------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: April 27, 1997 Issue #705 Noted in Passing: Burma's human rights performance is so woeful, so irresponsible, that surely it should not be treated as normal country and should not be rewarded by membership in one of the most prestigious and important pan-Asian organizations, with which the United States is affiliated. - Nicholas Burns, US State Department spokesman (REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR) HEADLINES: ========== BKK POST: SUU KYI LAUDS US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR THE HINDU: CHAKMA REPATRIATION TO BE MONITORED BKK POST: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE PUSHED BACK KNU: SLORC/DKBA ATTACK ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMP BKK POST: KARENS CHANGE MILITARY TACTICS IN WAR KNU: BATTLE NEWS KNU: STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA NCGUB: BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON SUNDAY TRIBUNE, SA: UNIVERSITY TO REWARD ASSK FINANCIAL TIMES: US COMPANIES RUSH TO BEAT SANCTIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ BKK POST: SUU KYI LAUDS US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS April 26, 1997 Rangoon, Reuters BURMESE opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday praised the United States for standing by its convictions and imposing economic sanctions on Burma because of the military government's human rights record. The Nobel Peace laureate, one of the most vocal proponents of economic sanctions, said President Bill Clinton and the US Congress should have a clear conscience that they made the right decision in banning all new investment in the country. "I respect Clinton ... it is good to know there are people in this world who are serious about what they say,' Ms Suu Kyi said in her first formal comment since sanctions were imposed. Washington on Tuesday banned new investment in Burma as a public condemnation of human rights abuses and the military regime's repression of the democracy movement led by Ms Suu Kyi. "When the bill was introduced in Congress it was made quite clear that sanctions would come in if there is large scale repression of the movement for democracy in Burma," Ms Suu Kyi said. "And I think all of you who have been following events here over the last five or six months would ...know that repression has increased rather than decreased," she told reporters who gathered at a home near her house for a hastily arranged news conference. Access to Ms Suu Kyi's house is off limits to reporters and others by barricades erected by the military governments. Ms Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party won elections in 1990 but has been barred from taking up government, said the US decision had come at the right time because of the increased repression. Several thousands NLD members or supporters have been arrested, some of whom have been released, since last year as part of the government's crackdown on the democracy movement. Ms Suu Kyi said the authorities in the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) had recently moved jailed NLD members, including her personal assistant U Win Htein, to prisons outside Rangoon and away form their families. "This is just a gratuitous piece of cruelty," she said. "It is punishment enough to put people in prison for their political beliefs." Ms Suu Kyi said she had not been surprised by the reaction of Burma's neighbours, who said the sanctions would not impact Burma's application to become an official member of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). But she said she hoped Asean would come to understand the position of Burma's opposition. "We're not children. We know what to expect," she said. "We are not anti-Asean at all...we are in favour of joining regional organisations, but at the right time of course." Asked to comment on a Slorc statement that the move was aimed at derailing Burma's plans for membership of Asean, which is expected later this year, she replied. "Well, then, the obvious question to ask is why do they think the United States does not want Burma to join Asean? And it's a question that Slorc must answer." Asked whether she had celebrated the United States decision, she said: "No". "One does not like to get emotional in politics. We will celebrate when we have democracy." Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to extend its existing sanctions on Burma for a further six months in response to the refusal of the country's military regime to stop human rights abuses, diplomats said in Brussels. The moves has been agreed by EU governments and will be approved formally at a meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday in Luxembourg, officials said. ______________________________________ [excerpts from related article] AFP: DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI WELCOMES US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BURMA April 25, 1997 RANGOON, April 25 (AFP) - [Aung San Suu Kyi] twitted the junta for saying that the sanctions would have no domestic repercussions. "All those who have asked for sanctions can have a very clear conscience because, according to the words of the authorities themselves, it was not going to affect the country unfavorably in any way." Aung San Suu Kyi called again for talks with the junta, but noted: "The reason why we have not reached dialogue is because the authorities do not wish for dialogue." Stressing that differences should be settled through dialogue, not repression, she said the NLD was ready for dialogue at any time and without any preconditions. Between 1,000 and 2,000 prisoners of conscience are languishing in Burmese jails, with more than 300 arrested in the past year, she said. Other