------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: May 18, 1995 Issue #175 NCGUB: ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA BURMANET: LETTER--YO YO MAH TO PERFORM IN HONOR OF DASSK NATION: BURMESE BORDER SEALED TO EASE TENSION IN CHIANG RAI NATION: DEFIANT KNU LEADER BO MYA GUARANTEES NO SURRENDER TO SLORC SENATOR PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): INTRODUCTION OF BILL ON TRAFFICKING OF BURMESE WOMEN THE NATION:BURMA QUAKE FELT IN CHIANG MAI THE NATION:PRASONG SURE HE COULD HAVE ENDED BORDER PROBLEM BKK POST: UNHCR TOURS REFUGEE CAMPS BKK POST:3,000 KARENS FLEE TO THAILAND BKK POST:SURVIVAL CONDITIONS TOUGH FOR FLEEING KAREN REFUGEES BKK POST:BURMESE TO BE REPATRIATED THE NATION:SERM SUK TO TAKE PEPSI EQUITY BKK POST:BURMESE TOURISM MESSAGE UNHEEDED OUTSIDE RANGOON BKK POST: INDIANS, BURMESE JOIN TO FIGHT INSURGENTS ABSL (INDIA): TIME TO FREE DAW SUU AND BURMA ---------------------------------------------------------- o-------------------------------o The BurmaNet News is an | | electronic newspaper | Iti | covering Burma. 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Sutcliffe" World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Volunteering: Dr. Christina Fink c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org ---------------------------------------------------------- NCGUB: ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA WASHINGTON, D.C, INFORMATION OFFICE 816 Fifteenth Street NW. Suite 609, Washington DC 20005 Tel: 202 - 393 7342, Fax: 202 - 393 7343 POSITION ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO BURMA UN AGENCIES - UN agencies have specific mandates and do not take into account factors outside the scope of their mandate. As stated by Mr Herbert A. Behrstoek, Chief of UNDP's East Asia Division, on 4 May 1996, the UNDP's focus is development. The UNDP does not take into account political considerations. As long as its projects in Burma are "developmental" and can fulfil some "grassroots" needs, the UNDP is not concerned about whether or not its projects are directly or indirectly supporting an illegitimate regime. Likewise, UNICEF is committed to children and its 1996-2000 programme (US$53 million) in Burma is specifically designed to support the State Law and Order Restoration Council's National Programme of Action for the Survival, Protection and Development of Myanmar's Children in the 1990s. Most of the implementing agencies are also the various SLORC line ministries. This narrow focus often leads to unacceptable results. For example, in its program, UNICEF is promoting capacity-building for two so-called national NGOs -- the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the Myanmar Red Cross. It is well-known that these two organizations are semi-official agenci es of the regime. Therefore, UNICEF is indirectly contributing to building up the capacity of the military dictatorship. In the UNDP program, village health workers, rural health centres, and township hospitals are targeted to enhance their capacity. While the intention is commendable, all village health workers, rural health centres, and township hospitals in Burma come under the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the UNDP program is also indirectly contributing to building up the capacity of the regime. Other areas of concern include educational material for remote villages in the Chin and Arakan States. Unless the textbooks and school material are written in the language of the ethnic people in those areas, the UNDP could be accused of promoting SLORC's ethnic assimilation program. This is a serious concern In the ethnic states. The employment by UNDP of nationals who have previously served in other countries as international United Nations Volunteers, raises other questions. After 1962 to until recently, Burmese citizens were not allowed to travel overseas. Only a privileged few - state scholars, civil servants, military personnel, and people with military connections - could do so. The UNV from Burma are, therefore, from a select population. Their relationship to SLORC, and their ability to communicate with villagers, etc, could be questioned. The claim that UN agencies and NGOs have full and open access to civil society also raises questions. How valid is this claim? It seems to contradict reports received from credible sources. Given the present condition under which UN agencies operate, and given that no assistance to the people of Burma can be delivered without indirectly supporting the military dictatorship, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma cannot support the programs of UN agencies in Burma. The humanitarian crisis in Burma today is a direct outcome of 33 years of military misrule. The UNDP acknowledges that "though Myanmar is blessed with abundant natural resources, it remains an LDC with serious pockets of human deprivation" and that the UNDP's efforts "are just scratching the surface," It is, therefore, the contention of the NCGUB