------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: January 23, 1996 Issue #329 HEADLINES: ========== ABSDF-MTZ: UPDATE ON SITUATION IN BURMA BURMA LAWYER'S COUNCIL: LACK OF DEMOCRACY, LACK OF S.H.A.N. : SLORC WANTS EX-MTA MEN ONLY AS PORTERS NOT MILITIA NATION: BURMA, N. KOREA MOVE TO HEAL 12-YEAR-OLD WOUNDS NATION: KAREN VILLAGE RAIDED JUST AS PEACE TALKS BEGIN NATION: RANGOON HAS ITS OWN DEFINITION OF 'PEACE DIVIDEND' INDEPENDENT REPORT: FOREIGN JUMP WINGS IN BURMA IN APRIL -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSDF-MTZ: UPDATE ON SITUATION IN BURMA Information Department, ABSDF January 22, 1996 lurie@mozart.inet.co.th (1) DKBO SETS UP THEIR OWN RADIO STATION The DKBO (Democratic Buddhist Karen Organization), the breakaway faction of the Karen rebels, has set up a radio station with the help of the Burmese military, sources which monitor foreign and local radios in Burma said. 'Thapyay' or the eugenia tree as the station is called by the Buddhist Karens is known to be operating under the direct supervision of the Burmese Army's Psychological Warfare Department. In Burmese the name symbolizes auspicious victory. It is broadcast three times a day: from 07:00 to 08:30 in the morning, from 12:00 to 13:00 in the afternoon and from 19:00 to 20:00 hours in the evening. It can be monitored at 6354 MHZ. The base or the whereabouts of the radio station is not known to the public. The radio station is said to have broadcast slanderous attacks on the KNU (Karen National Union) and the ABSDF (All Burma Students Democratic Front). It also airs reports that are conspicuous attempts to urge these groups to 'return to the legal fold'. In a separate report, another source informed the ABSDF that the SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) is preparing to launch an offensive against the 4th Brigade of the Karen National Union (KNU) in February 1996. This military operation is codenamed "Pyi Lone Nyein" or the peace-in-the-whole-country. Burmese army 44, 66 and regional troops are believed to be deployed for the offensive. 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 (2) Over One Hundred Die at Boke Pyin Prison Labor Camp Reliable sources inside Burma informed the ABSDF that 108 out of 530 prison inmates have died at a prison labor camp in the south of Burma in one year. According to the sources from that area, 530 inmates were sent to Boke Pyin Prison Labor Camp last year. As the new year began the statistics for 1995 showed that 108 people have died of hunger, lack of proper medical care, worsening living conditions and the severity of word load. An increase in the number of escape attempts by prisoners has also contributed to the increasing death toll as Army troops open fire on escapees. The report also mentioned the use of prisoners as porters in the military operations. At the time of reporting, 80 out of the remaining prisoners were being used as porters. 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888 (3) Forced Labor for Mergui-Moe Taung-Kaw Thaung (Victoria Point) Motor Road Forced labor is being used for the construction of a motor road connecting Mergui-Moe Taung-Kaw Thaung (Victoria Point), reported the sources from the area in Tenasserim Division in the south of Burma. The report also confirmed that battalions 358,224 and 103 of regional Burmese Army have been rounding up the villagers in the area for use in the construction. It said that each family in the area is required to dig 10 x 70 feet for the road. The villagers are ordered to bring their own food and tools. It is said that there is no proper medical care. The villagers are said to have fled their villages since October 1995. 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888 (4) Forced Labor in Tenasserim Township As of January, 1996, a total of 383 from 10 villagers have been forced to work on various forced labor camps. These villages in the Tenasserim township - Than Law, West Than Law, Ban Laung, Tha Kwet (6) mile, Kywel Htein Gonn, Taung Wein, Yei Pho, Lamu, Sin Kaung and Ganan Gwin - have had to send 80, 40, 50, 30, 25, 13, 60, 25, 30, 30 villagers respectively for the forced labor. ABSDF, Information Department Tel/Fax: 66-2-379 2002 ******************************************************** BURMA LAWYER'S COUNCIL: LACK OF DEMOCRACY, LACK OF EQUALITY (excerpts) January 20, 1996 from brelief@gol.com "Political Analysis of Constritutional Principles Laid down by the Slorc National Convention" The Burma Lawyers' Council Preface The State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), ruling junta of Burma has convened a so-called National Convention since early 1993 aiming to lay down the basic principles for state constitution. All the analysis show that the junta is attempting to gain the right to legally prolong its rule by framing up a state constitution. In order to do so, the military junta manipulated both convening process of the National Convention and its outcomes. In Burma, in aftermath of military coup of 1962, the ruling military junta has manipulated the laws as an instrument to oppress the people in order to prolong their power. Most Burmese people no longer believe in the laws and the concept of the rule of law as- a shield protecting their fundamental