------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: August 12, 1996 Issue #488 Noted in Passing: ============ HEADLINES: ========== NATION: RALLIES STAGED TO MARK BURMESE ANNIVERSARY FBC: DR. SEIN WIN'S ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA REUTERS: BOOMS SHAKE RANGOON NCGUB: SLORC BOMBINGS CONDEMNED AP: BURMA LEADERS TO VISIT MALAYSIA STATEMENT: HEINEKEN DID NOT PULL OUT YET! AP: U.S. UNOCAL'S CHIEF MEETS WITH BURMA'S MILITARY PIW: ASIANS, EUROPEANS EYE MYANMAR AS US SANCTIONS SLORC PRESS: WONDER OF WONDERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NATION: RALLIES STAGED TO MARK BURMESE ANNIVERSARY August 9, 1996 ABOUT 40 Burmese students and Thai activists staged separate protests yesterday in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the 8-8-88 pro-democracy uprisings. The rallies went ahead without any major outbreaks of violence amid a large contingent of Thai police and plain-clothes intelligence officers who tried to prevent the mass gatherings from spilling onto Sathorn Road, which is normally filled with traffic. Leading the protest at around 11 am were eight Japanese-based campaigners including four Japanese members of the Burma Relief Centre who arrived about a month ago to oversee the Burmese refugee situation along the Thai-Burmese border. At about noon, a few students slashed their arms and spread their blood on the embassy wall to mark the event named after the date 8-8-88 on which Burmese troops opened fire on unarmed demonstrators. Htun Aung Gyaw, the first chairman of the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), who returned to Thailand after having resided in the United States for about five years, said he was both happy and sad about the student movement. He said that most of the students he had known were now married and had children, but "all remain very committed to the political cause". The former student leader said he was more confident than ever that the two factions of the ABSDF, which split about four years ago, would be able to reunify by next month. He said that he had already met Dr Naing Aung, who leads one of the ABSDF factions, and will meet soon with Moe Thi Zun of the other to discuss the matter. "I found out after a trip to a student camp in Kanchanaburi that the camp there is well-established and self-sufficient, but they are still committed to an armed struggle," said Htun Aung Cyaw. During the protests, Burmese from vary junta for its human rights abuses and for its refusal to transfer power to the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). The rallies in Bangkok were part of campaigns that took place in several European and Asian capitals to commemorate the event and to voice opposition to the Burmese regime of the State Law and Order Restoration Council. But in Rangoon itself, an Associated Press report said that the streets were quiet, as Nobel laureate and NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi attended a Buddhist memorial service for Hla Than, a member of her party who democracy activists say died from torture last week while serving a 25-year sentence in Insein Prison. She also released 15 birds to mark the anniversary of the bitter event. Releasing birds or fish is a way of making Buddhist merit and is symbolic of freedom. A Reuter story from Tokyo said a group of Burmese activists started a 36-hour hunger strike in central Tokyo to demand that the Japanese government halt its economic assistance to Burma's military government. "The blood on the ground is still red," said a poster in a Tokyo park where about two dozen Burmese activists staged their protest. "We urge the Japanese government to suspend ODA [official] Development Assistance] to the military regime out of respect for the people who are suffering under the military dictatorship and the people who died fighting it," the activist group said in a statement (added: Bangkok Post) The students in Bangkok were not alone. In Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark Germany and France, other small groups of exiled Burmese gathered for 48-hour hunger strikes to mark the anniversary and call attention to their struggle for freedom. Japan is the biggest aid donor to Burma and has so far held off using its aid of about US$140 million (Bt3.5 billion) a year as a lever in ensuring the country moves towards democracy. "Burmese people do not need ODA. What we really need is democracy and human rights," the activists' statement said. "We urge Japanese business investors competing- with China to extend their economic influence throughout Asia to wait until real democracy comes to Burma,: it said. Suu Kyi has called for international sanctions against Burma to force its rulers to implement change. The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 general elections but the military refused to allow it to govern. The US Senate voted last month to direct president Bill Clinton to impose economic sanctions on Burma if it