------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: jan 8, 1996 Issue #317 Noted in Passing: Now they (the US) want to take this guy, that's not fair, and if Khun Sa talks then, uh-oh, a lot of soiled linen will come out of the cupboard...He will definitely be put on trial in Rangoon, 100 percent sure. - a Burmese official (see BKK POST: BURMA REFUSES TO SEND DRUG LORD KHUN SA TO US) HEADLINES: ========== BURMANET: REPORT FROM DEMOC CONVENTION IN INDIA CONV. FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA: STATEMENT BKK POST: GLOBAL BOYCOTT OF BURMA URGED BKK POST: BURMA REFUSES TO SEND DRUG LORD KHUN SA TO US BKK POST: KHUN SA LAYS ON GRAND WELCOME FOR SLORC NATION: ANTI-NARCOTIC LAWMEN EXPECTING NO ADVANTAGE NATION: WA FORCES SEEK TO TAKE EX-MTA TERRITORY VIA DIALOGUE BKK POST: BURMESE ENVOY SEES END TO BORDER DISPUTES BKK POST: BURMESE LEADER ARRIVES IN CHINA ABSDF PRESS RELEASE: DKBO ATTACK ON JANUARY 3, 1996 ANNOUNCEMENT: APPLICATION FOR JOURNALISM COURSE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BURMANET: REPORT FROM THE CONVENTION ON THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY AND DASSK'S MESSAGE TO THE CONVENTION January 5, 1995 >From burtu.atubdo@axcess.net. New Delhi The International Convention on the Restoration of Democracy to Burma opened yesterday with speeches from powerful Indian politicians and a screening of "Beyond Rangoon." Before the screening, Aung Ko, co-star of "Beyond Rangoon" spoke about democracy and Buddhism in Burma. The driving force behind the convention is Indian member of parliament, George Fernandes. Fernandes is known outside India for having driven Coca-Cola out of India when he was previously a government minister. Among the leading speakers was former Indian Prime Minister Chandrashekar. Chandrashekar is aiming to return to the Prime Minister's post and would likely reverse India's current Constructive Engagement policy. DASSK: MESSAGE TO THE CONVENTION It is most appropriate that this International Convention for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma should take place on this anniversary of Burmese Independence. Forty-eight years ago to this day Burma became a sovereign independent nation as a result of the combined efforts of all her peoples. The greatest lesson that the struggle for independence taught us was that nothing of national significance could be achieved without the wholehearted participation of all those whose fates are linked to the destiny of the nation. Burma took her place in the family of independent nations as a democratic state, aware of its obligations to its own people as well as to the rest of the world. The founding fathers of independent Burma understood that self-government alone was not enough: there was a clear perception of the need for responsible and accountable rule that guarantees the basic rights of the people and accepts the duties due to a member of the international community. A resolution by my father U Aung San on 16 June 1947 in the Constituent Assembly encapsulated the hopes of the people of Burma for a state sustained by democratic values that would enable them to live in freedom and dignity. The salient points of the resolution, as relevant today as they were then, are as follows: "...all powers and authority of the sovereign independent Republic of Burma, its constituent parts and organs of government shall be derived from the people... "...the constitution shall guarantee and secure to all the peoples of the Union justice, social, economic and political; equality of status, of opportunity, and before the law freedom of thought, expression, belief, worship, subject to law and public morality... "...the constitution shall provide adequate safeguards for minorities... "...this historic land of Burma shall attain its rightful and honoured place in the world, make its full and willing contribution and welfare of mankind and affirm its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality." The aspirations of those who dedicated their lives to building an independent Burma are at one with the hopes of all of us now striving to establish in Burma a genuine democratic system that will guarantee to the people all basic human rights as recognized by the United Nations. While it cannot be doubted that our principal strength lies in the resolve of our own people, we are fully aware that in the world today all nations are indissolubly linked by myriad ties. We welcome warmly the support of friends across the globe who share our political and ethical values. It is particularly heartening for us that this International Convention should be held in India, the world's largest democracy. It is also most heartening that the Chairman of the Convention is Mr. George Fernandes, a man widely respected for his efforts in the field of social and political justice. It is my belief that this Convention will promote a