------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: May 27, 1997 Issue #733 Noted in Passing: There are two strategies we can use to end this dispute. One; dialogue, two; military force. --Thai Maj Gen Chalor Thongsala on the Moei River dispute with Burma (Thailand Times: Thailand and Burma send in troops to disputed island) HEADLINES: ========== AP: BURMESE JUNTA ARRESTS 316 SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0047 BBG: COMUNE DI ROMA PRIZE FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI ABSDF STATEMENT: ON THE 7TH ELECTION ANNIVERSARY THAILAND TIMES: THAILAND AND BURMA SEND IN TROOPS FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: BURMESE DAZE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S INDUSTRY GROWTH BKK POST:QUEEN'S AIDE QUESTIONS PTT PROJECT THE NATION: HEAT FORCED DO MUOI TO CUT SHORT VISIT FEER: JACQUES CHIRAC INTERVIEW "LEADING EUROPE EAST" BKK POST: UN LAUDS THAILAND FOR KARENS' TRANSFER THE NATION: DEMOCRATS IN CALL TO CHARGE LI THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS SAMPLE LETTER: TO ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL- MAY 31 ALTSEAN: BURMA WOMEN'S DAY ----------------------------------------------------------------- AP: BURMESE JUNTA ARRESTS 316 May 26, 1997 BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Burma's pro-democracy opposition said Monday that the military junta had arrested 316 of its senior members in an effort to stop party leader Aun San Suu Kyi from holding a congress. The National League for Democracy is to meet Tuesday at the Rangoon home of Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring democracy to Burma. Tuesday marks the seventh anniversary of parliamentary elections in which the opposition won 82 percent of the vote. The military government dissolved the parliament before it could convene. Party Vice Chairman Tin Oo said by telephone from Rangoon that between 50 and 60 of the party members held by military authorities were elected to that parliament. The detainees, all from outside the capital, did not include party members who heeded official requests not to travel to Rangoon for the congress, he said. Relatives of party members also were arrested. A party official in Lemeyethna, 90 miles northwest of Rangoon, reached the capital only to find that authorities had seized his wife and daughter, Tin Oo said. Party leaders announced last week that a roundup of NLD officials had begun, a claim corroborated by Burmese intelligence officials speaking on condition of anonymity. While not publicly confirming the arrests, the military regime said recently that governments must sometimes detain ``individuals who threaten actions to create chaos and cause social disruption.'' Authorities arrested 262 people last year to prevent Suu Kyi holding a similar congress. Most were freed after a few weeks, but about two dozen were held and sentenced to long jail terms. The military regime, led by Senior Gen. Than Shwe, has accused Suu Kyi's party of exaggerating its claims of government persecution for ``propaganda purposes.'' Tin Oo said Monday the party was prepared to provide a list of detainees in reply. ******************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO. A-0047 May 26, 1997 From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM U Myo Khin (39 yrs) from Yankin Township of Yangon Division was sentenced to imprisonment for fraudulent of documents by the Yankin Township Court on the 23rd of May. U Myo Khin, a salesman had made fraudulent alterations in the family registration list and the citizen registration card. Thus on 12th of May the Yankin Township Immigration officer from the Township Immigration and Manpower Department lodged a criminal complaint at the Yankin Township Police Station. Action had been taken by the police under section 465/471 (Fraudulent of Documents) of the penal code and criminal proceedings had been filed at the township court. On the 23rd of May, Yankin Township Court after hearings found U Myo Khin guilty of both accounts and sentenced him to (4) years imprisonment. U Myo Khin coincidently happens to be the Secretary of the Yankin Township NLD and thus being a political party member of a certain political party does not grant him the right to make any fraudulent alterations on official documents. This incident can very well be exploited by the NLD for their propaganda purpose and raise the number of so called detainees by another (+50) to make their head count go up to (300) or conveniently accuse the government of beginning to detain or oppress party members from Yangon area. ************************ BBG: COMUNE DI ROMA PRIZE FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI May 26, 1997 From: Nwe Aung <101564.2652@CompuServe.COM> Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won Comune Di Roma Prize On the occasion of the 7th. anniversary of the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (N L D) Party in 27th.May 1990 general election in Burma, General Secretary and Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been awarded with a highest prestigious prize of HONORARY CITIZENSHIP OF ROME (della cittadinanza onoraria romana). The award was received by Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (N C G U B) on May 23, 1997 in Rome from the President of the City Council (Comune Di Roma) Mrs. Luisa Laurelli in the presence of U Myint Swe (Canadian Friends of Burma, Canada), Maung Kyaw (Karen National Union-KNU, Germany) and U Nwe Aung (N C G U B - Europe). Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win and his delegation have been warmly welcomed by the Members of the Italian Parliament and the leaders of the major Italian political parties such as Gruppo VERDI-L' ULIVO, Partito POPULARE ITALIANO, Partito DEMOCRATICO della SANISTRA and Partito della RIFONDAZIONE COMUNISTA. Nwe Aung / Burma Bureau Germany Fax : +49 2173 907334 ******************************* ABSDF STATEMENT: ON THE 7TH ELECTION ANNIVERSARY May 26, 1997 From: caroline@ksc15.th.com **************************************************************** 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 8888 **************************************************************** Statement on the 7th Anniversary of the May 1990 Election Tomorrow - 27 May 1997 - marks the seventh anniversary of the only multi-party elections held in Burma in 35 years of military rule. On this occasion, the ABSDF again urges the State Law and Restoration Council (SLORC) to recognize the results of the 1990 election and hand over power to the winning party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The ABSDF urges the SLORC to enter into a tripartite dialogue with the democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic representatives to solve the country's political problems by peaceful means. The United Nations General Assembly has also warned the SLORC many times to respect the results of the general election. Since the election the SLORC has continuously harassed and intimidated Members of Parliament (MPs) from pro-democracy parties. In particular the SLORC has singled out MPs from the NLD. Since the election: two NLD MPs have died in prison, 43 NLD MPs have been forced to resign from the party, 68 have been dismissed as Members of Parliament by the SLORC, 25 NLD MPs remain in detention serving long sentences, and recently, more than 30 NLD MPs have been arrested. The 1990 election was held under Martial Law which was imposed by the military regime following the brutal crackdown of the 1988 pro-democracy movement. Despite the oppression of the military regime, the people of Burma overwhelmingly expressed their will for democracy with the NLD winning 82% of the seats. The SLORC refused to accept the election result or hand over power to the elected representatives. On the 7th anniversary of the May 1990 election, the ABSDF appeals to the people of Burma, including members of the armed forces, to support and assist the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the struggle for democracy. Central Committee ABSDF For further information call (661) 654 4984. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Burma and the 1990 Election On 27 May, 1990 Burma held a multi-party democratic election for the first time in thirty years. The NLD, the main party opposing the ruling military junta, won 392 of 485 seats in the parliament, 82% of the seats. Now, seven years later, the regime still refuses to turn over power to the NLD. 1. On 31 May, 1989, a year after a bloody military crackdown, the SLORC issued law no. 14/89, the Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law. Sub-article one of chapter one stated: 'Hluttaw means Pyithu Hluttaw.' This means that Burma's parliament would be an elected parliament. Article three, chapter 2 states that 'the Hluttaw shall be formed with the Hluttaw representatives who have been elected in accordance with this law from the Hluttaw constituencies.' This means that the national parliament would be composed after an election of representatives from designated constituencies. Clearly, this is proof that the NLD, as the winning political party, has the legal right to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw (national parliament). 2. When the SLORC did not cede power two months after the elections, the NLD convened a meeting comprised of the elected members of parliament. It was scheduled for 28 July, 1990 at Gandhi Hall in Rangoon. However, on 27 July, one day before the meeting was to be convened, the SLORC issued law no. 1/90. The law was an overt attempt to stop the opposition from pressuring the regime into turning over power. Article three of paragraph twelve stated that 'the Hluttaw shall be formed with the Hluttaw representatives who have been elected from Hluttaw constituencies. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) will take the responsibility for convening the Pyithu Hluttaw.' Paragraph twenty of law no. 1/90 had also stated that ' the elected representatives shall have the responsibility of drafting a constitution for Burma.' The same proclamation stated that the 'SLORC will never accept the drafting of an interim constitution which aims to form a government and secure power. Necessary action will be taken against attempts to carry out such tasks.' 