------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: March 31, 1997 Issue #681 Noted in Passing: HEADLINES: ========== VOA: ARMED FORCES DAY OVERSHADOWED BY RECENT UNREST ASIAN AGE: CURFEW IN BURMA TOWN AFTER SKIRMISH THAILAND TIMES: DRUG GROUP UNDER JUNTA PRESSURE REUTER: U.S. ARCO STRIKES NEW GAS WELL IN BURMA NLM: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE DELIVERED AN ADDRESS SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A0030 AFP: GERMAN LEGISLATORS MEETS BURMESE LEADERS IN RANGOON BANGKOK POST: "VICIOUS CIRCLE" DRAWS PROTESTS INDEPENDENT REPORT: CHAT WITH U TIN WIN, SLORC AMB. TO US BANGKOK POST: AERIAL MAP URGED TO END BORDER ROW XINHUA: PRC, BURMA SIGN BORDER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT THE HARTFORD COURANT: LEGISLATORS URGED TO PUNISH NLM: NEWS BRIEFS (MARCH 23-27, 1997) ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA WEEK AT RMIT (MELBOURNE) ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW SLIDE SHOW ON BURMA AVAILABLE ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA PHOTO SHOW ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ VOA: ARMED FORCES DAY OVERSHADOWED BY RECENT UNREST March 27, 1997 by Gary Thomas in Bangkok intro: Burma is to celebrate Armed Forces Day Thursday, an important event for Rangoon's military government. But as Gary Thomas reports from our southeast bureau in Bangkok, the celebration is overshadowed by recent unrest between the majority Buddhist and minority Muslim communities, and speculation about a government re-organization. text: A Rangoon-based diplomat who asked not to be named says trying to figure out what is going on in Burma's leadership is like watching the Soviet Union in the days of the cold war. Just as observers of the Soviet Union would try to figure out who was up and who was down by their places on the platform on may day, burma watchers will be scrutinizing the line-up on March 27th, for signs of cracks in the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council -- the SLORC. As the diplomat put it, the ruling council is not a monolith. although government-run media outlets portray the council as solidly united, analysts say some factions want Burma to improve its international image to attract more foreign investment, while the hard-liners want to maintain a strong hand against dissent. There has been much discussion among journalists and diplomats recently about the position of General Khin Nyunt. He is the head of the country's powerful Military Intelligence apparatus and second in power only to General Than Shwe, the head of state. Khin Nyunt is widely seen as a "liberal" by SLORC standards. Rangoon-based Burma watchers -- who asked not to be named -- say there may be a struggle between the hardliners and what might be described as the more pragmatic faction in the council. Khin Nyunt is credited with instituting a new policy toward the western media last year. Western reporters suddenly found themselves invited to Rangoon for monthly government news conferences. While officials often only regurgitated stale news at these meetings, reporters were allowed to directly question them on policy matters. Requests for interviews were quickly granted, an unofficial spokesman was made available to field telephoned questions from journalists, and some reporters were also granted background briefings. The responsibility for this media policy was taken out of the hands of the Ministry of Information -- whose job, as several journalists have said, is to withhold information. It was given to a new unit in the Defense Ministry. Most of the time Defense officials handling the media policy were Military Intelligence officers close to Khin Nyunt. But for the past two weeks, the openness appears to have ended. The government spokesman suddenly fell silent and was unavailable. A few -- information sheets -- were faxed to reporters, but no one would answer questions. The murky situation is further clouded by recent troubles between the Buddhist and Muslim communities. For more than a week, the government was silent on the issue -- and reporters could find no one willing to talk. The government issued its first official statement Tuesday. Meanwhile, analysts say they are watching to see if Army Chief general Maung Yye rises in prominence. He is the Vice-Chairman of the ruling council, and widely perceived as a member of the hardline faction. (signed) ******************************************* ASIAN AGE: CURFEW IN BURMA TOWN AFTER SKIRMISH March 30, 1997 Rangoon, March 29: Burmese authorities have imposed a curfew in the town of Toungoo, north of Rangoon, following a spate of attacks against Muslim properties in the past week, official sources said on Saturday. The curfew at Toungoo has been imposed since Wednesday after shops and houses owned by Muslims were attacked, the sources said, adding that since then security around mosques in the town had been tightened. Toungoo, a small railway town, is about 200 kin from Rangoon on the main line to the northern city of Mandalay. Although the communal unrest, which erupted two weeks ago in Mandalay and later spread to Rangoon appeared to be abating, few incidents of anti-Muslim attacks had