------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: April 2, 1997 Issue #683 Noted in Passing: China ..."loves Thailand more than Burma" - Thai Army source (BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA) HEADLINES: ========== BKK POST: JUNTA DELAYS NEWS BRIEFING AFTER UNREST BKK POST: SLORC DRIVES KAREN ACROSS THAI BORDER BURMANET: SITUATION UPDATE: REFUGEES AT KANCHANABURI AND BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA AFP: MILITARY JUNTA REJECTS REPORT OF DRUG SUSPECT THE NATION: KEY TRAFFICKING SUSPECT ARRESTED BKK POST: PTT MOVES QUICKLY ON YADANA PIPELINE THE STAR: MAHATHIR VIEWS TOKYO'S WAR PAST, BURMA BKK POST: NUCLEAR BAN TAKES EFFECT RANGOON TV MYANMAR: MYAWADDY TELEVISION ANNOUCEMENT: OCAW'S "THREE DAYS FOR BURMA" ANNOUNCEMENT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE (UPDATED) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- BKK POST: JUNTA DELAYS NEWS BRIEFING AFTER UNREST April 1, 1997 Rangoon, AFP Burma's ruling military junta announced yesterday that it had postponed its monthly news conference after an outbreak of unrest earlier this month. The April media briefing was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances", a government statement issued from Rangoon said. Curfews have been imposed in Mandalay, the central Burmese city where the unrest erupted two weeks ago, and in Toungoo, one of several cities between Mandalay and the capital where Muslim property has been attacked. The situation in Rangoon appeared to have stabilised over the weekend after at least 100 Buddhist monks were detained for questioning last week. Groups of monks vandalised mosques and private Muslim homes. The government says elements opposed to Burma's expected entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) - whose members include predominantly Muslim Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia were behind the unrest. But analysts and opposition groups say the attacks were expressions of discontent with the junta, which has shut off virtually all other forms of dissent. The statement form Rangoon also announced the surrender of a local branch of the Burma Communist Party (BCP) to the authorities in the country's southwestern Arakan State. The group "crossed over into Myanmar with various small arms and traded their arms for peace," it said. Myanmar is the junta's official name for Burma. The statement did not indicate where the group crossed over from, but Arakan borders Bangladesh. More than 25 0,000 Muslims, ethnic Rohingyas, fled to Bangladesh in 1991 due to persecution by the Burmese army. ***************************************************************** BKK POST: SLORC DRIVES KAREN ACROSS THAI BORDER April 1, 1997 AFP Hundreds of Burmese Karen refugees fled to Thailand at the weekend and were still streaming across the border yesterday as the Rangoon junta swept through rebel enclaves, according to the Thai military. About 1,200 Karen villagers have found shelter in Ban Bo Wi in Suan Phung district of Ratchaburi since Friday, said Col Somdej Seumak of the Ninth Infantry Division. The refugees, mostly women and children, but also including some men, were continuing to arrive yesterday morning, he said. (BP) ***************************************************** BURMANET: SITUATION UPDATE: REFUGEES AT KANCHANABURI AND RATCHABURI PROVINCES March 31, 1997 31.3.97 KANCHANABURI PROVINCE Pu Muang [Noh Pa Doh] It seems that conditions have changed for the better for these refugees. It is reported that a military officer visited the camp over the last few days and promised better conditions as well as assuring them that they would not be sent back to Burma forcibly. There is some suggestion that a Thai NGO may be allowed to assist with maternal and child care. Lights out time has been pushed back from 7pm to 9pm. The refugees report that they heard gun fire on the nights of March 26th, 27th and 29th. RATCHABURI PROVINCE Huay Sut The camp population has increased due to the arrival of the group who had crossed earlier to Thailand at Meh Hta Kee (approx. 500), and 150 or so new arrivals from inside the border. There are still reports of people trapped inside former KNU-controlled area who chose to run deeper inside down to the river rather than chance crossing the border. The number of these is unknown but could be as high as 400-500. By this time many may have found their way to the next exit point at Peh Pya Kee [see below]. The camp committee reported a population of 2682 as of 30.3.97. The water sanitation is still not good as there is only a small stream to serve the whole camp for bathing. Water is trucked in for drinking and chlorinated, but the refugees report that the amount of water is not sufficient and they are limited to only a few litres per person. On the 24th it was reported that the 9th Division met with the camp committee and made statements such as: * Why are you frightened to go back to your country? * So don't you love your country and village? * So like this you will have to fell for generations to come? * We