------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: April 18, 1997 Issue #698 Noted in passing: "Burmese leaders are on notice that, unless the clouds of repression are lifted, they will face investment sanctions under US law." --US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (see AFP:BURMA COULD FACE INVESTMENT SANCTIONS) HEADLINES: ========== ABSDF: PRESS RELEASE- SLORC OFFENSIVE AGAINST ABSDF AFP:BURMA COULD FACE INVESTMENT SANCTIONS: ALBRIGHT LOS ANGELES TIMES : UNOCAL MAY FACE LAWSUIT IN U.S. VOA: CAPITOL HILL COVERAGE-BURMA HEARING 4/16/97 NCGUB:HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARS REFUGEE PROBLEM VOA BURMA: CALIFORNIA SANCTIONS UPDATE FINANCIAL TIMES: TOTAL SA PULLS BACK FROM MARKET SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A-0034 MANILA BUSINESS WORLD: ASEAN DEFERS MEMBERSHIP AFP: MOSLEMS CANCEL RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS THE NATION: KIO LETTER- BURMA'S TENTATIVE STEPS THE NATION: LETTER- BLAST MAY BE PAYBACK NEWS BRIEF: INTERNET ACCESS IN BURMA THE NATION: STUDENTS JOIN RALLY AGAINST PTT PLAN THAILAND TIMES: KORN ORDERS PTT TO STUDY FEASIBILITY BURMA OFFICE: FOSTER’S CAMPAIGN UPDATE BCN BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA BEHIND THE MASK ***************************************************** ABSDF: PRESS RELEASE- SLORC OFFENSIVE AGAINST ABSDF April 18, 1997 SLORC LAUNCHES OFFENSIVE AGAINST ABSDF CAMP The troops of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) have begun an offensive against an ABSDF camp situated on the Burma side of the border opposite Thailand’s Thap Sakae in Prachuab Kirikhan Province. The offensive against the 8888 Camp began on April 11 and fighting was continuing this morning. Three columns of SLORC troops comprising 1,000 soldiers, from Light Infantry Battalions 358, 224, 262 and 432, along with more than 700 porters arrived in the area last month. Skirmishes began breaking out between the SLORC troops and various organizations including the ABSDF. The offensive is being commanded by SLORC’s Tactical Commander Colonel Zaw Tun. According to reports from the 8888 Camp, 9 SLORC soldiers have been killed and 6 injured. No casualties have been reported among the opposition troops. With the intensification of the offensive, another influx of refugees is expected from the camps in the area under the administrations of student, Karen, Mon and Muslim organizations. More than 200 refugees have already arrived at the border near Thap Sakae. The area is close to a proposed road to be constructed by the SLORC’s Port Authority and Thailand’s Sahaviriya Group. The road, as well as a railroad, is planned to be built between Ban Saphan in Thailand and Burma’s Boke Pyin township. The area, which falls within Tenasserim and Boke Pyin townships in Tenasserim Division, has been the target of SLORC’s merciless forced relocations and summary executions throughout 1996. Since May last year more than 20,000 people from 79 villages in the area were forcibly relocated. The relocations are an attempt by SLORC to pave the way for the development of the area and the construction of deep sea ports and the ‘Boke Pyin Industrial Estate’ which is supported by Thailand’s Minister for Industry, Korn Dabbransi. A gas pipeline belonging to the US oil giant Texaco will also pass through this area. ABSDF Central Committee For further information please contact Aung Naing Oo 300 0631 or 01654 4984 ********************************** AFP:BURMA COULD FACE INVESTMENT SANCTIONS: ALBRIGHT April 15, 1997 ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, April 15 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Tuesday put the Burmese leadership "on notice," saying the regime could face US investment sanctions. Taking note of Rangoon's tightening limits on political expression and its jailing of demonstrators, Albright said, "Burmese leaders are on notice that, unless the clouds of repression are lifted, they will face investment sanctions under US law." A US law adopted late last year bans US investment in Burma if Burma's military rulers, known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), arrests, harms or exiles Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi or suppresses her followers on a large scale. The SLORC has ruled Burma since 1988. "Our policy is to oppose repression and support a dialogue between the government and the democratic opposition," Albright said in a speech at the US Naval Academy here. "US officials, myself included, have stressed to Burma's military the opportunity presented by a democratic opening," she added, characterizing recent actions by the regime as having a "corrosive effect on the Burmese government's standing at home and abroad." On Monday, Aung San Suu Kyi said hundreds of supporters and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) were in prison, where they receive inadequate medical treatment and are denied basic rights. After years of near dormancy, the NLD began stepping up activities following Aung San Suu Kyi's release from six years of house arrest in 1995, but has found itself under increasing pressure from the ruling junta. ****************************************** LOS ANGELES TIMES : UNOCAL MAY FACE LAWSUIT IN U.S. ON MYANMAR TIES April 18, 1997 LOS ANGELES – In a little-noticed but landmark ruling with enormous implications for U.S. companies operating abroad, a