My apologies for the format. -glen ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"----------------------------------------------------------The BurmaNet News: November 18, 1995Issue #281Noted in Passing: When we arrive in a village, we take all the goods except clothes and money. But we take all the food. If we don't get what we want, we get something else. If there isn't really anything, we just get porters and beat them up. - a SLORC soldier who defected (NATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS CONTINUES TO BUILD)HEADLINES:==========FTUB (WB): HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ARAKAN STATEIGNORED REFUGEES COMMITTEE: IGNORED REFUGEES IN INDIA BY UNHCRKYODO: MYANMAR OPPOSITION EXPELS MEMBERS WHO AGREED CEASE-FIRESIHT: IMF DISCUSSING AID TO BURMA DESPITE ITS RIGHTS ABUSESBURMA NEWS BRIEFSABSDF- MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TAUNGHU DISTRICTABSDF-MTZ: BATTLE NEWS (TENESSARIM DIVISION)ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN TENASSERIM DIVISIONREUTER: BURMA LEADER ASKS FOR SUPPORT FOR NEW CONSTITUTIONNATION: UNHCR WILL UNDERTAKE MON REPATRIATION IF BURMA SAYS YESNATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS CONTINUES TO BUILDBKK POST: PROGRESS ELUDES TALKS WITH BURMAISBDA: ANNOUNCEMENT -NEW NLD VIDEO INFO VOL #13 -->#16 AVAILABLE************************************************************FTUB (WB): HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ARAKAN STATENovember 16, 1995From: burtu.atubdo@axcess.net.inALP ambushed to army convoy near the Myat Wa village, Bu The Taungtownship. During the ambush one major and one soldier were killed byguerrillas in last week of September. After that army made mob operation inthese area and they tortured and killed two villagers.In southern part of Mizoram there have many Arakanese refugees were fleetfrom Burma nearly about 450 individual. They are facing hardship condition.Very severely shortage of medicine and food supply. Now we collecting for detail.RGDSFTUB (West Burma)******************************IGNORED REFUGEES COMMITTEE: IGNORED REFUGEES IN INDIA BY UNHCRNovember 17, 1995From: burtu.atubdo@axcess.net.inTo : Legal Officer, UNHCR New Delhi, India.Subject : Requesting for prompt actionDear Sir/Madam, We are requesting you not to delay in taking action regardingof refugee status to us.Although your office has promised the committee on 14.11.95 that 18 out of35 of us would be provided refugee status and humanitarian assistance on15.11.95, 2 days have passed we are yet to receive any response from you.You have been asked you not to discriminate us on the ground of ethnicdifferences. We do not want any such discrimination done to us. Chin areindigenous people of Burma and are entitled to the refugee status.India, one of the largest democratic country in the world, has shown their firmand solid support to the democratic struggle of Burma by conferring our nationalleader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award forInternational Understanding on 14th of this month.UNHCR's position as to why they are not providing any assistance is absurdand inhuman.We again strongly request to provide us equal status and equal treatmentimmediately.We will not stop our indefinite hunger strike though it has entered third day tillour demands are fully met."PROVIDE US REFUGEE STATUS AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCEIMMEDIATELY"Yours faithfully,R Thla Peng, PresidentIgnored refugees CommitteeNew Delhi.Copy to : 1.U.N.H.C.R., New Delhi 2. U.N.H.C.R., Geneva 3. NGO offices, New Delhi 4. All News Agencies, New Delhi 5. INSAF, Bombay 6. Concerned.********************************************KYODO: MYANMAR OPPOSITION EXPELS MEMBERS WHO AGREED CEASE-FIRESNovember 15, 1995from mbeer@capaccess.org Myanmar's major umbrella group for parties opposing military rulers hasexpelled members who signed cease-fire agreements with the ruling junta,according to a report Wednesday from the border town of Mae Sot. Following a resolution at a Nov. 7-8 meeting chaired by Gen. Bo Mya, theDemocratic Alliance of Burma (DAB) expelled ethnic minority parties which agreedto suspend fighting against the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC),the report said. Gen. Bo Mya is also chairman of the rebel Karen National Union, representativesof which took part in the meeting along with those from five other groups in DAB. The five groups are the Committee for the Restoration of Democratic Burma,the All Burma Students' Democratic Front, the People Liberation Front, theArakan Liberation Party, and the All Burma Muslim Union, according to a writtenstatement reportedly released after the talks. The DAB was formed in November 1988 as an umbrella organization of 21opposition groups -- expatriate organizations, groups of student dissidents, andarmed groups from ethnic minorities. However, 15 of the ethnic minority groups have since signed cease-fireagreements with SLORC, leaving only the Karens still fighting, led by the KNU. The KNU represents the largest of the minorities that have been fighting forautonomy since 1949. However, they lost their headquarters at Manerplaw inJanuary after a battle with troops from the ruling junta, and their Kawmoorastronghold fell in February. There have been reports that the KNU has itself been attempting to negotiatepeace with SLORC, which may lead to a cease-fire agreement.