From: BurmaNet ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 23, 1995 AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS NO LONGER A NON-PERSON BURMESE GOVT BREAKS ITS SILENCE ON SUU KYI JAPAN SENDS OFFICIAL TO RANGOON BURMA'S MON SEEK TALKS ON DEMOCRACY TRADERS DEFYING CALL FOR THAI BOYCOTT ARE PUNISHED BY BURMA 2,OOO CUT TIES WITH KHUN SA TREMOR FROM BURMA QUAKE RESIDENTS BELIEVE WORLD HAS FALSE IMPRESSION OF BURMA KAREN PLEA REFUGEE ON MURDER CHARGE INTERIOR GROUP PROBES BORDER PUNISHMENT FOR BURMA TRADERS MASSACHUSETTS IN BURMA BAN KASEM PLEDGES TO FOLLOW SAME POLICY ON BURMA SUU KYI'S HUSBAND AND SON ARRIVE IN RANGOON FOR VISIT THE LADY TAKES THE CAKE! ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] ---------------------------------------------------------- ===== item ===== AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS NO LONGER A NON-PERSON Bkk post/21.7.95 Rangoon, Agencies DEMOCRACY leader Aung San Suu Kyi's picture appeared for the first time since her release from house arrest in state-run Burmese newspapers yesterday. A picture of her participating in an official Martyrs' Day ceremony on Wednesday was on the front page of all state-run Burmese-language and English-language newspapers. The picture and caption, which mention her by name marked the first time she had been named in state-run newspapers since being released from six years of house arrest last week. On Wednesday night, picture of Suu Kyi at the ceremony were shown on official television stations, ending nine days of a domestic news black-out following her release on July 10. Yesterday's state newspapers, considered organs of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council, also published an article denouncing "traitors who worked to create economic crisis in Burma. "Myanmar (Burma) is now embarked on the way to economic development," said the article published in the New light of Myanmar and the other two official papers. But it must not be forgetting that national traitors from within the country will continue to conspire with foreign elements to enforce an economic blockade without any regard to the welfare of the 45 million Myanmar in their own interests and in order that they should gain political power." Suu Kyi was not named in the article but she has urged foreign business executives and governments to consider political circumstances in her country very carefully before rushing with investment and aid. Some government like Japan have indicated they might resume aid following her release. She has responded by urging caution, and asking foreign governments to wait and see what changes occur before making such decisions, "I would ask them to wait and see if there are any real changes," she said. "I wonder why the Japanese Government feels a need to hurry. I think all governments should wait to see what is going to happen." Suu Kyi is working to ensure her party is united and behind her as they renew their quest for democracy. Yesterday, she continued meetings with fellow democracy leaders to plot their course of a action. Diplomats and opposition leaders say her first priority must be to reorganise her National League for Democracy, which had suffered factions and leadership problems over the past few years, if she hope to make any progress with the military regime. "The party must consolidate its position then try and work things forward," a diplomat said. "They need to decide what they want to talk to the regime about." Diplomats said the military had the strategic upper hand because they have had years to plan what to do after releasing Suu Kyi, while the party was taken by surprise. Suu Kyi believes her party will be able to regroup and launch a dialogue with SLORC. "We are a very disciplined organisation despite the fact we've been limping along due to circumstances beyond our control," she said. First she must conquer opposition members fears and suspicions of their military rulers, calling for caution while also asking for support. "Wait with patience, have a strong will," Suu Kyi told hundreds of people gathered at her front gate of this week. "Be clever and be careful not to do anything wrong." Diplomats and opposition leaders say although she is urging caution and patience, the situation could again turn ugly if the military does not agree to dialogue and the Opposition decides to turn to the streets and demonstrate. "If Slorc says they don't want a dialogue, it could lead to another step, a period of agitation," one opposition leader said. "But agitation in a totalitarian state could lead to disaster." A student supporter of Suu Kyi agreed. "There could be a lot of problems or a lot of good things in this country," he said. "It depends on Suu Kyi. If it explodes this time we have to expect the worst." The generals have been very quiet about Suu Kyi, but everyone in Rangoon knows she is now free and many yearn to hear more about what she intends to do to change the country. "They are afraid of her," said Saw Maung, 28, a graduate student in Law. They are afraid if they say something, many people will come to see her." Kyaw Thet Aung, an artist in his 50s, said, "The whole city is talking about it. We saw her on television last night, but it was only for a moment. I want to know more. We all want to know more." "I want to know what she will do," he said. "Will she stay here or go to another country? Why can't the Government make things clear to us? I want them to be clear." A young teacher said: "The fact that I have to be told about this by the Voice of America and BBC is a slap in the face from my own government." Suu Kyi's appearance in the official media may suggest that the Government is willing to deal with her politically at some level. She has been urging the Government to join her in national reconciliation