. However there are some American citizens who are openly

and blatantly participating in person in these terrorist tactics. They are:

* Robert Helvey. He was assigned to Myanmar as US Defence Attache (Army)

... from 1982 to 1984 with the rank of full colonel. On conclusion of his

assignment in Myanmar ... he ... retired immediately. He is military advisor

to the KNU, KNPP (Karenni National Progressive Party) and the Democracy

Party for New Society...

* Michael Mitchell. He retired from the USAF and is now active as a member of

the International Republican Institute. He has been to Myanmar three times

already, and has met and held discussions with Daw Suu Kyi to synchronize

certain arrangements .... He is one of the principal provocateurs whose goal

is to stir up chaos through any means including the supply of necessary funds

to deliberately land the country on the road to utter devastation. He

coordinated and controlled all the terrorist activities both above ground and

under ground.

* Gene Sharp retired from the US Navy and has since joined the Albert

Einstein Institute as Director of Planning. He ... has been giving training

and instructions on methods of Political Defiance. He is the forecaster who

planned and determined the time, place and methods for creating disturbances

and political unrest...

* David Eubank. He is a late comer .... Born in Thailand of Christian

missionary parents, he was educated in the United States. He ...joined the

Special Forces of the United States Army and participated twice in the joint

Thai-American Cobra Gold Military Exercises. He ...retired and ... in January

1997... organized and sponsored the various armed insurgent groups in the KNU

Mae Tha Raw Hta area... He ... is engaged in drawing up a plan for

another conference...

A study of the behaviour and actions of these individuals will reveal

clearly that America as a country, and some American citizens have had the

temerity to ignore international norms and practices to meddle in Myanmar's

internal affairs and to aid and abet terrorist acts...

The Parcel Bomb

Expatriate Sein Win who had been dancing to the strings pulled by his American

puppet masters visited Tokyo, Japan from 11 to 16 March, 1997. He... met...

Naing Aung, Win Khet and Thaung Tun.... It was on this visit that he laid

the plans for carrying out a series of terrorist attacks.... The task... was

assigned to Thein Ngwe and Thomas a.k.a. Gon Aung....

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

The first attack was launched with the detonation of a parcel bomb at the

residence of... Secretary-2...

Dr Sein Win was actually in Tokyo to attend the first meeting of the

International Network of Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma headed by

former Norwegian Foreign Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik - Ed.

Thein Ngwe is a native of Mandalay who participated in the student

disturbances during the SEAP Games held in Yangon and in the U Thant student

unrest. He is of the Islamic faith with a wife and two daughters still in

Mandalay.... Thomas, a resident of Insein Township, participated in the 1988

disturbances together with Minn Ko Naing. He absconded to Thailand towards the

end of 1988 and attended an explosives training course conducted by some

Frenchmen... He got to Japan in 1989... He is said to be... a specialist in

remote control explosive devices.

Expatriate Sein Win's most reliable and trustworthy lieutenants are Maung Maung

a.k.a. Pyit Thit Nyunt Wai, founder of the Free Trade Union of Burma (FTUB) and

Moe Zaw of the Democracy Party for New Society.... Maung Maung is son of NLD

Central Executive Committee member U Nyunt Wai.... After the emergence of the

NCGUB, he allied himself with Sein Win and set up the FTUB in 1992. An

American citizen, John Osolnick Jr of the Asian America Free Labour Institute

(AAFLI) headquarters on Silom Road, Bangkok, Thailand, helped him to establish

the FTUB.... Under the patronage of John Osolnick Jr.... he used devious

methods to obtain financial assistance from various foreign organizations. He

then utilized these funds to cause violence and destruction... Expatriate

Sein Win... as instructed by his American masters, planned to

create unrest in the country in order to provoke... ( SLORC ) to take

punitive action against activists. This in turn would generate charges

of human rights violations by the international community and thus more

pressure would be exerted on the government followed by political and economic

ostracism. The people would then suffer economic hardship and that would lead

to a general uprising against the government.... Sein Win's scheme was also to

disrupt the existing friendly relations between the Japanese and the Myanmar

Governments. So... a parcel bomb... was addressed and sent by post from

Japan.... When it arrived at the Yangon General Post Office, it was delivered

directly to the residence... in accordance with routine postal procedures....

The Satellite Phone

Through his friend Swe Myint Aung a.k.a. Pyaunggyi... ( Maung Maung ) came

to meet one Myo Aung Thant, who... had joined service in the Myanmar Energy

Enterprise but had resigned... in 1992.... ( Maung Maung) managed to

convince Myo Aung Thant that it was more profitable to work in anti-government

movements and participate in acts of subversion and sabotage....

