----------------------------------BurmaNet----------------------------- "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: October 25, 1996 Issue #551 Noted in Passing: Not only does the project constitute moral and economic support for the ruling junta, but the work site is the occasion for massive and systematic human rights violations, including population movements, forced labor and summary executions - FIDH report (see: BKK POST: RIGHTS MASSIVELY VIOLATED IN TOTAL GAS PROJECT) HEADLINES: ========== ANP: LEADERS MYANMAR ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE EU THE NATION: EURO- MPS DEMAND AN EMBARGO ON REGIME BCN: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WANTS DIRECT STOP INVESTMENT ABSDF: DEMANDS THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF U KYI MAUNG KYODO: U.S. URGES BURMA TO FREE DETAINED NLD OFFICIAL TROUW: BURMA OBSTACLE FOR DUTCH BANKS THE NATION: PANEL TO DOWNPLAY BURMA ISSUE BKK POST: RIGHTS MASSIVELY VIOLATED IN TOTAL GAS PROJECT BKK POST: SLORC TO OPEN ASEAN OFFICE THE STAR: SLORC CHAIRMAN ASSURES MALAYSIA VOM: COMMENTARY - LEADING MYANMAR TO THE RIGHT PATH NLM: DEMOCRACY WHICH IS NOT DEMOCRACY ABSDF: SLORC CREATES RELIGIOUS CONFLICT --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANP: LEADERS MYANMAR ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE EU October 24, 1996 THE HAGUE (ANP) - Members of the military junta in Myanmar (Burma) will not be getting visa's for the European Union. The EU-ministers of Foreign Affairs will decide on Monday to this measure as a reaction to the continuing repression and violations of human rights in the Asian country. With this decision the EU is following the example of the United States of America, that announced forbidding traveling into the USA by leaders of the SLORC. Rangoon in return forbade American citizens from going to Myanmar. EU-diplomats in Brussels are now finalizing the visa-measure. Earlier pressure-methods did not fulfill their wishes. The EU-development fund ended in 1993 already aid to Myanmar. Also the Netherlands cut aid to Rangoon in that time. ***************************************************************** THE NATION: EURO- MPS DEMAND AN EMBARGO ON REGIME October 24, 1996 (abridged) STRASBOURG- The European Parliament called yesterday for a comprehensive European embargo on Burma, to protest at the human rights record of the military regime in Rangoon. In a resolution agreed by a plenary session of Euro-MPs, it called on the European Union's foreign ministers to "break all links between the European Union and Burma" When they meet in Luxembourg next Monday. The embargo urged by Euro-MPs would cover trade, tourism and investment in Burma by European companies, it said. The parliament's proposal has no binding effect on the EU ministers. Meanwhile, the Paris-based International Human Rights Federation (FIDH) yesterday released a report accusing French oil company Total of human rights violations linked to a gas project in Burma. ***************************************************************** BCN: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WANTS DIRECT STOP INVESTMENT October 24, 1996 From: bcn@xs4all.nl (Burma Centrum Nederland) The following very interesting resolution was adopted unanimously on October 1996 by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Resolution on the political situation and continued human rights abuses in Burma The European Parliament, having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma, having regard to the Council declaration of 5 July 1996 on the political situation in Burma, which calls in particular on the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to respect the fundamental rights of the Burmese people, A. deeply concerned at the SLORCs denial of basic human rights in Burma, and noting that Burma is categorized by the UN as a least developed country, B. reiterating its deep concern at the circumstances surrounding the death of James Leander Nichols on 22 June 1996, C. whereas the SLORC has detained more than 800 National League for Democracy (NLD) members of the unconvened Parliament since 26 September 1996, D. noting that, since the end of March 1996, more than 80.000 people have been forced by the Burmese army to leave their homes and villages in Shan State and Karenni State, E. noting that Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Sakaharov Prize and democratically elected leader of the Burmese people, recently reiterated her offer to open a dialogue with the SLORC, and regretting that this offer was turned down by the SLORC. F. noting once again that Aung San Suu Kyi has called on the international community to implement economic sanctions against the SLORC, G. noting that on 17 September 1996, the US Congress passed the Cohen-Feinstein Amendment and that, under this legislation, the US President will prohibit new businesses from investing in Burma if the SLORC rearrests Aung San Suu Kyi or carries out large-scale repression in Burma, and noting that, on 3 October, US President Clinton signed a Proclamation barring any SLORC members or their families from entering the USA, H. noting that