-------------------------- BurmaNet ------------------------------- "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 9, 1996 Issue #462 Noted in Passing: We believe we shall have democracy because the people of Burma want democracy and they deserve it and they know how to cope with it.(see: DASSK: SPEECH ON JULY 6) HEADLINES: ========== DAASK: LETTER FROM BURMA #33 DASSK: SPEECH ON JULY 6 STATEMENT: US STATE DEPT. BRIEFING, JULY 3, 1996 DAGBLADET: NORDIC BURMA INITIATIVES REUTER: DEMOCRATIZATION OF BURMA BKK POST: BURMA SELLS $1.4M WORTH OF RAW JADE BKK POST: THAIS ABLE TO VISIT HO MONG IN SHAN STATE BKK POST: AN OPEN LETTER TO 'DEMOCRATS' BKK POST: TRAWLERS A LUCRATIVE CATCH FOR PIRATES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAASK: LETTER FROM BURMA #33 July 8, 1996 (Mainichi Daily News) From: Carol Schlenker & Aung Thu POLITICAL STRUGGLE IS THE TRUE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP "A friend in need" Many indeed are the uses of adversity, and one of the most valuable is the unique opportunities it offers for discovering little-known aspects of the human society in which we live. The experience gained by those of us who have borne the full force of state persecution is not always comfortable, but it is very enriching. Injustice and cruelty are transformed from the ingredients of a ripping drama to the hazards of everyday existence. Once poetic concepts such as villainy and honor, cowardice and heroism, become common currency; the stuff of epics is lived through from day to day. Duplicity and treachery cease to be merely the vivid creations of imaginative writers and become instead the trappings of familiars who have basked in one's affections and partaken freely of one's goodwill. The kiss of Judas is no longer just a metaphor, it is the repeated touch of cool perfidity on one's cheek. Those once held in trust and esteem show themselves capable of infinite self-deception as they seek to deceive others. Spines ostensibly made of steel soften and bend like wax in the heat of a high Burmese summer. But man stripped of all props except that of his spirit is astounding not only in the depths he is capable of plumbing, but also the heights that he can scale. An individual who appears weak turns out to possess adamantine qualities. The easy-going "featherweight" demonstrates a solid capacity for self-sacrifice and integrity. The most indifferent seeming character unexpectedly proves to be a fountain of warmth and kindness; a caring, meticulous nursemaid to those suffering physical pain or mental anguish. The glaring light of adversity reveals all the rainbow hues of the human character and brings out the true colors of people, particularly those who purport to be your friends. There is an anthology of pithy sayings, the /Lokaniti/, which has traditionally been regarded in Burma as a guide to prudent behavior. It is a combination of shrewd observations and moral principles intended to help us negotiate the pitfalls of worldly existence. The section of the /niti/ devoted to friendship displays a fair degree of cynicism: "In poverty, a friend forsakes you; son, and wife, and brothers too forsake you: Wealth in this world is a great friend." Then there is a definition of friendship which would set those who have run the gamut of the vicissitudes of political struggle in Burma nodding their heads vigorously in agreement: "The friends who stand by you in severe ailment, in time of scarcity, or in misfortune, when captured by an enemy, at the a king's door, or in the charnel-house, they indeed are good friends." During the hectic days of late May and early June, when a series of critical political events were triggered off by the arrests of the members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), a stream of foreign correspondents came to find out how we were coping with the situation. A number of them commented on the fact that we did not appear to be unhappy. "U Tin U is smiling broadly and U Kyi Maung is cracking jokes," one said. "Why are you not in a state of distress? Isn't the situation rather grim?" I suppose the situation could have been seen as grim by some, but to us, it was just another challenge; and the knowledge that we were facing it together with proven friends was ample reason for good cheer. A doctor once recommended thinking happy thoughts as a most effective remedy for diverse illnesses. Certainty one of the happiest of thoughts is of one's friends: old friends with whom you have shared youthful dreams of an ideal world, new friends with whom you are striving to achieve a realistic version of that ideal. It is comforting to know that friends you have not met for several decades, leading secure lives in countries where their rights are protected by law, care as much for your welfare now as they did in the days when the Beatles were young and you argued over Dag Hammarskjold's /Markings/. Friends telephone across continents and oceans to find out how I am and to exchange news. We never talk about anything world shaking, never discuss anything