On 22-2-96, Myo Aung Thant returned to Yangon... He... compiled news on NLD

movements, rumours about the hardship caused by the high cost of living, the

state of foreign investments and the student movement and conveyed all this

to... ( Maung Maung)....

( Maung Maung) told him that contacting Yangon for the latest news by fax and

phone was not secure, and that it was also a slow and lengthy process. So, he

said that he planned to install a satellite phone link after consulting

expatriate Sein Win and Soe Paing in Washington.... ( Maung Maung) then... made

arrangements with employee of the Fire and Rescue Service (Thailand) Tom

Kanathatchantrsiri... ( to) convey the phone to Yangon. Soe Paing of the

NCGUB in Washington brought the Sat-phone to Bangkok and himself gave a course

of instructions on its use to Myo Aung Thant at ( Maung Maung's) house....

The Sat-phone was brought to Yangon on 3-11-96... Tom had brought the Sat-phone

without the hand-set because he was not sure of the security arrangements and

had handed over only the main component of the machine. Myo Aung Thant had

then put it in a Samsonite attache case which he locked before giving it to

his friend Khin Kyaw... in Kamayut Township for safe-keeping. Myo Aung Thant

left for Bangkok on 12-11-96 to get the hand-set for the Sat-phone.

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

...( In) Bangkok, ( Maung Maung) gave him specific instructions on the

times and phone numbers as well as code words and code names for establishing

contact with the Sat-phone. ( Maung Maung) then warned Myo Aung Thant

that... it was vital for the Sat-phone not to be kept with him but somewhere

else, and that it was therefore necessary to find another dependable hard-core

member....

Myo Aung Thant...returned to Yangon... On the morning of 18-11-96, Myo Aung

Thant went to the house of Khin Kyaw.... After recalling their experiences

( together) during the time of the ( 1988) disturbances, Myo Aung Thant

began to persuade ( and recruit) ...Khin Kyaw.... Taking...into account...

that he was a skilled communications technician, plus the lure of the monthly

payment of 200 US dollars a month, Khin Kyaw agreed to keep the Sat-phone with

him... Khin Kyaw had been radio officer of the Myanmar Five Star Shipping

Enterprise but was discharged for participating in the 1988 disturbances by

assuming chairmanship of the Worker's Union...

The first call by Sat-phone was made to ( Maung Maung) on 19-11-96... Myo

Aung Thant relayed information on the road block at University Avenue

(Daw Suu's home), the movements of NLD youths and township-level NLD groups,

the rumours circulating among government employees and an estimate of the

number of tourists visiting the country. ( Maung Maung) in reply...

instructed them... to recruit additional hard-core members from within the work

force and mass of government workers and to do all they could to aggravate

student unrest. He then laid down a detailed schedule for carrying out and

stepping up increasing acts of violence and destruction whenever the

opportunity arose. They were directed to use the code word BREAKFAST for minor

acts of sabotage; the code word LUNCH for arson and DINNER for exploding

bombs...

Myo Aung Thant..., reported on the stoning of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade,

whereupon ( Maung Maung) instructed the former to study the incident in

more detail... because... the incident could be exploited to further disparage

and humiliate... ( SLORC) in the eyes of the world.

During the call made on 25-11-96, ( Maung Maung) told them... to learn how to

use computers skillfully because he said they would later have to carry out

many assignments that would require the use of computer techniques. Myo Aung

Thant then reported on the brawl between NLD and USDA members; on the extent of

the preparations underway to expand and strengthen the fortifications of the

naval bases at Thanlyin and Dallah and also that ( SLORC ) was at present...

detaining NLD party members for no reason....

Recorded evidence of instructions and directives relayed by Sat-phone to Myo

Aung Thant by terrorist group members ( Maung Maung) from Bangkok and

expatriates Sein Win and Soe Paing from Washington are exhibited:

5-12-96 - Arrangements to be made for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet two

representatives of the American Labour Union... John Sweeny and Bill Jordan...

7-12-96 - To send a report on... low-income earners and the

financial difficulties of retired personnel. To obtain and dispatch a

personal letter containing grievances and complaints on the high cost of

living from a retired government officer of director rank.

17-12-96 - To send a list of the fax phone numbers of all the ministries. To

establish contact with Nge Ma Ma Than (daughter of U Aung Than) through Aye

Aye Mar (Myo Aung Thant 's wife). After a connection has been made, to contact

Daw Suu Kyi through her. When universities and colleges are reopened,

agitative letters are to be distributed to cause disturbances simultaneously

within the country.