**********************************************IHT: IMF DISCUSSING AID TO BURMA DESPITE ITS RIGHTS ABUSESNovember 17, 1995 (Intl Herald Tribune) by Kevin MurphyOverlooking widespread concern about abuses of human rights in Burma, theInternational Monetary Fund is discussing the resumption of assistance toRangoon, according to IMF and Burmese officials. Rangoon's military-led government still must commit to a demanding economicreform agenda before the IMF starts a monitoring program, which would be thefirst step toward providing financial aid, an IMF official in Washington said. But Burma appears to be at a political and economic crossroads and willing toconsider such steps, diplomats here said. The Burmese regime has long been condemned for its harsh treatment ofpolitical opponents, and any sign of improved relations with the IMF willbolster its campaign against international isolation, the government and itscritics agreed. ''It's a victory for us,'' said Kyi Aye, governor of the Central Bank ofMyanmar, the name by which the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Councilrefers to the country. ''Our friends, like Japan, France and Germany, understandhow Myanmar is doing.'' ''I am optimistic that once we have a program with the IMF it is easier forthe World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to offer whatever assistance theycan under their rules,'' Mr. Kyi said in an interview. An unpublicized IMF staff-level decision in late October to lay thegroundwork for increased engagement with Rangoon did not require the endorsementof its board nor did it include financial aid of any type, according to an IMFspokesman in Washington. At the same time, more IMF technical assistance and advice remain conditionalon clear progress on a number of economic fronts, including the devaluation ofBurma's currency, a complex issue not easily resolved. The fund's targets will be difficult for the Burmese government to meetimmediately, officials in Rangoon admit. However, signs of a thaw in therelationship are widely seen as easing the way toward greater engagement withBurma by the fund, other aid organizations and individual countries. A moratorium on IMF or World Bank assistance to the Burma has informally beenin place since the State Law and Order Restoration Council cracked down ondissent and ignored the results of a 1990 national election that would have seenit voted out of power. An opposition leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released in July from sixyears of house arrest, and supporters including the United States governmenthave argued successfully against any relaxation in this policy beforesubstantial political changes in the country. ''We are aware of the IMF's decision and hope to learn more about it,'' DawAung San Suu Kyi said in an interview. ''I can't comment specifically on thisuntil we do learn more but, as I have said before, it is too early to decide itis time to pour investments into Burma. ''In the last five or six years we have not seen that there is sufficientchange on the economic front to decide the argument that you can progresseconomically in Burma without political change. You can never separate politicsand economics.''***************************************************BURMA NEWS BRIEFSfrom mbeer@capaccess.orgRADIO AUSTRALIA: BURMESE OPPOSITION LEADER SUU KYI HIGHLIGHTSSTUDENTS' ROLE IN DEMOCRACY EFFORTNovember 16, 1995 Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has highlighted the role ofstudents in riots to bring down the military government eight years ago. EvanWilliams reports from Bangkok that Ms Suu Kyi marked the role of students inBurma's struggle for democracy on the 75th anniversary of the first anti-Britishstrike in Burma's colonial days. Williams In a direct reference to continuing military rule, Suu Kyi toldseveral hundred people at her Rangoon compound Burma had achieved independence,but the people have not. She was one of four speakers, including a member ofBurma's first organized independence group, marking Independence Day, theanniversary of the first Burmese strike by university students against Britishrule. Suu Kyi highlighted the leading role of students in Burma's fight fordemocracy ever since, including their lead in the 1988 riots against militaryrule that left hundreds dead after soldiers opened fire. Her reference to thestudents and their fighting peacock symbol will rankle senior militaryofficials, who can see any active opposition as illegal.XINHUA: MYANMAR HOLDS NATIONAL DAY DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONNovember 16, 1995 RangoonA grand ceremony was held at the people's park here this morning to mark theMyanmar national day diamond jubilee. Over 150,000 people from all walks oflife attended the ceremony sponsored by the Myanma government. A message fromchairman of tshe SLORC senior general Than hwe was read on the occasion byYangon commander brigadier general Khin Maung Than. In his message, seniorgeneral Than Shwe urged all the nationals to play an enthusiastic and active role inmarching towards building of a modern, developed, peaceful and new democratic nation,and to stop, eliminate and prevent all hindrances, instigation, schemes and incitementsto destabilize the peaceful situation. Myanmar lost its independence in 1886 afterbritish colonialist forces waged three aggressive wars. 75 years ago by theMyanmar era today, patriotic students launched the university boycott against"rangoon university act" which symbolized colonial education. it led to thenational movement against oppression and exploitation of the colonialists andgradually developed into independence struggles and finally regained theMyanmar's independence in 1948. Since the boycott signified the nationalspirit, the day then was designated as the national day and has been observedannually. As it is having its 75th anniversary this year, the national daydiamond jubilee is being observed in grand scale. To mark the festival,entertainment programs are being held at three separate venues here fromnovember 7 to 17. Further more, a commemorative ceremony sponsored by thepolitical party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was also held heretoday at the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, attended by several thousands ofpeople. NLD party leaders including vice chairman U Kyi Maung and generalsecretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered speeches on the occasion. (note from mbeer: This last paragraph is remarkable in that xinhua news agency usually is just a mouthpiece for SLORC news releases. Their mention of the NLD here is unusual)RADIO MYANMAR: EXCERPT FROM REPORT BY BURMESE RADIONovember 13, 1995 ...U Mahn Aung San, chairman of the central region from expatriate Sein Win'sprime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma group,surrendered in Myawadi on 23rd October. He was warmly welcomed by responsiblepersonnel and given necessary assistance.(note from Michael Beer: this is disinformation...there is no such position. Hasanyone heard of this guy? or is this another example of SLORC's wild imagination.)XINHUA: NEW HOTEL INAUGURATED IN MYANMA BORDER TOWNNovember 17, 1995A new modern hotel was inaugurated Wednesday in the Myanma border town ofMongla in Kengtung, eastern Shan State of the country. According to an officialreport today, first secretary of the Myanmar state law and order restorationcouncil lieutenant general Khin Nyunt was present on the occasion. Thenewly-completed Mongla hotel was built at a cost of 168 million Myanmar kyats(28 million us dollars) contributed by local residents. A 620 meter longasphalt road, which links Mongla-Hsamtauk-Nampan, was also built at a cost of6.3 million kyats (1.05 million dollars), the report said. Meanwhile, anarchway is being built on the Myanmar-China border, the report added.Considerable change has taken place in Mongla during the past two and a halfyears with modern building, shopping centers, hotels, banks, streets andconcrete bridges rising in the town and the accomplishments are believed tocontribute a great deal to the development of tourism in Myanma border areas.*******************************************ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE SLORC IN TAUNGHU DISTRICTNovember 17, 1995In the area of KNU Brigade (2), Taunghu district of Pegu division;On October 11, 1995, an old Karen woman from Baydaw kho village in Taungudistrict, aged 65, was killed and beheaded by the 26th regiment commandedby Major Aye Khaw. The same day, Saw Saw, the headman of Khaw Bu Htovillage, was also killed by the 26th Slorc regiment.On October 20, 1995, Karen villager Saw Lu Tha, 46, and his son SawJoseph, 15, of Phel Thae Dae village, were killed by the 26th Slorcregiment for unknown reasons.On November 2, 1995, villager Saw Shee Lay of Than nar Cho village wasshot dead by the Slorc Light Infantry (34).On November 8, 1995, villagers from Bawga Li, Kaw Soe Kho, War Tho Kho,Kaw Thae Dae, and Kalae Soe Kho, were forced to carry ammunition and foodsupplies to the Bo Sar area for the Slorc Light Infantry (440). None ofthe porters have been allowed to return to their villages yet, and are stillbeing forced to serve the army for its construction work.On November 11, 1995, the 55th regiment from Western Command HQs arrivedat Zayat Kyi town with porters to reinforce their forces in KNU Brigade 2._________________________________________________________________________Sources: KNUTranslation: Information Department of the ABSDF********************************************ABSDF-MTZ: BATTLE NEWS (TENESSARIM DIVISION)November 17, 1995---------------------------------KNLA: There was a clash between KNLA Battalion 11 and Slorc LIB103 in Tha Baw Laik Gyi, Tenessarim township, on 15.9.95. TwoSlorc soldiers were killed and one injured. One KNU soldier was wounded.ABSDF: There was a big clash between the combined troops of bothfactions of the ABSDF and the MTUF (Mergui Tavoy United Front) with Slorctroops in Bartaung and Set Pu villages of West-Mergui township inTenessarim Division on October 2 (4:00PM-4:20PM), 1995. Slorc LIBNo. 