subjects touched on in the news conference included the security checks barring access to her home and her frequently-interrupted telephone service. Breaks in service, she noted, were longer than ever. *********************************************************** REUTER: U.S. PRESS ASEAN NOT ADMIT MYANMAR April 26, 1997 (received) WASHINGTON (Reuter) The United States came out Friday in open opposition to Myanmar joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and stated it was lobbying the group to drop a proposal to admit Yangon this year. "We don't believe that ASEAN should take this step," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said. His comments appeared to step up long-standing Western unhappiness about the plan to admit Myanmar, where Washington banned new U.S. investments Tuesday with fresh sanctions over the human rights record of the military rulers in Yangon. The U.S. charge d'affaires in Myanmar, Kent Wiedemann, said in an interview' Thursday that while Washington would find it "awkward" to deal with an ASEAN that included Myanmar its admission was "something ASEAN has to decide for itself. ASEAN, founded in 1967 to promote regional economic, social and cultural cooperation, comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The group is expected to admit Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos in July. "The United States has very strong concerns about the proposal by ASEAN to bring in Burma (former name of Myanmar)," Burns said. "We have no objection as to Laos and Cambodia. We have an objection to Burma." We're trying to use our influence with the ASEAN partners to make the point that Burma should be given a stiff message that it's not welcome." Burns added. "I have no idea at this point what action ASEAN will take. The United States and other Western countries criticize Myanmar for human rights abuses and for failing to recognize the 1990 election victory of the opposition National League for Democracy, or NLD, led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. "Burma's human rights performance is so woeful, so irresponsible, that surely it should not be treated as normal country and should not be rewarded by membership in one of the most prestigious and important pan-Asian organizations, with which the United States is affiliated," Burns said. Even before the investment ban, the United States halted direct financial assistance and blocked much international aid to Myanmar since the State Law and Order Restoration Council. or SLORC, took over there in 1988. But U.S. attempts to rally Asian countries against Myanmar have had little success. ASEAN opposes interference in the domestic politics of neighboring states and members say "constructive engagement" will work better than sanctions. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, the current chairman of ASEAN, said Wednesday the latest U.S. sanctions would not delay Myanmar's entry into the grouping. The issue of admission of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos is expected to be discussed at an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting May 31 in Kuala Lumpur. YANGON RESPONDS BANGKOK (Reuter) Myanmar urged Saturday its neighbors in resist pressure from the United States aimed at preventing Yangon's entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, this year. "ASEAN will have to stick is guns to show that nobody dictates to us, a government official said. "Generally. we believe if ASEAN gives in this time, then ASEAN will have to give in every time.' MEMBERSHIP TO BE DISCUSSED MANILA (Reuter)-The Philippines said on Saturday that the seven-nation ASEAN group would next month discuss plans to admit Burma as a member despite the opposition of the United States. Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, reacting to a U.S. call on Friday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to drop plans to admit Rangoon, said it was "normal" for governments to lobby others to support their views. Commenting on the U.S. sanctions and opposition to Burma's entry to ASEAN, Siazon told reporters: "Normally, among countries, you lobby each other trying to convince them to adopt to your position. That's normal but of course we have taken note of their action." *********************************************************** THE HINDU: CHAKMA REPATRIATION TO BE MONITORED April 26, 1997 New Delhi A month after the repatriation of Chakma and other tribal refugees began afresh from Tripura to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh, the movement is slated to witness a pause for a month to allow for a stock-taking of the situation. According to Home Ministry sources here, the month-long pause would facilitate monitoring by a team of representatives of the refugees to judge if the rehabilitation in the CHT had taken place in a proper manner. As of now, the sources pointed out, there are about 50,000 refugees in half-a-dozen camps in Tripura. About 6,000 Chakma refugees had crossed over to the CHT so far, sources said. The repatriation of the second batch of the Chakmas would begin as soon as the monitoring team gave the go-ahead. If the exercise continued, sources said, the repatriation would hopefully be completed by the end of this year. The Central Government had reimbursed Rs. 6.78 crores to the Tripura Government for maintenance of the refugees till the end of the third quarter (October-December) of 1996-97. The repatriation of Chakma and other tribal refugees from Tripura to CHT resumed on March 28 after the CHT Jumma Refugees Welfare Association, led by Mr. Upendra Lal Chakma, signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Government. Coupled with the Ganga Waters Agreement between India and Bangladesh, the repatriation of refugees