increases its repression of the pro-democracy movement. ***************************************************************** FBC: DR. SEIN WIN'S ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA August 9, 1996 From: azappia@spirit.com.au (Amanda Zappia) Canberra, -- Dr. Sein Win, prime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, attended a protest rally organized by the Australia-Burma Council in front of the Burmese embassy in Canberra on August 8, 1996. The rally was attended by about 300 members of the Burmese community was given extensive coverage by the Australian media. All five Australian TV stations -- Win, Prime, SBS, ABC and Capital -- as well as radio stations covered the story. The rally was also attended by Senator Vickie Bourne who called for Australian investments to be withdrawn from Burma "because it is immoral" to deal with the ruthless military junta. Sir William Keys in his address to the rally expressed his support for the Burmese democracy movement saying that "it was time for Australia to impose sanctions" because "good -will gestures were no longer good enough." Earlier in the day Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win met with former Foreign Minister Senator Gareth Evans, who is currently the shadow Treasurer, and discussed measures that can be taken to bring democracy to Burma. He also met Senator Vicki Bourne who pledged to support the boycott call by Dr. Sein Win and the Burmese democracy movement against Australian businesses working with the military junta. On August 6, he met Senator Margaret Reid who is slated to be the new President of the Senate. Dr. Sein Win told the Senator that it was vital that regional countries like Australia voice their protest against the increasing repression against the democracy movement in Burma. The Senator agreed with Dr Sein Win's suggestion. During the tour, Dr. Sein Win will also be meeting the Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer and Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer to discuss Burma. The following is Dr. Sein Win's speech to the protest rally in Canberra today: "Today marks the eighth anniversary of the popular uprising for democracy in Burma. The people who had lived under a military dictatorship for over 26 years eagerly responded to a call for nationwide strike by the students and brought down that government. The generals loyal to that government however staged a bloody coup gunning down thousands and arresting many more. However, the 'Spirit of 8-8-88' had given birth to an organized movement for democracy in Burma. Even though the military had murdered and imprisoned thousands, the movement for democracy refuses to die and has grown steadily. As evident by the gathering here today, the movement for democracy has gained many friends and supporters worldwide. The core strength of the movement however is the people inside Burma who continue to support the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Despite the threat of arrest and harsh prison terms, thousands turn up at Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence at weekends to listen to her speeches and express their support for the NLD. The massive support for the NLD is being seen as a threat by the ruling military junta. It has stepped up its threat against NLD supporters and increased the suppression of the NLD members. The most glaring examples are the massive arrests of NLD representatives in May and the very recent deaths in custody of elected NLD representative U Hla Than and of the honorary Norway consul Leo Nichols both of whom underwent harsh treatment in prison. Today, the military junta, while promising the international community it will restore democracy to the country, is refusing to settle national problems through dialogue and the process of national reconciliation as called for by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is trying to reinstate a political system that is under the control of the military and legitimized through a constitution that is being drafted by delegates, most of whom are hand-picked by the generals. This ambitious scheme of the generals is being financed by businesses which place their profits above human suffering. Without the inflow of funds from investments and businesses who arm the massive army that protect the wealthy generals, democracy would have long prevailed in Burma. The main goal of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma has always been identical to the aspiration of all the people in Burma, That is, to restore democracy and human rights. It has time and again appealed to the international community not to invest in Burma at this time because investments dissuade the generals from entering into any meaningful talk to settle political problems. In memory of the thousands of people that were killed by the military on August 8, 1996, I am repeating that call today. On behalf of the National Coalition Government, I wish to express