out of the ordinary, we just make conventional inquiries about each other's health and families and a few light hearted remarks about the current situation. But each unimportant conversation is a solemn confirmation of friendship. I have a friend who, if I happen to be too busy to take the call, leaves a simple message: "Tell her I called." It is enough to dissolve all the cares of the day. According to the teachings of Buddhism, a good friend is one who gives things hard to give, does what is hard, bears with hard words, tells you his secrets, guards your secrets assiduously, does not forsake you in times of want and does not condemn you when you are ruined. With such friends, one can travel the roughest road and not be defeated by hardship. Indeed, the rougher the path, the greater the delight in the company of /kalyanamitta/, good and noble friends who stand by us in times of adversity. ********************************************************** ASSK: SPEECH ON JULY 6 July 6, 1996 From: (The following is the exact transcription of ASSK's concluding remarks -- in English -- at the 4pm rally on Sat, July 6.) "I've been asked to explain in English what we have been talking about at this meeting. To begin with, I have answered questions which have come up from the audience here. "Some of the questions refered to the state of education in Burma, the way in which in many schools the children -- rather the parents of students -- are forced to give donations to the school and are forced to attend extra sessions in lieu of tuition. "The education system in Burma is so poor that children have to take tuition (tutoring) outside the class in order to cover the whole syllabus. "We do not think this is the way to develop high education standards in our country. And also, this is discrimination against poor people who cannot afford tuition (tutoring) fees. "There was also a question about new houses that have been built in Mandalay. I was asked . . . According to this letter, some houses cost about 1,000 lakhs (roughly $800,000) and these have been built by civil servants who earn 2,000 kyat a month. So, I was asked the question: 'How long would those people have to save up in order to afford a house like that?' And the answer is: they would have to save their whole salary for 50,000 months in order to build a house like that. (applause) So we think there is something wrong with the system when civil servants can afford to buy houses that will cost them 50,000 months' salary. (laughter from crowd) "And in the end I gave a short talk on Bosnia because there are some people who have been saying that Burma is like Bosnia. This way they cannot give democracy to Burma -- in case the whole country collapses. "My argument is that it is an insult to the people of Burma to compare it to Bosnia. (applause) We are not like Bosnia, and in any case, the main reason for the trouble in Bosnia is not that there was too much freedom, but because for too long the government was far too repressive and also the fact that due to successive repressive governments over long years of history, Bosnia has ended up in the state it is now today. "We believe we shall have democracy because the people of Burma want democracy and they deserve it and they know how to cope with it. It is not new to our country. We have had it before and we shall have it again. (applause) "That is the gist of my speech." *********************************************************** TRANSCRIPT: US STATE DEPT. BRIEFING, JULY 3, 1996 July 3, 1996 From: John Scherb Spokesman Nick Burns briefed. Q: And just another question on Burma. Last Friday, Mickey Kantor was in Thailand, and he was asked about Senator McConnell's bill that would end US investment in Burma, and he made some comments that sounded a bit more closer to supporting the bill, such as, "We feel Burma is a place where sanctions would be effective." I know that Mr. Wiedemann testified about a month ago about the Department's position on the bill, but has there been any change in that position? BURNS: We've had very good discussions with the principal sponsors of the legislation, including Senator McConnell. I think we see eye to eye on the need to increase pressure on the SLORC, on the dictators who rule Burma. The Administration believes, however, that our diplomacy might be more effective should we have the freedom to decide on, an Executive Branch basis, when those punitive measures should be taken. We would not like to see a bill emerge in final form that would dictate the time and nature of those sanctions. We believe that we ought to -- the Executive Branch, the President, who the Constitution gives authority to in this area -- have the ability to decide those tactical questions. I think, strategically, we do agree with the Congress. ******************************************************** DAGBLADET: NORDIC BURMA INITIATIVES July 8, 1996 From: H K Kulxy (Translation of editorial in Dagbladet, one of Norway's largest daily newspapers) INCREASED PRESSURE ON BURMA The arrest of the honorary