that the problems in Burma cannot begin to be addressed without first addressing the root problem which is political. This can best be illustrated by the fact that while UN agencies are talking about the "silent emergency" in Burma, SLORC Chairman Senior General Than Shwe, oblivious to the humanitarian crisis in Burma, made the following speech on Independence Day on 4 January 1995. "During the period of more than six years of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, firm foundations have been established and all round development has been achieved in the nation's political, economic, social, education and health spheres..." If SLORC does not acknowledge that Burma is facing a serious humanitarian crisis, how can the UN agencies ever hope to alleviate the situation? Will their best efforts not be thwarted by SLORC's political agenda? FUTURE - Should the United Nations in the future appoint a Special Envoy to coordinate an overall UN program (humanitarian, refugee, development, narcotics, and political), the NCGUB is willing to review and revise its position regarding UN agencies in Burma. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS - As previously mentioned, given current conditions in Burma, UN agencies and NGOs cannot avoid relying on SLORC and its line ministries. Decision-making by these organizations depends to a large extent on how closely tied each individual organization is to the military and SLORC. The closer the ties, the easier it is to implement programs. However, the organization may have to sacrifice its independence in order to achieve goals. It is, therefore, recommended that NGOs contemplating working in Burma consult the Guidelines set by the Burma Briefing, UK, Burma Peace Foundation, and the Australian NGO Forum. The Burma Border Consortium in Thailand and the Burma Donors Secretariat should also be contacted. In general, NGOs that can implement projects directly with well-informed and trained foreign staff are preferable to NGOs that need national NGOs as implementing partners or have only national staff. The rationale for this preference is that national staff can be subject to more pressure from SLORC and truly independent national NGOs do not exist in Burma. An alternative to working in Burma, which the NCGUB would like to recommend is working cross-border with the most needy in cease-fire zones, in the liberated areas and on the borders of neighbouring countries. May 14, 1995 BURMANET: LETTER--YO YO MAH TO PERFORM IN HONOR OF DASSK I heard on the BBC World Service's Outlook program 2-3 days ago that Yo Yo Ma, the cellist, is performing in some sort of "Support for Aung San Suu Kyi" concert (possibly in London, but I am not sure of that). The program was in the middle of the night and I was half asleep, but it sounds as if it might be of interest to some of your customers. I believe Outlook has an e-mail address, although I do not know what it is. [name withheld] NATION: BURMESE BORDER SEALED TO EASE TENSION IN CHIANG RAI 18.5.95/The Nation The Interior Ministry has closed indefinitely the Thailand -Burma checkpoint in Mae Sai district and two other crossing points in Chiang Rai to suppress border skirmishes and prevent further tension in the area. The order, which bans border crossing by people, goods and vehicles, took effect at 5.30 pm on Tuesday . It has dealt a blow to the once-bustling border trade, and stranded more than 1,000 legal and illegal Burmese workers who were unable to return home before the crossing was cut off. Chiang Rai Governor Khamron Booncherd, who issued the order, said a security alert is also in effect for prominent figures, government property and the general community . Border intelligence units have been ordered to dig hard for information on any attempted infiltration by " ill- intentioned elements," he said. Khamron said legal Burmese workers in the area would be given a grace period to return home pending applications filed by their employers. The order and the increased border controls came after it was decided that the checkpoints had exacerbated tensions. A report on intrusions in the area said Burmese troops had been redeployed along the border near Mae Sai. The other two border crossing points in that area are at Tha Kra-lam and Tha Kham. The president of Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, Wiwat Sirichang- khampatana, said the indefinite closure of the Tachilek- Mae Sai checkpoint will have a serious effect on border trade and tourism and will only worsen the border situation. Wiwat said he will send a letter to the Foreign Ministry to ask them to negotiate with Burmese authorities to open their border checkpoint. The Burmese earlier closed the border at Tachilek in Keng Tun, and accused Thailand of harbouring the forces of its enemy , Khun Sa. Meanwhile , US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Winston Lord said the US backed the proposal for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Thailand . Lord praised Thailand