rights and freedom. As a result, common Burmese people are not interested in laws and law making processes as they have been convinced the laws as a tool of oppression. The Slorc is taking advantage upon the lack of people's awareness on constitution making process. At the same time they are deterring the politically - conscious dissidents from taking part in the constitution making process. By putting up in jails or forcing them to live in exile, their voices are unheard in the National Convention that Slorc is working on to complete a state constitution. Despite the Slorc strictly deters the people from taking part in constitution making, it is the right and duty of all citizens of Burma to prevent the creation of Slorc proposed constitution which will surely not uphold the aspiration of the people. Very few people's representatives in the ongoing National Convention want to work out for the interest of Burmese people and get aware of the people's aspiration. Unfortunately they hold very small percentage of the representatives and can not be able to convert the constitutional principles set up by Slorc. The Burma Lawyers' Council sincerely feels that it is the responsibility of those who have better chance than those who are under total control of the Slorc to examine what are wrong in Slorc constitution making process and its constitutional principles. For this reason, the Burma Lawyers' Council, as an independent organisation, takes responsibility for examining on the constitutional principles laid down by Slorc's "National Convention." .......... 8.2 Slorc desired political system can not be possible; ethnic conflict The main examination 'in this analysis is about the incompatibility of the Slorc's proposed political system with the ethnic diversity of Burma. There have been enough experiments by successive governments and the Slorc that show that the ethnic conflict in Burma, the prime problem of civil war, can not be solved by military means. Only the design of a proper political system with the participation of the concerned ethnic groups can end the civil war. The Asian ideology may not work in Burma where the ethnic diversity is deeply involved in the political problems unless these problems are solved properly. 8.3 Slorc desired political system can not be possible; economically During the Slorc's period, economic development may not be possible as long as this problem has not been solved. The regular increase of inflation which happens because of increase of the overall government expenditure is one of the most important problems to be solved for a successful market economy. As it is usual in totalitarian governments, the Burmese government prints more money without balancing the national production to cover its expenditures, while the supply of money depends on the national production in a market economy. In a market economy, the relative position of inflation and unemployment must be balanced. But in Burma, the position of the inflation and unemployment is simultaneously high. This situation indicates that despite a potential increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the government expenditure is more than the increase of the GDP. As long as the Slorc can not solve this inflation problem, the development of the economy is just a dream. In addition, as long as Slorc is trying to control the politics through coercive agencies of the government, main tools of the military junta and for which the government is expending a large amount of the national income, there will be regular increase in inflation. The decrease of government expenditure may be possible only when the government trusts its people, and this trust can be, obtained when the authority of the government is based on the will of the people. It is why the economic development before political liberalisation in Burma may not be possible. The political liberalisation must come first before economic reform. Conclusions and recommendations The National Convention through which the Slorc needs to create a political system which they desired is crucial political process for Slorc. Even after Aung San Suu Kyi was released, the National Convention is still playing in a crucial role. Despite expectation that there would be some changes concern- ing the continuation of the National Convention which has widely spread among the Burmese population after Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release, there is no sign that Slorc accepts that change or compromise with Aung San Suu Kyi. The Slorc's National Convention manipulated to lay down the basic constitutional principles is nothing more than their ploy to ensure its control in future politics, under the new name of Slorc. The military has given a written order to the convention instructing it turn out a constitution that guarantees the military the leading role in national politics in the future. If the Slorc has an honest desire to resolve political problems by political means, it should completely stop the National Convention and start dialogue to do so. As long as the concept of solving the political problems by peaceful political means is ignored, it is impossible to draw up a long- lasting constitution which maintains unity of diversity in Burma. The desire