Norwegian consul in Burma, Leo Nichols, and his subsequent death under highly unclear circumstances while in solitary confinement, has resulted in more damage tho the military regime than they could have anticipated. Japan has suspended aid. The US Congress will shortly probably pass some kind of trade sanction measures. Signals from Washington indicate these measures can be strict. The Nordic Burma Council, which consists of support comittees in the five Noirdic countries, have in a joint letter to the countries' Prime Ministers proposed a number of measures intended to clarify the circumstances around Nichols' death and put economic and political pressure on the military junta. The Burma Council demands that a fast-working, high level international comittee investigate the political, judicial and medical circumstances around the death [of Mr Nichols]. Further, it is requested that support be given to the Danish initiative for a joint EU boycot of the military regime; that a boycott also be pursued through the UN system and that pressure be put on Japan and ASEAN for trade sanctions. Intitially, a joint Nordic trade boycott of Burma and the multinational companies with extensive activities in that country is requested. Further pressure should also be applied through the UN by requesting that Secretary General Butros- Ghali edxplains what measures he has taken after the General Assembly gave him a mandate "to assist the democratization process in Burma and to work for national reconsiliation." **Gro Harlem Brundtland and her Nordic colleagues are also on a number of other well defined areas asked to take action. It will, with honour, serve themselves, our countries and not least of all the general cause of human rights, if this request be followed up by required political measures. ******************************************************* REUTER: DEMOCRATIZATION OF BURMA July 7, 1996 From: ktint@earthlink.net (Kyaw Tint) RANGOON, A year of freedom appears to have brought opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi no closer to her dream of ending military rule and restoring democracy in Burma. But while the ruling military body, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), is far from getting everything its own way, its grip on power looks as tight as ever. The SLORC's attempts to marginalise and discredit the hugely popular daughter of Burma's national hero, General Aung San, have failed. Instead, it is facing a mounting chorus of international condemnation for its heavy-handed rule. Criticism of the SLORC, from Western governments in particular, increased in May after a crackdown on Suu Kyi's party in which more than 250 members were detained. Condemnation intensified following the death in custody in June of Leo Nichols, a former honorary consul for several European countries and godfather and close friend of Suu Kyi's. But although the SLORC has its difficulties, it remains firmly in control and the likelihood of Suu Kyi and the democracy movement bringing 35 years of military rule to an end seem as remote now as ever, political analysts said. "The SLORC holds all the cards, but she has the legitimacy and the moral support, both inside and outside the country," said one diplomat. "But she's not going to be able to remove the SLORC. On her part, it's a matter of keeping the world focused on the country, and on her," the diplomat said. Suu Kyi emerged from six years' house arrest on July 10 last year, unbowed and determined to restore democracy, but under no illusion the task would be easy. She said talks on political reform between the ruling military and the pro-democracy and ethnic minority opposition were the only way forward. "We have to choose between dialogue and utter devastation," she told reporters the day after her release. But the SLORC ignored her calls for dialogue. In November, Suu Kyi upped the stakes by pulling her National League for Democracy (NLD) out of the government convention that is drafting the guidelines of a new, pro-military constitution. The move prompted a barrage of slurs in the state-run media and suggestions that she was a traitor acting at the behest of colonialists. She was also warned of "annihilation." Undaunted, Suu Kyi pressed ahead. In May she called a meeting of her NLD, its first full congress since its 1990 election win that the SLORC never recognised. The SLORC responded with a sweeping crackdown against the NLD, detaining more than 250 of those planning to attend the congress. Despite the NLD's depleted ranks, Suu Kyi went ahead with the meeting and a revitalised, confident party emerged from the three days of talks. "Her greatest achievement has been to make the NLD behave like a real party, a real opposition, with its own platform and alternative polices," said another diplomat. Then Suu Kyi again raised the stakes, announcing that the party leadership would draw up an alternative constitution to rival the charter being prepared by the SLORC's convention. The SLORC's response was unequivocal. It introduced a sweeping new law