still been reported across the country. Attacks have been launched against mosques in the central towns of Pegu and Prome in the past week, although no injuries have been reported. In Rangoon, the situation has been calm for the past few days amid tight security around Rangoon's leading mosques after a number of attacks against Muslim-owned facilities over the past week. The authorities on Friday cancelled exams for monks which were scheduled for next week in Rangoon and Mandalay, apparently to keep the unrest from spreading further. Buddhist monks have attacked dozens of Muslim properties across the country in the past two weeks and at least 100 have been picked up for interrogation by security forces in Rangoon. A night curfew was still in place in Mandalay on Saturday. The unrest was sparked off by the alleged attempted rape of a Buddhist girl by a Muslim man in Mandalay, although many analysts say the monks are just using the Muslims as scapegoats to express dissatisfaction with the public. The Burmese government has blamed the unrest on agitators bent on sinking Burma's bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose membership includes the majority Muslim nations of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. (AFP) ********************************************************** THAILAND TIMES: DRUG GROUP UNDER JUNTA PRESSURE TO SURRENDER March 30, 1997 by Khajorn Boonpath MAE HONG SON: The Burmese junta has launched repeated attacks against ethnic Wa troops in an attempt to force them to surrender and vacate the territory they control in Burma's Shan State, according to an informed Shan source. The officer from the Shan United Revolutionary Army (SURA), who requested anonymity, said Rangoon has sent soldiers into the areas of Doi Lang and Mong awn opposite the Thai province of Chang Mai, where the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are fighting the military regime. Between March last year and January this year, at least six clashes have occurred between the two sides and over 100 lives have been claimed, the source said. War is an inevitability, he said, following the failure of peace talks in July last year, when Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye visited UWSA's Pang Chang stronghold and told the rebel troops to withdraw immediately form Doi Lang Mong Yawn and to lay down their arms by 1999. The junta's overtures come after the surrender of drug baron Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army (MTA) earlier that year. Some 35,000 soldiers are currently fighting for the UWSA, led by Pao o Chiang, Li Tzu Ju, and Wei Hsueh Kang. Previously the army fought under the banner of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) but when the CPB collapsed in 1989 the troops defected and agreed to fight against the junta alongside Khun Sa's troops. Despite the MTA's surrender, the UWSA, who are believed to be large scale opium producers vowed to continue the armed struggle and refused to retreat from their stronghold in northern Shan state. According to the United State's 1997 narcotics report, the UWSA are the largest producers of opium and heroin in the Golden Triangle region, and the army's leaders are directly involved in the drug trade. ***************************************************************** REUTER: U.S. ARCO STRIKES NEW GAS WELL IN BURMA March 28, 1997 RANGOON, March 28 (Reuter) - Atlantic Richfield Co (ARCO) has found a new commercial-scale offshore natural gas well on Block M-9 off Rangoon's Moattama coast, official newspapers reported on Friday. The state-run newspapers said ARCO Myanmar Inc and its partner Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise presented reports to the government showing that ARCO struck natural gas at a depth of 10,750 feet at Shwepyihtay Test Well number one off the Moattama Coast. The papers did not say the amount of the deposit and an energy ministry official on Friday would not give further details. ARCO and Myanma Oil and Gas signed production sharing contracts for offshore Block M-9 in July 1995. Two other U.S. companies, Texaco Inc and Unocal ( UNC Inc ), are making preparations to produce gas from two other offshore gas fields off Burma's coast. ************************************************************ NLM: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE DELIVERED AN ADDRESS AT THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY ARMED FORCES DAY March 28, 1997 YANGON, 27 March - Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Commander-in Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address at the 52nd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade in the Resistance Park on U Wisara Road here today. Our Tatmadaw was conceived in the anti-colonialist freedom struggle and gained prominence as it emerged in the anti-fascist resistance. A modern army means one that has a regulated recruitment system. It has to have a distinct organizational set-up and comprehensive training. It has to be equipped with modern weapons. It has to be ready at all times. It is necessary for you, Comrades, to remember that our nation fell into servitude because we did not have such an army. The Thirty Comrades strove