------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: May 16, 1997 Issue #722 HEADLINES: ========== THE NATION: BURMESE ARMY FORCES ETHNIC TAIS TO LEAVE AP: BURMA WANTS PRESS KEPT FROM SUU KYI KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 22/97 KNU: BATTLE NEWS THE NATION:BURMA CAMPS TO BE CORDONED OFF AFP: SLORC TO PUBLISH BOOK ON OPPOSITION "TRICKERY" THE NATION: PM URGED TO RECONSIDER RELATIONSHIP BKK POST: BURMA TAKES PRECEDENCE ASIA TIMES: ONE STOCK DOES NOT A MARKET MAKE THE NATION: GREEN LOBBY QUITS YADANA PIPE PANEL BKK POST : BURMESE AGREE TO STOP DIGGING RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK:CHAMBER OF COMMERCE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S GDP OF MINES UP ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE NATION: BURMESE ARMY FORCES ETHNIC TAIS TO LEAVE May 13, 1997 Hundreds of ethnic Tais living in Burma's Shan state have fled into Thailand to escape atrocities and harsh treatment inflicted by the Burmese military, a National Security Council (NSC) border officer said yesterday. The officer said about 1000 men, women and children of ethnic Tai background were forced from their homes and crossed into Thailand through various points in Mae Hong Son province. Quoting the villagers, the officer said they had been intimidated by soldiers of the Burmese army, robbed of their cattle and forced to stand guard outside their homes at night. "They have gone through all kinds of abuse, making it unbearable for them to live there, thus they have had to flee their homeland," he said. The officer said the action by the Burmese army was akin to ethnic cleansing because Rangoon wants to resettle Burmese nationals in the area, especially in Ban Hua Mueng, which was once populated by ethnic Tais. Meanwhile, 600 Burmese soldiers, led by the deputy commander of the Burmese 358th battalion, launched raids on two Karen bases in Ban Pu Te Shouy and Ban Klong Sai Pid opposite the Thai-Burmese border on Sunday. ****************************************** AP: BURMA WANTS PRESS KEPT FROM SUU KYI May 15, 1997 Robert Horn, Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's military rulers have asked the Thai government to bar Thai reporters from meeting with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai officials said today. About 15 Thai journalists will accompany Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh when he travels to Burma to confer with leading members of that country's military government Friday and Saturday. The Burmese regime has been tightening restrictions on, and denying visas to, most foreign journalists to prevent them from trying to interview Suu Kyi. The generals are keeping the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize-winner in a state of near-house arrest, with military roadblocks around her home preventing most supporters from reaching her. Chavalit has billed himself as a friend of Burma's generals who can use his close ties to try to expose them to international norms of behavior and help moderate their repressive tactics. Burmese democracy activists and human rights groups charge, however, that in his rush to help Thai companies that want to do business in Burma, Chavalit has backed the military government's policies. Thai government spokesmen refused to comment on the Burmese request, calling it ``a very sensitive matter.'' A Thai diplomat, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, said, however, that Burma's Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the request to its Thai counterpart while preparations for the trip were being arranged. He said that it was the government's duty to inform the local journalists of the Burmese request. The government would advise them that although Thailand has a tradition of press freedom, they were visiting a country that did not, the diplomat said. However, because Thailand observes freedom of the press, the government was not in a position to bar them from attempting to meet Suu Kyi, he said. He added that a Burmese liaison officer would be posted with the news corps. Thai journalists who accompanied former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa to Burma in 1996 complained that Burmese intelligence officers prevented them from leaving their hotels unescorted. ************************************ KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO. 22/97 May 15, 1997 From: Simon_Po@sala.icn.net (Simon Po) OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS KAREN NATIONAL UNION KAW THOO LEI Press Release No. 22/97 Regarding the SLORC 1997 Major Offensive Against the KNU While proclaiming the slogans of "Non-disintegration of the Union"- "Consolidation of National Unity" ----, the SLORC has been waging a barbaric war of aggression, slaughter, desruction, rape and etc, and perpetrating atrocities against the Karen people. * 20-3-97: Sergeant Tway Nge and a private from the SLORC LIB* 208, under the command of Maj. Tay Aung raped Naw Paw Lweh, 15, of Pu-yay village which is situated near Kyaik-don village in Kya-in-Seik-Kyi township. The crime took place