------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: January 4, 1996 Issue #314 HEADLINES: ========== REUTER: SLORC TROOPS CAPTURE KHUN SA'S HEADQUARTERS REUTER: BURMESE TROOPS MARCH INTO OPIUM WARLORD'S BASE. ABSDF: CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN KHUN SAS MTA AND SLORC INDEPENDENT REPORT: THREATS TO REFUGEES INDEPENDENT REPORT: DKBA ATTACKS - NO END IN SIGHT NCGUB (HRDU): ANOTHER ARREST IN BURMA ABSDF(MTZ): STATEMENT ON THE 48TH ANNIV. OF INDEPENDENCE ABSDF(DNA): STATEMENT ON THE 48TH ANNIV. OF INDEPENDENCE THE HINDU : "INDIA, MYANMAR AGREE TO CHECK INSURGENCY" NCGUB: NCGUB OPENS BURMA UN SERVICE OFFICE IN NEW YORK STATEMENT OF SENATOR MCCONNELL US SENATE: MCCONNELL BILL FOR YOUR INFO: MYANMAR - LET'S NOT GO ANNOUNCEMENT: INSTANT ACTIVISM/BURMANET NEWS ARCHIVE ANNOUNCEMENT: MASSACHUSETTS BURMA ROUNDTABLE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REUTER: SLORC TROOPS CAPTURE KHUN SA'S HEADQUARTERS WITHOUT A BATTLE January 2, 1996 From: Democratic Voice of Burma BANGKOK, Jan 2 (Reuter) - About 1,500 Burmese troops have taken over the jungle headquarters of drug warlord Khun Sa in the opium growing Golden Triangle region, civilian sources in the town said on Tuesday. Sources in Khun Sa's hilly stronghold of Ho Mong on the edge of Burma's eastern Shan State, about 30 kms (19 miles) from the Thai border, told Reuters by telephone that Burmese troops met no resistance when they entered Ho Mong on Monday morning. "Thousands of Burmese soldiers were trucked into the town since Monday morning," Khun Kya Oo, a senior official of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) living in northern Thailand said. A source in Ho Mong said more armed Burmese troops kept moving into the town on Tuesday. "(Burmese troops) are being deployed at camps where MTA soldiers used to live but they do not disturb villagers," a civilian source said. The sources said it was unclear if Khun Sa and his senior officers were still in Ho Mong. REUTER: BURMESE TROOPS MARCH INTO OPIUM WARLORD'S BASE. December 31, 1995 By Sutin Wannabovorn BANGKOK, Dec 31 (Reuter) - Troops loyal to opium warlord Khun Sa have handed their sworn enemies, Burmese government forces, a strategic pass on the Thai border in a new twist in the Golden Triangle region, Thai police said on Sunday. More than 1,000 Burmese troops marched into the Doi Lang, a trade gateway on the border of northeastern Burma's Shan state and Thailand last Friday. "The Khun Sa camp leader greeted Burmese troops at the foot of the mountain, led them up the to the top and handed them the camp," a Thai Border Patrol Police officer told Reuters. Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) has battled rivals for years to keep a firm grip on the mountain base. Burmese leaders have in the past vowed to crush Khun Sa and his guerrilla force. The powerful MTA had a major setback in June when several thousand fighters broke away, accusing Khun Sa of caring more about the opium business than the Shan independence struggle. In November Khun Sa officially stepped down as leader of the MTA, saying he had lost heart after the defection. It was not immediately clear if the surrender of Doi Lang had been ordered by MTA headquarters or was decided by the local MTA commander, the Thai officer said. The handover of the mountaintop base came as a surprise to one officer in Khun Sa's guerrilla army, based on a different section of the border. "I've heard that the Burmese have entered Doi Lang but I don't have any details," the MTA officer told Reuters. Khun Sa's rivals, from the powerful Wa guerrilla army, who have been fighting the MTA in the area for years, were also puzzled by the move. An official from the Wa group, allied to the Burmese government army since a 1989 ceasefire, said the Burmese sent a radio message to them on Saturday asking the Wa to stop attacking the Doi Lang area. "We were very surprised by the sudden change. Our commanders agreed to stop operations against Doi Lang for the time being but we'll continue to fight the MTA in other places," the Wa official said. "The MTA are on the run. We've captured a lot of their outposts in the past weeks. We'll continue to drive them out even if the Burmese have stopped fighting them," he said. The Wa army and Khun Sa's force are the two main factions blamed for a flood of heroin from Burma's Shan state. ****************************************************** ABSDF: CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN KHUN SAS MTA AND SLORC January 3, 1996 From: Caroline Lurie A cease-fire agreement between Khun Sas MTA and Slorc was reached on December 29, 1995. After the agreement, three Slorcs battalions led by three Burmese colonels arrived Ho Mong the headquarters of Khun Sas MTA, on the edge of Burmas eastern Shan State. There was a referendum in MTA deciding whether to stand as the regional defense troop under Slorc on December 22, 1995. After getting 88 per cent vote of yes to stand as the regional defense troop under Slorc, MTA decided to sign a cease-fire agreement with Slorc. According the reliable sources of MTA, a delegation led by Sai Khun Sel, one of the assistants and uncle of Khun Sa went to Rangoon during the second week of December