Re: Wired News on Jan 11-12, '95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Chinese Buddha relic to return to Burma in 1996 RANGOON, Jan 11 (Reuter) - China has agreed to a request from Burma's military government to allow another visit of a tooth of the Buddha, official newspapers reported on Wednesday. Chinese Premier Li Peng agreed to the request for a return of the 2,500-year-old relic in 1996 during his visit to Burma last month, the reports said. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese Buddhists turned out to pay their respects to the relic when it was carried throughout the country in an elaborate 45-day procession that began last April. Donations of more than 180 million kyat ($29 million at the official exchange rate and $1.6 million at the black market rate) and thousands of pieces of jewellery were collected and will be used to build pagodas to house replicas of the tooth relic, the reports said. The Burmese government gave $500,000 to China in return for the relic's visit last year. A Ministry of Religious Affairs official said the dates of the 1996 visit have yet to be decided. REUTER Transmitted: 95-01-11 06:04:57 EST ********* Americans warned of drug-gang revenge in Thailand BANGKOK (Reuter) - The United States has warned its citizens to be careful traveling in northern Thailand because revenge attacks by drug gangs were possible after the arrest of 10 suspected heroin traffickers, a U.S. Embassy official said Wednesday. ``As a result of the recent arrest of several leading drug traffickers, the State Department is concerned about possible reprisals,'' the official said. The warning, which covers the northern Thai provinces of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and northern parts of Chiang Mai, was issued on Saturday, the official said. The 10 traffickers, all Thais of Chinese origin, were arrested in a November sweep in those three provinces and Bangkok. They are alleged to be key members of Burmese opium warlord Khun Sa's trafficking ring. The official declined to elaborate on why the advisory was thought necessary and issued Saturday when the arrests were made in November. The arrests were at the request of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a Thai court Wednesday was to rule on whether to grant extradition of the 10 to the United States, where they have been indicted on drugs charges. A senior member of Khun Sa's guerrilla organisation said earlier this week that at least two of the ten suspects were associates of Khun Sa. The half-Shan and half-Chinese Khun Sa, who has also been indicted by a U.S. court, commands an 8,000-strong guerrilla army in northeastern Burma's Shan state. Thai and Western anti-narcotics officials say he is one of the world's leading drug traffickers. He says he is a Shan nationalist fighting the Burmese junta for the autonomy of Shan state. He denies he is a drug trafficker, saying he only taxes opium caravans passing through his areas of control in the Burmese section of the Golden Triangle opium-growing region. REUTER Transmitted: 95-01-11 03:10:42 EST ************ Burma, Indonesia step up economic cooperation RANGOON, Jan 12 (Reuter) - Burma and Indonesia have agreed to step up cooperation in agricultural technology, livestock breeding and fisheries, state-run newspapers reported on Thursday. The two countries signed two memorandums of understanding on Wednesday covering the exchange of technology, research training and study tours. Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Baharsyah Syarifuddin was in Rangoon on Wednesday for the signing ceremonies, the reports said. He left later in the day at the end of a three-day trip. Burma and Indonesia will produce finished goods and boost exports in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors to their mutual benefit, the reports said. Transmitted: 95-01-12 04:06:12 EST ************* Thai traffickers in court as U.S. warns of revenge (Recasts with traffickers' court appearance) By Sutin Wannabovorn BANGKOK, Jan 11 (Reuter) - A Thai court on Wednesday began a hearing on the extradition to the United States of 10 suspected heroin traffickers as the U.S. embassy warned its citizens of possible revenge attacks by drug gangs in northern Thailand. The hearing was adjourned after two hours because five of the 10 suspects, allegedly involved in Burmese opium warlord Khun Sa's narcotics operation, failed to appear. A lawyer acting for the suspects blamed an administrative error for the failure of the five to appear. The hearing will resume on March 3. The U.S. Embassy on Wednesday warned its citizens to be careful when travelling in northern Thailand fearing possible revenge attacks after the arrest of the 10, an official said. The warning, which covers the northern Thai provinces of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and northern parts of Chiang Mai, was issued on Saturday, the embassy official said. The 10 traffickers, all ethnic Chinese, were arrested in a November sweep in the three provinces and Bangkok. A U.S. request that the 10 be extradited was sent to the Thai Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, the official said. The arrests came at the request of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and followed a two-year Thai-U.S. Investigation and the indictment of the 10 on trafficking charges in a New York court, the official said. A state prosecutor told the court on Wednesday there was some uncertainty about the suspects' nationalities. The U.S. official also said there was doubt over the authenticity of their identification papers. All the suspects have both Thai and Chinese names. One of the suspects denied he was involved in the drug trade and said he would fight the attempt to extradite him. ``I am a Thai citizen and I have nothing to do with the charges of heroin trafficking, that's why I have appointed a lawyer to defend me in court,'' Somwang Unman told Reuters after the hearing was adjourned. No Thai citizen has ever been extradited to the United States to face drug charges. One of the suspects who failed to appear on Wednesday, Somboon Daengkam, was willing to be extradited to prove his innocence, his lawyer said. Thai and Western anti-narcotics officials said the half-Shan and half-Chinese Khun Sa, is one of the world's leading drug traffickers. Khun Sa says he is a Shan nationalist fighting the Burmese military junta for the autonomy of Shan state