17-12-96 - To hold a commemorative ceremony on the anniversary of Daw Khin

Kyi's {( (Aung San Suu Kyi's mother) demise under the name of Non Government

Energy (NGE).

02-01-97 - To obtain contact by phone with Daw Suu Kyi by mentioning NGE.

05-01-97 - To reconnoitre the Bago Control Tower for the purpose of bombing it.

09-01-97 - To publicize the case of the minutes of the meeting written in

Naing Aung's... hand.

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

16-01-97/22-01-97 - To help and give co-operation to a woman named Liza who

was expected to come to Myanmar... for the purpose of studying workers'

affairs in Myanmar. John Osolnick came instead of Liza and delivered cash

in dollars and some articles to Daw Suu Kyi. Myint Swe and wife met Osolnick

and made some deals and reached agreement to maintain regular contact....

28-01-97 - To tour Pyay and Aunglan to campaign and recruit... for

the Workers' Union Federation.

16-02-97 - To come to Bangkok where a meeting will be held... to lay down a

course of action to agitate and incite the internal forces to stage mass

protests and demonstrations.

09-03-97 - To shoot a video film of Daw Suu Kyi in Kayin national dress for

organizational purposes.

18-04-97 - Arrangements said to be underway for a Sat-phone for Mandalay.

Another phone will be sent. Prior arrangements must be made for the

conveyance of the Sat-phone to Mandalay.

04-03-97 - A meeting has been scheduled to be held in Ranong, Thailand...

to attend without fail.

 

The content of the Satellite phone conversations above and other details

were obtained by SLORC because Cho Aung Than kept a detailed account of his

activities in a diary which was discovered by SLORC after his arrest - Ed.

U.S. FUNDS TO DAW SUU

...Myint Swe is the spouse of Nge Ma Ma Than, a cousin of Daw Aung San Suu

Kyi. He had obtained a Master's degree in Mathematics from Yangon University

and had served as an assistant lecturer at the Computer University till 1992.

In 1993, he had managed to make a connection with the Fujitsu Company (Japan)

and set up the KSO Computer Ltd.... It is a fairly successful computer sales

and training centre.

Myint Swe... had come to know Myo Aung Thant as one of the trainees attending

the computer course at the beginning of 1996.... Myo Aung Thant... told Myint

Swe that he had a job in Bangkok and had regularly met Myint Swe each time he

returned from Bangkok... and beginning from June 1996, enlisted Myint Swe's help

to make appointments for foreigners to meet Daw Suu Kyi....

Myint Swe made... arrangements through Cho Aung Than (U Aung Than's son and Daw

Suu Kyi's cousin ( and brother of Nge Ma Ma Than - Ed). Most of the

foreigners..., were American, French, German and Australian.

Myo Aung Thant... became acquainted with Nge Ma Ma Than ...( He then)

approached her with the proposition that the NCGUB group in Washington and

workers' union in Bangkok had expressed their desire to provide funds for the

NLD and that he needed to know her younger aunt's (i.e. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's)

views in this matter... and that should she agree, representatives from

America would come in person to hand over the money.

He (Myo Aung Thant) then wrote a short note which stated: ``We wish to

provide financial assistance to the Divisional/State Branches (chapters) of

the NLD and would like to know whether an accounting of expenditures can be

furnished and whether or not this assistance programme is acceptable to you.''

Addressing this note `Daw Lay' (younger aunt), he... ( sent it) to Daw

Suu Kyi through Nge Ma Ma Than.

Ten days later, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a written reply in her own hand

which said ``Can furnish accounts of expenditures, and the arrangements are

acceptable.''

On the morning of 8 January 1997, Myo Aung Thant arrived at Myint Swe's house

and informed him that an American named Philip Robertson would be arriving in

Yangon...; that he had been sent as a representative under arrangements made

by NCGUB Sein Win and ( Maung Maung in Bangkok... that in arranging the

meeting with Philip the code words `Polly's Friend' and `Baby Lotion',... were

to be used. After giving these detailed instructions Myo Aung Thant departed...

The same evening Myint Swe and Nge Ma Ma Than...met Philip Robertson.... After

appropriate code words were uttered...Robertson gave Myint Swe an envelope

containing US$ 80,000, a copy of PC World magazine, a magazines on Human

Rights and some foreign newspapers.... Myint Swe immediately reported to Cho

Aung Than, superintendent of the office in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's compound.

End Page

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

The next day, Cho Aung Than came to Myint Swe's office and took away the...

articles.... He handed over the cash and articles directly to Daw Aung San

Suu Kyi without opening them....