have already talked to the SLORC leaders and they are willing to accept your return On the 25th the committee was told to be ready to go and meet with the SLORC at the border. The camp committee and village headmen were invited to go. The committee decided to turn down the offer. On the 26th they were again approached ad told to be ready to go for a meeting if necessary. The camp still has no permission to put up bamboo and thatch shelters. They are presently still under plastic which is unbearably hot for the babies and old people. Diarrhoea continues to be a problem but is better than before. It would appear that some individuals in the camp have been singled out and asked to mingle with the other residents and talk to them about the possibility of returning to Burma. Ban Bo Wi As reported in the last update the refugees have begun to arrive at this border village south of Suan Phung, having crossed over from Meh Pya Kee. The first arrivals came on Friday 28th and more have been arriving every day since then. Some are crossing at points other than the border pass at Meh Pya Klo and have been picked up by the military and trucked to the Bo Wi site. The treatment of the arrivals at this point has, to date, been very good, with the refugees enjoying good relations with the authorities whether military, border police or local authorities. Kind gestures such as soldiers helping tired children on their way in the camp area have been seen and are to be highly commended. The local community on the Thai side is overwhelmingly Pwo Karen and they have been most generous in helping to provide vegetables and other help. People have arrived from 13 villages along the Tenasserim River and from points west. Refugees report that many more are on the way, but that many are weary and will take time to find their way out. Some villagers, especially from Kase Hta and Bloa Hta, may not be able to get out now that the SLORC has advanced so far south cutting off exit points. It is reported that villagers from as far south as Hta Pi Lay Kho may have started to move to the border. They will find their way out at any location and made their way back up north to the Ban Bo Wi camp site. The refugees have many horror stories to tell - the villagers of Htee Ne Paw report having to run away being chased by the SLORC troops following close behind. Many houses have have been burnt. It is also said that 5 people were captured at Kle Thu and may have been killed. Some people too tired to carry on were reported to have been left behind on the way out, those abandoned along the way include a paralysed young boy, a blind lady and a woman with a new baby that she could neither feed nor carry. The fate of these people left alive in the jungle is not known but they preferred to take their chance staying rather than continue the difficult way to Thailand. The camp is just getting set up and lacks plastic sheeting (there have been heavy rain storms), but this is being taken care of by the NGOs as quickly as possible. Following is a list of villages from which the refugees have arrived: Maw Ma Sah Ka Deh Pychha Kle Thu Aw Poo Ah May Mi Chaung Theit Maw Hta Si Pyei Htee Kee Way Toray Ah Moh Htee Ne Paw Maw Ma Sah and Pychha are to the west of the Tenasserim and the fact that refugees have left from these areas indicates SLORC activity right across to the sea coast. The situation further south in Ler Mu Lah and Tenasserim township is still not clear. ************************************************************ BKK POST: DEFENCE HIGH ON AGENDA April 1, 1997 by Wasana Nanuam Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh leaves for China tomorrow together with the military's senior-most brass. Defence is expected to top the agenda of Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's official visit to China this week. Gen Chavalit is visiting his "good old friends" in the dual capacity of premier and defence minister. He will be joined by Defence Permanent Secretary Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, Supreme Commander Gen Mongkol Ampornpisit, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro, Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Vijitr Chamnankarn and Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Amorn Naewmalee. The visit scheduled for April 2-4 is the first time a Thai prime minister has travelled abroad on an official mission together with the armed forces leaders. Gen Chavalit's ties with the Chinese military go back to when he was army chief. He visited the country last year as defence minister in the Banharn Silpa-archa government. This time he heads the delegation as a national leader whose objectives include strengthening bilateral ties and introducing the armed forces leaders to their Chinese counterparts. Gen Chavalit will also represent Thailand in conveying a message of condolence on the death of paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. The premier sees the China trip as an ideal opportunity to introduce the new batch of armed forces leaders, all of