3. The SLORC stepped up its campaign against the NLD after this declaration. Specifically, the regime revoked many NLD members' status as elected representatives and forced them to resign from their party. 4. Trying to undermine the NLD, the SLORC organized the National Convention, claiming they would draft a constitution. This was a clear violation of the regime's own law. When they had issued law no. 1/90, it stated that the elected representatives of the May 1990 elections would be responsible for drafting constitution for Burma. However, the SLORC allowed only 15.24% of all elected representatives to participate in the National Convention. Moreover, the SLORC did not allow freedom of speech at the convention and all delegates were commanded to submit to the SLORC's agenda in the creation of the constitution. While some representatives brought alternative plans and ideas forward, these were immediately censured, and the representatives were often arrested. Furthermore, in an attempt to stamp out all opposition to its agenda, the SLORC has repeatedly ordered postponements when a controversial issue has arisen. This has resulted in the National Convention lasting for four years. There is no way to know when it will end. Even worse, the SLORC issued a set of guidelines which the delegates to the Convention must follow. The SLORC's attempt to stay in control is blatantly obvious in guideline number six, which states that the 'Army will be given a leading role in the affairs of future Burma.' When the NLD recognized the uselessness of the Convention, it walked out on 28 December, 1995. 5. Six years after the NLD was formed, the SLORC detained a large number of representatives and members when the party attempted to convene a meeting commemorating the sixth anniversary of its founding. Since then the SLORC has increased its pressure on NLD elected representatives and members to resign from the NLD through various means. They even revoked the limited freedom of speech the party enjoyed, forcing Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to stop giving her weekly addresses to the public. 6. According to statistics compiled by the ABSDF Research and Documentation Centre, as of March 1997, 43 NLD Members of Parliament (MPs) had been forced to resign from the party, (a further nine resigned from the NLD for their own reasons), 68 have been dismissed by the SLORC as Members of Parliament, and 25 are under detention serving long sentences. Twenty eight members are in exile and 13 have died, two of whom died in prison. With the latest round of arrests in Rangoon before the seventh anniversary of the national election, the number of elected members of parliament will significantly increase. Even though the SLORC has claimed that its arrests are only for "questioning," detainees frequently receive long prison terms. All Burma Students' Democratic Front 26 May, 1997 ****************************************** THAILAND TIMES: THAILAND AND BURMA SEND IN TROOPS TO DISPUTED ISLAND May 26, 1997 by Assawin Pinitwong TAK: The tense situation along the Thai-Burmese border threatened to flare up into open warfare yesterday when hundreds of heavily-armed troops from both nations were deployed to stand guard over a disputed island in the Moei River. One hundred Thai soldiers, protecting the island with armored cars and gunship copters, were confronted by 400 Burmese troops sent in to reinforce the soldiers who have been stationed here since Friday. Maj Gen Chalor Thongsala, commander of Naresuan Camp, led a delegation of officers to survey the disputed area with three jeeps and three V-150 armored cars. "There are two strategies we can use to end this dispute. One; dialogue, two; military force," he said. "But for the time being a continued army presence is necessary to prevent an unwanted situation." Tension neared explosion point when Thai officers laid down Thai flags next to the Burmese flags which had been placed on the island earlier this month. Kok Chang Phuak island has been a bone of contention between the two nations since 1995, when severe flooding changed the course of the river. Friday 's decision by Burma to send in troops to begin digging a water diversion course was greeted by a stiff letter of protest from Thailand, and urgent meetings were called between Thai officials from the local joint border committee and the Burmese authorities. While Burma claims the island as its own, Thai villagers living nearby have complained that their farming land has been destroyed by the Burmese excavation. Maj Chalor warned of harsh reprisals if Burma continues to ignore Thailand's request for the digging to stop. "From now on, we are on the offensive, and will not just keep quiet," he said. Other military sources echoed his sentiments, saying that confrontation cannot be avoided if Burma refuses to comply with Thailand's demand. A day-long-meeting of the Thai-Burmese border committee yesterday resulted in deadlock, with neither side agreeing to back