for its handling of the refugee situation, as well as other incidents in past . " Thailand is in a complex and challenging situation with regard to the Burmese incursions and refugees along the border," he said. Lord condemned the recent insurgencies into Thailand by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. ********************************************************** NATION: DEFIANT KNU LEADER BO MYA GUARANTEES NO SURRENDER TO SLORC 28.5.95/The Nation Thai-Burmese Border -- The leader of Burma's last major ethnic rebel group climbs slowly down a narrow mountain path from his clandestine headquarters and vows: "We will never surrender." Although the Karen people's struggle for an independent state is at its lowest point in decades, Gen Bo Mya remains unbowed . " We are making a revolution, there is no question of surrender," said the 68 year old general, jabbing his cane into the ground for emphasis. The Karen people have been fighting the government in Rangoon since Burma's independence Britain in 1948, and Bo Mya has been part of the struggle since the start . His followers consider him both a freedom fighter and a father figure. But to Rangoon, Bo Mya is a wanted man painted in the state- controlled press as the head of a terrorist movement. Cease -fire agreements between Rangoon and more than a dozen other ethnic groups have allowed the military to concentrate on the Karen . In January, the rebels lost their headquarters at Manerplaw. Since then, the movements of Bo Mya have been a secret. His enemies are never far away. " Our headquarters is in our backpack now," said Lt Col Than Maung of the 101st Battalion, one of Bo Mya's coterie of ageing commanders. The Karen National Union , which Bo Mya leads, also has been hurt by a split in its ranks . A breakaway Buddhist faction has aligned itself with the Burmese government and attacked camps inside Thailand that house more than 70,000 Karen refugees, KNU loyalists among them. Some analysts suggest it is only a matter of time before the Karen will have to reach their own accommodation with the junta. But Bo Mya says Rangoon wants the Karen to lay down their arms and submit to its rule. " We want peace," Bo Mya said ." But a true political peace , with democracy." Lacking that, Bo Mya remains defiant . "We will take Manerplaw back. We will take it all back," he said. The struggle, he said , will now become a guerrilla war. Beyond that, he could offer no practical plan for how he will recapture control lost territory . One of the drawbacks of classic guerrilla warfare, Bo Mya admits, is that it is difficult to protect civilians from the conflict. He said the KNU had refrained from some attacks on Burmese soldiers because Karen villagers in the area feared reprisals. After losing their headquarters, Bo Mya turned over his position as military chief of the Karen army to a younger commander , but he remains president of the KNU. Since then, the rebels have mounted few offensives. But on Tuesday, Karen rebels attacked a Burmese army post at Kanaelay, killing two government soldiers and wounding four. One rebel was wounded , Thai army sources said. SENATOR PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): INTRODUCTION OF BILL ON TRAFFICKING OF BURMESE WOMEN [With background by Phil Robertson ] The Seattle group was successful in persuading Senator Murray to introduce in the Senate the sense of Congress resolution (see below) that was introduced earlier by Rep. Louise Slaughter in the House. This is important because most Congressional offices don't really take such resolutions seriously unless there are bills in both the House and Senate. Having it introduced in both places is indicative that there are real plans to pass it, rather than just have it introduced to appease some group of constituents. The Murray bill is exactly the same as the Slaughter bill. I have spoken to both Murray and Slaughter's staff persons and their view is to try and line up as many co-sponsors as possible in the next few months. Slaughter and Murray are both planning to issue "Dear Colleague" letters urging their colleagues to co-sponsor but the grass-roots will have to do its part too with letters and phone calls. When an elected representative reads the actual text of the bill, there is really very little they could be opposed to -- after all, everyone is against forced prostitution and trafficking of women (with the exception of the corrupt Thai police and brothel owners profiting from it). It's just focusing their attention to get them to co-sponsor that is difficult. Please take the time to write or call your Senators to tell them to examine the bill and co-sponsor it. If they want additional information on this situation in Thailand, they should talk to Human Rights Watch/Asia in Washington, D.C. at (202) 371-6592. The report they want to obtain from them is called "A Modern Form of Slavery: Trafficking of Burmese Women and Girls into Brothels in Thailand". It's very comprehensive in detailing this horrible situation. According to Slaughter's staffperson, Kate Keplinger, Human Rights Watch/Asia was thrilled to learn about the introduction of the bill in the Senate and will also be making calls to Senate offices. I will be continuing to monitor the situation and staying in touch with Murray and Slaughter's staff. You can reach me at (301) 270-1009 (h), (202) 778-4517 (w) or reaproy@cais.com for updates. ========================================================= 104th CONGRESS 1st Session S. CON. RES. 12 Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the trafficking of Burmese women and girls into Thailand for the purposes of forced prostitution. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 4 (legislative day, May 1), 1995 Mrs. Murray submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the trafficking of Burmese women and girls into Thailand for the purposes of forced prostitution. Whereas credible reports indicate that thousands of Burmese women and girls are being trafficked into Thailand with false promises of good paying jobs in restaurants or factories, and then forced to work in brothels under slavery-like conditions that include sexual and physical violence, debt bondage, exposure to HIV, passport deprivation, and illegal confinement; Whereas credible reports also indicate that members of the Thai police force are often actively involved in, and profit from, the trafficking of Burmese women and girls for the purposes of forced prostitution; Whereas the United States Government conducts training programs for the Thai police and United States arms and equipment are sold to the Thai police; Whereas the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women requires all States Parties `to take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women'; Whereas Article 1 of the 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery calls for the complete abolition or abandonment of debt bondage; Whereas forced labor, defined under the 1930 Forced Labor Convention as `all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily,' is internationally prohibited; Whereas the 1949 Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others finds the traffic in persons for the purposes of prostitution `incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person,' and calls on States Parties to punish any person who procures for the purposes of prostitution, keeps, manages or knowingly finances a brothel, or rents premises for the prostitution of others; Whereas Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs John Shattuck has testified that the United States `urgently needs to encourage countries in which trafficking of women and children goes on with impunity to enact new laws, and to enforce existing laws. A particular target of this stepped-up law enforcement should be government officials who participate in or condone trafficking, as well as brothel owners and traffickers'; and Whereas Secretary of State Warren Christopher stated before the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights that `(g)uaranteeing human rights is a moral imperative with respect to both women and men': Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that-- (1) trafficking in persons violates the fundamental principle of human dignity, and forced prostitution involving physical coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of forced labor and a slavery-like practice; (2) the United States State Department should continue to press the Thai Government to strictly enforce all laws that can lead to the prosecution of those involved in trafficking and forced prostitution, including procurers, traffickers, pimps, brothel owners, and members of the Thai police who may be complicit; (3) the State Department should ensure that Thai police participants in United States Government-sponsored police training programs are systematically vetted to exclude those who are implicated in trafficking and forced prostitution; (4) the executive branch should take steps to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of those forces who might be involved in traff icking, forced prostitution, or abuse of women and girls who are apprehended; (5) the State Department should urge the Thai Government to protect the rights and safety of Burmese women and girls in Thailand who are freed from brothels or who are arrested as illegal immigrants because their status as trafficking victims is unclear; (6) the United States Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese women and girls in the Thai sex industry; and (7) the State Department should report to Congress, within 6 months of the date of this resolution, on actions that it has taken to advocate that the Thai Government implement the above steps. BURMA QUAKE FELT IN CHIANG MAI 18 May 1995 An Earthquake measuring six on the Richter Scale struck Burma yesterday, with shockwaves being felt in some part of Chiang Mai province, an official from the Northern Seismological Centre