at 8 p.m. on the upper floor of her own house. The two threatened Naw Paw Lweh's aunt with death if there was any leak of information about the matter. * 23-3-97: Company (1) commander from SLORC LIB 205, Capt* Thein Aung and his whole company of soldier gang-raped Naw Aye Win, 35, and her sister Ma Thein Za, 17, from Gar-lay-kee village of Kya-in-Seik-kyi township and, then, shot them to death. The naked bodies of the two were left at the edge of a forest. * 28-4-97: Saw Pa Nar, a member of the ally of the SLORC, DKBA * shot to death Par Thay Thar, 25, from No-law-pa-law village at a place between Too-chaw and Pa-lo villages in Thaton district. * 29-4-97: A DKBA member Than Tun and friends burnt down the house of Maung Aung Than of Kyauk-pya village causing a loss of property worth 500,000 Kyat*. * 2-5-97: Intelligence officer Capt. Tin Ngwe from LIB 230 of the SLORC army arrested without reason Saw Maung Kyaw, 38, of Ma-yan-gon village, Thaton district and beat him up. He was seriously injured, as a result. * 3-5-97: Captain Tin Ngwe arrested U Par Kya, 40, of Me-jaung-aing village and took him to Maj. Thet Tin Win of Naung-ga-doke camp. At about 5 p.m, Maj. Thet Tin Win took U Par Kya and villagers of Me-jaung-aing to the cemetery and made the villagers dig pit in the ground. Then U Par Kya was made to lie down in the pit and shot in front of the villagers. Again, Maj. Thet Tin Win stabbed U Par Kyi, 50, and U Par Leh, 40, of Naung-ga-doke village with a knife and dragged them into the village with blood dripping from the wounds and summoned the villagers to come and take a look. LIB = Light Infantry Battalion Capt = Captain DKBA = Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army Kyat = Name of the Burmese currency KNU Information center ************************************************** KNU: BATTLE NEWS May 16, 1997 From: Simon_Po@sala.icn.net (Simon Po) SKIRMISHES IN APRIL From 1.4.97 to 30.4.97, (95) clashes broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops, (65) KNLA mines were exploded. 46 SLORC soldiers were killed and 62 SLORC soldiers were injured. 63 SLORC soldiers lost their legs. KNLA troops suffered (7) dead, (11) KNLA soldiers were injured and lost (1) M-16 and (1) M-203. ----------------------------------------------- BATTLE NEWS 2.4.97 (No.(5)Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops SLORC troops at Htee Hgaw Lu. Casualties are unknown. 8.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Paw Wah Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and two SLORC soldiers were injured. 13.4.97 (No. (5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Yo Po Lu. One SLORC soldier was killed. 14.4.97 (No.(1) Brigade, Thaton district, Belin township Area) A clash broke out between KNLA troops and SLORC troops. One SLORC soldier was injured. (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Htee The Lay and Htee Law The Hta. A clash broke out again between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at western Htee The Lay. Casualties are unknown. 15.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at Maw Kee village. Casualties are unknown. 17.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) At 1850 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Ta Ru Kyo. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, at 2130 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at Lay Kyo. Casualties are unknown. 18.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops ambushed SLORC troops at Hpo Ler. One SLORC was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at Hta Per Der. One SLORC soldier was killed. 19.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) At 0700 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Thay Pler Kyo. One SLORC soldier was killed and one SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Boe Ler. Casualties are unknown. At 0700 hours, KNLA troops attacked LIR (34) at Hsaw Ler Der. One SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, at 1240 hours, a clash broke out again between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops. One SLORC soldier was killed and one was injured. At the same day, at 1330 hours, KNLA troops attacked again at Hsaw Ler Der. One SLORC soldier was killed and one was injured. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hpo Ler. Casualties are unknown. 20.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) A clash broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Thay Kho Klo. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at HtarMae Der. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Ku Lu Klo. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. LIR(341) stepped on a KNLA mine at Bu Ka Lar Area. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 21.4.97 (No.(2) Brigade, Taungoo district Area) KNLA troops attacked SLORC military base at Than Taung Way Thaw (15 miles). One SLORC soldier was killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one officer was injured. (No.