better understanding of the situation in Burma and help to formulate truly constructive polices that will contribute towards the full implementation of successive resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly calling for the restoration of democracy in Burma. I would like to take this opportunity to say to Burmese students and other colleagues who have abandoned the comforts of home to engage in the struggle for democracy: the way ahead for us may be hard but we shall surely prevail; there will certainly come the moment for which we have all been striving, the time when we are all united once again in freedom and triumph in our own land. May I end this message with an expression of deeply felt gratitude to Mr. Fernandes, the members of the Convening Committee and to our many Indian friends for their endeavours in the interests of democracy in Burma. I wish the occasion every possible success. Thank you. ************************************************** CONV. FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA: STATEMENT January 7, 1996 >From burtu.atubdo@axcess.net.inMon Jan 8 09:23:58 1996 STATEMENT OF THE CONVENTION FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA NEW DELHI, 4-6 JANUARY, 1996. The international convention for the Restoration of Democracy meeting in New Delhi from 4-6 Jan, 1996 declare that : - The total denial of democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the will of people of Burma as expressed in the 1990 general elections, - The continuation of an illegal military dictatorship and the expanding of domination of the military over all aspects of Burmese society, - The lack of a comprehensive political solution to the civil war, and - The continuing gross human rights violations against the people of Burma - constitute a serious threat to regional and international security and stability. I. Constitutional Issues: ----------------------------- The Convention believe a) that a tripartite dialogue involving the Burmese democracy movement led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the ethnic national and the military, is the best was to achieve national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy in Burma. b) that the current National Convention to draft a new Constitution to legitimize military rule in Burma is an illegal and unrepresentative body with no mandate whatsoever from the people of Burma. c) that a federal system of government is the best long-term solution to Burma's long running civil war. The International Convention for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma, therefore, strongly supports the National League for Democracy's withdrawal from the sham National Convention in Rangoon, and urge all governments to not recognize any conclusions adopted by the National Convention. II. Human Rights ---------------------- The Convention strongly condemns the continued human rights abuses in Burma, including the free flow of information, forced labor, particularly of women and children, force conscription and violation of cultural and religious rights. We specially condemn the denial of labor rights and the violations of the fights of the women. We demand of SLORC to immediately release all political prisoners. Recognizing that thousands of Burmese are forced to leave their homes, we call for the recognition, support and protection for these refugees according to international established principles. This appeal is particularly directed to Burma's neighbors. We call on the UNHCR to exercise its mandate to protect and provide safe havens to refugees from Burma. The international community must have access to Burmese refugees. III. Constructive Engagement ------------------------------------- Recognizing that the policy of constructive engagement in its various forms actually strengthen the SLORC and allows it to continue its repressive policies, the Convention call for a) and need to all international investments and trade with Burma, b) all supporters of freedom and democracy to boycott products of companies investing and trading with Burma, c) a total boycott of "Visit Myanmar Year 1996". d) government and international financial institution to refrain from assisting the illegal military junta in Burma, e) A the world's largest democracy, the government f India should desist from cooperating with the military regime in Burma and respond positively to Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal to India to support the democracy movement. IV. China- Burma Axis ----------------------------- The Convention calls upon countries in the region, particularly Indian to recognize that a democratic Burma with a strong civil society is the best means to ensure stability and guard against the possibility of the domination by regional super powers. We are deeply disturbed by the threat to regional and international health and security represented