-------------------------- BurmaNet ------------------------------- "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 4, 1996 Issue #459 Noted in Passing: HEADLINES: ========== ANNOUNCEMENT: FORUM ASIA AP: PEPSICO CHIEF QUITS ABRUPTLY REUTER: "DESTRUCTIONIST ELEMENTS" REUTER: DENMARK RESEARCHES FOR ACTIONS THE INDIAN EXPRESS: MESSAGE FROM BURMA INDIAN EXPRESS: LETTER- MESSAGE FROM MYANMAR REUTERS: TOURISM PLAN FOR DRUG LORD'S LAIR LETTER: MYANMAR: A CHANCE TOO GOOD TO MISS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT: FORUM ASIA July 2, 1996 Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia) PROGRAMME: For the promotion of Non-Violence in Thai society AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL THAILAND, ACFOD THAI ACTION COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRACY IN BURMA and BURMA ISSUES are pleased to invite you to the acedemic discussion on "The Situation in Burma : One year after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi" VENUE: The conference room in the Institute of Asian Studies 4th floor, Rachatipok-Rumpipannee building Chulalongkorn University. DATE: July 10, 1996 TIME: 13.00-17.00 PM AGENDA: 12.30 Registration 13.00 "Thai perspective on Burma: Dr.Chanvit Kasetsiri Thammasat University "Burmese perspective of Thailand: Mr.Kawee Jongjttavon, The Excecutive Editor, The Nation 14.30 Panel discussion "The Situation in Burma: One year after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi" PANELISTS - Dr.Gothom Arya, Leader of Forum-Asias Burmese Fact-Finding mission, Chairperson of the programme for the promotion of non-violence in Thai Society Chulalonghorn University. - Ms. Songsan Udomsil, Amnesty International (Thailand) - Mr Sithipong Kallayanee, Images Asia - Representation from "The Migrant Research Project" of the Institute for Population and Research, Mahidol University. - Representative from the Burmese Opposition Groups MODERATOR - Mr. Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General, Forum-Asia PLEASE NOTE THAT THAI AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION WILL BE AVAILABLE - rsvp, Forum-Asia 2769846-7 ************************************************************ AP: PEPSICO CHIEF QUITS ABRUPTLY July 3, 1996 (abridged) From: John Scherb NEW YORK (AP) - Christopher A. Sinclair abruptly quit Tuesday as head of Pepsi-Cola Co., just three months after taking control of the $11 billion beverage unit of PepsiCo. Sinclair was replaced by Craig E. Weatherup, who had been president of PepsiCo since April. In a letter to employees, Sinclair said that the "intensity of the challenge and the frequency of the travel, coupled with the recent broadening of my responsibilities, have exacted a price, no only on me but on my family." Sinclair in April took over as chairman and chief executive of the newly created Pepsi-Cola Co., which includes the domestic and international beverage businesses. A 14-year veteran of the company, he most recently headed the overseas snacks and beverage business. His resignation was effective immediately, and he also quit the company's board of directors. A company spokesman said the 45-year-old Sinclair was leaving for personal reasons. Sinclair had been perceived as a possible successor to Wayne Calloway, who resigned as PepsiCo's chief executive officer this spring after a decade at the helm. Instead, the job went to Roger Enrico. In his short tenure, Sinclair had to confront fizzling sales in Latin America and criticism of Pepsi's investments in Burma. Although the announcement was abrupt, and one Pepsi staffer said there was no sign it was coming, Detwiler said "This has been in discussion for a while between Chris and Roger." In addition to Pepsi beverages, the $30 billion company owns Doritos and Lays chips, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC restaurants. The announcement came after the close of financial markets, where PepsiCo stock was down 25 cents at $37.37 1/2 a share on the New York Stock Exchange. ********************************************************** REUTER: "DESTRUCTIONIST ELEMENTS" July 3, 1996 From: ider@mail.datanet.hu Burma "destructionists" set off small bomb Burma's military government said on Wednesday "destructionists" were responsible for a bomb attack on a propaganda billboard opposite the U.S. embassy in central Rangoon but the small device caused only minor damage. The bomb, planted at the base of the billboard, caused no injuries and failed to topple the signboard but damaged an adjacent wall, state-run television reported. "Destructionist elements trying to undermine peace and stability of the state and trying to hinder and jeopardise national development caused a small explosion... with the aim of causing public fear," the television said. The "destructionist elements" were not identified but it is a term used by the government to describe all opposition including democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, as well as ethnic minority guerrillas fighting for autonomy. The sign was put up on June 9 and carried slogans in English saying it was the "peoples' desire" to "oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views". The billboard, across a street from the U.S. mission, also