(7) Brigade,Paan district Area) SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Pya Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) KNLA troops attacked LIR (547) at Thay Nay Kyo. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked LIR (341) at Hsaw Ler Der. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on (10) KNLA mines at Ko Day, Htee Mwee Khee, Ler Ko Wah, Weh Lay Lu, Du Do Lu, Yo Po Law Lu, Maw Lo Klo, Lay Bulo, Htee Lae Hta, Ta Kaw To Baw. Ten SLORC soldiers lost their legs. 24.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district Area) SLORC troops stepped on three KNLA mines at Hgaw Daw and Ler Taw Day. Three SLORC soldiers lost thier legs. At the same day, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Htee Thwee Khee. Casualties are unknown. 26.4.97 (No.(1) Brigade, Thaton district Area) At 0800 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops with Claymore mine at a position between Mya lay and Htee Hse Baw. Eiht SLORC soldiers were killed and three SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one Lieutenant was dead. (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) At 0800 hours, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at a position between Maw Lo Klo and Lay Po Hta. One SLORC soldier was injured. At the same day, SLORC troops attacked KNLA troops at Htee Thay Day. KNLA suffered no casualties. SLORC casualties are unknown. 28.4.97 (No.(7) Brigade, Paan district Area) A battle broke out between the KNLA troops and SLORC troops at Htee Klay Kaw Pwe village. The battle lasted (4) hours. Four SLORC soldiers were killed and four SLORC soldiers were injured. (No.(5) Brigade, Mu Traw district) KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops at Hto Ree Kyo. At the same day, SLORC troops stepped on a KNLA mine at Hto Ree Day. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 29.4.97 (No.(7) Brigade, Paan district, Ta Nay Char township) At 1340 hours, SLORC troops attacked KNLA troops at Ko Pway. The battle lasted (4) hours. Eight SLORC soldiers were killed and twelve SLORC soldiers were injured. Including one second Lieutenant, two Sergearnt were dead and one Lieutenant was injured. Three KNLA soldiers were injured. (No.(5) Brigade, KNDO No.(1)BN., Mu Traw district Area) KNDO troops attacked SLORC troops at Day Bu Plaw. (No.(2) Brigade, Taungoo district Area) LIB (53) stepped on a KNLA mine at a position between Hse Day and Bu Hser Khee. One SLORC soldier lost his leg. 30.4.97 (No.(5) Brigade, KNDO No.(1) BN., Mu Traw district Area) Three clashes broke out between the KNDO and SLORC troops at Ler Mu Plaw Area. At the same time, KNDO troops attacked SLORC troops at Ler Mu Plaw village. Two SLORC were killed. KNLA = Karen National Liberation Army KNDO = Karen National Defence Organization SLORC= State Law and Order restoration Council LIR = Light Infantry Regiment LIB = Light Infantry Battalion KNU Information Center ******************************************** THE NATION:BURMA CAMPS TO BE CORDONED OFF May,15,1997 TAK authorities will set up a security cordon around camps for Burmese in the province, to prevent further intrusion into the areas by unidentified armed groups, Tak Governor Pongpoyom Wasaputi said yesterday. Pongpoyom said there were four camps for the displaced Burmese who had fled the fighting in their homeland between ethnic guerrillas and Burmese government troops- at Tha Song Yang, Mae Sot, Phop Phra and Umphang. "From now on the Army will take care of areas outside the camps and defence volunteers will be in charge of the camp compounds. "If the camp is invaded, the soldiers will be responsible for shooting at the invaders,"Pongpoyom said. He was speaking after chairing a security meeting to discuss the Thai-Burmese border, attended by local district chiefs and police and army officers stationed along the frontier. "A curfew will be imposed from 6 pm to 6 am. Any entry or departure during that period will clearly show suspicious intent. Those who break the curfew will face tough measures. "A security centre will be set up in each camp to ensure the safety of the Burmese. We will also provide more sanitation services", the governor said. Unidentified armed groups have repeatedly invaded and burned the camps for displaced Burmese. The Army has been unable to prevent them. Pongpoyom said the planned repatriation of 114 Burmese belonging to 25 families in Umphang camp, who had volunteered to return home on May 20, had been postponed because the Burmese were not ready to receive them. "The Burmese have also made it clear that the Burmese who return must be Burmese", he said. (TN) **************************************************** AFP: SLORC TO PUBLISH BOOK ON OPPOSITION "TRICKERY" May 14, 1997 Burma is publishing a book documenting the "political trickery" of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to an advertisement carried in the state-run press on Wednesday. The book, a compilation of Burmese-language newspaper commentaries, is to appear before the end of the month, the ad placed by the government News and Periodicals Enterprise said. Written in an uncharacteristic Western style, the ad in the English-language New Light of Myanmar advised readers that copies were limited and they should rush to place their orders. The goal of the book was "to place on record with historical evidences ... the characteristics of those who emerged at the turn of Myanmar political history and practised political trickery," the ad said. It was apparently referring to Aung San Suu Kyi's emergence in 1988 as a leader of the pro-democracy movement. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) went on to win general elections in May 1990 although she was held under house arrest for six years until July 1995. "Who is Aung San Suu Kyi? Is she an advocate of democracy or peace? Is she a person who disrupts peace and stability? ... Is she making dollars by engaging in democracy show-job?" the ad asked rhetorically. "While trudging along the path of Myanma (Burma) politics, the person unknowingly loses the way. To keep the public informed, assessment is thus made on where she is heading," it said. An editorial in the New Light of Myanmar on Wednesday warned the public to "beware of traitorous maggots" who sought to disrupt Burma's progress toward development and destabilize the nation. The editorial contained a fresh attack on foreigners and their "stooges" inside the country who were said to be interfering in domestic affairs, seeking to cause conflicts between races and between religions. Burma's military rulers have frequently accused Aung San Suu Kyi of putting foreign interests above those of Burma through her contacts with foreign embassies and international organizations and because she is married to a British national. ************************************************* THE NATION: PM URGED TO RECONSIDER RELATIONSHIP WITH BURMA May 15, 1997 Yindee Lertcharoenchok, The Nation Rights activists warns of links to 'brutal regime' A group of Thai and International human rights activists yesterday urged Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to disengage from the Burmese junta and to reconsider the country's bid for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They also called on the premier to reconsider the controversial Yadana natural gas pipeline project, saying it will destroy pristine forest and wildlife in both Thailand and Burma and to halt a plan to repatriate ethnic Burmese refugees. The requests were made during a meeting yesterday afternoon between the human rights group led by social critic Sulak Sivalaksa and the premier's secretary-general Boonchong Weesommai. The activists had requested a meeting with Chavalit before his official two-day visit to Burma starting tomorrow. The premier, who ,was engaged with another official duty, assigned his secretary to meet the group which included campaigners from Canada, Malaysia and the Philippines. Sulak said Chavalit, "who rose to premiership through a legitimate electoral process", should not associate himself with the Burmese junta which "is a brutal illegitimate regime". Instead, Chavalit should establish contact and engage with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he said. He warned that Thai economic projects, including the US$1.2 billion (Bt31.2 billion) Yadana project which will transport Burmese natural gas from the Gulf of Martaban through a pipeline for sale in Thailand, could be annulled if a democratic Burmese government came to power. Gothom Arya, adviser to the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma, urged Chavalit, also defence minister, to halt any plans to send about 100,000 mainly Karen refugees back to Burma. A hasty repatriation without the proper mechanisms in place to monitor their safety would be tantamount to pushing "the weak" into the hands of "the power who bears arms", he said. "I would like to urge the prime minister not to make any commitment [with the Burmese junta] on the repatriation. If we [Thailand] don't move cautiously in the repatriation operation, there might be serious repercussions for Thailand," Gothom warned. Former MP Suthin Noppaket said economic development could cause both positive and negative impacts on a country and Thailand should not engage in any economic activities that would thrive or be implemented at the expense of people suffering in other countries. He said Thai investment in Burma now only helps to strengthen the Burmese junta's "military power" that is used to suppress the Burmese people, who are then forced to flee the repressive rule into Thailand. The activists also called on Chavalit not to agree to the Burmese junta's request from membership in Asean this year. Boonchong, who will accompany Chavalit on the Burma trip, agreed to convey the human rights group's message to the premier. Associated Press Adds: A US-based refugee advocacy group appealed to the Thai government yesterday not to let business links with Burma's military government dictate its treatment of Burmese refugees in Thailand. "The Thai government and people have done much to be proud of on behalf of refugees," said Hiram Ruiz, policy analyst for the US Committee for Refugees, based in Washington. "But now economic