of a political force to manipulate the national politics can not bring out the happiness of others in a human society. The lack of democracy and equality in the constitutional principles laid down by the National Convention is a prime mistake of Slorc. Although some changes including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have been occurred, there is no evidence can be pointed to that the Slorc is moving towards democracy. Hand to hand with Burmese people who are fighting for democracy, the international community, with their concrete action, can play in an important and critical role to deter the birth of constitutional authoritarianism in Burma. To accomplish these actions, we, the Burmese Lawyers Council, call upon the international community as follows; - Not to recognize the outcome of the National Convention unless political dialogue between Slorc and opposition groups led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has come out to solve the political problems, - To work alongside with democratic forces in order to solve the political problems and create a genuine democratic constitution, - Not to renew the foreign investment or resume the foreign economic assistance to Slorc which directly strengthen the perpetuity of military rule. As well as stop doing any new economic investment in Burma until and unless human rights prevail. The Burma Lawyers' Council October, 1995 ******************************************************** S.H.A.N. : SLORC WANTS EX-MTA MEN ONLY AS PORTERS NOT MILITIA January 19, 1996 According to a highly placed source from Rangoon, the SLORC, despite initial agreement with the MTA's envoys to reorganize its post-surrender status as a militia unit, is pushing the latter to totally disband itself and become ordinary civilians at the former's mercy. In a secret directive, radioed a few days ago to SLORC's representative in Ho Mong, Gen Khin Nyunt instructed him to " absolutely demilitarize " the MTA " in rapid stages ". The report put the option of becoming a homeguard unit totally out of the question. In the meantime, reports have been received that all " retired " soldiers of the MTA are being given K 2,000 each and being flown by helicopters to Lang Kho, where they are being put into units of porters who carry supplies from the depot there down to Salween crossing. A reliable source has also reported that Maj Kham Pha, once a most loyal follower of Khun Sa, has gone with 1,000 troops deeper into Kengtung territory from the Pa Kae stronghold opposite Chiang Rai province of his immediate superior, Col. Sulai, who surrender to the Burmese authorities yesterday. It is not yet known where his destination is. *********************************************** NATION: BURMA, N. KOREA MOVE TO HEAL 12-YEAR-OLD TERRORIST WOUNDS January 22, 1996 SA NGUAN KHUMRUNGROJ BURMA and North Korea are quietly restoring diplomatic relations that have been strained since North Korean agents planted a bomb that killed 17 high-level South Korean diplomates, including four cabinet ministers, 12 years ago in Rangoon. The two countries have over the past few months speeded up talks to normalize ties, and Bangkok is being used as a centre for negotiations, an informed source said. The source said the Burmese Ambassador to Thailand, U Tin Winn, invited North Korea's charge d'affaires in Bangkok, Pang Song-Hae, to an official reception on Jan 4 to celebrate Burma's 48th independence anniversary. Western diplomats at the function believed that Rangoon and Pyongyang want to restore relations as quickly as possible. Ties were severed after the bomb t attack on Oct 9, 1983, at the Aung San Mausoleum. The bomb detonated when ; then-South Korean president Chun Doot Hwan was paying his respects to Aung # San, hero in the fight for Burmese independence. The blast killed four South Korean ministers in the delegation and 13 accompanying officials and wounded 14 others. Burma condemned the act of terrorism and cut ties with North Korea on Nov 4 that year. Pyongyang has since tried unsuccessful to restore the bilateral relations, but Rangoon was negative to their overtures.. A number of North Korea's efforts were made through Bangkok. Last year North Korea, suffering from a food shortage due to severe flooding, sent an official delegation to Rangoon to negotiate the purchase of rice after Thailand refused unless previous large payments were met. Rangoon was positive in its response to North Korean. Pyongyang hoped that economic relations through "rice diplomacy" would help improve its long-lost relation with Burma. A North Korean expert said he believed that China, which is "a good friend" to both Pyongyang and Rangoon, has played a key role in helping the two countries restore relations. Beijing hopes that normalization of relations between Burma and North Korea would lead to peace and stability in the region, he said. Apart from Burma, North Korea has also used Bangkok as a channel to open ties with Brunei and the Philippines, the only two Asean countries Pyongyang does not have diplomatic relations with, the source said. Pyongyang has repeatedly expressed its desire to become a dialogue partner in Asean and attend the Asean Regional Forum, where the grouping and its dialogue partners from