marked a distinct change in the relations between the two neighbours. The Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's repeated warnings that insurgents from North-Eastern States would not be allowed to use her country's soil to carry on anti-India campaign has had ``desired effect'' in the sense that the rebels have started abandoning their sanctuaries in Bangladesh. However, it was pointed out that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was espousing the cause of the rebels and also there was some opposition to the return of Chakmas to CHT on the ground that it was against the interest of those already settled there. On the construction of roads and fence along the Indo-Bangla border to prevent infiltration into India, the sources said that by the end of March 1,756 km of roads, 11.38 km of bridges and 655 km of fence had been completed at a total cost of Rs. 626 crores. This was against the target 2,784 km of roads, 23.8 km of bridges and 996 km of fence for which Rs. 831 crores had been earmarked and had to be completed during the 1992-97 period. However, more funds and a time of two years would be needed to achieve the target. The Home Ministry is also embarking upon the second phase of construction of border roads and fencing passing through Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal. ``Our emphasis will be to plug the gaps in some of the areas from where infiltration had been taking place,'' sources pointed out. Inhospitable terrain and problem of insurgency were cited as two of major factors that affected the construction of roads and fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Of the seven North-Eastern States, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland are the most affected by insurgent activities of various groups. During 1996-97, the law and order situation in Assam continued to be affected by violent activities of the insurgent outfits. The Annual Report of the Home Ministry for 1996-97 expressed concern over the escalation of violence over the levels of past two years. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was responsible for 141 incidents during last year resulting in 107 deaths. This was higher than the number of deaths caused by the ULFA during 1995. In Arunachal Pradesh, the militant group NSCN (K) was active in Tirap and Changland districts, bordering Nagaland and Myanmar. The ULFA and Bodo elements took shelter in the thick forest areas along the Assam-Arunachal border whenever counter- insurgency operations were launched. The State Government has taken steps to strengthen its intelligence machinery. A proposal to constitute commando units from amongst State Armed Police jawans is under consideration. In Tripura, violent and subversive activities of about 15 tribal extremist continued. The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) were the most active. The number of violent incidents during last year was 391 resulting in 178 deaths, less than those reported in 1995. ****************************************************** BKK POST: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE PUSHED BACK April 26, 1997 Supamart Kasem Tak Security forces will push some 300 Burmese illegal immigrants living near the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot back to Burma today, according to the commander of the 346th Border Patrol Police Company Pol Maj Noppadol Chatiwong. Pol Maj Noppadol said military officers form the 4th Infantry Regiment Task Force, Border Patrol Police and local police will push the 300 Burmese illegal immigrants in Mae Sot back to Burma and remove their shelters unless the aliens return to their home towns by Friday. Some 80 Burmese families, who illegally entered Thailand and encroached on many plots along the Moei River from ban Rim Moei to Ban Huay Muang over a period of many weeks, refused to leave the country despite being warned by the border police, he added. He said many aliens worked without permission. An official from Mae Sot Immigration Office said these Burmese illegal immigrants came form many villages in Myawaddy of Burma to Mae Sot to work at many ports and sell liquor and foreign cigarettes to tourists. Kyaw Myint, a Burmese illegal immigrant, said he, his wife and two children had to leave their home town, Kawkareik, because they could not find jobs there, adding that they had stayed in Mae Sot for more than one month. ******************************************** KNU: SLORC/DKBA ATTACK ON KAREN REFUGEE CAMP April 27, 1997 From: Simon_Po@sala.icn.net (Simon Po) Update information On the mid-night of 26 April 1997, at 0030 hours, SLORC and DKBA troops attacked the Toe Per Poo refugee camp . They looted things and money from the houses and shops, and then they set fire to the camp. Thirty houses were burnt down. They forced some people to carry the things. Those people did not come back until now. A villager was killed by SLORC. KNU Information Center **************************************************** BKK POST: KARENS CHANGE MILITARY TACTICS IN WAR AGAINST BURMESE FORCES April 27, 1997 Supamart Kasem Mae Sot, Tak The Karen National Union has adopted changes to its military strategy in which its president Bo Mya has agreed to decentralise his military control. The changes was adopted after the KNU ended a meeting of its executive committee members including senior military commanders last week at Gui Ta, opposite Tak's Umphang district. "The meeting chaired by Gen Bo Mya agreed to appoint KNU Supreme Commander Lt Gen Tamalabaw to supervise military affairs in ares south of Myawaddy to an area controlled by Tenasserim Division- which is the operating area of the KNU's 4th, 6th and 7th divisions," noted a source. The source added that Maj Gen Ka Ze Doe was given