224 engaged in fighting with combined troops of both factions of theABSDF (Battalions 201, 102 and 203) and the MTUF.Tun Aung of the ABSDF and a soldier from MTUF sacrificed theirlives for the cause of the country. Tin Maung Win and Aye Cho ofABSDF were injured. Initial reports say that there were fivecasualties on the Slorc side.There was also a small clash between a troop of Battalion 203 of theABSDF and Slorc troops in the beginning of October in Tha Gyetvillage of Tenasserim township. Than Zaw, a sergeant from Battalion203 of ABSDF sacrificed his life in the battle. Three Slorc soldierswere killed and five wounded, according to the local sources.Voice of the PeacockABSDF*******************************ABSDF-MTZ: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION OF THE SLORC IN TENASSERIM DIVISIONNovember 16, 1995>From October 15 to 31, 1995Location: Southern Burma (Tanasserim division)Pieces of rock ( in October)------- ----------------------The villages in Tanasserim township were ordered by the Township law and orderrestoration council of Tanasserim township that all villages in that area haveto send and gather necessary pieces of rock to the place which were fixed bythe authorities for the construction of motor road from Mergue to Victorypoint. The Slorc authorities have warned that if a village couldn't sendnecessary ratio of pieces of rock to fixed place, they will be punishedeffectively by the Slorc's township authorities, said by the local people.Tax for rice mill ( in October)-------------------------------Every private rice mill owner who has a registration receipt from Merguiagricultural inspection authorities in the area of Tanasserim township hasregularly to pay 1,600 kilo of raw rice as tax to Tanasserim agricultureauthorities for every year. The owners of rice mill who don't have the receiptfrom agriculture authorities are not allowed to run their rice mail. Inaddition, they can be arrested and punished by the Slorc authorities. Someowners of rice mill who do not have registration from Mergue agriculturalinception authorities were arrested. Another problem is that the owners ofrice mill have to buy the raw rice according to the outside price and theyhave to pay the tax to authorities with government limited price.Health situation of forced labors----------------------------------There are about 1,200 local forced labors in 36 mile railroad constructioncamp in Yay Phu township and on October 9, 1995, two forced labors among the80 sick labors in the camp died of malaria and one was dead by poisonoussnake. However, the camp authorities of Light Infantry No.(410) did not expandnecessary clinics and wards for patients in the labor camp.Tax for twice-------------In July, 1995, the owners of private motorboat in Tavoy township, whose boatsrunning in Gamon creek from Myitta village to other villages were ordered topay tax 1,000 Kyat each to No.(19) military intelligence branch located inTaung Thonlon area. The owners of 17 motorboats have collected the 17,000 Kyatand sent to them. Unfortunately, village state law and order restorationcouncil members have handed the money to army infantry unit and later No.(19)MI branch knew that event. But, the boat owners were ordered again in October,1995 to pay tax to No.(19) MI branch directly and finally they collected17,000 Kyat again and handed to them.The number of local forced labourers for Ye -Tavoy railroad construction----------------------------------------------------------------- ---->From October 16 to 31, 1995.NO. LOCATION NUMBER OF FORCED LABOURERS1. (21) mile camp nearly 2,000 local forced labourers2. (27) mile camp " 3,000 local forced labourers3. (30) mile camp " 400 forced labourers (prisoners) " 1,000 local forced labourers4. (36) mile camp " 900 local forced labourers5. Hein Sae camp " 1,700 local forced labourers6. Hnan Kyal camp " 1,000 local forced labourers7. Nwe Lein camp " 1,200 local forced labourers8. Zinba camp " 1,200 local forced labourers " 300 forced labourers (prisoners)9. Raphu camp " 1,000 local forced labors10. Kyauk Gadin camp " 1,200 local forced labors11. Ray Bone camp " 500 local forced laborsAll the local forced labourers have been working at the railroad constructionsite without any payment and medical take-care, they have to go and work therewith rotate system from different villages.Security for soldiers' family-----------------------------Since November