developed countries, including South Korea, hold annual talks to discuss political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Since Laos established relations with South Korea on Oct 25, the communist North Korean influence has dwindled: Only Cambodia, through personal relations between King Norodom Sihanouk and the late North Korean president Kim Il-Sung, has retained good relations with Pyongyang, but this still creates problems for South Koreans seeking diplomatic relations with Phnom Penh. Chung Tae-Tong was appointed the first South Korean ambassador to Laos and will soon travel to Vientiane to formerly establish diplomatic relations. The new North Korean Ambassador to Thailand, Ri Sam-Ro, has already arrived in Bangkok, replacing Li Do-Sop, who recently finished his four-year term. The source said Ri Sam-Ro has been a key player in three-year-old negotiations with Japan to normalize relations. Ri was sent to Bangkok after having served as ambassador to Indonesia for less than a year. He is keen on Southeast Asian affairs and his duties here will likely include attempts to restore relations with Burma and to establish new ties with the Philippines and Brunei, the source said. ***************************************************************** NATION: KAREN VILLAGE RAIDED JUST AS PEACE TALKS BEGIN January 22, 1996 by YINDEE LERTCHAROENCHOK KYAINGDON, Burma _ Some 200 Burmese troops made an early morning raid on the Karen village of Wabaw, killing one man and wounding another, the same day a Karen delegation left Moulmein for scheduled ceasefire talks in Rangoon, Karen sources said. The attack, which was preceded by shelling, occurred on Dec 21, as 300 villagers were celebrating the traditional Karen New Year, an eyewitness said. The same day, a seven-member delegation of the Karen National Union (KNU) led by P'doh Klee Say travelled to Rangoon for a ceasefire meeting with Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, a top leader of the ruling Burmese junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc). Burmese troops from the 106th and 343th Battalions, under the command of San Lwin and Myint Thein respectively, ransacked the village, burning down a house belonging to U Maung Taung and stealing people's valuables, the witness said. The witness, who asked not to be named because the nature of his work requires him to travel extensively inside Burma's eastern Karen state, identified the villager killed as U Palaw Tu, 30, from Wakamay in Thanbyuzayat township, and the wounded man, hit in the knee, as U Aung Yi, 32, from Wabaw. He said Burmese artillery began shelling the village about 8.45 am, and the troops followed as people fled into the jungle. "We didn't expect Slorc to do it, because we thought peace talks were going on in Moulmein. And it was our traditional New Year celebration. All the villagers ran away when the artillery opened fire," he said. The witness believed the attack order must have come from a top army or regional army commander. "They must have got the order from the top man. How could they launch the . operation without an order? It may come from Maj Ket Sein or maybe from the top men," he said. Ket Sein heads the Burmese army's southern command. The witness said the Burmese troops robbed U Aung So, 32, of 40 silver coins, 20,000 kyat and clothing, and U Saw Maung, 58, of his gold necklace and 22,000 kyat, one ox and some clothing, while U Gyi Nyo, 60, lost a gold necklace and 8,000 kyat. One US dollar fetches 120 kyat on the black market and six kyat at the official exchange rate. The witness added that the Burmese troops also ransacked Kalatoke village during their retreat back to their barracks. The 106th Battalion is based in Mokani, about 13 km by road from Wabaw, and the 343th Battalion in Ye. ***************************************************************** NATION: RANGOON HAS ITS OWN DEFINITION OF 'PEACE DIVIDEND' January 22, 1996 Burma's military hopes peace with rebels will increase its power, AP's Robert Horn writes. Khun Sa, Burma's notorious opium warlord, stood at a table in his jungle headquarters this past week with generals he has been fighting for nearly two decades, raised a glass of whiskey and toasted to the end of war. Peace in Burma, however, may still be far off. Khun Sa's surrender of his territory in eastern Burma does bring the Burmese army a step closer to gaining control of the chaotic hinterland and borders for the first time since independence from Britain in 1948. Burma's military rulers are eager to achieve that goal for more than security reasons. Analysts say the junta believes that would legitimize its rule, support the argument that only it can unify the insurgency-wracked nation and improve an image tarnished by brutal handling of democracy activists. The prospect of peace with the various rebel movements raises some fears. Democracy advocates contend the government would use peace as an opportunity to tighten its grip on power and dismantle their movement. Some analysts also are concerned that a strong Burmese army controlling the frontiers would create problems for neighbouring countries. The army, which killed thousands of unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988, has shown no willingness to