full authority supervising the security situation in the north from Myawaddy upwards to the middle part of Karen state near the area controlled by the Karenni National Progressive Party, opposite Mae Hong Son's Mae Sarieng district. Formerly, Gen Bo Mya's troops were in full control of the two areas and the KNU leader would directly command any military operations. The latest changes were seen by several border observers as a move to unite the divided KNU. The meeting also agreed to change the military strategy with emphasis on more use of guerrilla warfare tactics and dismantling unnecessary military bases that could become sitting targets for Burmese security forces. During the meeting, Gen Bo Mya stated clearly that the KNU was still ready to conduct truce talks with Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council and would give up its armed struggle on conditions acceptable to the KNU. During the past two years, the KNU has held truce talks with Burma four times but little progress has been made. The last discussion took place last January in which Khun Mya represented Slorc in the meeting held at former KNU headquarters Htee Ka Pler opposite Umphang district. "We doubt Slorc's sincerity regarding the truce talks," noted one senior KNU official. A Thai border official said the KNU was facing more military difficulties under the present military onslaught form Slorc. The officer raised doubts over the KNU's military capability to continue its struggle - saying that defections of several KNU officers to the government side has weakened its military strength. The latest defection occurred in February when Lt-Col Tu Mue Hae, commander of the KNU's 16th Battalion, surrendered with 400 armed men to Slorc. The local security officer admitted that there was a conflict of opinion among senior KNU officers regarding the truce talks. * Twenty Thai workers from two logging companies who had been held by a Karen rebel force inside Burma for five days have been freed after officers from the 7th Infantry Regiment helped negotiate their release, a Thai border official in Mae Hong Son said. The official said the workers from Ska-B and S.T. Billion companies went into Karen state's Ban Sai Khao on April 20 with 10 trucks to haul logs felled under a logging concession granted by the Burmese government and disappeared without contacting their companies. It was discovered later that they had been held by the rebels in a bid to extort money from the two companies. The businesses then asked the 7th Infantry Regiment to help. A number of military officers went through Ban Sao Hin pass to negotiate with the Karens on Friday. The 20 Thais and the trucks were released and returned to the Thai side. It was not know if the release was made with any conditions. ************************************************************ KNU: BATTLE NEWS April 26, 1997 From: Simon_Po@sala.icn.net (Simon Po) 1.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Nar Day. SLORC casualties are unknown. 2.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Paw Bo Baw Daw. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hta Law Plo Day. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped again on a KNLA mine at Hto Lu.Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. 3.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) At 1845 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Nwar Soe Kho. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead. 4.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ta Nay Hpar. KNLA troops suffered (2) dead and one KNLA soldier was injured. 5.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Ler Baw Lu. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Du Oh Mar Day. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. (No.(6) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and LIR (204) at Kya Ka Wa and Aw Lar Area. SLORC casualties are unknown. 6.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Khaw Lu. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. SLORC troops stepped on two KNLA mines at Paw Thaw. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. 7.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at Shwe Tar. Two SLORC soldiers were killed, four SLORC soldiers were injured and one SLORC truck was destroyed. (No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hlee Pway Day. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 8.4.97 (No.(7) Brigade Area) At 0800 hours, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hpe Ta Kha Kee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. At 1530 hours, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Paw Khay. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 9.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htaw Thwe Day. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at War Me Khee. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. (No.(3) Brigade Area) At 0904 hours, a battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Mae Aw Ker. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead. (No.(5) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Hto Hta, War Kha Der, Nyar Lee Hta and Hto Ler. 10.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Mae Bu Hta. One SLORC soldier was killed. At 1420 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at a position between Mae Nee Khee and Thae Khee. SLORC casualties are unknown. At the same day, three KNLA were exploded, casualties are unknown. (No.(5) Brigade Area) Two clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Po Ma Hae and a position between Ta Ro Day and Htee Klee Khee. KNLA troops suffered (1) dead. 11.