and only taxes opium caravans passing through his areas of control, in the Burmese section of the Golden Triangle opium-growing region. REUTER ************************** BurmaNet ************************** "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ************************************************************** BurmaNet News: January 12-13, 1995 Issue #95 ************************************************************** Contents: ***************INSIDE BURMA*************** **AUNG SAN SUU KYI ASIAWEEK: BRAVE EXPECTATIONS **RELIGION BKK POST: BURMESE TO SEE RELIC AGAIN **BUSINESS NATION: BURMA SEEKS REVOLUTIONARY ZEAL IN DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS BKK POST: LOXLEY TO LAUNCH CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM IN BURMA BKK POST: BURMA EYES TOURIST DOLLARS **********ETHNIC AREAS********** **KAREN STATE BKK POST: BO MYA BANNED FROM ENTERING THAILAND **MON STATE CPPSM: INTERVIEW WITH PRISON-WORKER ON YE-TAVOY RAILROAD **SHAN STATE BKK POST: TOURISM IN KENGTUNG IN BURMA'S SHAN STATE NATION: SPECIAL ARMY FORCE TIGHTENS NOOSE ON KHUN SA'S EMPIRE BKK POST & NATION: FM ASSURES VISITORS THAILAND REMAINS SAFE NATION: KHUN SA `MAY TARGET US TOURISTS IN NORTH' BKK POST:TRADERS EXPECT BUSINESS SURGE AS NEW CHECK POINT OPENS NATION: TEMPORARY CHECKPOINT OPENS BKK POST: BURMA CAMP AT BORDER UNDER PROBE ************THAILAND************ NATION: LETTER TO THE EDITOR--TAKEN TO TASK BKK POST: SIAM EXPRESS TO EXPAND PROGRAMMES IN 1995 NATION: LEO BURNETT REGROUPS NATION: LETTER TO THE EDITOR--REFUGEE OR CRIMINAL? NATION: JOINT ELECTRONICS MARKETING SCHEME PUT FORWARD ************************************************************** The BurmaNet News is an ********************************* electronic daily newspaper * * covering Burma. Articles * Iti * from newspapers, magazines, * snotpo * The wire services, news- * werthatcor * letters and the Internet * ruptsbutfea * are published as well as * r.Fearoflos * original material. * ingpowercor * * ruptsthosewhoare * The BurmaNet News is * subjecttoit...Theef * e-mailed directly to * fortnecessarytoremain * subscribers and is * uncorruptedinanenvironm * also distributed via * entwherefearisanintegralpar * the soc.culture.burma and * tofeverydayexistenceisnot * misc.activism.progressive * immediatelyapparent * newsgroups as well as * tothosefortun * the seasia-l mailing * ateenoughtol * list. 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By fax: (in Thailand) (66)2 234-6674 Attention to BurmaNet, care of Burma Issues By snailmail: (in the United States) BurmaNet, care of Coban Tun 1267 11th Avenue #3 San Francisco, CA 94122 USA ***************INSIDE BURMA*************** AUNG SAN SUU KYI ******************************************* ASIAWEEK: BRAVE EXPECTATIONS 2nd Week of January, 1995 A January Date Raises Hopes for Aung San Suu Kyi In a drama that has been dragging on for years, even the smallest hints of action are cause for excitement. So it has been with the house arrest of the world's best-known political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi. Speculation has been mounting in recent weeks that Myanmar's ruling junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), is preparing to release her. Dates mentioned for this or a related development range from 17 to 20. The matter date marks five and half years since the 1991 Nobel Laureate's detention began. Much of the optimism has been ganerated by U Rewatta Dhamma, an exiled Myanmar monk, living in Britain. In September, he successfully brokered the start of talks between the dissident and the junta. So far, two such meetings have been made public. In mid-December, the monk returned to Yangon for a month. By some accounts he received a cooler reception from the junta and as of last week apparently still had not met either party. But student exiles believe the monk remains in favour. Says one: "I think Slorc likes him a lot at the momet." Some businessmen in Myanmar rushing to tie up deals -- notably in the banking sector -- ahead of the mid-January dates in anticipation of a surge economy. Still, optimism seems to be much stronger outside the country than in. Some of the more cautious observers in Bangkok believe the terms of Suu Kyi's confinement might be relaxed, with broader visitation rights or possible permission for her to begin getting involved in NGO activities. There has also been speculation that Slorc may announce a release date later in the year, or at least give some indicationof timing. But a spokesman of the exile All Burma Students Democractic Front doubts SLORC's sincerity. Says he: "They will just continue the dialogue if they can get the upper hand." Suu Kyi was secretary-general of the National League for Democracy until SLORC forced her expulsion after the party won a landslide victory oin May 1990 while she was in detention. The election result was ignored by Slorc, which instead created a "National Convention" to draft a new constituiton. The draft thus far precludes -- in part because she is married to a foreigner -- any possibility of Suu Kyi becoming head of state. Many observers doubt that she will be freed until after the constitution is adopted. Despite the apparent start of dialogue, outside impaitence with SLORC has not been allayed. The U.N. General Assembly in December called again for Suu Kyi's release. In an earlier report, Yozo Yokota, U.N. special envoy on human rights, noted some material improvements in the country but also highlighted the continued detention of hundreds of political prisoners, other serious human rights abuses and doubts about the new constitution. While in Bangkok in early December, Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw dismissed the U.N. criticism as "a ritual thing." During a 45-minute meeting with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, however, Ohn Gyaw was firmly reminded of the international demands for Suu Kyi's release. Briatin, the U.S. and Australia have in recent months separately stepped up efforts to increase dialogue with Myanmar and advance political reform. That, and increasing opportunies for economic development, may open the doors wide enough for Suu Kyi to walk through.(Asia Week) ***************INSIDE BURMA*************** RELIGION ******************************************* BKK POST: BURMESE TO SEE RELIC AGAIN Jan 12, 1995 China has agreed to a request from Burma's military government to allow another visit of a tooth of the Buddha, official newspapers reported yesterday. Chinese Premier Li Peng agreed to the request for a return of the 2,500-year-old relic in 1996 during his visit to Burma last month, the reports said. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese Buddhists turned out to pat thieir respect to the relic when it was carried throughout the country in an elaborate 45-day procession that began last April. (BP) ***************INSIDE BURMA*************** BUSINESS ****************************************** NATION: BURMA SEEKS REVOLUTIONARY ZEAL IN DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS January 13, 1995 Burma's military leader Gen Than Shwe has called on the gov- ernment and people to implement all development tasks "as though waging a revolution," an official newspaper reported yesterday. Than Shwe told a meeting on Wednesday of the ruling junta and regional military commanders that Burma's political, economic and social development had been mixed during the past year. The general urged greater efforts, the Mirror daily said. "Both the state and the public desiring progress and develop- ment are duty-bound to implement each and every undertaking as though waging a revolution," Than Shwe said. The junta, formally called the State Law and Restoration Coun- cil (Slorc), has designated fiscal 1994-95 as "the year of all round development." It has set a goal of 6.4 per cent economic growth during the year, or a gross domestic product of $10.25 billion. The Slorc's third quarterly meeting is scheduled to continue today. It was believed by observers here to be very important. But no details of its deliberations were immediately available. The Mirror, lauding Than Shwe's speech in its editorial, said the Slorc was increasing its efforts to turn Burma into a peaceful, prosperous and modern state. It urged the Burmese people to accept the Slorc's leadership and enthusiastically support its development efforts. The Slorc came to power in 1988, crushing nationwide pro- democracy protests and cracking down on the opposition. Reuter adds: Burma and Indonesia have agreed to step up cooperation in agricultural technology, livestock breeding and fisheries, state-run newspaper reported yesterday. The two countries signed two memorandums of understanding on Wednesday. They covered the exchange of technology, research training and study tours. Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Baharsyah Syarifuddin was in Rangoon on Wednesday for the signing cereminies, the reports said. He left later in the day at the end of a three-day trip. Burma and Indonesia will produce finished goods and boost exports in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors to their mutual benefit, the reports said. (TN) ******************************************* BKK POST: LOXLEY TO LAUNCH CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM IN BURMA Jan 12, 1995 Loxley President Thonchai Lamsam, said that this year the cellular telephone system to be installed by his firm in Burma will be the first project run by Thais. The Burmese project will be operated by a new firm and is expected to be operational by February, with 100 million baht in investment. (BP) ******************************************* BKK POST: BURMA EYES TOURIST DOLLARS Jan12, 1995 Burma is looking to its beaches to attract more tourists during "Visit Myanmar (Burma) Year" in 1996, a state-run newspaper said here yesterday. "The unspoiled beauty and peaceful environment of the beaches is sure to attract lots of tourists who prefer to seek out quieter places," the Mirror daily quoted Tourism and Hotels Minister Kyaw Ba as saying. Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba had returned to rangoon after touring southwest Arakan state early this week it said. (BP) ***************ETHNIC AREAS*************** KAREN STATE ****************************************** BKK POST: BO MYA BANNED FROM ENTERING THAILAND January 12, 1994 Interior Ministry Intelligence officials were reportedly trying to verify reports that Bo Mya, leader of the rebel Karen National Union in Burma, had already sneaked into Thailand. A ministry source said the ministry was ordered to try to prevent General Bo Mya from making movements in Thailand and from using the country as a springboard to go to a third country. Interior Deputy permanent Secretary Chaiwat Hutacharoen insisted that General Bo Mya must have legal travel documents if he wanted to enter Thailand. Immigration police would be held responsible if General Bo Mya managed to enter Thailand illegally, Mr Chaiwat said. (BP) ***************ETHNIC AREAS*************** MON STATE ******************************************* CPPSM: INTERVIEW WITH PRISON-WORKER ON YE-TAVOY RAILROAD Committee for the Publicity of the People's Struggle in Monland January 1995 Interview with escaped prison-worker on the Ye-Tavoy railroad. "Nai Aung [name changed to protect identity], a 28 years old man from Bassein is now in a camp on the Thai-Burma border. Just days ago he was doing backbreaking labour on the railroad between Ye and Tavoy. A railroad that has been dubbed "Death Railroad 2" by observers because of the intensive use of forced labour. Nai Aung is not a villagers from one of the nearby townships like most of the other workers, in September he was sentenced to three years prison for elephant hunting. It is the first time it is known that prisoners are used in the railroad construction. Work by prisoner are common in Burma. Recently pictures were released showing prisoners in chains digging the mud outside Mandalay palace. I met Aung Bo Than at th 25th November, he told me about the work and how he managed to escape." The work "The work is to dig and move the soil. Our group of 200 prisoner in the Koe Mine prisoners camp (just south of Ye) were divided into groups of ten persons. Each of these groups were given an square of 40 x 60 feet wide and one feet deep to dig and move. We were given the work in the morning at 6.00 a.m. and if we had not finished by 11 a.m. we were beaten by sticks (in Burmese called "Namba" sticks. I were also beaten at the back, the neck and in the face. At 11.00 a.m. we got food, and we worked from 12.00 to 04.00 p.m. in the afternoon. After that we walked back to our camp. We got only 5 minutes for taking bath. There were many kind of prisoners, but I don't think there were political prisoners amoung them. I think it was Battalion 343 that