federal judge ruled that Unocal Corp. can be held liable for human rights abuses allegedly committed by the government of Myanmar. The ruling is the first in which a federal court has ruled that under international and U.S. laws, U.S. companies could be liable for human rights abuses committed by their partners in another country, according to legal and human rights experts. Human rights activists said a win in this unusual civil case would put corporations on notice that they are answerable not only for their own overseas behavior but for that of foreign companies they align themselves with. Though it faces a vigorous appeal, the ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Paez of Los Angeles is considered a crucial victory for the opponents of the regime that has ruled the nation formerly known as Burma since 1988. Unocal is a partner with the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise in a controversial $1.2 billion pipeline project in that country. Unocal pays the government to provide labor and security on the project. *********************************** VOA: CAPITOL HILL COVERAGE-BURMA HEARING 4/16/97 April 16, 1997 In Washington (Wednesday), a congressional committee heard testimony about the refugee situation along the Thai-Burma border. The House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights heard from four people about the difficult conditions facing Karen and other ethnic refugees who have fled to Thailand in recent months. A main focus was the question of thai government policy on refugees, and reports in recent weeks of forced repatriation. The chairman of the subcommittee -- Republican Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jjersey -- opened the hearing by questioning Thailand¹s commitment to providing refuge for people fleeing Burma: [ªWhat motivated the Thai government to change the former policy in which refugees were allowed to live in the border areas, and were perhaps even regarded as a desirable buffer zone between Thailand and the SLORC? Is this just a matter of wanting closer economic and political relations with the de facto government of Burma, and regarding the refugees as an irritant in this relationship? Or is it possible that Thailand has been motivated in part by the change in attitude of the US government and the international community toward forced repatriation generally?ª] Congressman Christopher Smith. Another of those speaking to the committee was Father Richard Ryscavage, director of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. He expressed some of the concerns of non-government aid workers about the situation of refugees as the rainy season begins, and about access to refugees in Thailand: [ªOne field worker told me, Father you wouldn't believe the conditions that they are living under. They get soaked, even now by the rain, there is no protection at all. Medical supplies are in very short supply. The condition of the water supply is very questionable, and many of them are getting sick. There are also questions about NGO access to the people themselves. We¹re not in contact with a lot of the people who are suffering right now which is itself a problem i think.ª] Mc: Father Richard Ryscavage of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. Representatives of the Thai embassy declined comment on the statements presented at Wednesday¹s hearing. In a recent statement to the UN Human Rights Committee Thailand reiterated its policy of providing safe refuge and humanitarian assistance to refugees, but said ethnic Karen who have fled recent fighting would be allowed only ªtemporary stay.ª *********************************** NCGUB:HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARS REFUGEE PROBLEM April 17, 1997 From: "NYUNTPAUNG A-SO-YA" The Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights chaired by Congressman Christopher Smith held a hearing on the situation of the "Burmese Refugees in Thailand" at the Rayburn House Office Building on April 16, 1997. Testifying before the subcommittee, which is under the House Committee on International Relations, were Mr. Gary Lane, senior correspondent of the Christian Broadcasting Network; Mr. Stephen Dun (Saw Thay Ler), a Karen refugee studying in the United States; Soe Pyne, director of the Prime Minister's Office, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma; and Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J. National Director, Jesuit Refugee Service. The witnesses explained the precarious situation of the Karen and other refugees at the Thai-Burma border; the food, shelter and health problems and the threat of repatriation faced by the refugees; the assistance that NGOs and the UNHCR can provide; Thai policy toward refugees from Burma; and the role the United States and the international community can play to alleviate and resolve the refugee problem. The testimony provided by Soe Pyne on behalf of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma follows: ///Begin text/// Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify on the situation of Burmese Refugees in Thailand. I am Soe Pyne, director of the Prime Minister's Office, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). The NCGUB is a cabinet made up of elected representatives from the National League for Democracy and other democratic parties that won the elections in 1990. The NCGUB has a