my thanks to the conscientious companies that have stopped doing businesses with the Burmese generals. I also urge the people here in Australia and all over the world to boycott businesses that continue to abet the generals. Stop the investments. It is time to stop the suffering in Burma. On the 22nd August 1996 at the National Press Club I will launch a campaign on behalf of the Burmese Women's Union, the National Union of Students and the Australia Burma Council. This campaign will encourage a boycott of companies in Australia choosing to do business with the SLORC. We will encourage you to join that boycott." *********************************************************** REUTERS: BOOMS SHAKE RANGOON August 8, 1996 From: John Scherb RANGOON - Loud booms echoed across the Burmese capital on Thursday but a military official said the sounds were caused by military aircraft testing and not explosions. Residents reported hearing loud explosion-like sounds around mid-morning, and speculation swept Rangoon that bombs had been set off to mark the eighth anniversary of a bloody day during pro-democracy uprisings in 1988. Hundreds of people were killed on August 8 in one of the bloodiest days during the uprising, according to reports at the time. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) repeatedly refers to ``8-8-88'' in speeches and official media to remind people of the unrest that swept the country before the SLORC was formed and took power. The military official said the sounds were caused by sonic booms that resulted from routine testing of aircraft, probably jet fighters. ``This is quite a day to be doing military testing,'' said one Rangoon resident. ******************************************************** NCGUB: SLORC BOMBINGS CONDEMNED August 9, 1996 From: tmwin@mozart.inet.co.th RANGOON,BURMA----The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) today accused the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) of setting bombs as an excuse to launch a crackdown on democracy activists. " The NCUB is extremely alarmed that bombs have apparently been detonated in Rangoon.This follows a favorite SLORC tactic of blaming the democratic forces for acts of violence it in fact is responsible for," stated Tin Maung Win, presidiummember of the NCUB. " SLORC is desperate and trying very hard to smear democracy activists as terrorists and communist sympathizers. Everyone inside Burma knows that the democracy movement is committed to non-violent struggle to liberate Burma from the illegal military junta, "he stated. It was reported by democratic sources inside Burma that three bombs exploded in the ALONE area of Rangoon. This follows a bombing that took place in July 20 very close to the United States Embassy. Democratic sources stated that the embassy bomb was plainly the work of SLORC agents. The bomb was detonated in the early afternoon on a street corner that is the traditional hangout for SLORC's military intelligence agents who monitor the embassy." The democracy movement is committed to regaining our freedom through the use of political defiance activities," stated Win. " We have been using audio tapes,pamphlets,and spray painting democracy slogans on walls throughout Rangoon,Mandalay and the rest of Burma to inspire the democratic hopes of all the Burmese people. Our weapons are democratic ideals, not guns or bombs." Win added. SLORC is trying to bait the democratic forces into committing acts of violence. We will not lower ourselves to their failed tactics.Terror and violence are their instruments of support, ours are a commitment to the values of justice, democracy, and the protection of human rights" Win said. " SLORC is feeling the pressure from our increased coordinated campaign of action," Win stated." The bomb blasts and recent SLORC edicts designed to restrict the circulation of audio and video tapes show just how desperate the generals are trying to cling to power," Win said. " I want to tell the people of Burma to remain strong and stand behind Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The NCUB is stepping up political defiance activities inside Burma. The day is rapidly approaching when we will regain our freedom. We must all be united to restore democracy and respect for human rights in Burma... ********************************************************** AP: BURMA LEADERS TO VISIT MALAYSIA August 9, 1996 From: John Scherb RANGOON -- The head of Burma's military government and a delegation of top military officials will pay a goodwill visit to Malaysia next week at the invitation of that country's king, the state-run New Light of Myanmar said Friday. Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) that rules Burma, will be accompanied by Gen. Khin Nyunt, head of military intelligence. The delegation will leave for Malaysia Aug. 12. The length of the visit and the generals' agenda wasn't announced. Burma's leaders were invited to visit by King Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's constitutional monarch. Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is an outspoken critic of Western countries and a staunch defender of Burma's military regime, which has been criticized by Western governments, human rights groups and Burmese democracy activists for a wide range of human rights abuses. In July, over the objections of the regime's opponents, Burma was granted observer status - a precursor to full membership - in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional grouping of which Malaysia is a member. The trip will be Than Shwe's second this year, having already visited China, Burma's closest ally. Than Shwe has been credited with steering Burma toward a deeper relationship with its Asian neighbors built around trade and investment. Since becoming SLORC chairman in April 1992, Than Shwe has visited Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and China. Under previous military regimes, Burma adhered to a policy of socialist isolationism and shunned contact with most of the world. ********************************************************** STATEMENT: HEINEKEN DID NOT PULL OUT YET! August 9, 1996 >From uucp@antenna.nl Heineken announced July 11 that it will cease all its operati- ons in Burma. This decision followed an international campaign by groups in Burma, the US and the Netherlands who had called the company to do so, and stop its cooperation with one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. Heineken had planned to build a brewery in Rangoon through a venture between its Asia Pacific Breweries (APBL) unit, which was to have a 60 per cent stake, and Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Ltd (UMELH), a public company which is essentially controlled by the military and under accusation of laundering of drug money. The Myanmar brewery has now been bought from APBL for an undiscloded price by its main shareholder Fraser & Neave, a Singapore based company, with whom Heineken intensively coop- erates since 65 years. The Fraser & Neave Group owns 50% of the shares of APB, Heineken owns 42,5% of the shares and a 50% management share. So basically Heineken turned the job over to an old partner with whom it is still very much linked through their common particpation in APBL. The brewery will produce Tiger Beer, as was also planned by APBL. This Tiger-beer will be brewed under APBL-licence. APBL has 15 breweries all over Asia and Tiger beer is their main product. But will then the future Myanmar profits not simply end up at APBL? Heineken spokesperson Margriet de Meier: "All our personell has left. We don't want to have anything to do anymore with Burma and we don't want Heineken or APBL to get anything of the future profits of the brewery. Therefore we are currently investiga- ting a legal construction that will enable that all profits coming from Burma will be isolated from APBL-money and will go to Fraser & Neave." Heineken claims to be ending all exports to Burma. "Not only have we withdrawn, we will not have any interference in Burma at all. Out means out." In a rather childish attempt to reta- liate, the SLORC announced August 5 that the consumption of Heineken and Carlsberg will be banned from Burma. State tele- vision warned beer drinkers that it was their patriotic duty to avoid Carlsberg and Heineken. This sounds odd after Heine- ken's statement that they would end all exports to Burma. Plenty of reasons to keep a close look on Heineken! ********************************************************* AP: U.S. UNOCAL'S CHIEF MEETS WITH BURMA'S MILITARY August 9, 1996 From: John Scherb BANGKOK -- As the U.S. Congress debates economic sanctions against Burma, an American oil company executive is in Rangoon discussing how to improve relations between the U.S. and the country's military regime. John Imle, chairman of U.S. oil company Unocal, met with Gen. Khin Nyunt, chief of Burma's secret police, and Generals David Abel and Khin Maung Thein, the country's economic and energy ministers, the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported Friday, a copy of which was seen in Bangkok. The paper said they discussed improvement of bilateral relations, economic cooperation and offshore oil and gas projects. Unocal has been under fire from some U.S. lawmakers and democracy activists, environmentalists and human rights groups in several countries for its involvement in the construction of a $1.2 billion pipeline that will pump natural gas from Burma to Thailand. The company was part of successful lobbying effort in the U.S. Senate last month, which passed a watered down version of a sanctions bill against Burma. A tougher bill that would require Unocal to pull out of Burma, is still being considered by the House of Representatives. Several lawmakers are pushing for the harsher version as a means of forcing Burma's military regime toward a dialogue with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma's democracy