------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: May 5, 1997 Issue #712 HEADLINES: ========== AP: SLORC'S USDA THREATENS AUNG SAN SUU KYI ASIAN AGE : BURMA RALLY OVER US SANCTIONS SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: US AND EUROPE ACCUSED THAILAND TIMES: UN OFFICIAL TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE THE NATION: PREMIER TO VISIT BURMA MAY 16-17 THE NATION: KNU CALLS ON ASEAN TO DELAY SLORC AP: BURMA REBEL STILL EVADING CAPTURE BKK POST: RESHUFFLE FOLLOWS BORDER INCURSIONS BKK POST: STUDENTS SUBMIT PETITION AGAINST PIPELINE BKK POST: AMMUNITIONS CACHE FOUND NEAR BORDER THAILAND TIMES: STRATEGIC BURMA SEEN JOINING ASEAN THE NATION: BURMA VOWS TO MAINTAIN COURSE THE NATION: ASEAN AND US STAND OFF ON SLORC BKK POST: STANCE TOWARDS BURMA IS WRONG BKK POST: SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE PLAN FOR MAE SOT AFP: SKOREA'S HYUNDAI, SINGAPORE'S SINMARDEV LINK UP PRNEWSWIRE : BURMA DENOUNCED BY OVERSEAS PRESS ----------------------------------------------------------------- AP: SLORC'S USDA THREATENS AUNG SAN SUU KYI May 4, 1997 BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Members of a military-sponsored mass organization that participated in a mob attack on Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade last year vowed this weekend to punish the Nobel Peace Prize winner. More than 30,000 members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association condemned Suu Kyi and the United States at a mass rally Saturday at the Thuwanna Sports Stadium in eastern Rangoon, state-run newspapers reported Sunday. Naming Suu Kyi and her aides, a Union official, Kyi Kyi Htway, said in a speech to the crowd that ``external and internal destructionists will be punished.'' In November 1996, a mob of Union members who said they had been paid by the government attacked Suu Kyi's motorcade, smashing car windows with sticks and crowbars and slightly injuring one of her aides. After the attack, Suu Kyi compared the organization to the Hitler Youth of Germany and the fascist brown shirts of Italy. Suu Kyi and her followers ``who are unpatriotic and bent on subverting the economy by urging other nations to clamp sanctions on (Burma) and inviting hegemonic bully politics of the United States should be driven out of the country,'' Kyi Kyi Htway said. President Clinton invoked economic sanctions against Burma on April 22 because of stepped up repression against the democracy movement. The country's military leaders publicly brushed off the sanctions, saying they would hurt American companies more than Burma. Since Clinton's move, however, invective against Suu Kyi for allegedly sabotaging Burma's economy has increased in the state-run press and in speeches by Union officials. Suu Kyi, whose movements and activities have been severely restricted by the military since last September, had been calling for sanctions for many months. Aides to Suu Kyi have expressed fears recently that the military may be planning to assassinate her, citing comments by a government minister calling for someone to kill her, and paramilitary training exercises by Union members on an island within sight of Suu Kyi's lakeside home. Military leaders have repeatedly threatened to ``annihilate'' her. The patron of the Union, which now has about 6 million members, is Gen. Than Shwe, who heads Burma's military government. Founded in 1993, it represents ``a significant effort by the military to mobilize society toward its own end,'' similar to Indonesia's ruling Golkar party, David Steinberg, a noted author on Asian affairs, wrote in a recent article in Burma Debate magazine. Steinberg said many people join because they are frequently coerced, but membership is also helpful in obtaining jobs and promotions. ``In a sense, membership is a kind of tax or corvee labor charge on someone's time and energies,'' he wrote. Union members who attended a mass rally in Rangoon in May 1996, told The Associated Press they were required to attend or pay fines. The AP was barred from entering the rally. Footage of the rally on state-run television showed members with dour expressions listlessly raising their fists and chanting ``oppose internal and external destructionists, foreign stooges and enemies of the state.'' ***************************************************** ASIAN AGE : BURMA RALLY OVER US SANCTIONS May 5, 1997 [abridged] Rangoon, May 4: "This is a blatant interference in Myanmar's (Burma's) internal affairs using bullying tactics," a USDA spokesman said calling the US investment ban on April 22 and entirely "wrong decision." " The US government should understand that authorities here are striving to establish a disciplined democratic state," said another spokesman for the USDA, which was formed in 1988 and presently boasts a membership of six million. A motion to condemn "internal and external destructionists" was also approved by the USDA gathering. The movement also accused the United States of failing to curb its own law and order problems, paricularly widespread murder and rape. "We invite the American government, which cannot even provide security or guarantee human rights for its own people, to come and take some much needed lessons from our government on how to provide security," one spokesman said. The rally ended with cries of "Shame, Shame on the United states!" with the spokesman accusing Washington of having been swayed by the "falsehoods" spread by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy won the elections in 1990 later overturned by military, has called for investment bans and tourist boycotts of Burma as a means of pressuring the military into reform. Sources said similar mass rallies denouncing the will be held in 16 cities across the country in the forthcoming weeks. Similar mass rallies were held last year to denounce the pro-democracy efforts of the NLD.