keen interest in the affairs of the Karen and other ethnic nationalities because it is a firm believer in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's call for a tripartite dialogue between the leaders of the democracy movement, the ethnic nationalities and the military to achieve peace and national reconciliation in Burma. A major offensive was launched by the Burmese military junta against the Karen people in early February. Even though the exact figure of refugees fleeing the fighting is difficult to know, different sources visiting the sites along the border, including Thai and international journalists, have put the number of refugees at tens of thousands. The situation should be of utmost concern to all of us not just because a large number of people have lost their relatives, their homes and property and become refugees but also because of the brutality of the goal behind the assault. The Karen National Union, which has been fighting for equality and self- determination, has had four rounds of cease-fire talks with the ruling military junta, also known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). The talks have failed because the SLORC only wants the KNU to surrender on its terms. The KNU refused to give in to the demands, but it was expecting another round of talks to take place. SLORC, however, unilaterally broke off the talks and launched a brutal assault without warning. It was obvious from the very start that the objective of the latest offensive is not just the KNU. It was the Karen people, whom SLORC accuses of being the support base for the KNU. This is reflected in the January 28 attacks on the three Karen refugee camps at Huai Kalok Wangkha, Huai Bok (Don Pakiang) and Mae La. Altogether the camps housed 36,000 refugees inside the Thai territory. Left undefended by the Thai security forces, thousands of Karen refugees were left homeless and destitute as SLORC and its puppet forces torched the camps. Also, during the latest offensive, there have been reports of extra-judicial killings, rape, looting and plunder at many Karen villages inside Burma and along the way to the Thai-Burma border. Many villages were also burned and destroyed by the SLORC troops. The offensive is intended to be a warning to the other ethnic nationalities, who have entered into cease-fire arrangements with the SLORC but are expressing their dissatisfaction with the outcome of these arrangements. In other words, the growth in the number of Karen refugees at the Thai-Burma border is not accidental. It is the result of a brutal but well thought out plan of destruction by the SLORC. Another problem that the Karen refugees are facing is the Thai authorities. The Thai authorities are refusing to acknowledge the refugee status of the Karens or to let the UNHCR to help them. Depending on the Army commander in charge of the region concerned, there were reports about Karen refugees, particularly males of fighting age, being forced back into war zones inside Burma. The refugees were also prevented from building any shelter out of wood or bamboo which are considered by the Thai authorities to be permanent structures. There have been instances of NGOs and other official teams being denied access to the sites where the refugees are staying. The Thai government has denied that refugees were turned back. Earlier in March, however, many sources, including press reports, on different occasions confirmed that the Karen refugees were indeed pushed back into Burma. Thailand is well known for its humanitarian policy. It has always sheltered refugees, from Indochina to Burma. The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma urges the United States to request Thailand to continue that humane policy toward the Karen refugees and allow NGOs and the UNHCR to assist these refugees. The refugee issue in Burma is the result of political problems. Without the will to resolve the existing political issues, there can never be a long-term solution to the refugee problem. The KNU and the Burmese democracy movement have on many occasions offered to hold talks with the SLORC for national reconciliation. The solution to achieve peace and harmony is already there. The United States and the international community must step up their efforts aimed at pressuring the SLORC to enter into dialogue with the democracy movement and the ethnic nationalities. That process will resolve the refugee problem and ensure peace and harmony in Burma and the region. Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing and for showing an interest in Burma's affairs. /// end text /// ************************************** VOA BURMA: CALIFORNIA SANCTIONS UPDATE April 15, 1997 In California, a Committee of the State Assembly has held a second hearing on a proposed ªselective purchasingª bill. If approved into law by the California State Assembly, the bill (named ª888ª) would prohibit the state from purchasing goods or services from any company doing business with Burma. A first hearing was held last week, and the International Trade and Development Committee heard more testimony on monday. One of those attending was Dan Orzech [pron: or-zeck] of the Bay Area Burma Roundtable -- one of the groups supporting the selective purchasing campaign in the United States: [ªLast week there was a huge amount of testimony both from the business lobbyists and from all sorts of groups, ranging from students to people concerned about the drug (narcotics) issue, in support of the bill. The Committee, I think, was sort of overwhelmed by the issues last week and didn¹t act last week and again didn¹t act this week. So they are holding the bill you could say for extended study.