by the rapid and uncontrolled spread of HIV/AIDS, heroin and opium from Burma, and we do not believe that any military regime can effectively implement policies to these problems. In conclusion, the Convention calls on all governments and freedom loving people to find practical ways to support the Burmese democracy movement and help restore genuine democracy to Burma. ******************************************** BKK POST: GLOBAL BOYCOTT OF BURMA URGED January 6, 1996 New Delhi, AFP An international conference aimed at mobilising global sanctions to restore democracy in Burma yesterday discussed measures which organisers said would spell the end of the country's military regime. "There are no human rights in Burma," Indian politician George Fernandes said here. "We are absolutely certain you do not have anything like this anywhere today." Fernandes, the organiser of the International Convention for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma which began here on Thursday, said the delegates including Mps, lawyers and policy-makers would unveil the "action plan" today. "We will lobby around the world asking governments, rights groups and trade unions to get involved in direct boycott and other forms of pressure," he said. "This is the first meeting of its kind in the world. "The ongoing collaboration with the military regime by Western governments cannot go on. I believe that all those who stand for freedom and democracy anywhere in the world will never agree to any compromise with the military junta," Fernandes said. "Slavery is rampant, torture is the order of the day and arrests are a daily occurrence," he said, slamming the seven- member Association of Southeast Asian Nations for doing business with the Burmese government. Fernandes, a former industry minister, also said China's increased military presence in Burma and the booming drug trade into India were threatening stability in South Asia. The 100-odd delegates from around the world demanded the restoration of full and equal rights to Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Exiled Burmese leader U Aung Ko, who heads a group called Aung San Suu Kyi Liberte in exile in France, said her struggle to end tyranny would eventually triumph. "She has given her life to the movement and she cannot do more than this. It is for the world, the United Nations and other governments to see that she gets her freedom," he said. Jaya Jaitly, convener of the three-day conference, said activists in the European Parliament had pushed through legislation insisting on proper labour laws in Burma as a precursor to foreign investment. "They have focused on child and slave labour and the forcible use of pregnant women in mines and other strenuous work," she said. Conference organisers said that from 1988 to 1993, US oil and gas companies invested more than $200 million in Burma. A number of multinational giants such as Levi Strauss, Amoco, Apache Oil, Murphy Oil, Petro Canada and Shell have pulled out of Burma, however, citing human rights and economic reasons, they said. (BP) ********************************************* BKK POST: BURMA REFUSES TO SEND DRUG LORD KHUN SA TO US January 7, 1996 Burma will not turn opium warlord Khun Sa over to the United States to face narcotics charges partly because of all the information he could give US authorities, a senior Burmese official said yesterday. But the veteran rebel commander, who gave up his guerrilla war and turned himself over to Burmese government forces at the beginning of the month, would definitely be put on trail in Rangoon, the official said. "There will be no extradition to the United States," the official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters. "Now they want to take this guy, that's not fair, and if Khun Sa talks then, uh-oh, a lot of soiled linen will come out of the cupboard," he said. "He will definitely be put on trial in Rangoon, 100 percent sure," the official added. The Burmese official said the United States had been playing a "win-win" game for too long and it was not fair that Khun Sa be handed over to them now. "If we don't fight Khun Sa seriously, they say we are not serious, so we lose. If we go and fight we lose our men, so we lose," the official said. "Whether we do it or not the American side, they win," he added. The Burmese official dismissed a Bangkok newspaper report yesterday citing Khun Sa as saying he wanted to remain in his Shan state headquarters. "The courts are in Rangoon," the official said. #Agence France-Presse added on January 8, 1996 (Opium warlord took a calculated risk with surrender) Burma's reputed opium warlord Khun Sa may have decided to surrender to the Burmese government and take his chances in court as the only option left open to him, according to analysts here. "Khun Sa, who is first and foremost a businessman at heart, must have weighed his options very carefully