movement. *********************************************************** PIW: ASIANS, EUROPEANS EYE MYANMAR AS US SANCTIONS July 8, 1996 (Petroleum Intelligence Weekly) From: Zaliwin@aol.com In an echo of last year's initial rush to take over Conoco's banned investment in Iran, European and Asian companies are circling Unocal, Texaco, and Arco well in advance of Washington's possible imposition of sanctions agains Myanmar. All three US firms have natural gas projects offshore the country and must take seriously the threat of US action following a unanimous vote on June 27 by the Senate Appropriations Committee to tack an investment ban and other sanctions onto a pending foreign aid bill. Mandatory sanctions still face an uphill battle in Congress. But some measure, probably giving the White House an option to impose restrictions in the future, looms as a potential brake to US involvement in this big gas play. And that's enough to get others knocking on US doors -- as there's no talk yet of the kind of secondary sanctions that subsequently dented enthusiasm for Iran. No company has yet publicly expressed hunger for US assets in Myanmar, but potential sellers acknowledge being importuned. Unocal reports an approach from an unnamed "leading Asian coporation" about its 28.26% interest in the Yadana gas project, led by France's Total. Indeed, Total, which took Conoco's place in Iran, is seen as alikely candidate to expand its 32.24% share in Yadana, although probably not to the extent of Unocal's entire portion. Similarly, UK's Premier and Japan's Nippon Oil, which are in a venture with Texaco, are mentioned as likely purchasers of its assets. Premier is also negotiating with Teheran. Southeast Asian state companies including Thailand's PTTEP and Petronas of Malaysia are also becoming more aggressive, and Japan's Mitusui, Mitsubishi and Idemitsu ahve pledged technical and financial aid in developing Myanmar gas (PIW's World Gas Intelligence March 29, 1996 p. 2) Unocal has the most to lose. Besides an initial $6.6 million up front payment to the Myanmar regime for its share of the Yadana acreage, the company has incurred substantial costs exploring and establishing the commerical value of the 5-trillion cubic feet a day of gas to Thailand. Pipeline construction is due to get under way late this year. Understandably, Unocal has been the most vocal in opposing sanctions and is working closely with any and all to avoid a forced sale. It's possible that the mere threat of sanctions may lead other US firms to shy away from Myanmar. Gas reserves in Myanmar and Thailand form the centerpiece of a corporate strategy that has seen Unocal gradually shedding US domesitc assets (PIW's International Petroleum Finance, April 1996 p. 6). Texaco is still negotiating a gas sales deal with Thailand and, along with its partners, delineating the Yetagun field, southeast of Yadana in the Gulf of Martaban. Yetagun reserves are estimated at 1- to 1.5- tcf of gas and 50-million bbls of condensate. Texaco is likely to sell out quickly if sanctions are imposed. It has been appraoched periodically by European firms, but would like to land a deal with Thailand first, in part because this would boost the value of its reserves. Arco is gathering gas on Block M-9, which it acquired last year. However, it will not drill before December and possibly until early 1997 -- giving it time to assess the prospects for the imposition of sanctions and their likely nature. ********************************************************* SLORC PRESS: WONDER OF WONDERS August 6, 1996 (Myanmar Alin) From: wncprofile@mail.sorosny.org Article by Maung Thitsar [FBIS Translated Excerpt] "I don't read Myanmar [Burmese] newspapers at all and I don't listen to Radio Myanmar. I listen to BBC and VOA and read foreign newspapers." Maung Thitsar heard it clearly. This was stated by Mrs Michael Aris [Aung San Suu Kyi], whom the Myanmar media has been recently labeling as the puppet princess, the West Maedawgyi, etc. According to her two minister followers [derogatory reference to National League for Democracy leaders U Tin Oo and U Kyi Maung], they do not read Myanmar newspapers because they contain only obscene articles. I was involved in my own work so I was not interested in news from the newspapers about the soap opera on University Avenue Road where Mrs Michael Aris spoke with great political enthusiasm and vision to ruin the country and make the Myanmar people poor and miserable. But, recently I came across articles in the newspapers about the unscrupulous "democracy" crowd attending the soap opera. The neighborhood suffered each week due to the rowdy "democracy" crowd -- the fences were always damaged after the soap opera and litter created an ugly site and emitted a foul smell. In another incident the "democracy" crowd that was caught in the rain patronized a nearby so-called tea shop and consumed illicit liquor to warm themselves. Some bus drivers, who earn their living driving buses for commuters, in