and is still in Rangoon. In addition to the three Slorc battalions, seven more battalions of Slorc are stationing on strategic Naung Oak- Doi Lan mountain range, about 150 kilometers north-east of Mae Hong Son. There some ranks and files in MTA reportedly against the cease-fire agreement. The mutiny was broke out on June 7, 1995 and Khun Sa suffered a serious setback when several thousands troops led by Sai Kan Yuok, a young Shan nationalist. Later the breakaway group founded Shan State National Army (SSNA) and reached an agreement with Slorc. Slorc repeatedly said to the international community that they would never accept Khun Sas MTA as a ethnic armed groups. ABSDF NEWS AGENCY ABSDF (DAWN GWIN) *************************************************** INDEPENDENT REPORT: THREATS TO REFUGEES December 16, 1995 From: 4559abass@umbsky.cc.umb.edu In the beginning of this year, I was teaching in a small, relatively unknown refugee camp called Don Pa Kiang, or Quaybow. This camp is approximately 10 KM north of Quaykolok, about 1 KM from the border. During the attacks in April/May, when other refugee camps were being burned down, this camp was undisturbed. Although the refugees felt threatened, this camp was never threatened to be burned down until a few weeks ago. A friend in the camp has informed me that on 22 Nov. at about 6:30 PM the DKBA came to the camp. There were about 16 DKBA with one member of SLORC. They went directly to the camp leader's house and asked Permission to burn the camp. The camp leader begged them not to burn the camp saying that it would make it difficult for the villagers. The intruders told the camp leader that they all have to go back to Burma. The camp leader told them that when the situation in Burma is quiet they will all return as soon as possible. After a few hours they left without doing anything. I just wanted people to know that previously unthreatened refugees are now being threatened by the DKBA WITH SLORC soldiers. Since the end of the rainy season refugees have been threatened again but I had not heard of the threat of burning camps again so I thought it would be good to put this out on the Burmanet. ****************************************** INDEPENDENT REPORT: DKBA ATTACKS - NO END IN SIGHT by Christina Fink January 4, 1996 "I have dug a trench under my house for my family to hide in," said Ee-noh, a Karen refugee living in Mae La camp. He is not the only one who is scared. Since the end of the rainy season, DKBA attacks along the Thai-Burma border have begun again, and residents of all refugee camps in the Mae Sot area are living in fear. The DKBA, or Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army, consists of former Karen National Liberation Army soldiers and Karen villagers recruited by the SLORC. The State Law and Order Restoration Council provides the DKBA with weapons, uniforms, and rations. In return, the DKBA is expected to destroy the links between Karen civilians and the Karen National Union. The DKBA was instrumental in the fall of Manerplaw last December. Because they knew all the trails in the area, they could easily guide the SLORC troops into the KNU headquarters. In some areas of Karen state, they have also been able to cut KNLA soldiers off from Karen villagers. In the past, Karen villagers routinely provided food to KNLA soldiers as well as information about SLORC troop movements. Long familiar with the area, the DKBA know who the informers are and how Karen intelligence gathering works. Villagers now no longer dare communicate with or support the KNLA. But the DKBA do not only operate in Burma. During the last dry season, the DKBA crossed into Thai soil repeatedly, looting and burning down Karen refugee camps. SLORC troops do not accompany them into the camps but in at least one instance they shelled with heavy mortars from the other side. In the last month, the DKBA have entered Thailand no less than ten times. On December 3, a group of eight armed DKBA soldiers entered Shoklo camp and murdered a Karen pastor and kidnapped three men. More attacks are anticipated, and the Medicins Sans Frontiers medical staff no longer dares to sleep in the camp. The SLORC has promised the DKBA that they will be given authority over Karen State if they can bring the refugees back. Last winter the DKBA attempted to persuade refugees to return. Some family members did move back to Burma, but the vast majority stayed and new refugees continued to come out. The DKBA then resorted to force to try to scare the refugees into going back or to make so much trouble along the border that the Thai authorities would repatriate the refugees. According to one teacher in Mae La camp, "the SLORC supports the DKBA to come over and make problems so that the Thai government will send us back to our country." But the DKBA has not limited its attacks only to the refugee camps. They have also been robbing and killing Thais in the area. Since November, four incidents have occurred on the Mae Sot-Mae Sariang highway and two in Pop Phra district south of Mae Sot. Six Thais have been killed, including a Border Patrol Police officer and three children. While the DKBA may not be receiving direct orders to attack Thais, the SLORC is not