of this year in Tavoy township, for the security of armyfamilies from Slorc's LIB (401) and (410) when the troops going to frontline,every army wife who are over 16 years old and doesn't have children has tojoin military training, said local people.Porterage---------The local villagers from Palaw township in Margue district and Thayat Chaungtownship in Tavoy district have been arrested to serve as porters for Slorc'sarmy since the beginning of October this year for the dry season offensiveagainst the ethnic Karen armed forces and students of the ABSDF, said thelocal people.Village burnt down------------------According to the source from local people, on October 14, 1995, the Slorc'sarmy of LIB (101) came to Taung Paw village in Palaw township and it was burntdown. It was happened after the clash between KNU regiment No.(7) of 4 Brigadeand LIB (101). All the houses and a church were burnt down by the Slorc's troops.Forced labour again-------------------Since October of this year, every villagers from four townships in Tavoydistrict have been summoned by the Slorc authorities for Ye-Tavoy railroadconstruction. Every township has to provide forced labourers approximatelybetween 2,500 and 3,000 by order of Slorc's army.Restless labouring-------- ----------On October 21, 1995, the local forced labourers who had returned from railroadconstruction after their turn of works said, some forced labourers who did notwork well because of illness during their turn in camp are not allowed to goback home and forced to work again for Slorc's army such as making bamboobaskets for carrying ammunition, chopping logs and animal farms of army's own.Six month for punishment------------------------On October 22, 1995, 27 local forced labors who form Hein Sae camp were sentto Tavoy to carry things for railroad construction have escaped and went backto their villages when they have got in Tavoy. The Slorc's Col. Myint Oo hasordered that the responsible persons from the villages have to sent them backto 30 mile camp because all these forced labourers have been already chargedfor six month punishment with hard labour for their escaping, said the localforced labourers who came back form Hein Sae camp.School teacher raped--------------------On October 21, 1995, Ms. Thuzar Myint, a primary school teacher from KlanAung village in Yay Phu township was raped by Second Lt. Aunt Maung of Slorc'sLIB (409) round about 3.00 pm when she came back from school, said local villagers.Death sentence--------------On October 21, 1995, four prisoners of forced labour have escaped form 30 milerailroad construction site at the night time, because of intense oppression ofcamp authorities. All of them were shot by the armymen when they were found,and a prisoner was shot to death and other three escaped.Money and chicken for fine (in October)---------------------------------------According to the sources from local people, during October, the Slorc's LIB(405) has instructed that each villager from Thae Chaung Gyi village has tocome to outpost of LIB (405) for daily works for the troops such as cooking,washing clothes, cleaning the campus, etc. If the villagers fail to serve forthose kinds of work, every has to pay 100 Kyat for their turn through villagestate law and order restoration council members. At the same time, if avillager who slaughters cattle to sell has to pay at least 6 kg of meat to LIB(405), and if he fails to do so, he must pay 3 chickens as fine.Threats of Slorc's army (in October)------------------- -----------------The following villages in Thayat Chaung township have been threatened by theSlorc's LIB (403) :1. Kyauk Hlay Gar village2. Saw Phar3. Padat Chaung4. Kyauk Phu5. Taung Zin .In October, the Slorc's LIB (403) has ordered all the villagers form abovemention villages that they have to send necessary woods and bamboo forrepairing of army buildings in LIB (403) campus. If they fail to serve, allthe villages will be relocated to previous collective village near Saw Pharvillage. In addition, 15 or 20 villagers from each village have to work forrailroad construction with their own food and charges every month. If thevillager wants to substitute forced labour for him, he must pay 2,500 Kyatto LIB (403) through village state law and order council members. All thesefive villages were relocated to collective village in 1991, after the accusingof collaborating with armed resistance groups by the Slorc's army. In thebeginning of 1995, all villages have been allowed to move back to theiroriginal location. Now, the villagers are very concerned about forcedrelocation again._______________________________________________________________________Sources: Information Dept, KNLA Brigade (4), Mergui Tavoy District, KNUTranslation: Information Dept., ABSDF****************************************REUTER: BURMA LEADER ASKS FOR SUPPORT FOR NEW CONSTITUTIONNovember 17, 1995 RANGOON, Nov 16 (Reuter) - Burma's leading general on Thursday called onall Burmese people to support the upcoming national convention process todraw up a new consitution. Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the military-led State Law andOrder Restoration Council (SLORC), made the comments in a message read at aceremony to celebrate Burma's 75th National Day. ``The people of all the national races are to extend welcome and supportfor the success of the national convention at which delegates...are holdingdiscussions for the emergence of a new state constitution which is essentialfor Myanmar (Burma).'' ``A new state constitution will emerge only after a successful conveningof the convention and only after the emergence of a new state constitution amodern and developed new nation can be established,'' he said. Constitutional talks, which have been intermittent since January 1993,will resume on November 28 when nearly 700 delegates, most of themhand-picked by the military, meet to draw up the guidelines for a newconstitution. The SLORC has been ruling since 1988 when it assumed power aftersuppressing bloody pro-democracy demonstrations.***************************************NATION: UNHCR WILL UNDERTAKE MON REPATRIATION IF BURMASAYS YES November 17, 1995 Rita PatiyaseviThe United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) willarrange the repatriation of ethnic Mon refugees living along theThai-Burmese border if the Burmese junta allows the organisationto monitor the entire process, including their resettlement.UNHCR representative Ruprecht Von Arnim said on Wednesday hisagency would visit Rangoon next week to hold talks with theState Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) to see whetherthey would agree to international monitoring, a UNHCR pre-condition for the refugees' safe return.Arnim said some 18,000 Mon refugees and other displaced personsat temporary border camps were to be repatriated following aceasefire agreement between Slorc and Mons on June 29. Thewording in the ceasefire, which subsequently led to plans forthe return which was scheduled to begin this month, had nomention of international monitoring, Arnim said.As the UNHCR was concerned with the "safe and dignified" returnof the people, the organisation would hold discussions withSlorc to establish a memorandum of understanding as previouslyacquired involving the repatriation of Rohingyas, BurmeseMuslims, to Rakhine state in the north-western of Burma.Arnim said UNHCR's presence in the Rakhine state was anessential element to ensure their safe return was uptointernational standards. He said the UNHCR has been instrumentalwhen it came to confidence building between nations, using theexample of improved relationships between Thailand and Laos, aswell as Thailand and Vietnam, and hoped to achieve a similarfeat between Thailand and Burma.He said as Indochina had solved many of its regional problemsand conflicts, and as Thailand was taking a lead in the peacedevelopments in the surrounding areas, it could become the UNHCR'shead office in the region. He said the head office be established next year.***************NATION: RAPE CASE AGAINST SLORC TROOPS CONTINUES TO BUILDNovember 17, 1995The UN and NGOs are compiling a growing dossier of testimonies,video tape and witness accounts detailing Rangoon's dirty waragainst ethnic rebels, AUNG ZAW reports."We surrounded the thief's house... we couldn't find the thiefso we took his wife and child instead. We shaved his wife's headand confined her to the stockade. When her husband came, wereleased her. After that, we killed her husband," a capturedBurmese soldiers told makers of a video called Caught In The Crossfire.The video, made by Images Asia, was shown at the fourth UN Conferenceon Women in Beijing this year. Although the tape was only 18 minuteslong, it provides a shocking testament to the suffering endured by Burmesewomen under the State Law and Order Restoration Council.In a scene showing women cooking in the jungle, a backgroundvoice narrates their plight. "The military uses rape to punishcivilians, especially women, for perceived sympathies with theenemy and to demonstrate the soldiers' control and dominationover civilians. Rape is not just an attack on the women, but onthe social and social structure of entire communities."Much of the rest of the tape is told in the voices of the womenthemselves. UN human rights investigator Yozo Yokota confirmedthe charges in his recent report to the General Assembly,stating: "The rape of women serving in forced labour camps, oras porters, is said to be common."The report further described the appalling violations of humanrights, including the systematic rape of women by Burmesesoldiers. Burmese soldiers view rape as a right, the reportsaid. It added that rape was encouraged by officers. "Women aresometimes singled out for portering or other types of forcedlabour in order to be raped," the report said.Images Asia's human rights workers documenting ceases of Slorcabuses against women and children said soldiers particularlytarget women