guarded us. (A map is drawn to show how the soldiers, special police and and ordinary police are placed around the workers to stop them from fleeing. The map is reproduced at the end of this article." The escape "On the 21 of October 15 prisoners were ordered to help the local monk to build a monastery. I was not amoung those selected, but I paid on of the guards some money and were taken to the monastery to help the monk. I was put to cut bark (in burmese called yein, used as rope) to give to the police. When nobody was looking I told my friedn to run away. We ran for 30 minutes. A villagers helped us to take of the chain on the feets. He also told us the direction to the border area. We also got food from villagers. I finally came to X, name of ethnic insurgency camp. I gave them the chains I had been carrying and told them I wanted to be a soldier. I think we would die if we had to work for 3 years." "The prisoner tells that he was arrested by an police group (Hayecan) in Irrawaddy division for illegal hunting, although he was given the gun to go elephant hunting by another police group." About the life in prison. "He stayed in Bassein (Petein)prison one month until 21 october. He heard said that it was 80 political prisoners in this camp. The political prisoners stayed in a section called "Kowya". Among them were one monk, I know him wel because I had the job of feeding him everyday. The monk was 60 years old. He stayed 5 years in prison. The monk asked me to do politcal movement. The monk was in robe, he did not wear prisoners dress. He stayed in a very small, dark room (wthout window)." ILLUSTRATION OVER RAILROAD WORKSITE FOR PRISONERS ,-----------------------------,,, I,I,,, I,----------------------,I,, I,I,I I,, I,I,----------------,I I, ,I,I I,I I I, I,I I,I I I,, I,I I,worksite,I I I, I,I Iprisoner police I I I,,, I,I,----------------,I I, I,I,police,I I, I,----------------------,I,, I,special police,I,, ----------------------------- army ==== RAILROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION XXX WORKSITE PRISONER POLICE AMOUNG THE PRISONERS "POLICE, SPECIAL POLICE (ANTI TERROR POLICE? FOUGHT THE STUDENTS IN 88) AND ARMY HAVE CONTROL LINES BETWEEN THEM. THE PRISONERS CAN NOT CROSS THESE LINES." ***************ETHNIC AREAS*************** SHAN STATE ******************************************* BKK POST: TOURISM IN KENGTUNG IN BURMA'S SHAN STATE Jan 12,1995 Tours by road from Chaing Rai to Kengtung in Burma's Shan state are growing in popularity, according to Mae Sai-based Ananda Tours. Tourism slowed after last year's closing of the Mae Sai boder checkpoint. "Kengtung was affected and became less popular among travellers, so we had to do something by seeking out more travel agents and representatives to inform them about the reopening of the border and revival of the Burmese trips," said an Ananda spokesman. The Thai-Burmese border reopened to Thais and other tourists in mid-November. Silachai Surai, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Chiang Rai office, said fighting inside Shan state near the Thai border oppositeMae Sai was the reason for the border closing last year. "But both Thai and other nationalities can go there as usual by van, pickup truck or four-wheel -drive truck, although the world is still in bad condition," he said. This season there appear to be fewer tour groups crossing over to visit Kentung, he said. "But for the long-term, Chiang Mai based northern Tour has offered this route to interested Japanese tour groups." A typical organised tour costs 5,000 to 6,000 baht a head. With 1996 being Visit Myanmar Year, Mr Silichai expects Burmese authorities to start promoting the country more, and to open more permanent border checkpoints. The Mae Sai checkpoint has actually experienced fewer problems than other points such as Mae Sot, he added. (BP) ******************************************* NATION: SPECIAL ARMY FORCE TIGHTENS NOOSE ON KHUN SA'S EMPIRE January 13, 1995 THE Thai army has tightened the noose on the notorious empire of drug warlord Khun Sa thanks to the work of a special force set up last October. The so-called Naresuan Force, formed under the auspices of the army's Third Region Command on Oct 1, is said to be the most aggressive measure taken so far by the government against the head of the self-styled Shan State and marks a distinct hardening of Thai attitudes. It follows on from the recent joint Thai-US police crackdown that reportedly crippled Khun Sa's Thai network. The Naresuan Force, based in the Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai, patrols a 500-kilometre stretch of the Thai-Burmese border from Mae Hong Son's Muang district to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. Headed By Lt Gen Thanom Watcharaput, the force is assigned to clamp down on cross-border movement of narcotics, weapons, food and logistical supplies to and from Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA). The Naresuan Force's range of operation covers areas opposite Burma's northeastern Shan State especially in the territory controlled by the MTA. The largely-ethnic Shan force has been fighting a decadeslong guerilla war with the Rangoon government. The MTA controls the southern part of the Shan State which forms part of the so-called Golden Triangle - an area straddling the borders of Burma, Thailand and Laos, The Golden Triangle supplies much of the world's opium and heroin to international markets. Khun Sa, 60, is of mixed Chinese and Shan descent. He is said to command a forced of about 20,000 ethnic Shan and has been conducting a sporadic, decades-long guerilla war with the Rangoon government. However, anti-narcotics agencies claim the MTA is more akin to a private army used by Khun Sa to safeguard his lucrative opium business than any force of idealistic separatists engagedin a struggle to obtain independence for ethnic Shan people. The formation of the Narusuan Force is one of the move visible results of a more determined stance by the Thai government to resolve long-standing problems occurring along its shared border with Burma - problems that include illegal trafficking in drug and war weapons, cross-border raids and the influx of illegal immigrants. According to information released by the Third Region Command, the government has drawn up a revized policy on national security in relation to Burma. The 1994-1996 policy has four main objectives: * To help Burma be a good neighbour, with