Khin Nyunt then details another account of US funds being passed to Daw Suu:

...Myo Aung Thant received a Sat-phone call from Soe Paing of Washington and

( Maung Maung)...informing him that John V Osolnick would be arriving Yangon

on 24-1-97.

Myo Aung Thant then passed on this information to Myint Swe... and told him to

meet Osolnick... Myint Swe went to ( meet) him... and received 5,200 US

dollars in cash, 3 books on computers and about 40 sheets of photocopied

A4-size documents.

Myint Swe converted the 5,200 dollars to FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates)

in two lots at Theinbyu Road. The same evening, Cho Aung Than came to collect

some of the converted FECs and articles which he handed over to Daw Aung San

Suu Kyi....

VIDEO OF DAW SUU

...In March 1997,... ( Maung Maung) made plans to organize a charity show

for refugees in Bangkok. He wanted to show a video film of Daw Aung San Suu

Kyi in Kayin {( (Karen) national dress.... So, Myo Aung Thant was sent to

Yangon on 3-3-97.... Myo Aung Thant met with Myint Swe on 4-3-97 and broached

the subject....

Myint Swe then told Cho Aung Than about Myo Aung Thant's request. So Daw Suu

Kyi and Cho Aung Than (Arrested on 20 June 1997) had a video film taken

... in her compound with the assistance of... Sonny (Arrested 18/06/97).

Then on 8-3-97, the film was sent to Myint Swe through Ohn Myint (Arrested

18/06/97), a frequent visitor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence.

Seven postcard size photographs of Daw Suu Kyi for the purpose of issuing

publicity post cards were also sent along....

Myo Aung Thant received the photographs and film from Myint Swe and wife Nge

Ma Ma Than (Both arrested 20/06/97) on 8-3-97.... He... left for Bangkok on

9-3-97. He... handed over the film and photographs to ( Maung Maung).

SECRET MEETING IN RANONG

...( Maung Maung) called Myo Aung Thant by Sat-phone on 30-5-97 and instructed

him to attend a meeting to be held in Ranong. Myo Aung Thant... also gave Khin

Kyaw 18,000 kyats and told him to come to Ranong via Kawthoung

...On 4-6-97 ( Maung Maung), Myo Aung Thant, Khin Kyaw,... Than Lwin and

ABSDF representative Aye Maung, held a meeting in room No.513, Jansom Thara

Hotel in Ranong.

At this meeting a decision was passed to instigate worker's unrest in Yangon,

but in so doing, to make it appear to be free of NLD involvement and to try to

avoid the use of the words Daw Suu Kyi and NLD. Decisions were also made to

attempt assassination of State leaders, to target the Chinese and Indonesian

embassies for bombing and to blow up the transformers and cut the telephone

lines...

After the meeting. Than Lwin and Aye Maung gave Myo Aung Thant some instruction

pamphlets on how to handle explosive devices. Later on ( Maung Maung) bought

an electric rice cooker in which the explosive materials were to be packed and

carried. On 5-6-97, 8 sticks of C3 plastic, 10 blasting caps, 2 cans of

Acrylic lacquer, 2 cans of industrial lacquer, 2 cans of aluminum powder, one

coil of fuse wire 5 feet 10 inches long, and another coil 2 feet 1 inch long...

( were packed)... in the bottom of the rice cooker....

Khin Nyunt Accuses:

Myo Aung Thant together with ( Maung Maung), Than Lwin and Aye Maung

returned to Bangkok. Then on 13-6-97, he returned to Yangon... The same day,

security personnel were able to apprehend Myo Aung Thant together with his

accomplices. The explosives and other material evidence and documents were

seized at Kawthaung....

Khin Nyunt's Conclusion

...It ( is) clearly evident how expatriates like NCGUB Sein Win and Pyi

Thit Nyunt Wai ( (Maung Maung), in collaboration with certain American

citizens had laid down systematic plans of action:

The Americans

END.

Business News:

CHINA:

CHINA NATIONAL COMPLETE IMPORT AND EXPORT YUNNAN CORP signed an agreement on

25 June with State-owned Myanmar Sugar Cane Enterprises to build

two sugar mills, each with a capacity of 2,000 tons a day. China will

provide US$41 million of equipment [AP970625].

On 14 July Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise signed a contract with CHINA to build

two sugar mills each with a 2,000-ton-per-day production capacity and a value

of US$20.8 million. In June, SLORC signed contracts with CHINA to build

four other mills with similar capacities [NLM970715].