those husbands are fighting with the rebel armies.A member of Images Asia said they have heard the same nameagain and again while they interviewed women. That name is SgtBa Kyi and among his victims was a six-year-old girl. The girl'sparents sent her to gather vegetables at a farm and Ba Kyi is said tohave raped her by the roadside. She was unable to walk after theattack and villagers later found her. She died later in the hospital.Burmese soldiers who have been captured or defected to rebelarmies have admitted rape is common. Many women and children inShan, Karen and Mon states told their stories to NGO workers andhuman rights workers who have been closely watching the situation.One woman said she saw soldiers seize a woman from her village."I was so scared of them I ran away. I hid in the jungle for more thantwo weeks and subsisted only on rice soup." When she returned to hervillage, she was confronted by a Slorc patrol, forcing her to flee again.A soldier who defected revealed what they did to villagers."When we arrive in a village, we take all the goods exceptclothes and money. But we take all the food. If we don't getwhat we want, we get something else. If there isn't really anything,we just get porters and beat them up." The soldier said they wereusually drunk and violent. Upon arriving at the next village, they didthe same thing. "Not one village is left untouched," he said.The villagers, who live in of the world's poorest countries, donot have much, but soldiers robbed them anyway. "They tookeverything and raped us," said a woman. The Karen woman said:"In Nomboh, the Slorc was searching for a KNU soldier. But whenthey couldn't find him, they beat up his wife. One soldier went too far.He forced the young daughter to hold his penis while he kicked her unconscious."The Karen National Union (KNU) is the remaining rebel groupwhich has not reached a ceasefire agreement with Slorc. Torturewasn't confined to prisons, said a human rights worker in ChiangMai who has seen many refugees fleeing to the Thai border."Many came because of the economic situation in Burma, which isso bad." The human rights worker, who has been monitoring thesituation since the 80s, added, however: "I saw many women fromShan and Karen state come here because they did not want to beraped or harassed by soldiers."In his recent trip to Rangoon, Professor Yokota was able to meetopposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But he was not able to meetand talk freely to as many victims as he requested. However,Yokota said in his well-documented report: "Violations includeundressing women in public... raping and gang-raping womenindividually or in groups."The Slorc has denied the allegations and asked how can anyonefrom Burma commit such outrageous crimes as those mentioned inthe summary of allegations. A member of Images Asia saiddelegates at the Beijing conference were shocked to see onescene. In it three soldiers holding guns were standing at thebank of a river, questioning a woman who was in the water.Suddenly, a soldier pulled down his pants and underwear. Whileshowing his penis, he began thrusting his waist. It was taken inMoei River from the Thai side of the border.Even though the junta has repeatedly announced that 15 of the 16armed insurgent groups have returned to the "legal fold"thousands of internally displaced persons are still in thejungle. They face harassment, abuse and possibly death if seenby soldiers. Some have been taken as porters, while others areroutinely accused of being informers and supporters of rebels.They are interrogated or killed in front of fellow villagers. (TN)***************BKK POST: PROGRESS ELUDES TALKS WITH BURMANovember 18, 1995INFORMAL contacts between Deputy Prime Minister ChavalitYongchaiyudh and his Burmese counterpart have yet to yieldresults in terms of relations, a source said yesterday.Gen Chavalit and Vice-Adm Maung Maung Khin enjoyed a spot oflunch and teed off at the Burapha golf course in Pattaya whiletrying to negotiate bilateral problems.The source said the admiral reiterated the Burmese junta'saccusations of encroachment on the Moei river and its claims thatKhun Sa's Mong Tai Army attacked Burmese forces from Thai territory.Gen Chavalit disagreed with his partner on the fairways, whorepeated Rangoon's demand for compensation for Burmese troops,the source said.Any such payment, said the general, would mean Bangkok acceptedthe allegation it supported the activities of the minority group.There was, however, agreement on the trawler conflict, with bothsides saying each country should patrol their respective watersto prevent any more bloodshed.Gen Chavalit said Thailand planned to buy more natural gas andpetroleum from Burma and act as distributor for Cambodia andother regional neighbours, the source said.