interests threaten to tarnish Thailand's record." Ruiz recently travelled to five of the refugee camps in Thailand sheltering more than 100,000 people who have fled military campaigns and human rights abuses in Burma. The government of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has been striving to improve relations with the Burmese regime, in part to help Thai companies with business deals and infrastructure contracts with its neighbour. (TN) ******************************************************* BKK POST: BURMA TAKES PRECEDENCE May 15, 1997 The two week official visit to the US by Army Commander Chettha Thanajaro has been rescheduled after Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh insisted the army chief accompany him to Burma on May 16 and 17. Gen Chettha, who was to be a guest of US Army Chief- of - Staff Dennis J. Reimer, had planned initially to visit the US from May 14-28. "The army commander was surprised to learn the premier wanted him to join the Burma trip", said a military insider. "Initially, the army commander was not included in the delegation". It is an open secret that the army commander has established close ties with several key Burmese military figures, including Army Commander Maung Aye and State Law and Order Restoration Council Secretary-1 Khin Nyunt. The insider said Gen Chettha might take the occasion to discuss fishing problems and border security with key Burmese military officers. The army commander now will fly immediately to the US on May 18 after he returns from Burma. During the trip, Gen Chettha will view the US Army's rapid deployment forces as he has just approved the formation of a similar unit under the First Army Region's 31st regiment in Lop Buri province. "The unit was formed with the purpose of tackling security problems along the border area quickly and will also be used for UN- led international missions", said a military insider, adding that Gen Chettha is the first army commander in a decade to receive an official invitation from the US Army.(BP) **************************************************** ASIA TIMES: ONE STOCK DOES NOT A MARKET MAKE May 15, 1997 Stephen Brookes, Yangon, 15th May 1997 Hong Kong's bourse is thriving while Bangkok's is plunging, but trading fever has yet to strike Asia's newest - and tiniest - stock market: The Myanmar Securities Exchange Center (MSEC). In fact, since opening last December as a 50/50 joint project between the Myanmar Economic Bank and Japan's Daiwa Research, the center so far lists only one company, with a total of 600 investors - most purchasing only a single share. "We're in an educational stage now," explained Eiji Suzuki, MSEC's managing director, as he showed a visitor around the empty trading floor in downtown Yangon. "The plan is first to create a market, and if it expands, turn it into an official stock exchange. It would be nonsense to have an exchange without a market." How long it will take to grow that new market is still unclear, although Daiwa officials hope to see four or five companies listed by the end of the year. A fully functioning secondary market was still some years off, said Suzuki, noting that one hurdle was the hesitancy of Myanmar's traditional business community. "A number of private companies are thinking of changing their status to public companies," he said. "They want to expand, and they need capital. Bank loans require security, and interest rates run as high as 21 percent, so it's better to go to the stock market to raise cash. But most of the companies are family-owned, and they don't want to share management or profits with outsiders." Analysts in Yangon said there were some 27 companies now issuing stock privately in Myanmar, but the majority only sold to friends and business partners, and many of their practices needed to be updated before they could realistically participate in a stock exchange. Dividends are only paid at the close of the fiscal year in March, for example, and shareholders must produce their certificates in person to collect the dividend. "If you own more than a few stocks, you have to run all over town in March," said one Myanmar business advisor. "And if you sell in February, you lose the year's dividend. Shareholders are expected to hold their shares for life. It's a 19th century system." Nevertheless, bringing a modern stock market to Myanmar - whose economy was totally isolated under a socialist military regime until 1988 - is one way to free up much-needed capital and funnel it into the expanding private sector. But significant roadblocks remain. Aside from antiquated business practices and a dearth of stock-issuing companies, Myanmar still lacks such basics as a securities law, although one is now under deliberation in the Attorney General's Office. There are no institutional investors, despite the existence of about 20 private banks and one insurance company in Myanmar, and potential individual investors still have little understanding of how markets work. To create a market, the new Myanmar Securities Exchange Center has been running seminars in Yangon for