discouraging them either. As one Mae La camp resident noted, "they are free to kill and rape whoever they want, there is no penalty for them." However, it is possible that attacks on the Thais involve more than just greed or revenge. After several of the attacks, the DKBA have left brand new KNU uniforms hanging near the scene of the crime. According to Saw Law Ti, the camp leader at Mae La, the point is to confuse the Thais about who is behind these incidents and to make them turn against all Karen, including the KNU. If this is the strategy, it seems to be working. At the funeral of the Border Patrol Police officer who was killed recently by DKBA, one woman stated angrily, "it's as if we are becoming a colony under Karen rule." Yud, a passenger-truck driver on the Mae Sot-Mae Sariang Road, said that if the violence continues he thinks the refugees will be sent back. If it is peaceful, they will be allowed to stay. Delegates of the KNU are currently engaging in ceasefire negotiatons with the SLORC in Moulmein. If a ceasefire agreement is reached, the Karen refugees would be repatriated. There is no guarantee, however, that attacks on Thais would stop. In the government-run newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, the SLORC has justified its continued arms build-up and increase in troop strength by saying that they cannot trust the Thais. Provoking incidents along the Thai-Burma border may be a way to continue to justify the size of the Burmese army. When the KNU controlled the long stretch of territory on the Burmese side of the border, the Thais did not have to station any troops in the area. According to Yud, the passenger-truck driver, "before the Karen split there were never any problems along the border." It is highly unlikely that the KNU will ever regain control of the border area. At the same time, Thai forces cannot possibly defend all points along the rugged, mountainous border. The SLORC has insisted that the DKBA troops do not belong to them, so they cannot be held responsible for the DKBA's actions. According to KNU sources, some DKBA troops are operating independently, but they are not the troops who have entered into Thailand. The SLORC's willingness to allow the DKBA to kill Thai civilians does not bode well for the future. Even if the KNU and the SLORC do sign a ceasefire, real peace along the Thai-Burma border may still be a long way away. ****************************************** NCGUB (HRDU): ANOTHER ARREST IN BURMA Date: 31 Dec 1995 From: kyaw@ksc.net.th After the arrest of U Sein Hla Aung on 16 December 1995, another video tape renter was arrested by the SLORC with the same allegation that the victim has handed over the video tapes of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's speech, delivered on every Saturday and Sunday, to the other people. He is also accused of violating the video act. His name was Zaw Zaw Myaing, age 30 years, who is living at Myet Par Quarter, Shwe Chi Htoe of Mandalay downtown. The remand of both U Sein Hla Aung and Zaw Zaw Myaing is 11 January 1996. Human Rights Documentation Unit, NCGUB ****************************************************** ABSDF(MTZ): STATEMENT ON THE 48TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURMA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY January 4, 1996 From: ABSDF-MTZ January 4, 1996 is a very special day in Burma as it is the 48th Anniversary of the Burma's Independence. Burma gained her independence after almost a century of British colonial rule due to the unwavering efforts of the entire people of Burma and the solidarity of all its ethnic groups. Since then the People of Burma rather, than enjoying their freedom, have became hostages to successive military dictatorships including the SLORC. General Aung San, our beloved leader and father of Burma's Independence, was assassinated less than six months prior to independence. Civil war broke out only months after the independence. The descent into civil war favoured the emergence of military domination and firmly rooted military dictatorialism in Burma. Under the successive military dictatorships, democratic rights, basic human rights and the rights of the entire people of Burma have been neglected and economic, social and educational sectors have deteriorated. Consequently Burma has reached the lowest status in the international community. The people of Burma have been struggling against the military dictatorship since its establishment. Today's military junta, the SLORC, is claiming that the insurgencies which began with our independence are now coming to a close, and Burma is progressing towards an open-market economy which will lead Burma towards democracy. In reality, it is forcing, with its military power, the ethnic people to reach ceased fire agreements without solving the underlying political problems and it is selling off the resources of Burma in order to strengthen its own hold on power. More than 60% of the national budget is used by the military to suppress the people of Burma. None of the groups which have reached cease-fire agreements with the SLORC are satisfied with the status quo as no further positive political settlement is in sight. Many promises have been broken leading