(AFP) ************************************************* SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: US AND EUROPE ACCUSED OVER SANCTIONS May 2, 1997 By Mark Baker, Herald Correspondent in Phuket The Philippines has accused the United States and the European Union of adopting dictatorial tactics by imposing sanctions in an attempt to force political reforms in Burma. The Philippine Foreign Minister, Mr Domingo Siazon, said yesterday Western countries which sought to punish Burma's military regime were denying the democratic principles they claimed to promote. "It's only when you have a dictatorship that when the other party is not in agreement with your opinion you ban them or exclude them from all civil society," he said. In a wide-ranging attack, Mr Siazon also indirectly criticised the Burmese democracy leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, for calling for sanctions and regional pressure on the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). "It's nothing to do with us. They should settle it there, as we did. We had our own peoples' revolution in 1986. We did not ask for any foreign intervention," Mr Siazon said, referring to the popular uprising in The Philippines which toppled the Marcos regime. "By asking for foreign intervention, only the people and the poor will suffer, not SLORC. So why would you want to punish your own people?" The US Government last week outlawed new American investment in Burma, while the European Union this week extended for six months a package of sanctions, including a ban on travel to Europe by Burmese leaders. However, the latest uncompromising stance by The Philippines has ruled out any possibility of regional support for co-ordinated trade sanctions, or backing for US calls to delay Burma's admission to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Other key members of ASEAN - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore - have also stated their opposition to sanctions and affirmed their support for Burma to be made a full member of the group this year. After talks with his Thai and Singaporean counterparts, Mr Siazon said countries pressuring for democracy in Burma should recognise the right of neighbouring countries to disagree with their tactics - and Burma's right to determine its own affairs. "An essential aspect of democracy is that people may differ in opinions but we have to respect each others' opinions and continue to be friends," he said. "We are exercising our own rights as sovereign countries to take decisions about which countries we would like to associate with. Those who are talking about human rights, how can they say we will not talk with you any more or even meet you at conferences?" Mr Siazon said ASEAN countries were determined to continue their policy of "constructive engagement" - encouraging reform in Burma through closer political and economic linkages. While the policy may fail, the region could not afford to risk political turmoil in Burma by isolating the regime. "Those of us who are neighbours, we have to take the chance. Those who are far away, if this particular case should not turn out to be successful, they do not really suffer the strategic consequences," he said. "We are involved, we are very near. You cannot leave Myanmar [Burma] to collapse or to have an internal revolution." He predicted that the US move to impose sanctions on Burma would strain Washington's relations with ASEAN. "I think it will be very hard. If the imposition of one's view is the norm in international relations, then I'm afraid we are going the wrong way." ******************************************* THAILAND TIMES: UN OFFICIAL TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE WITH BURMA May 3, 1997 Agence France-Presse PHNOM PENH: Senior UN official Alvaro de Soto yesterday said he would travel to Burma next week in an effort to encourage dialogue between the country's military rulers and the opposition. The UN assistant secretary general for political affairs said he would meet senior officials in Rangoon for "three or four days" beginning May 7 "to help in promoting dialogue." De Soto, who last visited Rangoon in late 1995, spoke to reporters on his arrival in Cambodia for a 24hour inspection visit. Last year, the United Nations and Burma's junta, officially known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), were unable to agree on the terms of an official visit. ******************************************* THE NATION: PREMIER TO VISIT BURMA MAY 16-17 May 3, 1997 Prime Minister Chavalit Yong chaiyudh will officially visit Burma on May 16-17 when the problem of illegal Burmese workers will be raised. Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn said yesterday that there are now some 700,000 illegal Burmese immigrants working in Thailand. He said the Thai authorities needed help from the Burmese government to stem the flow. Gen Chavalit stated his intention to visit Burma when he came into office in November. ********************************************** THE NATION: KNU CALLS ON ASEAN TO DELAY SLORC'S INCEPTION May 3, 1997 Associated Press ETHNIC rebels still fighting Burma military government appealed to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations yesterday not to admit the Rangoon regime while it still violates human rights. "We don't want Burma admitted now because of continuing human rights violations, especially in ethnic areas, and because the political situation is not resolved," said Ner Dah, assistant secretary of foreign affairs for the Karen National Union (KNU). The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from Rangoon since 1949. Earlier this week the United States urged Asean not to admit Burma because of the military government's increased repression against the country's democracy movement and flagrant human rights violations. Asean nations- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - have said they are determined to bring Burma into the grouping, along with Cambodia and Laos, in July. Only the Philippines has voiced some reservations, saying the group should consider delaying membership for three months. "We know Burma should be a member but it is not the right time," said Ner Dah. "Admitting the Slorc now is the same as encouraging them to violate the rights of the people," he said, referring to the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the military government of Burma since 1988. A Burmese military offensive launched 4 in March, after ceasefire negotiations broke down, has dealt a heavy blow to the KNU, based along the Thai-Burmese border. Refugees said the Burmese army has burned and looted homes, committed summary executions and gang rapes and forcibly relocated villagers as it advances through Karen territory. ************************************************* AP: BURMA REBEL STILL EVADING CAPTURE May 3, 1997 Robert Horn BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's last rebel leader is living safely inside that country's rugged, mountainous border region, despite a massive government offensive aimed at capturing him, a guerrilla leader said today. Gen. Bo Mya, the aging leader of the Karen National Union, is still directing rebel attacks on Burmese troops from a highly mobile but well-protected base camp inside Burma, said his son Ner Dah. ``They won't capture him,'' Ner Dah, the Union's assistant secretary for foreign affairs, told The Associated Press. The Karen have been fighting for autonomy from Burma since 1949, but they have steadily lost ground to the army over the years. The Burmese broke off cease-fire negotiations in February and launched a military offensive that succeeded in capturing key Karen bases and large strips of territory near the Thai border. They failed, however, to apprehend 70-year-old Bo Mya. Long commentaries in Burma's state-run media have derided Bo Mya and called on him to surrender in recent weeks. Ner Dah said there is no prospect of that happening. Although the Burmese army says it has secured its border with Thailand, and many areas are clearly now under Rangoon's control, the rebels say government troops are afraid to leave their bases for fear of land mines and guerrilla attacks. ``They are scared to move around,'' said Ner Dah. He added that the Karen were willing to continue peace talks, and said they'd had contact with Burmese negotiators in recent weeks. ``But they just want us to lay down our arms and surrender,'' he said. ``We cannot.'' A meeting of 15 ethnic groups in January led by the Karen incited the Burmese army to attack, Ner Dah said. Several of the groups have already signed cease-fire agreements with the Burmese and are attending the military-run constitutional convention in Rangoon. Still, nearly all the ethnic groups signed a communique at the end of the meeting calling on the military government to scrap the convention and open three-way talks with ethnic leaders and the Burmese democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi. By reaching cease-fire pacts with most other ethnic groups, the Burmese have been able to concentrate their firepower on the Karen. The communique revealed that many of the ethnic groups are less than satisfied with life under the truce terms. The regime dismissed the meeting as a phony creation of the Karen, claiming the other ethnic representatives were impostors. *********************************************** BKK POST: RESHUFFLE FOLLOWS BORDER INCURSIONS