and decided to take his chances with a Burmese court of law," one legal expert told AFP. Being brought to justice inside Burma could be an attractive option for Khun Sa as death sentences are rarely carried out in this predominantly Buddhist nation, another analyst said. "With the precedence of periodical amnesties, where death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment and further reduced for good behaviour Khun Sa can become. a free man in no time at all," the analyst said. Demands for Khun Sa's extradition by the United States are also likely to be ignored by the military authorities here, analysts said, as no extradition treaties existed between Burma and other nations. Washington has offered a two million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the alleged drug lord, who has been accused of being the source of most of the heroin imported into the United States. *************** BKK POST: KHUN SA LAYS ON GRAND WELCOME FOR SLORC January 8, 1996 Burmese leaders held talks with Khun Sa to secure the allegiance of his Mong Tai Army yesterday, sources said. A Burmese delegation, led by Eastern Force Commander Maj-Gen Tin Htut, flew into Ho Mong to a welcome ceremony Khun Sa and 2,000 MTA soldiers. Khun Sa, who this month gave the Rangoon junta control of Ho Mong, opposite Mae Hong Son, has given the Slorc a 10-point set of demands for the MTA's surrender, the sources said. The key demands were amnesty for himself and his men from drug charges, a secure future for the troops and cooperation on narcotics, they said. As the talks, expected to continue for some time, got under way, 600 Burmese troops arrived at the MTA's Tha Sopteng base on the Salween river. Khun Sa sent pick-up trucks for the troops, who were expected to survey MTA positions. The sources said Khun Sa and many top Shan leaders were present at the welcome ceremony followed by a feast. During the ceremony, the Shan leadership gave Maj-Gen Tin Htut a list of MTA soldiers in a gesture to mark the end of the armed struggle against Rangoon. Despite the apparent warming of relations between the Shan leader and Rangoon, there are indications Khun Sa may have surrendered to take his chances in court as the only option left open to him. Analysts said Khun Sa has for the past few months been a primary target of the Burmese military. Burmese offensives on territory held by Khun Sa's forces in northern Shan State had also resulted in the defection of up to 6,000 of his troops, they said. As a result, Khun Sa had few options other than seeking an agreement with Rangoon, even though he would face a mandatory death sentence if tried and convicted. "Khun Sa, who is first and foremost a businessman at heart, must have weighed his options very carefully and decided to take his chances with a Burmese court of law," one legal expert said. Burmese troops have taken control of MTA territory following the signing of a ceasefire agreement. Burmese authorities who have consistently stated that they consider Khun Sa a criminal will most likely bring him to justice following his surrender," the legal expert said. Another analyst claimed that being brought to justice in Burma could be an attractive option for Khun Sa as death sentences are rarely carried there. "With the precedence of periodical amnesties, where death sentences are usually commuted to life imprisonment and further reduced for good behaviour, Khun Sa can become a free man in no time at all," he said. Demands for Khun Sa's extradition by America are also likely to be ignored by the junta as Burma has signed no extradition treaties. Washington has posted a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Khun Sa, accused of being the source of most of the heroin imported into America. Meanwhile, the United Wa State Army has expressed hope it will be able to take control of formerly MTA-held areas in Shan state, a Wa official was quoted as saying. The Wa was outmanoeuvred by the reported deal struck by Khun Sa and Rangoon, after the Wa army had been making steady progress against the MTA since the middle of last year, the official said. The official said that the Wa, which struck a ceasefire agreement with the junta in 1989, had told Rangoon in June of plans for a major offensive against the MTA at the end of the year. The deal gave the Wa access to government-held roads and provided them with mortar rounds with which to attack the MTA, Wa officials said. In Karenni State, fighting continued as soldiers of the Karenni National Progressive Party fought to dislodge Rangoon forces from the mountainous U Lae tract. *************** NATION: ANTI-NARCOTIC LAWMEN EXPECTING TO GAIN NO ADVANTAGE FROM KHUN SA'S SURRENDER January 7, 1996 by ROBERT HORN THE surrender of Khun Sa, the infamous opium warlord who offered to sell his crop to the US government for millions of dollars, won't make much difference in the war on