to the violation of the agreement in Karenni State and subsequent offensives against the Karenni people. The situation of the entire population is much worse than before Independence. The SLORC, which took power through a bloody crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in 1988 is the most brutal regime in Southeast Asia, with a notorious record of human rights abuses. The SLORC blatantly refused to honour the 1990 election results even though they had promised several times in the time prior to the elections that the military would transfer power to the elected representatives and return to the barracks. The SLORC continues its brutal suppression on the pro-democratic opposition groups and misleads the international community with cosmetic changes and propaganda. At present, the SLORC is attempting to continue the highly orchestrated National Convention which will guarantee the military a leading role in the future politics of Burma very much against the wishes of the people of Burma. ABSDF believes that now is the critical time for the SLORC, if it is sincere, to attempt to address the political problems in Burma in order to achieve national reconciliation and lasting peace which will lead Burma to a development, democracy and prosperity. The ABSDF reaffirms that it will continue to fight against the SLORC, to topple the military dictatorship and to restore democracy and human rights and establish a genuine federal union within Burma. The ABSDF demands the SLORC to: Unconditionally release student leader Min Ko Naing and all political prisoners. Dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic leaders in order to bring national reconciliation, democracy and lasting peace to Burma. Cancel all unjust laws, Abolish the Sham National Convention. We ask Burmese Army officers and ordinary soldiers to go back to their military duties and restore the dignity of the Army that existed once under the leadership of General Aung San. We call on the all democracy loving people, both inside and outside of Burma, to continue their relentless efforts and great struggle for the restoration of Democracy in Burma. We urge the international community to exert more pressure on the SLORC by way of a world wide arms embargo and economic sanctions until the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma has been achieved. Central Leading Committee, ABSDF 88 camps *********************************************************** ABSDF(DNA): STATEMENT ON THE 48TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY January 1, 1995 From: caroline@ksc.net.th January 4, 1995 is the 48th anniversary auspicious occasion of the Independence Day in Burma which marks the Burmese liberation from the colonization. Over a hundred year under the British colony, Burmese people have sacrificed countless lives, sweat and blood for the independence of their mother-land. Apparently, three generations of Burmese people had to fight for the inspiration of independence. As a result of their striving for liberation, Burma became an independent nation and awarded its own sovereignty. Unfortunately, the civil war was taken place along together with the independence in Burma. As well as national union among the nationalities in Burma was broken as a result of civil war in Burma. Civil war after the newly-born independence paved the way for some opportunities to the military dictatorship in Burma. The intensification of civil war was the reason for the military to extend their military might and later this become the firm foundation for consolidation of military dictatorship in Burma. That is the system that have been still suppressing its own people as the slaves. It is a true fact that Burma has liberated from the foreign colonization but unfortunately, it is still under the suppression of the misrule by its same people. Because of the Slorc's dictatorial oppression against its own people, there are lack of democracy and human rights.The struggle to achieve these principles has become the national cause. Burmese people understand well that without the abolishment of military dictatorship, it would be impossible to achieve these principles. Struggle against the military dictatorship in Burma is the historic responsibility for all citizens of Burma. It can also be recognized as the second struggle for national liberation. It is a grieved circumstances for a country like Burma which is sovereignty nation with high rich natural resources has been designated as the one of the least developed country in the world for the misrule by its military dictatorship. All the social, economic and political situation as well as the dignity of the Burmese people are deteriorating. The ruling military regime, Slorc is playing a political game with "cease-fire policy" aiming to disarm the ethnic groups and suppressing the opposition forces strategically in order to consolidate their military rule. Genuine internal peace cannot attained by merely doing cease-fire agreement. It can be reached until and unless the political dilemmas are solved with sincerity and openness. At the same time, the will of Burmese people to establish the civilian government will be still far away as long as the military domination