****************************ISBDA: ANNOUNCEMENT -NEW NLD VIDEO INFO VOL #13 -->#16 AVAILABLENovember 17, 1995From: kyawtint@hatelecom.or.jp (Kyaw Tint)Dear Friends:ISBDA is pleased to announce that we have donated through INBR the ammountof 50,000 yen (about US$500) obtained from this video tape distributionrelated work to a student who lost both of his arms and one eye. We hopethis to part the installation of his artificial arms. (New Tapes)ISBDA has just received new video tapes, alias "Burma's Democracy Struggleand Our Future Prospect, vol. #13, #14, #15, and #16."The tapes wererecorded during August to October and distributed by the NLD HQ to itsmembers.Both video tape volumes of (#13) and (#14) cover the discussions of NLDleaders with the party officials and members of Rangoon Division on August25, 1995.Vol (#15) covers the discussion with Pegu Division NLD Youth members andNLD leaders headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.The tape #16 is one of serial video documents of public speeches anddiscussions in Burmese by the NLD leaders headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,based on the questions by the people gathered every weekends in front ofDaw Suu's resident.People who interested in sharing these tapes must send return address toISBDA, 202-601 Chohai 3-chome, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan 480-11 with enclosedcheck or international MO payable to Htay H. Kyi._OnlY FoR YoU:_Those friends who have reputation of sharing previous video & audio setsare suggested to send an email mentioning that he or she has just mailedthe payment so that we can process for shipping the new volumes withoutconfirming the payment.copying + handling fees ==>Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #13, #14, #15. #16: ===========(new set -b)=============== US$ 60.0 per set.Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #9, #10, #11. #12: ===========(new set -a)=============== US$ 60.0 per set.Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. #6, #7, #8: ===========(previous set)=============== US$ 35.0 per set.Five Audio Tapes (C60s):===========(previous set)=============== US$ 25.0 per set.Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 5: ===========(previous set)=============== US$ 15.0 per copy.August 11 Press Briefing Audio Tape (C60):===========(previous set)=============== US$ 10.0 per copy.Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 3 and 4: ===========(previous set)=============== US$ 25.0 per set.Burma's Democracy Struggle and Our Future Prospect, vol. 1 and 2: ============(previous set) ========== US$ 25.0 per set.Please clearly mention the tape volume numbers in your order and we willimmediately air-mail after receiving your payment.All video tapes are recorded by home video camera system on NTSC VHS format.******************************************-------------------------------------------------------- ------Produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G)and the Research Department of the ABSDF {MTZ}The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma.Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wireservices and the Internet as well as original material are published.The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and isalso distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-lmailing lists. For a free subscription to the BurmaNet News, sendan e-mail message to: majordomo@igc.apc.orgIn the body of the message, type "subscribe burmanet-l"(without quotation marks) Letters to the editor, comments orcontributions of articles should be sent to the editor at: strider@igc.apc.org----------------------------------------------------------BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LISTBurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of differenttopics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of thefollowing subjects, please direct email to the following volunteercoordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put youin contact with someone who can:Arakan/Rohingya/Burma volunteer neededBangladesh BorderCampus activism: zni@students.wisc.eduBoycott campaigns: [Pepsi] wcsbeau@superior.ccs.carleton.caBuddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@gol.comChin history/culture: plilian@asc.corp.mot.comFonts: tom@cs.colgate.eduHistory of Burma: zni@students.wisc.eduKachin history/culture: 74750.1267@compuserve.comKaren history/culture: Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@Compuserve.comMon history/culture: [volunteer needed]Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak: z954001@oats.farm.niu.eduBurma-India border [volunteer needed]Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@igc.apc.orgShan history/culture: [volunteer needed]Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.netTotal/Pipeline Christopher Dietrich: cd@utopia.EUnet.frTourism campaigns: bagp@gn.apc.org "Attn. S.Sutcliffe"World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.comVolunteering: christin@ksc.net.th[Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage]*********************************************************************