the Commission is preparing to respond to the evidence presented at an investigation into forced labor in Burma, and aware that other authoritative estimates have calculated that forced labor accounted for a significant part of Burma's GDP in 1994-5, I. whereas the General Affairs Council of the European Union will be meeting on 28 and 29 October 1996 and is due to consider the imposition of further measures against the SLORC, J. whereas all foreign direct investments in Burma, and in particular investment by EU firms, have to be made via joint ventures with companies or financial institutions which are entirely in the hands of the Burmese military, K. whereas the EU considers the promotion of democracy and respect for human rights to be an integral part of its relations with third countries, L. whereas, under Article J.2 of the Treaty on European Union, the Council may define a common position on any matter of foreign and security policy of general interest, M. whereas Mrs Sung Hngel, an active opponent of the SLORC, was arrested by the Indian authorities on 7 August 1996 and charged with illegal entry into the country, N. Pointing out that, if Mrs Sung Hngel is declared an illegal immigrant in India by the Court, which will hold the third hearing on her case on 22 November 1996, Mrs Hngel will be deported to Burma, where she might be executed by the Burmese army. 1. Reaffirms its unshakable attachment to respect for democratic principles and human rights and its conviction that the development of democracy and the rule of law and economic development are interdependent; 2. Strongly condemns the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms being perpetrated against the Burmese people; 3. Is particularly concerned about the fate of the more than 80,000 people who have been forced by the army to leave their homes in Shan State and Karenni State since the end of March 1996, accompanied by gross human rights violations and arrests; 4. Is equally concerned about reports that the UNHCR repatriation program of 250,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh back to Burma might be jeopardized by the fact that the human rights situation in Arakan State, place of origin of the Rohingya Muslim minority, has further worsened since their exodus in 1991, and that forced labor in many areas has increased to an average of twenty days per month; 5. Calls once again on the SLORC to provide a full and satisfactory explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death in custody of James Leander Nichols; 6. Confirms its opinion that the SLORC has shown itself incapable of participating in any form of critical dialogue with the international community likely to achieve a transition to democracy and respect for human rights, and calls on the international community to take steps through the UN to isolate the SLORC both politically and economically; 7. Reaffirms its opinion that foreign direct investment in Burma makes an important financial contribution to the SLORC, while failing to provide even indirect benefits to the Burmese people, and therefore welcomes the recent decisions by already 15 international companies to cease investments in Burma; 8. Notes with concern reports to the effect that investment by UNOCAL and TOTAL in Burma has caused significant violations of human rights and has indirectly led to both forced relocation and forced labor; 9. Supports those ASEAN countries who announced that they oppose full membership for Burma and calls on all ASEAN members to refuse Burma's application for membership until the SLORC has stepped down from power and democratic rule has been restored, bearing in mind that Burma's full membership would harm relations between the EU and ASEAN; 10. Calls on the Commission to ensure that it employs only those aid agencies whose operations are clearly independent of the SLORC when it provides Burma with humanitarian aid; 11. Welcomes the determination of the Danish Government to secure forceful measures by the EU against the SLORC following the death of James Leander Nichols; 12. Expresses its concern that the inquiry of the Commission that must lead to the withdrawal of GSP is taking so long and asks the Commission to present the conclusion of its inquiry into the use of forced labor and present them to the Council and Parliament without delay, bearing in mind that the withdrawal of GSP would cost Burma tens of millions of US dollars per year and that such a sanction is the only immediate step which may be taken to put effective pressure on the SLORC; 13. Calls on the Council to respond to Aung San Suu Kyis request that the EU implement economic sanctions against the SLORC by ending all links between the European Union and Burma based on trade, tourism and investment in Burma by European companies when it meets on 28-29 October 1996; 14. Expresses its concern about the arrest of Mrs Sung Hngel and calls on the Indian authorities to suspend local proceedings and grant her refugee status, 15. Instructs its president to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the SLORC, the NLD, the government of India, the UN and the boards of all