stability and development; * To improve ties and cooperation with Burma on economic, education and social aspects, on the basis of mutual benefits; l *To erase suspicion and promote trust between the two countries; * To strengthen security along the Thai-Burmese border. "At first the army - which was aiming to reduce the number of personnel - did not approve of the force's formation," a senior official of the Naresuan Force said. "However, after being told about the need, the army endorsed the Third Region Command's proposal." The army's concern over contraband trade along the Thai- Burmese border and frequent battles between Rangoon soldiers and minority forces also contributed to the need for the setting up of the Naresuan Forces. The formation of the force was seen as a serious attempt by the government to put pressure on Khun Sa. The force aimed to block frug trafficking into Thailand, as well as the chemical used for producing drug, foodand medical supplies, and the arms trade. The powerful Burmese junta leader, Lt gen Khin Nyunt, secretaary of the Burmese State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), said last week Khun Sa and his army must be completely uprooted. Last year, the Third Region Command decided to close down all border check-points in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai provinces, effectively curtailing food supplies and basic daily necessities heading towards khun Sa's area. However, villagers were allowed to carry necessities into Burma for "humanitarian reasons". However, recet press Command failes to comply with a directive two months ago by tha NationlSecurity Council (NSC) which demanded an "easing " of a regulation banning transport of food supplies into the Khun Sa-controlled area. A high-ranking official inn the Third Region Command rejected the reports as groundless. He said that neither the premier nor the NSC had instructed an easing of the rules concerning Khun Sa's forces. The NSC merely said that the prime minister had instructed the Third Region Command to open newcheckpoints to promote lawful trade along the borders. The command has cooperated with provincial authorities," the official said. "We recently opened a newtrading spot in Mae Hong Son's Khun Yuamdistrict, and will soon open another one in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district." However, there were reports that some officials at the Third Region Command were uneasy over an "unclear directive". "[In certain spots] there are problemsabout drugs, arms trade and security. The Burmese {government] forces could raid Khun Sa forces [near the Thai border] at any time. So how could we open checkpoints for the border trade ," a source in the Third Region Command said. In late November, Thai anti-narcotics police in cooperatin with the US drug enforcement agencies arrested 10 of Khun Sa's leading "lieutenants". "Their key men later approached the Third Region commad and asked us to negotiate with police for the release of their men. But we rejected their plea and told tem to go back, otherwise we would also arrest them for illegallyentering Thailand," the source said. (TN) ******************************************* BKK POST & NATION: FM ASSURES VISITORS THAILAND REMAINS SAFE 13 January 1995 Despite US warning against in Thailand's northern provinces, the country is safefor all visitors and residents, Foreign Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said. "However, local people and foreign travellers should not worry because this country is still safe to visit," he added. The warning, issued by the State department on Saturday, cautioned American against travelling in the northern provinces, particularly Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, for fear of possible reprisals by opium warlord Khun Sa as a result of November's arrest of many of his leading lieutenants. "The US may fear for safety because it has been reported that their citizens were abducted by khun Sa's soldiers," Thaksinsaid without elaboration. The police officer-turned-ministersaid that he had talked to Police Department Director General Gen Pochana Boonyajinda yesterday morning and the police chief assured him that maximum security will be provided for travellers and local people in all parts of the country. "Pol Gen Pochana told me that his department has both tourist and local police to ensure security and safety for visitors and local people,'said the minister. Officials of the US Embassy gave Foreign minister officials advance notice of the wrning, Thaksin said. He added that it is understandable the US would take preventative measure. In a letter dated Spet 2 last year, the US requested the Thai government to help arrest and extradite 20 of khun Sa's people wanted on charges of heroin trafficking in the US. A total of 10 alleged traffickers were arrested in separate raids on Nov27 and 28 in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Bangkok, and are currently being held in custody. Deputy Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan told reporters that the warning is the United States' assessment of the situation, as there have been speculations that disorder in a neighbouring country wouold be likely to affect Thailand. "We are cooperating to assure the US and other countries that Thailand is still in peace and has security. I believe that when the US has considence in the setuation they will revoke the warning ," said Surin. (BP&TN) ******************************************* NATION: KHUN SA `MAY TARGET US TOURISTS IN NORTH' Jan 12, 1995 The United States has warned Americans travelling in the north of Thailand against "possible reprisals" by opium warlord Khun Sa as a result of the arrest in late November of man of his leading Lieutenants. The warning, issued by the State Department on Saturday, identified three northern Thai provinces - Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, - as "the areas of the greatest concern [to the US]". The message said American citizens in Thailand could contact the American citizen services unit at the US Embassy or the nearest consulate "for updated security information". The US warning came shortly before the Thai Criminal Court yesterday deferred until early March a ruling on the United States application for the extradition of nine of the arrested suspects, pending further study of the request. After a ninety-minute session during which only four of the alleged