down. ********************************************************* FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW: BURMESE DAZE May 29, 1997 Henny Sender HONG KONG-Kerry Securities," says a former staffer, "is 1% of Robert Kuok's assets and 99% of his headaches." The Myanmar Fund is a small part of that 1% and it too accounts for a disproportionate part of Kerry's headaches. As one of the few plays on Burma, the fund seemed on to a good thing when it was established in 1994 with a $28 million kitty for direct investments. While other emerging-markets funds have had trouble finding anything to invest in, the Myanmar Fund piggy-backed on its owners to take stakes in attractive Kuok projects in Rangoon, including stakes in the Shangri-La and Traders Hotel. The largest shareholder was Government of Singapore Investment Corp., but HSBC Asset Management, several private Swiss banks and top British pension funds also took stakes. Now it appears that the Myanmar Fund is one more casualty of the disarray that has plagued Kerry Securities since December, when falling profits prompted the firm to slash staff and close some of its international offices. Since then, a new team has taken over both Kerry Securities and the Myanmar Fund. The Dublin-listed fund currently trades at a significant discount to net asset value -- when it trades at all. A market maker in London says the illiquid, closed-end fund (one with a fixed life span) was last traded in the fourth quarter of 1996. Since then, things have deteriorated, partly because of newly announced American sanctions against Burma. A new fund-raising last year swelled the size of the fund to $46 million. But virtually none of the new money has been invested, and former Kerry Securities staffers say the new management has neglected the fund while pocketing lucrative 2.75% annual fees. At a meeting with shareholders in February, the new management denied allegations of inactivity, claiming the new team needed time to sort out the mess surrounding earlier deals. They cite doubts regarding the accuracy of net asset values and in at least one investment, a $2.5 million stake in a plastic-bag manufacturer for which there was no clear legal title. Since that meeting some shareholders have met with Peregrine Securities to discuss winding down the fund. (Peregrine would assist in selling the fund's assets.) Says David Masters, who heads investment management for the new regime at Kerry, "We have heard rumours that Peregrine had approached shareholders about realizing the value of the fund, but there has been no decision to wind it up." Peregrine sources confirm discussions with shareholders, "who would like something to happen," according to one, but say the fate of the fund is up to the board of directors. *************************************** XINHUA NEWS AGENCY: MYANMAR'S INDUSTRY GROWTH SLOWS May 26, 1997 Myanmar's industry growth reached 5.2 percent in the just-ended 1996-97 fiscal year, according to the latest official statistics. The 1996-97 is the first fiscal year of Myanmar's present five-year plan (1996-97 to 2000-2001). During the previous four-year plan (1992-93 to 1995-96), the industrial sector achieved an average growth of 9.05 percent. Myanmar has set the target of 10.7 percent growth of the sector in the 1997-98, the second year of the five-year plan. Myanmar's agriculture accounts for the majority of the national gross domestic product, in which the industrial sector shares a 9.2 percent only, according to the statistics. The government has called for greater efforts for promotion of the private sector's involvement in the industrial sector. In recent years, Myanmar has been establishing industrial zones throughout the country, especially in the capital Yangon, to attract foreign investment in the sector and there have been three major foreign-invested industrial zones in the capital. ************************************ BKK POST:QUEEN'S AIDE QUESTIONS PTT PROJECT May 24, 1997 PM asked to review Burma gas pipeline The private secretary of Her Majesty the Queen has raised concern over the threat of forest destruction from a Thai-Burmese gas pipeline project which will go through a lush forest in Kanchanaburi. Thanphuying Suprapada Kasemsant wrote a letter to the prime minister in March calling for a review of the project owned by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand. Thanphuying Suprapada's move was lauded by environmental and conservationist groups who want the pipeline rerouted. In her letter, Thanphuying Suprapada referred to petitions submitted by two businessmen to Her Majesty explaining that a 50-kilometre section of the pipeline route was planned to go through a forest reserve although there were alternative routes. In addition, a forest near the project site called Muang Taodum was suffering from serious encroachment, but so far none of the government agencies concerned had paid due attention to the problem of forest destruction linked to the pipeline project. Meanwhile, an environmental official who requested anonymity argued that the chosen route was "the best" and would cause a