said it was the desire of the people to "oppose foreign nations interfering in the internal affairs of the state" and called on the people to "crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common emeny". Officials at the U.S. embassy were not immediately available for comment. There have been no bomb attacks in Rangoon for more than five years although the government blamed Karen guerillas for a blast on the railway line between Rangoon and Burma's second city Mandalay in late May which left nine people dead. The autonomy-seeking Karen guerrilla army, which opened peace talks with the government late last year, denied responsibilty for the attack. The Burmese government has erected propaganda billboards throughout the country, most of them in the Burmese language. Political tension in Burma increased in May after Suu Kyi called a meeting of her NLD and more than 250 party members were arrested in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the gathering. Suu Kyi, has since then been regularly attacked as a "stooge of foreigners" and a "destructionist" in the state-run media. ********************************************************* REUTER: DENMARK RESEARCHES FOR ACTIONS July 3, 1996 (abridged) From: ktint@earthlink.net By Steve Weizman Denmark takes its campaign for sanctions against Burma to European Union President Ireland this week, where it will propose a trade boycott, aid cuts and U.N. action, a Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday. Denmark is outraged at the death last month in a Rangoon jail of honorary consul James Leander (Leo) Nichols. It put its proposals to an EU working group in Brussels on Tuesday but according to Danish media reports made little headway. "They had a discussion yesterday. This discussion will continue in the political committee tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," the official said on Wednesday. Citing diplomatic sources in Brussels, Ritzau news agency said: "It was made clear that the majority of member states would rather use political than economic pressure to get the Burmese government to alter its position on human rights." The Danish official challenged the Ritzau account, saying talks were still in progress and until Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen meets EU counterparts in Brussels on July 15 it would be too early to predict the outcome. *********************************************************** THE INDIAN EXPRESS: MESSAGE FROM BURMA June 24, 1996 (abridged) from: "ftub (wb)" India should learn from ASEAN's policy of constructively engaging Myanmar, argues K P Nayar EVENTS in Yangon in the last fortnight have once again brought into focus India's inability to reconcile its security interests in Myanmar with its professed commitment to democracy in the neighbouring country. Western reports, lapped up by the Indian media in recent week, have concentrated on the crowd - averaging about 5,000 - which regular gather at Aung San Suu Kyi's residence to listen to her. It is an indication of the confidence of Myanmar's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) that, un-mindful of the stir that Suu Kyi is creating in the western media. It is concentrating its energies on an event that will soon make the dissident's leader crowds insignificant and, perhaps, irrelevant. The event that the military government in Yangon is carefully preparing for is a tour of Buddhist relics from China which are due to arrive in Myanmar in December. This will be the second such exposition of Buddhist relics from China in Myanmar. The first such exhibition about three years ago caused a major sensation across the country. Millions of people came out to pay their respects to the relics, many of them parting with precious possessions as their tribute to the exposition. For many Myanmarese it was an event of a lifetime. There is a lesson in this for India as scenes of wild jubilation and religious fervour seen across Myanmar three years ago are set to be repeated. For several years now, India's Myanmar policy has flip-flopped wildly, alternating between a realisation of the security dimensions of Indo-Myanmarnese ties and the interests of a powerful lobby in New Delhi which would like to see Suu Kyi in power. The Rao government gave in to the demands of India's security interests and turned around a relationship which was stagnating and rapidly yielding ground to the Chinese. As a result, in 1992, joint operations were initiated to ensure border management and tackle drug trafficking and arms smuggling. A year later, through a landmark agreement, trade along the 1,700 km, Indo- Myanmarese border was legalised. The thread of what the Rao government set in motion needs to be urgently picked up by the United Front government. As External Affairs Minister I. K. Gujral prepares to go for the ASEAN's post- ministerial meeting in Indonesia next month, he could consider taking a leaf out of the South-East Asian grouping's policy of engaging Myanmar to shape India's own ties with Yangon. The ASEAN sees the army as a stabilising influence in Myanmar and believes that sanctions and pressure can have no effect on the military government. In support of this argument it points out that America has