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].