minimum of impact on the environment. Sonkiet Tansamrit, a public relations director of PTT, yesterday said PTT was ready to explain the matter to the prime minister. He said the chosen route was well-considered by experts and environment agencies. "It is very difficult to reroute the pipeline," he said. Phunan Chotirotseranee, head of the Kanchanaburi Conservation Group, yesterday called on the government to reconsider the project in the wake of the concern raised by Her Majesty's private secretary. She said it was necessary to reroute the pipeline to save the virgin forest and its wildlife from destruction. A recent survey made by non-government environmental organisations shows the forest has many species of rare flora and fauna including hornbills, wild orchids and a rare species of mushroom locally call hed nuad plameuk. These environmental agencies including the Green World Foundation and Seub Nakhasathien Foundation are planning to propose that the Muan Taodum forest be turned into a "natural museum" to honour Her Majesty the Queen. The forest covering thousands of rai is a tin mining area concessioned to Thiwaporn Sriworakun, who has tried to preserve a large part of the forest and lodged a petition to Her Majesty over the threat of its destruction as a result of the pipeline project. (BP) ******************************************************* THE NATION: HEAT FORCED DO MUOI TO CUT SHORT BURMA VISIT May 26, 1997 AFP Hanoi - Senior Vietnamese sources yesterday denied that Communist Party chief Do Muoi cut short a visit to Burma because of ill health, saying he left a day early because of the excessively hot weather. "He ended the official part of his visit on Saturday," but cancelled the informal portion of his stay after temperatures soared to 38 degrees Celsius, an official source said. "He will be at his desk today without any difficulty," he added. Another source close to the 80-year-old party secretary denied reports from Rangoon that Do Muoi ended his trip due to ill health, and said he was at work in his office yesterday morning. On Saturday, Burmese Foreign Minister sources quoted members of Do Muoi's medical team as saying the party chief began suffering from headaches the day before. The No 1 of the politburo is the oldest of the triumvirate which includes 77-year-old President Le Duc Anh and 75-year-old Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet. The party secretary had no record of health problems in recent years and maintains a busy workload that belies his years. Last November, President Le Duc Anh suffered a stroke and did not reappear in public until April when he addressed the National Assembly. The official Vietnam News Agency reported that Do Muoi had returned to Hanoi on Saturday afternoon but did not indicate that he had originally planned to leave Rangoon a day later. The news agency said that the secretary sent a message of thanks to Gen Than Shwe saying "the outcome of our useful talks has again affirmed our determination to boost the traditional friendship and multifaceted and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Burma." Do Muoi was accompanied on his three-day visit to Burma by Foreign Minister Nguyen Van Cam and Vice Premier Phan Van Khai. The party leader arrived in Rangoon last Thursday and was due to have visited Pagan and Mandalay on Saturday before returning to Vietnam. Despite the shortened visit, the trip was described as successful in forging unity between Burma and Vietnam against foreign "acts of domination and oppression," a Burmese Foreign Ministry official said. Do Muoi was the second high-ranking Hanoi official to visit Burma's ruling junta, in what was widely viewed as a firm gesture of support to Burma's bid to enter the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) later this year. He met Senior Gen Than Shwe, chairman of the junta, officially known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), and first secretary Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. The visit came less than a week before a scheduled meeting of Asean foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday to discuss the timing of the entries of Burma, Cambodia and Laos into the grouping. Asean currently groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (TN) ******************************************************** FEER: JACQUES CHIRAC INTERVIEW "LEADING EUROPE EAST" May 22, 1997 Q: Last month at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, France refused to back an EU resolution criticizing China's human-rights record. How do you explain this change of French attitudes towards China? In France we are very sensitive about human-rights questions. I am convinced that the way the world is evolving today, each civilization, with its own history and identity, is moving towards the recognition of a certain number of universal values. WE can sense this evolution everywhere, but each country is moving forward in its own manner, at different speeds. In Geneva, for the last few years, we have had this traditional conflict on human rights with China which produced