traffickers were called to attend, the judge adjourned the matter and set March 3 and March 14 for further hearings. Defense laywers said the prosecutor had requested more time to study the US extradition request. A US embassy spokesperson said yesterday that the extradition application contained a considerable amount of translated information and was sent "under cover of diplomatic note" to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The judge's decision was also prompted by the absence of the other five suspects. The Criminal Court had failed to summon them and so the Corrections Department did not send them to attend the hearing. In a letter dated Sept 2, 1994, the US requested the government under the provisions of the 1990 US-Thailand Extradition treaty to help arrest and extradite 20 of Khun Sa's people wanted on charges of trafficking one tonne of heroin into the US, particularly New York City, over the past 20 years. A total of 10 alleged traffickers were arrested in seperate raids on Nov 27 and Nov 28 in Chiang Mai, Chaing Rai, Mae Hong Son and Bangkok and are being held in custody. The Narcotics Suppression bureau Commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Somchai Milindankura, said yesterday that one of the suspects, Kao Chang Ping or Chamnarm Thanakiatpaiboon in Thai, had been arrested with 0.05 grammes of heroin in his possesion and would have to serve a sentence for drug possession before the request for his extradition was considered. Although the US Embassy has argued that the 10 suspects are "basically Chinese" and carried no "official Thai documents," Pol Lt Gen Somchai said eight of the group were found to hold "genuine" Thai identity papers. The two others - Liu feng-te, khun Sa's chief representative in Mae Hong Son, and his deputy Chang Te-tsai - were found to be "immigrants" with no "legal" papers. Of the group arrested, one suspect, Somboon Daengkham, has expressed his"willingness" to be extradited to the US to face the trafficking charges. The outcome of the extradition request would be determined by the ruling of the court, he added. The criminal court has rejected bail applications. Somchai said Thailand has never allowed the extradition of a Thai citizen to stand trial in the US. Washington has also requested the extradition of former MP Thanong Siriprechapong to face charges of trafficking more than 40 tonnes of marijuana into the US between 1973 and 1987. Laywer Pornchai Chongsooksri said the defence would try argue that the suspects' names were not the same as the wanted drug traffickers. He said his client, Hoe Ming-Te or Chatchai Patharaviboon, who was arrested in Bangkok on Nov 28, is Thai and not Chinese as charged by the Prosecutors' Office and had resided in Thailand for a long time. "Both the Thai and Chinese names cited [by the Prosecutor] are not identical [to the wanted man]. The accusation of nationality, that the suspect is Chinese, is also not correct, " said Pornchai. "The suspect is Thai and has been living in Thailand for a long time and did not just arrive in Thailand as alleged. I have a copy of his house registrstion certificate, marriage certificate, ID card and his business documents in Thailand. "Moreover, the defendant has no record of drug trafficking," he added. Pornchai said his client also denied any relationship with Khun Sa. The defense laywers yesterday produced a lot of legal documents - ID cards, house registration certificates, requitment certificates, name change certificates - to substantiate their argument. (TN) ******************************************* BKK POST: TRADERS EXPECT BUSINESS SURGE AS NEW BORDER POINT OPENS by Thaksina Khaikaew (Chiang Mai) Chiwin Sattha (Mae Hong Son) January 13, 1995 Thai traders in Khun Yuam District of Mae Hong Son expect a big surge in business when a border trade point opens at Ban Ton Noon, which adjoins Doi Kor Province in Burma. The opening ceremony was held on Monday after provincial authorities and the Army agreed it was the most secure spot. Cross-border trade would certainly improve the local economy and strengthen ties with Burma, said Mae Hong Son Governor Somjet Viriyadamrong. The crossing point is about 30 kilometres from Khun Yuam District, by a laterite road which sometimes incorporates part of a creek. It enables Burmese traders to operate at Ban Ton Noon every Wednesday from 6 a.m to 6 p.m at a market provided. If trade proves successful during a three-month trial period, provincial authorities may increase the number of days on which the checkpoint is open. The authorities plan to spend about 40 million baht to improve the road. "Burmese traders will soon use this passage to transport goods to and from Thailand as the route is shorter than travelling to Mae Sai market," Mr Somjet said. Thai traders along the Thai-Burmese border have been adversely affected by the closure for more than six months of three checkpoints at Ban Mai and Nam Piang Din, the longest period of such closures, the governor said. Third Army Commander Lt-Gen Surachet Dechativong said those checkpoints would stay closed because of possible fighting between Rangoon troops and Burmese rebels. Thailand was ready to open its border for trade with Burma but the problem lay with the readiness of the Burmese. He said he was told by Burmese military officials that the crossing point at Ban Ton Noon was safe and almost 100 per cent under government control. According to Paitoon Raklieu, immigration office chief at Mae Hong Son, Thais were no longer allowed to trade in Burma for security reasons. Thai traders who bought jewellery and antiques, prohibited from export, were recently arrested by Burmese officials. The Thais were released after being fined five times the price of the goods. Five immigration officers will be stationed at the crossing point to help Burmese traders. A fee will not be charged. "This will help solve the problem of illegal immigration of Burmese via the crossing point. Burmese are allowed to travel only to the permitted point 1.5 kilometres from the border," he said. Anuchit Wattanakaiwanwong, the Customs chief at Mae Hong Son, said he initially expected trading would generate more than 100,000 baht each day. "When this place becomes better known, trading is expected to boom," he said. Imports of rice, garlic and soybeans are prohibited in large quantities. Thai traders also want to import logs and jade from Burma. He conceded it was difficult