on June 7 that provides for up to 20 years in prison for anyone opposing its constitutional convention or drafting their own charter. But with Suu Kyi and the SLORC apparently set for a showdown, both sides moved back from the brink. Suu Kyi toned down criticism of the SLORC and did not bring up her charter plans in speeches to supporters outside her home, while the generals let her continue the weekly addresses, her only regular communication with the public. "Both sides realise they are close to a situation that, if they're really stubborn, it is going to get dangerous," one diplomat said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUU KYI IS LEADING PARTY OUT OF LIMBO - July 8, 1996 (added) The NLD's party congress resolved to draft an alternative constitution, forcing the Slorc to enact the new laws _ ostensibly to ``protect'' its constitutional convention, under which the military will be guaranteed a leading role in future civilian governments. ********************************************************* BKK POST: BURMA SELLS $1.4M WORTH OF RAW JADE July 8, 1996 RANGOON - Local and foreign merchants bought $1.4 million (Bt34.3 million) worth of raw jade from the Burmese government during a three-day sale, the state-run New Light of Myanmar said Saturday. Altogether, 222 out of 750 lots of raw jade put up for bidding by Myanmar Gems Enterprises, a state enterprise, were bought by 103 foreign and 27 local merchants. A few of the lots were sold by foreign joint ventures and private individuals. The New Light of Myanmar also reported the signing of an agreement for prospecting gold, copper and platinum between Atina Times Square Ltd of Thailand and Burma's Ministry of Mines. Burma, which its military government has renamed Myanmar, is rich in gems and minerals resources, most of which remained untapped during 26 years of socialist isolationism that ended in 1988. Rubies and sapphires are plentiful in Burma, and large deposits of jade are found in Kachin State, a province near the border with China. ********************************************************** BKK POST: THAIS ABLE TO VISIT HO MONG IN SHAN STATE July 7, 1996 THAI citizens can visit Ho Mong town in Burma's Shan State through two border checkpoints which were opened this month. Pol Capt Paithoon Raklieu, chief of the Mae Hong Son Immigration Office, said Burmese immigration officials were ready to issue permits to Thais wanting to visit Ho Mong, former headquarters of drug warlord Khun Sa. The Burmese military in Ban Na Mon. led by Maj Khin Maung, had told the Mae Hong Son office Thais would be charged an entry fee of 20 baht each. Each car entering Burma would be charged 25 baht. Permits were valid for a day and visitors could stay for a maximum of three days. Pol Capt Pai thoon said t he Thai -Burmese Border Committee had agreed to: Open the Ban Huay Peung checkpoint from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It took effect on Tuesday. Allow trade in essential consumer goods. Permit Burmese to stay in Thailand for a day. They could extend their stay for a maximum of three days. Require Burmese entering and leaving Mae Hong Son town to use only the Ban Huay Peung-Thung Ma San Highway and Highway No. 1095. Hotels and lodging houses must inform the authorities of any foreign guests within a day of their arrival. ***************************************************************** BKK POST: AN OPEN LETTER TO 'DEMOCRATS' July 7, 1996 SIR : Your articles on Burma caught my attention (Sunday Perspective, June 16,) particularly relating to Mr Lee Kuan Yew's remarks about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. "Free expression" is a basic tenet in a democracy. Burmese democrats should not get too worked up and give knee-jerk responses to Mr Lee's remarks. I detect a lot of sarcasm in Mr Tin's and the various Burmese students' responses. While sarcasm may be colorful to read on print, I doubt if it scores well with matured decision-makers in governments and businesses whose support the democrats also seek. If the democrats aspire to a democratic Burmese society, they should learn quickly to live with a certain degree of freedom of expression they now experience outside of Burma. It is a pity that Mr Tin and the Burmese students chose to focus their attention almost entirely on Mr Lee's remark that Daw Suu Kyi may be better off as a "political symbol". I think they all miss the whole point of Mr Lee's reply to the reporter's question: it is that there is at prevent no viable apparatus of governments to run Burma other than the military. Those democrats living outside Burma must surely have access to reports on the demise/hardships of the Soviet Union (in the name of democracy) and the war and status quo of Yugoslavia. Do they honestly want their people to go through the same suffering in the name of democracy? Is there not a better way? Mr Lee was also advising the democrats to focus on getting ready a framework to govern even as they struggle to eliminate the role of the military. Personally, I support and