------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: November 22, 1995 Issue #284 Noted in Passing: While Suu Kyi and the NLD call for "national reconciliation" implying talks leading to some compromise, the junta advocates "national reconsolidation," suggesting a reinforcement of military rule. (see FEER: BURMA-A TURN FOR THE WORSE) HEADINGS: ========= SUU KYI: IRC AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH NCGUB: POLITICAL SITUATION AFTER THE RELEASE OF DAW SUU FEER: BURMA - A TURN FOR THE WORSE UPI: BARBED WIRE BLOCKS SUU KYI HOUSE FINANCIAL TIMES: IMF UNWILLING TO AID BURMA BKK POST: KHUN SA TO QUIT SHAN COUNCIL BKK POST: TALKS HELD ON THAI-BURMESE FISHING DISPUTES BKK POST: BURMA, CHINA TO EXPLORE MEKONG OPPORTUNITIES NATION: MEKONG STATES HOPE CHINA, BURMA JOIN GROUP IMAGES ASIA: A NEW RELEASE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY ON BURMA -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUU KYI: IRC AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH November 21, 1995 From: "soe pyne" Message from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in acceptance of the 1995 IRC Freedom Award *********************************** 21 November 1995 *********************************** It is a signal honour to receive an award from an organization that has been working effectively for more than half a century to alleviate human suffering in all parts of the world. This award demonstrates that the movement for democracy in Burma is recognized as one that seeks to alleviate the sufferings of the people of our country. And it is in the name of my people and my country that I accept with gratitude the 1995 Freedom Award of the International Rescue Committee. Albert Einstein who founded the International Rescue Committee personally experienced the fate of a refugee when the rise of Nazism forced him to leave his native Germany in 1933. He would have known the sense of dislocation and bereavement that makes refugees feel as strangers on this earth, exiled from the only home they have ever known and often unwelcome in lands where they are forced to find shelter. Surely it is no coincidence that the International Rescue Committee that has worked over sixty years to help refugees is deeply committed to the cause of human freedom. Each year large numbers of people of many different races and creeds are driven to an uncertain life as unwanted refugees because of political and economic mismanagement under systems that do not foster the two basic freedoms without which human beings cannot lead dignified, meaningful lives: freedom from want and freedom from fear. As long as there are parts of the world where the two freedoms are not fostered there will be refugees. At present the International Rescue Committee is known to be providing humanitarian aid to refugees in twenty-four countries, including displaced Karenni people from Burma who have been forced to flee to Thailand to escape fighting in their own lands. The Committee is also engaged in helping over ten thousand refugees annually to begin new lives in the United States. That the International Rescue Committee is but one of a large number of organizations trying to cope with the resettlement and relief of displaced persons is an indication of the magnitude of the refugee problem. If the refugee problem is to be resolved it will have to be tackled at its source. A refugee is one in search of refuge, of a shelter where he will be safe from danger and suffering. There are the easily recognizable refugees who live huddled in sad, sprawling camps dependent on the charity of others. There are also the unacknowledged refugees, men, women and children who live in constant insecurity in their own homes because their rights as human beings are not guaranteed by the law of the land. It is only by creating societies that provide adequate material and psychological protection for their peoples that we shall be able to resolve the refugee problem successfully. The International Rescue Committee was born of Dr. Einstein's personal experience of injustices inflicted by the Nazi prior to the Second World War. After the end of that war which caused such widespread devastation the General Assembly of the United Nations, to full awareness that "disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind," proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If the Declaration were indeed accepted as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" there would be no more refugees in our world. We in the movement for democracy in Burma recognize that democracy and human rights are interdependent, that one cannot survive without the other. In working for democracy and human rights we are striving to establish political and social institutions and values that will free our people from want and fear. We wish our country to be a genuine refuge for all who come under its protection. In our endeavours we are strengthened by the support of organizations that have acquired firsthand knowledge of the indissoluble links between freedom and security. Shortly before his death, Dr. Einstein wrote: "What I seek to accomplish is simply to serve with my feeble capacity truth and justice at the risk of pleasing no one. "Truth and justice are concepts which will never lose their pristine force in the battle of humankind to make of our planet a refuge large enough and compassionate enough for all its inhabitants. If everyone of us lived by Dr. Einstein's simple dictum the work of the International Rescue Committee would soon be brought to a triumphant conclusion. In the meantime there is much still to be done. May I take the opportunity of this auspicious occasion to congratulate the International Rescue Committee on their admirable achievements in the cause of peace and freedom and to ensure them of our support for their fine work with refugees. I would like to conclude with a warm expression of thanks to the Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee for honouring my people and my country by choosing me as the recipient of the Freedom Award for 1995. Thank you. ***************************************************** NCGUB: THE POLITICAL SITUATION AFTER THE RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI November 21, 1995 From: "nyuntpaung a-so-ya" NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA Office of the UN Mission Suite 5H, 429 East 52nd Street, New York Tel: (212) 751-5312 Fax: (202) 759-4149 ---------------------------------------------------- POLITICAL SITUATION AFTER THE RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI by Dr Sein Win, Prime Minister, NCGUB Delivered to the International League for Human Rights Breakfast Meeting, November 21, 1995 Honored guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for giving my delegation and me the opportunity to speak with you this morning. As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been released it is crucial that we look critically at the true situation in Burma. To do this we must ask two questions: 1. Will the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi lead to a better political climate, more freedom, easing of restrictions placed on political parties and eventually to dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic leaders and the SLORC? and 2. Has the release signaled a change of policy on the part of the SLORC and, therefore, will the human rights situation improve? We all knew that it would take some time to answer these questions following Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release, however, it is now four months and the answers are becoming very clear. Look at the facts: a) Immediately following her release, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made it clear that she wanted to hold talks with the SLORC on any issue except the question of her leaving the country. She was also very diplomatic with the media hoping to create a political environment conducive to meaningful dialogue taking place. She has done everything in her power to convince the SLORC to talk, sadly without success. b) At the time of her release the SLORC made it clear that she would be treated as any other citizen of Burma, not as the leader of the party which won the 1990 General Elections and not as the leader of the country's democratic movement. c) Since August 1, the SLORC has started attacking Daw Aung San Sun Kyi using the state-owned media as the vehicle. Without using her name, SLORC has said she was jealous of their achievements, and in some articles, there are even indirect warnings to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. d) Following Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release SLORC sentenced U Thu Wai, Chairman of the Democracy Party and two other leading political figures to seven years imprisonment for allegedly distributing false information to foreign news agencies. e) SLORC Foreign Minister, U Ohn Gyaw, in his address to the UNGA, mentioned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release, however, failed to make any mention of SLORC's commitment to democratic reform or improvements in the human rights situation. He spoke of national "reconsolidation" not "reconciliation" and f) SLORC's Electoral Commission has rejected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's reappointment as General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. If you consider these factors then it is clear to see that the answer to question No. 1. is, "No". If you consider that Amnesty International's and other human rights monitors confirm that there is wide spread use of slave labor, forced relocation, rape and land confiscation practiced by the SLORC army, hundreds of political prisoners remain languishing in Burmese prisons and the people of Burma are constantly subjected to fearful intimidation then you must say that the answer to question two is also clearly, "No." As Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma it is my duty to support the work of Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD. As a means to this end I have appointed Dr. Thaung Htun as our Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Thank you. ************************************************* FEER: BURMA - A TURN FOR THE WORSE November 23, 1995 From: brelief@gol.com (Ken and Visakha Kawasaki) Government and opposition grow further apart By Bertil Lintner in Bangkok Aung San Suu Kyi doesn't like taking no for an answer, but she may have to get used to it. Since her release in July from six years of house arrest, Burma's most prominent opposition leader has sought some sort of dialogue with the military government that imprisoned her. The government has steadfastly refused, even while tolerating Sun Kyi's renewed high profile. Alas, the generals seem to have tired of this delicate minuet, and appear to be reverting to unbridled hostility. The clearest sign of their change in mood came on October 19 and 20, when the New Light of Myanmar, a government mouthpiece, published two harsh attacks on Suu Kyi and the movement she is trying to revive after years of repression. One of the two pieces - both published under the pseudonymous by - line U Phyo - lashed out at Rangoon groups who "are cracking cheap jokes at will to satisfy the average level of people, thereby engaging in destructive acts ... If I. U Phyo, were a police officer . . . I would certainly have taken action against these people for obstructing traffic." So much for reconciliation? Many are starting to question seriously whether there can be any accommodation between Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy and the ruling junta, officially known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, or Slorc. What's more, some think, if the opposition doesn't soon produce something more tangible than mere words, Sun