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Saw Thae Hta. SLORC casualties are unknown. SLORC troops stepped on (3) KNLA mines. Three SLORC soldiers lost their legs. Four clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops. Two SLORC soldiers were killed and four SLORC soldiers were injured. (No.(4) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Maw Po. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. (No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Paw Paw Lu. SLORC casualties are unknown. SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at a position between Po Ler and Po Mae. Two SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one battalion commander. 12.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade) At 1515 hours, KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at a position between Ta Kaw Der and Au Khae Khee. SLORC casualties are unknown. 13.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) A clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ler Kwar Kaw. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(2) Brigade Area) At 1700 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA and SLORC at a position between Kler Der and Ka Mar Sai. SLORC casualties are unknown. 14.4.97 (No.(3) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at a position between They Kho Ser Der and Per Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. A KNLA mine exploded at Nae Soe. One SLORC soldier was killed and five SLORC soldier were injured. At the same day, two KNLA mines exploded again at Htee Daw Lay. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. (No(2) Brigade Area) At 1000 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Ku Ler Der and Kaw Thay Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. (No(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Baw Lo Der. SLORC casualties are unknown. 15.4.97 (No.(6) Brigade Area) At 0830 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIR (204) at Akyu village. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(5) Brigade Area) Four clashes broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Baw Lay Der, Baw Lo Der, Wa Wah Kyo, Thee Kho Klo and Paw Thaw Lo Klo. 16.4.97 (No.(4) Brigade Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Min Htaik. The battle lasted the whole day. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(6) Brigade Area) At 1643 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Kya Ka Wa. SLORC casualties are unknown. 17.4.97 (No.(4) Brigade Area) A battle broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Ka Mar Plaw. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(6) Brigade Area) At 1900 hours, SLORC troops stepped on two KNLA mines at Khaw Baw Lu. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. SLORC troops from Palu stepped on a KNLA mine. One SLORC soldier was killed, two SLORC soldiers were seriously injured. Including (1) Major. (No.(7) Brigade Area) At 1100 hours, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Baw Tho Pu. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 18.4.97 (No(7) Brigade Area) At 1200 hours, a battle broke out between KNLA troops and LIR (549) at K'ser Klo village. SLORC casualties are unknown. (No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ta Lay Day Kyo. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on two KNLA mines at Plo Khee and Saw Po Hta. Two SLORC soldiers lost their legs. KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Po Ler village. One SLORC was killed, one SLORC soldier was injured and one KNLA soldier was injured. 19.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Play Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 20.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ta Nar Lu. SLORC casualties are unknown. 22.4.97 (No.(7) Brigade Area) A KNLA mine exploded at Pa Nwe Po Klar. Four SLORC soldiers were injured. 23.4.97 (No.(7) Brigade Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Maw Krae. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. KNU Information Center. KNLA = Karen National lieration Army SLORC = State Law and Order Restoration Council LIR = Light Infantry Regiment *************************************** KNU: STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA April 25, 1997 From: Simon_Po@sala.icn.net (Simon Po) OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUATERS KAREN NATIONAL UNION KAWTHOOLEI 1. In the first week of December 1996, the anti-SLORC movement of the college and university students broke out and all the colleges and universities had to be closed down, up to the present day. On December 25, 1996 a bomb exploded in the Kaba Aye Maha Pathana Cave. In February 1997, the SLORC unilaterally broke off the dialogue with the KNU and started a massive military offensive against the KNU and the Karen people, raining terror death and destruction on an extensive scale. Starting from March 16, 1997, an anti-SLORC movement by the Buddhist monks broke out in Mandalay and in the brutal suppression of it, the SLORC killed three monks and put more than 100 monks under detention. Using its puppets, the members of the so-called Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA), the SLORC turned the incident into an anti-Muslim conflict in the whole of the country. On April 6, 1997, a parcel bomb exploded in the house of the SLORC Secretary (2). The SLORC issued various rules and orders restricting the people from freely celebrating the water festival (Burmese New Year) falling in the middle of April 1997. Up until now, the SLORC has to reinforce the security for Rangoon with tanks and more troops. All these events do not indicate unity, harmony, peace and stability. On the other hand, they indicate increasing dissatisfaction, discord and tension. 