performing their duties were unhappy due to road blocks and intimidation while a musician was unable to perform at a wedding reception because she was caught in a traffic jam after the soap opera. Last week, out of curiosity, Maung Thitsar attended that soap opera. Immediately after hearing her say "I don't read Myanmar newspapers at all and I don't listen to Radio Myanmar. I listen to BBC and VOA and read foreign newspapers," words from a traditional song -- "wonder of wonders" popped out of my mouth. The speaker, clutching a microphone, continued to speak but Maung Thitsar, after hearing what she said, was left wondering.There are no Myanmar ways in her, only Western. No wonder they write and talk about her that she is not interested in Myanmar, she doesn't study about Myanmar, and she doesn't think highly of the Myanmar, only of Westerners. Maung Thitsar wonders "Why did she say this? Did she speak blindly because she didn't realize the adverse effect this would cause?" She didn't realize that she had admitted to the Myanmar public as alleged that "she is not interested in Myanmar, she doesn't study about Myanmar, and she doesn't think highly of the Myanmar but of Western broadcasting stations and newspapers." Although it has been pointed out that "she has no political knowledge and strategy; that she couldn't walk peacefully along the straight political path", but when she mentioned that she did not read Myanmar newspapers she was clearly admitting her lack of interest in current Myanmar affairs -- politics, education, economics, and social matters. Maung Thitsar thought that since every politician in every country should know the politics, education,economics, and social matters of that country, then a controversy will arise why a person not interested in such matters should be a leader in a political party. I was deep in my thoughts and I didn't hear what she was saying. Later, one of her minister followers appeared and reiterated that he also did not read [Myanmar newspapers] because they contained only articles. Maung Thitsar did not accept allegations without proof. After returning home, Maung Thitsar picked the past week's issues of the KYEMON and MYANMAR ALIN newspapers and reviewed them. The articles "Lordship blood or slave blood"and "What and where Aung San Suu Kyi?", which they considered obscene, appeared only one at a time in one newspaper. These articles are not obscene; they are true, and this coincides with the Myanmar saying; "the truth hurts more than being abused." Other articles like "The general's [General Aung San -- Aung San Suu Kyi's father] anti-colonialist will" and "The CIA's interference in Myanmar's affairs" are articles the Myanmar people should be aware of, especially so-called political leaders. These articles occupy about three or four pages of a newspaper with the rest split equally between local and international news. Foreign news need not be read because it had already been covered by the BBC, VOA, and the English language press but news on Myanmar politics, economy, education, and social affairs could only be obtained by reading Myanmar newspapers and listening to Radio Myanmar. Any Myanmar politician, regardless of whether on the ruling side or the opposition, should always be studying and scrutinizing prevailing situations. [passage omitted explaining development news] Persons who honestly admit their disinterest in Myanmar newspapers clearly show their disinterest in Myanmar's economic and educational matters. If a person is not interested in national projects beneficial to the Myanmar people that person's pledge for political development is meaningless. Myanmar people are very much aware that the newspapers and broadcasting stations which those people rely upon are only producing fabrications and the stations are thus termed -- foul air disposal departments. [passage omitted refuting human rights allegations and other fabrications] In fact, Mrs Michael Aris and her colleagues need not read Myanmar newspapers. They need not study Myanmar's development to provide political leadership. They need not have any interest. Although Myanmar's political leaders should know all current events in Myanmar, the higher authorities [from the West] including her husband Michael Aris do not expect Mrs Michael Aris to become Myanmar's political leader. They also know that the Myanmar people will never accept a person with a foreign allegiance to be their leader. Maung Thitsar understands that what they really want is to create various disturbances and unrest in Myanmar which is steadily and peacefully marching towards the 21st century. I would like to urge all patriotic party members, who want to be engaged in politics for Myanmar's benefit, to scrutinize and review what Maung Thitsar has presented. *********************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------- BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. 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