talks, but no reply has been reported. A small photograph of her on the front page of the New light of Myanmar showed her laying orchids at her father's tomb. It was placed below a photograph, spanning the width of the page, showing military and government officials bowing and saluting during the same ceremony. Suu Kyi's presence was noted in a single sentence in the middle of the 18-paragraph story. It also mentioned the names of two people who placed a wreath on behalf of Aung San Oo, her brother, who lives in the US and did not attend the service. The Government tightly cordoned the area to prevent any disturbances centred around her. Several hundred people are still gathering outside her lakeside house every day. She tells them democracy remains her goal, but the people must be cautious and avoid danger. Yesterday she apologised to them for spending so much time with foreign journalists. "Only they can tell the world what is happening," she said. "It will take many, many years for our country to change," Saw Maung said. Suu Kyi, he said, "must be part of the government. The Army says they must be part of government too. If they can work together, that will be good. She is the mother of our country." A western diplomat said Slorc freed her because it believes it is now in a strong enough position to do so and handle the outcome. He noted that there had been a minor cabinet reshuffle last month to fine tune the Government, and that a constitutional convention had nearly finished writing a new charter that will enshrine a leading role for the military in running the country. He noted that Khin Nyunt, Burma's powerful intelligence chief and a senior member of Slorc, had made a major policy speech recently, his first such address in years. In it Khin Nyunt indicated "that they had been getting their house together _ that they had doused the fires," the diplomat said. He was referring in part to the ceasefire agreements Slorc had negotiated with 15 of the armed ethnic groups that have been battling Rangoon for greater autonomy for decades. So they (SLORC) are dealing from a position of strength," he said. An Asian diplomat suggested that SLORC probably also had economic reasons for freeing her. He noted that Burma's economic had grown steadily in recent years. Its exports totalled $1.7 billion last year, and the Government has said it expects the figure to reach the $2 billion mark this year. Tourism is also growing Continuing to hold Suu Kyi could have a negative effect on the economy and on tourism, he said. The two diplomats also noted that SLORC continues to hold several key NLD members. Other top NLD leaders are in hiding in the jungle or have fled into Thailand or into exile further abroad. " The question is, can she put the apparatus back together? " the second diplomat said. Regardless of why they freed her, the analysts believe Suu Kyi will have a brief period of time when she can do pretty much what she wants without fearing re-arrest. " The shorter the time [before ] they re-arrest her the worse it will look, " the second diplomat said. " She will probably have a three-or four-month honeymoon." Then if SLORC believes she has gone too far it could re-arrest her and say; " Look, we gave her a chance and she did this, this and this," he said. Both analysts said they thought Suu Kyi would move slowly at first. "She will probably want to see how much slack SLORC will give her," the second diplomat said. " She will test the boundaries" of her new freedom . "She will see if she can accept or cannot accept those boundaries," he predicted. Although many of her colleagues were imprisoned, and others killed in the pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988 or subsequent imprisonment, Suu Kyi said she would not have changed what she did as a leader of the movement to return Burma to democracy. " I don't think so," she said when asked if she would have done anything different. " Under the circumstances I probably would have done what I did. I don't think I could have stopped that," she said. " I think those who were put in prison and killed would have been anyway." A reliable source said that her husband, British academic Michael Aris, would arrive here tomorrow. Suu Kyi said her family has suffered for her ideals. "They support me but I think they have paid a price for all this," she said . "It was difficult. Not so much for me, but because I thought of my children. My biggest concern was what is happening to my sons, how are they coping? I was hoping they wouldn't need me." Suu Kyi said she survived her six years of detention by imposing strict self-discipline. "I kept a strict timetable, partly because I thought self- discipline was very important and party because I didn't want to waste my time." She said she spent her time in detention meditating, reading books, studying religion, listening to international news in English and Burmese and doing various household activities. " I didn't think of it as my prison," she said " It's my home." She urged Western pressure groups to await developments in Burma before changing their tactics. "All those who are interesting democratic development in Burma should wait and see what is going to happen before they decide to change tactics. Nothing has changed yet, apart from my release." she said. She cautioned ASEAN leaders against reacting too quickly to changes inside Burma. " I would ask them to support the cause of democracy," she said. "I think they should go on observing the situation very closely and accept that we are nowhere near democracy yet". She said she always rose early and began her day with an hour of meditation. " It was partly a matter of self-discipline but it is also good to meditate that early when it is still very , very quiet." Paradoxically, 'I know it sounds funny but