2. Tension has been increasing, as it is, in the country, because the SLORC has been using military offensive and brutal suppression to resolve problems, instead of resolving the basic political problems of the country by political means, through dialogue. 3. In connection with tension in the country, bomb attacks have occured in the capital city of Rangoon. It is a common knowledge that on such occasions, the SLORC levels its accusations and defamatory attacks at the KNU and other opposition groups. It is necessary for us to notice that, at the same time as making defamatory attacks against the oppositions whenever bomb attacks occur, the SLORC is arresting a large number of officers and men of its own armed forces. 4. It is important for the people at home and the international community to keep a careful watch on the situation, as there is the danger of the SLORC, using the prevailing instability as pretext, intesifying its devious activities such as creating tension by refusing to resolve political problems by political means, terrorist attacks, arrests, increased repression of political leaders, students, Buddhist monks and the people, and etc. 5. We, the KNU, have been resolutely resisting, in self-defence, the offensive launched by the SLORC. The SLORC, while intensifying its war against the KNU, has unleashed all the dirty tricks and revived up its propaganda machine, making its utmost effort to paint the KNU as terrorists. Accordingly, we would like to affirm that we, the KNU, apart from engaging military activities to oppose the brutal offensive launched by the SLORC, will never engage in terrorist activities either inside the country or abroad, and that all terrorist activities are the work of evildoers who are bent on complicating the situation. Central Executive Committee Karen National Union ****************************************************** NCGUB: BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON April 22, 1997 From: Suthep Sae Liw NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA 815 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005 BURMESE APPLAUD CLINTON The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma applauds President Clinton's action in imposing sanctions against the illegal military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, in Burma. This long-awaited measure by the Administration reaffirms that the United States stands for the rule of law, democracy and human rights and brings hope to the Burmese people. We also acknowledge the support of Secretary Albright and others in the US government who worked to make this possible. We are particularly thankful for the bi-partisan support we have received in the US Congress and we specially wish to thank Senators Mc Connell, Moynihan, Leahy and D'Amato for introducing mandatory sanctions during the last session of Congress. Also, to House members Rohrabacher, Pelosi, Porter, Lantos, and their colleagues who co- sponsored legislation towards this end. Additionally, we want to thank the grassroots movement, the labor unions and many other individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly and selflessly in giving voice to the political aspirations of the Burmese people. This Executive Order of the President outlawing new investments to Burma should be seen by the international community as a response to fulfilling the pleas of the democratic forces in Burma. The National Coalition Government believes that sanctions imposed by the United States will eventually create conditions conducive to a dialogue for peace and national reconciliation in Burma. The sanctions should therefor remain in effect until that goal is achieved. It is our hope that other governments will follow the lead of the United States and join in effectuating similar measures that will help restore democracy and human rights in Burma ooooo00000ooooo For Additional Information Contact: Tel: (202) 393-7342. (202) 393-4312 Fax: (202) 393-7342 ********************************************** SUNDAY TRIBUNE, SA: UNIVERSITY TO REWARD HUMAN RIGHTS FIGHTER April 20, 1997 Kiru Naidoo, South Africa Burmese opposition leader and Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi , will later this week receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Natal in recognition of her tireless campaign for democracy and human rights in the South East Asian dictatorship. Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burma's assassinated independence hero, General Aung San. She rose to international prominence in 1988 when on her return to her native homeland after two decades abroad, to care for her ailing mother, she witnessed a spontaneous revolt against twenty six years of political repression and economic decline. Of the epic events of 1988 in which the military massacred some 10000 protesters, she said, "I could not, as my father's daughter remain indifferent to what was going on." In the ensuing political vacuum that saw thousands detained , and scores more fleeing into exile, Suu Kyi emerged as the most effective and articulate leader of the pro-democracy movement. The generals who has had ruled Burma since 1962, when they ousted the country's fledgling democratic government became acquainted with their most formidable opponent yet. Shaken by the revolts of 1988, the army was keen to legitimate itself. It stage-managed a "coup" in which power passed to a 19-member State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) which was quick to propose a general election for 1990. Suu Kyi and her supporters embraced the prospect of a democratic contest and swiftly organised a political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The army, keen on an outcome favourable to itself sponsored several hundred front parties and for added measure placed Suu Kyi under house arrest