compromise over its role in ruling Burma. Arrests of followers of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi are continuing. The military is using the border situation to try and gain support from the international community," said Josef Silverstein, a leading Burma expert at New Jersey's Rutgers University. "If they get it, that will be a crushing blow to the democracy movement." But the junta may not be able to focus just on political dissent. Most of the minority ethnic groups that have signed truces warn that the agreements are not a permanent peace. They say the government still must address their demands for some measure of autonomy and control of natural resources. "There is no peace in Burma," said Abel Tweed, an official with ethnic Karenni rebels, who along with ethnic Karens are one of two groups along the Thai-Burmese border still fighting the government. "You can hear the mortars and machine guns from here." As tweed spoke from an office in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, near the Burmese border, 400 Karenni guerrillas were struggling to hold a peak called Rambo Hill against an attack by 2,600 Burmese soldiers. A cease-fire signed by the Karenni collapsed when the Burmese army attempted to seize control of the lucrative cross-border timber trade that helps finance the Karenni militia. Burma, a nation of 45 million people, is made up of eight major ethnic groups divided into 135 subgroups. Burmese dominate the central plains, while the Kachins, Karens, Karennis, Shans, Chins, Mons, Rakhines and others predominate in outlying areas. The minorities do not trust the government in Rangoon, and most spent decades fighting for autonomy or independence. Much of Burma's natural resources are in the ethnic areas. The minorities have used cross-border trade in items like timber and gems - and some have used opium trafficking - to finance their insurgencies. Because the truces do not address their political aspirations, the ethnic groups are reluctant to give up control of their natural resources and economies. Suu Kyi says the disputes can be solved through dialogue. The junta argues that if it was not in control, Burma would disintegrate in violence like the former Yugoslavia. "It is the most legitimate argument they make for their continued rule," said Mari Smith, a Burma expert in London. "They truly believe they are the only guys capable of holding the country together." Bertil Lintner, a Burma expert in Bangkok, sees a Burmese army with no insurgencies to quell as a threat to regional stability. Thailand and Burma are ancient enemies and the Thais supported the ethnic groups as a buffer between them and the Burmese. In an effort to improve trade with Burma, that support has ended. But there are still 70,000 mostly Karen refugees along the Thai- Burmese border. Burmese raids on refugee camps have been common. Thai attempts to negotiate the problems have failed. "The Burmese aren't interested in solving the border problems," Lintner said. 'They want to humiliate the Thais." *************************************************** INDEPENDENT REPORT: FOREIGN JUMP WINGS IN BURMA IN APRIL January 20, 1996 From: "Moe K. T." This info is from the URL: http://www.wi.net/airborne.tours/main.html: Between 1993 and 1995 active-duty and former paratroopers of all of the U.S. services and paratroopers from foreign countries jumped with Friendship Airborne and earned wings in Thailand (Royal Thai Army, Air Force, & Marines), Myanmar (Burma), China (Beijing), and Cambodia. Send $10 and we will send you a two-hour videotape of these Airborne tours. The approximate cost of the Thailand/Burma jump tour will be $3,000. This covers your air transportation (from L.A.),food, lodging, training, jumps, wings/certificates, manifests, prop-blast party and touring. You must be parachute-qualified to participate, and you will make one jump for each set of wings. Participation is limited to first come, first served basis. Past participants have ranged in age from 19 to 73 years old with the majority being Vietnam Veterans. Official wings, certificates, and signed manifests are awarded by senior active-duty officers of the country. U.S. Army and Air Force active-duty and Reserves and National Guard are authorized to wear these official wings on their uniforms. Dr. Frank Osanka, Special Forces Association LIFE Member. United States Contact FRIENDSHIP AIRBORNE TOURS, INC. 82 Woodfield Court Racine, WI. 53402 Phone: (414)-639-0780 Fax:(414)-639-7686 United Kingdom Contact R. Ricketts Telephone: 01395-264624 Burma Navy SCUBA/DIVE badger (hard hat flanked by sea horses) awarded to those who qualify on the Burma Navy SEALS dive cruise, April 1996. Friendship Airborne will once again jump with the Royal Thai Marines Corps (as well as the Thai Navy SEALS) in 1996 (water jump). JUMPS IN THAILAND AND BURMA-APRIL 1996 TENTATIVE ITINERARY April 6 Depart for Bangkok airport; fly to Yangon, Myanmar (Burma); guided tour in p.m. April 7 Guided touring; R&R in the p.m. April 8 Pre-jump training and Burma Airborne demonstration. April 9 Jump with the Burma Army Airborne; wings awarded; Òprop-blastÓ dinner party hosted by Mayor of Yangon (Colonel-ret,.Abn.); R&R in p.m. April 10 Depart Yangon for Bangkok; R&R in p.m.