businesses, investors and government employees, as well as running advertisements in the newspapers. "I'm expecting interest to rise," said Suzuki, "simply because people don't know about the stock market yet." The demand for investment opportunities is there, many analysts believe. Individuals are now limited largely to investing in gems, gold or property, and there is growing demand for government-issued Treasury bonds, which have 14 percent coupons for five-year bonds and 13.5 percent coupons for three-year bonds. And interest is starting to rise in the business community, which is eager to see new sources of funding emerge. Bank loans are difficult to arrange and require large amounts of collateral, and private money brokers charge annual interest of between 36 and 120 percent. Moreover, an exchange might also allow Myanmar's stalled program of privatizing state-owned businesses to move forward. "Each of these enterprises is so big," said Suzuki, "that no family can buy them alone. A securities system could help the process; the government could split the enterprises up into shares, then sell the shares." A functioning exchange could also draw hard currency from foreign investors, said analysts, though barriers remain. If a company sells even one share to a foreigner, it loses its status as a Myanmar company - and thus loses privileges such as access to land. Also, the government may be reluctant to open the market to foreign investors because of concerns over fluctuations in foreign exchange flows, Suzuki noted. Nevertheless, Daiwa is working to open the fledgling market to outsiders. "I am proposing that 10 percent or 20 percent of issued shares be allowed to be owned by foreigners," said Suzuki. "It will bring in foreign exchange, and foreign investors know how markets work. If they come in, it could be a good signal to Myanmar investors." (AT) ********************************************* THE NATION: GREEN LOBBY QUITS YADANA PIPE PANEL May 15, 1997 Walakkamon Eamwiwatkit KANCHANABURI- A local environmental group yesterday resigned from a sub-committee set up to monitor the environmental impact of the Yadana gas pipeline project, claiming the developers were unable to explain some curious issues and that the panel had no actual authority. After being established by the National Environment Board (NEB)on March 24, the sub-committee began its work yesterday with its first meeting held in this western province. The pipeline will travel through several pristine conservation areas in Kanchanaburi before it reaches a power plant being built in Ratchaburi. Committee members include about 20 representatives, made up of government officials, project implementors and non-government organisations (NGOs)-including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation (SNF), Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT), Friends of the Asia Elephant, the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) and the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group. The board is chaired by Kanchanaburi Governor Kwanchai Wasawongs. Phinan Chotirosseranee, a representative for the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group, decided during the meeting to resign from the sub-committee. She said that being a member would make it more difficult for the conservation group to monitor and prevent any environmental impact caused by the pipeline. "We have not received any clear authority about begin a proper sub-committee, and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) is still unable to answer several important questions, such as the impact on the forests and wild animals, and the characteristics of the pipe, " Phinan said. She said that her group has proposed that the PTT suspend construction of the project for about three years until the impact were assessed and solutions found. She added, however, that the PTT and the chairman of the sub-committee rejected the proposal, claiming that there was an international contract with the Burmese government which must be followed, so the project cannot be delayed any further. Other NGO representatives-including those from WFT, SNF and the elephant supporters- also threatened to resign unless the PTT indicated that it intended to reveal all the information about the project. Kwanchai said the sub-committee would try to carry out its duty and reduce the negative impacts from the project while protecting the country's economic benefits, "The sub-committee, which includes various parties, will help the project be completed carefully," he said. Songkiert Tansamrit, the PTT's public relations chief, said the company would invite several neutral experts to the next meeting to clarify questions about the project's impact, particularly concerning environmental issues. He said that 10 points form the monitoring framework would be implemented at the next meeting on June 11 and that responsible parties would be set up. Prasith Klaythong, an official form the Royal Forestry Department commented during yesterday's meeting that the project's environmental impact assessment was not