U Thein Tun, SLORC's Deputy Minister for Industry-2, visited China, 24-26 Aug,

to visit factories and inspect equipment to be bought at a cost of Yuan 150

million (US$20 million) [SLORC970826].

BRITAIN:

NOBLE CALEDONIA, TRAVELSPHERE, PREMIER HOLIDAYS, MAGIC OF THE ORIENT and

VENICE-SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS are among operators stepping up investments in

tourism in Burma [DT970802].

EXPLORE WORLDWIDE, a tour operator for backpackers, has stopped organizing

tours to Burma. An Explore spokesperson said, ``Quite simply we disapprove of

the fact that all the hotels have been built with slave labour''[FBC970904].

End Page

Business News:

TAIWAN:

Taiwan is planning to open a full trade mission in Rangoon [F970911].

INDONESIA:

P.T. EXSPAN SUMATERA OIL signed a contract on 14 July to explore and produce

natural gas and oil in Tenasserim. PT Exspan will explore blocks no.RSF-5 in

Ohndwe, EP-1 in Kyaukkyi Mindon, and MOGE-3 in Padaukpin-Monnatkon [NLM970715].

JAPAN:

MARUBENI CORP and KAWASAKI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD said on 13 August that they

had won contracts to upgrade the capacity of Ahlone and Hlawga cities' power

generation systems. The contracts, to be signed with Myanmar Electric Power

Enterprise, are worth Yen 7 billion (US$70 million). Marubeni signed a Yen

300 million (US$3 million) contract to supply hardware to SLORC in 1996

[NLM970717, DY970814].

KINSHO-MATAICHI CORP sold Yen 4 billion (US$ 40 million) worth of equipment to

SLORC's Ministry of Construction on 23 Aug. The equipment, to be used for road

and bridge building, is to be paid for in instalments [R970823].

MALAYSIA:

ARCHI CENTRE, DELTA CO LTD, and SLORC's Housing Department, gave a

presentation on 6 June on a new 46-acre housing project to be built on the Pegu river

[NLM970708].

DATARAN ISIBUMI SDN BHD will explore for oil off the Tenasserim

coast in a joint venture with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprises. Dataran signed

a contract with MOGE on 27 June to explore blocks M-15, M-16, M-17 and M-18

[RTV970627].

KEDAH CEMENT HOLDINGS BHD will build a cement service terminal in Burma worth

RM50 million (US$25 million). The terminal, projected to be complete in 11

months, will distribute cement from KCHB's Lankawi, Malaysia, plant, as well

as cement imported from Japan and Taiwan [S970820].

GENTING POWER HOLDINGS LTD signed an agreement with SLORC's Myanmar Electric Power

Enterprise on 20 Aug to generate and supply electricity in Kanbauk area, in

southern Burma. Kanbauk is on the route of the pipeline which will transport

gas from the Yadana fields offshore Burma to Thailand [SLORC970822].

THAILAND:

GOLDEN ASIA INTER CO LTD announced on 12 Jun that it will invest US$18

million to build a 200-room hotel in Tachileik.

The hotel will be a joint venture with the SLORC Army's Quartermaster-General's

Office [NLM970613].

On 17 July the INDUSTRY MINISTRY held a seminar on economic cooperation

with SLORC and said that it will complete an action plan in the next two

months. The plan includes construction of a deep sea port at Kalegauk,

industrial estates at Thanbyuzayat and Paan, a road from Three Pagodas Pass to

Kawkareik, and special economic zones in Myawaddy and Mae Sot [N970718].

THAILAND will lend SLORC Baht 200million (US$8million) to build the

Myawaddy-Moulmein highway, and Baht 230million (US$9million) to build the

Kengtung-Kunming highway. Both loans, which follow requests by the private

sector for Thai construction funding, will have an interest-free period of 10

years, and a payback period of 20 years during which interest will be 2.5-3%

[B970718].

T.T.F. RANGOON CO will hold Yangon Gems 97 from 10-14 Sept. TTF, a

subsidiary of T.T.F. INTERNATIONAL CO, said 29 July it had won

approval from SLORC to hold the fair [B970729].

KRONG SOMBAT CO LTD sold its 49% stake in Yangon Airways to the Myanmar May

Flower Group on 27 Aug. Yangon Airways is 51% owned by Myanmar Airways

[R970912].

U.S.A.

NEWMONT MINERAL EXPLORATION B.V. is pulling out of its gold exploration in

Kyaukpahto, in northern Burma. Newmont, which signed a US$154million contract

in July 1996 to mine gold, pulled out because of US legislation banning new

investments in Burma [NW9707-08].