hope for the day when Burma will be run. by an elected government which is freely and fairly elected by the people; where vote-buying and strong arm tactics of political candidates do not exist. I'm all for human rights for the people. As for democracy, the Burmese must themselves look to their own history, their own aspirations and their own goals as a nation and cull lessons from those countries around them to arrive at their own comfort level of democracy. Where my kids are growing up is in an environment of peace, justice and prosperity regardless of race or religion. I'm not a member of a political party, just a citizen fortunate enough to be able to speak out freely. Come see for yourselves what makes Singapore tick; I hope that it may just be of some help to you on the road to democracy. Law Kid Wee Singapore ********************************************************* BKK POST: TRAWLERS A LUCRATIVE CATCH FOR PIRATES July 6, 1996 THAI fishermen are in troubled waters.They have had to look to neighbouring countries as they struggle to get healthy catches. For a long time, Burma has been the pot of gold for many Thai fishermen. But it has come with a price the fear of pirates. Many of them are small-time pirates who operate under the umbrella of nationalist movements led by Burma's minority groups, such as the Arakanese, Karens and even dissident students. The pirates' domain stretches from Moulmein, Mergui and Tavoy down to St Matthew Island opposite Ranong. They reportedly charge Thai trawlers a protection fee of up to 200,000 baht each. If a boat is seized, it can cost from 150,000 to a million baht to get it released. It has been claimed that some Thais have written letters in the Karen language demanding protection money from Thai fishermen. They work for groups including the "Dow Daeng", better known as the DPA. During the past month, Ranong police arrested five Burmese believed to be connected to the piracy operation. An investigation found that the five were pirates but not members of the minority groups. Big quantities of firearms and ammunition were found in their possession and in a bush near a fishing dock. Pol Col Kraisorn Amornkraisri, chief of Ranong police headquarters, said the weapons were destined for pirates who paid higher than market prices. For example, an M-76 grenade can sell for as much as 500 baht. Police said tracing the weapons' origins was not difficult because they had serial numbers. The piracy problem, which poses a big threat to Thailand's fishing industry, has intensified since January. Police have confirmed reports that 15 gangs, each with about 20 members, are operating off Ranong and nearby waters. Most use high-speed boats and their dens are believed to be on St Matthew Island. Col Tharit Sunthorn, head of the Thai-Burma Border Coordinating Committee, said authorities often could not do much to tackle piracy because it occurred mainly in Burmese territory. The Royal Thai Navy had taken every possible step to protect the fishermen and safeguard their interests, he said. The committee had not discussed the piracy problem because it was considered a Burmese internal matter. Col Tharit said there were I conflicting interpretations of the terms, Exclusive Territorial Water and Territorial Water. Fishing operators of both countries should be extra cautious to prevent any conflict. He said Thailand still had warm relations with Burma despite the occasional fishing dispute. Many Thai fishermen had no choice but to encroach into Burmese waters where marine life was more plentiful. The fishing ban on Thai trawlers meant the fishermen risked being arrested or shot at by Burmese authorities. It is believed that some Thai fishermen, hoping to escape arrest, have bribed Burmese naval patrols to change their routes. To avoid the risks and legal complications, many operators have re-registered their trawlers with countries which had Burmese fishing concessions. Surveys show that about 300 Thai fishing boats are working under the flags of foreign companies including TBE of Honduras, a Singapore company called Inter and Burmese-based Hongsawadi. Burmese authorities also have hired Thai boats caught poaching to carry out fishing activities for up to 300,000 baht a month. But there has been a drastic increase in the. number of illegal fishing boats in Burmese waters. Estimates put the number as high as 1,000. A source at the Ranong dock said Thai fishermen now journeyed as far away as Bangladesh and India. But fishing in Indian waters was not very lucrative because of the tough conditions and the distance. Prospects in Bangladesh were brighter because the fishermen had concluded a deal with local businessmen, who would export the catch after it was taken to shore. But Bangladesh's narrow shoreline meant the size of the catches were small compared to catches from Burmese waters. Despite the problems, Burma remains an- attractive choice. The stakes are high but the rewards are more than attractive. a single fishing trip to Burma can net the operator as much as a million baht.