said. The official said the quake occurred at 4.45 am. The epicentre was 160 kilometres north of Rangoon, and around 267 kilometres from the seismological centre. Residents from in Chiang Mai's Muang and San Sai districts felt the aftershocks, but no reports of damage were available, Muang Chiang Mai District Chief Sawat Srisuwandee said. Weerachai Sirisan, San Sai district chief, said it was the third time that his district had felt the effects of an earthquake. (TN) PRASONG SURE HE COULD HAVE ENDED BORDER PROBLEM 18 May 1995 Former foreign minister Prasong Soonsiri yesterday accused Foreign Minister Krasae Channawongse along the Thai-Burmese border, saying things would already have been settled if he still had the job. Prasong, speaking outside the House, said Krasae should have gone to Rangoon himself to settle the border problem, instead he had let it get out of hand. His comment came as the House of Representatives began debating an opposition censure motion against the government. Prasong (PDP-Bangkok) has said previously he would vote against the government. "If I were foreign minister I would have talked [with Burma] already," said Prasong, who was removed from the post in Phalang Dharma Party's internal Cabinet reshuffle in December. Bangkok-based human right groups at a seminar here on Tuesday urged the government to review regional and international options in handling the border incidents saying the fighting between Rangoon and Burmese ethnic insurgencies, the border incursions, and the problems of the refugees were issues too complex to handle at a bilateral basis. During his tenure, Prasong was widely criticized for his indecisiveness in handling the arrest of Thai nationals in connection with an abortive coup in Cambodia last year, believed to be a reason for his departure from the post. (TN) SERM SUK TO TAKE PEPSI EQUITY 18 May 1995 Cola giant set to sell its regional holdings Pepsi-Cola International will sell its equity holdings in Indochinese and Burmese joint ventures to Thailand's Serm Suk Plc. Pepsi intends to make Serm Suk its major marketer in the regional beverage market, sad a top executive. Barry J Shea, president of Pepsi-Cola International/Southeast Asia, said his company has formulated an ambitious plan designed to dominate the Indochinese and Burmese beverage markets using its know-how and marketing strength. "We don't believe we need capital from Serm Suk to expand since we have already invested in the region. We do believe that using them as an operating company to expand into these markets is a better idea than having to deal with several different bottlers," Shea said. "We are also looking into the possibility introducing tea, soybean milk and coffee to our beverage line-up. But first we want to make sure the products are successful in Thailand and then we will use Serm Suk to expand to other markets," he added. Last year, Pepsi-Cola International, a division of New York-based Pepsi-Co Inc, increased its stake in Serm Suk from 28 per cent to 43 per cent at a cost of Bt1.2 billion. It became Serm Suk's largestshareholder and said it pursued the acquisition as part of a new and broader strategy for the region. As exclusive bottler for Pepsi-Cola International in Thailand since 1955, Serm Suk has developed an in-depth market knowledge of the soft-drink business. It has invaluable experience in manufacturing, marketing and distribution in a country that is Pepsi-Cola International's fifth largest market. For this reason, Serm Suk has been designated to head operations for Southeast Asia. Already Pepsi-Cola International has established strong positions in regional markets. Its owns 30 per cent of a joint venture in Vietnam, 40 per cent of a venture in Cambodia and 40 per cent of aventure in Burma. In addition, Serm Suk has a 10 per cent stake in a joint venture in Laos. The combined soft-drink market of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma is estimated to be 250 million eight-ounce can cases per year. As well, the markets are growing rapidly and represent an attractive investment for Pepsi-Cola International. Pepsi-Cola International entered the regional market a few years ago, ahead of its main competitor, Coca-Cola Inc. In Thailand, Pepsi-=Cola International controls 41 per cent of a market totalling 210 million cases. It also controls 85 per cent of a six million case market in Burma, 20 per cent of a 30 million case market in Vietnam, 95 per cent of a two million case market in Laos and 47 per cent of a one million case market in Cambodia. "In Vietnam this year, we will sell 15 million cases compared to 110 million in Thailand. In Vietnam, we think we can double our sales volume over the next five years. It is only a matter of adding infrastructure because market demand already exists," Shea said. Burma is also a potentially significant market for Pepsi-Cola International, although the country's economic instability, particularly problems coverting its currency the kyat, make it a risky