theory is alive. The Slorc is ignoring the result of 1990 election and is forcibly organising the so-called "National Convention" to consolidate their military power in the future politics. "National Convention" merely organized by Slorc is lack of genuine goodwill and lack of nobility. In addition, it dose not symbolize as the national representation. We, the ABSDF strongly believes that "National Convention" could not achieve to emerge the genuine national unity and solidarity in Burma. Genuine national solidarity can be dignified when democracy and human rights are prevail and the full ethnic rights are honoured. The ABSDF will forge ahead to oppose the on-going sham "National Convention". This is a crucial time for the people of Burma to oppose the sham "National Convention" which is aiming for Slorc's power consolidation. People of Burma must understand their plight as the military slavery under the Slorc regime though Burma has gained independence from the colonization. We, the ABSDF strongly urges the people of Burma, with consistent unity in the struggle for democracy in Burma, to fight against the military dictatorship in order to achieve the genuine liberation and independence. Central Committee ABSDF (Dawn Gwin) January 1 , 1996. ********************************************************** THE HINDU : "INDIA, MYANMAR AGREE TO CHECK INSURGENCY" December 28, 1995 From: chan@.unv.ernet.in India and Myanmar have agreed to cooperate in coping with " negative elements" operating along the 1,600 km long border. The Myanmar authorities have also agreed to take "all possible and practical measures" to "curb and control the activities" of insurgent groups operating in India, who now occasionally find haven on the other side. This was decided during the annual national level talks between the two countries in Yangoon between December 22 and December 25. The Indian side was led by Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah, the Union Home Secretary while the Myanmar delegation was led by the Myanmar Deputy Minister for Home Affairs. These annual talks are a forum for the officials of the two countries to sort out problems arising from the management of the long border. "Negative elements" like armed insurgent groups, narco-traffickers, smugglers, arms dealers operate with certain impunity in the area.. The security forces of the two countries have often worked at cross purposes making difficult the task of nabbing these "negative elements." There is also scope for considerable misunderstanding among the security forces on both sides of the border. Hence the need for continuous dialogue for institutionalization of the highest level of decision-making. The talks this year decided to expand the scope far beyond the maintenance of "peace and tranquillity"; it was agreed to promote positive activities like border trade, cultural exchange, sports events. Both sides agreed to carry out site inspection in mid-January for construction of bridge on Tiau River along Mizoram sector of Indo-Myanmar border. The technical experts from both sides would meet shortly to study requirement of infrastructure, tariff and other technical details for power supply to Tamu township ( in Myanmar ) from Moreh, on the Indian side. ************************* NCGUB: NCGUB OPENS BURMA UN SERVICE OFFICE IN NEW YORK January 2, 1996 From: "nyuntpaung a-so-ya" The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) opened the Burma UN Service Office in New York on 1st January, 1996. The office is aimed to (1) promote awareness on situation in Burma among UN members (2) keep regular consultation with the United Nations Secretariat (3) materialize UN mediated comprehensive political settlement in Burma leading to the restoration of democracy and human rights, and national reconciliation. Dr. Thaung Htun was assigned by the NCGUB to work as the Representative for UN Affairs. Communication can be made through the following address. Burma UN Service Office 777, UN Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA. Tel: (1-212) 338 0048 Fax: (1-212) 338 0049, (1-212) 692 9748 E-mail - ncgub@igc.apc.org ************************************************ STATEMENT OF SENATOR MCCONNELL United States Senate December 29, 1995 Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Moynihan, D'Amato and Leahy to introduce the Burma Freedom And Democracy Act of 1995. Early in December, prospects for democracy in Burma took a turn for the worse. In a remarkable act of courage, Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues in the National League for Democracy decided not to participate in the National Convention orchestrated by the State Law and Order Restoration Council. In announcing her decision she said, "A country which is drawing up a constitution that will decide the future of the state should have the confidence of the people." This is a standard that SLORC cannot meet. Burma is not one step closer to democracy today than it was in the immediate aftermath of the crackdown in 1988. Indeed, in Aung San Suu Kyi's own words, "I have been released, that is all." In fact, the situation continues to deteriorate. A recent report filed by the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Burma, Dr. Yokota, is