May 3, 1997 Wasana Nanuam The army has ordered another reshuffle involving, among others, those responsible for handling the situation on the Thai-Burmese border under the jurisdiction of the Third Army Area. The reshuffle was related to frequent attacks by the Rangoon-backed Democratic Karen Buddhist Army from Burma on camps holding Christian Karen refugees in Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces. The reshuffle of some officers was aimed at reorganising units responsible for combat and intelligence operations along the border. In the mid-year reshuffle, Maj-Gen Prayuth Thapcharoen was removed as commander of the 4th Infantry Division responsible for the border area. The latest order, issued on May 1 by army chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro, involved the transfer of 167 officers holding the rank of special colonel, including those of the 4th Infantry Division and subordinate units. Col Decha Sathira-angkoon, commander of the 17th Infantry Regiment, has been moved to be deputy commander of the 4th Infantry Division. Col Prasart Thepanual, chief-of staff of the 4th Infantry Division, has been moved to be deputy commander of Chiang Rai Army Province. He has been replaced by Col Chawalit Saengsue, chief-of-staff of the 31st Army Circle. Co] Suvit Maenmuan, commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment, which is responsible for border areas in Tak province, has been moved to be chief of-staff of the 31st Army Circle. ******************************************* BKK POST: STUDENTS SUBMIT PETITION AGAINST PIPELINE PROJECT May 3, 1997 A students' environmental group yesterday submitted a petition to the prime minister protesting the planned gas pipeline project that will deliver natural gas from Burma's Yadana field to a power plant in Ratchaburi. The Committee for the Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment of 16 Institutes said the project is being condemned worldwide, because it will help generate foreign currency for the military rulers in Burma. It accused the Burmese junta of using the money from its gas field to buy weapons to use in the suppression of its own people, particularly ethnic minorities. The United States and some European nations have imposed limited economic sanctions on Burma, the group said, but Thailand as well as the other Asean countries still maintain a relationship with the regime with the aim of reaping benefits from Burma's natural resources. The group demanded that the Thai government halt the gas pipeline project and cease its relationship with the State Law and Order Restoration Council the junta to avoid being condemned by the global community for collaborating with the regime in violation of human rights in Burma. It demanded the government allow public participation in making decisions on the project and review the country's development policy towards sustainable development in ways suitable for Thailand. "Let's not let others condemn Thailand for generating electricity on the corpses, blood and tears of innocent people and for plundering the world's natural resources," the statement said. ************************************************************ BKK POST: AMMUNITIONS CACHE FOUND NEAR BORDER May 3, 1997 TAK- Security forces confiscated a cache of arms and ammunition, believed to belong to Karen National Union rebels, hidden near the Thai-Burmese border in Umphang district on Thursday. The infantry troopers found two mortars, an anti-tank gun, a HK 33 assault rifle, 29 RPG rockets and over 805 rounds of ammunition about 800 metres from the border in Ban Nong Luang in Umphang. Military sources said they suspected the arms were buried by Karen rebels after they fled across the border into Thailand ahead of the Burmese suppression drive in 1995. Commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment Task Force Col Suwit Maenmuen said border officials had already seized several weapons and ammunition near the border in Tak three times since early this year. ********************************************** THAILAND TIMES: STRATEGIC BURMA SEEN JOINING ASEAN DESPITE PROTESTS May 3, 1997 Bill Tarrant Reuters, Kuala Lumpur Burma will be duly sworn in as a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year despite widespread criticism of its human rights record and US opposition, analysts and diplomats said. ASEAN will endure a potential rebuke from the United States and Europe over the decision because Burma is important to ASEAN for strategic and economic reasons, they said. Washington last month banned new US investment in Burma to exert pressure on the nation' s military rulers who hold hundreds of pro-democracy activists in jail and have kept their leader Aung San Suu Kyi under virtual house arrest. It stepped up pressure last Friday by openly opposing Burma' s admission to ASEAN. But ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, says Burma' s membership is important for regional stability. "We have all agreed not to leave Myanmar (Burma) behind," Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi said on Sunday. "Otherwise, the situation may deteriorate to a point that will jeopardise the stability of the region." Southeast Asian nations, who were reluctant hosts to hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees for years, do not want to see a similar exodus from Burma, analysts said. Burma, which has long depended on China for arms, has kept a distance from the outside world for decades. "It's important to have them in before they relapse again in isolationism. Right now they are too dependent on China," said Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of the supervisory board of Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). ASEAN also believes "constructive engagement" is the only way to reform Burma's military rulers. "You give them a roadmap to help them out politically and economically," Wanandi told Reuters in an interview. But Western diplomats caution that Burma' s entry into ASEAN could strain the group's vaunted unity, undermine the respect it has earned in the West and compound the problems it faces in creating an ASEAN Free Trade Area over the next few years. It could also lead to a serious rift with the United States, the largest or second-largest trading partner and foreign investor with almost every one of the seven ASEAN nations. Burma could be admitted as early as July at ASEAN' s annual meeting. That could create a problem for US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who is to make her first visit to Southeast Asia during ASEAN' s post-meeting conference with major powers. ASEAN last year decided to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos as members at the same time. Malaysia, chairman at this year' s annual meeting, has been adamant that Burma should enter ASEAN this year as the grouping celebrates its 30th anniversary. ASEAN Foreign Ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur on May 31 to decide whether to admit the three at the July meeting or at an informal summit in the Malaysian capital in December or later. ASEAN officials and Western diplomats say there is little chance the admission will be postponed. Some analysts have suggested that political and economic instability in Cambodia could allow the group to postpone Burma' s admission while saving face. But Wanandi said the need by Cambodia and Burma to develop their economies was all the more reason to admit them now. "Our reasoning is opposite," Wanandi said. "If we do not make Cambodia a member we will never have a commitment to helping them out. That mess they are in would be better alleviated if they're in than if they're out." ASEAN officials say the group would withstand pressure from United States, which strongly backed ASEAN from its inception as an anti-communist Southeast Asian bulwark during the Vietnam war. "We don't expect any basic consequences from the decision," Wanandi said. "Of course we have to take in stride the criticism from Congress, the administration and public opinion.' ************************************** THE NATION: BURMA VOWS TO MAINTAIN COURSE May 4, 1997 Reuter RANGOON - Burma's military vowed yesterday that it would not change its current political and economic course despite recent US economic sanctions which bar new American investment in the country. Secretary One of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt was quoted in the official media as saying Burma was confident it could overcome the latest hurdle imposed on it by Washington. He also blamed unidentified groups opposed to the Slorc of being behind the latest diplomatic setback for Rangoon. The United States imposed economic sanctions on Burma in April, banning new investment by American firms, as a condemnation of the military regime's alleged human rights abuses and its suppression of the pro-democracy movement led by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "Destructionist groups within the country are employing various ways to destabilise the nation, to jeopardise the nation's political and economic development and to cause difficulties in international relations, Khin Nyunt was quoted as saying at a meeting with local authorities in Hakha township, 375 kilometres northwest of Rangoon on Friday. "As the government can overcome all these obstacles, it has no big problem," he said. "The [US] economic sanctions will have no result for the US as they expect nor will they affect Burma." Burma would never change its current political and economic trend and would march onward to reach its objectives despite any obstacles and hindrances that were placed in its way, he added. Slorc vice chairman Gen Maung Aye said at another function at Bahtoo township, about 312 km northeast of Rangoon, that there was no need for Burma to be shaken by the latest sanctions. "A Western power has come to impose economic sanctions on Burma. But the Slorc government need not tremble at their sanctions and need pay no attention," he said. "The nation has stood on its own self reliance for years since before the military government came into power." ******************************************** THE NATION: ASEAN AND US STAND OFF ON SLORC May 4, 1997 In the end, what will tilt the balance of arguments is Asean's determination not to be dictated to by the West. However, it does need to be said that the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council's actions against its opponents have not made matters any easier for Asean. While Asean has no desire to dictate the pace of political change there, there was hope that political and social accommodation in Burma would follow from the grouping's accommodating attitude towards it, an attitude which carries a political cost. The absence of reciprocity thus far is regrettable. It does not help that the US stance means that all sides will now dig in and not budge. The Straits Times Singapore *********************************************** BKK POST: STANCE TOWARDS BURMA IS WRONG May 4, 1997 Thongbai Thongpao Washington last week imposed a trade sanction on the Slorc government of Burma. Sanctioning is one measure to penalise foreign governments which have gone astray and cannot be tamed through legal procedures. The sanction is in objection to human right violations in the country. In fact, several countries in Europe and the United States have tried to exert economic and political pressure to force governments of certain countries which fail to observe human right such as the case of Saddam Hussein of Iraq. More recently, attempts were made to reach a consensus to punish China on the same grounds but they were aborted. While teaching Burma a lesson, the White House expects Asean to cooperate. The US hints that Asean should delay the integration of the junta-ruled country, a move it believes can help bring the Slorc to heel somewhat. It's hard to expect Asean to comply although the United States is a super power and very influential. By nature, certain Asean countries have yet to approve of the concept of human rights. They view human rights as something belonging to Western standards and alien to Asian traditions. At the recent International Human Rights Conference in Vienna, some member countries protested openly against the idea although they are UN members, subscribe to the UN conventions and pledged to observe the Declarations on Human Rights. Indonesia, Malaysia Singapore and China belong to this group. Consequently, it's unlikely that these four countries will agree with Washington unless a miracle happens. As for Thailand, although we obediently followed the footsteps of the Big Brother after the Seato deal had been inked, our policy towards Burma has always been "constructive." Never once has Thailand challenged the Burmese junta or uttered offensive remarks against it in connection with human right violations in the country. On the contrary, we have always tried to be on good terms with the Slorc until a political critic once accused one of our military leaders of copying military rule of Slorc. When it comes to our policy towards Burma now, Gen Chavalit confirms the stereotypical view that Burma's military leader and himself are "good friends."Additionally, Thailand and Burma have established close economic ties, including a gas pipe laying project from Burma to Thailand, the construction of a Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge, Thai investments in hotels in Burma and numerous private construction projects. Thai industrialists are also very interested in woods in Burma. Taking all these factors into consideration, it should come as no surprise that the Thai leader has made it clear he will not follow in the footsteps of the US in imposing sanctions against the country or delay the integration of Burma. This is an independent stance Thailand has towards Burma. However, that doesn't mean that the stance is endorsed by all Thais, especially a number of Thai human right groups who view such a policy as an extension of support to human right violators and an infringement of international human right principles. Sins, virtues and justice knows no bounds. Human right violations in Burma are always wrong and can never be right. It is impossible to deny that such violations are not against international human rights or violations of UN conventions. As a result, the creative relationship policy Thailand has towards Burma is illegitimate. It equals taking side with and supports a human rights violator and an enemy of democracy. Such a stance does not represent all Thais who promote human rights and democracy. ************************************************************ BKK POST: SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE PLAN FOR MAE SOT BACKED May 4, 1997 Mae Sot Prime Minister's Office Minister Veerakorn Kamprakob has backed the plan to designate part of the district as a special economic zone to promote border trade and prevent influx of illegal Burmese workers. The plan was reportedly initiated by local business groups and the chamber of commerce. Mr Veerakorn was in the province to observe border investment activities. Mae Sot provides a firm investment platform in addition to a high trade potential for labour-intensive industries, the minister said. He floated the idea of establishing an industrial estate to promote exports. The district also has a vast labour market of illegal Burmese workers who could be legalised so they can work in the proposed economic zone. This way, the government can control the number of illegal workers while preventing them from spreading to other provinces. The economic zone initiative was inspired by a study on the subject conducted by a private company which was submitted to the Industry Economics Office in March last year. According to the study, Mae Sot is an ideal channel hooking up with the Asian Highway No.1 which links Burma with the Indochina region through Thailand. The chamber of commerce felt the western part of the country should be developed to accommodate investment in agro-industries. Mae Sot is also the gateway to deep-sea ports in lower Burma's Moulmein and Tavoy. **************************** AFP: SKOREA'S HYUNDAI, SINGAPORE'S SINMARDEV LINK UP FOR BURMA PROJECT May 2, 1997 SEOUL, May 2 - South Korea's Hyundai Corp. said Friday it had formed a consortium with Singapore real estate company Sinmardev International Pte Ltd. to build an international industrial complex in Burma. The Korean company said construction had already begun on the 300 million dollar project which includes port development, 18 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Rangoon, and was expected to be completed by 2000. Hyundai did not detail the amount of its investment in the project, which it said is backed by Burma's housing ministry. ************************************************ PRNEWSWIRE : BURMA DENOUNCED BY OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB OF AMERICA April 30, 1997 NEW YORK, -- Denouncing the imprisonment of 185 journalists in 24 countries "as violations of all international standards of humanity, free expression and free press," the Overseas Press Club of America (OPC) has appealed to the governments holding the newspeople to release them now. The journalists in jail include reporters, editors, photographers, radio and TV broadcasters. The countries receiving the appeals are located in Asia, Africa, Asia Minor and South America, Norman Schorr and Larry Martz, co-chairmen of the OPC's Freedom of the Press Committee, reported today. The sentences of the jailed journalists range from six months to life, with the average exceeding 15 years. A substantial number are held in jail without being charged or sentenced or even acknowledged, Schorr and Martz pointed out. Heading the list compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists as of year-end 1996, is Turkey with 78 prisoners, 58 men and 20 women. Most of them were arrested for their coverage of the fighting between the government and Kurds in southeast Turkey seeking independence. Prisoners are being held by Turkey for terms of three to 100 years, with 12 and a half years the most common sentence. Other countries holding journalists in prison include Ethiopia with 18, China 17, Kuwait 15, Nigeria and Myanmar (BURMA) 8 each, Algeria 7 and Syria 6. Countries holding 1-5 prisoners include Burundi, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Sudan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Zaire and Zambia. The so-called misdeeds responsible for the arrests and imprisonments were "hardly offenses judged by international standards," according to the OPC's Schorr and Martz. The alleged offenses included stories or broadcasts described as dishonoring or insulting the head of state, inciting ethnic hatred, attacking the dignity and honor of the president of the republic, circulating rumor-mongering leaflets and fomenting a counter-revolution. "These trumped-up charges reveal that many countries are unwilling to allow their citizens to learn about opposition movements, corruption or other subjects the government wants to conceal," the committee commented. "Or, the government could be paranoid and their leaders could be exceptionally thin-skinned," the committee added. The Overseas Press Club appeals and protests were signed by John Corporon, the club's president, and the three co-chairmen of the club's Freedom of the Press Committee, Dinah Lee, Larry Martz and Norman Schorr. In its appeals, the OPC pointed out that detention of the journalists "is in clear violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." The messages to the leaders of the 24 countries also stated: "We urge you to respect your people's right to know what is happening in your country and in the world. Please act promptly to obtain the release of these journalists. For any time that they may continue as prisoners, we ask you to provide them with their basic human and legal rights: freedom from torture or inhumane conditions, the right to a fair trial, the right to engage legal counsel of their own choosing, and the right to see their family." For more than 50 years, the Overseas Press Club has been defending rights of journalists around the world to do their job of covering the news without harassment or persecution. CONTACT: Norman Schorr, 212-935-5555 or Lary Martz, 212-889-5155, both for the Overseas Press Club of America *****************************************