to control illegal trade because there were several illegal trade channels along the border. Boonsong Yungthong, 43, assistant village chief of Ban Khun Yuam, said Thais had been trading with Burmese through the checkpoint for a long time. They took consumer and household goods to Ban Mae Jae in Doi Kor Province, about 60 kilometres from the border, where Karens lived. They paid 50 baht per truck and 10 baht per passenger to burmese officials as passage fee. About six trucks from the village operated along this route. Each trader spends more than 10,000 baht on goods for the return trip to make a profit overall of 3,000 to 4,000 baht. The best-selling goods in Burma are canned food, mats, clothes, shoes and medicine. The price of Thai goods doubles when it reaches Burma. The traders never come back to Thailand empty-handed. They buy local goods from Kayah State such as jungle products, cattle, antiques and raw jade and rubies. Mong Yungthong, 42, a village merchant who sometimes enters Ban Mae Jae to sell consumer goods to Burmese, said there were about 100 traders in Khun Yuam who dealt with Burmese. She estimated these traders earned in all between two million and three million baht a month. U Khin Maung Thein, chairman of the commercial department in Doi Kor Province, said he was confident more Burmese traders from Mandalay would use the new crossing point as it was closer than the Mae Sai checkpoint in Chiang Rai. The Burmese Government allows its people to export local products except wood and jewellery. According to Sithichai Prasertsri, the county magistrate of Muang District in Mae Hong Son, provincial authorities are pushing to open another two crossing points at Ban Nai Soi and at Nam Pieng Din in Muang District. He said one foreign logging company operated in Burma opposite Ban Nai Soi, 30 kilometres from Muang District. If a crossing point was opened there, it would be come the main passage of logs. Although traders and officials in Khun Yuam welcome the new checkpoint, Surapong Chuwattankul, president of the Mae Hong Son City Council, disgrees with the move because of the distance involved on a rugged road. It would be impossible to travel to the checkpoint during the rainy season, he said. The most suitable area for the crossing would have been Pang Ma Pa Sub-district in Ban Mai Sant close to a major population centre in Burma . (BP) ******************************************* NATION: TEMPORARY CHECKPOINT OPENS Jan 12, 1995 Another temporary checkpoint was opened on Monday on the Thai- Burmese border at Ban Huay Tonnoon. Mae Hong Son governer Somjet Viriyadamrong, high-ranking officials and chamber of commerce representatives presided over the opening at Tambon Mae Ngao. The first to cross at the checkpoint were Burmese traders with four or five trucks of dried chillies, forest products, herbs and other products, while Thai traders brought consumer goods into Burma. Officials say trading will be every Wednesday on the Thai side, about 2 kilometres from the border line. The road is still poor but provincial authorities plan to improve it. A new road may be developed but only if it can be done without harming the environment, they said. ******************************************* BKK POST: BURMA CAMP AT BORDER UNDER PROBE Jan 12, 1995 The provincial governer and the Third Army region Commander yesterday said that a border committee will have to look into the problem of burmese troops setting up camp on what is believed to be Thai territory. Governer Somgetr Viriyadamrong said the Burmese come in Kunyuam district some 2 kilometres from the border pass at Huay Ton Nun was clearly on Thai territory, because there was a border marker dividing the two countries dating back to World War Two. However, a border demarcation committee will have to look into the matter which is under the responsibility of the foreign ministry. Third Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Surachet Dechatiwong also said that the border will have to check it out first because at present both Thai and Burma "hold different maps". He said that he did not know when negotiations with Burma would be held. (BP) ************THAILAND************ NATION: LETTER TO THE EDITOR--TAKEN TO TASK Jan 12, 1995 When I opened The Nation on January 4, I was so shocked I vomited. Right there, smack in the middle of the newspaper was a full colour piece of propoganda glorifying the military nincompoops (commonly known as SLORC) raping Burma. How The Nation can write so many compassionate editorials revealing the horrid truth of what the dictatorial SLORC is really doing (basically killing, raping and destroying the Burmese people) and then throw in this piece of mindless propoganda escapes me. Perhaps it is The Nation's own version of destructive...sorry, constructive engagement. I would certainly hate to think your honourable newspaper would sink so low as to glorify SLORC in exchange for a few hundred thousand baht's added turnover. Over the past two decades, The Nation has come far thanks to its hard-hitting style and fearless journalism. How in God's name it can sell out to a military regime hell-bent on destroying its own people escapes me. But it sure as hell ruined my breakfast on the 4th. (Napachad Gaertner-Bangkok) (TN) ******************************** BKK POST: SIAM EXPRESS TO EXPAND PROGRAMMES IN 1995 Jan 12, 1995 Managing Director of Siam Express Staporn Sirisinha, recently announced that in 1995 the company plans to offer more variety and novelty in its outbound and inbound tours. The company will spend three million baht on public relations and promotions, two million baht of that overseas. For the adventurous and experienced travellers, a safari in Kenya and a trip to the Seychelles will be offered starting in March. "We also began to sell a Burma package tour in December and it has gone well," said Mr staporn. It offers a chance to offer tourist attractions in Rangoon. We have to wait for Mandalay as accommodation is not good and it will take some time for hotel projects to be completed. Accommodation is still a sellers' market in Burma, with the price too high when compared with the standard of luxury." (BP) ******************************** NATION: LEO BURNETT REGROUPS Jan 12, 1995 Advertising agency Leo Burnett Ltd will this year focus on training and new business development, as part of its plan to cope with the growth in the advertising market in the Asia- Pacific region. Indochina's