Kyi, despite all the talk about her being "Asia's Mandela," could find herself discredited and marginalized. Whether government and opposition are indeed moving farther apart should become clearer on November 16, when Burma celebrates its national day. The two camps are already planning separate ceremonies, so the event may mark a parting of ways after the awkward truce of the last four months. Even Suu Kyi herself won't say whether a dialogue is becoming more or less likely. Speaking by telephone, she told the REVIEW: "I don't want to be evasive, but you have to wait for an official statement from the NLD." One problem is that it remains unclear what a dialogue would be about. So far, the two sides seems to be talking past each other. While Suu Kyi and the NLD call for "national reconciliation" implying talks leading to some compromise the junta advocates "national reconsolidation," suggesting a reinforcement of military rule. "The problem is that they aren't even speaking the same language," says a Bangkok - based Burma watcher. Since her release, Suu Kyi has delivered weekend speeches from the gate of her compound on Rangoon's University Avenue, attracting hundreds of people. But she's in no position to do much else. Some fear the longer she and the NLD go without some substantive accomplishment, the more their credibility fades. Even Suu Kyi herself states publicly that "I've been released, that's all ... the situation hasn't changed." Optimists in Rangoon believe negotiations are likely on November 28, when the National Convention reconvenes to consider a constitution that has been under discussion for almost three years. "They will talk," says a Rangoon - based diplomat. "It's in the interest of both parties to sort out their differences." Others aren't so sure. The military has picked most of the 700 delegates to the convention, which opponents dismiss as a sham affair meant to legitimize Slorc's grip on power. They suspect the military hopes simply to string Suu Kyi along until the public, with its high expectations of her, inevitably becomes disenchanted. "By making vague promises of talks sometime in the future, but doing nothing to facilitate such talks, the junta is playing a clever waiting game which can only hurt Suu Kyi's chances of achieving her political aims," says a Western businessman with years of experience in Burma. "To bring about a change, Suu Kyi would have to up the ante," says a worker for a non - government organization in Thailand who follows events in Burma. "She just can't continue calling for national reconciliation and a dialogue which doesn't seem to materialize." Raising the ante, however, requires confronting not only the military rulers but also a powerful new lobby of foreign businessmen who have poured millions of dollars into Burma and have no interest in rocking the boat. Indeed, money may be the only reason Suu Kyi is walking free: By releasing her the military has opened the door to foreign aid hitherto withheld. In October, Japan resumed grants- in - aid to Burma with a first allotment of 1.6 billion yen ($16 million). Tokyo says it's willing to deliver more aid to Burma on "a case - by - case basis." As the Burma-watcher in Bangkok notes, "even the IMF and the ADB have said that they are prepared to wait for a political settlement, but not indefinitely." Edgardo Boeninger, a member of America's National Democratic Institute who went to Burma in early November, argues that unless Suu Kyi can prove that she is good for business and the present government is not, there will be no incentive to change the regime." And if there isn't, Suu Kyi risks irrelevance. "A year from now, she could even be forgotten," says a Burmese source. "In a way, she was more dangerous when she, was under house arrest than she is today, as a 'free' person who has to obey the same severe restrictions as all other citizens, which makes any overt political activity virtually impossible." Most probably Slorc will continue ignoring appeals for a dialogue until all parties, domestic and foreign, accept the government on its own terms. That, after all, has been the regime's goal since it seized power seven years ago. ************************************************* UPI: BARBED WIRE BLOCKS SUU KYI HOUSE November 20, 1995 Rangoon from mbeer@capaccess.org Barbed wire barriers placed infront of Aung San Suu Kyi's Rangoon residence will not deter suppo rtersfrom attending the opposition leader's regular weekend speeches, a memberof her staff said Monday. ''The authorities have put up barbed wire toallow traffic to move more easily,'' staffer Aye Win said in a telephoneinterview from Suu Kyi's home along Rangoon's tree-lined University Avenue. ''It won't discourage people,'' he added, pointing out the size of the crowd attending Sunday's speech was larger than previous gatherings at the opposition leader's residence. Police erected the barbed wire barricades Friday night in what they said was an effort to ensure the smooth flow of traffic along the road and prevent possible injuries of spectators. Nevertheless, Aye Win said it was the first time military authorities had openly interfered in Suu K yi's speeches. The gatherings have become the main focus of Burma's democracy movement since Suu Kyi was released from nearly six years of house arrest July 10. About 5,000 people, including many students and Buddhist monks, squeezed between the barbed wire barriers and the wall surrounding Suu Kyi's home on Sunday, cheering enthusiastically as their leader answered questions from supporters. Flanked by her senior colleagues U Tin U and U Kyi Maung, vice presidents of the National League for Democracy, Suu Kyi appealed to the audience to be disciplined and to confine themselves to the space allotted by police. Suu Kyi was reappointed general secretary of the NLD after her release from house arrest, but military authorities have said the appointment wa s invalid and