investment. Coverting the kyat to the US dollars needed to import bottling materials is exceptionally slow. "This year we will probably sell about 10 million cases a significant market. Coke is not yet available in Burma. Only a little of our competitors product gets across the border. We are exclusive in Burma and Laos for a few years to come," Shea said. "In Laos, we sell about two million cases a year, which is almost the entire market. Cambodia is smaller than Laos. A lot of products enter Cambodia from other markets such as Singapore and Malaysia. The Cambodian government does not have control, so the products just come across the border. But in Laos, the government is in control," added Shea. (TN) BURMESE TOURISM MESSAGE UNHEEDED OUTSIDE RANGOON 18 May 1995 Burma's first majority foreign-owned tour company, Insight Myanmar Tourism, has called for a better understanding among up country government officials on the objectives of Visit Myanmar Year 1996. According to Armin Schoch, managing director of Insight, the country has many infrastructura l problems to solve. The biggest obstacle, however, is the one in the minds of upcountry officials who are out of step with the thinking in Rangoon. "I'd like to make government and army personnel understand what the central government in Rangoon wants, allows and encourages in terms of tourism so local personnel will better know how to act nation wide." Mr Schoch said there should be an end to situations in which tourism is "hindered unjustifiably". Liberalisation of travel and the eradication of permit requirements for peripheral areas should be given priority. He cited the case of his visit to Moulmein. After obtaining a special permit for the trip, an official in the Mon state told him he needed extra permission before he could visit the nearby war cemetery. Mr Schoch later met an independent traveller who gained access without a permit. "Package tourists who have paid a high price to be at some spot should not be punished by no access," he complained. Insight, which started in February, is anticipating up to 1,500 inbound tourists for its first year, with an average length of stay of at least eight to 10 days. The 60-40 Swiss-Burmese joint venture is looking at extensions beyond the "beaten track" of Rangoon, Inle, Mandalay, Maymyo and Pagan. Mr Schoch said trekking trips from Kalaw in the Shan state, boat rides through the ethnically rich area of the Irrawaddy to Bhamo, beach holidays in Ngapali in Arakan, and explorations in the southern peninsula, would all appeal to foreign tourists. Mr Schoch described somewhat diplomatically the government's Visit Myanmar Year '96 goal of 500,000 tourists (up from around 67,000 in 1994) as "highly ambitious". "Nobody knows what half a million really means," he said, adding that the total number of inbound flight seats available into the country didn't even amount to 500,000 a year. On the marketing side, he stated that the tourism industry in the country should group together to make joint promotions at trade fairs. Turning to the impact of tourism, the former Diethelm Travel executive said Insight Myanmar will try to prohibit tourists giving out pens and money to poor children. "We want to make it understood that young people will play a better role in tourism if they go to school and not follow tourists around." Despite the reputation of the State Law and Order Restoration Council abroad and at home, Mr Schoch said his new tourism venture was morally justifiable. (BP) INDIANS, BURMESE JOIN TO FIGHT INSURGENTS 18 May 1995 Indian and Burmese troops are cooperating for the first time to fight anti-India insurgents seeking sanctuary in the jungles straddling their border. Nearly 60 rebels have been killed since Operation Golden Bird began on April 4 in the hills of the India's remote northeastern provinces, an Indian army general said yesterday. Aided by helicopter gunships, a crack anti-guerrilla unit pinned down the rebels as they crossed into the Indian state of Mizoram last week. Burmese troops across the border cut off the escape route, military sources said. About 140 rebels disbanded and fled. "We are still engaged in the operation and hope to catch the remaining lot," said the operation's commander, Narendra Singh Gill, in a telephone interview with AP. The operation is a consequence of India's decision last year to improve ties with the military regime in Rangoon, despite its support for the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who under house arrest. Last year, India's then-army chief Gen Bipan Chandra Joshi visited Rangoon to discuss military cooperation. This year, the two countries opened their border to trade. Gill said the operation disrupted the rebels' effort to replenish their arms supplies. Indian troops captured rocket launchers, assault rifles and machine guns, he said. The military says they banded together to train with Burmese rebels in the Arakan hills and to smuggle weapons from Thailand through Bangladesh and Burma. (BP) SURVIVAL