a fresh, sharp reminder of the level of despair and the brutality suffered by the people of Burma at the hands of SLORC. Virtually no improvements have occurred since the Spring report of the Special Rapporteur. Dr. Yokota reported that the National Convention "is not heading towards restoration of democracy" and criticized SLORC for not affording him the opportunity to meet with convention participants free from SLORC supervision. But, those criticism were mild compared to his determinations with regard to human rights and the quality of life for the average Burmese citizen. A complex array of security laws are used to harass, intimidate and afford SLORC soldiers sweeping powers of arrest and detention. He charged the military with carrying out arbitrary killings, rape, torture, forced porterage, forced labor, forced relocations and confiscation of private property. He substantiated many refugee claims that this pattern of abuse continues most frequently "in border areas where the Army is engaged military operations or where regional development projects are taking place," he added, "many or the victims of such atrocious acts belong to ethnic national populations, especially women, peasants, daily wage earners and other peaceful civilians who do not have enough money to avoid mistreatment by bribing." If anyone had any doubts about the ruthless nature of the SLORC regime,I encourage them to take a few minutes to read this report. SLORC has now turned its attention to the rising influence of Suu Kyi and her supporters. SLORC has cynically used the fact of her release to attempt to demonstrate they are relaxing their grip on power. Unfortunately, it is a sadistic charade. Although, Suu Kyi has repeatedly called for a dialogue to reconcile the nation, SLORC has rejected every attempt to include her or the NLD in a credible political process. Last week Suu Kyi was personally attacked in the official newspapers as a "traitor" who should be "annihilated." When the NLD announced they would not participate in the National Convention, senior officials woke up to find their homes surrounded by soldiers and their movements shadowed by military thugs. In response to this assault on democracy and democratic activists, members of the business community have made two arguments. First, the allegations are exaggerations of the conditions. And, second., trade, investment and economic improvements will yield political progress just as it has in China and Vietnam. Mr. President, I urge the business community to read Dr. Yokota's recent report and then consider an important difference in Burma. In 1990 elections were held and the nation spoke with a strong voice. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept the elections only to find the results brutally rejected by SLORC. We cannot pretend those elections did not occur. We cannot turn our back on the legitimate government of Burma. We should not trade democracy for dollars in the pockets of a few companies interested in investing in Burma. Suu Kyi has been absolutely clear. She will welcome foreign investment in her country just as soon as it makes real progress toward democracy. The United States must take the lead in supporting not only her courage but her objective which is nothing short of Burma's liberty. It is clear U.N. Ambassador Albright understands the importance of our role and the responsibilities of U.S. leadership in securing democracy for Burma. In responding to the UN Rapporteur's report and the subsequent General Assembly resolution she spelled out the alternatives for SLORC: they must there must be prompt and meaningful progress in political reforms including a transition to an elected government or Burma will face further international isolation. Mr. President, I agree with the Ambassador's conclusions. However, it is a position that the Administration has expressed for more than a year. My definition of prompt differs from the Administration's timetable. SLORC has had ample time and opportunity to demonstrate their intent to in effect return to the barracks and leave the governing of the country to democratically elected civilians. Burma waited for decades to vote for the National League for Democracy. They have waited for the past five years to benefit from the results of that election. Burma has waited for its freedom long enough. In past statements on Burma I have devoted a good deal of my remarks to why a country so far away should matter to anyone here in the United States. It is not just a matter of upholding the principles of democracy and free markets -- principles that define our history and national conscience. But, for many, those are ideals that are difficult to transplant --it is difficult to see why we should apply sanctions to further that cause. The reason it is in our direct interest to secure democracy in Burma relates to the surge in narcotics trafficking afflicting every community in this nation. Burma is the source of more than 60% of the heroin coming into the United States. And, as the Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs has testified, until there is a democratically elected government in Rangoon, committed to a similar set of