ª] Dan Orzech says he believes the activities of business interests working against the sanctions movement influenced the committee¹s decision not to push the bill ahead. But he does not believe the sanctions movement has suffered a blow because of the inaction of the committee: [ªi think there is basically no stopping the sanctions movement at this point, because it is popping up like a wildfire. It is popping up all over the place. So if it is on hold here for a number of months it really doesn¹t matter because it is happening in so many other states and so many other cities.ª] Burma¹s military government has said it remains un-concerned about ªselective purchasingª laws being approved in the United States. The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) says investment from other countries will make up for any loss suffered as a result of sanctions preventing US companies from coming to Burma. Dan Orzech of the activist group -- the Bay Area Burma Roundtable -- disagrees with the view of businesses that investment in Burma will help people in the long-run by creating jobs and improving the standard of living. ********************************* FINANCIAL TIMES: TOTAL SA PULLS BACK FROM NORTH AMERICAN MARKET HOSTILITY April 17, 1997 Christopher Parkes, LA & Robert Corzine, London TOTAL, the French oil and gas (sic.) group, yesterday, yesterday formally backed the plan by Ultramar Diamond of the US to acquire its 55% stake in its North American downstream assets for $811m. TOTAL said it would own 8 per cent of the entity that will emerge from the deal, which marks another step towards Ultramar Diamond's goal of joining the leaders of the new-look US oil refining and petrol retailing market. The deal, announced late on Tuesday, will also help TOTAL to avoid a possible confrontation with the US government over the French group's involvement in oil and gas developments in countries such as Iran, which are subject to unilateral US sanctions. TOTAL has consistently denied that the US would have any legal grounds to act against it. But there has been recent speculation that TOTAL was keen to lower its US profile, with senior executives publicly noting that the US operations were small and not particularly profitable. For Ultramar Diamond, the adition of TOTAL's three refineries will boost the company's group's capacity from 400,000 barrels/day to 650,000 b/d, and add 710 wholly-owned and branded retail outlets to bring the group's total to almost 6,400. The link was expected to increase cash flow 50 cents a share next year, with earnings per share about 15 cents higher, said Mr. Roger Heminghaus, Ultramar Diamond's chief executive. Rationalisation, probably including redundancies in centralised functions such as information technology and marketing, was expected to yield annual savings of $50m. The company, which joined the US oil industry restructing fray last year with the merger of Ultramar and Diamond Shamrock, said recently it wanted to be among the US top three for shareholder return, and incerase earnings about 15% a year. While the TOTAL negotations were near completion, Mr. Heminghaus said he was especially interested in expanding in the northeast, soutwest and Mexico, where it had a handful of convenience stores but no branded petrol stations. With its latest acquisition, Ultarmar is expected to be about half the size, -- in terms of capacity and retail outlets - of Tosco, the industry leader. As international oil majors have focused on oil exploration and production, pulling out of or merging their refining and marketing operations in joint ventures, US refiner-retailers have been busy building critical mass the better to compete in the over-crowded market. The most prized acquisition targets are companies with round the clock convenience store chains. TOTAL's retail properties include 560 of these stores, and have successfully developed profits sources such as fast food. ********************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A-0034 April 16, 1997 Information Sheet *************** No. A-0034 Date. 16 - 4 - 96 Water Festival celebrated at Mrs. Aris' residence on the morning of 14th April . The total of 500 persons including some diplomats attended the ceremony .The British Ambassador Mr. Robert A. E. Gordon and family also paid a visit later in the afternoon, it is learnt. ********************************** MANILA BUSINESS WORLD: ASEAN DEFERS MEMBERSHIP OF CAMBODIA, LAOS, BURMA BY 1 MONTH April 14, 1997 The seven-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has deferred for another month its decision on whether to accept Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar as members. Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon, Jr. said the ASEAN failed to decide on the issue during the its foreign ministers' meeting early last week before the start of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting in New Delhi, India. He said the entry of the three countries is "a very important issue" and cannot be discussed as a side issue during the NAM meeting. Siazon said ASEAN leaders are set to meet on May 31 in Kuala Lumpur to decide on whether ASEAN will push through with its decision to accept the three applicants "all at the same time and as soon as possible." An option is to postpone their membership in ASEAN to next year. The organization may also opt to defer the membership of Cambodia in case it may fails to meet the requirements of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). AFTA requires the reduction of import tariffs by all member- countries. Myanmar and Laos have met this requirement as early as last year. ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. ********************************** AFP: MOSLEMS CANCEL RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS IN RANGOON April 12, 1997 RANGOON, April 12 (AFP) -- Moslem community leaders in Rangoon are cancelling the ritual slaughter of livestock at an upcoming religious festival, following recent religious unrest in the city, informed sources said Saturday. Community leaders have also decided to reschedule the festival, known as Bakhri Eid, so it would not coincide with Buddhist celebrations for Burmese new year's day on April 17. It will now be held on April 19. The Moslem festivities are a potential source of resentment among the Buddhist community, which traditionally marks new year's day with a symbolic release of fish and birds, the sources said. The decision comes despite assurances from city authorities that traditional Moslem celebrations and communal feasts could go ahead, although with some restrictions, following anti-Moslem unrest last month around the country, when mosques and Moslem property were attacked by monks. The City News, an evening newssheet issued by the office of the city mayor, announced Friday that Moslems would be forbidden from slaughtering livestock at their homes in Rangoon municipality and displaying it in the streets. It designated a village outside the city where they could purchase livestock for the festival. Culling could only be done at a government slaughterhouse which would be open for the occasion, the City News said. It was believed that Moslem leaders are stopping traditional celebrations as a form of protest about the attacks in March on mosques and Moslem property, which began in Mandalay and then spread to other cities and towns. ******************************** THE NATION: KIO LETTER- BURMA'S TENTATIVE STEPS TOWARDS RECONCILIATION April 17, 1997 The Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) openly welcomes a series of recent statements by leaders of the Burmese armed forces and the State Law and Order Restoration Council, which were reported in both the domestic and international media, that it is willing to involve all ethnic groups and parties in the historic task of nation building. Such a public gesture of reconciliation can only lead to peace and, if respected and acted upon, bodes well for the entire country. Since independence in 1948, Burma has been beset by a cycle of political violence and armed ethnic conflict, in which countless lives have been lost and many communities destroyed. The KIO, therefore, believes that the establishment of a halt to nation wide military offensives in an absolute fundamental from which dialogue, national unity and lasting peace can begin to proceed. In other areas of conflict in the world, experience has demonstrated how difficult it can be to achieve peace after years of suffering and bloodshed. But, in the KIO's view, the agreement of just and equitable ceasefires is the essential first step without which the equally urgent tasks of political reform and development can never be realised. At this critical moment, the KIO thus trusts that all parties will reflect on the tragic lessons of Burma's recent history, confirm a new commitment to the establishment of trust and national understanding, and find ways to support peace and dialogue as the immediate bridges to heal the divisions of the past. Kachin Independence Organisation Bangkok ********************************************** THE NATION: LETTER- BLAST MAY BE PAYBACK MADE BY JUNIOR OFFICERS April 17, 1997 Many diplomats and journalists are speculating that the recent bomb explosion at the residence of Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Tin Oo was due to an internal power struggle within Slorc between Gen Maung Aye and Lt Gen Khin Nyunt factions. Initially Slorc did not accuse any opposition group of the attack, suggesting an internal dispute. Then later Slorc accused Burmese exile groups in Japan. But the exile groups pointed out that there is no mail delivery in Burma on Sunday and that the parcel was hand delivered by a motorcycle messenger. Our intelligence sources indicate that the bomb was sent by some junior officer in the Burmese Army. It is a well known fact that Military Intelligence has videotapes of officers bringing expensive gifts to Gen Tin Oo's residence to avoid dangerous combat duty. Officers who did not want to fight Khun Sa's Army two years ago avoided combat duty by giving expensive gifts to Gen Tin Oo. Sixteen hundred officers and soldiers, according to the official Burma Army reports, were killed or injured in battles with Khun Sa. Now Khun Sa resides in Rangoon and is engaging in lucrative deals with Slorc generals. The young officers know that they have been used as pawns by Slorc generals. And now the same thing is happening again. Officers who gave gifts