CONDITIONS TOUGH FOR FLEEING KAREN REFUGEES 18 May 1995 Conditions are tough for thousands of Karen refugees left homeless when their Thai border camp was burned down, leaving them only plastic sheeting as shelter from heavy rains, a Karen official said yesterday. The refugees, who fled fighting in Burma earlier this year when soldiers defeated the rebel Karen National Union (KNU), generally have enough to eat. But the torching of their camp at Huay Manok in Tak province on April 28 left some 6,000 Karen living in squalor. "It has been raining hard" along that part of the border, the KNU official told AFP. "All they have is plastic sheets" to shelter them. A few of the Karen returned to Burma after Huay Manok was destroyed, he said. But most stayed in Thailand, fearful of the Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization (DKBO), the breakaway KNU group believed to have torched the camp. Some of the refugees stayed where they were after the attack but others "disappeared from the camp into the jungle," he said. There also have been recent cross-border raids on other camps, of which there are more than a dozen. A Thai Interior Ministry official who deals with the refugees said the government was "trying to gradually move the Karen to Mae La," a village some 10 kilometres from the border in Tha Song Yang district. The 542-acre area is considered a "safe zone" because it is surrounded by mountains that offer natural protection. "There is no deadline set to complete the transfer," the ministry official said. "But we are targeting the refugees who live in the combat zone or who are in danger or in the camp that was burned down." "This is for the security of the Thais who live along the border and also the refugees," he said. Some 10,000 Karen fled into Thailand earlier this year, joining about 60,000 Burmese already here. (BP) UNHCR TOURS REFUGEE CAMPS 18 May 1995 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Thailand, Ruprecht von Arnim, yesterday made an inspection tour of refugee camps in Sob Muey and Mae Sariang districts. Mr von Arnim, accompanied by three other UNHCR officials, surveyed areas bordering Burma and the refugee camps to determine what Thailand has done to help Burmese refugees so the UNHCR could provide proper assistance to them. The first stop was made at Sob Muey District's Ban Mae Lama Luang camp sheltering more than 6,000 refugees. A large number of refugees were found to be suffering from malaria. Governor Somjet Viriyathamrong conceded provincial authorities have found it difficult to care for the well-being of all refugees because there are too many living in the camps. The provincial public health office is carrying out a birth-control programme as a way to prevent an increase in the number of refugees. Mr Somjet has met with high-level national security officials to discuss preventive measures to ensure the safety of residents living close to border areas in case fighting between Rangoon troops and the army of drug warlord Khun Sa spills across the border. The Third Army Region has sent a letter informing provincial authorities about the necessity to introduce martial law in border areas in the province in an effort to prevent the flow of illegal arms and drugs which may be brought into the country by Burmese refugees. In a related development, troops patrolling the border in Sob Muey and Mae Sariang districts said yesterday the situation along the border has returned to normal. (BP) 3,000 KARENS FLEE TO THAILAND 18 May 1995 At least 3,000 Karen refugees, most of them children and women, fled across the border into Thailand yesterday in an effort to escape possible attacks by Burmese troops on Karen National Union bases opposite Umphang District of this province, a border official said. More than 1,000 Burmese troops recently began moving closer to the KNU base in Azin and other camps opposite Umphang and Phop Phra districts, he said. According to the official, the military, Border Patrol Police, local police as well as defence volunteers have reinforced the border area to prevent intrusions by foreign forces into Thailand. Umphang District Chief Aphichart Theawphanich said three temporary shelters provided for the refugees have been set up three kilometres inland from the border in Ban Tapuophu in Tambon Mogro, Ban Nong Luang and Ban Nupathowa in Tambon Mae Chan. He said authorities body searched the refugees for weapons before they were allowed to occupy the three camps. (BP) BURMESE TO BE REPATRIATED 18 May 1995 Local officials are to repatriate about 2,000 illegal Burmese immigrants working in this district following the closure of two temporary border checkpoints with Burma, according to District Officer Pakdi Rattanapol. Governor Kamron Booncherd ordered the checkpoints at Ban Pang Ha in Tambon Mae Sai and Ban Muang Daeng in Tambon Chang closed for security reasons. After the closure, 50 other Burmese workers living near Tachilek township in Burma reportedly tried to get across the border