advertising market is moving rapidly and it will be worth about 10 per cent of the market volume of Thailand in 1997. Jeff Fergus, regional managing director for Asia-Pacific, noted that the advertising industry in Vietnam will this year grow by 40 per cent with total expenditure of about US$ 80 million compared to US$ 58 million in 1994. The Burmese advertising industry is also expanding fast with total expenditure of about US$ 25 million last year which is expected to jump to US$ 40 million by the end of this year. (TN) ******************************** NATION: LETTER TO THE EDITOR--REFUGEE OR CRIMINAL? Jan 12, 1995 I've been thinking about this for quite a long time without being able to reach a conclusion, as the laws and regulations convering refugees in this country are so difficult to understand. There are thousands of Burmese refugees in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, who are supported by United Nations High Commision for Refugees, to the extent of Bt 2,500 per refugee per month for living costs, medical care, and some basic education courses under UNHCR's education programme. Generally, anyone (who doesn't understand the real situation of these refugees) would think that they have got very good facilities. Certainly, it is true if you compare with the situation of Rwandan refugees. So, what's up? As I understand, they are political refugees in this country (not criminals), who fled from their country because of the brutality of their government. They came to Bangkok for the hope of being considered as refugees by UNHCR and with the dream of going back to a third country, the same as some other refugees from Sri Lanka, Iran, Afgahanistan etc, who are staying in Bangkok with refugee status. (All of these refugees from different countries are under the umbrella of UNHCR but with different treatment.) While other refugees get Bt 3,000 per month, Burmese refugees get Bt 2,500. It may be because the other refugees came to Thailand by plane and therefore they have got higher living standards than Burmese refugees, who came to Thailand by crossing the border on foot. So, there is nothing to say about "equality". One thing which I can't really understand is why the refugees (not criminals) are being arrested by police and sent to the IDC (Immigration Detention Centre) charged with illegal entry. then they are being sent to the border after staying in the IDC for some days. Then again, they manage to come back to Bangkok by negotiation or begging somebody. Who else? Why they don't go to stay in their "paradise" (so-called Safe Camp) ? It is easy to understand if you have spent just one day there. So, these refugees have to stay in their life circle (border- bangkok-IDC-border) permanently. Some of the lucky ones have gone to third countries but most of them are trapped in the circle, without knowing their future. I am just wondering whether "political refugee" and "criminal" are the same or not. (Maung, Mae Hong Song) (TN) ******************************************* NATION: JOINT ELECTRONICS MARKETING SCHEME PUT FORWARD January 12, 1995 A joint international marketing programme to coordinate export activities has been proposed by a Department of Export Promo- tion working group to coordinate markeying activities among Thai electrical and electronic exporters. One of the working group's members, Kritha Thienlikit, execu- tive of Uniair, said his team has agreed to push for the es- tablishment of the joint programme to promote locally-made electric goods. Vietnam and Burma are cited as the first to receive attention. "initially, we want JIM to help Thai exporters market their goods in these two countries and later expand marketing activ- ities to a global level," said Kritha. Speaking at a seminar on `Marketing strategy for the Export of electrical / electronic goods to Vietnam and Burma' organized by the department, Kritha noted that Thai goods are in demand in Vietnam and thai producers of consumer goods, especially cooling products such as electric fans and air conditioners, can offer competitive pricing. Kritha's working group, which comprises operators in the elec- tronic/electrical industry, has recently visited Vietnam and Burma to study market conditions and to excite interest amongst Thai industrialists. Already, Thai goods have flooded the two countries across po- rous borders. For Burma, the interest in export is not as high as for Vietnam. However, Nacron Sirichanachi of Telesonic noted that the number of border traders is flourishing. Despite facing compe- tition from Chinese made products traded across the northern border of Burma, electrical/ electronic goods are still com- petitive. Active border trading with Burma is conducted from the Chiang Rai district of Mae Sot down to Ranong. Nakorn suggested that to avoid the problem of exchange rates, exporters should work closely with local importers. (TN) ************************************************************** NEWS SOURCES REGULARLY COVERED/ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET: AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS AFP: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE AW: ASIAWEEK AWSJ: ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL Bt.: THAI BAHT; 25 Bt.3 DUS$1 (APPROX), BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION BI: BURMA ISSUES BKK POST: BANGKOK POST (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK) BRC-CM: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-CHIANG MAI BRC-J: BURMESE RELIEF CENTER-JAPAN CPPSM: C'TEE FOR PUBLICITY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE IN MONLAND FEER: FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW IRRAWADDY: NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY BURMA INFORMATION GROUP JIR: JANE'S INTELLIGENCE REVIEW KHRG: KAREN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP Kt. BURMESE KYAT; 150 KYAT3DUS$1 BLACK MARKET 100 KYAT3DUS$1 SEMI-OFFICIAL 6 KYAT3DUS$1 OFFICIAL MOA: MIRROR OF ARAKAN NATION: THE NATION (DAILY NEWSPAPER, BANGKOK) NLM: NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (DAILY STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER, RANGOON) S.C.B.:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP S.C.T.:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA BITNET MAILING LIST SLORC: STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY **************************************************************