European companies investing in Burma. *************************************************************** ABSDF: DEMANDS THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF U KYI MAUNG October 24, 1996 From: "All Burma Students' Democratic Front" The All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) was informed on 23rd October that U Kyi Maung, co-vice chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), was arrested by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in connection with recent demonstrations in Rangoon. U Kyi Maung, 75, a former student leader of the 1938 movement against British Colonial rule and ex-military officer of the Burma Army, has been arrested for allegedly colluding with some Rangoon University students who were involved in a demonstration yesterday morning against the SLORC and the detention of three university students. U Kyi Maung was jailed for five years from 1990 to 1995 for his prominent role with the NLD and democracy movement in Burma. We are gravely concerned for his health as SLORC detention centers are notorious for their brutal and inhuman treatment. The ABSDF demands that the SLORC immediately release U KYi Maung and other students who have been detained during the demonstrations. We also call for the international community to pressure the military regime to secure his release and other political prisoners from detention. Central Committee All Burma Students' Democratic Front FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Dr. Naing Aung Aung Naing Oo Chairman of ABSDF Central Executive Committee Mobile phone: 01923 1687 Tel/Fax: 66 2 3000 631 ***************************************************************** KYODO: U.S. URGES BURMA TO FREE DETAINED NLD OFFICIAL October 23, 1996 The United States urged the Myanmar junta Wednesday to release a detained top official of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 1990 general election but was denied power by the junta. ''The Burmese (Myanmar) government authorities should release him immediately,'' State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said of Kyi Maung, who was taken into custody Wednesday. ***************************************************************** TROUW: BURMA OBSTACLE FOR DUTCH BANKS October 19, 1996 (Dutch Daily Newspaper) The Dutch financial firms ING and ABN Amro are being named in the American press as the most probable candidates for a possible takeover of the BankBoston, the largest bank in the state Massachusetts. The hindrance for such a takeover is however the fact that ING and ABN Amro are doing business in Burma, the country in Southeast Asia governed by a military dictatorship. Massachusetts has just adapted a law which prohibits this state from buying products or services from firms which have a relationship with Burma. This is reported by the Burma Centrum Nederland. According to this action committee a possible takeover of BankBoston by ING or ABN Amro would have as result that these companies would have to close their offices in Burma, or that the state Massachusetts would have to cancel all her contacts with BankBoston. A spokesperson of ABN Amro in Amsterdam yesterday did not wanted to react on the 'rumour' about the interest of this bank for BankBoston. He did however confirmed that his bankfirm has an office in Burma. In the United States ABN Amro already has extensive bankfirms in Chicago and New York. ING also refuses to comment on the supposed interest for BankBoston. It is however unlikely that ING could takeover a bank in the US, because according to the strict American anti-trustlaws this is incompatible with the extensive insurance interest which ING already has in the US. The spokesperson of the ING contradicts that his firm has a presence in Burma. He confirmed that the bank has received a bank license for Burma. "But we have not used this yet." Heineken and other western firms earlier this year felt obliged to pull out of Burma. ------------------------------------------------------------------ BCN Paulus Potterstraat 20 1071 DA AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS (31)20-6716952 (tel) (31)20-6713513 (fax) visit these sights: http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/freeburma.html http://www.uio.no/tormodl http://danet.wicip.org/fbc/freeburma.html ***************************************************************** THE NATION: PANEL TO DOWNPLAY BURMA ISSUE October 24, 1996 VIENTIANE - The Mekong River Commission (MRC) will only hold low-key discussions on Burma joining the grouping at its meeting next week for fear of alienating its Western donors. The MRC will meet about 20 donor countries and multilateral aid agencies at the newly - formed Donors Consultative Group's (DCG) forum on the day after its second Mekong Council meeting, which will be held from Oct 29 to 31 in Vientiane. As the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) wants to phase out its funding for the MRC's administration work, the organisation expects international donor support to finance the setting up of a trust fund, as well as finance its numerous projects planned for 1997, a senior official in the National Mekong Committee of Laos said. However, the MRC will take a low profile on the question of Burma's future membership because most of the Western donors are concerned about the ongoing human rights abuses in the country, said an official of the Bangkok based Mekong Secretariat, who asked not to be named. "This time we will not talk much about Burma' s future membership in the MRC. We are afraid of spoiling the atmosphere when we meet the DCG, particularly its European donors, " said the official, who is in Vientiane to prepare for the council meeting. He said European countries, which are a major funding source for the MRC's work, are concerned about the situation in Burma. Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland are the largest donors. The official said that the MRC has already refused Rangoon's request to fund the Burmese delegation to participate in the council's meeting . "We are worried that it will upset our donors," the official said. Since its inception last year, the MRC has previously shown enthusiasm over inviting Burma and China, which are located on the upper Mekong basin, to join the organisation. This will, in effect, make them come under the same water use regulations as the lower basin states: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Burma's catchment contributes about two percent of the water inflow to the Mekong River. Burma and China have so far gained the status of dialogue partners with the MRC, paving the wave for negotiations for future membership. The DCG meeting will be co-chaired by Dr Nay Htun, UNDP's Asia Pacific office director, and Dr Kithong Vongxay, the Laotian head and also this year's chairman of the Mekong Council. ***************************************************************** BKK POST: RIGHTS MASSIVELY VIOLATED IN TOTAL GAS PROJECT October 24, 1996 The French oil company Total came under fire again for alleged human rights violations linked to a gas project in Burma, in a report to be published here yesterday. "Not only does the project constitute moral and economic support for the ruling junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) but the work site is the occasion for massive and systematic human rights violations, including population movements, forced labour and summary executions," said the report of the Paris-based International Human Rights Federation (FIDH). The FIDH added that such violations could be considered crimes against humanity. The report, a copy of which has been seen by AFP, was to be presented at a press conference later yesterday. Total, which is taking gas from Burma's Yadana field in a consortium with Unocal of the United States and Rangoon's state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas, denied the allegations. The company said it had not seen the whole report, but called the extracts published Tuesday "scandalous" A Total spokesman insisted: "There are no human rights violations on our site in Burma." The spokesman said Total officials had talked last month with FIDH officials, including president Patrice Baudouin and Anne-Christine Hab bard, the author of the report. "We replied to all their questions on this matter," the spokesman said. "We said in particular that our gas line project cannot be considered a financial support for the political regime; Burma has a 15 percent stake in it, which involves heavy investment over several years." The pipeline will start exporting gas to Thailand from mid-1998 and begin showing a return on investment around 2001. Previous press and other reports on the project have also alleged human rights violations, if not in areas under the direct control of the western oil companies, in associated work being carried out by the Burmese government. These include the forced employment of children and the ill-treatment of workers by troops. Earlier this month alleged victims of rape and forced labor sued Unocal and its corporate officers, Total, Myanmar Oil and Gas, and Slorc in a Los Angeles district court. She lawsuit is an attempt to stop the horrendous human rights violations going on there," said Dan Stormer, an attorney for a group of Burmese who are identified only as John and Jane Does from the Tenasserim region of Burma. "It is also to prevent Unocal from making a profit from forced labour. Shareholders are making a profit on these atrocities and we intend to stop it," he said. One of the plaintiffs, who spoke under the assumed name of "Htoo Saw," said that Burmese troops forced families from their homes burned villages and forced villagers to work on the pipeline project with little or no pay. "Their homes and animals have been forcefully taken away. They can no longer live where they were born," he said through Louisa Benson, a US citizen living in Burma who acted as an interpreter and is herself a plaintiff in the case. "Many mothers with children have died," she said. Htoo Saw said hundreds who had refused to be conscripted to work had fled into the forest to live while 1,300 are at a refugee camp near the Thai border. Unocal spokesman Dave Garcia said that everyone who works on the Yadana natural gas project had come to the company for jobs and were being paid above-average salaries. No village has been evacuated, he said. The suit was brought on the same day that US President Bill Clinton slapped sanctions on Burma for human rights violations, including a ban on new investment by US companies. California Governor Pete Wilson has also signed an anti-slavery law that would bar companies operating in countries that use coercive labour practices from doing business in California. Massachusetts has a similar law. Apple Computer recently joined a long list of American companies which under pressure from human rights groups have shut down operations in Burma. Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has also alleged that Total's investment makes the group one of the leading props of the military regime. **************************************************************** BKK POST: SLORC TO OPEN ASEAN OFFICE October 24, 1996 Burma will open an office in Rangoon next month to deal with Asean affairs as part of preparations for membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, source said. The Burmese government recently approved the opening of the Asean Division, which will be under the Foreign Ministry's Political Department, the sources said. A councellor currently attached to the Burmese embassy in Indonesia is expected to head the office, they added. Having an office to take care of Asean affairs and embassies all Asean countries is the grouping's requirement for a new member. At present Burma has embassies in all seven Asean countries except Brunei. Other Asean member countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Brunei Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Lim Jock Seng said recently that the two countries were preparing to open embassies in their respective capitals. The Burmese embassy in Singapore is currently accredited to the oil-rich state. Burma and Cambodia agreed to exchange ambassadors during the first official visit to Rangoon early this year of Cambodia's First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh. Currently, the two countries' ambassadors to Laos are also accredited to respective capitals. But they are expected to appoint ambassadors in Rangoon and Phnom Penh in the near future. Burma cut ties with Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge's victory in 1975. They re-established diplomatic relation in 1994. Meanwhile, Asean Secretary General Ajit Singh will pay a week-long visit to Rangoon beginning November 2 to assess Rangoon's preparations for entry into the grouping . Burma applied for full membership in August. But concerns expressed by the Philippines and Thailand stemming from a recent crackdown against opposition politicians in Rangoon prompted Asean foreign ministers to decide not to rush the process. Last week senior Asean officials met in Kuala Lumber to follow up their foreign ministers' recommendation which calls for provisions to be made for Burmese officials to familarise themselves with the Asean system. Philippine Foreign Under-Secretary Rodolfo Severino denied that Manila wanted to delay Burma's full integration. Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Saroj Chavanaviraj said the caretaker government did not put Thailand in a position to make any suggestions. But his Malaysian counterpart, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Kadir Mohamad, reaffirmed the stance but acknowledged the consensus of all seven members. "We would like to see Myanmar become a member of Asean as soon as possible. But of course it's not Malaysia's alone to say", said Mr Kadir, chairman of the meeting. Singapore "goes along with (the) Asean consensus", said its Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Kishore Mahbubani. ***************************************************************** THE STAR: SLORC CHAIRMAN ASSURES MALAYSIA October 22, 1996 (Malaysia) [Transcribed Text] Yangon [Rangoon] -- Myanmar's [Burma's] State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC] has assured Malaysia and ASEAN that it is committed to bringing about economic development and improving the situation in the country. SLORC chairman Gen Than Shwe relayed the assurance to Foreign Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during a 90- minute meeting yesterday and explained in detail the plans and economic programmes. Abdullah said he told Gen Than Shwe that, as friends and neighbours, Malaysia and the other Asean states were sensitive to developments in Myanmar. "I said that we hoped the SLORC could do something to instill confidence in all of us, and that this would enable us to play an active role and cooperate with Myanmar to contribute to its development and economic growth. "He explained that it was not easy for one party to work to bring about development and growth if other parties only brought provocation after provocation that would hamper efforts for economic growth and could disrupt stability in the country," Abdullah told journalists. Myanmar has been under immense pressure from the United States and European countries to bring about democratic reforms especially of late following the SLORC's move to set up