whom were appointed in last year's reshuffle, to their Chinese counterparts. Gen Chavalit maintains a close friendship with the Chinese top brass including Defence Minister Chi Hao Tien. The three-day trip, which has been put off and brought forward several times, will have a tight schedule. On April 2, the delegates will spend the morning touring Shanghai factories co-owned by Thai investors and a military shipyard in Hu Tong. Gen Chavalit later will preside over the official opening of the Thai consulate in Shanghai before travelling to Beijing to be welcomed formally by Chinese President Jiang Zemin at the Great Hall of the People. There, the two leaders will officiate over the signing of bilateral agreements. On April 3, the military commanders and Gen Chavalit are scheduled to meet their defence counterparts and tour Chinese armed forces units and arms manufacture plants. Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn will head a separate group in meeting his Chinese counterpart while businessmen will be taken to special economic zones around Beijing. In the afternoon, Gen Chavalit will address a meeting of Chinese investors before attending a session with key members of the Communist Party. The premier will also spend some time in the evening talking to Thai investors in China. On the last day, the whole delegation will journey to the special economic zone in Quangzhou. The visit by the Thai leader is expected to generate enormous bilateral interests and will be significant for China since Thailand plays an important role in Asean and Indochina. Negotiations on expanding trade with cities in southern China will also resume. Gen Chavalit will discuss the possibility of China and Thailand co-investing in a merchant fleet to help reduce Thailand's rising current account deficit. He will consult Finance Minister Amnuay Viravan on the possibility of easing income tax restrictions so the ships can be registered in Thailand. Diplomatic talks will avoid sensitive issues such as China's supply of arms to Burma and their use to crush minority groups, often resulting in incursions of Thai soil. A defence source said the government would not raise the issue at the discussion table for the sake of etiquette. The Chinese defence minister has given an assurance his country's policy on Burma will not hurt relations with Thailand. The source also stressed that in return for China's hospitality, Thailand would stand firmly by the One-China policy. China says its support for Burma is largely on an economic basis with the aim of opening a trade route to the Indian Ocean. The assistance China extends to Burma is similar to that offered to Thailand, according to Beijing. It sells weapons to both countries at cheap prices and even offers some free for the first 10 years, but those offered to Burma are newer models. But there is nothing to worry about, according to an army source, as China has made it known it "loves Thailand more than Burma". The army is fascinated by China's efforts to retain its position as a world power. China's economic boom following the adoption of free trade mechanisms means the country can afford to promote arms proliferation and strengthen its position vis-a-vis the United States in the world power game. China is no longer a "sleeping giant", and thousands of Soviet scientists have made it their home and are helping boost its arms production capability. One of the highlights of the official trip is the tour of the Shanghai shipyard where many Thai warships including the frigates were built. If time permits, the tour could include inspections of submarines, although the top brass are not confident they will have the money to make a purchase. "I don't know if we have the money to buy one. The purchase, if there is to be any at all, is up to the prime minister," said Gen Chettha. The government has shelved the navy's submarine procurement plan worth billions of baht, saying the country could not afford it. China reportedly has said it wants to sell its submarines to Thailand at cheap rates based on counter-trade, but mechanical flaws have prompted the government to think twice. Chinese submarines are obsolete and have no oxygen-generating equipment, meaning they can only stay submerged for a few days. But the deal could still be tempting if the navy wanted to use the submarines for training. Gen Chettha said the army had prepared an educational exchange programme with China so more officers could learn Chinese. The army source said the army commander hoped to send army attache-designates to China for short courses on language and culture before they take up their diplomatic posts. If possible, the army chief also wants the attaches to join courses at the national defence college in China so they become military experts on China affairs. In a recent visit to Thailand, China's Military Committee was keen to continue its co-operation with Thailand and offered to sell weapons and parts at "friend-to-friend" prices. China is an established supplier of Thai armaments. Most navy