have ignored her calls for a dialogue. The ruling military junta, known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, is currently drafting a new constitution institutionalizing military rule and prohibiting Suu Kyi from holding office. The junta has killed, imprisoned or exiled thousands of democracy supporters since it seized power in a coup in 1988. Responding to a written question on whether ''fence-sitters'' were fit for democracy, Suu Kyi said democratic principles should apply to everyone. ''Everybody is fit for democracy,'' she said. ''But in a democracy we need to try to reform those who want to be 'clever' and that is why we have repeatedly said democracy does not mean disappearance of all problems.'' Another question, submitted by letter, asked her to define ''hero,'' to which she replied, ''To my mind, a hero is one who works for the people and the country courageously, tirelessly and outstandingly.'' Real heroes never die, she added, because they will live in history and even if someone tries to distort history, the people will know the truth. ''History never lies. It puts on the record the good and the bad deeds of everyone, so that even in the days of absolute monarchy, bad kings could not black out from history their bad deeds,'' she said, drawing hearty applause. ********************************************* FINANCIAL TIMES: IMF UNWILLING TO AID BURMA November 17, 1995 by Peter Montagnon, London From: David Arnott The International Monetary Fund has offered to advise Burma on policies needed to shift its economy away from central planning, but is not yet ready to consider financial assistance. Bankers say that earlier this year the IMF presented the government in Rangoon with a package of proposals, including devaluation of the kyat, and offered to monitor their implementation. But the package has not been endorsed by the fund's board, which remains opposed to financial assistance. ******************************************* BKK POST: KHUN SA TO QUIT SHAN COUNCIL November 22, 1995 By Subin Khuenkaew and Nussara Sawatsawang Opium warlord Khun Sa will today officially announce his intention to step down as chairman of the Shan State Administration Council at his Hua Mueng headquarters. "I will absolutely quit," stressed the 61-year-old drug kingpin who commands the estimated 10,000-strong Mong Tai Army (MTA). Khun Sa told the Bangkok Post yesterday that during today's religious ceremony at his headquarters, deep inside Burma's Shan State some 80km from the Thai-Burmese border, he would make the announcement and return power to the Shan people. Khun Sa said he had made it known publicly three months ago that he wanted to relinquish all power and wanted Shan State Administration Council, of which Zao Gun Jade is president, to find a person to replace him as chairman. However, a disappointed Khun Sa said neither members in SSAC nor its president had contacted him over the matter. Khun Sa said he was tired of the fighting and felt sorry about an allegation made by some nationalists who accused him of being a Chinese and not a Shan. "I feel bitter over the allegation. It is like being stabbed with a sharp knife," said Khun Sa. (BP) *************** BKK POST: TALKS HELD ON THAI-BURMESE FISHING DISPUTES November 22, 1995 Officials from concerned agencies yesterday discussed measures to solve fishing problems in Burmese territorial waters following a series of conflicts recently between Rangoon authorities and Thai fishermen operating in the area. The participants included Ranong fishery official Somporn Lohsawadikul, chief of the Fifth Regional Harbour Master Office Ranong Branch Capt Pradit Visuthinan, head of the sixth Thai- Burmese border coordinating team Col Tharith Sunthorn and Ranong Fisheries Association president Charoon Silawongse. According to Mr Somporn, the meeting came up with four preventive measures: * Thai trawlers will have to be equipped with radio communications gear so their position in the sea can easily be traced. * They will be required to report and to be inspected by the Harbour Department provincial official before setting out to sea. * The radio communications centre of the Ranong fishery office will be allowed to communicate and inspect the position of Thai fishing boats at all times. * Any company or person wishing to fish in Burmese territorial waters will have to ask for permission from the Fisheries Department and put up the stipulated guarantee money. The findings will be submitted to the Ranong and Victoria Point local joint border committee for Consideration and further action. (BP) *************** BKK POST: BURMA, CHINA TO EXPLORE MEKONG OPPORTUNITIES November 22, 1995 By Archara Ashayagachat Representatives from Burma and China are to meet for the first time today to explore opportunities for cooperation with their counterparts from four other members of the Mekong River Commission in Ho Chi Minh City. Officials from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have been gathering in the southern Vietnamese city since Monday to present their work plans for next year to the donor community. An afternoon session has been scheduled today for the representatives to confer with the Burmese and Chinese officials. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam formed the Mekong River Commission in April, with their officials meeting under the joint committee which acts as its implementation arm. At yesterday's meeting, the donor community including representatives from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed their work plans for next year. The 1994 projects on the drawing board, which are aimed at the harnessing the resources of the Mekong River, will require US$ 232.32 million to implement. The four countries will contribute US$ 32.8 million of the total amount, while the remainder will be raised through external sources, said deputy resident UNDP representative in Vietnam Jordan Ryan. "Out of external funding requirements totalling US$ 199.52 million, some US$ 73.85 million has already been secured from 17 major donor countries and agencies," he added. Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands are among the key donors while the UNDP is the largest multilateral donor. "As for the remaining US$ 125.67 million required in international aid, there has been a good response in terms of continued support from donor countries and agencies," said Mr Ryan. (BP) *************** NATION: MEKONG STATES HOPE CHINA, BURMA JOIN GROUP November 22, 1995 By Malee Trisawasdichai The lower Mekong basin states hope navigational interest would be a contributing factor to getting China and Burma to join the Mekong River Commission. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ing Keith, who arrived here yesterday, said the commission welcomed China and Burma to jointly help develop the Mekong River, and navigation could an be a first step towards such cooperation. "We want to welcome them. We hope they will be interested in becoming part of the MRC family," said Ing Keith, chairman of the Mekong Council, the MRC's decision-making body. "We want to see the opening up of navigation along the Mekong River from the South China Sea up to Kunming and possibly deeper into China's mainland," Ing Keith said. The MRC was formally re-established last April and consists of the four lower Mekong State _ Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Ing Keith said there were many aspects of cooperation to be worked out between the upper and lower basin states. "The Mekong is not just a river. But a source of energy, transportation and trade, as well as the utilisation of its natural resources," Ing Keith said. China plans to construct 15 mega-hydro-electric dams in the upper basin, one of which, the Manwan, has been completed. Two others, the Xiowan and Dachaosan, were under construction at the lower reach of the Mekong. Hoang Trong Quang, permanent secretary of Vietnam National Mekong Committee, said his country would also welcome China, and has not objections to the construction of the dams. "Basically, the dams in China would have a very small effects on Vietnam because they a long way from us. But they may affect countries that were closer," Quang said. Meanwhile, Thailand yesterday agreed to submit the controversial Kong-Chi-Mool water diversion project and follow the MRC's water usage rules, but would present the project under the "notification" category. "The sub-committee on water use regulation will study the project and decide whether it should be submitted under the notification guidelines or not," said Quang. The "notification" category was the minimum requirement for approval for projects under the MRC's water usage rule. The rule requires permission to be the maximum requirement for projects that divert water from the Mekong's main body into other basins in the dry season. (TN) **************************************************************** IMAGES ASIA: A NEW RELEASE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY ON BURMA November 21, 1995 From: Douglas "CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE" A video documentary by IMAGES ASIA/Thailand Available on VHS PAL and NTSC systems ====================================================================== Caught in the Crossfire is a stirring short documentary about the human rights abuses of women in Burma, perpetrated by the Burmese military. The footage and interviews with Burmese women and Burmese soldiers, were documented along the Thailand-Burma border between 1994 and 1995. Many of the interviews were conducted after the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and show that, as the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate stated: "I have been released. That's all. Nothing else has changed." Told through the voices of the women themselves, this documentary emphasises the important experiences of women, their struggle, fear and courage. These testimonies, inter-cut with sequences from their everyday lives in the war zones and refugee camps, clearly portray the reality of their situation. These are contrated with United Nations conventions concerning women's rights, to further illustrat that women in Burma, especially in the border areas, are subject to wide-scale human rights abuses. Caught in the Crossfire was designed as one in the three-part documentary video series, with study-guides, to be used as an education kit about the human rights and environmental situation in Burma. Despite initial problems with the Chinese authorities, the video was premiered at the United Nations Women's Conference in Beijing in September 1995. IMAGES ASIA is a non-governmental organization which is currently in the process of completing parts one and three of the video series, and the accompanying study-guides. Your support in purchasing this video as a lobbying and awareness-raising tool, will enable IMAGES ASIA to conclude this important work. It will also enable other people to become interested and active about the human rights and environmental situation in Burma. To place and order please choosing your method of delivering, and send it to IMAGES ASIA. Images Asia P.O. Box 2, Phrasingha Post Office Muang, Chiangmai 50200 Thailand Fax:(66-53) 406-155 or by E-mail above. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price per video includes postage: By Air: within 2 weeks North America Europe/Scan Asia/Pacific US$ 45 Pound 30 (U.K) US$ 40 The payment can be in cashiers cheque to Images Asia, thank you in advance ********************************************** ********************************************** 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 wire services and the Internet as well as original material are published. The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l mailing lists. 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