to establish the Myanma Tatmadaw. From this, you, Comrades, will find in history evidence of how crucial a modern army is for a nation to regain its independence and how crucial it is for a nation to remain a sovereign entity. The Tatmadaw was conceived in the anti-colonialist struggle and born of the anti-fascist resistance. As it was the rallying point of patriotic youths, it fitted into the good tradition of a patriotic Tatmadaw. Our Tatmadaw had to confront all kinds of hardship. When internal insurrection broke out after regaining of national independence, our Tatmadaw had had to face the enemies who greatly outnumbered us. It had to repulse external infiltration which received assistance from powerful military blocs. The Tatmadaw as the State Law and Order Restoration Council has been making endeavours directed at emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed new nation. In so doing, it can be found that political, economic and social objectives have firmly been laid down and are being implemented accordingly. While our Tatmadaw is steadfastly endeavouring to serve national interests out of genuine goodwill based on firm objectives, destructive and traitorous elements within the country with intent to seize power through short cut are employing various ways and means and planning attacks against our country in collaboration with external neo-colonialists with expansionist aims. A modern Tatmadaw is a characteristic of a peaceful, modern and developed nation. Hence, we are building our Tatmadaw to be modern in accord with the status of the nation. Sovereignty is the life-blood of a nation. The three powers-legislative, executive and judicial-must be understood as sovereignty. These three powers must be in the hands of our citizens and our national races. Comrades, you are to play as much a role as possible in building a peaceful, modern and developed new nation. It is based on discharging the Three Main Duties while upholding Our Three Main National Causes. After taking lessons from history, it is also necessary to defend the nation to ensure that it does not relapse into servitude. **************************************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No. A0030 March 31 1997 Reply-To: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM (1) An outlawed organization called the Burma Communist Party (Rakhine ) traded arms for peace on the 29th of March. A group of nearly (300) members including families of the (BCP) Rakhine headed by Central Committee Chairman, U Saw Tun Oo crossed over- into Myanmar with various small arms and traded their arms for peace. They were being warmly welcomed by the local authorities and population. Necessary assistance were also being extended by the authorities concerned. (2) Mrs. Aris received the spouse of the British Ambassador Mr. Gordon at her residence on the University Avenue on the afternoon of 14th and 26th of March. (3) Mrs. Aris received U.S Charge d' Affairs Mr. Kent Weidemann at her University Avenue residence on the afternoon of 18th and 29th March. (4) British Ambassador Mr. Gordon met with Mrs. Aris at the residence of U Kyi Maung on the evening of 18th March. (5) On the morning of 27th March some diplomats and journalist attended the Armed Forces Day celebration held by the N.L.D at Mrs. Aris's residence. (6) The Government Press Briefing for the month of April has been postponed for a later date, due to unforeseen circumstances it is learnt. ********************************************************* AFP: GERMAN LEGISLATORS MEETS BURMESE LEADERS IN RANGOON March 26, 1997 BANGKOK, March 26 (AFP) - A group from Germany's lower house of parliament called on leading Burmese military government officials in Rangoon Wednesday, state-run Burmese radio reported. The delegation was headed by Williams Winner, a senior member of the lower house's committee for foreign affairs, the radio said in a broadcast monitored here. According to Radio Rangoon, the legislators held separate talks with the ruling military junta's first secretary and national intelligence chief, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, and National Planning and Economic Development Minister Brigadier General David Abel. The group also met chief justice and chairman of the national convention work committee, Aung Toe, it said. The talks were also attended by Rangoon-based German diplomats, the report added without given further details. ***************************************************************** BANGKOK POST: "VICIOUS CIRCLE" DRAWS PROTESTS March 30, 1997 Kanchanaburi Local people yesterday stepped up protests against what they called a "vicious circle" involving the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, a natural gas pipeline from Burma, an earthquake and a devastating fire. They threatened to go on with the rally until PTT agreed to divert the course of a pipeline system from Burma's Yadana gas field which would cut through Kanchanaburi to supply gas for a power plant in Ratchaburi. The pipeline which would pass through Kanchanaburi's tropical forest would also destroy precious trees and wildlife. Wasant Pongvithayaphanu, chairman of the Kanchanaburi Local Organisation, said