equipment, including the fleet of frigates and missiles, comes from China. Chinese ships cost only 20 percent of the price of a European model, according to a navy source. China is also a popular supplier for the army. Gen Chavalit has made large-scale purchases of anti-aircraft artillery and military trucks from the arms supply giant, Noringo. Still in service are ageing T-69 tanks which were acquired from China shortly after the Vietnam War, the T-85 tanks, anti-aircraft artillery, and Red-Eye missiles. Army attempts to decommission this equipment in the wake of budget cutbacks have been to no avail. The enormous volume of arms from China has resulted in jokes among some observers that the armed forces are being "colonised" by the Chinese. An army source said Gen Chavalit plays an important part in deciding arms procurements and in most cases opts for Chinese imports even though the cheap price could suggest low quality. "During the current economic doldrums, it's better to buy whatever we can than have nothing. This helps us feel secure," said the source. (BP) ***************************************************** AFP: MILITARY JUNTA REJECTS REPORT OF DRUG SUSPECT IN RANGOON (slightly abridged) March 26, 1997 BANGKOK, March 26 (AFP) -- Burma military intelligence responded indignantly Wednesday to a Thai newspaper report that a suspect wanted in connection with the largest ever US seizure of heroin is staying in Rangoon. "Myanmar (Burma) has nothing to do with this mess," the source said in a fax received here. The suspect, Li Yun-chung, alias Pongsak Rogjanasakul, is wanted in the United States for allegedly masterminding heroin shipments, including a record 486 kilogrammes (1,069 pounds) seized in California in 1991. To the distress of US narcotics officials, he was granted bail in Thailand in February and failed to turn up in court earlier this month. Thai police reported that he has since crossed into northern Burma. The Bangkok Post daily said Wednesday that Li was now staying in the Burmese capital with the knowledge of the ruling military junta and was unlikely to be returned to Thailand. Commenting on the Post report, the military intelligence source said that "very conveniently and automatically Myanmar (Burma) becomes a scapegoat when there seems to be a problem in the world." "The allegations are so ridiculous that Myanmar does not think it is worth refuting." Burma's military government has been repeatedly under fire, particularly from the United States, for allegedly failing to clamp down on narcotics production and trafficking. Burma is the world's leading producer of opium and its derivative heroin. *********************************************************** THE NATION: KEY TRAFFICKING SUSPECT ARRESTED April 1, 1997 Reuter Police said yesterday they have arrested a heroin trafficker in the infamous Golden Triangle poppy growing region who is also wanted in the United States. Li Wei Ming, 57, an ethnic Shan lieutenant of former drug warlord Khun Sa, was detained at his house in the Golden Triangle, which straddles the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma, over the weekend, police told a news conference in Bangkok. His arrest comes a month after another key drug suspect, Li Yung Chung, a Chinese national who is also wanted by a US court on drug trafficking charges, jumped bail in Thailand. "He [Liu] is among the top 10 in Khun Sa's drugs syndicate," Maj Gen Nophadol Somboontrap, chief of the Narcotic Suppression Police, said. Liu has been wanted in the US since a New York court indicted him on heroin trafficking charges in 1995, police said. The minister-counsellor at the US Embassy in Bangkok, Ralph Boyce, said Liu is wanted for involvement in the smuggling of 168 kilogrammes of heroin into New Orleans in August 1993 which US police intercepted. Liu, who was also present at the news conference, said he previously lived in the Golden Triangle at Khun Sa's former headquarters. He refused to discuss drugs. The half-Shan-half Chinese Khun Sa, 64, now lives in Burma under government supervision after surrendering to the Burmese military in January 1996. The Golden Triangle is said by US drug enforcement officials to produce about 60 per cent of the world's opium, the raw material used to produce heroin. Nophadol said 31 suspects have been arrested since late 1994, when Thailand and the US launched an operation called "Tiger Trap" against drug suspects wanted by US courts. Nine have already been extradited to the US, one has jumped bail and the rest are in the process of being extradited. Li Yung Chung, known also as Pongsak Rogjannsakul, jumped bail. He was indicted by a New York court in May 1996 in connection with the largest heroin haul ever in the US - 486 kg, in Hayward, California, in 1991. He was arrested by Thai police last year and released on Bt5 million bail on Feb 7. Li failed to appeared in court on March 7 and the judge who granted him bail is now under investigation by the Thai judiciary. Rangoon has denied reports that Li has sought refuge in