to the Thai side, but were driven out by Thai border officials, Mr Pakdi said. (BP) ABSL (INDIA): TIME TO FREE DAW SUU AND BURMA All-Burma Student's League (India) >From Dispatch #3 Burma Students Movement in India, 1994 3, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi-110 011 On July 20, 1989, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest without any formal charges by SLORC, the military junta controlling Burma. Though the military tried to crack down the democratic movement by putting her under house arrest and imprisoning other active pro-democracy leaders, the people of Burma continued to show their anguish against the military government and favour for the democratic government. In the general elections of May 27th 1990, though it was held under tight restrictions exercised by the military, the people voted for the National League for Democracy (NLD) which was led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the military government did not keep their promise of handing over power to the victorious NLD which got more than 80% of the parliamentary seats. Becide the continuation of the detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi without trial, the military junta stepped up its suppression of the people's democratic movement with greater brutality than ever before. Many of the elected representatives were ar rested under fabricated charges. Some of these leaders died in the jails due to inhuma n torture. Therefore, tens of the elected Members of Parliament made their ways to border areas to join the pro-democracy forces who have been there since 1988. These Members of Parliament formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in 1992 and have been struggling hard for the active support and recognition of the people and governments of the world. On December 10, 1991, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the Peace Prize, calling her "one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia." July 20, 1994 marks her Fifth year of imprisonment. According to SLORC's own law, she cannot be detained for more than five years without trial. According to the people of Burma, SLORC should never have detained her in the f irst place. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights in Burma. Actions, not speeches, are required now. Your actions and support will further strengthen the Burmese people's struggle for freedom and justice. United Nations resolutions, Amnesty International, democratic parliamentarians and non-governmental organizations around the world over agree that time has run out for Democracy in Burma and the SLORC must be dislodged. We, the Burma Students Movement in India, ask you for solidarity with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and supporters of democracy in Burma. The present monograph is to inform you about our own struggle, the support and solidarity received from different peoples, groups and organizations and the state of affairs in Burma. And we urg e you to actively contribute your best for freedom and justice in Burma and all over the world. The Burma Students Movement in India ------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS SOURCES REGULARLY COVERED/ABBREVIATIONS USED BY BURMANET: ------------------------------------------------------------ ABSDF-DNA: ALL BURMA STUDENT'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT [DR. NAING AUNG] ABSDF-MTZ: ALL BURMA STUDENT'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT [MOE THEE ZUN] AMNESTY: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AP: ASSOCIATED PRESS AFP: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE AW: ASIAWEEK Bt.: THAI BAHT; 25 Bt. EQUALS US$1 (APPROX), BBC: BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION BF: BURMA FORUM 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 GOA: GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA IRRAWADDY: NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY BURMA INFORMATION GROUP KHRG: KAREN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP KNU: KAREN NATIONAL UNION Kt. BURMESE KYAT; UP TO 150 KYAT-US$1 BLACK MARKET 106 KYAT US$1-SEMI-OFFICIAL 6 KYAT-US$1 OFFICIAL MOA: MIRROR OF ARAKAN MNA: MYANMAR NEWS AGENCY (SLORC) THE NATION: A DAILY NEWSPAPER IN BANGKOK NCGUB: NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA NLM: NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (DAILY STATE-RUN NEWSPAPER,RANGOON) NMSP: NEW MON STATE PARTY RTA:REC.TRAVEL.ASIA NEWSGROUP RTG: ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT SCB:SOC.CULTURE.BURMA NEWSGROUP SCT:SOC.CULTURE.THAI NEWSGROUP SEASIA-L: S.E.ASIA BITNET MAILING LIST SLORC: STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL TAWSJ: THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL UPI: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL USG: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT XNA: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY ----------------------------------------------------------