absolutely no results. It was a perfectly sterile procedure. That's why I felt that another approach was needed, with the focus on dialogue and discussion. I suggested at the Euro-Asian summit in Bangkok last year that we should move towards a more constructive approach which would also be more effective. And this has happened. China has responded favourably by announcing that it will sign United Nations covenants on economic, social, and cultural rights. This is an important step for those who believe in the universal values of human rights .... Does Asean's planned enlargement to include Burma worry you given the country's poor record on human rights? By receiving Cambodia, Laos and Burma in its midst, Asean will form a coherent bloc of 10 countries covering all of Southeast Asia. I am confident that the integration of these three countries in Asean will lead to indispensable political and economic reforms at home, especially in Burma. *************************************** BKK POST: UN LAUDS THAILAND FOR KARENS' TRANSFER May 24, 1997 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees yesterday commended the Thai government for the "quick and efficient" transfer of 4,696 Karen displaced persons on the Thai-Burmese border to a safe location inside Thai territory. "The speed of the move was especially praiseworthy in view of the time constraints imposed by the advent of the monsoon season," a UNHCR statement said of the transfer of Karens from Huay Sut and Bo Wi temporary camps to Tham Hin, in Suan Phung District of Ratchaburi province, which was completed within four days. "The UNHCR also notes with appreciation that the new site, Tham Hin, is a particularly secure location, situated approximately 16 kilometres from the border." UNHCR Regional Representative Amelia Bonifacio visited the site yesterday with National Security Council Secretary General Boonsak Kamhaengridhirong, and Ninth Infantry Division Commander General Thaweep Suwannasingkha. (BP) ******************************************************* THE NATION: DEMOCRATS IN CALL TO CHARGE LI WITH BRIBERY May 26,1997 THE democrat Party yesterday urged the authorities to charge suspected drug trafficker Li Yun-chung with bribery or make him take the witness stand before extraditing him to the United States. This would force him to reveal who he had bribed to grant him bail in February which allowed him to flee to Burma, deputy Democrat leader Suthas Ngernmuen said. If Li was extradited to the US before the bribery case was resolved, the suspects may never be brought to justice he said. Suthas, who chairs the House committee on justice, said national police chief Pracha Promnok and Justify Permanent Secretary Kukiat Sunthornbura have been invited to testify before the committee on Wednesday. He accused the government of being slow in taking action against Li, or Phongsak Rojjanasassakkul, over his bribery claim. After being recaptured by Burmese officials and returned to Thailand earlier this month, police investigators said Li admitted to bribing his way to freedom. But Li on Friday told investigators that he had never resorted to bribery and had only given money to his lawyer, police said. The Criminal Court has decided to extradite Li to face drug charges in the US as he had requested. The US authorities have accused him of smuggling more than 400 kilogrammes of heroin into the country. Chamni Sakdiseth (Dem- Nakhon Si Thammarat) said the case could not be solved after Li was extradited. He said the government must find out who Li bribed or the justice system will be badly affected. (TN) ***************************************************** THE STAR: MBF EYES FULL-FLEDGED BANKING OPS IN MYANMAR BY YEAR-END May 24, 1997 KUALA LUMPUR: MBf Holdings Bhd says it expects to have a full-fledged banking operation in Myanmar by year-end. MBf group chief executive officer Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong said the group's first move in Myanmar was the setting up of a representative office two months ago. "We are in the process of identifying a local partner and would start talking to the relevant authorities, including Myanmar's central bank, for a licence," he said. Loy said after MBf Capital Bhd's AGM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that the capital of the proposed bank in Myanmar would depend on the size of its operations. The minimum amount set by the Myanmar government was US$5 million (RM12.5 million), he added. ******************************************* SAMPLE LETTER: TO ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL- MAY 31 ASEAN MEETING May 26, 1997 From: Carol Schlenker + Aung Thu As ASEAN's foreign ministers prepare to meet in Kuala Lumpur on May 31 to discuss Burma's membership in the regional grouping, Burmese Relief Center--Japan encourages you to voice your opposition to SLORC's admission by faxing a letter (sample follows) to the ASEAN Secretary-General. Please also e-mail or fax a copy of your letter to regional news media. * * * * * * * * SAMPLE LETTER: H.E. Dato' Ajit Singh Secretary General Association of Southeast Asian Nations