PTT should help his province avoid possible catastrophe by switching to an underwater pipeline form Yadana field via Yetagun in Burma to Ratchaburi. He said Industry Minister Korn Dabbaransi had earlier voiced support for the pipeline to the laid under the sea. The distance would also be shorter and the cost lower, Mr Wasant said. As the pipeline will run parallel to the Kwai Noi River for about 100 kilometres, Mr Wasant said local people feared that it would crack and the gas would leak and go as far as 50 kilometres into the river. They also fear an earthquake, as Kanchanaburi is situated on a fault. Gas leakages would cause a huge fire which would destroy all tourist attractions and local communities along the river, he said. Mr Wasant said the pipeline may drive tourists away from Kanchanaburi, thus affecting its tourism industry which was among the top income earners. ******************************** INDEPENDENT REPORT: CHAT WITH U TIN WIN, SLORC AMB. TO US March 26, 1997 by Michael Beer From: Michael Beer Subject: conversation with the Myanmar Ambassador to US Many have asked about my conversation with U Tin Win, the Myanmar Ambassador to the U.S., Saturday, March 22nd in Washington, DC at the Chin cultural celebration. My paraphrasing below is only my side of the story. I started by asking the ambassador to defect to the democracy movement. His immediate reaction will remain confidential. Then he said SLORC is moving toward democracy. I encouraged him, as an outsider, to see the need for dialogue. UTW said plenty of dialogue was happening at National Convention. The NLD made up the bulk of the elected officials at the convention and they left. SLORC is ready for dialogue, the NLD isn't. I said, according to a person I have met who attended the Convention, Daniel Aung, Karrenni MP, that the convention was a joke and that no dialogue was taking place at the time of NLD attendance. UTW encouraged expatriates to join with SLORC to work for a better myanmar. He doesn't think economic sanctions are helping the country. Despite this, he stated, the economy has done very well since 1988. Things are getting better. Dr. Vum Son and his daughter interjected, why are so many Burmese were leaving Burma and working illegally abroad? UTW said this is human nature and even people from rich places like Taiwan, leave to work abroad. I said comparing the economic performance to BSPP times was not much to boast about. If he really wanted a strong economy, it was obvious that an NLD led government would be more capable. Then Dr. Sein Win walked in the room, and he and the military attache quickly left. **************************************************************** BANGKOK POST: AERIAL MAP URGED TO END BORDER ROW March 30, 1997 Supamart Kasem Thailand's army chiefs will soon ask Burma to allow an American company to conduct aerial mapping along the border so that an accurate map of the area can be made. The map is needed so that Thailand and its neighbour can settle long-running border disputes along the 2,400km frontier. This would allow Thailand to reduce its armed presence in certain disputed zones. The move follows the apparent resolving of differences concerning the digging of the Moei River channel and the construction of the Friendship Bridge. A Supreme Command source said Thailand would ask Burma to allow the aerial mapping to go ahead. ************************************************************** XINHUA: PRC, BURMA SIGN BORDER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT March 25, 1997 Yangon, March 25 (XINHUA) -- China and Myanmar today signed here an agreement on border area management and cooperation. Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Luo Gan and First Secretary of Myanmar State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments. Second Secretary of the Myanmar SLORC Lieutenant-General Tin Oo attended the signing ceremony. According to the agreement, the local authorities in border areas of the two countries will establish a liaison system for the purpose of strengthening the management and cooperation in trage the exchange of locally-produced gooc, cultural and sports cooperation in the border areas, it said. The two sides will add some ports for entry and exit along the China-Myanmar border to facilitate traveling across the border and exchange of goods, it said. The two sides will cooperate in the prevention and suppression of all cross-border crimes including drug-related activities, the agreement said. China and Myanmar will enhance border trade on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, the agreement added. *********************************************************** THE HARTFORD COURANT: LEGISLATORS URGED TO PUNISH COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN BURMA March 25, 1997 (Hartford, Connecticut, USA) by Maxine Bernstein Republican state Rep. Ronald San Angelo's constituents in Naugatuck would probably be surprised to lea rnthat their representative was deep into a debate Monday about, of all things, Burma, rather than property tax relief or the state income tax. Even San Angelo was a bit perplexed. "To be totally honest with you, I don't know a heck of a lot about Burma," San