values, we will not see the active cooperation necessary to bring a real halt to this problem. We may see episodic efforts designed -- like Suu Kyi's release -- to influence our perceptions of SLORC's intentions. But, we will not see a serious effort to eradicate opium production unless we can work with a government dedicated to our common agenda. The credibility of a counternarcotics program directly relates to the credibility of the government. Let me conclude by thanking Senators Moynihan, Leahy and D'Amato for joining me in this legislation. I appreciate my colleague on the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations joining me in this important effort. I understand the parliamentarian has decided that this will be referred to the Banking Committee, so I am grateful for the cosponsorship of the Chairman, Senator D'Amato. But, I want to take a moment single out Senator Moynihan and his long standing commitment to Suu Kyi's safe return to public life. When we were members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1992 Senator Moynihan and I worked together to establish conditions which must be met prior to our dispatching a U.S. ambassador to Burma. Then as now, he has been articulate champion for a noble cause. Thank you. ******************************************************************** US SENATE: MCCONNELL BILL December 30, 1995 From: "soe pyne" FYI -- the new Let's Go SE Asia travel guide has a small section entitled: Myanmar -- Let's NOT Go. *************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: INSTANT ACTIVISM/BURMANET NEWS ARCHIVE January 1, 1995 >From glen at: freeburma@pobox.com for those of you with web browsers, following is the most convenient way yet available to voice your sentiments regarding specific burma issues to the us governmant. http://cedar.stanford.edu the authors have set up a simple form which educates and sets up a nice letter for you, preaddressed to the proper recipients. please try it, and give your feedback to the creator. THEN tell your friends to visit it. ------------------------------------------------ BURMANET NEWS ARCHIVE FOR ALL OF 1995 is nearly complete to date at http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/bnn/bnn.html should you have any issues we're missing please mail them to freeburma@pobox.com and we'll post them immediately. ----------------------------------------------------- Say "no!" to Pepsi and the gas that comes with it. Boycott Pepsico and Unocal Visit http://FreeBurma.org Visit http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/freeburma.html ************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: MASSACHUSETTS BURMA ROUNDTABLE January 2, 1996 From: Simon Billenness · January Burma Roundtable . . . . . Planning for the New Year! The next Roundtable will take place on Monday, January 8. The meeting will start at 7pm at the office of Franklin Research & Development at 711 Atlantic Avenue 4th floor, just across the street from South Station and opposite the Greyhound Bus terminal. At the January meeting, we will discuss the growing political crisis in Burma (see below) and how we can support the Burmese democracy movement over the next year. · News Update . . . . . Situation in Burma Heats Up The news coming out of Burma becomes grimmer and grimmer. Ominously, the ruling Burmese military junta has labeled the democracy movement as "traitors." Many fear that the junta will crack down on Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement. In response, on December 29, Senator Mitch McConnell (R, KY) joined with Senators Leahy (D, VT), Moynihan (D, NY) and D'Amato (R, NY) to introduce the new Burma Freedom and Democracy Act. The bill would put pressure on the ruling Burmese military junta by imposing economic sanctions similar to those imposed on South Africa. Senator John Kerry still has not indicated whether he will support imposing economic sanctions on Burma. Several Burma Roundtable participants have written to Senator Kerry but he has not replied so far. If you have not yet written to Senator Kerry, this would be a good time. Feel free to follow up your letter with a phone call. Senator John Kerry, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224 2742 · H2833 Update and Action Alert! This month, we need your help in lobbying Massachusetts State Senator Edward Clancy, chairman of the Senate Steering & Policy Committee. Senator Clancy has not yet seen fit to report H2833 out of his committee even though he received the bill in September. (Introduced by State Rep. Byron Rushing, H2833 would bar the state from buying goods or services from companies doing business in Burma.) At present, Senator Clancy does not know that there is support for this bill at the grassroots level around the state. If he were to receive 10-20 letters over the next two weeks, he may start to catch on... Please use the sample letter on the back of this sheet to ask Senator Clancy to report H2833 out of his committee favorably and bring it to a floor vote in the State Senate. Simon Billenness, Franklin Research & Development, 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 (617) 423 6655 simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------