blockades to prevent the National League for Democracy (NLD) from holding its assembly. The West has been sympathetic towards the NLD, which is led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Abdullah said Gen Than Shwe explained that the SLORC was taking short- and long-term plans to ensure peace and stability in the country to spur economic growth and improve the living standards of the people. "He made it clear that Myanmar was keen to join ASEAN and it valued ASEAN's stand and policy towards Yangon," Abdullah told Malaysian journalists here after meeting Gen Than Shwe at the SLORC chairman's office at the Dagon House. ***************************************************************** VOM: COMMENTARY - LEADING MYANMAR TO THE RIGHT PATH October 22, 1996 (Voice of Malaysia) There has been much misunderstanding over Malaysia's perception of how the problems that affect the people of Myanmar [Burma] ought to be handled. The visit of Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Myanmar, which ends today, should align any misconception over Malaysia's policy towards Myanmar. The visit in fact is now being regarded as a major move in helping to improve the domestic political situation in Myanmar. The immediate crisis in Myanmar is fairly straightforward. The military has been running the country for several decades now. For a lot of that time, Myanmar then known as Burma, isolated itself from the rest of the world and practiced its own brand of socialism. That experiment obviously failed and much discontent among the people surfaced a few years ago. It forced the military regime to hold elections and rethink its domestic and foreign policies. The elections were won by a party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel peace prize for her struggle for democracy in Myanmar. The military was unwilling to give up power to the opposition and rejected the outcome of the elections. This is at the heart of the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar and why many countries, especially those in the West, want to take punitive action against the Myanmar government. It is now widely acknowledged that Asian values, thinking, and attitude are quite different from those of the West. There is a need to understand the predicament the people of Myanmar are in and see how countries on the outside can judiciously help them without trampling on their serenity and their right to deal with their own problems their own way. In the Myanmar crisis, it serves no purpose to try to blame one party or the other for what has happened. Rather, it is more realistic to see how both sides can be brought to a middle ground and enable them to be pragmatic in seeking a solution. This is what Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, are doing. The military has been running the show in Myanmar practically from the time the country became independent more than 50 years ago. It feels threatened at the thought of yielding power to the civilians. That is why Malaysia and ASEAN are placing emphasis on having close contact with the military regime to bring it around to the thinking that change is not only inevitable, but can also be positive and constructive. There need not be any losers if it is through a policy of seeking consensus in all matters that ASEAN has emerged as the strongest regional bloc in the world in terms of solidarity and mutual cooperation [sentence as heard]. The military rulers in Myanmar have now realized that the ASEAN way is good for their country and they want Myanmar to be a member of ASEAN. The ASEAN way is to strive to create prosperity, mainly through strong economic growth which can benefit people at all levels. ASEAN has proved that once people begin to benefit from economic progress, inevitably social and political conditions also improve. Abdullah, the Malaysian foreign minister, said in Yangon [Rangoon] that the Myanmar authorities have been asked to take some steps that will show the people of that country and the rest of the world that the government is willing to make changes that will benefit the people. Many countries, especially from the industrialized world, object to Myanmar becoming a member of ASEAN, but as Abdullah pointed out, it is a move that will benefit the people of Myanmar because it means that the government will have to follow the ASEAN style of doing things, which means no violence, no repression of the people, seeking compromise and consensus in every issue, and all the time working to improve the lives of the people by creating prosperity. When a hungry man steals a fish from the market, the immediate reaction of most people will be to punish him. But wouldn't it be better if he is given a fishing rod and taught how to fish in the river? That is exactly what Malaysia and ASEAN are trying to do in the case of Myanmar. ***************************************************************** NLM: DEMOCRACY WHICH IS NOT DEMOCRACY October 21, 1996 by Byatti (abridged) [BurmaNet Editor's Note: This article give some interesting information about what transpired at the recent NLD meetings. We have cut some of the SLORC propaganda at the beginning and