drugs, law enforcement officials say. Defectors from Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army say their former leader is in the process of cutting a deal with Burmese authorities to lay down his arms in return for amnesty. If that agreement is similar to those struck with other ethnic minorities, he may well be allowed to continue narcotics trafficking. "A ceasefire agreement could be a counter-narcotics setback," said Mark Taylor, a US Drug Enforcement Agency officer in Rangoon. Because of his penchant for publicity and willingness to give interviews, Khun Sa is a convenient demon for the Burmese government as well as Washington, which is offering $2 million for information leading to his arrest. The 61-year-old, half-Chinese, half-Shan Khun Sa is easily the best known drug kingpin in the Golden Triangle, the lawless, jungled, opium-rich area where the borders of Burma, Thailand and Laos converge. But he isn't the only one. Other, perhaps more powerful, players are ready to fill the void in the event Khun Sa's operations are completely shut down. Opium cultivation exploded in Burma during the last several decades because it was a means for poor, disenfranchised ethnic groups to fund their wars of independence against the government in Rangoon. Now, Burma has become the world's largest producer. The US State Department estimated that 2,030 tonnes of opium were cultivated in Burma in 1994, and there was a bumper crop in 1995. Opium is the raw material for heroin. More than 60 per cent of the heroin sold in the United States originates in the Golden Triangle. Khun Sa's share of Burma's opium business had declined from about 80 percent in 1989 to less than 50 per cent in 1994, the State Department said. Those figures were released before nearly half his army defected. "At this point, eliminating Khun Sa won't make much difference in the overall picture as far as the drug trade is concerned," said Martin Smith, a Burma expert based in London. Disturbingly, the rivals who have been taking business from Khun Sa have already signed ceasefire agreements with Rangoon and are trafficking in opium with the government's tacit approval, said Bertil Lintner a Bangkok-based Burma expert. The United Wa State Army led by Pao Yu Chang is one. In 1989 the ethnic rebels signed a cease-fire agreement with Rangoon and have been fighting Khun Sa in an effort to seize control of the drug trade. Other Khun Sa rivals allied to the government are Yang Mu Liang, who heads the Myanmar New Democratic Alliance, and Lin Ming Xian, leader of the Eastern Shan State Army. Lintner calls Lin "the rising star of the opium trade in Burma". Col Kyaw Thein of Burma's military intelligence, who negotiated ceasefire agreements with many of the ethnic minorities, and is reportedly talking with Khun Sa, defended his government's attempts to eradicate opium cultivation in an interview with the Associated Press last May. "This is a complicated matter," he said. "The Wa and the Kokang have been cooperating with the government. We have told their leaders to stop the refining of opium in their areas. I'm sure it's still going on, although they don't operates labs as openly and freely as they used to." The latest aerial survey of opium cultivation in Burma, to be released in March, shows the opium crop has increased in Wa, Kokang and other areas. Rangoon, which has an ambitious minority development plan, argues that eradicating opium needs patience and foreign assistance. "The Burmese are serious about fighting the drug trade," said Gerald Moore of the UN Drug Control Programme in Burma. "But it's a long-term process." One problem is access: even those ethnic groups that have made peace with Rangoon don't want Burmese troops around. They have a notorious record of brutal treatment of local populations. Smith says that if the Burmese make a deal with Khun Sa that doesn't include other ethnic Shan leaders and has the support of troops in the various Shan armies, opium cultivation will continue "What's needed is a political solution that includes everyone and allows the poor farmers to participate in development," Smith said. "If the Burmese just go for the international publicity nothing will be solved." Most analysts agree that only true political settlements between the minorities and the government will allow development to begin. And only then can the narcotics scourge be curbed. ***************************************************************** NATION: WA FORCES SEEK TO TAKE EX-MTA TERRITORY VIA DIALOGUE January 7, 1996 YINDEE LERTCHAROENCHOK CHIANG MAI _ Ethnic Wa forces, outmanoeuvred by the Burmese junta's deal with opium warlord Khun Sa last month, hope to gain control of the Mong Tai Army's territory in southern Shan State through a peaceful dialogue with Rangoon. In an interview yesterday, a senior member of the United Wa State Army said its leaders were "very surprised" by the "unexpected secret deal" between Khun Sa and the Burmese military rulers. The agreement allowed the MTA to withdraw from several strategic outposts in the Doi Lang and Mong Yawn areas, opposite Thailand's Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai. The UWSA has been making steady progress in capturing MTA strongholds in Doi Lang and Mong Yawn and had planned a final push to conquer all MTA territory late last year, the senior Wa leader said. UWSA leaders informed junta leader Lt Gen Khin Nyunt in June of their planned offensive, he said. The junta agreed to allow Wa to use government-controlled roads to transport artillery and other weapons needed for the attack from its Pangshang headquarters on the Sino-Burmese border down to the northern Thai frontier. Previously Wa forces had to use troops, mules or horses to transport the arms. Another UWSA official said earlier that the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) had supplied the group with mortar shells when it fought with Khun Sa's forces last June. The government's agreement with Khun Sa to take over the disputed territory was ' cheating", he said. The deal forced UWSA deputy commanders Li Ze Ru and Bo Lai Kham, who visited the southern Wa headquarters near the Thai border on Oct 28, to call off the planned attack on MTA territory. Li Ze Ru and Bo Lai Kham have informed the five other UWSA central committee members in Pangshang of the changing situation and would let them decide the next move, the senior Wa leader added. He said he believed the Wa leaders will inform SLORC of Wa's intention to fully occupy the southern Shan State area. He said Li Ze Ru and Bo Lai Kham are in contact with the governor of Kentung, an eastern Shan State town, who has joined the hundreds of Burmese troops occupying Mong Yawn and Doi Lang. Thailand also claims ownership of Doi Lang, a mountain. UWSA struck a ceasefire agreement with the SLORC in early 1989 soon after its members revolted from the Burmese Communist Party. The Wa is now estimated to have about 30,000 well-equipped troops armed with Chinese weapons seized from the now-defunct BCP. Following Khun Sa's secret deal, MTA and Burmese government troops have jointly occupied some border strongholds and have hoisted Burmese flags to prevent UWSA attacks, the official said. In his deal with SLORC, Khun Sa, who was indicted by a US court on 10 separate drugs trafficking counts, agreed to give up some of the MTA's weapons, transform at least a third of his troops into local militias and allow the Burmese army to control much of the MTA's territory. Many believe SLORC has assured Khun Sa that he will not be extradited to the US. At least three Burmese battalions of about 1,000 troops entered the MTA's Homong headquarters, opposite Thailand's Mae Hong Son province, without resistance earlier this month. Although the exact whereabouts of Khun Sa are unknown, Wa and Thai military officials- believe he is being protected by loyal MTA troops at his Hmong headquarters. ***************************************************************** BKK POST: BURMESE ENVOY SEES END TO BORDER DISPUTES January 6, 1996 Burma and Thailand should be able to settle their boundary demarcation disputes after ending the war with drug warlord Khun Sa, Burmese Ambassador to Thailand Tin Winn said on Thursday. Areas the two countries are currently unable to agree on include the overlapping land of some 30 square kilometres at Doi Lang in the Mae Ai District of Chiang Mai province which once was controlled by Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army. The Thai military has expressed concern over whether the Burmese troops should withdraw from the disputed area. Mr Tin Winn said Khun Sa's surrender could make it much easier to define the 2,041km Thai-Burmese border. And he said there was no reason for Burmese troops to build an atmosphere of distrust or confrontation because "the government troops are more friendly with the Thai troops." "We should look forward to the positive side," he said, adding the fighting between the government and armed insurgents has stopped Burma defining disputed border areas with Thailand. Burma has agreed on border demarcations with all its other neighbouring countries; India, Bangladesh, China and Laos. The Thai-Burmese Border Demarcation Committee, in a meeting last March, agreed to define the border as soon as possible, but the technical teams of both sides have not conducted a joint survey yet due to security reasons from the Burmese side. The committee's next meeting has not been fixed yet. Regarding the disputed overlapping claim at Doi Lang, Foreign Ministry officials said the demarcation will be based on the 1894 Siam-British treaty. But the details of the map attached to the treaty needs to be discussed and identified since it does not conform with Thailand's modern map, they added. Thailand