in July 1989 for 'endangering the state'. She was to remain in detention for six years during which time she was only permitted limited visits from her British husband and two sons. In the election that followed, widely read as a referendum on military rule, the NLD secured 82% of the vote. Surprised and outraged , the SLORC refused to acknowledge the election results and has retained its repressive grip on power since. Suu Kyi's release from detention in July 1995 reinvigorated the NLD and the broader democracy movement. Calling her campaign one for "freedom from fear", a slogan drawn from the title of her book, she continues to inspire ordinary Burmese men and women who, until a crackdown earlier this year continued to throng her front gate where she convened a parliament of the streets emerging at weekends atop a rickety table, to answer questions from the crowds. Then US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Madelaine Albright, on a visit to Suu Kyi in 1995 was struck by her presence, "Outwardly fragile, she is clearly very strong, outwardly serene , her reserves of patience have worn thin; obviously determined, she avoids confrontation and seeks reconcilitation." Often described as "Asia's Mandela", Suu Kyi has emerged as a courageous leader in her own right determined that Rangoon's generals honour their pledge to handover to a democratic government. Suu Kyi remains the fearless voice of the frightened in Burma. The governments policies have become increasingly brutal. Slave and child labour are as commonplace as the institutionalised torture and rape perpetrated by the military. In recent months ethnic minorities in the jungles on the Thai-Burma border have had their homes razed to the ground. In a growing humanitarian tragedy some 85000 refugees , mainly women and children, are presently without homes and vulnerable to attack from the military. It is these tremendous responsibilities and tragedies that Suu Kyi bears in the quest for basic human rights for her people The Burmese are however not alone in their struggle. An international solidarity campaign , modelled on the anti-apartheid movement has gained momentum around the world. Governments and businesses that maintain links with the Burmese military are coming under increasing pressure to sever this lifeline to the authoritarian regime there. Widespread condemnation greeted President Mandela's dismissive remarks about the human rights situation in Burma whilst on a recent visit to South East Asia. With international attention focussed on South Africa this week , the University of Natal's award to Aung San Suu Kyi, may well be the jolt our collective conciousness needs for the struggle of the courageous people of Burma is starkly reminiscent of our own recent history. Kiru Naidoo is a specialist in Asian affairs at the University of Durban-Westville. ***************************************** FINANCIAL TIMES: US COMPANIES RUSH TO BEAT SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA April 25, 1997 Ted Bardacke in Rangoon US companies signed more investment deals with Burma in February than in the whole of the past eight years as they dashed to conclude talks before President Bill Clinton banned new US investment in the southeast Asian nation. More than $300m worth of deals were concluded with Burma's military regime, according to official Burmese data. The ban - designed to punish the regime for its poor human rights record and refusal to negotiate with the democracy leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, and to spur further international isolation of the junta - was announced by Mr Clinton on Tuesday. Most observers have been predicting since January that sanctions were imminent after Ms Suu Kyi was attacked in Rangoon, students were rounded up following demonstrations and Mrs Madeleine Albright, a severe critic of the Burmese government, was named US secretary of state. Approved investment by US companies at the end of January was $243m, according to statistics from the Myanmar Investment Commission published in official Burmese media. By the end of February, the last month for which figures are available, that amount had leapt up 139 percent to $582m. The $339m in deals signed in February was a huge increase over the $21.4m approved in 1995 and 1996 combined, and consolidated the US's position as the fourth largest foreign investor in Burma, after the UK (including the British Virgin Islands), Singapore and Thailand. Most of the new investment was in the oil and gas sector, with offshore exploration rights held by Unocal and Texaco being converted into production-sharing contracts. This distinction is important as the executive order implementing the new investment ban is expected to allow existing investment contracts to be fulfilled but not allow them to be expanded, modified or upgraded. Arco has also been heavily involved in natural gas exploration but it is unclear whether a production-sharing agreement has been reached. Foreign investment in the oil and gas sector during February increased by $629m to $2.13bn. Total foreign investment in the month rose by $694m to $6.05bn. The UK was the second-largest investor in February, with $291m. The UK's Premier Oil is a junior partner in the Texaco-led consortium. The top US diplomat in Rangoon yesterday warned that Washington's decision to impose sanctins could have implications for other foreign investors, Reuter adds from Rangoon. Mr Kent Wiedemann, US charge d'affaires to Burma, said that while the initial economic impact of the move might be small, there would be shockwaves. "It's a powerful message to US and other [foreign] companies that this is not a good place to do business if you do so in the US," he said. ****************************************