the end of the article] The great attempt to hold the [NLD] party congress since 27, 28 and 29 September was not yet over. Senior gang leaders and a group of their followers who are adept at evasion and trickery took advantage, as much as possible, of the situation and found ways to make maximum profit. The colleague brought the news that when a gathering could not be held in the compound of the "commonwealth" on the University Avenue [reference to Aung San Suu Kyi's house], a meeting was held at the house of Central Executive Committee member U Than Tun from 1000 to noon on 14 October. It is learnt that seniors including chairman of the league U Aung Shwe and about forty delegates from the States and Divisions attended that meeting. At the meeting, the person titled "Shwe Phyin Gyi" [reference to NLD Leader U Kyi Maung] said the league's eighth anniversary meeting could not be held due to preventive measures; hence the present meeting; and representatives-elect and delegates were to sign to entrust powers to the Central Executive Committee. It was also learned that Mrs Michael Aris [Aung San Suu Kyi] read out the letter to be signed. The letter said: "I, the undersigned, submit opinion to the Central Executive Committee led by Chairman of the League U Aung Shwe and General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to enable the NLD to carry on its duties without losing momentum." "I as a functionary engaged in National League for Democracy's Central/State/ Division/ Township or Women's Work Committee personally sign this letter to empower the NLD Chairman and the General Secretary to conduct, on my behalf, necessary discussions and coordination, pass decisions and carry on till the emergence of genuine democratic machinery in Myanmar in accord with our aspirations." Mrs Michael Aris went on to say that the present signing was legally binding; once signed one could not go against it; inner- party democracy could not be granted fully at present; it was necessary to give full support of the work done by her in the meantime; say afterwards if there were mistakes made by her; as such, all must sign this agreement; the league would be reorganized at central/division/township/ward and village levels; formerly expelled representatives-elect would be reorganized; and those who resigned out of their own volition would be readmitted if they signed in that undertaking etc. When the meeting continued at the house of "Shwe Phyin Gyi" about 1600 on that day, it is learnt, some 50 persons including Mrs Michael Aris and politburos attended it. It is learnt that a total of 55 representatives-elect and about 80 delegates of the divisions and townships had had to sign two undertakings each at those meetings held in the morning and evening. Mrs. Michael Aris said to the politburos of the NLD on 31 July 1995, after restriction order imposed on her was lifted, as follows: "...Two tasks. The first one is for holding dialogue. It is important and concerns the whole country. According to the situation, only five of us are discussing and tackling this matter. This does not conform to the democracy practice as I have said earlier. I request to entrust this matter only to five of us to prevent leaking of the secret from their side or on our side..." They gain political advantage by using the democracy ruler and making big fuss of the trifles. "This does not conform to democracy practice" and "This is dictatorial practice" are her jargons she always uses to talk about whatever happened. If democracy cannot be permitted fully even in such a minuscule particle as a party implementing quite inferior aims, there is no reason to blame the government which is having to lead a country, which is having to take responsibility in the transitional period and having to strive with the aim for the interest of the entire nation for not yet being in a position to permit full democracy. Mrs Michael Aris is not deserving of the kind of democracy cherished and accepted by Myanmars. The democracy, which Mrs Michael Aris is shouting, vying with the boiled-pea vendor, is democracy that is not democracy. **************************************************************** ABSDF: SLORC CREATES RELIGIOUS CONFLICT October 23, 1996 From: "All Burma Students' Democratic Front" Anti-Muslim leaflets currently being distributed in Rangoon obtained by the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), is the latest effort by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), to divide the Muslim-Buddhist communities in Burma. The regime has turned a blind eye to the distribution of these leaflets which accuse all Muslims of wanting to expand their territory, and of "unscrupulously" organizing non-Muslims such as Burmese Buddhist to join their sect in order to gain control of the entire country. The pamphlets also ascertain that once the State of Islam has gained control of the entire nation, Burma will become like Malaysia and Indonesia where Buddhism once flourished before the Muslim takeover. These inflammatory leaflets include the urging for all Burmese Buddhists to: * uphold good moral and ethical conducts * preserve the culture, historical