and Burma have both claimed the hill is in their territory. The Burmese ambassador said opium eradication after Khun Sa's surrender is another thing that will take time. He added the Burmese government will try to introduce development projects in these remote areas and educate people on crop substitution. "It cannot happen within one day or one month since people have relied on poppy plantations for more than 150 years. We have to win their hearts and educate them," he said. The golden triangle borders northern Thailand, Burma and Laos and is infamous as a drug trafficking area. (BP) ****************************************** BKK POST: BURMESE LEADER ARRIVES IN CHINA January 8, 1996 Beijing, AP The leader of the military council that runs Burma arrived in China yesterday for a six-day visit to strengthen already solid political, military and trade ties. Underscoring the importance of his trip, Gen Than Shwe brought along a 40- member delegation packed with other high-ranking officials, including Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, secretary of the State Law and Order Restoration Council. (BP) *********************************************** ABSDF PRESS RELEASE: DKBO ATTACK ON JANUARY 3, 1996 5 January, 1995 from caroline@ksc.net.th Medicine robbed in DKBO attack Medicines and medicinal instrument were robbed in Sho Khlo Karen refugee camp in Thailand on January 3, 1996. Refugees from the camp said at least 60 gunmen led by DKBO leader Maung Soe intruded into the Sho Khlo camp at about 11pm, on January 3, 1995 and took away the medicine and instruments from hospitals run by Medecins Sans Frontiere, a western relief NGOs and from newly-established research center for malaria run by World Health Organization (WHO) in the camp. Five microscopes, one walkie- talkie and many other medicines and instruments were taken by the DKBO according the sources from the camp. There was a gun fire exchange between the DKBO and Thai Border Patrol Police while DKBO was withdrawing from the Thai soil. Many DKBO are believed to have been killed and injured in the clash. Thai Border Patrol Police followed after the DKBO and another clash was taken place in the next morning. Two DKBO were reportedly killed in the clash. ABSDF NEWS AGENCY ABSDF (Dawn Gwin) ********************************************* ANNOUNCEMENT: APPLICATION FOR BROADCAST JOURNALISM TRAINING COURSE IN USA January 7, 1996 From: woo@sorosny.org APPLICATION FOR BROADCAST JOURNALISM TRAINING COURSE This course, for Burmese students, will last two-weeks. The course in India and in Thailand has been completed. We will conduct the next course in the United States: Eastcoast course will be held Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 1996. Westcoast course will be held Feb. 15-29, 1996. Exact location of training sites will be announced to trainees after selection. Eastcoast will probably in the Washington, D.C. area, and Westcoast probably in the L.A. area. Students resident in other parts of the United States urged to apply to site closest to their residence. Please fill out Part I of the application in English and Part II in Burmese and return it to the Burma Project by January 20, 1996. (Burma Project/OSI, 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10106 or fax: 212-489- 8455.) If you would like a copy of the application faxed to you, please request one by emailing woo@sorosny.org The courses must be kept small, so only 10-15 of the most promising applicants will be chosen . Travel and related costs for successful applicants will be covered. NOTE: Students who have already filled out an application for the India and Thailand Broadcast Journalism Course need not fill this out. PART I (in English) Name : ___________________________alias: ___________________________ Address : Number & Street _________________________________ City ______________ Country _____________________ Telephone # : ______________ Fax # : _____________ Age: _______ Sex: _______ Ethnic Group: ____________ Immigration Status: _______________________________________ When did you leave Burma? ___________________________________ Highest education received in Burma: _______________________________ Subject studied: _________________________________________ Education/Courses elsewhere (in detail): ___________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ English language ability: (check one) good ___ average ___ poor ___ List name of non-Burman language you speak: _______________________ Rate expertise (check one): good _____ average _____ poor _____ Other interests or hobbies _________________________________________ (e.g. music, dance, theater, etc.) PART II (in Burmese) Please write a well-composed essay why you want to take broadcast journalism training: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Signature: ______________________ Print Name: ____________________ g:\jourapp.usa