c/o ASEAN Secretariat 70A Jalan Sisingamagaraja Jakarta 12110 Indonesia Fax: (6221) 7243504 / 7398234 Dear Sir: We understand that ASEAN is planning to admit Burma, Laos and Cambodia as members during 1997, its 30th anniversary year. While we support Burma's eventual inclusion in the regional grouping, we strongly object to its being admitted now, when the political situation is so explosive. Already this year SLORC has launched a military offensive against the Karen National Union that sent tens of thousands of Karen villagers (including many Muslims) fleeing into Thailand; incited violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Mandalay, Rangoon and other cities; sent thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing into Bangladesh to escape continued religious persecution; and arrested hundreds of members and supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) as they prepared to attend a party congress in Rangoon. Admitting Burma under such volatile conditions would make it extremely difficult for ASEAN to fulfill its objectives of promoting regional economic, social and cultural development, safeguarding the region's political and economic stability, and serving as a forum for the resolution of intra-regional differences. If ASEAN embraces Burma now, the grouping will have surrendered its best weapon for promoting peaceful change in the country -- change which can be achieved only through dialogue among SLORC, the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and leaders of the ethnic minorities. More importantly, Burma's premature admission to ASEAN would increase the Burmese people's already unbearable suffering. SLORC's elevation to observer status last year only emboldened it to increase repression. What atrocities can we expect it to commit as a full ASEAN member? We implore you to do what is best for the Burmese people and their ASEAN neighbors: do not interfere in Burma's internal affairs by rewarding SLORC with ASEAN membership. Very truly yours, * * * * * * * * Media Contacts in ASEAN Countries GENERAL Asia Times Asiaweek BRUNEI Borneo Bulletin INDONESIA Indonesia Times Jakarta Post Fax: 6221-5492685 Kompas Suara Merdeka Suara Pembaruan Surabaya Post MALAYSIA Berita Harian The Star PHILIPPINES The Manila Chronicle Fax: (632) 530-1051 or (632) 530-1208 SINGAPORE The Straits Times Business Times Singapore THAILAND Bangkok Post The Nation Matichon Newspaper *************************************** ALTSEAN: BURMA WOMEN'S DAY May 25, 1997 From: altsean@ksc.th.com ALTSEAN-BURMA ALTERNATIVE ASEAN NETWORK ON BURMA tel: 66 2 275 1811 / 693 4515 fax: 66 2 693 4515 BURMA WOMEN'S DAY It has been proposed that June 19, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday, be dedicated as Burma Women's Day. Burma Women's Day will acknowledge the essential role of women in Burma in the promotion of social justice, peace, human rights and democracy. It will honour the sacrifices made by millions of women who face military aggression, abuse, looting, murder, imprisonment, torture, attacks on their person and character, as well as attacks on their families and colleagues, because of their commitment to peace. June 19 is significant because it is also the birthday of one of the most internationally admired women in contemporary times. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect that there are millions of (sometimes invisible) women who not only participate directly in the movement for positive change in Burma, but also support the involvement of family members in the struggle. Burma Women's Day also stresses with women's groups throughout the world that the situation in Burma is a matter of grave concern for all women. The safety and equality of women, let alone their rights as human beings, are a casualty of the brutal oppression perpetuated by Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc). HOW TO SUPPORT: Encourage Burma networks to: 1. Inform ourselves on the situation of women in Burma. 2. Link up with women's groups, particularly on issues concerning women of Burma (e.g. state-sponsored violence against women, women in politics, trafficking of women). 3. Highlight the fact that in addition to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, millions of women work in the struggle, inside and outside Burma. 4. Develop measures and supportive mechanisms to counter-act the structural and other factors which inhibit women from taking a stronger profile in the struggle. 5. Issue a statement, press release or letter to the media to mark Burma Women's Day. Encourage women's networks to: 1. Inform their networks about Burma Women's Day. 2. Issue press statements and letters to the editor to support the democracy movement. 3. Generate articles and discussions about women in Burma. 4. Increase their support and involvement for the activities of Burma activist groups around the world. 5. Include Burma on the agenda of projects and events. Please support this initiative by making the appropriate statements in any planned activities to celebrate Daw Suu's birthday. *******************************************