Burma. (TN) ***************************************************** BKK POST: PTT MOVES QUICKLY ON YADANA PIPELINE April 1, 1997 by Boonsong Kositchotethana The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is moving quickly to begin laying the Thai section of the Yadana gas pipeline which was delayed by environmental worries. A PTT spokesman yesterday confirmed that work had begun in earnest following the National Environmental Board's approval last week of the Environmental Impact Assessment report on the project. But the state oil firm will wait for the next dry season toward the end of this year or early next year before it begins pipe-laying in the sensitive area - the initial 50 kilometres that partly pass through fertile forests in Tong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi. Certain Kanchanaburi environmentalists and non-government organisations oppose the PTT's 16.5-billion-baht gas pipeline on the grounds that it would pass through fertile forests and could threaten endangered and rare flora and fauna near the Thai-Burmese border. Current efforts will focus on laying the pipeline through the non-sensitive area - a stretch of 210 km from Ta Pha Phum to the power station being built by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ratchaburi. Songkiert Tansamrit, director of the PTT's corporate relations department, said the plan to lay the pipeline in the sensitive area would allow the PTT to minimise the impact on the environment as detailed in the assessment report and environmentalists. Laying of the pipeline needs to be completed in mid-1998, ahead of the July start of natural gas delivery from Burma's Yadana field in the Gulf of Martaban to the PTT. Dr Songkiert said laying of the pipeline in the sensitive area, a six-km stretch from kilometre posts 18-24, would be only temporary and that the area would be restored after the work is completed. The forest area affected covers 112 rais. Industry analysts earlier estimated the PTT would have to pay about 45 million baht a day to Burma and international oil groups for its failure to take delivery of offshore Burmese natural gas under the established timeframes. The payment is compulsory disregarding whether PTT actually offtakes the contractual gas supply from the Yadana and other gas field in the Gulf of Martaban - Yetagun - or not under the "take-or-pay" accords. Aside from Yadana, the PTT is committed to take delivery of Yetagun gas, developed by the consortium led by the US oil firm Texaco, in the year 2000. ***************************************************** THE STAR: MAHATHIR VIEWS TOKYO'S WAR PAST, BURMA March 28, 1997 (from Kuala Lumpur, Internet Version) by Charles Chan (EXCERPT only) Dr Mahathir also answered questions on the following issues: MYANMAR'S pending admission to Asean: "We know there are people outside of Asean who have reservations about this. "They feel Myanmar is not democratic enough. The record of human rights in Myanmar is not very good. "We feel the best way to overcome the situation is by getting closer to it, so as to influence Myanmar through direct exposure to the system of government and economic system in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. "I am sure Myanmar can be convinced that a democratic government and market economy are systems which can benefit Myanmar." SANCTIONS against Myanmar: "We do not think we can influence people by twisting their arm. We may end up twisting the wrong arm. "Sanctions will only hurt the people, not their leaders. The people will then have to pay for their leaders' mistake. So don't take it out on the people." **************************************************************** BKK POST: NUCLEAR BAN TAKES EFFECT April 1, 1997 A treaty banning the use of nuclear weapons in Southeast Asian came into effect late last week, the Thai Foreign Ministry's acting spokesman, Thinakorn Kanasuta, said yesterday. The treaty bans signatory states from developing, producing, possessing and acquiring nuclear weapons in the region except for use in peaceful ways. The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, signed by 10 regional states in Bangkok in December 1995, required ratification from at least seven signatory states before it could take effect. The spokesman said the treaty came into effect on Thursday after Cambodia and Singapore submitted "instruments of ratification" to Thailand. Burma, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Thailand had ratified it earlier. It was signed by heads of government from Burma, Cambodia and Laos and the seven member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (BP) ************************************************* RANGOON TV MYANMAR: MYAWADDY TELEVISION TO BROADCAST EVENING PROGRAMS March 26, 1997 (translated from Burmese) Myawaddy Television began broadcasting regular morning programs on 27 March 1995 on the Golden Jubilee of Armed Forces Day using the ASIASAT-1 satellite, which is used by Television Myanmar Network. Myawadi Television has leased the ASIASAT-2 satellite to use a separate