often I would find I did not have enough time for everything.' She said she ate regularly, but never very much. "The thing about being alone is that you lose interest in food. Cooking for myself was no fun at all." Suu Kyi's release sparked a flood of visa applications from reporters to enter the country but more than a dozen missed out, prompting the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand to urge Information Minister Maj-Gen Aye Kyaw to drop an apparent blacklist. Club president Panadda Lertlum-ampai said in a letter that recent applications had either gone unanswered or had been rejected. ===== item ===== BURMESE GOVT BREAKS ITS SILENCE ON SUU KYI 21.7.95/The Nation The Burmese government has broken its silence on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi by reporting her participation in Martyrs' Day ceremonies in the official media. A brief segment was shown on Burmese television on Wednesday night, and state-run newspaper yesterday reported her presence at the Martyrs' Mausoleum the day before. The TV narration mentioning her by name, referred only to her brief activities at the ceremony and said nothing about her newly-free status. It was the first public mention of Aung San Suu Kyi since she was released from six years of house arrest on July 10. The English-language New Light of Myanmar printed a front-page picture of the dissident placing flowers at the mausoleum during Wednesday's official ceremonies honouring independence leaders including her father Aung San who were murdered 48 years ago. Chief among them was her father Aung San. The picture was at the bottom of the page immediately below a large photograph of Culture Minister Brig Gen Thaung Myint, who represented the Burmese junta at the ceremony, and other dignitaries paying tribute at the mausoleum. The daily also mentioned Suu Kyi by name in the story about the memorial service printed above the photographs. The previous failure of the media to refer even indirectly to Suu Kyi's July 10 release from house arrest had caused puzzlement and unease over the government's intentions. Word of her freedom has spread by word mouth and though foreign radio broadcasts such as the BBC and Voice of America. Her television appearance suggests that the military government is willing to accept her a legitimately player in the public political arena. She was last seen on state television when she held talks with senior members of the military government last year during her detention. Later on Wednesday some 100 foreign reporters, photographers and cameramen drank tea and ate cakes in the garden of her Rangoon home where the 50-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner spent her detention. After asking that all cameras be turned off and no pictures be taken, Suu Kyi mingled, signing autographs and asking reporters about their visits to Rangoon. One close adviser to Suu Kyi said she held the tea because "she thought most of you would be going home soon". Suu Kyi's release sparked a flood of visa applications from reporters to enter the country but more than a dozen missed out, prompting Thailand's Foreign Correspondents' Club to urge Burmese Minister of Information Maj Gen Aye Kyaw to drop an apparent blacklist. Club president Panadda Lertlum-ampai said in a letter that recent applications had either gone unanswered or had been rejected. Burma's ruling military has had an uneasy relationship with the foreign media and no reporters were allowed in to the country for several years after the military suppressed the 1988 democracy uprising . Meanwhile, a reliable source said Suu Kyi's husband, British academic Michael Aris, would arrive here tomorrow to visit his wife. Since her release, Suu Kyi has taken a non-confrontational stand towards the authorities and urged them to join her in talks on national unity. The military seized power in 1988 after violently suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations. Suu Kyi was put under house arrest in July 1989 because of her strident pro-democracy speeches. Her release earlier this month was not reported in the strictly-controlled Burmese media. She has since held frequent meetings with senior members of the main opposition National League for Democracy, trying to decide on how best to jump-start the movement. ===== item ===== JAPAN SENDS OFFICIAL TO RANGOON The Nation/21.7.95 Kyodo TOKYO _ The foreign Ministry sent an official to Burma on Wednesday to meet junta and released pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the ministry said. Masaaki Ono, deputy director general of the ministry's Asian Affairs Bureau, will brief officials there on Japan's policy toward Rangoon and study the local situation. ===== item ===== BURMA'S MON SEEK TALKS ON DEMOCRACY YINDEE LERTCHROENCHOK The Nation/21.7.95 BURMA'S ethnic Mon guerrillas, who reached a ceasefire with the ruling junta late last month, have announced their intention to pursue peaceful dialogue towards restoring democracy and human rights . In a public statement on July 13, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) defined its position by saying that the truce with the ruling regime known as the State Law and Order restoration Council (Slorc) "is just merely a military ceasefire", and that "the NMSP armed forces will retain their arms while carrying on its political aims as the situation demanded". The statement, which was released yesterday to the media, said after abandoning violent struggle, "the method of peaceful negotiations would be followed according to our [NMSP] national movement". The NMSP, the ethnic group to reach a ceasefire with Slorc, added that it would continue "with determination" the struggle of the Burmese people of all ethnic nationalities to achievement their common political objectives and Mon freedom.