Angelo said during a legislative hearing on a topic that took lawmakers far beyond the state's borders. The documentation of human rights abuses, forced labor and the production of heroin under Burma's repressive military regime has prompted some lawmakers to propose a bill that would bar the state from buying goods or services from companies that do business in Burma. Their statements stood in stark contrast to the dry testimony of state government employees who commented on the governor's data processing privatization plan at the same hearing. "You make us appreciate the freedom that we have in this country," state Rep. Susan Byslewicz, D-Middletown, told one of the Burmese speakers. Supporters of the Burma bill say that foreign investment in Burma supports the brutal military regime in power there. They contend that the bill would send a message to the military junta that its repressive policies are unacceptable. But opponents, from the president of United Technologies Corp. to international trade investment officials, criticize the measure as a "feel-good" gimmick that could discourage companies from relocating to the state. Bill critics, largely free-trade advocates, say the state should not play a role in foreign policy. "If the United States is going to do something, it should come from Washington," said Joseph F. Brennan, vice president of legislative affairs for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. "There are human rights violations elsewhere," he said. "Does that mean there will be similar proposals for China, Indonesia and Northern Ireland? Where do you draw the line? Foreign policy gets just a little dicey when you get individual states passing these laws." San Angelo agrees. "Somehow, I don't think we're foreign affairs advisers here on the [government administration and elections] committee," he said. State Rep. Jessie G. Stratton, D-Canton, introduced the bill, and 12 Democrats and one Republican are co-sponsors. If it becomes law, Connecticut would become the second state in the nation to pass sanctions against Burma. Massachusetts adoped a similar bill last year. At a bill-signing ceremony in June, Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld estimated the Burma restrictions would affect more than $1 million in state contracts. Connecticut state officials said they did not have a listing of companies with business ties to Burma. "One law passed by one state will not end the suffering and oppression of the people of Burma," Weld, a Republican, said, "but it is my hope that other states and the Congress will follow our example, and make a stand for the cause of freedom and democracy around the world." Bill proponents argue that state actions do have an impact on companies. Several major companies, such as Apple Computer, Motorola and Hewlett-Packard, have cited the Massachusetts law in pullling out of Burma. Backers of the bill also point to pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has called for stiff sanctions against her country's government. "Political momentum at the grass-roots level builds for action at the federal level," said Simon Billenness, an analyst with the Boston-based Franklin Research & Development Corp. who spearheaded the push for the Massachusetts bill and was in Connecticut Monday. Bo Hla-Tint, who was elected to Burma's Parliament in 1990, but has not served because the military refused to recognize the election results, told lawmakers that foreign investment only strengthens the military regime. "Investing in Burma today will only prolong military rule," Hla-Tint said. Some international trade and investment officials disagree. UTC President George David led a delegation of US companies to Southeast Asia this month and criticized economic actions that would isolate Burma. "We feel that the policy of engagement is a better way to produce change. We're better off having engagement, participation and investments," David said. David heads the US-ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council, which is expected to accept Burma as a member this year. UTC has no holdings in Burma. "What this does is diminish the state's effort to attract new companies to Connecticut," said Todd M. Malan, executive director of the Organization for International Investment. Gov. John G. Rowland and the state Department of Economic and Community Development have not taken a position on the bill. Several other Connecticut companies oppose the measure. Bruce Talley, director of government affairs for ABB Corp., a Swiss engineering company with offices in Norwalk, is worred about the proliferation of state and local purchasing laws. "A lot of these things are done for domestic political consumption," Talley said. "It's a nice 'feel-good' step, but their ability to affect the problem in the country where there is a human rights problem is next to nil." ************************************************************** NLM: NEWS BRIEFS March 23-27, 1997 (New Light of Myanmar) JMSHC PRESIDENT CALLS ON MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT March 27, 1997 YANGON, 26 March-President Mr Tatsuro Izumiya of Japan and Myanmar Society for History and Culture called on Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win at his office this afternoon. They discussed cooperation in transport sector on a mutual basis. The guest donated a fire engine to the ministry. Also, present were officials of the Ministry of Transport. SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES ENTREPRENEUR OF USA March 25, 1997 YANGON, 24 March - Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Dr M Segal and entrepreneur Mrs M Segal of United States of America at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also present. FEASIBILITY STUDY SHOWS EXISTENCE OF 400 MILLION TONS OF COPPER DEPOSITS March 25, 1997 YANGON, 24 March-A three-member team of Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd led by Vice-Chairman Mr Jack Devitt presented a feasibility study report on the Letpadaung Hill mineral deposit for No 1 Mining Enterprise and Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd joint venture under taking at the former's office at 3 pm today. MYANMAR DELEGATION STUDIES FISHERIES IN INDONESIA March 23, 1997 YANGON, 22 March - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Commerce Lt-Gen Tun Kyi went on a visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Minister of Industry and Trade Mr Tunky Ariwibowo from 16 to 20 March. They called on Minister Mr Tunky Ariwibowo on 16 March. They discussed matters pertaining to further consolidating the existing ties between the two countries, boosting trade, study of Indonesia's fisheries and signing of agreements for boosting trade. On 17 March, Myanmar delegation studied at PT Krakatua Steel Factory, the largest one in South-East Asia. Myanmar delegation called on Minister of Agriculture Dr Sjarifudin Baharsjah on 18 March. They discussed the undertakings in the agriculture sector and fish and prawn breeding. Later, Myanmar delegation studied fish and prawn packaging and export at Ancol Fishing Port and tuna fishing. On 19 March, they toured the world's biggest salt-water prawn breeding and off-shore cage culture fisheries at Lampung, Sumatra Island. On 20 March, Myanmar delegation had cordial discussions with Tritamas Group, which is investing in Myanmar to establish a cement plant and later toured the livestock breeding farm at Tapos. *************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA WEEK AT RMIT (MELBOURNE) March 27, 1997 From: Northernman INFORMATION ABOUT BURMA WEEK Burma Week will be held at RMIT (Melbourne, Australia), at the city campus, from April 7 to 11. Burma Week has been organised to raise student and community awareness about the political situation in Burma, where the military dictatorship continues to commit many human rights violations against its own people. The program will include forums, speakers, performers, documentaries and movies; a week-long photographic exhibition; and Burmese food stalls. We will be highlighting the human rights atrocities and the suppression of democracy in Burma and the plight of Burmese refugees living on the Thai-Burma border. All events are open to the public, and admission is free (donations welcome). Burma Week has been organised by RMIT Student Union, with the International Students Collective. Burma Week aims to raise funds for Burmese refugees in Thailand and on the Thai-Burma border, therefore donations are welcome. For more information contact: Sai Thet Naing Oo (organiser), Ph. 9481 8726 or RMIT Student Union, Ph. 9660 2055. ******************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW SLIDE SHOW ON BURMA AVAILABLE March 27, 1997 From: Jeremy Woodrum In case you do not have many visuals detailing the situation in Burma, Earth Rights International, an NGO working along the Thai Burma border just arrived in the United States with many pictures. They turned them into a slide show, and we here at American University have the slide show. The slides are amazing. They show the burning refugee camps, the women who were hit by gunfire schrapnel, signs the SLORC places all over the country stating that "all unstabilizing elements will be crushed," and many others. The slide show has pictures from as early as 1990 up until this past February. It is a powerful and effective tool to use. If you want a copy, we can provide one at price. The show is 43 slides long, and each copy will cost 1.50. So $65 plus shipping for the whole thing. Katie from ERI even put together a basic narration, and Patrick and I (Jeremy) will expand upon it so you know what each and every slide is. So, let us know if you want a copy. They really are amazing. We're also working on getting them up on the web soon! Peace, Jeremy Woodrum AU FBC ******************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA PHOTO SHOW March 30, 1997 From: Roland Watson Here is the schedule of Roland's Free Burma Photo Exhibit titled "Constructive Engagement." March 31 - April 4 University of North Carolina April 5-6 Butler University April 7-13 University of Oklahoma/GrooveFest April 14-18 University of Wisconsin-Madison April 19-21 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Roland is also planning to be in the Chicago area universities and U. of Illinois toward the end of May. ********************************************