imposed sanctions against Myanmar for six years now, to little avail. Indeed, ASEAN leaders believe that their policy of constructive engagement has produced more political liberalisation in Myanmar than have treats of sanctions from elsewhere. As the Gowda government reviews its options on Myanmar, one proposal which ought to engage its attention is the idea of a " lower silk route" from India to China and beyond via Myanmar. The proposal, still in an embryonic stage, has potential for creating enduring links among India, Myanmar and China to tap the opportunities which are opening up in all three countries. For India the proposal is also crucial because of its implications for the security situation in the North-East. Viable and meaningful exchanges across the Indo-Myanmarnese border can lead not only to better border management but also reduce the incentive in that part of the country to militancy. If the arrangement works well Myanmar could, in the long run, become India's gateway to South-East Asia. The possibilities are tantalising, but they can be realised only through a show of political will which upholds the national interest above all else. To begin with, such a policy would have to eliminate from the action the bleeding hearts who cry out for democracy in Myanmar, and ensure a readiness to deal with the legal and effective government in charge in Yangon. ********************************************************* INDIAN EXPRESS: LETTER- MESSAGE FROM MYANMAR July 3, 1996 by Tint Swe Sir: It cannot be taken as an indication of confidence of the SLORC that thousands of people assembled to listen to Aung San Suu Kyi. The military rulers have not prevented it yet. Because disciplined regular weekend gatherings, speaking on the importance of rule of law and interpretation of democracy etc. do not offer any reason for such a step. A show of Buddha relics from China in December, if it is true, is not right choice to counter Suu Kyis media popularity. That was why SLORC hurriedly ordered the state-sponsored rallies throughout Burma instantaneously after NLD conference marking the sixth anniversary of the election. Not six months later. The western media do not cover such events. Considerable coverage appeared in The Asiaweek, The Bangkok Post, The Nation, The Asian Age and all India papers. While the Sri Lankan politicians supported democracy in Burma, I. K. Gujral wanted to being SLORC closer to the SAARC and a senior journalist, K. P. Nayar, advocated a constructive engagement. The word constructive is beautiful. But the people of Burma would be happy of constructive relations with neighbours provided the relation are productive and for the good of the people. What the people long for is clearly a popular democratic administration. Many governments think about the interests of their respective countries. All businessmen look for profit. I wonder if India, which has been admire for Gautan Buddha and Gandhiji, would be bond to such a silly idea of self- supporting policy. Does anybody think a military government can last long in this civilised era? Does any government want to sit precariously on such a policy of so- called constructive engagement with a de facto fickle government in Burma? At the moment ASEAN may consider the Army as a stabilising structure in Burma. But ASEAN could not and would not hesitate to deal with a new popular government when the mandate of the people is honoured in the near future. How was the previous military- dominated BSPP regime before the SLORC? I dont think the problem can be solved just by better co- operation with the military junta. I do agree that good relations with Burma are significant for India. That does not necessarily mean affaire d amour with the SLORC. Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese democrats anticipate India to play a major role in the struggle. So many I hope the new coalition democratic government will reverse some miscalculated, incorrect, immoral convictions? TINT SWE Member of Parliament (Burma) NEW DELHI ******************************************************* REUTERS: TOURISM PLAN FOR DRUG LORD'S LAIR July 3, 1996 From: John Scherb HO MONG: The son of Burma's former opium warlord Khun Sa has said he will turn his father's old jungle headquarters in eastern Burma into a tourism and trade centre. ``Ho Mong will be a tourist spot where all visitors are welcome to visit and buy goods,'' Jam Herng said yesterday. Jam Herng and provincial officials from Thailand presided over a ceremony yesterday to mark the opening of a border crossing between Burma's Shan state and the northwest Thai province of Mae Hong Son. It will improve the supply of goods to the remote Ho Mong area. Earlier this year anti-Rangoon guerillas attacked supply lines from central Burma to the town. After the ceremony Thai reporters travelled the 20 kilometres to Khun Sa's old headquarters, the first time visitors from Thailand have been allowed in since the former rebel commander surrendered at the beginning of the year. The market in the town was well-stocked with seafood and imported whisky from Rangoon, as well as cigarettes and clothes from Singapore. The checkpoint opening represents the first time Thailand has officially allowed trade with the Ho Mong area since 1993. Then, the Thai military had sealed the frontier at the request of Rangoon to put pressure on Khun Sa and his powerful guerilla force fighting the Burmese government. Following Khun Sa's surprise surrender in January, Rangoon said he would not be extradited to the United States, where he has been charged with heroin smuggling, but would be dealt with according to Burmese law. There has been no indication he has yet been put on trial and Jam Herng said yesterday his father was well and living in Rangoon. Rangoon has allowed former members of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army to run Ho Mong as a special administrative zone, with Burmese troops supervising the area from a distance ********************************************************** LETTER: MYANMAR A CHANCE TOO GOOD TO MISS July 3, 1996 (The Strait Times) By M.S. Dobbs - Higginson Myanmar represents a unique opportunity for Japan. One may well ask -- why? The answer is multifaceted yet simple. Myanmar (then known as Burma) turned to Japan in the late 1930s for assistance in getting rid of the British. But during World War II, the Japanese occupied the country. Despite this development, the Myanmar people have had, and continue to have, an admiration for and an interest in Japan and the Japanese. Today, Myanmar sees Japan as one of the region's leaders -- as one of the major players in the global arena, and as a country with the technology and investment capital to deploy in the region. It also sees Japan as being an important counterbalance to China, and to the West's continuing demands that the rest of the world adopt its political system and, as a consequence, its cultural values. >From Japan's perspective, Myanmar, with its strong Buddhist base, its English language proficiency, its defined English law - based legal system, its abundant natural resources and its demonstrated willingness to honor promises and contracts once they are made, has great appeal. It also has literacy rates equivalent to Malaysia and Indonesia and higher than those of China and India. All of these characteristics are already much appreciated by the Japanese who have visited Myanmar and particularly those who have also had dealings with the Chinese and Vietnamese. What is most interesting is that, of all the Asian countries' relationships, there are only two sets of Asian countries that could develop a special relationship which would be mutually very beneficial -- Singapore and China, and Japan and Myanmar. There is no question that Japan and Myanmar could enjoy a special relationship. Myanmar was the first Asian country to sign a reparation and peace agreement with Japan. Myanmar was also the first to allow the Japanese government access to the country to search for, and retrieve, the remains of their soldiers killed in action. Other Asian countries provided access only much later, with greater reluctance and much less assistance. More importantly, despite the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army in Myanmar during World War II, retreating Japanese troops were assisted toward the end of the war, and some of those too ill to travel were hidden and looked after by the Myanmar people. When the war ended, Japanese prisoners of war were treated well by the local people, despite protests and even punishment by the Allied powers. For these reasons, the Myanmar people are disappointed in Japan for siding with the U.S. policy and now not wholeheartedly offering aid and other assistance to Myanmar. Myanmar is puzzled by the fact that Japan seems incapable of developing a policy position toward Myanmar independent of the U.S. The rest of the Asian countries are disappointed that Japan has not shown a more genuine and proactive leadership toward Myanmar, and toward Asia in general. They wonder why Japan has to look over its shoulder nervously to see what the U.S. government's reactions are to any of its Asian initiatives. The West and Japan have been obsessed with treating Aung Sang Suu Kyi as the elected savior of the Myanmar people from the evil military government. What nonsense! The Japanese media makes little effort to get the facts, but instead portrays her as a modern Joan of Arc. They fail to appreciate that she was the daughter of Gen. Aung Sang, the original leader of Burma's independence movement in 1947. She has spent 28 years out of Myanmar, is married to an English academic, and had returned to Rangoon only because her mother was gravely ill Although a remarkable woman in many aspects, she has no relevant qualifications to lead her country. Many of her supporters allegedly complain that she is arrogant, stubborn, opinionated and often irrational because she is ignorant of the facts relating to issues being discussed. One such example is her recent comment published in the April 23 edition of the International Herald Tribune. She accused Japanese investors of exploiting Myanmar workers. She said: "Men, women and children toil away without financial compensation under hard (Japanese) taskmasters in scenes reminiscent of the infamous railway of death," referring to Japan's use of prisoners of war to build the "Death Railway" from Burma to Thailand during World War II. This statement raises all the ghosts of Japan's past behavior. It is also untrue and absurd. It is time, therefore, that the Japanese media (and government) took a more objective look at Suu Kyi. In Rangoon, she has held meetings with her NLD party members and supporters recently to prepare an alternative constitution under the auspices of celebrating the sixth anniversary of the NLD victory in the elections. Support in the international press for her actions was oversimplified and somewhat hysterical, considering the fact that the current government did not employ any brutal measures but merely detained some 250 members of the NLD party, most of whom have already been released. Although there is a law against public gatherings without prior permission, the government allowed Suu Kyi and her followers to hold the meeting at her house They also allowed foreign governments to observe the meeting without any restrains -- something few other emerging countries' governments would have allowed. If, as the international press claims the government was harsh and brutal why would they have allowed this even to happen at all? In a city with a population of between and 5 million people, if the majority believes in the NLD's position, namely the there should be no aid, no foreign investment and no tourism to Myanmar until democratic government has been established, why was it that the NLD was only able to attract a paltry crowd numbering only 5,000 to 8,000? It is utter nonsense for Suu Kyi to say that the current foreign aid, investment and tourism benefit only the generals ir Myanmar and do not in any way benefit the man in the street. In short, the whole international media's view of Suu Ky and the NLD has led to unbalanced reporting and misinformation on a massive scale. Is the same international media giving the same space and time to the fact that since the NLD's meeting, there have been numerous demonstrations in favor of the government's policies and against the NLD? The international press and Japanese press should read the extremely balanced article entitled "Angels fear to tread" in The Asia Times (June 5). While the article recognizes the contribution that Suu Kyi and her NLD party has made, it argues against their recommendations for economic sanctions to be imposed and for a constructive engagement of the current government so as to allow the development of an independent middle class and a more democratic system of government. To sum it up, why should Japan follow the U.S. government's foreign policy signals, which are based on U.S. self interest? Surely, it is time for Japan to grow up for it to take an adult, multidimensional view and show some independent leadership toward Myanmar and the Asian region. Asia would like to see it, the world would respect Japan for it and Myanmar needs it. Japan could gain a unique and special relationship with Myanmar, which could serve both parties -- and Asia -- constructively in the years ahead. M.S. Dobbs - Higginson, author of "Asia Pacific: Its Role in the New World Disorder, " is a former chairman of Merrill - Lynch, Asia-Pacific region. ************************************************************ BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects, please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put you in contact with someone who can: Campus activism: zni@students.wisc.edu Boycott campaigns: [Pepsi] ai268@freenet.carleton.ca Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@gol.com Chin history/culture: plilian@asc.corp.mot.com Fonts: tom@cs.colgate.edu History of Burma: zni@students.wisc.edu International Affairs: Julien Moe: moe@gramercy.ios.com Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@compuserve.com Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@Compuserve.com Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed] Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak: z954001@oats.farm.niu.edu Burma-India border [volunteer needed] Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org Rohingya culture Kyaw Oo: myin@erols.com Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@ix.netcom.com Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net Total/Pipeline Dawn Star: cd@utopia.EUnet.fr Tourism campaigns: bagp@gn.apc.org "Attn. S.Sutcliffe" World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Volunteering: christin@ksc.net.th [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- --- The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma. Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire services and the Internet as well as original material are published. It is produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G) and the Research Department of the ABSDF {MTZ} The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l mailing lists. For a free subscription to the BurmaNet News, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@igc.apc.org For the BurmaNet News only: in the body of the message, type "subscribe burmanews-l" (without quotation marks). For the BurmaNet News and 4-5 other messages a day posted on Burma issues, type "subscribe burmanet-l" Letters to the editor, comments or contributions of articles should be sent to the editor at: strider@igc.apc.org