transponder, and it will be able to broadcast regular evening programs beginning at 1600 [0930 GMT] on 27 March 1997 -- the 52d Armed Forces Day. The technical data on satellite television are as follows: Myawadi Television will be using a digital system to broadcast its programs via ASIASAT-2. Broadcasts for Rangoon and environs will be via VHS Channel 9 on 199.25 MHz; for Sagaing, Mandalay, and environs via VHS Channel 8 on 199.25 MHz; and for Bassein and environs via VHS Channel 10 on 255.25 MHz. ************************************************************** ANNOUCEMENT: OCAW'S "THREE DAYS FOR BURMA" April 1, 1997 OCAW Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International. Union, AFL-CIO International Office 255 Union Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80228 Dear Sisters and Brothers: I am writing to urge your participation and that of your Local in the OCAW "3 Days for Burma" mobilization and campaign on April 22, 23 and 24. The United Mine Workers of the America are also participating in this mobilization with us. As you are probably aware, OCAW has been a leading force in the struggle against the military dictatorhsip in Burma. We undertook this task for three reasons: (1) the evidence of abuse practiced by Burma's dictatorship and ignored by the companies--ranging from forced labor and outlawing unions to drug trafficking and routine murder--could not be ignored by us; (2) corporate support for the military dictatorship in Burma is found mainly among companies (Unocal, Total, Texaco and ARCO) with whom we have collective bargaining agreements; and (3) the events in Burma represent an all too brutal example of how the globalization of the world's economy has linked OCAW members to the people of Burma. We are outraged that Unocal locked out our members for eight months in Illinois and sold all of its U.S. refineries and gas stations to raise cash for investment in one of history's most brutal and corrupt regimes. We find it despicable that multinationals slash and burn their U.S. operations and put workers and communities at risk, so they can invest these "savings" in places where workers have no rights and where companies are free to exploit and brutalize others. Finally, we recognize that corporations have one goal--to treat all workers alike, not as human beings but as slaves. We must fight back. Enclosed are materials to be copied by your Local for the mobilization. Please do your best to complete the following: 1) Copies of the sample news release (please fill in the blanks) should be sent or preferably faxed to as many news outlets (newspapers, radio and TV) as possible in your area to be received by Monday, April 21. 2) The handbill "3 Days for Burma" should be given out first on Tuesday, April 22 (enough copies should be made for every worker to receive one). The handbill should be distributed by OCAW members on non-work time (breaks, lunch, before and after reporting to your work assignment) and in non-work areas (parking lots, lunch room, bath houses, etc.). Please be sure as many members as possible receive it. 3) Use the handbill to learn about Burma, stir discussion and think about how globilization is connected to the restructring, downsizing and outsourcing experienced by our members. Use the handbill to start discussion on what corporations really have in store for us, given what we have learned about Burma. 4) There is also a sample letter-to-the-editor which should be sent to your local newspapers during and after "3 Days for Burma." Get members to write original letters. the more news we can create, the more people will learn about Burma and question corporate behavior. 5) The main action is to copy and distribute the petitions demanding that President Clinton impose sanctions on Burma now! Again, we can solicit signatures at the work site in non-work areas and during non-work time. The filled-out petitions should be sent back by April 28 to the International Headquarters: OCAW, Special Projects Department, P.O. Box 281200, lakewood, CO 80228-8200. We will personally deliver them to President Clinton and also send copies to the Senators form your state. 6) It is critical that we get as many workers as possible to sign the petitions. It is not necessary to be a union member for a person to sign the petition. What is critical is that President Clinton knows that the workers who organized the petition drive and who carried it out are union members. 