to Gen Tin Oo are avoiding dangerous combat duty fighting the Karen resistance army, while many young captains and majors who did not give gifts are being killed in combat. Myint Thein Senior Adviser To The Burmese Resistance Dallas, Texas ******************************** NEWS BRIEF: INTERNET ACCESS IN BURMA April 15, 1997 From: Imre Der Singapore Telecom Ltd. has set up Burma's first international link for e-mail and computer communications with Myanmar PTT. **************************** THE NATION: STUDENTS JOIN RALLY AGAINST PTT PLAN April 17, 1997 Kanchanaburi Students from 16 institutes yesterday joined local conservation groups in this province bordering Burma to campaign against the controversial gas pipeline project. "We are helping them gather the opinion of local residents to determine if they want the gas pipeline," said Sawitri Phusukho, one of the students who is secretary general of a local conservation club. She said the students decided to join the campaign because the National Environment Board approved the project owned by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT), without thoroughly assessing its impact on the lives of the local people and the damage it would do to the local flora and fauna. Besides, the PTT has yet to clearly explain to the people the possible risks the project may entail, she said. Yesterday questionnaires and leaf-lets detailing the adverse effects of the project were handed out to local people who turned out in hordes as activists, using a megaphone, took turns to condemn the project. "The opinion of the local people will determine our course of action and if they decide against the project we will join their fight against PTT," said Thararak Rujirapha, another student. ************************************************* THAILAND TIMES: KORN ORDERS PTT TO STUDY FEASIBILITY OF ANDAMAN SEA LAND BRIDGE April 17, 1997 BANGKOK : The government its official support to a land bridge linking the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea yesterday when Industry Minister Korn Dabbaransi ordered the PTT to conduct a feasibility study of the project. Speaking at a news conference, Korn said the government should throw its full weight behind the project because of the vast advantages Thailand would reap from increased trade and the efficient transport of much needed natural gas purchased form Burma. Korn said the PTT (Petroleum Authority of Thailand ) has also been ordered to study the feasibility of building a deep sea port in Bang Saphan to compliment the land bridge project. The corridor which links Prachuab Khiri Khan's Bang Saphan district and Burma's Bokpyin town is part of the government's Western Seaboard Development Plan. The 85 kilometer land bridge, or transportation corridor, will eventually include a four lane highway, a gas pipeline and a railroad. Korn urged Thailand to take the lead in the development project because of the comparative advantage in resources it has over Burma. Sources at Government House have said the Chavalit administration will allocate about 20 billion baht for the construction of the transportation corridor. The Western Seaboard Plan has a total estimated budget of 100 billion baht. The Sahaviriya Group Plc, a major player in the development plan, reached an agreement in principle with the Burmese junta last month to begin preparatory work on the land bridge. Sahaviriya already has substantial interests in a deep sea port, a steel factory and an electricity generating plant, all in Bang Saphan. Korn said the land bridge will allow goods shipped between Europe and Asia to bypass Singaporean ports by using the transportation corridor. The corridor will also allow the transport of natural gas from Burma's Yetagun and Yadana gas fields in the Andaman Sea directly to electricity plants in Bang Saphan. Korn said he has asked the Texaco Exploration Company, which is responsible for the delivery of gas form Yetagun, to study the possibility of transporting it directly to Bang Saphan via the land bridge. According to Korn, Texaco previously said shipments from the Yadana field to Kanchanaburi province could begin as early as July of next year. ******************************************* BURMA OFFICE: FOSTER’S CAMPAIGN UPDATE April 14 & 16, 1997 (received) From: BURMA OFFICE FOSTER'S RESPONSE ON BURMA (MYANMAR) Foster's Brewing Group will not include Burma (Myanmar) in its Asian investment strategy, and has no intention of selling beer into Burma in the near future. Contrary to recent reports, Foster's has no investments in Burma, and no plans for investment. The company's Asian focus will continue to be directed towards China, where Foster's has three breweries, and to a number of other potential markets in the region. A small volume of Foster's beer was sold into the Burma market via a Singapore distributor in recent years, but no beer has been exported to Burma since last year. The distributor has been directed to cease shipments and any promotional activity. As with most long-life consumer products, Foster's beer will continue to circulate in the Burma market for some time. Foster's has no control over or ownership of beer which has already been sold to distributors. Burma has never been a significant market for Foster's, and old stock may take some months to clear. In addition, it is likely that Foster's will continue to find its way into Burma via