heritage, sense of nationality (Burmese), and national characteristics * uphold patriotism * promote standards of health care and education, and solidarity * boycott all Muslim stores * not to marry Muslim girls Martial Law was declared in early October in Kyauk Padaung, a town in central Burma citing a conflict between the believers of two religions. Tensions have been mounting between the two communities with the SLORC responsible for heightening the situations an effort to divert the mounting anger and dissatisfaction of the general population, away from them especially during a crisis situation. Tactics such as these assist the regime in justifying their use of violent and oppressive methods to quieten the dissent of the various forces inside the country struggling for the restoration of democracy and human rights. In March 1988 and before the general uprising on August 8th in the wake of the crackdown on the student movement, the military was responsible for religious conflicts resulting in clashes between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Taung Gyi (Shan State), Prome (Pegu Division), and Tat Gone (Mandalay). In addition the persecution of thousands of Rohingya Muslims in Burma's western Arakan State is testament to religious suppression and manipulation of Buddhist Arakans by the SLORC to achieve their objectives through the tactic of divide and rule. The ABSDF strongly urge all citizens of Burma to respect each others religious beliefs and learn lessons from past mistakes created by the military regime. We appeal to the international community to double their efforts in assisting the Burmese people and to pressure the SLORC in order that Burma can be established as a 'plural society' based on democratic values. Please note: Copies of these leaflets are available at the following number: Aung Naing Oo Secretary of Foreign Affairs Tel/Fax: 66-2-300 0631 The following is the translation of a copy of unsigned letters being circulated in Rangoon attacking the Muslims ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- Burmese Citizens - Beware! The Muslims living in Burma are attempting to expand their religion while destroying Buddhism in Burma by using these following ways. (1) Land: All the land in the country shall be owned by the Muslims. (2) Money: To organize Buddhists to become Muslims using the power of money, (3) Women: To organize the Buddhist women to get married with Muslim using money and other ways. (4) Doctrine: To preach Muslim doctrine in every place. (5) State power: After successfully using these above methods and majority of people become Muslim, to take the state power. In addition to these five methods, try to mix Muslim blood into the Burmese Buddhist. Anyone who can get married with a Burmese girl shall be awarded, please try. Please contact with mosques if you need anything to accomplish these goals. Please buy things from the shops with Muslim symbol (786). Don't consume anything from the non-Muslim shops. Muslim are launching this bloody tactic to become Burma as the Muslim country in the future. The symbol (786) means that the Muslims will turn all the countries including Burma around the world into Muslim countries by 21st century, according to the page 30-500 of Religious Guide book written by Mohammed Ali Smat. Please note that 7+8+6 is 21). Malaysia and Indonesia were once Buddhist countries in history, but unfortunately the Muslims used these methods so successfully that they have become Muslim countries; Buddhism was disappeared from these countries. In 1860, Muslims committed massacre of hundreds of thousands of Christians in Lebanon. During the rein of "Sher" dynasty in Iran, members of different religions were discriminated. The five times daily gathering in mosque is to help Muslims share the information regarding business opportunities and other advantages so as to further their aims. There are large number of Muslims in Burma that clearly express that Muslim are applying these methods in Burma successfully. To Burmese citizens, I would like to recommend you to: -Defend our religion from the destructive methods by the Muslim, -Do not sell the lands to Muslim, -Do not buy anything from the shops with '786' Muslim symbols, -Buy food and other things from the shops owned by Buddhists, -Don't use the sidecar (trishaw), horse cart and cars serviced by Muslim, -Do not get jobs such as house maids in Muslims houses, -Don't get married with Muslims, -Don't' behave like fish which do not see the bait. -Don't let your greed for money be destructive for our religion, -Safeguard Buddhism in Burma, -Bear in mind the danger of Muslim and defend the our own religion, -Bear in mind that four social causes adopted by State Government (SLORC) must be accomplished. These causes are" 1) to uphold good moral and ethical conducts 2) to preserve the culture, historical heritage, sense of nationality (Burmese), and national characteristics 3) uphold patriotism 4) promote standards of health care an education, and solidarity. Please distribute this leaflet as much as you can. (Translated by the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF))