------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: May 15, 1997 Issue #721 HEADLINES: ========== BRC-J: NEW YORK CITY PASSES BURMA SANCTIONS NEWSWEEK:INTERVIEW- "JUST SAY NO TO BURMA" THE NATION: PREMIER TO DISCUSS US SANCTIONS BKK POST: BUSY AGENDA FOR CHAVALIT IN RANGOON BKK POST: ADB DEFENDS LOAN BAN AGAINST BURMA THAILAND TIMES: THAI GIVEN MORE FLIGHT TO BURMA SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0040 DPNS: FACTS ABOUT DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR A NEW SOCIETY NEW FRONTIERS: MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS ----------------------------------------------------------------- BRC-J: NEW YORK CITY PASSES BURMA SANCTIONS May 14, 1997 From: Ken and Visakha Kawasaki NEW YORK BURMA SUPPORT GROUP NEW YORK CITY, WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 1997 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York City Passes Burma Sanctions The City of New York will no longer do business with companies doing business in Burma under the provisions a law adopted unanimously by the New York City Council Wednesday afternoon at City Hall here . Bill #647A passed by 50 votes to none opposed City Council Speaker Peter Vallone said the Council voted for the legislation only after hearing strong proof of human rights abuses by Burmese ruling military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration council (SLORC). "New York City has a right and an obligation to invest our money to do good and not to encourage evil," Vallone said. A March 4 Council hearing on the legislation heard detailed and often disturbing testimony regarding the Burmese military dictatorship's denial of democracy, responsibility for severe human rights abuses and ecological devastation and links Burma's booming heroin trade. New York becomes the thirteenth US city to adopt selective purchasing legislation aimed at the repressive Burmese military junta On the state level, Massachusetts adopted a similar law last year and legislation is today under active consideration in Connecticut and Texas. US Federal government sanctions enacted on April 22 bars all new American investment in Burma. Council member Mary Pinkett of Brooklyn said the new law showed there could be "no business as usual when dealing with dictatorships. This shows as New Yorkers we will take a stand, not only to protect our own interests but the rights of others who are suffering so terribly. To the people of Burma we say, 'Please know that you are not forgotten.' " Councilman Kenneth Fisher, one of the law's original sponsors was among fifteen council members who spoke in support of the bill. "I hope the Burmese Junta will pay attention to what we did here today," Fisher said, "but it's more important if it helps make them pay attention to democrats in Burma." City Council member Thomas Duane of Manhattan, another strong supporter of the bill, added: "New Yorkers today showed our support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the vast majority of Burmese who want a peaceful and democratic country, and our belief that corporate greed must not be allowed to prop a cruel and corrupt dictatorship." UNOCAL, the California-based petrochemical giant, is partners with the SLORC junta in a billion dollar gas pipeline project associated with serious human rights abuses, and faces suit in federal court in California by victims of these abuses. UNOCAL is using the New York firm of Davidoff and Malito to lobby against Bill 647A. Unocal and Texaco are today targets of consumer boycotts because of their business in Burma. Other companies which have already pulled out of Burma or announced they will not do business there include Apple Computer, Motorola, Kodak Pepsi-Cola Anheuser-Busch, Heineken, Columbia Sportswear, Macy's (Federated Dept. Stores) Amoco' Levi Strauss, Eddie Bauer and Liz Claiborne. New York City Mayor Rudy Giullani now has 30 days to either sign or veto the bill. His Administration has twice testified against the bill but City Council members expressed confidence that the Council would easily muster the two-thirds majority needed to override a mayoral veto. For further information, please contact; New York City; Nina Reznick, Coordinators NY Burma Support Group 212-473-0048 Dr. Than Htun, Burma UN Office 212-338-0048 New York City Council 212 788-6948 Connecticut: Representative Jessie Stratton 860-240-0440 Texas Representative Lon Burnam 214-522-8905 *********************************************** NEWSWEEK:INTERVIEW- "JUST SAY NO TO BURMA" May 12, 1997 Sukhumbhand Paribatra, a cousin of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej's, is a member of Parliament from the opposition Democrat party and chairman of the Thai Parliament's foreign affairs subcommittee on Thai - Burmese relations. One of Thailand's most respected foreign-policy experts. Sukhumbhand, 44, is sharply critical of the policy of "constructive engagement" that his country and the six other members of ASEAN -- the Association of South East Asian Nations -- follow toward Burma. He talked in Bangkok with Newsweek's Ron Moreau. Excerpts: MORELS: Will Washington's embargo on new American investment in Burma, announced in April, bring about positive change there? SUKHUMBHAND: I think the sanctions are justified in moral terms. In recent months the junta has increased its suppression of opposition groups In Burma. This is a worrying trend; Washington is right to register its disapproval of the way things are going. But I have a feeling that [sanctions] won't work. The economies of this region are so well integrated that the temporary void created by the ban on new U.S. investment will quickly be filled by someone else, and Burma's increasing trade with its neighbors will go on. Q: Washington is lobbying ASEAN members not to admit Burma as a full member of the regional group when they meet in Kuala Lumpur in July. Is that the right thing to do? I don't think ASEAN should admit Burma as a new member in July. New members must live up to a minimum standard of decency for admission, and I think the present junta in Burma has failed to meet that minimum standard of decent behavior. New member governments must also meet a minimum standard of legitimacy and I believe the Burmese junta has no legitimacy. It has held on to power against the verdict of the last [1990] election, which it was responsible for organizing. So I think Burma has failed the litmus test for both decency and legitimacy. Q: What should ASEAN do regarding Burma? In its policy of "constructive engagement" with Burma, ASEAN should put more emphasis on being constructive and less on engagement. In the past, ASEAN has emphasized engagement, such as investing in Burma and doing business with the junta. Now it's time to move forward to stress constructive intervention in Burmese affairs. We have to be more direct in talking to them about the kind of decency and legitimacy in government that we'd like to see in a friendly, neighboring country Q: But aren't ASEAN foreign ministers already quietly advising the junta to clean up its act? Some of that is going on. But if (Malaysian Prime Minister) Mahathir (Mohamad) has his way, ASEAN would admit Burma by July without asking anything in return. This is far too early and too easy for the junta. Q: Specifically, what changes should Burma make before it is admitted? I think the Burmese junta must make progress along the road toward more accountability and openness before we admit them. At least that means talking to and working with the democratic opposition. ASEAN has developed to a stage of maturity where it should be able to confidently say "no" to countries who wish to join ASEAN but who do not measure up to our standards of behavior. I'm not saying that all ASEAN countries are paragons of democracy but there is growing accountability and transparency in all ASEAN countries. We respect the main principles of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights. Q: What should Thailand's attitude be toward Burma? As Burma's closest ASEAN neighbor we should make the point very directly and clearly that Burma's domestic affairs are having a very negative impact on Thailand. For example, the junta's military offensive against Karen rebels along our border is pushing refugees into Thailand. Since we abide by human-rights conventions we cannot be expected to push all these refugees back to Burma as the junta demands. We must insist that Burma solve its internal problems by bringing about enough domestic change so that refugees and other Burmese won't fear returning to their county voluntarily. Q: So you think Thailand should insist on democratic change in Burma? I don't think we should try to promote democracy anywhere before we have a full- fledged democratic system in Thailand. Democracy is the wrong word. What one should realistically hope for and push for is a system of government in Burma that is answerable to the people. That's in Thailand's own self-interest because Thailand cannot survive as an island of democracy in the middle of authoritarian regimes. ******************************************* THE NATION: PREMIER TO DISCUSS US SANCTIONS WITH BURMA May 14, 1997 [abridged] Piyanart Srivalo, Surachai Chupaka PRIME Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will discuss several economic issues, including US sanctions, when he makes an official two-day visit to Burma starting on Friday. Informed sources said that all government and security agencies will hold a final round of discussions today to finalise the premier's agenda with top Burmese junta leaders, including Gen Than Shwe, Gen Maung Aye and Gen Khin Nyunt. Chavalit is expected to hold private talks with some of Burma's leaders during which he will reiterate Thailand's support for the country's admission as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He will also discuss the problems of illegal Burmese immigrants and refugees in Thailand. According to one official source, Burma is likely to be badly hurt by US economic sanctions that ban new American investment in the country.. But at the same time, many countries both near and far are waiting to take advantage of the sanctions by taking over any prospective economic projects, he said. During the visit, Chavalit is expected to assure the Burmese junta of Thailand's readiness to assist Burma in times of critical economic woes by urging the junta to facilitate the entry of Thai investors into the country, the source added. He said that Chavalit's team of economic advisers has already held a meeting with representatives of seven big Thai companies investing in Burma to work out part of the premier's agenda and a common position on Thailand's economic activity into the country. Some firms present included Italian-Thai Development, Petroleum Authority of Thailand, Sahavirija, Cosmo Oil and Thai Fisheries Association. According to Wirachai Techawichit, one of Chavalit's economic advisers, three pressing issues will top the economic agenda of bilateral talks, including a request for the junta to reform the country's dual kyat currency to promote investment in Burma. The economic adviser said that Chavalit will also urge the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) to establish a one-stop service that will consider and grant projects to investors. He said that Chavalit, who has developed close relations with Slorc leaders, will discuss the prospect of Thailand's fishing fleet being allowed to use Burmese waters. The premier will tell Slorc to deal directly with the Thai Fisheries Association which will have strict control over the economic behaviour of its member companies. Chavalit will inform Slorc of a proposal to construct a hospital in Burma as a gift to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thai-Burmese diplomatic relations next year. ************************************************ BKK POST: BUSY AGENDA FOR CHAVALIT IN RANGOON May 14, 1997 [abridged] Bhanravee Tansubhapol Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will be on hand to witness Thailand and Burma sign agreements on border crossings and jurisdiction over a friendship bridge bridge during his May 16 and 17 visit to Rangoon. Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn, who will accompany the prime minister, will be Thailand's signatory. The border agreement, covering checkpoints at Kawthaung-Ranong, Mae Sot-Myawaddy and Mae Sai- Tachilek, is aimed at curbing crime including drugs trafficking, an official said. To come into effect 90 days after its signing, the agreement will allow only those living near the three checkpoints to carry permanent passes. Others will be issued temporary passes. Thailand plans to enter into similar agreements with neighbouring Laos and Cambodia, the official noted. The other agreement concerns jurisdiction over the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge linking Mae Sot and Myawaddy. Premier Chavalit will reaffirm the decision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to admit Burma, Cambodia and Laos, Mr Prachuab said. Also on the agenda are the development of a deep sea port at Tavoy and a possible road link between Tavoy and central Vietnam via Laos and Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri. Bangkok wants to link the western seaboard with ports on the Andaman Sea to create an alternative trade route for Europe-bound goods currently taking the longer journey through the Malacca Straits. "Tavoy port has a petrochemical base which could develop like the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand," Mr Prachuab said. General Chavalit will also discuss the purchase of 1,500 megawatts of electricity from Burma and confirm Thai cooperation in laying an oil pipeline from Burma to Ratchaburi province. In addition, he will raise the issue of the 700,000 illegal Burmese workers in Thailand. **************************************************** BKK POST: ADB DEFENDS LOAN BAN AGAINST BURMA May 14, 1997 AFP Fukuoka, Japan -Asian Development Bank president Mitsuo Sato yesterday defended his policy of not lending to Burma following objections raised on Monday by Burmese Finance Minister Win Tin. "The issue of Myanmar includes highly political issues. There will be problems with the international community," he said. Mr Sato cited Burma's military-run exchange rate policy and fiscal policy as two of the major problems with the country. ******************************************************** THAILAND TIMES: THAI GIVEN MORE FLIGHT TO BURMA May 14, 1997 BANGKOK: Thailand and Burma have sealed an agreement to increase the number of flights on the Bangkok-Rangoon route, the Cabinet acknowledged yesterday. The accord was signed in Rangoon last week during a visit by Communications Minister Suwat Liptapallop to Burma. According to the terms of the agreement, Thai Airways International will increase the number of flights to Rangoon to a total of 14 flights per week with 3,500 passengers. The aviation deal, which will come into effect in October, was one of several agreements made by Suwat prior to the Prime Minister's official visit to Burma later this week. *************************************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0040 May 14, 1997 From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM On the evening of 13th May '97, Mrs. Aris, together with U Kyi Maung, met the Charge d' Affaires of the U.S Embassy Mr. Kent Wiedemann at his residence. Mrs. Aris spent an hour with the Charge d' affaires , it is learnt. *********************************************** DPNS: FACTS ABOUT "DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR A NEW SOCIETY (DPNS)" May 10, 1997 mingla@cm.ksc.co.th Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) was formed to be able to play in a role in politics to legally to achieve democracy in Burma. The DPNS, which is based on youths including students, played a very important role in the democratic struggle in Burma. As soon as it was formed, the DPNS demanded that the military junta, the so-called State Law and Order Restoration Council(SLORC), allow an interim goverment to form. Many young people became linked through the DPNS which has become the second largest party in Burma. In spite of the DPNS being the second largest democratic opposition party in Burma, next to the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the DPNS decided not to enter the general election scheduled and held in 1990, giving full support to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. After the 1990 election, all political activities of the DPNS were suppressed by SLORC and a number of its members including some party leaders were arrested - some of them are still in various jails in Burma. So, the Central Committee of DPNS decided to move to the liberated area. POLITICAL STAND We, the DPNS, have resolved the following as our steadfast goals; (1) We shall resolve to work for democracy, national solidarity and peace; (2) We shall stand, at all times, on the side of oppressed peoples of Burma; (3) We shall be against any oppressive regime, regardless of its name and nature, which put our Burmese people under its servitude; AIMS & OBJECTVES - To abolish military dictatorial system; - To achieve democracy; - To reach internal peace; - To establish the genuine federal union; BACKGROUND HISTORY A series of demonstrations took place in 1988 in Burma, which was under the one party system rule of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), with an absence of democratic rights. In that period, there was no freedom of speech, writing, assembly and so on. The BSPP was merely a military force. Under that military force, the entire people had to face many difficulities. Mismanagement of the unskilled, so-called socialist army turned the resource-wealthy country into the one of ten poorest countries in the world, greatly effecting the lives of Burmese citizens. Corruption and economic malaise impoverished the nation. The people joined the demonstrations and the entire country seemed to be on the streets calling for BSPP to step down and the interim government to lead our mother land back to democracy. But the military junta responded with arrests, killings, and staged a coup itself, established martial law on September 18, 1988. Many people including students and youths were killed during these turbulent days. Many popular leaders wererounded up overnight, imprisoned and executed. However, the military junta could not resist the pressure of the entire people. So, they allowed the establishment of political parties and promised to hold a multi-party election. Meanwhile, the All Burma Federation of Students' Union (ABFSU), a leading organization during the uprising, considered that there were three main forms of struggle against the military dictatorship, namely; 1. Armed struggle 2. Non-violent legal struggle and 3. Under secret networks. The ABFSU leadership decided that part of the student activitists should establish a legal political party and participate in the non-violent form of struggle. Thus the student and youth activitists organized and formed the Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS) on October 14, 1988. During the organizational campaign of the DPNS, the DPNS focused on the youths of grassroot population such as peasants, workers, and urban poor population. After six months, the DPNS emerged as the second most powerful political party in legal fore. We were able to form our branches in more than 250 townships and could produce 1500 qualified organizers. The number of party members extended to 250,000. The DPNS formed a reliable alliance of the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Furthermore, the DPNS was able to organize to form the League for Democratic Alliance (LDA) comprising of twelve registered political parties. The DPNS succeeded in establishing another political front named Democratic Front of Union of Burma (DFUB) in which forty one registered political parties participated. In spite of such achievements, the DPNS was the target of the SLORC's oppression. After the party was formed, the chairman had to flee to the eastern border. Meanwhile more than one hundred party members were apprehended by the SLORC. No less than three hundred members of the DPNS were imprisoned within six months and two of them died in the jail. During the political defiance campaign led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the first half of 1989, almost all leaders were imprisoned by the military junta, the SLORC. Most of them are still in the prison. The DPNS never intended contest in the general election held on May 27,1990. The DPNS aimed to participate in the election campaign for the political rights and create a democratic atmosphere, but the SLORC issued a decree ordering every registered party to submit no less than three constituencies to participate in the contest. Nevertheless, the DPNS adopted a strategy to concentrate all its efforts in support of the NLD, so that the NLD became strong enough to challenge the dictators. During that time, the DPNS was able to organize and form a campaign committe together with the All Burma Federation of Students' Union (ABFSU), various trade unions, youth fronts, young monks' union and other youth organizations. After the general election, the DPNS adopted a four point programme as follows; 1. To convene the parliament as early as possible; 2. To release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners; 3. To terminate the civil war ; 4. To convene a national convention where all political groups are able to participate; The SLORC responded by restricting permits to print and disseminate any political pamphlets and newsletters by the DPNS, prohibiting publicity practices, and raiding the party's branch offices in Rangoon and various part of Burma. Moreover, the SLORC launched their offensive against the DPNS. The chairman and most of party's leaders of DPNS were imprisoned and the headquarters of DPNS was sealed. The Central Committee of DPNS, therefore, decided to resort to underground activities. Then some of party's leaders contacted the DAB and the chairman and eleven leaders sneacked out of Rangoon in November 1991. Then the headquarters of the DPNS was established at Manerplaw. After arriving at the liberated area, the DPNS became a member of the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB) and, later, a member of the National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB). The DPNS was able to establish contacts with the party members who remained inside Burma, and formed underground party committees inside Burma. At the second conference of DAB recently held in the Thai-Burma border, the chairman of DPNS was re-elected as the General Secretary and the General Secretary of DPNS was elected as a member of Central Executive Committee of DAB by secret ballot. After that, the chairman of DPNS served as the General Secretary of DAB, a member of secretariat of NCUB and the Incharge of Political Defiance Committee (PDC). While the DPNS was working to reach its aims and objectives for the sake of Burmese people under the military rule, the Chairman of DPNS, Comrade Myint Zaw, passed away due to malaria on the Thai- Burma border. After the death of Comrade Myint Zaw, the Central Committee meeting was held and Comrade Aung Moe Zaw was elected as the Chairman of DPNS. In that meeting, it was decided that the DPNS shall continue its struggle as the policies under the leadership of Comrade Myint Zaw. THE PRESENT SITUATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE DPNS In order to improve the involvement of the DPNS in the anti-military dictatorship struggle and pro-democracy movement, the present activities of the DPNS emphasize the following urgent tasks; 1. To strengthen the political defiance activities (non-violent action) inside Burma, 2. To improve and extend the organizational and information activities. 3. To set up the regional underground committees of DPNS inside Burma. 4. To harmonize movements inside and outside Burma. As the current situation of the armed struggle along the border, the DPNS faces limitations in continuing its struggle to promote democracy in Burma. Despite current conditions, the DPNS strongly believes that we will be able to overcome hardships with the support of the people of Burma and the international community who understand and sympathize with the real situation of Burma. The DPNS is now trying to fulfill its urgent tasks. The DPNS has been able to establish contact with members who are still inside Burma and organized them to form the underground committees regionally. Now, the regional party committees are implementing the organizational works and information works according to the guideline policies and urgent programmes of the Central Committee of DPNS. Especially, they are trying to organize the grassroot population of Burma to be educated on the essence of democracy and human rights, to involve the political defiance programme against the oppressive government and, at present, to follow up the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to promote democracy in Burma and to reach national reconciliation for lasting peace in Burma. And also, the Central Committee formed political working groups to regularly meet the underground committees inside Burma. On the other hand, as the DPNS is a member organization of DAB and NCUB, it has been implementing the strategic plan of NCUB and its PD committee and the DPNS has been trying to achieve trust between Burman and ethnic nationalities to work towards national reconciliation by working closely hand in hand with the NDF member organizations and other ethnic forces. ***************************************************** NEW FRONTIERS: MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO TOURISTS April, 1997 From: Ken and Visakha Kawasaki (Prepared by Tourism Investigation & Monitoring Team) E-mail: TERRAPER@KSC.NET.TH MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO OPEN FOR SALE TO TOURISTS {BP: 20.3.97} - A few weeks ago, a group of international tourists for the first time legally set foot on any of the 600 islands in the Mergui archipelago in the Andaman Sea. They made the journey on board of the 'Gaea', a ship operated by South East Asia Liveaboard, which entered Burma at Kawthuang, or once called Victoria Point, at the southernmost tip of the country. Burma's military leaders are trying to sell the archipelago as a "re- emerging lost island paradise" to foreign visitors. But the opening of such a vast expanse of virtually undeveloped beach real estate less than 150 kilometres away from Phuket might also have enormous effects on tourism in southern Thailand. Various diving and yacht charter companies have been trying to develop tourism in southern Burma for some years already, and Club Med made an exploratory trip into the area two years ago. The inaugural voyage of 'Gaea' was the result of negotiations that began in 1995 between a syndicate of three Phuket-based diving and yacht charter companies and the Burmese Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. South East Asia Liveaboard finally received permission to take small groups of tourists into the Mergui. According to Jeroen Deknatel of Phuket's Fantasea Divers, "the Burmese authorities do allow some Phuket-based operations to dive in Burmese waters but customs and immigration conditions make it difficult," he said. Pornchan Chankajor of Dive Master Co. Ltd. said that her company took 18 divers as far north as Little Torres Islands in January. She plans more trips this season, and two per month next year. "How it goes in future will depend on the government in Burma," she said. "When we go, we have an escort boat from the {Burmese) Navy to ensure 100-per cent security. But the conditions under sea are very good, very good for diving." One of the problems is the longstanding conflict between Burma and Thailand over rich fishing grounds around the outer Mergui islands. South East Asia Liveaboards received permission to enter the area only on the condition that it would stay among the inner islands, away from the disputed islands. Twice during its maiden trip, the 'Gaea' was challenged by Burmese Navy patrol boats, and the government tour guide had to explain to the Navy that the Mergui was now actually open to tourism. http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm ******************************************* THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS May 3, 1997: MIC SECRETARY RECEIVES SECRETARY OF JAINGSU PROVINCE YANGON, 2 May -Minister at the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung received Secretary of Jaingsu Province of the People's Republic of China Mr Liu lian and party at Myanmar Investment Commission Office this morning. They discussed foreign investment law, investment opportunities, promotion of trade and friendly relations between the two countries. 2ND MALAYSIAN PRODUCTS EXHIBITION-97 OPENS YANGON, 2 May-The 2nd Malaysian Products Exhibition-R7, assisted by the Ministry of Cooperatives and jointly sponsored by Silver Kris Co (Myanmar) and Forum Exposition Sdn Bhd of Malaysia, opened at Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road here today. Chemicals for agricultural sector, fertilizer, papers, plastic goods, paints, silverplated and goldplated goods, fencing materials, printing materials, foodstuff, petroleum products and gas of Petronas, personal and household goods, decorated materials, ribbons, cooking oil and others, are being displayed under the assistance of MATRADE - Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation. May 4, 1997: OVER 31,000 USDA MEMBERS OF YANGON DIVISION VOW TO EXPAND ASSOCIATION'S ORGANIZATION, TAKE ACTIVE PART IN PUBLIC WELFARE SERVICES YANGON, 3 May-Over 31,000 members of Union Solidarity and Development Associations of four districts in Yangon Division today rallied to the support of the motions to expand organization of the USDA and for all members to take an active part in public welfare services and to denounce the' destructive acts of internal and external subversive elements-and unanimously vowed their commitment at a USDA plenary meeting on implementation of tasks held at the National Indoor Stadium 1 in Thingangyun Township this morning. May 7, 1997: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE ACCEPTS CREDENTIALS OF AMBASSADOR OF INDIA YANGON, 6 May-Mr Shyam Saran, newly accredited Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Union of Myanmar presented his credentials to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council of the Union of Myanmar at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 10 am today. MIC SECRETARY RECEIVES CHIEF REP OF IT TRADE YANGON, 6 May - Minister at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Secretary of Myanmar Investment, Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maunge received Chief Representative Dr Umberto Ricca of IT Trade of Vietnam at the office of MIC this afternoon. They discussed production of ceramic tiles and canning industry. May 8, 1997 OVER 20,000 KAYIN STATE USDA MEMBERS SUPPORT EXPANSION OF ASSOCIATION, DENOUNCE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DESTRUCTIONSTS YANGON, 7 May - About 20,570 members of Union Solidarity and Development Associations in townships in Kayin State rallied at a meeting on implementation of community service tasks at Aung Thanlwin Sports Ground in Hpa-an on 5 May morning. The members comprising Executive Committee members of Kayin State, District and Township USDAs and organizers and executives of Ward USDAs marched to the venue in four columns. DIRECTOR OF RESETTLEMENT LEAVES FOR PRC YANGON, 7 May-Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt- Gen Tin Oo this afternoon saw off Director of Resettlement of the Ministry at Defence Col Thaik Tun who left for the People's Republic of China to study factoriess workshops and agriculture and livestock breeding and production. THAI ENERGY DELEGATION ARRIVES YANGON, 7 May-A Thai energy delegation led by Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Sompong Amornvivat arrived here by air this morning at the invitation of Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein. May 9, 1997 DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES DIRECTOR OF YANGTZEKIANG INDUSTRIES (MYANMAR) LTD YANGON, 8 May - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman-of Myanmar Investment t Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Director of Yangtzekiang Industries (Myanmar) Ltd Mr Rodney Stewart Curson at his office this morning. They discussed implementations of Yangtzekiang Industries (Myanmar) Ltd in Myanmar according to the Foreign Investment Law and extension of investment in Myanmar. THAI TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER ARRIVES YANGON, 8 May-Minister of Transport and Communications of Thailand Mr Suwat Liptapanlop, his wife and party arrived here by air this morning at the invitation of Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win. ASSISTANT UN SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS YANGON, 8 May - Assistant United Nations Secretary-General Mr Alvaro De Soto, Representative of the Unit Nations Secretary-General called on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw at ministry this morning.They discussed matters of mutual interest. Director-General of the International Organizations and Economic Department U Ba Thwin, Director General of the Consular, International Law and Treaties and Research Department U Aye Lwin and Director of the International Organizations Division U Tin Maung Aye were also present. He arrived here by air yesterday morning. He was accompanied by Ms Hiroko Miyamura, Associate Political Affairs Officer, Department of Political Affairs of the UN Headquarters. FINANCIAL ATTACHE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION MEETS CHAIRMAN OF MYANMAR MAY FLOWER BANK LTD YANGON 8 May - Mr Patrick Pillon, Financial Attache for South-East Asia Region n, Franch Embassy Financial Agency for South-East Asia. Region, met Chairman of Myanmar May flower Bank Ltd U Kyaw Win at the Head Office of Myanmar May Flower Bank at 9th Mile, Py8y Road, at 10 am. MIC CHAIRMAN RECEIVES CHAINNAN OF MANDALAY MINING COMPANY NL YANGON, 8 May - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Chairman of Mandalay Mining Company NL Mr John R Shepherd and party of Australia at his office this afternoon. They discussed.implementation of Mandalay Mining Company NL for the development of Namatu Mine and their future tasks. May 10, 1997: SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE RECEIVES THAI TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER YANGON, 9 May Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received Minister of Transport and Communications of Thailand Mr Suwat Liptapanlop and party at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this morning. MIC CHAIRMAN RECEIVES MD OF KERRY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD YANGON, 9 May Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Managing Director of Kerry Investment Management Ltd Mr David Walton Masters and party of Hong Kong at his office this morning. MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT RECEIVES GM OF MITSUBISHI CORPORATION YANGON, 9 May Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win received General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Mr R Hara at his office this morning. ASSISTANT UN SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON SECRETARIAT MEMBER OF USDA YANGON, 9 May Assistant United Nations Secretary-General Mr Alvaro De Soto, Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, accompanied by Associate Political Affairs Officers of Department of Political Affairs of the UN Headquarters Ms Hiroko Miyamura, called on member of the Secretariat of Union Solidarity and Development Association U Ko Lay at his office this afternoon. They discussed matter related to USDA. CEC members of USDA U Thein Sein, U Aung Phone and officials were also present. May 11, 1997: SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES ASSISTANT UN SECRETARY-GENERAL YANGON, 10 May Secretary-l of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Assistant United Nations Secretary- General Mr Alvaro De Soto, Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 9 am today. Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also present. He was accompanied by Ms Hiroko Miyamura, Associate Political Affairs Officer, Department of Political Affairs of the UN Headquarters. SECRETARY-1 RECEIVES KACHIN STATE NATIONALITIES LEADER YANGON, 10 May Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received nationalities leader of Kachin State Special Region 1 U Za Khun Ting Ring and members U Nyein Aye and U Zaw La at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this evening. They discussed industrial services, energy sector an economic development activities. May 13, 1997: MINISTER FOR HOTELS AND TOURISM RECEIVES TOURISM PROMOTERS YANGON, 12 May-Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba received General Manager Mr Duncan T Machan of Central Floating Hotel, Yangon, at his office at 4.30 pm today. They discussed publishing of Mingalarbar Magazine for tourism promotion and cruises. The minister also received Chairman Mr Chain S Wong of Kung Fu Plaza Restaurant of Thailand and Director Mr Peter Drummond of Kordex Corp Pty Ltd of Australia separately. English : http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/ German: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/ ********************************************