the thriving "black market" in consumer goods. All major international beer brands are available in Burma via the black market. Foster's Brewing Group does not condone this trade, and cannot control the use of its products in this market. All advertising in Burma was cancelled some time ago, and steps have been taken to remove any remaining billboard signage. The company's decision to cease sales of beer into Burma was a business decision, based on the full range of factors which normally inform any commercial decision in the Asia region. Further information: Gayle Austen 9633 2233 0412 257 065 Graeme Willersdorf 9633 2073 ============== Ethical Investment Group PO Box 108 La Trobe University Post Office VIC 3083 April 14, 1997 Gayle Austen Foster's Brewing Group Ltd. Dear Gayle Having received your media release of 11 April, the Ethical Investment Group is satisfied that Foster's has ceased all operations in Burma. We note with concern that there is still advertising of Foster's in Burma, and we trust that you will take steps to have this removed as soon as possible, as stated in your media release. As of 12 April 1997. the Ethical Investment Group has called off the boycott of Foster's beer, and will be communicating this to groups with which we have contact. Sincerely, EIG. Cc: National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, Australia-Burma Council, Burma Support Group Melbourne), Burma Support Group (Sydney), Free Burma Coalition, National Union of Students, Burmese Women's Union, All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation -------------------------------------------------- No More Fosters Beer for the Generals 16th April 1997 Foster's International has announced that they will not be selling any more beer in Burma. While they state in their letter to Australian students, beer will still circulate in Burma due to the frantic black market trade of the product, they will not be selling it directly. During his Australian tour in August 1996, the Prime Minister, NCGUB, Dr Sein Win, launched an Australian wide Boycott of Carlton United Breweries as they were selling Fosters Beer in Burma. The Boycott was being coordinated by the Australia Burma Council and the Burmese Woman's Union. The Ethical Investment Group, comprised mainly of students, then went to work on the company and achieved this remarkable result. The Australia Burma Council wishes to congratulate the Ethical Investment Group and looks forward to having an equal success with Peregrine Adventures. While this is not the first Australian company to withdraw from Burma, as BHP, Student Travel and many others have withdrawn or stated they will not go in, this is a first for the growing grass roots Burma campaign in Australia. Contacts: Ethical Investment Group Gayle Austen (613) 9633 2233 Graeme Willersdorf (613) 9633 2073 Burma Office, Sydney Minn Aung Myint 041 2230737 ********************************* BCN BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA BEHIND THE MASK April 15, 1997 From: bcn@xs4all.nl (Burma Centrum Nederland) Burma Behind the Mask, Published in AMSTERDAM The Netherlands April 1997 'My country is full of beauty but there is also great ugliness in the form of greed and cruelty that engender corruption and fear...This book reveals what lies behind the beautiful facade that makes the country so enticing to visitors...' From the foreword by Aung San Suu Kyi. The Burma Centre Netherlands is pleased to announce the publication of Burma Behind the Mask. This book, edited by Jan Donkers and Minka Nijhuis, and with a preface by Aung San Suu yi, was originally published in Dutch in August 1996. The book begins with personal accounts from the Dutch journalists Jan Donkers and Minka Nijhuis of their travels in Burma between 1991 and 1994. The second chapter gives an overview of Burmese history, esplaining the roots of the present political crisis. Subsequent chapters describe the ways in which the military controls every aspect of life in Burma, their plans for developing tourism and how tourism will impact the general population. This is followed by a quick survey of the situation in each admiistrtaive division. The final chapter focuses on a few practical aspects of visiting Burma. The book is illustrated with photographs by Dutch photographer Jan Banning, and a collection of cartoons by various Burmese artists. Edited by Jan Donkers & Minka Nijhuis Photography by Jan Banning Published by the Burma Centrum Nederland The book can now be ordered through the Burma Centre Netherlands pricelist including postage Europe 1 copy: 25 US$, 2 copies: 47 US$ Australia, New-Zealand and Canada 1 copy: 26 US $, 2 copies: 50 US$ All other countries 1 copy: 30 US$, 2 copies: 57 US$ - * - Organisations that wish to to use the book for campaign-purposes, are kindly invited to contact us for more copies. We prefer to receive amounts in cash, by sending banknotes in an envelope. Otherwise, the financial transactions will be costly for both sender and receiver. You can also send a Eurocheque in Dutch Guilders (do not forget pass/card number). Alternatively, send a postal money order or a bank cheque, but then you need to add 10 US$ to the amount! If you send us the money by bank-transfer, also add another 10 US$. For transfers through a bank, use this swift code: VSB-UNL-2-U, our bankaccountnumber is 83.28.37.385 ***********************************