7) If you are experiencing downsizing at your workplace or are being squeezed by your employer, take some time to organize a delegation of workers to let the boss know what you really think of corporate America. If you are employed at one of the oils companies doing business in Burma, go with a delegation of workers to see the boss and make a demand that the company withdraw from Burma. I have asked you to carry out a big task, and I know that our leaders will succeed. Remember, significant historical change for the better is not made by a few luminary figures but by the countless and selfless acts of courage and conviction made by the many. Let's do our part and do what's right. In solidarity, Rober E. Wages President ****************************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE (UPDATED) April 1, 1997 From: Dalia Brahmi Subject: Registration: Midwest Grassroots Conference * Indianapolis, IN , April 5-6 * Christian Theological Seminary, Butler University, Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant...UPDATED 31 MARCH!! PLEASE POST!! WHAT: MIDWEST GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT: THE ROLE OF MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS WHEN: SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 5-6, 1997 WHERE: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Christian Theological Seminary, 8am-3pm Saturday April 5 1000 West 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 931-2300 Butler University, Reilly Room, Atherton Union 6:30pm Saturday April 5 Roundtable Feast!: Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant, 11am Sunday April 6 Who: International Human Rights and Environmental Activists Working Toward a Grassroots Democracy Movement In Nigeria, Burma, Colombia, East Timor, Mexico & The United States Of America ** PRESENTED BY ** * THE FREE BURMA COALITION Http://Wicip.Org/Fbc * AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL * SIERRA CLUB *FREE NIGERIA MOVEMENT Http://Pw2.Netcom.Com/~Fnm *SPEAKOUT *COLOMBIA SUPPORT NETWORK Http://Www.Igc.Apc.Org/Csn/ *GLOBAL EXCHANGE *MOSOP *EAST TIMOR ACTION NETWORK *PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER Saturday night's keynote address, Reilly Room, Butler University, 6:30pm *DR. OWENS WIWA Nigerian physician, brother of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP activist, Toronto, CANADA *YUZANA KHIN Women's Representative, NLD (Liberated Area) Burma, ONE ACT DANCE PERFORMANCE *ROLAND WATSON: "CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT" A PHOTO EXHIBIT ON BURMA Christian Theological Seminary: Saturday April 5, 8 am - 3 pm workshops panelists/themes: 1. DEMOCRATIZATION 2. ETHNIC/REFUGEE ISSUES 3. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 4. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING STRATEGIES *YUZANA KHIN Women's Representative, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Burma, Baltimore, MD *DR OWENS WIWA Nigerian physician, boycott Shell Oil campaign, Toronto *EDITH BOWLES Formerly with Jesuit Refugee Service on Thai-Burma border, Refugee advocate, Bloomington, IN *HAFSAT ABIOLA Nigerian Human rights activist, founder of K.I.N.D. (Kuridat Institute for Nigerian Democracy), Washington, DC *TIM KEATING Executive Director of Rainforest Relief, Brooklyn, NY *TUNDE OKORODUDU-Labor Activist, Pres. Free Nigeria Movement, Oakland, CA *DAVID WOLFBERG- L.A. Free Burma Coalition and Dierector Rainforest Action Network, Los Angeles, CA *NOBLE OBANI-NWIBARI-Vice-President MOSOP, St. Louis, MO *KIM MIZRAHI Free Burma Activist and activist in Plastics Campaign, L.A. *MUKHTAR DAN'IYAN- Sec.-Gen. Free Nigeria Movement, Indianapolis, IN *PAUL KAWIKA MARTIN EarthCulture Activist, Laurel, MD *MIRA TANNA-St. Louis Support Committee for MOSOP, St. Louis, MO *CECILIA ZARATE-LAUN - Colombia Support Network, Madison, WI *GODFREY TANEH-MOSOP Activist, St. Louis, MO *JAMES UEBARI-MOSOP Activist, St. Louis, MO *KRISTIN SUNDELL-Field Organizer, East Timor Action Network, Boston, MA *DR VINCENT IDEMYOR -President MOSOP-USA, Chicago, IL Sunday's Roundtable Panelists: Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant 11am 936 Indiana Ave Indianapolis, IN (near Madame Walker Theater/IUPUI/IU Medical Center off West Street/MLK Jr) (317) 638-8426 *DAPO OLORUNYOMI-Nigerian dissent journalist, PANOS Institute, Washington,DC *KEVIN DANAHER Co-Founder of Global Exchange, Author of , San Francisco, CA *MARTHA OJEDA, Executive Director of the Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras (CJM) *DR. JOE DREXLER-Special Projects Director:OCAW (Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union), Denver, CO *TUN MYINT- Founder of IU Free Burma Coalition, Bloomington, IN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP ORGANIZE & FUND THE CONFERENCE please contact conference coordinator with your suggestions: Dalia Brahmi 9040 Wickham Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260 (317) 573-9463, fax: (317) 274-1108 email: dbrahmi@indiana.edu registration fee (includes housing friday-sunday, food friday-sat) students/low-income $10 full fee $20 or donation optional ethiopian feast sunday $10 donations needed! please bring sleeping bags, coffee mugs, spoons & bowls DONATIONS & PRE-REGISTRATION CHECKS CAN BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS ABOVE*** HOUSING AVAILABLE FRI 8AM- SUN 10AM DINNER PARTY FRIDAY APRIL 4, 7PM at St. Maur Monastery graciously hosted by Kim Grissom 4615 N Michigan 4638 N. Graceland Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis, IN (317) 925-9095 (317) 923-3295 ******************************************************************