clear, so more and better studies were needed to be carried out to reduce the environmental impact. [excerpts from related article] BKK POST: LOCAL GREENIES QUIT MONITORING SUB-COMMITTEE May 15, 1997 Kanittha Inchukul The Kanchanaburi Conservation Group accused the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) of lying and of failing to provide clear and adequate information. Phinan Chotirotsaranee, who represents the local conservation group, said the group found that the pipe was thinner than the PTT had claimed in its environmental impact assessment (EIA) study. The PTT claimed the pipe was to be 25 millimetres thick when, in fact, the pipeline passing through Saiyok district was found to be only 17.1 millimetres thick. "The PTT has lied to us," said Mrs Phinan. Mr Suwanan said that the thickness stated in the EIA was an estimate and not the real specification. He said the thickness of the pipe varied depending on location. ********************************************** BKK POST : BURMESE AGREE TO STOP DIGGING May, 15, 1997 Burmese authorities in Myawaddy have agreed to stop digging a new Moei River water channel in Mae Sot district after negotiations with Thai officials. The decision followed a meeting in Myawaddy between officials led by U Paye Than, the director- general of the Burmese Hydrographic Department, and Thai officials led by deputy Tak governor Somboon Ngamluck. The channel was being built in Tambon Sai Luad of Mae Sot district. Mr Somboon said Burmese representatives accepted that local officials had no authority to make any decision which would lead to changes in the border and that the digging of the water channel had encroached on Thai soil. (BP) **************************************************** RANGOON TV MYANMAR NETWORK : CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOT PERTURBED BY US SANCTIONS May 10, 1997 [translated from Burmese] The Chamber of Commerce of the Union of Myanmar [Burma] and nine other trade and enterprise organizations under the chamber today issued a policy declaration, dated 9 May, on the US Government's decision to impose a ban on new investments in Myanmar. The statement says the US Government has been practicing the policy of hegemony since the end of the Cold War and has unilaterally imposed economic sanctions on 35 countries for 61 times during the past four years. It has now decided to ban new investments in Myanmar. The statement says that the traders and entrepreneurs under the chamber are not surprised or shocked by the decision. Since the assumption of state powers in 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council has allowed a market-oriented economy based on national economy, promoted private trade and industries, rendered assistance for promotion of private entrepreneurs, and promulgated laws to invite investments and technology from abroad. Due to these systematic measures, as of 30 April 1997, foreign investment, excluding trade, has reached US $6 billion. As a member of the United Nation, Myanmar has been conducting friendly relations with countries of the world and has been adhering to the five principles of the Bandung Conference laid down by nonaligned countries. The US, which is thousands of miles away from Myanmar and has very little trade with Myanmar, does not have a thorough knowledge of the true situation in Myanmar. The US decision [on sanctions] is wrong and one-sided. At the time the ASEAN and other countries are expressing disagreement with and opposition to the US policy toward relations with Myanmar and the sanctions, members of the chamber very much regret that some individuals inside the country have welcomed and thanked the US Government's decision. Traders and entrepreneurs of Myanmar, who have had experience in self-reliance under any conditions, do not heed the US economic sanctions and are not at all perturbed by them. The traders and entrepreneurs are alerted and urged to firmly repulse attempts by some resentful external countries to interfere in internal affairs by upholding the patriotic spirit based on national unity and mutual assistance in accordance with the motto: the strength of the nation lies within. *************************************** XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S GDP OF MINES UP May 14, 1997 Myanmar's gross domestic product of mines increased 6.5 percent in the 1996-97 fiscal year ending in March over the previous year's, according to the latest official statistics. the mining sector enjoyed an average annual production growth of 19.5 percent during the previous four-year short-term national economic plan (from 1992-93 to 1995-96). Myanmar is striving to exceed the planned sectoral growth of 7 percent in the 1997-98 fiscal year. total foreign investment in Myanmar's mining sector amounted to 498.03 million US dollars in 42 permitted projects at the end of march this year with 15 companies from five countries (Australia, Canada, Singapore, Thailand and the United States) involved in mining mineral deposits including gold and copper. ***********************************************